one down, one to go

One down, one to go.

Although I’m glad the Red Sox won, I’m almost as excited that the Yankees lost. Now that one evil empire has fallen, lets have another. yeah, you know who I’m talking about Rudy.

Oldies Radio

I loathe oldies radio more than just about all other uses of the FM band. I hate it even more when its piped into the bus and you’ve no escape from the over played music, droning yet upbeat chatter, dumbed-down political advertisements, and furniture sale commercials. We’re waiting to merge into a mass pile of cars on the interstate and I can only bring comfort by remembering that I’m “ridin’ on a bus.”

Ready like a date

On a lighter note, I just got ready for visiting the doctor like I was preparing for a date. Is that normal? This is only my second official doctor’s appointment.

Oh, I guess there was that time back in 4th grade and I was wearing my best tiger striped purple briefs. In my defense, I wasn’t expecting to go to the doctor, I chose them for comfort. Nor was I expecting the doctor to know the name of the cute girl in the class and goad me about dressing for her.

I guess this is another part of the mother’s wisdom of always wearing clean underwear. You should always wear non-incriminating undies as well on the off chance that you’re doctor is also your friend’s dad.

The “L” word and the “F” word

The “L” word is being thrown around so much right now that I can’t help but wonder if the ghost of Joe McCarthy is being channeled by Karl Rove. I personally don’t believe that John Kerry is that liberal. But I would like to bring up another loaded term. Yup, the “F” word.

No, not that word. Though it could just as easily be used to label the Republican candidates. I’m talking about Fascism. I know most people think primarily of the Nazis, but the jackboot, genocidal warmongering image is a little excessive…

Well, I suppose you could argue that requiring a loyalty oath to attend political gatherings, massive campaigns of misinformation and propaganda, ignoring the genocide in Sudan, and labeling people based on their religion a very Gobbles thing to do, but that’s not the Fascism I’m talking about.

Fascism proper is characterized by the following traits which I’ve borrowed from Wikepedia:

  • Exalts nation and sometimes race above the individual
  • Uses violence and modern techniques of propaganda and censorship to forcibly suppress political opposition
  • Engages in severe economic and social regimentation, and
  • Espouses nationalism and sometimes racism (ethnic nationalism)

I know how dramatic this sounds. I generally get annoyed by the zeal with which people throw hyperbolic labels around, but really, how much further do we need to go? We’re well beyond traditional conservatism now.

Vienna Circle, where are you now?

In the 1920’s, a group of logical positivists formed the Vienna Circle. Positivism is the belief that nothing can be considered true until there is empirical evidence for it. This outlook of systematic doubt is anti-authoritarian because it will not accept anything without scientific evidence.

As is the case with most rational groups, they found themselves at odds with the Nazi party, which formed policy and carried out scientific experimentation tainted with its own ideology and mysticism. As you can imagine, most of the Vienna circle were driven from the country.

I bring this up because the Union of Concerned Scientists finds itself in a similar place. The Bush administration is also loading scientific panels and federal agencies with scientists with similar ideological tainting.

I also bring this up because in capitalism, any limitation based on discrimination impedes efficiency, the near-utopian goal of the method. This definitely includes ideologically-bent policy.

Frustrating Paradox

The debate left me annoyed. But it also left me with these little contradictory boils that have been festering for the last couple days:

  • People blindly recite that Kerry has no record, yet turn a blind eye to Bush’s record over just the last 4 years.
  • Fundemental Christianity seems to be the biggest proponent for, and biggest threat to democracy.
  • Republicans are interested in Foreign Policy
  • John Kerry is Far-Left (see political compass ).
  • The security of America lies overseas.
  • The Democrats look like fiscal conservatives.
  • Bush wants to know how Kerry is going to pay for stuff

It appears to me that the ditto-head is still very much alive and well.

Winged Migration

Though there was very little said during Winged Migration, I’m fairly certain its one of the best movies, of any genre, ever. Not the kind of best you can watch over and over, but for it’s cinematographic feats, the incredible editing and direction, and variety and beauty.

Its also one of the most telling arguments for an E.P.A. – the scene of absolute industrialism over Eastern Europe is possibly the most vile and desolate location I’d hope to see.

Arguments for Measure 36 or Comedy Gold

We were all huddled in a discussion (celebration) after the debate last night, and to top off the evening, we read aloud the first “for” arguments for measure 36 in this year’s voter’s pamphlet.

The Bible says that marriage is for procreation. God made Adam and Eve, and Adam and Eve made Cain and Abel, not an empty nest … Marriage is for procreation. If you’re not pro-Creation, you’re anti-God …

If you’re not smirking, I’m worried. If you are, it only gets better.