Finding the Center

MORE THAN A LITTLE MISTAKE

2008-07-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

While speaking at a press conference in Phoenix today John McCain showed off his foreign policy expertise by talking about the relationship between Russia and Czechoslovakia:

"I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia. Apparently that is in reaction to the Czech’s agreement with us concerning missile defense, and again some of the Russian now announcement they are now retargeting new targets, something they abandoned at the end of the Cold War, is also a concern. So we see the tensions between Russia and their neighbors, as well as Russia and the United States are somewhat increasing."

With all the gaffs he's had in recent months it's nice to see him working on an obvious weak point. But here's the thing:

Czechoslovakia hasn't been a country for 15 years!!!

I've tried to stay away from political discourse for a few years, but it's election season, and John McCain't just doesn't have the marbles to lead this country let alone zip his own fly. He just doesn't.

Look - I liked the guy, and I would have voted for him in the past, but he's losing his mind, and for someone who has spent the last 20 years in the Senate he seems to have picked up no real knowledge about the world. If 7 1/2 years of ignorance in the White House hasn't been enough for you, and you're looking forward to at least 4 more years - fuck you. Say what you want about Obama, but at the very least - he's informed. And at this point that's good enough for me.

AMEN BROTHER

2008-03-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

"Turn off the TV set, put the video game away. Buy a little desk or put that child at the kitchen table. Watch them do their homework. If they don't know how to do it, give them help. If you don't know how to do it, call the teacher. Make them go to bed at a reasonable time. Keep them off the streets. Give them some breakfast. Come on! And since I’m on a roll, if you're child misbehaves in school, don't cuss out the teacher! Do something with your child!"

Barack Obama

ONE MORE REASON TO TURN OFF THE TV

2008-01-21T16:18:00.000-08:00

I gladly count myself among a small group of people who have decided to shun cable television. I had honestly though about turning cable back on after 4 years, but thanks to the bullshit ESPN is pulling I think I'll keep sticking to reading books and downloading culturla.

I understand that people are in business to make money. I get it and I am a supporter of capitalism, and as such I have choices as to where my money goes. I try to spend my money at locally owned businesses as much as possible. Not because I think I'm too good to shop at WalMart but because, as a capitalist, I feel it is my responsibility to do what I can to ensure alternative sources of supply. And one of those choices is to spend my money at the local used book store instead of paying for cable.

ESPN has decided that showing spelling bee's and poker isn't enough. Now they'll be showing Major League Gaming.

WTF?!?!?! It's bad enough that people spend time in front of the idiot box watching other people on "reality" television and that kids waste away while trying to master Halo, but this is just fucking retarded. Now people will be able to watch other people play video games on television. Again I ask - WTF?!?!?!

Since when are video games sports and video gamers athletes?
Oh that's right -
THEY'RE FUCKING NOT!!!

So I extend a big THANK YOU to the BooYaa Network for playing their part in the continued dumbing down of this country. Well done guys. Well done indeed.

CLEMENS COMES CLEAN

2008-01-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

QUESTION OF THE DAY

2008-01-11T05:42:00.000-08:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2008-01-05T00:30:00.000-08:00

"The banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."

Thomas Jefferson

UNDER PRESSURE

2007-12-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

AWESOME.

JUST AWESOME.

50 MOST LOATHSOME OF 2007

2007-12-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

The Beast has just released it's list of the 50 Most Loathsome People in America for 2007. Let's take a look at #9:

You

Charges: You believe in freedom of speech, until someone says something that offends you. You suddenly give a damn about border integrity, because the automated voice system at your pharmacy asked you to press 9 for Spanish. You cling to every scrap of bullshit you can find to support your ludicrous belief system, and reject all empirical evidence to the contrary. You know the difference between patriotism and nationalism -- it's nationalism when foreigners do it. You hate anyone who seems smarter than you. You care more about zygotes than actual people. You love to blame people for their misfortunes, even if it means screwing yourself over. You still think Republicans favor limited government. Your knowledge of politics and government are dwarfed by your concern for Britney Spears' children. You think buying Chinese goods stimulates our economy. You think you're going to get universal health care. You tolerate the phrase "enhanced interrogation techniques." You think the government is actually trying to improve education. You think watching CNN makes you smarter. You think two parties is enough. You can't spell. You think $9 trillion in debt is manageable. You believe in an afterlife for the sole reason that you don't want to die. You think lowering taxes raises revenue. You think the economy's doing well. You're an idiot.

Exhibit A: You couldn't get enough Anna Nicole Smith coverage.

Sentence: A gradual decline into abject poverty as you continue to vote against your own self-interest. Death by an easily treated disorder that your health insurance doesn't cover. You deserve it, chump.

So while we mindlessly drift through life let us not forget that the world we create now is the world we are leaving to the children. Let's hope that in 2008 we put an end to the no-lube-ass-reaming we are bestowing on future generations.

We should all just go fuck ourselves - we've earned it.

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN AN 8TH GRADER?

2007-12-26T23:54:00.000-08:00

Well, it's nice to know that I'm at least as smart as an 8th grader. But since we're raising a generation of morons I don't think it means that much.

I'M SOMEBODY NOW

2007-12-17T23:56:00.000-08:00

AWARD WINNING ART

2007-12-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

The Clio Awards, which celebrates art in advertising, just released this years winners list, and the Grand Clio is worth checking out. It's an advertising campaign for 42 Below Vodka, and a few of them are just outstanding.

I tend to find most advertising degrading and worthless, but instead of going off on a bitter tangent I'll let this stand on it's own. It's good stuff.

IT'S NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND

2007-12-17T15:49:00.001-08:00

WEEKEND QUOTES

2007-12-14T20:54:00.000-08:00

You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives it assimilated conformists.
Abbie Hoffman

You can't hold a man down without staying down with him.
Booker T. Washington

It's become appallingly clear that our technology has
surpassed our humanity.
Albert Einstein

THE STATE OF AMERICAN POLITICS

2007-12-14T17:32:00.000-08:00

YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!!!

2007-12-13T23:05:00.000-08:00

I will never cease to be amazed by the utter ignorance that pervades society.

Never.

A FAMILY TREE WITH FEW BRANCHES

2007-02-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

I've tried to steer away from political ranting around here because it's always so negative. But with the next Presidential election starting to heat up I will take some time to point out a few things about current or potential candidates. So here's a little piece of info about Rudi Giuliani. He of the THREE wives and one known mistress. Did you know that his first wife was also his cousin.

Uh...well Obama smokes so I guess that's something too.

EARLY AWARDS

2007-02-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

I know it's only February, but it's time to start handing out nominations for year end awards.

My first nomination is for the coveted Disgusting Pig of the Year Award, and the nomination goes out to Ann Biglan, who seems to enjoy surrounding herself with garbage. I think the story tells it all.

My second nomination is for the always competitive Boot to the Head Award which is bestowed upon the person most deserving of a swift kick to the head. This years early front runner is known only as Treysdad. You see, Treysdad got a cell phone bill for more than $7200 and was shocked to learn that it was legit. How does someone rack up over $7200 worth of cell phone bills? Why don't we let Treys dad tell us how:

"Of course I am all giddy because they have made an error right? Well, to my surprise they didn't. The guy on the phone is looking at my bill and tells me that most of the charges are from third parties. I'm like wtf? He says that although I may have unlimited text messages, the texts I am sending and receiving carry additional charges. Basically when I send a text to get my horoscope, they are registering me for some subscription for $29.99. I've sent out hundreds of those texts you see on tv. Now I'm pissed. moreso at these companies that don't tell you that you are being charged so much to get a fricken joke or something everyday. I tell the guy that I have unlimited texts and I should be able to send and receive all I want based on my text message plan."

It's just so sad that I have to let him repeat himself:

"Basically when I send a text to get my horoscope, they are registering me for some subscription for $29.99. I've sent out hundreds of those texts you see on tv."

That's right boys and girls - Treysdad is not only a moron, he's a loser too. I am at quite a loss as to exactly how many awards Treysdad should be nominated for. It's early in the year and I would be grateful for suggestions.

WHY I LOVE THE MEDIA

2007-02-13T15:47:00.000-08:00

Jack Cafferty: Is Anna Nicole Smith still dead, Wolf?

Wolf Blitzer: Yes, We’re going to be updating our viewers shortly...

Cafferty: Can’t wait for that.

STOP BEING SO LAZY

2007-02-13T15:40:00.000-08:00

"Ted Haggard says that he is now completely heterosexual after attending an intensive, three-week counseling program. You hear that, gay people? Three weeks! Stop being so lazy." Seth Meyers, SNL

TODAYS ECOMINICS LESSON

2007-02-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

"Since we cut taxes a second time in 2003, we've added 7.4 million new jobs. Tax cuts equaled new jobs." George Bush, Feb 6, 2007 Manassas, VA.

Clinton raised taxes on the super-rich and created 24 million new jobs.

Study hard, there will be a test next year.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2007-01-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

1737 - Thomas Paine, political essayist (Common Sense, Age of Reason) was born, and wrote all about something that seems to be in very short supply these days.
1788 - Australia Day declared giving criminals the respect that they felt they'd earned.
1834 - President Jackson orders 1st use of US troops to suppress a labor dispute because back them people still believed you get what you earn - not what felt entitled to receive.
1843 - William McKinley(R) 25th President(1897-1901) was born in Niles Ohio. Yea, I don't know where it is either. But I do know that he was shot by Leon Frank Czolgosz in 1901.
1850 - Henry Clay introduces a comprise bill on slavery to US Senate. It may not sound like much, but The Compromise of 1850 is a fascinating piece of American history.
1936 - 1st players elected to Baseball Hall of Fame-Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson & Walter Johnson.
1944 - 285 German bombers attack London and America decides that it might finally be time to help.
1956 - H.L. Mencken US essayist/critic/satirist (Smart Set), dies in Baltimore MD at the age of 75. He was truly one of the best American journalists ever. If you've never read any of his stuff you really should. His account of the Scopes Trial is some of the best writing this country has ever seen.
1959 - Paul McGann was born. And if you don't know who he is...so I'm a dork.
1967 - Pope Paul VI and Soviet President Nikolai Podgorny conferred at the Vatican in the first meeting in history between a Roman Catholic pontiff and the head of a Communist state. And it was also the first meeting in history where a Pope told the commies that their money was just as good as Nazi money and that they'd love to do business.
1970 - Heather Graham was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Rollergirl = yummie.
1980 - 6 Iranian held US hostages escape with help of the Canadians. Okay - they have helped us a few times, but still...
1988 - Talks break down between Sandinistas and Contras just in time for America to step in and screw both of them. Again.
1989 - Episcopal church appoints 1st female bishop and thus begins the Great Anglican Masterbation when thousands of priest couldn't control themselves at the thought of a woman in chasubles.
1998 - Woman's Clinic in Birmingham AL bombed, 1 killed. Yea, it's always the liberals who are the violent ones.

NOTE - this has not been proofread so if there are typos - tough shit.

UNION OF THE STATES

2007-01-23T23:51:00.001-08:00

SINGIN' THE BOOS

2007-01-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

The celebrated tenor Roberto Alagna has given his first full explanation of why he stormed off the stage at La Scala after being booed during a performance.

I'll leave you to form your own opinions about this guy,

STUPID QUOTE OF THE YEAR - SO FAR

2007-01-23T00:06:00.000-08:00

"The Constitution doesn’t say every individual in the United States or citizen is hereby granted or assured the right of habeas corpus. It doesn’t say that. It simply says the right shall not be suspended."

U.S. Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales

That little gem was followed up with this:

"You may be treading on your interdiction of violating common sense."

Senator Arlen Spector

OFF THE BIZMARCK

2007-01-22T23:53:00.000-08:00

I guess since Area 102 is located near Sin City - and since I'm not shacking up with my girlfriend - I never think that a state would really do something as stupid as making illegal for unmarried couples to live together. But I would be wrong. Not only is it illegal for unmarried couples to live together in North Dakota - it's a sex crime.

Tom Freier, a spokesman for the North Dakota Family Alliance, said repealing the measure would signal that the state doesn't value marriage and the societal benefits it brings.

"If we look at the research, social science evidence suggests that living together is not a good way to prepare for marriage, or to avoid divorce," Freier said. "Cohabitating is not positive for the family, and poses a special risk for women and children."

North Dakota is one of the few states that outlaws cohabitation, which is defined as a man and woman living together "openly and notoriously" as if they were married.

It is listed as a sex crime in state law, alongside adultery and incest. There are few records of a cohabitation case being prosecuted, aside from a North Dakota Supreme Court appeal in the 1930s.

I'm so peeved by this that I have no coherent discourse to add. Now if you'll please excuse me while I openly and notoriously drop cinder blocks on my left big toe. It helps dull the pain.

BECAUSE HE HAS A CHANCE

2007-01-22T23:39:00.000-08:00

Conservatives have begun to roll out the anti-Obama stuff in a HUGE way. I don't have the time or the desire to link to all or even some of the garbage that they've been trowing out there, but here's and interesting piece from Human Events Online:

People often ask me who will be the Democratic nominee for president in 2008. I always answer without a trace of hesitation: "Hillary Clinton."

Usually they look stunned. Whether they are rabidly pro-Hillary or rabid Hillary-haters from the GOP side of the fence, it makes no difference. They all seem to be buying into the misguided notion that Sen. Clinton is so controversial that she is entirely unelectable.

Partly thanks to that belief, "Obama mania" is sweeping the nation via newspaper and magazine headlines, and television news shows.

Like it or don't like it, but trust me: Hillary will win the Democratic nomination.

They're just hoping that Hillary wins the nomination and they will continue to talk about Obama being too new to politics to be a serious candidate:

Barack Obama is too green behind the gills to be ready for the most-prime prime time of all, a presidential campaign. Already, news reports like a January 16 Washington Post article are dissecting Obama's record as a former Illinois state senator and calling it lacking. The bloom on the Obama rose will fade.

The problem isn't that Obama has no experience - that didn't seem to matter when Bush won the nomination - the problem is that Obama can win. Hillary is just way too polarizing to have any chance of picking up the swing voter from moderate Republicans. Obama on the other hand is VERY MUCH the type of person who can do that. Conservatives know it and are scared to death of it. I was a registered Republican when I voted for Obama, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And so would MANY moderate Repubicans who are just fed up.

Conservatives know it and are terrified. They're not trying to talk him down because he can't win, but because he can.

THANK YOU - COME AGAIN

2007-01-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

I've been all over the world and have seen a McDonalds in just about every big city I've been in. I've even eaten at a McDonalds in the Sultanate of Oman. I followed a link to McDonalds in India, and while it took me a minute to figure out why they didn't have any beef on the menu(I'm a bit slow on the uptake today) I was shocked at how good some of the stuff sounded. But I guess if Americans cared about their health we could have some of that stuff here.

Fat, drunk and stupid may not be any way to go through life, but Americas seem to be trying hard to prove otherwise.

GIVIN' A HOOT THE BOOT

2007-01-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

It should come as no surprise to any American with a pulse that the current administration has done a wonderful job when it comes to taking care of the important things. After all the time spent on education, the deficit, Social Security, the environment and health care I'm glad to see that they are also making sure that Americans understand how to destroy old Woodsy Owl costumes.

I guess that's so we will never mistake the old Woodsy with the new one.

I never knew that there were actual guidelines to destroying the old costume:

1. Incinerate the complete costume with the oversight of an official USDA Forest Service law enforcement officer*

2. The entire Woodsy Owl costume including each of the separate pieces is to be destroyed beyond recognition.

If you do not have access to an official USDA Forest Service law enforcement representative, arrangements will be made for dealing with your costume by contacting the USDA-FS Washington Office at:

Woodsy Owl
C/o National Symbols Program
P. O. Box 96090
Washington, D. C.
20090-6090

I'm glad I read this before I destroyed any of these things without the oversight of an official USDA Forest Service law enforcement officer. And God forbid I didn't destroy beyond recognition. Thank God we have an administration that's taking care of informing us of important stuff like this.

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?

2007-01-15T16:09:00.000-08:00

Well, all you have to do it prove that you can talk to spirits. The James Randi Foundation has offered the challenge and quite a prize to the winner.

At JREF, we offer a one-million-dollar prize to anyone who can show, under proper observing conditions, evidence of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power or event. The JREF does not involve itself in the testing procedure, other than helping to design the protocol and approving the conditions under which a test will take place. All tests are designed with the participation and approval of the applicant. In most cases, the applicant will be asked to perform a relatively simple preliminary test of the claim, which if successful, will be followed by the formal test. Preliminary tests are usually conducted by associates of the JREF at the site where the applicant lives. Upon success in the preliminary testing process, the "applicant" becomes a "claimant."

To date, no one has ever passed the preliminary tests.

And yes, John Edward is a douche.

PERIODIC TABLE

2007-01-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

We've all learned, or were supposed to learn the Periodic Table of Elements, but thanks to advancements in science we now have The Table of Condiments that periodically go bad.

THE PARENT TRAP

2007-01-11T19:03:00.000-08:00

It's tough being a parent these days. Parents get blamed for all sorts of things, and some of them are getting a bad rap. How are you supposed to raise a baby ifin ya have to take them inside with you when you go to Wal Mart? Kids cost a lot of money too. Even if they aren't your own. Some parents are surprised to find out that bad things can happen if you let your television raise your kids. Todays kids are having to fight for everything they get. And let's not even talk about the problems with education in this country. It's not just America that is having problems. Things are tough all over the world. But maybe, just maybe, if you do all the right things, and raise your children the right way, they'll end up having something to brag about.

I guess there's no need to worry though. Ours is a nation that's being run by people who understand how important the future generations are.

TSA - MONKEY BUSINESS

2007-01-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

According to TSA guidelines it may be required that the handler take off the monkey’s diaper as part of the visual inspection.

Who knew?

WHY? WHY? WHY?

2007-01-11T17:42:00.000-08:00

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!

2007-01-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

THE University of Florida

After 4 years of being panned by just about everyone in Gator Nation, myself included, Chris Leak made all of us gladly eat a bit of crow. He played with poise, instinct and guts. He made all the throws he had to and helped show the nation who the best team in college football was this year. He had the best game of his life when it mattered the most.

Earl Everett made a statement sans helmet. The Gator's defense was OUTFRIGGINSTANDING!!! They held Ohio State and Heisman winning QB Troy Smith to 82 TOTAL yards. 82!!!

Urban Meyer flat-out out coached a man who, going into this game, was thought to be the best "big game" coach around. I'm sure Nick Saban is wishing he stayed at Miami.

See ya next year Nicky.

JIM RUTZ IS FRIGGIN' NUTZ

2006-12-19T00:46:00.000-08:00

See for yourself.

SEE NO EVIL-BUT AIM A LITTLE HIGHER

2006-12-11T14:36:00.000-08:00

Call me crazy, but I've always felt that there are certain things blind people shouldn't be doing. Like driving a car. Or playing with guns.

WHO-WHAT-WHERE?

2006-12-11T14:01:00.000-08:00

Over the years I've been accused of not being very centrist due to my constant bashing of Bush and Conservatives in general. I have always said I will criticize those who are in power when I see the need. Now that Democrats will control both parts of legislative branch I'll have a whole new group of people to call stupid. Not that I thought Democrats weren't, but they didn't have the power. Now they do. And I always like to start at the top.

Nancy Peelousy just selected Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas to head the Intelligence Committee when the Democrats take over in January. I don't know anything about Mr. Reyes, but he doesn't seem to know anything about what's going on in the Middle East.

When asked by CQ National Security Editor Jeff Stein whether al Qaeda is one or the other of the two major branches of Islam -- Sunni or Shiite -- Reyes answered "they are probably both," then ventured "Predominantly -- probably Shiite."

That is wrong. Al Qaeda was founded by Osama bin Laden as a Sunni organization and views Shiites as heretics.

Reyes could also not answer questions put by Stein about Hezbollah, a Shiite group on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations that is based in Southern Lebanon.

This country has spent the last 6 years or so being run by people who have failed time and time again to learn anything about the people in the Middle East. I guess Nancy Peelousy feels like appointing people to leadership roles doesn't necessitate them to know anything about what might be required to do the job. For someone who spent so much time talking about how stupid Bush is (and I agree) it seems that she must admire his ability to promote those who don't deserve it.

Boy - ain't she off to a great start?

Par for the course just isn't good enough, but seeing as there are plenty of Conservatives who also are clueless when it comes to the rest of the world I shouldn't be surprised.

PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS

2006-12-07T23:16:00.000-08:00

When you're going to run for President you need to focus on the important issues.

It's simple right?

Right.

And that's why Hillary Clinton spent some time today giving a press conference to promote a new public service campaign designed to promote video game ratings awareness.

I could have sworn she was running around talking about how stupid Bush was and that he never had the right priorities. But I have to give credit where credit is due. If Hillary didn't take the time to speak out about this the general public would never know about the content of video games.

Oh, wait a minute...I think I hear Obama's acceptance speech now.

As stupid as this is, it pales in comparison to this piece of news.

But yea, let's focus on video games. After all, if Bush gets away with this garbage kids will have no choice but to stay inside and play video games. So maybe Hillary is onto something. Or maybe she's just as stupid as Bush.

I say it's the latter.

DENNIS PRAGER - XENOPHOBE

2006-12-06T18:06:00.000-08:00

I knew it wouldn't be long before some right wing turdpurse started the fear machine after a Muslim was elected to Congress. And Dennis Prager didn't disappoint. In an piece written for the very partisan Townhall website Mr. Prager stated:

Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress, has announced that he will not take his oath of office on the Bible, but on the bible of Islam, the Koran.

He should not be allowed to do so -- not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American civilization.

Yes sir folks, if we allow Mr. Ellison, a Muslim, to take his oath of office with his hand on the Koran it will undermine American civilization. Not only is this pure bullshit, it speaks volumes as to how xenophobic people like Prager are. He's the kind of guy who will tell anyone who will listen just how strong of a nation America is only to use fear and hate to say something as insignificant as this will destroy America. Prager continues:

Forgive me, but America should not give a hoot what Keith Ellison's favorite book is. Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress. In your personal life, we will fight for your right to prefer any other book. We will even fight for your right to publish cartoons mocking our Bible. But, Mr. Ellison, America, not you, decides on what book its public servants take their oath.

Seems that while Prager is spending his time defending our country he has forgotten that our Constitution says:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the freedom of press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. (Amendment 1,The Constitution of the United States.)

and:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. (Article 6)

And someone needs to teach Mr. Prager, and people like him, that the preamble to our Constitution was based on the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom which Thomas Jefferson wrote and amended. If Mr. Prager really cared about this country he would know Jefferson wrote in his autobiography:

Where the preamble [of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom] declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting the words "Jesus Christ," so that it should read, "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.

Mr. Prager seem to think that everyone in America should conform to his way of thinking. And this further shows his lack of understanding of the history of this country. In 1782 Thomas Jefferson wrote:

Is uniformity attainable? Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth.

and this:

Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors? Fallible men; men governed by bad passions, by private as well as public reasons. And why subject it to coercion? To produce uniformity. But is uniformity of opinion desirable? No more than of face and stature.

Prager's complete lack of knowledge when it come to history is bad enough, and no real suprise, but his fear tactics and hate speech are even worse:

Devotees of multiculturalism and political correctness who do not see how damaging to the fabric of American civilization it is to allow Ellison to choose his own book need only imagine a racist elected to Congress. Would they allow him to choose Hitler's "Mein Kampf," the Nazis' bible, for his oath? And if not, why not? On what grounds will those defending Ellison's right to choose his favorite book deny that same right to a racist who is elected to public office?

That didn't take long did it? When you hate something just compare it to Hitler and your flock will run with the fear you have fed them. Shame on Dennis Prager for even suggesting that Ellison is in the same league with a racist Nazi. But that's what people like him do. They suggest the most vile thing they can think of and compare it to whatever they are afraid of. And the sheep who think like Prager suck it up and think it to be true. He continues:

So why are we allowing Keith Ellison to do what no other member of Congress has ever done -- choose his own most revered book for his oath?

The answer is obvious -- Ellison is a Muslim. And whoever decides these matters, not to mention virtually every editorial page in America, is not going to offend a Muslim. In fact, many of these people argue it will be a good thing because Muslims around the world will see what an open society America is and how much Americans honor Muslims and the Koran.

This argument appeals to all those who believe that one of the greatest goals of America is to be loved by the world, and especially by Muslims because then fewer Muslims will hate us (and therefore fewer will bomb us).

Sounds about right to me, but I must be naive:

But these naive people do not appreciate that America will not change the attitude of a single American-hating Muslim by allowing Ellison to substitute the Koran for the Bible. In fact, the opposite is more likely: Ellison's doing so will embolden Islamic extremists and make new ones, as Islamists, rightly or wrongly, see the first sign of the realization of their greatest goal -- the Islamicization of America.

Well, maybe not, but I certainly think that putting Mr. Ellison in the same camp as terrorists is fear mongering at it's best. Well done Dennis. Well done indeed. After hearing Mr. Ellison so eloquently state that this isn't about making people who hate us change I have no doubt that Prager is comparing apples to oranges. But wait, there's just a bit more:

When all elected officials take their oaths of office with their hands on the very same book, they all affirm that some unifying value system underlies American civilization. If Keith Ellison is allowed to change that, he will be doing more damage to the unity of America and to the value system that has formed this country than the terrorists of 9-11. It is hard to believe that this is the legacy most Muslim Americans want to bequeath to America. But if it is, it is not only Europe that is in trouble.

Dennis Prager - "When all elected officials take their oaths of office with their hands on the very same book, they all affirm that some unifying value system underlies American civilization." Let's take a look at some of those values:

Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be deprecated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society. (George Washington, letter to Edward Newenham, October 20, 1792

We should begin by setting conscience free. When all men of all religions ... shall enjoy equal liberty, property, and an equal chance for honors and power ... we may expect that improvements will be made in the human character and the state of society.-John Adams

Toleration is not the opposite of intolerance but the counterfeit of it. Both are despotisms: the one assumes to itself the right of withholding liberty of conscience, the other of granting it. Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man, p. 58

Civil liberty can be established on no foundation of human reason which will not at the same time demonstrate the right to religious freedom. John Quincy Adams

When it comes to the values of this country I'll take the words of the Founding Fathers over the words of a fear mongering xenophobe any day.

Oh yea, one last thing -

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion--as it has itself no character of enmity against the law, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims], ... ("Article 11, Treaty of Peace and Friendship between The United States and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary," 1796-1797.)

ARE BUSH SUPPORTERS CRAZY?

2006-12-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

My answer to that from the very beginning is a resounding yes. And while I know some very norml people who supported Bush and voted for him twice I have never understood it. But a new study shows that there may be
a direct link between mental illness and support for President Bush.

Hey, don't shoot the messenger.

BECAUSE GOD SAYS SO

2006-12-06T17:36:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how much I can add to this:

The president-elect of the Christian Coalition of America has declined the job, saying the organization wouldn't let him expand its agenda beyond opposing abortion and gay marriage.

The Rev. Joel Hunter, who was scheduled to take over the socially conservative group in January from Roberta Combs, said he had hoped to focus on issues such as poverty and the environment.

"These are issues that Jesus would want us to care about," said Hunter, a senior pastor at Northland Church in Longwood, Fla.

I think he's right about that. But some asshats the the "Christian" Coalition disagree:

Hunter announced his decision not to take the job during an organization board meeting Nov. 21. A statement issued by the group said Hunter left because of "differences in philosophy and vision." Hunter said he was not asked to leave.

"They pretty much said, 'These issues are fine, but they're not our issues, that's not our base,'" Hunter said.

I grew up going to VERY conservative churches and Christian schools and have been well aware of this thought pattern since I was a child, but it's high time people start calling the "Christian" Coalition what it really is:

A HATE GROUP.

Instead of doing the work that Jesus talked about they now effort in hate. Plain and simple. If you want to see just how far out there some of these people are I implore you to watch this documentary.

These people would rather spend time hating that be associated with liberals even if the "liberal" side of the issue is exactly what the bible teaches.

Now if you'll excuse me while I go slam my scrotum in a door. It helps ease the pain.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

2006-11-10T14:23:00.000-08:00

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson gets going.

"Emotionally and spiritually, I wanted to be of help - but the reality is I don't have the time to devote to such a critical responsibility," Dobson said.

No sir, the reality is that you want to get as far away from the gays a possible. And now that Taggart qualifies he is no longer part of your life.

While homosexuality has separated these 2 religious guys it seems to have brought together some strange bedfellows.

Yea, like The Vatican has any right to ask Israel anything. Sure, they could ask for forgiveness about funding Jew killers, but beyond that...

Don't ya just love that fact that Christians of all different beliefs can find common ground?

I'M THIRSTY

2006-11-08T18:49:00.000-08:00

Who knew there were so many choices of bottled water? And who buys this stuff?

With names like GEROLSTEINER, LEVISSIMA, WATTWILLER and SPEYSIDE GLENLIVET(yes, THAT Glenlivet) I find myself craving Scotch or a good German beer. But alas, it will be water. Filtered water from my fridge.

But I'm WAY tempted to get some BLINGH20. For the bargin basement price of $373.80 for a case of the good stuff I can only dream of how great it must be.

I NEVER GOT LOST

2006-11-08T18:30:00.000-08:00

It's been the same thing all day. Republican pundits have been spouting the "we lost our way" motto as the reason they lost the election. While it is just another attempt to spin (enough already) the fact remains that it is a lie. Plain and simple. While elected Republicans seem to have lost the way the voters never did. The RNC took voters for granted and offended just enough of them to lose control of both houses. They have had it coming for years.

I quit the Republican party because THEY changed. Not me.

COMPLETELY UNSCIENTIFIC OPINION POLL

2006-11-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

Republican Leader John Boehner: "I think Donald Rumsfeld is the best thing that's happened to the Pentagon in 25 years."

Major General John Batiste - Commander, 1st Division in Iraq: "Rumsfeld and his team turned what should have been a deliberate victory in Iraq into a prolonged challenge."

General Anthony Zinni - Commander, U.S. Central Command: "We are paying the price for the lack of credible planning, or the lack of a plan. Ten years worth of planning were thrown away."

Major General Charles H. Swannack, Jr. - Commander, 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq: "I do not believe Secretary Rumsfeld is the right person to fight that war, based on his absolute failures in managing the war against Saddam in Iraq."

Lieutenant General Paul K. Van Riper - First President, Marine Corps University: "If I was President I would have relieved him three years ago."

Lieutenant General Greg Newbold - Top Operations Officer, Joint Chiefs of Staff: "What we are living with now is the consequences of successive policy failures."

Major General Paul Eaton - Led initial effort to create Iraqi Army: "Two and a half more years of that leadership was too long for my nation, for my Army, and for my family."

Lieutenant General John Riggs - Director, Objective Force Task Force: "They only need the military advice when it satisfies their agenda."

Looks like all those Generals support cutting and running. Or maybe, just maybe, they know the real story and are sick of it.

OH NO HE DIDN'T!?!?!?

2006-10-29T22:38:00.000-08:00

This morning my administration released the budget numbers for fiscal 2006. These budget numbers are not just estimates, these are the actual results for the fiscal year that ended February the 30th.
- George W. Bush -
Washington D.C., Oct. 11, 2006

I'm sorry to say that - yes, he did.

WELL SAID. VERY WELL SAID.

2006-10-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Very rarely do I get serious on this blog. Most of the time I just use it to bitch about stuff when I'm bored. But the following is something that I have been serious about for years. And it's about time people start to take it seriously.

Are you a Christian who doesn't feel represented by the religious right? I know the feeling. When the discourse about faith is dominated by political fundamentalists and social conservatives, many others begin to feel as if their religion has been taken away from them.

The number of Christians misrepresented by the Christian right is many. There are evangelical Protestants who believe strongly that Christianity should not get too close to the corrupting allure of government power. There are lay Catholics who, while personally devout, are socially liberal on issues like contraception, gay rights, women's equality and a multi-faith society. There are very orthodox believers who nonetheless respect the freedom and conscience of others as part of their core understanding of what being a Christian is. They have no problem living next to an atheist or a gay couple or a single mother or people whose views on the meaning of life are utterly alien to them--and respecting their neighbors' choices. That doesn't threaten their faith. Sometimes the contrast helps them understand their own faith better.

And there are those who simply believe that, by definition, God is unknowable to our limited, fallible human minds and souls. If God is ultimately unknowable, then how can we be so certain of what God's real position is on, say, the fate of Terri Schiavo? Or the morality of contraception? Or the role of women? Or the love of a gay couple? Also, faith for many of us is interwoven with doubt, a doubt that can strengthen faith and give it perspective and shadow. That doubt means having great humility in the face of God and an enormous reluctance to impose one's beliefs, through civil law, on anyone else.

I would say a clear majority of Christians in the U.S. fall into one or many of those camps. Yet the term "people of faith" has been co-opted almost entirely in our discourse by those who see Christianity as compatible with only one political party, the Republicans, and believe that their religious doctrines should determine public policy for everyone. "Sides are being chosen," Tom DeLay recently told his supporters, "and the future of man hangs in the balance! The enemies of virtue may be on the march, but they have not won, and if we put our trust in Christ, they never will." So Christ is a conservative Republican?

Rush Limbaugh recently called the Democrats the "party of death" because of many Democrats' view that some moral decisions, like the choice to have a first-trimester abortion, should be left to the individual, not the cops. Ann Coulter, with her usual subtlety, simply calls her political opponents "godless," the title of her new book. And the largely nonreligious media have taken the bait. The "Christian" vote has become shorthand in journalism for the Republican base.

What to do about it? The worst response, I think, would be to construct something called the religious left. Many of us who are Christians and not supportive of the religious right are not on the left either. In fact, we are opposed to any politicization of the Gospels by any party, Democratic or Republican, by partisan black churches or partisan white ones. "My kingdom is not of this world," Jesus insisted. What part of that do we not understand?

So let me suggest that we take back the word Christian while giving the religious right a new adjective: Christianist. Christianity, in this view, is simply a faith. Christianism is an ideology, politics, an ism. The distinction between Christian and Christianist echoes the distinction we make between Muslim and Islamist. Muslims are those who follow Islam. Islamists are those who want to wield Islam as a political force and conflate state and mosque. Not all Islamists are violent. Only a tiny few are terrorists. And I should underline that the term Christianist is in no way designed to label people on the religious right as favoring any violence at all. I mean merely by the term Christianist the view that religious faith is so important that it must also have a precise political agenda. It is the belief that religion dictates politics and that politics should dictate the laws for everyone, Christian and non-Christian alike.

That's what I dissent from, and I dissent from it as a Christian. I dissent from the political pollution of sincere, personal faith. I dissent most strongly from the attempt to argue that one party represents God and that the other doesn't. I dissent from having my faith co-opted and wielded by people whose politics I do not share and whose intolerance I abhor. The word Christian belongs to no political party. It's time the quiet majority of believers took it back.

Andrew Sullivan

My view is "fuck'em". But I think Andrew makes the point quite well too.

PLAY BALL!!!

2006-10-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

Let the blame begin.

Did Clinton have 8 years to do something about North Korea? Obviously. Did he drop the ball? Indeed. But Bush has had 6 years to pick the ball back up and has failed to do so. There is PLENTY of blame to go around, but it scares the hell out of me to think that The Decider now has to come up with an answer to a problem he has ignored.

ART NOW EQUALS PORN - IN TEXASS

2006-10-11T17:24:00.000-07:00

I had the misfortune of living in Texas for about 3 years. It's a place that seems to be home to some of the most ignorant people you'll ever meet. Not necessarily stupid - just ignorant. Worst of all is that some of these people seem to be quite proud of their ignorance. Seeing as the biggest state in our country has only one natural lake it's no surprise that many Texans swim in the shallow end of the gene pool. Here's the latest example:

An award-winning Texas art teacher who was reprimanded after one of her fifth-grade students saw a nude sculpture during a trip to a museum has lost her job.

The school board in Frisco has voted not to renew Sydney McGee's contract after 28 years. She has been on administrative leave.

The teacher took her students on an approved field trip to a Dallas museum, and now some parents are upset.

While this will put a smile on the oil smeared face of John Ashcroft it is certainly a fine example of why we need to just give it back to Mexico.

MY DEAD HORSE

2006-10-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

Former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, the shameless hypocrite who left Congress under a cloud of ethical questions and publicly chastised Bill Clinton while sneaking out on his wife and nailing a House Agriculture Committee staffer, is now claiming Democrats have bigger sex scandals than Republicans.

"What we don't have to do is allow our friends on the left to lecture us on morality," Gingrich said at a party fundraiser in Greenville, SC, Wednesday. "There's a certain stench of hypocrisy."

I challenge anyone to come up with a list like this about Democrats:

Republican Congressman Mark Foley abruptly resigned from Congress after
"sexually explicit" emails surfaced showing him flirting with a 16-year old boy.

Republican executive Randall Casseday of the conservative Washington Times
newspaper was arrested for soliciting sex from a 13-year old girl on the internet.

Republican chairman of the Oregon Christian Coalition Lou Beres confessed to
molesting a 13-year old girl.

Republican County Constable Larry Dale Floyd was arrested on suspicion of
soliciting sex with an 8-year old girl. Floyd has repeatedly won elections for
Denton County, Texas, constable.

Republican judge Mark Pazuhanich pleaded no contest to fondling a
10-year old girl and was sentenced to 10 years probation.

Republican Party leader Bobby Stumbo was arrested for having sex with a
5-year old boy.

Republican petition drive manager Tom Randall pleaded guilty to molesting two girls
under the age of 14, one of them the daughter of an associate in the petition business.

Republican County Chairman Armando Tebano was arrested for sexually
molesting a 14-year-old girl.

Republican teacher and former city councilman John Collins pleaded
guilty to sexually molesting 13 and 14 year old girls.

Republican campaign worker Mark Seidensticker is a convicted child molester.

Republican Mayor Philip Giordano is serving a 37-year sentence in
federal prison for sexually abusing 8-and 10-year old girls.

Republican Mayor Tom Adams was arrested for distributing child
pornography over the internet.

Republican Mayor John Gosek was arrested on charges of soliciting sex
from two 15-year old girls.

Republican County Commissioner David Swartz pleaded guilty to molesting
two girls under the age of 11 and was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Republican legislator Edison Misla Aldarondo was sentenced to 10 years
in prison for raping his daughter between the ages of 9 and 17.

Republican Committeeman John R. Curtain was charged with molesting a
teenage boy and unlawful sexual contact with a minor.

Republican anti-abortion activist Howard Scott Heldreth is a convicted
child rapist in Florida.

Republican zoning supervisor, Boy Scout leader and Lutheran church
president Dennis L. Rader pleaded guilty to performing a sexual act on
an 11-year old girl he murdered.

Republican anti-abortion activist Nicholas Morency pleaded guilty to
possessing child pornography on his computer and offering a bounty to
anybody who murders an abortion doctor.

Republican campaign consultant Tom Shortridge was sentenced to three
years probation for taking nude photographs of a 15-year old girl.

Republican racist pedophile and United States Senator Strom Thurmond
had sex with a 15-year old black girl which produced a child.

Republican pastor Mike Hintz, whom George W. Bush commended during the
2004 presidential campaign, surrendered to police after admitting to a
sexual affair with a female juvenile.

Republican legislator Peter Dibble pleaded no contest to having an
inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old girl.

Republican advertising consultant Carey Lee Cramer was sentenced to
six years in prison for molesting two 8-year old girls, one of whom
appeared in an anti-Gore television commercial.

Republican activist Lawrence E. King, Jr. organized child sex parties
at the White House during the 1980s.

Republican lobbyist Craig J. Spence organized child sex parties at the
White House during the 1980s.

Republican Congressman Donald "Buz" Lukens was found guilty of having
sex with a female minor and sentenced to one month in jail.

Republican fundraiser Richard A. Delgaudio was found guilty of child
porn charges and paying two teenage girls to pose for sexual photos.

Republican activist Mark A. Grethen convicted on six counts of sex
crimes involving children.

Republican campaign chairman Randal David Ankeney pleaded guilty to
attempted sexual assault on a child and was arrested again five years
later on the same charge.

Republican Congressman Dan Crane had sex with a female minor working as
a congressional page.

Republican activist and Christian Coalition leader Beverly Russell
admitted to an incestuous relationship with his step daughter.

Republican Judge Ronald C. Kline was placed under house arrest for
child molestation and possession of child pornography.

Republican congressman and anti-gay activist Robert Bauman was charged
with having sex with a 16-year-old boy he picked up at a gay bar.

Republican Committee Chairman Jeffrey Patti was arrested for
distributing a video clip of a 5-year-old girl being raped.

Republican activist Marty Glickman (a.k.a. "Republican Marty"), was
taken into custody by Florida police on four counts of unlawful sexual
activity withan underage girl and one count of delivering the drug LSD.

Republican legislative aide Howard L. Brooks was charged with molesting
a 12-year old boy and possession of child pornography.

Republican Senate candidate John Hathaway was accused of having sex
with his 12-year old baby sitter and withdrew his candidacy after the
allegations were reported in the media.

Republican preacher Stephen White, who demanded a return to traditional
values, was sentenced to jail after offering $20 to a 14-year-old boy
for permission to perform oral sex on him.

Republican talk show host Jon Matthews pleaded guilty to exposing his
genitals to an 11 year old girl.

Republican anti-gay activist Earl "Butch" Kimmerling was sentenced to
40 years in prison for molesting an 8-year old girl after he attempted
to stop a gay couple from adopting her.

Republican Party leader Paul Ingram pleaded guilty to six counts of
raping his daughters and served 14 years in federal prison.

Republican election board official Kevin Coan was sentenced to two
years probation for soliciting sex over the internet from a 14-year old
girl.

Republican politician Andrew Buhr was charged with two counts of first
degree sodomy with a 13-year old boy.

Republican legislator Keith Westmoreland was arrested on seven felony
counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition to girls under the age of 16
(i.e. exposing himself to children).

Republican anti-abortion activist John Allen Burt was found guilty of
molesting a 15-year old girl.

Republican County Councilman Keola Childs pleaded guilty to molesting a
male child.

Republican activist John Butler was charged with criminal sexual
assault on a teenage girl.

Republican candidate Richard Gardner admitted to molesting his two
daughters.

Republican Councilman and former Marine Jack W. Gardner was convicted
of molesting a 13-year old girl.

Republican County Commissioner Merrill Robert Barter pleaded guilty to
unlawful sexual contact and assault on a teenage boy.

Republican City Councilman Fred C. Smeltzer, Jr. pleaded no contest to
raping a 15 year-old girl and served 6 months in prison.

Republican activist Parker J. Bena pleaded guilty to possession of
child pornography on his home computer and was sentenced to 30 months
in federal prison and fined $18,000.

Republican parole board officer and former Colorado state
representative, Larry Jack Schwarz, was fired after child pornography
was found in his possession.

Republican strategist and Citadel Military College graduate Robin
Vanderwall was convicted in Virginia on five counts of soliciting sex
from boys and girls over the internet.

Republican city councilman Mark Harris, who is described as a "good
military man" and "church goer," was convicted of repeatedly having sex
with an 11-year old girl and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Republican businessman Jon Grunseth withdrew his candidacy for
Minnesota governor after allegations surfaced that he went swimming in
the nude with four underage girls, including his daughter.

Republican campaign worker, police officer and self-proclaimed reverend
Steve Aiken was convicted of having sex with two underage girls.

Republican director of the "Young Republican Federation" Nicholas
Elizondo molested his 6-year old daughter and was sentenced to six
years in prison.

Republican president of the New York City Housing Development Corp.
Russell Harding pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his computer.

Republican benefactor of conservative Christian groups, Richard A.
Dasen Sr., was found guilty of raping a 15-year old girl. Dasen, 62,
who is married with grown children and several grandchildren, has
allegedly told police that over the past decade he paid more than $1
million to have sex with a large number of young women.

Yea, I'll be waiting for a Democratic list that equals this one. And I will post it, but please don't tell me about Clinton or Gary Studds and call it even.

REDEFINING

2006-10-03T16:12:00.000-07:00

CONSERVATIVE:

Pronunciation: k&n-'s&r-v&-tiv
Function: adjective
1 : PRESERVATIVE
2 a : of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism : as (1) : of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions
3 : wanting all the power and none of the responsibility

America's most listened to Conservative served up another dose of bullshit this week when he said:

I'm just thinking out loud here. What if somebody got to the page and said, you know, we want you to set Foley up. We need to do a little titillating thing here. Keep it and save it and so forth. How would you get a kid to do that? Yeah, who knows? You threaten him or pay him. There's any number of ways given the kind of people that we're dealing with and talking about here...

There is -- there is -- there's not even any real problem with what Foley did, as we've discussed.

Republican leaders have known about this for a long time and instead of doing the right thing they tried to cover it up. I voted for Hastert a few times, but now he needs to go. And so does anyone else that knew about this and didn't do anything.

I lost faith in the political direction Conservatives were taking this country when they thought Bush was the best they had to offer. It's no secret the Conservatives have long been less than upstanding(as have MOST politicians on both sides of the isle), but now they can't even claim a moral higher ground. But oh how they'll try. Sen. John McCain (affair, divorce), former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (affair, divorce, affair, divorce), former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (divorce, affair, nasty divorce), Bill Bennet, Henry Hyde, and the list goes on and on and on and on some more.

While my decision to leave the Republican party (a few years ago) was based mostly on politcal ideology it's nice to know that I am no longer a part of this morally bankrupt group. I had more than a few people tell my I was crazy when I said the party didn't care about anything but power. Power without responsibilty.

And yes, I did tell you so.

THE CORPSE OF HABEAS CORPUS

2006-09-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Following in the footsteps of the House, the Senate this afternoon approved the bill which vests in the President the power of indefinite, unreviewable detention (even of U.S. citizens) and which also legalizes various torture techniques.

So it is now officially legal in America to detain anyone for any period of time with no legal recourse at all.

Three cheers for Democracy.

A LOOK BACK

2006-09-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

On this day in 1789 Congress proposed the Bill of Rights which opened with the words: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.'

Good thing we don't have to do it again. These days it would probably read: 'Congress shall make no law respecting any religion but Christianity and will prohibit the free exercise of all others. Especially Islam.'

But let's not tell right-wingers about the 1st Amendment.

They don't give a flying fuck anyways.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2006-09-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

IT'S A MATTER OF TRUST

NOT VIRTUE.

A PICTURE IS WORTH...

2006-09-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

Seeing a British solider wear this t-shirt would be funny if it wasn't so true. And if you don't believe that we are becoming a stupid country just read this...

The dumbing down of America has been happening for quite some time. It seems that Bush is trying to finish at least one thing since taking office. It's just that it's the wrong thing.

WELCOME TO THE CENTER

2006-09-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

A rebellious Senate committee defied President Bush on Thursday and approved terror-detainee legislation he has vowed to block, deepening Republican conflict over a key issue in the middle of congressional campaigns.

I love the use of the word rebellious in this article.

It's nice to see some powerful Republicans who are FINALLY willing to stand up to the Boy Who Would Be King.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2006-08-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

An economy

based on the consumption

of fixed resources

will consume itself.

I NEED SOME HELP

2006-08-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have a decent grasp on the English language, but I'm hoping someone can tell me what this is supposed to mean.

2006-08-13T02:17:00.000-07:00

Just because I have

a short attention span

doesn't mean that I

THE FORCE IS NOT SO STRONG

2006-08-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

The adventures of Chad Vader is just too funny.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2006-08-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

1570-Spanish Jesuits led by Fray Batista Segura arrived in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia, for the purpose of converting the American Indians to Christianity. Six months later, the entire group was massacred by the very Indians they had come to evangelize. Must have been God's will.
1861-US Army abolishes flogging. But no need to worry as we have started started the practice once again.
1884-Cornerstone for Statue of Liberty laid on Bedloe's Island. Freedom toast for all.
1914-1st traffic light installed (Euclid Ave. & E. 105th St, Cleveland). People have been ignoring them ever since.
1924-Comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," by Harold Gray, makes its debut. But I found it nowhere near as interesting as Little Oral Annie.
1930-Neil Armstrong Ohio, X-15 pilot, 1st Moonwalker (Gemini 8, Apollo 11) was born. Now here's a guy who made being a speed freak cool.
1936-At Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens wins his 3rd Olympic medal. It was the single biggest "fuck you" Hitler had ever seen in his life.
1944-Loni Anderson St Paul Minn, actress (Jennifer-WKRP in Cincinnati) was born. And boys like me fell in love with WKRP.
1945-Atom Bomb dropped on Hiroshima (Aug 6th in Japan). And conservatives still insist that Democracts never had the nuts for war.
1954-Eddie "Fingers" Ojeda, was born. And we "took it" for a long time.
1961-The South American country of Bolivia adopted a new constitution that separated the powers of church and state. Here in America we are in the process of getting rid of that little nuisance.
1962-Marilyn Monroe found dead of apparent self-inflicted drug overdose. That's okay, we had Loni Anderson by then.
1974-Joan Jett forms her rock group the Runaways. But juke boxes no longer take dimes.

It's Constitution Day in Iran. No shit. But let's not tell the President that they're a democracy. It makes it easier for him to keep thinking he's right about where it needs to be "spread".

IN THESE TIMES...

2006-08-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

I remember when stuff like this was not so close to the truth.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2006-08-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

1754-Pierre Charles L'Enfant of France, architect who laid out Wash DC, was born. And to this day, all the right-wing asshats who work in D.C. hate to mention the fact that it was designed by a Frenchie. Freedom fries for all.
1776-Formal signing of the Declaration of Independence.
1819-1st parachute jump in US. And how ironic that we didn't even have planes yet.
1876-Wild Bill Hickok shot dead (from behind) by Jack McCall while playing poker. He held a pair of Aces & a pair of 8's, and thus it is forever known as the dead mans hand.
1907-The Vatican issued the decree "Ne temere," declaring that marriages of Catholics were valid only if celebrated before a duly qualified priest and at least two witnesses. Yet they failed to specify if it has to be between a man and a woman. But have no fear, there are plenty of morons who will stop at nothing to make sure that predjudice is inserted into the US Constitution, and the issue will be clarified for everyone.
1909-1st Lincoln head pennies minted. It is also the US only coin that is brown and has the head facing a different direction than all the others. Just sayin'.
1922-Carroll O'Connor NYC, actor (All in the Family, Heat of the Night) was born.
1932-Charlie Grimm replaces Roger Hornsby as manager of Chicago Cubs, and we're still stuck with Dusty.
1939-Hatch Act prohibits political activity by federal workers. Insert your own joke here.
1946-English literary scholar and Christian apologist C. S. Lewis wrote in a letter: 'Apologetic work is so dangerous to one's faith. A doctrine never seems dimmer to me than when I have just successfully defended it.'
1964-North Vietnam fires on a US destroyer in Gulf of Tonkin. And our government lied about a second attack and used that lie to go to war. How could any government use a lie to go to war? Yea...
2006-After spending a few scorching days in Illinois I can say that I am happy to return to the desert and escape that humidity. But most other things out here still suck.

NEVER LOSE FAITH

2006-07-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

I originally wiped out all the posts here because I figured I had nothing more the say about our elected leaders. But I was wrong. It seems that some of them are still concerned with taking care of the important issues that will no doubt tear this country apart.

While it seems that some people just have to ignore what our Founding Fathers have said about the separation of church and state at least the residents of North Carolina can breathe a sigh of relief. They can now legally live in sin. And praise God for that.

Now if you'll please excuse me while I go off to slam my fingers in the silverware drawer. It just helps dull the pain.

THEY'RE AT IT AGAIN

2006-07-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

Now that they feel they've proven intelligent design to be a fact, scientists from the Evangelical Center For Faith-Based Reasoning are now asserting that the long-held "theory of gravity" is flawed, and they have responded to it with a new theory of Intelligent Falling.

A BIT OF INSIGHT

2006-07-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

It's always a good idea to know your enemy.

DAMN IT FEELS GOOD TO BE A GANGSTA

2006-07-12T20:20:00.000-07:00

"...on most issues I still find myself a Goldwater conservative which now puts me somewhere left of center."

John Dean - former White House counsel to Nixon

I feel the same way Mr. Dean does. Yet some people wonder why I no longer consider myself a Republican.

I guess only the incontestably stupid wonder why, but indeed they wonder.

IT SHOULD BE A SHOCKING STATEMENT...

2006-07-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

but the sad truth is that even something as unmindful as this seems to be par for the course.

BTW - the man making this outrageously absurb remark is Steven Bradbury, head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel.

I am left with only the seemingly obvious thought that nothing's shocking anymore.

IT'S KINKY TIME

2006-07-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

Seriously...

And get your mind out of the gutter.

DID YOU KNOW?

2006-07-10T22:50:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the Chinese government has been censoring movies in Utah?

Okay, maybe that's a stretch, but someone has been. And thanks to a seemingly sound minded judge they have been told to stop.

In a ruling in the case involving CleanFlicks vs. 16 of Hollywood's hottest directors, U.S. District Judge Richard P. Matsch found that making copies of movies to delete objectionable language, sex and violence hurts studios and directors who own the movie rights.
"Their [studios and directors] objective . . . is to stop the infringement because of its irreparable injury to the creative artistic expression in the copyrighted movies," the judge wrote in a 16-page decision. "There is a public interest in providing such protection. Their business is illegitimate."

Buuutt...

Ray Lines, chief executive of CleanFlicks in American Fork, said he plans to meet with his attorneys Monday to discuss the ruling, but vowed to keep fighting Hollywood.
"We're disappointed," he said. "This is a typical case of David vs. Goliath, but in this case, Hollywood rewrote the ending. We're going to continue to fight."

David Vs. Goliath huh?

Seems to me that it this was a case of Closed Minded Dickwads vs. Reality.

And reality won.

Welcome to The Center.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

2006-07-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

One-third of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives. Many do not even graduate from high school.

58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school.

42% of college graduates never read another book.

80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.

70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

57% of new books are not read to completion.

70% of Americans haven't visited a bookstore in five (5) years.

Only 32% of the U.S. population has ever been in a bookstore.

Each day, people in the US spend 4 hours watching TV, 3 hours listening to the radio and 14 minutes reading magazines.

The dumbing down is well under way.

THE FAT LADY IS WARMING UP

2006-07-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2006-06-27T23:36:00.000-07:00

1245 - 1st Council of Lyons (13th ecumenical council) opens and doesn't close before it is decided that Cardinals will be required to wear red hats. Seriously.
1491 - Henry VIII of England (1509-47)was born. Don't go losin' your head.
1820 - Tomato is proven nonpoisonous. Well at least in America it is. The rest of the world already knew that.
1836 - James Madison 4th US pres, dies in Montpelier, Va. It would be some time before Dolly blessed us all with little cakes.
1902 - Congress authorizes Louisiana Purchase Expo $1 gold coin. Proving that they have been wasting time on stupid shit for a LONG time.
1902 - Richard Rodgers Hammels Station (Rodgers & Hammerstein)was born in New York. And now you know his first name.
1914 - Assassination of the heir to the throne of Austria, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophia, in Sarajevo by a Serbian Nationalist,Gavrilo Princip. This incident precipitated a war with Serbia, eventually starting WW1. Friggin Serbs.
1919 - Carl Mazes pitches a complete double-header against Yanks. Dusty Baker would have been proud.
1926 - Mel Brooks was born. Seems as though he though the name Melvin Kaminsky just wasn't funny enough.
1946 - Gilda Radner was born in Detroit. Baba Wawa
1956 - 1st atomic reactor built for private research operates in Chicago Ill. The Cubs have been bombing since long before then.
1973 - Lawsuit in Detroit challenges Little League's "no girls" rule. There has, in fact, been crying in baseball ever since.
2006 - U.S. Senate rejects flag desecration amendment. But rest assured there is plenty of time to make sure those faggy people can never get married.