Blogrophenia: The Reverend Aton's Site

Really? Redux

More fodder for the "no shit?!?" category. Christiane Amanopour says Iraq is a disaster. . .

Ya don't say?!?

Think!,
Moses

Sad Day

On the cusp of Black History Month and Jackie Robinson's birthday (he was born in 1919 and would have been 87 today) we get the sad news that the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott King, has passed away in Atlanta. They say behind every great man there is a great woman and there's no doubt that Mrs. King fits the bill.

Speaking of Jackie, while I love that his number's been retired throughout the game I have long thought that the best tribute to him would be a constant tribute to the Negro Leagues. Last year baseball had the perfect opportunity to name the Nationals, the Homestead Grays or something that pays tribute to the Negro Leagues, but declined to so. . . Another theory: Even though I've never heard him say that he wore #42 for Jackie (he's actually Panamanian) Mariano Rivera has always continued to wear #42 and I suspect the Yankees, who are rapidly running out of numbers wanted him to wear it, not only so they wouldn't lose another number but also so the Yankees actually can have some tie to that number. . .

At any rate it's a sad day for a few reasons today. . .

If you want to do something visit the Jackie Robinson Foundation website.

And he explained the story of how blacks came from glory,
Moses

Some Thoughts

Take some time and write a message to our troops. No matter your position on Iraq, these brave men and women sacrifice a lot so that we can yap about what our should or shouldn't do. Speaking of which, as opposed as I am to the war in Iraq and the way it's been run, I thought Joel Stein was out of line with his article in the LA Times. . . BTW, Andrew Sullivan (whose new blog format has finally grown on me) has a fascinating, if perhaps far fetched new theory on Benedict. It's very short and definitely worth a read. . . If true, well, maybe we all owe Benedict an apology. . .

I was pretty surprised that Brokeback Mountain was shut out at the SAG awards, not only because it's a great movie but also because you'd think that that audience would reward such a daring movie. Could it be that it's not even that daring anymore? If so, how far we've come! I was happy to see Philip Seymour Hoffman win for Capote, a movie that I will enthusiastically pre-order on DVD! It was such a tough call between him Joaquin Phoenix who was outstanding as Johnny Cash, Heath Ledger who was fabulous in Brokeback (fabulous?) and Russell Crowe who was amazing in the the underrated Cinderella Man (did Million Dollar Baby sour us on boxing movies by being so glum -- albeit great, btw Swank looked great last night). . .

I'm looking forward to the Los Angeles Kobe's er. . . Lakers. . .hitting town tomorrow and will try to make it instead of the undoubtedly dubious State of the Union that will probably feature the freshly minted Justice Alito in the front row. UGH!!! Anyway, back to Kobe: Let me be the first to say btw that he WILL NOT score a 100 tomorrow. . .

Pat Buchanan is an interesting character. In general he's a right wing fanatic and would basically be an American Christian Taliban if allowed to do as he please. That said he occasionally takes very intelligent, very moral and very unpopular stances on things that betray a keen intellect. His latest article entitled Does Democracy Blvd Lead to Islamism? is brilliant and absolutely worth a read.

Finally, I am heartened by the Marlins meeting with the mayor of Hialeah, I really hope they stay in South Florida, I've so enjoyed my nights of MLB in South Florida after long days of fishing, horse racing and Cuban sandwiches and cigars. . .

I'll tell you one thing,
Well, if you would leave,
It'd be a crying shame,
Moses

This is really pretty amazing. She had a "face transplant"!

She's eating, boozing and even smoking again, all this after having her face chewed off by her dog. . .

Eyes without a face,
Moses

Really?

Put this firmly in the "no shit?!?" department. It turns out that Bush supporters tend to be bigoted against blacks. . .

Republicans racist? You have got to be kidding me! <--- sarcasm

Reason # 250 million that I am repulsed by most Republicans. . .

I would rather starve than eat your bread,
Moses

A point that is sometimes forgotten by those who follow politics. . .

"It is not who is right, but what is right, that is of importance." - Thomas H. Huxley

Rock Me Amadeus

Well, Friday January 27, 2006 is Mozart's 250th birthday. In the words of Justin Davidson, currently blogging on music critic Alex Ross's blog: "Tomorrow is, of course, Mozart's 250th birthday - not a bad milestone for a composer who skipped childhood and never made it to middle age. "

I can't say that I'm a huge fan, but I like what I've heard and my father thinks Mozart is something more than human.

Amadeus,
Amadeus,
Moses

An Arab in the Oval Office?

Well knock me down with a camel hair! After years of me saying that an Arab had no shot in politics in this day and age, a proposition that I thought was absolutely sealed after 9/11, guess what?

Our very next President may be part Arab.

And guess what, again?

No more of an "authority" than college dropout, Big Fat Idiot Rush Limbaugh is endorsing him in 2008 already. Fortunately, for those who are rooting for the prospect of a Muhammed bin President, we live in a country where three out of five Americans surveyed agreed that "the Epistles were the Apostles's wives" (incidentally this explains the 2004 Presidential election).

Anyways:

That's right. The overweight, drug addicted, bigoted demagogue himself is endorsing a Southern Republican, more specifically one: Senator George Allen from Virginia.

I don't know much about the (and this is from his website, linked above and more specifically here) self-described “common sense Jeffersonian Conservative”, other than that his mother was apparently Arab-French, and according to him, was incarcerated by the Nazis in WWII Germany.

I wonder if Arab-French means Algerian or Morroccan or if it just means an Arab living in France. . .

So the competition against Hillary may be an Arab. Speaking of which, the polls are looking absolutely dreadful for her according to a CNN /Gallup poll via Drudge. Although a new theory, from The New Republic, is that Scalito may actually be GOOD for Hillary. And, btw, if you aren't sold on the fact that she's running, just keep track of her for a week. To wit: check her out here blasting Bush for the eavesdropping. For an anti-Hillary argument based in anti-dynastic sentiment go here, I'm not sure it matter that much but it's an interesting argument.

Very interesting folks. . . I'll keep you updated. . .

This desert rose,
Whose shadow bears the secret promise,
This desert flower,
No sweet perfume that would torture you more than this,
Moses

A Few Thoughts

I still think that the Steelers are going to win this thing. I am also sort of rooting for them just because I kind of like their old school unis (they're wearing their road whites despite being the "home" team) although there is a very compelling reason to root for Seattle: ALL THE GREAT MUSIC THAT CAME OUT OF THERE!! Probably the best period in American rock history was born in Seattle, as were many of the greatest American bands of all time: Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, of course, Jimi!! And many more than you probably even know! Speaking of music, not that this is news but Kanye West's ego is completely out of control as he appears dressed as Jesus Christ on the latest Rolling Stone. Sometimes life throws you a curve, but occasionally when you see that curve you're, metaphorically speaking, in the field and you root root root for it to break, like an A's infielder might behind Barry Zito, this was the case with me when I read about how Sirius was basically about to censor grade A jerk and vulgarian Howard Stern. . . Finally, President Bush's reaction in Kansas to the question about whether he'd seen Brokeback Mountain was precious. . . Absolutely precious. . .

These Dreams go on,
Moses

Inside the Terrorists Mind

Interesting article in The New Republic by Egyptian writer Ali Salem and translated by TNR contributing editor Fouad Ajami, Salem is somewhat controversial for his traveling to Israel. This piece is interesting, he's vaguely reminscent of Naghib Mahfouz, the Nobel Prize Winning, disciple of Salama Musa. The piece is firmly in harmony with the tradition of secular humanism of Musa and Mahfouz. The satirical piece is entitled, IMAGINING THE INNER WORKINGS OF A TERRORIST'S MIND: The War of the Hotels and can be found by clicking here.

Herald what your mother said,
Readin' the books your father read,
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time,
Moses

Sullivan on Hillary

I disagree with a lot in this article, actually most of it, but assuming for whatever reason Hillary isn't our next President (and make no mistake about it, she's the favorite right now) I do think she'd make an outstanding Supreme Court Justice. It's an interesting idea. . .

Woman I know you understand,
Moses

The Saddest Day of the Year

As all you denizens of Blogrophenia know, we like to keep it happy here at Blogrophenia (when we're not ranting and raving that is), but today is apparently the saddest day of the year according to one researcher,however, the good is that as we write this, it's only two hours from being over.

So you see then? Things can only get better.

I've got to admit it's getting better, better
A little better all the time, it can't get no worse
I have to admit it's getting better, better,
Moses

Last Gasps Indeed!

The situation in the White House is beginning to look more and more dire for Bush and the Republicans as the most recent news as some unpublished photos seem to show a growing link between Bush and current Beltway pariah and all around bad guy Abramoff. It's therefore less surprising to me to read in the Wall Street Journal's Opinion Journal this morning that Hillary fears Condi and to hear the conservatives resort to their tired comparisons of the Democrats and Communism, money quote:

This is why so many Republicans (including Laura Bush) now salivate at the thought of a Rice presidential bid. No other potential Republican candidate could--to borrow an old Marxist phrase--better "heighten the contradictions" of modern liberalism and Democratic power than Ms. Rice. The more ugly her persecution by the civil rights establishment and the left, the more she would give liberalism the look of communism in its last days--an ideology long since hollowed of its idealism and left with nothing save its meanness and repressiveness. Who can say what Ms. Rice will do. But history is calling her, or someone like her. She is the object of a deep longing in America for race to be finally handled, not by political idealisms, but by the classic principles of freedom and fairness.

I think what this article demonstrates the most is the fear that the Republicans and conservatives have of Hillary!! Further, I think they are fully aware at how bad things are starting to look for Bush and that's a tall order considering how bad they looked last year!

In retrospect Bush was so lucky with the timing of the election. Speaking of which, very interesting article on John Kerry in GQ this month. I can't link to that article since it isn't online but here's a link to the Boston Globe discussing Kerry's decision NOT to vote for Alito. Doesn't matter much, Alito's in, IMO. . .

I can't close my eyes and make it go away,
Moses

And I want, and I need, and I lust, ANIMAL!!!

Fascinating article about animals and personality from the NY Times Magazine, here's a very short excerpt:

"All sorts of research has been done in recent years revealing various aspects of animal complexity: African gray parrots that can not only count but can also grasp the concept of zero; self-recognition, empathy and the cultural transference of tool use in both chimps and dolphins; individual face-recognition among sheep; courtship songs in mice; laughter in rats. This is no longer merely the stuff of anthropomorphism or isolated anecdote. As Jaak Panksepp, the neuroscientist who first discovered rat laughter, has pointed out: "Every drug used to treat emotional and psychiatric disorders in humans was first developed and found effective in animals. This kind of research would obviously have no value if animals were incapable of experiencing these emotional states."

Call me a dog,
Moses

The Post PC Era and the Condemnation of PC

It's been fairly obvious for a while now that the era of PC is over. I actually think that it started a bit earlier than most other people do. In my opinion it started with Chris Rock and Seinfeld shortly after the mid-90's. Somewhere around then, people began to loosen up about things that they couldn't have about five years earlier. At that time, you couldn't even touch certain issues like homosexuality or race. These issues were just considered out of bounds and even bringing them up was dangerous. Certainly, far too treacherous terrain for a comic. Chris Rock and Seinfeld, however, started talking about these things in ways that just hadn't happened before (or at least not since the 70's greats like, say, the great Richard Pryor) . Suddenly, there were jokes about race and about gays (not that there's anything wrong with that - it would almost be odd not to say that now), the times they were a' changin.

But in the last five years things have gone even further. Consider the blatant example of this in Avenue Q in the song Everyone's a Little Bit Racist for example and, of course, the entire South Park phenomenon. Or Andrew Sullivan points out in a recent blog entry about The 40 Year Old Virgin:

a couple of classic scenes in it - one where two black guys try to out-negro each other; and one where two straight guys playing video games try and out-straight each other. Both scenes rested on ethnic or sexual stereotypes, both were un-PC, but both were also completely inoffensive in today's cultural climate. The scenes weren't regurgitating the warmed over prejudices of the past, like a Jay Leno monologue or Adam Sandler's appalling "The Longest Yard." They were playing with them. The writers and actors trusted the audience to be in on the joke, and to realize that the fun they were poking was sharp but not designed to wound.

And he's exactly right, but he then, troublingly continues:

This is all a great development, and a generational one - a sign that the humor-free PC '90s have melted into something much funnier, much more honest, and yet also inclusive

What Sullivan misses here is that this kind of "honesty" presupposes something, it assumes an atmosphere where bigotry isn't tolerated and where the, at least the cultural, majority, in this case, is actually not bigoted. Empirically, I can say that the generation born say from 1979 or on is very different in it's treatment of gays and minorities than the generations that preceded it. Sadly, for me, I believe, that I was part of the last sort of generation where there was open bigotry. Even more sadly, I was subjected to it and I still count among my acquaintances unreformed bigots and racists. I don't think that, generally, there would have been anywhere near as many of these types around were I born merely five years later.

So, yes, indeed we may have entered a new period of openess, but the point that Sullivan misses I think, is that it is only because we -- they -- were ready for it that it's been possible. It isn't that things have changed for this generation -- it's that this generation changed for us. . .

I've been wandered sideways,
And I've stared straight into the sun,
Still I don't know why you're dying,
Long before Your time has come,
Moses

Quick thought on Blog Format

Andrew Sullivan's new blog format looks good, but that I am not yet used to it yet. I wonder if there is any way he could give us the option of looking at it in the old format a la Windows XP? On Windows there's a feature where you can get the "classic windows" look if you'd like. . . Just a thought. . .

Obviously, not a huge deal at all, just a thought though. . .

It takes second to say goodbye,
Moses

Although, I am highly opposed to the Marlins leaving Florida, I've had some wonderful times both at Pro Player and watching them on the road (mostly in NYC) and on TV, I would like to see North Carolina get a team. So I hope this actually happens at some point just not with my Marlins. . . Perhaps in the next expansion alongside Las Vegas or something. . .

In My Mind I'm Going to Carolina,
Moses



One of the lone remaining Marlins with some actual MLB experience, Dontrelle Willis delivers from his unusual windup. He's a rising who is very exciting to watch. I've met him, seen him pitch at home, at Shea and even at Yankee Stadium in the 2003 Series. . .

Spin Sucks

Spin magazine has been a shitty magazine since about the turn of the last century, but it's reached all new levels of crappitude, and in keeping with the false advertising/dishonesty theme of the Frey fiasco, let me call out their bloodline on their latest issue, where they have a little title on the cover purporting to update the reader on the great Zach La Rocha's whereabouts and happenings. Upon opening up the magazine you realize quickly that there ARE LITERALLY TWO PARAGRAPHS about him. . .

Thankfully, my subscription is almost up. . .

The lie is my expense,
Moses

More Frey

The inimicable and brilliant Alex Ross, has a very interesting take on the Frey kerfuffle:

For me, though, falsifications on this scale indicate that there is something significantly wrong with the message itself — that it tells a deeper lie about life in a totalitarian state, or, for that matter, life in the grip of addiction. The truth is elsewhere. Maybe not far away, but elsewhere. As several essayists have observed in recent days, the Frey case exemplifies a diseased attitude toward truth in American society, which is visible all across the cultural spectrum and goes straight to the top. Bush's argument for a war in Iraq discarded literal truth in favor of essential truth. There's another name for essential truth: myth. Totalitarianism depends upon it.

I am still not sure that I agree with most people's take on this whole thing, but Ross's brilliant an articulate take is at least worthy of making me rethink, my points on Frey and his connecting Frey to Bush and Iraq is breathtakingly insightful.

Frey is getting killed about this by the way, here, here and especially here.

Maybe I do need to rethink this. . .

Listening to you,
Moses

Do something about this potential Sam Alito disaster by going here!

Sleep now in the fire,
Moses

Great article, hopefully, it'll be a great fight. I'm looking forward to it.

It's the thrill of the fight,
Moses

Great article, hopefully, it'll be a great fight. I'm looking forward to it.

It's the thrill of the fight,
Moses

A picture is worth a thousand words. . .

Frey and Bush

From a Nora Ephron piece:

Which brings me to James Frey and his best-selling book A Million Little Pieces. I meant to read that book. I have a sneaker for books on the best seller list, and I'm a fairly pathetic follower of Oprah, who turned Frey's book into a best-seller. Last summer, along with thousands of other slavish Oprah acolytes, I read Anna Karenina, and let me tell you that is one swell book. By the way, Anna Karenina is a novel. That means it's fiction. But why get hung up on such distinctions? No one else does. Frey himself was on Larry King last night, with his mother no less, and he said, "In the memoir genre the writer generally takes liberties." What a great quote! And he came right out and admitted he changed a few "details." In his book, for example, Frey says he spent three months in jail, but it turns out he spent only one night in jail. In his book he says he was arrested for smoking crack, but it turns out he was arrested for being drunk. I'm with Oprah, who called the Larry King show to support Frey, and said that the whole concern over whether he was telling the truth or not was just "much ado about nothing." I feel the same way about what the President says about how we're doing in the war. I mean, big deal. We have got to get past these details and focus on what is important.

And I want,
And I need,
Animal,
Moses

Is the great Pete Townshend moonlighting as the first democratically elected President of Afghanistan?

Hat tip to one of my favorite all time people, Snaxdzl, for this stroke of genius.

I haven't got eleven kids,
I weren't born in Baghdad,
Moses

Odds and Sods

Very interesting article about how birds preyed on early man, money quote:

The end of the mystery “gives us real insight into the past lives of these human ancestors,” he said. “It shows it was not only big cats, but also these creatures from the air — aerial bombardment if you will — that our ancestors had to be afraid of. These were the stressors and stresses that grew and shaped the human mind and formed our behaviour today.”

Personally, I think the Alito confirmation is a done deal, but at least one commentator is calling out the Democrats in the Wash Post this morning, at least to some extent as I read that. . .

I am probably as progressive as it gets but even I get freaked out by some of these hybrid things, this one reminds me of Donnie Darko for some reason. . . (speaking of things that creep me out that movie was, uh. . .freaky)

I don't know what the deal with the weather in NYC lately is but I am not complaining. . .

My picks for the weekend:

Seahawks over Skins (I don't think that the Skins have a snowball's)
Indy over Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh has only a slightly better chance than Skins)
Denver over NE (this one maybe wishful thinking, as much as I despise my division rival Broncos, I am sooooo sick of the boring Pats and Boston fans in general)
Chicago over Carolina (Bears handled them easily in the regular season)

I've picked all the favorites and I am disregarding the spread, just picking them to win. . .

Speaking of football, when the music stops the Raiders may have premier offensive coordinator and the architect of the Chiefs' historic offense while KC may end up with Norv Turner according to the KC Star today. . . Interesting. . .

Finally, the Foo Fighters have released their entire video catalogue on iTunes for the low price of like $12 or so. That's a great deal for all the videos (and songs) obviously which basically amount to a "best of"album. What a great band they are!

Have a great long weekend folks!

I don't practice Santeria,
Moses

Who Are You?

The Great Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey grace the cover of Mojo magazine this month, having looked at the Dylan and Springsteen issues I've really been looking forward to this one. I will buy it the moment I see it on a newstand.

I love every minute of the day,
Moses

A Million Different Resentments

I am really beginning to think that all this fuss about James Frey is fueled by other resentful writers who envy his pecuniary success. From Andrew Sullivan who seems transfixed on Frey in a way we haven't seen since the Vatican document to this Mnookin piece in Slate. I think they just can't stand how much money Frey made.

Stop light plays it's part,
So I would say,
You've got a part,
Moses

Things That Can't Be Proven

There are things you can prove and things that you can't . A few years ago in the wake of 9/11 I was on the receiving end of an e-mail that purported that Oliver North had warned of Osama bin Laden in the 1980's during the Iran Contra hearings. One of my friends, let's call him Bruce purported to actually remember this. I immediately and publicy called him out, saying "I am certain that you don't remember that". He flew off the handle saying among other things that I ought not tell him what he "does and does not remember."

In general, of course, I am loathe to call people out on things like that, but it seemed clear to me that this was fiction. First, Bruce is my age, so that would mean that he was watching the Iran Contra hearing at a pre-pubescent or adoloescent age. Further, it would require me to believe that at that tender age and living in Long Island that some obscure Arab's name resonated with him and assuming those things occured, it would also mean that he somehow remembered all this. Finally, it would mean that he never mentioned any of this to me, then or since.

Now I can't tell him what he does or does not remember, but everything told me that it wasn't true. Fortunately, about 5 minutes of internet research yielded that it was a cyber canard. I forwarded it to him and the group, and he admitted that he was being "tale-ish".

I was reminded of this story when Alito decided to use the old Reagan standby "I don't recall" when discussing his membership in a, shall we say shady, Princeton alumni club. Sure, no one can disprove that he doesn't remember. Mind you he has incredible professional recall, that has impressed even those who can tell you a lot about obscure SCOTUS cases. Mind you also, this wasn't something he did as a child, but rather as an adult. And finally, know that he brought this up to get a job in the Reagan administration in the mid-80's. . . But now he's forgotten. . .

Look, no one can prove that he's lying, and he will get confirmed, but let's all be honest here: The man is lying. It can't be proven, but it's obvious.

So let the evil Right rant all they want about Ted Kennedy's hypocrisy (talk about irrelevant) and how shameful he and his Dem brethren are. The truth though, is simple: Alito is lying.

There's things that you guess,
And things that you know,
Moses

This quote from new KC Chiefs Head Coach, Herm Edwards cracks me up:

“I will talk face to face with everyone who works in this organization. And I have to do that, because we all work together. They need to know that I’m not a guy who sits up in the coaches’ room that they don’t have access to. They have to be able to touch me, they have to be able to feel me. They have to be able to understand me.”

I am waiting for him to bust into "See Me, Feel Me". . .

Listening to you,
Moses

Albert Brooks' Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World, a movie I have not seen, but one that I have read about and seen the preview of is looking like the epitome of exploiting Arab/Muslim "otherness". This shameless and opportunistic swipe at Muslims/Arabs in this day and age is almost beyond belief. More on this as it develops. . .

For an interesting and promising new blog belonging to a walking id, go here. . .

A Million Little Jerks

Having read James Frey's A Million Little Pieces I thought it was fairly clear that the author had embellished a little bit. I mean I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning, how the Hell is that guy supposed to remember the details of a 12 or so year bender a decade later? I mean, it specifically occurred to me: I wonder how much is perfectly accurately. That it was exagerrated I took as a given.

The book is, in my opinion, a piece of literary impressionism anyway. Based in fact but not necessarily inextricably rooted to it. Because of that, this whole smoking gun piece is not a big deal to me whatsoever. The strength of the book is the style in which it is written and the character's inner strength and philosophy. Exactly how much is exactly true, may be interesting, but ultimately it doesn't diminish the book in the slightest.

Now readers are offered a refund? Give me a break. Anyone who takes their money back is being a cheapskate. And a jerk.

The sad part is that I bet there are a million of them out there. . .

We're all different behind the eyes,
There's no need to hide,
Moses

Your Dreamworld is Just About to End:
A Sobering Accident Shows Me the Light

Almost as long as I can remember going to bars part of me has wanted to own one. It always seemed like such a cool thing to do for a living. In what other industry could you get away with a 500% markup? Where else could you work while hanging out pretty much where you'd want to be anyway? Etc, etc, etc. (I think this point is either self evident or not, if it's not move on immediately to my next post or another blog)

Anyway, recently I was in a bar and witnessed the immediate aftermath of a rather gruesome accident where a young man took an awful spill down the stairs and lay twitching, face down, in a pool of his own blood. As we approached him and tried to help he actually stopped moving. Immediately, a girl trained in CPR took over and asked us all to give her space. As I wandered back up into the bar area, I looked around at the other people there, all of whom were perfectly aware of what had happened. Basically this guy was either, very, very hurt, dying or already dead. As I stood saying a silent prayer for this fellow, and very sobered by the sight the sight of this poor guy, I looked around and witnessed something awful. Laughter. That's right. Laughter. These people were drunk, stupid and cruel. They were mocking him!! Occasionally one of the girls would say something like, "You know it's not funny, I think he's like really hurt", but overwhelmingly the reaction was one of amused apathy at the sight of this critically injured man. I was, I am, appalled.

How it is that someone could have such a disregard for life is beyond me and I just don't want to be around people who are like that. Even if they are only made that way temporarily by the influence of alcohol and a primitive type of adolescent group think.

It's no real newsflash really I suppose: drunks are selfish creeps who care about very little. But for some reason it impacted me. I haven't been back there, or any other bar, since. I am sure that I will eventually (probably sooner than later) go back, but I don't think I will ever really long to own a bar anymore.

I feel so broke up,
I wanna go home,
Moses

Eid Mubarak!

I'd like to wish everyone a happy and blessed Eid al-Adha!!

And a big F - you to all you openly bigoted Muslim and Arab haters. . .

I haven't even read this book and I know it's crap. I will actually endeavor to read it, just to find out if I'm right. I am old enough at this point though to know that things like this are rarely right. . .

Stanley Kaufmann's article on Brokeback, but really about Ang Lee, is excellent.

Above the Chiefs gather before their season finale, as Vermeil approaches them during warm ups and hugs each player. Picture taken by Moses Aton (from the other endzone) on 1/1/06.

Herm Edwards in Kansas City

I guess ultimately I am happy that the Chiefs got Edwards. The pickins' are slim out there and I believe that Herm is a good coach. That said, he has some clock management issues and I wonder how his relationship with Carl Peterson will affect his coaching. I am also happy that not only is a minority coaching the Chiefs, but an alumni of one of the minority coaching programs nonetheless! The Chiefs are an odd team, they were 10-6, but that record may be deceptive. I think the offense has declined slightly but Larry Johnson is a great surprise, I was against drafting him at the time, but I guess I've been proven wrong. If the offense can remain where it's been and the defense can improve to just about average I think this team can get deep into the playoffs with some luck. That said, this is pretty far from being an elite AFC team a la Indy or the rejuvinated Patriots.

I'm going to Kansas City,
Going to get my baby back home,
Well its a long long time too,
My baby's been gone,
Moses

As Andrew Sullivan rightly points out Pat Robertson's Christianity is a Christianity of a frightening variety, replete with horrors down road, a profound metaphysical anti-Semitism and just some good old fashioned hatred:

"Robertson's version of Christianity is fundamentalist pre-millenarianism. He believes, as do most members of the religious right, that the world is soon coming to an end, and that the unification of Israel is integral to that story-line. (The Jews who don't accept Christ will all die in a second and more extensive Holocaust, orchestrated by Jesus.) He also believes, as do millions of Americans, that God directly involves himself in our lives, as does Satan, and that He is a terrifying God who has committed mass murder and genocide in the past against those who flout his will (the Bible proves it) and will do so again. A mere stroke for Sharon? He should count himself lucky. "

Many on the Right like to rant and rave about such things as kids wearing Che Guavera shirts and the like, until Cheney gets Robertson and his ilk off his speed dial such righties have no credibility. . .

If you hate something,
Don't you do it too,
Moses

Just a pair of good old boys. . .

Interesting article about homophobia. These vocal antigay Republicans will be remembered in a way qualitatively similar to those who opposed Civil Rights. . .

But when you want money for people with minds that hate,
All I can tell is brother you have to wait,
Moses

On Sunday I completed my six week stretch of NFL games attended (with a bye). I saw Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants, KC Chiefs @ New York Giants, Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins, Cincinatti Bengals @ KC Chiefs and earlier today, Carolina Panthers @ New York Giants. Good times. I really love the NFL and I am very much looking forward to a fun postseason.








Michael Strahan is announced at today's Giants debacle. The game was a decisive victory for Carolina who will continue to Chicago while the Giants will go home. Picture taken by Moses Aton.

It will be interesting to see how the vacuum created by Sharon's apparent political demise due to health problems will be filled. Arabs are worried about a more hawkish Israel. A HUGE question is whether or not Olmert can lead the Kadima party. . .

Doctors will try to rouse him on Monday.

You’ve got a hold on to your time,
Till your break through these,
Times of trouble,
Moses

It's always a wonder to me how those who decry things like affirmative action reasoning that discrimination doesn't exist anymore are the same people who are often the most bigoted. Similarly, it's amazing how so many Christians, who in theory follow the teachings of Christ, are the cruelest of all. And finally these types are often the same ones who rant about fundamentalist Muslims. For a perfect example of this type, in this article raging against homosexuality, go here.

I'm very scared for this world,
I'm very scared for me,
Moses

Ok, so Applebees served this kid booze, and while there's nothing cool about that, the mom is really being an opportunist here by setting the stage for a law suit. Come on mom, you have a right to be pissed but let's face it, there probably aren't any damages here. . . Nightmares? Fear of death? No more apple juice? Whatever. . .

Things are getting incredibly ugly between Chris Cornell and his ex-wife.

Because I fell on,
Black days,
I fell on,
Black Days,
Moses

"They've been saying rock and roll is dead since it began. . . it'll never die. . ." - John Lennon

RIP Lou Rawls. . .

Today in History

On this date in 1919 former President Theodor Roosevelt died. He was a fascinating man in a variety of ways, but I have always admired, among others things, the New Yorker's early conservationism. He is said to have once ask his advisors, "Is there any law which prohibits me from declaring this island a bird refuge?" When they said there wasn't, Roosevelt signed the paper and said, "Very well, then, I so declare it!". Also he set aside more land for national parks and nature preserves than all of his predecessors combined.

Although he could have done much more for race relations and held some views that would be considered racist today, he did make some very early overtures against racism and even invited Booker T. Washington to the White House (although he abandoned this project after a public outcry). He admirably also rejected the anti-Semitism of the day appointing the first Jew Oscar Strauss to the Presidential Cabinet.

Finally, he was a big believer in separation of Church and State. For example, he didn't like having the name of God on money. Note his interesting reasoning for this: he didn't want the name of on something as common as money!

"I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well." - TR

You were the one who made it so clear,
All those years ago,
Moses

A Study in Contrast

This Sharon business is certainly getting ugly. Not only has consumate jerk Pat Robertson called this a punishment from God (see below entry), but now Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has added that he hopes that Sharon dies. So you basically have two nuts from the opposite side of the spectrum attacking this guy on his deathbed. Of course, the difference as Andrew Sullivan rightly points out is that "only one is on Karl Rove's A-list rolodex".

Further, note the contrast in the treatment of Sharon's plight with Arafat's death. While both Arafat and Sharon have few things to be ashamed of only Arafat's death was openly mocked in the BY media notjust a few fringe nuts (although they attacked him too). Anyone remember Arafat's widow being made fun of as she cried at his funeral? Yes, that's right THEY MOCKED A WIDOW AT HER HUSBAND'S FUNERAL. Not really a problem if you think of her as something less than human. Or how about the headline on the Post's cover that proclaimed "ARAFAT DEAD and he won't be missed"? Now I am not saying that Sharon should be treated this way. On the contrary, I find both Robertson's and Ahmadinejad's comments to be way out of line, but note the outrage at these comments and the lack of outrage about the New York Post's cover and headlines. Note also that these are just two crazy outliers and not the actual media itself.

The level of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment has reached epic levels. Today in his Opinion Journal James Taranto* ran a sarcastic headline that read "What Would We Do Without Arabs?".

It is now perfectably acceptable to say whatever you want about Arabs.

History will not remember this period of American history well.

Like Muhammed it's the truth,
Moses


* The openly racist against Arabs commentator whose racist column won't be hyperlinked here.

Movie Review: King Kong

Occasionally a movie is so good there really isn't much to say. This is the case with King Kong. You know the story, girl, Skull Island, gorilla and the Empire State Building, etc. Simply stated this movie is an outstanding tour de force. Great story, meaningful themes, exceptional special effects and action scenes and well acted.

If there is one complaint, it is the racist stereotypes portrayed on Skull Island. This is slightly mitigated in this incarnation by the fact that they are less overt and the natives almost appear to be demonic, still it's somewhat displeasing, to say the least.

All in all though, the movie is really just almost perfect and should stand for a long time as a cinematic model.

Writing any more at this point would just be redundant and unnecessary.

Even better than the real thing,
Moses

Movie Review: Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain is an impressive, well acted and well told lovestory about two people who can't be together because society won't let them be together. These two people happen to be men. They also happen to be cowboys. Literally. Cowboys in the 60's and 70's. The story is nuanced, intricate and almost epic in scope.

We first meet the two cowboys (played by Jake Gyllenhall and Heath Ledger) when they are young men looking to earn some money by moving some sheep between two farms. The beginning is a little slow and probably the trickiest part of the movie because director Ang Lee is trying to illustrate how it is that two quiet cowboys can fall in love. I am not sure he is successful here.

After that the two men move on with their lives but never really fall out of love with each other. The essence of the movie is this love story. However, also of interest is how differently they both react to each other, to being and in general to the world.

If I have any complaints about the movie it's that the rest of the cast are never really are brought to life as three dimensional characters and things are often simplified. Also, there is a, sort of theme running through the movie that seems to value homosexual over heterosexual love. As if in this world only gay love is true, good and even natural. Whereas hetero love is portrayed as fraught with compromise, misery, treachery and worst of all: IN-LAWS!

All told though, it's an outstanding love story that is long overdue.

When I'm stable long enough,
Moses

Audioslave Update

In my opinion the best rock band out there right now putting out music is Audioslave and I am happy to report that they have announced that not only will they be beginning work on their new album soon but that they intend to continue to tour. I saw them with Nesharatu recently at MSG and I've purchased everything they've ever put out (two CDs, two DVD's and one iTunes and one AOL exclusive CD each). They're awesome.

Go and Save Yourself,
Moses

He Speaks!

The Great Pete Townshend has been stirring lately, first he announced that he will be touring in 2006 and now he is warning us about the danger of iPods. As a complete iPod addict, I have no intention of jettisoning the divine device, but I will endeavor to keep the volume down especially when using the ear buds.

Incidentally, note that Pete has nothing to gain by this, in fact, angering one of the dominant world players in his own industry is probably unwise, this is a totally selfless act by a man who genuinely cares about people.

Don't let go the coat,
Moses

What a Jerk

Why does Pat Robertson have to chime in with something idiotic every time something happens? More importantly why does this psychopath have a forum? Who actually listens to this man? In his latest episode of verbal diarhea Robertson attacks fallen Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and calls the three hundred pound 77 year old's stroke a "punishment from God". I mean come on now. Seriously. Think about that. As is often the case with these Christian holy roller Republican types their inane ramblings are not only prima facie absurd, but distinctly UN-CHRISTIAN!!!

Leave the guy and his family alone Robertson. The guy is obviously in bad shape. You idiot.

Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth,
You're an idiot, babe,
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe,
Moses