Islamic Fascism, like Moral Majority, is Neither August 11, 2006
Posted by danjeffers in Anti-Americans, Culture and Subversion, The World Outside the Beltway.2 comments
It was bad enough when Fox News and the usual array of illiterate bloggers used the term: “Islamic Fascists”. The term makes no sense, Fascism comes from the idea of a tightly bound bundle of sticks, and was used by Hitler and Mussolini to describe a powerful union of State and business, all working together. It has come to mean a totalitarian state that controls the military and industry, dictating not only behavior but thought.
Al Quaida is undeniable evil, Islamic only by self-description, but it’s hardly Fascist. In fact, the power of Islam comes from its very disconnected, underground, barely coordinated nature. Cells exist independently, aware of each other only through distant communications and common viewing of websites and media.
But Fox News and their accompanying columnists are beyond education, so it’s no big deal that they started using the term. Now, though, the President of the United States has used it, and once again we are showing the world our inability to grasp the concepts behind the words coming out of our own mouths. No wonder they doubt our ability to understand others.
We Went Better Indecency! June 11, 2006
Posted by danjeffers in Culture and Subversion, Pithy Comments to get quoted in Express.add a comment
Congress, which seems chock full of indecency itself these days, has raised the fines for on-air "indecency" by a factor of ten. Now, since we can assume that somehow this increase in the cost of doing business will be passed on to the consumer, we should consider what we're getting for our money. The case which is the basis for all this flapping around was the quick, almost imperceptible baring of Janet Jackson's breast. If we're going to pay ten times as much, we should get ten times better flashing, from ten times more attractive women. And you shouldn't need Tivo to actually see what you're paying for, either.
Sensenbrenner proposes ‘666′ law May 16, 2006
Posted by danjeffers in Culture and Subversion, Philosophy and Religion.add a comment
James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has proposed a '666' law. This is a law so intrusive, so stunningly close to the Revelations 'Number of the Beast' that it may as well require that all internet users register themselves with the Universal Dark Lord of Data with a '666' prefix. All in the name of the obviously overblown threat of child pornography. When child pornography was sent around by mail, did we consider registering every letter sent or received by every person? Of course not. Back then, conservatives were some of the strongest protectors of individual liberties. Now people like Sensenbrenner just want everyone to be an extension of the giant government database which is so obviously out of Revelations its a wonder Fox hasn't picked up on it.
Waiting for July March 24, 2006
Posted by danjeffers in Battlestar Galactica.add a comment
Three quarters of the way through the season ending episode, I began to fear the show was losing its tension. I thought they might be winding down the central force, dispersing the characters, and were going to follow with “interesting” tales of what happened later. Then, in classic BSG fashion, it all went wrong. A friend called me after the exciting, awesome finish because he just had to tell someone how awesome it was. Now we’re all waiting till July.
Suddenly I Like Oprah January 27, 2006
Posted by danjeffers in Culture and Subversion.add a comment
Like almost everyone who isn’t a total fan, I have long rooted for Oprah’s downfall. She’s too mainstream, too positive, too “I’m just a regular gazillion-aire”. Much like I rooted for Martha Stewart to fall. Then, when they went after Martha Stewart, even though I still am against most of what she stands for (interior decorating), I began to admire her grace under pressure. And, there really is no way to justify the overreaching prosecution. She did wrong, but not jail-time wrong.
In Oprah’s case, I suppose I respect that she came out and said she was wrong. But that’s not what I like about her. That could totally be part of the Oprah machine, picking the best course for her franchise. What I like is that, even though a good politician, or a good CEO would have held back and checked the facts, she screwed up totally and called Larry King. That, to me, is a very human mistake. Something I might have done. And, though I might not like Oprah as a franchise, I generally like humans, even when they do screw up.
Going Postal January 3, 2006
Posted by danjeffers in Bad Ayn Rand.add a comment
I think everyone who has ever been seduced by the childish pleasures of Ayn Rand should, when they are old enough to understand it, read “Going Postal” by Terry Pratchett. The book is hilarious, light-hearted, and a complete indictment of the Atlas Shrugged fantasy.
Battlestar Galactica January 3, 2006
Posted by danjeffers in Battlestar Galactica.add a comment
The show starts up again Friday. Time magazine called it the best show on television which is, I think, accurate. However, after paying $50 for the first season on DVD, I find I could plop down another $50 for the FIRST HALF of season two. That’s ridiculous. Wait until the whole season is over, put together a good package of the shows and bonuses, and sell me that for $50.
Mom’s Travel Itinerary December 30, 2005
Posted by danjeffers in After the Powerball.1 comment so far
After I win the powerball, I will be sending my Mom (and possibly Dad if he wants to go) to the following places:
France, perhaps Amsterdam
British Isles, then Alaska on Holland America
June, July, and August she’ll stay at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs
September, October at the Watergate in Washington DC
One week in Bakersfield, CA (she’ll have to pay for that herself)
It Really Is the Best Show on Television December 30, 2005
Posted by danjeffers in Battlestar Galactica.add a comment
Time Magazine has validated one of my obsessions by admitting that Battlestar Galactica really IS the best show on television.
It would suck if: June 25, 2006
Posted by danjeffers in Culture and Subversion, Pithy Comments to get quoted in Express.add a comment
Say you're a bit-time television producer. Perhaps not a celebrated artist. But, among the schlocky producers of schockly crap, you stand out. Then you die.
Knowing that celebrities die in threes, you might hope that your seat-mates would be peers in some way. It would really, really suck if the other two dead celebrities who are riding in your little tram-car to heaven are Patsy Ramsey and that guy who kept suing Anna Nicole Smith.