fountains of angst: November 2008

25 November 2008

Lyrics of the Day

See this needle...a see my hand...
Drop, drop, dropping it down...oh, so gently...
Well here it comes...I touch the plane...
Turn me up...won't turn you away...

Spin, spin...spin the black circle
Spin, spin...spin the black, spin the black...
Spin, spin...spin the black circle
Spin, spin...whoa...

Pull it out...a paper sleeve...
Oh, my joy...only you deserve conceit...
I'm so big...a-my whole world...
I'd rather you...rather you...than her...

You're so warm...oh, the ritual...when I lay down your crooked arm...

-Spin the Black Circle, Pearl Jam

Ummm, what about Thanksgiving?

Isn't it nice when someone can express exactly how you're (in this case, me) feeling?

Thank you, Andrew.

Makes you feel a little less disconnected.

23 November 2008

6 Words I Never Want to Say

I felt my eyeball pop out.

The most frightening injury came in 2003, during a game against Brazil. McBride dove over the top of a defender hoping to head a corner kick into the net. The defender threw his head back and caught McBride flush on the left cheek.

"I knew it was a hard hit. I ran with the trainer into the locker room." After some hasty repairs, the coach and the medical staff were ready to send McBride back into battle. And McBride was ready to go until he sneezed.

"I felt my eyeball pop out," he recalls. "I'm not saying it popped out like you see in a cartoon, but I could feel it move forward. So I told coach this might be serious." It was another fractured orbital floor. In all, McBride's still-handsome face contains seven titanium plates and the fading scars of more stitches than he can count. The injuries have deadened the feeling in his face, so much so that he says he scarcely felt the famous elbow in the Italy game.

Despite these injuries, McBride never shows fear or hesitation in going after balls with his oft-damaged skull. "He was, and still is, incredibly brave playing with the injuries he's had," said Moyes, the Everton manager.

In the U.S., soccer is viewed as a kids' game, a tame, mild-mannered sport. MLS thinks McBride can change the image.

"Hopefully, they'll see Brian and they'll see it's a sport for rough-tough competitive athletes," says Don Garber, a former NFL executive who is now the MLS commissioner. "In Chicago, people think of Dick Butkus and Mike Ditka and Mike Singletary when they think of tough guys. But those guys had helmets and shoulder pads. Brian is out there, same as them, in a very physical sport, but he has no protection. He's a true warrior."

21 November 2008

A Million Little Pieces

All I can say is, thank you modernity:

If conservatism is to recover as a force in the modern world, the theocons and Christianists have to understand that their concept of a unified polis with a telos guiding all of us to a theologically-understood social good is a non-starter. Modernity has smashed it into a million little pieces. Women will never return in their consciousness to the child-bearing subservience of the not-so-distant past. Gay people will never again internalize a sense of their own "objective disorder" to acquiesce to a civil regime where they are willingly second-class citizens. Straight men and women are never again going to avoid divorce to the degree our parents did. Nor are they going to have kids because contraception is illicit. The only way to force all these genies back into the bottle would require the kind of oppressive police state Rod would not want to live under.

But how do those who are ready to live in this modern world coexist with those who still believe that it is not only misguided but evil? And, of course, vice-versa? There is only one way.

That way is to agree that our civil order will mean less; that it will be a weaker set of more procedural agreements that try to avoid as much as possible deep statements about human nature. And that has a clear import for our current moment. The reason the marriage debate is so intense is because neither side seems able to accept that the word "marriage" requires a certain looseness of meaning if it is to remain as a universal, civil institution. This is not that new. Catholics, for example, accept the word marriage to describe civil marriages that are second marriages, even though their own faith teaches them that those marriages don't actually exist as such. But most Catholics are able to set theological beliefs to one side and accept a theological untruth as a civil fact. After all, a core, undebatable Catholic doctrine is that marriage is for life. Divorce is not the end of that marriage in the eyes of God. And yet Catholics can tolerate fellow citizens who are not Catholic calling their non-marriages marriages - because Catholics have already accepted a civil-religious distinction. They can wear both hats in the public square.

Harry Reid Hearts Ted Stevens

Not change I can believe in.

Why Conservatives Lose

As Nate brilliantly observes, they could care less about persuading anyone.

It is not that conservatism generally permits less nuance than liberalism (in terms of political messaging, that is probably one of conservatism's strengths). Rather, the key lies in the second passage that I highlighted. There are a certain segment of conservatives who literally cannot believe that anybody would see the world differently than the way they do. They have not just forgotten how to persuade; they have forgotten about the necessity of persuasion.

They are right. You are wrong. You are stupid. They are smart.

Wonder why no one likes them?

Visual evidence.

YouTube via Chris Hayes

19 November 2008

Lyrics of the Day

Reality is the new fiction these days
Truth is truer these days
Truth is man-made

-Sleater-Kinney, Entertain

P.S. Carrie has a blog here.

Lying Liars

Surprise.

It's O'Reilly!

via Atrios

Too Bad

Stephen Baldwin's staying.

Funny Guy

Thankfully, most Tennesseans weren't amused by this columnist/principal/racist idiot.

The Bush Era in a Nutshell

Nobody could have predicted...blah, blah, blah.

It's either that or everything is Clinton's fault.

The Obama Effect

Al Qaeda is forced to resort to racist attacks.

That's exactly right. It's easy to forget how much of the world personalizes foreign policy. (Americans, of course, are no exception.) With an American president as loathed as George W. Bush around the world, it's easy for Al Qaeda to portray the U.S. as venal and stupid and brutish as he's proven. Obama complicates the narrative significantly: the very color of his skin, precisely what Al Qaeda mocks, symbolizes America's willingness to change. That's exactly what Al Qaeda fears most.

That's why I kind of disagree with my friend Eric Martin of Obsidian Wings when he writes, "for no apparent reason, Zawahiri leads al-Qaeda directly into that headwind with a racial insult that serves little ideological purpose." The racial epithet is a botched way of advancing a deep ideological necessity for Al Qaeda: to keep its narrative going, Zawahiri has to define Obama as not authentically American. As guest-poster RockRichard puts it, "It flies in the face of their portrayal of an evil zionist empire."

18 November 2008

Good Night

From The Decemberists...

via Atrios, who always seems to share the best late night music videos

Newt!

The gift that keeps on giving.

Don't ever change! America needs visionary patriots like you.

No Drama

President-elect Obama is so much better than me.

This, incidentally, is the other side of No Drama Obama: Part of avoiding drama is refusing to make decisions based on your own drama. You're seeing it with Lieberman and you're seeing it with Clinton. Whatever the objective strategic merits of these moves, Obama is building out his administration with little heed to the resentments and hurt feelings of the campaign. He's letting the campaign drama die so that his agenda may live.

I'd take away Lieberman's chairmanship in a heartbeat.

This temperament is exactly why he will get things accomplished as President.

(By the way, I like saying President-elect Obama.)

Why I Can't Be Catholic, Pt. 3

Homosexuality = Psychic Disturbance

Dempster's Back

If you needed any other reason to be happy about this other than his 17-6 season and a 2.96 ERA, here you go.

Maybe I'll go get that blank Cubs jersey updated this offseason.

17 November 2008

Bumpersticker of the Day

Made especially for Hannity and friends.

16 November 2008

What Yglesias Said

Solidarity forever.

Maddow rules.

Full disclosure: This post was not written in a basement nor was I wearing pajamas. I was however, eating Cheez-Its. Yum.

Why I Can't Be Catholic, Pt. 2

I'm sure they would deny me communion if I already didn't do them that favor, because I believe that women should be able to be priests, that what women do with their reproductive parts are nobody's business but their own, and that love should not be discriminated against.

It appears that the offending priest has been scolded, but he feel like he's getting mixed signals after this.

Your Liberal Media

Still not liberal.

via Atrios.

Memories

I saw this movie when I was 6. Let's just say Tina Turner left an impression. (Anyone who's seen the movie will know what I'm talking about.)

Explains alot.

[YouTube via Atrios.]

Chicago Stands Up Against H8

Report from Prop 8 protest on Saturday.

See Andrew Sullivan's blog for reports from all over the United States.

Dance Biscuits

Didn't watch SNL last night, but this had to be a highlight.

Justin Timberlake & Beyonce - Parodie "Single Ladies" SNL
by Rock_You_Justin

via Jezebel

15 November 2008

Happy Belated Birthday

Corin Tucker.

You should know that I'm saving my Sleater-Kinney shirts for my 2-1/2 year old daughter, Kate.

I'll never forget my first Sleater-Kinney show at The Metro in Chicago. I've been in love ever since.

Update: A memento

Not my first show, still need to scan that one.

Burnin' For You

The Hold Steady and Drive-By Truckers covered this last night. Awesome.

Your Liberal Media

Some data.

13 November 2008

Why I Can't Be Catholic

Why?

The leaders of the church. Sanctimonious hypocrites, so above politics, these cardinals and bishops. (They remind me of Sen. Lieberman)

"Any one of us here would consider it a privilege to die tomorrow—die tomorrow!—to bring about the end of abortion," said Auxiliary Bishop Robert Hermann of St. Louis.

[...]

Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton, Pa., vice president-elect Joe Biden's hometown, called on his brother bishops to be more punitive against Catholic officials who are "stridently anti-life."

"I cannot have the vice president coming to Scranton and saying he learned his values there when those values are utterly against those of the Catholic Church," Martino said.

Stridently "anti-life" if you believe a woman has the right to control her own uterus?

It's amazing how the bishops couldn't even wait until President-Elect Obama was inaugurated to start attacking? They must have been shocked that their flock didn't vote for MORE WAR and POVERTY and INCOME REDISTRIBUTION UPWARDS.

Is it possible for these leaders of the Catholic church to be more punitive?

How about promoting sex education and birth control to reduce abortions?
Nah, abstinence education. That works really well.

How about some "legal protections" for the children (former unborn) molested by the priests you protect?
Pro-life from conception to birth. After that you're on your own, especially if you're a woman or a child.

How about losing your tax-exempt status?
How about losing my offering? Maybe I'll just tithe to Obama.
Got your attention?

The Questionnaire

Unlike Sarah, I know my limitations.

All they have to do is look at my blog.

Definitely things here that might embarrass the President-Elect.

11 November 2008

Thank You Veterans

We admire and honor your courage, sacrifice, and service, as well as the sacrifice of your families.

What can we do outside of words?

Some ideas:

Make a donation to the USO.

Read this.

While it is fitting that our nation reserves a special day to honor the sacrifice and commitment of our warriors, it also serves to highlight how we, as a country, have fallen short of caring for our veterans, reintegrating them back into our communities, and demanding that our military be used responsibly and only as a last resort. Over 1.7 million men and women of the U.S. military have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many of them now struggle to cope with physical and emotional injuries, with family relationships strained because of prolonged separation, and with finding employment during an economic recession.

Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War know that in order to truly honor our veterans, we must listen to them, not just on Veterans Day, but on the other 364 days as well. It is for each other, our military brothers and sisters, and for our country that IVAW works every day to share our experiences, to challenge the predominant narrative of war as heroic and glorious, and to expose people to the brutal reality and true human costs of modern warfare.

Volunteer at a Veterans Hospital.

Buy this DVD.

Wingnut of the Day

It really is a stunning alternate universe they have crafted for themselves.

09 November 2008

My New Favorite T-shirt

Available here.

Be sure to check out their other shirts here.

I absolutely need more t-shirts.

link via Kanye

Instant Karma!

Too bad.

What To Do About Joe

You'll get nothing.

And the simple fact is the Democrats don't need Joe Lieberman. He's not in a position to call anything 'unacceptable'. The Democrats didn't get to 60 votes or at least it now seems highly unlikely -- which was his only hope to have any continued relevance or position to bargain from. And the truth is that filibuster-busting votes are often made on an ad-hoc basis rather than on a party line. In any case, there'd be no more reason to trust he'd be there as a 60th vote as a Democrat than as a Republican.

Sen. Reid should take a cue from the one his fictional predecessor once heard in telling Lieberman how it's going to be: "My offer is this. Nothing."

Works for me.

Hell Yeah

I love this.

GYWO

The election edition.

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

via Andrew Sullivan

04 November 2008

Beautiful Day

Change is coming to America.

Public Service Announcement

If you don't know where your polling place is, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE or use Google Maps Voter Info.

If lines are long and you need a refreshment, don't hesitate to give me a call/email/text.

Change is coming. I can feel it.

03 November 2008

Blue Virginia

Here's why.

Tribute to Madelyn Dunham

Your Liberal Media, Pt. 2

Still not liberal.

Not the most trusted name in news either.

Teh Stupids

The Sarah and Joe Show.

Got it, Sarah? No one would complain if you were just looking at Obama’s plan or record and saying he is too liberal or has the wrong ideas. But when you and your buddies run around smearing him as a traitor, a friend of terrorists, or not sufficiently loyal, then you cross the line. This woman is either incredibly stupid, incredibly dishonest, or a toxic combination of both. John McCain’s career should be forever marred for his having elevated her to the national platform.

Shame on you Sen. McCain. Joe and Sarah are idiots, but you should know better.

Sleazy Sarah

Democrats love terrorists!

Your Liberal Media

Not.

Genius

All parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents will appreciate this innovation.

The people who design children's toy packaging are sadists.

Thank you Jeff Bezos.

Your Republican Party

Classy to the end.

SuperBarack

I agree with Oliver. This could possible be the best web video ever.

Tomorrow's Shocker

Blue Georgia?

Republican Idiot of the Day

Hank Williams Jr.

(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) - At a Sarah Palin rally here tonight, country music star Hank Williams, Jr. took the stage to sing the national anthem, as he has done at Palin events across the country for weeks. But this time, the singer decided to share his personal views about Barack Obama with the crowd.

“You know, I’m usually at ‘Monday Night Football' tonight, but Colorado, this is a lot more important tonight,” Williams, Jr. said. “Join me now in our national—you know, that song that, uh, Mr. Obama’s not real crazy about, we’re singing it right now.”

F**k you Hank. You've soiled your dad's name, uh, just like the current President your so, uh, fond of.

link via Marc Ambinder

01 November 2008

Vote For Change

The tour. 2004. We tried our best but fell short.

Part 1 is now online.

2008 is going to be different. I can feel it.

Can you?

Studs Terkel

Great tribute by Rick Kogan in the Chicago Tribune.

My favorite excerpts:

1. Talking about meeting his wife.

"The first time I saw her she was wearing a maroon dress," Terkel once recalled. "She made a lot more money than I did. It was like dating a CEO. I borrowed 20 bucks from her for our first date. I never paid her back."

2. Talking about his wife's death

"It's hard. It's very hard," he said the day she died. "She was seven days older than me, and I would always joke that I married an older woman. That's the thing: Who's gonna laugh at my jokes? At those jokes I've told a million times? That's the thing ... ... Who's gonna be there to laugh?"

3. Talking about his epitaph and death.

He was in that living room last year when he said with zest that when he "checked out"--as a "hotel kid" he rarely used the word "dying," preferring the euphemism "checking out" and its variants--he wanted to be cremated. He wanted his ashes mixed with those of his wife, which sat in an urn in the living room of his house, near the bed in which he slept and dreamed.

"My epitaph? My epitaph will be, 'Curiosity did not kill this cat,'." he said.

He then said that he wanted his and Ida's ashes to be scattered in Bughouse Square, that patch of green park that so informed his first years in his adopted city.

"Scatter us there," he said, a gleeful grin on his face. "It's against the law. Let 'em sue us."

Your Republican Party

Brain dead acolytes.

Look- the intellectual wing of the Republican party is dead. What is left are brain-dead acolytes spreading meaningless and simplistic anecdotes, trite stories, and distilled nonsense passed on that has a more fitting home in AM radio. The McCain campaign, once again, is just a symptom of the real problem- an intellectually incurious and lazy movement in the final ugly spasms of death. The McCain campaign is now, in their interviews with the press, spreading what we can all recognize as wingnut email chains.

RIP, Republicans.

I believe this is what Cheney referred to as "the last throes."

25 November 2008

23 November 2008

21 November 2008

19 November 2008

18 November 2008

17 November 2008

16 November 2008

15 November 2008

13 November 2008

11 November 2008

09 November 2008

04 November 2008

03 November 2008

01 November 2008

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