I've just been informed by the mechanic who had taken my Ford Contour that the car cannot be repaired. He will want me to reimburse him for the towing to his shop, plus expenses related to junking the vehicle.
He told me that the engine was on the verge of seizing due to oil starvation. I am not surprised at all, since the head gaskets were failing, and I was losing a lot of oil to burning and leaking. It didn't help that even in "overdrive" top gear, the engine RPMs were higher (around 3,500 RPM for freeway cruise) than in most cars without overdrive, thanks to a ridiculously short final drive ratio. Those needlessly high engine speeds probably contributed to premature wear. I've religiously changed the oil on a regular basis, so lack of proper maintenance is not a factor here.
In any case, I'm very let down, and feel cheated, after my ownership experience. I thought the days of such shoddy cars were over, after the last Yugos and Sterlings were retired in the 1990s. I was wrong, and not only that, I was burned by Ford, one of the most established names in the industry. And speaking of Ford, even the spare brand-new Econoline that I've been driving has many ergonomic and design flaws, and even a rattle that came straight out of the factory.
I wish I could put my BMW into desert work duty and forget about it all. But it won't happen. Even Japanese and Korean cars, including ones assembled in the US, are no-nos, as long as I keep working with the government and the military. Looks like I will have to keep buying domestic cars, and I will have to make sure to buy needlessly large land yachts to get any semblance of quality and durability. People are telling me that the likes of Chevy Impala and the larger Buicks are good picks.
29 June 2006
28 June 2006
Fleshing out the Seattle itinerary
My Seattle visit is just a few days away.
I've fleshed out the itinerary nicely. Although I'm flying up alone, I'll hardly be alone once there. In addition to my Democracy Cell Project acquaintance (who has offered to guide me through the funkier parts of town), I will also be meeting with Action Northwest, to be interviewed for the transgender-themed play they will be producing. On top of that, I will also squeeze in a trip to Olympia to visit De Colores Bookstore, which sells multilingual books, and is run by cousins of my writing mentor, author, and fellow blogger Gayle Brandeis.
I'll also squeeze in some shopping, including Pike Place Market as well as window shopping at the REI flagship store. I'll also visit museums including the Pacific Science Center, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and possibly Tacoma's Museum of Glass. Last, but not the least, I will visit Mt. St. Helens, plus Mt. Rainier if time permits.
Looks like four very jampacked days ahead. I am excited. This will be one of the best trips I'll have ever taken, and I can feel it already.
I've fleshed out the itinerary nicely. Although I'm flying up alone, I'll hardly be alone once there. In addition to my Democracy Cell Project acquaintance (who has offered to guide me through the funkier parts of town), I will also be meeting with Action Northwest, to be interviewed for the transgender-themed play they will be producing. On top of that, I will also squeeze in a trip to Olympia to visit De Colores Bookstore, which sells multilingual books, and is run by cousins of my writing mentor, author, and fellow blogger Gayle Brandeis.
I'll also squeeze in some shopping, including Pike Place Market as well as window shopping at the REI flagship store. I'll also visit museums including the Pacific Science Center, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and possibly Tacoma's Museum of Glass. Last, but not the least, I will visit Mt. St. Helens, plus Mt. Rainier if time permits.
Looks like four very jampacked days ahead. I am excited. This will be one of the best trips I'll have ever taken, and I can feel it already.
27 June 2006
Korean pop culture...
... as a vehicle to infiltrate non-Koreans with fundamentalist Christianity.
I've seen it in college, where Korean-American students put up posters of Korean pop singers' concerts in the New York area, to get non-Koreans to indulge in Korean popular culture and the presence of Koreans. Then fundamentalist Christian brainwashing would follow. By the time I left college, formerly all-Korean Christian ministry groups on campus were full of Chinese and other Asian ethnicities, and they were spewing their hatred and prejudice more, and wider, than ever.
For that reason, I am wary of the current spread of Korean pop culture throughout various Asian-American communities. Anyone in Asia, or with ties to Asia, knows that Korean phenomena, such as actor Bae Yong-joon (AKA "Yon-sama" in Japan) and singer BoA, are hot all over the continent. The problem arises when fans of these performers open up themselves to influences from their Korean-American buddies - including hate-filled fundamentalist Christianity.
I wanted take an exception to the World Cup soccer, since I believe that sports and politics should be as separate as possible. South Korea's soccer team is best known for its supporters, whose wild, charismatic cheering style was a sight to behold during the previous World Cup in 2002; those same cheers carried over into this year as well, and Korean-Americans in major US cities held their own rallies to support the team. The supporters called themselves the "Red Devils," debunking two taboos in the staunchly anticommunist and heavily Christian Korean society; for that reason, many Korean-Americans rejected the Red Devils theming and mentality - until South Korea made it to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup.
But now, in 2006, those cheers are being used as vehicles to carry fundamentalist Christianity. South Korean soccer matches are now used as opportunities for churches to "bless the God-fearing Korean players" (half the team is indeed Christian) and hope God is on their side. I'm pretty sure something similar happened back in March as well, when South Korea's baseball team visited Southern California to participate in the World Baseball Classic - and the fans used the same soccer chants.
So even sports are not safe anymore from politics and religion - at least when it comes to South Korean squads and Korean-Americans. What's next? A lengthy prayer as the goal ceremony, along the lines of the Saudis and the Iranians? It's a shame, because I've otherwise liked the South Korean soccer team (and considered them every bit worthy of their title as the Most Entertaining Team of the 2002 World Cup) - and especially admired its Dutch coaches, who introduced their Dutch openness and tolerance to the Korean society.
New York Times (registration required)
I've seen it in college, where Korean-American students put up posters of Korean pop singers' concerts in the New York area, to get non-Koreans to indulge in Korean popular culture and the presence of Koreans. Then fundamentalist Christian brainwashing would follow. By the time I left college, formerly all-Korean Christian ministry groups on campus were full of Chinese and other Asian ethnicities, and they were spewing their hatred and prejudice more, and wider, than ever.
For that reason, I am wary of the current spread of Korean pop culture throughout various Asian-American communities. Anyone in Asia, or with ties to Asia, knows that Korean phenomena, such as actor Bae Yong-joon (AKA "Yon-sama" in Japan) and singer BoA, are hot all over the continent. The problem arises when fans of these performers open up themselves to influences from their Korean-American buddies - including hate-filled fundamentalist Christianity.
I wanted take an exception to the World Cup soccer, since I believe that sports and politics should be as separate as possible. South Korea's soccer team is best known for its supporters, whose wild, charismatic cheering style was a sight to behold during the previous World Cup in 2002; those same cheers carried over into this year as well, and Korean-Americans in major US cities held their own rallies to support the team. The supporters called themselves the "Red Devils," debunking two taboos in the staunchly anticommunist and heavily Christian Korean society; for that reason, many Korean-Americans rejected the Red Devils theming and mentality - until South Korea made it to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup.
But now, in 2006, those cheers are being used as vehicles to carry fundamentalist Christianity. South Korean soccer matches are now used as opportunities for churches to "bless the God-fearing Korean players" (half the team is indeed Christian) and hope God is on their side. I'm pretty sure something similar happened back in March as well, when South Korea's baseball team visited Southern California to participate in the World Baseball Classic - and the fans used the same soccer chants.
So even sports are not safe anymore from politics and religion - at least when it comes to South Korean squads and Korean-Americans. What's next? A lengthy prayer as the goal ceremony, along the lines of the Saudis and the Iranians? It's a shame, because I've otherwise liked the South Korean soccer team (and considered them every bit worthy of their title as the Most Entertaining Team of the 2002 World Cup) - and especially admired its Dutch coaches, who introduced their Dutch openness and tolerance to the Korean society.
New York Times (registration required)
Car finally retired
Wikipedia file photo of a Ford ContourThe air conditioning compressor failed along with the fan; the fan only had a blown fuse, but the compressor was completely destroyed, requiring yet another costly repair worth more than the car itself. The decision was made to return the car to my home, then arrange for disposal - at only 7 years and 128,000 miles. As it turned out, the car never made it home, stalling just a few miles short due to a bad alternator and discharged battery. I am blaming my mechanic's improper fan belt replacement.
As of now, a repair shop has volunteered to take it, try to repair it, and sell it in a working-class neighborhood. I will have to meet with them to transfer the ownership.
So shortly after I turn 30 (and lose all my grandparents), I now part ways with my first car. It was my partner in my 6,000-mile Western US road trip in 2000. But I won't miss it a bit. It's been a nightmare to maintain and repair, the support from Ford has been pathetic, and owner groups were more likely to try to indoctrinate me into neocon politics than to try to help me. I've lost count of the times Camry and Accord drivers have told me "I told you so" regarding the troubles with my car.
The car had been in numerous accidents, including a major one; it had a way of being crashed into at a red light very often. But the real issue was Ford's outsourcing of its parts supply to the lowest bidder, often shady operations in Third World countries, to sell me a car at $16,000; this car, originally Ford of Europe's Mondeo, had been designed to be sold at $25,000+. While it makes sense in Europe, it doesn't make sense in the US, where there is no market for premium sporty compact Ford sedans. There will also be others who will blame Ford's rampant unionism for the cost and quality issues; but then, with greedy insurers and sky-high healthcare costs in the US, the only other option is slave labor. Of course, both Ford and UAW need to work together to come up with a more efficient, productive corporate culture rivalling those of Asian automakers at home (NOT in the US, where union-busting and low benefits are the rule).
Based on my experiences, and those of others, this car will most likely be the last Ford I'll ever own. In fact, I'm sick of domestic-branded vehicles, period; they are shoddily built, too big and cushy, or most likely both. Although I will live off of my other vehicle, a leased BMW 3-series, for now (and pay off the lease and transfer the ownership to me), it's too flashy for desert work duty. Company vehicles (in fact, another Ford - an Econoline) will fill in for now. But eventually, I'll need another inexpensive sedan, definitely an import. I spotted a brand-new Honda Accord hybrid today, and thought it would probably work very well for me.
Americans the most nationalistic
So says a survey of people from 34 countries.
I am not surprised. Americans are proud of their democratic institutions and heritage, despite W's assault on them. They are justifiably proud of their power and influence. Some people are proud of America for the wrong reasons, but they are proud nevertheless.
Venezuela has come in a close second, thanks to Hugo Chavez's social policies and his brinkmanship against the W regime. Following it were Ireland (always proud to be Irish), South Africa (thanks, Mandela), and Australia.
Europeans and Asians ranked low. This includes France and South Korea, countries I consider to be highly nationalistic. The Koreans may be ranking low due to the fact that their nationalism, at least of the right-wing sort, is more about finding a superpower (most likely Republican United States, maybe Liberal Democratic Japan) to suck up to.
In general, high-ranking countries were the more idealistic nations that were former colonies or newly formed.
MSNBC
I am not surprised. Americans are proud of their democratic institutions and heritage, despite W's assault on them. They are justifiably proud of their power and influence. Some people are proud of America for the wrong reasons, but they are proud nevertheless.
Venezuela has come in a close second, thanks to Hugo Chavez's social policies and his brinkmanship against the W regime. Following it were Ireland (always proud to be Irish), South Africa (thanks, Mandela), and Australia.
Europeans and Asians ranked low. This includes France and South Korea, countries I consider to be highly nationalistic. The Koreans may be ranking low due to the fact that their nationalism, at least of the right-wing sort, is more about finding a superpower (most likely Republican United States, maybe Liberal Democratic Japan) to suck up to.
In general, high-ranking countries were the more idealistic nations that were former colonies or newly formed.
MSNBC
24 June 2006
"Satann Coulter"
Just ran into this on the ReBelle Nation blog, and had to share it.
I wish for a day when a tranny won't have to be so evil and outrageous, in order to make the news and/or be the face of a political party.
Huffington Post
I wish for a day when a tranny won't have to be so evil and outrageous, in order to make the news and/or be the face of a political party.
Huffington Post
Did Adolf Hitler say it...
or was it Mann Coulter?
This quiz lets you guess (and check) which lump of raging testosterone actually said certain things about liberalism. It's harder than it looks.
Thanks to member oncall at Democracy Cell Project for sharing the link.
Give Up Blog
This quiz lets you guess (and check) which lump of raging testosterone actually said certain things about liberalism. It's harder than it looks.
Thanks to member oncall at Democracy Cell Project for sharing the link.
Give Up Blog
23 June 2006
Fashion Corner (Double Feature)
Here are a couple of celebs dressed in 1980s-inspired wear.
Photo courtesy of MSN Movies
Here's Kate Beckinsale. She looked great a few years back in Pearl Harbor - so why is she hiding behind this really dated 1980s setup? It's all black and white - nothing wrong with that in itself, but a splash of color can't hurt. And the styling - from oversized white shoes to wide belt to tapered-leg pants - is really dated. I know that the 1980s fashions are back, but this is a tad too faithful to the era; the better way to do it would be to re-interpret the decade in a more modern way, with a modern era article of clothing or accessory.
And the lack of makeup makes her look old and hideous too.
Photo courtesy of MSN Movies
And here is Lindsay Lohan, again. She definitely has a penchant for footless tights. (And so does Sienna Miller - though she also likes footed ones.) This time, Lindsay has chosen to go knee-length for a 1980s biker look, and has covered herself in a long top again. I like the shoes and the bag, but the makeup and hair - no thanks.
I remember the last time footless tights and long tops were popular - in my teens. I wanted to wear them then (though couldn't), and this time around, I'll spend a few hours in Seattle shopping for the look. I would make sure that the long top at least looks like a dress (if it's not one outright) though. I just don't like wearing a VPL-revealing pair of footless tights and covering them only with a top.
Previous Fashion Corner
Photo courtesy of MSN MoviesAnd the lack of makeup makes her look old and hideous too.
Photo courtesy of MSN MoviesI remember the last time footless tights and long tops were popular - in my teens. I wanted to wear them then (though couldn't), and this time around, I'll spend a few hours in Seattle shopping for the look. I would make sure that the long top at least looks like a dress (if it's not one outright) though. I just don't like wearing a VPL-revealing pair of footless tights and covering them only with a top.
Previous Fashion Corner
Muslims vs. the West
I ran into this poll, reported on MSNBC, which says that Muslims and the West are not getting along at all, and that each side blames the other.
The article says that the Muslims accuse the West of being selfish, immoral, and greedy. I think the first two issues come from the more individualistic culture of the West, which is unacceptable to the Muslims.
The West accuses the Muslims of being arrogant, violent, and intolerant. I definitely get the violent and intolerant part from the Muslims' track record; however, the extremist Christians, primarily in the US, are no better.
See the link below for more information. I am not surprised at all by the findings.
MSNBC
The article says that the Muslims accuse the West of being selfish, immoral, and greedy. I think the first two issues come from the more individualistic culture of the West, which is unacceptable to the Muslims.
The West accuses the Muslims of being arrogant, violent, and intolerant. I definitely get the violent and intolerant part from the Muslims' track record; however, the extremist Christians, primarily in the US, are no better.
See the link below for more information. I am not surprised at all by the findings.
MSNBC
20 June 2006
Sam Brownback - the Korean puppet
If this article is not proof that Sam Brownback cares more about Korean tax evaders like Reverend Moon than about hard-working, tax-paying, voting Americans, I don't know what is.
He shouldn't be lecturing anyone on the sanctity of North Korean human rights, when he takes such a low road on American basic human rights.
This is also proof that for the LGBT community and all freedom-loving peoples, the Korean-"American" community is a lethal enemy. It speaks for neither the United States of America nor the Republic of Korea. There is a reason why I still think of the Republic of Korea in good terms and follow its sensational football team in the World Cup right now, but refuse to join the Korean-"Americans" in cheering the team at Staples Center.
AlterNet
He shouldn't be lecturing anyone on the sanctity of North Korean human rights, when he takes such a low road on American basic human rights.
This is also proof that for the LGBT community and all freedom-loving peoples, the Korean-"American" community is a lethal enemy. It speaks for neither the United States of America nor the Republic of Korea. There is a reason why I still think of the Republic of Korea in good terms and follow its sensational football team in the World Cup right now, but refuse to join the Korean-"Americans" in cheering the team at Staples Center.
AlterNet
15 June 2006
Gary Miller opposed to illegal alien amnesty
Two of my favorite blogs, Nite Swimming and Ellen's Illinois Tenth District Blog, are run by progressives based in Republican congressional districts. They concentrate heavily on the bad behavior of the current Republican Congressmen, John Doolittle and Mark Kirk, respectively.
I have my own bad Republican Congressman, Gary Miller. He is NOT to be confused with George Miller, a pro-labor Democrat who serves Martinez and Concord in Northern California. Today, I received a flyer from Congressman Miller in the mail, stressing his commitment to enforcement-only policy against illegal immigrants.
Miller claims that wages have been depressed and welfare costs ballooned due to the presence of illegal aliens. While it cannot be ignored that illegal aliens have hurt wages for the American workers, the real issue is that the employers are the ones who created the black market for cheap illegal labor. Miller seeks to punish the illegals themselves, with only a slap in the wrist for the actual creators of the black market. The illegals, to me, are victims of dire circumstances; thanks to the disastrous policies of the Vicente Fox/PAN regime in Mexico, it makes more sense to work illegally at slave wages in the US than to look for a nonexistent middle-class job within Mexico. And Fox and PAN didn't work in a vacuum; they are one of the numerous Latin American right-wing regimes propped up by the W regime and previous Republican administrations.
Miller's district covers Diamond Bar and Rowland Heights, two communities known for their high concentrations of immigrants, primarily Chinese and Korean. Diamond Bar also has East Indians and Muslims. Many are successful achievers of the American Dream, and the vast majority are definitely in the US legally, if not naturalized outright. Yet none of these immigrant communities are speaking out against Miller, even though almost everybody in these communities knows/works with an illegal friend or relative. The Chinese community, for starters, relies heavily on illegal mainlanders, and has an elaborate community network for turning them into legal workers, then legal residents. If Miller has his way, the ENTIRE Chinese community becomes criminal. In the Korean community, meanwhile, a common practice for older immigrants is to bring their unmarried adult children (who are considered minors under Korean law) in as well, even though children over 21 must apply on their own; these adult children end up becoming illegals. Miller will make all these Korean families criminals too.
But these communities seem to be so content with Miller's social conservatism and materialistic policies, that they are selling out their own best interests at the ballot box. So much so, that Miller's district is one of the only 12 nationwide where the Democrats won't even run a challenger. You just have to love the corrupting influence of fundamentalist Christianity on the Korean community, which is now seeping into portions of the Chinese community as well. In fact, as long as I continue seeing Chinese materialism in the form of Mercedes-Benzes with "8888" (money money money money) or "168" (achieve money) vanity license plates, and Korean fundamentalism in the form of extremist churches all over Miller's district, I don't see much hope.
Prior to Miller, the Korean community yielded a Congressman for this district. But he was a rabid right-wing Republican as well, and a leading proponent of Gingrich's "Contract with America." I don't miss him a bit.
As much as I wish for the best in this district, there is only so much I can do about immigrant communities that are determined to shoot themselves in the foot again and again. The best I can do is to work for a more progressive candidate, Democratic or otherwise, in another district here in Southern California. It appears that Progressive Democrats of America is supporting several candidates in the greater Los Angeles area, and I will be sure to somehow support them the best I can. I cannot let the Republican control of Congress continue.
I have my own bad Republican Congressman, Gary Miller. He is NOT to be confused with George Miller, a pro-labor Democrat who serves Martinez and Concord in Northern California. Today, I received a flyer from Congressman Miller in the mail, stressing his commitment to enforcement-only policy against illegal immigrants.
Miller claims that wages have been depressed and welfare costs ballooned due to the presence of illegal aliens. While it cannot be ignored that illegal aliens have hurt wages for the American workers, the real issue is that the employers are the ones who created the black market for cheap illegal labor. Miller seeks to punish the illegals themselves, with only a slap in the wrist for the actual creators of the black market. The illegals, to me, are victims of dire circumstances; thanks to the disastrous policies of the Vicente Fox/PAN regime in Mexico, it makes more sense to work illegally at slave wages in the US than to look for a nonexistent middle-class job within Mexico. And Fox and PAN didn't work in a vacuum; they are one of the numerous Latin American right-wing regimes propped up by the W regime and previous Republican administrations.
Miller's district covers Diamond Bar and Rowland Heights, two communities known for their high concentrations of immigrants, primarily Chinese and Korean. Diamond Bar also has East Indians and Muslims. Many are successful achievers of the American Dream, and the vast majority are definitely in the US legally, if not naturalized outright. Yet none of these immigrant communities are speaking out against Miller, even though almost everybody in these communities knows/works with an illegal friend or relative. The Chinese community, for starters, relies heavily on illegal mainlanders, and has an elaborate community network for turning them into legal workers, then legal residents. If Miller has his way, the ENTIRE Chinese community becomes criminal. In the Korean community, meanwhile, a common practice for older immigrants is to bring their unmarried adult children (who are considered minors under Korean law) in as well, even though children over 21 must apply on their own; these adult children end up becoming illegals. Miller will make all these Korean families criminals too.
But these communities seem to be so content with Miller's social conservatism and materialistic policies, that they are selling out their own best interests at the ballot box. So much so, that Miller's district is one of the only 12 nationwide where the Democrats won't even run a challenger. You just have to love the corrupting influence of fundamentalist Christianity on the Korean community, which is now seeping into portions of the Chinese community as well. In fact, as long as I continue seeing Chinese materialism in the form of Mercedes-Benzes with "8888" (money money money money) or "168" (achieve money) vanity license plates, and Korean fundamentalism in the form of extremist churches all over Miller's district, I don't see much hope.
Prior to Miller, the Korean community yielded a Congressman for this district. But he was a rabid right-wing Republican as well, and a leading proponent of Gingrich's "Contract with America." I don't miss him a bit.
As much as I wish for the best in this district, there is only so much I can do about immigrant communities that are determined to shoot themselves in the foot again and again. The best I can do is to work for a more progressive candidate, Democratic or otherwise, in another district here in Southern California. It appears that Progressive Democrats of America is supporting several candidates in the greater Los Angeles area, and I will be sure to somehow support them the best I can. I cannot let the Republican control of Congress continue.
12 June 2006
FIFA World Cup Germany 2006
I've decided to set the worries of the world (and the nation) aside, by watching the FIFA World Cup soccer going on in Germany right now.
Okay, I'll be honest. Whenever a notoriously homophobic nation played, I cheered for its opponent, even if the opponent itself weren't so stellar in its human rights records. In other words, cheer Mexico when Iran played, and cheer Ecuador when Poland played. (Both Iran and Poland have lost.)
Despite the ugly neocon foreign policies, I am still supporting Team USA, and was disappointed by its crushing loss to the Czech Republic today. With the remaining opponents in the group, Italy and Ghana, both being strong, Team USA will have a very uphill fight ahead.
I'll be watching the wild parties that will take place over the next month in the various ethnic enclaves of Los Angeles; East LA just erupted yesterday as Mexico beat Iran, and Koreatown will be next as South Korea takes on Togo tomorrow. Though I'm still too pissed off to actually join the festivities (especially the ones in Koreatown), just a mere sight of these parties will be good eye candy here in Los Angeles.
FIFA World Cup 2006
Okay, I'll be honest. Whenever a notoriously homophobic nation played, I cheered for its opponent, even if the opponent itself weren't so stellar in its human rights records. In other words, cheer Mexico when Iran played, and cheer Ecuador when Poland played. (Both Iran and Poland have lost.)
Despite the ugly neocon foreign policies, I am still supporting Team USA, and was disappointed by its crushing loss to the Czech Republic today. With the remaining opponents in the group, Italy and Ghana, both being strong, Team USA will have a very uphill fight ahead.
I'll be watching the wild parties that will take place over the next month in the various ethnic enclaves of Los Angeles; East LA just erupted yesterday as Mexico beat Iran, and Koreatown will be next as South Korea takes on Togo tomorrow. Though I'm still too pissed off to actually join the festivities (especially the ones in Koreatown), just a mere sight of these parties will be good eye candy here in Los Angeles.
FIFA World Cup 2006
07 June 2006
Tranny Annie's new book
It's called Godless: the Church of Liberalism.
It's caused a furor among both liberals and conservatives, by portraying a group of 9/11 widows as "professional victims" and "witches" for not supporting the W agenda.
Mann Coulter even got an interview on the Today Show with Matt Lauer this morning, where he spewed his vitriol even further.
Ann, if you truly are a person of God, I suggest that you stop your lies and come out of the closet. We ALL know that it's a dick (or its mutilated remains) hiding under that miniskirt of yours. And to truly fulfill the Christian agenda, please go hang yourself, since you are a sodomite, and sodomites have no place in God's kingdom, which you want the US to be so badly.
TruthOut
It's caused a furor among both liberals and conservatives, by portraying a group of 9/11 widows as "professional victims" and "witches" for not supporting the W agenda.
Mann Coulter even got an interview on the Today Show with Matt Lauer this morning, where he spewed his vitriol even further.
Ann, if you truly are a person of God, I suggest that you stop your lies and come out of the closet. We ALL know that it's a dick (or its mutilated remains) hiding under that miniskirt of yours. And to truly fulfill the Christian agenda, please go hang yourself, since you are a sodomite, and sodomites have no place in God's kingdom, which you want the US to be so badly.
TruthOut
"Learn America's values"
So says W to immigrants.
He needs to really get serious on this, and say that to immigrants who are his allies as well. A good example of such an immigrant would be Reverend Moon of the Unification Church. He is using his backward Korean culture to stifle American individualism and diversity, by, for example, using his puppets such as Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas to get gay marriage banned nationwide. (Fortunately, that failed.)
I can tell you that Korean children do well under authoritarian, strict, monolithic settings. So when Brownback says he needs to ban gay marriage for "the love of our children," it makes sense. But then, he should become a legislator in the South Korean National Assembly, not the United States Senate. He should not be taking orders from a primitive immigrant in order to crush the American spirit of freedom, diversity, and individualism, which have always been the core values for raising America's children.
W is right. Immigrants need to learn America's values. And that includes learning the importance of freedom, diversity, and rugged individualism. And nobody is exempt - not even the Unification Church, which must be required to speak English immediately so that the entire nation can see its evil innards and influence.
CNN
He needs to really get serious on this, and say that to immigrants who are his allies as well. A good example of such an immigrant would be Reverend Moon of the Unification Church. He is using his backward Korean culture to stifle American individualism and diversity, by, for example, using his puppets such as Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas to get gay marriage banned nationwide. (Fortunately, that failed.)
I can tell you that Korean children do well under authoritarian, strict, monolithic settings. So when Brownback says he needs to ban gay marriage for "the love of our children," it makes sense. But then, he should become a legislator in the South Korean National Assembly, not the United States Senate. He should not be taking orders from a primitive immigrant in order to crush the American spirit of freedom, diversity, and individualism, which have always been the core values for raising America's children.
W is right. Immigrants need to learn America's values. And that includes learning the importance of freedom, diversity, and rugged individualism. And nobody is exempt - not even the Unification Church, which must be required to speak English immediately so that the entire nation can see its evil innards and influence.
CNN
Seattle confirmed
I've finally confirmed everything.
I will fly lesbian-friendly United Airlines into Seattle, pick up an economy car (I wanted a hybrid but couldn't find one), and stay at a soulless airport business hotel to save money and get free Internet.
I've marked up my mapping software with a list of Seattle sights and neighborhoods I want to visit. I've also gotten lots of good advice from my Seattle-area Democracy Cell Project contact on what to do and where to go.
These may well be the four greatest days I'll have this year.
The only downside is missing the Melissa Etheridge concert at Los Angeles's Greek Theatre on July 1st, but even if I stayed home, finding an excuse to go would've been pretty difficult, so I've considered it a lost cause anyway.
I'll see how things will turn out.
I will fly lesbian-friendly United Airlines into Seattle, pick up an economy car (I wanted a hybrid but couldn't find one), and stay at a soulless airport business hotel to save money and get free Internet.
I've marked up my mapping software with a list of Seattle sights and neighborhoods I want to visit. I've also gotten lots of good advice from my Seattle-area Democracy Cell Project contact on what to do and where to go.
These may well be the four greatest days I'll have this year.
The only downside is missing the Melissa Etheridge concert at Los Angeles's Greek Theatre on July 1st, but even if I stayed home, finding an excuse to go would've been pretty difficult, so I've considered it a lost cause anyway.
I'll see how things will turn out.
06 June 2006
A change in travel plans
Coming off of my lovely Bay Area trip, my original intention was to go to Las Vegas in mid-June to attend a meeting of Epinions.com members.
I scrubbed that. It'll be too hot, and at this politically volatile period, throwing a tranny in the same space as a neocon (and there are quite a few on Epinions) does NOT make for a good experience. Besides, I am not really in a show/gambling mood at this time.
I am expecting to get the entire week of Independence Day off though, and I am planning to travel far away - to Seattle. I have planned a 4-day itinerary that will allow me to experience Seattle's groovy neighborhoods (especially Capitol Hill!), and the neighboring sights such as Bainbridge Island and Mt. St. Helens. The long daylight should help too, as well as the mild, sunny climate (Seattle is pretty dry in summer). And I will most likely meet a Seattle-based member of Democracy Cell Project as well.
Considering that my previous Seattle visits consisted of exploring its aviation industry (such as the Boeing 747/777 factory in Everett) and little more, it'll feel like a whole new experience when I get up there. This time, aviation will be limited to my flights up and back. It looks like I'll be flying United, for the first time since I started my novel (which deals with a United flight attendant). I hope it'll help my novel.
To keep my Seattle experience authentic, I will try not to go east of the lake into places like Bellevue and Redmond. Those places sound a lot like the materialistic suburbs of San Gabriel Valley down here in Los Angeles (down to the Asian nouveau-riche enclaves and Korean churches), and I don't need to go all the way up to Seattle to see more of the same. And to carry the theme further, I will insist on the smallest rental car possible, which will also save money at the gas pump.
As for Las Vegas, it can wait until the end of September, when it's a bit cooler. I decided to use the Mariah Carey concert (see the last Fashion Corner) as an excuse to get out there then.
I scrubbed that. It'll be too hot, and at this politically volatile period, throwing a tranny in the same space as a neocon (and there are quite a few on Epinions) does NOT make for a good experience. Besides, I am not really in a show/gambling mood at this time.
I am expecting to get the entire week of Independence Day off though, and I am planning to travel far away - to Seattle. I have planned a 4-day itinerary that will allow me to experience Seattle's groovy neighborhoods (especially Capitol Hill!), and the neighboring sights such as Bainbridge Island and Mt. St. Helens. The long daylight should help too, as well as the mild, sunny climate (Seattle is pretty dry in summer). And I will most likely meet a Seattle-based member of Democracy Cell Project as well.
Considering that my previous Seattle visits consisted of exploring its aviation industry (such as the Boeing 747/777 factory in Everett) and little more, it'll feel like a whole new experience when I get up there. This time, aviation will be limited to my flights up and back. It looks like I'll be flying United, for the first time since I started my novel (which deals with a United flight attendant). I hope it'll help my novel.
To keep my Seattle experience authentic, I will try not to go east of the lake into places like Bellevue and Redmond. Those places sound a lot like the materialistic suburbs of San Gabriel Valley down here in Los Angeles (down to the Asian nouveau-riche enclaves and Korean churches), and I don't need to go all the way up to Seattle to see more of the same. And to carry the theme further, I will insist on the smallest rental car possible, which will also save money at the gas pump.
As for Las Vegas, it can wait until the end of September, when it's a bit cooler. I decided to use the Mariah Carey concert (see the last Fashion Corner) as an excuse to get out there then.
05 June 2006
W declares war on a segment of America
That's what I consider his call today for gay marriage ban to be. It's nothing less than a declaration of war against a law-abiding, tax-paying segment of the American population.
W has charged gays with undermining the institutions of family and marriage. He has decreed that the gay community must give up its rights forever, and suffer, in order to advance the civil rights agenda in the United States.
Sounds like the script was written by some right-wing nonwhite who is fed up with the gay community's rising power. Who could it be? Kenneth Blackwell? Some Cuban scumball in Florida? That Korean import by the name of Sun Myong Moon?
I will not tolerate this. A gay marriage is a CIVIL marriage that will have no bearing on the rights of churches to determine who gets married and who don't within their secretive walls. There are lots of abusive, non-exemplary straight couples as well, not to mention those quickie marriages like Britney Spears' 36-hour Vegas marriage. If we need to defend the institution of marriage, ban THEM first - do not declare war on a productive segment of the society to make some primitive foreign bastard happy.
I will not let some primitive Third World culture destroy the individualism and freedom that has made America strong for the past two centuries.
W has charged gays with undermining the institutions of family and marriage. He has decreed that the gay community must give up its rights forever, and suffer, in order to advance the civil rights agenda in the United States.
Sounds like the script was written by some right-wing nonwhite who is fed up with the gay community's rising power. Who could it be? Kenneth Blackwell? Some Cuban scumball in Florida? That Korean import by the name of Sun Myong Moon?
I will not tolerate this. A gay marriage is a CIVIL marriage that will have no bearing on the rights of churches to determine who gets married and who don't within their secretive walls. There are lots of abusive, non-exemplary straight couples as well, not to mention those quickie marriages like Britney Spears' 36-hour Vegas marriage. If we need to defend the institution of marriage, ban THEM first - do not declare war on a productive segment of the society to make some primitive foreign bastard happy.
I will not let some primitive Third World culture destroy the individualism and freedom that has made America strong for the past two centuries.
02 June 2006
Fashion Corner
Photo courtesy of The Superficial.comMariah Carey is everywhere, with her tour starting soon and all. Time to revisit her, I guess.
This photo comes from Hotel Gansevoort, in New York's Soho district.
My first impression: drag queen. With that skimpy bright minidress, heels so high it's impossible to walk in, and a dog as a fashion accessory, this is nothing short of going for the drag queen look. Mariah's big upper body, a result of her ill-advised boob job, only adds to that feel.
I still remember those early pictures of Mariah, where she was also wearing minidresses, but looked a lot more tasteful. I'm still scratching my head on where she went. Sure, emancipating herself in recent years from the influences of her bosses was a good thing, but did the result have to look this ugly?
I expect to attend one of the stops in her new tour, as I still have a soft spot for some of her early, trademark hits like "Hero." But this reminds me to get the farthest, cheapest seats possible, so that I'll be soaking in the atmosphere without having to stare at the ugly outfits.
UPDATE: I am now scheduled to see Mariah in Las Vegas on September 30th. I'll report on her outfits then.
Previous Fashion Corner
This photo comes from Hotel Gansevoort, in New York's Soho district.
My first impression: drag queen. With that skimpy bright minidress, heels so high it's impossible to walk in, and a dog as a fashion accessory, this is nothing short of going for the drag queen look. Mariah's big upper body, a result of her ill-advised boob job, only adds to that feel.
I still remember those early pictures of Mariah, where she was also wearing minidresses, but looked a lot more tasteful. I'm still scratching my head on where she went. Sure, emancipating herself in recent years from the influences of her bosses was a good thing, but did the result have to look this ugly?
I expect to attend one of the stops in her new tour, as I still have a soft spot for some of her early, trademark hits like "Hero." But this reminds me to get the farthest, cheapest seats possible, so that I'll be soaking in the atmosphere without having to stare at the ugly outfits.
UPDATE: I am now scheduled to see Mariah in Las Vegas on September 30th. I'll report on her outfits then.
Previous Fashion Corner
On being banned from Daily Kos
Not me. I don't even post there (though I read it).
One of the Daily Kos diarists, Chris Floyd, was banned from Daily Kos last week for speaking his mind out about the timidity of some Democrats in approving the nomination of CIA Director Michael Hayden, who had eavesdropped on Americans for no reason, and therefore did not deserve the nomination.
ReBelle Nation already carried this article, and I am linking to it as well. This hits close to me, as I was also silenced by the Democratic Underground, another major progressive website, for speaking out about the reactionary politics of certain immigrant groups in Southern California.
As long as the progressives keep their heads buried in the sand in denial, they can only scratch their heads as the neocons continue to successfully ram their agenda through.
Chris Floyd
One of the Daily Kos diarists, Chris Floyd, was banned from Daily Kos last week for speaking his mind out about the timidity of some Democrats in approving the nomination of CIA Director Michael Hayden, who had eavesdropped on Americans for no reason, and therefore did not deserve the nomination.
ReBelle Nation already carried this article, and I am linking to it as well. This hits close to me, as I was also silenced by the Democratic Underground, another major progressive website, for speaking out about the reactionary politics of certain immigrant groups in Southern California.
As long as the progressives keep their heads buried in the sand in denial, they can only scratch their heads as the neocons continue to successfully ram their agenda through.
Chris Floyd
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