Nuggets of Wisdom

Tomorrow I will post an answer to an email from a reader in Malaysia and my comment regarding the Presidential Debate (tonight so watch!), so today I will just post some excerpts from forum posts and comments from other blogs. Sometimes I surprise myself with little bits of spontaneous... hmm... "wisdom" is a strong word. Just read on.


On typos being a pet peeve (from an INTP forum):

"Even great authors need a peon copy editor; even Einstein needed an assistant to check his math."

"INTP's look at the big picture, often neglecting details."

"My pet peeves are menial tasks, mediocre intelligence, and intolerance. My dislike of intolerance predisposes me to forgive the other trespasses, as I try not to be hypocritically intolerant... if that even makes sense. I can handle a feww typoes. Its driving you nuts, huh?"

On cohesion in the conservative camp (comment I posted in a "liberal" blog):

"Many people would agree that the "conservative" camp inherently has uniformity and from a PR standpoint, a perceived monopoly on family values, giving them some advantage, where as "liberals" inherently have a wider range of beliefs, because they think independently. However, in my view point, there is also a wide range of beliefs in the so called "conservative" camp from Andrew Sulliven to Bill O'Riley to Bush's minions, a fact that should be explored. In fact, most "conservatives" seek to conserve nothing other than greed and unchecked corporate power and should be justly called "neo-liberals." Refusing to play on their turf and arguing the validity of their use of the word "conservative" would be a wise step towards real debate, in my view, because it would remove the connotational upperhand of terms like "right" and "conservative". As for "liberals," some may best believe this term describes them, but I insist this is using the neo-liberal frame and instead I prefer "progressive" as progress is always a good thing, change is not. Being progressive while preserving the best of what our predecessors valued is the truest way and many "liberals" need to think about synthesis not just analysis."

On George Bush's "hometown" paper, The Lone Star Iconclast, endorsing Kerry (comment made on this blog):

"I still think it is cool for a little paper in Texas, in a little town that has been known to take issues with anti-W protestors, to make a stand.

Iconoclast? THAT is a great name for a newspaper.

Here is a Wikipedia definition:
"The more common meaning in current usage is that an iconoclast is a person who carries out symbolic or quixotic acts of protest against authority figures."

Appropriately named, no?

Texas and this country were founded by seemingly quixotic acts, so this warms my heart a bit.

Thanks, Kari for the inspiration.

"One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this." -Don Quixote

Be sure to watch the debates tonight. Oh, and I tried spell check and it wanted to replace "INTP" with "windbag." Serves me right.

Have a wonderful day,

S-

Three Good Guys

If you are in the mood for political commentary, check out these guys. I am getting too frustrated to write about politics, so I have been burying my nose in "The Quantum Brain," in INTP forums, and reading up on early American History.

Have a good day,

S.

Craziest - A short story by Liz Dubelman

Someone posted this link in an INTP forum. This is truely awesome, so click the link and watch it:


VidLit� - Craziest - A short story by Liz Dubelman

The world according to me

There are some days when the news or other daily events do not provide me the inspiration to write. My writing tends to depend on the art of persuasion rather than pure entertainment. Well, at least based normal people's ideas of entertainment. I love writing and it is as necessary as breathing for me, but flowery romantic writing is not my forte and neither is comedy. I prefer the Dostoevsky's of the world, with all of their rawness, insight, and passion. A forum is sometimes a good outlet for me to use my grey matter at besides boring my family and neighbors to death.

"Listen" in on some of my forum (sorta) nirvana moments--unproofed and raw:

On aging:

All I ask is for my thoughts and memory to outlive me, rather than outlive my own memory and thoughts.

On the existence of God:

"Switch your brains to synthesis and off of analysis for a second like only a true INTP can, folks.

If we create life from the nonliving, then we are a creator. This still does not disprove or prove we were created by a creator, divine or otherwise. Remember, I am not proving or disproving god, I am merely give a "nod" to limitations of science, technology, and human reasoning to know an answer either way (thus leaving the possibility open). A more complex question to ask me would have been whether absolute truths actually exist? Let's assume there are absolute truths:

The "P" in INTP makes me want to be able to change horses in midstream and keep my options open. If I was a J maybe I would be happy to say yes there IS or is NOT a god and call it law, whether or not it is the absolute truth. "I dunno" and "there IS a possibility" are not exactly equal and I can assure you that almost anything I think (much less, Einstein's) is not the product of a "lazy mind." Einstein was hardly a lazy mind, when he asserted that electrons could have orbits, though he could not observe it. The Intuitive nature of someone like Einstein, a model of INTP-ness, simply acknowledges that one cannot wisely assume something does not exist or occur, because it is not observed. Science is constantly recanting its "truths," so were those truths ever really truths? I am simply arguing that unless there is absolute disproof, the truth is still out there... whatever that may be. Atheism and religion both hold a belief in an absolute "truth"; yea or nay one way or another.

You can know faith and you can believe in knowledge, but they are not exactly the same concept. Remember "facts" only seem set in stone, but beliefs often really are, but that does not make beliefs absolute truth. Believe what you like and take solace in whatever that may be, because likely that will be the closest to absoluteness you will ever get.

Good times, gentleman."


From a previous existence of god post:

"Regardless, if there is or is not a divine, the burden of proof is on us."


On the internal visual environment of my mind (this was a creative thread):

"When I dream, I am often in my childhood home. There is never any furniture, except for the built in bookcases filled with books, and there is always mid-morning sunlight pouring in through the windows onto gleaming wood floors. Lovely."



To those from the forum, this post may be redundant, but for others this may be of some interest. It is to me anyhow.


Have a lovely night,

Aren't Weekends fun?

Have a read.

I promise to add to this post (but on another topic) after this Tecate.

Update:

...Okay, so I was a little late getting back to posting, but traffic slowed last night anyway.

I thought I would give a little bit of a personal touch to this post, letting people get an idea of who I really am. I don't mean my real name, what I look like or any other superficial details, but rather a bit of insight into my intentions and thought processes. Allow to me to indulge in my self-centered musings. If you haven't already taken a Myers-Briggs or enneagram test, consider it, but keep in mind these tests and people are fallible. Sometimes people are not in touch with who they really are in the first place, making identification far more difficult. With personality tests, you will need to keep an open mind, answer honestly, and read the personality description and confirm if this indeed sounds you. Anyway, hit the links with me.

I am a "textbook" INTP.
My enneagram is a "balanced" five, so I do not have the so called "wings". I am always 'tween something, hence I call myself a "tweener." I am neither left nor right brain dominant and until I was about 8, I could write just as easily with my left hand as I could my right. I was born between generations and cultures. Even my masculine and feminine sides are well balanced. My learning style test results are fairly balanced,too. I have some difficulty with tests, because I constantly question the questions and explore the possibilities. In high school, I remember finding an error in a question on a standardized test and it plagued me for the remaining portion of the timed test.

I used to think that I was unusual... and well, I was right. I am unusual, but at least now I understand that it is okay to be different and that I should celebrate my quirks, using them to my advantage. For years and years I struggled against who I was born to be. I desperately wanted to be normal, even trying to act out some other personality types. I am tired of trying to be something I am not, I just want to look and be like me. I think personal discovery is so vital to maximizing potential and I am glad I realized this before my youth is exhausted. One of my best friends, a supreme nerd, told me that "life will be easier once you admit you are a geek." Dave was right. Life is much easier now.

The word holistic could easily be my mantra.

Happy reading and testing.



"One's own self is well hidden from one's own self: of all mines of treasure, one's own is the last to be mined."
-Nietzsche

Philippic tirades and games on a global bulletin board system

"We may be young, but we're not powerless. We play by their rules long enough and it becomes our game."

- Valentine

Play along and hit the links with me, just promise to come back later tonight:

An old friend of mine read my blog yesterday and in his chat window he mentioned I reminded him a character from the book, Ender's Game, named Valentine. Now, Valentine's pseudonym on her blog, if you will, is Demosthenes. If you google Demosthenes, the second search result is a blog, whose title gives a nod to Valentine's orator alter ego. I'll leave off the link, since he never wrote me back.

Yea, Valentine's cool. Thanks, Joe.

Russia to end direct elections; bad presidents and precedents

Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage

I have said it in previous posts and I will say it again: the world has been watching the US and we have set a precedent of neither respecting voters nor the wishes of the world. We did not seek a "permission slip" for the war and neither will any other country seek one from us regarding their own affairs. The effect our policies have on world affairs and democracy itself is profound. The romantic notion of spreading democracy has been tainted by the blood of those lost for pride, greed, and power. This news from Russia is tucked in the world section most Americans will ignore over coffee. Our leaders understate the chaos, insulting our intelligence. Let us ignore the Russias of the world, if they are to be our allies in the oxymoronic War on Terror. After all, Stalin was our ally and he was one of the "good guys," right? Oh, the American only has time for soundbites and everyday life woes, but if we ignore the news, will it make the world go away? This reminds me of the quote Barbara Bush gave to Diane Sawyer regarding watching the news.

"I watch none. He sits and listens and I read books, because I know perfectly well that, don't take offense, that 90 percent of what I hear on television is supposition, when we're talking about the news. And he's not, not as understanding of my pettiness about that. But why should we hear about body bags, and deaths, and how many, what day it's gonna happen, and how many this or what do you suppose? Or, I mean, it's, it's not relevant. So, why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that. And watch him suffer."

March 18, 2003

Why bother our "beautiful mind," you ask? It is simply our duty, like a loving spouse, to ask questions and have a positive discourse. If you do not need to be bothered with the affairs of the country, then you should be ashamed to call yourself an American. This country was not founded by cattle, but by people. We are the government for the people, by the people, and it is time the people awake from their gluttonous nap.

North Korea Explosion, Nukes; Iraq Death toll

"US Wonders if North Korea is Preparing for a Nuclear Test"

And the answer is:

Blast Reported LAST WEEK. Now, let's hear everyone explain it could have been a forest fire or something. The fact that out leaders do not exactly know is very scary. The timing of the blast correlated with a major North Korean holiday. I am not one for conspiracy theories, but this is weird...

Let us not forget we are looking at Iran right now.

Meanwhile back in Afghanistan, pre-election unrest.

American Death toll in Iraq.

We simply need stronger leadership, so be sure to vote wisely.

Sleep tight.

"Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican"

My thoughts exactly. Here is a very thoughful read.

"The GOP Doesn't Reflect America"

Have a read and a great weekend.

"What Our Small Group Can Do" by Doris 'Granny D' Haddock

I posted a link to this speech back in June. I noticed some people stumbled onto my page from a yahoo search for "patriotic speeches." The link is currently broken due to construction on Granny D's website. Everyone should read this speech, so here is the cached page.

See Dick Run His Mouth

According to Webster: "The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons."

So what the f**k is this?

Remember, "pre-September 11th" was Bush's vacation and Condie's "vague" memo about terrorists using planes.

Spitting mad,

P.S. Blogger kept timing out, making this post a pain to publish.

Pain in the ass, Whole People

"Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet" the paper sacks read. I shop almost exclusively at this Austin-based specialty grocer, buying everything from flax seed bread to Hemp Omega-3 waffles to convincing veggie cheese and organic Pink Lady apples. I am both a foodie and a health nut (admittedly with an occasional weakness for fresh Krispy Kremes and a Whataburger with fries), who tries to stay away from corporate conglomerate foodstuffs for both health and ethical reasons. I like my eggs from free range hens, who are fed flaxseed, because they are more nutritious and tastier. Though an unapologetic omnivore, my bacon comes from cruelty free farms and cooks down very little, so you are not just paying for fat and nitrates. Whole Foods is my little detox quality time with my son-- a cookie, a Jamba Juice and smiles. However, these days every time I go into the store, patrons rush about with cell phones to ears, bad attitudes, and personal space issues. People are irritated, literally snarling at those of us taking our time with loaded down baskets yet the same people leave their nearly empty baskets carelessly in the center of aisles. Getting to the cranberry walnut muffins takes an act of God and so does just maneuvering past the bakery and into the checkouts. Yuppies nod at me like I am a part of their club, then choose "plastic" and complain to the cashier emo guy about the boutique prices before heading to their monster luxury SUV. Although people spending money here is better than at another store, I wish they would stop screwing up my vibe. Spending money on Starbucks free trade coffee isn't where your humanity should stop...

Cloth bags in hand,

Labor Day; selling your soul to company and store

Besides department store sales and the official end of summer and white linen pants, do you know anything about Labor Day? Educate yourself.

Now, knowing that there are some populist roots to this holiday, I pose this question: Should neo-conservatives boycott Labor Day sales out of principle? And if they do get this day off, should they go to work anyway to help productivity?

Neo-conservative sheep would like you to think standing up for your rights in the workplace makes you un-American. Standing up for your right to fair treatment is perhaps THE most American concept. (On the flip side: Unions are sometimes run by power hungry individuals. Also, some elitists--liberal democrats or otherwise-- support unions and give lip service to populist ideals, but believe blue-collared workers are beneath them, less important, and that working with your hands is virtually barbaric. This may have a little to do with the bumper sticker "Work hard and piss off a liberal.") In a perfect world, an honest day's work should be partnered with an honest day's profit.

Enjoy the holiday and do not forget to celebrate the strength and determination of the American spirit.

"Deprived of meaningful work, men and women lose their reason for existence; they go stark, raving mad."
--Fyodor Dostoevski

Floating down the Guadalupe in a canoe...

Bush finally accepts nomination

"The biggest cause of trouble in the world today is that the stupid people are so sure about things and the intelligent folks are so full of doubts."

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)

Speaking of...

If you're sick and tired of the politics of cynicism and polls and principles, come and join this campaign."

George W. Bush (FEB. 16, 2000)

On a totally unrelated note: wanna hear the new Green Day song, "American Idiot"?

Uncencored "special" version here.

Here's to Hope

Whether it is Kerry or Bush who wins this November, we will be the same country, the same people. The leader of this country has great authority and power, but only with our permission can he govern. When our country suffered during the great depression, we made ends meet through persistance, ingenuity, and sacrafice. We learned to live on less, rely on ourselves, and at a last resort, on the kindness of others. Lean times teach us what really matters in life and how little we really need.
We are a fat nation. Like those supple upbove ground dwellers on the time machine, we are ignorant of our past or who carries the laborous feast that we feed on. We are doomed to be feasted upon like cattle.

Annoying protestors take New York by storm

They are obviously trying to bring New York to its knees. Here is a fabulous pic.

Religious Fundamentalists with Nukes

No, not US. I mean... hmmmm...

It is only okay for US to have them. There, I said it.

Yahoo! News - Iran Said Nearing Enrichment of Uranium

Celebrity

Scan over this article:

Yahoo! News - Celebrities Emphasize Importance of Voting

Did they mention... uh, that we live in a republic, not a democracy, and that the electoral college will choose our president again this time. Seriously, vote anyway, folks. Maybe if Kerry beats Bush by a over a million votes, but the electorate go for Bush, then people will look even more "ridiculous" protesting out in the streets. More ridiculous, Miss Harmon, than say a beauty pageant queen slathering Preparation H under her eyes or a model/actress starring in Baywatch Nights? The world will watching this election and the US will be an example, good or bad, of democracy itself. If you don't believe it, than you haven't talk to many foreigners since the last election.

Yahoo! News - Schwarzenegger Lauds Bush on Terror Fight

For those of you just joining me: I have sworn off the convention coverage (save for Yahoo News). I have been watching each convention's coverage since I was in first grade, but I don't need the ulcer and there is entirely too much fodder for me to handle at the moment.

The Governator says, "you can't reason with people blinded by hate."
This is exactly the reason I have stopped talking to any neo-conservative not related to me by blood.

He also adds, "If you believe that government should be accountable to the people, not the people to the government — then you're a Republican!"

Okay... is the President and his administration apart of this government held accountable by its people? The last time I checked, when we ask any questions we are basically told to shut up... or more specifically, go f**k ourselves.

I wish they would just stop with the small government+balanced budgets+ strong foreign policy=Republican equation.

I need to just turn off my laptop and go smoke a Nat Sherman.

Yahoo! News - Schwarzenegger Lauds Bush on Terror Fight

Yahoo! News - Bush Now Saying 'We Will Win' Terror War

Yahoo! News - Bush Now Saying 'We Will Win' Terror War

Flip flop. Flippity flop.

Yahoo! News - GOP Delegates Boo Moore at Convention

Yahoo! News - GOP Delegates Boo Moore at Convention

The "disingenuous film maker" featured in the article, Michael Moore, never "portrayed Iraq as an oasis of peace," as McCain claims. Moore features American soldiers and their stories, questionable Bush family dealings, and Iraqi casualties (many who are women and children). The brutal grip of Saddam was less chaotic than the current occupation of Iraq. You cannot argue that bombs bursting on every street corner is less chaotic. Citizens are without utilities, a livelihood, and--too many--without loved ones lost as "collateral damage" by the hands of well meaning American GIs. Saddam was no doubt a crazy dictator, but his iron fist rule was keeping feuding tribes together. He killed many Iraqis, mainly those who were unfortunate to be from a tribe other than his own, in order to keep a sovereignty that was not just not meant to be. "Iraq" has never really flourished as a nation, and the British had the sense to leave after they tried to occupy it way back in 1920. Just because Mr. Moore is against the President, does not mean he is against the American people. Unless you watch his movie or have an official transcript, you cannot argue about it... and not be a liar yourself.

I wonder if as long as we keep the official Iraqi death toll under Saddam's previously held death toll record, will we stay the good guys? Or do we not care about their deaths, because they are not our tribesman?

Bush: We can't win war on terror

Yahoo! News - Bush Tempers Expectations on Terror War

I thought we were supposed to vote for him, because he was the only one who could win it? Mr. Bush definitely is not helping to make terror less acceptable in other parts of the world, when our violence against innocents (aka collateral damage) creates a new network of people that hate the US everyday. Other than liking his accent and the fact he looks good in jeans and Red Wing boots, I cannot understand why anyone is voting for him.

Did anyone miss this article about W's father forseeing the costs of an Iraq war? I forgot to post about it the other day.

Have a read: Yahoo! News - Bush's Father Foresaw Costs of an Iraq War

Republicans for Kerry Ads

If you would like to see the ads that will air during the convention, have a look. Whether you are for Bush or Kerry, you should check out the Real People Ads--at least out of curiosity.

A humble rambling preamble

I have been getting far more traffic than I had originally anticipated for this stage of blogging. This blog is not intended to just be another witty rambling rant journal, but instead my editorial style manifesto. This blog is the outlet for my unheard voice and hopefully I represent other unheard voices. I have seen so much injustice and falseness in the world and it makes me sick thinking about it. By writing, I quiet my brain's furious chatter allowing me to be more productive, focused, and easy to live with. I think too much and that is who I am.

I came to the conclusion as a young child that most friends were false, but all enemies are real. Too many people are undependable, self-centered, and shallow. If you don't believe me, ask a terminal patient if anyone has become scarce. My mother died of brain cancer when I was very young. Soon after this philanthropic and godly woman died, I never saw from any of her friends, coworkers or family again. Cancer did not kill the whole network around her, people's ignorance, selfishness, and avoidance did. I felt abandoned by society as a whole and became accustomed to living as an outsider observer. The dark clouds hung above our house for many many years and I was alone to write and contemplate.

As a young child, I grew up believing that the US was the greatest country in the world, because we are free. More and more as the years went on, I realized that we are not free. We allow ourselves to be bound by others perceptions, expectations, and standards. We place possessions, power, and career before intangibles, such as love, passion, and compassion. Politicians pay lipservice to ideals of rugged individualism, but they want us to comply, obey, and buy buy buy for the sake of the economy. Misguided well intentioned women think liberation for all women is a pharmaceutical pill and a productive career-- in work environments that are neither family friendly and nor friendly families. Social conservatives feel persecuted by the liberals they would have cast out of their communities just a generation ago and liberals want to "fix what ain't broke." Patriotic Christians loves Jesus, but not necessarily people who live like the Prince of Peace; pride used to be a sin, but now it is a national slogan.

I am here, against all odds, a person who is still oblivious to what is popular, proper or protocol. Who I am is not bound by my gender, appearance, socio-economic background, religion, generation, formal education, career choice, political affiliation nor race. Life hasn't always been easy for me, but then again, if it had been my story would not be as interesting. I want my tiny voice heard, so others can understand how un-free they are and how they have lost sight of the real arguments. My generation does not have a strong voice, but it needs one. Just maybe, I am not delusional, and somehow my little voice can make a difference... or at least a good read while avoiding work at the office.

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Textbook Myers-Briggs INTP,

Yahoo! News - Delegates Told to Leave Guns at Home

Yahoo! News - Delegates Told to Leave Guns at Home

Okay... good idea, but is that a second amendment infringement? Just curious. Also, the cop in the photo is sporting an assault weapon and I would hate to be caught in his crossfire. Let's hope a hippie protester and a bad day do not turn ugly. Ya know, the presence of a heavily armed police officer always puts me at ease.

I am finding all the protesting to be more interesting than the speaker line up. Does that make me an anarchist, a sociopath or just the average American? I think I will sit out the convention. By the way, if I do, it will be my first Republican National Convention missed since I was five years old.

*Sigh*

Politics. I swear there is more that I like writing about, but I have been going through a dry spell lately for topics that move me. Sure the Jesus Freak that nearly ran me over--twice-- in her monster SUV (outfitted with several Christian bumper stickers) at Costco pissed me off, but big deal. A lot of Christians are hypocrites, so are many of the luxury brand loving socialists I know and love, and ditto for some high profile feminists who belittle another woman's well informed personal choice. I am getting too jaded to rant? Jeeeez.

Bush Flip Flopping on Global Warming?

Yahoo! News - U.S. Study Links Human Activity to Global Warming

Did I mention rejection of the concept of global warming has been in the Republican Party platform? Well, this is all so heart warming.


I thought Republicans did not change their minds.

"Likely" story.

Republican Party of Texas

Here is are some excerpts from the 2004 Republican Party of Texas platform. This time around they left out abolishing the minimum wage. Do you find any of these hypocritical? Think about it:


"We respect and cherish the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and our Founders’ intent to restrict the power of the federal government over the states and the people."

"All innocent human life must be protected."

"We insist that no one's rights are negotiable and that individual freedom demands personal responsibility."

"We believe that government spending is out of control and needs to be reduced."

"...we must also vigorously protect the sovereignty of the United States."


Hmmm...

Then, refrain from using the constitution to discriminate (popular opinion was not in favor of women's suffrage rights either), stop supporting an administration that runs up the deficit and borrows money from countries like China, stop killing innocents both by war and by indirect actions (ex. lethal exposure from unscrupulous chemical plants and execution of the mentally retarded), refrain from making the federal government larger, and at all costs protect individual rights to vote and have all the votes counted. Oh yea, and thanks for spending all that money and time on redistricting Texas. If you do not agree with the platform and you are a Republican, then you are a "RINO (Republican In Name Only)" and they do not want you to have a voice. Some people call themselves "RINO hunters." Lovely, eh?



I love the bumper sticker I saw the other day:

"I left the Republican Party, when it left me."


Be sure to check out:

NOW with Bill Moyers on Friday, August 27 at 9PM on PBS will be featuring the Republican National Convention, but with his own twist.(Check local listings at http://www.pbs.org/now/sched.html).

ABCNEWS.com : Eugenics Backer Causes Stir in Tenn. Race

ABCNEWS.com : Eugenics Backer Causes Stir in Tenn. Race

I *heart* Blogger

I love Blogger and Google. Google is my five hour a day obsession that allows me to study everything that pops into my mind, feeding my scattered thought showers and allowing me to check off "to do" lists. I have even lurked in Google Answers, beating the expert to the punch for fun... just like watching Jeopardy or the History Channel's Decisive Battles on the couch.

*sigh*

INTP and forever GT nerd

How rich are you

This puts your wealth in perspective: Global Rich List.

This Texas Rambler is preparing her own Anthem

I usually refrain from posting about anything personal, save my convictions. I just don't feel I am as witty as those who make even their lunch seem interesting. Okay, here ya go: I enjoyed pork chops served with southern side dishes, followed by Panamanian coffee given by a well-traveled friend, and a barrage of annoying solicitors, who descend on new houses like a plague. Maybe a little lamb blood on the front posts and above the front door will make them passover my house and keep them from waking my napping first born.

I feel like rambling, so ramble I will.

I just finished reading Anthem by Ayn Rand and I liked it alright, except it reminded me a little of the creative paper I wrote in 6th grade about the mothballing of nuclear weapons, a stock market crash, and communist invasion ("Red Dawn" was a little influencial, I suppose). I enjoy Ayn Rand's thought provoking work, but I have disdain for those neo-lib/neo-con Ph.D. hacks, who spin her work and pen sentences beginning with "But." When did environmentalists vote to want to destroy mankind and return to loin cloths... oh yea, in the name of transforming our planet into the garden of Eden? I must have missed that newsletter. Great. I would be cast out of Eden like Lilith anyway. Perhaps polluting is "sacrificing others to himself" and is contrary to Rand's teachings. I drive a car, I enjoy the fruits of capitalism, and yet I possess a love of clean air, water, and the aesthetic beauty of the natural world. You wanna live in a filthy polluted hell... then by all means move to Galveston County and enjoy. Rand is quoted as defending the right to abortion and she blasts religion and mysticism, so I wish neo-cons would stop aligning themselves with her writings. Neo-asses love her views on laissez faire capitalism, but fail to acknowledge "[man] must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. "Ayn Rand believed in order to be an objectivist, a follower of her philosophy, one must agree with all tenents of Objectivism. Do I consider myself an objectivist? I guess not. I do not believe laissez faire capitalism works, despite being an impressive ideal. Laissez faire would be an easier sell if workers would not need to organize, governments would not need to regulate, and taxes would not be necessary to raise the standards of a society. In a perfect world, those at the bottom would refuse to consume products and services offered by irresponsible businessmen at the top and businessmen would refuse to be irresponsible. I think too many people are ignorant, irresponsible, and greedy for capitalism to be completely unregulated. I guess I like knowing what food has in it (thanks to government required labeling), knowing that (supposedly) companies are not allowed to pollute my drinking water, and that workers are allowed the luxury of not being slaves to feudal lords. I vote with my dollar, but does anyone else? If we all did, we would find we have more power than we thought... more power than all the unheeded regulations in the world. "Let them do" as long as it is ethical, honorable, and for the good of all, but naturally not at the expense of one.

Oh yea... and an objectivist probably can't read their horoscope.

"Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government"

-Thomas Jefferson

Nasty Politics

The Boondocks, by the insanely witty Aaron McGruder, is my favorite comic strip right now.

This is too funny. Oh yea, and this I just LOVE.

Have a moment of levity with me.

What are you really?

I meet people all the time that would LIKE to THINK they are conservatives or liberals, but really they are not. I find it funny that people try to align themselves with a political party to become more like the stereotype. If I vote Republican, will it improve my portfolio? If I vote Democratic, will I be more creative? If I vote Libertarian... wait... like a Libertarian will ever get a chance in my state.

World's Smallest Political Quiz

Think for yourself.

Bush's Hitler ("Coalition of the Wild-Eyed") Ad

I am not kidding... this is on GeorgeWBush.com.

Take a look.

"Michael Moore hates America"

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart features Mike Wilson, director of "Michael Moore Hates America" here.

Have a seat and enjoy.

A new Kerry Fan

I was impressed by his speech tonight.  In fact, I enjoyed a few speeches this week, namely Barack Obama's and Al Sharpton's. If you missed the coverage, have a seat.

I think I'll ride that donkey to see how far it will take me.

Well done, sirs and best of luck.

G'night.

Bastille Storming Mad

Lou Dobbs  pointed out today (source:The Corporate Library, BLS) in 2003 the average CEO made $85,299 a WEEK and the average worker made $620.  How cool would it be to hire the person that pays you, pick your pay, lay off people to cut costs and improve stock price, play golf and travel on company time and be George Bush's well rewarded "base?"  I hear the whisper in my head calling me to the dark side.

Even if John Kerry is the spawn of Satan, I will vote for him.  I would rather give just about anybody a chance to be Jefe rather than reward Bush, a fiscal liberal and wanna-be cowboy who threatens the sovereignty of this great society. Oh,  Tucker Carlson... you are holding your silvered tongue of fire.  What of the big government sanctioned morality, neo-liberalism, out of control spending, and conservative cardinal sins which have been committed by this current administration?  What is your inner Libertarian whispering?  

I swear, if Bush quotes Teddy Roosevelt one more time...

*Humming "Small Town," by John Cougar Mellencamp. Lyrics here.*

 

What will your Winchester House be?

You must first read the story of the Winchester House.

Okay, so Sarah was a bit of a nut job, but her deep guilt is absolutely moving.  If you believe in karmic retribution, Hell or just deep personal guilt, it is amazing that one person could have this much self-condemnation  for the privilege she enjoyed at the expense of innocents.  Most people indirectly cause suffering regularly without the slightest pangs of guilt.  Our great society is filled with people in high positions, who authorize suffering and death without any real remorse.  What will their metaphorical Winchester House be?  What will mine be?  What will yours be?

 

JibJab

I am not the first to discover this (Damn, you Fox News), but this is truely hilarious.

Political bi-partisan flash animation humor: JibJab

 

Like me

Here is an uninspired tangent.  Read on anyway. Hope you like it.

Like.  I like him and I am like him mean different things, but isn't it funny how people tend to like those just like them?  Mom pals with rugged jogging strollers push tiny tots of the same birth month, fratties in madras pledge for life, and Betty Page  haired grrrls clump together.  Sure they have something in common, but is it more than just superficial traits?  Do we need to have something in common other than say ethics and morals... or do we even need the same moral set? I tend to gravitate towards those of high intelligence, but are they like me? My friends tend to be open minded, intelligent, and witty, but superficially they are diverse in ages, colors, sizes, sexual orientations, and dress.  I have well heeled friends, those forever flip flopping, worn Birkenstock owners, Clarks wearing pragmatists, and those in chunky countercultural galoshes and clodhoppers.  We are friends because of a connection, not because they share my taste for beatnik basic black or because we live in the same floorplan or even because we came from the same warped little dusty town. 

Am I being romantic and unsensible?  Maybe I am trying hard to remain a rugged individualist.  Should I want to belong to a group that is just like me?  Maybe I already a part of a group of people that is marked "other" and "etc." Maybe people evolve to be more like each other and perhaps that is what I am observing.  Sure my oldest and dearest friends and I share things in common, but did we evolve that way or did we by fate find each other in this crazy world? 

Self-depreciating or not, I like people unlike me, because they teach me about myself.  They unknowingly point out my hang ups, desires, strengths, and weaknesses.  I like them without wanting to become like them.  Like.   Similarities are fine, but I dislike similes.

Vanity? Fair enough.

I nominated myself for the best blog category in The Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin contest. I only have a few random posts under my belt due to procrastination, self-sabotage, and a hectic summer travel schedule, however I am just honored to be nominated. I must admit I enjoy conceptualizing far more than actually keeping up the routine of blogging.

Truly an honor, folks.

*chuckle*

INTP,

"Kerry adopts a puppy" and Ann Coulter is a bitch

I swore off politics, but damn if I didn't hear the siren calls of yahoo news.

Yahoo! News - IN DESPERATE MOVE, KERRY ADOPTS PUPPY

Childless neo-conservative and vain femme nazi, Ann Coulter, is blaming attorneys like John Edwards for skyrocketing cesarean rates. Forget the doctors, who induce for no reason other than scheduling conflicts, forget blaming epidural correlated statistics, increased child birth weight, maternal obesity, forget birth defects, increased maternal or fetal distress detection, surge in multiple births, private insurance, and every other factor... let us only blame lawyers... oh wait... she IS a lawyer. Make that blame OTHER lawyers. Cesarean deliveries carry a higher rate of maternal mortality and that in itself is a possible reason for lawsuit. Medical malpractice cases are costly, research intensive, lengthy, and not as rampant as some would like to think. Unfortunately, doctors are often only kept in check by lawsuits. You would be frightened to know how many legitimate cases there are against licensed doctors, who are repeat offenders of gross negligence. The medical, legal, and insurance establishment all win some and lose some... we just lose.

Adult children need to grow up

Yahoo! News - ADULT CHILDREN SPEAK OUT ABOUT SAME-SEX PARENTS

Okay, is this where I need to site the evidence on why the institution of marriage needs to be outlawed? Or maybe why people need a license to breed? This crap is evidence? Gimme a few weeks and I will disprove the effectiveness and validity of marriage in general. Don't get me wrong... I am blissfully married, but I can still cite evidence against it. Pure spin. A bazillion Americans hate their lives and one happens to be an adult child of a lesbian couple ( whose biological mother, then married a man after she was widowed.)

Waaahh... you hate your parents for being happy or different. Join the freakin' crowd.

Good parents are rare. Period. Good marriages are, too. The right to choose and try to obtain happiness is as American as it gets.

Dog Days of Summer

I am back from part one of my summer vacation, and the creative muses appear to be lounging by a pool rather than inspiring me to write. Well, I am working on a business proposal for my dearest, but creatively I am in a slump. I am avoiding ALL news, including that occasional guilty pleasure, celebrity gossip. I am tired of propaganda, corporate sponsorship, and tired pop culture references. I canceled my Austin American Statesman newspaper subscription and The New York Times, because it made me feel better. Ok, I usually love the Times (The Statesman just stinks), but I was hooked by a special rate, overcharged by almost a hundred bucks, and it took them two months to give me my money back. I was certainly not going to starve due to the overcharge, but the principle of the matter is what peeved me. Except for the new Michael Moore flick, I will abstain from politics until September... maybe October. Except for Cheap Seats (on ESPN Classic), Conan O'Brian, The Simpsons, and the Chapelle show, nothing makes me REALLY laugh. Ok, Haikuoftheday.com makes me laugh. Here's nodding at Kari, blogger extraordinaire. The article about stay-at-home mothers (from the Stinky Statesman)made me want to rage. Actually,I did rage along side Kari in the comment section on HaikuoftheDay.com.

I can at least sleep well at night knowing Friends is over.

Damn, Muses... I bet they have had another margarita and their cell phones are now turned off.

*sigh*

Call Me Quirky

Here is a David Noonan article (found here below at MSNBC and in Newsweek) about "quirky" kids, who would otherwise be labeled as having mild psycological disorders.

MSNBC - Why Don't We Call Them Quirky?

While some children may have serious disorders requiring medication and therapy, I believe most would be better served by nurturing their eccentric nature. Why anyone would want to be "normal"(normal does NOT equal happy)is beyond my comprehension. The greatest minds are inherently a bit odd, because it is not normal to be highly intelligent or exceptionally talented. Let us supposed someone is eleven years old and in the junior honor society, reading at a college level, is fascinated by number base systems, and writes poetry all day, then they are highly intelligent, right? Take the same person, who avoids all inanimate objects in groupings of four, is clueless about social interaction, has hypersensitive hearing, prefers dim lighting, and hates the feeling of cotton balls and sock seams, then suddenly this person can (on paper) become someone with a mild case of some disorder. Sometimes kids are truely just misunderstood and lack the nuturing needed from parents, teachers, and the rest of the community. Children, who are medicated without need, risk reactions to the medicines, increased suicidal tendancies, future chemical dependency, and will be deemed unfit for military and some governmental career paths . Many of my favorite people are socially retarded eccentric and neurotic geeks and that is part of what makes them... well, them.

Dyslexia is another irritating label. Sure some people may have difficulties reading and spelling, but this label often limits potentials from what I have seen. Dyslexics are photographic thinkers and that is a gift. Their prefered medium for expression is not pen to paper... so what? Teach them differently. Einstein was not a gifted writer and he was kinda smart, no? Beethoven may have disliked adding and subtracting numbers, but that does not detract from his genius?

We need to be careful as to not over medicate and label away the genius and uniqueness from our society. I do not want to be normal. I think word play is funny, but don't get Leno. I have petite mal-like moments, I get really nervous before social situations, I relate to animals better than to people, and have a hard time telling time on a clock. I am deathly afraid of open heights, cannot read facial expressions accurately, have enormous highs and lows in mood, and numerous other quirks. Over the years, I have become far more socialized than that dorky seventh grader, and can now work a room (though I am mentally exhausted afterwards) better than most anyone. I finally accepted who I am and have worked on learning skills to cope with my more unpleasant quirks. Psycology is too trendy of a field for me to take it seriously. If a quack wanted to, she could label me Aspergers or Bipolar... hell, she could shock my personality away like poor Gene Tierney. Mighty fine lookin' lady, that Ms. Tierney, eh?

Cheers...

is on t.v.


(chuckle)

What a REAL Patriotic Speech looks like...

What Our Small Group Can Do

Here is a speech by Doris Haddock, a brilliant and inspirational American. She eloquently addresses neoliberalism, politics of fear, and governmental reform. I could not have said it better, so have a read.