Crap That I'm Sick Of...
Because there's crap...then there's crap that I'm sick of
Special, Christmas Eve list:
1. What do you want to do, make a Federal Case of it? Multiple murderer and all around unpleasant fellow, Gary Sampson was sentenced to death yesterday in Massachusetts. What's that? Massachusetts has no death penalty? Well, Sampson was tried under a federal carjacking statute and given death, even though he had tried to turn himself in and confessed to the crimes. Don't be surprised if an appellate court turns it into life without parole. What is particularly galling is that the Department of Vengeance, under the guidance of the Grand Inquisitor (i.e. John Ashcroft), sought to press Federal charges because Sampson would not be sentenced to die in a state court. The Department of Vengeance has not so much pursued justice in its tenure as much as it has pursued vengeance. Verbal Jazz maintains that the Death Penalty is one of those personal morality issues that do not need to be enforced nationally: I am proud to live in a state that does not put criminals to death (although every Administration from Weld to Romney has tried).
2. Of Course Santa is Real: Verbal Jazz has a confession of guilt, I am complicit in this lie we perpetuate to young children about Santa Claus. By all accounts children seem ready to believe in Santa, even those that do not have a fireplace. My nephew says that Santa is "magic" and can "make a fireplace appear." My own mother used to tell me that Santa came in through the front door (I suppose he has a universal key?). Verbal Jazz wonders if there have been any studies done to show a link between disappointment over discovering the truth about Santa (flying reindeer? Really?) and a later adherence to atheism. The theory behind this would be that as we grow older myths begin to crumble (Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, the government having the best interest of the people in mind) which all leads to a shattering of the god you grew up believing in: and it all starts with lying to our children.
3. It's a bit late for that, motherf**ker: Yesterday New York Governor George Pataki posthumously pardoned dead comedian Lenny Bruce for an obscenity charge that goes back nearly forty years. Verbal Jazz wonders if Pataki, a Republican in the era of the Grand Inquisitor, is trying to give the GOP a kinder gentler feel: "We'll forgive you for what you say forty years later." Meanwhile, the Patriot Acts I and II (Act III will be the denouement) have laid the groundwork for restrictions on the First Amendment, the very thing Bruce railed against.
4. I've got the fever for the flavor of the flu: Flu panic is at a fever pitch this year. Pun intended. Flu shot supplies have run out in many places, although there is a great deal of apathy over getting the shot as many people do not feel they are at risk according to an AP Poll. Verbal Jazz maintains that the apathy over getting a flu shot is the same apathy over the recent Orange Alert (the Mass Statehouse has orange signs limiting parking around the building). In other words, we may be victims of the "Crying Wolf system." At some point one has to turn off the constant fear mongering: FLU, TERRORISTS, RANDOM HOMICIDAL MANIACS, RED MEAT, CIGARETTES, UNPROTECTED SEXUAL ACTIVITY, IRAQ, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, UNANTICIPATED FALLS DOWN STAIRS! It's exhausting.
5. President Flyboy on a roll: The folks running the campaign for the Anointed Democratic candidate are slowly watching as President Flyboy has been on a roll. First, there was the capture of Saddam, now the economy grows by 8.2% in the third quarter. By now the Anointed (or any of the non-Anointeds who still cling to the possibility they could win the nomination) must be praying for mass layoffs in January and a few more quagmire inducing incidents in Iraq. Should neither of those happen, the Anointed will be forced to broaden his political palette beyond the anger over rushing headlong into war. Candidate the General is already saying, "Why not Osama?" While the Taking it on the Chin candidate (think: Kerry) tries to prove street cred by using four-letter words. Flyboy could luck into another four years...
6. Last minute shoppers: Verbal Jazz wonders if these are the same people who file tax returns on April 15.
Verbal Jazz wishes everyone a Happy Holiday no matter your Holiday Persuasion (Hanukkah, Christmas, X-mas, XXX-mas, Pagan Winter Solstice worship for the rebirth of Mother Earth). Enjoy! |
Because there's crap...then there's crap that I'm sick of
Special, Christmas Eve list:
1. What do you want to do, make a Federal Case of it? Multiple murderer and all around unpleasant fellow, Gary Sampson was sentenced to death yesterday in Massachusetts. What's that? Massachusetts has no death penalty? Well, Sampson was tried under a federal carjacking statute and given death, even though he had tried to turn himself in and confessed to the crimes. Don't be surprised if an appellate court turns it into life without parole. What is particularly galling is that the Department of Vengeance, under the guidance of the Grand Inquisitor (i.e. John Ashcroft), sought to press Federal charges because Sampson would not be sentenced to die in a state court. The Department of Vengeance has not so much pursued justice in its tenure as much as it has pursued vengeance. Verbal Jazz maintains that the Death Penalty is one of those personal morality issues that do not need to be enforced nationally: I am proud to live in a state that does not put criminals to death (although every Administration from Weld to Romney has tried).
2. Of Course Santa is Real: Verbal Jazz has a confession of guilt, I am complicit in this lie we perpetuate to young children about Santa Claus. By all accounts children seem ready to believe in Santa, even those that do not have a fireplace. My nephew says that Santa is "magic" and can "make a fireplace appear." My own mother used to tell me that Santa came in through the front door (I suppose he has a universal key?). Verbal Jazz wonders if there have been any studies done to show a link between disappointment over discovering the truth about Santa (flying reindeer? Really?) and a later adherence to atheism. The theory behind this would be that as we grow older myths begin to crumble (Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, the government having the best interest of the people in mind) which all leads to a shattering of the god you grew up believing in: and it all starts with lying to our children.
3. It's a bit late for that, motherf**ker: Yesterday New York Governor George Pataki posthumously pardoned dead comedian Lenny Bruce for an obscenity charge that goes back nearly forty years. Verbal Jazz wonders if Pataki, a Republican in the era of the Grand Inquisitor, is trying to give the GOP a kinder gentler feel: "We'll forgive you for what you say forty years later." Meanwhile, the Patriot Acts I and II (Act III will be the denouement) have laid the groundwork for restrictions on the First Amendment, the very thing Bruce railed against.
4. I've got the fever for the flavor of the flu: Flu panic is at a fever pitch this year. Pun intended. Flu shot supplies have run out in many places, although there is a great deal of apathy over getting the shot as many people do not feel they are at risk according to an AP Poll. Verbal Jazz maintains that the apathy over getting a flu shot is the same apathy over the recent Orange Alert (the Mass Statehouse has orange signs limiting parking around the building). In other words, we may be victims of the "Crying Wolf system." At some point one has to turn off the constant fear mongering: FLU, TERRORISTS, RANDOM HOMICIDAL MANIACS, RED MEAT, CIGARETTES, UNPROTECTED SEXUAL ACTIVITY, IRAQ, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, UNANTICIPATED FALLS DOWN STAIRS! It's exhausting.
5. President Flyboy on a roll: The folks running the campaign for the Anointed Democratic candidate are slowly watching as President Flyboy has been on a roll. First, there was the capture of Saddam, now the economy grows by 8.2% in the third quarter. By now the Anointed (or any of the non-Anointeds who still cling to the possibility they could win the nomination) must be praying for mass layoffs in January and a few more quagmire inducing incidents in Iraq. Should neither of those happen, the Anointed will be forced to broaden his political palette beyond the anger over rushing headlong into war. Candidate the General is already saying, "Why not Osama?" While the Taking it on the Chin candidate (think: Kerry) tries to prove street cred by using four-letter words. Flyboy could luck into another four years...
6. Last minute shoppers: Verbal Jazz wonders if these are the same people who file tax returns on April 15.
Verbal Jazz wishes everyone a Happy Holiday no matter your Holiday Persuasion (Hanukkah, Christmas, X-mas, XXX-mas, Pagan Winter Solstice worship for the rebirth of Mother Earth). Enjoy! |
<< Home