My eye feels funny following an insidious suggestion dropped by Dr. Mom. I think I have pink eye.
Sure, it's psychosomatic. But nothing sucks like an eye infection.

I'm totally deep, right? Nah. Just tired.

Well, I'm convinced. There are a TON of great blogs out there!
Many of them are blogs by girls that detail the daily sprawl of their lives. What fascinating insights into the lives of women!
You'd think having three sisters I would know more about them. Nope. Less. I'm at a disadvantage, I think. What I know about girls (sorry -- women) is that you're not allowed -- nor should ever want -- to hit them in anger and that you have to pick them up when they need a ride or have broken down somewhere. Also, that if they start yelling, you should shut up and let it wash over you like a shorebreaking wave -- loud and awe-inspiring, but essentially harmless. Open doors. Let have bathroom first. Don't yell.
All these things I learned by having three sisters. I learned to defend them if something happened and I learned that it's unwise to play board games with them.
But I've discovered that I don't know a whole lot about the inner workings of the minds of women. I've only ever thought about the rules governing interactions with women instead of the motivations -- indeed, the emotions -- that guide them.
It's a new day. My assault on the world starts now.
By the way, those links are Breakup Babe and What Is Really Going On In My Head.
Like I said, fascinating reading for me, perhaps the least "with it".

Don't get me wrong: as a people, the French are great. They're cultured, attractive, and they smoke like fiends, which is a plus in my book. I don't want anyone to think I'm insulting the French. Hell, I'm somthing of a francophile myself. Took years of French in school, studied hella French history, and so forth. However, I do think that as a nation-state they're quickly losing their relevance in a bizarre attempt to regain past glories. Example? How about when DeGaulle refused NATO the use of French bases, and then pulled out of the military command altogether? Why did he do this? To re-assert French sovereignty, of course. OK, I'm a big history nerd.
For a better explanation of this phenomenon, check out this book. It's by Richard Bernstein, who used to write for The New York Times. Had to read it in HST 415S (France Since 1815) and enjoyed it immensely. Check it out.

Two outstanding articles by my friend Steve Hayes (ok, we've only met a couple of times, but he is marrying an old high school friend. Shut up!) in The Weekly Standard. In the first Hayes details Iraq's relationship with al Qaeda, and in the other he mocks the French. He's a funny guy. And the French are such an easy target.

Here's the text to that Powell UN speech. Just in case any of my faithful readers were foolish enough to rely on me for that.

OK, not then, but now.

It looks like a go! Comment away!

OK, here we go again...
Comments test number 2. ...And GO!!

Some thoughts about Colin Powell's address before the UN Security Council (for the most comprehensive coverage, short of a transcript, peep here):
1) Germany holds the presidency of the Security Council?? I thought the UN was essentially designed to protect the world from a resurgent Germany! How short are our memories...
2) Powell kicks motor booty. He's not the cowboy that France, Germany, et al think GWB is, so this flies in the face of the European theory. No, he's the calm, multilateralist one in the administration, but I think being used (as sort of an anti-Bush) by the Euros really honked him off, and their dithering put him into the fold with Rumsfeld and the others.
3) Amazing. Russia and China (both permanent members of the Council, so they have the veto) want more inspections and such. Didn't Powell just provide proof that they aren't working? The UN continues its lurch towards irrelevancy...
4) Think liberals are giving the administration a fair shake to prove how dangerous Iraq is, or do you think that they won't listen to anything because it's a Republican administration? If you still are fooling yourself into thinking the former, check The American Prospect's blog, TAPPED. Last I checked, they had nothing on Powell's speech. They're just ignoring it. They'd rather insult Jonah Goldberg than deal with pressing issues. The Corner, on the other hand, is kicking booty commenting on the whole thing. As is NRO. I mean, they have Mark Bowden commenting on it, for crying out loud! How cool is that?
More in a bit. Need to go have a smoke. Am sated.

Still working on the comments feature. Growing angrier...

OK, so if you'll direct your attentions slightly to your left (under my email address), you'll see a comments link. I'm interested to see how this works, since nothing happens when I click on it. In fact, I'm not sure it's doing what it's supposed to be doing, but I do like the heading. Five bucks to whoever gets back to me first with where I lifted that saying from. Hint: it's a book.

I'm trying to set up a "comments" feature through these folks here, but can't seem to get it to go up. Of course, my HTML and web design skills are rudimentary at best, so the fault might lie on this end. I know, it seems so unlikely!

A reader writes me and says, "Nerds and politics make the internet go round."
I'm not sure if truer words were ever spoken.

OK, sorry to get so hyped up about political things. I know there are a ton of blogs out there that cover this stuff, but hey -- I like politics too, and I have an opinion. Hell, I went to one of the most politicized colleges in the country.
I guess what I'm saying is that you're going to sit there and like it!
Kidding. Please don't leave. I'll go back to ragging on Toledo soon.

I really had to rub my eyes a few times when I read this article in Salon by Michelle Goldberg. It's simply dripping with hate, venom and ridicule.
When was the last time anyone saw any coverage this harsh of an antiwar march? Sure, Salon is a liberal mag, but this really takes the cake. Not only does she imply that everyone in attendance at the CPAC conference was a narrow-minded hatemonger, but she insults their looks, the way they dress -- everything. Peep this, y'all:

"Held at Gateway Marriott in Crystal City, Va. from January 30 to February 1, CPAC drew a crowd of 4,000, 1,700 of them college students. Most of the action took place in a ballroom on the second floor, where speakers lambasted liberals from a stage draped in red, white and blue and backed by 18 American flags and two enormous video screens. It was like a right-wing version of a Workers World rally, with one crucial difference. Workers World is a fringe group with no political power. CPAC is explicitly endorsed by people running the country. Its attendees are Bush's shock troops, the ones who staged the white-collar riot during the Florida vote count and harassed Al Gore in the vice presidential mansion. Bush may not want to embrace them in public, but they are crucial to his political success and he has let them know, in hundreds of ways, that their mission is his."

Look, honey, if you disagree with the politics, just say so. Don't resort to the ol' liberal saw of ad hominem attacks too. Cheapens the argument, don't you think?
Oh, and when was the last time a conservative was invited to a liberal conference? Goldberg glosses over the fact that Nat Hentoff, of all people, spoke at the damn thing. Nat Hentoff! Of Village Voice fame! That's like having Reagan give the keynote address at a Berkeley graduation.
This is in fact the only positive graf of the whole thing:

"Yes, CPAC explored some crucial questions. [Gee, thanks Michelle! .ed]One panel asked, "Islam, Religion of Peace?" (Short answer: no.) There was a 40-minute talk on tort reform and 35 minutes on "Safeguarding Civil Liberties in a Time of War," which included a speech by veteran lefty civil libertarian Nat Hentoff, who was treated respectfully by an audience that largely fears big government and holds its privacy sacrosanct."

Of course, she follows it with this:

"Yet Hentoff aside, one theme overwhelmed all others: a quaking, obsessive hatred of the liberals who are still believed to rule the world. CPACers exemplify what historian Richard Hofstadter called "the paranoid style in American politics" in the 1964 essay of the same name. "Since the enemy is thought of as being totally evil and totally unappeasable, he must be totally eliminated -- if not from the world, at least from the theatre of operations to which the paranoid directs his attention," Hofstadter wrote. "Even partial success leaves him with the same feeling of powerlessness with which he began, and this in turn only strengthens his awareness of the vast and terrifying quality of the enemy he opposes." And George W. Bush has harnessed their obsession and rage for his own political gain."

God. How hysterical can an article be?

Andrew Sullivan gushes about the the State of The Union address. I love reading Sullivan when he gets like this. So much for the ol' British "stiff upper lip."

Well, it's official. Everything on Salon, except for the AP Wire, seems to be "premium content" now. So much for checking that site on a daily basis.
I know, I know...you can get one of those "day passes." Why bother, though? Salon always kind of sucked; now it sucks AND is expensive.

So I get home last night after covering another game -- nearly deaf from being sat right next to the "pep band" -- and I see all this political commentary all over the television. What gives? Did something happen last night?
Oh well...I suppose I'll find out about whatever it was later.
Seriously though, I really dislike missing the State of The Union address. All the people, the gala spectacle, the red carpet, who's wearing what...oh, right. That's The Oscars.
I do enjoy seeing the Pres speak, but I gotta wonder how the SOTU (as the pudits call it) evolved into what it is today. Presidents used to send a letter to Congress. Now it's the Super Bowl of political events.
Besides, doesn't the Constitution just say that the President is required to "report on the State of the Union from time to time?" Last time I checked it didn't say, "The president must give an address for at least an hour that will picked clean by pundits and politicians until the very words make no more sense."
Ah, whatever. For opposing commentary, I suggest you hit up National Review and The New Republic. No specific links, but if you get to those pages and can't find anything, call me up. I'll come over and rap you on the bean for being a big dummy.

A fellow Toledo native was kind enough to mention yours truly on his blog, so I figured the least I could do was mention his. Apparently he's a turncoat -- leaving Toledo for the hipper Columbus instead of sticking it out where cool goes to die -- but that's OK, since he likes The Smiths. I left too, but Toledo's siren song drew me inexplicably back.
Anyway, thanks for the props, Nala, and I'll try to keep pointing out Toledo's fun but depressing foibles. It's really not that hard.

I see by my SiteMeter (which tracks visits to where you've arrived -- that is, HeadsOnFire) that many people are coming by because of a picture of a Honda Civic that I posted. All I can say about that is...HA! That car looks exactly like mine, and I posted it to show my dozen of fans (yeah, I know...singular) what yours truly drives these days. I don't feel bad at all about all you other folks wandering in, thinking we talk about Honda Civics all the time here.
Hey, stick around, why don't you? You might learn something. About what? How about more conspiracies! Or maybe mid-80's English mope-rock, like The Smiths or Echo & The Bunnymen.

A funny link (courtesy of Snopes) for all you conspiracy theorists out there.
In fact, if you enjoy conspiracy theories (as I do), then you should check out Surfing The Apocalypse, which is sort of a clearinghouse for conspiracy sites (lotsa links, etc.). It's good stuff...scroll down and look to the left for the links column. But don't say I didn't warn you when you find a theory that mkaes you mad.
Also, for those who don't know, Snopes is an invaulable resource, even if you use it for nothing else than debunking the crap that gets forwarded to you via email. Whether it's a money hoax, a petition to end the barbaric practice of putting kittens in jars, or a claim that AOL will pay you $4,000 to forward an email, Snopes will tell you the truth. I send the link to all those who send me junk email. And then I mock that person.
Oh, and one more thing...I need your account information so I can place my Nigerian millions in an American bank account.

I've got to admit it -- I'm excited.
That's a tough admission for someone like me. My best friend says my schtick is "classic cool" -- that is, nothing people do or say interests you unless it's about you. Wait -- that sounds like an insult! Make that my ex-best friend!
My best friend's Dr. Phil-esque determinations aside, I'm extremely excited today, as I'm going to see Johnny Marr in Detroit in a few hours. You may remember Johnny Marr as the guitarist from a little band known as The Smiths -- coincidentally, my favorite band ever!
It should be a righteous event. It's at The Magic Stick, a favorite dive on Woodward Avenue. It's such a dive that Rolling Stone (like anyone cares) featured it in a recent issue. Ooohhh, faux-dive trendsetters love it, and therefore you should too!
Seriously, it's a good place to see a show, not least because it's sponsored by Camel cigarettes and they usually hand out smokes. Also, it's tiny, so if you want to yell something particularly insulting, the artist can usually hear you.

Anyone who knows me can't help but know that I love Communism.
OK, back up.
I don't love Communism as a political system. I think it's the worst. But I DO love studying it, reading about it, and collecting things (i.e. propoganda) that are associated with it. In fact, I think I may write my Master's thesis on the Paris Commune of 1871.
So, anyway, anyone who...oh, already said that.
So I'm covering a village council meeting for the newspaper I write for, and I hear the term (vaguely, since I wasn't paying attention. What? I was taping it!) "five year plan." Naturally, my ears perk up, only to fall down again when I hear that the plan refers to recycling.
"Ohhh," my heart says, sinking. "They're not referring to the infamous Five Year Plans under one Mr. Josef Stalin."
But, as I listened further, I thought that it was indeed possible that the inspiration for the Five year Recycling Plan actually WAS culled from ol' Stalin.
Examples? Sure, right here!
--First, the plan sought to educate...nay, REeducate the children of the local elementary school. As in the Komsomol, or Young Pioneers, or what have you.
--Second, the plan sought to expand the current curbside recycling program using the schoolkids as tools of the system; i.e. narc-ing on those parents who aren't recycling. OK, maybe "narc-ing" is a strong term, but they said, and I quote, "Maybe the kids will go home and say 'We recycle at school. Shouldn't we recycle at home too?'"
Maybe I've got 1984 on the brain here, but wasn't one of the key aspects of the regime detailed therein the fact that kids would turn in their parents for being enemies of the people?
I'm being tongue-in-cheek of course, but my point should be clear. You may say, "But Blue, compliance with recycling programs isn't compulsory; therefore, who cares if kids rat out their non-recycling parents?" I say, "But what if it were (or will be)?" Then what?
I suppose, I guess, that the Stalinist overtones in the council chambers might have been of my imagining. It could have just been a boring meeting. It was, in fact, a boring meeting. But I can't help thinking that I might get tossed in the Gulag for disputing the commisariat.

I saw Adaptation the other day, and besides it being hilarious and whatnot, I was just so pleased that it actually played in Toledo, a city not known for its knee-jerk acceptance of art films.
I loved it. Sure, it got a little out of control near the end there, but I thought it was great. Laughed a million times -- that is, in between glares to the couple seated behind us. You know the ones -- who discuss each and every aspect of the movie (as it happens, of course) in full voice. Grrr. I actually had to say something to them -- don't worry, friends, I kept my cool.
As far as my dis on Toledo vis a vis art films is concerned, let me give you a spate of recent examples:
--Toledo's only art cinema (located at a prime example of a "dirt mall") was closed for lack of interest. I think the same 40 people kept going there, but apparently it wasn't enough to sustain it. Sure, there's a theater now that shows an arty flick or two in addition to its regular fare, but it's not the same.
--This anecdote comes secondhad, but as it's from my best friend, I have no reason to doubt its veracity: When Punch-Drunk Love was showing at the aforementioned, still-existing, semi-art house, a disclaimer was apparently run before the movie. It said (and I'm paraphrasing here), "This film is not typical of Mr. Sandler's work. The theater guarantees the presentation of the film, not its content. No refunds will be given." Wow. This disclaimer suggests, to me at least, that so many bozos went into the theater thinking they were going to see Happy Gilmore (which is a damn funny movie, I might add), were pissed at the fact that it wasn't and walked out to demand refunds. 'Nuff said about that. in fact, the reason i haven't seen Punch-Drunk Love is because I didn't want to see it at a theater here in Toledo. Bad attitude about one's hometown? Maybe, but developed out of necessity. You should talk to my ex-girlfriend. She hates this place.

It is my duty, I think, as one who studies and enjoys history, to point out a wonderful new blog, called The Diary of Samuel Pepys. It's fascinating reading -- an actual diary from 17th Centruy London. The historical record contained therein is great.

Figured I'd drop a quick note to end out the year. I'll drum in the year 2003 with a thrown-together "Best of 2002" list:
Best List of 2002:
The Onion AV Club's Least Essential Albums of 2002


Best Albums of 2002:
Bright Eyes -- Lifted or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground
Beck -- Sea Change
Coldplay -- A Rush of Blood To The Head
Doves -- The Last Broadcast


Best Films of 2002 --
The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers
The Bourne Identity
Catch Me If You Can (with the exception of Tom Hanks' horrible Boston accent)
(I haven't seen Punch Drunk Love, Adaptation, or Confessions of A Dangerous Mind yet, so bear that in mind)

Just some opinions to get the ball rolling on next year. I'll soon put out a far more exhaustive list.

I went to see The Two Towers yesterday at 11 a.m. Do I have my nerd credientials in order or what?
Seriously, it was great. Because it was the first show of the day (with the exception of the midnight screening), we got to choose our seats about a half-hour early and sit and watch the slides over and over. No standing in line for us!
But there were some serious, big-time nerds in the hizzy. I overheard someone say, "Guys, we should form our own fellowship!" Plus there were some people dressed as Frodo, a few cloak-wearers, and various other scarily dedicated folks.
But the movie itself was magical. Never have I sat so rapt in a theater for three-plus hours, except for maybe the first installment. I agree with the AV Club's Keith Phipps when he says that director Peter Jackson makes filling three hours of film so effortless. Not having read the trilogy in its entireity, I wondered before seeing the first one if I would get what all the fuss was about. I got it, and I still get it. The Two Towers simply blew me away. The best movie since Goodfellas.

Is it a strange, albeit positive personal development when you'd rather read about TV shows than actually watch them?
Sure, when I actually watched all the shows I would still read about them, but it was more of a timewasting device than anything else. Now, I find most TV shows (network and selected cable shows, mostly) so preachy, pedantic, and otherwise pathetic (!) that I can hardly watch.
Oh, there are exceptions. I watch 24, mainly because Keifer Sutherland is on it. I have warm fuzzies for him because of movies like Young Guns, Stand By Me, and other celluloid from my youth; also, I think he fills the small screen pretty well. Maybe he can't hack it in movies anymore, but he towers head and shoulders above most TV stars.
I used to watch a ton of TV, in my lonely big-city livin' days. The list, at its peak, included such dreck as Dawson's Creek (giving props to hometown girl Katie Holmes), Boston Public (dear God!), Survivor(which has, like The Real World, become a parody of itself), Friends (can hardly bear to look anymore), and various other crap.
When I lived in Chicago, I didn't have cable, so I had to make do with network TV. Perhaps that's why I watched so much junk. Now that I have cable, I tend to watch more History Channel, Discovery, and (gulp) Court TV.
But I'll still tune in for Law and Order. Doesn't hurt that, in its various incarnations, it's on almost 24 hours a day.
As you can see from the links above, I like Television Without Pity. Good writing, funny people, and they don't pull punches. Their motto (hope I don't get in trouble for printing this)? "Spare the snark, spoil the networks."
Classic.

Yeah, it's official, I guess. John Snow, Bush's nominee forTreasury Secretary, is from Toledo!
Hella props for Northwest Ohio! Read all about it here.
OK, so we here in the wasteland get excited when one of our own gets some elevation. It's easy to be from some place cool, like New York, LA, Boston, or what have you. It takes real work to get and stay cool when you're from, say, Topeka, Saskatoon, Indianapolis, or Toledo.

The best music top ten list (and then some) of the year is up over at The Onion AV Club.
The guys (and gals) over at the AV Club are the warmest, most responsible, and most accurate film, music, and book reviewers writing today. And they're damn funny, which is a plus.

Confidential to Mike: Happy now, you smug...ah, forget it.

Here's a question for all you movie buffs out there:
In Darren Arronofsky's Requiem For A Dream, who is supposed to be the most sympathetic character? Or, to put it another way, which character's life works out the best? Is it Jennifer Connelly, because she gets her fix, even though she has to do unspeakable things to get it? Or is it Tyrone, because he's only in jail, not the nuthouse or the hospital, down most of an arm?
Who, then, gets the shortest end of the stick?
Anyway, what a powerful film.
The first time I saw, I think my jaw hit the floor. I saw it on Thankgiving Day, 2000, at the UA Cinema at Union Square. It was the first Thanksgiving I didn't spend with my family (couldn't get the next day off work, so couldn't go home to Ohio from NYC), so needless to say I was depressed. The movie did not lift my spirits. Plus I felt bad for my friend Tiffany, because she came with me and I didn't know the last half-hour or so would be so brutal. It was like the time a girlfriend saw A Clockwork Orange sitting on my shelf and asked to watch it. She had heard that it was good. I said, "Well, it IS good (my favorite of all time, in fact, except for Empire Strikes Back), but I'm not sure you'll like it." Sure enough, after 15 minutes, she left sobbing, me chasing after her explaining myself. But I digress.
But, as I am sometimes wont to do, I saw it again, just to see what my not-initial reaction would be. I have a theory on movie-watching: if you're an astute filmgoer who pays attention, etc., your first reaction to a film is probably the one the director wants you to have. You need to view it again (and again) if you want to think objectively about it.
Anyway, I saw it again a year or so ago (still alone), and liked it quite a bit more, or at least wasn't bummed out by it. At first, I thought, "Wow, what a depressing drug movie. At least Trainspotting gave the viewer some folks to pull for. This is just a bummer." On second viewing, I thought it looked great and did the anti-glamorization thing well.
On third viewing (just last night), I got all philosophical and shit. I figured out that the "dream" was that great summer, and the "requiem" was the hellish slide thereafter. I didn't loathe the characters anymore -- in fact, my reaction to them as people/characters was perhaps as sympathetic as one could feel. I felt something the first time, but mostly it was, "Well, I guess they got what they deserved."
But no. I was moved this time. Plus the DVD extras are great.
Anyway, just a thought.

National Review's Rod Dreher makes this sleepy guy laugh with this assessment of the new Bond movie. The really funny part, though, is his prediction for Scorsese's Gangs of New York.

I know what you might be thinking...how can someone so learned and urbane as I be into high school and college football. Well, let's just say the love didn't exactly come naturally, but had to develop over, say, 20 or so years.
Speaking of football, check out this movie. It's an entertaining watch, but it didn't expose enough of the seamy underbelly of the subject as all documentaries should. Otherwise, what's the point of making the damn thing? A documentray either exposes something intentionally or unintentionally. That's just the way it's supposed to work.
Minor complaints aside, it's a good film about a town that has its values way out of whack and puts a little too much pressure on its kids. Hmmm...maybe it DID expose all it was supposed to. I just felt there was a certain...visceral elemsnt lacking.
It showed football, it showed parties, but it didn't show any rumbles or anything. I went to high school in Ohio, and no sports season is complete without a scrum or two.

I don't have too much to talk about at 1:00 A.M. on a Monday morning, but I felt I should post something, since I'm sitting here, staring slack-jawed at the computer. A couple things of note, though...
I'd entitle this picture (click on the top picture, ya dummies!) "Heartbreak."
I was at the game, in that stinkhole known as Lima, Ohio. I saw a ball, punted by one team and handled by another roll into a end zone, get recovered by the kicking team, and get called a touchback. Huh? Exactly.
The dejected young man of note is one Eric Wisneiwski, who happens to be my little sister's boyfriend. He's the one who recovered the kick for the non-touchdown, causing an entire region of Ohio to scratch its collective head in wonder.
Breaks my heart, I tell you.
But a great article by Don Emmons, who I happen to know. I'm big time!
Speaking of great, how about that OSU-UM game on Saturday? Can't say enough about it, because all that matters is that the record is 13-0 for the season. No Big 10 team's done it since 1979.

It's a beautiful fall day here in Northwest Ohio (armpit of civilization), and what do I have to do? In between articles and subimssions, I have to rake damn leaves!
Well, not rake. Does anyone do that anymore? No, I use the ol' leafblower.
It blows, all right.

Na na na na na NAH NAH! You say it's my birthday!
Well, it was, anyway. I turned 26 over the weekend, and boy, are my arms tired.
It came not with a bang, but a whimper. It doesn't feel any different, but I suppose it marks the slow slide into 30.
What can I expect from this age?

Yeah, right.

My friend and fellow Bridge crony Bill wrote this for a New York-based sports Web site. If you like hockey (or Bill), you'll like this.
By the way, have I told you how great it was writing for BridgeNews? Ask Bill -- it was like Xanadu!
Lousy Brits at Reuters...taking away our sweet gravy-laden train.

I just discovered that some charlatan(s), dressed up as a community organization (they got the .org!) has stolen my name! I won't provide a link, because I don't link to thieves, but rest assured this will not stand. Perhaps I'll engage the services of my lawyer neighbor.


"Heads On Fire is an organization dedicated to bridging the Digital Divide through the means of community based media arts programs. Technoliteracy is increasingly becoming the arbiter that separates the skilled worker from the unskilled, the adequately paid from those whose wages will not sustain a decent standard of living. Heads On Fire seeks to play a crucial role in preventing distressed populations from being flattened beneath the wheels of this revolution, by linking artists, communities, and technology."


Oh, please! I invented the name, and I want all the rights to it!
You want the story? The year was 1999 (or 1998 -- college was a hazy time) and my friends and I were driving to Lake Baw Beese in semi-beautiful Hillsdale, Michigan. I believe we were hung over or something, because as we drove by a woman pushing a stroller, someone remarked "What if you flicked your cig out the window, and found out too late that some wino had spilled some potent and flammable alcohol on that stroller? What would that woman say?
I, of course, responded with the now-famous expression, "My baby's head's on fire!"
And thus, a phrase was coined. For punctuation purposes I changed it to "HeadsonFire," but the genesis is all mine (and Jhoda's).
Case freakin' closed!

Geez, this ambulance-chasing lawyer guy who lives across the street must be up to no good, because he's pulled in and out of his driveway six times in the past three minutes.
Yeah, dude, I see your Corvette, and I don't care. A Civic is where it's at!

Has everyone seen David Frum's Political Diary on NRO? It's only a few days old, but I'm hooked. I like this guy.
Frum, as many of you probably know, is a former writer for The Weekly Standard and speechwriter for Bush. Came up with the whole "axis of evil" speech if I'm not mistaken. So he's cool, I'm sure.
Oh, a bit of news about someone with whom I'm acquainted. A high school friend's fiancee (congratulations, Carrie and Steve), just recently got a job as a Bush speechwriter! Wow...must be cool.
Anyway, you may know Steve Hayes as a writer for The Weekly Standard, but he got some attention recently for getting all up in Scott Ritter's face in the Wall Street Journal and on TV.
Got up in his face...just like many of us, I'm sure, have wanted to do.

Of course, if you were to tune into CSPAN right now, you'd find the not-in-any-way-irrelevant UN debating the current US/UK resolution regarding Iraq. I can't believe we still think we have to run things by these namby-pamby, mealymouthed Eurodorks.
Don't get me wrong, I like Europeans themselves. I love their culture...hell, I studied it in school. However, the current course of European diplomacy and public policy does nothing but confuse and anger me. It's like they assume that we (as the world's preeminent nation) are likely to follow the same imperialistic course they did, beginning about 200 years ago.
Check yourselves before you wreck yourselves, Europe. We're different, and don't go thinking otherwise. We have a little thing called the rule of law (which is a pretty new concept over there, but we've gotten good at it). I mean, Europe has been imperialistic as recently as a half-century ago!
I think (and this is just my opinion) that Europe's attitudes are somewhat influenced by nostalgia (for their own glorious past, and I say that with no irony) and resentment that they've been reduced to marginal players on the world stage.
There, I said it. But don't get me wrong...I think that the UK is on the right track to coming back around to a sensible and less shrill way of doing things, and Europe still has time to board that trolley.

I awoke uncharacteristically early for me today, just to watch CSPAN the ever-dry but entertaining Washington Journal). What a freakin' dork I must be!
No, really. My two favorite Brits, Hitch and Sully, went head to head with each other and a gaggle of University of Denver and Colorado State University students (must've been j-school kids, because they had waaay too many questions).
Anyway, it's fun to watch those two...
My favorite line? When Hitch said, by way of prefacing an answer to a student's question, "I'm going to be rather harsh with these students..."
Bwah!
No link to a transcript available yet, but stay tuned...

What did I tell you about Homestar Runner and his friends? The world is noticing.

To redirect the conversation slightly, I'm looking at my semi-new (well, just rediscovered it -- kind of like when you throw in "It's a Shame About Ray" after not listening to it for years) Adidas sweatshirt and thinking "Man, have I been having great luck at the thrift store lately!"
Seriously. And that great luck has carried over to the regular stores too. And to my life in general. Finding all sorts of great stuff. I found a pair of Nike Cortez for $35. I found my favorite shades in my storage unit (sure, I was looking for my voice recorder, but hey -- there were a lot of boxes in there). Found that Adidas sweatshirt. Found my heart in San Francisco. Found out about you. Found Found Found.
If anyone can tell me about that last sentence, I'll hook you up with a prize.

Not too much to say from this guy about the election. I'm sure anyone who reads this blog knows how I feel about it, and I'm sure it's all been said before by someone who can say it better.
Cool. I'm glad we've reached an understanding about it.
What I've really been thinking about lately is where I want to go from here. Obviously, I don't plan on sticking around here much longer, but I haven't nailed down yet where I actually want to go. Of course, the whole "how to get there" part can be a troublesome as well, but we need a location first.
To start it off, I guess, I want to go someplace dangerous. That's right, dangerous. Kirachi. Beirut. Islamabad. Phnom Penh. Someplace like that.

Another great article courtesy of Andrew Sullivan (like it's even a surprise anymore),
I promise, when Sullivan stops knocking 'em out of the park, I'll pick up the slack.

I've got a new favorite site that I'll soon add to the list, but I just had to put it out there. I've spent a great deal of time recently (outside of work hours, of course!)snorting with laughter at this site.
No, it's not The Nation! It's "HomestarRunner.com!"
Seriously, it's great. SO hilarious.
Highlights include "Strong Bad's Email" and the intro sequence.

It's nice to see -- that is, if I'm interpreting my so-called "sitemeter" correctly -- that so many of the same people come back every few days to check up on how Blue is doing and if he's updated the blog. I appreciate that, and would like it even more if those same people would comment on the site. After all, you're practically the paying public.
I know who you are in all but name...remember that.
Well, maybe not...but I do know your ISP!
That doesn't do me a lot of good, does it?

Hot damn! back after an enjoyable weekend!
Why was it enjoyable? Because I went to a Halloween party that wasn't a complete wash. It was actually fun. Some creative costumes (mine included, if I do say so myself), some OK grub, and a couple of humorous anecdotes, which I will now relate to you, gentle readers.
OK, so the link above? Wasn't my costume. But that one was good. My friend Zach (party host) dressed up as a Price Is Right contestant; his friend Tony did the "Magnum, P.I." thing (see above link); and I, your humble narrator, dressed up as what I like to call "1980's Broadway/Solid Gold male dancer at rehearsal."
OK, now just think about a guy dressed up like Jennifer Beals. I had 'em rolling.

If you haven't been reading Andrew Sullivan's pieces that appear in Salon, I recommend you do so. They're great -- especially this one.
Here's the money shot, for me:

Because the essence of bigotry is to reduce the complex, varied, human individuality of a human being into a racial cipher. It is to smelt the irreducible complexity of a person into a racial caricature. It is to deny individuality; it is to give someone no space to think for him or herself, to free to be a person, and not a mere member of the group.

To me, this freedom is an irreducible core of what liberalism should be. It is about a person's right to think for herself with dignity and respect. It doesn't mean that you can't disagree vehemently with such a person, subject her views to withering scrutiny, rhetorical barbs or logical dissection. What it does mean is that you do not play the race card or any other card when engaging that person's views. And one of the key signs that much of today's left is actually, demonstrably illiberal, intolerant and reactionary, is the way in which this is now a common feature of leftist discourse.

Wow.

I've done some interesting stuff in the past couple of weeks, though. Want to sit through it? OK!
I went on a little "round the Great Lakes" trip. Went to visit a friend in Chicago, went to a concert in Toronto, and then, to top it all off, went to a wedding in Philadelphia. OK, so I suppose technically Philadelphia isn't on the Great Lakes, but the other two places are.
Oh, and I also went to see J Mascis in Detroit.
Full weeks. Am brain dead.

Man, have I been busy!
I've been volunteering for a political campaign, making enemies at work, and...well, that's about it, I suppose. I don't get it...I sit down at the computer every day, and yet I can't find the time, or really even bring myself to update this site.
I may be fresh out of ideas, kids. Just maybe.

So again it's been some time since I posted anything up in here. What, something like ten days, right? What possibly could have happened in that time?
Well, for one thing, I guess Robert Torricelli dropped out of his Senate race, placing the 'Publicans perhaps in prime position for a power push. How's that for alliteration? Only took me three minutes!
But wait, what's this? The New York Times thinks that, in order to "do what's right," New Jersey Republicans must allow a suitable replacement to run (link requires registration.
I like Andrew Sullivan's take better. What a simpering, cynical, finger-pointing mess the Torch must be, and what a load of crap in the Times.

Ok, does anyone else think that Stephanie Zacherek doesn't make "The Banger Sisters" sound like a good movie, even though she wants to? Not saying Zacherek is a bad writer (although I've pretty much disagreed with all her movie assessments), but the whole "finding out Mom has a past" movie is dumb anyway, but "finding out Mom has a past as a groupie" is just sick!
And how precious is it that Goldie Hawn plays an aging groupie? Her daughter played a groupie too! Do you see the connection? Get it? Ha!

OK, so it's been a week or so since I posted. So sue me! I'm sure everything I wanted to say between then and now has been said, but let's just see...
1) Bush's speech to the UN was great...
2) Ben Affleck's new TV show sucks...
3) And despite whatever Scott Ritter might say, even the New York Times has its doubts (link requires registration) about weapons inspections...
Guess that about covers it. Goodnight.

Just a quick clarification:
FoxToledo, which I praised yesterday for running a program other than the live coverage of the weepfest, was running the same program as Fox5 in NYC.
And, lest anyone think that the FoxToledo station is bold or anything like that, remember that Fox doesn't have a network news anchor like Dan Rather or Tom Brokaw to shepard us and our feelings through tragic events.
Thank God, and may God protect us from those who tell us what is OK to feel. Just like he protects us from those who know best.

So here we are -- a year removed from 9/11/01, and what's the status? Isn't that the question all the networks, media outlets, and news organizations are trying to answer? Have we changed? How should we have changed? And so on...
Judging by much of the media coverage today, I would say not much has changed. Part of me cringed slightly at the three-hour "hug-a-thon" that was the name-reading at Ground Zero. Part of me understands it, and ALL of me certainly goes out to those that lost loved ones there. However, I think in the hazy mists of maudlin displays we've lost our focus on what September 11 really was.
In my mind, it wasn't just a tragedy, like a train wreck, plane crash, or when a carload of kids on their way home from prom gets plowed into by a drunk driver. Yes, the deaths of 3,000 people on American soil IS tragic, but the act, the EVENT itself was a dastardly act of aggression. It was an attack, and therefore something to be responded to, not simply mourned.
We've lost sight, I think, of what really happened on that day which, if not for what happened, would be remembered for its azure sky and unseasonable warmth. The United States was attacked -- the reason why isn't really important. On another day the U.S. was attacked -- December 7, 1941 -- I doubt anyone wanted to know why. That was a question not asked in those days, because it simply wasn't important. Attacking another sovereign state -- whether because you wanteded its land, want to install your brother on its throne, or because you thought its oil embargo against you was unfair and itself an act of war -- was a no-no, and if it was done it meant war. Japan understood that, and they did it anyway. But, more importantly, we understood that the only response to an attack is a war. End of story.
But, in our touchy-feely culture, I guess we want to know why. We want to connect and begin the healing process.
Not me. I don't care if I ever understand the mentality and motivations of Islamist radicals hell-bent on purifying their religion and making sure all infidels are taken care of. I don't care if they understand me or my way of life, and I certainly don't demand they modify their practices and policies to my liking.
I'm rambling here, but you might get my point.
I just wanted to say "bravo" to FoxToledo, which during the weepfest was the only channel to cut away and show the images that have the power to remind us of what actually happned, not just the results of what happened (Here's what happened: terrorists attacked and brought down my favorite buildings in the world. Here was the result: thousands died.)
It was sad and tragic that so many lost husbands and wives, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers. But it would be truly tragic if those who inspired, perpetrated, and facilitated the act weren't dealt with in the harshest possible manner.

Just a quick update before I dash off to the office...
The weekend flew by, not enough time, there's never enough time, etc... (see "Jessie's Song" and remember fondly).
No flaming wreckage at the Air Show, but it was as hot as I've always imagined Hades to be. People were sitting under the wings and fuselages of the static aircraft, just trying to catch some shade. Boy, that blacktop really makes you cook.
By the way, in response to some queries, the "Stars" link is a song by the band Hum. I highly recommend picking up one of their two full-length albums; however, I believe they are now defunct, so if someone offers you concert tickets, they're fake.

Oops, must go to get my press pass for the Air Show. I believe it's all access, including some limited flying privileges.

My stars!
A busy weekend for yours truly. Must cover many things, and as an intrepid but incompetent (intrepidly incompetent?) small-town journalist, I'm balking at the prospect.
Actually, not really. I need the bucks, and it's all fun stuff. The Toledo Air Show is in town, and high school football is as pure as the sport gets. I used to think college football was exciting -- I still do, of course -- but get thee to a D1 (see #86) or D2 (click on SportsDesk link) high school game if you want reall blood-and-guts football.
Go team.

But, I suppose since summer is over, it's time to turn our attention to less childish things...
Item! The weekly newspaper I work for is now online! You can check us out at The Mirror's website! Not too much content up there yet, but Dan the Web Guru is nothing less than a miracle worker, so stuff will be coming up regularly.
I have no actual news or feature stories up there yet, but I do have a sports article if you click on the "sports" link.

Well, it happened. I lost my Dennis Haskins voice-mail message! Damn it all!
Like Icarus, I flew too close to the sun on waxen wings. I showed off one too many times, and forgot to resave the message to my archive. Damn it all again!
Well, I suppose I can relate the story of how I actually met TV's Mr. Belding -- I was in Brighton, Michigan for a friend's bachelor party. We returned from an evening of carousing and whatnot to the Courtyard by Marriott, at which was being held a "Hawaiian Tropic" pageant. And, near as I can figure, Haskins was the emcee or judge or something.
He was hanging in the lobby when we met him. He had a mustache, which sort of threw me, but other than that he was the same lovable Mr. Belding I grew up with.
The message he left on my phone was "Hey hey hey hey! What is going on here, BLUUUUE?"
I thought I was going to weep tears of purest joy...

I haven't hit up the ol' blog recently, but I've been so damned busy! Writing, covering events and whatnot, reveling, laughing, hoping and dreaming...it's been a real rollercoaster.
One thing of note did happen to me, though. I met Dennis Haskins, who is perhaps better known as Mr. Belding from TV's Saved By The Bell!
As someone who spent much of high school watching at least three consecutive episodes of said show (you know, it was on after school -- we'd snack, go outside for a covert smoke, etc.), I must say it was a thrill.
Haskins even left a message on my voicemail, so I could prove it to those who would be naysayers.
Priceless...

So anyway, I went up to Mackinac Island for a friend's wedding this past weekend, and what a remarkable place (to a certain extent). I don't much care for touristy things, but I was slightly impressed at the geography of the island, as well as its historical significance. For example, I can just picture the British (who held the fort during the War of 1812) shelling American ships as they went through the Straits.
However, I didn't care for the overpowering smell of horse dung and urine. Call me delicate if you must, but it was pretty foul. It sort of reminded me of turn-of-the-century Lower East Side in NYC, when rivers of raw sewage ran free in the gutters.
Ah, history. It ain't pretty, but I love it anyway.

Thank God the ol' Billster pointed out my spelling errors. So I was all like, "Sorry, Your Majesty, but where I come from, "Bill" has three L's!"
His words: "I wish I never angled to get on your site."

My friend Bill points out today that, in the face of such carnage and destruction, Israel is showing remarkable restraint. You know, I can think of another Western-style democracy known for its remarkable restraint in the face of heinous acts. That's right, I'm talkin' 'bout the U.S. Many nations, I'm sure, would have levelled as many Arab nations as possible in the wake of September 11, if they had the capabilities to do so. We, on the other hand, proceeded slowly but surely towards the nation that harbored the enemy, took them out, and stopped while we studied what our next move should be.
All the more reason why we support Israel. They are the U.S., except smaller, a few thousand miles away, and surrounded on all sides by people who want them dead.

Anyone who doubts that the U.S. is right in methodically (or slowly, depending on your view) planning to take out Saddam Hussein should read this Economist article. It's a thoughtful, painstaking look on why, simply put, Saddam Hussein is the worst leader in the world today. My favorite line is this: "But wishful thinking in the face of mortal danger is bad policy."

Hm, let's see...
I saw Road to Perdition the other day. It looked great, was well acted, and held me rapt in my seat. However, it was pretty predictable -- maybe not so much as American Beauty, in which the protagonist announced in the first minutes of the movie that he would die, but one generally still could figure out what was going to happen to ol' Tom Hanks.
Also, it was definitely in the same vein as American Beauty, in that it was a predictable chronicle of a family's decline, due to the sins of generations past. It's like "OK, Sam, we know families are screwed up, and they often disintegrate over the years. We've all read a Faulkner book or two." In fact, I said to my friend as we were leaving, "If that were a Faulkner book, it would have been called "As I Stood Shooting."
Get it? Haw!
Anyway, it was good and looked great. I recommend it, but you won't be surprised how it all turns out.

God, reading a Mareen Dowd column is painful. Especially this one (link requires registration).
I don't even know where to begin on dissecting this piece of drivel. I guess first and foremost would be to examine her motivations for this column. I'm guessing she's laying in bed, watching FX last night (like I was), and she saw a commercial for the new RFK movie. Then, she remembered "that thing about that study that says women are emotional."
Then I'm sure it was a simple matter of tracking down some jerk who has a stupid idea about women in politics ("I probably deep down believe that women are the superior sex," Mr. Kelley told TV critics gathered here for a fall preview. "And when I see all that's going on in the world, in the Middle East . . . if the United Nations just said that women had to run countries, I don't think this would be going on in any of them."), mix and stir, and VOILA! A New York Times Op-Ed is born!
Seriously though, an FX biopic is probably a pretty poor basis for a theory that claims to explain "modern American history."
Maureen Dowd is a "biscuit" writer in my opinion (biscuit=bad). This column cements it for me.

Whoo-hoo! Back in the game!
Has anyone been following the Joel Mowbray/State Department saga? Boy, I have, and I'll tell you why. It's because I wish I were Joel Mowbray. Look at that cat, in there, mixing it up with the bigwig spinmeisters in State. That's the kind of reputation I want as a journalist -- a troublemaker for bigwigs. It's tough to get that rep covering school board meetings and village council meetings, though. Oh well -- maybe a bit further down the pike, no?

Well, it doesn't appear that Blogger is allowing me to post to my site, so by the time these posts make it on I'll have given up, like the quitter that I am.

One question for Zed -- why, sir, do you like Mark Ruffalo so much?
I'll admit, I don't think I've seen any movies he's been in. Haven't seen The Last Castle, nor have I seen You Can Count on Me. Guess I might have to see those, if for no other reason than to have something to discuss.

Something's going on with Blogger today, so I'm not sure if these posts will show up on the site. I've got some things to say, though, and I'm forging ahead anyway.

Going back to the so-called "Star Wars controversy" we were discussing a while back, a friend of mine writes this gem:
" But the nature of cult film-making is found in its specific emotional (usually) attachment to a particular social demographic within the context of an even more specific film genre. Lucas struck the proverbial gold when he embarked on the successive Star Wars counterparts precisely because they are a genre that flirt with the latest movie 'magic.' The draw for people our age is not the fact that those movies refused to give in to the most advanced form of special effects; it is precisely that they did. And they did it in a "Schoolhouse Rock" type of way which made it socially preferrable to hail what is vintage and disregard and villify that which is cutting edge. It is selfish to expect the new trilogy to cater to our generation. For that to be the case, Lucas would actually be forced to prostrate and undermine his advanced special effects mechanisms. So. The reason the new trilogy will ultimately lack the meaning and pervasiveness of the first is that we are no longer the demographic. Isn't it strange that we (yes, you and me) appreciate The Matrix for its cutting edge special effects, but not Attack of the Clones? Both are just about equal in terms of meaning, durability, and import. Our mindset is different towards each. There is our failure, not Lucas'. One more thing. Lucas actually once addressed this very issue, saying, that the entire field of film is one large special effect. It is true. The Brothers Lumiere were the original special effects artists. If you agree, the Star Wars controversy becomes nothing more than a search for nostalgia...."

Well said, Michael. Well said...

I also wanted to give a shout-out to Zed, if he is indeed reading this. You see folks, Zed lambasted me via email, and I appreciate that. In fact, he was one of the first people I don't know to comment on the site.
Prickly tone aside, his email was right on in a couple of respects. First, I have been going at this site rather half-heartedly for the past few months, Don't know why, just have. Actually, I do know why -- it's because I now have a writing job, and that PAID writing is taking up more of my time and creative energy. When I started the site, I was working in inside sales, and needed to get something down to feel like I was still a writer. Now that I have the job with a paper...well, I don't need to draw my smart readers a map, do I?
I know, Andrew Sullivan has many paid writing gigs and still posts to his site daily. Well folks, hate to say it, but I'm not Andrew Sullivan. There's a reason he makes the big bucks and I don't. He's got a work ethic!

I just had to write today. Wanted to let everyone know that Toledo made it unscathed through the holiday, even though the rumor swirling around town was that small cities such as ours were being targeted. You know what I say to that? Pshaw!
That being said, I'm awfully glad nothing happened, although I wasn't exactly holding my breath.

At the suggestion of my friend Pedro del Owen, I have to put this up (with his dialogue, of course).
"Looking for a good, cheap fock?"

I was e-chatting with a friend this morning, and I asked him if he had seen any good movies lately. He answered, "Well, Star Wars, but I lower my standards for movies in the Star Wars franchise."
Don't we all?
But should we? Does the nostalgia of all us Gen Xers (and those slightly younger than us) give George Lucas a free pass to make movies replete with cheesy one-liners, undeveloped characters, and virtually no heart? I mean, the original three were something completely different from the latest two -- they were live action more than CGI, they had great characters (granted, with some wince-inducing dialogue), and they were a bit overwrought, but who honestly could say that The Phantom Menace is better than The Empire Strikes Back?
Well, I suppose they could say it, but they'd better not say it front of me. I might actually lose it. But see, it's that kind of slavish dedication to the original three that gives Lucas his green light. And Lucas has no problem cashing in on subpar work. It's almost like he's a college student who got one really good grade on a paper in a class, and turns in crap the rest of the semester, hoping to coast through. The prof shouldn't let a student get away with that, and we, the true Star Wars fans, shouldn't let Lucas get away with making movies like Episodes 1 & 2.
Moreover, the magic is missing from the latest Lucas fare. Magic, heart, soul, whatever you want to call it -- I don't think I'm the only person suggesting that Lucas is phoning it in.
Then again, maybe just Han Solo and Chewie are missing...

Want to talk some more about movies? OK, you've convinced me!

Anyway, back to The Bourne Identity...
There are several parts of the Times article that I don't like, but for the most it accurately points out what I liked in the movie. I liked the lack of corny one-liners (Minority Report had lots), I liked the expressions on the actors' faces (confusion, horror, disgust), and I liked the movie's unflashy style. There didn't seem to be much CGI; instead, much of the work seemed to be on location. What? A movie not shot in front of a blue screen? Amazing in this day and age...

A pretty decent article in Sunday's New York Times (link requires registration) makes some good points about a pretty cool movie, The Bourne Identity. I saw it and certainly liked it, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what made it better than Minority Report, which I also recently saw.
Well, that's not entirely true. I knew that Minority Report was a Spielberg movie, and that with it would come some sort of heroic resolution -- that is, a resolution towards the good, happy way. You know, the kind of ending where Things Just Work Out. However, if 20 minutes or so had been lopped off that movie, it would have been GREAT film noir.
I don't know how much I should give away, in case any HeadsHeads haven't seen it yet. After all, it did only just come out.
Tell you what: go see it, and email me to tell me what you thought. I'll give my (and Mike J.'s) theory later.

I was extremely pleased this morning to read that my hombre, Victor Davis Hanson (VDH, to his homies) has been announced as the winner of the 2002 Eric Breindel Award for Excellence in Journalism! Thanks to Kathryn Lopez at National Review for pointing me in the right direction.
Man, is there anything VDH can't do? Let me answer that question: no. He's a professor of classics, so he's obviously proficient in Greek and Latin; he's a military historian (seems to focus on Ancient Greece); and yet, he's unbelieveably adept at applying lessons from ancient Greek battles to current situations. Kind of reminds me of my late mentor, Dr. Alex Shtromas, who somehow managed to explain the Peloponnesian War to all us boneheads by comparing it with Indepependence Day. Now that's a teacher!
Think about it: here's a guy (Shtromas, not VDH) who's in his sixties, lived under Hitler and Stalin, studied and practiced law in Moscow, expelled from the U.S.S.R. for dissent, relocates first to Britain then to the U.S., teching at Hillsdale...and still has time, while watching the bright-lights/oooh-ahhh of Independence Day, to draw parallels with one of the first recorded major conflicts.
No wonder I want to be a professor.

I'm the kind of guy who has difficulty finding a happy medium. For example, I'm sitting at my computer, knowing I have to write an article for the paper. But, as I sit here, I think to myself "Must...get...back..into...habit..of writing...on site...daily!" So I can either a) post to my site, or b) write my article....maybe I'll try to do both simultaneously.
Don't laugh, because I've done more difficult things in my day.

The accidentally inimitable Toledo Blade -- self-described as "One of America's finest newspapers" -- printed this gem of a headline Tuesday: "Gun Victim Described As Fun-Loving, Outgoing."
What's wrong with that, you may ask? Well, the kicker comes in the seventh paragraph:


A Columbus police spokesman said Mr. Slater was shot while a passenger in a vehicle near 22 East 16th Ave., less than a block from the OSU campus.
Witnesses told police some type of disagreement occurred between Mr. Slater and at least one other person before the shooting.


Whoa. Turns out that said guy was more like a "murder victim" than a "gun victim." That's like saying a guy who was pushed out of a window is a "gravity victim."

Let's talk for a moment about what I've been up to...
After leaving Chicago for Toledo (long story, folks, but maybe we'll get into it someday), I foundered for a bit. Couldn't find a job as rapidly as I wanted to, but all's well now. I'm working again -- bartending, reporting -- and I feel the need to write for myself again. Plus, my father has somehow managed to sound disappointed -- via email, no less -- that I haven't been posting, so I figured I wouldn't let the Old Man down.
I got a pretty cool job a few weeks back, and it's just now kicking into high gear. I'm writing for a small-town weekly called The Mirror, and I gotta admit that I like it. Sure, I occassionally have to cover zoning meetings and local festivals, but I get to take photos and the pay is decent. So I'm not complaining, you know?
I think, however, my photos would turn out a lot better if I had one of those cool photographer's vests. Just a thought...

My work ethic has obviously taken a turn for the worse. Here I am, living in a place with a super-speedy internet connection and cable TV, and I can't put together a single coherent thought to send out to the masses. Hmmm....I've let you down. I'll go now.
Whoa! Kidding! Gonna try to start posting to this mother again. So, thanks to all those who are bearing with me, and many thanks to those who have commented on the site.

Geez, what's kept me from posting to the site? Am I busy? No, I'm not working currently. Is there no news? Again, not really. So what's the deal, my faithful may ask?
Guess it's a combination of a few things. First, I'm back in my hometown, where all my longtime friends are, and I've been hanging about with them. Secondly, the job search -- frustrating under the best of circumstances -- keeps me quasi-busy and fully depressed. And finally, I guess I've just had very little to say that I feel others should take note of. Maybe I've been selfishly saving all my bons mots for people I'm trying to impress.
Anyway, here I am, back with the program (Green Eggs and Ham? Yosemite Sam!). I'll try to keep things more regular from this point on, but Lord knows I'm not about to make any promises. Still looking for that job, by the way. The DC thing didn't pan out (Promoting from within? Why make me fly out there, then?), and funds are quickly drying up.
But I...I will survive. As long as I know how to write, I know I'm still alive. I've got all my words to give and...ah, you know the rest.

By the way, The Arab News is chock-full of stories that drip with anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism. Wander over if you dare. But don't expect to read stories about rescuing kitties from trees -- actually, since it's published in Saudi Arabia, you're more likely to read a story about a kitten being shoved back into a burning tree for not wearing its headdress.

Another (as always) fun little piece from The Arab News, which describes Powell leaving the Middle East with his head hanging in shame, which no doubt stems from his inability to get Palestinians to stop murdering Israelis and themselves.
But, the fact that this article made me realize how the word "humiliation" is thrown around made me take a second look. Jonah Goldberg wrote yesterday about the Middle East being a "shame-based society" -- the ultimate goals in such a society are gaining honor and avoiding humiliation.
It's funny how, in order to denigrate the USA's efforts in the Middle East -- which, ironically enough, would benefit the Palestinians the most (since, let's face it, Israel can take care of itself as long as we're not asking it not to) -- the Arab community ascribes to it the ultimate insult it can muster. And all Powell was doing there in the first place was trying to help, and ultimately, the Palestinain people will suffer the most as a result of Arafat's (and other Arab leaders') knotheaded policies which seek to chase Israel from its land.

As the once-popular rock song says, "It's been a while."
Boy howdy, ain't that the truth? My trip to our nation's capital was rousing, however; I'd have to chalk it up as time well spent. Had a couple of interviews, did a bit of sightseeing (especially around the Capitol), and attended the Israel Rally(read about it here), which pretty much blew me away. It was stirring to see that many people brave some sweltering heat in support of a state that really needs as much support as it can get -- especially since those who vilify Israel are louder, more violent, and more persistent than those who do, and therefore pro-Palesetinan demonstrations get more attention.
A thought struck me while milling about the crowd: Why, I wondered, is everyone so orderly and so positive here at this rally? Where are the professional agitators who go in, get the people riled up, and incite the smashing of things? And then it struck me -- there are none of those types (or very few) that support this particular cause.
Why? Well, I think for a few reasons. First, it's certainly not a cause celebre, like the environment, PETA, or anti-WTO, and therefore doesn't attract as many poseurs who just want attention for themselves and not the cause. Second, and maybe the main reason, is that those who support Israel's right to exist, and its right to be free from constant terror attacks, are necessarily law-and-order type folks. If they (we) weren't, they'd have a much harder time trying to explain why suicide bombing isn't an OK thing to do.
There was no anger, no rage, no stone-throwing, no tire burning, no looting, no smashing, and no fights. The counterprotestors were treated civilly or ignored. There was passion, informed argument, civilized disagreement, and a remarkable feeling of hope, beauty, and kinship in the air. It was the kinship between those from all over the world who support freedom, security, and human life. And, except for some Europeans, most of the attendees were Americans -- white Americans, Jewish Americans, black Americans...hell, just Americans. It was enough to make any American proud.

I'm off to our nation's capital this weekend for a job interview, as well as, I hope, some general merriment. But it won't all be fun and games -- no, it certainly won't.
Flying in on Saturday, so I have that night for fun, as well as Sunday. I have my interviews on Monday, but splitting them is an event that I will luckliy be able to attend.
Many thanks to NRO's The Corner for pointing this out. I'll be there. If you're in DC AND you support democracy, please throw your weight behind the only Middle Eastern nation that does too.

James Taranto extends his streak to 1,347 (rough estimate) consecutive days on which he's made astutue observations and straight-to-the-heart-of-it analyses with this gem:

"'Violence of whatever form, whether one would call it an act of terrorism or an act of resistance, at this point is counterproductive.' That's Secretary of State Colin Powell, commenting on this morning's suicide bombing near Haifa, in which a Palestinian Arab hit man murdered eight Israelis.
Is Powell speaking for the Bush administration here? Is it not the administration's position that the deliberate slaughter of civilians is terrorism, and that it is not merely "unproductive" but evil and intolerable?"

Ouch, James. Ouch. And this is only the first item on today's BOTW, and the only one I've read yet. Can't wait to read the rest.

The Arab News, Saudi Arabia's English-language daily, is a hoot to read -- well, it's a hoot if you find rabid anti-Semitism, willfull mendacity, and utterly insane theories funny.
Here's a tidbit from the Opinions section:


"We are witnessing a great tragedy as it unfolds in Palestine. The Israelis are attacking our brothers there with unspeakable brutality and cruelty. And we seem powerless to do anything but look on with feelings of sorrow, hopelessness and desperation.
The single most dangerous thing that can befall the Muslim nation is hopelessness — the feeling that we are unable to do anything to save these wronged and oppressed people.
The main goal of the Zionist American plan is to instill into us a feeling of desperation so that we remain submissive and servile beneath their feet. We must not give in to desperation because those who believe in God’s mercy and blessings can never be hopeless."


And here's the "War on Palestinians" section, complete with pictures and letters, including some from Americans.
The fair and balanced Arab media at its finest, folks...

Martin Peretz unloads on The New Republic's web site -- unloads in a poetic, moving kind of way. It's a real breath of fresh air; almost as fresh as seeing his name on William Kristol's "Open Letter to President Bush." I don't know, I just get a bit of a tingle when I see support for such an important issue come from the Right and the Left.
And don't talk to me about campaign finance reform. This is real, inspired, across-the-board support for an important issue -- actually, the word "issue" does the situation in the Middle East no justice at all. It's a war on democracy going on over there, led by those who embrace fascism, totalitarianism, and oppression.
I mean, how often does one see the names "Martin Peretz," "Rich Lowry," and "James Woolsey" all in a row? There's gotta be an element of absolute truth to it if all these guys are on board!

Wow. A fiercely argued, finely tuned, and ultimately spot-on piece by Rich Lowry today. Of course, as Lowry states, he didn't have to stretch too far to prove his point -- a Saudi prince did most of the work for him.

I was settling in for a relaxing evening of cable television when I relaized that if my site meter is accurate, more people seem to be stumbling across my site. And, even though cable TV was a much-missed commodity during my yearlong sojurn in Chicago, I was drawn to the computer by what could only be described as a sense of duty. I thought to myself, "It's been a week, and you've relaxed enough. Get to steppin'!"
So, here I am...

So I'm back in a certain Midwestern city (south of Detroit, west of Cleveland, northwest of Columbus), and not a moment too soon, apparently -- the people here need a local blogger. Why, you may ask? Because our esteemed Congresswoman, Marcy Kaptur, has been making some pretty silly remarks lately. (Thanks to James Taranto's Best of the Web for pointing it out).
Well, I guess "silly" isn't the right word -- spacy is more like it. And, to add insult to injury, her remarks were made in a Saudi paper. Read it yourself if you don't believe me...
A funny story about Marcy Kaptur. She came to speak at my high school, and a good friend of mine was removed from the auditorium for challenging her anti-Gulf War stance. Guess she wasn't accepting questions (or, more accurately, disagreements) that day.

It sure has been some time since I last posted, but I was moving, and you know how THAT is...