Recent Discoveries...

Read any good books lately? Particularly, I'm referring to polemics(?) Recently, I finished Paul Martin: CEO For Canada? by Murray Dobbin. Also, I started reading another book I bought a few years ago called The Last Guardians by Paul Pelango. I'm almost halfway finished at the moment, but I notice a recurring theme in polemics lately, that governments have adopted the buisiness model and a business approach to absolutely everything.

I believe that it's an old expression to run such and such a thing "as a buisiness" meaning professionally and organized, but I really don't think that it was meant to be taken literally for EVERYTHING! I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but it does seem that the business and corporate way of thinking is thisclose to taking over everything. It's sort of a reverse Red Scare, back in the '40s and '50s that people had gotten it into their heads that the communists had in fact taken over the government, and we just didn't know who they were.

I have no great love for communism myself, since it has caused immesurable destruction and terror in the world, and I'm suprised that some people still stand by it. Forget about the Stalinists, I'm talking about the more moderate commies who say that real communism has never actually been tried. That may be the case, but I'm sure that is the line that the neo-cons are saying about capitalism. Well, I haven't actually heard any of them say it yet, but they probably will eventually, whetether they believe it themselves or not.

They Are The Walrus
 
I recently read an article in the October edition of Walrus magazine explaining Stephen Harper. Up till then, I just didn't know what all the fuss was about him, I figured that anything is better than Stockwell Day. It turns out, though, that Harper is as radical as Day and not a little bit more politically savvy. Also, Mr. Harper is part of the neo-con movement, and actually here in Canada the neo-cons have their very own puppetmaster, a political Svengali if you will, our own equivalent of Karl Rove. His name is Tom Flanagan in case you didn't know.

No, he's not the liar character that Jon Lovitz played on SNL, but he is nonetheless American born, and as ardent a believer in the capitalist orthodoxy as anyone ever was. He is a professor of the University of Calgary, whose Political Science Department is the de facto Canadian headquarters of the neo-con movement. Until I read the Walrus article, I thought that Paul Martin was the final nail in the coffin for Canada, but I don't think he will be. He'll probably be the penultimate nail, but Harper would be the final nail. That's how I feel about the neo-cons, they do scare the hell out of me. But why? Ask, and I will answer.

So who delivered the first nails in the coffin? My guess is the first government to adopt a business approach to government. So who's government was that? Paul Pelango's explanation would suprise you. It was apparently just after Diefenbaker was defeated, when the recommendations of the Glassco Commission called for a more businesslike approach to government. Unless I'm mistaken, he said that the Mike Pearson government took the first steps in that direction, and that it really took off under Trudeau. That's right, PIERRE Trudeau.

Pelango was a fan of his until he did the research for writing his book, which I think came out around the turn of the millenium. I had gotten the book because I had heard of the RCMP's ineffectiveness in enforcing white collar crime. I won't go into that here, but he called a chapter of his book "The Trudeau Effect", which was enlightening if not depressing. So far, it seems that Trudeau was the first prime minister to adopt the business approach of government, and that Mulroney, Chretien, and now Martin were natural successors that continued on the exact same path that their predecessor had left off. In short, God help us.

This n' That III

Who saw that National documentary on Monday? So how about Brian Mulroney? Is he really as bad as some people say he is? I have serious doubts, not that I'm a fan, but he definitely had some human qualities.

I just read the most fascinating novel, and it appears that I'm the only one who ever heard of it. It is called "Night of the Generals", which is about Nazi officers, one in particular, who seems to be a reincarnation of Jack the Ripper. It starts out as a "whodunit", but takes many unexpected turns. But is it a true story? I would like to know.

Here are a couple of articles by Fareed Zakaria, an enlightening look at who is really responsible for the U.N., and some good news, or overly optamistic hope for Iraq. Hopefully the Left will be good sports about it.

What's the story?

Memories of Pierre Berton. Bow ties and mutton chops. He was one of those people who seemed to be on CBC every day, or every week at the least, like Tommy Hunter and Stompin' Tom. Sadly, I never really appreciated his work. If anyone can make Canadian history interesting, it had to have been him.

So what is this guy trying to say? Being somewhat American is inevitable really. Doesn't 80% of our populus live within 200 miles of the American border? Also, did Tucker Carlson really say those things? If so, our paths had better not cross.

This throws a bit of cold water on the abstinence-only sex education that Bush is so high on. I won't say that it's all wrong, just mostly wrong.

Deconstructing Bruckheimer

There is an apparent decline in R rated movies, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but one would hope for better quality. Here's some good news about Jerry Bruckheimer.

Here's a guide on how to write essays, a book review of a rabid believer in globalization, and the fall of intellectualism.

Not to be taken seriously

Does the name David Grimes sound familiar? He's someone who looks at the lighter side of politics from the conservative point of view. Are you mad yet? He wrote a piece last Sunday warning disgruntled Democrats about the folly of the apparent liberal exodus, particularly to Canada. Sure he didn't paint a nice picture of Canada, but are you so thin-skinned to take what he says to heart? Haven't you said worse things about America and Americans? I thought so.

If there are any left-leaning Americans reading this, I say "Take heart". Don't leave, you are still needed there. Stay and fight for the America you believe in.

This n' That again

Some good news for Muslims. A publishing link, and a differing view on sovereignty. Journalist and former chat show host on smoothing over the rifts in her personal life. A word of advice, if you're in Fallujah, try not to get sick.

Here at home, apparently, Paul Martin has finally had enough of Carolyn Parrish. I agree with his decision certainly, but I question his motives, or at least his timing.

For Air Farce veteran John Morgan, R.I.P.

Cartesian Logic

A couple of times since 9/11, I have been forced to re-examine the roots of anti-Americanism, mostly my own. So I have tried to start with a clean slate, and try to understand it in a way I can explain to people, American or not.

Rene Descartes, the French (!) philosopher, invented the modern idea of individualism, and the ethos of the U.S.A. is based on that. In America, you're on your own. If you're successful, great. If you're not, it's your own fault. They were slow to catch on the socialist reforms of Europe, like welfare and unionized labor. They are, as the Irish would say, "Sinn Fein (ourselves alone)". And of course, there's the idealizing of the market by Adam Smith. Not to idealize European or Canadian standards, but I'm glad to be living where I am and I don't want Canada to be any more Americanized (hear that Mr. Martin?)

Mulroney has some good (!) advice for George W. Bush.

A new war story, quickly forgotten
 
There's a new book coming out about Canada's peacekeeping operation. It's had a checkered past in the last ten or so years, but this is one apparantly worth remembering. Peacekeepers who were in an impossible situation in the former Yugoslavia. It should break some stereotypes.

Note to Quebec seperatists: you have not seperated yet.

Pride

So what did I learn in school today? What one person believes is the main theme of Christianity. I should have known this having grown up Catholic. But in short, here they are:

• Everybody has limitations
• Be humble

So off the top of your head, who does this NOT sound like? Hint: there's a 'W' in his name. There was a faint hope on my part that Bush will not continue as he has been going, but this article by the Globe and Mail doesn't sound hopeful. OK, so he may re-instate the draft. But even then, his resources are increasingly limited, and he won't let little things like facts stand in his way. He can flex all the military muscle he wants, but he cannot and will not win anyone over with brute force. Weakness and exhaustion will happen eventually. God help us.

Here at home
 
How stupid is this? Public servants being ordered to undergo French immersion training just before they retire? I actually agree with it when you're younger. But truly, what good is it when you're retiring?! Complete waste of time and money.

It's not the end of the world ... yet?

So much to talk about today. The obvious thing is to start with the election. The American people have spoken. Personally, I thought that the government needed to be changed, but a slight but undisputed majority disagreed. There won't be any of that killer suspense this time. So as to yesterday's prophecies, how many did I get right?

• Bush will win again --- right
• It won't be as close as before --- right
• The majority will not rule --- wrong
• Charges of "gerrymandering" --- apparently wrong

I'm batting about .500 at the moment. The other set of predictions are for the long term, at the end of his second term, he will end up almost universally hated, as Mulroney was here.

I don't know if Kerry could have done any better, or any different. However, I would like to address any Democrats reading this. My advice is, take the high road, even when, particularly when the Republicans are being poor sports. You'll get some much needed moral points back.

My advice to Bush and Co.: if you care even a bit, you'd better make election reform an important topic, you can start by trashing that ridiculous Electoral College. And you can take some lessons from the Mexicans.

I'm only going to say this once...

Back to the Dems, and to all people living abroad, should my long-term predictions come to pass, we could all say to those of whom voted for Bush's second term,

"You voted for him, we didn't!"

On the other hand, a bit of good news. A tiny bit I think, although they could do better...

Back at the home front

What can you say about Immigration Minister Judy Sgro? More importantly, what is her problem? It's not like there's whole villages hiding out in church basements. The immigration department appears to be near broken, and in desperate need of fixing.

So Dalhousie University has cloned some fruit flies. I wonder, was that a one-time fluke like Dolly the sheep, and more importantly, will it lead to anything?

Que sera sera

The blogiverse (?) seems to really be busy today. The Truth Laid Bear site is down, Unfortunately, as I write this, I seem to have little audience. Then again, I still have to explain to most people I meet what a "blog" is.

Here's a couple of columns by Greg Weston. The first is an open letter to Alfonso Gagliano in response to his own, the other is an even more personal ode to Sheila Copps.

To the inevitable...
 
My prediction, the election system being what it is, is that Bush will win again. It won't be as close as before, but the majority will not rule. We will hear the word "gerrymandering" a lot. Pray that I'm wrong, and also that there won't be lawyers involved as in the last election.
 
I don't think that I'll feel any safer no matter who wins, but if Bush wins again, I predict that America will still be far and away the richest and most powerful country in the world, even though it will be fiscally insolvent. The time will be just right for revolution. How many predictions so far? What percentage will be proven right? I'll have to keep track of that.

If there's any good news about today, it's this, and that.

At Least I'm Not A Microbe

Pretty strong comeback, huh? (Note: I never say eh!) The title of this post refers to the fact that I have just joined TruthLaidBear.com (link is in the sidebar) and they have just ranked me, well, see for yourself.

So the "haunted hose" are no more, well, at least they're not red anymore. I couldn't be happier for Terry Francona, who's playing career with the Montreal Expos (R.I.P) started off with such promise.

On to more serious issues...
 
I saw part of a "town hall meeting" on CBC the other night, which was held in a town in Pennsylvania, and it got me thinking, the current government has really made a mess of things overseas. I'm tempted to call George W. Bush "The Teflon President" because he's been allowed to get away with so much, then again, that's what they said about Clinton. However, Bush does seem to be strong and decisive, and so what if he continually makes mistakes, refuses to learn from them and makes the rest of the world hate him? Kerry, though, does not impress me too much, he does come across as inconsistent and unpredictable. If he should happen to win, it will probably be the "at least he's not W" vote. Many people who are not impressed with Bush would probably like to stick with "the devil that they know". I guess when you look at it like that, the choice is not so clear cut.
Many of you seem to think along the lines of Venezuelans, "He may be an idiot, but he's OUR idiot!" as I believe one pro-Chavez protester said. One thing that you as Americans should think about is the 22nd Amendment. If Kerry is elected, you will be able to vote him out in the next election. If Bush is re-elected, he won't be allowed to run again, unless he decides to, well, you know what I'm getting at.
Think about it, if Bush didn't do whatever he wanted and care about the repercussions in his first term, just imagine what he'll do in his next term. For him, tomorrow will never come anyway, so what the hell...

More on Dubya, some dirt on Halliburton, and remember, the outcome is still far from certain.

Closer to home...
 
So the provinces and territories have received $28 billion in so-called equalization payments. It sound like a lot of money, but doesn't it seem that Ontario is the only place that is satisfied with it? Isn't that always the case? Well, Alberta also seems satisfied, but do they really need any handouts from the federal government? Aren't they the only debt free province? Just asking.

So now the feds are cutting funds to the RCMP and CSIS. As if they needed any more cuts. I'm feeling less and less secure all the time. Does anyone feel the same way?

Lastly, the wheels of justice apparently need to be replaced. We can only hope that Stephen Truscott's pardon won't be posthumous. 

Pundits on both sides should take note

Aren't you tired of all the half-truths, personal attacks, and raving emotionalism that seems to go with political discourse these days? I sure am.

To our Mexican neighbors, I'd like to ask, "Can a party stay in power too long?" I think so, though some of you may disagree. I have nothing personal against the PRI, but my concern is if you elect them again, you may never get rid of them.

Still on the subject of fighting the power, how about those Red Sox? It would be nice if they could break the curse, but history, near and far, shows that they had better not be complacent until the FINAL out!

First, a modest proposal

This is an idea by a columnist at the Guardian, which I do not think is meant to be taken seriously, but you can see his point, even if you do not agree with it; so please do not take it that way.

Still on the subject, here is what most foreign people think about George W. Bush. Mr. Margolis seems to have some interesting things to say about the people who support him, check him out. If you are a God-fearing person like me, you should probably pray for deliverance.

On the other hand, some good news. You can raise a glass to the Egyptians for their success in stopping a morbid tradition.

In a more good news/bad news vein, this is what experts think of the direct link between poverty and terrorism.

Here is a Slate investigation (for lack of a better word) on who Americans should dislike more, the Saudis or the French? 

Did anyone check out any part of the Press Gallery Dinner last night? It was unreal to see Adrienne Clarkson ham it up the way she did, with help from Margaret Atwood no less. No link here, had trouble finding any.

I have an answer...

In my last post I wrote about that letter writing campaign by the British tabloid "The Guardian". I have a response to many of the critics of that, as well as their vulgarisms. This post on the politics section in BlogsCanada is about the voter apathy or flip-floppery (for lack of a better term) of the American electorate. I do not want to officially endorse either Bush or Kerry, but I would appreciate if more American people just got off their butts, make that small trip to the polling station and just VOTE! The apparent belief is that their vote does not count. In most cases in America, it's probably true, but if you are in one of those swing states, heck, even if you're not, you have the privilege that people abroad do not have, even though that small piece of paper pretty much determines the fate of the rest of us. Remember what happened in the last election? How close it was and what happened in Florida? How can we forget? If you are a voter in Florida, did you not feel an increased amount of importance? If it was not one vote that made the difference, it could have been one hundred or less. Even though you are just only one person, you were a part of something of earth moving significance. Look what had happened in Vermont not long after that. A single senator tipped the balance and took the majority away from the Republicans. In short, I want to respond to those simple-minded people who would tell me just to MYOB. We non-Americans do have a say, just not a direct say. It is our business in a sense that whom you decide who is going to be in the White House in the next four years will have repercussions for just about everyone in the world, no matter where they are. We cannot make you vote in whatever way we want or even make you vote. Speaking for myself, I would not want to, but my main concern is that you Americans keep your democracy and do not destroy it. If you are going to run the world I would much rather it be by a democracy. That's all about that. Here's a loosely related topic, a link related to consumerism.

So what's Bill been up to?

First, a relatively old link concerning avid coffee drinkers like me. Swiftly changing gears here, with mature subject and language warnings. What if I could change American politics singlehandedly, what if I could change even one swing voter? Would I have the right? I have no easy answer for that, but the British rag "The Guardian" is trying to do so. Something called Operation Clark County, where British people try to get the addresses of people living in Clark County, Ohio and try to dissuade people from voting for the current president. Today's Altercation contains some of the responses the publication and British people have received. Have I mentioned language warnings? (Note the most graphic prose comes from right-wing conservatives). Still on the subject of dirty right-wingers check out how Bill O'Reilly gets his kicks. You'll have to scroll down a bit, and you might want to check out the legal documents shown on the Smokinggun.com website contained therein. More on O'Reilly.

Yeah, I know...

The focus on this blog has been more on American politics and American websites, seemingly betraying my subheading. Still, I feel transfixed to American politics, particularly the debate tonight. However, Parliament has started again, so there should be some news there, particularly with the navy. This is a leap of Orwellian logic by someone at Newsweek. It had me until he said that the U.S. has become the global "thought police". The U.S. is many things, and aspires to be other things, but IMHO, it cannot control world opinion. That's the last thing it's able to do and I could not find a solid link in the article. What do you think? A bit more sensible is this article by someone named Jonathan Alter. No, he does not have the Altercation blog, it's an easy enough mistake to make. What he says is what I have been saying privately for quite some time. Here's everything you always wanted to know about Dick Cheney, according to the Fifth Estate. It's usually a reliable news source, hopefully there are no mistakes and fallacies in reporting like what happened at CBS. Another matter of concern particularly for Americans, media literacy, as seen by two men, one of whom is a Jesuit priest. No, you can't dismiss what he has to say on that basis, he does have some deeply relevant things to say. Far and away, and closer to home, some things you should probably know about the sitting prime minister. Because the media here has been trying to bury this story.

Bad luck with drafts

A small oops for Bush-Blair. I thought that they could have waited, instead they jumped the gun in their search for WMD. But there's a ray of hope for the American people, they are starting to understand that they need to work with the world, not through it. And here's a different view on the American Dream, and why Americans should hope that people abroad believe in it. An explanation as to where the Left made a wrong turn, or who they are supposed to represent. My post was somewhat delayed, for the reasons stated in the title. A couple of things that I wanted to point out were that Opus the penguin is getting his first feature length film, but the circumstances under which it began are a bit auspicious. It will be bemade by CGI, which seems a bit dehumanizing. Hopefully it won't look too computerized. Also, CGI movies have crapped out. Unlike films like the Toy Story movies, the Shrek movies, and Finding Nemo, the one in current release, Shark Tale, is the first movie of it's kind that falls short, an explanation is too much star power.

Got game? Not anymore!

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for... for six years now? It's truly a sad day in Canada if you care anything about sports, but in a way it's almost a relief. The Expos franchise has been living on a few years of borrowed time anyway and it's almost a relief to see them go. No more anxious waiting and hoping to see if its fortunes will get any better. But look at where they're going. Washington D.C.! Out of the frying pan... Here's a modest proposal for Canadian cinema. From A & L, an inspirational portrait of a Russian writer, and a long post of the beginning of modernism as we know it, according to one man, another long post, which doesn't matter if you can't read it anyway, and the American government's report. One review of one person's explanation of the decline of journalistic standards (strangely no mention of Geraldo Rivera), and what was so great about Che Guevera anyway? One detractor's view. Any memories you would like to share about the Expos? Feel free to say so.

Still in the pits

The school paper forgot to include the right link. Small details, I guess, so apparantly it's just me reading this for now. So I got to meet retired amateur boxer Rickey Anderson on Sunday at the Word On The Street Festival, where he was reading from a book he had written. Plenty of inspirational stuff in there. Also, I bought a bunch of things, like a new bag and T-shirt and a bunch of magazines. I don't know if I'll ever get around to reading them. Afterward, I walked up to Park Lane, where I saw some short documentaries. A couple of them affected me in a sort of personal way, one nearly put me to sleep. It was the one on bluegrass music here on the east coast. I don't wish to disrespect it in any way as an art form, it's just a little slow for my taste. The first two docs involved people with whom I am acquainted with. One was by someone who documented her grandmother's recovery from a fall, which showed her brothers who are local musicians, and the other one was about the "Jest In Time" troupe. One of them is a cousin of a cousin, and I saw one of their shows, but I must confess that I didn't get it. Tuesday, I went to some other short films. This time, they were not docs, well, a couple of mock-docs, one of which goofed on a certain Mr. MacIsaac, the other was an admittedly lame, cliche ridden short about a boy born with one eye in the centre. As for the others, one was a disturbing and surrealistic portrait of a family tragedy, ... and one which I can't really comment on because it involved some people I know personally. As to what's going online at the moment, first, an excerpt from Jon Stewart's new book. It's LOL without compromising history (not too badly anyway). John Kerry is taking a position and sticking to it, but the day is not over yet, George W. Bush's apparently pure intent, not compromised by facts, and just how bad of a waffler is Kerry anyway? Here is a back and forth memo between two scribes, one on either side. The speech W gave the other day was not as bad as last years'. On the other hand, a ray of hope, and an example hopefully others will follow.

No title today

I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Annan. While the Gulf War may have been a lot of things, one thing it wasn't was illegal. Even though it is increasingly clear that Saddam had only intended to restart his weapons programme, but wasn't able to. So what am I to make of Harper's Magazine?Apparently it's getting too extreme. Here's a book review of someone who seems a little too sure of himself, a tract of someone who believes in social safety nets, much to the consternation of free market purists; a view of Michael Moore from a truly egalitarian source, and what does Islam really need anyway?

What I learned in school today

Dr. Peter March asked why anybody bothers to get married, because as an institution, it doesn't really work. I often think that myself. People change too much over time, and ultimately grow apart. Actually, I've often thought about settling down and having some children myself, just not anytime in the near future. I would need to be totally self-dependant and be able to provide a stable home like I had. In the meantime, I'm happy being single and there seems to be no stigma attached to it these days. Changing gears, this is a review about a book on Abu Ghraib, which apparantly does not answer one important question, but does the reviewer condone torture? What do you think?

OOPS! Classes start tomorrow (for me, the day after)

Apparently, I read something wrong, again. I was worried that I was getting late for class even though I was sure that I was in the right place. So I had to go to the info desk to ask where my class was, but it was she who told me that classes actually begin tomorrow. Ah well. Today's menu consists of: a positive review on a book on the Holocaust which tries to explain how it happened as opposed to why, second, what I consider to be a very important history lesson, a really independant voice, sometimes so independant he feels defensive and alienated from everyone, and another independant with his counter-point. This is a convincing argument for American hegemony by Niall Ferguson, even though the U.S. tends not to learn even from her own history, and an interview of Peter Singer. On Newsweek, some other dissenting views on what I believe to be a guerilla type of war, where the rules of engagement do not apply, and an apparently empty vision by Dubya, the cause of the spike in oil prices that has nothing to do with the Saudis, and where did the occupation of Iraq go right anyway?

School's in, next Tuesday

I'm registered for two courses this coming semester, and the next semester as well, and my mind is more ready than ever. It already feels like fall outside, and it wasn't even that good a summer. Oh well, 'tis time to begin anew. From Arts and Leters Daily, a roofing contractor in Brooklyn, NY makes a case against the gun lobby, not that he intended to, it's just that he was suprised with the ease with which he was able to acquire high-powered weapons and ship them to the former Yugoslavia, the appearance of impotence or indifference of world powers of Iran's quest to get the Bomb, and the often quotable Winston Churchill, a man whom I admire greatly, but with serious reservations. One of which is quite relevant at the present time, his opinion on Arabs and Iraq. So who the hell is Leo Strauss, and why does he have such a devout and powerful following? This is one man's unflattering opinion, and an ongoing saga of a tale of two countries, which increasingly seem to have more similarities than differences.

Hopefully, a detente between Left and Right

First, an interview by MotherJones magazine of Niall Ferguson (!) I may have been loathe to admit it a year or so ago, but much of what he says makes sense. A nuanced view of feminism, Superwoman v/ Supermom, an informed POV on 3/11 in Madrid, somewhat convoluted beliefs on Islam, a long philosophical treatise on mind and body, and reviews on books critical of the current Bush regime, which I have not had a chance to finish as of this writing, because it's a really looong piece.

Waiting for Jason

First, a long piece on literary criticism, second; some healthy skepticism about the environmental movement, and finally today, a sort of re-emergence of the Left.

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Spent last night at Mom and Dad's. Did a little socializing (probably too good a word for it) at Boston Pizza. Just drank a large mug of beer and played video games (not VLTs, haven't touched those in 5 years.

Today, I delivered a couple of letters, had some coffee and a samosa at a new fair trade place on Barrington Street. It's a good day to be indoors. Have more business to take care of in the city. I just learned today that I can be as bold as I want, as long as I'm not disappointed or crumble like a card castle. It's not enough I have to pretend, I have to and can not look let down. Be stoic and indifferent. Whatever, big deal!

What's still there right now, some book reviews, beginning with: a bit of left-wing sanctimony, a normally cool-headed right winger loses it, a review by Terry Eagleton on the seeming compatibility of fascism and capitalism, a mostly good book about how "The war to end all wars" still affects us today, and a bad polemic from someone whom you can't tell which side he's on anyway.

Here's a convincing argument as to why the continent of Africa is still going south. And some optimism, or is it manicness?

This n' that

Been having some trouble lately with my palm pilot. It should have backup power or something in case I don't replace my batteries fast enough. I was sure that I had recently backed up my information on Dad's computer, and that the files were synchronized, but I had forgotten to check my date book. Anyway, I found this fascinating link (or at least, fascinating to me) about whether Shakespeare was really a racist and anti-Semite. I was taught that he was, but according to this article, both Shylock and Othello were fully fleshed out characters and not full blown, one-dimensional stereotypes. Others wrote that way at that time, but those beliefs did not really have a chance to develop until much later. Shakespeare was, well, I hate to use the word 'liberal' here, but he was not a bigot. At best, he believed in racial and sexual equality (Taming of the Shrew). Othello was painted as a gentleman whose main flaw was gullibility, and that was also the main fault of Marcus Brutus. Shylock was partly a stereotype, being a Jewish moneylender, and overall he was not a nice person, but he was no less than human, and there were earthly reasons he was the way he was.

And here's Woody Guthrie, with all his human failings. I've grown to like Pete Seeger better.

Mocking the Holocaust, from a Jewish perspective.

Lastly, I went to my childhood home where they were having a yard sale. I didn't bother to tell them that I used to live there, I just bought a CD off them. And it was on that day I went over to Mom and Dad's current abode and did what I thought was a complete updating of my Palm in case of emergency.

Free again

All my work is done for the year and my time is free again. Have to start looking for a job though and still not quite all better yet. In the meantime, some links I want to save, a radical turn for a Greenpeace co-founder, a fairly balanced and nuanced idea of McWorld v/ Jihad, and elitism taking a fictional hit.

After midnight

I've got a tonne of catching up to do. I have to read at least "Hearts of Darkness" and get started on my Poli-Sci essay. I spent much of the night reading something about the United Nations that started to arouse my suspicions. Then I saw that the domain name was sovereignty.com. According to that school of thought, THEY are all out to get us, that is, the people who support global governance. It's all a socialist plot, you're either with us, or your with them. George W. put it best.

I don't know if the Journal (the school paper) is going to publish my opinion piece (which did). If they do, it probably wouldn't be widely noticed, although it might get some almost violent reactions from the anti-American crowd. If there's one thing I want that article to accomplish, it's to stop people from being so anti-American, and to stop Americans from thinking that everyone is out to get them, although we should still maintain our right to disagree with them on major issues.

Not a month later

I have started research for my Poli-Sci essay. For one distraction, an online comic strip of dogs with conflicting instincts, a sign of the apocolypse that seems small today, and someone clueless at an advanced age. On a personal level, I couldn't find J... after class, or A..., or anyone for that matter.

Almost a month later

I finally got that damn English paper done, now I have a little time to myself and prepare to start my Political Science essay. In the meantime, some things I picked up that I want remembered. A non-Americentric American, a guy with a serious McProblem, a long-standing American myth that won't go away, and a living legend of modern thought.

Just a couple of things before I go

Get a load of Max Boot, a guy who says that the world would be a better place if dominated by the American power. He says that the UN is ineffective, which I believe it is, but I don't even think that his solution is for the birds. Also worth checking out, Niall Ferguson. Also, don't want to have anymore trouble finding Timothy Noah's Whoppers.