Mel Speaks on

Right Image:Mel Gibson at a press conference recently where he ranted ad nauseum about several pressing melgibzism.

Mr G started his address with a breif and solemn statement about his being blacklisted in hollywood, among the aftermath of an abuse acusation about his subliminal cigarette salesmenship amidst apocalypto trailer airings. A fact we reported on in May (check the archives). Gibson was flustered at losing his first list spot for a position in the Ocean's 13 cast, explogazzled nonesense about World of Mideastwarcraft III, finalizing his address with some nonsense about some blob he had a crazy theory regarding. An investigation into the intial image yieled a crop of seconday investigations into the criminality of covering people in white chalk and any potential punishment for Saddam Hussein look-alike-ism under the patriot act.

The last days, and they're so excited!

Some evangelical Christians have come up with a strange and disturbing response to the wars in the Middle East: they're ecstatic! You see, apparently all this death and destruction heralds the return of their messiah... So they're celebrating. Some choice quotes fromn the Rapture Ready Message Board courtesy of Harpers.org:

Praise God! We are chosen to be in these times and also watch and spread the word. Something inside me is exploding to get out, and I don't know what it is. Its kind of like I want to do cartwheels around the neighborhood.

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In another thread, someone brought up the fact that the kidnapping of the first Israeli soldier that started this whole thing was on June 25th and if you count from that day to August 3rd.......it is *EXACTLY 40 days!!!!!*

I find that to be a HUGE coincidence.

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A question just popped in my head. Do you think children of around say 7 or 8 (but before the age of accountability) that have been indoctrinated up until that time by their parents religious beliefs will be raptured? . . . For example, would a 7 year old muslim be raptured? I know G-d will do right but I was just wondering everyone's thoughts. I hate to think of kids being left here.

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Got that dancing feeling on the inside of me.

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This is the busiest I've ever seen this website in a few years! I have been having rapture dreams and I can't believe that this is really it! We are on the edge of eternity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Whoa! I can sure feel the glory bumps after reading this thread!

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I too am soooo excited!! I get goose bumps, literally, when I watch what's going on in the M.E.!! And Watcherboy, you were so right when saying it was quite a day yesterday, in the world news, and I add in local news here in the Boston area!! Tunnel ceiling collapsed on a car and killed a woman of faith, and we had the most terrifying storms I have ever seen here!! But, yes, oh happy day, like in your screen name , it is most indeed a time to be happy and excited, right there with ya!!

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I am excited beyond words that the struggle of this life may be over soon and I can finally be FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

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This is so exciting....I'm having a hard time believing this is 'real'!

Well that's touching, isn't it?

Also, I don't know if anyone watches Glenn Beck on CNN, but he's a nutcase and not a day goes by that he doesn't mention his conviction that the 'end times' are upon us. Check it out, spliced with some craziness from other apocalypse-enthusiasts.

Trying to protect marriage? Let's DO this thing!

Bigots, who prefer to call themselves 'social conservatives', have been up in arms for years about gay marriage. We've heard the arguments: allowing gays to marry would degrade this 'holy institution', and possibly destroy civilization. But the proponents of an amendment to the constitution to ban gay marriage swear up and down the aisle that they are not homophobic, rather they profess to have 'Traditional American Values'. This study, on the other hand, shows that dislike of gay people is a much more influential factor in one's stance on the issue:

When one shifts from strongly opposing equality for women to strongly supporting equality (i.e., the maximum possible shift on this scale), the probability of support for gay marriage increases by about .26. That is to say, the change that one will support gay marriage increases by 26%.

When one shifts from strong aversion to gays/lesbians to strong affinity for gays/lesbians (i.e., the maximum possible shift on this scale), the probability of support for gay marriage increases by about .74.

Maybe, just MAYBE one's stance against gay marriage is about traditional values and not a cynically hidden bigotry. In that case, I suggest you support Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.) in his effort to create an amendment that treats marriage as the inviolable bond conservativesa suggest it is:

"Marriage is for life, and this amendment needs to include that basic tenant. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I think we should expand the scope of the amendment to outlaw divorce in this country. Going further Mr. Speaker, I believe in fidelity. Adultery is an evil that threatens the marriage and the heart of every marriage, which is commitment.

"How can we as a country allow adulterers to go unpunished and continue to make a mockery of marriage? Again by doing so, what lessons are we teaching our children about marriage? I certainly think that it shows we are not serious about protecting the institution and this is why I think the amendment should outlaw adultery and make it a felony. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, we must address spousal abuse and child abuse. Think of how many marriages end in a divorce or permanent separation because one spouse is abusive.

"And, Mr. Speaker, I personally think child abuse may be the most despicable act one can commit. This is why if we are truly serious about protecting marriage to the point we will amend the constitution, we should extend the punishment of abuse to prevent those who do such a hideous act from ever running for an elected position anywhere.

"We should also prevent those who commit adultery, or get a divorce, from running for office. Mr. Speaker, this House must lead by example. If we want those watching on CSPAN to actually believe we are serious about protecting marriage, then we should go after the other major threats to the institution. Not just the threat that homosexuals may some day be allowed to marry in a state other than Massachusetts. An elected official should certainly lead by example."

While this is certainly tongue-in-cheek, it adroitly points out the hypocrisy going on. It's all or nothing, people.

UPDATE: J. Clifford has put up video of Rep. Davis' speech. Apparently this fool voted FOR the ban, and was merely pointing out what he saw as shortcomings in the bill. Congressmen are so foolish sometimes it's impossible to tell between sincerity, pandering, or satire!

My posts here have gotten real short lately

TV on the Radio (!!!)

TV on The Radio's unfortunately-titled new album, 'Return to Cookie Mountain' has been available on the internet for months, but it just went to retail, so it's FINALLY safe to talk about it. So here goes:

TV on the Radio is the perfect band for the 21st century. They have such heavy beats one could only describe them as funky fresh. They've been around a little while, this is their third LP, I would say their best. The guitars are crunchy, not TOO crunchy, but enough to push you around a little. Beautifully orchestrated, wonderfully produced, 'Return to Cookie Mountain' sounds like nothing you've ever heard before. And the lyrics. OH the lyrics. Tunde Adebimpe is a poet AND a scholar. He's got a great set of pipes as well.
Some quotes from review sites:
"a monster and a masterpiece"

NME (9/10)

"this album has such an incredible pull"

Pitchfork (9.1)

"a delight - an experimental album with a pop heart"

The Guardian (4/5)

"spellbinding ... wonderful"

Observer Music Monthly (4/5)

"evidence of fearless imaginations at play, Cookie Mountain is a triumph of psychedelic melody, drone and eerie groove"

Watch this video announcing the CD's release. It has David Cross in it!

HAMDAN V RUMSFELD

Recently the Supreme Court ruled that the Executive branch does not have the power to organize military tribunals for the inmates at Guantanamo Bay (thanks to Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift), who may or may not be terrorists, we're not sure. At issue is the system of checks and balances the founders put in place to counter monarchic and dictatorial tendencies, very much the style of the Bush administration. You see, according to the constitution, the executive branch must appeal to CONGRESS in order to hold a military tribunal, which the administration did not do. The supreme court also upheld our adherence to the Geneva Convention. According to the constitution, as a treaty, it is to be followed 'as the supreme law of the land'. LATimes:

One of the most significant sections of Justice John Paul Stevens' majority opinion declared that the conflict with Al Qaeda is covered by Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention, which requires that detainees be judged by "a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples." (Article 3 also casts doubt on the legality of aggressive interrogation techniques at Guantanamo because it prohibits "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment.")

So, there you go. We're actually humans, we Americans. Thank God.

A better wall plug?

Look at this. Is this a good idea? I think it is. Originally designed for geezers who can't bend over far enough to plug in their Craftmatic adjustable beds, this design is POWERFULLY ergonomic. Ha. Get it? Alright, moving on.

Seriously, I would love my house to be outfitted with these things. You know when you can't use the lower plug because an over-large power-adapter is in the higher spot, blocking your way? Well, worry no more. Your power plugs are free!

Dear Fabio

France beats Brasil!