Glenn Beck's Folly

Anyone familiar with Fox News should know who Glenn Beck is. He used to be on CNN, but fits in much better in his current environment. He's started this thing called The 912 Project. His goal is to return us to the America we became on 9/12, the day after the terrorist attacks. I'd prefer to go to 9/10, but regardless. If you want to know what it's all about, go to www.the912project.com.

As part of their "mission statement," they outline certain principles and values that they hold dear. The values are meaningless happy-words that no one could really argue with. "Honesty." Yeah, ok, I can get behind that, but what does if really mean? Nothing. So let's look at the 9 Principles and see if they have any merit.

1. America Is Good.

Well, maybe. I don't really think a country can be inherently good or bad. The people running it certainly can. I think for the last 8 years we were certainly not "good." We've been taken over by corporate interests that infect every aspect of government. I do, however, think that we can be good again!


2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.

I don't. If you have to go with all nine, I guess this would be the deal-breaker for me. I know that the last President did, and used that faith to make major decisions in lieu of, say, research. This is VERY dangerous.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.

Can't argue with that. Then again, if you're completely honest on Monday, there's not much room for improvement. Also, coming from someone on Fox News, this is hilarious.

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.

Well, it depends. If you and your spouse are Christian Scientists who deny insulin to their daughter so that she dies? Yeah, the State should step in at that point.

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.

I agree.

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.

No guarantee of equal results, but there should certainly be equal opportunity. My ability to pursue happiness should not be hampered by others deciding I don't deserve to be happy by reason of my race, sexual preference, or economic standing. My ability to make a living shouldn't be hampered by some executive deciding he needs to lay some workers off so his wife can continue getting weekly spa treatments.

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.

Slippery slope, this. This is the kind of Libertarian attitude that leads to CEO's getting huge bonuses while kids starve in this country. This is what leads to poverty. Sure, people should work for what they get. But some can't. Let's not leave them to die.

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.

I agree. Too bad the Bush administration didn't see it this way. Oh, and the talking heads on TV that accused the people questioning Bush's policies of being unpatriotic? Evil. One of the people that did this kind of thing? Glenn Beck.

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

Well, that would be true in a Democracy. But we live in a Republic. We elect officials to make decisions for us. Then, if we don't like how they do, we vote them out. Like in November.

So, no, I can't support your project, Glenn. No matter how much you cry about it on your show.

A parable from our mystery guest blogger...

In America, they first invaded Iraq, and I didn’t speak up because I believed Iraq had WMD’s;

And then they tortured Iraqi prisoners, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t an Iraqi prisoner, plus it was kind of funny and they deserved it;

And then they suspended habeas corpus and started wiretapping Americans, and I didn’t speak up because I have nothing to hide and prefer security over liberty;

And then . . . they proposed a 4% tax hike only for the rich . . . And that so pissed me off that I took to the streets in protest.

God, I’m stupid.

They want their tea, but keep the change

Caution: some profanity. Deal with it.

As I was driving to rehearsal last night, I noticed a large group of placard-bearing people gathered outside the post office. When I reached the corner, I saw that we were having our very own tea party. One of the signs said "Impeach Obama." I figured that it was finally time to weigh in on this subject. I shall use as much tact and respect as my fellow citizens deserve.

These people are morons. They, and the fine folks at Fox News (where they likely get all of their "information"), would have us believe that this is a grass roots movement to fight the spectre of higher taxes and out-of control spending. Where were these people during the last 8 years? During the creation of a huge deficit? When we were spending all that money on the war? Oh, it involved guns? I guess that's ok, then.

This is not a grass roots movement. It's being funded and promoted by corporations that wish for everything to remain just as it is. God forbid the poor shouldn't stay poor, and corporate overlords shouldn't continue raping the country for their own selfish gain. They resist change, because change would take some of their golf club dues money away.

What these teabaggers have been fooled into thinking is that Obama wants to raise all our taxes. Even though only the most affluent will see any increase in taxes. Even though there has been NO indication that their taxes will go up, these mouth-breathers believe anything Limbaugh and Hannity tell them. They are protesting against something that DOESN'T EXIST!

Not only that, but they are, effectively, still campaigning. The election was won by those who desire change way back in November, but they're still campaigning, creating tea parties, producing commercials about "clean coal" and whatnot, continuing to -- and this is the scariest part -- perpetuate the divisiveness created by the previous administration! Instead of going with change and not being assholes, they are still fighting the fight, trying to undermine anything good that might happen in this country.

Just when we thought we could heal, the teabaggers are still picking the scab. Things will NEVER improve in this country unless there are some radical changes in how things are run. This can't happen if these idiots convince enough other idiots to stand in the way. These are not patriots. These are liars and thieves and the deluded Ditto-heads that listen to them. We voted the Republicans out in November. They should shut the fuck up.

And I don't really think they know what "teabagging" means.

Itty-bitty Watchmen review

I'm not going to go on and on here. Just wanted to weigh in on Watchmen, a movie many people have been clamoring for/fearful of since 1986. Clamoring because it's arguable the best comic series in history. Fearful because it's been considered nigh-unfilmable.

Well, all I'll say is that they made the best film they possibly could out of that book. Would it have been better, or more complete, as a 5-hour miniseries? Perhaps. But when adapting for film, you can't make a movie JUST for the fanboys and purists. Some concessions must be made for the good of the film and the good of future films that will be made of similar material. Precious few concessions were made, and I can live with all of them. It was remarkably true to the book, and a brilliant film. Fantastic experience, and highly recommended.

And please, PLEASE read the book. Nothing compares.

Big Fat Idiot

So now Rush Limbaugh is challenging/inviting Obama to come on his show to debate the issues. Some of the recent controversy with Rush is that some Republicans are saying that the brouhaha over Rush is a Democrat conspiracy to characterize Republicans as "angry white men." Personally it seems Rush is doing that himself, but whatever. He is in the spotlight right now because of his tiff with the ACTUAL head of the Republican party, who of course caved and apologized to Rush for daring to question his methods.

This is just another example of Republicans trying to divert attention from actually getting some good work done in favor of keeping the status quo for the "rich angry white men" who have been in charge for so long. Creating controversy like this is par for the course for these chuckleheads. But here's the thing; and this is what people should try to keep in mind, rather than be sucked into this crap. THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO DEBATE A RADIO HOST! He has actual work to do. The debating happened during the campaign, which Rush's side lost in a big way. That ship sailed, fat man. Shut the hell up.

My Alter-Ego

SE7EN

There's this Twitter meme thing where people can "tag" you to write 7 things that people don't know about you. Technically, I wasn't tagged, but instead of spiraling into an abyss of "nobody cares about me," I decided to just write the damn thing anyway. Many of you who know me IRL will be painfully aware of some of these. Those who only know me as an avatar, however? This is for you.

1)I like a surprisingly wide array of music. I'm kinda proud of this, actually. My favorite band, since high school, has been Rush. The quality of the playing and writing is unparalleled, and I just really like what they do and what they stand for. All through high school, all my favorite bands were under the "progressive" label: Yes, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, ELP, Genesis. Up until that time, I mainly listened to jazz, due to my being a trumpet player, and musicals. After college, I discovered industrial, which had a huge impact on me. At this point in my life, on any given day, I can be found listening to Assemblage 23, LOTR, Wicked, Josh Groban, Korn, Wumpscut, NOFX, My Chemical Romance,Barry Manilow, Alison Kraus, you name it. There are certain genres I really don't care for. Rap, Country, R&B, Opera, Gospel, and the most insipid Pop songs hold no appeal for me, though there are exceptions in all those areas. But I'm glad that I can find pleasure in many different areas of music. I guess you can say I like quality and talent.

2)I dwell. I dwell HARD. If something doesn't go my way, or I do something really stupid, I will NOT let it go. I'll keep thinking about it, and talking about it, until those around me want to punch me in the face. I was aware of this, but didn't really know how neurotic I was until it was pointed out a few months ago. I'm not sure why I can't let go of things, or why I insist on inflicting this on others. I'd really like to stop.

3)My mental picture of myself doesn't match reality. I'm overweight. Like, a lot. Not enough to end up on Springer, or airlifted from my house, but enough that I can't shop for clothes at the mall. I have to go to big and tall stores, because I am both. Like, 5 or 6 X's. This was not always the case, however. I was a stick growing up, until about 8th grade, when I stopped moving but kept eating. Still relatively thin, though, through my Junior year of college. Didn't really blow up until after our kids were born. When I think of myself, though, I don't see myself as quite as big as I actually am. I'm always surprised when I see myself on film or in a shop window reflection. Every damn time. This is probably why I can never seem to stay on a diet for long. (Except this time, by jingo!)

4)I stole stuff when I was little. We're talking first grade and before. One or two little things from stores, one thing from school. It wasn't all the time or anything, but I knew enough to lie about it when I was accused, so I knew it was wrong. My mom defended me to a store manager once. I confessed what had really happened...on my 30th birthday.

5)I think the movie Gone With the Wind is a piece of shit.

6)I often think of what it would be like to go back to high school knowing what I know now. Don't get me wrong. I love my wife and kids, and couldn't imagine living without them. But I sure wish I could make a few different choices back then, and will fantasize about what might have been different or improved.

7)I've never been to Florida, and I don't care if I ever get there.

So that's my seven. I hope at least some of this was mildly interesting. Because number 8 would be about my need for approval.