Relevant Movie Reviews (cinema Yglesias edition): Igby Goes Down

As longtime readers surely realize, I have sort of a lifelong fascination with the life and times of wunderkind, Eastcost professional Bona Phide Pundit, and my roll model and (mostly unwitting) mentor, Matthew Yglesias. (Well not lifelong fascination exactly, not relly possible/ only as long as I've known him (i.e. at hte very least since being wait person where his family would Summer (we'll see whether I someday recall meeting him prior to that)(you never know).

As we all know, Matthew Yglesias is particularly characterized and strongly influenced by his eclectic, East cost intellectual, Salingeresque upbringing. (Carries it with him at all times). (On sleeve) Which has been what has helped to make him, the (smart) (SUPER smart i.e Whiz Kid (genius level SAT's (I heard) Pundit which he is today. I'm have to admit (somewhat embarrassing)(BOY this embarsing, here) to certain burning jealousy of what it's like to be high flying Matthew yglesias / pundit/journalist / respected genius-level Thinker (To, mingle with the movers and shakers)(highclass people with fancy Ambercromby-Finch cloths etc)

IT's just Always been a goal of mine. And he's living it! How did he get all the way up there? i wante to understand.

To this end I've launched a new endeavor. To better understand what makes Matthew Yglesias "tick"(yet not have to re-read all 9 Stories, Seymour, , Franny Zooy etc). Instead what I do is, I pick some movies which I believe will gain me some insight. Into, Matthew Yglesias (And then watch them).

First up, Igby Goes Down with Kieran (Macauluy brother)Caulkin (almost Caulfield!). This was obvious choice, for as I understand it, this film was (LOOSELY) based on the life of, Matthew Yglesias. (Is this correct? Let me know if misinform)

My review: Igby Goes Down is alright I guess. (Hard to explain details - first military school, then hide in swanky NYC "LOFT", mingle with art scene, kill Susan sarandon etc). There is rocksongs on the soundtrack (didn't recognize - for some reason no Fountains Of Wayne(would of been highly appropiate) and Claire Danes (btw she not look so hot nowadays) etc. They all (basicelly everyone) smoke up and stuff. Igby doesn't want to conform. Messed up dad, Igby feels angst? So as you can see, it's was ok. (Details somewhat forgettable/unimportant).

Plot summery: Rich (private school/trust fund) eastcoast kid is alienated and rebels, and stuff. (Doesn't like hypocrasy) (Of, everyone) Very witty (educated/upper class) dialogue. Takes place in NEW YORK the GRATEST CITY of the world (where anybody whose anybody).

But the most important thing. I believe the film provides some invaluable insights-- To understand Matthew Yglesiases's milieu. Now I see the kinds of things (alienation, of being in private school, the pressures, the phoniness of fellow upper class extreamly wealthy privaleged people, etc) which Matthew Yglesias had to go through (endure) (painfully) while, growing up. Increases (tramendously) one's respect for how Matthew Yglesias - able to Rise Above all that to get where he is to day (Real-live Pundit).

So for that, if nothing else (insight into Matthew Yglesiases's roots, struggles), Igby Goes Down is an essential document for our times. Kinda boring I guess (much more exciting/funny movie - GO)(despite unfortunately however does not relate to Matthew Yglesias) but still. If you want to get a feel for inside Matthew Yglesasises's shoes I can think of no better film to start (then Igby Goes Down).

Written and directed by that sniveling snooty bouncer from Last Days of disco.

(Under consideration for next edition of cinema Yglesias: Harold and Maude).

Light blogging while (R)s suckass

Ok blogging may be light in the next few days (longtime planned CALL OF CATHULU marathon with Cyrus, Haley, Phung, etc). Or it may not (wel'l see if the Repuggie convention sets me off).

Remember that whatever you hear from the dhingers there in New York (they have NO RIGHT to be there by the way that is OUR town!), the Iraq war was Wrong. Ron Silver suckass acter anyway (whats best movie The Arrival?? Timecop? HELLO?? talk about schlock). A Neo-Con if surname any indication, so. I relly wouldn't worry about it(just saw that we got RAGE guy Tom Morello(Yale) - you see dhingers? DEMOCRATIC'S PARTY ROCKS!! Nothing you can do about it).

Maybe just as alternative I'll tune in to Olympics, when opening ceramonies start.

A success after all?

Longtime reader Dakota J writes in (well, IM"s relly) to point out that Steven Den Beste (a highly prominent blogger whos wrong about what the Iraq war was) seems to be retiring in some vague sense? Well hey, we'll take it! A big victory for are sdie (if you ask me.

Now, call me braggadocious if you will, but I like to think, in some small way, that maybe my earlier hearts and minds efforts on against him bore fruit (after all).

Mysterious ways. (Of, fate).

Websight publicity report

Just thought I'd point out that my sight has now ascended to #2 on MSN Search for "WESTERN PHISOLOPHY".

Slowly but surely - gaining prominance on The Web. (And stature).

Hat tip: Whoever got here by searching on MSN for "WESTERN PHISOLOPHY" - wellcome, and Enjoy!

You question me, I answer you

I've been a little amiss in clearing out my mailbag so here's some pressing answers to you're pressing questions.

Onetime reader moses_gunn (VERY old school reader/ newcomers may not remember) writes (email edited to conceal rambling, as per explict instructions):

OK. Again simply. Kerry. Yes. Rich. Very Rich. Yes we have to admit
it . Jon Kerry is a wealthy man. $1,000,000,000 net worth appx. (Link) It will come out sooner or later. BAD? No. Why? He did not make his money by exploiting people of color, mininum wage, tax loopholes, DH rule, arbitrage, seedy bookkeeping. [..]

And on and on in this vain, for some time. Well moses_gunn raises interesting point that I have not addressed as of thus far, but it's an improtant one I admit. (Electorally). To explain justify Kerry's richness he postulates using dichomoty of "good rich" vs. "bad rich" and while this seems useful, I'm afraid it just might be, alittle confusing (to the lay man).

I think there's a more fundamental problem here which is that "rich" is extremely deceptive concept; for example in a sense, Jesse Jackson "rich" (moses_gun uses differnet examples ie.. Rob Reiner but point is the same) but this not what anyone thinks of. This points to underlying "deep structure" in concept of whether being "rich" - is Jesse Jackson Really "rich"? I say no - just look at stances he takes. And so on.

What emerges is that there's a more improtant concept that of whether someone is (for lack of better term) "rich" at heart. Clearly anyone can see Jesse, Rob etc (like Jon Kerry) aren't "rich folks" at heart but rather, struggling working-class/compassionate folk heroes. Like subjects of Springsteen song's (Ragamuffin gunner, Bigbones billy, Rosalita Sandy etc) but fast-forward thirty years or so. (I'm sure some of those characters - millionaires now too)

Some dhingers might object Yes but how can you tell whether someone rich/working-class "at heart" what's that all about? But in practice it's not so difficult. (Working-class person at heart tend to vote Democrat/ Kerry bumper sticker etc. Easy to spot). Meanwhile some of my fellow liberals may express skeptical that this "rich at heart" concept will work (electorally) but hey, working class people always majority allegiance vote Democrat do they not? So you see, they get it even if you don't. So basically I'm am not too worried about this "so" called "rich" issue, the masses won't be confused/swayed by Kerry's (superficial/external) socalled "wealth".


moses_gunn (prolific) also writes passionately about something called "anti-semitism" (in France),

However, anti-semitism, (mostly France) is not helping the cause.

but I'm admit, Not very familiar wtih this topic (link?) so I relly cannot further comment on, His interestinmg( pravocative) suggestions to curb. (involves badge/mark of some sort)

Finally, "A Smart Liberal" writes in to raise the chickenhawk issue,

alot of these neocon
war supporters are chicken hawks! Dick Chany and
Richard Pearl never fought in any war like Kerry did.
Hell, Kerry did secret missions to Cambodia!

Now this, I'm must admit, is rather new to me. I have to admit, I was alittle taken in with the swiftvet-boaters lie story about Kerry not fighting in Cambodia like he should of. I didn't even question it. But I should of known that this too (like all they're other lies) was a lie, and that Kerry did go to Cambodia. Boy do I fell stupid.

As for the larger issue of "chickenhawk", I have not taken a stand either way on it very much as I have to work out my thoguhts more carefully. When I first heard this term, got a little confused(only association - little character from Forghorn Leghorn cartoons- very spunky and sympathetic/why would we want to praise Cheny etc like that?) but once it was explained to me, I saw immediately how it could benefit are side. But I don't know. Are we saying we want everyone sign up for the military? (Breeding ground of dhinger voters). I just worry that this could be a sand trap we fall into here. Have to think more on the subject.

Anyway, A.S.L. points to interesting websight I had not seen of Micha Wright (a Veteran(thus non chickenhawk) for you're persual, I'll pass it along FWIW (note: I have not checked it out for rightness/wrongness thurroughly so be warned-- tried to look at Discussion forum but need to register for some reason to even see posts, then got bored/had other stuff to do (finish icecream(vanilla) so, YMVV.

Well that's it for this, Keep writing as you can see I get to them eventuelly,

Focus on the People

I just noticed that noted jazz bass player Jaco Pastorius (from what I could glean) wonders aloud (well-- in blog form,) about the way I link to him on my controversial blogroll.

This affords me an excallent opportunity to expound a little bit (more then before) on my blogroll policy.

For, you might have wondered (like I do occasionaly)(until I remember the answer), Why do I link to a person's name (e.g. in case of Pastorius, its Pastorius) and not website "name" (in his case "cunanas" or something)?

You see, the answer is simple. It's because I like to Focus on the Person.

Let's take example. Instapundit. Instapundit is not a person. There is no person named Instapundit. "Instapundit"-- is just nonsense word (made-up relly). I don't even know what it means.

But Glenn Reynolds. Glenn Reynolds is a person. A man in particular. With a life and loves and hopes and fears and dreams. My philosophy is to focus on the person (in this case man).

Why? Say I make link to "Instapundit" in my Bad Wrong People section. What good is that? What pressure does that place? Glenn Reynolds sees that and think "ho hum". So I've called out "Instapundit" for wrongness BIG DEAL. "Instapundit" just a web page/ a conglomeration of HTML jibburish. "Instapundit" has no feelings/no conscience(how can it?). So Glenn Reynolds gets on with his life with clean conscience. There is layer of distance between Glenn Reynolds, words he writes, under page with stupid madeup word "Instapundit" at the top, adn if I respect that Layer, I allow Glenn (Reynolds) to not bear the full brunt of his wrongness (himself). There is psychological displacement which ockurs, which allows Glenn (Glenn Reynolds) to get away with his wrong words and just general wrongness, and by playing along with "Instapundit" charade, I allow his to evade responsibility for his wrong words. His conscience-not shamed. His family and distant relatives-not shamed. Nobody cares about "Instapundit". The Reynolds name gets off scott-free.

But if I link to Glenn Reynolds. Well. I say (naming the wrong) loud and clear that Glenn Reynolds is among my Bad People Wrong About Iraq Being War Right. This he can't ignore! It's HIM who is being called to task. Called out for hi's wrongness. The PERSON not some websight made-up name. I associate the PERSON with the words he rights without responsibility-displacing middleman of "the name of his websight" getting in the way of proper accountability.

You will see, That, I have made positive efforts to (mostly successfuly / not always) abide by this (my) poilcy when at all possible. "Powerline" what the heck is that? They are people so I link to the (so "called") Powerline people , force them (the people) to account for named wrongness. Similerly. "Winds of Change" what is that? "USS Clueless" what is that? These aren't people. I name people not made-up things.

Why should I let these people hide from they're wrongness from behind Internet sudonyms? Tha'ts cowardly. Truely cowardly.

Of course, on teh same token I do the same to the other (Good, right) side. If someone is Right about what the Iraq war was. Well then Let they're name ring loud and clear far and wide. "Eschaton" i know not of which that term bespeaks, the man is (Prof. Dr.) Duncan Black (PhD.), and he is right. Dont' tell me about the "Calpundit" or the "Political Animal", I want to hear about the exciting, Right (right as in right about what Iraq war was not right as in conservative i.e. wrong) dynamo that is Kevin Drum. (Still wish he'd add photograph of entire himself back to blog btw).

I think you see the wisdom of this approach. Maximize shame for being wrong - maximize credit for being right - no shame/credit-displacing "name of websight" middlemen. I realized all this early on (pretty obvious when you think about it) and have tried to abied by from the beginning. (Sometimes it's can be rather difficult to discover real name of someone running a blog with a "name"/ but I try my best if at all possible)(btw people relly should make it easier and stop cowardly disgusing identities if you ask me)

And so anyway, the same all goes for (just learned his first name is Jaco) Pastorius. Welcome to my blogroll, noted jazz bass player Jaco Pastorius(never been a big fan in admittance, for my money best bass player will always be-- GEDDY LEE/ RUSH; #2 FLEA), even though you are wrong about what the Iraq war was, and cannot evade responsibility from you're wrongness. Why? Because I've called you out personally, by you're name, Jaco.

See how that works?


signed,

iraqwarwrong (The Proprietor / "The Iraq War Was Wrong Blog")

Relevant Movie Reviews: River's Edge

From time to time people ask me, Why do I consider it so single mindedly important to point out the wrong. (Para phrase). Well, there is almost no better way I can think of to answer then to point them to the classic 1986 turbulent dark teen drama River's Edge.

Essentialy, River's Edge is a cautionary parable of the horrors of being unable to name the wrong in a world so wrong. As always, it takes the alluring/fascinating world of Teenagers to show drive home this kind of point to the rest of us, as we are so caught up in our hecktic day to day dog eat dog everyday walk-around world of modern capitalistic living, that we will not be interested in these subject unless there are Teenagers involved to make it more interesting, attractive and shocking (Cruel Intentions - similar logic).

River's Edge begins by introducing us to a nihilstic, amoral Teenager named Samson (religious symoblism)? (BTW Samson is usually called "John" in the film for reason to convoluted to explain here(at heart it is based on similarity of his (the character's) last name to a well known household appliance and then performing lexical shift to a nickname for that appliance, but I relly don't want to get into all that as I think it will distract from the focus of the narrative of this movie review so let's move on proceed shall we?) has committed a wrong so heinous, we can't help but watch, inthralled.

John has heartlessly(no gentleness whatsoever) killed his girlfriend (played by an actress who gives a truely captivating performance, I would like to see her other work as I was rapt) and then not only takes no efforts to hide it like the rest of us would (cut body into small pieces for ease of transport/ take the body far away from water table NOT right next to a river with erosion likelihood you fool! / bury (deep) and cover with lye to make decompose faster /etc (You know, just common sense stuff). But he actually brags about this horror act to his schoolmates. Now, you know and we know that he has done wrong. (I'ts obvious in retroscept)

But here is the twist of the film and the real life insident on which it was based. The kids don't report it right away. Some, out of misguided loyalty to John. The wringleader of this gang is Lane (played by Crispin Glover in his usual muted, stoically understated performance), a rather cool guy seemingly (remind me of cool highschool friend Geoff) but has the one tragic flaw (in Greek tragedy sense) that, He thinks it's more improtant to hide John then to mourn Jamie (dead girl) and turn JOhn in. (Hard to delve all the moral reasons why this thinking is wrongheaded but it is (take word for it). As Lane puts it: "Jamie is dead dammit. Now I happen to like. Jamie. But John is still alive? Don't you see that??"

Appealing/convincing as this logic may be, it is wrong (hard to explain).

That's why ther'es Keanu Reeves (Matt). Himself from a broken family (all kids in this film BTW from broken/messed up families - as my younger readers probably don't realize, this is because of Reagan Years. Basically (to long story short) in Reagan years was when all welfare benefits was cut/slash for missiles, so that Instead of all these families/parents being in tact living nice/sweeet homes with social safety net check coming in per month, they all messed up/abusive/neglect (like how Ione Skye's mother stays in room "is that you Clarissa?" no other parental guidance, like that) thanks to Reagan (heartless). But except in Matt's case he has a younger sister who lost a doll which somehow (hard to explain) makes Matt realize to have, a Conscience. So he calls the police (pigs) reports John and well the long and the short of it is, that's how they catch him.

Well no wait they never catch John exactly I forgot a whole bunch of other stuff involving Dennis Hopper. See, Dennis Hopper (would later poignantly re-team with Keanu Reeves for Speed) is Feck, a local druggy ex biker kind of guy who supplies all the town kids with herb, seemingly for free (? where was Feck where I grew up!!). He too killed a girl when younger but regrets it now (he loved her, see), so. Provides nice perfect paralle with whole John/Jamie situation (both killed, both girls, both drinking alot, etc). Lane hides John with Feck but Feck realizes John messed up and at the end Feck kills John (reminiscent OF Mice and Men, only nobody retarded here). Because John had nothing to live for/ didn't love the girl he kill (like Feck)/ pretty much sociopath relly (Feck kind of just not right in the head, need hospitalization). (Another result of the Reagan Years - how he tossed all the mental patients onto are streets so he could fire air traffic controllers)

Now how to connect this up with are current precidament. Our referent here is a speech by Lane to John. John is question the wisdom fo hiding and Lane (Crispin) says-- John you are what's wrong with country, the reason the Russians are going to bomb us. Here is our clue that Lane stands for the whipped-up patriotic, Mccarthyist rightwing of the Republican party, trying to stir up are paranoia out of misguided sense of "patriotic" loyalty(as my fellow liberals know, are patriotism, is relly a higher sort of patriotism, not to are country at all ("country" rather irrelevant to us) but something higher).

From this lynchpin the rest of the parallels fall into line nicely: John is a sociopath/nihilist/ cares not about morality, niceness or rightness, only about power. One detects the Straussian influence here. John is a neocon. The Bush Administration. &c.

Lane is-- conservatives devoted to re electing Bush (protecting/hiding him from justice) at all costs. Out of misguided loyalty. Because it gives them a rush. Like Lane, they "don't really know John[neocons]" at all, That's why we keep having to explain to conservatives what neocons are like and that conservatives have been infected/infiltrated by them.

Matt(Keanu) is-- liberals trying to do the right thing (by naming the wrong). Calling John( the Bush administration) to task for his their wrongness, in killing Jamie(invading Iraq).

Feck is Jon Kerry. Like John (Bush), Feck (Kerry) was involved in a wrong (in Kerry case - Vietnam war). His feelings confused about the subject but at least "he loved her" (Kerry loved Vietnam people / just felt bad about atrocities he committed, wrongheaded Kissinger policy etc).

And just like in River's Edge. It will take a Feck (Kerry) to rid the world of John (Bush). That's why we shoudl be not like those Sacramento teenagers and to name the wrong ourselves, like we should, and like Keanu did, who, as in Speed, is the moral hero of the piece. (Keanu also has a younger brother DAMN that kid is screwed up)

Directed by Tim Hunter.

Huh? 2

Another letter that makes you (me) go "Huh?".

Subject: not helping
ok dude ur blog made me laugh but i think ur really not
helping the pro war side at all. u really need another outlet
lol & ur hurting our side -court

Ther'es just no way to respond to this kind of ignorance/illitaracy. If I'm hurting the pro war side that's a PLUS not a minus Doesn't he understand that? Waht an idiot!

Maybe I must to partake of some of the blame however. After all I suppose I don't quite say(repeat) emphasize the Iraq war's wrongness as often as I could/should and maybe Court only took cursory glance here and got the wrong(opposite) idea. I don't quite know how that's possible but I suppose as a remedy to stave off future misunderstandings I could make affirmative efforts to be more clear and precise that I think the Iraq War was wrong (and not, by any means, right).

My pledge to you, the Reader.

Stick a needle in my eye

Seriously dude, like I said before, I'm not Jim Treacher and there's noone even lives here by that name. Here where I we live it's just me and Phung (roommate) ok?

There is a "Jim" in our building (very fat) but I asked (lastname NOT "Treacher"). If you wan Jim Treacher he is here, NOT here!

I relly want to know how this absurd rumour got started.

P.S. A's suk Eric Burns cant step on frickin home plate it's only the dan'g OBJECT OF THE GAME learn since childhood a 5 year old littler leaguer could of done that IDIOT

Convention thoughts

That reminds me. Just notice recently - the RNC Republican national convention is going to be next week. (I'ts going to be in New York (city) for those interested). (In protesting it etc (bring puppets).

You might (if astute reader etc) recall awhile back I had somewhat tentative plans in the works (just brainstorming/bounce-kick the idea around relly) to get some press cradentials, go to New York (the Big apple) to do convention blogging of my own. (Like I did for Democratic convention)(well, would of if cradentials hadn't of fallen through). Well again my plans kind of fell through (rather busy here - fight eviction / meanwhile pulling several consecutive all nighters try to finish great CDROM computer game given to me by friend Cyrus, The 7th Guest / etc). (Such difficult puzzles)!

But one thing I wanted to say is, I find it VERY suspicious that the Repuggie convention should just happen to pop up NOW. Think about it - at a time when (oh so coincidence) Kerry poll numbers dip slightly, the swiftvet boat-liars have done they're thing, Michael Moore movie Farenheit 9.11 mostly completed big theater run (dont worry btw I have plans to see it in neighboring town soon), 9.11 Commission broken up, etc. How very convenent this convention's timing is.

I'm not necessarily saying it was all planed like this, it's is just an observation. But sometimes when there are so many dots in a row you sort of have two put two and two together.

Pile-on!

Hey, lay off the kid i.e. Glassy. So he doesn't like protests, Big deal. We all still think the Iraq was war wrong, isn't that the improtant thing (here)?

Side effect

Yes, I suppose it's true. Indeed, if we I suceed in conceiving more people to allow as how The Iraq War was wrong, it's true, this could result in the pleasant side effect of getting JOn Kerry (a (D)) into the White House (as opposed, to George W Bush).

But that's not the main thing I care about. The IMPROTANT thing is to conveice that the The Iraq War was WRONG (to me). Kerry would just be, A happy serandipitous side effect. I'ts relly secondary.

I'm just saying let's keep our eye on the ball. Saying telling concinving peopel The Iraq was wrong is what's RELLY improtant (priority) to me us.

(UPDATE: BTW i'm entertaining the idea of retiring this blog in NOvember if Kerry wins).

My Thoughts On Stem Cell Research

It's difficult if not impossible to overstate the dramatic effect my summers spent as a waitperson in the Catskills had on shaping my future personality and convictions. These (what I considered gruelling but which were in retroscept joyously carefree and which I would later come to reminisce lovingly about, as truly the time of my life) summer jobs were during my formative years (mid up to and including late teens - among the MOST formative you're ever going to find) and would have a profound influence on me as a devoted liberal activist and just all around lover of life, language, and knowledge Interested in issues of achieving social justice &c.

(You need to know all of this about me if you want to RELLY understand where I'm coming from).

The Catskills was where I First read Toni Morrison. It was where first heard Nietsche discussed (an author I would go on to discuss ALOT someday I will get my hands on read a English translation of his works). It was where we (the other waitperson's and I) had our first late nite discussions of how we would change things (set things straight) in this country. How it was all messed up but the older generation didn't know it. It was where I first realized (with open eyes) how the pervasive system of commercialism pervades are popular culture (with i.e. commercials) trying to get us to want to buy things we don't really want (but we don't know we don't really want them we just think we want them but we don't know that at the time of purchase). It was where I got my first up and close personal (but always at a distance do to perjudice) look at the Privaleged of are Power Structure. How it's stacked against the rest of us. How people from the upper treat people with the lower and vise versa (with the low tips and the awkward pauses in converastions and the snide comments behind backs etc). I went through lots of changes there and all I can say is . I had never felt this way before.

But there was one incident that taught me some of the dangers of theocracy intolerant thinking that is what I want to talk about today. It just came back to me recently (JUST made this connection JUST NOW (i.e. this morning while watching Yu-Gi-Yo) but I realized that one of the wealthy east coast families that came for holiday there (the Yglesias family) and it occurs to me that their kid ("Matt") and the (now, a Professional Pundit/Ivy Bachelor's graduate/supersmart Salingerian eclectic-upbringing wunderkind) Matthew Yglesias are, probably, one and the same. Hard to tell a bit from the photo (why does he display that photo with such artificially wide aspect ratio btw??) but I think its him anyway(pretty sure). Again, I didn't make this connection (that "Matt" from my past and Matthew Yglesias - one and the same) until now, but I will never forget the incident involving him (because it is etched - etched - in my memory).

The Yglesiases's were nice people but the father was a little uptight and this is what led to the problems regarding the incident. What happened was this.

There was going to be a big dance competition at the resort. The favorites to win were this couple of dance instructors(who RELLY needed to win/ for they're freedom), but the man, he got a kidney stone and had to bow out. So Matt (a budding dancer at the time but alittle shy as I recall/ everyone just called him "Kid" btw), agreed to take his place. Now, Matt's father(alittle uptight/morally, class-wise and sexually) didn't want Matt associating with that riffraff (the woman dance instructor). Corrupting/skimpy clothes etc. Well, they practiced together ALOT but there was a thieft at the resort and the woman instructor was accused. Matt had to step forward to say taht she was with him (an Alibi) all night and his father flew into a rage.

Intolerant (sexually) - theocratic. This is the kind of thing we need to stamp out, it causes no good and prevents false accusations from being shown false(except in this case).

Well, fortunately for the Yglesiases's all's well that ends well (Matt & the woman did a GREAT exciting (ahead of it's time, relly) job at the dance competition prompting his father to come up reconcile say how wonderful he looked up on stage). (Again I was only a waitperson observing all of this from a far but nevertheless it was relly quite touching/tears in eyes etc and it affected me so greatly that the whole experience became embossed - embossed - on my memory).

But Bush shows no sign of any such reconciliation as his retrograde sexual/moralistic/theocratic attitudes about everything show no hint of letting up. He STILL won't fund, with federal dollars, embryonic stem cell research using an unlimited number of lines while Kerry will and this is the second best reason (behind the Iraq war having been wrong) why we all must will push the Jon Kerry button in November.

Baby steps

When I first announced my intention to my favorite IRC channel to splinter off my pravocative commentary into a full fledged "Blog about how the Iraq war was wrong" (it's working title at the time), I guess you could say there was a certain amount of scawfing. I won't reproduce some of the comments nad words here, but suffice to say that certain parties (whose handles shall remain nameless to protect from embarrass) characterized the whole venture as, shall we say, somewhat quixotic. There was doubting and laughing, people saying I wouldn't convince a single soul, snickers, hack attacks etc.

Well if you are reading this now, you know who you are.

Today I got this letter(name obscured to protect against possible retaliation from dhingers):

From: "-------- ----" <---------@y-hoo.--->
Subject: thank you

thank ytou

i was going to vote for bush, but springsteen maid me
reconsider and know you have concieved me
thank you

Now, I know, this is just one person I"m have convinced (here). One is not many. But one is bigger then zero which is what the doubters and snickerers who know who they are expected.

Now look. We all know (we know and you know) that there's a long way to go here. But this is the kind of thing how it starts. It doesn't take a mountain to move, just a molehill: One(1) person with an open mind - pass along to friends - and so on in well known rooted tree structure. For more on this concept read Tipping point (ask you're boss he probably has it), see Pay It Forward(the BEST Hayley-joel Osment performance if you ask me/much better than overrated "so" called "6th sense"), percolationtheory etc.

As I responded back,

EXCALLENT

I'ts good to know there is people with, An open mind.
It's a process!

Keep reading (voraciously),

--IWW

p.s. Springsteen ROCKS best album: "HUMAN TOUCH"

And I meant it.

Human touch, indeed. That's what I we provide here at TIWWWB. I think i'ts the best way to get RESULTS.

Baby steps but we're getting there.

Take it down a notch Fridays

As many of you know, our minds are weightily preoccupied with the wrongness of the Iraq war the other six+ days of the week. In that spirit, on Fridays here at The Iraq War Was Wrong Blog we have always kicked back with some lighter notes on Fridays, and "taken it down a notch". We share stories of weirdness and whimsy, highlight the work of good and decent popular entertainers and rockers, laugh at humourous events and people, and point to amazing (non Iraq war related) stuff.

The day is a choice - the idea is important. Personally, I think bloggers and readers could all use more breaks like this from the (often negative) news of the week (about the wrongness of the Iraq war.) Take It Down A Notch Fridays began back in May, and I, personally, have (almost) always graciously agreed to respect and work within this Iraq War Was Wrong Blog tradition (which, I started). So, welcome to The Iraq War Was Wrong Blog... and Take it down a notch with me!

This week's topic:

Is there any more overrated actor then Robert Duvall??

I have to say, all things considered, Robert Duvall has GOT to be one of the MOST overrated actors in history. How EXACTLY did this guy get to be so critically acclaimed? He ruins practically EVERY SINGLE movie he's in.

There's To Kill A Mockingbird, It's going along smoothly, a nice gentle story of racism and injustice and then BAM at the end there's Robert Duvall shows up out of nowhere something about "Boo Radley" I mean WTF? There's the Godfather movies his HORRID turn as the Consigliere (didn't anyone tell Coppola that Duvall doesn't look Italian at all?); thank goodness he was replaced with a far superior actor for Godfather 3 (my personal favorite of the series).

And in lots of movies he just plays the most unappealing redneck/violent/fascist characters imaginable. Apocalypse Now - "smell of napalm in the morning" MY GOODNESS. Great Santini - bouncing basketball on Caddyshack kids head WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ABOUT. The whole movie you're just waiting for him to say "I love you" back to the kid and he never does it talk about enfuriating! Those are 2 hours I'll never get back. In The Natural TOTALLY unbelievable as a sportswriter (nice hat BTW LOL). Colors was just flatout racist.

There was Falling Down in which, relly, he was just plain miscast. WAY too old to be that cop (how was he EVER supposed to chase and catch Michael Douglas in his prime? Get real no WONDER that crime spree lasted as long as it did). Should of used some more believable(action suitable) cop actor frankly e.g. Kurt Russell etc. He could of chased & caught Douglass within first 30 minutes and saved us all lots of time LOL

Don't even get me started on The Apostle flat-out propaganda for the Religious Right. Here's a guy (first of all) who KILLS someone out of prudish sexual intolerance and we're supposed to feel sorry? He travels around theocratically brainwashes congregations for their time/money and we're supposed to identify? The Billy Bob Thornton "so" called "conversion" was so phony I thought I was gonna hurl. There's the budding romance with Miranda Richardson (which I started to get interested - FINALLY maybe something will happen!) but it goes absolutely nowhere. and then at the end when the police DO track him down, he doesn't even try to get away/goes meekly into squad car without a chase? Hands down barred, the WORST fugitive movie I ever saw.

But the worst - the absolutely worst - the one that just takes the cake - is by FAR, Tender Mercies. NOTHING. HAPPENS. There's some redneck, he plays the guitar once or twice, the movie ends. WTF WAS THAT ABOUT. I think I fell asleep in the middle! At least they could of had some bar fights, showed action from the kid's school football game, SOMETHING.

Robert Duvall - avoid his films at all cost. Someone put him out of his miserty please, and tell this bald old worm that he just plain flatout CAN"T ACT.

Linkages acknowledged

Thanks to (acknowledged) recent new linkages and ringing/sweeping endorsements(glowing/showering effusive praise mostly) in posts I briefly saw/glimpsed (no time to find permalinks/ rather harried at the moment-bounce check(dont ask)) from the likes of Stuart Buck, Pejman Yousefzedah, Johnny Bradshaw, Elihu Grant, Ed Thomas, Jason Tamez, and Sebastian Holsclaw. (By the BTW Sebastian (just a head's up) from what I could see, Some site named calling itself "Obsidian Wings" seems to be plagiering some of your work verbatum (FIY)).

Unfortunately in most cases I am vertually unable to reciprocate very much (regarding the praise) as many if not most or all of these people seem sadly steeped in wrongevity about what the Iraq war was. (Just how many WRONG dhinger blogs ARE THERE anyway??) Mostly links from dhingers-I don't know how to explain it but there you have it. IT's like some concerted effort to discredit my sight by associating it, with the worst kind of dhingers. (Like FBI infiltrators in radical groups of 1960s). Scary times but I'll deal. (As a saving grace, at LEAST most of these links I get are confined in little posts which will soon disappear into archives not picked up by technorati's, RATHER THAN permanent sidebar links which will always be there, which would be more helpful from publicity standpoint. So, I've got that going for me-the knowledge that all these dhingers aren't giving me THAT good of publicity amongst themselfs. (Thatnks for that anyway)(small favors))

An issue arosed somewhere(forget) regarding just Why exactly do I link to so many people who are badly wrong about the Iraq war (was)? (Lots of spursions were cast, due to this issue). Well only an ignorant newcomer to my sight would wonder about this relly, as longtime readers know, I consider it VERY improtant to seperate people according to right and wrong (i'ts one of the free services of this blog infact). Related to this are my ongoing efforts to win hearts and minds of the wrong. If I don't do this who will? Should I just ignore all the wrong people and let them ferment/remain wrong? (I relly don't understand this attitude).

Of course, that being said at the same time I do recognize that it would be morally flawed to link to an equal number of right and wrong people, which is why I early on adopted a rule of sub-balance. (Must always have more right then wrong people in my sidebar link sections, at all times). (Including Proprietor). I have adhered to this rule faithfully (mostly- lapsed once (briefly) ever since - you can count and see (if you spot slipup of this rule at any time, let me know). So why the griping? This, I just don't get.

But I guess some dhingers will jsut look for any reason to poke holes in and snipe at my substance. What can you do but shake your head. I fell sorry for them frankly. (Slightly).

You question me, I answer you (Huh? dept.)

Ok, I'm have to say, every once in a while I get a letter that makes me go "huh??". For typical example, I relly don't quite know waht to make of this letter.

Dear Ms./Mr. "iraqwarwrong" whoever you are:

I came across your site while web-surfing and felt compelled to write
you. As a pacifist, I've been through a lot these last few years.
But once I realized what you're trying to do with your site (it's
all oh so subtle), I found it more vile, and juvenile, than just
about anything. (And that's saying a lot.)

I have a question for you, and I want you to think seriously (don't
just react - *think*.) Do you feel good about yourself, doing what
you're doing? Do you think you are contributing something
*positive* to the world, or just adding to the sewer of negativity
and xenophobia, dehumanization and violence?

The question that screams out is: Is war really the appropriate
subject for your.... (highly dubious) efforts and "talents"?

Do you even understand what war is?

Although I wear my convictions proudly and do not hide them,
believe me, this is not a partisan issue. There is untold human
suffering, death, and destruction which has been unleashed. And in
the face of it, what do you do? For years, novelists and poets have
chronicled the horror, the carnage, the chaos, the hell of war. (And
make no mistake, that IS what it is. Have you ever been through it
*yourself*, or do you lead the kind of sheltered existence that, I
suspect, you do? It is NOT some "fun" video game for you to
cheerlead and excuse away.)

So what is *your* reaction? Just that: Fun and games. It's all just
a big "joke" to you, isn't it? A pile of corpses, and you get on top,
and laugh. Ha ha Iraqis. Ha ha Afghanis.

Do you feel clever?

There is a world out there. Learn about it. Try to show some
empathy. I suspect you are young, and I suspect you have been
cynicalized by your upbringing and the irony of our age. In a
way, I cannot blame you completely for this, but nevertheless you
must take responsibility for what you leave of yourself in this world.

And what you are leaving of yourself, isn't pretty. It is disgusting
and small. Very, very small. There are rightwingers out there who,
wrongheaded and self-serving though they may be, at least make a
pretense of attempting rational argument. I don't know what you
think you are accomplishing by doing what you're doing, but rest
assured, it is not what you think. It is far, far less.

You are saying more about yourself, and your soul, than about
anything else. Ask yourself if what you are showing to the world,
is what you want the world to learn about you. Ask yourself what,
and who, is served by your attitude and approach to everything.
How much suffering do you want on your hands, and if you can't
defend your position straightforwardly - well, what does that say?

Think about it. PLEASE.

Peace, and understanding,

Minerva L. Gunderson
Lansing

Anyone know what, in the heck this weird lady is talking about? I'm at a loss as to how to respond (here). She seems to of written teh wrong sight (rather surrealistic letter)(it's like she doesn't understand/talking about my sight at all). How's this response--

Dear Minerva Mrs. Gunderson,

WE're all on teh same side(here). I dont relly see where we
have a dispute . Maybe did you confuse me with (someone else)?
I'ts ok/it happens. I was in Missouri once (stopover), it was
nice (alittle hot)(from what I could tell inside airport). Are
you a Cardinals fan? Albert Pujols-the BEST (OPS skyhigh).
Anyway, I'm glad we have you on are side, you write beautifuly/
persuasively(from what I coudl scan/glean). You should do letters
to editor etc. Keep on em!

iraqwarwrong.blogspot.com

Ok I just sent it off. Obviously there was some mixup here, but really,s he's all right in my book (well meaning), We all (I think) get alittle addled from dealing with dhingers all day long.

Some small comfort

Decades and decades from now, when I become one of our Seniors (like, my uncle), and have neeces/nephews of my own, and they ask me, "What did you do during the wrong Iraq war?", I won't have to say "Nothing, I just let the wrongness happen unidentified".

I'll be able to look them in the eye and tell them with some pride, that, I spoke out against the war, on a blog, on a The Iraq War Was Wrong Blog, which I created my self. (Afterwards). And after I have that conversation I'll probably go blog about it (on this my blog - i.e. TIWWWB, or whatever future (three-dimensional?) incarnation of this blog exists by that point) and link back to this entry.

Somehow I find all of this comforting.

Ego subsumed

Not many people know this about Jon Kerry. He has sacrificed up alot of himself for his public service.

I realized this when I heard a clip of a much younger, pre public service Jon Kerry today. (From the 1970's)(or 60's). He was speaking (don't quite know context(tuned in partway through), I think it was a rally or TV talkshow appearance in support of are Vietnam soldiers,, as patriotic military spokesman, to rally the troops, something like that. (The kind of thing about for which he, Originally obtained national prominents).

Anyway, what was striking about his speaking on the clip, was his accent. That he had one (as opposed, to now). The cadence, the (obviously his) ORIGINAL (native) way of speaking, of this (much yonger) Jon Kerry, was much different then the one he has cultivated today for national public acceptance (statesmanship i.e.).

How to explain what he sounded like (originally/naturally - WITHOUT the affect/pretense)? It's hard to quite my put finger on it. Let me think. You know, this just now occurs to me, but John F. Kennedy comes to mind. Yup, that's it! He clearly (from birth/as young/in Vietnam/then on TV appearances in late '60s or early '70's or whenever this was) had (naturally) the Massachussets/Capecod Irish timbre, of a young (ruggedly handsome) John F. Kennedy. (I don't know why this didn't occur to me before - now that I think about it, it's OBVIOUS)(The similarity is uncanny)

Try to understand whst, this means. This was John Kerry's roots. This is who he is where he's from. (Similar to JFK come to think of it)(coincidentally)

Now, as we all know, national politics (the Nation's Stage), is. A much different story. If you keep these regional dialects, the (i.e. Irish as with JFK)(metaphorically) "immigran'ts son" style of speaking, the legacy of a lower class upbringing - well, they'l eat you a live. So clearly what happened was this. Early on, Jon Kerry made the conscious decision, that,

If he is going to devote himself (selflessly) to public service (to, us), to be successful and accomplish things (for us), he would have to make himself more palettable (on, for the Nation's Stage). Thus he worked hard and long (voice coach)? to, lose his mother's native Irish-like John F. Kennedy-like cadence way of speaking (as was in evidence in his patriotic 1970s TV talkshow appearances i.e.Dick Cavett/Tom Snyder/etc).

Hence, the way he speaks (now), not as John F. Kennedy-like (the way he, Naturally, was used to speak)(probably still does in the home?).

A testimony to a selfless public servant, willing. To subsume his ego for the public good. To say (i.e. to himself), that some things are MORE IMPORTANT than remaining sentamentally attached to his natural/instinctive (identical to John F. Kennedy, relly) way of speaking, which (nevertheless-delightfully) you can still hear on those charming old soundbites clips from teh 1970s. Which are fascinated to show a rawer, less polished, more NATURAL Jon Kerry. (On which he made no efforts whatsoever to cover up how much he naturally sounded like John F. Kennedy).

Waht a long way he has come! This, public servant who has shed his ego for are good. To be, are leader.

The Winner and still champion (Official Announcement)

Of the First Annual(ok not relly annual probably-we'll see) TIWWWB WONDER QUIZ! was: devout reader Vanessa/daisythelamb! Congratulations (hearty) to her and all other participents as we RELLY had a good race going there at the end. But Vanessa emerged as, basically (if you ask me) probably the biggest TIWWWB expert on the planet (Aside from Proprietor her/himself of course)(note the self imposed gender ambiguity there - in case you're wondering it's to strike a blow, against Genderism (Genderism is the term I prafer to Sexism/I find it less Genderist(sexist))

The final standings:

1. Vanessa (28)
2. moses_gunn (22)
3. EvilPundit (10)
4. Bob & BeerMan (tie - 1)
6. All other people (e.g. Glenn Reynolds, Brock O'Bannon, etc) (tie - 0)

2 questions went unanswered and will remain lost to the ages (well not relly - I gave away answers in thread)

Now's the part where I have a bit of an embarrassment here because I promised a bit more than I could chew. Vanessa is entitled to claim a SECRET PRIZE for winning but I relly did not plan ahead very well (could not really envision anyone would truly win)(like teenager on prom night - just didn't relly expect to get that far)(rather embarrassing). For time being I have singled out Vanessa for special mention and link on sidebar but this, Is pretty lame prize (in admittance) I need some kind of button/ banner proclaiming Vanessa's Victory but my skills with making pictures with advanced computer software, rather limited (mostly confined to taking screenshots of awesome Quake maneuvers to send to friend(rocket jump etc)

So. Brainstorm better prize in comments please! (I'm so embarrased, here)(I relly cannot overemphasize how embarrassed this is for me) Maybe I will grant EXCLUSIVE no holds bar web interview to Vanessa about Proprietor's life and times? NO FORGET THAT STUPID STUPID these are such STUPID Ideas I come up with!! Please, to brainstorm for me (I'm fresh out).

Just so you know

Well I've noticed (don't think I haven't)! that a goodly portion of my our Readership here seems to consists of dhingers. (I'd say a good solid 20% AT LEAST). This is not how I intended but that's life (I chalk it up to the vagaries nad vicissitudes of, how my Readership grew and evolved). You deal the cards you are dealt, as I always say.

Well, this message is for you (dhingers).

Just so you are aware, when there's an Iraq war going on (i.e. The Iraq War c. 2003), and it's wrong (as The Iraq War was), it is your personal responsibility to Speak Out against it's wrongness. (UPDATE BTW just speaking isn't enough you must speak out). No one is going to do it for you. (And celebrities, they shoulder an awfully heavy load already).

Not to do this leaves you vulnerable to (accurate, I'm afraid) charges of colpability in said war's (The Iraq War's) wrongness. And that, my (wrong/dhinger) friends, is why you are now under the birage of criticism (of you're wrongness) that you now find yourselfs in. (From i.e. me).

Now, obviously it's too late to change your position (then) on what the Iraq War (was), so you're going to just have to shoulder this criticism. But for next time there's a (wrong) Iraq War (or other kind of wrong war/but here I like to stay focused), be advised - and don't say I didn't warn you.

Sinceredly,

To coin a term

Language evolves to meet the needs of society. As cultural norms and mores evolve, as technology develops, as the world gets both larger and smaller (metaphorically/in some sense). New words become a necessary insertion into peoples's communication repertroires.

Today is no different . I believe I have spotted a need for coining a new word, adn I intend to fill that need. I believe I will be the first one to have coined this usage.

In light of the recent swiftvet lies I think we have a new handy term on are hands if we just postulate,

swiftvet (v.) to tell a falsehood; synonym of lie

As in, "Bush swiftvetted us into war".

I relly think this could catch on and I wanted to get in on teh ground floor. (By, coining the term myself).

A side effect could be to better help people understand(instill) (subconsciously perhaps)that all these (traitorious) swiftvet boaters are liars and should not be trusted (about, anything). Place you're trust in (patriot) Jon Kerry instead!

Particularly Good Reading

Just remembered that recently I came across some pretty good posts I thought I'd call you're attention to. Don't have time to go back and find each permalinks (rather busy at the moment) but I can help nudge you in the right direction. Let me put it this way, you RELLY should go check out the most recent posts from Angry Bear, Elton Beard, Prof. Dr. Duncan Black, PhD., 3 Blondes, J.C. of King George II, Kriston Capps, Margaret Cho, Gen. J. C. Christian, Juan Cole, Phillip Coons, Jeff Cooper, Just Cryheart, Alex D., Scooby Davis, Davittman, J. BradFord de'Long, Di-Gamma, S. & M. Dixon, Kevin Drum, Eli ___?, Fafnir (& friends) (alias?), Richard Gayle, Jim Henley, Raed Jarrar, Jeremy who has a way of thinking, Julius ___?, A'sad-Abu Khalil, S. Kimble, Markar Kleiman, Lean Left people, Brian Linse, Col. Lounsbury, Ezra Klein, Kos (& friends), Matt Lavina,Scott Le Mieux (the BEST),Mailfede, Joshua-Micha Marshall, Ian Mc'Gibboney, Dr. Memory, Bill Mon, Retardo Montalban, David Neiwert, Libertarian Neo-con, Richard Neville (now solo), No War Blog people (several), Randy & Paul, Aziz Poonawalla, QuickSauce, Quiddity of Uggabugga fame, The Reactor (& friends), Yuval Rubinstein, Ara Rubyan, NCSU SPAN (peace)(action) people (students), Ru'y Teixeira, Vello, Matt Welch, Jake Werner, Wil Wheaton (i.e. Westley Crusher), People on a Wild (D) Ride, Wil Wilkinson (not Westley Crusher), Capt. Willard, Oliver Willis, Matthew Yglesias, and Hugo Zoom on how the Iraq war was wrong. (Just go there (each one) and search on front page or archives for "Iraq"/I think this should find it)

As always, read the whole things!

Let's take a liberal stand

Just a followup to the swiftvet-boat LIARS national disgrace we're embroiled in.

It occurs to me that, as liberals, this is an important moment for us to take a stand. These independent 527's (the Swiftvet-boat one for example comes to mind) are just getting out of control. As liberals, we simply MUST stand up and through responsible, (liberal) application of government authority, prevent their LIES from being promulgated to the public!

Let us resolve to present a united, (liberal) front on this, people.

Don't fall for it

Ther'es a sight called The Black Republicans but, I've done some clicking around and it looks like they're NOT EVEN BLACK! Talk about offensive What dirty tricks will the dhingers think of next?

Dehumanizing

When I worked in the Central Florida Zoo (Lake Monroe - seminole county)(near Lake Mary) (staff lunch/ refreshments counter mostly), there was an ongoing complaint from the customers. Again and again we would hear it. Typical of the complaint was this one incident.

This woman (by appearance, Byelorussian?) comes in and says "Excuse me but we're trying to eat on the tables outside and the birds keep doing they're thing". I should explain what "thing" is because this is a complaint that was VERY well know to us (but not to you).

The patio section (lovely) outside - there are picnic tables and it's a pleasant place to eat. EXCEPT of course there are birds flying around everywhere (it's a zoo)(birds part of the zoo/ sort of). Now, there are umbrellas which you could put up and eat underneath of. Not all the tables have umbrellas though. (Or sometimes we forget to move umbrella for each table, etc) In any event you always run the rampant risk of birdcrap. (sorry)(but true). On the table, in your food (i.e. chili), everywhere. (That's just life, relly)

Well the woman wanted me to unravel the umbrella for her (she, couldn't do herself?) but somehow (didn't quite understand accent) still wasn't satisfied. (the umbrella--Provided ample coverage if you ask me & remainder of chili was perfactly edible). In general overall she was quite in a bad mood, relly. After several volleys of back and forth eventually I had to explain to her, "Look, lady, if you eat out here you run the risk of getting birdcrapped on". Well then I may of said a few more words to her of unprintable variety, and soon enough we was rid of her (there were further incident not meriting going into here - to making long story short she fainted IRRC, had to call put her in taxi, etc)

This incident was, a perfect correlative metaphor for our relation's with the Middle East people.

We prop-up Repressive regimes, bomb they're countries, assassinate their Shah, get mad if they want to nationalize economices, denounce their traditional/religious legal practices, station are women on THEIR (HOLY) soil, and just generally throw are weight around (them). Then we get crapped on (9.11) and act all surprised!? What did we expect?

To eat (figurative) in THEIR (holy) land and then NOT expect them to birdcrap back on us in response? Waht an arrogant attitude.

This attitude TOTALLY dehumanizes the people of the Middle East.

Swiftvet-boat coward/traitorious/inhuman/ratbastard LIARS

Like many of my fellow liberal bloggers I'm am just Incensed about these Swiftvet-boat LIARS. It sickens me that these LIES could possibly see hte light of day, so much so that I can't even bring myself to read their LIES.

How can they dishonor are (soon to be) President like this? Have they no respect whatsoever for their (in the future) Commander in Chief? thus, the country? It would seem not.

But more to the point, relly. What RELLY gets my goat about these ratbastard LIARS, is. How on earth can they dishonor speak ill (question the patriotism/courage) of a VIETNAM VET (like Jon Kerry is)!

One note?

A recent comment (somewhere-cant find thread) got me to thinking. The commenter eludded to, as how I stay focused (like a laser) so well on this blog. (Para phrase - something like that). But do I? Do I really?

I'm not so sure. I vow to do better in teh future. By adhering more faithfully to the founding statement of this blog. Namely: the fact that the Iraq warw as WRONG.

It needs to be said loudly and clear. And, mroe often. By me. If not me, whom?

Quick things, Of note

[ Before reading this, did you try the WONDER QUIZ!? ]

Note. As per request of someone (forget who's), I have added some kind of RSS/XFL (not sure which)feed link (I picked the one with the fireball) to this sight (bottom of page)(scroll down - look for fireball). Just a note for people who know what in the heck all that means. (I still trying to figure out?)(I relly hope it doesn't cause problems i.e. burn out my x2 modem/ overwrite my Starcontrol 2 savegames/etc!!). Please warn me in comments if it makes my Social security # visible (I RELLY do'nt want that hassel again (long story). ENJOY!

State of the Iraq. Saw this Iraq story on some fellow liberal websight (forget where) and he was incensed (IRRC) and well I am too: The US is forbidding Iraq from having a centrallly planned economy and protectionism and FORCING them to have a market economy with low taxes and freer trade! Get a load of this outrage:

Order No. 39 alone does no less than "transition [Iraq ] from a … centrally planned economy to a market economy" virtually overnight and by U.S. fiat.

But what if the people of Iraq WANT a centrally planned economy!! You call this "fredom"? I am sickend and disgusted. This goes against everything I hope and wish on for the faraway Iraqi people.

Matthew Yglesias never fails to impress me (blow me away,relly) with his (compleatly authentic ie.. non-poser) hip-coolness when he repettedly talks about how much he loves The Clash. WAHT a great band we all love to talk about! (So great infact that it's (in fact) (if you ask, me) infinitely much far more funner to talk about how much we all like them, then to even actually listen to they're songs). (Unlike some '70s punk bands I could name i.e. Ramones!) Long live talking about listening to THE CLASH!

New Feature: I'm thinking about implament a new feature on this here my our blog (TIWWWB). I'll keep you posted (hard to describe relly)(It's a good idea/ take my word)(don't fell like describing much in detail as of yet)

[ After reading this, are you ready to try the WONDER QUIZ!? ]

TIWWWB WONDER QUIZ

I had a great idea for a Take it down a notch Friday. But it wasn't Friday (it was Sunday)(today)! That Sucks! I was down in the doldrums until I realized. I make the rules around here. So here's an exception. I'm making for myself. I'm taking it down a notch (relly) but it's not a TIDANF. Thanks you for you're patience.

What is it that caused me to break traidition? (and, FOCUS)? Well. Now that I'm something of a real bona phide blog (here), relly. I got to thinking. About you not me. How good of Readers are you? (Sometimes I have my doubts)(no offense).

Seriously. How well do you know your TIWWWB? How devoted a gentle Reader are you? I thought I'd help you figure out by developing (creating) a little quiz for, you're perusal. Why? There are two. One: just good clean fun, here (what it's all about). But two (ulterior motive): it coudl be Educational (help you go back/shore up your knowledge of TIW's wrongness by use 'carrot' (not stick DO YOU HEAR ME NEOCONS?) to encourage you to re-read (lovingly/devotedly) old TIWWWB posts.

So therefore. I present to you..... the TIWWWB Wonder Quiz!

Quiz rules:

- Quiz starts.........NOW!!

- Each question is worth 537 Quiz Units (QUs). That's 537 QUs up for grabs, relly. for each qeustion.

- Answer in a comment - give the question # and you're answer (Ideally this would of been obvious GUESS NOT)

- First commenter (comment on THIS THREAD ONLY) to answer a given question, gets the QUs for that question. Answering some question (let's say Question #17 for example(just example)) correctly, but second (2nd), 3rd (third) etc (in time i.e. after some other correct answerer/sequentially) gets you nothing (you could of cheated).

- Thus if you know the answer to a question (i.e. Question #31) SPIT IT OUT / be first and get those QUs! right now!

- For computational convenience I reserve the right to work in special exotic units of "points" rather than QUs (conversion: 1 point = 537 QUs)

- Answers can be in as many comments as you like (i.e. you answer once but then another answer comes to you 2 hours later, make another comment, get the QUs)(repeat until VICTORY)

- Quiz open indefinately, or until someone clinches VICTORY (i.e. (more correct questions then anyone else can get) x 537 QUs) or when comments peter out (whichever comes sooner)(Probably the latter, franklY (if you ask me)

- Be sure to put your name or alias on your comment (which you should be doing anyway geez!!) so I know who to give the QUs to! You don't want Anonymous to win do you!

- SPECIAL SECRET BONUS PRIZE for the winner! (Suggestions for what SPECIAL SECRET BONUS PRIZE should be are welcome)(in comments). See! You RELLY don't want Anonymous to win/ how can I give Anonymous a SPECIAL SECRET BONUS PRIZE?

- All the questions should be easy, relly (frankly) for someone who's not ignorant. I.e. I'ts just a mtater of do you read my blog or don't you? (Seriously). Or you could go look up find any answer in my blog (i'ts not that big) and get the answers (somewhere). May need to use the Internet too (to look things up) come to think of it (I've made the assumption you have internet access / if this is not correct please explain in comments)

- You don't have to know Dates. (I think - guessing here)

- Be warned - you might have to get answers from comments sections too! (I'm relly insulted, frankly, that some people skip the comments some of are BEST discussions takes place there)!

- SPELLING COUNTS!

Understood? All right then without no further ado I present to you


-----

*THE TIWWWB WONDER QUIZ*

1. Pedro was my co-worker when I worked in ___.

2. Iranians what?

3. I need to know should I watch Ripley's Game or go with The American Friend, who do I ask (probably)?

4. Who's one of are BEST singers?

5. I can hear the song "Wild Child" anytime I want because of the tape ___ made me

6. All told, how much money did I pay Bryce?

7. What's my favorite search engine?

8. A good noun form of "wrong". (2 acceptable answers)

9. It's like 1995 and the (an) OJ trial is on TV. What am I doing, probably?

10. What was my job at Starbuck's?

11. Hair color of my favorite Arby's employee

12. Favorite thesaurus

13. I was here when I was reminded of holograms

14. I was here when Jon Kerry's running mate was announced

15. What is Brock O'Bannon a candidate for, AFAIK?

16. Which blogger could I torture or murder and he still wouldn't see how wrong he is?

17. Adjective that best describes Kevin Drum's blog Washington Monthly

18. Clever(genious) acronym BeerMan has developed to describe me (iraqwarwrong)

19. The acronym for my our (this) blog reminds me of what?

20. In this critically acclaimed comedy, I think the filmmakers intentionally avoided humour to make a better comment on celebrity.

21. Radio show Matthew Yglesias was on as a kid.

22. My nickname for Matthew Yglesias?

23. My favorite baseball team, evidently

24. Neocon blogger who (probably)(guessing) changed his name for Hollywood

25. Al Qaeda is ___ while Saddam Hussein is ___ (must fill in both blanks, here) (easy)

26. My favorite role of my favorite Perfect Strangers star

27. My favorite The Wonder Years character

28. I hope to see this film soon (fingers cross)

29. In the Iraq burrito, Saddam is a ___.

30. This war was a wrong war at the RIGHT time

31. Who was Sasha's "gray cardinal" (tricky, this one)?

32. My favorite pop songcrafter(s)

33. I think this pop star played pro soccer

34. I am very impressed with how ___ Brock O'Bannon is

35. My favorite juice

36. Hitler is a moppet. How do I kill him (probably)?

37. What do Coke & maple syrup have in common, to me?

38. Finish it: Who's boiled? ....

39. Who's a neocon freak-monster?

40. Lone Fox News Sunday liberal, on my blogroll

41. A reader I've quoted more than once

42. A reader who's a Tennessee schoolkid

43. Who's my pick for President of the United States in 2028? (careful)

44. The only public official I have explicitly stated I believe to be derelict of duty

45. Where do I regularly hobnob with avant gardeists? (6 words)

46. The government of Egypt is ___ (adjective).

47. Where was I when I was ruminating upon my first Brain Twister?

48. Official (technical) term for the period of time ending in March 2003, and beginning somewhere between May 2002 and August 2002

49. Had a roommate who did this on Johnny Carson

50. Stage name of Jennifer Lopez

51. If Democrats were in power there would be a ___ in every classroom.

52. Sure you ___ on my ___-___ ___ when you can't refute my ___. (must fill all blanks)

53. ppopfan45 likes to discuss what rock album?

54. Why did our fore fathers all die?

55. My favorite season of Babylon 5

56. What state is John Edwards from?

57. Where is Osama bin Laden?

58. What did I do at Google? (looking for a spacific word here)

59. What did I do at Princeton? (looking for a spacific word, again)(i.e.ditto)

60. For what purposes can you use my email address?

61. A good book to read while waiting for your clothes to dry.

62. What did our President do to Doris Day?

63. Dustin Hoffman's co-star in allegorical movie about American imperialism (corrected version of her name)

64. Oliver Willis: Rosie O'Donnell :: Jessica Alba : ___

END QUIZ.

-----

Notes

* 537 QUs - in honor of margin of stolen victory from Gore
* 57 Quiz Questions - in honor of Jon Kerry ARE NEXT PRESIDENT + 7 BONUS QUESTIONS


Have fun! Unless you're not a very good reader (in which case Quiz probably packs a wallop of frustration for you)(just guessing)

UPDATE 23/8: answer to 45 has 6 words not 5 (sorry). Corrected.


UPDATE 28/9/2004: I have Christened Vanessa (the winner) to be the first annual winner of the HAW award (Heroism Against Wrongness). Check it out:

Contained, relly

Ok class it's good argument/bad argument time once again. (Good argument (in this case)

One of the things I always like to mention, as helping proving the Iraq was war WRONG, is that Saddam Hussein (leader of Iraq) was contained. (In Iraq). (This is pretty obvious in retroscept, Saddam Hussein infact as we now know now was completely well contained within teh boundaries of Iraq (was eventually found in spiderhole deep inside Iraq)).

A helpful metaphor here, borrowed from another context, is the "lockbox". Just say it this way: We had Saddam contained in a lockbox. Examine that sentece carefully. That sentence proves all you need to know, relly. (Frankly I don't understand why the Kerry people don't say this kind of thing more often)

This (containment) (lockbox too) is a geopolitical term of art. It means, when someone (i.e. a country) (Iraq, say) is contained, what has happened is, you have set up an International web of regulations and inspectors and adnimistrators to make sure they do no bad stuff (i.e. you make a list of bad stuff to prohibit and that's what they'll be prohibited from). Thus, no bad stuff (from them) becomes possible (not within realm of possibility). You can then proceed from there under they assumption they don't do the stuff you contained them from doing. VERY USEFUL in International Politics!

In the case of Iraq, we had a thing called sanctions¹. Sanctions¹ was where we prevented (prohibited, relly) certian stuff from crossing the border of Iraq. So we had that to count on. As long as we needed it (indefinately). Meanwhile there were (strongly worded) UN resolutions. These, too, limited what Saddam could and could not do. He must do this that and the other.

Now, a year or two ago the dhingers were filling are children's head's with horror stories about (boogeyman) Saddam. They were a Mendacious mixture of lies and half-truths sewn together with dissimulations. First of all let's admit. The dhingers would say that Saddam was a badman (true but don't forget NEVER forget other bad men). They would say that Saddam disliked the U.S.A. (true but is that a crime? I shudder to think). They would say that he would like to harm the U.S.A. (true but CAN HE DO IT?? I relly don't think he could of (AT ALL) (So why risk a Wrong war and risk his terroristic retaliation)?). But they would say Yes he could with WMD's that he could hand off to "so" called "terrorists". But he had no functional WMD's that we knew of (could find- identify- prove existence of). So why your panties in a wad, here?

As long as we can't prove he has WMD's, and the sanctions¹ are securely in place to Contain him from getting more WMD material, well relly, I hate to point out the obvious, but the guy's been defanged. This is practically mathsematical in provability - if (1) he has no WMD and (2) no way to get them then (3) he will never have them QED.

Why (1)? Well ask the inspectors (Blix, Ritter) found NOTHING.

But why (2) (a dhinger might continue, knowing the futility of arguing with 1)?

Say it with me SANCTIONS¹. The bottom line is. Sanctions¹ are a time tested International approved way - proven and watertight effective - of preventing objects from crossing borders. Dhinger say Saddam was seeking WMD well I say "how? One word SANCTIONS¹." How Saddam can possibly bring inside Iraq borders (or send out, come to think of it) WMD stuff( missile technology, centrifuge, bag of anthrax) with all the SANCTIONS¹ going on?

Get real!

Saddam was contained and you know it. A much better (more peaceful) thing to count on for defense against his potential aggression than a WAR which is WRONG.

¹ btw (just side note here) teh sanctions were a crime against the people of Iraq (5000000 babies kill/year). immoral and (frankly) (hate to say it though I do not use this word lightley) genocidal in scope. ever since Albright's horrid words "worth it" I've been protesting the sanctions every chance I get. with any luck (if the WRONG war hadn't started) we would of gotten those lifted, I relly fell like the momentum was on are side there

I'm sorry, but there is simply nobody here by that name

(OFF TOPIC)

Look, I relly don't understand whats happened here but ALOT of people seem to come to my our blog looking for someone named "Jim Treacher".

Every other day, some random email "are you Jim Treacher?" "is this Jim Treacher?" I don't get it. I don't know where anyone got the idea he was here. HE IS NOT. Some kind of crossed wires here? (Because of old network card - could that cause)?

It's like that time when telephone wires were crossed and people who called me kept getting someone named Donna Chang (ok - that was not actual life event / rather, Seinfeld episode - but parallel is valid(germane) nonetheless). Or that time when Citibank kept calling my cell phoen asking for G__ M__ (names obscured to protect privaty i.e. as in 19th century novel) because he owed them ALOT of money and I had to kep explaining "wrong number! not him! nobody here by that name!" (Citibank idiots did this for 2-6 months and I kept telling them but Wouldn't listen. It's like they didn't actually want the money he owed them (bizarre)

Anyway, with these "Jim Treacher" inquires eventually it got to the point where I just looked him up myself (it's NOT THAT HARD people - use search engine (for me Yahoo - the BEST - but YMVV, Just don't use Google (evil) and figured out how to find link him myself. Here he is ok!!! If you want to find Jim Treacher go here (go away) you're are TOTALLY at the wrong place.

Talk about oblivious

David Warren seems completely oblivious to the fact that the Iraq war was wrong. The wrongness of what the Iraq war was. Just seems totally lost on him. Sad relly.

Hat tip: Mr. Donald Sensing.

You see? (Image FIRST TRY bare with me)

I rest my case.

(HT (i.e. photo stolen from) 3 Blondes)

UPDATE yesyes (no more letters) We are aware that image not photo image image.

Web-links

A week's-end Web roundup if you will.

First Sorry but I can't resist giving you some more example of the genious intallect & writing talent on display of (smart) Professional Pundit, [Ivy-League/bachelor's] Matthew Yglesias (i.e. Glassy, as I like to think of him). Later, in this post I was drop-jawed to see he actually (coyly) revells some tantalizing tidbits about his romantic picturesque eccentric Salingeresque upbringing as a upper class NY child prodigy (tennis! 12th street! I read, fascinated). Leave you appettite whetted for more,r elly.

Second I encourage you all to check out helpful site politics.technorati.com. A good place to find blog's. For example all my newly published posts (this blog) show up on the liberal tab. This can be a RELLY handy helpful tool for folks seeking good solid informed liberal blog comment (like mine) & so let's all be thankful for Techynorati has developed it & indexed my blog there.

WEll I didn't relly have time to surf for more then that links (rather busy actually / tha'ts why so few posts lately (sorry about that). A good weekend to all my readership / I'm off now as I hope to FINALLY catch Farenheit 9.11 tonite if all goes well (fingers cross). (friend Casey from temp job - owes me from miniature golf)

Thanks to Mr. Sensing

A big (hearty) thanks to Mr. Donald Sensing for his kindly link to my our humble little blog (here). From what I could glean (gather) of his reaction to my sight (didn't follow all links, in admittance). He seems to take particuler issue with (overreact) my interpretation of Just War doctrine. (Obstinate refusal to accept final settled decision regarding IRaq (The Iraq War) not being a Just War etc.)

With all due respect, Just War (handed down from ancient Greek philosopher Augustine (a St.)). Is a rather subtle, intricate, byzantine theory and Not just everyone is qualified to sound off about it. I don't relly have time/wherewithal to go into rehash the whole Iraq Just War debate here, but Suffice it to say that some of are BEST thinkers (theologists) spent a goodly # man-hours on wresting with the issue, and as it turns out: the War On Iraq (i.e. The Iraq War) was NOT a Just War.

As I have some familiarity with these matters due to my time at PRinceton (semenary) (semi-unofficial non-matriculation capacity). I found myself able to follow along (at least in general terms) with these arguments for why Iraq (The Iraq War) not Just War. With all due respect, as this all may be rather obscure/opaque to the lay person, Perhaps Mr. Sensing is just alittle bit in over his head with these theologic issues. (No offense)

Take it down a notch Fridays

As many of you know, our minds are weightily preoccupied with the wrongness of the Iraq war the other six+ days of the week. In that spirit, on Fridays here at The Iraq War Was Wrong Blog we have always kicked back with some lighter notes on Fridays, and "taken it down a notch". We share stories of weirdness and whimsy, highlight the work of good and decent popular entertainers and rockers, laugh at humourous events and people, and point to amazing (non Iraq war related) stuff.

The day is a choice - the idea is important. Personally, I think bloggers and readers could all use more breaks like this from the (often negative) news of the week (about the wrongness of the Iraq war.) Take It Down A Notch Fridays began back in May, and I, personally, have (almost) always graciously agreed to respect and work within this Iraq War Was Wrong Blog tradition (which, I started). So, welcome to The Iraq War Was Wrong Blog... and Take it down a notch with me!

The topic of this week's TIDANF is the prolific, longtime sitcom actor Jason Bateman. I'm sure he needs no further introduction.

Jason Bateman has done so much fine work it's impossible to delve into it all here but so today (with you're indulgence) I'm just going to count down (reversed order) what I think are his top 5 sitcoms (ALL TIME).

#5 "Arrested Development"

Discussion: The serie's hes on now. It seems pretty popular (critically acclaimed) although I'm admit, Often it seems a bit cerebral for my taste/over my head. (I often have this problem with projects Ron Howard involved in). Some will doubt its inclusion into "sitcom" category(no laugh track/hard to know what's humor, what's touching etc) well I know it's a stretch but I'll allow it.

#4 "Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family"

Discussion: The show where he relly came into his own if you ask me. Probably on account of, he had to step up to the plate & fill some pretty big shoes (carry the show on his shoulders, relly) after tragic premature death of co-star Valerie Harper. Much of the fascination with this show relly focused on the perplexing conundrum of the two twins (Jason's Bateman's brothers) who relly did not look alike AT ALL (this was the "hook" of the show I think/ kept your eyes glued to the screen). Bateman's character was refreshing contrast, kind of a "rock" (well I think of him that way)/straight man to all the non-twin twin bizarreness.

#3 "George & Leo"

Discussion: An important stage in Bateman's career as he shared the spotlight with two sitcom great veterans (Judd Hirsch & Bob Newhart). Don't relly remember much about his performance this show (overshadowed by them?) but still. IT was on.

#2 "Silver Spoons"

Discussion: Who can ever forget Derek! There is not much more to say. Little known fact: Jason Bateman's co-star on this show (Ricky Schroder) was little brother of respected acter Rick Schroder who recently had a tenure on NYPD Blue.

#1 "It's Your Move"

Discussion: The ALL TIME GREAT Jason Bateman sitcom (if you ask me). Wickedly clever schemer - the BEST. No one can ever forget the BEST scheme plot ever (involving fake skeleton rock group "The Dregs Of Humanity"). A classic to end all classics!

Till next time,

Welcome Russians!

I'm started to see a few Livejournal Russians (Livejournalniy Russkiy) have started to find My little blog here. I don't know exactly why (Russian text abracadabra on those pages/mostly jibburish to me (look like Greek frankly)) but. Welcome! (Privet!) I know alittle Russian (just alittle (malenky))(bare bones, relly) and I'm have to say I fell (since, always) a certain Kinship with my more Russified friends / The children of the Rus/ the new Soviet men (and, women). And, sympathies for have to live under tyrant Putin who cruelly (non-liberal) oppresses freedom love heroes like Khodorkovsky, NTV.ru, MMM, Berezovsky etc. (I know you long for days of Yelstin (friend good friend of Bill Clinton (another friend to Slavic peoples) (like me and all other Western liberals, relly).

I could try out my Russian on you, for special message. Strazvuytye, Druzia Roccisky! Moya Russkiy ne ochen horosho. Gde tualet? Well, I'm not sure I know much more then that. Oh yes some more: Mne nuzhno taxi.

Enjoy the sight about the Iraq war wrongness (I know you agree with this - Saddam/hero to millions of Russian youth i.e. members of LDPR big fans of Vova / wear SAddam face on T-shirt for Saddam standing up to U.S.A.)! I'm sure we've have much in common you and I, we Russians (well not me but figurative)! Paka



UPDATE Varies people (not Russians) have asked What the heck am I'm talking about. Well it all seems to stem from this post & transmitted to his Livejournal friends (and so on, and so on) in well-known power law distribution. Again my Russian/Serillic rusty but I think he points to my backandforth with Steven den Beste, and then praises SDB (I think) for "humoring" (Russian guy's word) me. Frankly I find that a bit patronizing! But maybe I misinterpret/ Someone with Better Russian skills help out?

A Confession

I'm started to notice that some people have started to comment. That the editing ("so" called "bad" spelling etc) on my sight seemed to have deteriorate over the time. (Since the inseption of the blog, really).

I've got a confession to make - looking back in retroscept I think there maybe something to this (just, alittle).

You have to understand the reason (It's makes sense when I explain it)(just be patient I'm going to explain it, here). You see, for a longwhile I was toiling here in virtual anonmity (with few to none readership). (In admittance/Possibly none at all infact). That's the way it was and that's the way I knew. But ever since the Frankalanche and subsequent lanches I started to gain a heady amount of fame & fortune here (figuratively) (in blog sense - actual fortune: minimal).

I'm afraid it may of went to my head.

As I explained early on (see Elements of my style) my usual blog posting procedure was involved CAREFUL editing (Webster's/Strunk-white etc) so as to cultivate my posts to presentable format. This is was an extremely time-consuming procedure (Flipping through Roget's the BEST thesaurus I.M.H.O etc) Well, I'm afraid that with the spotlight of being in the public eye. Some of that carefulness may of gone by the wayside (just, alittle).

You see, when you're a famous blogger (Like, I now am). There's a certain "Pressure" (so, to speak) to keep you're output on a regular basis. You feel the pull of the deadline approaching (not litterally- no actual deadlines here, on this blog). (But feeling is the same). So to get my post "out there" I'm afriad that at times I started to forgoe my usual painstaking editing procedure in the interest of shear quantity over quality.

So, you see. There's an explanation for it. And, I'm sorry (I fell relly bad here - let my gentle REadership down). But ther'es no longer any need to speculate as to the reason (and boy have I seen some WILD theories). Just, be aware of I'm we aware of the problem and we're working to fix it, and if you'll bare with us (I'm still rather new, at this) you'll see It's a process.

Thank,

Both

I've mentioned how the war (The Iraq War) was the wrong war at the wrong time (among other wrong things which it was). I sort of left it there, assuming little more need be said. But perhaps a few more words about that are in order.

You need to understand full what this means. (To come to grips - to lern to cope).

It's one thing to be the wrong war, at the right time. I mean, that's bad and all, but still. At least your'e fighting it (someone) at the right time.

Similarly, if you were fighting the right war but just at the wrong time, well hey. I mean we've all been alittle late (or, early).

But the wrong war and the wrong time? Both? That's just unacceptable. I don't relly know how much clearer it can be.

You question me, I answer you

Devoted reader Vanessa writes (excerpted w/probable permission(guessing here)):

O.K, have you ever cosiddered calling Jon Kerrys campaign people and asking if you could somehow be on his speach writing team? I ask only becuase youre writing style is so compelling to me [...] I am finding it (your style) even is rubbing off on me....

Not to sounding modest here but I think I know what she is getting at. Yes, there is something compelling - even liberating - about my style (Let's face it). Although it's true (see "Elements of my style" link on RHS), I go back over my posts with fine tooth comb (and WEbster's/Rogets' at my side at all time), in this process (rather time consuming) I do leave enough "flavor" in my posts (just, alittle) that the Reader is able to see the thought processes behind them in rather raw way. Isn't this refreshing compared to starch-collared manistream media product?

This is because (although it may not be very transparents from final product) I (as part of my Philosophy) compose new drafts in what is called stream of conscienceness method. This is where you write no holds barred what comes to your mind no regard for overall. In the result you will see some surprising things (according to stream of conscienceness theory) and perhaps even have some Moral Truths revelled (hence "conscience" part of conscienceness).

Yes I have indeed considered offering my services to Jon Kerry campaign (didn't get around to it as of yet)(rather busy etc also still bruising from sore experience with Jeannie trying to get DNC press cradentials). I do have some experience in political campaigns after all. Not huge amount (highest was as intern/runner (local office) for Diannne Feinstein for Senate (Calif. - the GOLDEN STATE oh those were the times) camapign in 1998 the Yera of the Woman (second year of the woman) (ok 1992 was also a Year of the Woman but 1998 she rain again, hence another one).

Now mind you my responsibilities were somewhat limited / tangential (stickers on envelopes etc) but it was still all and all A great experience to be had for an aspiring entering into politics and dreaming of one day to be a Pundit.

Speachwriting itself (in literal sense) was not (not officially anyway) (not in any officially endorsed capacity) among my (technically) duties. But never the less, I like to think I left my mark on that campaign (Her speaking - sometimes - I could swear I detected a "hint" of something I had said around the office). You see although I was still rather low rung on the ladder I hung around some higher ups (my supervisor (Sasha) was pertty high) (locally) (met Feinstein once (shook hand) and I was never shy to chime in my $02 cents. I like to think I became a sort of behind the seens adviser to Sasha (Sasha's "gray cardinal" if you will) and I was always there with drafts and memos, ideas to show toss around. I'm sure (presumably) some of them maid their way up the chain. You know my 3-4 weeks with the campaign were not without their affect (look at the result).

So it's not exactly unpredecented. The jury's still out on whether the Kerry campaign will accept my offers but they should know the offer's on the table at least. They know what's best of course, I'm jsut a concerned citizen doing what I can. Ready and waiting Jon Kerry, just make the call and I'm there. (Would have a few things to take care of here first (pay back roommate rent, etc) but Yeah, I'm there).

Your,