Just So You Know

Friday, March 14, 2003

From our good friend in Chicago:

Just So You Know

Gentlemen,

Hmmm. Here’s the thing. While I understand the visceral reaction of the people who distanced themselves from Representative Moran, referring to his remarks as “indefensible,” and offensive, there are other things to consider. Granted, his remarks are offensive to people, that is undeniable.

Has it occurred to anyone, however, that he’s just plain wrong? The reaction to Moran’s remarks are further evidence that many Americans no longer give a damn what somebody says, and whether it is accurate or inaccurate, but only how they say it.

Plus, Moran thinks he’s right, and he’s probably going to continue to think he’s right. We cannot stop people from thinking unpleasant things just by preventing them from saying it, or censuring them when saying it. Maybe, instead of yelling at people and calling them offensive, it’s more constructive to just say, “No, you’re wrong, and here’s why.” Just a thought.

Mike


Posted by Buckethead on 03/14/03 at 08:55 PM
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Some Random Thoughts

Just So You Know

I now hear that 71% of the American public now wants the war to begin, quickly. The waiting really is the wearing part, though I think that early next week we may see the beginning of Gulf War II.

My current take is that, barring major diplomatic breakthroughs with the “undecided” members of the security council, we will announce that we aren’t seeking a vote, because France would have vetoed it anyway, and then attack on the 18th or 19th. This will leave the blame for castrating the UN with France.

I am looking forward to talking with (arguing with) my friends from Ohio when they arrive late this evening. While I have not discussed the war with them in any real detail (I don’t get back home very often anymore) I hope that the “No war for oil/Bush is a fascist” type of antiwar argument has not seduced them. I don’t think it has, though I am very, very curious to hear what they think about the ANSWER crowd that has been organizing these protests (unrepentant Stalinists) or the talk of plans for actively interfering with preparations for war. Or how they justify their opposition to the United States when the U.S. is going up against such a deranged mongoloid fuckw*t as Saddam. Or what relevance French opinions have on American security interests in the Persian Gulf region.

Eminem is like Pat Boone


Posted by Buckethead on 03/14/03 at 08:18 PM
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Spring

Just So You Know

I repeat: Spring is when the short shorts come out.

C’mon, spring! C’mon, spring! Three inches of snow… what the?

C’mon, spring!


Posted by Johno on 03/14/03 at 03:07 AM
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Aid And Comfort

Just So You Know

Don’t blow a gasket, chimpy. Waving a couple signs in the general direction of Congress is no more giving aid and comfort to the enemy than my wiping my ass is destroying the rain forests. I’m exactly as disgusted as you are at the brain-deprived, pablum-puking flower children who claim that “War Never Solved Anything” or “Bush=Nazi” or allow those DMF’s in A.N.S.W.E.R. to dominate the antiwar discussion. But, dissent is part of life in the USA, and, the Stalinists aside, a lot of good people are against the war. Don’t always understand the arguments, but there they are.

On partial birth abortion

The reason I oppose a ban on “Partial Birth Abortion” is because it, unlike “regular” abortion, cannot be used as a contraceptive measure, but is instead performed when, and only when, those extremely rare, extremely dire, circumstances occur that both baby and mother will die otherwise. This isn’t about when the condom breaks-- it is instead the last of the last of the last resorts-- and outlawing it is an empty gesture, enacted only because the larger issue of abortion is still too hotly contested.

Soon to come: my thoughts on life during wartime, and also songs about buildings and food.

Also soon to come: happier things about puppies, balloons, and how awesome Spring is when the short shorts come out.


Posted by Johno on 03/14/03 at 02:28 AM
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Thursday, March 13, 2003

Somewhat on track

Just So You Know

I’ve had a busy day at work, so now, finally, an opportunity to post…

In re: Arthur Silber and Johno’s concerns about Franco-American relations:

Much of the delay in America’s war plans is a direct result of French obstructionism. Between these delays, allowing more time for Saddam to prepare for our invasion; and the French supplying spare parts for Saddam’s military through shady third parties in Dubai; we can lay some of the blame for any American casualties directly on the door of the French.

Another major aspect of delays from the American side is consideration for Blair’s political health. I think many of the pro war conservatives and moderates are aware of this, as am I, and while frustrated are not necessarily blaming W.

As for the Partial Birth Abortion ban, while it may offend liberals who tend to be absolutist on abortion issues generally, is not so unreasonable. Whatever you may think of early term abortion, letting a baby be (almost) born, and then stabbing it in the head before it comes out is, literally, inches from infanticide. If the baby is that close to being born, I can’t imagine any situation where the mother’s health would require a doctor to kill a baby that is already nearly out of the mother already.

BTW, there are antiwar social conservatives. For example, Mennonites and Catholics.


Posted by Buckethead on 03/13/03 at 08:45 PM
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Wednesday, March 12, 2003

Howdy

Just So You Know

Queerly, just as I was riding up the elevator after a refreshing nicotine break, thinking that despite a full time job, the endless labor of preparing my new house for moving into, and my old house for moving out of, and writing the great american novel in my spare time, and a wife preparing to give birth to our first offspring in two months, “now would be the right time to start a blog;” I got an email from my dear friend Johno, inviting me to join his blog.

He therefore has my eternal gratitude for saving me the effort of creating one myself. He is my hero. At least until someone else does something nice for me.

Like Johno, I am from Ohio. However, I am rather further to the right, politically speaking. Also, I am sans college degrees, though many people have called me the smartest “C” student they ever met. (In my defense, I did once get a 3.85 average one semester. It would have been a 4.0 if someone had warned me that the only way to get an A in Hale Chatfield’s English classes was to write term papers on the topic of sex or death or both. I got a B+ on the mid term, recovered for the final, but the fat jerk still gave me a B+ for the class. But enough complaining.) I like long walks in the park, playing with puppies, and am a Gemini. I also think that astrology is horseshit

I fully agree with Johno on the politics, culture and stupid shit manifesto, though I should like to add “things that explode” to the list.

[While DJ B-head’s first post did use the bold type that was to become characteristic of the blog’s unque style and verve, note that he was so banal as to give his first post the excrutiatingly bad title, “Howdy.” Thankfully, he soon progressed to more innovative (and dare we say, cool) titles such as, “A quote from Ralph Peters,” “Buckethead on France,” and “The French.” In almost no time at all, he became the stylish and clumsy commentator that we all love so much.

This message from the Minister of Minor Perfidy: Thank you for your cooperation!]


Posted by Buckethead on 03/12/03 at 10:48 PM
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OH NO, NOT AGAIN!

Just So You Know

The PM of Serbia has been assassinated in Belgrade. Let’s hope this time is different from the last time, mmkay?


Posted by Johno on 03/12/03 at 04:41 PM
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Question? Problem?

Just So You Know

Want to tell me about it, for all the good it will do ya? I may be reached at toastdog-at-juno-dot-com.

What the hell was I thinking?

Because my compadre Buckethead and I have been having some fascinating (to us) discussions via email that we felt would better fit the format of a weblog. Also, in case we ever wish to run for public office, we want to have a clearinghouse for our enemies who wish to use our own words against us. We believe in convenience. Finally, because I sort of miss being in graduate school and participating in mindless theoretical discussions about senseless minutiea.

This weblog is about three things: politics, culture, and stupid sh*t, though not necessarily in that order. I am fanatical in my devotion to the majesty of rock and the mystery of roll, the genius of Jackie Chan, and the ability of the American polity, through sheer mass and insensibility, to withstand even the most vigorous assaults from within and without.

Just who the hell do I think I am?

I was born in Ohio on the eve of Nixon’s resignation. After this inauspicious beginning, and an excruciating career in Ohio’s public school system, I decamped for a slightly different part of Ohio, and college. Seven years later, I woke up with a hangover, a tattoo, and a graduate degree in US History.

A recent veteran of the entertainment industry, which I found neither glamorous nor entertaining, I now work at one of the more august institutes of higher learning around. Not telling which one. I think I’m so damn smart.

I am a centrist. Being brought up in post-industrial Ohio tends to imbue one with a certain innate sense of pragmatism that not even the fiercest postmodern assaults have been able to shake free. But, I’m also an intellectual chauvanist, an optimist, and kind of an asshole. I have seen the worst that both the Left and Right have to offer, and I have thoroughly enjoyed mocking them both. Hence, this forum. Goody for me.

Missy Elliott is the funk queen of the Universe. For shizzo.


Posted by Johno on 03/12/03 at 04:07 PM
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