Sadly mine would say "Runescape," but this has so been me lately. *shakes head*
Who IS this guy?!
Political Talk Show Host and Internet Radio Personality. My show, In My Humble Opinion, aired on RainbowRadio from 2015-2017, and has returned for 2021! Feel free to contact me at niceguy9418@usa.com. You can also friend me on Facebook.
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
A Sad State of Affairs
I haven't written much lately. I don't know why. In the past it's been for a lack of interest (on my part) or inspiration, but that definitely hasn't been the case lately. With Republican's running head-long off a cliff in ways that continue to amaze and astound me, even after all these years, there has been no shortage of material to write about. And I've been fairly active on Media Matters, intending to do some follow-up here, but lately it seems that sometime between my lunch-hour rants on MMFA and my after-dinner fray into the man-cave, it seems other things just keep crowd out those thoughts.
But one of DW's facebook-friends recently sent her a link to a Guardian article that I absolutely MUST share with you all. There have been many of these articles written before - you may recall the piece a from 2008 that likened Conservatism to Mental Illness (here's another form 2004) - and they are usually met with the kind of response that proves one of my favorite personal adages:
Argue with a Liberal and they'll prove you're wrong.
Argue with a Conservative and they'll prove you're Liberal.
I'm curious, though not optimistic, to see if any *ahem* Conservative commenters here might do better than that. We'll see. My favorite part might have been the quotes from Republican Strategist David Frum that "conservatives have built a whole alternative knowledge system, with its own facts, its own history, its own laws of economics." In the column, that quote links to another great column by Paul Krugman where it is shown in its entirety:
There two kinds of Conservatives: Evil and Stupid.
One lies and the other buys.
It really all comes down to two groups - Liberals and Conservative - that are both convinced they're right. The DIFFERENCE is that Liberals increasingly have the prevailing Scientific and Economic viewpoint, not to mention the evidence supporting those, on their side whilst Conservatives have increasingly chosen to propagandize for the demonstrably false knowing (as the article points out) that half the population won't knwo any better anyway. And whether it's Global Warming, Evolution, the Keynesian Economic Model or the Constituton, the Right has grown increasingly separated from reality, and more defiant every day as they say and defend that which is not only self-evident but, of infinitely more importance, is supported by empirical evidence as well.
Between Sean Hannity claiming that "you can't make the case that the economy is improving," (unless of course you look at, oh I don't know... the rising GDP, the falling unemployment rate, the rising DOW, S&P and Nasdaq, the number of new job's being created each month... you know, literaly EVERY SINGLE ECONOMIC INDICIATOR) or Fox arguing that Government Spending hurts the economy (WTF?!) and Sarah Palin insisting that the unemployment numbers must not be acurate (Because, you know, the Right couldn't possibly be WRONG about... well, EVERYTHING, could they?!) the Conservative noise machine has grown increasing desperate with each passing day in their attemtps to get more and more people to ignore what it right in front of them, and to ignore the inevitable social progress that society makes, putting them in th perpetual state of losing the argument, generation after generation. Adage number three:
Scientists aren't right because they agree with Liberals.
Liberals are right because they agree with Scientists.
Of course, the Right has never been shy about slandering pretty much ANY outfit that (1) Does good and (2) Leans Democratic or Liberal, but I wanted to re-post my repsonse here to CNN's (CNN'S!) Dana Loesch's claim that "It's a 'lie' to claim that Planned Parenthood provides mammograms," because I think it would be an apropriate way to close out this post:
It's a lie to claim there's a "liberal media."
It's a lie to deny that global warming is happening or that it is man-made.
It's a lie to say that one chooses to be homosexual or transgendered.
It's a lie to claim that "both sides do it" when it comes to broadcasting false infomration and distorted, out of context quotes.
It's a lie to claim that the economy has gotten worse under Obama.
It's a lie to put the responsibility for the mortgage crisis anywhere except with the deregulation (and greed) of the banks.
It's a lie to claim that keeping condoms out of schools will stop teenagers from having sex.
It's a lie to claim that "Bush kept us safe from terrorists."
It's a lie to claim that Obama is a Muslim, or a non-American Citizen by birth.
It's a lie to claim that anyone who supports wars and the death penalty is "pro-life."
It's a lie to claim that the war on terror is a war of Christianity vs. Islam, instead of a war of Secular Freedom vs. Religious Fundamentalism and Extremism.
It's a lie to claim that "Happy Holidays" represents a Liberal War on Christmas.
It's a lie to claim that Republicans care about the deficit.
It's a lie to claim that Government spending does harm to the economy.
It's a lit to claim that taxes are "too high."
It's a lie to cliam that Obama raised taxes.
And it's a lie to claim that Planned Parenthood is nothing more than an abortion mill.
Here's the thing... It may not have always been the case, but right now, and increasingly over the last 3+ years (and the last 12, and the last 20...) Conservatives have chosen to be wrong on literally EVERYTHING. (Hey: Even the two issues that I'm most strongly Conservative on, I'll happily admit that my position is indefensible and based entirely on emotion rather than reason!) And that being the case... knowing that... I'm forced to ask the question: WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO BE CONSERVATIVE?!
But then... that's already been answered, hasn't it?
But one of DW's facebook-friends recently sent her a link to a Guardian article that I absolutely MUST share with you all. There have been many of these articles written before - you may recall the piece a from 2008 that likened Conservatism to Mental Illness (here's another form 2004) - and they are usually met with the kind of response that proves one of my favorite personal adages:
Argue with a Liberal and they'll prove you're wrong.
Argue with a Conservative and they'll prove you're Liberal.
I'm curious, though not optimistic, to see if any *ahem* Conservative commenters here might do better than that. We'll see. My favorite part might have been the quotes from Republican Strategist David Frum that "conservatives have built a whole alternative knowledge system, with its own facts, its own history, its own laws of economics." In the column, that quote links to another great column by Paul Krugman where it is shown in its entirety:
Backed by their own wing of the book-publishing industry and supported by think tanks that increasingly function as public-relations agencies, conservatives have built a whole alternative knowledge system, with its own facts, its own history, its own laws of economics. Outside this alternative reality, the United States is a country dominated by a strong Christian religiosity. Within it, Christians are a persecuted minority. Outside the system, President Obama—whatever his policy errors—is a figure of imposing intellect and dignity. Within the system, he’s a pitiful nothing, unable to speak without a teleprompter, an affirmative-action phony doomed to inevitable defeat. Outside the system, social scientists worry that the U.S. is hardening into one of the most rigid class societies in the Western world, in which the children of the poor have less chance of escape than in France, Germany, or even England. Inside the system, the U.S. remains (to borrow the words of Senator Marco Rubio) “the only place in the world where it doesn’t matter who your parents were or where you came from.”So... not only is Black White and White Black, but... Black is Black and White is White as well. Which leads to another favorite adage of mine that sums up the Republican Party, the Right Wing, and the Conservative Movement:
There two kinds of Conservatives: Evil and Stupid.
One lies and the other buys.
It really all comes down to two groups - Liberals and Conservative - that are both convinced they're right. The DIFFERENCE is that Liberals increasingly have the prevailing Scientific and Economic viewpoint, not to mention the evidence supporting those, on their side whilst Conservatives have increasingly chosen to propagandize for the demonstrably false knowing (as the article points out) that half the population won't knwo any better anyway. And whether it's Global Warming, Evolution, the Keynesian Economic Model or the Constituton, the Right has grown increasingly separated from reality, and more defiant every day as they say and defend that which is not only self-evident but, of infinitely more importance, is supported by empirical evidence as well.
Between Sean Hannity claiming that "you can't make the case that the economy is improving," (unless of course you look at, oh I don't know... the rising GDP, the falling unemployment rate, the rising DOW, S&P and Nasdaq, the number of new job's being created each month... you know, literaly EVERY SINGLE ECONOMIC INDICIATOR) or Fox arguing that Government Spending hurts the economy (WTF?!) and Sarah Palin insisting that the unemployment numbers must not be acurate (Because, you know, the Right couldn't possibly be WRONG about... well, EVERYTHING, could they?!) the Conservative noise machine has grown increasing desperate with each passing day in their attemtps to get more and more people to ignore what it right in front of them, and to ignore the inevitable social progress that society makes, putting them in th perpetual state of losing the argument, generation after generation. Adage number three:
Scientists aren't right because they agree with Liberals.
Liberals are right because they agree with Scientists.
Of course, the Right has never been shy about slandering pretty much ANY outfit that (1) Does good and (2) Leans Democratic or Liberal, but I wanted to re-post my repsonse here to CNN's (CNN'S!) Dana Loesch's claim that "It's a 'lie' to claim that Planned Parenthood provides mammograms," because I think it would be an apropriate way to close out this post:
It's a lie to claim there's a "liberal media."
It's a lie to deny that global warming is happening or that it is man-made.
It's a lie to say that one chooses to be homosexual or transgendered.
It's a lie to claim that "both sides do it" when it comes to broadcasting false infomration and distorted, out of context quotes.
It's a lie to claim that the economy has gotten worse under Obama.
It's a lie to put the responsibility for the mortgage crisis anywhere except with the deregulation (and greed) of the banks.
It's a lie to claim that keeping condoms out of schools will stop teenagers from having sex.
It's a lie to claim that "Bush kept us safe from terrorists."
It's a lie to claim that Obama is a Muslim, or a non-American Citizen by birth.
It's a lie to claim that anyone who supports wars and the death penalty is "pro-life."
It's a lie to claim that the war on terror is a war of Christianity vs. Islam, instead of a war of Secular Freedom vs. Religious Fundamentalism and Extremism.
It's a lie to claim that "Happy Holidays" represents a Liberal War on Christmas.
It's a lie to claim that Republicans care about the deficit.
It's a lie to claim that Government spending does harm to the economy.
It's a lit to claim that taxes are "too high."
It's a lie to cliam that Obama raised taxes.
And it's a lie to claim that Planned Parenthood is nothing more than an abortion mill.
Here's the thing... It may not have always been the case, but right now, and increasingly over the last 3+ years (and the last 12, and the last 20...) Conservatives have chosen to be wrong on literally EVERYTHING. (Hey: Even the two issues that I'm most strongly Conservative on, I'll happily admit that my position is indefensible and based entirely on emotion rather than reason!) And that being the case... knowing that... I'm forced to ask the question: WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO BE CONSERVATIVE?!
But then... that's already been answered, hasn't it?
Monday, February 6, 2012
One I missed...
I meant to post this earlier, but another one of my Hall of Famers, Sports-Reference.com, the parent site of Baseball-Reference.com, has taken a stand against SOPA/ PIPA.
Remember folks: Small Governmant. That's what they stand for. That and internet censorship on a level that would make the Red Chinese blush, apparently. (And, yes, every Democrat supporting that monstrosity are equally included in that criticism. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!)
Remember folks: Small Governmant. That's what they stand for. That and internet censorship on a level that would make the Red Chinese blush, apparently. (And, yes, every Democrat supporting that monstrosity are equally included in that criticism. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!)
Gold Star Awards, January (!), 2012
I debated just skipping a month and making these FEBRUARY'S Award winners, but at the onset I said I would do these every month, and I know from past experience that it's not a good idea to get into the habit of laziness. And hopefully, this will keep me blogging this month, since I'd hate for the NEXT post to be FEBRUARY'S winners! (Especially if that were in MARCH!)
So here are LAST MONTH'S Si;ver Star Winners. The year is 1971, and the Veterans Committee was VERY BUSY inducting SIX new members:
The Jake Beckley SILVER STAR #41: TV Tropes
Have you ever tried to write fiction? It's harder than it sounds. (I know: I'm trying!) And it is both amusing and informative to learn more about the tropes used by fiction writers accross so many mediums. According to their own home page: "TROPES are devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members' minds and expectations. On the whole, tropes are not cliches. The word cliched means "stereotyped and trite." In other words, dull and uninteresting. We are not looking for dull and uninteresting entries. We are here to recognize tropes and play with them, not to make fun of them." And do they EVER! Every movie, every TV Show, Every Comic Book, Every Amine... So many forms of media. If you want to see a tongue in cheek look at the tropes used in ANY work of fiction that has more than TWO FANS in the entire world, check this out.
The Harry Hooper SILVER STAR #42: Flipside
I've been reading this web comic for AGES and I'm still only about halfway though it! It 's been running for YEARS and IMHO is one of the best drawn and best written web-comics out there. Very professional.Amazing work. It a fantasy, Swords-and-sorcerers story, with subtle Manga influences. The two leads, Maytag and Bernadette are two of the most interesting, compelling characters I've come across in a very long time. The authors also manage to work modern issues (such as gender discrimination and homosexuality) into the plot seamlessly, which elevates the work well above the level of a typical hack-and-slash fantasy comic strip. So check it out, you won't be sorry. And be sure to read it from the beginning.
The Joe Kelly SILVER STAR #43: Pandora
I'm sure I don't need to tell you what Pandora is. What I find so amazing is the idea behind the Music Genome Project, how they will break music down to it's basic elements and recommend songs based on fundamental similarities rather that the "Amazon"/"Netflix" model of "people who liked this also liked...:" There is a deeper understand of music at play here, and one that deserves some recognition. Just one observation: Be careful what you give a "thumbs-up" to! "Thumbs-up" just a single funky bit of 1970-'s soul, and you'll be thumbs-downing so much bad 1970's disco, you'll think you're in a pornographic film! Despite these shortcomings (which have more to do with ME that with the system, I'm sure!) I really appreciate this site, and the FREE service they provide. So many of the songs I put on my Music Page were discovered through Pandora. (Steven Lynch, Dave Van Ronk, Carbon Leaf, Great Big Sea, and MANY others.)
The Dave Bancroft SULFUR STAR: World Net Daily
Have you ever smelled Sulfur? Have you even read the World Net Daily? Can you see what they have in common? It was inevitable that I would eventually bestow one of the dubious honors upon this heap of steaming, Right Wing Trash. Some of us like our information to be ACCURATE. For those who prefer it to be CONSERVATIVE, this is the site for you.
The Chick Hafey IPECAC STAR: The Media Research Center
Brent Bozell is to objective journalism what Syrup of Ipecac is to fine dining. This guy is sofa king brain damaged that upon first viewing I would almost be inclined to view the puddle of bile that he calls his life's work as some form brilliant Liberal-created irony. Sadly, no: He's serious. And pathetic. And about as easily debunked as the myth that the Sun revolves around the Earth. How are Conservatives not embarrassed to be associated with these brain-damaged jack-holes?
The Rube Marquard COPPER STAR: Coston's Complaint
Honestly, this Right-Wing Blog is no more or less brainless, nor more or less biased, or more or less factually inaccurate that pretty much any other Right-Wing Blog, he and I just had the mutual misfortune of crossing paths at one point. I'd love to debate him, but he never replied to my comments. (And I can't even find them now.) Anyway, if you're Conservative, I'm sure you'll love it. If you think people opinions should be at least partially based in reality, you'll probably get a headache.
So here are LAST MONTH'S Si;ver Star Winners. The year is 1971, and the Veterans Committee was VERY BUSY inducting SIX new members:
The Jake Beckley SILVER STAR #41: TV Tropes
Have you ever tried to write fiction? It's harder than it sounds. (I know: I'm trying!) And it is both amusing and informative to learn more about the tropes used by fiction writers accross so many mediums. According to their own home page: "TROPES are devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members' minds and expectations. On the whole, tropes are not cliches. The word cliched means "stereotyped and trite." In other words, dull and uninteresting. We are not looking for dull and uninteresting entries. We are here to recognize tropes and play with them, not to make fun of them." And do they EVER! Every movie, every TV Show, Every Comic Book, Every Amine... So many forms of media. If you want to see a tongue in cheek look at the tropes used in ANY work of fiction that has more than TWO FANS in the entire world, check this out.
The Harry Hooper SILVER STAR #42: Flipside
I've been reading this web comic for AGES and I'm still only about halfway though it! It 's been running for YEARS and IMHO is one of the best drawn and best written web-comics out there. Very professional.Amazing work. It a fantasy, Swords-and-sorcerers story, with subtle Manga influences. The two leads, Maytag and Bernadette are two of the most interesting, compelling characters I've come across in a very long time. The authors also manage to work modern issues (such as gender discrimination and homosexuality) into the plot seamlessly, which elevates the work well above the level of a typical hack-and-slash fantasy comic strip. So check it out, you won't be sorry. And be sure to read it from the beginning.
The Joe Kelly SILVER STAR #43: Pandora
I'm sure I don't need to tell you what Pandora is. What I find so amazing is the idea behind the Music Genome Project, how they will break music down to it's basic elements and recommend songs based on fundamental similarities rather that the "Amazon"/"Netflix" model of "people who liked this also liked...:" There is a deeper understand of music at play here, and one that deserves some recognition. Just one observation: Be careful what you give a "thumbs-up" to! "Thumbs-up" just a single funky bit of 1970-'s soul, and you'll be thumbs-downing so much bad 1970's disco, you'll think you're in a pornographic film! Despite these shortcomings (which have more to do with ME that with the system, I'm sure!) I really appreciate this site, and the FREE service they provide. So many of the songs I put on my Music Page were discovered through Pandora. (Steven Lynch, Dave Van Ronk, Carbon Leaf, Great Big Sea, and MANY others.)
The Dave Bancroft SULFUR STAR: World Net Daily
Have you ever smelled Sulfur? Have you even read the World Net Daily? Can you see what they have in common? It was inevitable that I would eventually bestow one of the dubious honors upon this heap of steaming, Right Wing Trash. Some of us like our information to be ACCURATE. For those who prefer it to be CONSERVATIVE, this is the site for you.
The Chick Hafey IPECAC STAR: The Media Research Center
Brent Bozell is to objective journalism what Syrup of Ipecac is to fine dining. This guy is sofa king brain damaged that upon first viewing I would almost be inclined to view the puddle of bile that he calls his life's work as some form brilliant Liberal-created irony. Sadly, no: He's serious. And pathetic. And about as easily debunked as the myth that the Sun revolves around the Earth. How are Conservatives not embarrassed to be associated with these brain-damaged jack-holes?
The Rube Marquard COPPER STAR: Coston's Complaint
Honestly, this Right-Wing Blog is no more or less brainless, nor more or less biased, or more or less factually inaccurate that pretty much any other Right-Wing Blog, he and I just had the mutual misfortune of crossing paths at one point. I'd love to debate him, but he never replied to my comments. (And I can't even find them now.) Anyway, if you're Conservative, I'm sure you'll love it. If you think people opinions should be at least partially based in reality, you'll probably get a headache.
The Gingrich Campain
Were you aware that Newt Gingrish has been married three times? Or that he addmited to having n affari with one of these women while married to his first wife and pursuing the impeachment of President Clinton because he lied about an affiar? How about the many times he was investigated by the House Ethicas Committee? Or that he eventually resigned in disgree from the Speaker's position due to these?
WELL, if you're looking for these facts on Gingrich's Wikipedia Page, there's a good chance you are NOT going to find them there. That's because,a ccordign to CNN, Gingrich's Camapign people are buysy scrubbing the Page of any and all FACTUAL REFERENCES to his three marriages, or to his being investiagted by the House Ethics Committee.
Censorship. An AMERICAN Value. Who knew?
What. A. Scumag.
And do you know the most amazing part? To me anyway? This comes from the same school of Political "thought" (and I use that term VERY loosely!) that routinely aregues that MMFA is somehow a "smear site," citing no other evidence than their progrssive agenda. The same peopl who labeled the White House's "figt the smears" website and web-campaign as "Nazi" in Nature.
Wow. So... Battling Right-Wing Propaganda and demonstrably false statements being made by the media is NAZIST. But DICEMINIATING THAT PROPAGANDA and CENSORING FACTUAL STATEMENTS that one finds inceovenient? That's AMERICAN.
IMHO, Gingrich should new have to produce HIS birth cirtificate, in long form. I have a hard time bvelieveing that anyone born in this country could have so little understanding of what it stands for. The Gingrich campaign should be ashamed, as should anyone who has voted form him. If he can even stand by the life the he himself has led, why shoudl ANYONE of ANY POLITICAL PURSUATION be willing to stand by HIM?!
Just another example of what has become part of my core philosophy, and one of the reaosn that I'm willing to accept the "Liberal" or "Progreissve" label with pride, even though I do not follow any prescribed ideology:
A Liberal will tell you how you're wrong.
A Conservative will tell you how you're Liberal.
And you know what?
They'll both be right!
WELL, if you're looking for these facts on Gingrich's Wikipedia Page, there's a good chance you are NOT going to find them there. That's because,a ccordign to CNN, Gingrich's Camapign people are buysy scrubbing the Page of any and all FACTUAL REFERENCES to his three marriages, or to his being investiagted by the House Ethics Committee.
Censorship. An AMERICAN Value. Who knew?
What. A. Scumag.
And do you know the most amazing part? To me anyway? This comes from the same school of Political "thought" (and I use that term VERY loosely!) that routinely aregues that MMFA is somehow a "smear site," citing no other evidence than their progrssive agenda. The same peopl who labeled the White House's "figt the smears" website and web-campaign as "Nazi" in Nature.
Wow. So... Battling Right-Wing Propaganda and demonstrably false statements being made by the media is NAZIST. But DICEMINIATING THAT PROPAGANDA and CENSORING FACTUAL STATEMENTS that one finds inceovenient? That's AMERICAN.
IMHO, Gingrich should new have to produce HIS birth cirtificate, in long form. I have a hard time bvelieveing that anyone born in this country could have so little understanding of what it stands for. The Gingrich campaign should be ashamed, as should anyone who has voted form him. If he can even stand by the life the he himself has led, why shoudl ANYONE of ANY POLITICAL PURSUATION be willing to stand by HIM?!
Just another example of what has become part of my core philosophy, and one of the reaosn that I'm willing to accept the "Liberal" or "Progreissve" label with pride, even though I do not follow any prescribed ideology:
A Liberal will tell you how you're wrong.
A Conservative will tell you how you're Liberal.
And you know what?
They'll both be right!
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