Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Monday, November 07, 2005
Coast to coast election news
hey everyone
not so well today. going to read thru the last couple of days and see what you have been up to in my absence.
burroughs is obviously of the ‘f*ck-up’ theory of history in that all the shit that happens is by accident and not design.
not sure about that personally.
Posted by michael (feeling rubbish) on from scotland 11/07 at 06:04 AMI don’t agree with the Burroughs line but I can understand how he might feel that way, once you establish the norms in a society it basically runs itself and you can watch the people police themselves. That said, it is a great quote and currently I’m writing about a similar theme for the Nano so cheers M. Here’s my favourite Burroughs quote and get better soon Michael.
Listen to my last words anywhere. Listen to my last words any world. Listen all you boards syndicates and governments of the earth. And you powers behind what filth deals consummated in what lavatory to take what is not yours. To sell the ground from unborn feet forever –“Don’t let them see us. Don’t tell them what we are doing –”
Are these the words of the all-powerful boards and syndicates of the earth?
“For God’s sake don’t let that Coca-Cola thing out – ”
“Not The Cancer Deal with The Venusians –”
“Not the Green Deal – Don’t show them that –”
“Not the Orgasm Death –”
“Not the ovens –”
Listen: I call you all. Show your cards all players. Pay it all pay it all pay it all back. Play it all pay it all play it all back. For all to see. In Times Square. In Piccadilly.
Posted by Owen on from South France, quite serene 11/07 at 06:29 AMHey Owen and Michael (feel better, okay?). Yeah, the Burroughs quote got added on here after I heard it on a tape I found last night. I guess, considering the voting theme of the post, I liked this part: “The rulers of this most insecure of all worlds are rulers by accident. Inept, frightened pilots at the controls of a vast machine they cannot understand, calling in experts to tell them which buttons to push.”
Not the “accident” part, but everything else rang true.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 06:41 AMthere is an incredible film called ‘La Haine’ (hate) which is loosely based around riots in france in the early 90s. it is a stunning film and if you haven’t seen it get to the dvd place immediately
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 07:49 AMfor all the MZers who happen to write for various sites - if you happen to be mentioning our esteemed leader mr tony blair could you do us a favour and refer to him as the ‘prime Sinister’
thanks
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 08:08 AMThat Paris url isn’t coming up for me. Here’s a paper on biometrics in Iraq, it runs to 11 pages or so but if you haven’t got time, skip to ‘esoteric biometrics’
http://www.dahrjamailiraq.com/covering_iraq/archives//000277.php#morePosted by Owen on from Barcelona 11/07 at 08:34 AMi still haven’t begun the nano thing but i will definitely start tomorrow. in the meantime i have done some more tubthumping with a little guide to help all of you who are doing it (even though you have all done loads and i haven’t done anything yet!). i hope it helps.....
http://thumpingthetub.blogspot.com
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 09:05 AMGreat topic and well put together, as usual, Michael. I always love reading about how great writers write. I, of course, simply let the pencil or fingers fly and hope for the best.
Posted by JOS on from mi orgullo, Puerto Rico 11/07 at 10:24 AMGod damn it… I was going to try to pull my novel writing self together or improve my job situation somehow today, but after seeing the ex-terminator’s bitch tits like that in that photo,I think it’s the gym that I’m going to prioritize today; yuck…
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 11/07 at 10:53 AMHello all…
Not sure why the Paris link didn’t work, Owen, maybe try this: http://www.direland.typepad.com
Be back soon so I can “read” all your links.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 10:53 AMHey James. You know, I got to know Arnold a little bit in the 80s when he trained at the gym in which I worked and I’m astonished that he not only let himself go...but he walks around shirtless to prove it. However, another part of me admires his confidence. Been there, done that. No need to impress anyone anymore.
Still, for someone of my generation and someone from the fitness community, it’s “kind” of freaky.
Be back later…
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 11:15 AMis it true that some people are trying to get the rules changed so he can run for president or is it just made up?
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 11:54 AMGood day, Body Nazis!
I went away and thought about it before posting this, just to see if I wasn’t being over-sensitive to the issue of body image. It’s true, I am sensitive about it. But the blaring trumpets of judgment need a little counterpoint here.
I am all for disagreeing with Arnold on his politics...those views affect others in practical, real ways. But saying he’s “let himself go” or that he has “bitch tits” illustrates what about anything we, as bystanders and onlookers, should feel free to comment on?
I look a lot like that picture of Arnold. If you, James, saw me walking down the street you’d feel the same revulsion you express for Arnold, you’d judge me as whatever kind of person looks like this is in your world-view. You don’t know me. You don’t have any idea why I look the way I do. And, apparently, that doesn’t matter: I don’t look the way you do, so I am judged.
Does this sound familiar? Are there any other kinds of judgment that spring to mind when Iput it this way?
Yeah, I sound condescending and obnoxious, and I do so deliberately. I am hurt, and I am offended, and I expected better than this from the regulars here. “I didn’t know I was offending anyone” is no excuse at all...it simply means the speaker’s okay with hate as long as it’s kept under wraps. I’m out to change my mind, as I hope all who intend to grow into their best selves are. I am as guilty as the next guy of being judgmental, and so I work on not expressing it. Doesn’t work, of course, I spout off about the cretinous fans of AL teams, especially the Yank-mes, but the offense I might cause is to someone’s ego about something silly and frivolous.
Not about something our culture defines for us as important, and about which I as the judge and the jury have no personal knowledge. O’m pretty informed about the AL, and I feel competent to assess its merits and deficiencies. And, I stress again, it’s just a game, not significant to anyone who doesn’t agree to be a fan. Body image is inescapable. Its negative consequences are, apparently, of little inportance to you, James, and you, MZ.
I’ve had my say. I’ll drop this now.
Posted by Mudge on from Dear, dead Austin 11/07 at 12:04 PMI was really more just upset with myself for not getting any writing done and being out of work, and was taking spiteful comments out on Arnold w/o considering whatever other effects they’d have.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 11/07 at 12:31 PMWhich wasn’t any excuse but I was sorry if I offended anyone.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 11/07 at 12:35 PMYou did offend me, James, and huirt my feelings as well. I accept your general apology for saying something I found hurtful. No one is his best self all the time.
But please take my larger point. It’s not what you said that hurt me, but what it shows that you think...even if we met face-to-face now, I’d know for certain how you’d see me and what judgments were in your mind. Never mind ME, in other words, it’s my look that matters.
These are the issues I’d rather we discuss than my hurt feelings. Those will pass, and in any case matter only to me.
Posted by Mudge on from Dear, dead Austin 11/07 at 12:52 PMNo, really, that judgement wouldn’t be there; I’ve lived with people with such body issues and am generally sensitive to it; my mom’s been obese all her life and I’ve never thought less of her for it. Well, maybe I have, here and there, in a way a son gets confused by a less than perfect mother. And I’m smart enough to know that my own lean frame is largely due to genetics from my dad’s side. So I don’t know, my comment about Arnold was due either mostly from being in a careless bad mood, or also some at just how odd it appears for this guy who built his career on his fitness and not his acting talent or other such things (well I guess was okay in some movies, I don’t know) to just give up on it for whatever reason. So I do appreciate what you’re saying Mudge and wish I were more articulate today.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 11/07 at 01:05 PMMudge, you will allow me a response, of course. My comments about Arnold were, I believe, clearly within the context of how he has sold himself for decades. He’s all about “pump you up” and crap like that. Thus, using the phrase “letting himself go” reflects my shock at his choosing to maintain his fitness image in word only.
A “body Nazi” I am not. For better or for worse, most of my adult life has been spent in gyms. I know, firsthand, the value of staying in shape. This is not about impressing strangers on the beach. It’s quality of life.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 01:17 PMOn another note, dispatches from Paris:
http://sketchythoughts.blogspot.comPosted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 01:24 PMI was talking to a couple of locals down here in the south of France - you know when you can tell someone is just quoting teevee when expressing an opinion? so they said in that halfabsent way something like ‘the majority of people are behind the prime sinister in using all force necessary stamping out these incidents.’ Sound familiar?
On my stereo: Lou Reed ‘Strawman’
Posted by Owen on from a farmhouse, still no neighbours 11/07 at 02:20 PMNice song choice, Owen: “Does anybody need another self-righteous rock singer who nose, he says, has led him straight to god?”
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 02:22 PMjust watching all the french bit on the news here. saying its already started again in toulouse (its 8pm french time) and they r expecting more in paris and marseille tonight.
the prime sinister is about to make a speech. he is expected to announce a ‘twin-track’ strategy of listening to and addressing the rioters concerns and of arresting them!!
you COULDN’T make it up!
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 02:25 PMI’m wondering: is much being made, re: comparing these riots to May 1968? I’m not saying they’re the same, but I’m curious to see what analogies and comparisons have arisen.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 02:29 PMHi Folks -
Mudge - bless ya, Sir - and Mickey & James and anyone else here, bless you too… Hey, families argue, families fight, people who love each other offend each other, make mistakes, struggle, glow deep red with embarrassment, apologize, care, smile, shake hands… There was a very popular line in the `60’s - it was seen everywhere, on bumper stickers, posters, book covers:
“WE’RE ALL BOZOS ON THIS BUS!”What could be more true?
Re: Arnold.
He’s gotta be in his 60’s himself.
It’s not certain he’s let himself go at all.
My father sometimes hung out with a guy named Tony Viscio. Tony had been a professional boxer before he quit to work for the rest of his life in construction - generally in concrete, stone and block work. I shook Tony’s hand about 2 1/2 years ago, and his hands were like rock. He’s probably 83 or 84 right now, but you wouldn’t want to trade punches with Tony Viscio.
In the 1980’s, Tony was in his 60’s, like Arnold is now. Tony spent most of his spare time walking and riding a bicycle. You’d sometimes pass him on his bike 10 or 15 miles away from the neighborhood… he’d ride no hands, most of the time, up hill and down. He’d wave and call out your name with a big smile…
Anyway, all this is to say that - if you’ve ever done any concrete or block work, you know that the job IS lifting weights… Tony lifted weights for a living, and whenever he wasn’t at work, he did cardio for fun. In his sixties, as he rode his bike, he often took his shirt off in the summer, and his upper body looked like Arnold’s upper body does now.
The body sags and drifts earthward, and nothing short of surgery can stop it…
My first wife was very heavy. Yet, she attended aerobics classes 3X per week. One day, I met her at the “club” where she trained. I arrived early, and wandered around the hallway, outside the main room. I thought that she must have been in some “easy-newbie” group, and thought it was “cute” that she still did aerobics, despite her weight. Well, as I waited, I saw a sign that said she was in a class called - (let’s say) 5A.
Down the hall, there was a big board with descriptions of the classes. I read a description of one of the classes which said: “Very high energy, very advanced aerobic work class emphasizing all major muscle groups. Very stressful, very difficult class. This is our most vigorous gathering, and we recommend working your way up to it by attending our basic class, our general classes, our step-classes and our ultra classes before signing up.” Next to this description was the title: Class 5A.The body does what it does… sometimes because of what we do - but even more often, in spite of what we do..
I sure love everyone here, an awful lot…
Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/07 at 02:44 PMnot that i have seen. they mentioned the riots in the 90’s but its very much the episodic style of news reporting - no context or background - just like you were saying in the seven deadly..... they just did a debate about whehter or not the UK was any better in terms of integration issues(there were small riots in england last week but it was the black and asian communities fighting each other and not the police).
as i said before rent ‘la haine’ from the dvd shop asap if you want to know more.
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 02:46 PMThanks, Michael. As soon as I get a DVD player, I’ll check out that flick.
Hey Joe. You’re right, of course, about the body and how families can fight but get past it. I do feel bad about sending the wrong message. Also, I should have expressed my discomfort with the term “bitch tits.” I sincerely apologize for that and, as someone who knows James personally, I feel certain it was a typographical slip of the tongue on his part. That’s not an excuse for either of us...but an explanation nonetheless.
So, let me try again: Based on lots of experience, I’m assuming that Arnold is not training seriously anymore. Thus, his gimmick of leading by example is yet another political facade.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 02:57 PMslightly off-topic. its no coincidence that he is most famous for playing a robot. i am still sure that he is mechanically operated in some way
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 03:14 PMYes yes, really, I so completely woke up on the wrong side of the bed this afternoon and I don’t know where that phrase came from exactly so please do pardon my inane comments all around.
Yeesh-- ‘blood’. How does that captcha oracle thing work anyway?
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 11/07 at 03:23 PMAn amazing phrase at that Sketchy Thoughts Blog:
“IF you sow misery, you will reap anger.”
This should become our national motto, replacing such delightful phrases as “In God We Trust.”
It’s more appropriate, much more honest, and conveys volumes of information in 8 words…
Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/07 at 03:24 PMall western countries motto if they were being honest could be things like....
“if we think its worth it we’ll steal it”
“if you don’t thank us for punching you then we’ll start kicking you as well”the motto of the scottish army regiments is “no one provokes me with impunity” which is a bit rich considering that as part of the british army they were doing quite a bit of provoking in quite a few places for quite a few centuries.
i think your onto something with this Joe - lots of ideas spring to mind.
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 03:34 PMMichael, I thought of you when I saw this:
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.aspPosted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 03:49 PMaaarrghhh - parasites.
worse than the family themselves are the sychophants that follow in their wake.
they had a poll a while back and scotland was one of the few places in the UK where people thought it was time to get rid of this anachronistic nonsense.
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 03:54 PMoh no
i just looked at it and she is 80 next year. sycophancy levels will sky-rocket. sick bags at the ready. be prepared for two hour tv specials about what a tough old time it is being queen and how she deals with it brilliantly (by saying as little as possible!?). also how she helped us through the war (by staying in one of several of her mansions).
can i come to new york for a while? puerto rico? barcelona? if i stay here my head will explode.
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 04:00 PMWe have “Royals” here, Michael. They’re everywhere. They have the name Rockefeller or Kennedy or Bush or Daley or Cuomo - the list is endless, and endlessly growing and changing.
The US is, and has always been an Aristocracy, which has chosen to call itself: Democracy…Thus, we call the imposition of Nazi style trade regulation: Free Trade.
We call the destruction of trees and rivers and lakes and wildlife: Environmental Stewardship.
We call the invasion of sovereign nations:
Liberation.
We call the occupation of sovereign nations:
Concern.
We could - and perhaps should - work on this true dictionary of the American Language, from time to time.Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/07 at 04:19 PMthis is a long quote but worthwhile considering what you’ve just said joe....
“In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defence of the indefensible. Things like the continuance of British rule in India, the Russian purges and deportations, the dropping of the atom bombs on Japan, can indeed be defended, but only by arguments which are too brutal for most people to face, and which do not square with the professed aims of the political parties. Thus political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness. Defenceless villages are bombarded from the air, the inhabitants driven out into the countryside, the cattle machine-gunned, the huts set on fire with incendiary bullets: this is called pacification. Millions of peasants are robbed of their farms and sent trudging along the roads with no more than they can carry: this is called transfer of population or rectification of frontiers. People are imprisoned for years without trial, or shot in the back of the neck or sent to die of scurvy in Arctic lumber camps: this is called elimination of unreliable elements. Such phraseology is needed if one wants to name things without calling up mental pictures of them. Consider for instance some comfortable English professor defending Russian totalitarianism. He cannot say outright, “I believe in killing off your opponents when you can get good results by doing so.” Probably, therefore, he will say something like this:
While freely conceding that the Soviet regime exhibits certain features which the humanitarian may be inclined to deplore, we must, I think, agree that a certain curtailment of the right to political opposition is an unavoidable concomitant of transitional periods, and that the rigors which the Russian people have been called upon to undergo have been amply justified in the sphere of concrete achievement. “
will leave you to guess who that was.
no joke - my capture is f*ckin ‘british’
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 04:36 PMJust saw this and can’t comment on its veracity:
http://tinyurl.com/7fft7But would anyone be surprised?
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 04:47 PMno
hearsay about this has been out for a while. hard to prove though - and would they report even if it coudl be proven?
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 04:50 PMWhatever the point of royalty may be in this age, it’s the sycophants trailing in their wake that are really revolting. Royals are what they are becuase they were born to particular parents, and lack the will, the wit, or the imagination to break loose. The sycophants, the Royal Correspondents and the yutzes who write for, publish and read magazines like Royalty or what-the-hell ever it’s called are the ones wo are most culpable in maintaining this idiotic cult.
Joe, your instincts as a peacemaker are urgently needed in the wider world. Hie thee hence to New York and start a career at the UN!
As I said to James, this is not about my feelings, or anyone asking my pardon, it’s about a pervasive and, it would seem, hard to recognize form of judgment that lives inside even the healthiest among us. Now, since that’s not available for discussion, I’d like to consider this done.
“left” as in what we all think is the better path
Posted by Mudge on from Dear, dead Austin 11/07 at 04:59 PMMickey, I’d sure like to see that broadcast - or, I think I would. I’d probably have trouble with “watery eyes,” and have to wander away, periodically…
By the way, Mickey, I wanted to mention that I was profoundly moved by your excerpt from 7-Deadly spins, on the front page, yesterday. Really excellent work, my friend…
Michael -
Whoever wrote that piece, I very much wish it had been me. Let us know, soon, OK, I keep guessing and reevaluating and guessing again… Thanks for that post, Michael!
That post, or Mickey’s excerpt from yesterday could easily be printed out on a single page, copied about 500 times, and handed out on college campuses, as one wonders about, or handed out as one walks down the street, or left in various places - as something simply “forgotten.”
I’ve received some email from people around the country who are handing this sort of material out, sometimes, as the go about their business…
One such person is a 70 year old who lives in Florida. He also wears t-shirts with various anarchist quotes written on them. He says people stop to argue, and some of them go away asking themselves some interesting questions…Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/07 at 04:59 PMHello Mudge, my friend -
I was recalling a dreadful yet interesting TV movie I once saw about Martin Luther King being arrested somewhere in the South. A white lawyer with heavy credentials arrived out of nowhere to defend him. The lawyer, a Southerner, was persuaded to defend King, by his wife or daughter, who was a passionate civil-rights supporter.
The lawyer conversed with Dr. King, for a while, and they decided upon a defence. Then Dr. King looked at the lawyer and asked: “Sir, are you a racist?”
The lawyer was quiet for a long time and finally responded: “Yes, Dr. King. I am. I’m not proud of that fact. I would wish to one day see myself thinking and feeling in other ways, but for today, I am a racist.”
Dr. King said: “Well, Sir, perhaps your children, or your grandchildren will be free of this terrible disease...” The lawyer agreed…As I ponder the diversity of human behaviors and experiences, I’m sure that I’m filled with stupidity and bigotry, some of which I’m not even aware of, but which influence me powerfully as I go about the day to day of my life. I’m trying to grow up, but surely I’ll never be who I hope I might be… Perhaps my son, or more likely his son will have a chance at being that person…
Till then, we’ve all been born and raised in a psychopathic, murderous, barbarous society, and we bear the scars and imprints of our experiences, good and bad…
“together”
Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/07 at 05:12 PMsurprise surprise it was orwell.
Essay called ‘politics and the english language’ which i would highly recommend… u can read it here…
http://www.k-1.com/Orwell/index.cgi/work/essays/language.html
will leave you with a sweet little sentence from the same that i use a lot if i am speaking somewhere....
“Political language—and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists—is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/07 at 05:37 PMExactly, Joe, my point. Of course anyone raised in Murrica is a racist, the word exists and is not followed in dictionary entries by Obs.) or, better yet, (Archaic) and people don’t name things unless they need to refer to them.
I’d enjoy not beiong a bigoted idiot, myownself, but the best I can aspire to is simply not becoming more of one than I already am and nibbling away at my shortcomings as best I can every day. I daren’t make myself out a saint, the evidence is in and I’m not. It was YEARS before the most potent drug of them all, Being Right, lost a goodly percentage of its appeal for me. I’ll still call the emperor nekkid as a picked bird in whistlin’ time, but when the crowd points out my own scantiness of cover I’ll admit it.
Ah me, onward and upward to the next battle. The French prezzie seems a good candidate for a lambasting!
Posted by Mudge on from Dear, dead Austin 11/07 at 05:38 PMThanks for another great post, Mickey, and hi to all you loyal MZ’ers.
Bad news from California but .. I seem to remember that the Californian laws protecting abortion rights were made so watertight a few years ago that even if Roe v. Wade was overturned it would not affect Californian women.
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 11/07 at 05:45 PMOh, and I hope you get better soon Michael!
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 11/07 at 05:46 PMOne more thing: thanks for your comment directed at the ‘body nazis’, Mudge! I actually look a lot worse than Arnold, ie I am ‘marginally overweight’(some MZ’ers might even call me obese). Thanks again!
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 11/07 at 05:53 PMThus, we call the imposition of Nazi style trade regulation: Free Trade.
We call the destruction of trees and rivers and lakes and wildlife: Environmental Stewardship.
We call the invasion of sovereign nations:
Liberation.
We call the occupation of sovereign nations:
Concern.
We could - and perhaps should - work on this true dictionary of the American Language, from time to time.Good one, joe from Oregon! Bears repeating ..
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 11/07 at 06:05 PMHi all. Helga, I saw this and thought of you: http://tinyurl.com/bz2uc
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 06:11 PMThanks for the link Mickey! One is left wondering whether one can believe the police on this ... As one Australian journalist commented last week: ‘Has anyone told our PM John Howard that Australia would not be a terrorist target if we withdrew our troops from Iraq?’
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 11/07 at 06:22 PMWonderful thoughts, Mr. Mudge - We are what we are, though we would be someone else…
There’s a great old Zen story about a Buddist Priest who went out in the fall, and spent days removing every leaf and twig from the lawn of the monastery. When he was done, the lawn was pristine. A Zen master wandered by and looked concerned. He walked over to a not yet naked tree, shook it wildly for a minute or two, and watched as hundreds of leaves cascaded down onto the just cleaned lawn.
He smiled and laughed as he made his way back toward the road…Michael - tremendous post, tremendous link. Orwell is an almost limitless source of genius and understanding, you know? I wonder if his mother’s maiden name was Chomsky…
Hi Helga, thank you.
And, thank God you’re safe. Fortunately, your government is right on top of the terrorist situation in Australia.
I myself foiled a terrorist attack on this neighborhood, very late last night. Though I risked life and limb, I require no thanks. I am rewarded by the simple, placid scenes of a neighborhood free from harm, free from terror…Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/07 at 06:38 PMWow...this is eerie. Me, too. I sniffed out a cyber-terror threat and stymied it by hitting “delete” fifty times (one for each beloved state, of course) while humming “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
We can all sleep a little better tonight. Both here and down under.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 06:43 PMGreetings, all.
Only something of great importance would cause me to shed my lurker veil. (I prefer the term “uninvited guest")
While you all fretted over such distractions as racism, women’s rights, politcal duplicity and body image, a truth was revealed.
I think we all owe someone an apology.
Posted by Cart on from "near" an unclothed Emperor 11/07 at 08:52 PMThanks, Cart (your full name sounds familiar). Also, please remember, just because you choose to not comment doesn’t make you an “uninvited guest.” More like a “silent observer.”
On that “note,” I’m off to bed.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/07 at 10:07 PMWow.
Well, I sure THOUGHT we were torturing people.
Never mind.Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/08 at 10:29 AMamerica is not so much a nightmare as a non-dream. The american non-dream is precisely a move to wipe the dream out of existence. The dream is a spontaneous happening and therefore dangerous to a control system set up by the non-dreamers.
wsbPosted by marc albion on from detroit 11/08 at 03:11 PMHello MZ (and friends)...
Been out of pocket and under a bridge, so to speak… Computer, transpo, relationship, and employment are all either broken or impaired as of late (I’ll spare you the gory details)..
Anyway, I’m suddenly in the mood to perform an abortion (or two) to uplift my spirits - how about that! I actually think it would be better than drinking myself to death with cheap gin and 7, as I’ve been doing the past couple weeks (note that I am actually sober tonight)...
As for abortion legalities here in TX, there’s many loopholes and problems like privacy concerns. Of course, the past year has seen tremendous efforts to roll back or destroy Roe v. Wade, which is one of the many regressive policy agendas of the messianic-militaristic-pro-life right. And to think that they call themselves “conservatives”, when in fact they want a state so powerful that it has the supreme authority to tell a woman what she is able to do with her own body. The fucking hypocrites.
But the big news here this past week is the whole gay marriage hoopla. Here again the reactionaries want to screw with thousands of people’s lives concerning their right to have a legally recognized union via marriage. Yet another shining example of the failure of our brand of corporate-backed representative democracy, in that it allows a sexist/homophobic/theocratic majority (who is not affected by one’s own personal decision to have a lgbt marriage) to elect some moron to prohibit it. Again, what about those directly affected by the decision, like the lgbt folks themselves? Yes, representative democracy misrepresents them by definition.
Anyway, without a computer, I am dependent now more than ever on KPFT (Houston’s Pacifica), and limited time on friend’s pc’s (and the library). I do have more catching up to do, but I’ll be online intermittently through tomorrow. Take care.
Posted by RT on from Houston 11/13 at 04:49 AMHey RT. Great to hear from you but I’m sorry to learn things are not going well. Thanks for the TX update. Sounds like things are business-as-usual in the Lone Star State.
Sending you good wishes…
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/13 at 09:10 AM
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