Humor passed along to me and recently posted here was commented upon by Irene. She has since added more at her site detailing the origin of it.
It is reported that this is a true story. Well, much like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is only based on the true story of Wisconsinian (Wisconsan, Wisconsonoid? throw me a bone here!) Ed Gein (as is Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs and "Mother" Bates from Psycho), so too is this story based on the true premise of the MyKad card in Malaysia.
Here, though, is the original story, by the original author, Terrance Victor Smith. No slight was intended by my unatributed posting.
12/13/2003
ok, i'm serious this time
Promo Guy links to a real Santa game. It's really only for those of you with DSL or better, because of its size. And its engaging enough that it caused Kelsi to squeal "SANTA!" when I gave it a shot.
Really.
No tricks this time.
I promise.
Oh, and if you haven't played the game two posts down...
...forget everything you just read.
Really.
No tricks this time.
I promise.
Oh, and if you haven't played the game two posts down...
...forget everything you just read.
and they say span is bad for you
in my inbox:
and I thought I had just stuffed one of Cotter's action figures in my back pocket.
and I thought I had just stuffed one of Cotter's action figures in my back pocket.
conceding...advancing
I removed the banner for the 2003 blog awards. The profound thumping I've taken motivated the decision. In its stead has been placed the code to check my progress (or regress, whatever the case may be) through the blogging ecosphere.
I'm sure all of this means nothing to you.
I'm sure all of this means nothing to you.
a north georgia blizzard
Yesterday, my wife and two youngest children accompanied me on my drive to work, so they could see the office decorations. On the way there, we saw that the sky was dotted with gently sashaying, large snowflakes.
or so we thought.
"What is this?" my lovely bride asked incredulously.
"It can't be," I said, but silently hoping that it was.
It wasn't.
As we continued driving, we soon made the connection. About four cars ahead of us was a large tractor-trailers, stuffed to the brim with Tyson chickens, making their seasonal migration South to the slaughterhouse.
As that Piedmont stormed down GA400 at 75 mph, molted feathers flew everywhere. And as we passed, I had to look at more than one frightened Henny Penny in the eye, acknowledging the possibility that we'd one day again meet...
ahhhhh....makes you want to cuddle up around the warm hearth and sip a mug of wassail, doesn't it?
or so we thought.
"What is this?" my lovely bride asked incredulously.
"It can't be," I said, but silently hoping that it was.
It wasn't.
As we continued driving, we soon made the connection. About four cars ahead of us was a large tractor-trailers, stuffed to the brim with Tyson chickens, making their seasonal migration South to the slaughterhouse.
As that Piedmont stormed down GA400 at 75 mph, molted feathers flew everywhere. And as we passed, I had to look at more than one frightened Henny Penny in the eye, acknowledging the possibility that we'd one day again meet...
ahhhhh....makes you want to cuddle up around the warm hearth and sip a mug of wassail, doesn't it?
passion-ate news
A Catholic and an athiest review The Passion of The Christ. Remember, this is the Internet and not the mainline press, when (if) you read these reviews. The language is a little rough, but their reviews are insightful -- to the movie, to the message of Jesus, and even to these two reviewers' spiritual journey (and everyone is on a spiritual journey, even if they realize it or not).
Here are two more from other reviewers at the same filming. One is an agnostic (who has written a review that would get Five Fabulous Fiery stars from John F Kerry, iF yaknowwhadimean) , and the while the other doesn't disclose his
own spiritual orientation, he does talk extensively about how others are affected by it. I find it interesting how this film has drawn out such candid self disclosures. It's not like you see this in other movies. You'll not see, for example, a critic write, "as a Wiccan, I loved Return of the King!" or "I may be a Mac user, but the Matrix trilogy was an obvious cautionary tale about the dangers of using the Microsoft OS platform." Clearly, the person of Jesus draws this out of every person. Just by who He is, we are compelled to relate ourselves to Him -- positively, negatively, or otherwise.
On a related note, the promotion team of The Passion of The Christ is making online ticket purchases available. You can buy individual or group tickets. Some groups are buying out entire showings. The idea is the more pre-purchasing that occurs, the greater the distribution. Maybe this is necessary, but I have a hunch this movie is going to open #1 and will take in a $200 million+ box office (in North America). The message of the Christ's sacrifice has a global appeal, and this particular rendition of it has received so much preliminary hype that it will be viewed and re-viewed, by those who love it as well as hate it.
Here are two more from other reviewers at the same filming. One is an agnostic (who has written a review that would get Five Fabulous Fiery stars from John F Kerry, iF yaknowwhadimean) , and the while the other doesn't disclose his
own spiritual orientation, he does talk extensively about how others are affected by it. I find it interesting how this film has drawn out such candid self disclosures. It's not like you see this in other movies. You'll not see, for example, a critic write, "as a Wiccan, I loved Return of the King!" or "I may be a Mac user, but the Matrix trilogy was an obvious cautionary tale about the dangers of using the Microsoft OS platform." Clearly, the person of Jesus draws this out of every person. Just by who He is, we are compelled to relate ourselves to Him -- positively, negatively, or otherwise.
On a related note, the promotion team of The Passion of The Christ is making online ticket purchases available. You can buy individual or group tickets. Some groups are buying out entire showings. The idea is the more pre-purchasing that occurs, the greater the distribution. Maybe this is necessary, but I have a hunch this movie is going to open #1 and will take in a $200 million+ box office (in North America). The message of the Christ's sacrifice has a global appeal, and this particular rendition of it has received so much preliminary hype that it will be viewed and re-viewed, by those who love it as well as hate it.
what does a holiday rimshot sound like?
What do you call people who are afraid of Santa?
Claustrophobic
pa-rum-pum-pum-PUM *CSSSHHH*
Try the eggnog. It's delish. And don't forget to tip your elf. He's been working all year for this.
Claustrophobic
pa-rum-pum-pum-PUM *CSSSHHH*
Try the eggnog. It's delish. And don't forget to tip your elf. He's been working all year for this.
12/12/2003
who are you supposed to be?
Though it may seem a little out of season, I was compelled to step away from the normal Christmastime cheer because of a recent quote that came floating into my inbox.
This quote struck me as profound because recently, I heard something from Kenny Luck, leader of everyman, basically say that the reason men do not integrate into church life is because they are not compelled to take off their masks.
The argument is that every man -- and dare I say, every woman, too -- wears a mask. There are two sides to every person. There is the side that is revealed, that everyone knows about and that most would approve and/or like. This side is the "good spouse, good parent, good employee, good churchgoer, good volunteer, goodie good gooder."
Then there is the hidden side. This is the side that knows sin. This is the side that lusts, that is tempted, that gets mad, that experiences jealousy, that likes to gossip, undermine, and subvert. This is the side that is shameful and shame-filled. It is the side that others would look down upon and scorn. And whether this side of you is 1 percent of who you really are, or 99 percent, you've got that side.
This is the hidden side. And what hides it? The other side hides it. The "known and shown" side masks the hidden side. Why do we mask? Because we don't want others to know who we really are. We are afraid it won't meet the approval of others. We're afraid that we'll be like Frankenstein's monster, that once the mask has been removed, everyone around us will either want to flee from us, or to destroy us.
Not only do these masks become our poor covers for the hidden self, and they also are used to cartoonishly convey who we hope to be. In effect, the "known" side actually becomes a caricature because of the ugliness of the hidden side that inevitably peeks through.
These are typical masks I see among people, whether they be in the church, in the office, in the family, or in the neighborhood.
The Tough Guy -- This person portrays the image of being mean, unapproachable, and intimidating. If you're scared of this person, you can never get close to him.
The Jedi Master -- This person knows more than you about the whatever topic is being discussed. Smug and superior, this person belittles others with intelligence that "everyone should know."
The Village Idiot -- The opposite of The Jedi Master. Often acts foolishly in every arena of life, and claims to not know any better. Every once in a rare while shows just enough perception to show he really "has a clue" if he'd take the time to be real.
The Fanatic -- Can't talk about anything other than a favorite sport, team, or game.
Mr. Angry Man -- This person is mad at every thing, and is going to let you know about it. Must be exhausted at the end of the day because of the amount of energy expended being so angry.
I'm Here to Save You -- This person thinks its his/her job to rescue everything. Has often said, "If I don't do it, nobody will." So busy filling the gaps, "holding the rope together" that important things are falling apart elsewhere.
Check the Toe Tag -- This guy doesn't get excited about anything, and you often wonder if he even has a pulse. Speaks up every once in a while, but only to complain. Causes you to privately wonder if he'd be happier six feet under.
The Sour Puss -- Much like the Check the Toe Tag, but gripes a lot more often.
Mr. Devious -- Likes to be "cutting edge," thinks being bad is good because it keeps everyone else on their toes. Likes to see people agitated at his behavior.
The World Is Mine -- Always chasing the mighty dollar. Always talking about getting a billion million dollars. Would be happy if he could get the next new "toy" whether it be boats, surround sound systems, or sharks with laser beams attached to their heads.
The Victim -- Everything always happens to this guy. Don't you want to pity him?
Mr. Happy -- Believes that the 11th Commandment is "Sadness is a sin." Will tell you everything is wonderful, even if his world is falling apart.
The Critic -- Not only doesn't have anything good to say, but says how he'd have done it better, faster, sooner, and/or cheaper.
The Comedian -- Always working for a laugh. Never gets serious.
-- The Ambiguous -- Doesn't reveal anything about self. Just very generic, very detached.
I'm sure there's other masks worn. Sometimes we might wear one mask for a while until it becomes uncomfortable. Eventually, the mask becomes a prison. The only way to be set free from the mask is love. Love accepts the real you, the hidden you. Love is light. And light shone upon the hidden reveals that which it truly is. When the light of love reveals that which is hidden, there is no more room for fear.
Before I came to faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, I was a man of masks. I at times was the Party Hound, the Jedi Master, the Comedian, the Critic, and the World is Mine. I wore masks because I thought the part of me that was hidden was unknowable, unlovable, and unforgivable. It was only when the love of God, expressed in the atonement of the Son, shone upon the hidden parts of my life that I could finally be real -- Free to be who I was created to be.
If you wear a mask, you're not fooling anybody. That's what so funny about masks. Most people can tell within the first few minutes if you're hiding the "real you." It's a big step, but for your own good, let the love of God take off the mask that you fear you cannot live without. Only then can you really start living.
This quote struck me as profound because recently, I heard something from Kenny Luck, leader of everyman, basically say that the reason men do not integrate into church life is because they are not compelled to take off their masks.
The argument is that every man -- and dare I say, every woman, too -- wears a mask. There are two sides to every person. There is the side that is revealed, that everyone knows about and that most would approve and/or like. This side is the "good spouse, good parent, good employee, good churchgoer, good volunteer, goodie good gooder."
Then there is the hidden side. This is the side that knows sin. This is the side that lusts, that is tempted, that gets mad, that experiences jealousy, that likes to gossip, undermine, and subvert. This is the side that is shameful and shame-filled. It is the side that others would look down upon and scorn. And whether this side of you is 1 percent of who you really are, or 99 percent, you've got that side.
This is the hidden side. And what hides it? The other side hides it. The "known and shown" side masks the hidden side. Why do we mask? Because we don't want others to know who we really are. We are afraid it won't meet the approval of others. We're afraid that we'll be like Frankenstein's monster, that once the mask has been removed, everyone around us will either want to flee from us, or to destroy us.
Not only do these masks become our poor covers for the hidden self, and they also are used to cartoonishly convey who we hope to be. In effect, the "known" side actually becomes a caricature because of the ugliness of the hidden side that inevitably peeks through.
These are typical masks I see among people, whether they be in the church, in the office, in the family, or in the neighborhood.
The Tough Guy -- This person portrays the image of being mean, unapproachable, and intimidating. If you're scared of this person, you can never get close to him.
The Jedi Master -- This person knows more than you about the whatever topic is being discussed. Smug and superior, this person belittles others with intelligence that "everyone should know."
The Village Idiot -- The opposite of The Jedi Master. Often acts foolishly in every arena of life, and claims to not know any better. Every once in a rare while shows just enough perception to show he really "has a clue" if he'd take the time to be real.
The Fanatic -- Can't talk about anything other than a favorite sport, team, or game.
Mr. Angry Man -- This person is mad at every thing, and is going to let you know about it. Must be exhausted at the end of the day because of the amount of energy expended being so angry.
I'm Here to Save You -- This person thinks its his/her job to rescue everything. Has often said, "If I don't do it, nobody will." So busy filling the gaps, "holding the rope together" that important things are falling apart elsewhere.
Check the Toe Tag -- This guy doesn't get excited about anything, and you often wonder if he even has a pulse. Speaks up every once in a while, but only to complain. Causes you to privately wonder if he'd be happier six feet under.
The Sour Puss -- Much like the Check the Toe Tag, but gripes a lot more often.
Mr. Devious -- Likes to be "cutting edge," thinks being bad is good because it keeps everyone else on their toes. Likes to see people agitated at his behavior.
The World Is Mine -- Always chasing the mighty dollar. Always talking about getting a Mr. Happy -- Believes that the 11th Commandment is "Sadness is a sin." Will tell you everything is wonderful, even if his world is falling apart.
The Critic -- Not only doesn't have anything good to say, but says how he'd have done it better, faster, sooner, and/or cheaper.
The Comedian -- Always working for a laugh. Never gets serious.
-- The Ambiguous -- Doesn't reveal anything about self. Just very generic, very detached.
I'm sure there's other masks worn. Sometimes we might wear one mask for a while until it becomes uncomfortable. Eventually, the mask becomes a prison. The only way to be set free from the mask is love. Love accepts the real you, the hidden you. Love is light. And light shone upon the hidden reveals that which it truly is. When the light of love reveals that which is hidden, there is no more room for fear.
Before I came to faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, I was a man of masks. I at times was the Party Hound, the Jedi Master, the Comedian, the Critic, and the World is Mine. I wore masks because I thought the part of me that was hidden was unknowable, unlovable, and unforgivable. It was only when the love of God, expressed in the atonement of the Son, shone upon the hidden parts of my life that I could finally be real -- Free to be who I was created to be.
If you wear a mask, you're not fooling anybody. That's what so funny about masks. Most people can tell within the first few minutes if you're hiding the "real you." It's a big step, but for your own good, let the love of God take off the mask that you fear you cannot live without. Only then can you really start living.
yule love this link wreath
First, Julie linked to my post about Santa's letters. Then the Lopsided Poopdeck (which has lots of good stuff) linked to it, and to her. I'm completing the circle by not only linking to both of them, but to an itemized compendium of all previous holiday thoughts*:
What I really think about Santa.
Three gifts for Jesus this Christmas.
O Tannenbaum: A provocative look at the Christmas Tree.
The Christmas Tree: a devotional.
The Gospel According to Cotter.
Two presents: A Christmas message.
Is Santa a Man or a Woman?
Spreading the Christmas cheer
A Shepherd's Story: a devotional
Perspectives on Christmas: using art to tell the story (note: This is just the first of several links for this meme. Just scroll up for the series -- If I redid this today, I'd do it all as one post, but I didn't then, and I'm not going to now -- Merry Christmas).
Christmas Carols for the psychiatrically challnged It was funny then. It's funny now, and it's still available.
The names of the Christ
One present that matters A Christmas message.
Rather than going back and forth, you can just go to the December 2002 archive and read through the entire list. Whatever trims your tree or frosts your berries.
*Not actually all previous thoughts. Actual thoughts included are the ones from 2002, recorded in this blog. This post was sponsored by the Ghost of Christmas Past.
What I really think about Santa.
Three gifts for Jesus this Christmas.
O Tannenbaum: A provocative look at the Christmas Tree.
The Christmas Tree: a devotional.
The Gospel According to Cotter.
Two presents: A Christmas message.
Is Santa a Man or a Woman?
Spreading the Christmas cheer
A Shepherd's Story: a devotional
Perspectives on Christmas: using art to tell the story (note: This is just the first of several links for this meme. Just scroll up for the series -- If I redid this today, I'd do it all as one post, but I didn't then, and I'm not going to now -- Merry Christmas).
Christmas Carols for the psychiatrically challnged It was funny then. It's funny now, and it's still available.
The names of the Christ
One present that matters A Christmas message.
Rather than going back and forth, you can just go to the December 2002 archive and read through the entire list. Whatever trims your tree or frosts your berries.
*Not actually all previous thoughts. Actual thoughts included are the ones from 2002, recorded in this blog. This post was sponsored by the Ghost of Christmas Past.
12/11/2003
today's ear worm
Kaylyn and Kelsi do a little "Patty-cake" game with a sing-song verse. I think Kaylyn was taught this by her cousin Samantha, who in turn plays it with Kelsi, who affectionately calls it "gumgum," as an homage to the well-known "Bubble gum bubble gum in a dish, how many pieces do you wish?" routine that inevitably follows this one.
Kaylyn tells me these are the lyrics:
This tune has been in my head all day...with these lyrics:
Kaylyn tells me these are the lyrics:
- say say oh play mate
come out and play with me
and bring your dollies three
climb up my apple tree
slide down my rainbow
into the cellar door
and we'll be jolly friends
forever more more
more more more more
This tune has been in my head all day...with these lyrics:
- say say say play play
hum hum hum play with me
duh duh duh DUM-tee-tee
my humdrum sample's free
Sly Stallone was Rambo
bum pum dum bum PUM pum
Rachel is Joey's Friend
and. there. are. four. more...
more more more more
atmos *almost* apologizes
This just came in to my inbox:
This "apology" evoked sentiment that is expressed here on an earlier post of mine regarding empty apologies.
HOWEVER...these sentiments were tempered by earlier revelations preceding the email delivery. When I arrived home, Kelli had already received a phone call from Atmos explaining without apology that they were on their way over to our Colorado house to get the gas turned on tonight, instead of at the scheduled time tomorrow.
I'm pleased that they righted their wrong. But I'm not happy they don't feel compelled to actually apologize for their mistake, and also for their rudeness in mishandling the situation.
What ever happened to treating the customer as though his business, his money are valued and respected?
This "apology" evoked sentiment that is expressed here on an earlier post of mine regarding empty apologies.
HOWEVER...these sentiments were tempered by earlier revelations preceding the email delivery. When I arrived home, Kelli had already received a phone call from Atmos explaining without apology that they were on their way over to our Colorado house to get the gas turned on tonight, instead of at the scheduled time tomorrow.
I'm pleased that they righted their wrong. But I'm not happy they don't feel compelled to actually apologize for their mistake, and also for their rudeness in mishandling the situation.
What ever happened to treating the customer as though his business, his money are valued and respected?
one thing you can be sure of
God will never tell you to have sex with your children.
No matter what this lady said.
The link is safe, and is worth going to see, just for Darren's advice given at the end of the post.
No matter what this lady said.
The link is safe, and is worth going to see, just for Darren's advice given at the end of the post.
redefining customer service
May I have your attention, please.
Atmos energy is the devil.
I've just spent the past two hours with them trying to get them to turn back on the gas to our home in Colorado that they incorrectly turned off, without our permission.
We had the gas turned off back in June, when we moved to Georgia. Well, they decided to keep the gas on "as a courtesy," without informing us. No big deal. We weren't using any, but we didn't know that it was on.
Well, as we needed to make accomodations for our winterized house for the inspection on Dec. 3, we called back and asked them to turn it on. "It's already on," they said, "there's just a $15 reconnect charge."
"Fine," we said.
Well, they never turned it back in our name. But our water and electricity was turned on for the inspection. The inspection occured, thus "undoing" all the winterization. Pipes filled with water. Gas sent to the water heater to effectively heat the water.
After the inspection, a funny thing happened. Someone noticed that gas was flowing at our residence. It wasn't in anybody's name (since they never reconnected it back to us), so the company didn't know who to bill for that minimal quantity of gas used. At that particular moment Atmos had palpitations of anxiety because eight cents in undesignated gas had just been expended. So the automated directive came:
SHUT 'ER DOWN!!
Well, they shut down our gas, and we wouldn't have known about it except that the soon-to-be owner went to establish gas service, and she was told (we learned through our realtor) that gas would have to be turned on (despite pledges that it would be left on until the new owners transferred service). With this news, we were immediately concerned because I have lived in Colorado long enough to see what happens when water contained in pipes freezes and requires room to expand. It can be devastating. And expensive.
So, nothing less than the minor motivation of burst pipes and a dissolution of a home sale transaction compelled me to ask Atmos to remedy their error.
The customer service agents denied responsibility and refused to accomodate our immediate need. When the customer service agents wouldn't help, I asked to speak with a manager. When the manager just wanted to argue about who's fault it was, I asked to speak to his supervisor.
He hung up on me.
This, of course, accomplished in my biological heater what we are asking *their* gas to do at our Florence residence. My Irish blood became instantly heated, to what would certainly be a boiling temperature.
Rather than taking a PMD (internal lingo for "a day off from work") and driving to Customer Service Headquarters (don't worry, I could find it if I really wanted to) in order to have afist face-to-face , I simply counted backwards from 10 to calm down (It took 376 rounds of this verse to accomplish the desired effect), and found the contact information for the corporate office.
When the receptionist answered, I asked, "Who would like to hear about how your customer service agents are hanging up on customers in an emergency situation?"
She connected me with the Vice President of Customer relations, where I spoke with the executive assistant. I was very kind. She was very kind. She has assured me it would be assigned to a director immediately, and that we can expect to hear from them by 5 PM.
Atmos, you're on the clock.
Atmos energy is the devil.
I've just spent the past two hours with them trying to get them to turn back on the gas to our home in Colorado that they incorrectly turned off, without our permission.
We had the gas turned off back in June, when we moved to Georgia. Well, they decided to keep the gas on "as a courtesy," without informing us. No big deal. We weren't using any, but we didn't know that it was on.
Well, as we needed to make accomodations for our winterized house for the inspection on Dec. 3, we called back and asked them to turn it on. "It's already on," they said, "there's just a $15 reconnect charge."
"Fine," we said.
Well, they never turned it back in our name. But our water and electricity was turned on for the inspection. The inspection occured, thus "undoing" all the winterization. Pipes filled with water. Gas sent to the water heater to effectively heat the water.
After the inspection, a funny thing happened. Someone noticed that gas was flowing at our residence. It wasn't in anybody's name (since they never reconnected it back to us), so the company didn't know who to bill for that minimal quantity of gas used. At that particular moment Atmos had palpitations of anxiety because eight cents in undesignated gas had just been expended. So the automated directive came:
SHUT 'ER DOWN!!
Well, they shut down our gas, and we wouldn't have known about it except that the soon-to-be owner went to establish gas service, and she was told (we learned through our realtor) that gas would have to be turned on (despite pledges that it would be left on until the new owners transferred service). With this news, we were immediately concerned because I have lived in Colorado long enough to see what happens when water contained in pipes freezes and requires room to expand. It can be devastating. And expensive.
So, nothing less than the minor motivation of burst pipes and a dissolution of a home sale transaction compelled me to ask Atmos to remedy their error.
The customer service agents denied responsibility and refused to accomodate our immediate need. When the customer service agents wouldn't help, I asked to speak with a manager. When the manager just wanted to argue about who's fault it was, I asked to speak to his supervisor.
He hung up on me.
This, of course, accomplished in my biological heater what we are asking *their* gas to do at our Florence residence. My Irish blood became instantly heated, to what would certainly be a boiling temperature.
Rather than taking a PMD (internal lingo for "a day off from work") and driving to Customer Service Headquarters (don't worry, I could find it if I really wanted to) in order to have a
When the receptionist answered, I asked, "Who would like to hear about how your customer service agents are hanging up on customers in an emergency situation?"
She connected me with the Vice President of Customer relations, where I spoke with the executive assistant. I was very kind. She was very kind. She has assured me it would be assigned to a director immediately, and that we can expect to hear from them by 5 PM.
Atmos, you're on the clock.
i regret to inform you
Undoubtedly drawn here from search engine spider bites from posts like this one or this one or maybe even this one, I unfortunately do not have any wisdom, wit, analysis, or insight to last night's replay of the nuptials of one Mr. Ryan Sutter and one Ms. Trista Rehn. I just came to a point when I began to suspect that this "ceremony" might not be about love, so much as it is about a love for publicity (interesting note: this previous link was found googling for the resource quote that accused Trista of being willing to marry Ryan's corpse if she thought it would bring her more attention). Instead of viewing this incredibly newsworthy event, I instead chose to engage in activities that were both more meaningful and less annoying. So last night, in the stead of being one of the expected 30 million viewers of this fiasco, I;
All in all, I'm pleased with my decision.
- attempted to approximate how many diapers my children have gone through in their lives.
- read the biblical genealogies looking for distant relatives.
- stood in the rain, waiting with a shovel in case it turned to snow
- filled out an online application for a yet as unnamed, undetermined WB reality program
- trimmed my nostrils
All in all, I'm pleased with my decision.
his biggest hit since my prerogative
Bobby Brown is being investigated for striking his wife.
I promise that this title was not an attempt at humor. If it had been, it would have been in bad taste and worthy of criticism. The title's intent is to illustrate that this man is famous now for nothing more than being a wife abuser who once was famous for singing a mildly successful song.
What is additionally misfortunate about this is that the couple's latest publicity was garnered by their excursion to Israel for "musical inspiration."
Nothing warms the cockles of the heart like news of a felon being so impacted by a spiritual journey that he comes home and smacks his wife around, and then flees like a coward on an airplane to avoid having to answer for it.
Merrrrrry Christmas.
UPDATE: While looking for archived references to Ryan & Trista, I came across this link reminiscing being "outed" as a Bobby Brown listener.
I promise that this title was not an attempt at humor. If it had been, it would have been in bad taste and worthy of criticism. The title's intent is to illustrate that this man is famous now for nothing more than being a wife abuser who once was famous for singing a mildly successful song.
What is additionally misfortunate about this is that the couple's latest publicity was garnered by their excursion to Israel for "musical inspiration."
Nothing warms the cockles of the heart like news of a felon being so impacted by a spiritual journey that he comes home and smacks his wife around, and then flees like a coward on an airplane to avoid having to answer for it.
Merrrrrry Christmas.
UPDATE: While looking for archived references to Ryan & Trista, I came across this link reminiscing being "outed" as a Bobby Brown listener.
creamed consolation
I'm getting crushed in the 2003 blog awards. I'm taking solace in the news that, at least for the time, I've elevated above the rank of flappy bird. By some dynamic I'm unable to explain, my feathery wings have evolved to follicular-covered clawed limbs, so I'm better suited to tear into flesh and carry disease.
it doesn't matter what side you're on
you can have fun with the Bush background generator.
like this.
I never said it would be funny, just fun.
like this.
I never said it would be funny, just fun.
he may not be the king of blogs, but he's at least the duke of defeat
I was so impressed by evangelical outpost that I was ready to concede before we went nose to nose in the King of the Blogs competition.
But then he lost.
So I didnt concede.
Anyway, he's got two great recent posts, one on the Gore-y pontificating about endorsing Dean, and another of John F Kerry.
But then he lost.
So I didnt concede.
Anyway, he's got two great recent posts, one on the Gore-y pontificating about endorsing Dean, and another of John F Kerry.
topic: sjodin et al; dissenters welcome
I've received a noticeable bump in traffic from folks who wouldn't otherwise stop by, primarily because of the ongoing discussion taking about Dru Sjodin that began at Pipeline, continued at Julie's, and includes my thoughts as well.
I appreciate that those with dissenting opinions are taking the time to stop in and read. Please leave your two cents, and if you have more than that, I'll try to make change.
I was "taken to task" a bit for not earlier disclosing my experience pastoring a church in a prison community, and for having spent time ministering to families of officers and families, and offenders' families of a facility that housed 1,500 maximum-restricted offenders (85% of whom are sex offenders). I've spent time with people and families who have been victimized by these offenders. I have walked in the open community of these offenders, I have been in their cells where they have pornography papering their walls because of their victory on the grounds of "free speech" to do so. I have seen first-hand the manipulation and coersion of the government-sponsored and -mandated "rehabilitation system.' I have talked with offenders who had been 'punked out' by other offenders who had successfully accomplished the inellectual equivalent with sexual rehabilitation counselors, earning the right to a less-restrictive incarceration that afforded them the opportunity to perpetuate their violent crime on the unfortunate other. I have talked with numerous officers who have been spat on, vomited on, purposefully bled upon, had feces thrown upon them, by sex offenders who will otherwise speak and act graciously to a counselor. I have heard the reports from the SuperMax prison system that details the intricate and elaborate steps necessary (but proven effective) to continue dysfunctional behavior, yet maneuver through a rewards-system organization based on the faulty premise of rehabilitation. Admittedly, I'm only one person, and my evidence is experiential and conversational. But that evidence reflects the attitudes and flaws of penal systems on the local, state, and federal levels, from minimum to ultra-maximum security, and is related to be commonplace regardless of locale. The best evidences of rehabilitation have been accomplished by self-motivated, volunteer, highly aware, well-trained volunteers who most typically are faith-based. Again, anecdotal, but established. My apologies for not disclosing this earlier -- It just hasn't ever been about me, and I hate that I have to establish credibility just for blogging on something about which I naively think everyone would agree.
Here's a story that further anecdotally proves my point on the futility of government-sponsored "rehabilitation." We don't know the race of the offender or the victim, just the failure of the process.
Here's the latest news, that in my opinion, proves the point that Rodriguez never should have been released.
The following is simple anecdotal evidence, but evidence nonetheless:
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, at the time of my visit, shows the pictures of three missing children on its banner -- one is caucasian, one is Hispanic, one is African-American. I've not heard of any of them, which to me shows no racial preference in profiling or featuring their plight. In fact, if you look at this page, you'll see that at least half of the children pictured as missing are ethnic. While I confess to not visiting this site on even an irregular basis to see if random strangers I may have passed might show up here, I also did not go to this site specifically looking for white kids to rescue. A quick scan of missing girls over the past three months
reveals reports of 34 missing African-American girls, 57 caucasian girls, 33 Hispanic girls, and three Asian girls. This can be viewed either that white females are getting more attention, or that more white girls are getting abducted and are receiving proportionately appropriate attention.
In fact, to see a glimpse of the government's effort, the FBI's missing persons website shows no great white agenda, either. In fact, it doesn't even show a bias of age or sex.
Now, go on over to CNN's web search, and you'll note an interesting phenomenon. The vast majority of media websites that have a story of a missing girl will be one about a Caucasian female. It's not until the third page of the search that you can see a picture of a girl (who was found) of a minority ethnicity. Why do we see such a reticence to indict the media, though, with charges of latent racism? Are we pollyannish enough to think that "the media" is just reporting the news? Don't they have access to the same web searches, the same police reports, the same missing person reports that the rest of us do? I fear there *just might* be a different set of motivating factors about what gets reported and what does not. Ratings and advertising drive the mental gears of programming decisions, not a colorless ideology of rescuing all imperiled females. The stories that you see as well as the ones you do not see are a reflection of decisions made to garner viewers and advertisers. Nothing more, nothing less. Philanthropy is welcomed, as long as it accomodates commerce.
Here's the "find Dru" website I cannot comment how many of these types of sites exist for other missing people, but this is reflective of a coordinated effort by friends and family of the victim, not of racism by conservatives.
Since I've been inaccurately accused of ad hominem ad nauseum, I'll close with a personal caveat. If any one of my three children were abducted, I'd be making sure everyone in North Georgia and North America would be seeing pictures to help me find my child. If my mayor, my governor, my president were so moved by my plight that he or she would be compelled to speak out, I'd be grateful for the light shone on the need. And if the person who committed such a crime were caught, I'd encourage the fullest, most extreme measures of punitive and retributive justice permitted by law.
I appreciate that those with dissenting opinions are taking the time to stop in and read. Please leave your two cents, and if you have more than that, I'll try to make change.
I was "taken to task" a bit for not earlier disclosing my experience pastoring a church in a prison community, and for having spent time ministering to families of officers and families, and offenders' families of a facility that housed 1,500 maximum-restricted offenders (85% of whom are sex offenders). I've spent time with people and families who have been victimized by these offenders. I have walked in the open community of these offenders, I have been in their cells where they have pornography papering their walls because of their victory on the grounds of "free speech" to do so. I have seen first-hand the manipulation and coersion of the government-sponsored and -mandated "rehabilitation system.' I have talked with offenders who had been 'punked out' by other offenders who had successfully accomplished the inellectual equivalent with sexual rehabilitation counselors, earning the right to a less-restrictive incarceration that afforded them the opportunity to perpetuate their violent crime on the unfortunate other. I have talked with numerous officers who have been spat on, vomited on, purposefully bled upon, had feces thrown upon them, by sex offenders who will otherwise speak and act graciously to a counselor. I have heard the reports from the SuperMax prison system that details the intricate and elaborate steps necessary (but proven effective) to continue dysfunctional behavior, yet maneuver through a rewards-system organization based on the faulty premise of rehabilitation. Admittedly, I'm only one person, and my evidence is experiential and conversational. But that evidence reflects the attitudes and flaws of penal systems on the local, state, and federal levels, from minimum to ultra-maximum security, and is related to be commonplace regardless of locale. The best evidences of rehabilitation have been accomplished by self-motivated, volunteer, highly aware, well-trained volunteers who most typically are faith-based. Again, anecdotal, but established. My apologies for not disclosing this earlier -- It just hasn't ever been about me, and I hate that I have to establish credibility just for blogging on something about which I naively think everyone would agree.
Here's a story that further anecdotally proves my point on the futility of government-sponsored "rehabilitation." We don't know the race of the offender or the victim, just the failure of the process.
Here's the latest news, that in my opinion, proves the point that Rodriguez never should have been released.
The following is simple anecdotal evidence, but evidence nonetheless:
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, at the time of my visit, shows the pictures of three missing children on its banner -- one is caucasian, one is Hispanic, one is African-American. I've not heard of any of them, which to me shows no racial preference in profiling or featuring their plight. In fact, if you look at this page, you'll see that at least half of the children pictured as missing are ethnic. While I confess to not visiting this site on even an irregular basis to see if random strangers I may have passed might show up here, I also did not go to this site specifically looking for white kids to rescue. A quick scan of missing girls over the past three months
reveals reports of 34 missing African-American girls, 57 caucasian girls, 33 Hispanic girls, and three Asian girls. This can be viewed either that white females are getting more attention, or that more white girls are getting abducted and are receiving proportionately appropriate attention.
In fact, to see a glimpse of the government's effort, the FBI's missing persons website shows no great white agenda, either. In fact, it doesn't even show a bias of age or sex.
Now, go on over to CNN's web search, and you'll note an interesting phenomenon. The vast majority of media websites that have a story of a missing girl will be one about a Caucasian female. It's not until the third page of the search that you can see a picture of a girl (who was found) of a minority ethnicity. Why do we see such a reticence to indict the media, though, with charges of latent racism? Are we pollyannish enough to think that "the media" is just reporting the news? Don't they have access to the same web searches, the same police reports, the same missing person reports that the rest of us do? I fear there *just might* be a different set of motivating factors about what gets reported and what does not. Ratings and advertising drive the mental gears of programming decisions, not a colorless ideology of rescuing all imperiled females. The stories that you see as well as the ones you do not see are a reflection of decisions made to garner viewers and advertisers. Nothing more, nothing less. Philanthropy is welcomed, as long as it accomodates commerce.
Here's the "find Dru" website I cannot comment how many of these types of sites exist for other missing people, but this is reflective of a coordinated effort by friends and family of the victim, not of racism by conservatives.
Since I've been inaccurately accused of ad hominem ad nauseum, I'll close with a personal caveat. If any one of my three children were abducted, I'd be making sure everyone in North Georgia and North America would be seeing pictures to help me find my child. If my mayor, my governor, my president were so moved by my plight that he or she would be compelled to speak out, I'd be grateful for the light shone on the need. And if the person who committed such a crime were caught, I'd encourage the fullest, most extreme measures of punitive and retributive justice permitted by law.
like my inbox is wearing a treeskirt
I'm being inundated with seasonal humor. So I'm regifting it on to you, with slight edits:
12/10/2003
missing an opportunity?
Is it obvious that this is a problem -- that we ("we" being those claiming to be followers of Christ), don't see a problem because we won't "even be in many of the same places as those other folks."
Why in the world not?
Literally.
tryptophan + office work = trouble
We just had our group wide Christmas party. The food was wonderful -- a very traditional holiday feast. Our unit won the group wide decorating contest. I took no part in the celebration because I was little-to-no help in the decorating. Certainly, though, I will take part in the year-long basking and gloating in victory. We are proud possessors of the coveted M&M Cceramic Christmas Tree Candy Jar That Is The Trophy.
The highlight of the affair was when Brog Blog, drunk with glee over the recent firing of Dan Reeves, recruited me as part of a "replacement cast" for the Friends stars (it was part of a game that was allegedly humorous). I think I was supposed to be Phoebe.
The highlight of the affair was when Brog Blog, drunk with glee over the recent firing of Dan Reeves, recruited me as part of a "replacement cast" for the Friends stars (it was part of a game that was allegedly humorous). I think I was supposed to be Phoebe.
i can live with this
Flannery O'Connor wrote your book. Not much escapes
your notice.
Which Author's Fiction are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
From Tobacco Road Fogey who hasn't blogged for almost a month, now.
12/09/2003
just answer the question
As part of the dog and pony show that is the King of the Blogs competition, I've been ordered by the Kingmakers® to answer the following:
I will answer part (a) of the question by explaining the complex, two phase approach I have utilized to bring me victory in every battle heretofore in my life.
First, I will implement the tactics recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
This first phase very well may be sufficient in completing the task at hand. If it proves to be more of a challenge, though, I'll then introduce a series of teaching that have been instrumental in my meteoric rise to this threshhold of power that is the King of the Blogs. This approach gleans from three of history's greatest thinkers:
Sun Tzu
Grand Master Who is Flash and the Five Who are Furious
Homer of the House of Simpson
So, what must be obvious to all by now is that when the two Doc Marten's of this Jack-booted strategy fall one after the other, my opponents will be either stupefied, mesmerized, bedazzled, or flummoxed, depending on the placement of a range of variables including, but not limited to the lunar phase, the placement of the jet stream in relation to the Tropic of Capricorn, the preponderance of Reality Television Programming for the upcoming proximal "sweeps week," and just what Britney Spears is up to at the moment.
This plan embodies both the Kerouacian mantra that if you offer them what they secretly want they of course immediately become panic-stricken, and gives it a lemon-spritz-Confucian-twist of "Those who quote me are fools." Truly, it is the Terminatrix within a Matrix raised to the power of Back to the Future. It cannot be comprehended, merely apprehended and beheld. It is terrible and beautiful, scandalous and reverent, and biodegradable yet tamper-resistant at all the same time.
As for part (b), or how this blueprint for ascendancy to the Blogosphere's monarchy will be implemented, perhaps my intent can be best expressed in haiku:
misdirection and
subversion; faint praise and bribes
whatever it takes
I will answer part (a) of the question by explaining the complex, two phase approach I have utilized to bring me victory in every battle heretofore in my life.
First, I will implement the tactics recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
- 1. I will wear smelly clothing of indigenous beasts of burden and adhere to a severe, bizarre dietary regimen.
2. I will curse a lot.
3. I will threaten ominously.
4. I will prophecy doom.
5. I will overwhelm oratorally.
6. I will violently mow down all who oppose me in unrighteousness.
This first phase very well may be sufficient in completing the task at hand. If it proves to be more of a challenge, though, I'll then introduce a series of teaching that have been instrumental in my meteoric rise to this threshhold of power that is the King of the Blogs. This approach gleans from three of history's greatest thinkers:
Sun Tzu
Grand Master Who is Flash and the Five Who are Furious
Homer of the House of Simpson
So, what must be obvious to all by now is that when the two Doc Marten's of this Jack-booted strategy fall one after the other, my opponents will be either stupefied, mesmerized, bedazzled, or flummoxed, depending on the placement of a range of variables including, but not limited to the lunar phase, the placement of the jet stream in relation to the Tropic of Capricorn, the preponderance of Reality Television Programming for the upcoming proximal "sweeps week," and just what Britney Spears is up to at the moment.
This plan embodies both the Kerouacian mantra that if you offer them what they secretly want they of course immediately become panic-stricken, and gives it a lemon-spritz-Confucian-twist of "Those who quote me are fools." Truly, it is the Terminatrix within a Matrix raised to the power of Back to the Future. It cannot be comprehended, merely apprehended and beheld. It is terrible and beautiful, scandalous and reverent, and biodegradable yet tamper-resistant at all the same time.
As for part (b), or how this blueprint for ascendancy to the Blogosphere's monarchy will be implemented, perhaps my intent can be best expressed in haiku:
subversion; faint praise and bribes
whatever it takes
sung to the tune of breakin' up is hard to do
No, this is not Gore's quote voicing how he was distancing himself from Joe Lieberman, but Andrew Firestone's announcment of his split with the gal with whom he hooked up from The Batchelor.
great news indeed
I'm not linking to inform, because it's been out all day. But my heart leapt within mine breast at the news that Albert Gore doth endorse Howard Dean. (Link is to a column rather than a news report).
blogspot bites
I've thrice posted to blogspot today and had my contributions of wit, wisdom, and hilariaty tragically sacrificed to the gods of the blogosphere.
I hope they are appeased as I journey over here to w.bloggar and take another stab at it.
I hope they are appeased as I journey over here to w.bloggar and take another stab at it.
wmd
According to this report from the AP, as few as 61,000 and perhaps more than a million Iraqis have been killed by Saddam Hussein during his reign of terror.
The established fact of this alone has justified everything done to remove him from power.
The established fact of this alone has justified everything done to remove him from power.
a sure sign your produce has gone bad
yes....I watched this entire thing.
I was afraid this would happen when Big Idea was forced to sell.
I was afraid this would happen when Big Idea was forced to sell.
let's review
what have we learned from the "reality program" Average Joe:
I'm sure there were more lessons to be learned, but I don't know what they are.
So that's while I'll join my bride in watching season two, starting soon.
- A person's level of inner beauty may not necessarily be reflected by his level of surface beauty.
- Inner beauty isn't nearly as relevant to former beauty queens as...say....surface beauty.
- Profound inner beauty and a million dollars will reap you a cover article in Fortune Magazine....and that's all.
- You can be a twenty-something slacker without a college degree who still lives at home and waits tables, and as long as you've got "the total package" when it comes to looks, that's all that matters.
- With TiVO or even a good VCR, you can actually pause a video at the exact moment when the lead female reaches into a man's chest through his shocked mouth and rips out his heart with the words, "The Romance Must End."
- The National Broadcasting Channel is a souless demoniacal conglomerate that will go to extraordinary lengths to perpetuate all the worst stereotypes of both the attractive and not-so-attractive for the sake of ratings and advertising dollars.
- And America will watch.
I'm sure there were more lessons to be learned, but I don't know what they are.
So that's while I'll join my bride in watching season two, starting soon.
a hard day at the office
Tony shares a piece of his mind regarding an upcoming movie with Bill Macy (who was excellent in Door to Door) that involves a sex scene. Don't worry, the link is to Tony's brain fragment, not to any provocative video or anything like that.
Kelli and I have had the discussion on more than one occasion when we hear news of an upcoming movie with a steamy scene that goes something akin to:
She: I don't know how they do it.
Me: Let me go get the special book...
She: (After hitting me...hard) No, not physically how they do it. Morally.
Me: Yeah, I don't care how good of an actor you are, there's just some scenes that aren't good for a marriage.
She: How does he go home and face his wife?
Me: Or she...to her wife?
What's really pathetic is that I cannot think of one movie where the story was actually improved due to the inclusion of gratuitous, fleshy wrasslin'. I can think of a few, however where it was just a huge time-waster that impeded the progression of the story's plot (Titanic, Matrix Reloaded, Forrest Gump, Shakespeare in Love and The Lion King*). These movies rank #1,9,10,20, 289 (not in this order, though) in all time gross sales.
The real indictment with these movies does not fall upon the actors themselves. If there was no market for their wares, they'd migrate to what sells. Instead, it falls upon the populace who drive the market. I'm not saying that the populace actively prefers movies with this content (though some certainly do). But we passively accept it. We have become a people for whom cinematic sexual intimacy -- straight or gay, married or adulteruous or premarital -- has become blase' yet voyeuristically required, passe' yet paramount. What is unacceptable in our real life dramas has become a fundamental scene in reel life escapism.
I'm not judging you for being one of the folks who stood in line for Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Striptease, or Showgirls (Okay, maybe for the last two I really am). I don't want to know if you avoid a movie altogether or fast-forward through particular scenes or talk about these things over the water cooler. In fact, I really don't even want to know what you've watched that either proves or disproves my arguments here.
All I'm trying to say is that I'd really prefer that Bill Macy keeps his trousers on.
*C'mon...everybody can tell what's going on between Simba & Nala during Can You Feel "The Love" Tonight? -- and we all know what 'the love' really means don't we? anyone? maybe not. nevermind.
Kelli and I have had the discussion on more than one occasion when we hear news of an upcoming movie with a steamy scene that goes something akin to:
She: I don't know how they do it.
Me: Let me go get the special book...
She: (After hitting me...hard) No, not physically how they do it. Morally.
Me: Yeah, I don't care how good of an actor you are, there's just some scenes that aren't good for a marriage.
She: How does he go home and face his wife?
Me: Or she...to her wife?
What's really pathetic is that I cannot think of one movie where the story was actually improved due to the inclusion of gratuitous, fleshy wrasslin'. I can think of a few, however where it was just a huge time-waster that impeded the progression of the story's plot (Titanic, Matrix Reloaded, Forrest Gump, Shakespeare in Love and The Lion King*). These movies rank #1,9,10,20, 289 (not in this order, though) in all time gross sales.
The real indictment with these movies does not fall upon the actors themselves. If there was no market for their wares, they'd migrate to what sells. Instead, it falls upon the populace who drive the market. I'm not saying that the populace actively prefers movies with this content (though some certainly do). But we passively accept it. We have become a people for whom cinematic sexual intimacy -- straight or gay, married or adulteruous or premarital -- has become blase' yet voyeuristically required, passe' yet paramount. What is unacceptable in our real life dramas has become a fundamental scene in reel life escapism.
I'm not judging you for being one of the folks who stood in line for Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Striptease, or Showgirls (Okay, maybe for the last two I really am). I don't want to know if you avoid a movie altogether or fast-forward through particular scenes or talk about these things over the water cooler. In fact, I really don't even want to know what you've watched that either proves or disproves my arguments here.
All I'm trying to say is that I'd really prefer that Bill Macy keeps his trousers on.
*C'mon...everybody can tell what's going on between Simba & Nala during Can You Feel "The Love" Tonight? -- and we all know what 'the love' really means don't we? anyone? maybe not. nevermind.
sjodinian tragedy
Julie alerts us to a delusional idealistic liberal who offers the "what's so special about dru?" argument that one could expect from someone who cares more for the criminal than for the victim.
A concession:
It is a travesty that similar crimes against minority females do not receive similar coverage in the press.
The caveat:
Don't use this as a reason to blame the politicians. I'm not a Minnesotan. I can't tell you how many abductions have taken place, broken down by ethnicities and ages. I can't tell you how many of these abductions were brought to the attention of the Governor. I can't tell you how the abduction of Dru Sjodin came to his attention. But I have no problem making the logical connection that when it was brought to his attention, he identified with it first as a father, and only later as a civic leader. The liberal propaganda linked above uses the weary tactic of twice villifying the Republican leader for both wanting the death penalty reinstated (apparently, this is bad?) but also for not having cried out for it earlier when some unnamed, unknown person had assumedly been similarly victimized. The guy can't win, and suddenly it's not about Dru any more, or even about protecting women from sexual predators, but about politicians who are inferentially rascist and possibly misogynistic.
A concession:
It is a sad statement indeed that the accused perpetrator is a habitual offender of sex crimes, an indication of the failure of restorative justice.
The caveat:
Well, how else can I say this but....DUH?!? I may be getting a little Old Testament-y here, but it is not the government's job to restore and rehabilitate. That is work better suited for others. The government's responsibility (in this situation) should be limited to location of Dru and then the identifcation, capture, prosecution, and punishment of the offender. If Mr. Rodriguez has committed this crime, he has demonstrated that he's never been rehabilitated. He is a nonfunctional human who has earned the right to be expelled from our social cooperative. I'll leave whether or not his penalty should be the termination of his life up to those selected to weigh the evidence and make the decision. If he is guilty, he should be tried and punished in a swift and convincing, and dare I write deterring, manner.
Those, like the author of the Pipeline, want to take a horribly unfortunate situation, and while it is still unfolding, take it into theoretical and hypothetical worlds where idealistic arguments can be won and lost on wonderfully panacean platitudes. And all the while, the real fate of a real person in the real world remains unknown.
A concession:
It is a travesty that similar crimes against minority females do not receive similar coverage in the press.
The caveat:
Don't use this as a reason to blame the politicians. I'm not a Minnesotan. I can't tell you how many abductions have taken place, broken down by ethnicities and ages. I can't tell you how many of these abductions were brought to the attention of the Governor. I can't tell you how the abduction of Dru Sjodin came to his attention. But I have no problem making the logical connection that when it was brought to his attention, he identified with it first as a father, and only later as a civic leader. The liberal propaganda linked above uses the weary tactic of twice villifying the Republican leader for both wanting the death penalty reinstated (apparently, this is bad?) but also for not having cried out for it earlier when some unnamed, unknown person had assumedly been similarly victimized. The guy can't win, and suddenly it's not about Dru any more, or even about protecting women from sexual predators, but about politicians who are inferentially rascist and possibly misogynistic.
A concession:
It is a sad statement indeed that the accused perpetrator is a habitual offender of sex crimes, an indication of the failure of restorative justice.
The caveat:
Well, how else can I say this but....DUH?!? I may be getting a little Old Testament-y here, but it is not the government's job to restore and rehabilitate. That is work better suited for others. The government's responsibility (in this situation) should be limited to location of Dru and then the identifcation, capture, prosecution, and punishment of the offender. If Mr. Rodriguez has committed this crime, he has demonstrated that he's never been rehabilitated. He is a nonfunctional human who has earned the right to be expelled from our social cooperative. I'll leave whether or not his penalty should be the termination of his life up to those selected to weigh the evidence and make the decision. If he is guilty, he should be tried and punished in a swift and convincing, and dare I write deterring, manner.
Those, like the author of the Pipeline, want to take a horribly unfortunate situation, and while it is still unfolding, take it into theoretical and hypothetical worlds where idealistic arguments can be won and lost on wonderfully panacean platitudes. And all the while, the real fate of a real person in the real world remains unknown.
cream o' the crop
Two from the best of the web:
The caption to the photo at this story about the cold weather:
In a related story, Big Tobacco denies harmful effects of its products. "We have new evidence that natural atmospheric conditions are to blame" said one CEO. Attorneys are investigating the length of time litigants have spent breathing oxygen chilled to "dangerously cold" temperatures.
And over in Boston, where hail the size of boulders has apparently fallen, leading people to herniate themselves in a variety of otherwise-avoided activities, we get this verbal gem:
Have we really become so PC that we can't even call it a snowman any more. Is it because the creators of this snow being are women? Did they actually say, "Don't write that we're making a 'snow man.' This is a 'snow person.'" If that's the case, I sure feel sorry for little Olivia. If the paper is actually concerned about being PC, they should have identified the being as a "Seasonally-Hydroxygenated Arctic-American." They certainly shouldn't have labeled the being as a person, for everybody knows that 'person' has the root 'son' which is indicative of the partriachal oppression that pervades and enslaves anyone wanting to live in a nonphallocentric society.
ho ho ho. I'd tell you to have a merry Christmas or happy holidays, but that'd probably upset someone somewhere. So, in lieu of anything offensive, I hope you just have a day.*
*no offense intended toward porphyriacs, narcoleptics, insomniacs, lycanthropes, or vampirican-americans
The caption to the photo at this story about the cold weather:
In a related story, Big Tobacco denies harmful effects of its products. "We have new evidence that natural atmospheric conditions are to blame" said one CEO. Attorneys are investigating the length of time litigants have spent breathing oxygen chilled to "dangerously cold" temperatures.
And over in Boston, where hail the size of boulders has apparently fallen, leading people to herniate themselves in a variety of otherwise-avoided activities, we get this verbal gem:
Have we really become so PC that we can't even call it a snowman any more. Is it because the creators of this snow being are women? Did they actually say, "Don't write that we're making a 'snow man.' This is a 'snow person.'" If that's the case, I sure feel sorry for little Olivia. If the paper is actually concerned about being PC, they should have identified the being as a "Seasonally-Hydroxygenated Arctic-American." They certainly shouldn't have labeled the being as a person, for everybody knows that 'person' has the root 'son' which is indicative of the partriachal oppression that pervades and enslaves anyone wanting to live in a nonphallocentric society.
ho ho ho. I'd tell you to have a merry Christmas or happy holidays, but that'd probably upset someone somewhere. So, in lieu of anything offensive, I hope you just have a day.*
*no offense intended toward porphyriacs, narcoleptics, insomniacs, lycanthropes, or vampirican-americans
12/08/2003
prayer update
Gail's husband Bob has been told he has to stay put for a while. He's been admitted to the Critical ICU because the top of his heart is defibrulating (is that right?!? I'm not a doctor and haven't played one on TV for a couple of years now). He's been given medication to stabilize that, but the medications are sodium-based, which builds up fluids in his already-fluid-hating body.
The good docs at Emory continue to work away on him, trying to prep him for a heart transplant. They say his body size is very accomodating to a wide range of transplant options -- that he could potentially be paired with a female or even a teenager -- as compared to someone like me who could only be paired with a like-sized man or an freakishly oversized baboon.
Bob & Gail are both in good spirits and are being used to liberally spread cheer in a place where the sentiment is a premium luxury. Not many have it, and all would be thrilled to have some.
Thanks for your prayers and please continue.
The good docs at Emory continue to work away on him, trying to prep him for a heart transplant. They say his body size is very accomodating to a wide range of transplant options -- that he could potentially be paired with a female or even a teenager -- as compared to someone like me who could only be paired with a like-sized man or an freakishly oversized baboon.
Bob & Gail are both in good spirits and are being used to liberally spread cheer in a place where the sentiment is a premium luxury. Not many have it, and all would be thrilled to have some.
Thanks for your prayers and please continue.
congrats
Besides always being right, Tony has a new job.
To whom much is given, much is expected. Such are the burdens of perpetual correctness.
To whom much is given, much is expected. Such are the burdens of perpetual correctness.
lets get ready to MUUUUUUUUMMMBLE...
The next round of the king of the blogs battle has begun.
This is where I get voted on as part of a beauty contest for word dorks like myself.
Wetwired is already talkin' smack. Not very well, either, imho.
I'm not very good at the confrontational "let's insult one another for no good reason" thing. I'm sure his mother loves him. Most the time.
This goes to show that when I become king, I will be a benevolent potentate.
eTalkingHead won the first round. Giving credit where it is due...good stuff, plenty of politics, but not much else. If that's the bias, I'm sunk. If instead, they're looking for a contestant who excels in all the competitions (talent, evening gown, swim suit, interview, and challenge questions) then my chances are much better.
This is where I get voted on as part of a beauty contest for word dorks like myself.
Wetwired is already talkin' smack. Not very well, either, imho.
I'm not very good at the confrontational "let's insult one another for no good reason" thing. I'm sure his mother loves him. Most the time.
This goes to show that when I become king, I will be a benevolent potentate.
eTalkingHead won the first round. Giving credit where it is due...good stuff, plenty of politics, but not much else. If that's the bias, I'm sunk. If instead, they're looking for a contestant who excels in all the competitions (talent, evening gown, swim suit, interview, and challenge questions) then my chances are much better.
and his running mate, triumph the insult comic dog
John F Kerry dropped an F-bomb in Rolling Stone Magazine, in an elaborate eFFort to justify Flip-Flopping on Iraq, bad-mouthing the current administration, and simultaneously straining to appear "cool" to the younger generation.
Fortunately, Fans oF the Federal republic Feel the French-looking Fraud Failed Famously in his eFF-ort.
I didn't link to anyone in particular in this Feature because I Found reFerences to it in no Fewer than Five Fabulous Friend's sites.
Forgive me
Fortunately, Fans oF the Federal republic Feel the French-looking Fraud Failed Famously in his eFF-ort.
I didn't link to anyone in particular in this Feature because I Found reFerences to it in no Fewer than Five Fabulous Friend's sites.
Forgive me
just like the great chicago elections
I just read this at Wizbang:
Some of you have said you have voted for me...once. And of course, I'm very appreciative of that vote. But it appears that we're going to have to try a little harder than that to really have a chance at this thing.
After all, I'm only one person, and I only can access this election from two different computers...there's just so much I can do alone.
Vote early, vote often.
Some of you have said you have voted for me...once. And of course, I'm very appreciative of that vote. But it appears that we're going to have to try a little harder than that to really have a chance at this thing.
After all, I'm only one person, and I only can access this election from two different computers...there's just so much I can do alone.
Vote early, vote often.
where's mr. whiskers?
From the "everyone has a hobby" category, go visit Amy. She's a young, well-adjusted, home-schooled, entrepeneurial-spirited teen who just happens to engage in the hobbies of the shooting sports and taxidermy.
Her journal includes some precious gems, such as:
Best of all, she gives pictorial tutorial on the skinning of the common house cat, so even after your tabby Nipsy Russell Jr. expends his ninth life, he never really has to leave the house.
I'm impressed by the work ethic of this lass. She even has her own ebay auctions!
Her journal includes some precious gems, such as:
Best of all, she gives pictorial tutorial on the skinning of the common house cat, so even after your tabby Nipsy Russell Jr. expends his ninth life, he never really has to leave the house.
I'm impressed by the work ethic of this lass. She even has her own ebay auctions!
i woulda preferred something a little more masculine
but this is what came out:
thanks for making me think pink, Jen.
#FF1493 |
Your dominant hues are red and magenta. You love doing your own thing and going on your own adventures, but there are close friends you know you just can't leave behind. You can influence others on days when you're patient, but most times you just want to go out, have fun, and do your own thing. Your saturation level is high - you get into life and have a strong personality. Everyone you meet will either love you or hate you - either way, your goal is to get them to change the world with you. You are very hard working and don't have much patience for people without your initiative. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation. |
thanks for making me think pink, Jen.
adding to the list
I've added Matt Tullos to the blog roll. Matt is a gifted writer and SBC denominational servant. We've been at similar convention venues before, but met for the first time this past fall at Colorado's Whatchamacallit conference. If I could describe Matt with one word from what I read and our brief discussion, it would be transparent.
and that's a good thing.
and that's a good thing.
sung to the tune of movin' on up
I just went over to the ranking ecosystem, to observe WIT's meteoric ascent up the blogosphere's foodchain, and saw that I jumped 100 spots from yesterday to today. I'm on the verge of moving from a flappy bird to a an adorable rodent. And there, I saw our friend The Colorado Conservative on the verge of becoming a marauding marsupial.
who's hungry for a koala burger?
who's hungry for a koala burger?
i'm not this lazy...yet
I'm trying to get a doctor's appointment for my tingling fingers (I still think that's a great name for a band). I'm on day seven now, and the stuff that I've found on the internet is just freaky enough that it compels me to seek a professional diagnosis. I'm not going to link to it because there's no need to give loved ones undo stress. Rest assured, I'm still not in any pain whatsoever, just extreme annoyance by this experience.
So I call a number after searching for a doctor through my insurance. I call and its busy. A voice comes on and says, "for ninety cents, we'll keep attempting to reach this number for the next 30 minutes. If we connect, we'll contact you with a special ring tone."
Ninety cents isn't a big deal. Its just not that big of an effort to periodically hit 'redial.'
UPDATE: I made an appointment. The soonest I can get in (without a referral) is December 18th. My numbness will be at 17 days by then, if it actually becomes necessary to keep that date. I of course scheduled it, with hopes of having to call and cancel.
So I call a number after searching for a doctor through my insurance. I call and its busy. A voice comes on and says, "for ninety cents, we'll keep attempting to reach this number for the next 30 minutes. If we connect, we'll contact you with a special ring tone."
Ninety cents isn't a big deal. Its just not that big of an effort to periodically hit 'redial.'
UPDATE: I made an appointment. The soonest I can get in (without a referral) is December 18th. My numbness will be at 17 days by then, if it actually becomes necessary to keep that date. I of course scheduled it, with hopes of having to call and cancel.
definitely a good driver
I did it in 5 seconds.
I deserved an A++!!
Take the How Dexterous Are You? Quiz!!
(and from where does my title originate>)
mr. annoying bronco fan is back in the building
How 'bout Clinton Portis?
Denver is now tied with Miami with three to play.
Denver should beat Cleveland next week. There's a good chance Miami will lose to Philly. That means Denver is up one.
Denver then has a good chance at losing in Indy. But Miami is at Buffalo. Let's hope for a blizzard and a 3-0 Bills win. Denver still up one.
Denver ends at Green Bay...ugh...and Miami finishes with the Jets at home. Let's assume this means they both end up 9-7.
If this be the case, they'd make the playoffs, where all things are possible.
Denver is now tied with Miami with three to play.
Denver should beat Cleveland next week. There's a good chance Miami will lose to Philly. That means Denver is up one.
Denver then has a good chance at losing in Indy. But Miami is at Buffalo. Let's hope for a blizzard and a 3-0 Bills win. Denver still up one.
Denver ends at Green Bay...ugh...and Miami finishes with the Jets at home. Let's assume this means they both end up 9-7.
If this be the case, they'd make the playoffs, where all things are possible.
bcs...what is it good for? absolutely nothin! say it again...uh huh
If Oklahoma beats LSU (which is certainly possible), that means we'll have a national champion that didn't even win its own conference.
I only hope this means we'll see a playoff system in three years, once the BCS contract has expired.
I only hope this means we'll see a playoff system in three years, once the BCS contract has expired.
oh my!
In my recent C&P "humor" post on the ID card, Irene comments (this means "read the comments") on a real-life implementation that is taking place in Malaysia.
Is there really any doubt that when this happens, it will be without difficulty, and with every ramification that is foretold in Scripture?
Is there really any doubt that when this happens, it will be without difficulty, and with every ramification that is foretold in Scripture?
12/07/2003
disappointment
We saw on the program guide that the Broncos would be on the television today.
There must have been a change in programming plans, as it was Miami/New England on the television.
So, here I am, listening to the internet broadcast.
There must have been a change in programming plans, as it was Miami/New England on the television.
So, here I am, listening to the internet broadcast.
Kelsi's new words
Helllllllo Noosh = I like Animaniacs
Naked = Look at me!
Bawm = This is my rear end. Fascinating, yes?
Ug = Let's embrace
Shesh = I agree
Shoot = This is my shirt.
Mook = I'd like a sippy cup filled with milk, please.
Dooku = My sincerest gratitude. Really.
Poopsh = I require a changing of my diaper, please. (Especially if said in the sentence "Poopsh bawm poopsh bawm poopsh bawm.")
Teamyay = There's football on the television. (Most often spoken in the sentence "Broncos Teamyay!" -- regardless of who's playing)
Eye-dewwwwww = I'm just practicing for the big day -- Is that another gray hair, daddy?
Hem-ee= Self-explanatory (thanks to her Papa's admiration for a particular advertisment) -- most often said in the sentence "Paw-pa hem-ee"
Kelsi!! = Look there's another picture of me on your screensaver, Daddy!
Naked = Look at me!
Bawm = This is my rear end. Fascinating, yes?
Ug = Let's embrace
Shesh = I agree
Shoot = This is my shirt.
Mook = I'd like a sippy cup filled with milk, please.
Dooku = My sincerest gratitude. Really.
Poopsh = I require a changing of my diaper, please. (Especially if said in the sentence "Poopsh bawm poopsh bawm poopsh bawm.")
Teamyay = There's football on the television. (Most often spoken in the sentence "Broncos Teamyay!" -- regardless of who's playing)
Eye-dewwwwww = I'm just practicing for the big day -- Is that another gray hair, daddy?
Hem-ee= Self-explanatory (thanks to her Papa's admiration for a particular advertisment) -- most often said in the sentence "Paw-pa hem-ee"
Kelsi!! = Look there's another picture of me on your screensaver, Daddy!
cheaters never win
Winners never cheat.
No sooner does Wizbang start the competition, and people start being, as my children call them, cheaterheads.
I have a feeling that I've no indictable voters offering loyalty to me.
Dagnabbit!
If you haven't voted for me, I'm sure its only because you've been very busy and intended do, but a life-or-death situation interruption your otherwise-top-priority plans to do so.
If that be the case, you can simply click on this link here to take care of this important agenda, and return to the rest of your life.
True story: last night, I checked to see how I was faring (not well), and told my lovely bride, "well, as long as I get into double digits..."
LB: "then what?"
Me: "then what what?"
LB: "What if that whole 'double digits' thing doesn't work out for you? "
Me: (silence....) "...well....it just seemed like the thing to say."
No sooner does Wizbang start the competition, and people start being, as my children call them, cheaterheads.
I have a feeling that I've no indictable voters offering loyalty to me.
Dagnabbit!
If you haven't voted for me, I'm sure its only because you've been very busy and intended do, but a life-or-death situation interruption your otherwise-top-priority plans to do so.
If that be the case, you can simply click on this link here to take care of this important agenda, and return to the rest of your life.
True story: last night, I checked to see how I was faring (not well), and told my lovely bride, "well, as long as I get into double digits..."
LB: "then what?"
Me: "then what what?"
LB: "What if that whole 'double digits' thing doesn't work out for you? "
Me: (silence....) "...well....it just seemed like the thing to say."
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