Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Demonspawn Fighter
In Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup, I have a new favorite race/class combination: Demonspawn Fighter. After the Ecumenical Temple is discovered, I choose Trog and become a Berserker. Why not begin as a Berserker in the first place? Fighters begin with valuable experience in Fighting, Armour, and Shields, which are difficult areas for Demonspawn to acquire experience. They come equipped with a regular shield and a decent suit of armour. In addition, the Fighter gets to choose his weapon, whereas the Berserker receives an Axe. I prefer my Demonspawn to train in Maces & Flails for the possibility that it might find a Demon Whip, for which it enjoys racial bonuses.
The Cure for Dandruff
Years ago, my scalp suffered from excessive dryness. The condition was aggravated by my lifestyle. I remained indoors for most of the twenty-four hours in a day, either at work in an air-conditioned (hence, dry) office, or inside my air-conditioned house or air-conditioned car. The dandruff problem was such that a shake of the head caused a snowstorm. The resulting itching from dry skin led to scratching, and scratching led to bleeding, followed by infections.
I tried remedies, such as using anti-dandruff shampoo and even applying a solution of 5% apple vinegar to my scalp after a shower. These remedies helped, but came with disadvantages. Apple vinegar makes one smell like a pickle! I soon abandoned that approach. I went to the doctor to ask for a remedy, and she prescribed a $35 bottle of medicinal shampoo, whose active ingredient was no different than the one found in Selsun Blue. She admitted as much, and suggested that I might save money by buying Selsun Blue. I tried the shampoo for a few months, but it was no cure.
Shampoos are designed to harm hair and cause skin irritation. The manufacturers insert industrial solvents into the shampoo because they are cheap and cause an immediate change in hair color and texture. However, these products can cause a wide variety of dermatological problems.
The actual solution to dandruff is to stop washing hair on a daily basis, as I had been doing. Oil in hair, known as sebum, serves a protective function. Removing it is counter-productive. Frequent hair-washing results in dryer hair and skin, dandruff, and itching. It is also a needless expense. I even noticed that my hair fell out in response to certain shampoos. The loss of hair was of particular concern, because I would prefer not to go bald any sooner than necessary.
Since my hair is naturally oily, I wash mine about once every 1-2 weeks*, depending upon need, using a single application of mild anti-dandruff shampoo, a generic store-brand. I like to see the words "mild" and "gentle" on a shampoo bottle, or even "for dry hair," as I assume that will be milder. I avoid anything marked "for oily hair," because that is likely to contain harsh and irritating solvents. My hair looks great, I don't suffer from dandruff, and my scalp never itches. I am also keeping more of my hair on my head rather than shedding. Why second-guess nature?
* Someone with dry hair should only wash their hair once a month, if that.
I tried remedies, such as using anti-dandruff shampoo and even applying a solution of 5% apple vinegar to my scalp after a shower. These remedies helped, but came with disadvantages. Apple vinegar makes one smell like a pickle! I soon abandoned that approach. I went to the doctor to ask for a remedy, and she prescribed a $35 bottle of medicinal shampoo, whose active ingredient was no different than the one found in Selsun Blue. She admitted as much, and suggested that I might save money by buying Selsun Blue. I tried the shampoo for a few months, but it was no cure.
Shampoos are designed to harm hair and cause skin irritation. The manufacturers insert industrial solvents into the shampoo because they are cheap and cause an immediate change in hair color and texture. However, these products can cause a wide variety of dermatological problems.
The actual solution to dandruff is to stop washing hair on a daily basis, as I had been doing. Oil in hair, known as sebum, serves a protective function. Removing it is counter-productive. Frequent hair-washing results in dryer hair and skin, dandruff, and itching. It is also a needless expense. I even noticed that my hair fell out in response to certain shampoos. The loss of hair was of particular concern, because I would prefer not to go bald any sooner than necessary.
Since my hair is naturally oily, I wash mine about once every 1-2 weeks*, depending upon need, using a single application of mild anti-dandruff shampoo, a generic store-brand. I like to see the words "mild" and "gentle" on a shampoo bottle, or even "for dry hair," as I assume that will be milder. I avoid anything marked "for oily hair," because that is likely to contain harsh and irritating solvents. My hair looks great, I don't suffer from dandruff, and my scalp never itches. I am also keeping more of my hair on my head rather than shedding. Why second-guess nature?
* Someone with dry hair should only wash their hair once a month, if that.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Acting in Haste
The story of a racist USDA employee, pressured to resign over her treatment of a white farmer, was promoted by FOX news, which has never been a credible news source. Any leader who bases his actions upon their stories is not an effective leader and should be replaced. The wife of the white farmer considers Shirley Sherrod a "friend for life." The farmer himself said that she helped him save his farm. In regard to the supposed "racist incident," he said that it sounds like someone is trying to stir up trouble.
One of the problems in general with leaders of all kinds is that they act in haste, motivated by fear, before learning all of the details about a situation. There is almost always time available for cool and calm analysis. Those who think in a heated state of fear or greed will make errors. As a computer programmer, I used time to my advantage, gathering up sufficient details to make informed judgments about the cause of a given problem. This cautious approach allowed me to counter serious problems with effective one-shot kills. I was known as an effective trouble-shooter because I took the time to think things through and consider the possibilities.
Those who make high-level decisions have a similar responsibility as a computer programmer. They must take the time and effort to probe into issues and learn the facts surrounding a case before making a decision. There are very few issues that require an instant response. Rapid reactions should almost never be contemplated unless absolutely necessary. To act quickly without sufficient preparation and analysis is to invite mistakes, which can lead to greater problems. I know this all too well, because I have seen programmers fail. I have seen small problems snowball into great problems. I have cleaned up the resulting messes.
It is not Shirley Sherrod who should resign, but instead her boss, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has revealed an appalling weakness in his leadership style. He reminds me G. W. Bush, who had an enthusiasm for acting in ignorance. Bush was proud of his ignorance, viewing as a kind of virtue, a popular fad among conservatives.
The ignorant remain so due to their pride, which preserves and protects their ignorance. To be curious is good. To want to know more is the way.
One of the problems in general with leaders of all kinds is that they act in haste, motivated by fear, before learning all of the details about a situation. There is almost always time available for cool and calm analysis. Those who think in a heated state of fear or greed will make errors. As a computer programmer, I used time to my advantage, gathering up sufficient details to make informed judgments about the cause of a given problem. This cautious approach allowed me to counter serious problems with effective one-shot kills. I was known as an effective trouble-shooter because I took the time to think things through and consider the possibilities.
Those who make high-level decisions have a similar responsibility as a computer programmer. They must take the time and effort to probe into issues and learn the facts surrounding a case before making a decision. There are very few issues that require an instant response. Rapid reactions should almost never be contemplated unless absolutely necessary. To act quickly without sufficient preparation and analysis is to invite mistakes, which can lead to greater problems. I know this all too well, because I have seen programmers fail. I have seen small problems snowball into great problems. I have cleaned up the resulting messes.
It is not Shirley Sherrod who should resign, but instead her boss, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has revealed an appalling weakness in his leadership style. He reminds me G. W. Bush, who had an enthusiasm for acting in ignorance. Bush was proud of his ignorance, viewing as a kind of virtue, a popular fad among conservatives.
The ignorant remain so due to their pride, which preserves and protects their ignorance. To be curious is good. To want to know more is the way.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Blood Type B is Beautiful
I discovered today that my blood type is B+. I can donate blood to any RH positive person with type AB or B and can receive blood from types O and B. However, I don't plan to make any donations in this lifetime. It is not permitted for gays to donate blood in the U.S. I am not offended by that particular rule, which is designed to reduce the blood supply's exposure to the HIV virus. (I am HIV-, however.)
For the same reason, I cannot donate sperm to most sperm banks. I am opposed to donating sperm anyway, because I'm not sure I would approve of the recipient mother.
According to this article on a popular Japanese pseudoscience, akin to astrology, I possess the following traits:
"Wild" and "unpredictable" are synonyms, I would think.
I will gladly accept any and all unscientific flattery, of course.
The aspect about blood typing that interests me is that type B'ers tend to be clustered in northern India and central Asia, which suggests that a certain line of my ancestors originated from that region. Estonia*, Finland*, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and India all have a relatively high incidence of type B. More Asians than Westerners are type B, and type B is often found among animals (hence the "wild" designation, no doubt).
I have long suspected that my father had a certain amount of Asiatic blood deriving from his mother, who was dark-haired and dark-skinned, though Caucasian. She was said to have been a great beauty, much sought after.
* A possible explanation for the Finns and other Europeans would be migration.
For the same reason, I cannot donate sperm to most sperm banks. I am opposed to donating sperm anyway, because I'm not sure I would approve of the recipient mother.
According to this article on a popular Japanese pseudoscience, akin to astrology, I possess the following traits:
- Type B – The Hunter
- individualist
- dislike custom
- strong
- optimistic
- creative
- flexible
- wild
- unpredictable
"Wild" and "unpredictable" are synonyms, I would think.
I will gladly accept any and all unscientific flattery, of course.
The aspect about blood typing that interests me is that type B'ers tend to be clustered in northern India and central Asia, which suggests that a certain line of my ancestors originated from that region. Estonia*, Finland*, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and India all have a relatively high incidence of type B. More Asians than Westerners are type B, and type B is often found among animals (hence the "wild" designation, no doubt).
I have long suspected that my father had a certain amount of Asiatic blood deriving from his mother, who was dark-haired and dark-skinned, though Caucasian. She was said to have been a great beauty, much sought after.
* A possible explanation for the Finns and other Europeans would be migration.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A Stellar Week
What a stellar week this has been:
-The BP oil leak has been contained (for now)!
-California has a referendum on the ballot that may legalize marijuana!
-Democrats inserted a provision into the Immigration Bill that may equalize immigration rights for married gay couples!
I'm euphoric.
The last measure, in particular, would have a profound effect upon my own life and that of my partner of thirteen years. Of all legislation that has ever been, that one provision would mean the most to me. I called my representatives and urged them to pass it. I don't know what else I can do. I hope the Republicans show a little bit of humanity on this issue instead of their usual knee-jerk opposition to anything at all involving gays. According to Immigration Equality, there are 36,000 Americans like me that would be effected.
My partner's cousin, who is heterosexual, has already received citizenship via marriage. It is only fair that my partner be permitted the same privilege.
-The BP oil leak has been contained (for now)!
-California has a referendum on the ballot that may legalize marijuana!
-Democrats inserted a provision into the Immigration Bill that may equalize immigration rights for married gay couples!
I'm euphoric.
The last measure, in particular, would have a profound effect upon my own life and that of my partner of thirteen years. Of all legislation that has ever been, that one provision would mean the most to me. I called my representatives and urged them to pass it. I don't know what else I can do. I hope the Republicans show a little bit of humanity on this issue instead of their usual knee-jerk opposition to anything at all involving gays. According to Immigration Equality, there are 36,000 Americans like me that would be effected.
My partner's cousin, who is heterosexual, has already received citizenship via marriage. It is only fair that my partner be permitted the same privilege.
Amateur Diagnosis
In my studies of Anatomy and Physiology, I learned about Graves Disease, which is a condition in which the thyroid overproduces thyroid hormones, leading to a constellation of physical and mental abnormalities. Some of these abnormalities may be adaptive to some degree in certain situations. Nothing is good or bad. It is just different. I must remind myself of that. Organic life forms are subtle, much more so than the majority of computer programs. It is estimated that two percent of females suffer from a form of hyperthyroidism.
As I studied the list of symptoms, it occurred to me that a woman of my acquaintance might suffer from hyperthyroidism, which is insidious and sometimes difficult to detect. However, this is not something that I can ever mention to her, as we are no longer in contact. Such an observation would be resented, or at a minimum, misinterpreted. Only close friends can share such observations with one another with impunity. Besides, there is always the possibility that I am mistaken. I can only hope that the psychologists she consulted were aware of the possibility and recommended that she be tested for it.
I would like to live in a nation that devoted its resources to solving the problems of disease and infirmity, rather than starting pointless wars in worthless cesspools around the world. Disease causes more suffering among Americans than the foreign fanatics ever did. It is a worthy foe and more diabolic than the human villains of the day.
As I studied the list of symptoms, it occurred to me that a woman of my acquaintance might suffer from hyperthyroidism, which is insidious and sometimes difficult to detect. However, this is not something that I can ever mention to her, as we are no longer in contact. Such an observation would be resented, or at a minimum, misinterpreted. Only close friends can share such observations with one another with impunity. Besides, there is always the possibility that I am mistaken. I can only hope that the psychologists she consulted were aware of the possibility and recommended that she be tested for it.
I would like to live in a nation that devoted its resources to solving the problems of disease and infirmity, rather than starting pointless wars in worthless cesspools around the world. Disease causes more suffering among Americans than the foreign fanatics ever did. It is a worthy foe and more diabolic than the human villains of the day.
A Paradise on Earth for Republicans
There is a country on earth tailor-made for the Republican Party. In this country, gays are done away with. The army is dominated by the aptly named Republican Guards, who enforce good old-fashioned Republican values. Protesters are beaten, imprisoned and raped. Public affection is punished by torture. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the Republican worldview. This country has everything the Republicans want: state-sponsored religion, violence, guns, torture, prohibition of everything except religion, militarization, disregard for the rights of minorities, and widespread censorship. What's not to like, Republicans?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Hunger
As a young man, I got away with tons of dessert, booze, and fattening snacks. I did not seem to gain very much weight. In later life, the metabolic rate slowed down. I put on pounds.
My new custom is this. When hungry, eat. Otherwise, don't eat. I have found that hunger is the best spice for any food. Savor the flavor.
Recreational eating leads to obesity. I want to be thin again. I have no ambition to become as thin as I was in youth. That would require too much privation, and I'm no Hollywood celebrity that needs to be concerned with body image to such an extent. (I'm thinking of Kathy Griffin, who claims to be hungry all the time.) I'd be satisfied to lose the paunch I've been carrying around the last six years or so.
Recreational eating is delightful, though. If I had just one year remaining, I would eat as much as I want, whenever I want. Recreational eating regulates the mood in an effective manner. All my friends adore eating above all else. I think it is the national pastime.
I am surprised the government has not passed a law against eating, since people enjoy it so much. One might expect a "Food Enforcement Agency" (FEA) to send undercover agents into restaurants and arrest people who indulge in ice cream or cake. The agents would shoot any dog they see, just as DEA agents shot a dog in a marijuana clinic for no apparent reason. They would destroy all the equipment, vandalize the restaurant, and threaten the diners with loaded assault rifles. Such is the way of the DEA with state-registered marijuana clinics that operate fully within the bounds of the law.
The government has chosen to overlook excessive eating for now, possibly because they are still waging war against American citizens over cannabis. One war, or rather three, at a time, must be the rule. Mark my words, though. A war on food is next. After that, a war on oversleeping. Security forces will bang drums to wake people every morning, because it's healthier. Then, a war on game-playing, because it's not productive. After that, a war on book-reading, because book-reading leads to thinking, which is dangerous. Anyone who reads books might start to doubt the government's wars against its own citizens.
My new custom is this. When hungry, eat. Otherwise, don't eat. I have found that hunger is the best spice for any food. Savor the flavor.
Recreational eating leads to obesity. I want to be thin again. I have no ambition to become as thin as I was in youth. That would require too much privation, and I'm no Hollywood celebrity that needs to be concerned with body image to such an extent. (I'm thinking of Kathy Griffin, who claims to be hungry all the time.) I'd be satisfied to lose the paunch I've been carrying around the last six years or so.
Recreational eating is delightful, though. If I had just one year remaining, I would eat as much as I want, whenever I want. Recreational eating regulates the mood in an effective manner. All my friends adore eating above all else. I think it is the national pastime.
I am surprised the government has not passed a law against eating, since people enjoy it so much. One might expect a "Food Enforcement Agency" (FEA) to send undercover agents into restaurants and arrest people who indulge in ice cream or cake. The agents would shoot any dog they see, just as DEA agents shot a dog in a marijuana clinic for no apparent reason. They would destroy all the equipment, vandalize the restaurant, and threaten the diners with loaded assault rifles. Such is the way of the DEA with state-registered marijuana clinics that operate fully within the bounds of the law.
The government has chosen to overlook excessive eating for now, possibly because they are still waging war against American citizens over cannabis. One war, or rather three, at a time, must be the rule. Mark my words, though. A war on food is next. After that, a war on oversleeping. Security forces will bang drums to wake people every morning, because it's healthier. Then, a war on game-playing, because it's not productive. After that, a war on book-reading, because book-reading leads to thinking, which is dangerous. Anyone who reads books might start to doubt the government's wars against its own citizens.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
What Bush Should Have Done in '01
Financial reform. At last.
It's a good thing.
My opinion of the Obama administration has improved quite a bit. Perhaps it will be possible for the U.S. to recover from the Bush Recession.
I hope that Americans will remember that Republicans voted against the bill with only three exceptions. Remember come election day.
It's a good thing.
My opinion of the Obama administration has improved quite a bit. Perhaps it will be possible for the U.S. to recover from the Bush Recession.
I hope that Americans will remember that Republicans voted against the bill with only three exceptions. Remember come election day.
A Dream that Hastens Sleep
Late at night, while lying in bed, I like to imagine my body levitating in immaterial form, the ceiling posing no obstacle. I rest upon a magical black marble block that feels softer than any feather bed. All around me are smoky clouds. It is a safe place and also a dead place where the living may not intrude, and the concerns of the world are nothing. From the clouds emerge eight friendly djinn that massage my body in silence, their hands warm. A greater being, who is benevolent and wise, but unseen, tells me that all is as it should be. Soon I am asleep.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Gay Republicans
My contact with gay Republicans has been limited. They are a rare breed. A poll once showed that 80% of self-identified gay men voted for Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry in '04, as I did. And no wonder--Republican politicians tend to make offensive remarks directed at gays. Republicans, almost by default, tend to oppose anything that might make life more bearable for gays, while favoring laws to make life worse for gays.
In 1996, the Log Cabin Republicans ran an ad in gay newspapers that pointed out that then-President Clinton had done little or nothing for gays. They were right. As a point of fact, the Clinton administration proved to be a disaster for gay Americans, as it oversaw the passage of the misnamed "Defense of Marriage" act as well as "Don't Ask / Don't Tell" in the armed forces. Clinton talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk. I was struck by the advertisement, because the claims it made were all true, and I could not find issue with them. I voted for Clinton anyway, because the alternative was no better, and I agreed with Clinton on other issues. However, Clinton served conservative business interests better than any other group. It is difficult to praise any particular accomplishment made by his administration. Perhaps the best that can be said is that Clinton made fewer blunders than the succeeding administration.
Recently, the Log Cabin Republicans have done something I support, challenging the military's DADT rule in federal court. It is my hope that DADT is struck down in the near future and the armed forces integrated, as is the case in many other countries, such as Israel and the UK.
More information on the Log Cabin Republicans' lawsuit can be found here.
In 1996, the Log Cabin Republicans ran an ad in gay newspapers that pointed out that then-President Clinton had done little or nothing for gays. They were right. As a point of fact, the Clinton administration proved to be a disaster for gay Americans, as it oversaw the passage of the misnamed "Defense of Marriage" act as well as "Don't Ask / Don't Tell" in the armed forces. Clinton talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk. I was struck by the advertisement, because the claims it made were all true, and I could not find issue with them. I voted for Clinton anyway, because the alternative was no better, and I agreed with Clinton on other issues. However, Clinton served conservative business interests better than any other group. It is difficult to praise any particular accomplishment made by his administration. Perhaps the best that can be said is that Clinton made fewer blunders than the succeeding administration.
Recently, the Log Cabin Republicans have done something I support, challenging the military's DADT rule in federal court. It is my hope that DADT is struck down in the near future and the armed forces integrated, as is the case in many other countries, such as Israel and the UK.
More information on the Log Cabin Republicans' lawsuit can be found here.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Cost of Freedom?
Keeping guns legal, cheap and easily obtained has tangible costs in terms of human lives, as demonstrated by this recent atrocity.
Making marijuana legal would have no cost at all in human lives.
Why are conservative Republicans so irrational that they oppose even the mildest restrictions on guns, but want severe penalties for marijuana?
This logical contradiction is enough reason, all by itself, to vote against Republicans in every election. However, Republicans are generous. They supply thousands of other reasons to vote against them. One logical contradiction follows another when it comes to the GOP. Logic is their weak point.
Making marijuana legal would have no cost at all in human lives.
Why are conservative Republicans so irrational that they oppose even the mildest restrictions on guns, but want severe penalties for marijuana?
This logical contradiction is enough reason, all by itself, to vote against Republicans in every election. However, Republicans are generous. They supply thousands of other reasons to vote against them. One logical contradiction follows another when it comes to the GOP. Logic is their weak point.
Does Reagan Deserve to be on a Stamp?
The chorus of adulation that always attends any mention of former President Reagan in the mainstream media ignores the outcomes of his administration's policies. It is due to Reagan's poor decision to support Bin Laden and the Islamic resistance in Afghanistan that we are bogged down in Afghanistan today, just like the Soviets from 1979 - 1989. Apparently, the conservative right-wingers in the U.S. felt guilty for what they inflicted upon the Soviet Union and were determined to inflict the same injury upon the U.S., although it is likely the final tab for our war will exceed anything incurred by the frugal Soviets.
I do not think anyone would mind a communist Afghanistan today. Certainly, no Republicans blink at buying goods manufactured in communist China. A modern communist Afghanistan would have been far preferable to what is there now and what may be there in the future. Women would have been better off in a communist Afghanistan.
Incidentally, why is it that the U.S. is hostile toward Communist Cuba, while maintaining cordial relations toward Communist China? China's government is far less ethical than Cuba's. To be sure, the government of Cuba is a dictatorship, but it does not appear to be of quite the same character as Iran's. China has shown belligerence to Taiwan, a U.S. ally, going so far as to threaten the little island-nation with total annihilation. The U.S. should at least have the same scope of relations with Cuba as it does with China, in order to be morally consistent. Otherwise, the hypocrisy is clear for all to observe.
Reagan was a loyal friend to Osama Bin Laden and other Islamic fundamentalists, even going so far as selling arms to Iran in a covert manner. Reagan was unable to see past the anticommunist rhetoric he had immersed himself in during his career. According to his worldview, communism was the only threat. He was wrong about that, just as he was wrong about a great many other things.
Reagan began in earnest the great budget-busting deficit spending that was to lead to today's enormous federal debt of eleven trillion dollars. Rather than be a good steward of the economy, Reagan siphoned funds from taxpayers to the defense industry on the pretext of guarding against a phantom Soviet threat. It is due to the policies of Reagan and succeeding administrations that the U.S. is in the economic situation that it is today. The only area of manufacturing where the U.S. retains a high competence involves weapons of war. However, war is not a product that consumers in other nations wish to buy. Hence, the trade deficit.
Until greater numbers of voters elect liberal, left-wing politicians, then it can be anticipated that the U.S. will spend all available monies on weaponry and gadgets of war. Under any Republican administration, it can be anticipated that the U.S. will engage in counter-productive overseas adventures to feed the egos of vain old men who like to play at being armchair generals. It is the only thing that is capable of amusing their simple minds. Toy soldiers, bombs, boom, boom, I win, you lose. Republicans despise science, education, research, and development, because these things tend to challenge their preconceived beliefs about the world and about reality. This is why Republicans tend to reduce funding for education and scientific research, while increasing funding for weapons and wars. A vote for a Republican is a vote for barbarism, corruption, and ignorance. Today, the U.S. is still reeling from eight years of neglect and decay under the G. W. Bush administration. It may take eighteen years to repair what was undone in eight.
I do not think anyone would mind a communist Afghanistan today. Certainly, no Republicans blink at buying goods manufactured in communist China. A modern communist Afghanistan would have been far preferable to what is there now and what may be there in the future. Women would have been better off in a communist Afghanistan.
Incidentally, why is it that the U.S. is hostile toward Communist Cuba, while maintaining cordial relations toward Communist China? China's government is far less ethical than Cuba's. To be sure, the government of Cuba is a dictatorship, but it does not appear to be of quite the same character as Iran's. China has shown belligerence to Taiwan, a U.S. ally, going so far as to threaten the little island-nation with total annihilation. The U.S. should at least have the same scope of relations with Cuba as it does with China, in order to be morally consistent. Otherwise, the hypocrisy is clear for all to observe.
Reagan was a loyal friend to Osama Bin Laden and other Islamic fundamentalists, even going so far as selling arms to Iran in a covert manner. Reagan was unable to see past the anticommunist rhetoric he had immersed himself in during his career. According to his worldview, communism was the only threat. He was wrong about that, just as he was wrong about a great many other things.
Reagan began in earnest the great budget-busting deficit spending that was to lead to today's enormous federal debt of eleven trillion dollars. Rather than be a good steward of the economy, Reagan siphoned funds from taxpayers to the defense industry on the pretext of guarding against a phantom Soviet threat. It is due to the policies of Reagan and succeeding administrations that the U.S. is in the economic situation that it is today. The only area of manufacturing where the U.S. retains a high competence involves weapons of war. However, war is not a product that consumers in other nations wish to buy. Hence, the trade deficit.
Until greater numbers of voters elect liberal, left-wing politicians, then it can be anticipated that the U.S. will spend all available monies on weaponry and gadgets of war. Under any Republican administration, it can be anticipated that the U.S. will engage in counter-productive overseas adventures to feed the egos of vain old men who like to play at being armchair generals. It is the only thing that is capable of amusing their simple minds. Toy soldiers, bombs, boom, boom, I win, you lose. Republicans despise science, education, research, and development, because these things tend to challenge their preconceived beliefs about the world and about reality. This is why Republicans tend to reduce funding for education and scientific research, while increasing funding for weapons and wars. A vote for a Republican is a vote for barbarism, corruption, and ignorance. Today, the U.S. is still reeling from eight years of neglect and decay under the G. W. Bush administration. It may take eighteen years to repair what was undone in eight.
Iran's Dictator
Under the reign of Khameini, dictator of Iran, homosexuality is punishable by death. However, those who protest against his tyranny may be sent to Evin prison, where men and women may be subjected to any form of torture, including anal rape. Clearly, what the dictator finds repulsive is not a particular sex act, but the component of love that is found in homosexual relationships. Khameini and his conservative allies are the sworn enemies of love. All their actions are calculated to spread hatred in the world. Khameini's single-minded quest for atomic bombs can be understood as a grasping after a superior instrument for sowing hatred in the world. He believes that the acquisition of nuclear weapons will permanently establish the tyranny.
Russia' Putin, meanwhile, finds various opportunities for diminishing the influence of the Western powers by dealing with the Iranian tyrant. Putin commits the same error made by his predecessor, Stalin, in 1939, neglecting to recognize that his future enemy is on his border, not on another continent.
Russia' Putin, meanwhile, finds various opportunities for diminishing the influence of the Western powers by dealing with the Iranian tyrant. Putin commits the same error made by his predecessor, Stalin, in 1939, neglecting to recognize that his future enemy is on his border, not on another continent.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Irony
It is ironic that Laura Lingle, Governor of Hawaii, vetoed a gay marriage bill. Were it not for the work of the Suffragettes, some of whom were lesbian, she would not even have the right to vote today, let alone hold public office. A similar irony attends conservative African-Americans that oppose gay marriage. Gays made important contributions to the civil rights movement. It is interesting that some people feel so confident of their position in contemporary society that they feel at liberty to throw derision and scorn upon their traditional and historical allies.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Show, Don't Tell
One of the problems with the old adage, "Show, Don't Tell," which is recited to writers, is that for most of us, telling is all we know. In school, every lecture is a tell. Technical books, magazines, and newspapers all tell. Almost all friends and acquaintances tell. Seldom is there any showing, except on television in drama. Therefore, a writer is best served by absorbing large amounts of drama written by other writers. Those writers that neglect to absorb the output of their peers would seem to be at a disadvantage.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Most Important Friend to Have
I wish I were a wizard. A good test for certain individuals would be to magically clone them just as they are--personality, money, status, family, everything--and see whether they get along with their clone, or whether they discover, to their dismay, that they simply can't stand themselves. Some would like themselves and form a solid friendship (or maybe much more) with their clone.
I think it is best to make friends with one's self. This should happen as soon as possible in life. Only then is it possible to evaluate other people in fairness and learn to appreciate other people just as they are. To like one's self is to accept the flaws along with the good parts. It requires accepting one's essential human nature.
it is painful to watch a person that does not feel comfortable in their own skin. Yet there are many such people in the world. They project an unflattering vision of themselves. Sometimes they are aware of doing so. Other people will perceive a person's self-image and take it into consideration. Our primary reference is ourselves, not others. We introduce ourselves to the world, as if to say, "Here I am, and here is how you should see me." Therefore, it is best to project a beautiful vision of one's self. If one believes in one's self, then the rest will follow.
I think it is best to make friends with one's self. This should happen as soon as possible in life. Only then is it possible to evaluate other people in fairness and learn to appreciate other people just as they are. To like one's self is to accept the flaws along with the good parts. It requires accepting one's essential human nature.
it is painful to watch a person that does not feel comfortable in their own skin. Yet there are many such people in the world. They project an unflattering vision of themselves. Sometimes they are aware of doing so. Other people will perceive a person's self-image and take it into consideration. Our primary reference is ourselves, not others. We introduce ourselves to the world, as if to say, "Here I am, and here is how you should see me." Therefore, it is best to project a beautiful vision of one's self. If one believes in one's self, then the rest will follow.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Rosalyn Carter on "The Daily Show"
One of my favorite guests in recent memory on "The Daily Show" was Rosalyn Carter, who appeared in the May 4th, 2010 episode. She is a stalwart advocate of the mentally ill and tried to persuade Jon to become involved as an investigative journalist on behalf of mental health issues. Her biography on Wikipedia is impressive. She sat in on Cabinet Meetings in the White House.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Get Them on Camera
Another film maker has captured the face of homophobia on camera, documenting the money trail from the Mormon Church to the passage of Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California. Capturing the homophobes on camera creates a record that will damn them for all time. It will help historians in the task of assigning of blame and praise when describing our era.
The state senator pictured in the above article, described as a "proud homophobe," should be in the dictionary right beside the word "homophobe." They are not easy on the eyes, to say the least.
The state senator pictured in the above article, described as a "proud homophobe," should be in the dictionary right beside the word "homophobe." They are not easy on the eyes, to say the least.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Signposts
One of the problems that faced gay youth in former decades was the lack of signposts in our society. Growing up, there didn't seem to be much of a future. There were few or no role models. Marriage was not an option and still is not in most states. All teachers at school either professed to be or were straight, or else never alluded to their love lives, leaving it an unmentionable mystery. A student could get a detention just for asking! As for the other students, everyone referred to gays as "fags," and their understanding of it, if any deeper than the label itself, went no further than the sex acts, described in the crudest manner. To make matters worse, homosexuality was associated with AIDS and death. "GAY" stood for "Got Aids Yet?", a formula recited by millions of schoolchildren the world over. Of course, no one at Church was gay! That goes without saying. Homosexuality was never mentioned from the pulpit in either a positive or a negative way.
The local newspaper occasionally mentioned the subject, but only in the context of crime: man rapes boy; undercover officer arrests homosexual in public bathroom or park; young men tie up and rob homosexual lawyer, who reports the crime only to be exposed as a homosexual in the newspaper. Sometimes the paper printed right-wing editorials that characterized homosexuals as every conceivable type of villain imaginable. My blood used to boil reading those editorials, because I knew they were outrageously unfair. Sometimes I wrote a letter to the editor to complain about it, but I was never bold enough to sign my own name, being a teenager at the time. I was sure it would get me in trouble somehow. The newspaper never published my letters anyway.
My letters tended to be discarded without response, whether I was writing to the newspaper, a magazine, or to the man who wrote a weekly column in our paper. In the last case, however, I remember writing a letter arguing in the most passionate terms for the inclusion of young gay men in the military. This time, I wrote in longhand, without a computer, to make it more personal, and signed the letter with my name. I said that I myself was eighteen years old, six feet tall, of sound mind and body, strong and brave and ready to die to defend my country. How can anyone deny me the right to serve my country? He did not respond, and I thought my effort was wasted. However, ten years later, he wrote in his column in favor of gays in the military. I think my letter may have had a delayed impact. Sometimes one plants a seed, and long does it take to root and grow. But all that I had written was true. I did not say anything that I did not believe in with all my soul. When one writes the truth, it carries great weight among those that are capable of discerning truth from falsehood. Never forget this. It is to the credit of good people, because they speak the truth. Evil-doers must lie, because it is their nature, but they will be discovered.
In many cases, I later learned that the most outspoken homophobes were themselves closeted homosexuals, which filled me with a sense of sadness and irony. Why would they betray their own kind? Homophobia was a common kind of self-hate. The men most likely to tolerate homosexuals were the ones that were popular with women and completely comfortable with their heterosexuality. A heterosexual man is pleased to find that there is less competition for females. Only the men that were uncertain about their sexual preference felt they had something to prove. They were the ones that wrote slander against homosexuals in newspapers and magazines.
My parents excluded all adult gays from their society, so I was never exposed to productive, mature, working adult gays. The lack of signposts are a negative influence upon gay youth. For my part, I fell in with criminal elements, the drop-outs and outcasts of our society, because I felt that I must be one too. There was a sense of kinship, of shared destiny. I rather wish there had been signposts, visible guides that demonstrated for me an obtainable future. Censorship, repression, and bullying did not help. Instead, they reinforced a sense that I was different, possibly bad.
I am not sure that the right-wingers really understand the benefits that will trickle down to everyone. Their view of human nature tends to be rather paranoid and punitive. Despite the kicking and screaming of the right-wingers, we are becoming a more human society, more genuine and closer to the heart. The changes that have come about in this country in the area of gay rights so far have been encouraging and signs of positive growth for our society. There will be many that lead happier and more productive lives as a result. A stronger nation will result. No one ever wanted sexuality to be a political issue. I would prefer my love life to be private and of no consequence. When confronted with systematic injustice, politicization becomes a necessity. We have other issues of great importance to confront, and by no means is homosexuality the final frontier. There is also poverty, disease, war, and the environment. But having a more enlightened approach to homosexuality helps. It is one more brick placed into the foundation of a sane society.
The local newspaper occasionally mentioned the subject, but only in the context of crime: man rapes boy; undercover officer arrests homosexual in public bathroom or park; young men tie up and rob homosexual lawyer, who reports the crime only to be exposed as a homosexual in the newspaper. Sometimes the paper printed right-wing editorials that characterized homosexuals as every conceivable type of villain imaginable. My blood used to boil reading those editorials, because I knew they were outrageously unfair. Sometimes I wrote a letter to the editor to complain about it, but I was never bold enough to sign my own name, being a teenager at the time. I was sure it would get me in trouble somehow. The newspaper never published my letters anyway.
My letters tended to be discarded without response, whether I was writing to the newspaper, a magazine, or to the man who wrote a weekly column in our paper. In the last case, however, I remember writing a letter arguing in the most passionate terms for the inclusion of young gay men in the military. This time, I wrote in longhand, without a computer, to make it more personal, and signed the letter with my name. I said that I myself was eighteen years old, six feet tall, of sound mind and body, strong and brave and ready to die to defend my country. How can anyone deny me the right to serve my country? He did not respond, and I thought my effort was wasted. However, ten years later, he wrote in his column in favor of gays in the military. I think my letter may have had a delayed impact. Sometimes one plants a seed, and long does it take to root and grow. But all that I had written was true. I did not say anything that I did not believe in with all my soul. When one writes the truth, it carries great weight among those that are capable of discerning truth from falsehood. Never forget this. It is to the credit of good people, because they speak the truth. Evil-doers must lie, because it is their nature, but they will be discovered.
In many cases, I later learned that the most outspoken homophobes were themselves closeted homosexuals, which filled me with a sense of sadness and irony. Why would they betray their own kind? Homophobia was a common kind of self-hate. The men most likely to tolerate homosexuals were the ones that were popular with women and completely comfortable with their heterosexuality. A heterosexual man is pleased to find that there is less competition for females. Only the men that were uncertain about their sexual preference felt they had something to prove. They were the ones that wrote slander against homosexuals in newspapers and magazines.
My parents excluded all adult gays from their society, so I was never exposed to productive, mature, working adult gays. The lack of signposts are a negative influence upon gay youth. For my part, I fell in with criminal elements, the drop-outs and outcasts of our society, because I felt that I must be one too. There was a sense of kinship, of shared destiny. I rather wish there had been signposts, visible guides that demonstrated for me an obtainable future. Censorship, repression, and bullying did not help. Instead, they reinforced a sense that I was different, possibly bad.
I am not sure that the right-wingers really understand the benefits that will trickle down to everyone. Their view of human nature tends to be rather paranoid and punitive. Despite the kicking and screaming of the right-wingers, we are becoming a more human society, more genuine and closer to the heart. The changes that have come about in this country in the area of gay rights so far have been encouraging and signs of positive growth for our society. There will be many that lead happier and more productive lives as a result. A stronger nation will result. No one ever wanted sexuality to be a political issue. I would prefer my love life to be private and of no consequence. When confronted with systematic injustice, politicization becomes a necessity. We have other issues of great importance to confront, and by no means is homosexuality the final frontier. There is also poverty, disease, war, and the environment. But having a more enlightened approach to homosexuality helps. It is one more brick placed into the foundation of a sane society.
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