More Starship Troopers
I'm in the library about to check it back in so now is the time to post some quotes from the book. I'm trading it in for Despair, by Nabokov.

"Under our system every voter and officeholder is a man who has demonstrated through voluntary and difficult service that he places the welfare of the group ahead of personal advantage."

"I have never been able to see how a 13-year-old moron can vote more wisely than a 15-year-old genius...but that was the age of the 'divine right of the common man.' Never mind, they paid for their folly."

"Citizenship is an attitude, a state of mind, an emotional conviction that the whole is greater than the part...and that the part should be humbly proud to sacrifice itself that the whole may live."

This last one made me think of all the people on tapes that have been captured in Iraq and I wonder if we will ever see or find a tape of a kidnappee saying "Don't change a thing, let these bastards kill me." I doubt it. Fear would wipe all that shit away.

"...those noble experiments failed because the people had been led to believe that they could simply vote for whatever they wanted...and get it, without toil, without sweat, without tears."

"Happiness consists in getting enough sleep. Just that, nothing more. All the wealthy, unhappy people you've ever met take sleeping pills..."

Motorcycle Diaries
This movie was really good, and it affected me emotionally as well. The last time (and only time) I can remember a movie doing this much damage was Gladiator and Requiem for a Dream. A lot of it reminded me of Guatemala and stuff so that probably had something to do with it. But go watch it and see for yourself, it's well worth it.

Moving Sosa
Paul Sullivan has a good idea but it's not going to happen, for a few reasons. First, the Yankees know pitching is the problem, not offense. Second, they will already have a DH (or two) next season. If they sign Beltran then Bernie is the DH. That means Giambi will have to play 1st everyday. So they can't afford to have another DH. Good idea Paul, but it won't happen.

Starship Troopers
I don't have the book on me right now, but there was some stuff I wanted to quote. The way voting works in that world is that you have to become franchised. You earn your citizenship and only then can you vote.

I had thought of this a couple of weeks ago, some sort of test to weed out the millions of idiots that are going to vote, but of course people would just study to pass the test and then vote the same idiotic way. In Starship Troopers it works because in the process of earning their right to vote the men change. It's a long process (military training) that makes them into completely different people. I don't like the idea of the military in the sense that you HAVE to do what they say, but I really like the discipline factor and comraderie. There are a lot of valuable things to learn by enrolling in that kind of venture. I would love to do it, I really would, but not when there is a threat of war. I know, I'm a pussy I guess....except I don't like getting fucked by dicks.

Team America: World Police
On Tollo (my loyal reader)'s recommendation, I went to see this movie yesterday. It was hilarious. They shit on everyone (cause they's assholes) and at the same time make their point subtly enough as not to make you feel the way you do when you watch the news nowadays (THIS IS THE TRUTH!)

Among my favorites:

THe song: Ameeeeerica, FUCK YEAH! Freedom is the only thing...Ameeeerica, FUCK YEAH!

Good stuff

Also the stereotypes in the dialogue worked perfectly since that's really all people think of when they see Arabs ("dirka dirka Allah Jihad") or the Panamanians getting washed away ("no me gusta!") You can barely hear the Panamian part but how hilarious is it to hear someone saying they don't like it that they are being killed? I laughed.

It was a fun time.

Smoking
I think I've seen every episode of this Cold Turkey show, but it's losing its grip on me. But today I was walking along, thinking about voting, the elections, the media, how it's all fucked up, comparing it to how it works in Starship Troopers, cause I just got to that part of the book (the book is completely different than the movie - please) and someone in front of me (or somewhere, it seemed to be coming from all around) was smoking. Which really bothers me. A lot. Plus it affects my breathing. Not a big deal, I'm no asthmatic, but it bothers me. And this is out on the street in the open. It happens a lot. And it got me thinking, I don't HATE smokers, that would be dumb, but it says something about the power of the addiction and the whole idea of why people start and can't stop.

These people that can't even make a decision (and in this analogy I'm talking about all Americans, not just smokers) that would help prolong their healthy lives, these same people are going to tell the world who they think should be the most powerful man in the world.

THat's scary.

Snippet
I caught a snippet of a conversation on the street today, two girls talking, I thought it worth mentioning:

- ...called me at nine in the morning!
-Last night?
-No, this morning.


Need I say more?

More Jon Stewart
Can you believe this?
The most successful company in the world indeed, and I wonder why. Wal Mart is what should be banned at Wal Mart.

Red Sox
The Red Sox have won and as some guy on public radio (in Boston) said, "All is well in the world, there is harmony in the world. God changed his jersey."

You have no idea how much satisfaction this gives people like me. Not only did the Yankees lose but they are now the ONLY team in the history of the MLB to lose a series after going up 3-0. Loved the shot of Cashman after the Damon homerun, what do you do if you are him this offseason? What more can you do? I wonder if Steinbrenner will chew out his people again. Oh this is great.

From what Neslon told me last night, people were crowding into the streets celebrating. He promised to tear something down for me. Or burn something.

Pat Robertson
"I think God's blessing him, and I think it's one of those things that, even if he stumbles and messes up -- and he's had his share of goofs and gaffes -- I just think God's blessing is on him," Robertson said. "And you remember, I think the Chinese used to say, you know, it's the blessing of heaven on the emperor. And I think the blessing of heaven is on Bush. It's just the way it is."

Can hardly blame this on Bush. I put it up more to point at how ridiculous religion is