Jesus Hussein Christ - Dan Brown's Next Novel

Alrighty then... I begin this morning like many, I catch the tube news. I do this now more than ever before. It is due in part to the absence of certain radio attractions (like a show) that I'd like to begin my days with. I'd also have to admit that the dulcet tones put forth by Ann Curry are rather nice in the a.m. Maggie Rod has also got a rockin bod.

Now, the thing that kinda drives me crazy in the morning is the media notion that Barack Obama is pretty much the return of the Christ child. Yup. Jesus H(ussein) Christ.

Everybody is America loves him. The rest of the world loves him. You will too if only you drink this now. C'mon drink it. ISAIDDRINKIT!!!

Just to set a few notes here. I could care less if his middle name was Osama. I don't care enough about who the rest of the world thinks should run my country. I have to admit my curiosity for it however.

Certain radical groups may consider Obama's "Muslim" background an issue - fundamentalists of both the Muslim and Christian varietals. I, personally, don't a shit. I would, however, give a shit if he was leading services. I mean, look at the ones he was already attending. Oh right. Affiliation matters. Or is it race? I get so confused these days. Never mind.

Well, here is the deal. The polls are divided in half, give or take 5-points. So Obama is the choice for half. Wait. Obama-Clinton was equally divided (more or less) but was bitter. So that means he only got a 25-percent Christ-like following. Hmmmm.

My only plea is to judge this on the merits - Obama is a fucking left-wing ideologue who is running against a liberal Republican. There is no conservative in the race.

We will have change no matter what. I just do not want to be stuck with only pocket change. So let us take this democrat out of the manger or pray that he surrounds himself with at least three wise men.

I like being a guy

Humor Enters Puberty

I was a newly minted teen in 1972, all about building models and reading comic books. I had just recently purchased my first LP - Edgar Winter's "They Only Come Out at Night." Incidentally, his was the first concert I attended.

It was after school and I was on my way over to my friend Alphonso's house. We built models and listened to 45s and comedy albums. Alphonso was a funny guy, not just jokes, but really funny. We would often try to out-funny each other.

Well this one day was going to change things. I arrived at his house and we headed up to his room and closed the door. He had an album he was anxious for me to hear. It was called "Class Clown." It changed a lot of things. Comedy was never the same. I could argue that the country changed that year, in part, due to this man named George Carlin.

Well the man is gone now.

I fell asleep with the radio on last night and was awakened, for whatever reason, to an announcement that George Carlin had died at 71. I was not able to rest for the remainder of the night. I do not know how to put this into words but to say that part of my youth has just died with him.

Knowing full well the irony involved, I say Godspeed George.

K-Pop and Roll

There is always something new to post. There is always something I can (at the very least) pontificate about if I am feeling overly righteous. I get there, I really do.
Much of the time, I want these interludes to be more like exclamations. A declarative sentence will get punctuated with an image, I will add a dash of the delicate phrase or, more likely, something a bit pithy. The cherry on top (for me at least) is the play on words - the too clever for this shirt kinda tag at the top.
Voila! a blog entry.
The trick is to try not to be too full of yourself since nobody is looking, so to speak. Well, there is posterity amongst the cobwebs...
Sometime I am just too freaking distracted, pressed or lazy to take the full weight of an issue to task. Then there is the fact that few will keep going to the end if it is overly long, ergo, the bite-size entry. Si. Not unlike a sound-bite.
Then there is just something I just wanna share. Just for the hell of it.
This is one of those times. I've been trolling for some tunes I remember from the mid-90s when I was living in Seoul, Korea. I found much of what I was looking for. This particular band is called Roo'ra (pronounced roola). The song is "100 days." Many believe they were the best band to come out of Korea that decade. They were my personal favorite. N-Joy.

His collar, not his blood, was blue

It was like losing a member of the family - one that you looked up to and actually liked.

Tim Russert has died at 58. His intellectual honesty in a town known for its sopping insincerity was rare and will be sorely missed.

Today is Sunday and it was, as usual Meet the Press time at 9 this morning. Today, as usual, is my talking heads day and Russert's voice was noticeably absent. There was a tangible element in his discourse that let you knowhis was not bullshitting with you. This was true for either side of the aisle too. I respected the man very much for that.

A lot has been said about his passing. A lot more shall be forthcoming, I'm sure.

For me, a guy in his audience, looked to him because he asked the right questions. His friends looked to him for the things that all friends want from each other - for them to still be there.

This comes from Andrea Mitchell, one of his friends. It actually made me well up.

Siempre...

It was true then...

Kinda how I feel...

Some days more than others

Politics is show business for ugly people...

The Manchurian Candidate

Well it is as official as it can get until the convention - Barack Obama is the Democrat's standard bearer this year. I couldn't be more proud. The Democrats, after an entire lifetime of giving lip service to minorities and women, have actually put forth a candidate that was not a former member of the Ku Klux Klan, accused serial rapist or even an elitist...er. well two out of three.
Well actually, the party didn't do it. The voters did it. Well, actually, the super-delegates...
Historically, if you wanted minorities of any stripe appointed to positions of any significance, you're more apt (believe it or not) to find them in a Republican administration.
If that sounds crazy to you, look at the current one. Also remember that the Republicans have always been the party of Civil Rights. It was the Democrats that put up the American aparteid walll in the south. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a proud Republican. Frederick Douglass was a co-founder of the party.
I do not want to come off as majorly pro-Republican. It isn't that. I am a proud registered independant who just happens to be really anti-Democrat.
Having said all of that, a black American is running for the highest office in the land as the candidate of a major party. Too damned bad he is a left wing nutbag. He is a well spoken nutbag to be sure, but his policies put him virtually in the socialist camp. Alas, that is where the Democrats have been heading for quite some time now. I can just hear the inaugural speech now: "Ask what you can do for your country. Not!"
That is not a place I want to be.

It would be really interesting to read the foreign opinion makers if Obama wins. Very few believed it would be possible. They really have few clues as to how we think intuitively. When they get it right, it always amuses me.

His candidacy is historic. I'll even own up that I kinda like the guy. I don't much care for the missus, albeit she is smokin hot. I just wish he were more J.C. Watts and less J.C. Superstar.

Reading Is Fundamental

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Now that's what I call a hearty breakfast!

And in this corner, wearing a blue pantsuit...

Sunday is one of those days that ends before I even know it hit mid stride. It is usually a heavy political day -talking head shows; a heavy reading day - local and New York Times. I also do some heavy net browsing, letting my fingers do the talking as Ma Bell used to say.

Let me begin this by first mentioning Gina Carano beat the living snot out of Kaitlin Young last night on CBS's EliteXC Saturday Night Fights - an extreme fighting program that has hit the free airwaves. Finally, a reality show I can really enjoy guilt-free. This is one beautiful Italian juggernaut. If people want to see real American Gladiators, watch these fights.

If you go by the match up analysis - www.sportsline.com/.../headtohead/cbs_exc_53108, 3 out of 5 analysts predicted Young to win. One guy simply said that "Nobody named Kaitlin can beat Gina Carano, that's for damn sure."

Speaking of fights, today was another primary fight and that other gladiator, Hillary Clinton, won in Puerto Rico. Yesterday's fight over the Florida and Michigan delegates didn't go over as well. She got her Florida count, well half of them. I thought 3/5ths of a man was considered passe' when it came to voting. Live and learn.

I can still hear it off in the distance... "every vote matters." Remember that bit of bullshit the Democrats were shrieking when Al Gore lost in his bid for the White House? That was about Florida too.

The irony doesn't stop there - Hillary has actually won more votes than Obama, yet the superdelagates will more than likely back Obama making him the nominee "selected" and not elected. I had to bring out that old Democrat gem out of its lock box.

Hmm, where to from here? Next stop Supreme Court.

Tom Dashole was on with Tim Russert this morning and came up with such a quotable phrase. I know I'll keep mentioning it. When asked by Russert if it will be a problem that Hillary actually scored more votes, he casually responded with "It is time to put that behind us."

Wow. Like that'll happen.

The Michigan delegates outcome, on the other hand, was arbitrary in its entirety. Hillary got the lioness' share but her reps are crying foul over Obama getting any. It ain't just sour grapes considering he wasn't on the ballot at all and didn't campaign there.

It could still go to the convention.

Maybe Hillary should announce that Carano would be a great running mate for her. She wouldn't have to worry about Bill giving her a hard time. Harass would turn into his ass.

But first on the agenda would have to be choke out Nancy Pelosi.

Saudi Arabia's Next Top Model

"Pull my finger."

Happy 60th

There are few nations on Earth which get as much respect from me as the state of Israel.
Now we're talking heartfelt and deep respect. These are a tough, scrappy, resilient people who have had the history of the world dump on them and they clean themselves off and drive on.
I thought my Irish antecedents were tough having Great Britian shit on them for 800 years. How does 800 years stand up to forever?
So Happy Birthday Israel. I don't agree with everything (topic for another day), but I always respect you. You also have such smokin hot women in uniform. Just a reminder of what you're fighting for. I'll salute to that.

Amazing New Diet Solves Developing World's Hunger Crisis and Helps Make Democrats Feel Good About America Again

Hayden takes a bite out of global hunger..
It took teams of doctors, engineers, scientists, and liberal politicians to come close to a working formula to eradicate world hunger. It took the Hollywood intelligentsia and other progressives to make it real through their "feelings."

The solution? Eat the children of the developing world. It cuts down on starving children; Hollywood is in the spotlight by feeling their pain; food stocks do not diminish as rapidly. The best part is the tax and gratuity owed at the end of this meal. They both go toward the fuel surcharge and carbon tax for having the children flown in while they're still fresh. It isn't cheap and only the very well-paid and Hollywood types can afford it so far.
One unnamed Washington spokesman was quoted as saying "this is a very green solution to a global conundrum. And no plastic is involved."
Yes we can!

This Year's Model

Just a silly follow-up to yesterday's blushing adoration of Gina Carano, a.k.a. Crush of American Gladiator fame. Helluva broad.
Today's edition features Monica Carlson, a.k.a. Jet. She was last year's female champion on same said program. Like I mentioned yesterday, I initially perused the program for the flesh.
I caught this American Gladiator revival last summer because I do the rabbit-ears thing. Cable is just an excuse to watch television 24-7 if you're a news junkie (of which I'm guilty). I got this channel rock solid so...
Anyway, there were adorable pixies, loudmouth honeys and buff wannabe-gladiator slayers. Of them all, this pretty lassie, with the stunning profile, kicked major ass. I googled her bio and was not surprised by what I'd found. She really does kick ass. Not just figuratively. I mean that quite literally. Beautiful, intelligent, exquisitely feminine AND brawny.
This one takes the whole MILF concept into the stratosphere.
Sign me up. I'm a believer.
God, I love women. They give us poor men a reason for being.

Sweet Dish

I'll admit to it. I think this Texas broad is smokin hot. It is that kinda sweet, innocent beauty with enough physical power to crush you widdle haid like a grape.

If you have an addiction to attractive women, you may own up to watching one news program over another by sheer virtue of pulchritude presented. Deliver it up but make me slobber while you do it. Fair, right?

It is also true when it comes to the mindless pablum we watch. If one of the programs I like is not available and I just have to watch the brain-suck machine, I choose something dishy of the distaff varietal.

Wellllll.... yesterday I had to get a glimpse of this on American Gladiators. I didn't really care for the show the first time it came around (quite a few years back). I must say that some aspects have not improved much. Other aspects (see above) make me want to grab a glass of bourbon and a sack of onion rings.

MAD COW! MAD COW!

Such a lovely lassie.
Well the judge in the McCartney divorce proceedings just released a preliminary divorce decree.
The shrieking bit.. er, Mills, gets a settlement of $47.5 million and retains custody of their 4-year-old daughter, Beatrice.
Alas, her reputation is in the toilet thanks to her rather disturbing televised outbursts against McCartney. She really is a nasty bit of work. Mills, lost her left leg below the knee after a 1993 motorcycle accident. Who could have known that that was where she kept her decency and dignity.
McCartney gets to keep the bulk of his assets. The court estimated it to be worth approximately $880 million. We all know he is worth every penny. He is a paradigmatic figure.
Living a rather rural life for so long perhaps explains his choice of a second wife. He should have gone for a minx instead of a ruminant,

Whooda Man?

If only...

The Trains Ran on Time

I sat and shuddered. The chill ran up my spine at breakneck speed. It was a moment of satori.
Racism is cool again.
WTF? you're asking. Yup. It seems that a great deal of pundits, prognosticators and letters to the editor are all about the truth to power of Right Rev. Wright and how Obama needs to get a pass on this diatribe issue.
One pundit, a lovely lass from North Carolina stated that "smart, educated people" aren't paying any attention to this when they pull the lever. But there is no elitism here, hmmm?
Another pundit from Indiana was saying how this really doesn't matter in the long run because voters are concerned about the cost of gasoline.
It does not matter that this Right Rev. is a total fucking loon. I've got to admit, I do appreciate the guidance he gave at the National Press Club to those of us who wish to learn Arabic. Snappy expressions and proper pronunciation makes the whole world sing.
Then there was the whole Bell Curve kinda bullshit that he spewed. It would be parody if not for some of the supporters that came out from under their rocks (where they belong) and spewed even more vile rhetoric. For examples of what I'm talking about here, read some of the comments written in response to articles on the subject at hand. Check out some blogs.
It is scary out there.
Now I do not think that Obama is a radical Bell Curve kinda racist. That is the Right Rev's territory. However I think he threw the wrong person under the bus in Philly.
I think Obama has a bias from his life experience just like everybody else. His story is a great American story and it was a struggle that led to success. But his story also should be enough to refute the slapstick, conspiracy theory being bandied about by the Right Rev, his crowd and his ilk.
Obama does need to address this issue because it does matter. Racism is fucked up. It does not matter who is doing the hating. Fucked up. Period.
The man who was raised by his white grandmother and had no problem calling her onto the carpet for her "typical white" fear of black men, needs to call out the ranting, raving and anti-white conspiracy too.
I'll admit. It does bother me some that he was in attendance for all those years and found little to fault. It does bother me some that he claimed that he really didn't know this man was like that until the Right Rev dropped a stink bomb on him. It does bother me some that he brought his children to listen to this hatemonger.
What bothers me greatly is that all the while this talk about the Right Rev and his snappy banter being "taken out of context" was merely a piss-poor ruse. The Rev's soundbites were a pretty accurate portrayal of how he thinks and feels.
What bothers me most was the response of his congregants after the Right Rev says something completely Anti-American and blatantly racist. This is the behavior you'd expect to hear about in a neo-Nazi rally or a Klan march. Those folks think they're all about liberation too.
It was the hooting and hollering of those God-fearing citizens that made me angry. Anti-American political speech should not be met with roaring approval in a church. This is especially true when the comments are about how "the chickens have come home to roost" in that terrorist nation called America - the Sunday after Sept. 11, 2001.
What is worse - the scene of Palestinians in Gaza celebrating en masse on Sept. 11, 2001, or the scene from the pews facing Wright? That shithead has the right to free speech but associating with him should come with a cost.
If Obama wishes to unite Americans, he needs to throw assholes like that under the bus and then drive the damn bus himself.

"...when you say nothing at all."

Not Over the Hill Yet

What the Dilly, Philly!

I guess Pa. voters needed to get their Clinton on yesterday. The distaff Clinton posted even better numbers than the pundits prognosticated. She sprinted to the finish with a 10-point gap.

Hillary sure has shown her grit these past few months. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, she fights on. She had been a punching bag for so long, she can take it witout flinching. Her callouses must have callouses.

She reminds me of a toy from way back - "Weebles wobble but they don't fall down."

I've grown in my respect for her political will. She does not have the pathological need to be loved like her hubby does, but that doesn't stop her from parading her disingenuous "woman of the people" b.s. In the end, it it most often determination, not talent, that wins. She has got that in spades. I don't know that it will be enough.

In any event, she will be able to say "You should see the other guy."

It is too bad that her policies suck so badly. I've really learned to admire that steely conviction of hers.

I was watching Charlie Rose last night. I try not to miss the program if I can. There was a bevy of journos and Doris Kearns-Goodwin discussing Tuesday's events. One of them, a New York Times reporter, asked the if anyone on the panel could describe either the Obama or Clinton economics/job creation plan. You heard crickets. Then some mild amusement.

Why?

Because there is none, other than raising taxes and getting rid of the capital gains tax exemption. That is, with the exception of ending NAFTA.

If we ended NAFTA, we'd have to renegotiate our oil agreements with Canada, our #1 supplier. You want to see some happy oil people? End NAFTA.

I have to speak plainly here - protectionism is stupid. Utter idiocy. Between the neo-luddites trying to keep us in last century's industries and the anti-growth/government programs folks, we have our hands pretty damn full here. You want there to be, as Ross Perot put it, a great big sucking sound of jobs leaving America, get all protectionist. Sure, we'd have secure industries for a few years. Then competition put those companies out of business and where do you look for jobs then? Not in this country.

Some of this is beneath basics. Economics 101. However, when it isn't something people want to hear...

So party on Garth!. Party on Hill!

Barack Obhangra

Here is the cause of one of the biggest grins I've had in a while. Really smart.

All thanks go to the wonderful folks at Sepia Mutiny (http://www.sepiamutiny.com/). Thanks guys for the always entertaining material. For those of you who are heretofore unaware, Anna is a total dish.

You Gotta Look Sharpe

Say it ain't so, Joe.
That man of the people, former Newark Mayor Sharpe James along with his former mistress, were just convicted of corruption. He faced five charges, to include fraud and conspiracy. She faced 13 - the aforementioned, plus tax evasion and fraudulently obtaining government subsidized housing assistance.
Oh no! Real estate deals? Government fraud? I can't believe it. The guy who was mayor for so long, I cannot remember his predecessor, was caught with his fingers (well, not just his fingers) in the till.
I remember, while attending nearby Seton Hall University, James ran against the current mayor Cory Booker. All of the cronies were out in full force saying the most disgusting things about Booker. Booker, a decent man, lost and the man who wouldn't even pay his own bus fare (a hilarious anecdote in its own right) kept his position as corrupter-in-chief.
I've said it before - "This is what you want. This is what you get."
Now the disgraced former mayor, after 20 years of greasing palms, can assume a new position in the State of New Jersey and keep right on working it.

Rice Matters

www.freerice.com

This is, perhaps, one of the smartest sites I've ever seen. Sheer brilliance!

It is a game that has you test and improve your English vocabulary. It also donates 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food program for each word you guess correctly.

With each answer, you are informed whether or not you are correct. If you are right, it will increase the difficulty level for the next word.

The rice is purchased by advertisers who pay per word page. As you play, advertisements are at the bottom of the screen. The money from these advertisements is what buys the rice. So if you play, you pay for the rice donated to hungry people.

It is that simple. God, I love capitalistic ingenuity.

So go forth my friends and fill up your mind and others bellies. Put your money where somebody else's mouth is.

Liberal Tolerance and Manliness

What a display of manliness by the "New Progressive Male." Wish I could be like him. They are so much more civilized in San Francisco.

Remember, these are the same people who hate the military because of its aggressive nature.

(putz)

Stay tuned next week for more displays of correct behavior by those who know what is best for everyone.

"If I could teach the world to sing... in perfect harmony..."

An Elite Ideal

Yes, it is true. "Ordinary" people can make a difference, all the while "clinging" to their guns and their faith in a "bitter" attempt to deal with their economic misfortune. So if you are an "average white person," Obama's got the Wright stuff.

This is especially the case if you are an elitist snob who knows what is best for everyone.

I will own up to the fact that I'm loving this political season. I get to see the Clinton campaign implode with its deceit coming to the fore. Bill's legacy is coming apart at the seams. The rats are leaving the ship in droves. I almost feel bad.

Ah, no I don't.

The party of domestic imperialism is continuing its evolution into a party of upper echelon elitists. Being a Democrat means turning your back on free trade (Bill's big success). It means being in love with the cotton candy messiah. He is sugary sweet and no substance. All of his credentials make for a great social worker and, perhaps, a fine mayor. However, he is but an extremely liberal neophyte.

Do not get me wrong. I love the idea of Obama. I love the fact that he is probably going to be the standard bearer for the Democratic party for president. I would say that few are batting an eye in regards to his mixed heritage. This is the (delayed) promise of America. More and more, the notions of ethnicity matter less than the content of someone's character. Got it. Down with that.

My problem is I that I wish it were J.C. Watts instead.

I love the idea of Hillary. Sorta. Well, I love the idea of a woman running for the top American job. But this is not a new idea for those old enough to remember that Shirley Chisolm ran against Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey and George Wallace for the top spot in the 1960s.

Let us not forget that Shirley Chisolm was a black woman. She broke barriers 40 years ago but, unfortunately, did not live to see this year's conclusion. I am saddened that she has not been a prominent figure mentioned in the current debate. She sure made an impact on me as a boy.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, the Democratic Party I grew up in is dead. It is in the ground in an unmarked and unhallowed grave. It was unceremoniously dumped in the middle of the night back when Sam Nunn left government service.

Want proof? Look how the party shit all over Joe Lieberman. He was Al Gore's running mate, then the party nominated someone else for his Senate seat in the next cycle. He won another term as an independent.

I, too, am an independent. Proudly so. But in the end, ya gotta choose.

This cycle is not dissimilar to riding the most frightening roller coaster. It is scaring the living bejuzzus outta me but I relish the ride regardless. I hope the bludgeoning that is going on between the democrats continues long enough for someone out there to recognize that giving away the store does not equal a platform.

Hillary, the born-again populist, said to some voters before an early primary "When elected, here is what I am going to give you."

Excuse me! Who said anything was yours to give? I'm sorry. I forgot. Can I have another spoonful of bullshit please?

Given my druthers, if I had to choose between the Dems, I'd choose the she-devil. As the saying goes: "Better the devil you know..."

If I were to take the rhetoric from the conservative factions to heart, I guess I could vote Democrat by making my mark for McCain. Remember all those Democrats who said "I'd vote for McCain" in the last 8 years? We'll see.

Today's Democratic Party has become the Entitlement Party. They increase entitlements from the public coffers and feel entitled to become president...all the while dodging sniper fire at a welcoming ceremony whenever they visit the Balkans.

In the end, it kinda reminds me of Plato's Republic. The free thinking, poets and artists take over,blah, blah. Then they form a dictatorship, blah, blah, of poets and artists, blah, blah. Yup, a dictatorship.

I'm more of a Leviathan kinda thinker. As they say - life can be nasty, brutish and short (that is, if you don't take some responsibility for your life).

So as I continue to watch the election season build up to its crescendo, I'll clean my guns, maybe go to church and try to be as ordinary as I wanna be. After all, I am an average white person, albeit not a bitter one.

“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse.”
- John Stuart Mill

Democrat's Wide Ethical Stance

Hooray for New Jersey!

Not to be outdone by the news of New York's days old new gov announcing that both he and his wife were stepping out all over the place, Jersey Dems can be proud once again. Not to be belittled by the scandal that caused Client Number 9 to leave his office, former NJ Gov. Mc Skeevy rears his head. No pun intended.

According to that purveyor the good life, the New York Post, it appears that Mr. and Mrs. McG loved the tripod life even prior to marriage. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Their driver - no pun intended - who used to engage gears regularly with the couple, blurted out the info . Now McG seems to love the fact that they have been outed. I guess that he feels it puts him in a better light.

Last year, McG, a professor of ETHICS at Kean University, was working on said lighting already. The already divine one was accepted into a Doctor of Divinity program (attempting to make being divine official). He also adopted the Episcopal faith and was pursuing becoming a priest. Insert all the possible jokes, puns and double meanings here!

This is the joke that keeps on giving. It is now the spitter v. Spitzer. When will happen to this man in the end?

http://www.politickernj.com/mcgreevey-one-ups-spitzer - for a follow on.

The reson I love to jab these pols so much is that I was raised in a typical northeast Democrat family. Hey, we're Irish for God's sake. What else would we be? For Democrats in New Jersey, it almost doesn't matter what you promise, not promise, lie about, whose baby you get caught eating on videotape or when you died. You're gonna get elected with few exceptions.

Just look at that old bastard Frank L. Look back to Gov. Florio. Gov. Cor(ox). Jeez. I gotta take a shower just to wash the slick, glossy sheen offa me.

When it comes to Jersey politics, they keep coming and keep getting elected. I am often reminded of that poetic line by John Lydon: "This is what you want. This is what you get."

I just love seein the paper in the mornin.

London outbreak of Mad Cow

more than 10 minutes of bitchy ranting to the press. she gets mega millions. she already has mega millions in assets. she bitched about the amount of money SHE would get for her child's annual maintenance - more than an average joe's annual sum. the kid, she feared, would have to travel less than 1st class!

my heart goes out for her.

Sunday Talking Heads

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It is a day of worship - Chris Mathews, McLaughlin Group, Meet the Press, etc. There are some days when I'd like to put Eleanor Clift's little brain inside a garlic press.
-Pause-
I just spent about an hour crafting something clever and pithy. It was too clever. It was shit to read.
So, instead, I'll leave you with that image of Eleanor Clift and the confession that her voice gives me the same feeling as fingernails going down a chalkboard.

Bless me Father...

It has been more than a year since my last confession. It has been a lifetime...another life.
I find myself back in Florida. Been here, in fact, for a few months. Dithering away. Fiddling while Rome, er, Bangalore burned.
Contract issues and some other rot have kept me stateside. Not a bad deal if I knew beforehand that I would be here this long. Long droning story. However, not a long droning story about how ethically I've been handled.
My life, for what it is worth, was happening in B'lore. Tragically hip. Filled with all sorts of opportunities and pleasures. I am suppossed to get back there in October as long as I do not have a fiscal breakdown (or some other unforseen crisis).
Like I said...droning.
It has been a while since I last posted. That has been for numerous reasons. I guess the biggest one is that I was too busy living meaningful days to write about living meaningful days. Now that my wheels have been spinning for a while, maybe I can vent my spleen. As King of the Mixed Metaphor, I need an outlet for my current strain of angst.
Now I'm off to say a few Our Fathers and a couple of Hail Marys.

Angst for the memories...

It is four in the morning in NYC. Paper bundles are being delivered. The bakeries are running full bore so they can deliver by 6 am.
I can smell the fresh coffee. I can smell the baked Italian bread. I can hear the gentle drizzling rain as it lightly glistens the sidewalk and streets in the spring, in the city.
Of course this scene is all in my mind.
In reality, I've got the AC running (more for air quality than coolness), I'm taking five at my desk in my office. Now this is not a downside, as I've made my relocation back to Bangalore in India after a several year absence. So much has changed, but the character seems to have survived nicely.
After two weeks, I am still not settled in domestically, and my business life is still learning on a curve as I've got to marry up to the new client database. Lots of new names and faces to learn. But it has been wonderful to see the old faces again.
See you at Cafe' Coffee Day.

Onus Envy

"Well, mine is..."


So long Dan. Onus Probandi was not on your side. In short - You were a tool.

I'm Just Sayin...

Schadenfreude

While I was driving home to Florida, after securing my visa, I heard the good news.
The number one shitstain in Iraq (I will not include the bastard's name) was no more.
He was dead, deceased, kaput, no longer living, deprived of life, inanimate, no longer current, put out, extinguished, defunct, sterile, inoperative, shuffled off this mortal coil. It was suicide by ordnance - a pair of non-improvised explosive devices.
This good news was followed by Iraq's final cabinet positions being filled. Surely, there couldn't be more.
Today there was.
He did not go peaceably into the night. He suffered. He had witnesses.
I have shamat. I have Schadenfreude.

Chale Chalo

Had my run at the Indian embassy this past week in D.C. In fact, I need to make another go of it this coming Tuesday to pick up my visa.
The downside is having to drive from Florida north, back to Florida and now all over again.
I'll own up to a feeling of impending dread about it. I'm waiting to hear that something is amiss and the visa isn't ready. It isn't like I can call up and ask about the status over the phone. They never answer any of the multiple lines they have; nor do they respond to the recorded messages that you leave.
And so I drive...
The process itself wasn't bad. The line moved fairly quickly. It helped that a American-Punjabi girl sat next to me and kept me company while we waited. She was absolutely adorable. We chatted about Bollywood films and who our favorite actors were. She was big on Kajol while I favor Rani. We mutually agreed on the Big B.
Then my turn came up and I was out the door within 10 minutes. The only issue remaining was the pickup on Tuesday.
Once I retreive the damned thing, I have to head south and finish everything else I need to do quickly. I'll have four days befor my departure.

Stop that! You'll go blind

It seems that the US Senate is oh so very pleased with itself over its "comprehensive" immigration bill. One of the major concerns was about "Criminalizing" illegals.
I said that right - "Criminalizing" illegals.
If someone is cited with the preface "illegal," wouldn't you presume that criminal activity was already a given?
They want to make it illegal to dig a tunnel under the border controls. Excuse me. Isn't that already against the law? How about robbing a 7-11? Want to criminalize that?
I've known for a long time that the American standard of English was under assault by tremendously lazy users in a grander society. Not that my grasp of the language is profound, but it may be better than some. However, this dumbing down pushed along by political correctness and popular culture now seems to be affecting legal language.
Remember "Ban Intolerance?"
The Senate has just taken part in this grandiose masturbatory exercise that is amazingly called reform. It is a painful selection of words proudly proclaiming amnesty for illegal migrants, impotent border enforcement, larger criminal presence in our society, greater drain on our "safety net," and general disrespect for our laws in general. Bravo!
If the identity theft, social security fraud and $20 billion dollars funnelled out of the country annually doesn't disturb you, what will? Perhaps a foreign head of state coming here to criticize the use of our own military in our own country, our immigration policies and ...oh. Fox was here yesterday.
Mexico does not want to reform its culture of corruption. It wants to unduly influence our domestic policies and agenda. It is (without doubt) dangling an oil coated carrot and stick in out face while whispering the name "Chavez" in certain circles. All the while, it is getting rid of hundreds of thousands of its underclass by printing up brochures telling them how and where to cross into sovereign US territory.
If they die...damn you George Bush!
Were it not for the US government's complicitness in the matter, their behavior could be deemed hostile. The list of affronts is very long and very troubling.
Now with Fox soon to be out of office, the US has a lot more to be concerned about. Who will take the helm - leftists or the right-wing. Neither will be of any real service to its northern neighbor. For some reason, when nationalists take over a country, there is cause for celebration, unless the Americans act nationalistic. That is arrogance.
Remember boys and girls, Mexico is our friend. Just don't drink the Kool-Aid.
So when the US Congesss proclaims the 12-17 million illegals in this country to be legal, remember that they can then petition to have x-number of their family members to come in as well. What are we talking here? An extra 30 million? This will be all legal. Not that that seems to matter to anybody.
So have a smoke America and don't forget to wipe the headboard.

The Thing That Wouldn't Leave

I remember a Saturday Night Live skit from the original series. John Belushi shows up at someone's house, invites himself in and just takes over the place, ignoring all efforts to show him the door. He sat on the middle of the couch, ate sloppy food, asked for more beer, played the telivision too loud, etc. Disregarding his hosts protestations, he overstayed his welcome. He greedily continued to take advantage of his hosts hertofore generous offerings. Seemigly, without end.
Pretty damned funny, right?
Now I have lived and worked a great deal of my life on foreign soil. I am, in fact, in the middle of doing so yet again. I know I shall have certain limitations on my sovereign rights because they differ every time the flag changes. So I have played by the rules in the past and shall do so again.
It has never been an issue really. I appear to have taken a lesson from my childhood, in that, I would go to a friend's house and the rules, language and so forth would be different from my own home. The reason being is that a good half of my friends were immigrants or 1st generation Americans. It was eye-opening.
The lesson in game parlance: the house deals.
Anyway, I learned a vital lesson then. Whenever I go to a foreign land, I am obviously a big, white, English speaking American, but I respect the house that I am in. I find out as much as I can beforehand and try to apply whatever is appropriate, when appropriate.
I am always (and will always remain) the outsider. No problem. I take it as an honorific. I am the guest. As such, I give respect to the house (country) by observing the rules that apply (often only to foreigners). It is the price of admission.
By learning what I am allowed and what I am not, I am perceived as paying respect to them and their hospitality (singular, local or national). I must admit that I, at times, have been given special dispensations due to being the "gora," "farang," "gui lao" or "gringo." However, once cautioned, I was expected to comply as best as I could. And so I did.
In this, I learn something new every single day. I learn about myself, what it means to be an American and about the place and people that host me. In this, I become better. In this, perhaps, they understand Americans a little better. In this is the seed for greater understanding.
Now comes the reality check. These migrant bastards (so many of them here illegally) that protested May 1st, waving foreign flags on my soil need to go. They do not respect my house. That house is an American house with American rules and they showed up uninvited. Then they take advantage of American generosity.
Those here legally are welcome at my table.
Those folks that claim ancestral rights (LMFAO!) better have their family tree pretty well laid out because many of them are claiming continental sovereignity. There was no monolithic nation here prior to the Europeans arriving. Their ancestral rights might be more applicable to present-day Honduras, Peru, or Chiapas (that is, if they are 100% native). It can also be claimed that the decendants of the American Southwest pretty much still live in the American Southwest.
Some of these folks may indeed have the proper lineage, but why then were so many carrying signs written in the language of the barbarian, genocidal invaders (clue: not English)? Hmmm. Should they all go back to Costa del Sol? Please. These claims of "Our Land Was Stolen" need to change to what this is really about - "You got yours. I want mine (and yours)."
When you invite someone into your house, you expect certain things. First, you expect only those invited to show up. You expect them to accept only what you offer. You expect them to be courteous. You expect them to do nothing to upset you - you know - have appropriate manners. You expect them to offer help in cleaning up (you'll decline but appreciate the offer nontheless). Then you expect them to leave (without the silverware).
Of course, you continue to invite people into your home. You continue to be a gracious host.
Some bring beer, wine or dip. Others bring flowers. What you do not expect is an invasion of parasites proclaiming squatter's rights. Make no mistake about it. This is squatter's rights.
A bunch of people arrived in America's living room May 1st, took a steaming dump, laughed and said "You can't do a damned thing about it?"
More to follow later, I have to go or I'll gnaw off my own arm.

Pass the chutney please

I like to listen to online radio while I work. This allows for me to listen to my New York City local radio (which I very much miss while driving) as well as the BBC Asian Network which is somewhat of an addiction.
I have, this past year, developed a fancy for the Sonia Deol program. I have, as the slogan goes, "Switched to Sonia." She has a chat program that combines a nice bit of news, Indo-Brit pop and general chatter which is a great diversion from an otherwise bleak assortment of vanilla formulaic programming.
It isn't that other programs stink. Hardly. It is just that sometimes I need a bit of masala with my brain food. Sonia, so the bio goes, is a Birmingham girl from a South Asian family background (get it? Asian network.) ergo, a bit of the subject matter covered is South Asian oriented. Her cohorts, Sohail and Sonal, make for great banter and the humor can get near to wicked.
For those of you who find a woman's tone to be important, let me say one word - delicious. Having recently put a face to the voice - wow. She just happens to be a doll too. This just adds to my overall listening pleasure.
Well you can see for yourself: http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork/sonia_deol/?focuswin
There are several shows on the network that I'll listen to but Sonia's efforts bring me the greatest rewards.

Squatters Rights

We can now look back with hindsight on the events of May 1st. For myself, looking back is to revisit seething anger. Betwixt the American and Mexican flags were the "This is our land" and "This Land Was Stolen" ad infinitum posters.

This declarative begs a question or two. The land was stolen by whom, when, and it it belonged to which group (not those on the streets of Chicago or LA).
If we were to follow this particular vein of thinking, pray tell, where would these people be sneaking into then - not Canada, because that particular piece of geography was stolen from the Mohawks, Aleuts, etc.

Wait! Which groups came from the southwest US? Perhaps those claiming aboriginal rights did not hail from there in the first place. For instance, perhaps those coming from Ecuador should be invading Peru?
Then there is the whole percentage bit. How much Spaniard blood is acceptable? Listening to the rhetoric of boycott organizer Javier Rodriguez, the United States and Europeans committed genocide and have been parasites. Hmmm.
This is an extension of "We Are America?"

We cannot forget all of the sympathetic "Hate Bush" crowd. No protest is complete without them
Mixed messages? Not at all. I got the message loud and clear.

RICOH Suave

Today is the day of the Great American Boycott, Nothing Gringo Day and "A Day Without an Immigrant."
Mierda del toro!
First off. This smacks of the same intellectual dishonesty as in the film "A Day Without a Mexican." This was a funny movie. Perhaps not so intentionally. The film put forth the notion that everyone with a Spanish background disappeared and California was in tatters. The end result being that the day ended and even the Border Patrol was putting out the welcome mat. This celluliod detritus implied that all the folks named Gomez are Mexican.
*Insert the aforementioned by-product del toro here.*
Now fast forward to today - May 1st 2006. What we have to clear up here is semantic. This is not "A Day Without Immigrants." To be proper, it is "A Day Without Illegal Migrants." You see, the argument about these people being "undocumented" is fallacious. This would equte with the Minutemen in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and California being "undocumented Border Patrol agents." They are also not to be confused with immigrants because a large amount of them only want to make as much money as they can and go home to live off their dollars.
Even the new fangled Especial Anthem ends with "Somos Latinos." Those signs that were handed out for weeks state "We are America!" None of them said "We are Americans."
However, I will not stand by and allow myself to be labeled anti-immigrant. I was raised in a city that was majority immigrant. My first love was a foreign born refugee. More than half of my closest friends and definately the women I've had relationships with in my life (that adds up to a lot of ... years) were born on foreign soil. I have two sisters-in-law who are foreign born. My sisters' husband is foreign born. All arrived here legally.

And isn't it a damned shame that this spate of name calling mandates that arguments begin with "some of my best friends are..."
It is a shill game.
America is great because of the influx of "others." However, this is not France and mobs do not make the law. Congress makes the law. Mobs seemingly break those laws. At the very least, mobs defy those laws.
Ergo, they act illegally. Cogito they are criminals.
Let us take a quick look without moral equivalence or emotional sleight-of-hand.
Fact: The migrants are here illegally.
Fact: They do not all pay taxes.
Fact: Those that do using false identification, social security numbers and so forth, are committing a form of identity theft.
Fact: Money earned here is being funnelled back to Mexico - the largest source of revenue second only to the Mexican oil industry.
Fact: The most properous country in the world has a porous border with a corrupt third world nation that encourages people to leave.
Mexico wants these people to keep going to the US as sort of a pressure release. What loss is 300 thousand highschool dropouts to El Fox? It keeps that government from having to make radical reforms.
My own notions regarding the dispute: 1) Stop the hemorrhaging at the border by shutting it down "like an Iron Curtain." Build a very large wall from the Gulf of Mexico to Imperial Beach. This would provide a lot of jobs in areas of the US with high unemployment rates. We could add irony to insult by using some of those unemployed former East Germans who made the other "Wall." Perhaps some H-1 Visa Israeli engineering students could intern there.
2) Consider using the RICOH laws to punish business owners who encourage illegality by hiring these criminals in "solidarity." It is conspiricy, is it not? To show we are not without heart, we should promise to put them in the same prisons.
3) Promote more rallies. Hire more deputies to round up illegals at said rallies and process them for deportation. Use shuttered military bases if you run of of room.
4) Change the 14th Amendment so as to end "Birth Tourism."
5) Fine and/or impeach politicians who promote voting by non-citizens. RICOH Suave!
6) Now that the border is secure. Promote the hell out of legal immigration.
All in all, I do not want the rally to be a one day thing. I am for making "A Day Without Illegal Migrants" an everyday thing.
This is a subject I shall return to. In the interim, pass the chimichangas.
Somos Latinos? Well, some are; somos not

Far Too Easy

You may have seen this (or something similar) and wondered what the fuss was about.
Allrighty then. I'll share.
Find Michael Jackson in the photo.
I'll give you a clue - He is not the visibly black individual with the hooded children.
That is right - He is the one dressed like an Arab woman.
You cannot condemn a man for being unusual. You cannot even condemn a man for being bizarre. You can, however, condemn a man for inflicting his torturous behavior onto "his" children.

A Nation of Mutts

I've been away from this blog for more than three weeks. Anybody notice? Anybody care? Hello!
Yeah, I fell off the planet. It isn't because there is a lack of things to write about. It isn't because I am no longer pissed off enough to vent my spleen online any longer. It isn't even because I am in a tempestuous relationship which commands my attention (well..sort of).
I will own up to being in the final throes of an existential-level move.
Huh?!?
Well, I shall be back in India in a few weeks and I am basically shutting down (for now) my U.S. domestic life. I'm keeping my home and such, but I am selling (or sold) vehicles, giving away clothes et. al. because I shant be here. I'll be in Bangalore eating dosa to my heart's content.
Why the move? Well, simply put, I fell in love with India a few years back.
I've lived in and worked around the Asia Pacific region on and off over (dare I say it?) the past 20 years. The passion has its roots in my childhood. It is a great region to live and work in. However, I was not prepared for India held in store for me. What initially brought me there and what I found is a long, albeit interiesting, story for another time. Suffice to say that India is like nothing else I've encountered.
Having said that, I shall be updating my profile and so on. I shall be addressing the 800 lb. gorilla - outsourcing (which I support wholeheartedly), the US-India marriage and...well, let us just say I shall be dealing with my geography more.
Being the nationalistic sort, I'll admit that I believe the direction that the US and India are pursuing is going to benefit both countries well into the 21st Century. The arranged marriage between the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest is going to be of historical significance as the global paradigm shifts beneath our feet. We are witnessing, if you care to see beyond the length or your nose, these two secular giants push the global democracy and cooperation agenda forward.
As an American, I am proud. I am profoundly happy to feel as if I have even a clue as to what direction the world is heading. The synergistic energy which propelled the US into the preeminent position it finds itself in today is based on global knowledge which asserted itself on American shores. That knowledge comes from Americans, hyphenated and homegrown, with global DNA who use their different backgrounds to solve puzzles and meet challenges here in this nation of mutts. THAT is synergy.
The world has already begun to, as Thomas Friedman put it, "flatten." The US needs to address the source. We need to be more proactive. We need to reach out to find a global partner that is simpatico. And we did. India. Go down the list.
So I may be a bit spotty over the next month. I'll try to keep it as a personal goal. we shall see.

Casseur ibn DeGaulle

Well, my postings regarding the riots in France earlier this year needs an additional comment or two. In light of the recent activity by French students, the earlier problematic behavior by disenchanted Muslim youth proves to be rather French indeed. Perhaps they are adjusting to the French lifestyle after all.
After reading several news stories and commentaries, I had to sit back and shake my head. I don't get it.
A recent article by the BBC stated that "Hundreds of thousands of people - mostly students - have taken to the streets in France for a second week of protests against the controversial new employment contracts."
Their plight? The government won't tuck them in anymore. They want a powerful government to give them everything or they will shit on everything for everybody else. Very French.
“All it could take is one careless spark for this howl of existential anxiety to explode,” went the article.
I do not mean to relish in the woes of the French...but part of me does. It has to do with their inferiority complex. Right. Inferiority, not superiority. I mean that in the sense of "Me thinks thou doth protest too much." The French complain about everything and blame the Anglo-American hegemony for it all while they are at it. They claim to be so civilized while they burn shit to the ground.
If you remember, they offerred to buy back New Orleans because they have a more tolerant society. What a yuck that was. Of course there are still issues in the States. People are people. However, the overt racism in Europe makes the US look like we are all sitting around a campfire together. NIMBY? Please!
I guess I would not revel in it so much if their juvenile petulance was not equal to their determination to block anything put forth by the States. Jesus wept! Their general lack of gratitude is nothing new. The iconic DeGaulle was an egotistical douche bag. He could have screwed up a wet dream. Forget war plans. The post-WWII France? Can we say "Anti-American agenda" any louder?
Yet, I'll admit that I like France. However, to paraphrase a buddy of mine "But there are too many French people there." I have French friends and we agree to disagree on a plethora of issues. We get along fine. I would even enjoy living there, I'm sure. I like the wine, language and cafe' society for sure.
Unfortunately, the thing that that stands out from my last sojourn there was a petite, young American girl being knocked down by a 20-ish Frenchman running around a corner, then her being ignored by him as he sped off after being momentarily inconvienenced.
Yes. All those ill-mannered, ungrateful Muslims rioting in the Paris suburbs. Seems to me that matches the French notion of liberty and fraternity all too well. After all, the seed for the Islamic Revolution in Iran was germinated there. So was the Bolshevik one for that matter.
As Caroline Wyatt sublimely stated in her BBC story "To the barricades, they went, these revolutionaries, to fight for their rights - to pensions, mortgages and a steady job. Such odd revolutionaries. No heartfelt cry to change the world, but a plea for everything to stay the same. For France to remain in its glorious past: a time of full employment and jobs for life - a paternalistic state to take care of them from cradle to grave."
I guess I just don't get it. If a government is powerful enough to give you everything, they sure as hell are strong enough to take all you've got. I guess that is why some things in the US are "self evident."

Absence makes the heart what exactly?

Been absent for two weeks. Took some time off on the Gulf side of Florida - Tampa-St. Pete. Saw an old friend and some family - sis and mother. It felt nice to be back on the road (for what it was).
I like new terrain. I like the feeling of not having been on a road before; not knowing what lies beyond the next bend, light, corner or hill.
I look forward to the next time.
It did, however, leave me with a sort of liberation hangover. I returned to my humble abode spent. I had nothing to give. I guess it has been a form of depression.
You see, I am on the verge of a great (as in substantial) move. It is a move of distance and duration and it has me in a bind. Time is speeding by at breakneck speed and I have so much left to do. This pace is in no way matched by my deeds and the drag it produces brings me way down. I want it all cleared away so I can begin this next chapter quickly but ...

Crow Chutney

Must begin with what I believe is grounds for a retraction on my previous posting. I was all over the Bush in South Asia program. I read many of the online papers and gobbled up tons of images that poured from the event. Yes, even the "Kill Bush" image.
This is the point I sought to retract. At least, I shall judge this in need of retraction with the same faith I had put into the source's veracity. It was a news feed. Simply that. An image along with many others that accompanied the US president in India - protests that were taking place all across India.
This is where today's venting comes from. The image was cropped so that "Kill Bush" was clearly evident. Checking out the hundreds of others showed none of the same. They did, however, show countless images of "Killer Bush." That, my friend, is merely free speech - an expression of inference, not expression of intent.
The protests were anti-US, anti-Bush, anti-globalization and anti-capitalism. What they weren't were calls for execution (albeit there were burnings in effigy). They were not incitements to riot (albeit violence did occur). They were still, clearly, filled to the brim with intolerance. But, you know what? Free speech is kinda like that - all messy and pointed and putting people on edge sometimes.
I feel much better about India today.

Dosa Intolerance

Well today I received a bit if a jolt. I was caught off-guard I suppose. It was something I did not expect to see. I was checking the news from Bangalore and caught some of the country-wide anti-bush protests. Yes, there it was - a banner that included "Kill Bush."
How original.
What an Einstein it must have taken to come up with that catchy slogan. All that was needed was a slightly off construction and spelling of a sentence utilizing a variation on the word fuck. Ha! The week is young.
I know I should not be so put off by this. This is, after all, the world's largest democracy. I know protest is protest, but this level of intolerance is enough to make me cry.
I know the anti-Bush protest across the country engaged a lot of the communist/socialist and Islamist-types. I'm sure there were moderate mozzies and plenty of others in the mix too. However, when I see "Kill (fill in the blank)," I have to hang my head whether it is in shame or sad resignation. This takes a special kind of social retardation. Maybe they grew up in a room of peeling lead paint?
India is a lot like the US in this matter. We produce a Lincoln. We killed him. India produces a Mahatma Gandhi. They kill him. Hell, lots of folks named Gandhi were murdered. Not to be outdone, the US produced some Kennedys to kill.
The two countries have given its citizens just enough liberties with which to off themselves (others too). Some elect to take up the gauntlet, yelling "everyone is free to choose but my group will choose for everybody."
Ignorant bastards. They're everywhere.

CoulterGeist

I cannot claim originality regarting the title here. I had Googled "Coulter" yesterday in order to find a certain item I had seen in the past which lampooned Ann Coulter and caught "CoulterGeist" as a tagline. Hadda go there.
Coulter is quite the polarizing figure. I happen to fall on the side of those who absolutely love her. She has a rapier wit and a fearlessness which must be witnessed (and admired). I have always loved smart, assertive women (even if I disagree with them). Damn you Emma Peel!
She also seems to love all of the negative (visceral) responses she leaves in her wake. I have to laugh as well, especially when I see all of the men, suppossedly in touch with the feminine, when confronted by such a woman. How dare she be smarter, better looking and funnier than some of the harpies and (girlie)men that jump through hoops in a vein attempt to put her down.
Her books sit (read) on my bookcase. Her columns arrive (and get read) in my email account. Her appearances in various media are eagerly awaited and tremendously enjoyed. I know I'll get to laugh at her (often outraegeous) jibes and enjoy the view.
Love her or hate her. She make the intelligent think, laugh and get outraged. She makes the reactionary earn their monikers. She makes the insipid left sit in their own fetid juices and stew.
I'm just sayin...

Guess Who

When I first saw this image in the news a question hit me soundly -


Is this the new Hamas Prime Minister or is it George Clooney leaving the BAFTA Awards?

Glamour - Then and Now

Yes. Grace Kelly was amazing. As far as the notion of screen glamour/icon goes, I will have to
admit that the list of choices is quite deep. As mentioned, this question pops up on occassion and guys usually go directly toward the Jolie et al direction. Women's choices, on the other hand, are as varied as their moods. There is no consensus here (in my very own unscientific resource).

I noticed that my selections tend to come from earlier incarnations of screen beauty (with few exceptions). One of the top contenders, for me, is Myrna Loy. She forever changed the screen notion of the wife as cufflink to the more important dominant partner. Her intelligent sass on screen showed men why they needed to go home after work - Dessert was waiting.

No list is complete without Audrey Hepburn. Her simply stated natural elegance was matched only by the way in which she lived - beautifully. Every time I watch her on screen, I fall in love all over again.

On the more contemporary front. I need to include two Indian actresses - one, Rani Mukerjee, is from the Bollywood camp. Her eyes to look at, her voice (oh my lord, that voice)...sheerly delightful to watch. Her recent performance in "Black" is not to be missed.

The other Indian actress is of the American flavor - Native American actress Irene Bedard gains my nod for one of, if not the most beautiful actress on the American screen today. It is a shame we do not see more of her.

Any questions? That why God invented the Google search.

What all of these women share goes beyond mere beauty. They possess an understated luxury in their performances. They all do with a glance what others work very hard at emoting. If this were merely about beauty, the list would be endless as women across the world grace us poor voyeuristic testerone-laden slobs with their presence and inherant charms. This juvenile list is about the celebration of the feminine, the distaff propensity for elegance. Like silk across bare flesh, these women remind men, on a daily basis, why we love being men.

This woman is for the birds

I was asked recently who I thought was the most beautiful woman to ever grace the silver screen. Now thousands upon thousands of discussions begin with this very question. Answers all vary - depending on mood as much as anything else.

I've cited many over the course of years and one or two of them actually pushed me directly into puberty (see Senta Berger). But I have to go back to Tippi Hedren.

This woman is perennial. Gorgeous every day of her existence.

Hit me with your (bird)shot

Hey, I know Dick Cheney is all over the news regarding his shotgun malfunction. Dumbass response to be sure. But what the hell is wrong with the press and their sheer inability to cover something that may not be as sexy, but has a helluva lot more teeth?
What am I talking about? - Al Gore eviscerating America once more, but this time to a Saudi Arabian audience in the Saudi kingdom itself.
What in bloody hell is wrong with that weasely worm? He isn't stupid. Albeit, he did flunk out of divinity school (how do you flunk God?). Going to SA and giving a big mea culpa to an audience that pretty much believes he was the former VP from the United States of Satan.
All I can say is Damn him! His hatred for W and his anger over his loss has taken control of his senses again. Take some Viagra for you self worth and move on. Grow another beard and go away. Why do we have to suffer for his shortcoming once again?
He apologizes for the US in the nation that essentially gave birth to this global conflagration in the first place and he and his cronies will sit back with glee as they try to gain traction over a hunting mishap with a single casualty. I have more than 3,000 reasons to find fault with his apology and his analogy.

Back Atcha

#1.) Okay. Giving way to juvenile behavior, I posted Bill Clinton with a puppy-stool mustache. Granted, a Great Dane might have been more appropriate given our sensitive political climate.
It was merely a jab at the PC in chief after a long series of tirades aimed at the current CINC. Every citizen has a right to speak. However, there has been a long tradition held by classier folks that a former POTUS (i.e. Clinton and Carter) make no contrary US foreign policy statements against the standing individual. As an example, see GHW Bush. He is a class act and stayed out of Clinton's way. I'll give Clinton points, however, for his uncanny ability to speak on the fly. Man, that boy is amazing to watch.

#2.) Found this: http://jewswhereareyou.blogspot.com/
My only response is: ?????

#3.) My third little piece pertains to the political kidnapping of Islam. Sure, there are the hysterically funny writings of an Ann Coulter who berates Islam (liberals, democrats et al). Then there is an organizarion like CAIR (ad infinitum) which makes excuses and provides succor to those violent individuals, thus encouraging more violence.
This is not the Islam that Leila Ahmed writes about.
This is an Islam that not only prohibits behavior by its adherants, it expects a dhimmi-like global experience. All should bow down at the altar of "submission." If we cannot show depictions of the Prophet (which has been done countless times in Muslim countries without incident), does that mean we cannot hit the gridiron with a "pigskin?" Is is possible that the International House of Pancakes will suffer the consequences of providing delicious, crispy bacon and pork sausage to the average consumer. Lord help Latin America if this happens! The amount of pork consumed by the Latin apostate...it makes me shudder.
If we bow down, we lose. This is THE slippery slope we've all heard about. There is a courageous imam in Denmark who stated flatly that more depictions, not less, should be the rule. He cites a simple fact that the very freedoms which the west reveres are at stake if we allow them to be taken hostage by intolerant savages.
I inserted the term "intolerant savages" because intolerance is the message we're getting. It describes the level of demand "at the point of a gun" mentality we are witnessing. Mao would be so proud.
And make no mistake about it, this is politics at its finest. It is "rally round the flag" syndrome gone beserk. While the info was readily available months ago when it was first published in a free country, how can these things take place in dictatorial countries where speech is limited and information controlled. These folks got the message because their governments wanted it out there. Then it steamrolled.
As far as the "We are not terrorists. You should be beheaded" stuff, local embellishment is an artistic addition, I think.
This is politics. This is not Islam.
Escuse me. I'm off to Denny's for a Meat-Lovers Slam breakfast.

Just B'cuz

Sometimes you just can't add anything more...

A Picture is Worth...

Islamic Response? Really?
Politics is the more likely culprit.















How dare you accuse Muslims of being violent!
I have been sorta (pardon the pun) shell-shocked by the images coming out of the mideast over the satirical cartoons printed in the European press. The burning embassies, flags and so on cannot be justified. Yet, there are those on the talking head shows who proclaim the cartoons to be provative, ergo the actions are understandable.














We are exercising our rights in a free society, so pardon the "Ban Intolerance" kinda thingy.
I applaud the defiant defense of the free press that comes from the continent. My applause for anything remotely EU is rare. Were the cartoons objectionable? To some. Are violent responses to cartoons reasonable? The question here is rhetorical.

So say us all!
But just as I defend these rights in the press, I also see these rights being utilized by the public in the press. What follows are some images of Muslims in London exercising their right to protest in public.

This is, of course, my favorite flavor of piety. Isn't this the poster child for peace and tolerance? Won't Mama be proud?

What I want to know is this - since these people are nothing like the Muslims I know, where the hell do these people come from? What the hell is wrong with these folks? C'mon. We all know that there is something seriously wrong with their brains. What possible outlook could justify this call to barbarism?

Yeah, Yeah. I know... "Gott Mit Uns."