I love Frontline and Nova.
I just watched this excellent piece on Frontline tonight about the 8th Cavalry Regiment stationed in Iraq. Wow. It was pretty intense. During the war I saw a lot of the coverage from the reporters in the field and with other units. But this is very different. Being able to get a ringside seat during planning of missions and speaking with Iraqis is something that we just don't get enough of. The special was very moving when they showed just how affected this unit was when one of their team was killed in action. Mainstream media just does so much to not show the emotions of soldiers, and I think we need to see more of the reality of war and what it does to the people we fight and the people we ask to fight.
Next week on Frontline is a piece that looks like it is about how soldiers deal with the effects of combat, specifically killing and being in constant danger, called The Soldier's Heart.
It would be nice if more people watched such things and had a better idea of what goes on in the world. And whether someone is for or against our war in Iraq, I think it would open a lot of eyes to see some unpleasant things that most people tend to avoid thinking about.

Finally a prominent politician comes out with a reasonable stance on the Abortion Debate. Hillary Clinton has voiced what should be position taken in regards to abortion issues.
It's amazing how many people still don't get it. I remember not long ago, before the election hearing someone actually mention abortion as the number one issue in the election, as though George Bush was going to force this woman to have his baby if he won. Get over it. Over 1000 dead American soldiers and unknown number of dead Iraqis in a war based on bogus reasons, might be slightly more important. The government sanctioned use of torture and illegal detainment of prisoners might be a more important issue.
Clinton's speech was dead on and is the right approach. Reactionary liberals and reactionary conservatives will of course miss her point and stick to their die-hard stance. But most people will see it as common sense approach to a tough issue.

• Tell kids not to have sex. Abstain. I agree, promote it, 16 year olds dont have the brains to cope with sex. Aside from either abortions or unwanted pregnancies, we may see a drop in the number of STD's out there.
• So some kids won't listen, if so then use condoms AND the pill. Again we'll see less abortions and less unwanted pregnancies as well as fewer STD's. Plus when kids and adults act responsibly in regards to sex, they may actually begin to wonder how clean their one night stand might be.
• So some won't abstain and others won't use birth control. Or may the gods help the poor bastard who has a condom break or a girl who skips a pill. But aside from those there are the more serious issues of victims of sexual assualt and serious medical problems that may endanger a woman's life with a pregnancy. In these cases, well it's still legal so no worries.

The point is to narrow and reduce abortions. Make them few and far between. Bring back morals and responsibility to sex. A pack of condoms is still cheaper than a pack of diapers. And for those who argue "it breaks the mood" or "it doesn't feel the same" with a condom, well a baby screaming from his crib breaks the mood too.

Between Barbara Boxer taking on Condoleeza Rice and Hillary Clinton staking out a sensible platform on abortion, I am beginning to think some Democrats do indee have the backbone necessary to revive the party.

I figured out what my problem with blogging lately is. I get online and sign on to AIM and read and write emails too damn soon. So then I end up expressing most of what I wanted to say. I should probably just start blogging from work and make it easier.
I am such a nerd I joined a yahoo group for "Alias" and another yahoo group for "Lost" But what can I say, I am a fan of really good stories and characters. Plus the mystery elements always get me. That's what drew me into Twin Peaks so many years ago. And it was such a groundbreaking show in that it influenced so many shows today. Carnivale on HBO is another such show that I have to watch. Though I do get pissed at some of these shows that build mystery and contrived mystery over reality based characters.

Yesterday was my birthday so I got home late after a fun filled evening of good drinks, good food and good friends. There was some early talk of going to Tijuana, which thankfully didn't pan out. Then that gave way to talk of strip clubs and then that didn't pan out either. One of my friends had to split when his girlfriend called up to let him know her grandmother passed away, so he felt bad he had to leave. But I felt bad for them. Losing a grandparent really sucks.

Close to midnight I arrived home very much intoxicated and feeling like I was 22 again, rather than 32. But all in all it was a good evening. And then some.

Wow, I just got back from a great weekend in San Francisco. I woke up at the crack of dawn on the 31st and drove to my parent's house, then jumped in their car and continued up Highway 101 to San Francisco. See my sister was having this wedding, a small and intimate affair for immediate family only. So being immediate family we were invited and arrived in anticipation of the happy event.
I hadn't been to San Francisco since I lived in Fresno when I drove up there and picked up my sister and we drove to our parents place for Christmas 2000. So I was looking forward to the trip. Well not so much the travelling as much as the destination. But with my mp3 player and a good book I had much to occupy myself with in the event that I wanted to just relax and not communicate with my parents on the drive. It's really funny because some of my fondest memories are the family trips we used to take since we were babies. Things haven't changed much. It's pretty fun to travel with my parents, but sooner or later you need to just zone out.
For New Year's Eve we went to the apartment of my sister and her fiance. It's a cool place decorated very much in their combined style. The product of two very artistic and creative people. The evening went well and I had much fun meeting their friends and talking with some of the really cool ones. Like my sister's friend Dave who is an artist and painted this awesome portriat of her, check it out. Unfortunately for me just about all of them were couples. No single hot chicks at all. There was this one woman, who was without a doubt one of the ten most beautiful women I had ever seen. As always a quick scan of her hand told me there was some sort of ring on her finger that indicated I would not be so lucky. That and her fiance was there too.
Drinks, food and good company made it a very enjoyable evening.
On New Years Day we picked up the bride and groom and took them to the coffee house they had arranged to be married in. The story is very sweet....exactly 3 years ago on New Years Day, January 1st 2001 my sister's friend introduced her to her love to be in that very coffee house. The friend that did the casual introductions had the honor of officiating their wedding in the very same place that he introduced them. So there was a lot of symbolism and romantic attachment to the way things were set up. All of which are indications of just how in love and happy they are and will be.
The ceremony was very short, simple and yet moving and sweet. I have never seen anything like it. Certainly I have some bias, but objectively speaking it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. After that it was off to dinner at this nice restaurant Farallon. If you are ever in San Francisco please do yourself a favor and check it out. Not only is the food excellent, but the decor is amazing. I was in love with the main dinning room as it was built above the old swimming pool of the Elks club. The ceiling is still the original ceiling with Greco-Roman style mosiacs. I could spend years wandering San Francisco looking at buildings and wondering at the history of each one. But besides the atmosphere, the service was first-class. Our waiter, Keith will be my butler when I am filthy rich. This guy had such a cool demeanor, was very unobtrusive and yet had the presence one would need in a butler. Like Alfred only in his early 40's. My father and I were very impressed.
After the dinner and cake ceremony we said our goodbyes to the newlyweds as they are on their way to honeymoon in Costa Rica.
And then today was lots more driving in the rain pretty much the whole way down the 101 from San Francisco right to my doorstep.
And tomorrow is more fun as I try to fix a few problems with my class I was scheduled to take. So more on that tomorrow.

This year willl be as happy as I make it.
May yours be happy as well.

December is here and with it comes all types of images, feelings and expectations. It is cold enough again that I use the mini wall heater in my room at night and in the morning. The sweatshirts, pullovers and longsleeve thermal shirts are back in my dresser. Even when I sneak out of work before 5pm, I get home and it's dark out. Which doesn't make me feel all that much like running errands on the way home. The weeks will pass quickly as we near Christmas and I have to think about shopping for gifts.
I see decorations and get a little homesick for the good old days. I remember big Christmas parties with our entire family for many years. Images of my mom making punch with lime sherbert, my dad mixing drinks for my uncles, my sister and I playing with our cousins and getting gifts from our grandparents.
As I have gotten older, I miss that more and more. The day loses it's magic with age. Moreso without a wife, children and a house of my own.
As my fourth Christmas with my current job approaches, I realize how much I miss winter break, both as a student and a teacher. Not having to ask someone for time off. Not wondering how many days vacation/PTO you have left and weighing that against time with my family.
And after that, it's the New Year, and right after that, my 32nd birthday. I never thought such a thing would be possible. By age 33 my father had a wiffe, 2 children and a house as well as a job that he would stay with until his retirement over 25 years later.
The ghost of Christmas future visits me often this time of year.

Sometimes people are too close to something to be able to see things clearly. Other times people are too far away to be able to notice the details. No perspective is perfect, but those who want a clear picture will move forward or step back as needed.

I was talking with two guys at work, both of whom were in the United States Marine Corps. We were talking about this incident in Fallujah where a wounded Iraqi fighter was shot in the head in a Mosque. Some call him a prisoner because the day before, the Mosque was cleared and 5 wounded men were left for a follow up detail of Marines to take care of them. However, it is not fair to call the dead man a prisoner as he had not yet been detained, guarded or processed.
Regardless of that, an apparently unarmed and wounded man was killed in a holy place. And that kind of thing is the last thing we need to happen, let alone become publicized. But my coworkers were more bothered by the publicity rather than the actions.
If the guy was faking being dead then fine, the Marines shouldn't take a chance. And war is an ugly business. But our latest stated goal being there is to bring Freedom and Democracy to Iraq. Shooting unarmed and wounded men is not the best way to achieve that. And war being ugly and violent, should still be fought according to a certain set of rules, a code of honor if you will. If not for the sake of those we fight, than at least for the sake of those who fight for us.
Abusing prisoners, shooting the unarmed or the wounded, or detaining people indefinitely with no legal recourse are all anathema to our stated cause and to the principles that this country was founded upon.
This is the shit that tore the American people apart during Vietnam. We want and need to be the good guys. It is part of our national self-image. Part of that is also the ass-kicking cowboy. But the cowboy in the white hat. That's where Bush lost almost half of this country. The actions we take around the world are viewed around the world, and believe it or not, the world wants us to be the cowboy in the white hat.
And whatever the circumstances of this incident, as much as it may at first add more dirt to that white hat, our willingness to expose that, our willingness to investigate such incidents is something that we are also fighting for. In most of those movies, it was the small town newspaper printer who spoke the truth about the man in the black hat. That printer with the glasses and the visor who championed truth and justice, only to be killed or have his place torched. And that's when the man in the white hat would be spurred into action by the sacrifice of those who speak the truth, no matter the cost.
So let the truth be told and what will happen, will be.

Music. That's what has been missing and contributed to my bloglessness.

Right now I am listening to this song, that fills me with an almost blank emotion, makes me wish I could get in a fast and comfortable car with a good sound system, and drive down an empty highway across space and time, through long distances and remember the past and across endless roads and dream of the future all in one ceasless unending drive, blankly driving, oblivious to all around me and yet absorbing it all in, it fills me with inspiration and worry, woe and joy, fear and hope, like a swirling vortex, a hurricane with a calm center. And that is what I want to be, a hurricane of outside action and inner peace.

Well I have removed the Vote for Kerry link. And I couldn't have picked a better day, more fighting in Fallujah, the Alaskan Oil Reserve has been opened up, and Colin Powell, probably the only person in the Bush Administration with any sense, has (unfortunately Or not) resigned. It was a matter of time, how much more could he stomach. It's bittersweet really. I mean here is this very loyal man with a strong sense of what the country should be doing, yet he can't speak up and by all accounts, when he does, he is treated with disrespect and pushed aside in favor of the Chicken-Hawks.
It would have been nice if he resigned in protest a few years ago. Or in some deluded way, some of us would like him to stay and be the voice of reason. Yet that certainly seems so futile, that it would only further crush his spirits.
And to top it off the talk is that Condoleeza Rice, Bush's biggest lackey will replace him. Anyone in the intelligence community that was in charge either during 9/11 or the invasion of Iraq should NOT be allowed to move up, hell she should have resigned along with former CIA Director George Tenet. And Take Rumsfeld with her.
This would be the ultimate of stupid moves for Bush. No world leader could possibly respect her knowing her position as a yes man. And hey, I don't care, the position is called yes man even if you are a woman.
Amazing.
Just wait until he starts appointing Supreme Court Justices. Thats when the real fun begins.

I could talk about the election, but what is there to say that hasn't been said, or that would make a difference. I guess that's one of the reasons I have been so quiet lately. So much to say and just no way to get it all down.
It's getting colder here and I bought this nice fleece blanket from Linen N Things for $9.99. So that should keep me pretty warm as I sit here and ponder my existence. I have committed to going back to school and furthering my educational goals. First class starts in January. So I'll see how things go and it'll feel good to move forward in that direction. I have also started a side project with a friend and that is gaining momentum. Lots of things to help me forget about work and remember it's really all about me. And if it's not all about me, well then it should at least be all about you.

So I have been getting more and more burnt out by work. Which is leaving me tired and exhausted before I even think about heading home. But it has spurred me to begin other creative ventures, and to go back to school. A lot of this will require me to be much better at time management than I have been the past few years. But the more I have on my plate, the more I tend to stick to schedules I make to ensure that I can get everything accomplished.
One of the things I have to do is set the expectation at work, that because of certain issues there, that I will be going back to school and that my time is limited to certain hours. No more working past the 8 hours that I only get paid for. I have invested far too many spare hours and extra thought and energy to that place. Time that would have been much better spent on my own future.
I have been listening to a lot more music the past two weeks. I purchased an MP3 player far below the usual list price. At times I wish I could just walk around all day with my own soundtrack playing as I have to deal with people. That must be one of the first signs of some form of mental illness. Oh and if you check out the link for the mp3 player, take a look at that girls ass. That would sell anything. I like that I can listen to the radio too. And it has a slot for expandable memory.
So having finally paid off my credit cards, I have been buying a few toys. But have still been finding the best deals possible. Now I can begin to save money and invest it so I can pay off my future school loans. Or should some miracle occur, be able to afford property in Southern California.

What can I say, the past few months I just haven't been in a blogging mood. One post each month is pretty sad. I could ramble on about the vice presidential debate, but while I watched it, I have been too busy looking for a new cell phone. People who know me know that I like technology, but I don't have to have the latest or cutting edge. My motto is you usually bleed with cutting edge, as in pay a premium. So I was looking at this phone at ATT, who is my current carrier. But I wanted more information on the phone so I checked out this same phone on the Nokia site. Imagine my surprise to find I can save about $200 dollars and still get the same plan and phone. For anyone looking at getting a new cell phone or service, be sure to check out the same phone through the manufacturer for better deals.

Work has been pretty crazy during the month of August and has sucked up most of my time and energy. But I spent this past weekend with a close friend and existed in a state of bliss and relaxation that was well deserved and well overdue. Now I feel energized and renewed, ready to tackle things head-on at work and make other plans as well.
Of course I have also been keeping up with the political scene, and with all the latest bullshit from the Republicans, it's been a wonder I haven't been ranting much lately. But I have had very little time or inclination to commit my thoughts to anything other than a few quick screams.
This weekend I am taking a trip to Arizona to visit family as my Aunt and Uncle are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Normally I skip such events, but the past couple of years I have had this growing desire to spend more time with my family. Especially the ones I never see that live in AZ. So it should be a good time. It will be hot as hell and after the beautiful weekend I just enjoyed, I am not looking forward to crappy weather.
I do plan on watching Bush jr. speak tomorrow night, as I have been watching the convention this week, I wouldn't want to miss seeing what crap he has to spew forth.
Anyhoo, more to come.

And so the crap begins again. Does it ever really stop? Now we have a group of people disputing Kerry's war record and his service in Vietnam. Thank the gods that there are still Republicans, with a sense of honor and integrity to speak out against such crap. Senator John McCain has stood up for what is right and decent more times than any other Republican I can think of. Here he is speaking out about the latest crap regarding Kerry's Vietnam record and here he is speaking out against the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. Of course he doesn't relish the idea of gay marriages, but he has the brains to know that it wouldn't be the end of the world and it certainly doesn't warrant changes to the constitution.
While all the talk of McCain as Kerry's vice-president was just pie in the sky kind of talk, it just shows how acceptable he is to most Democrats and centrists.
And the Republicans are continuing to stoop to new lows when it was announced that Alan Keyes and Andre Grubb Barthwell were picked to run against the Democrats new rising star Barack Obama in the race for Senator in Illinois.

"These two were selected because of their strengths, not because of their
color," said state Sen. Dave Syverson, a member of the Republican State Central
Committee. "Voters are smarter than that. That clearly wasn't the intent."

Oh, no they wouldn't do anything like that. But then how do they explain that Alan Keyes, lives in MARYLAND not Illinois,

Keyes ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate twice from his home state
of Maryland and sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1996 and 2000.
He has never lived in Illinois but under state law would only have to take up
residence by Election Day, November 2.

No, they didn't pick these two because they are African-Americans. That would be like Thurgood Marshall stepping down as a Supreme Court Justice and then the Republicans deciding to appoint an African-American to take his place. Nah, people would see through that. That wouldn't be their intent. For crying out loud, no matter who wins we have only the FIFTH time that an African-American becomes a Senator. That's mighty big of the Republicans to help make history. But as we have seen with most of the African-Americans that the Republicans support, they step in line just like anybody else. Some may see it in terms of Uncle Tom, but you know what, I think it's actually a positive step when a Colin Powell or a Condoleeza Rice has the opportunity to become a Republican. They have as much a right to agree politically with Republicans as any other person.
The idea that one party owns one gener, race, religion, ethnic group, etc. is bullshit. If anything it leads to complacency. The parties should always be competing for our votes. We have a two-party system, yes Mr. Nader for better or worse, the harsh reality is, it's a two-party system....and with a two-party system, so long as they both compete for the same demographic, we the people win. It's when they give up on certain groups that things actually get rough.

John Kerry more than exceeded my expectations tonight. Prior to his speech, I was going to vote for him as the Anti-Bush candidate, but now I will be voting for John Kerry the candidate. He hit all the points, and refuted a lot of the tax and spend liberal crap we are always fed by the media and the right. He did a good job of continuing with the Democrats message of returning America to its greatness here and abroad and of being the party of inclusiveness and optimism. It was brilliant really the way that Kerry used Bush jr's message of returning integrity to the White House against Bush. He took off the gloves, threw down the gauntlet and threw a few jabs, but kept it pretty civil and challenged Bush to do the same, knowing that Bush won't.
       The Vietnam service thing is getting old, but then again, he wouldn't need to trot that pony out so often if the Republicans weren't always calling into question the patriotism and courage of Democrats all the time. So just remember that as you hear the whole boat and captain thing and think how many times Democrats/Liberals are portrayed as wimps. Thank the gods, Clark was able to get in there and kick some ass too.
        The optimism and belief in progress and building a better future are good messages and attitudes that will inspire people to get up and vote.  This was a remarkable convention in just how strong the themes were and how effective they addressed some issues that usually haunt Democrats. The fact that people like Barack Obama and John Kerry did their best not to attack Republicans, but rather specific people or ideas may be derided by some as too centrist. However I think in the long run it may do what Reagan did and this time around instead of Reagan Democrats, we may just have some Kerry Republicans.
          When I think of Bush and the direction he will lead us, I feel demoralized. But when I hear speeches like those given this week, I am lifted and energized with a feeling of hope for this country and it's people.  There just may be a way out of this mess and we can get back to living with hope and pride not fear and hatred.
       If I sound like I have been brainwashed, then just watch some of the speeches and think about how much better things will be if Bush goes on permanent vacation.

I love this. Hearing speeches that stir the soul and fill me with energy and hope for America. Tonight was no different than yesterday, this time it was the keynote speech delivered by a man who quite possibly will become the biggest rising star in politics, Barack Obama. If you didn't hear him tonight you missed something great, Frank Capra could not have created a better scene. But don't think that means this was artificial, it was very clear that Barack speaks from the heart. Read this speech and you will see what I mean.
       Did you read it yet? You will be hearing a lot about him over the next few days and the speech he gave.  If I didn't have such a good memory I might have forgotten that anyone else spoke tonight. Ron jr. spoke about stem cell research and kept it very bipartisan except for the final implied message to vote for Kerry.  I wonder who if anyone has even mentioned the name Bush? Seems they all refer to him without mentioning him. Sensible of course, but still odd.
       Teresa Heinz Kerry spoke at length about her husband, John Kerry but she focused more on policy than personality.  But she also painted a picture that has become the theme for this convention, that Democrats want to restore America to it's position as the role model and hero of the world, not the bully or greedy fat cat.  Again and again the speeches recall the greatness of America and the ideals for which we should truely fight for.  It seems to be successful and a brialliant way to energize lapsed Democrats.  A call for Democrats to not be ashamed to be called Democrats, or even use the dreaded "L" word.  Liberalism is one of the great foundations of this nation, the root word is liberalis which means free.  Some of the definitions :

1. broad-minded: tolerant of different views and standards of behavior in others
2. politics progressive politically or socially: favoring gradual reform, especially political reforms that extend democracy, distribute wealth more evenly, and protect the personal freedom of the individual
3. generous: generous with money, time, or some other assetMy great-aunt was liberal in her bequests.
4. history of political liberalism: relating to a political ideology of liberalism
liberal person: somebody who favors tolerance or reform
[14th century. Via French from Latin liberalis , from liber  “free” (source of English liberty).

Doesn't sound bad to me.

 

WOW. That's just incredible, Jimmy Carter just kicked ass with his speech and came out swinging at Bush jr. and the rest. Not only in his speech but in his post-speech interview with Jim Leher on PBS.
       And the Clintons, WOW. They kicked ass too.  They weren't negative for the most part. They were optimistic and forward thinking as they always have been.  I have always loved listening to Bill Clinton's speeches.  Sure they can drag on, but he is damn good.  If you didn't catch his speech, you missed him at his best. He pointed out that he is now a millionaire and how tax cuts help him and people like him, but that most Americans end up paying for it.  Pure genius he is doing what I keep wishing Kerry would have done, point out you are rich. Don't move away from it. Embrace it, but make it the reason why you dedicate yourself to public service.  To give back to America, to not take a tax cut, because hell you can afford to pay an extra $2,000 in taxes but the guy who makes $35,000 a year can't afford to.
     I get so jazzed about politics when their are good politicians out there to watch. I have been looking forward to this fight for a long time now. This election and the summer Olympics are the two things I am excited to watch this year.
      Carter is right and so is Clinton, this is a great country and we deserve leaders who keep it great. Not leaders who sully the ideals that this nation was founded on.  We need to lead by example as any real leader does.
     This should be one hell of an election.

I really need to get a job as a movie critic, just so I can stop paying to go see a movie just about every weekend. I saw The Bourne Supremacy today, and I was very surprised with how good it was. Much better than the first. Though they still pale compared to the books. But taken for what they are, the movies are fun to watch. I appreciated that the movie didn't get into too many double-cross issues. Though one or two things didn't make much sense, but characters are never as bright as me. Besides the story, it was nice that so many of the previous cast came back, it lent the film a sense of continuity that is often lacking in sequels. Just think of Batman and you will know what I mean. The movie also had the same feel and look as the first, including using Moby's Extreme Ways for the title track again. Hey if it works, it works.
I went out to find the books but I couldn't find The Bourne Identity at Barnes & Noble, so I figured maybe next weekend I'll scour some used bookstores I know. The last time I read them was in college. I started reading Ludlum in high school and continued into college, usually checking them out of the library as a reward for reading books for college. I do miss all that stage of my education involving research and looking at old books in the library.
Anyway, now I have my mind set on becoming the next Gene Shallot.

Well the endless car fun just keeps me so aggravated.  I took the car to a different mechanic after the smog check place took two weeks just to not find the problem and then of course didn't reconnect my alarm...So I asked this other place to check it out and he couldn't find the problem unless its a problem with the car's computer. So he told me that he "pulled some strings" and now I am all set.  Well except the problem still exists, though now I at least get my car registered.  Oh and I asked him to check the alarm, and he said sure, but when I got the car, only the keyless entry works, not the alarm or the audible chime when you leave the keys in or you take off your seatbelt.....So I have to go back to the original smog check place and yell at that guy to fix the alarm that he disconnected in the first place.
     Then it's back to the guy who put the new alternator in back in February, because that is making a grinding noise.
      All this has me hunting around online for a new car. I will end up losing money on this one when I trade it in, as I still owe.  But I am looking at a few different cars right now.  Though I suppose someone could always buy me this and make me very happy.
 

Mmmmm Beer......So obviously it is time for a serious look at the need for prison reform not just in Iraq but here at home.  If it's not severe abuses by guards or guards betting on prison fights, or being bribed to allow drugs into prisons or allowing prisoners to rape and kill each other....then we have to deal with complete incompetence of a 7.5 on the Barney Fife scale.  The thing that I find most funny about this case is that the guys came back to jail.       I wouldn't punish these guys. The officials at the jail should be punished for allowing them to escape.  No to mention not even having enough orange jumpsuits to go around.  And what ever happened to the good old black and white striped prison clothes?      Ahh....Forget it. Meanwhile yuckkkkk Nachos?? .......Seriously man, what were you thinking? The sad thing is you can just imagine Bush envying these guys for all their fun times he gave up when he quit drinking and snorting.