20,000+ Hits ...

... but judging from Sitemeter data, at least half of those are from Bulgarian ABBA fans, who all come to my site because I once posted a photo of ABBA. Rock on!

Seen while driving through Indiana last spring ...

Submit to your contractor!
(photo taken by Mr. Ether while Ms. Ether was driving)

Thanks, Mitt ...

... for giving me my joke of the summer:

Car too full? That's OK, we'll just strap the dog to the roof!

What is with these Rethugs? There was Bill Frist who bragged about doing extracurricular experiments on kitty cats in med school. And Jo-ji* of course, who blew up frogs as a boy. Dick Cheney shoots anything that moves on 4 legs ... or 2.

You know, I have thought all along that John Kerry is a big wienie ... but I had to vote for him when I heard the story about him doing CPR -- or was it mouth-to-mouth resuscitation -- on Licorice, the almost-drowned hamster. Maybe I am a PETA person at heart.

*"Jo-ji" is what I've heard Koreans call our so-called president. It's baby talk for penis.

Oh, For Pete's Sake!

PETA blasts Michael Moore for eating meat

Had Michael Moore made a movie skewering obese people, yeah, maybe then they'd have a leg to stand on. But since Moore is the first person to admit he's not a particularly fine specimen of fitness, good eating habits, or health AND since Sicko is about the messed up, for-profit health care system we have here in the US ...

... maybe PETA would be wise to steer away from the fat insults (Why is it still OK to discriminate and denigrate on the basis of body type anyway?) and join Mr. Moore in investigating a health care system which focuses almost solely on treating preventable illnesses while giving huge rewards to Big Pharma and Insurance companies. Sure, people need to also take personal responsibility for their own habits, but that is not what this movie is about.

As always, while I share some of PETA's core beliefs, I find the way they go about things so absurd and often offensive. I believe that they often lose sight of the forest for the trees, and do a lot to discredit their own message and turn off potentially sympathetic listeners.

I'm shaking my head.

(I once witnessed a local PETA activist verbally attacking a small-time organic goat/chicken farmer at the Farmers' Market. This is a farmer who ran a CSA, as well as selling homemade goat milk soaps and raising endangered heirloom varieties of chickens. In other words, he was practicing sustainable agriculture, and she was on his case about keeping animals in servitude, etc. When she walked away, the farmer looked at me and said, "She just doesn't get it. We're part of the solution, not the problem. I had to agree.)

Just askin' ...

I can't help but notice a hierarchy of coolness in the lefty blogging world. It bugs me sometimes, but it seems to be a natural human tendency, and I don't worry about it a whole lot. I've never been one of the cool people, I never will, and to paraphrase my hero Howard Zinn "what's wrong with being number two?"

But this is really getting my undies into a bundle, and I need to vent. Why is it, on so many blogs in the upper echelon of lefty coolness, that when they link to a bookseller it is almost always Amazon? Amazon donates primarily to Republicans! Yes, to those Republicans -- not the nicey- nice, touchy-feely, pro-choice, anti-war, cuddly bunny Republicans. The ones who wish they could diddle pages (not the kind you get from Amazon) and demonize homosexuals. The ones who cozy up to the Christian Right.

What gives? Do they not know? Do they think there aren't viable alternatives? Do they not care?

Today I am venting in particular about Crooks and Liars. But This Modern World and Bob Harris link to Amazon as well, on a regular basis.

Crooks and Liars also has an advertisement for Marriott Hotels on their site. Apparently you can get a special "Crooks and Liars" discount. The problem is, according to The Hightower Lowdown, that Marriott International made total political contributions of $230,000 in 2006, 82% of which went to support the very crooks and liars that that site skewers!

I have a problem with that. A big problem. I believe that their high visibility in the progressive blogosphere makes it important -- no, imperative -- that they put their money (and ours) where their mouth is. No exceptions. They do not need to advertise for companies whose policies are ruining our country (not to mention Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Colombia ...)

If you are reading this, and you have personal connections with any of the aforementioned blogs, please feel free to pass along my concerns. Thank you.

(I want to quote Ed, from the comments section: "Every dollar you spend is a vote. When you buy Republican, you vote Republican. Where you do or don't spend your money probably has a greater impact than how you vote at the polls." Bingo! You have to vote with your wallet. And your feet. I probably will not be visiting those blogs so much anymore.)

Irrelevant?

So, the White House thinks former president, elder statesmen, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter is "increasingly irrelevant"? I think that Jimmy Carter has more relevancy, more intelligence, more human decency ... in one of his fingernail clippings than any of those shills in the White House. How dare they?

Enemy of the State

WASHINGTON - Folk singer and anti-war activist Joan Baez says she doesn't know why she was not allowed to perform for recovering soldiers recently at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as she planned. (Read more ...)

This goes in the "What are they afraid of?" department. If they think they're doing the right thing, then what's the problem? They clearly know they are in the wrong. Sometimes I wish I believed in a Judgement Day. Absurd and outrageous.

I Can't Even Think of a Good Title for This ...

SCHAGEN, Netherlands (AP) -- The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday -- you could say it was the first time in 4,000 years -- drawing a crowd of curious pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder.

Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical Ark, built by Dutch creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible. (Read it and weep)

I like this part the best:

On the uncovered top deck -- not quite ready in time for the opening -- will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats. And one camel.

One camel?? If I were a little kid, I'd feel ripped off! Isn't there supposed to be two of everything?

This leads me to my newest moneymaking scheme: a Quaker theme park! Penn-Land? The Peaceable (Magic) Kingdom? There will be a recreation of Pendle Hill right in the middle, but it will be built out of compost, in keeping with Quaker Earth care principles. Carnival games such as, "William Penn's Sword -- Wear It As Long As You Can! Everyone a winner!"

I think I need to go back to bed.

Irony Is Not Dead

Check this out. It's an invitation/fundraising announcement about the Eyes Wide Open anti-war installation, which I received today from the American Friends Service Committee. AFSC, for the uninitiated, is a Quaker organization. You know, the pacifists? Now look closely at the United States Post Office cancellation stamp: "Celebrating the 230th Army Birthday."

Hmmmmm.

(Incidentally, if any of my multitudes of readers are in the Chicago area, this exhibit is phenomenal. Do go and see it.)

Dinosaur Farts

Now this is rather absurd. But what do you expect from one of the 87% of Republicans in Congress who do not believe that human activity is causing climate change? Time for the flatulent dinosaurs in Congress to take their Beano, and wake up to reality!

No, wait. Global warming is caused by emissions of dinosaurs. Here's proof!

Thanks for the MEMOries ...

Here is the Valentine's Day memo, as promised:

"Valentine‚s Day FYI*all schools are receiving this memo*.
As Valentine's Day approaches, students and parents need to be reminded that candy will NOT be allowed for distribution as part of a Valentine's Day celebration. The MMSD Wellness Policy prohibits candy and nuts, even during special events. Encourage families to provide alternate treats such as frozen fruit bars, popcorn, jello jigglers, nut-free treats, etc. Parties should be scheduled after lunch so they don't interfere with kids eating their lunches. Try to avoid other February parties."

As for me, I have decided that I will give each of my students a prune for Valentine's Day.