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Swirling further down the drain

A lot of what I read today in the paper and on the Net made me even less hopeful about our nation's future. Saw a poll of teenagers in USA Today's fluffy weekend section that claimed, among other pitiful/horrible things, that 52% of teens think celebrities only pretend to care about charities for self-promoting PR. Sigh... So I guess American idealism is dead.

What an ugly result of an increasingly cynical society ignited into complete distrust of their fellow man by Republican spin. You know, that pathetically hollow rhetoric that you'd have to be retarded --or at least very mentally immature-- to believe. Things like the idea that the sole motivation of Jesus W. Bush's critics is to promote their latest book. Or that climatologists and other real scientists have completely fabricated global warming so they can get rich and famous. You know, like... like... So I can't think of one, but I'm sure there are hundreds of multi-millionaire climatologists sipping juleps in easy chairs down in Antarctica, right? Maybe a conservative reader out there could name a few of these rock star scientists?

posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 10:25 PM

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# re: Swirling further down the drain
Big Fan
Posted @ 5/24/2006 1:02 PM
Didn't read your blog but I really enjoy the Chimp-O-Matic...quality.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 5/24/2006 8:07 PM
Hey, I don't even read it! It's not so much a blog as it is a rant-fest and an outlet for my overpowering political angst. Just a safe way for me to vent --and hopefully I'll never lose a job or get "disappeared" to Gitmo because of its contents.

Thanks for visiting!
# re: Swirling further down the drain
c0rax (aka Brad)
Posted @ 5/24/2006 11:27 PM
Hey I was looking around your site... I dig your style. I put chimp o matic on my personalized google homepage.... now isnt that just the coolest thing youve ever seen. They say that google is alot like big brother, but hey if big brother keeps doing cool shit then i guess its alright (lol). anyway great job and make more entries man i get bored at work ... and after work.... and before bed.... oh wait im always bored.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Bonnita Smith
Posted @ 5/25/2006 12:20 AM
Yes! So I really doubt that Angelina Jolie bacame the Goodwill Abassador to the UN just to boost her PR. . . what do you think? Too bad that kids think that such a powerful celebrity with so much influence is just doing it for promo-- from what I've seen, she does pretty well on her own without having to show feigned interest in charities to boost her status.- just my thoughts. . .
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Josh Tomaino
Posted @ 5/31/2006 1:10 PM
First visit to your blog, and I'd like to say more, but reading the entire article, this portion pretty much sums up my response.

"These stats don't mean we're raising a generation of skeptics -- just smart kids. Dubbed by USA WEEKEND as "Generation Give" last year, today's teens are able to distinguish a passionate star from one who's just looking for good press. There are true celebrity humanitarians, like Angelina Jolie, who demonstrates her commitment to developing nations. Seeing her practice what she preaches makes teenagers, many of whom call her an inspiration, put even more energy into doing good works. Indeed, in last year's Teens & Volunteering survey, 96% of teens say they volunteer."
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 5/31/2006 11:45 PM
Thanks for the visit Josh.

I guess that last bit gives me some hope. Seems like I see and hear so many teens that not only don't have any urge to rebel, but they even castigate those of us that are dissenting against so called authority; it worries me. I start to think that every red state teen is as drunk as their parents on the Republican Kool-Aid. But... I think you rightly point out, this generation is more saavy than that. According to a very interesting book I paged through over the weekend, the Millennial generation will be the ones that save our society from its current state of cultural chaos. Thanks!
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Bonnita Smith
Posted @ 6/2/2006 12:01 PM
so i just purchased said 'interesting book' on half.com as i am curious to see just what the masses consider 'cultural chaos'- i of course have my own very overstated opinion of cultural chaos, but am not opposed to other versions of reality. . . :)
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Bonnita Smith
Posted @ 6/2/2006 12:06 PM
p.s.
I wasn't born here and had to earn my citizenship, but am very greatful to be an american so don't get offended when i point out repeatedly that the current administration is in the hands of (my opinion)an IDIOT!
luv to all humanity!!!
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 6/4/2006 5:54 PM
By "cultural chaos," the authors are referring to the way the values and goals of many Americans are very different at the moment. In the era of WWII, for instance, there wasn't a sense of national division or disagreement. Americans had a sense of unity and shared purpose then --instead of many different points of view and a lot of angst when one's position was marginalized. If only we still lived in a nation of compromises --checks and balances-- this might not be such a bad thing.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Fightnirish
Posted @ 6/6/2006 12:13 PM
Bonnita, not insulted I couldn't agree with you more Commander Chimpy is taking us on a bobsled ride through the lovely village of INSANITY. As far as Swirling further down the drain - I am absolutely disgusted that Circuit Court Judge here in FL ruled in favor of the 16 year old kid who refused to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. Also ruled that kids don't have to have parents approval to do so. As we further teach our children that the desires of the few can surpass the will of the majority if you just stand on the soapbox of special interest and scream for the ACLU.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 6/7/2006 7:33 PM
Hey FightnIrish,

Thanks for the comments --great imagery. I hadn't heard about the Pledge-denying kid --sounds like a brat that doesn't appreciate what a great country he lives in. It's one thing to protest the policies of a corrupt government, but another to disrespect your country.

That being said, you can disagree with the judge, but don't dis the ACLU just because they advocated for the kid. Our justice system is built on an adversarial principle of arguing both sides and the ACLU was just there to argue for his rights.

The ACLU's basic charter is protecting our First Amendment rights --yours, mine, even those of dope fiends like Rush Limbaugh! So many generations of Americans have died for the freedoms we enjoy, I'm just glad organizations like the ACLU are on our side in the fight against dark forces like the Bush Administration.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Uncle Steve
Posted @ 6/9/2006 5:47 AM
You can agree with the decision or not. It's irrelevant. And it's not about the ACLU. It's about a two-century legacy of the Constitutional principle of judicial review.

"It is emphatically the province of the judicial department to say what the law is."

-- Chief Justice John Marshall, 1803
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Uncle Steve
Posted @ 6/9/2006 5:48 AM
I also love the Chimp-o-Matic.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Jordan
Posted @ 6/18/2006 7:07 AM
30 years ago the big threat coming out of the science field was global cooling. Not global warming. You know what they said the cause of global cooling was? Aerosols (Tiny particles), brought about mostly by human activity.

Now it's global warming, for the same reasons.

And eventually, it'll be something else, which is humanity's fault.

We should deprive people of jobs for this nonsense? We should spend money to try to fix it while China and India (Among the top "emitters") are allowed to do whatever they want, according to Kyoto?

Al Gore's movie should be called "A Conveniant Attack on America, Republicans, Business, Capitalism, and the ideals of small government."

I think it's high time you and I had another one of our little talks, Mr. Russon. Bring you back to center a little.

Ya twinkle-toed communist, ya.

But I love ya anyway.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 6/18/2006 1:03 PM
Jordan,

You're a friend, and although you've really lost your way politically, I still like you and give you a lot of leeway. And although I lean Libertarian on many issues, climate change is not something I'll concede. In fact it's something I'd completely disown you for denying. It takes a horrifyingly stupid mindset to actively deny something the scientific community agrees is happening RIGHT NOW! THERE IS IRREFUTABLE DATA TO SUPPORT THIS! You are putting politics ahead of science, rationality, and knowledge. You are fucking us all in the name of politics! Can you stop and think for yourself for a second?!!

You can NOT ignore scientists when it's not convenient. I would like to invite any conservative that feels science can be intermittently disbelieved to start ignoring the scientific consensus on gravity while leaning over the top of tall buildings. Please. This way you can make your point about the uselessness of science and we can live in a better world.

Do you know what the difference is between Exxon-Mobil and Al Qaeda? Al Qaeda kills people in a split second while Exxon-Mobil kills them so slowly that the scientifically ignorant won't even make the connection.

Apropos China and India, we can start by leading by example. Just as we have begun to repair the ozone (which you really got wrong, above), the nations of the world can beat this too. We only need the will --and to silence the voices of greed and stupidity.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 6/18/2006 1:46 PM
Anyway... For those of you reading the blog, Jordan is one of the youth circling the drain, spending time memorizing the White House talking points but not investing any energy in thinking about the issues himself. Or, maybe he does understand what's going on and this is just his way of "acting out" in rebellion to his parents. His family and I are trying to raise money to send him to a de-programming camp next year.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Jordan
Posted @ 6/19/2006 3:42 AM
To be fair, I didn't deny it was happening. I just said it was nonsense.

It probably is happening. We've had this discussion before...how much of it, if any, is humanity's fault, how much we can do to fix it, etc. I don't think our leading by example re: Kyoto is going to do anything about China or India, though. Not many countries are following America's example. Even the EU can't get it right, and they are our allies.

I just like zinging doomsaying liberal environmentalists like Al Gore. Is that so wrong?

And I still say Al Gore's movie title should be changed. Maybe we could change it to "An Effort To Get Back Into The Spotlight So I Can Run For President"

And I don't ignore science. I'm not an Intelligent Design Republican. I think Christian Conservatism is ruining conservatism, in fact. (A lot of conservatives feel the same...look at the President's approval rating) But what else have we got? You think I'm gonna vote for Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, Charles Schumer, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry?

When blood rains down from the sky.

I'm not as dumb as you think. (To which you should always respond "NO ONE could be as dumb as I think you are," because that is a highly funny response.)

:)
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 6/20/2006 5:41 PM
O.K. Bucky,

We'll discuss this offline and at length. Give me a chance to either cure you or kill you (which is exactly what climate change deniers are doing to us, albeit slowly).
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Not Important
Posted @ 6/23/2006 12:48 PM
It must be tough to be a Democrat these days...
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Jean Smith
Posted @ 7/1/2006 6:04 AM
love chimp-o-matic - it's on my google home page.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Bonnita Smith
Posted @ 7/4/2006 11:10 AM
Hey! It's July and still no "June" topic to be debated! How goes it-- Have a happy 4th!
Bonnita
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Rob
Posted @ 7/6/2006 2:06 PM
"52% of teens think celebrities only pretend to care about charities " ... And the other 48% are delusional...
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 7/6/2006 6:40 PM
Yes... I think I hear a flushing sound now...
# re: Swirling further down the drain
The Goose
Posted @ 7/9/2006 11:43 AM
Thanks for giving me hope. Very nice blog, website, etc. You lucky bastard getting to travel so much.
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 7/10/2006 10:27 PM
Thanks for dropping in Goose. And what a great looking site you've got --gives me Mac envy.

As for travel... Well... Our one-year old sure put a crimp in that. But we'll get to leave the house again some day, I hope...
# re: Swirling further down the drain
2Bad4U
Posted @ 7/12/2006 4:28 PM
I'm saddened to find that 48% of young Americans still believe these smug "celebrities" have any ability to think for themselves ... the majority of these ignorant fools are self-serving. They lack the ability to think for themselves and are too quick to jump on the bandwagon because so and so is on there. American youth should learn to think for themselves. Lack of self-thinking and jumping on the bandwagon are the biggest reason we have a low C-average president -- another person who lacks any thinking ability.
# Silly Teens
WN8
Posted @ 7/12/2006 8:53 PM
Those silly teenagers they are so foolish. They are not doing it for promotion! They are so out of touch...

They are doing it for the tax breaks.!
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Andrew
Posted @ 7/13/2006 11:51 PM
Hi ryan. I enjoy the chimp on my google page.
If things get unbearable, you're always welcome up here in Canada. Despite recent adverse political happenings here, we're still more left leaning generally than you guys. Of course if too many people like you come here (and Universities here are finding it more easy all the time to attract American intellectuals) then your country will slide further and further into the depths. So, if you can, stand strong, and make your country better. Keep up the good work!
# re: Swirling further down the drain
Ryan [admin]
Posted @ 7/22/2006 10:02 PM
Thanks for the offer Andrew. After seeing an Inconvenient Truth, it's a lot harder to feel good about owning Florida real estate. Canada just keeps looking better and better.

We haven't given up hope on the U.S. yet, and we hope it's a good place to raise our kids, but we sure wish people would come to their senses a little faster. Maybe things will have to get even worse before enough of us are ready to throw the bums out.

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