Nice guy. Cool guy. It's a shame to see him go. It's one thing when a scumbag like Tupac or Biggie gets it for being a piece of shit. It's another thing entirely when your message was positive, you were a nice, rather humble fellow, and you drop dead before your time. He will be missed. Wonder what he's cooking up right now with Jammaster Jay. Guess we will have to wait a while to find out.

mal wrote:
] Apparently a small majority of the voters have not been paying
] attention the past 4 years or else in some sort of
] Harrison-Bergeron-like trance they can look at Bush and say,
] "I know he's a complete idiot but he's trying so hard."
]
] This is a collection of things hje really said. I remember
] hearing some of them during the debates. I laughed so hard I
] cried, then I just cried. :)
]
] ] "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
] They
] ] never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and
] our
] ] people, and neither do we." —George W. Bush, Washington,
] D.C., Aug.
] ] 5, 2004 (Watch video clip)

People voted for him because the democratic party doesn't have it's shit together at all. Let's face it, if everyone could vote in the primaries, not just registered dems, then the party would NOT have nominated Kerry and, in turn, Edwards would not have hicked his way onto the ballot either. If the dems just folded and found themselves replaced by the Greens, then Bush would be packing his bags now. No true liberal wants to see Bush in office, but they definitely don't want to be pandered to by a democratic party so out of touch with america that their primary message is not what they can do for our country, but rather "Bush is evil," "Bush is stupid," "WE can't take another four years of Republican policies," or "Only morons vote republican." How many Reagan democrats might kiss the democrat part goodbye when confronted with such an ideology. The Democrats have tried to make themselves the "thinking man's party," but in doing so they lack action, one concise plan and the ability to sway moderate voters. It's kind of funny, because other than abortion rights, welfare and defense spending, they are beginning to be a mirror image of the Republican party, which has itself grown more moderate over the past ten years. Now, on the subject of Bush's intelligence, it appears to be absent. However, his cabinet (excepting Rumsfeld and Ashcroft), are awfully smart in their handling of national affairs, and they are very well-spoken. Certainly we could compare Bush to Al Gore, whom no one seemed to hate when in fact he was as much of an idiot, career politician and fortunate son as the current Commander in Chief. Let's face it, people who polarize two-party american politics don't know a whole helluva lot about politics in America. The liberals had a choice this time out (and last time out). He got one percent of the vote, but every vote cast for him was an intelligent form of protest against the pseudo-liberal conservatism of the democratic party. If the dems became more moderate on some issues and more left-leaning on others, they would have taken every election in my lifetime. Until people begin voting from the heart instead of their gut, our nation will be controlled by evil bastards. Not to harp on it, ... [ Read More (0.3k in body) ]

RE: How Could Anyone Have Voted for Him? (Bush-isms)

So, we live in a country where everyday, people break their backs to further the profits and political interests of a corporate structure that hates individual rights, yet demands that its own structure be treated as an individual in the eyes of the law. Sounds a bit fishy to me.

On the subject of Kerry's tax on those in the 200k or over tax bracket. Bush claims this is a bad idea because many small businesses file their business taxes personally and a tax such as this would hinder small businesses abilities to grow. Kerry dodges that issue to try to make the small taxpayer feel that he will only tax millionaires. Well, there's an 800,000 dollar difference between 200,000 dollars and a millionaire. There are two solutions available, but neither of these two jokers care to explore this.

Solution 1: Make the millionaire's tax only apply to millionaires. That seems logical enough.

Solution 2: Correct the situations that make it more beneficial for a business owner to file their taxes personally. Then, allow small business to recieve a tax cut while forcing those making over $200,000 to contribute to the greatness of America that allow them to rise to wealth.

On the subject of healthcare. Let's take a nasty look at things. The liberals believe we all deserve healthcare, but we had 8 years of this philosophy under Clinton and I still have no benefits. The conservatives wonder who the hell will fund such an undertaking and they point to the socialized medicine of canada, what with waiting lists and other such nonsense. This makes me think a bit. If it's a given that socialized healthcare would create breadlines at the doctor's offices and ER's of America, then there is a moot point being valued by the conservatives (of which I count myself a member, proudly). If socialized medicine would create these pill-lines, then so would the reality of every american working hard to get benefits. Even if everyone worked hard enough to pay cash for all healthcare needs, there would still be these pill-lines. It could be the fact that our society NEEDS a certain amount of "expendable poor" that will never recieve healthcare, no matter what, in order to meet the needs of the priviledged many. Sorry, but we cannot take care of everyone. The recent revelation of flu-shot vaccine shortages underscores (but does not stand as sufficient proof) of this very problem. I hear that the suggestion is that we save these limited supplies for infants and the elderly. That's nice, but, if I may show a tinge of heartlessness, let's forget about the elderly and infants for a minute. They do less for our society than any other demographic. I will take the flu vaccine, I have at least 50 more years of living to do, I have a job that needs me there and I have people who would miss me numbering upwards of 50 (three on memestreams.net). Granted, there are about twice as many people who would fancy me dead, but we must prioritize, here. ... [ Read More (0.3k in body) ]

John Edwards attempted to Kill Vice President Dick Cheney at the VP debate last night by trying to induce a heart attack in the poor old fellow. Cheney fought back the angina attacks and managed to win the debate and came across as a warm, Santa Clause-like granfathery figure. Edwards came across as a potential assassin. This was a wrestling match with no physical contact, but Cheney won the debate by going back to the conservative core of the republican party, in stark contrast to the neo-conservative slant that President George W. Bush presents. Just be glad that Lieberman wasn't vice president at the time of Sept. 11, 2001. Cheney knew what to do. Lieberman would have banned a few more movies and TV shows and Gore would have helped his wife ban music. In effect, Bush and Cheney may not be perfect, and their intell may sometimes lack substantial backing, but a Gore/Lieberman administration would have made us so much more like the Taliban controlled era of Afghanistan than we, as Americans, would have stood for. Well, maybe the die-hard demoncrats would have stood for it, but none of the true blue-blooded citizens that make our nation great. Congratulations to Mr. Cheney, and to think that they posted his obituary three years ago. Reports of his death may have been greatly overstated.

It has come to my attention that this guy must be autistic. He appeared, and has been nothing but a John Kerry cheerleader since I can last remember. He isn't exactly a liberal, since he supported Gore in 2000. But what is he? I think that he is a bot paid for by the Kerry campaign to overrun newsblogs and recommendation systems with propaganda. He has no info on his profile, and he offers no insight into anything. He seems to have no position based on issues. In short, he seems like one of those 60's college kids who chanted "McGovern" at rallies so that he would seem cool and get laid...or he's a bot. Weigh in on this.

dmv wrote:
] ] Seldom do I really answer those who criticize my work. In
] ] fact, the entire development of my career has been fueled
] ] by my ability to ignore denigrating and trivializing
] ] criticism as I realize my dreams and my goals. However
] ] there is something compelling about Amazon's willingness
] ] to publish just about anything, and the sheer outrageous
] ] stupidity of many things you've said here that actually
] ] touches my proletarian and Democratic soul. Also I use
] ] and enjoy Amazon and I do read the reviews of other
] ] people's books in many fields. In sum, I believe in what
] ] happens here. And so, I speak. First off, let me say that
] ] this is addressed only to some of you, who have posted
] ] outrageously negative comments here, and not to all. You
] ] are interrogating this text from the wrong perspective.
] ] Indeed, you aren't even reading it. You are projecting
] ] your own limitations on it.
]
] Anne Rice doesn't like people trashing her latest novel on
] Amazon.
]
] But really, she should know that regarding criticism -- and
] the inevitable trolls -- the only way to win is not to play at
] all
] (hers is comment between 211-220 when sorted oldest-first if
] this link doesn't work)

Okay Anne, you've apparently begged for this. Now, speaking as a fan of horror film and literature who is thoroughly sick of all things vampiric, I am perfectly qualified to respond to your very cantankerous rant (which may very well stand as my favorite piece penned by you). As a preface, I will state that the Vampire Chronicles have rarely interested me. I felt that Jordan fleshed out "Interview..." beautifully, limiting the source material's pretentiousness in ways that served your reputation better than it possibly deserved. Michael Rymer, on the other hand, captured all of that pretentiousness at the expense of anything that I could possibly deem entertaining. In fact, I have read the books themeselves and found that both adaptations improved upon your dry, overly-romanticized work. Christ, at least the Innovation comics adaptations gave me some nice paintings to look at while suffering through the stale tale. Now, Ramses the Damned, to be fair, was superior to the adaptation, but remember, I am a bit sick of vampires. Now, without further adieu, let's tackle your screed! Never in all my years have I seen such an unprofessional attack on fans by an author. Even Ricky Nelson had the decency to write his feelings on the matter into a song (see "Garden Party"). The level of Chutzpah that you have acheived here gives me pause and I approach this post with a tinge of admiration at your nerve. You have given your work five stars, which seems to classify you as either the ultimate egotist or clinically insane. Certainly, there is some aspect of this work that you feel could use a bit of... [ Read More (0.6k in body) ]

RE: Amazon.com: Books: Blood Canticle (The Vampire Chronicles)

Ralph Nader has made it on the Florida ballot, despite the best efforts of those bastions of tolerance and free-thought, the Democrats, to stifle his voice as a candidate. The funniest part of this article is when DNC chariman Terry McAuliffe says, "The fact that Ralph Nader secured a place on the Florida ballot by means of the Pat Buchanan Reform Party speaks for itself. In state after state, Nader has become an extension of the Republican Party and their corporate backers."

Well, talk about mudslinging. If the Dems attacked Bush with the ferocity they have reserved for a true liberal (which they are definitely NOT), then maybe they would have a chance of winning the election whether Nader was there to "spoil" this already rotten system or not. If they even made the effort to ditch their own corporate backers (many the same as the GOP's backers), then they would possibly have a chance of acheiving some decent populist social change. Instead, they are bullies who distort liberalism. Yes, Bush may be a wolf, but at least he doesn't wear sheep's clothing.

Choke On This, Demoncrats!

k wrote:
] ] Amendment supporters contend the flag deserves special
] ] protection as an important national symbol, while
] ] opponents, including Kerry, have argued that flag
] ] desecration can be punished under criminal statutes
] ] without tampering with the Constitution.
]
] [ This is ridiculous. Why should any of this shit be
] *illegal* in the first fucking place? What country is this,
] honestly? Burning a flag is one of the most serious
] commentaries we can make about the activity of our government.
] I thought the ability to stand up and say, categorically, "My
] government is wrong." was somehow important to the American
] ideal.
]
] How is it that people so easily miss the point. These people
] don't respect the ideal the flag represents. It is an
] important symbol, but holding up as something it's not is just
] wrong. It reduces the flag to a marketing tool, a button or a
] poster, a fucking blind to hide all the greed and
] authoritarianism behind. That's a desecration. 150 million
] tattered nylon flags or faded vinyl stickers on SUV's driven
] by thoughtless drones who think patriotism has more to do with
] prominently displaying the symbol than living the ideal.
] That's a desecration. Proposing this measure now,
] purposefully exploiting that false patriotism and jingoistic
] war mentality... unrepentantly using the symbol for private
] gain... it's ugly. It's a desecration.
]
] A certain amount of flag waving is unavoidable, of course, on
] both sides, but this focus on the object itself just continues
] to baffle me. -k]

First thing Hitler did was make destruction of the flag a crime. They throw this stupid issue around all the time. It's a waste of time and a smokescreen and barely deserves being commented upon. Stick to real issues that lie behind this. By the way, flag-burning doesn't equate social commentary. It merely enrages people who lead normal lives and feel a bit patriotic. They are not evil and do not need further baiting by anyone to further turn them against what they already view as a demonic liberal presence in the US. Why not change your tactics to be inclusive instead of divisive? A paragraph, well-worded and cogent, is more valuable than a fucked up shithead burning a flag. Besides, arson is already illegal, so burning the flag is by proxy, unless you are doing it on your own property. So, save us the bullshit, k, and think for a change.

RE: Kerry, Edwards and Daschle May Face Vote on Flag (washingtonpost.com)

I hadda do it. I am feeling sassy tonight.

htp://maggieschutzisableedingdog.com

check it out!

You started this shit with that bastard Tom! Why the fuck ain't you been posting anything!?! Christ MAn! Do your goddam job! I mean, I do more fucking work on memestreams than you do lately! And Tell that Elonka chick what I think of her. Her profile makes her seem lame. She needs to get stoned.