American Taliban at it again.

Well, the Odessa Texas school board unanimously passed an elective Bible course for 2006. The kids in these schools can't get sex education, are taught creationism is the "truth" and are taught the theory of evolution should be looked at skeptically "because it is just theory" (um, so is the theory of gravity folks -- "just a theory". WOTEVA!) Again, this is the American evangelical Taliban trying to convert the heathens to finally make us a real theocracy. In one teaching unit, students are told, "Throughout most of the last 2,000 years, the majority of men living in the Western world have accepted the statements of the Scriptures as genuine." The course also teaches supposed NASA findings to suggest that the earth stopped twice in its orbit, in support of the literal truth of the biblical text that the sun stood still in Joshua and II Kings. There is also so-called "scientific" evidence of "the flood" and they also teach that the Bible was the blueprint for the US constitution. If that is the case, why isn't the word "God" ever once mentioned in the Constitution??? What really scares me is if the good people of Texas were to vote on a referendum supporting the teaching of this class, I am sure it would pass with great support. Too bad it would be unconstitutional (or at least until they rig the courts with their reactionaries). Ho hum...La de da...

A plague on all your houses.

I saw this little 'gem' on Neil Cavuto on Faux 'News'. This wacko, Bo Dietl, was promoting more hate, violence and prejudice when he said:
"You got a bunch of people over there (Saudi Arabia) about 9000 what they call royal family. They're all inbreds they marry each other..."
"This is how we have to interfere, they can't police their own if they can't stop the terrorism that they are exporting we have to go in there..."
"They are not doing any of that at all and I tell you the honest truth, they got oil, we need oil, we should go over there and take the oil. Everyone hates us anyway in these Muslim countries and for some reason it's not working the holy site of Mecca there."
"Everyone laughs at me about dipping blood uh pig's blood on the bullets because if they get shot with it and they get killed they can't go to this never never land with the seventy two virgins. Well I say to the troops out there: buy a couple of pigs put your bullets in there and start letting the word be known that you're going to shoot em and when you shoot em they are not going to make never never land and get the seventy two virgins or whatever they think they are going to get."
This all brings home to me how all this stuff and so much strife in the world is infighting among the bullies. This Dietl guy and the insurgents are two sides of the SAME coin. The same goes with Saddam and Rumsfeld: two sides, same coin. Look at Israel/Palestine: the ones causing the trouble are essentially the same regardless of what side they are on. I say: a plague on all your houses. We need to stand up to all the bullies whether they be Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, black, white, whatever. No nationality nor religion has a monopoly on the truth. We forget that at our peril.

I saw this at a site called The Rational Radical. I have to agree that those on the left should be careful not to get caught up in political dogma and fighting because that is what the Bushies want -- to distract us from the real goal of what they are about.

Which brings me to a recent email I received from my friend, D. I think he puts American politics into perspective. In it he writes ( I hope he doesn't mind me quoting him): Politics in this country is really decided by who can best persuade the stupid people. I think that is what really defines us from other developed nations, is that we have a large uneducated populace, and it is in the best interests of whichever elite group is in power, to a) manipulate opinion to best suit their agenda, and b) ensure they stay uneducated so that they continue to be easily manipulated. Probably a bit of an exaggeration, but not much.

Yeah, D. Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but unfortunately, not much.

I heard 'first lady of the press', Helen Thomas, being interviewed on Fresh Air. She was talking about the timid White House press corps in comparison to the way the BBC deals with British politicians. She said the American press was in a coma leading up to the war and not asking Bush the tough questions. "We (the American press) shouldn't worship at anybody's shrine. They (Bush and Co.) are OUR public servants." That is EXACTLY right! I have been saying that for years. Politicians are just PUBLIC SERVANTS. They deserve no deference in any way. Again, back to my views about the weakness of the American system where one has a politician as chief of state which in turn causes the press and others to give undue deference to a public servant who should be questioned vigorously. But anyway, good on her for sticking to her principles and for sticking it to this lie-filled White House.

I keep thinking about John Stewart on The Daily Show asking Newt Gingrich if in fact the South has actually 'won' the Civil War. I think Stewart had a genuine point. I mean their values and politics run this country now (and have for some time). I have been of the opinion that perhaps the Blue States should either merge with Canada (which we have FAR more in common with) or let the Red States once again form the Confederate States of America where 'states rights' and Jesus rule supreme. Sometimes I even muse that it is too bad the South didn't prevail and create their own country afterall. There is enough room in N. America for four countries -- Canada, The United States of America, The Confederate States of America and Mexico. Oh well, too late. Then again, the way things are going now, it could still happen.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia wants a theocracy for America because he can read the founding fathers' minds.

"With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief," Scalia wrote, "it is entirely clear from our nation's historical practices that the Establishment Clause permits this disregard of polytheists and believers in unconcerned deities, just as it permits the disregard of devout atheists."

Has Scalia ever READ the US Constitution?? Not once, NOT ONCE is the word GOD EVER written in the document. NOT ONCE! Plus most of the founding fathers were either deists or unitarians -- not christians. This country was founded as a secular order in contrast to all the religious crap happening in Europe. Looking back today, it is ironic that Europe is so secular and the Klepto-Theocrary of America is certainly not. How did this happen?

Today I was at the gym doing cardio, and as always, I was compelled to see what kind of crap they were spouting on Faux 'News'. I usually just listen to my trance music but it is like a train wreck, sometimes you just cannot help but look. Anyway, there was this indignant story about this painting displayed in the state of the California attorney general's office. The reporter said that it was 'un-American' and how could such marginal speech be protected in a public office. I am sorry but when did being critical of a president become 'un-American'? If that were the case, all those right-wingers would have been un-American during the 90s because that is all they did.

As President Theodore Roosevelt once said: "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

Let us not forget that Bush is only a politician -- that is it and we have the right to disagree with his politics ALL WE WANT. Again, this goes back to my view of the weakness of the US political system is when a politician is chief of state -- it causes people to believe that it is sacrilege to say anything is wrong with him (especially in this 'time of war').

What I did not understand about this correspondent from Faux 'News' was why she was so indignant about people expressing their political views on public property but somehow it is ok for people to display their religious views (i.e.: ten commandment displays) on the same public land. Woteva. What I dislike most about the right in the US today is their complete and total hypocrisy.

OK, here is an example of some of the sh*t forwarded to me in my mailbox. Who wrote this? Yosemite Sam? The level of ignorance one needs to agree with something like this is more than I can take. There are so many problems with this, I don't even know where to begin. Let me know what you think.

++++++++++++++++++++++

DARN TOOTIN'
WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY UNITED STATES PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, OR INDEPENDENT, GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?

My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of Iraq regime has been completed. Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days.
It is now to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that second list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.
Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France. In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.
I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.
I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.
A special note to our neighbors. Canada, you are on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change. Mexico, you are also on List 2. President Fox, you and your entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will soon have a few extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put em? Yep, border security. So start doing something with your oil. Oh, by the way, the U.S. is abrogating the NAFTA treaty -- starting now.
We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there. They care.
It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, "Darn Tootin."
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. And for good measure, I think it is time to eliminate World Cup Soccer from America, too. While we're at it, let's bring Lance Armstrong home from the Tour de France, and host our on Tour de USA. (The French have run out of ways to try to cheat him, anyway.)
To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys. We owe you and we won't forget. To the nations on List 2, a final thought: You might want to learn to speak Arabic. God bless America. Thank you and good night.

Ok, so I have been away for a while. I kind of forgot about blogging while I was in New Zealand. Now that I have been reading great blogs like AmericaBlogI have been inspired to kind of pick it up again.

Anyway, I am back in the States and what a mess it is. I first want to start with this bullsh*t book: The 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America by Bernard Goldberg. It is so obviously a way for Goldberg to make some extra dosh by pandering to the ignorant. Here is his list in order from the most dangerous:

Michael Moore
Arthur Sulzberger
Ted Kennedy
Jesse Jackson
Anthony Romero
Jimmy Carter
Margaret Marshall
Paul Krugman
Jonathan Kozol
Ralph Neas
Noam Chomsky
Dan Rather
Andrew Heyward
Mary Mapes
Ted Rall
John Edwards
Al Sharpton
Al Gore
George Soros
Howard Dean
Judge Roy Moore
Michael Newdow
The Unknown American Terrorist
Lee Bollinger
James Kopp
Dr. Martin Haskell
Paul Begala
Julian Bond
John Green
Latrell Sprewell
Maury Povich
Jerry Springer
Bob Shrum
Bill Moyers
Jeff Danziger
Nancy Hopkins
Al Franken
Jim McDermott
Peter Singer
Scott Harshbarger
Susan Beresford
Gloria Steinem
Paul Eibeler
Dennis Kozlowski
Ken Lay
Barbara Walters
Maxine Waters
Robert Byrd
Ingrid Newkirk
John Vasconellos
Ann Pelo
Markos Moulitsas
Anna Nicole Smith
Neal Shapiro
David Westin
Diane Sawyer
Ted Field
Eminem
Shirley Franklin
Ludacris
Michael Savage
Howard Stern
Amy Richards
James Wolcott
Oliver Stone
David Duke
Randall Robinson
Katherine Hanson
Matt Kunitz
Jimmy Swaggart
Phil Donahue
Ward Churchill
Barbara Kingsolver
Katha Politt
Eric Foner
Barbara Foley
Linda Hirshman
Norman Mailer
Harry Belafonte
Kitty Kelley
Tim Robbins
Laurie David
The Dumb and Vicious Celebrity
The Vicious Celebrity
The Dumb Celebrity
Chris Ofili
Sheldon Hackney
Aaron McGruder
Jane Smiley
Michael Jackson
Barbra Streisand
Kerri Dunn
Richard Timmons
Guy Velella
Courtney Love
Eve Ensler
Todd Goldman
Sheila Jackson Lee
Matthew Lesko
Rick and Kathy Hilton

Like how dangerous is Barbra Steisand? Anyway, if I had my own list, in the top ten would be:
1. Rupert Murdoch
2. Karl Rove
3. Roger Ailes
4. George W Bush
5. Bill O'Rielly
6. Donald Rumsfeld
7. Rush Limbaugh
8. Bill Frist
9. Ann Coulter
10. Robert Novak

Second, I have gone back to reading Wai-Wai on Mainichi. This site translates all the really wild stuff that appears in Japanese men's weeklies. Like this article on Milk Mamas about mothers who suck off their sons if they promise to study. Or this one: Japan's first school of sex has opened its doors and women are flocking to attend classes. You just gotta love Japan.