Tuesday, February 27, 2007

DOLLARS AND BOMBS

More than just bombs fell today.

The Dow fell 416 points.

I don't have any stocks.

I just know about things like how much I have to pay for milk and eggs and gasoline.

Am I living in a recession or depression?

I really don't know.

If I had millions and millions in stocks I suppose I would know a lot more, and be a lot more concerned.

I do know that China is America's main banker.

The old joke used to be Made in Japan; but Made in China is no joke.

It is a stark fact.

Instead of its happy face, WalMart might as well have one big, yellow five-pointed star and four little ones on a red background.

I worry about how much money the U.S. owes China (and Japan).

What if China closes their banks?

I guess they won't and can't, because we buy so many things from them.

I am also frightened by thoughts I have about the value of the dollar.

Will we soon be pushing dollars in wheelbarrows to buy a gallon of milk?

But in the long run (or the short run), I suppose the health of our planet is a larger thing to worry about.

We don't have to worry about money if there's no food to buy.




IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Monday, February 26, 2007

WAR IS PEACE

With nearly 70 percent of the American people against this draining and bloody war, along with scores of prominent former high ranking military, diplomats and national security officials, why is Bush so stubborn, ignorant and intending to end his Administration on January 20, 2009 mired in the infamy of the Iraq quagmire? Madness, refusal to admit mistakes and wrongdoing, and the willingness to violate domestic laws and international treaties.

Hold Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney to the rule of the U.S. Constitution. Commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives. In the meantime, the public should demand their resignation. Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew resigned for far less "high crimes and misdemeanors." What is at stake here is the global position of the U.S.A. and its own national security.

Ralph Nader


***


I went to Iraq
To
Make a big wreck---
I went to Iran
To
Make Armageddon!
I'm the Decision Maker---
I am the Decider---
I am your Long War President!
I tax the poor and middle class
To make sure the rich get their free pass.
I am your conqueror for two more years---
I am your commander-in-chief of fears!
You'll have to adjust to my new plans of war---
There is this one and a couple hundred more!
Don't get blue---
Don't sniff glue---
Don't start your darn cryin'---
It's just a few more dyin'---
To get my job done---
'Til oil there's none!
No turbaned Taliban---
No Atomic Iran---
Will end my new Way Forward---
To War, Peace and Victory!



IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

LETTER TO A FRIEND ON THE IRAQ WAR


Having failed to finish off Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, Washington now finds itself fighting Qaeda-affiliated groups on multiple fronts, most recently in Somalia. Al Qaeda’s comeback in Pakistan is a devastating indictment of Mr. Bush’s grievously flawed strategies and misplaced Iraq obsession. Unless the president changes course, the dangers to America and its friends will continue to multiply.

At a crucial moment, the Bush administration diverted America’s military strength, political attention and foreign aid dollars from a necessary, winnable war in Afghanistan to an unnecessary, and by now unwinnable, war in Iraq. Al Qaeda took full advantage of these blunders to survive and rebuild. Now it seems to be back in business.

The New York Times
Editorial
Al Qaeda Resurgent
Published: February 25, 2007


***



THIS HISTORY HAS NOT BEEN LEFT OUT OF TEXTBOOKS BECAUSE IT HASN’T BEEN WRITTEN.

9-11 AND THE PRE-EMPTIVE IRAQ WAR ARE TOO RECENT TO HAVE DEFINITIVE HISTORIES WRITTEN YET.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THIS BATTLE AGAINST EXTREMISTS, WHO ARE NOW EVEN MORE EXTREME AND BIGGER AS A RESULT OF BUSH’S [FAILED] FOREIGN POLICY, IS UNCERTAIN AND EVEN MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF HIS PRE-EMPTIVE INVASION OF IRAQ.

DON'T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS UNTIL THEY ARE COOKED.

ON THE OTHER HAND, BETTER COUNT THEM BEFORE THEY'RE COOKED SINCE THEY MAY BE CREMATED AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE BY THE DECISION MAKER IN IRAQ AND IRAN.

My father fought in World War II. I am aware of his patriotism, bravery and sacrifice. I am thankful and grateful for what he and all of the other men and women did who fought to defeat Germany's and Japan's armies.

My father would not, however, now applaud or condone what George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and all of their minions have done in order to go to war with Iraq.

I believe my father would oppose staying any longer in Iraq.

Afghanistan is now nearly back in the hands of the Taliban, surrounded by Opium poppies that supply the world with most of its heroin.

Afghanistan was a legitimate war.

But, gentlemen, this Iraq war was a lie based upon lies.

It is a far different thing from World War II.

Entire countries were fought in World War II!

You can be defensive (and defend) George W. Bush's foolish, fallacious and wrong decision to go to war with Iraq, but defending this president does not rid us of the genesis of his illegitimate war that now has us in the crosshairs of more extremists and more Jihadists than before his pre-emptive invasion.

Our children, grandchildren and their children will be GROSSLY AFFECTED BY THIS CURRENT WAR.

If anything, Iran and Iraq will have to fight each other. Maybe even Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia and other countries may have to fight each other.

Let’s leave.

If it gets better, than we have won.

If it gets worse, who has lost?

What was the purpose for going to Iraq?

Let’s protect ourselves here in our own country.

Let’s have the necessary weapons and defensive measures to keep the radical extremists out of our country.

Let’s use the money to re-build America.

(Securing Canadian and Mexican borders would help!).

Let’s keep a strong national guard at home where they belong to help America and Americans.

Let’s have an expedient go-to-the moon equivalent program to develop alternative fuels IMMEDIATELY.

Bush has been giving us his gas about such programs for six years (while Dick Cheney met secretly with his oil tycoon buddies in secret meetings, “developing” America’s energy policy.). Previous administrations also gave their promises. But the oil cartels had them under their thumbs.



IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Thursday, February 22, 2007

NEWS FLASH!

Forget whether Iran will soon get shocked and awed, or whether America will leave Iraq.
The more important questions of the day are:
When will James Brown and Anna Nicole Smith get buried?
Brown has been dead (and outside of his grave) since Christmas day.
Both Smith and Brown's bodies are not as important as their money.
No wonder the world is at war.
Whether dead or alive, the human race will never stop fighting over such things as petroleum, land and money.
I was well-prepared for today's absurdities and tragedies...
I minored in Existentialism.



IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

IT IS A TALE TOLD BY AN IDIOT FULL OF SOUND AND FURY SIGNIFYING NOTHING

AFTER MY MISSION WAS ACCOMPLISHED

IT BECAME A SLOW BLEED THAT

WAS WILDER THAN THE WILD WEST

AFTER MY SHOCK AND AWE

AND MY BRING 'EM ON

AND MY SMOKE 'EM OUT

I STOOD THEM UP

UNTIL THEY STOOD DOWN

TO CLEAR, BUILD AND HOLD

A NEW WAY FORWARD

TO GET MY JOB DONE

UNTIL THERE WAS

VICTORY!




IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Monday, February 19, 2007

MORE FOLDEROL

“The strategy has barely had a chance to begin working.”
Tony Snow
White House Press Secretary
February 18, 2007


***


After four years of occupation in Iraq, Tony Snow is not describing the Iraq debacle accurately.
It is again the same old BushSpeak ranting the same folderol.
After 500,000+ dead Iraqi civilians and over 3,000 dead American soldiers; after two million Iraqi refugees (and counting); after thousands and thousands of injured American soldiers; after almost $500,000,000 wasted…the “strategy” began its work a long time ago.
It just hasn’t been working.
More TERROR and TERRORISM are in Iraq now than when its dictator held the reins of power.
The "new" Middle East is a more dangerous powder keg now.
Afghanistan is worse than before and after the Long War President invaded it.
The consciousness (not conscience) of the Decision Maker Decider Long War President and Tony Snow (and their brains) remain buried in the sand (sands) of self-delusion and fabrication.
Each continues to say that the job is not done.
Is finishing the job going to produce more and more deaths?
No diplomacy and no political solutions?
A wider war?
There is barely enough time left to end this tragedy and misery.
But there is time to stop it.
NOW.


IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Sunday, February 18, 2007

RFID SURVEILLANCE


I am now required to wear a RFID 24-7 at the high school where I teach.

I must be a danger to my students, because administrators want to know where I am and what I am doing at all times.

When I am reading poetry to my students, my RFID will let administrators know what poems I am reading.

If I leave the school building, the principal can track every movement that I make.

If I show the movie 1984, my principal will already know.

(This film is in the school library, but very few people realize that it contains frontal nudity.

The film is in black and white, not Technicolor.)

The world of George Orwell developed quickly.

Huxley's Brave New World also came about quickly.

Nanotechnology, Robotics, Biogenetics and computers will combine to give us...what?

Miracles or monsters?

Both?

Or will any of this ever happen if the world finds itself at war (again), using its newest and most deadly weapons?

Who knows?

All I know is that I am in the bathroom right now, and my RFID is still on.

When will I ever be alone again?



IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

RECYCLE THE PRESIDENT

He's getting that "look" again.

It's not the look of love.

It's not the look of war.

It's a smirking simulacrum that's saying: I've got more secrets and secret plans.

Back in full force are those facial twists and turns and smirking tics.

So is the doublespeak, mumbo jumbo and joking.

I get most uncomfortable when this president tries to be funny when he's being asked about Iraq and Iran.

It is unbecoming to be so amusing while bombs are exploding---flesh and blood are splattering---and precious lives are being lost.

What is so amusing and funny?

Power is an aphrodisiac.

You can see this when you watch the face of the Decider.

Have you noticed something else?

The Long War President snorts when he is irritated by a reporter's question.




IT'S THE OIL STUPID!



IT

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

BEWARE OF SUPERCHRISTIANS

Don't mess with the SuperChristian Pat Robertson or he might threaten to…
KILL YOU.
Pat Robertson’s smirking smile is itself threatening.
It is a good thing that the All-Knowing Almighty is an understanding and forgiving Supreme Being, or the self-righteous evangelist Pat Robertson might already be roasting.
Mr. Robertson and all of his blood-sucking brethren should pay taxes on the revenue which they spirit away in the names of God and Jesus.
Mr. Robertson does more than just work for God; he also works for the GOP, and frequently comments on geopolitical issues.
He thinks that he is a Mr. Know-It-All (Robertson not God).
Beware of zealots who think that they know it all and are always right.
The Great Decider Long War President also comes to mind.
Just don't rub these demagogues (not demigods!) the wrong way.


By BILL SIZEMORE, The Virginian-Pilot © February 9, 2007
NORFOLK - One of Hampton Roads' highest-profile Christians stands accused of a not-so-Christian act.
A plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against Pat Robertson says the televangelist threatened his life and that of his family at a legal proceeding Wednesday in the Norfolk federal courthouse.
The accuser, Phillip Busch, is suing Robertson for misappropriation of his image in the promotion of Robertson's protein diet shake.
According to a complaint Busch filed with the Norfolk police, Robertson entered a room in the courthouse Wednesday afternoon to be questioned for a deposition - an out-of-court form of testimony - and told Busch: "I am going to kill you and your family."



IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Monday, February 12, 2007

KARL ROVER DICK CHICANERY REDUX


The top secret document was helplessly floating in mid-air when multiple reporters simultaneously grabbed the document before it hit the floor, and the reporters then pondered whether to inform the White House (Karl Rover, Dick Chicanery & Others), who already were aware that the document could bring vengeance upon Joseph Wilson for his revelation of the truth about the Niger-Iraq Uranium falsehood…if only these reporters could think of something...Ah, yes...tell the world that Joseph Wilson's wife worked for the CIA...CALL Robert Novak (everybody trusts his word) and have him write a story about Mr. Wilson's CIA spouse.
Gee, did we think of this on our own or did the White House tell us?
Then confuse and contort, disassociate and discombobulate, throw curve balls and dirt balls...say this and that, then say that and this...whirling dervishes! Wolves in sheep's clothing!
(The American public could be fooled once again!)
Then hope that the independent prosecutor will heed some subtle warnings and promises to let the White House have their evil ways again.
(But let George cover our butts if anyone gets in big trouble, because Dubya always gets his way when he lies about anything.)
Time for some pretzels!


IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

SUNBATHS AND MASSAGES


It was a condemned house in the jungle.

I lived in it with a couple who were planning to get married in the ocean…

Underwater!

Both were licensed massage therapists.

I had the convenience of receiving a massage almost any time I wanted to pay for one.

My room in the big house was right next to the sunny massage room.

I was not home most of the time, so clients (strippers, teachers, lawyers, businessmen etc.) had their privacy.

The house had a tin roof.

Bread fruit would fall and make loud, percussion noises.

A big avocado tree grew outside the front door and shaded the house.

We took our showers next to the avocado tree.

I often recall those cool and soothing showers that I took after a day on the humid isle.

Since the house was not close to any roads, I also relished taking sunbaths.

Silence.

Sunbaths.

These sunbaths were almost as calming as swimming in the halcyon ocean…a mere ten minute walk from the jungle house.

One night the termites decided to come out.

Their colonizing flights started as soon as I turned on a light (which I immediately turned off).

I quickly got inside my netted tent and zipped it shut.

The frenzied flights of the flying ants ended the next morning, and it was Paradise once again.

Gone are my sunbaths, massages and ocean swims.

I now live on the dry and gritty desert.




IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

SOME OF MY FAVORITE WORDS

Here are some of my favorite words.

I don't use them much when I write or speak.

I just like them for themselves.


1. EXQUISITE

2. SYZYGY

3. SYNESTHESIA

4. BILDUNGSROMAN

5. AMANUENSIS

6. FYLFOT

7. KHAKI

8. UKULELE

9. QUOTIDIAN

10. PTERODACTYL

11. TWILIGHT

12. UNDULATION

13. UKASE

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

A DING DONG BUT NO BOOB


It was raining in Florida during the Super Bowl.
When Prince played at half-time I told my wife that he certainly would play Purple Rain.
And he did.
I thought the stage in the shape of his (former) name (i.e. symbol) was a little excessive.
But no holds were barred.
Out came his guitar for Purple Rain shaped in the symbol (his) for the male.
I missed any guitar symbolizing the female.
Now there is a controversy---a short (lived) one I am sure---about Prince having "gotten away with something" when he played behind that billowing curtain, moving his body and guitar.
Again a little excessive.
It is what the guitar’s silhouette seemed to be showing that is now producing the controversy.
I really didn't notice Prince's phallus behind the curtain at the Super Bowl half-time show.
(The thing that he is accused of having "gotten away with".)
People will stretch the imagination to its breaking point to expand a small detail and make it much larger than it actually is.
Nostalgia must also have been big for another event that would supersede the shocking boob exposition at last year's Super Bowl.
But no boob this year.
Just a guitar that looked like a dancing ding dong.


IT'S THE OIL STUPID!

Monday, February 05, 2007

ONE U-TURN A COLLISION AND AN ICE-CREAM CONE

Today is December 18, 2013. 

I'm reading REFLECTIONS ON THE CIVIL WAR by Bruce Catton, and thought the following sentence from this book fit what I wrote below in a letter that I posted in 2007: 

"The human trajectory is eternally incalculable, beginning in deepest mystery and going blind to a fate no one can predict." 

*
 
I had just left work and wanted to buy a vanilla ice-cream cone.
I could have done otherwise, but I didn't.
I turned right from Dyer Street onto Honda Pass.
I was only a few hundred yards from getting my ice-cream cone.
Then, suddenly, a white car started turning left without any signal.
I also swerved left and accelerated forward to get ahead of the car's path.
I thought that I had succeeded in avoiding a collision when...
CRASH!
Some unprintable swear words came out of me.
Then I looked in my rear view mirror to make sure that the white car's driver was not "running away".
He wasn't.
We both pulled into a parking lot.
I took a look at the damage from the collision.
The door on the passenger side was smashed in, but I could still open the door and close it.
I said to the other driver, "I tried like hell to miss you, but you just kept on coming."
The driver produced his driver's license, and I fished out my insurance card.
I said to the driver, "You’ll admit that this was your fault?”
He said, "Well, I don’t want to say that."
"But you will admit that you turned in front of me?”
"Yes, I was making a U-Turn."
I wrote down his name, address and phone number.
I left this scene and drove about one block to get my ice cream cone.
I wouldn’t be thwarted by Fate.
As I am driving I often ponder what ifs.
What if I went this way instead of another?
I believe there is something true about intuition and gut instincts.
For example, before I decided to get my ice-cream cone I again thought about the consequences.
Maybe something bad will happen.
Should I go this way?
Bingo!
Something bad did happen.
None of us can stop living or doing what we do based only on what ifs.
Maybe you don't think about what ifs as much as I do.
It's probably better for your health.
I remember a short story in which an all-powerful computer was "killed" when it was asked to define fate.
Maybe I should stop trying to escape or define my own fate.
Just let it flow.
S*** does happen.


IT'S ABOUT RENEWABLE RESOURCES!

Sunday, February 04, 2007

POPCORN PRETZELS PORK RINDS CRACKER JACK AND PISTACHIOS


It's Super Bowl Sunday.
It's time to get out the snacks and sodas (or beer in most of the front rooms of our great war-torn nation).
I have all the snacks I plan to munch beneath my computer which is next to the 32'' flat screen TV that I just bought.
I have orange soda, orange Gatorade, (generic) ginger ale, Pepsi and Coke to imbibe.
During the game I will wash down with these sodas all of the pretzels, popcorn, pork rinds and pistachios that I can swallow.
I have Effervescent PainRelief on the bookcase next to my computer.
Dinner is out of the question right now, or at least is a very dim consideration.
The game is still about four hours away, and so I am typing this irrelevant news to have something to do (besides almost finishing Gore Vidal's memoir called
Point to Point Navigation: "The brilliant sequel to Gore Vidal's acclaimed, bestselling memoir, Palimpsest"
(which I haven't read yet).
I am fudging and jumping the gun (or rather the kickoff) a little, because I have already started eating some pistachios.
I am drinking the dregs of this morning's Antigua coffee to wash down the seeds of this delicious drupaceous fruit.
But I will stop for now and wait for the Super game to begin.
I don't care who wins.
I usually cheer the underdog, which in today's game is supposed to be the Chicago Bears.
Sometimes I will change allegiance during the game.
I will do this when a player (or players) is playing "dirty".
But may the best team win.
And I hope this year's commercials are the best ever at $5,000,000 per minute.


IT'S THE OIL STUPID!