We interrupt this occasional Howler update page to voice a little rant. Apologies in advance!
My gmail box gathers a few journals and news feeds, including the ACLU. Oddly enough I know enough Kansans to finally understand they are just a bunch of communists trying to destroy our country from the inside. These are the same Kansans that hate listening to me rant in person about unlawful wiretaps, being searched at the airport, etc ad infinitum. The ACLU writes:
The new administration will not pursue legal action against the torturers or the architects of the criminal acts carried out in the name of "security". They will continue wiretapping, but that is another rant. This is a juxtaposition.
So, the juxt: Pirate Bay founders get a year in jail each and severe fines. Media companies applaud (and paid for) this brave decision to put those cassette trading, used book reading communist hippy freaks away.
So, crimes against humanity committed in the name of Freedom by a country I once called home are not worth addressing, but some suits tricklestream coke budget is.
What a wonderful world we have made. Let me lock the gate.
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Monday, July 07, 2008
4th of July Reflections
I have a dirty secret. I listen to Limbaugh on the way home at lunch, a 7 minute commute. I don't make it home without shutting it off in disgust, but last week I found myself sitting in the car in my driveway listening while he read the following text:
A Not-So-Glorious Fourth
When he finished reciting he launched into a tirade about the Left and the Media and I enjoyed my lunch, "Rush free." I looked up the editorial, read it through a couple more times, and chose not to celebrate Friday.
Chris Satullo hit the nail on the head. Thanks!
A Not-So-Glorious Fourth
When he finished reciting he launched into a tirade about the Left and the Media and I enjoyed my lunch, "Rush free." I looked up the editorial, read it through a couple more times, and chose not to celebrate Friday.
Chris Satullo hit the nail on the head. Thanks!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Slippery Slope
More politics, rather than reviews. I am well aware that I have very limited access to the truth with regard to "official" anything. The overt manipulation of the media by this administration is poo-pooed and dismissed by my conservative friends with a "you think it started with Bush?" offhand response.
The NYT column I am linking to here discusses things that will never come fully into the light, just like much of our history. Bob Herbert's OP-ED "Seeds of Destruction" deserves a few minutes of contemplation before you rush out to see "Iron Man" again.
The United States cannot lead the planet to a more civilized place without first getting itself in order. That starts with a sense of decency and fairness that belies "survival of the fittest" and "winner takes all". I think that teaching the pitfalls and fallacy of applying Darwin to everyday decisions might go along way towards reaching the goal of a compassionate sustainable existence.
The NYT column I am linking to here discusses things that will never come fully into the light, just like much of our history. Bob Herbert's OP-ED "Seeds of Destruction" deserves a few minutes of contemplation before you rush out to see "Iron Man" again.
The United States cannot lead the planet to a more civilized place without first getting itself in order. That starts with a sense of decency and fairness that belies "survival of the fittest" and "winner takes all". I think that teaching the pitfalls and fallacy of applying Darwin to everyday decisions might go along way towards reaching the goal of a compassionate sustainable existence.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I Read the News Today..
Struck by short captions from the NYT, here they are, and why:
1. "European countries plan to use coal, generally the dirtiest fuel on earth, in new power plants." Well, I live in Kansas, not a particular hotbed of environmental action, where 2 new coal plants were shot down by a courageous politician: she was overridden, naturally. Anyone remember the Clamshell Alliance?
2. "The U.S. has less than 5 percent of the world’s population but almost a quarter of its prisoners." Land of the Free. Land of the Wiretap. Land where we came up with "Enemy Combatants" and began deciding that we don't really hold any truths to be self-evident if there is a no-bid contract involved.
3. " It is past time for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to acknowledge that the campaign’s negativity, for which she is mostly responsible, does nothing but harm to her, her opponent, her party and the 2008 election." To say nothing of the country that has been mired in a foreign occupation its populace doesn't understand but finally gets the picture that we truly messed up looking for revenge. For the 3 misguided conservatives that thought Saddam had to go, I suggest you look at our history, namely the Shah of Iran and General Pinochet.
and finally:
"The Supreme Court has repeatedly ignored the barbaric history of the death penalty."
Barbarians. A civilization is measured by its compassion -- where is the clause in Intelligent Design that allows us to stop moving towards it?
1. "European countries plan to use coal, generally the dirtiest fuel on earth, in new power plants." Well, I live in Kansas, not a particular hotbed of environmental action, where 2 new coal plants were shot down by a courageous politician: she was overridden, naturally. Anyone remember the Clamshell Alliance?
2. "The U.S. has less than 5 percent of the world’s population but almost a quarter of its prisoners." Land of the Free. Land of the Wiretap. Land where we came up with "Enemy Combatants" and began deciding that we don't really hold any truths to be self-evident if there is a no-bid contract involved.
3. " It is past time for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to acknowledge that the campaign’s negativity, for which she is mostly responsible, does nothing but harm to her, her opponent, her party and the 2008 election." To say nothing of the country that has been mired in a foreign occupation its populace doesn't understand but finally gets the picture that we truly messed up looking for revenge. For the 3 misguided conservatives that thought Saddam had to go, I suggest you look at our history, namely the Shah of Iran and General Pinochet.
and finally:
"The Supreme Court has repeatedly ignored the barbaric history of the death penalty."
Barbarians. A civilization is measured by its compassion -- where is the clause in Intelligent Design that allows us to stop moving towards it?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Don't Call it an Hiatus
I Know. 3 months. Blame Google Docs. I have been cataloging DVDs and CDs in my spare clock cycles and have gotten most of the brute force data entry done. In the meanwhile I have seen things you people would not believe..
(I know, a weak use of a great quote)
Anywho-
A little music from back in the day courtesy of a too serious but fine Blog, Mog. Right.
Plenty of music/movie/book reviews may be backlogged, but for now:
Gang of 4!
(I know, a weak use of a great quote)
Anywho-
A little music from back in the day courtesy of a too serious but fine Blog, Mog. Right.
Plenty of music/movie/book reviews may be backlogged, but for now:
Gang of 4!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
"Across the Universe" Jitters
I saw the preview for "Across the Universe" in front of "Dreamgirls" and was blown away. The trailer for this musical got me excited, so much so I looked for it on the web right after "Dreamgirls" -- which I enjoyed thoroughly, btw.
The trailer was nowhere to be found, for about a month...
Eventually the trailer was released. My movie buff friends watched it and made fun of me for wanting to see a chick flic. I scratched my head trying to figure out how this was a chick flic, but ultimately I didn't care, the trailer was fantastic! Surreal, 1960s stuff, ratcheting emotions, psychedelics, just about perfect...
There are rumblings in the press about the director taking her name off of the picture. Apparently the studio head recut the film, without her consent. It appears he didn't need her consent per the contract, but nonetheless..
I am thinking of "The New World", and "Brazil" and am worried. I don't need my films to have "commercial appeal", and oddly enough, I figure Julie Taymor would provide a better film experience than the director of "Christmas with the Kranks".
Call me Crazy.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Checking In
It has been pointed out in more than one place, and not necessarily in a glib tone, that "everyone has a blog", and they are as easy as "making your own urine", and about as interesting to outside viewers/listeners/tasters. It has also been pointed out that I'm not particularly rabid or foaming in print, just in person. And finally, those that are also procrastinators point out that it has been a week since I last posted.
This is not to say I have been idle..or even too busy to post.
There have been plenty of events..to include little things like the evisceration of the US Constitution by the executive branch, bombs in mosques, kidnappers and congressmen sexual dalliances, and the voluntary surrender of freedom by my surrogate daughter. On a personal
level, the banning of my Picasa Web Album features pretty highly.
That was a> unexpected, 2> unexplained, and C> frustrating! I have removed the link to that album from my sidebar. This is, of course, not the end of the saga. I have asked for an explanation of why and how to get privileges back, but, it is a bigGooglesphere!
The lack of movie reviews? Well--I saw "Fearless" in the theatre--wonderful--but already reviewed on this blog before release. I have also seen some movies on the big and the small screen, but, as many of you know, I don't write negative reviews.
That is based entirely on not liking things at one time and then liking later on. I am not saying this will happen every time, but on even the worst of movies some people have poured their lives (at least temporarily) into making it. It is wrong to spit a gob of opinion on something like that. Positive energy is at a premium these days.
So a list of movies not reviewed here:
"Bad Guy"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"Black Dahlia"
To be reviewed after I finish the last installment, as I am loving it: "Smiley's People".
Keep the faith, I am here to stay.
This is not to say I have been idle..or even too busy to post.
There have been plenty of events..to include little things like the evisceration of the US Constitution by the executive branch, bombs in mosques, kidnappers and congressmen sexual dalliances, and the voluntary surrender of freedom by my surrogate daughter. On a personal
level, the banning of my Picasa Web Album features pretty highly.
That was a> unexpected, 2> unexplained, and C> frustrating! I have removed the link to that album from my sidebar. This is, of course, not the end of the saga. I have asked for an explanation of why and how to get privileges back, but, it is a bigGooglesphere!
The lack of movie reviews? Well--I saw "Fearless" in the theatre--wonderful--but already reviewed on this blog before release. I have also seen some movies on the big and the small screen, but, as many of you know, I don't write negative reviews.
That is based entirely on not liking things at one time and then liking later on. I am not saying this will happen every time, but on even the worst of movies some people have poured their lives (at least temporarily) into making it. It is wrong to spit a gob of opinion on something like that. Positive energy is at a premium these days.
So a list of movies not reviewed here:
"Bad Guy"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"Black Dahlia"
To be reviewed after I finish the last installment, as I am loving it: "Smiley's People".
Keep the faith, I am here to stay.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Police State Embraced
This will take a bit to get right. Let me outline factors, then connect the dots, then argue my point. These are in no particular order.
1. Email monitoring at federal level without oversight
2. Phone tapping and monitoring without due cause. "terrorism" is not a blanket of due cause
3. Pouring bottled water out before getting on a plane
4. Lawsuits dismissed in the name of National Security
5. Reclassifying public records from 30 years ago to "secret"
6. Random car searches on a weekday on the only highway between Topeka and Manhattan
I work with people that defend these actions as necessary for a secure and functioning country.
These abuses will not stop until the citizens--you and me--leave work and take to the streets.
Have they stopped teaching history? I know the oath of office mentions the
Constitution, and there was even that movie "National Treasure" (yeah, I thought that was a horse too) that shows that we as a people had a backbone once. That our answer to job security wasn't the Great Wall of Mexico, but instead innovation. Our answer to spilled coffee used to be to clean it up, not sue. Planning for retirement used to mean more than buying a lottery ticket every week. Rewriting history, doublespeak, and newspeak were once the province of paranoid futurist authors, now they have their own departments, in every corporation(and the USA Inc). What was our budget for Iraq Propaganda? 20 Million this year? Propaganda used to be synonymous with Wartime Lies, now some of the best paying jobs in journalism are all about spinning, and retouching, and overdubbing footage...
I believe civilizations act like titration in chem class -- the green liquid stays green even as you add the clear drops until that one drop turns the entire beaker red. How will the green of our civilization turning red manifest?
Revolt?
Bio disaster?
Armed lock down?
I do not believe the USA will continue its slow downward slide into a gated community for the 1%...Rome's fall was slow because there was no tech.The "hyperpower" called the United States may be 6th or 7th on the tech ladder, but we still have the nukes--and the zealotry to use 'em.
1. Email monitoring at federal level without oversight
2. Phone tapping and monitoring without due cause. "terrorism" is not a blanket of due cause
3. Pouring bottled water out before getting on a plane
4. Lawsuits dismissed in the name of National Security
5. Reclassifying public records from 30 years ago to "secret"
6. Random car searches on a weekday on the only highway between Topeka and Manhattan
I work with people that defend these actions as necessary for a secure and functioning country.
These abuses will not stop until the citizens--you and me--leave work and take to the streets.
Have they stopped teaching history? I know the oath of office mentions the
Constitution, and there was even that movie "National Treasure" (yeah, I thought that was a horse too) that shows that we as a people had a backbone once. That our answer to job security wasn't the Great Wall of Mexico, but instead innovation. Our answer to spilled coffee used to be to clean it up, not sue. Planning for retirement used to mean more than buying a lottery ticket every week. Rewriting history, doublespeak, and newspeak were once the province of paranoid futurist authors, now they have their own departments, in every corporation(and the USA Inc). What was our budget for Iraq Propaganda? 20 Million this year? Propaganda used to be synonymous with Wartime Lies, now some of the best paying jobs in journalism are all about spinning, and retouching, and overdubbing footage...
I believe civilizations act like titration in chem class -- the green liquid stays green even as you add the clear drops until that one drop turns the entire beaker red. How will the green of our civilization turning red manifest?
Revolt?
Bio disaster?
Armed lock down?
I do not believe the USA will continue its slow downward slide into a gated community for the 1%...Rome's fall was slow because there was no tech.The "hyperpower" called the United States may be 6th or 7th on the tech ladder, but we still have the nukes--and the zealotry to use 'em.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Satellite imagery shows oceans alive and well
Observations of global chlorophyll patterns tell scientists where ocean surface plants are growing, which is an indicator of where marine ecosystems are thriving. Phytoplankton are the base of the food chain: regions that support large phytoplankton blooms also tend to support a diverse marine population.
More good news, as the oceans are our "Canary". I say more good news as yesterday's mention that the USA was actually going to honor the Geneva Suggestion signaled a shift in our Cowboy "Diplomacy".
read more | digg story
More good news, as the oceans are our "Canary". I say more good news as yesterday's mention that the USA was actually going to honor the Geneva Suggestion signaled a shift in our Cowboy "Diplomacy".
read more | digg story
Saturday, July 08, 2006
ABC wants to disable FF on DVRs
ABC HAS HELD DISCUSSIONS ON the use of technology that would disable the fast-forward button on DVRs, according to ABC President of Advertising Sales Mike Shaw, with the primary goal to allow TV commercials to run as intended.
We don't need no stinkin' buttons. This changing of what we "can" to what we "can allow" is all over the internet. We will still be caught napping (money speaks louder than consumers) by the suits I'm afraid, they are relentless.
read more | digg story
We don't need no stinkin' buttons. This changing of what we "can" to what we "can allow" is all over the internet. We will still be caught napping (money speaks louder than consumers) by the suits I'm afraid, they are relentless.
read more | digg story
SFgate,Op-Ed: George W. Bush Is Dead To Me
"What a difference a handful of years makes. Now, overseas, we are a joke. A threat. A toxin. We are considered reckless and arrogant and ignorant, dangerous not just to the rest of the world but to the overall health of the planet. No one anywhere understands how a man like Bush can be the leader of the Free World."
Mark Morford is a fine writer. This column hits the nail square, and I like a guy who shares my tastes in diversions..equal parts Astroglide and Scotch.
read more | digg story
Mark Morford is a fine writer. This column hits the nail square, and I like a guy who shares my tastes in diversions..equal parts Astroglide and Scotch.
read more | digg story
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Atrocity Exhibition, Happy Birthday USA
"a few bad apples"
Ex-soldier charged with rape of Iraqi woman, killing of family It remains to be seen if the "other soldiers" will be indicted, or will this "disturbed" individual swing by his lonesome.
Some cool precedents:The Rape of Okinawa
Kosovo!
No Rape here, just murder
What was that boat doing getting in the way of the Submarine? In "fairness" to the military the NUCLEAR sub that collided with the civilian boat was also being driven by a civilian. When do I get my turn, Daddy?
Take heart, it is not just us!
The Rape sword cuts both ways, so says our fearless, Viagra poppin', sex tourista Rush. The poor GOP, picked on for a few worthless civilians.
Women are scarce, how about we do our fellow soldiers? Wait--that can't happen here..Can it?
This happened during WWII? The "Great Generation"...I don't believe it!
What? We have troops in Manila? Where the hell is that?
Alright. I can do research for pages, this a rant--spurred by readers who say my blog is milquetoast. My point here: We as a people have a long way to go. A society is measured by its compassion, even in times of pre-emptive war.
We have punished servicemen and cops that break the public trust, but not nearly as often as we have covered it up. We need not take pages from the bad guys book and give them to lawyers to read and rewrite--Rendition is the result.
While our emails/bank records/phone calls are apparently public property held by the NSA, our government retreats into secrecy. We should have nothing to hide. We need to be proud of what we stand for, and what we do. We need to move to the light, unblinking, unflinching. No one made up the "Ugly American", we did it ourselves.
Last One: The Geneva Suggestion Problem.
Wake up.
Ex-soldier charged with rape of Iraqi woman, killing of family It remains to be seen if the "other soldiers" will be indicted, or will this "disturbed" individual swing by his lonesome.
Some cool precedents:The Rape of Okinawa
Kosovo!
No Rape here, just murder
What was that boat doing getting in the way of the Submarine? In "fairness" to the military the NUCLEAR sub that collided with the civilian boat was also being driven by a civilian. When do I get my turn, Daddy?
Take heart, it is not just us!
The Rape sword cuts both ways, so says our fearless, Viagra poppin', sex tourista Rush. The poor GOP, picked on for a few worthless civilians.
Women are scarce, how about we do our fellow soldiers? Wait--that can't happen here..Can it?
This happened during WWII? The "Great Generation"...I don't believe it!
What? We have troops in Manila? Where the hell is that?
Alright. I can do research for pages, this a rant--spurred by readers who say my blog is milquetoast. My point here: We as a people have a long way to go. A society is measured by its compassion, even in times of pre-emptive war.
We have punished servicemen and cops that break the public trust, but not nearly as often as we have covered it up. We need not take pages from the bad guys book and give them to lawyers to read and rewrite--Rendition is the result.
While our emails/bank records/phone calls are apparently public property held by the NSA, our government retreats into secrecy. We should have nothing to hide. We need to be proud of what we stand for, and what we do. We need to move to the light, unblinking, unflinching. No one made up the "Ugly American", we did it ourselves.
Last One: The Geneva Suggestion Problem.
Wake up.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Security Uber Alles
UPDATE 7/5/6 Judge Stops Sonar Use during these exercises! A Ray of Hope...
It is one thing to endure the myriad indignities of post 9/11 life in the United States, and another to completely lose our minds. You might think I am talking about the Homeland Security Budget, or perhaps the human toll of the Iraq War(never mind the cost), but you would be wrong.
Perhaps you know me personally and think I'm ranting about faux airport security and the confiscation of Medal of Honor pins from veterans, but you would be wrong. Perhaps it is the phone tapping? The bank monitoring? The surveillance and harassment of protesters? Nope.Deliberate Whale beaching by the Department of Defense. More incidental than deliberate, to be fair. The Navy is aware, and a separate federal commission confirmed, that excess sonar use spooks whales, causing them to beach themselves in large numbers.
An exemption to the restraint on sonar use has been granted in the name of "National Security".
It is like not signing the Land Mine Ban. Not following the Kyoto protocols. Hell, ignoring the Geneva Convention and destroying the version of America I want to be a citizen of--the one on the right side.
All of these decisions are the result of succumbing to fear, and the citizens acceptance of it.
The corollary here is faith based science: where science says one thing, the science is deleted, have faith in the government. Yes, scientists have had there results altered for the "good of the country", for what are facts if not inconvenient?
this refers to the removal of Sonar as a possible cause in whale beaching from a report.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Justice Served
Stephen Caracappa and Louis Eppolito were convicted in April of involvement in eight murders on behalf of the Mafia between 1986 and 1990.
Relevant Links:
Indictment
NYT Article"
BBC (where I read it first)
That is real life.
They charges have been dropped.
Public "trust" shattered, the image of the police tarnished.
8 murders, 4 years, committed by police detectives.
The charges have been dropped.
A clear message has been sent: The Mafia can do whatever they want.
When are the Sopranos on again?
MONEY TALKS.
How many times do you have to see Serpico to get it?
Let me make it personal: here in Kansas they caught the guy who stole my stereo, holding my stereo. I got a letter: we are not going to prosecute, but I was free to hire a lawyer and seek damages.
A clear message was sent: violate my property, steal my things, we do not care.
Relevant Links:
Indictment
NYT Article"
BBC (where I read it first)
That is real life.
They charges have been dropped.
Public "trust" shattered, the image of the police tarnished.
8 murders, 4 years, committed by police detectives.
The charges have been dropped.
A clear message has been sent: The Mafia can do whatever they want.
When are the Sopranos on again?
MONEY TALKS.
How many times do you have to see Serpico to get it?
Let me make it personal: here in Kansas they caught the guy who stole my stereo, holding my stereo. I got a letter: we are not going to prosecute, but I was free to hire a lawyer and seek damages.
A clear message was sent: violate my property, steal my things, we do not care.
Fsck the World, We are the Children of God
This is our planet, given to us, right? Do what we want.. "let them have dominion over the fish of the sea" is the quote I believe, which is interpreted as carte blanche to
strip mine, pave, drop and test "soul killers", for all eternity.
More sport fishing "fun".
Do click the link(s).
strip mine, pave, drop and test "soul killers", for all eternity.
More sport fishing "fun".
Great hammerhead shark sets litter record from PhysOrg.com
A great hammerhead shark caught off the Gulf Coast of Florida last month was reportedly pregnant with 55 "pups" -- setting a record.
[...]
Do click the link(s).
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Perplexed
Excerpted from Florida Today article:
"Those men's names were removed from the information released to FLORIDA TODAY under the Freedom of Information Act. Patrick spokeswoman Lt. Col. Maria Carl said the other men were not part of the inspection team."
My first reading told my brain that the "men's names were removed...Under FIA guidelines". So much for freedom of information!
Of course the subject shift in the sentence, from the "men's names" to the "information released" caused my confusion...
Gist of the article was sex was used to improve inspection results. A shorter route to good results might have been to follow the "Star Wars Space Laser Defense Shield" initiative and not require oversight or inspection.
Most terrorists are using guided missiles(sure), but we will have it ready(sure) for China once we have paid for China's ascension(money well spent!) through Wal-Mart dollars.
Speaking of money well spent how about that war? I think the "War on Drugs" is still ahead in total waste of lives and dollars and resources, but the War on Terror aka the Invasion of Iraq is catching up fast!
"Those men's names were removed from the information released to FLORIDA TODAY under the Freedom of Information Act. Patrick spokeswoman Lt. Col. Maria Carl said the other men were not part of the inspection team."
My first reading told my brain that the "men's names were removed...Under FIA guidelines". So much for freedom of information!
Of course the subject shift in the sentence, from the "men's names" to the "information released" caused my confusion...
Gist of the article was sex was used to improve inspection results. A shorter route to good results might have been to follow the "Star Wars Space Laser Defense Shield" initiative and not require oversight or inspection.
Most terrorists are using guided missiles(sure), but we will have it ready(sure) for China once we have paid for China's ascension(money well spent!) through Wal-Mart dollars.
Speaking of money well spent how about that war? I think the "War on Drugs" is still ahead in total waste of lives and dollars and resources, but the War on Terror aka the Invasion of Iraq is catching up fast!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Crevalle-Jack
This fish (a 40lb specimen)was used as bait to catch a 750lb Hammerhead Shark that was neither edible, nor off the coast of a crowded beach. The shark was caught for sport, photographed and buried.
I cannot think of a cooler example of resource management. Keep fishing!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Next Gen = Blu Ray
Well, I have thrown my hat in the ring. Blu Ray will be my chosen format once it becomes available. I have pre-ordered Ultraviolet--the first next gen movie.
Blu Ray playback is supposed to be part of the PS3 package. I already have a 360, but I am guessing it won't play HD DVD.
The deliberate crippling of both of these formats is truly the deepest argument against Capitalism--except for maybe Coal Mines or Haliburton. Ok, on that scale making consumers dance to adulterated content doesn't even register, but still. The crippling is a pre-emptive strike against copying. It will be even less effective than the current pre-emptive strike against the world the USA has embarked on. We are an uncivilized, single(but unofficial)language speaking, xenophobic bunch of Wal-Mart shoppers and YOU are either with us or against us and if you are against us you automatically drop out of the protected status of "human being".
Oops. This got political again.
Keep Watching Movies. Stop Making Sense. Plan for Retirement. Click the button for your FREE iPod!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
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