THE TRUTH IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK HAPPENED

Why We Need Socialism

dangerangel — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:36:15 GMT

Socialism. Apparently the mention of the word is enough to enrage conservatives. It implies some kind of unfair redistribution of wealth from their pockets to the lazy poor. What the right wing seems to forget is how Socialism came to be, and why it’s essential not only for the poor, but also for themselves. When Europe started to cast off the ideas of the middle ages, starting with the British civil war, and extending to the American Revolution, the French revolution and the Napoleonic wars, the idea that regular guys (yes, guys, not girls) could rule a nation without being born to it and anointed by God for the job was a kick in the pants for the average joe. Prior to this, rising above the station in life that you were born to was impossible. It was done, certainly, but you always “knew your place” and bowed to those above you accordingly. After Napoleon was defeated, Europeans sat up, rubbed their eyes and wondered how they could better their situations. The Industrial Revolution really started swinging in London, and country folk who were formerly content (or rather, allowed) to work the land flocked to the cities and got jobs in the new mechanized and steam powered industries. The merchant class rose, the GDP of Britain changed for the first time ever –and lo, capitalism was born. The concentration of poor folk working in textile mills and machine shops and coal mines meant that all the infrastructure which was neglected by the government was amplified. The safety net of the time was the workhouse, sewage ran in the streets, and children worked long hours. The first labor laws were passed in England in the 1840s – children between the ages of 9 and 18 were prohibited from working more than 12 hours a day. The merchant class was definitely looking out for themselves, and themselves alone. These appalling conditions created discontent. But it was not discontent that spurred on legislative change to better the conditions of the working man. Only the merchant class, gentry and nobility had the vote in England. They were not going to listen to the gripes of a bunch of poor rabble rousers. The parliament did expand the vote in 1832 after much pressure, but even then not all men could vote. Something had happened in 1831 which I believe gave birth to socialism, and which makes it not only relevant, but necessary to this day. Cholera. The Second Cholera Epidemic hit London in October of 1831, and initially it was thought to be a disease of the “lazy poor” – the drunkards, criminals and prostitutes. The clergy blamed sin, and sinful living. Little did they know that a horrible death from cholera was waiting for them at the next drinking fountain. The disease raged throughout the 19th century and killed millions worldwide including the last king of France and the daughter of a US President. Poor, they were not. The idea “If you don’t take care of the poor, they’ll kill you” really blossomed during this time. There were revolutions throughout Europe in 1848 at the height of the epidemic, and Karl Marx released “The Communist Manifesto” to a populace that was starting to realize their problems could be solved with some necessary public works and a few good labor laws. Suddenly the merchant class, gentry and nobility were sitting up and taking notice – cholera was killing everyone, and if they wanted a society to rule over, then they had to provide some basic necessities for the unlucky poor who were in their districts. Those who survived the epidemic started organizing, the first general strike in Britain was organized by the Chartists in 1842 who demanded voting rights for all men (yes, men). Now if you give voting rights to the poor, they are going to want things like sewers and clean drinking water, weekends off and schools. If the rich want to have disease and crime free lives, it’s in their best interest to fund these demands for public works and free education. If the only safety net is the slavery of a workhouse, then the wealthy had better figure out how to take care of those who are unlucky, ill or old so they don’t get robbed or contract a contagious disease. The age of cholera gave rise to the idea of a “Societal Body” – the health of the society as a whole should concern everyone because what affects the lazy poor will soon come knocking on your door. The hilarious modern example of this was the notably hypocritical governor of Texas who was threatening secession one week because of his knee jerk reaction at the concept of socialism, and the following week begging for millions of tax dollars for public health projects to fight the swine flu. A similar incident visited the governor of Louisiana after he criticized the use of tax payer dollars for monitoring volcanoes, and a month later Alaskans were properly warned that Mount Redoubt was going to blow through the benefits of volcano monitoring. Socialism can’t be back dated, you have to build the sewer system and water treatment plants before the cholera comes. If you want a crime free society, you have to start educating good citizens in pre-school. This is easily the most forgettable fact in our current political discourse. Conservatives don’t want to be taxed, but they want all the benefits of civil society. Blaming the poor for their situation has been popular for centuries, but then when swine flu or bird flu is evolves from people living with livestock, or cholera is spread from lack of sanitation, then who do we blame? The poor? Or is it the lazy rich who are to blame for the latest pandemic? The poor exist not because they are lazy, but because they are unlucky. Some are born to it, some fell into it, some will claw their way out of poverty with hard work and intelligence, some will dig themselves in deeper with addiction and immorality. Regardless, they are part of the fabric of our society, and how livable our society is largely depends on the conditions of the working class. If conditions are good - there is public healthcare, a safety net and support beyond the private sector, then the working class will be healthy, families will raise well behaved children and the community as a whole will be happy. If the poor are forced to live in slums with few public services, their children go uneducated, and they have to beg, borrow and steal for their basic needs to be met – you can be sure that the wealthy are one car jacking or pandemic away from wishing they had funded a little socialism. Virus hunter, Nathan Wolfe, gave a brilliant talk at the TED conference on searching for the newest pandemics evolving in Africa http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/499 . Viruses evolve through contact between animals and humans, and the poorer the people, the more contact they have. The most poignant moment comes when he asks the audience to look at a photo of a bushmeat hunter, obviously deeply impoverished. He asks why we think that the responsibility to stop the next pandemic rests with someone so poor. He points out that our children and grandchildren will ask us why we allowed such poverty to continue when we knew that AIDS developed from these desperately poor communities who must hunt wild animals to survive. The green jobs activist, Van Jones, talks about “a tide that floats all boats”. If we float the boat of a pig farmer in Mexico, a farmer in China, or a hunter in Africa – perhaps they will float ours in the form of a healthy “societal body”. If the industrial revolution had floated the boats of it’s workers, perhaps Karl Marx wouldn’t have written his book. When the nobility and monarchies gave way to democracies, the concept of Nobless Oblige fell by the wayside, so Socialism had to follow Capitalism to take up the slack for the poor. Capitalism and Socialism grew up together, you can’t have one without the other. Unbridled capitalism is selfish and greedy, and absolute Socialism is seriously boring.

Firsts (from Rydell)

dangerangel — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:10:43 GMT

1. Who was your FIRST prom date? Jim, he was gay. 2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Hmmm... the one I live with? He was my first carnal love. 3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? Champagne. 4. What was your FIRST job? Cleaning the workroom at Given Gold on Piedmont Ave. I was 11. 5. What was your FIRST car? Mustang II 6. Who was the first person to text you today? Spy. 7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? My son. 8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Chris Brown! 9. Where was your first airplane ride? Too young to remember! 10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still in touch? Gwyn - yes we're still friends! 11. What was your FIRST sport played? No. 12. Where was your FIRST sleep over? No idea! 13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? My son. 14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? My Aunt and Uncle. 15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Peed. 16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? The Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings and Food tour. I was 11. 17. FIRST tattoo or piercing? Ears... no tattoos! 18. FIRST foreign country you went to? Mexico, I was too young to remember. 19. What was your FIRST run in with the law? First and only time I got arrested was trying to climb the bay bridge on NYE 2000 20. When was your FIRST detention? Hmmm... the day I got punched in 8th grade? 21. What was the FIRST state you lived in? Mississippi... really. 22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart? Tough one... you mean kindergarten? 23. Who was your FIRST roommate? Does living in a commune count? I had lots of roommates when I was 13. 24. Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride? 1983? In LA with Laura, Alexis, Jan and David. I'm still friends with all of them. 25. Who will be the FIRST to respond this? Possibly no one.

When you feel like you've never done anything of note...

dangerangel — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:08:19 GMT

Put an * next to the ones you've done: 1. Started your own blog* 2. Slept under the stars * 3. Played in a band * 4. Visited Hawaii * 5. Watched a meteor shower * 6. Given more than you can afford to charity**** 7. Been to Disneyland * 8. Climbed a mountain* 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo * 11. Bungee jumped (I jumped out of a plane - better) 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning * 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train* 21. Had a pillow fight * 22. Hitchhiked * 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill * 24. Built a snow fort* 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping* 27. Run a Marathon (I did the AIDS Ride 5 TIMES!) 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse* 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset * 31. Hit a home run 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person* 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors *In the Czech Republic - a beautiful town called Pisek 35. Seen an Amish community* 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (in general)* 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke* 42. Seen Old Faithful (the geyser) erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant* 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight * 46. Been transported in an ambulance* I used to DRIVE the ambulance! 47. Had your portrait painted* 48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling* 52. Kissed in the rain * 53. Played in the mud * 54. Gone to a drive-in theater * 55. Been in a movie * 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business* 58. Taken a martial arts class* 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen* 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching* 63. Got flowers for no reason* 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma * 65. Gone sky diving* 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check * 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy * 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial* 71. Eaten Caviar * 72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square* 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job * 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London* 77. Broken a bone 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle* 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper * 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox * 89. Saved someone’s life* 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous * 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one * 94. Had a baby* 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone * 99. Been stung by a bee * 100. Read an entire book in one day *

SEE "ANGRY MONK" AT THE ROXIE!

dangerangel — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:55:02 GMT

http://www.roxie.com/events/details.cfm?eventID=C17214A8-F1F6-5CD4-151E6A1D5FAE2927 I took one of my monk friends to see it today - it was GREAT. When I first met Rinpoche, he gave me a copy of Gendun Choephel's "The Madman's Middle Way" - and talked about how he wanted to teach westerners about Choephel... he was born in 1901 and despite being raised as a monk, his life was a revolutionary act - from winning every debate on Buddhist scripture, to leaving the monkhood to travel, drink. smoke and get laid. He translated the Kama Sutra into Tibetan, spoke English, and wrote for the only Tibetan newspaper. He's wrote the definitive political history of Tibet, was a painter, and intellectual. He rebelled against the strict pre-Chinese government, and when the Chinese marched into Lhasa he said "Now we're fucked." He was imprisoned for 3 years by the Tibetan government, and died at the age of 49. But his books are still read, and he is still widely regarded as one of the most brilliant Tibetans. The documentary is only at the Roxie until the 8th - and it's totally worth seeing - the fottage of Tibet, both old and new is stunning and fascinating. DON'T MISS IT!

SF Meme from Janna

dangerangel — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:34:08 GMT

Have you (not in character) ever gotten married in costume? If yes, how many times? Nope Have you ever gotten married in latex? Nope - but I was a bridesmaid at *that* wedding... the one that was on HBO that I have yet to see. Which makes the average person look more attractive: Ren Faire costume or Dickens? Dickens. Unless you're a pig farker. What is your opinion on metal handcuffs in role play? I had a bad experience once - my ex husband left the keys in the car and then poured a mixture of gin and melted chocolate ice cream all over me. I was a little annoyed. Favorite kind of restraint? neckties What’s a great song to dance to? Beers, Steers and Queers by the Revolting Cocks How many corsets do you own? What styles? Are ANY of them NOT Dark Garden corsets? Hmmm... at least 4... all made by Autumn. Violet wand: Whee! or "something Hermione would own"? I'm with Hermione. Which do you prefer: kissing men, women, bois or pre-op transsexuals? These days, men. Does any part of your body have a bruise or a welt right now? No. In your closet or dresser right now, do you have: Stomper boots YES Zils YES Plaid pants YES Bondage belt YES Leather jacket (painted or otherwise transformed from off the rack) YES - a Buddhist Punk one and a white one with flames Thigh-high patent leather boots I don't do patent Obama t-shirt HELL YES! How many of your piercings can’t be seen if you go out dressed in day clothes? None. Have you ever wished you could afford to buy a Sybian or a Venus 2000 just to try it? No. Is brown rice sushi edible? Yum. Janus: Financial advising company, Roman God, or a really fun bunch of people? Ew. A bunch of smarmy nerds who beat each other. Are you now, or have you ever been, an exhibitionist? Nope. If poly, do you ever wish you could be monogamous for a while? If monogamous, do you ever wish you could be poly for a while? (Skip this question if your answer would stir up trouble) I'm poly at heart, monogamous in practice. Berkeley Bowl, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s? Rainbow Grocery! Sex on a beach or sex in a tent filled with playa dust: which is more comfortable? Playa dust - yuck. Do you ever feel like you aren’t completely the gender others perceive you to be? Sometimes, yes. What’s the strangest place you’ve ever fallen asleep? Hmm... Ren Faire in LA on a hay bale in 1984, Sex while wearing a corset: heightens the experience delightfully, or just gets in the way? In the way. Do you love or hate durian? Hate the smell... I'll eat the ice cream. Do you remember how old you were when you first had a dream or fantasy of a sensual nature? No. Do you feel more comfortable with your body than you did ten years ago, or less? More comfortable with my self. Actually I weighed about the same 10 years ago - got skinny and then had a kid. In any given week, how many different styles of cuisine do you customarily eat? At least 4. Maybe more.

Help me celebrate my BIRTHDAY at the Green Festival!

dangerangel — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:51:40 GMT

I'm going to be 40, and I didn't want to have a party (since throwing parties is part of my job), all I wanted was to go to my FAVORITE event of the year - the Green Festival! I'll be there all weekend - I'm totally psyched at the speakers - and the energy will be great! http://www.greenfestivals.org/ Come and join me!

Obama/Biden

dangerangel — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:03:07 GMT

http://www.catsforobama.com/ http://www.joebidensteeth.com/

IDEA:

dangerangel — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:28:09 GMT

The economic collapse was caused by this year's Burning Man theme. Discuss.

McCain is a Spoiled Rotten Brat

dangerangel — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:40:38 GMT

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

RIP: Alan Parker

dangerangel — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:19:47 GMT

A fellow AIDS Ride employee... a great human. I was honored to know him.

TONIGHT AT RHYTHMIX!

dangerangel — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:43:30 GMT

"Meditate and Destroy" documentary about Buddhist Punk teacher Noah Levine. 8pm $10 Q & A w/ director www.rhythmix.org

FACT CHECK IT!

dangerangel — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:49:26 GMT

http://www.factcheck.org/ This is a completely non-partisan site dedicated to THE TRUTH. If you're watching a cable news network to get information, know that the information you're getting is BIASED (regardless of their marketing tag lines). CNN is probably the least biased. The News Hour on PBS is the best (and most boring) news. Now for the BEST HEADLINE EVER: Yes - they are in bed with big oil! http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/10/interior-illicit/ And best comment on a blog comes from this article: http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/09/10/mccain-finds-it-tough-without-palin/ "I am sick and tired of being called a godless liberal. I am a born-again, Bible believing Christian and a Democrat. No where in my Bible does it tell me to pass judgement on others who are different from me. No where does it tell me to help the rich and ignore the poor.My Bible also does not mention that I should give up my personal choice and freedom and have the government dictate to me what I can and cannot do. My Bible doesn't tell me that we should invade countries and kill innocent people for their oil. You people rail against big government but we have a moral obligation as a nation to take care of those who can't take of themselves. You are full of hatred and greed and that is not the way Jesus wants Christians to be. "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheeps clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.You will know them by their fruits…" Matthew 7:15,16" Best OP-ED on Big Oil: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2008/09/when-republicans-and-their-big-oil.html "The most handsomely paid henchmen of Big Oil-- from McCain (R-AZ- $1,642,810), John Cornyn (R-TX- $1,317,825), James Inhofe (R-OK- $1,090,023) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY- $673,861) in the Senate to Joe Barton (R-TX- $1,246,411), Don Young (R-AK- $957,263), Steve Pearce (R-NM- $615,874), Dan Boren (D-OK- $379,860) and Roy Blunt (R-MO- $366,748) in the House-- always try to equate oil company drilling with "us" (the American people, consumers paying $4/gallon at the pump and, starting in the second week of November, have to worry in a really serious way about home heating). But the oil that Sarah Palin talks about drilling for in Alaska is not "ours." It belongs so Big Oil and it is more likely to end up in Japan and China than in Maine or Minnesota. As Kagro X pointed out yesterday at Daily Kos, drilling is about oil company profits, not about easing the price of oil for American consumers."

A Day in the Life of Sarah Republican

dangerangel — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:42:25 GMT

a day in the life of Joe Republican Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffeepot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards. With his first swallow of coffee, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take because some stupid commie liberal fought to insure their safety and that they work as advertised. All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry. In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained. Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air. He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor. Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune. Its noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great depression. Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime. Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards. He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans. The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal (FDR) stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification. He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some wine-drinking, quiche-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to do so. Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved Republicans fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day. Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."

Diddy disses Palin

dangerangel — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:17:52 GMT

Priceless! http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5701173

RNC ARREST PROTESTERS!

dangerangel — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:02:21 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgTEgcC6inY&NR=1 They seize a Permaculture Bus with no cause: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh4iv3k1feU&feature=user www.theuptake.org

WAKE UP AMERICA!

dangerangel — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:17:52 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4EN7ibO1ec DENNIS KUCINICH ROCKS!!!

SPREAD THE WORD!

dangerangel — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:36:44 GMT

http://troublethewaterfilm.com/ Make this the biggest documentary box office this year!

John Cleese is on Twitter!

dangerangel — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:36:04 GMT

http://twitter.com/JohnCleese Best. Thing. Ever.

Boring Man

dangerangel — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:43:38 GMT

Anyone catch this funny blip on NPR about middle aged women going to Burning Man? http://www.scpr.org/news/stories/2008/08/18/06_loh_life_moms_081808.html Everyone is getting ready... and many of my friends are already there. I got a nice Twitter from Danger Ranger today, it was sweet, since I don't really talk to him much anymore. It was in the mystics code that we've always spoken in, sort of a guardian angel shorthand. I'm sure he does it with everyone, but it was nice to read it in a PM from the playa. I don't miss it. I do miss that big event production thing, like the AIDS Ride, but that didn't have the psychic overtones of Burning Man... the inter-dimensional portals, the void energy, the alien thing, all of that crap that goes with BM and the Black Rock Desert. Not to mention the 50,000 people, many spun. Really, it's unnecessary. But go, if you must. I wrote some blogs about it last year http://people.tribe.net/dangerangel/blog/35d64544-0446-4779-a895-6eb0557d8f3f and http://people.tribe.net/dangerangel/blog/1128062c-1750-42a9-9520-582013ebf558 It's got some good tips on how to avoid the psychic traps of Black Rock. We'll be here with the epsom salts and sage when you return.

Twitter?

dangerangel — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:45:09 GMT

I'm there... follow me! http://twitter.com/Dangerangel

Surfing = Wet Buddhism

dangerangel — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:05:10 GMT

http://www.revver.com/video/844266/religion/ Om, dude.

9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1

dangerangel — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:38:35 GMT

9 lasts: Last money spent: Hmmm... kettle corn on Sunday? Last cigarette: last night... yes... I still have one on occasion. Last beverage: Coffee Last movie: The Savages Last phone call: Kal, he's coming to pick up his robot art piece "War Does Not Make Boys Men, It Makes Them Dead" Last song played: London Calling Last bubble bath: Last week Last time you cried: hmmm... movie no doubt. Last thing you ate: A health food tortilla chip 8 have you evers. Have you ever dated a best friend: Still am. We were best friends in 1985/86. Now we're a couple. Have you ever skinny dipped: Of course Have you ever kissed somebody and regretted it: Hell yes. Have you ever lost someone you loved: Yes... the relationship exploded. I was sad for a long time. Have you ever been dumped: No. I always do the dumping, or it's mutually decided (or exploded). Have you ever been drunk and threw up: Yes. I don't drink anymore except the odd glass of good wine. Have you ever ran away: As a kid? No. Nothing to rebel against. My parents are great. Have you ever wanted someone you thought you couldn't have then found out they liked you: Yes. 7 countries you've been to. England. Luxembourg Czech Republic Austria Germany Mexico The Netherlands 6 things you've done today: (in no particular order...) Dressed Made my kid breakfast Made coffee for my guy Checked e-mail Helped my dad load set pieces Fondled a brass rhino sculpture 5 of your favorite things in no order. My kid Orgasms (my kid was the result of some) Good food, well prepared and nicely served The Natural World Having insights and relating them effectively 4 people you can tell [almost] anything to in no order.. Michael My mom My dad My step mom 3 things that make you smile. Acts of selflessness Acts of sheer stupidity My kid 2 things you want to do before you die. Travel in the east Finish the Ngondro (100,000 prostrations) 1 one thing you can't live with out water

My first art show...

dangerangel — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:33:02 GMT

www.rhythmix.org/robotica.html ...has come to an end... it was a REALLY great show... I had some of every medium - kinectic art, painting, photographs, graphic design, sculpture, video art, ... even stuffed robots! It was beautiful and balanced and really really fun to do. I loved curating it - thanks to all my artists: Kal Spelletich www.seemen.org Amy Jenkins http://cozyrampage.blogspot.com/ Mark Pauline www.srl.org Christian Schiess http://www.thecrucible.org/people/c_schiess.html Michael Schiess www.ujuju.com Al Honig http://www.alhonig.com/ Simone Davalos www.suicidebots.com Jayson McCauliff http://pixelstud.com/ Hank Hooper www.hankhooper.com and of course, Todd's Wall www.toddnow.org I got some great press: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/06/robotica_three_cool_event.html http://www.alamedamagazine.com/media/Alameda-Magazine/Events/index.php?view=view_event&itm=1972 http://laughingsquid.com/photos-video-of-1-wall-25-gears-benefit-for-todd-blair/

Create the Green Economy with Green Jobs!

dangerangel — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:32:13 GMT

I just got off the national conference call for the Green For All www.greenforall.org National Day of Action on 9/27 - Van Jones is so inspiring, I may have to skip the Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage that weekend just to organize something for this day of action. I saw Van introduce his idea of a Green Collar Job Corps at the Green Festival several years ago, and it was one of the most inspiring speeches I had ever witnessed. If we create favorable business conditions for Green companies, and train disadvantaged populations in Green Technologies (solar, biofuels, sustainable agriculture, etc) then we can create an economy and an environment that serves everyone. There's a great example of this in the bay area - Solar Richmond http://www.solarrichmond.org/ - just think if there were one of these in EVERY community? If you are interested in doing something for the national day of action, or learning more about the Green Jobs Corps go to www.greenforall.org

The Nazi School of Foreign Policy

dangerangel — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:11:23 GMT

"Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship. ...voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." - Hermann Goring, Reichmarschall, Luftwaffe Commander