Greater American: Louis Vuitton or Louis Pasteur?

I am beholden to you all to admit a lapse in my best judgment. A cloud of self-doubt and self-loathing have hovered over me since I began to write this history. A certain diatribe I recorded here in March, titled "a penny for my thoughts - no refunds", opined what seems to be support for oil drilling in the ANWR in Alaska. It also went so far as to describe that Sean Hannity's radio show was the source of my external cues for reason. Maybe that very fact has been the one troubling me so. To agree with Sean Hannity is to loathe yourself. I have since reexamined my previous disposition, and as a result, do oppose drilling in ANWR. Unable to retract my statement because of its record in history, or perhaps a more general sense of laziness, the feelings of self-resentment lingered. Through the normal regiment of my daily enlightenment, I found my mirror of fallacious suggestion, which I fired upon several times with a high-powered hand cannon, and relinquished my captious villain to pieces. There was something eerily familiar about the piece I was reading on the Internet. Headline: Hannity, Interior secretary presented misleading claims on ANWR drilling as "fact". Then the date. March 10, 2005. In a fit of perseverance, I checked the archives and, sure as racism, the date of my indiscretion was March 9, 2005. I felt the cloud, heavy as lead, consuming. And then ... laughter. Reason suggests one should be wary of a liar's assertions, but in a mayhaps overzealous attempt to hear another point of view, intuition abandoned me, sipping a sloe gin fizz out on the back porch. Left vulnerable, I was raped by misinformation. But, the wounds have found that metaphysical salve: the Truth. In all of its glory.

Media Matters for America is a great asset in the Domestic Battle to The Death Against Blatent Misrepresentation of The Truth in The Mass Media. The blinding celestial light of evidence and its product shines right through the blood-stained lies. And that's The Shit.

Chicken Fries? Bush has spent 20% of his presidency on vacation at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. If they don't have pineapple, I'll get strawberry. A four-star Army general was relieved of his command for allegedly having an extramarital affair, as he finalized his divorce. No one of greater rank than Staff Sergeant has been disciplined in any way for the torture scandals in foreign prisons. Che?

Appetite for Tribute Bands ... and a big fat bass

HELLOOOOOOO LADIES!!! (if you don't get it, you never will.) Tonight, I will delving into that dark, murky underworld also known as The Realm of Tribute Bands. To be honest, I'm frightened, as my only experience with these animals comes courtesy of the movie Rockstar. The threat of a grown man, clad in nylons, wig and lipstick bringing the bottle down over my head is all too real. Steel Dragons, be damned. Tonight will be different. Mammoth (Van Halen) and Appetite for Destruction (really? you need me to explain that one?) bring their guitar-driven circus of aural desecration to the Downtown in Farmingdale. I will be there, and I will be drunk. Bring the kids. Review tomorrow.

Yesterday, I bought a big, red bass guitar. Yessah. Truth of the matter, I couldn't even hear a bass in songs until a few years ago. I guess never listened well enough. Now that I've come to enjoy and appreciate the subtle, funky essential that is bass guitar, and in an effort to expedite my own musical endeavors through the recording process, the purchase was a no-brainer. The weapon is a Squier P-Body, Affinity series, humbucker - blood red with a white pickguard. Victor Wooten, look out. It's only a matter of time now.

The Fog Rolls In ...

At work.

Looking around these days, it seems that everything, including the air around us, lacks transparency. As I look across the lake, the trees in the distance are cloaked in an unnatural film of muck, and as I search the internet for campaign finance records, I find only the haze of an oppressive summer day in Manhattan. Where did we get lost along the way? When did this fog roll in around us all, objectivity becoming an impossibility? When all one wants is an answer, where does one look? Code, spin, disinformation, misinformation - the Big Lie, wrapped in a bow, labeled the Truth. Whether it's published campaign fundraising records, or the White House Press Secretary explicitly contradicting himself with no remorse, the Answer is shrouded in bullshit. The tendency of society has shifted - tolerance for the Big Lie has superceded tolerance for each other. When the fog finally lifts, I'm convinced the collective shock will be so great, and reality so hardly believed, trust will be rendered to some abstract concept practiced by some ancient brotherhood civilization eons ago.

::Introducing Placido Guerra::

Lately, my mind has been so consumed with the course of current events in such a way as to inhibit my ability to share my thoughts with whatever godless souls actually read this rag. It is to my own delight, and surely yours as well, that I am cerebrally saturated at the moment and I need to release a little pressure, for survival's sake. With that pressure comes the glorious introduction of Placido Guerra, a man who has answers, a man I like to call a friend. He shrouds himself in mystery only to surface spontaneously, as if from a secret subterranean lair, while bearing gifts of Enlightenment, and basketball. He is a man of principle, which in turn makes him sexy ... devious, if you will. To the heart of this beast. In the context of the ongoing investigation into the Bush administration's involvement in the outing of a CIA officer's cover, some in the MainStreamMedia have chosen to politicize something that is not political in its fundament, but criminal. John Gibson, host of Fox News Channel's The Big Story With John Gibson, chose to step in a perilous direction towards Eternal Damnation (or the scientific equivalent of said Damnation) in his perspective segment "My Word". The video clip is ... well, you watch it & comment. Saying a lot, Mr. Guerra was especially perturbed by Gibson's invective, enough so to prompt a correspondence from that reclusive extrovert. Here is your first, glorious Introduction to Placido Guerra.

Herr Gibson,

I just saw footage of your hilarious satire piece "My Word" in which you advocated giving Karl Rove a medal for outing a CIA officer's true identity. I found this suggestion quite amusing - mayhaps it was the utter absurdity of your whole piece in which you smear Joe Wilson, a former ambassador to Iraq, with a zombie-like fervor. You're observations are crude and of a taste most closely summarized as egregious. Your comment calling Mrs. Wilson "little wifey" was especially enchanting, in the most derogatory sense of course. Without addressing your baseless ad hominem attack on the Wilsons, which I fear may afford them a most unjust credence, I would like to point out an error made in your reasoning.

You espouse the sentiment that "You wouldn't send a 'peacenik' to see if we we go to war? To see if we need to go to war? Would you?" You scoff at the notion of Peace like a dog smelling something too vile even for its own nose. It is logical that war is the last resort for governments to resolve disputes on the macro level. To ensure that war is really the last resort, it would then geometrically follow that people thoroughly invested in Peace would regulate its maintenance faithfully. To entrust war to those who derive a deranged carnal pleasure from its execution, those whose inclination towards carnage is essential, is analogous to entrusting your teenaged daughter to a serial rapist, or perhaps a molester of children.

War is anathema to Civilization. For one to prefer its exercise is perverted in the eyes of that God we acknowledge watches over us every time we recite that Pledge of Allegiance to America. So as one who takes pride in being bound to America, human Progress and Virtue, I take offense to the fact that you who regresses, who desires destruction over diplomacy, has the ear of whoever can hear you and the mind of those who listen to you. It is a sad day for democracy, this day, when people like yourself, those of a foul and utterly backward ideology, regularly have our collective ear. Speech like yours should bring a tear to our collective eye, for it is truly a period of mourning. However, I warn you that the period of grief is fleeting. Peace, and Progress, demand that we don't weep in vain of their name, but fight for their very essence. So while I feel shame to know we are of the same genus and species, I take solace in the fact that the People will wake up, and when they do, beware their thunderous tread.

With Disgust and Contempt,

Placido Guerra

TWEAK!!!

I would like to bring up an article in today's New York Times regarding drugs, namely methamphetamine. The article details just how big of a problem meth has become in America. What struck me the most was how little we hear about meth in politics or in the news, save for stories of violent crimes that attribute the mayhem to the gak. It is absolutely astonishing that the government has not taken legitimate action to quell this epidemic when even the production of the drug is perilous, with the threat of explosion imminent . What offends even more than the fact that "many counties reported that half their jail populations were incarcerated because of methamphetamine" is the ongoing facade of a Drug War that sets its narrow sights primarily on marijuana. Operation Pipe Dream, which targeted makers of glass, notably Tommy Chong (who was jailed) and Jerome Baker, was a crusade of little substance against the wrong substance. What the fuck kind of a drug war is this when terminally ill people are persecuted for using marijuana, but a legally blind eye is turned to the awesomely addictive violence enabler known as meth, aka glass. This is just one of the many incompentencies illustrated by this Administration. What is it that makes those in power so blind to the real troubles in the world? Stop worrying about whether or not ExxonMobil or Pfizer will meet their profit expectations and fucking do something that actually benefits the People, you abominable bastards! My point is read the article - sorry for the rant, I just wanted to bring this to light. Yeah, fuck you and your horse.

Bad Moon Rising

Today, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced she will be leaving the court after 24 terms. This turn of events, the first Court vacancy in 11 years, opens the door for the Bush administration to appoint its first Supreme Court nominee. No doubt we are in for a bloody confirmation battle, as Bush has shown time and time again that he is unable to do anything to benefit the majority of the American people. It is extremely probable that he will appoint a nominee who will support turning back Court rulings that have guaranteed rights to women, workers, and minorities. It is essential that we follow these proceedings as they are anticipated to begin next week. There is no fucking way we can stand by and let Bush pack this Court with such closed-minded individuals. Call your Senator, write a letter to the editor of a newspaper, talk to your peers ... get loud - let's make some fucking noise and let people know that we won't sit idly by while these scurvy bastards try to pull the hood over our heads. The dark clouds are looming on the horizon - it will certainly be interesting ... to say the least.

Update - For more information, discussion, and action opportunities about this and other important issues - go to www.dailykos.com or click the dailykos link on my blog.

Travellin' Band

Concert calendar update. Many terrific show dates have been announced recently, among them The White Stripes, Glassjaw, and System of a Down. I have tickets to the System/Mars Volta show in NJ on 8/23. To all - check out the concert calendar wherever you do that. It would be nice to see if we can get an UnfetteredMind group together at some of these upcoming shows. Also, enlighten us all of any small shows or lesser-known bands that are worth checking out. Keep on rockin' in the free world.

Ahhh, Ireland.

For any of you that follow current events as they are described by the MainStreamMedia (cable news, major newspapers, etc.) are indubitably left with a major void to fill. What should normally be bridging said chasm is actual investigatory journalism, sans the propagandists and repulsive deference to the Bush administration. Some ways of combatting this egregious encroachment of suppressive powers are to stray from the traditional outlets of information, instead perusing some of the more progressive and reality-based news sources. One such promising endeavor has just recently come across my desk. Independent World News seeks to deliver transparent, truthful journalism without corporate influence and governmental pressures. Check it out here http://www.IWTnews.com. Let me know what you think about the site and their goals, but also ideas on the subject of an independent media outlet. Happy thinking.

Flame on ...

What a dick. Beautiful day to be breathing. From my window to the external world, the abundance of both life and peace coexisting together fills me with great hope presently. It sure smells great. I feel lucky to be here, and it is that feeling that drives me to want the rest of humanity to appreciate the fickle nature of life and the fragile structure of society. It is when we realize this as a community that we will all care for our fellow wo/man as we do ourselves. I hope everyone feels some bliss today.

To L.S.A - Happy 22, dear
To U.S.A - Check craigslist for 1) Spine, 2) Balls, & 3) a Heart (preferably not black and cold)

That Flag Just Isn't Holy Anymore

I am pretty confident that no one is watching C-SPAN at this moment, however if in the miniscule chance that you are, doubtless could you miss the hubris of this pirate Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI). During debate on a resolution to create a commission which, similar to the 9/11 Commission, would investigate the policies and their animations of our prison camps and treatment of those detained by our forces abroad, this Chairman implies nearly explicitly that those Americans who call for oversight of these "intelligence" institutions are directly responsible for the negative global image of America and the actual violence directed her way. Wait a minute you fiend, just which committee is this jerkass chairman of? Why the one charged with the oversight of our intelligence issues as they relate to the "Global War on Terror!" Bastard! In his verbal excretion of fecal oration, Hoekstra blames what he calls "self-loathing on the floor of this House" for the growing insurgency in Iraq (which is attracting warriors and savages from other nations) and for the view abroad that American foreign policies are hypocritical. Maybe introspection becomes impossible when plundering the seas of natural and civil rights, and in that case this dissident advocates the Chairman smoke a little grass and sit his soul down and think about his situation. Here the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence will see through the looking glass of objectivity exactly how ludicrous and arrogant his assertions appear. If we are defined by our actions, then it certainly seems we have gone astray in our crusade as protectors of human rights around the world. Ignoring the credible assertions of abuses committed by the United States and the ongoing genocide and related atrocities in Darfur, instead this officer of the Fraternal Order of Douchebags is content to blame our lack of action on those critical of our policies abroad. Instead of hearing the substance of calls for investigation of abuses by our intelligence community, First Anal Breach Hoekstra absorbs and regurgitates only the perhaps unfortunate, but nevertheless compelling comparative rhetoric invoking Nazism, Stalinism, and any other -ism that takes its cues from the depraved state of ignorance to humanity. Brass tacks - Hoekstra has indicted those who want him to investigate, as per his obligation as Chairman, our policing and jailing practices as they continue to be called into question by those who have witnessed abuses firsthand. The only defense this savage could arm himself with is that reminiscent of the great poet Pee-Wee Herman, immortalized in his "I know you are, but what am I?" routine. However, the hilarity, or tragedy, is in the egregious finger-pointing that puts the heat everywhere but the fire, which is everthemorequickly burning out of control. This scumbag bastard is more content to point his cannon directly across the floor to those who want to clean up alleged injustice, instead of at injustice itself. He is more concerned with defending his own failings in being associated with Nazi policy than he is with preventing others from being subject to similar treatment by our own enforcement agencies. The wagons circle around those who cannot be complacent with not being as bad as, while the others who can sleep at night live to plunder another day the human rights inherent to civilized society. First Anal Breach Hoekstra, point your gun in another direction.

After dinner open thread

Guh? Wanna say something? then say it, damnit.

Stuff ... and things.

Back by popular demand ... me. fuuuuuuuck. Well, fortunately for all of you who read this I am now typing on my new laptop (oooh powerbookG4, how I love you so) which eliminates all of the problems that have kept me from massaging your grey matter with my enlightening brand of ... mmm ... bacon ... er, I mean dissemination. My return to this forum comes after a sabbatical which saw a compromise (veiled anal-raping of democratic principles) on the "nuclear option", the revelation (or confirmation) via the Downing Street Minutes that America is involved in an illegal war led by a criminially complicit federal government, and my farewell to the city/slum of Syracuse, NY. Obviously the most important of those is my glorious return to Great Neck, that reliable bastion of progressive thought and realistic moral and ethical values. Is it me or does all of this cynicism really bring down the mood? Since it is my first post back from my hiatus, I will be merciful and spare you all of the moaning and groaning, however I will not always be as charitable. I keed.

Sooooo ... other news on the homefront - production of the much anticipated second incarnation of Time Trials has begun! The cast and content have been given a healthy dose of awesomejuice and should be wowing audiences by the time Chinese Democracy hits the shelves. Again, I keed - should be sooner than that. Also, a temporary 6th human member has joined my family - my brother's friend from Greece who has never been to America before is staying with us for 3 weeks. I cannot even fathom what a foreigner's concept of America is, especially in recent times - it should be a very enlightening experience for him as well as my family. Perspective is always important, and again, especially for the current state of the global community. We must remember that we are each other, and our common goal is to live happily and peacefully among one another. Listen to what others have to say - really listen - even if you don't agree, even if they are wrong. Look out for each other, communicate, and we will make progress.

Listening:
System of a Down - Mezmerize
Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine

Reading:
City of God - E.L. Doctorow

Thinking:
Pirates
Khaki pants
Ashy Larry

Free Hat!

Wow, its been a long time! I actually started writing this post a month ago, but my computer is so fucking slow that I just fucking finished it. Sowwy. I'm back and I know that all of you who read this are excited beyond compare. Well, YAY! Listening to the Al Franken Show on AAradio at the moment - not as exciting as O'Reilly or Hannity, but at least he makes sense. The last month has been very interesting. In Washington, it is becoming increasingly more obvious that those who are leading our country are doing so in deference to their own personal and political gains, and not anything that has to do with good government or public policy in the interest of the governed. The "nuclear option" (the GOP initiative to do away with the filabuster in the Senate) being linked to the Christian Right equating the filabuster with oppressing people of faith is an egregious juxtaposition of policy and religious extremism and puts in peril the liberties of all Americans. We are at a time when our government preaches morality and life, yet is engaging in painfully unethical, immoral, and irresponsible acts that seek to destroy the very foundations of the democratic contract We the people have with those who govern. Furthermore, our resources for truth are dwindling and, I fear, will soon be exhausted. The difference between truth and the 'truth' is that one

A Penny for My Thoughts - No Refund.

As I sit here about to enjoy a wonderful sandwich masterfully constructed by my own two hands, I am thinking, "Why am I writing when I could be eating?" Well I just solved my own problem and the sandwich is delicious. On my way to and fro Onondaga Community College I usually listen to one of two radio stations - ESPN radio for the Dan Patrick Show and to Sean Hannity on 1390 Syracuse. To give perspective, my relationship with Hannity - though not personal - can be best described in haiku form:

You make my ears bleed
You are an abraisive jerk
I like your show, man

The portion of Hannity's show that I heard today blew my mind. Instead of believing the exact opposite of what I think about everything he actually made sense. The topic was oil and where it comes from. America's dependence on foreign oil, which is about 60%, is too great. Relying on oil from the middle east has drained our pockets and has been a tremendous roadblock for practical, objective policy in the region. An issue that is being contemplated by our government is whether or not to drill for oil in the Anwar region of Alaska - millions of untapped acres that would provide billions of barrels of oil for americans. I guess the question remains - do we drill protected wildlife lands or not? I think that under these circumstances it's a no-brainer. Then again, ehh, I don't know that much about the subject. BUT. I would so if anyone who can elaborate on this would like to, please go ahead. Also burning in my mind...............who thought "Manwich" was a good name? To me all it suggests is a lot of meat and a couple sets of buns - all very, VERY, oily.

On another note, I would like to talk about something that has only recently come into my life. Sadly, today it is going on sabbatical, hopefully returning soon. Karate. As per school policy, I am required to take 2 - count them 2 gym classes and 1 health class in order to graduate. I decided to fill a requirement by taking karate class. Hands down top 5 decision I have ever made. It was like an epiphany - as if a part of my being was just switched on after 21 years of laying dormant. The very first time I stood at attention before bowing to the teacher, the first time I punched with Kiai (energy, but the yell you do when you punch) - I felt empowered in a way I never have. I recognized that I had control. It wasn't just physical power and control; I gained the power to control my own mind. What liberation! Karate gave me the power to quit smoking cigarettes. Today is Day 34 of Operation Fuck Cigarettes and I haven't lost a day yet. So, karate, I thank you. I'll never forget this.

I am eagerly anticipating tonight's brand-new episode of South Park (if only Chef's parents could be in every episode). Spring break in effect tomorrow at 5 pm - rad. I'll be heading to Albany on Friday to catch a mexican happy hour with my best buddy Tim then home Sunday to Great Neck for the Enlightenment Tour '05. What? Riiiiight. Damn that was a lot.

Tunes
Led Zeppelin - BBC Sessions
Omar A. Rodriguez - Lopez - A Manuel Dexterity - Soundtrack Volume One
Mos Def - The New Danger

"That ain't no girl scout! It's that damned Loch Ness Monstah!!!"
- Chef's parents

Today was a good day.

Hello all zero people reading this! You are ALL witnessing me at my most hypocritical. I have bashed blogs since that awful word became part of my lexicon. It really is funny?(torture?) to watch those people on cable news surfing the blogging community for conspiracy theories and exquisitely one-sided opinions of current events. The reasons why I started this blog aren't so clear to me right now, but I'm sure that they will come to me sooner or later. All I can give you now is to tell you that this is one mode I have found to vent my introspection and hopefully I will get some perspective on all of this shit that runs through my head.

Wow, I hope that was less terrible to read than it was to write. At the moment I'm cursing Lake Onondaga and the awful wrath it has incurred on Syracuse. I guess it's all one big "Thanks a lot for making me one of the most polluted lakes in America". Well - Lake Onondaga, I'm sorry, but could you try not to make it snow EVERY DAMN DAY?! And that thing you do where you make it 55 degrees and bright sunshine one day and the next day 15 degrees and snowing - not cool. On the bright side, I only have 2 months left here in fabulous Syracuse, NY. So I got that goin' for me...... which is nice. The newest album from the Mars Volta came out a week ago today and it still beckons to be listened to multiple times daily. Right now The Who are serving as my aural lime sherbert, but I'm sure Volta will be spinning again later. You need to listen to it in its 75 min. entirety at least twice to really understand what is going on, but when you do - look out because it's nothing short of brilliant. And on that note, it's time to smoke some dope and create my own music. "Though the grass is covered with snow, it's always green in my bowl. Well, sometimes it's purple."

"I need about tree-fiddy" - the Loch Ness Monster

Beginning of the end.

First posting. In english class learning nothing. For enlightenment - www.themarsvolta.com


i dont need your civil war.