"Is our children learning?"

Yes.

But what they're learning isn't good.

Corrupt them at a young enough age - when they're still developing critical thinking skills - and mold them to a specific way of thinking and presto! A Brave New World.

The fact that a growing number of kids think it's okay for the government to limit free speech is disturbing enough. What worries me isn't that schools aren't doing enough to teach kids about the right to free speech; what worries me is the possibility that schools are actually conditioning kids to believe that limiting free speech is good.

It's time to stop fighting the old fight with people too old to change their minds; we need to be concerned about the fight for the next generation. It's a fight that's already begun. And right now, it's a fight we're losing.

Ya Git Mo' trouble than its worth

More bad news for the administration's policies.

Which, in turn, is more bad news for the guys and gals that have to carry out the policy and try their best to do their jobs.

'Raq the Vote!

Don't forget to vote today!!"

So many choices...

Calling the Fab Five...

"Aw, hell. How much longer is this gonna be? I got to get to a duck hunting thing."

Strange. Some people thought that the Vice President's choice of attire failed to show the proper respect on such a solemn occasion. The supreme irony here is, he doesn't even need to bundle up. Being a cyborg, extreme weather conditions have very little actual effect on the Cheney-bot.

Rice Throwing

So, I'm watching the swearing-in ceremony of Condi Rice as Secretary of State and it hits me:

They're going to run Condoleezza Rice for President in 2008.

You heard it here first.

TWO GREAT TASTES ...

...that go great together!

I know there's a lot of important things going on...and there's some other stuff I wanna talk about, but how can I NOT post about this?

Ringo Starr to become animated superhero

'Spider-Man' creator Stan Lee has
partnered with Ringo Starr to turn the former Beatle
into an animated hero.
The man behind the comic books 'Fantastic Four', 'The X-Men' and
'The Hulk', will base his superhero on the personality of
Ringo Starr and Ringo will voice the character.


Although Ringo has been portrayed as a cartoon character
before in The Beatles cartoon and the 'Yellow Submarine' movie, the
only other time he has played himself in a cartoon was he
guest starred in 'The Simpsons'.

"This is going to be one of the most exciting adventures I've had all day"
said Ringo in a statement. "What a terrific opportunity to meet
and work with the great Stan Lee. I'm so excited to become a
'reluctant superhero." "We're in the first stages of creating this soon to
be masterpiece. Adding music to this adventure is something I am also looking
forward to. See you in animation land."

The premiere Purveyor of Wonder teams up with an ex-Beatle to create ... well, we'll see what they come up with, but I for one, oh fearless follower of fun, am looking forward to the first action packed adventure.

And I can't wait for the episode titles:

"With a little help from his friends!"

"Lo, there shall come a Starr!"

"Act Naturally...for justice!"

"Being a hero Don't Come Easy"

And you must take a shot everytime you hear the phrase: "...our hapless hero marches to the beat of his own drum..."

Excelsior!

Iran (So Far Away)

From the AP wires:

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Iran should stay out of Iraq's elections, President Bush
said Wednesday on pan-Arab television.
"Let's be clear, the Iranians should not be in a position to influence the elections," Bush said of Sunday's polls in an interview with the Dubai-based satellite channel Al-Arabiya. His remarks were voiced over in Arabic and translated into English by The Associated Press.
U.S. and Iraqi officials have expressed fears that Iran, a Shiite Muslim-majority state on Iraq's eastern border, is trying to expand its influence through the elections, in which Iraqi Shiites are expected to win the largest number of seats in a transitional national assembly.
Iran has rejected accusations it was trying to influence the elections, saying thatIraqis have made it clear they won't take orders from abroad.
Bush said he does not think the elections will produce a pro-Iranian government in Baghdad.
"The future of Iraq is based on the Iraqi nationality and the Iraqi character and the Iraqi people. There's been a problem between Iran and Iraq for a long time and I am confident that Iraq's people, pride, history and traditions are what the new government will focus on," he said.

Ya hear that, Iran? You're next!!

Ahh-nahld Drummin'...

Okay, that was a bit of a stretch for a terrible-and-obscure pun. But I amuse myself.

Arnold, the King Governator vs. Arnold Drummond

So, there's an upcoming tv movie based on Gov. Schwarzenegger's run for public office. And I don't think I have a problem with this. Seriously. Politics aside. Absurdity aside. Isn't he living the American Dream?

Flee an oppressive country, land in America, work hard, work out, become Mr. Universe, make an ass-load of money, make some movies, play a kick-ass Barbarian, play a kick-ass robot, play a kick-ass mercenary who kicks the ass of a kick-ass alien, star opposite Danny DeVito in a comedy, do some coke, marry a Kennedy, and become Governor of the most populous state in the Union. Seriously. If that doesn't deserve a made-for-tv movie on A&E, I don't know what does.


PS: Am I the only one who sees the edgy, Yiddish humor of Arnold's last name? It's like TWO racial slurs for the price of ONE!

Doomed

First off, I must give an "inspired by" credit to Mssr. Rogers' recent blog post on Kung Fu Monkey, as well as to Tim McIntire for starting this Geek Council thread over on the Comedy Studio Kvetch Board.

I suppose this is how blogs and the internet work, where it's a big ol' stew of ideas and collective thinking, constantly inspiring, spring boarding, and feeding off of other e-bits of information and concepts. I apologize in advance for repeating things I have already posted on the Kvetch Board, but I am treating this blog entry as an expansion on a previously discussed topic. It's like a special addition with extended footage. Yes, I am just as passionate about my comic books as I am about politics. No, I don't see a problem with that. Yes, I am a geek.

Okay. Now are we all caught up? Good. Because here's what I want to talk about.

This is Dr. Doom? Dr. Doom. Supreme Monarch of Latveria. Rival to Reed Richards. The guy who stole the Silver Surfer's cosmic power and once kicked the Beyonder's ass. Possibly the baddest baddie of 'em all in the Marvel Universe. And he looks like he got his outfit from the Cooper kiddie's costume store.

Great. ANOTHER Marvel movie where the baddest-ass super-villain around looks like a Power Ranger villain. I don't feel like this really conveys the power and the majesty that is Doom. I mean, I always envisioned that a real-life Dr. Doom would look like he's wearing perhaps a Knight's suit of armor, with some Roman and ancient Japanese flourishes. Something regal, yet threatening. I know they have the whole Darth Vader thing going against them, which isn't their fault, but still. A little thought and creative brainstorming, and they could have come up with an inventive and frightening look.

Spider-Man was still a great movie, despite the Green Goblin looking like a Power Ranger, so I will reserve final judgment until I see the actual movie. But, for now, when I see the movie version of Dr. Doom, all I can envision is this scenario:

*Ding-dong*

"And who are you supposed to be, little boy?"

"I am Doom. I demand candy."

"What an adorable plastic mask."

"Bah! Doom has no use for mere plastic, woman. Doom's METAL mask has been minted by the delicate hands of Tibetan Monks and crafted solely for Doom - for only Doom, alone, is worthy. Melted in the searing heat, shaped by my anger and thirst for vengeance, the fearsome metal that covers my scarred visage weighs heavy upon the head of Doom, with steel colder than Doom's icy heart. Doom is not adorable. Doom is power. Doom is master of his destiny. Doom is - -"

"Would you like a Snickers or a Baby Ruth?"

"Doom prefers the refreshingly creamy caramel and crunchy nuget of a Snickers."

Worry not for Doom and his shabby treatment at the hands of Hollywood infidels. For Doom endures, as he always has. Doom seeks the approval of no man, certainly not some insignificant dweeb with a laptop and a handful of useless links. Doom, ruler of Latveria and Master of all he surveys, scoffs at such plebians. Now leave Doom be, for tonight, Doom broods silently in his castle. And weeps. BAH!


* Above picture by comic book artist extraordinaire, John Byrne.

Is that a SpongeBob in your SquarePants?

Okay. Now that you've all had ample time to discuss the story, I'm ready to throw in my 2 to 10 cents on the subject. I'd also like to point out that I find it hilarious to read the CNN.com caption that simply reads: "SpongeBob lives in a pineapple under the sea." I could not sum up my feelings any better.

Is SpongeBob SquarePants subversively turning kids gay with his wacky antics and his wacko message of tolerance? I think the more important question to ask is, "Why the fuck are Christian Conservative groups cruising the kids' channels looking for hot, young homos?"

Seriously. If you're watching cartoons and you see a talking sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea and your first thought is "That sponge must love cock," you have issues. Every time some whackjob gets a chubby watching a kids' show, suddenly it's everyone else's fault. "Tinky Winky was totally hitting on me! Oh, please Lord, protect my lips from the throbbing, seductive sweetness of Tinky's winky."

Guys who go on "crusades" against fictional characters - who may or may not be gay - are the same guys who chloroform little kids like the creepy dad from "Happiness." These are the kind of guys that, if you came home early one day, you'd find them wearing leather pumps and humping their couches. Despite their holier-than-thou stances and incessant bible-thumping, these guys are really just attention whores and, yes, drama queens.


Let's hope there's a special section in hell reserved for the very specific type of poetic justice that they deserve. Preferably, in a pineapple under the sea.

Incidentally, living in a pineapple under the sea? Totally gay.

Feeling Patriotic

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Simon says: "Go. Snow."

As the snow piles up outside my apartment, I kind of miss being in school on a day like today. Because it would have meant a snow day. And there is no better feeling on earth than waking up and discovering that you DON'T have to go to school.

I've been waking up knowing that I don't have to go to school for quite some time now...but it's just not the same as the sweet morning surprise of a snow day. That invigorating feeling of waking up, rubbing the sleep from your eyes, peeking out the window, and suddenly discovering that there was indeed a Lord Almighty and by golly, He blessed you with a genuine miracle, Praised be His Name.

Now, a snow day means that I need to dig my car out of a snowbank, shovel out a path for myself, and continue on with my normal daily activities, freezing and shivering in Hoth-like conditions, but without the benefit of having a cool tauntaun. And I don't get the day off. Because I'm NOT in school. And it's Saturday.

Oh, well. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Excelsior!

Face front, true believers! This entry is not for the faint of heart or the weak of knees! It's a tale of two titans, boisterously battling for their beliefs in a raucous rumble roaring into record books and the awesome annals of austerity.

This is like when your parents fight.

On the one hand, I think it's awesome that Stan "the Man" Lee has won his case against Marvel. Even if Marvel plans to appeal the decision. On the other hand, it's one more way in which my childhood has been tarnished, as I must face the grim reality that Stan may have once called Marvel "the House of Ideas," but in reality, Marvel is nothing more than a corporate-owned entity, intent on turning a profit from my much-beloved characters. Which, of course, is their right. It just sucks when you have to grow up and see things for what they are. All I can do now is sheepishly ask, can I still "Make Mine Marvel?"

I'm a bad blogger.

Interpret as you will.

I'm playing Army all week. He said, to no one in particular.

Teddy Bear

From his speech to the National Press Club, Ted Kennedy reminds us that "the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

"I categorically reject the deceptive and dangerous claim that the outcome last November was somehow a sweeping, or a modest, or even a miniature mandate for reactionary measures like privatizing Social Security, redistributing the tax burden in the wrong direction, or packing the federal courts with reactionary judges. Those proposals were barely mentioned -- or voted on -- in an election dominated by memories of 9/11, fear of terrorism, the quagmire in Iraq, and relentlessly negative attacks on our Presidential candidate.

"In an election so close, defeat has a thousand causes -- and it is too easy to blame it on particular issues or tactics, or on the larger debate about values. In truth, we do not shrink from that debate.

"There's no doubt we must do a better job of looking within ourselves and speaking out for the principles we believe in, and for the values that are the foundation of our actions. Americans need to hear more, not less, about those values. We were remiss in not talking more directly about them - about the fundamental ideals that guide our progressive policies. In the words of Martin Luther King, "we must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope."

"Unlike the Republican Party, we believe our values unite us as Americans, instead of dividing us. If the White House's idea of bipartisanship is that we have to buy whatever partisan ideas they send us, we're not interested.

"In fact, our values are still our greatest strength. Despite resistance, setbacks, and periods of backlash over the years, our values have moved us closer to the ideal with which America began -- that all people are created equal. And when Democrats say "all," we mean "all."

"We have an Administration that falsely hypes almost every issue as a crisis. They did it on Iraq, and they are doing it now on Social Security. They exploit the politics of fear and division, while ours is a politics of hope and unity.

"In the face of their tactics, we cannot move our party or our nation forward under pale colors and timid voices. We cannot become Republican clones. If we do, we will lose again, and deserve to lose. As I have said on other occasions, the last thing this country needs is two Republican parties."

"I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that."

Very interesting 8-minute clip.

Prescient parable of portent? Or brilliant viral marketing? Or is it something even more revolutionary?

It's hosted by www.broom.org which links to the Free Net Project website.

However, the clip itself was created by Robin Sloan and Matt Thompson. Sloan works for IndTV. INdTV is Al Gore's new media company.

Is this the first strike from Al Gore against a bloated, corporate controlled news media? Is it a clever underground recruitment strategy? Is it a test case for information sharing and customized online marketing? Are we in the Matrix? And if so, does that make Al Gore Morpheus?

There is no spoon ...

Harry Rag

I think he's just living in the shadow of someone else's dream...

Howard's End

So, what's wrong with Howard Dean chairing the DNC?

He was a terrible Presidential candidate. And sure, he's a polarizing public figure. But the DNC chair isn't the president nor is he running for the presidency. Dean has already done that. And while he was terrible at being the short-lived front-runner, he was great at running an insurgency campaign, gaining attention and momentum, and energizing the BASE. Which is something the Dems need right now.

He embraces the Party platform and has worked to build upon it. Which is what the DNC chair should do.

He attracted NEWand YOUNG people to the Democratic Party last year, and he has demonstrated an ability to continue attracting NEW and YOUNG people to the Party. Which is what the DNC chair should do.

He is an extraordinary fundraiser, able to raise huge amounts of small donations from a variety of sources. Which is what the DNC chair should do.

He ran a revolutionary e-campaign, finally bringing the internet to the Dems and getting the message online. Some would say that it should have been done years ago, but he was the guy who stopped talking about it and actually did it. And that is what the DNC chair should do - stop talking and act.

Dean is hardly an outsider. BUT. He does think like an outsider, which is the best of both worlds. A guy who knows the system and knows how to work around the system. He's a centrist who acts like a liberal and knows how to shape his own image, rather than wait for the Republicans to shape his image for him. Why WOULDN'T the Dems want him as the DNC chair? Because he screamed at a rally? Because the Republicans would make fun of them?

Newsflash, hippies: the Republicans hate you. They will make fun of you no matter what you do or who you choose. The GOP controls everything else - do they really need to call the shots for the DNC now, too? And please ... please, don't seriously consider pro-life/anti-abortion Tim Roemer. Anything that further destroys the distinction between the 2 parties will just piss off the base and turn new people off from wanting to join a party that doesn't even want them as members.

Dean has essentially wrecked any chance of himself ever actually holding an elected, public office again ... but he is a high profile, no-nonsense, straight-talking, politcally savvy guy who might just be exactly what the DNC chairman should be right now: a public figure who can take the heat, who's been there/done that, and who can actually generate some sort of excitement and emotion from people who AREN'T political hacks. An insider who walks and talks like an outsider - a player.

I was never a Deaniac. I was a Kerry guy all along who thought Gen. Clark would also have been an excellent choice. I'm a "the right man* for the right job at the right time" sorta guy. Dean wasn't the right man for that job at that time. But this - this might just be the right job for him. And now's definitely the right time.

The Democrats have always been the party of the people - so, let's let the people decide. So far, the establisment has done a pretty piss poor job of choosing chairs ... with their recent track record of failure, maybe can we try it a different way? If it doesn'twork, we can always go back to the safe, status quo choices. But the Dems aren't supposed to be about the status quo - ever. And if the Democratic Party is concerned about shaking up the statu quo, then perhaps that's exactly what we need to do right now - upset the status quo.


*I know, I know. But saying "the right man or woman" or "the right person" just didn't have the right flow. But I'm still sensitive and understanding. And I love the ladies.

Fall back to spring forward

Ya can't see the forrest for the trees if you're standing too close. You need to take a step back to see the big picture. So, take a deep breath and step back ... step forward. Step back. Step forward. And now we're doing the cha-cha. To quote Chris Knight.

So, it began with a nifty little article from Slate explaining the difference between the Reserves and the National Guard. And the article included an interesting link to a recent memo detailing concerns with the current approach to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Last month, OCAR (Office of the Chief, Army Reserve) sent out a very thought-provoking memo which warns of the dangers of creating a "broken force" should the US continue its current policy of hobbling together its force in a patchwork manner. The current system uses financial incentives to entice "volunteers", creating something more akin to a group of mercenaries, rather than relying on the natural cohesiveness inherent in deploying entire units. In short, current DoD policy favors filling slots with warm bodies rather than experts or specialists. In addition, the "anyone's guess" approach to deployment lengths and mobilization creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and needless stress.

Currently, DoD seems to be taking a short-term look at the war(s) and isn't seeing the big picture. Sometimes, in order to take two steps forward, you need to first take one step back...