Saturday, June 25, 2005
When They Come For Me…
I’ll be waiting! I realize I’m a few days behind on this, but this is one I wanted to let stew in the back of my mind for awhile before I released the wicked barbs of hurled invective. This decision is so bullshit it goes beyond bullshit, it passes around to the other side and comes out clean…I think. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It makes me wonder if anything is going to be left sacred. And what can we do? Nothing, really. Well, except vote from the rooftops. I keep wondering if that’s what’s coming, if we’ve somehow stepped into a timewarp and ended up in the late 1800’s, and we’re going to have to redo the whole goddamned passion play because they’ve stripped so much from us. What am I ranting about? Oh, you know….The Supreme Court’s Eminent Domain Ruling. Yes, Eminent Domain has always been bullshit, along with the whole concept of Manifest Destiny, which I could rant about ad nauseum. The thing is, though, at least in that respect, it was held to be for the common good, even if it really wasn’t. You know, private property becoming public. All that. But no, that’s not good enough anymore. Now, local government (always known for being squeaky-clean and non-corrupt, what-what) can, for whatever reason, seize my house against my will for private economic development. That’s right, if Pepsi wants to build a bottling facility on my property, local government can take it and give it to them, so long as they me “just compensation”.
Never mind that "just compensation" is the property’s market value, without consideration for circumstance. In the last major Takings Clause case, many people were kicked out of homes that had been in the family since the 1920s and had deep sentimental value. These families were paid a pittance because that part of town just wasn't very expensive. So, even if your grandfather built your house with his own hands, they aren't going to bend over backwards to make up for its personal value.
The worst part of this is that it’s being spun as “liberals” making the decision. The problem is that "liberal" judicial philosophy includes a belief in the coercive power of government- that's why most of the "liberals" voted for the marijuana restrictions in Raich v. Ashcroft. They vote continually for the permissibility of takings such as the one at issue here, including that interest earned on clients' trust accounts may be confiscated by the state simply because state law created the right of those funds to earn interest, and invariably vote against challenges to laws based on the Commerce Clause.
I’m angry and depressed. There is no reason why private developers should be given special ability to bypass the free market just because they generate property taxes. It seems like we're just plain fucked. Flag burning? "Fuck you First Amendment." Property ownership? "Fuck you, non-corporate property owner!"
Let’s review. John Q. Public wants to buy a home, but he can't afford one because prices are so high. So he takes out a loan, but it's adjustable so the interest rates go up. He can't afford his health care so he's late paying his phone bill. His FICO is affected so his home loan is in default. He takes out an equity loan to consolidate his bills and his house gets bought out by a corporation. His company liquidates his pension because they can't afford it anymore or they go bankrupt. Then he gets laid off. He's got no money, no home, no health care. What's that? What do you mean my social security benefits payout is nearly nothing since it was privatized?
I predict this decision just might be the sort of thing that leads to that voting from the rooftops, along with the subsequent incarceration of people (thanks from the prison industry!) who were just minding their own business until they were shat all over so Pepsi could build another bottling plant, at which point they snap.
At least the top 1% of the top 1% are even richer than before!
Friday, June 24, 2005
I’m Not So Innocent Now, Kid
Beautiful! Fucking beautiful! At long, long last the Right is getting a taste of its own medicine. No longer do we sideline Lefties have to sit and listen to the Right smear the entire lot of us, biting our lips and yelling at the ineffectual leaders. “Fight back, you ineffectual idiots!” NO MORE! At last we are striking back. Okay, yeah, it’s not so a huge issue, but it’s an issue nonetheless. Righteous!Karl Rove Under Fire. FUCK YEAH! Okay, sure, I know it’s probably a red herring for the UN’s investigation into Guantanamo, but you knew that was coming anyway. I’m just so happy to see these assholes get a taste of their own medicine that I could shit. In case you’ve been under a rock, this is what the slimy little fuck said in New York, just a few miles north of Ground Zero:
"Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers," Rove said. "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war."
Okay, first of all, fuck you, but that’s a given. Second of all, fuck you with a rusty spoon. Again, a given. But "offer therapy and understanding" to enemies? I think the slimeball’s listening a little too much to Ann Coulter and the other airheaded right-wing pundits. In case you haven’t noticed, Mr. Rove, we’re also Americans, and we were also righteously pissed off and determined to do the right thing, so you can take your condescending attitude and shove it up your ass. And to call us traitors? Hey, last time I checked, we weren’t the ones who sold the people a false bill of goods in the name of lining our own pockets.
You know what? I’m not going to even ask for an apology, or his job, which is what the good folks are doing. I’m just going to say fuck you, and that, just as I said yesterday, we’ll defend America from those that steal from her purse, plunge her into unnecessary wars, and despoil her air, her water, and her land for profit for their friends. You know nothing of Patriotism.
Now, as for Gannon’s butt-boy McClellan, he was just as bad. Check this out:
White House spokesman Scott McClellan defended Rove's remarks and rebuffed suggestions that he apologize. "Of course not," McClellan said.
He said Rove was "talking about the different philosophies and different approaches when it comes to winning the war on terrorism."
"I would think that they would want to be able to defend their philosophy and their approach, and I know that the Democratic leadership at this point is offering no ideas and no vision for the American people," McClellan said
Different philosophy? Different fucking philosophy? We’re not even talking about philosophy here, you smarmy little shit. Karl Rove has accused us of offering aid and comfort to the enemy. This is not an American approach to a discussion, it’s painting with a black brush, which I know you fuckers excel at. Also, I’d say calling for Rove’s head is a pretty damn good way of defending our “philosophy”.
So to sum up, Karl Rove: Controlling weasel, Scott McClellan: Smarmy twit. That is all.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Let's Talk About Moonbats!
So I took a couple of days off. So what? I had to attend to my real life, and, honestly, I was too tired and sick to be pissed off. That’s my problem, sometimes, accepting that real life can intercede in this bullshit. Well not this time, bucko! I need this crap. Helps keep the head and the heart sane.Now, then, there’s a lot of crap to talk about, but I’m not talking about it today. Today, I’m talking about moonbats. Wingnuts. You pick the title you want. I’m talking about extremists, and why they’re such a goddamn pain in the ass. Power. Power is the reason. Give a goddamn moonbat an inch and they try to take the whole damn world.
What are you on about, you ask? Well,this story about the Dominionist movement. For those of you not familiar with this lovely little group, let’s review, shall we?
“Dominionists preach that Jesus has called them to build the kingdom of God in the here and now, whereas previously it was thought that we would have to wait for it. America becomes, in this militant biblicism, an agent of God, and all political and intellectual opponents of America’s Christian leaders are viewed, quite simply, as agents of Satan. Under Christian dominion, America will no longer be a sinful and fallen nation but one in which the Ten Commandments form the basis of our legal system, Creationism and “Christian values” form the basis of our educational system, and the media and the government proclaim the Good News to one and all. Aside from its proselytizing mandate, the federal government will be reduced to the protection of property rights and “homeland” security. Some Dominionists (not all of whom accept the label, at least not publicly) would further require all citizens to pay “tithes” to church organizations empowered by the government to run our social-welfare agencies, and a number of influential figures advocate the death penalty for a host of “moral crimes,” including apostasy, blasphemy, sodomy, and witchcraft. The only legitimate voices in this state will be Christian. All others will be silenced.
To clarify, Dominionists believe that the wonderful history of extremist Christianity (you know, Crusades, Inquisitions, Boiling in Oil, all that fun stuff?) is something that should be applied first here at home, then widened out on a global scale, so we can shit the “Good News” that people can no longer think for themselves, and that Papa Government and the Good Lord Jesus™ are there for them in their moment of need. Can’t decide whether to give the hubby a rim job, hummer, or vanilla missionary? Consult your local JesusCo™ official!
I hate this about humanity, this incessant need for some sort of ideology to tell us how to get along in the world. I’m not denying that I also have a need to cling to an ideology as well at times, or that my ramblings on this site aren’t reflective of a need to make some sort of order out of the world. Hey, I get it, the world is confusing, and it’s scary to think that our real place is that we’re a bundle of flesh, nerves, and blood, and I can understand the need to make sense of all that. Hell, I consider myself a Christian, believe it or not. I’ve even read the Bible! So I’m not going to be like some assholes and call it a weakness, or brand those people who need ideology “weak”.
But see, there’s a difference between my ideology and the moonbat ideology, the key one being that, on the whole, you know, thinking is good. Of course, that’s not how it goes in moonbat land:
“He reminds us, quoting theologian Peter Berger, that “ages of faith are not marked by dialogue but by proclamation” and that “there is power in the unapologetic proclamation of truth. There is power in it. This is a kingdom of power.” When he says the word “power,” he draws it out for emphasis. He tells the crowd to shun the “persuasive words of human wisdom.” Truth, he says, does “not rest in the wisdom of men but the power of God.” Then, in a lisping, limp-wristed imitation of liberals, he mocks, to laughter and applause, those who want to “share” and be sensitive to the needs of others.
These same people demand that “we” be sensitive to “them”. I’m serious, look at the whining shit earlier in the article:
“Today, the calls for diversity and multiculturalism are nothing more than thinly veiled attacks on anyone willing, desirous, or compelled to proclaim Christian truths,” he says. “Today, calls for tolerance are often a subterfuge, because they will tolerate just about anything except Christian truth. Today, we live in a time when the message entrusted to you is more important than ever before to reach a world desperate to know Christ.
We have to tolerate them, even as they don’t tolerate us. Is it me, or does this shit make no goddamn sense? And, oh no, we might deny them the right to deny others rights! Whatever the fuck will we do?
“For the first time in history, representatives and senators may pass hate-crime legislation,” he says, “which is one step to oppose what you do as against the law.
Look, yes, I have my ideology, the catch is, I don’t think my ideology should rule the fucking Earth, and I certainly don’t think that people should accept the ideology without questioning it. Rational opposition is healthy, as it helps to examine the ideas that work. It’s only when the ideologies become giant, save-the-world, our-way-or-the-highway missions that we see these loopy, inane, turn-your-fucking-brain-off so Minister-Jackass-who’s-most-likely-only-in-this-for-the-power-money-and /or-pussy-can-tell-you-how-to-live circlejerks.
Here’s a newsflash for you retards: Jesus never, ever calls for violence against anybody, not even in Revelations. What fucking God are you following? Pat Robertson? Because he’s not my God. You are not Christians. You are some kind of new cult, with Jesus as a titular icon but otherwise totally detached from his teachings. You are the people in Mathew 7:21-23:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
You corrupt a good religion into one of hatred and intolerance, and the worst thing – THE WORST THING - about your “beliefs” is that they’re completely immune from any sort of rational attack. There is no consideration for others. If I dissent, I’m seduced by Satan, tricked by the liberal media, or afraid of the divine truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. And Christians like me would be heretics. Funny how that works.
On top of that, you are a threat to everything America stands for: democratic freedom, religious understanding, and cultural tolerance. That whole melting pot thing. And remember the pilgrims? Fleeing persecution? There’s some irony.
Here’s something else, and let me make this clear: it will be a cold day in Hell before I let your revolution take place; still, though I think you’re evil and the scum of the Earth, I won't work to close your churches, ban your rallies, or suppress your speech, as you would to your opposition. I won't use violence or the state to oppress you in any way. Preach your hate-filled jingoism all you want and I won't lift a finger. Hold revivals and protests till the supposed Rapture and I will stand by.
But the moment you try to use violence or the state to infringe on other citizens, I will no longer stand by. When your delusions turn into an actual attack on our civil liberties they cross a line that no one should ever cross, the line between being a group that I must tolerate and a group that I must stop. There is a line beyond which we will not tolerate an action that attacks democracy and liberty. This is it - if you relent, we will relent. If you do not, so be it.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Oh, I’m Sick. SO Sick…
Sick of this administration manipulating the facts and not even bothering to cover it up anymore. Remember when administrations at least had the decency to attempt to look like they were telling the truth? I mean, we know bad shit went down with Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, but at least they tried to look like they were telling the truth. These days when the administration gets caught it first starts spinning up these stupid fucking word games that make you want to kill someone (WMD? We never meant to imply there were WMD. What we meant was that there was the possibility of Saddam someday acquiring WMD, and that had to be stopped. Oh, what? He couldn’t possibly have acquired them? FREEDOM! We were there for freedom! Do you hate freedom?) or don’t even bother to cover things up or even comment. It’s just hanging out there, like Dick Cheney’s dick hanging out when he sees a kid. Think I’m kidding?
So what am I so fired up about? What AREN’T I fired up about is the better question. Like the man said, if you’re not pissed off, you’re high as a K-Street intern on a Saturday night. But really, this is what’s pissing me off the most:
New memos show the Bush administration is secretly undermining Tony Blair's proposals to tackle climate change. Now, I know it has to be hard being in the pocket of every major corporation in the U.S., but don’t you suppose these people have children? Grand-children? How do they justify this shit to themselves? Oh, I suppose the money they make from the corporations will allow their children to live in the underground cities we’re going to have to dig once THEY fuck up the environment. Oh wait, no, it’s because Kyoto is so uneffective, right? Except, this is the G8, not the UN. This is a G8-only thing, and doesn't have the problem of wealth-transfer to developing nations that turned many in America off of Kyoto in the first place. So, what will be the new excuse, I wonder? Will they even bother? Not fucking likely.
Bush May Go the Cowardly Route and Install Bolton as a Recess Appointment. Bush, cowardly. Huh. Who would’ve thought?
Chuck Hagel Kicks Ass and Takes Names. I can’t wait to see the other Republicans crying their eyes out over this, then denouncing him, then trying to chase him out of their club. You know it’s coming. My personal favorite part of the tirade? When he responded to Old Monsterdick (er, Dick…heh…Mr. Cheney’s) recent assessment that the insurgency was in his last throes. He said, and I quote, “’Things aren't getting better; they're getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality,’ Hagel tells U.S. News. ‘It's like they're just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we're losing in Iraq.’” HAHAHA, you THINK?
Gitmo Soldiers Beat the Brains Out of One of their Own. Let’s let this one sink in: Spc. Sean D. Baker, 38, was assaulted in January 2003 after he volunteered to wear an orange jumpsuit and portray an uncooperative detainee. Baker said the MPs, who were told that he was an unruly detainee who had assaulted an American sergeant, inflicted a beating that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. So. This is the shit they carry out in training drills on fellow soldiers. What the hell do they do when it’s the real thing? Rape his mother and pour sugar in his gas tank? Well, I guess the lies the MPs were told backs up where people were saying that MPs are given misinformation that might lead them to mistreat detainees. Is this what we should expect from MPs responding to a resistant prisoner in Gitmo? This is what they're trained to do and this is what they are supposed to do? Says a lot, huh? Gitmo: defending your freedom by smashing someone else's face into concrete!
John McCain Weighs in on Gitmo. Bushies, take note: “even Adolf Eichmann got a trial". Like it or not, whether they’re a threat or not, they have to be charged or sent home.
Oh yeah, and of course, Bush should get a fair trial for war crimes, too. It’s only proper.
Of course, this still doesn’t get McCain off the hook.
Ick.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
All the Best Daddies Have Cowboy Issues
Blah blah blah, Sunday and whatnot.The State of the Music Industry. Okay, I've bought three albums unheard from three bands that usually produce quality music, and the albums...suck? What the hell is going on with music these days? How is it that, six years after the Napster revolution, we still have albums that are 90% useless filler? Is this what we get when an industry refuses to grow and instead lashes out to attempt to fill the status quo? I'm honestly just baffled here, and it's gotten to the point where I have to download three or four songs off of an album to determine if I want to buy it, and I generally have a pretty rigid ethic about that sort of thing, one of my little quirks. Oh well...
Sweet Merciful Christ it's Cheaper to Build an H-Bomb Than to Fuel My Car. Oil is up to $58 a barrel, and it looks like $60 is a cinch. I suppose this is the market creating pressure for oil alternatives, but they need to start showing up NOW. Oh, and I wonder more if we see prices AND profit keep going up, will we see nationalization of oil companies in other countries? Something to think about.
Dick Durbin Reveals Himself to be a Spineless Fool. Well, there goes my idea of a hero. His statement: "More than 1700 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq and our country’s standing in the world community has been badly damaged by the prison abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.
"My statement in the Senate was critical of the policies of this Administration which add to the risk our soldiers face.”
“I will continue to speak out when I disagree with this Administration.”
“I have learned from my statement that historical parallels can be misused and misunderstood. I sincerely regret if what I said caused anyone to misunderstand my true feelings: our soldiers around the world and their families at home deserve our respect, admiration and total support.”
Fuck that noise, you spineless coward. Have the courage of your convictions. Of course, then you wouldn't be a politician. Such a conundrum.
Onward, Moderate Christian Soldiers. Now, I have to be honest here. I've struggled with matters of faith for almost 10 years. When I was young, I was one of those obnoxious upright Mormon kids who didn't know any better, who feared drinking and smoking as if they would kill me outright the moment they passed my lips, who was terrified of sex and passed that off as a desire to remain celibate for God, etc. etc., but I also deeply believed in God as a "personal" friend, if that makes any sense at all (in hindsight, it really doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me and I lived it). Since then, I've gone from Mormon to Christian to Agnostic to Buddhist with some traces of Atheist thrown in here and there as my rational mind and the part of my mind that wants to believe in some higher purpose go to war. Reading this call for sensibility (which really calls for those sane members of the Church to unite and not accept extremism), I realize that you can have both, that they don't necessarily have to be at war if Christianity provides you with a coherent, useful worldview. This has certainly made me rethink my stance on my own faith as of late.
Fuckers. Heh. Have a joyous Father's Day.