The War In Iraq/The Battle for Minastirith

Wonkette has made some interesting comparisons between LOTR and the most recent developments in Iraq


There are massive desert battlegrounds covered in bodies.

The dead are mostly part of an evil cult.

The cult is trying to get the 12th wizard, Al Mahdi, to come back.

He became the Magical 12th Imam when he was 5 years old.

He vanished down a well in Mordor Sammara in the 9th Century.

Only an occult combination of spells and chaos magick and horrible fear will bring back the wizard.

Ahmed Hassani al-Yemeni is the current “vanguard of the messiah,” or wizard.

His warrior cult is Sunni and Shia, united in common cause to bring about the End of Days.

Luckily, other Sunnis and Shia are still fighting the Sectarian War and are now bombing each other’s schools, to kill all the children.

Nearly 300 of the warrior cultists were slaughtered by the broadswords of the American warriors, yesterday.

A chief goal of the Soldiers of Heaven is to murder the “Shia Pope.”

Another main goal is to slaughter all the tens of thousands of religious pilgrims traveling to various holy sites, because more blood & horror = more chaos magic.

“There are no safe havens for Sunnis” anywhere in Iraq now, meaning that those Sunnis who don’t escape to Syria or Jordan will soon be murdered.

Bombing continues as usual in Baghdad, with a couple of hundred people killed in the past few days.

The “Shia Pope” is the Grand Ayatollah Sistani, otherwise known as Saruman the White, Chief of the Istari.

Oh, and the U.S. Army is now aggressively recruiting people who speak elvish.

Via Wonkette

The Symbolic Gesture

Last Saturday, Danielle and I went to the Anti-Escalation in Iraq protest in downtown Los Angeles, with Cindy Sheehan and Ron Kovic. In the midst of what can best be called a leftist circus with a theme, we marched innumerable blocks all the while chanting and voicing our general displeasure at the Administrations Iraq Policy.


Me

The Ringling Brothers Marx and Engels Circus

Danielle, who posesses a certain wisdom that eludes me, pointed out the banality of protesting at federal buildings on a Saturday. Furthermore, I was a bit turned off by the party atmosphere, and the strange attentionmongering of certain folk. In particular i had to question why Hugo Chavez supporters and Indigenous Mexican dancers were donning their particular gear and adding their cause to the general melee of anti war protestors. Yes, yes, we are all lefties. I UNDERSTAND. But it's like donning cocktail attire for Easter Mass. Yes, it's TECHNICALLY dressing up for church, but wholly inappropriate and somewhat tacky. It gave me pause. Was i just adding to a general lack of dignity in this whole affair? People are dying, surely we need to treat this subject with respect. I tossed the question back and forth in my noodle for a few days, and finally I have come to a happy conclusion.
The chants of "What Do We Want? Troops Home! When do We want it? Now!" (Surely "NOW!" is a bit unrealistic, isn't it? I mean the have to pack and book a flight) , the marching to an empty federal building with anti war icons leading the parade of demi-freaks, is not for naught. Rather, the image of thousands of people spending their Saturday, yelling about something helps to add urgency and immediacy to the debate. I gave some thought to my previous encouters with protestors. Anti abortion wack-jobs yelling at women who are just getting their annual pap, Indignant College girls "Taking back the night", when their original ownership of "the night" , is debatable. All these instances helped to physicalize an argument which cannot remain indoors. So for all the idiocy and amateur dramatics, it was important that people see a crowd. It is important that we go out there and join the very silly and often very stinky people and lend our voice to the opposition to an unjust war. No matter how silly the people next to you are, and no matter how empty the parade route.

For all the silliness, please take a gander at my Flickr Set

I'm rubber you're... ahem

Barbaro: Kentucky Derby Winner, Mortality Loser.
April 29, 2003 – January 29, 2007


How often do we get to proclaim that a "Celebrity" was EUTHANIZED?
Not Nearly Enough.

SOTU Spoiler Alert!

Yeah, that's right i found an advance copy of the State of the Union. Make sure you watch the Democratic Response.

Stop Motion Battle

Freakin awesome!







Go Here for "Stop Motion Battle"

Bam Bam Bigelow 1961 –2007

We shared a birthday and a hatred of the Iron Sheik

Canadian Nature Flick (Party Spiders)

What happens when spiders are dabbed with drugs? Don't ask the drunk Spider.



Via Macslost

My...Endorsement..again

Oh, mercy. Barack, just when I make up my mind about sitting US Senators you flirt with me by announcing. Truth is, I just can't quit you. So I took out the card and threw 25 bucks to your exploratory committee with a promise for $75 more if you go all the way.
In the meantime you flirt, i'll only have this video of you to remind precisely why you too, embody all that we can hope for in this country.

My Endorsement

My man-crush on Barack Obama notwithstanding, I've decided to throw my support behind the presidential candidacy of John Edwards. In fact, today I pulled out the Credit Card, and syphoned 100 dollars into his campaign for the presidency. Here's my list of "Why":

1. I do not believe that a sitting US Senator can be forceful and speak their convictions. It is not their job to provide decisive leadership, it is their job to mull and debate. Neither Barack or Hillary will be able to address issues with the force and moral authority that John Edwards will. I love them both in their very special ways, but i simply feel that the time for cautious chit-chat is over.

2. My heroes, MLK and Bobby Kennedy would not recognise the "Progressives " of today. Though Barack, speaks a very similar rhetoric to that of my dear convictions, only John Edwards has taken the time to adress poverty and inequality in full. Nothing can be said about the rest of the Democrats who seem to ignore those problems completely.

3. Electability. Let's face it, we can't have another Dukakis or Kerry. Both decent, honest and good men, who simply could not connect to the people in this country that we owe our devotion to. The disenfranchised, and the poor. His charm, good looks, and warming drawl make him the sort of candidate that I would be proud to call my nominee, and even more proud to call Mr. President.

4. EDWARDS/OBAMA 08'!!!!

Please take a moment to click on the Banner below and join the Campaign to Change America

Go USA!
Go Edwards!
Go Broncos!
Go Bears!

The Dreams of Martin Luther King

On MLK day, I find myself in awe of the man. The "I have a dream" speech is truly the tip of the iceberg. Please take a moment today to listen to these three tributes.




The most comforting, and best kknown MLK speech. Powerful and beautiful to this day.



ON NONCOMFORMITY (1963): "This hour in history needs a dedicated circle of transformed nonconformists. Dangerous passions of pride, hatred and selfishness are enthroned in our lives; truth lies prostrate on the rugged hills of nameless Calvaries. The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority."


A recently discovered speech by MLK opposing the hypocrisy of war. I am filled with shame, that we still cannot hear this man's message. It is a long speech but you can take the time to listen in honor of a true American.



ON PEACE (1964): "Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant."

Lastly, an intense and shocking clip from one of my favorite cartoons THE BOONDOCKS. Aaron McGruder gives MLK an incredible voice, and calls out the true spirit of the man.

WARNING** The "N" word is used so if you take enormous issues with this, or have a sensitive constitution, don't bother watching.


ON BLACKS IN AMERICA (From Birmingham jail, 1963): "Before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson etched across the pages of history the majestic words of the Declaration of Independence, we were here. If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands."

Republicans care about women's rights.

Not sure if any of you had caught wind of this, I read it on the NYT.

WASHINGTON, Jan 12 — A passing exchange during a Senate hearing on Thursday turned into a political flashpoint overnight as Senator Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accused one another of insensitivity in comments about motherhood and the war in Iraq.

In an interview this afternoon with The New York Times, Ms. Rice suggested that the California Democrat had set back feminism by suggesting during the hearing that the childless Ms. Rice had paid no price in the Iraq war.

“I thought it was okay to be single,” Ms. Rice said. “I thought it was okay to not have children, and I thought you could still make good decisions on behalf of the country if you were single and didn’t have children.”


Naturally the best rebuttal comes from the Republican Icon himself.
Ladies and gents, the Late Ronald Reagan.

The Battle Continues...

In Case anyone doubted that I am in the vanguard of dorkitude....



The plot involves two sneaky ninjas who, inspired by a pirate's idea, write a screenplay behind his back.

Pornucopia!

I was at the "Club Jenna" party last night in Las Vegas, and apparently I took a lot of pictures. The Porn world is a very interesting place, dear friends. I hope the Photo montage sheds a little light on what I saw last night.
Check out the Flickr Set.

Nerdery in the The House of Representatives

Rep. David Wu (D- Nerdville)

What The hell is Wrong wit Nick Cage?

As someone who saw the Naming of Nick Cage's son, "Kal -El" as a a masterful stroke, worthy of some sort of Nerd-Prize for ballsiest name since "Moxy Gillete" (Penn Gillete's badass Daughter) , you can say I am a very open minded sort. But, Jesus Christ! Did anyone notice this movie happened? Why wasn't I told about this? Its one thing to allow Neil Labutte out of his cage, but then to let Nick Cage go all wild and droopy on the screen, well let's just hope they release a box set like Showgirls. Prepare yourselves for the finest moments from Wicker Man.




In Case you feel like it might be worth watching...



MY EYES! MY EYES!

2 Dictators Turn The Cameras on Themselves

The rumor mill has it that Forrest Whitaker will be receiving an Oscar nod for his portrayal of Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland" . To that end I decided to do a little research and came across this documentary starring :"The wild Man Of Africa" himself. Fascinated that such a dismal picture was painted of Idid when he had editorial control over the film, made me even more interested in Oliver Stone's documentary about Fidel Castro. God bless Google Video I found them BOTH.

IDI AMIN:

Its easy to see how delusional he is, and somewhat pathetic in the self-importance he exhibited.Of particular interest to me was watching him pretend he had power over the animals during a river safari. Creepy.




FIDEL CASTRO:

Its intense watching how charming these guys really are. Fidel is a personality I've been attracted to, since I was a kid. To watch him in his natural state, really cements the inherent magnestism in the man.

Zombie Insects

Braaaain... Muuust haave insect braaaain....

While rummaging through You Tube I found three fascinatng instances of insect Zombies and/or parasitic control. Though all three are absolutely horrific, I guess the term "Zombie" would only apply to the Parasitic Cordyceps fungus that Sir. David Attenbourough introduces us to since its the only one that can wipe out a colony through mere contact with "THE INFECTED"...Bum Bum BUUUUUM. However, for pure unadultarated Heebie Jeebies, the Cricket with the mind control worm made my skin crawl. Maybe beause it wasn't accompanied by a soothing narration, but that clip was horrific.

Zombie Snail



Leucochloridium paradoxum are a parasitic flatworm that prey on birds.
The worms begin their lives as eggs in bird droppings, and are consumed by snails along vegetation floors. Once consumed, the worms infect the snail's brains, take control of their mind, then "hypnotize" them into climbing just high enough to become bird food - where the cycle repeats.

Zombie Ants



Sir David Attenborough speaks on the amazing Cordyceps fungus that infect insects in the jungle. Each fungus attacks only one species of insect, first by altering their behavior and then... bursts from their bodies to grow and eventually produce another generation of highly infective spores. Aieee!


Zombie Cricket



Gordian worm live inside crickets for long periods, feeding on the cricket's diet. Once fully grown, they inject chemicals into the cricket's brain "brainwashing" it and forcing it to kill itself by jumping into the water. Once in water, the worm wriggles out of the writhing body and swims off in search of a mate. Khaaan!

The Chief Feels Good

Biongboing recently posted a link to this awesome memorial mashup by the organist at Trinity Wall Street church in NYC. It appears the very talented pipe organist joined "I feel Good" and "Hail to the Chief" in an awesome tribute to James Brown and Gerry Ford.