good TV
I was very impressed with Sci-Fi's remake of Battlestar Galactica. It's very non-cliched science fiction, which is rare on television.
1. Costuming: They dressed like we do now, which I thought was cool. Here was a futuristic society (that does get annihilated, but that's the premise) that didn't wear those annoying jumpsuits that you always see in science fiction. Very nice.
2.Emotion: The end of their worlds in Battlestar Galactica bought back memories of 9/11, which I believe was what the producers were trying to do. Your heartstrings will be tugged. If you're a cryer, keep tissues nearby.
3. CGI: The CGI shots of the spaceships was well done, and spaceships didn't do those annoying "WOOSH" noises when they went by.
I recommend highly if you like science fiction. Purists hate this show, but frankly, the old show wasn't that great. Reminds me of when Star Trek:The Next Generation started. Purists hated that show too. It's very dark sci-fi but if you like dark sci-fi (I love it. . . don't know why I like apocolyptic science fiction but I do) then go for it.
Monday, December 8, 2003
annoyance
Generally, I ignored the pro-war crowd's "Let's Shoot All the Liberals" rhetoric back in the spring. Freedom of speech, you know?
However, this twatty little Canadian swine (who's an offense to all citizens living in North America) thinks all American liberals should probably be destroyed. His rhetoric is so...crypto-fascist I'm nausous. And I thought Canadians were tolerable!
If you read this Adam, come down to Pennsylvania and I'll show you what I really think. Plus, why the fuck don't you enlist in our army? They'd love to have you, asshole. You might learn a bloody thing or two.
Bring it on, Adam. This is a challenge. You've got the mouth, now put yer money in it. Or, are you an utter coward?
Grrr...sheesh.
Generally, I ignored the pro-war crowd's "Let's Shoot All the Liberals" rhetoric back in the spring. Freedom of speech, you know?
However, this twatty little Canadian swine (who's an offense to all citizens living in North America) thinks all American liberals should probably be destroyed. His rhetoric is so...crypto-fascist I'm nausous. And I thought Canadians were tolerable!
If you read this Adam, come down to Pennsylvania and I'll show you what I really think. Plus, why the fuck don't you enlist in our army? They'd love to have you, asshole. You might learn a bloody thing or two.
Bring it on, Adam. This is a challenge. You've got the mouth, now put yer money in it. Or, are you an utter coward?
Grrr...sheesh.
marriage
ten bucks says they'll be divorced in a year, furthering the demise of the "sanctity of marriage" in this country.
ten bucks says they'll be divorced in a year, furthering the demise of the "sanctity of marriage" in this country.
how the fuck did I miss this?!
I think it's time for one of those righteous "civilization will end" speeches. That, and a nice big plot of land high up in the Adirondacks or Rockies or Montana or something.
read the rest. I'm physically ill. Of course, proliferation is fun. Which, of course, is the exact opposite of the message we're trying to bash into the Iranians and the North Koreans and everyone else who wants these toys from Hell. That's what they are: Toys From Hell.
via a new blog named Just a Bump in the Beltway, found via Team Agonist led by Sean-Paul, fellow genius.
'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds
---the Bhagavad-Gita
I think it's time for one of those righteous "civilization will end" speeches. That, and a nice big plot of land high up in the Adirondacks or Rockies or Montana or something.
Congress, with only a limited debate, has given the Bush administration a green light for the biggest revitalization of the country's nuclear weapons program since the end of the Cold War, leaving many Democrats and even some hawkish Republicans seething.
read the rest. I'm physically ill. Of course, proliferation is fun. Which, of course, is the exact opposite of the message we're trying to bash into the Iranians and the North Koreans and everyone else who wants these toys from Hell. That's what they are: Toys From Hell.
via a new blog named Just a Bump in the Beltway, found via Team Agonist led by Sean-Paul, fellow genius.
'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds
---the Bhagavad-Gita
cool website
Okay, back to studying.
Since it's finals week, and I'm also moving, sparse posting this week.
Okay, back to studying.
Since it's finals week, and I'm also moving, sparse posting this week.
early morning observations or I should be studying, but I'm not
# I've been hearing about this World O'Crap. It's really clever. Go looksee.
# Ann Coulter, apparently, is blogging now. Civilzation will soon end. The fact that she has a talking doll has led me to conclude this very sad fact. And...she keeps writing about how much she hates this gay marriage thing yet she MOVED TO SOUTH BEACH...THE GAYEST PLACE ON EARTH! Ann doth protest too much, methinks.
# I should have paid more attention in Calc class, of which I took an entire year and don't remember a thing. That's bad.
# Drinking makes you stupid. Who knew?
# Hmm. . . moon? Prediction: A new cold war with China is coming, since they also want the moon. Newsflash, folks. It isn't cheese. This should also be filed under "deficit spending is really fun."
# This is not news I want to read in the morning, but the cynic in me says it's probably true. At least the analysts were comparing it to 1983...
# Whoops.
# Spend and Spend Republicans.
# One would think that the Northeast, having been continually settled since 1620, would know how to deal with snow storms by now. By the way, this is the first time in history that snowstorms hit on the same day in back-to-back years. Weather is getting more extreme due to the gradual warming of the Earth. Expect to see more of this. Also, the snow I took a picture of Sunday will be gone by this Friday. Weather swings are gonna be more common. I don't know about the sea level raises and the innundation of New York City, but more wackier weather (meaning more Isabels, Floyds, and Andrews) are going to happen more and more often, which is part of the theory of global warming anyway. Also prediction: the Northeast will swing back into drought in the next 10 months. And then a West Nile outbreak will come with it. Just a prediction I'm pulling out of my butt. We'll see how it turns out.
# I've been hearing about this World O'Crap. It's really clever. Go looksee.
# Ann Coulter, apparently, is blogging now. Civilzation will soon end. The fact that she has a talking doll has led me to conclude this very sad fact. And...she keeps writing about how much she hates this gay marriage thing yet she MOVED TO SOUTH BEACH...THE GAYEST PLACE ON EARTH! Ann doth protest too much, methinks.
# I should have paid more attention in Calc class, of which I took an entire year and don't remember a thing. That's bad.
# Drinking makes you stupid. Who knew?
# Hmm. . . moon? Prediction: A new cold war with China is coming, since they also want the moon. Newsflash, folks. It isn't cheese. This should also be filed under "deficit spending is really fun."
# This is not news I want to read in the morning, but the cynic in me says it's probably true. At least the analysts were comparing it to 1983...
# Whoops.
# Spend and Spend Republicans.
# One would think that the Northeast, having been continually settled since 1620, would know how to deal with snow storms by now. By the way, this is the first time in history that snowstorms hit on the same day in back-to-back years. Weather is getting more extreme due to the gradual warming of the Earth. Expect to see more of this. Also, the snow I took a picture of Sunday will be gone by this Friday. Weather swings are gonna be more common. I don't know about the sea level raises and the innundation of New York City, but more wackier weather (meaning more Isabels, Floyds, and Andrews) are going to happen more and more often, which is part of the theory of global warming anyway. Also prediction: the Northeast will swing back into drought in the next 10 months. And then a West Nile outbreak will come with it. Just a prediction I'm pulling out of my butt. We'll see how it turns out.
it's too damn early for this
this is the single most bizarre thing on fascism I've read in ages. And you know what? It MAKES SENSE. My finding that it makes sense doesn't mean I tacitly agree with it. It just makes sense, that's all.
It's also early in the morning, and I'm already burnt out from studying for finals. No more blogsurfing breaks for me.
And according to the logic of that post, I think I'm a fascist. Whatever , considering I think fascism is pure concerted satanic evil, which it IS. The overclassification of soceity continues, which of course, makes sense. There's always an us...and a them, which is human nature.
and lastly, and i'll shut up and move on, it stinks of the "objectively pro-saddam" shit Glenn Reynolds put out there awhile ago which objectively made no sense, but subjectively made sense because, well, society is overclassified into neat compartmentalized little niches. Makes sense but doesn't. Life in the 21st century sure is fun. And I need coffee.
this is the single most bizarre thing on fascism I've read in ages. And you know what? It MAKES SENSE. My finding that it makes sense doesn't mean I tacitly agree with it. It just makes sense, that's all.
It's also early in the morning, and I'm already burnt out from studying for finals. No more blogsurfing breaks for me.
And according to the logic of that post, I think I'm a fascist. Whatever , considering I think fascism is pure concerted satanic evil, which it IS. The overclassification of soceity continues, which of course, makes sense. There's always an us...and a them, which is human nature.
and lastly, and i'll shut up and move on, it stinks of the "objectively pro-saddam" shit Glenn Reynolds put out there awhile ago which objectively made no sense, but subjectively made sense because, well, society is overclassified into neat compartmentalized little niches. Makes sense but doesn't. Life in the 21st century sure is fun. And I need coffee.
north korea
My feelings on the North Korea issue are public knowledge. I haven't changed them much in the 15 months since they revealed they had been lying their asses off since the 1994 Framework was signed. It remains decidely hawkish.
So apparently, we're just redoing the same Framework---21st Century style.
Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. Maybe this will work. But for some reason, I just don't trust this and I still see it as blackmail, which the 1994 Framework turned into, much to our embarrassment.
CalPundit weighs in with the same skepticism, I think, although he's not shrill as I continue to be on the North Korea issue. There's also an amazing post in his comments by one Joe Schmoe that blew me away----it is exactly what I've been thinking all along.
China is the key to solving this without war, I think. Japan and South Korea and Russia all have an interest, but none of those three nations have a working relationship with North Korea despite some Japanese and South Korean firms setting up shop in Pyongyang. China does. They're the chief trading partner of North Korea. Oil and food into North Korea comes through China. Hmmmmm. . .
My feelings on the North Korea issue are public knowledge. I haven't changed them much in the 15 months since they revealed they had been lying their asses off since the 1994 Framework was signed. It remains decidely hawkish.
So apparently, we're just redoing the same Framework---21st Century style.
The Bush administration has agreed with South Korea and Japan to a broadly worded set of principles to end North Korea's nuclear program, calling for a "coordinated" set of steps in which five nations would offer the North a security guarantee as it begins a verifiable disassembly of its nuclear facilities, according to administration and Asian officials
Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. Maybe this will work. But for some reason, I just don't trust this and I still see it as blackmail, which the 1994 Framework turned into, much to our embarrassment.
CalPundit weighs in with the same skepticism, I think, although he's not shrill as I continue to be on the North Korea issue. There's also an amazing post in his comments by one Joe Schmoe that blew me away----it is exactly what I've been thinking all along.
China is the key to solving this without war, I think. Japan and South Korea and Russia all have an interest, but none of those three nations have a working relationship with North Korea despite some Japanese and South Korean firms setting up shop in Pyongyang. China does. They're the chief trading partner of North Korea. Oil and food into North Korea comes through China. Hmmmmm. . .
go help
Given that modern journalism has been the suck since the eighties, here is a chance to help a freelancer who's probably loads better than those corporate tools who call themselves journalists.
Oh, and read "The News About the News: American Journalism in Peril." Excellent book that made me sad for our journalism, but glad I changed my major out of those media fields.
Given that modern journalism has been the suck since the eighties, here is a chance to help a freelancer who's probably loads better than those corporate tools who call themselves journalists.
Oh, and read "The News About the News: American Journalism in Peril." Excellent book that made me sad for our journalism, but glad I changed my major out of those media fields.
lawd
this story unnerved me.
via Uppity Negro, a site I need to be reading more (thus destroying my already dead productivity)
this story unnerved me.
via Uppity Negro, a site I need to be reading more (thus destroying my already dead productivity)
Sunday, December 7, 2003
TV
Anyone seen Fox's "Arrested Development"? It's unbelievably clever. I like it. Meaning. . . it will be canceled. Any TV I find clever never lasts long (Third Rock from the Sun was the one fluke in that logic.)
Anyone seen Fox's "Arrested Development"? It's unbelievably clever. I like it. Meaning. . . it will be canceled. Any TV I find clever never lasts long (Third Rock from the Sun was the one fluke in that logic.)
good
bad things are happening to a store I hate, which is good.
. . . and I'm anti-Abercrombie for a number of reasons that generally are kind of stereotypical. Everyone I know who wears their stuff exclusively is as dumb as a post and shallow as a puddle. That "oh, look at me, I'm wearing abercrombie so I'm cooler than you. Yeah these jeans cost 67 bucks so my self-worth is based off of all the clothes I wear, which come from Abercrombie." I'm surrounded by idiots like this. Maybe it's just indicative of Pennsylvania but I dunno. All that store has done is continue the shallow materialism of our society. Makes me sick.
And there is no abercrombie in my closet.
bad things are happening to a store I hate, which is good.
. . . and I'm anti-Abercrombie for a number of reasons that generally are kind of stereotypical. Everyone I know who wears their stuff exclusively is as dumb as a post and shallow as a puddle. That "oh, look at me, I'm wearing abercrombie so I'm cooler than you. Yeah these jeans cost 67 bucks so my self-worth is based off of all the clothes I wear, which come from Abercrombie." I'm surrounded by idiots like this. Maybe it's just indicative of Pennsylvania but I dunno. All that store has done is continue the shallow materialism of our society. Makes me sick.
And there is no abercrombie in my closet.
eagles!
The Eagles, who are the most awesome football team ever, put the hated and awful and evil Cowboys in their place and cinched a playoff spot.
The Eagles are the team to (try to) beat in the division.
GO EAGLES!
The Eagles, who are the most awesome football team ever, put the hated and awful and evil Cowboys in their place and cinched a playoff spot.
The Eagles are the team to (try to) beat in the division.
GO EAGLES!
lord of the rings
never been excited to see a movie before...but I really really can't wait to see The Return of the King. December 17th (and I plan on seeing it twice that day) can't come soon enough.
never been excited to see a movie before...but I really really can't wait to see The Return of the King. December 17th (and I plan on seeing it twice that day) can't come soon enough.
Saturday, December 6, 2003
grrr
It's pronounced "Lang-KISS-ter" . . . not "Lan-CAST-er."
Grrrrrrrrr... I tried ordering train tickets online over Thanksgiving and the voice activated thing thought I said Scranton. I almost hung up.
It's even worse when newscasters in Philadelphia pronounce it wrong.
It's pronounced "Lang-KISS-ter" . . . not "Lan-CAST-er."
Grrrrrrrrr... I tried ordering train tickets online over Thanksgiving and the voice activated thing thought I said Scranton. I almost hung up.
It's even worse when newscasters in Philadelphia pronounce it wrong.
added to the blogroll
I've added Daily War News by yankeedoodle to the blogroll. A good read all around.
His view seems to echo a lot of the talk of Vietnam-era veterans I've heard from and talked to.
I've added Daily War News by yankeedoodle to the blogroll. A good read all around.
His view seems to echo a lot of the talk of Vietnam-era veterans I've heard from and talked to.
history of us fascism
the things you don't learn in history class. How close we came to the brink of darkness. I should add this to my thesis.
the things you don't learn in history class. How close we came to the brink of darkness. I should add this to my thesis.
Friday, December 5, 2003
stormwatch
6" or so has fallen, with another 6" to 9" expected in my area. If it pans out, it'll be the biggest December snowstorm on record.
P6 doesn't like the snow, and Don Fox thinks I'm manipulating the weather. Boy. . . what I would and could do with that power. . . heh. indeed.
I think Atrios is cranky too.
Snow is beautiful, y'all! Especially before Christmas. After Christmas, it's a nuisance that needs to go to France.
6" or so has fallen, with another 6" to 9" expected in my area. If it pans out, it'll be the biggest December snowstorm on record.
P6 doesn't like the snow, and Don Fox thinks I'm manipulating the weather. Boy. . . what I would and could do with that power. . . heh. indeed.
I think Atrios is cranky too.
Snow is beautiful, y'all! Especially before Christmas. After Christmas, it's a nuisance that needs to go to France.
I added a preliminary PDF of my biggest three papers to the links. Hat tip to Andrew Hagen for showing me OpenOffice. It's free. I'm all about free stuff, so double thanks.
It's just preliminary, so lemme know what you think. It's also in PDF so it's harder to steal, even though I have a common uses copyright. It's still mine, and if you're going to use information written in one of my papers, please cite it correctly.
It's just preliminary, so lemme know what you think. It's also in PDF so it's harder to steal, even though I have a common uses copyright. It's still mine, and if you're going to use information written in one of my papers, please cite it correctly.
irony
i always found it ironic driving south on I-95 that the big giant billboards for sex shops were always in socially conservative states like North Carolina and South Carolina. I've never seen this in PA, but I haven't travelled on I-80 yet.
i always found it ironic driving south on I-95 that the big giant billboards for sex shops were always in socially conservative states like North Carolina and South Carolina. I've never seen this in PA, but I haven't travelled on I-80 yet.
Thursday, December 4, 2003
then why aren't my pecs huge?
Hercules
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
*SNORT* oh wait...i like this description of me better. *UN-SNORT*
Hercules
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
*SNORT* oh wait...i like this description of me better. *UN-SNORT*
odette or stormwatch
Mother nature is ignoring the fact that Hurricane Season ended several days ago.
Mother Nature is not ignoring the Eastern US. Messy weather for media to play up. Can't wait.
And in advance to our southern and western friends...shaddup.
UPDATE
there's snow on the radar. My productivity has plummeted to negative eleventy-billion.
Mother nature is ignoring the fact that Hurricane Season ended several days ago.
Mother Nature is not ignoring the Eastern US. Messy weather for media to play up. Can't wait.
And in advance to our southern and western friends...shaddup.
UPDATE
there's snow on the radar. My productivity has plummeted to negative eleventy-billion.
been thinkin'
So I was watching the O'Reilly Factor (it was on in the tavern I was at earlier this evening) and Billyboy was going off on "The Cat in the Hat," that movie that has gotten harsh reviews for "being too adult." Parents are in uproars because of the adult content of the movie, which was, from the ads I saw, clearly not for kids but for the generation that grew up with Dr. Seuss. But..for some reason...kids were getting the jokes that were not aimed at them. This disturbs me.
And I got to thinking.
The movie was rated PG-13.
Why would any parent take their under age-13 kids to see this movie?
But this is a common thing. When I was growing up, we were not allowed to see movies rated PG-13 until we actually got to that age (well I got to that age, my brother and sister were not far behind me though.) and the same with rated R movies. When I went to see "The Two Towers" last winter with my family, there were families with little kids there. We were amazed and not surprised when at least three mothers led their kids out during the Battle for Helms Deep....the Lord of the Rings series is NOT a kids series. Don't take your kids to see these films. When I saw Texas Chainsaw Massacre, there were KIDS in the audience WITH their parents! This movie was gory and really unpleasant even for me.
The point I think I'm making is some parents should be more responsible in what their kids see, even if your kids act up at first. They'll thank you later on, I think. I'm not a parent, and I have no plans on becoming one for a very long time, but it is still shocking to go to see "Bad Santa" and see a row of little kids in the audience. It's RATED R people! RATED R!
So I was watching the O'Reilly Factor (it was on in the tavern I was at earlier this evening) and Billyboy was going off on "The Cat in the Hat," that movie that has gotten harsh reviews for "being too adult." Parents are in uproars because of the adult content of the movie, which was, from the ads I saw, clearly not for kids but for the generation that grew up with Dr. Seuss. But..for some reason...kids were getting the jokes that were not aimed at them. This disturbs me.
And I got to thinking.
The movie was rated PG-13.
Why would any parent take their under age-13 kids to see this movie?
But this is a common thing. When I was growing up, we were not allowed to see movies rated PG-13 until we actually got to that age (well I got to that age, my brother and sister were not far behind me though.) and the same with rated R movies. When I went to see "The Two Towers" last winter with my family, there were families with little kids there. We were amazed and not surprised when at least three mothers led their kids out during the Battle for Helms Deep....the Lord of the Rings series is NOT a kids series. Don't take your kids to see these films. When I saw Texas Chainsaw Massacre, there were KIDS in the audience WITH their parents! This movie was gory and really unpleasant even for me.
The point I think I'm making is some parents should be more responsible in what their kids see, even if your kids act up at first. They'll thank you later on, I think. I'm not a parent, and I have no plans on becoming one for a very long time, but it is still shocking to go to see "Bad Santa" and see a row of little kids in the audience. It's RATED R people! RATED R!
It's really strange seeing Lancaster County PA on the national news. If you don't know by now, a federal prosecutor was found murdered not too far from where I'm located. It isn't the biggest thing we've had around here (There are murders in Lancaster City from time to time. . . but this area is kind of sleepy) but it is strange to have national attention here.
pdf files
does anyone know how to create PDF files? I wrote many papers this year, and I want to collect them all into one big PDF file to make available online. Or turn them all into PDF files. . . but I have no idea how. Anyone?
does anyone know how to create PDF files? I wrote many papers this year, and I want to collect them all into one big PDF file to make available online. Or turn them all into PDF files. . . but I have no idea how. Anyone?
snow
the first snowfall of winter is due. late tonight through saturday evening. 6"-12" expected in South Central Pennsylvania. I think sleet/freezing rain will keep the totals down in my area. I was at K-Mart tonight pricing furniture and there was a rush on shovels. The winter madness begins. Bread and milk are in low supply in many Giants, Weises, and Acmes in Central PA. Us Pennsylvanians are a weird bunch.
And do shovels break or something? You'd think everyone would have one by now and the only people buying them would be people in new houses. Yet I constantly see the same people getting new shovels every time a snow storm threatens.
the first snowfall of winter is due. late tonight through saturday evening. 6"-12" expected in South Central Pennsylvania. I think sleet/freezing rain will keep the totals down in my area. I was at K-Mart tonight pricing furniture and there was a rush on shovels. The winter madness begins. Bread and milk are in low supply in many Giants, Weises, and Acmes in Central PA. Us Pennsylvanians are a weird bunch.
And do shovels break or something? You'd think everyone would have one by now and the only people buying them would be people in new houses. Yet I constantly see the same people getting new shovels every time a snow storm threatens.
india
Interesting election results. The BJP (a nationalist party) has made gains. They have a big national election coming up in 2004. Now, the BJP holds absolutely no love for their neighbor Pakistan, so we'll see how this turns out.
There are plenty (Indian and Westerners) who call the BJP crypto-fascist....and even outright fascist. India is going to be a chapter or two in my thesis which is on nationalism and fascism. . . so I'll be watching this with interest. I admit I find some of their practices, including their . . . hmm. . . younger arm (called the RSS) remind me of early 1930s Germany and the rise of the Nazi Party.
I've done some preliminary research on India. The Congress Party, long India's leading quasi-Socialist party, has pretty much failed India. The Bharatiya Janata Party has come in to promise order, peace, and a strong traditional party line. The nuclear bomb is very much apart of their rhetoric, as is the Hindu religion. In terms of the Left-Right line divide (which I consider invalid, but I'm going to use it in this case) they are fairly right-wing...but they are NOT conservative in the sense we would think of it. As they are promising change to India, I'd call the Congress Party the conservatives, as they want to retain the status quo.
I think the BJP's rise is a reaction growing in India. Where that reaction takes us is anyone's guess, but Indian and Western alarmist have been raising the alarm since at least 1998.
A different view of the BJP and Hindutva.
Interesting election results. The BJP (a nationalist party) has made gains. They have a big national election coming up in 2004. Now, the BJP holds absolutely no love for their neighbor Pakistan, so we'll see how this turns out.
There are plenty (Indian and Westerners) who call the BJP crypto-fascist....and even outright fascist. India is going to be a chapter or two in my thesis which is on nationalism and fascism. . . so I'll be watching this with interest. I admit I find some of their practices, including their . . . hmm. . . younger arm (called the RSS) remind me of early 1930s Germany and the rise of the Nazi Party.
I've done some preliminary research on India. The Congress Party, long India's leading quasi-Socialist party, has pretty much failed India. The Bharatiya Janata Party has come in to promise order, peace, and a strong traditional party line. The nuclear bomb is very much apart of their rhetoric, as is the Hindu religion. In terms of the Left-Right line divide (which I consider invalid, but I'm going to use it in this case) they are fairly right-wing...but they are NOT conservative in the sense we would think of it. As they are promising change to India, I'd call the Congress Party the conservatives, as they want to retain the status quo.
I think the BJP's rise is a reaction growing in India. Where that reaction takes us is anyone's guess, but Indian and Western alarmist have been raising the alarm since at least 1998.
A different view of the BJP and Hindutva.
Wednesday, December 3, 2003
kristof also known as i'm pissed the fuck off about this gay thing
Kristof generally annoys me. He writes like David Brooks: syrupy sweet with little substance. His column today, however, is fantabulous. It's on that issue that will probably divide the country in a not-so-nice way in the coming weeks and months.
Friggin' beautiful. Emphasis is mine.
I've seen tons of slippery slope arguments. I've seen that black conservatives are in outrage because some have argued that this is just like the civil rights movement. I've seen religious conservatives outraged as they're always outraged.* Yes, I'm well aware of the Mormon in Utah who's suing under the Massachusetts decision. I'm going to make a number of fundamental arguments on marriage and other issues the "non-straight" face that delininate my position on this. Then I'll leave it to debate, but I'm going to be up front and honest: I'm as stubborn as a mule and my position is not changing, ever. I'm like this with affirmative action as well. Don't worry, there are few things that bring out my stereotypical Irish stubborness that I get from my mom's side of the family. Anyway.
1. Allowing homosexuals to legally marry their partners will not cause society to crumble. Has Canada fallen apart? The Netherlands?
2. Allowing homosexuals to legally marry does not threaten straight marriages. If a man (or woman) divorces their opposite-sex spouse to marry someone of the same sex, they probably weren't straight to begin with.
3. Noone is forcing anyone to marry anyone. Marriage is a choice between two people who love each other.
4. Allowing homosexuals to legally marry could, quite possible, do something to stem the tide of divorce. 50% of marriages fail. All this fixation on gays marrying, and noone is paying any attention it seem to this fact. Think of it this way: if marriage, with the failure rate it has, were a car or aircraft, the company creating said car or aircraft would have been long out of buisness and its engineers long put away for negligence.
5. Morality is subjective. I've seen the "moral vs. immoral" argument about extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. Note the aside below, by the way, it relates.
6. Human dignity, privacy, and the right to marry the one someone loves (within reason and age-of-consent limits) is what I believe is a fundamental human right.
That's all I can come up with for the moment.
Fire away gang.
*ASIDE: I admit to being hostile toward fundamentalism of any sort due to the extended family I have and the drama they create. It's a large reason why I often shut down when hearing the literal Biblical arguments for anything, especially homosexuality. I'm working on this, but it will be a very long time before I hold any evangelicals or Fundamentalists in a favorable view. Plus...that whole thing with the Islamic fundamentalists has pushed that favorable view off for a very, very long time. And don't get uppity: I do know my Bible. I own two.
Update: Surfing around, I keep reading stuff that, quite frankly, reminds me of that horrible Kathleen Parker piece I parodied a bit ago. You know, the "gay people are everywhere and they entertain us normal folk but don't let them get what we have" argument. I'm not going to lie. This is an issue that I feel very strongly about. I equate it to finally having EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN having THE SAME RIGHTS. . . I believe that's one of the arguments for the Iraq war.
When I read stuff that "gay marriage is cultural vandalism" I smell the faint and unmistakeable stench of bigotry. All fueled by the book of Leviticus. Let's not forget that the book of Genesis supplied the Biblical belief that slavery was okay. Let's also not forget that the book of Deuteronomy supplied the Biblical belief that condemning interracial marrage was okay. We know now that both are evils.
It's getting under my skin and I don't fucking like it. I hate it. I fucking hate it. But I'm not going to let it get to me, because it's Advent and it's the Holidays and we're supposed to respect human dignity in this period.
I can live with affirmative action getting repealed. I could probably live with the end of abortion. (I don't see either happening though.) However, the addition of a federal amendment that excludes a class of people from legally (I'm not EVEN referring to the church thing!) marrying would probably be the thing that makes me head for more tolerant pastures, like Canada.
Kristof generally annoys me. He writes like David Brooks: syrupy sweet with little substance. His column today, however, is fantabulous. It's on that issue that will probably divide the country in a not-so-nice way in the coming weeks and months.
The bottom line is that same-sex love is a mystery far more subtle than just a matter of Biblical injunction — just as interracial love has turned out to be. A 1958 poll found that 96 percent of whites disapproved of marriages between blacks and whites (Deuteronomy 7:3 condemns interracial marriages). In 1959 a judge justified Virginia's ban on interracial marriage by declaring that "Almighty God . . . did not intend for the races to mix."
Someday, we will regard opposition to gay marriage as equally obtuse and old-fashioned.
No force is more divine than love, and if some people are encoded to love others of the same sex, how can that be unholy? To me, the blasphemy is not in those who want to share their lives with others of the same sex, but rather in anyone presumptuous enough to vilify that love.
Friggin' beautiful. Emphasis is mine.
I've seen tons of slippery slope arguments. I've seen that black conservatives are in outrage because some have argued that this is just like the civil rights movement. I've seen religious conservatives outraged as they're always outraged.* Yes, I'm well aware of the Mormon in Utah who's suing under the Massachusetts decision. I'm going to make a number of fundamental arguments on marriage and other issues the "non-straight" face that delininate my position on this. Then I'll leave it to debate, but I'm going to be up front and honest: I'm as stubborn as a mule and my position is not changing, ever. I'm like this with affirmative action as well. Don't worry, there are few things that bring out my stereotypical Irish stubborness that I get from my mom's side of the family. Anyway.
1. Allowing homosexuals to legally marry their partners will not cause society to crumble. Has Canada fallen apart? The Netherlands?
2. Allowing homosexuals to legally marry does not threaten straight marriages. If a man (or woman) divorces their opposite-sex spouse to marry someone of the same sex, they probably weren't straight to begin with.
3. Noone is forcing anyone to marry anyone. Marriage is a choice between two people who love each other.
4. Allowing homosexuals to legally marry could, quite possible, do something to stem the tide of divorce. 50% of marriages fail. All this fixation on gays marrying, and noone is paying any attention it seem to this fact. Think of it this way: if marriage, with the failure rate it has, were a car or aircraft, the company creating said car or aircraft would have been long out of buisness and its engineers long put away for negligence.
5. Morality is subjective. I've seen the "moral vs. immoral" argument about extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. Note the aside below, by the way, it relates.
6. Human dignity, privacy, and the right to marry the one someone loves (within reason and age-of-consent limits) is what I believe is a fundamental human right.
That's all I can come up with for the moment.
Fire away gang.
*ASIDE: I admit to being hostile toward fundamentalism of any sort due to the extended family I have and the drama they create. It's a large reason why I often shut down when hearing the literal Biblical arguments for anything, especially homosexuality. I'm working on this, but it will be a very long time before I hold any evangelicals or Fundamentalists in a favorable view. Plus...that whole thing with the Islamic fundamentalists has pushed that favorable view off for a very, very long time. And don't get uppity: I do know my Bible. I own two.
Update: Surfing around, I keep reading stuff that, quite frankly, reminds me of that horrible Kathleen Parker piece I parodied a bit ago. You know, the "gay people are everywhere and they entertain us normal folk but don't let them get what we have" argument. I'm not going to lie. This is an issue that I feel very strongly about. I equate it to finally having EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN having THE SAME RIGHTS. . . I believe that's one of the arguments for the Iraq war.
When I read stuff that "gay marriage is cultural vandalism" I smell the faint and unmistakeable stench of bigotry. All fueled by the book of Leviticus. Let's not forget that the book of Genesis supplied the Biblical belief that slavery was okay. Let's also not forget that the book of Deuteronomy supplied the Biblical belief that condemning interracial marrage was okay. We know now that both are evils.
It's getting under my skin and I don't fucking like it. I hate it. I fucking hate it. But I'm not going to let it get to me, because it's Advent and it's the Holidays and we're supposed to respect human dignity in this period.
I can live with affirmative action getting repealed. I could probably live with the end of abortion. (I don't see either happening though.) However, the addition of a federal amendment that excludes a class of people from legally (I'm not EVEN referring to the church thing!) marrying would probably be the thing that makes me head for more tolerant pastures, like Canada.
stormwatch
Messy, messy, and complex storm headed for the Eastern US. The bread rush ensues. It's a Pennsylvania thing. People in Central PA go running for bread if snow flurries are in the forecast. The places are probably mobbed now.
Stay tuned.
Messy, messy, and complex storm headed for the Eastern US. The bread rush ensues. It's a Pennsylvania thing. People in Central PA go running for bread if snow flurries are in the forecast. The places are probably mobbed now.
Stay tuned.
holy shit! terrorism!
Oh my god. This is BIG.
I'm speechless. Terrorism, right under our noses. Domestic, homegrown terrorism at that.
Oh my god. This is BIG.
Federal authorities this year mounted one of the most extensive investigations of domestic terrorism since the Oklahoma City bombing, CBS 11 has learned.
Three people linked to white supremacist and anti-government groups are in custody. At least one weapon of mass destruction - a sodium cyanide bomb capable of delivering a deadly gas cloud - has been seized in the Tyler area.
Investigators have seized at least 100 other bombs, bomb components, machine guns, 500,000 rounds of ammunition and chemical agents. But the government also found some chilling personal documents indicating that unknown co-conspirators may still be free to carry out what appeared to be an advanced plot. And, authorities familiar with the case say more potentially deadly cyanide bombs may be in circulation.
I'm speechless. Terrorism, right under our noses. Domestic, homegrown terrorism at that.
my decision making is suspect sometimes
I deferred my graduation a semester partially because the job market sucked going into this year. Now it's reasonably decent, and I'm not graduating.
But I was going to graduate school anyway, so why am I complaining?
good job American workers. Keep workin' hard.
and Economy, you have no excuse now. Grow, damnit!
(and stop sending our jobs to India. I don't care if that's xenophobic-sounding.)
I deferred my graduation a semester partially because the job market sucked going into this year. Now it's reasonably decent, and I'm not graduating.
But I was going to graduate school anyway, so why am I complaining?
good job American workers. Keep workin' hard.
and Economy, you have no excuse now. Grow, damnit!
(and stop sending our jobs to India. I don't care if that's xenophobic-sounding.)
karma time
My friend Steve's mom needs some good karma. She just had surgery for breast cancer, so send the Raznar family of suburban Philadelphia some good karma if you can. Thanks.
My friend Steve's mom needs some good karma. She just had surgery for breast cancer, so send the Raznar family of suburban Philadelphia some good karma if you can. Thanks.
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
stormwatch
East Coast Storm possible this weekend, bringing the first heavy snowfall to much of the I-95 corridor. Stay tuned . . .
East Coast Storm possible this weekend, bringing the first heavy snowfall to much of the I-95 corridor. Stay tuned . . .
book
I've been hearing interesting things about this book titled the 2% Solution. I'm going to look for it (unless it magically appears at my door from my wish list), read it, and give a full report.
I've been hearing interesting things about this book titled the 2% Solution. I'm going to look for it (unless it magically appears at my door from my wish list), read it, and give a full report.
Monday, December 1, 2003
moving and growing up
I'm doing a big thing. I'm growing up. Well, not really. I'm still in college. But finally, after a seven semester run, Terry is finally moving into an apartment. I do have four other roommates. It's still a first, and it feels like a grownup decision. I'm paying bills for a change. This is different. Kinda cool too. The best part is I won't have to move for another year. w00t!
Which leads me to the following. (It's for family members. I'm being mostly humorous though.)
Christmas List
I wasn't going to ask for anything because I have too much clothing and too many books and too much junk in general. But I'd like:
1. A futon. Gotta sleep on something.
2. A bookshelf. Or two...I already have a small library. Note to students reading this: keep your books (they'll make you smarter), but send them home to mom and dad. I've been carting around at least 200lbs of books for the last two years.
3. A desk. Kmart has this particular desk on sale this week. It's the coolest desk I've ever seen. I think it even slices bread. . . Hint hint. . .This desk is also cool, but I doubt it slices bread.
4. An Armoire. I need to put my underwear somewhere.
I also want world peace, an end to poverty, clean air and water, a new President, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, a new built body, and some cookies. No fruitcake though.
I'm doing a big thing. I'm growing up. Well, not really. I'm still in college. But finally, after a seven semester run, Terry is finally moving into an apartment. I do have four other roommates. It's still a first, and it feels like a grownup decision. I'm paying bills for a change. This is different. Kinda cool too. The best part is I won't have to move for another year. w00t!
Which leads me to the following. (It's for family members. I'm being mostly humorous though.)
Christmas List
I wasn't going to ask for anything because I have too much clothing and too many books and too much junk in general. But I'd like:
1. A futon. Gotta sleep on something.
2. A bookshelf. Or two...I already have a small library. Note to students reading this: keep your books (they'll make you smarter), but send them home to mom and dad. I've been carting around at least 200lbs of books for the last two years.
3. A desk. Kmart has this particular desk on sale this week. It's the coolest desk I've ever seen. I think it even slices bread. . . Hint hint. . .This desk is also cool, but I doubt it slices bread.
4. An Armoire. I need to put my underwear somewhere.
I also want world peace, an end to poverty, clean air and water, a new President, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, a new built body, and some cookies. No fruitcake though.
In decadence and arrogance, the Romans lived. Until their empire came crashing down around them and a Dark Age fell across the lands of the Earth.
scott adams
I've rediscovered the world of Dilbert.
Over my vacation, I read The Dilbert Future. In it, Scott Adams talks about his affirmations and how they, quite creepily, worked every time he did it.
So I'm going to try it. I'll let you know how it turns out. This is a long term thing, of course.
I've rediscovered the world of Dilbert.
Over my vacation, I read The Dilbert Future. In it, Scott Adams talks about his affirmations and how they, quite creepily, worked every time he did it.
So I'm going to try it. I'll let you know how it turns out. This is a long term thing, of course.
lord of the rings madness
I've been bitten, like these people down in New Zealand (a place I'm planning on visiting in the not-too-distant future).
Rumor has it Opening Night is sold out in the entire state of Pennsylvania, including the awesome IMAX theater in King of Prussia. Damn!
I've been bitten, like these people down in New Zealand (a place I'm planning on visiting in the not-too-distant future).
Rumor has it Opening Night is sold out in the entire state of Pennsylvania, including the awesome IMAX theater in King of Prussia. Damn!
morons
I'm glad I stayed home and spent time with my family (you know, that thing Republicans are always talking about.)
I'm glad I stayed home and spent time with my family (you know, that thing Republicans are always talking about.)
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm....
No offense dude, you haven't a chance. Just wait till Rove gets his evil claws into you. . .
good luck though, dude.
No offense dude, you haven't a chance. Just wait till Rove gets his evil claws into you. . .
good luck though, dude.
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
after vacation
After Thanksgiving vacation I'm going to have to talk about this David Neiwert post. I do owe you all a thesis update. Just a reminder, my undergraduate thesis is on modern-day fascism.
off thread topic...someone finally smacked that beeyatch down. beautiful.
After Thanksgiving vacation I'm going to have to talk about this David Neiwert post. I do owe you all a thesis update. Just a reminder, my undergraduate thesis is on modern-day fascism.
off thread topic...someone finally smacked that beeyatch down. beautiful.
Wow, crypto-fascists and barely fundamental fundamentalists getting along. Let's hope it lasts.
Speaking of getting along, have a happy Thanksgiving. And resist shopping this Friday. No, I'm not trying to sabotage the booming US economy. I'm trying to save your sanity. Besides, it's more fun to play in the fallen leaves with the kids and cousins, eat leftovers, and watch a lot of football (or ogle the football players if you're into that)---NOT wait in line with a bunch of really rude shoppers. Seriously people, seriously.
Speaking of getting along, have a happy Thanksgiving. And resist shopping this Friday. No, I'm not trying to sabotage the booming US economy. I'm trying to save your sanity. Besides, it's more fun to play in the fallen leaves with the kids and cousins, eat leftovers, and watch a lot of football (or ogle the football players if you're into that)---NOT wait in line with a bunch of really rude shoppers. Seriously people, seriously.
Monday, November 24, 2003
world keeps on spinning or a rare post on Iraq
Fox News is reporting something much different than what the Washington Post reported yesterday about the alleged "Mogadishu Moment" that occured in Mosul, Iraq. Who's right in this case? The Post, relying on reports from the ground or CENTCOM, relying on the same reports?
Spin.
I don't know. I do know one thing, the attacks derided as "disorganized" by pundit after Beltway pundit and CENTCOM itself are not subsiding. Mosul, as I understood from Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, was a quiet city that was outside the trouble area surrounding Baghdad. Why the sudden attacks now?
I don't like this gang. I still hold to the belief that if we leave now, Iraq will disintergrate. But it's looking like staying the course will be a very bloody--and lonely---course for us to stay. I just don't know any more.
Yankee Doodle continues to lay it all out. Don't dare call him patriotic in his comments . . . he's served in the defense of this country.
(and yes, I continue to scour the lists of the dead to make sure I don't know anyone on it.)
Christmas will be trying for many.
And I think the worst is yet to come. 2004, I suspect, will be very bloody---in both Iraq and other places. The clouds are gathering folks. It's time you stopped watching MTV and caring about MJ (or whatever the favorite celebrity of the month is). I'm serious.
Fox News is reporting something much different than what the Washington Post reported yesterday about the alleged "Mogadishu Moment" that occured in Mosul, Iraq. Who's right in this case? The Post, relying on reports from the ground or CENTCOM, relying on the same reports?
Spin.
I don't know. I do know one thing, the attacks derided as "disorganized" by pundit after Beltway pundit and CENTCOM itself are not subsiding. Mosul, as I understood from Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, was a quiet city that was outside the trouble area surrounding Baghdad. Why the sudden attacks now?
I don't like this gang. I still hold to the belief that if we leave now, Iraq will disintergrate. But it's looking like staying the course will be a very bloody--and lonely---course for us to stay. I just don't know any more.
Yankee Doodle continues to lay it all out. Don't dare call him patriotic in his comments . . . he's served in the defense of this country.
(and yes, I continue to scour the lists of the dead to make sure I don't know anyone on it.)
Christmas will be trying for many.
And I think the worst is yet to come. 2004, I suspect, will be very bloody---in both Iraq and other places. The clouds are gathering folks. It's time you stopped watching MTV and caring about MJ (or whatever the favorite celebrity of the month is). I'm serious.
Sunday, November 23, 2003
shorter
The Shorter Kathleen Parker
The Shorter Kathleen Parker
I may be a fag hag and I may be tres chic, but don't let those queers enjoy what I enjoy. Their only purpose is to entertain me with their queerness.
Saturday, November 22, 2003
events in history
For me, and my generation, our defining event is and always will be September 11, 2001.
For my parents and their generation, their defining event when everything changed was November 22, 1963. Billmon writes about it.
For me, and my generation, our defining event is and always will be September 11, 2001.
For my parents and their generation, their defining event when everything changed was November 22, 1963. Billmon writes about it.
every closet has its shadows
From our bud Don Fox, we see this horrifying story about our neighbor to the north. I had visions of Jim Crow reading this article. . .
From our bud Don Fox, we see this horrifying story about our neighbor to the north. I had visions of Jim Crow reading this article. . .
football
Yes, I KNOW PENN STATE LOST AGAIN. PLEASE DON'T REMIND ME!
Pittsburgh won.
and Ohio State LOST! w00t! (Scoobie...ya bet badly on that one buddy.)
Yes, I KNOW PENN STATE LOST AGAIN. PLEASE DON'T REMIND ME!
Pittsburgh won.
and Ohio State LOST! w00t! (Scoobie...ya bet badly on that one buddy.)
uh...........why?!!
(that's all i'll say about MJ and his touching of the kiddies...oops sorry...alleged touching of the kiddies.)
(that's all i'll say about MJ and his touching of the kiddies...oops sorry...alleged touching of the kiddies.)
good
Pandagon has the smackdown best, and reasoned post, on marriage that I've read yet.
Again, there's no constitutional argument. Yes, the priest/reverend/rabbi/mullah/pastor/etc says "power invested in me" when he/she marries a couple but let's be real. His power is spritual ceremonial power. There are people who get married in courthouses by justices of the peace. What I'm trying to say is that it is the state that makes you married---that little piece of paper you wait in line for to get signed---at the courthouse. In most states you cannot be legally married without that little piece of paper, and most ministers/etc. cannot marry you until you have it.
In the state of Pennsylvania, until very recently, couples who never actually married but lived together, owned property together, had kids together for an extended period of time were (are?, not sure about this...) considered married for all intents and purposes. Of course, they had to be straight.
Now I don't think gay people want to subvert the entire society and make people marry people of the same sex. Remember, this is what Phyliss Schallfy (or however you spell her name) did when she defeated the ERA...the claims that all bathrooms would be unisex and pregnant women would be sent to the front were totally false, but her group put them out. What happened to the ERA? Gone. What I think gay people who want to make their monogomous relationships legal want is simply the things that my parents have--the right not to have to testify against their spouse...the right to inherit if their spouse dies, the right to provide for their spouse if they die through insurance, the right to adopt, the right to health insurance, the right to even visit their spouse during family visiting hours. I think that's all they want, since the overwhelming majority of Americans have this right. That's really all they want...not to liberate people so they can marry their cats or marry each other in groups or marry dead people, etc... That's not going to happen. Plus, it's left to the states to decide.
Let it also be known that it was just 40 years ago that blacks and whites could not marry each other in most states legally. Alabama still has the ban, although not enforced.
I just say leave people be, but I'm practically libertarian so what do I know...heh.
Perhaps more should be done to fix marriage. Half of them fail. And with birthrates falling in the US, I'd say more than a few do not produce children. If we have these "Defense of Marriage" acts, then something should be done to make it not fail so much. If it were an airplane, it would have been grounded and dismantled a long time ago. That's a horrid analogy, yes, but I think it works.
Pandagon has the smackdown best, and reasoned post, on marriage that I've read yet.
Again, there's no constitutional argument. Yes, the priest/reverend/rabbi/mullah/pastor/etc says "power invested in me" when he/she marries a couple but let's be real. His power is spritual ceremonial power. There are people who get married in courthouses by justices of the peace. What I'm trying to say is that it is the state that makes you married---that little piece of paper you wait in line for to get signed---at the courthouse. In most states you cannot be legally married without that little piece of paper, and most ministers/etc. cannot marry you until you have it.
In the state of Pennsylvania, until very recently, couples who never actually married but lived together, owned property together, had kids together for an extended period of time were (are?, not sure about this...) considered married for all intents and purposes. Of course, they had to be straight.
Now I don't think gay people want to subvert the entire society and make people marry people of the same sex. Remember, this is what Phyliss Schallfy (or however you spell her name) did when she defeated the ERA...the claims that all bathrooms would be unisex and pregnant women would be sent to the front were totally false, but her group put them out. What happened to the ERA? Gone. What I think gay people who want to make their monogomous relationships legal want is simply the things that my parents have--the right not to have to testify against their spouse...the right to inherit if their spouse dies, the right to provide for their spouse if they die through insurance, the right to adopt, the right to health insurance, the right to even visit their spouse during family visiting hours. I think that's all they want, since the overwhelming majority of Americans have this right. That's really all they want...not to liberate people so they can marry their cats or marry each other in groups or marry dead people, etc... That's not going to happen. Plus, it's left to the states to decide.
Let it also be known that it was just 40 years ago that blacks and whites could not marry each other in most states legally. Alabama still has the ban, although not enforced.
I just say leave people be, but I'm practically libertarian so what do I know...heh.
Perhaps more should be done to fix marriage. Half of them fail. And with birthrates falling in the US, I'd say more than a few do not produce children. If we have these "Defense of Marriage" acts, then something should be done to make it not fail so much. If it were an airplane, it would have been grounded and dismantled a long time ago. That's a horrid analogy, yes, but I think it works.
David Brooks is so weird. Interesting article though (never thought I'd be saying that David Brooks could write something that wasn't so syurpy sweet your teeth hurt. . . )
Friday, November 21, 2003
Ugh...
Given that many, many Americans work more than 40 hours a week (remember, we're the world's most productive nation), this is possibly the worst thing I've ever read. Ever.
Given that many, many Americans work more than 40 hours a week (remember, we're the world's most productive nation), this is possibly the worst thing I've ever read. Ever.
Thursday, November 20, 2003
eminem is bling-blingin'
I think Eminem's lyrics say more about that shallow insipid bling-bling culture. It's not racist. There's this author named Omar Tyree who writes exactly about what Eminem is rapping about in the alleged lyrics. I saw Omar speak the other evening. . .
Silver Rights deconstructs Eminem from a different angle . . . Never thought I'd see colonialism related to rap music.
I think Eminem's lyrics say more about that shallow insipid bling-bling culture. It's not racist. There's this author named Omar Tyree who writes exactly about what Eminem is rapping about in the alleged lyrics. I saw Omar speak the other evening. . .
Silver Rights deconstructs Eminem from a different angle . . . Never thought I'd see colonialism related to rap music.
I often get these emails saying I can get paid for taking surveys. Only, you have to pay to get paid. This makes no sense to me. Why get paid to get paid?
I suspect a scam.
Anyone doing this? I'd do it if it didn't smell like a scam. I could use some extra bucks (so I can buy some basic insurance...for example...heh.)
I've also seen a lot of these home data entry things. . . but still I suspect a scam. In my area, there's also the "Knife Sellers." You don't actually have to sell the knives, but they pay you 17.50 (once was as high as 19.50) an hour. You need a drivers license though, and it sounds kind of shady to me. I don't know many people who have done it for more than a week.
I suspect a scam.
Anyone doing this? I'd do it if it didn't smell like a scam. I could use some extra bucks (so I can buy some basic insurance...for example...heh.)
I've also seen a lot of these home data entry things. . . but still I suspect a scam. In my area, there's also the "Knife Sellers." You don't actually have to sell the knives, but they pay you 17.50 (once was as high as 19.50) an hour. You need a drivers license though, and it sounds kind of shady to me. I don't know many people who have done it for more than a week.
try to figure out what i'm trying to say and you get a cookie
Oh ..., it wasn't mono. Thank god. It was likely (I say likely because I went to the University infirmary...too expensive to visit an actual doctor) a very severe sinus infection coupled with something else. The infirmary isn't equippted to find out what that something else is. All they really can do is give out Advil cold&sinus and hope you don't sue if you die of complications.
Hopefully the 100 degree-plus fever I ran for four days straight did no permanent damage, but it'll be awhile before I can afford to find out. Like I said, too expensive.
(kinda in response to this)
Oh ..., it wasn't mono. Thank god. It was likely (I say likely because I went to the University infirmary...too expensive to visit an actual doctor) a very severe sinus infection coupled with something else. The infirmary isn't equippted to find out what that something else is. All they really can do is give out Advil cold&sinus and hope you don't sue if you die of complications.
Hopefully the 100 degree-plus fever I ran for four days straight did no permanent damage, but it'll be awhile before I can afford to find out. Like I said, too expensive.
(kinda in response to this)
Yankee Doodle breaks it down in really stark terms. Really stark. It's now a daily read for me.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
this was unexpected
Massachusetts just struck down a gay marriage ban
Gotta say that was unexpected, and welcome. Maybe this will do more for that institution of marriage, which has a 50% failure rate, by the way.
I doubt this will go far, though. I'm cynical. And there are those who are hostile toward any sort of progressive change.
Like the state surpreme court of Massachusetts, I can't see any constitutional reason why certain people aren't allowed to marry and others are, although I understand the Christian reasons.
Massachusetts just struck down a gay marriage ban
Gotta say that was unexpected, and welcome. Maybe this will do more for that institution of marriage, which has a 50% failure rate, by the way.
I doubt this will go far, though. I'm cynical. And there are those who are hostile toward any sort of progressive change.
Like the state surpreme court of Massachusetts, I can't see any constitutional reason why certain people aren't allowed to marry and others are, although I understand the Christian reasons.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
civility
There's been much about people being uncivil lately. It's apparently destroying the country. Darn those liberals (never mind the Clinton years.)
Imagine it this way. This is a gross oversimplification, of course, but it works.
There's a fence with barbed wire on top of it. On the right side of the fence is..the Right. And they're screaming. On the left side of the fence is the Left, and they are screaming too. But that fence is seperating them so we're fine.
Don't worry about uncivil people. They've been around for ages. The fence with the barbed wire ensures they will be kept seperate.
There's been much about people being uncivil lately. It's apparently destroying the country. Darn those liberals (never mind the Clinton years.)
Imagine it this way. This is a gross oversimplification, of course, but it works.
There's a fence with barbed wire on top of it. On the right side of the fence is..the Right. And they're screaming. On the left side of the fence is the Left, and they are screaming too. But that fence is seperating them so we're fine.
Don't worry about uncivil people. They've been around for ages. The fence with the barbed wire ensures they will be kept seperate.
I've had this odd illness for a week...off and on fever, aches and pains, headache, and fatigue like you wouldn't believe. Going to class is actually physically exhausting.
Turns out it may be mono. I'll find out for certain this week, but I so do not need mono right now. Needless to say, I'm not a happy camper.
Haven't had a sore throat or the rash that comes with mono...so we'll see. I'm hopeful.
Turns out it may be mono. I'll find out for certain this week, but I so do not need mono right now. Needless to say, I'm not a happy camper.
Haven't had a sore throat or the rash that comes with mono...so we'll see. I'm hopeful.
The saddest thing about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that there shouldn't be one at all. They're, genetically and ethnically, the same people.
(that's just one news story. There are plenty of other stories and studies to back this up. Thank goodness for those scientists doing the Human Genome Project...)
That being said (because noone in that region or the Charles Johnsons of the world will ever accept it, you know how religion is regarding genetics), the Palestinians need their equivilent to Martin Luther King, Jr. Someone to tell them that nonviolent peaceful resistance is the way. Otherwise the world is going to lose interest, more buses will get blown up, and then more Palestinians will get curfewed into their ghettos to grow up hating Israelis. And the cycle begins anew until everyone is dead.
Peace through genetics?
And yes, I know the study in question was yanked due to political content.
and if you must know, it was this Nova program that got me interested in this.
(that's just one news story. There are plenty of other stories and studies to back this up. Thank goodness for those scientists doing the Human Genome Project...)
That being said (because noone in that region or the Charles Johnsons of the world will ever accept it, you know how religion is regarding genetics), the Palestinians need their equivilent to Martin Luther King, Jr. Someone to tell them that nonviolent peaceful resistance is the way. Otherwise the world is going to lose interest, more buses will get blown up, and then more Palestinians will get curfewed into their ghettos to grow up hating Israelis. And the cycle begins anew until everyone is dead.
Peace through genetics?
And yes, I know the study in question was yanked due to political content.
and if you must know, it was this Nova program that got me interested in this.
hahaha....if only Blogger had this up months ago before my mom found my blog (and then passed the site along to all of our family friends. Not that I'm complaining. . . )
Saturday, November 15, 2003
oops
Boy, those Forest Service people sure are mad.
And here I thought privitization would be so much cheaper. What a dumbass I was.
Boy, those Forest Service people sure are mad.
Dozens of Forest Service employees in Utah and Montana were told last March they would be among the first victims of the Bush administration decision to bid out work by government employees to private contractors, who could do it cheaper.
A required analysis three months later showed it's going to cost the government $425,000 a year more for the same work that was being done by the 41 members of the Forest Service's Content Analysis Team in Salt Lake City and in Missoula, Mont.
And here I thought privitization would be so much cheaper. What a dumbass I was.
I'm watching this Robert Durst show on A&E and I'm beyond amazed that he got off. He hacked someone to death. Don't they execute people for that in Texas?
outsourcing sucks ass
this post is mildly xenophobic. warning you now... and I'm not an economist so I can't tell you how this effects the economy with facts. . . I just know what I know and what I've heard . . .
I've been reading about this lately and I believe it's absolute shit. Yep, I said it. Outsourcing is shit.
It's simple as to why: outsourcing costs Americans jobs. Simple as that. When you send white-collar and blue-collar jobs overseas because it's "cheaper," you cost an American their job.
I hope there's a major reaction against it soon, as this article suggests.
this post is mildly xenophobic. warning you now... and I'm not an economist so I can't tell you how this effects the economy with facts. . . I just know what I know and what I've heard . . .
I've been reading about this lately and I believe it's absolute shit. Yep, I said it. Outsourcing is shit.
It's simple as to why: outsourcing costs Americans jobs. Simple as that. When you send white-collar and blue-collar jobs overseas because it's "cheaper," you cost an American their job.
I hope there's a major reaction against it soon, as this article suggests.
Apparently Diebold really really sucks.
Thank god we have lever machines in our county. They may be old, but at least they're mostly accurate.
Thank god we have lever machines in our county. They may be old, but at least they're mostly accurate.
Friday, November 14, 2003
Is Farscape coming back?
I am a sci-fi nutcase. I'm beyond excited about Battlestar Galactica coming up in a few weeks on SciFi. It's also almost Star Wars:Episode III time. Hopefully, they'll drop all that annoying Dawson's Creek-like crap that made Episode II suck.
I am a sci-fi nutcase. I'm beyond excited about Battlestar Galactica coming up in a few weeks on SciFi. It's also almost Star Wars:Episode III time. Hopefully, they'll drop all that annoying Dawson's Creek-like crap that made Episode II suck.
I am running another fever. I think it's time I went to the doctor...I never ever get sick and this is the third time this semester I've been ill.
Thank god for these Canadian over-the-counter drugs called '222's. Sweet painkillers....ahhhh.
I'll let you all know how it turns out.
Thank god for these Canadian over-the-counter drugs called '222's. Sweet painkillers....ahhhh.
I'll let you all know how it turns out.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
tattoo
I'm debating on a tattoo.
Now a lot of guys my age tend to get tattoos in one of four places: around the bicep, between the shoulder blades, above those little dimples above your butt, or the calf. They also seem to all be the same tattoo design, as well.
I don't want to be like everyone else. But I do think I'd look good with a tattoo, somewhere. Here's where you all come in.
I'm going to design some stuff, and put it up on the blog. Then you'll vote on whether it's cool or not. I'll make four designs. The design that gets the most positive votes gets tattooed somewhere on my body (don't worry, it'll be a tame place.)
I'm debating on a tattoo.
Now a lot of guys my age tend to get tattoos in one of four places: around the bicep, between the shoulder blades, above those little dimples above your butt, or the calf. They also seem to all be the same tattoo design, as well.
I don't want to be like everyone else. But I do think I'd look good with a tattoo, somewhere. Here's where you all come in.
I'm going to design some stuff, and put it up on the blog. Then you'll vote on whether it's cool or not. I'll make four designs. The design that gets the most positive votes gets tattooed somewhere on my body (don't worry, it'll be a tame place.)
9/11 commission watch
ugh. . .
Ok. . . I didn't lose anyone. So why should I care? I care because I should as an American and as someone who is fairly patriotic. A terrible thing happened on 9/11 and I want to know why, who knew, and so on. I really don't understand the stonewalling by the White House. It really is important to investigate this so, I don't know, it doesn't happen again!
That's why this remains one of my hot buttons.
ugh. . .
Relatives of people who perished in the Sept. 11 attacks say a federal commission accepted too many conditions in striking a deal with the White House over access to secret intelligence documents.
Ok. . . I didn't lose anyone. So why should I care? I care because I should as an American and as someone who is fairly patriotic. A terrible thing happened on 9/11 and I want to know why, who knew, and so on. I really don't understand the stonewalling by the White House. It really is important to investigate this so, I don't know, it doesn't happen again!
That's why this remains one of my hot buttons.
primary season
Holy fuck! Primary season starts soon!
I'm still holding on to my support for Clark. Increasingly, however, I'm starting to lose my ... I don't know...interest perhaps?
He has some excellent qualities. His main excellent quality is that he is a veteran, which this country hasn't had as a President since Bush Sr (the current guy's status during Vietnam notwithstanding...) I get the feeling, however, he's trying to make himself something he's not.
I'll have more on this later. I've just been thinking lately.
Holy fuck! Primary season starts soon!
I'm still holding on to my support for Clark. Increasingly, however, I'm starting to lose my ... I don't know...interest perhaps?
He has some excellent qualities. His main excellent quality is that he is a veteran, which this country hasn't had as a President since Bush Sr (the current guy's status during Vietnam notwithstanding...) I get the feeling, however, he's trying to make himself something he's not.
I'll have more on this later. I've just been thinking lately.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
is there a reverse atkins diet?
yea yea, i know. why would anyone want to gain weight... I could tell the long story but I'm not going to. heh
yea yea, i know. why would anyone want to gain weight... I could tell the long story but I'm not going to. heh
Thin-skinned beeyaches. That's really all they are. And, of course, I dare anyone to say this (bold) :
Do it and I'll break your teeth.
Ed Gillespie, Republican National Committee chairman, wrote in a recent memo to party officials -- a move designed to shift attention toward Bush's broader foreign policy objectives rather than the accounts of bloodshed. Republicans hope to convince voters that Democrats are too indecisive and faint-hearted -- and perhaps unpatriotic -- to protect US interests, arguing that inaction during the Clinton years led to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Do it and I'll break your teeth.
question
As Commentary Editor, I get to read a variety of diverse thought patterns and views as I lay out my section. One common thread among my conservative writers (who do get equal press...) is this meme of "frivioulous social programs." This confuses me, and I'm going to play dumb for a moment. Which social programs are "friviolous?" Why?
As Commentary Editor, I get to read a variety of diverse thought patterns and views as I lay out my section. One common thread among my conservative writers (who do get equal press...) is this meme of "frivioulous social programs." This confuses me, and I'm going to play dumb for a moment. Which social programs are "friviolous?" Why?
tip jar
Yes, I put a little tip jar up. My renewal for this blog is up soon, and if you can spare a couple pennies or two thanks. I know times are tough.
Yes, I put a little tip jar up. My renewal for this blog is up soon, and if you can spare a couple pennies or two thanks. I know times are tough.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
paleoliberals
Whoo nelly...controversy. Big time.
Well, it's not like there wouldn't be. Andrew Hagen does paint a fairly wide and somewhat vague brush over a large segment of people. I think that is what the reaction is to. However, any generalization of any group is going to be painted in wide, vague, and broad brushes and you have to realize that.
Perhaps Andrew's definition has some merit. EJ Dionne writes that the Democrats are today's conservatives. I don't necessary agree with all of Andrew's thesis, but the one overridding theme he suggests is that Paleoliberals are out of touch, and I've always believed that conservatives are out of touch.
Whoo nelly...controversy. Big time.
Well, it's not like there wouldn't be. Andrew Hagen does paint a fairly wide and somewhat vague brush over a large segment of people. I think that is what the reaction is to. However, any generalization of any group is going to be painted in wide, vague, and broad brushes and you have to realize that.
Perhaps Andrew's definition has some merit. EJ Dionne writes that the Democrats are today's conservatives. I don't necessary agree with all of Andrew's thesis, but the one overridding theme he suggests is that Paleoliberals are out of touch, and I've always believed that conservatives are out of touch.
veterans day
while the public respects their military, politicians and burecrats obviously don't. I stand by that.
What they don't?
Oh yeah?
Why this, then. So not cool. So. Not. Cool.
while the public respects their military, politicians and burecrats obviously don't. I stand by that.
What they don't?
Oh yeah?
Why this, then. So not cool. So. Not. Cool.
veterans day
I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free!
I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free!
Monday, November 10, 2003
I can't wait till "The Day After Tomorrow" comes out, so I can pick it apart. It looks like an Ice Age started by a single storm, which of course, did not happen. Looks like LA and New York City get laid waste as usual. Disaster movies are entertaining, even more so when they're scientifically accurate. I'm thinking Deep Impact from a few years back. . . Armageddon, that other asteroid movie, was the most retarded piece of cinema I've ever seen.
hot button issue
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. This is SO not cool.
The way veterans (and active duty dudes too) are treated in America makes me fucking sick.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. This is SO not cool.
The Bush administration is seeking to block a group of American troops who were tortured in Iraqi prisons during the Persian Gulf War in 1991 from collecting any of the hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen Iraqi assets they won last summer in a federal court ruling against the government of Saddam Hussein.
The way veterans (and active duty dudes too) are treated in America makes me fucking sick.
When do we get to salt the North Korean earth so that nothing will ever grow there again? North Korea having the bomb really does worry me. I'm not being shrill.
Rhetorical Questions
What are American Values?
and
Am I a Paleoliberal (as defined by Andrew Hagen)
(I don't think I am...but most people resist the labels that others place upon them, this I acknowledge. I think I may be too cynical to fall into this category, but I dunno. What do you think?)
dallas
I'm not going to write off the entire state of Texas, but I don't think I'll be visiting Dallas again. It's too expensive, and I'm a total cheapskate. The only thing that was cheap was unleaded gas. $1.39 a gallon is impressive for a major metro area.
I did like all the open space surrounding downtown along the Trinity River. Not enough cities have that greenbelt area within them.
What are American Values?
and
Am I a Paleoliberal (as defined by Andrew Hagen)
(I don't think I am...but most people resist the labels that others place upon them, this I acknowledge. I think I may be too cynical to fall into this category, but I dunno. What do you think?)
dallas
I'm not going to write off the entire state of Texas, but I don't think I'll be visiting Dallas again. It's too expensive, and I'm a total cheapskate. The only thing that was cheap was unleaded gas. $1.39 a gallon is impressive for a major metro area.
I did like all the open space surrounding downtown along the Trinity River. Not enough cities have that greenbelt area within them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
