Another year older...

...and what have you done? Me? not much,, just tried to get through the days, weeks months and the year, safe, sound, fed and happy.

(One thing I can say is that Bono deserves the Noble prize for his efforts (over the last decade or more) on African Debt Relief and the support he has been able to muster to assist Africa in many ways. )

John Lennon asked this question (...and what have you done, lyric from "so this is Christmas) about 30 years ago. Some days it seems that not much has improved since the day he died 25 years ago this past December 8th. We still have a federal government that most of us mistrust. A governement that can monitor any and all of our activities without a warrant (just like when the FBI followed John Lennon for years prior to the 1978 FISA act.) We have gotten more bogged down in this Iraq "war". A "war" that is more about ideology than it is about our direct safety. We are still arguing over tax cuts and trickledown economics, while all those people in New Orleans are still without homes, jobs, nor much hope.

The political pundits in America continue their assault on ex-presidents, like Jimmy Carter, making him out to be some "Islamic Jihadist lover", "terrorist coddler" and "America hater",. All massive fabrications to keep their "Conservative Movement" alive.

Nothing gets done to support the lower or middle classes.

Average wages in America continue to drop, while Wal-mart continues to take market share.

GM/Delphi, Ford/Visteon, Northwest Airlines, United Air, etc., all breaking unions, and defaulting on pensions. Pensions that the middle class will largely end up paying by accepting reduced pension benefits (what were supposed to be guaranteed) and subsidising the Federal Pension Guarantee fund.

Those with the most money keep on crying that they pay more in percentage then everyone else, totally ignoring the OTHER fact that they have more take home money (both in actual dollars as well as percentge of total US take home income). These people conveniently forget that they have the luxury of living in the largest, most secure and most prosperous land of opportunity in the world. Guess what, SOMEONE has to pay for that and why not those that get the largest (by a FAR margin) monetary benefit.

So that is the good news, I guess, that we (those here in America) still live in a place that remains the greatest land of opporunity. For all of us born here and for all of us that have decided that they would prefer to live here (and have then migrated here legally).

I want to have great hopes for 2006. With this being an election year and our politics still highly partisan, I have doubts for 2006. But I have a very positive view of the longer term future (i.e. 2007-2057. Every thing has its cycle and I believe that our current woes are a neccessary part of helping us understand what it important and what is not important. By 2008 or so, I think our collective American conscience will reach a state of enlightenment where we can collectively build a positive, peaceful and prosperous future for ALL mankind, not just for Americans.

Peace, Namaste, Respect, check-it, yo, Roger Wilco, over and out.

E

Patriot Act, Schmatriot Act.

Let's be honest with each other here... With the recent revelations about the Bush Administration's domestic surveillance policy(authorizing domestic spying, wire taps, electronic surveillance, on American citizens and ALL without warrants), why would we even need the PATROIT Act. Okay, some of you will say "we need it for other things". Well, my comment to you is this - Why can't President Bush just "order" whatever action he sees fit, if he thinks the action is critical to our national security? Why bother having the "Patriot Act" that provides broad law enforcement powers when all we need to do is have the President simply "authorize" whatever action is required, whenever he wants it??

Some people have said that Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton both had (an implied "used") these exact powers during their terms. It is interesting to note that those that have made this specific mention conveniently leave out Reagan and Bush 41. If Carter "had" these powers then so did Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush. Why are these two GOP Presidents not included in this feeble attempt at a rebuttal?? Because the partisanship of the people that want to defend George W. Bush's current actions do not mesh well with the entire truth. Deception is the only way to deflect any real, open, honest discussion on this issue.

Let's pretend, for a moment, that Carter and Clinton both DID do what Bush has done? Does that still make it right? Are we to just drop the issue just because two Democratic Presidents did this too? The "Clinton did it" defense used by the Bushites ad nauseam, must stop!

My challenge to anyone that does not think this is a big deal, and to those that believe that Carter and Clinton both did exactly what Bush 43 has done, is to show us SPECIFICALLY where, when and how Carter and Clinton went around the FISA court.

How about a little history lesson on the FISA court for those that are not clear on the issue??

The FISA court was created in 1978 and was specifically put in place in order to allow quick decisions and actions in the name of national security. The FISA court is secretive. The judges that sit on this court are not publicly known. The merits of the cases that come before them are not public knowledge. It is very important to note that the FISA court only requires that the administration have their ducks in a row. Within 72 hours of a Presidential authorized wire tap/spying event, someone from the administration must appear before the FISA court and provide documentation as to why the surveilence is required. Since 1978 the court has heard more than 19,000 cases where surviellance / spying /wire taps, etc., was initiated without a warrant. A handful of these cases were either dropped or required resubmission due to incomplete data. All the rest of the cases were approved. In 2004, 1758 requests were received by the court. Three were withdrawn and one resubmitted and eventually approved. The court did not deny, in whole or in part, any application submitted to the Government in 2004.

So, back to the original question on the need for the Patriot Act. If the Administration feels empowered to bypass the secretive FISA court, then where will they stop? Why would the Bush administration stop just because the Patriot Act does not give them the power that they require? The FISA act of 1978 was pushed aside without any hesitation, so we must assume that the same thing can and will happen when the Patriot Act gets in Georgie's way.

The leftists in the world are starting to sound more and more relevant with each passing day of the current Bush administration. The calls from the left for King George to be stopped are starting to sound less and less like radical rhetoric and more like patriotic challenges to the American people. Challenges that require the American people to stand up, take notice and to take action.

As someone much older and wiser than I once authored:

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. "

People!!! We have two choices on this issue. We can either stand up for our collective liberty or, you can remain satisfied with the quality of cake that George & Co. currently allows to you eat.

"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" March 23, 1775
By Patrick Henry

Hey Goomba!!

So I am having this discussion back stage at the Ann Arbor Ark this past monday. Tommy (Sax master and accordian neophite) is going into another rap/rant/impromtu comedy bit and he ends the tirade with "Hey, Goomba!". Having heard this term before, my good friend (and drummer extraordinaire) Jim asks, "you know, my Dad used to say that all the time, what the heck does that mean?". I chime in to say that I think it means "friend / pal / buddie". I then go on to caution that it COULD be a derogatory term thus, we might not want to be dropping the G - bomb, especially at a public / charity event.

So, I have been thinking about this word for a few days and decided that I would ask my good friend and co-worker Ralph (who is as Italian as the day is long) what the heck "Goomba" means. Last night was the company christmas party and we had the gathering at Buca di Beppo's on 6 mile in Livonia/Northville. It is a nice place that serves southern Italian cuisine "family style". If you have a large group of people and everyone is down with Italian, it is a good choice (the Tiramisu is amazing). Oh, and try to reserve the Pope room if it is available.

Back at the office, before heading out for our holiday feast, we were all talking about how to get to the restaurant and how to avoid the mall traffic. During this conversation, someone finally asks "what the heck does Buca di Beppo mean anyway??" As it turns out, it means "Joe's basement". Go figure. Well, seemed like a perfect time to ask about the Goomba, but, being the absent-minded individual that I am, I failed to ask.

So, on to Buca di Beppo, where I am one of the first to arrive. I decide to go to the men's room before everyone else gets there and what do I see on the door? The word "Goomba's". So, without asking, sounding silly or ignorant by thowing out a potential slanderous word, all is revealed to me with a simple trip to the rest room.

SIDE NOTE: Now, if you are ever in a Buca di Beppo, make sure you visit the rest room and for the women readers out there, make a special trip to the Goomba's room. The art work in there is quite unique and many a woman have been found peeking in the Goomba's room just to get a look at the decor.

So, what would be the moral/morals learned of this story?

1. You dont need to assume that an ethnic word or term is deragatory. But you may want to check it out first anyway.
2. Be patient, and all will be revealed to you, in time.
3. Women can be just as curious as men.

and

4. Sophia Loren was, is and always will be HOT, HOT, HOT.. (did I mention that there were pictures of her all over the restaurant, but NOT in the Goomba's room?)

Ciao,

Let it snow

Its beginning to look like a white Christmas this year in Michigan. There is still a chance of some warm air and rain for this weekend but, I believe that the forecasters will be off by just a few degrees and we will stay white for baby J's B-Day..

So, if you are looking for some holiday fun (besides watching Elf, per the last post), then why not make your own personal, on-line SNOW FLAKE. I have to admit that I was mezmerized by this site.

Well, this week will be light.. I have to wrap up work for the year by this Thursday, I also have a few last minute rehearsals for a show on New Years Eve, and of course I have some last minute shopping and details to take care of for this weekend's Holiday festivities.. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..

One of the funniest men on earth

Believe it or not, there was a time when I did not care much for Will Ferrell. But since the movie Elf, (already a holiday classic) and after seeing Will's George W. Bush impressions, I have drastically changed my view.

In case you missed one of his last performances on SNL, I will post THIS MUST SEE clip which has gained legendary status. Just do a search on the internet for "I gotta have more cowbell" and you will get back a plethora of web sites to choose from. Kudos to the oustanding performance of one of my long time favorite actors - Christoper Walken. (I only wish he would actually run, he would get my vote.)

Oh, and since we are talking about elves.. you really should get your Elf name or Hobbit name and begin using your new name for all internet correspondence. (the crazy things that happen when you are surfing the net.)

Sincerely,

Mr. Drogo Proudfoot

Only women bleed

What, me worry??

Women need to read Mad magazine.. If they did, then hey may be able to understand men better. Then again, maybe women will never "get" Mad Magazine, and perhaps they could give a rats ass about understanding men anyway. (You know, now that I am mentioning it,, is Mad Magazine even still in print???)

But first, allow me to stop and provide the following disclaimer.

The following text may contain sarcasm and ill advised attempts at humor. IF, you question a sense of sarcasm that offends you, PLEASE be certain that any preceived sarcasm, in no way, actually exists. I like women, I admire women and I love women. I am a lowly male and bow to every and all women. Finally, I DO believe Alice Cooper when he says that only women bleed. Okay, so now that we are clear on that!

I happened to catch Maureen Dowd's interview with David Letterman this week and after seeing this interview, I firmly believe in the old adage that "men will never fully understand women". With each passing day, I believe this adage to be more true. Having said that, there are days where I, for whatever reason, still think I actually do have the capacity to understand women. So, various contimplations and discussions occur. Sometime with the boys, and sometimes in the privacy of the mind.. The following would be the latter.

So... although I sometimes agree with Maureen's weekly musings in her articles, occassionally I am left feeling that she can be a cynical bitch. Often, this could be chaulked up to my inability to truly understand women. However, I believe that I am a good judge of character (one thing that my father does have right about me) and I am pretty certain that she has the capacity to be a sardonic ball-breaker. Now, I rarely, if ever agree with Ann Coulter, and she also often comes across as a sarcastic she-dog as well. Now, both are attractive, in their own way. Both are intelligent, well read, successful women (now, dont get me started on Ann's adams apple.) But, my god, they can both come across as man-hating-she-devils at times. What we really need is a female Jerry Springer.

Oh yea, we already have one, Oprah.!!

Oprah seems to me to be a beautiful women. Perhaps her physical beauty is not to every mans taste but she really seems like a kind, generous and caring person. She seems to have a very positive inner energy. She appears to embody a lot of what womenhood is. Wouldn't it be nice if she could take Hillary's place in politics and run for President in 2008. I bet she would win in a landslide.

Alas, this tirade wilst NOT degenerate into the political. For THIS post is about the higher gender, the goddess species, the motherly ones, the soft, sweet, sensitive, soulful creatures that are WOMEN.

So I wonder, what can we, the lesser of the two genders, possibly learn about women. Okay, I already conceeded that point, men will never understand women. Perhaps, though, we men can learn something FROM women?? What men need to do is to take time out to listen TO women. What a great world it would be if men would listen to women more, get their insights, respond to their needs and.... Okay, okay,, forget it,, I give up... but at least I tried for a moment to be Mr. sensitive and NOT be the normal everyday male that likes gutter humor, is mesmerized by Sports in HD, and guy typical guy stuff and,

HEY,, I just found Mad Magazine on line!! I will have to get back to you on this important subject later.. uh, sorry to cut this short,, gotta go...........................

POP goes the weasel!!

So Tookie is dead.

Instead of a cap in his ass, he got the lethal in-jekshun.

Do we all feel better now?

I, for one, don’t feel a bit better now that the evil Tookie is no longer taking up space in San Quentin.

I heard Jerry Springer say today that we should have televised executions. What a great idea! And for any of you that object to this idea, I hope you are not pro-death penalty. If you are for the death penalty but you believe that the televising an execution is too horrific, don’t you need to consider if the act of execution itself is too horrific?

Stan Williams was convicted of a capital crime, for which the penalty was determined to be execution. Those are the current laws under which we (at least we in California) live. Changing this sentence, without any material change or addition to the evidence, seems arbitrary. Whether or not Tookie found Jesus, Jah, redemption, or lint in his navel is really a moot point. There is nothing in our law books that state redemption is a reason for clemency. Besides that, how could we prove his redemption? How would we measure the level of his redemption and who would decide to what level of redemption was appropriate to commute a death sentence? Ahh-nold ?? I think not!

The big question really is, does the death penalty deter criminals from committing capital crimes. A lot of information that I have seen says no (although the answer is not clear). Assuming the answer is no then why would we continue executions? The only reason that makes sense would be that we are simply executing out of spite. If we were living under a religious fundamentalist governmental system then our spiritual leaders would hand down these edicts to us and we would accept them. But we live in America where we decide our laws by a system of representative government that has certain checks and balances. Unfortunately for Tookie, our public will has not had the opportunity to express itself in time to provide him with any saving grace. Currently the country is split down the middle on the death penalty. However, the trend of public opinion is turning away from the death penalty.

I would agree that the question of deterrence is not a clear-cut answer. So, we move on to the simple fact of cost. There is a significant amount of evidence that shows that it is much more expensive to execute than it is to house a criminal for life. That being said, why not chose to be pragmatic, save the state money, and make these criminals live with their crimes, attempting find their own Personal Jesus (or not).

But in the end, if Stan “Tookie” Williams has honestly found his redemption then it matters not that we executed him. If he did not find redemption then we did him a favor by allowing him the coward’s way out.

Either way, he did not deserve our assistance with his path of life.

Keep it real!!

Patience is a virtue (I just don't have the time)

The grass IS always greener (over the septic tank).

If a PIG had wings, it would fly.

Put your mind in gear before you put your MOUTH into motion.

CHANGE, the only thing that is certain is that things will change.

Adios,

It IS sunday

not that sunday has anything to do with it...

There are as many names for God as there are tongues to speak them.
There are as many faces of God as there are eyes to behold them.
There are as many paths to God as there are pilgrims to walk them.

No name is the complete name.
No face is the complete face.
No path is the complete path.

- unknown author. (not me)

F-ing Technology

I fucking can't stand technology some days. And I work in the technology field!! (glutton for punishment?) Some days, I feel like shooting my PC.. If I only had a gun. But that is a topic for another day.. Back to the technology nightmare. So, I have been working on things like Web Pages, personal web pages, Blogs (like this one), Avatars, local forum sites, Yahoo sub accounts and Yahoo disposable email accounts. I must say that although Yahoo treats me fairly well, and they DO have a lot to offer, their account controls are for shit. They have some of the most UN-inuitive control tools. I have spun myself around their site, logging in again and again all the while accomplishing nothing. So, one has to wonder, is it me? I AM the only common denominator here. But, perhaps there are others out there in cyberspace who have experienced the same frustrations? Perhaps someone can show me the light and lead me to the Technology Mecca where all my technology frustrations will be relieved and I will receive my 77 virgins. Oh, I guess I have to become a martyr first for that last part. Again, another topic for another day..

Today is Saturday, and to Dearborn I will go, holiday shopping and possibly IMAXing.. Tomorrow, a day of rest and then, back to work... in front of my damn PC,, selling fricking technology!!

Anybody got an extra AK47 that they would let me rent for an hour??

Namaste,

New from Holland - Dec. 9, 2005

Most of you who know me, know that I have fairly liberal views on drugs, specifically marijuana and THC. And this has nothing to do with me wanting to personally use it or not. It has everything to do with fairness, honesty, medical advancement, and MONEY. You would FREAK OUT if you knew how much money we spend as a nation busting pot heads (not to mention the cost of ruining people lives). If you have a chance, rent the movie "Grass" (which is very nicely narrated by Woody Harleson). It will open your eyes to the racism that was at the root of the demonization of Marijuana. That demonization is still very prevalent today. You will also see that the money we are spending on "the war on drugs" is a complete black hole. We should redirect all this money on education and inner city rehabilitiation.


What boggles my mind is that the people (specifically here in America) have spoken many times on this issue but our Federal Government (currently run by Republicans who are supposed to be the champions of States Rights) continue to deny our public will. At least 10 states have legalized medical marijuana. Many more cities have also legalized Marijuana for medical use. Here in Michigan, Ferndale, Detroit and Ann Arbor have all legalized medical marijuana. Ann Arbor still has one of the most liberal decrimilization laws on the books ($25 civil citation for possession of one oz. or less - but be certain to be on CITY property and not U of M property where state law applies).

Just recently, Denver, Colorado, legalized RECREATIONAL Marijuana . The people of the great city of Denver have decided, very democratically, that they see no benefit in busting citizens that happen to choose to smoke their beer in stead of drink it.

So, all is well and good in Scooby Doo land, right? Not so fast!! Here come the Feds. When "states rights" fit the GOP agenda (like getting rid of Row v. Wade) then, by all means, lets let the states decide (that is what the GOP says). But when it comes to the EVIL WEED that will GATEWAY our children straight to Extacy, cocaine, crack, meth and ultimatley Heroine, the Feds must step in and save ourselves from our own "ignorance".

But why are we ignorant at all? One reason is that, the federal government STILL classifies Marijuana as a Class 1 narcotic. A Class 1 narcotic is defined as a drug that has NO MEDICINAL VALUE and thus can not be researched in any way. Do you think it could help a cancer paient with their vomiting? Or a glacoma patient with ther head pain? TOO BAD, we can not even test to see if this drug is helpful because it is classified as it is. So, why don't we just change this classification? Becuase that would lead to massive research and we would be able to PROVE the medicinal benefits and debunk many of the myths associated with THC. But I believe the biggest reason for not making pot legal is because you can grow it in your back yard far to easily and the drug Co's would not be able to cash in on our pain. Yes, this last part is a bit of wild eyed opinion but that is what this place is for, right?

Now, all is not dour in freedomland as there are some signs of progress. I already noted Denver but there are other positive signs, at least in other parts of the world.

Dutch politicians back plan to regulate marijuana farms

I have heard some things about changes in Amsterdam, that they have rolled back some of their liberal marijuana policies, but alas, these are simply vicious rumors. This article seems to point toward a possible positive step toward total normalization and real regulation. This could end up being a standard for other countries to follow but America, of course, will reject this as Euro liberal/socialism and will continue the unfounded rhetoric against Europe and anything foreign. God forbid that the US of A were to learn anything from some other country!

What we need is rational people in congress. Republican or Democrat, Green or Independent, I dont care. Just pragmatic, honest, intelligent, rational minded people that can cut through the stupid bull shit that we waste our time on (i.e. the war on drugs, the war on gay marrage, the war on christmas, the war on abortion) and get to work on fixing the real problems that we face (the de-industrialization of america, national healthcare, REAL public education - K-16, inner city redevelopment, Pension/retirement/social security).

Imagine what we could do with the HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS that we spent on the "War on drugs" , the "War in Iraq" , etc., etc.... -

Hey, we are still allowed to dream, right? Happy Christmas John (Lennon) War is over (soon)!

Peace out!

Welcome to Miami - December 08, 2005

I just got back from Miami and I gotta tell ya, what a whacked out world we live in. The weather was great, so was the food and the company. The Art Basel crowd was in town so that made me feel a little more at home (as I like hanging out with the art crowd) but there was not enough of the undergroud crowd, at least for my taste. I think the Art Basel crowd is a little more high end, just like the general South Beach crowd. Sitting on Lincoln Road, people watching (and listening), you can sit there for an hour watching people walk by, almost all beautiful people and almost NONE speaking english. Not sure if people are going out of their way to not speak english but it is a bit odd to hear NO ONE speaking english. This IS still part of America, correct?

Well, I am glad that I left on Monday,., The airport must have been a mess after they shot that guy on the jet way yesterday. (Man shot by airplane marshall on jetway, check yesterdays news). I am about done with air travel. Not only do I have to remove my shoes, belt, jacket, etc., but now they put you in this air booth, shut the doors and blow air up your shirt and ass. The machine then monitors the air for about 30 seconds before you can move on. Sorry, but if I am going to be a bomber, I am going to have someone else make and touch the gunpowder or at least I am going to shower up and change my clothes after I touch the explosives. But maybe these suicide bombers ARE as dumb as our govt. thinks they are. I mean, all I have to say about the CIA is George "slam dunk" Tenent (awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor by Bush himself).

If you get a chance to go to Miami, DO IT.. Bring plenty of cash and make sure to eat breakfast at the Pelican on the beach in south beach. And be sure to tell em - Eddie sent ya.

Peace,