They Are On My Mind

My Favorite Band. I bet you didn't know that. Of course, I'm talking to those who know me. Otherwise, why would you know? Or not know, as it stands. There's something about Buddhism my philosophy teacher told me about how first, we "don't know". Then we "know." But someday, approaching enlightenment, we will realize that we "not know." Or something. Anyway, I just listened to this album. And drank a few beers. It's fucking great. Listen to "Love Me Not Tomorrow." Fucking gold. Great. Great! The lead singer, Bev, has the greatest voice I've ever heard.

Great's a funny word, now that I've written it a number of times. Great, great, great. Sounds funny. Like what Jon Lovitz said on an episode of Third Rock from the Sun, I think: "Tartlets, tartlets, tartlets. There -- the word has lost all meaning." Or something like that.

I did say "a few beers", right.

Right. Anyway, best band...ever!

The Problem with Protest

First of all, I support protest. I imagine everyone supports protest when it is in protest of something or someone denying them a right, or privilege, or function or such and such. Some folks are against anti-war protestors, for instance (these would be people, I guess, FOR war). Therefore, theoretically, they might protest the ending of a war. So most people would probably be considered PRO-protest.

Protest today, however (and I'm referring to speaking out against the war in Iraq and against the present administration), seems to me to come across as a lot of what is referred to as "preaching to the choir."

But I guess the problem with protest is really my problem, because, despite my daily confirmation of the proud ignorance of many Americans, I'm still left slack-jawed by the percentage of polled citizens who still stand behind the war in Iraq and the present administration. I am notoriously ruthless towards dummies, and immediately verbally corral those who do not question authority with those who utter sentences such as "this is America -- love it or leave it," or ask me when I am sitting alone in public, "what are you reading -- a book?"

You know the type.

That's who the rhetoric of protest is aimed at, and for which it is meant to inspire independent thought. But that's not who it's reaching, I think. Protest, satire, and other forms of non-violent admonitions reach me. And if it's funny, I'll laugh, and conclude with an "I know."

I'm not saying don't protest; I don't know what I'm saying. But I'm fairly certain that no one I've mocked will ever read this (well, it's doubtful that ANYONE will read this, but if they do, it'll probably just be you.)

An exception to my latest blather, though, is the anti-war protest that has blossomed from Cindy Sheehan's establishment of Camp Casey in Crawford, Texas, as she attempts to persuade President Bush to speak to her concerning the death of her son in Iraq. The gathering and its mission seems like it should be hitting America right in the heart.

Sadly, it may take a personal tragedy like the one that has struck Cindy Sheehan (and thousands more like her) to turn those many stubborn and selfish Americans around to see the possibly irrreparable damage done to our country by the current administration. There really was a time, I might have to someday explain to my nephews, when America was a respected country, admired for its freedoms and ideals, instead of feared and loathed by the rest of the world for its intimidation and imperialism.

Teddy Roosevelt, where are you?

Oh, yeah, yr dead.

Buddha Bless America.

He Loves Me? No, He Loves Me Not...

Why does President George W. Bush, and presumably his whole cabinet, hate American Soldiers?
I don't know. He just does.
Perhaps because of some twisted guilt for ditching his own service. (I know his supporters say he didn't, but for those of you with even the faintest grasp of logic, and also an understanding of research, one can easily observe his ignoring the call of duty to his nation. Jesus Christ, I mean, come on...).
But here are some purported, and most likely verified, facts to back up my statement:
1. No exit plan, and hardly an efficient entrance plan either.
2. Too few soldiers completing too many tours.
3. Too MANY soldiers too ill-equipped to sustain "insurgent" attacks, i.e., insuffient armor, insufficient weapons, insufficient guidance.
4. A refusal to attend soldiers' funerals.
5. A refusal to even honor the soldiers' deaths by allowing American citizens to view their flag-draped caskets.
6. His insistence that our nation continue the illegal war in Iraq.
7. His lack of hesitance to send more soldiers to their potential deaths in his faux-christian obsession to dominate the world for the sake of Jesus Christ, who even now is spinning in his grave.
8. His lack of hesitance to extend our soldiers' stay in Iraq and Afghanistan despite an obvious physical and moral fatigue.
9. His dismissal of the will of the overwhelming majority of the citizens to end this fascist and treacherous invasion of a sovereign nation.
10. His selfishness, cloaked in hyoscisy, engulfed by a cheesecloth patriotism.

Bush and his cabinet do not care for Americans unless they are rich Americans, or rich Saudi Arabians, or rich whoevers. Every time he mentions God, he uses the Lord's name in vain, which is a violation of the Ten Commandments, whether you believe in it or not. And don't foget this one: Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness. You know what I'm talking about. And if you don't, chances are you're not reading this anyway.

I guess I'm just preaching to a handful of the converted.

Anyway, here's a bumper sticker I think I saw on the back of the President's limo (more bullet-proof than most tanks in Iraq):

It's Funny Cuz It's True...

President's Remarks at Victory 2002 Event
Remarks by the President to the Republican Party of Texas
Victory 2002 and Cornyn for Senate Luncheon
Hyatt Regency Hotel
Dallas, Texas March 28, 2002
12:15 P.M. CST

"You know, when I was campaigning in Chicago, in the general election, somebody said, would you ever deficit spend? I said, well, only if we were at war, or there was a national emergency, or we were in a recession. Little did I realize we'd get the trifecta." (Laughter.)

I know this is an oft-blogged quote, but it never loses its punch with me. I call the "culture of life" the "culture of laugh!"

Love & Chuckles,
Charlie

How to Properly Introduce an Irradiated Lizard

Part Two of my early poetry unearthings finds me dabbling in such poetic forms as the cinquain and limerick. Why I referred to the classic Japanese monster this way, I don't know. But it does jive with my Long Island accent and its peculiarities where pronunciation is concerned.

We Were Better Off Uncensored

I came across two books of poetry I had written as class asignments in 4th Grade (that'd put it at early 1979). One collection was an alphabetical history of America. Judging from these 26 poems, I did not have -- or was not offered -- a full telling of our nation's past (there seemed to be a pre-occupation with inventions). But I really appreciate now my morbid synopsis of World War II. I imagine that these days I'd instead be counseled rather than applauded for my understanding (a small green "A" was etched into my tweed-like cover by Mrs. Zarwin).

What Happened?

I wonder often (well, when I've had a few beers -- OK, often): could I have taken another route, career-wise? Should I perhaps have even chosen a career, rather than a job? I'd like to view my missed opportunities, experience alternate possibilities...

But really, I know: nothing else was ever to be. My sloth, my ennui too often trumps my verve. My zest, if you will. And if you won't? Well, you can go screw like the rest of them.

It comes down to this: I used to like raisins. Now I don't.

There Has Always Been The Feebs...

Guh? You haven't heard of the Feebs? Holy crap. Best band ever. And I should know. How? Don't you ever f-ing question me! Go here to read about the Feeb and buy his compilation I'm Afraid of Life on CDBaby. Or go to one of these online resources for digital downloads (the wave of the future.) And yeah you gotta pay:

Audio Lunchbox
mMode
EEMPE3
emusic
MP3tunes
BuyMusic
RuleRadio
Sony Connect
QTRnote
Puretracks
Mperia
MSN Music
Bitmunk

The Feebs are also available through these services:

MusicMatch
iTunes
Napster
Rhapsody
Loudeye
MusicNet
Ruckus

I don't know if any or all these places are run by corporate fascists, etc. What are you gonna do? It's America. Home of the Feebs!

Pigs, pigs, pigs...

...as my pal Harry Carbohydrate used to mutter as a child at the neighbors.

Remember when the government wasn't exclusively run by pigs? Remember when it was only mostly governed by pigs? When was that? Was that a long time ago?

Look at this crew we're tormented by now: The seal of this administration, I believe, should be a scene from Androcles and the Lion, where Androcles represents the nebbishy losers (socially retarded, but propogandistically gifted), and the lion symbolizes the popular blockheads (not "readers," but charismatic to the general populace).

The "gratitude of noble souls" angle is solely shared by these two exclusive groups.

And now Androcles whispers in the lion's ear a seemingly endless list of poor bastards doomed to be pricked with the fortuitous thorn.

What has the thorn represented these last five years? Missiles, bills, cabinet appointments, bombs, lies -- jesus christ, don't forget the lies (you will -- you will forget the lies; there are no lies) -- budget cuts, napalm, misappropriations of funds, etc.

I'm weak on articulate rhetoric, and am easily distracted in my research, and so rely on the opinions and information of others I have deemed trustworthy. Meaning check out Alternet or The Huffington Post or The Majority Report (or dozens of other vigilant sites) for what I believe to be more trustworthy news reporting than the network news and other mainstream outlets.

I'm best at the scathing retort and the insulting description.

Like calling the present administration pigs. The whole f-ing lot of them. And why wouldn't I? What could I possibly be but an enemy to them? Nevermind action, just the very notion of disagreeing with the government today I believe is considered treasonous.

Oh, and an affront to the new Jesus they keep hinting at. You know, the new Jesus I find almost completely unrecognizable from the catechism and missalettes of my youth. Make no mistake -- I've certainly strayed from the politics and dogma of the Catholic Church I was raised in, but I've hardly forgotten the teachings of Jesus. I just no longer sully the essence of them by laminating his life with the literal translation of "Son of God." Or other literal translations.

In my opinion. Obviously.

I've strayed a bit, but to reiterate in a base fashion: They're pigs.

Oh Yeah, I Forgot I Had a Blog

What have I been up to? Who am I asking? Well, I went to the store today. I bought a Heaven 17 CD. Yeah, that's right. And a bottle of Jim Beam. Green label. "Choice."

Let me go.