Heard Museum

Phoenix is blessed with one of the preeminent Native American Museums in the world, the Heard Museum. It had been a couple of years since I was last there and the weekend of Independence day seemed like an oddly fitting time to take a trip there. The museum encompasses ancient to modern, common to artistic, educational to whimsical. It's one of my favorite museums.



While not a fan of the politics of one of Arizona's favorite sons, Barry Goldwater, I admired his candor and his talented photography of the rural areas of our state:



I was especially taken with the work of an artist I had not heard of before, Hector Ruiz:


In the first photo, notice the inset photo of the oil derrick. This was on the back side of the sculpture. The artist is not trying to hide his disdain the for the imperial hubris of our president. And that is definitely Dubya in the Slim Pickens role.

In the second picture, George is again the star but the corporatization of our society is the focus. It's not surprising that some see a parallel between the way in which we treated our indigenous people and the way in which we seek to Americanize the rest of the world.

This Americanization has been carried out throughout our past. Just one example was the forced schooling of Native Americans. The same ignorance that allowed us to assume that they would be better off if we made them abandon their religion, their land, and their language is being carried out today. We assume that people around the world are just waiting for us to "free" them ... that the free market is the answer to all ills.



If any of you ever get the chance to check out the Heard Museum, you won't be disappointed.

Paul Harvey

Great post by my new buddy Mark at The Great White Bear:

What do Karl Rove and Paul Harvey have in common?

Patriotism

I wanted to be timely and post something about the 4th. Something that wouldn't be cynical ... because that's how this president makes me feel. And something that wouldn't be jingoistic ... like every bit of dimestore "git-r-done" patriotism that you see on a magnetic ribbon or bumper sticker. But I couldn't say it any better than one of the few good writers that our local paper, the Arizona Republic, has ... E.J. Montini:

Back when we celebrated the red, white and green

Have a great 4th of July and honor what this country is really about, not what some politician tells you is patriotic. For a reminder, check out Isabella's great post at:

Our Founding Fathers

Rove-Plame

This is potentially huge if it is true:

MSNBC Analyst Says Cooper Documents Reveal Karl Rove as Source in Plame Case

It would be about time that we sent "Bush's Brain" packing.

Gay Marriage

More proof that we are becoming (or have been) one of the most backwards, stunted, unprogressive countries in the world:

Gay Marriage is Now Legally Accepted in Spain

Canadian Parliament passes same-sex marriage bill

As José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Spanish prime minister, said, "We are not the first, but I am sure we will not be the last. ... After us will come many countries, driven, ladies and gentlemen, by two unstoppable forces: freedom and equality."

If our current administration is any indication, the USA may be the last.

Credibility Gap

A young congressman once uttered these statements:

"The administration should clarify its intent in _______. People lack confidence in the credibility of our government. Even our allies are beginning to suspect what we say. It’s a difficult thing today to be informed about our government even without all the secrecy. With the secrecy, it’s impossible. The American people will do what’s right when they have the information they need."

"I concur in the conclusion expressed therein that the people of the United States must know not only how their country became involved but where we are heading."

"Accurate judgment is predicated on accurate information. Government has an obligation to present information to the public promptly and accurately so that the public’s evaluation of Government activities is not distorted. Political pundits speak of the ‘credibility gap’ in the present administration. Indeed, this appellation is so widespread that it has become a household word."

These would be the kind of quotes that would be classified as treasonous and unpatriotic if they were uttered by a Democrat in reference to our current administration. But they weren't ... they were uttered by a young conservative congressman named Donald Rumsfeld during the 60's in reference to LBJ's handling of the Vietnam war. Ah, how the worm has turned.

For more info on Rumsfeld's selective memory:

Rumsfeld Credibility Gap

Weekend

It was a very fun family weekend, with Michelle's cousin Eric visiting on Saturday (he's a civilian contractor working at Luke AFB for a week):



And my folks coming down Sunday to go to a D-backs game with us (my parents' first game in 25 years):



Alex even got to run the bases after the game ... he's the one in the red hat:

Roenick

In the interest of fairness, I must admit that I'm not the most avid hockey fan. But, I do enjoy the sport. So, is it just me or is Jeremy Roenick a moron? I'm sympathetic to unions, but he's just going a bit too far.

Roenick rips the fans who feed him

Property Seizure

In a decision that just further illustrates the scary direction we are taking in this country, the Supreme Court ruled that "local governments may seize people's homes and businesses -- even against their will -- for private economic development." We are becoming a place where corporations and well-placed citizens hold all the cards.

"Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism
as it is a merge of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

George Orwell is becoming more prophetic every day.

Elmo under fire?

Finally, some people in power are figuring out that Ken Tomlinson is bad news for public broadcasting:


16 senators call for ouster of public broadcasting chief

White Tank Mountains

I've taken to hiking a bit more lately. Pretty stupid when it's 111 degrees ... but I've been going in the early morning and evenings. I bought a year pass for the Maricopa County Parks. The closest park to us is the White Tank Mountains. We've been there quite a few times and enjoy it. It has some nice hiking and mountain bike trails. Alex had a pretty good time. We even saw a few deer.

Here are some pics from today.

Click thumbnails to get a larger image

Coldplay -- "Twisted Logic"

Political song of the day:

Sunlight, opened up my eyes
To see for the first time
You'll open them up
And tonight, rivers will run dry
And not for the first time
Rivers will run

Hundreds of years in the future
It could be computers
Looking for life on earth

Don't fight for the wrong side
Say what you feel like
Say how you feel

You'll go backwards, but then
You'll go forwards again
You'll go backwards, but then
You'll go

Created, then drilled and invaded
If somebody made it
Someone will mess it up

And you are not wrong to
Ask who does this belong to
It belongs to all of us

You'll go backwards, but then
You'll go forwards again
You'll go backwards, but then
you'll go forwards

You'll go backwards, but then
you'll go forwards again
You'll go forwards again
You'll go forwards

Thomas Paine

"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good." -- The Rights of Man (1792) by Thomas Paine

Deafening Silence

Where are Frist, Bush and the Republican leadership now that Terry Schiavo's autopsy has revealed exactly what just about everybody else in the country knew all along ... that she was brain-dead?

Schiavo Autopsy Says Brain, Withered, Was Untreatable

Even one of the case's biggest hypocrites, Florida Republican Mel Martinez, now questions the government's involvement:

Schiavo Autopsy Renews Debate on G.O.P. Actions

Don't expect retractions from Fox News, Sean Hannity, etc. either. Like their leader, they'd rather blindly blunder along and have history prove them wrong instead of admitting a mistake.

"He'll never be my president"

An encounter this past weekend got me to thinking of the nature of patriotism and respect of your president ... or the presidency in general. While at a local mall, we had just parked and were getting out of the car, and a man pulled up next to us and proceeded to tell us how saddened he was by the bumper sticker we had on our car that said, "He'll never be my president." As the man explained, he was a former Canadian who had just become an American citizen and such an illustration of "treason" was scandalous. Besides illustrating his ignorance of the true definition of treason -- betrayal of one's country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies -- it was a perfect example of how blind Americans (old and new) have become. Once could go into the illegitimacy of Bush's presidency, but that's not even the point. Many people, including the person that spoke to us, believe that support and respect are unconditional. But, as Nietzsche said,

"Digressions, objections, delight in mockery, carefree mistrust are signs of health; everything unconditional belongs in pathology."

Even one of our own presidents understood the importance of being able to criticize:

"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else." -- Teddy Roosevelt

I'm tired of the jingoism. People blindly wave the flag with no thought to what that flag represents. They accuse people of treason. Real treason is rushing Saudi nationals out of the country immediately following 9/11 even though the majority of the terrorists were from Saudi Arabia.

False indignation about Anti-Bush statements betrays your motivations. If you cared about the country, you would be more indignant over a president who lies to the people of his country in order to wage an unjust war. A war that has taken the lives of 1700+ American lives and at least 10 times as many Iraqi. You'd be more indignant over the taking away of our liberties. You'd be more indignant about a government that coddles corporations and curries favor with it's friends while allowing our society to become a two class system (the haves and the have-nots). You'd be more indignant about a government that creates legislation that favors the insurance industry and pharmaceutical companies while increasing the burden of cost of medical care on those least able to bear it.

How can your respect a president that doesn't respect the responsibility inherent in that office?

So, go back to Canada with your little George Michael 5-o'clock shadow and your BMW. You live in Scottsdale, sir, not America. You're "saddened" by a bumper sticker. I'm saddened by what you think America represents.

30 Days

I highly recommend checking out 30 Days this Wednesday on the FX network. It's the new TV show by the maker of Super Size Me. In the first show, Morgan and his wife try to live on minimum wage in Columbus, Ohio.

Good Times

Fun times over the weekend at a party for Alex's two cousins' birthdays:



And the Burley's who, despite feverishly working on the remodel of their house, have graciously had us over a couple of times in the past few weeks. They are doing an awesome job and Eric is available for any and all of your home needs ... he works cheap. :-)

Stadium Pics

Work on the stadium and surrounding area is progressing ... if just a bit slowly.

Westgate

Click for larger image

Fascism

This is an interesting post about the histtorial characteristics of fascism:

American Fascism

Patriot Act

President Bush is pushing for an extension of the Patriot Act and "his administration also is seeking greater powers for the FBI to subpoena records in terrorism investigations without the approval of a judge or grand jury."

What we have is a full-blown assault on the 4th Amendment to the Constitution. It is intended to protect against "unreasonable searches and seizures".

As history has proven, these piecemeal grabs of personal liberty will do nothing to make us safer and will only move us closer and closer to fascism:

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." --Abraham Lincoln

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." -- James Madison, June 16, 1788

"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier -- so long as I'm the dictator." -- George W. Bush, Dec. 19, 2000

"There ought to be limits to freedom." -- George W. Bush, May 21, 1999

Orwell

This Day in History: 1949 George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four is published

1984 is proving all too prophetic (but off by 20 years):

"Political language...is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give the appearance of solidity to pure wind." -- George Orwell

"The point is that we are all capable of believing things which we know to be untrue. And then when we are finally proved wrong, impudently twisting the facts so as to show that we were right." -- George Orwell

"They use Orwellian rhetoric to conceal this extreme agenda from the public. When they want to destroy the forests, they call it the Healthy Forest Act; when they want to destroy the air, they call it the Clear Skies bill. Most insidiously, as part of this stealth attack, they’ve put polluters in charge of the agencies that are supposed to protect Americans from pollution. The head of the Forest Service is Mark Rey, probably the most rapacious timber industry lobbyist in American history. The head of public lands is Steven Griles, a mining industry lobbyist who believes public lands are unconstitutional. The head of the air division of the EPA was Marianne Horinko, whose former job had been advising corporate polluters on how to evade Superfund. The second in command of EPA was a Monsanto lobbyist. If you look at virtually all of the sub-secretariats and agency heads in the Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Interior and EPA, the same pattern holds. Polluters have been put in charge of the agencies that are supposed to protect Americans from pollution." -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (June 5th was the anniversary of his father's death)

You go girl!!

Give 'em hell Hillary:

Where’s the Backbone?

The Hungry Blogger

In my exploring around I found this great site, The Hungry Blogger. A bunch of great recipes and a good healthy dose of culture. I think you'll especially appreciate this site Eric.

Nietzsche Quote of the Day

"Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man's?" -- Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, Maxims and Arrows

"Why I'm Joining the GOP"

This is very funny:

Leaving the left for fun and profit

Amnesty International

Deep Throat

An unexpected confluence of a persistent interest of mine and a public event occurred this week. As mentioned previously, I'm currently reading A Good Life, by Ben Bradlee. This is a continuation of my long running interest in politics in general and presidential politics in particular that began in high school with my reading of All the President's Men by Woodward and Bernstein (Bradlee being the Post publisher when Watergate happened). Well, that interest came to a head this week with the revealing of W. Mark Felt as Deep Throat. My interest in Watergate was obsessive for several years after reading Woodward and Bernstein's book and I've since read about 20 books on the subject. It really was the formative subject that revealed to me that politics could be sexy. And that individuals could influence the course of a whole nation.

Kennedy

A quote from a book I'm reading now, A Good Life, by Ben Bradlee:

"We can prevent one nation's army from moving across the border of another nation. We are strong enough for that. And we are probably strong enough to prevent one nation from unleashing nuclear weapons on another. But we can't prevent infiltration, assassination, sabotage, bribery, any of the weapons of guerrilla warfare." -- JFK, prior to our escalation into the Vietnam War.

Very relevant in today's climate and another example of how we don't learn anything from the past. We are always doomed to repeat our past mistakes.

Just a few morsels proving it:

• "America is a Nation with a mission - and that mission comes from our most basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace - a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman."
• "Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. "
• "For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam Hussein's regime is a better and safer place. "
• "For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America."
• "Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure. "
• "I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon. "
• "I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace."
• "Our nation is somewhat sad, but we're angry. There's a certain level of blood lust, but we won't let it drive our reaction. We're steady, clear-eyed and patient, but pretty soon we'll have to start displaying scalps."
• "The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got. "
• "The terrorists are fighting freedom with all their cunning and cruelty because freedom is their greatest fear - and they should be afraid, because freedom is on the march. "
• "The tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free. "
• "With those attacks, the terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States. And war is what they got. "
• "Bring them on."

You can easily guess the author of these quotes.

Do you feel safer? I don't.

Nietzsche Quote of the Day

"In heaven all the interesting people are missing." -- Friedrich Nietzsche

MTV won't bite the hand that feeds ...

Like every other mainstream media outlet, MTV is too chicken-shit to take a stand:

Nine Inch Nails Cancel 'MTV Movie Awards' Appearance Over George W. Bush Backdrop

Conservatism/Religion

I heard this great quote and the source of it will surprise you:

"However, on religious issues there can be little or no compromise.
There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious
beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than
Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme
being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's
behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are
growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with
wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following
their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups
on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a
loss of money or votes or both. I'm frankly sick and tired of the
political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if
I want to be a moral person, I must believe in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.'
Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to
claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? And I am even
more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every
religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my
vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today:
I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their
moral convictions to all Americans in the name of 'conservatism.'"

Sounds like some secular liberal, eh? Nope ... Barry Goldwater. You know today's neo-cons are way out there when Goldwater sounds like a liberal. :-)

Nietzsche Quote of the Day

"But thus do I counsel you, my friends: distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful!" -- Friedrich Nietzsche, Also Sprach Zarathustra, Chapter 29

Nietzsche Quote of the Day

"In Christianity neither morality nor religion come into contact with reality at any point." -- Friedrich Nietzsche, The Antichrist, section 16

Suns Lose ... dohhhh!

The result of the game was not good but the game itself and the experience was. Alex and I attended tonight's game and had a good time despite the Suns losing:

Suns lose a close one to Spurs, fall to 0-2

Some pics:

Pat Tillman

Makes you admire Pat Tillman and his family even more that they are not afraid to call it like it is. Yet another brick in the wall of the mess this administration is creating:


Parents: Army disrespected Tillman's memory

Darth Vader ... George Bush?

Today's release of Star Wars brings to mind some startling parallels between the story of Darth Vader and our own country. Some quotes from the movie:

• "This is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause," bemoans Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) as the galactic Senate cheers dictator-in-waiting Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) while he announces a crusade against the Jedi.
• "If you're not with me, then you're my enemy," Hayden Christensen's Anakin — soon to become villain Darth Vader — tells former mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). The line echoes Bush's international ultimatum after the Sept. 11 attacks, "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."
  
  
  'Star Wars' Raises Questions on US Policy

"Ghost of Tom Joad" -- RATM - lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

Man walks along the railroad track
He’s goin’ some place, there’s no turnin’ back
The highway patrol chopper comin’ up over the ridge
Man sleeps by a campfire under the bridge
The shelter line stretchin’ around the corner
Welcome to the new world order
Families sleepin’ in their cars out in the southwest
No job, no hope, no peace, no rest, no rest!

And the highway is alive tonight
Nobody’s foolin’ nobody is to where it goes
I’m sitting down here in the campfire light
Searchin’ for the ghost of tom joad

He pulls his prayer book out of a sleepin’ bag
The preacher lights up a butt and takes a drag
He’s waitin’ for the time when the last shall be first and the first shall be last
In a cardboard box ’neath the underpass
With a one way ticket to the promised land
With a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand
Lookin’ for a pillow of solid rock
Bathin’ in the cities’ aqueducts

And the highway is alive tonight
Nobody’s foolin’ nobody is to where it goes
I’m sittin’ down here in the campfire light
With the ghost of old tom joad

Now tom said; ma, whenever ya see a cop beatin’ a guy
Wherever a hungry new born baby cries
Whereever there’s a fight against the blood and hatred in the air
Look for me ma’
I’ll be there
Wherever somebodies stuglin’ for a place to stand
For a decent job or a helpin’ hand
Wherever somebody is strugglin’ to be free
Look in their eyes ma,
You’ll see me! (repeat 8 times)

And the highway is alive tonight
Nobody’s foolin’ nobody is to where it goes
I’m sittin’ down here in the campfire light
With the ghost of tom joad.

PBS

This is a great speech by Bill Moyers on how the administration and right-wingers are trying to take over public broadcasting:

Take Public Broadcasting Back

Mesa Southwest Museum

We had a fun Sunday as we went to the Mesa Southwest Museum. Alex is huge into dinosaurs and he was not disappointed. I was impressed with how big the museum is. Very reasonably priced ($6 for adults, $3 for kids). Plus the 2nd Sunday of the month is free admission. It's in downtown Mesa and is not too bad to get to (202 east to Country Club, south to downtown). Here are some pics. Click on images to get larger picture.

Future NBA All-Star

Going up for the thundering dunk ....

Click thumbnail for larger pic

Eminem -- "Mosh"

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One nation under God
Indivisible...
It feels so good to be back..

I scrutinize every word, memorize every line
I spit it once, refuel and re-energize and rewind
I give sight to the blind, my insight through the mind
I exercise my right to express when I feel it's time
It's just all in your mind, what you interpret it as
I say to fight, you take it as I'mma whip someone's ass
If you don't understand, don't even bother to ask
A father who has grown up with a fatherless past
Who has blown up now to rap phenomenon that has
Or at least shows no difficulty multi-task
And in juggling both perhaps mastered his craft
Slash entrepreneur who has helped launch a few more rap acts
Who's had a few obstacles thrown his way through the last half
Of his career typical manure moving past that
Mr. kisses ass crack, he's a class act
Rubber band man, yea he just snaps back

[Chorus:]
Come along follow me as I lead through the darkness
As I provide just enough spark that we need to proceed
Carry on, give me hope, give me strength
Come with me and I won't steer you wrong
Put your faith and your trust as I guide us through the fog
To the light at the end of the tunnel
We gonna fight, we gonna charge, we gonna stomp, we gonna march
Through the swamp, we gonna mosh through the marsh
Take us right through the doors (c'mon)

All the people up top on the side and the middle
Come together lets all bomb and swamp just a little
Just let it gradually build from the front to the back
All you can see is a sea of people some white and some black
Don't matter what color, all that matters we gathered together
To celebrate for the same cause don't matter the weather
If it rains let it rain, yea the wetter the better
They ain't gonna stop us they can't, we stronger now more than ever
They tell us no we say yea, they tell us stop we say go
Rebel with a rebel yell, raise hell we gonna let em know
Stomp, push, shove, mush, Fuck Bush, until they bring our troops home (c'mon)

[Chorus]

Imagine it pouring, it's raining down on us
Mosh pits outside the oval office
Someone's tryina tell us something,
Maybe this is god just sayin' we're responsible
For this monster, this coward,
That we have empowered
This is Bin Laden, look at his head noddin'
How could we allow something like this without pumping our fists
Now this is our final hour
Let me be the voice in your strength and your choice
Let me simplify the rhyme just to amplify the noise
Try to amplify the times it, and multiply by six...
Teen million people, Are equal at this high pitch
Maybe we can reach alqueda through my speech
Let the president answer a higher anarchy
Strap him with an Ak-47, let him go, fight his own war
Let him impress daddy that way
No more blood for oil, we got our own battles to fight on our own soil
No more psychological warfare, to trick us to thinking that we ain't loyal
If we don't serve our own country, we're patronizing a hero
Look in his eyes its all lies
The stars and stripes, they've been swiped, washed out and wiped
And replaced with his own face, Mosh now or die
If I get sniped tonight you know why,
Cause I told you to fight.

[Chorus]

And as we proceed,
To Mosh through this desert storm,
In these closing statements, if they should argue
Let us beg to differ
As we set aside our differences
And assemble our own army
To disarm this Weapon of Mass Destruction
That we call our President, for the present
And Mosh for the future of our next generation
To speak and be heard
Mr. President, Mr. Senator
Do you guy's hear us...hear us...[laughing] (Hailie)

Steve Nash

In a refreshing change to the normal rah-rah Go USA athletes that you hear about, Steve Nash, an early and vocal opponent of the war in Iraq, won the NBA's MVP award this weekend.

Steve Nash Wins the MVP - And It Feels So Good

Pioneer Spirit

I went and helped my folks put the trusses on the shed that they were building this weekend. Here they are, Dad 60+ and Mom pushing 60, having already built a house on their own and eager to start more projects. They’re great.

They almost live "off-the-grid". They have no debt of any kind. They paid for their current property in cash and have bought and sold two previous properties in a similar manner. They own two vehicles and two tractors free and clear.

They are largely apolitical but probably tend towards libertarian ... even though they wouldn't even know what that meant. They probably think that I'm a bit too "big-city" but they can hopefully see in me their best characteristics: personal responsibility, integrity, honesty, not judging people by their race or station in life, frugalness, enjoyment of nature, etc.

They, I believe, voted for Bush in the past election but not out of any evangelical fervor (they’re agnostic) but rather they probably felt it was the patriotic thing to do. Dad was in the Vietnam War and my brother was in the first Gulf War. They don't read underground internet blogs or read alternative news sources but get their news from their local network news and the Arizona Republic. And we all know that you won't really learn what's going on in the world there. It brings to mind a conversation I had with Mom concerning Michael Moore. I had mentioned that they should see "Bowling for Columbine" or "Fahrenheit 9/11" and she had commented that wasn't he that disheveled guy who hated the U.S.? Well, she was half-right. The point is that she didn't come to her conclusion from having actually seen one of his movies but rather from some unflattering biased TV show. I truly believe that if she had seen one of those movies, she would have a different opinion. Most people will believe what they are told from the government and the mainstream media. And who’s to blame them? In a perfect world, they should be able to believe those sources.

I usually don't broach political subjects with them because I know there may be a disagreement and that they really don't like talking about politics. But in the case of Terry Schiavo, I was pretty sure that our opinions were not that different. My folks like to kid that if one of them ever got terminal cancer and were suffering, the other one would take them out in the desert and end it right there for both of them. Kind of dark, admittedly. But it illustrates several points: 1. They would not want to continue in a suffering state 2. They do not want to be a burden on anyone 3. They want that final important decision to rest with the person who knows them best ... their spouse.

Anyway, didn’t mean to get all serious. Alex and I had a great time at their place this weekend and I was able to help Dad with the shed. Here are some pics from the weekend. Click on any of them to get a larger image.

Actiivism Works

The Drop the Hammer campaign successfully influenced major corporations to stop donating to Tom Delay's legal defense fund.

Major Corporations End Support For DeLay Legal Defense Fund

Brazil turns down US Aids funds

In a perfect example of how the US, and specifically the Religious Right element of our current government, is using God and morality (their idea of morality ... not mine) to dictate where the bucks go, worldwide AIDS funding is being given with an asterisk. A lot of the money is being use to fund programs that advocate abstinence, instead of condom use, and cannot be used for abortions or to treat prostitutes. Time and time again, abstinence-only education has been proven to be ineffective at the very least and dangerous in most cases.

In a refreshing slap in the face to such social conservatives, Brazil declined US aid. Having to meet the US requirements would cripple a program that had successfully lowered the infection rate.

"B.Y.O.B" -- System of a Down

This song absolutely kicks ass. It's one of the best songs I've heard lately. And it will be a perfect song to expose the hypocrisy and ignorance of the vast majority of people that like it. For the uninitiated, B.Y.O.B. stands for bring your own bombs.

• Why do they always send the poor?
  My God is of Bible blood with pointed ears
  Victorious, victorious steel
  Can your spending kneel?
  Marching forward hypocritic
  And hypnotic computers
  You depend on our protection
  Yet you feed us lies from the tablecloth
  La la la la la la la la la la
  Everybody is going to the party
  Have a real good time
  Dancing in the desert
  Blowing up the sunshine
  Kneeling roses
  Disappearing into Moses' dry mouth
  Breaking into Fort Knox
  Stealing our intentions
  Every city, gripped in oil
  Crying freedom!
  Handed to obsoletion
  Still you feed us lies from the tablecloth
  la la la la la la la la la la
  Everybody is going to the party
  Have a real good time
  Dancing in the desert
  Blowing up the sunshine
  Everybody is going to the party
  Have a real good time
  Dancing in the desert
  Blowing up the sunshine
  Blast off, it's party time
  And we all live in a fascist nation
  Blast off, it's party time
  And where the fuck are you?
  Where the fuck are you?
  Where the fuck are you?
  Why don't presidents fight the war?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why don't presidents fight the war?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Kneeling roses
  Disappearing into Moses' dry mouth
  Breaking into Fort Knox
  Stealing our intentions
  Every city, gripped in oil
  Crying freedom!
  Handed to a obsoletion
  Still you feed us lies from the tablecloth
  la la la la la la la la la la
  Everybody is going to the party
  Have a real good time
  Dancing in the desert
  Blowing up the sunshine
  Everybody is going to the party
  Have a real good time
  Dancing in the desert
  Blowing up the sun
  Where the fuck are you?
  Where the fuck are you?
  Why don't presidents fight the war?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why don't presidents fight the war?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  Why do they always send the poor?
  They always send the poor!
  They always send the poor!

Alex

Sometimes Alex just slays me:

Green Day

Today, you get a two-fer. Two politically charged tunes from Green Day's latest album, American Idiot:

• "American Idiot"
  
  Don't wanna be an American idiot.
  Don't want a nation under the new mania.
  And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
  The subliminal mind fuck America.
  
  Welcome to a new kind of tension.
  All across the alienation.
  Everything isn't meant to be okay.
  Television dreams of tomorrow.
  We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
  For that's enough to argue.
  
  Well maybe I'm the faggot America.
  I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
  Now everybody do the propaganda.
  And sing along in the age of paranoia.
  
  Welcome to a new kind of tension.
  All across the alienation.
  Everything isn't meant to be okay.
  Television dreams of tomorrow.
  We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
  For that's enough to argue.
  
  Don't wanna be an American idiot.
  One nation controlled by the media.
  Information age of hysteria.
  It's calling out to idiot America.
  
  Welcome to a new kind of tension.
  All across the alienation.
  Everything isn't meant to be okay.
  Television dreams of tomorrow.
  We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
  For that's enough to argue

• "Holiday"
  
  Hear the sound of the falling rain
  Coming down like an Armageddon flame (Hey!)
  The shame
  The ones who died without a name
  
  Hear the dogs howling out of key
  To a hymn called "Faith and Misery" (Hey!)
  And bleed, the company lost the war today
  
  I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
  This is the dawning of the rest of our lives
  On holiday
  
  Hear the drum pounding out of time
  Another protestor has crossed the line (Hey!)
  To find, the money's on the other side
  
  Can I get another Amen? (Amen!)
  There's a flag wrapped around a score of men (Hey!)
  A gag, A plastic bag on a monument
  
  I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
  This is the dawning of the rest of our lives
  On holiday
  
  "The representative from California has the floor"
  
  Zieg Heil to the president gasman
  Bombs away is your punishment
  Pulverize the Eiffel towers
  Who criticize your government
  Bang bang goes the broken glass and
  Kill all the fags that don't agree
  Trials by fire, setting fire
  Is not a way that's meant for me
  Just cause, just cause, because we're outlaws yeah!
  
  I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
  This is the dawning of the rest of our lives

Springsteen Concert

Michelle went to Bruce's concert Saturday night at the Glendale Arena and had a great time. Here's the Republic's review, including pics:

Springsteen captivates Glendale crowd with acoustic show

"Hand That Feeds" -- Nine Inch Nails

In my daily quest to expose the fact that most pop music lyrics are politically charged (though the naive and conservative among us either criticize or ignore it):

• You're keeping in step
  In the line
  Got your chin held high and you feel just fine
  Because you do
  What you're told
  But inside your heart it is black and it's hollow and it's cold
  
  Just how deep do you believe?
  Will you bite the hand that feeds?
  Will you chew until it bleeds?
  Can you get up off your knees?
  Are you brave enough to see?
  Do you want to change it?
  
  What if this whole crusade's
  A charade
  And behind it all there's a price to be paid
  For the blood
  On which we dine
  Justified in the name of the holy and the divine
  
  Just how deep do you believe?
  Will you bite the hand that feeds?
  Will you chew until it bleeds?
  Can you get up off your knees?
  Are you brave enough to see?
  Do you want to change it?
  
  So naive
  I keep holding on to what I want to believe
  I can see
  But I keep holding on and on and on and on
  
  Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
  Will you stay down on your knees?

Denny's

Not learning anything from their previous service transgressions, Denny's is at it again:

"We don't serve bin Ladens here"

In my book, add Denny's to the list of businesses whose doors I will never darken again:

Wal-Mart
Arby's (this is more of a personal issue that I'll gladly expand upon if asked)

The Four Ghosts of the White House

One night, George W. Bush is tossing restlessly in his White House bed.

He awakens to see George Washington standing by him.

Bush asks him, "George, what's the best thing I can do to help the country?"
"Set an honest and honorable example, just as I did," Washington advises, and then fades away.

The next night, Bush is astir again, and sees the ghost of Thomas Jefferson moving through the darkened bedroom. Bush calls out, "Tom, please! What is the best thing I can do to help the country?"
"Respect the Constitution, as I did," Jefferson advises, and dims from sight.

The third night sleep is still not in the cards for Bush. He awakens to see the ghost of FDR hovering over his bed. Bush whispers, "Franklin, What is the best thing I can do to help the country?"
"Help the less fortunate, just as I did," FDR replies and fades into the mist.

Bush isn't sleeping well the fourth night when he sees another figure moving in the shadows. It is the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. Bush pleads, "Abe, what is the best thing I can do right now to help the country?"
Lincoln replies, "Go see a play."

Democracy Under Assault

Whose Nation Under God?

Guns in Bars

The moronic mouthpieces of the NRA and big business have thankfully met their match in governor Napolitano. Thank god we have a dem governor or every piece of crap right wing legislation would get written into law.


Guns-in-bars bill vetoed

Diarios de Motocicleta

Rented a nice little road movie called the Motorcycle Diaries. It's directed by Brazilian director Walter Salles. If you get offended by the site of kids wearing Che shirts ... then maybe you shouldn't watch this. If you have a hard time separating public from private personas for celebrities ... probably not your flick. If your tastes in literature/cinema/politics are somewhere to the right of Tom Clancy and Bruce Willis ... run!!!!

Here's a little plot summary from IMDB:

• "The Motorcycle Diaries is an adaptation of a journal written by Ernesto "Che" Guevara(Bernal) when he was 23 years old. He and his friend, Alberto Granado (de la Serna) are typical college students who, seeking fun and adventure before graduation, decide to travel across Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Peru in order to do their medical residency at a leper colony. Beginning as a buddy/road movie in which Ernesto and Alberto are looking for chicks, fun and adventure before they must grow up and have a more serious life. As is said in the film itself, it's about "two lives running parallel for a while." The two best friends start off with the same goals and aspirations, but by the time the film is over, it's clear what each man's destiny has become."

It's not really an overtly political movie but rather it just provides a glimpse into those formative experiences that may have molded the idealism of a young revolutionary. The cinematography is great. It is a very witty movie that works because it is many things ... a road movie, a buddy movie, a political drama ... without dwelling on any of them for too long.

I don't believe that you have to agree with the politics of Che Guevera to enjoy this movie. In fact, it still works as a movie even if you didn't know who he was at all. But knowing who he is, it helps to humanize him. If that doesn't scare you, then I recommend this movie.

Washer/Dryer

Bit the bullet and followed through with our planned purchase of a new washer and dryer. We bought the very high efficiency Bosch models:

Bosch WFMC3200UC Washer

Bosch WTMC3300US Dryer


The washer rates as one of the highest in terms of both energy and water efficiency. Both units are very quiet.

Top-Rated Energy-Efficient Appliances

They'll be delivered tomorrow. We'll give the low-down on performance in a week or so. On the surface, it seems like a crazy purchase ... or at least it would seem like it to anyone where I grew up. But we had the money and it's a lot better spent for something like this than for something that I really wanted ... like a big-screen HD TV. Don't worry, that comes next.

Buying a washer and dryer isn't really saving the world and it's incredibly vain and self-important to even be talking about it. But as they say, "We say little if not egged on by vanity."

"Now You've Got Something to Die For" -- Lamb of God

• "...Lust for blood, a blind crusade,
  Apocalyptic, we count the days.
  
  Bombs to set the people free, blood to feed the dollar tree,
  Flags for coffins on the screen, oil for the machine.
  Army of liberation, gunpoint indoctrination,
  The fires of sedition,
  Fulfill the prophecy...
  
  ... Send the children to the fire, sons and daugthers stack the pyre,
  Stoke the flame of the empire, live to lie another day,
  Face of hypocrisy, raping the democracy,
  Apocalyptic, we count the days.
  
  We'll never get out of this hole, until we've dug our own grave,
  And drag the rest down with us, the burning home of the brave ..."

Lamb of God -- "Now You've Got Something to Die For"

This is you new pope?

Pope Benedict the 16th:

Papal hopeful is a former Hitler Youth

New pope intervened against Kerry in US 2004 election campaign

Have fun with this one. At least he's 78 years old.

"Sorrow"

Heard a great Bad Religion song on the radio today called "Sorrow". Here's a snippet of lyrics from it:

• "... When all soldiers lay their weapons down,
  Or when all kings and all queens relinquish their crown,
  Or when the only true messiah rescues us from ourselves...
  It’s easy to imagine there will be sorrow no more ..."

They are a great punk band that's been around for a long time. They are very talented, very liberal and write very intelligent lyrics.

I challenge anyone to name a single right-wing artist who has ever written a single intelligent lyric. Ted Nugent ... wrong. Toby Keith ... try again. Godsmack ... please!!

You wonder why all true artists are liberals? Those two things that make you a good artist ... empathy and intelligence ... also make you a good liberal. To be a true liberal, you must care about the least fortunate among us and those unable to defend themselves. Additionally, you must have enough intelligence to look at all sides of issues and to listen.

An artist without empathy is a drafter. A musician without empathy is a jingle-writer. A politician without empathy is a Republican.

And to those who criticize artists for expressing their political beliefs, what do you think rock music has always been? It's always been rebellious music. It's always been about changing the world. Don't be a hypocrite and hum along to the Clash, to Steve Wonder, to Marvin Gaye and then still pull that lever for your local fascist. I'm amazed when I've went to shows for contemporary artists like Tool, A Perfect Circle, Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters, Ministry, Pearl Jam, etc. that a good portion of each audience evidently have no clue to what the artists are trying to say or what the meaning of any of their lyrics are. It slays me every time I see a bunch of frat boys jumping up and down and singing "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" at a Rage show.

Wal-Mart Part Deux

I spoke too soon. Wal-Mart has absolutely no redeeming qualities. They're back at their union-busting best (or worst):

Quebec Store Closes After Vote to Unionize

MIT Prank

You have to be fairly nerdy to think this is funny but most of my friends qualify in that department:


MIT students pull prank on conference

"... Dictatress of the World"

Those that would call themselves constitutionalists and who profess to understanding our founding fathers and the history of our country, would do well to read this:

• "Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her [America’s] heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will recommend the general cause, by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example. She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself, beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom. The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force…. She might become the dictatress of the world: she would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit. [America's] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is, Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her Declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice."
  
  -John Quincy Adams, 1821

This administration and the warmongerers that support it either have no understanding or do understand and knowingly disregard what this country was founded on.

Let Them Eat Bombs

Let Them Eat Bombs

Terry Jones is an alum of Monty Python, obviously, and a very funny (and astute) social critic. The above article concerns the increasing malnutrition of Iraqi children due to our non-violent (sanctions) and violent (Iraqi war) actions there.

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart's still evil and we still don't shop there but in the interest of full disclosure, I have to applaud them on the following:

Wal-Mart to Fund Wildlife Habitat

What Political Capital?

Seems that Bush is overspending his political capital much like he's overspending the country's money:

Bush's Poll Position Is Worst on Record

March of Dimes -- Walk America

A good friend of ours (and sister of our friend Eric) sent the note below to us. Tanya and Jereld had an experience with their son very similar to ours. I highly encourage all of you to contibute:

• Hello!
  As many of you know, Jereld and I had a son in January. Jaden was born seven weeks early and spent the first four weeks of his life in the NICU at the University of Washington Medical Center. We are so fortunate to have a healthy, beautiful and growing baby home with us now. While in the NICU I was so moved by the babies there- so many, so tiny, so helpless. We were surrounded by many families going through far more difficult experiences than our own, their babies much smaller and sicker than ours. When Jaden did get sick in the NICU, the level of care he recieved was amazing. The nurses and doctors were incredible and it is because of them that we have our precious son home and healthy now.
  The March of Dimes is an organization that conducts research on prematurity, supports the families of premature babies, and provides training to health practitioners within the NICU. Much of the knowledge and technology used in th NICU to help Jaden grow was from the years of research conducted by organizations like the March of Dimes. Having a premature baby in the NICU is like all of a sudden being thrown into a different universe. Everything is completely different than one could have possibly imagined, and the world outside of those walls seems so inconsequential all of a sudden. Families need the research to help prevent premature birth, to help preemie babies, and the programs of support that the MOD provides. So, in gratitude for our Jaden, I have decided to join the MOD's Walk America. I hope this can become a yearly tradition in gratitude for our healthy boy, in order to pass along all the incredible kindness and support shown us by all of you and the NICU staff. We still don't know why Jaden was born prematurely, which makes me even more motivated to support this worthy cause!
  Below you will find a link to my March of Dimes fundraiser page. If you can afford to contribute even the smallest amount, it would be greatly appreciated. Of course, I completely understand if you cannot make any financial contribution- we know what tough times are like!
  Your support in mind and spirit is just as valuable to me as any monetary contribution. If you know of anyone who might be interested in contributing to the walk, please forward this email to them.
  Thanks in advance for your support!
  Tanya
  Walk America 2005
  --
  Tanya Hamilton

To read more about their experience with Jaden, read the great blog that Tanya kept at: Jaden's Blog

End Prohibition

• Update to previous post: My friend Eric had referred me to the book, "Ain't Nobody's Business if You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in our Free Country" by Peter McWilliams. It expands on the discussion of legalizing drugs to include all crimes that are consensual and do not harm others. He highly recommends the book. I'm beginning to read it and have found an HTML posting of the book at:
  
  Ain't Nobody's Business if You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in our Free Country
  
  ************************************************

I was listening to the Charles Goyette Show on Air America Radio today and he was speaking to a man from LEAP (Law Enforcement against Prohibition). These are current and former members of law enforcement who support regulation of drugs over prohibition.

This is a cause near and dear to Michelle and me as it is something we have always believed in. People just can't seem to get over the stigma of legalizing drugs ... though they have no problem looking the other way with two other "legal" and more dangerous drugs: cigarettes and alcohol. Our prisons are filled with offenders of victimless crimes. We are breeding new generations of criminals in prison. The gentleman who writes the following article, however, can explain it all much better than me and I highly recommend it:

End Prohibition Now!

Slipknot/Lamb of God/Shadows Fall --- April 6

I'm too old for this shit!

My brother Darin and I went to Glendale Arena last night and checked out Slipknot, Lamb of God, and Shadows Fall. We were definitely on the older side of the crowd.

We spent over 3 hours 30 feet from stage trying to avoid the huge mosh pit that encompassed the entire floor. We were reasonably successful. No internal injuries that I know of. Though, I do think I have permanent hearing damage.

Slipknot ... obviously great. Glad I finally got the opportunity to see them.



Lamb of God ... incredible. Tight and agressive. I am impressed both by their performance and by their latest album (a recent gift). An added bonus was that Darin caught a drumstick tossed by the drummer.



Shadows Fall ... OK. Good performance but just not as talented musically as the other bands.

DeLay

If you use products from any of the following companies:

RJReynolds
American Airlines
Verizon
Nissan
Bacardi

Visit Drop the Hammer and sign up to send them e-mails condemning their recent contributions to the Tom DeLay legal defense fund.

Wake Up!!

It is time to call to task everyone who, through their ignorance, blind trust or agreement with this administration is, in effect, advocating this war. Your cognitive dissonance is not an allowable excuse. If you voted for Bush, you are responsible. No one gets a free pass. Everyone who cares about this country and this world needs to start making their voices be heard. Do this with your money and your words.


"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists and the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron." -- Dwight Eisenhower


"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.