Wednesday, July 23
For the past few years, I've been perfectly happy living in California. We, unlike the bulk of the states in the US, not only voted for Gore in 2000 but managed to make our votes count (good job, Florida). We've got two intelligent, progressive Senators (both women, by the way). Almost every single facet of our state government is run by the Democrats--thanks, largely, to the fact that the Republicans in California seem compelled to nominate crooks and ultra right wing morons for state offices.
Now, however, the Republicans are angry at, as far as I can tell, their own incompetence. They are taking out this anger on the current governor, Gray Davis. They've drafted signatures for a recall election that will probably take place this fall. Now, this is stupid for a lot of reasons, but two of these reasons stick out in my mind. First, Davis won reelection last year. Let me repeat this--LAST YEAR. Why the fuck didn't these recall dickholes just vote against Davis LAST YEAR??? I'll tell you why--they are retarded. Anyone who wasn't retarded would just admit failure--we lost, Davis won, so let's move on. Hell, even Al Gore, a person who did NOT lose, was willing to admit defeat and move on. How can these idiots not realize that?
Second and most troubling (from my perspective), idiot Californians have now signed these petitions to make this recall a reality. That's just sad. I know that a lot of these people are upset about the budget crisis--a crisis that is not limited to California, encompassing all of the country and many other parts of the world, too. I also know that a lot of these people blame Davis for the energy crisis of a few years ago (I don't want to go into THAT one).
I could go on and on explaining why Davis should not be singled out for either of these problems (the energy crisis, for one, was instigated when the former governor, Pete Wilson, was still in office, and Davis basically inherited it; the budget crisis has everything to do with the Republican tax cuts in Washington and the recession that--despite claims to the contrary--is still having a toll on our economy). I know people would disagree with me on these points, and I know that, while they would be wrong and I would be right, I would never fully convince them of this. But the key is, this recall election simply has nothing whatsoever to do with any of these things. It is entirely an effort by a few Republicans in Washington and in California to try and gain access to the largest and most powerful state in the country, and they are willing to lie, cheat, steal, and do anything else it takes to achieve this--because, as I said before, Reublicans in California (or anywhere) can't win on their own merits. It's politics, in other words, and it pisses me off because it's a sign of what will happen next year, when the Republican assholes in the Bush administration use every nasty trick they can come up with (think: aircraft carrier) to steal another election, despite one of the worst records of any first term president in recent memory (and I'm including Bush Sr. on that list, too).
So, if you're in California, for god's sake vote in this fucking recall election and make sure the Republicans lose. If they steal the governorship in California, then I can guarantee they'll steal the election in 2004, as well.
Now, however, the Republicans are angry at, as far as I can tell, their own incompetence. They are taking out this anger on the current governor, Gray Davis. They've drafted signatures for a recall election that will probably take place this fall. Now, this is stupid for a lot of reasons, but two of these reasons stick out in my mind. First, Davis won reelection last year. Let me repeat this--LAST YEAR. Why the fuck didn't these recall dickholes just vote against Davis LAST YEAR??? I'll tell you why--they are retarded. Anyone who wasn't retarded would just admit failure--we lost, Davis won, so let's move on. Hell, even Al Gore, a person who did NOT lose, was willing to admit defeat and move on. How can these idiots not realize that?
Second and most troubling (from my perspective), idiot Californians have now signed these petitions to make this recall a reality. That's just sad. I know that a lot of these people are upset about the budget crisis--a crisis that is not limited to California, encompassing all of the country and many other parts of the world, too. I also know that a lot of these people blame Davis for the energy crisis of a few years ago (I don't want to go into THAT one).
I could go on and on explaining why Davis should not be singled out for either of these problems (the energy crisis, for one, was instigated when the former governor, Pete Wilson, was still in office, and Davis basically inherited it; the budget crisis has everything to do with the Republican tax cuts in Washington and the recession that--despite claims to the contrary--is still having a toll on our economy). I know people would disagree with me on these points, and I know that, while they would be wrong and I would be right, I would never fully convince them of this. But the key is, this recall election simply has nothing whatsoever to do with any of these things. It is entirely an effort by a few Republicans in Washington and in California to try and gain access to the largest and most powerful state in the country, and they are willing to lie, cheat, steal, and do anything else it takes to achieve this--because, as I said before, Reublicans in California (or anywhere) can't win on their own merits. It's politics, in other words, and it pisses me off because it's a sign of what will happen next year, when the Republican assholes in the Bush administration use every nasty trick they can come up with (think: aircraft carrier) to steal another election, despite one of the worst records of any first term president in recent memory (and I'm including Bush Sr. on that list, too).
So, if you're in California, for god's sake vote in this fucking recall election and make sure the Republicans lose. If they steal the governorship in California, then I can guarantee they'll steal the election in 2004, as well.
Monday, July 21
I've changed my mind about the 25-5 thing--I think it'll just focus on music from Central Asia. I figure there are plenty of sites that review and analyze pop and rock music, but there's really no site focusing on Central Asian music, be it traditional, historical, or contemporary. Now, this site will be just like 25: it will consist of reviews of works I enjoy and would recommend to others. Hence, I won't review ever single album I have--just the ones I like. Since my catalogue of Central Asian music is far more limited than my catalogue of electronic (even experimental electronic) music, I won't be able to publish 25 reviews, or even 20. I think I'll go with 10. That seems like a good, solid number.
Ah, but what to call this site? Central Asian Music? No--too boring. 10 (like 25)? No. The Central Asian 10? Nope--I've got it: Listening to Almaty.
And...guess what? It's begun, small but, I think, interesting. I'll be adding reviews slowly but surely over the coming months. Enjoy...Listening to Almaty!
Ah, but what to call this site? Central Asian Music? No--too boring. 10 (like 25)? No. The Central Asian 10? Nope--I've got it: Listening to Almaty.
And...guess what? It's begun, small but, I think, interesting. I'll be adding reviews slowly but surely over the coming months. Enjoy...Listening to Almaty!
Tuesday, July 8
Here's a fun little thing I did for Stylus:
Top Ten Reasons Why Ralph Wiggum is God
10. "When I grow up, I want to be a principal or a caterpillar."
9. "...and when the doctor said I didn't have worms any more, that was the happiest day of my life."
8. "This is my sandbox. I'm not allowed to go in the deep end."
7. "Principal Skinner, I got carsick in your office."
6. "Oh boy, sleep! That's where I'm a Viking!"
5. "My knob tastes funny."
4. "Me fail English? That's unpossible."
3. "My cat's breath smells like cat food."
2. "I bent my wookie."
1. "Smells Like Hot Dogs"
Top Ten Reasons Why Ralph Wiggum is God
10. "When I grow up, I want to be a principal or a caterpillar."
9. "...and when the doctor said I didn't have worms any more, that was the happiest day of my life."
8. "This is my sandbox. I'm not allowed to go in the deep end."
7. "Principal Skinner, I got carsick in your office."
6. "Oh boy, sleep! That's where I'm a Viking!"
5. "My knob tastes funny."
4. "Me fail English? That's unpossible."
3. "My cat's breath smells like cat food."
2. "I bent my wookie."
1. "Smells Like Hot Dogs"
