Saturday, March 14, 2009
Son of Even More Band Names
Full Frontal Limbaughtomy
Lepracauhn Bill-O
Cure For What Ailes Ya Rupert
Bleached Blonde Factory
Trained African Hornets
12 Angry Marketing Geniuses
Communist Martyrs High School Marching Band
Accordion Violence
From Nothing to Luxury
Gratuitous
Gratuitous Knockout Gas
Approved Violence
Municipal Trombones
Reliably Bad Memory
Decaffeinated Coffee Tables
Afraid of Widths
Akron Needs Tires
Dick Cheney Hunting School
Shatnerisfaction
The Grim Narrators
Discount Knockout Gas
Oatbran Psychosis
Let's Run for Mayor!
Wooden Acting School
Producing Quinn Martin
Absinthe Ballot
Third Person Bob
Woody Costanza
Newman's Eyes
The Hannity Defense
One Hour Martin
Penguin Insurgency
What Do You Want For Free?
Hot Air Enthusiast Club
The Clean Cut Hagmans
Police Donuts
Mal O'Propism
Oxy-Limbaugh
Lunesta Death Moth
Esoteric Jihad
BIFF! (A WHAM! tribute band)
Wanker Justice
Monday, September 29, 2008
What A Long Hilarious Memorable Explosive Creative Autumnal Partially Air Conditioned Strange Trip It's Been!
Welcome one and all to a LONG post involving some recent travel, namely to upstate NY by way of Greyhound!
Those who know me well are very familiar with my utter disgust at what air travel has turned into these days, between the invasive security, out of control fees, dodgy service and very UNCOMFORTABLE planes. But undaunted, I decided to try a method of travel that I used to love the commercials for as a kid (Continental Trailways, Greyhound etc). For the most part, Greyhound seems to have lived up to that, certainly one of the last refuges from Big Brother. (Amtrak up until recently was that too),
One thing's for sure, this Owl BADLY needed a vacation, between the craziness of work and just feeling psychologically and creatively drained (hence, at least one reason for very sparse posting of late) and preoccupation with other matters and pursuits. SO, on Sept 20, 2008, yours truly carrying a suitcase, a carry-on bag (loaded with reading material, MP3 player and travel pillow/blanket) and bass guitar in heavy duty flight case boarded a Greyhound in Atlanta headed for Albany NY where I would be met by former musical compatriot/long-time friend Tony Scotto to be whisked away to a cozy little burg in the Catskill Mountains known as Gilboa NY located in Schoharie County, about 60 miles SW of Albany NY, population approximately 1200.
After an hour delay, we were finally on the road, winding through scenic North GA, then SC (stopping twice) and the first actual layover in Charlotte NC. I must say, I very much enjoyed the bucolic and distinctly Southern scenery of these states immensely.
As the sun set, then came another layover in Beautiful Downtown Richmond VA, looking all the more like someone stole part of New Joizey and transplanted it there! After re-boarding, I finally settled in for the night after taking 2 Tylenol PM's with Benadryl (went out like a light pretty quick).
A couple tidbits of Greyhound travel wisdom I'll impart to you:
- Tylenol PM or anything with Benadryl in it will enable you to sleep much easier
- Greyhound seats are far more comfortable than plane seats!
- Minimize cell phone use on board
- Bring plenty of books and/or music to amuse yourself, it takes longer than flying. In my case it was on the player:
Jonas Hellborg/Shawn Lane/V Sevalgenesh: Good People In Times of Evil
Santana: Borboletta
Duke Ellington: Ellington Uptown
Back Door: Back Door
Crime Jazz: Music In The First Degree (Various Artists)
Some Reading
Ian Shoales Perfect World - Ian Shoales (aka Merle Kessler) - HILARIOUS!
Conservatives Without A Conscience: John Dean
- Most Greyhound terminals have CNN piped in so you can at least somewhat keep informed on world events
- Road/Rest Stop food ain't always the greatest so choose carefully, pack your own if possible
- Bring a small pillow and blanket for long trips and even a lower lumbar cushion, your back will thank you.
- Allow for occasional delays, you are after all traveling by road, not air.
- Budget well with extra.
- Drink lots of water, use gum and/or mouthwash in consideration of your fellow passengers
- Using the facilities on a moving bus is NOT as easy as it might look
- Enjoy the scenery you would miss with flying, well save for most of New Joizey, Philly and Delaware.
And wouldn't you know it, I arrive in Albany 20 minutes early! Meanwhile, poor Tony got stuck in traffic about an hour away (one of those large riding mowers they cut grass with along the highways flipped over). Eventually he made it, we threw everything into his Toyota pickup and off we sped for the mountains, stopping along the way to grab some groceries for the week.
Before long we were at The Cabin!
The first 2 days were pretty much don't do a whole lot of anything days, as a vacation should be! The weather, high 60's during the day and just beautiful with high 40's at night (best sleeping weather ever). On two nights, we did have to light the wood stove to warm the cabin. And believe me, this stove does its job very well, a little too well sometimes (necessitating opening 3 windows and turning on the ceiling fan to balance it out).
I did however get to watch Tony practice his impeccable marksmanship with a high-tech bow and arrow. And I thought this kind of stuff only happened in cartoons, but he actually managed to literally split an arrow in 2 with another shot!
During the course fo the week, the lake area was under the grip of a Red Menace, that is, The Red Squirrel Menace. It wasn't unusual for Tony, with his finely attuned ears to pick out the distinct raspy chirping of Red Squirrels, and before I could bat an eyelid, he's grabbing a .22 hunting rifle (with a serious scope on top) and picking off one or two at a time with sniper like stealth and precision. Why pick off Red Squirrels? Very simple THEY'RE PUNKS I TELL YA, PUNKS!! These destructive rodents literally chew their way into people's houses through the wood and cause lots of structural and property damage (not to mention stealing food). Not only that, these vermin harass and beat up on harmless Grey Squirrels who are good to have around. WORTHLESS RED BUSHY TAILED PUNKS!!!!
However, come Wednesday, the pace picked up a bit
And no, you're not imagining things, that stuffed rooster really is mounted sideways!
Twice within the week, I got to have venison (deer meat) in burger form, and let me tell ya, when it's prepared properly and smoked with apple wood, it is positively the TASTIEST meat you'll ever have, plus it's actually far healthier than red meat owing to it's amazing leanness.
On Thursday, a lot of shooting took place. As it got past lunchtime, Tony and I were having a conversation somehow pertaining to useless advice books on "making it in the music biz". Well, before long he pulled a few such volumes from his bookshelf (like "The Platinum Rainbow", "Sound Advice", The Complete Handbook of Songwriting" and others), and we both contemplated what possible uses there could be for said books. Next thing you know, I'm pulling out the 'ol camcorder and we subject them to a number of grueling tests like cleaning kitchen stains, withstanding assaults from a vampire stake (real big problem in the Catskills), a hunting knife and yes, even Tony's high-tech bow and arrow (cue up Paul McCartney song here) with book attached to a fake target deer. We even "frisbeed" one and used another for a wheel chock.
However, the real fun came as we realized that a short improvised film was coming together (we considered it the kickoff of the One-Day Film Club, where the object is to shoot a film in just one day). Another mysterious entity took on a life of its own, The Gilboa Institute for Hillbilly Research. Before you could bat an eyelid, Tony is gathering up an assortment of hunting rifles and 2 pistols (.22 Ruger and a Smith & Wesson .41 Magnum), ammo and hearing protection. About 10 minutes down the road, we arrive at the The Gilboa Institute for Hillbilly Research Testing/Firing Range (actually a state forest). After locating a suitably tall log (how convenient) and setting it upright, the real fun began. Setting each book on the end (with just enough "splinters" to hold it in place), they were no match for the vast weaponry (both at close range AND a couple distant sniper shots with a .308 rifle).
After filming the closing comments, yours truly got to fire off the Ruger .22 (6 out of 10 rounds hit the black area of the target board we bought along in addition) and the real treat, the .41 Magnum, and yes, I re-enacted a famous scene from a Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" flick. My target was a can, and I managed to nail that 2 out 3 shots. One thing with the Magnum, it has more kick than you see in the movies and it's louder than hell!
That night the BBQ once again got a good workout as we laughed and discussed ideas for the film. What we decided was for us both to edit and piece together our own versions and get 2 unique perspectives so to speak.
On Friday, the beautiful weather took a turn for the cold and rainiy, so it was an indoor day perfect for some creative activity at the Funkyard Dog recording studio. Having bought one of my 5-string basses (a Schecter), I laid down 3 short completely improvised solo bass pieces, which turned out just beautifully due to Tony's ace engineering and agility with Apple Logic Pro recording software (which in my mind stomps all over Pro-Tools for user-friednliness and efficiency). Tony over the course fo the week also played me some brand new material he's been writing (and re-writing) for his second CD, for now to be titled "St. Antler's Day", with a loose theme incorporating a lot of local stories, characters and cultural quirks.
Dinner that night was with a MAJOR Italian flair as only Tony could do. Simmering red peppers, hot suasage, onions, olive oil and minced garlic for several hours yielded a bountiful feast enjoyed by us, Tony's frined Ellla and her daughter Veronica, however, "Diamond", Ella's dog couldn't partake (canines don't do very well with spicy food).
And alas, it was Saturday and time to head back home. Let me tell ya folks, getting back home to Atlanta was quite an adventure unto itself.
Tony drove me back to Albany, along the way we stopped off for a resolutely unhealthy (but VERY delicious breakfast) in Wyndham NY, another very beautiful locale. We arrived in plenty of time to hang out until my Greyhound arrived. It did, about an hour late!!
Despite that, the sailing was smooth, until somewhere in 'Joizey, we hit bad traffic snarls. Finally pulled into NYC's Port Authority terminal and my connecting coach had been long gone for a half hour--GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! This necessitated biting the bullet for $15 to get my tickets changed and waiting 2 hours for the next one. The woman behind the counter busted me up though, I could've sworn she said, "Just one human travelling?". We looked at each other and just busted up laughing! Much needed after that first missed connection. And seeing a fellow passenger who bore a strange resemblance to MSNBC's Keith Olbermann provided some mild amusement as well (wasn't him though, DANG!)
About 7:30 pm we're rolling out the Lincoln Tunnel and into 'Joizey once again (this is the only road trip I've ever taken where I crossed New Joizey twice in the same day, both ways!). So far so good and on schedule to make a connection in Raleigh NC (then going through Fayetteville, Augusta GA and finally home a different route. Somewhere between a late night stop in Baltimore MD and Beautiful Downtown Richmond VA, the coach;s AC unit bit the dust! Our driver radioed ahead for a new coach with functional AC. Finally pulling into Richmond about 2 am, I managed to summon up enough consciousness to watch some CNN and catch up with some current events and news.
About 3am, with a new coach, we're rolling again. But not even 5 miles out, the danged AC unit bites the dust again, turning our AC-ed coach into Hell On Wheels (in terms of temperature). Our quick-thinking driver pulls over, immediately opens the roof hatches, and after a brief poll of us passengers, decides to loop back to Richmond to get another coach, that hopefully has AC. About a half hour or so later, we pull out of Richmond again and wouldn't you know it, THE BLOODY THING ACTUALLY WORKS!! Imagine that! I finally managed to get a small amount of snooze time (probably just shy of 3 hours).
Finally make it into Raleigh NC (pretty nice scenery along the way, even when it's grey and drizzly). Completely missed my connnection AGAIN!! But wouldn't you know it, the driver being the good hearted soul he is, let me stay onboard to Charlotte NC, where I could change to an Atlanta bound bus and they would honor the ticket. So far so good.
At Charlotte I finally managed to grab something resembling a decent meal with a good hour or so to stretch out. Finally line up for the last leg of the trip home, and HOLY CRAP, that coach was PACKED!!
Despite that, the remainder of the trip to Atlanta went pretty smooth, made more bearable by a coupple of seatmates (one woman headed for Alabama, the other, a trucker bound for Texas) that made hilarious and deadly accurate observations about topics as far flung as local wildlife and panhandlers in different cities (the trucker's descriptions of the behavior of Atlanta panhandlers were dead-on accurate! There are indeed some who don't stop at money, some even try to hit you up for your nice shoes and other items, and often ask, "Are you the po-leece?") .
Finally pull into Atlanta about 6pm, about 5 hours later than originally planned but still at a decent hour, and in one piece, luggage intact (even if a bit punchy and sleep-starved). Well, I knew I was in downtown Atlanta alright when right at the entrance to the MARTA station I'm greeted by 2 panhandlers! Thanks for the welcome guys!! And sorry, I'm not an ATM machine and I WISH I was the po-leece!
That notwithstanding, it was good to be back in sunny Atlanta, getting home to both cats giving me the royal welcome (especially "Beaumont" yapping away) and telling some of my stories to Brian and his girlfiriend Lindsey. All told, it was a GREAT trip I wouldn't trade anything in the world for. Despite the AC-incidents, it's agood bet Greyhound will see more of my business. Looking forward to the next road epic
Hoo Hooooooooo!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Friday Follies Revisited!
2) Meanwhile, Some 240,000 Miles From Here: Our Moon is slowly but certainly revealing itself as something far more than just some cratered ball of rock with cool craters that gives us tides and fuels legends and myths. Scientists have found that lunar soil is rich in an isotope, Helium 3 that could provide a vital piece of the puzzle in having practical nuclear fusion for power generation. Being a non-radioactive isotope, unlike deuterium or tritium (isotopes of hydrogen), Helium 3 if fused together would not only release copius amounts of energy, but the result would be able to convert directly to electrical power, eliminating the need for an inefficient steam-turbine setup. The other benefit being, that unlike fusion hydrogen isotopes and their resultant emissions (that would rapidly degrade the walls of a reactor), fusing Helium 3 would be a lot easier on the reactor's structural integrity, meaning lower operating costs. Of course, all this is theoretical at the present time, but if it could be made to work, the results would be nothing short of phenomenal. A mere 40 tons of Helium 3 could take care of the electricity needs of the US for about a year it's estimated. Stuff like this just makes me look forward to the day when we can REALLY tell the Saudi Arabian government and OPEC to go screw themselves and the camel they rode in on. More details from Live Science HERE
3) They Just Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To #555,187: In Phoenix AZ, one man and a few of his neighbors got a rather unpleasant surprise at 5:30 in the morning when his water heater shot out of the garage like a missle and landed about ablock away. Thankfully, no injuries, just some rattled nerves. Investigators first thought it was a gas explosion until they realized it was an electric water heater. Very likely a faulty pressure relief valve. Amazing how much power there is in heated water! Video HERE
4) I Wish It Was A Joke #8821: Justice denied again. A Federal court ruled against a number of families of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks who were set to bring lawsuits against at least 4 Saudi Arabian princes, rightly taking them to task for their long-standing material/financial support of terrorists that led to the tragedy.. The grounds, these spoiled rich kid punks have sovereign immunity or something along those lines. Must be nice to be that rich and get away with anything you want, including supporting mass murderers! If I was their dad, I'd have them beheaded! Story HERE.
5) Don't Compromise, SHATNERIZE!!!: Me and video editing software and a thing for William Shatner's "singing", a VERY dangerous combination! For a long time, I pictured Shatner giving his unique treatment to the old Rolling Stones chestnut, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" (in my mind, one of the VERY FEW times The Stones got even close to writing a decent song). Armed with not only that but a home recording studio and a bunch of instruments, I proceeded to fiendishly decontruct said ditty and "Shatnerize" it if you will. The end result can now be seen on You Tube, CLICK HERE, I DOUBLE DOG DARE YA!!!!!!!!!!!
There'll never be another Thelonious Monk, that's for absolute certain. This has been spending a lot of time in my player of late. A rare foray for Monk into big band territory (a "smallish" big band of about 10 players including his regular quartet at the time in the 60's) with arrangements crafted by Hall Overton , Monk spins forth some of his most witty and utterly unpredictable jazz compositions with even more twists and turns, colors and shades. This was originally taped on December 30, 1963 at Symphony Hall in New York to a very appreciative audience. Highly recommended!
Happy Friday everyone!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Jail Is Like--A--Series Of Bars----------
Alaska Republican Senator Ted "The Internet, It's Like A Series Of Tubes" Stevens was formally indicted on 7/29/2008 after a years long investigation into his rather questionable realtionship to VECO, a very powerful oil industry contractor in his native Alaska. He is charged with accepting and concealing illegal gifts and services over a value of $250,000. Uh, let's call it for what it really is folks, B-R-I-B-E-R-Y!
His buddies at VECO were paying him off in goods and services (including extensive and pricey renovations on a home of his in Alaska) for legislative favors. And of course, being the true-blue die-hard Republican he is, he took it without the slightest thought that what he was doing was not only illegal but downright sleazy and a slap in the face to those citizens who voted for him. And predictably, his Republican buddies are calling him a hero, a brave man and other implausible nonsense. You guys honestly think ANYONE is going to believe that BS anymore? And I can just see the Fox News crowd saying that he;s the victim of a plot by commie liberals. Oh if ONLY the government was competent enough to pull off such a thing.
And at 84 years old and having been in Congress BEFORE Alaska became a state, you have to wonder, didn't he make enough money already on our dime? And the fact he's running for re-election to the Senate against the Democratic mayor of Anchorage in the midst of this represents delusional thinking at its most comical! He REALLY thinks he'll just cruise to an easy victory like before. Don't think so Ted, if there's any justice you'll at least be soundly defeated. And better still, sped the rest of your useless life behind bars, where you can entertain your cellmates with your utterly HILARIOUS analogies and descriptions about the Internet.
Nice try Teddy Boy!
Story HERE
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Lottery and Fictitious Parasites From Outer Space
Thursday, July 10, 2008
RIP: The Fourth Amendment September 17, 1787 - July 9, 2008
July 9, 2008, a date that SHOULD live in infamy. It was on this date that a spineless, corrupt and utterly incompetent and cowardly Congress ONCE AGAIN, gave into the outrageous fear-mongering and unconstitutional demands of George W. Bush and the Republican Party by passing the FISA bill (which Bush WILL sign into law) expanding the powers and ability of the Executive Branch and the government in general to conduct ILLEGAL domestic spying against its own citizens under the pretense of "fighting terror" (the secret warrantless wiretapping program initiated by Bush after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bush and his underlings DELIBERATELY broke the law by carrying this out bypassing oversight of the FISA court which must approve and give warrants for such actions), and just as odious, giving telecom companies (like Verizon, AT&T et al) immunity from civil lawsuits for cooperating in such nefarious activity (although maybe it's possible to prosecute a CRIMINAL lawsuit), the likes of which might've made the Nixon administration blush. Congress once again has proved its inherent worthlessness time and time again just mindlessly giving in to Bush's demands. Sadly, only a tiny literal handful of people in Congress (Dennis Kucinich, Henry Waxman, Ron Paul (a Republican) and Patrick Lahey) have opposed Bush and the Republicans (and fellow Democrats) on these issues. The Democrats won a major coup in the 2006 on a heavily-hyped promise of change and reform. With the exception of these 4 individuals (and maybe one or two I'm missing), the Democrats showed that they WILLINGLY LIED just to get elected, and since then, they've been nothing but enablers and willing accomplices to the criminal behavior of the Republicans in their attempts to destroy the Constitution and the very values this country was founded on. Traitors and cowards all of em! I also lost a MAJOR amount of respect for Barack Obama for his all-too-easy switching viewpoints on this bill, yes folks HE VOTED FOR IT (I'm sure in an attempt to woo Republican voters).
I dare say the one hope we have may be if a Federal or the Supreme Court strikes down this law as inherently unconstitutional (as a Federal court did with provisions of the Patriot Act),
To Congress, the Democrats AND The Republicans (save for the 4 afforementioned individuals I cited), I say that the only fate befitting you right now is either your execution (by firing squad or beheading) or your PERMANENT EXPULSION from this country altogether and I dare say that The Republicans AND the Democrats are deserving of such punishment as well for their willful and REMORSELESS assaults on the Constitution and our values as Americans. OFF WITH ALL OF YOUR HEADS!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Uhhh, What Kind of Music Is That--?
With the aid of our brilliant engineer Scott Trihn at the controls, Jeremy and I proceeded to explore the outer frontiers of improvised music, trying a number of different groves and styles, ranging from slow smoldering cop-show jazz/swing to edgy angular funk, psychedelic and even a spacey percussion improv from Jeremy utilizing a marimba, tablas, bongos, a 20" gong and more.
Ultimately, the aim of these guided improvisations is to sculpt music around them (in my case for a new CD to be released next year, for now entitled, The Complete Radio Free Antarctica Tapes), and for Jeremy he may even devise some visual accompaniments as well as musical ones. The idea was to have a solid foundation to sculpt actual music from (be it ever so obtuse and RAGINGLY "uncommercial") as opposed to senseless random flailing/thrashing.
All told, I was very happy with the 5 pieces that resulted, and of course with further editing, teaking and adding instruments on at my home studio, The Owl's Nest, I'm sure some very colorful and challenging (to say the least, I ain't getting any more commercial folks LOL) We weren't producing the next Brittany Spears atrocity or vying for hit singles. A HUGE thank you to both Jeremy and Scott for humoring my unorthodox methods and making these little sketches and vague thoughts come to life. 100% real, in the moment and NO Pro-Tools was employed at any time.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Several Things The Bush Presidency Makes A Good Case For---
1) George W. Bush's Trial and Execution By Firing Squad For Treason: Namely for KNOWINGLY allowing Osama Bin Laden to escape and for conspiracy to commit treason by way of planning to ram through the Dubai Ports World sale of several of our ports operation to an Arab terrorist-supporting state, namely Dubai. And to say nothing of his too-cozy relationship with the terrorist-supporting Saudi Royal Family. And then there's the matter of a really half-a$$ed job in Afghanistan where the Taliban were merely chased off, as opposed to ANNIHILATING and mercilessly destroying them as they should've been before they could do any more harm. In all these things, Bush remorselessly sold us out to the enemy.
2) A Mandatory Intelligence/Competency Test For Federal Office Seekers/Holders: ANYONE seeking Federal office should be subjected to a rigorous intelligence/competency test before even being allowed to run for office and NOBODY with an IQ below 140 would be allowed to run for ANY office or hold any office, period! Brainless morons like Bush have NO place in the White House or ANY office, period! Haven't we had enough?
3) A Federal Law That Prohibits ANYONE With The Last Names of Bush or Clinton For EVER Running For Office Anywhere At Any Time: Haven't we had enough incompetence, stupidity and lawless shenanigans from these two infamous families already?.
4) A Federal Law That Prohibits ANYONE With Ties to Oil/Energy, Pharmaceutical or Banking Industries From Running For Office: Enough said!
5) The Mass Arrest and Permanent Deportation Of The Republican Party: The last 18 years have seen the Republican Party go from bad to worse in terms of rampant corruption, wanton criminal behavior (see http://www.republicanoffenders.com/ for just a partial listing of their shenanigans) complete abandonment of conservative principles, lust for power, offering up incompetent and vacuous candidates (like BOTH Bushes and Bob Dole) isn't it time we stopped giving these amoral morons a free pass? Remember, the turn to evil began with George HW Bush.
6) The Complete Removal of Our Armed Forces From ALL Foreign Countries: Let's face it folks, our military has been overextended and stretched PAST the breaking point. We NEED our troops right here to defend OUR borders. My concern is that if we are attacked again, can we defend ourselves and even retaliate? I dare say, in our present state, we're screwed (NO THANKS to Clinton/Gore AND Bush/Cheney and Rumsfeld's total incompetence). The very idea that we should should fight every country's battles for them is just plain foolish and stupid. We CANNOT be everyone's parent. Our military needs to be ready to defend US first. America First! Pat Buchanan had it right from Day One!
7) Shutting Down the Department of Homeland Security: This utterly worthless agency has not only wasted millions of our tax dollars but created a climate of fear in its overreaching violations of our constitutional rights, placed odious regulations and burdens on air travelers by treating all air travelers as presumed terrorists, and just simply being a bunch of paranoid Gestapo-wannabes. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS I SAY!
8) Elimination Of The Two Party System: Between the Republican's rampant criminal behavior, disrespect for the Constitution and the rights of Americans and the Democrats all-too-pronounced Socialist leanings, we NEED a real choice going forward. It is INHERENTLY undemocratic and UNAMERICAN that only two well-heeled and long entrenched parties bankrupt of ideas or decency u are allowed to rule. It's WAY PAST TIME that the Libertarians, The Constitution Party , The Populists and Independent people were allowed to take part in the democratic process.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
At Least ONE Branch Of The Government Is Working Right--
After deciding a number o flower-grade cases, it came time to decide 3 very MAJOR contentions which were:
1) Treatment of Guantanamo Bay Detainees: Here, the justices in a close 5-4 decision gave Genius-Boy George Dubbaya a well-deserved bashing over the head. Their decision maintained in essence that detainees cannot not be held indefinitely without being informed of charges against them, without trial, without counsel or without hearings. This simply just reiterates what is already stated in the Constitution, international law as well as just plain decency and common sense (something the Republicans and Bush completely lack altogether).
2) Reaffirming Second Amendment Rights: Although it should be no mystery to anyone with half a mind, the Second Amendment of the US Constitution clearly states:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
In a very historic 5-4 decision, after many years of near silence on the issue, the justices essentially reaffirmed our constitutional right to bear arms for home and individual protection. This was precipitated by a legal challenge to Washington DC's draconian handgun ban. Predictably, the gun control crowd is running scared, whining that it'll be like the Wild West all over again. Personally, I don't buy that bit of hogwash when it has been shown many times over that an armed citizenry does in fact take a bite out of crime. At least SOME people are getting the message (The Supreme Court namely), that we DO NOT need gun control, but rather, we need CRIME CONTROL (a whole different ballgame altogether). More commentary HERE
3) Prohibition of Death Penalty for Child Rape: Here's where I VEHEMENTLY disagree with the justices. Although it may be legally and technically correct, morally and ethically, I just cannot get behind this one decision. The damage done to a child by sexual assault is lasting and very deep. To me, the ONLY fitting penalty for this or ANY kind of rape is death.
But #3 notwithstanding, I am really proud of our justices and their willingness to tackle some tough issues head on, again, their courage has COMPLETELY put to shame the Executive and Legislative branches of our government. This Owl salutes and thanks all nine of you, your summer break is well earned indeed!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Poetic Justice # 6698: Kanye West Gets Rapped
Rapper/Egotist/Professional Dumba$$ Kanye West got a rather mild dose of what's coming to him very recently at the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. First off, the Bonnaroo people did make a rather questionable judgement in having him perform in the first place, given Bonnaroo 's reputation for presenting some wildly ecclectic and genuinely creative music on its many stages. Creativity is something that Kanye West could definitely NOT be accused of.
After requesting numerous delays and postponements, Mr. West settled on a 2:45 am time slot after Pearl Jam wrapped up their fiery set. Next thing you know, more delays, and the crowd is getting pretty danged restless and impatient by this point (at least the ones who were still awake). Meanwhile, Mr West's entourage is building this massive and over-the top stage set, first red flag. Next red flag, NO BAND, it would be him (allegedly) performing to computer generated Pro-Tools tracks. And at 4:25 am, Mr Dumba$$ finally takes the stage, ego on display as usual, but what he didn't figure in (naturally, an overfed ego does not allow for rational thought or foresight) was this crowd's justified annoyance and even anger at his shenanigans. And you thought Guns 'n Roses was bad? And worse yet, the eventually rising sun washed out the light show (BOOOOO FREAKIN' HOOOOOO!)
Before long, the crowd is telling him in no uncertain terms that he sucks and pelts him with plastic glow sticks. He should consider himself pretty danged lucky, it could've been bottles or worse. I side with the crowd on this one, I mean, you pay good money, put up witha lot of aggravation and uncertainty at an outdoor festival to start with, but man, being jerked around by someone with an ego the size of Texas and the brain of an amoeba just ain;t worth it, especially when it's a bunch of dumbaSSed, lame gangsta rap? That goes beyond unacceptable. Who in their right mind would pay premium prices to see karaoke? Sorry Kanye, people are waking up and seeing how lame you really are, and I honestly hope that people will one day wake up to the fact of how utterly lame Rap is as a whole.
An MSNBC story HERE
Friday, June 13, 2008
RIP: Tim Russert 1950-2008
Tim since the early 90's took over hosting NBC's "Meet The Press" and bought a depth and willingness to ask pointed questions that few dared to. In addition, he was reknowned for his election coverage work with NBC and moderating many a political debate. Though staunchly Democratic, Russert never let that compromise his objectivity or journalistic integrity. Originally a lawyer, Russsert eventually turned to journalism with the same excellence and success he pursued with law previously.
For more on Tim's life and career, see HERE
RIP Tim, this Owl definitely will miss your hard-hitting and reliable journalism, good humor and wit.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Who's The Real Terrorist? #592 Michelle Malkin
This empty-headed blowhard/ignoramous sure loves to get on people's bad side and perpetuate Republican Party/Fox News fear-mongering like few I've seen (excepting of course the UNHOLY trinity of O'Reilly, Limbaugh and Hannity) , and of course, the latest of her outrages being accusing Dunkin' Donuts and Rachel Ray of "selling terrorism" by way of A PAISLEY SCARF that Rachel was wearing in an ad, of course, Malkin immediately just had to start something by publicly implying that the scarf was a garment worn by Jihadists (FACT: It was NOT), and next thing you know, Dunkin' Donuts, in a glaring moment of spinelessness and acquiescence to these fear-mongering pinheads, pulls the ad and issues an apology that was completely unnecessary. What they should've done was stand their ground and confront Ms Malkin on her ignorance of facts, her remorseless bullying and her morbid need to stir fear, paranoia and suspicion for her own gain, harassment and possibly even slander, not to mention her journalistic incompetence! But then again, expecting journalistic competence, ethics and integrity from ANYBODY associated with Fox News (she was until late 2007 on the "O'Reilly Factor" show) is like expecting a caveman to do brain surgery.
Another thing that gets me is that Ms Malkin is labeld a "Conservative Commentator", which is factually inaccurate. The Republican Party is labeled "Conservative" but nothing could be further from the truth. The GOP and people like Malkin are about as conservative as Stalin.
To Ms Malkin, I say SHUT THE HELL UP YOU BRAINLESS IDIOT!!!! Someday, your asinine pronouncements will come back and bite you, hopefully in the form of a lawsuit or two or three and hopefully the end of your career! If you are drummed out of ANY media arena and publically called out for the incompetent, ignorant fraud you are, I'll throw a party!
And my sincerest condolences to Rachel Ray for all the BS you've had to endure from these cretinous idiots like Malkin et al. I feel your pain and completely sympathize with you.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
25 Years In The Slammer for Boy Band Creator
It's official folks, Lou Pearlman, the low-life swindler/con-artist and purveyor of such musical abominations as The Backstreet Boys, N'Sync et al got himself 25 years in Federal prison for swindling individual investors and banks out of some $300 million since the 1980's.
U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp, if perchance we meet in person, I'd not only like to shake your hand but also buy you dinner to thank you for putting away this arrogant, greedy lowest form of pond slime! Not only for the swindling/bilking part, but for inflicting that God-Awful Boy-Band crap on us as well! This dumba$$'s sentence is well deserved!
A St Petersburg Times story HERE
Monday, May 19, 2008
Extremely Thin Books / Books That'll NEVER Be Published
2) Hypocrisy Is Profitable by Newt Gingrich
3) The Return to Marital Faithfulness by Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy and Newt Gingrich
4) Prepare for ANY Emergency by Michael Brown
5) The Pursuit of Intellectual Greatness by George W. Bush and Kanye West
6) Ethics and Integrity In Journalism by Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch
7) More Profiles In Courage by George W Bush and Ted Kennedy
8) The Power of Hot Air by Rush Limbaugh
9) The Art of Conversation and Listening by Bill O'Reilly
10) The Power of Indecision by George HW Bush
11) The Constitution? OVERRATED! by John Ashcroft
12) Shrew Is For You by Hillary Clinton
13) Under Oath: How I ALWAYS Told The Truth by Alberto Gonzalez
14) Self Control and Civil Behavior by Foxy Brown and 50 Cent
15) How To Talk English Real Good by Dan Quayle
16) Non-Violent Justice by Janet Reno
17) A Guide to Kindness and Humiliy by Karl Rove
18) How To Outrun Angry Mobs by Sean Hannity
19) Increase Your IQ by Jessica Simpson and Mariah Carey
20) Secrets Of A Lasting Marriage by Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Still Thinking of Voting Republican?
Still thinking of voting Republican this fall? Well, you might want to get a look at a certain website before doing so. Now to be fair, the Democrats have had their share of criminals on parade too (most notably Bill and Hillary), but I honestly think we've been giving the Republicans a free pass for far too long. This is the party that STILL claims to be the good guys, the ones who stand for morality, decency, American values and The Constitution.
In reality, their words and actions could not be further apart. Besides the obvious high profile criminals and traitors like the entire Bush administration, Jack Abramoff, Tom Delay, Scooter Libby, Bernard Kerik, Mark Sijander (the MI congressman who is now under indictment for money laundering for terrorists) and such, there's plenty more at various levels of Federal, State and Local government who have permanently sullied their own reputations but that of the Republican party as well, all beyond any repair. And in doing so, have damaged the reputation of the US as a nation, all without the slightest bit of remorse.
But don't take my word for it, facts speak for themselves, take some time and browse through http://www.republicanoffenders.com/ and see for yourself.