An Actual Botched Joke?

So, Ann Coulter is speaking at the American Conservative Union's Political Action Conference, March, 2, 2007 in Washington, D.C. and at the end of her speech, she says something pretty stupid:

I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I - so kind of an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards.

Now, Howard Dean is demanding that anyone who shared the podium with her that night denounce her, the Edwards campaign has the video on his campaign website saying that she's taken hate-speech politics to a new low, etc.
This was truly a foot-in-mouth moment. While obviously a reference to "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington's recent remarks about a co-star (and his subsequent "getting help" to save his career), this one went over like a wet leaf. After some gasps, you hear some nervous laughter and muted applause after people had a minute to figure out what she was talking about.
The use of the (new?) "f" word was just idiotic, and a blunder that will probably fire up the gay rights community, etc. However, I doubt that Ann truly thinks that Edwards, by all evidence a dedicated family man, is actually gay. So, this would be a prime example of "botched joke" - as it was clear that she was going for laughs with this one.
I'm sure the feigned outrage about her comment has barely begun. But I encourage Ann to use the "botched joke" excuse, since as soon as John Kerry uttered those words, the press fell right in line and dismissed all criticism of his belittling of our troops as needless "partisan politics" and killed the story as fast as they could. Let's see if they give her the same kid glove treatment.
Want to take any bets?

Should We Kill James Cameron?

According to a Discovery Channel.com article, famed filmmaker James Cameron claims that he has discovered the tomb of Jesus Christ. Not an empty tomb, mind you -- a family tomb with bodies.

Now, I'll leave the reading of the article to you.

The implications, of course, should this "prove" to be the real tomb of Jesus, complete with body, would pretty much negate Christianity (for those of you who don't know, Christ's resurrection is the cornerstone of our belief).

So, here's my point. Are Christians mobbing the streets of (insert any city here), demanding that James Cameron be put to death? Have the "streets run with blood"? Has anyone issued a, err... umm (what's an English word for Fatwa?) against Mr. Cameron and his associates? After all, here's a guy who basically has come out announcing that he has proof that believers in Christ are at deceived, followers of Christ are liars, and blaspheming the name of Jesus by indicating that He is not who He claimed to be.

Umm... no.

Why not? I don't think I'll go down the list of reasons why not. Suffice it to say, that in contrast with another religion dominating the news these days, the one who calls a murdering homicide bomber a "martyr", the one who burns down buildings and carries out death threats against cartoonists and their employers who dare to "make an image of" their prophet, the one who sees no problem with an "honor killing" by a male against his own sister, wife, or mother, the one who says to convert by the sword... well, we are commanded to love our enemy, pray for and endeavor to reach the unsaved, and are to leave vengeance to the Lord God Himself.

So, you probably won't see much outrage directed at James Cameron. I will, however, bet that the National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, History Channel, or a Peter Jennings or Tom Brokaw "special report" will give this "discovery" a lot of airtime, trying to call into question the fact of The Resurrection. I base this on the breathless reporting of the "Gospel of Judas" and the avalanche of programming based around "The DaVinci Code".

Funny, I can't recall seeing the special that looks at the historical Mohammed. The likely epileptic. The bloodthirsty conqueror. The "do as I say, not as I do" leader of a ridiculously oppressive, dogmatic religion worshipping a deity that was a minor moon god in Mecca until Mohammed decided to elevate him to Supreme status when starting his religion. OH wait. That will get you into trouble. And it might offend.
And offended Muslims have: put a knife in the heart of Theo Van Gogh, shot up Jewish Community Centers, flown planes into skyscrapers and government buildings, murdered millions in the name of their god, blown up thousands of innocents in Israel, Indonesia, Egypt, (Oh man, this list gets long...), kidnapped and beheaded "infidels" who dared try to rebuild Iraq, torched and defiled the bodies of US servicemen, hung more burned bodies of contractors from bridges in Fallujah...

So... I guess James Cameron is lucky he didn't discover, for instance, some of the original 'scribbled down' bits of rantings eventually compiled into the Koran (since it would disprove the tenet that it was handed down, 100% complete, to Mohammed), eh?

America The Beautiful (or is that Ugly?)

So, there's this way cool, "Film Independent's Spirit Awards" show. Oh yes, let's get together and celebrate the "real" films, the independent films that fly under "Big Hollywood's" radar. Let's gather up a bunch of hip, cool directors, actors and producers of such films. Let's have them deliver the corny award presentations. So far, I'm OK with all of this... I tend to enjoy independent films more than the big studio releases (even though I love the megabucks special effects of the big boys).

Anyway, what does any of this have to do with America? Or politics?

Well, one of the hip, cool presenters this year was America Ferrara (star of the TV sitcom "Ugly Betty" and the independent film "Real Women Have Curves"). Now, here is a lovely latina (ironically portraying an 'ugly' character on tv - why didn't they have the cajones to cast someone actually unattractive?), whose parents named her "America"... succeeding wildly in America... bashing our President and minimizing the freedoms that she and all of us enjoy in America!!

Her comment was that America will be the land of the free once Bush leaves office (or at least I think that's what she meant... she said "it will be again in 2008"... Bush won't leave office until 2009).

Sure, she was probably only pandering to the all-too-eager Bush-hating left that dominates the film industry. Sure, she didn't think it was anything but a funny little comment. But for pete's sake, here's a triple minority (in Hollywood, anyway): Female, Latina, "curvy" (read: not anorexically thin). AND SHE'S SUCCEEDING IN AMERICA. Succeeding beyond the wildest dreams of 'normal' Americans. And yet, America isn't the land of the free? There's a baseball bat with her forehead's name on it somewhere. When will this"Winner of life's lottery" (some ridiculous Democrat's words, not mine) ever realize that she, were it NOT for our freedoms, fiercely defended by people such as George W. Bush & our entire military, might well be illiterate, oppressed, right-less, status-less, and unprotected from discrimination, degradation, and even violence?!

Unbelievable. Now, I don't know why miss America's parents named her "America". However, I would wager it was in gratitude for all this country has afforded them. If I'm right, then she has not only spit in the face of our commander-in-chief and the armed forces he commands, all of those who have DIED defending her right to be an idiot... she's also spit in the face of her parents. For someone who stars in a show that puts family above all, this is the worst kind of irony. Boo, traveling pants girl, boo.

Note the date (1963) - Prophetic and Scary

This doesn't get much press, but it's in the congressional record. If it were not, I'd say someone made it up, because it's practically word-for-word a playbook of today's Left. Please copy and distribute as you see fit:

Communist Goals for American Takeover

Communist Goals (1963)
Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35
January 10, 1963

Current Communist Goals
EXTENSION OF REMARKS OF HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, January 10, 1963

Mr. HERLONG. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Nordman of De Land, Fla., is an ardent and articulate opponent of communism, and until recently published the De Land Courier, which she dedicated to the purpose of alerting the public to the dangers of communism in America.

At Mrs. Nordman's request, I include in the RECORD, under unanimous consent, the following "Current Communist Goals," which she identifies as an excerpt from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen: [From "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen]



CURRENT COMMUNIST GOALS:
AMERICA

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one, or both, of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture -- education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etcetera.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit, and eventually dismantle, the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use ["]united force["] to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction [over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction] over nations and individuals alike.

Note to Muslims: Learn the Definition of "Irony"

So, the Pope reads a quote from a 14th century Byzantine Emperor that says (and I'm paraphrasing) "Show me anything new that Mohammed brought us. You'll find only evil, including conversion by sword to the faith he preaches."
So what do "modern" muslims do? Engage in a debate about the dearth of inventions, literature, art, contributions to medicine, etc. from Islamic lands over the past several centuries? Challenge the "medieval" notion that Islam is violent with examples to the contrary? Laugh at the foolishness of an old man?
No, they protest wildly in the streets, burn things, fire off guns and attack churches.
(A side note: Don't these idiots have jobs? How is it that they are always available to protest in furious numbers at the slightest "offense" against their prophet or their religion? I'm sure the Huffington Post readers or Rosie O'Donnells of the world would say they are unemployed because of George W. Bush, since every malaise worldwide, past, present or future is somehow traceable to his administration.
I'd say they've got so much time on their hands because they are not contributing to literature, art, science, industry, or anything else.)

When you're offended by people saying you're worthless, ignorant, and violent... perhaps ignorant, worthless displays of violence aren't exactly bolstering your argument.


PS: Why don't the gun control freaks in this country ever mention the random, wanton firing of automatic weapons out in the streets of these peaceful hamlets while women and children are outside? Are burkas bulletproof? Do Islamic bullets continue heavenward in their peaceful arc, never returning to earth? How is it that hunters, sportsmen, and people who want to protect their families and property from crime are ridiculed as ignorant rednecks (or worse: Republicans), but maniacs in the streets of populated areas firing indiscriminately are merely "disenfranchised", or "righteously outraged", "misunderstood" people? Silly me, I forgot: the gun control freaks are liberals. Nothing has to make any sense, it just has to make them feel superior.

'Easy' Doesn't Enter Into Grown Up LIfe

That's a quote from Michael Caine in "The Weatherman". And, I believe it's true. No one ever promised anyone anything easy (well, except for some infomercials and televangelists... and communist dictators... and... OK, people promise easy all the time!).
I guess that line jumped out at me as I half-watched, bleary-eyed, the movie a couple of days ago. Overtired, but can't sleep, too many things to do, but not getting them done... great fun.
There's a HUGE happy occasion on the horizon, my parent's 50th Anniversary (8/19), and being able to look forward to that is making the current pile of crap that is my worklife easier to bear. We've had someone quit, and his workload has been "democratically" spread amongst the rest of us. That's just dandy. I already have too much on my plate for one person and have been filling 1-1/2 to 2 job positions for the last 2 years. Hey, what's one more responsibility? I'm sure it will all translate into more compensation -- NOT.
At this point, I hope that we "get over this current hump" (something we've been saying pretty much every week for 6 years now) and life will resume some semblance of normalcy.
And, it ain't just work. I try, when I can, to volunteer with things at church, mostly Sound/Light/Video stuff since that is where my skills lie. I will refrain from the details of the latest escapade, because I can't find the positive spin on it and don't want to blast away at our leadership. I guess people are people, no matter in what walk of life, and being in church leadership does not automatically mean you'll have common sense or take people's physical/emotional well-being into account when you come up with grand plans.
I guess there's one other thing that has made the last few months kind of crappy: The idea that I might (just MIGHT) be interested in someone -- for the first time in probably 4 years... and she (is there any other way) had JUST decided to go 'exclusive' with some guy she'd started dating online. I suppose God intends for some people to remain single, but if I'm one of those people, I sure wish He would give me some peace about it. It screams in opposition to the fiber of my being. I know I'm dealing with consequences of stupid choices made earlier in my life, and I suppose the possibility exists that I'll never get an answer. Shit. 'Easy' doesn't enter into grown up life.

My Guitar Gently Weeps on a Ukelele

Amazing Ukelele player plays George Harrison's 'My Guitar Gently Weeps' on the ukelele. All I can say is... Unbelievable.

C.S. Lewis sums it up...

There's a reason why this guy is revered! What a great quote. Anyone who dares posit such an idea these days is dismissed a "NeoCon", "Right Wing Extremist" or a member of the "Religious Right". Which, in other words, will immediately remove such a thought from the forum of public debate, and certainly eliminate it from any media coverage (unless it's accompanied by someone like Rosie O'Donnell or Whoopie Goldberg ridiculing it for having the audacity to "speak for everyone"). Too bad. Mr. Lewis as usual has been prophetic in his assessment. The comment is as timely as anything making the news cycle today.

“The very idea of freedom presupposes some objective moral law which overarches rulers and ruled alike. Subjectivism about values is eternally incompatible with democracy. We and our rulers are of one kind only so long as we are subject to one law. But if there is no Law of Nature, the ethos of any society is the creation of its rulers, educators and conditioners; and every creator stands above and outside his own creation.” —C.S. Lewis

Everything That's Wrong With America

Cynthia McKinney.



OH, maybe I should elaborate. She's the congresswoman who, upon trying to rush by Capitol security with no credentials and no Congressional pin, was asked several times by security to stop. When she didn't (as I'm sure occurred on a daily basis) acknowledge the security officers at all and kept on going, the security officer touched her arm or shoulder to emphasize the fact that he needed her to stop and show some ID. Her response? No, she didn't say "Oh, sorry, I just assumed you'd recognize me", "Oh, I didn't realize you were talking to me" or even "Jeez! OK, here's my ID"... No, she whirled and slugged the guy.
Now, instead of apologies, she and many willing idiots (Danny Glover, Harry Belefonte, etc.) are out saying she's a victim of "Being in Congress while Black" - see, it's a racial thing.
Of course it is. The only person being persecuted due to his race is the Capitol Police officer who happens to be white.
Haven't the Democrats been bending over backwards to prove that they are "tough on security"? Look no further than this example - they are still the party of victimhood and race-baiting, just as they have been ever since they realized that they couldn't maintain the segregationist policies of the Jim Crow era (please remember, it was the Democrats fighting all Civil rights legislation). So, rather than appreciating the brave and (I suspect) underpaid officers for doing a fine job keeping members of congress safe, she's out beating the "Whitey has his foot on my neck" drum (remember, in 1998 two such officers gave their lives in the line of duty when someone tried to waltz past a security checkpoint and began firing a gun in the lobby).
With people like this in the halls of power, is it any wonder why race relations continue to be a scab that just won't be allowed to heal? Pick, pick, pick...

What Part of "Illegal" Don't You Understand?

"Sí se puede" - Yes, we can... Ummmm you can what?
I am not surprised, however sad that is, that hundreds of thousands of Latinos took to the streets to protest against immigration reforms that would make being in this country illegally a felony. It's already against the law, but it's a civil offense, and our politically correct politicians, lobbied heavily by construction, restaurant, and agriculture interests have pretty much been looking the other way for decades.
Now, the illegals have the misguided idea that somehow they are supposed to be allowed to be here indefinitely - like it is an unalienable right. The thought that we might pass a law with teeth is scaring... who, exactly? The illegals? They are already illegal! How dare we enforce or stiffen our laws.
It doesn't help that some of our own elected officials can't draw the distinction between a legal immigrant and an illegal alien. Senator Diane Feinstein, no genius on any level, actually called them "good citizens" today. Someone drag that woman to a civics 101 class! She's ostensibly representing half of California!! OH wait, half of California is illegal aliens. I forgot.
The idea that actually enforcing our laws is somehow "unfair" or "racist" or "backward" in this day and age of ballooning deficits, a war, and hospitals going bankrupt everywhere illegals are is the perhaps the most stupid idea since "hate crimes".
If you're illegal, you're illegal. Period. If you get caught, you should be thrown OUT. Not in a prison where taxpayers feed, clothe and shelter you. Back to Mexico. The great country that you pour into the streets to chant the name of. The one you carry flags for on Cinco de Mayo. The one whose language you refuse to quit speaking. If it's so great, why'd you leave? If you came here "for a better life for your family", what a great example you set by sneaking in illegally. It's just easier to sneak in (since we won't do anything to stop you) than it is to go through the legal process. Wow. Such perserverance. Touching.
Now, we'll get to watch endless Democrats bluster on about "fairness", "compassion", "understanding" etc. Why? Pandering for the Hispanic vote, of course. Hopefully it will backfire. A lot of Latinos voted Republican in the last election because they are (supposedly) tougher on illegal immigration. Why should they go through all the hard work to actually become a citizen and then all these leeches come through the easy way?
This country is doomed unless people start throwing out encumbent "lifelong" congressmen, and actually hold elected officials to what they promised in their campaigns. And since that won't happen, well, we're doomed.

Holy Haters, Batman, there's no Holy Cities!

It occurred to me today, on this third anniversary of the Iraq war, that the press seems to be resting on its collective laurels a bit.
When the war got going, and we were seeing video bits of spectacular explosions, lighting up the Iraqi skies, the press constantly referred to every city in Iraq as "The holy city of ..." Now, if this was out of some sort of fawning reverence to all things Islam, or even out of respect for "the people of Iraq", they would still be using those four words in reference to the towns.
Since they have taken, over the last year or more, to merely calling the cities by their name, without the distinguishing preamble, one might ask why. I believe the answer is this:
The press couldn't care less if any city or site, in any country, is considered holy. I've never heard "The holy city of Tel Aviv was bombed today..." The reason they kept tagging on "The holy city of..." was to make it sound that somehow we were the bad guys, bombing "holy sites", not terrorists or the followers of a maniacal dictator (who were 'spiritually sensitive' enough to hide in mosques, often behind children, hoping to avoid their doom). Remember, Bush bad, any other world leader, no matter how murderous, good. So why not fuel the fire by pronouncing every military target "holy"? Now that they've done their job, they've made it look like only bad things happen in Iraq, there's an increasing anti-war (and anti-Bush) sentiment growing, there's no need to mention "holy" anymore. It probably came as a relief to not have to utter that word anymore. Because in America, when someone says "holy" the Judeo-Christian deity springs to mind. And we can't have that, now, can we.

Crash, Pimps, Sheepherders

Oh, the Oscars.
Had it not been for the fact that I belatedly drove to a friend's party to watch the last half, I probably would have dozed through the show. Partly because I wasn't feeling well, and partly because it was pretty lame.
Jon Stewart was passable, but if you watch The Daily Show then you've seen it all before: The rolling of the eyes, the timely raised eyebrow, etc. He must have brought his writers along so he could remain firmly in his routine.

There were, in my opinion, some pleasant surprises, not the least of which was that "Brokeback Mountain" didn't sweep everything. Hell-bent as Hollywood is to rush to embrace anything 'bold', 'maverick', 'progressive', 'enlightening', (read: anti-family, anti-Christian, anti-American), not even the Academy of the Out-Of-Touch could grit their teeth and take it like a man. So, they split - giving Ang Lee Best Director honors and "Crash" Best Picture. I saw "Crash". It was tough to watch in many places (and I'll never think of Sandra Bullock quite the same again - Miss congeniality? More like Miss Opprobrious), but in the end, a well-done movie with a bit of redemption in the end.
I haven't seen and won't see "Brokeback" - there are plenty of great love story movies out there that don't involve M4M relations. I'm no prude, but the hype surrounding this movie was nothing more than a banner for the homosexual agenda -- the one that says that if you don't want your kid's scoutmaster to be gay, then you're the one with the problem. The one that says that if you define marriage as the union between one man and one woman, then you're the pervert. No thanks.
I've got homosexual friends, and have worked and socialized with several over the years. Fine people. But none of them ever tried to 'convert' me or to bully me into some sort of approval of their lifestyle. To the best of my knowledge, none ever walked in a "pride" parade or wore their proclivities on their sleeve. They kept their private lives private, and it didn't need to be the overarching topic of conversation. They were offended by obnoxious homophobes who called them names (or worse) - but then, who isn't offended by someone belittling you and degrading you. On the subject of that sort of morality, we agreed to disagree and let it lie.
But I digress.

It was nice to see Reese Witherspoon win best Actress in a Leading Role. I guess I've just read enough interviews with her to respect the way she and her husband are staying as non-Hollywood as possible. Kudos, and if you need a role model for your "I wanna be an actress" daughter, I think I'd start with Reese.

My favorite "You have GOT to be kidding me" part of the night, however, was a two-fold event. First, the "performance" (using the term loosely) of "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" from "Hustle and Flow"... immediately followed by that song WINNING for best original song from a motion picture... HUH? I don't care if a rap song gets nominated or even wins (Eminem did it with "Lose Yourself" what - 2 years ago?), but "Pimp" is a horrible excuse for even a rap song. Let's look at the lyrics (with some 'editing' by me):

You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't knowin)
When he tryin to get this money for the rent (you ain't knowin)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't knowin)
[1] Because a whole lot of b****es talkin s**t (you ain't knowin)
[2] Will have a whole lot of b****es talkin s**t (you ain't knowin)

In my eyes I done seen some crazy thangs in the streets
Gotta couple hoes workin on the changes for me
But I gotta keep my game tight like Kobe on game night
Like takin from a ho don't know no better, I know that ain't right
Done seen people killed, done seen people deal
Done seen people live in poverty with no meals
It's f***d up where I live, but that's just how it is
It might be new to you, but it's been like this for years
It's blood sweat and tears when it come down to this s**t
I'm tryin to get rich 'fore I leave up out this b***h
I'm tryin to have thangs but it's hard fo' a pimp
But I'm prayin and I'm hopin to God I don't slip, yeah

[Chorus]

Man it seems like I'm duckin dodgin bullets everyday
Niggaz hatin on me cause I got, hoes on the tray
But I gotta stay paid, gotta stay above water
Couldn't keep up with my hoes, that's when s**t got harder
North Memphis where I'm from, I'm 7th Street bound
Where niggaz all the time end up lost and never found
Man these girls think we prove thangs, leave a big head
They come hopin every night, they don't end up bein dead
Wait I got a snow bunny, and a black girl too
You pay the right price and they'll both do you
That's the way the game goes, gotta keep it strictly pimpin
Gotta have my hustle tight, makin change off these women, yeah

Seriously now... Oscar-worthy? Nice to know that in the middle of forcing women to sell their bodies, our hero prays to God that he won't slip - so he can get rich. Priceless. Oh, and I have it on good authority that a Snow Bunny is a white girl, in case you're wondering. So... did somehow only men vote for this vacuous assault on women? In order to win, I'd have to say that plenty of female Academy members had to vote for this 'song'. I will wager that the vast majority of those who voted for this 'song' never even heard it - or if they did, certainly didn't understand the lyrics. That's one advantage of rap, rock-n-roll, and other pop music styles -- people don't generally get the lyrics until after several listens, if even that. Now that the song has won, I'm sure there will be some discussion about it... but I won't hold my breath waiting for the feminists to denounce it. They're too busy railing against South Dakota's abortion ban. Hollywood, I'm putting you on notice -- the next time the cops pull the body of a prostitute or a rape victim out of a dumpster, some of the blood is on your hands. You're standing by applauding the glorification of the degradation of God's most perfect creation, all in the name of 'diversity' and 'tolerance'. You sick freaks. I'm not for censorship (people are free to vote with their pocketbook -- don't by the crap, the crap stops flowing), but HONORING such a vile slime-fest is lowly behavior even by the hedonistic bunch that makes up the majority of the film industry today. Nice try with the cute comparisons to other "strange-sounding song titles" by both Ludacris and Queen Latifah (who, before presenting the award for best song actually said "How was I NOT in that performance?" I guess she hadn't heard the lyrics either. Or were all of her in-your-face, pro-woman rap albums just a way to get paid until her acting career took off and she too could leave her principles at the door) - but I will remain offended by "Pimp" and not too upset over "Bibbity Bobbity Boo". You can bet Verna Felton (voice of the Fairy Godmother) didn't have to be on a six-second delay so the producers could catch her profanity.

I don't know if I'll be watching the self-congratulatory, smarmy, holier-than-thou Oscars next year. Things tend to get worse before they get better, and I'll bet we haven't seen the bottom yet.

Live Music - On a Tuesday Night?

So, Tuesday night some friends from church and I went to see a band called "Family Force 5". I hadn't heard of them except for my friend Rob telling me about them (and showing some of us their "Kountry Gentleman" video). They were pretty hilarious! The most refreshing thing about them is that they are Christians, but not a Christian band. What does that mean? In my little definition, it means that they write songs about whatever they feel like, and in their case, goofy songs. It's not 'praise & worship' music. They don't preach from the stage. To me, that's refreshing. So many (OK, nearly ALL) of the bands purporting to be Christian have to go through the Nashville meat grinder, so that no matter what they used to sound like, they all come out neat, tidy, homogeneous, guitars and drums buried in the mix, etc. Family Force 5 may pass through Nashville, but only as a tour stop. They certainly don't fit 'the mold'. What do they sound like? I'd say... a mixture of Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys... with a fat greasy side of Atlanta Hip-Hop and above all, a wicked sense of humor.
I don't think they (or the opening bands) were appreciated too much by some in our little group for many reasons, not the least of which was everything was way too loud. And I ain't saying that just because I'm getting old! I do sound. I know sound. This was laziness and apathy on the part of the engineer(s). When a room is practically empty, you're not going to "create energy" by slamming everything to 'eleven'. This night was especially egregious because even the opening bands were full throttle. Who does that? You always "save a little something" for the headliner. Thankfully, most of us were packing earplugs. A life-saver, albeit somewhat annoying. I have been threatening for years to get a pair of Sonic II hearing protectors, but never have. And, every time I've got a pair of foam plugs in, I remember -- "OH yeah, these things kill all the highs & high mids so I can't understand anything being sung". Bummer. Every once in a while I'd loosen one or the other for a minute or two, but... ouch. Stupid sound guy. Just because you've lost half of your hearing doesn't mean you need to inflict it on the rest of the world!
Well, anyway, we talked to some of the FF5 for a second after the show - great guys, very humble (hard not to be when only 55 people show up for your gig). I wish them well, and I guess I should mention local band "Type Nine" who went on before FF5. I think they could stand an infusion of energy, but their songs were pretty well-written and their musicianship was tight. A few technical difficulties marred the performance a bit, but they probably had a 0-minute soundcheck.

Umm, I don't do this every day.

Why can't I be this eloquent?

This sums up my take on Democrats completely and succinctly. I wish I'd come up with it myself. Actually, I wish our CURRENT President could come up with something this good.

"[Democrats] are the same people who rediscover poverty every election and promise to cure it. They’ve cured it so often that they’ve now made a profession of it. They thrive on failures, on righting wrongs, aiding victims, and so forth. It must be understood that success in those tasks would put them out of business. No matter how many programs are set up and operating, their proponents never claim success for them. To do so would be to say the problems have been solved, meaning the programs are no longer needed. And the programs, not the problems, are their very reason for being.” —Ronald Reagan

Perfect.

Real Thanksgiving

God:
Thank you. I don't know how I ended up in a family like the one I have, but thank you. Today was a great day. You've given us all so much -- not cars, boats and iPods, but love, patience, and joy. And good cooking!
When Thursday rolls around and everyone (hopefully) stops to think about what they are (and should be) thankful for, I know that some are going to have to struggle to come up with things. I thank you that not only is my life full of incredible gifts, but that they're blatantly obvious so even a shallow thinker like myself can see them.
Thanks again.

I'm catching up on my bloggin'... can you tell?

Muslims are trying to take over France.

Extreme statement? Nah. Once you've claimed a land for Allah, if you ever lose it, you are required to take it back. So it's been a few hundred years. The poor, "disenfranchised" (I really don't like that word, sounds like someone took your Taco Bell) youth are rioting, burning cars & shops, shooting at police in an organized fashion... and for what? Because they are "tired of being discriminated against"? That might be what the press is saying, but wake up and smell the Opium. The Muslims have been burning synagogues, Kosher delis, and other Jewish-owned businesses for years in and around Paris (and other European cities). But, hey, it was just the Jews getting it. No one likes them, anyway, right? At least not in our enlightened, secular Paris! Only now that regular Parisians are losing their Renaults to molotov cocktails is it a problem. Too late, Frogs! You should have put down the uprising the minute it started. A curfew, shoot-to-kill orders with Marines (do the French have Marines?) patrolling the streets... it would have stopped in one night. By the way, to any would-be hoodlums out there, don't go into electrical substations. The signs that say "Danger: High Voltage" are there for a reason. Morons. But I digress.
Radical Islam (and I am not so sure the word "radical" really needs to be there) is bent on world domination. It's in their holy book, it's preached (indoctrinated) to them from birth, and the evidence is so blatant that only the worst type of coward would dare couch this as "unrest". They're learning that terrorism works, they're not afraid to die, their religion gives them carte blanche (a French term! How apropos.. Wait, is that another one?) to "Slay the infidels where you may find them" (and conveniently, an 'infidel' is anyone who doesn't believe as you do! Won't be long before George Soros and Michael Moore start using the term for Republicans). What do you expect? Did you think that refusing to support the US invasion of Iraq would buy you some loyalty? Did you think your thinly veiled anti-semitism would keep your chalets safe? Do you really think Muslims are going to "live peacefully side by side" with ANYONE??? What do you think nearly all the major conflicts are about? It's Muslims who can't get along with their neighbors.
The Islamic curriculum in no particular order:
TEST: bomb a bunch of places in Israel. Women, children, worshipper, pizza-eaters, doesn't matter who. RESULT: The USA and other countries tell Israel not to retaliate. Israel listens. PASS.
TEST: bomb the World Trade Center, albeit fairly ineffectively. RESULT: Some people get arrested, no countries get turned into glass. INCOMPLETE.
TEST: Hijack a cruise ship. For fun, throw a crippled Jew overboard. RESULT: People help you escape justice. No countries get turned into glass. PASS.
TEST: Blow a hole in an American Destroyer in Yemen. RESULT: A handful of dead Americans, no countries get turned into glass. PASS.
TEST: Bomb a couple of American Embassies. RESULT: Somewhat of a body count, no countries get turned into glass. PASS.
TEST: Find a disgruntled American & help him take out a Federal building in Oklahoma City. RESULT: Horrific body count on American Soil. FBI/Justice Dept. cover up any and all leads dealing with "Middle Eastern men". Government lays all the blame on Timothy McVeigh and decries 'homegrown terrorism' and nearly demonizes (of all things) talk radio in the process! PASS. A++.
TEST: Burn down Jewish Synagogues and businesses in major European cities. RESULT: Nothing. PASS
TEST: Hijack several American Airliners, crash them into The World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and nearly... The White House? The Capitol building? Thank God we at least didn't find that out. RESULT: America decides to finally strike back. The despotic Theocratic lunatics of the Taliban are routed, Afghanistan is turned towards freedom and democracy. Depose Saddam Hussein, allow Iraq to come up with a Constitution and hold elections in the process. FAIL? Not so fast... test America's resolve. With the help of the international press and America's own enemies within, (that includes you, Cindy Sheehan) watch the stories of only the American body count become news. Ignore the opening of schools, the starting of new businesses, rights and education available to women for the first time in 40 years, power and water restored to hundreds of thousands, the end of the slaughter of political enemies both real and imagined. The end of gang rapes by the ruling party and its military. INCOMPLETE.
TEST: Right before an election, blow up some trains in Spain to spread misery and pain (sorry, had to do it). RESULT: Watch the cowardly appeaser get elected. PASS
TEST: Blow up some subways and a double-decker bus in London. RESULT: a pretty quick roundup of the ones who didn't die in the explosions... BUT watch the tide of appeasement grow! INCOMPLETE
TEST: Use any excuse to start rioting and destroying the self-made ghettos of Paris. Chant "Jihad!", fire up the idiots who are brainwashed into believing this is some sort of holy war. Use your text-message enabled cell phones (OH would Allah approve of this technology? I think not) to coordinate your riots. Shoot at the Police. Heck, even use an abandoned police station as your "molotov cocktail factory"(Irony, anyone?). Chant "We rule this place". RESULT: platitudes as the media stress the discrimination and the impoverished plight of.... Oh yeah, immigrants who refuse to assimilate into the culture of their new country. GEE, no wonder you aren't getting a job. SO FAR... PASS.

What's next? They're already chanting "this is our land" in Denmark... Germany is expecting a similar situation as Paris...

Europe, you gave your own continent away. France, you really blew it. Your idiotic immigration policies and greed for cheap servant labor allowed MILLIONS of people WHO HATE YOU AND WANT TO KILL YOU to move in next door. You have turned your back on God, closed your churches by the thousands, decided on a laissez-faire (OH, another one) attitude instead of nationalist pride, and strict policies on immigration (wow, am I yelling at the Eurotrash or my own President here?), and now that your churches are turning in to Mosques, who preach pure HATE in a foreign tongue (makes it easy for them to tell you they are preaching tolerance and peace, huh?), you are surprised at this latest outburst of violence? You let it happen right under your upturned noses. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see our military come in and save your Vichy asses once again, and that's what it will end up taking. Maybe this time we'll get a "merci" out of you.

'tis sad, indeed. If anyone still thinks that Islam is "a religion of peace" -- read some history. The FOUNDING and the tradition of Islam is soaked in blood. NOT the blood of martyrs, lest you start throwing around remarks about atrocities committed by madmen in the name of Christianity (who were clearly acting AGAINST the teachings of Christ). NO, this was the blood of the 'infidel', the ones whose crime was only not being a Muslim. Mohammed was a sick (epileptic) man who appropriated convenient traditions, places and even a god (the moon god, Allah) to create his own religion... conveniently put in "divine instruction" that anyone who spoke against Allah or his prophet should be put to death. Kind of puts the kaybosh on open and honest debate, huh? Oh yeah, and he conveniently added that Islam had to be the GOVERNMENT as well as the religion. Seems like the Liberals here in the US would be a little more leery of such a theocratic ideology, since they work really hard to make sure we have no acknowledgement of religion in any government building here! They sure are in love with all things Islam these days, even Oprah took it upon herself to have an "Islam 101" episode so we could all "understand" this peaceful religion. Oh, it's peaceful, all right. What could be more peaceful than hacking off the head of an innocent bystander with a dull knife, on videotape, while praising your god, claiming that what you're doing is commanded by the same? What could be more peaceful than targeting women and children OF YOUR OWN RELIGION along with your supposed enemy? What could be more peaceful than convincing the dim-witted that strapping a bomb to their chest will give them a free pass to heaven? What could be more peaceful than beating your wife at will, or killing your daughter or sister if she "shames" the family? I guess it's obvious that "Islam is peace". I just wasn't seeing it. Silly me.

Wow. I drove through a shooting scene

So, I finally get out of work at about 7:45 tonight. Sadly, I am frustrated, afraid I'm not going to make it home in time for "Prison Break". Lame, I know. I am coming down Shepherd and there are a gazillion flashing lights at the intersection of Shepherd and 34th. What the...? Of course, I can't tell what's going on, there's an officer directing me to turn right on 34th (not a big deal, but I had intended on going straight). So I'm mildly perturbed until I realize that they are not tidying up after a "Houston Handshake" (a fender bender to the rest of the world... by the way, I just coined that term. You heard it here first!), because there are too many cruisers spread in 3 directions. I just cruised through, trying not to rubberneck -- didn't seem to be anything but police, no wrecked vehicles, no one getting cuffed, nothing on fire.
Well, I made it home in time to see Prison Break (just barely!). And when Prison Break was over, the local Fox news teaser says "Houston Police kill a woman after a chase" -- and it was what I had driven through an hour earlier. Actually the shooting occurred some hours previous and I drove through the investigation site. Creepy story so far. You just don't hear many stories about (a) DPS employees getting into dust-ups with the police, (b) women weilding guns, (c) Police shooting women, but the wierdest of all -- the woman got shot while pointing the gun at... her SISTER!! What the...? Apparently the sister was in the passenger seat of this pickup (which, by the way had come to a stop in an abandoned Texaco station parking lot after the police had thrown out tire spikes), threw a 9mm pistol out the window... and the driver got out of the truck, ran around to the gun, picked it up and began pointing it at her sister! That's when "officers discharged their weapons" (euphemisms provided by the Houston Police Department). Strange, sad, and... HEY, when is someone going to reopen that gas station? It was the closest one to work!

Busy busy busy

I guess I didn't really realize how much free time I had until I lost it. Ain't that always the way. I don't know how married people, especially those with children, ever get anything done. When work puts demands on you keeping you at the office until late in the evening, and you have laundry, homework, cleaning and reading to do, and you've got obligations on several nights a week... when are you supposed to sleep?
Maybe I like sleep too much. I'm not one of those people who can get 4 hours a night and be fine. I can pull that off for about 2 days.
Maybe I like 'down time' too much. Sometimes you need to sit and and just surf the web, or draw something. Or play your guitar.
Yep, time is a valuable commodity. I need to figure out a way to keep work from taking so much of it.

Am I a Racist? Part II

Busing. Or is it Bussing. Either way, I mean the kind where you get put on a bus and sent far from your neighborhood school to another school in the holy name of diversity. I, thankfully, was never bused.

However, one of my older sisters was. She was in fifth grade and got bused to Glen Oak Elementary. To this day I have no idea where in our town that school is. She was quick to make friends and I'm really glad she got exposed to what the kids at Glen Oak were listening to music-wise. She brought home some 45's that opened my ears to stuff I'd never heard before. Sly and the Family Stone's "Family Affair", Diana Ross' "Stoned Love" and "Touch Me In the Morning", The Stylistics "Betcha By Golly Wow", and some others.

SOUL music? In our house?

My mother listened only to Classical/Opera/Sacred (did I mention this was a Southern Baptist household?), my dad didn't listen to anything but I later found out he was a fan of the big band era. We heard the top 40 station, but it was heavy on Carpenters, Donny Osmond, Cher, and other white-bread drivel. Yeah, you heard Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five and an occasional R&B tune like "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers, but 'really black stuff' didn't cross over too much. My sisters, up until this time, were listening to the Partridge Family (and I remember my oldest sister getting really excited about getting the soundrack to "Oliver!" one Christmas). We also had a copy of "Snoopy and the Royal Guardsmen". So we weren't exactly schooled in soul.

That was the good part. The music, and I suppose some new girlfriends I never met.

The bad part was when my sister and her best friend Sandy were sitting in an outside area after school giggling about whatever it is little girls giggle about, and a young man (in sixth grade but old enough to be in high school) decided that they were giggling about him. He proceeded to beat them both up pretty badly. No hospital, but lots of bruises and a busted lip.

Again, at the time, I didn't think anything about it in racial terms (I was horrified that someone had beaten up my sister) and my folks didn't ever say anything other than express some vehement concern over the safety of their daughter at school. Understand, this was before the days where you sued everyone in sight for the slightest offense, real or imagined. So this experience, retold to by my sister a few times after I was older, was filed away with the others.

And there were others...