A Chicken Is Not Pillage

October Things

Mark, don't comment here.  I've no interest in what you have to say.  Stick to your own smug-ass site-o'-bullshit and leave my space alone, troll.  You don't know much of anything, so shut up.  Mark Tokarski:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was going to wait until closer to Halloween, but I just had to see it again.  So, once agin, let's get down with Naked Ape:

 

 

Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear Walk Hand In Hand

Not that it much matters at this point, but my personal webspace turned 9 years old last month.

As I spent time this afternoon attempting to put together a new Halloween playlist, I kept gravitating towards one particular song.  It's dark, and angry and I love it for its honesty.  Way on back in the early 1980s, Rush recorded the album Moving Pictures.  I've purchased it on vinyl, which I still have, and purchased it on CD.   Terrific as it is for it's better known songs, it is my favorite for the song Witch Hunt.

 

 

This year, more than 28 some years ago, the message of that song rings true. 

The righteous rise, with burning eyes of hatred and ill will.

I have been lead to believe that many of the intelligentsia don't like the band Rush all that much.   Too bad.  This song is terrific Halloween music, and it makes a point that should sink home to any who will blindly excuse the religiously gullible.  Evil doesn't control us, manipulate us or create us.  It comes from us, is suckled and is fostered by us.  Often it is supported by those who willfully ignore one thing in favor of others. 

On this Columbus day, there are many who would hold that one man was a genocidal maniac when actually all he did was change the make up of how humans would create their future.  It shouldn't really be celebrated but doesn't need to be denigrated either.  I know many folk who believe in Pagan magic, but seem oblivious to the idea that if their idea of magic worked, hundreds of millions of Christians would already have brought the rapture.   Well over a billion Muslims would have seen infidels destroyed.  At least dozens hope that what they hold as a Kumbaya will defeat candidate X, Y or Z.  OR ... it could simply be that we are humans who overlay what has been with what we would want, a very thin veneer of righteousness, and gosh aren't we individually cool?

Rush will likely be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame this year.  Yes, I am one of the assholes who's lobbied for this honor, because they truly deserve it.

Politics Really *IS* a Game

So it's time to play it! 

There's a bunch of folks all puffed up with 'principles' thinking that voters are uninformed, and candidates have an easy job manipulating that lack of knowledge. Really?  Let's find out how much the intelligencia actually know about pleasing people who live and know where and what they live.

Play Gaffe Dodger, if you dare

This Really Pisses Me Off To No End!

(Bonus points if you know the origin of that quote.)

Tim Tebow is coming to Montana; Kalispell, more specifically.   He's the carrot for a Christian school fundraiser in March.  He will speak of football, his life experiences and his faith.  Given his obvious charm, he will no doubts enthrall the assembled donors.  I've no problem with that.

But he is my quarterback, for good or ill.  And I'm already tired and annoyed by the attacks against Tim Tebow the person hidden within complaints against his football skill.  So lets get a few things clear, 'kay?

Tim Tebow is mostly what Christians aspire to be.  He's also what many of us wish Christians in general would be.  He is (as indicated) charming, humble, humorous, giving of himself, thankful, faithful, very hard working and committed.   There are those who've asked many times and I ask the same question:  What's not to like?  He's a good man, who may or may not ever become a great NFL quarterback.  American sensibilities have changed somewhat about what is a good man, and I think most would have been pleased if he had entered the news confab after the Pittsburgh game, muscular arms spread wide, screaming "Are you not entertained?"  (Small points if you know that quote.)

There are those who absolutely must point out that "Tebow worships a magic sky fairy ~snicker~"  Uhm, fine.  I would ask this:  Tebow doesn't deride you to accept his religion.  Why would you deride him to accept yours?

Then there are those who want desperately to believe that Tim Tebow makes them feel bad.  These are mostly the ones who just wish he would quit talking about his faith.  I see no reason why he would or he should. It's still magical thinking.  'Tebow gives credit to his God but he should make that private because somehow it will be bad - while he wins games.  Personally, I don't give a crap if he gives credit to his toilet bowl, as crazy as that would be.   Tebow followed his path and he likes it, so others want to believe that he's looking down on them because their results weren't as stellar or what-have-you.  That's mostly fear and jealousy.  If you feel bad because Tebow wears his faith in the open, then I suggest you commit to your path as he has committed to his.

There are those already who suggest that Tim's Christian piety is an act, a hustle, a grift.  Show what you know.  Tim Tebow works his ass off, and people aren't as stupid as one would expect.  If Tebow were running a hustle he would be exposed as simply as Ryan Leaf or as complexly as JaMarcus Russell.  Tebow wins games.  He competes.  If he is running a hustle to give God the credit, then all power to him.  I'm a Bronco fan.  I like the Broncos winning games.  And most high-profile wide receivers are grifters anyway ...  (So what did happen to Randy Moss and Terrell Owens? ...)

I like Tim Tebow and look forward to seeing him after 7 months of working with John Elway.  John Fox should be the Coach of the Year (though Jim Harbaugh likely has that won.)  If Tebow wants to come to Montana to raise money for schooling then good on him.  I truly don't care.  His faith is part of what makes him an exciting draw to watch.  For me, he is my quarterback.  So, bring on New England.

Mission Accomplished?

Okay. So. It's over.

Last weekend, my beloved said something in jest that I love her for, and I feel deeply today.  "I like my beer like I like my man, bitter."  I am bitter, and this is one of the biggest reasons.  I began commenting on blogs outside of my good friend's place because I was horrified that we would attack a nation based on shoddy intel and do so blatantly.  I began this blog in part because I wanted a personal forum to rail against the obvious injustice being perpetrated abroad and here at home.  All voices against the great Iraqi adventure fell on truly deaf ears.  We had invaded by the time I started this blog, and little changed for so very long.

I certainly didn't expect anyone to listen to little ol' me.  But I did expect that we would be smarter as a country, full of voters.  Instead, I have been subjected to all kinds of claims that I don't understand or care about international affairs.  I have listened as jackwads, most of which were dead silent 9 years ago when we invaded,  told me that we would never leave Iraq.  I  have not so patiently waited while my betters told me that we would never have less than 50 thousand troops in country and our $50,000,000 bases would never be turned over to the Iraqis.  Not anyone reading this hasn't heard the jokes or seen the cartoons about how we should just 'glass' the entire region.

I guess I'm not so bitter as I am tired.  The assholes who've all told me how wrong my country is will not ever admit how they were wrong in prediction.  The money's already been spent and the lives, 4500+ lives, have already been lost.  But yet, the American Empire marches on.  And those who claim such were wrong before and remain wrong now.  Somehow, I'm certain, this is my fault.  Yeah, I'm pretty bitter, and tired.

I am weakly and wearily happy that our country is turning Iraq over to the Iraqis.  I wish them luck.  I wish our troops a great "Welcome Home".  I want healing to begin.

But, the Iraq war caused more than just death and suffering.  It has polarized the opinions of people more than I can express, and caused a rise in what was already a burgeoning police state here at home.   John McCain thinks that our declaring an end to the Iraq war signals that the terrorists have won.  I'm certain that his buddy LIEberman shares that view.  Strangely, those views appear the most harmless.  What does damage is the fact that Congress has avoided responsibility for the horror they brought, and now blame the guy who actually ended this stuff.  The damage is multiplied because the left seeks desperately to believe the message from the right.  This will not end well.

The authoritarian state grows.  I've been warning about this for 8 years.  Iraq, and the thinking that led to it's invasion, is precisely what gives credence to the crap spewed today.  We needn't worry about invading Iran.  That will happen when the Repulicants take over governance because they keep the super-secret knowledge of what will help us internationally.  We *really* need to worry about that stealth Republican in the White House.  Obama needs to lose and that will make the Iraq war all worth while.

~sigh~

No.  No mission was accomplished here, save enriching Halliburton and Blackwater.

Thank you to the troops who did what they were asked.  Thank you.  I will do whatever I can to help you come to grips with the horrors you've been sold.  I hope for you that life goes on and becomes worthwhile.  (I work in providing materials to higher ed, and that's not a hollow offer I make.)

The Drama Queen Haz A Sad

The neighborhood drunk was apparently unhappy with his efforts at sympathy.  Not content with his sloppy "I Luv You, Man', he again attempts to turn the beige house against others in the neighborhood by mischaracterizing what has been written by others.  It's a classic troll.  And the Drama Queen bites, hook, line and sinker.

JC stupidly pens:

If politics is only all about process–the nuts and bolts an mechanics of electoral politics (the fluffery), then there is no room for vision or leadership, or building one’s actions out of a base built on solid principles, or motivated by the vision of a charismatic leader like MLK.

Well allow me to retort.

Not only is your premise flawed, JC, but your conclusion follows from nothing.  Politics isn't "only" about process, as you state. I've never said that, and neither has anyone I know.  Some of us focus on process, because that's who we are, and what we do.  What you've just stated is that those who are not you are denying what you desire.  We're stopping you from getting what you want, in your narrow mind.  Actually, we agree about much of what we want.  I just think you're a full-of-shit emoprog when you deny that there is a process by which we reach such a destination.

Here's a clue or two for you.  MLK is dead.  Get over it.  Nor was he solely responsible for the Civil Rights act.  Politicians passed that act, y'know, legislators?   Those folk get elected by a process.  At no point does a process like that negate a principle, or any of the principles which drive it.   What does negate that process and the principles behind it is whining about the process folk who are attempting to get you what you want because we haven't succeeded in providing you with a 'leader'.  Grow up.  This ain't recess, and you don't need the teacher to protect you from the bullies or demand that you get chosen first for dodgeball.

JC:

I’m learning that my cynicism needs to be tempered with letting others have their own experiences.

Seems like you need to learn a little bit faster, kitten.  No one owes you a "leader".   That isn't anyone elses role.  But we all do have  a part to play.  For some of us, like your daughter and myself, that part is process.

Just as Tokarski keeps wailing that "we" need to organize, and won't do a damned thing to accomplish that, JC keeps calling for a leader and refuses to be one.  No problem.  That happens all the time.  JC has been writing a great deal of good stuff about the Occupy Wallstreet protests.  But he won't go, he isn't there.  He would, no doubts, talk smack about others who aren't there because this is the Most Important Thingy Ever,  but yet he's not there.  Think on that for a second.  I'd bet that he doesn't have the money and he has to work, and that's why he hasn't joined this brave protest.  You know what?  That's process.  That is what process folk focus on, like me.  That's why I'm not there.  For me it was a simple decision, as I'm certain it was for the Drama Queen.  But his angst is so much more important.  Why would that be?  Why isn't he challenging Mark, the champion of extra party organizing,  for sitting on his ass in Colorado and instead JC's  uttering bullshit about what process folk do?

No Shit, There I Was In The Congo, Part 2

I thought the dumbest thing I would read today was that the President wants to kill a Supreme Court Justice.  I was wrong.

Apparently, when politicians play their roles, it's just Kabuki theater, worthy of much disdain.  When citizens act like complete jackasses, it's "art".  Whocouldaknowed ...

Let's At Least Keep Things Honest

In a post about raising "hell" in Wisconsin, jhwygirl writes:

For every action there is an equal an opposite reaction. Those crazy tea party people! Look what doo-doo they got themselves into over there.

I'm probably just being pedantic in pointing out that the reaction equation only works in Newtonian physics.  It's never worked very much or at all in the social/political sciences.  The bulk of her post is worth reading and crowing about.  Wisconsin did good, and that's no lie.  Keep in mind, though, that the Wisconsin primary vote wasn't about the Tea Party.  It was anger at the people that these same folk who voted for true Democratic candidates yesterday elected just 9 months ago.  If there is a reaction then it was from those who 'acted' in the first place.  I find jhwygirl's post adorable, if only because she can't use the term "shit" when it's really deserved.  And shit is truly what the Tea Folk have offered to Wisconsin, and Wisconsin reacted appropriately.  This is their fight.  The rest of us can support them, with money and praise, but making the larger point that the Tea Party is facing annihilation due to their actions is a bit over the top.  Let's see what happens in the general of the recall.  (For the record, I think those six state Senators are going down.)

As most of you who have read me for than a day can well sense, I haven't brought this up without a more serious disagreement.  jhwygirl writes:

Thank Goddess for those crazy radical storm-the-capital union-loving progressives! It sure as hell wasn’t a bunch of milquetoast leftys out there camping in the capital, or marching the streets or gathering signatures up within weeks of their legislative session’s sine die to recall the Republicans and regain control of their state.

 

I'm having a real difficult time knowing exactly what the hell she's writing about here.  Union loving progressives?  I don't know how familiar she is with what actually happened in Wisconsin, but the first salvo in this progressive fight was from students at UW Madison with a bunch of Valentine's cards to Scott Walker.   When the capitol got "stormed" it was by those students and public union members themselves.    I will likely remain curious as to why jhwygirl was so intent on pointing out "progressives" as opposed to the actual unions, which organized very quickly.  Within a day of the first protest march, the SEIU and the AFT were organizing protest against provisions which had already passed the Wisconsin budget repair bill, but not it's more loathsome requirements.  Within 2 days the Capitol hill (which lies in the middle between two large lakes, yes, I've been there) was occupied by between 30,000 and 50,000 people.  Most of those folk were union organized.  So why should there be a distinction between " union-loving progressives" and the unions themselves?  That makes little sense, unless one has an agenda  beyond promoting union activism.

Quite recently, here in Montana, we had a bunch of "anarchists" protest big oil.  They acted like a bunch of buffoons, but it seems important that some Montana progressives promote them as doing important stuff.  They didn't, but the folks in Wisconsin did.  Which leads to the real quandary I have with jhwygirl's post.

It sure as hell wasn’t a bunch of milquetoast leftys out there camping in the capital, or marching the streets or gathering signatures up within weeks of their legislative session’s sine die to recall the Republicans and regain control of their state.

If that's sarcasm, it really isn't very good.  It reads way too much like an indictment.   Democracy for America were those milquetoast lefties out there garnering signatures.  The SEIU were those camping out at the capitol.  The union protesters weren't trashing the place as the right accused them of.  Are some of the left accusing them of the same?  It wouldn't surprise me.  It was the milquetoast lefties that got this damned job done.    There is more to do, and the DFA, the SEIU, the AFT and other organizations (not anarchists) will see it through.  It hasn't been radicals (extremists) that have seen this calling to this point.  It's been working people who actually care about what happens beyond dancing on tables.

Game Of Thrones, Initial Thoughts

No spoilers, unless you know what I'm alluding to.

I want it to be a little more Michael Moorcock, and less John Norman.  'Rape Babes of Gor' just doesn't thrill me.  The hooker with the midget was put together very well, eye candy, but come on. I don't think that a fantasy cable series requires 'bend them over a table/rock' to really be appealing.  And no one, ever, should show a puppy's bond person being killed in front of them.  Seriously, fuck that.

I hope that it gets better from here.

Stupid Geniuses!

And here I thought that out-of-context snippet punditry was the domain of the Lame Stream Media.  But no, Smurf Texan shows that any interpretation will do if it carries water for a personal peeve.

Just my opinion, of course, but I'm getting really tired of the FirePumas talking out the left side about how idiotic the White House is, while sneering out the right that the White House just doesn't care about soft white progressive people and uses intelligent subterfuge to carry out their jihad against the professional left.  That carries the odor of "uppity".  Shades of the rightwing attacks against Clinton, if you ask me.