Say what???

It's official. Freedom of speech does not exist if you say something that might possibly offend someone, somewhere, someday. There is an indictment in Italy for an author after she wrote some critical comments of the Islamic faith. The judge based the indictment on the idea that the comments inspired hatred and intolerance. Okay, let me get this straight, a young lady is murdered by her brothers in the EU as an "honor killing" and there is absolutely no hue and cry about it for to condemn the MURDER of this girl would be intolerant. However, it's just fine to take an author to court for saying that a violent religion is just that: VIOLENT. Are there now heresy laws in the EU for anyone who speaks ill of Islam? So I'm going to write a book about Christianity being a violent religion and we'll see what kind of outcry happens. Will I be sued for making defamatory remarks? Probably but the ACLU would jump on my bandwagon. suckers bet on them helping this author out.

Waiting for Stupidity

Well, on the eve of the eve of the nationwide release of Ep III(if you don't know what I'm talking about go play in traffic. it's fun) I'm forced to wonder which demographic will claim Lucas is a racist this time. He's been labled a KKK sympathizer after the original movie and he was labled a Latino basher after Attack of the Clones(pay no mind that the character that caused the uproar was Maori) due to a small group of people projecting their own idiocies on a FANTASY movie. So who do we get to see upset this time? I have an idea. I think that all the senior citizens are going to complain. The bad guy in this movie is Emperor Palpatine and when he goes full bore Sith he looks like the scary old man in every neighborhood who yells at kids to get off his lawn. He becomes a stereotypical bad guy that all can be scared of due to childhood experiences. Is George Lucas trying to say that all seniors are evil, cackling demons who shoot lightning from the hands and would cut you down with their lightsaber as soon as they get their Depends on? No, he's not but I'm pretty sure we'll see the AARP up in arms. And some PETA people will probably protest too cuz of all the cute Wookies who get hurt in the battle scenes. One day I'll understand how people became so self-absorbed that they feel the need to take fantasy and project themselves onto the movie. Some would call the delusional and would then prescribe various medications. I on the other hand just say get over it. If a movie offends you, then don't watch it. Novel solution I'm sure. Welcome to the human race people. This is not a game, it is not a nursery. You can't have everything your way so get over yourselves and get back to living instead of complaining. Life is so much more fun when you're appreciating what you've got as opposed to inventing problems for yourself and those around you.

Social Insecurity

Explanations are warranted from all those who oppose the idea of fixing SSI. Only an idiot would deny the fact that Social Security is in trouble and will be even moreso in a few years due to the large group of people getting ready to start drawing on their SSI benefits. So why is it that people are so vehemently against the idea of working on fixing it? I don't agree with some of the parts of Bush's plan to fix it but at least he's offering ideas. What has anyone else brought to the table? Variations on a theme: It ain't broke yet so why fix it now?

My generation is increasingly of the opinion that Social Security will NOT exist by the time I can draw on it. That doesn't bother me that much because as far as I'm concerned it is not the governments job to take care of me. Give me back my paycheck and I'll take care of myself thank you very much. I don't like the idea of paying into a system that I'll never get anything out of anyway. People are protecting Social Security like it's a sacred object handed down from on high. Newsflash: Social Security is failing and will continue to do so until overhauled. God is not pleased. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth. Can we please get past the idea that Our Father who art in Washington needs to care for us?

Here's my basic beef: the politicians who are crying out the loudest are not offering any viable options to the contrary. They just feel that they'll lose votes if they don't oppose changing SSI. Note to politicians: your job is to take care of the country, not your job. If you lose votes for doing the right thing, that's a comment on your constituents, not you. Vote honestly and correctly and in the end you'll get a better standing for it. How many Gen X/Gen Y people don't vote now because we feel completely disenfranchised? How hard would it be to get us to vote? Not very. Just show us that you're looking to the future of the country and making sure when we are in your position that we don't inherit a Gordian knot of mythic proportions.

Forsake our Troops?!? WTF??

Well, there's a new level of worthless ladies and gentlemen. There is an individual out there who not only calls for a reduction in pay and benefits for soldiers, he is actively cheering each soldier who dies. He appears to only be focusing on Iraq and not paying attention to Afghanistan or worrying about soldiers who die in training accidents. He goes so far as to have a counter on his site that gives the total number of KIA's and then says that they "got what they deserved." I am a firm believer in free speech. I may disagree with what you have to say but I will do my best to make sure you get the chance to say it. I may have to make an exception here though. I understand that there are many people who have a problem with us being in Iraq. To an extent I understand some of their reservations. But to openly rejoice when someone dies is out of line. He has a Shoot Back section where you can send a comment. On this page he mockes soldiers who have written. One woman writes in about her fiancee who is currently in Iraq. This waste of oxygen says that he hopes he dies in Iraq so that the soldier and his fiancee both get what they deserve. Can someone please explain the logic behind this to me? If you have a problem with financing the military that's a political thing. Talk to your congress and senate members but when you start enjoying someone's death cuz that's less of a tax burden on you I think you've forfieted the right to enjoy those freedoms that are available to you in this country. I'm sure many people will disagree that I'm being too harsh on this guy but if you feel that strongly about paying for the military then get the hell out of the country and go somewhere without a military so that you don't have to pay for it anymore. Move to Puert Rico. They don't get taxed so you don't have to pay for the military. What's that you say? You wouldn't be able to watch HDTV or play video games there? You wouldn't be able to go to movies or out to dinner? Well, the only reason you can do those things now is cuz some people with guns throughout the history of this country laid their personal wishes aside and put themselves in harm's way for something bigger than themselves. You can only see yourself and that amount of time you get to spend stroking your ego. Do us all a favor, put the headgear back on and then go play on your nearest freeway. When you see the big 18 wheelers comin at you, just run out in front of them. It's fun, I promise.

People

What is it about people these days that makes them think everyone has to cater to their wants? Little background here. I work a tech support line for a corporation. The tech support line is one of many options on the menu. Various companies call into the generic number and the moment they hear tech support they choose that option regardless of whether or not their issue is technical. I've had people ask me to tell them how to fill out a paper form and then get pissed off when I had to transfer them. Newsflash to the idiots: They're called Q-Tips. Invest. Clean your ears out and you might be able to listen to the message that tells you were to go. Do not abuse me cuz you're too damned lazy to sit there and listen. This is just one example of a very disturbing trend. Stop expecting the world to bow to your wishes and hand everything to you on a silver platter. Stand up and take care of yourself.

Anyway, you guys should check out Dadahead's blog. He's posted a letter written by the individual who rudely interrupted a speech by Ann Coulter. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a big fan of Ann Coulter......okay, I'm not any kind of fan, but the way this guy treated the meeting was completely unacceptable. If someone had done this at an Al Franken speech I guarantee you he'd be getting tarred and feathered now.(note to Dadahead: that's a metaphor no need for gruseome photos) What's so sad is that this person is proud of what he did. He's proud of being rude and offensive. It's one thing to be that way with friends who are used to you and your sense of humor, but how is it okay to treat a public speech like that when people, other than you obviously, may have been interested in what the speaker had to say? What's happened to common courtesy? When did basic politeness leave the country so that it's fine to treat people this way. In the end, the university police where the speech took place overreacted, roughed the kid up and cuffed him. An inappropriate response to an inappropriate action. nice to see that at least humans are consistent.

Here we go again

Step right up ladies and gentlemen. The media circus is about to start. What we have for you today is a contest between science and religion. The Kansas Board of Education is once again reviewing the teachings of evolution in the science classroom. Here's where we get to the fun part. As opposed to allowing the BOE to actually look at the evidence and make a choice, the media is already trying to sway public opinion their way. Read the article on MSN.com. First of all, anyone who is being honest with themselves knows that evolution is a flawed theory. Hell, you can't even pick a theory to start with. Do we go with the original gradual evolution? Do we go with spontaneous appearance? How about rapid evolution brought on by environmental factors? For the creationists in the group, you can stop getting excited. Creationism should not be taught in a science classroom. It requires the presence of a supernatural being, who by very definition is outside the realm of science. So for those who will read this post and say I must be a Bible-thumping, God is science loudmouth you can sit down and shut up. The problem with evolutionary theory is that there are too many to choose from to call it fact. None of them have been proven. If they had been proven, there wouldn't be so many theories. When scientists get back to the reality of pure science then we'll have some honesty and accountability in evolutionary study. As long as it's treated as gospel within the scientific community despite the obvious issues with the multiple theories, then we are not only shortchanging ourselves, but we are also doing a disservice to all the children learing in the classrooms across the country. We are teaching them to accept theory as fact regardless of evidence. In short, we are teaching them to accept evolution on faith. We are not teaching them to analyze data. We are not teaching them to question in order to learn the truth. We are teaching them to regurgitate spoon-fed nonsense on command. Welcome to education in America.

Busy Days

Well, myself and my roommates are preparing to move. Living at the same house for 2 years and you kinda forget how much work goes into finding a place and getting everything ready. On the plus side, the applications have all gone through without a hitch it's just a matter of hashing out the deposit and signing the lease on the new place. Really lookin forward to the new place.

Anyway, is it just me or has the entire country gone insane? We have a prominent rep at the Federal level(no names but his initials are TD) who was dirty as dirty gets and is trying to defend himself like he did nothing wrong and people are saying he's right! I will be honest, I tend to side with republicans on more issues than democrats but this is pretty much cut and dry in my book. He was dirty. He tried to change the rules so he wouldn't be punished. Can you say, "Abuse of power?" I knew you could. One more very compelling argument for term limits and campaign finance reform. Vote the bums out before they become criminal bums.

On a completely different note, I was just introduced to an anime series called Fushugi Yugi. I'm typically not a huge fan of anime series. I tend to like the movies better but this series is quite good actually. I'd strongly suggest it for anyone who enjoyed Full Metal Alchemist. If you're a dark anime fan(Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll) this may not be your thing, but still very good.

Recent releases I order you to see: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Not as good as the book or original series, but you start the movie with a song and dance number for dolphins. Nuff said. Also Kung Fu Hustle. If you are any kind of kung fu movie fan you will love this movie and laugh till it hurts. Go see it. Now. Why are you still reading? Go get a ticket.

Strange Days

Okay, I'm getting more and more incapable of dealing with humanity as it is currently. Maybe I'm being unreasonable, but is it too much to ask for some common courtesy and common sense? When did we lose the ability to think for and take care of ourselves? Not a day goes by that I don't hear about some poor soul crying out that they have been wronged and how injustice and inequality are rampant and they are but the latest victims of this cruel, cruel world......but they're willing to forget all that for the right fee.

Maybe it's just me. I'm honest enough with myself to realize that I see the world a bit differently than most but I don't see these ideals as optional. Perhaps I am being insensitive to the needs of others but last I checked, these others that I'm being insensitive too are usually not working(there are jobs available), are usually under-educated(public schools still exist), are usually from dysfunctional families(who isn't), and are wanting everyone else to take care of them.

Perhaps I am being too judgemental and overly harsh. I do have a tendency to expect a lot from a person but is that being too harsh? One person says, "You can't take care of yourself. You have to have help" while the other states, "You can do this. It will take work and dedication but you are capable of achieving." Which is the judge, and which is the mentor? Which of those two is reinforcing the idea that they are incapable of self-determination and which is trying to instill the idea of responsibility and freedom?

More and more I find myself at odds with people who think that we have a moral and civic duty to care for those in bad situations. I don't remember the article in the constitution that gave the government the job of mom and dad. I don't remember the Declartion of Independence stating "We the providers, in order to take care of all." Life is difficult at times and wonderful at times. You can either learn from it or not. Take your pick. Think on this though: for every mistake you learn from you grow wiser. How do you learn if someone is always bailing you out?