Crickets chirping

One notable "secret of "success," it appears, is a certain willingness to put up with more than a bit of boredom for (QUITE) a while, in the interest of obtaining long term prosperity. The concern is... what kind of dull mother____er does that make a person, in the end? Yes, I suppose one must sometimes endure mind-numbing and awesome (as opposed to awe-inspiring) tedium straight-on. One must continually re-affirm: "No matter! I will endeavor to study, in my modest, plodding and occasionally zealous way!" Is the downside that in so doing, one embraces those boring things too tiresome even for one's friends? No amount of friendship would inspire most people to join in becoming THAT dull! Either that or they all just knew better... from the beginning. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boring,_Oregon

Too much torture

When will they ever learn? "CIA accountability" is an oxymoron!

A mistletoe drone mishap

Regrettably, I knew something like this was going to happen. Ever seen or heard one of these drones being flown about, even a small one? When you do, you realize, "Egads... If this eerie, highly sophisticated thing wanted to injure or even kill me, no problem - it could." The one I saw in flight was somewhat larger than this little "pinkie drone." http://hotmessfolder.com/news/tgi-fridays-mistletoe-drone-injures-woman/

Where do we go from here?

The causes of the Long Hot Summers of the 1960's went unacknowledged, and the highly negative social consequences were never meaningfully addressed. The particularly nasty results of the 1980 "Liberty City" (Miami) riots led to some measurable hand-wringing, especially among Liberals; but adequate and appropriate action to ameliorate the gaping socio-economic tears in the the national fabric was never taken. The cataclysmic Los Angeles riots of 1992 inspired an interesting series of ABC "Nightline" reports, but we still find ourselves, as a people, in much the same old bind. We can surely expect "more Fergusons" in the future. This country, it seems, will NEVER come to terms with the causes; it can only grapple stupidly and futilely with symptoms. And it grapples with those symptoms in just about the worst possible way. More armored personnel carriers - including the one Chief Koval appreciates so much. More lead and rubber bullets - more helicopters. Maddening. All of us who've been paying minimal attention know a wide range of racial disparities are even more pronounced in Madison than in Ferguson. I leave to your fertile imagination what sort of actions would really be required to mitigate the situation.

Ferguson Grand Jury's move was no surprise

There was not the slightest doubt in my mind the members of the grand jury would decline to indict "Officer" Wilson. They should have, of course, but we all knew the score in advance. Or rather, most of us knew there would be no indictment. And those who were shocked last night probably shouldn't have been. http://www.google.com/search?q=photos+of+police+cars+burning+in+Ferguson&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=J910VIf-EoLMoASPs4LIAw&ved=0CB8QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=537

Meanwhile, in Cleveland

This, on the eighth anniversary of the notorious Queens, NY Sean Bell overkill shooting. I'm willing to bet the truth about this latest police homicide will filter out, little by little over the coming months. And the picture painted won't be flattering for the Cleveland Police Department. Meanwhile, be careful if you buy or even just handle a pellet gun. Whatever you do, don't wave it around, for Gawd's sake. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/11/tamir_rices_family_asks_city_o.html#incart_river

Some great chances lost in '68, '80

America, you had your big chance to Do The Right Thing on justice and equality back in 1968, when the Kerner Commission issued its (really pretty honest) report, blaming America's obstinate refusal to change. The commission laid the culpability where it rightly belonged. In a nutshell, the '67 riots were attributed to USA's "Two Societies, Black and White, Separate and Unequal." The massive conflagrations that hit Detroit, Newark and Milwaukee, to name just the three most lethal that year, should have been a call to action. Though there had already been a series of riotous "Long Hot Summers" beginning in 1964.... http://www.archive.org/stream/kernerreportrevi00asse/kernerreportrevi00asse_djvu.t And I remember following the lethal Miami rebellion on the idiot box in May 1980. In its aftermath, yet another chance to "empower the (politically) powerless" was lost. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXr2CDiqarc

Illegal Polish construction worker, anyone?

I don't need to tell you that I don't always agree with Mr. Obama. In fact, I usually believe he'll do the exact opposite, in effect, of what he says he has planned. All the more reason to listen to the POTUS. In addition, he always gives a good speech, especially compared to the Republican wart hog who preceded him. I was disgusted by the fact that as far as the puerile major networks were concerned, "nobody cares." I hear little or no outrage about Irish doctors and nurses or Polish construction workers who've crossed the US border illegally. http://www.theroot.com/blogs/journalisms/2014/11/local_stations_rebuff_networks_carry_president_obama_s_primetime_immigration.html

"Barack Obama: 'We are and always will be a nation of immigrants'"

What can you expect from a Kenyan like him? I'm surprised he didn't give the speech in Indonesian, or at least in Hawaiian! But seriously, the policy he announced last night could have been worse, as in "more punitive." We should all remember that "illegal aliens" are human beings worthy of humane treatment, too. http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/20/obama-plan-shield-five-million-undocumented-migrants-deportation-speech

A fancy free floozy and a womanizing schmuck

I admit I'm not the mildest commentator around here. But then again, fuzzy-wuzzy little kitty cats and cutesy-wootsie puppies get MORE than enough play on Farcebook, day after furry day. It's the Human Condition that captivates me - and we all know how distressing that condition really is. I dare each and every one of youse, regardless of your race, your gender, your colour or your creed - to get MORE CONTROVERSIAL. No doubt most are skittish, but the rewards are exquisite. I deeply admire any womanizing schmuck or fancy-free floozy who displays a particularly militant and uncompromising attitude. Those who are not actually employed in some horrible job at which their every key-stroke is monitored ought to get seriously contentious. Extremism in the defense of cage-rattling is no vice, and mass complacency is no virtue!

Mr. Cosby is falsely accused and Los Angeles is made out of cotton candy

Nah. A swell rich guy and national icon like Cosby would never do a thing like that. He's every bit as innocent as Michael Jackson was! Ya think!? Seriously, I never liked this censorious hypocrite anyway. Well, at least not since before his 1965 "I Spy" period. And the "Cosby Show?" YECCCCHHH! But it's true: even a self-obsessed creep like Bill Cosby deserves the presumption of innocence. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/20/bill-cosby-acused-sexual-assault-seventh-woman#comment-43933787

It's a filthy, morbid, scumbag Republican Party

Apart from that... the GOP really isn't all that bad. So yes, yes, yes. You filthy, morbid, congressional "Republican" fans of national and global suicide go right ahead and shut down the Gub'mint. Yet again. Maybe then the damn fools who keep voting for you sorry criminal bastards will SUFFER as a result of their own formidable stupidity. Perhaps the GOP-leaning electorate will FINALLY realize the awful truth at last: the Republican Party is a quasi-treasonous organization worthy only of abolition. Unfortunately, the Democrats are barely any better. http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/jeff-sessions-government-funding-immigration

Hospitalization would cost you an arm and a leg.

"Woman taken to 'wrong' hospital faces bankruptcy" http://www.channel3000.com/news/woman-taken-to-wrong-hospital-faces-bankruptcy/29648000 One positive development, in terms of the effect propaganda may have, as opposed to the wretched reality which some of the "unsophisticated" STILL insist on seeing, stands out. I believe progressively fewer Americans are mindlessly touting the "virtues" of our "rugged, individualistic" society. I believe a significant minority now understands the importance of doing certain things - like providing high-quality health care for all - collectively. Especially in this country, where health care counts for 17% of US GDP. We as a people can't realistically, reasonably expect everyone to be "responsible." The majority of us are just too "un-wealthy" to ba able to afford the extravagant cost of hospitalization. Most outrageous of all, perhaps: Our sick and sickening political "leadership" understands very well this is an area of our national life that is SO vital, SO indispensable.

Awake

Woke up this morning, indifferent, then angry. Without even having a good reason to be pissed. Thousand Thanks to ancient Mr. Winter for arriving on time and vastly improving my mood!!!!!

Reverence

Posting, with a deep sense of reverence. I'm dead serious, as I say this inner-directed, satisfying chant to myself almost every day. However, I do decline the generous offer to smack meself with the Holy Bible. Ouch, Lord, that HURT. To be sure, main-line "official Protestantism" is a malignant mental disease that should be voluntarily eradicated, along with the Vatican and its hierarchy. And I won't forget the obligatory condemnation of Judaism, as it's practiced and promulgated by various venal rabbis. Oh crap, I forgot it's Sunday:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgYEuJ5u1K0

Hate is a thing to have

I certainly don't agree with every claim posited on this page, but I've been wondering about the "answer" to this "question" for a long, half-Jewish time. Yes, wondering, and I've learned much from a cursory study of European History, especially. But History obviously doesn't explain the whole, very rich and expressive range of Jew-hating. I want to know the deeper, less talked-about "reasons." Maybe this can be of some assistance to the object I have in mind.... http://listovative.com/top-10-major-reasons-why-people-hate-jews/

And Again, Education

This movie is similar to the one I just posted above, with a horrid fixation on vicious retribution and violence. In fact I prefer to skip the most disgusting and disturbing scenes - no doubt I'd witnessed 30,000 televised murders already by the age of fifteen. Gets old after a while, at least I HOPE it does. But there's an interesting subtext - and it directs itself to the question of - you guessed it - EDUCATION. American Society is conflicted about the matter of learning and academic achievement. On the one hand, millions are busy scapegoating the Teachers of America. On the other hand, there's an ever-increasing, very plain recognition that at the heart of our societal distress and dysfunction lies the matter of an undereducated populace. Grossly, blatantly undereducated, I should add. (That goes for ME, too, in some respects.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXkOO1cKpbY

education

I like focusing on Education and learning as it involves the historic times we inhabit. Fact: even in an age of multi-billion dollar cuts to public education; in an age when pitiable, inferior "Charter Schools," proliferate in strip malls across the subtropical Sun Belt; (Some misguided Floridians are actually opening charter schools in former auto dealerships down there).... Yes, even in this day and age.... learning is something that's valued Universally. "Universally" meaning Valued by Blacks, by Whites by Hispanics, by Native Americans, by Asian-Americans ALIKE. By people across the contemporary socio-economic spectrum. Examples abound, even in our over-bloated and offensive popular entertainment environment. A movie like the one I'll post here, filled with positively grotesque representations of mindless, highly glorified VIOLENCE, nonetheless contains at least two or three notable scenes wherein adults actually take some time off from murderous gunplay. The "grown-ups" do so, between fusillades, to try and enlighten the up-and-comers, the Children of the World, who so desperately CRAVE enlightenment, no? NOTE delivery of the computers, a real service to the community.... Note the young girl, studying on the (household?) computer at about 1:44-45, as the two main characters enter the "Mexican Gang" household. Education as a Universal value, true to form! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaxi36gv77s

Go psycho

Hands down, the longest best, most enjoyable "psychopath test" I've located for free online so far. I scored 22 out of 30, so to speak. A score of 30 or higher would indicate psychopathology, supposedly. This test is just for fun and is endorsed by neither major political party. Yet. http://vistriai.com/psychopathtest/

Some questionable advice

Let's keep "advising" with "advisors." So far the USA, having bombed and strafed the men, women and children, has also ADVISED Iraq nearly to the point of national death. As a close friend wrote recently: "Be good to America - or we'll set up a Democracy in YOUR country."

For Lenny

Remembering my Brooklyn cousin Leonard Joseph Goldstein today, on what would have been his 48th birthday. It was always great to have a REAL friend in NYC. I remember running along the beach, throwing sand and small rocks, and causing other minor disturbances. And other incidents, perhaps not so minor. Later on, as we grew toward "maturity," we shared a smoke sometimes. Lenny was the one who introduced me to "The Message:" I ended up listening to it as habitually as he did. I still miss you, Cuz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o8TeqKhgY

Alison Lundergan Grimes

Been following the Kentucky race very closely - hope Alison Grimes prevails. I love the Bluegrass State - at least the land, the famous horses and so forth. I've often thought, however, that the majority of Kentucky's voters must be counted among the most intellectually and politically dysfunctional anywhere in USA. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/10/31/1340740/-Grimes-Files-for-Injunction-Against-McConnell-for-Illegal-Voter-Suppression-Intimidation#

Wendy Davis

Best of luck to Wendy Davis. She'll need it, considering the long-standing endemic corruption in Austin that always seems to benefit Republicans. Not to mention the pro-GOP redistricting that's been a feature of Texas politics for SO long, and the Lone Star State's unconstitutional Voter ID law, among the most restrictive in the country. It WOULD be exhilarating to see a Democrat seize the governor's office down there, but Texans may have to wait a long time to accomplish that elusive goal. http://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/scotus-fails-stop-discriminatory-tx-photo-id-law-upcoming-elections http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/wendy-davis-battleground-texas-elections-112402.html

Concerning the matter of Social Media

Fznjyuauerk Facebook-bznjoutretich; oortsmergma Glaaupeidia hanyjqimeratvnetek. Yauergh nimschekhleiqi - popohnyuemkatwxph. Ve Twitter czbnioomy loopfuck. Google phaurepides - glintzxcwquen foorfnamk. Money, thaynks to every ping, outta hnimburavek's anthill-digested mellifluous petrol, higher than a coot. It's all new and improved with more respectable hippopotamus porn then you can shake a dick at. Oops, Mae Culpa! Ich bin unusually nicht so salaciously lugubrious tan oily in the moaning.

Droning on, again

From October 22, 2014 - I just now got around to transcribing this, a description of a remarkably eerie encounter: "Two guys (were) flying a very unpleasant looking drone over Lake Mendota, alongside John Nolen Drive. My first encounter - the drone itself, near as I can describe it - looking like some kind of black mechanical spider whirring overhead. A bit creepy to realize (beyond a doubt) what an insurmountably LETHAL weapon it could be(come)."

PBS SCORES, this time

For some odd reason, I find Steven Johnson's perpetual smile a bit disconcerting. But the show is fascinating - it makes up a bit for Neil DeGrasse Tyson's disappointing rehash of "Cosmos." That attempt to duplicate Carl Sagan's strange charisma and huge talent as a popularizer was unsuccessful - just another highly-touted PBS project resulting in a letdown, unfortunately. IMO. http://www.pbs.org/about/news/archive/2013/how-we-got-to-now/

Nugatory

Word of the Week: "Nugatory." In trying to remember its proper definition, I could only think of a sweet and gooey candy bar.

What's the matter with "Sconnie?"

What's the matter with good old Wisconsin? Too much atrazine and other chemical fertilizers in the groundwater are consumed each and every day, causing a sizable minority of our voters to repeatedly elect Republican governors and legislators. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/10/26/1337163/-What-s-the-matter-with-fill-in-the-name-of-your-state-here?detail=email#

Google Terra Earth Firma

Muchas Gracias to Google Earth. Now I never need to take those long and agonizing trips I used to. So much suffering in the Greyhound buses and stations - all of that is just a distant memory of a needless ordeal. Might as well stay home. Of course, I DO have to travel the two miles to Madison's Central Library to access the software. https://www.google.com/earth/

Tests. Today. Not ALL of Them Tedious.

Been studying for SAT, ACT, GMAT and GRE tests. I've also got to have a look at the current GED practice tests. I wouldn't hesitate to go back to my old high school and actually GRADUATE, were it only possible! For what it's worth, I did get my GED - years after I dropped out. At the age of 23. At present, I'm only assimilating those parts of the books that contain verbal tests - Reading Comprehension, Science, Social Studies, etc. Forget the Math, for now. Well, maybe SOMEONE with a lot of patience could teach me SOME Geometry, but I digress. Algebra? Tried it - can't fathom it! I'm actually one of those weirdos who loves taking tests, and nowadays, I can pace myself. Better results that way, and why not, since I enjoy exercising the prerogative of "taking it easy." One undoubtedly gets faster as one perseveres. I'm not actually in school, but probably would be, if only money weren't such an obstacle. And I'm lucky enough to have sufficient time to devote, on a daily basis; enough for three or four practice tests, at a minimum. Again, why not? It tends to sharpen the mind, even if most every exam is multiple-choice, about the easiest type you can take.Of course I realize that this whole business of excessive testing has been cynically used by "Anti-Education" types, especially Republicans in state legislatures. Especially in Texas! They're busy, in a concerted and comprehensive effort, dumbing down America, but that's another story for another day. I passionately hope there's some advantage, incidental as it may be, conferred upon those lucky devils who consistently score highly on tests. P.S. I hope so.... PASSIONATELY, in direct proportion to how just how tedious some of these exams are.

Mary Burke - is she ALSO a Jerk!?

We're so damn close to "Sham Election Day," I feel this little rant of mine bears repeating: Democrats!!!!!!! Make me sick!!! I mean really, is Mary Burke - a(nother) "Plant?" Sure, I admit I'm more paranoid than the average Enemy of the State, but I'm starting to be reminded of the inept 2010 and 2012 Tom Barrett campaigns. For the love of Gawd, FIGHT BACK, Ms. Burke, or it's all over - weeks in advance! RUN for YOUR LIVES, Badgers - this "election" is just another lousy SET-UP!!! http://www.newstalk1130.com/onair/common-sense-central-37717/this-video-of-mary-burke-struggling-12805054/

Fourteen shots in Milwaukee

Fourteen shots fired may seem excessive to the average Jane or Joe. But cops can't take any chances, since corpses have been known to come back to life and bite them where it hurts most. Murderous officers find a warm and hearty welcome within the ranks of the Milwaukee Police Department. http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/traffic-stop-policy-thorough-policing-or-racial-profiling-b99353893z1-275527271.html

Why was BORING Madison not credited!?

I'm grievously offended that fantastically boring Madison Wisconsin, my birthplace, is not mentioned. With every new ten-story condo or generic apartment building being built on Downtown's narrow isthmus, much historic character and charm - to say nothing of affordability - are lost. But at least the traffic congestion, so much more noticeable in recent years, is spicing things up in our central city! http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/oct/01/in-praise-of-boring-cities-arlington-zurich-adelaide-dull' "'That's the other thing that people don't really understand,' she says. 'I'd come from a city – and even though you can't compare Edinburgh to London, it's still an urban centre where there's all kind of culture around you all the time. Then you go to the Midwest and there's nothing. I don't think a person in Britain can even conceive of what it's like to be in what is basically the tundra. I wasn't exposed to any art; I wasn't exposed to anything....'" And of course Shirley Manson was referring specifically to Madison. You GO, Garbage girl! http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/apr/29/shirley-manson-interview-garbage

Mealevolent Madison restaurants proliferate and prevail

Neologism of the week: "Mealevolent." It describes the exorbitant price, the quality of service, the miniscule portions, and the quality of the food at MOST Madison restaurants. The vast majority are SO over-rated, it's no doubt resulted in Madison becoming a national culinary laughing stock! Major exceptions include the following excellent places to dine out: Bandung; Bluephies; Plaka, Palmyra Mediterranean Grill; "You Like" Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet off Odana Rd.; and El Jalapeno on Midvale Blvd near the West Beltline entrance.

Fat White Slobs who carry openly, legally

I was in a convenience store located in a small Wisconsin town three nights ago when someone I can only describe as a "fat slob" wearing a black T-shirt entered. He was strapped, with a semi-automatic pistol on his belt. He was a middle-aged white slob, so apparently no one gave him a second thought, except me. I could see the pistol on his waist through my peripheral vision; he was almost right behind me as he entered the Kwik-Trip. I paid for my candy bar and left, then waited for him to exit, which he did. He drove away in his crappy little civilian car. No one was alarmed at this white guy carrying openly inside a store - no one called the cops. Yep, nobody was alarmed or surprised. Except me - I always keep an eye out for people - white or otherwise - who are SO scared they "need" to go about armed in a tiny town with almost no crime rate at all. So much for "equal protection under the law!" http//www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/24/walmart-shooting-grand-jury-declines-indict-john-crawford

Sliding down Slippery Slope to another Eye-rack war.

At the time I was skeptical about an eventual ebb to the flow of America's war-fever. But now it's clear - the substantial minority of Americans who opposed the 2003 invasion of Eye-rack were not only RIGHT - we've had an impact. So now, 11 years later. Obama promises "no boots on the ground," even as he bolsters US forces in the region, including the several thousand "advisers." The sole reason the POTUS is attempting to calm public reaction is the overwhelming, collective War Fatigue from which this country suffers. Even in an under-educated and disinformed society like the USA, the impact of four trillion dollars and a million human lives sacrificed to greed is not overlooked, at least not by EVERYONE. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/17/obama-us-troops-ground-war-isis-iraq

Scotland, bonnie Scotland

I favor TRUE independence, but recognize that not all nations that have achieved NOMINAL freedom during the last twenty years have benefited from it. Political independence is a laudable thing, but it's largely an illusion. It all boils down to economics. Economic interdependence is the TRUE state of affairs in the world today, and tiny countries are often some of the worst exploited by Globalization. The smaller Balkan nations and Moldova are good examples. Moldova is now the poorest country in Europe, and the tiny former Yugoslavian republics really aren't very prosperous. In Kosovo, also one of Europe's poorest, things have deteriorated considerably during that period. There was even a bloody and protracted war, part of the larger Yugo War of the nineties which were at least partly caused by the 1991 breakup. Of course, with all the wealth concentrated in Scotland, there should be no war in the wake of separation, if it comes. Pro-Independence Scottish People, including a very militant bloke I met in Amsterdam years ago, are definitely very vehement about getting free from Bloody England. They should simply bear in mind there are no real countries anymore, in a meaningful sense. There are only various departments of the World Economy. That will remain true 'long as the International One Percent retains a stranglehold on Earth's economy. We'll see how much the Scots stand to benefit if they do break away. Interesting to note that in Brazil. a very large country, the government has initiated at least SOME policies that tend to favor the poor and downtrodden majority. Other Latin American countries that have moved towards a more just social system include a considerable number of large, fully intact nations. Here are a couple links to propaganda propagated by both sides: http://www.independentscotland.org/cont ... ndence.htm http://www.bettertogether.net/

Anonymous, elite Israeli soldiers refuse to serve

Opinion is slowly changing here, in America, too. The resentment of arrogant and brutal Israeli policies, bankrolled to the tune of $4 billion annually, is growing, albeit slowly, agonizingly. And hopefully, these anonymous Israeli resisters will reveal their identities ASAP. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/13/world/middleeast/elite-israeli-officers-decry-treatment-of-palestinians.html?_r=0 P.S: Here's the original, for those who resent my precipitous posting of links from the enemy, the New York Times: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4570256,00.html

I Like Mike(?)

I'm worried I'm starting to LIKE the new chief. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/mike-koval-acknowledge-failure-of-marijuana-laws/article_65c1fda4-365a-5c7e-8657-0aed619ac9d3.html

NFL needs to chill with a splif.

There really hasn't been a great deal of progress in America during the last 15 or 20 years - except on this one important issue. A tidal wave of public opinion is now exerting pressure on state and federal governments to change, and hopefully REPEAL some of the worst laws in USA's history. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/09/opinion/the-nfls-absurd-marijuana-policy.html

Call me Irresponsable.

This is the first time I've been offline so long I don't even know what's trending most strongly. May the trend continue. Is it ISIS, and the Obomber's choice to authorize strikes against Syria? A professional boxer caught commiting domestic abuse? The Gay Marriage obsession still unfolding? How about "....come by my place and let's talk Animal Rights?" Hey, Animal Rghts - where did that hot button issue evaporate to? Seems pretty lukewarm, now. I'm so old and set in my media habits these days, I really don't know how to keep "current." I even stopped reading the newspapers. Positively SCANDALOUS! Something's definitely WRONG with me - I seem to be capable, for the first time since identifying as a lefty Politico, of just not caring as much as I should. Somethings quite RIGHT, too, of course. Cast off thy chains of mental slavery, and let the fortune cookie crumble in its wake.

Robin Williams

I decided to wait a while before saying: "So long, Robin Williams, and thanks for all the insight!" I'm really going to miss him, miss him already. Not because I found him the FUNNIEST comic, either. He was frequently funny, true. But he was also so damn INTERESTING. Robin had some things to actually teach people, acting out in a plethora of effective roles. "Patch Adams" was another good example of this. I think many of us in the audience "feel his pain," though we wouldn't do what he finally did, trying to escape. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM-gZintWDc

Madison's interminable psycho-political inquisition

Been hanging out on the outskirts of Madison - lots of coffee, lots of stops at PDQ stores, abandoned parking lots - great bike paths that cut a swath through lonely wood lots, especially at night. Meadow and marshland, even a few decent-size hills. You can see where the great glaciers stopped, 11, 10 thousand years ago. PDQ has coffee that's even better than several considerably-more-expensive coffee houses on ever-more exorbitant State St. Going Downtown has all the charm in store for me as visiting an assembly plant that churns out Humanoid Androids. Damn straight: I'm intensely enjoying going back to some of the flagrantly apolitical activities that made me feel alive in former years - studying foreign languages, painting and drawing. Made me feel GOOD - quite unlike immersing myself in "to-the-death arguments" regarding geo-political considerations, War in Gaza or Iraq, US domestic policy, and all that other cursed domain that turns ones intellectual life into a F_cking emotional sewer. Particularly as an influential minority of the people on one's own side are worthy of contempt at best! That's just Human Nature at work - it's my own damn fault if I've romanticized what SOME people, including those "in my camp," are really LIKE. "ALLES KLAR, Herr Kommisar!" Can't bring myself to play music, at least not yet. But this hanging at the periphery has been a big boost for my morale - vastly superior to another goddamn lecture by some figure I don't care HOW damn lauded he or she is by the Madison cognoscenti. I reiterate - I don't care that you don't care that I don't care. For the first time in years, I feel some relief from those Madison Elites who populate the Left side of the dial. Don't take it personally, you individual leftists; most of the rank and file are actually exceptionally DECENT Folk. Those of you not actively promulgating Madison's interminable psychopolitical inquisition get all the free passes you could ever desire. It's the Commissars, the Arbiters of liberal public sensibility, that annoy me so. Up to a few weeks, month, years ago I was "of them," in the sense I thought I bore them some allegiance or affinity. Not so, never again, but then I only refer to the Higher-ups in the pecking order. I have moved on; my favorite people are now (always have been in fact!) the typically "apolitical" blue collar residents of the urban outskirts or inner suburbs. They don't try to slay me with "Veganism!" They are a joy to behold, a sight for sore eyes, something wondrously different to listen to! We've enjoyed many meat-intensive dinners together! Now I KNOW Familiarity Breeds Contempt, and I could surely write a lot more vicious critique than this declaration. This is just a basic acknowledgment that I HATE "THE MADISON ISTHMUS POLITICAL CULTURE," to the extent that it rises to that level. It's true this place encompasses me geographically and historically. I will not sit in some damn UW lecture hall again. EVER. Maybe it's not the Elite's fault - they're no doubt suffering the slings and arrows of political futility - and I sympathize - I'll always be a leftist, even if can't stand so many of the local left's cultural attributes. That I can't help; I'm not an IDIOT. I could never become a right-winger. But certain Madison Elites high-up in the "Progressive" order often evince a level of arrogance that could make a green monkey blanch. There are far better alternatives, in human terms. One especially outstanding abandoned feed mill over on the East Side - everybody loves that spot, even the artisti who wanted to make of it an "Arts Incubator." In all fairness, the building will have to be renovated soon, or turned directly over to the youth who tag it in glorious profusion of spray-paint. Bestowed totally into the custody of those youth who care enough to decorate it. That WOULD be best, but the sickening, yuppie-beholden, busy-body, cop-calling Neighborhood Organization would piss beet red if that ever happened. Still, good luck to the YOUTH, they're gonna need it, inheriting this fracked up world. And what the F-ck, I'll just say it; I strongly believe in the Second Amendment - within the bounds of reason, of course. So, as a group, I really don't give a rat's ass what Vegans think. You Isthmus-Veggie-fanatikos can put your sacrosanct Veganism where the F-cking sun don't shine. (The scapegoating of those unfortunate vegans, is of course, a semi-humorous parody. But when the "bastards" insist on defining a person based on stuff he said, she said.... it all becomes so superficial, so inadequate as an indicator of the WHOLE Human being, whichever way he or she is seeking to change, to bust out of all that damn claptrap from before. I'm not drunk, I'm just writing as if I were, ahem.)

Capitol Hill Dems on their knees!

Just for the record. This in my inbox. Have Capitol Hill Democrats lost their collective MIND? Any public relations pro could tell them they lose what tiny bit of esteem they MIGHT conceivably have left, by taking this pitiable approach. Just for the record.... I am NOT one of their RICH BENEFACTORS. So tell it to George Soros, Oh Ye Corporate Dems! "Listen, we're BEGGING. We're out of people to email you. In the last two days, you should have received an email from: -- President Obama -- Vice President Biden -- Nancy Pelosi That's how important this is! We're getting massively outspent by Republican groups. And we're fighting desperately to turn it around. We need 14,731 more donations in the next 24 hours if we want any shot at giving President Obama a Democratic House for his final two years. record.... "

Ferguson MO, USA

Interesting, the situation in Ferguson, MO. For one thing, the protests keep going on day after day! Bravo! Though I've gotten wind of no other "disturbances" breaking out around the USA. JUST Ferguson. Also, the reports from the mainstream are interesting in terms of what they DON'T say, as well as what IS talked about. To wit: it took until Yesterday, when I saw a pic of a burnt-out convenience store to realize the situation is "For Real," and that the looting and burning aren't just a media-driven concoction. I'm serious about this - I had no real way of knowing just what are the facts on the ground - for all I knew the general state of mayhem might have been made up out of whole cloth. Thearbiters of public opinion are THAT hesitant to describe what's going on, lest the contagion spread, I guess! I also listened to some radio reports, particularly on the Thom Hartmann show, almost always a good source. The police repression has been pretty severe. The cops are using CS gas, which is notoriously disabling and tossing highly incendiary outdoor flash bombs. One man had his clothes on fire; whether he was an actual rioter, that wasn't entirely clear. If the police and their overrseers what this to stop, they need to stop shooting and killing unarmed youth, in a disproportionately LARGE percentage of such cases, black youth. http://www.stltoday.com/news/special-reports/michael-brown/#utm_source=stltoday.com&utm_campaign=hot-topics-2&utm_medium=direct

Mr Brian Eno Speaks Out on Gaza, Israel, West Bank. Peter Schwartz replies.

Just because Brian Eno wrote this piece, which is highly critical of Israel, it doesn't lend it any special credence. There's also no reason to disparage the piece, just because Brian Eno wrote it. Especially in terms of describing facts on the ground, this letter DOES have the ring of truth about it, IMO. The piece also contains a response by Mr. Eno's friend, Peter Schwartz. Peter seems to be trying to stake out a "moderate" position. "Gaza and the Loss of Civilization by Brian Eno, July 28, 2014" http://davidbyrne.com/gaza-and-the-loss-of-civilization I was pleased Peter Schwart's response was included. Personally, I think Peter's trying too hard, considering the asymmetrical nature of this war's human toll - to enunciate a position that takes the "Middle Ground." Israel's arsenal dwarfs anything Hamas can hope to assemble, thanks to your tax dollars at work. During the latest invasion, Israel has killed and destroyed vastly more than Israelis have been killed or their homes destroyed, a fact you can't just gloss over. And Peter erroneously presupposes that those of us who've been passionately critical of Israel haven't been sufficiently critical of Obama, Putin, Syria's al-Assad, and sundry other war criminals. (Though it bears noting that the USA doesn't send Syria's al-Assad $3-4 billion annually.) For my part, I haven't let their atrocities pass without condemnation. OK, perhaps I've not been SUFFICIENTLY critical, mind you. But I've had my say, right here on Monologue Mountain! So let me be perfectly clear: I am not going to attempt to "justify" Hamas' actions, across the board. But when Israel turns Gaza into the worlds largest open-air prison, Israelis should expect at least a few (hundred? thousand?) rockets fired at them in anger. No people interested in its own self-defense would do otherwise; even if these rocket strikes against Israel habitually result in the kind of Israeli Blitz the world is bearing witness to as I write. Being continually under the most inhumane kind of siege, having one's hospitals, mosques and schools blown up, and 1400+ Palestinian bodies blown apart - that will tend to make a man act out in frustration.

The VOICE

Well, here you have it. And from no less a valid source of news and info than.... THE VOICE. Meaning, the Voice of America! Which, as you possibly know, is the United States' OFFICIAL purveyor of opinion via internet and short-wave radio. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-un-condemn-israeli-attack-on-un-run-school/1968595.html For those unrepentant Commies among us, though, it just FEELS better citing the Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2014/jul/30/gaza-another-un-school-hit-in-further-night-of-fierce-bombardment

What effect does the "World Community" have anymore?

You know why I have decided to comment as extensively as I have on the latest Israeli blitz vs. Gaza? It's not just because conditions on the ground are so horrible for Gazans, and not just because Israel is so criminally liable. It's because widespread international condemnation of Israel's massively lethal practices seemed, in the past, to be a factor in the eventual cessation of hostilities. But I'm not sure that the "World Community's" outrage is having much effect currently, as it did, for example, in 2008-2009. Five years ago, in the wake of "Operation Cast Lead," Israeli forces actually ended up in a short-term withdrawal from Gaza - by comparison, nowadays the IDF seems to be dead-set on forever escalating the conflict.

Questions Re: Israel/Palestine, again

As others "on both sides of the issue" (or ostensibly on no side at all) have noted, the entire Israel/Palestinian issue frequently appears insoluble. I'm certainly not saying Hamas is innocent. However, that said, there is hardly any contest as to who is the greater aggressor. A commentator on a web forum where I'm active recently claimed there can be no no cease fire, until "....Hamas runs out of rockets." Interesting to remember in this connection, that thanks to the enormous annual bestowal of military largess upon Israel by the USA, Israel will realistically never face such a prospect, at least not in the present geo-political reality. Still, three questions for those who support Israeli policy with no reservations: 1. Why is it morally permissible in your mind for Israel to engage in such a "dis-proportionate response?" (That presupposes, for the sake of avoiding useless argument, that highly-provocative Israel is ONLY "responding" in this latest Gaza invasion, a claim about which I'm massively skeptical.) 2. Does Israel bear any culpability for civilian deaths whatsoever? 3. Do you honestly believe a garrison state like Israel can achieve genuine peace and/or security by perpetually waging war?

Bagderland's GOP killed more than just the train!

That whole "Kill the Train" move on the part of Wisconsin Republicans has had worse repercussions than I even anticipated. Good jobs were needlessly lost in Milwaukee following the Walkerites' breach of contract with Talgo, Ah well, other states stand/stood to benefit; I'll just have to be happy for Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and possibly Iowa and Minnesota. But seriously, we MUST vote this governor OUT in November. http://www.isthmus.com/isthmus/article.php?article=43235

War Crimes are neither "accidental," nor "Collateral Damage."

Supposedly, when the Israeli air force so desires, it's capable of hitting specific Gazan Apartment buildings with pin-point accuracy. I doubt this, but if it's true, how then can one legitimately maintain that strafing little boys playing on the beach, bombing UN facilities for refugees, and even hitting mosques is not targeting civilians? Answer: One cannot legitimately assert these killings are in any way accidental, REGARDLESS of Israeli capabilities. They are WAR CRIMES of the worst variety, the same type of atrocities for which the "civilized" world once condemned other powers throughout the 20th and 21st Century. Examples: the indiscriminate Nazi German bombing of Warsaw and London, and the massive US bombing of North Vietnam. And I don't care if the comparison to WW2 Luftwaffe tactics strikes some readers as "extreme;" such "extreme" rhetoric pales in comparison to what Israel is doing in Gaza even as I write this. Try as one may, one can't justify Israel's criminal conduct. There's a little thing called international law, after all. The same sort of international law that resulted in the US being found guilty of war crimes by the World Court, in the wake of its aggression against Nicaragua back in the 1980s. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/12/us-palestinians-israel-gazans-idUSKBN0FH0DB20140712

Israeli War Crimes occuring now in a theatre of war near or far

Various pro-Zionist media organs are portraying Gaza residents as being "caught in the crossfire." That's complete BS. Fact is, Israel is DELIBERATELY targeting non-combatants; therefore the Zionist state is clearly committing many "spectacular" war crimes. The kill ratio now stands at about 6-1 in Israel's "favor," and 76% of those Palestinians who've been killed were civilians. Tragic, that the UN is so pitifully powerless to thwart this ongoing CRIMINAL Israeli aggression. I'm not defending Hamas, but bear in mind over 600 Palestinians have been killed in the latest Blitz, and "only" 28 Israelis have died. It's time for Washington to cut off the $4 billion it sends Israel annually. No wait, the time for that was in 1982, or even earlier! http://news.yahoo.com/un-school-gaza-caught-cross-fire-15-killed-165931322.html Here's a far better source for news on this subject. IMO: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/gaza-crisis-israeli-shells-kill-15-un-school-compound

More Bombs Over Baghdad - and boots on the ground, too?

A fine indication of the military madness USA is trapped in, were "we" to return in large numbers to Iraq! http://org.salsalabs.com/o/2488/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=16070

"Military Occupations Don't Work"

Except for the grossly understated Iraqi casualty figures, this is a fine letter I agree with wholeheartedly. And it may have been an editor's decision, not Bonnie's, to understate the number of fatalities and injuries beginning in 2003. http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/mailbag/bonnie-block-military-occupations-do-not-work/article_721d6108-3c51-5852-b31c-0941d93105ed.html

Repent and revise!

Here's more proof, on Meat-avoiding, Fish Fanatic Friday, that the Christers of this world simply can't get ANYTHING about the life of Mr. Christ RIGHT. 1. Political affiliation: Socialist, NOT an admirer of what's come to be known as the Free Market. Remember that little episode in the Temple, where Mr. Christ kicked mercantile ASS? 2. Racial Identity: Ethiopian, NOT a fair-haired, fair-skinned Little (Lutheran) Boy Blue! 3. Religious affinity: Jewish. And Mr. Christ was not a "Jew For Jesus." He was far too modest for anything of the sort. 4. Sexual orientation: He swung both ways. Who could ignore all that kissing that went on between Mr. Christ and his merry, fairy disciples? 5. Astrological sign: PISCES. NOT Capricorn. What the hell, er, heck do you think "Ichthys," New Testament Greek for "Fish," stands for anyway? And last but certainly not least, 6. Gender: Ms. Christ was a WOMAN. Oops, scratch that. His mother in Heaven, otherwise known as GOD, was a female. So get down on your ever-lovin' knees and PRAISE her, from whom all blessings flow! Jesus People: Get it straight. Before it's too late. FOR THE END IS NIGH!

Keep on Chalkin'!!!

I chalked a full mega-box of sloganeering.... one, two and even three-liners against the so-called Governor, Today. "I got blisters on my fingers!" I covered every corner of the (Outer) Square. Hit those sidewalks HARD, baby! Some of my commentary appears below, in what appears to be a bit of free association - trust me, it AIN'T! So Sock it too me, Baby! You bet your sweet Bippy! I'm doing something too, my FIENDS. Let us all join together in the place where there is no darkness - ROOM 101! "Thoughtcrime does not ENTAIL death - Thoughtcrime IS DEATH." So.... "Let us not go gently into that eerie night...." Go Winston, Go Winston Smith, and Julia TOO! CARPE DIEM! SEIZE the TIME!

WALKERGATE STILL BOTHERS ME

Our Wisconsin Capitol is a Republican-controlled EYESORE! John Doe Didn't GO (AWAY) - Scotty STEP DOWN - Walker RESIGN - The Game is UP - WALKERGATE REMEMBERED - Seize the TIME - The Governor doesn't COMMIT CORRUPTION; The Governor IS CORRUPTION! - John Doe!! - Scotty Walker's SUCH A JERK - I'll EVEN vote for Mary Burke - GET UP, STAND UP Don't give up the FIGHT - ALEC is TREASON!! - STEP DOWN Scotty - WalkerGate STILL Bothers ME, even if it obviously doesn't bother Lynyrd Skynyrd! Say it LOUD Say it PROUD A soft whisper in Legislative chambers: "Scotty, Resign." Wherever and whenever he appears in Public make it a Righteous ROAR: SCOTTY RESIGN!!!!

CEAMBPEC

If my only "Viable Choice" in 2016 would be to vote for Hillary Clinton, I shall climb to the top of a 57,000 foot mountain and rain down enough molotov cocktails to burn down the entire planet. If that appears just a TAD too punitive, I do have an alternate strategy in mind. I shall FORCE the entire human race to drink Geritol at Happy Hour. It's not that Hillary's hard to like - she's impossible to like! I'm not buying this bit about a "Kinder, Gentler, Hillary." She's about as kind and gentle as a scorpion's bite on the testicles. Vote for Bernie Sanders or face complete annihilation, you feeble-minded nation. This message brought to you by The Committee To Eradicate All Memories of Previous Bad Electoral Choices (CEAMPBEC). We shall ATONE!

Bad Moon Waning

Yesterday was Friday the 13th, with a waning moon that was full the day before. Mercury, Mars and Saturn were all retrograde. But as an Aquarius, I feel that none of that made any difference, and humanity's various superstitions comprise the enormous pile of silliness they always were.

Saigon Moment in Baghdad

Remember April 30th, 1975? I do. (I'm lying; I was only 12 years old.) Saigon "fell" to the.... Vietnamese. Now we're seeing Iraq in the midst of its own lethal, agonizing "Saigon Moment." To Bush, Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Dianne Feinstein, Herb Kohl, and all the rest of you pathological creeps who voted to invade: "Your Blunder-War is showing." http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/06/12-5 http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/15100-democrats-share-the-blame-for-tragedy-of-iraq-war

World Cup of Poison

I admire the many thousands of Brazilians who've taken to the streets of late. They fight back. Professional Sports generally, worldwide, is a thoroughly corrupt institution that only cares for it's own financial bottom line. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/09/brazil-uneasy-start-world-cup-strikers-protests-sao-paulo

US Foreign Policy is a BOMB.

Another example of a completely wrong-headed provocation by Washington and its Pentagon. Try diplomacy instead, for once! Negotiation can WORK, if both sides act in good faith. Aw, why the hell am I wasting keystrokes....? http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/10/world/politics-diplomacy-world/u-s-sends-b-2-bombers-europe-exercises-amid-ukraine-strife/#.U5dia6KGeP0

Cops Kill too many, including in this case.

I find a certain level of contradictory verbiage in the MPD spokes-cop's insinuation that Ms. DiPiazza absolutely had to be shot, even while she was holding the gun to her OWN head. Speaking of which, the (unconfirmed) word on the street is this woman was shot in the head. The officers involved certainly "saved" Ashley - from herself. Many if not most American cops are trained to have an itchy trigger finger. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/da-clears-officers-involved-in-fatal-may-shooting/article_80908db0-de8e-5495-8e14-ef776dddc401.html

Guns R USA

This madness has to stop. Somehow. After Elliot Rodgers' murderous Santa Barbara spree, I told my dad: "The worst thing is, there will be another slaughter like this in... about a week." Dad disagreed, saying: "no, in about ten days." Well, I'm disgusted that I was right. First one I can remember was the murder at the Seattle Christian College, though there was obviously at least one other during the interval. Then, the homicidal insanity in Las Vegas the other day, and now this. Uggh. http://news.yahoo.com/police-gunman-kills-student-school-shooting-170534882.html

Bergdahlmania

Try saying it fast. "Bowe Bergdahl, Bowe Bergdahl, Bowe Bergdahl...." it's a bit of a tongue-twister. At first I thought, "Oh no! Another tedious Media-addled distraction to take our minds off the fact that 'we' should never have invaded Afghanistan in the first place!" But now I'm thinking, well, this previously naive young man made the mistake of having an ethical compass. According to Stephanie Miller (or one of her talk-show partners) Bowe Bergdahl apparently didn't like the way speeding American armored vehicles ran down little Iraqi kids in the streets of Baghdad. He objected to the notion that Iraqis, Afghanis, and other occupied peoples are only "Bug-splat," as American fighter-jet and helicopter pilots refer to them, just before they bomb and strafe and kill.... for no apparent reason. So he walked away, it would seem. I'm glad Bowe is free. I'm ecstatic that five men who were never charged with a crime, yet interned for years in a concentration camp have been released from Gitmo. Good luck, Bowe - may you, by the grace of Almighty GOURD, escape the insane wrath of the Rectal-reject Rabble who reiterate Reactionary Republican Rhetoric!

What's it called?

Anybody know what those areas on the front two "corners" of a man's head (women don't seem to go/be bald there, at least not so early in life) where there is no hair are called? Is there a name for that part of the scalp just above and slightly in front of the male temple? I've heard there IS a name for the area below the tip of your nose, that sort of conduit that runs down below the tip of the nose, in between the two halves of the mustache, to the top of the upper lip. I just forget what that name is. But the two aforementioned masculine bald areas mystify me. If nobody knows, I'll just invent my own word for it.

Been thinking about my commentary re: Russia and Ukraine

Been thinking about some of my criticisms of Russia's recent expansionist moves. Some people, particularly on the "Left," seem to believe I have no moral right, as an American "citizen," to call out other countries when they engage in violations of human rights and international law. I think this is a total, nonsensical guilt trip. Why? 1. I've been criticizing USA's actions, both domestically and on the world stage since I was a child. In middle school, I stood up for a of a group of Japanese Americans who visited our 6th grade class. They had been interned in concentration camps from 1942-1945, on the basis of their "racial" origins. One of my classmates said he thought those Nissei deserved what they got - I vehemently disagreed. And my teacher told me he was grateful for what I said. 2. If I lack the moral right to criticize Russia just because I was born in USA, then Israelis had/have no moral right to criticize Iran's former President Ahmedinejad; British "subjects" have no moral right to criticize the often foul deeds committed by the Catholic Church in Ireland; Chinese people have no right to criticize the actions of the Japanese military during WW2, etc., etc. After all, the Israeli, British, and Chinese GOVERNMENTS are all committing or have committed their own human rights violations. The fact that I happen to live in this F*cked-up, aggressive, imperialistic society in no way precludes me from calling an injustice an injustice, wherever it may occur. In fact, people who REFRAIN from criticizing a foreign government just because their own government is culpable have actualy been "shamed" into a shameful kind of silence. 3. Americans aren't just "allowed" to use their increasingly endangered First Amendment rights to speak the truth as they perceive it - they are, in a wider sense OBLIGATED to do so. So I STILL despise that pig Putin, and feel absolutely NO obligation to remain silent about Russia's crimes, just because I was born in Madison. Not that the Ukrainians are totally innocent, mind you, what with the fascist presence in Kiev. But there is an awful lot that is WRONG with Russia's government and Russian nationalists these days, from its continuing use of nuclear power and the very substantial Russian contribution to global climate change, to their bombing of civilian targets in Chechnya and other "breakaway republics." I believe Russia does a lot more harm than good both domestically and internationally. The country doesn't even make the pretense of representing a force for good in the world, as did the old USSR. Russia's pretty much become a Laissez Faire capitalist helhole that represses its own people, tolerates mass homelessness on the streets of Moscow, and does very little to combat the AIDS epidemic in St. Petersburg. I could go on about what's wrong with Russian society for several more paragraphs. It's true: the USA is the World's FOREMOST Rogue State - it sure as hell isn't the only one.

Repent, for the End is Near

Saw the God-Man on the street He was cooking in the temperate heat Sign read: "Repent, for the End is nigh!" Said I, "I suppose that you are high - since Christ was Jewish, as you know!" Said he: "Of course he was!, now blow!" I ended with "Thank you so much.... You've really got that honest touch!"

Vietnamese

Always found Vietnamese to be one of the more fascinating SE Asian languages. Especially as I can get at least a remote idea of its pronunciation from "reading" it. I favour "my own" Latin alphabet, of course, though I can, with some difficulty, read Greek and Cyrillic. Vietnamese obviously uses a fairly extended version of the Roman script, in order to visually express a number of sounds you probably won't find in any European language. http://www.omniglot.com/writing/vietnamese.htm

May 2014 Ed Snowden interview

I've only heard excerpts so far, but I liked what Edward Snowden had to say. Brian Williams is, needless to say, just another corporate stooge doing his "job." http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/may/29/edward-snowden-nbc-interview-video

USA+Pakistan, forever

It's entirely fitting that the United States - the world's foremost rogue state - counts Pakistan as an important ally. It's entirely predictable that Pakistan - home to so much militarism, repression and injustice - counts the USA as a major ally. Of course the two countries differ in profoundly striking respects, be they cultural, linguistic or religious in nature. And they've had a number of highly publicized geopolitical policy disputes in recent years. But with the US gliding gradually down that slippery slope toward "Christian" theocracy, USA and Pakistan have come to resemble each other in a number of unsurprising ways. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27599325 The public floggings and stonings have yet to occur, to the best of my knowledge. But with the Pat Robertsons of America more and more in charge of the culture, it's probably just a matter of time.

That late great National Lampoon!

The "National Lampoon" was a contemptuous, terrible, irreverent, sadistic and highly misogynist publication that would probably make "The Onion's" editors blanch. It was also drop-dead hilarious, on a frequent basis. I pity those who don't have access to its archives, or those who neglected to save their dog-eared copies, precious as fresh rainwater in a Saharan barrel. Ellin Stein's book is great fun, too; it brought back many vulgar and comedic memories. http://books.google.com/books/about/That_s_Not_Funny_That_s_Sick_The_Nationa.html?id=lVm78dQpmw4C http://www.marksverylarge.com/images/7411cover_l.jpg

REMEMBER TO REMEMBER REMEMBER RE......

Did you REMEMBER to remember ALL "America's" IDIOTIC WARS? 1. The War of 1812 2. The "Mexican War" 3. The "Spanish-American" War 4. The "War to End ALL Wars" 5. The Second World War 6. The "Korean" War 7. The "Vietnam" War 8. The Gulf War 9. The "Afghan" War 10. The "Iraq" War (Notice how I exempted "The War Between the States;" That one, arguably at least, was necessary, a war to end a great evil called slavery. And some folks say the Second World War was also a necessity, fought by the "Greatest Generation." HUH! That generation was only as great as every other 20-year batch of humans.) As for the rest, they served our country and the World poorly, at best.

Under The Elms of Edgar Allen Park

"UNDER THE ELMS OF EDGAR ALLEN PARK" Why do you sing the way you do, Birds? The Whole of Humanity hears you believes you express exalted Joy A WONDER But I only hear your sweet mockery OF ME - It's always the same, laughable! You invite me to awaken, greet the vulgar SUN Silly birds But I prefer the NIGHT, you see The ENDLESS night A perfect meditation I don't hate or resent you Silly birds I mock you right back! Because you CAN'T know What's so damn prizeworthy About the DAY, anyway? At night, ALONE, AWAY, APART from Humanity's frenzied brood At NIGHT In my Alien WEIRD I KNOW what the HUMANS Think of me What they MUST think of me It's not YOUR fault, birds It's not YOUR fault Stupid daylight I simply prefer the comforting anonymity No problem have I Greeting the Dogs and Rabbits They, at least Are my FRIENDS

HAPPY!

When I first heard the "Happy" song, which they play here in the states pretty frequently these days, I found it a bit annoying. By now I've begun to like it. Considering the Iranian Theocracy is ARRESTING people for exercising what should clearly be their freedom of expression, I'm now PROMOTING "Happy." Let this be a warning to all - the Christian Right Wing is busy trying to implement a theocracy here in USA, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZAZZ5fIGYo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

A bit of colourful commentary

Some of you may be wondering why I've adopted certain British spellings in place of the usual American orthography. Though naturally most of you couldn't care less. But I'm doing it 'cos: "Flavoured" looks more savoury than the American variant. Colour is more colourful than "Color." It takes slightly more work to write "labour" than it does to write "labor," and as we all know... "A little hard work never killed anybody:)" OK, I will now proceed to shut up and play a few games of chequers for the rest of this lovely day.

Nigeria

I'm sorry, Nigeria, for your recent and appalling troubles. But I steadfastly disagree with those who think US intervention, in its usual form of "advisers," drones and other military hardware, is any kind of remedy. The US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines have a "Reverse Midas Touch," and exacerbate every civil war they meddle in. In a very uncanny way, everything that the US War Machine touches turns to BLOOD. If you don't believe me, just think of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/21/world/africa/nigerian-explosions.html?src=me http://reason.com/archives/2014/05/11/four-reasons-us-intervention-in-nigeria

Reading "In Retropect"

Reading another autobiography, this time former US Secretary of War Robert McNamara's. You can learn a lot from your political enemies, especially those who have sought some degree of redemption. But I'm struck by the fact I can never muster enough patience to read about the author's childhood - I always begin the book at the point where the author describes his/her time in high school at the earliest, college days at the latest. I suppose this is because - except in the case of those who were confirmed child prodigies - it's just not interesting, the story of how and with whom they grew up. That goes for kids who had a good childhood, and those who were miserable alike. I don't know why this is; much less do I expect anyone to give a care. Gotta keep my keyboarding skills sharp, that is all.

Support fast food workers' one day strike, today

I'm gonna patronize a decent restaurant today, one in which I may have to wait a bit for the food to arrive. But it will be worth it. I try to avoid fast food joints whenever my wallet allows it, or my stomach isn't on "Emergency Empty" status. Because these people, who work so VERY hard under often times excruciating conditions, CANNOT survive on seven twenty-five. Hell, in New York, they cant survive on ten, eleven or twelve dollars an hour. Many of them have families to support, for crying out loud. These folks need a MEANINGFUL raise, decades ago! http://www.democracynow.org/2014/5/15/we_have_to_stop_this_inequality

To the point of no return...?

And to think that virtually every intellectually honest or capable person who's studied the issue knows this moment would arrive. "The point of no return." Those dinosaurs among us shall have much to explain to generations yet to come - they're a bunch of pathetic obstructionists whose own grandchildren will pay the price! Global climate change is for REAL, and the dull-witted majority of Americans being polled these days better learn that's true. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27381010

"Town of Greece v. Galloway et al."

I'd especially like to hear from religious people on the following topic. One need not even address the unconstitutionality, IMO, of the Supreme Court's recent "Town of Greece, New York v. Galloway et al." decision that further erodes the Separation of Church and State. Not right now, at least. Much as it grieves and sickens me, this decision is a fait accompli, and will remain so until the balance of the court shifts WAY leftward. So which, dear people of faith, are you planning on doing? Will you now RELUCTANTLY or ENTHUSIASTICALLY embrace the practice of reading Hindu, Muslim and Jewish prayers before the start of city council proceedings? Are you reluctantly, or enthusiastically willing to allow Santeria chants in the same setting? Any problem with civic-minded Satanists who also want to propagate their lovely beliefs in town halls coast to coast? You really can't have it both ways, of course. If Jesus people are to be accommodated, to the detriment of the necessary and vital Establishment Clause, they better get ready to accommodate every other faith. That would be inconvenient to say the least. Not to mention unconstitutional. http://iacknowledge.net/christian-conservative-group-heckles-hindu-prayer-in-us-senate-video/

Cool your heels, Joe Biden.

NATO is a military and political anachronism that deserves to be disbanded like the Warsaw Pact was in the early 1990s. I DO loathe and despise Putinism.... but this very dangerous, volatile business of Russian, Ukrainian nationalism; Western intervention in the Baltic states and Poland; coupled with NATO military exercises on the Russian frontier.... make it crystal clear it's time for the West to step back. Russia does have legitimate historical concerns about being attacked by European and American forces. The West would do best by not escalating. Even 600 NATO troops in the Baltic states and Poland is one provocation too many. The US needs to remove its newest warship, replacing its previous warship, from the Black Sea. "Don't poke the Russian Bear." They still have nukes, after all. And so does USA, unfortunately. Some people are saying the Chinese aren't happy with current developments in Ukraine. What an ominous moment for Obama to express his preference for Japan over China in the geopolitical saber-rattling now occurring between their respective navies! http://en.itar-tass.com/world/729227

"Anarchy" in the USA?

In the event I came off as too "statist" or "authoritarian" before, let me put it this way: In a profoundly non-revolutionary age, such as the Present in these United States, it's completely unrealistic to think we can: 1. Scrap all or even most regulatory authority over a very, very dangerous, virulent, unrestrained, pathological extreme strain of Capitalism. What would we get in exchange? Only a number of WILDLY unconstructive delusions, like the following: "Laissez Faire Capitalism (that FOUL creed now killing the Planet!) in its "tender mercies," will somehow PROTECT us." Now how daft can a person get? "Laissez Faire Capitalism" is notorious for its inherent destructiveness, and its utter lack of any altruistic motivations whatsoever! Case in point, and a strange one considering the parties involved: The reason the Three Mile Island accident wasn't as devastating in 1979 as the Chernobyl disaster was eight years later has a lot to do with the need for effective regulation. American nuclear power stations are under the authority of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. And for whatever reason, they operate shielded by "containment domes." Apparently Soviet reactors weren't subject to such a requirement - at the very least, sensible regulations governing atomic power generation weren't ENFORCED in the USSR. Humanity's technological obsession (and its resulting achievements and pitfalls) has gone too far - we do indeed live under the threat and promise of many sophisticated technologies that allow of such drastic "deregulation" only at our extreme peril. We left "the Garden," the "Simple Life," at least a century or two ago. 2. Were we to TOTALLY scrap our environmental and regulatory scheme, in favor of the "Invisible hand of the Free Market," WHO would stand to benefit? The very same "One Percenters" who are NOW benefiting so obscenely by the increasingly unrestrained ebb and flow of predatory global Capitalism. The Kochs, the Sheldon Adelsons, that's who would benefit. Even more than they do now. Within the current socioeconomic arrangement, in which so many "Citizens" have been so debased; where ignorance characterizes the majority; where education is an expensive and difficult commodity to acquire, typically sold to the highest bidder; where violence is as prevalent as Apple Pie... in this kind of a society, the People must be protected FROM the Corporations. We live in a land of institutionalized inequality and almost total political subservience, or at least mass indifference. It seems pretty evident that the people MUST retain the LEGAL right to prevent Laissez Faire Capitalism from destroying this very planet! Capitalism is not, and never has been, the social system one could reasonably trust to solve the Global Crises of Climate Change. Capitalism is the single entity most culpable for causing climate change!* Whatever your political philosophy: Scores of nations (regrettably perhaps) DO EXIST on Terra Firma; they must possess the ability to engage in meaningful negotiation, the aim of which could be to ratify binding treaties aimed at saving the Earth. Domestically, consider the people who contracted mesothelioma due to corporate malfeasance with respect to asbestos-related mining and manufacturing. Screw "tort reform!" May we never see "trial lawyers" perish from the face of the Earth! 3. While I do believe that we could - and SHOULD - eliminate more than 99% of the present statutes governing non-violent, "victimless crimes," (i.e., those "offenses," lacking a real victim or culprit, in which no physical harm transpires) it sickens me at heart to concede that we would have a damn hard time of it, were we to eliminate EVERY American police agency. I'd love to believe we could somehow achieve an Anarcho-syndicalist "non-society" characterized by universal Harmony, Peace and Freedom. My experience of Massive American violence and criminality - which permeates the culture at all levels - suggests that now is not that time. Sadly, 2014 isn't the "Utopian" sort of era in which any and all such "authority" could be abolished. Not without subsequent mayhem, perhaps on a scale unprecedented thus far. I know you America - you CAN'T be trusted. You can only be restrained. *The following is the text of the 9th Amendment of the Bill of Rights: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” So it must surely follow that The People need to get up off their collective behind and retake the machinery of government! How can we blame the Ruling Class for our plight - if we "Average Joes and Janes" allow them to get away with their crimes!? If we're not going to have a revolution - and I think the prospect of THAT is a distant one at best - then we damn well better have a fundamental transformation! Move to Amend!

A Constitutional argument with a friend

Laws and regulations, T., result from our Constitutionally-prescribed system of checks and balances, of the divided government proposed by the so-called Founding Fathers in the 1780s. You know - The Legislative, which enacts laws, The Judicial, which interprets the laws, and The Executive. (The latter has become a sort of imperial presidency, but was not originally intended to be THAT bad.) You can take issue with particular laws and regulations. But the method by which they were adopted, ideally at least, is outlined in the Constitution. If you object to Plessy v. Ferguson's finding that De Jure segregation was justifiable, and you believe instead that 1954's Brown v. Board of Education was the right decision, then you to some degree implicitly recognize that some laws, at least in theory, are beneficial. If you supported the passage of the (so-called) Affordable Care Act, then you implicitly recognize that some degree of regulation is at least permissible - the thing is thousands and thousands of pages long! Obama Care is pretty clearly a bureaucratic excess; I agree with you to THAT extent.)

Money Talks!

Hello, I'm a hundred dollar bill. I got RIGHTS, ya know! Foremost among my rights is the right to freedom of speech, and expression. Oh, and to peaceably assemble to redress any number of grievances against the government, which I do every day by remaining in circulation. But getting back to the matter of speech, specifically, I have the UNLIMITED right to speak up VOCIFEROUSLY in support of the candidates of my choice, be they Democratic or Republican. I'm a human being too, and my feelings are deeply injured when mere PEOPLE try to restrict my influence. I'm just like anyone else; I receive just as much representation as I can afford to purchase. DON'T BOX ME IN. Don't put me in a gilded cage! I get around, here, there and everywhere, and I have a helluva lot to say. And I got a warning for the Supine Court, in case they EVER get the wrong idea: You folks in black robes BETTER keep outta my way, if ya know what's good for ya! Money Talks! Just in time for next November's midterms! http://www.politico.com/story/2014/04/supreme-court-campaign-donations-limit-105284.html

Playing "Saviour Says"

Prologue: On July 23, 1970, I met up with Mr. Jesus H. Christ in His tastefully-but-modestly decorated guest mansion, "Paradise Park." I'm proud to share this, the First ever interview with Jesus to grace the pages of Throwing Stone Magazine. HE graciously allowed this reporter to conduct a no-holds-barred session. Our chat was intensely enlightening, and Jesus had His fetching handmaidens serve me cup after stimulating cup of low-cal Manna. The transcript that follows was Faithfully transcribed by Mr. Christ's loving Pharisees. Dear Lord, how that gaggle of ornery clerks and secretaries has come around to His way of thinking! I was only seven years old in 1970, the year in which Jesus was dubbed "Superstar" by fans and critics alike. When one embraces one's Higher Power, ALL THINGS become POSSIBLE. What follows is headlined "Playing Saviour Says; The Jesus H. Christ Interview." It's a "Throwing Stone" exclusive! DG: Howdy Mr. Christ, thanks so much for Your time today. JC: No problem, dude. Time is one thing I have in abundance. And please call me "Jeez." Everyone calls me that except Dad. DG: Thanks again, Jeez. Now you've been in suspended animation for what, about 2000 years? JC: That's right, Son. Ever since I was nailed, died and put inside that awful cave. Then, three days later, I self-resuscitated, rolled the boulder out of the way, and emerged from the grotto. Trouble is, I saw my shadow; that's why we've endured two millennia of unbroken Winter. DG: I bet it felt good to break that cabin fever, back in the day. Where have You been residing all these centuries? JC: Well, I've tried for over 1964 years to get out of My Father's House. But He's a mean old man, and very possessive. Keeps on insisting I have to take over the Family business when He retires. FINALLY retires that is - seem's He's a workaholic, very paranoid, extremely argumentative and goddamn near Immortal, if you catch my drift. What's even worse, and I don't mean anything personal.... but Dad is overly.... Jewish. DG: Ah. No offense taken. But would You describe His attitude as Orthodox, Reform, or.... I can't even imagine Him as a SECULAR type guy. JC: You got that right, buddy. Old Jeb - that's what we call him, short for Jehovah - is strictly Old School. Never seen the Light. Still considers Himself the "Hebrew Boss." And I don't mean like Bruce Springsteen! The Lunkhead's never gotten it through His thick skull: I'm way past all that "Israelite" stuff by now. In many ways, He's still a rigid, inflexible, nasty-tempered six billion year old pain in the butt. Unforgiving as Hell and vindictive. In other words, Orthodox to the marrow. He's never agreed to write the sort of Letter of Recommendation that would enable Me to get an easier, more rewarding job. Won't even allow Me to get My own apartment! DG: Doesn't Your Mom try to talk sense to the Old Goat? By all accounts, she's a pretty kind old lady. JC: Well, "Ma Mary" is a softie like you say, but kind of a doormat. Dad's always had His Way with her. No matter how much I encourage Mom to stand up to Him, she caves. It certainly wasn't her idea to hook up with Jeb in the first place. In fact, Ma's been trying to work out an amicable separation for more than 700 years; He won't hear of it. And don't even mention no-fault divorce; oddly enough, They were never married to begin with. DG: Do They still exist together? JC: Much as it pains me, Dad's been keeping Mom in an Assisted Existence Facility for Eons and Eons. It's way, way Downtown, out of reach for ordinary mortals. Some place called "Purgatory Prairie." Dad insists she's got a lot of "issues." Claims she's got a lot of explaining to do before she can move Uptown, to His opulent McMansion, "The Mile High Club." Isn't He just the ultimate Prima Donna? DG: Bummer. What's up with Your brother James these days? JC: Jimmy's been living in obscurity for AGES, it seems. Problem is, he's got no name recognition and a pretty thin resume'. Jim's prospects for retirement from his crummy job don't look too good. I guess he's stuck driving the Shuttle between Terra Firma and Dad's City on a Hill, "Heavenly Heights." For the Indefinite Infinity anyway, poor bastard. DG: Sure sorry to hear of it. Let's talk politics now, shall We? Has President Jehovah ever considered trying to achieve Detente with the Evil Empire? After all, General Secretary Lucifer has changed his tune markedly. I know the Devil's in the details, but Satan Luciferovitch makes no bones about his desire for reinstatement as a fine, upstanding member of the Cosmic Community. What gives, Jeez? JC: Contrary to conventional wisdom, Dan, Birds of a Feather don't ALWAYS flock together. Those two curmudgeons are SO much alike. Both power-hungry, capricious.... hostile as Holy Heck most of the time. They haven't exchanged a single word since the Cuban Missile Crisis, and that was only about which one would inherit the Earth. And THAT, as you know, is STILL an open question. DG: Whatever became of Mary Magdalene? JC: Mary Mag's been doing great work promoting Tolerance with Margot St. Jane's feminist organization in Saint Francisco. I can only keep minimally apprised of her good works through our web forum, up at Jesus.com. Jeb insists she's a bad influence and forbids me, upon pain of irrelevance, from contacting her directly. It's truly heart-breaking. DG: Christ! I mean, uh, Jeez! That's pretty harsh.... JC: Well, consider the source. DG: Switching gears again.... some folks claim that Mr. Lucifer came shockingly close to deposing Your Old Man, way back when. Any truth to that? JC: Bah, humbug. Does that lousy upstart Beelzebub REALLY believe his effort to impeach My Father would ever come to fruition? Sure, the Eternal Sanhedrin voted for impeachment; but you know as well as I the Supreme Church would NEVER have removed Pres. Jehovah from the Throne. And to think they brought those proceedings for the TRIVIAL infraction of adultery. You can search for all ETERNITY - nowhere in Our Family history has Dad ever denied that He's kept a close watch for cute little Angels. Big hairy deal! DG: So whatever happened to Saint Monica? JC: Spokeswoman for the Divine Diet Plan, Inc. Slimmed down considerably herself, and pretty as a picture. Admitted everything that occurred in the Ovular Office, she did. You know, that was one of the few times I was able to successfully intervene. Very indiscreet, of course. But Dad's endless stream of peccadillos is getting mighty tiresome. DG: I see Your circle of friends is as illustrious as Your family life. Jeez, You never cease to amaze! JC: Amen Brother, no pun intended. It was positively a MIRACLE.... DG: For a change. And only for Monica.... JC: What do you want from Me? I did the best I could! And I know what else you're driving at.... Dad insists all those "little people" who were smitten got what they deserved, and then some. Let's be fair: Dad's never tried to hide the fact He's a very jealous guy. He's never cloaked his displeasure when His constituents cast their ballot for some "American Idol." Remember His words: "Thou shalt have no other President besides Me....." DG: Excuse me!?! "American!?" JC: Of course Jehovah is American! Doesn't he SPEAK American? What do you THINK he is, Ethiopian? Do I LOOK like some Son of an Ethiopian!? Man, Dan, didn't you even READ the book before requesting an interview? DG: Uh.... well, I skimmed it. And I admit, Your blond hair and blue eyes should have been a dead giveaway. JC: It's practically a SIN for a Throwing Stone correspondent not to do his homework, Dan. DG: Yeah, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa. My bad. (Sighs) JC: Ah, Don't worry about it. My job description goes on interminably about "....the need to forgive." Sometimes I wonder if I'm REALLY My Father's Son. (Chortles) DG: Let's not even open THAT can of worms! JC: I don't want to tiptoe through those tulips, either. (Chuckles) This series continues next month with: "Judas Iscariot; Turncoat or Tragedy?"

"Pants On Fire" Obama's latest

The following is an assemblage of lies, of course, from champion dissembler Obama: "But even in Iraq, America sought to work within the international system. We did not claim or annex Iraq’s territory. We did not grab its resources for our own gain. Instead, we ended our war and left Iraq to its people in a fully sovereign Iraqi state that can make decisions about its own future." https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/03/26-7

Boycott Coke AND Stolie

This may, given how vehemently I've condemned Russia as a SICK SOCIETY both in its domestic and international policies, surprise some folks. But I think it's WRONG to send billions of dollars in (undoubtedly military) aid to Ukraine, especially at a time when the piggish Republicans in Congress refuse to renew extended unemployment benefits to millions of desperate Americans. Sending aid to Ukraine is only another Western provocation, dove-tailing well with NATO's Drang Nach Osten, or "Drive toward the East." Better for this nation's rich piggies to boycott Russian caviar, vodka and those few other consumer goods Russia produces. I don't mind giving up my Stolichnaya, yuk yuk. It goes without saying the Rest of the World should boycott Atlanta's tooth-destroying Coca Cola.

Putin's Russia - it sure as hell isn't Utopia

I know I've been coming down pretty hard on Russian foreign policy, just as I've come down hard on US foreign policy. But another measure of a sick society like Russia (and USA, of course) is to examine its domestic situation - the way it treats its own less-than-filthy-rich citizens: *According to multiple sources, Russian police are extremely corrupt, and they engage in frequent brutality and even murder. In that respect, Russia strongly resembles the USA. *Russian prisons are brutal, nasty and regressive in their practices. No role model whatsoever. In that respect, Russia strongly resembles the USA. *Russia is an extreme case of Laissez Faire Capitalism in action, to the benefit of its heartless billionaires, and the detriment of the numerous homeless - including many children - down on their luck, and living on the streets of Moscow. The Russian capital is now one of the most expensive cities on Earth. While it's true the West, especially Americans like Jeffrey Sachs, pressured Russia to implement the harshest, most callous type of Private Enterprise "system" during the 1990s, in order to receive a pittance in "aid guarantees," Boris Yeltsin was only too happy to go along with schemes proposed by the IMF and other Western institutions. (See; Naomi Klein, "The Shock Doctrine") *It's understandable that Russia produces and exports huge quantities of oil and natural gas; the country doesn't produce a whole lot of consumer goods that other countries want to purchase. That doesn't negate the fact that Russia is making its own very substantial contribution to global warming. While Russia doesn't emit nearly as much CO2 into the atmosphere as do either the USA or China, it does plenty of damage in its own right. And even now, decades after the Chernobyl catastrophe, Russia still generates 16% of its energy needs in its nuclear power plants. *Putin's attitude toward gays and lesbians is discriminatory at best, cruel at its worst. Gays and Lesbians, for those who aren't aware, are fellow human beings who should enjoy all the rights and privileges granted to others. Of course, Russia's never even made the pretense of being a democracy, so I guess with respect to it's treatment of homosexuals, it is at least.... consistent, and less hypocritical than the United States. *Russian policy on hard drug use is quite punitive; in that respect, Russia is similar to the United States. Russia's drug prohibiton contributes substantially to the significant HIV problem in cities like St. Petersburg: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/how-punitive-drug-policy-fuels-hiv-epidemic-russia

Fixed my web, er, spycam today

I just stuck a small piece of black electrical tape on top of this laptop's spycam, er, webcam. Hope it's sufficient to do the job. While I'm positively flattered that NSA Director James Clapper's people are working night and day to keep abreast of my social networking and other online activities, I just couldn't stand the idea of our faithful guardians observing me on a bad hair day, or during one of my periodic Gerald Ford Moments. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

"Brevity is the Soul of Wit"

I can, for a change, put it very succinctly. Remember when Osama bin Laden was killed, (or so they tell us) and all the young yahoos gathered outside the White House chanting: "USA! USA!?" Well, according to several reports, the more revolting Russian nationalists have been chanting "Rossiya! Rossiya!" ("Russia, Russia!). Same kind of jingoistic horseshit, just a different channel on a different day. "Under glittering chandeliers in a Kremlin hall – and with his audience chanting 'Russia! Russia!'– Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored sanctions imposed by the West and went ahead Tuesday with the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/globe-in-ukraine-russian-annexation-of-crimea-turns-bloody/article17560229/

Some modifications to my previous "Ukraine stance"

I wish to amend some previous remarks re: the Ukraine situation. My rant below was scarcely comprehensive, nor completely fair minded. As my wise FB friend P.N. succinctly pointed out: "Maybe if the US and its European sycophants hadn't moved eastward installing the NATO menace on Russia's borders....." Touche', P.N., that's a devastatingly correct and pertinent observation. As Putin rightly stated the other day: "They tell us that we are violating the norms of international law. First of all, it's good that they at least acknowledge that international law exists.... Our Western partners, led by the United States prefer to proceed not from international law, but the law of might in their practical policies." (See: "With stroke of Putin's pen, Russia grows, Ukraine wilts," Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press, March 19, 2014) None of this Putin-propagated piece of undeniable veracity does anything to moderate my view of Putin as a miserable autocrat and bigot, but it is imperative to make note of it, in order not to come off as being, well, one-sided. With that in mind, I must add that it was a reckless provocation to extend NATO's "Missile Defense" apparatus into Poland. It was a very risky maneuver against the Russians to send a nuclear-armed US Navy warship into the Black Sea during the height of Russia's gruesome 2008 war against Georgia. For that matter, it was unwise to so blatantly support certain anti-Kremlin machinations emanating from Georgia; doing so probably only encouraged the Russian leadership to respond even more forcefully against Georgian civilians, bombing Tblisi, etc. Covert American intervention in Ukraine, especially during and every day since 2004's "Orange Revolution," is a well-known fact. Sorry if it seems like I'm on a roller-coaster ride of hair splitting analysis; it's always been hard for me to speak out publicly on controversial matters without coming off as though I find myself omniscient. I'm not all-knowing, and I often blurt out things in an emotionally charged way, without reigning in periodic bouts of hyperbole. One thing's for sure: I'm going to be very careful about even SEEMING to support one side over the other. Ukrainian leadership of the last two decades has been hugely corrupt, and certainly hasn't served the Ukrainian people well. I still despise Putin and the bullying, nauseating Russian chauvinism he embodies, much in the same I way I despise George W. Bush for his nauseating, bullying wars of opportunity. But Russia HAS experienced several highly lethal historical lessons indicating it needs to protect itself from Western invasion and subterfuge.

"Please God, get rid of Putin!

Sure Vladimir Putin, whatever you say. Crimea's population is up to 60% ethnic Russian, so break it off from Ukraine, in part by a likely fraudulent balloting process that claims a 95+% level of support for transferring the district to Russia., so break it off from Ukraine, in part by a likely fraudulent balloting process that claims a 95+% level of support for transferring the district to Russia. Reminds me more than a bit of another aggressor, Adolf Hitler. Der Fuehrer insisted Sudetenland Germans belonged in his "Thousand Year Reich." So Hitler worked out a deal with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain that enabled Nazi Germany to annex large parts of The Sudetenland, or "South-east land" from Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain called the pact "Peace In Our Time." That sordid September 1938 deal is more widely known to History as "Appeasement." Particularly since Hitler soon incorporated ALL of Czechoslovakia into his "Gross Deutschland," or "Greater Germany." Such a profound historical lesson should not be lost on the world community today. Since Crimea was "given" to Ukraine by Nikita Khrushchev in 1954, and remained with Ukraine after the Soviet Union split apart in 1991, it should stay "as is," and not just for the sake of national sovereignty. More powerful Leaders (like Russia's) shouldn't start monkeying around with established national borders in Europe and elsewhere. Certainly not for the sake of their own hunger for power, avarice and vanity. But since Russia is clearly determined to detach Crimea through either brute force or clever artifice, it follows logically that Russia lays no valid claim to the breakaway republic of Chechnya, whose population is 95.3% CHECHEN. Of course this whole Crimean crisis is complicated. Obama and the other "Western" leaders don't have military options, thankfully. Not without the prospect of starting WW3, they don't. Any idea that the US, Britain or other countries should attempt a military response is sheer madness; Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham surely must know that already. Nor can the US President impose economic sanctions - as he just did - upon other nations for their violations of international law, without "hypocritizing" himself silly. Remember Obama's destructive escalation in Afghanistan. Remember Fallujah. Remember the Invasion of Panama in 1989, and so many other interventions of that kind - all ILLEGAL and UNJUSTIFIABLE. The US doesn't have an ethical leg to stand on. Putin is an international criminal who should face some kind of "peaceful," effective sanction, as impossible a prospect as that appears. But "The West" is not a part of the world morally qualified to declare such sanctions. Nor are all those on the "Ukrainian Side" guiltless. There's MORE than enough culpability to go around. But I still maintain Ukrainians as a People have as much right to their territorial integrity as any other nation. As the Pussy Riot women rightly shouted in that Moscow Cathedral: "Please, God, get rid of Putin...!" P.S: Just as a matter of fact-checking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Crimea#Ethnic_groups

Sympathy for the Devils

I've never read a book on the US Civil War before wherein all the principal characters were praised, all their positive attributes placed consistently in the limelight. But that has been an impossible-not-to-notice feature of Jay Winik's highly informative "April 1865; The Month That Saved America." This opus even has something good to say about penultimate "Bad Guy," John Wilkes Booth! Jefferson Davis? Not an absolute tyrant and irascible sadist; not JUST the cruel villain who wanted and DID drag the war out for weeks and months beyond what any "Sane Leader" would have done. Jeff Davis was not JUST a defender of that incalculable evil, Slavery pure and simple. He read Greek and Latin, you know. President Davis was a scholar who had a fine appreciation of French and Spanish Literature. He loved poetry, too. Did you know there's even a middle school named for the Confederate President in West Palm Beach? Ah well, that's NOT the same as say, "Adolf Hitler Career Academy," not the same at all! Ulysses S. Grant? Not simply a ham-fisted, reckless "butcher" who lost the staggering total of 100,000 Union soldiers within just a few brief months during the last year of the conflict. Who lost 7000 of his soldiers to an insane, suicidal frontal assault against Lee's cannon at Cold Harbor... all in the space of seven short minutes! (Though at least Grant expressed regret for Cold Harbor in his memoirs, another very fascinating read.) But Grant loved animals, horses especially - he could brook no mistreatment of our equine brothers and sisters. And General Grant actually HATED the sight of blood; all his meat had to be practically charred before he'd touch it. General Grant USUALLY kept his drinking under control. Really. To be sure, it was Grant and Sherman and Lincoln who won the war for the North, bloody and horrific as the slaughter they (and their Rebel counterparts) engendered WAS. That brings us to the person of... General William Tecumseh Sherman. He was not (merely?) the "Monster" who bestowed upon History the cold honest phrase "War is Hell." And he really wasn't JUST the first modern strategist, which this tome argues. Sherman was a much more complex individual than the man who laid waste the better part of Georgia, whose troops raped women and burned cities. And who remained steadfastly unrepentant. General Sherman restrained his formerly pillaging troops, upon pain of death, from looting and burning when they reached North Carolina. Better late than never. Sherman was fair (too fair, as things turned out) and generous, magnanimous in victory, the day he received the surrender of Joe Johnston's Army of the Tennessee. And he restrained his formerly pillaging troops, upon pain of death, from looting and burning when they reached North Carolina. Better late than never. Even Nathan Bedford Forrest, Confederate Raider and Murderer Supreme, comes in for faint praise. "That Devil Forrest" flouted the "Laws of War" which "civilized" 19th Century Generals like Robert E. Lee, to his credit, tried to enforce. His atrocities were widespread and infamous. Forrest was later a co-founder of the Ku Klux Klan, but Jay Winik still finds some good things to say about the South's "greatest" guerrilla warrior. And greatest Forrest was, in the sense of "formidable." I've enjoyed and learned a lot from "April 1865." But I'm left wondering... perhaps I should describe the work as a "multiple hagiography?" Were I a successful author, I doubt very much whether I'd continually find a soft spot for famous figures responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands. No matter how remunerative such praise might seem. Seems to me heaping accolades upon generals shouldn't be the most common literary inclination. Moreover, when it comes to the pestilential subject of WAR... surely there exists some kind of understated human need to STOP GLORIFYING MASS VIOLENCE UTILIZED AS A MEANS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION. Even arguably necessary mass violence, like the Civil War. This has been my first full-length book report posted on Facebook. Not too fancy but I expect I'll have occasion for further revisions. Next week's topic : "Meet the Rockefellers' warm, fuzzy kittens!" http://books.google.com/books?id=gUfZxiau_fgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=1865+the+year+that+saved+america&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ISYiU9yILYaIygG6qoG4Bg&ved=0CC0Q6wEwAA#v=onepage&q=1865%20the%20year%20that%20saved%20america&f=fals

DiFi is outraged.

Now THAT's a piece of work. Dianne Feinstein! Or "DiFi," as people in San Francisco have been overheard, referring to their former mayor. There's no one else quite like her in the whole Senate. For years, I, like everyone who reads, have noted Senator Feinstein's enthusiastic support of unconstitutional, intrusive, insidious mass surveillance. On average Joes and Janes, that is. On you and me! Well, everybody who is anybody in the pundit world is fulminating fervently about this - they beat me to it days ago. Yet I too must join in the "fun." DiFi, who's very much in favor of intercepting any and every communication that ever traveled between the "Little People." The Senior Senator from California simply cannot stand being spied upon herself. My my, how her tune has changed... overnight! It couldn't have happened to a more "patriotic" law-maker. http://www.thedailysheeple.com/karmas-a-bitch-too-feinstein-complains-her-4th-amendment-rights-were-violated-when-she-was-spied-on_032014

The Big Dump

Big Radio's "Big" Ed Shultz, with whom I frequently disagree on several key issues, made "Walkergate" his number one story today. He maintains we should be talking "Impeachment" in this state. I'm not so sure as he is that this will be the "game-changer," (I HOPE so) but Ed insisted "Badgers" should be out in the streets over these revelations. Time to get out there and PROTEST, he said, referring especially to our state's apparently demoralized (that's putting it too kindly) mainstream Dems. I agree with him entirely on this, if for no other reason than Moral Mondays down in Raleigh is putting us all to shame. As much as I like and admire North Carolinians, we should not allow them to get so far out ahead of us. And they have, in their admirable quest for Justice. We've got some real malfeasance on the part of the County Exec/Governor's office to deal with here. http://www.jsonline.com/newswatch/246128301.html

On the Subject of "Young Guns"

Watched the whole program last night. Apart from my personal opinions re: "Gun Control," this has a lot to say about some of the peculiarities peculiar to American society. For Gourd's sake, parents should at least keep their guns locked and out of the hands of children. And KINDERGARTENERS being taught to shoot, and pink plastic 22. rifles for the little girls? An abomination. Now then, I was a "typical" nine-year old boy in 1972 when I fired a pistol for the first time, under "adult" supervision, of course. Kids should have to wait AT LEAST as long as I did.... http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/01/a-diane-sawyer-special-young-guns-what-really-happens-when-parents-are-not-in-the-room/

Question & Answer time

Question: Who is probably the most powerful, certainly the most most politically influential and perhaps the richest LIBERTARIAN in America? Answer: It's one of the guys pictured below, the one named David. His malignant brother Charles ranks pretty high up on the list of Libertarian criminals too. Really, one need say no more, say no more at all about the true nature of "Libertarianism" in the USA. A genuinely selfish economic doctrine, if not THE most selfish ever conceived! I'm really just "calling a spade a spade." These people call themselves Libertarians, or at least David does. David Koch was the Libertarian Party's vice presidential candidate in1980. But "Libertarianism" may, and probably does, carry significantly different connotations here in USA from what it does in Europe, and perhaps the UK. Here in the USA, it generally refers to individuals who worship the erroneously named "Free Enterprise System," demand that the government stay out of the affairs of Capitalist endeavors, and advocate for little if ANY regulation, including but not limited to environmental regulation, of private business. In short, Libertarians here are apostles of Ayn Rand, and all the selfish evils she espoused in her literature and public life. http://www.politico.com//story/2014/01/koch-brothers-2014-elections-102555.html

Fare Thee Well, Golden State

Stay optimistic, Californians. That's the only way to remain in the face of an historic drought, possibly a 500-year drought, as it's being called now. I mean this for real, and I "could feel your pain," as recently as Summer 2012, when we had one of the meanest, leanest droughts EVER here in Wisco. The local creek dried up and it was pretty bad indeed. But now we're getting a good snow cover along with this enduring winter freeze. I always loved this tune, and I hope its promise comes true - I understand that when the rain finally DOES come out there, it comes in great quantity. Well, of course, I hope it's not TOO sudden when it finally arrives... don't want to see you getting flash floods, either. BEST of LUCK! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zESYDjWrpbA

Mary Burke - to weak to unseat the JERK.

So far, Mary Burke seems to be the sort of insipid Democratic candidate that one would expect of a former Trek Bicycle CEO. For instance, her weak and insulting idea of raising the minimum wage.... by the underwhelming sum of 35 cents per hour. Looks like yet another lousy Donkey campaign against the elephantine behemoth. Badgerland's GOP governor would seem to be firmly entrenched. Uggh. Brace yourselves for at least another four years of Scott Walker occupying that big ol' Maple Bluff mansion. http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/gov-scott-walkers-approach-spend-money-we-dont-have-b99189024z1-241915151.html

"....Trigger Happy... Trigger Happy USA!" -Weird Al Yankovich

Welcome to America, where there IS a fool-proof way not to get shot by psychopathic mass shooters, who need emergency anger management to deal with their murderous, suicidal proclivities. Just AVOID the following places: 1. Elementary, middle and high schools 2. College campuses 3. Shopping Malls 4. Grocery stores 5. Churches & other places of worship 6. Auto dealerships 7. Playgrounds 8. Public lands open for deer-hunting season 9. Beauty parlors 10. Nail salons 11. All-you-can-eat buffets 12. Post offices 13. Military bases 14. Gun shows 15. Countries occupied by USA, like Afghanistan. Yes, it's true, I'm a former deer and small game hunter, so I know whereof I speak. And I support "Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership." But things in USA have gotten BEYOND sick, sick, sick. And it's making me feel SICK. But NO, not THAT kind of sick. Never. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/bs-md-columbia-mall-shooting-20140125,0,967893.story

Billionaires for Obama

Heard today on Wisconsin Public Radio this report documents how the 85 richest people on Earth have as much as the poorest 3.5 billion people COMBINED. That's $1.7 Trillion. All men may be "created" equal, but the notorious "Free Enterprise System" certainly guarantees that all women and men won't stay that way! And the children have no say whatsoever, so they really don't count at all. Ah, but these freakkin' billionaires NEED their billions in order to.... ensure that they can... purchase other planets, I suppose... after they've finally succeeded in utterly destroying this one.http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/20/oxfam-85-richest-people-half-of-the-world