First there was The Onion, then there was Birdfinger, then was wasn't Birdfinger. Now there is Opinions You Should Have...the risible blog of record by Tom Burka.
Find yourself shy of opinions? Tom Burka has them for you. Go now.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Onions & Opinions: The Humor of Tom Burka
First there was The Onion, then there was Birdfinger, then was wasn't Birdfinger. Now there is Opinions You Should Have...the risible blog of record by Tom Burka.
Find yourself shy of opinions? Tom Burka has them for you. Go now.
Friday, August 20, 2004
John Kerry comes to Charlotte
Charlotte welcomes Mr. Kerry
Here's how it all came to pass...
Yesterday I heard that tickets to the event could be got by going to so-and-so URL. I signed up, only to get a response that one needed to call instead. When I did that, all I got was a busy signal.
A few hours later, I heard it was sold out. So instead, I did other mundane things, had some conversations, composed some hypermusic, and went to sleep in what is called "a bed". Before long, my soul had detached from its mortal coil, and I was free to dream.
In short order, the alarm rang, which is a rare occurence around this decidedly leisure-infested domicile, and I eventually dragged myself from the ether, poured myself back into my body, and raised myself to an upright position. As usual, I turned on the computer and NPR.
Before long, Darryl called and told me that the Kerry speech was being covered by WBT Radio. Darryl is a very bright gentleman who wants to change the world by changing the way the world does energy. I am hoping he heard the speech, as Mister Kerry talked about doing the same kind of thing, and would probably be more useful in helping him launch his vision.
Before long, I had cafiennated myself to the point where I could, if desired, go out into the universe beyond my door. So boldly, I did. But to little avail, except for parking quite a few blocks away from the venue to which I wanted to attend...namely proximitous rallies and such.
Only one was to make itself known, and it was at a corner of Memorial Stadium, adjacent to Central Piedmont Community College, or UCLA.
There, I saw people holding various, even competing, signs. And I heard some ladies cacking about Kerry's war record, derisively...so I could not prevent myself from walking up and asking those nearby: "Could you tell me where the White Deserters for Bush Contingent is located?"
A few Dems pointed at the Bushford Wives.
A very nice young man, who looked remarkably like Josh Groban, and I talked about a variety of topics, and he told me of his band, The Alleys (see below), and there was general merriment among all those on our small corner of the globe. Of the 15 odd folks that appeared there, one was a woman carrying a Kerry sign, and several firemen carrying Bush signs. "Hey you were the guys who put the fire out at my house!", the woman said, as she recognized the firemen.
"When it comes to work, politics doesn't matter", one of the firemen said, exemplifying what is best about government work.
There was even a woman breast-feeding her child, but I'll not talk about that.
Before too long, a parade of cops on motorcycles began pouring from around the stadium and past where we sat and stood, followed by black SUVs and Press buses. From one of the SUVs, John Kerry waved his fond farewell, and we bid adieu and disbanded.
Not a bad morning. Not a bad morning at all.
The Alleys
The Alleys
I had the pleasure of meeting Dustin from the band, The Alleys, at the Kerry speech here in Charlotte. Look forward to seeing and hearing his band soon. In related news, we will be launching a local music blog soon, with hopes that blogger/musicians will support each other, attend each other's shows, etc...
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Anonymoses predicts: Purple states turn blue
The Blueing of America
Here are the purple (swing) states that will put their hopes on Kerry and Edwards and turn a pretty blue:
North Carolina
Virginia
Colorado
Arizona
New Hampshire
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Michigan
West Virginia
Florida
Missouri
Iowa
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Washington
Oregon
Nevada
Tennessee
New Mexico
Arkansas
That's all of them? So it is!
Here are the purple (swing) states that will put their hopes on Kerry and Edwards and turn a pretty blue:
North Carolina
Virginia
Colorado
Arizona
New Hampshire
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Michigan
West Virginia
Florida
Missouri
Iowa
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Washington
Oregon
Nevada
Tennessee
New Mexico
Arkansas
That's all of them? So it is!
Zell Miller: The Company He Keeps
Poor Zell Miller. Poor Republican Party. When it comes to the company you keep, from Ken Lay to Lester Maddox...you leave a lot to be desired.
I didn't even know, for example, the Zell Miller used to work for white supremacist, Lester Maddox, and yet I see on Iddybud that indeed he did. Well, as Molly Ivins once said, the main reason to be a Democrat in the South...is Race. The walls still divide, but the Democrats are the bridge.
And Zell Miller is no bridge. He burns bridges. Glad to see he has finally discovered who he really is. Good luck in Whiteville! But remember the wise words of Dr. Richard Schultes...
"Monoculture breeds disease."
I think you've got it. Enjoy your quarantine.
I didn't even know, for example, the Zell Miller used to work for white supremacist, Lester Maddox, and yet I see on Iddybud that indeed he did. Well, as Molly Ivins once said, the main reason to be a Democrat in the South...is Race. The walls still divide, but the Democrats are the bridge.
And Zell Miller is no bridge. He burns bridges. Glad to see he has finally discovered who he really is. Good luck in Whiteville! But remember the wise words of Dr. Richard Schultes...
"Monoculture breeds disease."
I think you've got it. Enjoy your quarantine.
Gulf of Tonkin, Iran Style
Those goofy right wingers! The only way they're gonna save their ass is to create the conditions for a war with Iran. World Domination...here we come!
Too bad that we're already stretched too thin. Maybe it is time for the fellows in suits to armor up, and hit the battlefield...
Roll out The New Product! Just in time for autumn...and the elections.
Is this not Satanic? Is this not insanity?
Vote these assholes out before they destroy the world.
Too bad that we're already stretched too thin. Maybe it is time for the fellows in suits to armor up, and hit the battlefield...
Roll out The New Product! Just in time for autumn...and the elections.
Is this not Satanic? Is this not insanity?
Vote these assholes out before they destroy the world.
Lester Maddox to give Keynote Speech at GOP Convention
Dixiecrat Zell Miller embodies the spirit of his predecessor, Lester Maddox
The man who couldn't make it as a Democrat, Zell Miller, is not trying to make it as a Republican...and what better time The Republicans are as bad as they have ever been. He will be in good, white, even racist, company.
Thank God Jesse Helms retired. Now Georgia can be the laughingstock.
The man who couldn't make it as a Democrat, Zell Miller, is not trying to make it as a Republican...and what better time The Republicans are as bad as they have ever been. He will be in good, white, even racist, company.
Thank God Jesse Helms retired. Now Georgia can be the laughingstock.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Piedmont Bloggers Conference: List of Attendees
Ed Cone is compiling a useful page on the upcoming conference in Greensboro, North Carolina. Included is a list of attendees.
Martin Raskovsky: Genius Search Winner
Several years ago, I had a website called "Genius Search", which was dedicated to seeking out bright lights around the cybersphere, and rewarding them for their excellence. One of them was Dr. Martin Raskovsky, who was, and is, doing wondrous things with words and art. Here is one of his sites.
Flemming Funch
Flemming Funch, founder of New Civilization Network
Flemming Funch was doing some great work back in the mid-90s, with New Civilization Network and other formidable websites. Through Doc Searls, I see that he is still as protean as ever.
His articles on Microcontent are of particular interest...
Flemming Funch was doing some great work back in the mid-90s, with New Civilization Network and other formidable websites. Through Doc Searls, I see that he is still as protean as ever.
His articles on Microcontent are of particular interest...
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Kerry: Blue State, Blue Blood
John Kerry has more royal blood than George W. Bush, and as such, will win the presidency...according to BRK BKR of BRK (Brooks-Baker of Burke's).
Presidents and Prosperity
Forbes magazine concludes that Clinton has the best record. The Bushes don't fare so well...
UNC-Charlotte: From Clay Aiken to John the Baptist
Researchers from Clay Aiken's alma mater discover John the Baptist's cave.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Ever the Gentleman, Sen. John Warner defends John Kerry
In previous catechisms, I have extolled the virtues of Senator John Warner, and once again, he shows of what higher stuff he is made...
WASHINGTON - The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said yesterday that John Kerry "deserved" his combat medals for heroism in Vietnam, which some vets have disputed.
Sen. John Warner, an ex-Navy secretary under President Richard Nixon, particularly defended the process by which Kerry won his highest honor, the Silver Star.
"I'd stand by the process that awarded that medal, and I think we best acknowledge that his heroism did gain that recognition," Warner (R-Va.) told CNN's "Late Edition."
Kerry was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Hearts as a Navy Swift boat commander in the Mekong Delta in February and March 1969.
"We did extraordinary, careful checking on that type of medal [the Silver Star], a very high one, when it goes through the secretary," Warner said. "I feel that he deserved it."
MORE
WASHINGTON - The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said yesterday that John Kerry "deserved" his combat medals for heroism in Vietnam, which some vets have disputed.
Sen. John Warner, an ex-Navy secretary under President Richard Nixon, particularly defended the process by which Kerry won his highest honor, the Silver Star.
"I'd stand by the process that awarded that medal, and I think we best acknowledge that his heroism did gain that recognition," Warner (R-Va.) told CNN's "Late Edition."
Kerry was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Hearts as a Navy Swift boat commander in the Mekong Delta in February and March 1969.
"We did extraordinary, careful checking on that type of medal [the Silver Star], a very high one, when it goes through the secretary," Warner said. "I feel that he deserved it."
MORE
Piedmont Bloggers Conference: Greensboro, NC
Piedmont Bloggers Conference
What: Discussion of weblogs and politics, weblogs and media, weblogs and...
When: Saturday, August 28, 2004, 9 AM
Where: 620 South Elm Street, Greensboro, NC
Who: Candidates, bloggers, media, readers...moderators include Matt Gross, Ruby Sinreich, David Hoggard, and Ed Cone
How much: Free
What: Discussion of weblogs and politics, weblogs and media, weblogs and...
When: Saturday, August 28, 2004, 9 AM
Where: 620 South Elm Street, Greensboro, NC
Who: Candidates, bloggers, media, readers...moderators include Matt Gross, Ruby Sinreich, David Hoggard, and Ed Cone
How much: Free
Dick Cheney: He'll be tough with somebody else's blood
"When I hear this coming from Dick Cheney, who was a coward, who would not serve during the Vietnam War, it makes my blood boil," Harkin said. "Those of us who served and those of us who went in the military don't like it when someone like a Dick Cheney comes out and he wants to be tough. Yeah, he'll be tough. He'll be tough with somebody else's blood, somebody else's kids. But not when it was his turn to go." - Senator Tom Harkin, former Navy jet pilot
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debate Schedule
Let the games begin!
Fourcast's Megan Beckwith
Kerry vs Bush
Sept. 30 at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla
with moderator Jim Lehrer
Oct. 8 at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo
with moderator Charlie Gibson
Oct. 13 at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz
with moderator Bob Schieffer
Edwards vs Cheney
Oct. 5 at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland
with moderator Gwen Ifill
Fourcast's Megan Beckwith
Kerry vs Bush
Sept. 30 at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla
with moderator Jim Lehrer
Oct. 8 at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo
with moderator Charlie Gibson
Oct. 13 at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz
with moderator Bob Schieffer
Edwards vs Cheney
Oct. 5 at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland
with moderator Gwen Ifill
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Google...don't be evil!
Don't go evil on us, Google!
When Google's founders developed a new approach to navigating the Internet in their Stanford University dorm room, they coined a company catch phrase: "Don't be evil." The saying was meant to be an insider's dig at Microsoft, the corporate giant that they felt had abandoned the principles of "creativity and challenge" on which Google is based. In its rapid growth and drive for profits, Google seems to be in danger of forgetting its own mission, to "make the world's information universally accessible and useful." The consumers who turned "google" into a synonym for search should remind Google that the Internet was meant to be about access to more information, more perspectives and more speech. As one of the most dominant forces on the Internet today, Google has the power to make sure it stays that way.
When Google's founders developed a new approach to navigating the Internet in their Stanford University dorm room, they coined a company catch phrase: "Don't be evil." The saying was meant to be an insider's dig at Microsoft, the corporate giant that they felt had abandoned the principles of "creativity and challenge" on which Google is based. In its rapid growth and drive for profits, Google seems to be in danger of forgetting its own mission, to "make the world's information universally accessible and useful." The consumers who turned "google" into a synonym for search should remind Google that the Internet was meant to be about access to more information, more perspectives and more speech. As one of the most dominant forces on the Internet today, Google has the power to make sure it stays that way.
Friday, August 13, 2004
Flee Charlie, or hunker ye down!
Aug 13, 3:39 PM (ET)
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (AP) - Hurricane Charley unexpectedly grew into a dangerous Category 4 storm Friday as it stored toward the coast of populous west-central Florida with 145 mph wind and a surge of water up to 20 feet high.
MORE
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (AP) - Hurricane Charley unexpectedly grew into a dangerous Category 4 storm Friday as it stored toward the coast of populous west-central Florida with 145 mph wind and a surge of water up to 20 feet high.
MORE
DaVinci Code: "Olive-green eyes"
From THE DAVINCI CODE by Dan Brown...
"Langdon took her soft palm in his and felt himself momentarily fixed in her stronggaze. Her eyes were olive-green, incisive and clear."
"Sophie's olive gaze was keen."
"The docent recoiled, a look of bewilderment in his olive-green eyes."
So...is Dan Brown saying that the desposyni, or descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, have olive-green eyes? Just asking?
EXTRA CREDIT:
Dan Brown implies that the Plantard and St.Clair family are the only descendants of the Merovingians. But later in the book, he says they are the most prominent. Which is it?
And...the Merovingians were not the only descendants of Jesus et Maria. They are the descendants of Merovech. But between Merovech and Jesus, there were others who also had prolific offspring...Pharamond's son, Fredemundus, comes to mind, as he was quite fertile.
[Talk amongst yourselves]
"Langdon took her soft palm in his and felt himself momentarily fixed in her stronggaze. Her eyes were olive-green, incisive and clear."
"Sophie's olive gaze was keen."
"The docent recoiled, a look of bewilderment in his olive-green eyes."
So...is Dan Brown saying that the desposyni, or descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, have olive-green eyes? Just asking?
EXTRA CREDIT:
Dan Brown implies that the Plantard and St.Clair family are the only descendants of the Merovingians. But later in the book, he says they are the most prominent. Which is it?
And...the Merovingians were not the only descendants of Jesus et Maria. They are the descendants of Merovech. But between Merovech and Jesus, there were others who also had prolific offspring...Pharamond's son, Fredemundus, comes to mind, as he was quite fertile.
[Talk amongst yourselves]
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
dKosopedia, the free political encyclopedia
Main Page - dKosopedia
Welcome to the dKosopedia, a collaborative project of the DailyKos community to build a political encyclopedia. The dKosopedia is written from a left/progressive/liberal/Democratic point of view while also attempting to fairly acknowledge the other side's take. It was started in April of 2004, and currently consists of 1648 articles. You are invited to contribute; see below for instructions.
Welcome to the dKosopedia, a collaborative project of the DailyKos community to build a political encyclopedia. The dKosopedia is written from a left/progressive/liberal/Democratic point of view while also attempting to fairly acknowledge the other side's take. It was started in April of 2004, and currently consists of 1648 articles. You are invited to contribute; see below for instructions.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Future Presidents, Edwards and Obama, choose Chigago for 1st Joint Appearance
In their first joint appearance since the Democratic Convention, the beautiful & brave John Edwards and the elegant and sublime Barack Obama, greet hominids and future supporters in Chicago, the capital of the Midwest.
A BIZARRE QUOTE FROM THE ARTICLE:
"He said, 'It was a privilege and honor to run, God bless you,'" she said.
(Is it really OK to write like that now?)
A BIZARRE QUOTE FROM THE ARTICLE:
"He said, 'It was a privilege and honor to run, God bless you,'" she said.
(Is it really OK to write like that now?)
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Getting to know Drudge
So...who is this Drudge upon whom the world has bestoyed her fate?
Turns out he is just a regular, slow-to-mature, bumpkin with agoraphobic tendencies, who works from his home, and has a soft spot for fetuses.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/925929/posts
Some of his thoughts from an interview with some Ayn Rand wannabe...
DRUDGE: What I represent, if I see it correctly, is an independent voice who's willing to take on presidents and networks, and reveal ratings they don't want you to see.
DRUDGE: Well, in any case, I think it's my job to be critical of whoever is in power....So to hide behind the World Trade Center to start going into our hard drives is a complete folly, and the Bush administration will pay the price with votes.
DRUDGE: I was actually very on the fence on the war. It put me in a difficult position. If you've noticed, I thought I did a pretty clever job of at least sharing with readers what the U.K. Mirror, the Independent, all these antiwar outlets were doing. Probably it was perceived as just mischief-making, but it reflected my own lack of clarity about the war issue. I don't have to be clear, though. I'm not a politician.
PAGLIA: You're antiestablishment down the line, except when it comes to your politics. Do you really consider yourself a conservative?
DRUDGE: Oh, yeah. I'm a prolife conservative who doesn't want the government to tax me. There are issues that I'm so frightened of—1.2 million abortions a year scares the hell out of me. Oftentimes when I see these superstorms forming, you know, sometimes—I wouldn't be honest if I didn't think it was retribution. I also am opposed to big government. Now, you would argue: Well, how could you support a government interfering with the rights of a woman over her own body? But I would argue: No. That all life is sacred. Abortion is the issue that really motivates me.
DRUDGE: In any case I no longer do the Clinton beat. Or cover any politicians who are out of office.
DRUDGE: You could probably call me a –new-age Jew. I'm really into meditation. I have been meditating since I was five years old. I love reading Jesus. I am open to a lot of different things. Again, it's a formula for my personal self that I've come up with. I don't go to shul, I don't go to church every Sunday. But the older I get, the closer I feel to a creator.
--------------
How did it all begin?
Matt Drudge was born in Washington and, in his own words, "didn't go to the right schools, never enjoyed any school, as a matter of fact, didn't come from a well-known family". "Burning I may have been," he recalls, "but I was sophisticated enough to know I would never be granted any access, obtain any credentials ... or work with 'Newsweek' magazine.
There wasn't a likelihood for upward mobility in my swing-shift position at 711 (a street corner grocery chain)." So, he followed that classic piece of advice: he moved West, out to Hollywood where he found a job at CBS - not in the news division but the gift shop - where he wrapped T-shirts and souvenir coffee mugs. His father, overcoming his fear of flying, came over, failed to persuade him to return and went back but not without first buying him a home computer. "Oh, yeah, and what am I going to do with that?" the son asked.
Famous words because that PC marked the birth of 'The Drudge Report'. He started playing with the thing and liked it. He also kept his ear open at the CBS gift shop for any gossip or tidbits. He also collected a few e-mail addresses of interest. Someone suggested that he start a mailing list, so he set one up calling it 'The Drudge Report'. He also began to post interesting messages and news on his site. In his words, "One reader turned into five, then turned into 100. And faster than you could say, 'I never had sex with that woman.' it was 1,000 - 5,000, 100,000 people. The ensuing website practically launched itself."
So what happened? Matt explains. "Well, clearly, there is a hunger for unedited information, absent corporate considerations. As the first guy who made a name for himself on the Internet, I've been invited to more and more high-toned gatherings ... and I mention this not to blow my own horn, but to make a point. Exalted minds ... didn't appear to have a clue what this Internet is going to do; what we are going to make of it, what this is all going to turn into ... We have entered an era vibrating with the din of small voices. Every citizen can be a reporter, can take on the powers that be. The difference between the Internet, television and radio, magazines, newspapers is the two-way communication. The Net gives as much voice to a 31-year old computer geek like me (this was in 1998) as to a CEO or Speaker of the House. We've all become equal. And you would be amazed what the ordinary guy knows."
Matt Drudge lives in a rented $600 a month apartment in Hollywood with a computer, a six-toed cat and he consistently breaks big stories for which he is indebted to what he calls his "network of ordinary guys".
Turns out he is just a regular, slow-to-mature, bumpkin with agoraphobic tendencies, who works from his home, and has a soft spot for fetuses.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/925929/posts
Some of his thoughts from an interview with some Ayn Rand wannabe...
DRUDGE: What I represent, if I see it correctly, is an independent voice who's willing to take on presidents and networks, and reveal ratings they don't want you to see.
DRUDGE: Well, in any case, I think it's my job to be critical of whoever is in power....So to hide behind the World Trade Center to start going into our hard drives is a complete folly, and the Bush administration will pay the price with votes.
DRUDGE: I was actually very on the fence on the war. It put me in a difficult position. If you've noticed, I thought I did a pretty clever job of at least sharing with readers what the U.K. Mirror, the Independent, all these antiwar outlets were doing. Probably it was perceived as just mischief-making, but it reflected my own lack of clarity about the war issue. I don't have to be clear, though. I'm not a politician.
PAGLIA: You're antiestablishment down the line, except when it comes to your politics. Do you really consider yourself a conservative?
DRUDGE: Oh, yeah. I'm a prolife conservative who doesn't want the government to tax me. There are issues that I'm so frightened of—1.2 million abortions a year scares the hell out of me. Oftentimes when I see these superstorms forming, you know, sometimes—I wouldn't be honest if I didn't think it was retribution. I also am opposed to big government. Now, you would argue: Well, how could you support a government interfering with the rights of a woman over her own body? But I would argue: No. That all life is sacred. Abortion is the issue that really motivates me.
DRUDGE: In any case I no longer do the Clinton beat. Or cover any politicians who are out of office.
DRUDGE: You could probably call me a –new-age Jew. I'm really into meditation. I have been meditating since I was five years old. I love reading Jesus. I am open to a lot of different things. Again, it's a formula for my personal self that I've come up with. I don't go to shul, I don't go to church every Sunday. But the older I get, the closer I feel to a creator.
--------------
How did it all begin?
Matt Drudge was born in Washington and, in his own words, "didn't go to the right schools, never enjoyed any school, as a matter of fact, didn't come from a well-known family". "Burning I may have been," he recalls, "but I was sophisticated enough to know I would never be granted any access, obtain any credentials ... or work with 'Newsweek' magazine.
There wasn't a likelihood for upward mobility in my swing-shift position at 711 (a street corner grocery chain)." So, he followed that classic piece of advice: he moved West, out to Hollywood where he found a job at CBS - not in the news division but the gift shop - where he wrapped T-shirts and souvenir coffee mugs. His father, overcoming his fear of flying, came over, failed to persuade him to return and went back but not without first buying him a home computer. "Oh, yeah, and what am I going to do with that?" the son asked.
Famous words because that PC marked the birth of 'The Drudge Report'. He started playing with the thing and liked it. He also kept his ear open at the CBS gift shop for any gossip or tidbits. He also collected a few e-mail addresses of interest. Someone suggested that he start a mailing list, so he set one up calling it 'The Drudge Report'. He also began to post interesting messages and news on his site. In his words, "One reader turned into five, then turned into 100. And faster than you could say, 'I never had sex with that woman.' it was 1,000 - 5,000, 100,000 people. The ensuing website practically launched itself."
So what happened? Matt explains. "Well, clearly, there is a hunger for unedited information, absent corporate considerations. As the first guy who made a name for himself on the Internet, I've been invited to more and more high-toned gatherings ... and I mention this not to blow my own horn, but to make a point. Exalted minds ... didn't appear to have a clue what this Internet is going to do; what we are going to make of it, what this is all going to turn into ... We have entered an era vibrating with the din of small voices. Every citizen can be a reporter, can take on the powers that be. The difference between the Internet, television and radio, magazines, newspapers is the two-way communication. The Net gives as much voice to a 31-year old computer geek like me (this was in 1998) as to a CEO or Speaker of the House. We've all become equal. And you would be amazed what the ordinary guy knows."
Matt Drudge lives in a rented $600 a month apartment in Hollywood with a computer, a six-toed cat and he consistently breaks big stories for which he is indebted to what he calls his "network of ordinary guys".
IRAQ: "the uprising is just beginning"
A first-hand account by the only Western reporter in Najaf as major fighting broke out this week.
"the heaviest fighting since the fall of Saddam Hussein"
"the heaviest fighting since the fall of Saddam Hussein"
Bush-induced Suicide?
U.S. Soldier Dies in Non-Combat Related Incident, Military Says - from TBO.com
Why are so many of our soldiers committing suicide? This is not good. What are they trying to tell us, signalling from the flames?
If guaranteed a job back home, our soldiers would race toward home, like a bird who flies, yes, but always toward home.
Had we just waited or the UN inspectors to do their work, these soldiers would never have been put into such dire straits that suicide would be a typical thought.
For them too...help is on the way. Hang in there, buddy!
Why are so many of our soldiers committing suicide? This is not good. What are they trying to tell us, signalling from the flames?
If guaranteed a job back home, our soldiers would race toward home, like a bird who flies, yes, but always toward home.
Had we just waited or the UN inspectors to do their work, these soldiers would never have been put into such dire straits that suicide would be a typical thought.
For them too...help is on the way. Hang in there, buddy!
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Bush: "They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
Remarks by President Bush at the Signing of H.R. 4613, The Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005
"They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush
"They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush
Congratulations to Buzzflash!
In July, BuzzFlash.com Had More Than 3.7 Million Reader Visits...
...and, unlike "Drudge the Fudge", (whose site refreshes itself ever few minutes, adding "hits") Buzz has earned it...honestly.
...and, unlike "Drudge the Fudge", (whose site refreshes itself ever few minutes, adding "hits") Buzz has earned it...honestly.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
HEADLINE NEWS
MSNBC: The Kerry Bounce Finally Revealed: Kerry 50%, Bush 44%, Nader 2%
On the eve the Democratic Convention, it was Bush 48%. Kerry 46%.
FBI Whistleblower Breaks Ashcroft's Gag Order to Warn America: the 9/11 Report is a Massive Coverup
Open Letter To Thomas Kean – Chairman Of The 9/11 Commission - From FBI Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds
Bush Is Busted by the 9/11 Report
So, before 9/11, incompetence and sloth. And after? Much worse: a war without end on the wrong battlefield.
They Knew...
Despite the whitewash, we now know that the Bush administration was warned before the war that its Iraq claims were weak...
Investigators Concluded Shelby Leaked Message
In an Unprecedented Move, the Wildly Popular 'Outfoxed' Moves from Video to Movie Theaters!
The Success of 'Outfoxed' is Driven by the Public's Hunger for Truth
Activist Movie Makers Feed the Nation's Hunger for the Truth
Kerry-Edwards: October Sized Crowds in July and August: America Loves the Nominees; Believe in America Tour Record Turnout
Superstar-studded 'Vote for Change' Coalition of Musicians Is Rocking the U.S.
After Giving Bush the Benefit of the Doubt in 2001, Springsteen Speaks Out against the Evil Empire
USA Today Turns Phony Poll Results into Excuse for Planting Bush Propaganda-Disguised-as-News
AP 'Analysis': Bush's Decision to Finally Overhaul Intelligence after THREE YEARS of Stalling Called 'Quick Move'
Why NBC Wants the 'War Time President' to Stay in Office - at any Cost
Bush's Republicans prepare for their 'dirty war' on Kerry
President George Bush's senior strategists have vowed to use the month of August to mount derisive and personal attacks on the Democratic candidate John Kerry in what is becoming an increasingly bitter election campaign.
The latest negative ad smear purchased and promoted by Bush Inc. features swift boat veterans who are willing to talk trash about a veteran for money. No one can say squat about Bush's military service because he was AWOL.
The TRUTH About John Kerry's TOURS of Duty
99% of Halliburton's Political Donations Go Straight to the GOP to Buy International Influence
On the eve the Democratic Convention, it was Bush 48%. Kerry 46%.
FBI Whistleblower Breaks Ashcroft's Gag Order to Warn America: the 9/11 Report is a Massive Coverup
Open Letter To Thomas Kean – Chairman Of The 9/11 Commission - From FBI Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds
Bush Is Busted by the 9/11 Report
So, before 9/11, incompetence and sloth. And after? Much worse: a war without end on the wrong battlefield.
They Knew...
Despite the whitewash, we now know that the Bush administration was warned before the war that its Iraq claims were weak...
Investigators Concluded Shelby Leaked Message
In an Unprecedented Move, the Wildly Popular 'Outfoxed' Moves from Video to Movie Theaters!
The Success of 'Outfoxed' is Driven by the Public's Hunger for Truth
Activist Movie Makers Feed the Nation's Hunger for the Truth
Kerry-Edwards: October Sized Crowds in July and August: America Loves the Nominees; Believe in America Tour Record Turnout
Superstar-studded 'Vote for Change' Coalition of Musicians Is Rocking the U.S.
After Giving Bush the Benefit of the Doubt in 2001, Springsteen Speaks Out against the Evil Empire
USA Today Turns Phony Poll Results into Excuse for Planting Bush Propaganda-Disguised-as-News
AP 'Analysis': Bush's Decision to Finally Overhaul Intelligence after THREE YEARS of Stalling Called 'Quick Move'
Why NBC Wants the 'War Time President' to Stay in Office - at any Cost
Bush's Republicans prepare for their 'dirty war' on Kerry
President George Bush's senior strategists have vowed to use the month of August to mount derisive and personal attacks on the Democratic candidate John Kerry in what is becoming an increasingly bitter election campaign.
The latest negative ad smear purchased and promoted by Bush Inc. features swift boat veterans who are willing to talk trash about a veteran for money. No one can say squat about Bush's military service because he was AWOL.
The TRUTH About John Kerry's TOURS of Duty
99% of Halliburton's Political Donations Go Straight to the GOP to Buy International Influence
ASST. REAGAN DEFENSE SECRETARY CONFIRMS BUSH AWOL FROM GUARD IN '72
Saudi prince gave Bush $130,000 in gifts
Krugman cites CNN convention bias
200 business leaders endorse Kerry
"The Kerry-Edwards plan for America is exactly what is needed to jumpstart businesses and get America working again," Chernin said in a statement released by the Kerry campaign.
The Kerry/Edwards Plan for America. Read the Overview, Download the Book
Consumer Spending Drops by 0.7 Percent, largest amount in three years
Kerry leads electoral college with 318
Amazon refuses book linking Bush, Saudis
Did FBI fabricate convention terror?
Detailed Accounts of Abuse at Guantanamo
Robert Fisk: Can’t Bush and Blair See Iraq Is About to Explode?
While the Americans and the British stay, Iraq is on a downward spiral
Allegations against Rep. Tom DeLay reveal seamless loop linking industry, lobbyists and war chests.
Abu Ghraib General Claims Conspiracy
William Greider shows why we're all TV critics now.
Kurd-Arab Violence May Explode In Kirkuk
Iraqi Children Detained By Coalition Forces
The Great Catholic Abortion-Communion Scandal
Bush gives money-strapped church (See pedophile priests/lawsuits) in exchange for denying communion to politicians who believe in a woman's right to choose, continuing the age-old descrimination by the Catholic Church and the Republican Party against women. Pedophiles, meanwhile, can still drink the koolade.
A New Progressive Era?
The Progressive Phone Book
Progressive links
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Quotations to live by
Here are some quotes with currency. They are by Presidents Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Jefferson, as well as Gandhi, Einstein, Mark Twain and a few others. Hope you enjoy, and find wisdom and courage therein.
- Anon
“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. ... corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.” -- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21,
1864 (letter to Col. William F. Elkins) Ref: “The Lincoln Encyclopedia”, Archer
H. Shaw (Macmillan, 1950, NY)
“Generally, news reporting and punditry are respectful of the rich and
disdainful of the poor.”-- Syndicated columnist Norman Solomon (from this article).
“There is a common tendency to ignore the poor or to develop some
rationalisation for the good fortune of the fortunate.”-- John Kenneth
Galbraith
“They make a desert and call it peace.”--
Tacitus, defining Roman imperialism
“There's enough on this planet for everyone's needs but not for everyone's greed”-- Mahatma Gandhi
“I destroy my enemy by making him my friend”-- Abraham Lincoln
“Except for religious conflicts and the petty wars of feudal lords, wars are primarily fought over resources and trade. President Woodrow Wilson recognized that this was the cause of World War I: ‘Is there any man, is there any woman, let me say any child here that does not know that the seed of war in the modern world is industrial and commercial rivalry?’”-- J.W. Smith, Economic Democracy: The Political Struggle for the Twenty-First Century,
“I never intend to adjust myself to the madness of militarism”-- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I dread our own power and our own ambition; I dread our being too much dreaded....We may say that we shall not abuse this astonishing and hitherto unheard-of-power. But every other nation will think we shall abuse it. It is impossible but that, sooner or later, this state of things must produce a combination against us which may end in our ruin.”-- Edmund Burke, describing his fears for the former British Empire
“More! More! is the cry of a mistaken soul.”-- William Blake
“Every corner of the public psyche is canvassed by some of the most talented citizens to see if the desire for some merchandisable product can be cultivated.”-- John Kenneth Galbraith
“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”-- H.L. Mencken
“[W]hat suffers in the atmosphere of immediacy is analysis. What suffers in this search for speed is depth. The media in the wealthy world are becoming increasingly simplistic, superficial, and celebrity-focused.”-- Laurie Garrett
“Live life simply so that others may simply live”-- Gandhi
“The first casualty when war comes is Truth”-- U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson, 1917
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”-- George Orwell
“What journalism is really about - it's to monitor power and the centres of power.”-- Amira Hass
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it... Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception.”-- Mark Twain, The Mysterious Stranger, 1916, Ch.9
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”-- Albert Einstein
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”-- Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President 1901-1909(From The American Presidency) [quoted from MediaChannel.org media in conflict news page.]
“A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt about a tragedy. He said, ‘I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.’ The grandson asked him, ‘Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?’ The grandfather answered, ‘The one I feed.’”-- a native American Indian story
“War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.”-- Thomas Jefferson
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. The world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children... This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.”-- Former U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a speech on April 16, 1953
“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day.”-- Theodore Roosevelt, on April 19, 1906
“To tackle the underlying roots of violence and conflict, we need a massive international effort to reduce poverty and injustice, and to promote development, democracy and human rights.”-- Clare Short
- Anon
“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. ... corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.” -- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21,
1864 (letter to Col. William F. Elkins) Ref: “The Lincoln Encyclopedia”, Archer
H. Shaw (Macmillan, 1950, NY)
“Generally, news reporting and punditry are respectful of the rich and
disdainful of the poor.”-- Syndicated columnist Norman Solomon (from this article).
“There is a common tendency to ignore the poor or to develop some
rationalisation for the good fortune of the fortunate.”-- John Kenneth
Galbraith
“They make a desert and call it peace.”--
Tacitus, defining Roman imperialism
“There's enough on this planet for everyone's needs but not for everyone's greed”-- Mahatma Gandhi
“I destroy my enemy by making him my friend”-- Abraham Lincoln
“Except for religious conflicts and the petty wars of feudal lords, wars are primarily fought over resources and trade. President Woodrow Wilson recognized that this was the cause of World War I: ‘Is there any man, is there any woman, let me say any child here that does not know that the seed of war in the modern world is industrial and commercial rivalry?’”-- J.W. Smith, Economic Democracy: The Political Struggle for the Twenty-First Century,
“I never intend to adjust myself to the madness of militarism”-- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I dread our own power and our own ambition; I dread our being too much dreaded....We may say that we shall not abuse this astonishing and hitherto unheard-of-power. But every other nation will think we shall abuse it. It is impossible but that, sooner or later, this state of things must produce a combination against us which may end in our ruin.”-- Edmund Burke, describing his fears for the former British Empire
“More! More! is the cry of a mistaken soul.”-- William Blake
“Every corner of the public psyche is canvassed by some of the most talented citizens to see if the desire for some merchandisable product can be cultivated.”-- John Kenneth Galbraith
“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”-- H.L. Mencken
“[W]hat suffers in the atmosphere of immediacy is analysis. What suffers in this search for speed is depth. The media in the wealthy world are becoming increasingly simplistic, superficial, and celebrity-focused.”-- Laurie Garrett
“Live life simply so that others may simply live”-- Gandhi
“The first casualty when war comes is Truth”-- U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson, 1917
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”-- George Orwell
“What journalism is really about - it's to monitor power and the centres of power.”-- Amira Hass
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it... Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception.”-- Mark Twain, The Mysterious Stranger, 1916, Ch.9
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”-- Albert Einstein
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”-- Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President 1901-1909(From The American Presidency) [quoted from MediaChannel.org media in conflict news page.]
“A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt about a tragedy. He said, ‘I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.’ The grandson asked him, ‘Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?’ The grandfather answered, ‘The one I feed.’”-- a native American Indian story
“War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.”-- Thomas Jefferson
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. The world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children... This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.”-- Former U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a speech on April 16, 1953
“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day.”-- Theodore Roosevelt, on April 19, 1906
“To tackle the underlying roots of violence and conflict, we need a massive international effort to reduce poverty and injustice, and to promote development, democracy and human rights.”-- Clare Short
Obama vs Keyes: The Greyhound and the Chihuahua
GOP wooing Keyes to take on Obama
O. Gliiiiiiiiiiide. Woof woof!
K. Yap yap yap yap yap!
I had hoped they would drag out this funny little man.
A more glaring contrast in styles can hardly be imagined.
Bring on the Keyester!
O. Gliiiiiiiiiiide. Woof woof!
K. Yap yap yap yap yap!
I had hoped they would drag out this funny little man.
A more glaring contrast in styles can hardly be imagined.
Bring on the Keyester!
Monday, August 02, 2004
Reports That Led to Terror Alert Were Years Old, Officials Say
OR: No need to come back to Washington, as Kerry urges vacationing Congress
"Much of the information that led the authorities to raise the terror alert at several large financial institutions in the New York City and Washington areas was three or four years old, intelligence and law enforcement officials said on Monday. They reported that they had not yet found concrete evidence that a terror plot or preparatory surveillance operations were still under way." (NY Times, August 3, 2004)
So let's see... Trump John Kerry, shock the people in blue states, like New York, New Jersey and Washington DC, ensure triple the protection during the Republican Convention, scare off any potential protestors...while we go on vacation.
But what is this? John Kerry is insisting we come back and take care of the "urgency"?
OK, OK! This was OLD information! Nothing urgent! Sorry a few people got the willies!
"Much of the information that led the authorities to raise the terror alert at several large financial institutions in the New York City and Washington areas was three or four years old, intelligence and law enforcement officials said on Monday. They reported that they had not yet found concrete evidence that a terror plot or preparatory surveillance operations were still under way." (NY Times, August 3, 2004)
So let's see... Trump John Kerry, shock the people in blue states, like New York, New Jersey and Washington DC, ensure triple the protection during the Republican Convention, scare off any potential protestors...while we go on vacation.
But what is this? John Kerry is insisting we come back and take care of the "urgency"?
OK, OK! This was OLD information! Nothing urgent! Sorry a few people got the willies!
37,000 Dead Civilians & other news
37,000 civilians dead?
According to an Iraqi activist group, more than 37,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the U.S. invasion in March, 2003. The People's Kifah told Al Jazeera that it is "100 percent sure" of the estimate, which it claims is based on extensive research by Iraqi academics who visited remote villages to collect their data.
Al Franken Radio Show to Be on Cable TV
NEW YORK - Satirist-commentator Al Franken will return to his TV roots next month when his radio show begins appearing on cable's Sundance Channel.
ALSO...Watch Al on Dave Letterman...tonight!
Who owns CNN? or MSNBC? ABC?
Think we have a free press?
Heinz Kerry: Four More Years of 'Hell' if Bush Wins
Teresa says what we all know. War is Hell...
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
Wolfowitz has Arab feminist girlfriend
A Republican laments: Where did my party go?
Is The Media 'Retarded' or Guilty of 'Group Think'?
According to an Iraqi activist group, more than 37,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the U.S. invasion in March, 2003. The People's Kifah told Al Jazeera that it is "100 percent sure" of the estimate, which it claims is based on extensive research by Iraqi academics who visited remote villages to collect their data.
Al Franken Radio Show to Be on Cable TV
NEW YORK - Satirist-commentator Al Franken will return to his TV roots next month when his radio show begins appearing on cable's Sundance Channel.
ALSO...Watch Al on Dave Letterman...tonight!
Who owns CNN? or MSNBC? ABC?
Think we have a free press?
Heinz Kerry: Four More Years of 'Hell' if Bush Wins
Teresa says what we all know. War is Hell...
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
Wolfowitz has Arab feminist girlfriend
A Republican laments: Where did my party go?
Is The Media 'Retarded' or Guilty of 'Group Think'?
Don't accept their gift of anger
"If someone offers you a gift, and you don't accept it...to whom does it belong? Don't accept their gift of anger."
In the movie, "Merlin", it is discovered that the only way to take away the power from the evil queen Mab is to turn your back on her. Ignore her. Refuse her "gifts".
It may be time to apply the same principles to the hate-mongering bloviators who are constantly angering, or "firing up", their listeners and viewers with rhetoric designed to create divisions and hatred.
I used to listen to these bearers of trojan horses, but invariably, the hatred would seep out, and I would find myself drowning in horseshit. Not a beautiful world. Not a world I care to support.
Remember the words of Barack Obama. We are the united States, and if anyone wants to gift you otherwise...don't accept it. Leave the hate and the bile ringing in their own ears. Let them taste their own bad medicine.
In the movie, "Merlin", it is discovered that the only way to take away the power from the evil queen Mab is to turn your back on her. Ignore her. Refuse her "gifts".
It may be time to apply the same principles to the hate-mongering bloviators who are constantly angering, or "firing up", their listeners and viewers with rhetoric designed to create divisions and hatred.
I used to listen to these bearers of trojan horses, but invariably, the hatred would seep out, and I would find myself drowning in horseshit. Not a beautiful world. Not a world I care to support.
Remember the words of Barack Obama. We are the united States, and if anyone wants to gift you otherwise...don't accept it. Leave the hate and the bile ringing in their own ears. Let them taste their own bad medicine.
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Bush: Worse than a flip-flopper
- BUSH 2000: "I am a uniter"
- 2004: America is more divided than it has ever been.
Is Bush a uniter? If he is (to paraphrase Patch Adams) ... he sucks at it. America is more divided now than it has ever been. Well, back to Adam, anyway. No, Bush is no uniter. Nor is Rush, O'Reilly, Falwell, or Big Media, all of whom profit from dividing people.
During wartime, this union is the most important thing a President should facilitate. By being divided, America is rendered less safe. And those that promote divisive issues -- such as can be witnessed, without fail, exhibit A, on FOX News, Rush Limbaugh, as well as MSNBC, CNBC, and even the major networks -- serve to weaken America. And it may be time to "just say no", and change the channel.
To win true peace, it may be wiser to seek guidance in time-tested books of wisdom, and not expect it to come from overpaid and overblown dropouts like Rush Limbaugh, or overpaid posers like Ted Koppel; to seek peace, itself, in music, art, conversation, literature...because angry people often make bad decisions. And anger is the by-product of division.
We need to calmly vote for a world of unity, a united...United States, and send these forces of division packing. We need to be the peace we would wish upon the world. And all this anger, all these attempts to divide people, are enemies of peace.
George Bush tarred himself the "War President". And war is hell. Why not dub himself the "Hell President"? Americans and the people of the world prefer Heaven to Hell. God to Satan. We are heading in the wrong direction. Downward. Where fires rage, shock AND awe abound. Fear beyond fear. People die cruel, violent and obscene deaths.
This is not Heaven, folks. And it is only going to get worse, if we don't change directions... and George W. Bush has promised to "stay the course".
If God is on any side, she is on the side of Peace.
For God's sake, show with your vote that you disapprove of all the killing and misery and division this Bush Administration has fostered.
And for the sake of the world, show them that we do not approve of our leader, or in this case, misleader, holding a gun to your heads. Americans have more respect for others than that.
We want to interact with the world, not isolate it.
We want to travel, not paint ourselves into a corner.
We want to be able to help others when we can, and receive help when we need it, not threaten others when we can, and receive threats...even if the American People don't deserve it.
We don't deserve it. We deserve better.
Vote for Hope over Fear, Unity over Division.
Vote John-John in November, and help us heal the wounds, divisions, and friendships old and new.
We are all Americans. Not just customers and division monkeys.
And we can be united.
We were united after 9/11. We rallied around the President...
because that is what we do!
In fact the whole world rallied around us.
But what did Bush do with all this unity? All this goodwill?
HE SQUANDERED IT!
And experience shows that he would probably do it again.
The world no longer trusts him. And why should they?
They were slapped in the face....made targets and called "Old Europe".
Can we afford to rally around a man who doesn't know how to use goodwill...who will take our support and spit it back at us?
We simply cannot. And let us pray that such a convenient event for political gain does not perch its evil claws on our soil.
There is hope beyond fear.
As the biblical John said: "Perfect Love casteth out all Fear".
Godspeed!
Thank you very much.
[From an address given by Anonymoses Hyperlincoln at the Hyperlincoln Institute for Serious Living, on August 1, 2004.]
Why blogging is important
by Anonymoses Hyperlincoln
August 1, 2004
"You try scrubbing. You try soaking."
(Anonymoses on greed and dishonesty in the bloated Media.)
I have essentially been blogging online since 1994. It just wasn't called that.
Blogging, or web logging, is, in its essence, a presence on the web, a blank slate (tools and tricks nothwithstanding) whereon a bloke or blokess may transfer the contents of his or her mind -- and, in the best cases, receive feedback for said contents. Feedback serves as a self-correcting tool, as others are allowed to show one the unwisdom of one's ways.
How many times have you heard one-way windbags exhorting their fixed ideas, which themselves could be pricked and deflated by the simplest statement, fact or principle?
Blogs allow you this safeguard against such mental squandering.
But even if one taketh no comment, one does at least have an easy way to write one's thoughts, which itself may cause the writer to better consider his or her thoughts and thought processes.
And unlike most forums and messageboards, blogs self-archive. How many years of writing swallowed by such messageboards, never to be retrieved! I could have compiled volumns!
In fact, I went through the added step of copying and pasting a month's worth of messageboard writing, in May of 2001, and it came to roughly 200 pages. All of which was fussed over, as if it were going to press.
This set me to thinking about alternatives. And blogging showed itself to be the best alternative...at least as regards archiving. Forums and messageboards are still good places for wider exchange, and, depending on the forum, may have a much more transformative effect upon one's thinking.
There are great blogs out there that treat of all manner of subject, but among the more interesting ones, at the moment, are the political blogs. And many have banded together to form coalitions, guilds, networks and so on. One can get a notion of the extremes of one's party by examining raw blogs. And by that, I mean those (most of them) that are not edited and passed through a gatekeeper.
IN PROGRESS...
August 1, 2004
"You try scrubbing. You try soaking."
(Anonymoses on greed and dishonesty in the bloated Media.)
I have essentially been blogging online since 1994. It just wasn't called that.
Blogging, or web logging, is, in its essence, a presence on the web, a blank slate (tools and tricks nothwithstanding) whereon a bloke or blokess may transfer the contents of his or her mind -- and, in the best cases, receive feedback for said contents. Feedback serves as a self-correcting tool, as others are allowed to show one the unwisdom of one's ways.
How many times have you heard one-way windbags exhorting their fixed ideas, which themselves could be pricked and deflated by the simplest statement, fact or principle?
Blogs allow you this safeguard against such mental squandering.
But even if one taketh no comment, one does at least have an easy way to write one's thoughts, which itself may cause the writer to better consider his or her thoughts and thought processes.
And unlike most forums and messageboards, blogs self-archive. How many years of writing swallowed by such messageboards, never to be retrieved! I could have compiled volumns!
In fact, I went through the added step of copying and pasting a month's worth of messageboard writing, in May of 2001, and it came to roughly 200 pages. All of which was fussed over, as if it were going to press.
This set me to thinking about alternatives. And blogging showed itself to be the best alternative...at least as regards archiving. Forums and messageboards are still good places for wider exchange, and, depending on the forum, may have a much more transformative effect upon one's thinking.
There are great blogs out there that treat of all manner of subject, but among the more interesting ones, at the moment, are the political blogs. And many have banded together to form coalitions, guilds, networks and so on. One can get a notion of the extremes of one's party by examining raw blogs. And by that, I mean those (most of them) that are not edited and passed through a gatekeeper.
IN PROGRESS...
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Republicans are defecting, Democrats are not
Top News Article Reuters.com
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Ohio resident Bob Stewart says of President Bush: "He's been a world-class polarizer. I don't know if I can stomach four more years with him as president. He misled us into the war in Iraq and has mismanaged everything since."
A raging Democrat? No, Stewart is a Republican, one of an unknown number of such voters who plan to back John Kerry, out of despair over the war in Iraq and disappointment over budget deficits and social policies. MORE
Oh, there might be one or two Democrats who have suddenly decided to vote for Bush, but these people have strayed from the path of goodness, and should be welcomed back into the fold, once they see the error of their ways.
Bush and the Right Wing bullies, liars and thieves, have robbed and hoodwinked for too long. They have tried to divide the United States. In other words, they have tried to create a Disunited States...and people, Americans are better than that. And we will show the World that we are not the War-loving, Mammoniacal, Power-hungry egoists the current administration hath foisted upon America and the World.
For those Republicans, Independents and Greens who are not paid operatives of these few and still powerful, I want to welcome you to join with us, let's make it a mandate, and remove these disuniters from our, the people's, White House.
____________________________________
...for many Republicans, their Party has literally "left the building". And we will take up that building, and will build a better America and World.
___________________________
As witnessed during the Convention, the Democratic Party has not left the people. It has united the people. And we want you to join us. Your better future is also our wish. And we can work toward a nation and world where everyone can live in Peace and flourish.
But for many Republicans, their Party has literally "left the building". And we will take up that building, and will build a better America and World.
Join us in this fight. It is the right thing to do. The very United States and World are at stake.
We'll leave the light on for ya!
- dk beckwith
Anonymoses Hyperlincoln
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Ohio resident Bob Stewart says of President Bush: "He's been a world-class polarizer. I don't know if I can stomach four more years with him as president. He misled us into the war in Iraq and has mismanaged everything since."
A raging Democrat? No, Stewart is a Republican, one of an unknown number of such voters who plan to back John Kerry, out of despair over the war in Iraq and disappointment over budget deficits and social policies. MORE
Oh, there might be one or two Democrats who have suddenly decided to vote for Bush, but these people have strayed from the path of goodness, and should be welcomed back into the fold, once they see the error of their ways.
Bush and the Right Wing bullies, liars and thieves, have robbed and hoodwinked for too long. They have tried to divide the United States. In other words, they have tried to create a Disunited States...and people, Americans are better than that. And we will show the World that we are not the War-loving, Mammoniacal, Power-hungry egoists the current administration hath foisted upon America and the World.
For those Republicans, Independents and Greens who are not paid operatives of these few and still powerful, I want to welcome you to join with us, let's make it a mandate, and remove these disuniters from our, the people's, White House.
____________________________________
...for many Republicans, their Party has literally "left the building". And we will take up that building, and will build a better America and World.
___________________________
As witnessed during the Convention, the Democratic Party has not left the people. It has united the people. And we want you to join us. Your better future is also our wish. And we can work toward a nation and world where everyone can live in Peace and flourish.
But for many Republicans, their Party has literally "left the building". And we will take up that building, and will build a better America and World.
Join us in this fight. It is the right thing to do. The very United States and World are at stake.
We'll leave the light on for ya!
- dk beckwith
Anonymoses Hyperlincoln
"Ambition makes them greedy, and mediocrity makes them cheat and lie." - AnonyMoses
Vicarious Whore - July 28th, 2004 Whilst perusing the World Wild Web, I stumbled upon one of my own quotes on Paigegirl's blog. Wanted to acknowledge her, and her wondrous contributions...
More quotes and much more here.
More quotes and much more here.
Friday, July 30, 2004
When the Mainstream is Polluted
by Anonymoses Hyperlincoln
July 30, 2004
One of the phrases that keeps making its rounds is: "outside the mainstream", as in "Mike Moore is outside the mainstream". But what is this "mainstream". And what does it mean to be outside the mainstream". Indeed, what does it mean to be "inside the mainstream".
And what if... the mainstream is polluted?
Over the coming weeks, we at The Anonymoses Hyperlincoln Institute for Serious Living, will explore these issues, and hope that we can all gain for our expanding understanding of "the mainstream", so that when the mainstream has to finally grow up and accept responsibility, it will do so armed with the knowledge, wisdom and courage it takes to finally leave the mainstream, and set out as an individual, with thoughts and visions of one's own.
The so-called "mainstream" is arguably already polluted, due to the principle:
"Garbage in, garbage out."
And, that the mainstream has been fed a diet of garbage for so many years now, is irrefutable. Violence, fear, deception, baseness...these are the words to describe the shows watched by "the mainstream", while those outside the mainstream are seeking knowledge, wisdom, truth, and beauty elsewhere -- the web, books, in music and art, in social gatherings, and in churches and universities.
One problem with the mainstream can best be described by referring the reader to a recent news event: The 9/11 Report. In the 9/11 report, one of the main causes for the failure of the Bush Administration, and on down, was this:
GROUPTHINK
Schopenhauer put it this way:
"DULL MINDS THINK ALIKE"
The idea of a "mainstream" presupposes a fair amount of said "groupthink"; thinking alike.
And indeed, there is a quote that is popular in America which says just the opposite...namely that "great minds think alike". I guess this is a convenient justification for groupthink. Just like "Finders keepers, losers weepers" is a convenient justification for theft. Both demand examination. Why can't it be: "Finders leavers, losers finders"? In some cultures you don't have to worry about leaving an item here or there, or that some brat will come along and lift it, skanking away with the phrase of justification singing in his head. But I digress...
One should not feel inferior for not being in the mainstream, unless, perhaps, you mean the mainstream of humanity. But only inhumane acts and wishes will boot you from that camp. It is your birthright, and it is squandered away by but a few.
Do not reward these few. And certainly don't elect them into high office.
July 30, 2004
One of the phrases that keeps making its rounds is: "outside the mainstream", as in "Mike Moore is outside the mainstream". But what is this "mainstream". And what does it mean to be outside the mainstream". Indeed, what does it mean to be "inside the mainstream".
And what if... the mainstream is polluted?
Over the coming weeks, we at The Anonymoses Hyperlincoln Institute for Serious Living, will explore these issues, and hope that we can all gain for our expanding understanding of "the mainstream", so that when the mainstream has to finally grow up and accept responsibility, it will do so armed with the knowledge, wisdom and courage it takes to finally leave the mainstream, and set out as an individual, with thoughts and visions of one's own.
The so-called "mainstream" is arguably already polluted, due to the principle:
"Garbage in, garbage out."
And, that the mainstream has been fed a diet of garbage for so many years now, is irrefutable. Violence, fear, deception, baseness...these are the words to describe the shows watched by "the mainstream", while those outside the mainstream are seeking knowledge, wisdom, truth, and beauty elsewhere -- the web, books, in music and art, in social gatherings, and in churches and universities.
One problem with the mainstream can best be described by referring the reader to a recent news event: The 9/11 Report. In the 9/11 report, one of the main causes for the failure of the Bush Administration, and on down, was this:
GROUPTHINK
Schopenhauer put it this way:
"DULL MINDS THINK ALIKE"
The idea of a "mainstream" presupposes a fair amount of said "groupthink"; thinking alike.
And indeed, there is a quote that is popular in America which says just the opposite...namely that "great minds think alike". I guess this is a convenient justification for groupthink. Just like "Finders keepers, losers weepers" is a convenient justification for theft. Both demand examination. Why can't it be: "Finders leavers, losers finders"? In some cultures you don't have to worry about leaving an item here or there, or that some brat will come along and lift it, skanking away with the phrase of justification singing in his head. But I digress...
One should not feel inferior for not being in the mainstream, unless, perhaps, you mean the mainstream of humanity. But only inhumane acts and wishes will boot you from that camp. It is your birthright, and it is squandered away by but a few.
Do not reward these few. And certainly don't elect them into high office.
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Climate Change & the Texas Floods
Ignore warnings at own peril
DALLAS (AP) - Fierce overnight storms dropped up to 13 inches of rain in the Dallas area, flooding highways and homes, knocking out power to thousands and collapsing the roof of a 911 call center.
DALLAS (AP) - Fierce overnight storms dropped up to 13 inches of rain in the Dallas area, flooding highways and homes, knocking out power to thousands and collapsing the roof of a 911 call center.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Anonymoses predicts: "Hope is on the way!"
From the "Draft Kerry-Edwards website" March, 2004
I have long recognized that Edwards is one of the best things to happen to the Democratic Party, and, frankly, America, in a long time. So to see that someone had the foreskin, I mean foresight, to cobble together this wondrous tribute to our highest future, is, well, supercalifragilistic, if not expialidocious. Darned prescient too!
I would like to invite you to my little blog thang, whereon I have some of the best images of Gentleman Edwards I have yet to see. And, I would submit, a better choice than exists presently on this site. Think Diane Arbus. The opposite of Diane Arbus.In other words, use photos that bring out that which he naturally has, but which is often missed in photos. (And no, I am not talking about the mole!) I'm talking about his naturalness, integrity, intellectual curiosity, caring, listening, and his passion, intelligence, elegance, grace, and wit.
Things merely staged in the current officeholder.
God bless this endeavor. There IS hope in the world. Help is on the way...
Godspeed.
-Anonymoses-Charlotte, NCPosted by Anonymoses at March 12, 2004 11:24 PM
I have long recognized that Edwards is one of the best things to happen to the Democratic Party, and, frankly, America, in a long time. So to see that someone had the foreskin, I mean foresight, to cobble together this wondrous tribute to our highest future, is, well, supercalifragilistic, if not expialidocious. Darned prescient too!
I would like to invite you to my little blog thang, whereon I have some of the best images of Gentleman Edwards I have yet to see. And, I would submit, a better choice than exists presently on this site. Think Diane Arbus. The opposite of Diane Arbus.In other words, use photos that bring out that which he naturally has, but which is often missed in photos. (And no, I am not talking about the mole!) I'm talking about his naturalness, integrity, intellectual curiosity, caring, listening, and his passion, intelligence, elegance, grace, and wit.
Things merely staged in the current officeholder.
God bless this endeavor. There IS hope in the world. Help is on the way...
Godspeed.
-Anonymoses-Charlotte, NCPosted by Anonymoses at March 12, 2004 11:24 PM
World's most boring man, Sen. Bob Graham, says "nucular"
"Good thing we didn't pick him!", Democrats exhale.
Poor Bob Graham. Having to follow the the Reverend Sharpton. And after Sharpton knocked numerous homeruns, rousing the crowd with extended applause. And after Sharpton indicted the Bush Administration so powerfully. Poor Bob Graham.
And then to hear him punctuate his moribund awkwardness with the non-word, "nucular"!
The one issue the Democrats were going to mop the floor with.
In short, Graham speech. bad. Sharpton speech, Ciceronian.
Poor Bob Graham. Having to follow the the Reverend Sharpton. And after Sharpton knocked numerous homeruns, rousing the crowd with extended applause. And after Sharpton indicted the Bush Administration so powerfully. Poor Bob Graham.
And then to hear him punctuate his moribund awkwardness with the non-word, "nucular"!
The one issue the Democrats were going to mop the floor with.
In short, Graham speech. bad. Sharpton speech, Ciceronian.
Bloggers: "the true pit bulls of reporting" - Arianna Huffington
"the blogosphere has become the most vital and important news source in our country."
"Big media can't see the forest for the trees -- until it's assembled for them by the bloggers."
These things and more at HyperLincoln
Arianna Huffington: Blogger Heaven
"Big media can't see the forest for the trees -- until it's assembled for them by the bloggers."
These things and more at HyperLincoln
That's why I am such a big fan of Internet-based reporters and bloggers. When these folks decide that something matters, they chomp down hard and refuse to let go. They're the true pit bulls of reporting. The only way to get them off a story is to cut off their heads (and even then you need to pry their jaws open). And because of the nature of Internet journalism, they will often start with a small story, or a piece of one -- a contradictory quote, an unearthed document, a detail that doesn't add up -- that the big outlets would deem too minor. But it's only minor until, well, it's not. Big media can't see the forest for the trees -- until it's assembled for them by the bloggers. That's why the blogosphere has become the most vital and important news source in our country.."
Arianna Huffington: Blogger Heaven
Nancy Reagan Just Says NO to Republicans
Nancy Reagan won't be speaking at the Republican Convention this year, since the policies of the RadCons sentenced her husband, President Ronald Reagan, a real President, to death.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Barack Obama: One Spoke in the Hub
The Speech that Put America Back Together
The Networks didn't want you to see your future. Some things never change.
But those of us who told the Networks to f*ck off, and tuned into PBS, got to see the great Barack Obama, and know now that his words will stand as among the most inspirational in this historic and exceptional convention.
Mr. Obama, the "Tiger Woods of Politics", found the most important message, which is...
Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us,
the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.
Well, I say to them tonight...
there's not a liberal America and a conservative America —
there's the United States of America.
There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America;
there's the United States of America.
The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States;
Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats.
But I've got news for them, too...
We worship an awesome God in the Blue States,
and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States.
We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States.
There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it.
We are one people...
all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes,
all of us defending the United States of America...
- Barack Obama (2004 Democratic Convention, Boston, Mass)
_____________________________________________________
Our future is brighter...
Kerry picks Edwards. Edwards picks Obama. Now we got a future...
The Networks didn't want you to see your future. Some things never change.
But those of us who told the Networks to f*ck off, and tuned into PBS, got to see the great Barack Obama, and know now that his words will stand as among the most inspirational in this historic and exceptional convention.
Mr. Obama, the "Tiger Woods of Politics", found the most important message, which is...
Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us,
the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.
Well, I say to them tonight...
there's not a liberal America and a conservative America —
there's the United States of America.
There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America;
there's the United States of America.
The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States;
Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats.
But I've got news for them, too...
We worship an awesome God in the Blue States,
and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States.
We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States.
There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it.
We are one people...
all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes,
all of us defending the United States of America...
- Barack Obama (2004 Democratic Convention, Boston, Mass)
_____________________________________________________
Our future is brighter...
Kerry picks Edwards. Edwards picks Obama. Now we got a future...
Did Brokaw, Jennings and Rather watch the Convention during Primetime?
If so...why can't we? If not, why not?
-HyperLincoln
I don't know about Cable. I yanked it from my TV set after their pathetic performance during the Selection of 2000. I could not trust Cable.
But I do know about ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS, and of these, PBS is the only reason I don't simply throw the TV out the window. But even they had pundits who talked over valuable films and speakers.
Liberal Media MY ASS!
My questions to Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather are these:
1. Did you watch the Convention during the four hours of "prime time"?
2. If so, why is it that you can see it, and we can't? Are you more important than Carter, Gore, and the American People?
3. If not, why not? Do you not deem it important enough? Are you afraid you will be moved, and thus risk your Republican shillability?
4. Are you receiving memos, like the lemmings of FOX News? Or are you the ones putting out the memos?
5. Are the memos by people who are more important than President Carter? If so, please tell us who these megabosses are? They may pay you money, but we pay you eyeballs and ears...and sadly, minds and hearts as well. And you wouldn't be where you are without our eyes and ears; our hearts and minds...
Show us as much as you can. Try hard. Lord knows you make enough! And Lord knows many of you have performed great acts of bravery and courage. Use that courage now!
Don't prostitute yourselves to your paycheck. Go above and beyond!
Why The Republicans want to reduce the coverage
They can't fill up the time. They haven't people or ideas.
So why is it that pharmaceutical ads wind up on the screen instead of Jimmy Carter or Al Gore? Well, for one, they pay to disrupt the coverage. For another, the GOP realizes that the less the people hear and know, the better off they are.
I'd go one step further and say...if they have to know more, make sure it is confusing, distractive, or divisive.
Clinton: "THEY NEED a divided America...WE DON'T"
President Clinton warns about GOP, Big Media
In what has been called the best speech of all time, Bill Clinton spelled out the differences between Kerry and Bush, the Democrats and the Republicans. He summed it up by warning, "They need a divided America...WE don't."
As it turns out, the same can be said for the Big Media...who are proving to be, like FOX, just another arm of the Republican Party.
____________________________________________
"You look like George W. reading Children's books while the towers, and America, tumble down."
____________________________________________
What we are witnessing needs to be documented as Exhibit A, when the perpetrators are finely brought to trial. We see a foreshadowing in "Outfoxed" of how to get the dominant Media to either play it straight, or be upfront with their bias...even if it is simply telling the audience, like Bill Clinton did, that they are in the top 1%.
And after doing that, how 'bout do some reading, from the classics, on Mammon, sins of omission and hubris. You may ask yourselves why you are being so lazy, here at the most important time of our lives?
You look like George W. reading Children's books while the towers, and America, tumble down.
As a blogger, with a conscience, I am glad I am not you.
- HyperLincoln - July 27, 2004
-HyperLincoln
I don't know about Cable. I yanked it from my TV set after their pathetic performance during the Selection of 2000. I could not trust Cable.
But I do know about ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS, and of these, PBS is the only reason I don't simply throw the TV out the window. But even they had pundits who talked over valuable films and speakers.
Liberal Media MY ASS!
My questions to Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather are these:
1. Did you watch the Convention during the four hours of "prime time"?
2. If so, why is it that you can see it, and we can't? Are you more important than Carter, Gore, and the American People?
3. If not, why not? Do you not deem it important enough? Are you afraid you will be moved, and thus risk your Republican shillability?
4. Are you receiving memos, like the lemmings of FOX News? Or are you the ones putting out the memos?
5. Are the memos by people who are more important than President Carter? If so, please tell us who these megabosses are? They may pay you money, but we pay you eyeballs and ears...and sadly, minds and hearts as well. And you wouldn't be where you are without our eyes and ears; our hearts and minds...
Show us as much as you can. Try hard. Lord knows you make enough! And Lord knows many of you have performed great acts of bravery and courage. Use that courage now!
Don't prostitute yourselves to your paycheck. Go above and beyond!
Why The Republicans want to reduce the coverage
They can't fill up the time. They haven't people or ideas.
So why is it that pharmaceutical ads wind up on the screen instead of Jimmy Carter or Al Gore? Well, for one, they pay to disrupt the coverage. For another, the GOP realizes that the less the people hear and know, the better off they are.
I'd go one step further and say...if they have to know more, make sure it is confusing, distractive, or divisive.
Clinton: "THEY NEED a divided America...WE DON'T"
President Clinton warns about GOP, Big Media
In what has been called the best speech of all time, Bill Clinton spelled out the differences between Kerry and Bush, the Democrats and the Republicans. He summed it up by warning, "They need a divided America...WE don't."
As it turns out, the same can be said for the Big Media...who are proving to be, like FOX, just another arm of the Republican Party.
____________________________________________
"You look like George W. reading Children's books while the towers, and America, tumble down."
____________________________________________
What we are witnessing needs to be documented as Exhibit A, when the perpetrators are finely brought to trial. We see a foreshadowing in "Outfoxed" of how to get the dominant Media to either play it straight, or be upfront with their bias...even if it is simply telling the audience, like Bill Clinton did, that they are in the top 1%.
And after doing that, how 'bout do some reading, from the classics, on Mammon, sins of omission and hubris. You may ask yourselves why you are being so lazy, here at the most important time of our lives?
You look like George W. reading Children's books while the towers, and America, tumble down.
As a blogger, with a conscience, I am glad I am not you.
- HyperLincoln - July 27, 2004
Iddybud on Carter's Speech at the Convention
The Honorable James Carter, President of the United States
Speech given at the Democratic Convention
Boston, Massachusetts
July, 26, 2004
________________________________________
He says he's doing everything he can to put John Kerry in the White House with John Edwards beside him. After seeing former President Jimmy Carter speak at the Democratic convention last night, I was convinced of his commitment. He waxed nostalgic for days past, when he believed that the goodness, honesty, compassion, decency, and competency of the government was more reflective of the nature of the American people.
He stressed the fact that he preserved the peace for this country in the U.S. Navy under two other former presidents, a Democrat named Harry Truman and a Republican named Dwight D. Eisenhower, both of whom had faced active military responsibilities with honor.
They knew the horrors of war before they'd come to office.
They'd used restraint, wise judgement, and possessed a clear sense of mission due to their experience in the field.
They never put an American soldier at risk in wars in which the nation's utmost vital interests had not been threatened...
...nor did they mislead the citizens of the nation.
He stressed that John Kerry had shown up for duty and served with honor and distinction in the Navy. Like Truman and Eisenhower before him, John Kerry knows the horrors of war and the responsibilities of leadership.
In the war on terror, Jimmy Carter convinced me that he truly believed John Kerry would restore good judgement and maturity to our Oval Office. I think, after all is said and done this election year, there is no greater issue on the American mind than national security. After 9/11, we are a changed people who have lost our sixties-era innocence of belief that the world is going to be, by its own nature, existing in a state of permanent peace.
The fact that we are changed does not mean we are afraid. It means we are aware and alert to a reality we never fully knew existed before that beautiful autumn morning three years ago in New York City. Our finest Intelligence agencies didn't even grasp the reality. Knowing we are vulnerable to violence borne of such bitterness that exists outside our borders doesn't mean we need a war president to plot more unnecessary wars which will, no doubt, create more bitterness.
We have a great challenge facing us that should not be ours to face alone. This is an international challenge.
If our government cannot be truthful in their commitment to a measured peace or respectful, by its actions, for civil liberties and human rights, our nation shall fall from grace as an esteemed global leader.
The fall has already begun.
Our credibility has been shattered.
We are once again becoming an isolated nation, which not only endangers our freedoms as Americans as regular (now vulnerable) travelers of the world outside our borders, but takes us backward in the economic strides we've made in the world. If Americans are "safer" today because of Bush's wars, that safety zone doesn't go much further than the borders of their own American homes. We've made little progress in protecting our own homeland. You'd have to be delusional to miss the fact that new terrorists are being recruited and Iraq is on the brink of civil war while our troops still carry the full risk of their security issues.
Last night, Jimmy Carter said his words with bright-eyes and a smile that had the wisdom of many years of service to our nation and the good of mankind behind it. He told us that, "without truth — without trust — America cannot flourish". Trust is the sacred covenant between a president and his people and when that trust is broken, the bonds that hold our republic together begin to weaken.
Trust is the sacred covenant between a president and his people and when that trust is broken, the bonds that hold our republic together begin to weaken.
There was a time Mr. Carter felt that we understood the positive link between the defense of our own freedom and the promotion of human rights. He believes this has been severely damaged by extremism in our recent foreign policy, which has disunited our nation from our allies. He spoke of the fact that, for the first time since Israel became a nation, the Middle East process has come to a "screeching halt". Radical departures from pre-9/11 policies (which were based upon key American principles and values) have squandered our opportunity for much-needed world cooperation in the war on terror.
Carter believes that John Kerry will recommit our nation to common-sense principles that should transcend partisan differences. such as commitment to human rights; historic self-confidence (vs. fear and war-mongering); and a political agenda commited to uniting the country. Above all, Mr. Carter stated that in the world at large, we cannot lead if our leaders mislead.
He says he's doing everything he can to put John Kerry in the White House with John Edwards beside him. After seeing former President Jimmy Carter speak at the Democratic convention last night, I was convinced of his commitment. He waxed nostalgic for days past, when he believed that the goodness, honesty, compassion, decency, and competency of the government was more reflective of the nature of the American people.
He stressed the fact that he preserved the peace for this country in the U.S. Navy under two other former presidents, a Democrat named Harry Truman and a Republican named Dwight D. Eisenhower, both of whom had faced active military responsibilities with honor.
They knew the horrors of war before they'd come to office.
They'd used restraint, wise judgement, and possessed a clear sense of mission due to their experience in the field.
They never put an American soldier at risk in wars in which the nation's utmost vital interests had not been threatened...
...nor did they mislead the citizens of the nation.
He stressed that John Kerry had shown up for duty and served with honor and distinction in the Navy. Like Truman and Eisenhower before him, John Kerry knows the horrors of war and the responsibilities of leadership.
In the war on terror, Jimmy Carter convinced me that he truly believed John Kerry would restore good judgement and maturity to our Oval Office. I think, after all is said and done this election year, there is no greater issue on the American mind than national security. After 9/11, we are a changed people who have lost our sixties-era innocence of belief that the world is going to be, by its own nature, existing in a state of permanent peace.
The fact that we are changed does not mean we are afraid. It means we are aware and alert to a reality we never fully knew existed before that beautiful autumn morning three years ago in New York City. Our finest Intelligence agencies didn't even grasp the reality. Knowing we are vulnerable to violence borne of such bitterness that exists outside our borders doesn't mean we need a war president to plot more unnecessary wars which will, no doubt, create more bitterness.
We have a great challenge facing us that should not be ours to face alone. This is an international challenge.
If our government cannot be truthful in their commitment to a measured peace or respectful, by its actions, for civil liberties and human rights, our nation shall fall from grace as an esteemed global leader.
The fall has already begun.
Our credibility has been shattered.
We are once again becoming an isolated nation, which not only endangers our freedoms as Americans as regular (now vulnerable) travelers of the world outside our borders, but takes us backward in the economic strides we've made in the world. If Americans are "safer" today because of Bush's wars, that safety zone doesn't go much further than the borders of their own American homes. We've made little progress in protecting our own homeland. You'd have to be delusional to miss the fact that new terrorists are being recruited and Iraq is on the brink of civil war while our troops still carry the full risk of their security issues.
Last night, Jimmy Carter said his words with bright-eyes and a smile that had the wisdom of many years of service to our nation and the good of mankind behind it. He told us that, "without truth — without trust — America cannot flourish". Trust is the sacred covenant between a president and his people and when that trust is broken, the bonds that hold our republic together begin to weaken.
Trust is the sacred covenant between a president and his people and when that trust is broken, the bonds that hold our republic together begin to weaken.
There was a time Mr. Carter felt that we understood the positive link between the defense of our own freedom and the promotion of human rights. He believes this has been severely damaged by extremism in our recent foreign policy, which has disunited our nation from our allies. He spoke of the fact that, for the first time since Israel became a nation, the Middle East process has come to a "screeching halt". Radical departures from pre-9/11 policies (which were based upon key American principles and values) have squandered our opportunity for much-needed world cooperation in the war on terror.
Carter believes that John Kerry will recommit our nation to common-sense principles that should transcend partisan differences. such as commitment to human rights; historic self-confidence (vs. fear and war-mongering); and a political agenda commited to uniting the country. Above all, Mr. Carter stated that in the world at large, we cannot lead if our leaders mislead.
Mr. Carter's core message on national security defined John Kerry's mission well. The issue is "whether America will provide global leadership that springs from the unity and integrity of the American people or whether extremist doctrines and the manipulation of truth will define America’s role in the world."
Jimmy Carter seemed confident and credible in what I believe was the best speech of the Convention to date. I believe he convinced many Americans that he truly trusts John Kerry to lead America back to greatness.
- Jude Nagurney-Camwell
Monday, July 26, 2004
Carolina: If you can't vote for Edwards...don't vote against him!
John Edwards is the bridge between the two Carolinas. Born in South Carolina, raised in North Carolina, Senator Edwards -- a man, a gentleman, who has honorably represented our states, could well become the windfall we have so long deserved.
The towns and cities that are his roots, will blossom in tourism money alone! Exponentially!
But the entire states of North and South Carolina will benefit from an Edwards and Kerry victory...again, in just tourism dollars...some of which will be converted into future businesses, and such, since they will obviously love it, and want to relocate here.
A vote for Edwards is a vote for the Carolinas. Both of them.
But a vote for Bush is a vote for Texas...not a state we generally want to emulate. We are, frankly, better than that.
A victory for Edwards is a victory in every way. Tourism dollars are just the tip of the iceberg. Use your imagination. Manufacturing relief comes to mind. But I suspect the Carolinas will also become the hub of alternative energy and other 21st century endeavors.
Be optimistic! Vote FOR Edwards. But if you still can't...please don't vote AGAINST him, because it will be a vote against our future. A happy tourist is infinitely more desirable than a hostile one. We need to repair at home and abroad. And Edwards will be the conduit of our good ideas. Lord knows we need good ideas!
TASTE, CLASS, SINCERITY
John Edwards shares the same values as most Carolinians: Taste, Class and Sincerity. But these qualities are not just prized in the Carolinas...they are also qualities valued throughout the Southeast. And speaking from the experience of having lived a decade in New England...these are also qualities valued in that region. And also because of my years there, I was also able to see many hours of John Kerry over the years, and can testify that he too shares these values.
By Taste, I mean, among other things, Discernment. It is better to read Pat Conroy or Reynolds Price than to watch violence on TV, for instance. And Class demands a certain noblesse oblige, or sense of duty to serve those who need it. Sincerity means to be a good steward because you are a good steward, not for some ego boost, or financial recompense.
There are, of course, many other values that we all share: Honesty, Integrity, Openness, Friendliness, Sacrifice, Freedom, Liberty, Truth, Family, Love, Humor... and in among these, not one is not without home in the Kerry/Edwards ticket.
We should be happy these two gentlemen came along to guide us back to civility and respect around the globe.
It is how we ALL win.
LoveCat Music: Walking Through
LoveCat Music
KAYA PROJECT is the latest CD from Sebastian Taylor, a co-founder of ANGEL TEARS. "Walking Through", KAYA PROJECT's debut CD, is a downtempo fusion of cutting-edge beats, electronica and diverse sounds and vocals from Hawaii, India, the Middle East and Europe.
KAYA PROJECT is the latest CD from Sebastian Taylor, a co-founder of ANGEL TEARS. "Walking Through", KAYA PROJECT's debut CD, is a downtempo fusion of cutting-edge beats, electronica and diverse sounds and vocals from Hawaii, India, the Middle East and Europe.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
"You guys are a hell of a lot more important than your bosses are willing to admit."
Jim Lehrer: Champion of the People
EXCERPT:
"I think that starting tomorrow, we're going to have four of the eight most important days we can have as a nation," said Lehrer, criticizing CBS's Dan Rather, ABC's Peter Jennings, and NBC's Tom Brokaw for not getting more air time. "I'm sorry. You guys are a hell of a lot more important than your bosses are willing to admit."
Addressing the challenges of covering politics in a politically polarized environment, CBS Rather stated that "fear has increased in every newsroom in America," and added that reporting on explosive issues can bring a torrent of e-mails and phone calls. That can lead to a situation, he said, in which journalists conclude that "when you run this story, you're asking for trouble with a capital 'T'. . . Why run it?"
EXCERPT:
"I think that starting tomorrow, we're going to have four of the eight most important days we can have as a nation," said Lehrer, criticizing CBS's Dan Rather, ABC's Peter Jennings, and NBC's Tom Brokaw for not getting more air time. "I'm sorry. You guys are a hell of a lot more important than your bosses are willing to admit."
Addressing the challenges of covering politics in a politically polarized environment, CBS Rather stated that "fear has increased in every newsroom in America," and added that reporting on explosive issues can bring a torrent of e-mails and phone calls. That can lead to a situation, he said, in which journalists conclude that "when you run this story, you're asking for trouble with a capital 'T'. . . Why run it?"
Saturday, July 24, 2004
HyperLincoln: Clearinghouse for Democratic Convention & The Bloggers who Cover it
HyperLincoln: "hyperlinkin' the blognoscenti"
For a one-stop look at what is going on with the Democratic Convention, you can now go to HyperLincoln, who has now recruited the exceptional Jude Camwell (Iddybud), who was one of the bloggers who was invited to cover the convention.
HyperLincoln will be covering the speakers, the invited and disinvited bloggers, as well as other blognoscenti who have been doing great work in covering the election, the convention, and many other things relevant to making wise choices when the time comes to pull the levers.
For a one-stop look at what is going on with the Democratic Convention, you can now go to HyperLincoln, who has now recruited the exceptional Jude Camwell (Iddybud), who was one of the bloggers who was invited to cover the convention.
HyperLincoln will be covering the speakers, the invited and disinvited bloggers, as well as other blognoscenti who have been doing great work in covering the election, the convention, and many other things relevant to making wise choices when the time comes to pull the levers.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall...
Haaretz - Israel News - Jews between Israel and France
(via ConventionBlogger and Josh Marshall)
Here is an excellent editorial by Haaretz on Sharon's misguided demand that France's Jews come immediately to Israel...
Lord knows Mr. Sharon is trying to protect Israel and the Jewish people, but one wonders if the less honorable things he has done in his life have not, perhaps, tainted his judgement.
Some day, the Jews, the Muslims, and the Christians will trade in their historical hatred, and make that quantum leap to Universal Love...as their, and our, God would wish upon us all.
As a citizen of the American South who has lived through the riots and hatred, I know these things can be overcome. I wish the Middle East, and indeed, the World...Godspeed!
The weapons of war have become too dangerous, and our consciences have become too desiccated by fear, to carry on...without dire results that will spoil what good remains.
People may want revenge...but not if it means sacrificing friends and family, for the short-term satisfaction of getting that revenge...which only pushes the cyle forward, ever-forward.
Forgiveness, as Dag Hammerskold once said, breaks the chain of causality.
Trust in Mister Sharon will surely wane with his recent remarks. And trust has dwindled considerably for Mister Bush.
It may well be time for both our countries to find more trustworthy leaders for whom Peace IS a virtue, and Universal Love is a possibility.
(via ConventionBlogger and Josh Marshall)
Here is an excellent editorial by Haaretz on Sharon's misguided demand that France's Jews come immediately to Israel...
Lord knows Mr. Sharon is trying to protect Israel and the Jewish people, but one wonders if the less honorable things he has done in his life have not, perhaps, tainted his judgement.
Some day, the Jews, the Muslims, and the Christians will trade in their historical hatred, and make that quantum leap to Universal Love...as their, and our, God would wish upon us all.
As a citizen of the American South who has lived through the riots and hatred, I know these things can be overcome. I wish the Middle East, and indeed, the World...Godspeed!
The weapons of war have become too dangerous, and our consciences have become too desiccated by fear, to carry on...without dire results that will spoil what good remains.
People may want revenge...but not if it means sacrificing friends and family, for the short-term satisfaction of getting that revenge...which only pushes the cyle forward, ever-forward.
Forgiveness, as Dag Hammerskold once said, breaks the chain of causality.
Trust in Mister Sharon will surely wane with his recent remarks. And trust has dwindled considerably for Mister Bush.
It may well be time for both our countries to find more trustworthy leaders for whom Peace IS a virtue, and Universal Love is a possibility.
Friday, July 23, 2004
People even dumber than Bush walk out of Ronstadt concert on cue
White girlie-men are intimidated by sweet little Linda
White apologists for Bush, following marching orders from Right Wing bloviators, are photographed doing their lemming best.
White apologists for Bush, following marching orders from Right Wing bloviators, are photographed doing their lemming best.
A Year Ago on Anonymoses...
Weapons of Goliath
Anonymoses, July 31, 2003
In 1991, Noam Chomsky spoke of some of the atrocities of the first war in Iraq:
There was an awesome demonstration of this in Iraq./ Military operations were designed so that no battles took place...When U.S. troops entered Kuwait they were led by a battalion of engineers using bulldozers. These were used to bury possibly thousands of Iraqi soldiers alive in their trenches. They simply drove the bulldozers over the trenches and buried the soldiers alive. This is a horrible war crime, but nobody cares. Nonetheless, it does reveal something about U.S. military planning. If you attack someone who can defend themselves, you don't send bulldozers into battle. This makes it clear that the United States had prepared everything in such a way that there was never going to be a war. And effectively, there never was a war, only slaughter and atrocities.
-Noam Chomsky
When I hear about the graves of dead soldiers we now keep "finding"...whom should I assume put them there? Questions, questions...
Thursday, July 22, 2004
NEWS & OPINION
Rockers are urging young people to go out and vote against George W. Bush
Rickie Lee Jones, on her latest album, Evening of My Best Day, sings a song called “Ugly Man.” She told the New York Post that “it’s definitely about the Bushes…. They have no redeeming qualities. They’re despicable…. This is the closest we’ve come to Nazi Germany…. They see Iraq and Iran as a way to make money.”
The Assassination of Iraqi Intellectuals
Overlooked by the U.S. Press is the escalating assassination of Iraqi academics, intellectuals, and lecturers. More than 250 college professors since April 30, 2003, according to the Iraqi Union of University Lecturers, have been the targets of assassination.
...
According to Union of Iraqi Lecturers, if “the stream of assassinations” continue, Iraqi Colleges and Universities will be left without a qualified teaching staff.
Neoconservatives - never apologize, never explain
It's a bad time to be a neocon. All of their assumptions were wrong. Postwar Iraq turned out to be a dog's breakfast. The high-tech, high-speed military is so desperate for troops it's planning to offer bonuses of up to $10,000 to sailors and airmen who would otherwise muster out of the Navy and Air Force. The weapons of mass destruction haven't been found and democracy isn't flowering.
Big Three Networks Dim Their Lights on Kerry
A new study of network TV election coverage over the first half of 2004 reveals a dimming spotlight for Democratic candidate John Kerry. Meanwhile, the Bush campaign has made impressive strides in placing their own candidate before the cameras.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Girlie-men can't take criticism
America is filled with girlie-men...who become squeamish when people do something so simple as to criticize the president. Look at how these girlie-men behave when Linda Ronstadt dedicates a song to Michael Moore. Or the Dixie Chicks make fun of the president. Or Bill Maher jokes about the president.
Girlie-men? Yes they are out there. They are the thin-skinned, pussilanimous, weak-minded Bush apologists you hear whining when their protective bubble is burst.
TAKE THE POLL
Girlie-men? Yes they are out there. They are the thin-skinned, pussilanimous, weak-minded Bush apologists you hear whining when their protective bubble is burst.
TAKE THE POLL
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