hello goodbye hello goodbye

2004-11-04T22:25:00.000-06:00

This Blog URL Is Strictly Archive.

~new URL~
http://www.antiherocomics.com

2004-11-04T13:45:00.000-06:00

I have two blogs. It's time to consolidate. From here on out, I'll be using antiherocomics.com for all my journal/blog needs. For those who have been faithfully reading my rants and insights and odd discoveries, I hope you will follow me to my new blog.

Fact is, right now, two blogs seem like two too many. It becomes a chore to keep updating. So I'm downsizing. One life. One blog.

Don't be fooled by the title Antihero Comics. I'll still take the occasional religious/political cheap shots.

How do you write a eulogy for a blog (or is this the blog equivalent to a suicide note)? To abandon a blog that's been with me since before I got married, before I became a daddy, before I moved into a house-- seems like neglect at the highest level. But in other ways, it's appropriate to move on. The Digital Age is uniquely friendly to the prefix "re"-- redesigned, reconfigured, and rebooted.

I haven't gone, simply moved. On the internet, there is no afterlife, no heaven, no hell-- only the archives and the delete button.

2004-11-03T10:27:00.000-06:00

My friend (no blog) e-mailed me his "contigency plan".
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

To which another friend (also no blog) responded:
"But if you go to Canada you’ll miss all the book burnings and gay lynchings. See you all at mandatory church this Sunday!"

2004-11-03T10:09:00.000-06:00

From CNN.com--

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card said today he is convinced President Bush has defeated Sen. Kerry, but that Bush will not make a statement until later today. "President Bush decided to give Sen. Kerry the respect of more time to reflect on the results of this election," he said. With three states still up in the air, neither candidate has the necessary 270 electoral votes.

Geez, what a jack ass. However, I can't help but feel like I've been punched in the stomach.

Four more years -or- the rest of my life? Because after Bush, there will be more smug children-of-priviledge running for the highest office, and more and more and more. We'll never be rid of them. If it's not Bush, it'll be another one. Waving a Bible he doesn't read. Preaching values, when the only "value" he understands is wealth. Sending soldiers off to war based solely on a convoluted foreign policy of opportunity.

And what's most frustrating is... PEOPLE VOTED FOR HIM! I've got to stop talking politics, it'll give me an ulcer.

2004-11-03T09:58:00.001-06:00

From CNN.com--

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card said today he is convinced President Bush has defeated Sen. Kerry, but that Bush will not make a statement until later today. "President Bush decided to give Sen. Kerry the respect of more time to reflect on the results of this election," he said. With three states still up in the air, neither candidate has the necessary 270 electoral votes.

2004-11-03T09:58:00.000-06:00

From CNN.com--

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card said today he is convinced President Bush has defeated Sen. Kerry, but that Bush will not make a statement until later today. "President Bush decided to give Sen. Kerry the respect of more time to reflect on the results of this election," he said. With three states still up in the air, neither candidate has the necessary 270 electoral votes.

2004-11-02T20:20:00.000-06:00

From the Dallas Morning News--

"I got to see Ronald Reagan in Fort Worth, and this is just as special," said homemaker Sharon Yarborough of Keller, who brought her youngest daughter to the rally.

"He was here four years ago, and he won," she said of Mr. Bush. "He's going to win again, and it's because we pray."

And it's because we pray? But... but... but... what about my prayer? I prayed for Kerry.

Maybe God's providence operates on an electoral college system similar to how the U.S. election works? Catholics get 54 electoral prayer votes. Baptists 32. Methodists 10. Lutherans 10. Christian Science, Mormons, and Jehovah Witnesses 3 each. Praying to any other god is sort of like a "write-in" vote.

"He's going to win again, and it's because we pray." Watch it, lady. Those Unitarians on the west coast shouldn't be discounted. Sources indicate they're praying for Kerry.

2004-11-02T18:33:00.000-06:00

George W. Bush -- his one-fingered victory salute

2004-11-02T09:58:00.000-06:00

I am featured in today's FBR Daily (or click here).

"More indie shows!" Notice the t-shirt I'm wearing?

2004-11-02T08:34:00.000-06:00

Electronic Voting Machine, from rearview Window (so funny)

2004-11-01T11:31:00.000-06:00

KERRY-EDWARDS
exclusive online video

2004-11-01T10:42:00.000-06:00

This movie looks fascinating. (Tarnation - view trailer)

2004-11-01T09:07:00.000-06:00

Once again, I love "This American Life". I grabbed this anedote from their website.

This American Life broadcast Dan Savage's first person account of how he--a life-long Democrat--decided that the best way to combat the extreme right wing of the Republican Party would be to join the Republican Party himself. His story detailed scene after scene of what happened at Party meetings in Seattle. The scenes were funny, surprising, and took us deep inside a world most of us know only in the most superficial way. Dan is gay, and a number of moderate Republicans pulled him aside to tell him that homophobia and intolerance are just gimmicks the Party uses to mobilize the rank and file, but that really, deep down, the Republican Party has nothing against homosexuals. SoDan started introducing gay rights resolutions. These were voted down by huge margins.

2004-11-01T09:01:00.000-06:00

THIS AMERICAN LIFE. Swing Set (listen to the episode)

A journey through the minds of undecided voters. They care about the same things as we do – the war in Iraq, health care, jobs – but they’re different from you and me. They just can’t make up their minds. So we decided to find out why. For months – through the Swift Boat ads, the convention speeches, the debates – we tracked a few of these voters, recording their conflicted path to the polls. One guy finally settles on President Bush, only to change his mind minutes later. A military family is split down the middle, except for one undecided son, who isn’t even sure what the president does.
This week, a This American Life Special Report: Vote Fraud.Stories of election year chicanery appear in the paper every day. TAL contributor Jack Hitt compiles a list of the most egregious accounts, double checks the facts, and gives his election eve rundown of the dirtiest tricks to look out for this November 2.

Which brings us to some public service. If you feel like someone is trying to interfere with your right to vote this election, call 866-OUR-VOTE, a special hotline run by the Election Protection Coalition.

Further information about vote fraud is available from the eRiposte site and from dKosopedia's Voter Registration Fraud Clearinghouse.

2004-10-31T01:04:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween!

Melissa as Velma. Kennedy as a honey bee.

2004-10-28T14:28:00.000-05:00

Feels like a Monday...

100 Facts and One Opinion (via Dan)

2004-10-28T14:11:00.000-05:00

With my previous Moby post, I'm not trying to suggest that people are "better" because of their service record. As for myself, I plan to have a "did not serve" next to my name too. However, I find it somewhat hypocritical for politicians to send kids off to fight their war-- when they themselves have never experienced such trials. Maybe they'd be less "hawk-ish", if they experienced it first hand or if they had to send their own children to war?

2004-10-28T14:06:00.000-05:00

Moby Journal (via John)
10/26/2004

Service Records:

Democrats
* Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
* David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
* Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
* Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an army journalist in 20th Engineer Brigade.
* Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam.
* Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-47; Medal of Honor, WWII.
* John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Hearts.
* Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea.
* Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam.
* Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.
* Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.
* Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII; Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons.
* Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze Stars, and Soldier's Medal.
* Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and Legion of Merit.
* Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart.
* Bill McBride: Candidate for Fla. Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze Star with Combat V.
* Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.
* Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
* Chuck Robb: Vietnam
* Howell Heflin: Silver Star
* George McGovern: Silver Star & DFC during WWII.
* Bill Clinton: Did not serve. Student deferments. Entered draft but received #311.
* Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.
* Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
* John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and Air Medal with 18 Clusters.
* Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul Wallenberg.

Republicans
* Dick Cheney: did not serve. Several deferments, the last by marriage.
* Dennis Hastert: did not serve.
* Tom Delay: did not serve.
* Roy Blunt: did not serve.
* Bill Frist: did not serve.
* Mitch McConnell: did not serve.
* Rick Santorum: did not serve.
* Trent Lott: did not serve.
* John Ashcroft: did not serve. Seven deferments to teach business.
* Jeb Bush: did not serve.
* Karl Rove: did not serve.
* Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. "Bad knee." - The man who attacked Max Cleland's patriotism.
* Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.
* Vin Weber: did not serve.
* Richard Perle: did not serve.
* Douglas Feith: did not serve.
* Eliot Abrams: did not serve
* Richard Shelby: did not serve.
* Jon! Kyl: did not serve.
* Tim Hutchison: did not serve.
* Christopher Cox: did not serve.
* Newt Gingrich: did not serve.
* Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.
* George W. Bush: failed to complete his six-year National Guard; got assigned to Alabama so he could campaign for family friend running for U.S. Senate; failed to show up for required medical exam, disappeared from duty.
* Ronald Reagan: due to poor eyesight, served in a non-combat role making movies.
* B-1 Bob Dornan: Consciously enlisted after fighting was over in Korea.
* Phil Gramm: did not serve.
* John McCain: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Dana Rohrabacher: did not serve.
* John M. McHugh: did not serve.
* JC Watts: did not serve.
* Jack Kemp: did not serve. "Knee problem," although continued in NFL for 8 years.
* Dan Quayle: Journalism unit of the Indiana National Guard.
* Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.
* George Pataki: did not serve.
* Spencer Abraham: did not serve.
* John Engler: did not serve.
* Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.
* Arnold Schwarzenegger: AWOL from Austrian army base.

Pundits & Preachers
* Sean Hannity: did not serve.
* Rush Limbaugh: did not serve
* Bill O'Reilly: did not serve.
* Michael Savage: did not serve.
* George Will: did not serve.
* Chris Matthews: did not serve.

2004-10-28T13:58:00.000-05:00

Thanks Ben! (http://homepage.mac.com/duffyb/nobush/Menu129.html)

2004-10-28T13:01:00.000-05:00

I voted today. Driving to the community center, there were hundreds of political yard signs along both sides of the street. I don't know why, it kind of felt like a parade. Standing the approved 100 feet from the polling place, people were handing out propagnda for and against the Cowboys stadium proposal.

The place was packed! For early voting, it looked like election day.

This was my first time to vote using the electronic ballot. Honestly, I thought the electronic ballot was more confusing than the traditional paper ballot I've used in previous elections. When you showed your voter registration, you signed the book and they gave you a receipt with a special access code. You punched in the code before voting. The cool thing was you could review, go back, and change any mistakes you made. So I'm 100% confident my votes were done correctly, but I can't say the same for the people to the left and right of me.

Paper vs. electronic. McLuhan would have a field day with this topic. We are moving deeper into an electronic culture. But for me, I still enjoy the tangible quality of paper. With paper, it feels like I "really voted". Whereas, by electronically sending my data to some main processor, it vanishes into thin air. I want my vote to have weight, even if it is light as paper. There's a sense of the collective papers creating a mass of public sentiment. My electronic vote weighs nothing-- an unfortunate reminder of an unfortunate reality. Did my vote really matter? Will it have an effect on anything?

2004-10-27T13:45:00.000-05:00

Some girls were playing chess in my classroom during lunch. I heard one of them say:

"Checkmate... bitch."

2004-10-27T13:41:00.000-05:00

I've added a blog to my Antihero Comics site **CLICK HERE NOW** (again). I've consider consolidating my blogs, but I'm not sure. It's a little comforting to have separate lives/blogs for my comics stuff. However, if I blog-merge, maybe it will bring some more regular visitors to my Antihero site? Alas, I don't know yet.

2004-10-26T09:21:00.000-05:00

It's "Red Ribbon Week" at our school, an annual anti-drug campaign. Each day is a special anti-drug dress-up day. Today is dress up as a super hero (and no, I didn't)-- aka "Beat drugs" day. Tomorrow is crazy hair day-- aka "Do your hair, not drugs." And Thursday is dress up as a nerd day-- um... hold on... let me think about this for a second... uh... because... uh... nerds don't do drugs? Oh geez, who came up with this?

2004-10-25T10:01:00.000-05:00

Last night, I got a call from someone asking for a "Pastor David Hopkins". We received a similar call a few days previous. At that time, Melissa answered it and said I wasn't home, because it was obviously some solicitor. On this occasion, I answered.

"This is he, but I'm not a pastor."
"You're not."
"No, I'm not."

And then she began this whole pre-written slop about how important this year's election is. Blah, blah, blah. I'm doing a poll. Blah, blah, blah. Special recorded message from Newt Gingrich. Would you like to listen?

"Sure." (What the hell?)

So, I listen. Afterwards, the girl (she had to be younger than me) asks if the election were held today, who would I vote for-- Bush, Kerry, or Nader?

"John Kerry."
"I'm glad to hear that."

Really? Once again, what the hell? From there, she immediately moves into another pre-written message-- completely anti-Kerry rhetoric. Standard fear based motivation... if-you-vote-for-Kerry, the-terrorists-have-already-won crap.

From there, she asks if I would be willing to donate to some Republican group to support Bush. Specifically, she asked for a minimum $75 donation. And one final time, what the hell?!

"Um, no." Click. I hang up the phone.

My question is what organization or group that knows me as "Pastor David Hopkins" (because there are a few) put me on the call list for some political action group?!?

Now that pisses me off! If I were a smarter person, I'd start asking her how she got my number, what's the name of the group, etc. etc. But honestly, *Desperate Housewives* was on a 8, and I really like that show. I just wanted to microwave some corny dogs and watch TV. In hindsight, I probably could've had fun raising hell.

Either way, I'm on some list. I'm sure I'll get another call. And next time anyone asks for "Pastor David Hopkins" I'll have a pre-written statement ready for them. :)

Pastor David Hopkins does not endorse the unethical and un-Christlike policies and practices of George W. Bush, nor will he ever support anyone within that administration through vote, money, or putting up with listening to your bullshit. Pastor David Hopkins is also equally offended that some Christian group would give his phone number to a political organization. Pastor David Hopkins is confused. Pastor David Hopkins thought the Bush administration and the Religious Right were opposed to sodomy? Because clearly they're ----ing each other.

Pastor David Hopkins approves this message.

2004-10-25T09:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday everyone. Eight more days? Geez. The analysis is ridiculous (here and here, for starters). A close poll could mean good news for Kerry with the popular vote. However, I'm still worried that the electoral vote is in Bush's favor. Who knows? Call me paranoid. I'm kind of depressed about the whole process.

Bill Clinton lied. It involved an intern in the work place. Highly unprofessional. Any CEO in a similar situation could lose their job. He got impeached for lying under oath. He apologized for his actions on national TV.

Bush lied. It involved misleading an entire nation into war. Absolutely reprehensible and sickening. Any person in a similar situation would be a criminal of the highest level, but he's considered a hero by many. No apologies, not one, for his deceptions.

Does anybody see the double standard here? Am I alone?

2004-10-23T21:35:00.000-05:00

Kennedy - today	Me - twenty five years ago

Kinda creepy, isn't it?

2004-10-22T21:03:00.000-05:00

While shooting reference photos for a script I'm writing...

2004-10-22T10:02:00.000-05:00

For some reason, blogger lost my post about Melissa's friend Matt. You can visit her blog for more info. Please keep Matt's family and friends in your prayers.

2004-10-22T10:01:00.000-05:00

Jon Stewart rocks Crossfire. (If you're having trouble viewing it, you can also see it here.) It is definately worth watching.

"How are old are you?"
"35"
"And you're wearing a bowtie."

Classic.

And Stewart's response afterwards on the Daily Show.

2004-10-22T09:28:00.000-05:00

Enjoy the Draft

How dark can satire be? This really pushes the limits. It's great.

However, the quotes (and the reality of it) are a bit more disturbing:

“The draft -- which will include both boys and girls this time around -- is a no-brainer in '05 and '06." - Col. David Hackworth (ret.), Military.com, 10/4/04
"I made it very plain. We will not have an all-volunteer army." - George W. Bush, 10/16/04

“We may need a bigger army." - Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Time, 12/21/03

"Re-electing Bush might very well lead to a draft in the near future." - Minnesota Daily (U. of Minn.), 9/23/04

"If we continue the way we're going, there's simply no way we can get by without a draft." - The Capital Times, 10/15/04

"The government is taking the first steps toward a targeted military draft of Americans with special skills in computers and foreign languages." - Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 3/13/04

"Because of the President's military adventurism, our Armed Forces are under enormous pressure. The only place to go for more troops is a draft." - Howard Dean quoted in Myrtle Beach Sun News, 9/22/04

"We're dodging the draft issue," Newsweek, 10/4/04

"Despite vote, draft a definite possibility," The Capital Times , 10/15/04

"US Has Contingency Plans for a Draft of Medical Workers," New York Times, 10/19/04

"Selective Service eyes women's draft," Seattle Post-Intelligencer , 5/1/04

"Feeling the Draft," New York Times, 10/19/04

"Army recruiters miss target for enlistees in latest month," Wall Street Journal, 10/20/04
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) talks about the Bush draft (video).

"Nobody wants a draft, but what if we need one?", Los Angeles Times, 10/13/04

"Assurances aside, some feel a draft," Christian Science Monitor, 10/15/04

"Military draft may be imminent," Daily Mississippian (U. of Miss.), 5/26/04

"Drafting Princeton," Daily Princetonian , 5/12/04

2004-10-20T10:01:00.000-05:00

Afraid to sound smart

I get really self-conscious when I post on message boards, especially comic book message boards. I realize on the internet we have a greater possibility to control how people view us. So yes, I'm obsessed with "image". It's a fine balance. I want to sound witty and intelligent. However, I don't want to come across as pretenious or academic.

Here's a recent edit I made on the Oni Press message boards.

The Original:

I thought the book "Scandalous" was rather topical, even though it was about McCarthyism in Hollywood. Also, Brian Wood's Demo #7: "One Shot, Don't Miss" was an amazing critique on the military's recruiting practices. The essay alone was worth the cover price.

The Revised:

I thought the book "Scandalous" was rather topical, even though it was about McCarthyism in Hollywood. Also, Brian Wood's Demo #7: "One Shot, Don't Miss" was awesome. The essay alone was worth the cover price.

Note the difference? :)

2004-10-20T09:40:00.000-05:00

Bye little red sedan. (via Melissa, 10/19/04)

2004-10-20T09:25:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, I'm interviewing Derek Kirk Kim for Fanboy Radio. For those who don't know, I host and produce a monthly "indie show" for Fanboy Radio. You can listen to these episodes online here. It costs 75 cents through bitpass, and you should already have bitpass. If you don't, I'd recommend it-- there's a lot of cool (and cheap) stuff available. Helps to support indie artists.

Derek Kirk Kim is incredibly talented. I really enjoy his book Same Difference and Other Stories.

Here's a comic strip he did on his blog--

2004-10-19T14:29:00.000-05:00

Revolt in Iraq (via dan)

2004-10-18T09:44:00.000-05:00

As Oprah Slaps Bush, with 30 states poised to smack down women's rights again, the one true savior emerges by Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist

I'd end up just quoting the entire article. Read it for yourself. Whether you're pro-choice or pro-life, when Oprah gets involved... step back.

2004-10-18T09:25:00.000-05:00

Hello, Monday. Just 14 days, 14 hours, and 18 minutes until the election. However, you can also vote early!

Here's some rather frightening reading material...

A Presidential Thought Deficit
This column from The American Prospect was written by Todd Gitlin.
Replaying his phrases (“hard work,” “30 countries,” “he voted to increase taxes 98 times”), Bush revealed that what he suffers from is not a speaking deficiency but a thinking deficiency. When confronted by pesky facts and annoying objections, Bush can only repeat the ready-made phrases lodged in his mind. His face reverts to the startled look of a bully unfamiliar with counterarguments. During his nearly four years in power, Bush has shielded himself from contrary opinion. Uncongenial media amount to a “filter.” Objectivity reaches him directly through his employees, “the most objective sources I have … people on my staff who tell me what's happening in the world.”

About Bush’s deep, unruffled incuriousness we have the words of former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, who told reporter Ron Suskind (as quoted in Suskind’s invaluable book The Price of Loyalty): “O’Neill had been made to understand by various colleagues in the White House that the President should not be expected to read reports. In his personal experience, the President didn’t even appear to have read the short memos he sent over. That made it especially troubling that Bush did not ask any questions … .”

O’Neill served with Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, each of whom, O’Neill says, expected to hear advisers hash out alternatives from which he could pick and choose. O’Neill expected the same from Bush. Funny thing, though: Bush showed no interest in contrary opinions. Bush was not, in other words, disposed to reason himself toward conclusions. He trusted his gut. He ruled.

Republican Dirty Tricks by Max Blumenthal, AlterNet.

Republican operative Nathan Sproul's company is under investigation for allegedly destroying voter registration forms signed by Democrats. Now comes new evidence about Sproul's connections to the Bush-Cheney campaign...
AlterNet has learned that Sproul, the former Arizona Republican Party and Christian Coalition director, has cozy ties to a group of consultants working on the Bush/Cheney campaign. According to a Democratic source well-placed in Arizona political circles, Sproul's firm, Sproul and Associates, operates next door to the office of Gordon C. James Public Relations (GCJPR) in Phoenix, a Republican PR company which is coordinating various Bush/Cheney campaign events nationwide and has provided PR services for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Last spring, one of GCJPR's executives, who is an advisory board member of Bush's re-election campaign, served as the chair of a ballot campaign Sproul was quarterbacking, while, according to the source, Sproul collaborated with a GCJPR employee who is a White House consultant on a scheme to get independent candidate Ralph Nader on the Arizona ballot. In both instances, Sproul's company, Voter Outreach of America, was involved in gathering signatures.

Without a Doubt by Ron Suskind (originally printed in the New York Times)
Forty democratic senators were gathered for a lunch in March just off the Senate floor. I was there as a guest speaker. Joe Biden was telling a story, a story about the president. "I was in the Oval Office a few months after we swept into Baghdad," he began, "and I was telling the president of my many concerns" - concerns about growing problems winning the peace, the explosive mix of Shiite and Sunni, the disbanding of the Iraqi Army and problems securing the oil fields. Bush, Biden recalled, just looked at him, unflappably sure that the United States was on the right course and that all was well. "'Mr. President,' I finally said, 'How can you be so sure when you know you don't know the facts?"'

Biden said that Bush stood up and put his hand on the senator's shoulder. "My instincts," he said. "My instincts."

Biden paused and shook his head, recalling it all as the room grew quiet. "I said,
'Mr. President, your instincts aren't good enough!"'

2004-10-18T09:14:00.000-05:00

Republican groups file a criminal complaint against Michael Moore for distributing clean underwear and ramen noodles to potential voters.

2004-10-18T09:08:00.000-05:00

Here's a thought. Pollsters can't survey cell phone-only users. (Thanks John for the link.)

A growing number of people rely solely on cell phones to make and take calls, putting them out of reach of polling organizations trying to get a fix on the American electorate.

Many cell-only users are young and mobile, a demographic that often doesn't vote. That makes survey researchers confident their polling, which excludes cell phone numbers, reflects the opinions of those likely to have an impact on Election Day. Still, with reports of unprecedented voter registration, many young voters could be flying under the pollsters' radar.

2004-10-18T09:02:00.000-05:00

Comics are Big Business. Meet the Little Guy. (NY Times)

2004-10-16T22:28:00.000-05:00

As I was wheeling Kennedy around the neighborhood in her stroller, I was thinking about how happy my life has been with Melissa and Kennedy.

For Melissa and me, we don't have "our song"... we have a soundtrack. And as we share life together, more songs get added to the play list.

1. Co-pilot by Letters to Cleo
2. Glory of Love (cover) by New Found Glory
3. All I Want is You by U2
4. Catch You by the Get-Up Kids
5. The Luckiest by Ben Folds
6. God Only Knows by the Beach Boys

I probably forgeting some songs, but this is a good list.

2004-10-16T09:29:00.000-05:00

Congratulations Derek! I'm excited for you.
* the coolest wedding invitation *

2004-10-14T09:59:00.000-05:00

-During last night's debate-

Kerry said:

Well, two leading national news networks have both said the president's characterization of my health-care plan is incorrect. One called it fiction. The other called it untrue.

Bush's response?

In all due respect, I'm not so sure it's credible to quote leading news organizations about -- oh, nevermind.

Um... yeah... good one, Mr. President. Your eloquence astounds me. Please manage our country. Pretty please?

2004-10-14T09:13:00.000-05:00

Last night's debate was such crap.

When Bush addressed the job crisis, his solution was completely ignorant of the situation. His brilliant plan? If we just educate people more, they'll get jobs. So Mr. Bush, are you telling me that Joe Bluecollar who has worked his entire life in a factory, who lost his job from corporate down-sizing in order to save a CEO's million dollar bonus, just needs to go to school? That's bull. He wants his job back, and he does it well. Bush operates on a white-collar prejudice that educated people have jobs, uneducated people don't. There are experienced, capable, and qualified people without college degrees ready to work. Conversely, there are several young adults with college degrees, still living with their parents, working minimum wage jobs.

Down-sizing is a problem. Corporations show no loyalty to their workers anymore. They down-size to save the profit. They fail to see long term benefits of taking a few hits and holding on to their workforce.

When the Baby Boomers retire, the job market is going to bust wide open. Generation X will shoulder the workforce. However, many "educated" Gen X'ers are still stuck paying off college loans and credit card bills... they haven't had the opportunity to settle down. Will we be ready for this post-Boomer job market? Nope. Education. According to Bush, that'll solve everything.

Which speaking of...

Bush: You know, there's a lot of talk about how to keep the economy growing. We talk about fiscal matters. But perhaps the best way to keep jobs here in America and to keep this economy growing is to make sure our education system works.

I went to Washington to solve problems. And I saw a problem in the public education system in America. They were just shuffling too many kids through the system, year after year, grade after grade, without learning the basics.

And so we said: Let's raise the standards. We're spending more money, but let's raise the standards and measure early and solve problems now, before it's too late.

No, education is how to help the person who's lost a job. Education is how to make sure we've got a workforce that's productive and competitive.

Got four more years, I've got more to do to continue to raise standards, to continue to reward teachers and school districts that are working, to emphasize math and science in the classrooms, to continue to expand Pell Grants to make sure that people have an opportunity to start their career with a college diploma.

This is also crap. Terms like "raise standards" become code-phrases for "burden teachers with more federally-mandated procedures that slow down the entire classroom process". We already have the state trying to fix everything. We have our school district trying to fix everything. We don't need another govermental agency keeping us "accountable". I have to do so much crap-- it's amazing we ever get to teach beyond the required curriculum. Here's my thought. Hire good teachers. Let them teach.

It also sucks that Kerry supports the same education plan Bush does. In fact, he just wants to give it more money. Please, keep your politics out of my attempts to educate students. All this money the federal government sends isn't free. The state is in charge of public education. Help them do their job, but don't do it for them.

Every other morning, I meet with one Chinese student in the library. I tutor her so she can pass the government-mandated TAKS test. She must pass in order to graduate. However, she's only been in this country a short time and her English is very weak. I've been trying hard, but I don't know if she's going to pull through it. Which is unfortunate, give her another year or two and she'd ace it. No doubt in my mind.

2004-10-12T13:49:00.000-05:00

Because it's Monday--
George W. Bush, Jr. - The Dark Side

I particularly like the quotes section. (What the hell are you saying?)

"Well, it's an unimaginable honor to be the president during the Fourth of July of this country. It means what these words say, for starters. The great inalienable rights of our country. We're blessed with such values in America. And I--it's--I'm a proud man to be the nation based upon such wonderful values."--Visiting the Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D.C., July 2, 2001

"We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."--After meeting with the leaders of the European Union, Gothenburg, Sweden, June 14, 2001

"One of the interesting initiatives we've taken in Washington, D.C., is we've got these vampire-busting devices. A vampire is a—a cell deal you can plug in the wall to charge your cell phone."—Denver, CO. Aug. 14, 2001

"I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself, but for predecessors as well."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2001

"Redefining the role of the United States from enablers to keep the peace to enablers to keep the peace from peacekeepers is going to be an assignment."—Interview with the New York Times, Jan. 14, 2001 (Thanks to Rachael Contorer.)

"They misunderestimated me."—Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000

"I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family."—Greater Nashua, N.H., Chamber of Commerce, Jan. 27, 2000

"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."-Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"-Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000

"I understand small business growth. I was one."-New York Daily News, Feb. 19, 2000

2004-10-12T13:42:00.000-05:00

In Memorium: Christopher Reeve

I think he would have made it.

2004-10-12T13:00:00.000-05:00

http://www.bushwatch.com/

2004-10-11T11:09:00.000-05:00

I cannot begin to tell you how sad this makes me.

Sorry, no ironic or witty statements right now.

2004-10-10T10:35:00.000-05:00

Concerning Derrida's life, I will say (excuse me... "write") this:

Jacques Derrida, when he was young, didn’t want to be the head of a movement called “deconstructionism.” He wanted to be a soccer player.

Sleep well precious life.

2004-10-09T23:44:00.000-05:00

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." - Theodore Roosevelt

2004-10-07T13:48:00.000-05:00

Family politics (via Shanna, 10/01/04, 6:41PM)

i've come a long way in four years; last election i lied to my family when they pressured me: you did vote for bush?....

i've stopped lying, or bothering to answer when my family pushes me like this -- they don't really want to know what i think, care not about my convictions. they just want me to agree with them.

2004-10-07T13:07:00.000-05:00

What's this?

The chess club meets in my room during lunch. Yes, they fit the stereotype-- intelligent, awkward, and easily bewildered. I've had numerous complaints from my 4th period class about the smell in my room after lunch. I've broken up a few fights over a game. Occasionally, cocky bleached-blonde Hollister kids peer in, and use their wit, "Ooooh... chess club, huh, huh".

Yeah, it sucks to be out-of-place.

Two pretty girls who, ever so often, come in to play a quiet game and then leave-- came today. The boys didn't notice. They were in their own games. The girls started placing birthday invitations next to EVERY KID in the room. Completely syncronized, the boys stopped playing chess, turned to look at their invitation, picked it up, and just kept staring at it. One of the boys broke the silence, "What's this?" A girl responsed, "Um... it's an invitation to our party. We want you to come." Another boy asked again, "What's this?" The girls looked a little confused, "It's... a... party." The boys all nodded, acknowledging some degree of understanding. Huh.

With that, the girls smiled and left. And the boys resumed their games... a little happier than before.

2004-10-07T01:03:00.000-05:00

(via Common Dreams)

From: Joseph Cherwinski
Sent: Saturday July 3 2004 8.33pm
Subject: "Fahrenheit 9/11"

I am a soldier in the United States army. I was in Iraq with the Fourth Infantry Division.

I was guarding some Iraqi workers one day. Their task was to fill sandbags for our base. The temperature was at least 120. I had to sit there with full gear on and monitor them. I was sitting and drinking water, and I could barely tolerate the heat, so I directed the workers to go to the shade and sit and drink water. I let them rest for about 20 minutes. Then a staff sergeant told me that they didn't need a break, and that they were to fill sandbags until the cows come home. He told the Iraqis to go back to work.

After 30 minutes, I let them have a break again, thus disobeying orders. If these were soldiers working, in this heat, those soldiers would be bound to a 10-minute work, 50-minute rest cycle, to prevent heat casualties. Again the staff sergeant came and sent the Iraqis back to work and told me I could sit in the shade. I told him no, I had to be out there with them so that when I started to need water, then they would definitely need water. He told me that wasn't necessary, and that they live here, and that they are used to it.

After he left, I put the Iraqis back into the shade. I could tell that some were very dehydrated; most of them were thin enough to be on an international food aid commercial. I would not treat my fellow soldiers in this manner, so I did not treat the Iraqi workers this way either.

This went on for eight months while I was in Iraq, and going through it told me that we were not there for their freedom, we were not there for WMD. We had no idea what we were fighting for anymore.

2004-10-06T23:54:00.000-05:00

I demand to be freed (via dan)

2004-10-05T22:11:00.000-05:00

Dear Representative Joe Barton -- 6th District, Texas,

My wife Melissa and I finished watching Fahrenheit 9/11 (the film by Michael Moore). I think we both had two primary reactions to the injustices being openly committed by the wealthy and elite powers within our federal government-- anger and sadness.

We cried over the lives of children, mothers, and fathers needlessly lost in Iraq. We cried for the soldiers who have been enticed with promises of a G.I. bill and a steady job with benefits to fight and die in a war against Iraq, a country that never attacked America. We cried for the families of soldiers who only want to see their son or daughter return home safely.

We are angry at the countless number of citizens who know the truth about this war and still support it. We are angry with the Bush administration that knowingly and purposefully targeted Iraq, months before 9/11 ever happened. We are angry that they have not conducted this war with intelligence or foresight. They have not supported or protected our troops adequately. We have moved against innocent people. We have made enemies with a future generation of terrorists. A generation who will not understand the flimsy arguments of an inarticulate President. This President, who ignored the warnings about an Al-Queada attack against the United States, who misdirected his war on terrorism, who ignored the threats within Saudi Arabia, who waited two months before moving against Osama Bin Laden, who has blindly supported Israel bulldosing the homes of Palestinians, is not going to "win the hearts and minds" of people in Iraq.

Melissa, at one point, was so angry she threw something at the television when Donald Rumsfeld was on.

Why is everyone so afraid to agree with Michael Moore? Are we actually afraid some F.B.I. department, in the name of the Patriot Act, is going to search us out on the internet and put our names on a list? If we've reached that level, doesn't that mean something? When did we become so afraid to speak out against injustice? When did we become so timid that we removed our voice from the democratic process? This President's legacy will be fear. If anything, he knows how to make the public afraid.

Shame on those people who support the policies of an administration that has endangered our country for years to come, placing our soldiers (family and friends) in harm's way without a clear exit strategy, lacking any sensitivity to the innocent Iraqi people who would be most affected by our miliary occupation.

I believe in United States of America. I am proud to have a U.S. Representative who will listen to his constituency. Republican or Democrat, I will stand by a person who acts with integrity and intelligence. However, any elected official who supports the Patriot Act and the foreign policies of the Bush administration will not get my vote, despite whatever his positions are on the other issues.

Thank you for your time, and I appreciate your willingness to listen to my position. I look forward to any response you may have.

Sincerely,

David Hopkins
husband and father
English teacher
Arlington, Texas

2004-10-05T13:20:00.000-05:00

Abe Lincoln from Clone High

2004-10-04T10:41:00.000-05:00

You are 38% geek

You are a geek liaison, which means you go both ways. You can hang out with normal people or you can hang out with geeks which means you often have geeks as friends and/or have a job where you have to mediate between geeks and normal people. This is an important role and one of which you should be proud. In fact, you can make a good deal of money as a translator.

Normal: Tell our geek we need him to work this weekend.

You [to Geek]: We need more than that, Scotty. You'll have to stay until you can squeeze more outta them engines!

Geek [to You]: I'm givin' her all she's got, Captain, but we need more dilithium crystals!

You [to Normal]: He wants to know if he gets overtime.

Take the Polygeek Quiz at Thudfactor.com

2004-10-04T10:05:00.000-05:00

The Daily Show-- Iraq, Al-Qaeda, secret Santas? (quicktime video)

thanks Josh & Kristen for the link

2004-10-04T09:30:00.000-05:00

Available on DVD tomorrow

2004-10-04T09:24:00.000-05:00

Kerry wins first debate (the polls)

2004-10-04T09:15:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday... the debate edition...

"Both candidates now are trying to lower expectations for how they'll do on the debates. For example, Kerry tried to lower expectations for himself by saying Bush has never lost a debate and that he is a formidable opponent. Then Bush lowered expectations for himself when he said, 'Hey, what does "formable" mean?'" --Jay Leno

"A lot of people underestimate President Bush when it comes to a debate. He's pretty good at it. You know back in college he was able to argue both sides of that 'Taste great, less filling' debate." --Jay Leno

"Before the debate, Bush is concerned about the lectern, he's worried about the room temperature and the lighting. Kerry is making the mistake of worrying about the issues." --David Letterman

"Of course you know, President Bush has been taking a couple days off this week to prepare for the debates. In fact, he's having a microchip implanted in his ear. This will allow Dick Cheney to speak to him directly. 'It's pronounced 'Fallujah' 'Abu Ghraib.'" --Jay Leno

"The debate deal for three debates almost fell apart because John Kerry did not want a light to flash when his time was almost up. And George Bush didn't want a light to flash because he's easily distracted." --Jay Leno

"Everyone is talking about the debate ground rules. Kerry wants his podium to be tall enough so he can rest his hands. And President Bush wants it to be wide enough to hide Dick Cheney." --Conan O'Brien

"It looks like President Bush and John Kerry have agreed on three debates. Kerry wanted more but Bush said no; he thought three was a good even number." --Jay Leno

"Democrats are saying that President Bush is refusing to take part in a town hall debate with John Kerry because Bush is worried about the questions the audience will ask him. After hearing this, the president said, 'That's ridiculous. I'm not worried about the questions, I'm worried about the answers." --Conan O'Brien

2004-10-04T09:06:00.000-05:00

Kausar and Emily, thank you so much for dinner. It was great. We loved hanging out with you, talking politics, life, and listening to airplanes fly overhead.

Also, now, we have a few more family pics for the blog... :)

2004-10-04T08:55:00.000-05:00

A funny online conversation (via beeow)

Steven: Everyone loves puppies...but I think Emily is taking the puppy love to an extreme...or maybe Bee-ow is. Why so many puppies?

Brock: Emily loves puppies this much. David wrote her that way, I'm just depicting her according to his vision.

Steven: Well I better not joke about eating puppies in front of her...she would kill me.

Brock: She's a comic book character.

Steven: Your point?

2004-09-30T13:31:00.000-05:00

My friend Jamar is using his art to support the American Diabetes Association. If you have the opportunity, this would be a great way to get some original commissioned work -and- help a great cause.

I had this idea: What would happen if I drew one commission a day until I ran out of commissions to draw, for charity? "Word?" you say? Well, that is where JAMAR-ATHON 2004 (See? It's like 'Jamar' with 'Marathon' in it! Two great tastes that taste great together!) was born. So here's my idea:

Starting October 1st, 2004, I am going to create a commissioned art piece from YOU THE LOYAL READERS in a first come, first serve basis, and chronicle all of this on my website, blog or livejournal to let everybody see where I'm at. My goal as it stands, is to get 31 commissions to cover the month of October, but if we keep going, THEN WE KEEP GOING! Wherever you fall in line, is what day I draw your piece.

My super-duper goal is to clear December 31st, but that's really up to you all. A huge chunk of the proceeds of this marathon will go to the American Diabetes Association, because that's my charity of choice, and because if you didn't know this already, I have it myself, along with all of my adult relatives. If I can do anything to help these guys find a cure for this, I'm gonna try.

American Diabetes Association:
http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

2004-09-29T23:03:00.000-05:00

Bush and OBGYN love

2004-09-28T08:22:00.000-05:00

(from cuzi)

You cannot support yourself let alone your family on minimum wage in this country. Temporary solution: they'll give you credit cards until they realize you'll never make it out of being poor and indebted.

2004-09-28T08:16:00.000-05:00

I find it interesting that in the computer lab, my students are more in awe of the automatic stapler than they are the computers in front of them. They're still stuck in the industrial age.

2004-09-27T22:54:00.000-05:00

Press Release.

Silent Forest Television Parody Special in October Previews!

Silent Devil Productions is proud to announce that the Silent Forest
Television Parody Special is available for pre-order in this month’s
Previews Catalog. A 48-page black and white prestige format offering, the
Special features 4 great tales paying homage to our television culture!

The lead story is penned by Jake Black and has art by Chris Burke. It is a parody of the popular series Smallville, with A-Bear as our hero facing off against ShineCorp and the golf course! Bubba the Redneck Werewolf makes a guest appearance in “A Tale of Two Wolves” and Gene-E from http://www.legendlab.com drops by to help solve a mystery in “CFI: Crime Forest Investigations”, featuring art by Patrick Rodriguez and story by Fanboy Radio’s David Hopkins. Rounding out the book is “One-Eye For The Stray Cat” by Adam Beranek and Michael J. Bencik.

Click on http://www.silentdevil.com/sfspecial.php for a 5-page preview and http://www.silentdevil.com/sfspecial/sfspecial_cover.gif for the cover to the book.

Silent Forest Television Parody Special
48-pages B&W Prestige Format
Written by Jake Black, David Hopkins, Adam Beranek and Christian Beranek
Art by Chris Burke, Patrick Rodriguez and Michael J. Bencik
Letters and design by Nick Beranek
Cover colors by Hi-Fi Design
ISBN# 0-9752582-1-4

Diamond Order Code: OCT042921

For more information please visit http://www.silentdevil.com
For ordering info please visit http://www.diamondcomics.com

2004-09-27T08:12:00.000-05:00

Jimmy Swaggart supports Bush (via dan):

"I've never seen a man in my life I wanted to marry."

(shouts, applause)

"And I'm gonna be blunt and plain, if one ever looks at me like that I'm going to kill him and tell God he died."

(laughter, applause)

"In case anybody doesn't know God calls it an abomination. It's an abomination! It's an abomination!"

(applause)

..."I'm not knocking the poor homosexual. I'm not. They need salvation just like anybody else.... I'm knocking our pitiful, pathetic lawmakers. And I thank God that President Bush has stated we need a constitutional amendment that states that marriage is between a man and a woman."

(applause)

Jimmy, you are another reason in a long list of reasons on why I hate being a Christian. In my most honest of moments, I seriously wish I weren't a Christian. Because being a Christian in America no longer means being associated with Christ... it means I have to be associated with you. And frankly, I'd rather not.

Why do the "strongest" Christians push me away from this faith? The "stronger" the Christian, the more intolerant, insensitive, and uncaring they are about the world around them. The wolf in sheep's clothing is not the gay or the marginalized-- it's the "strong" Christian. And I thought you were supposed to be weak, He is strong. Yes?

You have no idea how close I am to jumping. You can take your conferences, your bookstores, your postmodern/emerging movements, your t-shirts, your websites, your political agendas, your self-help programs, your tacky music, your celebrity pastors, and your god-awful sugar-coated hate groups and torch it all. I have never been more done with it, than I am right now. It's not Christianity that you're advertising. It's this messed up Americana-Christian culture. I'm sick of it. All of you have forgotten the Gospel. The Gospel. Does anybody freakin' remember the Gospel?! Does anybody remember the Gospel? Let me say it again. Does anybody remember the Gospel? You remember? What Jesus taught you? What he told you to do? How he told you to care for people, to love people, to forgive people? Why has every single person forgotten this? Why! Good God! It makes me sick to my stomach. All of you (you!) have forgotten! This is why I stopped preaching. This is why I gave up seminary and any sort of "professional" ministry. You are all so stupid! I can't stand it. No one listens to the Gospel anymore. No one goes to God for counsel. We all approach God with such an arrogant sense of entitlement. We are a stranger in this land. We are entitled to nothing. We deserve nothing. It is God who gives us this life, and now we turn our back? I'm done. Jimmy, you win. You can have these people, this jacked-up community. Obviously, you want to be right more than I do.

2004-09-27T08:10:00.000-05:00

"...voters with passports supported Kerry over Bush by a margin of 55
to 33 percent."

http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/09/21/overseas_voting/index.html

2004-09-27T08:08:00.000-05:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/salon/0,14779,1304379,00.html

But, as one of W's Yalie frat brothers tells Kelley, it's not the
substance abuse in Bush's past that's disturbing, it's the "lack of
substance ... Georgie, as we called him, had absolutely no
intellectual curiosity about anything. He wasn't interested in ideas
or in books or causes. He didn't travel; he didn't read the
newspapers; he didn't watch the news; he didn't even go to the movies.
How anyone got out of Yale without developing some interest in the
world besides booze and sports stuns me." New Yorker writer Brendan
Gill recalls roaming the Kennebunkport compound one night while
staying there looking for a book to read - the only title he could
find was The Fart Book.

2004-09-24T14:44:00.000-05:00

Villain dialogue is fun.

How long have I been foiled at my attempts to bring Emily back to her rightful family? She’s a smart one. Emily is not easily tricked by my nefarious schemes. At times, I have let my desperation become too apparent. I’ve been a fool! I need to restructure my thought processes-- try something completely different. My pride will only allow for so much. These piteous contrivances are in vain. A genius I may be. Still. I must seek additional counsel.

2004-09-24T08:17:00.000-05:00

Super Mom

I used to be able to stay up until 2 or 3 AM every night to write. Nowadays, I start fading at 12 midnight. It's getting to be a little frustrating. My alarm goes off every morning at 6:20, but I usually don't wake up until 7:20. This growing need for sleep is really bothering me. I need to become more strategic as to when I drink my soda. Maybe one caffeine kick at 11:30 will push me through the earlier hours to get some work done. Last night, I needed to finish a re-write to send to Brock and four summaries to send to a publisher. I'm half finished with both.

Kennedy started stirring at around 4:30. I usually don't mind getting up to check on her, because I can get back to sleep faster than Melissa. It's a uncanny gift. (Although, truth be told, recently Melissa has been tackling the majority of the late night duties.) This time, however, Kennedy was WIDE awake, and looked at me as if to say "you're not going anywhere, buddy." Okay. So I picked her up, and started rocking her, which had minimal success. She then appeared as though she was asleep (she was faking it). As soon as I layed her down, she started crying. Well, crap. Melissa came in, changed her diapers, and started rocking her again. Super Mom in action! I went back to bed. It took some time to get Kennedy calmed down. Melissa fixed her a bottle. Feed her. And eventually, Kennedy was asleep again. Melissa crawled back into bed. I thanked her, and I was out.

When I'm getting ready for work in the morning, Melissa is still asleep. These blogs sometimes become mine and Melissa's best mode of communication to each other! So, I'm sharing this story to thank my lovely wife for taking care of Kennedy and me last night. I greatly appreciate your love, your support, and your caring.

2004-09-23T17:43:00.000-05:00

i love slowtron.

how to bbq a man

2004-09-23T13:14:00.000-05:00

(via dan) It's as if the United States had gone to war against the tribal system itself.

...The United States military, unable to relate to a tribal society, finds itself the player in a nationwide blood feud. To understand the intensity of these feelings of honor and kinship, read "Othello" or watch "The Godfather." This is how many tribal Iraqis perceive the world. It is not necessarily a lack of sophistication but a mark of being outside the West. Tribal culture in Iraq goes back thousands of years. When an Iraqi man loses a family member to an American missile, he must take another American life to even the score. He may not subscribe to the notion that some Americans are noncombatants, viewing them instead as the members of a supertribe that has come to invade his land.

2004-09-23T13:05:00.000-05:00

For lunch, one of my chess club students brought a tub of tuna fish and a spoon. Oh my.

2004-09-22T13:21:00.000-05:00

I have great news... that I'm not allowed to share.

2004-09-20T09:33:00.000-05:00

From Mike's Action Guide--

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, due process has disappeared from the American judicial system. Everyone has a right to a lawyer and a trial, right? According to the Bush administration, not anymore.

Here's the catch: if you're not charged with a crime, you don't get the right to a trial.

The Bush administration has used this loophole to their advantage. Classifying detainees as "enemy combatants" avoids having to be consistent with all those messy international human rights standards like the Geneva Convention. Detainees at Guantanamo Bay have received a lot of attention recently, despite the Bush administration's attempt to keep things quiet. Not only have top intelligence officials confirmed that none of the prisoners are high-ranking terrorists, but they also verified that less than 24 of the over
600 detainees are even suspected to be members of al Qaeda. Dick Cheney and other Bush administration officials have justified their illegal, unethical treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo by declaring that they were the worst of the worst, but clearly this isn't true.

Reports of torture at the Abu Ghraib prison are not isolated incidents. A rapid increase in suicide attempts at Guantanamo prompted many human rights organizations to suspect similar conditions of torture. The ACLU and Amnesty International are among the groups calling for an independent investigation to document previous human rights abuses and prevent further torture from occurring. While the US plans to release secret documents that prove torture was not condoned by high ranking Bush administration officials, they are not releasing other documents that provide legal justifications for torture.

In fact, Ashcroft will not even discuss them with the Senate Judiciary Committee.

2004-09-20T09:20:00.000-05:00

Washington Post (4-9-04): "Bush has yielded the stage, remaining largely out of sight at his Texas ranch as others in his administration explain his policies."

2004-09-20T09:12:00.000-05:00

One Thousand Reasons ~ Relentlessly documenting the failures of the Bush administration

2004-09-20T07:25:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Monday!

"I was not prepared to shoot my eardrum out with a shotgun in order to get a deferment, nor was I willing to go to Canada. So I chose to better myself by learning how to fly airplanes." - President George W. Bush - 1990

"I am angry that so many of the sons of the powerful and well-placed managed to wangle slots in Reserve and National Guard units. Of the many tragedies of Vietnam, this raw class discrimination strikes me as the most damaging to the ideal that all Americans are created equal and owe equal allegiance to their country." - Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell - 1995

http://www.bloggerheads.com/bush_awol/

2004-09-18T18:51:00.000-05:00

For those of you that follow this blog (thank you, by the way), you know that I have reserved my Mondays to pick on George W. In fact, every Monday from now until the election is "Piss-Off-Bush Monday". But you know what? I just couldn't wait. It's too easy to pick on him.

http://homepage.mac.com/njenson/movies/dsbush.html

2004-09-17T22:09:00.000-05:00

Christopher Reeve.

To walk again.

That's my New Year's resolution for 2003. Just as it was for 2002, 2001 and every year since I suffered my spinal cord injury. And if I don't walk this year, then I will resolve to do so again next January.

2004-09-17T13:35:00.000-05:00

Today after school, Kennedy and I are driving to Fort Worth for the 2nd annual "Jazz By The Boulevard". I thought it's time to give Kennedy her introduction to jazz.

2004-09-17T13:13:00.000-05:00

Time Travel Fund
Wish you could see life on Earth 500 or so years from now? Leveraging the powers of human greed and compound interest, this site comes up with a clever (if slightly tongue-in-cheek) plan for bribing your way into the miracles of time travel.

2004-09-15T22:14:00.000-05:00

Got my vote

2004-09-15T22:03:00.000-05:00

The Question of God on PBS

I wrote this e-mail to a friend...
Just finished watching a fascinating show on PBS. It covers the lives of C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud, using their ideas to create a conversation on the subject of God. Since I've always found myself to walk a fine line between skeptic and believer, it was very interesting.

I know you're fond of C.S. Lewis' work, so I thought you might be interested... another episode of the show is airing next week.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/questionofgod/

I've read a few of C.S. Lewis' books-- Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, Screwtape Letters, Surprised by Joy, a few of his Chronicles of Narina, and Out of the Silent Planet. It was some formative work for me; he presents ideas which, even at my most cynical moments, still entice me towards Christianity. Anyways, thought I'd pass it along.

2004-09-15T14:21:00.000-05:00

I guess the "dot com" boom is over. No money in my paypal account. :) Nobody just throws money at a person with a website anymore? What gives?

I guess I need a good or service to offer. Economics 101.

2004-09-14T14:41:00.000-05:00

The Hobbes-Tyler Connection

2004-09-14T10:40:00.000-05:00

Here's hoping. If you are rich, please donate.

2004-09-13T13:59:00.000-05:00

'Folly of Empire' Offers Critique of U.S. Imperialism

2004-09-13T13:55:00.000-05:00

Losing Julie: Teen's Suicide Blamed on Zoloft

Doctors have written millions of prescriptions for antidepressants called SSRIs for American children. But that practice has become controversial in light of research that suggests these drugs may increase the risk of suicide attempts and suicidal thinking in children and teens.

2004-09-13T13:19:00.000-05:00

I officially declare every Monday from now until the election to be "Piss-Off-Bush Monday". He is the most detested U.S. President since Hoover. George W, Dick, and Rumsfeld do not belong in positions of global power. We have the freedom of speech, and the resources of a global community to push public opinion.

Heck, if we could simply get more young people to vote, we could unseat this administration. Politicians depend on low voter turnout to displace the voice of the masses, so instead only the priviledged get to participate. For instance, if election day were on a Saturday instead of a Tuesday, imagine how many more could vote. What if it were an election weekend and not just an election day?

I'm registered to vote. I have been since I was 18. I voted in my first primary and presidential election while in high school. I haven't missed a national or state election in nine years. I write letters to my state, local, and national representatives. Protest. Petition. Boycott. Speak. Use your rights, or it will be taken from you.

2004-09-13T13:14:00.000-05:00

Rock the Vote

2004-09-13T11:59:00.000-05:00

As part of "Piss-Off-Bush Monday", here's an interesting bit of satire from Mad magazine. (Historical sidenote-- Mad was created by EC, a popular comic book company from the early days of the industry. During the '50s, EC was destroyed by a government council researching the involvement of comics in contributing to juvenile deliquency.)

2004-09-12T22:14:00.000-05:00

Kennedy says "hello". I think she likes her hat.

2004-09-12T21:53:00.000-05:00

Just finished watching the series premiere of Jack and Bobby on the WB. I saw a poster advertising the show while at the mall. I had to do a double take. Intially, I thought, "Awesome. Someone's doing a television show on Jack and Bobby Kennedy. How original." But when I read the tagline, "In 2041, one son will be President" I realized it was something else. Normally, I wouldn't care about this show one way or the other-- but I found out Brad Meltzer was one of the co-creators. We had interviewed Brad on Fanboy Radio, and he was a cool guy to talk with. (Seriously. I don't mention this much... but Fanboy Radio is so great. A few times each month, I go to the KTCU studio and spend an hour talking with some of the most creative storytellers in the country. It's an opportunity most people don't have. I'm fortunate.) So anyways, I thought I'd give the show a chance, since Brad worked on it.

The show was okay. The "WB melodrama" is becoming so common (and predictable); it makes me wonder whether that company will ever be able to produce something truly remarkable ever again. I thought it was interesting how they flashed forward to 2049 with commentary from his political associates and close friends, and then flashed back again to the present day. The schtick of this particular show was who will become president-- Jack or Bobby? Eh. The future commentaries were intentionally vague and misleading, so to lead the audience back and forth on who it would be. The gimick wore thin... fast. However, I did like some of the dramatic irony it created. And it did confuse the hell out of me (one or both will be a governor and/or congressmen? they both marry the same girl? one and/or both die young? huh?). I wouldn't want to spoil it... but at the end, they more or less stated who it would be. Unless, it was a red herring and they want to play the game some more. I hope not.

Best line of the entire episode: "Sorry I stole your pot, Mom." wtf?

Like any "WB melodrama", there had to be the parent/child conflict in which the child said something hurtful, the parent slapped the child and immediately felt bad. And then, before the credits roll, they reconcile with greater understanding of the other. That is, until next episode.

This show could be good. I like the idea of it starting at the beginning and the ending... and then moving toward the middle. Definately, a unique approach. I like that it focuses on a truly great individual. While I tend towards writing the reluctant and flawed antiheroes (hence the website, antiherocomics.com), I've often thought of writing a story about someone pure and good. Someone who inspires others. The kind of people who are truly rare and precious in our world... if they exist at all. Once again, this show could be good, if it weren't on the WB. Their programming tends to devolve. And by the season end, it will be a goofy teen soap opera. HBO has been better at handling high concept material.

Speaking of Jack...

This has nothing to do with the television show, but I always find this photo to be particularly moving. I get all choked up inside, and I don't know why. It's so beautiful, such a simple moment with the iconic American couple.

2004-09-12T15:15:00.000-05:00

Kung-Fu
http://skop.com/brucelee/index.htm

2004-09-11T16:39:00.000-05:00

The Life Aquatic (movie trailer)

2004-09-11T16:02:00.000-05:00

An interesting article. The Lessons of History by Gene Callahan

However, the very idea that history contains such "lessons" is false, and rests upon a misunderstanding of what history is and what it can achieve. History is the historian's effort to construct a coherent world of the past based on the evidence available to him in the present.

2004-09-11T13:42:00.000-05:00

Did that hurt? (Melissa's blog 9.10.04)

Now before you get all "Damn the Man!" and "do what makes you happy and screw everyone else," I have to say that I am too entirely sick of wondering if my family, whom I love and adore, really appreciate me for who I am or if they wish that I might have turned out differently: i.e. spokesmodel for the Baptist version of the Gap.

I love you. :)
I'm sorry you've had such a tough week.