*Gasp*
Okay kiddies. You're Uncle Jason is no longer able to keep his mouth shut...it's time for a good 'ole fashioned rant. Ready? Here we go...
I am so sick of the press jumping on stories that, on the surface terrify the rational mind--BUT if you take 5 minutes to dissect it/think it over YOU REALIZE THAT IT'S 100% bullshit. Now as of late, the "Media" has been having a FIELD DAY with The Economy. Things are bad out there my friend. But The Economy is great because it's really complicated and few people truly understand it.
When I was growing up, they didn't treat The Economy like the weather. But now they do, now every five minutes they over-analyze The Economy. Instead of talking about cold fronts and pressure centers...its points on the Dow. They've made a fetish out of it (think about it there's an all-Sports channel, all-Weather channel, and an all-Financial channel). War is good, but something a little more abstract, something a little less control-able is better because everyone is against the economy being bad. No one (that's not insane) is rooting for the SARS virus to wipe us all out. And we've become obsessed with "updates."
This is the result of 24-Hour News. We've become used to learning about something not only "as it's happening" but sometimes before it's happened. What this means is a lot of times we get news reports that are literally "Well Jim, we don't know much...but something is going to happen" (REPEAT FOR 12 hours until something happens and/or something breaks). And don't get me started on reporters. These people literally are shit. I should know, because I have a little journalism experience...albeit on the small scale. Reporters today grew up AFTER the generation that looked up the Woodward and Bernstein. They think reporters should "take on" things (institutions, social trends, people) because that's what they previous group of reporters/newsmen did...but they're missing the WATERGATE point (which is Woodward and Bernstein stumbled upon a major political scandal).
Those guys took down Nixon and created the notion of the Crusader-Journalist. This has changed news and given reporters even more of an ego problem. Now we have these "journalists" like O'Reilly, Dobbs, Beck, etc. They all admit they're not reports, that their shows are editorials and not news reports--and yet, it's all very much presented as news. And since they have good ratings, modern news is becoming very similar to editorials.
So we are obsessed with getting news and reporters have forgotten that they're supposed to be "reporters" (i.e. REPORT things). But there is another component--the Death obsession we all seem to have.
You are going to die. I am going to die. We need to get over it, and yet we can't. We're obsessed with death. Further, like all selfish/self-centered bastards and we'd LOVE to think that when we die--the world will be going with us. At the same time, we don't want to die, we want to live forever. So we're really mixed up folks, but the bottom line is: we are fascinated by death and destruciton.
So we like it in our news. So while The Economy is a good, complicated scary story (reporters like it because of the ratings, and it makes them feel important) nothing is better than something like Swine Flu. We're scared of it, we don't fully understand it, AND the Government likes it because it takes attention away from the "real" problems (like The Economy).
The Government? Yes kiddies, your Uncle Sam LOVES it when something bad (that's not his fault) comes along to distract us while he continues to steal from us (both our money and our Rights). Another good thing about a crisis/scary thing like Swine Flu is that it makes us all children--we all run to "Daddy" Government "Daddy! Something scary! Protect us!" Of course they can no more protect us from Swine Flu than they could put a man on Pluto...
Which brings me to my point. I do not fear Swine Flu. For one thing, there are bigger things to be scared of. Like what? How about REGULAR FUCKING FLU, you know that bug that mutates every year and makes it's rounds during the winter? That virus kills 36,000 people every year in this country (Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). How many people have died of Swine Flu, a couple hundred? Swine Flu is a pussy compared to REGUALR FUCKING FLU. But Swine Flu is "sexy" in that it's something new and not 100% understood.
The media's done a good job getting us all worked up about it (for ratings) but I wasn't going to say anything (or write such an annoyingly long post about how I feel) until I saw this story online with the headline: "Scientists Fear H1N1 HIV Combination." The article is mainly about how the World Health Organization is fearful for patients with HIV/AIDS who could die as a result of Swine Flu targeting their compromised immune systems. BUT, the reporter/writer tries to lead the Scientists down the proverbial "rabbit hole" of: "What if Swine Flu combines with HIV and makes a SUPER VIRUS!"
Jesus these people make me sick. The sad part is, most of you out there eat this shit up. I just laugh. That's pretty much all I can do at this point. So, if you want to be scared, by all means--you have my premission to be scared/anxious/worried but just remember this is all smoke and mirrors (and hype). Forget it and worry about real flu or how fat you are (like me).
Showing posts with label Politika. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politika. Show all posts
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Science as Religion: My loss of Faith
Let me tell you about how I lost my faith.
I was raised in a non-religious household. My parents were raised Methodist, but kinda gave up on religion after having some bad experiences growing up. From what I've gathered over the years, my folks got sick of the (human) hypocrisy within the Church. I think that overall this is unfortunate, and not really God's fault--but it's what happened.
I grew up with Science instead of religion. My parents didn't do this to me, but somehow instead of Christianity, I had Science as my religion. Religion, for the most part, is just a way of explaining why the world is the way it is. My Bible was National Geographic. I loved all things Science.
In fact, for a while (until about my second year of High School) I thought I'd grow up to be a scientist.
So what happened? Well two things happened:
1. I started having my math lessons in a fucking broom closet (not kidding, it was an actual broom closet)
2. I started to learn about the actual scientific process.
One of the fundamental flaws in our current education system is the notion of divide and conquer. Rather than "slow down" the super-smart kids, the dumb asses (i.e. kids like me) are separated from the general lot and taught at a "slower pace." Well this is complete stupidity. If someone is having trouble keeping up they shouldn't be taught SLOWER! They should be taught more, not less.
So thanks to government learning, my math skills got worse instead of better. I started having to leave during "math time" and relocate to one of the janitor's closets where me and four other idiots stayed dumb. Which was okay until Junior High when math and science converged into one giant mass of squirming tentacles. Junior High was also when Science class became more than memorizing.
Up until seventh grade, Science class was all about reading and memorizing "facts." This, it turns out, is pretty easy for me. I love reading and memorizing astounding facts comes naturally to me. But in Junior High Science class became more than just reading and regurgitating the facts back onto a test...we had to start cutting things up.
Let me take a moment to digress for a second.
If I could go back in time there are two things I would do differently in regards to being a student in public education. For starters, I'd refuse to cut up/dissect all those fetal pigs, star fish, tape worms, skates, rats, and owl pellets. I wish I'd had the guts to say "it is wrong for us to cut things up just to learn." Because unless you are in medical school, it is wrong. We are fully capable of creating synthetic models that can teach adolescent children the systems of the body. There is no reason I can fathom, that we should grow/corral innocent creatures just to cut them up.
None.
Does that make me a fucking hippy? Then guess what? All you need is love/smoke more dope man...cos I'm a fucking hippy.
The only thing I cut up that I DON'T feel bad about is that nasty owl pellet (which was really just a big knot of mouse hair). The other thing I'd change is the pledge of allegiance--if I could go back in time, I'd refuse to do this. Is it because I hate my country? No. Is it because...no, it has nothing to do with anything other than the actual history of the Pledge.
The Pledge of Allegiance originated as something ex-Confederates had to say in order to avoid being shot/killed as traitors to the United States. Then some time when by and Benjamin Harrison made a proclamation that had school children all over the nation doing it to celebrate (of all things) Columbus Day in 1892. Did you know that originally the Pledge DID NOT use the hand over the heart deal, but instead you used a sort-or Nazi salute? True. FDR did away with that during WWII.
Anyway, the Pledge has always rubbed me the wrong way. As an adult, I see it as a kind of sick brainwashing. Think about it--government run schools...you begin your day by swearing undying Allegiance (under God no less!) to said country. It smacks of wrong-ness people. I would have been that weird kid who got sent out of the classroom for not conforming, if I could do things over. Instead I did it, at the time, though the whole time I wondered why it was necessary. But I didn't "rock the boat" back then.
Now, back to my loss of faith in Science.
Where was I? Oh yes, cutting things up...
Yeah, cutting things up is wrong. Junior High Science class was full of experiments that had an end result. Didn't do something right? Your volcano didn't erupt? Just copy off your neighbor until it does...or you can fake it. Yes, most of the experiments didn't work--at least, none of the ones I did worked. Half the time, I couldn't get the stupid microscope to work. So instead of accurate observations I just lied and wrote down what I thought I was supposed to be seeing. This, children, is what Science really is: making what you think will happen...happen--to prove yourself right (or, in the "adult world": make what you think will happen happen, or NOT happen, depending on what will keep your job safe/assure your funding).
Science and actual religion have a lot in common. So much so that I often laugh at how hateful they are to each other. Both are so strict and dogmatic. Both grapple with the fundamental questions of life--most times incorrectly. Like Religion, Science is full of liars and hypocrites...people looking to make a name for themselves, or a quick buck. Science has it's share of fanatics, people who are so desperate to preserve the status quo that they'd just as well not do the experiments in the first place.
But, like Religion, Science is also full of good people--who because of their general doctrine (or in spite of it) do a lot of good work. I like the electric light bulb science has given me, and I'm glad there are soup kitchens run by priests so not all the poor people will starve.
However, just like the kid how grows up religious and becomes a "holy terror," I've grow up and rejected what I grew up with: Science.
I really hate pop-science. Those stories on the nightly news about some study that revealed such-and-such cures/causes some disease. Or that some guy can make a monkey pick it's nose with electric shocks. These people are snake-oil salesman. Just like a lot of climate change people, who either say it's happening or say it's not happening (and there are those) just to make a quick buck, or keep the funding rolling in.
I guess it's the Capitalistic/economic factor that makes me distrust both Science and Religion. The Church wants a donation (even though the Priest has a mansion and a sports car) and the Scientist will CURE that damn disease...but only if he can keep his job for a few more years...will you donate to continue the research?
No. I will do neither, you are clearly trying to fleece the scared and the weak-minded.
This post came about because Terri wondered what was up with all the Science books lately (I'm reading a book about Joesph Priestley (which is ironic considering he was a Theologian as well as a Scientist--and his "discovery" of oxygen). I guess like a lapsed Catholic, I still want to believe...and from time to time I'll go to mass...just to see if I can recapture some of that magic. That innocent belief that Science can be pure, unmotivated exploration of the world and it's wonders.
I was raised in a non-religious household. My parents were raised Methodist, but kinda gave up on religion after having some bad experiences growing up. From what I've gathered over the years, my folks got sick of the (human) hypocrisy within the Church. I think that overall this is unfortunate, and not really God's fault--but it's what happened.
I grew up with Science instead of religion. My parents didn't do this to me, but somehow instead of Christianity, I had Science as my religion. Religion, for the most part, is just a way of explaining why the world is the way it is. My Bible was National Geographic. I loved all things Science.
In fact, for a while (until about my second year of High School) I thought I'd grow up to be a scientist.
So what happened? Well two things happened:
1. I started having my math lessons in a fucking broom closet (not kidding, it was an actual broom closet)
2. I started to learn about the actual scientific process.
One of the fundamental flaws in our current education system is the notion of divide and conquer. Rather than "slow down" the super-smart kids, the dumb asses (i.e. kids like me) are separated from the general lot and taught at a "slower pace." Well this is complete stupidity. If someone is having trouble keeping up they shouldn't be taught SLOWER! They should be taught more, not less.
So thanks to government learning, my math skills got worse instead of better. I started having to leave during "math time" and relocate to one of the janitor's closets where me and four other idiots stayed dumb. Which was okay until Junior High when math and science converged into one giant mass of squirming tentacles. Junior High was also when Science class became more than memorizing.
Up until seventh grade, Science class was all about reading and memorizing "facts." This, it turns out, is pretty easy for me. I love reading and memorizing astounding facts comes naturally to me. But in Junior High Science class became more than just reading and regurgitating the facts back onto a test...we had to start cutting things up.
Let me take a moment to digress for a second.
If I could go back in time there are two things I would do differently in regards to being a student in public education. For starters, I'd refuse to cut up/dissect all those fetal pigs, star fish, tape worms, skates, rats, and owl pellets. I wish I'd had the guts to say "it is wrong for us to cut things up just to learn." Because unless you are in medical school, it is wrong. We are fully capable of creating synthetic models that can teach adolescent children the systems of the body. There is no reason I can fathom, that we should grow/corral innocent creatures just to cut them up.
None.
Does that make me a fucking hippy? Then guess what? All you need is love/smoke more dope man...cos I'm a fucking hippy.
The only thing I cut up that I DON'T feel bad about is that nasty owl pellet (which was really just a big knot of mouse hair). The other thing I'd change is the pledge of allegiance--if I could go back in time, I'd refuse to do this. Is it because I hate my country? No. Is it because...no, it has nothing to do with anything other than the actual history of the Pledge.
The Pledge of Allegiance originated as something ex-Confederates had to say in order to avoid being shot/killed as traitors to the United States. Then some time when by and Benjamin Harrison made a proclamation that had school children all over the nation doing it to celebrate (of all things) Columbus Day in 1892. Did you know that originally the Pledge DID NOT use the hand over the heart deal, but instead you used a sort-or Nazi salute? True. FDR did away with that during WWII.
Anyway, the Pledge has always rubbed me the wrong way. As an adult, I see it as a kind of sick brainwashing. Think about it--government run schools...you begin your day by swearing undying Allegiance (under God no less!) to said country. It smacks of wrong-ness people. I would have been that weird kid who got sent out of the classroom for not conforming, if I could do things over. Instead I did it, at the time, though the whole time I wondered why it was necessary. But I didn't "rock the boat" back then.
Now, back to my loss of faith in Science.
Where was I? Oh yes, cutting things up...
Yeah, cutting things up is wrong. Junior High Science class was full of experiments that had an end result. Didn't do something right? Your volcano didn't erupt? Just copy off your neighbor until it does...or you can fake it. Yes, most of the experiments didn't work--at least, none of the ones I did worked. Half the time, I couldn't get the stupid microscope to work. So instead of accurate observations I just lied and wrote down what I thought I was supposed to be seeing. This, children, is what Science really is: making what you think will happen...happen--to prove yourself right (or, in the "adult world": make what you think will happen happen, or NOT happen, depending on what will keep your job safe/assure your funding).
Science and actual religion have a lot in common. So much so that I often laugh at how hateful they are to each other. Both are so strict and dogmatic. Both grapple with the fundamental questions of life--most times incorrectly. Like Religion, Science is full of liars and hypocrites...people looking to make a name for themselves, or a quick buck. Science has it's share of fanatics, people who are so desperate to preserve the status quo that they'd just as well not do the experiments in the first place.
But, like Religion, Science is also full of good people--who because of their general doctrine (or in spite of it) do a lot of good work. I like the electric light bulb science has given me, and I'm glad there are soup kitchens run by priests so not all the poor people will starve.
However, just like the kid how grows up religious and becomes a "holy terror," I've grow up and rejected what I grew up with: Science.
I really hate pop-science. Those stories on the nightly news about some study that revealed such-and-such cures/causes some disease. Or that some guy can make a monkey pick it's nose with electric shocks. These people are snake-oil salesman. Just like a lot of climate change people, who either say it's happening or say it's not happening (and there are those) just to make a quick buck, or keep the funding rolling in.
I guess it's the Capitalistic/economic factor that makes me distrust both Science and Religion. The Church wants a donation (even though the Priest has a mansion and a sports car) and the Scientist will CURE that damn disease...but only if he can keep his job for a few more years...will you donate to continue the research?
No. I will do neither, you are clearly trying to fleece the scared and the weak-minded.
This post came about because Terri wondered what was up with all the Science books lately (I'm reading a book about Joesph Priestley (which is ironic considering he was a Theologian as well as a Scientist--and his "discovery" of oxygen). I guess like a lapsed Catholic, I still want to believe...and from time to time I'll go to mass...just to see if I can recapture some of that magic. That innocent belief that Science can be pure, unmotivated exploration of the world and it's wonders.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The Limemonkey Voting Curse Continues!
The Limemonkey Voting Curse: "If I vote for you, you will not become President of the United States."
Today the curse once again reared it's ugly head--I didn't vote for Obama...and now he is our new President.
To Mr. Obama: YOU ARE WELCOME!
Even though I think this is a wonderful/historic moment for my country, I am also very fearful. I hope that Obama doesn't let us down, and I hope we don't let him down. By that I mean, I hope no redneck asshole tries to kill him.
Washington, and politics in general, is a nasty stagnant swamp--ANY change is always good change, so long as it has the people's blessing. Tonight this country has spoken, and we've decided we are willing to take a chance on change...and someone who is young and relatively inexperienced. While many of my older friends and relatives see youth and inexperience as a detriment--but as a young and inexperienced person, I believe that sometimes what is familiar and safe must be cast aside so that what is new and potentially better is given a fair shake.
I believe this because I am an American, and in America we always look forward to a better tomorrow, no matter how bad things may seem.
Today the curse once again reared it's ugly head--I didn't vote for Obama...and now he is our new President.
To Mr. Obama: YOU ARE WELCOME!
Even though I think this is a wonderful/historic moment for my country, I am also very fearful. I hope that Obama doesn't let us down, and I hope we don't let him down. By that I mean, I hope no redneck asshole tries to kill him.
Washington, and politics in general, is a nasty stagnant swamp--ANY change is always good change, so long as it has the people's blessing. Tonight this country has spoken, and we've decided we are willing to take a chance on change...and someone who is young and relatively inexperienced. While many of my older friends and relatives see youth and inexperience as a detriment--but as a young and inexperienced person, I believe that sometimes what is familiar and safe must be cast aside so that what is new and potentially better is given a fair shake.
I believe this because I am an American, and in America we always look forward to a better tomorrow, no matter how bad things may seem.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Sarah Palin is a Fucking Moron
And so are you if you think this woman could/should be President:
McCain REALLY thinks this person is ready for such an important job? Yikes.
Look, I'm not saying a woman shouldn't be/couldn't be President...but this woman is a moron. She's a complete and utter joke--just like this election. Truly she is from the George Bush Jr. school of special people (i.e. a puppet for smarter, less attractive behind the scenes people).
As for the election in general, think about it like this:
If I shit in one hand and piss on the other and ask "which hand would you like to shake?" have I really given you choice? No, I have not--you're getting something gross either way.
McCain's alright, I guess. I DID NOT like his immigration "reform" (i.e. "Free Pass") from a few summers ago...but whatever. I drank the Obama Kool-Aid for a while, but the Rev. Wright/Socialism/bankrupt-the-coal-industry thing is freaking me out.
I guess what I'm saying is: like always the choices are terrible, and no matter who wins--we all lose.
And Palin is a fucking moron.
McCain REALLY thinks this person is ready for such an important job? Yikes.
Look, I'm not saying a woman shouldn't be/couldn't be President...but this woman is a moron. She's a complete and utter joke--just like this election. Truly she is from the George Bush Jr. school of special people (i.e. a puppet for smarter, less attractive behind the scenes people).
As for the election in general, think about it like this:
If I shit in one hand and piss on the other and ask "which hand would you like to shake?" have I really given you choice? No, I have not--you're getting something gross either way.
McCain's alright, I guess. I DID NOT like his immigration "reform" (i.e. "Free Pass") from a few summers ago...but whatever. I drank the Obama Kool-Aid for a while, but the Rev. Wright/Socialism/bankrupt-the-coal-industry thing is freaking me out.
I guess what I'm saying is: like always the choices are terrible, and no matter who wins--we all lose.
And Palin is a fucking moron.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Yes! I DID watch IRON MAN instead of the Debate...
I wish people would get over these debates.
Scratch that--I wish people would get over this election. It's not their fault, I understand completely where they're coming from...I used to be stupid too. I used to actually think that by voting we had a choice in the direction this country was taking. Not so long ago, I even *gulp* voted. But now I realize that it's all a bunch of shit.
That's right, I'm not voting.
I'm not even going to register. You see, I'm tried of playing this little game--of lying to myself, that I matter. I don't.
I realized this the last time I was on an airplane. I must be the luckiest person when it comes to getting the window seat. I'm always getting it. Leah doesn't suffer from "stare out the window syndrome" like I do, so she lets me have it. Anyway, staring down from 40,000 feet above, you tend to see things the way they really are. Human beings, it turns out, are nothing. We're not even ants. Oh sure, put a bunch of us together and we're impressive enough--but for the most part one person (hell make it 1,000 people) don't amount to a hill of beans in this world (thank you Bogey).
As I listened to my (now dead) iPod desperately compete with the terrible whine of the twin engines, I made peace with the fact that in the grand scheme of things I am an insignificant speck. What does the opinion of one little boy matter to the universe? They didn't ask me about Iraq. They didn't ask me out this lame-ass bail-out. Why do they care now?
ANSWER: They don't care.
Are you really that stupid? Have you read the fucking Constitution? I ask, not in a rhetorical smart-ass-debating kind of way...I'm asking for real. I have. I own a slim little volume that contains the Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation (our Nation's first attempt at government), and the Constitution (with the Bill of Rights included). Now, it's been a few years since I read this thing...but I distinctly remember this one part, it was pretty important (but rarely mentioned by the jack-offs that go around preaching "Ya Gotta Vote!" mantra)...I speak of the Electoral College.
Ah yes, because you see, they don't actually care what you want or what you think. The generic, boogeymen "they" have already picked the next President. He's the one with the most fat-cats in his pocket. I don't know which one it is, but I do know that if you vote for the other guy you're throwin your vote away. Don't believe me? GO TALK TO THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA (see the 2000 election. Then go and see the elections in 1876 and 1888 if you are confused as to what I'm talking about).
No, go forget Florida--go talk to the majority of this country that DIDN'T VOTE FOR BUSH THE FIRST TIME. What do I need to do, draw you a fucking picture??? I don't matter, you don't matter--this whole damn thing is a joke, and I'm not playing along anymore.
I like a good joke, every now and then...but does it always have to be at my expense?
Everyone I know babbles about how they don't feel "qualified" to vote. I tell them that' s they way you're supposed to feel. Politicians and their cronies put out misleading, confusing ads/messages that leave you thinking up is down and right is left. Why? Could it be that they know that if a few more of us woke up and realized what utter bullshit the political world has become, that we'd start picking up pitch-forks? And torches?
Yes, of course that's it.
I'm choosing to abstain (for once in my life, I DO choose abstinace) from the whole thing. It's ugly, vuglar, stupid, fill-in-the-blank____________. Next year we will either have an old white guy (and a lady) in the White House OR we will have a young black-ish dude (and a guy who cries like a lady) in the White House. Nothing will change either way. People are all up in arms against Bush--I'm not. Sure, he's made some mistakes, but Congress has LET HIM DO most of them. The President is an impotent figurehead, at the mercy of foreign and coporate influence. There is no more boat rocking in Washington.
The only way I'll ever be interested in politics is if we institute a mandatory "toliet flush" every few years. I propose that every elected official be "flushed" out (super-short term limits, married with "you can't be in government anymore" slips for career politicians).
So, to recap:
1. Enough with the debates already, I didn't watch it.
2. I'm not voting (or even registered).
3. Your vote is worthless--even if the election WAS decided by you (it's not), both candidates are the same and will do little-to-nothing overall.
4. Nothing will ever change in this country without a massive political bloodletting**.
5. We are all tiny, insignificant little ant-people from 40,000 feet.
**I mean this in the most innocent/metaphorical sense possible. Dear FBI/CIA/Homer-Land Security--I AM NOT saying to hurt anyone.
Scratch that--I wish people would get over this election. It's not their fault, I understand completely where they're coming from...I used to be stupid too. I used to actually think that by voting we had a choice in the direction this country was taking. Not so long ago, I even *gulp* voted. But now I realize that it's all a bunch of shit.
That's right, I'm not voting.
I'm not even going to register. You see, I'm tried of playing this little game--of lying to myself, that I matter. I don't.
I realized this the last time I was on an airplane. I must be the luckiest person when it comes to getting the window seat. I'm always getting it. Leah doesn't suffer from "stare out the window syndrome" like I do, so she lets me have it. Anyway, staring down from 40,000 feet above, you tend to see things the way they really are. Human beings, it turns out, are nothing. We're not even ants. Oh sure, put a bunch of us together and we're impressive enough--but for the most part one person (hell make it 1,000 people) don't amount to a hill of beans in this world (thank you Bogey).
As I listened to my (now dead) iPod desperately compete with the terrible whine of the twin engines, I made peace with the fact that in the grand scheme of things I am an insignificant speck. What does the opinion of one little boy matter to the universe? They didn't ask me about Iraq. They didn't ask me out this lame-ass bail-out. Why do they care now?
ANSWER: They don't care.
Are you really that stupid? Have you read the fucking Constitution? I ask, not in a rhetorical smart-ass-debating kind of way...I'm asking for real. I have. I own a slim little volume that contains the Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation (our Nation's first attempt at government), and the Constitution (with the Bill of Rights included). Now, it's been a few years since I read this thing...but I distinctly remember this one part, it was pretty important (but rarely mentioned by the jack-offs that go around preaching "Ya Gotta Vote!" mantra)...I speak of the Electoral College.
Ah yes, because you see, they don't actually care what you want or what you think. The generic, boogeymen "they" have already picked the next President. He's the one with the most fat-cats in his pocket. I don't know which one it is, but I do know that if you vote for the other guy you're throwin your vote away. Don't believe me? GO TALK TO THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA (see the 2000 election. Then go and see the elections in 1876 and 1888 if you are confused as to what I'm talking about).
No, go forget Florida--go talk to the majority of this country that DIDN'T VOTE FOR BUSH THE FIRST TIME. What do I need to do, draw you a fucking picture??? I don't matter, you don't matter--this whole damn thing is a joke, and I'm not playing along anymore.
I like a good joke, every now and then...but does it always have to be at my expense?
Everyone I know babbles about how they don't feel "qualified" to vote. I tell them that' s they way you're supposed to feel. Politicians and their cronies put out misleading, confusing ads/messages that leave you thinking up is down and right is left. Why? Could it be that they know that if a few more of us woke up and realized what utter bullshit the political world has become, that we'd start picking up pitch-forks? And torches?
Yes, of course that's it.
I'm choosing to abstain (for once in my life, I DO choose abstinace) from the whole thing. It's ugly, vuglar, stupid, fill-in-the-blank____________. Next year we will either have an old white guy (and a lady) in the White House OR we will have a young black-ish dude (and a guy who cries like a lady) in the White House. Nothing will change either way. People are all up in arms against Bush--I'm not. Sure, he's made some mistakes, but Congress has LET HIM DO most of them. The President is an impotent figurehead, at the mercy of foreign and coporate influence. There is no more boat rocking in Washington.
The only way I'll ever be interested in politics is if we institute a mandatory "toliet flush" every few years. I propose that every elected official be "flushed" out (super-short term limits, married with "you can't be in government anymore" slips for career politicians).
So, to recap:
1. Enough with the debates already, I didn't watch it.
2. I'm not voting (or even registered).
3. Your vote is worthless--even if the election WAS decided by you (it's not), both candidates are the same and will do little-to-nothing overall.
4. Nothing will ever change in this country without a massive political bloodletting**.
5. We are all tiny, insignificant little ant-people from 40,000 feet.
**I mean this in the most innocent/metaphorical sense possible. Dear FBI/CIA/Homer-Land Security--I AM NOT saying to hurt anyone.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
"Living Through Another Cuba" PRT. 2
Though my military expert (Murph) seems unfazed by the recent Russian/South American activity...I thought I'd pass on this interesting (and scary) bit of news.
Seems the Ruskies have some sort of bomber parked over in Venezuela (a bomber that's capable of carrying nukes). I realize this will come to nothing, and that they are trying to intimidate us...and it worked (no me at least).
Seems the Ruskies have some sort of bomber parked over in Venezuela (a bomber that's capable of carrying nukes). I realize this will come to nothing, and that they are trying to intimidate us...and it worked (no me at least).
"September Calling" Revisited
Today is 9/11, and it's been 7 years that began meaning anything to anyone. I'm not sure what to say about it anymore...or what to think. We all know that it was terrible, I guess we can all agree on that...
Anyway, here is a re-posting of an essay-ish thing I wrote a few years ago on the eve of 9-11 back in 2006:
The eleventh day of September, 2001 began just like the day before. I woke up in the late morning; the sun was streaming through the blinds onto the gray carpet. I remember the zebra stripped pattern it made as I slowly returned to the conscious world. My alarm clock radio was going off. I had it set to a religious AM station (in order to pull me that much faster out of bed to shut it off). Unlike the usual fiery sermons and sobbing testimonials, however, today’s program was much more subdued. Apparently, there had been an “accident” in New York. A plane had hit one of the World Trade Center Towers.
I rushed upstairs and yelled at my mother to turn on CNN. As the television winked to life we put it on channel 44. There were two nearly identical pillars of steel and glass. One was fine, and one was spewing fire and plumes of smoke. Before we could comprehend what we were seeing, a second aircraft suddenly materialized as if by magic. I remember the amazingly slow crash. It was horrific. It was like a bad disaster flick. It was unreal. It was happening, live from New York…
I remember my mother shaking her head, her eyes watering, “This isn’t an accident…somebody is doing this on purpose…” She yelled up to my baby sister, telling her to stay upstairs where she couldn’t see the TV. If that was all that happened, if two planes hitting a New York landmark was all there was…maybe 9/11 wouldn’t be so traumatic. After all, planes crash every now and then. But there was more, much more. As my mother and I sat hypnotized, CNN reported that a rescue effort was underway. NYPD and NYFD were going in; the buildings were going to be evacuated. Order creeping back amidst chaos.
Then the first tower collapsed into a billowing cloud of smoke and death. I’ve never seen a more terrible thing in my life. To know that there were people dying live on TV was bad, but watching their would-be rescuers die too was too much. How many heroic people died that day? How many acts of heroism occurred on September 11, 2001? Maybe as many as there are stars in the night sky. Maybe more. Public servants and first responders always say things like “I’m just doing my job” or something similar. The brave heroes of New York had a job to do.
As corny as it sounds, my mother and I had jobs to do too. Had the terrorist attacks occurred on September 12, 2001 the eleventh would still have been a historic moment (at least for me personally). You see, I was a freshman in college and 9/11 was the day of my first college exam. I went to my American History class, where Dr. Moore looked at us and told us, “I understand if some of you don’t want to take the test today, light of today’s events…however I think it would be best if you all took the test now while the material is still fresh in your minds…”
Dr. Moore passed out the tests after most of us agreed to stay and take the exam. The catastrophe was still on-going at this point, and information was still sketchy at best on a lot of what was actually happening. To alleviate our curiosity (and his) Dr. Moore told us he’d monitor the news and keep us up to date on any breaking reports. This meant that our teacher was out of the room for most of the test as he shuffled back and forth between our classroom and the teachers lounge.
Now, if my own little slice of 9/11 was a Hollywood movie, this would be the scene where everyone bravely takes their tests. Tears streaking down our cheeks, maybe even a few tears dripping down onto our test books. Cue the inspirational music. The truth, the actual history of my first college exam is about as ugly as everything else that happened that brutal day. As soon our professor was out of the room, so too went many of my peer’s ethics. Cheating erupted like wildfire. Approximately 75% of the class was engaged in academic dishonesty. People too lazy to study and read were suddenly benefiting from the New York tragedy. I was horrified for the second time that day. People were laughing and joking. I couldn’t believe people were actually taking advantage of the most horrific thing I’d ever seen. I was in for a rude awakening, because the day wasn’t even half over yet.
I finished up my test and went to my car and listened to the radio. All of the stations were playing essentially the same thing: 9/11 the radio show. Disembodied voices talking endlessly about the need for order and calm. Flights grounded, Presidents safe and secure, bunkers, war, F-18’s over Washington, the Pentagon in flames. Terrorism. I tried munching on a green apple, but the fruit was too sour for me to choke down. I went and bought a cheap, fast food hamburger. I went home briefly and called my then-girlfriend who was at another school, in another part of the state. Her voice was cold and distant. No, she hadn’t seen the second plane, the towers fall, the ash, the fire. Her roommate had told her. Not Ted Koppel or the people at the Today Show…just some random co-ed. I ended the call as quickly as I’d instigated it. There was a disconnection between our thoughts and perceptions. To her it was a bit of news, for me it seemed as if the sky was falling.
I went back to school and finished up my day in classes that I don’t remember attending. Things had calmed back down in my world, at least that’s what I thought. Everyone seemed to be looking over there shoulders, holding there breath, and faking a smile all at the same time. If civilization had collapsed before dinnertime I wouldn’t have been surprised, in fact I was sort of expecting it. We all were. I got in my red Chevy and started to head home for the second time that day. Something was wrong. The intersection less than five minutes from my house was in gridlock. Lines and lines of cars, thirty? Fifty? A hundred? They were all waiting in an endless sea of cars, choking up the roadways, creating chaos thousands of miles from ground zero and Bin Laden (whom I still didn’t know about), because of price gouging. I went home and all was revealed to me by my father.
“I heard on the radio that gas is already ________ dollars a gallon in Kansas.” We had to hurry, before the prices crossed state lines and made there way into Missouri. At least, that’s what my father said. He told me to go back to that parking lot I’d barely managed to crawl through and wait in line for gas…before it was $16 a gallon. Children cheat on tests; adults cheat each other out of money. Ah, capitalism. Once again I was appalled at how people were acting. I refused to go. I refused to take part. My father angrily took my car keys and went himself to buy gas for my car. He returned quicker than I thought him capable of…like everyone that day, he wasn’t sure if gas was going to be $16 a gallon or not…but he’d soon too much earlier in the day to take any chances. He’d seen too much to rule anything out of the realm of the possible.
Before I went to work I went and got the mail, in the stack of envelopes and junk mail was a simple white postcard from the government—it was my draft card. Not a good sign. It seemed as though the country, perhaps the world, was about to erupt in massive conflict. I went to work that night at the drugstore I worked at. There was a cheap little black and white TV perched next to my register. For five hours I got to watch the planes hit the buildings over and over. The towers rose and fell, rose and fell…like a diabolic sea lapping away at the beach of my soul. By the end of the night I was ready to revolt, ready to grab a pitch fork and join an angry mob. This is how human beings are like dominos. Knock one of us over and watch us all scramble to knock each other over.
I don’t recall going to bed that night, but I know I did. Eventually, everything went back to normal. They cleared the debris out from where the Twin Towers stood…and moved it to Afghanistan. Someone squealed to Dr. Moore about the rampant cheating. He came to the next class enraged and nearly in tears. How dare we take advantage of a tragic day and his good nature! I wish I’d been the one to tattle, but I wasn’t. I wasn’t as brave then as I am now. All the gas stations that overcharged and committed the sometimes-sin of price gouging (which is different from supply and demand…how?) were fined heavily and forced to give full refunds back to the masses. The hysteria was far from over, but the “healing” (or “forgetting”) process was underway.
War followed. Then another war followed. Gas didn’t shoot up overnight, instead it’s been steadily rising every since (because that’s legal…doing it overnight isn’t after all). Bruce Springsteen has released two albums (only one about 9/11). Movies are being made/have been made about what happened. Politicians on both sides of the political spectrum now have a new blanket to wrap up there lies in: 9/11. Oh, I almost forgot about the flags! Everyone bought flags. American flags made in China. That’ll keep the terrorists from winning.
I wish I could say we as a people all changed. The government got more powers (The Patriot Act). Iraq got rid of Saddam. But Americans are still diluted. I still don’t know why 9/11 happened. You don’t either. No one does, because if someone did know they’d be trying to fix the situation. Not with bullets but with brains. All we have is gangsters, high stakes gang bangers…one gang does a drive-by….so to retaliate the other does a drive-by….it’s an endless cycle of violence. The thugs in Afghanistan and Iraq are no longer in power—the thugs in America still are. Prior to 9/11 I considered myself a Democrat. Post-9/11 I dabbled in Conservatism. Now, today I’m twice as jaded as I used to be. I don’t even want to be associated with either party. I say I’m independent. On surveys I write “other” for political views. Like the Kennedy assassinations, 9/11 has eroded whatever trust and good will most of mainstream America had for its government.
I went to a Blockbuster a few months back, and I heard the strangest conversation. Two of the employees were talking about flight 93. One of the kids was talking about how the plane didn’t really crash in Pennsylvania. The passengers were really being used in an elaborate propaganda campaign—they were really tucked away somewhere at some secret army base. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This is what passes for intellectual conversation about 9/11 in America today. Already 9/11 is a trivia question, a faded bumper sticker, a movie of the week. Did it even really happen? Maybe it’s like the Holocaust, slavery, and the slaughter of the Indians…maybe 9/11 has been blown out of proportion. Maybe there is a secret base where all those fire fighters, police, and innocent people are just…just…tucked away.
The reality is, tomorrow September 11, 2006 is really just another day. In all probability, I will get up, go to school, come home and go to bed without anything too bad happening. My outlook on life will remain frivolous and unchanged. September 11, 2006 will be a non-event with no cultural significance whatsoever. September 11, 2001 however, is a different, more complicated matter. On that terrible day of confusion—chaos, fear, and greed ruled the day. Five years removed from that fateful day, I wonder what this day really means. Should 9/11 be a holiday? (It is) or should 9/11 be a day of stoic celebration (a kind of 4th of July part two?). I think that 9/11 should be a day of reflection—one for us as citizens of a country and citizens of a planet.
Anyway, here is a re-posting of an essay-ish thing I wrote a few years ago on the eve of 9-11 back in 2006:
The eleventh day of September, 2001 began just like the day before. I woke up in the late morning; the sun was streaming through the blinds onto the gray carpet. I remember the zebra stripped pattern it made as I slowly returned to the conscious world. My alarm clock radio was going off. I had it set to a religious AM station (in order to pull me that much faster out of bed to shut it off). Unlike the usual fiery sermons and sobbing testimonials, however, today’s program was much more subdued. Apparently, there had been an “accident” in New York. A plane had hit one of the World Trade Center Towers.
I rushed upstairs and yelled at my mother to turn on CNN. As the television winked to life we put it on channel 44. There were two nearly identical pillars of steel and glass. One was fine, and one was spewing fire and plumes of smoke. Before we could comprehend what we were seeing, a second aircraft suddenly materialized as if by magic. I remember the amazingly slow crash. It was horrific. It was like a bad disaster flick. It was unreal. It was happening, live from New York…
I remember my mother shaking her head, her eyes watering, “This isn’t an accident…somebody is doing this on purpose…” She yelled up to my baby sister, telling her to stay upstairs where she couldn’t see the TV. If that was all that happened, if two planes hitting a New York landmark was all there was…maybe 9/11 wouldn’t be so traumatic. After all, planes crash every now and then. But there was more, much more. As my mother and I sat hypnotized, CNN reported that a rescue effort was underway. NYPD and NYFD were going in; the buildings were going to be evacuated. Order creeping back amidst chaos.
Then the first tower collapsed into a billowing cloud of smoke and death. I’ve never seen a more terrible thing in my life. To know that there were people dying live on TV was bad, but watching their would-be rescuers die too was too much. How many heroic people died that day? How many acts of heroism occurred on September 11, 2001? Maybe as many as there are stars in the night sky. Maybe more. Public servants and first responders always say things like “I’m just doing my job” or something similar. The brave heroes of New York had a job to do.
As corny as it sounds, my mother and I had jobs to do too. Had the terrorist attacks occurred on September 12, 2001 the eleventh would still have been a historic moment (at least for me personally). You see, I was a freshman in college and 9/11 was the day of my first college exam. I went to my American History class, where Dr. Moore looked at us and told us, “I understand if some of you don’t want to take the test today, light of today’s events…however I think it would be best if you all took the test now while the material is still fresh in your minds…”
Dr. Moore passed out the tests after most of us agreed to stay and take the exam. The catastrophe was still on-going at this point, and information was still sketchy at best on a lot of what was actually happening. To alleviate our curiosity (and his) Dr. Moore told us he’d monitor the news and keep us up to date on any breaking reports. This meant that our teacher was out of the room for most of the test as he shuffled back and forth between our classroom and the teachers lounge.
Now, if my own little slice of 9/11 was a Hollywood movie, this would be the scene where everyone bravely takes their tests. Tears streaking down our cheeks, maybe even a few tears dripping down onto our test books. Cue the inspirational music. The truth, the actual history of my first college exam is about as ugly as everything else that happened that brutal day. As soon our professor was out of the room, so too went many of my peer’s ethics. Cheating erupted like wildfire. Approximately 75% of the class was engaged in academic dishonesty. People too lazy to study and read were suddenly benefiting from the New York tragedy. I was horrified for the second time that day. People were laughing and joking. I couldn’t believe people were actually taking advantage of the most horrific thing I’d ever seen. I was in for a rude awakening, because the day wasn’t even half over yet.
I finished up my test and went to my car and listened to the radio. All of the stations were playing essentially the same thing: 9/11 the radio show. Disembodied voices talking endlessly about the need for order and calm. Flights grounded, Presidents safe and secure, bunkers, war, F-18’s over Washington, the Pentagon in flames. Terrorism. I tried munching on a green apple, but the fruit was too sour for me to choke down. I went and bought a cheap, fast food hamburger. I went home briefly and called my then-girlfriend who was at another school, in another part of the state. Her voice was cold and distant. No, she hadn’t seen the second plane, the towers fall, the ash, the fire. Her roommate had told her. Not Ted Koppel or the people at the Today Show…just some random co-ed. I ended the call as quickly as I’d instigated it. There was a disconnection between our thoughts and perceptions. To her it was a bit of news, for me it seemed as if the sky was falling.
I went back to school and finished up my day in classes that I don’t remember attending. Things had calmed back down in my world, at least that’s what I thought. Everyone seemed to be looking over there shoulders, holding there breath, and faking a smile all at the same time. If civilization had collapsed before dinnertime I wouldn’t have been surprised, in fact I was sort of expecting it. We all were. I got in my red Chevy and started to head home for the second time that day. Something was wrong. The intersection less than five minutes from my house was in gridlock. Lines and lines of cars, thirty? Fifty? A hundred? They were all waiting in an endless sea of cars, choking up the roadways, creating chaos thousands of miles from ground zero and Bin Laden (whom I still didn’t know about), because of price gouging. I went home and all was revealed to me by my father.
“I heard on the radio that gas is already ________ dollars a gallon in Kansas.” We had to hurry, before the prices crossed state lines and made there way into Missouri. At least, that’s what my father said. He told me to go back to that parking lot I’d barely managed to crawl through and wait in line for gas…before it was $16 a gallon. Children cheat on tests; adults cheat each other out of money. Ah, capitalism. Once again I was appalled at how people were acting. I refused to go. I refused to take part. My father angrily took my car keys and went himself to buy gas for my car. He returned quicker than I thought him capable of…like everyone that day, he wasn’t sure if gas was going to be $16 a gallon or not…but he’d soon too much earlier in the day to take any chances. He’d seen too much to rule anything out of the realm of the possible.
Before I went to work I went and got the mail, in the stack of envelopes and junk mail was a simple white postcard from the government—it was my draft card. Not a good sign. It seemed as though the country, perhaps the world, was about to erupt in massive conflict. I went to work that night at the drugstore I worked at. There was a cheap little black and white TV perched next to my register. For five hours I got to watch the planes hit the buildings over and over. The towers rose and fell, rose and fell…like a diabolic sea lapping away at the beach of my soul. By the end of the night I was ready to revolt, ready to grab a pitch fork and join an angry mob. This is how human beings are like dominos. Knock one of us over and watch us all scramble to knock each other over.
I don’t recall going to bed that night, but I know I did. Eventually, everything went back to normal. They cleared the debris out from where the Twin Towers stood…and moved it to Afghanistan. Someone squealed to Dr. Moore about the rampant cheating. He came to the next class enraged and nearly in tears. How dare we take advantage of a tragic day and his good nature! I wish I’d been the one to tattle, but I wasn’t. I wasn’t as brave then as I am now. All the gas stations that overcharged and committed the sometimes-sin of price gouging (which is different from supply and demand…how?) were fined heavily and forced to give full refunds back to the masses. The hysteria was far from over, but the “healing” (or “forgetting”) process was underway.
War followed. Then another war followed. Gas didn’t shoot up overnight, instead it’s been steadily rising every since (because that’s legal…doing it overnight isn’t after all). Bruce Springsteen has released two albums (only one about 9/11). Movies are being made/have been made about what happened. Politicians on both sides of the political spectrum now have a new blanket to wrap up there lies in: 9/11. Oh, I almost forgot about the flags! Everyone bought flags. American flags made in China. That’ll keep the terrorists from winning.
I wish I could say we as a people all changed. The government got more powers (The Patriot Act). Iraq got rid of Saddam. But Americans are still diluted. I still don’t know why 9/11 happened. You don’t either. No one does, because if someone did know they’d be trying to fix the situation. Not with bullets but with brains. All we have is gangsters, high stakes gang bangers…one gang does a drive-by….so to retaliate the other does a drive-by….it’s an endless cycle of violence. The thugs in Afghanistan and Iraq are no longer in power—the thugs in America still are. Prior to 9/11 I considered myself a Democrat. Post-9/11 I dabbled in Conservatism. Now, today I’m twice as jaded as I used to be. I don’t even want to be associated with either party. I say I’m independent. On surveys I write “other” for political views. Like the Kennedy assassinations, 9/11 has eroded whatever trust and good will most of mainstream America had for its government.
I went to a Blockbuster a few months back, and I heard the strangest conversation. Two of the employees were talking about flight 93. One of the kids was talking about how the plane didn’t really crash in Pennsylvania. The passengers were really being used in an elaborate propaganda campaign—they were really tucked away somewhere at some secret army base. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This is what passes for intellectual conversation about 9/11 in America today. Already 9/11 is a trivia question, a faded bumper sticker, a movie of the week. Did it even really happen? Maybe it’s like the Holocaust, slavery, and the slaughter of the Indians…maybe 9/11 has been blown out of proportion. Maybe there is a secret base where all those fire fighters, police, and innocent people are just…just…tucked away.
The reality is, tomorrow September 11, 2006 is really just another day. In all probability, I will get up, go to school, come home and go to bed without anything too bad happening. My outlook on life will remain frivolous and unchanged. September 11, 2006 will be a non-event with no cultural significance whatsoever. September 11, 2001 however, is a different, more complicated matter. On that terrible day of confusion—chaos, fear, and greed ruled the day. Five years removed from that fateful day, I wonder what this day really means. Should 9/11 be a holiday? (It is) or should 9/11 be a day of stoic celebration (a kind of 4th of July part two?). I think that 9/11 should be a day of reflection—one for us as citizens of a country and citizens of a planet.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Living Through Another Cuba...
I was born in 1983, the tail-end of the "Cold War." Because of my youth, I grew up in a Soviet-free world. A world where the United States of America is the top-dog with few enemies of equal size and power. As I grow older, I see my country deteriorating. It's sad, but I'm confident that by the time I'm dead (hopefully at a ripe old age)--this country will no longer be number one.
Maybe number two if we're lucky. But definitely in the top three "most powerful" nations. Call me an optimist.
They say that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it--well guess what, we're all fucking morons because it's happening again. The "Cold War" is starting up all over again. Last month our old frienemies, the Russians, invaded Georgia. I'm not sure you follow international news/politics, but I try to keep up with the goings on in the world as best I can. Putin has been a scary guy for years, ironically enough he's scarier now that he's no longer running Russia. That guy is still pulling the strings, and he's has one goal: return Russia to it's former glory. It's former Soviet glory.
I'm not sure if we're going to see Communism return to Russia (I dobut it), but I do know that the "good old days" of Red/White/Blue vs. Red are returning. I just read an article on Reuters about Venezuela hosting the Russian Navy in some naval exercises...in the Caribbean later this year. What does that remind you of???
*cough* Cuban Missle Crisis *cough*
I'm not saying it's THAT bad...but I see the writing on the wall. The days where America only had to fear camel-riding fundamentalists are pretty much over. Now we have China to deal with (who I bet will be the number one, most powerful nation on Earth when I sadly pass away a few decades from now). We have Russia to worry about.
I grew up without the fear of the "Reds." Until 9/11 (which I'll talk about later this week), I lived without the fear of some horrible, vicious attack hanging over my head.
It was nice.
Sadly, I don't think this is going to be the case for my children. Or my children's children.
An excerpt from XTC's song, "Living Through Another Cuba":
Living through another Cuba
it's 1961 again and we are piggy in the middle
while war is polishing his drum and peace plays second fiddle
Russia and America are at each other's throats
but don't you cry
just on your knees and pray, and while you're
down there, kiss your arse goodbye
Maybe number two if we're lucky. But definitely in the top three "most powerful" nations. Call me an optimist.
They say that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it--well guess what, we're all fucking morons because it's happening again. The "Cold War" is starting up all over again. Last month our old frienemies, the Russians, invaded Georgia. I'm not sure you follow international news/politics, but I try to keep up with the goings on in the world as best I can. Putin has been a scary guy for years, ironically enough he's scarier now that he's no longer running Russia. That guy is still pulling the strings, and he's has one goal: return Russia to it's former glory. It's former Soviet glory.
I'm not sure if we're going to see Communism return to Russia (I dobut it), but I do know that the "good old days" of Red/White/Blue vs. Red are returning. I just read an article on Reuters about Venezuela hosting the Russian Navy in some naval exercises...in the Caribbean later this year. What does that remind you of???
*cough* Cuban Missle Crisis *cough*
I'm not saying it's THAT bad...but I see the writing on the wall. The days where America only had to fear camel-riding fundamentalists are pretty much over. Now we have China to deal with (who I bet will be the number one, most powerful nation on Earth when I sadly pass away a few decades from now). We have Russia to worry about.
I grew up without the fear of the "Reds." Until 9/11 (which I'll talk about later this week), I lived without the fear of some horrible, vicious attack hanging over my head.
It was nice.
Sadly, I don't think this is going to be the case for my children. Or my children's children.
An excerpt from XTC's song, "Living Through Another Cuba":
Living through another Cuba
it's 1961 again and we are piggy in the middle
while war is polishing his drum and peace plays second fiddle
Russia and America are at each other's throats
but don't you cry
just on your knees and pray, and while you're
down there, kiss your arse goodbye
Thursday, February 07, 2008
The Last Gasp of Youthful Idealism
Last night I got into a flame-war on Facebook. I should have just gone to bed. See, when I get home from work, I come home and put on my pj's and read my email. Since Facebook has basically become the new (crappier version) of MySpace, I was hit with like 10,000 different (inane) requests. Join the "What Color Are You?" application.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, then consider yourself lucky. Anyway, one of the creepiest features of Facebook now, is that you can see what your friends do. Did they send someone a message? Join a new group? Then you'll see it. And that's what happened to me. A friend of mine joined a group called "Think Before You Ink." I thought it was an anti-tattoo group (which is natural, right?). Turns out it's a group trying to stop a lobbyist from dismantling the Affirmative Action laws in our state.
Now, my position on this issue is about like it is on Abortion...I don't really agree with it or like, but I can see that in this imperfect world that we live in--it should probably exist. I scrolled down and saw this exchange on the message board. The first message was from a kid (younger than me, in college):
Affirmative action is damn racist. If someone does better than another person, there is no reason the less qualified person should get the job. It's ridiculous. It promotes racisim and segregation.
The next message was a reply, this is what it said:
Well Herr Schwab, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, the opinion you share with all white supremacists. Sadly, bigoted white guys giving other bigoted white guys all the best jobs for centuries is what led us to this point - oh, but as a white guy I guess that's not your concern. I'd be careful though, because after the white supremacists who share your views dispose of all the blacks and latinos they'll come after the gays. Better watch out Chad.
I clicked on the second guy's name and discovered that he listed himself as a "faculty" member of Webster University (a school out here in STL-land). I was shocked. I was appalled. The fact that someone would write such a hateful, venomous post didn't shock me. I'm used to ignorant/stupid/reactionary people online. I'm used to people calling other "Nazis" just for sharing a difference of viewpoint. What amazed me was that this person was a college professor. I was compelled to write me a private message. This is when things got crazy.
Here is our back and forth exchange:
I happened upon the "Think Before you Ink" Message Board, and I happened to notice your very aggressive/hateful post that you made. For some reason, I clicked on your name and was shocked to see you are a "faculty" member of a school!
I don't agree with the person you were taking issue with, but I think what you wrote was ignorant and hateful. I'm not sure if the best way to fight hate is with extreme hate. You basically called the guy a homosexual--why? Rather than try to use logic or reasoning, all you did was name calling. Not only is that immature, I think it's really counterproductive.
I was going to join this Facebook group, but I don't want to be associated with a group that bears such a hateful post. Also, I think it's pretty lame to infer that someone is a Nazi just because they share a different viewpoint. Unless they are actually killing Jews and other undesirables, all you are doing is spitting on the memories of everyone who died under Hitler's regime.
It's "faculty" like you that make me glad I graduated. This nation's institutions of higher learning seemed to be filled with hypocrites and phonies. You are both
To which he replied:
Hmmmm, who's name calling now? I'm sorry you misunderstood my post, I wrote it in haste and was not clear. My fault. Your reactiveness on the other hand is your burden, not mine. Unasked, I will offer this advice: when you get angry start with a question rather than an assumption. The creator of that group started with a question and I clarified. He was satisfied and I was chagrined. Thankfully for me and unfortunately for you, your rush to judgment and rapidity in branding me a hypocrite and a phony is far more hateful and full of animus than anything I wrote.
Then I wrote:
You mistake my disappointment for hatred. Do you see how your post did nothing to further the cause? In fact, you've put off someone who agrees with you! You are a hypocrite because the cause you champion is meant to help make the world more equal and fair--a more peaceful place. How is calling that guy "gay" doing that? It's not. You're a phony because you don't care about people at all. If you did, you'd be more concerned about making that kid understand your point of view (as an educator isn't that your life's mission?) so that he can come to the realization that this cause is noble and correct.
I am sensing a lot of venom in you, that's not what this cause or any other needs.
Then the nutty professor said:
First off, just to set the record straight, I never called the guy gay. I failed to connect the dots between hatred of one group and another and eventually everyone. I was writing fast, not well. Second, you wrote me, I didn't write you. You attacked me for what you perceived incorrectly, I didn't attack you. Call it venom if it assuages your guilt, but that's still your problem. If I wanted to be mean and venomous I would go Garrison Keillor on you about English majors, but I'm not like that. You don't know that cause you don't know me. My students adore me, more importantly I touch their lives deeply sometimes, others I connect with marginally, others not at all, it's a crap shoot - and more importantly still, despite the fact that I am a great educator and mentor, it is still a job, not a calling. This ain't the high priesthood, I work for a living. By the way, not to be critical, because after all you want me to step up to the plate and really be a teacher, don't you, well okay, you are too damned sensitive, you should toughen up. If this bothers you enough to keep you out of a group who's cause you agree with then I can't imagine what kind of groups you would be comfortable with. There's always going to be someone you don't like. Tag. I'm it. Big deal.
Well gee, this has been fun, but it's past my bedtime. Nighty night.
This was the last thing I wrote to him:
I think this is just another case of a person (you) acting with (very) lowered inhibitions due to the impersonal nature of the web. I am fighting, I've been trying to get you to see that what you did was wrong--it was. But to you this is just some sort of sick game.
I know how hard it is to admit when you're wrong, it's human nature I guess. I don't care how many times you say it...but your post is not being "read incorrectly" and it wasn't "written in haste" or whatever. You attacked that kid, and you basically called him a homo.
I'm a big boy, I know that this is the web. I see posts like yours all the time. What got to me, was that you are a teacher and that kid is someone's student. I guess all of my youthful idealism isn't fully dead, because I couldn't believe you would just attack someone like that.
I'm done debating this with you, I just hope that in the future you try and think before you write--whether you like it or not, you are held to a higher standard.
What would possess someone, a teacher--who should know better, to attack someone who could very easily be one of his students? I get that teachers are people, and that they aren't perfect. I also get that people are dumb and insensitive online...but it bothered me that he was okay with making such a post and attaching his picture and name to it--for the world to see.
I guess I'm too much of an idealist. I guess I hold people to a standard that is far too high. What do my teacher readers think about this? I think it's a given the guy was out of line, but what do you think--am I over reacting here? Should the fact that the guy is a teacher not be an issue. It's seriously the only reason I got into this thing with him.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, then consider yourself lucky. Anyway, one of the creepiest features of Facebook now, is that you can see what your friends do. Did they send someone a message? Join a new group? Then you'll see it. And that's what happened to me. A friend of mine joined a group called "Think Before You Ink." I thought it was an anti-tattoo group (which is natural, right?). Turns out it's a group trying to stop a lobbyist from dismantling the Affirmative Action laws in our state.
Now, my position on this issue is about like it is on Abortion...I don't really agree with it or like, but I can see that in this imperfect world that we live in--it should probably exist. I scrolled down and saw this exchange on the message board. The first message was from a kid (younger than me, in college):
Affirmative action is damn racist. If someone does better than another person, there is no reason the less qualified person should get the job. It's ridiculous. It promotes racisim and segregation.
The next message was a reply, this is what it said:
Well Herr Schwab, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, the opinion you share with all white supremacists. Sadly, bigoted white guys giving other bigoted white guys all the best jobs for centuries is what led us to this point - oh, but as a white guy I guess that's not your concern. I'd be careful though, because after the white supremacists who share your views dispose of all the blacks and latinos they'll come after the gays. Better watch out Chad.
I clicked on the second guy's name and discovered that he listed himself as a "faculty" member of Webster University (a school out here in STL-land). I was shocked. I was appalled. The fact that someone would write such a hateful, venomous post didn't shock me. I'm used to ignorant/stupid/reactionary people online. I'm used to people calling other "Nazis" just for sharing a difference of viewpoint. What amazed me was that this person was a college professor. I was compelled to write me a private message. This is when things got crazy.
Here is our back and forth exchange:
I happened upon the "Think Before you Ink" Message Board, and I happened to notice your very aggressive/hateful post that you made. For some reason, I clicked on your name and was shocked to see you are a "faculty" member of a school!
I don't agree with the person you were taking issue with, but I think what you wrote was ignorant and hateful. I'm not sure if the best way to fight hate is with extreme hate. You basically called the guy a homosexual--why? Rather than try to use logic or reasoning, all you did was name calling. Not only is that immature, I think it's really counterproductive.
I was going to join this Facebook group, but I don't want to be associated with a group that bears such a hateful post. Also, I think it's pretty lame to infer that someone is a Nazi just because they share a different viewpoint. Unless they are actually killing Jews and other undesirables, all you are doing is spitting on the memories of everyone who died under Hitler's regime.
It's "faculty" like you that make me glad I graduated. This nation's institutions of higher learning seemed to be filled with hypocrites and phonies. You are both
To which he replied:
Hmmmm, who's name calling now? I'm sorry you misunderstood my post, I wrote it in haste and was not clear. My fault. Your reactiveness on the other hand is your burden, not mine. Unasked, I will offer this advice: when you get angry start with a question rather than an assumption. The creator of that group started with a question and I clarified. He was satisfied and I was chagrined. Thankfully for me and unfortunately for you, your rush to judgment and rapidity in branding me a hypocrite and a phony is far more hateful and full of animus than anything I wrote.
Then I wrote:
You mistake my disappointment for hatred. Do you see how your post did nothing to further the cause? In fact, you've put off someone who agrees with you! You are a hypocrite because the cause you champion is meant to help make the world more equal and fair--a more peaceful place. How is calling that guy "gay" doing that? It's not. You're a phony because you don't care about people at all. If you did, you'd be more concerned about making that kid understand your point of view (as an educator isn't that your life's mission?) so that he can come to the realization that this cause is noble and correct.
I am sensing a lot of venom in you, that's not what this cause or any other needs.
Then the nutty professor said:
First off, just to set the record straight, I never called the guy gay. I failed to connect the dots between hatred of one group and another and eventually everyone. I was writing fast, not well. Second, you wrote me, I didn't write you. You attacked me for what you perceived incorrectly, I didn't attack you. Call it venom if it assuages your guilt, but that's still your problem. If I wanted to be mean and venomous I would go Garrison Keillor on you about English majors, but I'm not like that. You don't know that cause you don't know me. My students adore me, more importantly I touch their lives deeply sometimes, others I connect with marginally, others not at all, it's a crap shoot - and more importantly still, despite the fact that I am a great educator and mentor, it is still a job, not a calling. This ain't the high priesthood, I work for a living. By the way, not to be critical, because after all you want me to step up to the plate and really be a teacher, don't you, well okay, you are too damned sensitive, you should toughen up. If this bothers you enough to keep you out of a group who's cause you agree with then I can't imagine what kind of groups you would be comfortable with. There's always going to be someone you don't like. Tag. I'm it. Big deal.
Well gee, this has been fun, but it's past my bedtime. Nighty night.
This was the last thing I wrote to him:
I think this is just another case of a person (you) acting with (very) lowered inhibitions due to the impersonal nature of the web. I am fighting, I've been trying to get you to see that what you did was wrong--it was. But to you this is just some sort of sick game.
I know how hard it is to admit when you're wrong, it's human nature I guess. I don't care how many times you say it...but your post is not being "read incorrectly" and it wasn't "written in haste" or whatever. You attacked that kid, and you basically called him a homo.
I'm a big boy, I know that this is the web. I see posts like yours all the time. What got to me, was that you are a teacher and that kid is someone's student. I guess all of my youthful idealism isn't fully dead, because I couldn't believe you would just attack someone like that.
I'm done debating this with you, I just hope that in the future you try and think before you write--whether you like it or not, you are held to a higher standard.
What would possess someone, a teacher--who should know better, to attack someone who could very easily be one of his students? I get that teachers are people, and that they aren't perfect. I also get that people are dumb and insensitive online...but it bothered me that he was okay with making such a post and attaching his picture and name to it--for the world to see.
I guess I'm too much of an idealist. I guess I hold people to a standard that is far too high. What do my teacher readers think about this? I think it's a given the guy was out of line, but what do you think--am I over reacting here? Should the fact that the guy is a teacher not be an issue. It's seriously the only reason I got into this thing with him.
Friday, January 18, 2008
"God Creates Dinosaurs, God destroys Dinosuars..."
"God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs..."
"Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth..."
When we create the first superintelligent entity, we might make a mistake and give it goals that lead it to annihilate humankind, assuming its enormous intellectual advantage gives it the power to do so. For example, we could mistakenly elevate a subgoal to the status of a supergoal. We tell it to solve a mathematical problem, and it complies by turning all the matter in the solar system into a giant calculating device, in the process killing the person who asked the question.
"Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth..."
When we create the first superintelligent entity, we might make a mistake and give it goals that lead it to annihilate humankind, assuming its enormous intellectual advantage gives it the power to do so. For example, we could mistakenly elevate a subgoal to the status of a supergoal. We tell it to solve a mathematical problem, and it complies by turning all the matter in the solar system into a giant calculating device, in the process killing the person who asked the question.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Run Albert, Run Albert
I know it's never going to happen, but if this doesn't happen...I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to go into that tiny voting booth.
Go visit this site, sign the petition...DRAFT GORE!!!
Go visit this site, sign the petition...DRAFT GORE!!!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Health Care & The Slippery Slope
Today in class Leah wrote down some of her thoughts about health care (I can't fault her for not paying attention to class...I doodle and write short stories). Anyway, before she went to bed she read her 3-pages of thoughts. In a nutshell, Leah supports government funded health care for children (until age 17). This makes sense, to me at least, because the way I see it the only people without much choice (at all) are children.
Anyway, despite agreeing with her, I argued against this plan. I said that I thought Pediatrics in general would go down in quality. Medical students would opt to go into "adult" medicine to make more money (after all the government isn't going to pay top dollar for this health care for children). Leah countered this by saying she'd give money to people who agreed to practice medicine on children (working through the government programs). I countered by asked where all this money would come
from--taxes of course. And why not? People pay for things (via taxes) that they don't use. For example, single/childless people pay for public schools. But it's all for the greater good. Schools educate people so they can gets jobs (instead of becoming criminals). But look at public schools (actually, don't...they're a mess). Imagine government run health care. I shudder.
Leah's big idea is that by having early health care available, people will grow up healthier--thus saving everyone money (fewer sick, uninsured people will lower costs for everyone). I think this is a valid point--but I don't think that it will create as big effect as she thinks. I think many people will turn 18 and become uninsured. All the good work done up till that point will be for naught (sort of). Also, parents who have to pay for medical care are less likely to clog the system with kids who are suffering from minor things (like colds, which can't be treated). I can see some people abusing free health care in this way. Every little cut or scrape will need attention. I'm not sure if a stuffy nose is what Leah had in mind (but some people will do this). Should I pay for every kid's scratchy throat?
But the biggest problem I have is, of course, the problem of dependency. I don't like the idea of people growing up so dependent on the government. Government is many things, but a protector of every person it is not. At it's best Government should help those who the most helpless, and those who non-government charities can't help. I'm not sure I am comfortable with having elected officials decide what medical procedures are "necessary" and which ones aren't. I'm not sure if Government should decide if my child in a coma should live. When Government starts footing the bill, it starts to get "opinions" on things it has no business thinking about. Government will end up essentially playing God. Only got a 35% chance of surviving your Cancer? Sorry, Trent Lott (who is not a doctor) and the rest of Congress decided you have to have a 36% chance of survival before we pay for your treatment. It'll happen--when more and more people start putting a strain on the system. As more and more people choose to not pay for their children's health care (sure, this plan might start as optional...but people will say "I'm paying for it anyway with my taxes!!! Why not use it?"). Pretty soon Government is telling you how many kids each couple is allowed to have ("We only cover two children, so you have to pay for your third...") for reasons of money and nothing else. Meanwhile "Private" health care will cost and arm and a leg. People will be forced by the market into Governments "loving" embrace.
And then there is the "Slippery Slope." Why only take care of kids? What about Seniors? Shouldn't they...after working so hard for so long, get 100% health care? What about nursing care? A friend of mine just put his granddad in a nursing home--for $5,000 a month!!! More taxes? Will that solve is? Maybe we should just let our old people die? (it is cheaper).
Also, I think clothing should be a "natural right" (to quote the Socialists) so why not give out free clothes. What about food? We could keep health care costs down if we provided citizens with pre-packaged meals (of healthy food, grown by Government farmers). Everyone should have a home, let's give everyone a Government home, too. Electricity is vital to modern living, some people can't live without it to power heating/AC units. Should everyone be guaranteed to get these things? Oh, only the bottom of the barrel, dirt poor...well who is that? What about the people right above them (economically)?
The fact is, unless the Government gives us everything--someone will always be left out in the "cold." As a society we must collectively try to reach out, but not through Government. Instead, churches and other non-profit organizations of charity should act as the safety net. Government's place is to provide us with peace and the freedom to pursue happiness. Government doesn't owe us anything, and we shouldn't give so much of our money to Government. I think there are lots of people who could afford health care if they made other lifestyle choices. Why should MORE of my paycheck vanish?
In short--I'm worried that people are going without proper health care. At the same time, I'm worried about certain politicians laying the foundation of a "Welfare State," where people are basically reduced to serfdom in service to the State. Where people let Government do terrible things simply because they are afraid to speak out and risk losing important life essentials. Essentials which, in a free market, are more affordable to a majority than they would be if regulated by Government. I don't know what the answer is. This is complex. I'm afraid the only human solution is to lay the foundation of a Welfare State.
I'll end with this thought. Do you really want the people who: Can't find Bin Laden, win a war in the Middle East (or tell us the truth about why there even is a war), admit that there is Global Warming, run decent schools, etc...do you want that group of people running your health care (or the care of your children?). I don't. I don't trust elected officials or bureaucracy.
Anyway, despite agreeing with her, I argued against this plan. I said that I thought Pediatrics in general would go down in quality. Medical students would opt to go into "adult" medicine to make more money (after all the government isn't going to pay top dollar for this health care for children). Leah countered this by saying she'd give money to people who agreed to practice medicine on children (working through the government programs). I countered by asked where all this money would come
from--taxes of course. And why not? People pay for things (via taxes) that they don't use. For example, single/childless people pay for public schools. But it's all for the greater good. Schools educate people so they can gets jobs (instead of becoming criminals). But look at public schools (actually, don't...they're a mess). Imagine government run health care. I shudder.
Leah's big idea is that by having early health care available, people will grow up healthier--thus saving everyone money (fewer sick, uninsured people will lower costs for everyone). I think this is a valid point--but I don't think that it will create as big effect as she thinks. I think many people will turn 18 and become uninsured. All the good work done up till that point will be for naught (sort of). Also, parents who have to pay for medical care are less likely to clog the system with kids who are suffering from minor things (like colds, which can't be treated). I can see some people abusing free health care in this way. Every little cut or scrape will need attention. I'm not sure if a stuffy nose is what Leah had in mind (but some people will do this). Should I pay for every kid's scratchy throat?
But the biggest problem I have is, of course, the problem of dependency. I don't like the idea of people growing up so dependent on the government. Government is many things, but a protector of every person it is not. At it's best Government should help those who the most helpless, and those who non-government charities can't help. I'm not sure I am comfortable with having elected officials decide what medical procedures are "necessary" and which ones aren't. I'm not sure if Government should decide if my child in a coma should live. When Government starts footing the bill, it starts to get "opinions" on things it has no business thinking about. Government will end up essentially playing God. Only got a 35% chance of surviving your Cancer? Sorry, Trent Lott (who is not a doctor) and the rest of Congress decided you have to have a 36% chance of survival before we pay for your treatment. It'll happen--when more and more people start putting a strain on the system. As more and more people choose to not pay for their children's health care (sure, this plan might start as optional...but people will say "I'm paying for it anyway with my taxes!!! Why not use it?"). Pretty soon Government is telling you how many kids each couple is allowed to have ("We only cover two children, so you have to pay for your third...") for reasons of money and nothing else. Meanwhile "Private" health care will cost and arm and a leg. People will be forced by the market into Governments "loving" embrace.
And then there is the "Slippery Slope." Why only take care of kids? What about Seniors? Shouldn't they...after working so hard for so long, get 100% health care? What about nursing care? A friend of mine just put his granddad in a nursing home--for $5,000 a month!!! More taxes? Will that solve is? Maybe we should just let our old people die? (it is cheaper).
Also, I think clothing should be a "natural right" (to quote the Socialists) so why not give out free clothes. What about food? We could keep health care costs down if we provided citizens with pre-packaged meals (of healthy food, grown by Government farmers). Everyone should have a home, let's give everyone a Government home, too. Electricity is vital to modern living, some people can't live without it to power heating/AC units. Should everyone be guaranteed to get these things? Oh, only the bottom of the barrel, dirt poor...well who is that? What about the people right above them (economically)?
The fact is, unless the Government gives us everything--someone will always be left out in the "cold." As a society we must collectively try to reach out, but not through Government. Instead, churches and other non-profit organizations of charity should act as the safety net. Government's place is to provide us with peace and the freedom to pursue happiness. Government doesn't owe us anything, and we shouldn't give so much of our money to Government. I think there are lots of people who could afford health care if they made other lifestyle choices. Why should MORE of my paycheck vanish?
In short--I'm worried that people are going without proper health care. At the same time, I'm worried about certain politicians laying the foundation of a "Welfare State," where people are basically reduced to serfdom in service to the State. Where people let Government do terrible things simply because they are afraid to speak out and risk losing important life essentials. Essentials which, in a free market, are more affordable to a majority than they would be if regulated by Government. I don't know what the answer is. This is complex. I'm afraid the only human solution is to lay the foundation of a Welfare State.
I'll end with this thought. Do you really want the people who: Can't find Bin Laden, win a war in the Middle East (or tell us the truth about why there even is a war), admit that there is Global Warming, run decent schools, etc...do you want that group of people running your health care (or the care of your children?). I don't. I don't trust elected officials or bureaucracy.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sometimes I feel like I'm taking crazy pills...
Seriously, why are people so fucking stupid? Am I crazy, or am I really that fucking brilliant?
Bio-diesel is the WORST IDEA WILLIE NELSON HAS EVER HAD. I understand people are desperate to solve the world's energy crisis. It's a real problem and I'm glad the world's country/western singers are hard at work on it. Thanks Willie.
But...ya see...country music blows--and so does Willie's idea.
Grow corn to power our cars? Sounds great! America has TONS of corn, and lots of area to grow it. Right? And America's farmers are all on hard times, why not give them a helping hand by buying all their corn and turning it into pollutants?
The problem with all this is to grow enough, we'd have to use pretty much all the land in North America to grow enough (bye bye Yellowstone). Hell, we could grow more if we fill in the Grand Canyon...a little desert Hydroponics...wah-la!!! Corn fuel for all.
Great. Our cars will run...but we won't. See, what Willie and all these other fucktards (and that's what they are for being so damn stupid as to not think of this) don't realize is: IF YOU MAKE CORN OUR FUEL...CORN WILL BE EXPENSIVE LIKE OIL IS CURRENTLY.
But who cares! Well you should...if you like to eat, that is:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/united_states/article2080599.ece
It's already happening people. Thank's uncle Willie. Hey here's an idea, let's use pot as fuel...maybe if the price of weed goes up enough Nelson will sober up and pull his head out of his ass.
I can't believe that people are so desperate they'd be this stupid.
Bio-diesel is the WORST IDEA WILLIE NELSON HAS EVER HAD. I understand people are desperate to solve the world's energy crisis. It's a real problem and I'm glad the world's country/western singers are hard at work on it. Thanks Willie.
But...ya see...country music blows--and so does Willie's idea.
Grow corn to power our cars? Sounds great! America has TONS of corn, and lots of area to grow it. Right? And America's farmers are all on hard times, why not give them a helping hand by buying all their corn and turning it into pollutants?
The problem with all this is to grow enough, we'd have to use pretty much all the land in North America to grow enough (bye bye Yellowstone). Hell, we could grow more if we fill in the Grand Canyon...a little desert Hydroponics...wah-la!!! Corn fuel for all.
Great. Our cars will run...but we won't. See, what Willie and all these other fucktards (and that's what they are for being so damn stupid as to not think of this) don't realize is: IF YOU MAKE CORN OUR FUEL...CORN WILL BE EXPENSIVE LIKE OIL IS CURRENTLY.
But who cares! Well you should...if you like to eat, that is:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/united_states/article2080599.ece
It's already happening people. Thank's uncle Willie. Hey here's an idea, let's use pot as fuel...maybe if the price of weed goes up enough Nelson will sober up and pull his head out of his ass.
I can't believe that people are so desperate they'd be this stupid.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The Next President of the USA
So I've been listening to more talk radio at work...did you know the election is coming up? Yes, its nearly time once again to pick the lesser of two (or is it eight, nine?) evils.
Right now it's early, and it seems like everyone is running for the big job. I can't say I blame them, it would be kinda cool (I guess). Despite the glut of candidates, none of them are really doing anything for me.
However, here is a ticket I really could get behind:
Now, before you say he's not right for the job...let's take a look at the facts. Shall we?
1. Murph served his country bravely in the first Gulf War (you know, the one that was run better).
2. Murph has a Master's degree in History (he's a college grad, so you know he's smart).
3. He has a delightful, slightly Southern accent. People love that in a President!
Shame on you America for wasting Murph's talents on lesser jobs. I can't think of a man more qualified to run our nation than my fellow blogger Murph. Now, I know the progressive thing would be to have Terri run as President...and believe me, I thought about that. Frankly, with all due respects Mrs. Clinton--American just isn't ready. But Terri's Vice-Presidency will help pave the way for a chick President! Terri has no experience in politics, but she has managed numerous writing workshops. Trust me, she can handle Congress...those guys are nothing compared to a room of wanna-be writers. Without bruising egos, Terri is able to offer constructive criticism like no one.
Now, before you post a comment...yes David, you are more qualified than Terri and Murph combined (David, I'm convinced, is the smartest fucking person alive). However, I want you to stay pure (and out of Washington). Besides, you and I are going to hustle people in bar-quiz games...you can't do that and run a nation.
Anyway, Murph/Terri has my write-in vote.
Right now it's early, and it seems like everyone is running for the big job. I can't say I blame them, it would be kinda cool (I guess). Despite the glut of candidates, none of them are really doing anything for me.
However, here is a ticket I really could get behind:
Now, before you say he's not right for the job...let's take a look at the facts. Shall we?
1. Murph served his country bravely in the first Gulf War (you know, the one that was run better).
2. Murph has a Master's degree in History (he's a college grad, so you know he's smart).
3. He has a delightful, slightly Southern accent. People love that in a President!
Shame on you America for wasting Murph's talents on lesser jobs. I can't think of a man more qualified to run our nation than my fellow blogger Murph. Now, I know the progressive thing would be to have Terri run as President...and believe me, I thought about that. Frankly, with all due respects Mrs. Clinton--American just isn't ready. But Terri's Vice-Presidency will help pave the way for a chick President! Terri has no experience in politics, but she has managed numerous writing workshops. Trust me, she can handle Congress...those guys are nothing compared to a room of wanna-be writers. Without bruising egos, Terri is able to offer constructive criticism like no one.
Now, before you post a comment...yes David, you are more qualified than Terri and Murph combined (David, I'm convinced, is the smartest fucking person alive). However, I want you to stay pure (and out of Washington). Besides, you and I are going to hustle people in bar-quiz games...you can't do that and run a nation.
Anyway, Murph/Terri has my write-in vote.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Lame Duck
One of the things I got into heavily four years ago was talk radio. I worked nights, and found that I could only read about 1/2 through my shifts (otherwise I started to get sleepy). So I bought a cheap $5 radio and started on the FM band. But I soon grew tired of the same classic rock songs...and I moved on to the AM band. My Dad told me about this crazy show, Coast to Coast AM and I would listen to that about 50% of the time. But frankly, it's just a little too crazy--so I started flipping around.
Eventually, if a person listens to enough radio...you will find Rush.
They say that television and the movies are dominated by the left, and I guess that's true. Well the Conservative right has the airwaves. AM radio is chock full of these people. Rush Limbaugh isn't really representative of the average right-wing radio host (believe it or not). Rush is actually pretty considerate to both his callers and his listeners. I chuckle at his ego (which is nearly as big as his fat head).
True, I don't always agree with Rush...on many things, but I do find him refreshing for some reason. I consider myself to be a moderate (middle of the road) person...I could go on and on about talk radio and what it's taught me about politics--but the real reason I'm writing this is because of a shocking thing I heard on the radio this past week.
I listened to Sean Hannity, Rush, Savage, O'Reilly...they're all pretty pissed at President Bush (to one degree or another). I find this interesting--and a really good sign of just how shitty a job Bush is doing. These right-wing people are frankly supposed to sit there and support Bush. And in the past that's what they've done: blindly support him.
Not anymore.
I know that when a President reaches the end of his second term, he get becomes a little...how shall I put it? Ineffective? But to ignore what people on your own side of the aisle want!? Seems a little stupid to me. Immigration reform, the enviroment, the "War" on terror. He seems to be making both sides unhappy on all these fronts.
A good example is the enviroment. Leftist, enviromentalists want Bush to commit to reducing CO2 emissions. Conservatives want Bush to ignore this. What does he do? Like a true politician he announces that we're going to try to reduce our emissions...but isn't specific. This pisses off the tree-huggers (who want him to get serious about the matter) AND at the same time it pisses off his supporters who don't believe in Global Warming (how dare he pretend to care about CO2!).
You would think that a man with the ultimate power, and who doesn't care about being re-elected would actually DO something (one way or the other)...but instead Bush seems to still be playing the political games. I didn't really follow our last President (too young) but I wonder if all so-called "Lame Duck" Presidents do this--or his Bush really that stupid?
My last year as President I'm doing all the shit I wanted to do but couldn't. Not touring the world at the taxpayer's expense (Clinton) or playing these same old, stupid political games (Bush). If you can't give us straight talk when you have nothing to lose, when can you?
Eventually, if a person listens to enough radio...you will find Rush.
They say that television and the movies are dominated by the left, and I guess that's true. Well the Conservative right has the airwaves. AM radio is chock full of these people. Rush Limbaugh isn't really representative of the average right-wing radio host (believe it or not). Rush is actually pretty considerate to both his callers and his listeners. I chuckle at his ego (which is nearly as big as his fat head).
True, I don't always agree with Rush...on many things, but I do find him refreshing for some reason. I consider myself to be a moderate (middle of the road) person...I could go on and on about talk radio and what it's taught me about politics--but the real reason I'm writing this is because of a shocking thing I heard on the radio this past week.
I listened to Sean Hannity, Rush, Savage, O'Reilly...they're all pretty pissed at President Bush (to one degree or another). I find this interesting--and a really good sign of just how shitty a job Bush is doing. These right-wing people are frankly supposed to sit there and support Bush. And in the past that's what they've done: blindly support him.
Not anymore.
I know that when a President reaches the end of his second term, he get becomes a little...how shall I put it? Ineffective? But to ignore what people on your own side of the aisle want!? Seems a little stupid to me. Immigration reform, the enviroment, the "War" on terror. He seems to be making both sides unhappy on all these fronts.
A good example is the enviroment. Leftist, enviromentalists want Bush to commit to reducing CO2 emissions. Conservatives want Bush to ignore this. What does he do? Like a true politician he announces that we're going to try to reduce our emissions...but isn't specific. This pisses off the tree-huggers (who want him to get serious about the matter) AND at the same time it pisses off his supporters who don't believe in Global Warming (how dare he pretend to care about CO2!).
You would think that a man with the ultimate power, and who doesn't care about being re-elected would actually DO something (one way or the other)...but instead Bush seems to still be playing the political games. I didn't really follow our last President (too young) but I wonder if all so-called "Lame Duck" Presidents do this--or his Bush really that stupid?
My last year as President I'm doing all the shit I wanted to do but couldn't. Not touring the world at the taxpayer's expense (Clinton) or playing these same old, stupid political games (Bush). If you can't give us straight talk when you have nothing to lose, when can you?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Imus Flap
Okay, I've been trying to avoid blogging about this...but I can resist no more. By now you know what happened. Here are my thoughts on the subject:
I'm not a big Imus "fan" but I have listened to my fair share of talk radio. For two years I worked the overnight shift (security) and all I did was listen to the radio (once 2AM hits, I can't read without sleeping). So I listened to them all: Rush, Savage, Imus, Hannity, Ingram, Dr. Laura...all those nuts. First off, I think that all of those people are fucking nuts. Every single one of them. Radio is such an strange medium...and I guess it attracts strange people. The best hosts are the ones who are the best at saying something crazy but still remaining "grounded." You're not supposed to agree with them 100% of the time. This was the mistake that George Woods made. He was a morning guy on 710AM in Kansas City a few years back. Woods was real down-to-earth and he told you how it was (or how he saw it). Poor George wasn't a Democrat or a Republican. He sided with whoever he felt was right. This made him very sensible (which is why I liked him) but he was also very boring. I hardly ever found myself shaking my head (or yelling) at my pocket radio. So, one morning, I was out in the "Shit Shack" (security booth) and his voice didn't come on at 5:00...he was gone. Replaced by an ape, with a low IQ, who took pleasure in saying controversial things JUST TO STIR UP SHIT.
What I'm trying to say is, I think "good" Talk radio hosts and "entertaining" radio hosts are two different things. Woods was a good host, but he wasn't very entertaining. So he got shit-canned.
Alright, on to Imus. I used to see his show on MSNBC before heading off to Junior College early in the mornings (all those years ago). The stupid cowboy hat and the bizarre hair (it looks like spider webs or white straw) captured my attention. Truly Imus was a man made for radio. His stone face, lazy drawl were pretty big turns offs...I guess I wasn't in his demographic, because I nearly always changed the channel. But what I saw wasn't all that insightful OR very funny. The biggest problem I had with Imus is that he tried to be both a "good" and an "entertaining" talk radio host. That's a fine line that I think is impossible to walk. A guy can't be crazy, shocking one minute and then try to be this serious newsman. It just don't work people.
Which brings me to the "Nappy headed ho's" comment. I've heard it, you've heard it. What did Imus do wrong? Well for one thing, the guy REALLY miscalculated if he thought that was funny. It's not. It's not ever remotely funny. Even in the team were all black (it's not) or filled with tough, thug-types (it's not)...the joke still falls flat because for starters--I know for a fact that an old man like Imus isn't walking around using the word "ho". No friends, this was Imus's pathetic attempt at trying to sound "hip" and "current." What is hip and current right now? Urban/rap culture (read: black culture). The black kids have always been cool and the lame ass white people have always been trying to be just like them. Look at Rock 'N Roll. Black people had something cool, so white people wanted in on it. It took a while, but now we're part of Rock 'N Roll. Same thing with Rap. White people are just now really getting a toe-hold in that (thus, it's starting to become uncool). Anyway, the popular thing right now is this urban/rap style. The whole thing: clothes, music, hair, tattoos, jewelery, car accessories...hell I've seen snack chips and sodas. Also in vogue is the urban/rap way of speech (both syntax and vocabulary). This is what Imus was trying to replicate on his show. To show that he was still hip on what was going on in the world. To show that he was "down." Unfortunately for Imus, the urban/rap slang is very offensive and hasn't really been fully been deemed "acceptable" for every one's everyday use (like "sucks" and "cool" are pretty much widely used and non-offensive). Is that fair? Hell no, who said life was fair! It's a fact of life, though and Imus should have known better. Black people (by the way, that's what I call them because they are "black" unless someone really recently immigrated to Africa, I don't use the term "African-American" because I don't really want to be called "German-Native American-British-Scottish-American") can use the word "nigger" and (most) white people can't. Same thing with "Nappy headed ho," I'm sure that's someones pet name...a term of affection/endearment. And for them, it's fine. But not for me and (probably) you...and certainly not for Imus.
I also have no doubt that Imus is a racist...or at least, harbors some ideas that would be considered "racist." And why shouldn't he? He's 66 years old. The guy was born into a totally different world. Now, does that excuse him? No, of course not...but I don't see why everyone is so shocked that an old (66 year old) white guy with a Southern drawl and a fucking cowboy hat is a little racist.
Apparently Imus is well know for his "colorful" description of minorities (read: anyone not an old, white male). I think it's crap that someone like Imus has been booted from his show because of the "ho's" remark (which was just stupid, and not really as offensive as some of the other remarks I've heard attributed to him). It feels like getting Capone of Tax Evasion. The dude killed people! And he's in jail for not forking over a little cash. Stupid.
Okay, so personally I think that Imus is a douche and should be off the air because he's:
1. Not funny
2. weird looking
3. says offensive stuff about minorities and women.
But what about free speech? Well Imus wasn't censored. He didn't have to apologize to those women (all ace students, one I hear is almost a lawyer...not exactly a "ho"). But he did because we live in a Capitalist society! Imus and his show were products...and the consumer didn't like his product. Advertisers didn't want to sponsor him anymore because it was in their best interest not to anymore. Same thing with CBS/MSNBC...his comments content are secondary to the larger issue--to the people that mattered (the audience), what he said was wrong and they made their feelings known. Is Imus ruined? Hardly, for one thing everyone knows who he is. People that already knew who he was have been reminded of him. I bet some brave (or broke) Satellite Radio company would love to add Imus to their programming. Right now he's the hottest thing in radio right now (as far as name recognition goes...with the possible exception of Stern...who might not be in the spotlight, but has made such a big name for himself for just this kind of thing).
If that doesn't work out then there is always Podcasting online. Hell, he could do his show from his ranch or wherever...at a fraction of the cost CBS probably paid. Plus, he could reach way more people online. So I wouldn't shed any tears for Mr. Imus. Something tells me he'll land on his feet alright.
So, in short: I don't think this is a "Freedom of Speech" issue at all. Imus isn't in any legal trouble. He tried to be funny and use hip slang that only black people can really get away with using...he pissed off plenty of people and the market forced him to lose his job. Don't like it? Deal with it baby, that's Capitalism. And thanks so the same system that booted him out, Imus will probably not have to worry about putting food on his table (like you or me if we suddenly woke up and found we didn't have jobs).
I also think Imus apologizing to Al Sharpton is ridiculous because, honestly, the only people who need an apology were those basketball players. True, his audience was probably "offended" but it was those women who were PERSONALLY attacked. Even if it was in jest, I think the man went too far.
What about the "Howard Stern" Argument? Well it's true, Stern says WAY worse shit than the "ho" comment...but Stern is not a "news" radio personality! He's a shock-jock that used to be on Rock stations. Now he's on his own thing...you have to pay for it, so it's like cable and as long as the checks come in he can say what he wants. Imus had politicians on his show, he should have run a better program. Instead, he tried to be "edgy" and failed in a big way. Is it fair that we hold him to a different standard because he has Senators on his show rather than Porno Stars? Yeah, it's unfair. But the fact is, Imus was more respected (and therefore held to a higher standard) than Stern. I'm sure he didn't mind rubbing elbows with Washington for all those years. I'm sure he didn't mind being in a totally different bracket of radio program than Stern (who is in his own, strange little world).
In closing, I think a lot of people were wrong: Imus and Al Sharpton...most of the media, etc. But I'm personally happy with the outcome. He was an asshole and he lost his job, yay! I don't think this was a Free Speech Issue...just a fact of life--------if your job is basically to have people like you...DON'T PISS US OFF.
Power to the people.
I'm not a big Imus "fan" but I have listened to my fair share of talk radio. For two years I worked the overnight shift (security) and all I did was listen to the radio (once 2AM hits, I can't read without sleeping). So I listened to them all: Rush, Savage, Imus, Hannity, Ingram, Dr. Laura...all those nuts. First off, I think that all of those people are fucking nuts. Every single one of them. Radio is such an strange medium...and I guess it attracts strange people. The best hosts are the ones who are the best at saying something crazy but still remaining "grounded." You're not supposed to agree with them 100% of the time. This was the mistake that George Woods made. He was a morning guy on 710AM in Kansas City a few years back. Woods was real down-to-earth and he told you how it was (or how he saw it). Poor George wasn't a Democrat or a Republican. He sided with whoever he felt was right. This made him very sensible (which is why I liked him) but he was also very boring. I hardly ever found myself shaking my head (or yelling) at my pocket radio. So, one morning, I was out in the "Shit Shack" (security booth) and his voice didn't come on at 5:00...he was gone. Replaced by an ape, with a low IQ, who took pleasure in saying controversial things JUST TO STIR UP SHIT.
What I'm trying to say is, I think "good" Talk radio hosts and "entertaining" radio hosts are two different things. Woods was a good host, but he wasn't very entertaining. So he got shit-canned.
Alright, on to Imus. I used to see his show on MSNBC before heading off to Junior College early in the mornings (all those years ago). The stupid cowboy hat and the bizarre hair (it looks like spider webs or white straw) captured my attention. Truly Imus was a man made for radio. His stone face, lazy drawl were pretty big turns offs...I guess I wasn't in his demographic, because I nearly always changed the channel. But what I saw wasn't all that insightful OR very funny. The biggest problem I had with Imus is that he tried to be both a "good" and an "entertaining" talk radio host. That's a fine line that I think is impossible to walk. A guy can't be crazy, shocking one minute and then try to be this serious newsman. It just don't work people.
Which brings me to the "Nappy headed ho's" comment. I've heard it, you've heard it. What did Imus do wrong? Well for one thing, the guy REALLY miscalculated if he thought that was funny. It's not. It's not ever remotely funny. Even in the team were all black (it's not) or filled with tough, thug-types (it's not)...the joke still falls flat because for starters--I know for a fact that an old man like Imus isn't walking around using the word "ho". No friends, this was Imus's pathetic attempt at trying to sound "hip" and "current." What is hip and current right now? Urban/rap culture (read: black culture). The black kids have always been cool and the lame ass white people have always been trying to be just like them. Look at Rock 'N Roll. Black people had something cool, so white people wanted in on it. It took a while, but now we're part of Rock 'N Roll. Same thing with Rap. White people are just now really getting a toe-hold in that (thus, it's starting to become uncool). Anyway, the popular thing right now is this urban/rap style. The whole thing: clothes, music, hair, tattoos, jewelery, car accessories...hell I've seen snack chips and sodas. Also in vogue is the urban/rap way of speech (both syntax and vocabulary). This is what Imus was trying to replicate on his show. To show that he was still hip on what was going on in the world. To show that he was "down." Unfortunately for Imus, the urban/rap slang is very offensive and hasn't really been fully been deemed "acceptable" for every one's everyday use (like "sucks" and "cool" are pretty much widely used and non-offensive). Is that fair? Hell no, who said life was fair! It's a fact of life, though and Imus should have known better. Black people (by the way, that's what I call them because they are "black" unless someone really recently immigrated to Africa, I don't use the term "African-American" because I don't really want to be called "German-Native American-British-Scottish-American") can use the word "nigger" and (most) white people can't. Same thing with "Nappy headed ho," I'm sure that's someones pet name...a term of affection/endearment. And for them, it's fine. But not for me and (probably) you...and certainly not for Imus.
I also have no doubt that Imus is a racist...or at least, harbors some ideas that would be considered "racist." And why shouldn't he? He's 66 years old. The guy was born into a totally different world. Now, does that excuse him? No, of course not...but I don't see why everyone is so shocked that an old (66 year old) white guy with a Southern drawl and a fucking cowboy hat is a little racist.
Apparently Imus is well know for his "colorful" description of minorities (read: anyone not an old, white male). I think it's crap that someone like Imus has been booted from his show because of the "ho's" remark (which was just stupid, and not really as offensive as some of the other remarks I've heard attributed to him). It feels like getting Capone of Tax Evasion. The dude killed people! And he's in jail for not forking over a little cash. Stupid.
Okay, so personally I think that Imus is a douche and should be off the air because he's:
1. Not funny
2. weird looking
3. says offensive stuff about minorities and women.
But what about free speech? Well Imus wasn't censored. He didn't have to apologize to those women (all ace students, one I hear is almost a lawyer...not exactly a "ho"). But he did because we live in a Capitalist society! Imus and his show were products...and the consumer didn't like his product. Advertisers didn't want to sponsor him anymore because it was in their best interest not to anymore. Same thing with CBS/MSNBC...his comments content are secondary to the larger issue--to the people that mattered (the audience), what he said was wrong and they made their feelings known. Is Imus ruined? Hardly, for one thing everyone knows who he is. People that already knew who he was have been reminded of him. I bet some brave (or broke) Satellite Radio company would love to add Imus to their programming. Right now he's the hottest thing in radio right now (as far as name recognition goes...with the possible exception of Stern...who might not be in the spotlight, but has made such a big name for himself for just this kind of thing).
If that doesn't work out then there is always Podcasting online. Hell, he could do his show from his ranch or wherever...at a fraction of the cost CBS probably paid. Plus, he could reach way more people online. So I wouldn't shed any tears for Mr. Imus. Something tells me he'll land on his feet alright.
So, in short: I don't think this is a "Freedom of Speech" issue at all. Imus isn't in any legal trouble. He tried to be funny and use hip slang that only black people can really get away with using...he pissed off plenty of people and the market forced him to lose his job. Don't like it? Deal with it baby, that's Capitalism. And thanks so the same system that booted him out, Imus will probably not have to worry about putting food on his table (like you or me if we suddenly woke up and found we didn't have jobs).
I also think Imus apologizing to Al Sharpton is ridiculous because, honestly, the only people who need an apology were those basketball players. True, his audience was probably "offended" but it was those women who were PERSONALLY attacked. Even if it was in jest, I think the man went too far.
What about the "Howard Stern" Argument? Well it's true, Stern says WAY worse shit than the "ho" comment...but Stern is not a "news" radio personality! He's a shock-jock that used to be on Rock stations. Now he's on his own thing...you have to pay for it, so it's like cable and as long as the checks come in he can say what he wants. Imus had politicians on his show, he should have run a better program. Instead, he tried to be "edgy" and failed in a big way. Is it fair that we hold him to a different standard because he has Senators on his show rather than Porno Stars? Yeah, it's unfair. But the fact is, Imus was more respected (and therefore held to a higher standard) than Stern. I'm sure he didn't mind rubbing elbows with Washington for all those years. I'm sure he didn't mind being in a totally different bracket of radio program than Stern (who is in his own, strange little world).
In closing, I think a lot of people were wrong: Imus and Al Sharpton...most of the media, etc. But I'm personally happy with the outcome. He was an asshole and he lost his job, yay! I don't think this was a Free Speech Issue...just a fact of life--------if your job is basically to have people like you...DON'T PISS US OFF.
Power to the people.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Jason thinks too hard about 300
So I went with Leah and Jimu to see 300 tonight. I was stoked to see it, mainly because of all the buzz it's been getting in the dorms. Also, because of comic book artist/writer Frank Miller wrote the book it's based on. I sat down in my seat and I thought it looked great. The actors all seemed to really be involved in their characters (i.e. they worked out before a LOT before the shooting). The story was fine (the political aspects going on back at the home front were a nice complement to the battle). In case you don't know, 300 is about 300 Spartans who went (against Spartan/Greek Law) to fight an advancing Persian hoard. Now, why was it illegal for them to do so? Because a bunch of moldy, old oracles/soothsayers said that if Sparta fought they would lose. Thus, they shouldn't fight (these fortune tellers were, paid off by the Persians to make this prediction).
Okay, that's great. My problem with the movie was this: the Spartans kept talking about "defending freedom and reason" against "barbarians" who believe in "mystical demi-gods." Basically, the Greeks represented the new order (rational mankind) and the Persians represented the old guard (superstitious barbarians). Again, I'm fine with that. Not exactly history...but makes for a good movie. EXCEPT that the only reason it was 300 instead of 300,000 is because the Greeks didn't want to fight because A FORTUNE TELLER TELLS THEM NOT TO!!! Grrraa!!! They're being just as ignorant and superstitious as the Persians. Oh, but the Persian warriors are slaves, forced to fight against their will. The Spartans are free. Riiiiight. This too was untrue. The Spartans are raised FROM THE MOMENT THEY CAN WALK to fight. They're not given a choice of whether or not they want to fight or be poets or farmer...nope, you're either with us (Spartan warriors) or against us (dead). Who's the slave and who is free here? If you ask me, neither is free.
A lot of people in the press are asking, "is this an allegory for Bush and the times we live in?" Even though the producers/directors/writers say "no" I say "yes." Not in the sense that Frank Miller had a magic ball into the future when he wrote the original comic book back in the mid-1990s...rather, I think this war is the epitome of all human wars. Both sides were coerced to fight and sacrifice on the field of war because of petty, egotistical rulers. The Persian king wanted to rule the world. The Greeks want to be independent. The Greeks must be the good guys, right? Yes, in a sense. But they are free because they have an entire society (Sparta) that is nothing but a blunt instrument of death. Brainwashed men (and women) who think of nothing but the State (and what's good for the State). But the State is rampant with corruption. The Senate is being manipulated for the sake of a few (in the movie's case one man) and their own personal gain. This is the problem with human society. Someone must head it at the top, and most of the time the person at the top is only looking out for himself (and his/her friends).
Both sides are lied to, each thinking theirs is the noble cause (the Greeks fail to see how barbaric/superstitious they are...and how they share many common traits with the Persians). Both sides are comprised of armies whose members are pawns of a larger government that cares little for them. Today we have the US Army. Like the Spartan army, it's filled with honest, dedicated patriots. But they are wielded like a sword by people who often times have NEVER EVEN BEEN IN THE MILITARY. People who don't care if a few people die so long as they get what they want. Both sides of the aisle play "politics" with the lives of men and women fighting over seas. The Democrats want to stop funding the war in Iraq. Because they army has all it needs now? Is that why soldiers had to buy their own body armor? Even if that did shut down the war, how many people are going to get killed in the process? And don't get me started on the Republicans (or why we're even over there to begin with).
Anyway, 300 is an okay movie, but I was disappointed...I wanted a clear-cut swords and sandals popcorn movie. Instead, all I got was a reminder of who fucked up war is and how senseless it is to kill.
As a side note, I saw 300 at the St. Louis Mills Cinema and while the facility is nice, the picture was terrible. The print (not even a week old) was really scratched up in a lot of places. Some times it looked like the people had strings on them, like they were marionettes (which is sorta appropriate if you think about it). I make fun of George Lucas a lot (douche bag) but he has a really good idea when it comes to digital film. You can't scratch a digital movie, or get it smudgy with fingerprints...and the quality is MUCH better. I saw REVENGE OF THE SITH at a digital theatre and it looked awesome. It's sad to say, but I could have seen 300 better at my sisters boyfriend's house (he's all about the HDTV/DVD stuff). Even in my dorm, the picture would have been cleaner/clearer on standard DVD (playing on my XBOX 360 or PS2!). If they want me to keep spending my money at the movies (cost me $27.00 to get us all in) then they need to AT LEAST make sure the picture on the screen looks AS GOOD as what I can get at home. I was very disappointed.
Okay, that's great. My problem with the movie was this: the Spartans kept talking about "defending freedom and reason" against "barbarians" who believe in "mystical demi-gods." Basically, the Greeks represented the new order (rational mankind) and the Persians represented the old guard (superstitious barbarians). Again, I'm fine with that. Not exactly history...but makes for a good movie. EXCEPT that the only reason it was 300 instead of 300,000 is because the Greeks didn't want to fight because A FORTUNE TELLER TELLS THEM NOT TO!!! Grrraa!!! They're being just as ignorant and superstitious as the Persians. Oh, but the Persian warriors are slaves, forced to fight against their will. The Spartans are free. Riiiiight. This too was untrue. The Spartans are raised FROM THE MOMENT THEY CAN WALK to fight. They're not given a choice of whether or not they want to fight or be poets or farmer...nope, you're either with us (Spartan warriors) or against us (dead). Who's the slave and who is free here? If you ask me, neither is free.
A lot of people in the press are asking, "is this an allegory for Bush and the times we live in?" Even though the producers/directors/writers say "no" I say "yes." Not in the sense that Frank Miller had a magic ball into the future when he wrote the original comic book back in the mid-1990s...rather, I think this war is the epitome of all human wars. Both sides were coerced to fight and sacrifice on the field of war because of petty, egotistical rulers. The Persian king wanted to rule the world. The Greeks want to be independent. The Greeks must be the good guys, right? Yes, in a sense. But they are free because they have an entire society (Sparta) that is nothing but a blunt instrument of death. Brainwashed men (and women) who think of nothing but the State (and what's good for the State). But the State is rampant with corruption. The Senate is being manipulated for the sake of a few (in the movie's case one man) and their own personal gain. This is the problem with human society. Someone must head it at the top, and most of the time the person at the top is only looking out for himself (and his/her friends).
Both sides are lied to, each thinking theirs is the noble cause (the Greeks fail to see how barbaric/superstitious they are...and how they share many common traits with the Persians). Both sides are comprised of armies whose members are pawns of a larger government that cares little for them. Today we have the US Army. Like the Spartan army, it's filled with honest, dedicated patriots. But they are wielded like a sword by people who often times have NEVER EVEN BEEN IN THE MILITARY. People who don't care if a few people die so long as they get what they want. Both sides of the aisle play "politics" with the lives of men and women fighting over seas. The Democrats want to stop funding the war in Iraq. Because they army has all it needs now? Is that why soldiers had to buy their own body armor? Even if that did shut down the war, how many people are going to get killed in the process? And don't get me started on the Republicans (or why we're even over there to begin with).
Anyway, 300 is an okay movie, but I was disappointed...I wanted a clear-cut swords and sandals popcorn movie. Instead, all I got was a reminder of who fucked up war is and how senseless it is to kill.
As a side note, I saw 300 at the St. Louis Mills Cinema and while the facility is nice, the picture was terrible. The print (not even a week old) was really scratched up in a lot of places. Some times it looked like the people had strings on them, like they were marionettes (which is sorta appropriate if you think about it). I make fun of George Lucas a lot (douche bag) but he has a really good idea when it comes to digital film. You can't scratch a digital movie, or get it smudgy with fingerprints...and the quality is MUCH better. I saw REVENGE OF THE SITH at a digital theatre and it looked awesome. It's sad to say, but I could have seen 300 better at my sisters boyfriend's house (he's all about the HDTV/DVD stuff). Even in my dorm, the picture would have been cleaner/clearer on standard DVD (playing on my XBOX 360 or PS2!). If they want me to keep spending my money at the movies (cost me $27.00 to get us all in) then they need to AT LEAST make sure the picture on the screen looks AS GOOD as what I can get at home. I was very disappointed.
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