February 28, 2005
Put Your Ass Where Your Mouth Is
All you firefighters out there who voted for the war can now REALLY support the troops like that ribbon sticker on your huge truck says you do--your friends at the notorious Wackenhut Corporation are offering immediate positions on "secure" military bases in Iraq for $90,000-$138,000 plus benefits. Come on, I'm sure your department will happily grant you a leave of absence for your service to the country. Hell, you could probably just quit your current job, I'm sure there will be years and years of work out there for you.
February 26, 2005
You Can't Have It Both Ways Pt. 2
Texas State Representative Rick Green stated in an article yesterday that religious values and symbols should be a part of government like the founding fathers supposedly intended--and if you don't like it, too fucking bad: "I believe that this nation was formed as a nation under God. The reason you have rights is because the government recognizes that these rights come from God. You're going to be offended in a free society, and we live in a free society. It's life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; not life, liberty and the right to never be offended." I guess this means that Rep. Green has no problem with gay marriage, violent video games, gangsta rap, godless rock & roll, naughty words or sex on TV, etc. and regularly votes against legislation that would suppress or censor any of those things.....
February 24, 2005
The Truth Hurts
On Feb. 15th, Bill Maher hit the nail on the head during an interview on CNN when he stated, "We are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that. I think religion stops people from thinking. I think it justifies crazies. I think flying planes into a building was a faith-based initiative. I think religion is a neurological disorder". This generated a press release yesterday from the right-wingnut Media Research Center, whining that Maher is "offensive" and "mean-spirited". Waaahhh. O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, etc. can spout off all kinds of shit on a daily basis, but when somebody criticizes their phony religion, it's denounced as bias and persecution. And many liberals, especially the lefty Christers, back down because they would rather play nice than win. Liberal media my steaming ass--the presence of people like Maher, Al Franken and Randi Rhodes offsets only a little the constant onslaught of neocon religious right brainwashing out there.
February 23, 2005
Lining Up The Ducks
Following up last week's smooch-fest between Sec. of State Rice and France, W. played nice with the Germans today. I'll bet my tax return we're in Iran with our European pals by July 4th.
February 20, 2005
Too Little, Too Late
Since the media is so liberal and all, we'll be hearing a whole hell of a lot about the "secret tapes" of W. this week.....I wonder how long it will take for someone to ask the guy who recorded them, "why the fuck didn't you leak them BEFORE the election, asswipe?"
February 18, 2005
It's Up To Hawks To Heed The Call-Up
It's coming, motherfuckers.....with the forces of "weekend warriors" stretched thin and things in Iraq still as fucked up as they were before those elections that were supposed to solve everything, you can bet your ass that there will be a draft. "We have 12 [combat] divisions and 10 are locked down in Iraq, either coming or going," said Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del. "Our ability to have any flexibility with ground forces anywhere else is diminished. If we HAD to move into IRAN, SYRIA, NORTH KOREA or ANYWHERE ELSE, we'd be in real difficulty" (caps mine). And you can be assured that the current gang with their (not so) new buddy, pardoned Iran-Contra war criminal John Negroponte, will be pushing to go into Iran next.
All you Bush voters out there with kids in high school, you are about to get what you asked for. Step up to the plate. Clear a space on the mantelpiece for that folded US flag. If you don't dig that too much, you can always have the kid pretend he's queer. Ah, irony.....
Boob tube alert: Tonight at 10pm Central, another season of Real Time with Bill Maher begins on HBO. If you don't have cable, you need it if only to watch that.
All you Bush voters out there with kids in high school, you are about to get what you asked for. Step up to the plate. Clear a space on the mantelpiece for that folded US flag. If you don't dig that too much, you can always have the kid pretend he's queer. Ah, irony.....
Boob tube alert: Tonight at 10pm Central, another season of Real Time with Bill Maher begins on HBO. If you don't have cable, you need it if only to watch that.
February 15, 2005
It's The Paycheck, Stupid
In case some of you are thinking that this whole Social Security debate just started a few months ago, here is an article written in June 2002 by Thomas Frank, editor of The Baffler and author of the must-read books "What's The Matter With Kansas?" and "One Market Under God".
According to Frank, one of the (purposely) overlooked solutions for the Social Security "crisis" is simply to raise wages just one percent above the current growth rate, thus generating more contributions that will ensure stability for at least the next 55 years.
But, "under privatization, all guarantees are off", says Frank. "Your retirement is tied solely to the size of your portfolio, which in turn is tied to your willingness to work--longer hours, and on the boss's terms. The new economics of retirement will thus pay dividends in increased workforce discipline and will also force millions to continue working well into their retirement years, enlarging the labor force and helping to keep wages down."
In 1985, I began working full-time as a union fish butcher at $9.06 an hour. I have a 62-year old relative currently working at Wal-Mart making $7.50 an hour. When she hits 65, I'll buy her a nice walker with tennis balls on the feet for easy gliding around the store.
According to Frank, one of the (purposely) overlooked solutions for the Social Security "crisis" is simply to raise wages just one percent above the current growth rate, thus generating more contributions that will ensure stability for at least the next 55 years.
But, "under privatization, all guarantees are off", says Frank. "Your retirement is tied solely to the size of your portfolio, which in turn is tied to your willingness to work--longer hours, and on the boss's terms. The new economics of retirement will thus pay dividends in increased workforce discipline and will also force millions to continue working well into their retirement years, enlarging the labor force and helping to keep wages down."
In 1985, I began working full-time as a union fish butcher at $9.06 an hour. I have a 62-year old relative currently working at Wal-Mart making $7.50 an hour. When she hits 65, I'll buy her a nice walker with tennis balls on the feet for easy gliding around the store.
February 12, 2005
Ja, Herr Apotheker!
Hey gals--do you use oral contraceptives to avoid having children? Well, it's only a matter of time until you go to the drugstore and are confronted with the scowling face of a member of Pharmacists For Life International. Yep, they believe that even use of the Pill is tantamount to "baby killing" and will refuse to dispense it to you. Murdering harlots.....
February 11, 2005
I'll Believe It When I See It
Get ready, Chicago--here come the "Gatekeepers", a coalition of evangelical preachers who say they want to put on "a more compassionate face":
"Many of the Gatekeepers say they know evangelicalism is seen by many as being preoccupied with personal holiness and transformation and less so with bettering society. Several said there's something to that, talking of their frustration that many evangelicals care little for social justice beyond the two hot-button issues of abortion and same-sex rights.
Rev. Erwin Lutzer: 'The intrusion of evangelicalism into politics, though very well-intended, also has some negative fallout,' he acknowledged. 'When the evangelical church stepped into the political arena, it actually made itself a target, I think, in the wider communities in America.'
Rev. Bill Hybels: 'I think some evangelicals have put too much emphasis on what Christ's followers are against.'
Rev. Mark Jobe: 'The face of evangelicals is an angry face, protesting something, rather than people that are serving or helping or reaching out. There are things that turn my stomach in society, that make me angry or make me sad. But I think the heart of Jesus is much more one of serving the hungry, the needy and the poor....than what we're against.'"
Well, we'll just fucking wait and see, won't we?
"Many of the Gatekeepers say they know evangelicalism is seen by many as being preoccupied with personal holiness and transformation and less so with bettering society. Several said there's something to that, talking of their frustration that many evangelicals care little for social justice beyond the two hot-button issues of abortion and same-sex rights.
Rev. Erwin Lutzer: 'The intrusion of evangelicalism into politics, though very well-intended, also has some negative fallout,' he acknowledged. 'When the evangelical church stepped into the political arena, it actually made itself a target, I think, in the wider communities in America.'
Rev. Bill Hybels: 'I think some evangelicals have put too much emphasis on what Christ's followers are against.'
Rev. Mark Jobe: 'The face of evangelicals is an angry face, protesting something, rather than people that are serving or helping or reaching out. There are things that turn my stomach in society, that make me angry or make me sad. But I think the heart of Jesus is much more one of serving the hungry, the needy and the poor....than what we're against.'"
Well, we'll just fucking wait and see, won't we?
February 10, 2005
Ass Wednesday
It's that time again....after another year of co-workers ridiculing "ragheads", "dotheads", turbans, yarmulkes, etc., the same fools showed up for work yesterday with black smudges on their foreheads.
February 08, 2005
Gospel In, Garbage Out
In this article, writer Teresa Whitehurst explains how it's no use employing logic when dealing with the rabid religious right:
"..... liberal and moderate writers make the same mistaken assumption about what's causing right wing Christians to become more actively intolerant towards people who are different from themselves: that intolerance and persecution fly in the face of Christian teachings, hence represent hypocrisy. And if that's all it is, then we need only alert them to this fact and they, being Christians, will be horrified to realize that they've been led astray, repent, and change their ways.
My friend, the truth hurts: Intolerance has become a standard "Christian" teaching in conservative circles and is now a badge of honor. It's now the most readily observable hallmark of the virtuous and courageous conservative Christian.
Because intolerance is now a virtue to be acquired rather than a vice to be cast away, there is nothing that you or I can say to awaken the conscience of conservative Christians. They're too far gone, for their beliefs have changed radically over the last few years. They worship a different God than the one we grew up with; perhaps it's more accurate to say that they worship the Old Testament God, without the moderating influence of Jesus, who's considered symbolic and sweet and nice-but nobody whose teachings must be obeyed.
Ask a conservative Christian about Jesus' teachings, and you'll be told that they're wonderful spiritual teachings-for the inner life, not the outer."
This is why these proud-to-be-assholes can see right through Democrats who are suddenly promoting faith and values, and why they'll never be swayed by intellectuals such as Whitehurst who, for some reason, feel the need to believe in the same (slightly less harsh) imaginary friend that they do. It's time to start being more on the offensive with this cult that, for all their talk about backwards Islamic countries, would love nothing more than to turn this one into (even more of) a religious state.
"..... liberal and moderate writers make the same mistaken assumption about what's causing right wing Christians to become more actively intolerant towards people who are different from themselves: that intolerance and persecution fly in the face of Christian teachings, hence represent hypocrisy. And if that's all it is, then we need only alert them to this fact and they, being Christians, will be horrified to realize that they've been led astray, repent, and change their ways.
My friend, the truth hurts: Intolerance has become a standard "Christian" teaching in conservative circles and is now a badge of honor. It's now the most readily observable hallmark of the virtuous and courageous conservative Christian.
Because intolerance is now a virtue to be acquired rather than a vice to be cast away, there is nothing that you or I can say to awaken the conscience of conservative Christians. They're too far gone, for their beliefs have changed radically over the last few years. They worship a different God than the one we grew up with; perhaps it's more accurate to say that they worship the Old Testament God, without the moderating influence of Jesus, who's considered symbolic and sweet and nice-but nobody whose teachings must be obeyed.
Ask a conservative Christian about Jesus' teachings, and you'll be told that they're wonderful spiritual teachings-for the inner life, not the outer."
This is why these proud-to-be-assholes can see right through Democrats who are suddenly promoting faith and values, and why they'll never be swayed by intellectuals such as Whitehurst who, for some reason, feel the need to believe in the same (slightly less harsh) imaginary friend that they do. It's time to start being more on the offensive with this cult that, for all their talk about backwards Islamic countries, would love nothing more than to turn this one into (even more of) a religious state.
February 07, 2005
As Safe As It Gets
Since Mister Rogers is dead, organizers of the Super Bowl halftime show came up with the next best thing in Paul McCartney, a guy who hasn't written a good song since the 1960s (and then only with the help of the currently spinning John Lennon). There may not have been a visible breast hanging out, but last night all of America was sucking hard on the teat of classic rock nostalgia. Gag. Bring back Up With People.
February 06, 2005
You Can't Have It Both Ways
On the website of the Christian Coalition is a gloating letter from their president (a woman!) describing how "we succeeded", "won important victories" and "made the difference" on Election Day. Of course, just to the right of the letter is a petition, "Let's Take America Back".
They should send the petition over to the DNC, I'm sure they'll be happy to sign.
They should send the petition over to the DNC, I'm sure they'll be happy to sign.
February 05, 2005
Nice Try
More Democratic kowtowing to the religious right:
Democrats Convene Group to Develop 'Faith Agenda'
The Christers may be crazy, but they are not stupid.
Democrats Convene Group to Develop 'Faith Agenda'
The Christers may be crazy, but they are not stupid.
February 04, 2005
Dummy Up!
Another fascist loudmouth made things worse yesterday. Marine Lt. General James Mattis blabbed that shooting Arabs is "a hell of a lot of fun". I know quite a few people, especially at work, that would agree ("kill 'em all", "bomb those 'dune coons' back to the stone age", etc.) as they and their leader Rush laugh off the atrocities at Abu-Ghirab and Guantanamo as merely frat boy pranks. These are the same guys who have Vietnam POW stickers on their trucks and swell with nostalgic pride over images of the noble, pure-hearted American soldier in "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers".
(Sidebar: Last week at work while watching the news reports on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the concentration camp jokes started flying. Finally one guy says, "Hey, that shit isn't funny; my grandfather was killed in Auschwitz.....he fell out of the guard tower and broke his fuckin' neck!" Laughter all around.)
What they are too thick to figure out besides equating Islam, and never Christianity, with terrorism (a whole other subject) is that publicly talking shit and especially taking Polaroids of shit just recruits more "terrorists". Fuck, even Ted Nugent has more tact.
(Sidebar: Last week at work while watching the news reports on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the concentration camp jokes started flying. Finally one guy says, "Hey, that shit isn't funny; my grandfather was killed in Auschwitz.....he fell out of the guard tower and broke his fuckin' neck!" Laughter all around.)
What they are too thick to figure out besides equating Islam, and never Christianity, with terrorism (a whole other subject) is that publicly talking shit and especially taking Polaroids of shit just recruits more "terrorists". Fuck, even Ted Nugent has more tact.
February 03, 2005
It's Time To Harvest The Crust From Your Eyes
Ok. I gotta get this out of the way first. It's been annoying me for a while, although I shouldn't have been surprised. About a month ago, I went upstairs in the firehouse where someone had left a TV on. There on the screen was Oprah. I've always reacted to Oprah (and especially her fans) with moderate disgust, what with all the daily hyper-sentimentality, pathetic public gut-spilling, pop psych and celebrity worship. When the camera focuses for a moment on the audience members, you can see the look on their faces (as they constantly nod in agreement) that tells you they would all drink the Kool-Aid if Oprah told them to (especially if she coughed up a few more new cars).
While I was looking for the goddamned remote, I coudn't help overhearing what Oprah was talking about. Oprah was upset. Oprah was grossed out. The audience was upset. The audience was grossed out. Christ, I thought, could she actually be discussing from her huge national platform upsetting things like the fucked-up wars, the Right's attack on Social Security, christians picking on queers, airline employees being raped of their pensions, or insane neocons and their suckhole Democrat buddies?
Nope.
It was gum.
Gum.
Fucking chewing gum.
In case you were wondering, Oprah hates gum. Gum grosses her out. She doesn't allow her staff to chew it around her and she doesn't allow it in her house. Unfortunately, someone got gum past her once. She told the story of a friend and her adult daughter who came over for dinner and at the table the daughter TOOK OUT HER GUM AND PUT IT ON HER PLATE (big "eeeeewwwwww!" from the audience) and when they left later that evening she THREW THE PLATE AWAY (big cheer from the audience). Cut to a commercial for Cialis.
JESUS H. CHRIST IN A CHICKEN BASKET, WHAT THE HOLY FUCK???
There, I feel (a little) better.
While I was looking for the goddamned remote, I coudn't help overhearing what Oprah was talking about. Oprah was upset. Oprah was grossed out. The audience was upset. The audience was grossed out. Christ, I thought, could she actually be discussing from her huge national platform upsetting things like the fucked-up wars, the Right's attack on Social Security, christians picking on queers, airline employees being raped of their pensions, or insane neocons and their suckhole Democrat buddies?
Nope.
It was gum.
Gum.
Fucking chewing gum.
In case you were wondering, Oprah hates gum. Gum grosses her out. She doesn't allow her staff to chew it around her and she doesn't allow it in her house. Unfortunately, someone got gum past her once. She told the story of a friend and her adult daughter who came over for dinner and at the table the daughter TOOK OUT HER GUM AND PUT IT ON HER PLATE (big "eeeeewwwwww!" from the audience) and when they left later that evening she THREW THE PLATE AWAY (big cheer from the audience). Cut to a commercial for Cialis.
JESUS H. CHRIST IN A CHICKEN BASKET, WHAT THE HOLY FUCK???
There, I feel (a little) better.
February 02, 2005
You're One Of Them
I'm finally adding a blog to my daily online whirlwind of current events, alt-porn and eBay. Aren't you all lucky!
