I love it!
WolfpacksforTruth.org: The Real Story on George Bush's "Wolves" Commercial
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Friday, October 22, 2004
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
The Washington Note Archives
Middle Ages vs. Enlightenment....That's Steve Clemmons' argument when whe quotes Suskind's work in the NYT magazine.
"Just in the past few months," Bartlett said, "I think a light has gone off for people who've spent time up close to Bush: that this instinct he's always talking about is this sort of weird, Messianic idea of what he thinks God has told him to do." Bartlett, a 53-year-old columnist and self-described libertarian Republican who has lately been a champion for traditional Republicans concerned about Bush's governance, went on to say: "This is why George W. Bush is so clear-eyed about Al Qaeda and the Islamic fundamentalist enemy. He believes you have to kill them all. They can't be persuaded, that they're extremists, driven by a dark vision. He understands them, because he's just like them. . . ".
Perhaps, though I think that oversimplifies things. Perhaps it is New Ageism, as William Gibson suggests over in his blog. I'm not sure. I am increasingly aware that our media is, as Gibson says, "narrowing the creativity gap" (or something to that effect). Indeed, dogmatic rulers are both a product and a user of our paralyzed media. As the audience cheers John Stewart, Fucker Carlson and Paul Begs-a-lot retained their veneer of "decency" while they spewed the pornography of their respective parties. This nation is addicted to junk food, junk politics, junk journalism, myself included. At least I know it and do something about it. Are there any watchdogs? Are there any standards. Just capitalism--wait--no, not even that. We are no longer a primarily capitalist society except at the local and small-scale level--the major players of the economy are post-capitalist marriages of state and economic empires that say "screw you, workers" more often than not. It's amazing to me that we've let democracy slide this low. Hello, 19th century, here we come... Seriously, somewhere in this mess is democracy and economic system, and they are SEPARATE entities. Maybe it's because I study France, maybe it's because I've lived overseas and seen how successful other models can be. The American economic-poliltical system no longer works for democracy or many of its citizens budgets, health or happiness. When are we going to start questioning ourselves.
I dunno. Fogive me for some of this incoherency.
Andy
"Just in the past few months," Bartlett said, "I think a light has gone off for people who've spent time up close to Bush: that this instinct he's always talking about is this sort of weird, Messianic idea of what he thinks God has told him to do." Bartlett, a 53-year-old columnist and self-described libertarian Republican who has lately been a champion for traditional Republicans concerned about Bush's governance, went on to say: "This is why George W. Bush is so clear-eyed about Al Qaeda and the Islamic fundamentalist enemy. He believes you have to kill them all. They can't be persuaded, that they're extremists, driven by a dark vision. He understands them, because he's just like them. . . ".
Perhaps, though I think that oversimplifies things. Perhaps it is New Ageism, as William Gibson suggests over in his blog. I'm not sure. I am increasingly aware that our media is, as Gibson says, "narrowing the creativity gap" (or something to that effect). Indeed, dogmatic rulers are both a product and a user of our paralyzed media. As the audience cheers John Stewart, Fucker Carlson and Paul Begs-a-lot retained their veneer of "decency" while they spewed the pornography of their respective parties. This nation is addicted to junk food, junk politics, junk journalism, myself included. At least I know it and do something about it. Are there any watchdogs? Are there any standards. Just capitalism--wait--no, not even that. We are no longer a primarily capitalist society except at the local and small-scale level--the major players of the economy are post-capitalist marriages of state and economic empires that say "screw you, workers" more often than not. It's amazing to me that we've let democracy slide this low. Hello, 19th century, here we come... Seriously, somewhere in this mess is democracy and economic system, and they are SEPARATE entities. Maybe it's because I study France, maybe it's because I've lived overseas and seen how successful other models can be. The American economic-poliltical system no longer works for democracy or many of its citizens budgets, health or happiness. When are we going to start questioning ourselves.
I dunno. Fogive me for some of this incoherency.
Andy
The Left Coaster: The GOP Money Behind The Flu Vaccine Crisis
I hope that someday the media will learn to follow the money.
Frankly, it's quite obvious that this whole flu vaccine is related to two administration-related faultes:
1) HHS is relatively unconcerned with national issues. Tommy Thompson is a wingnut and a watercarrier with little policy interest.
2) Chiron is a rather a-political drug company with second rate standards--hence the cheap vaccine. The problem, as LeftCoaster points out, is that companies cannot afford NOT to contribute to the Bushites. Heresy will be punished...
Yours Truly,
Frankly, it's quite obvious that this whole flu vaccine is related to two administration-related faultes:
1) HHS is relatively unconcerned with national issues. Tommy Thompson is a wingnut and a watercarrier with little policy interest.
2) Chiron is a rather a-political drug company with second rate standards--hence the cheap vaccine. The problem, as LeftCoaster points out, is that companies cannot afford NOT to contribute to the Bushites. Heresy will be punished...
Yours Truly,
Monday, October 18, 2004
Faith-based food energy
It's all connected....
"Bush said: ''I'm going to push nuclear energy, drilling in Alaska and clean coal. Some nuclear-fusion technologies are interesting.'' He mentions energy from ''processing corn.''
It's all connected....
Let's subsidize big business...
Fuck.
Andy
"Bush said: ''I'm going to push nuclear energy, drilling in Alaska and clean coal. Some nuclear-fusion technologies are interesting.'' He mentions energy from ''processing corn.''
It's all connected....
Let's subsidize big business...
Fuck.
Andy
Our National Eating Disorder
The New York Times > Magazine > Our National Eating Disorder
MICHAEL POLLAN
"Carbophobia, the most recent in the centurylong series of food fads to wash over the American table, seems to have finally crested, though not before sweeping away entire bakeries and pasta companies in its path, panicking potato breeders into redesigning the spud, crumbling whole doughnut empires and, at least to my way of thinking, ruining an untold number of meals. America's food industry, more than happy to get behind any new diet as long as it doesn't actually involve eating less food, is still gung-ho on Low Carb, it's true, but in the last few weeks, I can report some modest success securing a crust of bread, and even the occasional noodle, at tables from which such staples were banned only a few months ago. "
Everybody knows that Atkin's dieters are eaters in search of an addiction that will make them "healthier."
Food, I beleive, is a concentration of culture, energy, resources and social meanings. It's importance, beyond simple nutrition, is, at most, only alluded to: "comfort food," "home-cooked," etc. America's food choices are based neither on cultural or gustatory richness, but on concentrations of energy--in the form of money. We choose what media and advertisers tell us to, starting at a very early age.
The system is screwy, biased and therefore we are screwed.
Andy
MICHAEL POLLAN
"Carbophobia, the most recent in the centurylong series of food fads to wash over the American table, seems to have finally crested, though not before sweeping away entire bakeries and pasta companies in its path, panicking potato breeders into redesigning the spud, crumbling whole doughnut empires and, at least to my way of thinking, ruining an untold number of meals. America's food industry, more than happy to get behind any new diet as long as it doesn't actually involve eating less food, is still gung-ho on Low Carb, it's true, but in the last few weeks, I can report some modest success securing a crust of bread, and even the occasional noodle, at tables from which such staples were banned only a few months ago. "
Everybody knows that Atkin's dieters are eaters in search of an addiction that will make them "healthier."
Food, I beleive, is a concentration of culture, energy, resources and social meanings. It's importance, beyond simple nutrition, is, at most, only alluded to: "comfort food," "home-cooked," etc. America's food choices are based neither on cultural or gustatory richness, but on concentrations of energy--in the form of money. We choose what media and advertisers tell us to, starting at a very early age.
The system is screwy, biased and therefore we are screwed.
Andy
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Bush Drunk? Maybe not! Stroke? Health?
Dear Fan(s):
Well, maybe my search over the last few days for revealing video was all in vain, however, in spirit, I'm feeling better. Bush went over to Kerry last night and ominously asked him where Kerry could be reached. Weird. Conspiracy theories are coming to the fore over at Daily Kos. I think it is either:
1. A health-related issue (stroke, nerves, etc.)
2. An october surprise (Osama, invasion, etc.)
3. A pre-win congratulations/I'm outta here remark.
4. I'm gonna tell Dick what you said and you're gonna be sorry...
Enjoy.
Well, maybe my search over the last few days for revealing video was all in vain, however, in spirit, I'm feeling better. Bush went over to Kerry last night and ominously asked him where Kerry could be reached. Weird. Conspiracy theories are coming to the fore over at Daily Kos. I think it is either:
1. A health-related issue (stroke, nerves, etc.)
2. An october surprise (Osama, invasion, etc.)
3. A pre-win congratulations/I'm outta here remark.
4. I'm gonna tell Dick what you said and you're gonna be sorry...
Enjoy.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Hot Saucing
Remeber "The Facts of Life"? Lisa Whelchel, is an adherent of the hairsuit and other bizzare forms of discipline.
What you talkin' 'bout?
I think this made into the No Child Left Behind act too...
Andy
What you talkin' 'bout?
I think this made into the No Child Left Behind act too...
Andy
The Gadflyer: Swatting Lies
Sean Aday, over at the Gadflyer makes some astute comments on what Kerry should say tonight.what Kerry should say tonight
I have to say that Bush will use the word liberal more times than we want to imagine. I have to believe, however, that this word has lost a great deal of its potency in the wake of Bush's record. Yes, the L-word will get the hard-core folk all fired up, but it will not do that for everyone. This attack is part of Bush's strategy to motivate their troops, not convince the swing folk, as many have already noticed. It shows, in fact, that they are either desperate or counting on high True-Believer turnout, or both.
That the Republicans now own this word is common knowledge, that it is effective is less and less true except for these hardcore believers. As I wrote yesterday about Derrida, words are subject to inflation to the point where the currency is worth very little...
I have to say that Bush will use the word liberal more times than we want to imagine. I have to believe, however, that this word has lost a great deal of its potency in the wake of Bush's record. Yes, the L-word will get the hard-core folk all fired up, but it will not do that for everyone. This attack is part of Bush's strategy to motivate their troops, not convince the swing folk, as many have already noticed. It shows, in fact, that they are either desperate or counting on high True-Believer turnout, or both.
That the Republicans now own this word is common knowledge, that it is effective is less and less true except for these hardcore believers. As I wrote yesterday about Derrida, words are subject to inflation to the point where the currency is worth very little...
Bush Drunk--continuing investigation...
Admittedly, this might be a little silly--except that Bush has made such a fuss about abstaining from alcohol.
Here's a link Christa sent me...
Send me info!!!
Thanks.
Here's a link Christa sent me...
Send me info!!!
Thanks.
Here we go again...
What the F? They are afraid, stupid...and dangerous
Mystery Surrounds Kerry's Navy Discharge - October 13, 2004 - The New York Sun: "An official Navy document on Senator Kerry's campaign Web site listed as Mr. Kerry's 'Honorable Discharge from the Reserves' opens a door on a well kept secret about his military service."
Mystery Surrounds Kerry's Navy Discharge - October 13, 2004 - The New York Sun: "An official Navy document on Senator Kerry's campaign Web site listed as Mr. Kerry's 'Honorable Discharge from the Reserves' opens a door on a well kept secret about his military service."
Segregation
As a native of Georgia, I have always loved Alabama because it made us look light years ahead. I guess that's how Alabamians feel about Mississippi...
Alabama to vote on segratation language...
Let's keep the 10 commandments too, and no taxes and no "folks of the colored persuasion," and no science in the classrooms, and no abortions...
WTF? I really have a problem with this
Alabama to vote on segratation language...
Let's keep the 10 commandments too, and no taxes and no "folks of the colored persuasion," and no science in the classrooms, and no abortions...
WTF? I really have a problem with this
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Derrida, usury, neo-cons
It dawned on me today, a few days after Derrida's death that maybe he can help explain why some of the Right's propaganda is working less effectively than it has: usury. Words, he says, are like money, they gain in interest, accumulate meanings. By so doing, a certain wealth of meanings is created, but, conversely, so is a certain dissolution of meaning. Economically, this is like inflation. Terms like "liberal," "left-wing" have begun to loose some of their potency precisely because of their power.
However, I do not want to explain away the danger that still lurks within the Rush Limbaughs, the Falwells and the Bushites. It is great, and their command of the media machine, either through direct ownership or astute manipulation of its hot buttons, remains practically unchallenged.
Kerry is winning not because they--the Repubs--are losing the media war or their edge in controlling it, but because power has corrupted their leaders to the point where their hypocrisy is too blatant. In other words, people still like their message, but they are ever more concerned with the messengers. In fact, Kerry, in many ways, is an able messenger for their side in the sense that he is running on a bellicose stance and significantly allied with corporate interest.
However, I do not want to explain away the danger that still lurks within the Rush Limbaughs, the Falwells and the Bushites. It is great, and their command of the media machine, either through direct ownership or astute manipulation of its hot buttons, remains practically unchallenged.
Kerry is winning not because they--the Repubs--are losing the media war or their edge in controlling it, but because power has corrupted their leaders to the point where their hypocrisy is too blatant. In other words, people still like their message, but they are ever more concerned with the messengers. In fact, Kerry, in many ways, is an able messenger for their side in the sense that he is running on a bellicose stance and significantly allied with corporate interest.
Fast for George W. Bush
Thanks to George, thousands of kids get to fast everyday--whether they want to or not. Funny how prayers get answered.
Fast for George W. Bush
Fast for George W. Bush
Facism Anyone...
It is interesting that today, managers of Sinclair Broadcasting are using the Holocaust to describe liberals. Ugh. I hate it. We are becoming a fascist country.
Keywords ? Fascism: "We do ourselves a disservice by turning the perpetrators of the Holocaust into inhuman monsters whose actions are beyond comprehension. Certainly the means by which the Bush administration secured its shaky legitimacy through the use of war and nationalism has something to do with what happened in 1933. How is saying so a trivialization? There might also be important differences between then and now - but these should be a matter of debate, not something that even discussing would be a sin against the past."
Keywords ? Fascism: "We do ourselves a disservice by turning the perpetrators of the Holocaust into inhuman monsters whose actions are beyond comprehension. Certainly the means by which the Bush administration secured its shaky legitimacy through the use of war and nationalism has something to do with what happened in 1933. How is saying so a trivialization? There might also be important differences between then and now - but these should be a matter of debate, not something that even discussing would be a sin against the past."
Seriously, Folks
Can anyone doubt that Homeland Security Dept is merely a political, pork-barrel agency right now? The New York Times says it all. Grants are going to rural states with low risk while the major ports remain unsafe. Unbelievable.
Andy/André
Andy/André
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