I got the call at 2:30 this morning informing me of Hunter S. Thompson's death by a self inflicted gunshot wound. Apparently a suicide but I also wouldn't be suprised if, given his penchant for handling firearms while extremely drunk, it were an accident. At least that's what I try to tell myself. The TV news of course mentions his authorship of "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas" which is a fantastic piece of work but by far his best and most important work was his startling and brilliant political writing and his lifelong mission of warning Americans of the looming danger of fascism and the crimes and real agenda of the far right. It must have been hard for him to send out warning after warning for 30 years and to see things turn out the way they have. While current events are disturbingly similar to the textbook definition of fascism, thankfully we are still a long way from mobs of uniformed Republicans firebombing Democrat owned businesses and lynching their owners as happened in fascist Italy and other places through history.
Nonetheless he was the epitome of the qualities that (to me at least) define a great American- eccentric, defiant, free spirited and willing to stick his neck out in the defense of the ideals that truly represent the promise of democracy. Freedom of mind, freedom of spirit, opposition to bigotry and greed, and standing up for those of us who are powerless to control our own destiny. Regardless of what has been done in "our" name, and whether or not you approve of it, America is more than a place, it is more than a color scheme, it represents the possibility and the right of ALL people to prosper and live free.
We owe it to him to never give up and to stand up for what we believe and to realize the promise of humanity. We owe it to him, to Marting Luther King, to Bobby Kennedy, William Wallace, Che Guevara, Crazy Horse, our founding fathers, our veterans and all those who have stuck their necks out for the crazy ideas of freedom and justice.
So toss one back and toss one over your shoulder for the old man, this ain't over yet.....
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Death
This has been a couple of difficult months. Someone that I've known for almost 31 years is dying, and it's just breaking my heart.
I don't know if you've ever had to be a caregiver to an adult that needs to be fed, bathed, and carried around, but it is the hardest damn thing to do in the world. Especially when they say that they are ready to die.
I'm trying to hang in there, but it's difficult. It's hard watching people that I love not taking care of themselves; hell, I'm doing it, too, but I'm young and not on any daily meds. I wish that I could espouse more about the situation, but I just don't wanna get too personal on my blog.
Anyway, If you're the type that has never been through this, I don't know what to say. I can say that for me, even though this process, this thing of trying to help someone comfortably reach the afterlife, the otherside, death, the great never, heaven, is something that I will never forget and that will shape me for the rest of my own life. There's also something good about being able to be there for that person, because that person has allowed you to be a part of this process that we all must go through at some time. (Where are the nanobots??? 'Scuze my slight tanget, there...)
Yes, there is something beautiful about being able to take care of someone that you love while they are dying. Sometimes it's hard to see it while you look at the catheter coming out of their body, or the blue spots that are forming on their legs, or the congestion that never quite leaves their chest. You can hold their hand and weep and feel so much pain, and you can go in to work and think about it and feel the pain and the tears start running down your face 'cause it is so fucking hard to deal with. But you can be grateful that you are able to be there and that you have had the chance to forgive them, and be forgiven for all of the unavoidable fucked up things that will happen in relationships, and maybe, just maybe, when the emotions get put on hold for a second, or they are so drained that the logic has gotta drive for a little while, you can look back at the good things that the person did in your life, and allow them the freedom to leave when they are ready to go.
Letting go.... that is the hardest for those that are left behind.
I don't know if you've ever had to be a caregiver to an adult that needs to be fed, bathed, and carried around, but it is the hardest damn thing to do in the world. Especially when they say that they are ready to die.
I'm trying to hang in there, but it's difficult. It's hard watching people that I love not taking care of themselves; hell, I'm doing it, too, but I'm young and not on any daily meds. I wish that I could espouse more about the situation, but I just don't wanna get too personal on my blog.
Anyway, If you're the type that has never been through this, I don't know what to say. I can say that for me, even though this process, this thing of trying to help someone comfortably reach the afterlife, the otherside, death, the great never, heaven, is something that I will never forget and that will shape me for the rest of my own life. There's also something good about being able to be there for that person, because that person has allowed you to be a part of this process that we all must go through at some time. (Where are the nanobots??? 'Scuze my slight tanget, there...)
Yes, there is something beautiful about being able to take care of someone that you love while they are dying. Sometimes it's hard to see it while you look at the catheter coming out of their body, or the blue spots that are forming on their legs, or the congestion that never quite leaves their chest. You can hold their hand and weep and feel so much pain, and you can go in to work and think about it and feel the pain and the tears start running down your face 'cause it is so fucking hard to deal with. But you can be grateful that you are able to be there and that you have had the chance to forgive them, and be forgiven for all of the unavoidable fucked up things that will happen in relationships, and maybe, just maybe, when the emotions get put on hold for a second, or they are so drained that the logic has gotta drive for a little while, you can look back at the good things that the person did in your life, and allow them the freedom to leave when they are ready to go.
Letting go.... that is the hardest for those that are left behind.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
No more pollitix on the 'net, girls n' boys.....
Shamlessly lifted from DRUDGE:
FEC May Tighten Restrictions On Internet Political Activity
Mon Feb 14 2005 10:38:41 ET
The Federal Election Commission next month will begin looking at tightening restrictions on political activities on the Internet, ROLL CALL reports Monday.
The FEC is planning to examine the question of how Internet activities, when coordinated with candidates' campaigns, fit into the definition of 'public communications.
Specifically, the FEC is planning to examine the question of how Internet activities, when coordinated with candidates' campaigns, fit into the definition of "public communications." While coordinated communications are considered campaign contributions and therefore subject to strict contribution limits, current FEC regulations adopted in 2002 carve out an exemption for coordinated political communications that are transmitted over the Internet.
Developing...
FEC May Tighten Restrictions On Internet Political Activity
Mon Feb 14 2005 10:38:41 ET
The Federal Election Commission next month will begin looking at tightening restrictions on political activities on the Internet, ROLL CALL reports Monday.
The FEC is planning to examine the question of how Internet activities, when coordinated with candidates' campaigns, fit into the definition of 'public communications.
Specifically, the FEC is planning to examine the question of how Internet activities, when coordinated with candidates' campaigns, fit into the definition of "public communications." While coordinated communications are considered campaign contributions and therefore subject to strict contribution limits, current FEC regulations adopted in 2002 carve out an exemption for coordinated political communications that are transmitted over the Internet.
Developing...
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Alabama Would Prohibit Gay Books in Libraries
Hello again folks in 'netland. Here is something that a friend of mine sent to me, and I thought it very worthy of posting. I do not know the original source of the article, whom I gladly acknowledge. Anyone with knowledge of the author, please post a comment so that they can receive credit.
Now read and prepare to get very, very, very fucking angry:
A bill introduced February 1 by Alabama State Rep. Gerald Allen
(R-Cottondale) seeks to prohibit public libraries, schools, and
universities from purchasing books or other materials that promote gay
culture or feature gay characters. HB30 would make it a Class A
misdemeanor to purchase, produce, or promote “printed or electronic
materials or activities that sanction, recognize, foster, or promote a
lifestyle or actions prohibited by the sodomy and sexual misconduct laws
of the state.”
Allen had announced the bill at a press conference last November, two
months before the legislative session began, explaining that his intent
was to remove from library shelves any novel with a gay protagonist or any
college textbook that suggests homosexuality is natural. “I guess we dig a
big hole and dump them in and bury them,” he said in the December 1
Birmingham News.
University of Alabama Associate Theater Professor Peder Melhuse said in
the January 10 Crimson White campus newspaper that he doubted the bill
would pass, but “if it did go through, I would certainly go out of my way
to choose and vote for [productions] that went right in the face of the
law.”
The bill contains language asserting that it is not a “prior restraint of
the First Amendment protected speech” since it applies only to public
institutions “in the use of public funds and public facilities.” It also
makes its provisions severable, meaning that if any part of the law is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other parts would not be affected.
Now read and prepare to get very, very, very fucking angry:
A bill introduced February 1 by Alabama State Rep. Gerald Allen
(R-Cottondale) seeks to prohibit public libraries, schools, and
universities from purchasing books or other materials that promote gay
culture or feature gay characters. HB30 would make it a Class A
misdemeanor to purchase, produce, or promote “printed or electronic
materials or activities that sanction, recognize, foster, or promote a
lifestyle or actions prohibited by the sodomy and sexual misconduct laws
of the state.”
Allen had announced the bill at a press conference last November, two
months before the legislative session began, explaining that his intent
was to remove from library shelves any novel with a gay protagonist or any
college textbook that suggests homosexuality is natural. “I guess we dig a
big hole and dump them in and bury them,” he said in the December 1
Birmingham News.
University of Alabama Associate Theater Professor Peder Melhuse said in
the January 10 Crimson White campus newspaper that he doubted the bill
would pass, but “if it did go through, I would certainly go out of my way
to choose and vote for [productions] that went right in the face of the
law.”
The bill contains language asserting that it is not a “prior restraint of
the First Amendment protected speech” since it applies only to public
institutions “in the use of public funds and public facilities.” It also
makes its provisions severable, meaning that if any part of the law is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other parts would not be affected.
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