Scooter Libby = cenobite

On the top is recently indicted White House Staffer (well, he's now an ex-staffer) "Scooter" Libby and on the bottom is Frank Cotton (with the skin of Larry Cotton) from Hellraiser. Totally separated at birth.

In any case, I hope they send this guy up the river, but they need to throw Karl Rove on the boat first. Then chain Bush and Cheney to the anchor and sink the whole lot. I mean, the level of accountability in the government these days is asinine. They practically wanted to decapitate Clinton because he lied about boning some fat chick. This, I feel, is much worse. This kind of action is not part of their private lives like the Clinton issue. This was, realistically, a threat to national security. I mean, seriously, they outed this lady to discredit her husband. Why? Nepotism? Damn, that's about as wrong as nominating your own attorney for the Supreme Court. Oh, wait. At least that bombed out too.

On another note, if you have never seen Hellraiser, you need to see it. Sure, its a bit gross at points, but it is more psychologically scary than any other movie. Plus, the various cenobites are freaking awesome.

Rush Limbaugh Question of the Day

Seriously, Rush said today that he didn't understand why so many Mexican families do not have cable. His theory: secret signal from Mexico. OK, I'm pretty sure he was joking about the last comment, but he really never thought that MAYBE with the rising cost of cable TV that there were a lot of hispanic families that could not afford cable. This is why I listen.

A little commentary on history.

Rosa Parks died last night, as I'm sure many people heard. Maybe this is a bit corny, but I rarely make a big deal about the passing of a person that was important to history. So give me a break and let me say something about Rosa Parks.

Why do I see her as a key figure in the history of our country? Sure, the whole bus thing was a big deal and shouldn't be taken for granted. However, what I see as the vital part of understanding Rosa Parks is this: there was nothing particularly special about her. She was shy. She didn't want to be in the spotlight. She was not an especially gifted speaker. She was not really recognized as a charismatic leader. In other words, Rosa Parks wasn't all that much different than any other person. What made Rosa Parks special was her guts. She wasn't just a seamstress that decided that she was too tired to move seats. Her education was civil-rights based. Deciding to stand up was a decision, not a convenience. However, this was the type of decision any of us could make if we had the guts.

Many of the people that influenced civil rights in the U.S. were given gifts that gave them an advantage in their fights. Frederick Douglass was very intelligent and had the ability to bring together people of differing opinions. Martin Luther King was a charismatic leader with an incredible gift of speech.

I don't want to make it sound like I think Rosa Parks was not a big deal when, in fact, I think just the opposite. Rosa Parks embodied everything that is great about our country and everything that could be better. She was not only a living icon of positive change, but a model of just how powerful the "average" person can be if we could just get some guts.

Unfortunately, most of today's poliyicians don't have the guts to stand up for anything. They do what their party tells them and nothing that could cost them re-election. We need more people to be like Rosa Parks.

Why some people should not have kids

Here's a little quiz:

The two young ladies above are a twin sister singing duo that sing:
A)country re-makes of songs by Hilary Duff
B)songs in tribute to their idols, the Olsen Twins
C)Christian pop songs that encourage other girls to wait for marriage
D)songs promoting white supremacy and white pride


I guess this is one of those questions that I would not be asking were it not the most ridiculous answer, but yes, they sing to promote white supremacy. And, no surprise here, they are from Bakersfield. I guess their dad drives around in a truck with a swastika painted on it and he brands his cattle with a swastika. Nice family values.

Good times.

Proposition 73

I can't sleep because my nasal passages have launched a massive counter-strike, forcing me to breath through my mouth, which is now like a desert. So I decided to do my first CA Proposition analysis.

I'm still tossing many ideas in my head about how I want to do this. I decided that although I really want to give my opinions on these issues, which could make my analysis much more fun to read, that I should be an impartial judge of the issues to allow anybody reading this to make their own decision.

First, a couple points of business: #1 These are my interpretations based on the analysis and text of the proposition as provided to me by the State of California. So whoever the guy/girl that wrote the analysis for the State can kiss my ass if they think I'm stealing ideas. Plus, I'm making no money, so there. #2 In the packet I read the summaries, arguments for and against, rebuttals, and the actual text. I used no other information specifically, although I may indirectly refer to other things that I have read/heard/seen in the past. #3 I may include ideas from my own personal experience to clarify what I think is the truth. #4 If you disagree with my interpretation, tough shit...I'm probably right and you're not. #5 When I say "basic arguments in favor/against" I am trying to summarize the argument for that side, I am not necessarily agreeing.

So here it goes:

Summary: Prop 73 would require notification to parents when their minor daughter wants to get an abortion.

How it would work: Before getting the abortion, the doctor would have to let the parents know 48 hours before the abortion takes place. This essentially creates a 48-hour waiting period before the abortion takes place. Notification could be in person or by certified mail. In either case, the parent would be aware of the abortion before it takes place. There are several exceptions: medical emergencies, parent waiver (so there would be no waiting period), or by court order.

Basic arguments in favor: Parents should know when their daughter is going to get an abortion so they can be prepared to help her deal with the emotional and physical effects afterward.

Basic argument against: This law could keep young girls that are in "difficult parent situations" from getting a safe abortion if they are scared of what their parents might do.

Fiscal impact ($$$) I think analysts basically go PC on this one saying that there could be some savings and some expenses. Basically, I see it as a wash. The state may have to pay less for abortions since some girls might be scared/counseled away from it, but then the State may have to pay to raise the babies if the mom is poor, which they seem to think will be most of them.

What I think this really means: First, if a doctor doesn't comply they can get sued, so its another pressure on doctors. Second, this law doesn't specifically make it illegal for a minor to get an abortion, it only forces the doctor to let the parents know. Third, neither side can really give legitimate statistics proving their argument, so it seems to me that either could be right about the outcome.

How I think you should vote: If you are a pro-lifer this could really go either way for you. Yes, this could prevent abortions, but it is also a compromise since it really doesn't ban abortions. On the other hand, this law could face US Constitutional issues due to Roe v. Wade, so maybe you want this to pass either way. If you are pro-choice I think you would probably want to go no on this one. There is some very specific language that defines what an unborn child is, which sort of works OK in context, but judges don't always interpret contextually. If you are generally paranoid of the government being "big brother" then this is really a no for you since the doctor has to file paperwork with the government about location, names, length of pregnancy, type of abortion, etc. Sure, there are provisions for privacy/confidentiality, but when has "the man" ever respected that?

State-provided links for more info:
People in favor
People Against

Maybe I'll give my opinion on this later, since I certainly have one, but I'll let you marinate it in your own head for a bit first. Next time I'll talk about Prop 74, which deals with teacher tenure. I swear I'll give it a fair analysis despite my obvious bias.

Achieving victory over nasal congestion

That is about all I accomplished tonight. At 5:00, I could not breath through my nose. It is now 8:20. I can breath through both nostrils. Sure, I cheated and used some extra strength no-drip nasal spray, but I feel that the ends justify the means. So that is how my Friday night has been. Here were my options: #1: the first ever local Lebowskifest that I was going to host. #2: friend that lives here in town graduated yesterday and has a keg to celebrate. #3 Breath through nose. Needless to say, I am highly disappointed.

Nonetheless, the dude abides. Victory is mine.

Today in politics...not really

So I decided that in the next couple of days I am going to issue my official interpretation of the various ballot propositions that we get to vote on in a few weeks. I encourage everyone to pay attention to the ads and junk e-mail that you get until then so you are familiar with the bullshit once I drop some truth on you.

Now here is my political rant for this month.

My new favorite radio show is Rush Limbaugh. Wait. Let me finish. I get caught listening to Rush the same way that I watch a car chase. Sometimes, I just can't believe what I am seeing (or hearing in this case). This guy has his head so far up his own conservative ass he can give himself a prostate exam with his tongue. Today he was saying that Karl Rove was a victim in this whole case of revealing the identity of Valerie Plame, the covert CIA operative. (Short version of the story. CIA Lady recommends that her husband, an expert on African politics, be sent to check on the possibility that Niger is selling uranium to Iraq. The White House sends him and he comes back saying that there is no selling. White House ignores him, we go to war, etc. He writes in NY Times about what happened. White House tries to discredit him by revealing his wife's connection, thus revealing her identity.) Fact of the matter is that Bush's right-hand-man is caught up in this whole thing and Dick Cheney may be there too. Not too much to argue about, but Rush seems to think that poor little Rove didn't know that her identity was secret so he didn't know not to reveal it? If you think that sounds confusing and a bit retarded you are right. Anyways, that's just a taste of the entertainment that you'll get from listening to the trainwreck that is Rush Limbaugh.

Which leads me to my point. On the way home I listen to more liberal talk radio, which is more my slant, but that is a bunch of crap to...sometimes. It seems like we are so caught up in discrediting those that are on the opposite end of the political spectrum from us, that we forget that they might be right on an issue. Take our new Chief Justice. People wanted to vote him down because he is so conservative. However, it seems to me that this guy is nothing short of a legal genius that just happens to be conservative. Wouldn't it make sense to have a very smart legal mind as the head of the highest court in the land? And why did so many people get mad that he wouldn't predict how he would vote on abortion and other big issues? THE SUPREME COURT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AUTONOMOUS IN ITS DECISIONS!! THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLES' OPINIONS - JUST THE LAW!!! Either way, I predict that John Roberts will become significantly more moderate and will piss off both liberals and conservatives with decisions based on ---wait for it--- THE LAW. Now this new chick is a different story. She is Bush's best legal buddy and I think she's a total cronie. I'm happy to see a woman nominated, but Brittney Spears is also a woman and you wouldn't nominate her dumb ass for the Supreme Court - I hope.

Phew! I'm glad I got that off my chest. Now get yourself ready in the next couple of days for my interpretation of these propositions. I promise that I will not tell you how to vote, I will just give you some idea of what I think they really mean. Well, maybe I'll say something like "If you think...then vote this way, if you think...vote this way" but that is the farthest I will go. Although I may later tell you how I am going to vote, but I trust that anyone reading this will be able to make up their own minds. Even Tim. Boo-yah.

HAPPY HOUR!!

Tonight. Crown. Drinks. No School tomorrow. Do it.

Will the real Bilbo Baggins please stand up?

So, according to this story there may have been people very similar to hobbits.

"Scientists digging in a remote Indonesian cave have uncovered a jaw bone that they say adds more evidence that a tiny prehistoric Hobbit-like species once existed."

Now that would be pretty damn cool in my opinion, but here is a small list of fictional people that I would much prefer to be proved real:

1. Witches and Wizards like in Harry Potter. Maybe just because I've read the first 4 of these books in the last few months, but still. No bad wizards though.

2. Cyclops. One eye. Enough said.

3. Amanda will break up with me for not remembering this name, but the flying dog from Neverending story. Except doo-doo bombs.

4. Midgets. No, wait. Those are real. Awesome!

I'll think of more later.

On another note, there will be a very fun and boozetastic event on the evening of October 28th to celebrate Amanda's landmark 26th birthday. News will be coming as far as location, etc., but rest assured drinking will be encouraged. Maybe now that Amanda has acquired the taste of Seagram's at camping she'll be doing shots. So save the date and assign a designated driver (not Amanda).

Congrats to ______ for her ______. I don't want to steal her thunder, but if you know then you know what I'm talking about. And no, its not to Xena for her planet.

New Picture

I changed the picture in my profile. I feel really guilty about hotlinking to pictures, but I don't have a photobucket account and don't feel like messing with it, so there you go. So now instead of William Jennings Bryan you get the next best thing - a monkey with a gun.

I have patience?

The librarian at my school today said that I have incredible patience. My 6th period class is a bit crazy and we were in the library today doing research. Most of them did OK, but I have a good number that always want to find a way out of doing work. They are soon going to learn what happens when you do that in my class. No privileges and lots of failing. There are a few that are growing to hate me, but they get overpowered by my legion of devoted Austinites who seem to have generally positive feelings about me and my class.

Have I ever gone on one of my "Kids these days" rants yet? If not, well here it is. I feel like when I was in school it was very taboo to swear at school, or at least in front of your teachers. My students do it pretty regularly. I don't do that much about it, but by the time they are done with the class I generally see a 50-75% reduction in profanity. I know that our society has really given greater approval to the use of profanity. Now it seems like ass and bitch make regular appearances, and I guess I don't really object. However, I really get annoyed by students saying stuff like "that shit is wack" and "give me back my fucking pen bitch" without giving it a second thought. I even had a student call me an asshole this week, although I deserved it and it was more of a friendly way like I would do with my friends. Still, he said it without giving it much thought, although he apologized later without me asking. So my question is: am I getting old or what? I heard about a school in Iowa (I think?) that now allows students to use up to five profanities in a single class per day before they get in trouble. Is that the direction we are headed? Sure, profanity can be rather effective in some cases, mostly when Samuel L. Jackson is involved, but shouldn't we encourage students to develop a broader vocabulary of insults?

Maybe its just me, but if we don't put a lid on this bullshit I'm going to kick someone's motherfucking ass and that bitch aint gonna do shit about it.

I refuse to accept...

So I may have had a beer or two and am feeling really inspired, so here is a list of things that I refuse to accept:

1. that in the year 2005, Korn is still allowed to produce and release music.
2. my inevitable demise
3. the price of gas
4. ATM fees
5. that I do not own a bicycle
6. that Randy, Pete, Melanie, and Amanda all have iPod and I don't
7. that there may be another planet in our solar system
8. that they might name this new planet Xena (Warrior Princess)
9. that this new planet has a moon that they might name after Xena's sidekick
10. that people actually still watch WWF wrestling and think that it is real
11. the Bush administration
12. that you can buy a crayond drawing by Picasso at costco.com for $140,000
13. that there is a place in most cities where you can borrow books for free and I never go there
14. that the contents of a hot dog are anything but Grade A meat products
15. that I should be asleep by now

Thank you Jews

So I hope that you notice that I am posting around midnight. Am I tired? Sure. Won't I be tired tomorrow? Maybe. Don't you need to get to school/work early? No sir. Thanks to the many wonderful Jewish employees of the LAUSD, I have the day off tomorrow. You see, there are many Jewish teachers in the LAUSD and they would want tomorrow off to celebrate the Jewish New Year with a day of prayer I guess many of the subs are also Jewish, which would leave many classrooms uncovered. So, this gentile gets to sleep in and read Harry Potter all day. On Thursday next week I get the day off for Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement.

However, I don't want to feel like I am taking advantage of a people with a somewhat unpleasant history, so I want to share with you why I think these holidays are cool. First, they eat apples dipped in honey on Rosh Hoshannah, which sounds pretty good. Second, there is an old tradition where they go into a lake or river and dump whatever is in their pockets into the river. Now, I am assuming that they don't have 100-dollar bills and cells phones, but I like the idea. It is supposed to symbolize getting rid of the things that held you back over the last year (or something like that). Yom Kippur is a day where Jewish people examine their sins over the last year and ask for forgiveness. They are also supposed to avoid any indulgences. One time I had an ex-girlfriend meet me in a park so she could apologize for cheating on me. However, she only apologized for one guy and there were two others, so I assume that she is going to hell. But again, I think that this is a really cool idea. I feel like we don't really look back at our own lives enough to see what we are doing wrong or right. Maybe you don't talk to your parents enough. Maybe you took a sick day because you wanted to get wasted while watching a soccer game (which I am not at all sorry about). Maybe you're addicted to midget porn (I swear I can stop whenever I want to).

To make a long story short, I think we should all take advantage of the wonderful opportunity that this religious holiday provides us to really look at our lives and see how we can do better.

Oh, and since I have next Thursday off I plan on having a few drinks at the Crown happy hour...in honor of Yom Kippur of course.