An Oscar for Global Warming

Much is being made of Al Gore's Oscar win for his movie An Inconvenient Truth. Conservatives, such as the always insensitive and narrow-minded Ann Coulter, claim that it's more liberal propaganda from a bloated hypocrite, that Hollywood just can't get enough of something that might kick Bush right in the testicles. Maybe. But it's striking to me how partisan some conservatives made that award, and how neutral those crazy Hollywood lefties kept it. There was no "Bush is a polluting devil" on Melissa Etheridge's slides.

I congratulate Gore. He's genuinely worried about an issue that may dramatically affect the world (granted, generations from now) and he's trying to do his part. When the vast majority of experts in the field of global warming are saying mankind is negatively impacting the environment, who the hell is Ann Coulter to refute that information? It's as if she, and those like her, seized on the few dissenting scientific opinions in order to justify another fight with liberal tree-huggers. Why should we immediately shun the information as liberal propaganda? At the very least, we ought to be acting like global warming is man-made until definitive proof comes out to the contrary. Why is that foolish and unreasonable? This is certainly an issue on which it's better to be safe than sorry.

Man With No Chin Drops From Presidential Race

That's about as much as anyone outside the state of Iowa knows about Tom Vilsack, who announced today that he's dropping out of the 2008 race. Shockingly, he cited lack of widespread recognition and lack of funds as the primary reasons. A man from Iowa who thinks he has a shot in hell campaigning against Clinton, Edwards, and Obama is far too naive to be president. Depsite lack of name recognition, he would have collapsed trying to run on a weak platform, focused mainly on alternative energy (admirable but trite). And his recent criticism of the Iraq War backed up by the oh-so-brilliant plan to cut funding would appeal to a minority of voters. The majority of Americans want to end the war and bring the troops home, but very few are willing to cut funding to our soldiers.

Fair and Balanced Moment of the Day

FOX News on Hillary and Obama...

"Presidential wannabees at war over Clinton's call for Obama to return contribution from David Geffen, former 'Friend of Bill'"

McCain's Flipping Will Flop

While campaigning for the GOP nom in 1999, Sen. McCain announced himself as a pro-life candidate, who told reporters "in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade.” Now, in an effort to curry the conservative vote, the Senator has decided against his earlier statement/feelings. At an event in South Carolina, he had this to say about the Supreme Court ruling, "I do not support Roe vs. Wade. It should be overturned".

If he truly had a change a heart, then that's his right. However, if he did it for political gain, then I disagree with his and his team's assessment of where most Americans stand on the issue. I think that after eight years of Bush, America is wary of anything resembling him, particularly a candidate who would keep moral debates at the forefront of politics. Bush's approval ratings are lagging for reasons beyond the Iraq war (although Iraq is certainly the largest component). Americans are tired of wasting time on moral issues the federal government should not be involved in. I think McCain is only hurting himself by announcing he would waste more time fighting something most Americans believe should be legal. I understand that evangelicals are key to the GOP primary, but to denounce Roe v Wade may be an unnecessary and ultimately fatal step.

New Jersey Accepts Gay Unions

I support New Jersey's efforts to show some respect to homosexuals. In a country where some cry out for the sanctity of marriage I have a hard time keeping a straight face. We are a country with a divorce rate of around 50%, where a person like Britney Spears is just a silly girl for getting married and divorced within a 24 hr period, and where hypocrites like Ted Haggard have a voice. I think it only fair that gay couples receive some of the entitlements married couples have.

I'm tired of listening to holier-than-thou Bible thumpers claiming it will be the end of this country to pass such laws. I'm tired of the utterly ridiculous hypotheticals that homosexual unions and marriages are compared to. Bestiality is my favorite. "Well if we allow this, then what's to stop a man from marrying a pig?". Everything, not to mention the fact that a pig cannot enter into a legal contract (i.e. marriage).

Marriage, in my opinion, is between a man and woman, but why should two gays who have been together for 15 years and who love each other deeply be prevented from receiving some of the same entitlements granted to two straight people who cheat on each other? Are we supposed to be afraid that by allowing unions we'll trigger a chain reaction of unstoppable homosexuality? That once it's allowed everyone will begin trying out for the other team? If so, it's an argument almost as ridiculous as the bestiality hypotheticals.

Those who cry out for the sanctity of marriage need to address the more pressing issue of accelerating divorce rates. The attitude among younger couples today who are weighing marriage is one of total ambivalence. If it works out, great. If it gets tough, we can always divorce. As a society we're taking the privilege of marriage for granted.

Worth a Thousand Words

This is a pic from the Rose Monday carnival parade in Mainz, Germany. This sort of irreverance towards Bush and the U.S. is unprecedented. We have never been held to a level of worldwide disregard such as we face today. This country has lost much of its standing atop the world.

I still believe this is the greatest nation, but no matter how great and powerful we are we still need other countries, whether it be China for cheap labor, the Middle East for oil, or Europe for political and military support against terrorist regimes like Iran. For example, the recent "evidence" of Iran's meddling in Iraq was immediately discredited as yet another fabrication by a war-mongering administration. Although Iran does have a hand in the current violence and is working towards a nuclear weapon, nothing short of a signed confession will sway world opinion. The leniency once granted the U.S. is fading quickly. The picture says quite a bit about where we stand and how far we have to go.

Tobacco Industry Finally Brought to Heel?

Bipartisan lawmakers are set to introduce a bill that would bring tobacco under the control of the FDA. This is a huge step from just a couple decades earlier when tobacco threw its weight around as it pleased, openly bribing legislators and targeting children. It's about time an industry that kills hundreds of thousands and costs the country billions in healthcare each year is held to standards and regulations.

I support a person's right to smoke. I take issue with the fact that the industry wielded so much power and clout over our government for so long that it was only recently that state and local governments have been successful at passing measures designed to limit second-hand smoke. For years, in spite of scientific research proving its health effects, non-smokers were forced to breath smoke in public places because essentially the smoker's rights were more important than the non-smoker's. I should be able to go into an enclosed public space anywhere in the country and not be subjected to someone imposing his or her deadly habit on me. It's hard to believe there was a time when one could smoke on planes or at work.

What's more, I often wonder how different our attitudes to marijuana might be if the histories of tobacco and marijuana were similar. In other words, if marijuana cultivation started out in colonial America and grew into a multi-billion dollar business with scores of lobbyists, would marijuana be legal and commonplace? I understand there are negative side effects to smoking weed, but none worse than the effects of smoking and drinking, yet those two are perfectly legal. I've never tried it, so this isn't meant to promote marijuana use. Just musing.

Hardaway to Gays: Stop Wanting Me So Much

Former NBA star Tim Hardaway recently voiced his hatred for homosexuals while a guest on a sports radio show...

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States (we're a separate world didn't you hear)! Maybe, but neither should stupidity and that hasn't stopped him from being accepted and having a successful career. He better be careful though, I hear that the more homophobic straight men act the more it turns the gays on. But surely he can handle it on a professional level, right?

"Something has to give. If you have 12 other ballplayers in your locker room that's upset and can't concentrate and always worried about him in the locker room or on the court or whatever, it's going to be hard for your teammates to win and accept him as a teammate."

They might rape their teammates the first chance they get. I'm sure when the clock is winding down and the game is on the line his gay teammate would ruin the whole thing by distracting his team with a giant hard-on. But would it not also distract the other team? I don't think he's carefully weighed this. Yes that's it! Teams should recruit gays. Afterall, gay people are so filled with sexual deviancy you just have to show them athletic, straight men and they can barely control themselves.

Fair, Balanced, and Sexy

Conservatives like Bill O'Reilly and Laura Ingraham seem to bask in the glory of identifying with FOX News and its standing as the bastion of conservative, moral values. However, the one thing I've noticed is the fact that nearly every time I visit the website there is either an article or video covering a racy, sex-related story. Take a look at some of the recent video headlines...

"Class Dismissed" (Florida teacher quits to pose for Playboy)
"Not Your Average Bookworm" (half-naked female engineering students pose for calendar)
"Hot Heroes!" (elite marine unit poses for calendar)
"Protecting Animals?" (naked state of the union speech from PETA woman)

I visit several news websites each day and FOX definitely has the lead on sexually charged stories. But I'm sure this has nothing to do with the pursuit of ratings (much like those dreadful, value-destroying media outlets like CNN and NBC do) and everything to do with exposing the vile present in society that the liberal media has created. "The internet and some media have hit traditional values hard". Yes they certainly have Bill.

When Animals Betray

Cheetahs at a Belgian zoo mauled a woman to death after she snuck into their enclosure. The Olmense Zoo spokeswoman had this to say...

"Karen loved animals. Unfortunately the cheetahs betrayed her trust"

I hate it when wild animals betray my trust. Just the other day I was feeding a great white in the Med and it nearly took my hand off! The audacity! Last time I try to give it extra chum.

Ahmadinejad: Not Evil, Just Misunderstood

And if you believe that, I have ocean front property in Arizona for you. According to the president of Iran...

"Our position regarding Iraq is very clear. We are asking for peace. We’re asking for security. And we will be sad to see people get killed, no matter who they are,”

This coming from a man who denies the holocaust occurred, openly calls for the destruction of Israel, and desires to spread the Shia faith by annihilating the Sunni. It's absurd. Unfortunately we have no choice but to endure the charade. Even if the evidence coming from the administration about Iran's invlovement is real, the administration lost so much credibility with the world and its own people during the Iraq WMD debacle that we'd have a hard time justifying the use of force against Iran.

Iran has a hand in the current violence in Iraq, and the greatest threat they pose, nuclear arms, is still a couple of years off according to experts. The best we can do is pursue economic sanctions and multilateral negotiations with the country and allow factors out of our control to take effect. Ahmedinejad has benefited greatly from high oil prices. As those continue to decline (hopefully), the populist agenda will be greatly weakened when the government no longer has petty cash to throw at problems. What cash they have used seems to have been badly allocated, as infrastructure is deteriorating and unemployment is extremely high. Furthermore, there is growing resistance within Iran to the president and his nuclear ambitions, as well as his fiscal policies. Interjection by America would only flip that resistance to support.

There's one thing I found amusing about the press conference regarding the recent evidence of Iran's involvement. White House spokesman Tony Snow had this to say...

"This is providing — presenting evidence to the effect that there’s been the shipment of weaponry, lethal weaponry into Iraq, some of it of Iranian providence,”..."And this is something that we think if the president of Iran wants to put a stop to it, we wish him luck and hope he’ll do it real soon.”

"Lethal weaponry"? Would they ship another kind?

"We wish him luck and hope he'll do it real soon"? Is the guy changing jobs? "Good luck in accounting Bob, stop by and say hello anytime."

Morbid but Fitting...

that a women like Anna Nicole Smith, who exploited people for financial gain for most of her life, was herself exploited in death, with final footage of her commanding $500,000. I'm tired of hearing about her. It's unfortunate, but their are far more pressing issues to deal with (Iran, Iraq, healthcare, education, talking urinal cakes). Her greatest impact will probably be on her infant daughter, who will eventually have to deal with the fact that her mother was a famous whore who screwed old guys for money and recognition, who named her after after a son who overdosed, and who overdosed as well.

Your Urinal Cake Said What?

"Hey, you! Yeah, you! Having a few drinks? Then, listen up! Think you've had one too many? Maybe it's time to call a cab or call a sober friend for a ride home. It's sure safer and a hell of a lot cheaper than a DWI! Make the smart choice tonight. Don't drink and drive!"

This is New York's pitch to drunken men via talking urinal cakes in an effort to prevent drunk driving, and it's quite possibly the greatest invention in quite a long time. Men seem to think with their johnson's, particularly when their drunk, right? So why not go right to the source?

Praise the Lord! Haggard is Cured!

After three weeks of intensive counseling, Ted Haggard is "completely heterosexual". The idea that a man who is clearly homosexual, or at least bisexual, could be cured of this like someone might cure a disease is laughable. He's gay, and no matter how hard they pray to the Lord to reverse his gayness those tendencies will always be there. It's amazing that some people can convince themselves that homosexuality is a choice, that a person might choose to suffer the kind of ridicule that many homosexuals suffer. It also seems ridiculous that a group that worships a merciful being like Jesus could only find Haggard acceptable upon his conversion.

Vote Grabbing or Change of Heart?

Two events have weighed most heavily on Mitt Romney's thoughts on abortion: the death of a relative to an illegal abortion (in the 60s prior to Roe v Wade) and an interview with a stem cell reseacher who said (as restated by Romney), "This really isn't a moral issue, because the embryos are terminated or destroyed at 14 days". After the first incident he decided he was pro-choice. After the second, and more recent incident, he decided that he is pro-life. I'm not certain how you can come out against Roe v Wade based on stem cell research, as they seem like two different issues to me, but I'll go with it.

I won't judge the man on whether he truly had a change of heart. Only he can answer that. However, I will fault his logic and the logic of so many pro-lifers. A loved one who died because she wanted an abortion and was forced to pursue it illegally means less than a scientist discarding 14 day-old embryos? Brilliant! Romney for President! That first incident is exactly why we need to keep abortion legal.

Pistols at Dawn

Whatever happened to pistols at dawn? Today it's counseling twice a week. Call your co-star a faggot? "I'm seeking counseling." Have an affair with your campaign manager's wife? "I'm seeking counseling." Spout anti-Semitic, sexist remarks to police? "I'm seeking counseling." Those seem to be the magic words these days. People make mistakes, but most mistakes don't require counseling. It only draws more attention to the mistake and causes the media to press for counseling updates. The best thing you can do is make amends with the injured party (or in Gibson's case parties) and move on. We've fallen so far since pistols at dawn. The only thing left is kumbaya.

Selling Band-Aids to Buy Battleships

It makes no sense to me how we can pay for a massively expensive war (Bush is seeking $245 billion for '07 and '08) while holding down taxes, the government's largest source of revenue. According to Bush it can be done by making a few cuts here and few cuts there, such as in healthcare and agricultural subsidies. I don't doubt that there is plenty of room in government spending to make cuts. I doubt how realistic the promise is. For instance, this country has a long history of farm subsidies, and agriculture lobbyists have gotten fat fighting that war for farmers. So when push comes to shove, is Bush, or more precisely Republicans who need the rural vote in 2008, really going to push for, and win, the necessary cuts?

Who'd a Thunk It?

If someone had told me that Texas would be the first state to require STD/cervical cancer vaccinations for girls, I would have told them they're crazy. But not to disappoint, conservative opponents are voicing their concern, citing increased promiscuity among girls. Of course! Get the shot, have sex. The thought process, or lack thereof, among religious conservatives never ceases to amaze me. This is not about sex. This is about prevention of a deadly disease. Besides, in the heat of the moment, when the passion is flowing between two sixteen year olds, the girl is not going to stop and think "wait, I didn't get the shot yet". This is up there with arguments against safe sex education.

Teenagers are going to have sex and little can influence them otherwise - not lack of shots and not lack of condoms. Religious conservatives just can't get their heads around this. Abstinence teaching alone is ridiculous, as is blocking passage of a bill requiring that all girls get a shot that not only prevents STDs, but also prevents cervical cancer. The best that parents can hope for is that they raised their children well enough to abstain, but in light of the fact that kids have sex, and at ever-decreasing ages, it is absurd not educate them on how to protect themselves.

Why We Won't Go To War With Iran

Iran is certainly a greater threat to regional stability and the U.S. than Iraq was. However, there are several reasons Bush will not engage that country militarily, unless legitimately provoked (e.g. an attack on a U.S. base).

The U.S. is not able to fight a two-front war with Iraq and Iran. Iraq is already more than we can handle. Unfortunately, Ahmadinejad realizes this and knows he has significant room to push back against our diplomacy and our threats. The only way we could engage them is to enlist a multinational force, but in the absence of widespread serious condemnation of Iran (and, for that matter, widespread support of U.S. policy) that force would be hard to come by.

There may be enough of a movement within Iran to rule out military force. In other words, change may be possible from within. Many Iranians reject extreme Islamist culture, such as Sharia, in favor of a more Western, liberal lifestyle. Furthermore, a large percentage of Iranians have no interest in the nuclear ambitions of the president and are uncomfortable with the ire that has been directed at their country.

Diplomacy is the best course ahead of us, but we should not be afraid to flex our muscles.