About those Celebrities having voices

[Begin Rant] So, you’re sick of hearing “Liberal” celebrities voice their political opinion??  Really???  Bite Me!!! Celebrities have been doing it for a very long time – speaking out for the pale and downtrodden of society. They are the voice people need because sometimes those in power don’t listen to voices like mine or yours.

They have been doing this for ages. But everyone seems to be focused on “Hollywood” and actors and actresses speaking out. This goes far beyond the stars in the tiny hamlet adjacent to Los Angeles.

It goes to our music as well. Rock and Roll and Rap/Hop-Hop have always had a social and political conscience. They talk about subjects you don’t hear in Country Music since that genre is so wrapped up in a god and country, it only knows one type of value – there’s not many socially aware country songs.

Frank Sinatra was at the forefront of racial integration. He was for Civil Rights. He was for school integration.

Artists of the 1960’s came of age in the Vietnam era writing about the perils of the nation at war and songs of peace. Some were even big enough to voice opposition to elected leaders.

Music was a vehicle to voice a political opinion, but people tend to forget about that. It has weaved into the fabric of society. Many just hear a good beat or guitar riff, but rarely hear the words.

The 1970’s saw the birth of progressive rock and longer songs, but the messages were still there. You just had to know where to look. They were subtle, but still there.

Skip to the 80’s – songs took on the cold war, the environment (acid rain come to mind?), consumerism… The list goes on and on.

But don’t tell me it’s just “Hollywood.”

What is sad is you have “Conservative” celebrities sitting in the shadows, thinking they might get picked on or lose roles for their political leanings. That’s bullshit. They are cowards – they meet in Secret (Friends of Abe). The most vocal people they have are all nuts (see: Ted Nugent).

So, next time you want to talk about celebrities voicing their opinions, you might want to shut off your radio – you might be hearing a song by someone who has an opinion. {End Rant]

Rant about the Confederate Flag

[Begin rant] Just to be clear, the Confederate Flag (any and all incarnations of it, including the Battle Flag) does not belong on ANY state funded property. They are flags of traitors to the United States of America. No state park or state grounds should be flying it or erecting monuments to the Confederacy (aka Confederate States of America) as they were TRAITORS to this nation fighting for the right to OWN people.

Now, if you want to fly the flags at your home, get them tattooed on your arm, or have a flag pole shooting out of your ass, that's your business. You have that right. But to say that flag is heritage, you're saying you support what that war was fought for, IMHO. The Battle Flag was not erected over state capitols in the south because they had all fuzzy feelings for history, but to show supremacy during the Civil Rights movement.

As far as The General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard, leave it alone. Mind you, it wasn't public backlash for the show being removed from TV Land, it was a business decision from a corporation - just like the removal of the flag from many retail outlets. The car, in itself, was a character on the show. If a band like Lynyrd Skynyrd flies the flag at their shows, great - it's their show to do it at.

But the main purpose of this rant is to say it does not belong on PUBLIC property in any way, shape or form. It should be in the dustbin of history. If someone wants to erect a monument to the CSA, then it should be done with private funding, not public and on PRIVATE land. [End rant]

Wish Them Well

Friendship is a funny thing. Some are strong,  some go beyond certain bonds and some fail. I value the friendships I've forged throughout my lifetime.  Some have endured since childhood,  some are new, some are real life, some are contained to a virtual world. But there are times when one fails and you have to walk away, if only for the sake of your own sanity. Sometimes it needs to be done. Just say goodbye in your own way and move on. This is probably more than I am going to say on this topic,  but it's something that has been plagued my thoughts.  "All that you can do is wish them well..."

Heroes [Facebook Rant 08/27/2013]

The more I delve into my Smallville episodes, the more I realize this world   needs more supermen and superwomen.  People with hearts that go out of their way to help others. We are all a Clark Kent or Diana Prince with that Superman or Wonder Woman hidden beneath the surface.  All it takes is one gesture of kindness, and it is paid forward to the next person, and so on.  What we don't need is the anti-hero born out of greed and cold-heartedness we see today in they guise of those who follow the "heroes" of the Ayn Rand novels. See, those people were selfish egomaniacs out for themselves. Hero to me is a symbol of righteousness like FDR or MLK - thinking of others before their own self-interest. We don't need the greed brought forth by the Koch Brothers or the Republican Party. Granted, the Democratic Party has its flaws, but at least it isn't self absorbed with just helping one class of people over the others.

We all have a hero we look up to - whether real or fictional.  A hero looks for the good, the truth and the justice.  There are good people out there, they just need to be brought out of the shadows.  There is truth out there, but it needs a bright light shining on it for everyone to see.  There is justice out there, it's just a matter of all of us coming together to make it happen.

I don't know how long I have on this earth, but I hope the words I type (and you read) make a difference in your lives.  Whether you agree or disagree with me, at least I'm planting the seeds in your mind to think about whatever it is I'm saying. That's where the hero in all of us lies - the idea that we all can make a difference - small or big. We just need to find it within ourselves to be the hero we want to be.

Witch Hunt (Speech I had given in 1997)

I stand before you – a man against the masses.  A symbol of hope for the common man – a flame to burn the embers of truth – a voice crying out in the wilderness trying to find an ear to listen.

            Although it doesn't show in my attitude or how I act, but when an issue such as the one I will be discussing tonight surfaces, you can bet that you will see those flames burning and you will hear my voice loud and proud, and the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees that to me.  It guarantees to all of us that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.”

            I’m proud to say – “Yes, I've read Huckleberry Finn,” or – “Yes, I've enjoyed the music of Prince or Judas Priest,” or better yet – “I’m a Howard Stern fan.”  But what do these issues  have in common?  I’ll tell you.  The book, the artists, and the man have been the targets of people with closed minds and one-sided views.  Being a supporter of First Amendment issues, you can bet that I’ll follow it until the Supreme Court makes a judgment on the case.

            There is some history behind my taking up this very controversial issue.  It started in 1985 when our, now, Vice-president’s wife, “Tipper,” formed the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), to fight “Dirty Records.”  When Frank Zappa, Dee Snider, and John Denver, and countless other musicians went to Capitol Hill to let their voices be heard, I was with them in spirit, because, in my heart, I knew the PMRC was going a little too far – dissecting lyrics for the sake of finding dirt.  Granted, there are artists that can go a bit too far, but to label them as bad influences is a crime.  I was (and still am) listening to these artists, enjoying their music and going to their concerts.  I followed the Congressional hearings until the very end.  This is the reason I feel so strong about the First Amendment.

            In high school, you’re taught right from wrong, how to play fairly, and coexist with others in social settings.  I felt I was being wronged by my government back then, and sometimes it comes back to haunt me in magazine articles, television shows, or other mediums.  They were coming into my home and judging what was good for me and what was bad for me.  About a year after graduation, a songwriter from Canada named Arnold Lanni wrote titled Should I See.  When I heard the words, I was (if you’ll excuse the use of a colloquial phrase) blown away.  The first verse goes, and I quote:

Cover my eyes and ears

‘Til it all disappears

How can you judge for me

What I should hear and see

You take away freedom of choice

Take away my right to voice

My beliefs and all my views

You take away my right to choose

After hearing that, I felt that it wasn't a sin against society to have a copy of a Heavy Metal album in my home.

            How would you feel if someone were to invade your thought, and tell you what you should be reading, or listening to?  You probably wouldn't like it very much.  Suppose someone told you that you couldn't read:

Huckleberry Finn, or

Catcher In The Rye, or

Of Mice And Men, or

Little House On The Prairie.

These books were on the list of questionable books in schools, tracked by the People For The American Way (a national anti-censorship organization).  They tracked a total of 375 for the 1993-94 school year.

            Those books I mentioned are classics in all sense of the word classic.  They portrayed the times in which they were written, and most have a moral at the end.  But now, with everyone being so Politically Correct, there are words in the context of the books, now deemed derogatory, are questionable.  Or they portrayed something we deem as different from the norm, and we want to shelter it from whoever wishes to read them.

            At a library in Weslaco, Texas, a librarian was fired for stocking Howard Stern’s book, Private Parts.  After ordering and receiving the book, the library received a complaint, and the book was placed in the reserved section.  After the same person complained about the book, the librarian was asked to remove the book from the library.  She told the library commission that the book had been removed, and ultimately, she was fired.  Her personal belongings had been vandalized, her life had been threatened.  But, luckily Howard heard of this and came to her rescue.  They appeared on the Donahue Show with members of the library commission, and they made it look like it was all her fault.  End result – Miss Librarian is in seclusion, the book is back in the reserve section, and Howard is still Howard.

            The FCC has levied millions of dollars in fines against Howard Stern for being obscene on the air.  When and where, I would like to know?  This is what I think is weird.  We have a bunch of people appointed to high ranking positions in our government in charge of free speech.  If they go after the likes of Howard, they should go after:  Phil, Oprah, Montel, Jenny, Days of Our Lives, and dare I say Rush Limbaugh at every direction.

            Recently we witnessed the murder of Tejano music star Selena.  The killing was unjust, and a life was taken before it was time.  Mr. Howard Stern reported the death in his own fashion, but not mocking the recently departed.  Of all the strange things Howard has said, or the malicious things Howard has said, he say something from his own standpoint and gets a lot of heat.  Howard said that Hispanics had bad taste in music.  What has happened since – a justice of the peace in Texas has issued a Disorderly Conduct Warrant against Howard Stern;  he is to be arrested if he enters the state of Texas.  All this for being a critic.  If that were the case – Siskel and Ebert, and the rest would be locked up for life.

            When and where does it end – I don’t know.  There are as many questions as there are answers.  You may not agree with everything I've said, but think of this…  When someone tells you that you can’t listen to someone, or read something, how would you feel?  There is time for a Witch Hunt – but let’s concentrate on the child molesters, the murderers, and the drug dealers.  Leave my books, music, and Howard Stern alone. 

In Sickness, In Pizza, and In Health - A Healthcare Manifesto

"The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect" ~ Neil Peart

Dear Powers That Be:

The United States of America is one of the richest countries on the planet, yet we are one of the only industrialized nations that fails to adequately insure its people with basic healthcare needs.  With the looming 2014 deadline for the Affordable Care Act to fully take affect, I’m seeing more and more rich CEOs wanting to cut back on staffing and/or cut employee hours just to not have to extend them healthcare insurance.  Well, fuck them!!! 

The rich have gotten free rides for a very long time in this country and are used to pulling the strings of government to work for them.  Now it’s time they get back to working for US!!  The rich only care about themselves and their bottom line.  They don’t give two shits if we live or die – just as long as we keep buying their shit!!!  We can’t boycott all of them, but we can sure turn the tide on them when we storm the gates in Washington and let our Senators and Representatives know that WE are in charge – not the corporations, not the rich millionaires/billionaires, but the working class who built this country with our sweat and blood.  Remember – it’s WE THE PEOPLE!!! 

As an American, we can do better for our people.  Here is what I demand:

• An affordable national healthcare system, or Medicare For All.

With this new system, I demand that no religious organization or religious person have any say on the new system. With that I demand:

• No restrictions on Birth Control for women.
• Easy access to abortion.

With this new system, I demand no exclusions for any of the following:

• Age (including Senior Citizens), race, gender, sexual orientation, Military status, pre-existing medical condition, mental health status, HIV status.

With this new system, I demand:

• No child be turned away – no matter of citizenship status.

With this new system I demand:

• Affordable prescription drugs for all.
• Limited Patents on all drugs.
• The Federal Government will have powers to negotiate lower drug prices (thus eliminating the need to import from Canada for the same exact medications made here in the USA).

With this new system, I demand:

• No one with mental health disorders be turned away or left on the streets.
• People with mental health disorders be treated with dignity and respect.
• More education and awareness for those with Autism and related disorders.

With this Manifesto, I demand from my Government:

• A law passed giving the people an allotment of paid sick days by employers.
• A law passed increasing the Minimum Wage as the cost of healthcare will no longer be a burden on employers and can now pay employees a living wage.
• A law passed to ensure employees are guaranteed vacation time – a well rested employee makes productivity rise.

Now that this has been said, here is a graphic of some of the companies who are going to cut employee working hours just so they won’t have to provide health insurance to them:

Graphic via The Everlasting GOP Stoppers

Now some might cry “it’s Socialism” – and you know what???  Who cares!!!  I call it caring for one another.  If you are too stupid or selfish and don’t give a shit about your fellow citizens, you can fuck right off!!!  You don’t like it – move!!!  But good fucking luck with that – you’ll have it almost anywhere you move (via):

Norway  - 1912 –  Single Payer
New Zealand –  1938 –  Two Tier
Japan –  1938 –  Single Payer
Germany –  1941 –  Insurance Mandate
Belgium –  1945 –  Insurance Mandate
United Kingdom –  1948 –  Single Payer
Kuwait –  1950 –  Single Payer
Sweden –  1955 –  Single Payer
Bahrain –  1957 –  Single Payer
Brunei –  1958 –  Single Payer
Canada –  1966 –  Single Payer
Netherlands –  1966 –  Two-Tier
Austria –  1967 –  Insurance Mandate
United Arab Emirates –  1971 –  Single Payer
Finland –  1972 –  Single Payer
Slovenia –  1972 –  Single Payer
Denmark –  1973 –  Two-Tier
Luxembourg –  1973 –  Insurance Mandate
France –  1974 –  Two-Tier
Australia –  1975 –  Two Tier
Ireland –  1977 –  Two-Tier
Italy –  1978 –  Single Payer
Portugal –  1979 –  Single Payer
Cyprus –  1980 –  Single Payer
Greece –  1983 –  Insurance Mandate
Spain –  1986 –  Single Payer
South Korea –  1988 –  Insurance Mandate
Iceland –  1990 –  Single Payer
Hong Kong –  1993 –  Two-Tier
Singapore –  1993 –  Two-Tier
Switzerland –  1994 –  Insurance Mandate
Israel –  1995 –  Two-Tier
United States –  2014 –  Insurance Mandate

Grand Designs

“Democrats never agree on anything, that's why they're Democrats. If they agreed with each other, they would be Republicans.” ` Will Rogers

There’s a lot of infighting, it seems, within the Democratic Party…  This includes the “Clintonistas”, “Firebaggers”, “DLCers” & “Blue Dogs”.  You see, I don’t give a rats ass about you, nor do I care what you think or what you do.  The only objective is to defeat the GOP this November.

I see this quit often on Twitter where one person may something about one candidate and another person will take offense to the tweet..  Sure there are self-centered bastards who blog or tweet – most of them have names, but I’m not going to name then because everyone knows who they are.  They need to suck it up and take one for the team.

Sure, the Clintonistas are still sore Hillary lost. Sure, the Firebaggers are critical of most everything President Obama is trying to do  (let’s see them try doing shit when with over 200 teabag obstructionists in the House and less than 60 Democrats in the Senate). Sure, The DLCers are fucking losers, but so are the Blue Dogs (They sold their souls to Wall Street).

So here’s a novel, and not so new idea:  Put away the bickering, put away the snide remarks, and most of all, put away the bullshit!!!  You are DEMOCRATS!!!  Act like human beings to one another.  Act together as a cohesive unit!! We have a Presidential election to win, We have to regain the House and keep a solid majority in the Senate. After the election, you can go back to being what you were, whatever that might be.  In the mean time, grow the fuck up!!!

 

If you're a DLCer, Firebagger, or a Blue Dog, you mean nothing to me. My goal is to defeat the #GOP... Once that's done, I'm coming for you!

— Paul in Vegas(@Bluesaloon) June 30, 2012

Freedom

“We can go from boom to bust
From dreams to a bowl of dust
We can fall from rockets' red glare
Down to "Brother can you spare-"
Another war-another waste land-
And another lost generation...” ~ Neil Peart

Or

“Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose,
And nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free” ~ Kris Kristofferson

Let me preface by saying I’m an American first, a Democrat second, and a self admitted bleeding heart liberal.  I make no bones about it and have stated as much in my previous writings.

When Thirteen Colonies declared their independence some 236 years ago from the British Crown, they did not know what the future had in store for them.  They only longed for the freedom to live where they made their own rules, lives as free men under a new flag.  They wanted to shed the King and totalitarian rule.  Although British by birth, in their hearts they were American.

Now, to this time and this place… Where thirteen colonies are now Fifty States…. Here in the 21st Century…

Cast away the royalty, but gain the rich and powerful…  my how times have changed.  They are still making the rules.

But what does it get you???  Lower taxes?? Sure – I’ll go without decent road and bridges to drive on.

More money for Defense??  Sure – let’s fire a few thousand teachers in the process.  Who needs teachers anyway – our education systems are failing, we’re near the bottom in math and science, we don’t teach music and we teach to a test….  Kids don’t need books…  But someone out there decided we need the biggest and the brightest bombs our tax dollars will buy.

No need to increase the minimum wage??  What about those starving people who can barely scrape by on the pittance they are paid working in a big box store or fast food joint!!!  The standard of living rises, but wages fail to rise with them.  Two dollars 20 years ago doesn’t buy what two dollars will today…  But hey, Freedom isn’t free!!!  Now you have to work 2 or 3 jobs – to make ends meet.

We don’t need Healthcare reform??  Tell that to the family who has to sell everything just to be well, even go bankrupt in the process. They didn’t need that house or car… But the rich and powerful insurance companies and corporate-owned hospitals got theirs, in not only money, but someone’s blood and dignity!!!  So much for “promoting the General Welfare” of the people.

Our nation spends more on defense that all of our allies combined, and who does it benefit??  Defense contractors.  Our roads are crumbling, bridges and schools falling apart, teachers having to buy supplies for their classrooms out of their own pocket.  That’s not Freedom – that’s Neglect!!!  Neglecting our own for the sake of what??  A fucking plane or bomb??  Where does it end.

We have starving people in this country – do they feel this Freedom??  No, they don’t.  They fall through the system.  They are the invisible citizens. Liberals look out for them, while  conservatives want to take it all away.  Mentally ill people walking the streets when they should be taken care of. Families evicted from homes, with no assistance from the Government sworn to protect them, yet the banks who loaned them the money are bailed out.

People cry about their god and Jesus and whoever else they might worship, but do not follow the teachings. Feed the poor, heal the sick, blah blah blah… Hypocrisy abound with these people.  What ever happened to love thy neighbor – now neighbors are suffering along the political divide; left vs. right, liberal vs. conservative, Democrat vs. Republican…  We will never agree, but there can be a common ground to work from – not against.

So, this Independence Day, one should reflect on what will make this country better and shine once again.  This downward slope we find ourselves on where the top 1% control what the other 99% do is out of hand.  It’s not a matter of left and right, it’s a matter of being an American.  We have to find it within ourselves to make changes where they need to be made.  Build schools, educate our young, make college affordable, fix our infrastructure, care for the sick, feed the hungry…  I know it’s asking a lot, but as a country, we cannot fail our own..  We must preserve our future…  That is Freedom!!!

The Poor, A Mental Disease, and Trolls.. Oh My!!!

I happened to see a video online (below) about a Democratic Pundit saying the word “Fuck” live on Fox “news”… no big deal to me since I drop F-bombs faster than the Pope can hide a sex abuse scandal.

 

What bothered me about it was Neal Boortz saying “Poverty is a mental disease”.  I took offense by that statement and I tweeted to this man the following: “Poverty is not a mental disease, @ XXXXXXX .... You think people choose to be poor??? You're an asshole!!!!” (Since then, he retweeted it to his minions rather than confront me himself, the coward that he and all RWNJs are on Twitter).

People do not chose to be poor.  Some are born into it, some are forced into it, and some become poor by their own design – but I do not feel it is a mental disease!!!  Where in the fuck he came up with that line, I’ll never know.

When I say “born into it”, it is just that.  You could be in parts of the world (or for the USA, for that matter) and live in poor areas – not having any idea of what might be out there that would be better.  You live day to day, trying to raise your family on the little money you make at the menial jobs that are available in your area and don’t have the means to leave and you’re stuck!!!  Nowhere to go, no one to help. Even with the meager amount of food stamps you might receive from the government, you’re barely scraping by.  Thus is your life in an impoverished city, town, state or country.

When I say “forced into it”, it means you might have had a comfortable living, but it all went away from something devastating – like medical bills.  Sure, you might have had health insurance, but you’re always one catastrophic illness away from the poorhouse, and this does happen in the good ol’ UsofA!! Yay Us!!! (I’m not going to get into the benefits of “Obamacare” but some parts of that law will prevent things like that from happening). When a family member gets sick, the insurance only covers so much, and the bills keep coming and you can’t keep up… Step by step, you lose your house, live in the car or lose your car…  You are now one of the working poor, praying to your god you don’t lose your job….  This is the America we live in – ashamed??  If you believe in what I do, you’re not, but if you are a conservative, you probably don’t give two shits!!!!

When I say “by their own design”, it means just that…  The over spender, poor budgeting, compulsive gambling… These are some of the ones I have less sympathy for, but there is help out there for them. They’ve made their bed, and they must deal with it.  The compulsive gambler has a disease and can be treated.  Poor budgeting: have someone manage your money. Over spending, stop!!!

But to say someone in poverty has a mental disease was uncalled for.  The Boortz-trolls keep telling me you can get out of it… They all seem to be living well with their internet connections to attack my statement, but you know what??  There are people who don’t have that fucking luxury!!  Why???  because when you’re down and out in this country, you become the unseen, the unwashed, and the ignored part of the population.  When you befriend a homeless person or acknowledge their existence by saying hello, then we’ll talk.  Until then, I don’t want to hear it!!!

My personal rules for a harmonious time in Tweetopia!!!

1. I don’t get in the middle of squabbles between mutual tweeps.
2. If I disagree with you, I won’t un-follow you, but I will call Bullshit when I see it.
3. If you’re looking to fight, you’ve come to the wrong person.  I rely on facts, not feelings.
4. I am a Democrat, but I’m not a lemming and will call out Bullshit on the President, Senators, Congresspersons of my party if they do or say something I disagree with – but I will not trash them.
5. I have ZERO tolerance for racists.
6. I have ZERO tolerance for homophobes.
7. I have ZERO tolerance for religious preaching (to me).
8. I have ZERO tolerance for people who beg for money.
9. I have ZERO tolerance for Bots and Spammers.
10. I am on Twitter to have a good time and make new friends. I am on Twitter to discuss politics.
11. If you have issue with me, take it private to a Direct Message and not on the Time Line.  At least give me the common courtesy to not airing our issues to the Twitter-verse.

If there’s anything else, I may add more.

Second Nature

A memo to a higher office
Open letter to the powers-that-be
To a God, a king, a head of state
A captain of industry
To the movers and the shakers-
Can't everybody see?

It ought to be second nature-
I mean, the places where we live!
Let's talk about this sensibly-
We're not insensitive
I know progress has no patience-
But something's got to give

Second Nature by Rush – Lyrics by Neil Peart

• I am a liberal.
• I am a progressive.
• I am a Democrat (of the Democratic Party).
• I am Agnostic.
• I have no issued with people who worship (just don’t push your beliefs on me).
• I fight for what I believe is right.
• I believe in equal justice under the law.
• I don’t hate Republicans or Conservatives (as people) because of what they believe.
• I believe the rich and big business should pay their fair share of taxes.

I make no apologies for any of those statements.

Which brings me to why I’m writing tonight. I was once called a “bigot” on Facebook by someone for the beliefs I hold.  I may disagree on many issues with the other side of the political spectrum, but I do not hate.  I know there isn’t much for common ground in today’s political climate with the vitriol on the right and the caving by some on the left, but I still don’t hate.

What keeps me grounded are facts.  If I don’t believe something, I look it up.  If I make a statement or post something (on, say, Facebook, Twitter or my blog) and someone may disagree with it, I am ready to back up any comments with facts.  Facts are funny things – they usually put people in their place.  As the quote (attributed to) by Daniel Patrick Moynihan goes: “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.”

I am an avid listener of Progressive Radio – something that Las Vegas has nothing of, so I pay for XM Radio to hear voices that lean towards what I think and feel.  I watch MSNBC mostly, and at times, CNN.  I’ll admit I used to watch FOX “News” when it first came online, and every now and then I’ll watch Shepard Smith, but it’s a rare event.  I listen to Randi Rhodes and she always says (paraphrasing) “Don’t believe me or anyone else on the radio – look it up” – and I’m not afraid to do just that.

I’ve written about my religious beliefs before (here and here) so I won’t go into details again.  As I said above in my bullet points, I am Agnostic. As Merriam-Webster online defines it: “a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god”, which would define me perfectly.  I have an open mind and there are things I just can’t wrap my head around, which is why I believe the way I do, but I still wouldn’t call my self an Atheist. Just don’t try to push your beliefs on me unless you have archeological or scientific proof to back up your points.

As a kid, I read some Ayn Rand.  Most notably, Anthem and The Fountainhead.  I tried to read Atlas Shrugged, but gave up because it was the most boring fucking book I ever picked up. (I have We The Living, but never cracked the spine).  Most of my early reading was influenced by Neil Peart (Drummer and Lyricist for Rush) and some his early lyrics were based on books by Rand.  What I got most out of her writings (that I read) was for the concept of individualism.  I never took to the political arguments she espoused.  I do believe, however, we all have rights, but I also believe government is there for a reason – to regulate, tax, promote the general welfare of the people and protect the populace.  There are no free market societies – it’s been tried in South America by that nutjob Milton Friedman and it all failed miserably (see Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein).

Again, I don’t hate.  I may disagree with you or your ideas, but I don’t hate you for it.  I may have different beliefs than you, but I won’t hate you for it.  You may be a different color or have a different ethnic background than me, but I won’t hate you for it. You might have different political views than me, but I don’t hate you for it.

Today is different,
And tomorrow the same
It's hard to take the world
The way that it came
Too many rapids
Keep us sweeping along
Too many captains
Keep on steering us wrong
It's hard to take the heat-
It's hard to lay blame
To fight the fire-
While we're feeding the flames

Second Nature by Rush – Lyrics by Neil Peart

Deeper thoughts…

With all these different States banning “Sharia Law”, it got me thinking… and the only thought that comes to mind is “What the fuck!!!”  With the way things are going in this country, and the right wing people who are filling the various benches across the land, I’m sure they would use Old Testament types of verdicts. But I digress…

When I went to high school many moons ago, I learned of a thing call “Separation of Church and State”, so any type of court ruling or new law passed would have to pass Constitutional muster – not Torah, Biblical or Koran muster.  We, here in these United States, do not follow rules set up in Leviticus or we’d all be banned from eating pork – and that would be sad since Denny’s is having a glorious bacon promotion (even a bacon sundae – gross as it may sound).

I’m not a religious person and really never got into it, even though I was raised Roman Catholic.  I see a world in a broader view where people have rights beyond what  any religious text might say.  The law of our land comes from Washington D.C.. not Rome or any other religious seat in the world.

To change our laws to reflect that of some religious book, we would have to drastically change out Constitution or there would have to be an overthrow of the government – which I don’t see either of those things happening anytime soon.  People come to this country for the freedoms we hold, such as the freedom to worship (or not worship), freedom of speech, freedom to move about freely.

This has nothing to do with “Sharia Law” as I see it – it is more of an attack on those of the Muslim faith.  People in the “heartland” are afraid of that of which they do not understand.  What happens in the streets of Iran or Saudi Arabia is different from what happens in the streets of Kansas or Oklahoma.  The people of Kansas or Oklahoma have the freedom to be who they are, think what they want, and pray the way they want to pray.  No one is going to take that away from them.  The best word I can think of is “paranoia”.  They are all paranoid and need to get a grip.  Franklin D. Roosevelt said it best – “The only thing we have to fear is…  Fear itself.”

So, in closing, we as a nation can laugh at these states who have taken paranoia to a whole new level.  I know that the Constitution is on my side, and not some boogieman lurking in the shadows waiting to stone me for something written in a 2,000 year old book.  So, it’s time to get over the fear and start living and acting like human beings and give up the mob mentality.  We can all learn to coexist in peace and harmony.

 

Right Wing Pigs!!!

Here I thought these asswipes loved money!! Apparently not!! Handwritten on this $10 Bill:  Harry Reid has sex with his son!

I was verifying some money (yes, I work with money) and I noticed this bad looking bill and pulled it as bad and noticed what was written on it.  I couldn’t believe someone would write such a thing, especially on U.S. currency. 

Whoever wrote this is apparently a mouth breathing, inbred piece of shit loser. Hey you, who ever wrote that in the bill:  Fuck You!!!

Um?? WTF!!! This is insanity at it’s worst!!!

I have no problem with religion or people who worship, but I draw the line at praying for disasters to show another class of people of their “wicked ways.”  The crazy nut job in the video below is jubilant that an earthquake practically devastates a country because they are “Atheists”. What the fuck is this person talking about???  Just because they don’t practice Christianity, doesn’t make them “atheists” or wicked.

From Japan-guide.com:

Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. They have been co-existing for several centuries and have even complemented each other to a certain degree. Most Japanese consider themselves Buddhist, Shintoist or both.

Religion does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese people today. The average person typically follows the religious rituals at ceremonies like birth, weddings and funerals, may visit a shrine or temple on New Year and participates at local festivals (matsuri), most of which have a religious background.

People like this are dangerous.  Not only dangerous to others, but may be dangerous to themselves.  Who the fuck prays for mass destruction??  Who the fuck prays for people to die??? And, finally, who the fuck would post a video of themselves boasting about prayers being answered???  Apparently this nut case is an “End Timer”, rather than a “Temple on the Mounter”  If there is a Hell, I hope there’s a special place reserved for her.  She is what I would call EVIL!!!  Hey Girly-Girl – Fuck you!!!

By Hatchet, axe and saw….

After careful thought and reading various tweets via my Blackberry at work tonight regarding the happenings in the Wisconsin state legislature, I became very angry.  What I observed was a power grab by the Republicans, pure and simple.  They are taking away power of the people.  They are trying to take away our voices.  They are taking away the soul of the middle class.  In the greater Republican view, Wisconsin is the first domino to fall, then the rest of the states will follow.  What they did was wrong, and from many reports I’m hearing, possibly illegal.

I hate to see a class of people beaten down, whether it be those of color, gender, nationality, religion or sexuality.  What these Republicans are doing encompasses all of those I just listed.  It affects every walk of life who aren’t in the upper class of our society (millionaires and billionaires).  These are the people who teach our children, clean our streets, put out the fires, heal us and protect us from harm.  These are the people toiling in the dirt to produce what the millionaires/billionaires sell to others toiling away to buy their products.  What is happening is a return to indentured servitude and slave wages should the millionaires/billionaires get their way.

We, as a people, cannot let them get away with this power grab.  The first words of our Constitution are “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”  I see positive words in that – establish justice, domestic tranquility, general welfare, blessings of liberty – nothing about beating a man when he’s down.  The Republicans wrap themselves in the flag and Constitution, but it is not theirs to claim for themselves.

This is our time to take back the flag, the Constitution and our country.  We are a nation of laws, not of gods or corporations.  This country was built on the backs of our ancestors.  It was the working man who built the roads, laid rail for the trains, placed the bricks and mortar in our skyscrapers, assembles our vehicles.  We must never forget!!!

This is our time.  This is our moment to shine.  The time is now to come together and fight for our constitutionally given “right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”  The battle has begun, we will not waver, we will not lose!!!!

 

Ass Hat!!!

Note to asshole pictured below:

There is no high speed rail from Disneyland to Las Vegas anywhere in the Stimulus Bill!!! 

Now, if you please, remove your head from your ass before you suffocate!!!

 

Last Time I checked...

...This man was DEAD!!! 

Screw the Republicans and their love for this man.  He's one of the reasons this Country is in the state it's in.

File under: Huh?!?!?

A good analogy for the quote below (via Power Line) would be "Edward R. Murrow should conduct his interviews as Groucho Marx does on "You Bet Your Life?":

Obama thinks he is a good talker, but he is often undisciplined when he speaks. He needs to understand that as President, his words will be scrutinized and will have impact whether he intends it or not. In this regard, President Bush is an excellent model; Obama should take a lesson from his example. Bush never gets sloppy when he is speaking publicly. He chooses his words with care and precision, which is why his style sometimes seems halting. In the eight years he has been President, it is remarkable how few gaffes or verbal blunders he has committed. If Obama doesn't raise his standards, he will exceed Bush's total before he is inaugurated.

 

 

Photo via Wikipedia

Artist Support

What is written below is something I've been thinking about for a long time and how I should write it, so I just sat down it all came out. I'm just a normal person, who is trying to do something to have a clear conscience about the world around him. I'll admit I've used file sharing in the past, and have watched snippets of TV shows on the Internet (but never full episodes). When I've downloaded music in the past, however, if I did not like the song, I deleted it immediately; but if I liked the song, I bought the CD. I believe every person, whether a writer, actor, musician, or author should be compensated for what they do, and not fucked over by the industry they represent.

I DO NOT file share because the artist/group does not get paid!!! I have always disliked Metallica, but understand why they did what they did with Napster. It's very simple - download for free, the artist/group makes no money; buy the CD, the artist/group makes money. They took a lot of time to create what is released, so they should be compensated. It is their job (just like I have a job that I get paid for doing), and if it's a real musician/group, they will tour to promote said CD and make money from merchandise -because, in the end, they are eventually screwed up the ass by their record company. The only exception to this, when I had any software for P2P sharing was for songs and/or albums which were out of print and no longer available from the recording companies.

From Janisian.com:

One other major point: in the hysteria of the moment, everyone is forgetting the main way an artist becomes successful - exposure. Without exposure, no one comes to shows, no one buys CDs, no one enables you to earn a living doing what you love. Again, from personal experience: in 37 years as a recording artist, I've created 25+ albums for major labels, and I've never once received a royalty check that didn't show I owed them money. So I make the bulk of my living from live touring, playing for 80-1500 people a night, doing my own show. I spend hours each week doing press, writing articles, making sure my website tour information is up to date. Why? Because all of that gives me exposure to an audience that might not come otherwise. So when someone writes and tells me they came to my show because they'd downloaded a song and gotten curious, I am thrilled!

I DO NOT buy used CDs or DVDs because the artists/writers/actors/etc do not get paid. Simply put, artists/et al only get paid for first sale of the CD/DVD and there is no tracking of sales from used records, VHS tapes, CDs, cassette tapes and DVDs. People deserve to be paid for their work - no matter how many times one item is sold.

(Note: However, the only exceptions I have to the above for myself are for "out of print" items. These are CDs or Movies that the record company or movie studio no longer produces for sale.)

I WILL NOT (not that I have in the past) watch any TV show on any network website until the WGA strike is resolved. Writers deserve to be paid for what they do, and compensated fairly. From what I've read, and from what I understand, not all writers are equal. Not all writers make the same salaries. Some writers don't work for periods of time and rely on residuals. As you can see by the banner at the top of this blog, I support the WGA in their efforts to get what they deserve and I support them.

And finally, I WILL NOT buy used books if they are still in print (and the writer is still alive and kicking). This does not included publishers making money on authors who have been dead for centuries and will never see a fucking dime - can you say Shakespeare??