Month: March 2003

don’t you know there’s a war on?

I’m not watching CNN anymore. Not that I do all that much, but what I have seen has disgusted me. I never thought that a war could become glitzy prime time TV. Then again, “reality TV” is very popular these days. Wartime morale posters! Get yours here. [thanks bonster] Clear Channel doesn’t have anything to … Continue reading “don’t you know there’s a war on?”

I’m not watching CNN anymore. Not that I do all that much, but what I have seen has disgusted me. I never thought that a war could become glitzy prime time TV. Then again, “reality TV” is very popular these days.

Wartime morale posters! Get yours here. [thanks bonster]

Clear Channel doesn’t have anything to do with the pro-war rallies. Sure.

“What makes it all possible, of course, is the absence of effective watchdogs. In the Clinton years the merest hint of impropriety quickly blew up into a huge scandal; these days, the scandalmongers are more likely to go after journalists who raise questions. Anyway, don’t you know there’s a war on?”

keeping my chin up

I’m trying to keep my sense of humor and lightness in the middle of all this chaos and darkness. One step towards doing so is to turn off the network news. Another step is to find things to laugh about, and there are some of those in today’s entry. The US Department of Homeland Security … Continue reading “keeping my chin up”

I’m trying to keep my sense of humor and lightness in the middle of all this chaos and darkness. One step towards doing so is to turn off the network news. Another step is to find things to laugh about, and there are some of those in today’s entry.

The US Department of Homeland Security has set up a website to provide citizens with information on how to be prepared for a terrorist attack and what to do if one occurs. The US Department of Laughs has set up a page explaining some of the more ambiguous pictures found on the Department of Homeland Security website.

If you want to keep up with the latest news on the war in Iraq, I suggest taking a look at Warblogs:cc. It is a weblog that collects the latest information posted to several war-focused weblogs, as well as major news source headlines. One stop shopping for all your war news needs.

Some citizens of Longmont (CO) are committing a “patriot act” by organizing a “subversive book check-out” and rally protesting the USA Patriot Act. Sounds like a good idea to me! I hope it works.

Edna Fripple, librarian for the Sir Walter Raleigh Secondary School, has won this year’s “Shushy” award. Kudos to The Toque for this amusing piece of satire.

rain rain go away

It’s been pouring rain all afternoon, but now that it’s time to go, it has stopped. Good thing, too, since I didn’t bring my umbrella or rain jacket today. Several interesting things came across my email and web searches. No real connection between them other than they caught my attention. Purdue Libraries hosted five Russian … Continue reading “rain rain go away”

It’s been pouring rain all afternoon, but now that it’s time to go, it has stopped. Good thing, too, since I didn’t bring my umbrella or rain jacket today. Several interesting things came across my email and web searches. No real connection between them other than they caught my attention.

Purdue Libraries hosted five Russian librarians recently as a part of the Open World Program at the Library of Congress Center for Russian Leadership Development. One of the librarians, Anna Britayeva, said, “I think that it is great that here in the United States, people pay so much attention to the libraries, because libraries are cultural centers, and many people depend on libraries. So I think if you want your nation to become more educated, more cultured, you should build more and more libraries.” Amen, sister!

This week, an American peace activist was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer when she tried to stop them from destroying Palestinian homes in Gaza. Today at her memorial service, Israeli armored vehicles attempted to break up the peaceful mourners with tear gas and grenades. Sick and wrong.

Want to learn Welsh but having trouble? Try this illustrated dictionary, intended for those learning Welsh as a second language.

truth from the shrubbery

I refused to watch or listen to further lies coming from the mouth of the Shrubbery last night, so I put on a favorite old CD and snacked on some Thin Mints instead. I’m so frustrated with this impending war and the current administration’s ineptitude in being unable to solve their problems without being gun … Continue reading “truth from the shrubbery”

I refused to watch or listen to further lies coming from the mouth of the Shrubbery last night, so I put on a favorite old CD and snacked on some Thin Mints instead. I’m so frustrated with this impending war and the current administration’s ineptitude in being unable to solve their problems without being gun slinging cowboys itching for a fight to take the American public’s minds off of the real problems. Thank God for Michael Moore! But, enough of my soap box.

Rep. Bernie Sanders has introduced a bill to the House that would exempt libraries and bookstores from the parts of the Patriot Act that allow government agencies to monitor what you are reading without your knowledge.

I recently re-connected with an old friend over email. You should check her out – she’s a wonderful up-and-coming musician from the DC area. You can listen to some sound clips of her music at CDBaby.com (the best online music store for independent musicians, btw).

If you are looking for a great read, I recommend Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. I’m still reading it, but so far I’ve been very impressed.

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What do we want? PEACE! When do we want it? NOW!

Yesterday, I participated in my first anti-war protest. I’ve wanted to do something over the past year and half since it became obvious that Bush & Co. want to bomb the hell outta somebody so no one will pay attention to the things that really matter, such as the failing economy and political/corporate corruption. So … Continue reading “What do we want? PEACE! When do we want it? NOW!”

Yesterday, I participated in my first anti-war protest. I’ve wanted to do something over the past year and half since it became obvious that Bush & Co. want to bomb the hell outta somebody so no one will pay attention to the things that really matter, such as the failing economy and political/corporate corruption. So far, most of the reports on the demonstration (a part of the nation-wide Books Not Bombs student strike) have spent more time talking about the anti-anti-war protestors and how the protest didn’t get across the message that anti-war does not mean that the demonstrators hate people in the military. Of all the people involved in this political smoke screen, it’s the 18-year-old military recruits who are going to get screwed the most. They’re going to be the one’s risking their lives for Pappy Bush and Uncle Cheney.

Is there a case for war in Iraq? Personally, I believe that all war is immoral, but most of the world doesn’t agree with me. So, if you need more than that, take a look at these 13 myths about the case for war in Iraq.

Watch what you wear in public – you might be a target for discrimination.

Bush is out of control. Am I next?

I first started to examine what I believe about war when I was in ninth grade, attending a Mennonite high school. The Mennonite Church USA has put together a nice website for peace advocates, including a section specifically on Iraq.

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