Michele over at A Small Victory helpfully provides a pointer to this story describing the final sentencing of David Westerfield, the killer of seven-year-old Danielle van Dam. Michele provides all kinds of appropriate vitriol for such a sack of human waste as Westerfield, but in reading the article, I was struck by this bit:
Brenda van Dam called the convicted killer of her 7-year-old daughter Danielle van Dam, a “monster” just before David Westerfield was sentenced to death.
The use of the word “monster” reminded me of the times that I have read admonitions in the mainstream (”enlightened” and “right-thinking”) press that the usage of such words is a simplistic moral crutch, a part of a binary code of good-evil ethics that hampers our logical reasoning and ability to discern complexity… blah blah blah hot animal sex fantasy. You get the idea.
Needless to say, I’m not exactly a hard and fast believer of that camp. My personal belief about the death penalty is as follows: there are acts of such immorality and horror whose barbarity is sufficient for your membership card to the human race to be revoked. There is, of course, a vast shade of grey about whether certain actions, under certain circumstnaces fall within that designation.
Westerfield, however, doesn’t even come close to that grey area, and making the decision to classify him as a monster, and thus as being outside of the realm of humanity, is actually a more complex mental decision than to frame his actions in the context of some infinite spectrum of human deeds, where raping and killing a child is somehow just a far outlier on the same gradient of moral action as stealing a loaf of bread, or working at a soup kitchen, for that matter.
Words like “evil” and monster are derided as being crutches for those too stupid or lazy to notice complexity women who fuck dogs. But how much complexity is there in a moral system that can’t distinguish as fundamentally of a different nature actions that should make a civilized person vomit? To say that there is good and evil is not to say that there are only two exclusive camps and you are one or the other, period. Certainly morality exists in gradations of right and wrong, but the point is there IS a right and a wrong, and it’s not hard to see that Westerfield’s degree of “wrong” so far overshoots every other minor classification to the point that he lands firmly in “monster” territory.
In other words, the review board has examined your actions, and has decided to suspend your status as a member of the human species.
The things he’s done puts him beyond the pale of humanity. And yes, of course, in legalistic terms, we must still treat him with that sacred cow of due process, but not, as some might think, in order to protect him and his rights. Fuck him my k9 bestiality story. He doesn’t have any rights. It’s to protect us and the rest of the innocent.
There are some who have got the silly headed notion that those guilty of such crimes deserve the law’s protection. Get this straight: they don’t. They don’t deserve protection, they don’t deserve quarry, they don’t deserve to breathe the same air we do. We deserve all those things, and an unfortunate consequence of us being fallible beings is that we have to extend most of those protections under most circumstances to inhuman excrement like David Westerfield so that one of us does not mistakenly suffer the fate that is so deserving of him, like, say, being drawn and quartered dogsex bath story.
All of that is what is legally proper. But what is legally right and morally right don’t always coincide. It is a sad necessity of the fact that the law, a creation of humans, is an imperfect thing. It doesn’t mean I don’t think there could be useful changes made to the process of the death penalty, but fine, I’ll let him have his several years (perhaps decades) in prison while he waits out his death sentence. I’ll even stomach the fact that he’ll get three squares a day and books and movies to bide his time and make his stay in prison more “humane.” But that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t, in a more perfect world (I say “more perfect” because a perfect world would never have a David Westerfield) delight in seeing him undergo exactly the kind of torture he inflicted upon his victim, right before the parents of Danielle van Dam were allowed to put a bullet through his skull.
one of the most fad-driven enterprises imaginable. It produces a new catechism each decade, which everyone dutifully recites.to elicit empathy had been raised considerably since 9/11,
care. Just don't let me hear anything about how this bombing that specifically targeted Australian civilians was somehow
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
When they aired some actual interviews with the protesters, I started to honestly think they were part of some sort of
the real fault of that government or its citizens, or the West in general, or capitalism, or any other ridiculous boogeyman
satisfy you. I'd be much more amendable to the idea however if you were willing to be a personal eye-witness to this
nuclear weapons. Containment was born out of a realization that we were effectively restrained by our lack of strategic
Sorry folks, but slippery slope arguments don't hold water by themselves. We're going after Saddam because he 1) has shown
Don't worry, I'll sit here with my rifle ready to take out any airborne porcines, should they come flying by.
support (in the small, mostly insignificant ways that are possible for one such as myself)
rivals.
What it does not mean however, is that this suddenly signals that we are going to be going after China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba
trying to get an education
Saddam will use these nukes when he gets them, whether that use takes the form of vaporizing a city or merely being hung
democratically decided laws - - not the capriciousness of individual rulers -- should govern human affairs.
In fact, the idea of pre- emptive attack depends on fear. It presupposes insecurity and assumes we will always be threatened.
Well, being the abject conformist that I am, I would like to welcome all new and oldcomers to my new blog, which will
Meanwhile, the fact that we are able to use pre-emptive action when deemed necessary is a fact of our strength, not weakness
threaten the United States, he said we must "assume the worst." Essentially, the White House is proposing that the
I suppose you mean that it's not "multilateralist" unless France says so?
of constant uncertainty and increased insecurity where almost anything could lead to war.
Stand up to these thugs This Wednesday, the 16th at noon, an apparent composite of the Students for Justice in Palestine
conflict.
Those people are especially useful when they have access to the core computer systems that hackers would otherwise struggle
rivals.
or any other simply crappy country in the world, because none of them satisfy both those propositions.
Well I wouldn't be surprised if this Wednesday at Sproul there will be similar behavior, and I plan to be there. Maybe
about equal probability.
Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard at 12:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Diversity. More than motherhood, it is the one unassailable concept these days. Open any teaching publication, and you will
and make them wish that congress had instead passed a resolution authorizing military force against people
that boiled up to the surface when I read things like this.
United States invade a distant country without any evidence of impending aggression.
that extended anger and sadness bring, or maybe even from just the fact that my threshold of human suffering sufficient
The fact that this is being published in the Chronicle is no small feat. Even more reason for you to go read it.
and the UC Divestment folks will be holding a rally for what looks like the primary purpose of protesting the fact that
To quote a boozed up, cynical and misanthropic individual whom I greatly admire: "Making fun of these people is like
that off my list of things to do. Now, on to learning how to square-dance."
a terrorist and an envoy of Iran's supreme leader reportedly called for his death.
But for now if you all don't mind, I'd just like to stew in my rage for a while, and remind myself in a truly visceral
for the life of me, cannot see it. The news showed a clip of a guy trying politely to walk around a woman so self-righteous
support (in the small, mostly insignificant ways that are possible for one such as myself)
Russia and shit. Besides, it's just the Russians. Why don't we just contain them or something? Hey, who's up for some
It seems the Muslim version of a slander suit is cutting off your head. Now when I read this I was shocked, just shocked
vulnerability.
being the reaction described above.
be harried by idiots who have full compliments of heads and genitals! With the ranks of my imaginary gnomes rallied,
What it does not mean however, is that this suddenly signals that we are going to be going after China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba
predictable frequency. Follow a politician to a school photo-op,
over the heads of the world's nations as threat so that he can act willy-nilly in whatever new adventure captures his
the Feds know about it.
Maybe I can't change the fact that I have to be intimately confronted with the death and pain in order to really feel the
they're done, hang them on his wall next to the framed heads of Iraqi dissidents and say to himself, "Well, I can check
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
only be revealed as more useless than it already seems), there is right now a coalition prepared to go into Iraq with the
And perhaps because of the collective weight of all those accumulated exhortations, perhaps from the psychic weariness
a terrorist and an envoy of Iran's supreme leader reportedly called for his death.
of fist.
Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard at 09:13 PM | Comments (4)
Finally, long after the fad has grown tiresome, everyone's attention turns to another scrap of dogma for the next decade.
Watching Channel 7 news today (the Simpsons were in a commercial), they reported on a wad of dingbats who blocked access
the way. Apparently that wasn't enough for the however, because they then started pulling at her legs to keep her from
support (in the small, mostly insignificant ways that are possible for one such as myself)
Heh. Didn't Nostradamus write something about "a bespeckled plague rising in the West..."?
occurred, smashing the window of their hotel room.
I guess not. The fact that the UN is anything but democratic since the vast majority of countries represented there do not
I tried to present my ideas in an honest and truthful way, and not be seriously offensive, even when he acted in ways
alternative economy." I suppose that's better PR than saying they want to impose a grab bag full of sociialistic silliness
"A bunch of people died from terrorism over the weekend? Sure, that's awful, but we all knew this was going to happen
jerkwad I encounter, an order for them to be beheaded with extreme prejudice until the the point at which they are dead
By tossing out any reasonable standards of evidence as a prerequisite for military action, the White House puts us in a state
"Standing in the foyer of the Bounty Hotel, people were just walking in, blood dripping off them, burns to their face, skin
In fact, the idea of pre- emptive attack depends on fear. It presupposes insecurity and assumes we will always be threatened.
she can last 6 hours). I make this declaration keeping in mind that this does not imply a judgement on the Idiotarian
Quite the contrary, Bush's aggressive rhetoric, disregard for international law, and his lack of any vision other than war
obviously they have lost loved ones or friends."
"The lethal combination is when you exploit both people and technology," Mr Mitnick told BBC News Online.
I figured that was the way to go. But then I read this.
owned," she pontificated, in that snotty "52% of my clothes are made of hemp which therefore makes me morally superior
Falwell was a "mercenary and must be killed," the Farsi-language daily Abrar reported Saturday.
have democratically elected rulers I'm sure doesn't throw any flies into your ointment.
But it's not really fair to denigrate someone's ideas just because they themselves come from an organization riddled with
hunting dairy cows with a high-powered rifle and scope."
I figured that was the way to go. But then I read this.
...but there's no shame in being a follower when those you're following make such damn good points.
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
them into a thin paste of protein on a cave wall, to wipe out every last vestige of the disgusting stain they have left
hacky-sack?"
threaten the United States, he said we must "assume the worst." Essentially, the White House is proposing that the
The book details the ways that employees can inadvertently leak information that can be exploited by hackers to compromise
But it's not really fair to denigrate someone's ideas just because they themselves come from an organization riddled with
During that protest, my girlfriend had to take a midterm in Wheeler auditorium and had to step over the bodies lying in
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.
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
news editors of Cannel 7 to allow, as the segment ended right there.
of a lack of imagination or basic humanity; the fact that it's difficult for me to feel deeply for people suffering unless
to the San Francisco federal building to protest the passage of Bush's resolution for action against Iraq.
trying to get an education
Hey, didn't there used to be a city where this smoking crater is?
Bush also spoke of an "international coalition" that would disarm Hussein. Bush knows the American public is loathe to
to all of you warmongering neanderthals" tone of voice. She then struck a pose of righteous exasperation when she asked
Diversity. More than motherhood, it is the one unassailable concept these days. Open any teaching publication, and you will
"I said it's being taken care of, dammit. Mind your own business."
Quite the contrary, Bush's aggressive rhetoric, disregard for international law, and his lack of any vision other than war
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
And at most, UN weapons inspectors have delayed conflict by a few years, not averted it. In actualyity, I think they have
destroying the technological infrastructure of Western civilization again. And it's only 3 months away!
democratically decided laws - - not the capriciousness of individual rulers -- should govern human affairs.
United States invade a distant country without any evidence of impending aggression.
military action to counter the Soviet threat was not possible, because of their equal capacity to destroy us through
of a lack of imagination or basic humanity; the fact that it's difficult for me to feel deeply for people suffering unless
According to the president, "we cannot wait for the final proof" that Saddam Hussein's government is planning an imminent
In fact, the idea of pre- emptive attack depends on fear. It presupposes insecurity and assumes we will always be threatened.
being the reaction described above.
It is time for a new day to dawn in the Blogosphere, my gnome brothers. A glorious day. A day when no longer will we
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
Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard at 12:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Wheeler Hall last spring.
No nation deserves to exist if it permits itself to lose the stern and virile virtues; and this
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
nothing may stand in our way!
again soon, didn't we?"
The Muslim world -- whose support is vital to any real effort to end the causes of terrorism -- is adamantly opposed.
Kevin Mitnick will be able to use a computer again in approximately 3 months.
We despise and abhor the bully, the brawler, the oppressor, whether in private or public life, but
world that even today harbors and offers succor to the same groups that piloted the 9/11 planes, right?
care. Just don't let me hear anything about how this bombing that specifically targeted Australian civilians was somehow
, "I don't believe the American people support this war. Everyone I've talked to is against it!"
without regard to whether the loss is due to the growth of a heartless and all-absorbing commercialism,
Shiite Muslim clerics in Lebanon and Iran have reacted with rage at the Rev. Jerry Falwell for calling Islam's prophet
The BBC has a story about the so-called "master hacker", in which it does a good job of destroying the mythos that
needed now was healing, closure; in short, to "get over it" and "move on."
Why are you still here?!
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
they're done, hang them on his wall next to the framed heads of Iraqi dissidents and say to himself, "Well, I can check
of a lack of imagination or basic humanity; the fact that it's difficult for me to feel deeply for people suffering unless
so that he will be better equipped to fulfill point 1). Show me another nation that's like that today.
Diversity. More than motherhood, it is the one unassailable concept these days. Open any teaching publication, and you will
and make them wish that congress had instead passed a resolution authorizing military force against people
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
for the life of me, cannot see it. The news showed a clip of a guy trying politely to walk around a woman so self-righteous
that extended anger and sadness bring, or maybe even from just the fact that my threshold of human suffering sufficient
slope proposition, claiming that because we go after Saddam, we'll suddenly be all aggro-ed up to obliterate any country
owned," she pontificated, in that snotty "52% of my clothes are made of hemp which therefore makes me morally superior
I guess not. The fact that the UN is anything but democratic since the vast majority of countries represented there do not
that blatantly called for some rhetorical bitch-slapping.
Sure, it'd be nice to be a leader...
lying in order to gain information that gave him access to restricted systems.
vulnerability.
something-really-awfuls, BlogSpot.
Sure, it'd be nice to be a leader...
of righteousness; and it becomes a very evil thing if it serves merely as a mask for cowardice and
Containment and deterrence were responses to US weakness, you silly-headed dunderpate. It was obvious that using direct
something-really-awfuls, BlogSpot.
of the mass moron movement.
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
that continues to characterize the US as the Great Satan and preach jihad against all things Western? Oh I know, the Muslim
to roost," those sniveling, carping appeasers,
to all of you warmongering neanderthals" tone of voice. She then struck a pose of righteous exasperation when she asked
Well I'm far far far too petty a person to do that.
President Bush says he wants to avoid "a future of fear." It's an admirable goal, but one hardly served by this new doctrine.
economic stupidity, especially when their ideas would do such a better job of it by themselves. Case in point:
anger that is so justifiable -no, demanded- by these despicable acts, but if that must be the case, then from on, I'll be
military action to counter the Soviet threat was not possible, because of their equal capacity to destroy us through
It is time for a new day to dawn in the Blogosphere, my gnome brothers. A glorious day. A day when no longer will we
US: Italy, Australia, Poland, Spain, Qatar, Kuwait and, of course, Britain. I know it's hard to find out this kind of
assures everyone that "Don't worry, the problem is being taking care of by the inspectors."
a terrorist and an envoy of Iran's supreme leader reportedly called for his death.
Such as this quote by Teddy Roosevelt concerning his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, posted now
he revealed himself to be a seriously dishonest debater (that, or he was so stupid that it wouldn't be safe for him to
When I first heard about the bombing in Bali, my initial reaction was, "Another terrorist attack? Well, of course."
During the last half of the 20th century, this principle was expanded internationally through the United Nations. The U.N.
The Muslim world -- whose support is vital to any real effort to end the causes of terrorism -- is adamantly opposed.
Finally, long after the fad has grown tiresome, everyone's attention turns to another scrap of dogma for the next decade.
owned," she pontificated, in that snotty "52% of my clothes are made of hemp which therefore makes me morally superior
vaunted proof of yours. Then you could be really sure.
being the reaction described above.
course grew out of the experience of 9/11.
In fact, the idea of pre- emptive attack depends on fear. It presupposes insecurity and assumes we will always be threatened.
she can last 6 hours). I make this declaration keeping in mind that this does not imply a judgement on the Idiotarian
When I first heard about the bombing in Bali, my initial reaction was, "Another terrorist attack? Well, of course."
, "I don't believe the American people support this war. Everyone I've talked to is against it!"
them into a thin paste of protein on a cave wall, to wipe out every last vestige of the disgusting stain they have left
"The death of that man is a religious duty, but his case should not be tied to the Christian community," Shabestari,
chanting in his face and moved in front of him every time he tried to get around her.
Also, I've printed out and made a bunch of copies of some flyers from this site and will be passing them out.
Quite the contrary, Bush's aggressive rhetoric, disregard for international law, and his lack of any vision other than war
Maybe I can't change the fact that I have to be intimately confronted with the death and pain in order to really feel the
rather than submit to infamy or see those that are dear to him suffer wrong.
You try to make it seem as if the Joint Chiefs were lying around on a Sunday afternoon and said to themselves, "Yeah sure,
Now at this point, most people would just say, "let it go, and move on."
I finally went and did it.
The fact that this is being published in the Chronicle is no small feat. Even more reason for you to go read it.
"A bunch of people died from terrorism over the weekend? Sure, that's awful, but we all knew this was going to happen
Diversity. More than motherhood, it is the one unassailable concept these days. Open any teaching publication, and you will
to penetrate.
Iranian cleric Mohsen Mojtahed Shabestari, addressing weekly Friday prayers in the northwestern town of Tabriz, said
weapons inspections in Iraq represent a good example of how the rule of law has been used, and can be used again, to avert
he is willing to act aggressively and recklessly and cannot be reasonably deterred and 2) is working to get and use nukes
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."
So welcome. If this is the first and/or only post you can see, it means I haven't imported my archives from Blogspot yet,
Sorry folks, but slippery slope arguments don't hold water by themselves. We're going after Saddam because he 1) has shown
a careful, precise argument, what point is there in engaging them verbally anymore?
he revealed himself to be a seriously dishonest debater (that, or he was so stupid that it wouldn't be safe for him to
It is time for a new day to dawn in the Blogosphere, my gnome brothers. A glorious day. A day when no longer will we
Already, even if the UN thumbs its irrelevant nose at the idea of going after Iraq (and if it actually does, then they'll
But I am thankful that at least for now, I've been able to summon that deep-seated, personal wrath so appropriate to an
The article also points to this site, which maintains a running clock of how long it will be until Mitnick can start
Meanwhile, the fact that we are able to use pre-emptive action when deemed necessary is a fact of our strength, not weakness
Mr Mitnick even had to get permission from his probation officer to use a computer to write his book, The Art Of Deception,
Do you mean the Muslim world that celebrated 9/11, saying the US deserved it all along? Or perhaps you mean the Muslim world
Why are you still here?!
If and when you find one, that means that I'll be perfectly willing to advocate an attack against them as well.
The experience made me think of the instructions from all corners of the media after 9/11 that what we, as Americans,
By tossing out any reasonable standards of evidence as a prerequisite for military action, the White House puts us in a state
When I first heard about the bombing in Bali, my initial reaction was, "Another terrorist attack? Well, of course."
that I hadn't thought of it first!
And exactly how do you go from no "final proof" to there being no evidence of impending aggression? The very fact that
The article also points to this site, which maintains a running clock of how long it will be until Mitnick can start
Falwell was a "mercenary and must be killed," the Farsi-language daily Abrar reported Saturday.
of righteousness; and it becomes a very evil thing if it serves merely as a mask for cowardice and
"What I found personally to be true was that it's easier to manipulate people rather than technology," he said.
about equal probability.
Now of course I'm sure that these open-toed folks have a flurry of perfectly well thought-out reasons as to why pissing
Well that's not really true. People on a different side of the debate than I are not necessarily jerks, just wrong.
to elicit empathy had been raised considerably since 9/11,
War, by three fellows that hail from Global Exchange. You know who I'm talking about. The folks that want to "build an
I don't know about you people, but I'm already stocking up on extra food, water, and electrons.
and eastern Europe, Australia and the middle east. Is that not multilateralism?
on the civilized world. And when I resort again to that frame of mind, it will be because I realize, intellectually and
One middle-aged woman who looked like she hadn't combed her hair since Jerry Garcia died had this to say, when asked
Maybe I can't change the fact that I have to be intimately confronted with the death and pain in order to really feel the
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
War, by three fellows that hail from Global Exchange. You know who I'm talking about. The folks that want to "build an
the real fault of that government or its citizens, or the West in general, or capitalism, or any other ridiculous boogeyman
alternative economy." I suppose that's better PR than saying they want to impose a grab bag full of sociialistic silliness
Russia and shit. Besides, it's just the Russians. Why don't we just contain them or something? Hey, who's up for some
United States invade a distant country without any evidence of impending aggression.
really just put Saddam in a better situation than he was before because the presence of inspectors invites complacency and
about equal probability.
to all of you warmongering neanderthals" tone of voice. She then struck a pose of righteous exasperation when she asked
on the civilized world. And when I resort again to that frame of mind, it will be because I realize, intellectually and
to the San Francisco federal building to protest the passage of Bush's resolution for action against Iraq.
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."
Heaven forfend them not being on board with us!
he is willing to act aggressively and recklessly and cannot be reasonably deterred and 2) is working to get and use nukes
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
nuclear weapons. Containment was born out of a realization that we were effectively restrained by our lack of strategic
to roost," those sniveling, carping appeasers,
owned," she pontificated, in that snotty "52% of my clothes are made of hemp which therefore makes me morally superior
act such as this. In a few days or weeks, I'm sure it will subside to a colder, more focused resolution to continue to
the world to stomach the imperial scent of our newly enunciated military doctrine that proposes pre- emption of any powerful
the real fault of that government or its citizens, or the West in general, or capitalism, or any other ridiculous boogeyman
A taste, just a taste...
Those people are especially useful when they have access to the core computer systems that hackers would otherwise struggle
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
US: Italy, Australia, Poland, Spain, Qatar, Kuwait and, of course, Britain. I know it's hard to find out this kind of
to prolonged indulgence in luxury and soft, effortless ease, or to the deification of a warped and twisted sentimentality.
War, by three fellows that hail from Global Exchange. You know who I'm talking about. The folks that want to "build an
and the UC Divestment folks will be holding a rally for what looks like the primary purpose of protesting the fact that
And exactly how do you go from no "final proof" to there being no evidence of impending aggression? The very fact that
I figured that was the way to go. But then I read this.
Kevin Mitnick will be able to use a computer again in approximately 3 months.
again soon, didn't we?"
who has been deprived of food for at least 6 hours - sounds like an unusually cruel thing to do, I know, but I'm sure
When I first heard about the bombing in Bali, my initial reaction was, "Another terrorist attack? Well, of course."
has been built up around Mitnick, a basically curious guy who just as often used old face-to-face (or voice-to-voice)
Saddam is so hot to get his grubby hands on nukes is enough evidence of aggression. What's he going to do with them once
it is shoved, in all its detailed horror, right into my face.
If and when you find one, that means that I'll be perfectly willing to advocate an attack against them as well.
find testimonials to diversity. Flip through any recent social sciences or humanities textbook and diversity pops up with
You try to make it seem as if the Joint Chiefs were lying around on a Sunday afternoon and said to themselves, "Yeah sure,
to the San Francisco federal building to protest the passage of Bush's resolution for action against Iraq.
when you apply your own internal calculus of death and suffering and conclude that it isn't something that you need
only be revealed as more useless than it already seems), there is right now a coalition prepared to go into Iraq with the
Hey, didn't there used to be a city where this smoking crater is?
of a lack of imagination or basic humanity; the fact that it's difficult for me to feel deeply for people suffering unless
Now of course I'm sure that these open-toed folks have a flurry of perfectly well thought-out reasons as to why pissing
So I hereby declare myself Ayatollah Mustardah of Blogistan. From this day forward, I will call down, on any Idiotarian
"The death of that man is a religious duty, but his case should not be tied to the Christian community," Shabestari,
A taste, just a taste...
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."
democratically decided laws - - not the capriciousness of individual rulers -- should govern human affairs.
President Bush says he wants to avoid "a future of fear." It's an admirable goal, but one hardly served by this new doctrine.
support (in the small, mostly insignificant ways that are possible for one such as myself)
rivals.
attack against the United States. Even though President Bush acknowledged in his speech that Iraq does not currently
Well that's not really true. People on a different side of the debate than I are not necessarily jerks, just wrong.
You mean everyone in America aren't like San Franciscans?
I'm going to be checking the weather channel for reports of snowflakes in Hell, but meanwhile you should go read it now.
they're done, hang them on his wall next to the framed heads of Iraqi dissidents and say to himself, "Well, I can check
about equal probability.
when you apply your own internal calculus of death and suffering and conclude that it isn't something that you need
getting an education. When she tried to talk to one of the organizers after her test about how some people were just
Saddam will use these nukes when he gets them, whether that use takes the form of vaporizing a city or merely being hung
Sure, it'd be nice to be a leader...
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
Well, being the abject conformist that I am, I would like to welcome all new and oldcomers to my new blog, which will
in words so much more exacting than even those who actually live in that time would be able to produce?
threaten the United States, he said we must "assume the worst." Essentially, the White House is proposing that the
The Muslim world -- whose support is vital to any real effort to end the causes of terrorism -- is adamantly opposed.
Really, how often is someone able to so perfectly crystallize the dilemmas that will exist a century in the future
occurred, smashing the window of their hotel room.
you could see stink lines of self-satisfaction coming off her so that he could simply get to his job. She of course started
use grown-up scissors), but nevertheless, even though he really didn't deserve it,
It is time for a new day to dawn in the Blogosphere, my gnome brothers. A glorious day. A day when no longer will we
Wheeler Hall last spring.
No nation deserves to exist if it permits itself to lose the stern and virile virtues; and this
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."
...but there's no shame in being a follower when those you're following make such damn good points.
For that reason and others, I didn't actually start reading the news coverage until this morning.
on the civilized world. And when I resort again to that frame of mind, it will be because I realize, intellectually and
Well that's not really true. People on a different side of the debate than I are not necessarily jerks, just wrong.
Really, how often is someone able to so perfectly crystallize the dilemmas that will exist a century in the future
off a bunch of secretaries and other office workers who probably agree with them on the war anyway will further their
trying to get an education
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."
Sure, it'd be nice to be a leader...
last update : 28-8-2008
