Last night I left work at 11:00pm and arrived at home at exactly 11:10pm. In that short 10 minute ride I thought about my friends. I have to say it was no one in particular but the culmination of everyone I know who compliments my life and makes me feel good.
Last week Betsy and I started work on our second book under the Aurore Press banner. It is going to be another charity book. The premise this time is going to be a tribute to the ultimate playground The Jockey Club of the 1980's. We want to get people who hung out there or band members who played there in the 80's to write a piece about their experiences. It is a chance to have fun for a good cause. This meant that I had to take a stroll down you know what lane and contact people from that era of my life. So I headed for MYSPACE and the internet. I made contact with some friends I haven't seen in over 20 years. I hope to make further contacts over the next weeks and months. What a joy to hear that they are doing well and still kicking down the walls.
It is so refreshing to see someone's name pop up on a MYSPACE or E-MAIL message that I admire and respect. I love to see the heading "Just Checking In".
Or, "it's been a while, what's up?" Or, "how are you and the family?" That makes me feel blessed.
I also dig a message letting me know about a friend who is doing a show with their band, or an art show or a book release party or a close circle get together.
I've been thinking lately about my old Jockey Club friends. I think about my wrestling friends. That part of my life was full of dysfunction but I made some super friends. I think about the new friends I have made through my daughters school and how wonderful they are. I even think about my buddies at work who make me laugh every day. I appreciate all the people I met from the release of our first book. Truly committed to the good fight. I think about all the people who put up with me and my rants about politics and religion and yet they still love me and invite me back. That is a special breed of friend no doubt.
So when I say that all my friends are rich I don't mean they are millionaires I mean they are rich ......in spirit!!!!!!!!!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Corporate American Empire
I've been reading the new Howard Zinn graphic novel "A People's History Of American Empire", which by the way should be mandatory reading for every high school and college history class in the United States and I got to thinking. This nation has been doing some pretty nasty things to people in this country and all over the world and the only thing we have accomplished is $3.59 for a gallon of gas in Cincinnati Ohio. If our own history books teach us that we are the almighty United States and nobody messes with us how did we become what we are? Let's just say we believe all the "good" government bullshit we are taught in school. If we are so high and mighty and holier than thou how can you explain the high cost of living we are suffering through? Why don't we just use our bombs and military technology and take over the world. Gas would be about 99 cents a gallon and the rest of the world would be our slaves and food would be sold at cost and we would be the most highly educated people on earth. That's right, I forgot about privitization and corporate America and cronyism. So now I get it. We are still the American Superpower of which we are taught but we are also the land of have and have nots. How stupid of me! So all I need to do is rape and pillage my way to the top 2% and I can have everything I want. I can step on as many toes and feet and arms and legs and chests and heads to get there and I'm applauded for it. Now I'm starting to get this Corporate America thing. They start you out young and tell you to shoot for that forever elusive American Dream. If you work hard your whole life and go in debt and stay in debt you can do it. Whatever you do you have to consume, please buy an SUV, Direct T.V., three cell phones, 2 iPods, take three vacations, shop at the Gap and become addicted to presription drugs. Don't worry about those credit cards, crappy insurance and car payments. There are thousands of credit counselors and financial institutes that can bail you out. For a Price! Sometimes I just want to sell all of my shit (except my books) and go live in the woods.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Charity / Money
It's all about the money right? Everyone who knows me is aware that I have my favorite organizations that I like to make donations to. I'll give you a quick list:
1. ACLU
2. Planned Parenthood
3. True Majority
4. Democracy Now
5. Media Matters
6. NPR
7. PBS
8. Move-ON
9. Amnesty International
10. Fairview German Language School
Normally I will give between $20 and $40 a year when possible. It makes me feel good to give a few bucks to "lefty" causes. I use the word lefty lightly because these are causes that everyone should get behind. I'm always labeled a lefty anyway so what the hell, I might as well say it. I started this piece with the money word because let's face it , cash is the bottom line.
This year in particular I am finding myself falling behind on my contributions. It has been slow at work this entire year so far. I am also aware of the insane cost of gas everytime I fill up the tank. Have you noticed the price tag of going to the grocery store lately. Holy Shit! Look at the amount you can spend on entertainment, It's draining........... They say charity begins at home, it's true.
I've always felt that being charitable is part of my activism. I sign petitions everyday on the internet. I call my senators and congressman on important issues. I participate in ongoing anti-war demonstrations when I have a Friday off.
Every Sunday I pick up garbage on our block to tidy up the place.
I've come to the conclusion that there are many ways to be charitable and be civically involved in your community and the world at large. I guess the key for me is to keep at it. Keep moving on and keep growing in mind and spirit. No matter what, set a good example for my daughter.
1. ACLU
2. Planned Parenthood
3. True Majority
4. Democracy Now
5. Media Matters
6. NPR
7. PBS
8. Move-ON
9. Amnesty International
10. Fairview German Language School
Normally I will give between $20 and $40 a year when possible. It makes me feel good to give a few bucks to "lefty" causes. I use the word lefty lightly because these are causes that everyone should get behind. I'm always labeled a lefty anyway so what the hell, I might as well say it. I started this piece with the money word because let's face it , cash is the bottom line.
This year in particular I am finding myself falling behind on my contributions. It has been slow at work this entire year so far. I am also aware of the insane cost of gas everytime I fill up the tank. Have you noticed the price tag of going to the grocery store lately. Holy Shit! Look at the amount you can spend on entertainment, It's draining........... They say charity begins at home, it's true.
I've always felt that being charitable is part of my activism. I sign petitions everyday on the internet. I call my senators and congressman on important issues. I participate in ongoing anti-war demonstrations when I have a Friday off.
Every Sunday I pick up garbage on our block to tidy up the place.
I've come to the conclusion that there are many ways to be charitable and be civically involved in your community and the world at large. I guess the key for me is to keep at it. Keep moving on and keep growing in mind and spirit. No matter what, set a good example for my daughter.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez
Let me just start by saying I love Ralph Nader. Here are a few words to describe Mr. Nader: Humanitarian, Political Activist, Author, Speaker, Environmentalist, Consumer Advocate, and Presidential Candidate. All positive words to use when talking about someone you admire. I have also heard him described as: Spoiler, Egomaniac and Stubborn As Hell. I'm willing to accept all of them because I "get" Ralph Nader.
Ralph, just like Eugene V. Debs believed that a two party system will eventually implode. The Republican and Democratic Parties are like the commercial "Taste Great.....Less Filling" it's still the same crappy beer in the end. What a terrible after taste. Let's look at Al Gore and John Kerry. Two of the biggest wussies in the world. If either one of them had any balls they would have stood up to the Bush mafia family . They could have fought in both Florida and Ohio and we would have had an eight year Democratic Presidency. So I blame them for BUSH. I blame the Democrats for the war in Iraq. I especially blame the ongoing occupation in the Middle East on the 'o6 Democrats. I know alot of liberals and progressives that blame Nader, I don't buy it. If Bush supposedly won Florida by 536 votes Gore sucked worse than I thought.
Now we get to the stubborn Ralph Nader. He is dead set on the fact that "people" want a third party candidate. I agree. There are tons of independents out there.
Think of all the people who read The Nation, The Progressive, Mother Jones and all the people who listen to NPR, Air America etc. Think about the number of people who are in the Green, Libertarian, and Labor parties. It's more than you think.
Imagine a debate with a decent moderator, someone like Howard Zinn or Ed Schultz and candidates with an even playing field. Think about the thought process of Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Dennis Kucinich, guys like McCain, Romney and Huckabee wouldn't stand a chance. Instead we get turds like, Blitzer, Russert, Matthews and the Fox geeks. The whole thing is a joke.
Now we get to the heart of the matter. Who will I vote for?
I have gone on record as saying I am voting for Barack Obama. I even have his sign in my yard. I have also said that I will support Hillary if she gets the nomination.
My heart wants me to vote for Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez. I like Gonzalez. He was part of the San Francisco City Council. He almost beat the Democrat candidate for Mayor of San Francisco. Not to mention Gonzalez is my age and seems like a very smart cool dude.
Most of my liberal friends have signed on with the Obama camp. Hillary is what I call "Republican Lite". She will be like Bill and take care of Corporate America while still trying to work with the working class. Every one of Barack's speeches have been about how hard it is for the average American to make it nowadays.
I can relate to that. What the Rev. Wright said was absolutely true. So for now the Republicans have zero scandal against Obama.
About my vote? I still stand up for voting for Nader in 2000. I almost voted for him again in 2004 because Kerry was horrible. As of this writing I still love Ralph Nader, read his book "The 17 Traditions" it's fantastic. But my still bleeding heart is voting for Barack Obama, sorry Ralph.
Ralph, just like Eugene V. Debs believed that a two party system will eventually implode. The Republican and Democratic Parties are like the commercial "Taste Great.....Less Filling" it's still the same crappy beer in the end. What a terrible after taste. Let's look at Al Gore and John Kerry. Two of the biggest wussies in the world. If either one of them had any balls they would have stood up to the Bush mafia family . They could have fought in both Florida and Ohio and we would have had an eight year Democratic Presidency. So I blame them for BUSH. I blame the Democrats for the war in Iraq. I especially blame the ongoing occupation in the Middle East on the 'o6 Democrats. I know alot of liberals and progressives that blame Nader, I don't buy it. If Bush supposedly won Florida by 536 votes Gore sucked worse than I thought.
Now we get to the stubborn Ralph Nader. He is dead set on the fact that "people" want a third party candidate. I agree. There are tons of independents out there.
Think of all the people who read The Nation, The Progressive, Mother Jones and all the people who listen to NPR, Air America etc. Think about the number of people who are in the Green, Libertarian, and Labor parties. It's more than you think.
Imagine a debate with a decent moderator, someone like Howard Zinn or Ed Schultz and candidates with an even playing field. Think about the thought process of Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Dennis Kucinich, guys like McCain, Romney and Huckabee wouldn't stand a chance. Instead we get turds like, Blitzer, Russert, Matthews and the Fox geeks. The whole thing is a joke.
Now we get to the heart of the matter. Who will I vote for?
I have gone on record as saying I am voting for Barack Obama. I even have his sign in my yard. I have also said that I will support Hillary if she gets the nomination.
My heart wants me to vote for Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez. I like Gonzalez. He was part of the San Francisco City Council. He almost beat the Democrat candidate for Mayor of San Francisco. Not to mention Gonzalez is my age and seems like a very smart cool dude.
Most of my liberal friends have signed on with the Obama camp. Hillary is what I call "Republican Lite". She will be like Bill and take care of Corporate America while still trying to work with the working class. Every one of Barack's speeches have been about how hard it is for the average American to make it nowadays.
I can relate to that. What the Rev. Wright said was absolutely true. So for now the Republicans have zero scandal against Obama.
About my vote? I still stand up for voting for Nader in 2000. I almost voted for him again in 2004 because Kerry was horrible. As of this writing I still love Ralph Nader, read his book "The 17 Traditions" it's fantastic. But my still bleeding heart is voting for Barack Obama, sorry Ralph.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Damn Dirty Apes! Moses is Dead
The N.R.A. is mourning the death of their favorite feeble and forgetful spokesperson, good old Charlton Heston. Did you see him in the Michael Moore documentary? You almost felt sorry for the old Ronald Reagan ass kisser. Almost!
I remember watching him in "The Omega Man". That movie was based on the fantastic book "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson. I actually liked it. The book I mean. Who could ever forget our hero in The Planet of the Apes. As a kid of course I loved that movie, it was great. Who knew he would turn out to be one of the damnest dirtiest apes of all time? Right up there with Ted Nugent and his "wang tang sweet puntang." Too bad he didn't exercise his 2nd Amendment Right and use his National Rifle and blow his own brains out. Wouldn't that be ironic?
Or maybe just flat out funny! I think it is a pretty good bet that Ronnie Reagan will be waiting at the fiery gates to officially welcome Moses to his eternal damnation in hell.
I remember watching him in "The Omega Man". That movie was based on the fantastic book "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson. I actually liked it. The book I mean. Who could ever forget our hero in The Planet of the Apes. As a kid of course I loved that movie, it was great. Who knew he would turn out to be one of the damnest dirtiest apes of all time? Right up there with Ted Nugent and his "wang tang sweet puntang." Too bad he didn't exercise his 2nd Amendment Right and use his National Rifle and blow his own brains out. Wouldn't that be ironic?
Or maybe just flat out funny! I think it is a pretty good bet that Ronnie Reagan will be waiting at the fiery gates to officially welcome Moses to his eternal damnation in hell.
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