As I sit up here in the lookout and watch gray clouds threaten Corvallis with, oh, maybe a fine mist, I think of the man who, whenever he said "God damn it" or "Oh, God" would always add "Amen", thus turning his outburst from a blasphemy to a prayer of exasperation.
I'll admit to feeling a bit exasperated yesterday, when I made my whiny post.
In response, Peni R. Griffin wrote:
"This should perk you up.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/story1.htm
"I thought the bird was gone and all the post-war sightings essentially fairies, like Bigfoot and Chupacabras. It's good to be wrong.
"Of course, it could still be functionally extinct. Or the Present Administration could still destroy it. Expect to get begging letters from environmental groups with Ivorybill Woodpecker logos.
"But for now, just sit and think of that searcher sitting on a log crying for joy: 'I saw an ivory bill!'"
Indeed yes. The ivory-billed woodpecker, noted for being both so large and so abrupt in its takeoffs that it became known as the Lord-god bird (as in, *rustle of wings, flash of black, flash of red, flash of shining razor-sharp ivory, involuntary cry of "Lord God!"*), has been seen among us. That can't be a bad thing.
Lord God no, it can't be a bad thing.
Lord God, no. Amen.
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "You know how to learn the answer to this question."\\
Friday, April 29, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Poor Old Arctic Wildlife
MoveOn asked me to call my Senator and urge opposition to Bush's plan to convert the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into a toxic oil-company subsidy teat. But Smith's voice mail box was full.
Act For Change had a different number to call, but it was forwarded to the same overflowing box.
Oh, well. I tried.
Can you tell I'm feeling a little tired?
But that's the problem, of course, the basic asymmetry, with trying to protect vulnerable ecosystems, or vulnerable populations: we have to win again and again, in perpetuity, while the eat-and-run crowd only have to win once for the game to be over.
Forever.
Sigh.
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "Don't you have anything more important to ask about?"\\
Act For Change had a different number to call, but it was forwarded to the same overflowing box.
Oh, well. I tried.
Can you tell I'm feeling a little tired?
But that's the problem, of course, the basic asymmetry, with trying to protect vulnerable ecosystems, or vulnerable populations: we have to win again and again, in perpetuity, while the eat-and-run crowd only have to win once for the game to be over.
Forever.
Sigh.
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "Don't you have anything more important to ask about?"\\
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Cork's Donuts Are Swell
From up here in the lookout, I can see down Jefferson Avenue to Cork's Old-Fashioned Donuts at the corner of 4th and Jefferson.
The other day, I walked into Cork's Old-Fashioned Donuts, and Michelle welcomed me with a glad cry, even though she doesn't like getting her shoulders massaged (the usual reason people are glad to see me coming).
No, she was pleased to see me because in a previous posting to this blog, I had praised her doughnut shop.
Well, heck, I've always been fond of the cute little building at the corner of 4th and Jefferson that used to be the Dairy Queen, and later housed a series of small businesses, most recently a coffee shop (the parking spaces nearby are still marked "Cup-a-Cabana" -- maybe Cork's should lay claim to the name, and use it in promotions?). And I've always been fond of Homer Price stories, pages from which adorn the walls of Cork's. And there's definitely something to be said for any doughnut shop that carries marbled old fashioneds. Mmmmmmm.
So, Michelle gave me a free coffee and doughnut.
Does that make me a professional journalist now?
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "Knowing the answer to this question will not change anything."\\
The other day, I walked into Cork's Old-Fashioned Donuts, and Michelle welcomed me with a glad cry, even though she doesn't like getting her shoulders massaged (the usual reason people are glad to see me coming).
No, she was pleased to see me because in a previous posting to this blog, I had praised her doughnut shop.
Well, heck, I've always been fond of the cute little building at the corner of 4th and Jefferson that used to be the Dairy Queen, and later housed a series of small businesses, most recently a coffee shop (the parking spaces nearby are still marked "Cup-a-Cabana" -- maybe Cork's should lay claim to the name, and use it in promotions?). And I've always been fond of Homer Price stories, pages from which adorn the walls of Cork's. And there's definitely something to be said for any doughnut shop that carries marbled old fashioneds. Mmmmmmm.
So, Michelle gave me a free coffee and doughnut.
Does that make me a professional journalist now?
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "Knowing the answer to this question will not change anything."\\
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Different Sort of Day
Up at 7, get ready to go to the Grace Center for Adult Day Services, to look after the Center's "participants" while the regular staff have their staff meeting.
8 to 11 at the Grace Center, then up to the clinic for my first meeting with a physical therapist. He checked me out, decided what he thought I needed (mostly heat and electrical stimulation).
Have you ever had electrical neuromuscular stimulation? It's the damnedest thing. Feels like warm club soda is fizzing on your skin.
Back home, hang out with Kathe. Another board member of WIllamette Valley Community School comes over and we talk about school stuff.
Kathe and I go out to Robnett's Hardware to buy flashing for the rebuilt porch roof, don't find the flashing we want there, go on to Middleton Plumbing and Heating, where they cut it for us. I nick into Beekman Place, the antique shop around the corner, and admire the various items for sale there.
On the way home, we pass the former train station, now a beautifully restored collection of offices and apartments. The former Poultry Science building, later used as a grain storage structure, has been moved to the vacant lot next to the old station, and has stood ignored for years, but now they're busily preparing a basement / foundation for it, so things are looking up for the old building.
They probably aren't going to be cool enough, though, to name the refurbished structure The Corncrib.
Up the ladder I go, in the bright sunshine, to the lookout, to write a quick entry. It really does look nice from up here.
I log on and I read Arthur D. Hlavaty's blog, Supergee, where I read a painfully funny essay on a day in the life of Joe Republican, as seen at speakout.com. Thanks to Classics Cat.
A couple of hours, and then I have a massage to do. A house call -- I like making house call,s because then I get to see other people's books and things. After that, I see a home-health client and then I'm done for the day (no night shift tonight).
//The Magic 8-Ball says "Make a small donation to charity and you will find you have the answer."\\
8 to 11 at the Grace Center, then up to the clinic for my first meeting with a physical therapist. He checked me out, decided what he thought I needed (mostly heat and electrical stimulation).
Have you ever had electrical neuromuscular stimulation? It's the damnedest thing. Feels like warm club soda is fizzing on your skin.
Back home, hang out with Kathe. Another board member of WIllamette Valley Community School comes over and we talk about school stuff.
Kathe and I go out to Robnett's Hardware to buy flashing for the rebuilt porch roof, don't find the flashing we want there, go on to Middleton Plumbing and Heating, where they cut it for us. I nick into Beekman Place, the antique shop around the corner, and admire the various items for sale there.
On the way home, we pass the former train station, now a beautifully restored collection of offices and apartments. The former Poultry Science building, later used as a grain storage structure, has been moved to the vacant lot next to the old station, and has stood ignored for years, but now they're busily preparing a basement / foundation for it, so things are looking up for the old building.
They probably aren't going to be cool enough, though, to name the refurbished structure The Corncrib.
Up the ladder I go, in the bright sunshine, to the lookout, to write a quick entry. It really does look nice from up here.
I log on and I read Arthur D. Hlavaty's blog, Supergee, where I read a painfully funny essay on a day in the life of Joe Republican, as seen at speakout.com. Thanks to Classics Cat.
A couple of hours, and then I have a massage to do. A house call -- I like making house call,s because then I get to see other people's books and things. After that, I see a home-health client and then I'm done for the day (no night shift tonight).
//The Magic 8-Ball says "Make a small donation to charity and you will find you have the answer."\\
Monday, April 25, 2005
Out Came the Sun
At least the Sun has been shining on our house since that horridly inconvenient rainfall.
The rain damage isn't so bad. The only permanent damage was watermarks on some tacky beaverboards on the ceiling that we were already planning to tear down one of these days, and the same on a library book (only ten dollars, even we can afford it).
My back is starting to feel better. If I can manage to avoid reinjuring it, I should be all right. I see the physical therapist tomorrow.
I look down from the lookout and see the light shining on all the lovely dry ready-to-mow grass, and the fresh tarpaper now laid down over the new plywood on the porch roof, soon to be followed by fine new asphalt shingles.
So, not so bad.
The rain damage isn't so bad. The only permanent damage was watermarks on some tacky beaverboards on the ceiling that we were already planning to tear down one of these days, and the same on a library book (only ten dollars, even we can afford it).
My back is starting to feel better. If I can manage to avoid reinjuring it, I should be all right. I see the physical therapist tomorrow.
I look down from the lookout and see the light shining on all the lovely dry ready-to-mow grass, and the fresh tarpaper now laid down over the new plywood on the porch roof, soon to be followed by fine new asphalt shingles.
So, not so bad.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Taking the Name
[Recycled from August 3rd, 2004]
Why should a woman drop her last name and use her husband's when she marries? To my surprise, this 19th Century issue is still current in the 21st.
The usual story is that this practice ensures that the entire family will share a name and be more of a "real" family. But it doesn't. Only Dad, Mom and children fathered by Dad are ensured of having a name in common. Half of the grandparents and great-grandparents, half of the uncles and more than half of the aunts, cousins, stepchildren, children of ex-spouses and other important family members wind up on the wrong side of the family's (husband's) name. Children who are invited to take their new father's name (or who have it done for them) have to deal with many of the same issues as women facing a name change.
What this practice really does is emphasize the already-exaggerated importance of the nuclear family at the expense of all other relationships. That expense may be borne by the children.
Not that I have any suggestions for alternatives, goodness knows. My own wife adopted my last name, after some 30 years of using her previous husband's name, and so did our four (adopted) children. But I definitely have my doubts about the utility and necessity of the one-name-fits-all family.
Why should a woman drop her last name and use her husband's when she marries? To my surprise, this 19th Century issue is still current in the 21st.
The usual story is that this practice ensures that the entire family will share a name and be more of a "real" family. But it doesn't. Only Dad, Mom and children fathered by Dad are ensured of having a name in common. Half of the grandparents and great-grandparents, half of the uncles and more than half of the aunts, cousins, stepchildren, children of ex-spouses and other important family members wind up on the wrong side of the family's (husband's) name. Children who are invited to take their new father's name (or who have it done for them) have to deal with many of the same issues as women facing a name change.
What this practice really does is emphasize the already-exaggerated importance of the nuclear family at the expense of all other relationships. That expense may be borne by the children.
Not that I have any suggestions for alternatives, goodness knows. My own wife adopted my last name, after some 30 years of using her previous husband's name, and so did our four (adopted) children. But I definitely have my doubts about the utility and necessity of the one-name-fits-all family.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Oh, Great
The rain came down, hard, while the porch roof was still torn up. The machine for keeping your books dry was not fully functional. I was away from home working a night shift, sitting up with an old man, when the rain hit. Kathe had to get up by herself, infected throat and all, to deploy newspaper and buckets, move non-waterproof items, drape plastic sheets, all in the middle of the night.
I came home suffering from the ongoing pains of my injured back and the novel discomforts of a cold in the making (I hope not the one that's made Kathe so miserable) and was not much use. We hobbled through the day, the two of us. Not the best day of the year, is what I'm saying. But that's life.
//The Magic 8-Ball says "You'll be better off not knowing the answer to this question."\\
I came home suffering from the ongoing pains of my injured back and the novel discomforts of a cold in the making (I hope not the one that's made Kathe so miserable) and was not much use. We hobbled through the day, the two of us. Not the best day of the year, is what I'm saying. But that's life.
//The Magic 8-Ball says "You'll be better off not knowing the answer to this question."\\
Friday, April 22, 2005
No, YOU Shut Up!
Recently, I read the blog of a person I happen to know lives in Corvallis. She said some distressing things, and I posted a comment inviting her to call me, or maybe it was come over and have a cup of tea.
The next day, she did call me, and I offered her my support, such as it might be good for. I felt pretty good about the whole thing.
A few days later, I received a letter from a person warning me to stay away from that crazy woman, she's bad, she's a liar, she's an exploiter, rant rant rant . . . .
This friendly message bore, of course, the hallmark of the true civic-minded humanitarian. That's right, it was unsigned.
The thing, I suppose, that puzzles me most is, why didn't Lionheart just e-mail me, or post a comment here? Why did s/he scrawl those nasty words on an actual dead tree and get saliva on a stamp, instead of just staying online with all the other faceless smear-artists?
Force of habit, maybe, in a veteran of many years' scratching with a poison pen.
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "Accept that you will never know the answer to this question."\\
The next day, she did call me, and I offered her my support, such as it might be good for. I felt pretty good about the whole thing.
A few days later, I received a letter from a person warning me to stay away from that crazy woman, she's bad, she's a liar, she's an exploiter, rant rant rant . . . .
This friendly message bore, of course, the hallmark of the true civic-minded humanitarian. That's right, it was unsigned.
The thing, I suppose, that puzzles me most is, why didn't Lionheart just e-mail me, or post a comment here? Why did s/he scrawl those nasty words on an actual dead tree and get saliva on a stamp, instead of just staying online with all the other faceless smear-artists?
Force of habit, maybe, in a veteran of many years' scratching with a poison pen.
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "Accept that you will never know the answer to this question."\\
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Jesse Huh?
The Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson would like to be the right-wing answer to Jesse Jackson, and maybe he would be . . . except nobody cares.
It's not his fault. No more than it's Bruce Tinsley's fault that his comic strip "Mallard Fillmore", which tries so hard to be the right-wing "Doonesbury", can barely manage on a good day to be the right-wing "Garfield".
//The Magic 8-Ball says "I am not the one you should be asking."\\
It's not his fault. No more than it's Bruce Tinsley's fault that his comic strip "Mallard Fillmore", which tries so hard to be the right-wing "Doonesbury", can barely manage on a good day to be the right-wing "Garfield".
//The Magic 8-Ball says "I am not the one you should be asking."\\
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Message From Kathe
I have been reading again about the "shortage" of "qualified" female voices in, oh, let's see, anywhere? And it occurred to me to wonder if guys who say The Ladies aren't up to it even know when they are reading blogging by a woman. I mean, it is easy enough to find out, but mightn't they simply assume that if it's not about things that interest women (let's see, that would be, babies. laundry, remodeling the house, cats, etc) then it must be by a man? I have to admit that I make some possibly sexist assumptions when I'm cruising the blogs and other opinion sites. I assume that if it's about laundry it's by a woman. But more to the point, I assume that if it's about laundry I'm not gonna be interested. I don't record or remember such sites though, so I may happen across them again,when the subject has changed, and never know it. But what I mean to be saying is that the same thing may be happening to men. Obviously, this doesn't apply to newpaper columns. Probably. (Have women stopped using their initials in order to avoid having their opinions dismissed without consideration?) By the way . . . . It is amazing (at least to me) how many blogs do seem to be about doing the wash. Some people need to get out more. And what's with the cutesy little icons and "what my mood is today"?? Like I care. For godssake. Boy am I getting cranky or what in my old age. Maybe I was always this cranky though. I can't remember ever being so interested in laundry that I'd take up precious communication time with it. Love, Kathe
Oh wait, I forgot!! I found Suzette Haden Elgin's blog; she's at livejournal and the name is "ozarque." I totally love it. I'm engaged in reading all of her archives. As you will know, if you've ever heard of her, she is a linguist who writes sf (sometimes; she also wrote the Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense). Online, she writes about getting published, about linguistic analysis, and about society from the linguistic point of view. Oh, and about non-verbal communication. Bye-bye, this time for sure.
Oh wait, I forgot!! I found Suzette Haden Elgin's blog; she's at livejournal and the name is "ozarque." I totally love it. I'm engaged in reading all of her archives. As you will know, if you've ever heard of her, she is a linguist who writes sf (sometimes; she also wrote the Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense). Online, she writes about getting published, about linguistic analysis, and about society from the linguistic point of view. Oh, and about non-verbal communication. Bye-bye, this time for sure.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Unitarian Jihad
If you haven't signed up with the Unitarian Jihad and gotten your Jihadi name yet, there's still time.
There's still time right now, that is. Don't wait too long, if you know what's good for you.
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "Take care of something you've been meaning to get around to, and the answer will come to you."\\
There's still time right now, that is. Don't wait too long, if you know what's good for you.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Logging Chain of Patience.
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "Take care of something you've been meaning to get around to, and the answer will come to you."\\
Monday, April 18, 2005
The Kennedy (Character) Assassination
According to the article linked above, some conservatives believe Tom DeLay may be "barking up the wrong tree" in seeking the mass impeachment of judges (and Supreme Court justices) he doesn't approve of.
I'd say "barking" is the right word for Tom DeLay.
The shambling moss-encrusted mockery of a porch roof is finally coming off, falling in a shower of broken shingles onto the lawn. The house is going to look substantially spiffier when it's re-shingled. From up here in the lookout, I can see the crew of roofers scurrying about like little ants . . . .
Oh, wait, those are little ants, exposed by the shingles being torn up. That's right: the lookout is imaginary, and the porch roof is being torn up by just the one guy. I'm not participating very much in the project because *sniffle* my poor, poor back hurts so much.
//The Magic 8-Ball says "Go have a treat and the answer will present itself by the time you are finished."\\
I'd say "barking" is the right word for Tom DeLay.
The shambling moss-encrusted mockery of a porch roof is finally coming off, falling in a shower of broken shingles onto the lawn. The house is going to look substantially spiffier when it's re-shingled. From up here in the lookout, I can see the crew of roofers scurrying about like little ants . . . .
Oh, wait, those are little ants, exposed by the shingles being torn up. That's right: the lookout is imaginary, and the porch roof is being torn up by just the one guy. I'm not participating very much in the project because *sniffle* my poor, poor back hurts so much.
//The Magic 8-Ball says "Go have a treat and the answer will present itself by the time you are finished."\\
Sunday, April 17, 2005
David Reinhard Speaks
It was quite interesting, really, to read Reinhard's column in the Oregonian, wrestling with his conscience over same-sex marriage.
I would have liked it better, of course, if his conscience had won, but considering its size, I'm sure the little blighter put up a good fight.
I would have liked it better, of course, if his conscience had won, but considering its size, I'm sure the little blighter put up a good fight.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Moonbat
Lately I've been seeing a new word online, "moonbat". I've seen various attempts made to define it, but none of them seemed properly succint and complete, and worst of all none seemed to provide any sort of etymology.
I shall now attempt to both define and derive this word since it seems to be so popular and important.
"Bat", of course, refers to members of the order chiroptera (with some contending that the "megachiroptera" of South America should be classified as primates), strange and wonderful animals which are beneficial to humanity. Intelligent, well-educated liberals recognize bats as an asset, and seek to encourage them through environmental protection, including the building of bathouses on the outsides of their homes. The ignorant and superstitious hate and fear bats, and can think of no worse insult than to compare people they also hate and fear (out of ignorance) to bats.
"Moon" refers to Earth's primary natural sattelite, which humans visited for a brief period thanks to a massive liberal spending program. The scientific and technological benefits of the Apollo Project were immense, and would have been far greater if the program had not been killed by a right-wing administration that wanted to spend that money on a futile foreign war. Thus, the Moon is, like bats, symbolic of liberalism and all the benefits it brings to a culture, and naturally will be an object of hatred and fear to the Right.
Combine the two and you get "Moonbat"; environmental good sense, scientific curiosity, prosperity for all and the triumph of knowledge over traditional superstition. In short, all the things that enemies of civilization like Osama bin Laden and Pat Robertson hate most.
I shall now attempt to both define and derive this word since it seems to be so popular and important.
"Bat", of course, refers to members of the order chiroptera (with some contending that the "megachiroptera" of South America should be classified as primates), strange and wonderful animals which are beneficial to humanity. Intelligent, well-educated liberals recognize bats as an asset, and seek to encourage them through environmental protection, including the building of bathouses on the outsides of their homes. The ignorant and superstitious hate and fear bats, and can think of no worse insult than to compare people they also hate and fear (out of ignorance) to bats.
"Moon" refers to Earth's primary natural sattelite, which humans visited for a brief period thanks to a massive liberal spending program. The scientific and technological benefits of the Apollo Project were immense, and would have been far greater if the program had not been killed by a right-wing administration that wanted to spend that money on a futile foreign war. Thus, the Moon is, like bats, symbolic of liberalism and all the benefits it brings to a culture, and naturally will be an object of hatred and fear to the Right.
Combine the two and you get "Moonbat"; environmental good sense, scientific curiosity, prosperity for all and the triumph of knowledge over traditional superstition. In short, all the things that enemies of civilization like Osama bin Laden and Pat Robertson hate most.
Friday, April 15, 2005
The Individual-i Icon
A new icon has been created, the "individual-i", intended to represent
"Freedom from surveillance
Personal privacy
Anonymity
Equal protection
Due process
Freedom to read, write, think, speak, associate, and travel
The right to make your own choices about sex, reproduction, marriage, and death
The right to dissent"
Personally, I prefer this icon, which also means all of those things.
[Note: If the link above to my favorite icon doesn't work, I'm referring to the icon of individual rights which has stars and stripes.]
"Freedom from surveillance
Personal privacy
Anonymity
Equal protection
Due process
Freedom to read, write, think, speak, associate, and travel
The right to make your own choices about sex, reproduction, marriage, and death
The right to dissent"
Personally, I prefer this icon, which also means all of those things.
[Note: If the link above to my favorite icon doesn't work, I'm referring to the icon of individual rights which has stars and stripes.]
Thursday, April 14, 2005
I Admit It, I Was Wrong
Last July, I posted the following item:
"Studies have shown that children are happier, healthier, get better grades, are less likely to get in trouble with the police, have fewer cavities, &c., if they have a mother and a father.
"This piece of news has been widely reported.
"Very widely.
"Less often mentioned is the fact that children also do better if both of their parents are white.
"Apparently, nobody feels a pressing need to make that fact the basis for public policy."
I confess it, I was wrong. Those widely-cited studies don't, well, exist. I apologize for my error.
Everyone else who has cited that phantomnation of studies may also feel free to retract and apologize.
"Studies have shown that children are happier, healthier, get better grades, are less likely to get in trouble with the police, have fewer cavities, &c., if they have a mother and a father.
"This piece of news has been widely reported.
"Very widely.
"Less often mentioned is the fact that children also do better if both of their parents are white.
"Apparently, nobody feels a pressing need to make that fact the basis for public policy."
I confess it, I was wrong. Those widely-cited studies don't, well, exist. I apologize for my error.
Everyone else who has cited that phantomnation of studies may also feel free to retract and apologize.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
I Hurt My Back
Hurts like the dickens sometimes, and occasionally I can't stand up straight. I can barely make it up here to the lookout.
I'm calling a physical therapist. Hope s/he can help.
How are you?
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "You already know the answer to this question."\\
I'm calling a physical therapist. Hope s/he can help.
How are you?
//The Magic 8-Ball says: "You already know the answer to this question."\\
One Of Those Question Things
"If you were writing your autobiography (since no one else can), what five lessons would you want people to gain from your experiences?"
My answers:
1. Wanting to be spanked is not a sexual perversion. Spanking a child for masturbating is a sexual perversion.
2. Don't ask for something until you can define what you're asking for succinctly.
3. The best way to make a pass is to start with "You probably already know that I find you very attractive."
4. When you feel trapped, tell yourself "There is a way."
5. There *is* a way.
My answers:
1. Wanting to be spanked is not a sexual perversion. Spanking a child for masturbating is a sexual perversion.
2. Don't ask for something until you can define what you're asking for succinctly.
3. The best way to make a pass is to start with "You probably already know that I find you very attractive."
4. When you feel trapped, tell yourself "There is a way."
5. There *is* a way.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Caterpillar Story
[Recycled from August 7th, 2004 and Januar 13th, 2005] here's a story I love to tell:
There are a lot of benefits to Waldy's friends coming and hanging out at our place. One of them is that we know where Waldy is (provided he's actually somewhere in the mix, and hasn't nicked off while his friends continue to hang out). Another is the occasional request for the caterpillar story.
It's not even my story. It's actually Joseph's story. But Kathe divorced Joseph and married me, so I guess I have some claim on the caterpillar story. Certainly it's unlikely that Joseph is going around telling the caterpillar story to his new (Joseph-and-Libby) friends. He's much too dignified for that these days.
Joseph came home from a job interview one day and wrote a note to Kathe and their housemates about the interesting time he'd had. He wrote it in the form of a children's story, with illustrations, and left it on the kitchen table. Kathe still has that sheet of paper somewhere, but she hasn't seen it in years, and doesn't know where it is. I will, as I do for the kids, attempt to paraphrase the caterpillar story as best I can remember it.
Once upon a time there was a man who wanted to get a job giving money to poor people. The man liekd poor people, and thought it would be a good idea to give them money, so he went to the place where they were interviewing people for the job.
The man who was giving the interview did not like poor people. He said, "Grind up the people on welfare into hamburger."
During the interview, the man noticed a caterpillar crawling on his boot. The interviewer told him to put the caterpillar in the wastebasket, bu the man said he would put the caterpillar on his knee until the interview was over, and then take it outside.
When the interview was over, the caterpillar was no longer on the man's knee. He looked all over the interviewer's office for it. He got down on his hands and knees looking. Soon, the man who gave the interview was also on his hands and knees trying to find the caterpillar, but they could not find it at all.
I do not know if the man got the job or not.
There are a lot of benefits to Waldy's friends coming and hanging out at our place. One of them is that we know where Waldy is (provided he's actually somewhere in the mix, and hasn't nicked off while his friends continue to hang out). Another is the occasional request for the caterpillar story.
It's not even my story. It's actually Joseph's story. But Kathe divorced Joseph and married me, so I guess I have some claim on the caterpillar story. Certainly it's unlikely that Joseph is going around telling the caterpillar story to his new (Joseph-and-Libby) friends. He's much too dignified for that these days.
Joseph came home from a job interview one day and wrote a note to Kathe and their housemates about the interesting time he'd had. He wrote it in the form of a children's story, with illustrations, and left it on the kitchen table. Kathe still has that sheet of paper somewhere, but she hasn't seen it in years, and doesn't know where it is. I will, as I do for the kids, attempt to paraphrase the caterpillar story as best I can remember it.
Once upon a time there was a man who wanted to get a job giving money to poor people. The man liekd poor people, and thought it would be a good idea to give them money, so he went to the place where they were interviewing people for the job.
The man who was giving the interview did not like poor people. He said, "Grind up the people on welfare into hamburger."
During the interview, the man noticed a caterpillar crawling on his boot. The interviewer told him to put the caterpillar in the wastebasket, bu the man said he would put the caterpillar on his knee until the interview was over, and then take it outside.
When the interview was over, the caterpillar was no longer on the man's knee. He looked all over the interviewer's office for it. He got down on his hands and knees looking. Soon, the man who gave the interview was also on his hands and knees trying to find the caterpillar, but they could not find it at all.
I do not know if the man got the job or not.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Personal Responsibility
[Recycled from 16 July 2004]
Let's see if I have this straight:
If you become addicted to tobacco as a teenager and are unable to quit later on, all of the diseases that make you miserable and eventually kill you are your own personal responsibility
If you learn in the 1950s that tobacco is a killer, but spend billions of dollars on ad campaigns intended to ridicule and obfuscate the truth, not only do you bear no personal responsibility, but it's unfair to your poor widdle corporation to demand a few pennies to put a band-aid on the damage you have done.
Let's see if I have this straight:
If you become addicted to tobacco as a teenager and are unable to quit later on, all of the diseases that make you miserable and eventually kill you are your own personal responsibility
If you learn in the 1950s that tobacco is a killer, but spend billions of dollars on ad campaigns intended to ridicule and obfuscate the truth, not only do you bear no personal responsibility, but it's unfair to your poor widdle corporation to demand a few pennies to put a band-aid on the damage you have done.
Flotsam From Jake
Kathe's son Jake sent me this one.
Dang, and I like $2 bills myself, too.
A tale of customer service, justice and currency as funny as a $2 bill
Michael Olesker
March 8, 2005
PUT YOURSELF in Mike Bolesta's place. On the morning of Feb. 20, he buys a
new radio-CD player for his 17-year-old son Christopher's car. He pays the
$114 installation charge with 57 crisp new $2 bills, which, when last
observed, were still considered legitimate currency in the United States
proper. The $2 bills are Bolesta's idea of payment, and his little comic
protest, too.
For this, Bolesta, Baltimore County resident, innocent citizen, owner of
Capital City Student Tours, finds himself under arrest.
Finds himself, in front of a store full of customers at the Best Buy on
York Road in Lutherville, locked into handcuffs and leg irons.
Finds himself transported to the Baltimore County lockup in Cockeysville,
where he's handcuffed to a pole for three hours while the U.S. Secret
Service is called into the case.
Have a nice day, Mike.
"Humiliating," the 57-year old Bolesta was saying now. "I am 6 feet 5
inches tall, and I felt like 8 inches high. To be handcuffed, to have all
those people looking on, to be cuffed to a pole -- and to know you haven't
done anything wrong. And me, with a brother, Joe, who spent 33 years on
the city police force. It was humiliating."
What we have here, besides humiliation, is a sense of caution resulting in
screw-ups all around.
"When I bought the stereo player," Bolesta explains, "the technician said
it'd fit perfectly into my son's dashboard. But it didn't. So they called
back and said they had another model that would fit perfectly, and it was
cheaper. We got a $67 refund, which was fine. As long as it fit, that's
all.
"So we go back and pay for it, and they tell us to go around front with
our receipt and pick up the difference in the cost. I ask about
installation charges. They said, 'No installation charge, because of the
mix-up. Our mistake, no charge.' Swell.
"But then, the next day, I get a call at home. They're telling me, 'If you
don't come in and pay the installation fee, we're calling the police.'
Jeez, where did we go from them admitting a mistake to suddenly calling
the police? So I say, 'Fine, I'll be in tomorrow.' But, overnight, I'm
starting to steam a little. It's not the money -- it's the threat. So I
thought, I'll count out a few $2 bills."
He has lots and lots of them.
With his Capital City Student Tours, he arranges class trips for school
kids around the country traveling to large East Coast cities, including
Baltimore. He's been doing this for the last 18 years. He makes all the
arrangements: hotels, meals, entertainment. And it's part of his schtick
that, when Bolesta hands out meal money to students, he does it in $2
bills, which he picks up from his regular bank, Sun Trust.
"The kids don't see that many $2 bills, so they think this is the greatest
thing in the world," Bolesta says. "They don't want to spend 'em. They
want to save 'em. I've been doing this since I started the company. So I'm
thinking, 'I'll stage my little comic protest. I'll pay the $114 with $2
bills.'"
At Best Buy, they may have perceived the protest -- but did not sense the
comic aspect of 57 $2 bills.
"I'm just here to pay the bill," Bolesta says he told a cashier. "She
looked at the $2 bills and told me, 'I don't have to take these if I don't
want to.' I said, 'If you don't, I'm leaving. I've tried to pay my bill
twice. You don't want these bills, you can sue me.' So she took the money.
Like she's doing me a favor."
He remembers the cashier marking each bill with a pen. Then other store
personnel began to gather, a few of them asking, "Are these real?"
"Of course they are," Bolesta said. "They're legal tender."
A Best Buy manager refused comment last week. But, according to a
Baltimore County police arrest report, suspicions were roused when an
employee noticed some smearing of ink. So the cops were called in. One
officer noticed the bills ran in sequential order.
"I told them, 'I'm a tour operator. I've got thousands of these bills. I
get them from my bank. You got a problem, call the bank,'" Bolesta says.
"I'm sitting there in a chair. The store's full of people watching this.
All of a sudden, he's standing me up and handcuffing me behind my back,
telling me, 'We have to do this until we get it straightened out.'
"Meanwhile, everybody's looking at me. I've lived here 18 years. I'm
hoping my kids don't walk in and see this. And I'm saying, 'I can't
believe you're doing this. I'm paying with legal American money.'"
Bolesta was then taken to the county police lockup in Cockeysville, where
he sat handcuffed to a pole and in leg irons while the Secret Service was
called in.
"At this point," he says, "I'm a mass murderer."
Finally, Secret Service agent Leigh Turner arrived, examined the bills and
said they were legitimate, adding, according to the police report,
"Sometimes ink on money can smear."
This will be important news to all concerned.
For Baltimore County police, said spokesman Bill Toohey, "It's a sign that
we're all a little nervous in the post-9/11 world."
The other day, one of Bolesta's sons needed a few bucks. Bolesta pulled
out his wallet and "whipped out a couple of $2 bills. But my son turned
away. He said he doesn't want 'em any more."
He's seen where such money can lead.
Copyright © 2005, The Baltimore Sun
Dang, and I like $2 bills myself, too.
A tale of customer service, justice and currency as funny as a $2 bill
Michael Olesker
March 8, 2005
PUT YOURSELF in Mike Bolesta's place. On the morning of Feb. 20, he buys a
new radio-CD player for his 17-year-old son Christopher's car. He pays the
$114 installation charge with 57 crisp new $2 bills, which, when last
observed, were still considered legitimate currency in the United States
proper. The $2 bills are Bolesta's idea of payment, and his little comic
protest, too.
For this, Bolesta, Baltimore County resident, innocent citizen, owner of
Capital City Student Tours, finds himself under arrest.
Finds himself, in front of a store full of customers at the Best Buy on
York Road in Lutherville, locked into handcuffs and leg irons.
Finds himself transported to the Baltimore County lockup in Cockeysville,
where he's handcuffed to a pole for three hours while the U.S. Secret
Service is called into the case.
Have a nice day, Mike.
"Humiliating," the 57-year old Bolesta was saying now. "I am 6 feet 5
inches tall, and I felt like 8 inches high. To be handcuffed, to have all
those people looking on, to be cuffed to a pole -- and to know you haven't
done anything wrong. And me, with a brother, Joe, who spent 33 years on
the city police force. It was humiliating."
What we have here, besides humiliation, is a sense of caution resulting in
screw-ups all around.
"When I bought the stereo player," Bolesta explains, "the technician said
it'd fit perfectly into my son's dashboard. But it didn't. So they called
back and said they had another model that would fit perfectly, and it was
cheaper. We got a $67 refund, which was fine. As long as it fit, that's
all.
"So we go back and pay for it, and they tell us to go around front with
our receipt and pick up the difference in the cost. I ask about
installation charges. They said, 'No installation charge, because of the
mix-up. Our mistake, no charge.' Swell.
"But then, the next day, I get a call at home. They're telling me, 'If you
don't come in and pay the installation fee, we're calling the police.'
Jeez, where did we go from them admitting a mistake to suddenly calling
the police? So I say, 'Fine, I'll be in tomorrow.' But, overnight, I'm
starting to steam a little. It's not the money -- it's the threat. So I
thought, I'll count out a few $2 bills."
He has lots and lots of them.
With his Capital City Student Tours, he arranges class trips for school
kids around the country traveling to large East Coast cities, including
Baltimore. He's been doing this for the last 18 years. He makes all the
arrangements: hotels, meals, entertainment. And it's part of his schtick
that, when Bolesta hands out meal money to students, he does it in $2
bills, which he picks up from his regular bank, Sun Trust.
"The kids don't see that many $2 bills, so they think this is the greatest
thing in the world," Bolesta says. "They don't want to spend 'em. They
want to save 'em. I've been doing this since I started the company. So I'm
thinking, 'I'll stage my little comic protest. I'll pay the $114 with $2
bills.'"
At Best Buy, they may have perceived the protest -- but did not sense the
comic aspect of 57 $2 bills.
"I'm just here to pay the bill," Bolesta says he told a cashier. "She
looked at the $2 bills and told me, 'I don't have to take these if I don't
want to.' I said, 'If you don't, I'm leaving. I've tried to pay my bill
twice. You don't want these bills, you can sue me.' So she took the money.
Like she's doing me a favor."
He remembers the cashier marking each bill with a pen. Then other store
personnel began to gather, a few of them asking, "Are these real?"
"Of course they are," Bolesta said. "They're legal tender."
A Best Buy manager refused comment last week. But, according to a
Baltimore County police arrest report, suspicions were roused when an
employee noticed some smearing of ink. So the cops were called in. One
officer noticed the bills ran in sequential order.
"I told them, 'I'm a tour operator. I've got thousands of these bills. I
get them from my bank. You got a problem, call the bank,'" Bolesta says.
"I'm sitting there in a chair. The store's full of people watching this.
All of a sudden, he's standing me up and handcuffing me behind my back,
telling me, 'We have to do this until we get it straightened out.'
"Meanwhile, everybody's looking at me. I've lived here 18 years. I'm
hoping my kids don't walk in and see this. And I'm saying, 'I can't
believe you're doing this. I'm paying with legal American money.'"
Bolesta was then taken to the county police lockup in Cockeysville, where
he sat handcuffed to a pole and in leg irons while the Secret Service was
called in.
"At this point," he says, "I'm a mass murderer."
Finally, Secret Service agent Leigh Turner arrived, examined the bills and
said they were legitimate, adding, according to the police report,
"Sometimes ink on money can smear."
This will be important news to all concerned.
For Baltimore County police, said spokesman Bill Toohey, "It's a sign that
we're all a little nervous in the post-9/11 world."
The other day, one of Bolesta's sons needed a few bucks. Bolesta pulled
out his wallet and "whipped out a couple of $2 bills. But my son turned
away. He said he doesn't want 'em any more."
He's seen where such money can lead.
Copyright © 2005, The Baltimore Sun
Friday, April 08, 2005
Jimmy Why?
I'm impressed by how many different versions there are of why Jimmy Carter wasn't a member of the White House's official delegation to the Pope's funeral. Explanations range from the grotesque to the mundane, but where the current administration is concerned, I have learned not to discount the preposterous.
Freedom Isn't Free
Arthur D. Hlavaty passed along to me a link to a most interesting essay concerning the recent attempt by certain right-wing voices (oh, very well: the entire echo chamber) to smear photojournalists who have been reporting on the current war from the front lines.
Guess what? Turns out that freedom isn't free. Big surprise.
Guess what? Turns out that freedom isn't free. Big surprise.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
"I Coulda Swore He Was Asking For It"
Amanda Marcotte comments on a gay-bashing incident.
The most disturbing thing about the whole business, to me, is that the defendents' parents were able to find a lawyer who specializes in defending alleged Christians who are accused of acts of violence.
Frankly, I'm surprised that "he was asking for it" didn't work as a defense. Men have been slowly turtured to death by men who walked free by arguing that they were provoked. Maybe certain areas of the country are growing up a little bit.
The most disturbing thing about the whole business, to me, is that the defendents' parents were able to find a lawyer who specializes in defending alleged Christians who are accused of acts of violence.
Frankly, I'm surprised that "he was asking for it" didn't work as a defense. Men have been slowly turtured to death by men who walked free by arguing that they were provoked. Maybe certain areas of the country are growing up a little bit.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Cutting It
From up here in the lookout, the lawn doesn't look too bad, but I know that the view from street level (where massage clients might be), the view is less forgiving.
Got a haircut this morning.
Tomorrow, gonna cut the grass for the first time this season.
Wild times, I tell ya.
Got a haircut this morning.
Tomorrow, gonna cut the grass for the first time this season.
Wild times, I tell ya.
Monday, April 04, 2005
No Freedom Without Religion
Rich Lowry says there is no freedom without religion, because there is no freedom without morality, and no morality without God. In fact, it had better be Lowry's own God, just to be on the safe side.
I have progressed over the course of my adult life from militant evangelical atheist to lattitudinarian, but I have never understood this notion of "God-given morality".
It's always seemed to me that if morality is simply whatever God says to do / refrain from doing, then it's only happenstance that taking an axe to your grandmother isn't a sacred duty.
On the other hand, if God is restrained by *God's* innate sense of morality, then God is irrelevant -- we are obliged to do good no matter who does or does not do good, no matter who does or does not exist.
Did I miss something?
I have progressed over the course of my adult life from militant evangelical atheist to lattitudinarian, but I have never understood this notion of "God-given morality".
It's always seemed to me that if morality is simply whatever God says to do / refrain from doing, then it's only happenstance that taking an axe to your grandmother isn't a sacred duty.
On the other hand, if God is restrained by *God's* innate sense of morality, then God is irrelevant -- we are obliged to do good no matter who does or does not do good, no matter who does or does not exist.
Did I miss something?
Sunday, April 03, 2005
New Names
Kathe went to Blogthings and she brought back . . . new names:
and here are mine:
Kathleen Lucile Burt's Aliases |
Your movie star name: Chips Clarence |
Your fashion designer name is Kathleen Naples |
Your socialite name is Little Beaver Portland |
Your fly girl / guy name is K Bur |
Your detective name is Rat Washington |
Your barfly name is Chips Beer |
Your soap opera name is Lucile 44th |
Your rock star name is Licorice Shoes |
Your star wars name is Katcok Burcly |
Your punk rock band name is The Good Dufungisis |
and here are mine:
John Merritt Burt's Aliases |
Your movie star name: Chips Charles |
Your fashion designer name is John Antwerp |
Your socialite name is Chop-Chop San Francisco |
Your fly girl / guy name is J Bur |
Your detective name is Rat Crescent Valley |
Your barfly name is Muffin Corflu |
Your soap opera name is Merritt Gellatly |
Your rock star name is Butterfinger Life |
Your star wars name is Johamb Burlin |
Your punk rock band name is The Amused Rocket |
Saturday, April 02, 2005
All The Good Tunes
One solution to a common annoyance of public transportation. And street corners. And your own front step.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Goodbye, Mrs. Schiavo
I want to speak of the matter of Theresa Schiavo one more time, and I hope to do so in a respectful manner. There have been too many unpleasant words spoken on the subject.
The problem is that there are two very different stories here. In fact, there are two different people under discussion.
Terri Schindler-Schiavo was brain-damaged to some extent, but still described as "lucid". She responded to voices and to touch in an obviously meaningful fashion, and occasionally spoke, inarticulately but with obvious intent. Her evil husband plotted to kill her for $700,000 of insurance money, and ignored all pleas on her behalf. He claimed that she would not want to live under such conditions, but he had no corroboration for the claim. He injected her with insulin to try to hasten her death, muttering "When is the bitch going to die?"
Mrs. Theresa Schiavo was severely brain-damaged and had no consciousness. The place once occupied by her cerebral cortex was filled with fluid and scar tissue. Her eyes did not track, she did not respond to sound or to touch. She had said to her husband and to various other persons that she did not want to be kept alive artificially under such conditions, and her husband stood by her in spite of harassment, death threats and even offers of money that ran as high as ten million dollars.
Those are the two lives we have been offered by the media. Depending on which channel you tuned in, you heard one or the other. Any decent human being would reach out to Terri Schindler-Schiavo, and millions did. The problem is, the two versions of reality are not equally valid. As with evolution vs. creationism, orweapons of mass destruction in Iraq, there comes a time when a reasonable person is forced to say, "This is reality, and the other side of the argument is proven false by overwhelming evidence."
Terri Schindler-Sciavo was a fictional character created by wishful thinking (on her parents' part) and political expediency (on the part of people like Randall Terry and Tom DeLay, who had agendas of their own). The tragedy of Theresa Marie Schiavo is the reality, period.
The problem is that there are two very different stories here. In fact, there are two different people under discussion.
Terri Schindler-Schiavo was brain-damaged to some extent, but still described as "lucid". She responded to voices and to touch in an obviously meaningful fashion, and occasionally spoke, inarticulately but with obvious intent. Her evil husband plotted to kill her for $700,000 of insurance money, and ignored all pleas on her behalf. He claimed that she would not want to live under such conditions, but he had no corroboration for the claim. He injected her with insulin to try to hasten her death, muttering "When is the bitch going to die?"
Mrs. Theresa Schiavo was severely brain-damaged and had no consciousness. The place once occupied by her cerebral cortex was filled with fluid and scar tissue. Her eyes did not track, she did not respond to sound or to touch. She had said to her husband and to various other persons that she did not want to be kept alive artificially under such conditions, and her husband stood by her in spite of harassment, death threats and even offers of money that ran as high as ten million dollars.
Those are the two lives we have been offered by the media. Depending on which channel you tuned in, you heard one or the other. Any decent human being would reach out to Terri Schindler-Schiavo, and millions did. The problem is, the two versions of reality are not equally valid. As with evolution vs. creationism, orweapons of mass destruction in Iraq, there comes a time when a reasonable person is forced to say, "This is reality, and the other side of the argument is proven false by overwhelming evidence."
Terri Schindler-Sciavo was a fictional character created by wishful thinking (on her parents' part) and political expediency (on the part of people like Randall Terry and Tom DeLay, who had agendas of their own). The tragedy of Theresa Marie Schiavo is the reality, period.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
He is Worse, and Crazier, than I Thought
DeLay Statement on Terri Schiavo
3/31/2005 12:07:00 PM
To: National Desk
Contact: Dan Allen or Shannon Flaherty, 202-225-4000, both for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay
SUGAR LAND, Texas, March 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today released the following statement mourning the passing of Terri Schiavo:
"Mrs. Schiavo's death is a moral poverty and a legal tragedy. This loss happened because our legal system did not protect the people who need protection most, and that will change. The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior, but not today. Today we grieve, we pray, and we hope to God this fate never befalls another. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Schindlers and with Terri Schiavo's friends in this time of deep sorrow."
http://www.usnewswire.com/
In a last, desperate attempt to divert attention away from his crimes, which if properly investigated and adjudicated will result in loss of office, if not liberty, Tom DeLay is calling for the murder of Michael Schiavo, James Wittamore, George Greer and others.
This is a most profound outrage. And yet . . . .
Somehow, I can’t muster proper indignation against Tom DeLay, even when he publicly solicits the murder of people who don’t agree with him. The man is so mired in filth and madness that all I can feel, no matter what he says or does, is a deep sadness.
3/31/2005 12:07:00 PM
To: National Desk
Contact: Dan Allen or Shannon Flaherty, 202-225-4000, both for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay
SUGAR LAND, Texas, March 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today released the following statement mourning the passing of Terri Schiavo:
"Mrs. Schiavo's death is a moral poverty and a legal tragedy. This loss happened because our legal system did not protect the people who need protection most, and that will change. The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior, but not today. Today we grieve, we pray, and we hope to God this fate never befalls another. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Schindlers and with Terri Schiavo's friends in this time of deep sorrow."
http://www.usnewswire.com/
In a last, desperate attempt to divert attention away from his crimes, which if properly investigated and adjudicated will result in loss of office, if not liberty, Tom DeLay is calling for the murder of Michael Schiavo, James Wittamore, George Greer and others.
This is a most profound outrage. And yet . . . .
Somehow, I can’t muster proper indignation against Tom DeLay, even when he publicly solicits the murder of people who don’t agree with him. The man is so mired in filth and madness that all I can feel, no matter what he says or does, is a deep sadness.
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
It Is Later, and Worse, Than I Thought
Before, when illegal abortion people would talk about overturning Roe v. Wade in order to "throw abortion back to the states where it belongs," I'd get a sick, sinking feeling (especially remembering the vast areas of the country where abortion is already legal but not obtainable by a woman of modest means), but I'd put a brave face on it and say, "Erosion state by state won't be so bad. We'll have time to get the underground railroad up and running, providing clinic space for doctors to work, and transportation for women and girls to safe zones. As the screws are tightened, we will build up a broader and more robust network, ensuring that women will still have access to 21st Century medicine even under 19th Century laws."
But the outrageous "procedures" carried out in Congress, the Florida legislature and Federal courts make it clear that when they talked about "federalism", they were simply lying.
Again.
Damn, I was hoping we weren't going to have to take over the whole country just to get its laws enforced.
But the outrageous "procedures" carried out in Congress, the Florida legislature and Federal courts make it clear that when they talked about "federalism", they were simply lying.
Again.
Damn, I was hoping we weren't going to have to take over the whole country just to get its laws enforced.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
What's In Your Mailbox?
Today I have responded to a plea for action from Planned Parenthood, received a charming newsletter from Susie Bright, got word from Donna Barr about a cool new book by Keith Knight and looked at some nifty pictures of the places humans could be going right now if we weren't busy with other things at Universe Today.
I've had worse inboxes.
I've had worse inboxes.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Music I Like
Finlandia by Jean Sibelius
The Pilgrims' Chorus from Tannhauser by Richard Wagner
We're Not Gonna Take It by Dee Snider
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) by Simon & Garfunkel
and any other piece of music that does exactly what the writer intended it to do, that evokes exactly the mood the musicians are going for.
(Recycled post, from October 28th 2004)
The Pilgrims' Chorus from Tannhauser by Richard Wagner
We're Not Gonna Take It by Dee Snider
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) by Simon & Garfunkel
and any other piece of music that does exactly what the writer intended it to do, that evokes exactly the mood the musicians are going for.
(Recycled post, from October 28th 2004)
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Was Bush Right?
I'd like to believe that the invasion of Iraq really has resulted in an upsurge of democratic (or at least populist) sentiment in Arab countries. That would be a very good thing. Also good would be if the U.S. were perceived as a friend of democratic regimes generally. I have a hard time believing it, though.
It seems to me that Arab (and worldwide) opinion of U.S. foreign policy is much as it always has been:
"The Americans are crazy. There is no accounting for them or predicting what they will do next. They may support a tyrant for twenty years and then suddenly turn on him. They may do the same to an elected government. They may bomb your cities into ruins and then build you up again, or they may suddenly cut you off from trade and keep you cut off for decades. They may forgive or even forget the most appalling atrocities, or they may conceive a grudge against you for nothing at all.
"Their rhetoric rarely matches their deeds. They talk a good game of democracy and human rights, but they may say those things while funding coups, terrorist groups, death squads.
"Take what you can get from them when they are being friendly, but don't expect them to stay friendly. And above all, don't ever try to predict what they will do next."
It seems to me that Arab (and worldwide) opinion of U.S. foreign policy is much as it always has been:
"The Americans are crazy. There is no accounting for them or predicting what they will do next. They may support a tyrant for twenty years and then suddenly turn on him. They may do the same to an elected government. They may bomb your cities into ruins and then build you up again, or they may suddenly cut you off from trade and keep you cut off for decades. They may forgive or even forget the most appalling atrocities, or they may conceive a grudge against you for nothing at all.
"Their rhetoric rarely matches their deeds. They talk a good game of democracy and human rights, but they may say those things while funding coups, terrorist groups, death squads.
"Take what you can get from them when they are being friendly, but don't expect them to stay friendly. And above all, don't ever try to predict what they will do next."
Saturday, March 26, 2005
We Did Laundry Today
We don't have a washer or dryer, not so much because we can't afford them (we could work something out, one way or another, in spite of being short of money so often) as because we're going to have to install new plumbing that can handle the load. So, we go to the laundromat on Kings Boulevard, across from the Fred Meyer's.
Usually, I do the laundry by myself late in the evening, after Kathe is in bed, but today we did it together. It was quite enjoyable. Certainly less lonely.
Usually, I do the laundry by myself late in the evening, after Kathe is in bed, but today we did it together. It was quite enjoyable. Certainly less lonely.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Welcome Home
Bravo Company came back to Corvallis. Kathe and I stood on Harrison Boulevard to see them go by, in two chartered buses.
It was good to see them come home. Good to see anybody come home safe. The ones who came home unsafe travel individually, of course.
Lots of people had pulled out the poster folded in with the Gazette-Times, reading "BRAVO!" You can't use that gimmick for the poor guys in Charlie Company.
It was good to see them come home. Good to see anybody come home safe. The ones who came home unsafe travel individually, of course.
Lots of people had pulled out the poster folded in with the Gazette-Times, reading "BRAVO!" You can't use that gimmick for the poor guys in Charlie Company.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Theresa Marie Schiavo
So much concern about Terri Schindler-Schiavo, who wants so badly to live, but is being maliciously starved to death by her uncaring husband.
But there is no such person as Terri Schindler-Schiavo. She never used that name. It was assigned to her by people who claim to speak on her behalf. She's as fictitious as Jeff Gannon.
There used to be a woman named Theresa Schindler, but she chose to change her name when she got married.
There used to be a person named Theresa Schiavo, but she hasn't existed since 1990. Since then, her body has shown no sign of cognitive function. That's sad, but it's a fact, and camera tricks and wild stories won't change it.
But there is no such person as Terri Schindler-Schiavo. She never used that name. It was assigned to her by people who claim to speak on her behalf. She's as fictitious as Jeff Gannon.
There used to be a woman named Theresa Schindler, but she chose to change her name when she got married.
There used to be a person named Theresa Schiavo, but she hasn't existed since 1990. Since then, her body has shown no sign of cognitive function. That's sad, but it's a fact, and camera tricks and wild stories won't change it.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Weighing In, Midmonth
I wasn't going to weigh myself again until April, but after I hurt my back and it didn't get better on its own, I had to get doctored, and that meant having to be weighed.
Still 220 lbs., but at least I'm not still gaining.
And at least the brace I'm wearing for my back cinches my waist tighter, so I look svelter.
Still 220 lbs., but at least I'm not still gaining.
And at least the brace I'm wearing for my back cinches my waist tighter, so I look svelter.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
"heya check this out"
My friend Grace sent this to me:
Hello everyone. It will be
interesting to see who
responds! I told a guy that I could find
300 people who
believe in gay marriage before he could
find 300 people
who do not believe in gay marriage. If
you believe in the
right to gay marriage, please copy and
paste this onto a
blank e-mail form (leaving off the
headers). or repost it..
Add your name and send it to your
friends and family or
repost it. If you happen to be the 300th
person signing
this, please send it back to, Andrew
Nelson. His e-mail
address is: Rnbowzrok4evr@aol.com
Thanks! 1)Taylor
2) Jeremy 3)DUSTIN OH YEAH BABY 4)
Michael
(equality baby) 5.)jennifer 6.) Jason *love
has no
boundries nor does it discriminate! if
another guy or girl
makes you happy and you wanna be with
them
forever...i say f@$#@% it...why not! its
your life...live
it! FTW* 7)Jessy~ Totally for it. Equality.
8)Brian~Love
is Love. 9) Olivia 10) Christine 11) Jessie
12)Alex
13)matt 14) Sierra 15) Elz 16) Black Lotus
17)Sky
18)Taylor 19) CHELSEA 20. Elyse 21.)
Rowena all for it
totally 22) Ginger 23)Carrie 24) Jenn L
25) Greg C 26)
Charlie K 27) Travis 28) matt 29) Anna
30) spikeydrew
31)Kamran 31) ALICIA 32) Justin "With
liberty, and
justice for ALL" 33. Caitlin H
(HARTEATTACK) 34) Sam
(aS i wAtch you froM behind blue eyes)
35) Micha (love
is love no matter what sex you are) 36)
Kayne (just let
them get married) 37)Joe 38) timmmy
39) Andrea- love
is love!! 40) marissa 41) jon - if they love
each other let
them do what they want 42) ben - sure
why not 43)
amy 44) care 45) Michelle - llike alot of
other ppl said ..
love is love 46) shawn 47) rachel i
support! 48) Ashley,
discrimination is what ruins the world. let
ppl do what u
want 49) Zach 50) jayne 51) alex 52)
Heather 53)
courtney 54) Tiffany - i dont care what
ppl do, if they
wana get married, let them! 55) melinda-
why the
f@#$ not? 56) jess 57) helen 58) Andrew
59) matthew
60) katie 61) Daniel - i totaly suport it,
good luck but
dont u think getting 300 ppl is alot? may
take a while
:P 62) lisa 63) kristina 64) Aurin 65)
brandon 66)
Brittany supports them! 67) nicole 68)
april 69)
jeremy 70)kayla 71) kate 72) Lloyd 73)
Mike! 74)
philip 75) anna 76) robyn 77) Tasha 78)
megan - let
them do what they want! 79) Mat 80) Bob
81) Amanda
82) Sarah 83) Janet 84) Kell 85) Anna
86) Bob 87)
Mark 88) Nathan 89) Jillian 90) Summer
Rae
91)Bridget- OH YEAH F@#% BUSH AND
THOSE
IGNORANT F@%# THAT SUPPORT
HIM! 92) kayla~ i
think you should do what makes you
happyif your gay
and wanna get married soo what it
doesnt change
you...f@%# BUSH he is freakin ignorent.
93)Kat 94)
Bryan 95) Noah 96)Heather Turney 97)
alyssa 98.
Mikael perez 99) Steve 100) Alice Ralph
101) Steve.
102) Cara 103) Nick 104) Kylie 105)
Rexanna 106)
TRENT. 107) Joyce 108) Boris 109)
Sarah. 110) B- Trap
Brian 111) Emily Hadley 112)jenifer 113)
melissa 114)
gaytha 115) jerme (the cynical side of me
says why
should straight couples be the only ones
to suffer the
bonds of marriage. which is funnier cause
i plan on
wedding the unlucky lady right above
me.) 116) anna
117)juliette 118)jon 119 Ron 120) kristine
121) Josh 122)
Chris 123)Chester 124) yvan 125) Colin
126) Casey D.
127) Andrea 128) Heidi Avelina 129)
Chris Kortright ... I
must say that I would rather abolish the
institution of
marriage, but until then let all folks get
married. 128) Halie Johnson
129) Meg "homos rule" Woodruff
130)Sean "three doller bill" McArdle
131)Mariah "tangerine" Dancing
132)Molly Darragh
133) Steve "let everyone be condemned to lifetimes
of unhappiness in monagamy" Seal
134) CJ "Fag Me Up, Gaf Me Down" Szczech
135) Meredith "I support state-sanctioned gayness"
schafer
136) stoopid ass administration. Ken "bush and every capitalist
pig-boss can kiss my skinny white ass" Nowack
137) Steph Annis
138) Phebe Annis
139)Grace "puhder thar pahrdner" Fenton
140) John "getting married worked for me" Burt
Hello everyone. It will be
interesting to see who
responds! I told a guy that I could find
300 people who
believe in gay marriage before he could
find 300 people
who do not believe in gay marriage. If
you believe in the
right to gay marriage, please copy and
paste this onto a
blank e-mail form (leaving off the
headers). or repost it..
Add your name and send it to your
friends and family or
repost it. If you happen to be the 300th
person signing
this, please send it back to, Andrew
Nelson. His e-mail
address is: Rnbowzrok4evr@aol.com
Thanks! 1)Taylor
2) Jeremy 3)DUSTIN OH YEAH BABY 4)
Michael
(equality baby) 5.)jennifer 6.) Jason *love
has no
boundries nor does it discriminate! if
another guy or girl
makes you happy and you wanna be with
them
forever...i say f@$#@% it...why not! its
your life...live
it! FTW* 7)Jessy~ Totally for it. Equality.
8)Brian~Love
is Love. 9) Olivia 10) Christine 11) Jessie
12)Alex
13)matt 14) Sierra 15) Elz 16) Black Lotus
17)Sky
18)Taylor 19) CHELSEA 20. Elyse 21.)
Rowena all for it
totally 22) Ginger 23)Carrie 24) Jenn L
25) Greg C 26)
Charlie K 27) Travis 28) matt 29) Anna
30) spikeydrew
31)Kamran 31) ALICIA 32) Justin "With
liberty, and
justice for ALL" 33. Caitlin H
(HARTEATTACK) 34) Sam
(aS i wAtch you froM behind blue eyes)
35) Micha (love
is love no matter what sex you are) 36)
Kayne (just let
them get married) 37)Joe 38) timmmy
39) Andrea- love
is love!! 40) marissa 41) jon - if they love
each other let
them do what they want 42) ben - sure
why not 43)
amy 44) care 45) Michelle - llike alot of
other ppl said ..
love is love 46) shawn 47) rachel i
support! 48) Ashley,
discrimination is what ruins the world. let
ppl do what u
want 49) Zach 50) jayne 51) alex 52)
Heather 53)
courtney 54) Tiffany - i dont care what
ppl do, if they
wana get married, let them! 55) melinda-
why the
f@#$ not? 56) jess 57) helen 58) Andrew
59) matthew
60) katie 61) Daniel - i totaly suport it,
good luck but
dont u think getting 300 ppl is alot? may
take a while
:P 62) lisa 63) kristina 64) Aurin 65)
brandon 66)
Brittany supports them! 67) nicole 68)
april 69)
jeremy 70)kayla 71) kate 72) Lloyd 73)
Mike! 74)
philip 75) anna 76) robyn 77) Tasha 78)
megan - let
them do what they want! 79) Mat 80) Bob
81) Amanda
82) Sarah 83) Janet 84) Kell 85) Anna
86) Bob 87)
Mark 88) Nathan 89) Jillian 90) Summer
Rae
91)Bridget- OH YEAH F@#% BUSH AND
THOSE
IGNORANT F@%# THAT SUPPORT
HIM! 92) kayla~ i
think you should do what makes you
happyif your gay
and wanna get married soo what it
doesnt change
you...f@%# BUSH he is freakin ignorent.
93)Kat 94)
Bryan 95) Noah 96)Heather Turney 97)
alyssa 98.
Mikael perez 99) Steve 100) Alice Ralph
101) Steve.
102) Cara 103) Nick 104) Kylie 105)
Rexanna 106)
TRENT. 107) Joyce 108) Boris 109)
Sarah. 110) B- Trap
Brian 111) Emily Hadley 112)jenifer 113)
melissa 114)
gaytha 115) jerme (the cynical side of me
says why
should straight couples be the only ones
to suffer the
bonds of marriage. which is funnier cause
i plan on
wedding the unlucky lady right above
me.) 116) anna
117)juliette 118)jon 119 Ron 120) kristine
121) Josh 122)
Chris 123)Chester 124) yvan 125) Colin
126) Casey D.
127) Andrea 128) Heidi Avelina 129)
Chris Kortright ... I
must say that I would rather abolish the
institution of
marriage, but until then let all folks get
married. 128) Halie Johnson
129) Meg "homos rule" Woodruff
130)Sean "three doller bill" McArdle
131)Mariah "tangerine" Dancing
132)Molly Darragh
133) Steve "let everyone be condemned to lifetimes
of unhappiness in monagamy" Seal
134) CJ "Fag Me Up, Gaf Me Down" Szczech
135) Meredith "I support state-sanctioned gayness"
schafer
136) stoopid ass administration. Ken "bush and every capitalist
pig-boss can kiss my skinny white ass" Nowack
137) Steph Annis
138) Phebe Annis
139)Grace "puhder thar pahrdner" Fenton
140) John "getting married worked for me" Burt
Monday, March 21, 2005
The Purple Finger of Fate
My friend Andrea sent me a link to this article, with this message:
> Hi All,
> I liked this article. It made sense to me--unfortunately! Especially the
> line about the 'oil for women program' in the middle. -- Andrea
Personally, I had high hopes for the phrase "oil for women" -- I was ready to volunteer to help rub it in. Then I read the article, which is not funny at all.
Bernadette replied:
As an American, a liberal Democrat, and a citizen vehemently opposed to everything Bush stands for, including our foreign policy and the death toll continuing to pile up in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East, my comment to this article is: so?
Yes, apathy is my pervailing emotion. I feel as if I'd like to say directly to this reporter, "...thanks for getting some more facts published... what else would you like to tell us that we already know?" True, some of these facts I could not recite before, but the whole Iraqi debacle has been a elaborate scam to forward the interests of a relative few. I see my beloved country's government as an empirical power treating the people of the world's nations as pawns in a cruel game that just gives them literally something to do. I mean how much money do you really need? How much control in your lifetime is truly necessary? Who raised you to be so narrow-minded, short-sighted, and selfish?
Right now the biggest threat to the US is not a physical or ideological attack from another far-flung faction or state. The biggest threat is our economic instability, and it is clear that hijacking another country's riches, i.e. oil reserves, will not shore up our growing deficits.
Oh I could go on and on, but I am entirely too weary. My interest in world and political news has absolutely imploded since our election. I have very little faith in American policy-makers overall, and the American public. While world crisis issues loom over American's heads, our congress convenes to see whether or not there's a "problem" with the use of steroids in baseball! That's my tax money funding your little Capitol Hill brew-ha-ha folks!!! Meanwhile this nation can't even figure out basic health care policies like if abortion is OK or not! Hello, the whole Terry Schaivo right-to-die/life is really a precept for that issue.
I have a very dark outlook for America's future in the world. I see our standard of living decreasing and continued alienation by many countries, both economically and in terms of culture. I thought things were pretty horrible leading up to the last presidential election, but apparently conditions need to become much, much worse before any sort of change will occur. I believe it will take decades to extricate ourselves from them Middle East mess, and about the same amount of time with huge amounts of policy and fiscal discipline to regain the economic status that will truly make us a strong and great nation.
So in response to Ms Klein's article, good for you for connecting the dots; something that most people are taught in kindergarten but seem to forget by the time they're voting age. Maybe by yet again writing another piece about how f-'d up US-Iraq policy is people will see how narrow-minded and self-serving our national government truly is. And just maybe there will be a call to change our current regime... just maybe. If I ran across this headline in a newspaper or magazine I'd just skip over it. I could sum up the contents with my own concise headline: "The ________ in the _________ is a Scam to Serve The Intrests of a Powerful Few. This is Not Democracy." Go ahead and fill in the blanks with the word du jour be it Iraq, Iran, Middle East, North Korea; and war, election, economic policy, ect.
> Hi All,
> I liked this article. It made sense to me--unfortunately! Especially the
> line about the 'oil for women program' in the middle. -- Andrea
Personally, I had high hopes for the phrase "oil for women" -- I was ready to volunteer to help rub it in. Then I read the article, which is not funny at all.
Bernadette replied:
As an American, a liberal Democrat, and a citizen vehemently opposed to everything Bush stands for, including our foreign policy and the death toll continuing to pile up in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East, my comment to this article is: so?
Yes, apathy is my pervailing emotion. I feel as if I'd like to say directly to this reporter, "...thanks for getting some more facts published... what else would you like to tell us that we already know?" True, some of these facts I could not recite before, but the whole Iraqi debacle has been a elaborate scam to forward the interests of a relative few. I see my beloved country's government as an empirical power treating the people of the world's nations as pawns in a cruel game that just gives them literally something to do. I mean how much money do you really need? How much control in your lifetime is truly necessary? Who raised you to be so narrow-minded, short-sighted, and selfish?
Right now the biggest threat to the US is not a physical or ideological attack from another far-flung faction or state. The biggest threat is our economic instability, and it is clear that hijacking another country's riches, i.e. oil reserves, will not shore up our growing deficits.
Oh I could go on and on, but I am entirely too weary. My interest in world and political news has absolutely imploded since our election. I have very little faith in American policy-makers overall, and the American public. While world crisis issues loom over American's heads, our congress convenes to see whether or not there's a "problem" with the use of steroids in baseball! That's my tax money funding your little Capitol Hill brew-ha-ha folks!!! Meanwhile this nation can't even figure out basic health care policies like if abortion is OK or not! Hello, the whole Terry Schaivo right-to-die/life is really a precept for that issue.
I have a very dark outlook for America's future in the world. I see our standard of living decreasing and continued alienation by many countries, both economically and in terms of culture. I thought things were pretty horrible leading up to the last presidential election, but apparently conditions need to become much, much worse before any sort of change will occur. I believe it will take decades to extricate ourselves from them Middle East mess, and about the same amount of time with huge amounts of policy and fiscal discipline to regain the economic status that will truly make us a strong and great nation.
So in response to Ms Klein's article, good for you for connecting the dots; something that most people are taught in kindergarten but seem to forget by the time they're voting age. Maybe by yet again writing another piece about how f-'d up US-Iraq policy is people will see how narrow-minded and self-serving our national government truly is. And just maybe there will be a call to change our current regime... just maybe. If I ran across this headline in a newspaper or magazine I'd just skip over it. I could sum up the contents with my own concise headline: "The ________ in the _________ is a Scam to Serve The Intrests of a Powerful Few. This is Not Democracy." Go ahead and fill in the blanks with the word du jour be it Iraq, Iran, Middle East, North Korea; and war, election, economic policy, ect.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
The Drought Ends
Hoo boy, look at all that rain. It's sheeting down, so I can barely make it up the ladder to the lookout, and once I'm up here I can't see a thing.
But, as I said, the drought is over. I just hope some of this copious precipitation is coming down as snow in the mountains, otherwise we're still screwed for summer water.
But, as I said, the drought is over. I just hope some of this copious precipitation is coming down as snow in the mountains, otherwise we're still screwed for summer water.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
19 March 2003, 2004, 2005 . . . .
MoveOn invites us to search online for nearby locations for vigils to mark the second anniversary of the beginning of the current war.
There will be no difficulty finding it in Corvallis. It'll be where it's been since October of 2001, every single night, without fail.
There will be no difficulty finding it in Corvallis. It'll be where it's been since October of 2001, every single night, without fail.
Title IX, Paragraph 666
Sorry, folks, but I really am just a tad overworked here. Can we just take it as read that I hereby make malicious fun of this guy who says girls will be better Christians if you burn their soccer shoes, and offer to let them scrub floors instead?
Thanks to Mouse Words for letting me know about this, and thanks to Arthur D. Hlavaty for letting me know about Mouse Words.
Thanks to Mouse Words for letting me know about this, and thanks to Arthur D. Hlavaty for letting me know about Mouse Words.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
He's Right About This, Too
From: scott
To: kathe
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 21:15:03 -0500
Kathe -
Scott C. visited JohnKerry.com and thought you would find the following
link of interest:
URL: http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rollcall_thankyou.html
They also said:
------------------------------------
Kathe,
If you\'ve already seen this, pardon my intrusion...but the JohnKerry.com website is doing a roll call of people against drilling in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge...please sign up at the link below, if you haven\'t already.
Thanks,
Scott
To: kathe
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 21:15:03 -0500
Kathe -
Scott C. visited JohnKerry.com and thought you would find the following
link of interest:
URL: http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rollcall_thankyou.html
They also said:
------------------------------------
Kathe,
If you\'ve already seen this, pardon my intrusion...but the JohnKerry.com website is doing a roll call of people against drilling in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge...please sign up at the link below, if you haven\'t already.
Thanks,
Scott
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Evolving Ethical Standards
I saw in this morning's paper that The killer of Dian Fossey had been hired by the state of Nebraska (checking online, I see the offer has been withdrawn).
Okay, I give up, I take it all back: there is more than a dime's worth of difference between Democrats and Republicans.
Okay, I give up, I take it all back: there is more than a dime's worth of difference between Democrats and Republicans.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Wheel Keeps On Turning
A notable event in my year has just gone by, as it generally does every year: the sun was shining outside and I was feeling not too bad, and "Feelin' Groovy" came on the radio.
Things can't be as bad as all that. Life still goes on, with that annual event gone by.
(smile)
Things can't be as bad as all that. Life still goes on, with that annual event gone by.
(smile)
Sunday, March 13, 2005
LiveJournal?
Arthur D. Hlavaty says LiveJournal is more reliable and accessible than Blogger. Does anybody else care to comment?
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Double Pun
"Why is it that the bottled thyme is priced by the ounce, while the bulk dried thyme is labelled by the gram, and the fresh thyme is sold by the bunch?"
"Well, Ma'am, disparate thymes call for disparate measures."
"Well, Ma'am, disparate thymes call for disparate measures."
Friday, March 11, 2005
Weighing In, March 2005
I weighed 240lbs. in October, 214 in February, and currently am up to 220.
Gotta do something about that, get moving again in the right direction.
The punishing 60-70 hour work schedule I've been following lately isn't helping matters much, though.
Gotta do something about that, too.
Gotta do something about that, get moving again in the right direction.
The punishing 60-70 hour work schedule I've been following lately isn't helping matters much, though.
Gotta do something about that, too.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Hero
Not the least of the evils of the incident which occurred during the rescue of Giuliana Sgrena was the nasty speculation about the possible incompetence of Nicola Calipari.
Calipari was a hero. Anyone who questions his abilities in order to deflect criticism of other persons (such as those who have allowed Baghdad to remain a free-fire zone despite two years of military occupation) is a scoundrel.
Calipari was a hero. Anyone who questions his abilities in order to deflect criticism of other persons (such as those who have allowed Baghdad to remain a free-fire zone despite two years of military occupation) is a scoundrel.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
72+5
I received this message from Faithful America
72 + 5 = A Better Budget for America
“It’s your money – you ought to be able to keep more of it.” George W. Bush, Candidate for President, 2000
"You will be happy to know that President Bush has made good on his word. Good, that is, if you are among the very wealthiest people in the United States! If NOT, well, then perhaps we were just been eavesdropping on a private conversation…
"You need to know that the 2006 federal budget that President Bush has proposed calls for deep, massive, crippling cuts in programs that support education, children, and the poor while seeking to make permanent the most dramatic tax breaks for wealthy Americans in recent memory. If this budget is advanced, present deficits will look like pocket change by comparison, the consequences of which extend beyond our lifetimes. The real winners will be millionaires and billionaires, polluters, and crony capitalists. Our most needed programs – those benefiting the least among us – would be slashed to pay for the flood of red ink caused by the President’s enormous tax cuts for the wealthy. According to the Center for Budget Policy and Priorities:
"72% of the tax cuts benefit the wealthiest one-fifth Americans
"5% of the tax cuts benefit the poorest two-fifths of Americans
"If you think these numbers are disproportionate, unfair and immoral, you are not alone. Whatever your faith perspective, if you care about justice you know this important fact: the federal budget is a moral document. Its priorities reflect values. Its implementation affects lives.
"President Bush is right: It IS our money. And we’re going to fight to see that YOUR values, YOUR priorities, YOUR needs are heard. That's why we’re asking you to join:
"The FaithfulAmerica 72 + 5 Petition Campaign
"We need 72 seconds of your time and 5 of your friends to help us reach our goal of a total of 72,000 signatures on a Petition calling for a higher vision for our nation's budget..
"Next Monday in Washington DC, FaithfulAmerica will join hundreds of persons of faith on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to stand in solidarity in demanding that the federal budget reflect our nation’s moral values. In concert with the National Council of Churches, we will read to the world “A Vision of Hope and Justice – A Statement on the 2006 Federal Budget" (printed below). It is already signed by key faith leaders around the nation. We want to add 72,000 FaithfulAmerican signatures to the petition.
"You do NOT have to be part of a specific faith group to do this. If you ARE, you may wish to share it with your fellow congregants. The only thing we ask is that you share our passion for a budget that is moral, compassionate, and fair.
"72,000 signatures! We have a very short time to do this, but together we can remind the President – Congress – and the world – that it IS our money, and we want it used morally, compassionately, and wisely.
"Blessings to you,
"Vince Isner and the FaithfulAmerica.org Team
"PS: For an eye-opening detailed look at the President’s Budget, check out The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Report: http://www.cbpp.org"
This messages was followed by:
"A Vision of Hope & Justice for the FY 2006 Federal Budget
"(A statement by “Let Justice Roll: Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty” sponsored by the National Council of Churches USA and the Center for Community Change, as well as a host of national, state and local religious, faith-based, and community organizations, including FaithfulAmerica.)
"The federal budget of the United States is a document that establishes the priorities for our country. It is a document that reflects our values as a nation and what we believe is important for the public and future generations. It is a moral document. Our federal budget should reflect the values of equality, opportunity, and justice that honors the poor, supports families, and builds strong, viable communities.
"The Bush Administration’s FY2006 budget is morally misguided and misrepresents the true values of the American people. It suggests that we value military might and war spending more than the poor, families, and strong, viable communities. It favors permanent tax relief for the wealthy and corporations at the expense of further burdening the poor, families, and communities with economic despair. It is a budget that eats away at the heart of the American dream by eliminating funding for programs that are certain to provide us with future opportunities, progress, and security on the home front. Our nation’s future is in serious danger if cuts or caps to programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, job training, veterans’ health services, education, housing and community development grants, among many others, are used as solutions to reduce a projected $427 billion dollar deficit. Congress must act boldly and creatively to oppose budget cuts in human services.
"Speaking as God’s messenger, the prophet Amos offered these words to the people because of their misplaced focus, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24).” To be true to our values as a nation, we strongly urge Congress to reverse the destructive course our nation is on and reject the Bush Administration’s budget. The FY2006 budget should be funded by scaling back tax relief for the wealthy, closing corporate tax loopholes, and holding military and war spending in check. We call on Congress to draft and approve a budget and policies that will provide the poor, families, and communities with the tools to meet basic needs such as access to nutritious food and quality child-care, accessible and affordable housing, comprehensive and affordable health care, high quality education at every stage of life, a fair and just tax system, job creation and a livable income to sustain their future.
"This positive vision for our nation is only limited by the lack of political will to make it happen. We call on Congress to Let Justice Roll!"
Of course, as someone observed awhile back, it's a lot easier to call for justice to roll down like waters than it is to design and build the irrigation system. . . .
72 + 5 = A Better Budget for America
“It’s your money – you ought to be able to keep more of it.” George W. Bush, Candidate for President, 2000
"You will be happy to know that President Bush has made good on his word. Good, that is, if you are among the very wealthiest people in the United States! If NOT, well, then perhaps we were just been eavesdropping on a private conversation…
"You need to know that the 2006 federal budget that President Bush has proposed calls for deep, massive, crippling cuts in programs that support education, children, and the poor while seeking to make permanent the most dramatic tax breaks for wealthy Americans in recent memory. If this budget is advanced, present deficits will look like pocket change by comparison, the consequences of which extend beyond our lifetimes. The real winners will be millionaires and billionaires, polluters, and crony capitalists. Our most needed programs – those benefiting the least among us – would be slashed to pay for the flood of red ink caused by the President’s enormous tax cuts for the wealthy. According to the Center for Budget Policy and Priorities:
"72% of the tax cuts benefit the wealthiest one-fifth Americans
"5% of the tax cuts benefit the poorest two-fifths of Americans
"If you think these numbers are disproportionate, unfair and immoral, you are not alone. Whatever your faith perspective, if you care about justice you know this important fact: the federal budget is a moral document. Its priorities reflect values. Its implementation affects lives.
"President Bush is right: It IS our money. And we’re going to fight to see that YOUR values, YOUR priorities, YOUR needs are heard. That's why we’re asking you to join:
"The FaithfulAmerica 72 + 5 Petition Campaign
"We need 72 seconds of your time and 5 of your friends to help us reach our goal of a total of 72,000 signatures on a Petition calling for a higher vision for our nation's budget..
"Next Monday in Washington DC, FaithfulAmerica will join hundreds of persons of faith on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to stand in solidarity in demanding that the federal budget reflect our nation’s moral values. In concert with the National Council of Churches, we will read to the world “A Vision of Hope and Justice – A Statement on the 2006 Federal Budget" (printed below). It is already signed by key faith leaders around the nation. We want to add 72,000 FaithfulAmerican signatures to the petition.
"You do NOT have to be part of a specific faith group to do this. If you ARE, you may wish to share it with your fellow congregants. The only thing we ask is that you share our passion for a budget that is moral, compassionate, and fair.
"72,000 signatures! We have a very short time to do this, but together we can remind the President – Congress – and the world – that it IS our money, and we want it used morally, compassionately, and wisely.
"Blessings to you,
"Vince Isner and the FaithfulAmerica.org Team
"PS: For an eye-opening detailed look at the President’s Budget, check out The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Report: http://www.cbpp.org"
This messages was followed by:
"A Vision of Hope & Justice for the FY 2006 Federal Budget
"(A statement by “Let Justice Roll: Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty” sponsored by the National Council of Churches USA and the Center for Community Change, as well as a host of national, state and local religious, faith-based, and community organizations, including FaithfulAmerica.)
"The federal budget of the United States is a document that establishes the priorities for our country. It is a document that reflects our values as a nation and what we believe is important for the public and future generations. It is a moral document. Our federal budget should reflect the values of equality, opportunity, and justice that honors the poor, supports families, and builds strong, viable communities.
"The Bush Administration’s FY2006 budget is morally misguided and misrepresents the true values of the American people. It suggests that we value military might and war spending more than the poor, families, and strong, viable communities. It favors permanent tax relief for the wealthy and corporations at the expense of further burdening the poor, families, and communities with economic despair. It is a budget that eats away at the heart of the American dream by eliminating funding for programs that are certain to provide us with future opportunities, progress, and security on the home front. Our nation’s future is in serious danger if cuts or caps to programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, job training, veterans’ health services, education, housing and community development grants, among many others, are used as solutions to reduce a projected $427 billion dollar deficit. Congress must act boldly and creatively to oppose budget cuts in human services.
"Speaking as God’s messenger, the prophet Amos offered these words to the people because of their misplaced focus, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24).” To be true to our values as a nation, we strongly urge Congress to reverse the destructive course our nation is on and reject the Bush Administration’s budget. The FY2006 budget should be funded by scaling back tax relief for the wealthy, closing corporate tax loopholes, and holding military and war spending in check. We call on Congress to draft and approve a budget and policies that will provide the poor, families, and communities with the tools to meet basic needs such as access to nutritious food and quality child-care, accessible and affordable housing, comprehensive and affordable health care, high quality education at every stage of life, a fair and just tax system, job creation and a livable income to sustain their future.
"This positive vision for our nation is only limited by the lack of political will to make it happen. We call on Congress to Let Justice Roll!"
Of course, as someone observed awhile back, it's a lot easier to call for justice to roll down like waters than it is to design and build the irrigation system. . . .
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
My Religion?
People I like and respect have been offended by things like this in the past, but I'm going to post this anyway, and see what happens. I note that this one, at least, asks the one critical question necessary for a finding of "Christianity".
 | You scored as Buddhism. Your beliefs most closely resemble those of Buddhism. Do more research on Buddhism and possibly consider becoming Buddhist, if you are not already. In Buddhism, there are Four Noble Truths: (1) Life is suffering. (2) All suffering is caused by ignorance of the nature of reality and the craving, attachment, and grasping that result from such ignorance. (3) Suffering can be ended by overcoming ignorance and attachment. (4) The path to the suppression of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path, which consists of right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right-mindedness, and right contemplation. These eight are usually divided into three categories that base the Buddhist faith: morality, wisdom, and samadhi, or concentration. In Buddhism, there is no hierarchy, nor caste system; the Buddha taught that one's spiritual worth is not based on birth.
Which religion is the right one for you? (new version) created with QuizFarm.com |
Sunday, March 06, 2005
At Asians, Inc., "Winning Dude" got all upset over this news item:
4th Grade girl to become a boy
WTF?
Mom Says Youngster Has Male Brain
UPDATED: 12:34 pm EST March 4, 2005
METHUEN, Mass. -- A fourth-grader who was attending a Massachusetts elementary school as a girl before February vacation has returned to school as a boy.
The parents of the 9-year-old child said the youngster was born with the body of a girl, but the brain of a boy.
They have asked that he be referred to and treated as a boy by teachers and other students, and school officials are accommodating the request. The parents have even changed the child's name.
The child's mother told The Eagle-Tribune that the family made the decision after consulting with medical professionals. She said the child is still biologically a girl.
The mother has requested that the family not be identified to protect the child.
School Superintendent C. Phillip Littlefield said there is nothing harmful about the child being in the school.
---
"What's this world coming to? She's still a girl for goodness sakes!"
Ironically enough, this crotchety comment was followed by the tagline:
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."-Bible - Proverbs 15:1.
My response:
What Are Little Boys Made Of?
It's actually quite interesting. Once upon a time, boys born with malformed genitals were routinely given surgery and raised as girls, but many of them never became reconciled to girlhood, and struggled growing up, trying to fit in. They reported that they simply "knew" they were boys. Most chose to live as men when they grew up (surgery to create semi-plausible female genitalia is easier than penis construction, so a female gender was chosen for all of them).
The really interesting part is, this is exactly how transgendered people who have no known physical abnormalities also describe themselves: "I don't care what I look like, I know what I am!"
Quite possibly, trans people will eventually turn out to have brain abnormalities that cause them to feel that way. In any event, it will never do any good to try to force them to live as the "wrong" gender.
This child's parents are apparently trying to get ahead of the curve by accepting his self-identified gender. Try to be understanding and not give them a hard time, okay?
4th Grade girl to become a boy
WTF?
Mom Says Youngster Has Male Brain
UPDATED: 12:34 pm EST March 4, 2005
METHUEN, Mass. -- A fourth-grader who was attending a Massachusetts elementary school as a girl before February vacation has returned to school as a boy.
The parents of the 9-year-old child said the youngster was born with the body of a girl, but the brain of a boy.
They have asked that he be referred to and treated as a boy by teachers and other students, and school officials are accommodating the request. The parents have even changed the child's name.
The child's mother told The Eagle-Tribune that the family made the decision after consulting with medical professionals. She said the child is still biologically a girl.
The mother has requested that the family not be identified to protect the child.
School Superintendent C. Phillip Littlefield said there is nothing harmful about the child being in the school.
---
"What's this world coming to? She's still a girl for goodness sakes!"
Ironically enough, this crotchety comment was followed by the tagline:
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."-Bible - Proverbs 15:1.
My response:
What Are Little Boys Made Of?
It's actually quite interesting. Once upon a time, boys born with malformed genitals were routinely given surgery and raised as girls, but many of them never became reconciled to girlhood, and struggled growing up, trying to fit in. They reported that they simply "knew" they were boys. Most chose to live as men when they grew up (surgery to create semi-plausible female genitalia is easier than penis construction, so a female gender was chosen for all of them).
The really interesting part is, this is exactly how transgendered people who have no known physical abnormalities also describe themselves: "I don't care what I look like, I know what I am!"
Quite possibly, trans people will eventually turn out to have brain abnormalities that cause them to feel that way. In any event, it will never do any good to try to force them to live as the "wrong" gender.
This child's parents are apparently trying to get ahead of the curve by accepting his self-identified gender. Try to be understanding and not give them a hard time, okay?
Saturday, March 05, 2005
A Visit to Topher's Castle
The other day, I was thinking about a series of cereal commercials I had seen when my age was single-digit, and had never heard of since. It was one of those "O"-shaped cereals, but I have no idea which. The commercials featured a pair of small Os, speaking "Beat" dialect in the voices of children, who would be harassed by some aggressive or officious human (example: a music teacher who would try to make them stop playing jazz). The human would be stopped by the rumbling approach of a huge O who would thunder "I'm Big Daddy O, and I'm gonna straighten you out!" and then chase the terrified human into the distance.
I went onto Google and searched for "cereal characters", and was directed to Topher's Castle, and I have to agree that it was a good place to send me. It's a swell site, and the cereal characters (over a thousand of them) are only the beginning. Go check it out, it's swell.
I went onto Google and searched for "cereal characters", and was directed to Topher's Castle, and I have to agree that it was a good place to send me. It's a swell site, and the cereal characters (over a thousand of them) are only the beginning. Go check it out, it's swell.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Our Hero(ine)
When I went to apply to the Registered Nurse program at Linn-Benton Community College, I was annoyed, nay outraged, that one of the prerequisites was Psychology 215, a course I had bypassed on my way to a Bachelor of Science at Oregon State University. What an appalling mickeymouse thing to require of me! Surely taking such a course would be the most miserably tedious exercise, with nothing to teach me.
Actually, it wasn't bad at all. And I was struck by one little item especially: It seems that boys who hit puberty earlier and harder are generally well-liked by their peers, thought of as natural leaders, &c, whilke slow-to-develop boys are ostracized. Physically precocious girls, though, are regarded with suspicion, suspected of being entirely too "fast", and it is altricial girls who have the advantage.
The part that interested me most in this finding is that these well-regarded figures, the manly boy and the girlish young woman, are the classic hero and heroine, respectively, of books aimed at the pre-teen market. This isn't the first time that I've noticed social conventions and presumptions being reflected in fiction, not by any means, but it's a new example to me.
I also can't think of any characters who directly contradict it, although I do recall that the physical development of Ada Bauer in Peni R. Griffin's Switching Well was very gently touched upon, perhaps deliberately. Since Peni reads this blog, perhaps she would care to comment.
Addendum: If you hav trouble with the Ada Bauer link above, try this one or this one or this one.
And by the way, Peni: I really like the cover of the Puffin edition -- finally, an exciting image that gives some hint of the contents.
Actually, it wasn't bad at all. And I was struck by one little item especially: It seems that boys who hit puberty earlier and harder are generally well-liked by their peers, thought of as natural leaders, &c, whilke slow-to-develop boys are ostracized. Physically precocious girls, though, are regarded with suspicion, suspected of being entirely too "fast", and it is altricial girls who have the advantage.
The part that interested me most in this finding is that these well-regarded figures, the manly boy and the girlish young woman, are the classic hero and heroine, respectively, of books aimed at the pre-teen market. This isn't the first time that I've noticed social conventions and presumptions being reflected in fiction, not by any means, but it's a new example to me.
I also can't think of any characters who directly contradict it, although I do recall that the physical development of Ada Bauer in Peni R. Griffin's Switching Well was very gently touched upon, perhaps deliberately. Since Peni reads this blog, perhaps she would care to comment.
Addendum: If you hav trouble with the Ada Bauer link above, try this one or this one or this one.
And by the way, Peni: I really like the cover of the Puffin edition -- finally, an exciting image that gives some hint of the contents.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
MoveOn Announces "Bush in 30 Years"
MoveOn has this to say (although the links are mine):
"The Republicans are running a $100 million public relations blitz to convince Americans to privatize Social Security. Paying for private accounts would require benefit cuts for future retirees—with younger workers hit the hardest—while gutting a sound program and burdening the next generation with trillions in debt. All this to line the pockets of the Republicans' friends on Wall Street, who stand to make millions off the deal.
"Well, we don’t need $100 million dollars because we have the creativity, intelligence, and talent of the American people, who know how to spot a scam and, better yet, know how to expose one in Flash! Hence our latest contest: Bush in 30 Years—A Flash Contest to Stop the Republican Social Security Scam. If you think you might enter the contest, we highly recommend you sign up for email updates.
"Macromedia Flash is a perfect medium to cut to the heart of this struggle between the Republicans and the retirement working Americans deserve. And it's a great way to reach the young workers and students who have the most to lose from Bush's plan. Make a Flash animation, game, benefits calculator -- anything you can think of to inspire the American public to stand up to the Republican scam! Make something aimed at the young, the old, and everyone in between.
"Here’s the deal: Submit your Flash entry between Monday, March 7 and Friday, March 25. MoveOn staff and volunteers will select 50 semi-finalists who will be featured on this website. Then, we’ll send an email to our 3 million members asking them (and the public at large) to come vote for their favorites between Monday, April 4 and Saturday, April 9. We'll send 10 finalists to our esteemed panel of judges to determine the winner. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, April 13. The following week, we'll run the winning Flash on major news and youth websites. If you win, you'll have your Flash seen by the world and we'll give you a brand new Apple PowerBook G4."
I suppose reposting e-mail solicitations is kind of a cheesy way to blog, but one of the purposes of this blog is to forestall my forwarding so much of this stuff to people on my e-mail list.
"The Republicans are running a $100 million public relations blitz to convince Americans to privatize Social Security. Paying for private accounts would require benefit cuts for future retirees—with younger workers hit the hardest—while gutting a sound program and burdening the next generation with trillions in debt. All this to line the pockets of the Republicans' friends on Wall Street, who stand to make millions off the deal.
"Well, we don’t need $100 million dollars because we have the creativity, intelligence, and talent of the American people, who know how to spot a scam and, better yet, know how to expose one in Flash! Hence our latest contest: Bush in 30 Years—A Flash Contest to Stop the Republican Social Security Scam. If you think you might enter the contest, we highly recommend you sign up for email updates.
"Macromedia Flash is a perfect medium to cut to the heart of this struggle between the Republicans and the retirement working Americans deserve. And it's a great way to reach the young workers and students who have the most to lose from Bush's plan. Make a Flash animation, game, benefits calculator -- anything you can think of to inspire the American public to stand up to the Republican scam! Make something aimed at the young, the old, and everyone in between.
"Here’s the deal: Submit your Flash entry between Monday, March 7 and Friday, March 25. MoveOn staff and volunteers will select 50 semi-finalists who will be featured on this website. Then, we’ll send an email to our 3 million members asking them (and the public at large) to come vote for their favorites between Monday, April 4 and Saturday, April 9. We'll send 10 finalists to our esteemed panel of judges to determine the winner. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, April 13. The following week, we'll run the winning Flash on major news and youth websites. If you win, you'll have your Flash seen by the world and we'll give you a brand new Apple PowerBook G4."
I suppose reposting e-mail solicitations is kind of a cheesy way to blog, but one of the purposes of this blog is to forestall my forwarding so much of this stuff to people on my e-mail list.
Feudalism and Other Modern Marvels
Dear Donna Barr:
Somehow I missed the occasion when you posted at Wolf Food, contrasting two ways of life, which you called "socialism" and "feudalism". My wife had this to say about that:
So did you notice that she said there are only two kinds of government? Socialism GOOD, feudalism BAD. You didn't feel like responding to that? She's comparing good socialism to bad feudalism. Very much a case of "give a dog a bad name and hang him." How about comparing bad socialism with good feudalism? It does exist, you know, to the present day. Well actually, they both do.
She has a point. Tonga is a present-day example of good, healthy feudalism in action. Kerala is an example of good socialism, in case anybody wants to say there's no such thing.
If anything, I would tend to say that feudalism is the system under which it would be hardest to starve. If you were out of food, you'd go to your lord, and if he didn't have anything, he'd go to the king (or ask the other lords who serve him as vassals if they have any food).
Somehow I missed the occasion when you posted at Wolf Food, contrasting two ways of life, which you called "socialism" and "feudalism". My wife had this to say about that:
So did you notice that she said there are only two kinds of government? Socialism GOOD, feudalism BAD. You didn't feel like responding to that? She's comparing good socialism to bad feudalism. Very much a case of "give a dog a bad name and hang him." How about comparing bad socialism with good feudalism? It does exist, you know, to the present day. Well actually, they both do.
She has a point. Tonga is a present-day example of good, healthy feudalism in action. Kerala is an example of good socialism, in case anybody wants to say there's no such thing.
If anything, I would tend to say that feudalism is the system under which it would be hardest to starve. If you were out of food, you'd go to your lord, and if he didn't have anything, he'd go to the king (or ask the other lords who serve him as vassals if they have any food).
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Bad Judge - ment
This week the senate is debating the judicial nomination of William Myers III. He's a career cattle and mining industry lobbyist who is now up for a lifetime appointment to the 4th District Appeals Court. He's just one of Bush's 20 judicial nominees that Democrats rejected last term, (compared to over 200 they approved). But Bush is still fighting hard to make sure every single one gets confirmed.
These 20 judges were singled out because they consistently picked corporate interests over basic rights, and want to roll back decades of progress on anti-discrimination, women's rights, worker's rights, and the environment. If we don't act now to support a real opposition, these corporate judges will be given lifetime appointments to lock in Bush's ultra conservative ideology for decades.
Plus, the Bush administration has threatened to use this fight to take away the Senate Democrat's ability to resistst any future judges, including Supreme Court nominees.
MoveOn has started a petition calling on our Senators to stand firm against Myers and all 20 of these rejected corporate nominees, and to fight any manipulation of the rules to force them through.
Please join me in signing today:
http://www.moveonpac.org/judges/
These 20 judges were singled out because they consistently picked corporate interests over basic rights, and want to roll back decades of progress on anti-discrimination, women's rights, worker's rights, and the environment. If we don't act now to support a real opposition, these corporate judges will be given lifetime appointments to lock in Bush's ultra conservative ideology for decades.
Plus, the Bush administration has threatened to use this fight to take away the Senate Democrat's ability to resistst any future judges, including Supreme Court nominees.
MoveOn has started a petition calling on our Senators to stand firm against Myers and all 20 of these rejected corporate nominees, and to fight any manipulation of the rules to force them through.
Please join me in signing today:
http://www.moveonpac.org/judges/
Monday, February 28, 2005
This Looks Important
I received this e-mail from freepress.net:
Dear Media Reformer:
Community Internet may be the most important media policy fight of the decade. Local communities across the country -- looking to offer affordable, universal access to high-speed broadband services -- are squaring off against big cable and telephone companies determined to outlaw the competition.
In a few years, all communications -- TV, radio, Internet and telephone -- will come through broadband Internet connections. If Big Media has its way, access will cost more than $100 a month, and corporations -- not communities -- will determine what information is available and what's not.
The fight for tomorrow's technology is being waged today. Here's what you can do:
1. Watch Free Press Policy Director Ben Scott on tonight's broadcast of NOW, the PBS news magazine. (Click here to check your local listings.) Then visit Free Press' new Community Internet site to learn more.
2. A rapid response from vocal citizens is the only way to stop the cable and telephone companies when they try to sneak in bad legislation under the radar. Help us win the next battle by getting 10 people to sign up now as Free Press e-activists for future actions. It's free and takes only a few seconds.
3. Meet and strategize with other activists working to defend Community Internet at the National Conference for Media Reform in St. Louis on May 13-15. You can register for the conference online or by calling (866) 462-2838. We need you to be there to build this important campaign.
With your help, we can stop Big Media -- and win the struggle for the future of communications in America.
Onward,
Josh Silver
Executive Director
Free Press
Dear Media Reformer:
Community Internet may be the most important media policy fight of the decade. Local communities across the country -- looking to offer affordable, universal access to high-speed broadband services -- are squaring off against big cable and telephone companies determined to outlaw the competition.
In a few years, all communications -- TV, radio, Internet and telephone -- will come through broadband Internet connections. If Big Media has its way, access will cost more than $100 a month, and corporations -- not communities -- will determine what information is available and what's not.
The fight for tomorrow's technology is being waged today. Here's what you can do:
1. Watch Free Press Policy Director Ben Scott on tonight's broadcast of NOW, the PBS news magazine. (Click here to check your local listings.) Then visit Free Press' new Community Internet site to learn more.
2. A rapid response from vocal citizens is the only way to stop the cable and telephone companies when they try to sneak in bad legislation under the radar. Help us win the next battle by getting 10 people to sign up now as Free Press e-activists for future actions. It's free and takes only a few seconds.
3. Meet and strategize with other activists working to defend Community Internet at the National Conference for Media Reform in St. Louis on May 13-15. You can register for the conference online or by calling (866) 462-2838. We need you to be there to build this important campaign.
With your help, we can stop Big Media -- and win the struggle for the future of communications in America.
Onward,
Josh Silver
Executive Director
Free Press
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Ho Ho Ho
"To the Editor, Lebanon Express:
"In public, Republicans say they want to 'save' Social Security, and would never dream of leaving working people to face a destitute retirement.
"In their private, insiders-only gatherings (such as Rick Santorum's rally at Drexel University on 23 February), they chant, 'Hey-hey, ho-ho, Social Security's got to go!'
"Ho ho indeed.
"John M. Burt, Corvallis"
"In public, Republicans say they want to 'save' Social Security, and would never dream of leaving working people to face a destitute retirement.
"In their private, insiders-only gatherings (such as Rick Santorum's rally at Drexel University on 23 February), they chant, 'Hey-hey, ho-ho, Social Security's got to go!'
"Ho ho indeed.
"John M. Burt, Corvallis"
I Have Read Ten or More Books by
Isaac Asimov
Lester Dent
Ron Goulart
Robert A. Heinlein
Warren Murphy
I guess that's about it. Jules Verne doesn't make my list. Neither does Walter B. Gibson Peni R. Griffin will be on it soon.
My list is substantially different from (and shorter than) Arthur D. Hlavaty's.
Lester Dent
Ron Goulart
Robert A. Heinlein
Warren Murphy
I guess that's about it. Jules Verne doesn't make my list. Neither does Walter B. Gibson Peni R. Griffin will be on it soon.
My list is substantially different from (and shorter than) Arthur D. Hlavaty's.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Hey, George, Ya Miss This One?
Psalm 10
1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Water Ice on Mars
Do you have any idea how long it's been since a newspaper headline actually made me feel glad, or happy or hopeful?
Usually the best I can manage is schadenfreude.
Usually the best I can manage is schadenfreude.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
'Rithmetic
I went to apply for admission to the nursing program at Linn-Benton Community College today, and found out at the last minute that the old requirement (placement - testing into Math 95 or higher) had been replaced by PASSING Math 95 or PLACING higher, so I had to run and sign in at the math lab, and pray that I could place into Math 97, then drive from Albany to Corvallis, to the other campus, where the math lab had an opening today, take the placement test, sweating dromedaries the whole time, get my score, find I had been deemed fit to enroll in Math 97 (huzzah!), and then stagger home to Kathe, who said incredulously, "You had a hard time getting into Bonehead Math?"
Well, yes, actually, I did, and the fact that she would have breezed through it is not really relevant. It happens that I have never succeeded in advancing into the esoteric realms of the quadratic equation. This may be an appalling gap in my education, and possibly sign of some serious moral weakness, but elementary algebra is already more mathematics than a registered nurse actually needs.
Kathe has, over the years, promised to teach me calculus. Maybe this incident will inspire her to try again, though I'd probably beg off, pleading my studies, if I should actually get admitted to the program this time.
Last time, I was ranked 149th in line for one of the 50 seats, meaning that if the entire class had flunked out, and been replaced by students who flunked out . . . I would have been the last one called.
As for what happens this time, we'll just have to see.
Well, yes, actually, I did, and the fact that she would have breezed through it is not really relevant. It happens that I have never succeeded in advancing into the esoteric realms of the quadratic equation. This may be an appalling gap in my education, and possibly sign of some serious moral weakness, but elementary algebra is already more mathematics than a registered nurse actually needs.
Kathe has, over the years, promised to teach me calculus. Maybe this incident will inspire her to try again, though I'd probably beg off, pleading my studies, if I should actually get admitted to the program this time.
Last time, I was ranked 149th in line for one of the 50 seats, meaning that if the entire class had flunked out, and been replaced by students who flunked out . . . I would have been the last one called.
As for what happens this time, we'll just have to see.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
What Obsolete Skill Are You?
I'm . . . French?
French is obsolete?
These quiz thingies are getting weird.
French is obsolete?
These quiz thingies are getting weird.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Still Wrong
I received this message in reply to my comments on Bruce Kauffmann's column in the Oregonian (as seen in yesterday's post):
Mr. Burt - thanks for your note. I was working for CBS News at the time of
the elections. I am well aware of the human rights abuses of the Contras--I
mentioned them in my column. I am well aware of the Reagan and Bush I
administration's support for the contras, and for Chamarro, and we can
presume that the CIA was part of that support. That said, I write with 100
percent certainty that the vast majority of the Nicaraguan people who gave
her a 55 percent plurality in the election did so because they wanted the
Sandinistas out of power and her in power.
You will recall, given your memory of the heady excitement of the
Sandinistas in the post-Somoza years that Chamarro joined the Sandinistas
but later quit when she saw which direction they were taking "the
revolution," subsequently turning her newspaper, La Prensa, into a major
voice of the opposition to the Sandinistas.
I note, finally, that in my column I gave the Sandinistas credit for abiding
by the election results and subsequently running for office in the post-1990
Nicaragua. Indeed, I am hoping the Sunnis in Iraq emulate their actions.
Bruce Kauffmann
My reply:
I am grateful to Bruce Kauffmann for taking the time to reply to a critical letter from a stranger, and for the most part I don't disagree with his comments. I hope I have few illusions about the nature of the Sandinista party and their 1979-1990 rule in Nicaragua. But Mr. Kauffmann did not address one truly vital point: that the first free elections in Nicaragua's history were not held in 1990, but in 1984, and the Sandinistas won that one. The elections were universally affirmed by foreign observers to be free and fair, in spite of the contra terrorists' efforts to prevent them from taking place, and it was a democratically elected government that Ronald Reagan's "freedom fighters" were trying to overthrow.
Mr. Burt - thanks for your note. I was working for CBS News at the time of
the elections. I am well aware of the human rights abuses of the Contras--I
mentioned them in my column. I am well aware of the Reagan and Bush I
administration's support for the contras, and for Chamarro, and we can
presume that the CIA was part of that support. That said, I write with 100
percent certainty that the vast majority of the Nicaraguan people who gave
her a 55 percent plurality in the election did so because they wanted the
Sandinistas out of power and her in power.
You will recall, given your memory of the heady excitement of the
Sandinistas in the post-Somoza years that Chamarro joined the Sandinistas
but later quit when she saw which direction they were taking "the
revolution," subsequently turning her newspaper, La Prensa, into a major
voice of the opposition to the Sandinistas.
I note, finally, that in my column I gave the Sandinistas credit for abiding
by the election results and subsequently running for office in the post-1990
Nicaragua. Indeed, I am hoping the Sunnis in Iraq emulate their actions.
Bruce Kauffmann
My reply:
I am grateful to Bruce Kauffmann for taking the time to reply to a critical letter from a stranger, and for the most part I don't disagree with his comments. I hope I have few illusions about the nature of the Sandinista party and their 1979-1990 rule in Nicaragua. But Mr. Kauffmann did not address one truly vital point: that the first free elections in Nicaragua's history were not held in 1990, but in 1984, and the Sandinistas won that one. The elections were universally affirmed by foreign observers to be free and fair, in spite of the contra terrorists' efforts to prevent them from taking place, and it was a democratically elected government that Ronald Reagan's "freedom fighters" were trying to overthrow.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Bruce Kauffmann's Hazy History
To the Editor, Portland Oregonian:
Like Bruce Kauffmann (20 February 2005) I, too, remember the heady excitement of Nicaragua's first-ever free election. I was so happy for the long-suffering people of a small and impoverished country, taking charge of their own destiny at last and shaking off a long history of dictatorship.
But Kauffmann is incorrect in saying that the first free election was held in 1990. It was actually in 1984, and the Sandinista party won that one.
Kauffmann praises the "freedom fighters" supported by Ronald Reagan, failing to mention that the contra terrorists tried to disrupt free elections and overthrow the nascent Nicaraguan democracy.
Why did the Sandinistas hold an election in 1990? Because the democratic Constitution the Sandinistas wrote called for elections every six years, and they took their commitment to democracy seriously. Seriously enough to hold the election in spite of the contras' efforts to prevent people from voting, in spite of the massive CIA investment in Violeta Chamorro's campaign. Seriously enough to allow the votes to be counted honestly, and to leave office peacefully when the UNO party won.
These are the people Kauffmann refers to as a "military dictatorship".
I think some more history lessons are called for.
Like Bruce Kauffmann (20 February 2005) I, too, remember the heady excitement of Nicaragua's first-ever free election. I was so happy for the long-suffering people of a small and impoverished country, taking charge of their own destiny at last and shaking off a long history of dictatorship.
But Kauffmann is incorrect in saying that the first free election was held in 1990. It was actually in 1984, and the Sandinista party won that one.
Kauffmann praises the "freedom fighters" supported by Ronald Reagan, failing to mention that the contra terrorists tried to disrupt free elections and overthrow the nascent Nicaraguan democracy.
Why did the Sandinistas hold an election in 1990? Because the democratic Constitution the Sandinistas wrote called for elections every six years, and they took their commitment to democracy seriously. Seriously enough to hold the election in spite of the contras' efforts to prevent people from voting, in spite of the massive CIA investment in Violeta Chamorro's campaign. Seriously enough to allow the votes to be counted honestly, and to leave office peacefully when the UNO party won.
These are the people Kauffmann refers to as a "military dictatorship".
I think some more history lessons are called for.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Negroponte, As If Anybody Cared
Kind of funny,isn't it, how the nomination of Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General got so much scrutiny because of Gonzales' legal apologetics for torture, while John Negroponte, who got chummy with death squads and supplied arms to anti-democracy terrorists, gets almost no attention on his way to becoming the first "national director of intelligence"?
Not that I ever thought Americans had a really good sense of priorities.
Not that I ever thought Americans had a really good sense of priorities.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Free Republic Must Have a Strong Stomach
Sean Hannity is terribly upset that Free Republic has been taken over by fringe elements who are filling it up with vicious personal attacks, dividing people who ought to be working together in common cause.
I'm sorry, this keyboard in front of me does not contain enough quotation marks, question marks or italic letters to say what I think about this.
I will, hoever, say that the last straw for me was when Hannity waxed nostalgic for the night he joined with a bunch of Freepy-Crawlers in riotous assembly to try to force a man, through menaces, to flee his own home.
I'm sorry, this keyboard in front of me does not contain enough quotation marks, question marks or italic letters to say what I think about this.
I will, hoever, say that the last straw for me was when Hannity waxed nostalgic for the night he joined with a bunch of Freepy-Crawlers in riotous assembly to try to force a man, through menaces, to flee his own home.
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