1.  Taboo Plaza

 

Socialism. 

It’s a dirty word in this country and you better not identify yourself out loud with it politically.

Liberals hold a high ground over socialists, conservatives revile them.

The funny thing is that most Americans are the product of a Socialist country.  Public education- until recently- represents one of the finest instruments of a Socialist state.  When I was a kid, capitalist schools were called private schools and they were for people of the well-off persuasion.

A charter school does not hold the same aura of mystique that a private school had in the 70’s and 80’s.  The girls of Facts of Life did not derive from the lower classes until Jo became the token of snobby, princesses.  Mrs. Garrett clearly didn’t work for a charter school.

Police forces, fire departments and public libraries all across the United States of America present fine justifications for at least a partial openness to considering socialist structures.

We do not need to begin marching in lock step and killing illegitimate Presbyterian babies before great dancing flames of burning literature in order to at least adjudicate on the fate of socialism in a public debate.

Where’s the conversation?

Usually it focuses on the evils committed by former socialist states.  It is important to recognize; however, that socialism governs the economy.  Dictatorships govern political policy.

No clear correlation suggests that a democratic state could not cohabitate with a socialist economic state.

We live with the aforementioned examples within our own civilization.  What other areas could be improved with a little applied socialism?

Medicine probably wouldn’t hurt for a bit of that application.  Research and development could break beyond the realms of looking for the safest gel to pump into a woman’s breast and actually focus on things that will advance the species.  A cure for cancer might even be discovered were more incentives offered toward that goal.

Yet maybe that’s not really the answer either.  Cure cancer and where do you go from there?  More people living longer: more problems with Social Security.

These things must be thought through thoroughly.  The answer is never simple, but the verboten ideas should still be explored.  If for nothing more than to dust it off, denounce it for the piece of trash that it is and then move on to the next topic.

Intelligent discussion should be required in our government?  

Could socialism provide that?

I think it could if it were only talked about. 

Before reading too far into that last comment, raise your eyes four sentences and read again.

A little stated fact is that the U.S. Army greatly resembles a communist regime in many ways.  For instance, Army bases generally consist of government-invested businesses, pay is equal across the tiers and camaraderie is enforced with saluting and calling of ‘sir.’  The Army fighting for democracy emulates communism.

Apparently, we may not be supporting our troops enough because too many people denounce the military lifestyle by refusing to consider socialism as a viable means to serve the public.

 

2.     Current Affairs

 

Early in the week, President Bush delivered his State of the Union address to Congress.  Many pieces of individual commentary have drained anything remotely interesting from this lack luster speech, but the one piece of action to emerge is a Congress moving like a herd of upset bees.

Republican senators may offer alternative Iraq resolutions.

‘What should we do?’

Sending more troops to Iraq is a disaster.

‘How should we spin this?’

The Democrats are carefully evaluating their plan of non-attack.  If they are direct in opposition, the fear is the public will see Democrats as obstructionist.  If they can make proposals that a few Republicans will support they will pass through a bill with little effort, scrutiny or publicity.

GOP Senators Criticize Iraq Plan

The push-through bill will effectively not do anything more than place Democrat names on a historical piece of evidence stating that they didn’t support continuing the war in Iraq years after the support to start it was collected.

I sure am glad I live in a democracy. 

It makes me feel so much safer.

 

You Tube has received some attention in the last couple of months.  Let the lawsuits begin.

Fox sinks teeth into You Tube.

I’m not sure, but if I were an artist of any noteworthy status, I think the more exposure I got the better off I would be.  I suppose you really have to ask yourself a few questions.

‘Am I eating?’

‘Do I have a place to live?’

‘What else do I really need?’

You Tube is awesome and if your stuff is being ripped off on You Tube then more than likely you are already making money on the stuff being ripped off.

 

The U.S. is at war in Afghanistan.  The U.S. is at war in Iraq.  We’re also attacking parts of Somalia and building up an ocean front battle force off the coast. 

One might think we’re stretched too thin (seeing as we’re having such a problem figuring out where an additional 21,500 troops will come from to send to Iraq) that doesn’t mean we can’t fight at least three more wars.

U.S. Launches New Airstrike in Somalia.

We’re going after Al Qaeda so everything is jazzy.  It just seems to me that maybe something more is happening than is being talked about.

Sudan, Somalia to dominate African summit.

It’s really not as if anyone is really saying anything about Somalia in this country anyway.

 

3.     Then Humans Discovered…

 

Absent and still carrying on the random pattern.

 

4.     Getting to Know Your Government

 

The four Senators featured last week have 11 years average time in public service as U.S. Senators.  This week’s batch of Senators average 21.5 years time in public office as U.S. Senators.

 

Christopher Dodd (Democrat, Connecticut)

·        Religion: Roman Catholic

·        1968: Providence College, BA

·        1968: Peace Corp

·        1972: University of Louisville, JD

·        1975- 1981: U.S. House of Representatives

·        1981- present: U.S. Senator

 

Joe Lieberman (Democrat, Connecticut)

·        Religion: Judaism

·        1964: Yale University, B.A.

·        1967: Yale Law School, LLB

·        1970- 1980: Connecticut Senator

·        1982- 1988: Connecticut Attorney General

·        1988- present: U.S. Senator

 

Joseph Biden (Democrat, Delaware)

·        Religion: Roman Catholic

·        1965: University of Delaware

·        1968: Syracuse University College of Law

·        1972- present: U.S. Senator

 

Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, Delaware)

·        Religion: Presbyterian

·        1968: Ohio State University, BS

·        1968- 1973: U.S. Navy Flight Officer

·        1978: University of  Delaware, MBA

·        1977- 1983: Delaware State Treasurer

·        1983- 1993: U.S. House of Representatives

·        1993- 2001: Governor of Delaware

·        2001- present: U.S. Senator

 

5.     Our Nation is Now Dumber for This…Thank You for Your Participation!

 

Absent and still carrying on the random pattern.

 

6.     Down On Rage Street

 

‘Oral contraceptives are not for everyone.’

Translated that means you are a big dummy if you think an oral contraceptive will protect you from an STD.

‘Most side effects of the Pill are not serious and those that are, occur infrequently.’ 

What the hell does that mean?

Loestrin 24 Fe’s goddamn disclaimers drive me nuts.

Which Pill and why is the ‘p’ capitalized?  How do you feel- having read this- if you get a brain tumor or something along those lines taking a pill that keeps you from having a baby and allowing you to have all the sex you want?

‘Serious risks, which can be life threatening…’

Who the hell is reading any further than this and still considering this product?  They are telling you that you could die taking this pill.  Taking this pill and smoking a cigarette are now on the same level.

‘The serious risks could include: blood clots, stroke and heart attacks.’

Have some more sex without the risk of having a baby.  Heart attacks are seriously overrated.  You don’t want no baby.

‘Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you’re over 35.’

            How many smokers over the age of 35 had to die before this Pill went to market?

For the terminally stupid: “the Pill does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted disease.”

Any ad that contains more than 5 words as a disclaimer probably shouldn’t be purchased.  It means they’re covering their butts because they’re not 100% sure of what exactly will happen to you when begin using their product.  Now look at the bottom of what you just put in your mouth and have a good evening.

 

7.     My Butthole Bleeds for You…Really….It Does

 

Hey! 

Wow! 

There’s another season of American Idol on television.  In case you didn’t know, the judges are mean.  I mean people cry, just in case you don’t know.

Simon Cowell traumatizes an American Idol contestant and it makes news?  Are you kidding me?

Thank god the lame-people part of the season is almost over, because after they filter out all the stinkers I stop watching.  Who really cares who wins?  (Anyone heard from Ruben Studdard lately?)  The fun part about American Idol is watching all the lame-o’s getting laughed at.

 

 

8.     Tip of the week

 

What’s one more day?  Why does it have to be done now and why do you have to do it?  There must be a time for relaxing.  The world around you will happen.  How will you react?  How will you know when to react?

Just relax and listen.

 

9.     Birthday Shout Outs (1-21 to 1-27)

 

·        (1/21/1925) Benny Hill- This guy was the first dirty old man I ever saw outside of my family.  Plus he’s apparently spawned a theory amongst the youngsters.  Long live the memory of Benny Hill.

·        (1/21/1938) Wolfman Jack- It takes quite a bit of talent to make the transition from radio to any kind of steady television work.  This guy did it by just sounding cool.

·        (1/21/1952) Billy Ocean- He hit the U.S. Charts a couple of times in his career.

·        (1/21/1963) Hakeem Olajuwon- He played in the NBA for 18 years.  17 of those years were with the same team.  That’s an all-star

·        (1/22/1931) Sam Cooke- He’s considered by some to be the founder of soul music.

·        (1/22/1953) Steve Perry- He was the front man for Journey.  What else do you need to accomplish in life after that?  He also sported the sweet mullet.

·        (1/22/1954) Tully Blanchard- This guy was in the Four Horsemen.  He had a hell of a wrestling career.

·        (1/22/1959) Linda Blair- She worked quite a bit, but nothing ever reached the level of The Exorcist.  Everyone associated with that project, very well, may burn in hell but thank you for the effort.

·        (1/23/1737) John Hancock- What would you put down on paper whenever you sign your name if it weren’t for this guy.

·        (1/23/1832) Edouard Manet- He inspired the Impressionist painting movement.  That’s got to count for something right?

·        (1/23/1919) Ernie Kovacs- An early television entertainer.  He’s claimed by some to be ahead of his time.

·        (1/23/1953) Robin Zander- Lead singer and guitarist for Cheap Trick.

·        (1/24/1917) Ernest Borgnine- This guy has been around forever.  With Escape From New York and The Dirty Dozen to his credits he’s a legend in my book.  (Side note for the kids- he’s also the voice for Mermaid Man in some of the Sponge Bob Square Pants episodes.)

·        (1/24/1939) Ray Stevens- He did the country comedy thing long before Foxworthy or the crew were around.

·        (1/24/1941) Neil Diamond- I’m not a huge fan, but I can’t resist an opportunity to watch Will Ferrell parodying.

·        (1/25/1882) Virginia Woolf- Once again, not a big fan.  It takes a lot during her time to be recognized as long as she has been.

·        (1/25/1953) Honky Tonk Man- “He’s cool, he’s cocky, he’s bad.”  He really couldn’t wrestle that well though.  All of that aside, he was very entertaining.

·        (1/26/1880) Douglas MacArthur- He’s a key figure in the modern world and can probably take a large portion of credit for Japan’s success today.

·        (1/26/1925) Paul Newman- Salad dressings aside, this guy is ubiquitous in American film history.  Great movies starring Paul Newman include: Slap Shot, The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke and The Hustler.

·        (1/26/1944) Angela Davis- She’s a civil rights icon that is only recognized in certain circles.  You’ve got to be cool to sport an afro like this.

·        (1/26/1955) Eddie Van Halen- Van Halen is one of the greatest rock bands in American history.  Sometimes it just seems too bad that the band’s name is also the last name of the lead guitarist for the band, although he is unquestionably one of the greatest rock guitarists.

·        (1/26/1958) Ellen Degeneres- She proves that you can be quirky with a touch of idiot and still be funny.

·        (1/26/1960) Road Warrior Animal- The Road Warriors are wrestling icons. They’ve wrestled and been huge everywhere.

·         (1/27/1756) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart- It’s Mozart.  What can I say that would have any bearing on anything this guy’s done.  He’s a longer lasting icon than the United States of America.

·        (1/27/1832) Lewis Carroll- This guy is my hero.  Drug references in a kid’s story and still it gets called literature?  This guy rocks.

·        (1/27/1944) Nick Mason- The drummer for Pink Floyd.  Pink Floyd had a really good run of albums between Animals and Dark Side of the Moon.  If you don’t have this CD, you owe it to yourself to get up right now and go buy it.

·        (1/27/1951) Brian Downey- This guy played drums for Thin Lizzy.  They had a pretty cool sound and image.  They were really ahead of their time.