Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Israel: a Paradox
About the only thing worse than the way that Israel acts is the way that others act against Israel.
I detest those who suggest that I must pick a side. I decline to do so. If a pile of crap and a Democrat or Neo-Con were running against each other for President, then I would vote for neither.
I am not a terrorist if I suggest that Israel behaves badly, nor am I an anti-Semite. If only Israel had a bit more respect for the rights of non-Israelis, then I would probably sympathize with Israel.
I detest those who suggest that I must pick a side. I decline to do so. If a pile of crap and a Democrat or Neo-Con were running against each other for President, then I would vote for neither.
I am not a terrorist if I suggest that Israel behaves badly, nor am I an anti-Semite. If only Israel had a bit more respect for the rights of non-Israelis, then I would probably sympathize with Israel.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ricky Nelson - Garden Party 1985
The crowd didn't like him back at the Garden Party because he didn't sing the songs or look the way that he used to.
What a great, poetic and dignified way to say "Screw you."
Sunday, January 20, 2008
An Irksome Rant
It's easy to blame the media for promoting the status quo, but it's hard to blame to people for listening and obeying like good little sheep.
However, I like a challenge.
The media is somewhat to blame, but the media is in the hands of persons with certain political viewpoints (seriously, you don't really believe in an objective media, do you?). I cannot really blame them for promoting their point of view.
The bulk of the blame goes to the everyday American dimwit who does not think beyond what he reads in the papers or sees on TV. Jeff Foxworthy is not a comedian; he's a prophet.
I am not an Alexander Hamilton fan, but he was definitely right to fear the common man with a vote. Once people realized that they could use the power of the ballot to acquire what they never themselves earned, this Republic set foot on the short road to tyranny.
But democracy is good, you say? Well then why don't all white people (still the majority of the United States) vote that 15% of all earnings made by non-whites go to whites?
Suppose they did? It would be Democracy, wouldn't it?
Hell yes it would! Which means that Democracy is not synonymous with Justice.
Winston Churchill said something like Democracy was the worst form of government, except for all the others.
But Mr. Churchill was not prepared to accept the concept of a government strictly limited to protecting its citizens' rights. So his adage is not useful.
Think about it. Democracy relies upon the will of the majority.
Never in the history of man has the majority been made up of the wise and the virtuous.
Therefore, Democracies are governed by the unwise and the unvirtuous.
The good news is that in four billion years the Sun will consume the Earth, and the United States will once and for all be free of the socialistic-fascist Demagogues that we call Democrats and Republicans.
I'll admit that not even Ron Paul can save the Earth from its inevitable doom, but, damn it, he could have helped make the next few billion years a hell of a lot more livable.
However, I like a challenge.
The media is somewhat to blame, but the media is in the hands of persons with certain political viewpoints (seriously, you don't really believe in an objective media, do you?). I cannot really blame them for promoting their point of view.
The bulk of the blame goes to the everyday American dimwit who does not think beyond what he reads in the papers or sees on TV. Jeff Foxworthy is not a comedian; he's a prophet.
I am not an Alexander Hamilton fan, but he was definitely right to fear the common man with a vote. Once people realized that they could use the power of the ballot to acquire what they never themselves earned, this Republic set foot on the short road to tyranny.
But democracy is good, you say? Well then why don't all white people (still the majority of the United States) vote that 15% of all earnings made by non-whites go to whites?
Suppose they did? It would be Democracy, wouldn't it?
Hell yes it would! Which means that Democracy is not synonymous with Justice.
Winston Churchill said something like Democracy was the worst form of government, except for all the others.
But Mr. Churchill was not prepared to accept the concept of a government strictly limited to protecting its citizens' rights. So his adage is not useful.
Think about it. Democracy relies upon the will of the majority.
Never in the history of man has the majority been made up of the wise and the virtuous.
Therefore, Democracies are governed by the unwise and the unvirtuous.
The good news is that in four billion years the Sun will consume the Earth, and the United States will once and for all be free of the socialistic-fascist Demagogues that we call Democrats and Republicans.
I'll admit that not even Ron Paul can save the Earth from its inevitable doom, but, damn it, he could have helped make the next few billion years a hell of a lot more livable.
Media Black Out
There is an intentional omission, by the media, of Ron Paul.
Go to the New York Times and see how Ron Paul (2md Place) did in Nevada and every other state. He has consistently beaten Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson, but Dr./Representative Paul does not show up on the NYTimes scale--but Mr. Giuliani and Fred Thompson do.
NY Times
Perhaps the good doctor is just too much of a threat to the establishment.
If you want things to change, then you need to go at the establishment. Who does the establishment fear most as a threat to its hegemony? Ron Paul.
Go to the New York Times and see how Ron Paul (2md Place) did in Nevada and every other state. He has consistently beaten Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson, but Dr./Representative Paul does not show up on the NYTimes scale--but Mr. Giuliani and Fred Thompson do.
NY Times
Perhaps the good doctor is just too much of a threat to the establishment.
If you want things to change, then you need to go at the establishment. Who does the establishment fear most as a threat to its hegemony? Ron Paul.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Ron Paul: Unelectable?
I apologize for saying this, but the video below made me feel like when I used to climb the rope in gym class.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Johnny Cash Man In Black
The most apropos lyrics are
"I wear the black in mournin'
for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.
And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believin' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believin' that we all were on their side."
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Oops! (My Bad)
Here's my Michael Richards-esque confession.
I'm not a racist, but I say things that might be considered "off color" (or, really, "on color," to be honest.)
To wit, recently we were driving down the street. The weather was awful: cold and wet. And as we passed a side-street, we observed a man on a bicycle.
"Who would ride a bike in this weather?" Natalie asked aloud. "And he's white!" she further exclaimed.
At the very same moment I felt the urge to laugh my butt off and cower in shame, but at the same time it made me nearly wet myself.
Clearly this was a learned comment, probably from the time when we drove past a bus stop and Natalie asked why all of the people waiting there were black. I told her that they probably worked at the mall but lived closer to Detroit, and, lacking sufficient funds, could not afford a car. I didn't say, "Because black people are too poor to buy cars," but she must have taken something like that from it.
For the record, I do not believe that a person's race has anything to do with his or her merits as a human being.
Also for the record, a person shouldn't have to apologize for relaying an amusing story, even if the story involves exploiting certain racial stereotypes. It was really funny. Almost as funny (and horrifying) as the time when I told Mark that it was bed time, and he mumbled, "This is bullsh*t, I think."
I'm not a racist, but I say things that might be considered "off color" (or, really, "on color," to be honest.)
To wit, recently we were driving down the street. The weather was awful: cold and wet. And as we passed a side-street, we observed a man on a bicycle.
"Who would ride a bike in this weather?" Natalie asked aloud. "And he's white!" she further exclaimed.
At the very same moment I felt the urge to laugh my butt off and cower in shame, but at the same time it made me nearly wet myself.
Clearly this was a learned comment, probably from the time when we drove past a bus stop and Natalie asked why all of the people waiting there were black. I told her that they probably worked at the mall but lived closer to Detroit, and, lacking sufficient funds, could not afford a car. I didn't say, "Because black people are too poor to buy cars," but she must have taken something like that from it.
For the record, I do not believe that a person's race has anything to do with his or her merits as a human being.
Also for the record, a person shouldn't have to apologize for relaying an amusing story, even if the story involves exploiting certain racial stereotypes. It was really funny. Almost as funny (and horrifying) as the time when I told Mark that it was bed time, and he mumbled, "This is bullsh*t, I think."
Shocking News!
It might be a sign that you need to wear your glasses when you peruse the news on msn.com and read "Freak tomatoes kill 2 in Midwest."
Just as I was about to click on what I considered must be one of the more fascinating news articles of the day, I looked again and realized that the link read "Freak tornadoes kill 2 in Midwest."
Alas.
Just as I was about to click on what I considered must be one of the more fascinating news articles of the day, I looked again and realized that the link read "Freak tornadoes kill 2 in Midwest."
Alas.
I Rant on Iraq
I recently had a small debate over the conflict in Iraq. I proposed that it is time to bring U.S. forces home. For the record, I think that U.S. forces posted around the globe (in countries as threatening as Germany) should also be brought home. The latter kind of soldiers should be brought home because what their presence accomplishes does not outweigh their cost. The former should be brought home because it is the right thing to do.
My opponent, however, suggested that withdrawing from Iraq may not be the most prudent thing. There are many problems in Iraq, he pointed out, that still need fixing.
I replied that the main problem in Iraq is that we have forces in Iraq.
But if we leave, then Iraq will fall into the hands of our enemies, he countered.
Yet, I pointed out, Iraq wasn't exactly our friend before the war, and we were quite able then to be unfriendly with Iraq at a fraction of the cost in dollars and blood. Besides, the lessons of history side with the enemy. When Saddam said that Iraq would be another Vietnam, he was apparently right.
But he insisted that we should still try to do something.
However, I countered, we've been doing many things for many years now, but to no real avail. Besides, it stands to logic that since we had no business invading Iraq in the first place, we sure as hell have no business staying there. According to the United States Constitution (an archaic document to most politicians--except for Ron Paul), Congress must declare war before the executive branch can wage it. Oops, I guess we overlooked that one (it's like executing a suspected murderer before he's given a trial).
In the end, I think that what he couldn't accept--what too many Americans can't accept--is the real bottom line: we've lost. How does the mighty United States lose to a rag-tag bunch of bandits? Ask the Romans in 9 AD. Ask the British circa 1783. Ask the French circa 1954. Ask the United States circa 1975. Ask the Russians circa 1989. You can ask many others, including the Brits of the late 1940's who lost India and Pakistan even though there was not a massive, violent revolt against their occupation.
The best thing we can do is leave. Let the Iraqis sort out for themselves the kind of government they wish. We took care of Saddam. If a better Iraq is worth fighting for, then the Iraqi citizen will fight for it. If he or she prefers Islamist tyranny, then there's not much (if anything) that we can do about it.
Leaving is the first step to peace. We can be friendly with countries that do not share our particular values (e.g. China).We buddy up to the Chinese government because they have things that we want, and we have things that they want. It's called trade.
Iraq had oil. We want oil. There is a trade relationship in the making, if only we back off and let it happen. The longer we stay, the farther away that peace will be. The longer we stay, the poorer they will be and the poorer we will be. The longer we stay, the more dead Iraqis there will be and the more dead Americans there will be. The longer we stay, everything gets worse.
So please give me a reason why we should stay in Iraq, and please make it a reason that doesn't involve an argument amounting simply to "sticking with it"--because if we continue to "stick with" what we've got, we're in for a world of hurt.
FYI: Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate who voted against the Iraq war from the beginning. Hell, even Hillary "die furer" Clinton voted for the invasion of Iraq.
Psst, Golf Guy. This is a well planned lure to start a debate with you.
My opponent, however, suggested that withdrawing from Iraq may not be the most prudent thing. There are many problems in Iraq, he pointed out, that still need fixing.
I replied that the main problem in Iraq is that we have forces in Iraq.
But if we leave, then Iraq will fall into the hands of our enemies, he countered.
Yet, I pointed out, Iraq wasn't exactly our friend before the war, and we were quite able then to be unfriendly with Iraq at a fraction of the cost in dollars and blood. Besides, the lessons of history side with the enemy. When Saddam said that Iraq would be another Vietnam, he was apparently right.
But he insisted that we should still try to do something.
However, I countered, we've been doing many things for many years now, but to no real avail. Besides, it stands to logic that since we had no business invading Iraq in the first place, we sure as hell have no business staying there. According to the United States Constitution (an archaic document to most politicians--except for Ron Paul), Congress must declare war before the executive branch can wage it. Oops, I guess we overlooked that one (it's like executing a suspected murderer before he's given a trial).
In the end, I think that what he couldn't accept--what too many Americans can't accept--is the real bottom line: we've lost. How does the mighty United States lose to a rag-tag bunch of bandits? Ask the Romans in 9 AD. Ask the British circa 1783. Ask the French circa 1954. Ask the United States circa 1975. Ask the Russians circa 1989. You can ask many others, including the Brits of the late 1940's who lost India and Pakistan even though there was not a massive, violent revolt against their occupation.
The best thing we can do is leave. Let the Iraqis sort out for themselves the kind of government they wish. We took care of Saddam. If a better Iraq is worth fighting for, then the Iraqi citizen will fight for it. If he or she prefers Islamist tyranny, then there's not much (if anything) that we can do about it.
Leaving is the first step to peace. We can be friendly with countries that do not share our particular values (e.g. China).We buddy up to the Chinese government because they have things that we want, and we have things that they want. It's called trade.
Iraq had oil. We want oil. There is a trade relationship in the making, if only we back off and let it happen. The longer we stay, the farther away that peace will be. The longer we stay, the poorer they will be and the poorer we will be. The longer we stay, the more dead Iraqis there will be and the more dead Americans there will be. The longer we stay, everything gets worse.
So please give me a reason why we should stay in Iraq, and please make it a reason that doesn't involve an argument amounting simply to "sticking with it"--because if we continue to "stick with" what we've got, we're in for a world of hurt.
FYI: Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate who voted against the Iraq war from the beginning. Hell, even Hillary "die furer" Clinton voted for the invasion of Iraq.
Psst, Golf Guy. This is a well planned lure to start a debate with you.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Not Surprising
Is it surprising that the men who have fought for and are currently enlisted to defend this country support the only candidate who really stands for the republic?
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Banjo
My most treasured Christmas gift this year was a banjo.
Don't kid yourself. Those hillbillies aren't all inbred "special-ed" types. It's an easy instrument to get a melody out of (probably because I'm familiar with instruments in general--e.g. piano and tenor saxophone--and stringed instruments in particular--e.g. guitar and ukulele). I also tried the violin, but I've gotten better sound out of wounded rabbits (which, if you don't know, sound like upset babies).
However, the link between what my mind wants to hear (thanks especially to Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt) and what my hands can do is a very weak link. Right now it has the strength of tissue paper.
Once I'm good enough, perhaps I'll post a video.
For now, I have a great deal of respect for those fellows in Appalachia who make the instrument sound easy.
Don't kid yourself. Those hillbillies aren't all inbred "special-ed" types. It's an easy instrument to get a melody out of (probably because I'm familiar with instruments in general--e.g. piano and tenor saxophone--and stringed instruments in particular--e.g. guitar and ukulele). I also tried the violin, but I've gotten better sound out of wounded rabbits (which, if you don't know, sound like upset babies).
However, the link between what my mind wants to hear (thanks especially to Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt) and what my hands can do is a very weak link. Right now it has the strength of tissue paper.
Once I'm good enough, perhaps I'll post a video.
For now, I have a great deal of respect for those fellows in Appalachia who make the instrument sound easy.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Andrea Bocelli: "Con Te Partiro"
I've rarely heard a more enchanting voice than that belonging to Italy's Andrea Bocelli, so I present to you "Con te Partiro" ("I Will Go With You"). It's not the greatest lyrical masterpiece, but, since I scarcely speak any Italian, I only know how the song feels, and it feels beautiful.
The Italian lyrics:
Quando sono solo
Sogno allorizzonte
E mancan le parole
Si lo so che non c? luce
In una stanza quando manca il sole
Se non ci sei tu con me, con me
Su le finestre
Mostra a tutti il mio cuore
Che hai accesso
Chiudi dentro me
La luce
Che hai incontrato per strada.
Con te partiro
Paesi che non ho mai
Veduto e vissuto con te
Adesso si li vivr?
Con te partiro
Su navi per mari
Che io lo so
No no non esistono pi?
Con te io li rivivro.
Quando sei lontana
Sogno allorizzonte
E mancan le parole
E io si lo so
Che sei con me con me
Tu mia luna tu sei qui con me
Mio sole tu sei qui con me,
Con me, con me, con me.
Con te partiro
Paesi che non ho mai
Veduto e vissuto con te
Adesso s? li vivr?
Con te partir?
Su navi per mari
Che io lo so
No no non esistono pi?
Con te io li rivivr?
Con te partir?
Su navi per mari
Che io lo so
No no non esistono pi?
Con te io li rivivr?
Con te partiro.
Io con te.
Translated into English:
When I'm alone
I dream on the horizon
And words fail
Yes, I know there is no light
In a room where the sun is absent
If you are not with me
At the windows
Show everone my heart
Which you set alight
Enclose within me
The light you
Encountered on the street
I'll go with you
To countries I newer
Saw and shared with you
Now, yes, I shall experience them
I'll go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer
With you I shall experience them
When you are far away
I dream on the horizon
And words fail
And yes, I know
That you are with me
You, my moon, are here with me
My sun, you are here with me
I'll go with you
To countries I never
Saw and shared with you
Now, yes, I shall experience them
I'll go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer
With you I shall experience them again
I'll go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer
With you I shall experience them again
I'll go with you
I with you
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