Grizzly Mountain

Modern Times

2008-05-14T10:50:00.001-07:00

http://westernstandard.blogs.com/shotgun/2008/05/the-sock-puppet.html

Very good article with interesting thoughts. My favorite passage:

"Modern leftism is premised upon an almost-deliberate ignorance of all of human history. It is rooted in a bizarre conviction that human nature is inherently good."

I've been reading Modern Times by Paul Johnson and think it is the best history book I have ever read. I continue to be absolutely astounded by the scale of genocide, murder, and totalitarianism that took place in the 20th Century. Every single continent with the exception of North America was plagued into chaos, terror, and unspeakable horrors through the past 100 years. It is so ignorant and stupid to believe that without a strong voice for democracy and liberty (America), the world would be in better shape, and that it is somehow our fault whenever people behave badly anywhere. Despite our Civil War, which despite the tragedy, was a fight to save the American Experiment (and also elminated slavery), was a mere blip in our genocide-free history. We owe it to our ancestors to constantly promote freedom and the value of human life around the world.

The story of the woman who planned to bicylce to the Middle East in a wedding dress is so depressingly sad. I saw her route on a map - she made it barely 100 miles into Turkey before she was raped and murdered. There are dangerous people in this world and it is our duty as lovers of liberty and freedom to stand up to them.

Failure at the UN

2008-05-09T07:09:00.001-07:00

The first - UN is halting aid to Myanmar because the military junta is taking all the supplies and starving its people. Might be a good time to send in the tanks, right? Could there be any more justification for military intervention?

The second - The OPEC countries donate virtually no money to the UN Food Program to feed starving people. Saudi Arabia does not appear on the donor list, while the US gives five times as much as the EU. Incredible.

Steyn Article

2008-05-07T12:46:00.001-07:00

Long article by Steyn, all over the map, but very interesting. He doesn't pull any punches.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007760

I actually agree with Obama!

2008-05-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

The retraction of the "Gas Tax" that McCain and Hillary are pandering to the American public is a terrible idea on several levels. It will hardly reduce prices, will contribute to more driving, more traffic, more pollution, and more "global warming" (assuming it exists and is a problem, the jury is still out). It also does nothing to increase innovation in alternative strategies, which the gas tax should be used to fund, and does nothing to decrease our reliance on foreign oil. It's a purely political move and should not be supported.

The failure of the United States to develop a new energy policy since 1970 will be seen as incredibly irresponsible and a travesty. It has allowed Saudi Arabia to bankroll radical Wahabbi Islam all over the planet. Fix our energy policy, and we will win the long war against radical Islam. Don't fix it, and I don't think we have a chance.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/opinion/01thu1.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

The Godfather and International Politics

2008-04-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is a fascinating analysis of The Godfather (the greatest movie of all time) and current world politics and power. Michael Corleone...

http://www.nationalinterest.org/Article.aspx?id=17008

Stuff White People Like

2008-04-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/

Wow, this site is pretty hilarious. Since stereotypes of any sort of minority are totally verboten these days, it's always fun to make fun of ourselves as white people. Have some fun with identity politices, it's the last chance to do so.

Ughh!

2008-04-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120864685698828937.html?mod=opinion_journal_political_diary

Well, this ruined my day. The part of Obama's philosophy, and liberalism in general, is the antipathy and occasional malice towards the idea of free speech. As I've said before, no society can be truly democratic and open with any sorts of limits on free speech. The "Fairness Doctrine" is just another multiculturalist, PC, oppressive act - it perceives all arguments and positions to be equal to each other in validity and insists that they all share the same time on radio. Why not let the good arguments prosper and the poor ones suffer and be taken off the air? Why not let the people decide what they want to listen to? If free speech has to suffer, the Democrats do not mind.

Free Trade

2008-04-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

There is a very good editorial by NY Times columnist Nicolaus Kristof today - link below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/opinion/24kristof.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Vote for Free Trade! It allows for maximum efficiency in all markets. The Democratic candidates need to stop pandering to the unions and vote for this agreement for both political and economic reasons. They should also reassure our neighbors that they will support NAFTA.

Top Concerts

2008-04-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

House of Blues, New Orleans - I went to this famous place last January when I was in the Big Easy with my brother and five friends where we were building houses for victims of Hurricane Katrina. We got free tickets to the HOB and it was amazing. The high point was seeing a bunch of musicians, from all different bands, get up on stage and sign "Carnival Time" by Al Johnson. The drummer was Patrick C from My Morning Jacket (I have tickets for them in May!) - it was an amazing live jam. I later bought him a shot of Jagermister, which he appreciated, and chatted with him for a few minutes. Great night.

Matisyahu, Colby College - My senior year at Colby College, Matisyahu came to play at the small student center. I was about five yards from the stage and he was rocking for about two hours. I had never heard him before so all the songs sounded about the same, but he had so much energy and sounded so unique I loved it. My friend had a chance to meet him later on, but drank a few too many beers and forgot all about it. "Time of Your Song" soon became our favorite number and graduation rallying cry.

The Who, Madison Square Garden, NEW YORK CITY - My first concert ever was when I was a mere 16 years old. John Entwistle was still alive at this point (died of a coke overdose a few years later) and they played like they were still in their mid-20s. The highlight was when all the lights went out and the synthesizer started up into Baba O'Reilly. Loudest sound I've ever heard, but an amazing night for a wide-eyed 16 year old who loved rock and roll.

Bruce Springsteen, Meadowlands, New Jersey - The Boss in his old stomping grounds in Giants Stadium. This was right after The Rising came out and I remember just an ocean of red, white, and blue...plus jean shorts everywhere. "Lonesome Day" is my favorite song - incredibly emotional and uplifting. Bruce's politics aside, I've always admired him for his unique sound and singing style as well as his songs about everyday life - he gives respect and dignity to hard working Americans.

Bob Dylan, Bridgeport, CT - Led off by Amos Lee (who may have been the best singer of the night) who was followed by Elvis Costello (bit of a disappoint) after which Bob and his band came on. Bob sang one song from almost every album...and even though it took him a few songs to warm up his voice, he did pretty well for an old guy. His band absolutely rocked, as one drunken fan later stated in the parking lot ("Did Bob Dylan's band rock? And did Bob absolutely suck?"). My favorite song of the night was "You're A Big Girl Now" from "Blood On The Tracks", which I'm convinced is the best album. Bob is really one of the most influential cultural forces that history has ever seen and it was an honor to see him live.

High School Drop Out Rate

2008-04-22T07:45:00.001-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/opinion/22herbert.html?hp

The link above is an opinion article by Bob Herbert in the New York Times today regarding education in America and the high school drop out rate. Bob has chosen a very important topic that he believes the presidential candidates should address - there I agree. The way in which they should address it probably shows our differences.

Human capital and education is the most important factor in the long term growth of a nation. A rising high school drop out rate severely jeopardizes our country's ability to be successful in the long run. However, Bob insinuates that the government should address this issue, most likely through expensive programs and more money towards the educational budget. I disagree. I think there is very little the government can do in this area. The incentives to get an education are already clearly apparent. The "income inequality" gap in this country is overwhelmingly explained by educational differences. People with a high school diploma make far more money than those without. A college degree ups it even more. Graduate school? You're basically set.

I know that it is difficult for many people to afford college, but high school education is free. Bob mentioned that every 26 seconds one person drops out of high school. This is just purely irrational economic behavior, but more importantly, a personal choice driven by cultural surroundings. In many demographic areas of this country, education is not encouraged and being smart is not "being cool." Gangster rap glorifying the life of drugs and violence, rural culture that regards education as unimportant, whatever the message, it's a bad one. The cultural messages must change in order for this to improve - it's something that government just cannot do, but something the individual people must.

Happy Earth Day

2008-04-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day to everyone! As a person who loves nature and the outdoors, I'd like to urge my fellow men and women to make a few sacrifices today to save energy, conserve resources, and appreciate the beauty of planet earth. I'm confident that the United States, as the greatest country of this earth, can make strides towards cleaning up our environment, conserving land for its natural wildlife, and do everything possible to maintain a healthy respect to the land we live on.

That being said, I'd like to enter a post from the Heartland Institute that makes some sense to me. Conservation and capitalism go hand in hand - they are not incompatible at all. With the right tax/financial incentives and a culture that appreciates and rewards responsible behavior, we can make this work. Larger government and totalitarian laws are not the answer. Neither is Al Gore.

From Heartland:

Contrary to the slogans of demonstrators throughout the world, the nations that have the best track records on environmental protection and improvement are those with the highest amount of free-market capitalism.
Make no mistake, the anti-capitalism demonstrators often add environmentalism to their claimed objectives solely because it attracts many gullible young persons and appears to legitimize their activities, which often have little or nothing to do with the environment.
Nations with the freest economic systems are the ones whose citizens can afford the luxury of protecting their environments. Conversely, persons living in command-and-control economies barely surviving on life’s necessities of food, clothing, and shelter use their natural resources to the absolute limit. They have no other choice in providing for themselves and their families…
…Beware the individual, group, or organization that relentlessly attacks the free enterprise system, bashes big business, and bashes corporations. Too often their real agenda is power–power to remake the economic and social systems to suit their own command-and-control goals, not to serve the public good as they so loudly proclaim.
Free enterprise capitalism provides the economic lifeblood for many of the world’s poor. The late senator Paul Tsongas said in his speech at the 1992 Democratic Convention, “You cannot redistribute wealth you never created. You can’t be pro-jobs and anti-business at the same time. You cannot love employment and hate employers.”
The extremes of big government socialism and communism have been tried and found wanting in many nations, but their principles still dominate the thinking in world environmental conferences and are widely taught in many major U.S. universities.
For three-quarters of a century the Soviet Union was touted as the model of what a planned economy could do for its people. To the embarrassment of many economics professors, it imploded. It could never afford environmental protection or improvement.
Environmentalists who sincerely desire to advance their cause must disassociate themselves from anti-capitalists and destroyers of the social orders of communities, nations, and the world.
Nothing highlights this problem more than the Heidelberg Statement, which was signed in the spring of 199[2] by 250 prominent scientists, including 27 Nobel Prize winners. It noted, “We are worried at the emergence of an irrational ideology which is opposed to scientific and industrial progress and impedes economic and social development. The greatest evils which stalk our Earth are ignorance and oppression, not science, technology, and industry. We do forewarn the authorities in charge of our planet’s destiny against decisions which are supported by pseudo-scientific arguments or false and non-relevant data.”

Carbon Tax

2008-04-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0417chapmanapr17,1,349864.column

Great article. A carbon tax makes both conservatives and liberals happy. Curiously, no politician has brought it up as a policy idea. What a surprise.

Less carbon emissions? Check
Lower income taxes? Check
Less dependence on foreign (Saudi) oil? Check
Less global warming? Check

America Alone

2008-04-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

I just bought the soft cover version of America Alone with a new introduction, which is definitely worth the read. I also find it hilarious that Mark actually put on the cover "Soon to be banned in Canada." You'd think the "Human Rights Commissions" that are currently trying him would just give up, since they are trying the author of a bestselling book for his opinions, but they have no common sense or respect for the public opinion. Freedom of speech is an alien concept to too many liberal institutions - it's a shame.

My copy was autographed by Mark at my request - he accidentally made it out to himself, with the quote, "In the words of General Stark (and the New Hampshire license plate), Live Free or Die!" That's great stuff.

Please check it out! Here's the link...

http://www.amazon.com/America-Alone-End-World-Know/dp/1596985275/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208454188&sr=8-1

Go Giants

2008-04-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

I also wanted to say........GO GIANTS! It was one of the best Super Bowls of all time and I was proud to watch it with my family, cheering every second. Currently I have on my coffee table a Giants shrine: two hats, two SI covers, a New York Post, and a framed photo of Amani Toomer's 2nd quarter catch on the sidelines. Unbelievable season, unbelievable story, Go Eli, Go Plax, Go Strahan, Go Osi, and Go Tuck! Last thought: Jay Alford's final sack on Tom Brady was picture perfect. He came charging through the line like a crazed rhinocerous.

San Diego Surf Trip

2008-04-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

To any readers out there, I'm sorry for the lack of posts in the last couple months. I just got back from a surf trip to San Diego and I'm ready to start posting again, so please keep reading.

San Diego Surf - the waves were not good, but here's where I went and what I'd recommend. This is my third surf trip out there, so I'm getting a bit more knowledgeable:

Pipes and Suckouts in Cardiff - good reef breaks that can get pretty fast on a good W swell. Suckouts is especially challenging since its a very steep face that walls up quickly out of nowhere. It was pretty crowded here, but there are a few peaks to both sides.

La Jolla/Scripps - this is a great beach break that's easy for anyone to learn on, as well as a superb place to hang out on the shore. Just paddle out and grab any wave you can - nothing challenging, just a solid spot.

Del Mar Rivermouth - the waves were very mushy when I was here, but on a good NW swell it becomes a long, powerful right tube.

Surfing in Rhode Island

2007-11-19T07:33:00.001-08:00

It was a cold weekend....I surfed for about half an hour at Matunuck, Rhode Island until my feet were numb. It's time to invest in some boots and gloves - summer is unfortunately over. The break was very nice, even if the waves were only 2 or 3 feet.

"Come Home"

2007-11-16T08:44:00.001-08:00

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311933,00.html

This is a great story of Muslims and Christians overcoming religious differences and accepting each other on a personal level. Despite threats from al-Qaeda, and the evidence of the jiyza tax in the Koran (Muslims are able to tax non-Muslims as lower level citizens), these people are acted as rational and compassionate people that should be a shining example to the Islamic world.

Saudi Brutality

2007-11-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311848,00.html

Wow. The ruling on this is derived from the Koran and its commands - sharia (Islamic law) governs Saudi Arabia and mandates this penalty.

Where are the women's rights groups? Why do they not stand up against this? Where is the outrage?

We send this country billions of dollars a year in oil revenue. Where is the new energy policy? Why does our government call this nation it's "friend"?

"Obama in Orbit" - Response to Roger Cohen

2007-11-15T08:59:00.000-08:00

I understand the good intentions of Roger Cohen - I think most Americans want our country to relate well to the rest of the world and achieve our goals with the support of others using diplomacy and incentives. Indeed, global trade and the success of the international markets have brought the US as well as the rest of the world amazing prosperity.

However, when Roger speaks about the other 6.3 billion people the 2008 election will affect, what does that mean? He gives them such legitimacy but I'm not sure why. Should we aim to please Hugo Chavez, a man who has shut down free speech and free press? Should we listen more to Iran and other Islamic countries, regimes that publicly hang homosexuals, repress women, and have sworn to destroy Israel? Should we join Europe, a continent with a dying population (average birthrate = 1.5), a system of entitlements that is totally unsustainable, and an immigration problem that is spiraling out of control? Maybe we should accept Russia, where an ex-KGB agent rules with an iron fist and does nothing about the AIDS outbreak that is hurting his country. We could go the way of South Africa, a one party state with some of the highest levels of murder and rape in the world.

I don't mean to say that we should always pursue unilateral actions - far from it. We should invite the world to join us in our quest to spread freedom and economic opportunity. We should not bow down to tyrannic governments and religious extremism or nanny state socialism, but encourage them to free their citizens from the chains of oppression and bureaucracy. We need to elect the candidate with a clear vision of America's greatness, one who acknowledges our faults, but one who loves our strengths. The next president must believe that America is a force of good in the world, which it has been for hundreds of years, instead of an apologist for a few failed policies and an appeaser of totalitarianism.

We cannot afford another Jimmy Carter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/opinion/15cohen.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Evil

2007-11-13T13:41:00.000-08:00

While millions of normal Saudi Arabians live in poverty and half of the population (women) live in slavery, a crown prince is spending $300 Million on a flying palace. Apparently it is un-Islamic to let women drive a car or walk outside without a mail escort, but a flying jumbo palace keeps in line with the vision of Mohammed and the Koran. It is completely immoral that Airbus is allowing itself to profit from a man who holds no regard for his own citizens and indulges in every luxury his selfish soul desires.

Financial excesses of the Catholic Church led Martin Luther to begin the Reformation and end the hypocrisy of Christianity. Nearly every historian views this as one of the greatest events in human history. When will a Muslim leader do the same?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071112/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_luxury_jet

Tuesday Morning Quarterback

2007-11-13T13:28:00.001-08:00

The best article on ESPN...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/071113&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos1

Go Giants!

Income Inequality

2007-11-13T09:08:00.001-08:00

There is a great article in the Wall Street Journal today on income inequality in America. Basically, there is an amazing amount of economic mobility in the American economy, and there is great opportunity for the poorest Americans to improve their levels of income. Cynics like to deride America's motto of "A Land of Opportunity" but this study shows it is for real. Clearly America is not perfect, but the system is fundamentally sound and politicians should have faith in the citizens to accomplish on their own. All the government needs to do is to create incentives for hard work and a sound lifestyle and people will achieve. Higher taxes and welfare benefits will only encourage laziness and poverty.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010855

Happy Veteran's Day!

2007-11-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

Congrats and thank you to all veterans - our country is very proud of you.

UN Link

2007-11-09T13:06:00.001-08:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7087002.stm

UN and Palestine

2007-11-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

Maybe if the UN did relocate, they'd be able to prevent this horrendous irony. Notice how the UN condemned the attack...for taking place in a school. It would be nicer if they condemned the attack in general and took actual means to stop it.

Anti-War Movies

2007-11-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

The article isn't worth much, but the comments are great to read...

http://comments.breitbart.com/071109152054vnv6fviw/

Basically the Hollywood makers of these movies are very narcisstic. They portray the hero as someone who has been previously corrupted by the American government, but has a revelation and attempts to fix the situation while leaving it at the same time - think the Bourne trilogy. Hollywood sees itself that way - unfortunately part of America, but trying to break away while revealing all the faults and evils of the system.

The overall atmosphere that these movies convey (Rendition, Home of the Brave, The Kingdom, etc.) is that no party is right or wrong, but that all are motivated by their own human emotions - greed, power, etc. It totally ignores any large political arguments and exudes a why-can't-we-all-get-along attitude. Worst, they leave the viewer not with inspiration or conviction, but a guilt that looms like a hangover.

Steve Forbes

2007-11-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday night I had the honor of hearing Steve Forbes talk and briefly meeting him. He was very articulate, knowledgeable, and even a bit humorous at times. He spoke mostly on monetary policy and the economy, but also covered health care and entitlements as well as taxes - his big thing is the flat tax. In all, I shared most of his views, and especially enjoyed his enthusiasm for the free markets and the greatness of American ingenuity.

I also came to realize one of the fundamental differences between small government vs. big government. Those who want a big government do not trust the American people to make the right decisions and feel that the government is a neccesity and must make those decisions for them. It comes off as very patronizing and depressing, especially since their logical goal is ultimately a socialist state. Those who want small government do so because they trust and want to empower the American citizen and give them the freedom to make their own choices. They realize that this country has been incredibly prosperous and successful since 1776, and that the American Experiment certainly does work.

South Park - Politically Incorrect

2007-11-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

South Park may be the most clever television show in the history of TV. Not only does it effortlessly combine the most serious subjects with the most crude and disgusting, but it manages to offend nearly every majority and minority group in the world, and gets away with it. Although some may not have the stomach for it, South Park is extremely refreshing in contrast to the bland media, and breaks through PC assumptions with total abandon.

The show does an amazing job of bringing together political and social views from multiple angles. The most important characters are the three boys, Stan, Kyle, and Eric Cartman, as well as their schoolteacher Mr./Mrs. Garrison, and Stan's father, Randy Marsh.

The creators of the show use Stan and Kyle to get their more rational viewpoints across. These two boys are pragmatic and logical - they look at the situation from an unbiased point of view and believe in justice and fairness. They reject any traditions that do not make sense and are compassionate for the actual victims of whatever situation they are in. They also do not put up with liberal or conservative phoniness.

This last behavior is carried out even further in the character of Eric Cartman. Cartman has absolutely no tolerance for phoniness and political correctness, especially from liberals. Cartman provides an outlet for the frustrations and biases of the normal white male - he calls it like it is and just lets it loose, normally in a very hateful way, although he sometimes ends up being the hero when Stan and Kyle are unable to save the day.

Mr./Mrs. Garrison is just an absurd character. He/She represents someone very confused and angry with their own sexuality and gender. While South Park is very sympathetic to homosexuals, Garrison represents those who obsess over sexuality, and is portrayed in a very negative light. The creators seem to be saying that homosexuality is perfectly OK and should be tolerated, but "not assholes like Garrison."

Finally, Randy Marsh often represents political correctness run amok. He is made to look extremely silly in situations regarding, alcoholism, global warming, immigration, drugs, voting and other issues. He takes extreme positions and exemplifies the irrational logic that takes place with both liberals and conservatives.

Overall, the great thing about South Park is that it encourages its viewers to take the side of Stan and Kyle - a calm, unbiased, practical view of the situations and issues...although Cartman's prejudices occasionally triumph. In short, it's a great show, and it's a miracle it hasn't been cancelled.

UN Relocation

2007-11-06T10:11:00.000-08:00

I read a comment earlier today at Gates of Vienna, suggesting that if Jerusalem is to be split between Israel and the Palestinians, the UN should relocate their headquarters to this city. I have to say, this is a very good idea for a number of reasons.

First, the UN does not belong in the United States. Although the US gives far more money and resources to the UN, the interests of the UN rarely coincide with those of the United States. Most countries tend to view the US as an obstacle to peace, if not the enemy and instigator of conficts worldwide. Let them move from their comfy building in Turtle Bay and take up residence in another country.

Putting the UN in a fairly hostile area, would force them to adapt their policies to match the reality on the ground. Their infatuation with the Palestinians as "victims" and "the oppressed" would quickly change since they would have to deal with the threat of suicide bombings. The UN would be forced to actively disarm terrorist groups and enforce "safe zones" that failed so miserably in Bosnia. Instead of constant "dialogue", the UN would have to actually punish either side that instigated violence to ensure their own safety.

It has always been easy for the UN to talk mindessly of condemnations and how unhappy it is with events like Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur, instead of taking any action to prevent atrocities and persecution. These situations have revealed what the UN really stands for - it doesn't have the stomach to prevent violence, but instead would rather create a place for countries to discuss matters without actually having to do anything. So, while the UN is patting itself on the back for getting hundreds of countries to sit down together, the real victims of the violence continue to suffer. And with the established union of Islamic countries, there will not be much action taken in places like Darfur and Somalia where genocide and oppression takes place...but the reality of the situation is not what matters, just the fantasy diplomacy does.

Surfing in Rhode Island

2007-11-04T18:24:00.000-08:00

Well, today I got tossed around at Narragansett Beach in Rhode Island. The waves were a bit bigger than I expected - probably around 6 feet with some reaching around 8 feet. Whew, I'm exhausted.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

2007-11-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

- Dylan Thomas

An incredibly inspirational and fatalistic poem by one of the greatest poets of the 20th Century. This was one of the poems that made such an impression on a young man, Robert Zimmerman, that it led him to change his name to...Bob Dylan. Below are lyrics from the Dylan song, "Shelter From the Storm" from Blood on the Tracks. The similarities are not obvious, but I believe the mix of fear, sadness, and reluctant acceptance of death bring about a similar mood. They both capture the precise feeling of the realization of mortality.

'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved.
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."I

was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail,
Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail,
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair.
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, got my signals crossed.
Just to think that it all began on a long-forgotten morn.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love.
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation an' they gave me a lethal dose.
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine.
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born.
"Come in," she said,"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

10 Good Deeds

2007-11-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

As a libertarian, I believe that the government should have a limited role in the lives of its individual citizens. However, there are many people, even the great country of America, who are in desperate need and cannot support themselves and their families. Americans who are more fortunate, such as myself, are obligated to lend a hand to those who are struggling. Instead of paying higher taxes, contributing time and donating hard earned money to charity is the best way to assist your fellow man.

As an borderline atheist, I do not believe in doing good deeds for the sake of "getting in to heaven" or for karma's sake. We should do them to improve the world around us.

Top 10 Good Deeds To Do Before You Die

10) Buy a homeless man/woman a hot meal and a cup of coffee

9) Fly to New Orleans and rebuild houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina - there is a long way to go down there...grab some beignets as a reward.

8) Take a day to clean up littering. Publicily humiliate anyone you do see littering. There is nothing more revealing than a person who litters - lazy, self-centered, thoughtless...

7) Work at a soup kitchen - people will thank you warmly for providing them with a meal

6) Thank a teacher or a police officer or a firefighter - they've dedicated their lives to the public good.

5) Send a soldier overseas a USO package - it'll remind them of home and let them know they have our support

4) Give up your seat when someone else gets on the bus, subway, or train - you can manage standing for 20 minutes

3) Plant a tree or grow a garden, and just care for the environment in general

2) Coach a Little League Team, mentor a child, or babysit for free - give kids of all backgrounds the time free from worry to enjoy their childhood

1) Stop feeling sorry for yourself - we live in the most amazing times with so much to be grateful for - please enjoy it.

5 Contemporary Reads

2007-11-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Below are five of my favorite books that I have read in the last year. America Alone is witty and clever - Steyn has the talent to make reading about the descent into tyranny light and enjoyable. His message is an important one and he backs it up not only with statistics, but theoretical logic.

Infidel is one of the most courageous stories ever told. Whether conservative or liberal, it is difficult to argue that Ali is not a heroine and a role model for women throughout the Islamic world. Her story exposes the oppression and tragedy that millions of Muslim women face everyday - from the mutilation, to the beatings, to the complete lack of freedom, and the horrors of arranged marriages, Ali is incredibly compelling and deserves the support from anyone who cares about human rights.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is the fictional equivalent of Infidel. Hosseini does a great job of portraying the sadness and despair of the Muslim woman, and describes life through changing regimes realistically and without bias. It is a shame that so many women live their lives without freedom or joy.

World War IV chronicles the developments of the last six years since 9/11. Although I did not agree with many of his points, his analysis of the Bush Doctrine is excellent and he describes the "pillars" even better than the president does.

Finally, The Looming Tower describes the people, connections, and events that led to the tragic attacks on September 11. Wright details the perpetrators and their backgrounds and shows how the poor coordination of American intelligence failed to prevent these awful attacks. If anyone happens to be a "Truther" please read this book and give up the conspiracy theories. These attacks, just like the enemy, are very real.

America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It, Mark Steyn
http://www.amazon.com/America-Alone-End-World-Know/dp/0895260786/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-1484207-1204822?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193941262&sr=8-2

Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
http://www.amazon.com/Infidel-Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali/dp/0743289684/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1484207-1204822?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193941384&sr=8-1

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini
http://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Splendid-Suns-Khaled-Hosseini/dp/1594489505/ref=pd_sim_b_shvl_title_2/002-1484207-1204822

World War IV, Norman Podhoretz
http://www.amazon.com/World-War-IV-Struggle-Islamofascism/dp/0385522215/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1484207-1204822?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193941501&sr=1-1

The Looming Tower, Lawrence Wright
http://www.amazon.com/Looming-Tower-Qaeda-Road-Vintage/dp/1400030846/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1484207-1204822?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193941530&sr=1-1

Islam and Sex

2007-10-31T16:46:00.000-07:00

Koran - 33:32-33 O Consorts of the Prophet! ... stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance;

Koran - 24:2 The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication,- flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by God, if ye believe in God and the Last Day: and let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.

Koran - 24:30-31 Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And God is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards God, that ye may attain Bliss.

Above are three verses from the Koran. The first demands the completed modesty of women and implies that their place is to stay cooped up in their homes. The second proscribes specific punishment to men and women who engage in intimacy outside the bonds of marriage. The third is a broader verse that discourages Muslims from love and physical pleasures, and instead directs them toward inner discipline and faith as the true way to attain bliss.

I believe that one of the most powerful human instincts is the desire to spend time with the opposite sex and reproduce. It is just a natural, animal instinct that almost every single human feels to some extent as they come of age. Sexual desire is treated differently in almost every culture, and its citizens can fare better or worse because of the social norms. For example, in Victorian England, sex was very much a taboo subject...yet since dating and intimacy were so regulated and constrained, prostitution was rampant among the population, which was clearly not a good thing. On the other end of the spectrum was the 1960s in America, where a sexual revolution took place, where sex limitless and free. However, this new found freedom and lack of restraints led to an rise in out of wedlock births and the beginning of AIDS and other sexual transmitted diseases. Today, Western civilization does much better - sex is openly talked about and discussed, but most people make reasonable choices and protect against negative consequences. Mainly, teenagers and young adults have an outlet for these new feelings.

In the Islamic world, there has never been such a revolution. Fornication and dating is not allowed and punished. Men are only allowed to marry women who are "pure." As teenagers and young adults come of age, they are not allowed to discuss their urges and have no outlet for them. Rape is more common than in the West. In Saudi Arabia, it was found that 75% of all picture messages sent on cellphones contained pornography. In short, there are millions of young men who have no socially acceptable outlet for sexual desire.

What Islam has done to address this situation of millions of sexually frustrated young men, is to put the onus on the women. Women are seen as objects of temptation that arise impure thoughts in men and ruin the purity of Islam. They are forced to wear oppressive clothing and are blamed as the cause when they are raped. Ironically, men are encouraged by the Koran to be celibate and pure, but behind closed doors, women are at their whim. It is a flawed religion - the empowered Islamic male is not responsible for his own actions, and the powerless woman is.

Women are the scapegoat.

When experts and analysts attempt to examine the cause of Islamic terrorism, they normally look to political or economic factors. Several point fingers at themselves, blaming the West for "oppression." However, I believe that the lack of an outlet for sexual desire and rigid sexual standards cause hostility in Muslim males. Depression and anger can be caused by many physiological things - lack of exercise, low blood sugar, etc... Why not sexual frustration? It is common sense that men who never experience the love and intimacy of a woman, and not just sex but actual affection and love, are driven towards more radical ways of life.

If there is ever to be a "moderate Islam", the status of women must be improved. They should no longer become scapegoats whose presence can drive a Muslim male towards impurity and rage. They should become an equal - humans to be respected and loved. In my opinion, far fewer Muslims would turn towards violence and terrorism if they were allowed to experience and explore their own natural human feelings.

To prove that I'm not cherrypicking and stereotyping...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,306658,00.html

September 11, Hurricane Katrina, Tony Soprano, and the State of America

2007-10-26T14:00:00.001-07:00

In the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, most Americans struggled to find meaning – meaning in what had happened, meaning in why it had happened, and meaning in what the future held. These attacks were more than a terrorist event; more, even, than a declaration of war. The attacks were the crux of an existential crisis for our nation.

In First Aid, instructors focus a good deal of time on how to treat a patient who is in shock. Symptoms include disorientation, numbness, confusion, and most often denial of the fact that they actually are in shock. As a nation, we experienced similar phenomena – denial of the fact that a new age had begun. Many of us held on to the belief that this was a small wound that a quick bandage could heal, instead of attempting to identify and eliminate the source. Michael Moore delivered this theory,

“They did not deserve to die. If someone did this to get back at Bush, then they did so by killing thousands of people who DID NOT VOTE for him! Boston, New York, DC and the plane's destination of California – these were places that voted AGAINST Bush!"

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, it was seen in a similar light, the explanation was no doubt global warming caused by gas-guzzling Chevys. Ironically, in both situations, the quick fix was to elect Al Gore.

The common explanation for these two landmark events was simple – that the United States was to blame. This rationale does not necessarily stem from unpatriotic sentiment, although there is plenty of that these days. It comes from a deeper psychological impulse that is common in most humans, that is that we feel more relieved and empowered knowing it was our fault, and that a change in behavior and actions can prevent future debacles and loss of life. It is far more terrifying and uncomfortable to wrestle with the idea that Islamic terrorism is a powerful force, motivated by a violent and totalitarian ideology with apocalyptic goals that is not willing to negotiate. That thought is as scary as being in a New Orleans house, battered down by the winds and floods, without help in sight, with the fate of your life in another power’s hands.

Since the end of the Cold War most Americans have been lulled into an illusion of control and reliance on government. The further this country moved from self-reliance and self-survival towards the eventual “nanny” state of socialism, the greater the shock that September 11 presented…and for many Americans, the first response was to go back to sleep and deny that a new and determined enemy had reared its head. Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” A more appropriate phrase today would be, “If you’re watchin hell unfold on TV, change the channel.” The response of America and its allies since the attack has been impressive in force but pathetic in will. There has been a lack of urgency to change and adapt to this new frightening world, and an overall blasé attitude. America, for all its wondrous achievements in technology and modernity, cannot last forever without the conviction and pride of its citizens. The greatest resource of our country is not a physical commodity, but a human one, the unique nature of our character.

And this is where we find our country today – an all powerful Westernized, modernized, multiculturalized, infantalized, mummified nation where control of our world has been shown to be an illusion. We are Tony Soprano, the bloated mobster who is trying desperately to hang on to the life he has grown so comfortable with. As Tony says to his therapist, “It's good to be in something from the ground floor. I came too late for that, I know. But lately I'm getting the feeling that I came in at the end. The best is over,” while she replies, “I think many Americans feel that way.” Soon we may realize that indeed the best is over – not because of our faults, but because we failed to raise ourselves to defend our strengths.