Bush is Getting Beat Left and Right! -
I can't believe how much bad press the Bush Administration is getting this week. The latest in the round of Bush defeats is the Atomic Energy Agency ruling on Iranian Nuclear Energy projects.
Board Accepts Nuclear Vow by Iranians
In a defeat for the Bush administration, the 35-country ruling board of the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a mildly worded resolution on Monday welcoming Iran's total freeze on a sensitive part of its nuclear program.
The resolution, passed by consensus without a vote, removes the possibility that the group will drag Iran before the United Nations Security Council for possible censure or even sanctions.
"What?" says BushCo. "We can't just pressure Iran into being another front in our Oil War? Aw, shucks." I guess now we'll have to demonize the Atomic Energy Agency, get the fundies to sneer and jeer at yet another unchristian organization designed to assist the antichrist and satan in their demonic struggle for earthly domination. Then whup up more fear into the population. Whooeeey!
The Bush administration has repeatedly tried without success to persuade its fellow board members to debate Iran's case in the Security Council. But it decided to go along with the board's decision to accept the resolution, only to turn around to vent its disappointment and rage.
What? Rage from BushCo? Who would ever imagine such behavior from a group of peace-loving christians?
Why are we so upset with them for declaring their rights to own nuclear weapons when we have the world's largest stockpile of the same? Such hypocrites we are. We need to set a better example than this.
She also charged that Iran's assertion that it wants to produce only nuclear energy, not bombs, is untrue, and that Iran has a clandestine nuclear weapons program that "poses a growing threat to international peace and security."
Where have we heard this before? And even if they WANT nuclear weapons, who are we to say they can't have them? Has God given us the right to be the only nuclear superpower? I don't want anyone to have nukes, but if we're going to shove ideology down the throats of other governments, then we ought to set an example ourselves.
More ominously, she said that the United States could decide unilaterally to send the Iran case before the Council, a move opposed by Britain, Germany, Russia, China and other countries.
Throughout the complicated, confusing diplomatic brinksmanship of the past several days, the Bush administration found itself isolated, even from its European allies.
Aw, poor lonely BushCo. Are they surprised? Is anybody surprised? From the same group of lying bastards who brought us the biggest financial deficit in the history of our country, a messy, illegal war, a downhill economy, moral devolution (what are we, in the stone ages?), gay bashing, disenfranchisement of african american voters, 'guns, god and gays!, and more travesty and hypocrisy than I could shake a stick at. Do we think any civilized nation in the world is going to respond to us with anything but rolling eyes and halfhearted chuckles.
Aw shucks, folks!
posted by novachild @ Monday, November 29, 2004,
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Scary Shit
11/28/2004
Kickin' back at my friend Dean's house, reading my favorite blog and catching up on my daily dose of 'leftist' blogs.... Ran across this article that I found particularly enlightening:
http://www.aidschicago.org/community/modules.php?name=CMNews&secid=5&sid=27
When you're through there, check out this thread for discussion of the Asian Bird Flu situation, and resulting discussions: http://dailykos.com/story/2004/11/28/124528/49
While I usually take threads like this with some criticism, the discussion is timely with the WHO announcement last week. I can't help but think of all the religious nutcases out there who are glad to see another 'sign of the end times' to help justify their lack of compassion and their abundance of hypocrisy. I mean, who the fuck cares if we're all gonna be raptured anyway? Let those heathens die; it's prophesied, right?
What kind of sick shit is that, and what sort of christian could actually feel this way? Why, turn on to any christian tv station and you can waller in as much of it as you want.
Happy Holidays, planet Earth. May you survive this glitch in our evolutionary journey. If not, well, you can't say you didn't try.
posted by novachild @ Sunday, November 28, 2004,
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Happy Belated Tofurkey Day...
We were supposed to go to Silver Dollar City this weekend, but my wife decided to work instead. We need as much money as possible to make our December vacation, so while she works I'm spending my 4-day vacation NOT spending any money online or at the theater (my biggest weakness). Instead, I'm catching up on DVDs I haven't watched, working on my DW spinoff of Munchkin, and checking out Star Munchkin (it just arrived this morning in the mailbox). Yay!
Nothing much happening. Thanksgiving was fairly routine, but somewhat less work as many of our regulars decided to go out of town for the holiday. I wish I could have spent the holiday with my parents, my sister and the kids, but the finances just weren't there. So stuck at home once again. :-(
Might try to organize a last-minute game of Munchkin, but we're supposed to go to the movie as well (possibly to see The Incredibles!), so I'm not making any commitments just yet.
Meanwhile, it's time to catch up on those DVDs. Suk san: Sun Suk san geen hap (Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain)! Another crazy Tsui Hark film, this one featuring Yuen Biao and a crazy cast of goofy superheroes. "Longbrow," the mighty wizard who holds evil at bay with his long grey eyebrows and a magic mirror. "Heaven's Blade," and old guy chained to a rock that guards the boundary of good and evil. It gets worse, and the plot has more holes as a cheese grater. Still, excellent Saturday afternoon fare. Lots of flying around, glowing swords, strange demons and goofy special effects. I haven't had this much fun since A Chinese Ghost Story (another silly romp through haunted temples, dark places and silly special effects).
Up next... hopefully I can scrounge enough 'couch change' to grab a snack at QT, but first I'm going to check up on my wife!
posted by novachild @ Saturday, November 27, 2004,
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I've finally ordered my first big batch of Traveller CDs, and I'm ready for orders. I've gone a relatively different direction with the second disc; it's more introspective and somewhat less inspired by dancehall music. Still the same old me, though.
I ordered them from mixonic, but it will likely take them a week or more to get them to me. The sooner the better, as I already have a few orders to fill, but these short-run outfits do take their sweet time.
I've got a new song, a diamond in the rough, that I will try to post tonight or tomorrow. It's a little more 'electronica ambient' than what I've been doing, a little less organic, but still nice to hear. Playing with different sounds, mixing techniques, going wayyy out on the stereo effects, having a bit non-serious fun but maintaining a nice sound.
Was SUPPOSED to go to a screening of A Clockwork Orange today at Circle Cinema, our new arthouse theater, but I didn't realize it was a matinee showing only, so I missed my big chance to see this classic on the 'big' screen. Circle Cinema will eventually be composed of two screens, Cinema 1 which will be large, and Cinema 2, which is already open. 2 isn't a huge screen, but film is film, and in some ways the smaller screen is better for clarity.
Breakfast at Tiffany's (talk about contrast) is showing next Sunday, so we'll have to catch the late showing. I don't normally go for romantic classics, but this one in particular is a weakness for me. Picking up that cat in the rainy alleyway... that's one of my favorite cinematic scenes of all time. And this is coming from the same person who has seen A Clockwork Orange at least a dozen times or more. And Dawn of the Dead. And the list goes on.
I know, I'm hopeless. Celluloid is my mainline; I was raised on a heavy dose of action, adventure, and science fiction, and I continue the proud tradition my parents handed down to me, all at the demise of my spending money of course.
Well, it seems that CAUCE, the anti-spam group, has a new blog. So I'll have something to read after my does of the Daily Kos and The Nation's many weblogs. I ordered the 'Dubya as Alfred E. Neuman' shirt in time for election day, and I've just about worn it out already. People either love it or they hate it; I either get really GOOD service when I'm eating out, or really BAD service. And it's a lot of fun.
Enough blabbing for today. I'm beat.
posted by novachild @ Sunday, November 21, 2004,
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I'm not normally considerate of Republicans, I admit...
But I can tell that there is a great deal of truth in this article. Read how neocons have hijacked your party.
On that same note, the Democactic party has a lot of work to do before it can truly become the opposition party, IMO. I'm not a democrat, but as long as this country is dominated by right-wing bigoted redneck jackasses with 6th grade reading levels and a manic disregard for the environment (and the people) around them, I'll probably continue to vote Dem as long as I see them having a chance.
Over and out.
posted by novachild @ Friday, November 19, 2004,
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Earth Spins Away -
flung into winter's darkness
Creatures gather to harvest
for storehouses of
warm winter dens
Leaves, dust and damp decay
meet our senses when
doors are flung open
to greet the empty world
Distant melodies of burning
fires ~ the trees are laid merciless by the
axemen and their
involuntary helpers
Green to gold to brown
and at last laid dead
and buried
The leaves of crooked trees
Bending to the sun
Whispers of birds escaping
to warmer lands
Their wings stirring up
the lost forgoten
From their beady eyes
comes the fleeting conjoined
spirits of transformation
long, shadowy thoughts
engineering the fall of the sun
Beautiful strangers
- with their histories unknown
- their awkwardness
the radio drms along meaningless
newspapers, read and recycled
on a thousand sticky
cafe tables
Young tenderness shades of
lilith beneath primative
seductress eyes and stranger
still - salt is pinched and
babies touched - smiles
laid bare and pearly white
while teeth rot from penniless
faces and drop into filthy
puddles in the afternoon
Strange virtual cities -
forgotten nomads wander the
alleys of hidden death
where freezing or eating are
a day's challenge
unshaven and spoiled shoes
these strangers
stranger still
A world without pity
Castles of low rent roominghouse
salvation raped and
twisted into the ground by
the rich and well to do
Cities devour their peopel
like giant ancient gods
The menu hasn't changed
in 30 years
only the prices
have gone through
the roof of the world
and only ancient gods
can afford not to pay
Cold dead street
a woman wraps shivering
in cotton embrace
oblivious to the
tentacled demons
the monsters of my making
You -
in your red fuzzy sweater
in your deer-eyed hair cropped androgyny
in your overuse of eyeliner
in your pool of fat fat
women eating chicken strips
in an oklahoma diner
where smoking is not allowed
where desperate students
burn trails in the carpet
for a dollar, for a joint
with their sweetheart and
a night over coffee
the captive beauty
of some sad out-of-town
father worrying secretly
in his divorce from reality
With your pink ribbon
you alone will give a soldier
one good reason to
stop killing arabs
Silvermoon ~ a hetwave
beckons the cool comfort
of a heart
so remember the icy cold
world of death of dreams
makes us all a champion of
some lost cause
Someday ~
you will make some
sad fucker
feel like he is KING
of the world
And your truest beauty
will be revealed
and it may frighten
because knowing your
secret power
creates the need for restraint
and breathing
and being still
and silent
and reserved to your fate
which is hopelessly shared
with us all
which is a cold skeleton
hidden in an icy coffin
which is a nexus for
memories and dreams and
tears and ultimate
eternal joy
which is a marker
a signpost
for weary strangers to
take a pause
and live again
which is a sweet reunion of
history to breathe life upon
your soul
And carry the rising
legacy of another
soul passing through
this puzzle
this mystery
this dead and buried
world
posted by novachild @ Friday, November 19, 2004,
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Short but Sweet Post for the Day -
If I had more time, I'd post more drivel. But here's something for you lefties to laugh at (and anyone else who isn't sad over the Ashcroft retirement):
http://americablog.blogspot.com/AshcroftCard.gif
I can't stop laughing! Mua ha ha!
posted by novachild @ Wednesday, November 17, 2004,
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In my previous post, I meant to add the following but got post-happy!
If you were a lying, hypocritical, failure of a human being and the entire world caught you in the act of being yourself, what's the best way to go to work the next day?
Why, get rid of all the intelligent, smart, critical people that have pointed out all of your mistakes and replace them with blind, conservative yes men that will make you feel so much better about yourself.
Then watch as the world collapses beneath your feet.
posted by novachild @ Monday, November 15, 2004,
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A
Recipe for Bringing About The End Times -
Read this.
1 part Bush
1 part Cheney
1 part Repub controlled Congress
1 part Repub controlled Senate
1 part "purging" our core intelligence organization of 'non-loyals' and 'liberals.'
Take everybody that isn't loyal to the big Dubya in the sky and send them packing! Who's next? You? Me? Artists, gays, jews, atheists, anybody who isn't Christian? Anybody who isn't evangelical? When are people going to start using their noggins?
Are we going to just bend over and let these idiots run this country into the ground? It seems that we are, because a majority of you voted for these people.
Perhaps I just need another vacation. Or maybe I need to quit reading the news so much. It seems to be all I talk about anymore.
On a side note, I ordered Star Munchkin today, and it should be here next week! I arranged a TDWVS Munchkin night over the weekend, and I've been crazy obsessed with getting Star Munchkin to add to the pot. Also working on a hush hush top secret Doctor Who expansion for Munchkin, all unofficial of course. :)
Until next time.... Praying for better news!
posted by novachild @ Monday, November 15, 2004,
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The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Was just delving into history, and I discovered Patriot Act BETA, which was opposed by the republicans of that day. Isn't it interesting how 200 years can change the motives of a political party almost completely the other way around?
posted by novachild @ Saturday, November 13, 2004,
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Revenge of the Good ol' Boys
-Yee-Haw!
I live in Oklahoma, and I know what the people are like here. They're awfully friendly, laid back, and set in their ways (except for the kids growing up now, it seems). While they seem harmless enough, it's the conservatism that does the most damage, because many of us would like to see the human race evolve from dark-age superstitions. So it's no surprise to me that the county courthouse in Stigler has decided to press the 'church v state' issue by placing an 8' 10 Commandments monument in their yard.
Idiots idiots idiots.
I'll bet you a thousand dollars that less than 10% of Haskell county voted for Kerry. And they probably all own at least four guns. And there probably isn't an animal-loving PETA member to be found, either. If there was a single ounce of commom sense there, it would have fought to prevent this silliness from happening.
The first amendment isn't designed to prevent you from practicing your religion. It's designed to PRESERVE everyone's freedom to worship how they choose by keeping the government out of the issue. That's just common sense.
For lots of info on this topic, check out this site. More specifically, this wonderful article by Neal Blanchett: Congress Shall Make No Law Respecting the Establishment of Reason.
I'm not an atheist (though the catholic church defines pantheism as atheism, which is another giant leap from common sense). I have nothing to lose by allowing this monument to exist. My disgust is with religious nuts that feel the masturbatory need to force their beliefs on everyone else. These small-minded people have learned nothing from their own religion. It's a sad age for Christianity.
My Message to the World: Stop using the guise of religion to hide your bloodlust, your low self esteem, and your feelings of inferiority. Use it instead for its intended purpose, to enlighten, to enliven, and to promote peace and understanding. If your religion isn't doing these things, I urge you to get out and do them yourself and see what divinity is really all about.
posted by novachild @ Saturday, November 13, 2004,
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A stupid, cheeky thought popped into my head -
Lord of the (right) Wings - One asshole to rule them all!
posted by novachild @ Wednesday, November 03, 2004,
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Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse
While it would feel particularly pleasant to type a string of foul words to describe my nausea, I will try to do the 'mature' thing and avoid such unpleasantries. Instead, I will write a list of what we have to look forward to.
Holy fecking chripes! Here we go for another painful round of the Bush Administration. All aboard, here we go!
Another four years of lies.
Another four years of unchecked death and destruction.
Another four years of corporate swindles, scams, and disgrace.
Another four years of religious reign over our 'free country.'
Another four years of mediocrity.
Another four years of media-mickeying and truth-twisting.
Another four years of republican spin.
Another four years of steaming turds instead of real change.
Another four years of eroding liberties.
And then what? I predict that, by the end of the reign of the Bush white house, that practically everyone in this country (aside from the rich and extremely religious) will be so fed up with the lies and deceipt that they will have no choice but to vote for a better ticket. I predict that John McCain will run for President, and either Hillary or Obama will run for the democratic ticket (wouldn't it be neat if they both ran?).
I predict that it will narrowly go to the democrats, but not nearly as narrowly as this election. I also predict that the middle east crisis will not be finished and we will continue to mame and kill until around 2009. By that time, the entire globe will have had their fill of the US. Our economy will just hover above complete collapse, and we will have again successfully isolated ourselves from the rest of the world. Europe will continue to evolve democratically, and we will have a lot of catching up to do.
Whatever happens, I didn't vote for the asshole. But just like everyone that did, I get to go along for the ride. We're in this together, folks.
posted by novachild @ Wednesday, November 03, 2004,
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Back to the Real World -
What a mellow vacation that was. We spent five days in Eureka Springs, mostly lounging in our hotel room (a quaint, little cabin with a kitchenette, microwave, coffee pot, and TV! Wow!). No computers, no telephones, no day job for a week. Spent two days at Silver Dollar City; we have season passes, so we go quite a bit.
Didn't actually leave until Monday, as Saturday (the 23rd of Oct.) was the annual TDWVS Halloween film festival. We suffered through Taste the Blood of Dracula, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, and the MST3K episode: Mitchell. Enough people showed up to make it an orgy of pain, though the jabs and riffs during Mitchell were occasionally hilarious. All in all, a worthy event, though I wish more people would come and suffer with us.
That same evening, we were GOING to have our Halloween bonfire, but rain prevented that. Instead, Elaine, Jeff, Travis, Scott, Ruth, Vince, my wife and I held an indoor drum circle that lasted for a couple of hours, followed by a round of Munchkin (my current favorite game). We love playing hand drums, though usually we end up playing the same rhythms all night long which can be a tad cumbersome.
Sunday - well, I really don't remember what we did on Sunday. But we left here Monday morning to start the vacationing. I think I spent all day Sunday surfing the web in my underwear. What better way to spend a day of vacation?
The first evening in Eureka Springs, we visited a local bakery and sucked down coffee while I read Patchen out loud for what seemed like hours. We took a seat outside, so it was nice and cool, and somewhat away from people. There is nothing in this world as satisfying as reading Patchen out loud. He is deliciously pessimistic at times, and amazingly hope-filled at others. I truly have never read a more authentic poetic soul than Patchen.
At one point I (nearly) immediatly recognized one of the patrons as Missy Crider, a good little actress that shares a birthday with me (same year and all). She also happened to guest in an episode of Jeremiah, one of my favorite series, as a determined collector of gasoline, saving the precious fuel for a trip to Europe to find out whether the plague that wiped out everyone over the age of puberty hit the rest of the world. In spite of the efforts of pyromaniacs (burners) sent out to eradicate whole villages by the orders of surviving US Government (Valhalla Sector) VIPs, she manages to get away, and we are left hoping that she's made it.
Anyhow, meeting Missy Crider wasn't all that extravagant. Especially since I didn't realize who she was until she had run away from us and zoomed off in her SUV. :-( If I ever do run into her again, I'd like to ask her how it was to work with David Lynch.
We spent the next several days touring historic downtown, driving around the countryside, and watching oodles of television in our comfy, cozy and secluded hotel room.
Silver Dollar City happened on Friday and on Saturday, the final two days of their Fall Celebration. There were craftsment of all flavors, from fresh-brewed apple butter to homespun weavers and beadmakers. And food. And rides! We rode the Wildfire twice in a row without getting off, with the option of riding again but thinking better of it.
All in all, a memorable week. It could have more exciting and action-packed, but then it would have gone by so much faster. It was mellow, and much needed, rest.
Of course, now I'm back to the real world, and all the aches and pains I'd gotten rid of last week are slowly coming back. Tension in the shoulders, headaches, back trouble. All from stress. Grrr. Getting old sucks, and on top of that I've actually gained weight over the past few months, when all the while I was trying to lose weight. No matter; I won't be chubby for long because I'm changing my eating habit.
My sample CD finally arrived from mixonic. Aside from a bug being smashed onto the silver part of the CD, the case being broken, and the tray card being wrinkled, it's actually a pretty quality print job. However, the delivery time was terrible. It took them 3 weeks or longer to process my order of 1 CD. I'm so unimpressed with the service that I'm going to hold off ordering a large batch. Will either order a small batch later this week, or else I will sample Morphius.com and see what their quality is like. I just want this album thing to be over!
Nothing much else going on. I'm too much in the vacation spirit to address the 200+ emails in my inbox, so I'm going to take my time. NO PRESSURE. I get enough of that at work.
Lastly, we are standing on the eve of the 2004 election. I personally cannot stand to think of another four years of the Bush Administration, and I pray for swift victory on the side of the Democrats. My only wish is that the Democrats pursue a stronger anti-war policy than what Kerry is promoting. He is great, charismatic, and far more capable of being a leader. I hope Kerry realizes his potential as much as we do!
posted by novachild @ Monday, November 01, 2004,
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