Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Oziana 2011.
The 2011 issue of Oziana has been released featuring the much expanded and improved "Jenny Everywhere In Oz" featuring amazing illustrations by Alejandro Garcia. To find out more about Oziana, go here. It's a great honor to have my work in such a great publication.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
My Post Riot Prescription for the UK
Since last week’s riots here in London and around England, people have been talking a lot about the societal sickness inflicting the UK and are prescribing all sorts of remedies. I love being a know-it-all and thought I’d give it a crack as well. Here’s my ideas on how to fix this country.
1. Fix the Welfare System – The UK has too many people living off the dole and doing nothing else. Generations have been raised on benefits as their sole source of income and this generational stagnation and sense of entitlement is at the heart of the matter. I propose transforming the benefits system into a Work-Fare program. The nation has no end of things that need tidied up or maintained. Every able bodied person receiving benefits and not working would be put into a civic work force that will be on hand to work on behalf of the community alongside and under the supervision of council and government employees. A formula would be worked out to assign work hours according to the amount of benefits received. Disabled and elderly people, of course, would be exempt from service. Women with children under 2 years old would also be exempt. People already with jobs would just have to provide verification of employment on a regular basis and go along with business as usual. If welfare recipients choose to not find outside employment, they would be able to work indefinitely in the Work Fare system. This would instill in people, especially the younger generation, that you have to work for what you receive. It would create a stronger work ethic, sense of urgency and pride in the benefit recipient class.
2.Make Kids Go To School – Right now, kids can leave school at a much too young age. This creates a whole mess of teenage kids with no place to go, no job opportunities, no responsibilities and tons of unharnessed energy. Make it mandatory for kids under the age of 18 to attend school. A child not receiving an education can not be tolerated.
3.Drop Tuition Fees – Cameron really screwed up by jacking up tuition fees. Drop the fees back to their lowest possible point and then provide grants to cover the gap for the poorest of students.
4.Mandatory Post-Secondary Education/Training: Kids graduating from Secondary School should not be allowed to just put on a track suit and Chav out for the rest of their lives. They need to go on to university, technical college, training program or the military.
5.Immigration Reforms – The UK can not just allow every body in the world to pitch camp and call it home.
a. Cut defense spending by 20% and allocate that money to Immigration and Policing.
b. Hire thousands of new police and immigration officers.
c. Create tighter security at all points of entry.
d. Enlist the military in border security.
e. Track down all expired visas and give their holders the immediate boot.
f. Pass legislation allowing only skilled and essential workers to be granted citizenship.
g. Pass legislation allowing visas to issued to skilled and essential workers.
i. Of course folks like the Gurkhas, who have a separate deal are exempt.
h. Mass deportations of illegals to send a message to either apply the legal way or get out.
i. Streamline the process of applying for citizenship.
6. Promote Progress – Cultural relativism can only be taken so far. Any cultural values brought into the nation that clash with the liberal, secular, Western values of the nation should not be allowed to be practiced. Full on Burqas should not be worn for security reasons. Spousal abuse and child abuse can not be tolerated – no matter how accepted they are by an immigrant’s native culture. I’d personally extend this to things like tribal scaring and the more a culturally accepted practice of circumcision. Also not to be tolerated is hate speech in public forums, homophobic practices etc. This is a Western nation with Western values of tolerance and those values need to be promoted. If people can not abide by those laws then they need to find other shores to wash up on. This can be extended to home grown groups like English Defense and BNP, whose actions need to carefully observed and recorded by the government to prevent any kind of terrorist or criminal actions.
7.Decriminalize Drugs:
a. Legalize Marijuana – Too much money is spent policing this harmless, especially compared to booze and tobacco. Legalize it. Sell it like booze in licensed shops. Kill the black market for weed and end the criminal enterprises surrounding it, while at the same time make some nice coin off the taxes on it.
i. Use money raised by pot sales to help fund NHS drug addiction treatment centers.
b. Treat Substance Abuse As A Health Issue – Free up space in prisons by treating users medically and therapeutically.
c. Make Drug Dealing A Tax Crime – Chase down dealers for avoiding paying their taxes.
8.Education Reform – Stop focusing on national exams and focus on teaching the subject matter. Get rid of those awful 11+, GCSE and A Level exams. They just encourage schools to teach for the exam. Put together a single standard test for students moving on to College from Secondary School to replace the myriad GCSEs. Have a single A Level exam for students moving on from College for students moving on to University. Very simple and allows for teachers and schools to address the real educational needs of their students without the stress of constant exams.
These steps will create a cohesive society of people sharing in the progressive, Western culture of the UK, prevent young people entering the adult world without any marketable skills, allows young people time to mature before entering the adult world, stops creating criminals through the enforcement of victimless “crimes”, prevents overcrowding in schools and housing, reduces the strain on the public benefits system and creates a healthier education system.
1. Fix the Welfare System – The UK has too many people living off the dole and doing nothing else. Generations have been raised on benefits as their sole source of income and this generational stagnation and sense of entitlement is at the heart of the matter. I propose transforming the benefits system into a Work-Fare program. The nation has no end of things that need tidied up or maintained. Every able bodied person receiving benefits and not working would be put into a civic work force that will be on hand to work on behalf of the community alongside and under the supervision of council and government employees. A formula would be worked out to assign work hours according to the amount of benefits received. Disabled and elderly people, of course, would be exempt from service. Women with children under 2 years old would also be exempt. People already with jobs would just have to provide verification of employment on a regular basis and go along with business as usual. If welfare recipients choose to not find outside employment, they would be able to work indefinitely in the Work Fare system. This would instill in people, especially the younger generation, that you have to work for what you receive. It would create a stronger work ethic, sense of urgency and pride in the benefit recipient class.
2.Make Kids Go To School – Right now, kids can leave school at a much too young age. This creates a whole mess of teenage kids with no place to go, no job opportunities, no responsibilities and tons of unharnessed energy. Make it mandatory for kids under the age of 18 to attend school. A child not receiving an education can not be tolerated.
3.Drop Tuition Fees – Cameron really screwed up by jacking up tuition fees. Drop the fees back to their lowest possible point and then provide grants to cover the gap for the poorest of students.
4.Mandatory Post-Secondary Education/Training: Kids graduating from Secondary School should not be allowed to just put on a track suit and Chav out for the rest of their lives. They need to go on to university, technical college, training program or the military.
5.Immigration Reforms – The UK can not just allow every body in the world to pitch camp and call it home.
a. Cut defense spending by 20% and allocate that money to Immigration and Policing.
b. Hire thousands of new police and immigration officers.
c. Create tighter security at all points of entry.
d. Enlist the military in border security.
e. Track down all expired visas and give their holders the immediate boot.
f. Pass legislation allowing only skilled and essential workers to be granted citizenship.
g. Pass legislation allowing visas to issued to skilled and essential workers.
i. Of course folks like the Gurkhas, who have a separate deal are exempt.
h. Mass deportations of illegals to send a message to either apply the legal way or get out.
i. Streamline the process of applying for citizenship.
6. Promote Progress – Cultural relativism can only be taken so far. Any cultural values brought into the nation that clash with the liberal, secular, Western values of the nation should not be allowed to be practiced. Full on Burqas should not be worn for security reasons. Spousal abuse and child abuse can not be tolerated – no matter how accepted they are by an immigrant’s native culture. I’d personally extend this to things like tribal scaring and the more a culturally accepted practice of circumcision. Also not to be tolerated is hate speech in public forums, homophobic practices etc. This is a Western nation with Western values of tolerance and those values need to be promoted. If people can not abide by those laws then they need to find other shores to wash up on. This can be extended to home grown groups like English Defense and BNP, whose actions need to carefully observed and recorded by the government to prevent any kind of terrorist or criminal actions.
7.Decriminalize Drugs:
a. Legalize Marijuana – Too much money is spent policing this harmless, especially compared to booze and tobacco. Legalize it. Sell it like booze in licensed shops. Kill the black market for weed and end the criminal enterprises surrounding it, while at the same time make some nice coin off the taxes on it.
i. Use money raised by pot sales to help fund NHS drug addiction treatment centers.
b. Treat Substance Abuse As A Health Issue – Free up space in prisons by treating users medically and therapeutically.
c. Make Drug Dealing A Tax Crime – Chase down dealers for avoiding paying their taxes.
8.Education Reform – Stop focusing on national exams and focus on teaching the subject matter. Get rid of those awful 11+, GCSE and A Level exams. They just encourage schools to teach for the exam. Put together a single standard test for students moving on to College from Secondary School to replace the myriad GCSEs. Have a single A Level exam for students moving on from College for students moving on to University. Very simple and allows for teachers and schools to address the real educational needs of their students without the stress of constant exams.
These steps will create a cohesive society of people sharing in the progressive, Western culture of the UK, prevent young people entering the adult world without any marketable skills, allows young people time to mature before entering the adult world, stops creating criminals through the enforcement of victimless “crimes”, prevents overcrowding in schools and housing, reduces the strain on the public benefits system and creates a healthier education system.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Tragic end of King Rupert
The current crisis engulfing Rupert Murdoch's Newscorp media empire here in the UK has the potential to be the story of 2011.
For those not in the know, King Rupert is the Australian born and naturalized American (for business purposes) Billionaire that controls a vast global media empire which includes 20th Century Fox Studios, Fox television network, Fox News, Wall Street Journal, New York Post and numerous other media outlets around the world. In the UK his News International subsidiary operates News Corps' British holdings which include(d) The Sun, News of the World and The Sunday Times.
For a complete list News Corps holdings check this out.
Anyhoo, back in the mid-2000s, scandals erupted over News of the World journalists and editors working with a private investigator to hack the phones of members the royal family and other celebrities, among whom were Sienna Miller and Hugh Grant. The issue was brought to the police to investigate but the then heads of London's Metropolitain Police claimed there was not enough evidence of wide spread phone hacking and criminal invasion of privacy to warrant a bigger investigation. News International settled out of court with Sienna Miller, Hugh Grant and six other celebrities who had their privacy violated by News of the World staff under the guidance of then Editor-in-Chief Rebekah Brooks.
Unfortunately for King Rupert, the scandal would not go away and in 2010 he announced plans for News Corps to add to its empire by purchasing the 61% of BSkyB (the UK's major satellite network). The bid had to be approved by the government and with the opprobrium hanging over News International (now headed by Rebekah Brooks) it seemed like their could be some hitches in the plan.
According to The Guardian, in 2010 Murdoch, who as a staunch supporter and friend of former prime minster and Labour Party head Tony Blair, saw Blair's replacement Gordon Brown as a kind of Judas that betrayed his political lap dog, offered to end his media war on Brown and Labour if he would work to end the investigations into News of the World's phone hacking and police bribary policy. Brown refused and Murdoch continued on with his war which managed to take out enough damage on Brown that it cost him enough votes that he was not able to form a coalition government with the Liberal-Democrats, resulting in the current mess of a government running the UK.
Then it happened, King Rupert could not hold back the floodgates for ever. Things exploded into public view when it was discovered that News of the World reporters were hacking the phones of murder victims, politicians and the families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. There was a massive outcry and in an attempt to stop the bleeding, King Rupert closed the News of the World after over a century of being in the newspaper business, resulting hundreds of good people losing their jobs. Meanwhile, Rebekah Brooks, who was the head of the entire News International operation remains in her high paying gig.
There is much speculation that King Rupert is protecting Brooks at all cost in order to keep her from having to testify against her boss, James Murdoch, King Rupert's son and possible heir. If King Rupert is out to save Prince James' neck, then he must also be quite aware of the extent of the corruption and criminality in his media empire. So far, a handful of News International employees have gone to prison for their actions. If they were operating under orders that came straight from the top, then that means the man sitting on top of the pyramid is also guilty of the same crimes.
While King Rupert and Prince James going to the clink is still far-fetched, the situation has turned pretty sour pretty fast for the News Corps Empire. He has managed to do something that might not have happened since World War II and the London Blitz - the political parties of the UK are united on a single issue. The Liberal-Democrats, Labour and Tories have joined to oppose News Corps' purchase BSkyB. The pressure has forced King Rupert to abandon his plans to buy the satellite network and the three parties are proposing legislation to limit media ownership to prevent the domination of the market by a single entity, such as Murdoch's empire. Brooks and King Rupert have agreed to appear before the House of Commons but when seems unsure. Meanwhile, the police officers who sold information or seemed to work on behalf of News International to confound investigations into its criminal activities are being brought out into the light of day. In Australia, spurred on by the UK scandals, parliament is discussing laws to limit media ownership. In America, where Murdoch's most digusting apparatus (Fox News) operates, Democratic senators are discussing possible investigations of News Corps to see if they have been just as criminal on that side of the Atlantic as this one.
If nothing else happens, King Rupert has lost News of the World and full ownership of BSkyB. It seems impossible for Rebekah Brooks to retain her position. He has also reinvigorated the Labour Party by providing party leader Ed Milliband, who had been performing some what lacklusterly, with an issue that he could take ahold of and lead a charge. While Prime Minister (and pal of Murdoch) David Cameron has appeared to be stumbling with the issue of playing catch up with Miliband and Labour. Even Nick Clegg and his much belaboured Liberal-Democrats have been given a boost thanks to their long opposition to King Rupert's attempts at total media dominance of the UK. Cameron's "Big Society" has flopped coming out of the gate. The coalition government has been wobbly for quite some time now and with an insurgent Lib-Dems and Labour, its quite possible that the coalition will break up. If this happens then the Tories would not have enough seats to rule. Lib-Dems and Labour could call a vote of no-confidence on Cameron, remove him and then form a new, leftist coalition which would be very opposed to giving King Rupert any breaks.
Meanwhile, swamped by scandal and under investigation, News Corp's right-wing media machine in America maybe a lot less likely to participate in its insane agenda of propaganda and fear mongering during the 2012 elections, allowing the Democrats to actually campaign on the issues and not defending themselves from the bizarre claims of whack jobs like Bill O'Reilly etc. This of course would give Obama and the Democrats a huge edge over the extremist rhetoric of today's GOP.
Could King Rupert's troubles lead to a resurgence of the Left in America and UK? Stay tuned . . .
For those not in the know, King Rupert is the Australian born and naturalized American (for business purposes) Billionaire that controls a vast global media empire which includes 20th Century Fox Studios, Fox television network, Fox News, Wall Street Journal, New York Post and numerous other media outlets around the world. In the UK his News International subsidiary operates News Corps' British holdings which include(d) The Sun, News of the World and The Sunday Times.
For a complete list News Corps holdings check this out.
Anyhoo, back in the mid-2000s, scandals erupted over News of the World journalists and editors working with a private investigator to hack the phones of members the royal family and other celebrities, among whom were Sienna Miller and Hugh Grant. The issue was brought to the police to investigate but the then heads of London's Metropolitain Police claimed there was not enough evidence of wide spread phone hacking and criminal invasion of privacy to warrant a bigger investigation. News International settled out of court with Sienna Miller, Hugh Grant and six other celebrities who had their privacy violated by News of the World staff under the guidance of then Editor-in-Chief Rebekah Brooks.
Unfortunately for King Rupert, the scandal would not go away and in 2010 he announced plans for News Corps to add to its empire by purchasing the 61% of BSkyB (the UK's major satellite network). The bid had to be approved by the government and with the opprobrium hanging over News International (now headed by Rebekah Brooks) it seemed like their could be some hitches in the plan.
According to The Guardian, in 2010 Murdoch, who as a staunch supporter and friend of former prime minster and Labour Party head Tony Blair, saw Blair's replacement Gordon Brown as a kind of Judas that betrayed his political lap dog, offered to end his media war on Brown and Labour if he would work to end the investigations into News of the World's phone hacking and police bribary policy. Brown refused and Murdoch continued on with his war which managed to take out enough damage on Brown that it cost him enough votes that he was not able to form a coalition government with the Liberal-Democrats, resulting in the current mess of a government running the UK.
Then it happened, King Rupert could not hold back the floodgates for ever. Things exploded into public view when it was discovered that News of the World reporters were hacking the phones of murder victims, politicians and the families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. There was a massive outcry and in an attempt to stop the bleeding, King Rupert closed the News of the World after over a century of being in the newspaper business, resulting hundreds of good people losing their jobs. Meanwhile, Rebekah Brooks, who was the head of the entire News International operation remains in her high paying gig.
There is much speculation that King Rupert is protecting Brooks at all cost in order to keep her from having to testify against her boss, James Murdoch, King Rupert's son and possible heir. If King Rupert is out to save Prince James' neck, then he must also be quite aware of the extent of the corruption and criminality in his media empire. So far, a handful of News International employees have gone to prison for their actions. If they were operating under orders that came straight from the top, then that means the man sitting on top of the pyramid is also guilty of the same crimes.
While King Rupert and Prince James going to the clink is still far-fetched, the situation has turned pretty sour pretty fast for the News Corps Empire. He has managed to do something that might not have happened since World War II and the London Blitz - the political parties of the UK are united on a single issue. The Liberal-Democrats, Labour and Tories have joined to oppose News Corps' purchase BSkyB. The pressure has forced King Rupert to abandon his plans to buy the satellite network and the three parties are proposing legislation to limit media ownership to prevent the domination of the market by a single entity, such as Murdoch's empire. Brooks and King Rupert have agreed to appear before the House of Commons but when seems unsure. Meanwhile, the police officers who sold information or seemed to work on behalf of News International to confound investigations into its criminal activities are being brought out into the light of day. In Australia, spurred on by the UK scandals, parliament is discussing laws to limit media ownership. In America, where Murdoch's most digusting apparatus (Fox News) operates, Democratic senators are discussing possible investigations of News Corps to see if they have been just as criminal on that side of the Atlantic as this one.
If nothing else happens, King Rupert has lost News of the World and full ownership of BSkyB. It seems impossible for Rebekah Brooks to retain her position. He has also reinvigorated the Labour Party by providing party leader Ed Milliband, who had been performing some what lacklusterly, with an issue that he could take ahold of and lead a charge. While Prime Minister (and pal of Murdoch) David Cameron has appeared to be stumbling with the issue of playing catch up with Miliband and Labour. Even Nick Clegg and his much belaboured Liberal-Democrats have been given a boost thanks to their long opposition to King Rupert's attempts at total media dominance of the UK. Cameron's "Big Society" has flopped coming out of the gate. The coalition government has been wobbly for quite some time now and with an insurgent Lib-Dems and Labour, its quite possible that the coalition will break up. If this happens then the Tories would not have enough seats to rule. Lib-Dems and Labour could call a vote of no-confidence on Cameron, remove him and then form a new, leftist coalition which would be very opposed to giving King Rupert any breaks.
Meanwhile, swamped by scandal and under investigation, News Corp's right-wing media machine in America maybe a lot less likely to participate in its insane agenda of propaganda and fear mongering during the 2012 elections, allowing the Democrats to actually campaign on the issues and not defending themselves from the bizarre claims of whack jobs like Bill O'Reilly etc. This of course would give Obama and the Democrats a huge edge over the extremist rhetoric of today's GOP.
Could King Rupert's troubles lead to a resurgence of the Left in America and UK? Stay tuned . . .
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
American-can.
Some one had recently asked me how living abroad for this extended period of time has changed how I felt about America and Americans in general. My recent 4th of July post kind of touched on this but the question got me thinking about this topic.
The simple answer is "No". That would be a bit disingenuous. What living abroad does is throw in to contrast the differences between "here" and "there". So, while I might not feel much different about my countrymen (and women) and the nation in general, why I feel the way I do is much more clear.
Things I have always disliked about America: populist anti-intellectualism dominating the national discussion; the vocal minority of fundamentalist Christians dictating policy for the rest of the nation through their political mouth pieces; the strangely erotic fascination with guns; capitalism being elevated to the position of a pseudo-religion; unmitigated consumerism being seen as a kind of social attainment; sexism, mysogony and homophobia paraded in the guise of religion.
I am a Zen Buddhist and do not adhere to the Judeo-Christian belief system. I do not believe in Yaweh or that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the grave. To me these and connected beliefs are just as much myths as stories of Hercules and Zeus. In America, I always felt a bit of unease being openly "not Christian". There was the constant threat of somebody ready to pounce and proselytize at the mere hint of a non-believer. Living in the UK, I do not feel that kind of hostility. I am very openly Buddhist and can engage in discussion about what that means with friends and strangers alike without worry that somebody will try to "save" me. Escaping this pressure is a great relief.
Part of the consumerist mentality of America is the desire to consume everything. This is most clearly demonstrated by the American love affair with huge slabs of meat. Being carnivorous goes hand-in-hand with his mindset because it represents devouring another being. The ultimate act of consumption. Being a vegeterian is not the easiest task in America - not in the act of livin this lifestyle but due to how people react to it. A great many of my countrymen (and women) react almost violently upon learning that my family is vegetarian. I understand this is due to the fact that we're challenging their mass consumption world view but man it's tiring always having to explain why I won't eat something that possessed sentience of any kind. The UK is very veggie friendly. A large percentage of the population is vegetarian. Everybody knows at least a few vegetarians and it is treated as a normal lifestyle option. It is very liberating not to be treated an oddball everytime you go out to eat and have strangers question the ethics of your eating habits.
To be continued . . .
The simple answer is "No". That would be a bit disingenuous. What living abroad does is throw in to contrast the differences between "here" and "there". So, while I might not feel much different about my countrymen (and women) and the nation in general, why I feel the way I do is much more clear.
Things I have always disliked about America: populist anti-intellectualism dominating the national discussion; the vocal minority of fundamentalist Christians dictating policy for the rest of the nation through their political mouth pieces; the strangely erotic fascination with guns; capitalism being elevated to the position of a pseudo-religion; unmitigated consumerism being seen as a kind of social attainment; sexism, mysogony and homophobia paraded in the guise of religion.
I am a Zen Buddhist and do not adhere to the Judeo-Christian belief system. I do not believe in Yaweh or that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the grave. To me these and connected beliefs are just as much myths as stories of Hercules and Zeus. In America, I always felt a bit of unease being openly "not Christian". There was the constant threat of somebody ready to pounce and proselytize at the mere hint of a non-believer. Living in the UK, I do not feel that kind of hostility. I am very openly Buddhist and can engage in discussion about what that means with friends and strangers alike without worry that somebody will try to "save" me. Escaping this pressure is a great relief.
Part of the consumerist mentality of America is the desire to consume everything. This is most clearly demonstrated by the American love affair with huge slabs of meat. Being carnivorous goes hand-in-hand with his mindset because it represents devouring another being. The ultimate act of consumption. Being a vegeterian is not the easiest task in America - not in the act of livin this lifestyle but due to how people react to it. A great many of my countrymen (and women) react almost violently upon learning that my family is vegetarian. I understand this is due to the fact that we're challenging their mass consumption world view but man it's tiring always having to explain why I won't eat something that possessed sentience of any kind. The UK is very veggie friendly. A large percentage of the population is vegetarian. Everybody knows at least a few vegetarians and it is treated as a normal lifestyle option. It is very liberating not to be treated an oddball everytime you go out to eat and have strangers question the ethics of your eating habits.
To be continued . . .
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Wave That Flag High And Dry!
The 4th of July has come and gone but my nostalgia for hot and sticky, acrid smoke filled American summer nights has not passed. This was the first Independence Day not in the US of A.
I have never considered myself all that patriotic. The sight of the American flag does do anything for me really. I don't get a lump in throat, get teary-eyed or reflect on the men and women who gave their lives to support it. It's just a flag to me. That's it. The Star Spangled Banner or God Bless America don't do much for me. One reminds me of baseball games and the other pictures of Kate Smith in old Time-Life books I used to look at as a kid.
If I feel any sort of nationalism at all its in regards to the American people. I know that my forebearers came from Scotland, Wales, Germany and Poland. I also don't give a damn. While I find Scotland and Wales to be incredibly beautiful, I didn't feel any kind of "home coming" when I arrived. They were just especially gorgeous spots on the planet. I trace my heritage back to America. That's where I was raised and its people is who I call my own. I always kind of shook my head at the various ethnic parades etc. that go on year round. They are usually fun but I feel they are kind of counter productive. What should be celebrated is our unity as an American people - "One People United". That said,I do enjoy the debates of diversity versus integration that is a hallmark of the American experience and should continue to be so throughout its history. It's that tension between these two pulls that keep the country vibrant and alive.
So, what was I nostalgic about yesterday? It sure wasn't here that awful "Proud to be an American" song that gets played to death at local firework displays and parades every 4th. Nor was it nationalistic speeches by politicians on TV. What I missed was sitting in a hot, sweaty mass of my fellow Americans looking skyward as fireworks explode and fill even the most cynical of us with childlike wonder. I missed cooking out with friends and family leading up to a backyard firework display. I miss dopey parades with little girls in their gymnastic uniforms doing cartwheels down the street and firemen tossing handfuls of candy to the screaming children lined up along the curbs.
I missed baseball, over cooked (veggie) burgers off the grill, playing horseshoes, children writing their names in the air with sparklers, marshmallows turned into torches, aluminum kegs of beer, weird salads and casseroles laid out at parties,the recognition that inspite of all of us being able to claim a different ethnic heritage that we are indeed one people.
I got none of that this 4th of July. All we had over here were memories. It was a nice night so we slept with the bedroom window opened. Sometime in the very early morning hours of the 5th of July, I was stirred from my sleep by what I could swear was the faintest hint of the acrid, sulfurous smell of fireworks. It smelt like my American dreams.
I have never considered myself all that patriotic. The sight of the American flag does do anything for me really. I don't get a lump in throat, get teary-eyed or reflect on the men and women who gave their lives to support it. It's just a flag to me. That's it. The Star Spangled Banner or God Bless America don't do much for me. One reminds me of baseball games and the other pictures of Kate Smith in old Time-Life books I used to look at as a kid.
If I feel any sort of nationalism at all its in regards to the American people. I know that my forebearers came from Scotland, Wales, Germany and Poland. I also don't give a damn. While I find Scotland and Wales to be incredibly beautiful, I didn't feel any kind of "home coming" when I arrived. They were just especially gorgeous spots on the planet. I trace my heritage back to America. That's where I was raised and its people is who I call my own. I always kind of shook my head at the various ethnic parades etc. that go on year round. They are usually fun but I feel they are kind of counter productive. What should be celebrated is our unity as an American people - "One People United". That said,I do enjoy the debates of diversity versus integration that is a hallmark of the American experience and should continue to be so throughout its history. It's that tension between these two pulls that keep the country vibrant and alive.
So, what was I nostalgic about yesterday? It sure wasn't here that awful "Proud to be an American" song that gets played to death at local firework displays and parades every 4th. Nor was it nationalistic speeches by politicians on TV. What I missed was sitting in a hot, sweaty mass of my fellow Americans looking skyward as fireworks explode and fill even the most cynical of us with childlike wonder. I missed cooking out with friends and family leading up to a backyard firework display. I miss dopey parades with little girls in their gymnastic uniforms doing cartwheels down the street and firemen tossing handfuls of candy to the screaming children lined up along the curbs.
I missed baseball, over cooked (veggie) burgers off the grill, playing horseshoes, children writing their names in the air with sparklers, marshmallows turned into torches, aluminum kegs of beer, weird salads and casseroles laid out at parties,the recognition that inspite of all of us being able to claim a different ethnic heritage that we are indeed one people.
I got none of that this 4th of July. All we had over here were memories. It was a nice night so we slept with the bedroom window opened. Sometime in the very early morning hours of the 5th of July, I was stirred from my sleep by what I could swear was the faintest hint of the acrid, sulfurous smell of fireworks. It smelt like my American dreams.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Proud announcement
I'm very pleased to announce (a bit late) that I have a short story published in the latest issue of Fish Fingers and Custard, an excellent Doctor Who "fanzine" that is available for download or old fashioned paper editions. Just follow the link and check it out. My story is called "Mexico-A-Go-Go" and involved the 11th Doctor, Amy and Rory having a run in with some Mexican luchadors. Check it out.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Anime Doctor Who
Super Awesomeness!
Why is this awesome? If you have to ask this then you need to catch up on a lot of pop culture history. I'll do my best to lay it out for you.
1. It's Doctor Who and Doctor Who is always cool. Always! Even during the Peter Davison years.
2. It's Jon Pertwee (the Third Doctor). Most people would have gone with Tom Baker or David Tennant, but the producers of this bit of mash up beauty chose the incredibly under rated and amazing Pertwee.
3. If the TARDIS landed in Tokyo it would have to be like this.
4. Venusian Akido!
5. Both the Delgado and Ainley Masters. The thing dreams are made of.
6. The Cybermen, Dalek and Sontaran designs are outstanding.
7. Sutkeh!!!!
8. Nicholas Courtney as The Brig.
9. Sailor Moon gets cyberized.
10. Davros.
I love Doctor Who. I love it like renaissance fair nerds love cod pieces and fat chicks showing off way too much sun burnt cleavage. I loves it I do!
Since I'm in the midst of viewing my first "live" season here in the UK, I think I will give a review of this season so far after tomorrow's mid-season finale. Until then I damn sure will be watching the above clip a few more times!
Why is this awesome? If you have to ask this then you need to catch up on a lot of pop culture history. I'll do my best to lay it out for you.
1. It's Doctor Who and Doctor Who is always cool. Always! Even during the Peter Davison years.
2. It's Jon Pertwee (the Third Doctor). Most people would have gone with Tom Baker or David Tennant, but the producers of this bit of mash up beauty chose the incredibly under rated and amazing Pertwee.
3. If the TARDIS landed in Tokyo it would have to be like this.
4. Venusian Akido!
5. Both the Delgado and Ainley Masters. The thing dreams are made of.
6. The Cybermen, Dalek and Sontaran designs are outstanding.
7. Sutkeh!!!!
8. Nicholas Courtney as The Brig.
9. Sailor Moon gets cyberized.
10. Davros.
I love Doctor Who. I love it like renaissance fair nerds love cod pieces and fat chicks showing off way too much sun burnt cleavage. I loves it I do!
Since I'm in the midst of viewing my first "live" season here in the UK, I think I will give a review of this season so far after tomorrow's mid-season finale. Until then I damn sure will be watching the above clip a few more times!
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