The father of neo-conservatism

It has been said that Leo Strauss is the father of, or at least one of the political thinkers most responsible for, the neo-conservative moment. His teachings were apparently a large influence on people like Vice President Dick Cheney and the organization the Project for the New American Century.

My understanding of Strauss is that one of his core beliefs was that America needs an enemy to battle at all times. The enemy was needed to keep the American population focused in order to prevent chaos in society. Needless to say, I find this line of thinking creepy and authoritarian, but I wonder if it is accurate (based on the actions of Cheney it probably is).

After a quick perusal of the Wikipedia entry on Strauss, I’ve decided that I really don’t know enough about the man or his philosophy. As with many things on Wiki, the entry seems to be a good starting point in my research but it is not the place to finish. I will be heading to the library later to look for some books on Strauss. If anyone has done an research, can suggest any books or websites, please send the info my way.

The Eye of God

This is amazing.

From the story –

The object, nicknamed the "Eye of God," is the Helix planetary nebula, a giant shell of gas given off by a dying star, according to The Times of London. The nebula lies 700 light years away in the constellation Aquarius.

Its brilliant colors are created as gas released from the star's surface burst out and are illuminated by ultraviolet light, according to The Register, an online technical publication.

Isn't it breathtaking?

Talk radio talk

There is a short, but poignant post about talk radio over on Alternative Tulsa. The post is a short passage from The American Conservative and worth a read.

Dear Mr. President, please stay away from Madame Speaker

Apparently Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is distancing herself from President Obama on several key issues. All I can say to President Obama is…let her go. She’s a thorn in the side of the Democratic Party and pushing an agenda that I think most actual Democrats would oppose (by actual Democrats, I mean the average folks).

While I think that losing Pelosi is no loss (not that she is actually going to go anywhere or really go after the President on anything…I can only pray that the good people of CA vote her out of office sometime soon), the criticism laid by Senator Robert Byrd on the administration’s use of “czars” is pretty spot on.

I think the President would be wise to distance himself from the likes of Pelosi. All she seems to care about is increasing the Democrat’s power in Congress and that is NOT what this country needs.

Why I’m attracted to Buddhism

The following is a passage from the book Eastern Religions. It perfectly highlights one of the many things that draws me to Buddhism.

The spirit of Buddhist ethics is expressed in the story of a man named Malunkyaputta, who tells the Buddha that he will not listen to his teaching until he has answered a series of questions, such as “How was the world created?” and “Will the Buddha exist after death?” The Buddha responds by comparing Malunkyaputta to a man who has been shot by a poisoned arrow but refuses to let it be pulled out until the physician can tell him what the arrow is made of, who shot it, and so on. For Buddhists, all speculation is subject to one practical principle: it is valuable only if it can directly help a person remove the “arrow of suffering” and find the way to nirvana. Any other type of speculation, like Malunkyaputta’s questioning, is
incidental.

Monsters among us

Or at least in the ocean. A 772 pound stingray was caught, tagged, and yes released in Thailand by a freshwater biologist on a program to tag and release endangered stingrays.

Money Quote –

"It dragged me across the boat and would have pulled me in had my colleague not grabbed my trousers," said Welch, who also writes for Angler's Mail magazine.

The part that confuses me is that this “monster” was caught in freshwater. I thought that stingrays were saltwater animals.

Either way, with a fish like that you’re definitely gonna need a bigger boat.

Currently Listening

The following are songs that I ripped from some old mixed CDs. Sadly I no longer have the originals, so I am not sure what album/release the come from.

1. “Common People” by William Shatner
2. “Against the Grain” by Bad Religion
3. “Build Me Up Buttercup” by The Goops
4. “Closer to Fine” by Sicko
5. “Could’ve Been You” by The Eyeliners
6. “Alternative is Here to Stay” by The Mr. T Experience
7. “Growing on Me” by The Darkness
8. “Money Talks” by Hayseed Dixie
9. “Tainted Love” by Shades Apart
10. “Love Song” by The Damned

Not much blogging this week

I haven’t done much blogging this week, largely because I have been busy but now that I have some time, I’m finding that I don’t have much to say.

I am pretty tired of everything in the news (if not everything in general)…it’s all so depressing. I missed the President’s address to Congress because I was at work and we got to watch sports (oh joy). The new MP3 player that I bought the other day has already stopped working (it was crazy cheap). On top of all that, I spent the majority of Monday morning up at UCO trying to get my transcript corrected (long story) to no avail (I get to make an appointment with someone in the admissions office, but she has yet to respond to my email…gotta love bureaucracy).

I hope all is well with all out there. Maybe I’ll be more productive next week.

Always be wary of those in power

For the entirety of the Bush administration there was criticism, very legitimate criticism, of how the administration increased the power and scope of the Executive Branch. A large portion, if not the vast majority, of this criticism came from those on the left. I myself was blown off by the folks at RedState.com when I brought up the abuse of power through the use of signing statements by President Bush, yet many of those same people are now criticizing the Obama administration for its power grabs.

The facts are that both administrations should be criticized, but those who criticized Bush but don’t criticize Obama and those who now criticize Obama but would not criticize Bush have no credibility. Just because your party is in power, doesn’t mean that he or she is immune from criticism. And just because the “other guy” is in power, it doesn’t mean that he or she is the anti-Christ.

Frankly we should be wary of EVERYONE in power. I don’t care if it is Obama, Bush, Carter, Reagan, or even someone pure like Gandhi, the Dali Lama, or Jesus…none of them can be completely trusted in power. This is supposed to be a nation of the people and for the people. It’s time that the people took back what is rightfully theirs.

Quote of the Day

“If you hate something, don’t you do it too.”

-- from the song “Not For You” by Pearl Jam

How?

The President has said that he wants to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term.

"We can't generate sustained growth without getting our deficits under control," Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address that seemed to preview his intentions. He said his budget will be "sober in its assessments, honest in its accounting, and lays out in detail my strategy for investing in what we need, cutting what we don't, and restoring fiscal discipline."

Okay, well sure that’s great talk that I think we can all agree with but what exactly does it mean? Also, how does President Obama plan to pay for this little feat? He has already gone on a huge spending spree since taking office last month and has previously stated “trillion-dollar deficits will be a reality for years to come.”

Color me crazy, but something doesn’t add up here. We are spending billions and the President himself has set the expectation that big deficits are here to stay, yet he also claims that ending the war in Iraq, letting the Bush tax cuts for those making $250,000 and over expire in 2011, and streamlining the administration of the government will pay for the reduction. Sure it will help (especially that last suggestion) but how can that be enough? One of the biggest failures of the Reagan administration was leaving this country with an enormous federal deficit. It took the country and the Clinton administration years to recover and pay down that debt, but what we’re facing more make that look like a 12 year-old’s weekly allowance.

So my question for the President is how. How are we going to achieve this, one of many, lofty goal? How are you sir going to streamline a government that is so far out of hand? How are you going to stem the collapse of the economy, create 4 million jobs, and cut the deficit in half in the midst of what one of your own advisors referred to as economic deterioration that is occurring faster than that of the Great Depression?

Yes I voted for our President and yes I am criticizing him. If those we elect fail to do what we elected them to do, then they deserve our criticism, party be damned. But more than anything else, I am simply asking questions. Questions that I believe deserve honest and forthright answers. Here’s to hoping that we’ll get them.

My dream ticket for 2012

Bloomberg / Nader

I would also be happy with Bill Bradley, Collin Powell, or Brad Henry running dent ticket, but Michael Bloomberg is really the only one with the money and possibility to actually be competitive. Balance his fiscal conservative views (and social liberal views) with the anti-corruption, anti-corporatism of Ralph Nader and things could really happen.

Obviously this is a pipe dream, not that I think they couldn’t do it, because they could (and should). Unfortunately the two major parties completely and totally own our political system. Sadly I have no faith in either party for they both seem to only care about keeping their own power. Whatever good folks are out there in the two parties, their work is lost in the cesspool of corruption of the party leaders and elders.

What we need is to either completely clean house in both parties and start over with fresh faces and ideas that hold true to the core values of each party or we need to disband the parties and start new ones. We need liberals who will actually act like liberals and conservatives who act like conservatives, people who will put the interests of the nation first. I have laid out my ideas for cleaning up Washington before, so I won’t go into it again here, but it goes without saying that something needs to be done.

Maybe President Obama can live up to his words and campaign promises, but I am doubtful. It is still early, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now. If things don’t change though, I will be hoping for a third party choice in 2012 (not that they will get on the ballot in this state). Also I hope that the GOP gains control of one of the houses of Congress in 2010. Having one party control the Legislative and Executive branches of government is a recipe for disaster.

Currently Listening

1. “18 Days” by Hagfish (from Hagfish)
2. “One Hundred Punks” by Generation X (from Perfect Hits 1975-1981)
3. “Artificial Life” by Operation Ivy (from Energy)
4. “Somebody to Love” by Queen (from Greatest Hits)
5. “Kung Fu Girls” by Blondie (from Blondie)
6. “Need You Tonight / Mediate” by INXS (from Kick)
7. “Glamour Boys” by Living Colour (from Super Hits)
8. “Back on the Chain Gang” by The Pretenders (from The Singles)
9. “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure (from Greatest Hits)
10. “Rebel Yell” by ALL (from Before You Were Punk, Vol. 2)
11. “Deeper Shade of Soul” by Urban Dance Squad (from Mental Floss for the Globe)
12. “Express Yourself” by N.W.A. (from Straight Outta Compton)
14. “A Praise Chorus” by Jimmy Eat World (from Bleed American)
15. “Story of My Life” by Social Distortion (from Social Distortion)

Local vs. universal

On his show today, Glenn Beck responded to a caller by stating that, and I am paraphrasing here, more regulations are not the answer, instead we need local solutions not universal ones. The caller was looking for advice for a friend who put 50% down on a house and now the house isn’t worth as much as it was, he is having a hard time making the payments (he was laid off), and the bank is refusing to work with him. Beck’s response was that basically the caller’s friend is getting screwed because of lack of common sense and because the bank doesn’t care (seeing as half of the money is already been paid they are going to make money even if the property is foreclosed on). He said that what is needed is for this person to be able to sit down with a local banker, face to face, and be able to work something out. That is what then brought up the regulations and local comment.

I happen to agree with Glenn on this. I think that the business word has gotten so corporatized (I think I just made that word up) and globalized (and that one too) that companies no longer care about individuals. Corporations are beholden to so many different entities and interests that they lose sight of common sense and of doing the right thing.

What we need is to free the free market from the shackles of corporatism. I’m just not sure how that can be done without regulation of some kind. Obviously I would much prefer that the government just stay out of things, but in this case too many corporations have shown that if left to their own devices, the goals that they pursue are not good for the country, community, employee, or customer. One of the key roles of the government is to provide a safety net for the people and in the case of corporations, it has failed miserably.

But what is the answer? Do we reform the laws for corporations? If so, how and what kind of reforms do we legislate?

I do whole heartedly believe that we need to get back to local and regional companies. No I’m not out to get Wal-Mart of McDonalds, but I do believe that the market place has, or at least should have, room for local businesses. In fact, I have much less of a beef with the Wal-Marts of the world than I do with the huge mega-conglomerates that own the vast majority of our news and media outlets (among other things). What we need is for the government to actually do its job, look out for the folks, and provide for guaranteed opportunities for everyone, including local and small businesses. The results should obviously be left up to the individuals and business owners, but it is hard when the playing field is tilted so far in favor of the corporations.

Finding solace in music

Whenever I find myself down, overwhelmed, or depressed I often find comfort in music. Often I will try to leave everything and escape into the music to find comfort, reassurance, and drive to keep going.

Over the years I drowned myself in the music of U2, R.E.M., ALL, the Dropkick Murphys, 7 Seconds, and The Hudson Falcons to help get me through the tough times (right now The Bouncing Souls are helping my spirits stay afloat). It’s not surprising that most of these bands also have permanent positions in my top 10 favorite bands of all time, but more than that I have found strength in their lyrics. These bands all write about the struggles of life and love, the fights for freedom and equality, and the betterment of the world through good deeds. Not only have they struck a chord with me sonically, but they have also touched my heart.

Much of my life has been shaped by music. It was there in high school when depression racked me to the point of near suicide. It was their in my 20’s when I was learning about love and becoming a father. It’s been there in my 30’s helping me through the daily grind of living in the working class in America. These songs have given me hope. They have given me joy. And they have kept me sane.

I suspect that music will be something that I turn to until I drop dead. In fact I have a few songs picked out that I want played at my funeral. But until then, I will continue to use these tunes to help keep my head above water.

Movies to See Before You Die

That was the headline that brought me here. Overall it is not a bad list. I complete agree with the inclusion of Citizen Kane and The Shawshank Redemption. Witness is also an amazing film, but I’m not sure that I would put it on this type of list.

Currently Listening

1. “Kids and Heroes” by The Bouncing Souls (from Live, Disc 1)
2. “Kids” by The Bouncing Souls (from Live, Disc 1)
3. “Different Breed” by The Hudson Falcons (from For Those Whose Hearts and Souls are True)
4. “Disciples of Soul” by The Hudson Falcons (from For Those Whose Hearts and Souls are True)
5. “A Few Good Men” by Dropkick Murphys” (from Sing Loud, Sing Proud)
6. “God Willing” by Dropkick Murphys (from The Meanest of Times)
7. “Satyagraha” by 7 Seconds (from Soulforce Revolution)
8. “99 Red Balloons” by 7 Seconds (from Walk Together, Rock Together)
9. “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2 (from Rattle & Hum)
10. “God, Pt. 2” by U2 (from Rattle & Hum)

Quote of the Day

These were all totally stolen from The Otter Limits. Great quotes Steve!!!

"Why does the Evangelical community seem so preoccupied with pointing out what they perceive to be the sins of others? Why this commitment to the role of morality police, lambasting everyone with their narrow interpretation of Scripture? It seems their selective view of holiness is far more important than how we actually treat our fellow human beings. Maybe if we worked harder on our own lives, focused on how we are treating others, a more holistic holiness could finally exude from our lives."

-- Adele Sakler

Or to put it another way..........

"Judge not that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

-- Matthew 7:1-5

Another cool translation of this verse I thought I would share is from The Message translation:

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failure, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say Let me wash your face for you when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor."

Or as the great Bob Marley once sang...

"If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones.

That last one I added.

Currently Listening

Today I’ve decided to do a 4x10. That is where I pick four bands, put there stuff into Media Player and hit shuffle. Today’s bands are Avail, Dead To Me, Generation X, and The Bouncing Souls.

1. “On the Nod” by Avail (from Dixie)
2. “Born to Lose” by The Bouncing Souls (from Live, Disc 2)
3. “True Believers” by The Bouncing Souls (from Live, Disc 2)
4. “Private Radio” by The Bouncing Souls (from Live, Disc 1)
5. “25 Years” by Avail (from Dixie)
6. “For All the Unheard” by The Bouncing Souls (from The Gold Record)
7. “Fall Apart” by Avail (from Over the James)
8. “Don’t Lie” by Dead To Me (from Cuban Ballerina)
9. “One Hundred Punks” by Generation X (from Perfect Hits 1975-1981)
10. “Splendid Isolation” by Dead To Me (from Cuban Ballerina)

Something that we really don’t need…

A pill the can erase bad memories.

Money Quote –

"An interesting complexity is the possibility that victims, say of violence, might wish to erase the painful memory and with it their ability to give evidence against assailants," said professor John Harris, an expert in biological ethics at the University of Manchester, in an article in the Daily Mail. "Similarly criminals and witnesses to crime may, under the guise of erasing a painful memory, render themselves unable to give evidence."

Color me crazy, but this just seems like a really bad idea. We need our pain. Yes it hurts and yes there are people who have gone through some horrible, horrific experiences but it just seems completely wrong to play God with memories. How will people ever learn anything if all of the bad memories are just whisked away with the popping of a pill?

Currently Listening

1. “Lombardy St” by Avail (from Over the James)
2. “Radio” by Hot Water Music (from Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music [Split CD])
3. “Goodbye Regret” by Dead To Me (from Cuban Ballerina)
4. “It’s Not Like That Anymore” Brigade (from BYO Split Series, Vol. 2)
5. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by The Bouncing Souls (from Before You Were Punk, Vol. 2)
6. “I Melt With You” by Modern English (from Never Mind the Mainstream: The Best of 120 Minutes, Vol. 1)
7. “Mary” by The Pavers (from Wrecking Ball)
8. “Negative Emotions” by The GC5 (from Never Bet the Devil Your Head)
9. “White Guilt” by The Bronx (from The Bronx)
10. “Good Guys (Don’t Where White)” by Minor Threat (from Complete Discography)

Is there such a thing as privacy anymore?

Not so much.

“Billions of Earth’s”

This story is pretty amazing.

Money Quote –

"Not only are they probably habitable but they probably are also going to be inhabited," Dr Boss told BBC News. "But I think that most likely the nearby 'Earths' are going to be inhabited with things which are perhaps more common to what Earth was like three or four billion years ago." That means bacterial lifeforms.

Can you imagine? Maybe Mr. Roddenberry’s vision will come true some day.

Why I do what I do… Or… The Voice of Reasoned Discontent

After my recent exchange with another local blogger, I realized that maybe I have never explained properly why I am so adamant about getting people to treat each other better. Some of the following is part of a response that I wrote to this post, with a bit more added in for good measure.

There are three major reasons to why I do what I do, in insisting that we all collectively treat each other better.

First off – My parents taught me to do so and I honestly and whole heartedly believe in the Golden Rule. If that makes me a bad or weak person in anyone eyes then so be it.

Second – I have worked in the customer service industry for 15 years. During that time I have been on the receiving end of some of the ugliest examples of disrespect and lack of common courtesy. I have been the punching bag for companies that could care less about me or their customers. Throughout the entire experience, I have been amazed at the lack of general respect for others are part of the human race conveyed by so many.

Third – In the years that I have followed politics and listened to the pundits and talk show hosts, I have been appalled at how civil discourse was/is conducted. Instead of addressing ideas and issues, people throw insults. In other words they take the easy way out. Bad behavior aside, this nonsense is dumbing down the discourse and debate in this country. Instead of actually engaging in serious debate, they sling mud, finding it easier to make personal attacks rather than working towards solutions. Every time people like Ann Coulter and Michael Moore open their mouths and spew their hate, they are not only behaving like children (not to insult children mind you), but they are actually contributing to making America dumber.

Yes I am asking people to take the higher ground, something that I think both Gandhi and MLK showed us was possible to do and still get results. But even more than that I am simply asking people to not treat each other like shit. Is that wrong?

At no point have I told people not to stand up for themselves or their rights. This has been a gross misinterpretation of my words by more than one person that in no way is based on anything that I have said either outright or implied. Maybe I haven’t at times expressed myself as well as I should, and I admit that that is entirely possible, so I will make sure to do a better job at clearly expressing my views. In fact, I think people should stand up more often for what they believe, but that doesn’t mean that they tear others down to do it. Let your ideas speak for themselves.

This brings me back to my work (which I think fits in here). Throughout my many different jobs, I have nearly always fallen into the role of the “voice of reasoned discontent.” In other words, I was the guy in the back of the room speaking up for the employee and customer, using reason and respect to get my message across. Granted it usually meant nothing because I have always been in the position of peon, but I was seen as contributing in a positive way to the company (instead of just complaining).

That’s what I am trying to do here. I am trying to provide reasoned and respectful arguments and ideas in an effort to make things better for everyone instead of blinding spouting the ideological line and tearing others down. I took to heart the President’s words “know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy” and believe that it is a standard that we should not only hold foreign leaders to but should hold ourselves to as well.

So for those who think that I am misguided, magnanimous, high minded, or naïve, I challenge you to try and follow the examples of Gandhi and MLK and follow the teachings of Jesus and the Buddha. Try working towards building a better future instead of simply attacking and tearing down “the enemy” (whoever you perceive that to be). It’s not an easy road to travel and lord knows I fall off of it constantly, but it is still a road worth taking, if you’re up to the challenge.

Another ranking of the Presidents

This one is by C-SPAN and is pretty similar to the one I wrote about yesterday. I’m glad to see that James Monroe got a higher ranking in this list.

On these same lines, here is U.S. Presidents quiz, just in to for Presidents Day. I will have to take the quiz later when I’m at the library. I’ll get back to you with my results.

Tragedy

Okay…it’s not a real tragedy per se but it sure feels like one.

The CD player in my car is messed up. I tried to eject a CD over the weekend and it wouldn’t come out. Then I tried to play the CD and it wouldn’t play. So I grabbed the owner’s manual and looked up the troubleshooting and it basically told me that I was crap out of luck.

What’s the big deal Dave, one might ask. Well there are times that my car is my one place of solace. It is the place where I can let my bald hair down, rock out to my favorite tunes, scream at the top of my lunges, and in general just let it all out. Much of the car experience for me has to do with music. Yes I do also listen to quite a bit of talk radio, but it is the loud music that keeps me sane and helps me relive some (not nearly enough mind you) stress and now that is gone.

Does anyone realize how incredibly the OKC radio dial is? Especially on the weekends. It’s pathetic. At least during the week I can fall back on NPR or AM talk radio to stay amused, but it’s not the same. The only station playing music that is worth anything is 97.3 Jack FM and it even plays loads of garbage.

So one morning this week it looks like I will be heading to the dealership in Norman, praying that a) it can be fixed and b) that it won’t cost a fortune.

Currently Listening

1. “Barrel of a Gun” by The Hudson Falcons (from American Fight Club)
2. “Apartment 5F” by The Bouncing Souls (from Live, Disc 2)
3. “Crystal Clear” by The Epoxies (from My New World)
4. “They’re Not Around” by The Devil Dogs (from 30 Sizzling Slabs!)
5. “Every Night” by Screeching Weasel (from Weasel Mania)
6. “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen (from Greatest Hits)
7. “Achin’ to Be” by Pinhead Gunpowder (from Shoot the Moon)
8. “Mandy” by Me First & the Gimme Gimmes (from Have a Ball)
9. “Rockville” by J Church (from Camels, Spilled Corona and the Sound of Mariachi Bands)
10. “Nickels and Dimes” by Social Distortion (from Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll)

Ranking the Presidents

The Times Online has put together a ranking of the US Presidents 1 through 42. Upon reading the list, my first thought was that Thomas Jefferson does not belong in the Top 10 (he was ranked # 4). He was one of the most important Americans in history, but his Presidency was not that successful. I am also not sure how John Adams (# 13) and George H.W. Bush (# 20) could be ranked higher than James Monroe (# 21).

I found the Times story thanks to this story on AOL News.

Currently Listening

1. “Twenty Flight Rock” by Tiger Army (The Early Years)
2. “Rollercoaster” by The Amazing Royal Crowns (from The Amazing Royal Crowns)
3. “Suicide Doors” by The Reverend Horton Heat (from Lucky 7)
4. “Rock This Town” by The Stray Cats (from Runaway Boys: A retrospective ’81 – ’92)
5. “2000 Maniacs” by Riot Squad (from Riot Squad)
6. “Judge Nor Jury” by The Kings of Nuthin’ (from Over the Counter Culture)
7. “Where They Wander” by The HorrorPops (from Hell Yeah)
8. “Ramble and Roll” by Dropkick Murphys (from Sing Loud, Sing Proud)
9. “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley (from Elvis: 30 # 1 Hits)
10. “Get Rhythm” by Johnny Cash (from The Essential Johnny Cash)

Immersing myself in The Bouncing Souls

For about the last week or so, I have listened almost entirely to nothing but The Bouncing Souls while in my car. Their music is energetic, anthematic (yes I made that word up), and their lyrics range from silly fun to inspirational. The best way that I can describe their music is that they are the perfect mix of pop punk, hardcore, and oi with a dash of emo for good measure. In other words, imagine if the Descendent, 7 Seconds, and Cock Sparrer had a kid…the result would be The Bouncing Souls.

I first heard of the band around 1994 when I saw then in a magazine. They stuck out to me because someone in the band had a 7 Seconds sticker on their guitar. I first heard the band when their third album was released in 1997 and I’ve been a fan since. Even though I have owned most of their releases at one point or another over the years, it wasn’t until recently that their music really started to hit home. These guys grew up on the same movies and with the same music as I did and the references they use feel like things straight out of my life. Also their lyrics have an uplifting message and the music has the feel of the anthems of life (hence my new made up word above).

For those who grew up in the 80’s, with the films of John Hughes, the music of new wave, and the hope for a better tomorrow, The Bouncing Souls is the band for you. They have easily entered my, often revolving, top 10-15 bands of all time.

For more information on The Bouncing Souls check out the band’s official website, MySpace page, and on Wikipedia.

Sometimes there are people who just don’t seem to get it

My recent post about giving up on my crusade to get people to treat each other better was inspired by the responses that I received to a comment I posted on another local blog. So today I stopped by the same blog and found this post.

Apparently this person seems to think that I was calling her a big meanie. I left three comments on the first post, the all three, final one especially I thought, clearly illustrated the point that I was trying to make. Yet in response after response I was mocked and gravely misunderstood. My final response as of the time of this writing has not been responded to, even though it includes an apology to the author of the blog and a respectful explanation of my intent. I’d like to think that I’ll get a response, considering I have off and on had good communication with this blogger through various comments on our blogs, but it seems that she thinks that I am “high minded” and “lecturing” so who knows.

What amazes me is that people seem to think that they can make the world a better place by spreading negativity and hate. These people attack individuals, making everything personal, and thus continue the massive cycle of anger and incivility. If you have a problem with what someone is saying, then go after their ideas and them as people. Attack the policies and not the people. This isn’t a hard concept to grasp. Unfortunately people would rather take the easy way out and throw mud and call names rather than debate ideas. It’s pathetic really.

If it drives you crazy when some talking head or commentator goes off on some tangent attacking and name calling the people in a group that you either belong to or identify with, turning around and talking trash in return makes you no better than the other guy. In fact, it makes you worse in my opinion. In a way (and I am sure that the following comments are going to get me into some hot water but I could care less) it’s like the insanity of reverse racism. There are blacks who are angry about racism (which they have a right to be angry about), yet they turn around and hate white folks and homosexuals. I’m sorry…what?!? Pot calling the kettle black much? If it is wrong for whites to be racists against blacks, then it is equally wrong for blacks to be racist against whites or to be homophobic. Yet the irony is lost on many people. So in the realm of political debate, if it is wrong for someone like Michael Savage or Ann Coulter to go on their tirades attacking people, then it is equally wrong for liberal bloggers to go on tirades attacking them. Yet somehow both sides see their behavior as some kind of defense. To the Savages and Coulters of the world, they are defending themselves and righteous America from the liberal media and to the liberal bloggers, they are defending themselves and righteous America from the Savages and Coulters of the world. And thus the circle continues.

The point that I have been trying to make for years, and probably ad nauseam, is that this behavior solves nothing and only perpetuates the problem. If people would simply follow this very simple rule that Jesus, Confucius, the Buddha, and Gandhi (among others) tried to teach us, the Golden Rule, then maybe things wouldn’t be so jacked up in this world. Unfortunately it is easier to call someone a pinko, fascist, idiot, or asshole than to actually be the better person, so I doubt that things are going to get better any time soon.


Update 2/15: I have been corresponding with said local blogger via email and honestly the conversation has not gone well. It appears that I have upset this person because I asked her not to treat others badly and we have gone round and round since then. In her defense I was parsing words in her original comment. She used the term “proudly ignorant” to describe Rep. Sally Kern and other GOP members of the OK House who voted to strike a morning prayer from the record because the prayer happened to be given by a homosexual. Had she said that their ideas were proudly ignorant, then I wouldn’t have said a thing. There is a world of difference between going after a person’s ideas and going after a person and sometimes the difference is seen in a few small words.

Now that I have once again gained the ire of a strong liberal, been accused of being magnanimous (which doesn’t seem that bad to be), and compared to Broder, Freidman, and Dowd (admittedly I have no clue what those comparisons mean), maybe it is time for me to turn my watchful eye to the anti-Muslim local blogs. I’m sure that will end as well as this did.

What do you call it?

Is it soda, pop, cola? Here is a map that breaks down the common names used for soft drinks throughout the country. There is also a place to vote. My vote went to Coke. While from time to time I say soda, Coke is the term that I most often use.

Currently Listening

1. “England Belongs to Me” by Cock Sparrer (from Shock Troops / Runnin’ Riot in ‘84”
2. “Sour Grapes” by Descendents (from Enjoy!)
3. “We’ve Got the Power” by Dropkick Murphys (from Singles Collection, Vol. 2)
4. “Ready, Steady, Go” by Generation X (from Perfect Hits 1975-1981)
5. “Angel” by Goodbye Harry (from I Can Smoke)
6. “Let’s Call It an Evening” by One Man Army (from BYO Split Series, Vol. 5)
7. “Story of My Life” by Social Distortion (from Social Distortion)
8. “Suspect Device” by Stiff Little Fingers (from Inflammable Material)
9. “No Eager Men” by Swingin’ Utters (from The Streets of San Francisco)
10. “For All the Unheard” by The Bouncing Souls (from The Gold Record)

New liberals

Many modern liberal make me sick. They think that it is okay to personally attack people ad nauseam, using the excuse that they are defending themselves from those wicked people on the right. What a load of crap. These people are doing nothing but aping those they are railing against. Did these people not actually listen to President Obama’s Inauguration Address?

I’d like to propose that what we need to is reexamine what it means to be a liberal, because honestly I think a lot of these folks have got it all wrong.

As liberals, we should strive to live up to the words of JFK. We should work to fulfill the promises of the campaigns of 92 and 08.

We should look to the ideas and leadership of people like James Monroe, Bobby Kennedy, Ralph Nader, and Bill Bradley.

We should hold people accountable to their words and actions.

We should never be afraid to see the wisdom in the words of leaders like Ronald Reagan or any other who doesn’t fall under the liberal label.

We should not only follow FDR, but Teddy Roosevelt as well.

We should look to the center to find the best solutions to our mess of problems.

We should look to the government to guarantee equality of opportunity for all, but to leave the end result up to the individual.

We should use the government as a safety net to provide a hand up for those in need and not as something to live off of for eternity.

And above all, we should do our best to be the better persons, rise about the fray, and treat everyone with dignity and respect.

These are the things that I have learned from the great liberals of the past and these are the things that we should strive for today. Lord knows that I don’t have all of the answers and am not the authority on what it is to be a liberal, but this is a bit of what liberalism means to me. We’re not socialists, communists, or anarchists (not that there’s anything wrong with any of those things)…not if you really understands what people like John Locke and Thomas Jefferson were trying to teach us.

Maybe I am all wrong and if anyone out there thinks that I don’t have a beef with conservatives, then you’re sadly mistaken. But I am saddened and frustrated by my fellow liberals who seem to me, to not know what it means to be a liberal.

In an attempt to lighten things up for a moment…

How about some really dated song lyrics?

“The parting on the left, is now parting on the right”

One thing that I have noticed in my time blogging is how little difference there really is in those on the extreme left and the extreme right. Both groups are convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are right and that theirs is the righteous cause and that the other guy is working for the enemy, the devil, or to destroy the country. More so, they all seem to present their arguments in the same way. They spend a lot of time and energy demonizing all of those they disagree with, twisting peoples words around (or taking them out of context, or simply lying about what someone said or did, under the guise of “drawing conclusions”), and general fits of screaming at the rain. In other words these people are polemics.

To me, there is no difference between Rush Limbaugh and Keith Olberman, Ann Coulter and Al Franken, MoveOn.org and the AFA, or RedState.com and the Daily Kos. The only difference is the extremity of the insanity that they display (Michael Savage probably tops that list). To be completely fair, everyone I just listed has moments of clarity and has provided good ideas in a non-polemic manner, yet most of that discourse gets lost in the noise of the rest of it.

It is often very difficult to hold a discussion with people of this mindset. In fact it can feel like you’re beating your head against a wall. If you happen to agree with them on a particular issue they often praise you but if you disagree, prepare for their wrath. If you disagree you will then become another part of what they see as the problem and all types of ridiculous labels and names will get thrown your way and nothing gets accomplished. It often seems very futile and it makes me wonder how these people do just start killing each other in the super market.

A bit part and cause of the problem is the amenity of the internet. People can create a new name and persona online and feel safe hiding behind it. Then from the safety of their home computer they become spawns of Satan online, behaving like it has become their calling to ape the polemics on the TV and radio. Which brings us to the other big cause of the problem and that is the people who make their livings by being polemics. It is no wonder that bloggers across the country think it is okay to act like immature children…actually scratch that, I don’t want to insult kids by the comparison. If we expect people of influence and power to lead by example, it is no wonder why our discourse online is so bloody horrendous.

I don’t think these are all bad people (in fact there are a few that I consider friends), but I do think that they are following a bad example. I also don’t think that they don’t realize how much alike they are to those they are demonizing. The only real difference between those groups is what they are complaining (for lack of a better term) about. How can you say that Dave? Because I have been on the receiving end of the ire of those on the left and the right. I have also watched these people interact with each other and the similarities are glaringly obvious.

So I must admit that I have little time for the polemics (even though I find myself listening to AM talk radio on a daily basis). What makes me sad, is that a lot of these folks are smart and good people but are so misguided in their behavior that they will probably never see that they are only making things worse. I am all for debate and free expression, in fact we need more of it but we need it to be honest and not bloodied and blinded by the screaming extremes.

Is it just me…

…or does anyone else get sick and tired of all of the different programs that decide that you really need them loading up in the system tray on your computer? Man that junk is irritating. If you even think about opening anything that has to do with QuickTime, the next thing you know every time you boot up that sucker is running in the system tray (not to mention if anything AOL related even looks at your computer).

Oh the world that we have made for ourselves. *sigh*

Currently Listening

1. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who (from My Generation: The Very Best of The Who)
2. “In No Time Nor Place” by Those Unknown (from Those Unknown)
3. “Johnny Thunder” by The Kinks (from The Village Green Preservation Society)
4. “Sounds from the Street” by The Jam (from In the City)
5. “Never Break” by The Strike (from Conscience Left to Struggle with Pockets Full of Rust)
6. “Ivory Girl” by Down By Law (from All Scratched Up!)
7. “Radio, Radio” by Elvis Costello & the Attractions (from The Very Best of Elvis Costello & the Attractions)
8. “Take ‘Em All” by Cock Sparrer (from Shock Troops / Runnin’ Riot in ’84)
9. “Letter from Iraq” by The Bouncing Souls (from The Gold Record)
10. “Left, Right” by The Bodies (from Cheap Shots and Low Blows, Vol. 1: The TKO Singles 1997-1998

I give up

I am ending my crusade to get people to treat each other better. It is fruitless. If y’all can’t understand the Golden Rule, then I can’t help you.

So have at it. Call each other names. Rip it up. Be knee-jerk reactionary partisans. I hope it makes you feel better about yourselves. I will just do my thing and try my hardest to treat everyone with kindness (even though I fall short from time to time) and impart on my kids the importance of following the Golden Rule.

So that’s it. I’m not your keepers. Good luck with the chaos, bickering, and mindless hate. I’m sure at some point all of your words and work will make a huge difference in making the world a better place. (Oh, if there was any doubt…that last bit was sarcasm.)

Thinking of converting

Lately the stress of life has really gotten to me. On top of that, I have felt a complete lack of direction and meaning in my life. Frustration, anger, stress…they have all been eating away at me and something has got to give.

So in an attempt to save myself, I have been thinking of converting to Buddhism. For quite a while now I have described myself as a deist with Buddhist leanings, but I am thinking that maybe now is the time to take the plunge and turn to the teaching of Buddha for guidance and hopefully enlightenment. Later today I am going to head to the library to find some books on the subject to begin my research. Unlike religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, the Buddhist scriptures and sacred texts are not all collected into one nice package, so finding a good collection may take some time.

I am already familiar with the basic tenants of Buddhism and philosophically have felt very in tune with the teachings of the Buddha for many years. The one area that may, or may not, cause some disagreement (for lack of a better word) is my belief in God. It has been said that that Buddha himself was a bit of an atheist and there isn’t any type of deity in Buddhism. Personally, I firmly believe that there is a higher power that created the universe and has spoken to humanity through many different prophets, faiths, and mythologies over the centuries. So from that perspective, any religion can lead one to enlightenment, heaven, the kingdom of God, paradise, nirvana, etc. As much as I firmly believe in God, this is something that I equally firmly believe. One religion isn’t better than any other and thus all can provide the believer with a window to God and I am thinking that Buddhism might be the one for me.

Voting by morals

Here is an extremely heartfelt and thoughtful post by Steve at The Otter Limits on voting your morals.

Currently Listening

1. “Do Da Da” by Green Day (from Shenanigans)
2. “Boring Enormous” by Paul Westerberg (from Stereo)
3. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds (from The Breakfast Club)
4. “Once I Loved” by Astrud Gilberto (from Juno: Deluxe Edition, Disc 2)
5. “Inside Game” by Royal Trux (from High Fidelity)
6. “Riot Radio” by The Dead 60s (from Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist)
7. “Panic” by The Smiths (from Singles)
8. “Rocks in Memphis” by U.S. Bombs (from War Birth)
9. “Goodbye to You” by The Methadones (from 21st Century Power Pop Riot)
10. “True Believers” by The Bouncing Souls (from Live Disc 2)

Ideology isn’t the problem

I’ve come to a realization recently that the problem in Washington has nothing to do with ideology and everything to do with power.

During the first six years of the Bush administration, we observed the actions of a Republican President and Congress that worked diligently to hold and gain more power. The juggernaut wasn’t curtailed until the Republicans lost their majorities in both houses of Congress in 2006.

Now we have the Obama administration in power with a Democratically controlled Congress and what do we get? More of the same. Now to be completely fair the new President hasn’t been in office for more than a couple of weeks, so who knows what will come down the line, but if these first few weeks are any indication then nothing has really changed.

The behavior that we are observing has absolutely nothing to do with ideology. These elected officials are all behaving in the same exact way, the only difference is the group or interest that they are promoting (or more likely owing allegiance to).

The corruption in our government is rampant in both parties and on both sides of the isle. What we need are some real liberals and real conservatives who actually care more about the interests of the country than of their party or contributors. Sadly I doubt that is going to happen. The best that we can hope for is that the Democrats lose control of at least one of the houses of Congress in 2010, thus bringing some balance back to the corruption fest (unless of course Obama can live up to his words and Inaugural Address, but even if he can personally do his best to do it, I doubt he can control the rest of those in power). I don’t enjoy saying any of this. I voted for Obama and believed his message, but even the good work of one man can’t always change systematic corruption.

Stop the bill

I may be too late on this, but the stimulus bill needs to be stopped. At a time when we need simple, common sense solutions, we are give a mammoth load that is nearly impossible to distinguish what is in it and what it is exactly going to do. There may, and probably are, some worthwhile provisions in this bill but they are impossible to find. Just go to the Huffington Post’s article on the bill. While the bill is available to read online, it is 647 pages. Who has time for that? Hell I doubt those in Congress even have time to digest this thing.

At this point I think this bill needs to be scrapped and Congress should just start over. Write a bill that is simple, that will actually help the economy and the people, and not hide Lord-knows-what in 600+ pages of legal mumbo jumbo. Can you throw us a bone on this one guys and gals? Please?

Currently Listening

1. “’59” by Brian Setzer ’68 Comeback Special (from Ignition!)
2. “Where Do Ya Draw the Line?” by Dead Kennedys (from Bedtime for Democracy)
3. “Rainbow Connection” by Me First & the Gimme Gimmes (from Are a Drag)
4. “My Life” by Saigon Kick (from Saigon Kick)
5. “Very Loud” by Shout Out Louds (from Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist)
6. “Rebel Song” by Street Dogs (from State of Grace)
7. “In Passing” by The Lemonheads (from The Lemonheads)
8. “Mandinka” by Sinead O’Connor (from Never Mind the Mainstream: The Best of 120 Minutes, Vol. 1)
9. “Need Some Air” by Urge Overkill (from Exit the Dragon)
10. “What We All Want” by Gang of Four (from Solid Gold / Another Day, Another Dollar)

I really want this book!!!

The Geography of Religion: Faith, Place, and Space by Roger W. Stump

Who were the Founders?

There is so much disagreement on our Founding Fathers that it isn’t even funny. From everything that I have read, many of our core Founders (Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Adams) were not pious Christians, but instead men of the Enlightenment and in many cases deists. Jim at Fried Green Onions would disagree.

People on both sides find different passages in either letters that these individuals left behind or the legal documents that they wrote as a way to prove exactly what the Founders believed. While conclusions can be made, we will never know exactly what was going on in the hearts and minds of these men.

Based on my research, I do not believe that the Founders were trying to create a Christian nation, nor do I believe that any of our founding documents are Christian in nature. If you look at the history, the conservatives and Christians of the time complained greatly that Jesus was not mentioned in the Constitution and the attacks against Jefferson and Madison for being Godless and heathens would make a modern politician run and hide. Why would conservatives of the day attack these men if they were the pious Christians that we have been often taught that they were? The logical answer is that the Founders were mostly likely not devout Christians. Jefferson often referred to himself as either a Unitarian or a deist. While being an admitted “churching going animal” (at least I think that is the quote), Adams later referred to himself as a Unitarian and also expressed doubt of the Christian religion in his letters.

The beauty of the written word (and often its drawback) is that it can be interpreted in many, many ways and that is what we have here in the debate over the beliefs of the Founding Fathers. There is evidence that points in specific directions, but there are those who take those same words and interpret them in their own way and for their own needs. Sadly the Founders have gotten abused by various people and organizations in attempts by said people and organizations to sell their message, movement, or whatever. Maybe we should all let them rest, take wisdom and solace from their words and deeds, and make our own way in our own time.

The Electoral College

Over the years I have had this internal debate over whether or not I supported the idea of doing away with the Electoral College. As a general rule of thumb, I am very leery of amending the Constitution (which would most likely be needed to make this type of change). I am also not 100% convinced that electing the President via a straight popular vote is a good idea (there are many really bad things that are very popular). There are very persuasive arguments on both sides and honestly I see lots of pros and cons coming from each perspective. Even though I am undecided on this issue, I figured now would be a good time to at least have the debate.

Here are the basics. The members of the Electoral College are the people who actually elect the President. The idea at the time of the writing of the Constitution came from the Founders distrust of direct democracy (fearing the potential of mod rule) and was thus a compromise that combined the democratic process with republican representation. As an interesting historical note, George Washington is the only President to receive a unanimous vote from the Electoral College (James Monroe almost repeated the feat but was denied by one vote).

Here is how it works (and it varies by state). The population votes for President in November. The winner of the popular vote of each state generally determines how the Electoral College will vote. In some cases it is a winner-take-all situation and in others it is proportional to the popular vote. The members of the Electoral College are not bound to follow the popular vote, but usually they do. The number of votes each state gets in the Electoral College is determined by said states total number of members of Congress, thus each state gets one vote for each Senator (i.e. two) and then one vote for each Congressman. In Oklahoma we have seven votes in the Electoral College, so we are basically worthless.

The arguments against getting rid of the Electoral College say that making the election of the President a straight popular vote would put the end result of the election in the hands of the big cities like New York and Los Angeles. I have never really bought into that argument. The argument that has kept me from going full blown against dissolving the Electoral College has more to do with the general wisdom of the Constitution and my fear of the potential of mob rule. With straight democratic elections, there is potential (albeit small) that someone with nefarious intentions could swing the masses to follow his/her lead in making grand changes to the Constitution (remember Star Wars Episode 3?). I highly doubt that this could or would ever happen, but it’s possible (even now, but it would be easier with straight popular vote).

The argument for disbanding the Electoral College is that it gives more power back to the people. Each voter in the country would have the same exact amount of say in deciding who is to be the President. In the case of our state, my votes for Bill Clinton in 1996, John Kerry in 2004, and Barack Obama in 2008 would have carried the same, if not more, weight as my vote for George W. Bush in 2000. As it stands now, Oklahoma’s seven Electoral votes will always go to the Republican candidate for President (I’d suspect that even our very popular Governor Brad Henry would have a hard time carrying the state if he ran for President). With that being the case, any vote that is not for the GOP candidate is essentially wasted and meaningless. That is very discouraging.

So there are the basic arguments for and against disbanding the Electoral College. I am leaning towards the idea of moving to a straight popular election of the President, yet I am not completely comfortable with that idea either. I guess I am still undecided.

You can get more information on the Electoral College here and here.

Quote of the Day

Give a man a fish and he'll be back tomorrow for another fish... and the day after too, but teach a man to fish and he'll not only feed himself and his family, but given the opportunity to benefit from his efforts and build a future for his family, he will catch enough fish to feed the entire town or more.

I don't believe for a single second that the government... any government, can do a better job of applying a "social conscience" to society than society itself... since we the people ARE the government (at least we were supposed to be), social program and policy should come FROM we the people and NOT the other way around.

-- Red S Tater (from the comments of Government Can’t Handle Running Post Office, Much Less Auto, Banking, and Healthcare Industries)

Currently Listening

1. “Rebel Yell” by ALL (from Before You Were Punk, Vol. 2)
2. “World Shut Your Mouth” by Julian Cope (from Never Mind the Mainstream: The Best of 120 Minutes, Vol. 1)
3. “No Love” by The GC5 (from Never Bet the Devil Your Head)
4. “Middle Management” by Bishop Allen (from Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist)
5. “Go Fly a Kite” by Mateo Messina (from Juno: Deluxe Edition, Disc 2)
6. “Go Your Own Way” by Seaweed (from Clerks)
7. “Prove Yourself” by Radiohead (from Pablo Honey)
8. “The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)” by Flight of the Conchords (from Flight of the Conchords)
9. “We’re Only Gonna Die” by Bad Religion (from How Could Hell Be Any Worse?)
10. “Take Control” by Weezer (from Maladroit)

More absurdities

Just read it. For all of the things to go after Coulter for, this is just beyond dumb.

How about some integrity?

The more and more I hear and read about this “stimulus” bill and the more I watch our “leaders” in Washington the sicker I become. We elected these people, Democrats and Republicans alike, to represent us and our best interests. Unfortunately what we seem to have gotten shafted. As far as I can tell, damn near EVERYONE in DC is watching out for the interests of their party, campaign contributions, and campaign contributors and not for the American people. I know that this should come as no surprise, and it really doesn’t, but it still pisses me off nonetheless.

What we need is to get some real liberals and real conservatives to go to Washington and actually serve their country instead of themselves. We need more folks like OK’s Tom Coburn and former NJ Senator Bill Bradley. We need folks like Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan. We need leaders with centrist ideologies like Robert Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair (I know he’s British), John McCain, and Teddy Roosevelt. We need people who will actually put their country first. Sadly unless parts of the system are fundamentally changed, I don’t foresee that happening. AT this time there is just too much money and power to be horded in DC for those with their hands in the coffer to give it up.

In order to fix this problem, we need to make the following systematic changes:

1) Term Limits.
At this point, incumbents win reelection in our system 98% of the time. That is absurd and scary. I would love for our votes to actually get these people out of office but that just doesn’t seem to actually happen. Senators should be limited to two to three terms and Representatives six to eight. That gives the “leaders” plenty of time to become experienced at the job, but also protects us from the career politician.

2) Public Financing of ALL Campaigns.
Currently politicians spend more time campaigning and trolling for campaign contributions than for anything else. This is just plain wrong. A portion of our taxes should go into a campaign financing fund that is distributed to all candidates. Local TV and radio would also have to provide air time for commercials and segments provided by the candidates. The stations would be compensated from the fund and the coverage would be equal for all candidates running for office.

If these two changes were enacted and our Constitution amended to reflect the changes, the balance of power in this country would greatly shift back to the people. We are getting the short end of the stick on a daily basis and it is time for the masses to stand up and say that we are tired of it. There was so much hope laid on the shoulders of President Obama and the changes that he could potentially bring to DC, and while I still hold out hope but I am beginning to lose faith. We need our “leaders” to actually listen to and represent us and not the interests of their next campaign.

Wish me luck…

I’m doing my taxes.

Any good suggestions for some stress relief?

Does anyone have any good ideas or suggestions for relieving stress? Lately I’ve felt like I am going to snap at any given moment. This feeling has been brought upon by customers yelling at me at work, my kids fighting, money, comments by various bloggers, general slow responsiveness of my computer, and people in general. I hate feeling like this and honestly need to get to the doctor, but in the mean time any suggestions for blowing off steam would be greatly appreciated.

Currently Watching

Title: Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (Official, IMDB, Wikipedia)

I knew nothing about this film when I rented it this weekend other than the guy from Juno was in it and after having watched it a few times, I have decided to go out and picked up the DVD and the soundtrack. This is a fun movie about a teenage night out on the town, in search of a band playing a mystery show and love. I know it sounds cheesy, but it works (plus I am a sucker for these kinds of films). The writing is witty, the acting is sharp, and the direction is spot on. This is a fun movie.

Currently Listening

I’ve been thinking a lot about one of my story ideas and over the weekend had put together a good list of songs for the potential soundtrack, but was unable to post or save them because I had to make sure that my daughter was actually doing her homework. Now as I sit here and try to remember the list of songs, I am unable to do so. But here are the some of the ones that I did come up with.

1. “Kiss Me Deadly” by Generation X (from Perfect Hits 1975-1981)
2. “Teenage FBI” by Guided By Voices (from The Best of Guided By Voices: Human Amusements at Hourly Rates)
3. “Unreal” by Go Betty Go (from Nothing Is More)
4. “Melt Your Heart” by Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins (from Rabbit Fur Coat)
5. “I.F.H.A. (One Love)” by One Man Army (from BYO Split Series, Vol. 5)
6. “Rise” by Public Image Limited (from Album)
7. “Brand New Love” by Sebadoh (from Smash Your Head on the Punk Rock)
8. “Teenage Genocide” by Swingin’ Utters (from The Streets of San Francisco)
9. “Down with the Kids” by Teenage Frames (from More Songs, Less Music)
10. “Angry Young Man” by The Heartdrops (from This is The Heartdrops)
11. “Message” by The Pavers (from Wrecking Ball)
12. “Head On” by The Pixies (from Trompe Le Monde)
13. “Here Comes a Regular” by The Replacements (from Tim)
14. “Stagger Lee” by The Staggers (from The Sights, The Sounds, The Fear, and The Pain)
15. “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend (from Vampire Weekend)

Morris: Will Obama pull a Clinton?

Dick Morris’ latest column brings up the question will President Obama respond to the current economic situation and stimulus package the same way that Bill Clinton did in 1993.

From the column –

If Obama strays from Clinton’s course and moves to the center, courting Republican votes, he will lose Democratic support even as he begs for GOP backing. The Republicans will drive a hard bargain, demanding a smaller package than Obama wants and less spending that the Democrats crave. And, if Obama follows the GOP’s lead, he will alienate his party and won’t be able to count on them down the line.

So what should Obama do? He should move to the center. To ostracize the Republicans will force him to depend upon an ever more liberal group of Democrats, pushing him further and further to the left. In 1995, President Clinton told me “I had moved so far to the left I didn’t recognize myself.” With each lurch to the left, Obama will lose popularity and, as his political horizon narrows, erode his capacity to govern.

But if Obama uses his popularity to force his party to accommodate enough Republicans to govern from the center, he will have a successful presidency. The logic of bipartisanship will lead him to make decisions that are popular with the voters as a whole, even if they strain his support on the left.

Whichever decision he makes - to move to the center or to the left - will set in motion a self-fulfilling prophesy. It will determine the course of his presidency. If he chooses wrong, he will wind up where Clinton did in 1994, losing Congress and his popularity. He could always recover as Clinton did, but how much better not to repeat the same mistakes as almost doomed the last Democratic presidency.

I think that Morris has hit the nail on the head. Obama needs to govern from the center because if he does, he will alienate the fringe of both parties, but he will win the hearts and mind of the average Americans and in the process do what is best for the country.

Maybe I bring it on myself

I am the queen of self deprecating humor and thusly end up being the brunt of many a joke (not that this wouldn’t happen anyway mind you). Often the worst things said about me come out of my own mouth. It’s a talent really.

At work I have friends that lay into me on a regular basis and generally I’m pretty okay with it. But recently someone new has started sitting with us and she has decided to join the fray. The kicker is that she doesn’t know me very well at all. The other people that chime in on the Dave-teasing are my friends. This person is not my friend. I am friendly with her, but at this point I am getting pretty fed up with someone who thinks that it is okay to say some pretty bad things to me just because I tend to make fun of myself and others around me do as well. In fact last night I told her that maybe she might want to get to know me a bit more before she laid into me so hard.

This type of stuff has come up before. Generally I am fine with the teasing and join in but after a while it gets old. When it starts to get old and I get tired of it, I tend to respond fairly intensely and harshly. Okay, I become a flaming a-hole (I’ll admit it), but there is only so much that a person can take.

Some of this frustration has come out lately in my responses to different comments on various different blogs. As my frustration builds and I bottle it up, eventually the cap bursts off and I go off on folks. I apologize if I have offended anyone in my recent tirades. At times I react poorly and thought that I would explain a bit of the reasoning (not that it is right mind you, but admission is the first step to recovery they say).

Three Things that Should Not Happen

1. A Stimulus Package that fails to stimulate.

I am not an economist nor have I read the current stimulus bill, but it seems to me that there is a lot of questions as to whether or not it is going to do anything to stimulate the economy. What the economy needs is for businesses to create more jobs and individuals to have more money in their pockets. There are many, many things that the government can do to achieve this goal and the government should do those things, but to use this situation as a way for the government to just spend more money is a waste. Yes the government needs to spend money and get things kick started, but we must be watchful and pay close attention to what they are really doing. I do not think that the President has any nefarious intentions, but I cannot say the same thing about the majority of Congress or those around him in DC. What we need now is prudence, transparency, and balance. If those in power can do that, then we’ll be okay. If not…

2. The Fairness Doctrine.

The idea that the government would limit free speech is beyond me. Yes, at this time talk radio is extremely one-sided and yes Fox News appears to follow an organized and blatant bias towards conservatives, but who cares? If you don’t like it, just turn it off. Talk radio is dominated by conservatives because that is what sells at the moment. Once a really good liberal talk show host comes along and breaks through the Rush wannabes, we will see more liberals in national syndication and with successful shows. Besides, we should celebrate our freedom of speech and applaud those who speak out for what they believe in, especially when we disagree with them. This is a very basic liberal tenant.

3. Fear mongering.

It was wrong when George Bush used fear mongering in the days after 9/11 to get the Patriot Act pushed through Congress and when he used it to win re-election in ’04. It is equally wrong for Barack Obama to use fear mongering to get his stimulus bill passed. I thought this was the kind of stuff that we sent him to Washington to change.

Currently Listening

1. “Murder or Manslaughter” by The Brassknuckle Boys (from American Bastard)
2. “Screaming at the Wailing Wall” by Flogging Molly (from Within a Mile of Home)
3. “This Ain’t No Picnic” by The Minutemen (from Double Nickels on the Dime)
4. “Open Letter (To a Landlord)” by Living Colour (from Super Hits)
5. “Man in Black” by Johnny Cash (from The Essential Johnny Cash)
6. “Somebody to Love” by Queen (from Greatest Hits)
7. “Privileged Few” by The Roustabouts (from The Only One)
8. “Career Opportunities” by The Clash (from The Clash)
9. “If I Should Fall from Grace with God” by The Pogues (from If I Should Fall from Grace with God)
10. “Abducted by Nazis in Hollywood” by The Staggers (from One Heartbeat Away from Hell)

Now that’s a big snake

Scientists have discoverd the fossil remains of an ancient snake that was longer than a bus.

Money Quote –

"It could easily eat something the size of a cow. A human would just be toast immediately."

R.I.P. Lux

The Cramps’ lead singer Lux Interior passed away yesterday. The Cramps were best known for practically, if not outright, creating the psychobilly genre, their mixing of rockabilly with horror movie imagery, and wild antics on stage. For those who have never heard The Cramps, here is the video for one of the band’s classics “Bikini Girls with Machine Guns”.

Currently Listening

1. “18 Days” by Hagfish (from Hagfish)
2. “High Hope” by Gorilla Biscuits (from Gorilla Biscuits)
3. “Delirious” by Prince (from 1999)
4. “Free” by Street Dogs (from State of Grace)
5. “Rest in Peace” by James Marsters (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More with Feeling)
6. “Wild and Untamed Thing” by Tim Curry (from Rocky Horror Picture Show: 25 Years of Absolute Pleasure)
7. “1965 G.T.O.” by The Amazing Royal Crowns (from The Amazing Royal Crowns)
8. “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend (from Vampire Weekend)
9. “Fast Lane” by Urban Dance Squad (from Mental Floss for the Globe)
10. “Heart of Soul” by The Cult (from Pure Cult: The Singles 1984-1995)

Another Earth?

Scientists have discovered a small, hot, possibly Earth-like planet orbiting a sun-like star.

From the story –

"For the first time, we have unambiguously detected a planet that is 'rocky' in the same sense as our own Earth," said Malcolm Fridlund, ESA's COROT Project Scientist. "We now have to understand this object further to put it into context, and continue our search for smaller, more Earth-like objects with COROT."

He added, "This discovery is a very important step on the road to understanding the formation and evolution of our planet."

Sara Seager, an astrophysicist at MIT who was not involved in the discovery said, "My first thought is that it's extremely exciting because we've been waiting to find a planet that we can really call rocky. I would just caution that more information, more data, is needed."

For instance, the discovery has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and not much information about the planet has been released by COROT scientists. Seager says in order to confirm an exoplanet is rocky, scientists need to nail down its mass and radius (or the combination of size and density, or mass and density).

"It looks like the mass is not well-determined and so that's why they're saying they're not sure what the density is," Seager told SPACE.com. "They think it is terrestrial-like. It might have water ice, or it might have rocks, but it's certainly not a gas giant."

This is really cool stuff. I just wish I was smart enough to be an astronomer.

OU gets into the Darwinism vs. Creationism debate

Even though I don’t think it was on purpose.

The University of Oklahoma is getting flack for celebrating the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin. Many conservative Christians oppose anything having to do with Darwin and his theory of evolution because they believe that it contradicts what is taught in the Bible.

While Darwinism is far from perfect and while his theory has many a hole in it, it is still a scientific theory that opened many, many doors in the world of science and was thus hugely important.

The story told in Genesis of the creation of the world is beautiful, but it is not science and shouldn’t be thought of as science. Trying to limit the Bible or any theology to the realm of science is to do that religion a great disservice.

Personally I see Genesis as a metaphor. Like the mythologies of other societies, the story of Creation is a story that very well could have been, and probably was IMHO, sent by God to help the people of Israel understand the world around them and their place in it. It is no different, better, or worse than the creation myths of the Mayans, Hindus, Greeks, or Babylonians. I have always believed that God has spoken to humanity in many different ways and in many different forms and that is why we have so many different religions throughout the world.

Debating whether or not Creationism or Darwinism is the “truth” is simply insane and a complete and total waste of time and energy. One is a theological belief and one is a scientific theory. Neither have all of the answers and neither is perfect. The irony though, is that if you really look at them closely, they aren’t that different. They are saying the same thing, just using different words to do it.

Bias and the media

The following is a comment Red posted during a recent discussion on his blog.

I'll get serious for a second.

WE are all biased otter... we have pre-formed opinions about everything we know anything about. That is the nature of the human brain... it has trouble staying in neutral prefers to make a decision based on the info it has at the time.

I can say any word and your immediate reaction is either positive or negative first... if it's a little bit positive then curiosity will kick in... if it's a little bit negative then skepticism and disinterest kicks in.

This is why "branding" has become so important today... (no not the hot Iron in the fire kind).

The left and the media have successfully branded Rush as "extreme" with the average casual observer... while branding actual extremists like alGore as mainstream hero's.

Being a left leaning liberal democrat is easy today since the media spoon feeds support on a daily basis... no thinking is really required, just listen to the talking heads... they are everywhere from late night talk to daytime chat to your national and even local news. They copy the UP and NY Times word for word without questioning it and feed it to the masses... then call it "journalism".

There are but a few alternatives to the overwhelming majority of leftist agenda news media.

Fox news is the ONLY news outlet that presents both sides and therefore is accused of being biased to the right...lol.

Compared to the extreme left leaning media... when one tries to be fair and balanced of course it appears they are the ones out of phase when in fact they are the only one trying to still be fair.

It's sad. It's a tragedy it's wrong and it's bad for the country.

So... of course I'm biased otter... I NEVER claimed not to be (unlike CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, NY TImes, LA Times and virtually every other tv, cable and daily newspaper in America)

Yes I'm biased Otter... I favor America over the rest of the world, I trust Americans more than I trust the rest of the world and I favor the American system of government over the rest of the world.

Yes I'm biased Otter... honest too.

Red makes some really good points here, but I am going to disagree with a few of them.

With the exception of MSNBC and Fox News, I do not believe that there is any organized or systematic bias in the media. The fact is that the vast majority of journalists are Democrats and liberals, thus their own personal perspectives are going to bleed through into their writing at some point. The corporations that run the media outlets care about one thing and one thing only and that is ad revenue. To them it is about whatever will sell the most ads and that is all. Fox cashed in on the perception that there is an organized media bias by becoming a news outlet that has an organized conservative bias. MSNBC in turn reacted to the success of Fox and in turn organized to become the anti-Fox, thus creating an organized liberal bias. The editorial sections of many newspapers are liberal, but those are the editorial sections.

In some ways I think it would be better for the country if we went back to having news organizations vocalize outright which side they are on (for lack of a better term). In the early days of our country, newspapers would take a stance as either being Federalist (i.e. conservative) or Republican/Democratic (i.e. liberal). Maybe we should just go back to the kind of transparency. Heck, it might even be good for all news organizations to have a section of their websites the outline where their reports stand on all of the major issues.

Either way, we have a mess at the moment and I truly distrust all of them.

Quote of the Day

“Remember, our opponents are still the Democrats. We should say more than just, "We aren't the other guy." We need to lay out a clear vision for the safety and security of this country and continued economic prosperity. We have the right candidates running for president and we have the right candidates running at the grassroots level who can provide that leadership. We just need to get our act together and go onto the battlefield and engage. We cannot just sit back and demonize Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton and think that is going to get us elected. It's just not going to work that way".

--Michael Steele in response to the question “In 2008, Republicans are going to return to the American people and ask them to restore Republicans to power. Is it too soon? Have the Republicans lost credibility that will take more time to reestablish?”

Thanks to Red for the find.

Pervasion of technology and the media

Is it just or is the constant invasion of technology and the media into our daily lives starting to bother anyone else? I’m not anti-technology that’s for sure (I don’t know what I’d do without my cell phone…man that’s sad to admit) but it seems to me that prying eyes now have much more to work with than they did even ten years ago.

If it isn’t the latest Miley photo scandal then it is Michael getting caught with a bong, but honest is any of this our business? Yes both of these individuals are in a position to have a great influence over millions of kids and should honestly know better. Yes they both used poor judgment but they are human and no one should have to worry that every little move that he or she makes may get photo’ed and spread on the internet. No I am not giving either a pass (even though I really don’t think neither Miley nor Michael really did anything that wrong) but I am saying that while people in those types of positions must know that they and their lives will be scrutinized, I don’t think that they need to be that scrutinized. There has got to be a happy medium between being in the public sphere and having every move you make splashed across the world wide web.

Have we gotten to the point in our society in which our every move is recorded and stored somewhere? Is that the kind of world that we want to live in?

Currently Listening

1. “The Freaks, The Nerds, And The Romantics” by The Bouncing Souls (from Live Disc 2)
2. “Complete Control” by The Clash (from The Clash)
3. “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” by The Doors (from The Doors)
4. “Doghouse” by The GC5 (from Never Bet the Devil Your Head)
5. “Going Underground” by The Jam (from Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the ‘80s Underground Disc 1)
6. “Spirit of the Streets” by The Business (from Give ‘Em the Boot)
7. “Let Them Know” by Youth Brigade (from BYO Split Series, Vol. 2)
8. “God Save the Queen” by The Sex Pistols (from Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols)
9. “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” by The Pavers (from Wrecking Ball)
10. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who (from My Generation: The Very Best of The Who)

The real tragedy of 2000

The real tragedy of the election of 2000 wasn’t the fact that Al Gore lost (Note – You can blame Nader, shenanigans by the GOP, and/or the Supreme Court but ultimately Gore lost and Bush won.) but the fact that he was the Democratic candidate for President.

During the primaries, the Democratic Party had the choice between Vice President Al Gore and Senator Bill Bradley. Neither man was (or is for that matter) charismatic and Gore had the advantage of name recognition being the VP and all, but he was the weaker candidate IMHO. Had Bradley won, I think that he would have been able to run a better campaign than Gore did against the Bush machine. Bradley did not have the baggage of being part of the Clinton Administration (not that Bill Clinton was as unpopular as some would have had you think) and would have been able to be a fresh face to the nation. Add to that the host of tremendous ideas that he brought to the table and things would have been completely different. On the other side of the isle, had the GOP selected John McCain in their primary, things would have been different still. Heck, had our choice that year been between Bradley and McCain, either way we would have been okay.

Obviously nothing can be done to change the past. I just think that with all of the energy that has been placed on the race of 2000, Democrats should look as much at their (okay our, seeing as I am a Democrat, but I voted for Bradley) choice for candidate as much as the aforementioned shenanigans. Our party needs more people like Bill Bradley.

The Essential 7 Seconds

7 Seconds was one of the earliest straight edge bands in the American punk rock scene. Hailing from Reno, NV, 7 Seconds started in 1980 and have since released 8 ½ full length albums (one was originally released as an EP and has since be re-released as a full length), two live albums, numerous EPs and singles, appeared on tons of compilation albums, and influenced a host of bands.

In the mid-to-late 1980s the band changed and expanded its sound. This was not uncommon for bands of 7 Seconds day (bands like SSD progressed from straight hardcore to heavy metal and the members of Minor Threat went on to form some of the earliest melodic hardcore and emo bands). There are subsequently three distinct eras in the band’s music: 1) early hardcore, 2) melodic middle, and 3) return to hardcore. Most of the band’s early EPs have been collected on the Old School and alt.music.hardcore CDs (for the early material in this list I will be reference these releases).

7 Seconds is another band that is very special to me. In high school I was very anti-drugs and alcohol and one of my friends told me that I was straight edge. I had no clue what he was talking about and a few months later I heard 7 Seconds. The music was fast and full of unbelievable energy and the lyrics were strong and saying many of the same types of things that I was thinking. After picking up the bands album (or half album) Walk Together, Rock Together I was hooked and have been a huge fan ever since.

For more information on 7 Seconds check out the band on MySpace, Wikipedia, Side One Dummy Records, BYO Records, OutTheShizzy.

Songs are listed in order of release based on the release date of the CD.

“Here’s Your Warning” (from The Crew)
“Definite Choice” (from The Crew)
“Not Just Boys Fun” (from The Crew)
“This is the Angry, Pt 2” (from The Crew)
“The Crew” (from The Crew)
“Clenched Fists, Black Eyes” (from The Crew)
“Colourblind” (from The Crew)
“Aim to Please” (from The Crew)
“Young ‘Til I Die” (from The Crew)
“Trust” (from The Crew)
“Regress, No Way” (from Walk Together, Rock Together)
“We’re Gonna Fight” (from Walk Together, Rock Together)
“Spread” (from Walk Together, Rock Together)
“99 Red Balloons” (from Walk Together, Rock Together)
“Remains to Be Seen” (from Walk Together, Rock Together)
“Walk Together, Rock Together” (from Walk Together, Rock Together)
“Strength” (from Walk Together, Rock Together)
“The Night Away” (from New Wind)
“New Wind” (from New Wind)
“Somebody Help Me Scream” (from New Wind)
“Man Enough to Care” (from New Wind)
“Expect to Change” (from New Wind)
“Still Believe” (from New Wind)
“Just One Day” (from New Wind)
“You Live and Die for Your Freedom” (from Live: One Plus One)*
“Siren” (from Live: One Plus One)*
“Catching” (from Live: One Plus One)*
“Praise” (from Live: One Plus One)*
“Far Away Friends” (from Ourselves)**
“Save Ourselves” (from Ourselves)**
“Middleground” (from Ourselves)**
“Some Sort of Balance” (from Ourselves)**
“Satyagraha” (from Soulforce Revolution)
“I Can Sympathize” (from Soulforce Revolution)
“It All Makes Alot Less Sense Now” (from Soulforce Revolution)
“Tribute Freedom Landscape” (from Soulforce Revolution)
“4A.M. in Texas” (from Soulforce Revolution)
“Soul to Keep (for Phyllis)” (from Soulforce Revolution)
“Swansong” (from Soulforce Revolution)
“These Boots are Made for Walking” (from Old School)
“# 1 Rule” (from Old School)
“Shizzy” (from Out the Shizzy)
“Happy Rain” (from Out the Shizzy)
“Free to Space” (from Out the Shizzy)
“Reuben Said” (from Out the Shizzy)
“G” (from Out the Shizzy)
“Some Kind of Sign” (from Out the Shizzy)
“Skins, Brains, & Guts” (from alt.music.hardcore)
“Racism Sucks” (from alt.music.hardcore)
“Drug Control” (from alt.music.hardcore)
“Bottomless Pit” (from alt.music.hardcore)
“Fight Your Own Fight” (from alt.music.hardcore)
“Committed for Life” (from alt.music.hardcore)
“Ghost” (from The Music, The Message)
“Such & Such” (from The Music, The Message)
“The Music, The Message” (from The Music, The Message)
“See You Tomorrow” (from The Music, The Message)
“Get a Different Life” (from The Music, The Message)
“First Ya Told Us” (from The Music, The Message)
“Punk Rock Teeth” (from The Music, The Message)
“I Can Remember” (from The Music, The Message)
“Even Better Plan” (from The Music, The Message)
“The Kids Are United”*** (from The Music, The Message)
“Sooner or Later” (from Good to Go)
“One Big Guessing Game” (from Good to Go)
“Slow Down a Second” (from Good to Go)
“Safety Net” (from Good to Go)
“Change the Key” (from Good to Go)
“4, 1, 4, 1…Done” (from Good to Go)
“Message from a Friend” (from Good to Go)
“True Roots Show” (from Good to Go)
“Good to Go” (from Good to Go)
“Here We Go Again Kids” (from Good to Go)
“All Came Undone” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“Meant to Be My Own” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“This is Temporary” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“My Band, Own Crew” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“Still On It” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“Where Is the Danger?” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“Big Hardcore Mystery” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“Breaking News” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“Y.P.H.” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)
“Your Frustration” (from Take It Back, Take It On, Take It Over!)


* Many of the songs on Live: One Plus One were from the now long out-of-print Praise EP. The Praise EP is one of the 7 Seconds releases that I have never owned and thus I only know these songs from this live album).
** I have not owned a copy of Ourselves in probably 10 years so I am going completely off of memory with the songs selected from this album.
*** There is an earlier version of this Sham 69 cover on alt.music.hardcore, but I think this version is better.

Just as I start getting angry with our new President…

He goes and does this. Not only did President Obama pick another Republican for his cabinet, he also instructed the Democratic governor of the state to appoint a Republican to fill the seat.

Hopefully Obama will continue to fulfill campaign promises instead of making exceptions to them (Why in God’s name did he pick Daschle?!?).

If this administration turns out to be another standard, corrupt, politics as usual set up, then it deserves to get thrown out. There were very specific things that we were promised during the campaign and I am going to do my best to hold the President and his administration to them.

Need a low stress job?

According to this story, there are some that pay up to 90K a year. I have to call BS on a couple of the ones on this list though. Any job can be stressful, it just depends on the circumstances of said job. Call center work is suspiciously missing from this list….gee I wonder why?

Currently Listening

1. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who (from My Generation: The Very Best of The Who)
2. “What Are You For?” by ALL (from Problematic)
3. “I Got Your Number” by Cock Sparrer (from Shock Troops / Runnin’ Riot in ’84)
4. “Fight Your Own Fight” by 7 Seconds (from alt.music.hardcore)
5. “Where Do Ya Draw the Line?” by Dead Kennedys (from Bedtime for Democracy)
6. “Artificial Life” by Operation Ivy (from Energy)
7. “The Big Guns” by Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins (from Rabbit Fur Coat)
8. “Stand Your Ground” by Rancid (from Indestructible)
9. “You’re the Enemy” by Screeching Weasel (from Weasel Mania)
10. “James 5” by Riot Squad (from Riot Squad)

50 years ago tomorrow…

The music died.

What is bipartisan anyway?

There have been a lot of stories in the news lately about Obama and his promise to reach out across the isle in a bipartisan manner. But what does that mean exactly?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary bipartisan is defined as –

: of, relating to, or involving members of two parties ; specifically : marked by or involving cooperation, agreement, and compromise between two major political parties

Dictionary.com defines bipartisan as –

representing, characterized by, or including members from two parties or factions:

And finally the Wikipedia entry on bipartisanship states –

In a two-party system, bipartisan refers to any bill, act, resolution, or any other action of a political body in which both of the major political parties are in agreement. Often, compromises are called bipartisan if they reconcile the desires of both parties from an original version of legislation or other proposal. Failure to attain bipartisan support in such a system can easily lead to gridlock, often angering each other and their constituencies.

Bipartisanship can also be between two or more opposite groups (e.g. liberal and conservative) to agree and determine a plan of action on an urgent matter that is of great importance to their voters. This interpretation brings bipartisanship closer to the more applied notion of postpartisan decision-making, a solution-focused approach that creates a governance model with third-party arbiters used to detect bias.

So what does all of that really mean?

When I hear the term “bipartisan,” I imagine members of both political parties getting together and working on a bill through debate and compromise to come up with a final product that is palatable to both sides. But there is debate as to what President Obama means when he talks about bipartisanship.

From the Washington Post –

While many Democrats on the Hill are anxious about the concessions that may yet be on the horizon, some Republicans are wondering whether Obama's outreach, appreciated as it was, may not extend to agreeing to the compromises they want.

"We got the sense that he was very genuine," said Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.). But "if he comes and meets with us like that and it doesn't have an impact, it begins to hurt his credibility."

The uncertainty over just how the new president defines bipartisanship traces back to the campaign trail. When Obama called for an end to "broken and divided politics," his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), and others contended that there were few instances in Obama's career when he had made major concessions that upset fellow Democrats to reach agreement with Republicans.

But this, said some who have worked with Obama, overlooked his intent. To Obama, they said, fixing "broken politics" is less about making concessions just for the sake of finding common ground and more about elevating the debate -- replacing cynical gamesmanship and immature name-calling with intellectually honest arguments and respect for the other side's motives. In his book "The Audacity of Hope," Obama waxes nostalgic about the fellowship and vigorous debate of Congress's halcyon days in the mid-20th century more than about the centrist deals the era produced.

Obama's bipartisanship "was as much about style, collegiality and civilness as it was actual movement on issues," said state Sen. Kirk W. Dillard, who was Obama's closest Republican ally in the Illinois legislature. Obama did compromise on major bills on ethics and the death penalty as a state senator, but there were limits, Dillard said: "He always listened to the other side and would move to some degree, but his bipartisanship was clearly about the tone and the way you treat one another . . . and trying to understand the other side -- and not necessarily all about caving in."

The president himself emphasized tone more than the results of congressional roll calls last week. "We're not going to get 100 percent agreement and we might not even get a 50 percent agreement, but I do think that people appreciate me walking them through my thought process," he said. "I hope that I communicated my sincere desire to get good ideas from everybody. And my attitude is that this is the first major piece of legislation that we've been working on the Hill and that over time some of these habits of consultation and mutual respect will take over. But old habits die hard."

My fear is that the old habits will be to hard to kill and that the President will become just another typical politician. Of course he’s not running around making ridiculous statements like Speak Nancy Pelosi is –

“I didn’t come here to be partisan. I didn’t come here to be bipartisan. I came here, as did my colleagues, to be nonpartisan, to work for the American people, to do what is in their interest.

The president’s agenda is reflected in this legislation. It’s — I mentioned, some of the priorities that were there about creating jobs, cutting taxes, helping states through this difficult economic time, and to do so in a fiscally sound way.

People vote for what they believe in. Clearly, the Republicans did not believe in the agenda that I just described for you, and that’s probably one of the reasons they voted that way. I think they probably voted their conscience and they couldn’t support that. …

We reached out to the Republicans all along the way, and they know it. And they know it. They were part of the original bill, with the — some of the tax provisions were their suggestions. They had what they asked for in terms of committee mark-up. They had the rule on the floor that gave them plenty of opportunity to make changes. They just didn’t have the ideas that had the support of the majority of the people in the Congress. ”

I’m sorry Madam Speaker but I don’t buy it. You have about a 0% credibility in my eyes and while I hope and pray that you honestly mean the things that you stated above, I just don’t see it really happening.

There are others who see being bipartisan as a bad thing. This from E.J. Dionne Jr. of the Washington Post –

The coming week will test the strength of President Obama and the Democrats: Will they lose their nerve, or will they face down a rapidly forming conventional wisdom that would allow them to claim victory only if their economic stimulus package passes with substantial Republican support?

Up to now, Obama has handled his presidential image with the same dexterity he showed as a candidate. His outreach to Republicans has been popular because a streak of anti-partisanship has run through the American soul since the founding of the republic. From the moment he announced his candidacy, Obama has broadened his appeal by speaking to this mistrust of parties.

The president's quest for a new tone in Washington also has a practical motive. He believes that economic recovery is about psychology as well as money and that Americans will have more confidence in the future if they see the nation's politicians cooperating to resolve the crisis.

This may be true, but it creates a problem. If achieving bipartisanship takes priority over the actual content of policy, Republicans are handed a powerful weapon. In theory, they can keep moving the bipartisan bar indefinitely. And each concession to
their sensibilities threatens the solidarity in the president's own camp.

That's why last week's unanimous House Republican opposition to the stimulus plan was so important. For the most part, the Republicans escaped attack for rank partisanship. Instead, what should have been hailed as an administration victory was cast in large parts of the media as a kind of defeat: Obama had placed a heavy emphasis on bipartisanship, and he failed to achieve it.

Worse, from Obama's point of view, Republicans have used the stimulus fight to drive a wedge between the president and his loyal troops in Congress. Some Republicans argued that while the White House was trying to reach out, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her lieutenants were insisting on a "partisan" bill -- even though the measure was largely based on the administration's own proposals.

Obama prides himself on playing the long game and refusing to be distracted by political chatter. He has been known to observe that it is he, and not those who have criticized him for insufficient toughness, who is in the Oval Office.

So what are we to make of all of this? Is Obama really going to live up to the high standards he set for himself in the campaign? And if he does, how long will it take for us to see his plan (seeing as how is seems to be a long-term thinker)? My hope is that he doesn’t let us down. I know that there is no way for any candidate to do all of the things he or she campaigns on, but I truly pray that President Obama really does try and doesn’t just turn into other one of the worthless in Washington.

Update: It looks like I am not the only local blogger asking similar questions. Check out Oklahomily The Blog’s Changing the ‘Tone’ in Washington post for another perspective.