Doctor: Mr. Buddah, you've been away for some time. Reasons?
Me: Yeah, been busy listening ... listening to what matters.
Doctor: Oh! So now you know what's good for you, do you? You know that which should cure what ails you... do ya?
Me: Yeah.
Doctor: And what exactly would that be?
Me: Well Doc, it would be less of you and more of THIS!
AND THIS...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Punditry Awry: Rex Murphy is Lost
Dearest disturbed Rex,
re: the inanity of your column.
To wit, your references today to: Obama, Johnny Depp, Nave Seals, 'The First Pup', "the Ancient Mariner of the Airbus Iliad Karlheinz Schreiber", "Revelations and the Seventh Seal", "as debonair as Fred Astaire", Jamie Foxx, Miley Cyrus, Britney, Hilary Duff, "Lady Macbeth and an axe murderess", Hugh Grant, Jay Leno, Oprah, Susan Boyle, Simon Cowell...???
Rex, congrats on yet another meandering menu of gaw'd awful drivel. What was the point again? Some people are nice, some are not? Some are white, some are black? Celebrity bad - society sad? Upchuck this, upchuck that?
As usual, a perusal of your offering leads one to wonder why your bilge is published on the Globe & Mail's editorial page? For the insight it offers? Ha, my thirteen year old could have penned what we see here. Time you quit Rex, before you embarrass yourself any further.
Rex, I beseech you, in the name of all that is sane, please quit.
-
Friday, February 20, 2009
Empty Discourse and the Globe & Mail
Again this week I ventured into netherworld of weirdos who populate the Globe & Mail comments section. God knows I should know better by now!!
[** p.s. Mr. Sharp has yet to write!]
Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight.com continues to provide the most insightful and useful blog on politics in the world. While the utility dropped off after the election ended, the quality of Nate's thought and methods remains unmatched anywhere in political analysis.
Recently, Nate broke down the current struggle within the progressive movement, and much of the Democratic Party, into two broad streams.
He breaks down the "progressive" movement into two distinct streams that will look obvious to Canadian observers, or really anyone in any country outside the United States.
In one camp, Silver places "rational progressives" based on the 18th century Enlightenment movement of liberalism, founded by Locke, Comte, Montesquieu and others. This is a movement that is inately optimistic, result-oriented, ideologically maleable, prone to elitism, and based around the rational promotion of good ideas.
In the other camp, he places "radical progressives" based on the 19th century socialist movement, best articulated by Marx and Engles. This is a movement that is inately pessimistic, process-oriented, ideologically rigid, prone to demogogery, and based around the radical battle of will that is the class struggle.
Anyone in any nation but the United States would easily identify these two streams as "liberalism" or "liberal democracy" and the second stream as "social democracy."
This very struggle consumed the British Labour Party in the 1990s, but it is most easily described in the Canadian party system where the rationalists equate directly with the mainstream of the Liberal Party and the radicals with the NDP.
Both positions are legitimate, indeed necessary, but both must also be mindful of the limitations of their respective positions.
- Mike Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:
Ah hah!
A debate on the merits of social progression.
The mere calling of oneself a social progressive immediately gives that person the moral high ground over anyone else.
And in that simple fact lies it's ultimate weakness.
Social progression is full of crap.
I loathe social progressives.
Their calling card?
Doing nothing.- Posted 16/02/09 at 9:27 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
- Frobisher Grove from Oskiweewee, Canada writes: "Social progression is full of crap."
Thanks, Mike! And a special shout out from us pre-industrial agrarians! The luddites send much love, too.
Your stellar contributions to political thought have earned you yet another BS Degree from Cartoon U.
Hey, is that your gum stuck in the PM's taint?
Summa cum laude!- Posted 16/02/09 at 11:28 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
- Mike Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:
Inherent in the social progressive's mind is the absolute conviction he has the moral high ground.
I mean, look at the words.
Progression.
How could it go wrong?
It's progressive, if only for the sake of appearance.
Moral ambivalence is the way of the social progressive.
Never take a stand.
It's progressive.
They believe in nothing.
This gives them the moral high ground over those who believe in something.
That's how that works.
Social progression is a sham.- Posted 17/02/09 at 1:11 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
- Mike Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:
Given that we have established that moral ambivalence is the high ground of the social progressive, we shall now try and get the social progressive to admit they believe in something.
Other than social progression.
Watch them squirm.- Posted 17/02/09 at 1:13 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
- You (BeerBelly Buddah, from Canada) wrote: @ Sharp who is less so...
Using your reductus-absurdum definitive criteria the "Progressive party" from the 1920's must have been full of 61 MP"s all commited to doing nothing? How wrong.
You sir, are the epitome of the weak-minded flabbergasted apologist. Yet, ironically, you are absolved of having to render a reply or apology: your ignorance excuses you.
Read your Sharp (1948), read your Morton, read your Milliband, read your Laycock (and if you want, about 2,000 US works on the subject)- read the writings of Henry Wise Wood of the UFA of Alberta, or Crerar's Hansard speeches in 1921-24. Nowhere have I ever seen a bigger misrepresentation of the term 'progressive' than here... congratulations.
Thanks ... you have confirmed my suspicion that the tribe known as the 'ugly intellects' is alive and well!
Jeesus. help us!- Posted 17/02/09 at 3:25 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
- Mike Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:
We have our first squirmer.
A man who believes in nothing yet who claims the moral high ground.- Posted 17/02/09 at 11:07 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
- You (BeerBelly Buddah, from Canada) wrote: @ Sharp - thanks for labeling me. T'was anticipated.
Always curious that insular character's such as yourself would rather label than 'read & learn'. By the way, want to really understand the roots of Social Progressives - read Richard Allen's "The Social Passion".
I'll now leave it to you to now label me again.
p.s. BTW, it's not 'squirming' that informs my posts - it's 'knowledge'. You wish to character assassinate fine. But misrepresenting all social progressives as whining Lefties is passe. Find a new playground. Textual bullying (labeling) is simply tiresome. You wish to engage in a real and respectful debate - let me know @ beerbellybuddah@gmail.com.- Posted 17/02/09 at 2:40 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
[** p.s. Mr. Sharp has yet to write!]
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Oh, GOP ...
"In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems; that we can meet our enormous tests with half-steps and piecemeal measures; that we can ignore fundamental challenges such as energy independence and the high cost of health care and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.
I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change. They know that we have tried it those ways for too long .... we have a choice to make. We can once again let Washington's bad habits stand in the way of progress. Or we can pull together and say that in America, our destiny isn't written for us but by us. We can place good ideas ahead of old ideological battles, and a sense of purpose above the same narrow partisanship."- US President Barrack Obama, February 5th, 2009.
America's Right - you GOP - can't you see, there's more to life than preserving the 'unholy thee'? Avarice, greed, they are passe. Stop trying to relive yesterday.
Again we find you peddling the culture of "me" - with no concern for the average "we". Time and circumstance have passed you by - shouldn't you now stop trying to make flawed logic fly.
Can't you not make more of this chance by the one who is reaching out to you. Can't you make peace with your broken past - and try to start anew?
Yes this man is threatening the status-quo. But with good reason - he's seen your show. He sees how your ideology did lay waste to that 'American Dream' most will now never taste.
You had your run dealing in fear and hate - is it not time for your self-fish protestations to abate?
By clinging to division and the ways of the past your jeopardizing, again, that you have sworn to vouchsafe. The future.
Oh, America's Right, you GOP, it's time for something true.
After all, this life can't always be ... just about you!
.
Monday, February 2, 2009
John Martyn: "Solid Air" to Sadness
John Martyn, 1948-2009
Some days one's own words just won't do.
Best to let the man's music talk for you.
An uncomplicated genius who wore his flawed heart on his sleeve - all I can say is, now that you're gone, where ever you are going, "May You Never"...
Devil's music? Maybe so? But it was also divine!
And now... he's got nothing more...
Bless you troubled soul, bless you.
.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Inauguration and Liberty
The Washington Post's Colbert I. King re-published a 2001 column yesterday. One that did nothing but tug on America's "apple-pie" heartstrings. It was a reprint of a column that offered, at its original best, a possible entry point into important issue: the future of liberty in a land now ruled by fear.
Too bad he fell short then.
Too bad he falls short now.
Comment on "Another Parade, Another Time":
Mr. King,
Normally a fan - I must critique your regurgitation of old column.
Yes, the sentiment is as poignant now as it was in 2001. Yes, you did have something to say. But that was then, this is... (well you know) NOW!
If you insist on republishing old columns - can you not at least make an effort to bring something new to the page as well?
How about a discussion of how 2009's security plan for "Inauguration Day" says a lot about America's lived reality. You know, the one driven by the sinking realization that only stressed Empires ever need to take such precautions to protect their head of state, their nation's voice, so to speak. Or, the fact that so great is the the need for security on Jan. 20th that a para-military regimen is required to safeguard the world's most widely recognized example of a non-violent transition of political power?
'Sad', that is the word you should have added to your column. 'Sad', is the word that describes how the armed logistics behind the most hallowed affirmation of US democratic values and FREEDOM gives lie to the promise of LIBERTY.
Surely, the preservation of a nation that increasingly resembles a Police-State out of necessity to keep its leaders alive should be cause for concern. No?
As an old Afghan farmer once remarked - "I'll know Liberty when I see no more guns needed to ensure my country continues in peace."
Amen!
Too bad he fell short then.
Too bad he falls short now.
Comment on "Another Parade, Another Time":
Mr. King,
Normally a fan - I must critique your regurgitation of old column.
Yes, the sentiment is as poignant now as it was in 2001. Yes, you did have something to say. But that was then, this is... (well you know) NOW!
If you insist on republishing old columns - can you not at least make an effort to bring something new to the page as well?
How about a discussion of how 2009's security plan for "Inauguration Day" says a lot about America's lived reality. You know, the one driven by the sinking realization that only stressed Empires ever need to take such precautions to protect their head of state, their nation's voice, so to speak. Or, the fact that so great is the the need for security on Jan. 20th that a para-military regimen is required to safeguard the world's most widely recognized example of a non-violent transition of political power?
'Sad', that is the word you should have added to your column. 'Sad', is the word that describes how the armed logistics behind the most hallowed affirmation of US democratic values and FREEDOM gives lie to the promise of LIBERTY.
Surely, the preservation of a nation that increasingly resembles a Police-State out of necessity to keep its leaders alive should be cause for concern. No?
As an old Afghan farmer once remarked - "I'll know Liberty when I see no more guns needed to ensure my country continues in peace."
Amen!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Gaza: Just Words.
Reflecting on the week's events one is struck by how wrong (right?) some of the words spoken over Gaza this past decade have been. Links are here - but direct attribution seems, in light of developments, somewhat meaningless. After all, nothing ever seems to change no matter who says what when; these professed hopes, desires, and warnings mean little when the bullets begin to fly.
Hatred is hatred, war is war, people are dying and (for the most part) these samples of the words from the past have done little to help either side avoid today's horror.
“It is in everybody's interest that the model of Gaza will work ,”
“If Palestinian attacks from Gaza continue after our withdrawal, Israel's response will be very harsh, very painful, ... This is not a threat. It is a statement.”
“By reserving itself the ability to invade the Gaza Strip and by maintaining control over Palestinian airspace, territorial waters and most importantly its borders, Israel will continue its military rule over Palestinians,”
“The United States welcomes today the completion of Israel 's disengagement from Gaza,”
“It convinced us that Gaza was not worth holding on to and awakened us to the demographic danger. It took two intifadas for a majority of Israelis to decide that Gaza is not worth it.”
“I hope that with the disappearance of occupation from Gaza, hope will be revived in the minds of Palestinians and Israelis, that instead of military locations, Israel will one day have an embassy in the state of Palestine, and Palestine will have an embassy in the state of Israel.”
“We agreed a cool-down with Palestinian factions to give negotiation a chance and one of the results is that the Gaza Strip is going to be emptied of settlers and soldiers.”
“On Monday the 12th of the month no Israeli army soldier will remain in the boundaries of the Gaza Strip.”
“After 38 years, we are leaving Gaza in order to enable the Palestinians to run their own lives...Now it is their turn to show they can run a normal life, a normal economy, have a new beginning.”
“We will declare an end to military rule in Gaza, ... We do not want to have any responsibility over Gaza.”
“The Jews are leaving the settlement in the Gaza Strip,”
“This is the time for all Muslim and Arab countries to reconsider their relations with Israel. We think it will be a very positive signal to Israeli and Palestinian public opinion that there are some fruits from this withdrawal from Gaza.”
“The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip will be good for all students. There will be no more obstacles, no more checkpoints,”
“Although the retreat of the Zionist regime from Gaza is short of Palestinian rights and demands, it is however a big victory that shows the inability of the occupier regime of Qods (Jerusalem),”
“The role of the Quartet is significant to make Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip a success.”
“The evacuation of the settlements from the Gaza Strip is not just a struggle over the question of the fate of the territories. Fundamentally, it is the first great battle over the question of religion and state.”
“I hope Israel is not going to use the fact it has done something right in withdrawing from Gaza in order to do a lot wrong regarding settlement activities, the wall and other matters. I hope they will use this to stay the course and to return to negotiations.”
“The people of Gaza must see improvement in their lives after the withdrawal. They must be able to believe in themselves and see hope for this important development,”
“We hope this operation will not affect the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the efforts to ensure the cooldown.”
“Since Israel finished its evacuation of settlers, President Bush should make sure that Gaza will not be first and last through the precise implementation of the road map.”
“The Jewish settlers of Gaza and in the West Bank have a dream for the future of Israel.... The settlers' dream is to create a 'Greater Israel' with Jewish settlements wall-to-wall.... In such a state, democracy will have to bow to the rabbis. The Knesset, the government, the Supreme Court, will be allowed to continue to exist, provided that the rabbis approve of their decisions.... If we, secular Israelis, erase our own existence, the settlers will shower us with brotherly love. But if we insist that we have a different vision for Israel, we immediately become traitors, Arab-lovers or even Nazis.”
“We made a huge breakthrough today..., ... This is the appropriate time for all the Muslim and Arab countries to reconsider their relations with Israel. We think it will be a very positive signal to Israeli and Palestinian public opinion that there are some fruits from this withdrawal from Gaza.”
Jeremiah 47:5 "Baldness has come upon Gaza; ..."
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Gaza and for four I will not revoke its punishment,..."
Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza will be abandoned ...
And on, and on, it goes.... futility indeed!
.
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