1. Taboo Plaza

There is little worse than the obsequious, incessant applause dotting presentations given by presidents and dignitaries.  I generally look down upon a parade of government personalities placed in the position of celebrity.
I'm not particularly impressed by an individual assuming a position of community support followed by an expectation of some form of appreciation.  It doesn't sit well with me because community service generally shouldn't carry the burden of disappointment.
At least that's the way it seems sometimes.
Why do something for the community if not to help and only help?  You take on a particular task paid or unpaid when you choose to take the job.  Get paid and receive inner satisfaction.  Get a feeling of self-gratification from a job well done if you must, but leave the disappointment at home. 
Politicians are not famous actors or rock stars.
Many politicians conduct their professional affairs in virtual privacy.  Some might prefer to exclude the world.  It's not that easy though.
People ask questions.
Those people and their god damn questions.
And yet, now the answers must follow.  Answer the god damn questions and understand how your position in life is not comparable to that of a famous comedian or basketball player.  Many politicians are statistically favored to remain in office until their newborns become teens. 
It is a matter of course in the system.
A representative of a democratic government answers to a higher calling.  Yet, a silent contingent choose the anonymous role of a name among many casting their votes and the fate of our country to their fancy of the day. 
Kind of like the Iraq War that nobody seems to like today. 
The 2002 votes weren't even close either: 77-23 in the Senate and 296-133 in the House?
There's still a pervading belief in the country that there are people who are "better" and should be the ones to rule.  ...and just look at that rule. 
It's almost as if a random selection of butts could simply be placed in congressional seats on a periodic basis and the final results may have a chance of improving. 
Those "better" sometimes feel entitled to certain accoutrement's of life.  When that goes there's disappointment.
...and in all of this, where's the community service?
Give the accolades to Amare and Angelina. 
Alberto and George sure aren't defending their positions well.
Where's Carlos and Axl when you really need them?
Celebrities tend to burn out, blow out or get bored with the spotlight eventually.  They move on. 
A bad politician will fester like a rotting blister until lanced and released to the joys of common society.

2. Current Affairs

Apparently, American Idol might save Iraq. 
Her voice is kind of smoky.  She's kind of cute.  A bomb explodes outside your window.  
Star Academy 4 clearly has theatrical value even if it looks like it was shot in a high school cafeteria.  Shatha Hassoun has apparently given Iraqis an identity to feel good about.  They'll feel good right in front of their televisions just like the Americans do. 
That must be someone's hope because it is definitely a distinct possibility and an apparent pattern. 
Civilize, industrialize, computerize, media-ize.  
Loosen copyright laws on the Internet and a universe of distraction will flurry.
Star Academy 4 and the American Idol franchise may be taking a Middle East tour.  I have a feeling we might find out sooner than later what the deal is Syria?  Are they all one race or multiple?  They got Sunni's and Shiite's there?  All this and more in the next installment of Bush wants to see Armageddon?
But wait, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi makes an interesting move.
She's going to Syria herself with a scheduled appointment to speak with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  I'm not aware of anything in the Constitution forbidding her to go, but Bush appears pissed.  She's got some balls and maybe some really good sense.  
What's the worst that can happen at this point?
Everyone calms down, sits down and turns on the tube?

3. Then Humans Discovered...(The Chronicle of Mirn part 2)

Continued from March 18th posting.
Mirn showed the group the Way.  He in fact invented the term Way.  Mirn described to the Group the Way in which the One wanted them to behave.
As he continued drawing lines and circles in the sand Mirn's tale grew more fabulous by the telling.  The Way grew out of stories his grandfather Bitter told to him.
Bitter told a tale passed down to him about the day that Krunk brought Fire to the Group.  Bitter's tale included in detail the Group bowing down in submission to Krunk, but failed to mention Groon's hand in Krunk's demise.  Instead, Bitter remembered Krunk being extinguished with no explanation.  It was all quite a mystery.  Possibly even Divine.
It had been assumed that the One called Krunk back to the green meadows.
Mirn told the tale differently. 
Mirn remembered Krunk being consumed in flames as he engulfed himself and began casting fireballs in all directions.  Krunk devoured flaiming children and had his way with the females of the Group.  Krunk then destroyed the Group's food supply and warned of his imminent return.
Mirn determined that it was time to begin making offerings at night to keep Krunk away.  Everytime a flame was encountered Mirn prostrated himself and thereby the Group followed.  Mirn then silently mentioned the name of Krunk.
Krunk became the flame and the Sun.  Krunk became the egg shell of the Way.  Mirn wrote Krunk into the Group's consciousness. 
There were others who did not remember the story the same as Mirn.  With the help of a blunt strike, Mirn managed to drive those members of the Group away until they became the Other.

4. Getting to Know Your Government
Last week's batch of Senators averaged 12.5 years in public office as U.S. Senators. This week's batch of Senators average 12.75 years as U.S. Senators.
 
Kit Bond (Republican, Missouri)
Religion: Presbyterian
1960: Princeton University
1963: University of Virginia, J.D.
1969 to 1970: Assistant Attorney General (Missouri)
1970 to 1973: Missouri State Auditor
1973 to 1977: Governor of Missouri
1980 to 1985: Governor of Missouri
1986 to present: U.S. Senate

Claire McCaskill (Democrat, Missouri)
Religion: Roman Catholic
1975: University of Missouri
1978: University of Missouri, J.D.
1982 to 1988: Missouri State House of Representatives
1992 to 1998: Jackson County Prosecutor
1998 to 2006: Missouri State Auditor
2007 to present: U.S. Senate

Max Baucus (Democrat, Montana)
Religion: Congregationalist
1964: Stanford University, B.A.
1967: Stanford University, J.D.
1973 to 1974: Montana House of Representatives
1975 to 1979: U.S. House of Representatives
1979 to present: U.S. Senate

Jon Tester (Democrat, Montana)
Religion: Church of God
1978: College of Great Falls, B.S.
1999 to 2006: Montana State Senate
2007 to present: U.S. Senator

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

Apparently there is an all out war on Christianity taking place and I wasn't even aware.  This isn't like the crap the Islamics call war.  Christians barely dodged a bullet when a 200lb chocolate Jesus almost went on display.  
'Get this: the friggin pervert artist wanted to leave chocolate Jesus nude with no loin cloth.'
'The goddamn nerve of some people.'
'Jesus Christ!'
'It's just disrespectful for Christ's sake.'
William Donohue has been quoted as feeling, "it's an all-out war on Christianity." 
An all-out war on Christianity because someone fashioned Jesus out of chocolate? 
If that is the worst of this guy's worrying about I think <warning: the following hyperlink is fairly disturbing> he might seriously need to reevaluate his choice in worldview.

6. Down On Rage Street
      And the beat goes on...

7. I Sure Do Hate It for You
      And the beat goes on....

8. Tip of the week

Repeating the same unsuccessful action and expecting a different result is insanity.


9. Birthday Shout Outs (3-26 to 3-31)

March 26th
   
   Robert Frost (1874) Long live inspiration in "The Road Less Travelled."

   Diana Ross (1944) She's the diva-prototype.

   Steven Tyler (1948) Much like Ozzy Osbourne, it's amazing how long he's been in the game and still remains relevant.
   
March 27th 

   Tony Banks (1950) Genesis had some killer jams.

   Quentin Tarantino (1963) He's got talent if you've got the stomach to notice it.

   Kenta Kobashi (1967) This guy has come up with some of the most jacked up moves to execute on another human being I've ever seen.

   Fergie Ferguson (1975) Any opportunity to listen to the Black-Eyed Peas is a good opportunity to bust out the jams.

March 28th
   
   Milan Williams (1948) Long live the memory of the Commodores. 

   Curt Hennig (1958) Mr. Perfect was one of the greatest wrestlers of his time.

March 29th
   
   John Tyler (1790) The tenth President of the United States of America.

   Eric Idle (1943) A member of Monty Python and an all around talented guy as noted on his resume.

   Elle MacPherson (1964) 1 of 1 person on this list for doing nothing more than taking up space.  That is what models do after all.  Isn't it?

   Perry Farrell (1969) Front man for Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros.

March 30th
   
   Vincent Van Gogh (1853) After all this time people still speak his name.

   Frankie Laine (1913) He use to be huge.

   John Astin (1930) The one true Gomez Addams.

   Eric Clapton (1945) From the Yardbirds to Cream to success as a solo act.  This guys influence is undeniable.

   M.C. Hammer (1962) You didn't live in the 90's if you didn't hear this song.

March 31st
      
   Rene Descartes (1596) "I think therefore I am."  You know you've hit it big when 400 laters a system of thought is named after you (i.e. Cartesian.)

   Joseph Haydn (1732) Many people still know his name and play his music.

   Christopher Walken (1943)  He's cooler than most people can manager.  This scene is the best.   He's on par with the Beatles. 

   Gabe Kaplan (1945) Mister Kotter turns to gambling.  Nice!

   Mick Ralphs (1948) He was in Bad Company and that is more than enough to make this list.

   Angus Young (1955) AC/DC are rock and roll gods.

   Ewan McGregor (1971) His work in Trainspotting and tying up the loose ends in the Star Wars series is greatly appreciated.