Maybe I'm Amazed

Planning to Relocate Blog

2007-10-29T18:53:00.000-04:00

It has been quite a while since I've entered a blog entry. Life has been super busy. The New River Voice has published five issues and its Web site is FINALLY getting about ready to be up and running. Between trying to get the Voice off the ground and teaching two classes as an adjunct instructor, I've barely had to time to do anything else.

Once the Web site is fully operational, which should be around Nov. 1, I will probably start blogging on the Voice Web site instead of this one. So I hope you will visit the New River Voice regularly and see what's happening with me and in the New River Valley.

And if you haven't checked out the New River Voice MySpace page, be sure to do that, too!

And while you're at it, you might as well check out some New River Voice merchandise here!

New River Voice is out!

2007-08-27T09:16:00.000-04:00

If you live in the New River Valley of Southwest Virginia, look for the New River Voice at various restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and various other outlets all across the Valley. The New River Voice is a free, biweekly publication, so pick up the first issue now and look for another to be released Sept. 6.

The Web site for the Voice has not been updated with content from the first issue yet, but that should be coming up soon.

Goodbye Verizon, Hello Better Customer Service

2007-08-02T15:46:00.000-04:00

It occurs to me that after quite a while of ranting about Verizon, I haven't provided an update on that situation. I finally gave Verizon the boot—at least for home phone and Internet service. I had been having problems with them for quite a while, as detailed below, and I couldn't get the least bit of help from them.

So I switched my home phone and business phones to Vonage and have chosen SuddenLink as my Internet Service Provider. While I have had a few problems in setting up the new system, the customer service at both Vonage and SuddenLink has been pretty good—and great in comparison.

Operation Democracy

2007-07-10T21:33:00.000-04:00

Taryn has just created a blog for the Radford Council of Operation Democracy. As she says about the blog, "we'll be posting entries about our progress--one small group's fight to make a difference where they are."

Check out the blog here, and if you're local to Radford, join us!

Have You Seen Flickr?

2007-06-28T09:11:00.000-04:00

So, the question may be asked, how many Web sites will I have? Yep, I've just added another one. This one a Flickr page. What's Flickr? It's a cool place to keep photos where other folks can see them.

There are some great photographers on Flickr. I'm a sad amateur, but a few decent shots of mine can be found here.

A New Voice Coming to the Valley

2007-06-25T15:41:00.000-04:00

For those of you living in the New River Valley area of southwest Virginia, things are gonna get interesting. Tired of the mainstream media? Then you'll be glad to know that an alternative newspaper is coming to the NRV. The New River Voice will launch in August. Wanna know more about it? Click here.

And the actual Web site for the New River Voice is being built, but you can go ahead and bookmark it now! Check it out here.

Verizon Is Still Screwing Me!

2007-06-23T20:33:00.000-04:00

Words cannot express how disappointed I am in Verizon's service. I hate them. HATE them. Seriously.

Verizon Still Sucks

2007-06-19T19:10:00.000-04:00

So, I have been overcharged and it took Verizon three months to fix it. I was blatantly lied to, as Verizon said my Internet service would be ready on May 30. It was actually June 8. And once the Internet connection was finally hooked up, it screwed up my phone, so I have only been able to use my phone or my Internet connection for the past 11 days.

And now it looks like it will be longer. A Verizon technician was supposed to come and check out the situation this evening. Guess what? Nobody showed. When I called the repair line to ask where the technician was all I got was yet another empty and meaningless apology. And now I have to wait three more days to get this problem resolved.

And will Verizon offer me anything in return for this incredibly horrible service? I doubt it. They haven't yet.

If anyone knows of any solutions for phone/high-speed Internet combos, please let me know. Verizon still sucks!!!!

Make Love, Not War

2007-06-13T08:56:00.000-04:00

Another observant "Maybe I'm Amazed" reader recently sent me this story about the American military's plan to develop a gay bomb. That's right, a bomb that, when dropped on an enemy army, turns their entire, um, unit, gay. Seriously, I am not making this up. It even has a wikipedia entry.

Of course this brings up many questions. Not the obvious, such as why would our military waste money on something so ludicrous, but questions such as, "What if you're already gay? Does the bomb make you even more gay? Or does it have a weird reverse effect and make you straight?" Hmmm. And then, does it work on men AND women? Or would other armies be able to detect our gay bomb with their gaydar? Wow. Mind-boggling, isn't it?

I'm just happy to see that the industrial military complex is on its toes. Always thinking! Gay bomb. Oh that's rich.

Christian Domestic Discipline

2007-06-05T09:12:00.000-04:00

I'd like to thank alert "Maybe I'm Amazed" reader Bobby B. for bringing this important issue to my attention. It's all becoming clear to me. I've wondered what exactly went wrong in my first marriage, and perhaps I now have the answer. Clearly, there was not enough spanking.

"What? Not enough spanking? Of your wife? Are you crazy?" Oh, I hear you. But clearly you are not aware of the fantastic benefits of Christian Domestic Discipline, or CDD.

Yes, I had clearly gone astray in my past as this Web site points out. I failed to practice CDD, so of course my marriage was doomed to fail. Men, let me talk to you alone for a moment: Once you read about CDD, I'm sure you'll recognize there's no more need for wimpy marriage counselors, just start spanking your wife to show her who's boss. She'll fall in line quickly.

OK, you gals can join back in.

It's true! According to the CDD Web site, here's what it's all about!
"A domestic discipline marriage is one in which one partner in the marriage is given authority over the other and has the means to back the authority, usually by spanking."

That's right, spanking. Good, old-fashioned, spanking. Here's more from the site:

"A Christian Domestic Discipline marriage is one that is set up according to Biblical standards; that is, the husband is the authority in the household. The wife is submissive to her husband ... . He has the authority to spank his wife for punishment. CDD is so much more than just spanking. It is the husband loving the wife enough to guide and teach her, and the wife loving the husband enough to follow his leadership. A Christian marriage embodies true romance and a Christian man a true hero."

See? I could have been a hero. Maybe the greatest American hero!

Wow, what a lost opportunity. But the CDD site provides much more than just giving you an excuse to, as Akon says, smack that!

Seriously, the site has a store that offers things such as crotchless pantaloons. I am not making this up. See for yourself!

And if you "smack that" a bit too hard or too often, you might have to purchase some Herbal Expressions Arnica Oil can be massaged into sore or bruised areas of the body two to three times a day.

Yes, every rose has it's thorn. And there are some issues with CDD. Just listen to Amy's tale from the CDD guestbook:
"My husband has been spanking me for sometime now, and although I definately don't enjoy the feeling of it, I do see a positive outcome. The pain from his slapping my buttocks combined with the humiliation of having my bottom naked (and to be spanked itlself is pretty embarassing, even the positioning), keeps me from doing anything unchristian. I'm pretty sure it's legal, because I agreed to it at the begining of our relationship, although I do struggle when he's spanking me. I do have one problem though, which is when he uses a belt (since the position keeps my legs apart) it can curve inward and slap my anus."

So fellas, DO be careful with those belts! And I think the results will speak for themselves. Just listen to Brenda, who had this to say on the guestbook:
"I want to be more submissive in order to improve my marriage, and this site debunks a lot of garbage you find in the mainstream media. My marriage has sufferered [sic] because of feminist beliefs."

Amen Sister Brenda! First you let women vote, then take jobs outside of the home, and now look where we are.

Barefoot, pregnant, and plenty of spankings, I say!!

But I could go on and on about CDD. I really should just stop and let you soak it all in now.

And if any other alert readers have fascinating—and possibly relationship-saving—items to share, please contact me! Spank you very much!

Who Is Supporting the Troops?

2007-05-31T08:51:00.000-04:00

We've heard many times over the past four years the plea from George W. Bush to support the troops. Well, I have to ask, who is supporting them and who isn't?

With Memorial Day just recently passed, certainly it was a time to remember those who have died in this war and others. It it's particularly startling to learn that our government has become too cheap to give fallen soldiers individual memorial services. A report out of Washington State says that "So many Fort Lewis soldiers are being killed in Iraq the Army base will no longer hold individual memorial services."

As a friend of mine aptly said about this sad situation: "The fact that these soldiers don't even get their own memorial service brings home the idea that these boys and girls are just a highly-disposable commodity to the war machine of the Bush administration."

But it's not just dead soldiers that Bush and our government doesn't support. How is keeping them over in Iraq to face tough circumstances and possible death supporting them? One soldier asks why they are in Iraq in this letter. The soldier asks, "Why must we waste the lives of good men on a country that does not give a damn about itself?" And he states, "Most of my friends here share my views, but do not have the courage to say anything."

Why don't they have the courage, I wonder? Could it be that they are afraid of penalties from their own government if they express their true feelings? I'm sure our military wouldn't penalize someone who has served admirably in the military just for speaking out against this insane war. Um, right?

Nope. KATC reports that "an Iraq war veteran is scheduled to appear before a military panel Monday for wearing his uniform during an anti-war protest. ... The military panel will decide whether to change his discharge status from 'honorable' to 'other than honorable.'"

And we all know how well our government supports its wounded soldiers. The Walter Reed scandal illustrated that point. As The Washington Post reported, "Signs of neglect are everywhere: mouse droppings, belly-up cockroaches, stained carpets, cheap mattresses." Doesn't sound like support to me.

Here's the thing, Mr. Bush. In your typical spoiled-rich-kid manner, you smugly condemn those of us who want to bring the troops home. We're cut-and-runners, you say with a smirk. What are we running from? There was no threat to begin with. The only thing we're running from is your insanity for putting our troops in harm's way for no reason. You say we don't support the troops. Just because we prefer our soldiers to be alive and well means we don't support them? No sir, I think it is YOU and your administration that does not, has not, and apparently WILL NOT support our troops.

I met a new neighbor on Memorial Day. The guy was in the first Iraq War. He said he "was shot at and shot some people." Brave guy. He had medals on the wall in his basement. I have nothing but respect for him. He served for people like me and YOU, Mr. Bush, who have never set foot on foreign soil in a military uniform. You went AWOL for God's sake and haven't done anything to show your support for our men and women in uniform.

But I now value the opportunity to have this guy down the street as a neighbor. I value human life. I prefer to not sacrifice people to achieve some unknown and bizarre personal agenda. I support our troops.

What in your actions (not words!), Mr. Bush, indicates that YOU support our troops?

Disappointed in the Democrats

2007-05-24T08:12:00.000-04:00

Democrats have a reputation of being wishy-washy; flip-floppers; perhaps even cowards. I've tried to refute such labels easily tossed about by conservative opponents. But now I have to side with the likes of Rush Limbaugh. It's sad to say that the Democrats — at least those WE elected to Congress — are indeed totally gutless and without resolve. And they have acted against our will.

I'm speaking, of course, about the Democrats giving George W. Bush the funding he wants for his war without requiring any timeline for a troop withdrawal. Once again, the Democrats have handed Bush a blank check instead of holding him accountable for starting a war based on lies, a war that costs American lives every day, a war with no end in sight and no clear explanation as to why we're there or why we went there to begin with.

As Keith Olbermann so aptly said in his recent Special Comment:
"Few men or women elected in our history—whether executive or legislative, state or national—have been sent into office with a mandate more obvious, nor instructions more clear: Get us out of Iraq."

Olbermann went on to say, "You, the men and women elected with the simplest of directions—Stop The War—have traded your strength, your bargaining position, and the uniform support of those who elected you… for a handful of magic beans."

Our government has shown once again that it is out of control and without accountability. But it is up to us to demand accountability, no matter how futile that sometimes seems to be. Contact Congress today!

So, Falwell Is Dead

2007-05-15T18:13:00.000-04:00

He can speak for himself:

I listen to feminists and all these radical gals - most of them are failures. They've blown it. Some of them have been married, but they married some Casper Milquetoast who asked permission to go to the bathroom. These women just need a man in the house. That's all they need. Most of the feminists need a man to tell them what time of day it is and to lead them home. And they blew it and they're mad at all men. Feminists hate men. They're sexist. They hate men - that's their problem.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell

The argument that making contraceptives available to young people would prevent teen pregnancies is ridiculous. That's like offering a cookbook as a cure to people who are trying to lose weight.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell

This is probably as bad a day as the court has had on social issues since "Roe v Wade."
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, reacting to the Supreme Court's ruling in the Texas sodomy case, "Lawrence v. Texas," wherein the high court upheld an individual's (or a couple's) right to privacy; "It is a promise of the Constitution that there is a realm of personal liberty which the government may not enter," said Justice Anthony M Kennedy, for the majority in an opinion "as broad in its constitutional vision as any ever issued by the court," wrote Charles Lane for The Washington Post; in his dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia, an extremist Evangelical Christian, complained that the justices voting to uphold the right to privacy were creating a new constitutional right, that they were not upholding the Constitution, quoted from "Planned Parenthood Federal Action Report" (July, 2003)

I had a student ask me, "Could the savior you believe in save Osama bin Laden?" Of course, we know the blood of Jesus Christ can save him, and then he must be executed.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, cited in Cary McMullen, "Falwell: Now Is the Time for Gospel," in the Lakeland (Florida) Ledger (November 12, 2001), quoted from Randy Cassingham, This is True (18 November 2001). Falwell added: "We visit prisoners on death row, and some of them are saved, but we believe their sentences should be carried out because they have a debt to society."

God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, blaming civil libertarians, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters for the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, to which Rev Pat Robertson agreed, quoted from John F Harris, "God Gave US 'What We Deserve,' Falwell Says," The Washington Post (September 14, 2001)

The ACLU's got to take a lot of blame for this.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, blaming civil libertarians for the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, to which Rev Pat Robertson again agreed, quoted from AANEWS #958 by American Atheists (September 14, 2001)

And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, "You helped this happen."
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, blaming civil libertarians, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters for the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, quoted from John F Harris, "God Gave US 'What We Deserve,' Falwell Says," The Washington Post (September 14, 2001)

AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.
-- Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, Sermon, July 4, 1976

It appears that America's anti-Biblical feminist movement is at last dying, thank God, and is possibly being replaced by a Christ-centered men's movement which may become the foundation for a desperately needed national spiritual awakening.
-- Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

There is no separation of church and state. Modern US Supreme Courts have raped the Constitution and raped the Christian faith and raped the churches by misinterpreting what the Founders had in mind in the First Amendment to the Constitution.
-- Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

The Bible is the inerrant ... word of the living God. It is absolutely infallible,without error in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as well as in areas such as geography, science, history, etc.
-- Jerry Falwell, Finding Inner Peace and Strength

The Jews are returning to their land of unbelief. They are spiritually blind and desperately in need of their Messiah and Savior.
-- Jerry Falwell, Listen, America!

Grown men should not be having sex with prostitutes unless they are married to them.
-- Jerry Falwell, on CNN's Crossfire, May 17, 1997

Billy Graham is the chief servant of Satan.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

The ACLU is to Christians what the American Nazi party is to Jews.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals. To oppose it would be like an Israelite jumping in the Red Sea to save one of Pharoah's chariotters.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won't have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, America Can Be Saved, 1979 pp. 52-53, from Albert J Menendez and Edd Doerr, The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom

Hey Jerry, I thank God that you did NOT live to see that day!

Adios, Jerry.

All in the Family

2007-05-06T07:29:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking a lot this week about family. I guess more specifically I've been thinking about loyalties that I cannot understand. These loyalties include various familial relationships such as parents to children, one sibling to another, and even one person to his or her significant other, whether that be a spouse, live-in partner, or some other similar relationship.

Maybe the biggest problem in this whole dynamic is my own. The next person who tells me that I lack a capacity of forgiveness won't be the first—and probably won't be the last. Yes, I know the line in the Lord's prayer that says, "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." And yes I know the saying, "To err is human, but forgiveness is divine."

My problem lies with continued forgiveness despite a history of being treated badly by another person or a group of people. At what point do you say, "Enough is enough?" And maybe, just maybe, you can still forgive that person or people, but do you still have to continue to associate with them, allowing them treat you poorly in the process?

I think of two siblings I know. One decided several years ago to wash his hands of his family, who he felt had treated him poorly for many years. Just after he made the decision he told me it was for his own mental health. It was making him crazy, he said, to try to justify having a continued relationship with people who continued to cause him pain. His sister still tries to have a relationship to those same parents despite similar treatment. She seems to refuse to give up on some idealistic view that she could have a decent, normal family despite many years that would contradict the possibility of such an outcome. Which sibling is right and which is wrong? All I know is the one who moved away and gave up contact with his family is quite content with that decision and feels he is in better mental health because of that decision.

I was just reading about the book "If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation." Long story short: One sister escaped years of abuse. One did not. One sister finally gave up on the notion of loyalty and forgiveness. The other sister is dead. Continuing to allow people to mistreat you CAN have dire consequences—physically and mentally. So we should always forgive those who trespass against us? I'm not the moral police, but it seems like a bad policy. Or at least, as I indicated, forgive if you must, but don't forget. And don't continue to allow yourself to be abused.

I am fortunate that my family has been very good to me. I'm probably in the minority of those who have never suffered abuse by the hands of family members, and my family has done a lot for me. I am grateful for that and love my family for that reason yet I still don't understand the "blood is thicker than water" mentality. If my mom hung up on me regularly (which I know someone whose mom used to do just that because it was an "inconvenient" time for the child to call the parent), it might happen twice, but I definitely wouldn't be calling back after that.

Yet people continue to feel some sense of loyalty or obligation to people who rarely did anything positive for them and worse yet failed to protect them from harm. And when they were harmed, the solution was to sweep the whole incident under the rug and pretend it didn't happen.

If your friends or others in you life treated you in a similar manner to the rotten way your family has treated you, you would most assuredly end that relationship. But just because it's family who is abusing you, or a partner of some sort, you feel that you have some sort of lifelong obligation to these people. The contract of family should go both ways, I believe. And if one side does not fulfill their end of the bargain, to treat you with respect, to not put you down, to assist you financially if possible and practical, and to protect you from harm, then I do not see any reason to continue in that relationship.

To err is human and forgiveness may be divine, but continuing in a relationship with someone who uses and abuses you just doesn't make sense.

Verizon Update

2007-05-06T07:20:00.000-04:00

After wasting a lot of the time on the phone trying to straighten out my billing problems with Verizon, I asked to speak to a manager. After being put on hold for several more minutes, some guy finally picks up. I tell him my situation, and all he tells me is that he apologizes for the problems and then he tries to sell me on getting Direct TV, which is somehow affiliated with Verizon. Are you kidding me? I just said I was thinking about dropping Verizon services because dealing with them has been so difficult and this guy's only comeback is that I should add more Verizon services—without offering to do ANYTHING about the reasons I called?

I wasn't satisfied with that response and wrote an e-mail to Verizon. The space they allow for e-mails is pretty small so I said I had much more to complain about than they offered space for and I would love to speak with someone who might actually do something about it. I received this response:

"We appreciate your feedback and I apologize for the difficulties you've experienced.

I have forwarded your concerns regarding your service experience to the appropriate management team for review. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your comments.

Thank you for using Verizon. We appreciate your business."

That was it. No additional response has come. Nor do I expect it to.

Is There Such a Thing as Good Customer Service?

2007-05-01T10:09:00.000-04:00

How rare is it to find good customer service these days? It can rarely be found at stores and restaurants here in the New River Valley. And it's certainly not found within utility companies of any kind. My latest problem is with Verizon.

I have numerous Verizon products and they keep screwing up my bill. They've been overcharging me for three months and the problem is not fixed yet. And to try to speak with someone via phone turns into a 45-minute event of voice prompts, being on hold, and having people to apologize while still doing nothing to help the problem.

I was wondering if others had similar problems and found numerous links, similar to the Wal-Mart sucks links in one of my earlier blogs.

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Verizon Sucks

Oh and there are sooooo many more examples out there of how Verizon sucks.

An End to April

2007-04-30T08:22:00.000-04:00

In somewhat of an update from my last post, the month of April has continued to be a busy month. I closed on a house on Thursday and renovations began bright and early Saturday morning. Two 13-hour days over the weekend yielded some solid progress, but LOTS of work needs to ensue. Taryn says she'll start posting home renovation updates on her blog soon, so you can check there for details.

Meanwhile, this is the first day of exam week at Radford University. Many of the students I come in contact with on a regular basis will star slipping out of town for the summer as early as today, and by the end of Saturday's graduation, most will be gone until August. By the way, the commencement speaker at RU's graduation this year is Sen. Jim Webb, who you may recall from my posts last year that railed agains his Republican opponent, George "Macaca" Allen.

As the semester winds down for our neighbors at Virginia Tech, our thoughts continue to be with them. The media circus has left Blacksburg for the most part, but the family and friends of those who lost their lives in the horrific shootings of April 16 continue to try to get their lives back together.

And RU lost a student of our own this week. Matt Hale was injured more than a week ago in a skateboarding accident. He never recovered from the severe head trauma he received in that accident. The thoughts of many here at RU are with the family and friends of Matt Hale.

Here's hoping for a pleasant May here in southwest Virginia!

Life in Southwest Virginia

2007-04-25T10:43:00.000-04:00

Since my last post, a lot has happened and is STILL happening. Everyone has heard about the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech, a campus just 12 miles or so from where I live and work. And working on a university campus, the tragedy at Tech takes on a different meaning.

I communicated with a graduate student at Tech this week who said she had lost nine students from her graduate program plus a professor. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose so many friends and acquaintances at once. And obviously, for the families of all those who died, I know this is a horrific experience. My thoughts go out to all of those who knew someone injured or killed at Tech.

I could talk about the myriad social issues that surround this incident. I could talk about gun control or mental illness or violence in our society, but all that has been discussed ad nauseum of late. So I will move on to other topics.

In the time since I posted last, I've turned another year older and I am on the verge of moving yet again. Not too far this time. Only about eight blocks from where I currently live. I can say, though, that a birthday sandwiched between the Tech tragedy and the stress and financial strain of a move isn't the best timing. But what can you do?

Life is very busy at the moment, but I hope today's hectic pace will lead to good things in the future. And I hope we can get back to a normal life here in southwest Virginia.

Wal-Mart Sucks

2007-04-13T09:05:00.000-04:00

So I was looking at this article about Wal-Mart and its corporate spying, strong-arm tactics, and general lack of ethics, when I said to myself, "Geez, Wal-Mart totally sucks. Like seriously, how evil is this company anyway?"

So I decided to Google "Wal-Mart sucks."

Here are a handful of the sites that I found!

Click here to see how Wal-Mart sucks!

Click here to see how Wal-Mart sucks!

Click here to see how Wal-Mart sucks!

Click here to see how Wal-Mart sucks!

Click here to see how Wal-Mart sucks!

Click here to see how Wal-Mart sucks!

Click here to see how Wal-Mart sucks!

Click here to see how Wal-Mart sucks!

OK, I could go on and on and on. I think you get the point. But if you do find some particularly interesting anti-Wal-Mart Web sites, send them to me as a Comment.

Happy shopping, anywhere but Wal-Mart!!

Has Paul Krugman Been Reading My Blog?

2007-04-13T08:28:00.000-04:00

In today's New York Times, columnist Paul Krugman goes into more detail on the subject of my last blog entry. Here's what Krugman says:
"The infiltration of the federal government by large numbers of people seeking to impose a religious agenda — which is very different from simply being people of faith — is one of the most important stories of the last six years."

If you're not a Times Select subscriber you probably won't be able to read this link. But perhaps you can find the entire column elsewhere on the Internet. If you do, please post a link as a Comment.

And next week, Rudy Giuliani will speak at Pat Robertson's Regent University. I'm wondering how the lying, two-timing, politically, ethically, and morally corrupt former NYC mayor who loves to remind people that he was mayor during 9/11 (because he has nothing else going for him) will cozy up to the zealots at Regent. I'm sure it will be a sickening display similar to his pandering in Alabama earlier this week.

Building a Theocracy

2007-04-03T09:08:00.000-04:00

Among the people who make my skin crawl, Pat Robertson is pretty close to the top. It's an elite list: Robertson, Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, Ann Coulter, George W. Bush. And interestingly enough, it seems all those folks have something in common: They all want to create an American theocracy. (They're also all hypocrites and total nut jobs.) What is a theocracy, you might ask? Defined, it is government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. In the case of those aforementioned, they all want the United States to be a Christian state run by people with disdain for the time-honored separation of church and state.

Yet another example of this comes to mind when reading about the fact that Pat Robertson has a law school. Yes, at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., Robertson promotes "Christian leadership to change the world." This translates into Robertson hoping to create people more beholden to his view of law and the world than to the Constitution. This is a scary thing ... because it is working!

(In looking at the folks who will be speaking at Regents in upcoming weeks, by the way, Rudy Giuliani will be speak at Regent's Executive Leadership Series while Mitt Romney will give a commencement address on May 5.)

Here's yet another instance of the extreme Christian right trying to push its way into every aspect of our government. Not being happy with controlling the Executive branch, the Supreme Court, and the judicial system in general, Robertson and friends want to broaden the Christian army to include more judges and attorneys. Just what are they teaching at the Regent Law School? Here's a satirical look that probably isn't too far from the truth.

Monica Goodling, implicated in the ongoing scandal regarding the firing of eight U.S. Justices, is one of 150 Regent graduates currently serving in the administration.

I sure wish people like Robertson, Falwell, and Dobson would spend more time teaching the tenets of Jesus as opposed to building their earthly empires. It's all about money and power for these guys. And it's disgusting.

Defeated By the Wintry Mix

2007-03-19T08:27:00.000-04:00

Well, the big activist weekend turned out to be a bust because we hit bad weather in Maryland. On Friday afternoon, the area around Ellicott City started getting a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow. The weather continued to worsen through the afternoon and evening, which kept us from heading into D.C. for the Michael Franti concert, which was a MAJOR bummer. And because of the weather, Saturday's March on the Pentagon had much lower numbers than what organizers had hoped for.

So we missed out on the two main reasons that we went to the area. No doubt, I was not happy about the turn of events, but we made the best of it and had a good time with friends Kevin, Eliott, and Dave.

But after 4 years of U.S. military involvement in Iraq, I hope we can all take time to remember those American men and women who have served their country and not returned home. Brave New Films has a video Iraq War Memorial that you can watch here. And let's not forget the many Iraqi civilians who have been killed in George Bush's war.

Activist Weekend in D.C.

2007-03-14T13:37:00.000-04:00

I'm gearing up for an interesting weekend. On Friday, I will accompany a group of friends to see Michael Franti and Spearhead in Washington, D.C. (For those of you near Asheville, he's there tonight and in Norfolk Thursday.)

I learned about Franti from my friend Rick, who had a showing of the DVD "I Know I'm Not Alone" at his house a while back. Rick is a huge Franti fan and convinced some of the rest of us to buy tickets for the show this Friday night at the 930 Club in D.C., which is now sold out!

The following day, we hope to participate in the March on the Pentagon, an anti-war march from the Mall in D.C. to the Pentagon.

Hopefully I will post again after the weekend with updates and possibly photos.

Join us for the march on Saturday!

Until then, remember what Franti sings: We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it into peace. Power to the peaceful!!

Oh, Ann ...

2007-03-06T09:42:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I last posted. One reason is I wanted to give my buddy Dave Copeland plenty of time at the top of the blog so everyone will be aware that his book is coming out. His release party is this week. If you're in the Boston area, check it out.

Another reason for my delay is that I was too lazy to take the five minutes it takes to switch over to the new blogger from the old blogger. Sad, isn't it?

But then I saw where my old friend Ann Coulter was up to her old tricks. And I wondered, why does anyone ever pay to have her as a speaker or to hear her speak or to buy one of her books. What a horrible, wretched person is Ann Coulter.

For the latest on her, check out this article in Slate.

Well, I'll try to post more frequently in March than I did in February. See ya soon!

Dave's World

2007-02-02T15:04:00.000-05:00

In the future on this blog, you'll start getting to know some folks who I think are pretty cool and who are doing some awesome things. The first in this series is a Q&A session with Dave Copeland, a fellow graduate of the MFA in Creative Nonfiction program at Goucher College. Let's get right to the interview!

TJ: Dave, you’ve got a book coming out any day now. It’s called Blood & Volume: Life Inside of New York’s Israeli Mafia. You came upon this project in somewhat of an unusual fashion. Tell us about how you got involved with this book.

D.C.: I was thinking that doing a book on the Witness Protection program – getting sucked out of your life and dropped into a new one – would be a great topic for a book. But to illustrate it I needed someone who was actually in the program, and people who are in the program don’t usually wear T-Shirts that say “Ask me about my life in WitSEC!”

At the time I had just started working as a freelance writer so I was scouring hundreds of ads on Craigslist each day for job leads. I was downright shocked when I came across an ad that essentially read “My husband and I are in the Witness Protection program and we’re looking for a writer to tell our story to.”

It was only later, after I had talked to the couple and to Pete Earley, my mentor at Goucher College’s creative nonfiction writing program, that I realized life in the Witness Protection Program isn’t really interesting at all (Pete has, however, written a very good book on how the program was formed). The more I talked to the Gonens the more I realized the interesting story was how they got in the program.

TJ: Give us some information about your background as a writer.

D.C.: I was one of those kids who always loved to read and from a young age people told me I was a good writer – I think I first tried to write a book when I was nine and now, 24 or 25 years later, I’ve finally finished one. After college I worked for newspapers and wire services, and as a result of that I think – at least until very recently – I’ve identified more with being a journalist than a writer.

T.J.: Tell us, why should we buy Blood & Volume?

D.C.: I need the money….Kidding!

It’s not a long book, but there is a lot going on there. One of my big fascinations with my work is it’s a perfect excuse to step into the lives of people who do something you would never, ever do – in this case deal lots of drugs and get tied up with a group of people who kill one another for sport. While living within the parameters of nonfiction I really made an effort to make each of the people in the book a character. And while I don’t expect readers to like these people, I do think they will find them complex and interesting.

T.J.: Do you have any other book projects that you’re working on? If not, then what would you like to do next?

D.C.: I have been pecking away at my next book proposal whenever I have a few minutes. It’s kind of hard to define just yet – I don’t have my 30-second elevator pitch polished for the next book. But essentially 2004 and 2005 were two of the worst years of my life, and 2006 was one of the best years I’ve had.

And a big reason for the turn around was my decision to run a marathon. You know me and you know I’m not what people would call athletic. In fact, I don’t think I had run more than a mile or two at any one time in my life before I decided to run a marathon. As miserable as it was at times, the whole experience really taught me what it means to be happy and how to focus on taking care of myself, both physically and emotionally.

There’s a lot going on in the book, but I suspect the subtitle will be something along the lines of “How and Why A Big Fat Guy Ran A Marathon.” And it’s funny – if you think of Bill Bryson’s A Walk In The Woods, where a neophyte hiker decides to walk the Appalachian Trail, I think you’ll have a fairly good idea of where I’m heading with it.

T.J.: I know you’ve also started a television production company. The first project you’re working on is a show called “Camp.” What is “Camp” and how is that project coming along?

D.C.: “Camp” is a sitcom that is probably best targeted at a network like Comedy Central. The setting is a typical, American summer camp but the story is told from the point of view of the staff members: the under-sexed, over-stimulated twenty-somethings who are responsible for other people’s kids all summer. If you mashed together “South Park,” “Meatballs” and the BBC version of “The Office” and threw in a hyperactive albino with anger management issues, you may have something that looks like “Camp.”

We seem to be making some headway. We’ve gotten some strong interest from a major production company and we’re hoping they’ll sign on and begin pitching it to networks within the next couple of months.

T.J.: Do you like TV- or book-writing better?

D.C.: They’re both still very new to me so they’re both still a lot of fun in their own ways. T.V. writing is fun because I’m writing “Camp” with my best friend, who I met at camp when I was 11, so it’s more collaborative and not as lonely. But at the same time, I never really pictured myself writing for film or television so book writing comes a lot closer to feeling like a dream fulfilled.

T.J.: Do you anticipate that being a big-time author and TV writer will help bring in the hot chicks?

D.C.: No, rock stars get all the hot chicks. The fact that a lot of writers aspire to be rock stars but not too many rock stars aspire to be authors says a lot.

T.J.: If you could live anywhere in the world—money was not a factor—where would you live and why?

D.C.: Boston, Massachusetts. If money was not a factor I’d travel a lot and maybe own multiple houses, but this is home.

T.J.: What is the most recent music that you’ve purchased?

D.C.: I keep a notepad and pen on the console of my car and everyone who rides with me thinks it’s real writer-like, as if I’m jotting down ideas for my next project at traffic lights. But the reality is that 90 percent of what I write on that pad are songs I hear on the radio that I want to buy on iTunes.

So the last five songs I’ll own up to having downloaded are “Tall Cans In The Air” by the Transplants, “Fatty” by the Street Dogs, “”Nausea,” by Beck, “Connecticut’s For Fucking” by Jesus H. Christ and the Four Horsemen and “Goodbye Earl” by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. And off of iTunes I’ve downloaded “Close Your Eyes” by New Invisible Joy.

T.J. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

D.C.: I’d like to have enough f-you money to be able to pick and choose the projects I want to work on. Better than that, I’d like our T.V. production company to be big enough so that I can hire all of my friends for insanely huge salaries – sort of like “Entourage.” But if I’m writing books, healthy and still surrounded by good friends and family I suspect I’ll be happy regardless how much money I have in the bank.

T.J. Thanks for your time, Dave, and good luck with all your projects!

Coming from from Barricade Books...
Blood & Volume: Inside New York's Israeli Mafia by Dave Copeland
Pre-order your copy today.

Webb on the Web and More ...

2007-01-24T08:25:00.000-05:00

I promised that this blog won't be nearly as political in 2007 as it was in 2006, but I have to give due time to Virginia Senator Jim Webb. I'll talk about the picture above in just a moment.

As you may recall from blog entries ranging from last summer through the November election, I tried my best to point out the many, many flaws of Virginia Senator George Allen as he campaigned against Jim Webb. I was never a particularly great fan of Webb, I just thought that he, or 90 percent of the American public, would be far better than George Allen as a senator from our commonwealth.

When I heard that Webb would be delivering the Democratic response to the Bush State of the Union Speech, I must admit I was a bit nervous. After seeing numerous clips of Webb on the campaign trail, I knew he wasn't the most charasmatic guy. No one will ever mistake him for Barack Obama (more on that below).

While Webb didn't impress anyone with his personality or the delivery of his speech, I thought his content was excellent. You can see Webb on the Web here. Once you go to the link, you'll be able to view in Quicktime or Media Player. I hope you take a few minutes to check it out.

Speaking of Obama, though, I briefly turned on the TV this morning to see that just about every network was going to have him on their morning shows to respond to the State of the Union address. This guy is unquestionably the media darling. Well except Fox News. But I am already starting to worry about the race for the 2008 election.

As usual, the media is playing favorites. Obama and Clinton are getting most of the coverage while the rest of the field fights for a few minutes of face time. I mean, how many of you have seen former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel on TV? Yeah, I actually know Mike. I've had dinner with him and his lovely wife, Whitney, a few times. Mike's a good guy currently living in Arlington, Va., and he's been working on changing government for years, but he gets no coverage.

What am I saying here? I'm not sure, but I think my point is that the PEOPLE of this nation need to seek out candidates and learn about them without relying on the mainstream media. Remember how Howard Dean was the intriguing newcomer on the national political scene in the 2004 election and then the media turned on him and crucified him after the infamous Dean Scream?

And poor John Edwards. Here's a guy who was also promising in 2004 but then got caught in the disaster known as John Kerry. As a friend of mine just stated about Edwards: "He'll need to work hard to scrub the Kerry stink off him." Apparently the media has forgotten about Edwards, who had that Obama charm just four years ago and now seems to be an also-ran in the eyes of the mainstream media.

At any rate, it's clear that Bush is STILL leading us down the wrong path. It's clear that politics is still politics. And it's clear that the presidential race of 2008 (now that it's barely 2007) is going to be long, brutal, and expensive. Is this why crap like American Idol is how we spend our time as a country?

The King Is Back

2007-01-23T09:34:00.000-05:00

Before I move off the subject of Alabama football, at least for a while, I'd like to point out the recent article by Mobile Register sports columnist Paul Finebaum.

Finebaum outlines a lot of what I said in my blog entry below. The Bama Nation has gone through many troubled times in the past 25 years, but not the NCAA, our SEC rivals, nor the media could finish us off. And now, hope lives and the King is back.

Hey Auburn, are you scared yet?

Tired of the Bama Bashers

2007-01-15T13:02:00.000-05:00

Tuscaloosa News sports columnist Cecil Hurt recently wrote a column about hope returning to the University of Alabama football program. I couldn't agree more. It's been a rough decade to be a fervent Tide fan. Coach Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship in 1992 as part of a 28-game winning streak that lasted for part of 1991, all of 1992, and part of 1993.

Then came a run-in with the NCAA and a punishment that disallowed the Crimson Tide an appearance in a bowl game in 1995. The Tide bounced back in 1996 with a 10-3 record and a win over Michigan in the Outback Bowl.

But Coach Stallings retired after the Outback Bowl, and troubled times soon set in. Coach Mike DuBose proved to be a bad hire, UA was hit with NCAA sanctions again and suffered arguably the most unfair penalties in NCAA history, Coach Dennis Franchione came and went, which was followed by the Mike Price debacle, and finally a coaching stint by Mike Shula, who barely had a winning record in four years at UA.

The national media excoriated Alabama for firing Shula, despite the fact that his record was weak and his leadership questionable. Serious questions hung around the football complex regarding discipline, strength and conditioning, the competence of some of the coaches, and the general direction of the program.

The press and Bama rivals seemed to rejoice when West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez turned down an offer from UA to become the next Bama head man, but Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore and President Dr. Robert Witt still had hope that their No. 1 choice would still be a possibility. And after the NFL regular season was over, Miami Dolphins Coach Nick Saban was announced as the new Alabama head coach.

Again, the media torched Saban and Alabama. Saban lied, the media decried, when he said he was not interested in the Alabama job only to take it a few weeks later. Hey media pinheads, I'm not saying Saban handled the questions about his coaching future well, but it happens all the time. Tommy Tuberville said he'd only leave Mississippi in a pine box just a couple days before bolting for Auburn. Dennis Franchione said he wasn't looking at any other jobs just before he stepped on a plane to College Station, Texas, never to return to Alabama. Even recently Louisville's Bobby Petrino said he would honor his 10-year contract with the Cardinals just before taking a job as the Atlanta Falcons head coach. And what about the owners or college athletic directors who give a coach their "vote of confidence" and then fire the guys two weeks later? Geez, enough of the hypocrisy.

Was Saban less than honest? Yes. But it happens all the time in sports and the media rarely questions it and never as vehemently as it has done in the case of Saban and Alabama. Just last night on ESPN in the "Sunday Conversation" on SportsCenter, the camera zoomed tight on Saban's face while Chris Mortensen, two weeks after Bama hired Saban, continued to ask about Saban's "less than truthful" departure from the Dolphins. Part two of that conversation comes tonight, and it is supposed to focus more on what Saban wants to do at Alabama and be less about Saban defending himself to the media—again.

With Saban comes a guy known as a leader—a guy with whom you do things his way or you hit the highway. He doesn't generally schmooze with the press and is known to be a difficult guy to work with, but his take-charge attitude is exactly what Alabama needs right now. It's what Alabama had from 1958 to 1982 with legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant running the Tide football program. Ray Perkins and then Bill Curry failed to fill the shoes of Coach Bryant. Stallings had a similar demeaner to Bryant and his leadership brought Bama back to where it was under Bryant, and then the wheels fell off.

I feel confident that Saban will put Alabama in a position to where it was in years such as 1961 or 1978 or 1992. I think with some rebuilding on Alabama's defensive front and in the linebacking corps that Alabama will be contending for SEC championships, and perhaps national championships, within a few years. Alabama fans have been like whipped dogs, hanging their heads, afraid to be bold and aggressive. But with the hiring of Nick Saban, Bama fans are once again proud. They are buying Tide Pride tickets and Bama gear. They are showing their colors. For the first time in a long time the Bama Nation is united. The championship mindset has returned, now let the on-the-field championships follow.

And to the media that keeps bashing Bama, give it a rest. Columnist Cecil Hurt points out the hypocrisy again in his column today. Great comments by Cecil: "What Alabama fans want, in the long term, is to field a team that is competitive, year in and year out, in the SEC. It’s the same thing that Florida wanted when it replaced Ron Zook. It’s the same thing that LSU and Auburn and all the other teams in the league’s upper echelon expect, and the rest of the teams aspire to. And it is by no means unreasonable."

Roll Tide!!!!!!!!!

Weight Watching

2007-01-10T22:49:00.000-05:00

I'm hungry! It's true. Over the course of my life, I've never made any sort of serious effort to really improve my eating habits. By eating habits I basically mean I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Sure I had the occasional salad, but I also had lots of junk food and such awesome and tasty treats such as fried chicken, barbecue, Buffalo wings, macaroni & cheese, burgers, and lots of chocolate. You get the picture.

But beginning January 2, I started to make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of food I was eating and also to try to eat more healthful foods. It's been a struggle, but a week in, things have been going OK. I have lost a few pounds, so things seem hopeful.

I've also tried to step up the exercise just a bit. Unfortunately, I am hungry—a lot. And that occasionally makes me want to smack someone in the head. But we'll see what happens. Wish me luck. And with any luck, I'll never have to make such a painful New Year's resolution again.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-07T21:58:00.000-05:00

Yes, I realize that it's been a long time since I've blogged. A LONG time. And even though we're a week into 2007, it is one of my goal's this year to blog a bit more.

In 2006 many of my blog entries were of a political nature. I'm going to try to switch directions a bit this year, though. I'll focus on a more wide array of issues including sports, pop culture, writing, and my various observations about life.

So, I formally apologize to those of you who have been checking this page for two months with no new content. But those days are quickly changing.

So welcome to 2007, and I hope you stop in and visit often.

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Bittersweet

2006-11-09T08:38:00.000-05:00

With a trip to St. Louis followed by a trip to Washington, D.C., I've had little time to blog of late. But with the mid-term election over (mostly), I thought I should take a few minutes to do a quick recap. Perhaps I can do something more in-depth later.

First, it was interesting to be in D.C. on election night, sitting in the Irish pub of the hotel where Taryn and I stayed, watching election returns on CNN. Beside our table was a group of maybe a dozen people who had sheets of paper and were marking off the winners as they were announced and occasionally cheered when favorable returns were announced. It was fun to watch people watching the returns almost like people at a sports bar watch a game. I enjoyed my fish & chips and large glass of water while soaking in what started to feel like victory.

Fairly early in the evening it was clear that the Democrats would retake the House. I'm sure Republicans everywhere will be choking as they say the words, "Speaker Pelosi." I can't wait for Nancy Pelosi to become Speaker of the House so that perhaps some people in the Bush administration will start to be held accountable.

It looks like accountability is already being realized in the administration as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stepped down yesterday. Could Bush FINALLY be realizing that the Iraqi war is a disaster and that Rumsfeld never had a plan? Nah, probably just some Rovian political ploy, but good to see Rumsfeld gone anyway.

Next, it looks as though the Democrats will take the Senate as well. Now don't get me wrong, I'm no huge fan of the Democrats. With so many ideas in the world, I think it's ridiculous to have a two-party system. But in these last six years of absolute rule by Republicans, it's nice to see checks and balances again--at least to some degree.

My state of Virginia is the focus as to whether the Dems will have a majority in the Senate. Jim Webb currently leads incumbent racist thug George Allen by roughly 7,000 votes in a race that saw more than two million votes cast. I'm confident Webb will hold on to his lead and the Democrats will indeed have both houses of Congress.

As one who was very much against the arrogant Allen, I am happy to see him go. Buh-bye, George! Good luck with that presidential campaign in 2008.

But finally, I must say I am saddened to hear that the people of Virginia decided that it was a good idea to write discrimination into our constitution. The so-called "marriage amendment" passed by roughly 57 percent to 43 percent. But instead of bemoaning the loss, I say let's run with it. What is marriage, really? It's just permission from the state for two people to join in a union. It's a literal license to do something.

So I think we should discriminate in everything that requires a license. Want that fishing license? You're black? Sorry, no African Americans can have a fishing license. Want a business license and you're Hispanic? Nope We don't offer business licenses to Hispanics. Want a drivers license and aren't wearing a blue shirt? Well we only give driver's licenses to those who wear a blue shirt, sorry! See how fun this will be?

And besides that, won't it be fun when nonmarried straight couples have no rights? Oh no, after Tammy Sue voted "yes" to the "marriage amendment" she finds herself getting smacked around by her live-in boyfriend. Tammy Sue wants a restraining order because she thinks Joe Bob is going to kill her. Guess what Tammy Sue? The state doesn't recognize your "marriage-like" arrangement, so Joe Bob will just have to do bodily harm to you, and then if you survive you can have him arrested for assault. If you don't, well, too bad you voted "yes" on that marriage amendment.

What fun we can have in Virginia. Plus, I'm looking forward to spending lots and lots of taxpayer money as the Attorney General's office defends lawsuit after lawsuit that will inevitably be the result of this amendment passing. It's not like we need that money for schools or roads or libraries or parks.

Yes, it's a sad day in Virginia regarding the amendment, but I'm declaring victory for Jim Webb; I'm happy that Rummie is gone; and I'm glad to see some checks now in place on the Bush dictatorship.

The Funny Thing About George Allen

2006-11-01T08:16:00.000-05:00

Just a few short months ago, Sen. George F. Allen (R-VA) was sitting comfortably as an incumbent with a lot of money in his war chest and was facing a relatively unknown as his opponent. Pollsters indicated Allen had a wide lead over challenger Jim Webb and it looked like Allen would have a cakewalk to re-election and then would seriously ponder a presidential run in 2008. The thing is, Allen couldn't get out of his own way.

All Allen had to do was sit back and do nothing. The only way this wealthy incumbent could lose would be to shoot himself in the foot. And the shots started ringing out, as documented in this blog and in many other places. The most recent incident occurred recently when Allen staffers put a constituent in a headlock and wrestled him to the ground. Why? For asking questions to his senator--his representative in a representative democracy.

You can read a letter from the guy who was roughed up by the Allen campaign here. And you can see video and read the general story here.

Way to go, George. Nice to see your entire campaign implode!

One Week Until the Election

2006-10-31T08:51:00.000-05:00

I've been out of town for a while and have not done particularly well on updating the blog of late. This past week, I was in St. Louis for a convention. Interestingly enough, the World Series was in town. I hope to blog about that experience later in the week.

But now that we're down to a mere seven days until the mid-term election, I thought I better get back to a couple of issues that I've been promoting. The first is the idea of getting Senator George F. Allen out of office. Seriously, this guy is an embarrassment to the Commonwealth of Virginia. He's been making regular appearances on Democratic Underground's weekly list of the Top 10 Conservative Idiots and he shows up again this week, this time at No. 3.

In a related story, see this satirical article that pokes fun of the absurd claim made by the Allen campaign that his opponent, Jim Webb, is unfit to be senator because of "sexually explicit" material in Webb's books.

This race is going to be close. Allen has been leading Webb since the beginning, with a wide double-digit margin just a few months ago. This new poll, however, is the first to show Webb actually leading Allen. George Allen has been nothing but a Bush puppet for six years. If you are concerned about the War in Iraq, the shrinking middle class, and myriad other issues, it's time to look for a new direction, which means getting rid of the Bush yes men such as George Allen.

In another important initiative in this election, Virginia voters have the opportunity to vote on a so-called "marriage amendment." An interesting look at the amendment can be found in this column from The Washington Post. And a nice letter to the editor about the topic appears today in the Fredericksburg newspaper.

It's Nearing Halloween, and Allen Has Skeletons

2006-10-16T13:39:00.000-04:00

Yes, Sen. George F. Allen of Virginia continues to see the skeletons come dancing out of his closet. The fact that he is a racist has been discussed for years, but after his "macaca" incident the magnitude of Allen's racism became more apparent. Then he had the very odd reaction to the revelation that his grandfather was Jewish. And last week it was revealed that Sen. Allen failed to report stock options, which is required by Congressional rules.

As Allen makes yet another appearance in The Top 10 Conservative Idiots list (how many weeks in a row is this?!?), it seems that he may have run into some trouble with the law back in the 1970s. It makes you wonder, if a few diligent folks would really do some digging into George Allen's life, what skeletons WOULD come screaming out of the closet?

It should be interesting to see what other news about Allen is revealed between now and election day. And it should be noted that Allen, who held a double-digit lead over Democratic challenger Jim Webb just three months ago, is now essentially deadlocked with Webb.

Vote NO on NOvember 7

2006-10-10T08:15:00.000-04:00

On the ballot next month in Virginia is a proposed amendment to the state's constitution. The so-called "marriage amendment" is a far-reaching attempt by conservatives to strip away the rights of couples—of any kind—who are not married. Conservatives are trying to get their base out to vote by promoting the amendment as something that will ban gay marriage. But gay marriage is already illegal in the state of Virginia so there is no need for an amendment to reinforce that. So who really is the target of this amendment? It's actually straight couples who are cohabitating.

What does the Marshall/Newman amendment say? Here's how it will read on the ballot:
BALLOT QUESTION NUMBER 1

Question: Shall Article I (the Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to state:

"That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.

"This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage."?

Why should people be opposed to this amendment? According to The Commonwealth Coalition:
The proposed Marshall/Newman amendment goes too far.
This amendment goes far beyond existing state law to ban any and all legal recognition of relationships between unmarried couples (gay and straight). The effect of the amendment will be to render unenforceable any agreement between two unmarried people that "intends" to approximate the benefits, significance OR effects of marriage. This includes agreements for end of life and medical decisions, guardianship of children and ownership and transfer of property. The amendment also bans government recognition of same-sex or heterosexual civil unions and domestic partnerships meaning that no public college or university or other public employer will ever be able to offer unmarried couples health or life insurance benefits.

The proposed Marshall/Newman amendment writes discrimination into our Virginia constitution.
The Virginia bill of rights was written to protect the inalienable rights of individuals against the government. This amendment to the bill of rights would take rights away from all "unmarried individuals."

The proposed Marshall/Newman amendment unnecessarily intrudes the government into our homes and private lives.
Even if one is concerned about "gay marriage," Virginia has had a law on the books prohibiting same-sex marriage for 30 years and a law on the books prohibiting same-sex civil unions for 3 years. These laws have not been challenged. We do not need to take risks with the Virginia bill of rights by adding this ill-considered proposal with its far-reaching and largely unknown consequences for all unmarried Virginians. We do not need to jeopardize our privacy and extend government's reach further into our homes and private lives.

Yes, all of that is from The Commonwealth Coalition. I urge you to visit their Web site to get more informed about the amendment and its effects.

But the issue is in the media as well. Today's Roanoke Times has an article about the matter, which features yours truly and my partner Taryn as part of the story. The Times offers another article about how the amendment may affect domestic violence.

This is an important issue, and if you live in Virginia, I urge you to vote NO on the amendment. If you haven't registered to vote, TODAY is your LAST CHANCE to do so! In addition to voting against George Allen (see my last several blog entries!)—and yes, I'm voting more AGAINST Allen than I am FOR Jim Webb—you will also get to vote NO on the Marshall/Newman amendment. So be sure to vote!

Allen Out of Options

2006-10-09T09:41:00.000-04:00

Some people have suggested that I am obsessed with this George Allen thing. My response? I am. And will be for another few weeks. Bottom line: Allen does not deserve to the privilege of representing the people of Virginia. Seems like every week we find out just how much of a racist and unethical jerk George Allen is.

This week we find out that George Allen failed to report to Congress the stock options he has been receiving. Maybe it was just a small oversight that happened once? No, it's happened for the past five years. We like to call that FRAUD. This article provides an excellent overview of Allen's most excellent ethics. Some might even say that Allen is "ethically unfit."

This week's version of the Top 10 Conservative Idiots is the "Foley Loaded" edition, so Allen only gets a brief mention. But it's good to see that he once again makes the list.

Frequent Flyer

2006-10-02T09:44:00.000-04:00

Virginia Sen. George Allen should be getting some sort of Frequent Flyer-type deals from the folks at Democratic Underground where ol' George is making yet another appearance on its Top 10 Conservative Idiots of the Week. Coming in this week at No. 5, our fine senator is once again being admonished for being the racist jerk that he is.

To be fair, Allen opponent Jim Webb has had his share of bumps in the road as well. In fact, the Virginia senate race between Allen and Webb made The Daily Show last week in its Senate Spotlight. Ahhhh, Virginia politics.

Allen Makes Top 10 Again

2006-09-25T15:50:00.000-04:00

But probably not what he or his campaign considers to be a good top 10 list. Once again, Sen. George Allen from Virginia has made the Top 10 Conservative Idiots list.

Allen comes in at No. 9 after yet another controversial week. Read about it here.

Even ultraconservative magazine The Weekly Standard expresses concerns about Allen in an article this week. The Standard details how Allen has gone from a potential presidential contender in 2008 to a guy struggling for his political life in 2006.

Salon magazine today offers an article that quotes several of his teammates from the University of Virginia stating that Allen regularly used racial slurs. Wow, George, it's amazing to see a campaign continue to implode the way yours has. Just keep talking!

Advice Not Heeded

2006-09-19T08:25:00.000-04:00

On this date, Sept. 19, in 1796, President George Washington's farewell address was published. In that address the man sometimes referred to as the "father of our country" advised, "'Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.'"

Poor George

2006-09-18T11:49:00.000-04:00

As the great and now, unfortunately, late Ann Richards said about George Bush I, "Poor George, he was born with a silver foot in his mouth." The same can be said for Virginia Senator George Allen. After calling an American citizen "macaca" and saying "Welcome to America" his non-apologies and half-hearted apologies seem to have left many Virginians questioning the wisdom of putting Allen back in the Senate. And stealing someone else's amendment usually doesn't endear one to the masses either.

Yesterday on "Meet the Press," Allen and his opponent, Jim Webb, squared off to debate a few issues. Seems that most feel that Webb won that battle. For more on the "Meet the Press" segment as well as the Allen-Webb race, this New York Times article offers an interesting perspective. And for more general thoughts about Allen, check him out at No. 7 on this week's Conservative Idiots list.

More From the Working World

2006-09-15T08:58:00.000-04:00

First from the "Are they reading my blog?" department. After this blog entry appeared last week, two execs from the New York Times Company recently announced they were forgoing stock options and are instead putting about $2 million in an employee bonus pool. Well, compared to the money those guys are making, it's not the most generous act in the world, but it's a start. Now if only overpaid execs across the country would take the challenge and do something similar—yet more!

While the subject is on the workplace—sort of—I thought I'd pass along a couple more articles. I ran across this one that offers the headline "Do You Hate Your Job?" The article states, "There are as many reasons for hating a job as there are jobs. Some of the most prevalent include a lack of autonomy and flexibility, a corporate culture that doesn't fit with your values, feeling disrespected or unappreciated, and discrepancies in pay. But the top reason is a difficult boss." Associated with the article was a poll. The question read, "Do you hate your job?" They are very creative in their headlines and poll questions, aren't they? The answers to choose from included:
Like nobody's business.
More than I'd like to admit.
It's ok.
I basically have a good job.
I love my job. Really!

When I last checked results, a full 60% of respondents fell into the "Like nobody's business or "More than I'd like to admit" categories. Only 8% said they loved their job.

When is it time to quit? Check out this slideshow.

And before you start looking for that next job, you might want to check here for advice on how to determine what you're worth.

Allen Steals Durbin Amendment

2006-09-13T09:42:00.000-04:00

Have you heard about this? Our fine Senator who supposedly represents Virginians, George Allen, recently stole an amendment prepared by Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois. What? How does one steal an amendment, you ask? Good question.

Sen. Allen, who, like George Bush, often likes to play dress-up and pretend to be a cowboy, asked to speak just before Sen. Durbin was to introduce his amendment regarding a bill about defense appropriations. Allen stood up and essentially introduced Durbin's bill as his own. It's true. See it here or here.

The ludicrous event even made The Colbert Show this week.

So George Allen, you're a racist and a thief. We're so proud to have you as a senator, sir. We enjoy being embarrassed to be Virginians because of you.

Olbermann Interviewed in Salon

2006-09-11T09:51:00.000-04:00

Perhaps more blogging later, but for now just a link to Keith Olbermann's interview in Salon. Olbermann has had some hard-hitting commentaries of late, including skewerings of Donald Rumsfeld and George W. Bush. Check out the interview here.

Work Weary

2006-09-08T10:59:00.000-04:00

Get Up, Stand Up, stand up for your right
Get Up, Stand Up, don't give up the fight
-- Bob Marley

This just in: U.S. workers are getting completely screwed by their employers! OK, that's not really much of a news flash. It's been happening for a long time. Perhaps the news is that it's getting worse instead of getting better. And it's far past time for us to stand up and do something about it.

What prompted me to post this blog entry was reading an article I found on Alternet.org called For U.S. Workers, Vacation is Vanishing. The article quotes a poll taken in May that revealed that 40% of Americans had no plans to take a summer vacation. And the article is filled with other frightening facts such as in 1998 5% of American companies offered no paid vacation time whatsoever and by 2003 that number had risen to 13%. Today that number stands at around 25%. When will the madness end?

And it seems that so often when we do get a bit of vacation time, we don't REALLY get away. With cell phones, laptops, and BlackBerries, many of us spend valuable time away from the office actually working. Then when you factor in the overtime and stress you undertake before you leave on that meager vacation and all the catching up you have to do once you return, some of us wonder if it's even worth the hassle to take a vacation.

This New York Times article shows that even those of us who get paid vacation time often don't use it all. The article quotes how surprising that is considering the following:
"In the United States full-time employees have 3.9 holiday and vacation weeks off a year. But this is paltry when compared with European countries, including the United Kingdom (6.6 weeks), France (7) and Italy (7.9), according to the 2004 figures compiled by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development."

And where does this get us? The Times' articles states that "The Families and Work Institute study found that overworked employees are more likely to make mistakes, to be angry at their employers and at colleagues who do not work as hard. These employees are also more likely to have higher stress levels, experience symptoms of clinical depression, report poorer health and neglect themselves."

Nice.

And who are we doing it for? While we're all struggling to make a living wage and receiving little to no paid time off, American CEO's continue to live the good life. Besides their great vacations, their compensation packages continue to climb higher and higher. Forbes magazine's Special Report: CEO Compensation will prove sickening to the average worker. While you're struggling to pay rent and utilities, Richard D. Fairbank of Capital One Financial is making nearly $250 million. In one year! The top 25 CEOs according to the Forbes report all make more than $32 million annually.

Next time you're in Target, ask the cashier who checks you out how much he or she makes, then compare that to Target CEO Robert Ulrich's salary of nearly $40 million per year. Why can't Ulrich (like all these other guys) take a paycut and spread some money around to his employees who are overworked and underpaid?

And keep in mind that some of the numbers Forbes printed could be low. Executives usually try pretty hard to hide their pay. You can see the six ways CEOs hide their pay here.

And don't forget that American workers continue to have benefits reduced: Pension plans are going the way of the dinosaur. Health benefits are decreasing. In fact, the number of Americans with no health insurance increased last year by 1.3 million to a record 46.6 million individuals, or 15.9% of the U.S. population.

So who are the good employers, and what are employees today looking for? A few answers are found in Taryn's blog here.

Remembering 9/11

2006-09-05T15:55:00.000-04:00

With the fifth anniversary of 9/11 bearing down upon us, I thought I’d get in my two cents before the day actually arrives—something for you to ponder while you watch the spectacle that will be this anniversary.

The media will be in a frenzy that we haven’t seen, oh, since John Mark Karr was arrested a few weeks ago. We all see how well that turned out.

My own employer, Radford University, is hosting a conference on Sept. 11 about Homeland Security. Banners hang on campus today reading, “Remembering victims. Protecting survivors.”

A friend of mine made an astute observation raised from this phenomenal article by Thom Hartman. My friend said, “I wonder if they had banners to commemorate the Reichstag fire that said 'Remembering victims. Protecting survivors.'” Good question.

Hartman's article raises the point that after a terrorist attack on the German Reichstag in 1933, Adolf Hitler decided it was time to start a war on terrorism. As Hartman writes in his shrewd article:
“Within four weeks of the terrorist attack, the nation’s now-popular leader had pushed through legislation—in the name of combating terrorism and fighting the philosophy he said spawned it— that suspended constitutional guarantees of free speech, privacy, and habeas corpus. Police could now intercept mail and wiretap phones; suspected terrorists could be imprisoned without specific charges and without access to their lawyers; police could sneak into people's homes without warrants if the cases involved terrorism.”

Hitler soon began referring to Germany as “The Homeland” and constantly mentioned its need for security. For his efforts in fighting terrorism, Hitler won Time Magazine’s “Man of the Year” in 1938. A pre-emptive invasion of Austria was eventually launched, and soon the world got the pleasure of seeing the “shock and awe” of the German blitzkrieg. That little war on terror worked out really well, didn’t it?

I have lots of problems with this “celebration” of the anniversary of 9/11. Certainly Sept. 11, 2006, reminds us of a tremendous event in American history. The tragedy associated with 9/11 is indescribable, and I still feel much sorrow for the families who lost loved ones on that day. But so many people have tried to use 9/11 for their own political or financial gain that the integrity of the tragedy has been lost.

And what do we really know about the true events of that day? Conspiracy theories still abound. Films such as Loose Change claim heavy U.S. government involvement. Will we ever know the full truth? Probably not, and therefore it seems unwise to trust that our government will protect us from a similar tragedy to that of 9/11 and or to celebrate that same government in its actions thus far.

In addition to my ponderings about the conspiracy theories and after seeing just how poorly our government has reacted since 9/11, I also become squeamish knowing that in our capitalistic society, we look to make money from tragedy. Look at all the events and TV coverage (including movies and specials in addition to news, all of which will bring in big advertising dollars) and decide if you are comfortable with the exploitation of 9/11 for financial gain. Did you know that CNN.com plans to replay its coverage of Sept. 11, 2001, all day on Monday?

It’s all just so disturbing.

In his review of the book “Watching the World Change: The Stories Behind the Images of 9/11” Garrison Keillor writes, The mainstream media seized upon inspirational and patriotic images, such as the picture of the three firemen; thus began a sort of mythification of the day into which George W. Bush and Rudolph Giuliani entered, bearing spears and shields. Photography assisted in that. Photography couldn’t convey the failure of national defense and intelligence, or the failure of the city of New York, even after the 1993 bombing of the trade center, to coordinate police and fire communications, a failure that cost many lives that morning, or certain tragic choices in the design of the towers. You need prose reporting for that.”

Unfortunately, our media has failed us and little prose reporting has come. Blind patriotism has oozed from our newspapers and broadcast news. Our mainstream media outlets banged the drums for war leading up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The media failed to ask the important questions or challenge the assertions of the Bush administration. And where are we today?

The violence in Iraq continues to escalate. Afghanistan is getting worse. Terrorism still exists. And we live under an arrogant government and a presidential administration filled with hubris that has continued to fail on its promises. There were no WMD. Iraq was not connected to 9/11. We have don’t have Osama bin Laden—dead or alive. Our troops were not greeted as liberators. The mission has not been accomplished. The war is not paying for itself. It hasn’t lasted six weeks or even six months. We’ve lost nearly as many troops as we lost civilians on September 11, 2001, and Iraq has lost 15 times as many civilians as the U.S. lost on that fateful day.

All we have are memories of a tragic day in our history, questions about why it was allowed to happen, and concerns about how our government has reacted since.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the law enforcement officers, firemen and others who risked their lives—many losing their lives—in an effort to save others five years ago. Deepest sympathies continue to go out to those who lost family members on that horrific day.

And let’s all remember the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower who said, “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”

RIP Steve Irwin

2006-09-04T18:03:00.000-04:00

I don't have a lot to say here that hasn't been said over the past several hours. I've seen several obituaries and features on the man known to the world as The Crocodile Hunter. I've watched Steve's shows for years off and on and always enjoyed his wild enthusiasm. And Steve was one of the first TV personalities who my six-year-old daughter knew by name.

It's odd for the ol' croc hunter to not be with us anymore. My thoughts go out to Steve's family and his many friends and fans across the globe.

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

2006-08-30T08:24:00.000-04:00

Remember how we were all promised that tax cuts (predominantly for the rich!) were going to help us all? The economy was going to soar! It would be like the good old days; remember the Clinton years when the nation was out of debt and we did have a booming economy?

Well, the latest report released by the Census Bureau shows that those were empty promises. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi pretty much summed it up: "Since President Bush took office, 5.4 million more Americans are living in poverty, 6.8 million more are without health insurance, and overall median household income has declined by $1,300," Pelosi said. "Every segment of American society have seen their income decline under the Bush Administration, with the middle class and working families losing the most ground. And paychecks for full- time workers were down again in 2005."

Today's New York Times editorial reports that "Even the best number from yesterday’s Census Bureau report for 2005 is bad news for most Americans." The Times goes on to report that 15.9 percent of Americans had no health insurance in 2005 and 12.6 million were living in poverty.

From a personal standpoint, I feel the economic crunch all the time. A full-time job and occasional freelance work still doesn't pay the bills. And I live in an area with a relatively low cost of living. My financial situation is much worse today than it was five years ago.

Meanwhile, our government spends $244 million per day on the Iraq war. Probably a few people in this country that could use a few of those dollars.

So, About Sen. Allen

2006-08-29T17:18:00.000-04:00

I had written to Senator George Allen a week or more ago telling him of my shock and horror regarding his "macaca" comment. Yesterday, I, and presumably many others who complained, received an e-mail from the office of Sen. Allen. It was the expected fluff that one would expect (you can see it at left), but what was interesting is the fact that the Allen campaign failed to hide the e-mail addresses that it sent this letter to, so I now have the e-mail addresses of hundreds of people with a beef against Allen and they have my e-mail address.

Seriously, how many blunders can this guy make? Racial comments directed toward a guy with a video camera? Changing his story a few times? A half-hearted apology accompanied by a virtual retraction of that apology by his campaign manager? Sending an e-mail violating the privacy of many of his constituents? By my count that's way more than three strikes. Time for Allen to be out!

A Lesson in Saving

2006-08-28T10:45:00.000-04:00

We've all done it: written an e-mail or created some sort of document and then lost it when an application quit or the computer crashed. One reason I have not blogged in a while is just such a reason.

Last week I wrote what I, of course, thought was a fabulous blog entry about the events that had taken place a week ago today. It was the first day of school here at RU and at Virginia Tech, but in the area near Tech an escaped inmate was supposedly on the loose. And not just any escaped inmate, this guy had allegedly killed a hospital security guard and a law enforcement officer and had injured another officer. My blog entry, long and filled with links, discussed the situation and its coverage in the media in detail. Then as I was adding a photo, my Web browser unexpectedly quit and I lost the entry, the Web pages I was using, everything. A crushing blow. Why didn't I save a draft? Aaaargh! So now all I can say about that story is for more information, read about the day's events here.

But in other news, Democratic Underground features Virginia Sen. George Allen as its top Conservative Idiot of the Week for his apology attempt after the "macaca" debacle. You can read about Allen here and check out the week's other idiots here.

Oh No He Didn't ... Unfortunately, He Did

2006-08-16T08:17:00.000-04:00

As a resident of the proud Commonwealth of Virginia, I have to say that I am saddened and embarrassed by the words and actions of Virginia Sen. George Allen. Allen, a rich, white, arrogant and apparently racist Republican with plenty of entitlement issues was at a campaign stop in far southwest Virginia. You can see what happened here or here and you can read today's editorial in The New York Times about the incident or this article in Salon.

I'll be honest. I haven't really paid a lot of attention to this senatorial race thus far and really know little about Allen's opponent Jim Webb but after Allen's outrageous and offensive remarks, I know I would never vote for George Allen or support George Allen in any way.

And if you're unhappy with Allen's remarks and his degradation of fellow Virginians (and Americans!) then let him now about it by sending him an e-mail!

Is It Really Mid-August Already

2006-08-15T09:27:00.000-04:00

Where DOES the time go? I guess it is time that I blogged again after taking a brief hiatus. Part of that time off included a trip to Maryland, where I graduated from Goucher College with an MFA in Creative Nonfiction. Some fellow Gophers (that's right, it's the Goucher Gophers) have chatted about the trip, so rather than boring you with my take on the weekend, I'll direct you to the blogs of Taryn and Dave.

Since then, it's been back to work, finishing a freelance project, sending my manuscript to a publisher, overeating, hanging out, and watching what may be the worst movie ever. Thank goodness it was just on DVD from Netflix.

Anyway, I am back from my very brief respite and will be posting more soon.

Happy Birthday, MTV!

2006-08-01T13:04:00.000-04:00

I realize I just posted a day ago that I wouldn't be posting for a week or more but I just had to give a quick nod to MTV. Yes, I'm old enough to be one of those people who say, "I remember when MTV actually used to be about music, back when they played videos all day!"

Indeed on this date in 1981, MTV launched just after midnight with The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star," which interestingly is one of my six-year-old daughter's favorite songs. VH1 Classic is playing the first 24 hours of MTV today and will do so again on Saturday, Aug. 5.

I can't recall the very first video I ever saw on MTV but I do know it marked a major milestone in popular culture. Me and my friends would sometimes watch MTV for hours on end, watching one video after another. Coming from a small town in Alabama, MTV is where we learned fashion and learned to dance. And as The Buggles predicted, it did have a major impact on radio. Rarely did I listen to radio at home anymore. Instead, if I wanted music on, I had my television tuned to MTV.

That pattern continued through college when a combination of getting older and MTV playing fewer and fewer videos limited my time with the station that had done so much to shape my high school and college years.

These days, I rarely stop by MTV when channel surfing. Very little on the station interests me anymore. But I still vividly remember the original five veejays: Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman, J.J. Jackson, Martha Quinn and Nina Blackwood. I remember watching videos such as Michael Jackson's "Thriller" over and over again. So on this, the 25th anniversary of MTV's launch, I had to take a couple minutes to say happy birthday to a long lost friend.

Goucher Days Are Here Again

2006-07-31T09:14:00.000-04:00

For the past two years, right around the first couple weeks of August, I have been attending an MFA residency at Goucher College in Baltimore.

In the past two years I have done lots of reading and writing and have had four mentor professors who have offered advice about my writing: Kevin Kerrane, Lisa Knopp, Joe Mackall, and Dick Todd.

And over the course of two years I have attended many lectures and lunches and late-night chats. I have met many new friends. Even got a girlfriend out of the deal. Heck, that's ALMOST worth what I've paid for private school tuition! At any rate, my Goucher days are quickly coming to a close.

I will attend Goucher College Aug. 3-6, graduating on Aug. 6 with an MFA in Creative Nonfiction. After that? Who knows? I will be back in Radford, Va., working hard for another academic year at RU. With any luck, some side projects will start to take shape, and I can perhaps use my MFA in some way--preferably to make money to start paying back student loans!! So, all you agents and publishers who read my blog, my manuscript is finished. Now is the time to get into that bidding war to see who wants to publish this literary masterpiece!

So I will probably not be posting to this blog for a while. But check back sometime after Aug. 7 to see if I actually made it across the stage to accept my diploma.

To keep you occupied while I'm away, feel free to visit the Web site for Fellowship of Reconciliation. In such crazy times around the world, FOR still envisions a world of justice, peace, and freedom.

Is Coulter Just Plain Crazy?

2006-07-27T09:37:00.000-04:00

I keep promising myself that I will ignore Ann Coulter, that she doesn't deserve the attention, that everyone knows she's totally insane and I'm wasting my time bringing attention to her craziness. But then I scan various Web sites and see how she just keeps going.

So while MSNBC was falling all over itself praising "the one and only" (thank God!) Ann Coulter, Ann was saying that Bill Clinton is a "latent homosexual." See MSNBC promoting Coulter's appearances here!

It is good, at least, to see that newspapers are continuing to realize that the woman is vile and are therefore pulling her from their pages. A few more have joined the movement, according to Editor & Publisher.

Seen a Good Movie Lately?

2006-07-21T08:43:00.000-04:00

OK, so I've been promising to start posting some less political stuff, and I was just sitting here wondering what good movies are on these days. I've seen An Inconvenient Truth and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Not sure how much time I'll have this weekend, but just in case, I'm wondering what good movies YOU may have seen lateley. Let me know! And if you see Lady in the Water, definitely give me a review!

Have a good weekend!

Three Words: Worst. President. Ever.

2006-07-18T10:52:00.000-04:00

Wow, the G8 Summit. A chance for Bush to shine and show he's not the complete idiot most of us think he is. So much for changing our perception. The man has been a constant embarrassment to himself and our country for the past week.

First there was his totally bizarre obsession with the pig he was going to eat for dinner. Then we had Bush caught on tape using an expletive. Not really a big deal for most of us, but then again we don't claim to be chosen by God to lead this country and we aren't the de facto leader of extreme Christian conservatives.

And now we have Bush groping the female leader of Germany! Seriously, can you believe this?

Remember when people were outraged that Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks said "We're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas?" Well, now aren't we all ashamed that Bush is even from the same planet as the rest of us?

Isn't She Hilarious?

2006-07-18T09:36:00.000-04:00

Just ran across a posting about this little prank by our friend Ann Coulter. Isn't she a peach?

But perhaps people are starting to catch on to what a vile subhuman Coulter is. Seems like some newspapers are rethinking their decisions to run her column. At least one paper has already decided to pull the plug on Coulter.

Hot Enough For Ya?

2006-07-13T07:54:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since my last blog entry. I was out of town for more than a week and am just now settling into a normal schedule. And since my last post, I saw a movie that everyone should see: An Inconvenient Truth.

The movie, as you probably know, is based on a slide show that Al Gore has been showing for quite some time. In fact, in the movie he says he's shown it 1,000 times or more. Intermittedly, the filmmakers cut to more personal clips of Gore as he explains why he is so interested in this topic of the environment and global warming.

Overall, the movie acts as a sobering alarm that we all should heed. It is unfortunate that this movie is only appearing in just more than 500 theaters, as opposed to the 4,133 that are showing Pirates of the Caribbean. But for what essentially amounts to the filming of a slide show, An Inconvenient Truth has done fairly well thus far. If you haven't seen it yet, make your plans to go now.

Check here to see if it's playing at a theater near you!

And whether it is or isn't playing near you, check to see if there might be local or regional associations in which you can get involved. While at Roanoke's lovely Grandin Theatre to watch the movie, we picked up information for this group: CCAN.

As an aside, I was impressed that Al Gore was always shown in the movie working on his Apple Macintosh laptop. Being a longtime Mac user, I was happy to see a Mac getting some pub. Turns out, there's a reason for it. Gore sits on Apple's board.

Oh the Hypocrisy

2006-06-30T09:40:00.000-04:00

I've been scratching my head a bit about the venom being spewed by those on the right regarding The New York Times and its recent article about the U.S. government's tactics in monitoring financial records in the hope of finding terrorists. The story seemed pretty tame. I mean, did anyone think the government was NOT doing what it was doing? If the government is monitoring our library usage, surely it is monitoring our financial records. Our sad fact of life is that the Bush Administration IS Big Brother. So the piece by the Times wasn't even news.

But it does prove the point of my post of last week. People seriously think we have a liberal media? You have a newspaper simply doing its job--doing what all newspapers should do if they employ halfway competent journalists--and the organization gets blasted by the government, half of America and many other "news" outlets (more like propoganda outlets in the case of FOX).

Jon Friedman makes some good points about how opponents are whining that the Times is unpatriotic in his recent column.

Conservatives sure liked the Times when "reporter" Judy Miller was a mouthpiece for the Bush Administration and the government's lies about Iraq in the days before the war there. Remember how patriotic the Times was then? Funny how patriotism seems to shift according to whether you agree with a newspaper or not.

Did you know that the Dean of Library Services at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, canceled the library's subscription to the New York Times Wednesday to protest recent stories exposing a secret government program that monitors international financial transactions in the hunt for terrorists? Apparently the Times' words are not incarnate.

And the hypocrisy of this whole liberal media thing comes up in this piece by Greg Sargent.

If it weren't so truly frightening to see our democracy and freedoms crumble all around us, it would be downright funny. Wow, was George Orwell truly prophetic, or what? This BuzzFlash commentary from today really drives the point home!

Ava Lowery: Wings of Justice Award winner

2006-06-28T08:01:00.000-04:00

As an update to the post below about 15-year-old Alabama native Ava Lowery, she has won this week's BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award. Congrats to Ava, and keep up the great work!

Hitler or Coulter?

2006-06-23T09:01:00.000-04:00

Do you sometimes find it hard to tell the difference between Adolf Hitler and possible plagiarizer Ann Coulter? I know I do. But this quiz can help you to figure out which nutcase said what. Try it!

What Liberal Media?

2006-06-22T09:02:00.000-04:00

This topic has long been a pet peeve of mine: the liberal media. No, it's not that the media is liberal and that is my concern, it's that if people say something loud enough and long enough, people will begin to accept it as fact, and that is what has happened with the term "liberal media." Norman Solomon writes of its origins quite well in his 2002 article found on Common Dreams when he says, "Ever since Vice President Spiro Agnew denounced news outlets that were offending the Nixon administration in the autumn of 1969, the specter has been much more often cited than sighted." Solomon goes on to say that "the liberal media is largely an apparition." Very true.

I must say, though, that I give conservatives great credit here. As Solomon stated, the liberal label began to be mentioned in conjunction with the media during the Nixon administration, but it really picked up steam during the Reagan years. It was clearly part of the conservative agenda to take over America (and the world). The thought was that if conservatives started screaming about the liberal bias of the media long enough, the liberal label would stick. The plan worked to perfection.

Not only did it work in the sense that many gullible Americans actually believed it, but it worked within the media as well. Members of the press who leaned to the right felt they should continue to do so, thinking it helped to "balance" things. But those who were neutral or leaned left were so hyperaware of the liberal label that they actually became more conservative in their reporting. So what has happened over the past 20 years or so is that the media has actually turned conservative.

Sure conservative-funded studies have come out attempting to prove the liberal bias, but as Eric Alterman shows in this article, and moreso in his book "What Liberal Media?" the methods used in these studies to determine bias are quite laughable.

I also hear conservatives refer with great disdain to "the mainstream media." Doesn't the mainstream media include FOX News, The Washington Times, the editorial pages of The Wall Street Journal and media personalities such as Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Matt Drudge, Joe Scarborough, and Michael Savage, just to name a few? I'm wondering where all the liberal news and talk shows are?

So now CNN, which I think is slightly right of center, is called liberal. I guess it IS compared to FOX's overtly and extremely conservative stance. It's all relative. And National Public Radio has for many years been decried as "liberal media," yet a study a couple of years ago by the watchdog group Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting indicated that NPR used conservative and Republican sources much more often that liberal or Democratic sources.

Remember the 2000 Presidential race? The mainstream media gave favorable press to Bush from the start, ignoring stories about his drug and alcohol abuse, his shady business past, and the fact that he went AWOL while in the National Guard. Meanwhile, Al Gore was labeled as a liar and an exaggerator, even though there was no basis to most of those claims, such as the "I invented the Internet" myth. And even when the election was blatantly stolen in Florida and democracy was lost, the media let the matter slip by fairly quietly.

And the bias continues in advertising. Both CBS and MTV refused to accept advertising from MoveOn.org that was critical of the Bush administration. Yet Army recruiting ads air, ads from the White House appear about how kids smoking marijuana are terrorists, and even this ad is appearing to debunk global warming: catch The Daily Show's take on it here.

Earlier this year, Media Matters for America released a study showing that conservative voices dominate the Sunday political talk shows (Meet the Press, This Week, Face the Nation), which is where political opinions are supposedly debated so the nation can decide on weighy political matters.

A recent example of conservative media bias has occurred recently when "the mainstream media" wet their collective pants in the excitement to say what a great week Bush was having. Honestly, it was a sickening display. After the media has been complicit in moving quickly past one Bush administration scandal or faux pas after another, the guy has a supposedly good week, which is questionable at best, and the media goes nuts repeating it ad nauseum. See what Media Matters reported about the recent Bush lovefest.

So there you have it. A liberal media? I don't think so. The mainstream media has a left-wing agenda? I'd say just the opposite. But I'm sure the myth of a liberal media will continue to be perpetuated as basic demagogy from the right.

And just a bonus, Keith Olbermann (whom I would admit, has a bit of a liberal bias) did give Bill O'Reilly, again, his Worst Person in the World award a couple nights ago. Glad to see someone doesn't let "the conservative media" go unchecked!!!

Peace Takes Courage

2006-06-20T08:42:00.000-04:00

For close to a week, I've been following the story of Ava Lowery. Ava is a 15-year-old from Alabama, the same state where I lived for close to 30 years of my life. I know personally that much of Alabama, particularly rural Alabama, is very conservative. Yet in this hotbed of conservatism Ava operates the Web site peacetakescourage.com. Ava's site has a forum and news updates, but it is best known for her animations, which show, quite bluntly, the tragedy of war and the deceit used by our government officials. She has produced some 70 in all, and most are quite hard-hitting.

As people have found out about the site some have praised it. Others have viciously verbally attacked the 15-year-old girl who is simply standing up for what she believes in. I first heard of Ava in a New York Times editorial, but she has also been featured in other media such as The Progressive, CNN, commondreams.org and on radio shows hosted by Alan Colmes and Stacy Taylor.

I'd like to congratulate Ava on what she has done so far, and I hope she will continue to fight the good fight. Best wishes down in sweet home Alabama.

Has Coulter Finally Jumped the Shark?

2006-06-19T10:24:00.000-04:00

Just when you think Ann Coulter can't be even more desperate and over the top, she somehow finds a way. Last week she said the Pennsylvania Congressman and decorated war veteran John Murtha was, "The reason soldiers invented 'fragging.'" As Editor & Publisher points out, "Fragging, which became a well-known expression -- and occasional occurence -- during the Vietnam war, means soldiers attempting to kill their own officers for one reason or another."

So now Coulter wants a U.S. Congressman dead? Is this lady on any terrorist watch groups? For that matter, why isn't she locked up in a nice, comfy home for the criminally insane?

By the way, the great photo here is from democraticunderground.com! Awesome, isn't it?

Olbermann on Coulter

2006-06-09T10:20:00.000-04:00

So tying in some recent blog entries: MSNBC's Keith Olbermann this week gave an honest assessment of "the Connecticut screech" Ann Coulter. Don't hold back, Keith! Tell us what you really think! Check out the video.

Classic Coulter

2006-06-07T09:18:00.000-04:00

For those of you familiar with Ann Coulter, you know that she's a pretty outrageous and outspoken conservative. Personally, I would like to see her and Michael Moore have a baby just to see what would happen when two extremes came together. But I digress.

So Coulter has a new book: Godless: the Church of Liberalism. You can imagine the content of this book. But in case you can't, Coulter was interviewed recently on The Today Show. Check out a bit of the interview by Matt Lauer with Ann Coulter and you can judge Coulter's sanity for yourself.

666

2006-06-06T09:37:00.000-04:00

Well, it's a once-a-century occasion. Today's date: 6-6-06.

Marketers are cashing in on the date. Residents of Hell are having a party. I have been inspired to play Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" on iTunes.

Overall, though, I can't say that I have any real plans to "celebrate" the day. In part, perhaps because new information is showing that the actual "number of the beast" isn't 666 but instead 616. Uh-oh! Better not tell the makers of the latest Omen movie!!!

Have a devilishly good day!

Keith Olbermann Calls Out Bill O'Reilly—Again!

2006-06-05T08:28:00.000-04:00

Somebody please tell me why anyone watches Bill O'Reilly. I honestly cannot understand this blowhard's appeal. His No Spin Zone is quite the opposite; it's nothing BUT spin. Occasionally, though, someone in the mainstream media has the courage to call out O'Reilly on his abhorrent lies, and that person is usually MSNBC's Keith Olbermann. With pathetic shows like Scarborough Country and Hardball, it's easy to forget that Olbermann's smart and witty Countdown show is out there trying to purvey the truth.

Olbermann and O'Reilly have had a bit of afeud for quite a while now, but fortunately Olbermann refuses to back down. And after a recent horrible lie perpetrated by O'Reilly, Olberman took several minutes of his show's time to set the record straight. Olbermann was obviously disturbed about O'Reilly's lie, and let him know about it. You can see it in this video clip!

A salute to Keith Olbermann, a news guy with a conscience and obviously with a nose for the truth. And to Bill O'Reilly? What can I say? He'll continue with the spin, and, sadly, people will continue to watch.

WWJK: Who Would Jesus Kill?

2006-06-02T13:59:00.000-04:00

OK, so I stole the above title. It was just too good not to use.

A loyal and observant reader of this blog sent me the following link as a companion piece to the entry below. The story found at the link provides more details about the Left Behind video game and who might be affiliated with it. Please take a few minutes to peruse it if you get a chance! It might just, um, blow you away!

And to you other loyal readers, feel free to send in links any time that might help explain a topic you see on this site!

Much Ado About Da Vinci

2006-06-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

I mentioned in an earlier blog that I had seen The Da Vinci Code. I've also read the book. I enjoyed both. I thought each provided a good story of mystery and suspense.

What I find fascinating is the controversy surrounding The Da Vinci Code. Some normally level-headed people are taking great offense to this work of FICTION. They talk about Dan Brown telling lies. Guess, what? That's what fiction is. It is not the truth and is not to be taken as such. If your faith is shaken by a book of fiction, then it wasn't particularly strong anyway. And if you already question the validity of the Bible, The Da Vinci Code will continue to make you wonder. "Hmmm. Yeah, I can see that," you might say to yourself. But I don't see The Da Vinci Code being the dealbreaker on anyone's salvation.

It seems to me that The Da Vinci Code's opposition is only drawing more people to the movie and book with their vehment protesting. Seems that by just shrugging their shoulders and saying, "Yeah, well, it's a work of fiction and a good story, but it's just that, a story," would be much more effective. Instead you have preachers standing in the pulpits on Sunday railing against The Da Vinci Code to a congregation unwilling to read the book or see the movie or in any way to actually think for themselves. That's quite sad to me.

And I ask where these preachers and protesters are when it comes to the Left Behind series? With the Left Behind series you have a collection of FICTIONAL accounts of "the Earth's last days." If people dislike the fictionalizing of Christian topics, then why do they embrace the Left Behind series? Seems some people want all opposing voices, even fictional ones, to be silenced.

And speaking of the Left Behind series, did you know that now there's a video game based on the series? Are you kidding me? A video game with all the violence of Grand Theft Auto, but this one for Christians! Check out the trailer for this game. Seriously, people are getting upset about The Da Vinci Code but they think this whole Left Behind thing is fine? Uh, OK. Sure.

I can't wait to get my Pat Robertson action figure, which will of course have the kung-fu grip and will come with assorted weaponry that will allow him to assassinate world leaders--or anyone who disagrees with him. And this little action hero will, of course, be capable of holding up 2,000 pounds!

Axl Wins!

2006-05-25T13:51:00.000-04:00

Perhaps I should mention that I won the Lip Sync contest with a stirring rendition of Guns n' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine." Remember that video? Ah, those were the days. Real rock and roll.

Ironically, the night before I was bringing Axl back to fame, he was getting smacked by Tommy Hilfiger. Say what? A rock and roll dude getting slapped around by a fashion designer? It's a crazy world we live in.

We Are the 80s

2006-05-25T13:25:00.000-04:00

So, more on the big 80s party last week. As I mentioned below, the pary was a lot of fun. Amid the food, beverages and dancing, we also had a few contests. Sarah dominated the Name That TV Tunes game, Ken won the 80s Trivia Contest, and his wife Sue won for Best Costume. Sarah is seen here receiving her award from Taryn. Ken and Sue are shown together in an outside photo.

More later.

I Love the 80s

2006-05-24T13:45:00.000-04:00

Why is there such a fascination with the 80s? I'm not sure. For me, I suppose it is because so many of my influential years fell in that decade. I went through high school and college during the 80s, so lots of memories of growing up, becoming an adult, and general socialization revolve around the decade. So what better way to recall such memories than to have an 80s party?

Attendees ranging in age across a quarter decade attended our little shindig on Friday night, all dressed up in 80s attire. Our hosts, Eliott and Dave, are pictured here. We danced to songs ranging from Michael Jackson to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, from Madonna to Violent Femmes, from the B-52s to Bobby Brown.

All in all it was a great time. More info and pics to come.

Has it really been a month?

2006-05-23T11:11:00.000-04:00

Wow! A whole month has gone by since I blogged last. As always, life is busy. Just yesterday (May 22), it was Taryn's birthday. We celebrated in the way we always do: We ate! I took her to lunch AND dinner. Good times.

On Friday, we were part of an 80s themed party. More good times. Pictures of that will be forthcoming, so stay tuned!

The week before that Taryn and I joined friends Ken and Sue in Salem, Va., to check out an Avalanche baseball game. The hometown heroes lost by a run in 10 innings.

Otherwise, I've been working on my manuscript, made it to RU's graduation,saw The DaVinci Code, and hung out with my new buddy Chaz, who may be the world's biggest fan of "Little Britain."

I should also mention that just after my birthday, I decided to get myself a little present. That's it pictured above. Not a good photo, but you get the idea. It's been fun riding the bike but weather and busy schedules have kept the riding at a minimal level thus far.

More soon!

More Quick Hits

2006-04-24T08:42:00.001-04:00

Despite my insistence that I am going to blog more yet I never really seem to do so, the day IS coming. So, this will get you caught up with my life AND offer plenty of excuses for my slacking.

I had a birthday last week! The big day rolled in Thursday (4/20), so I had to take some time to celebrate getting another year older. Come to think of it, why was I "celebrating" getting another year older? Hmmm, beats the alternative, as the say. Well anyway, last week was another very busy week at work, and then the birthday thing, and then Saturday we went to Galax for the day. Friends Ken and Sue joined us for lunch at The Galax Smokehouse for a delicious lunch. It was my second time to visit the Smokehouse and I stand by my assertion that it offers the best barbecue in Southwest Virginia.

After lunch, we stopped by Barr's Fiddle Shop where Taryn picked up a new fiddle. With her birthday just a month away (5/22), I decided it would be a good early birthday present. So as of today, she can play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "I'll Fly Away." Not bad. And I'm sure other tunes will be forthcoming.

On Sunday we fired up the grill (which was a birthday present to me!) for the first time. Steaks and hot dogs were the meats of the day because that's what we happened to have on hand, but I'm sure the grill will be a mainstay of meal prep through probably October. Then we did a bit of shopping and I picked up three outfits for my daughter Anna. That was followed up by watching the local band Madrone play on the RU campus. I finally took Anna back to her mom's and returned to Radford by around 8 p.m. Another weekend just about finished.

This is the final week of classes here at RU, so the job should get a bit easier in another week or so as students finish the semester and begin to disappear for the summer. Until then, I'll post if I get a chance!

Quick Hits

2006-04-14T09:32:00.000-04:00

I have had very little time to do any blogging of late, but I'm hoping that is about to change. This brief blog entry will provide some updates as to what has been going on recently and perhaps will preview the immediate future.

First, I sent in my MFA manuscript to my mentor professors this week. This puts me one big step closer to finishing my MFA degree in Creative Nonfiction. This document of about 160 pages will be reviewed by my professors and then will come back to me in a couple of weeks. I must then incorporate their suggestions and get the manuscript bound and sent in to Goucher College. With any luck, I'll graduate Aug. 6. And with even bigger luck, perhaps I'll get this work published at some point. (Hey Literary Agents, give me a call!!!)

An additional person who is reading my manuscript (bonus reader!) is friend and author (and professor and ... ) Dr. Theresa Burriss. Theresa, in fact, was interviewed on NPR this week about her own book. Go to the link here and then go to "Features this week:" and click on the first bullet that says "Connie Stevens talks to author Dr. Theresa Burriss about the role of women and revolutions in today's Appalachia." Congrats, Theresa, on the good press!

This weekend I will be finishing up a freelance piece on The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. Some of my blog posts earlier that talked about Floyd came from research on this project. Also discovered in my research was the Galax Smokehouse down in Galax, Va., which lies on The Crooked Road (U.S. 58). I've been dreaming about the delcious barbecue at the Smokehouse ever since that trip of a month or more ago and I think I'm going to go next weekend for a birthday lunch. (Yes, another year older. Oh joy.) My mouth is watering already and it's still a week away.

Tonight I will be a judge for RU's Greek Week activity Airbands. It's essentially a lip synching contest, from what I understand, and it starts at 5 p.m. at the Dedmon Center on the RU campus. Should be entertaining.

Well, as always, I'm short on time. So watch for more updates in upcoming days.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2006-04-05T08:20:00.000-04:00

I have a variety of blog topics that I need to post but am in the midst of busy times due to work and school commitments. A lot of action going on as the semesters start nearing a close. I would like to take a brief moment to send birthday wishes to my mom, though. April 5 is the big day!

Frankly My Dear, I Don't Give a Ham

2006-03-29T19:40:00.000-05:00

As referenced in my blog entry of last week, I was "lucky" enough to win a canned ham from the Floyd Country Store. This week Taryn and I thought we'd be brave and actually try this thing. We had bought some sort of premade mashed potatoes and thought ham and mashed potatoes sounded like a good meal.

Oh were we wrong. Taryn was disgusted by the gelatinous coating and the odd bubbles found in the meat. She chickened out and didn't partake in the fine canned ham. In my first foray into canned hams, I realized that, while the taste isn't terrible, the texture is just plain frightening. It's very inconsistent from normal ham-like texture to chewy to, I don't know, just plain icky. And sadly, the potatoes were bad, too. Really bad.

My culinary advice: Don't eat canned hams or premade mashed potatoes.

Everybody Get Foot Loose

2006-03-22T18:48:00.000-05:00

In the continuing saga of this past weekend, I thought I'd share another photo from the Floyd Country Store. (See blog entries and links of the store below.) Part of the goings-on at Floyd's weekly Friday Night Jamboree held at the Country Store is the clogging, or what some might call flat footin'. I watched intently as people, young and old, would try their hand, um, feet, at this traditional dance of Appalachia. Some were pretty good. Others, not so much. But all seemed to have a good time. Just take a look at this picture and draw your own conclusions about a Friday night in Floyd.

Check back for info and pics about Galax, Va.

Hammin' It Up

2006-03-22T09:15:00.000-05:00

OK, so in my last blog entry, I mentioned the canned ham I won at the Floyd Country Store last Friday. Just to brag about this gift bestowed upon me from the pork gods, a photo of the popular pork product is right here. Can you believe my luck? In all the drawings I have entered from iPods to vacations to gift certificates, I finally win ... a canned ham. Thanks to the good folks at the Floyd Country store. And if you have any recipes for canned ham, let me know!!

More photos and commentary about the weekend to come.

Fun in Floyd

2006-03-21T18:10:00.000-05:00

On Friday, Taryn and I visited Floyd, Va. After a quick stop at Harvest Moon, we had lunch at the Blue Ridge Restaurant, which featured classic homestyle Southern food. The rest of the afternoon was spent hanging around the town, going to Farmer's Hardware, Schoolhouse Fabrics, The Pickin' Porch, an antiques shop some galleries and then to dinner at Oddfella's, where the band Avatar played Irish music.

Friends Ken and Sue came down from Roanoke for dinner and then we all four went to the Floyd Country Store. Several bands played, including the Bubbatones, seen here. And before the night was over, turns out I was the big winner. They had a drawing, and my number was called. Now I am the owner of a fine canned ham. Mmmm mmm. Can't wait to dig in to my packaged pork product!

Stay tuned for more pictures and info about last weekend.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2006-03-17T08:36:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been another busy week and the weekend is almost here. I'm taking off work a bit early today and heading to the town of Floyd, Va. After Taryn and I hit a few of the businesses in the area we'll be joining friends Ken & Sue at Oddfella's for dinner and some Irish music. From there it will be a short jaunt to the Floyd Country Store to soak up some Appalachian culture.

Have a great St. Patrick's Day, and check in later for more on the Floyd adventure. Maybe I'll actually have some pictures up!

2006-03-13T09:59:00.000-05:00

Wow, time has really slipped away from me again. Hard to believe it's been so long since my last post. I had to finish a big writing assignment for my MFA program and have been generally busy with a variety of things. Perhaps I can get in a couple new posts this week, though.

I did enjoy the warm weather we had over the weekend. Nice to soak up some sun and wear shorts for a couple days. Of course, cooler weather is on the way. Ahhh, spring.

A Voice of Reason

2006-03-02T14:27:00.000-05:00

After the complete hack job by WSET Wednesday night in its "Christ on Campus" story (see posts below for more on the so-called "controversy"), The Roanoke Times provided an intelligent editorial on the matter today. Thanks, though, to WSET for reminding me why I generally dislike broadcast "news" and rarely watch local "news" (read: five weather reports with a few poorly reported stories mixed in).

Do They Want To Grow Up To Be Fox News?

2006-03-01T19:10:00.000-05:00

Wow, I just watched a piece on "Christ on Campus" on WSET Channel 13 News out of Roanoke/Lynchburg (yes, THAT Lynchburg, home of Liberty University and Jerry Falwell). It seemed clear to me that the Channel 13 News "reporter" who came to campus had an agenda before he stepped foot onto Radford University. (For more about this so-called "controversy," see the posts below.)

First, some background. The reporter called the creator of "Christ on Campus," Christian Keesee, to set up an interview and then asked Christian for names and numbers of those who opposed the toon. Christian gave him the info for the people who had loudly opposed him and his toon. Do you think the reporter asked Christian for names and numbers for those who supported the toon? Nope. The reporter talked to Whim Executive Director Andrew Lent. Did he use any information gleaned from that interview in the story? Nope. On the Whim message boards, are there many more people who post supporting Whim and "Christ on Campus" than those who oppose? Yep. In the facebook group that was started to oppose "Christ on Campus" how many students have joined out of more than 9,000 students enrolled at RU? Last I checked the number was around 40 - 45.

Bottom line, "Christ on Campus" has NOT been a campus-wide controversy, and WSET's portrayal of the story was incredibly one-sided. A true hack job. WSET, like most broadcast news, is a disgrace. Like Fox News, they decide what they want the story to be and then make the story fit their mold.

The Roanoke Times, on the other hand, had a much more balanced follow-up story in this morning's paper. Too bad the reporter from WSET and his bosses didn't read The Roanoke Times article to get an idea of the real story. And for that matter, RU's student newspaper, The Tartan, had a better story than WSET.

Not that I will probably watch Channel 13 News again, but if I do, I will wonder if the story they present is true or just the spin created by some ethically challenged reporter.

A Long Few Days ...

2006-02-28T21:14:00.000-05:00

Well, I had hoped the hoopla about Whim and Christ on Campus (see posts below) would have died down by now, but the story seems to still have legs. Rumor is that Channel 13 News out of Lynchburg/Roanoke will air a piece tonight (Tuesday). Channel 13 talked to RU students today. The Roanoke Times may have a follow-up tomorrow.

Some of the comments in connection to the article on Inside Higher Ed were pretty good. And I've heard reports of this story running in India and England. I haven't had time to check that, though.

The good news is that the University at the moment seems to be recognizing the students' right to free speech. I'll hope that stance continues.

The Buzz Continues

2006-02-27T14:19:00.000-05:00

The story regarding Radford University, Whim online magazine and the Christ on Campus cartoon has hit the AP wire where it has been picked up by newspapers such as the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows.

Oh the Fun of Student Media

2006-02-25T11:19:00.000-05:00

Well, what excitement on the work front this week in my role as Assistant Director for Student Media at Radford University. Midweek I started hearing that a TV station from Roanoke was contacting RU students in regard to a cartoon, "Christ on Campus," published by Whim, RU's online magazine. The toon, created by RU Student Christian Keesee (yeah, his name is Christian, quite interesting, huh?) portrays Christ as if he were alive today and on a college campus. In some weeks the toon simply takes this scenario to absurd ends while other editions are savvy politically and journalistically in their satirical message. But hey, why should I speak for Christian and his toon? See for yourself.

I think that people should realize that we're talking about STUDENT media here. It is run by students. Students control the content. The editorial decisions of what runs in Whim are controlled by the Whim Executive Director in consultation with his staff.

So anyway, WDBJ7 News out of Roanoke ran a brief piece Thursday evening/Friday morning on Whim and the so-called controversy surrounding "Christ on Campus." (For the record, the Whim staff has been contacted by probably less than five people--on a campus of 9,000 students and probably another 1,000 employees--who have expressed disdain for the toon.) The wheels of RU administrators apparently began turning after the DBJ story as phone calls started coming into my office on Friday from the "higher-ups" (which, considering my paltry status, is just about anybody).

This morning I woke up and read The Roanoke Times, which has the story as its top-of-the-front-page article. Overall it was a good story by Greg Esposito, although I question the line that Christian's depictions of Christ "have sparked anger among many students, both Christians and non-Christians." MANY students? Really? First I've heard about that. Still, it was a solid and balanced article--and informative. I learned for the first time this morning that our VP for Student Affairs issued a statement that said that "the student affairs division of the university ... encourages these students to consider the tastes and sensibilities of others. ... Some of the cartoons published by Whim fall short of these standards." The statement also said that a meeting between student affairs and student media about how to balance First Amendment rights while maintaining good taste will be held sometime next week." Hmmmm. Interesting what one can find out about when reading the newspaper.

So, I'm expecting a busy week next week. What will happen? Who knows?

What do you think about "Christ on Campus?" You can comment on my page, or at Whim's Web site, or at Roanoke.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

And stay tuned, as this is a story that probably won't go away anytime soon.

Workin' for the Weekend

2006-02-17T10:05:00.000-05:00

After a day with temperatures in the mid-60s yesterday, a day that I spent at work, the weekend forecast is calling for colder weather and snow. Why is that? Nice weather: working. Crappy weather: off work. Go figure. And on top of that, some out of town guests will be in the lovely New River Valley this weekend as Taryn's Rochester pals Deb and Sara come in for a visit. Should be a fun and busy weekend, and I'm ready for it. Tough week at work. Ready for a bit of relaxation.

Hope you have a good weekend!!

Drug War

2006-02-15T15:04:00.000-05:00

There are hundreds of social/economic issues that really get under my skin. One that raised my ire today was the cost of prescription medication.

I recently had a prescription that cost $35. A couple weeks later I had to have it refilled for another $35. I thought this was a terrible injustice. So today I'm reading a NY Times article about a cancer medication that will cost about $100,000 per year. The drug, Avastin, is made by a company called Genetech, which had about $6 billion in sales last year. (The scary thing is that other drugs cost even more than this one!!)

The following is from the Times article:

"Until now, drug makers have typically defended high prices by noting the cost of developing new medicines. But executives at Genentech and its majority owner, Roche, are now using a separate argument — citing the inherent value of life-sustaining therapies.

"If society wants the benefits, they say, it must be ready to spend more for treatments like Avastin and another of the company's cancer drugs, Herceptin, which sells for $40,000 a year."

Doctors are concerned this philosophy may raise the already out of control price of other drugs. Basically more companies may say: "You wanna live? Then you'll pay whatever price we want." Like the story below on the Jacksons, I find myself scratching my head and wondering where the humanity is in the decisions by drug companies. Sure, you have to make a profit to stay afloat and keep making your product, but do you have to make millions--if not billions-in profits while many people die because they cannot afford your drug?

Another example of the heartlessness and greed of corporate America.

Oh the Humanity ...

2006-02-14T15:19:00.000-05:00

Most of the time my blog entries are fairly light-hearted, but I had to share with you a story that literally made me cry upon reading it. This story broke about two years ago, but somehow I missed the whole thing. When I arrived to work Monday morning, I checked my New York Times headlines, which are e-mailed to me daily, and noticed a story that caught my attention. The story was about the systematic starvation and abuse of Bruce, Tyrone, Keith and Michael Jackson from the hands of their adopted parents, Ray and Vanessa Jackson.

The story intrigued me because I was once again stunned at what humans are capaple of doing to other humans. While the apparently well-fed Vanessa Jackson fed herself and other children normal food, the four brothers ate such things as raw oatmeal and Cream of Wheat. What really made the tears come to my eyes, for some reason, was reading the 911 transcript of when a guy, Mike Byrd, first found 19-year old Bruce Jackson rummaging through the garbage at 3 a.m.

Byrd's call, fortunately, marked the beginning of the end of the Jackson brothers in that household. And it also marked the beginning of a massive investigation of the New Jersey child welfare system where numerous failures to monitor the kids occurred.

The facts of the case and the statements from the boys themselves speak more loudly than I ever could about this matter. And there have been editorials on the topic as well.

Unforrtunately, the "father," Ray, died of a stroke before he could be sentenced in this atrocity. I hope he's enjoying his new home. Vanessa was sentenced to seven years in prison. The kids got several million dollars from the state. But how does one put a monetary value on a tortured childhood? A lost childhood?

Best of luck to the Jackson brothers as they try to get their lives back together. And Vanessa Jackson, have fun in the slammer. I hope you meet some, um, interesting friends.

Post-Super Bowl

2006-02-08T10:38:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the gang who came over on Sunday to watch the big game, socialize and generally have some fun. My Seahawks lost the game, but I've always had respect for the Steelers, so I wasn't too crushed to see Pittsburgh take the victory.

A word about the Super Bowl commercials: Most, I thought, were fairly lackluster. I'm not sure about the big winners for the night, but the big losers in my book were Pepsi and Burger King. First with Pepsi: Brown & Bubbly?!?!? What the ... ? For me, brown and bubbly doesn't conjure up a delicious soft drink, it conjures up the END result of about three bowls of black bean chili. Seriously, no one in the board room at the time they were brain-storming on this idea chimed in and said, "Hey, maybe we don't necessarily want to be associated with brown and bubbly?"

Then there was the Burger King commercial starring the "Whopperettes." What? Women dressed as lettuce, onion, tomatoes, pickles ... and a meat patty? And then the freaky Burger King guy? Is there anyone in America who is NOT creeped out by that plastic-faced Burger King?

Until next time ...

I'm Back

2006-02-02T08:18:00.000-05:00

After criticism from my adoring fans (OK, so the two people who actually read this) regarding my lack of blogging of late, I decided I needed to take action and get something posted. Because it has been a while, this entry will recap some highlights of the past couple of weeks and perhaps offer a preview of the weekend ahead.

My first rant is about people in professions such as doctors and attorneys (particularly attorneys!) who think their time is so much more precious than ours. My now former attorney stood me up for a couple of phone conferences, ignored two faxes, failed to do the tasks that I asked and generally refused to call me back, which forced me to can him and get someone else. Of course, that required a couple days of having to take time off work in the afternoons to go down and meet with him at his office, which is about an hour away. So far, the new guy is showing more resolve than the former guy, but the jury is still out, so to speak.

Since returning from the trip to Massachusetts in mid-January, I had a fairly tight deadline to turn around a package of writing to my mentor professor for the semester. In addition, I have a tight reading schedule this semester. I finished "Indecision," a novel by Benjamin Kunkel, less than a week ago and have started "The Master" by Colm Toibin. "Indecision" was a good and fairly quick read that was mostly predictable but did have an interesting twist at the end.

Speaking of writing and MFA programs and such, which I sort of was, the entire James Frey incident of the past few weeks has been interesting to watch. No need for me to spend the time blogging about it because Taryn did a great job in her most recent blog entry, so check that out!

As for the weekend, big plans are in the works. Later tonight, Taryn's long-time friend Charles makes his first foray into the depths of the New River Valley of Virginia. While Taryn and Charles get the day off tomorrow, I will be working hard, as usual, but then we will attend a play on the RU campus, "Diversions & Delights," in which the star is a fellow University of Alabama graduate.

Speaking of Bama grads (boy, my transitions are genius, aren't they?) Shaun Alexander and his Seattle Seahawks face Deshea Townsend and his Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in the Super Bowl. So whoever wins, a Bama alum will be wearing a Super Bowl ring. Taryn and I will be hosting a Super Bowl shindig on Sunday and I will be rooting for the Seahawks, considering I lived in Seattle for a couple of years and the Seahawks headquarters was probably less than a mile from where I worked in Kirkland. And a little-known fact, Shaun and I both went to Seattle at about the same time. When I got there, I wrote a letter addressed to Shaun and sent it to the Seahawks headquarters. Basically it was a "Hi Shaun, I'm a Bama alum and I've just moved here, too, and I hope we both do well here" kind of letter. Like a paragraph long. Shaun actually called my house on a weekend I was in Canada and left a message. So, yeah, I'll be pulling for the Seahawks.

Also on tap this weekend is a 40th birthday bash for Dr. Theresa Burriss. Should be fun celebrating the big 4-0 with Theresa.

Well, I suppose that should be about all for this entry. Perhaps early next week I can blog about how the weekend actually turned out. Until then ... .

Weekend in New England

2006-01-17T20:52:00.002-05:00

First of all, my hat is off to those of you who blog daily, or even several times a week. Each week I think I will get two to three entries added to this site, yet I find myself struggling to get one. But I digress.

One reason for my absence of late was a recent trip to New England, flying from Greensboro, N.C. to Hartford, Conn., and then driving up to Amherst, Mass. I took the trip with my, hmm, first time to publicly announce, partner? — that sounds too stiff; girlfriend? — that sounds to high school; chick I'm chillin' with? — OK, that will have to work for now, anyway, I took the trip with Taryn and we met fellow Goucher College student Diane at the airport and the three of us rented a Chrysler PT Cruiser together. I must say, I was skeptical about the Cruiser, but I found it to be more roomy than I expected and a fun and comfortable ride.

So we made it to Amherst where we were meeting other Goucher Gophers (yes, their mascot really is Gophers) at the Lord Jeffrey Inn, a historic hotel-type establishment in downtown Amherst. Our room was quite fascinating. First, it was tucked under the stairs that go down to the bottom floor. The lovely view from our windows looked out onto the ground and street, as they were basically at ground level. The room had a foul odor. I'm guessing the smell was paint, but it never seemed to fade for the three days we were there. Our phone didn't work when we got there. The room was small (a Motel 6 room is generally bigger) and without many of the amenities — such as hair dryers, an iron, lotion, etc. — often found in hotel rooms these days.

But I was there to meet with the rest of my group in the Goucher College MFA/Creative Nonfiction program and meet with our mentor professor for the semester, Dick Todd. We had an all-day session at Amherst College that included lunch with author Tracy Kidder. That night we had dinner with Taryn's cousin Jen and her family.

We woke up Sunday morning to a few inches of snow, very cold weather, and blustery conditions. The morning started with a one-on-one with Todd (as Tracy Kidder calls Dick, so I want to pretend that I'm a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and call Dick by his last name) followed by a late lunch with Jen & company down in Sturbridge. (Happy birthday Steve!!) Unfortunately, it was an eat-and-run occasion because we had to be back to the Lord Jeffrey and on to dinner at Dick's house where the dinner included some delectable lamb.

After a night of dining and good conversation, it was back to the Lord Jeffrey for a final uncomfortable night and then back to our lives in the lovely New River Valley of Virginia.

So that's what's been going on in my life. How about you?!?

Happy New Year!

2006-01-05T16:25:00.000-05:00

The end of 2005 was somewhat of a blur as I moved to a new apartment and tried to celebrate the holidays at the same time. With the advent of a new year, the pace will not slow down much. I'll still try to blog when I can but will be finishing up a manuscript in my last semester of the Goucher College MFA program in Creative Nonfiction. That combined with the rest of life's responsibilities should keep me very busy.

The year started off on a good note as far as writing goes. I had a very short piece of nonfiction published by the good folks at Lost magazine, a new online lit mag. Check them out and maybe join the Lost List.

I wish you a happy and healthy New Year, and check back soon for additional updates.

How evil is Wal-Mart?

2005-12-20T10:37:00.000-05:00

How long can the list of offenses by Wal-Mart get? Add another to the already long list. The mega-company and overlords of evil are now under investigation for improperly transporting hazardous waste. Who knows what the morally bankrupt corporate behomoth will be charged with next, but I'm sure it won't be long before more light is shed on the rotting underbelly of corporate greed.

Idiot of the Week: Bush, Inc.

2005-12-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

Thus far I have avoided naming George W. Bush as my Idiot of the Week. I mean, it's just too easy. Bush could be the Idiot of the Week EVERY week. But Bush and his administration have hit a level of idiocy this week that deserves to be recognized.

It's one thing that the guy is a total klutz. I mean falling off bikes and scooters and trying to go through locked doors is one thing (actually, that's three things, isn't it?), but admitting to an impeachable offense?!? That's right, President Bush recently admitted to spying on American citizens--maybe you!--without a warrant. With great indignation and typical puffery, Bush has whined about the leaks to the press that broke the story, yet he has failed to take any action against administration officials who leaked Valerie Plame's identity to the press. This guy is such a hypocrite. Stay tuned to this story. The Bush administration makes the Nixon administration look like Boy Scouts, so this could get good.

Christmas Time Is Here

2005-12-19T10:28:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that Christmas Day is just around the corner. After a long Friday evening of shopping and some additional weekend time getting things ready to ship, it seems most of my Christmas spending and shopping and wrapping (OK, so I didn't actually do any of the wrapping), is over. And I am very, very glad.

Seems like each Christmas I (and probably millions of others) get weary from the holiday hustle and bustle. I know that thousands of articles and blogs and opinion pieces exist about Christmas and its commercialization and the real meaning of the holiday. I won't get into all of the details of those debates. I will just say that while we enjoy or suffer through the holidays, whatever your opinion may be, let's just all be respectful of each other and try to use a little common courtesy. Open a door for someone. Smile and say hello to people you pass on the street. And whether someone says "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas," just nod and say thank you. Isn't life too short to debate whether or not to call something "holiday" or "Christmas?" Are you reading this Bill O'Reilly?

Let's all enjoy the season for whatever it means to us as individuals. If for you it means presents and Santa and for someone else it means Christ's birth and for someone else it's a ridiculous holiday but a good excuse to take a couple of days off, then so be it. No matter what your opinion on the holiday and its meaning, you can still respect those who celebrate it--or don't--in the way that they please.

So there. Can't you feel the love and the true meaning of Christmas? And if you haven't sent me any presents yet, if you send something immediately it can still be here by Christmas. So get off your lazy butt and buy me something!!

Best wishes for a peaceful Christmas season.

Idiots of the Week: The Radford Crime Connection

2005-12-14T09:40:00.000-05:00

Wow, what an interesting past few days. The fun began on Sunday when I went to my storage unit at Pack It In in Radford, Va., to discover that my unit had been broken into. In putting together the story from the facility's owner, apparently the facility had seven or eight units broken into, including mine, which I share with Taryn Chase. The theives took quite a bit of our stuff: CDs, DVDs, video tapes, stereo, camping equipment and other sporting goods, tools, even a box of toiletries (I guess the thief really needed that Powerpuff Girl bubble bath!). So my first Idiot of the Week: People Who Steal My Stuff!!!!

And now on to my second Idiot of the Week: Pack It In! After I had been robbed and received little to no remorse or empathy from the good folks at Pack It In, the guy who works there had the nerve to tell me over the phone, "Well, you know thieves will get in anywhere they want." Guess what? You don't have to make it so easy for them!!! Pack It In has no video cameras, they have no locked gate that requires a keypad or other means to enter. They have no one on the premises for several hours a day and the guy who works there never leaves his office to patrol the grounds. The gates are wide open to the public during daylight hours. And Pack It In bares no responsibility for anyone's loss--to thieves or otherwise. Yeah, thieves will get into anywhere that you send them an engraved invitation to steal from you! Now that I have been telling about my situation with Pack It In, I've heard more and more shady stories about the place. My advice to anyone in the New River Valley of southwest Virginia: Don't use Pack It In, or their sister storage unit, Radford Storage, which was hit by thieves just a week prior. I plan to get my stuff out as soon as I can find a place for it!

My next Idiot of the Week: Me! That's right, I am an idiot. I should never have put my stuff in such an unsecure location and I should have had a better lock. Of course, at the time I didn't realize security was so lax and Pack It In didn't inform me that they had been broken into several times, which I learned from a police officer recently. I am an idiot and I publicly apologize to Taryn for allowing her to keep her stuff in my storage unit, which was obviously in danger because of the lack of security at Pack It In.

The next Idiot of the Week: Radford Pawn. So, Taryn and I go down on Monday on our lunch break just to see if anything may have shown up at this pawn shop--located just down the street from the storage facility. Sure enough, a tent, the stereo, lots of CDs, and other stuff were there. As quick as the thief could scurry from my storage unit to the pawn shop, he unloaded the stuff. And the people at Radford Pawn think that someone who comes in with hundreds of CDs, including many personal mixes, some with handmade covers, and a bunch of other stuff is totally legit? My guess is that Radford Pawn knew these characters and knew that the stuff was stolen but accepted it anyway. My advice to anyone in the New River Valley of southwest Virginia: Don't go to Radford Pawn--unless you've had some stuff stolen because it may be there. I've also begun to hear a lot of shady things about that place from other sources including local businesses and law enforcement officials, so beware of Radford Pawn.

The good news is that the alleged perpetrator of the break-in of my storage unit was caught, and Taryn and I were in on the action. An article about it appeared in today's Roanoke Times. Yes, a crazy few days indeed, and the fun isn't over. Taryn and I are supposed to go down to the police station and the pawn shop soon to hopefully claim some of our recovered items. But before I go, let me give at least one bit of praise to Detective Diaz of the Radford City Police Department. This guy is a character and has made this ordeal bearable. Looking forward to talking to him in a short while.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story as it develops.

Time Keeps on Slippin', Slippin' Slippin' ...

2005-12-08T10:29:00.000-05:00

Where does the time go? Why aren't there enough hours in the day? Seems like finding time for anything beyond what has to be done to survive is often a struggle. This week has been a busy one as my semester as a student in the MFA program for Creative Nonfiction at Goucher College is coming to an end, and it's the last week of classes at Radford University where I work. So, while I tend to school and work isues, I will not post an Idiot of the Week, but stay tuned next week to see who wins this fine honor.

I may have small posts between now and next week, though, so check in again when you get some time.