Category: words mean things (Page 1 of 223)

Today marks the fourth anniversary of “words mean things.” I’ve said on past anniversaries how writing this site has literally changed my life, and that’s only become more true with time. It’s allowed me to meet all kinds of amazing people, and given me an important outlet, both personally and professionally.

Still, there comes a time when one chapter ends, and another begins. I thought the beginning was when I started up again after taking three months off earlier this year. But I realize now, that was just another part of the ending.

I haven’t been all that pleased with my writing since I came back, and I find that I have less and less to say that hasn’t already been said (and better) by other people online. I have a love-hate relationship with comments, and I was never able to come up with a balance that I was entirely happy with. My mental state hasn’t exactly been minty-fresh, either, which makes cogent writing more difficult.

So I’ve decided to close down “words mean things,” this time for good.

As I hopefully do often, I’d like to again thank all those people who have helped me along this road, supported and challenged me, and taken the time to read what I’ve written. That means more to me than I can say.

At this point, I have no idea if I’ll ever write on the web again, or what form that might take. It’s going to take some time for me to figure out what my relationship with the internet is going to be in the future. I’m not going to worry about coming up with something new; if it happens, it happens. Meanwhile, I’m going to focus on my business site and try to keep this crazy freelance experience going a little bit longer.

See you around. And thanks.

Look at what’s happened to me,
I can’t believe it myself.
Suddenly I’m up on top of the world,
It should’ve been somebody else.

Believe it or not,
I’m walking on air
I never thought I could feel so free.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it’s just me.

Michael Moore has called “Fahrenheit 9/11” an alternate history of the last four years in America. And that’s exactly what it is: a concise, persuasive history where he takes familiar events and shows the flip side.

Along the way, he makes you both laugh and cry at what’s gone on in this country, and what the corporate media and the administration don’t want you to know. It’s not hyperbole for me to say that it’s the most entertaining documentary I’ve ever seen, as well as the most disturbing.

For me the most potent combination of humor and outrage came as Moore played the “Greatest American Hero” theme music (see above) over footage of Bush during the “Mission Accomplished” aircraft carrier photo op. The lyrics were both hilarious and chilling. How did we get here? What can we do to dig ourselves out?

Well, definitely one thing occurs to me. 🙂

There’s not that much new here for people like me who have followed these topics for years. But there are some interesting tidbits presented that I didn’t know, like the fact that when 9/11 families sued the Saudis for their part in the tragedy, the Saudis were defended by James Baker’s law firm. And no one has been willing or able to put all this in such a confident package.

If I have a criticism of the movie, it’s that Moore packs so much into two hours that things go by a little too quickly sometimes. How many people will notice, for example, in the computer-animated recuiting commercial, where they load up a bomb that’s inscribed with the words “Let’s Roll!”

There’s enough material here for four or five movies, certainly: the 2000 election, Bush and the Saudis, Afghanistan, Iraq, corporate media, neglect of veterans, the human cost of war, and on and on. But I think Moore does a masterful job weaving it all together.

Anyone who cares about this country and its future should see this movie, whatever their political persuasion. It’s that important. Amazingly, it’s still a rollicking good time at the movies.

Highest recommendation.

Michael Moore’s little film was the number 1 movie at the box office Friday, raking in $8.2 million on 868 screens. That’s $9,447 per screen.

The distant number 2 was “White Chicks,” with $6.7 million on 2,726 screens – $2,480 per screen. I agree with my friend Dave that having those particular two movies at the top of the box office is a close to perfect encapsulation of American society.

So here’s my heartfelt message to Ray Bradbury, Christopher Hitchens, Dean Esmay, and Adam Yoshida: blow me.

I’m seeing the movie tonight. Extremely excited.

President Vice President Cheney apparently had a “frank exchange of views” with Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy on the Senate floor Tuesday.

Depending on whose account you go by, Cheney either said “Fuck you,” “Fuck off,” or my favorite, “Go fuck yourself.”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you can’t make this stuff up, people.

UPDATE: Best Atrios commenter on the situation: “Cheney can go FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS himself, as far as I’m concerned..”

UPDATE PART DEUX: I came up with a bumper sticker to commemorate the occasion.

handbasket

(for Amanda)

Just watched a GWB campaign commercial, using footage of Bush with a bullhorn at the WTC site after 9/11.

“The people who knocked these buildings down will be hearing from all of us soon,” he intones.

Right as this line is read, the screen splits. On the other side of the screen is shown the Saddam statue being pulled down by U.S. troops in Baghdad.

Fucking lying crapweasel bastards.

Budget for the 9/11 Commission: $15 million.
Budget for Ken Starr’s investigation of Bill Clinton: $70 million.

Is it just me, or does Alan Colmes look exactly like an electric eel?

Hard on the heels of Torturepalooza! comes The Enemy Dehumanizing Tour ’04!, kicked off by one of my oldest and dearest friends:

“It is a technique of war. During WWII people didn’t refer to the enemy as ‘Japs’ and ‘Krauts’ for no reason. It enables us to suspend our civility temporarily to do what is necessary to do. It enables us to distance these animals from normal human beings.”

Well, hey, if they were animals all along, I guess we don’t need to dehumanize them, huh? (Also a funny turn of phrase for a woman who didn’t have an ounce of “civility” in the first place.)

All of this started when Lil’ Kim du Toit got his knickers in a twist when some people objected to him calling Arabs “ragheads.” The poor baby was so distraught, he decided to give up blogging for the day. And then his wife swept in to defend him. Now who’s pussified, Lil’ Kim?

Which gave me an idea – why not combine the best of torture with the best of dehumanization? I’d like to propose the creation of Ronald W. Reagan Camel-Fucker Re-Education Camps throughout the nation. Lock up everyone with at least 1/4 Arab blood, and torture them until they talk. They must know something, right? Then on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we can stick their heads through holes in the walls, and God-fearing Americans can toss eggs, rocks, etc. at them, $1 a pop.

After all, we’re not the enemy. They are.

The traitorous press won’t be invited, of course, except to cover the Lynndie Awards, given out to the best poster or weblog rant to convince weak, Arab-loving Americans that the camel-fucking ragheads are really just animals. Well, for now at least.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I miss you.