Mining the President BACK!

"We're not...mining or trolling through the personal lives of millions of innocent Americans."
...but we ARE mining and trolling through the personal lives of millions of OTHER innocent Americans (he somehow forgets to say.)

Who, besides me, thought that statement sounded fishy?

It would not surprise me to hear that they have been siphoning money out of American bank accounts. Lookit! These are anti-government businessmen whose bottom line is their own bottom line. But what is good for Enron is not nearly good enough for the American government, I mean ideally. Their job was to drown the government, and Katrina helped them along. To them, Americans are just customers for their products. But their products always have secret ingredients. If it's not nicotine, it is caffiene. If not caffiene, it is oil. If not oil, it is drugs. All kinds. Legal and illegal. Addiction sells.

Imagine walking into a store, and the moment you arrive, their database tells the staff everything about you, even how much money you have in the bank. While not siphoning your account, which they also do, they know with whom to deal, how much to charge, etc. Big Cookie, if you will.

This is BushWorld. But now we hear they are spying on us with satellites, reading our emails, listening in on our conversations, like some snoopy neighborhood gossip.

It is so tedious, having such greedy, selfish, arrogant boors represent the American People, whom I hope is far better than these lowly killers of men, women, children.

But the American People need to mine THEM! Want to see what life was really like on, say, September 10, 2001? Simple! Go to the Internet Archives and type in the website you want to see. But wait! What is this? No records for the weeks before 9/11?!

What is hidden in those weeks? For one thing, the moribund economy.
Whatever it is, the Sunshine President is likely to blind your eye to it.
Welcome to the Misinformation Age!
With George, the Miseducation President...

New CD: Patty Ann Smith: Mystic Dreams

Patty Ann Smith

Carolina artist, Patty Ann Smith, has released her new CD, and it's a winner! Follow that link and score a copy for yourself. You'll be glad you did.

Patty sings 11 songs, 7 of which are original, and 4 are classic traditional folks songs. And as good as the traditional songs are...I think her original songs are even better. They really stick in your mind and heart. Simply beautiful! And her husband's guitar work is most excellent as well.

A perfect collection, and a great addition to the library. I'm proud to call her my friend.

From the CDBaby website:

Songs of hope in a bouquet that is rooted in my Irish-American
history of balancing struggle with the joys of music. One of the songs, "Before
He Went To War", was written in honor of my brother, Bob, who served in the
Vietnam War and died in 2003. This and six other songs I wrote that are on my CD
"Mystic Dreams" are statements about the human condition originating from the
lives of ordinary people like myself.

Also, going along with the folk
traditions in a Celtic heritage, I like to be outdoors in nature where naturally
magical things are occurring every minute...even though we don't usually see
them. That's probably why the leprechauns came into being...to help us to dream
and imagine and continue to be creative.

I came from an era that thought
it was on the verge of changing the course of history by transforming the world
into a global community of peace. And despite the many disappointments since
then, I still carry that torch.

Anonymoses' American Idol Assessment, May 9, 2006

Half through and I smell BushWorld. Katharine McPhee is being given undue downward pressure. In the first round, she was, by far, the best performer...and yet she was given low scores. Ask the audience. They roared.

In the Second round, Taylor sings "In the Ghetto" beautifully, and Chris gives one of his best performances. Simon strangely voted it down. Whaddup with Simon? Payola? Utah Olympics? Enron? BushWorld?

Elliott was great with "Trouble". All judges agree...it was fantastic. Simon says he deserves to go to the next round. But they all do. Yay Elliott!

Kat ended the show with "I can't help falling in love with you", and frankly, I am concerned for her longevity in the competition. I still think she is the most gifted of the four, but those judges really do frame how some people remember it. Her first song was far better than they voted...yet again. Will we see more apologies? People should speak out. This is, after all, more important than war with Persia.

As far as who will leave? Very tough call. Not Chris. Not Katherine. And Elliott is the most improved. Adios Taylor!

Holy Man, David Blaine, Awakens World's Heart

While the News says David Blaine failed to bla bla bla, many seem to have missed the spiritual sacrament happening before their eyes. As the crowd, and television audience cheered and cried for David, there was a transubstantiation of water, emanating from David, and channeling through the eyes of the compassionate viewer, who wept at the sight of David having life breathed back into him. David was, himself, moved by the outpouring of love.

Here was his success. His sacrifice gave birth to a world overflowing with love, long overdue.

May his love transform the world.

The end, once upon a time, was just the beginning...

A lot of book for 14.95.

New Law requires that ALL war supporters go to Iraq

WASHINGTON -- In order to better understand America's real attitudes toward the war, Congress passed a law which requires all supporters of war in Iraq or Iran to have at least one tour of duty in Iraq. Sensing that there may have been an erosion of what has been termed "respect for life", the ever-enlightened Congress is hoping that people will think long and hard before casting their yea vote on outcomes that require a diminution of said "respect for life".

"We think that we will get a truer idea of how people are thinking in the heartland, and feeling in the headland. ", Senator Hyperlincoln informs us.

In related news, 95% of Newsmax polltakers think we should bomb Iran.

Line up! March!

Tarheel Tavern: Arse Poetica edition

Catch Arse Poetica's edition of Tarheel Tavern, which covers Immigration, Family History and Heritage, RIGHT HERE.

And enjoy!

BushCo rolls out new product: World War III

The president of BushCo proudly bragged about their latest product, which is ironically called the high-sounding name: "World War III".

I don't buy it. I think this Bush is a used-car salesman who only knows how to sell bad products, and will lie all day, every day, if it helps make a sale for his creditors.

World War III, Shworld War III. What we've got here is a failure to excommunicate.

More Cowbell

American Street

Mining the Internet Archives/Wayback Machine

GoCarolinas Messageboard with Mike Collins
GoCarolinas shared political messageboard (pretty funny, with Anonymoses and Iddybud.)
Broken Link
Dec 14, 2001
Feb 01, 2002
Jul 10, 2002 *Aug 02, 2002 *Oct 17, 2002 *Dec 03, 2002* Feb 10, 2003 *Sep 21, 2003*


Birdfinger, August 2000
Birdfinger, March 2001
Birdfinger, Special Amerigeddon Issue (pre 9/11)
Birdfinger, January 2002
Birdfinger, 2002
Birdfinger 2003

8.0 Massive Earthquake hits Tonga; Tsunami Warning Issued!

May 3, 2006 — LONDON (Reuters) - An earthquake measuring eight hit the Tonga islands, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Web site said on Wednesday and a tsunami warning was issued for Fiji and New Zealand.

The earthquake was at 1526 GMT, said the Web site monitored in London. It was not immediately clear what damage it caused but a report on Sky Television said it was felt in several islands.

The earthquake struck 95 miles south of Tonga's Neiafu island and 1340 miles north east of Auckland, New Zealand, USGS said.

An earthquake in December 2004 off Indonesia caused a tsunami across the Indian Ocean that killed more than 200,000 people in several countries. - Thanks to ABC News

Anonymoses' famous American Idol Assessment

Kat conjures Kellie, Elliott ready to go, Paris does sexy, Chris channels Bocelli and Taylor sings Something.

On the first round, Chris Daughtry is winning. His voice and presence filled the room like no other.
Almost too boring to comment upon.
It's so...Kellieless.

Highlights: Paris toys with sexy. Kat screws up and knows it.
Taylor dances and rocks out. Elliot shows his soft side, successfully, I think.
He grows on you.

Kat does Kellie

Paris should pull out the stops with the sexy. Speaking of which, Kat does a Kellie, and wins unanimous approval. Much sexier than her first song. She did the entire song on her knees and sitting on the floor. Very cool.

Chris's voice gave out on the second song. Taylor does the Beatles and confesses his love for them. Should be a good omen.

The funniest moment was Elliott Yamin, who sang a song about "let me go home" after which he ran across the stage to whathisname the host...bypassing the judges. I honestly think he is ready to go. Just when I am getting used to him.

When asked how the night was, afterwards, they were not all that enthusiastic. I think they miss Kellie Pickler, who really did bring a lot to the table.

Regis & Kellie (Pickler)

Kellie fans will be glad to know that she will be making a return appearance on Regis and Kelly at 9am.
Maybe Regis will offer Kellie Kelly's job...

Wait and see!

As for who goes home...I think I might penalize Taylor for not choosing a song from the current top 40.
Cheating (or carelessness) is not exemplary behavior. The poetic ending would be Elliott.

Buy Anonymoses' Book, "The Great Chain of Conversation"

ONLY $14.95!
See Details

Are you one of these?

Cosmic John Edwards : First Blogger President

OxyContin: Rush's Monica

Rush's Monica

No one believes Rush Limbaugh anymore.
The drug-induced crazy talk deemed bad for families.

American families are wising up to why so many young people are addicted to drugs. And the culprit seems to be none other than America's most famous drug addict, Rush Limbaugh. "He has the worst family values of anyone I know or can imagine. For years he has been lying to us, and who wants their kids to grow up to be liars and drug addicts? But not only that, he represents the way the rich are treated differently. He, like the Bush Administration, has lost all credibility."

Kellie Pickler reaches her level, and fails to reach top 5

North Carolina Beauty Runs into Wall

There are differences between the great and the almost great. Andrea Bocelli broke the code. By bringing PBS quality vocals to FOX, he raised the standard, and only Katharine really rose to the occasion. Chris seemed willing to learn, but it all seemed new to him. I suspect Bocelli was new to everyone there, except Katharine. This is the difference. It's important to search high and deep when expanding one's repertoire. You give points for growth, but preparation is better than learning on the job. Paris also seems quite prepared for her few years alive.

I think Kellie sacrificed her place that others may stay longer. She didn't try to hide her mistakes. I think she is an innately classy and brave woman, and Lord knows she is beautiful to boot. And while she may not be quite ready for concerts, she could, and probably will, burn up some TV sets with rock/country videos.

Stay nice and everyone will help you...

It's interesting to ponder what the remaining five might be thinking.
I bet there is a good deal of secret wishes that someone else wins. Each have reasons why they could think that they deserve to win, except maybe Chris, who I think is astonished he has made it this far. One reason he is so likeable.
Taylor is the oldest, and thus should be rewarded per seniority. Paris is youngest and thus has the greatest shelf life. Elliott has had to overcome great odds. Katharine probably has the best training and range...and looks. I wonder who they would pick, if put to a vote...

Kellie was at her best when she was at her sexiest, like in the picture above. Last night, however, she looked like a 50s maltshop girl. A regression, as was the song. Meanwhile Kat was channeling Sharon Stone. Maybe she will resist the urge to go backwards.

Book Art by Anonymoses

Tony Snow joins Sgt Pecker's Homely Farts Club Band

Sgt. Pecker's Homely Farts Club Band

It was many years ago today
Sgt. Pecker taught the bland to pay
They've been going out and out of style
But they're guaranteed to raise a pile
So may I introduce to you
The fact you've blown for all these years
Sgt. Pecker's Homely Farts Club Band

We're Sgt. Pecker's Homely Farts Club Band
We hope you will enjoy the blow
We're Sgt. Pecker's Homely Farts Club Band
Sit back and let the Enrons go
Sgt. Pecker's Homely, Sgt. Pecker's Homely
Sgt. Pecker's Homely Farts Club Band
It's wonderful to drink beer
It's practically a pill
You're such a homely audience
We'd like to take your home with us
We'd love to take your home

I don't really want to stop the show
But I thought that you might like the blow
The speaker's going to suck a bong
And he wants you all to suck along
So let me introduce to you
The one and only Tony Snow
And Sgt. Pecker’s Homely Farts Club Band

Ally McBeal crashes Boston Legal set

On tonight's episode of "Boston Legal", a character from "Ally McBeal" (John Cage) appears and threatens to shoot Denny Crane. David E. Kelley was the writer and producer of both Boston-based shows.
I had suggested they do such a thing on their message board. Do they really read those things?

Anonymoses' American Idol Assessment: April 25, 2006

Sex Appeal: The Secret Weapon

Stunning Katharine McPhee gets shafted by the judges. Simon says something about back pocket, making me think Paula may be taking bribes. Kat also sang Italian opera with Andrea, just as I had predicted on April 11th.

Katharine's strong point is that she could and would probably do Sarah
Brightman, Linda Eder, Dawn Upshaw, and the high end of the vocal art. Kellie
might not know to do such things, and be sucked into being a bottom-feeder. Let
us hope not.
Perhaps they will be given the opportunity to do some high art. This would
certainly serve as a shake out. Why not see if they can handle America's very
best singers? We've been everywhere else!

But she also flashed the audience, exposing her undergarments to a grateful public.

Elliot Yamin was masterful, and even looked great. A little work on the jacket gape, but otherwise, he has a Tony Bennett appeal, and a great voice. He certainly came up, along with his clothes (excluding the tie) this week. He should sing "Send in the clowns".

Kellie Pickler was okay. She needs to be more original in her song choices, and should have taken advantage of Bocelli. Kat did. Kellie didn't. It will probably hurt her. Strangely, I think Kellie is more interested in eliciting sympathy, which is fine. She is still young at heart. She needs to realize that study is a serious matter, and that intellection is a good tool for study.
Keep the heart and looks, gain a head. You'll go far. Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Griffith, Celtic Women, Lorena McKennit...would all be good for you, I predict.

Paris Bennett was excellent. A step up for her, I suspect. For a variety of reasons, she may well win it. But Katharine was still the best as far as being the total package. It would be fun to see Paris perform some Josephine Baker or Neenna Frelon.

Taylor Hicks looked better than ever, but sang worse than ever. Milking the George Clooney resemblance is a smart thing. Try some tai chi moves and top shelf songs...or scat! Al Jarreau would be way cool. And something challenging, like Blue Rondo.

Chris Daughtry was brilliant. He may well win it all. I wish he would do "Working Class Hero" or "Einstein on the Beach". "Shining" bu Badly Drawn Boy would be a great one for Chris, as well as would be "I'd love to change the world" or "Hail to the Thief".

Culturally, Katharine wins, since she is the most flexible in the upward dimension. Love to hear her do some Eder, Gerrard, Upshaw, or even Cranberries or Bjork.

Kellie and Taylor seem most vulnerable now, ear-wise anyway.

I wonder, finally, if the judges are trying to talk Kat down, so to speak. She is turning into Rita Hayworth, and they don't see it.

Sex appeal is the secret weapon that only a few of the remaining can use with any great success. Kellie and Katharine, mainly. And it may save them, if they don't hide it under a barrel.

Better turn on the heat before it is too late! You'll have the eyeballs.

Classic 24: "This country doesn't deserve to suffer. You do."

God

The First Lady is God. The President is only George W. Bush.

Tonight is the best so far. Find a way to see it.
Think Hamlet.

How on earth did Charlie Logan win the amazing Martha in the first place? She totally outclasses him, and she is not even a murderer. She is as beloved as her husband is despised. Maybe she will become President after her pathetic husband is hauled off to Gitmo...

CIA Official Reveals Bush, Cheney, Rice Were Personally Told Iraq Had No WMD in Fall 2002

Think Progress ? 60 Minutes

BRADLEY: So, in the fall of 2002, before going to war, we had it on good authority from a source within Saddam’s inner circle that he didn’t have an active program for weapons of mass destruction?

DRUMHELLER: Yes.

BRADLEY: There’s no doubt in your mind about that?

DRUMHELLER: No doubt in my mind at all.

BRADLEY: It directly contradicts, though, what the President and his staff were telling us.

DRUMHELLER: The policy was set. The war in Iraq was coming, and they were looking for intelligence to fit into the policy, to justify the policy.

Charlotte Observer Blogs: From Preamble to Amble

The Pulitzer Prize winning Charlotte Observer now has several bloggers on their staff. But it was not always the case. In some ways, they had to be drawn into the blogosphere kicking and screaming. Well, sort of...

PREAMBLE - Anti-Blog Rant from Charlotte Observer Columnist and the Aftermath
excerpts:
Meanwhile, speaking of Carolina and blogging and the related conference, let’s not pick just on those who see blogging as a panacea. A blog-based economy can’t replace textile jobs. But really, is blogging as nefarious as a semi-coherent Charlotte Observer column would have you believe? Observer staffer John McBride wrote a beaut headined Will blogs liberate us or just bog us down? (password required). Just what qualifies McBride to knock blogging? It’s more of a social thing than a technical thing. Who cares if his column identifies him as an applications analyst with Microsoft training? Maybe he also holds a Ph.D. in sociology, but from afar, this guy strikes me as totally clueless about the possibilities of the Net’s many-to-many mode. Read a rebuttal from Anonymoses, aka David Beckwith, spotted via Ed Cone’s blog.

Related: Anonymous finally got his wish, from David Hoggard, as well as coverage of the blogger’s conference in Chapel Hill from the Barber Shop Blog, Science and Politics and others. You can also hear Dave Winer–the blog-based economy guy–via an MP3 from a Greenboro blogging conference recorded by audioactivism.org. Actually I think he did a pretty good Phil Donahue routine in drawing the audience out.

AMBLE - Charlotte Observer Bloggers
BLOG You Write The Caption - Kevin Siers
BLOG This Old State - Jack Betts
BLOG The Naked City - Mary Newsom
BLOG Tom Talks - Tom Sorenson
BLOG Tommy's Table - Tommy Tomlinson
BLOG From the Hip - Crystal Dempsey
BLOG Paid to Party - Tonya Jameson
BLOG Idol Thoughts - Jen Aronoff
BLOG Girl About Town - Emily A. Benton
BLOG Games N Gadgets - Langston Wertz Jr.
BLOG Out of the Red - Amy Baldwin
BLOG On the S.C.ene - Various bloggers
BLOG Inside the Panthers - Pat Yasinskas
BLOG Inside the NBA - Rick Bonnell
BLOG Life in the Turn Lane - David Poole
BLOG Stork-Raving Mad - Tracy Curtis

17 blogs! Not too shabby! But why am I not on there??
(My email is baruchthescribe at yahoo dot com . Give me an offer I can't refuse.)

It should be noted that John McBride now hosts the excellent "Under the Water Tower" blog.

Proof the President has no Class

Rule #1: When you meet the leader of the oldest continuous civilization in the world who basically owns you...do not tug at his sleeve. Do not pinch him. Do not grab him in any way, even if you are losing balance.


(hat tip to bildungblog)

33% of US trusts Bush. 5% of US trusts those who trust Bush.

Maureen (Mo) Gilmer

Mo Gilmer

From the Library of Phat Robertson

Ten Years Behind

"I'd love to nuke the world"
Dubya Bush & Ten Years Behind


Everywhere is freakin' Larries
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is Hannity...
Faxed the rich, peed the poor
Blame it all on Michael Moore.

I'd love to nuke the world
But I don't know what I do
So I'll leave it all to you...

Population keeps on bleeding,
Nation building still more needing economy...
Wife is funny, lies are money,
Beaches sunny, Hume leads media monopoly.

I'd love to nuke the world
But I don't know what I do
So I'll leave it all to you....

World pollution, still no solution
Sinstitution, electio-cution...
Just black and white, rich and poor
Them and us, start the war!

Rush Limbaugh boasts: "9/11 was NOT a Tragedy!"

and mocks Senator Kennedy for calling it a tragedy

At around 1:50PM today, the megaphone of the reich, boasted that "9/11 was NOT a tragedy", after Senator Edward Kennedy said that it was a tragedy.

Rush is living proof that you can't buy class.

Katharine McPhee is the American Idol to beat

Anonymoses' American Idol Assessment, April 18, 2006

Simon was spot on tonight, as were all of the judges, pretty much, tonight.
Kelly was the one to mess up, and she and everyone knew it, and Kat soared to heights beyond even that of the others, who were, in the main, very good tonight.

California Katherine takes the night. But Chris Daughtry also does well, since he has been splitting the North Carolina vote with Kellie. One even wonders if Kellie intentionally messed up so that Chris, and maybe even Katharine, might fare better. She may actually prefer that someone else wins.

Taylor Hicks was, as Simon said, "pure magic" but only at the end of the song...where he proved why should be up there. What started lame, wound up powerful and moving.

Paris Bennett did a beautiful job but, as Simon alluded, her off-song presence is lacking. Perhaps a product of her youth and inexperience.

Elliot and Ace did fine jobs, but neither have attained the heights of Kellie, Kat, Chris or Paris.

If Kellie is not punished for her slip up this week, I suspect Eliot or Ace will walk.

Chris, Kat and Taylor move up this week, and Kellie is newly vulnerable.

Great job all!

Blog Forward: Tools, Toys & Gifts for Bloggers

logo by Anonymoses

Blog Forward: Merchandise for Bloggers

Logo by Anonymoses

Shining

"Shining"
lyrics by Badly Drawn Boy

Faith pours from your walls, drowning your calls
I've tried to hear, you're not near.
Remembering when I saw your face
Shining my way, pure timing...
Now I've fallen in deep, slow silent sleep.
It's killing me, I'm dying...
to put a little bit of sunshine in your life.

Soleil all over you,
Warm sun pours over me,
Soleil all over you,
Warm sun...

Now this slick fallen rift came like a gift,
Your body moves ever nearer...
and you will dry this tear, now that we're here,
And grieve for me, not history...
But now I'm dry of thoughts, wait for the rain,
Then it's replaced, sun's setting...

and suddenly you're in love with everything...

Soleil all over you,
Warm sun pours over me,
Soleil all over you,
Warm sun...

American Idol, John Edwards, demonstrates his removable ear.

Nonny's American Idol Assessment, April 11, 2006

anonyMoses ponders the Idols


Twilight of the Idols

I'm still moved by Katharine McPhee's beautiful performance of Queen's "Who wants to live forever?". So far, she is the one who deserves victory. Then comes Chris Daughtry, who was also preternatural...

(Sorry. Had to get back to the tube. Now hours have passed.)

As I was saying... Katharine had the most beautiful performance, and Chris made a strong, remarkable, comeback. Katharine may well have made a good choice in picking the more sedate song, but I frankly enjoy her hip action and flirty side. Lord knows Kellie has that side down, as she showed once again with her Reader's Digest condensed version of "Bohemian Rhapsody".
You can't bore someone into buying your product, and Kellie never expects you to. It will take her to, or next to, the top. Kellie and Katharine are the stars. Queen should scoop up Chris.

Paris was beautiful and sweet, but something tells me her youth will send her back for more life training.

When you have a case where all the people left have great voices, you begin whittling away at the visual aspects of idoldom. This is where Elliot gets cut. Then Bucky. Then Taylor. Paris is then cut because of youth, and we're left with Kellie and Katharine. I'm hoping for a draw.

Katharine's strong point is that she could and would probably do Sarah Brightman, Linda Eder, Dawn Upshaw, and the high end of the vocal art. Kellie might not know to do such things, and be sucked into being a bottom-feeder. Let us hope not.

Perhaps they will be given the opportunity to do some high art. This would certainly serve as a shake out. Why not see if they can handle America's very best singers? We've been everywhere else!

The Immigrant Problem in America, circa 1650

The year is 1650. English immigrants are pouring into North America with no letup in sight. They have babies and spread their kind even beyond the edge of the shore, which makes one think that they don't plan on going back any time soon. I hope that these newcomers at least realize whose place this is, and not start to think it is somehow theirs. But these are strange people, with short memories. They are also very "boundary-oriented" people, and like to build fences between themselves and others, as well as just between themselves. Not the friendliest of people.

Tribal chiefs are saying that we need to consider deporting these uninvited aliens. After all, they say, the white man does not respect the land or God's bounty thereupon. But I disagree. I do not think there will be many more of them. We should let them stay. Teach them the ways of Blackjack.

MORE ON THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF THE ENGLISH ALIENS
AND HOW THEY TURNED THE TABLES
IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF...

anonyMoses
Conscience of the Blogosphere

Dare this man be censured?

Granted, he is the greatest thing since sliced bread...
but do we really need a thing for a President?

Anonymoses' American Idol Assessment, April 4, 2006

My initial assessment is that it will probably come down to 3 people.
Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler and Paris Bennett. They are all the complete package. I'd love to see them join forces but suspect each will do smashingly well on their own.

Edwards Without Delay

Open your Third Nostril: Read the Moomin' Light Edition of Tarheel Tavern

The theme for this week's Tarheel Tavern is "strong opinions" - any kind of strong opinions, positive or negative. It's part of what I like about blogging - finding out what people really think. - Moomin Light

Ready for some strong opinion? It IS Sunday, after all!
Well head on over to Moomin's edition of...
Tarheel Tavern
"Don't just eat a hamburger. Eat the Hell out of it!"




*hat tip to Bob Dobbs and the Church of the Subgenius

The Opinion Age

The Opinion Age, the stunted little brother of the Information Age, is moving into adolescence.
Allow me to let my literary brother to speak my thoughts:

(George Bernard Shaw from "Man and Superman"

DON JUAN. "Pooh! why should I be civil to them or to you? In this
Palace of Lies a truth or two will not hurt you. Your friends are
all the dullest dogs I know.
They are not beautiful: they are only decorated.
They are not clean: they are only shaved and starched.
They are not dignified: they are only fashionably dressed.
They are not educated they are only college passmen.
They are not religious: they are only pewrenters.
They are not moral: they are only conventional.
They are not virtuous: they are only cowardly.
They are not even vicious: they are only "frail."
They are not artistic: they are only lascivious.
They are not prosperous: they are only rich.
They are not loyal, they are only servile;
not dutiful, only sheepish;
not public spirited, only patriotic;
not courageous, only quarrelsome;
not determined, only obstinate;
not masterful, only domineering;
not self-controlled, only obtuse;
not self-respecting, only vain;
not kind, only sentimental;
not social, only gregarious;
not considerate, only polite;
not intelligent, only opinionated;
not progressive, only factious;
not imaginative, only superstitious;
not just, only vindictive;
not generous, only propitiatory;
not disciplined, only cowed;
and not truthful at all--liars every one
of them, to the very backbone of their souls."

Not intelligent, only opinionated? Sound familiar?
Sounds like, well, ME, doesn't it!
(But that is just my opinion!)

Who was it that said: "Thinking is better than knowing, but seeing is better than thinking."?

White Supremacist Rush Limbaugh calls Rape Victims "Ho's"

Notorious civil rights foe, Rush Limbaugh, on his radio show today, referred to the Duke rape victims as "ho's" -- a derogatory term meaning "black whore". Granted, the apologist, and eventual fall guy for BushWorld, says a lot of things you might expect from a drunken college fratbrat, but Mr. Limbaugh dropped out of college three decades ago. Like so many childstars, Rush is stuck performing the same schtick to the same schmucks show after show,year after moribund after. No wonder these folks don't believe in evolution. They never evolve!

Like an ex-conservative friend of mine said just today: You can't trust Rush because he ALWAYS defends Bush. He doesn't have his own mind." Imagine how Rush must feel being of one mind with a man who makes Dan Quayle seem intelligent! At least Quayle never ordered the killing of thousands of people. His stock has actually risen because of Bush.

The great thing about listening to NPR, say, instead of Rush and his clones, is that you hear the full spectrum of opinion, from the best minds of our time, but you also get the added benefit of information, knowledge, wisdom, and good music. Not the adolescent misinformation and hyperventilations of a man still acting out his college fantasies, and clones.

Rush talks about manliness, but if he were a real man he would stand up to Bush once in a while, and take a chance. But alas, he is bought and paid for. He MUST say the things he says, or he is history. He is the man who could have been a Man, but chose excess instead.

What is full, empties. It's a fact of nature. And he's been full too long.
He should get out while he's ahead.

The first time ever I saw your face...

When I first arrived in Green Witch Village, I thought I had arrived in Greenwich Village, except I was surrounded my mountains, streams and otter. Lots of otter. More otter than you can shake a spear at. So don’t bring your spear. Bring someone else’s if you must, but do not, I repeat, do not, bring your own. Especially not the ruby-tipped one.

I had heard stories about how magical, even mystical, the mountains of North Carolina were, but I thought it was all legend…until I saw, and felt, for myself, the natural power of this ancient and venerated land…which, by the way, is in danger of being divvied up and sold to the highest bidder.

To find the actual village, you will require a guide of high spiritual caliber. If and when you are ready to go, that guide will appear, and whisper the words “Go go” into your left ear. It will be on a Sunday, and probably in the late afternoon.

You will then need to promptly slip into your go-go boots and miniskirt (or kilt), and follow him, blindfolded, on the back of a horse name Wildfire or Trigger. Sometimes Larry.

Do not press your go-go heels into the horse, as he would remind you of the story of Neitzsche or Kundera’s Karenin.

Please leave your cell phone in the nearest trashcan.
You are about to live.

See more progress on: Green Witch Village

Jill Carroll is free, saying she was treated mercifully

Jill Carroll

A Carol for Miss Carroll

A lot of people in the world are rejoicing today. I am one of them.
The Christian Science Monitor journalist, Jill Carroll, was released, unharmed, and says that she was treated well during her captivity. This is the kind of victory everyone celebrates.
May we, in turn, show some mercy. It's the right thing to do.

American Idol 2006: Tips for the contestants

Ace Young (Ace Jung), Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry (Chris Dawtry), Elliott Yamin (Eliot Yeaman) , Katharine McPhee (Katherine Catherine McFee), Kellie Pickler, Lisa Tucker, Mandisa Hundley (Huntley), Paris (London) Bennett (Brokeit) and Taylor Hicks (Tailor Hyx).
These are the archons of celebrity; the Mozarts of our evening; Life Itself. Perhaps I overstate. I wish them all the best of luck, but wish they would dare to be extraordinary.

Were I to give each one of them one piece of advice it would be this:
Taylor...focus on your resemblance to George Clooney.
Ace...Do some James Taylor.
Bucky...your ancestors were the king's musicians in the court of King Charles. Widen and deepen your musical palate.
Chris...Keep going, even if you don't fit the American Idol mold.
Elliot...Consider theatre or comedy. They need singers too.
Lisa...you are still young. Maybe too young even. Your time will come.
Paris...you too may be too young, but your personality makes me think of you as a TV personality.
Mandisa...You might be better off pursuing opera or movies. You may be too good for American Idol.
Kellie...lose the stupid and emphasize the radiant sexiness.
Katharine...Stay yourself and quit wearing frumpy clothes.

In figure skating, the skater's routine is limited by the music. If you can find something classic, memorable, slightly complex, emotional and widely popular without being overdone...you should benefit from the utilization of priorities in song selection.

Meditate and do tai chi before performing so you will not appear wooden and mentally elsewhere or discombobulated.

At this point, you have to perform at your highest, as the standards have risen with each paring away.

Remember Robert Frost's dictum: "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No joy in the writer, no joy in the reader."

The same applies to your performance. Bring us joy. Make us cry.

But remember...you are all winners, and all will benefit greatly from the experience and exposure. Don't fret if you lose, since you've actually won already.

Love what you are doing.

Meet the New Boss

ENCEES: North Carolina Blog Awards

FROM THE WEBSITE:

The ENCEES (here's the clue... NC) is designed specifically for them. All the hard slogging pajamhadeen, right here in North Carolina. They will hardly be mentioned in the National Awards. Here's Their Chance.The Format is the same as the Biggies, so you'll be familiar with the process...make your nominations in the Comment section. We'll run this first phase for a week or so, to establish our candidates. Twigs and Seeds will keep the Awards Diary at the top of the Front Page all week, with updates. When this phase is concluded ...the Runoff. Spread the Word, and...Good Luck!

Alt.Primetime by Rah Bourbon

From Huffington Post' Contagious Festival
BROKEBACK BUSH
Papa's Got a Brand New Baghdad
Impeach the Smirking Liar
Democrats Get Balls

OTHER FINE VIEWING
Cheney watches his cheerleaders
Open the Government
Tom the Dancing Bug
How do you describe Bush?

(Hattip to Rah Bourbon for the links)

ABC Producer Sent to Gulag for Dissing Fuhrer

Here is the memo that got ABC producer Green sentenced to Gulag Bushipelego. But a fine-toothed examination of the memo seems to reveal two different fonts.

In his defence, blogger Anonymoses reveals that Bush has been responsible for up to 147,000 tons of human puke, and even a few pints of cat puke.

"Faith-based Initiates": How Bush Paid Preachers to Get Out the Vote

Faith-based initiatives (wink wink) are a euphemism for Bush's paying preachers for getting out the vote, for him, in 2004 and in 2000.

What's a Kellie Pickler?

What's a Kellie (Kelli, Kelly, Kelley, Caeli) Pickler (Picoler, Pickle, Picker, Pickeler)?

Kellie Pickler is a singer and performer from Albemarle, North Carolina who has won the hearts of many viewers, but is in danger of losing a certain percentage due to her idiotic cliches.
She is a talented and beautiful singer, and will probably do well regardless of her standing on American Idol. But given that FOX is not a venue most intellectuals don't gravitate toward, her playing dumb may well benefit her. (I assume she is playing.)

But just as Kellie stock may have gone down, Bucky Covington's has gone up. His response when Chicken Little was sent packing was classy and warm.

Learn from each other and you both will do great things.

TV
kellie pickler 3-7
Kellie Pickler - I'm The Only One
Kellie Pickler - How Far
Kellie Pickler - Somethin' To Talk About

MORE MUSIC FOR KELLIE FANS
Supper's Ready - Genesis
King Crimson - "In The Court Of The Crimson King"
Genesis - the musical box
Epitaph - King Crimson Theme
Vista - Robert Fripp
King Crimson

Anonymoses TV : Week of March 20, 2006

Juggle with the Beatles

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW FOR MORE AMAZING TV.

BLOGGING
What is a blog? - Robert Scoble
What is a blog? - David Sifry
What is a blog? - Chris Pirillo - Money with blogs
What is a blog? - Howard Rheingold
Dutch Bloggies 2006

POLITICS
Eisenhower's Farewell Address to the American People
PNAC and the NEOCONs: wanted a new Pearl Harbor
Uncovered: The Whole Truth About The Iraq War
George Lakoff on Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think
"Stick It" from Boston Legal (James Spader)
The Boat and the Bomb : 20th Anniversary of the Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior
Iraq War - Chomsky
Election 2004: Republican Terror Manipulations, How They Work and Why
Al Franken, The Truth (with Jokes)
Being Opinionated in America: Maureen Dowd & Thomas Friedman
George Soros - The Bubble of American Supremacy
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation: 20th Annual Evening for Peace - Jonathan Schell and Harry Belafonte
Journalists Under Fire: Vietnam & Iraq
Iraq War - Staff Sergeant Jimmy Massey - Killing Civillians in Iraq
The Illuminati Families who Rule the World
Charlie Rose - Gore Vidal / Pierre Salinger
Frank Zappa on CNN's Crossfire (1986)
Clip from Manufacturing Consent
John and Yoko's Year of Peace
Cornel West - Democracy Matters
The Secret Government - Bill Moyers
John Edwards campaign speech
Speech by Al Gore on January 16th on Domestic Spying
A Conversation with William J. Clinton

HUMOR
Problems of Right-wing activists
Ed Thompson's Trumpet Duet
Long John Johnson, all the livelong day - Cat talking
Choco Party - Japanese Commercial
The Fartlighter
Chris Bliss - live comedy performance
Chris Bliss - television appearances
Monty Pythons the Knights and the Holy Grail
Farting Preacher
Titanic reenacted in 50 seconds

SPIRITUALITY
God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It
His Holiness - The XIV Dalai Lama
Krishnamurti with Trungpa Rimpoche
Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark - Laurence Gardner
RUMI: POET OF THE HEART

FILM
Ritual In Transfigured Time - Maya Deren
Le voyage dans la lune - Melies
les francais au travail - Lumiere
Metropolis [1927] - Fritz Lang
un chien andalou - Luis Bunuel & Salvadore Dali
Man Ray Avant Garde Collection - Surrealist masterpieces
L'AGE D'OR [1930] - Luis Bunuel
Zero De Conduite 1933 - Jean Vigo
Battleship Potemkin - Eisenstein
Rhythm 21 - Hans Richter
Ballet mecanique - Fernand Leger
Nosferatu [1922]
His Girl Friday
My Man Godfrey $$

MUSIC
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Josh Groban
I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles
The Beatles - I'm Down - Live at Shea Stadium 1965
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds Music Video by The Beatles
John Coltrane - Naima Live 1965
John Coltrane - Live 1963
SummerFest 2004: Chick Corea: Rehearsal
The Kinks "Well Respected Man" on Beat Beat Beat!
Ten Years After - I'm going home (live woodstock)
Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead Tribute
Dave Clark Five - "Catch Us If You Can"
dead can dance - milan 2005
Jon Anderson - tour of the universe tour
Enya Tribute to WTC 9/11
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds "Nature Boy" Music Video

CULTURE
Tim Leary before leaving us
Robert Anton Wilson, Part One
Robert Anton Wilson, Part Two
County Sligo, Ireland
Gurdjieff inParis (1949)
Gurdjieff & Friends tour France (1949)
Concert of Sacred Music by Gurdjieff
NASA - Hubble view of the universe
Life Beyond Earth and the Mind of Man 1975 - Ashley Montagu
African American Lives - Henry Louis Gates III
Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are"
ArtsPass: John Singer Sargent 1856-1925
UNC vs Duke - Matt jumping over Bonfires
Andy Griffith Show: Andy Discovers America
The Biltmore Estate - Asheville, North Carolina

Hugo Chavez Incorrectly Identifies Bush as Donkey

Presidents at Play

President Chavez, lending further proof that presidents just aren't what they used to be, incorrectly mislabeled (or would that be correctly mislabeled?) our own President Bush as a donkey. And we donkeys are furious. Bush is, frankly, no donkey. Come on presidents! Crack the books if you have to.

But Chavez does not stop there! He also calls Bush a drunkard! A drunkard! Is he stuck in the 80s? Bush has not been a drunkard for a long time. But you've got to admit, it is a lot better than the his original accusation, where he called him "alcoholic Mr. Danger", perhaps referring to Nick Danger: Third Eye, of Firesign Theater notoriety.

Rummy Reminisces about Nazi Germany

Secretaries will talk!

Unlike George Clooney's Huffington blog, these are the secretary's actual words:

Some have described the situation in Iraq as a tightening noose, noting that "time is not on our side" and that "morale is down." Others have described a "very dangerous" turn of events and are "extremely concerned."

Who are they that have expressed these concerns? In fact, these are the exact words of terrorists discussing Iraq -- Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his associates -- who are describing their own situation and must be watching with fear the progress that Iraq has made over the past three years.

In other words, regarding the American POV:
1. Time IS on our side.
2. Morale is UP
3. There has been a VERY SAFE turn of events.
4. No need for concern.

In other words...there is still a buck to be made on this farce.
His other streams of income, i.e., the Bird Flu Scare, lobbyist for private water, and hair wax showman are rolling right along.

Good thing we sold Government to Business. Easier to drown it in the bathtub of outrageous debt.

Australian Katrina

Largest cyclone in decades threatens Australia

Global warming hasn't become any less global, or any less intense. Each year is expected to be worse than the last, with every year bringing more and more intense storms, until one big and powerful enough to swallow Rush Limbaugh has evolved. Some say this is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, since black holes are notorious gobblers of light, and apparently, oxycontin.

More on the good effects of global warming later...

Anonymoses recommends: Google : Current TV

tv
The Network Created by the People Who Watch It

On Google Video Search (also recommended)
Google Video Search allows you to preview snippets of videos on a browser/thumbnail format, or you can watch the entire video by clicking into it. In some cases, there is a charge for viewing. Most seem to be free. You can even show off your dancing abilities!

Johnny Bell and Gotham Chopra talk about Current TV, and how it is part of the 2nd Internet Revolution. (Gregory Mantell Show)

Current TV was the brainchild of former Vice President and Internet pioneer, Al Gore.
Huge kudos to all those involved in creating this excellent alternative to the whoring Snail TV.
Hard to imagine Bush doing anything useful, like this, for humanity.

I predict Current TV, Lulu.com, YouTV and the like will drive a nail into the coffin which is the mainstream corporate propaganda machine.

"Lark's Tongue in Aspic" - Vintage King Crimson circa 1972

Thanks to Google Image Search, one can finally enjoy some classic King Crimson right from the privacy of your own home...such as
Lark's Tongue in Aspic - featuring Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, John Wetton, David Cross and Jamie Muir.

Or maybe you'd like to see a more recent concert?
Eyes Wide Open

Or, how about a guitar lesson? Here you can learn how to play a piece of the excellent song from "Starless and Bible Black", "Fracture". Anthony Garone on guitar.

God I love the internets!

My Barbarian - Morgan Le Fay

Bush Simply Can't Keep Pace!

Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show", one of the two or three places, including the Colbert Report and Boston Legal, where the truth actually leaks out, runs headlong into George W. Bush, and his attempts to hoodwink Americans about Iran in the same way that he hoodwinked us about Iraq.

Check out this segment capturing vintage Bush at his lying best:

Bush: Some of the most powerful IED's that we are seeing in Iraq today-includes components that came from Iran.
Reporter: Do you have proof that they are indeed behind this, the Gov't of Iran?
Pace: I do not sir.

Video-WMP Video-QT

Notice Bush's famous Right Wing Right Wink. When he winks that right eye, you know he is signalling to the wingers that more good ol' Texas-style killin' is about to ensue. Just another reason Jesus hates George W. Bush.

(Hat tip: CrooksandLiars, Atrios)

WBAL Radio cancels Rush Limbaugh

The Enlightment has Begun!

Rush Limpballs: "Lincoln Chaffee is a genuine mental midget"

...stealing the line from Tom Waits.

Cleaning my plate

I've simply GOT to reduce the number of items gathering at the bottom of my browser...

LARGEST IRAQ AIR ASSAULT SINCE '03
Doctrine of Preemptive War Reaffirmed...
... Cites Iran Peril
Bush to reaffirm preemption as security strategy
The Six Degrees of Newspaper Blogging and Why the Guardian is Ahead
President Bush Must be Censured for Breaking the Law
A Peculiar Politician
Stuck in the no-idea zone
John Burns, Back from Baghdad: U.S. Effort In Iraq Will Likely Fail
Katrina with a Wrecking Ball?
The Coming Resource Wars

'If Bush attacks Iraq, America will burn'. Well, America IS burning.

Has terror once again hit our soil...in the form of fire?

In March, 2003, USA Today ran this article:
'If Bush attacks Iraq, America . . . will burn'

In March 2006, we are seeing articles such as:
Wildfires Leave Texas Panhandle a Wasteland
Wildfires Push Deeper Into Texas Panhandle
Texas Wildfires Veer Toward Oklahoma
Wildfires burning out of control in US state of Texas
Rash of wildfires hits state (Virginia)
Wildfires might claim 10,000 head of cattle
Multiple Wildfires Burning (OK)

Bush Numbers Plummet. Expect War on Iran.

"When the chips are down...kill people." - Bush
Now that Bush has seen his numbers fall into a range that he can count up to, even without using his fingers, you can expect that he will shake things up by causing more death and destruction. He's that cool.But since he is strapped for cash, he will probably just let Israel do his dirty work.
It's at times like this that I am glad I am a poor schmuch who couldn't causing anyone to kill shit. Maybe I won't be on the Bush administration's fast track to Hell...

Mister Bush May Finally be Censured for Crimes

The world's most reckless man, George W. Bush, may finally have to answer for his crimes and felonies. Russ Feingold introduced a measure to have the chimp-like hominid censured for being such a sucky "leader".

Here are the ludibund and pussilanimous headline from our anorchic media:
Feingold draws little support for censure of Bush - USA Today
Feingold Draws Little Support for Censure - Guardian Unlimited
Move to censure Bush will have political fallout - MSNBC
Feingold Draws Little Support for Censure - ABC News
Update 3: Feingold Draws Little Support for Censure - Forbes

Laughable isn't it. Such originality!

Poet Laureate Billy Jones Hosts Tarheel Tavern

The blogging pioneer is a veritable yarn factory, and today he is headslinger.
Sidle on up to the bar, and let him pour a toast...

Fear-Mongering Rumsfeld reaps millions from sale of Bird Flu Drug

Have you no shame?

Donald Rumsfeld has made a killing out of bird flu. The US Defence Secretary has made more than $5m (£2.9m) in capital gains from selling shares in the biotechnology firm that discovered and developed Tamiflu, the drug being bought in massive amounts by Governments to treat a possible human pandemic of the disease.

because I can

Friend and poet, Billy Jones, wants us to consider the phrase: "because I can" so I cannot pass up the challenge (or he will beat me with his blogger bat).

There are at least 3 ways to look at the matter. Consider the distinctions:

BECAUSE i can
because I can
because i CAN

The first meaning seems vapid, and the third seems adolescent, but the second one has resonance and worth.

Make a list. Write down all the things you do. Now calculate either the percentage or total set of people who also can perform that function or activity. For example:

Breathe - 100%
Eat - 90%
Fart - 92.8%
Sculpt - 19%
Write a book about life from my particular perspective - .000001%

Make the list as complete as you'd like.

Now, order the list mathematically.

Meditate on the list, then ask yourself whether or not you are spending enough time focusing on what you alone can do.

So many people waste their gifts trying to do what anyone else can do.

Dare to be extraordinary.
Dare to be yourself.

because YOU can!

Norton Resigns After Abramoff Revelation; Justice O'Connor Warns of Dictatorship

• Interior Secretary, pictured with Abramoff, resigns abruptly
• O'Connor chides GOP attacks onjudiciary, warns of dictatorship
• Sandra Day O'Connor Warns Against Partisan GOP DeLay/Bush Dictatorship.
• Fancy Frist Campaign ad attacks gays, judges, African Americans
• Focus on the Family denies lobbying for Abramoff; E-mails refute
• Bush: "How will I know if it's unconstitutional?" - World Net Daily Condemns Bush's Absentee Presidency"
• At Conservative Forum on Bush, Everybody's a Critic

Chris Matthews of the Kakistocracy

Alphabetically, Chris Matthews is one of the most aeolistic, borborygmic, cacodoxical, deblaterative, energumenical, frustraneous, godhopping, heteronomic, ignivomous, jejune, kakistocratic, logorrheic, mammoniacal, nescient, outrecuidant, periphrastic, quaquaversal, ringent, scumbered, talionic, ululative, vulpecular, windsucking, xanthic, yammering and zorillic of Pavlov's bitches. Thus we hereby grant Chris honorary membership in the kakistocracy. Welcome. And may 2008 bring an end to the kakistocrats.

The kakistocracy in the News:

Bush's Approval Rating Falls to New Low
Far fewer Americans consider Bush likable, honest, strong and dependable

More and more people, particularly Republicans, disapprove of President Bush's performance, question his character and no longer consider him a strong leader against terrorism, according to an AP-Ipsos poll documenting one of the bleakest points of his presidency.
Republican Party leaders said the survey explains why GOP lawmakers are rushing to distance themselves from Bush on a range of issues — port security, immigration, spending, warrantless eavesdropping and trade...
Personally, far fewer Americans consider Bush likable, honest, strong and dependable than they did just after his re-election campaign...
By comparison, Presidents Clinton and Reagan had public approval in the mid 60s at this stage of their second terms in office, while Eisenhower was close to 60 percent, according to Gallup polls...

The 2005 Koufax Awards: Anonymoses is up for Best Writing

The Koufax Awards are now open for nominations, and somehow I got shoehorned into the mix.
Even though there are many better writers on the list, you can still vote for Anonymoses since no one else is. It's the weird thing to do!

The Best Writing link is HERE.
The main list is here.

Check out all the categories though. Iddybud is up for best blog and blog deserving of wider recognition. Bora Zivkovic is in a few categories (Expert and Single Issue). Look for Coturnix and Science and Politics. Other local folks are Scrutiny Hooligans, Arse Poetica, BlogAsheville, Ed Cone, Pam's House Blend, Blue NC, and more. (I'll add more, and link, later. In a hurry right now.)

OTHER CATEGORIES
Best Blog (non-pro) - Best Commenter - Best Single Issue - Best Series - Best Blog (pro/sponsor) - Best Expert Blog - Most Humorous Blog - Most Humorous Post - Best Post - Best Group Blog - Best Blog Community - Best Writing - Best state and local Blogs - Wider Recognition Blogs - Best New Blogs

Angelic Dana Reeve Joins Christopher Reeve, her beloved husband, in Heaven

Dana Reeve was 44

Dana Reeve, wife of Christopher Reeve, Dead from Lung Cancer

Their love was, frankly, exemplary. We should all hope to be such angels.
And now their love is complete, as they join in the eternal family of Love, we call Heaven.
I can't help but be happy for them. It is us for whom I mourn. It is our loss.
The world is less bright without them. May we all learn from their extraordinary love and sacrifice.
My own beloved aunt died from lung cancer just 2 weeks ago, and today I decided to quit smoking...even before learning of Dana Reeve's departure. I can't help but drawn threads.

I once had hopes that Mr. Reeve would become another FDR, in that he would run and win the presidency. Theirs would have been an awesome co-presidency.

Alas, they are in a better place.

Cheney Declares War on Iran

Bloodthirsty Animal Killer once again sets sights on humans

Dickless Cheney, the Emperor of the Media/Military-Industrial Complex, has recovered from his detention, and is now hungry to shed more blood. Not his own, of course.

Mothers and fathers, gather ye children for the blood-letting.
Soon they will be shipped to Iran, to satisfy the sporting Bush Misadministration, for whom Life is frankly a piece of turd to be stamped on.

Anyone else ashamed of these killers?

God is Love. Cheney ain't either. Au contraire.

And it's one, two, three, what are we fighting for?

[stock tip: Invest in bodybags.]

Women Flee South Dakota in Droves

Abortion Ban Leaves SD Men Considering Seeing Brokeback Mountain

gingerivers: Tar heel Tavern #54 is up!

gingerivers: Tar heel Tavern #54

Grace: Esse Quam Videri

"The most perfect grace consists not in external ornamentation but in allowing the original material to stand forth, beautified by being given form."
-I Ching (The Book of Changes)

To be rather than to seem...

I guess you could say we live in a state of grace!

The Politics of "24"

OK. I admit it. I am a "24" addict. It is completely self-inflicted. I am also addicted to the works of David E. Kelley, Larry David and Aaron Sworkin. These are the Preston Sturgeses of today, as far as goes TV. There may be more. I ain't got all day.

As a throbbing member of the cultural elite, I realize I shouldn't expect too much edification of the senses to issue forth from the idiot box, and yet, like moth to flame, I am drawn. Badly drawn. I am the proverbial badly drawn man. A stick figure among eggmen. A walrus without tusks. A hammer without a master. (Boulez-vous ecoute avec-moi ce soir?)

Life is butter dreams.

Naa. Well maybe. At any rate, I do enjoy my weekly Bauer fix. At least I did until she left. But she will be returning on Monday, so if you haven't heard already:


Kim Bauer Returneth!

(It's a guy thing.)

So yeah...politics of 24. Well, the latest is this:
Lynn, played by "Toy Soldiers" star, Sean Astin (also the son of excellent parentage) turns into a bloviating, power-blind, control freak with God-as-Daddy metaphorage tainting his social judgement. Imagine Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limbaugh at the helm of counter-terrorism, yawping and ululating like frightened chihuahuas. For some odd reason, this sort of behavior is acceptable, even encouraged, on the Right. But the Left and the Center have little stomach for it. And neither did the folks at CTI. After much plundering and blundering and thundering, the problem was removed, Section 112 was invoked, and adult supervision was returned to the good, hard-working, tireless folks at CTI.

If only the same can be said of the White House...both on the show, and in real life.
Plundering and blundering and thundering. I was wondering...what thinks ye underees?

Music in the Age of "George the Unready"

On December 10, 2004 I posted the following:

---

"Nightmare 9" from anonyMoses' POWWOWIRAQSI now available for free download

"Nightmare 9" is the soundtrack of a nightmare in Iraq. I hosted it at a different server, located HERE. The other songs are located here. "Nightmare 9" pays tribute to "Revolution 9" by the Beatles and "Plan 9 from Outer Space". Hope you enjoy it. Great for headphones and freakouts!

---

Little did I know that in 2006, Paul Krugman would write a column and call it "George the Unready". But he did. Here is Brad deLong's explanation of the title:

The reference is to the late tenth century English king who lost his kingdom to
the invading Danes, Ethelred the Unready--in Old English Aethelraed Unraed.
"Aethelraed" was his name, meaning "noble judgment." "Unraed" was attached to it
as a pun--"unraed" meaning not "unready" but "bad judgment." It's a pun.

I ran across Ethelred the Unready while studying genealogy. We are apparently related...although I identify more with his father, Edgar the Peaceable.

Iddybud alerted me to the Krugman column because she was getting a lot of hits, due to the fact that she had posted about my music, and mentioned the "George the Unready" part (which I had neglected to do).

Glad to see Paul Krugman and I are on the same wavelength...and that I was able to drive some traffic to Iddybud the Beyond Ready.

Iddy said:
The music inspired Patty Ann Smith to write this moving poem:

Can You Taste The Tears?

This is not the heartbeat of the Earth.
Can you hear the fear, can you taste the tears?
Can you smell the blood, can you touch the wounds?
This is the adrenalin rush of mankind at war with itself...
The death throws of a failed experiment.
Hope and despair living in the same body at the same time...
an impossible task that must be altered.
Otherwise, there will be merciful silence for the Earth in the end
and...no more children to build a future for.

~ Patty Ann Smith / Hope4America

The CD is still here, and available for $9.95, and there is a DVD in the works which will sell for 14.95. You can purchase either or both through the Paypal button located on your right.

IN THE BLOGOSPHERE