OOh, I was really destroyed by such penetrating retorts as: "And by the way -- isn't "Conservatives are BAD and Liberals are GOOD" an example of black and white thinking?"
and I might have been more chastised had my words about the futility of conservatism been quoted correctly.
But Clooney clearly identifies with the current bunch of red-neck-jerk Republicans who like to find irrelevent factoids to nuance their own stuck mindsets. He points out that Republicans had the majority so it was ok to hold Clintons appointees in Committee, but the Democrats are dastardly because they are using parlamentary procedure in an attempt to prevent a losing vote.
No thinking person can avoid seeing through the specious Republican logic, the same thinking that has gotten us into a global mess. I have to smile, because they are simply paving the way for a Hillary landslide in 2008. The majority of the country is turning away from the current administrations policies, choices and the growing economic shithole.
Any gains the republicans achieve by the power grab will be erased by the next generation of moderate-progressive leaders.
Where is the proof that those Popes who Clooney says commissioned those great works of art were not also buggering little boys?
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Nuance Schmooance
DEN says in his recent update:
“He [his work/lunchmate] gets red in the face just thinking about the unreasonable Dems who are trying to block the appontment of conservative judges. It got a little scary at lunch today - I thought he was going to have a stroke because I said that the Republicans were every bit as evil as the Dems and have played thir [sic] own tricks to block nominees in the past. It dawned on me that those whose brains demand black and white answers tend to be conservative. Creative minds - with a high tolerence for ambiguity and an inability to accept binary choices - tend to be liberal. The comforting thought is that despite the current lack of character in moderate leadership - conservatives always lose - at least they have so far in the history of intellectual, artistic and political experience.”
This supposed nuanced argument that liberals hold (that their judges were also blocked in the past by Republicans) neglects one salient fact. When Republicans were blocking judges in the 90’s, THEY WERE IN THE MAJORITY. They tied a few of these “out of the main stream” Clinton nominations up in committee because they had the votes. Now Dems, who don’t now have the votes, have been tying up (mostly appelate court) nominees with the use of the filibuster. It sounds to me that the libs are the ones with binary [mis]thinking. And as far as that last assinine statement is concerned -- about conservatives being the enemy of intellectual thought, politics, and the arts; I can think of no greater age of barren ideas, artistic achievement and political gain than the 1960’s, the cradle of our current liberal nihilists. And the Popes, who commissioned all that great Renessaince art, as far as I can recall, were not campaigning for same-sex marriage.
And by the way -- isn't "Conservatives are BAD and Liberals are GOOD" an example of black and white thinking?
“He [his work/lunchmate] gets red in the face just thinking about the unreasonable Dems who are trying to block the appontment of conservative judges. It got a little scary at lunch today - I thought he was going to have a stroke because I said that the Republicans were every bit as evil as the Dems and have played thir [sic] own tricks to block nominees in the past. It dawned on me that those whose brains demand black and white answers tend to be conservative. Creative minds - with a high tolerence for ambiguity and an inability to accept binary choices - tend to be liberal. The comforting thought is that despite the current lack of character in moderate leadership - conservatives always lose - at least they have so far in the history of intellectual, artistic and political experience.”
This supposed nuanced argument that liberals hold (that their judges were also blocked in the past by Republicans) neglects one salient fact. When Republicans were blocking judges in the 90’s, THEY WERE IN THE MAJORITY. They tied a few of these “out of the main stream” Clinton nominations up in committee because they had the votes. Now Dems, who don’t now have the votes, have been tying up (mostly appelate court) nominees with the use of the filibuster. It sounds to me that the libs are the ones with binary [mis]thinking. And as far as that last assinine statement is concerned -- about conservatives being the enemy of intellectual thought, politics, and the arts; I can think of no greater age of barren ideas, artistic achievement and political gain than the 1960’s, the cradle of our current liberal nihilists. And the Popes, who commissioned all that great Renessaince art, as far as I can recall, were not campaigning for same-sex marriage.
And by the way -- isn't "Conservatives are BAD and Liberals are GOOD" an example of black and white thinking?
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Lost
I triied to watch the "Lost" season finale tonight, but as it did early in the year, it lost me. I was bummed by the unconscionable number of commercials and useless fodder in the screenplay. I was constantly aware that I was watching a TV show. The writer's manipulations were just stupid. There is no integrity of character; everyone changes thier behavior every week. The plot went very quickley from cliffhanger to "Jump!"
So much for TV. A vast wasteland and worse. I hear the Fox was the leading network this season. That about sums it up.
I started a new job this week. The only drawback to being a contractor is that the regular, stiving ass-licking employees see no benefit to eating with the hourly help. This would be no problem for me, except that due to the inclement weather, I have been stuck going to the cafeteria with a programmer who is from the great liberal bastian of Florida. He gets red in the face just thinking about the unreasonable Dems who are trying to block the appontment of conservative judges. It got a little scary at lunch today - I thought he was going to have a stroke because I said that the Republicans were every bit as evil as the Dems and have played thir own tricks to block nominees in the past.
He couldn't recall anything as heinous as the current Democrats who coyuldn't understand that the dictionary defines democracy as Majority Rule. If you ain't in the majority, tough titty.
I could not wait to flee the lunch room and get back to my cube.
Maybe the weather will clear up tomorrow ad I can go for a walk instead of getting harranmged by some fat southern redneck conservative.
(I might as well be having beers with George, for cripes sake!)
It dawned on me that those whose brains demand black and white answers tend to be conservative. Creative minds - with a high tolerence for ambiguity and an inability to accept binary choices - tend to be liberal. The comforting thought is that despite the current lack of character in moderate leadership - conservatives always lose - at least they have so far in the history of intellectual, artistic and political experience.
So maybe it is only some who are Lost.
So much for TV. A vast wasteland and worse. I hear the Fox was the leading network this season. That about sums it up.
I started a new job this week. The only drawback to being a contractor is that the regular, stiving ass-licking employees see no benefit to eating with the hourly help. This would be no problem for me, except that due to the inclement weather, I have been stuck going to the cafeteria with a programmer who is from the great liberal bastian of Florida. He gets red in the face just thinking about the unreasonable Dems who are trying to block the appontment of conservative judges. It got a little scary at lunch today - I thought he was going to have a stroke because I said that the Republicans were every bit as evil as the Dems and have played thir own tricks to block nominees in the past.
He couldn't recall anything as heinous as the current Democrats who coyuldn't understand that the dictionary defines democracy as Majority Rule. If you ain't in the majority, tough titty.
I could not wait to flee the lunch room and get back to my cube.
Maybe the weather will clear up tomorrow ad I can go for a walk instead of getting harranmged by some fat southern redneck conservative.
(I might as well be having beers with George, for cripes sake!)
It dawned on me that those whose brains demand black and white answers tend to be conservative. Creative minds - with a high tolerence for ambiguity and an inability to accept binary choices - tend to be liberal. The comforting thought is that despite the current lack of character in moderate leadership - conservatives always lose - at least they have so far in the history of intellectual, artistic and political experience.
So maybe it is only some who are Lost.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Mobile Civility
Earlier this week, USA TODAY reported the results of a poll to determine what annoys Americans the most. The answer: Cellphones.
The only surprising thing about this is that I am so in-synch with mainstream opinion.
Do you remember what it was like in the old days? People called you at the office or at home and left a message with your secretary or on your answering machine, You called them back when you were available. Unless you were a physician on call or a bookie, you didn't need to answer every incoming call - especially when you were out in a restaurant or other public place. If it was really important to talk with someone and you were away from your phone, you used a phone booth. It was all very civil, private and effective.
Then came these infernal gadgets that allowed your calls to follow you around. It started with simple pagers which merely beeped or buzzed to notify the carrier of an attempted call. The beepee had an option to find a phone and return the call, or wait for a more convenient time. These once benevolent gadgets, like the Mokwai in the movie "Critters" have evolved into the most diabolically annoying piece of technology since the invention of the Radar Gun.
Today, you can walk into any shopping mall and for a few hundred dollars you can walk out with a fully functioning mobile instant messaging custom ringtone speaker cell phone camera. This small device can reach out and annoy anyone within earshot while you cluelessly yammer with your peeps.
What is it about this bit of technology that irritates the living shit out of people like me? Are we curmugeons or are you thoughtless buffoons to blame?
It seems like some of you consider it as your license to be rude. Nowadays you cannot go to a bar or restaurant or stand in a line without someone conducting a half-witted phone conversation at a decibel level that cannot be simply ignored. Try and drive down to Starbucks and you will most likely be cut-off by some young blonde babe in a black beamer who is not paying attention because she has a cell phone pressed against her ear. Then when you get to the coffee shop everyone there is yakking to business contacts or gabbing about
people you don't know. The whole mobile phone thing is terribly annoying, distracting and rude.
What happened to civility?
The only surprising thing about this is that I am so in-synch with mainstream opinion.
Do you remember what it was like in the old days? People called you at the office or at home and left a message with your secretary or on your answering machine, You called them back when you were available. Unless you were a physician on call or a bookie, you didn't need to answer every incoming call - especially when you were out in a restaurant or other public place. If it was really important to talk with someone and you were away from your phone, you used a phone booth. It was all very civil, private and effective.
Then came these infernal gadgets that allowed your calls to follow you around. It started with simple pagers which merely beeped or buzzed to notify the carrier of an attempted call. The beepee had an option to find a phone and return the call, or wait for a more convenient time. These once benevolent gadgets, like the Mokwai in the movie "Critters" have evolved into the most diabolically annoying piece of technology since the invention of the Radar Gun.
Today, you can walk into any shopping mall and for a few hundred dollars you can walk out with a fully functioning mobile instant messaging custom ringtone speaker cell phone camera. This small device can reach out and annoy anyone within earshot while you cluelessly yammer with your peeps.
What is it about this bit of technology that irritates the living shit out of people like me? Are we curmugeons or are you thoughtless buffoons to blame?
It seems like some of you consider it as your license to be rude. Nowadays you cannot go to a bar or restaurant or stand in a line without someone conducting a half-witted phone conversation at a decibel level that cannot be simply ignored. Try and drive down to Starbucks and you will most likely be cut-off by some young blonde babe in a black beamer who is not paying attention because she has a cell phone pressed against her ear. Then when you get to the coffee shop everyone there is yakking to business contacts or gabbing about
people you don't know. The whole mobile phone thing is terribly annoying, distracting and rude.
What happened to civility?
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Blow Off
belivce it ir bit U tuoed thus wgike kube wuthgoyt kiijub ar rgew jets.
(believe it or not I typed this whole line without looking at the keys.)
Boy just hacking around on a Saturday night. We were supposed to have the Nolans for dinner tonight but my wife pretended to be sick and we cancelled them, again. I don't know why she feels compelled to invite them. Probably because theykeep including US at their dinner parties. The Jamesons dropped us because they don't like our dog. He is what is known in the Dog Owners' circles as a "Crotch-Sniffer."
Actually the only fun we have when the Nolans come over is watching the look on Delvin's face when he gets his greeting crotch sniff. And Julie's face when the dog licks her knees. We get a kick out of that. Hey, get over it, it's only dog saliva - the same tongue that just wiped his ass after a nice squat. Ha ha. We don't have much in common with them anymore. They are good looking and full of fun. We are tired all the time from our important work and hobbies. We really don't have time to devote to friends who don't adore smelly animals.
We are bored with the Nolans anyway, so we hope they drop us like the Jamesons did. We don't need them, we have friends who own dogs and who will still invite us to come over with the dog. The Pratts don't care what you smell like, you are always welcome.
Hey I gotta go, COPs is on and I don't want to miss it.
(believe it or not I typed this whole line without looking at the keys.)
Boy just hacking around on a Saturday night. We were supposed to have the Nolans for dinner tonight but my wife pretended to be sick and we cancelled them, again. I don't know why she feels compelled to invite them. Probably because theykeep including US at their dinner parties. The Jamesons dropped us because they don't like our dog. He is what is known in the Dog Owners' circles as a "Crotch-Sniffer."
Actually the only fun we have when the Nolans come over is watching the look on Delvin's face when he gets his greeting crotch sniff. And Julie's face when the dog licks her knees. We get a kick out of that. Hey, get over it, it's only dog saliva - the same tongue that just wiped his ass after a nice squat. Ha ha. We don't have much in common with them anymore. They are good looking and full of fun. We are tired all the time from our important work and hobbies. We really don't have time to devote to friends who don't adore smelly animals.
We are bored with the Nolans anyway, so we hope they drop us like the Jamesons did. We don't need them, we have friends who own dogs and who will still invite us to come over with the dog. The Pratts don't care what you smell like, you are always welcome.
Hey I gotta go, COPs is on and I don't want to miss it.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Runaway Dumpfuck
A lot of news attention has been focused upon the recent disappearance of the Bride-to-be four days before her high-pressure wedding. Then, Fox, CNN, legitimate news networks as well as the American public were all disappointed by the discovery of the missing Ms Wilbanks, alive, unmolested and suffering only a bad haircut.
Yesterday and today, radio talk shows are still yakking about it. Some irate opinionators are calling for the lock-up and punishment of the same person whose safety they were praying for just days before. (Some say God answers prayers in his own time and manner).
No one is happy about the situation, except maybe the would-be groom - who is either too dumb to know that he has been made a fool of, or is delighted with his fifteen minutes of national fame. Watching his interview with Sean Hannity last night, I am tempted to assume that both possibilities are operative.
The moral of this story is that it is not nice to fool the news media. They wanted a kidnapping, bloody sexual violence and a grisly death. They want another Scott Peterson, not a good natured Glen Campbell look-a-like who professes Christian forgiveness. He had his church pastor accompany him on the interview with Hannity. Every question was invariably answered with "Well, that's hard to say. What do you think Pastor?" And the Rev would then answer the question with a bland positive spin. e.g., "She's not crazy, she just has some issues...."
But the media will not be happy until we have learned all the dark secrets in this poor girl's closet. She must be punished for what was probably a stress-related mental breakdown. The more we see of her family and wedding party, the more we can understand her reluctance.
In my humble opinion, the worst thing she did was to tell the cops she was kidnapped. That's called making false statements to authority (The same felony that got Martha Stewart into the slammer) An understandable violation, but still one that requires justice, providing that her mental state can be established, and found culpable.
Who among us has not wanted to flee at some point when the stress got too great? Cut our hair, buy a bus ticket to Dallas, have sex with a stranger (preferably an attractive woman over 18)? Who indeed? And if discovered, wouldn't we claim to have been abducted - by aliens?
Yesterday and today, radio talk shows are still yakking about it. Some irate opinionators are calling for the lock-up and punishment of the same person whose safety they were praying for just days before. (Some say God answers prayers in his own time and manner).
No one is happy about the situation, except maybe the would-be groom - who is either too dumb to know that he has been made a fool of, or is delighted with his fifteen minutes of national fame. Watching his interview with Sean Hannity last night, I am tempted to assume that both possibilities are operative.
The moral of this story is that it is not nice to fool the news media. They wanted a kidnapping, bloody sexual violence and a grisly death. They want another Scott Peterson, not a good natured Glen Campbell look-a-like who professes Christian forgiveness. He had his church pastor accompany him on the interview with Hannity. Every question was invariably answered with "Well, that's hard to say. What do you think Pastor?" And the Rev would then answer the question with a bland positive spin. e.g., "She's not crazy, she just has some issues...."
But the media will not be happy until we have learned all the dark secrets in this poor girl's closet. She must be punished for what was probably a stress-related mental breakdown. The more we see of her family and wedding party, the more we can understand her reluctance.
In my humble opinion, the worst thing she did was to tell the cops she was kidnapped. That's called making false statements to authority (The same felony that got Martha Stewart into the slammer) An understandable violation, but still one that requires justice, providing that her mental state can be established, and found culpable.
Who among us has not wanted to flee at some point when the stress got too great? Cut our hair, buy a bus ticket to Dallas, have sex with a stranger (preferably an attractive woman over 18)? Who indeed? And if discovered, wouldn't we claim to have been abducted - by aliens?
