Saturday, June 25, 2005
Happy 6am in the freakin' morning on Saturday
Bad news: because it's so hot and muggy here, I've been able to only sleep until 5:15am every morning, even on weekends before being too uncomfortable to stay in bed. Who knows what that does to my overall energy level.
Better news: I can get up early for work each day. Perhaps if I'm really ambitious I could go out and jog (or briskly walk) in the morning air each day. Don't keep your hopes up.
Even better news: When I get into that air-conditioned train and that comfy Amtrak chair, I might be so content physically I will have no trouble sleeping while on an overnight trip (usually very difficult) and I will be refreshed for my Vermont visit!
Anyway, so I just wanted to see if people were alive this early (it's 6:15 now)
Finally, as far as bringing things full circle, Ted Rall has a cartoon over the recently discussed pro-torture activism that I hate, and its a spot-on commentary on what's wrong with those t-shirts, as far as I'm concerned.
And he does generalize... as a warning... that's what cartoonists do, but in a much more light-hearted way than politicians resorting to demagoguery.
Let's see if I can get back to sleep.
Better news: I can get up early for work each day. Perhaps if I'm really ambitious I could go out and jog (or briskly walk) in the morning air each day. Don't keep your hopes up.
Even better news: When I get into that air-conditioned train and that comfy Amtrak chair, I might be so content physically I will have no trouble sleeping while on an overnight trip (usually very difficult) and I will be refreshed for my Vermont visit!
Anyway, so I just wanted to see if people were alive this early (it's 6:15 now)
Finally, as far as bringing things full circle, Ted Rall has a cartoon over the recently discussed pro-torture activism that I hate, and its a spot-on commentary on what's wrong with those t-shirts, as far as I'm concerned.
And he does generalize... as a warning... that's what cartoonists do, but in a much more light-hearted way than politicians resorting to demagoguery.
Let's see if I can get back to sleep.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Reflections
Now that things have simmered down, I would like to reflect on some things regarding the recent blog debate.
Lyon, you said that the main thing you are bothered by is not liberalism but intolerance. And I agree that when I use declarative words and TYPE IN ANGRY CAPS I convey intolerance. I am actually pretty open-minded, but the reason for my intolerant tone could be due to a few reasons:
1) I am not reacting primarily to you Lyon and dismissing your view, but instead am responding through reaction to your comments to the prevalent argument methods of conservative leaders. While you might think that intervention in the Terri Schiavo affair was inappropriate and that I Love Gitmo t-shirts are tacky and unproductive, the prominent leaders of the right, through their words and actions have cheapened the discourse to leave no room for in the first case, science, or in the latter case, promoting human rights. This simplification and dumbing down of things makes me angry, because you can no longer argue based of policy values using these rules of engagement. In both of these cases I challenge you to find an intellectual defense of the Terri right-to-lifers that doesn't involve outright falsehoods or an intellectual defense of torture policies in American detention centers that doesn't involve calling investigations into these policies as harming our troops.
2) I think Lyon and I have both really got into political blogs in recent years and there's an element of maniacal fun in getting into a vigorous discussion. Online though, while you can immediately source things online, you can't convey what you are really trying to say exactly. There have been a couple of instances where while writing I deleted what I typed and tried to make something sound more powerful or eloquent. In the process of doing that, I used choices of words that made me sound more absolute and extreme than I really think I am. I think I got really excited to finally get into a blog political debate after watching spirited ideas develop on Atrios, Daily Kos, and other sites.
3) Finally the anonymity of this format allowed me to feel like I could jump into the abyss with no fear of retribution. While I know everyone that comes by and comments... Lyon... I haven't talked to you or seen you in close to 6 years, except for a phone conversation a few years ago when you first settled in Vermont. Like it or not, that setup, as well as a warning from Amy that you have joined (or were always a part of?) the Dark Side aka Conservatism, made you in a way an online conservative charicature I could react to without any worries about offending you personally. It's no wonder you reacted so harshly to my friend Leigha's quick comment, since you never met her in person and you can't put a face and voice to what she is saying. There are no real consequences to snapping at an online screename, as long as we're all nice enough to not look up profiles and send nasty e-mails to eachother. By also introducing yourself for the first time to pick a political fight with me in my domain here (there goes that dramatic blogger talk again), you defined yourself in my online space as someone to be in conflict with.
Since I think you agree with a lot of my arguments and beliefs and just have a problem with the words and tone I choose, I think the above might explain some of my over the top words. To someone so used to communicating over the years through the typing on screens, this blogger thing can do crazy things to your persona, and I have no doubt that once I meet a rational conservative like yourself in a different context, we'll all get along.
Finally, you lament the days when people of different stripes and political persuasions could argue during the day and go out for drinks later....
I don't know if the conservative blogs are mentioning or defending this:
"Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers," Rove said. "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war.... Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies.... No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals," Rove said.
That was said by the Chief Political Advisor and the President's chief strategist Karl Rove. The White House has fully defended Rove's remarks.
I'm not much for dramatic pronouncements but that is what I feel I am dealing with when I post on my blog and defend my Democratic and liberal identity. Any intolerance that might be projected can be attributed to an emotional reaction to repeated statements similar to the ones above, by the people running our country.
Lyon, you said that the main thing you are bothered by is not liberalism but intolerance. And I agree that when I use declarative words and TYPE IN ANGRY CAPS I convey intolerance. I am actually pretty open-minded, but the reason for my intolerant tone could be due to a few reasons:
1) I am not reacting primarily to you Lyon and dismissing your view, but instead am responding through reaction to your comments to the prevalent argument methods of conservative leaders. While you might think that intervention in the Terri Schiavo affair was inappropriate and that I Love Gitmo t-shirts are tacky and unproductive, the prominent leaders of the right, through their words and actions have cheapened the discourse to leave no room for in the first case, science, or in the latter case, promoting human rights. This simplification and dumbing down of things makes me angry, because you can no longer argue based of policy values using these rules of engagement. In both of these cases I challenge you to find an intellectual defense of the Terri right-to-lifers that doesn't involve outright falsehoods or an intellectual defense of torture policies in American detention centers that doesn't involve calling investigations into these policies as harming our troops.
2) I think Lyon and I have both really got into political blogs in recent years and there's an element of maniacal fun in getting into a vigorous discussion. Online though, while you can immediately source things online, you can't convey what you are really trying to say exactly. There have been a couple of instances where while writing I deleted what I typed and tried to make something sound more powerful or eloquent. In the process of doing that, I used choices of words that made me sound more absolute and extreme than I really think I am. I think I got really excited to finally get into a blog political debate after watching spirited ideas develop on Atrios, Daily Kos, and other sites.
3) Finally the anonymity of this format allowed me to feel like I could jump into the abyss with no fear of retribution. While I know everyone that comes by and comments... Lyon... I haven't talked to you or seen you in close to 6 years, except for a phone conversation a few years ago when you first settled in Vermont. Like it or not, that setup, as well as a warning from Amy that you have joined (or were always a part of?) the Dark Side aka Conservatism, made you in a way an online conservative charicature I could react to without any worries about offending you personally. It's no wonder you reacted so harshly to my friend Leigha's quick comment, since you never met her in person and you can't put a face and voice to what she is saying. There are no real consequences to snapping at an online screename, as long as we're all nice enough to not look up profiles and send nasty e-mails to eachother. By also introducing yourself for the first time to pick a political fight with me in my domain here (there goes that dramatic blogger talk again), you defined yourself in my online space as someone to be in conflict with.
Since I think you agree with a lot of my arguments and beliefs and just have a problem with the words and tone I choose, I think the above might explain some of my over the top words. To someone so used to communicating over the years through the typing on screens, this blogger thing can do crazy things to your persona, and I have no doubt that once I meet a rational conservative like yourself in a different context, we'll all get along.
Finally, you lament the days when people of different stripes and political persuasions could argue during the day and go out for drinks later....
I don't know if the conservative blogs are mentioning or defending this:
"Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers," Rove said. "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war.... Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies.... No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals," Rove said.
That was said by the Chief Political Advisor and the President's chief strategist Karl Rove. The White House has fully defended Rove's remarks.
I'm not much for dramatic pronouncements but that is what I feel I am dealing with when I post on my blog and defend my Democratic and liberal identity. Any intolerance that might be projected can be attributed to an emotional reaction to repeated statements similar to the ones above, by the people running our country.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Puppies and ice cream!!!
I by no means want to end our spirited political debate, but I think I might relegate the continued discussion to the comments sections unless there's a new line of philosophy that the discussion inspires me to express. I think its way to schizophrenic to be talking about America-sanctioned torture in all its gory details and then switch over to something mundane. So let the "banter" continue. But let's all take a break...
I don't know if you know about NPR's A Prairie Home Companion, but I got to see it live last Saturday night. When my family still lived in Oklahoma, Dad told me about the show that was broadcast there that had some anti-Bush yarns that were so offensive that the public station down there cancelled this 30-year old show the next day after many subscribers complaints. Poor stupid REPUBLICAN Oklahoma... if they can't stand the liberal tyrades of Garrison Keillor (the mild-mannered host of Prairie Home Companion) I guess they have to look for humor elsewhere... yuck, politics sneaking up again... Anyone knows if its back on there?
So anybody it was really neat to see live and I saw at Ravinia Festival park. I got to take the Metro regional train for the first time which stops right at the festival gate on show nights. For a lawn ticket you can either sit on the grass and have a picnic while listening to the show on speakers, or you can stand at the very back of the outdoor theater and lean on an uncomfortable bar for 2 hours. It's not a bad deal and there was enough different skits and songs going on to not get too tired standing.
And now to make this post completely innocent here are some picture(s) of my cute little cousins. I only have 5 cousins on both sides total, so indulge me please. These ones are 10, 6, and 1.
awwww, actually that photos kind of tiny but I didn't take them. They live in Republican North Carolina... but are not Republicans, thank God. Well, my uncle is definitely not.
That's Corrie, Russell, and Dinah on the couch there. My Grandma just visited and says Russell's a huge baby and doesn't cry... he growls. Growling at his infant awareness of President Bush and how his policies are destroying his future country.
There I go again... anyway, you ladies out there can submit comments about how adorable my family is, ones there are devoid of any political bias.
Have a good Monday night.
I don't know if you know about NPR's A Prairie Home Companion, but I got to see it live last Saturday night. When my family still lived in Oklahoma, Dad told me about the show that was broadcast there that had some anti-Bush yarns that were so offensive that the public station down there cancelled this 30-year old show the next day after many subscribers complaints. Poor stupid REPUBLICAN Oklahoma... if they can't stand the liberal tyrades of Garrison Keillor (the mild-mannered host of Prairie Home Companion) I guess they have to look for humor elsewhere... yuck, politics sneaking up again... Anyone knows if its back on there?
So anybody it was really neat to see live and I saw at Ravinia Festival park. I got to take the Metro regional train for the first time which stops right at the festival gate on show nights. For a lawn ticket you can either sit on the grass and have a picnic while listening to the show on speakers, or you can stand at the very back of the outdoor theater and lean on an uncomfortable bar for 2 hours. It's not a bad deal and there was enough different skits and songs going on to not get too tired standing.
And now to make this post completely innocent here are some picture(s) of my cute little cousins. I only have 5 cousins on both sides total, so indulge me please. These ones are 10, 6, and 1.
awwww, actually that photos kind of tiny but I didn't take them. They live in Republican North Carolina... but are not Republicans, thank God. Well, my uncle is definitely not.
That's Corrie, Russell, and Dinah on the couch there. My Grandma just visited and says Russell's a huge baby and doesn't cry... he growls. Growling at his infant awareness of President Bush and how his policies are destroying his future country.
There I go again... anyway, you ladies out there can submit comments about how adorable my family is, ones there are devoid of any political bias.
Have a good Monday night.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
submitted with as little comment as possible
From Daily Kos in the context of Senator Durbin's recent controversial remarks.
A quote by Avi Schlaim, an Israeli historian, on the issue of comparisons to Nazi Germany (in this instance referring to Israeli government and military leaders, but the parallel works here as well):
The issue isn't whether or not we are the same as the Nazis, the issue is that we aren't different enough.
If we're in the process of creating a hierarchy of improper state-supported detention and torture and we're creating a scale from 1 to 10, where any number above 0.0 is something that should never be done by any civilized country ever, then Nazi concentration camps are an 11.0 and Gitmo is say... 0.8. If sadistic torture of prisoners is / was practiced and encouraged and if the Gitmo prisoners are imprisoned as long as the war on terror is being conducted, is it no mere POW camp or detention facility, it is more awful than that, and approaching, though far FAR from equaling, a Nazi regime. I declare myself guilty of overblown rhetoric. But U.S. policy towards enemy combatants is not different enough from the Nazis right now.
An excerpt of an FBI report from Senator Durbin's speech:
"On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times they urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18-24 hours or more. On one occasion, the air conditioning had been turned down so far and the temperature was so cold in the room, that the barefooted detainee was shaking with cold....On another occasion, the [air conditioner] had been turned off, making the temperature in the unventilated room well over 100 degrees. The detainee was almost unconscious on the floor, with a pile of hair next to him. He had apparently been literally pulling his hair out throughout the night. On another occasion, not only was the temperature unbearably hot, but extremely loud rap music was being played in the room, and had been since the day before, with the detainee chained hand and foot in the fetal position on the tile floor."
This is not as medieval as Saddam's torture techniques. And yes, I was probably lumping together both Gitmo and Abu Gharib in my screed, bascially because the same interegators and trainers were shared between those facilities. From what I have heard, Gitmo prisoners were not treated as badly as those at Abu Gharib. But people have died in both facilities and they probably died in slow and painful ways. You've seen the Abu Gharib photos, right? Are you going deny what you have seen with your own two eyes? The guy with the bag on his head, standing on a platform with wires attached to his body? The naked pile of prisoners smeared in their own shit? The nightmarish wide grin of the female soldier and she poses by a photo of a clearly dead detainee. Are you adopting the conservative line that despite whatever evidence comes down the line, it's okay because "we're not as bad as Saddam"? Abu Gharib was the EXACT SAME FACILITY that Saddam used to torture people! Same geographical space. And rather than set an example by closing down Saddam's torture chambers, which seems to be the failsafe reason we went to war when evidence of no WMDs resurfaces again and again, we kept them open, and continued to torture and kill people! Let's go back to my ratings of facilities exemplifying the enjoyment and acceptance of torture and killing.
Gitmo - 0.8
Abu Gharib - 2.0
Saddam's prisons - 5.0
Nazi concentration camps - 11.0
Okay? I hate rating it this way, but Gitmo is not AS BAD as a concentration camp. But according to my moral view, anything past 0.0 on this thereotical scale is unacceptable.
And finally I mostly get upset at Powerline because of the conservative personalities that are exemplified by their rhetoric. Lyon, I've already provided you with clips and excerpts that I have observed on their worldview. They have drawn a line that have said almost all Democrats and liberals are aiding terrorists. I will be the first to admit that I'm reading Powerline through a liberal filter, but those guys have already demonstrated through their words and actions that they have a mentality behind their words and statements that I can't treat as a legitimate political view. A banner ad for an "I Love Gitmo" t-shirt on their blog? Okay, you're conservatives promoting a stupid conservative message. But telling readers to wear a shirt close to their heart? It goes beyond political discussion to being just plain obnoxious and have absurdly misplaced priorities on supporting actions that help our troops.
[exhale]
A quote by Avi Schlaim, an Israeli historian, on the issue of comparisons to Nazi Germany (in this instance referring to Israeli government and military leaders, but the parallel works here as well):
The issue isn't whether or not we are the same as the Nazis, the issue is that we aren't different enough.
If we're in the process of creating a hierarchy of improper state-supported detention and torture and we're creating a scale from 1 to 10, where any number above 0.0 is something that should never be done by any civilized country ever, then Nazi concentration camps are an 11.0 and Gitmo is say... 0.8. If sadistic torture of prisoners is / was practiced and encouraged and if the Gitmo prisoners are imprisoned as long as the war on terror is being conducted, is it no mere POW camp or detention facility, it is more awful than that, and approaching, though far FAR from equaling, a Nazi regime. I declare myself guilty of overblown rhetoric. But U.S. policy towards enemy combatants is not different enough from the Nazis right now.
An excerpt of an FBI report from Senator Durbin's speech:
"On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times they urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18-24 hours or more. On one occasion, the air conditioning had been turned down so far and the temperature was so cold in the room, that the barefooted detainee was shaking with cold....On another occasion, the [air conditioner] had been turned off, making the temperature in the unventilated room well over 100 degrees. The detainee was almost unconscious on the floor, with a pile of hair next to him. He had apparently been literally pulling his hair out throughout the night. On another occasion, not only was the temperature unbearably hot, but extremely loud rap music was being played in the room, and had been since the day before, with the detainee chained hand and foot in the fetal position on the tile floor."
This is not as medieval as Saddam's torture techniques. And yes, I was probably lumping together both Gitmo and Abu Gharib in my screed, bascially because the same interegators and trainers were shared between those facilities. From what I have heard, Gitmo prisoners were not treated as badly as those at Abu Gharib. But people have died in both facilities and they probably died in slow and painful ways. You've seen the Abu Gharib photos, right? Are you going deny what you have seen with your own two eyes? The guy with the bag on his head, standing on a platform with wires attached to his body? The naked pile of prisoners smeared in their own shit? The nightmarish wide grin of the female soldier and she poses by a photo of a clearly dead detainee. Are you adopting the conservative line that despite whatever evidence comes down the line, it's okay because "we're not as bad as Saddam"? Abu Gharib was the EXACT SAME FACILITY that Saddam used to torture people! Same geographical space. And rather than set an example by closing down Saddam's torture chambers, which seems to be the failsafe reason we went to war when evidence of no WMDs resurfaces again and again, we kept them open, and continued to torture and kill people! Let's go back to my ratings of facilities exemplifying the enjoyment and acceptance of torture and killing.
Gitmo - 0.8
Abu Gharib - 2.0
Saddam's prisons - 5.0
Nazi concentration camps - 11.0
Okay? I hate rating it this way, but Gitmo is not AS BAD as a concentration camp. But according to my moral view, anything past 0.0 on this thereotical scale is unacceptable.
And finally I mostly get upset at Powerline because of the conservative personalities that are exemplified by their rhetoric. Lyon, I've already provided you with clips and excerpts that I have observed on their worldview. They have drawn a line that have said almost all Democrats and liberals are aiding terrorists. I will be the first to admit that I'm reading Powerline through a liberal filter, but those guys have already demonstrated through their words and actions that they have a mentality behind their words and statements that I can't treat as a legitimate political view. A banner ad for an "I Love Gitmo" t-shirt on their blog? Okay, you're conservatives promoting a stupid conservative message. But telling readers to wear a shirt close to their heart? It goes beyond political discussion to being just plain obnoxious and have absurdly misplaced priorities on supporting actions that help our troops.
[exhale]
