I Didn't Write That!
31 August 2008
And While the Republicans Run & Hide From Gustav...
...Obama asks his supporters to help.
...Obama asks his supporters to help.
Labels: politics
¶ August 31, 2008 0 Comments
Meanwhile, Bush Grabs More Power
It appears that Bush is trying to declare a permanent state of war.
It appears that Bush is trying to declare a permanent state of war.
Labels: politics
¶ August 31, 2008 0 Comments
About That Daughter's Mono
Sarah Palin's daughter holds her baby brother very comfortably.
In case you didn't get the hint--How often does mono last so long? For most people, it's no more than a month, maybe three, but only a few weeks of rest are usually necessary. Sarah Palin's daughter's, though, was a most worrying case, one that necessitated her being taken out of school far longer than that, from 5 to 8 months, depending which official you ask. Good heavens, if it was that bad, didn't she need a hospital? We might be talking Epstein-Barr!
Or...
Is it possible that Sarah Palin was in fact covering up her own daughter's pregnancy?
This, of course, would render her morality cred with the Christian Right for not terminating little Trig(which she did consider, and made the choice--a choice she'd bar to all other women--not to, so it's claimed) completely comedic, moot and meaningless.
Oh, and her a liar, and McCain a complete laughingstock going into the convention. It's claimed she was vetted, though you'd never know it--it seems McCain might as well have picked the first good-looking woman over 35 he saw on the street. Who the hell was this blind, deaf idiot that checked her out, and what did they ask? "Are you a Christian?" Did they stop there?
But then, her staff claimed not to notice her getting more and more pregnant. Maybe she just surrounds herself with naturally inattentive people. One could be forgiven, though, for not noticing, because five months into the pregnancy she was still keeping her strenuous jogging and hiking routine up. And that's probably how she still looked so trim six months in. (that's the picture at left)
And here she is at seven months. It's like Rosemary's Baby--she's actually losing weight! Are Republican pregnancies often like that? This was March. Trig was born premature in April, weighing 6.2 pounds.
Meanwhile, below that, this is how her daughter (in green, looking troubled) looked at about the same time. Ladies, is that 6.2 pounds of fat, or fetus?
These are just a few of the inconsistencies. Much more here.
And ask yourself: knowing full well this could be exposed and not only wreck McCain's presidential bid and her political career but her family's--particularly her daughter's--lives, why did she so blithely agree to be McCain's running mate, and even worse, to make the child with Down's Syndrome a front-and-center part of the narrative?(which is already disgusting, to use your disabled baby as campaign prop) Does this speak well of her judgment or intelligence, or her regard for her family? Should you call such attention to such a glaring lie when you're obviously a very bad liar?
And what does this say about McCain's wits? Assuming this isn't just revenge on the GOP: What the hell was he thinking? Is he thinking at all?
Sarah Palin's daughter holds her baby brother very comfortably.
In case you didn't get the hint--How often does mono last so long? For most people, it's no more than a month, maybe three, but only a few weeks of rest are usually necessary. Sarah Palin's daughter's, though, was a most worrying case, one that necessitated her being taken out of school far longer than that, from 5 to 8 months, depending which official you ask. Good heavens, if it was that bad, didn't she need a hospital? We might be talking Epstein-Barr!
Or...
Is it possible that Sarah Palin was in fact covering up her own daughter's pregnancy?
This, of course, would render her morality cred with the Christian Right for not terminating little Trig(which she did consider, and made the choice--a choice she'd bar to all other women--not to, so it's claimed) completely comedic, moot and meaningless.
Oh, and her a liar, and McCain a complete laughingstock going into the convention. It's claimed she was vetted, though you'd never know it--it seems McCain might as well have picked the first good-looking woman over 35 he saw on the street. Who the hell was this blind, deaf idiot that checked her out, and what did they ask? "Are you a Christian?" Did they stop there?But then, her staff claimed not to notice her getting more and more pregnant. Maybe she just surrounds herself with naturally inattentive people. One could be forgiven, though, for not noticing, because five months into the pregnancy she was still keeping her strenuous jogging and hiking routine up. And that's probably how she still looked so trim six months in. (that's the picture at left)
And here she is at seven months. It's like Rosemary's Baby--she's actually losing weight! Are Republican pregnancies often like that? This was March. Trig was born premature in April, weighing 6.2 pounds.Meanwhile, below that, this is how her daughter (in green, looking troubled) looked at about the same time. Ladies, is that 6.2 pounds of fat, or fetus?
These are just a few of the inconsistencies. Much more here.
And ask yourself: knowing full well this could be exposed and not only wreck McCain's presidential bid and her political career but her family's--particularly her daughter's--lives, why did she so blithely agree to be McCain's running mate, and even worse, to make the child with Down's Syndrome a front-and-center part of the narrative?(which is already disgusting, to use your disabled baby as campaign prop) Does this speak well of her judgment or intelligence, or her regard for her family? Should you call such attention to such a glaring lie when you're obviously a very bad liar?
And what does this say about McCain's wits? Assuming this isn't just revenge on the GOP: What the hell was he thinking? Is he thinking at all?
Labels: barbie mcmooseburger, politics
¶ August 31, 2008 1 Comments
Such A Maverick
...that he only picked Palin because none of his advisers had any minuses they could mention with her.
Except that she had no pluses, and no advocates, in that group either.
At least we know this isn't a focus group decision. No, this is the flavor of decision McCain makes on his own, and would make if president. How's that sample taste, folks? Much like dust and ashes in the mouth?
And I truly believe it's the fact that she looks damn fine that made the old man's decision. That's if he has any idea of winning, and I don't think he has any intent to do so.
...that he only picked Palin because none of his advisers had any minuses they could mention with her.
Except that she had no pluses, and no advocates, in that group either.
At least we know this isn't a focus group decision. No, this is the flavor of decision McCain makes on his own, and would make if president. How's that sample taste, folks? Much like dust and ashes in the mouth?
And I truly believe it's the fact that she looks damn fine that made the old man's decision. That's if he has any idea of winning, and I don't think he has any intent to do so.
Labels: politics
¶ August 31, 2008 0 Comments
Palin: Such A Nice Lady
Okay, I take that back, since she thinks it's funny when her political opponents are called "bitch," and laughs at their cancer.
So much for the unity of women, eh? Way to get those Hillary voters, Sarah! But then again, she's running alongside someone who calls his second wife a "cunt."
By the way, if I were Cindy McCain, I'd do everything I could to avoid being in a crippling car accident. John might then think of trading up again.
Turns out McCain wanted Lieberman anyway, which is the only choice he could've made that would delight me more. But the conservatives don't like him, so they decided that just giving away the election right now would be easier.
Okay, I take that back, since she thinks it's funny when her political opponents are called "bitch," and laughs at their cancer.
So much for the unity of women, eh? Way to get those Hillary voters, Sarah! But then again, she's running alongside someone who calls his second wife a "cunt."
By the way, if I were Cindy McCain, I'd do everything I could to avoid being in a crippling car accident. John might then think of trading up again.
Turns out McCain wanted Lieberman anyway, which is the only choice he could've made that would delight me more. But the conservatives don't like him, so they decided that just giving away the election right now would be easier.
Labels: politics
¶ August 31, 2008 0 Comments
Acknowledging The Hurricane
The RNC cancels the opening night of its convention, and Bush/Cheney will be avoiding it, as will a number of guests.
¶ August 31, 2008 0 Comments
The RNC cancels the opening night of its convention, and Bush/Cheney will be avoiding it, as will a number of guests.
¶ August 31, 2008 0 Comments
30 August 2008
About That Bridge To Nowhere
Apparently, Palin isn't as against it as she claims.
And she's not quite as well-thought-of as a 20-month governor in her home state as has been claimed, either.
Apparently, Palin isn't as against it as she claims.
And she's not quite as well-thought-of as a 20-month governor in her home state as has been claimed, either.
Labels: politics
¶ August 30, 2008 0 Comments
Some Children Are More Equal Than Others
From the General:
From the General:
Sarah Palin's daughter was stricken with mononucleosis. The Governor, who had just announced her own pregnancy, took her daughter out of school so she could care for her at home. For the next seven months, mother and child nurtured each other--mother easing the pain of daughter's mono; daughter helping mother through her pregnancy, until finally, the Governor gave birth. Three days later, Governor Palin left her new-born special needs child in the care of that daughter (who was feeling much better, thank you), to resume her duties as Governor.
That my friends, is family values.
Labels: politics
¶ August 30, 2008 0 Comments
God Hates Republicans
Hurricane Gustav is coming, and will most likely hit at the same time as their convention. Which McCain wants to postpone, but the RNC doesn't.
Oh no, don't postpone. We need a real reminder of why you complete bastards should be cast back into Hell.
Hurricane Gustav is coming, and will most likely hit at the same time as their convention. Which McCain wants to postpone, but the RNC doesn't.
Oh no, don't postpone. We need a real reminder of why you complete bastards should be cast back into Hell.
Labels: politics
¶ August 30, 2008 0 Comments
It's Not Like the GOP Hasn't Made Such A Cynical Pick Before
They've got a habit of throwing up "identity" candidates thinking that people only vote for what they perceive as their "own." Which is more a clue to their patronizing and out-of-touch view of the American people than anything else. Not to mention a true description of their own base, which will vote for anything that calls itself pro-life and Christian, even if it has cloven hooves and horns and promises to eat their young barbecued.
The last time though? Against Obama, in Illinois.
They've got a habit of throwing up "identity" candidates thinking that people only vote for what they perceive as their "own." Which is more a clue to their patronizing and out-of-touch view of the American people than anything else. Not to mention a true description of their own base, which will vote for anything that calls itself pro-life and Christian, even if it has cloven hooves and horns and promises to eat their young barbecued.
The last time though? Against Obama, in Illinois.
Did the Rovian type advisors to McCain just cynically think that throwing a young attractive inexperienced woman into the mix would satisfy women who long to see a woman president? Women, and Republican women, are not so stupid as to fall for that! It is reminiscent of the Republicans putting up Alan Keyes to run against Barack Obama for the Illinois Senate just because he was black. Voters saw through that pretty quickly.
Labels: politics, right wing
¶ August 30, 2008 0 Comments
Minutemen: "Joe McCarthy's Ghost"
Just listen to that sweet Mike Watt bass.
Just listen to that sweet Mike Watt bass.
Labels: politics
¶ August 30, 2008 0 Comments
29 August 2008
"Wait A Minute," the Republicans Gulped
Did they enjoy stealing Obama's thunder today? Good, because now that they've had a chance to sober up, they've got quite a hangover coming over Palin. Even GOP lickspittle David Frum reads the writing on the wall. A quote:
Did they enjoy stealing Obama's thunder today? Good, because now that they've had a chance to sober up, they've got quite a hangover coming over Palin. Even GOP lickspittle David Frum reads the writing on the wall. A quote:
Ms. Palin's experience in government makes Barack Obama look like George C. Marshall.Another:
The day that John McCain announced his selection of Sarah Palin was his birthday. His 72nd birthday. Seventy-two is not as old as it used to be, but Mr. McCain had a bout with melanoma seven years ago, and his experience in prison camp has uncertain implications for his future health. If anything were to happen to a President McCain, the destiny of the free world would be placed in the hands of a woman who until the day before Friday was a small-town mayor. Mr. McCain's supporters argue that he is more serious about national security than Barack Obama. But the selection of Sarah Palin invites the question: How serious can he be if he would place such a neophyte second in line to the presidency? Barack Obama at least balanced his inexperience with Mr. Biden's experience. What is Mr. McCain doing?
And as for how this might help McCain, if at all?
The elder Bush picked Dan Quayle in 1988 in hopes of wooing younger voters, much as Walter Mondale had chosen Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, in an effort to mobilize women, and George McGovern had hoped that Sargent Shriver would stanch his losses among Catholics in 1972. None of these gambits worked. Ms. Ferraro did not deliver women, Mr. Quayle did not deliver youth, and Catholics defected to Nixon in 1972.
His choosing a beauty queen(this is also how he chose his wife) that he only met once before, in February of this year, also underscores the fact that he didn't pick any of the many competent and prominent women in his party, and that she's, as one commentator has put it, a "trophy candidate." Bush 41 thought that Quayle's looks would get the wimmens. McCain thinks this one will do the same. Oh, ha.
And there's a whole long weekend till next week and quite some time till the convention, given they're scared to hold their convention while a hurricane might again hit New Orleans. It's only taken one news cycle for all of Palin's liabilities to hit the news, and more keep coming.
Not least of which her complete opposition to abortion even in cases of rape or incest, her attempt to get a brother-in-law fired during a custody battle, her appontment of a known sexual harasser, her opposition to evolution...man, it just doesn't stop. Oh, and then there's her Down's Syndrome kid whom she's going to be neglecting in order to run(the social conservatives who love that she didn't abort said child will have fun juggling that one), and her eldest son shipping off to fight in a war she says she hasn't really thought much about.
Don't get me wrong--she seems like a very nice lady. I feel sorry for the humiliation she'll be facing soon.
And by the way, all of these qualities only make her attractive to the rapidly shrinking GOP base--no swing voters, except the stupidest and least informed. But they probably wouldn't remember to vote, or that it was November.
And as the PUMAs are in fact Republicans, I'm sure they'll vote for him too. So McCain has locked up the vote of...those who were going to vote for him anyway. But nobody who actually supported Hillary Clinton would vote for a candidate, with a vagina or without, who had these beliefs. Didn't anyone tell McCain the PUMAs were a hoax by GOP operatives? Oh dear me, the old man's believing his own press. But at least James Dobson approves!
McCain made a great choice. For the benefit of Obama and those of us who want to see him win. Thanks, John!
Harriet Miers=Sarah Palin
Just more proof that the GOP has no idea how to pick female candidates for anything. And McCain sure likes him the beauty queens, doesn't he?
Don't let her professional Tina Fey appearance fool you. What we're really talking about is something more like Shelly on Northern Exposure. In many many ways.
It also shows McCain has little respect for the office if he's so frivolous about this kind of pick. I saw on Andrew Sullivan's blog someone called her "trophy candidate." Yep.
I still think he wants to lose.
Labels: politics
¶ August 29, 2008 0 Comments
28 August 2008
The Conservative Nanny State
McCain is now officially more reactionary than Bush; this year the GOP wants in its platform a complete ban on funding--even private funding(something to make the few libertarians left in the party livid)--for stem cell research.
Even Bush didn't go that far.
And the elephant retreats further and further into the bunker...
Labels: politics
¶ August 28, 2008 0 Comments
Biden's Blistering Speech
He covers his many, many verbal slips well by mentioning early on that his mother explained his childhood stutter as the consequence of his mind working faster than his mouth could.
It's official: Biden has fully accepted the role of attack dog, and threw down the fucking gauntlet tonight. If only he'd been so much on the offensive in the Senate. But better late than never.
He covers his many, many verbal slips well by mentioning early on that his mother explained his childhood stutter as the consequence of his mind working faster than his mouth could.
Labels: politics
¶ August 28, 2008 0 Comments
26 August 2008
Our Newly Permissive Law Enforcement Agencies
Three fine, handsome examples of Aryan racial supremacy. WHERE ARE YOUR CHINS?
Three fine, handsome examples of Aryan racial supremacy. WHERE ARE YOUR CHINS?
Some meth-crazed racist idiots planned to kill Obama. They aren't being charged with that, though, because the authorities decided they weren't competent enough to carry it out.
So?
Since when does that make a difference? When the candidate is a Democrat and black?
I have a cartoonist friend(who will remain nameless; if you're in the industry you know the story and whom I mean) who merely pranked someone, making it seem they'd threatened the then-president, and said prankee was, shall we say, investigated very thoroughly. But these guys, no?
Meanwhile, people who had the wrong ethnicity of name are in Gitmo for far less. In most cases, nothing. Why does our government always look the other way, till it's too late, if the terrorist/assassin is a white American racist?
We all know the answer. I merely ask for humorous effect.
So?
Since when does that make a difference? When the candidate is a Democrat and black?
I have a cartoonist friend(who will remain nameless; if you're in the industry you know the story and whom I mean) who merely pranked someone, making it seem they'd threatened the then-president, and said prankee was, shall we say, investigated very thoroughly. But these guys, no?
Meanwhile, people who had the wrong ethnicity of name are in Gitmo for far less. In most cases, nothing. Why does our government always look the other way, till it's too late, if the terrorist/assassin is a white American racist?
We all know the answer. I merely ask for humorous effect.
Labels: politics
¶ August 26, 2008 0 Comments
Well Done, Hillary 
That was one hell of a speech she gave tonight, and she came through, and made it very clear that anyone claiming to support her who'll vote for McCain is betraying nothing less than future generations. Any PUMA that continues to support McCain and attack Obama is betraying Hillary.
Got that, PUMAs? No? Of course you don't, because not one of you is a Democrat. You're McCain supporters creating noise, and your behavior is a parody, from a Fox News perspective, of the behavior of a feminist, not feminism. A real feminist doesn't whine and throw a tantrum till she gets her way. Only Republicans think they would, because that's all their women know how to do to get their way--pester Daddy.
Which explains bullshit like this:
Interesting that the Republicans like to present themselves as "grownups" when the only way they ever win anymore is by playing childish(and if you lived in Ohio or Florida, not-so-childish) pranks. Does that look like maturity to you?
That was one hell of a speech she gave tonight, and she came through, and made it very clear that anyone claiming to support her who'll vote for McCain is betraying nothing less than future generations. Any PUMA that continues to support McCain and attack Obama is betraying Hillary.I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?
Got that, PUMAs? No? Of course you don't, because not one of you is a Democrat. You're McCain supporters creating noise, and your behavior is a parody, from a Fox News perspective, of the behavior of a feminist, not feminism. A real feminist doesn't whine and throw a tantrum till she gets her way. Only Republicans think they would, because that's all their women know how to do to get their way--pester Daddy.
Which explains bullshit like this:
Interesting that the Republicans like to present themselves as "grownups" when the only way they ever win anymore is by playing childish(and if you lived in Ohio or Florida, not-so-childish) pranks. Does that look like maturity to you?
Labels: politics
¶ August 26, 2008 0 Comments
25 August 2008
23 August 2008
The Kinks: "Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout That Girl"
From Kinda Kinks(1965). Audio only.
From Kinda Kinks(1965). Audio only.
Labels: music
¶ August 23, 2008 0 Comments
I Wasn't Aware This Was A Viable Career Choice
But she certainly went after it with ambition. As you can see, she became leader of the leopard pack by slaying and skinning their leader.
But that doesn't explain the chimp.
But she certainly went after it with ambition. As you can see, she became leader of the leopard pack by slaying and skinning their leader.
But that doesn't explain the chimp.
Labels: politics
¶ August 23, 2008 0 Comments
22 August 2008
Samuel Beckett
"Hell must be like... reminiscing about the good old days when we wished we were dead."
"Hell must be like... reminiscing about the good old days when we wished we were dead."
Labels: politics, samuel beckett
¶ August 22, 2008 0 Comments
21 August 2008
The Death of Melancholy
As I suspected, we're medicating away our souls.
But regarding the above quote: We're not all Keats. What about those unable to articulate what misery makes them feel, who aren't artists? What do they do about it?
As I suspected, we're medicating away our souls.
One would think that Keats's life would have fostered bitterness in him, but he remained generous in the face of his difficulties. He didn't flee to the usual 19th-century escapes: Christianity or opium, drink or dreaming. Though he unsurprisingly underwent pangs of serious melancholia (who wouldn't, faced with his disasters?), he nonetheless never fell into self-pity or self-indulgent sorrow. In fact, he consistently transformed his gloom, grown primarily from his experiences with death, into a vital source of beauty. Things are gorgeous, he often claimed, because they die. The porcelain rose is not as pretty as the one that decays. Melancholia over time's passing is the proper stance for beholding beauty.
...Alienated from home and happiness, we sense what is most essential: not comfort or contentment but authentic participation in life's grim interplay between stinking corpses and singing lemurs. This "fit" shivers our souls. In this tense mood, we are in a position to understand the relationship between beauty and death.... He then says that if our "mistress" shows "rich anger," we should take her hand and let her "rave" and "feed deep, deep upon her peerless eyes."
...These associations make for several conclusions. The "wakeful anguish" of sharp melancholia can lead to a shuddering experience, a "fit." This vital moment grows from an insight into the nature of things: Life grows from death; death gives rise to life. This insight animates melancholy, makes it vibrant. But it also intensifies the pain, for it emphasizes this: Everything, no matter how beautiful, must die. Rather than flee from this difficult position, the melancholic appreciates things all the more because they die...
Melancholia, far from a mere disease or weakness of will, is an almost miraculous invitation to transcend the banal status quo and imagine the untapped possibilities for existence. Without melancholia, the earth would likely freeze over into a fixed state, as predictable as metal. Only with the help of constant sorrow can this dying world be changed, enlivened, pushed to the new...
When we, with apparent happiness, grab hard onto one ideology or another, this world suddenly seems to take on a static coherence, a rigid division between right and wrong. The world in this way becomes uninteresting, dead. But when we allow our melancholy mood to bloom in our hearts, this universe, formerly inanimate, comes suddenly to life. Finite rules dissolve before infinite possibilities. Happiness to us is no longer viable. We want something more: joy. Melancholia galvanizes us, shocks us to life.
I personally think that the brain meds are prescribed far too readily now, and have since the 80s when my peers were the first ones to learn to get addicted to them.
But regarding the above quote: We're not all Keats. What about those unable to articulate what misery makes them feel, who aren't artists? What do they do about it?
Labels: politics
¶ August 21, 2008 0 Comments
20 August 2008
"You are in Russian territory now"
Bernard Henri-Levy went to Georgia and reports here on what he saw.
Two interesting nuggets in there that might give us a clue as to Bush's next step(if he has one), which on this pretext will be to declare Russia part of the "axis":
Bernard Henri-Levy went to Georgia and reports here on what he saw.
Two interesting nuggets in there that might give us a clue as to Bush's next step(if he has one), which on this pretext will be to declare Russia part of the "axis":
"It's logical," explains General Vyachislav Borisov, as we stand in the stench and the night waiting for Lomaia to return. "We are here because the Georgians are incompetent, because their administration collapsed and the town was being looted. Look at this," showing me on his cell phone photographs of weapons of Israeli origin, which he emphasizesheavily, "Do you think we could leave all this lying around without supervision? And let me tell you," he struts around, striking a match to light a cigarette, startling the little blond tank gunner who had fallen asleep in his turret, "We summoned the Israeli Foreign Minister to Moscow. And he was told that if he continues to supply arms to the Georgians we would continue to supply Hezbollah and Hamas." We would continue? What an admission!
..."The real problem," he says, sidestepping, "is the stakes involved in this war. Putin and Medvedev were looking for a pretext to invade. Why?" He begins counting on his fingers, "Number one, we are a democracy and incarnate an alternative to Putinism as an exit from communism. Two, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan [oil] pipeline goes through our country, such that if we fall, if Moscow replaces me with an employee of Gazprom, you, the Europeans, would be 100% dependent on the Russians for your energy supply. "And number three," as he takes a peach from the fruit basket which is brought to him by his assistant--"She's Ossetian, mind you!"--and then resumes, "Number three, look at the map. Russia is an ally of Iran. Our Armenian neighbors are also not far from Iran. Now imagine a pro-Russian government installed in Tbilisi. You would have a geostrategic continuum stretching from Moscow to Tehran which I seriously doubt would be doing business with the free world. I hope NATO understands this."
Labels: politics
¶ August 20, 2008 0 Comments
19 August 2008
New Stereolab!
From their new album released today that you should buy right now, Chemical Chords.
¶ August 19, 2008 0 Comments
From their new album released today that you should buy right now, Chemical Chords.
¶ August 19, 2008 0 Comments
17 August 2008
Robert Kirkman: Nobody Aspires To Do Moby Dick 2
Robert Kirkman's video mission statement on creator-owned comics, and why he left Marvel and moved exclusively to same.
Robert Kirkman's video mission statement on creator-owned comics, and why he left Marvel and moved exclusively to same.
Labels: comics
¶ August 17, 2008 0 Comments
Back When There Was Batgirl
Sweet Don Newton art (and Jim Aparo cover) on this.
Sweet Don Newton art (and Jim Aparo cover) on this.
Labels: comics
¶ August 17, 2008 2 Comments
16 August 2008
Edwards Flame Rielle Hunter Was Allison Poole?
Readers of Story of my Life and, especially, American Psycho, should know the name. Glamorama too, but I haven't read that one.
That she was infamous enough to inspire such a grandly coke-fried character depicted by two different Manhattan authors three times bears some consideration. It takes a lot of effort to have been notable in your hedonism in that scene back then.
Readers of Story of my Life and, especially, American Psycho, should know the name. Glamorama too, but I haven't read that one.
That she was infamous enough to inspire such a grandly coke-fried character depicted by two different Manhattan authors three times bears some consideration. It takes a lot of effort to have been notable in your hedonism in that scene back then.
Labels: politics
¶ August 16, 2008 0 Comments
15 August 2008
Wait, There's More
Russia, now that they've forced Georgia to sign the cease-fire agreement, moves on to threatening Poland. With nukes.
Labels: politics
¶ August 15, 2008 0 Comments
14 August 2008
Russia "Annexes the Sudetenland"
Say goodbye to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, says Russia.
And the refugees?
Say goodbye to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, says Russia.
And the refugees?
Mother Nonna said she had never seen so many terrified children clinging to their mothers' skirts.
"The most difficult thing was to answer their question: Where was God?" she said. "They had so much fear in their eyes."
"If the Americans can take Baghdad, we can take Gori."--Russian officer in clip below
Labels: politics
¶ August 14, 2008 0 Comments
13 August 2008
Edwards: the Post-Mortem
Walter Shapiro puts it very well.
Walter Shapiro puts it very well.
I do not want to dwell long on the specifics of this modern-day no-love story. But even though some facts remain in dispute, at every moment when judgment was called for, Edwards made the wrong choice: 1) the entanglement itself; 2) putting Hunter on his political payroll; 3) believing that he could run for president without being exposed; 4) continuing his campaign after Elizabeth was diagnosed with terminal cancer; 5) lying to the press when the National Enquirer ran its initial story last fall; 6) being recently lured, by his own account, to a meeting with Hunter in her hotel room; and 7) attempting to salvage things by appearing on "Nightline" rather than issuing a truthful and rueful press release.
Add to that his very cynical choice(subverted by ABC, who promoted the story all day) to have the interview on a Friday, so as to try to bury it in the news cycle.
And to appear on such a piece of spent trash as Nightline, which, in the midst of a war in Georgia, is spending tonight's episode promoting Ben Stiller's new movie. (what the hell has happened to that show?)
And to appear on such a piece of spent trash as Nightline, which, in the midst of a war in Georgia, is spending tonight's episode promoting Ben Stiller's new movie. (what the hell has happened to that show?)
Labels: politics
¶ August 13, 2008 0 Comments
12 August 2008
Crawl, Says Russia
The absolutely ass-licking terms Russia is dictating to Georgia in exchange for not crushing it like a bug.
The absolutely ass-licking terms Russia is dictating to Georgia in exchange for not crushing it like a bug.Labels: politics
¶ August 12, 2008 0 Comments
Russia Taking Tbilisi
Which, if you don't know, is Georgia's capital.
Which, if you don't know, is Georgia's capital.
Labels: politics
¶ August 12, 2008 0 Comments
11 August 2008
Where Did the President of Georgia Get the Idea the West Would Help?
Where else?
Egging people on to fight and then not providing backup, between this and, of course, his father and the Kurds, seems to be a Bush family trait.
Or is it something even stupider and more destructive? What about this?
And when speaking of it today? What did our retarded president say? Oh, he did not let us down.
Where else?
"Mr Saakashvilli may also have banked on support from his closest ally, US president George W Bush, whose administration is said to have given tacit support for a Georgian assault on South Ossetia in the believe that the territory could be recaptured within 48 hours."
Egging people on to fight and then not providing backup, between this and, of course, his father and the Kurds, seems to be a Bush family trait.
Or is it something even stupider and more destructive? What about this?
Someone may be getting nostalgic on his way out.The United States and Russia are holding military exercises on either side of the Caucasus mountains amid increasing tensions over the fate of two separatist regions in ex-Soviet Georgia.
Almost 8,000 Russian servicemen began anti-terrorism exercises on Tuesday across Russia's north Caucasus region, which borders Georgia, a spokesman for the Russian army said.
And when speaking of it today? What did our retarded president say? Oh, he did not let us down.
I give the planet six weeks.
“It now appears that an effort may be underway to depose Russia’s duly elected government”
Labels: politics
¶ August 11, 2008 0 Comments
Georgians Turning Against Own Leader
Which was probably Putin's plan all along(and isn't it interesting how quickly Russia's supposed president's name fell out of the news and Putin--the PM--'s rose? Are they even trying to pretend he ever changed jobs?). Because Saakashvili, as it turns out, is a damn fool. He chose to antagonize the Russians, and give them an excuse to invade, when he lacked the forces to defend Georgia or South Ossetia.
Which was probably Putin's plan all along(and isn't it interesting how quickly Russia's supposed president's name fell out of the news and Putin--the PM--'s rose? Are they even trying to pretend he ever changed jobs?). Because Saakashvili, as it turns out, is a damn fool. He chose to antagonize the Russians, and give them an excuse to invade, when he lacked the forces to defend Georgia or South Ossetia.
Vaso Chlukhadze, 25, is one of hundreds of war refugees gathered outside the mayor's office in Tbilisi, Georgia. Chlukhadze has been waiting two days for a place to sleep. He fled South Ossetia after being forced from his home by Russian air raids. War has quickly escalated in this region since late last week, with Georgia agitating for greater control of disputed territory in the Caucasus, and Russia going aggressively on the attack with war planes, tanks and troops. Like many here directly in the middle of it and suffering the consequences, Chlukhadze blames Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili for the violence that left his family homeless."The [Georgian] government wasn't right. If they don't have enough force they shouldn't behave like this," he said. If Vladimir Putin's aim is regime change in Georgia, as American officials claim, it may already be working. Many of the weary-eyed refugees were too angry to speak to journalists. But they are bitterly angry with their government. "Kill Saakashvili," a few hissed.
You. Don't. Bring. A Knife. To a gun fight.
Which all played into Putin's hands. And why? Because Saakashvili expected the West to back him up.
How? Why? Does he know any history? Does he believe we're going to invade Russia's sphere of influence over an act Saakashvili helped provoke just because he sent troops to Iraq? Does Putin seem like the type to fuck around?
Two grown children are having a fight and a whole bunch of innocent people between them are suffering because of it.
How? Why? Does he know any history? Does he believe we're going to invade Russia's sphere of influence over an act Saakashvili helped provoke just because he sent troops to Iraq? Does Putin seem like the type to fuck around?
Two grown children are having a fight and a whole bunch of innocent people between them are suffering because of it.
Labels: politics
¶ August 11, 2008 0 Comments
How The Clintons Ate Their Own Hubris
In the words of their own memos. Lots of them.
In the words of their own memos. Lots of them.
Labels: politics
¶ August 11, 2008 0 Comments
10 August 2008
Not Just South Ossetia
Russia is now advancing into Georgia itself.
Russia is now advancing into Georgia itself.
Labels: politics
¶ August 10, 2008 0 Comments
Russia Continues Bombing Georgia
Getting worse, and Georgia, incidentally one of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Iraq, is asking us to intervene.
Getting worse, and Georgia, incidentally one of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Iraq, is asking us to intervene.
Labels: politics
¶ August 10, 2008 0 Comments
Georgia Runs
All its troops are pulled out of South Ossetia's capital, and 10,000 Russian troops more are brought in.
All its troops are pulled out of South Ossetia's capital, and 10,000 Russian troops more are brought in.
Labels: politics
¶ August 10, 2008 0 Comments
John Cage on Creativity
By way of Andrew Sullivan, the very useful part of the quote he left out:
By way of Andrew Sullivan, the very useful part of the quote he left out:
"I think people who are not artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired. Out of the work comes the work."
Also Neil Gaiman:
Also Neil Gaiman:
"One reason I like writing by hand is it slows me down a little, but it also forces me to keep going: I'm never going to spend half a day noodling with a sentence to try and get it just right, if I'm using a pen. I'll do all that when I start typing.
And J.G. Ballard:
"I'm not very good on the archival side of things. I throw away my manuscripts. You've got to understand, I can't take all that stuff. I hate that instant memorializing - your used beer mats and used typewriter ribbons and tax returns - little shrines erected in some university library around the handkerchief in which Graham Greene blew his nose in 1957. ... I don't keep bibliographical information about me around - frankly it's of no interest to me whatever. [Kingsley] Amis told me that he'd kept not just the manuscript of the preliminary notes for Lucky Jim, but the pencils and pens that he'd written it with. I thought, Christ - this is the author, one of the original "Angry Young Men" who refused to join the system! That's life. Keeping the pens - that's going a bitnfar, isn't it?"
Labels: music, philosophy
¶ August 10, 2008 0 Comments
09 August 2008
Russia Vs. Georgia
The war intensifies in South Ossetia. Fun stuff to come should this disrupt world oil supplies(we ourselves have a pipeline through Georgia), because then you're talking about World War III.
Or IV, depending on how you've been counting.
By the way, did you know we and the Russians still have plenty of nukes? Pretty much just as many as in 1990.
Did you know that's also just about the only mass military capability that our war in Iraq has left us with?
And finally, did you know we have an idiot president with nothing to lose?
See below for more awful potential. Like its proximity to Chechnya and the opportunity this gives Russia to completely surround it. And all of their proximity to Turkey.
The war intensifies in South Ossetia. Fun stuff to come should this disrupt world oil supplies(we ourselves have a pipeline through Georgia), because then you're talking about World War III.
Or IV, depending on how you've been counting.
By the way, did you know we and the Russians still have plenty of nukes? Pretty much just as many as in 1990.
Did you know that's also just about the only mass military capability that our war in Iraq has left us with?
And finally, did you know we have an idiot president with nothing to lose?
See below for more awful potential. Like its proximity to Chechnya and the opportunity this gives Russia to completely surround it. And all of their proximity to Turkey.
Labels: politics
¶ August 09, 2008 0 Comments
Oh, And
Russian invaded Georgia.
Slow news day, you know.
Russian invaded Georgia.
Slow news day, you know.
Labels: politics
¶ August 09, 2008 0 Comments
08 August 2008
John Edwards: King Shit
"You cannot possibly beat me up worse than I have myself." --John Edwards on Nightline
Oh, yes I can.
As most of you know, I have been a vocal John Edwards supporter since 2004. I even contributed a small amount of money to his 2004 primary campaign. I liked the guy. Partly that he was a liberal from where I grew up(a rarity), and partly because of his emphasis on those who ain't doing so well in this country. I flinched a little as he used his son's death and his wife's cancer, both subtly and not-so-subtly, to help win support, but those were not reasons I supported him. But I believed that his concerns therefore might be more genuine, as he had known deep personal tragedy. What, he's supposed to pretend he didn't?
And I still think so, despite a certain air of unctuousness that he carries, like a skilled used car salesman. But then, he's a politician. But the news of his affair--I can't help but find myself, at least for a little bit, to be angry and disappointed. I am appalled that he cheated on his immensely supportive wife who is terminally ill. But that's purely an emotional response, both in that I take marriage very seriously and that my mother recently died of cancer. Now, Elizabeth Edwards' cancer was in remission at the time of the affair, but I mean, my god; she cheated death, and your sign that you're grateful that fate let her live is to cheat on her? It takes a certain kind of king shit to do that. Newt Gingrich did it too, even divorcing his terminally-ill wife. While trying to impeach Clinton.
There's also the fact that Edwards was one of those to condemn Bill Clinton in 1999:
"You cannot possibly beat me up worse than I have myself." --John Edwards on Nightline
Oh, yes I can.
As most of you know, I have been a vocal John Edwards supporter since 2004. I even contributed a small amount of money to his 2004 primary campaign. I liked the guy. Partly that he was a liberal from where I grew up(a rarity), and partly because of his emphasis on those who ain't doing so well in this country. I flinched a little as he used his son's death and his wife's cancer, both subtly and not-so-subtly, to help win support, but those were not reasons I supported him. But I believed that his concerns therefore might be more genuine, as he had known deep personal tragedy. What, he's supposed to pretend he didn't?
And I still think so, despite a certain air of unctuousness that he carries, like a skilled used car salesman. But then, he's a politician. But the news of his affair--I can't help but find myself, at least for a little bit, to be angry and disappointed. I am appalled that he cheated on his immensely supportive wife who is terminally ill. But that's purely an emotional response, both in that I take marriage very seriously and that my mother recently died of cancer. Now, Elizabeth Edwards' cancer was in remission at the time of the affair, but I mean, my god; she cheated death, and your sign that you're grateful that fate let her live is to cheat on her? It takes a certain kind of king shit to do that. Newt Gingrich did it too, even divorcing his terminally-ill wife. While trying to impeach Clinton.
There's also the fact that Edwards was one of those to condemn Bill Clinton in 1999:
Here is Edwards on Clinton on Feb. 12, 1999:
I think this President has shown a remarkable disrespect for his office, for the moral dimensions of leadership, for his friends, for his wife, for his precious daughter. It is breathtaking to me the level to which that disrespect has risen.
Huh! He may have a point!
But these are incidental to his capacity for leadership. And his wife has forgiven the affair. That's between them, as far as it goes.
But think of this: Edwards is quite aware of how crucial this election is for his party and for the nation. Almost certainly, this story would have broken one way or another. And if the Enquirer knew about it, don't you think the Republicans had that information ready to be sprung after the convention? Only the most naive of assholes would be unaware of this possibility. Suppose Edwards had been either the top or VP on the ticket?
But he knew this and selfishly, thoughtlessly sailed forward, despite what damage he might cause. All these things together say that this man--by his own admission, really--is a preening narcissist only concerned with the care and feeding of his own ego and hair.
The thought that his wife, whom I've always liked, is now terminal, and yet was spending some of the last days of her life campaigning for her miserable husband, is a bit sickening. Even tearing Ann Coulter a new asshole for him.
But more so is that Edwards was willing to risk the future of this country for his own ambition, which makes him either a borderline sociopath or a fool. His family, this country, all can go under the bus for John. And then there's those he claimed he wanted the power to help. All well and good. But: How can he help his beloved poor if he's knocked out of the game at a point it would matter?
Asshole.
I would compare Gary Hart. What made the Donna Rice affair proof that he shouldn't be president wasn't that he fucked her. Look, the only two presidents we know for a fact didn't fuck around on their wives were Nixon and Carter. Come on. But that he dared the press to follow him and was shocked that they actually did--uh-uh. No Button for you, Gary, ever.
This is why we're lucky he didn't win the nomination this year. We all dodged a bullet.
Here's the Nightline interview.
Ech.
Labels: newt gingrich, politics
¶ August 08, 2008 0 Comments
05 August 2008
Kosheen - "Wish" Live
Live in Switzerland, specifically.
___________________
Live in Switzerland, specifically.
___________________
Labels: electronica, music
¶ August 05, 2008 2 Comments
02 August 2008
"If Melinda had any information, Nancy Grace stopped the investigation in its track."
As you might recall, repulsive CNN deathsucker Nancy Grace drove the mother of a missing child to suicide not that long back by pressing her with accusations that somehow she caused her child's disappearance. Not to mention that, later, Grace didn't show the slightest bit of remorse, even at the abstract fact of this woman's suicide, taking the opportunity to once again insinuate the mother was responsible. For which there was never any evidence, but Nancy Grace smelled a narrative and she built it, and now a mother is dead and her child will never be found.
And Nancy Grace enjoyed it all. Her ratings did well with the publicity. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed. Grace tried to get it dismissed.
Well, a federal judge said the lawsuit can proceed, and so now it's possible that the sickening Miss Grace will be wiped off the media landscape in, well, disgrace.
And that's a good thing.
As you might recall, repulsive CNN deathsucker Nancy Grace drove the mother of a missing child to suicide not that long back by pressing her with accusations that somehow she caused her child's disappearance. Not to mention that, later, Grace didn't show the slightest bit of remorse, even at the abstract fact of this woman's suicide, taking the opportunity to once again insinuate the mother was responsible. For which there was never any evidence, but Nancy Grace smelled a narrative and she built it, and now a mother is dead and her child will never be found.
And Nancy Grace enjoyed it all. Her ratings did well with the publicity. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed. Grace tried to get it dismissed.
Well, a federal judge said the lawsuit can proceed, and so now it's possible that the sickening Miss Grace will be wiped off the media landscape in, well, disgrace.
And that's a good thing.
Labels: politics
¶ August 02, 2008 0 Comments
01 August 2008
Gary Numan & Tubeway Army: "Are 'Friends' Electric?" & "Down in the Park"
Labels: music
¶ August 01, 2008 0 Comments
