Crazy Woman with Axe
Morning coffee and cherry/almond muffin, joined again by the T-man, i grab quick glances of my favorite coffee people. We had to remove three doors to get that new fixture in for rearrangement number fourtyseven, it was a big rack to hold overflowing inventory. Only listened to wartime am radio for a bit, turned it off to pay attention to switching up our items for a new look, doubles and do nothings will go in the basement after i get lunch. Lunch is cranberry juice and a mozzerella sandwich, wolfboy sighting and encounter. Pushy and cute phone sales gal cuts through our barbwire and gets us to switch, the staff is so easily swayed by a smile, i guess we saved some money. Leave work a little early to don ape suite because it's an opera night. Don't shave and i take about fifteen minutes to get my red tie just right or right enough for me. Ride cuts it close time wise but after having to deal with a parking thug we make it as the curtain rips apart at the start of Richard Strauss' Elektra. Despite a valiant effort we started this one without our customary boxes of Dotts gum drops. Greek tragedy with a nice set, good voices and and a great score, no intermission so it was done in under two hours, good opera.
Friday, March 21, 2003
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Why was he wearing three purple hearts on his army jacket, I not so sure about that. Hey, didn't he justrub my belly..what's that all about. Listen to am radio coverage of the Iraqi invasion all day at work, not a good day to be a Jordanian taxi driver in Bagdad. Marines and Army seem to be poised to strike hard unless the the Iraqi military throws the white flag. It seems the the most destructive military force on the planet, the United States Air Force hasn't really yet started for the same reasons. The next few days should be interesting and tense. Anti-war rally started downtown late afternoon and ended in mass arrests by eight or so, we will be seeing more of this I'm sure, especially here on campus. When giving weather reports the radio news have added Bagdad and Kuwait City to the list, it has become an immediate matter. Chicken Lo Mein and green tea for dinner.
Trying to get work done at coffee shop when T asks if he can sit at my table, of course I say yes. I put away my papers and pen and listen to T talk about war and what could happen in the next few days. I listen, he paints some horrifing pictures for here and abroad. Professional woman sitting next to us who is obviously listening is visibly uncomfortable with T's outlook. I listen, look at some of my favorite coffee shop folk and take it in. I soon leave to finish my immediate work and continue a normal day while thinking how frantic things are on the other side of the world.
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Just spent some time with Colonel Dax and the spent men of the 701st regiment as they were ordered to take "The Anthill." Saw Paths of Glory for the first time, poignant anti-war film. Effective photography and Kirk Douglas was outstanding.
Monday, March 17, 2003
Monday, March 10, 2003
Work weekend, then again it's always a work weekend. Went to an experimental movie presentation with Richard and Jo last night at film makers. We were like three kids sharing our chocolate snacks and drinking our adult coffees before the start of the 16mm shorts. The older gentleman whose movies we were about to watch gave us a short lecture and then it started. I felt like I was in a class that I had somehow signed up for because I needed the "requirement." We watched a lot of bouncing black and white dots, outer space scenes, unbecoming library copying activities, family picnics, amateur poultry projects and saying good bye to loved ones. I caught Richard dozing off a few times and Jo looked at me and smiled, it was interesting, but I'm not an experimental movie guy. I think we're going to see more movies here soon, this is good because I need to see more movies in general, but not necessarily experimental ones. Oh, the man who made the movies is from originally from Ohio, but is now moving to China.
Thursday, March 06, 2003
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Monday, March 03, 2003
"Stan, I want you to take your brother and go down to Mentzin's to get Paczki for us and Mrs. Zubstuch." "But mom..." "Don't but mom me, just do it, here's some money, hurry they close in twenty minutes." "It's really cold out" "Well, I guess you'll have to put on everything double...two hats, two scrafs, two coats, and make sure Alfred does the same..hurry you now have fifteen minutes..."
Walked onto campus to buy some Polish donuts only to find out that they had sold out..damn..will have to try tomorrow..and yes, it was really cold out.
Walked onto campus to buy some Polish donuts only to find out that they had sold out..damn..will have to try tomorrow..and yes, it was really cold out.
Senate Floor Speech by US Senator Robert Byrd (West Virginia)
Wednesday, February 12th, 2003
To contemplate war is to think about the most horrible of human experiences. On this February day, as this nation stands at the brink of battle, every American on some level must be contemplating the horrors of war.
Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent --ominously, dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion, no attempt to lay out for the nation the pros and cons of this particular war. There is nothing.
We stand passively mute in the United States Senate, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events. Only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there much substantive discussion of the prudence or imprudence of engaging in this particular war.
And this is no small conflagration we contemplate. This is no simple attempt to defang a villain. No. This coming battle, if it materializes, represents a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and possibly a turning point in the recent history of the world.
This nation is about to embark upon the first test of a revolutionary doctrine applied in an extraordinary way at an unfortunate time. The doctrine of preemption --the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in the future -- is a radical new twist on the traditional idea of self defense. It appears to be in contravention of international law and the UN Charter. And it is being tested at a time of world-wide terrorism, making many countries around the globe wonder if they will soon be on our -- or some other nation's -- hit list. High level Administration figures recently refused to take nuclear weapons off of the table when discussing a possible attack against Iraq. What could be more destabilizing and unwise than this type of uncertainty, particularly in a world where globalism has tied the vital economic and security interests of many nations so closely together? There are huge cracks emerging in our time-honored alliances, and U.S. intentions are suddenly subject to damaging worldwide speculation. Anti-Americanism based on mistrust, misinformation, suspicion, and alarming rhetoric from U.S. leaders is fracturing the once solid alliance against global terrorism which existed after September 11.
Here at home, people are warned of imminent terrorist attacks with little guidance as to when or where such attacks might occur. Family members are being called to active military duty, with no idea of the duration of their stay or what horrors they may face. Communities are being left with less than adequate police and fire protection. Other essential services are also short-staffed. The mood of the nation is grim. The economy is stumbling. Fuel prices are rising and may soon spike higher. This Administration, now in power for a little over two years, must be judged on its record. I believe that that record is dismal.
In that scant two years, this Administration has squandered a large projected surplus of some $5.6 trillion over the next decade and taken us to projected deficits as far as the eye can see. This Administration's domestic policy has put many of our states in dire financial condition, under funding scores of essential programs for our people. This Administration has fostered policies which have slowed economic growth. This Administration has ignored urgent matters such as the crisis in health care for our elderly. This Administration has been slow to provide adequate funding for homeland security. This Administration has been reluctant to better protect our long and porous borders.
In foreign policy, this Administration has failed to find Osama bin Laden. In fact, just yesterday we heard from him again marshaling his forces and urging them to kill. This Administration has split traditional alliances, possibly crippling, for all time, International order-keeping entities like the United Nations and NATO. This Administration has called into question the traditional worldwide perception of the United States as well-intentioned, peacekeeper. This Administration has turned the patient art of diplomacy into threats, labeling, and name calling of the sort that reflects quite poorly on the intelligence and sensitivity of our leaders, and which will have consequences for years to come.
Calling heads of state pygmies, labeling whole countries as evil, denigrating powerful European allies as irrelevant -- these types of crude Insensitivities can do our great nation no good. We may have massive military might, but we cannot fight a global war on terrorism alone. We need the cooperation and friendship of our time-honored allies as well as the newer found friends whom we can attract with our wealth. Our awesome military machine will do us little good if we suffer another devastating attack on our homeland which severely damages our economy. Our military manpower is already stretched thin and we will need the augmenting support of those nations who can supply troop strength, not just sign letters cheering us on.
The war in Afghanistan has cost us $37 billion so far, yet there is evidence that terrorism may already be starting to regain its hold in that region. We have not found bin Laden, and unless we secure the peace in Afghanistan, the dark dens of terrorism may yet again flourish in that remote and devastated land.
Pakistan as well is at risk of destabilizing forces. This Administration has not finished the first war against terrorism and yet it is eager to embark on another conflict with perils much greater than those in Afghanistan. Is our attention span that short? Have we not learned that after winning the war one must always secure the peace?
And yet we hear little about the aftermath of war in Iraq. In the absence of plans, speculation abroad is rife. Will we seize Iraq's oil fields, becoming an occupying power which controls the price and supply of that nation's oil for the foreseeable future? To whom do we propose to hand the reigns of power after Saddam Hussein?
Will our war inflame the Muslim world resulting in devastating attacks on Israel? Will Israel retaliate with its own nuclear arsenal? Will the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian governments be toppled by radicals, bolstered by Iran which has much closer ties to terrorism than Iraq?
Could a disruption of the world's oil supply lead to a world-wide recession? Has our senselessly bellicose language and our callous disregard of the interests and opinions of other nations increased the global race to join the nuclear club and made proliferation an even more lucrative practice for nations which need the income?
In only the space of two short years this reckless and arrogant Administration has initiated policies which may reap disastrous consequences for years. One can understand the anger and shock of any President after the savage attacks of September 11. One can appreciate the frustration of having only a shadow to chase and an amorphous, fleeting enemy on which it is nearly impossible to exact retribution.
But to turn one's frustration and anger into the kind of extremely destabilizing and dangerous foreign policy debacle that the world is currently witnessing is inexcusable from any Administration charged with the awesome power and responsibility of guiding the destiny of the greatest superpower on the planet. Frankly many of the pronouncements made by this Administration are outrageous. There is no other word.
Yet this chamber is hauntingly silent. On what is possibly the eve of horrific infliction of death and destruction on the population of the nation of Iraq --a population, I might add, of which over 50% is under age 15 -- this chamber is silent. On what is possibly only days before we send thousands of our own citizens to face unimagined horrors of chemical and biological warfare -- this chamber is silent. On the eve of what could possibly be a vicious terrorist attack in retaliation for our attack on Iraq, it is business as usual in the United States Senate.
We are truly "sleepwalking through history." In my heart of hearts I pray that this great nation and its good and trusting citizens are not in for a rudest of awakenings.
To engage in war is always to pick a wild card. And war must always be a last resort, not a first choice. I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation, which is over 50% children, is "in the highest moral traditions of our country". This war is not necessary at this time. Pressure appears to be having a good result in Iraq. Our mistake was to put ourselves in a corner so quickly. Our challenge is to now find a graceful way out of a box of our own making. Perhaps there is still a way if we allow more time.
> I think this is by far the smartest commentary I have yet heard about the Iraq situation <
> a group of about 100 or so protesters marched down my street mid-afternoon, carefully watched by street officers and about a dozen police cars and paddy wagons. The group contained both young, middle aged and old and was headed towards a spot between a major defense contract building and a Catholic church.
Wednesday, February 12th, 2003
To contemplate war is to think about the most horrible of human experiences. On this February day, as this nation stands at the brink of battle, every American on some level must be contemplating the horrors of war.
Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent --ominously, dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion, no attempt to lay out for the nation the pros and cons of this particular war. There is nothing.
We stand passively mute in the United States Senate, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events. Only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there much substantive discussion of the prudence or imprudence of engaging in this particular war.
And this is no small conflagration we contemplate. This is no simple attempt to defang a villain. No. This coming battle, if it materializes, represents a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and possibly a turning point in the recent history of the world.
This nation is about to embark upon the first test of a revolutionary doctrine applied in an extraordinary way at an unfortunate time. The doctrine of preemption --the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in the future -- is a radical new twist on the traditional idea of self defense. It appears to be in contravention of international law and the UN Charter. And it is being tested at a time of world-wide terrorism, making many countries around the globe wonder if they will soon be on our -- or some other nation's -- hit list. High level Administration figures recently refused to take nuclear weapons off of the table when discussing a possible attack against Iraq. What could be more destabilizing and unwise than this type of uncertainty, particularly in a world where globalism has tied the vital economic and security interests of many nations so closely together? There are huge cracks emerging in our time-honored alliances, and U.S. intentions are suddenly subject to damaging worldwide speculation. Anti-Americanism based on mistrust, misinformation, suspicion, and alarming rhetoric from U.S. leaders is fracturing the once solid alliance against global terrorism which existed after September 11.
Here at home, people are warned of imminent terrorist attacks with little guidance as to when or where such attacks might occur. Family members are being called to active military duty, with no idea of the duration of their stay or what horrors they may face. Communities are being left with less than adequate police and fire protection. Other essential services are also short-staffed. The mood of the nation is grim. The economy is stumbling. Fuel prices are rising and may soon spike higher. This Administration, now in power for a little over two years, must be judged on its record. I believe that that record is dismal.
In that scant two years, this Administration has squandered a large projected surplus of some $5.6 trillion over the next decade and taken us to projected deficits as far as the eye can see. This Administration's domestic policy has put many of our states in dire financial condition, under funding scores of essential programs for our people. This Administration has fostered policies which have slowed economic growth. This Administration has ignored urgent matters such as the crisis in health care for our elderly. This Administration has been slow to provide adequate funding for homeland security. This Administration has been reluctant to better protect our long and porous borders.
In foreign policy, this Administration has failed to find Osama bin Laden. In fact, just yesterday we heard from him again marshaling his forces and urging them to kill. This Administration has split traditional alliances, possibly crippling, for all time, International order-keeping entities like the United Nations and NATO. This Administration has called into question the traditional worldwide perception of the United States as well-intentioned, peacekeeper. This Administration has turned the patient art of diplomacy into threats, labeling, and name calling of the sort that reflects quite poorly on the intelligence and sensitivity of our leaders, and which will have consequences for years to come.
Calling heads of state pygmies, labeling whole countries as evil, denigrating powerful European allies as irrelevant -- these types of crude Insensitivities can do our great nation no good. We may have massive military might, but we cannot fight a global war on terrorism alone. We need the cooperation and friendship of our time-honored allies as well as the newer found friends whom we can attract with our wealth. Our awesome military machine will do us little good if we suffer another devastating attack on our homeland which severely damages our economy. Our military manpower is already stretched thin and we will need the augmenting support of those nations who can supply troop strength, not just sign letters cheering us on.
The war in Afghanistan has cost us $37 billion so far, yet there is evidence that terrorism may already be starting to regain its hold in that region. We have not found bin Laden, and unless we secure the peace in Afghanistan, the dark dens of terrorism may yet again flourish in that remote and devastated land.
Pakistan as well is at risk of destabilizing forces. This Administration has not finished the first war against terrorism and yet it is eager to embark on another conflict with perils much greater than those in Afghanistan. Is our attention span that short? Have we not learned that after winning the war one must always secure the peace?
And yet we hear little about the aftermath of war in Iraq. In the absence of plans, speculation abroad is rife. Will we seize Iraq's oil fields, becoming an occupying power which controls the price and supply of that nation's oil for the foreseeable future? To whom do we propose to hand the reigns of power after Saddam Hussein?
Will our war inflame the Muslim world resulting in devastating attacks on Israel? Will Israel retaliate with its own nuclear arsenal? Will the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian governments be toppled by radicals, bolstered by Iran which has much closer ties to terrorism than Iraq?
Could a disruption of the world's oil supply lead to a world-wide recession? Has our senselessly bellicose language and our callous disregard of the interests and opinions of other nations increased the global race to join the nuclear club and made proliferation an even more lucrative practice for nations which need the income?
In only the space of two short years this reckless and arrogant Administration has initiated policies which may reap disastrous consequences for years. One can understand the anger and shock of any President after the savage attacks of September 11. One can appreciate the frustration of having only a shadow to chase and an amorphous, fleeting enemy on which it is nearly impossible to exact retribution.
But to turn one's frustration and anger into the kind of extremely destabilizing and dangerous foreign policy debacle that the world is currently witnessing is inexcusable from any Administration charged with the awesome power and responsibility of guiding the destiny of the greatest superpower on the planet. Frankly many of the pronouncements made by this Administration are outrageous. There is no other word.
Yet this chamber is hauntingly silent. On what is possibly the eve of horrific infliction of death and destruction on the population of the nation of Iraq --a population, I might add, of which over 50% is under age 15 -- this chamber is silent. On what is possibly only days before we send thousands of our own citizens to face unimagined horrors of chemical and biological warfare -- this chamber is silent. On the eve of what could possibly be a vicious terrorist attack in retaliation for our attack on Iraq, it is business as usual in the United States Senate.
We are truly "sleepwalking through history." In my heart of hearts I pray that this great nation and its good and trusting citizens are not in for a rudest of awakenings.
To engage in war is always to pick a wild card. And war must always be a last resort, not a first choice. I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation, which is over 50% children, is "in the highest moral traditions of our country". This war is not necessary at this time. Pressure appears to be having a good result in Iraq. Our mistake was to put ourselves in a corner so quickly. Our challenge is to now find a graceful way out of a box of our own making. Perhaps there is still a way if we allow more time.
> I think this is by far the smartest commentary I have yet heard about the Iraq situation <
> a group of about 100 or so protesters marched down my street mid-afternoon, carefully watched by street officers and about a dozen police cars and paddy wagons. The group contained both young, middle aged and old and was headed towards a spot between a major defense contract building and a Catholic church.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
"So there is this polish festival coming up, I don't know the name"..."Oh, it's called Dingus Day, it's the monday after Easter"..."After Easter, huh..I thought it was before Easter, well I guess after Easter makes more sense"..."Yea, you should stop by, we have water guns passed out and everyone gets wet...it's a lot of fun"...."Yea, maybe I'll do that, Monday after Easter then...yea, maybe I'll stop by then..thanks."
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
"If there is somebody down there who shouldn't be there, the sea lions will find them," said Lt. J.G. Josh Frey, a spokesman for the Navy's 5th Fleet.
The Navy is using sea lions to safeguard against underwater sabotage in the Persian Gulf.
"They have adapted really quickly and really well," Bryan said, adding that the sea lions are eating heartily and happily and aren't losing weight.
The Navy is using sea lions to safeguard against underwater sabotage in the Persian Gulf.
"They have adapted really quickly and really well," Bryan said, adding that the sea lions are eating heartily and happily and aren't losing weight.
Saturday, February 08, 2003
I'm eating animal crackers right now and none of them really look like animals..well..I guess this one looks sorta like a camel and I think this one is trying to be an elephant or maybe a rhino..hmm...crunch..but they're really crisp...
Speaking of animal crackers:
The newest animal to join the Barnum's Animals® Crackers menagerie is the koala, thanks to consumers across the country who chose the lovable koala over three other potential additions
The koala, which beat out the penguin, the walrus and the cobra, will join the 18 other animals in Barnum's Animals® Crackers in September.
Too bad, I think the Cobra cracker would have been the ticket.....crunch.....
Speaking of animal crackers:
The newest animal to join the Barnum's Animals® Crackers menagerie is the koala, thanks to consumers across the country who chose the lovable koala over three other potential additions
The koala, which beat out the penguin, the walrus and the cobra, will join the 18 other animals in Barnum's Animals® Crackers in September.
Too bad, I think the Cobra cracker would have been the ticket.....crunch.....
Sunday, February 02, 2003
The German defeat marked a turning point in the war, crushing Hitler's drive to isolate the Soviet heartland from the southern oil fields, and the battle remains a powerful symbol of Soviet courage and perseverance during the second world war, which is often called the Great Patriotic War in Russia.
Stalingrad anniversary
Stalingrad anniversary
Friday, January 31, 2003
Just read a preview copy of Rawhide Kid which will be released next Wednesday. Kinda alright, Marvel is so full of shit with their Parental Advisory-Explicit Content cover tag, this book is tame-tame-tame. Very nice Dave Johnson cover and fine interior pencils from industry vet John Severin.
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
corn syrup, golden raisins, unbleached enriched wheat flour [flour, reduced iron, niacin, thiamin mononitrate (B1), riboflavin (B2), folic acid], cherries, EGGS, pineapple, partially hydrated vegetable shortening (soybean, cottonseed), PECANS, sugar, fruit peels (grapefruit, orange, lemon), high fructose corn syrup, water, invert sugar, tapioca dextrin, honey, natural & artificial flavors, mono- and diglycerides, spices, salt, polysorbate 60, modified cornstarch, perservatives (sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, sulfiting agents), sorbitan monostearate, citric acid, red 40, turmeric color, yellow 5&6, blue 1. FRUIT CAKE 363 CONTAINS NUTS. MAY CONTAIN TRACE AMONTS OF MILK, SOY PRODUCTS. RBS2052 PRODUCT OF CANADA
*it's still here and festive looking*
*it's still here and festive looking*