Very soon, I'll have to be buying a car. I've been seriously considering getting a car that runs on biofuel. So I've been doing some research. Everything seemed OK, until I ran into this article. (it's long, but take the time to read it)

Yep, it makes sense. But then you get to the comments (which for some reason, won't let me log onto). Most of it is the usual yelling, but one person did make a brilliant point that no one ever seems to say...

Yes, the technology right now isn't perfect. (solar, wind, electric, hybrid, etc) But the answer isn't to keep doing the same crap until the technology is perfect. I wouldn't be typing on this computer right now if I did that. And while that doesn't mean we should buy up every new invention in a consumeristic frenzy, we should be willing to embrace something new that is better than what we were doing but is still not what we would prefer.

And to connect on this, while I understand that to stop global warming, things need to be done on a macro level (and need to be done post-haste), individuals doing their part create a culture of environmental responsibility. It's a good slippery slope. If we continue to use our money to purchase things the right way, it will influence the market to create more products that are environmentally friendly.

And come on...are you really that insecure that you don't want to stand out because you bought a hybrid? Eiiish.

Unconnected note: Here's a great article about Clintonbagger. Thank you, Helen Thomas. It's not everything you need to know about her, but it's enough...or if it's not, your a low-expectation-having-mother.....er.

I may have talked about these connected issues from time-to-time. Now it seems that both are coming to a head. No, not porn...this time. I'm talking about corporate music / radio. Let me start with radio. Doesn't it suck ass? Sho nuff do. That's one of the reasons we're doing the podcast. What's happening is, royalty rates are about to skyrocket for internet radio stations. It's pretty much going to wipe out internet radio because NO ONE will be able to afford it except for corporate entities. So the simple thing for you to do is to go to http://www.loc.gov/crb/contact/ and just say that you think internet royalty rates should be in line with radio and TV. It's all you need to do for that. It will only take a second.

The other thing is a bit more complex. I'll just take the text straight from the Prometheus Radio Project:

June 21st, 2007: This morning, Congressman Mike Doyle and Congressman Lee Terry are introducing an important bill -- House Bill 2802, or Senate Bill 1675 -- the Local Community Radio Act of 2007 -- which will, if passed, expand access to community radio all across the country. This bill would tell Congress to recognize that there is no possible interference from low power FM radio stations in America's big cities, and to allow the FCC to grant station licenses there. Senators John McCain and Maria Cantwell are also introducing identical legislation. We'll have bill numbers for you soon, but now is the time to educate your legislators, and to ask them to support low power FM radio. Click here to learn how -- and sign the petition to expand LPFM at http://www.expandlpfm.org today!

Read our coalition press release on the introduction of these important bills here, a fantastic summary of the importance of these bills by Nancy Scola at mydd.com, and listen to the press conference where the Congressmembers joined the Indigo Girls, broadcasters, and religious and advocacy groups here. (mp3)

And check out this great webtool at Free Press -- LPFM: Local Radio NOW! It includes another great, simple petition to sign and share!

Take Action by clicking here!

Low-powered FM stations would give non-profits and community organizations amazing tools to organize. Take action!

For a split second I actually gave a turd when I started noticing how much Republican candidates and dumbass TV commentators were attacking Democratic presidential candidates. Then I said to myself, what the hell do I care? They're all from the same mold anyway. They're ALL a bunch of hypocrites...pundits or politicians. Even people on the left fuck with people on the left.

When Cindy Sheehan took a hike, Rabbi Michael Learner wrote this. He's being pretty gracious, but overall I agree with what he's saying. But people are weak and they'll bend and bend and bend their values until what they stand for is nothing like what they say they do.

Look at how many hypocrites there are out there who tell us how to live yet collect kiddie porn, cheat on their spouses, have gambling problems, commit voter fraud, etc. The bottom line is we shouldn't let anyone tell us how to think. People are just too damn lazy. Lerner has a very apt criticism - people will complain that issues are too complex, that there's too much material (in any medium) to understand something well. But we'll spend hours on a trashy novel, bad movie or TV show. LAZY.

I'm moving soon...to a different city. And I'm not taking most of my stuff with me. I sold my TV...and right now I'm not inclined to get a new one.

Labels: hypocrites, Rabbi Lerner

I have to admit, I'm a bit embarrassed by this...but I feel what I feel and I'm going to own it and say it to the world...

I love Lara Logan!



I know, I know. I'm the one who professed his dirty, taboo lust for Deputy Liar Dana Perino, but this is different. Lara Logan kicks ass. She reports from one of the worst man-made hellholes in the world and when the powers-that-be don't let her report something she finds a way to get it out there. Oh yeah...and she's hot, not that it matters.

Biba Golic, you ping-pong hussy, you'll always have a special place in my heart...or loins...or wherever. But Lara Logan's the bomb (pun semi-intended). I would be her flak jacket - though it be pretty tough trying to get around Iraq with me draped over her.

For all of you who like to throw around the label "treehugger" and who insist on perpetuating the stereotype that anyone who drives a hybrid is a snooty-nosed egghead, let's talk money. Yep. It makes the world go 'round, right? Get the government out of our way and stop over-regulating businesses and give 'em tax breaks and corporations love us, blah, blah, blah.

Well...check out this article:

Google Powers Up 1.6 MW Solar System & Hybrid Initiative

This is what I'm talking about. You can be a money-grubbing pig and still do what's right! Is that so freakin hard?

Once again, I've been caught up in so many things and haven't been consistently posting so I'll try to come up with a theme and touch on it all:

I just keep doing it. I shouldn't, but every once in a while I get optimistic and do it anyway. I'm talking about engaging these assholes online in what I hope to be a real conversation about real issues. These Bill O'Reily wannabes end up taking gigantic leaps in logic (and truth) and when you call them on it you get called names. Who the fuck raised these people?

"Who the fuck raised these people?" is the question that's been on my mind lately. All of the wankers who are flushing the world down the toilet. People aren't born with their ideas and attitudes. I know about the War Criminal's parents. Jeez, there's been a ton of books written about the psychology of this idiot, how his parents relate to it, etc. But the rest of these bastards...you have people in our government who say - on the record - that they pray that we bomb Iran. Pray? Seriously? That's what your god does?

I can give a less serious, but personal example. Recently, I found out that someone who I thought was a friend and colleague seriously screwed me over professionally. But I've always been a person who attaches part of my self-identity to what I do so I've taken it personally. And I just don't understand what happened? What motivates someone to treat another person that way? Call it Karma or whatever, but it ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me (I'll just end it right there). Yes, I should talk to this person, but there's still the possibility that he could fuck up the cool things that's happening in my life so I'll just have to always wonder. But it connects to that - who raised you question.

I guess this is a little narcissistic as the "who raised you" question assumes that I'm right and these fuckers are wrong as opposed to me and my kind are just different than these people and theirs. But I'd rather be wrong on the side of treating people humanely or not screwing up the environment. I think I had a pretty laisse faire upbringing. Sure, there were obvious influences, but I don't remember any kind of ideology drummed into my head. If there was any, it would have been the other way, but for the most part I was left to figure this shit out on my own. And from that, I've decided that we don't need to fuck each other over to get what we want.

I've probably made this point before...let's say your goal is to say "fuck all" (I've been listening to a lot of Eddie Izzard lately). I'm going to try to make as much money as possible and screw every one else. Fine. Why can't I be a capitalist pig by trying to get monopoly in alternative energy or in food that doesn't create huge piles of animal feces that does horrible things to us.

Alright...enough of that. On a lighter note. The latest podcast is up. If you haven't checked it out yet, I suggest you do so. We have a good time creating the thing.

Labels: capitalism, environment, podcast, raising children

I don't get a chance to read a lot of other people's blogs. Especially when I do, every post starts out with some variation of: I'm sorry I haven't posted in a long time. The fact is blogging is like every thing else connected with technology. We get attracted by the shininess of something new, then it gets old - quick. I know some folks who have had pages on Livejournal for years...literally. And they only post once in a while. Having said that...

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a such a long time!

So, not to get too Livejournally, but I just got a job in Hawaii and I have to move in July. I've been flailing around trying to get my act together.

I'll be catching up with a bunch of stuff some time tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, catch the new Stuart Bedasso Show. It rocks the Hizzow!