I love my country. I hate what Bush has done to shape us into the Bully of the planet.
In this insane war against an "idea," a "tactic," we've been deceived by George-the-Lesser into pursuing a victory that is as ephemeral as dust, and as volitile as gas fumes. There is no victory there. There is no way to win. There is only pain, suffering, retribution, and a never ending cycle of this true axis of EVIL.
The policies of the past 8 years have been about vengeance and submission. Can you imagine if we were the recipients of such a stategy? If our ideals were attacked without mercy? If our neighbors and relatives were slaughtered, abducted, tortured for merely trying to defend our way of life? What would it take to end such a conflict?
Annihilation of anyone who dares oppose us: in a word genocide. It is the only way to resolve such a conflict militarily. The Khmer Rouge knew that, the Hutu of Rwanda knew that, the present-day Sudanese government knows this, and even Hitler figured it out. The only way to end this war against an idea, is to kill all those who believe in it; and all those who come to believe in it because we've killed those who believe in it.
Confused? Had enough? I've had enough....
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Ticklebox Repair #3
A young man had an overpowering feeling that he was becoming a moth. One evening he told his doctor about this.
His doctor replied, "Son, I'm only a general practicioner. You ought to see a psychologist about this."
"I was on my way to a psychologist," said the young man. "And then I noticed that your light was on......."
His doctor replied, "Son, I'm only a general practicioner. You ought to see a psychologist about this."
"I was on my way to a psychologist," said the young man. "And then I noticed that your light was on......."
17 Views of the Cherry Blossoms, View #1
The last day of my Spring break and spending a couple of hours walking around the Mall and Tidal Basin seemed like a good idea. The morning started off partly cloudy but soon descended into an afternoon of chilly grayness. Pity, too. I'm sure the following images would have been much more luminous had the sun been available to join me on my little adventure.
View #2
The double fountains of the World War II Memorial, like the two towers, represent the two theatres of the war. Looking at the Pacific tower from the Atlantic.
View #4
One of the many sculptures at the F. D. R. Memorial.
I missed the chance to take the photo of the father lifting his daughter up to place her hand on the bas relief of the hand imprint in the panel.
I missed the chance to take the photo of the father lifting his daughter up to place her hand on the bas relief of the hand imprint in the panel.
View #5
"We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, and hatred is a wedge designed to attack our civilization." F. D. R.
View #6
The Viet Nam War Memorial, designed by the Chinese-American architect Maya Lin. At the time it was built, the fact of her ethnicity so enraged Republican Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina that he stood on the floor of the Senate and railed against her design's selection solely on the incident of her heritage. Today, Jesse is dead, and the Viet Nam War Memorial is the holiest site on the National Mall.
View #7
A young couple was entering the little concession nearby and the man turned and asked, "Is this the Lincoln Memorial?" I smiled.
View #12
I don't know why there are 19 statues of soldiers in the Korean War Memorial....here are 4.
View #13
I don't know when the original trees were planted, but I do believe this ancient, knarled, beauty was one of them.
View #15
Little girls in a variety of ethnic costume performing some of the worst ASL I've ever seen to the canned patriotic music of some country singer. Sad.....really.
Monday, March 24, 2008
What I'm Reading #5
The latest collection of poems from Maryland's former poet lauriate, Linda Pastan.
Amazing, catalytic, comforting......
Nothing else to say.
Amazing, catalytic, comforting......
Nothing else to say.
What I'm Watching #141
I bought this film on shear star power. Javier Bardem, Fernanda Montenegro, Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo....
These are stars that should have been treated better by a director who gave more consideration to the sets and costumes than the performances....
I trust that the book was better.
These are stars that should have been treated better by a director who gave more consideration to the sets and costumes than the performances....
I trust that the book was better.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Good Friday
A slice of life in my neighborhood. The Hispanic congregation from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic church proceeded down New Hampshire Avenue -- the view is from my backyard -- yesterday afternoon. The crowd was about 350 people and Christ is pictured here surrounded by Roman soldiers. They proceeded up the hill across the avenue and crucified him on the back of a flatbed truck and then disappeared into the neighborhood.... all the while broadcasting the mass and music until it reverberated inside my home with all the windows closed.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Random Quote #87
After posting the previous entry, I looked outside and saw my neighbor's Cherry Tree....
"Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."
Suzanna Arundhati Roy, 1961 -
That's the epitaph I'd place upon Lawrence King's memorial.
"Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."
Suzanna Arundhati Roy, 1961 -
That's the epitaph I'd place upon Lawrence King's memorial.
Lawrence King, R. I. P.
Lawrence King was a slight, (100 lb.) 15 year old gay boy who was living in a group home for abused, neglected, and emotionally disturbed adolescents. He attended E. O Green Junior High school in Oxnard, California. His time at the group home, Casa Pacifica, was marked by a degree of acceptance and social support that he had never experienced before. The staff at Casa Pacifica encouraged Lawrence to be himself. He began to wear eye shadow in public. At some point he expressed his attraction to classmate Brandon McInerney, age 14. At 8:15 AM, on February 12th, Brandon rushed into the computer lab at E. O. Green JHS with a small calibre hand gun and shot Lawrence King twice in head in front of a room full of his horrified classmates.
This video is a response to Lawrences murder.
Here's how E. O. Green JHS responded:
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians:
A tragedy occurred Tuesday, February 12, at approximately 8:15 am at E. O. Green School in which one student was shot. It has been reported by Oxnard Police Department that the victim has died. The entire E.O. Green staff and the District are saddened by his passing.
Please be advised that school will be in session tomorrow. We will have both our professional staff members and District Crisis Team to assist students and staff throughout the day through group and individual service at E. O. Green School.
Please observe your own child for any signs which indicate he/she may need assistance in dealing with this tragedy. Below you will find a list of community agencies that are also available to assist those who need help.
Ventura County Behavioral Health / Ventura County Health Care Agency
www.vchca.org/bh 805-981-6830
Interface Family Services at www.icfs.org 805-485-6114
City Impact www.cityimpact.com 805-983-3636
If you have any further questions please contact E. O. Green School office at 805-986-8750 or the Hueneme District office at 488-3588.
Dr. Jerry Dannenberg
As an educator with 25 years of experience, I feel pretty confident when I say: Had this tragedy involved the quarterback from the school's football team, or the student body president, or the son of the town's mayor, or the daughter of a member of the alumni board....a lame ass letter with social services phone numbers would not have been the response. But a queer boy with no family? Thank God for this video. I only hope that it will bring a little light to the darkness of some kid's heart who feels so threatened by a harmless expression of affection that he or she believes violence is the appropriate response.
This video is a response to Lawrences murder.
Here's how E. O. Green JHS responded:
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians:
A tragedy occurred Tuesday, February 12, at approximately 8:15 am at E. O. Green School in which one student was shot. It has been reported by Oxnard Police Department that the victim has died. The entire E.O. Green staff and the District are saddened by his passing.
Please be advised that school will be in session tomorrow. We will have both our professional staff members and District Crisis Team to assist students and staff throughout the day through group and individual service at E. O. Green School.
Please observe your own child for any signs which indicate he/she may need assistance in dealing with this tragedy. Below you will find a list of community agencies that are also available to assist those who need help.
Ventura County Behavioral Health / Ventura County Health Care Agency
www.vchca.org/bh 805-981-6830
Interface Family Services at www.icfs.org 805-485-6114
City Impact www.cityimpact.com 805-983-3636
If you have any further questions please contact E. O. Green School office at 805-986-8750 or the Hueneme District office at 488-3588.
Dr. Jerry Dannenberg
As an educator with 25 years of experience, I feel pretty confident when I say: Had this tragedy involved the quarterback from the school's football team, or the student body president, or the son of the town's mayor, or the daughter of a member of the alumni board....a lame ass letter with social services phone numbers would not have been the response. But a queer boy with no family? Thank God for this video. I only hope that it will bring a little light to the darkness of some kid's heart who feels so threatened by a harmless expression of affection that he or she believes violence is the appropriate response.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Random Quote #86
“...freedom is an effervescent ideal that can't be bottled up forever.”
~ Scott Simon, 1952 -
~ Scott Simon, 1952 -
Friday, March 14, 2008
Presidential Material?
There's a wonderful article in the NYTimes about Sen. Obama's childhood. You can find it at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/us/politics/14obama.html?hp
This picture (of Barack and his mother) reminds me of the passe montra often expressed when I was child: "study your lessons, work hard, and anyone can grow up to be president." It was the Lincoln-legacy, the ultimate American dream...but who actually thought it was true?
Apparently, Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro (Barack's mother) did.
One more reason to support his candidacy.
This picture (of Barack and his mother) reminds me of the passe montra often expressed when I was child: "study your lessons, work hard, and anyone can grow up to be president." It was the Lincoln-legacy, the ultimate American dream...but who actually thought it was true?
Apparently, Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro (Barack's mother) did.
One more reason to support his candidacy.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Mississippi Goddamn
Or so goes the Nina Simone classic song...and tonight, that's a good thing. Obama has won his 27th State (and the most delegates out of Texas would technically make it 28th!) compared to Hillary's 13 (or 14 if you only count the meager lead in the popular vote in TX).
Obama brings to the table an agenda of hope, of change, and modernity. Hillary offers 2 of 3 on this scale....and that's her albatross. She seeks too much to plant her possible presidency in the present morass, her take on hope is dubious; even as her candadicy of change is blatant political calculation. She is the candidate of the "ends justifies the means." A pathetic action plan.
I could vote for her. I'll hold my freaking nose and vote for her.
I support Barack. I am thrilled by what this intelligent, visionary man can do for and mean to America. (We've seen what a baffoon; a profoundly incurious, drug addled, son of extreme privilege can do to our nation.)
So let's hope that this is the year of the true change candidate. The mere fact that calculating, ambitious Hillary has the audicity to offer her front-running opponent the V.P. slot--well, it speaks volumes to her personal agenda and ego. We don't need this cult of personality.
We need an intelligent servant-visionary. A preseident who will re-establish the vision of our nation by his words, his insights, his very experience.
Obama brings to the table an agenda of hope, of change, and modernity. Hillary offers 2 of 3 on this scale....and that's her albatross. She seeks too much to plant her possible presidency in the present morass, her take on hope is dubious; even as her candadicy of change is blatant political calculation. She is the candidate of the "ends justifies the means." A pathetic action plan.
I could vote for her. I'll hold my freaking nose and vote for her.
I support Barack. I am thrilled by what this intelligent, visionary man can do for and mean to America. (We've seen what a baffoon; a profoundly incurious, drug addled, son of extreme privilege can do to our nation.)
So let's hope that this is the year of the true change candidate. The mere fact that calculating, ambitious Hillary has the audicity to offer her front-running opponent the V.P. slot--well, it speaks volumes to her personal agenda and ego. We don't need this cult of personality.
We need an intelligent servant-visionary. A preseident who will re-establish the vision of our nation by his words, his insights, his very experience.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Democratic Party Primary Results #3
The last map was posted on February 10th before the "Potomac Primaries" and all of the others since (MD, DC, VA, WI, VT, RI, OH, TX and WY).
The results of these 9 contests split 6 to 3 (or 7 to 2 by way of delegates) in favor of Obama.
That is Obama wins: the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Wyoming. And Clinton wins Ohio and Rhode Island. The contentious state is Texas. Clinton won 51% of he popular vote, but Obama won 56% of the secondary caucus round. This gives Clinton more votes, but Obama more delegates. And, in the end, it's the delegates (NOT the votes) that determine the party's candidate.
Therefore, of the 40 states to have already votes, 12 have gone to Clinton, and 28 to Obama. Hillary, darling, wake up and smell the reality....
The results of these 9 contests split 6 to 3 (or 7 to 2 by way of delegates) in favor of Obama.
That is Obama wins: the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Wyoming. And Clinton wins Ohio and Rhode Island. The contentious state is Texas. Clinton won 51% of he popular vote, but Obama won 56% of the secondary caucus round. This gives Clinton more votes, but Obama more delegates. And, in the end, it's the delegates (NOT the votes) that determine the party's candidate.
Therefore, of the 40 states to have already votes, 12 have gone to Clinton, and 28 to Obama. Hillary, darling, wake up and smell the reality....
What I'm Watching #140
"East Side Story" is no "West Side Story"; it's not even vaguely based on anything by Shakespeare....
However, it is a nice movie. The acting is mostly plausible, and only occasionally over-the-top. As indi films go it's average which is to say worth the time. And the lead, Rene Alvarado is some sweet eye candy (the one on the right!).
However, it is a nice movie. The acting is mostly plausible, and only occasionally over-the-top. As indi films go it's average which is to say worth the time. And the lead, Rene Alvarado is some sweet eye candy (the one on the right!).
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Poignant Celebration
We've just passed through the longest period of time without a U. S. military death in the War on Terrorism since our invasion of Iraq on March 20, 2003. One Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty-Three days into this war, and we have SIX days without a casualty. In 1,823 days there has never been 6 consecutive days without a U.S. soldier's death.... until February 26th through March 2nd.
On March 3rd three U.S. soldiers died.
Had Enough?
On March 3rd three U.S. soldiers died.
Had Enough?
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Eat Your Veggies
This clever pair of images for the Coop Konsum. The caption reads: "You only have one body. That's why we're offering 20% discount on fruits and vegetables."
Sunday Funnies #18
Now you know why nude fly fishing has always been discouraged!
Of course, all is not lost, given the water temperature....er, well, the "bait" may be difficult to find....
Of course, all is not lost, given the water temperature....er, well, the "bait" may be difficult to find....
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