To the 120 second movie trailer on television. I saw "V for Vendetta" and man did it suck some V (synonymous with sucking D).
Not only did I see it knowing full well it would be bad, but my excuse to see it was the HYPE! I thought my girl wanted to see it, but she too had no real interest. She claims, albeit somewhat half-assedly, that it was my saying, "We should see it because we should know for ourselves..." as the reason she wanted to. Truth is, we both bought the hype, both knew it would suck, and both agreed that it did.
I have slightly more tolerance for things that suck than she does, so I made the best of it by pointing out Sex Pistols references, and some other oddities. But overall, this movie is a piece of shit, start to finish.
Here's my favorite part, so clever, but also so lame: because the movie takes place in the future, the jukebox is filled with classics. AH HA, but those classics are actually songs we listen to today, like Anthony and the Johnsons. Great way to get good music in that's considered classic for the films purposes.
I do not suggest seeing this movie, especially since I heard good things about "Thank You For Smoking," "The Insider," "Dave Chappelle's Block Party," and "The Insider." All HAVE TO BE better.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
The Refuseniks
...so many Americans refuse to accept what has gone on in Iraq, and how they've been decieved was on display this morning on C-Span. Right around 8:10 AM EST you'll hear a woman from Virginia, doing her best.
"I don't understand this revisionist history...there were 12 resolutions...Saddam needed to comply...Bill Clinton said so...I have 8 pages here from CNN.com where Bill Clinton said so himself..."
I love it. Bill Clinton, the enemy of all that is conservative, when he speaks about Iraq, when he's against Saddam, and his words can be used to bolster Bush's claims, then what he says is the FUCKING GOSPEL!!!
It may be true Clinton believed Hussein had WMD in 1998, but I'm not sure where it says Clinton believed Hussein had NUCLEAR WEAPONS capable of hitting the United States, and that's the issue!
After 9/11 Americans' biggest fear was being attacked, whether by terrorists with a nuclear weapon, or a nuclear missile. Regardless of the fact we never were attacked by a WMD in the first place, this didn't stop our politicians from acting like we had been. It did not stop them from making Americans think the possibility was very real. We were hit with PLANES. Should be attack Boeing and Aerbus?
In fact, Hussein never used a WMD capable of hurting the United States. He used chemical and biological weapons. One he could fire with a short range missile that could never hit the US, and the other a battlefield weapon, which was probably used on our soldiers in Iraq in 1989 (which of course the same supporters of this war deny, since they don't want to pay health costs related to Gulf War syndrome).
For the people who call up tv and radio programs, and who continue to support this war regardless of what happens, they are "refusers." They refuse to admit mistakes made by their government since it is themselves who lent the support. They refuse to acknowledge they were duped because then they themselves are the idiots. They refuse to see things are going poorly now, and think it's fine more soldiers perish. They refuse to listen to disent. They refuse honest argument. They are completely occupied with only themselves, and their own beliefs. They are not concerned with the well being of this country, or any other country. They are embarassed by their own failings, which they refuse to acknowledge.
This White House is no different from its supporters. They refuse to admit error. They refuse to listen to others. And the reason they get away with it is their supporters are just like them. Living in denial, refusing to take responsibility. The only responsibility they ever want taken is by impoverished. They need to be responsible for their plight. But not the Refuseniks. They are not responsible. It's all Saddam's fault...and Bill Clinton's...of course.
"I don't understand this revisionist history...there were 12 resolutions...Saddam needed to comply...Bill Clinton said so...I have 8 pages here from CNN.com where Bill Clinton said so himself..."
I love it. Bill Clinton, the enemy of all that is conservative, when he speaks about Iraq, when he's against Saddam, and his words can be used to bolster Bush's claims, then what he says is the FUCKING GOSPEL!!!
It may be true Clinton believed Hussein had WMD in 1998, but I'm not sure where it says Clinton believed Hussein had NUCLEAR WEAPONS capable of hitting the United States, and that's the issue!
After 9/11 Americans' biggest fear was being attacked, whether by terrorists with a nuclear weapon, or a nuclear missile. Regardless of the fact we never were attacked by a WMD in the first place, this didn't stop our politicians from acting like we had been. It did not stop them from making Americans think the possibility was very real. We were hit with PLANES. Should be attack Boeing and Aerbus?
In fact, Hussein never used a WMD capable of hurting the United States. He used chemical and biological weapons. One he could fire with a short range missile that could never hit the US, and the other a battlefield weapon, which was probably used on our soldiers in Iraq in 1989 (which of course the same supporters of this war deny, since they don't want to pay health costs related to Gulf War syndrome).
For the people who call up tv and radio programs, and who continue to support this war regardless of what happens, they are "refusers." They refuse to admit mistakes made by their government since it is themselves who lent the support. They refuse to acknowledge they were duped because then they themselves are the idiots. They refuse to see things are going poorly now, and think it's fine more soldiers perish. They refuse to listen to disent. They refuse honest argument. They are completely occupied with only themselves, and their own beliefs. They are not concerned with the well being of this country, or any other country. They are embarassed by their own failings, which they refuse to acknowledge.
This White House is no different from its supporters. They refuse to admit error. They refuse to listen to others. And the reason they get away with it is their supporters are just like them. Living in denial, refusing to take responsibility. The only responsibility they ever want taken is by impoverished. They need to be responsible for their plight. But not the Refuseniks. They are not responsible. It's all Saddam's fault...and Bill Clinton's...of course.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The Real Reason
Charles Taylor will be brought to "justice."
I remember taking phone calls from people right when the Iraq War began about how the United States was doing nothing about Taylor, but using the war crimes issue to go after Saddam Hussein. I used to say, "Hey, if there was a lot more oil in Liberia, we'd be there..."
But now there's a reason for this stance:
Condi Rice can go around the country, world, wherever, and wax about how President Bush's new policy of "democracy everywhere" is genuine. It's so not. Arresting Charles Taylor gives the White House some cover about how it truly goes after murderous dictators. It puts a notch in their belt, next to Hussein. They can say it's not about the oil. Look, we stopped Charles Taylor!
Mind you, the Liberian Government, as mentioned, may not be prepared to handle this situation right now. But to this Republican led government, that's irrelevant. What's important is their ability to use the symbolism for their own gain.
Certainly, Taylor should be killed, but just because we're forcing Liberia to go after him doesn't mean our intentions are good. I'm sure most of the people connected to this White House don't give a shit about the black people in Liberia. I know this because I saw Katrina.
I remember taking phone calls from people right when the Iraq War began about how the United States was doing nothing about Taylor, but using the war crimes issue to go after Saddam Hussein. I used to say, "Hey, if there was a lot more oil in Liberia, we'd be there..."
But now there's a reason for this stance:
Liberia's new president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, said in an interview with The New York Times before her inauguration in January that Mr. Taylor's fate was a relatively low priority, given the myriad problems facing Liberia and the fragility of the peace there.We're not concerned with making it better, or worse. What we do care about is the symbolism of bring Taylor to trial, and that's it.
But under intense political pressure on a visit to the United States earlier this month, including a threat by Congress to withhold aid to Liberia if she did not act, she asked Nigeria to hand Mr. Taylor over.
Kayode Fayemi, a Nigerian political analyst who has worked with Ms. Johnson Sirleaf to secure peace in Liberia, said the United States might have made matters worse for Liberia by pushing the country to deal with Mr. Taylor before it was ready.
"She was actually literally harassed to do what she did," Mr. Fayemi said. "This is now going to make the situation much more complicated and so much worse."
Condi Rice can go around the country, world, wherever, and wax about how President Bush's new policy of "democracy everywhere" is genuine. It's so not. Arresting Charles Taylor gives the White House some cover about how it truly goes after murderous dictators. It puts a notch in their belt, next to Hussein. They can say it's not about the oil. Look, we stopped Charles Taylor!
Mind you, the Liberian Government, as mentioned, may not be prepared to handle this situation right now. But to this Republican led government, that's irrelevant. What's important is their ability to use the symbolism for their own gain.
Certainly, Taylor should be killed, but just because we're forcing Liberia to go after him doesn't mean our intentions are good. I'm sure most of the people connected to this White House don't give a shit about the black people in Liberia. I know this because I saw Katrina.
The Real Reason
Andy Card is so tired, and needs to step down as Chief of Staff:
Card, 58, has been the focus of much speculation in Washington about how physically and politically exhausted the White House staff must be in the sixth year of a presidency buffeted by recession, terrorism and war. Card has told interviewers that he gets up every day at 4:20 a.m., arrives at the White House an hour or so later and works until 8 or 9 at night.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Immigration
This is a topic I avoid like plague, but I think I'm finally ready to write about it.
We all know America is the melting pot, and that's a good thing. But what goes into a melting pot is important, and most of the time a chef knows what those things are. If other people were throwing things into the pot the chef wasn't prepared for, or didn't want in there, the stew will turn out pretty shitty. That's what's happening now.
Some make the argument, "Hey, your parents parents were immigrants. No one stopped them from coming in..." Yeah, I've heard that. It's true. But, my parents parents came here legally, and we're talking about illegal immigration. Plus, when my parents parents came here they were helping to build the country. The nation was willing to take these people in, more so than now. I believe in immigration. I believe in legal immigration.
While I understand the sacrifices illegal immigrants are willing to make to get here, that doesn't mean I want them all coming here. The jobs President Bush claims are menial, and not desired by (white) Americans, are jobs Americans do need. Painting houses, delivering food, digging ditches, cleaning kitchens, landscaping, short order cooks, ROLLING SUSHI, you name it, these are jobs legal Americans want, and need!
These jobs the President has cast aside as meaningless are far from it. Most of my friends did these jobs in high school and college. A lot of college kids went home in the summer to take these jobs to have money to pay tuition, etc. Many of these jobs are character building jobs. What are the young people doing now?
These jobs we speak of have only been cast aside because business owners realize they can get people to take them on the illegal cheap, and that's not right. There are a lot of people who could/would take these jobs right now. I'm not sure I feel that comfortable allowing people to flow freely across the boarder, and then picking up their healthcare tabs, as well as education tabs for children born here.
Yes, it sounds like I don't care about these people, but that's hardly the case. Crossing the boarder illegally is a very risky proposition, and actually endangers these peoples' lives. I always comment that I care just as much, if not more, for like-minded people living in other countries than the jackasses we have living here. But this does not mean I want everyone coming here, and having American taxpayers footing every bill for every illegal. Costs do rise. Costs count.
I believe in free trade, which will create opportunities for people in other countries to stay there, and make lives for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, free trade really doesn't exist except to enrich the richest businesses. There are so many protectionist policies, which no politician has the guts to remove out of the fear of losing an election, that make it so people want to come here. Of course, when we're not protecting our own, we're hurting Mexicans in other ways. It's a joke.
The same people who hate the illegals are the same people who will protect their local business people every way possible.
Where I differ from Republicans on illegal immigration, and especially conservatives, is a) i'm not inherently racist and b) i'm not inherently racist. Yeah, yeah, I know, you're not a racist. Afterall, you happen to love a lot of players on the Yankees...
No, seriously, I do believe so many of them are xenophobes. Their history as a closed and often racist party proves that. Sure, there are many now who probably aren't racist, but I'm sure look down upon all who are not white, or at least those who don't try to act white. Yes, I believe when Alberto Gonzales leaves the room the white men breath easier, no longer worried about what they might say...
Republicans fear losing White Man's Dominance. Ceding anything to other groups of people. This is where they lose "their country." This is what they fear. I do believe many also hate the aspect of paying more in taxes to support non-citizens. This may be the only issue where actual dollars is trumped by some other issue, which they cannot express openly. But still, it's an issue.
I have the perfect worker program and it'll make everyone happen until we figure out a plan. Lets build a wall between us and Mexico, and let them build it! This fits in perfectly with the work the President claims they want to do, and do so well, and it also keeps illegal immigrants out.
This country doesn't have endless resources. We can't have this drain on them. People should have to come here illegally. Do I think they should be deported? Unless they have children born here, or going to school here, or are married to an American, or legal immigrant, then yes, I think they should. Aid we give to Mexico should be adjusted accordingly. Whatever it costs us to send them back, that's how much we should reduce certain aid packages. Mexico should do a better job of creating business opportunities. Our government should do a better job promoting real free trade. Mexico should do a better job protecting their borders. Americans like Bernard Kerik who loves Rudy Giuliani should stop supporting a party which is against illegal immigrants while at the same time employing them.
I keep hearing about how the Latinos support Republicans because of their religious beliefs. Well, maybe they should weigh that against the fact that most conservatives, the ones wrapped in religion, hate your guts.
We all know America is the melting pot, and that's a good thing. But what goes into a melting pot is important, and most of the time a chef knows what those things are. If other people were throwing things into the pot the chef wasn't prepared for, or didn't want in there, the stew will turn out pretty shitty. That's what's happening now.
Some make the argument, "Hey, your parents parents were immigrants. No one stopped them from coming in..." Yeah, I've heard that. It's true. But, my parents parents came here legally, and we're talking about illegal immigration. Plus, when my parents parents came here they were helping to build the country. The nation was willing to take these people in, more so than now. I believe in immigration. I believe in legal immigration.
While I understand the sacrifices illegal immigrants are willing to make to get here, that doesn't mean I want them all coming here. The jobs President Bush claims are menial, and not desired by (white) Americans, are jobs Americans do need. Painting houses, delivering food, digging ditches, cleaning kitchens, landscaping, short order cooks, ROLLING SUSHI, you name it, these are jobs legal Americans want, and need!
These jobs the President has cast aside as meaningless are far from it. Most of my friends did these jobs in high school and college. A lot of college kids went home in the summer to take these jobs to have money to pay tuition, etc. Many of these jobs are character building jobs. What are the young people doing now?
These jobs we speak of have only been cast aside because business owners realize they can get people to take them on the illegal cheap, and that's not right. There are a lot of people who could/would take these jobs right now. I'm not sure I feel that comfortable allowing people to flow freely across the boarder, and then picking up their healthcare tabs, as well as education tabs for children born here.
Yes, it sounds like I don't care about these people, but that's hardly the case. Crossing the boarder illegally is a very risky proposition, and actually endangers these peoples' lives. I always comment that I care just as much, if not more, for like-minded people living in other countries than the jackasses we have living here. But this does not mean I want everyone coming here, and having American taxpayers footing every bill for every illegal. Costs do rise. Costs count.
I believe in free trade, which will create opportunities for people in other countries to stay there, and make lives for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, free trade really doesn't exist except to enrich the richest businesses. There are so many protectionist policies, which no politician has the guts to remove out of the fear of losing an election, that make it so people want to come here. Of course, when we're not protecting our own, we're hurting Mexicans in other ways. It's a joke.
The same people who hate the illegals are the same people who will protect their local business people every way possible.
Where I differ from Republicans on illegal immigration, and especially conservatives, is a) i'm not inherently racist and b) i'm not inherently racist. Yeah, yeah, I know, you're not a racist. Afterall, you happen to love a lot of players on the Yankees...
No, seriously, I do believe so many of them are xenophobes. Their history as a closed and often racist party proves that. Sure, there are many now who probably aren't racist, but I'm sure look down upon all who are not white, or at least those who don't try to act white. Yes, I believe when Alberto Gonzales leaves the room the white men breath easier, no longer worried about what they might say...
Republicans fear losing White Man's Dominance. Ceding anything to other groups of people. This is where they lose "their country." This is what they fear. I do believe many also hate the aspect of paying more in taxes to support non-citizens. This may be the only issue where actual dollars is trumped by some other issue, which they cannot express openly. But still, it's an issue.
I have the perfect worker program and it'll make everyone happen until we figure out a plan. Lets build a wall between us and Mexico, and let them build it! This fits in perfectly with the work the President claims they want to do, and do so well, and it also keeps illegal immigrants out.
This country doesn't have endless resources. We can't have this drain on them. People should have to come here illegally. Do I think they should be deported? Unless they have children born here, or going to school here, or are married to an American, or legal immigrant, then yes, I think they should. Aid we give to Mexico should be adjusted accordingly. Whatever it costs us to send them back, that's how much we should reduce certain aid packages. Mexico should do a better job of creating business opportunities. Our government should do a better job promoting real free trade. Mexico should do a better job protecting their borders. Americans like Bernard Kerik who loves Rudy Giuliani should stop supporting a party which is against illegal immigrants while at the same time employing them.
I keep hearing about how the Latinos support Republicans because of their religious beliefs. Well, maybe they should weigh that against the fact that most conservatives, the ones wrapped in religion, hate your guts.
Intelligent
I didn't know about this story until reading it today in the NYTIMES, but apparently Republicans Peter Hoekstra of Michigan pushed the White House to release intelligence documents on Iraq. Now it seems the conservative bloggers, and media hosts, are picking it apart to prove there was more proof Saddam was connected to Al Qaeda, or had WMD, then we were led to believe.
Right, the Bush White House ignored evidence that Saddam had weapons, or was connected to terrorism. That sounds likely!!!
The only point in releasing these documents is to make the waters murkier, especially as we get closer to the 2006 elections. If Republicans can convince their own that invading Iraq really was the right thing to do it may help them win some voters back. This obviously has nothing to do with anyone but Republicans. These documents will help FOX NEWS and mainstream talk radio fill and buy time.
Mr. Hoekstra claims this is a faster way to uncover tons of material, by releasing it on the internet. Are we supposed to pretend we're that dumb? I know conservatives will gladly do that. But think about it logically for just one second. There's no way anything released wasn't reviewed previously by an intelligence agent. If it hadn't been viewed then the material is being released illegally. It wouldn't have security clearances. And of course, if Republicans were so concerned with making sure all material was vetted in a timely manner, then I don't think they would have fired Arabic translators simply because they're gay!
Republicans, strong on security, so much so they're willing to let every day Joes do the intelligence work. Which, of course, makes sense, considering their low standards for the Presidency as well.
Right, the Bush White House ignored evidence that Saddam had weapons, or was connected to terrorism. That sounds likely!!!
The only point in releasing these documents is to make the waters murkier, especially as we get closer to the 2006 elections. If Republicans can convince their own that invading Iraq really was the right thing to do it may help them win some voters back. This obviously has nothing to do with anyone but Republicans. These documents will help FOX NEWS and mainstream talk radio fill and buy time.
Mr. Hoekstra claims this is a faster way to uncover tons of material, by releasing it on the internet. Are we supposed to pretend we're that dumb? I know conservatives will gladly do that. But think about it logically for just one second. There's no way anything released wasn't reviewed previously by an intelligence agent. If it hadn't been viewed then the material is being released illegally. It wouldn't have security clearances. And of course, if Republicans were so concerned with making sure all material was vetted in a timely manner, then I don't think they would have fired Arabic translators simply because they're gay!
Republicans, strong on security, so much so they're willing to let every day Joes do the intelligence work. Which, of course, makes sense, considering their low standards for the Presidency as well.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Nice
When they say this isn't going to cost a lot of money, they're right, I guess.
It's going to cost about the same as the amount of money they set aside to fund the nation's education!
So I guess we can call it: NO OIL COMPANY LEFT BEHIND.
It's going to cost about the same as the amount of money they set aside to fund the nation's education!
But last month, the Bush administration confirmed that it expected the government to waive about $7 billion in royalties over the next five years, even though the industry incentive was expressly conceived of for times when energy prices were low. And that number could quadruple to more than $28 billion if a lawsuit filed last week challenging one of the program's remaining restrictions proves successful.
So I guess we can call it: NO OIL COMPANY LEFT BEHIND.
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