Perspective

Everyone and their brother is still talking about the massacre in VA. It got me thinking....stuff like this happens EVERY DAY in Iraq. Dozens are killed and more wounded by bombs or execution squads. Where is the outpouring of grief for them? Why is it so much more tragic when it happens at home? I'm not trying to take away from the tragedy of so many lives lost at the university. Really. But what about those people in Iraq? Are their lives worth any less? Damn, I don't remember the last time I read the news and didn't see something about an suicide bomber blowing up people near a mosque or bodies found alongside a road or American GIs killed. Why isn't that splashed on the front page of every paper? Why isn't that the opening story on the 11 o'clock news? Am I the only one who reads the news? Am I the only American aware of what's going on overseas? Am I the only one who cares about the war? Am I the only one who remembers? On days when the big news stories revolve around spoilt celebrities or stupid reality shows I begin to think I'm the only one who remembers that there are two wars going on. Iraq is long lost and unless we refocus and reprioritize we'll lose Afghanistan too. And all the death and injury will be for sh*t. Nothing will be better. Feeling all too pessimistic today.

Damn some people are really f*cked up

Gunman, 32 others killed in Va. shooting

I'll never understand what drives people to do sh*t like this. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. Such a senseless, violent waste.

Hey kids. I have been underwhelmed by the response to my last post. Thanks, Mia, for commenting.

So back to the regular rants. Last week a well-known talk radio personality was fired for making a stupid comment about a basketball team. One stupid remark cost him his job and his reputation. As my dear Mia would say, WTF?

I am in no way defending what Mr. Imus said. It was a dumb thing to say. However, what the hell is happening in this country? We are supposed to have freedom of speech, as long as it is not inciting violence. People are supposed to be allowed to say the most assine things.

The man apologized. Repeatedly. But now his career is over because of this one remark. He doesn't have a history of harassing other religions or races or anyone really. How f*cking sensitive have we become? One dumb comment and your life is over? Is that really fair? Who among us has not once said something racially or religiously insensitive? The only difference is that we are not celebrities and our ignorance isn't broadcast to the world. Deep down inside we are all bigots or hypocrites in one way or another. For some of us it isn't all that deep down.

My best friend is from SE Asia and grew up ghetto. There was one incident between us that sticks in my memory. I once made a joke about her being ghetto and was stunned when she got offended. I couldn't believe it. We had been friends for a long time and never had any ugliness between us. As she looked at me with anger and hurt in her eyes I got angry too. I pointed out how many times she had teased me for being a "cracker" and "white trash". She certainly didn't have a problem laughing at me and my background. Almost immediately I could see that she got it. It was a joke, just like the many jokes she had made of me. After that we never had a problem.

Years ago my girlfriend and I were walking down the street with a mutual friend in a major US city. Three teenage boys walked past and as they did one made a VERY nasty comment regarding my girlfriend's sexuality. I was livid. This wasn't the first or the last time we dealt with anti-gay sentiment but that night I had enough. Despite the other two women I was with wanting to let it go I chased after the boys and confronted them. I said, "You have something to say about my girlfriend?" They were shaken to be called out on their bad behavior. I could see that they were afraid. Of me. Just because I had the balls to go after them. Immediately they apologized and became ever so friendly. To this day I'm still amused.

It seems to me that we are in a period when everyone has the most tender feelings and that the world is expected to never hurt them. Although I have noticed in popular culture that it is acceptable to make fun of whites, fat people, and gays, but that last one is almost out the door. People seem to expect that the world owes them and their beliefs respect. The world should never dare to step on their toes. News flash. The world doesn't owe anyone anything.

I grew up hearing dumb blonde and dumb Norweigan jokes constantly. I don't take it personally. Sometimes the jokes are funny. Sometimes they are not. But in any case I've been taught that in this country people are allowed to speak their minds, no matter how stupid their thoughts may be. If I don't like what someone says I ignore them or lay out my viewpoint. If there is something on the tv or radio that I don't like then I don't watch or listen. It's that simple.

The reality of life is that people are always going to disagree and have different ideas about what is acceptable and what is not. Your feelings are going to be hurt. Someone is going to insult you or something you care deeply about. My advice is to grow up and deal with it. You'll be lucky if you get an apology. And if you don't, so what? How does one person's ignorance diminish who you are or what you believe? It shouldn't. Move on.

Tagged by Mia

The Rule: “Each player of this game starts off with ten weird things or habits or little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs!”

1. I broke off part of my front tooth when I was ten. The dentist who fixed it did a terrible job and that part is a very different color than the rest of my tooth. When I smile or laugh, I try to do it with my mouth closed.

2. I hate having my hair cut. I've actually only done it three times in the last ten years.

3. I read the local obituaries every day. I don't know why but it has become a habit.

4. My hair has been bright red, orange, yellow, blue, green, black, brown and blonde.

5. I took pictures while two friends had their nipples pierced. One of them almost passed out.

6. I once smoked pot with my grandma.

7. I believe in ghosts and hauntings.

8. I was born three weeks early.

9. My siblings' names start with the same letter. Mine does not.

10. UPDATED: I decided to change this one--the first one was a bit too much information for the public, I think
I despise reality tv shows and have never seen an episode of "Survivor", "American Idol" or any of the other stupid shows featuring desperate people willing to humiliate themselves for national attention.

I won't force anyone to do this tag but I'd be really interested to know if anyone else does it. Let me know.

A word to the wise...

Here's something I learned recently: Do not watch a documentary on Caligula before bed unless you want to have some really funky, freaky dreams.

Hard Candy

I saw this movie for the first time a couple of months ago. I've now seen it four times and still can't get enough. If you have two free hours, watch this movie. Teenage actress Ellen Page gives an extremely compelling performance. I was blown away. This movie has stuck in my mind and is one of the best in the last ten years. I promise you've never seen anything like it before. Here's a brief plot outline taken from www.imdb.com:

For three weeks, 14-year-old Hayley Stark has been chatting on-line with 'Lensmaster319', a 32-year old fashion photographer, named Jeff. The two agree to meet at a coffee shop called Nighthawks. They hit it off, despite the massive age difference. Hayley appears to flirt with Jeff, and Jeff generally restrains himself, even admitting that he must wait 4-years until he can be with her. But his reservations are apparently not enough to decline when Hayley all but invites herself over to his house. Once at the house, manipulation becomes the name of the game, and the pedophile seems to be on the non-traditional side of it.

Paula Poundstone

What moron said that knowledge is power? Knowledge is power only if it doesn't depress you so much that it leaves you in an immobile heap at the end of your bed.

I have this friend, one that I go way back with. But we have a problem. Or at least I have a problem. She always says "we should get together and go out soon". I agree and set a date. She says she'll call and we'll confirm the plans. She never calls back. Or if she does it will be days later. And nine times out of ten when she does call it's because she needs a favor. Recently she called and asked for a BIG favor. For the first time I said no. I simply cannot do it. On the one hand I feel bad and want to help her out but I also feel used. The funny thing is she has often complained to me about a friend of hers that never calls when she says she will or blows off their plans. I have trouble biting my tongue. I'm getting pretty tired of it though. Truthfully we aren't terribly close but we do go back a long way. I'm wondering if it's worth it to have a confrontation or if I just ignore it and chalk it up to how it's going to be with her.

Addicted to Rehab

Words of Wisdom

Laura Kightlinger

I used to think drinking was the only way to be happy. Now I know there is no way to be happy.

Homer Simpson

Hey, just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!

Janeane Garofalo & Ben Stiller

Many people feel that mass acceptance and smooth socialization are desirable life paths for a young adult... Many people are often wrong... Don't bother being nice. Being popular and well liked is not in your best interest. Let me be more clear; if you behave in a manner pleasing to most, then you are probably doing something wrong. The masses have never been arbiters of the sublime, and they often fail to recognize the truly great individual. Taking into account the public's regrettable lack of taste, it is incumbent upon you not to fit in.

Janeane Garafalo

I guess I just prefer to see the dark side of things. The glass is always half empty. And cracked. And I just cut my lip on it. And chipped a tooth.

Hypocrisy is simply delicious

WASHINGTON - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich acknowledged he was having an extramarital affair even as he led the charge against President Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair, he acknowledged in an interview with a conservative Christian group.

But he says in his own defense: "Gingrich argued in the interview, however, that he should not be viewed as a hypocrite for pursuing Clinton's infidelity.

"The president of the United States got in trouble for committing a felony in front of a sitting federal judge," the former Georgia congressman said of Clinton's 1998 House impeachment on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. "I drew a line in my mind that said, 'Even though I run the risk of being deeply embarrassed, and even though at a purely personal level I am not rendering judgment on another human being, as a leader of the government trying to uphold the rule of law, I have no choice except to move forward and say that you cannot accept ... perjury in your highest officials."

Whatever.

For a friend...

I ask anyone who reads this to please keep Puppy and her family in your thoughts and prayers, or better yet stop by her blog and offer your condolences. Her father just passed away.

10 Favorite Songs

Tagged by Tooners
I could put many more on this list but these are a few of my most beloved musical treats.

1. Overkill by Colin Hay
I feel this way all the time.

2. Fragile by Sting
Just lovely and smooth and sad.

3. Kon Kamenpe by Kalyi Jag
Kick-ass Romany/Gypsy music. This group moves something in my soul.

4. The Rishi Kesh Song by John Lennon
Raw and brilliant.

5. Sugar Rum Cherry by Duke Ellington
Just try and pretend you don't love this.

6. Black Steel by Tricky
Public Enemy cover and damn it's so deliciously good.

7. What'll I Do? by Mildred Bailey
One of the big-band era's best singers, shamefully neglected.

8. In the Pines by Nirvana
Heartaching rendition of a Doc Walsh bluegrass tune.

9. Rock in This Pocket by Suzanne Vega
One of my favorite chicks with a guitar.

10. Pump by the Sugarcubes
Dark, sensual classic by the Icelandic group.

I tag anyone who wants to do it. Let me know if you do so I can check out your list.

Worth a rerun..

HOW AMERICANS SEE THE WORLD

Reality Check

The Bushes: Delusional, Out Of Touch Puppet Theatre
Laura Bush's latest gaff highlights how these fools know nothing and run nothing

Laura Bush's latest ill informed outburst reveals just how deluded and out of the reality loop the Neocon puppets are. Mrs Bush told Larry King that she understands “how the American people feel” when they express frustration over Iraq, but then added, “[M]any parts of Iraq are stable now. But, of course, what we see on television is the one bombing a day that discourages everybody.”

Think Progress has the video here.

Despite what Mrs Bush may believe, the Brookings Institution Iraq Index, as of November 2006, states that there are approximately 185 insurgent and militia attacks every day. The fact that maybe only one gets reported on per day is not because there is only one bombing but due to the fact that there is not enough time to cover them all.

(click on title to read full article)

Tina Fey

President Bush gave a rousing speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Afterward, in a touching show of support, every foreign dignitary shook hands with the president and smiled warmly as he mispronounced their names.

A new poll shows that 66% of Americans think President Bush is doing a poor job on the War in Iraq. And the remaining 34% think Adam and Eve rode dinosaurs to church.

In the wake of a successful Iraqi elections President Bush's job approval rating has jumped up to 57% or, as high school teachers call it, an F.

Hell in a handbasket

The US psychological torture system is finally on trial

America has deliberately driven hundreds, perhaps thousands, of prisoners insane. Now it is being held to account in a Miami court

Naomi Klein
Friday February 23, 2007
The Guardian
Something remarkable is going on in a Miami courtroom. The cruel methods US interrogators have used since September 11 to "break" prisoners are finally being put on trial. This was not supposed to happen. The Bush administration's plan was to put José Padilla on trial for allegedly being part of a network linked to international terrorists. But Padilla's lawyers are arguing that he is not fit to stand trial because he has been driven insane by the government.

Arrested in May 2002 at Chicago's O'Hare airport, Padilla, a Brooklyn-born former gang member, was classified as an "enemy combatant" and taken to a navy prison in Charleston, South Carolina. He was kept in a cell 9ft by 7ft, with no natural light, no clock and no calendar. Whenever Padilla left the cell, he was shackled and suited in heavy goggles and headphones. Padilla was kept under these conditions for 1,307 days. He was forbidden contact with anyone but his interrogators, who punctured the extreme sensory deprivation with sensory overload, blasting him with harsh lights and pounding sounds. Padilla also says he was injected with a "truth serum", a substance his lawyers believe was LSD or PCP.

Full Story here

Anger mounts in Zimbabwe as crisis nears
MICHELLE FAUL
Associated Press
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Zimbabwe is reaching the end game, witnessing the last, desperate throes of a regime that has destroyed one of Africa's few successful economies, plunged millions of people into grinding poverty and led to the deaths of tens of thousands from malnutrition and lack of medical care.

It may not happen Saturday, when President Robert Mugabe celebrates his 83rd birthday with cake and champagne at a $1.2 million party while hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans struggle to survive on bread and water.

And it probably won't happen in the weeks leading up to April 18, the 27th anniversary of an end to racist white rule and Mugabe's ascension to power.

But years of abuse and neglect are culminating in untenable crises.

"People's anger is mounting," said Zimbabwean political scientist John Makumbe. "They're no longer afraid to go into the streets and I think the government is growing very afraid of what may happen."

Full story here

U.S. economy leaving record numbers in severe poverty
By Tony Pugh

McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON - The percentage of poor Americans who are living in severe poverty has reached a 32-year high, millions of working Americans are falling closer to the poverty line and the gulf between the nation's "haves" and "have-nots" continues to widen.

A McClatchy Newspapers analysis of 2005 census figures, the latest available, found that nearly 16 million Americans are living in deep or severe poverty. A family of four with two children and an annual income of less than $9,903 - half the federal poverty line - was considered severely poor in 2005. So were individuals who made less than $5,080 a year.

The McClatchy analysis found that the number of severely poor Americans grew by 26 percent from 2000 to 2005. That's 56 percent faster than the overall poverty population grew in the same period. McClatchy's review also found statistically significant increases in the percentage of the population in severe poverty in 65 of 215 large U.S. counties, and similar increases in 28 states. The review also suggested that the rise in severely poor residents isn't confined to large urban counties but extends to suburban and rural areas.

Full story here

Have a laugh, life is short

Demetri Martin

A quick way to start a conversation is to say something like "What's your favorite color?" A quick way to end a conversation is to say something like "What's your favorite color... person?"

I like video games, but they're really violent. I'd like to play a video game where you help the people who were shot in all the other games. It'd be called 'Really Busy Hospital.'

Emo Philips

"The other day a woman came up to me and said, "Didn't I see you on television?"
I said, "I don't know. You can't see out the other way."

I was walking down fifth avenue today and I found a wallet, and I was gonna keep it, rather than return it, but I thought: well, if I lost a hundred and fifty dollars, how would I feel? And I realized I would want to be taught a lesson.

I used to think that the human brain was the most fascinating part of the body. Then I thought, "What part of my body is telling me that?"

Why Parents Drink

A boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper.
"Hello?"
"Is your daddy home?" he asked.
"Yes," whispered the small voice.
"May I talk with him?"
The child whispered, "No."
Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?"
"Yes."
"May I talk with her?"
Again the small voice whispered, "No."
Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, "Is anybody else there?"
"Yes," whispered the child, "a policeman".
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I
speak with the policeman?"
"No, he's busy" whispered the child.
"Busy doing what?"
"Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came the whispered answer.
Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?"
"A helicopter" answered the whispering voice.
"What is going on there?" demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive.
Again, whispering, the child answered, "The search team just landed in a
helicopter."
Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, "What are they searching for?"
Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle.............
"ME"

Congratulations!

Best wishes and blessings to Tooners and Hashim on their new son, and to Dalulla and her family on their new son.