Don't Get Excited Every Time You Hear the Word "Democracy"

Some people sucker for anything if the word "democracy" is attached to it. Minorities, in particular, should be wary of that. Because I do not live in Egypt or any neighboring land, and have no real understanding of the place and culture, I cannot give a valid opinion about their activities at present.

When it is said that the people have made a stand for democracy, and I see reports which tell me they are chanting about democracy, I can't force myself to get excited, jump online to various forums I've seen and tell them, "We in the USA are with you and support your cause!". That is paraphrasing what I saw on a site yesterday.

For one thing, I have no idea what the "people of the USA" think or want--no more than the politicians who claim to know what the American people are thinking or wanting actually have a clue.

I wish everyone in the Arab countries well, but I have no idea what they want. What they mean by democracy is anyone's guess. It's their house, they can run it how they choose.

Here's the danger of democracy, if it is meant that everyone has a vote, and everything can be voted on. Let's say we want all the young women between the ages of 16 and 19 to serve our army by cooking their meals and relieving their tension at night. It is a case in which, by perfect democratic process, a minority is legally oppressed by the majority. Just an example to make the point. There has to be a philosophical consensus regarding the extent of majority power or it becomes a tool of oppression.

Democracy is tyranny if it exists without a very strict system of limits. Even then it is a good idea to make the process of creating laws or policies very cumbersome and difficult. If you've ever dealt with crowds, committees, parliamentary procedure and such, you know how easily the majority can be swayed from opinion A to opinion B and back again. That is one reason I support a bicameral legislature, despite various teachers trying to convince me that the speed and efficiency of a one house system was superior.

Mobs are comprised of people shouting because they can, and because they think there is something in it for them. It is rare that the majority of such a crowd understands the philosophy the demonstration supports, or the one they oppose. It was true in the VietNam protests as well, way back when. Most big mob actions are just that way. Doesn't mean there aren't valid grievances and such, but it is what it is.

That is why, as much as I am opposed to this Powerlink scam in SD county, I cannot bring myself to go to the courthouse with the others and march wherever it is they plan to march. Half the people are opposed for entirely different reasons. There is a portion who get off on such marches regardless of the cause, and there are a good number of very smart sincere people.

Something about the method troubles me. I feel the same about picket lines. Something about it I don't like. I'll just quit the company if I can't get my way, and it means that much to me. Most people will only stand up if they have a crowd and feel safe. Getting arrested under such circumstances is a badge of honor and the peer approval still makes them feel safe.

Anyway. I've done what I can to try to get people to see some issues differently, but so far, I do not see the right situation for joining a crowd on the street. I went to one thing as a favor, and to another to see some things for myself.

Either the hearing begins, or gets ruled on this Friday (I think) so they want to march from some building down to the courthouse. I do not see how this will help the case. I'm fairly certain that many people will immediately have the knee-jerk reaction of assuming it is eco nazis being a pain-again--and decide the other side must be right.

I'm not sure what is the better way, but I am not convinced being in a crowd that is led by the megaphone guy is it.

That strayed from the point about the danger of democracy without some qualifiers. Although, the powerlink issue would not be there were our own representative democracy more strictly limited in the power it gives the state. So, there is a connection.

Looks Like Up To Me

It gets really frustrating.
That's when you have to tell yourself, "Better to try to understand than to try to be understood". You will never be understood.

It helps a little to do that. But sometimes I just want to blast through loudspeakers all around the world, "What planet am I on? Go to hell, you piss me off!!"
Judging from the way things go, They already know that, so they set up the game to mess with me even more. Bastards!

Really very frustrating, and not at all rewarding.

Radio Talk Show Host Review: Rick Roberts is another self serving bastard

OK. Call me stupid. Ask me, "What did you expect?". No problem, because I already beat you to it. I thought I'd see what it was like to call a show since I had a vaguely supportive, but coming from another angle, point.

Rick Roberts (spit grr, vomit) was playing Michele Obama's latest public service ad encouraging parents to lie to their kids to make them run around the house, up and down stairs. He also played her take on the ad in which she had to bring up race and claim that particularly "in the African American community" kids did not have the chance to play sports and join leagues, etc.

That assertion, alone, took me aback. It was my impression that professional and amateur sports are peopled by a disproportionate number of minorities, and that many of the world's very best athletes are Black. Nothing wrong with that, but they could not have got there sitting home getting fat. A huge number of pros were raised in the 'hood. Granted it is a sucky place, but I think obesity is the least of their worries in those locations.

That is actually neither here nor there. I decided to call to put forth the idea that the ever growing tradition of first spouse using public funds to spearhead a pet cause seems like overstepping since they were not elected and it is not the proper job of an elected official's spouse to spend tax money on a personal soapbox. I have thought it for a long time, through Republican and Democratic abuse. It is subtle way of pretending the presidency is a title of nobility--a royal office, therefore the spouse is queen (or king if a woman gets elected).

So, finally Rick, that ego driven phony, gets me on.
"HOW YOU DOING JOHN0 FROM DESCANSO?"

Fine, thanks, etc.

"WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?"

Regarding the obesity ads and Michele's comments, I'm sorry she brought race into it. Given that so many professional athletes come from the community she targeted, it is odd for her to imply they have to sit home getting fat--but that is not my point.
It seems a subtle conditioning to view the president and spouse as --"SO YOU THINK ALL BLACK PEOPLE SIT AT HOME GETTING FAT?"--king and queen.

What? No way!!
"THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID. HEY JIM YOU THINK ALL BLACK FOLKS SIT HOME GETTING FAT?" [jim being some sort of useful sidekick]
Hey! You know damned well that is not what I said. That is what she implied!! I'm objecting to using tax money...(interrupted again)

"HEHEHE SO JOHN0 THINKS BLACK PEOPLE ALL SIT HOME GETTING FAT...BLABLABLABLA

And I'm obviously cut from the audibles, so I say You F'ng Idiot and hang up. How'd he decide I'm not Black? Phony bastard.

Now, this guy pretends to be rational, although I do disagree with him much of the time. I have friends who are big fans of his. He does allegedly good charity work--all for charities which bear his name, of course. "Look at me. I am doing so much good, let's all pat me on the back".

He's got an exceptional radio voice but sometimes his corky deep bass seems a bit affected and gets on your nerves. He does well at sounding rational, calm, and authoritative. Not knocking the talent. He's a jerk and not interested in the substance like he claims. (I know I should have known that. I'm terminally naive).

It is abundantly clear that he is willing to pretend to put a racist in his place when no racism was in the mix.

I think tax money ought not be spent for first ladies to carve out a legacy (the point I was attempting to make), and I think Michele was further polarizing the races by telling a lie, pretending that some unknown force has sequestered African American children in their homes due to dangerous neighborhoods. There may be a germ of truth there, but not the whole truth.

Why does she not spearhead a campaign to help the good people in those neighborhoods drive out the gangs and crime? I guess that would require positive action which would not include fueling resentment between races. You can fool people and keep them down if you encourage and play on resentment.

Of course, to clean up inner cities, and many other places, you'd have to rethink the whole DEA war on drugs approach, and that would make it tougher to bust down doors and search without warning, etc. Less excuse to abuse the public. Never fly.

Whatever the case. The people she targeted live in houses with an upstairs, downstairs, and a basement? Wow. I never had such a dwelling. Of course, in Miami, building a basement is not smart--sea level being so close to ground level. But I haven't had such a place in NC or California or Maryland or Tennessee. Some of the states where I resided. Maybe all the states I called home for more than a week or two.

Anyway, it was a low trick to twist my words to make himself look funny and clever, and holier than thou. I was "thou" in that scenario.

He is talking about running for office. Of course it is because so many people are begging him and he feels he loves this country so much he owes it to us to "give back". PUKE!!!!

Now I know what it is like to call a radio show, and one that usually seems less likely to cut a caller off than some. Of course, there are times when he, like others, misses the caller's point altogether. He rarely sees a point beyond his own preconception, even if he doesn't know much about it.

I swear, I was concise, articulate, and did not do that halting slow speech thing that often plagues me and makes people think I am stupid. I was on my game. There are many shows I'd never call because the host never shuts up long enough to engage the point. Apparently Rick Roberts is not the exception he pretends to be. Maybe he was once. Now that his ego is big enough to seek public office he has gone to the dark side.

Whatever the case, it was a cheap shot which I did not appreciate. I guess if I had started by kissing up like callers often do, then went into nitpicking Obama this and Obama that he'd have behaved. My gripe is more that we pay for those stupid ads and the whole "national diet conversation" than with whatever is said. Belaboring their points and faults just gives validity to the system being abused to provide them the platform.

I consider it an insult that government is involving itself in "the obesity epidemic". Our debt is bigger than the entire economy. Is this stuff necessary? Don't trust that the radio people aren't a perverted part of the entire boondoggle. Like everyone else, if it makes them money and gives a feeling of power, they are happy not to change a damned thing.

So, they'll kill any point that would truly promote freedom, while they promote the idea that sticking with the two big parties will ever yield a true change. They are a part of the Big Pretense. Shocking, I know, but without Obama, Clinton, and someone like Bush doing pretty much the same things, these guys are out of business. Not that I support any government effort to control them. I do not.

The big war between democrat and republican is a show, as far as substantive philosophy goes. Useful idiots in Hollywood manage to demonize republicans in a stereotypical way, but in action they are not effectively different than the dems. It sucks. I wish they were because I am one who believes in very few laws, very simple controls, and extremely limited government. And that certainly is not the democratic party. I don't agree with personal attack on some levels. Talk show hosts and Chris Matthews are fair game.

I will certainly never vote for Rick Roberts. He showed his stripes. I'll vote for a third party if his opponent is also an ego bound power hound.

Now that I've done it, I will not call any show again. Unless, of course, I have an alien encounter or similar experience. Then I'd call George Noory. I still trust him.

Happy Dumbass Holiday for Sheep

If you are in a good committed relationship, or good marriage, do you really have to be told once a year how and when to be appreciative and romantic?

If you don't know what you want, aren't in a specifically committed relationship, do you need a ridiculous commercial holiday to force you to either lie, which may falsely lead people on, or do nothing, which then hurts feelings? Lose/lose.

Unless others, who may be potential targets of your lies, refuse to sucker for the manufactured, peer-pressure-foisted-upon-the-public-by-those-who-sell you diamonds, flowers, chocolate, cards, and overpriced dinners, holiday, you will end up disappointing people. Especially if you do not go the lying route. But then, even if you do play along and lie, you are buying trouble.

Trumped up days of recognition and appreciation are an aberration of modern civilization. It is a subtle attack on nature and the free market as it exists in nature. If you are worthy of appreciation, you usually know it. If your kids show no appreciation of you without the stupid Mother's or Father's day obligatory observance, then either your kids are ingrates and lack something in their upbringing, or you are a pain of a parent undeserving of kudos, or you simply gave birth to a defective unit and it is not your fault.

The trumped up days only allow sociopaths, psychopaths, and other emotional phonies to hone their skills. Sincerity cannot be forced anymore than affection. These days bring up a disgusting mix of guilt driven pretense and confused conformity in all but the few who actually feel like showing the affection and appreciation anyway, and have the time and money to play the game happily on the assigned day.

Those few have no need to be told.

Maybe this is why I am not attached. Of course, some people are not alone solely for that reason--can't be alone, so they partner with first willing candidate. They in no way like their significant other; certainly do not love it/him/her. I'm unable to commit if I don't believe it, and if I am not sure being with me is the best thing for the crazy woman. Although I have resolved to learn not give a damn if it is any benefit for the other or not.

These guilt trips put out in ads are not good. That is the way charities and government agencies sell themselves, too. As if it is your fault that little Jimmy has perfuddledipophobiaginitis and lives in squalor in a remote corner of Uganda and drinks dirty water. It is nice to help people out. But the tone and usual implication that it is your fault when someone starves or dies of AIDS in a remote land, or even across town, is garbage. It is highly unlikely that it is your fault, and if it is, you already know it.

The fear of not going along with the crowd, of being weird- of being judged cold, heartless, and a misfit-is a tool used to manipulate people. It is a tactic so effective that people can be manipulated to actually cooperate with their own destruction in subtle (and not so subtle) ways.

So, Happy Spend Money and Get Lucky Day. (As if spending money wouldn't bring that kind of luck anyway). Shhh. We are supposed to pretend that is not the case.
Just like we should pretend that looks have no influence on our mating choices.

Another Movie

The Rage in Placid Lake, an Aussie film--independent, I guess--was another HULU offering. A pretty good flick about misfits and strange parents.

I'd see it.

Oh. I did.

I like the science chick. She was the coolest of people.

At the very start, I didn't know what was up. Very quickly my fears were put aside.

Hulu movie review: White on Rice

This odd movie is about Japanese Americans, with a Korean or two thrown in. Most of the people were sane and good looking.
That is everyone except Uncle Jimmy. He was Japanese and I think they should have shot him and dumped him in the river at the start.

It is one of those films about the errant but lovable incompetent divorced uncle. Only in the case of Jimmy, lovable does not apply. What a stupid, selfish moron. It was painful because the other characters were somewhat likable.

I admit to that stereotypical view that Asians are brighter than that, and less tolerant of complete jerks who freeload. They were overly tolerant of this dimwit. Maybe they were trying to smash some of the typical assumptions by not only having a complete moron in the mix but also putting up with his self pity and projected guilt. I wanted to tell the family in the movie that it is OK to kick him out and beat him mercilessly, since they appeared unwilling to do the world a favor and just waste him.

Maybe they could have thrown him in the ocean. I'm not sure where they were. I know one girl was from Southern California, so it was out this way somewhere.

Then I started thinking, "Oh my God, I'm the divorced deadbeat uncle in my family". I hate that. No way I am like Jimmy and torture my relatives with my unwelcome presence. I have generally lived far away from family most of my life. At first it was because they made me feel like jumping in front of a speeding bus on a regular basis. Then it was because I felt ashamed of my lack of something; money, accomplishment, ability not to be how I am.

Even though I am no Jimmy, this movie caused me to think I had more in common with the useless dimwit than with the people who seemed to have it together. That made me angry and sad and angry.

Don't see this movie. It will only piss you off or bore you.

Almost Heaven..

.or one of those places. I'm not sure what was up. Almost bought the farm. I guess I was doing something besides driving. These roads near me have bluffs on one side, drop off the edge on the other. No nice shoulder at all on many stretches.

And I was on just such a stretch when I looked up to see I was already off and heading toward an outcropping in the bluffs, and a very nasty bunch of holes or craters in the bit of shoulder. There is not even space to pull over so if you are partly off the road, you messed up.

I swerved left to avoid collision and hopefully not let the wheel be swallowed by the crazy, craggy dip. It caught part of it and when the wheel made it out the car went waay left. Good thing no one was coming the other way. Had I been in one of the old Jeeps it would have rolled. I got back on the right line without further over-control issues. I'm not sure I had a choice about swing to the left lane. I needed a radical change of angle to best avoid bigger trouble.

Unfortunately this car has wheel covers which I hate. I need to get the steel spoke wheels. I don't want the fancy alloys. I like the basic steel with four or five spoke things. Simple and less easy to ruin. My old car had those and I meant to switch them off to this car, but by the time I figured out how, I would have to go to some border town and bring jack stands, jacks, etc. and do it myself so I put it off and forgot. Dumb choice.

The stupid wheel covers are there but a bit the worse for wear. What really troubles me is that this is what you are supposed to do drunk, and I'm not drunk. Another milli second and it could have been nasty. That was the kind of terrain that can cause a flip, a dead stop into the side of a cliff, or worse. And I could have careened into an oncoming car or truck. I was lucky.

Actually I was amazed that I was able to get it back on the road at all. I thought it was too late and no way I could miss that ugly dip.

It is not usual that I am that careless and distracted. I hardly ever answer the phone while driving. If I do I slide it open to speaker and leave it on the passenger seat. So, it wasn't phone foolishness.

I think it was because I was on the way to do some work and I was preoccupied with the blues. I'm pretty sure I will one day not be so lucky, and that will be that. Hopefully I can get something worthwhile done before then. I'd hate to leave a useless mess behind.

I'll pay better attention from now on. It was a close one and quite surprising.

Thank you song

Now I'm a guitar man. Like my new ax? Even has valley girl comments from the wang bar.

And another from back in a previous life at the King Biscuit fest. I like this one because the videographer didn't aim the cam too much at the pavement or port-o-lets on this one. I do remember I was just getting over a cold or the flu and felt less articulate than usual but I had fun that day. Articulate works best on a blues harp. I also like ths because a couple of photographers took my picture. That makes you feel important even if they usually get 86'd.

Blues

Strange color, blue.

Blue skies= good

Got the blues = sad

Blue {things I won't mention] = somewhat frustrating but fun getting there, in a perverse sort of way.

Blue is considered a cool color and some shades are soothing.

It seems like a hue full of contradictions.

The End

Wax and Wane is an Uncomfortable Lifestyle

That does it. I'm certain that there is a pattern here; up and optimistic followed by lost and sure the walls will crash in at any second. Knowing it is all internally generated helps not take it too seriously, but it doesn't prevent the problem of getting nothing done or not knowing where to start.

This routine truly sucks, I tell you. Maybe massive doses of omega 3 in some form would help. No doubt it is due to too many blows to the head from an early age. Or maybe it is just what happens when one is not smart enough to know better.

What kind of idiot can turn Paradise into a prison? You are not allowed to answer "Janet Nepolitano", or similar thing. This is all speaking in terms of the personal small picture.

Another added note; Never ever get your hair cut by anyone in Alpine. I gave it another shot at another untried hair cut place. This one seemed like it might work out. It was run by women and I thought would at least be better than the biker who has never had a haircut himself. NO.

That makes maybe four attempts to find a decent haircutter in this small town. We are talking really bad. I could have given any of my friends a pair of scissors and come out better.

Vain, you may say. Possibly. But it is clear that the ony safe bet is to pay more money and go to Notorious for Hair in Point Loma. I don't care if hardly any men ever go there. I'd rather pay the money, have nice smart aleck chicks do the job, and come out not feeling like Moe in the Three Stooges.

I may let it grow this time for a year. Being grateful to still have plenty of hair at this age, why not?
It was my hope to help the failing businesses in Alpine. Apparently I am only enabling gross incompetence.

What's even more stupid is that I usually leave saying, "That's great, thanks a lot". In my defense it is partly because I can't tell what they've done at that point. I discovered so many stray strands of wrong length that I used my sharp kitchen knife to even it up slightly. (couldn't find my scissors)

Maybe I should wait until my mood chemistry is on the upswing before I make any decisions like get a haircut, fix the car, etc. When I'm down I make irrational and poor choices. That is why it is so hard to get the needed things done. I either forget what they are, mix up the priorities or get them done in an unacceptable fashion.

It is probably a more painful existence than it should be, and more of an agony than it sounds. I'll bet it is possible for it to be much better.