I'm going to start posting reviews/stories etc. related to this. Any comments from anyone who's seen it are welcome.
I saw it this past Sunday and I thought it was very well done. People are bashing MM for being biased, of COURSE he's biased. All documentaries focus on a certain point of view. Is it propaganda? NO. Propaganda doesn't back up claims with fact.
I seriously urge everyone to see this movie. It's important. If you feel you can't give money to Michael Moore - fine. Buy a Ticket for White Chicks and go sneak into Farenheit 9/11.
From reading books like "House of Bush, House of Saud" and "Against All Enemies" I learned a lot of what was presented in the movie. Moore uses public records, mainstream media reports, and expert interviews to back up his claims.
Rattled one Republican
This is one of many stories I've read so far about Republicans going to see the movie to either heckle or just have evidence to help refute their liberal friends, coming out contemplative and changed. Michael Moore mentioned a similar story in the Newsday (a paper in Long Island).
30 June 2004
Conservativism
Ok. I've been thinking about this one for a while now. What is a conservative? I feel the label "conservative" has been hijacked by the right wing much as the label "liberal" has. What comes to mind when you think Conservative? Fiscal responsibility? Subdued, and well thought out actions and words? Modesty?
Bush is none of these things. Conservatives used to be these things, and then they were infiltrated by radicals. I can respect a true conservative.
A true conservative:
-would NOT promote record deficit spending
-would NOT cut taxes during a war (in fact, according to historians, NO government in recorded history has ever done this)
-would NOT wage a pre emptive war (with no regard for the ramifications)
-would NOT wage a war without a clear plan (other than 'he tried to kill my dad')
-would NOT say the "jury is still out" on evolution
-WOULD conserve the environment
-would NOT make public policy decisions based on his own hubris and narrow religious views
Bush is a right wing radical. There is nothing truly conservative about what he does and how he does it.
The republican party used to be the party of social uplift. They were Lincoln's party, the party that supported women's suffrage. They were contemplative about whether to go to war. Then what happened? They figured out they could make money on war. THEN they became the party of big defense budgets and arms dealers.
We need to get rid of this clown.
Bush is none of these things. Conservatives used to be these things, and then they were infiltrated by radicals. I can respect a true conservative.
A true conservative:
-would NOT promote record deficit spending
-would NOT cut taxes during a war (in fact, according to historians, NO government in recorded history has ever done this)
-would NOT wage a pre emptive war (with no regard for the ramifications)
-would NOT wage a war without a clear plan (other than 'he tried to kill my dad')
-would NOT say the "jury is still out" on evolution
-WOULD conserve the environment
-would NOT make public policy decisions based on his own hubris and narrow religious views
Bush is a right wing radical. There is nothing truly conservative about what he does and how he does it.
The republican party used to be the party of social uplift. They were Lincoln's party, the party that supported women's suffrage. They were contemplative about whether to go to war. Then what happened? They figured out they could make money on war. THEN they became the party of big defense budgets and arms dealers.
We need to get rid of this clown.
29 June 2004
I'm not kidding this time - CAN he read?
From the New Yorker:
THE CANDIDATE
by WILLIAM FINNEGAN
How the son of a Kenyan economist became an Illinois Everyman.
Issue of 2004-05-31
Posted 2004-05-24
"Jan Schakowsky told me about a recent visit she had made to the White House with a congressional delegation. On her way out, she said, President Bush noticed her “obama” button. “He jumped back, almost literally,” she said. “And I knew what he was thinking. So I reassured him it was Obama, with a ‘b.’ And I explained who he was. The President said, ‘Well, I don’t know him.’ So I just said, ‘You will.’”
First of all, why would a grown man think a Congresswoman would be wearing a button that said "Osama for senate"? I can see the initial stare - it's an unusual name. The first time I saw it I went "who?". But then the logical part of any normal person would take over and point out the 'B'. But to have to be reassured that it was NOT Osama...
People joke about him being dumb - but I always thought a lot of that was in jest because he ACTS like a yokel. But now I think he is really just dumb.
Am I being overly critical? Or do you think that a normal person would have figured that out for themselves without needing an explanation?
THE CANDIDATE
by WILLIAM FINNEGAN
How the son of a Kenyan economist became an Illinois Everyman.
Issue of 2004-05-31
Posted 2004-05-24
"Jan Schakowsky told me about a recent visit she had made to the White House with a congressional delegation. On her way out, she said, President Bush noticed her “obama” button. “He jumped back, almost literally,” she said. “And I knew what he was thinking. So I reassured him it was Obama, with a ‘b.’ And I explained who he was. The President said, ‘Well, I don’t know him.’ So I just said, ‘You will.’”
First of all, why would a grown man think a Congresswoman would be wearing a button that said "Osama for senate"? I can see the initial stare - it's an unusual name. The first time I saw it I went "who?". But then the logical part of any normal person would take over and point out the 'B'. But to have to be reassured that it was NOT Osama...
People joke about him being dumb - but I always thought a lot of that was in jest because he ACTS like a yokel. But now I think he is really just dumb.
Am I being overly critical? Or do you think that a normal person would have figured that out for themselves without needing an explanation?
28 June 2004
"Professional Development"
In my opinion, "Professional Development" activities should be one or both, of the following things:
1) Professional
2) Developmental
Today's little juvenille jaunt through "dealing with changes" was neither. These things are always geared toward the lowest common denominator of employee... those who need to be reminded to "answer the phone with a smile".
I do my job. I think I do it quite well. I adapt to changes when I need to. Everyone resists change, it's healthy.
I don't need someone explaining a butchered version of Albert Ellis's Rational Emotive Therapy (dummed down for pop-psychology purposes) and theorizing that "Fight or Flight" was the wrong way for people to evolve because it doesn't embrace change... whatever.
Then we got to play a little board game with fuzzy dice and touchy feeling messages of encouragement.
All this motivational stuff is so "flavor of the month" and I hate it.
There... I said it.
1) Professional
2) Developmental
Today's little juvenille jaunt through "dealing with changes" was neither. These things are always geared toward the lowest common denominator of employee... those who need to be reminded to "answer the phone with a smile".
I do my job. I think I do it quite well. I adapt to changes when I need to. Everyone resists change, it's healthy.
I don't need someone explaining a butchered version of Albert Ellis's Rational Emotive Therapy (dummed down for pop-psychology purposes) and theorizing that "Fight or Flight" was the wrong way for people to evolve because it doesn't embrace change... whatever.
Then we got to play a little board game with fuzzy dice and touchy feeling messages of encouragement.
All this motivational stuff is so "flavor of the month" and I hate it.
There... I said it.
24 June 2004
Petition for Paper Ballots
I hope you will join me in signing this petition from MoveOn. It's about the new electronic voting terminals that are being installed in many states.
As you may know, the owner of Diebolt, the maker of the computer voting terminals is an avid Bush supporter and campaigner.
This election will be close, and to not have a paper trail to conduct recounts (providing the supreme courts and over zealous secretaries of state don't intervene) is essential.
Too many are "black box" voting machines -- computer terminals that don't produce paper ballots. Without paper ballots, there's no way to know if our votes are counted correctly. Also, computers are vulnerable to malfunction -- how often does yours freeze up?
Every voting method should produce a paper ballot, so we can verify that our votes will count. Join me in calling for paper ballots, at:
Thank you.
As you may know, the owner of Diebolt, the maker of the computer voting terminals is an avid Bush supporter and campaigner.
This election will be close, and to not have a paper trail to conduct recounts (providing the supreme courts and over zealous secretaries of state don't intervene) is essential.
Too many are "black box" voting machines -- computer terminals that don't produce paper ballots. Without paper ballots, there's no way to know if our votes are counted correctly. Also, computers are vulnerable to malfunction -- how often does yours freeze up?
Every voting method should produce a paper ballot, so we can verify that our votes will count. Join me in calling for paper ballots, at:
Thank you.
GUANTANAMO
For all you social psychologists: Sounds a lot like Stanford Circa 1970s...
From The Center for American Progress
Guardsman Posing As Prisoner Brutally Beaten
Gaurdsman Sean Baker's experience raises serious questions about the charges of abuse in U.S.-run prisons. Sean Baker was a member of the Kentucky National Gaurd unit "assigned to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba." While at Guantanamo, Baker "volunteered to put on an orange prison jumpsuit and portray an uncooperative detainee in a training drill." But a five man "immediate response force" was not told of the exercise and Baker was "choked and beaten by fellow [military police] on the steel floor of a 6-by-8 prison cell." Despite yelling the code word ("red") and repeatedly telling his assailants he was a U.S. solider the beating continued "until the jumpsuit was yanked down in the struggle, revealing his military uniform." Baker suffered serious injuries requiring a 48-day stay at Walter Reed Hospital. According to a September 2003 physical evaluation, "TBI [traumatic brain injury] was due to [the] soldier playing [a] role of [a] detainee who was noncooperative and was being extracted from detention cell in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during a training exercise." Baker also suffers from "seizures caused by the beating."
GOVERNMENT LIES ABOUT THE CAUSE OF BAKER'S MEDICAL PROBLEMS: Laurie Arellano, military spokesperson, said that Baker's stay at Walter Reed was "was unrelated to Baker's prison injuries," and the military first claimed his medical discharge was "not related to the beating at Guantanamo." Arellano has since admitted that her previous statements were not true. The military also admits "the incident was partly responsible for his discharge."
SPOKESPERSON SAYS BRUTAL BEATING WAS 'REALISTIC' TRAINING: Lt. Col. Jim Marshall said an internal investigation concluded "no one was liable for Baker's injuries." Marshall said "While it is unfortunate that Spc. Baker was injured, the standards of professionalism we expect of our soldiers mandate that our training be as a realistic as possible." According to Marshall members of the "immediate response force" were "handpicked based on maturity, common sense and judgment." Arellano said that Baker's brain injuries were a "foreseeable consequence" of the drill.
INCIDENT RECORDED, MILITARY LOSES THE VIDEO TAPE: Two members of the "immediate response force" told investigators that the incident had been taped. One of Baker's sergeants "attempted to retrieve the tape but was told it had been lost or misplaced." Now a spokesman claims "it was not likely that a video existed of the drill involving Baker."
From The Center for American Progress
Guardsman Posing As Prisoner Brutally Beaten
Gaurdsman Sean Baker's experience raises serious questions about the charges of abuse in U.S.-run prisons. Sean Baker was a member of the Kentucky National Gaurd unit "assigned to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba." While at Guantanamo, Baker "volunteered to put on an orange prison jumpsuit and portray an uncooperative detainee in a training drill." But a five man "immediate response force" was not told of the exercise and Baker was "choked and beaten by fellow [military police] on the steel floor of a 6-by-8 prison cell." Despite yelling the code word ("red") and repeatedly telling his assailants he was a U.S. solider the beating continued "until the jumpsuit was yanked down in the struggle, revealing his military uniform." Baker suffered serious injuries requiring a 48-day stay at Walter Reed Hospital. According to a September 2003 physical evaluation, "TBI [traumatic brain injury] was due to [the] soldier playing [a] role of [a] detainee who was noncooperative and was being extracted from detention cell in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during a training exercise." Baker also suffers from "seizures caused by the beating."
GOVERNMENT LIES ABOUT THE CAUSE OF BAKER'S MEDICAL PROBLEMS: Laurie Arellano, military spokesperson, said that Baker's stay at Walter Reed was "was unrelated to Baker's prison injuries," and the military first claimed his medical discharge was "not related to the beating at Guantanamo." Arellano has since admitted that her previous statements were not true. The military also admits "the incident was partly responsible for his discharge."
SPOKESPERSON SAYS BRUTAL BEATING WAS 'REALISTIC' TRAINING: Lt. Col. Jim Marshall said an internal investigation concluded "no one was liable for Baker's injuries." Marshall said "While it is unfortunate that Spc. Baker was injured, the standards of professionalism we expect of our soldiers mandate that our training be as a realistic as possible." According to Marshall members of the "immediate response force" were "handpicked based on maturity, common sense and judgment." Arellano said that Baker's brain injuries were a "foreseeable consequence" of the drill.
INCIDENT RECORDED, MILITARY LOSES THE VIDEO TAPE: Two members of the "immediate response force" told investigators that the incident had been taped. One of Baker's sergeants "attempted to retrieve the tape but was told it had been lost or misplaced." Now a spokesman claims "it was not likely that a video existed of the drill involving Baker."
23 June 2004
These are a few of my favorite links
I'll be updating this every now and then, but I wanted to share my favorite links for deciphering the Bush spin machine and as an alternative to CNN (Corporate News Network) and Faux News.
Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR)
Center for American Progress
Center for American Progress: Claim vs. Fact Database
The Guardian Unlimited (UK)
The Nation
Common Dreams
Truth Out
Move On
The BBC
Al Jazeera (English)
Like I said, I'll update this occasionally. If anyone has any they'd like to share, post em...
Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR)
Center for American Progress
Center for American Progress: Claim vs. Fact Database
The Guardian Unlimited (UK)
The Nation
Common Dreams
Truth Out
Move On
The BBC
Al Jazeera (English)
Like I said, I'll update this occasionally. If anyone has any they'd like to share, post em...
Daily Show
BTW, I watched the Daily Show the other day. He had the douchebag who wrote "Connection" a book about the Iraq Al Queda link. Jon Stewart made a great comment I'd like to share:
What country is this:
1. Has WMD's
2. Participates in inflammatory rhetoric against the US
3. Oppresses it's own people
4. Sponsors or supports terrorist activity
You can't name just one.
21 June 2004
FED UP
IF YOU'RE NOT OUTRAGED, YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!
IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION AND DON'T VOTE, YOU LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO CRITICIZE!
My way of saying - get off your lazy apathetic american ass and vote dammit!
What is it going to take for supporters of Bush to realize he is BAD for this country? How many lies will they let him get away with?
Last week, after the 9/11 Commission declared there was no evidence that Iraq was involved with 9-11, Bush himself went on national TV to state that they never said that Iraq was involved with 9-11.
So then, what pray tell is THIS:
Presidential Letter
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate
March 21, 2003
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
On March 18, 2003, I made available to you, consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), my determination that further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq, nor lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
I have reluctantly concluded, along with other coalition leaders, that only the use of armed force will accomplish these objectives and restore international peace and security in the area. I have also determined that the use of armed force against Iraq is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organiza-tions, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. United States objectives also support a transition to democracy in Iraq, as contemplated by the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-338). ...
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
I agree with Janeane Garafolo that at this point, supporting Bush is a character flaw.
IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION AND DON'T VOTE, YOU LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO CRITICIZE!
My way of saying - get off your lazy apathetic american ass and vote dammit!
What is it going to take for supporters of Bush to realize he is BAD for this country? How many lies will they let him get away with?
Last week, after the 9/11 Commission declared there was no evidence that Iraq was involved with 9-11, Bush himself went on national TV to state that they never said that Iraq was involved with 9-11.
So then, what pray tell is THIS:
Presidential Letter
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate
March 21, 2003
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
On March 18, 2003, I made available to you, consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), my determination that further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq, nor lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
I have reluctantly concluded, along with other coalition leaders, that only the use of armed force will accomplish these objectives and restore international peace and security in the area. I have also determined that the use of armed force against Iraq is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organiza-tions, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. United States objectives also support a transition to democracy in Iraq, as contemplated by the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-338). ...
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
I agree with Janeane Garafolo that at this point, supporting Bush is a character flaw.
20 June 2004
Ode to Sunscreen
This always happens to me. I'm outside, a nice sunny day. I leave the house and 20 minutes later I say to myself: "you know, you shoulda put some sunscreen on". Thankfully I remembered to put some on my face, and on my tattoo... unfortunately I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and now I look like someone who just underwent some native initiation involving pink paint. With the obvious exclusion, a jagged line around my arm where my tattoo is, which is still stark pasty-irish white.
John has been calling me Ms. Zoidberg, and for those fans of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King... I have a few parting words for you:
Dida-Chock, Dida-Chee
John has been calling me Ms. Zoidberg, and for those fans of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King... I have a few parting words for you:
Dida-Chock, Dida-Chee
18 June 2004
The Boondocks
I know I've told you all many times how much I LOVE The Boondocks. The artist, Aaron McGruder pulls no punches and it's even funnier since his voice is a bitter, disillusioned, politically savvy and witty African-American boy named Huey Freeman.
The latest series has been about the "legacy" of Ronald Regan and how the press seems to have collective amnesia when someone dies, forgetting all the terrible things this man did.
At a time when everyone suddenly was too afraid to continue to criticize Bush and his policies, McGruder kept his edge. McGruder replaced the usual comic during the post 9-11 days with The Adventures of Flagee and Ribbon.
The "new" Boondocks started: "Due to the inappropriate political content of this feature in recent weeks, it is being replaced by 'The Adventures of Flagee and Ribbon,' which we hope will help children understand the complexities of current events. United we stand." Ribbon then declares, "Hey, Flagee, there's a lot of evil out there," to which his compatriot replies, "That's right, Ribbon. Good thing America kicks a lot of *@#!"
If you don't read the paper regularly (like me) or don't get a paper that syndicates this comic, go to The Boondocks website and get it emailed to you daily - it's free.
The latest series has been about the "legacy" of Ronald Regan and how the press seems to have collective amnesia when someone dies, forgetting all the terrible things this man did.
At a time when everyone suddenly was too afraid to continue to criticize Bush and his policies, McGruder kept his edge. McGruder replaced the usual comic during the post 9-11 days with The Adventures of Flagee and Ribbon.
The "new" Boondocks started: "Due to the inappropriate political content of this feature in recent weeks, it is being replaced by 'The Adventures of Flagee and Ribbon,' which we hope will help children understand the complexities of current events. United we stand." Ribbon then declares, "Hey, Flagee, there's a lot of evil out there," to which his compatriot replies, "That's right, Ribbon. Good thing America kicks a lot of *@#!"
If you don't read the paper regularly (like me) or don't get a paper that syndicates this comic, go to The Boondocks website and get it emailed to you daily - it's free.
17 June 2004
Fahrenheit 9/11
The long awaited documentary.
F**k Disney, they haven't made a decent non-pixar movie since the Little Mermaid...
Find a theatre near you
Visit the Site
F**k Disney, they haven't made a decent non-pixar movie since the Little Mermaid...
Find a theatre near you
Visit the Site
16 June 2004
Welcome
Well I figured I'd jump on this blogging bandwagon.
So from now on, any events I find amusing, infuriating or just plain bizzare will be posted here rather than emailed.
What prompted this? Well I just saw on
Common Dreams
That the Bush run USDA has now classified frozen french fries as a "fresh" vegetable. They needed a fresh vegetable that went well with Ketchup (which Reagan's USDA classified as a vegetable in the 80s).
So from now on, any events I find amusing, infuriating or just plain bizzare will be posted here rather than emailed.
What prompted this? Well I just saw on
Common Dreams
That the Bush run USDA has now classified frozen french fries as a "fresh" vegetable. They needed a fresh vegetable that went well with Ketchup (which Reagan's USDA classified as a vegetable in the 80s).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)