Conservatives vs. Progressives -- a Microcosm

In this TV clip progressive talk show host Bernie Ward dresses down right-wing talk show host Chris Baker, who eventually walks off camera in defeat.

Conservative Chris Baker repeated insults Ward, calls him names, refuses to answer the simplest questions, and then when he finds he’s losing, he demands that Ward surrender. Finally he hurls more insults and walks off camera.

This interview to me represents a microcosm of the current political battle in the US. The conservatives insult, attack, fear-monger, oversimplify, and when they are losing they take their ball and go home. Assholes.

Being on Your own Happiness Team

There are millions of people, circumstances, and other factors that are literally lined up to take away your freedom and pleasure, be they disease, traffic accidents, disability, acts of God, old-age, global warming, government bureaucracies, financial realities, taxes, debt, old enemies, foreign nations, terrorists, foul weather, criminals, and old-fashioned every day unkind and unconscious people.

It's their job to take away your joy -- or at least to try to.

Why in the world would you join forces with them to deny yourself pleasure? Shouldn't you always be on your own side of this battle? Especially since you and only a hand full of people are on your side to start with?

Unless by doing so you are hurting yourself or others, you owe it to yourself and the world to seize pleasure whenever and wherever you find it. It’s a delightful and selfish act that benefits everyone.

© 2006 Sam Palahnuk

Daily Show: Mr. X

This Daily Show clip one made me laugh out loud.

To Have Without Holding

To Have Without Holding
by Marge Piercy

"Learning to love differently is hard,
love with the hands wide open, love
with the doors banging on their hinges,
the cupboard unlocked, the wind
roaring and whimpering in the rooms
rustling the sheets and snapping the blinds
that thwack like rubber bands
in an open palm.

It hurts to love wide open
stretching the muscles that feel
as if they are made of wet plaster,
then of blunt knives, then
of sharp knives.

It hurts to thwart the reflexes of grab, of clutch; to love and let
go again and again. It pesters to remember
the lover who is not in the bed,
to hold back what is owed to the work
that gutters like a candle in a cave
without air, to love consciously,
conscientiously, concretely, constructively.

I can't do it, you say it's killing
me, but you thrive, you glow
on the street like a neon raspberry,
You float and sail, a helium balloon
bright bachelor's button blue and bobbing
on the cold and hot winds of our breath,
as we make and unmake in passionate
diastole and systole the rhythm
of our unbound bonding, to have
and not to hold, to love
with minimized malice, hunger
and anger moment by moment balanced. "

I work to love everyone and everything in my life in this way: unconditional, honest, open, accepting love. Love without grabbing, without owning, without expectations. I love you and accept you for who you are -- now, not who I wish you were, or what I hope to mold you into. Love with liberty and freedom for all involved. This is True Love.

Rarely do I receive love of the same kind in return. Some seem devoted to possess and control. Some wish to be possessed and controlled. Some seem to enjoy the primordial drama of jealousy. Some become convinced that a statement of commitment -- which is a promise for a future that no one can control, somehow trumps a joyful now.

Yes, it can really hurt to love with an open hand, especially when that love is not appreciated, or worse when it's returned with dishonesty and betrayal. However, the intensity, joy, and freedom of altruistic love is well worth the pain.

I think I'll keep loving with my hands wide open.

"W" stands for "Whatever!"

I believe the author of this animation was intending to mock "Georgie's" incompetence as a leader. However, something tells me that his supporters would also love this animation. What a strange world we live in.

Sam is back! -- Yellow

This is a fantastic animation with a great message!