I've seen the photos and I am convinced:
Bush wasn't wearing a radio prompter, he was (and is) wearing a portable defibrillator.
Which means he is very severely ill, and has been hiding it from us for months.
Is that an impeachable offense? Ought to be.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Stingy?! Who, Us?
I am shocked and outraged that U.N. official Jan Egeland would have the gall to refer to the assistance offered to poor and stricken nations by certain unnamed countries as "stingy"!
After all, what nation gives the largest share of its GNP to foreign aid?
Norway? Oh.
Well, but what country gives the largest total amount of dollars?
Japan? Oh.
Okay, but where does the U.S. rank among industrial nations as a benefactor of the less fortunate?
Tied for seventh place? Oh.
Well, he still shouldn't have used the word "stingy". It's rude.
After all, what nation gives the largest share of its GNP to foreign aid?
Norway? Oh.
Well, but what country gives the largest total amount of dollars?
Japan? Oh.
Okay, but where does the U.S. rank among industrial nations as a benefactor of the less fortunate?
Tied for seventh place? Oh.
Well, he still shouldn't have used the word "stingy". It's rude.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
19th Century Fantasy, 21st Century Horror
I really like Jess Nevins' online encyclopedia of characters from the fantastic literature of the Victorian period. It pleases me no end that it will also soon be available through the good people of MonkeyBrain Books in good old-fashioned book form.
As news reports continue to paint a more vivid picture of the disaster in the Indian Ocean countries, I am increasingly disturbed and saddened. I can only hope that the nations of the world will move to help the survivors, and that they might take a lesson from the act: that humanity's courage and intelligence, the technology and the immense wealth we have created in modern times, can find better uses than warfare.
Click here to donate to tsunami relief.
As news reports continue to paint a more vivid picture of the disaster in the Indian Ocean countries, I am increasingly disturbed and saddened. I can only hope that the nations of the world will move to help the survivors, and that they might take a lesson from the act: that humanity's courage and intelligence, the technology and the immense wealth we have created in modern times, can find better uses than warfare.
Click here to donate to tsunami relief.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
The Christmas Letter
Here's the full text of our Christmas letter for this year:
CONTACT LIGHT
Winter 2004-5, a Blackberry House publication, by John M. Burt, 960 SW Jefferson Avenue, Corvallis, Oregon 97333 USA Telephone (541) 753 – 6094, cell (541) 602 – 6026, email john_m_burt@hotmail.com , blog http://www.john_m_burt.blogspot.com
Two cranes are currently being used in the construction project up at Reser Stadium (formerly named Parker after a football hero, now named Reser after a frozen burrito), a few blocks from Blackberry House. A couple of weeks ago, the arms of the cranes were wrapped in bright yellow lights, and the tops of the cranes’ towers were decorated with red lights in the form of Christmas trees.
The cranes look gorgeous from our lawn or our kitchen window, and we’re hoping that we can get a legible photograph of them before the lights come down. We’re holding out hope for the digital camera.
Last year at this time, there were a lot of things that I hoped would be different by now, and most of them have not changed, at least not in ways I would have hoped for. Oh, well, that’s life. And just think of all the things that could have gotten worse, or which could go wrong in the year to come . . . .
Um, err . . . I’ll try to focus on the things that I might finally be able to improve upon in 2005. That strikes me as a much better idea.
I have continued my plan of taking the prerequisite courses for the nursing program, building up points for admission. There’s just one left for me to take, and then I’ll be all out of classes. Possibly I can find some classes that cover the same material that’s contained in the R.N. program, or maybe I’ll just stay home in the evenings memorizing the Physician’s Desk Reference.
I’m also still working for that home-health organization, and at a daytime activity program for old people, and oh yes, doing massage. Pick up a little here and a little there, and maybe we’ll make a living.
Kathe’s health remains stable, but decidedly not satisfactory. Her replacement hips continue to function well, but she continues to suffer from a condition that causes spasms, weakness and severe pains in her legs, often denying her a proper night’s sleep.
Tesfaye at 18 and Waldy at 16 do their own things, for the most part. This was especially noticeable at Thanksgiving, when there were just the two of us for dinner. I’d been alone at Thanksgiving (when I was in the Navy), but I’d never had Thanksgiving dinner with just one other person. Oh, well, at least it was the right other person.
Waldy works with the local chapter of Food Not Bombs, which every Sunday gathers in our kitchen with donated food to prepare a meal which they serve in the park downtown.
We did get some things done this year, most notably the new section of roof. Jake came for an extended visit, during which, with a hired helper, he put long-lived shingles on the section of the roof which needed it most, the south-facing section above Tes’ apartment. They also replaced the 35-year-old skylights in that area, which had finally begun to leak. I had always admired the clever use of big panes of plexi, nailed on in place of an equal area of shingles – the storebought skylights don’t have anything like their charm. And it remains to be seen whether they will last as long as the plexi did.
A big project for next year has got to be the lawn. It’s all, you know, muddy. Probably has something to do with the Waldy People coming around all the time, walking on it. We have a couple of walkways on the lawn, made up of chunks of recycled sidewalk concrete, and we’re always talking about laying another one, but I think this year we may have to go for several.
So, by this time next year, I may be an enrolled nursing student, the lawn may be extensively amended with little gray slabs, and more of the roof may be leak-free.
Or not. Much is uncertain as we grope for answers in this post-11/2 world. Like, when did “My Favorite Things” become a Christmas song? Suddenly it’s on CD compilations and in heavy rotation on the radio – when did that happen? Does anybody remember it happening, or have we always been at war with Eurasia?
“Contact light” is the first phrase spoken from the surface of the Moon. This Contact Light is dedicated to the lights on the cranes. Please keep in contact, folks. And keep it light.
CONTACT LIGHT
Winter 2004-5, a Blackberry House publication, by John M. Burt, 960 SW Jefferson Avenue, Corvallis, Oregon 97333 USA Telephone (541) 753 – 6094, cell (541) 602 – 6026, email john_m_burt@hotmail.com , blog http://www.john_m_burt.blogspot.com
Two cranes are currently being used in the construction project up at Reser Stadium (formerly named Parker after a football hero, now named Reser after a frozen burrito), a few blocks from Blackberry House. A couple of weeks ago, the arms of the cranes were wrapped in bright yellow lights, and the tops of the cranes’ towers were decorated with red lights in the form of Christmas trees.
The cranes look gorgeous from our lawn or our kitchen window, and we’re hoping that we can get a legible photograph of them before the lights come down. We’re holding out hope for the digital camera.
Last year at this time, there were a lot of things that I hoped would be different by now, and most of them have not changed, at least not in ways I would have hoped for. Oh, well, that’s life. And just think of all the things that could have gotten worse, or which could go wrong in the year to come . . . .
Um, err . . . I’ll try to focus on the things that I might finally be able to improve upon in 2005. That strikes me as a much better idea.
I have continued my plan of taking the prerequisite courses for the nursing program, building up points for admission. There’s just one left for me to take, and then I’ll be all out of classes. Possibly I can find some classes that cover the same material that’s contained in the R.N. program, or maybe I’ll just stay home in the evenings memorizing the Physician’s Desk Reference.
I’m also still working for that home-health organization, and at a daytime activity program for old people, and oh yes, doing massage. Pick up a little here and a little there, and maybe we’ll make a living.
Kathe’s health remains stable, but decidedly not satisfactory. Her replacement hips continue to function well, but she continues to suffer from a condition that causes spasms, weakness and severe pains in her legs, often denying her a proper night’s sleep.
Tesfaye at 18 and Waldy at 16 do their own things, for the most part. This was especially noticeable at Thanksgiving, when there were just the two of us for dinner. I’d been alone at Thanksgiving (when I was in the Navy), but I’d never had Thanksgiving dinner with just one other person. Oh, well, at least it was the right other person.
Waldy works with the local chapter of Food Not Bombs, which every Sunday gathers in our kitchen with donated food to prepare a meal which they serve in the park downtown.
We did get some things done this year, most notably the new section of roof. Jake came for an extended visit, during which, with a hired helper, he put long-lived shingles on the section of the roof which needed it most, the south-facing section above Tes’ apartment. They also replaced the 35-year-old skylights in that area, which had finally begun to leak. I had always admired the clever use of big panes of plexi, nailed on in place of an equal area of shingles – the storebought skylights don’t have anything like their charm. And it remains to be seen whether they will last as long as the plexi did.
A big project for next year has got to be the lawn. It’s all, you know, muddy. Probably has something to do with the Waldy People coming around all the time, walking on it. We have a couple of walkways on the lawn, made up of chunks of recycled sidewalk concrete, and we’re always talking about laying another one, but I think this year we may have to go for several.
So, by this time next year, I may be an enrolled nursing student, the lawn may be extensively amended with little gray slabs, and more of the roof may be leak-free.
Or not. Much is uncertain as we grope for answers in this post-11/2 world. Like, when did “My Favorite Things” become a Christmas song? Suddenly it’s on CD compilations and in heavy rotation on the radio – when did that happen? Does anybody remember it happening, or have we always been at war with Eurasia?
“Contact light” is the first phrase spoken from the surface of the Moon. This Contact Light is dedicated to the lights on the cranes. Please keep in contact, folks. And keep it light.
Friday, December 24, 2004
A Good Day
Normally, I wouldn't have counted a Christmas Eve which I spent largely in driving to Portland and back as a very good one, but actually, it was.
My son Tesfaye was planning to move in with his sister Biftu (also known as Asnakech, or Ash), and when she sounded so unwell on the phone, he felt an urgent desire to go to her and look after her right away. Mindful of the sad fate of people like Lester Bangs and Dori Seda, I tended to encourage rather than discourage that impulse.
So, we loaded up Tes' most essential items (pillows, comforter, CD player) and off we went, cleverly timing our trip to coincide with the early afternoon, when everyone who hadn't left for Grandma's house would be heading out of Portland, rather than in. Just before we left, Kathe checked road conditions with the Oregon DSepartment of Transportation's useful and charming Roadcams.
Biftu turned out to be much better by the time we got there, and I got to have a brief but pleasant visit with my younger daughter. On my way out of Portland, I stopped to check on my dear friend Bella, whose phone was disconnected and who had not answered a recent postcard. Turns out that she's just fine, also, and has just been licensed as a teacher of hairdressing. Good show, Bella -- and yes, next time I will stay long enough to let you give me a trim.
Best of all, I didn't have to work any hours at any of my various jobs -- I had a whole day off, and I'd gotten to sleep through the night alongside my sweetie. A way good day!
And now, since the sight of a suspiciously long and flexible aircraft flying over Corvallis reminds me that it's just barely still Christmas Eve and only getting later, I'll climb down from the lookout tower and get into bed next to my sweetie for a second night of blessed repose.
My son Tesfaye was planning to move in with his sister Biftu (also known as Asnakech, or Ash), and when she sounded so unwell on the phone, he felt an urgent desire to go to her and look after her right away. Mindful of the sad fate of people like Lester Bangs and Dori Seda, I tended to encourage rather than discourage that impulse.
So, we loaded up Tes' most essential items (pillows, comforter, CD player) and off we went, cleverly timing our trip to coincide with the early afternoon, when everyone who hadn't left for Grandma's house would be heading out of Portland, rather than in. Just before we left, Kathe checked road conditions with the Oregon DSepartment of Transportation's useful and charming Roadcams.
Biftu turned out to be much better by the time we got there, and I got to have a brief but pleasant visit with my younger daughter. On my way out of Portland, I stopped to check on my dear friend Bella, whose phone was disconnected and who had not answered a recent postcard. Turns out that she's just fine, also, and has just been licensed as a teacher of hairdressing. Good show, Bella -- and yes, next time I will stay long enough to let you give me a trim.
Best of all, I didn't have to work any hours at any of my various jobs -- I had a whole day off, and I'd gotten to sleep through the night alongside my sweetie. A way good day!
And now, since the sight of a suspiciously long and flexible aircraft flying over Corvallis reminds me that it's just barely still Christmas Eve and only getting later, I'll climb down from the lookout tower and get into bed next to my sweetie for a second night of blessed repose.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Good Festivus to All
This morning, I was trying to entertain some old people with mind-challenging exercises out of the helpfully-provided mental challenge book, only . . . it was so lame.
"Name things that begin with the letter M"
"Fill in the famous partners: Laurel and . . . Martin and . . . Bonnie and . . . " (I was tempted to amend it with "Leopold and . . . ").
Garbage like that.
So I asked them if December 23rd was any kind of special day, if they knew of any holidays that fell today, or historical events, or events in their own lives. Well, no luck there, although I got a few minutes out of the Corvallis Gazette-Times' "Today in History" column, especially by telling them about the dubious circumstances surrounding the attribution of "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" to the Snicketish Clement C. Moore.
Alas, if I had only read the Portland Oregonian earlier in the day, I could have told them about Festivus, a holiday I'd had no previous knowledge of, since I'd never watched Seinfeld.
So, I more or less immediately ran upstairs and told my son Tesfaye about the family in-joke that had been shared with the world with interesting results, and although no bare aluminum pole was handy, he was happy to take a minute to wrestle me to the floor.
It was fun. Improved my mood no end.
Happy Festivus to all.
"Name things that begin with the letter M"
"Fill in the famous partners: Laurel and . . . Martin and . . . Bonnie and . . . " (I was tempted to amend it with "Leopold and . . . ").
Garbage like that.
So I asked them if December 23rd was any kind of special day, if they knew of any holidays that fell today, or historical events, or events in their own lives. Well, no luck there, although I got a few minutes out of the Corvallis Gazette-Times' "Today in History" column, especially by telling them about the dubious circumstances surrounding the attribution of "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" to the Snicketish Clement C. Moore.
Alas, if I had only read the Portland Oregonian earlier in the day, I could have told them about Festivus, a holiday I'd had no previous knowledge of, since I'd never watched Seinfeld.
So, I more or less immediately ran upstairs and told my son Tesfaye about the family in-joke that had been shared with the world with interesting results, and although no bare aluminum pole was handy, he was happy to take a minute to wrestle me to the floor.
It was fun. Improved my mood no end.
Happy Festivus to all.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Today is the Winter Solsitice
It's tyhe shortest day of the year. The Day the Sun Stood Still. The turning of the wheel. The real Christmas, the real New Year. The days will start getting longer now, and maybe other things will improve also. I can at least try to cultivate that feeling.
It's a new beginning. All things are made new. It's a new beginning, all things are made new . . . .
Unfortunately, some old business won't just go away because I'm thinking positive thoughts. I have an hour between a night shift at this guy's house, and a morning spent at an adult day center (don't worry, I'll be able to sleep in the afternoon), and I'm cutting into the time alotted for me to spoon with Kathe before she gets up by climbing the frosty steps to the lookout tower to post to my blog. Seems pretty silly, but I've really been pushed to my limit by the latest Iraq-related news:
At his latest press conference, Bush has finally admitted that his house of cards is collapsing and . . . he blames us.
Our faltering resolve.
He blames us.
It's a new beginning. All things are made new. It's a new beginning, all things are made new . . . .
Unfortunately, some old business won't just go away because I'm thinking positive thoughts. I have an hour between a night shift at this guy's house, and a morning spent at an adult day center (don't worry, I'll be able to sleep in the afternoon), and I'm cutting into the time alotted for me to spoon with Kathe before she gets up by climbing the frosty steps to the lookout tower to post to my blog. Seems pretty silly, but I've really been pushed to my limit by the latest Iraq-related news:
At his latest press conference, Bush has finally admitted that his house of cards is collapsing and . . . he blames us.
Our faltering resolve.
He blames us.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
In Order to Save Social Security . . .
To: James Lileks ( lileks@newhouse.com )
From: John M. Burt ( john_m_burt@hotmail.com )
In the Portland Oregonian for Sunday, 19 December 2004, you start out by indignating against those devious Democrats who would dare to suggest that the Republicans proposing to reform Social Security are really out to destroy it. You assure Granny that they intend nothing of the sort.
You then go on to say, "Everyone knows the system will explode in a shower of shredded promissory notes at some point." Um, has anyone ever mentioned to you that it's always a good idea to look twice at any statement that begins with "everyone knows"?
Besides, everyone doesn't know that. Any honest person knows that the system is, under present rules, solvent until sometime between 2045 and 2055, and can remain solvent indefinitely by slightly altering the parameters (increasing the retirement age, reducing growth in benefits or even -- shudder! -- by collecting Social Security taxes on unearned income).
So the only reason for you to say that Social Security is doomed! doomed! doomed!, is that you want to make us think Social Security is beyond hope, will die anyway -- so let's go ahead and kill it now.
Look, just level with us: if you think the world would be a better place without Social Security, simply explain to Granny how she will be better off without it. Surely that won't be difficult.
From: John M. Burt ( john_m_burt@hotmail.com )
In the Portland Oregonian for Sunday, 19 December 2004, you start out by indignating against those devious Democrats who would dare to suggest that the Republicans proposing to reform Social Security are really out to destroy it. You assure Granny that they intend nothing of the sort.
You then go on to say, "Everyone knows the system will explode in a shower of shredded promissory notes at some point." Um, has anyone ever mentioned to you that it's always a good idea to look twice at any statement that begins with "everyone knows"?
Besides, everyone doesn't know that. Any honest person knows that the system is, under present rules, solvent until sometime between 2045 and 2055, and can remain solvent indefinitely by slightly altering the parameters (increasing the retirement age, reducing growth in benefits or even -- shudder! -- by collecting Social Security taxes on unearned income).
So the only reason for you to say that Social Security is doomed! doomed! doomed!, is that you want to make us think Social Security is beyond hope, will die anyway -- so let's go ahead and kill it now.
Look, just level with us: if you think the world would be a better place without Social Security, simply explain to Granny how she will be better off without it. Surely that won't be difficult.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Trent Lott vs. Donald Rumsfeld
This just observed at the Weston Observer blog:
Sen. Lott Calls For Rumsfeld To Be Replaced
Mississippi Republican Senator and ex Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott told the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce that "I am not a fan of Secretary Rumsfeld" and said the secretary should be replaced sometime within the next year. Lott believes the US needs more troops in Iraq and a clear exit strategy, something he believes Donald Rumsfeld is not capable of. Lott's comments come only days after Sen. John McCain(R- AZ) said that he has no confidence in the Secretary of Defense. President Bush however is unwilling to let go of the man who devised the Iraq war plan. Rumsfeld has been criticized more frequently of late after his remarks to US troops overseas that "You go to war with the Army you have". Lott's words however may not carry much weight in the White House after he was marginalized in 2002. Lott was replaced as Senate Majority Leader by Bill Frist after praising Strom Thurmond's run for president in 1948 as a segregationist.
Well, either this is a very severe indictment (because Rumsfeld has offended even Lott's extremely low standards), or utterly irrelevant (because Lott's a complete whacko). What do you think? Either about Lott or REMFsfeld.
(BTW, thanks to Arthur D. Hlavaty for the very useful nickname "REMFsfeld". I'm sure all veterans will agree that it's a very appropriate one.
Sen. Lott Calls For Rumsfeld To Be Replaced
Mississippi Republican Senator and ex Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott told the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce that "I am not a fan of Secretary Rumsfeld" and said the secretary should be replaced sometime within the next year. Lott believes the US needs more troops in Iraq and a clear exit strategy, something he believes Donald Rumsfeld is not capable of. Lott's comments come only days after Sen. John McCain(R- AZ) said that he has no confidence in the Secretary of Defense. President Bush however is unwilling to let go of the man who devised the Iraq war plan. Rumsfeld has been criticized more frequently of late after his remarks to US troops overseas that "You go to war with the Army you have". Lott's words however may not carry much weight in the White House after he was marginalized in 2002. Lott was replaced as Senate Majority Leader by Bill Frist after praising Strom Thurmond's run for president in 1948 as a segregationist.
Well, either this is a very severe indictment (because Rumsfeld has offended even Lott's extremely low standards), or utterly irrelevant (because Lott's a complete whacko). What do you think? Either about Lott or REMFsfeld.
(BTW, thanks to Arthur D. Hlavaty for the very useful nickname "REMFsfeld". I'm sure all veterans will agree that it's a very appropriate one.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Poisoned with Dioxin?
What the hell is that, the traditional form of ritual murder among the corporati?
Elsewhere in the news: I'm finally writing my Christmas-card letter. Yes, it's late. Yes, the cards are going to be late. That's life. When the letter is finished, I will post it here.
Elsewhere in the news: I'm finally writing my Christmas-card letter. Yes, it's late. Yes, the cards are going to be late. That's life. When the letter is finished, I will post it here.
Monday, December 13, 2004
The Secretary of Defense You Have
Donald Rumsfeld has been criticized very thoroughly for his glib, condescending replies (and non-replies) to serious questions with which soldiers in Kuwait stunned him the other day.
But not quite thoroughly enough.
There's an important point that must be made more than any other, so much so that I even have the nerve to spend time on my blog reiterating it:
Rumsfeld lied about the armor.
Armor Holdings, the Jacksonville, Florida, company that makes most of the Pentagon's armored Humvees, could easily double production, but REMFsfeld has never asked them to.
That's leaving aside the fact that General Motors could retool one Hummer production line, briefly reduce output for the civilian market, and have armored Humvees bumper to bumper from the Kuwait City docks all the way to Baghdad.
Rumsfeld lied.
He lied because he couldn't care less about something as unimportant as the lives and limbs of working-class scum who would actually go and join the Army.
Actually, maybe Rumsfeld and his friends do care about whether our troops have armored vehicles.
After all, the armor occasionally available has resulted in thousands of soldiers (repeat, thousands) being merely maimed instead of killed outright, and crippled veterans are troublesome to neocon dreams of glory.
Crippled veterans are a visible reminder, far less sanitary than mass-produced crosses in military cemeteries, of what their little adventures really cost. Sure, it's a simple thing to prevent embedded journalists from photographing or interviewing them. And only a little more trouble to exculde them from the victory parades. But once they're dumped on the street, they're harder to control. Someone might *notice* them.
Worse yet, crippled veterans who were sent to war with their ears full of lies and return home broken to be denied medical care and cheated out of their pensions might just possibly vote Democratic next time.
So, much neater and more orderly if they are simply killed.
But not quite thoroughly enough.
There's an important point that must be made more than any other, so much so that I even have the nerve to spend time on my blog reiterating it:
Rumsfeld lied about the armor.
Armor Holdings, the Jacksonville, Florida, company that makes most of the Pentagon's armored Humvees, could easily double production, but REMFsfeld has never asked them to.
That's leaving aside the fact that General Motors could retool one Hummer production line, briefly reduce output for the civilian market, and have armored Humvees bumper to bumper from the Kuwait City docks all the way to Baghdad.
Rumsfeld lied.
He lied because he couldn't care less about something as unimportant as the lives and limbs of working-class scum who would actually go and join the Army.
Actually, maybe Rumsfeld and his friends do care about whether our troops have armored vehicles.
After all, the armor occasionally available has resulted in thousands of soldiers (repeat, thousands) being merely maimed instead of killed outright, and crippled veterans are troublesome to neocon dreams of glory.
Crippled veterans are a visible reminder, far less sanitary than mass-produced crosses in military cemeteries, of what their little adventures really cost. Sure, it's a simple thing to prevent embedded journalists from photographing or interviewing them. And only a little more trouble to exculde them from the victory parades. But once they're dumped on the street, they're harder to control. Someone might *notice* them.
Worse yet, crippled veterans who were sent to war with their ears full of lies and return home broken to be denied medical care and cheated out of their pensions might just possibly vote Democratic next time.
So, much neater and more orderly if they are simply killed.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Hoo Boy, What a Week!
A noon on Wednesday I took the final exam in my Anatomy & Physiology class, got a B on the final, clinching an A for the course.
From the Linn-Benton Community College campus I went directly to the home of a home-health-care client for a "night" shift that started in the middle of the afternoon. I saw him through to bedtime, into bed, kept watch over him while he slept, and then helped him in and out of his hot tub in the morning.
Back home for a little bit of sleep, a short shift at an adult day care center and then back to the old man's house for another 17-hour "night".
Another round at the adult day care, a massage client, a quiet evening at home and a decent night's sleep on Friday night. Hoo boy.
From the Linn-Benton Community College campus I went directly to the home of a home-health-care client for a "night" shift that started in the middle of the afternoon. I saw him through to bedtime, into bed, kept watch over him while he slept, and then helped him in and out of his hot tub in the morning.
Back home for a little bit of sleep, a short shift at an adult day care center and then back to the old man's house for another 17-hour "night".
Another round at the adult day care, a massage client, a quiet evening at home and a decent night's sleep on Friday night. Hoo boy.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Condoms Break, But So Do Vows
At the request of Planned Parenthood, and under the direction of my conscience, I sent the following message to my representatives in Congress and Senator Bill Frist:
"Dear Senator Frist:
"The world is full of problems, and too many people try to treat all of them with placebos.
"Abstinence-only education has been shown to result in more teenagers engaging in unprotected sex, more teenage pregnancies and a faster spread of STDs.
"It simply doesn't work.
"And big fat lies about sterility, cancer, &c. are not going to help either. Haven't you ever had a conversation with a smart-aleck seventh-grader who thinks it's the coolest thing in the world to catch you in a small error of fact, and who refuses to believe anything else you say for the rest of the day? We know kids are like that, so why are we going out of our way to deliberately tell them lies, lies which they will be quick to unmask with a simple Internet search?
"Abstinence-only (anti-)sex education seems like a good idea at frist glance, but it's been years now, and it's high time for a second glance. Please support the call for investigation of this failed, fraudulent program."
"Dear Senator Frist:
"The world is full of problems, and too many people try to treat all of them with placebos.
"Abstinence-only education has been shown to result in more teenagers engaging in unprotected sex, more teenage pregnancies and a faster spread of STDs.
"It simply doesn't work.
"And big fat lies about sterility, cancer, &c. are not going to help either. Haven't you ever had a conversation with a smart-aleck seventh-grader who thinks it's the coolest thing in the world to catch you in a small error of fact, and who refuses to believe anything else you say for the rest of the day? We know kids are like that, so why are we going out of our way to deliberately tell them lies, lies which they will be quick to unmask with a simple Internet search?
"Abstinence-only (anti-)sex education seems like a good idea at frist glance, but it's been years now, and it's high time for a second glance. Please support the call for investigation of this failed, fraudulent program."
Friday, December 10, 2004
Thank Heaven For Silly Quizzes
Or else I'd have to think of something to say today if I want to keep up my perfect attendance record:
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Second Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Second Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| Purgatory (Repenting Believers) | Low |
| Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) | High |
| Level 2 (Lustful) | High |
| Level 3 (Gluttonous) | Moderate |
| Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) | Very Low |
| Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) | Low |
| Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) | Low |
| Level 7 (Violent) | Moderate |
| Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) | High |
| Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) | Low |
Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Party Time
A busy couple of days, of which, in a sense, the final was the least of it. Still, even at the puny wages paid to nurse's aides, I've made a bit of money in these couple of days, and we can use some of that.
I finally get a couple of hours of free time, and wouldn't you know it, Kathe's out doing necessary things. Oh, well -- gives me a chance to scamper up the lookout tower and make a post here.
I tried this gag on November 7th, but nobody bit. Maybe it will go over this time. I notice that the election is still in the news, and even if the suspicious circumstances in Ohio turn out to be just an amazing collection of bizarre coincidences (yeah, right), I suspect that elections will be on our minds for a good deal longer. Maybe even long enough for some useful reforms, that would be nice . . . .
Anyway, here's the recycled challenge:
You promised your grandmother on her deathbed that you would never allow your voter's registration to lapse. Going down to the courthouse to register at your new address, you find that a typographical error makes it impossible for you to register as a Democrat, Republican or independent. You must choose from one of the parties on the form; any form not completely filled out will be rejected. And this is the last day to register before the election.
So, what party do you choose?
Libertarian
Green
Constitution
Natural Law
Socialist Workers
If you need to refresh your memory, or if you would rather choose one of the other parties, click on the link above, or go to:
http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/PartyLink.htm#V
I finally get a couple of hours of free time, and wouldn't you know it, Kathe's out doing necessary things. Oh, well -- gives me a chance to scamper up the lookout tower and make a post here.
I tried this gag on November 7th, but nobody bit. Maybe it will go over this time. I notice that the election is still in the news, and even if the suspicious circumstances in Ohio turn out to be just an amazing collection of bizarre coincidences (yeah, right), I suspect that elections will be on our minds for a good deal longer. Maybe even long enough for some useful reforms, that would be nice . . . .
Anyway, here's the recycled challenge:
You promised your grandmother on her deathbed that you would never allow your voter's registration to lapse. Going down to the courthouse to register at your new address, you find that a typographical error makes it impossible for you to register as a Democrat, Republican or independent. You must choose from one of the parties on the form; any form not completely filled out will be rejected. And this is the last day to register before the election.
So, what party do you choose?
Libertarian
Green
Constitution
Natural Law
Socialist Workers
If you need to refresh your memory, or if you would rather choose one of the other parties, click on the link above, or go to:
http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/PartyLink.htm#V
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Take This Easy Quiz!
There are a pair of cranes set up for the renovation of Reser Stadium (formerly named Parker, after a sports hero, now named in honor of the frozen burrito). Currently, they are strung with Christmas lights and are very pretty even from our kitchen window. From the lookout tower, they are spectacular, and I appreciate the spectacle right now, as rain pelts the windows and I alternate between studying for my anatomy & physiology final and refreshing my mind with other things, like blogging.
Faithful reader Peni Griffin says this in a comment attached to my post below, about the quiz which revealed that I am from the Sun:
Here's a research topic for someone with a need to write magazine articles - the history of pointless pop quizzes. Did they start in the 20s with the magazine explosion? Did they coincide with the spread of standardized IQ, aptitude, and psychological testing? Did the Victorians have a prototype, as they did of so many things?
Well, I knew from the start that the Victorians definitely did quiz their guests in all manner of ways. It was one of the standard parlor games, to ask each person present to answer allegedly revealing questions like, "What quality do you admire most in a woman?" and "What single word describes paradise for you?" (Karl Marx, who did most of his own revolutioning in middle-class English parlors, answered those two with "Weakness" and "Fighting").
For that matter, every new development in psychology, from phrenology to hypnosis to dream interpretation, was brought out as an amusement in the best parlors.
But I had a devilish time finding a web site I could link to for corroboration. I paged through all sorts of fun stuff, and learned about innumerable variations on charades and blind man's bluff, but couldn't find what I was looking for.
I did, however, find a most interesting article by a blind psychologist who is critical of the modern "parlor game" of being led around blindfolded in order to "experience" blindness:
http://www.barnard.edu/ods/simulation.html
And that will have to do, with Victorian profiling left for another time, because it is late, and I should either be studying for my final (ten hours away as I write), or else sleeping.
Faithful reader Peni Griffin says this in a comment attached to my post below, about the quiz which revealed that I am from the Sun:
Here's a research topic for someone with a need to write magazine articles - the history of pointless pop quizzes. Did they start in the 20s with the magazine explosion? Did they coincide with the spread of standardized IQ, aptitude, and psychological testing? Did the Victorians have a prototype, as they did of so many things?
Well, I knew from the start that the Victorians definitely did quiz their guests in all manner of ways. It was one of the standard parlor games, to ask each person present to answer allegedly revealing questions like, "What quality do you admire most in a woman?" and "What single word describes paradise for you?" (Karl Marx, who did most of his own revolutioning in middle-class English parlors, answered those two with "Weakness" and "Fighting").
For that matter, every new development in psychology, from phrenology to hypnosis to dream interpretation, was brought out as an amusement in the best parlors.
But I had a devilish time finding a web site I could link to for corroboration. I paged through all sorts of fun stuff, and learned about innumerable variations on charades and blind man's bluff, but couldn't find what I was looking for.
I did, however, find a most interesting article by a blind psychologist who is critical of the modern "parlor game" of being led around blindfolded in order to "experience" blindness:
http://www.barnard.edu/ods/simulation.html
And that will have to do, with Victorian profiling left for another time, because it is late, and I should either be studying for my final (ten hours away as I write), or else sleeping.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
"God Is Still Speaking"
"Jesus never turned people away. Neither do we."
This message (as seen at http://www.stillspeaking.com/default.htm ) was considered too controversial for NBC and CBS (ABC has a long-standing policy against all religious spots, but the message was carried on ABC Family and other Disney-owned cable channels).
Jesus never turned people away. Leslie Moonves and Bob Wright did that.
If you want, you can tell them what you think about that:
http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=juI1LcPZG&b=261471&sid=46034474&action=1483&template=x.ascx
This message (as seen at http://www.stillspeaking.com/default.htm ) was considered too controversial for NBC and CBS (ABC has a long-standing policy against all religious spots, but the message was carried on ABC Family and other Disney-owned cable channels).
Jesus never turned people away. Leslie Moonves and Bob Wright did that.
If you want, you can tell them what you think about that:
http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=juI1LcPZG&b=261471&sid=46034474&action=1483&template=x.ascx
Monday, December 06, 2004
Sad, Sad, Sad
On November 1st, I observed that there were eleven anti-marriage ballot measures in eleven states, and that it looked as though all of them were going to pass. I said that this prospect made me very, very sad.
Well, they all did pass, and I hadn't even guessed just how sad they would make me. And it wasn't even my marriage, my family, or my kids on the chopping block. But maybe it's because my own marriage has been for so long the light and the stay of my life that I feel so strongly that nobody should be turned away from the door.
Most of the people commenting on this post agreed with me, but not all of them. "kb" in particular had plenty to say. Here is his latest, replying to my latest:
John M. Burt wrote:
>Well, we can start with 1 Corinthians 7: 25-31, 36-40, when it comes
>to the early Church's attitude towards marriage.
>
>Or, if we really want to be gruesome about it, Matthew 19:12.
>
>The early fathers of the Church, of course, presumed that the world
>would end quite soon, and that there was no need to be concerned
>about providing a new generation, or even much reason to be
>concerned about earning a living.
>
>I'm not sure where you came up with a reference to "perversion",
>unless you are unclear on the definition of "concupiscence" . . . ?
>
>Getting back to the original subject, I have to say that the passage
>last month of all eleven anti-gay, anti-marriage, anti-family ballot
>measures leaves me very, very sad. Please excuse me for saying that
>I think no decent person should feel anything but sorrow at this
>turn of events.
to which kb replied:
Hi John,
Sorry for the delay -- I've been wanting to give this response the time it's due and I've been going absolutely nuts this past week.
First off, let's look at the Scripture you mention.
You are right that 1 Cor 7:25-31 and 36-40 *appear* to be taking a very discouraging look at marriage, but you're missing the point. The point comes in vv.32-35:
--8<--
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
--8<--
The issue is not that marriage is bad, but that being unmarried allows a person to devote more of their time towards serving God. It is mentioned twice here "an unmarried... is concerned about the Lord's affairs." Throughout Scripture we see a jealous God, one who wants our complete devotion -- this is merely a continuation of that.
As for Matt 19:12, if you take it in context (as all things should be... more on this later) you'll note that in this situation, the Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) were trying to "test him" (v.2). The Jewish law permitted a man to divorce a woman, however that seemed to create issues of adultery under Jesus' teachings... they were fishing for a contradiction.
I think you'll find yourself mistaken when you look a little deeper in the the early church with regards to the concerns about providing a new generation or earning a living. For instance, the Apostle Paul (who wrote a significant portion of the New Testament) continued earning a living while preaching the Gospel. He was a tentmaker.
While the early church (and, for that matter, the present-day church) has believed that "the world would end quite soon" we can see that it hasn't yet ended. Now, is it going to end tomorrow? I don't know. Nobody does. See 1 Thes 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; Rev 16:15. Does that mean we should live lazily today because nothing will matter tomorrow? No! See 2 Pet 3:11-18.
I'm guessing your bringing up of concupiscence has something to do with a Catholic background. From a Protestant standpoint, this point is moot. As man is inherently sinful (since the Fall), we are able to look to one standard as right: God. He expresses himself in different ways, most tangible of which is by his Word (the Bible). And, incidentally, homosexuality has always been a "perversion" of the right expressed there.
A return to the issue of context. Take a look at Psalm 53:1. You'll note that taken out of context, a person could claim "the Bible says 'there is no God'!!!" When we see it in context, however we note that it doesn't say that at all. Yes, it has those four words in that order, but it does prepend it by saying "The fool says in his heart."
John, I'm sorry this all makes you sad. My sorrow, however doesn't change the fact that I strongly believe this to be a step in the right direction and I hope the Parliament of Canada passes similar legislation soon.
Just as I don't believe we should allow special concessions to those suffering from other mental illnesses such as deviant sociopathic murderers, I don't believe a homosexual should be allowed special rights. Homosexuality is a treatable deviant mental illness -- just because culture has embraced it doesn't make it right.
I have nothing against homosexuals, and nor do most good Christians, however we do have something against the sin of homosexuality. Just as we find lying unacceptable, homosexual behaviour is not appropriate.
All I can say to this: "please excuse me for saying that I think no decent person should feel anything but sorrow at this turn of events" is that it seems obvious that the majority of voters on this matter were not "decent" people. What that says about the voting demographic is up to your interpretation.
Cheers,
-kb
--
Kris Benson, CCP, I.S.P.
Natural Networks
http://www.naturalnetworks.ca/
+1(250)961-2533
And here is John's comment on that:
We're getting pretty far off my original point, but I've found a site which expresses it pretty well. You can follow the link above, or copy this one:
http://ks.essortment.com/historyofmarri_rimr.htm
You insist that you "have nothing against" homosexuals, but then you qualify that statement in such a way as to suggest that you have no more against them than you have against "sociopathic murderers". Well, how nice.
As for legislation, current and future: Kris, you and your comrades have something which you feel you must fight against, and you have so far fought hard and well. But the rest of us have something precious to stand up *FOR*, and that is why we will stand firm while you tire, and why ultimately we will prevail.
As for the voters of Oregon, and of the U.S. generally, I have never thought the majority of them were decent people. That's just one more thing we will have to rise above.
Well, they all did pass, and I hadn't even guessed just how sad they would make me. And it wasn't even my marriage, my family, or my kids on the chopping block. But maybe it's because my own marriage has been for so long the light and the stay of my life that I feel so strongly that nobody should be turned away from the door.
Most of the people commenting on this post agreed with me, but not all of them. "kb" in particular had plenty to say. Here is his latest, replying to my latest:
John M. Burt wrote:
>Well, we can start with 1 Corinthians 7: 25-31, 36-40, when it comes
>to the early Church's attitude towards marriage.
>
>Or, if we really want to be gruesome about it, Matthew 19:12.
>
>The early fathers of the Church, of course, presumed that the world
>would end quite soon, and that there was no need to be concerned
>about providing a new generation, or even much reason to be
>concerned about earning a living.
>
>I'm not sure where you came up with a reference to "perversion",
>unless you are unclear on the definition of "concupiscence" . . . ?
>
>Getting back to the original subject, I have to say that the passage
>last month of all eleven anti-gay, anti-marriage, anti-family ballot
>measures leaves me very, very sad. Please excuse me for saying that
>I think no decent person should feel anything but sorrow at this
>turn of events.
to which kb replied:
Hi John,
Sorry for the delay -- I've been wanting to give this response the time it's due and I've been going absolutely nuts this past week.
First off, let's look at the Scripture you mention.
You are right that 1 Cor 7:25-31 and 36-40 *appear* to be taking a very discouraging look at marriage, but you're missing the point. The point comes in vv.32-35:
--8<--
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
--8<--
The issue is not that marriage is bad, but that being unmarried allows a person to devote more of their time towards serving God. It is mentioned twice here "an unmarried... is concerned about the Lord's affairs." Throughout Scripture we see a jealous God, one who wants our complete devotion -- this is merely a continuation of that.
As for Matt 19:12, if you take it in context (as all things should be... more on this later) you'll note that in this situation, the Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) were trying to "test him" (v.2). The Jewish law permitted a man to divorce a woman, however that seemed to create issues of adultery under Jesus' teachings... they were fishing for a contradiction.
I think you'll find yourself mistaken when you look a little deeper in the the early church with regards to the concerns about providing a new generation or earning a living. For instance, the Apostle Paul (who wrote a significant portion of the New Testament) continued earning a living while preaching the Gospel. He was a tentmaker.
While the early church (and, for that matter, the present-day church) has believed that "the world would end quite soon" we can see that it hasn't yet ended. Now, is it going to end tomorrow? I don't know. Nobody does. See 1 Thes 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; Rev 16:15. Does that mean we should live lazily today because nothing will matter tomorrow? No! See 2 Pet 3:11-18.
I'm guessing your bringing up of concupiscence has something to do with a Catholic background. From a Protestant standpoint, this point is moot. As man is inherently sinful (since the Fall), we are able to look to one standard as right: God. He expresses himself in different ways, most tangible of which is by his Word (the Bible). And, incidentally, homosexuality has always been a "perversion" of the right expressed there.
A return to the issue of context. Take a look at Psalm 53:1. You'll note that taken out of context, a person could claim "the Bible says 'there is no God'!!!" When we see it in context, however we note that it doesn't say that at all. Yes, it has those four words in that order, but it does prepend it by saying "The fool says in his heart."
John, I'm sorry this all makes you sad. My sorrow, however doesn't change the fact that I strongly believe this to be a step in the right direction and I hope the Parliament of Canada passes similar legislation soon.
Just as I don't believe we should allow special concessions to those suffering from other mental illnesses such as deviant sociopathic murderers, I don't believe a homosexual should be allowed special rights. Homosexuality is a treatable deviant mental illness -- just because culture has embraced it doesn't make it right.
I have nothing against homosexuals, and nor do most good Christians, however we do have something against the sin of homosexuality. Just as we find lying unacceptable, homosexual behaviour is not appropriate.
All I can say to this: "please excuse me for saying that I think no decent person should feel anything but sorrow at this turn of events" is that it seems obvious that the majority of voters on this matter were not "decent" people. What that says about the voting demographic is up to your interpretation.
Cheers,
-kb
--
Kris Benson, CCP, I.S.P.
Natural Networks
http://www.naturalnetworks.ca/
+1(250)961-2533
And here is John's comment on that:
We're getting pretty far off my original point, but I've found a site which expresses it pretty well. You can follow the link above, or copy this one:
http://ks.essortment.com/historyofmarri_rimr.htm
You insist that you "have nothing against" homosexuals, but then you qualify that statement in such a way as to suggest that you have no more against them than you have against "sociopathic murderers". Well, how nice.
As for legislation, current and future: Kris, you and your comrades have something which you feel you must fight against, and you have so far fought hard and well. But the rest of us have something precious to stand up *FOR*, and that is why we will stand firm while you tire, and why ultimately we will prevail.
As for the voters of Oregon, and of the U.S. generally, I have never thought the majority of them were decent people. That's just one more thing we will have to rise above.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
A Very Handsome Rat
From up here in the lookout tower, the people walking down Jefferson Avenue to my north, and Tenth Street to my west, look like scurrying rats. I'd call that an improvement, and I'm not trying to insult anybody by saying that. I like rats.
Last week, Kathe and I began to hear in our kitchen the unmistakable sounds of little teeth gnawing on something hard and woody. We checked for signs of intrusion in our foodstuffs and didn't find any, and hoped that it was merely a rat or squirrel chewing open nuts in the crawlspace under the house.
We wouldn't have minded that much. We'd eventually have had to go under and block up whatever access the critter had opened, but there was no rush, most likely, so long as the critter or critters didn't come into the kitchen itself.
Then we did find the bread bags torn open, and rat turds in the bottom of a drawer, and knew we had a problem to deal with. So, we dealt with it.
The bread and other food items in that section of the kitchen were all removed to other locations, and replaced by blocks of poisoned food.
We hated to do it. Rats are charming animals. Attractive to look at, intelligent, good parents, &c., but alas, they are too much like us to make good neighbors: they like the same kind of food, they find our houses comfortable, they carry the same diseases. So we gritted our teeth and put out the baits.
Today we found an especially large, especially handsome rat in the back yard, quite dead. He had a beautiful brown coat, a well-formed intelligent-looking head, absolutely the prettiest rat I'd seen in a long time.
We could never have befriended him, though. It takes generations of selection for gentleness and submissiveness before rats are domesticated enough to keep as pets. Still a shame to have to kill him.
Since he wasn't one of *our* rats, we buried him in the compost heap instead of the pet cemetary, but the incident has increased our resolve to build a new rat cage and buy at least a pair of rats. It's been too long since we had any rats of our own.
Last week, Kathe and I began to hear in our kitchen the unmistakable sounds of little teeth gnawing on something hard and woody. We checked for signs of intrusion in our foodstuffs and didn't find any, and hoped that it was merely a rat or squirrel chewing open nuts in the crawlspace under the house.
We wouldn't have minded that much. We'd eventually have had to go under and block up whatever access the critter had opened, but there was no rush, most likely, so long as the critter or critters didn't come into the kitchen itself.
Then we did find the bread bags torn open, and rat turds in the bottom of a drawer, and knew we had a problem to deal with. So, we dealt with it.
The bread and other food items in that section of the kitchen were all removed to other locations, and replaced by blocks of poisoned food.
We hated to do it. Rats are charming animals. Attractive to look at, intelligent, good parents, &c., but alas, they are too much like us to make good neighbors: they like the same kind of food, they find our houses comfortable, they carry the same diseases. So we gritted our teeth and put out the baits.
Today we found an especially large, especially handsome rat in the back yard, quite dead. He had a beautiful brown coat, a well-formed intelligent-looking head, absolutely the prettiest rat I'd seen in a long time.
We could never have befriended him, though. It takes generations of selection for gentleness and submissiveness before rats are domesticated enough to keep as pets. Still a shame to have to kill him.
Since he wasn't one of *our* rats, we buried him in the compost heap instead of the pet cemetary, but the incident has increased our resolve to build a new rat cage and buy at least a pair of rats. It's been too long since we had any rats of our own.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Good Old Forwarded E-Mail
I haven't gotten a forwarded message like this one in quite awhile:
"Good Morning!
"I am passing this on to you because it definitely worked for me and we
all could use more calm in our lives. By following the simple advice I
heard on a Dr. Phil show, I have finally found inner peace. Dr. Phil
proclaimed, "The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things
you've started." So I looked around my house to see all the things I
started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning,
I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle
of Bailey's, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of
both Prozac and Valium prescriptions, the rest of the cheesecake, and a
box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel. Please
pass this on to those you feel are in need of inner peace."
Not bad, as thses things go, and as I said, they seem to have tapered off. People don't seem to forward me goofy jokes and dire warnings much these days, even though I have never been one to rant and indignate against it.
I also haven't gotten many comments posted here, either. Did you all stop reading?
It makes me wonder if I should bother climbing the ladder to the lookout every day (whimper)(peek around to see if anyone is looking sympathetic).
"Good Morning!
"I am passing this on to you because it definitely worked for me and we
all could use more calm in our lives. By following the simple advice I
heard on a Dr. Phil show, I have finally found inner peace. Dr. Phil
proclaimed, "The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things
you've started." So I looked around my house to see all the things I
started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning,
I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle
of Bailey's, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of
both Prozac and Valium prescriptions, the rest of the cheesecake, and a
box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel. Please
pass this on to those you feel are in need of inner peace."
Not bad, as thses things go, and as I said, they seem to have tapered off. People don't seem to forward me goofy jokes and dire warnings much these days, even though I have never been one to rant and indignate against it.
I also haven't gotten many comments posted here, either. Did you all stop reading?
It makes me wonder if I should bother climbing the ladder to the lookout every day (whimper)(peek around to see if anyone is looking sympathetic).
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Today is World AIDS Day
Please follow the link on the headline of this post, sign the petition, and do anything else you feel you have the energy to do. In particular, please contact the WHite House. I know, it seems like a futile thing to do, but there is always a chance that **something** will get through to those people. And we know for certain that doing nothing will onyl get us more of the same.
The current administration will go right on ignoring AIDS, or worse (what kind of human being would react to an epidemic by DISCOURAGING kids from using condoms?), unless something gets them to change their behavior.
So act like *you* are something.
The current administration will go right on ignoring AIDS, or worse (what kind of human being would react to an epidemic by DISCOURAGING kids from using condoms?), unless something gets them to change their behavior.
So act like *you* are something.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)