Silly News Media
.
There are news reporters all over the CBC campus today. CBC is considering implementing a mandatory, random, drug testing policy. It would be a hair test, not a urine test.
The school asked us parents about it. They sent home a letter and invited us to a meeting. They really want to know how we feel about it. Here's how we feel:
The hubby-man and I are both in favor of this policy. I discussed it with L, and he's in favor of it too. He's not worried about drugs. He knows he can "just say no". If CBC implements testing, he can say; "Nope. Can't. My school drug tests." He thinks that's fabulous.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Thursday, January 19, 2006
A Story That Mainstream Media Would Never Cover
.
Because it's good news. Link to full article
Every week, reporter Kevin Sites writes articles from a chosen area. This week he's in Iran.
Kevin is writing about the Christian and Jewish minorities, and their lives in an Islamic country. His questions uncover a side you're unlikely to see on American news channels
Kevin Sites asked a Jewish man if there's been any change in the climate since Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent remarks both questioning the Holocaust and calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
When Kevin questioned a Muslim family at a Christian celebration, their response was:
.
Because it's good news. Link to full article
Every week, reporter Kevin Sites writes articles from a chosen area. This week he's in Iran.
In
Iran, an Islamic theocracy, Christians and Jews occupy an unusual place. But it's not necessarily uncomfortable.
Kevin is writing about the Christian and Jewish minorities, and their lives in an Islamic country. His questions uncover a side you're unlikely to see on American news channels
One man tells me, pouring a glass of Johnny Walker Red whisky over ice, "We have more freedoms than even the Muslims. They would never be able to do this."
Christians are allowed to have alcohol in their homes and sometimes for holiday celebrations, but for the Muslim population it's strictly forbidden.
Others at the party agree, saying they don't face discrimination in Iran and can even travel more freely, usually to Armenia and to the United States.
Kevin Sites asked a Jewish man if there's been any change in the climate since Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent remarks both questioning the Holocaust and calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
He's clearly uncomfortable with the topic and says my questions are getting political. But I press him on it.
"As far as daily life goes here, there hasn't been an impact on us," he says, "We don't see any difference in our lives. But maybe others feel differently."
He continues, saying the Iranian government has made a clear effort to distinguish between Zionism and Judaism.
"Zionism is a political party that enjoys Jewish symbols and ideals, but it's not the same thing," he says. "The law that is being enforced in Israel is not Jewish law, it's not religious, its anti-religious."
When Kevin questioned a Muslim family at a Christian celebration, their response was:
"We want to share their happiness,... and congratulate them on their Christmas."
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Best Of Me 2005
.
The ultimate MeMe: a recap of my writings from the past 12 months (plus a bit from '04, because it's just so spot on)
2005 was the year first I snarked a Presidential inauguration. I have no shame. It was also my first liveblogging of an event. When an honor guard lined the steps and pathway before the House of Congress, I noted:
"I'm genuinely astonished that we have any military left for the parade and honor guard. I thought they were all overseas or recovering in hospitals... Or buried."
The Presidential vehical was described as:
"The limo is a 2006 caddy (with heavy modification). It looks like a cross between a hearse and a humvee. It has little flashy red and blue lights, white wall tires, and recessed grips for the secret service to hang onto. Nice.
Right now they're moving quite slowly. I expect they'll speed up as they pass the protestors."
I was wrong.
Other parade high points:
"The crowd parted, leaving two guys standing alone. Both had their back to the prez, and both were holding up little signs reading, "liar".
The crowd also kept their distance from the nutball in the full-length fur coat who was blowing kisses. yeesh."
In 2005, I described my perfect vehicle:
"a pickup truck that scavenges pollutants out of the air and emits nothing but potable water"
Last year, my son's class had to carry around a sack of flour for a week. I knit him a carrier and wrote a synopsis:
"On Monday, 3 of the babies had birth defects and needed surgery to fix their leaks. On Tuesday, "DFS" (Division of Flour Services) removed a baby because it's parent left it sitting on a desk while (s)he went to another class. The bag of flour went into foster care. (The teacher confiscated it.) On Wednesday, said bag was adopted by another student; and more babies were taken away for neglect. On Thursday, students were given the option of paying fines to get their children back, and several of the babies died. It was very sad. One was dropped, by accident of course. It died in a floury explosion of whiteness. One fell off a desk and hit the floor; suffering a catastrophic tear... And one was kidnapped, then used as a projectile on another student. The parent of the kidnapped flour baby, and the student who was assaulted are both suing. In an amazing departure from our own legal system, court is next week.
Today the students will be graded on the care of their children, and the babies...
Well...
Let's just say they'll be cookies in their next incarnation, and leave it at that."
I posted repeatedly about blood diamonds, CBC, and arthritis.
I wrote an open letter to my cats:
"I realize you were not gifted with opposable thumbs. Nor were you born with the drive to invent toilet paper. I get that your method of cleaning is connected with your tastebuds. But really. Did you have to wipe your ass on my freshly mopped kitchen floor?
And did you really need to zig zag across several square feet as you did it?
Because that's just rude."
I ranted about Raymond Burke:
"The Archbishop had other things to do that day, so we got a Monsignor instead. This was a very good thing, because I would have refused to let Raymond Burke "bless" my son. Dammit, if L is going to be confirmed, I want him to get the whole holy deal. I do not want it tainted by the Archbishop of Evil: Raymond Burke; closer of churches and warrior against St. Stanislaus. That man will die a martyr if he stays here much longer. St. Louisans don't have a lot of tolerance for intolerant, money-grubbing Archbishops. How that man made it that close to the Papacy is beyond me. But I digress..."
I wrote poetry:
"We should all be a little bit
More like Elvis
Shaking our pelvis
To our own rhythm
As we dance and sing
Our way through life
And then when we're old
And mostly forgotten
We can die on the toilet
So when our mortal coil releases
in that final purge of waste
All you'd have to do is flush"
I introduced a rant thusly:
"Sometimes I wonder if there are so many wrongs being committed in America, that people just can't see them anymore."
The latest Harry Potter book came in the mail:
"Yesterday, our postal carrier delivered the latest HP book with a smile. She wished us happy reading and went on to deliver joy to other families. I handed the box to L, who tore it open and slid out the green hardbound book.
He sat with it in his hands, examining every bit of art on the front and back covers. Then he opened it and read the insert. I knew he was doing this to drive me crazy, and I didn't rise to the bait.
I expected him at any second to rush off to his room, cackling madly, book in hand.
Instead the little shit set it aside, saying, "I don't want to read it just yet. My favorite TV show is coming on soon."
He was baiting me.
I decided I could bait him too.
See, he thinks I'll start reading the book, then be willing to read it aloud.
So the book sat between us on the sofa; neither of us touching it.
Until the Hubby-Man entered the room. He asked, "You taking a break?"
We both said, "no." Stubbornly.
Hubby-Man said, "Yoink!" and ran off to the bedroom, book in hand, cackling madly.
I followed him, then stood within his range of vision, looking outraged. The second he put the book down, I swiped it.
Mad cackling ensued.
As a result, every chapter or so, the book would pass hands. None of us have finished it yet. Each of us has our own bookmark stuck between the pages.
It's pretty funny."
In August, I sliced my foot open and got my first set of non-childbirth related stitches. Luckily, the stitches came out 2 days before the last Cardinal's game I got to see in person at Busch stadium.
I wrote about the hurricanes, and the people I knew who might be affected, and thankfully weren't. In the midst of those writings, this phrase flew from my fingertips:
"There is no instant gratification in recovery."
I bought a skein of wool to knit up:
"Then my cat came along. Hunter is a sniffer. He has to sniff every single thing that comes into the house. He sniffed the yarn trailing from my needle, then he sniffed all along the needle, then he sniffed the yarn going into the skein. He was lovin' the sniffin', I tell ya! When he got to the skein itself, he buried his kitty face in the yarn. Then he bit it and tried to run away with my brand new wool. I swear he was thinking, "Yeah, this here is MINE."
And George W. Bush called the Constitution "a god damned piece of paper"
Which leads me to these excerpts from November of 2004:
"Wednesday, November 03, 2004
God Damn You All
Damn you to the hell you believe in. And damn you Kerry for giving in so easily. You're all stupid. I hope you enjoy the world and life you've just voted in for your children. I hope you enjoy your economy. I hope you enjoy your security. I hope you enjoy your war. You asked for it. Now you have to live with it."
followed by:
"Thursday, November 04, 2004
I Voted For John Kerry, And All I Got Was This Lousy Sticker
(pic of 'I Voted' sticker)
Thanks for letting me know how much my vote means to you.
Democrats are angry. Democrats are despairing. Why aren't we rioting in the streets? Are we lazy? Or do we actually care about others' personal property? We know that trashing our own neighborhoods won't help. But look how well the rabid Republican tactics worked. Remember 2000, when they clogged the halls and beat down doors to disrupt the recount?
We need to stand up in unison and make it clear -NO MORE! America is a republic, not a theocracy. Bush needs to be impeached. (link to impeachment site)
There are legal processes. We need to use them. Impeach President Bush (link to a different impeachment site)
Write a personal letter to your Representative. If your Representative is a Republican, ask your friends in a Democratic district to write to their Representative. Articles of Impeachment are all over the internet, and it's not working. Which is why we need to write personal letters. In ink. On paper. Sent with a stamp, rather than a mouse click. If enough people demand impeachment, it will happen. It worked for the republicans when they attacked Clinton. It will work for us too. Impeaching the president served to strengthen their base. The Democrats will not strengthen their base by rolling over and showing their bellies.
I still believe in America. I still believe in democracy. I believe we can win, but first we have to try to win. We must be united in a common cause.
This is my cause, and I hope you share it with me. Impeach Bush for his crimes against his people. Help me spread the message.
Write to your Representative
Ask for impeachment
Keep asking"
.
The ultimate MeMe: a recap of my writings from the past 12 months (plus a bit from '04, because it's just so spot on)
2005 was the year first I snarked a Presidential inauguration. I have no shame. It was also my first liveblogging of an event. When an honor guard lined the steps and pathway before the House of Congress, I noted:
"I'm genuinely astonished that we have any military left for the parade and honor guard. I thought they were all overseas or recovering in hospitals... Or buried."
The Presidential vehical was described as:
"The limo is a 2006 caddy (with heavy modification). It looks like a cross between a hearse and a humvee. It has little flashy red and blue lights, white wall tires, and recessed grips for the secret service to hang onto. Nice.
Right now they're moving quite slowly. I expect they'll speed up as they pass the protestors."
I was wrong.
Other parade high points:
"The crowd parted, leaving two guys standing alone. Both had their back to the prez, and both were holding up little signs reading, "liar".
The crowd also kept their distance from the nutball in the full-length fur coat who was blowing kisses. yeesh."
In 2005, I described my perfect vehicle:
"a pickup truck that scavenges pollutants out of the air and emits nothing but potable water"
Last year, my son's class had to carry around a sack of flour for a week. I knit him a carrier and wrote a synopsis:
"On Monday, 3 of the babies had birth defects and needed surgery to fix their leaks. On Tuesday, "DFS" (Division of Flour Services) removed a baby because it's parent left it sitting on a desk while (s)he went to another class. The bag of flour went into foster care. (The teacher confiscated it.) On Wednesday, said bag was adopted by another student; and more babies were taken away for neglect. On Thursday, students were given the option of paying fines to get their children back, and several of the babies died. It was very sad. One was dropped, by accident of course. It died in a floury explosion of whiteness. One fell off a desk and hit the floor; suffering a catastrophic tear... And one was kidnapped, then used as a projectile on another student. The parent of the kidnapped flour baby, and the student who was assaulted are both suing. In an amazing departure from our own legal system, court is next week.
Today the students will be graded on the care of their children, and the babies...
Well...
Let's just say they'll be cookies in their next incarnation, and leave it at that."
I posted repeatedly about blood diamonds, CBC, and arthritis.
I wrote an open letter to my cats:
"I realize you were not gifted with opposable thumbs. Nor were you born with the drive to invent toilet paper. I get that your method of cleaning is connected with your tastebuds. But really. Did you have to wipe your ass on my freshly mopped kitchen floor?
And did you really need to zig zag across several square feet as you did it?
Because that's just rude."
I ranted about Raymond Burke:
"The Archbishop had other things to do that day, so we got a Monsignor instead. This was a very good thing, because I would have refused to let Raymond Burke "bless" my son. Dammit, if L is going to be confirmed, I want him to get the whole holy deal. I do not want it tainted by the Archbishop of Evil: Raymond Burke; closer of churches and warrior against St. Stanislaus. That man will die a martyr if he stays here much longer. St. Louisans don't have a lot of tolerance for intolerant, money-grubbing Archbishops. How that man made it that close to the Papacy is beyond me. But I digress..."
I wrote poetry:
"We should all be a little bit
More like Elvis
Shaking our pelvis
To our own rhythm
As we dance and sing
Our way through life
And then when we're old
And mostly forgotten
We can die on the toilet
So when our mortal coil releases
in that final purge of waste
All you'd have to do is flush"
I introduced a rant thusly:
"Sometimes I wonder if there are so many wrongs being committed in America, that people just can't see them anymore."
The latest Harry Potter book came in the mail:
"Yesterday, our postal carrier delivered the latest HP book with a smile. She wished us happy reading and went on to deliver joy to other families. I handed the box to L, who tore it open and slid out the green hardbound book.
He sat with it in his hands, examining every bit of art on the front and back covers. Then he opened it and read the insert. I knew he was doing this to drive me crazy, and I didn't rise to the bait.
I expected him at any second to rush off to his room, cackling madly, book in hand.
Instead the little shit set it aside, saying, "I don't want to read it just yet. My favorite TV show is coming on soon."
He was baiting me.
I decided I could bait him too.
See, he thinks I'll start reading the book, then be willing to read it aloud.
So the book sat between us on the sofa; neither of us touching it.
Until the Hubby-Man entered the room. He asked, "You taking a break?"
We both said, "no." Stubbornly.
Hubby-Man said, "Yoink!" and ran off to the bedroom, book in hand, cackling madly.
I followed him, then stood within his range of vision, looking outraged. The second he put the book down, I swiped it.
Mad cackling ensued.
As a result, every chapter or so, the book would pass hands. None of us have finished it yet. Each of us has our own bookmark stuck between the pages.
It's pretty funny."
In August, I sliced my foot open and got my first set of non-childbirth related stitches. Luckily, the stitches came out 2 days before the last Cardinal's game I got to see in person at Busch stadium.
I wrote about the hurricanes, and the people I knew who might be affected, and thankfully weren't. In the midst of those writings, this phrase flew from my fingertips:
"There is no instant gratification in recovery."
I bought a skein of wool to knit up:
"Then my cat came along. Hunter is a sniffer. He has to sniff every single thing that comes into the house. He sniffed the yarn trailing from my needle, then he sniffed all along the needle, then he sniffed the yarn going into the skein. He was lovin' the sniffin', I tell ya! When he got to the skein itself, he buried his kitty face in the yarn. Then he bit it and tried to run away with my brand new wool. I swear he was thinking, "Yeah, this here is MINE."
And George W. Bush called the Constitution "a god damned piece of paper"
Which leads me to these excerpts from November of 2004:
"Wednesday, November 03, 2004
God Damn You All
Damn you to the hell you believe in. And damn you Kerry for giving in so easily. You're all stupid. I hope you enjoy the world and life you've just voted in for your children. I hope you enjoy your economy. I hope you enjoy your security. I hope you enjoy your war. You asked for it. Now you have to live with it."
followed by:
"Thursday, November 04, 2004
I Voted For John Kerry, And All I Got Was This Lousy Sticker
(pic of 'I Voted' sticker)
Thanks for letting me know how much my vote means to you.
Democrats are angry. Democrats are despairing. Why aren't we rioting in the streets? Are we lazy? Or do we actually care about others' personal property? We know that trashing our own neighborhoods won't help. But look how well the rabid Republican tactics worked. Remember 2000, when they clogged the halls and beat down doors to disrupt the recount?
We need to stand up in unison and make it clear -NO MORE! America is a republic, not a theocracy. Bush needs to be impeached. (link to impeachment site)
There are legal processes. We need to use them. Impeach President Bush (link to a different impeachment site)
Write a personal letter to your Representative. If your Representative is a Republican, ask your friends in a Democratic district to write to their Representative. Articles of Impeachment are all over the internet, and it's not working. Which is why we need to write personal letters. In ink. On paper. Sent with a stamp, rather than a mouse click. If enough people demand impeachment, it will happen. It worked for the republicans when they attacked Clinton. It will work for us too. Impeaching the president served to strengthen their base. The Democrats will not strengthen their base by rolling over and showing their bellies.
I still believe in America. I still believe in democracy. I believe we can win, but first we have to try to win. We must be united in a common cause.
This is my cause, and I hope you share it with me. Impeach Bush for his crimes against his people. Help me spread the message.
Write to your Representative
Ask for impeachment
Keep asking"
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Live Blogging Stardust
.
Yes, I'm still awake. Watching the NASA channel broadcast Stardust's reentry and recovery. We've been sending stuff off planet for almost 50 years, and there still isn't a common term for people like me. Call me an astrophile. :D
3:54 am CST - JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory -one of 3 control centers) passed out "good luck" fortune cookies, instead of "good luck" peanuts.
3:57 am CST - SRC (Stardust Recovery Capsule) crosses over California coastline, heading for Utah, and moving damn fast. (29,000 mph) Stardust spacecraft continues over United States, presumably to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean.
3:58 am CST - Mission Control breaks out in applause. Visual shot of fast moving glowing blob.
3:59 am CST - Drouge chute deploys, more applause. The drouge chute is necessary to create drag and slow down the SCR.
4:00 am CST - A voice comments that there is no change in velocity, a second voice says everything looks good. I'm rooting for the second voice.
4:01 am CST - First voice continues to comment on lack of visual confirmation of chute. (no! no no no!)
4:02 am CST - Velocity has not changed, no indication of chute.
4:03 am CST - Temporary loss of infrared visual due to cloud cover. Voice noting deceleration. (Thank gods, but is it enough?) Visual returns.
4:04 am CST - 10000 feet to go before main chute deployment, signs of slight drift, which might indicate a chute (oh please, oh please...)
4:05 am CST - 13,000 feet. 20 seconds to main chute deployment.
4:05 am CST - 10,000 feet. Deceleration is noted "Appears to be under a good chute."
4:06 am CST - Confirmation of main chute. (hubby breathes again) Mission control has another brief spate of applause. SCR moving at 500 ft. per minute.
4:07 am CST - Lots of happy geeks on screen.
4:08 am CST - UHF beacon is on, and being tracked, more applause, SCR moving much slower now. (whew!)
4:09 am CST - SCR at 6000 ft, expect landing in less than 90 seconds.
4:10 am CST - Camera panning around in the sky looking for SCR.
4:11 am CST - "Ok. It's on the ground" comes over radio. Absolute silence until announcement to room, "All stations, we have touchdown!" Main chute should be cut on landing to keep SCR from being dragged by the chute.
4:12 am CST - Coordinates for landing being relayed to Vertigo recovery helicopter. Googlemap Reporters hoping chute was cut... typical reporters. Like there wasn't enough tension with the damn thing not slowing down for what seemed like forever (sigh)
4:32 am CST - Vertigo has SCR's signal, but can't it find the SCR in the dark. They have to be careful of contamination, so the helicopter can't fly too closely. If the recovery craft has any cracks or anything, terrestrial dust could get in. So they're being very careful.
4:44 am CST - Voice reports "They think that they may have it." Waiting for confirmation. Video appears to show Vertigo on the ground.
4:48 am CST - Vertigo has spotted the parachute. Vertigo is on the ground and checking to see if the chute has come down on top of the SCR.
4:54 am CST - "All stations, we can report that Vertigo crew has located the capsule."
4:56 am CST - second helicopter is in the air and enroute to site.
A third helicopter will take off in about 5 minutes, but I'm going to bed. Good night y'all.
.
Yes, I'm still awake. Watching the NASA channel broadcast Stardust's reentry and recovery. We've been sending stuff off planet for almost 50 years, and there still isn't a common term for people like me. Call me an astrophile. :D
3:54 am CST - JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory -one of 3 control centers) passed out "good luck" fortune cookies, instead of "good luck" peanuts.
3:57 am CST - SRC (Stardust Recovery Capsule) crosses over California coastline, heading for Utah, and moving damn fast. (29,000 mph) Stardust spacecraft continues over United States, presumably to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean.
3:58 am CST - Mission Control breaks out in applause. Visual shot of fast moving glowing blob.
3:59 am CST - Drouge chute deploys, more applause. The drouge chute is necessary to create drag and slow down the SCR.
4:00 am CST - A voice comments that there is no change in velocity, a second voice says everything looks good. I'm rooting for the second voice.
4:01 am CST - First voice continues to comment on lack of visual confirmation of chute. (no! no no no!)
4:02 am CST - Velocity has not changed, no indication of chute.
4:03 am CST - Temporary loss of infrared visual due to cloud cover. Voice noting deceleration. (Thank gods, but is it enough?) Visual returns.
4:04 am CST - 10000 feet to go before main chute deployment, signs of slight drift, which might indicate a chute (oh please, oh please...)
4:05 am CST - 13,000 feet. 20 seconds to main chute deployment.
4:05 am CST - 10,000 feet. Deceleration is noted "Appears to be under a good chute."
4:06 am CST - Confirmation of main chute. (hubby breathes again) Mission control has another brief spate of applause. SCR moving at 500 ft. per minute.
4:07 am CST - Lots of happy geeks on screen.
4:08 am CST - UHF beacon is on, and being tracked, more applause, SCR moving much slower now. (whew!)
4:09 am CST - SCR at 6000 ft, expect landing in less than 90 seconds.
4:10 am CST - Camera panning around in the sky looking for SCR.
4:11 am CST - "Ok. It's on the ground" comes over radio. Absolute silence until announcement to room, "All stations, we have touchdown!" Main chute should be cut on landing to keep SCR from being dragged by the chute.
4:12 am CST - Coordinates for landing being relayed to Vertigo recovery helicopter. Googlemap Reporters hoping chute was cut... typical reporters. Like there wasn't enough tension with the damn thing not slowing down for what seemed like forever (sigh)
4:32 am CST - Vertigo has SCR's signal, but can't it find the SCR in the dark. They have to be careful of contamination, so the helicopter can't fly too closely. If the recovery craft has any cracks or anything, terrestrial dust could get in. So they're being very careful.
4:44 am CST - Voice reports "They think that they may have it." Waiting for confirmation. Video appears to show Vertigo on the ground.
4:48 am CST - Vertigo has spotted the parachute. Vertigo is on the ground and checking to see if the chute has come down on top of the SCR.
4:54 am CST - "All stations, we can report that Vertigo crew has located the capsule."
4:56 am CST - second helicopter is in the air and enroute to site.
A third helicopter will take off in about 5 minutes, but I'm going to bed. Good night y'all.
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