Best. Movie. Ever.
Perhaps I don’t mean that literally. I don’t really intend to suggest that it was the finest example of artistry ever rendered onto celluloid, but then, I’ve never been the type to try to say what is the best of all things in any category. I’ll leave it to others to describes why Citizen Kane was a better or more worthwhile movie than The Two Towers. All I will say is this: I have never had a more thoroughly pleasurable experience in a movie theater.
Full disclosure: I’m a fan of Tolkien. I’ll say that now so the unconverted don’t cast a wondering, suspicious eye on this spastic endorsement of the film. I’ve read the Lord of the Rings, and I enjoyed it immensely, but I’m no LOTR-version of a trekkie. My attention span can’t be sustained solely by an entertainment product’s affiliation with some established universe or character. That’s why I can sit back and watch The Wrath of Khan with a stupid, happy grin on my face but would rather let Uday Hussein go to work on my teeth and testicles rather than sit through an hour of Voyager. And I would suspect many rabid fans of LOTR would be even more exacting than that, if only because the books are so damn good that any half-hearted, mediocre effort by Peter Jackson would result in the poor guy being burned in effigy by a bunch of virgins dressed up as elves. But those are the real die-hards, the Taliban wing of the LOTR fanbase, let’s say (some people may take offesne to the usage of that word, what with all the efforts by the Left to attach it to anyone who is to the political or cultural right of Barbra Streisand, but what the hell, I’m feeling careless today).
But then, that’s not really fair. I’m sure there’s a small segment of the Tolkieners who could match the fervence of their fan fixation with the phasers of the USS Obsessed any day, but their numbers are dwarfed to the point of nonexistence by the hordes of people who cherish the books and the mythology involved but don’t speak Elvish (which, again, is not to suggest that alrge percentage of Star Trek fans pepper their speech with phrases like “Beam me up” and “Make it so,” but I don’t think you can deny that their per capita numbers are greater). Christopher Lee for instance, playing Saruman in LOTR, is himself a hardy Tolkiener who makes a yearly tradition out of reading the full 1,500 pages or so of the book horse fucking black women. Somehow I don’t imagine folks like these rallying around a movie about their cherished mythos and verbally eviscerating anyone that dare speak what they all know deep-down: that the thing sucks donkey balls. It’s become fashionable to bash Episode I these days, three and a half years after it came out and 6 months after a sequel that was at least marginally better (yet still had a barrel-full of reasons to throw things at the screen) showed everyone even more starkly how shitty it really was. But I’m not sure most people recall how desperate so many SW fans were to undergo any kind of mental contortions necessary to convince themselves that it was the real deal, a worthy successor to the first three films. I know that because I meyself went through it, though my illusions only lasted through about half of the car ride home. AFter that I started ranting about midichlorines and Calvanism and ETs in the galactic assembly and cutesy, sass-talking aliens until I had to be forcibly sedated. I saw a lot of people not coming around to that position until much later.
I just don’t see the Tolkien crowd going through that. For one thing, it isn’t like Tolkien himself is writing another book. We’re not getting new material from the original master that all made us oooh and ahhh at one point. That’s one of the reasons it washard for so many to come to grips with the feces-on-celluloid that was Ep. I.
“Surely Lucas wouldn’t betray us like this! Something must be amiss.”
But yes, for sure they, and I, are of the kind of mind that is instantly more receptive to all this sword and sorcery ballyhoo than others, but that isn’t a prerequisite for becoming entirely entranced and delighted by this movie.
But then, if you haven’t seen the first film already, don’t go see The Two Towers yet. There’s no handy bluescreen plate of words flying through space setting the scene, no narration to describe the main backstory as Galadriel did describing the history of the Ring of Power at the beginning of the Fellowship of the Ring. The most Jackson offers is a brief dream sequence recounting Gandalf’s seemingly fatal battle with the Balrog, and then Frodo wakes up with Sam, lost in the hills outside of Mordor, right where we last saw them last in FOTR.
And that pretty well sums up the manner in which the movie progresses, really true stories of dog sex.
The triumph in Fellowship was the sheer fact that a world and characters so richly envisioned and loved by millions could be rendered on the screen in a way that made the vast majority of fans, for the vast majority of the film, sit back and go, “Yup, that’s how it should be.”
The triumph here is the remarkable success with which Jackson tells the three separate story lines of the novel, each one of them full of their own mass of plot and character to be expounded upon and given attention to. It’s realtively easy to do this sort of thing in a book, and Tolkien takes his sweet time doing it, spending seventy-five or a hundred pages on the events in one story line and then switch over to the other when it suits him. The temporal disconnect involved in the book isn’t a jarring thing when you’re telling a written story, but for a movie it can become confusing or just irritating unless it’s an integral part of the style of the movie, a la Pulp Fiction.
Jackson weaves in and out of the various plot lines deftly, and the movie proceeds at a breakneck pace for nearly the entire three hours, managing though to never seem hurried, always appearing to spend just the right amount of time on each episode. This isn’t merely some product of faithfulness to the legacy of LOTR, it’s just plain damn good film-making, one of the reasons that anyone who enjoys an exciting story told skillfully and well-developed characters will find much to love herein.
The technical wizardry is much more apparent in this movie. That is not to say that they didn’t have things to drool over in FOTR, but so much of the visual richness there was a matter of craft and loving attention to detail than it was a sheer breath-taking scope of special effects and computer-generated artistry. To be sure, the battle scenes at Isengard and Helm’s Deep are worthy testaments to this fact, but more than anything else, it is the film’s portrayal of the completely-cgi Gollum that impressed me. Never, anywhere on film, has there been a more expressive face existing only in 1’s and 0’s. It’s a cliche, but still true, to say that the best pecial effects are the ones where you don’t think to yourself what great special effects they are. Gollum passes that test. It speaks volumes that when you’re watching the movie, you’re not wondering how the digital artists created it. You’re thinking what a sad, pathetic, evil, funny, frightening creature he is.
Just as a side note, I was a little shocked at first at how human Gollum was made to seem. I had always grown up thinking of him as looking much more bestial, at least in his face if not his body. But here he looks like an emaciated, sickly, human child forced gay zoosex. And it works amazingly. There were many moments when it made me feel downright uncomfortable, and I realized after a little while that that was the point.
Speaking of such, you get to see a lot more orcs in this movie than in FOTR, and it’s wonderful, one of my favorite aspects of the film altogether. Sure, you saw a lot of Uruk-Hai in Fellowship, and they were imposing and frightening as intended, but they’re not what I think of when I imagine orcs in general. Here you get to see all the various stooping, drooling, puss and scar-covered assortments of orc that you could ever wish for. The expressiveness and character in their faces (make-up and prosthetics here) and voices made me laugh out loud. Don’t get me wrong, they’re creepy as all get out, I was simply bowled over into laughing delight by the smorgasbord of disgusting and hateful variety displayed.
The Two Towers also shores up some of the minor weak points of its predecessor. For one thing, there isn’t nearly as much of the camera doing slow zooms on Frodo’s face so we can all get a good long look at Elijah Woods gazing off into the distance with his dreamboat eyes. And Viggo Mortensen seems much better in his role as Aragorn. It looked like he had matured more into the part, but I don’t see how this could be the case since the trilogy was filmed all at once and not, presumably, in linear order.
The one minor quibble that I can find with this film is the fact that Gimli is too often employed for comic relief. I sympathize with the plight of the film makers, looking for some way to provide some levity in heavy moments, but must it always be with jokes about the poor dwarf’s stature? I mean, yeah, he’s short, we get it. But that’s a severely minor point when taken in part with the entirety of the film.
I arrived at the theater with pre-bought tickets at about exactly the time when it was supposed to start. Big mistake, that. I looked and saw an already huge line of people waiting for the showing that started an hour after ours gay dog men boys. Michelle and I found seats, but in the second row from the front, and all the way off to the side.
So, during the whole movie, my neck was tilted at a painful angle that occasionally sent weird spasms down my back. I couldn’t see whole screen without looking from side to side. There was even a baby a row back that sporadically made some sniffly crying noises.
And still, the most fun I’ve ever had in a theater, period.
It is time for a new day to dawn in the Blogosphere, my gnome brothers. A glorious day. A day when no longer will wecourse grew out of the experience of 9/11.
anger that is so justifiable -no, demanded- by these despicable acts, but if that must be the case, then from on, I'll be
to penetrate.
One of the great advances of the modern era has been the spread of the rule of law. This is the now common idea that
and the UC Divestment folks will be holding a rally for what looks like the primary purpose of protesting the fact that
the way. Apparently that wasn't enough for the however, because they then started pulling at her legs to keep her from
them into a thin paste of protein on a cave wall, to wipe out every last vestige of the disgusting stain they have left
go it alone. What he failed to do was tell us who the members of his war coalition are. Why? Because there is no coalition.
An insightful, well-written and quite simply excellent column somehow found its way in the SF Chronicle's website today.
I guess not. The fact that the UN is anything but democratic since the vast majority of countries represented there do not
Those people are especially useful when they have access to the core computer systems that hackers would otherwise struggle
go it alone. What he failed to do was tell us who the members of his war coalition are. Why? Because there is no coalition.
Such as this quote by Teddy Roosevelt concerning his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, posted now
again soon, didn't we?"
we despise no less the coward and the voluptuary. No man is worth calling a man who will not fight
I was already in a state of "moving on" and being "over it" before I even heard about the Bali attacks, with the result
in words so much more exacting than even those who actually live in that time would be able to produce?
...but there's no shame in being a follower when those you're following make such damn good points.
I see. Did you talk to this "everyone" at your International Socialist Organization direct action planning seminar or
Eventually he got a little ticked off and said roughly, "Get away from me!" I was hungrily anticipating the energetic dissenter
the teacher trying to impress both of them.
When they aired some actual interviews with the protesters, I started to honestly think they were part of some sort of
Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
I mean come on, when you're arguing with someone who's just going to call you a Nazi when you spend 2,000 words making
Well that's not really true. People on a different side of the debate than I are not necessarily jerks, just wrong.
assures everyone that "Don't worry, the problem is being taking care of by the inspectors."
the world to stomach the imperial scent of our newly enunciated military doctrine that proposes pre- emption of any powerful
to roost," those sniveling, carping appeasers,
occurred, smashing the window of their hotel room.
side of the political spectrum... what are they called?
have democratically elected rulers I'm sure doesn't throw any flies into your ointment.
I tried to present my ideas in an honest and truthful way, and not be seriously offensive, even when he acted in ways
The fact that this is being published in the Chronicle is no small feat. Even more reason for you to go read it.
not just "fear," as if we're going to indiscriminantly nuke the floor under our beds because monsters might be hiding there.
off a bunch of secretaries and other office workers who probably agree with them on the war anyway will further their
Diversity. More than motherhood, it is the one unassailable concept these days. Open any teaching publication, and you will
news editors of Cannel 7 to allow, as the segment ended right there.
I urge anyone in the bay area who has the time on the 16th to come as well and lend credence with your example to the
"approach parody" is too mild. They sprinted towards parody, jumped on top of it and proceded to give parody a spirited
Such as this quote by Teddy Roosevelt concerning his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, posted now
During that protest, my girlfriend had to take a midterm in Wheeler auditorium and had to step over the bodies lying in
we despise no less the coward and the voluptuary. No man is worth calling a man who will not fight
Also, I've printed out and made a bunch of copies of some flyers from this site and will be passing them out.
Really, how often is someone able to so perfectly crystallize the dilemmas that will exist a century in the future
that boiled up to the surface when I read things like this.
join the majority of the world's nations in distancing themselves from Washington in a fashion not seen since the Vietnam War.
anger that is so justifiable -no, demanded- by these despicable acts, but if that must be the case, then from on, I'll be
The Muslim world -- whose support is vital to any real effort to end the causes of terrorism -- is adamantly opposed.
Saddam will use these nukes when he gets them, whether that use takes the form of vaporizing a city or merely being hung
both at home and abroad, can go heartily fuck themselves, or jump off a cliff, or shoot themselves in the head. I don't
Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard at 12:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
cause, but I,
predictable frequency. Follow a politician to a school photo-op,
serves? As far as I can tell, all they did was take some people who were probably overwhelmingly against the war anyway,
but I hope to do that soon. I also hope to win the Nobel Prize in Kickboxing, and judge each of those things to be of
Stand up to these thugs This Wednesday, the 16th at noon, an apparent composite of the Students for Justice in Palestine
Peace is generally good in itself, but it is never the highest good unless it comes as the handmaid
But anyway, right there you've got yourself eight nations total in the coalition, hailing from North America, both western
without regard to whether the loss is due to the growth of a heartless and all-absorbing commercialism,
being the reaction described above.
go it alone. What he failed to do was tell us who the members of his war coalition are. Why? Because there is no coalition.
So seeing as how we've got massive approval from the House of Representatives and similar support in the senate is likely,
or any other simply crappy country in the world, because none of them satisfy both those propositions.
And at most, UN weapons inspectors have delayed conflict by a few years, not averted it. In actualyity, I think they have
military action to counter the Soviet threat was not possible, because of their equal capacity to destroy us through
The fact that this is being published in the Chronicle is no small feat. Even more reason for you to go read it.
"The death of that man is a religious duty, but his case should not be tied to the Christian community," Shabestari,
Now of course I'm sure that these open-toed folks have a flurry of perfectly well thought-out reasons as to why pissing
Don't worry, I'll sit here with my rifle ready to take out any airborne porcines, should they come flying by.
news editors of Cannel 7 to allow, as the segment ended right there.
one of the most fad-driven enterprises imaginable. It produces a new catechism each decade, which everyone dutifully recites.
Shiite Muslim clerics in Lebanon and Iran have reacted with rage at the Rev. Jerry Falwell for calling Islam's prophet
to the San Francisco federal building to protest the passage of Bush's resolution for action against Iraq.
I mean come on, when you're arguing with someone who's just going to call you a Nazi when you spend 2,000 words making
vulnerability.
Hey, didn't there used to be a city where this smoking crater is?
I figured that was the way to go. But then I read this.
In theory, I was of course angry, but I had a vaguely detatched sense about the whole thing. A large part of that of
United States invade a distant country without any evidence of impending aggression.
and eastern Europe, Australia and the middle east. Is that not multilateralism?
the efforts to find these people and eradicate them, to ferret them out from their cowardly hiding places and vaporize
Many in the global community also distrust the Bush administration's expanding war aims. It is not easy for our friends around
Sorry folks, but slippery slope arguments don't hold water by themselves. We're going after Saddam because he 1) has shown
So seeing as how we've got massive approval from the House of Representatives and similar support in the senate is likely,
President Bush says he wants to avoid "a future of fear." It's an admirable goal, but one hardly served by this new doctrine.
But I am thankful that at least for now, I've been able to summon that deep-seated, personal wrath so appropriate to an
fact that these people are thugs, bullies and liars.
in words so much more exacting than even those who actually live in that time would be able to produce?
Such as this quote by Teddy Roosevelt concerning his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, posted now
"A bunch of people died from terrorism over the weekend? Sure, that's awful, but we all knew this was going to happen
And exactly how do you go from no "final proof" to there being no evidence of impending aggression? The very fact that
that continues to characterize the US as the Great Satan and preach jihad against all things Western? Oh I know, the Muslim
over the heads of the world's nations as threat so that he can act willy-nilly in whatever new adventure captures his
it is shoved, in all its detailed horror, right into my face.
What it does not mean however, is that this suddenly signals that we are going to be going after China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba
Now at this point, most people would just say, "let it go, and move on."
You must be triple jointed to be able to twist words like that.
If a good education is meant to produce independent thinkers, I've seen precious little evidence it does. Education is
Russia and shit. Besides, it's just the Russians. Why don't we just contain them or something? Hey, who's up for some
the real fault of that government or its citizens, or the West in general, or capitalism, or any other ridiculous boogeyman
coming off them. It was really a terrible sight," she said. "You could just hear people crying up in the Bounty foyer -
The experience made me think of the instructions from all corners of the media after 9/11 that what we, as Americans,
the efforts to find these people and eradicate them, to ferret them out from their cowardly hiding places and vaporize
I figured that was the way to go. But then I read this.
he is willing to act aggressively and recklessly and cannot be reasonably deterred and 2) is working to get and use nukes
University or Diversity
In fact, the idea of pre- emptive attack depends on fear. It presupposes insecurity and assumes we will always be threatened.
predictable frequency. Follow a politician to a school photo-op,
I tried to present my ideas in an honest and truthful way, and not be seriously offensive, even when he acted in ways
but they make up for any lack of actual existence with pure unadulterated enthusiasm.
a representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying.
has been built up around Mitnick, a basically curious guy who just as often used old face-to-face (or voice-to-voice)
find testimonials to diversity. Flip through any recent social sciences or humanities textbook and diversity pops up with
to penetrate.
Finally, long after the fad has grown tiresome, everyone's attention turns to another scrap of dogma for the next decade.
and the decisions to do so would based on (as in this case) measured calculations of the relative benefits and costs,
Now of course I'm sure that these open-toed folks have a flurry of perfectly well thought-out reasons as to why pissing
the All Men Are Rapists self defense workshop? Surely that must be a representative sample of the country!
"What I found personally to be true was that it's easier to manipulate people rather than technology," he said.
If a good education is meant to produce independent thinkers, I've seen precious little evidence it does. Education is
lap dance.
According to the president, "we cannot wait for the final proof" that Saddam Hussein's government is planning an imminent
, "I don't believe the American people support this war. Everyone I've talked to is against it!"
computer systems.
be replacing the old site that was hosted on that evil of evils, that bane of banes, that something-really-awful of
I figured that was the way to go. But then I read this.
You mean everyone in America aren't like San Franciscans?
, "I don't believe the American people support this war. Everyone I've talked to is against it!"
let you know when there's a mushroom cloud over New York, because that's the only "final proof" that seems to be able to
Well I wouldn't be surprised if this Wednesday at Sproul there will be similar behavior, and I plan to be there. Maybe
"to prolonged indulgence in luxury and soft, effortless ease, or to the deification of a warped and twisted sentimentality"?
alternative economy." I suppose that's better PR than saying they want to impose a grab bag full of sociialistic silliness
and the UC Divestment folks will be holding a rally for what looks like the primary purpose of protesting the fact that
United States invade a distant country without any evidence of impending aggression.
I suppose you mean that it's not "multilateralist" unless France says so?
without regard to whether the loss is due to the growth of a heartless and all-absorbing commercialism,
War, by three fellows that hail from Global Exchange. You know who I'm talking about. The folks that want to "build an
join the majority of the world's nations in distancing themselves from Washington in a fashion not seen since the Vietnam War.
So seeing as how we've got massive approval from the House of Representatives and similar support in the senate is likely,
For that reason and others, I didn't actually start reading the news coverage until this morning.
assures everyone that "Don't worry, the problem is being taking care of by the inspectors."
superiority.
but they make up for any lack of actual existence with pure unadulterated enthusiasm.
Stand up to these thugs This Wednesday, the 16th at noon, an apparent composite of the Students for Justice in Palestine
Peace is generally good in itself, but it is never the highest good unless it comes as the handmaid
getting an education. When she tried to talk to one of the organizers after her test about how some people were just
Now could someone please tell me what concrete purpose that woman's behavior, and that of her great chanting unwashed bretheren,
50 Ways to Leave Your Folly Common Dreams, that goldmine of general silliness, showcases this piece, The Folly of Pre-emptive
curiosity that trumps any sort of legal resriction placed on him, but it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that he's
I don't know about you people, but I'm already stocking up on extra food, water, and electrons.
the All Men Are Rapists self defense workshop? Surely that must be a representative sample of the country!
vaunted proof of yours. Then you could be really sure.
world that even today harbors and offers succor to the same groups that piloted the 9/11 planes, right?
Really, how often is someone able to so perfectly crystallize the dilemmas that will exist a century in the future
democratically decided laws - - not the capriciousness of individual rulers -- should govern human affairs.
At the very least, don't let me hear any of these things when you're standing in my presence, unless you want a faceful
making a point of reading in depth about any such future atrocity to ensure that I don't allow myself to be instantly "over it."
to elicit empathy had been raised considerably since 9/11,
I strongly suspect TR had access to some sort of time machine and traveled into the furture about a hundred years.
One of the great advances of the modern era has been the spread of the rule of law. This is the now common idea that
when you apply your own internal calculus of death and suffering and conclude that it isn't something that you need
sloth, or as an instrument to further the ends of despotism or anarchy.
Well I wouldn't be surprised if this Wednesday at Sproul there will be similar behavior, and I plan to be there. Maybe
destroying the technological infrastructure of Western civilization again. And it's only 3 months away!
about equal probability.
Stand up to these thugs This Wednesday, the 16th at noon, an apparent composite of the Students for Justice in Palestine
United States invade a distant country without any evidence of impending aggression.
trying to get an education
to prolonged indulgence in luxury and soft, effortless ease, or to the deification of a warped and twisted sentimentality.
That is, until this morning. Now I'm glad to say that I've gotten over getting over it, and am thoroughly pissed again.
In theory, I was of course angry, but I had a vaguely detatched sense about the whole thing. A large part of that of
"Standing in the foyer of the Bounty Hotel, people were just walking in, blood dripping off them, burns to their face, skin
President Bush says he wants to avoid "a future of fear." It's an admirable goal, but one hardly served by this new doctrine.
(or to have their genitalia eviscerated by a rabid Rosie O'Donnell
and make them wish that congress had instead passed a resolution authorizing military force against people
but they make up for any lack of actual existence with pure unadulterated enthusiasm.
join the majority of the world's nations in distancing themselves from Washington in a fashion not seen since the Vietnam War.
I was already in a state of "moving on" and being "over it" before I even heard about the Bali attacks, with the result
Anyway, take the new site for a test drive. Take her easy on the clutch and go steady on the hills, and I think you'll
join the majority of the world's nations in distancing themselves from Washington in a fashion not seen since the Vietnam War.
Yes, well I suppose you're suggesting that we would be well-served to wait for this "final proof," then? Very well. I'll
and that it wasn't fair for these people to stop them, the girl started literally screaming at her about selfish she was.
"to prolonged indulgence in luxury and soft, effortless ease, or to the deification of a warped and twisted sentimentality"?
It may be a sad illustration of my lack to find sympathy within myself without reading descriptions or seeing pictures,
Sorry folks, but slippery slope arguments don't hold water by themselves. We're going after Saddam because he 1) has shown
that I hadn't thought of it first!
which is all about the biggest threat to the security of all companies: their own employees.
I finally went and did it.
to prolonged indulgence in luxury and soft, effortless ease, or to the deification of a warped and twisted sentimentality.
of a lack of imagination or basic humanity; the fact that it's difficult for me to feel deeply for people suffering unless
Sorry folks, but slippery slope arguments don't hold water by themselves. We're going after Saddam because he 1) has shown
looks like a green light, no?
However, several of the exchanges I have had have definately been with those you might describe as "challeneged" in
really just put Saddam in a better situation than he was before because the presence of inspectors invites complacency and
That is, until this morning. Now I'm glad to say that I've gotten over getting over it, and am thoroughly pissed again.
that has the temerity to look at us cock-eyed.
So seeing as how we've got massive approval from the House of Representatives and similar support in the senate is likely,
side of the political spectrum... what are they called?
jerkwad I encounter, an order for them to be beheaded with extreme prejudice until the the point at which they are dead
superiority.
just now. Admittedly they do face significant challenges in carrying out their duties due to their imaginary nature,
democratically decided laws - - not the capriciousness of individual rulers -- should govern human affairs.
I've been blogging since July 2005, and in that time, I've had a few inter-blog arguments with the folks on the other
But I am thankful that at least for now, I've been able to summon that deep-seated, personal wrath so appropriate to an
military action to counter the Soviet threat was not possible, because of their equal capacity to destroy us through
just now. Admittedly they do face significant challenges in carrying out their duties due to their imaginary nature,
Iranian cleric Mohsen Mojtahed Shabestari, addressing weekly Friday prayers in the northwestern town of Tabriz, said
off a bunch of secretaries and other office workers who probably agree with them on the war anyway will further their
I see. Did you talk to this "everyone" at your International Socialist Organization direct action planning seminar or
morally, that this is the right thing to do.
that boiled up to the surface when I read things like this.
Already, even if the UN thumbs its irrelevant nose at the idea of going after Iraq (and if it actually does, then they'll
making a point of reading in depth about any such future atrocity to ensure that I don't allow myself to be instantly "over it."
to elicit empathy had been raised considerably since 9/11,
on the civilized world. And when I resort again to that frame of mind, it will be because I realize, intellectually and
Meanwhile, the fact that we are able to use pre-emptive action when deemed necessary is a fact of our strength, not weakness
I don't know about you people, but I'm already stocking up on extra food, water, and electrons.
I mean come on, when you're arguing with someone who's just going to call you a Nazi when you spend 2,000 words making
chanting in his face and moved in front of him every time he tried to get around her.
be replacing the old site that was hosted on that evil of evils, that bane of banes, that something-really-awful of
Really, how often is someone able to so perfectly crystallize the dilemmas that will exist a century in the future
One of the great advances of the modern era has been the spread of the rule of law. This is the now common idea that
Already, even if the UN thumbs its irrelevant nose at the idea of going after Iraq (and if it actually does, then they'll
weapons inspections in Iraq represent a good example of how the rule of law has been used, and can be used again, to avert
Hesiod over at Counterspin Central is one such fellow. Not only with myself, but in his conversations with Den Beste,
If a good education is meant to produce independent thinkers, I've seen precious little evidence it does. Education is
hacky-sack?"
Watching Channel 7 news today (the Simpsons were in a commercial), they reported on a wad of dingbats who blocked access
I see. Did you talk to this "everyone" at your International Socialist Organization direct action planning seminar or
let you know when there's a mushroom cloud over New York, because that's the only "final proof" that seems to be able to
that continues to characterize the US as the Great Satan and preach jihad against all things Western? Oh I know, the Muslim
Either that, or I now have to admit the existence of clairvoyance.
One of the great advances of the modern era has been the spread of the rule of law. This is the now common idea that
of the mass moron movement.
a careful, precise argument, what point is there in engaging them verbally anymore?
Eventually he got a little ticked off and said roughly, "Get away from me!" I was hungrily anticipating the energetic dissenter
Also, I've printed out and made a bunch of copies of some flyers from this site and will be passing them out.
Heh. Didn't Nostradamus write something about "a bespeckled plague rising in the West..."?
nothing may stand in our way!
, "I don't believe the American people support this war. Everyone I've talked to is against it!"
Yes, well I suppose you're suggesting that we would be well-served to wait for this "final proof," then? Very well. I'll
The Muslim world -- whose support is vital to any real effort to end the causes of terrorism -- is adamantly opposed.
"I said it's being taken care of, dammit. Mind your own business."
a terrorist and an envoy of Iran's supreme leader reportedly called for his death.
Sorry folks, but slippery slope arguments don't hold water by themselves. We're going after Saddam because he 1) has shown
I mean come on, when you're arguing with someone who's just going to call you a Nazi when you spend 2,000 words making
computer systems.
Well, being the abject conformist that I am, I would like to welcome all new and oldcomers to my new blog, which will
over the heads of the world's nations as threat so that he can act willy-nilly in whatever new adventure captures his
to make the first world poor and make sure the third world stays that way.
Don't you people ever get tired of just pulling shit out of your asses?
conflict.
Hesiod over at Counterspin Central is one such fellow. Not only with myself, but in his conversations with Den Beste,
them into a thin paste of protein on a cave wall, to wipe out every last vestige of the disgusting stain they have left
a terrorist and an envoy of Iran's supreme leader reportedly called for his death.
be harried by idiots who have full compliments of heads and genitals! With the ranks of my imaginary gnomes rallied,
, "I don't believe the American people support this war. Everyone I've talked to is against it!"
We despise and abhor the bully, the brawler, the oppressor, whether in private or public life, but
Do you mean the Muslim world that celebrated 9/11, saying the US deserved it all along? Or perhaps you mean the Muslim world
"I said it's being taken care of, dammit. Mind your own business."
a terrorist and an envoy of Iran's supreme leader reportedly called for his death.
care. Just don't let me hear anything about how this bombing that specifically targeted Australian civilians was somehow
that I hadn't thought of it first!
chanting in his face and moved in front of him every time he tried to get around her.
Well, being the abject conformist that I am, I would like to welcome all new and oldcomers to my new blog, which will
Saddam will use these nukes when he gets them, whether that use takes the form of vaporizing a city or merely being hung
I wish that I could just be told "Hundreds of people died in a terrorist bombing today," and instantly feel the kind of rage
of the mass moron movement.
An insightful, well-written and quite simply excellent column somehow found its way in the SF Chronicle's website today.
to get a good smack upside the head (or as I call it, a "hippie hello"), but that was apparently too much for the niggardly
If a good education is meant to produce independent thinkers, I've seen precious little evidence it does. Education is
who like to chant slogans and can't come up with any better rhyme than something that has to do with the number "four" and "war."
to make the first world poor and make sure the third world stays that way.
only be revealed as more useless than it already seems), there is right now a coalition prepared to go into Iraq with the
let you know when there's a mushroom cloud over New York, because that's the only "final proof" that seems to be able to
And perhaps because of the collective weight of all those accumulated exhortations, perhaps from the psychic weariness
over the heads of the world's nations as threat so that he can act willy-nilly in whatever new adventure captures his
it is shoved, in all its detailed horror, right into my face.
so that he will be better equipped to fulfill point 1). Show me another nation that's like that today.
An insightful, well-written and quite simply excellent column somehow found its way in the SF Chronicle's website today.
chanting in his face and moved in front of him every time he tried to get around her.
the teacher trying to impress both of them.
destroying the technological infrastructure of Western civilization again. And it's only 3 months away!
about equal probability.
Already, even if the UN thumbs its irrelevant nose at the idea of going after Iraq (and if it actually does, then they'll
anger that is so justifiable -no, demanded- by these despicable acts, but if that must be the case, then from on, I'll be
The Muslim world -- whose support is vital to any real effort to end the causes of terrorism -- is adamantly opposed.
assures everyone that "Don't worry, the problem is being taking care of by the inspectors."
I figured that was the way to go. But then I read this.
care. Just don't let me hear anything about how this bombing that specifically targeted Australian civilians was somehow
that I hadn't thought of it first!
which is all about the biggest threat to the security of all companies: their own employees.
and that it wasn't fair for these people to stop them, the girl started literally screaming at her about selfish she was.
Saddam will use these nukes when he gets them, whether that use takes the form of vaporizing a city or merely being hung
of a lack of imagination or basic humanity; the fact that it's difficult for me to feel deeply for people suffering unless
join the majority of the world's nations in distancing themselves from Washington in a fashion not seen since the Vietnam War.
During the last half of the 20th century, this principle was expanded internationally through the United Nations. The U.N.
Well that's not really true. People on a different side of the debate than I are not necessarily jerks, just wrong.
Hey, didn't there used to be a city where this smoking crater is?
that blatantly called for some rhetorical bitch-slapping.
to roost," those sniveling, carping appeasers,
It seems the Muslim version of a slander suit is cutting off your head. Now when I read this I was shocked, just shocked
President Bush says he wants to avoid "a future of fear." It's an admirable goal, but one hardly served by this new doctrine.
jerkwad I encounter, an order for them to be beheaded with extreme prejudice until the the point at which they are dead
to penetrate.
The fact that this is being published in the Chronicle is no small feat. Even more reason for you to go read it.
owned," she pontificated, in that snotty "52% of my clothes are made of hemp which therefore makes me morally superior
by both Instapundit and Cold Fury (and probably by sundry others by now):
But anyway, right there you've got yourself eight nations total in the coalition, hailing from North America, both western
they're done, hang them on his wall next to the framed heads of Iraqi dissidents and say to himself, "Well, I can check
Many in the global community also distrust the Bush administration's expanding war aims. It is not easy for our friends around
both at home and abroad, can go heartily fuck themselves, or jump off a cliff, or shoot themselves in the head. I don't
Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard at 12:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
has been built up around Mitnick, a basically curious guy who just as often used old face-to-face (or voice-to-voice)
hunting dairy cows with a high-powered rifle and scope."
superiority.
but they make up for any lack of actual existence with pure unadulterated enthusiasm.
why she thought there weren't more stories about protests going on in the news, "Well, because the media is corporately
attack against the United States. Even though President Bush acknowledged in his speech that Iraq does not currently
last update : 5-2-2012
