notes from the wonderGround

The Loquacious Leftist

If you are on Westlake Avenue traveling south, just down from the Fremont Bridge, there lies a business on the West side of the street.  Im not sure what exactly they do.  There is always a large supply of High School Lockers, Barbecue Grills, Propane Tanks and the like, grouped in bunches along the site.  Besides being of a nature that doesn't immediately strike me as interesting, what this business is distinguished for is one of those lighted signs with the removable letters, similar to the ones they use for show times at a lot of movie theaters--also in a yellow version at gas stations or convenience stores.  In addition to not knowing the nature of that business, I also am not sure if that sign was initially used for different purposes than it is used for now.  As long as I have known, the sign has been the voice of political dissent.  Faithfully, it has spoken of CIA Leaks, WARS for OIL, Faulty Intelligence, Lack of Intelligence, and most of the other political evils that plague our nations government. 

When I started to write about this sign, it was because of how funny I found the recent statement adorning it.  It read "Wake Up America.  Will someone please give him a blow job so we can impeach him?"  Of course, I found this amusing enough to share.  But then I realized that I have been working out a fairly long "Condemnation of Silence" piece for posting at a later date.  The fact that the sign so clearly relates to this piece had escaped me until now.  Of course I love the fact that someone makes a Joke about Oral Sex and all the implications it holds for the chief executive. 

I am impressed more though when I recognize that this sign is more.  It is and has been an unwavering voice for freedom and against the war.  It stood as approval ratings for the war were at an all time high, not waxing or waning with public opinion. 

Critics may argue that the sign has never changed anyones mind.  Or that it speaks in sound bites or catch phrases.  (These critics likely never held the President to any standard of speech.  I would rather have a catch phrase than a full sentence replete with non-existent words.)  Further, I wouldn't know how you could ever prove the sign hasnt' changed anyone's mind.  My bigger point has little to do with changing minds.  At very least, the sign provides a constant ally to those individuals and groups who may choose to sit quietly.

I Knew It

"You'd be surprised at how much time is devoted to discussion of you when you're not around. People are intrigued, concerned, irritated, fascinated--even obsessed--with the things that you do.  I don't mention it so you can start giving a shit about what they're talking about--it's irrelevant, at least in terms of substance.  But you ought to know that they're doing it.  Since your friends are likely to jump to conclusions or make surreal group decisions about you this week.  I'd rather you not be too surprised when they announce them.  If you're prepared, you'll be able to handle whatever ridiculousness with grace and dignity, instead of the flip-out they're probably expecting."

Run Goose Run

Know how in action movies there is a flood of rushing water, or flames shooting down the hallway, and the characters must make it just to the exit or water-tight ship hatch or they are sure to be done for?

Yeah, it's like that.

A lot I think.

O for the love of Pete

The only loss we have is to the two, soon to be three time, defending champion.  Holders of the longest winning streak since Miami.  Inevitably the Heismann will once again be awarded to a player from that team. 

We decimate our Arch rival by the third largest margin in history.  52 to 14 for you Huskies who may not have noticed, or you Cougars who know how to count, or for you Beavers because obviously YOU MISSED IT.

And the BCS rates us wha....wheerr....whu....bubuuttutt.  Did they run the 2000 election in Florida?  Perhaps "Brownie" has found new employment now that he isn't serving those in the Gulf States??? 

I mean really?  Who in the BCS is Fucking JoePaw?  He's 107 years old man, that's gross.

 

Kennedy for President

Senator Kennedy's Response to remarks by Dick Cheney, regarding pre-war intelligence.

Vice President Cheney says, "any suggestion that prewar information was distorted, hyped, or fabricated by the leader of the nation is utterly false." But the Vice President carefully doesn't say whether he or someone else distorted, hyped or fabricated that information and fed it to the President.

Congress and the American people deserve truth and honesty from their government. It's time for the Administration to tell the truth about how and why we went to war in Iraq.

Can I get an AMEN? 

Just Because You Have a Reason

If I put myself in the same situation - where I have to choose between staying here with all my friends, and working at a place that makes me insane or moving to a new city where I know no one but allows for a fulfilling work life - I fully understand how the choice to leave can be made.  Seeing a 92% chance that this is the way it is gonna go for a very good friend is not something I can argue against.

But I wear my own shoes.  And after Richie, then Archie, seeing another one leave (no matter that this one has a legitimate reason)  provides no comfort.

There are Known Knowns

So Libby is apparently not the first official to reveal that Valerie Plame was a CIA operative.  Woodward has come out as saying he heard it prior to Libby revealing it to reporters.

As Scooter hits the Champion Party supply store for some noise makers and balloons, I would caution not to celebrate too soon. 

Fitzgerald didn't claim that Libby was the first to ever reveal Plames identity, only that he is the first KNOWN to have revealed it.  Also, the claim was made in opposition to Libby's claim that he heard it from reporters.  So unless he heard it from Woodward, all this means is that someone else needs to be indicted.  I think we all knew that anyway.

Language

How much difference does it make how events are described, especially by the press?  I was reminded by the guy on MSNBC, that perceptions are almost entirely based on how things are phrased.  This is expecially telling listening to every report of anything coming out of the current White House.

Today the report sounded like this; "Today, coalition forces suffered another five casualties in a firefight with Iraqi insurgents."  It is tragic, and it sounds tragic.

A different observer may describe it as "Five US Marines were killed in a firefight against insurgents in Iraq."  Probably more accurate.  "Coalition forces," is terminology designed specifically to suggest that the US isn't alone in their effort in Iraq.  While technically correct, the number of casualties suffered by US forces total 2080 as of today, the next highest casualty count is 97 by UK forces.  If you remove US and UK forces from the "Coalition,"  Italy would have the highest casualty count at 27, followed by Ukraine at 18 and Poland at 17.  This totally bastardizes the English language.  It may just as well be said that Gustavo or Jeremy have Salt and Pepper hair.  Please.

If you believe, as I do, that this war was undertaken based on demonstrable lies, and in violation of international law, then the phrasing becomes even more problematic.  Coalition forces would be fighting an unjust war.  They would be accurately described as Invading forces, or Occupying forces.  The "insurgents," fighting against the invading forces would be betters described as "defenders." 

The war effort continues to become increasingly unpopular.  This is true, despite what I would argue is deceptive terminology used to describe it.  Imagine how the public would react if Chris Matthews were on TV saying "a deadly day for US forces in it's invasion of Iraq, as Iraqi Defenders killed 5 marines in a firefight."

I will accept that this is worded in a way that is sure to irritate.  I would like to hear arguments that the description is somehow inaccurate.

Unintended Adherance to Rumsfield Doctrine

Im not sure when I first heard the thought that our military should be large enough and equiped  in a manner that would allow us to fight two wars simultaneously, regardless of the geographic distance between the two areas. 

Of course believing in non violent action as a superior avenue to achieve most political objectives, I have rejected that notion consistently from the beginning.

Observe the hypocrisy on my part, as I ridicule the policy when it's discussed by the administration.  Yet, I proceed to fight two wars simultaneously against two adversaries right here at home.  Fortunately for me, the proximity is fairly close, and the methods of the two opponents are remarkably similar.   

For both though, the technique utilized is heavy with psychological warfare.  The effect of which is a high degree of success in CONFUSING THE FUCK OUT OF ME.

All Girls School???