iBlog

In Memoriam

RampantLion — Wed, 16 May 2007 03:01:59 GMT

Today a man died. Jerry Falwell, a reverend in the Baptist Church. I don’t rejoice in his death. My sincere condolences go out to his family. I do believe that all people have some good in them. I just don’t believe that all people do good things while alive. It is difficult to say, but I am glad that he is no longer alive. Further, I hope that the world doesn’t forget the horrible person that was Jerry Falwell. Falwell on African Americans: “If Chief Justice Warren and his associates had known God’s word and had desired to do the Lord’s will, I am quite confident that the 1954 decision [Brown v. Board of Education] would never have been made…. The facilities should be separate. When God has drawn a line of distinction, we should not attempt to cross that line.” If fact, his church didn’t baptize its first black member until 1968. ( http://onepeoplesproject.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=75&Itemid=29 ) And in the 1980’s he spoke out in favor of South African Apartheid, even calling Archbishop Desmond Tutu “a phony.” (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959695,00.html ) Liberty University, started by Falwell, lost millions of dollars from church investors when it filed for bankruptcy after an SEC investigation for “fraud and deceit.” Apparently issuing $6.5 million of uninsured bonds, allegedly of course, is a bad thing. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5522064 ) After taking over as head of the PTL Club, when a disgraced Jim Bakker was sent to jail, Mr. Falwell and the Board of Directors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. $72 million worth of debt was conveniently unloaded. Thanks, Jerry. On the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001: He blamed the gays and the pagans. (WTF?) Listen for yourself: https://home.comcast.net/~joe.grabko/falwell.mp3 On human sickness: “AIDS is the wrath of a just God.” On Islam: “I think Muhammad was a terrorist.” (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jerry_Falwell ) On the (so called) War on Terror©: “. . . blow them all away in the name of the Lord." Well, that’s very Christian of you, Reverend. (http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0410/24/le.01.html ) Then there’s this lovely tidbit about Jews: "I do not believe that God answers the prayer of any unredeemed Gentile or Jew." Lovely, Jerry. (I hope St. Peter asked you about this one today at the Pearly Gates.) (http://www.au.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5839&abbr=cs_ ) Of course, after significant criticism for such unbelievably audacious statements, Mr. Falwell often changed his tune. Riiiiight . . . and Richard Nixon wasn’t actually a crook. You were a bigot, Mr. Falwell; and our world is a better place without you. It will take us decades to undo the damage you’ve caused our nation and, in deed, our world. You’ve left an incredible legacy of intolerance and hatred. You were the worst of everything in America, and I will not mourn your death. Good riddance to bad rubbish. UPDATE: Bill Maher summed it up best: http://onegoodmovemedia.org/movies/0705/bm051807newrules.mov

An Historic Day

RampantLion — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 05:44:26 GMT

Two words: Madame Speaker I like the way it rolls off the tongue. It just sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? Say it with me, “Madame Speaker.” It is, in deed, an historic day. It’s even an historic day for the fat Denny Hastert, former Speaker of the House. (Too fat to even stand and applaud?) Now . . . I fully admit to being slightly jaded. An optimist I am not. I do believe that good things can, and do, happen; I just don’t believe that it will be a fun ride getting there. Most of the time, anyway. Today found me in a rare mood. I think I’d forgotten what optimism felt like. It was, after all, more than 2 years ago when I last felt optimism’s warm tingle. Why today, you ask? Enacted 9/11 Commission Recommendation Minimum Wage Increase Stem Cell Research Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Student Loan Interest Rate Cuts An End to Oil Subsidies Aaaah. Here’s hoping! Congratulations, Madame Speaker! Let’s get to work. It’s gonna be fun!

The War on Christmas© - a frontal assault

RampantLion — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 04:34:38 GMT

In the War on Christmas, I’m a Four-Star General. The War on Christmas© uses a one finger salute. Long about August when emotionally repressed, sexually unfulfilled, fathers all across the nation climb into their attics and drag out the decorations. Spending hours upon hours checking each bulb, they're happy just to be screwing something. The War on Christmas© will bring freedom to all people oppressed by Christmas fanatics. Each year this insanity starts earlier. Used to be December 1st, then the day after Thanksgiving. Now it’s the day after fuckin’ Halloween. What used to be an agonizing 24 days of “fun,” now last from August to mid-February. This is, in fact, why they invented plastic Christmas trees. The real ones kept dying after fourteen weeks. We cannot sit back and let this happen. We will fight and win the War on Christmas© before the terrorists are able to hit us again. Unlike our inept President, I have a war plan. I’m gonna drive my Prius through the neighborhood, find the house with the most absurd decorations, walk up to the porch, grab that 6 foot plastic candy cane, shove it straight up my ass and ride it like it’s Tuesday night. I’m calling it “Operating Candy Ass.” It will be the first assault in the War on Christmas©

Tofu made me Gay! (Bad, tofu! Bad!!)

RampantLion — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 05:09:29 GMT

It's all so clear to me know. All those soybeans I used to eat as a kid; they're to blame. How could I have not made that connection before? It's the natural progression: eat tofu . . . enjoy a dick up your ass. No, seriously. I just read it online: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53327 "There's a slow poison out there that's severely damaging our children and threatening to tear apart our culture. The ironic part is . . . the dangerous food I'm speaking of is soy. Soybean products are feminizing, and they're all over the place. You can hardly escape them anymore." In fact, I had tofu for dinner and I think I'm approaching an A Cup. Sweet Jesus, I've got bitch tits! But then I read on: "Soy is feminizing, and commonly leads to a decrease in the size of the penis, sexual confusion and homosexuality." WHAT?!? A decrease in the size of the penis? Sexual confusion I can handle; but I like my penis just the way it is, thank you very much. Do they just let any old idiot have a website? (Don't answer that, it was rhetorical.) Perhaps it was his years with Youth For Christ that made him a big fucking idiot. (http://www.jimrutz.com/) Well, I'll give you on thing doc. . . it was either the tofu, or that vibrating butt plug.

Maybe there is a god.

RampantLion — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 00:24:12 GMT

And maybe he answers prayers. Just maybe. From Ted Haggard's sermon, just days before being exposed as a gay drug user: “Heavenly Father give us grace and mercy, help us this next week and a half as we go into national elections and Lord we pray for our country. Father we pray lies would be exposed and deception exposed." Be careful what you wish . . . er, pray for. http://www.beliefnet.com/blogs/JWalking/2006/11/ted-haggards-last-sermon.html

An Open Wound

RampantLion — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 03:19:44 GMT

I didn't loose anyone "close" to me on 9/11; and I don't live in New York City. Nonetheless, I have yet to shake this pain. It's not a pain I share with my friends. Instead, it's a pain that comes at night when I'm alone. I cannot watch the tributes, or stomach the speeches. I have not forgotten, and I have yet to move on. Keith Olbermann was profound in his 9/11/2006 show. Give it a read (or, better yet, watch the video): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

George Bush Lied.

RampantLion — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:36:18 GMT

Yeah, yeah. We already knew that. I know. However, today the Senate officially admitted it. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14728447/ So much for those mushroom clouds we were promised. Too bad that we've lost nearly three thousand soldiers as a result. Anywho, back to JonBennet Ramsey. Worst. President. Ever.

To begin anew . . .

RampantLion — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 05:57:55 GMT

I was struck by this quote: We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. - George Orwell I read it in a diary by R Joyce at DailyKos.com: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/9/4/125236/2805 It really made me think about the liberal label. It seems to be the Scarlet Letter of the modern age, but I am quite proud to be a liberal. If you quietly consider yourself to be a liberal, please take a moment to read what it historically means: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal I am proud to be a liberal. I embrace the label. Let’s take it back and claim it as our own. Liberals unite!

Joe Lieberman (D-CT) PAYS Republicans for support

RampantLion — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:05:08 GMT

Joe Lieberman is facing a possible loss to a political new-comer, Ned Lamont. Lamont is running a strong anti-war campaign, while Lieberman continues to toss off support for the Presidents bungled war in Iraq. The Quinnipiac poll released today (8/03/06) shows Lamont kicking Joe's ass 54-41. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x11362.xml?ReleaseID=943 When faced with such a serious threat from your own party, you might expect Joe to stay close to his Democratic base. Those folks who got him elected in the first place. Right? No. The College Republican from Princeton University are reporting that Joe Lieberman (a Democrat) is paying College Republican to work for his campaign. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/2/14247/70377?detail=f I guess we see who is real friends are. Joe, we won't miss you when you're gone. Pay attention, Dianne (D-CA). We're coming for you next.

Opinions. (Not Facts)

RampantLion — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 17:58:05 GMT

I personally believe that stem cell research has enormous potential to help millions of people. Am I a scientist? No; but I am an intelligent person. I just happen to have an opinion. So, take my thoughts as an opinion . . . then form your own. On July 19th, President Bush vetoed a bill that would have expanded funding for stem cell research. It was the first veto of his presidency. As part of an explanation of the veto, Karl Rove says that researchers "have far more promise from adult stem cells than from embryonic stem cells." http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_4033656 It appears that Karl and George have an opinion, too. So, why is their opinion less important than mine? Scientists agree with me. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0607190211jul19,1,2440889.story?ctrack=1&cset=true In the long tradition of their term in the White House, the Bush Administration just keeps making shit up. Worst. President. Ever.

Tsunami to hit Pacific NW . . . God says so.

RampantLion — Thu, 18 May 2006 19:03:11 GMT

Pat Robertson is a fucking nut job. "If I heard the Lord right about 2006, the coasts of America will be lashed by storms . . ." Right. Much like there are *always* hurricanes that hit our coast. I could have predicted storms in 2006. What the fuck is his problem? But if he says there's gonna be a tsunami . . . I'd better for find my water wings and snorkel. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12851397/

CA to use Diebold. What a shame.

RampantLion — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 21:24:50 GMT

First Florida. Then Ohio. Next up, California? On the Friday before a long, 3 day weekend, California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson (R) conditionally certified Diebold voting machines for use in the entire state. (There is already limited used of Diebold equipment.) Hoping that it would get buried in news, or outright ignored by reporters looking forward to a long weekend, McPherson is setting the stage for the stealing of California votes. To make a long story short . . . these machines can be easily hacked. And certain politicians like it that way. (See Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004.) Should you feel like complaining, now is your chance: Secretary of State: http://www.ss.ca.gov/contacts.htm Elections Division: (916) 657-2166 State Senators: http://www.senate.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/senators.htp (Use the ‘Your Senator’ link on the left, if you’re unsure.) State Assembly: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/defaulttext.asp (Use the ‘Find My District’ link on the left.) US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=CA Senator Boxer: (202) 224-3553 Senator Feinstein: (202) 224-3841 Also, State Senator Debra Bowen is working to get the Rule Committee to subpoena Diebold to testify on the security of their voting machines. (Diebold was a no-show at the February 16th hearing on the matter. Go figure.) You can assist her efforts by contacting the Rules Committee and urging them to issues subpoenas: Senator Don Perata (Chair) D (510) 286-1333 Senator.Perata@sen.ca.gov Senator Jim Battin (Vice-Chair) R (916) 651-4037 Jim.Battin@sen.ca.gov Senator Roy Ashburn R (916) 651-4018 senator.ashburn@sen.ca.gov Senator Debra Bowen D EMAIL: Debra@debrabowen.com Senator Gilbert Cedillo D (916) 651-4022 For more information: http://www.whoscounting.net/ http://www.blackboxvoting.org/ http://www.debrabowen.com/

War is peace. Freedom is slavery.

RampantLion — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 20:19:07 GMT

George Orwell was right, and the Oakland Tribune is sending a reminder to Congress. http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/oped/ci_3337465 They're asking for your copy of George Orwell's haunting classic, 1984. When they receive 537 copies, they are going to send one to every Member of the House and Senate, the Vice President and the President. Bring or mail your books to the Oakland Tribune, 401 13th St., Oakland CA 94612. Doors are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We all walked out recently into a strange reality. It's no longer the subject of conspiracy theorists. Big Brother really is listening, and you should be frightened. "If there is hope, wrote Winston, it lies in the proles." Rise up.

Incompetent Design

RampantLion — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 18:54:46 GMT

Religion is not science. Everyone is welcome to his or her own faith, but keep it out of our schools. Small minds shouldn't set curriculum standards. Fight the American Taliban. Incompetent Design. I love it! It's kinda snarky, but it's something to ponder. http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2005/11/the_other_id.php

PROP 78 vs. PROP 79

RampantLion — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 06:51:55 GMT

Both are prescription drug plans, administered by CA DHS, that provide discounts by negotiation rebates from drug manufacturers. The similarities end there. Prop 78 – costs Californians more to participate and limits participation at every turn. Further, it makes big pharma’s participation completely voluntary. It’s being promoted by Amgen, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Pfizer. Hmm. Prop 79 – is a sincere attempt to provide more affordable prescription drugs to Californians. It protects Californians, not big pharma profits. It’s supported by police, firefighters, teachers, and Labor. California tried a voluntary drug plan in 2001. Drug companies choose not to participate. What makes us think it’ll be different this time? YES ON 79 (and NO on 78) Read more here: http://www.buyblue.org/node/3853 http://www.healthvote.org/78/adwatch_decision.php?pid=78&sid=4 http://www.healthvote.org/79/prescriptiondrug79.php?pid=79 http://www.smartvoter.org/2005/11/08/ca/state/prop/79/ http://www.smartvoter.org/2005/11/08/ca/state/prop/78/

If a march happens in Washington . .

RampantLion — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 04:22:41 GMT

. . . and no press is there to cover it, does it really happen? 9|24|2005 -- It mattered to some of us. Cindy, you're my hero. Damnit Janet, you're a peach. Mike, it was a sincere pleasure. And, Maryscott O'Connor, I covet your megaphone. The rest of the world missed an opportunity. Peach & freedom are coming. We will persist. UPDATE: Good pics here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/25/215544/049