Saturday, October 04, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
The Sarah Palin Chronicles. Part 2: Joe Six-pack.
The Myth of Joe Six-Pack.
Enough!
I am tired of hearing the expression used by politicians to show us they understand our problems out here in reality. At its best its just condescending. At its worse its a cynical political ploy to manipulate the hard working typical American to vote for something that is usually against "Joe six-pack's" best interest.
Does anyone think that John McCain is hanging out with "Joe Six-Pack" in any of his nine houses? Give me a break! McCain is hanging out with "John Champagne toast at brunch on the veranda over the Billion dollar bail out." If McCain and the wicked witch from the north get into the White House it will be "Joe four-pack" because no one will be able to afford a six-pack anymore.
When ever a politician uses the phrase, "Joe six-pack" what are they telling us? I'll tell you what there telling us. They want the government to function on a level that someone who comes home everyday and downs a six-pack of beer in front of the TV would understand? Is that really such a good idea? Shouldn't our leaders inspire us to be more? Shouldn't our leaders not talk down to us but attempt to reach for something more than the lowest common denominator?
Sarah Palin is folksy, don't cha know, but I don't want someone a heart beat away from the most powerful office in the world using the same judgement as a guy who drinks a six pack every night.
Do you?
We need leaders to start saying things we need to hear. Not pander to base instincts in troubled times. You want an example? 9/11 didn't "Change the world forever" as you have heard a million times before. We should have a leader who can calmly say to the American people, 9/11 didn't change the world. It just made us a part of it.
Instead, it has been used as an excuse to do everything and anything accept get a permanent monument at ground zero.
I really don't get why that hasn't been done yet. You know why a bare hole like an open wound is still there? Because if there was a building or a monument where the towers fell then it couldn't be used as a back drop anymore to scare the shit out of "Joe six-pack."
Its a shitty truth but its a truth.
In the conservative world Intelligence is equated with being a snob or being elite while gut decisions and no curiosity are seen as a virtue. Ironically, they probably came up with this debate tactic in a think tank staffed with people who graduated from ivy league colleges. It is yet another irony among the stunning universe of ironies that the modern conservative ideology is full of. How the hell they became the party associated with Jesus I guess God only knows. Correct me if I am wrong but I think Jesus is the guy who said we should all share equally among each other.
Socialism!
He was also homeless by choice with long hair. How many Republicans do you see that look like him let alone truly emulate his teachings? To them, he really has been a "profit."
Sarah Palin is a stunt. A gimmick meant to make McCain look like a guy who understands what the average working adult in America goes through everyday. The irony here is, John McCain is married to a woman who will inherit the Budweiser fortune. So he could buy everyone in America a six-pack of beer but instead he decided to give $700 Billion dollars to the guys on Wall Street who just lost "grandpa six-pack" his retirement savings. And yes, I don't think Obama should of voted for it either. In fact, he missed a wonderful opportunity to be a genuine maverick by standing up and saying so.
Now if you will excuse me I have to put this six-pack of root beer in the fridge and put my feet up. This is one tired Joe=)
Enough!
I am tired of hearing the expression used by politicians to show us they understand our problems out here in reality. At its best its just condescending. At its worse its a cynical political ploy to manipulate the hard working typical American to vote for something that is usually against "Joe six-pack's" best interest.
Does anyone think that John McCain is hanging out with "Joe Six-Pack" in any of his nine houses? Give me a break! McCain is hanging out with "John Champagne toast at brunch on the veranda over the Billion dollar bail out." If McCain and the wicked witch from the north get into the White House it will be "Joe four-pack" because no one will be able to afford a six-pack anymore.
When ever a politician uses the phrase, "Joe six-pack" what are they telling us? I'll tell you what there telling us. They want the government to function on a level that someone who comes home everyday and downs a six-pack of beer in front of the TV would understand? Is that really such a good idea? Shouldn't our leaders inspire us to be more? Shouldn't our leaders not talk down to us but attempt to reach for something more than the lowest common denominator?
Sarah Palin is folksy, don't cha know, but I don't want someone a heart beat away from the most powerful office in the world using the same judgement as a guy who drinks a six pack every night.
Do you?
We need leaders to start saying things we need to hear. Not pander to base instincts in troubled times. You want an example? 9/11 didn't "Change the world forever" as you have heard a million times before. We should have a leader who can calmly say to the American people, 9/11 didn't change the world. It just made us a part of it.
Instead, it has been used as an excuse to do everything and anything accept get a permanent monument at ground zero.
I really don't get why that hasn't been done yet. You know why a bare hole like an open wound is still there? Because if there was a building or a monument where the towers fell then it couldn't be used as a back drop anymore to scare the shit out of "Joe six-pack."
Its a shitty truth but its a truth.
In the conservative world Intelligence is equated with being a snob or being elite while gut decisions and no curiosity are seen as a virtue. Ironically, they probably came up with this debate tactic in a think tank staffed with people who graduated from ivy league colleges. It is yet another irony among the stunning universe of ironies that the modern conservative ideology is full of. How the hell they became the party associated with Jesus I guess God only knows. Correct me if I am wrong but I think Jesus is the guy who said we should all share equally among each other.
Socialism!
He was also homeless by choice with long hair. How many Republicans do you see that look like him let alone truly emulate his teachings? To them, he really has been a "profit."
Sarah Palin is a stunt. A gimmick meant to make McCain look like a guy who understands what the average working adult in America goes through everyday. The irony here is, John McCain is married to a woman who will inherit the Budweiser fortune. So he could buy everyone in America a six-pack of beer but instead he decided to give $700 Billion dollars to the guys on Wall Street who just lost "grandpa six-pack" his retirement savings. And yes, I don't think Obama should of voted for it either. In fact, he missed a wonderful opportunity to be a genuine maverick by standing up and saying so.
Now if you will excuse me I have to put this six-pack of root beer in the fridge and put my feet up. This is one tired Joe=)
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
This guy is a TOOL!
As the economic crisis drags on FOX news is doing what they always do; spinning the bullshit. Listen to this Dude gleefully tell us that the blame for this rests squarely on the poor. Then he broadens that to the Democrats.
It is true that an under addressed part of this whole mess is the idea of personal responsibility. A lot of people bought homes they could not afford. But they didn't just walk into those banks and demand money for a home way outside their price range. First a lot of very wealthy REPUBLICANS lobbied the government to do away with those pesky regulations.
Then those banks started an aggressive marketing strategy based on one of the foundations we all heard growing up; The American dream! That is the goal of every red blooded American who works hard and plays by the rules. Right? Buying your own home. When an inch thick packet of paper work all written in legal jargon is drop in front of you, you ask questions and I bet a lot of those people did ask, "Can we really afford this?" and I am fairly positive that most of the time those bankers said, "Of course you can!"
The President went on TV and directly told the American people that one of the fruits of REPUBLICAN rule was that they were going to make it an ownership society. He gave a speech and talked about doing away with the rules that kept so many poor people from living the American dream. Then the economy started to sour. Maybe it was the failed war of choice against a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 for 10 Billion a month. Maybe it was the oil speculators that drove the cost of filling up your gas tank through the roof. Maybe it was the net loss of a few million jobs from the economy. Maybe it was financing our national debt with loans from our biggest trade competitor, China. Maybe it was the government allowing typical banks to merge with investment banks that played fast and loose with other peoples money. Maybe it was the Billions of dollars paid out to wall street hot shots. Whatever the reason a lot of people couldn't make it. They walked away and defaulted on loans no responsible banker should of asked people to sign. Maybe there is enough blame to go around but the poor out number the rich and I feel a day of reckoning approaching fast, Greg.
It is true that an under addressed part of this whole mess is the idea of personal responsibility. A lot of people bought homes they could not afford. But they didn't just walk into those banks and demand money for a home way outside their price range. First a lot of very wealthy REPUBLICANS lobbied the government to do away with those pesky regulations.
Then those banks started an aggressive marketing strategy based on one of the foundations we all heard growing up; The American dream! That is the goal of every red blooded American who works hard and plays by the rules. Right? Buying your own home. When an inch thick packet of paper work all written in legal jargon is drop in front of you, you ask questions and I bet a lot of those people did ask, "Can we really afford this?" and I am fairly positive that most of the time those bankers said, "Of course you can!"
The President went on TV and directly told the American people that one of the fruits of REPUBLICAN rule was that they were going to make it an ownership society. He gave a speech and talked about doing away with the rules that kept so many poor people from living the American dream. Then the economy started to sour. Maybe it was the failed war of choice against a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 for 10 Billion a month. Maybe it was the oil speculators that drove the cost of filling up your gas tank through the roof. Maybe it was the net loss of a few million jobs from the economy. Maybe it was financing our national debt with loans from our biggest trade competitor, China. Maybe it was the government allowing typical banks to merge with investment banks that played fast and loose with other peoples money. Maybe it was the Billions of dollars paid out to wall street hot shots. Whatever the reason a lot of people couldn't make it. They walked away and defaulted on loans no responsible banker should of asked people to sign. Maybe there is enough blame to go around but the poor out number the rich and I feel a day of reckoning approaching fast, Greg.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
My Two Cents or: Thats what we all have left
Right now you and I and everyone in America are living in history. This is an extraordinary time to be alive on the planet. We live in a culmination of philosophy, technology and ideology. When they write the History books I think a good title would be, America at the turn of the 21st Century: The triumph of ideology over common sense.
Consider all that the Republicans have accomplished with George Bush in just under eight years.
They have left the United States Government with the biggest budget deficit ever. Larger than all other Presidents combined!
They deregulated everything resulting in the greatest finical crisis in this country since the great depression. Yesterday, on word that the Government would not bail out rich bankers who already stole your money with more of our tax dollars, the Down Jones suffered its greatest single day drop in history. 777 points down or a trillion dollars of wealth evaporated around the globe. Remember when they talked about privatizing social security? Can you imagine the scope of this disaster if they had already gotten their greedy hands on more of Americas 401k’s and retirement funds? Of course this is a Republican mess. Bush spent more than a few of his rare speeches to America talking about creating an “Ownership society.” He talked about easing regulations on the banks and making it easier for people with bad credit, low credit or no credit to buy a home with no money down.
We have approximately 150,000 troops occupying a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 at the price of 10 Billion dollars a month. This is on top of the deficits they already have. The entire Iraq war has been kept ‘of the books.’ When they say they need supplemental budgets passed they mean there are two books. One for all the other stuff they ran up and one for the war.
There are now more independent contractors in Iraq than U.S. service men. They waged this war with a for profit mind set never stopping to think that the money paid to these private contractors was borrowed from China.
Corruption cases involving high level government workers with direct access to the White House has never been higher. The CIA’s number 3 man was just arrested today for steering business to a friends company. He did this by creating fake companies as cover. You know, just like ENRON did when they deregulated the energy markets and stole billions from California with an engineered crisis.
There is a long list of Republicans either in jail now or awaiting trial for bribery, theft, collusion, conspiracy and fraud.
America, you have to wake up now and take a look at what ruling this nation under an ideology and not under the rule of law has done to you. Logic got thrown out the window in favor of making money for a very small very elite group of men whose morality is something like an acid dream from the Old Testament. Yet, John McCain, the “new” cheerleader for the Republican Party wants nothing to change. Everything that Bush has done he wants to do bigger. Course a man his age has a 1 in 4 chance of dying before he makes it to the end of his first year in office. That would mean Sarah Palin would become our President. I have heard no intelligent person raise a cry against this because she is a woman. It is clear from the few interviews we have been allowed to have with her that she is so far out of her depth that it is an embarrassment to all of America that a person with nothing to intellectually offer us in a time of need has been nominated by a major party. When Katie Couric nails you in an interview it might be time to seriously think about what the Republicans want you to swallow. Either a man who has publicly and proudly stated that he has never sent a e-mail, doesn’t really understand how the economy works and sang “Bomb bomb bomb. Bomb bomb Iran” will be President or a person who went to 5 colleges in 6 years who claims foreign policy expertise because Russia is so close to Alaska will be.
Is it so ridiculous to want a leader who is at least as smart as I am? In fact, I want a leader who is smarter than I am. I want a leader who knows what the Internet is. I want a leader who understands what the constitution is. I want a leader who knows what poverty feels like.
Obama is a politician. By definition that means his words should be scrutinized and his promises consider less than meaningful. But when you put him next to John McCain, anyone who is serious about the future cannot logically expect McCain to lead America into the 21st. Century. McCain has been in Washington as a professional politician for 26 years. He was part of another famous banking disaster in the 80’s known as the Keating five where the U.S. Government bailed out the savings and loan business because five very influential men operated it without regulation. In other words, the last time John McCain didn’t understand how the economy worked it cost the Tax Payer a couple of Billion dollars already.
You can look at this any way you want but it is already pretty obvious that the ideology of a ultra conservative splinter group with in the Republican party did away with rules and regulations so the rich could get richer while the poor die in Iraq for oil that gets idled away in SUV’s in the parking lots of middle America mega churches. The republicans have failed spectacularly. Not just because I say so, but by their own standards. They are the party of fiscal responsibility and smaller Government? Not from where I have been watching these last eight years. They are the party that opposes logic in the face of scientific evidence. NASA, the EPA and officials inside the FDA have all come forward and exposed the level of outright censorship the White House has insistent upon when it came to our environment, our food and drugs and our collective safety as a species on this planet. Think that’s too dramatic? They invented a program where power plants could put more pollution into the air. They named it the Clear skies initiative. They devised a way for logging companies to take more trees from our national forests under a program called the healthy forest initiative. When we first went into Iraq the operation was ironically titled, Operation Infinite Liberty. O.I.L. Like Orwell’s 1984, whatever they tell you means the exact opposite of what they are doing.
Electing Obama President is not an emotional grasp at change. It is the only logical step we as a people can take to change the direction eight years of Bush has put us on. Under Bush, gas prices rose faster than at any other time in Americas history. Under Bush, our money has lost value. Under Bush, we have lost our moral authority as a super power in a very troubled world. I am not waiting for history to pass judgment on the Republicans and the ruins they are leaving us with. You don’t have to wait either. You can vote for change or you can vote for more of the same. We don’t know what a half black Harvard Graduate in constitutional law who was raised by a single mother will do if we reward him with the most powerful office in the world. But I am willing to take the chance rather than stick with what has been done. George Bush and the Neo-Conservatives hijacked America while we were all watching reality TV. They hijacked it, turned it abruptly to the right and just like every business George Bush ever got his privileged hands on, flew it into the ground.
Vote Obama. It is too important to let another out of touch old guy get his hands on this country again. If you want change America you have to stop doing what you have done and try something else. Perhaps we should vote for the President based on the color of his skin. When the color of your hair and you skin match, maybe you shouldn’t be President.
Just one more thing before I sign off on this post. If you want a clear metaphor for where we are as a nation mediate on this. yesterday when all other stocks dropped one company's stock actually rose. The Campbel Soup company. You know how you keep hearing the talking heads keep saying stuff like not since the great depression? Well, get ready for the soup Kitchen folks.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
DEBATE PART 1.
Our first Presidential debate! What did you think? I watched it on CNN. They had this weird graph thing at the bottom of the screen. With different colored lines they monitored the opinions of Conservative viewers, Liberal viewers and independent viewers. I didn't know this because I turned the debate on a little late. The first thing I saw was a silent blinking John McCain and a flat red line beneath him. I thought it was his EKG.
The lines would rise and fall depending on how the viewers felt about what they were hearing. I don't know if such instant feedback is good. Can you imagine being one of the candidates seeing this in real time? As a line drops on what your saying you might be tempted to change what you're saying in mid sentence. I see a video sketch coming on!
The lines would rise and fall depending on how the viewers felt about what they were hearing. I don't know if such instant feedback is good. Can you imagine being one of the candidates seeing this in real time? As a line drops on what your saying you might be tempted to change what you're saying in mid sentence. I see a video sketch coming on!
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Sarah Palin Chronicles Part 2.
I hate Glen Beck.
I hate him so much and his chubby little face on CNN that of course I have to read his articles on line to remind myself of how much I hate this guy and his sarcastic wisdom.
His latest orgy of stupidity and outrage is about Sarah Palin. What a surprise.
He makes the argument that the press have already begun to smear her. One example is an associated press article that went out all over the web with the title, Palin: The Iraq war was, "...a task from God."
He says this is taken out of context. Here are her actual words:
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."
I fail to see how the entire quote makes her look any better. In fact, after reading the entire quote that did appear in the story I am more terrified of a Palin Presidency than ever before. We just had eight years of people leading the government who thought they were performers in God's plan. If this is God's plan maybe we should ask for another God, people who believe in logic or at the very least a plan B. Do we need more Jesus freaks not heeding his words and blowing things up? I don't think so.
The next two months are going to be messy. A lot of emotion that has been bottled up is coming out. The polls might say that Obama and McCain are neck and neck but I have to believe the American people are smarter than voting for the McCain and Bush in a bra.
I hate him so much and his chubby little face on CNN that of course I have to read his articles on line to remind myself of how much I hate this guy and his sarcastic wisdom.
His latest orgy of stupidity and outrage is about Sarah Palin. What a surprise.
He makes the argument that the press have already begun to smear her. One example is an associated press article that went out all over the web with the title, Palin: The Iraq war was, "...a task from God."
He says this is taken out of context. Here are her actual words:
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."
I fail to see how the entire quote makes her look any better. In fact, after reading the entire quote that did appear in the story I am more terrified of a Palin Presidency than ever before. We just had eight years of people leading the government who thought they were performers in God's plan. If this is God's plan maybe we should ask for another God, people who believe in logic or at the very least a plan B. Do we need more Jesus freaks not heeding his words and blowing things up? I don't think so.
The next two months are going to be messy. A lot of emotion that has been bottled up is coming out. The polls might say that Obama and McCain are neck and neck but I have to believe the American people are smarter than voting for the McCain and Bush in a bra.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wake the Fu*k Up America!
It has been seven years since 9/11 and you know what we don't have?
Osama captured or dead.
A permanent and proper monument at ground zero in NY.
Those Weapons of mass destruction.
A president that gets it.
Oh yeah America, keep voting Republican. It is really working out for us unless you actually like results. Honestly, don't you think all Obama should have to say is that?
If you are behind in a home payment or loosing it to the bank, blame the Republicans. They are the ones that deregulated the safe guards.
if the price of gas at the pump hurt you blame the republicans. A recent report by the government concluded that it was wall street speculators that drove up the price of oil. Most of these wall street investors are also the biggest donors to the Republicans.
If you have a son, daughter, wife or husband who suffers from combat stress and has done more than two tours of duty, blame the Republicans. They are the ones who mismanaged a war we were told would be easy. Remember the Mission accomplished banner?
Go down the list of any social issue. Is it better now than it was 8 years ago? What are the Republican issues? Gay marriage is wrong, less government is good, everyone should have a gun? It certainly isn't fiscal responsibility. Under Bush he racked up the biggest deficit of all the other Presidents combined. Is it Defense? They underfunded the military and sent people into combat without all the equipment needed. Why? To save money and let the contractors do it? Is it a safer world now? There are more independent contractors in Iraq right now than US troops. Independent contractors do not answer to the military chain of command and are immune to Iraqi law. I am sure they are making America look great with those powers.
Do you believe in their platform of smaller government? Under Bush, the US government enjoyed the largest expansion since world war 2. Don't believe it is all about safety either. The department of education, something Bush and friends wants to get rid of grew by 45%! How does listening in on everything make anyone safe? Ah thats right. They told us they would only listen in on calls originating outside the US to a person who has had known contact with terrorists. Well, Bush and family did a lot of business with Osamas family so I guess there is a lot of tape of Bush.
Wake the fuck up America=)
Osama captured or dead.
A permanent and proper monument at ground zero in NY.
Those Weapons of mass destruction.
A president that gets it.
Oh yeah America, keep voting Republican. It is really working out for us unless you actually like results. Honestly, don't you think all Obama should have to say is that?
If you are behind in a home payment or loosing it to the bank, blame the Republicans. They are the ones that deregulated the safe guards.
if the price of gas at the pump hurt you blame the republicans. A recent report by the government concluded that it was wall street speculators that drove up the price of oil. Most of these wall street investors are also the biggest donors to the Republicans.
If you have a son, daughter, wife or husband who suffers from combat stress and has done more than two tours of duty, blame the Republicans. They are the ones who mismanaged a war we were told would be easy. Remember the Mission accomplished banner?
Go down the list of any social issue. Is it better now than it was 8 years ago? What are the Republican issues? Gay marriage is wrong, less government is good, everyone should have a gun? It certainly isn't fiscal responsibility. Under Bush he racked up the biggest deficit of all the other Presidents combined. Is it Defense? They underfunded the military and sent people into combat without all the equipment needed. Why? To save money and let the contractors do it? Is it a safer world now? There are more independent contractors in Iraq right now than US troops. Independent contractors do not answer to the military chain of command and are immune to Iraqi law. I am sure they are making America look great with those powers.
Do you believe in their platform of smaller government? Under Bush, the US government enjoyed the largest expansion since world war 2. Don't believe it is all about safety either. The department of education, something Bush and friends wants to get rid of grew by 45%! How does listening in on everything make anyone safe? Ah thats right. They told us they would only listen in on calls originating outside the US to a person who has had known contact with terrorists. Well, Bush and family did a lot of business with Osamas family so I guess there is a lot of tape of Bush.
Wake the fuck up America=)
Monday, September 08, 2008
The Sarah Palin Chronicles
Do you know who Phil Gramm is? He is the guy John McCain goes to for economic advice. Some advice. The meltdown in the housing and credit market can be traced directly back to this man. It is a very rare thing when you can make such grand pronouncements and have it backed up by more than just passion and vague blog postings.
Google Phil Gramm and deregulation.
I am not going to say I understand it all. Not even close. But I do understand this. Take away protections put in place after the disaster of the great depression and you get problems not seen since the great depression.
On Sunday the biggest government take over of a financial institution in U.S. history occurred. Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae hold 50% of all the mortgages in the country. They failed. They failed because Phil Gramm pushed for deregulation in the banking industry. 9% of all homes in America are either in foreclosure or behind on their payment. 9% might not seem like a lot but it's a number not seen since the Great Depression. Do you really want John McCain trusting this guy on anything?
McCain may have just as well nominated Lindsey Lohan's mom for V.P.
After telling anyone who will listen that they are the party of family values they nominate a mother who publicly advocated abstinence only education in schools. The proof of how well that works is her pregnant 17 year old daughter.
But we can't ask questions about this? Give me a break.
Cindy McCain has been quoted as saying that newly nominated V.P. Sarah Palin has foreign policy experience because Alaska is right next to Russia. Is anyone really that stupid? It boggles the mind a little. I have banking experience because I live next door to a bank. It doesn't work that way.
Bush has surrendered in Iraq. How else am I suppose to see Bush announcing troop cut backs? Bush and company have been screeching at us that any announcement of any time table for troop reductions would be the same thing as surrendering to the enemy. Do you know who has been demanding a time table for us to leave? The Iraqi government. You see the surge worked. The whole idea behind it was to give the new government breathing room to put itself together. Well they did and they would like us to leave now. In fact, they would like to know the exact time table of how and when we are going to leave. So I guess they are now the enemy too?
Make judgements but these are just the facts folks.
Google Phil Gramm and deregulation.
I am not going to say I understand it all. Not even close. But I do understand this. Take away protections put in place after the disaster of the great depression and you get problems not seen since the great depression.
On Sunday the biggest government take over of a financial institution in U.S. history occurred. Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae hold 50% of all the mortgages in the country. They failed. They failed because Phil Gramm pushed for deregulation in the banking industry. 9% of all homes in America are either in foreclosure or behind on their payment. 9% might not seem like a lot but it's a number not seen since the Great Depression. Do you really want John McCain trusting this guy on anything?
McCain may have just as well nominated Lindsey Lohan's mom for V.P.
After telling anyone who will listen that they are the party of family values they nominate a mother who publicly advocated abstinence only education in schools. The proof of how well that works is her pregnant 17 year old daughter.
But we can't ask questions about this? Give me a break.
Cindy McCain has been quoted as saying that newly nominated V.P. Sarah Palin has foreign policy experience because Alaska is right next to Russia. Is anyone really that stupid? It boggles the mind a little. I have banking experience because I live next door to a bank. It doesn't work that way.
Bush has surrendered in Iraq. How else am I suppose to see Bush announcing troop cut backs? Bush and company have been screeching at us that any announcement of any time table for troop reductions would be the same thing as surrendering to the enemy. Do you know who has been demanding a time table for us to leave? The Iraqi government. You see the surge worked. The whole idea behind it was to give the new government breathing room to put itself together. Well they did and they would like us to leave now. In fact, they would like to know the exact time table of how and when we are going to leave. So I guess they are now the enemy too?
Make judgements but these are just the facts folks.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
My Getting Paid Saga
A few people have asked so allow me to fill you in on my efforts to get paid by Last Comic Standing.
Just to recap, NBC claimed some Bullshit about not having to pay us because we were not "professional" comics. Turns out we are. Then it was some nonsense about not being a member of AFTRA/SAG. Thats where the story got weird cause I was made to join AFTRA or I could not have done Live at Gotham on Comedy Central last year. They had all the comics lined up in the basement of Gotham filling out paper work and signing our checks over to AFTRA. Turns out this wasn't a AFTRA Representative at all who I trusted with my paper work. It was a Comedy Central rep whose job it was to bring everything to AFTRA. Apparently it didn't work because a check was still floating around out there for me and AFTRA had me down in their, needs to pay for the next job or else, list. So that answered that. After several phone calls with AFTRA reps in San Francisco, they told me they have the check, will mail me half and then I can pay the rest of the initiation fees over time. Meanwhile I had been calling and e-mailing the producers of Last Comic Standing in an effort to get paid. I finally sent an e-mail explaining that my next step was to get the media involved or even a lawyer. After all, I wasn't the only one having a hard time getting money from these guys. A week latter a FedEx letter showed up with the paper work I needed to fill out to finally get paid. I filled it out and send it back. So here is whats happening now. I am waiting for a check from AFTRA. I am not sure of what the amount will be because frankly I don't trust anyone in this process any more. I don't even get the check. Standard operating procedure is to have the check sent directly to AFTRA first. They take their cut and then mail me mine. Will see.
Some where floating around out there is a nice little sum. Now will see if any of it shows up after jumping through flaming hoops of bullshit just to find out that I owe money to AFTRA for something I did more than a year ago and I might not get any of the money from Last Comic Standing because it has to pay for the initiation fee I thought had already been taken care of with the check I never saw and no one bothered to tell me was outstanding.
Showbiz. You gotta love it cause doing it for the money will kill you.
Just to recap, NBC claimed some Bullshit about not having to pay us because we were not "professional" comics. Turns out we are. Then it was some nonsense about not being a member of AFTRA/SAG. Thats where the story got weird cause I was made to join AFTRA or I could not have done Live at Gotham on Comedy Central last year. They had all the comics lined up in the basement of Gotham filling out paper work and signing our checks over to AFTRA. Turns out this wasn't a AFTRA Representative at all who I trusted with my paper work. It was a Comedy Central rep whose job it was to bring everything to AFTRA. Apparently it didn't work because a check was still floating around out there for me and AFTRA had me down in their, needs to pay for the next job or else, list. So that answered that. After several phone calls with AFTRA reps in San Francisco, they told me they have the check, will mail me half and then I can pay the rest of the initiation fees over time. Meanwhile I had been calling and e-mailing the producers of Last Comic Standing in an effort to get paid. I finally sent an e-mail explaining that my next step was to get the media involved or even a lawyer. After all, I wasn't the only one having a hard time getting money from these guys. A week latter a FedEx letter showed up with the paper work I needed to fill out to finally get paid. I filled it out and send it back. So here is whats happening now. I am waiting for a check from AFTRA. I am not sure of what the amount will be because frankly I don't trust anyone in this process any more. I don't even get the check. Standard operating procedure is to have the check sent directly to AFTRA first. They take their cut and then mail me mine. Will see.
Some where floating around out there is a nice little sum. Now will see if any of it shows up after jumping through flaming hoops of bullshit just to find out that I owe money to AFTRA for something I did more than a year ago and I might not get any of the money from Last Comic Standing because it has to pay for the initiation fee I thought had already been taken care of with the check I never saw and no one bothered to tell me was outstanding.
Showbiz. You gotta love it cause doing it for the money will kill you.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
God must hate the Republicans right now. The opening day of their convention and a Hurricane slams into Louisiana just in time for everyone to remember Katrina drowning New Orleans.
The Governors from three states canceled their speeches and George Bush pulled out to.
Then comes the announcement that the Republicans have chosen a virtually unknown Alaskan Governor to be McCain’s running mate. In a blatant attempt to grab all those alienated female voters who wanted Clinton, they pick a woman. A woman who happens to have a pregnant 17-year-old daughter. No one has said this inconvenient truth should be exploited for political gain. This is only a big deal for the same reason John Edwards lying about an affair is a big deal. These people set themselves up as more than politicians. They proclaimed family values and high morals as something they live by. Then something embarrassing happens like your 17-year-old daughter gets knocked up just in time to become a poster child for real sex education in the schools. Not the abstinence only program her mother has voted for over and over again. You look like a hypocrite or at the very least ignorant. But none of these are reason to not vote for McCain. Consider this. John McCain is a 72-year-old man who has had several bouts with skin cancer in the last few years. You have to think there is a 50% chance he will die in office and his VP will then become President. Haven’t we seen what being against abortion, for guns and tax cuts for the wealthy can get us? Could we even survive another four years of that philosophy?
She doesn’t think global warming is man made.
She thinks creationism should be taught in public schools right next to evolution.
She has called the invasion and occupation of Iraq as being part of “God’s plan.”
She has far less experience in public office than Obama. There goes that argument for the GOP against him at least.
Do we really want another Dick Cheney for Vice President?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Friday afternoon I was on the phone with my Doctors office waiting to hear the results of a test. It wasn’t a test for cancer or an STD, but it was still a test with a certain amount of fear attached to it. I am waiting on hold for five minuets before it hits me, where is the music? If ever there was a time for music, this is it. No one wants to be alone with thoughts racing around their head as they wait for medical news. At the very least play some Phil Collins. That guy can really use the royalty payments now anyway.
Turns out I am OK. I should eat better and blah blah blah.
For two dollars I saw a new product. It is a plastic thing that hooks onto your belt and can hold a regular size bottle of water at your side. Think of it as an aqua fanny pack. Some see this and think it’s a great idea. People need to drink more water. I see it and think cars should come equipped with cup holders. Not people.
Saturday night I drove to Yuba City, CA. Ever been? There is no easy way to get there. You leave the well-traveled familiar Interstate 80 for tiny 113. Then you twist and wind your way across fields and through peach orchards until you reach the Bowling alley where the gig is held. I did this gig once before. I don’t know that I need to do it again. This room is what I like to call a knife fight. The crowd is almost pre-wired to yell shit. That and they were treated to some decidedly lowbrow stuff long before I got a hold of them. It is a Bowling alley though and quality of content is not something I think they are that concerned with. By the time I got on stage to close it out, they were drunk, loud and stupid. Imagine that? A bowling alley comedy audience in the central valley wasn’t so smart. I spent forty bucks in gas and two hours driving to wait three hours and four comics to do 40 minuets in front of a crowd I probably don’t see eye to eye on anything with. Was this a good use of my time? Probably not. Such is the life of a comic. I have been doing more road stuff again lately because I missed it. I think that phase is over for now. Time to take a shot at the next elusive level again.
Sunday I watched a friend get married. I smiled a lot and thought the whole thing was beautiful in a way I am not use to feeling. Then I felt depressed as shit and thought about my brief time in L.A. The friend who got married has a baby and a job as an apartment manager now. Comedy is still on the list of things he does, but it’s part of a list now.
I have been looking for an agent and manager lately. Enough fucking around in the trenches with the little stuff. I kept looking at everyone at the wedding and realized that out of everyone there I am still single and still gigging as hard as ever. The grass is always greener right? They must think I have all this freedom while I think they have people to go home to that love them.
This weekend was a wonderful demonstration in what if and what didn't happen. What if I had found a way to stay in L.A. instead of returning here? What if things had gone well and I got married? What if? Well, this is what I got. More friends are getting married and each time we get together in a group it seems as though more kids are running around. That kind of shit makes you wonder about life. Have I built anything of value? What is the quality of my life? What do I want and what is important to have? None of these are easily answered questions. The best you can do is show up, kiss the bride and eat the cake that is offered. Such is life. Such is my life.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Metaphor
It can be a dangerous business mixing metaphor with resolve. John McCain recently said he would pursue Osama, “…to the gates of hell!” Doesn’t that just wanna make you climb up on a pick up truck, wave the American flag around and blast a Toby Keith song? It sounds dramatic enough but there is no need to go to such extremes.
Obama has said he would go into Pakistan and get him. For saying this, he was criticized. It doesn’t matter that they are saying the same thing. It doesn’t matter that one is throwing bumper sticker solutions not grounded in reality to supporters. It doesn’t matter that every intelligence agency in the world places him in a tribal region of Pakistan. McCain has said over and over that he would not go into Pakistan to get Osama. Where would he go to get him? Well, to the gates of hell, fagot! That’s where!
Maybe if you look closely at a map of Pakistan, somewhere there is a tiny little region named, gates of hell. If that’s true, then they are saying the same thing.
You can’t use metaphors to stir up the patriotic and then mock the other guy who is saying he will accomplish the same thing in reality. McCain might as well have said, “I will pursue Osama to the forest moon of Endor!” or, “I will chase him into Morodor along side Hobbits and men to bring peace to Middle earth once and for all!”
I would love to write a John McCain speech.
“Today we have Sand-People and Elves standing together. Pod racers from Tatooien and residence of the shire, all-coming together to vote for leadership. As I stand here today on the deck of the Battlestar Gallatica, I promise that we will chase down our enemy no matter how far away or mythical a place Osama is hiding! If Narnia is harboring terrorists, or second life, we shall do whatever is needed to bring him to justice!”
He would have the sci-fi fantasy vote.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
"59!"
I don’t understand. On the day that Russia rolled tanks into the country of Georgia, the news talked only about John Edwards having an affair two years ago that his wife had already been told about. He is not running for public office or currently holding one. Besides, did I mention Russia invaded a country?
Now, with all that is going on all I keep hearing about is how offensive the movie, Tropic Thunder is. Like a lot of the people who are complaining about it, I haven’t seen it either. It just reminds me that here in America, we get very upset about words. It’s a pretty nice problem to have. Sorry to say so but I laughed every time I saw a network anchor or reporter refer to the word retarded as, “the R-word.”
The R-word? Seriously?
Do you remember growing up and ever hearing, sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me? What happened to that concept? Cause I gotta tell you, most of the world is going to bed hungry tonight and were arguing over words.
Retarded turned into disabled. Then it was special, differently abled and now the correct term apparently is intellectually disadvantaged. Fine. That describes the President pretty well.
At some point I believe America will start to drown in all the real issues we would rather deny. I have invented a scale to determine how close we are to social collapse based on the amount of letters in the alphabet that are used in place of “bad words.”
For instance, I think most people would know what word I was thinking of if I said the
C-word. Then of course there is the N-word and now we have the R-word. Those are just three letters of the alphabet. Granted, those are horrible words used to convey hate, but they are words.
I predicted that when 15 of the 26 letters are used in place of “bad words” we will be exprcing black outs and food riots.
20 out of 26 letters and it will be complete anarchy in the streets with whatever government that’s holding on about to fall. When all 26 letters can also be used to denote foul, racist or derogatory terms, we will start using numbers.
You get cut off by a driver and instead of yelling something or giving the finger, you just yell a number at people. “59!”
“I can’t believe you said that around children!”
My point? Rome is burning while we turn offensive words into single letters. No problem is solved. No war is ended or homeless fed. At least we can take comfort in the knowledge that right now only 3 letters stand in for “bad words.”
Just a note to my Uber Liberal friends, ever consider looking at the context the word is used in? I am just saying, sometimes you have to use the bad word in order for people to know what you are ironically making fun of. In fact, look up the word ironic and then get back to me.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Medford, OR
Every once in a while you encounter a living metaphor. I spent the weekend in Medford, Oregon performing at a sports bar. That's not the metaphor part of this story but its close. Saturday afternoon, the other comic, Dax and I went for a drive. I had met Dax four years ago in the Seattle Comedy Competition. The first thing he said to me when I saw him was, "Are you still in love with that girl?"
I was teased constantly by everyone for having my cell phone always up to my ear talking with Samantha.
"No. I am pretty much a shattered man these days."
Funny how that sentence changes the mood in a room.
I wanted to get an oil change but when we couldn't find a place I settled for a car wash. Ten minuets and five bucks in quarters later, my car was free of the dust and mud a five hour drive put on it the day before. Less than a minuet after we left I pulled up to a light. Dax and I turned to look and there on the corner stood two cheerleaders going through routines as they pointed to a car wash sign.
Imagine that. Just half a block away stood girls in skirts holding sponges ready and willing to clean my car but I had already washed it.
Ah life! How you love to mock me!
You can't turn into a gas station for a hand wash from cheerleaders with water literally beading on your windshield. Well you can if you want to be an Amber alert.
We smiled at the girls who smiled back, all of us seeming to appreciate the irony of the situation. In fact, even the homeless guy standing on the opposite corner got into it. When he saw them dancing, he danced too, sign in hand. It made an affect on a guy riding his bike. He stopped and gave the homeless guy a dollar.
The light changed and we were on our way again.
Medford is a quiet enough little town just pass the Californian border. The shows, sponsored by the local classic rock station, went well. It was a classic one nighter gig. The crowd was rowdy, it was a riff-a-thon from word one and just up the street from us was a town named white city. What is white city? It is a trailer park where people are known for making and selling meth. In fact, more than a few people came up to me after the shows and said, "We call this place Meth-ford. Not Medford."
Nice.
A place with meth and mobil homes could only be named White City if you think about it. That or they should put up a sign that reads, Irony?
All in all the shows were fun and the drive wasn't too bad. My little Honda handles the distance with ease. Once you get up toward Mt. Shasta, the scenery is beautiful too. It wasn't my first time doing comedy in Medford either. Driving around with Dax, I remembered staying at a Red Lion in town for a show that was canceled. The other club in town where comedy use to be done is named, Ground Zero. If it sounds like a stupid name before 9/11 then you have to wonder why they didn't change the name after 9/11. I had worked there about 10 years ago. It stands out in my mind only because I went home with a girl I met after the show. everything seemed to be on track for a fun night when I had to excuse myself from the girls room. I went outside and proceeded to spend the night vomiting in her drive way till morning when the other comic who went home with her friend came and picked me up. Ugh!
I vividly remember making the five hour drive home thinking I cannot drink anymore. As I recall, it still took a few more embarrassing instances before I actually did quit.
Back then all I wanted was to headline these gigs. These days I turn these gigs down more than I say yes to them. Between the cost of gas and the average crowds at these road gigs it just doesn't make sense to put the millage on you or the car. Not for what the average gig like this pays anyway. I took this gig because the pay was better than what you normally get for these. I also wanted to get in with the Booker who books a lot of stuff in the greater Pacific Northwest.
It was only once I was there that I realized I had been here before. That might be the lesson on this trip. Each time I have passed through Medford I have been in an agitated state of mind wondering about my career in comedy and my future. This time was no different. Maybe it's not about finding meaning or deciding where I want to be in comedy. Maybe it is just about acceptance. If I want to make a living at stand-up, the work is out there. Problem is there is a whole lot of other Medford's out there and what is required to make those gigs work is not always what you can justify to your sense of doing art.
Thats the lesson or, if you want to get a car wash, don't turn into the first place you see. There might be high school cheerleaders around the next corner!
I was teased constantly by everyone for having my cell phone always up to my ear talking with Samantha.
"No. I am pretty much a shattered man these days."
Funny how that sentence changes the mood in a room.
I wanted to get an oil change but when we couldn't find a place I settled for a car wash. Ten minuets and five bucks in quarters later, my car was free of the dust and mud a five hour drive put on it the day before. Less than a minuet after we left I pulled up to a light. Dax and I turned to look and there on the corner stood two cheerleaders going through routines as they pointed to a car wash sign.
Imagine that. Just half a block away stood girls in skirts holding sponges ready and willing to clean my car but I had already washed it.
Ah life! How you love to mock me!
You can't turn into a gas station for a hand wash from cheerleaders with water literally beading on your windshield. Well you can if you want to be an Amber alert.
We smiled at the girls who smiled back, all of us seeming to appreciate the irony of the situation. In fact, even the homeless guy standing on the opposite corner got into it. When he saw them dancing, he danced too, sign in hand. It made an affect on a guy riding his bike. He stopped and gave the homeless guy a dollar.
The light changed and we were on our way again.
Medford is a quiet enough little town just pass the Californian border. The shows, sponsored by the local classic rock station, went well. It was a classic one nighter gig. The crowd was rowdy, it was a riff-a-thon from word one and just up the street from us was a town named white city. What is white city? It is a trailer park where people are known for making and selling meth. In fact, more than a few people came up to me after the shows and said, "We call this place Meth-ford. Not Medford."
Nice.
A place with meth and mobil homes could only be named White City if you think about it. That or they should put up a sign that reads, Irony?
All in all the shows were fun and the drive wasn't too bad. My little Honda handles the distance with ease. Once you get up toward Mt. Shasta, the scenery is beautiful too. It wasn't my first time doing comedy in Medford either. Driving around with Dax, I remembered staying at a Red Lion in town for a show that was canceled. The other club in town where comedy use to be done is named, Ground Zero. If it sounds like a stupid name before 9/11 then you have to wonder why they didn't change the name after 9/11. I had worked there about 10 years ago. It stands out in my mind only because I went home with a girl I met after the show. everything seemed to be on track for a fun night when I had to excuse myself from the girls room. I went outside and proceeded to spend the night vomiting in her drive way till morning when the other comic who went home with her friend came and picked me up. Ugh!
I vividly remember making the five hour drive home thinking I cannot drink anymore. As I recall, it still took a few more embarrassing instances before I actually did quit.
Back then all I wanted was to headline these gigs. These days I turn these gigs down more than I say yes to them. Between the cost of gas and the average crowds at these road gigs it just doesn't make sense to put the millage on you or the car. Not for what the average gig like this pays anyway. I took this gig because the pay was better than what you normally get for these. I also wanted to get in with the Booker who books a lot of stuff in the greater Pacific Northwest.
It was only once I was there that I realized I had been here before. That might be the lesson on this trip. Each time I have passed through Medford I have been in an agitated state of mind wondering about my career in comedy and my future. This time was no different. Maybe it's not about finding meaning or deciding where I want to be in comedy. Maybe it is just about acceptance. If I want to make a living at stand-up, the work is out there. Problem is there is a whole lot of other Medford's out there and what is required to make those gigs work is not always what you can justify to your sense of doing art.
Thats the lesson or, if you want to get a car wash, don't turn into the first place you see. There might be high school cheerleaders around the next corner!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Change?
Dear regular readers and those curious enough to stop by,
I find myself at an impasse in life. Turning forty in a few months has me thoroughly freaked out. Aren't you suppose to have an idea about where life is headed by now? Shouldn't you have something to show for being alive on this world after four decades? I don't know. I do know this; I want a new day job. I could survive on comedy but I don't want to just survive anymore. Not at this point in my life. I like having health care. I need a new day job. Something flexible enough to allow me to still take off for gigs when I need too, but also something with purpose. If I could work with kids or in a organization that does some good in this world, I would be willing to work for half of what I make at my day job now. A job that has slowly devolved into number crunching and paper pushing. So I ask you dear reader or fan, got any ideas? I am not giving up on stand-up. It is too much a part of my identity to ever stop, but if I am going to stay in San Francisco and only work the gigs I want, a day job is a necessary evil. Thing is, I don't want it to feel evil anymore.
If you have any thoughts please shoot me an e-mail.
Thanks
I find myself at an impasse in life. Turning forty in a few months has me thoroughly freaked out. Aren't you suppose to have an idea about where life is headed by now? Shouldn't you have something to show for being alive on this world after four decades? I don't know. I do know this; I want a new day job. I could survive on comedy but I don't want to just survive anymore. Not at this point in my life. I like having health care. I need a new day job. Something flexible enough to allow me to still take off for gigs when I need too, but also something with purpose. If I could work with kids or in a organization that does some good in this world, I would be willing to work for half of what I make at my day job now. A job that has slowly devolved into number crunching and paper pushing. So I ask you dear reader or fan, got any ideas? I am not giving up on stand-up. It is too much a part of my identity to ever stop, but if I am going to stay in San Francisco and only work the gigs I want, a day job is a necessary evil. Thing is, I don't want it to feel evil anymore.
If you have any thoughts please shoot me an e-mail.
Thanks
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Eva 4eva!
http://view.break.com/549769 - Watch more free videos
Well I don't get it. This is the commercial that has been banned by every American network. This is what we think shouldn't be on TV? If we are so worried about kids getting the wrong messages from TV, what does it say about our society when a hot chick's body is deemed inappropriate but Bush can hold a press conference where no one calls him on the lies that fly from his mouth? Maybe if we were a bit more comfortable with sex and treated violence like we now treat sex, we would be a healthy happy culture instead of the confused people we are.
Just a thought.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Black Guys for McCain?
A friend sent me a link to a blog named, black men for McCain. Check it out. Read some of it. How could a black guy be for McCain? I don't know if he knows this, but McCain voted against giving Martin Luther King a Holiday in Arizona. How bad do you have to hate a guy to vote against a day off? McCain is also in favor of what are the Bush Tax Cuts. It's a nice phrase but don't be fooled. The Tax Cuts were only for the richest 1% of Americas richest 1%. Way to go!
How many black males in America are in that category exactly?
A black guy voting for McCain makes as much sense as a black guy voting for McCain. Seriously. What is McCain going to do for the average anyone in this country let alone a black guy? Voting against a holiday for King is about the only thing McCain hasn't flipped flopped on.
He was against off shore drilling. Now he is for it.
He was against the Bush tax cuts because he knew what they really were.
Now he is for them.
He is against gay marriage because he believes marriage is a sacred thing between a man and his wife. Hard to tell if he thinks his previous marriage was sacred. He left his first wife after she was crippled in a car accident. Yeah. You wouldn't want gays messing up an institution like that. They might stay together and adopted the kids straight people are producing with no thought. Dear God!
Now if he hates gay people that much what do you honestly think he thinks about black people?
The guy voted against a MLK holiday!
How many black males in America are in that category exactly?
A black guy voting for McCain makes as much sense as a black guy voting for McCain. Seriously. What is McCain going to do for the average anyone in this country let alone a black guy? Voting against a holiday for King is about the only thing McCain hasn't flipped flopped on.
He was against off shore drilling. Now he is for it.
He was against the Bush tax cuts because he knew what they really were.
Now he is for them.
He is against gay marriage because he believes marriage is a sacred thing between a man and his wife. Hard to tell if he thinks his previous marriage was sacred. He left his first wife after she was crippled in a car accident. Yeah. You wouldn't want gays messing up an institution like that. They might stay together and adopted the kids straight people are producing with no thought. Dear God!
Now if he hates gay people that much what do you honestly think he thinks about black people?
The guy voted against a MLK holiday!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Jock
Rarely do I get an answer from the crowd that confounds me. Being a comic that works the crowd you are sorta like a lawyer; don't ask any question you don't think you already know the answer to. This is not always the case of course, but most of the time I am not too surprised by an answer.
Allow me to set the scene. This is a college/private gig. I say partly private because the entire audience was composed of 40 incoming Freshmen from all over the planet. We were in a tiny room that was 20 degrees warmer than just outside the door. The average age was 18. Do you remember being 18? Remember that look you had? No? It is something in your eyes and your body language. I can now identify it as not giving a shit. Did I mention this event was mandatory for them?
Let's revue- 40 kids in a hot room for a mandatory event staring me.
Got it now?
I had never heard of this tiny college somewhere down the peninsula. But it's there. These kids parents were rich enough to send them across the world but not rich enough to get them into the Ivy league schools. But they still exhaled a sense of entitlement.
About half way through the show, I ask a "jock" what he is going to school for.
"Play football." He says.
"Oh. Do you want to play professionally someday?"
"No. I want to get into politics."
That's the answer that had me thrown.
I think a good tackle might make debates a bit more interesting but other than that I don't know how one does anything for the other.
When I tell him this he replies, "It worked for Bush."
OK. That's the reply that got me.
First of all, this kid is 18. Who they hell idolizes Bush enough to follow his lead? Who models their academic career after Bush?
Hasn't he fucked up? A lot?
By the way. When he attended the all boy's school of Andover, he was actually a cheerleader. Google it. I'll wait. Hopefully you get to see the photo of him looking every bit the douche he is holding a megaphone as he readies himself to cheer.
There turned out to be more than a few kids who proudly called themselves conservative.
I don't get that. It's college. I never went but from what I can gather college is suppose to be all about getting laid, high and occasionally staring at a Lava lamp under the influence of Mushrooms communing with God. You don't walk in saying. I am opposed to joy! Not at 18 you don't. Course, I am getting all my info on what college is from movies.
At some point I say to the crowd that Obama scares the shit out of vast swaths of the country because he's black. In one of the most unintentionally hilarious moments I have witnessed in a long time, my statement on Obama was met with a very enthusiastic head nod in agreement from the Jock.
What were the odds a rich white kid named Kyle, was going to be scared of black people?
Welcome to California kid. I would love to see where your head is at in four years.
What caught my eye at first was his gum chewing. He was smacking away on it like it held the antidote to boredom. No matter what I said or implied, he sat there calmly chewing his gum with the erie confidence of the dim. Maybe he has more in common with Bush than I thought.
Good luck=)
Allow me to set the scene. This is a college/private gig. I say partly private because the entire audience was composed of 40 incoming Freshmen from all over the planet. We were in a tiny room that was 20 degrees warmer than just outside the door. The average age was 18. Do you remember being 18? Remember that look you had? No? It is something in your eyes and your body language. I can now identify it as not giving a shit. Did I mention this event was mandatory for them?
Let's revue- 40 kids in a hot room for a mandatory event staring me.
Got it now?
I had never heard of this tiny college somewhere down the peninsula. But it's there. These kids parents were rich enough to send them across the world but not rich enough to get them into the Ivy league schools. But they still exhaled a sense of entitlement.
About half way through the show, I ask a "jock" what he is going to school for.
"Play football." He says.
"Oh. Do you want to play professionally someday?"
"No. I want to get into politics."
That's the answer that had me thrown.
I think a good tackle might make debates a bit more interesting but other than that I don't know how one does anything for the other.
When I tell him this he replies, "It worked for Bush."
OK. That's the reply that got me.
First of all, this kid is 18. Who they hell idolizes Bush enough to follow his lead? Who models their academic career after Bush?
Hasn't he fucked up? A lot?
By the way. When he attended the all boy's school of Andover, he was actually a cheerleader. Google it. I'll wait. Hopefully you get to see the photo of him looking every bit the douche he is holding a megaphone as he readies himself to cheer.
There turned out to be more than a few kids who proudly called themselves conservative.
I don't get that. It's college. I never went but from what I can gather college is suppose to be all about getting laid, high and occasionally staring at a Lava lamp under the influence of Mushrooms communing with God. You don't walk in saying. I am opposed to joy! Not at 18 you don't. Course, I am getting all my info on what college is from movies.
At some point I say to the crowd that Obama scares the shit out of vast swaths of the country because he's black. In one of the most unintentionally hilarious moments I have witnessed in a long time, my statement on Obama was met with a very enthusiastic head nod in agreement from the Jock.
What were the odds a rich white kid named Kyle, was going to be scared of black people?
Welcome to California kid. I would love to see where your head is at in four years.
What caught my eye at first was his gum chewing. He was smacking away on it like it held the antidote to boredom. No matter what I said or implied, he sat there calmly chewing his gum with the erie confidence of the dim. Maybe he has more in common with Bush than I thought.
Good luck=)
Mark David Chapman
John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman, was denied parole for the fifth time Tuesday.
The New York State Division of Parole issued a release saying Chapman's request was denied "Due to concern for the public safety and welfare."
Really? Public safety?
He stays in jail at this point because if he ever got out someone would shoot him.
What do you need to convince the parole board that he deserves to stay in prison?
A copy of the of the White Album should do it.
It's not like his life is so bad in jail. Check this out-
For the past 16 years he has received conjugal visits with his wife, Gloria. The visits are part of a state program called "family reunion" that allows inmates to spend up to 44 hours at a time with family members in a special setting.
That is more time than most people get all week with a wife or girlfriend!
The dude shot John Lennon and he still gets to get laid? What is prison for exactly?
He shot a Beatle by the way. John might forgive him and this is the first parole hearing that Yoko did not submit a letter against it but I think most people would be extremely pissed if the guy who shot John Lennon ever got out. Make him take guitar lessons. Tell him that when he can write a song like Across the Universe, then maybe we will talk about it. Better yet, let him out with a gun and a list of bands like Duran Duran and the Eagles. No more come back tours boy's!
The New York State Division of Parole issued a release saying Chapman's request was denied "Due to concern for the public safety and welfare."
Really? Public safety?
He stays in jail at this point because if he ever got out someone would shoot him.
What do you need to convince the parole board that he deserves to stay in prison?
A copy of the of the White Album should do it.
It's not like his life is so bad in jail. Check this out-
For the past 16 years he has received conjugal visits with his wife, Gloria. The visits are part of a state program called "family reunion" that allows inmates to spend up to 44 hours at a time with family members in a special setting.
That is more time than most people get all week with a wife or girlfriend!
The dude shot John Lennon and he still gets to get laid? What is prison for exactly?
He shot a Beatle by the way. John might forgive him and this is the first parole hearing that Yoko did not submit a letter against it but I think most people would be extremely pissed if the guy who shot John Lennon ever got out. Make him take guitar lessons. Tell him that when he can write a song like Across the Universe, then maybe we will talk about it. Better yet, let him out with a gun and a list of bands like Duran Duran and the Eagles. No more come back tours boy's!
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