Thursday, July 01, 2004
Hot PotatoI'm trying to stay optimistic about the Iraq power handover. It would be easy to take a cynical attitude—after all, what does "sovereignty" really mean in this context, anyway, when our 140,000 troops guarantee us complete veto power? But even if purely symbolic, a non-US government in Baghdad changes things. Witness Jordan's offer to send troops. One Associated Press story claims Iraqi security forces have responded to the handover with great pride and that the Iraqi people are glad to see their increased presence on the streets. Sounds good. I hope it's true.
The way the handover itself was done doesn't bode well, though. I know it had to be done that way for security reasons, but it came off seeming less like a handoff, and more like a desperate, last-second lateral pass. We'll see.
File under "Paranoia"
I've been struggling with the recurring thought that maybe, just maybe, Bush & Co. don't want to win in November, that maybe they're planning to, well, punt. Let's face it—although the economy seems to be sputtering back to life, our country faces so many problems right now that maybe any leader would be doomed to failure. So whoever wins this time gets the thankless job of cleaning up W's messes and fending off a rabid public for the next four years... Nah! Even Karl Rove wouldn't raise $200+ million as a decoy. I'm fairly sure.
File under "People I might like to meet, but then again, it's probably better that I don't"
Read the morbidly fascinating story of a young woman, a powerful motorcycle and a radioactive wasteland. Lots of pictures and insights, along with some creative spelling. Still, her English is a lot better than your Russian, now isn't it?
Posted by Me at 22:44 link
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
I Got Plenty of Nuthin'I was going to write about how great it is that Colin Powell is in Sudan, that maybe now the genocide in Darfur can be halted. Then I read a few articles, such as this one, and came to the conclusions that 1) The Bush administration is acting for completely selfish reasons; and 2) How much they're actually doing about the situation remains to be seen.
My first criticism is completely unfair. After all, why do politicians do anything? (If you answered "to win more votes," you are correct!) But my second criticism has merit. Too many times to keep track of, Bush has voiced support for something, and then completely failed to follow through. In the cases of Veteran's Affairs and "No Child Left Behind" (among many others), he's actually recommended cutting funding after making eloquent (well, sort of) speeches in their support. Read all about those, and many other foibles, here.
Then I considered writing about the implications of the recent Canadian elections—but who am I kidding? If you want to know, go and read Revolutionary Moderation; Don understands Canada's politics from the inside. I understand... well, I understand that I don't understand so much.
So instead of running my big mouth, I have a suggestion: click here to sign a petition urging our leaders to require that voter-verified paper ballots be part of any electronic voting system used in November. Because you know the old saying: To err is human; to really foul things up, use a computer. With paper ballots (kind of like receipts) as backups, election disputes can be resolved simply. Without paper ballots, we got nuthin'.
Posted by Me at 22:12 link
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
On Your Mark—Get Set—Rant!I love America. You'll soon see why I had to say that up front. I really do. I'm proud to live in a country that, historically, has stood as a beacon of tolerance, freedom and equality to the rest of the world. I want nothing more than for the USA to set such a fine example again.
That being said, a number of things about what some call our way of life make me want to pretend I'm Canadian sometimes. Here then, in no particular order, are
Ten Things That Piss Me Off About the 'Mercan Lifestyle: - Processed Everything From the foods we eat to the clothes we wear, natural just isn't good enough anymore. Care for some Cheez Whiz™ on that Ritz™ cracker?
- Having to Drive Everywhere Okay, in many cases, as I prove every day, we don't really have to drive, but people look at you funny when you bike everywhere (trust me on that one). I have a neighbor who actually drives his Buick 50 yards down the driveway to get the mail every day.
- Planned Obsolescence Isn't it great that your shiny new computer, which cost you a month's salary, will be worth about $20 in three years? If you can find a chump to take it off your hands, that is. Of course, it keeps the contracts alive and moving....
- Necessary Growth Not unrelated to the previous item. Unless our population keeps growing, our economy will stop growing. And with a very unpleasant sneezing and wheezing, the calliope crashed to the ground.
- The Lawn Nothing showcases our collective fear of nature better than what I like to call The Great Suburban Fairway (in my neighborhood, it's more like a bunch of putting greens). The grass monoculture chokes out most other life (especially when it gets a leg-up from pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers). A good friend of mine—an environmentalist, no less—spends over four hours a week on his lawn. Don't get me started.
- Childish Attitude Towards Sex Tee hee. I said "sex." On the one hand, the US produces more professional pornography than any other nation; on the other hand, FCC Chairman Michael Powell wants to burn Janet Jackson at the stake because she exposed a breast on national TV. Oh, the horror!
- Competitive Consumption Mine's bigger than yours. My diamond-studded, gold-plated, Hummer H2, that is. Jeez, what'd you think I meant?
- Fear of Intelligence Don't confuse me with facts. Why should I care what some egghead in an ivory tower has to say anyway? The reason Kerry isn't twice as popular as Bush right now is that Bush is good at explaining things using words of one syllable or less.
- Violence as the Default Solution Gandhi who? We're all about violent movies. Violent video games. Violent sports. War. War on Poverty (failure). War on Drugs (failure). War on Terror (failure). How about a War on Stupidity? I might even get behind that one, though I'm sure it wouldn't fare any better.
- Fear of Collectivism Never mind that public health care would cost about half as much, and that we'd all live longer. Keep that socialized medicine to yourself, comrade. And get off my lawn.
Music in my Head - The Pogues with the Dubliners — "Whiskey in the Jar"
- Bruce Springsteen — "Blinded by the Light"
- Beach Boys — "Wouldn't it be Nice?"
Thanks for listening. I feel much better now, thanks. What bugs you, apart from angry, self-righteous bloggers?
Posted by Me at 22:52 link
Monday, June 28, 2004
People Get ReadyStart preparing yourself now for the Second Annual Towpath Century Challenge, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 18. This year's 100-mile ride on the towpaths of the Delaware (PA) and Delaware & Raritan (NJ) Canals will be bigger and better than last year's—because this time, all are invited.
Last year's ride was a hastily-planned solo event; only after the fact did I decide to collect money for United Way of Greater Mercer County, NJ (better late than never, though, right?). By the way, thanks to all of you who contributed last year—your money is making a real difference improving people's lives.
Let me know if you're interested in riding all, or part, of the 100 miles. Mostly, it's an easy ride, suitable for mountain bikes or hybrids. The towpaths are wonderfully smooth, straight and flat; the scenery is beautiful. Just about anyone will enjoy riding one of the many lovely segments of these paths. To complete the entire distance, I'd recommend being in pretty good shape—and I'd strongly suggest that you start training now!
If you want to be a part of this without getting all sweaty and tired, you can contribute, provide transportation or other logistical support—or just hang out and shout encouraging words!
I'd also love to hear from you if you've ever organized, or been involved with, similar charity events. Or if you've got any ideas for a T-shirt design....
Click here to read about last year's ride.
Posted by Me at 10:32 link
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Turning Up the HeatFahrenheit 9/11 surprised me.
First of all, it's a brilliant motion picture. Michael Moore tells his story with humor, intelligence—and surprising compassion. As in Roger & Me, he examines the effects of Big Decisions on the lives of ordinary people. The portrait that emerges is one of class warfare, waged mercilessly by the wealthy and powerful on the poor and helpless.
As usual, Moore's wit and humor take center stage; the audience at the showing I attended laughed as protesters pelted Bush's limousine with eggs on his inauguration day, as Paul Wolfowitz slicked back his hair with saliva before appearing on television, and as Moore famously tried to convince members of Congress who supported the Iraq war to enlist their children.
Fahrenheit also moved me to the verge of tears several times. As I'm sure Moore would love to hear us all say: "I laughed, I cried—and then I resolved to vote."
What surprised me was how much I found myself feeling sorry for George W. Bush. Clearly, the film showed repeatedly, Bush is a simple man in way over his head. Again I got the impression that I'd actually like Bush the person, if I knew him from everyday life. When Moore introduces himself to the president at a reception early in his presidency, Bush smiles and says, "You behave, now!" Bush seems like a nice guy who doesn't quite understand his role in the chaos swirling around him. He seems so much more at home playing with his dogs on the ranch in Texas than he does talking to reporters at the White House.
I feel energized and relieved at the film's warm critical reception and strong early box office showing. This film takes many of the themes I (among many others) have been talking about for a long time now, presents them more eloquently than any of us ever could, and reaches an audience beyond our wildest dreams. It encourages all of us Americans to wake up and take responsibility for the political system that, after all, We the People are supposed to control.
Above all, Fahrenheit 9/11 encourages us all do our part to send Bush back home, where he'll be happier. We owe nothing less to the star of such a terrific film.
Posted by Me at 22:26 link
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