I just read an awesome interview with Neal Stephenson on slashdot. I love this man. I enjoyed his "who would win in a fight between you and William Gibson response. I particularly liked the second question on "The lack of respect for popular fiction." (edited out massive quote, follow the link if interested) It provides an interesting look into the social world of published authors.
I'm currently reading Stephenson's final book in the "Baroque Cycle," "The System of the World." The series follows some of the many innovative thinkers during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. I think of it as historical fiction, but Stephenson prefers to call it alternate history. This is probably more appropriate because he does take many liberties with history while posing some interesting "what if's." The three main charecters are "Daniel Waterhouse," (his connections provide a look into the scientific and philosophic world) "Eliza of Qwghlm (a fictional island off the coast of ireland)," (she provides a look into the royalty and the business practices of the upper class) and "Jack Shaftoe," (a criminal mastermind/lucky moron who provides the excitement and action of the novel, while eventually becoming emproiled in monetary theory). The charecters in this series have the last name of charecters in his previous book "Cryptonomicon." I suppose they are meant to be ancestors. He basically implies the same in interviews I've read.
If you haven't read his "Cryptonomicon" yet, I suggest you do. It's entertaining and informative. He poses some really cool ideas regarding currency and the electronic world.
As well, if you enjoy cyberpunk I suggest you pick up "Snow Crash" and "The Diamond Age: A Young Ladies Illustrated Primer." I would say that "Diamond Age" is better, but I know others disagree with me.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4018261.stm
Next jackass I hear who says global warning is a media myth gets a boot to the head. I keep finding increasingly frightening things about the severity of global warming. Hell, even the pentagon has released statements saying the climate changes are going to cause disorder and war.
Unfortunately big business refuses to believe it, or chooses to ignore it (probably a little of both) in favor of higher profits. And this little gem really makes me feel better about the whole thing. Global warming actually has the possibility of improving oil company profits because receding ice and warmer waters are making undersea drilling spots easier to access.
And then you get these assholes who claim to be doing well for the nation by "dispelling the myths of global warming." Because apparently this "myth" is bad for the world because anything except a pure free market economy is bad for the world. Damn, libertarians.
Plus the environment is an ignored issue now in politics and the media. I was having a debate online with someone about presidential candidates, and when I mentioned the environment, he claimed it wasn't important because "it was boring and nobody cares about the environment anymore." Like he thought that this made it a non-issue. The environment is one of the biggest reasons I despise Bush and the far right. I think with proper responsibility a low tax low spending policy can work. I think that the taking of civil liberties is only a temporary problem that, when it gets to extreme, will be righted by the people. I think that in all these situations where the far right is typically attacked, Kerry couldn't have done much better. However Kerry could have, and would have at least prevented further loosening of environmental regulations, and may have created more. The damage done to the environment is already probably irreversible, and that to continue ignoring it will be fatal. Bush and the far right have undone what they could from the Clinton administration’s environmental policies. Clinton fucked up a lot, he supported the disastrous NAFTA, he considered "don't ask, don't tell" a solution, he ignored and avoided topics about the Rwandan genocide, and he ordered cruise missiles to be fired at a medicine factory in Sudan. However, when it came to the environment, Clinton was a saint. Bush managed to undo his two greatest legacies, the record surplus and his environmental protection actions.
What the world needs is a president who cares about the environment. He doesn't need to be a liberal, but what I think is most needed now, or as soon as possible, is environmental protection. The president who fixes the environment can ruin US reputation, they can fight unnecessary wars, they can ruin the economy, they can do whatever they want as long as they defend the environment and find a way to keep it defended, because none of those other topics are any way near as permanent as this constant and steady environmental damage is.
Next jackass I hear who says global warning is a media myth gets a boot to the head. I keep finding increasingly frightening things about the severity of global warming. Hell, even the pentagon has released statements saying the climate changes are going to cause disorder and war.
Unfortunately big business refuses to believe it, or chooses to ignore it (probably a little of both) in favor of higher profits. And this little gem really makes me feel better about the whole thing. Global warming actually has the possibility of improving oil company profits because receding ice and warmer waters are making undersea drilling spots easier to access.
And then you get these assholes who claim to be doing well for the nation by "dispelling the myths of global warming." Because apparently this "myth" is bad for the world because anything except a pure free market economy is bad for the world. Damn, libertarians.
Plus the environment is an ignored issue now in politics and the media. I was having a debate online with someone about presidential candidates, and when I mentioned the environment, he claimed it wasn't important because "it was boring and nobody cares about the environment anymore." Like he thought that this made it a non-issue. The environment is one of the biggest reasons I despise Bush and the far right. I think with proper responsibility a low tax low spending policy can work. I think that the taking of civil liberties is only a temporary problem that, when it gets to extreme, will be righted by the people. I think that in all these situations where the far right is typically attacked, Kerry couldn't have done much better. However Kerry could have, and would have at least prevented further loosening of environmental regulations, and may have created more. The damage done to the environment is already probably irreversible, and that to continue ignoring it will be fatal. Bush and the far right have undone what they could from the Clinton administration’s environmental policies. Clinton fucked up a lot, he supported the disastrous NAFTA, he considered "don't ask, don't tell" a solution, he ignored and avoided topics about the Rwandan genocide, and he ordered cruise missiles to be fired at a medicine factory in Sudan. However, when it came to the environment, Clinton was a saint. Bush managed to undo his two greatest legacies, the record surplus and his environmental protection actions.
What the world needs is a president who cares about the environment. He doesn't need to be a liberal, but what I think is most needed now, or as soon as possible, is environmental protection. The president who fixes the environment can ruin US reputation, they can fight unnecessary wars, they can ruin the economy, they can do whatever they want as long as they defend the environment and find a way to keep it defended, because none of those other topics are any way near as permanent as this constant and steady environmental damage is.
-Brandon
Monday, November 15, 2004
Webcomic stuff
[NOTE ADDED AT END: this entire post is worthless. I just kept writing for the sake of writing I think. It doesn't flow or have any sense of organization. But if you can sift through it feel free to comment, I still agree with everything I said]
I read webcomics. There seems to be to groups of people online with opinions regarding webcomics. One group says that basically, they are all pieces of shit put together by talentless amateurs. The other side seems to worship the community, and is often reluctant to say anything bad about the webcomic movement.
I tend to agree that the vast majority of webcomics are utter shit. But this is to be expected. What's great about the webcomic community is that it has created a situation in which people can create completely unhindered. You have organizations that encourage this movement. Particularly keenspace (a group that gives free webspace for amateur webcomics) comes to mind. Now most of what is on keenspace isn't worth the server space it's stored on. However, the existence of this group is important because the one out of ten thousand comics that is actually decent is given a place to begin, and good webcomics spread fast once the right people know. The problem, is the talented webcomic artists end up suffering because of the time they put into it. Some become frustrated and disappear, but you rarely hear about this, because the frustration begins before the popularity hits its peak in most cases.
Many artists feel that they would like to be paid for their work. I can understand this perfectly. What many artists have begun doing is essentially begging. Paypal buttons have been popping up in many comic strips. I don't have problems with this, and many people have success. Some stories are truly amazing, like Something Positive's success story about the author, being fed up with his fan's ill consideration of real life priority, threatened that if they wanted him to continue his comic and do it regularly, they would need to pay his salary. Astonishingly, they did. Many comics make money off advertisers. Many comics attempt to sell merchandise. Some are successful, some aren't. I have never bought comic merchandise, but I can honestly say that I've come close, on multiple occasions with Goats. Other comics like megatoyko and pvp seem to do well with merchandising and advertising(neither of which I read, but PVP gets a link because Scott Kurtz seems like an honestly cool guy from rants he has written and blurbs I've read on him) Other artists, in attempts to gain funds (join (by invitation I believe) subscription based groups like Modern Tales. I have come close, on many occasions to joining this, and similar groups, but alas, my cheap money grubbing qualities hold me back. However, it is apparent that, although
You know, I honestly forget what my point was. I think I originally intended to just discuss the community as a whole. Somehow I got into money, I don't know why. How about I just say that I think that despite the utterly despicably quality of the majority of internet comics (rule of thumb, anime blows and animorphic is almost always lame)the community is good, as it provides a sort of artistic Darwinism. The shitty comics fail, or are ignored because their fan base is too small, while the decent comics thrive because they are supported by their fans. Because even the most popular webcomics are far from money making powerhouses, business doesn't become a factor in art and the popular tend to be popular because of quality and effort of the artists. It's a nice model of the way artistic fields should be. I wish music, movies, and literature would work the same way.
I went through a big webcomic phase around four years ago. I discovered a lot of comics and artists that way, and one of the most important in my search was Framed. the comic was not the best. I really enjoyed it (and still do when it is updated) but it's an acquired taste. The humor is far punnier then most humor I follow is. It's importance was, rather, that Damonk (the artist's name/pseudonym) made a habit of regularly suggesting decent comics that he had come across. He was a huge supporter of a comic community, and in fact, at on point, began a massive project, among hundreds of webcomics in which his characters (it's a self aware strip) escape the comic and wander through other webcomics. Other comic characters found their way to Damonk's comic, and it was the single biggest crossover I have ever seen or heard of. The point, is that Framed was important because of Damonk's emphasis on spreading quality comics by word of mouth. I didn't always agree with his choices, but they did show me to comics that I still read regularly. Some fail my theory of popularity (although perhaps they aren't really high quality and I am deceived) but others have since become huge. SomethingPositive is one of these comics. I discovered it when the comic was only a couple weeks old, all because Damonk had run across it and posted it. It's interesting how it's a self serving community.
Today I came across a dated quiz that tells you what comic artist you are most like. I was shocked to find that, not only did I recognize more then half the possibilities, but almost all of them were introduced to me through Framed and Damonk.
If anyone was curious I am apparently most like Tycho of Penny Arcade, which I found a little surprising and disappointing only because I have trouble imagining either of the penny arcade creators outside of a video game and technology discussion. I enjoy the strip, and I enjoy their daily rants as much if not more. It's always interesting, but I don't see them as people one can identify with. I view them almost more as journalists. No one is going to watch the news and say "Man, I really identify with Tom Brokaw." Because he doesn't have a personality. He's just a guy who tells the news. And although Tycho and Gabe are more opinionated in their posts, I seem to view them in the same way. This quiz as well as http://www.websnark.com sort of inspired the post.
Maybe sometime soon I'll post a list of comics I like. I'm falling asleep now though, at the ripe hour of, uh, four in the morning. 9:30 classes are gonna be fun!
I read webcomics. There seems to be to groups of people online with opinions regarding webcomics. One group says that basically, they are all pieces of shit put together by talentless amateurs. The other side seems to worship the community, and is often reluctant to say anything bad about the webcomic movement.
I tend to agree that the vast majority of webcomics are utter shit. But this is to be expected. What's great about the webcomic community is that it has created a situation in which people can create completely unhindered. You have organizations that encourage this movement. Particularly keenspace (a group that gives free webspace for amateur webcomics) comes to mind. Now most of what is on keenspace isn't worth the server space it's stored on. However, the existence of this group is important because the one out of ten thousand comics that is actually decent is given a place to begin, and good webcomics spread fast once the right people know. The problem, is the talented webcomic artists end up suffering because of the time they put into it. Some become frustrated and disappear, but you rarely hear about this, because the frustration begins before the popularity hits its peak in most cases.
Many artists feel that they would like to be paid for their work. I can understand this perfectly. What many artists have begun doing is essentially begging. Paypal buttons have been popping up in many comic strips. I don't have problems with this, and many people have success. Some stories are truly amazing, like Something Positive's success story about the author, being fed up with his fan's ill consideration of real life priority, threatened that if they wanted him to continue his comic and do it regularly, they would need to pay his salary. Astonishingly, they did. Many comics make money off advertisers. Many comics attempt to sell merchandise. Some are successful, some aren't. I have never bought comic merchandise, but I can honestly say that I've come close, on multiple occasions with Goats. Other comics like megatoyko and pvp seem to do well with merchandising and advertising(neither of which I read, but PVP gets a link because Scott Kurtz seems like an honestly cool guy from rants he has written and blurbs I've read on him) Other artists, in attempts to gain funds (join (by invitation I believe) subscription based groups like Modern Tales. I have come close, on many occasions to joining this, and similar groups, but alas, my cheap money grubbing qualities hold me back. However, it is apparent that, although
You know, I honestly forget what my point was. I think I originally intended to just discuss the community as a whole. Somehow I got into money, I don't know why. How about I just say that I think that despite the utterly despicably quality of the majority of internet comics (rule of thumb, anime blows and animorphic is almost always lame)the community is good, as it provides a sort of artistic Darwinism. The shitty comics fail, or are ignored because their fan base is too small, while the decent comics thrive because they are supported by their fans. Because even the most popular webcomics are far from money making powerhouses, business doesn't become a factor in art and the popular tend to be popular because of quality and effort of the artists. It's a nice model of the way artistic fields should be. I wish music, movies, and literature would work the same way.
I went through a big webcomic phase around four years ago. I discovered a lot of comics and artists that way, and one of the most important in my search was Framed. the comic was not the best. I really enjoyed it (and still do when it is updated) but it's an acquired taste. The humor is far punnier then most humor I follow is. It's importance was, rather, that Damonk (the artist's name/pseudonym) made a habit of regularly suggesting decent comics that he had come across. He was a huge supporter of a comic community, and in fact, at on point, began a massive project, among hundreds of webcomics in which his characters (it's a self aware strip) escape the comic and wander through other webcomics. Other comic characters found their way to Damonk's comic, and it was the single biggest crossover I have ever seen or heard of. The point, is that Framed was important because of Damonk's emphasis on spreading quality comics by word of mouth. I didn't always agree with his choices, but they did show me to comics that I still read regularly. Some fail my theory of popularity (although perhaps they aren't really high quality and I am deceived) but others have since become huge. SomethingPositive is one of these comics. I discovered it when the comic was only a couple weeks old, all because Damonk had run across it and posted it. It's interesting how it's a self serving community.
Today I came across a dated quiz that tells you what comic artist you are most like. I was shocked to find that, not only did I recognize more then half the possibilities, but almost all of them were introduced to me through Framed and Damonk.
If anyone was curious I am apparently most like Tycho of Penny Arcade, which I found a little surprising and disappointing only because I have trouble imagining either of the penny arcade creators outside of a video game and technology discussion. I enjoy the strip, and I enjoy their daily rants as much if not more. It's always interesting, but I don't see them as people one can identify with. I view them almost more as journalists. No one is going to watch the news and say "Man, I really identify with Tom Brokaw." Because he doesn't have a personality. He's just a guy who tells the news. And although Tycho and Gabe are more opinionated in their posts, I seem to view them in the same way. This quiz as well as http://www.websnark.com sort of inspired the post.
Maybe sometime soon I'll post a list of comics I like. I'm falling asleep now though, at the ripe hour of, uh, four in the morning. 9:30 classes are gonna be fun!
-Brandon
Saturday, November 13, 2004
AH! SO ANGRY!!!
God damnit Ashcroft, you're leaving office and yet you still manage to infuriate me one last time before you're gone.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46434-2004Nov12.html
In his first public remarks since he announced Tuesday that he would resign, Ashcroft told a meeting of conservative lawyers here that court decisions limiting President Bush's powers are part of "a profoundly disturbing trend" in which the judicial branch is injecting itself into matters that should be up to the executive branch.
So according to Ashcroft, the judicial branch is damaging this country by limiting the role of the executive branch even though this is its EXACT FUCKING PURPOSE IN THE CONSTITUTION! Has Mr. Ashcroft even studied American politics? Does he understand the idea of checks and balances? Does he honestly think that the president should have no resistence and have complete control over the country. How the hell can this man, this evil, stupid man, defend an attack against Saddam Hussein one minute because he is a dictator, and the next criticize the courts for not giving the executive branch full power. What really drives me insane, is I can't tell whether he is being evil and smart in his manipulations, or if he's a complete moron and honestly believes everything he says. My hands are honestly shaking with anger after reading this article.
The really scary thing is that, on this topic, Ashcroft's replacement won't likely be much better. A man who considers the Geneva Convention an annoyance for the US to ignore, is not a man who should be attorney general.
EDIT [At this point I kind of went off on a tangent, I was just writing things as I thought them. I'll check it tomorow to see if it makes sense.]
I prey that history looks back on this era and administration the same way it looks at the vietnam era and administration. However I fear that Bush is destined to become a Reaganesque figure, loved and worshipped by conservatives. If only the liberal half of the country had some organization. A strong movement of non-violent protests would be good for this country. They might not change anything, but they might shift the future views of Bush in a more negative light. Unfortunatly there isn't a centralized goal for the left to unite under. The success of the civil rights movement and it's ties to the left before and during and vietnam era are largely why the vietnam war is portrayed in such a negative light, and partly why the conservative Nixon administration attracted the negative attention it got. There is a glimmer of hope of the left uniting under a banner of gay rights, but I can't honestly say I think it will happen. There isn't enough motivation for change inside or outside the gay community. There's no demand. And although homophobia is rampant, the bigotry they face now is nothing compared to the problems blacks faced in the 50's and 60's. This generations left is doomed to mediocrity. Perhaps the next generatio will be stronger.
I have now made myself depressed, I'm going to try to sleep and maybe make this more intelligable tomorow.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46434-2004Nov12.html
In his first public remarks since he announced Tuesday that he would resign, Ashcroft told a meeting of conservative lawyers here that court decisions limiting President Bush's powers are part of "a profoundly disturbing trend" in which the judicial branch is injecting itself into matters that should be up to the executive branch.
So according to Ashcroft, the judicial branch is damaging this country by limiting the role of the executive branch even though this is its EXACT FUCKING PURPOSE IN THE CONSTITUTION! Has Mr. Ashcroft even studied American politics? Does he understand the idea of checks and balances? Does he honestly think that the president should have no resistence and have complete control over the country. How the hell can this man, this evil, stupid man, defend an attack against Saddam Hussein one minute because he is a dictator, and the next criticize the courts for not giving the executive branch full power. What really drives me insane, is I can't tell whether he is being evil and smart in his manipulations, or if he's a complete moron and honestly believes everything he says. My hands are honestly shaking with anger after reading this article.
The really scary thing is that, on this topic, Ashcroft's replacement won't likely be much better. A man who considers the Geneva Convention an annoyance for the US to ignore, is not a man who should be attorney general.
EDIT [At this point I kind of went off on a tangent, I was just writing things as I thought them. I'll check it tomorow to see if it makes sense.]
I prey that history looks back on this era and administration the same way it looks at the vietnam era and administration. However I fear that Bush is destined to become a Reaganesque figure, loved and worshipped by conservatives. If only the liberal half of the country had some organization. A strong movement of non-violent protests would be good for this country. They might not change anything, but they might shift the future views of Bush in a more negative light. Unfortunatly there isn't a centralized goal for the left to unite under. The success of the civil rights movement and it's ties to the left before and during and vietnam era are largely why the vietnam war is portrayed in such a negative light, and partly why the conservative Nixon administration attracted the negative attention it got. There is a glimmer of hope of the left uniting under a banner of gay rights, but I can't honestly say I think it will happen. There isn't enough motivation for change inside or outside the gay community. There's no demand. And although homophobia is rampant, the bigotry they face now is nothing compared to the problems blacks faced in the 50's and 60's. This generations left is doomed to mediocrity. Perhaps the next generatio will be stronger.
I have now made myself depressed, I'm going to try to sleep and maybe make this more intelligable tomorow.
-Brandon
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Thank you Mr Bush!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4000679.stm
"Our correspondent says Mr Gonzales has been a central figure in the administration's debate over interrogation techniques for prisoners held in the war on terrorism.
He was criticised by some human rights groups after writing a memo to the president in which he described the Geneva Conventions as "quaint". "
I have only this to say, we're off to a great start! /sarcasm
"Our correspondent says Mr Gonzales has been a central figure in the administration's debate over interrogation techniques for prisoners held in the war on terrorism.
He was criticised by some human rights groups after writing a memo to the president in which he described the Geneva Conventions as "quaint". "
I have only this to say, we're off to a great start! /sarcasm
-Brandon
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Insomnia is great. Well, I don't know that I'm an insomniac. Is it insomnia if you are just getting drastically less sleep then normal? I fall asleep, It's just not usually until 3 in the morning. This gives me roughly 5 and a half hours of sleep, if I'm lucky enough to fall asleep at 3:00. I know people have it worse, but it's wierd for me, since I have always been a fan of sleeping. I was never one of those kids to protest bedtime. I have always, however, been poor at waking up. However, since I've moved into this aparement, and really since classes have started, I haven't been able to fall asleep until I am physically unable to stay awake. I just lay in bed and think, generally unhappy, paranoid, and worrying thoughts, for hours. It probably doesn't help that now I have stopped trying to go to bed at a decent time, and jut stay up till I have trouble keeping my eyes open. I don't know what it is. I don't drink caffiene, or rarely. I just sit up at night and browse the internet.
I've read some ebooks. I discovered www.unitedheroes.net which has kept me amused, particualrly "Greyhound Chronicles" and the "Secret Journals of Phineas J. Magnetron." I've read some of the few decent webcomics out there and sifted through far more trashy webcomics as well. I read the news, I do homework (always double check a paper written at 3 in the morning).
It is currently 3:09 am and I am just starting to feel tired. I don't know why I can't sleep I'm not particularly stressed. My diet is, although not healthy, I like to think sufficient. Perhaps it's some emotional thing I don't conciously notice. I haven't been very happy as of late, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it depression. I've been depressed, and if anything, that just makes me want to sleep more. Stress? I doubt it. my homework load is incredibly light this term. I have only two classes that assign homework regularly, and is a physics class that is easier then highschool physics. The other is Russian, which although difficult, is not too time consuming, and not high on my priority list since I've discovered that it is impossible to fail first year Russian, and since I have decided to continue spanish next term.
On a completely different topic, I've been contemplating joining the Peace Corps after I graduate. It's something I want to do, and should give me a boost when applying for grad school afterwards. I'm still not sure if I want to attempt Grad school right away, or attempt working full time for a while before I go back. I'm afraid I'll get sucked into a career before I've attained a higher degree, and won't return to college. Then again, what carreers could possibly care about a history major. If I'm going to major in something useless I may as well go all out right away.
I've read some ebooks. I discovered www.unitedheroes.net which has kept me amused, particualrly "Greyhound Chronicles" and the "Secret Journals of Phineas J. Magnetron." I've read some of the few decent webcomics out there and sifted through far more trashy webcomics as well. I read the news, I do homework (always double check a paper written at 3 in the morning).
It is currently 3:09 am and I am just starting to feel tired. I don't know why I can't sleep I'm not particularly stressed. My diet is, although not healthy, I like to think sufficient. Perhaps it's some emotional thing I don't conciously notice. I haven't been very happy as of late, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it depression. I've been depressed, and if anything, that just makes me want to sleep more. Stress? I doubt it. my homework load is incredibly light this term. I have only two classes that assign homework regularly, and is a physics class that is easier then highschool physics. The other is Russian, which although difficult, is not too time consuming, and not high on my priority list since I've discovered that it is impossible to fail first year Russian, and since I have decided to continue spanish next term.
On a completely different topic, I've been contemplating joining the Peace Corps after I graduate. It's something I want to do, and should give me a boost when applying for grad school afterwards. I'm still not sure if I want to attempt Grad school right away, or attempt working full time for a while before I go back. I'm afraid I'll get sucked into a career before I've attained a higher degree, and won't return to college. Then again, what carreers could possibly care about a history major. If I'm going to major in something useless I may as well go all out right away.
-Brandon
Sunday, November 07, 2004
American's going mad?
I saw this article on google news and the title caught my interest. "Bush win drives Americans crazy"
Apparently, therapists have recieved a huge increase of depressed patients due to the election. They are calling it "Political Rage." I can probably say I'm affected by this as well.
And apparently, one particularly deranged individual went to ground zero in New York and shot himself in the head, supposedly in response to Bush's reelection. That's pretty fucked up.
The Canadian immigration webpage has also recieved a massive boost in hits from the US, from 20000 to 115000. Wow.
The second page of this article has an editorial that says what I've been trying to say, in a much better way then I have managed. I'm not specifically pissed at Bush. I'm pissed that 50% of this country like Bush.
Apparently, therapists have recieved a huge increase of depressed patients due to the election. They are calling it "Political Rage." I can probably say I'm affected by this as well.
And apparently, one particularly deranged individual went to ground zero in New York and shot himself in the head, supposedly in response to Bush's reelection. That's pretty fucked up.
The Canadian immigration webpage has also recieved a massive boost in hits from the US, from 20000 to 115000. Wow.
The second page of this article has an editorial that says what I've been trying to say, in a much better way then I have managed. I'm not specifically pissed at Bush. I'm pissed that 50% of this country like Bush.
-Brandon
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Today, I am ashamed to be an American
I used to always take offense at the conservative idea that liberals were somehoe unpatriotic. That "If you don't like the way the country is run you should move out of it." It wasn't until today that I really ever considered myself ashamed to be from this country. True, I had been disgusted in certain aspects of how it was run, and how it acted towards other nations, but I had still always had a certain sense of pride in living here. Maybe Pride is the wrong word, but I always felt grateful for having been born here.
Today is the first time that I am really ashamed to be an American. I can forgive the citizens of the US for voting for a tyrant once, but twice? I know, the election hasn't been decided yet. Kerry could take Ohio... fat chance... Even if he does win, the fact that it was so close, tells me that there is something seriously wrong with the values and intelligence of the people who live here.
What is wrong? I think it's a lot of things. I think it's the widespread belief in our own moral superiority. I think it's the belief that the US is somehow invincible and eternal. But most of all, I think it's religion. Fundamentalist Christianity is ruining this country. Many fundamentalist and sometime Catholic churches openly support Bush as the christian choice. People attending church accept this as a viable reason to vote for him. Why not? They've been dictated to about philosophy, distorted history and mythological beings for all their lives, politics isn't that big of a jump. Unfortunatly the liberal half of the equation has nothing to compete with that. Liberal christians generally attend churches that don't force opinion's on their followers. The dmoecratic party attempted to compete with this power house by convincing apathetic to vote, thinking, illogically, that they would see the "correctness" of Kerry or the "wrongness" of Bush. Stupid morons...
Many of Bush's supporters vote for him simply for his stance on one thing. Sometimes it's abortion, sometimes his anti-gay marriage stance(another nightmare outcome of this election).
So I am now part of a population of morons who vote with their faith rather then their brains. I am honestly considering moving out of the country after graduation, but I feel that, because of the power of this nation of arrogant fools, I should stay. It feels like it would be selfish of me to leave this country and not participate in elections that could negatively affect the entire world.
Today is the first time that I am really ashamed to be an American. I can forgive the citizens of the US for voting for a tyrant once, but twice? I know, the election hasn't been decided yet. Kerry could take Ohio... fat chance... Even if he does win, the fact that it was so close, tells me that there is something seriously wrong with the values and intelligence of the people who live here.
What is wrong? I think it's a lot of things. I think it's the widespread belief in our own moral superiority. I think it's the belief that the US is somehow invincible and eternal. But most of all, I think it's religion. Fundamentalist Christianity is ruining this country. Many fundamentalist and sometime Catholic churches openly support Bush as the christian choice. People attending church accept this as a viable reason to vote for him. Why not? They've been dictated to about philosophy, distorted history and mythological beings for all their lives, politics isn't that big of a jump. Unfortunatly the liberal half of the equation has nothing to compete with that. Liberal christians generally attend churches that don't force opinion's on their followers. The dmoecratic party attempted to compete with this power house by convincing apathetic to vote, thinking, illogically, that they would see the "correctness" of Kerry or the "wrongness" of Bush. Stupid morons...
Many of Bush's supporters vote for him simply for his stance on one thing. Sometimes it's abortion, sometimes his anti-gay marriage stance(another nightmare outcome of this election).
So I am now part of a population of morons who vote with their faith rather then their brains. I am honestly considering moving out of the country after graduation, but I feel that, because of the power of this nation of arrogant fools, I should stay. It feels like it would be selfish of me to leave this country and not participate in elections that could negatively affect the entire world.
-Brandon
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