Ahnold Wouldn't have A Chance

Here's my choice for Governor of California if this recall thing goes through.

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Ahnold Wouldn't have A Chance

Here's my choice for Governor of California if this recall thing goes through.

( Error: Irreparable invalid markup in entry. Raw contents behind the cut. )

(no subject)

I have had little progress in either my job hunt or in revising my capstone for publication, and, last night, was on the edge of succumbing to Existential Angst. quelonzia, in the meantime, has had the usual array of irritations at her job.

Quel and I went to bed early, and, as we sometimes do, curled up together and talked. Somehow, our conversation about our mutual frustration and dismay segued into happy laughter.

Years ago, as a child, I memorized one of Shakespeare's sonnets. My reason was entirely mercenary: the local Rennaisance Faire was offering free admission to those under a certain age who could recite one of the Bard's verses. The one that I chose remains one of my favorites -- and truly captures my my feelings for my Prism Dragon.

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf Heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least:
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee,--and then my state
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings'.

I love you, Fire of my Heart. Your love is magic. You make the world right.

(no subject)

I have had little progress in either my job hunt or in revising my capstone for publication, and, last night, was on the edge of succumbing to Existential Angst. quelonzia, in the meantime, has had the usual array of irritations at her job.

Quel and I went to bed early, and, as we sometimes do, curled up together and talked. Somehow, our conversation about our mutual frustration and dismay segued into happy laughter.

Years ago, as a child, I memorized one of Shakespeare's sonnets. My reason was entirely mercenary: the local Rennaisance Faire was offering free admission to those under a certain age who could recite one of the Bard's verses. The one that I chose remains one of my favorites -- and truly captures my my feelings for my Prism Dragon.

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf Heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least:
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee,--and then my state
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings'.

I love you, Fire of my Heart. Your love is magic. You make the world right.

A Democracy of Fear

I originally started composing this in response to something in rain_luong's LJ, in which he stated his opinion that the people who voted for Nader cost Gore the election. I decided to post it here, instead -- while, arguably, more people read Rain's journal than my own, I didn't want it getting buried in the hundred-plus responses that thread has generated.

Nader did not "cost Gore the election." Nader voters didn't "waste their vote."

It's more accurate to say that the huge proportion of people who didn't vote at all cost Gore the election.

It's much more accurate to say that Gore cost Gore the election, by not providing sufficient motivation for that vast majority. Gore, and the "New Democrats", the people who decided that the only way to compete against the Hard-Core Right-Wingers was to move to the middle.

Maybe if the Democrats had the balls to stand for something again, to be something more than Not Republican, they could actually have motivated some of the people who Just Don't Give A Damn Anymore -- the people who've given up.

Yes, I put my vote in for Gore. Even after the insanity of Dubya's reign, though, I'm not entirely sure that I should have. Gore and the rest of the New Democrats aren't exactly The People's Friends -- they just align themselves with different corporations. I have no doubt that Gore would have proved the lesser of two evils -- but not that he would be a "good". His "moderate" politics favor the RIAA, Carnivore, the WTO, and "most favored nation" status for the World's Largest New Market, despite its dismal human rights record.

The difference between the Republicans and the New Democrats is that the New Democrats prefer more prosperous, contented serfs.

I let myself be governed by fear in 2000, fear of the specter of a Conservative-dominated Supreme Court and the "lasting damage" that could result if a Republican President appointed another member.

I did not vote FOR Gore. I voted AGAINST Bush.

And that's wrong. That's not the way democracy is supposed to work. That's not the way this nation is supposed to work. We're supposed to make these decisions based on who'll do the most good, not the least damage.

I am tired of the Lesser of Two Evils. I'm tired of having to vote against candidates, because neither of the dominant party have anyone I can vote for.

I will not succumb to a "Democracy" ruled by Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.

A Democracy of Fear

I originally started composing this in response to something in rain_luong's LJ, in which he stated his opinion that the people who voted for Nader cost Gore the election. I decided to post it here, instead -- while, arguably, more people read Rain's journal than my own, I didn't want it getting buried in the hundred-plus responses that thread has generated.

Nader did not "cost Gore the election." Nader voters didn't "waste their vote."

It's more accurate to say that the huge proportion of people who didn't vote at all cost Gore the election.

It's much more accurate to say that Gore cost Gore the election, by not providing sufficient motivation for that vast majority. Gore, and the "New Democrats", the people who decided that the only way to compete against the Hard-Core Right-Wingers was to move to the middle.

Maybe if the Democrats had the balls to stand for something again, to be something more than Not Republican, they could actually have motivated some of the people who Just Don't Give A Damn Anymore -- the people who've given up.

Yes, I put my vote in for Gore. Even after the insanity of Dubya's reign, though, I'm not entirely sure that I should have. Gore and the rest of the New Democrats aren't exactly The People's Friends -- they just align themselves with different corporations. I have no doubt that Gore would have proved the lesser of two evils -- but not that he would be a "good". His "moderate" politics favor the RIAA, Carnivore, the WTO, and "most favored nation" status for the World's Largest New Market, despite its dismal human rights record.

The difference between the Republicans and the New Democrats is that the New Democrats prefer more prosperous, contented serfs.

I let myself be governed by fear in 2000, fear of the specter of a Conservative-dominated Supreme Court and the "lasting damage" that could result if a Republican President appointed another member.

I did not vote FOR Gore. I voted AGAINST Bush.

And that's wrong. That's not the way democracy is supposed to work. That's not the way this nation is supposed to work. We're supposed to make these decisions based on who'll do the most good, not the least damage.

I am tired of the Lesser of Two Evils. I'm tired of having to vote against candidates, because neither of the dominant party have anyone I can vote for.

I will not succumb to a "Democracy" ruled by Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.