The Economist and George Bush:):):):):):):):)...

The Economist is SMOKIN' this week, with some really exciting articles about conservativism in America and Britain:):):):):):)...and a really positive review for a book that Ala alerted me to called Freakonomics, by Michael Levitt:):):):):):)...

WHEW:):):):):):)...

The Economist SLAMS -- and I emphasize SLAMS -- President Bush's international policy in Iraq, North Korea, and Iran, and it's impact on the nuclear ambitions of the latter two of President Bush's designated axis of evil...

Return of the Axis of Evil

They not only point out the obvious -- that President Bush's policy vis a vis North Korea and Iran has MISERABLY FAILED:):):):):):):) (both have SIGNIFICANTLY STEPPED UP, rather than holding even or reduced, their nuclear ambitions...a SERIOUS concern for all of the world, they and I both very much believe)...

They give modest endorsement to the not wholly successful but much more successful efforts of the Europeans to keep some check on Iranian nuclear ambitions...effectively limiting Iranian development of weapons-grade uranium...

This is a BIG BLOW to the Bush Administration to be so SOUNDLY and RIGHTLY criticized by the most prestigious conservative magazine in the world for it's VERY SERIOUS international policy mistakes...

I'm quite sure that the President's mistatements -- to be quite generous about the issue -- in Riga and the Baltics, this weekend, could not have improved the confidence of the much smarter conservative editors of the Economist magazine with President Bush's leadership:):):):):):) (he did imply, after all, that one of the greatest conservative leaders in Britain's and the world's history, Winston Churchill, who was PRIMARILY responsible -- by everything I've read -- for negotiating the Yalta Agreement -- has, ESSENTIALLY, BETRAYED Eastern Europeans that, as Lord Conrad Black argues, rightly, in his Globe and Mail editorial on the subject, Britons and Americans and French and other allied soldiers had RISKED THEIR LIVES to save...though the policy cards were just not in their hands to protect them from the evil clutches of the Soviet Empire...

...and as the current American President disregarded the much superior reasoning, by my lights, of America's foremost conservative military leader, at the time, and later political leader -- and a much more sober and thoughtful man than the one currently in office, it would appear -- Dwight Eisenhower, that the numbers it would take to either engage in a limited attack in Eastern Europe or a more full-scare war on Russia itself -- and win overwhelmingly, to fully overcome Russian resistance -- would be FAR TOO HIGH to legitimately call such an exercise a liberation...it was for this VERY REASON that the phrase "Better Red than dead" became such a popular phrase in European circles at the time...and may have much to do with the much more serious comfort that Europeans feel with leftist politics (to the sad and manipulative benefit of far too many communist, socialist, and radical political organizations in Europe...especially France and Scandanavia...and less in Germany)...

But the Economist is DEFINITELY no home for Socialism or Communist sympathies in Europe...it is a wonderful and thankfully VERY INFLUENTIAL little oasis of free-trade and free-thinking committed conservatives committed to a world that is authentically safe as well as free...

And who can see a VERY SERIOUS problem in the active pursuit of nuclear weapons by governments who have demonstrated VERY LITTLE little to trust that, should they have them, that they would use them for any good purpose when they see it...

And who don't have any qualms at all SLAMMING -- for good goddamned reason, goddamnit...god knows it's not because of bad intentions...there are plenty of good intentions in the Bush Administration...but they are very quickly and publicly paving a path to hell for everyone in the world to take with them with their good intentions and it is TERRIBLY REFRESHING, I must say:):):):):):), to see a conservative publication take on their failures with such OPEN and DESERVED criticism:):):):):):):)...

Good for the Economist:):):):):):):)...

And equally living up to their reputations as more authentically fair and balanced than Bill O'Reilly or Fox News could ever dream of being in their wildest fantasies of being more thoughtful journalists...

The editors of the Economist submit a challenge to critics like me -- conservative and liberal -- of the Bush Administration's policy to come up with something better...

WAY FAIR ENOUGH...

And I and the Economist and the world will need to step up to this challenge to better reassure the world that North Korea and Iran will not do something crazy with a lot more serious weaponry...

So...

Here goes:):):):):):):)...

First...let's all just chill for a second, shall we?:):):):):):):)...

The Economist article makes one VERY IMPORTANT observation about North Korea that, in many ways, applies to Iran (and applied and may still apply to Iraq as well:):):)...though having a substantial proportion of a country welcome efforts to free them is SIGNIFICANTLY different that dealing with captive populations of people that may or may not be so friendly to U.S. or Western overtures:)...

The North Koreans TODAY "is capable of flattening South Korea's capital even without using the nuclear bombs it may already possess"...

Moreover...as a caution to the President -- who's remarks about Yalta and their implications for current American policy toward rogue states should make EVERYONE VERY NERVOUS:):):):):):):)...let's hope the President was just speaking off the cuff, here:):):):):)...and not trying to take America and the world with it down a VERY DARK AND DANGEROUS ROAD of rationalizing some pretty ugly tragedies to rationalize its own international policy failures -- the Economist editors also remark WISELY that "(A)s for North Korea...there is no military means of disarming it that does not look prohibitively dangerous."...

Meaning...Mr. President...if you are thinking about reversing the more peaceful efforts to disarm seriously dangerous Communist and other autocratic regimes like the Soviet Union and North Korea -- and scrapping almost 70 years of wisdom about such efforts by American, British, and other conservative and liberal and independent military and political history -- YOU BETTER HAVE ANOTHER THINK COMING...you are sounding AWFULLY GODDAMN DANGEROUS, these days, Mr. President...and you leave folks like me wondering whether to be scared shitless that you might be DUMB enough to engage in such a foolish and dangerous rationalization -- avoiding the BIG NEON SIGN on your Administration for all 5 years of its terribly overbearing presence -- THAT YOU ARE NOT NEARLY SOBER OR SMART OR THOUGHTFUL OR REFLECTIVE enough for this job that does seem TOO BIG FOR YOU FAR TOO MUCH OF THE TIME, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

Though...it is important to note...it is the job that YOU and ONLY YOU have, now, George...and so we all depend on you to lead us out of wilderness, Mr. President...

Because...at this moment, George...though many conservatives and liberals and all kinds of folks -- including and especially me -- would LOVE to fantasize and imagine that it could be otherwise...

We depend on you, George...completely...noone else can make these calls, Mr. President...except for you...which is WHY we're all so critical, Mr. President...because we care SO MUCH about the quality with which you do your job, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

And the one REALLY IMPORTANT silver lining in your remarks in Riga this weekend is...

That it is much more clear to me today than a week ago...

That it REALLY MATTERS to you to get history right:):):):):):):)...to take seriously INTELLIGENT perspectives on history:):):):):):):)...and to, hopefully, take seriously intelligent praise and criticism for your very important work, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

Which is good, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

Because -- for better or for worse, George:):):):):):):)...

You're the one with the job:):):):):):):):):):)...and NOTHING is going to change that for the next 3 years, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

And I for one am TOTALLY ROOTING for you to do an AMAZING JOB in the time you have left, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

You still have time for that, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

But it's going to take some doing...and you're going to have to do the REALLY TOUGH WORK here in the coming days and weeks, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

To face up to the very serious mistakes you've made on the international scene, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

My concern will likely give way to the better instincts that I think I more have on this one, Mr. President...

...that you're just kind of simple man trying your best to work through difficult and dangerous issues in the world...as a part of that effort, you sometimes stick big shoes in what can sometimes be an even bigger mouth:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)...

This is the more generous and accurate interpretation of your remarks, I think, W:):):):):):):)...and I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt on this one, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

That though you've SOUNDED an awful lot like the new god-awful head of the Catholic Church these days, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

That you're not Pope Ratzinger:):):):):):):)...

That you're the President of the United States...

And that like Ike (who we all like:):):):):):):)...when push comes to shove...

You will step up into the gravity and sobriety of that role:):):):):):):)...

And that you will do the right...the better...the more thoughtful...the more sober...

And the FAR MORE DIFFICULT and CHALLENGING thing to do, George:):):)...

You'll own up on this one:)...

You'll -- very quietly, I imagine:):):)...at least for now:):):):):) -- begin to signal to the world that you will acknowledge that you're international policy is not going as well as you would have liked:):):):):):):)...that you may have VERY UNINTENTIONALLY and WITHOUT ANY MALICE IN THE LEAST, I don't believe, caused unnecessary death of American and international soldiers and aid workers, Iraqis, and others, that your concurrent policies toward North Korea and Iran have apparently SCARED THE SHIT out of some already very paranoid regimes...and had QUITE THE OPPOSITE effect than you intended:):):):):):):)...that you have, in some ways -- by pursuing Al Queda and talking honestly and working honestly to challenge international terrorism and by, haphazardly and with all kinds of VERY SERIOUS mistakes along the way:):):), removed the regime of a dangerous and bloody tyrant in Iraq:):):)...for which, though it has happened with far too many unnecessary costs and tragedies in the lives of Americans, Iraqis, and others, the world and Iraq should be grateful (with ALL KINDS OF VERY SERIOUS qualifications:):):):):):):)...

And...that you are sorry for the mistakes you've made:):):):):):):)...

And that we -- meaning the world that has to live with the consequences...bad AS WELL as good...of your policies, Mr. President:):):):):):) -- will not have to worry that you will use your criticisms of the Yalta agreement as a means of rationalizing a serious threat that you are willing to back up of nuclear or ground warfare in either North Korea or Iran...or anywhere else for that matter...at least for the time being and given similar circumstances:):):):):):):)...

And in the meantime, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

I would GLADLY and with a serious sense of HONOR, Mr. President, be willing to sit down:):):):):):):)...and have a beer or a coffee or a hot chocolate or a frappachino or an orange juice or a Coke or whatever the hell you drink these days, George:):):):):):):)...Ibut preferably a beer, if you're not too worried about drinking alcohol after struggling with alcoholism earlier in life, Mr. President:):):):):):):)... would LOVE to sit down with you, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...and commiserate with just how GODDAMNED DIFFICULT that the job that you signed up for twice really is, Mr. Bush:):):):):):):):)...

Seriously:):):):):):)...no bullshit...

No bullshit and really pretty lame and mean-spirited "I told you so's"...no lecturing you about what you should have done...or what you should not have done...or what you should do...or what you should not do:):):):):):):)...

And no bullshit or lame giving you all kinds of hell about how goddamned stubborn you've been on this one:):):):):):):)...despite ALL KINDS of evidence that this approach was not working:):):):):):):)...

None of that bullshit, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

If I'm confident that you really feel bad for how you've handled things:):):):):):):)...

Then you and I can sit down:):):)...and have a beer:):):):):)...maybe over a Rangers game:):):):):):):)...Bigandmean can locate a schedule for us:):):):):)...or maybe over a Royals game:):):):):):):)...

Or whatever you want to do, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

And we'll just talk...

About how hard it is to be President:):):)...about how INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT it is is make SUCH COMPLICATED and IMPORTANT and HIGH STAKES decisions in front of the WHOLE WORLD:):):)...warts and all:):):)...

And how, sometimes...we just make bad choices, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

We all do:):):)...

There is not some fairy-tale time when we STOP making bad choices, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

Bad choices are a part of learning how to make BETTER choices, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

In fact:):):):):)...as my hero and patron saint, Abraham Maslow, argues:):):):):):):)...

Making BAD CHOICES is the only way that we can know better how to make BETTER CHOICES:):):):):):):)...

Because it is the ONLY WAY that we can tell the difference, better, between the two:):):):):):):)...

So...in the BROADEST, BIGGEST, MOST INSIGHTFUL GRAND SCOPE OF THINGS, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

Though you did make some very serious mistakes that risked and probably cost the lives of MANY, MANY people...

They were just mistakes, Mr. President:)...

You did your best:)...

And sometimes our best just doesn't work out:):):)...

You're not a bad man IN THE LEAST, Mr. President:):):):):)...

To the contrary:):):)...you are a VERY GOOD MAN:):):):):):):)...

You are just a man...a person...LIKE ANY OTHER, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

You made mistakes in the course of doing your best like ANYONE ELSE, George:):):):):):):)...

And I, for one:):):), would be PROUD and HONORED to sit down at Jeffersons here in Lawrence:):):):):):):) (Peace, Love, and Hot Wings:):):):):):):)...one of my favorite little sports bars here in town, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

And you and I will just sit:):):)...and talk:):):):):)...and drink a beer:):):):):):):)...

And commiserate about just how GODDAMNED DIFFICULT that job of yours is, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

You're a very good man, George:):):):):):):)...

I'm convinced of that, for sure:):):):):):):)...

And now...you are getting prepared to be a MUCH BETTER AND MUCH BIGGER man, George:):):):):):):)...

And do what Brandi's Aunt Dory praised me for learning how to do so often and so readily earlier in my short little life, Mr. President:):):):):):):)....

You're going to say acknowledge:):):)...probably in smaller ways more than in bigger ways, right now:):):):):):):)...

That you were/are wrong, Mr. President:):):)...that you were/are sorry:):):):):):):)...and if you could do ANYTHING to bring back any one of those soldiers or aid workers or reporters or Iraqis lives back...you ABSOLUTELY WOULD:):):):):):):)...

And I know you would, George:)...you don't have to worry about that:):):)...

Just...sometimes:):):)...a more ideal world -- at least in the immediate moment:):):)...but not foreclosed for the near and not-so-distant future:):):):):):):) -- is not fully or even, too often, somewhat, within our grasp:(...

And that's ok, Mr. President...

Because we CAN'T be perfect, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

It's JUST NOT POSSIBLE:):):):):):):):):):):)...

And then we'll finish our beer:):):):):):):)...

And talk about the Rangers:):):):):)...and the Royals:):):):):):):)...and those Damn Yankees:):):):):):):)...

And about how great Toby Keith's most recent album was:):):):):):):)...and about how it's probably his best yet:):):):):):):)...and what's with that song about smoking marijuana with Willy Nelson?:):):):):):):)...and..."Oh, Mr. President:):):):):):):)"...I'll say:):):):):):):)..."...virtually ALL younger people:):):)...conservative or liberal:):):):):)...these days:):):)...smokes marijuana:):):):):):):)...no big woop:):):):):):):)...and don't worry, George:):):)...it ain't your fault:):):):):)...the sexy Mexi is just feels WAY TOO GOOD for most mere mortals to resist:):):):):):):)...

:):):):):):):)...

And then we'll bullshit about politics:):):)...about how important tort reform is:):):)...about your proud legacy of reintroducing faith discussions back into public service and into political discussions:):):):):):):)...about the well-intentioned but not-thoroughly-considered-enough proposals to limit political speech should be blocked not just because they disadvantage your Republican party most:):):):):):):)...but because blocking them is THE RIGHT TO DO for free speech and free thought everywhere:):):):):):):)...and about what an ASSHOLE Robert Byrd is:):):):):):):)...

"...and same goes for that Harry Reid:):):)...and that Nancy Pelosi:):):)," you'll say:):):):):)...

And I'll say:):):)...ok, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...to be fair, Mr. Reid IS blocking some REALLY AWFUL judges to the bench:):):)...but, you're right:):):)...he should probably just let an up or down vote go for them, George:):):):):):):)...and HOPEFULLY the worst of them will get the DOWN vote by thoughtful and serious Republicans and Democrats:):):):):):):)...

And John Bolton, Mr. President:):):)...

Are you sure you couldn't come up with someone better, Mr. President?:):):)...

Someone more along the lines of David Gergen:):):)...or David Brooks:):):)...or Andrew Sullivan:):):)...or even Condi Rice, who's social conservativism start to look almost like Colin Powell's moderate conservativism, in contrast?:):):):):):):)...

You sure, Mr. President that you can't find someone to fill a role as important and serious as the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. who doesn't have a reputation of firing people who disagree with him on important policy matters?:):):):):):):)...I mean, surely you, Mr. President, of all people, would realize JUST HOW IMPORTANT it is to have people around you who disagree with you and challenge you to develop better ideas than the ones you already have:):):):):):):)...given that about 2/3 of your cabinet -- former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge being only the most recent:):):):):):):) -- has so OPENLY and HARSHLY:):):):):):):) -- criticized your Administration AFTER they left office:):):):):):):)...

(Apparently conservative popes and politicians believe their own bullshit, by the way, that liberals will NEVER AGAIN come to power and fire their lame little asses for being such pricks when conservatives had power:):):):):):):)...I CERTAINLY and SINCERELY hope they don't...and will be yelling to rafters, if they do...since it makes for such bad leadership, poor ideas, and poor form:):):)...but what in the fuck are conservatives thinking, for God's sakes?:):):):):):):)...you only want jobs when Republicans are in power, you fuckin' morons?:):):):):):):)...welp:):):)...here soon enough:):):):):)...you may get those:):):)...in statehouses all over the country:):):):):):):)...and, somehow, I have a feeling that A LOT of conservatives will rediscover their faith in federalism again:):):):):):):)...

Maybe go back to drawing board on that one, George:):):):):):):)...and if he gets past Congressional hurdles:):):):):)...then Godspeed to him:):):):):):):)...and hopefully he means it when he says he wants to criticize the United Nations to strengthen it:):):):):):):)...because that is something that we can ALL RALLY AROUND:):):):):):):) (though, if that means self-righteously defending poorly considered and crafted U.S. international policy under this Administration and all of the really scary consequences it has had for the world stage:):):):):):):):)...then John Bolton can FUCK OFF:):):):):):):)...and I'll support every limey British, French frog, and German kraut to tell you the same, too, in as many different languages from around our small little world as you need to get the fuckin' message:):):):):):):)...

Perhaps it might be better to just be the bigger person, on this one, George:):):)...put your tail between your legs:):):):):):):):)...

And:):):)...as Ann and Rud Turnbull have up in one of their offices at the Beech Center at the University of Kansas:):):):):):):)...

No matter how far you've gone down the wrong road:):):):):):):)...

Turn around:):):):):):):):):)...

Also, Mr. President:):):):):)...

You might check out two other REALLY EXCITING articles from the Economist this last issue, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

One is on the future of British Tories:):):)...that I have not read, but which looks REALLY good:):):):):):):)...and really relevant to discussions about the future of conservativism that I think are VERY RELEVANT to your own thinking, Mr. President:):):) (which, no matter what, you'll have a lot more time to work on much more substantially in 3 years or so, Mr. President:):):):):)...

And the other is on an article on an economics book that my friend Ala turned me onto, Freakonomics, by Michael Leavitt:):):):):):):)...it's gets a surprisingly good review from the pages of the Economist:):):) (with plenty of qualifiers:):):)...and looks like it is a wonderful little book of politically-incorrect theses and considerations of evidence by an up-and-comer out of the University of Chicago:):):):):):):)...the land of milk and honey for conservative economists, Mr. President:):):):):):):)...

The hypothesis that Ala and the Economist both mention at length is Michael's argument (with some evidence to support it) that falling crime rates most significantly correlate with the legalization of abortion:):):):):)...SURE to piss off an awful lot of folks on the right:):):):):)...which this books seems, largely, to be a product of:):):):):):):)...

Alright, everyone:):):):):):):):)...as much as I love listening to the crooning of Jack Johnson:):):):):):):):)...I've got to get some sleep:):):):):):):):):)...

Have a great night, everyone:):):):):):):)...

Say goodnight, Gracie:):):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

The fascinating discussion/debate about the heart of conservativism:):):)...

There is a TERRIBLY FASCINATING debate/discussion going on right now about the heart of conservatism that I have been following for some time, now:):):)...

Andrew Sullivan has been hosting a REALLY WONDERFUL and LIVELY discussion about conservativism on his website that you've got to check out:):):)...

Andrew Sullivan's Crisis of Faith: A Debate (about the heart and soul of conservativism:):):)...

Please check out his most recent email of the day, today, by the way, to see a REALLY BRILLIANT little commentary from a reader about the elements of less than ideal liberalism and conservativism in the context of that conversation on his website today, by the way:):):):):):):)...

...or just read it below:):):)...

"Your description of the real faultline in American politics is right on the money. What's troubling is that so many people on the left have lined up with the Theocrats on the same side of the faultline without even realizing it. By deeming empirical and inferential truth as ultimately subjective, the postmoderns and multiculturalists have essentially conceded that all values constitute a leap of faith. Logic and reason have been effectively removed from public debate. This plays right into the hands of fundamentalists, who are perfectly willing to wage the battle on these grounds: If the left is only willing to offer a kind of watery faith in a secular welfare state, the religious right is happy to rebutt them with a profound faith in Judeo-Christian tradition. Individual freedom then becomes a kind of collateral damage: In arguments of faith, neither side brooks heretical points of view. The real key, as you suggest, is a return to the healthy skepticism of liberal democracy. Damned if I know how to accomplish that, however. There are so few of us on this side of faultline. Every time I try to steer discussions over to skeptical ground, the two faith camps accuse me of spying for the other side."

BRILLIANT:):):):):):):)...BRILLIANT:):):):):):):)...

...and ANY and ALL of David Brooks' work:):):)...but especially this brilliant little NYT piece about sexual freedom and the culture wars:):)...

As I said at the time:):):)..."David Brooks' BRILLIANT -- BRILLIANT!!!!!!! -- commentary in the New York Times:):):)...Andrew Sullivan...you've got competition:):):)"...

...or David's commentary on the no-win for either liberals or conservatives looking come out of the culture war as heroes:):):)...

David Brooks on why neither liberals or conservatives will come out of this thing as heroes:):):)...

Also:):):)...I, AGAIN, highly recommend the book that I've been reading and borrowed from my very, very good more liberal, and still more very open and broad-minded friend, Ned Robertson, The Right America, by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge:):):)...two BRILLIANT conservative writers for Great Britain's and the world's, likely, most respected and celebrated conservative periodical, The Economist magazine:):):):):):):)...it is the MOST IMPRESSIVE and BROADTHINKING analysis of conservativism in America THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE:):):):):):):) (and I've read AN AWFUL GODDAMN LOT about conservatism and American conservatism:):):):):):):)...William F. Buckley:):):)...eat your incredibly intelligent and broad-minded little heart out:):):):):):):)...

...and be sure to check out this BRILLIANT little article by John Derbyshire which references Mickelthwait's and Wooldridge's book:):):) (I'm hoping tha Mickelthwait and Wooldridge become a part of my memory as easily and readily as SO MANY American contemporary conservative authors that I so easily recall because I so regularly turn to their ideas and writings to learn more about the world:):):):):):):)...

John's newest piece I found on Andrew's site:):):) (Andrew Sullivan, that is, who's Derbyshire Award has traditionally used John as a poster-boy for homophobia and far right conservatism:):):):):):):)...but a John Derbyshire who has been writing BRILLIANTLY, as of late:):):):):):):)...

...and his piece can be found:):):)...here:):):)...

John Derbyshire's soul-searching (kind of:):):) brilliant piece on the heart of contemporary conservativism:):):)...

...and please be sure to check out John's post-mortem on Pope John Paul II, another BRILLIANT little piece on Catholicism -- especially contemporary Catholicism -- and, at it's heart, conservativism:):):):):):):)...

John Derbyshire's BRILLIANT critique of the legacy of Pope John Paul II:):):):):):)...The Rearguard Pope:):):)...

...and George Will's best piece in a long time:):):)...

George Will:):):)...The Christian Complex:):):)...

...and, of course:):):)...please check out other really wonderful conservative blogs/forums on the internet:):):)...

Like Ala's Blonde Sagacity:):):)...

Ala's Blonde Sagacity:):):):):):):)...a wonderful little conservative blog and forum:):):):):):):)...

Dean Mundy's Musings of a Thoughtful Conservative:):):)...

Dean Mundy's Musings of a Thoughtful Conservative:):):):):):):)...New and Improved:):):):):):):)...

And, Bigandmean's and Jen's ~Relatively Unbalanced~:):):) (what a FANTASTIC TITLE for a very thoughtful and tongue-and-cheek conservative blog:):):):):):):)...I love these folks:):):):):):):)...

~Relatively Unbalanced~:):):):):):):)...Jen and Bigandmeans' really WONDERFUL, and TERRIBLY SWEET:):):) father and daughter joint blog:):):):):):):)...

And the blog of one of my best conservative friends, Brian White, who I can't quite find at the moment but, who, if I find, I'll post (if I think he'll be ok with that:):):)...but who's review of The Red Masque's 2001 album, The Death of the Red Masque (Brian is a HUGE progressive rock, fan:):):)...here:):):)...

Brian's review of The Death of the Red Masque...The Red Masque's 2001 CD release:):):)...

...and, of course, Glen Reynold's wonderful little conservative political blog, Instapundit:):):):):):):)...Instapundit:):):):):):)...Glenn Reynold's great little conservative political blog:):):)...

...perhaps a more public discussion/debate about liberalism (and academic and activist and somewhat theological one has been going on for some time, now:):):)...and always does, really:):):)...that's the great thing about a largely more liberal academia:):):) (and by liberal, I mean "small l"...meaning both liberty loving:):):)...and, by definition, an ongoing open discussion/debate/argument about the nature of humanity:):):)...

...often a more "big l" liberalism is present in academia, too:):):)...meaning a more POWER-FOCUSSED and TOO POWER OBSESSED liberalism:):):):):):):)...though academia, generally, is a more open community to diversity, in my study and experience, than almost any other institution, period, nevertheless more conservative institutions, like, say, the military or law enforcement or business, especially it's most conservative institutions, like banking and insurance:):):)...

...save conservative media, academic and philosophical circles, which also overlap with liberal media, academic, and philosophical circles, largely BECAUSE of a more "small l" liberal commitment by most or all of these folks to open debate and discussion:):):)...that's where the life of any society is at:):):)...and I am SO UTTERLY PROUD to be a member and a heartfelt proponent of that kind of liberalism/conservatism/whatever the hell you want to call it:):):):):):):)...

It's my favorite place in society:):):)...the ongoing, more open, more free thinking and speaking, more engaged, more insightful, more free thought and expression defending, more thoughtful, more scientific and empirical, more decent, more honest, clearer, more humble and apologetic and forgiving, more positive, constructive, responsible, optimistic, and hopeful...

...the BETTER:):):)...

...circles of discussion and debate and disagreement and free thought and speech and writing and expression and communication:):):)...

...that make up what I think of as "small l" liberalism and perhaps what conservatives might identify as "small c" conservativism...and what we all just might call the GREAT CONVERSATION ABOUT HUMANITY:):):):):):):)...

I have to say that Joseph Campbell's celebration of "The Open Life," as one extended interview/semi-biography of him that I read on end in graduate school is titled...and Abraham Maslow's and many others' celebration of an open society:):):)...and classical conservativism's celebration of classical liberalism:):):):):):):)...

All of these things are what have so endeared and sustained me in the intellectual, open debating/discussing worlds of liberalism, conservativism, Marxism, anarchism, libertarianism, radicalism, environmentalism, feminism, civil rights, gay rights, disability and mental health rights, fiscal and economic conservativism, media-based and philosophical conservativism, and even Evangelical conservatism:):):):):):):)...

...is the BIG, BROAD, OPEN discussion...writing... reading...engagement...in each and between and among these circles:):):):):):):)...

It's one of my life's finer delicacies, really, to be able to go to a book store or look at a magazine rack:):):)...or turn on the internet, more often these days:):):)...or go to a library:):):)...or borrow or lend or give a book from/to a brend:):):)...or to discuss at length with a friend...any and every friend:):):):):):):)...

To live life by talking about it:):):)...and reading about it:):):)...and discussing it:):):)...and disagreeing about it:):):)...and agreeing about it:):):)...and changing one's mind:):):)...and changing it back:):):)...and changing it back, yet again:):):):):):):)...

THINKING:):):):):):):)...I LOVE IT:):):):):):):)...

And I love what's happening in contemporary conservative circles these days:):):)...

And I think it could/should inspire more and more public and more open discussion similarly about liberalism...and about open societies...and about liberal/conservative/other overlaps in those circles/discussions:):):):):)...

And about humanity:):):)...and it's nature:):):) (the grounding around the answer to that question that is THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON, really, for why I identify as a liberal, rather than as a conservative:):):)...because, fundamentally...down deep...down really, really deep:):):):):):):)...in addition to being COMPLETELY and UNCONDITIONALLY committed to free and open and engaged and perpetually imperfect and learning and growing and developing thought and speech and discussion and debate and conversation:):):):):):):):)...

I love...and trust...and see and trust and actively nurture and support and work to enlarge the overall growth and learning and progress in humanity:):):):):):):)...and in a freer, more open, more engaged, more intelligent, more talkative:):):)...more authentically human and humane form of humanity:):):):):):):)...

I love humanity:):):)...I love learning:):):)...I love thinking:):):)...and talking:):):)...and engaging:):):)...and disagreeing:):):)...and agreeing:):):)...and disagreeing and agreeing some more:):):):):):)...and some more still:):):)...forever and forever:):):)...without end:):):)...without any final victor:):):):):):)...without any one person dominating the rest:):):):):):):):)...

I love the idea and the thought and the reality of a more authentic humanity:):):):):):):)...one where WE ALL take these ideals more and more seriously:):):):):):):)...

The one that I watch become more authentic -- almost on its own accord:):):)...almost ORGANICALLY, you might say:):):)...and still with human will and volition and responsibility and constructiveness and need behind it as well:):):):):):):)...

I am TOTALLY celebrating humanity at it's finest, today:):):):):):):)...it's open, engaged, perpetual, neverending, always more free, always more thoughtful (and mistaken:):):)...and thoughtful:):):)...and mistaken:):):)...and thoughtful:):):) conversation about itself:):):):):):):):):):):)...

Amongst conservatives:):):)...amongst liberals:):):)...amongst us ALL:):):):):):):)...

I have been talking and celebrating and acting like a boyish mad-man today:):):):):):)...ask Melissa:):):):):):)...I've been CRAZY:):):):):):):)...all day:):):):):):):)...

Loving life:):):)...loving humanity:):):)...loving thinking and writing and talking and discussing and debating and disagreeing and agreeing and being uncertain and being certain and being uncertain and being certain and having doubt and having faith and having doubt and having faith:):):):):):):):):):):)...

I have TOTALLY BEEN CELEBRATING BEING HUMAN ALL DAY LONG:):):):):):):):):):):)...

As The Great and Mighty Molly Shannon might say:):):):):):):)...

"I love it...I love it...I love it...I love it...I love it...I love it":):):):):):):):):):):)...

Here's a GREAT BIG SMOOCH to humanity, at this moment:):):):):):):)...

And here's a great big smooch to conservatives, everywhere:):):):):):):)...ESPECIALLY conservatives engaged in the kind of free and open and engaged and thoughtful and disagreeing and agreeing and full of doubt and full of faith introspection that so many conservatives are engaged in today:):):):):):):):):):):)...

Gracias, senor y senora y senorita conservativos/as del mundo:):):):):):):)...Thanks to the conservatives of the world:):):):):):):)...

For the keeping the discussions and debates OPEN and HONEST and AUTHENTIC and ENGAGED and FREE and THOUGHTFUL and REAL and supporting the learning and growth and development of all us:):):):):):):)...humanity:):):):):):):)...

...EVERYWHERE:):):):):):):)...

And for doing so amongst conservatives as much as amongst all of us:):):):):):):):):):):)...

What does it mean to be a liberal?:):):):):):):):):):):)...

Keep reading:):):):):):):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

P.S.:):):)...if you haven't heard the Decemberists, yet:):):) (I've been listening to tunes like 16 Military Wives:):):) and Los Angeles, I'm Yours:):):)...The Engine Driver:):):)...Here I Dreamt I was an Architect:):):)...and definitely try to listen to the original Decemberists song that TOTALLY sold me on this brilliant little left wing political band:):):)...My Mother was a Chinese Trapeze Artist:):):):):):)...

I have to blog about another blog:):):)

{Listening to: The Dixie Chicks:):):)...Top of the World:):):)...More Love:):):)...Godspeed:):):)...and just about ANYTHING Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz I can get my hands on thanks to Rose:):):):):):)...}

I spent all evening at work thinking about this brilliant little post that I was going to write on how President Bush and Pope Benedict (as my conservative friend, Thomas, reminded me was the "PROPA" way to refer to ol' Ratzy:):):)

...how they both teach HAVE ONE REALLY IMPORTANT EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US TO FOLLOW:):):):):)...

That being conservative means that you NEVER have to say you're sorry:):):):):):):)...(Pope Ratzinger oversaw the BIGGEST COVER-UP in modern Vatican history, and he has the fucking gall to fire Father Thomas Reese?...the implication being that it was liberals like Reese who created the climate for pedophilia in the church...and not the COVER-UP of top officials in it, like Ratzinger...what a disgusting pig, frankly...Pope Ratzinger has A LOT OF FUCKING GALL, I have to say...and so do conservatives and conservative Catholics who defend him...

But I don't want to blog about the Pope and the President quite yet:):):)...I'll get to them:):):)...don't worry:):):)...

Because even though I SPENT ALL NIGHT THINKING ABOUT WRITING THIS POST:):):):):):):) (especially when my conservative friend, Thomas, DEFENDED the Pope's decision to fire a liberal Catholic of conscience precisely because he was liberal -- do conservative Catholics realize just how INCREDIBLY ARROGANT AND UGLY a move like that is/was?)...

Even though I thought about it all night:):):)...

I got to my blog and my email and the internet this morning:):):)...

And I visited one of the sites I visit first every morning that I sit down at my computer:):):)...

Rose's GORGEOUS little blog:):):)...Anonymous Rowhouse:):):)...

I've REALLY, REALLY, REALLY enjoyed blogging and visiting blogs:):):)...and getting to know folks through the internet:):):) (Melissa and I MET through blogging:):):)...she lived in Milwaukee, safely behind her computer, there, going to school and knowing NOTHING about our beautiful little university town, Lawrence, Kansas -- which she now calls home and has met a REALLY GREAT friend of mine -- before I found her blog:):):):):):):)...

And I've made A TON of REALLY, REALLY, REALLY GREAT FRIENDS through blogging:):):)...and chatting:):):)...the internet:):):):):):):)...

But I don't think I've ever read a blog that quite moves me like Justrose's Anonymous Rowhouse...

Ever...

That's for you to know, more than anyone else, Rose:)...you write BEAUTIFULLY, hon:):):)...and you need to hear it:):):):):)...

I had a friend in Seattle:):):)...Sarah Sweeney:):):)...who's blog...

Laughsingsmile, Sarah Sweeney's My Thoughts on the Matter:):):):):):)...a REALLY BEAUTIFUL BLOG:):):):):):):)...

...she stopped writing in last October:(...to the TOTAL disappointment of very big fans like me:):):):):):):)...and Sarah's writing did/does move me INCREDIBLY:):):):):):):)...

Sarah...if you're reading this:):):)...I still promise to be THE VERY FIRST PERSON to buy one of your novels, if you ever publish one:):):):):)...

But Rose just is something special altogether that I think you'll find equally impressive:):):):):):):)...

She wrote two entries in the last day or so that I was just TOTALLY FLOORED by:):):):):):):)...

Please check Rose out when you get a chance:):):):):):):)...I GUARANTEE you that you will not regret it:):):):):):):)...

I'll write more on the President and the Pope, later:):):)...

For now:):):)...

Just Rose...

Go check out Rose:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

A Day in Iraq:):):)...

Michael is the first name/psuedonym? of the American soldier who writes the BRILLIANT and REALLY TERRIFIC online journal of events in Iraq...

..in his really awesome blog, A Day In Iraq...

...a military blog that my friend, Ala, from Blond Sagacity, who's AMAZING conservative blog and forum for discussing and debating hot political issues I will give as much publicity as I can:):):)

Blond Sagacity...Ala's blog:):):)...

I spent my morning with Michael's blog, today:):):)...and it was an honor:):):)...I must say:):):)...I've thought for about a year and a half about signing up:):):)...and Michael's blog was DEFINITELY the most reassuring blog to reinforce that thinking:):):):):):)...

It is VERY ENCOURAGING to see that I might some company amongst other generous and caring soldiers:):):):):):)...soldiers whose concern about the Iraqi people transcend politics or differences of policy:):):):):):)...

Michael's description of New York is almost EXACTLY as I remember it when Brandi and I visited there almost 7 years ago, now:):):):):):)...brilliantly lit:):):)...exciting:):):)...filled with adventure:):):)...and ALWAYS something of interest:):):)...I told Michael about Brandi's and my trip to see the Broadway musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown:):):)...how I was afraid that it would epitomize EVERYTHING I HATED about musicals, at the time:):):):):):):)...but how it turned out to be a really AMAZING experience:):):) (if you haven't seen You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, you definitely should:):):)...and if you have kids:):):)...you definitely SHOULDN'T miss it:):):):):):):)...

What struck me most about Michael's blog...in addition to his generosity with water and with needed money for Iraqi children selling swords to make money for their families to buy food and basic needs...

Was Michael's description of walking through New York giving money to homeless folks, there:):):)...

When Brandi and I lived in Washington D.C. for the three months of the summer that I visited her in Summer of 1998 (the same summer that we took the quick trip to New York City:):):), I would get ENDLESS shit from our friends, Alex and Mike, about how I always wanted to give money (and still do give money whenever I can:):):), to the homeless folks, there:):):):):):)...

And it was SO SWEET to read Michael's really wonderful story about the mix of feelings anyone always has when giving money to homeless people:):):)...especially when you are giving so absent of expectations for how that money is spent, as Michael did and as I do:):):):):):)...

Michael's story of finding a way to get Iraqi soldiers water even though they're not technically allowed to give their own bottled and purified water, since it is in short supply and often leaves them asking for water from their fellow soldiers, and arranging with a higher up to get unpurified water for them is REALLY HEARTWARMING:):):):):):)...that one soldier will show that kind of decency and risk the face with his commanding officer to make sure that soldiers in the desert without water can get it is a real testament to the most genuine compassion and concern that should and often does drive American soldiers as they work to liberate ordinary Iraqis:):):):):):)...and bring freedom and democracy to a people that are long overdue for it:):):):):):)...

His story of giving money to Iraqi children who sell swords from old bayonets to help feed and house and clothe their families is really very beautiful:):):):):):)...

And Michael's story of searching -- desperately -- for anything of substance...to read...or listen to:):):)...and finding Johnny Cash's album where he cover's Trent Resnor:):):) (and Depeche Mode's My Own Personal Jesus:):):):):):):) (THAT is why I LOVE Johnny Cash:):):):):):):)...this Pope could learn A LOT from the example of Johnny:):):):):):):):):)...and from Michael:):):):):):):)...

Michael is an excellent example of what kind of ideals need to lead this war:):):):):):)...and many Americans would do well to heed the example of this heroic young man:):):)...

Please take a moment to check out Michael's blog:):):)...you won't regret that you did:):):):):):)...

I also want to give mad props to Rose's Anonymous Rowhouse:):):)...the sweet and beautiful blog of the woman who found my blog and got me in touch with such a really lively and wonderful little crowd in New Jersey and throughout the blogosphere:):):)...

http://anonymousrowhouse.blogspot.com/

...and, of course, Colby Buzzel's really wonderful military blog which he has had to stop posting personal narratives to because, military personell say, of security concerns...but which still includes many articles about the situation and words of support from fans of Colby's blog:):):)...

My War...Spc. Colby Buzzell's military blog

Thanks, Michael:):):)...for your service and risking the ultimate sacrafice to bring peace and freedom and democracy to peoples' in desperate need of them:):):):):):)...

And thanks, Ala, for working so dilligently to keep folks like Michael and Colby near to our hearts:):):):):):)...

Have a good everyone:):):):):):)...

And when you get a chance:):):)...check out Josh Turner's Long Black Train:):):):):):):)...the brilliant little country ditty that I'm listening to right now:):):):):):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Building a Better World:):):):):):)...The Original Recipe:):):):):):)...

Please take a moment to read about TWO very important pieces of news on Building a Better World...My Very First Blog:):):)...

Building a Better World...The Wonder Years:):):):):):)

First...two very important milestones for our little Kansas City poverty lobbying group, a chapter of the most effective lobbying group I've ever been a part of, RESULTS International:):):)...and...

Second...an important story about the Vatican ouster of Father Thomas Reese, the liberal editor for the moderate and most influential Catholic magazine in the United States, I believe, America...and what it means for free and independent thinking people everywhere...

Hope everyone's having a great Mother's Day:):):):):):):)...and hope the moms out there enjoy a much deserved day of appreciation and, hopefully:):):), rest:):):)...

Happy Mother's Day, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben

The edict from the Vatican has inspired me:):):)...

I've got lots more that I've got to write about...and, eventually:):):)...when I have a teaching job:):):)...to teach about:):):):):):):)...in my short little lifetime:):):)...

More elaboration on principles of Least Possible Necessary Aggression:):):)...and their implications for a WHOLE HOST of domestic and international policy areas:):):)...intrapersonal, interpersonal, social, organizational, and insitutional relationships:):):):):):)...

I have SO MUCH to share about these principals and so many other topics:):):):):):):)...

But...right now:):):)...at this very minute:):):):):):):)...

I am in TOTAL AWE and FEELING TOTALLY APPRECIATIVE of my opportunity to THINK AND EXPRESS MYSELF FREELY:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)...

THE most important virtue that a person and a society can have and nurture in its people:):):):):):):)...the most important freedom for any and all of us to have and to use:):):)...as much as possible:):):)...as often as possible:):):):):):)...and as much as we need:):):)...saying thing that are foolish:):):)...and wise:):):):):):)...and wiser the more we say both foolish and wise things:):):):):):):)...

The more we think and express our thoughts and feelings and give them voice:):):)...the better we get at understanding this crazy little universe:):):):):):):)...and this crazy little planet:):):):):):)...and this crazy little species:):):):):):):)...homo sapiens:):):):):):):)...humans:):):):):):):)...

...people:):):):):):):)...

I'll write more soon:):):):):):):)...you can be sure of that:):):):):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Amazing Grace:):):)..and Judy Garland:):):)...

When everyone gets a chance:):):)...

You should download/check out the REALLY AWESOME version of Amazing Grace composed by John Newton performed by the Walela Cherokee Nation group that I am listening to now:):):)...

It is a native drum and a capella vocal version that is OUT OF THIS WORLD:):):)...

And just for the record, Rose:):):)...I am now...at this very moment...listening to one of about 10-20 Judy Garland songs I downloaded from Bearshare, including all of the ones you mentioned (except I Can't Give You Anything But Love, which I couldn't find on Bearshare...BUT:):):)...including a Judy Garland/Liza Minelli duet of Hello, Dolly that I am SO EXCITED TO HEAR? (have you ever heard them perform together, Rose?:):):)...how's THAT for an unexpected little Mother's Day gift?:):):)...Judy Garland sings SO BEAUTIFULLY:)...I'm listening to Somewhere Over the Rainbow, right now:)...and I'm MELTING:):)...what an TOO-AMAZING-FOR-WORDS voice that woman had on her:):):)...

Happy Mother's Day, Judy:)...and Happy Mother's Day, Rose, and to my moms, of course, and to all of the moms in the world who do all of the REALLY HEAVY LIFTING in this world that takes all of you FAR TOO MUCH FOR GRANTED...

Sweet dreams, Judy:):):)...

Love,
Ben

The terribly tragic case of Lyndie England...

Traveling Soldier, More Love, Godspeed, and Top of the World...by one of the greatest country music bands and some of the greatest musicians of all time...Natalie Maines...Emily Robinson...and Marty McGwire:):):)...and the band -- other than Maximumsuck:):):) -- that I would most want to play at my wedding:):):)...The Dixie
Chicks:):):):):):)...

I was ESTATIC this morning when I heard the news on NPR:):):)...

Lyndie England's case declared a mistrial:):):)...

I have said from the first time I saw this story that there are so many multiple mitigating circumstances in this trial -- especially of Lyndie -- that justice would not be done if this 21-year-old does time...

In addition to the fact that not only is she 21 YEARS OLD, folks...and following orders of a commanding officer (as you can imagine ANY 21 YEAR OLD soldier would do)...

There are MANY, MANY mitigating circumstances in the cases of ALL of the Abu Grahib soldiers...

Andrew Sullivan...

Andrew Sullivan

...has followed this case for some time...and the level of confusion created, ultimately -- BY THE ADMINISTRATION...President Bush, his attorneys, Don Rumsfeld, and other major players -- in the open-ended definitions of torture and what was permissible interrogation techniques -- leaves MANY, MANY unanswered questions about where lines of culpability lie...

And the President has A LOT to answer on this matter...

I don't want to see the President or any of his staff to see any charges for ANY of the alleged crimes they have been accused of during this war...

It is important to note that they likely violated international law by sidestepping a U.N. resolution to go to war in Iraq and by sidestepping even U.N. Security council approval or even NATO leadership on this effort...

And the President can try to INTERPRET his way out of that one ALL HE WANTS...

And in the end, it's just ways to avoid dealing with the fact that he and his administration seriously bended, at the very least, and seriously broke, at most, SEVERAL IMPORTANT international and military laws and rules of engagement in both Abu Grahib and in the course of the law itself...

And I don't want to see ANY OF THEM face ANY ACTION for that...
I do have to say that it is QUITE IRONIC that the party of Iran-Contra (support for the Contras that I supported, by the way...at least in retrospect:):):)...I was like 12 when it happened:):):):):)...would TODAY be the party of law and order, CONVENIENTLY and ALWAYS ignoring all of the places where it commits and, in the case of Iran-Contra, PARDONS crimes:):):):):):)...

But the last thing that needs to happen to some 21 year old soldier who was following orders from folks higher than her who, as Charles Granger tells it, believed that THEY WERE WITHIN ORDERS/REASON OF HIGHER UPS, is that she should somehow face 11 years taken from her life...

And NOT ONE OF THE GODDAMN COWARDS in the Bush Administration HAS THE FUCKIN' BALLS to take some responsibility on her behalf...

I can't believe that those sons-a-bitches almost watched a 21-year-old girl take an 11-year-nosedive and NOT ONE OF THOSE MOTHERFUCKERS stepped up the fucking plate and said, "You know...when I think about it...we did blur the lines of what was permissible and what wasn't...and since we're the folks in charge in all (and one of us happens to be THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, FOR GOODNESS FUCKING SAKES) MAYBE...just MAYBE we might have some responsibility to take on this one...

Fuckin' cowards...

Instead ALL OF THEM let a 21-year-old girl take one for the team...one...I'm sure...that she would NEVER see repaid...

WHAT A LOAD OF FUCKING BULLSHIT...FUBAR (Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition) in the EXTREME...

And good for this judge to FINALLY be one person in the goddamn military establishment to put this girl's life above all their own fucking careers...

Goddamn...

Lyndie England should be let free...and there should be WAY MORE than a trial of Charles Granger or whomever else to deal with what happened at Abu Grahib...

There needs to be a MUCH MORE INVOLVED DISCUSSION of the organizational features, attitudes, military culture -- including a basic training culture that basically COMPELS and BRAINWASHES young folks JUST LIKE LYNDIE ENGLAND to FOLLOW ORDERS IN EXACTLY THE MANNER SHE DID...without question...without challenge...without criticism...without anything but a "Yes sir...anything you say, sir" etc. that lead to this kind of stuff and FAR WORSE in almost EVERY WAR SINCE THE DAWN OF HUMANITY...

It is a little known open secret of warfare that terrible things happen in war...

And, yet again, I find myself agreeing with John Derbyshire of the National Review, that kids like Lyndie should neither be scapegoated nor sacraficed to this fact of warfare that needs to be dealt with constructively over time within the ENTIRE MILITARY SUPERSTRUCTURE, not on a case by case basis, as if it's more isolated than it really is, if we are ever going to make some headway on it...

And what keeps ALL OF THIS KIND OF BULLSHIT in place is the both the refusal of folks in positions of authority to talk about it openly...and A TERRIBLY HARSH AND CONTROLLING MILITARY CULTURE -- from basic training on -- and VERY HARSH SENTENCES that are typically handed down in military court-marshalls that keeps EVERYONE very self-interested and VERY QUIET...

Which keeps the whole goddamned mess in place...

Which is exactly what needs to be discussed and dealt with if ANYONE is SINCERELY interested in preventing this kind of thing in the future and not just in papering over its most recent scapegoat...

I, for one, am tired of the scapegoating...the silence...and the UTTER REFUSAL of folks with the most authority and who CLEARLY have some responsibility to take on this one keeping both their mouthes shut...

And simultaneously, selfishly and without remorse, openly calling for, developing legislation for, and enforcing the VERY KINDS OF HARSH PUNISHMENTS that MAINTAIN THIS SILENCE...

And the terribly tragic scapegoating of 21-year-old kids like Lyndie England...

The military is SUPPOSED to make men and women of the folks who escalate through its ranks...

But noone -- except for a lone military judge -- has the BALLS to speak honestly about what happens in warfare and what has happened and may still happen to 21-year-old Lyndie England...

I say ENOUGH OF THE DENIAL...

The military needs to FACE UP TO ITS BULLSHIT...and stop scapegoating individuals for what is a much bigger matter of the heart for just about EVERY SOLDIER who's ever risked their lives to protect our freedom...

Congratulations to Colonel James Pohl for having some of that kind of courage...

And here's to the American military engaging in one of it's most difficult missions yet...

To talk openly about itself...and to start cleaning up some of its messes...

Lyndie has plenty to take responsibility in this case...

And contrary to the UTTER BULLSHIT AND DENIAL voiced by one of the mothers in this case that the behavior of these soldiers reflected TOO MUCH IDEALISM (is there any end to the irony in the conservative case for military-style justice in America's civil life)...

It is QUITE CLEAR that these soldiers' behavior reflects a pretty serious FAILURE OF THEIR IDEALISM TO TAKE HOLD WHEN THEY NEEDED IT TO...

When we accept lower standards for our humanity rather than constantly striving for higher, more liberal -- meaning small l, meaning open society, open-heartedness, open-mindedness, open arms -- more AUTHENTICALLY progressive idealism...

Abu Grahib is the kind of consequence we get...

And have ALWAYS gotten...and FAR WORSE...in wars...since the DAWN OF HUMANITY...contrary to the terribly mistaken and rose-colored and subsquently dark fantasies of so many conservatives and liberals...

And the ONLY way to correct it is NOT to scapegoat 21-year-old soldiers...

But to open our hearts...to get underneath it...to seek to understand it...to seek to deal with it HONESTLY (and not shove it under the rug, as the Administration has done up until now)...and to work OPENLY and WITH AS LITTLE FEAR OF RETRIBUTION as possible to deal with the underlying issues here...

The emotional consequences of warfare...

The fear of dying and being killed...the emotional consequences of killing others...the pain associated with watching friends and soldiers die...the accumulated pain and fear on the hearts of soldiers and civilians, alike, amidst the most dangerous centers of war...and all of the pain and fear inflicted in a WAY HYPERPUNITIVE AND HARSH MILITARY CULTURE that still hasn't quite figured out that IT -- as much as any one soldier -- is responsible for so much of the ugliness that we see year in a year out in war and out the military establishment...

As the Dixie Chicks sing...though the realities are far more complicated than their song...

The answer is found in more love...in more compassion...in more understanding...

The kind that Bobby Kennedy spoke up as he announced the assassination of Martin Luther King...the kind that he had to summon up as he forgave the murder of his own brother and as he talks about in his speech to Indianapolis in April of 1968 and to the country...

The kind that the Central Park jogger who was raped and left for dead almost two decades ago spoke about in her book...

The kind that Desmond Tutu speaks of in his work on truth and
reconciliation and truth and reconciliation commissions to replace or, at least, compliment, the International Criminal Court, that conservatives are so RIGHTLY weary of, especially when it comes to the welfare of U.S. soldiers and officers...

Like 21-year-old Lyndie England:):):):):):)...

I have more to blog:):):)...

But that's enough for now about Lyndie:):):)...

Maybe, now, Lyndie can believe again -- a little bit more -- in a country that was ready to abandon her when she had signed up to sacrafice her life for them...

What a terrible, terrible, ugly tragedy it would be for Lyndie England to have 11 years of her life WASTED...while those with most culpability for these awful things that happened at Abu Grahib remain silent, more worried about their own hind ends...

...than about the fate of the significant bulk of the life of a 21-year-old girl...

Godspeed, everyone:):):)...sweet dreams:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Ala's school discipline and higher education forums:):):)...and Bigandmean's girly liberals forum:):):)...Part Deux:):):)...

A MUCH BETTER VERSION of this post is on my other blog:):):)...

Building a Better World:):):)...Original Flavor:):):)

WITH LINKS to Ala's and Bigandmean's (and Jen's) blogs:):):)...

Which I will post, again, here:):):)...

Blonde Sagacity:):):)...the random thoughts of an old-school conservative with a porn star twist:):):)...

~relatively unbalanced~:):):)...Bigandmean's and Jen's very sweet, very funny daddy/daughter blog:):):)...

Enjoy, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben

Ala's school discipline and higher education forums...and Bigandmeans' girlie liberal forum:):):):):):)...

For whatever reasons:):):)...

My comments for Ala and Bigandmean on their Blogspot blogs have not

been going through:):):)...

So...I'm reproducing them here since I thought we were having some

pretty decent discussions that I wanted to continue but wasn't able to

on in their comments' sections:):):)...

First...my response to Ala's most recent response in her school

discipline forum:):):)...

"Ala:)...

You're right:)...there are A MILLION great teaching movies to inspire

efforts to improve schools:):):)...

And the ONE thing that ALL of those movies have in common, without

having to parse out of the particular situations that schools face is

that teachers who build good RELATIONSHIPS with students are far more

likely to make a difference than teachers who are either unengaged,

discouraged, or who treat students like the enemy rather than as those

they are responsible for caring for...

Let's start with the movies, Ala...and then we'll move to where this

conversation needs to move...to the most engaged THINKING about schools

in universities and elsewhere:):):)...

I LOVED Stand By Me:):):):):):)...still do:):):):):):)...

And much of this movie was kind of candy, really:):):)...

Stand and Deliver, on the other hand, was a TERRIFIC movie about a

teacher who, BY AND LARGE, built strong relationships with his students

rather than bullying them...Jaime Escalante stood up to bullies...but

he did not bully them like principal (I'm forgetting his name, right

now...Joe...something:):):) in Stand By Me:):):)...

And remember, Ala...the superintendent in Stand By Me STANDS UP to Joe,

the principal -- Morgan Freeman's character -- FOR EXACTLY THAT

REASON...

As Ben Guillaume's character says in the movie, "Because contrary to

the conventional wisdom around here, I AM THE HEAD NIGGA IN CHARGE

around here"...

Meaning that not even Stand By Me romanticizing Joe's bullying as much

as your post might suggest...and even that movie romanticizes it too

much...

Stand and Deliver, on the other hand, romanticizes such nonsense almost

NOT AT ALL, as much as it is critical of the mindsets of teachers in

neighborhoods like their's where teachers assume that kids cannnot

achieve and create self-fulfilling prophecies...

The REAL POINT, Ala, is that there has always been and ALWAYS will be

plenty of "blame" to go around for who is responsible for failing

schools and failing in schools...

But the most constructive approaches to improving schools need to come

from OUR BEST efforts to think through alternatives to improve school

situations...

Many of these -- like school choice, vouchers, charter schools, etc. --

come from conservatives like Terry Moe and Chester Finn (though I love

Chester's work on charter schools, I'm not a big fan, AT ALL, of his

poorly-conceived ideas about school discipline...he wants to pattern

American life and American schools on SINGAPORE for God's sakes...I

say, Chester, you want to live in Singapore...go live there, you

ungrateful fuck...and leave the freedom of America to stay in

America)...

And many of them come from liberals --
like all Rich Simpson and Tom Skrtic -- and their ideas on least

restrictive environment and schools taking responsibilty for their own

too restrictive practices and the ways that this creates many problems

that they might otherwise ignore...

There are GREAT THINKERS ALL OVER THE IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM...

But the thinking is what we are FAR TOO BEREFT of in public school

discussions...as well as enough opportunities for parents and teachers

and students and others to get involved in such discussions to improve

schools...

It's crazy to me, Ala, how so many conservatives can embrace "tough

love" approaches and not see that all those liberal professors who

graded them down for expressing different ideas were also engaged in

"tough love" as much as anything that conservatives or anyone might

engage in with kids or liberals:):):):):):)...

The truth is, Ala, that we are ALL a bunch of bullies...looking to

limit discussion that we don't like...with one another...with

kids...with other parents...with teachers...with just about everyone...

Because we're all so GODDAMNED SURE that we know what's best...

It's self-righteous...and it's bullshit...and a more engaged discussion

of ALL of the complex issues in schools is the best antidote, I

think:):):):):):)...

I'll write more, later, Ala:):):)...

Talk with you later:):):):):):)...

Ben"...

...next...my comments for Ala on her higher education forum:):):)...

"Ala:):):)...what a crazy picture, huh?:):):):):):)...

Not the picture you want to show or see on the campus tour, huh, as

you're checking out those dumpy little dorm rooms?:):):):):):)...

No offense, y'all...but I think most people here are missing the

point...

Professors...teachers...administrators...none of

them...left...right...far left...far

right...libertarian...anarchist...socialist...theocratic (I'm quite

surprised that folks are not as outraged about a lot of the bullshit

that pretends to be a genuine pursuit or knowledge that shows up in

religious colleges and universities)...

None of these folks are perfect...

And the WHOLE POINT of democracy -- especially for a more authentic

democracy -- is that it accounts for the fact that people are

imperfect...the unique thing about democracy is that it openly

acknowledges that it is far from ideal and all of the discussion and

debate that takes place within it is far from ideal...always seeking

and searching out better and better ideals...that's the nature of free

and engaged thought and expression...

Meaning...that EVERYONE has to stop being such whining little pusses...

And start writing good papers and making good arguments and engaging in

good discussions NO MATTER WHO your professor is...

Because I GUARANTEE that -- as a general rule -- you will have FAR MORE

FREEDOM to do so in UNIVERSITIES than you will in almost every other

area of life...business, included...but much more than institutions

like, say, the military or law enforcement, where heterodoxy is treated

with MUCH less respect, in my study and experience, than in

universities...

So, contrary to the little dark fantasies of less capable folks like

David Horowitz (whether he was a radical liberal or a radical

conservative) is not to CENSOR the views of liberal or conservative or

WHATEVER professors we might have...

It's to stop whining, for goodness sakes...and start engaging the

discussion with MORE INTELLIGENT ARGUMENTS, if you got them...

And whoever said that universities are not the same as they were in the

old days are RIGHT...

They are FAR MORE OPEN:):):):):):):)...FAR MORE

EGALITARIAN:):):):):):)...FAR MORE READILY and FINANCIALLY within reach

of FAR MORE PEOPLE:):):):):):)...there are FAR MORE AMERICANS who go to

college today than any other time in American or probably humanity's

history:):):):):):)...which has EVERYTHING to do with the EXTRAORDINARY

efforts of all of those liberal, conservative, radical, anarchist,

libertarian, unaffiliated, and otherwise bright folks who teach and

work in universities...

The fact is that everyone who has been to a university needs to be a

hell of a lot more GRATEFUL that those folks helped create as many

opportunities for them that they did...

And if you want SMARTER ARGUMENTS to be taken more seriously in

universities...

Then START MAKING THEM...

And STOP WHINING...

It's unbecoming:):):):):):)...

In my experience...though I've dealt with FAR MORE than my fair share

of liberal, conservative, radical, religious, anarchist, libertarian

and other professors giving more hell than was good for my education...

Most if not ALL of these people...will...as a general rule...listen to

GOOD ARGUMENTS BETTER than almost anyone else in the

culture:):):):):):)...

Universities don't have the reputation of having the smartest folks

among them for no reason at all, for goodness sakes:):):)...

A bit of conventional wisdom that I'm surprised that this forum engages

in so much CONSPIRACY THEORY to ignore:):):):):):)...

(Nonsense conspiracy comes from ALL DIRECTIONS, folks:):):):):):)...not

just from the left:):):):):):)...

Universities have that reputation...

Because they, generally, ARE the places where the SMARTEST PEOPLE hang

out...and teach...and get hired:):):):):):)...

And Lefty is right:):):):):):)...

If you want to change them...I suggest you study up...and become a part

of one:):):):):):)...

Or study up...and become a part of one of the HUNDREDS of think tanks

that CRITIQUE them:):):):):):) (fairly

and...often...not-so-fairly:):):):):):)...

But the thing that the right is FAR OVERREACHING itself on these days

is in the terribly deceptive and awfully-conceived effort by folks like

David Horowitz to CENSOR people they disagree with (and it becomes

clearer the more you read and listen to David that what he means is to

censor the LEFT, not the right, as he DEFENDS -- rightly -- Larry

Summers -- against efforts to impose political correctness from the

left...and DEFENDS -- WRONGLY -- efforts to impose political

correctness on folks like Ward Churchill or this professor that Ala

features, from the right...

What EVERYONE needs to learn how to do is to BE A GROWN-UP, write GOOD

PAPERS...make GOOD ARGUMENTS...and STOP THE WHINING, for god's sakes...

I thought the point of the best of conservatism was to LEAVE BEHIND THE

LEGACY OF VICTIMHOOD...NOT EMBRACE IT AS CONSERVATIVES' OWN CAUSE, for

goodness sakes...

Really...y'all...

Victimhood looks unattractive on liberals...and it looks EQUALLY

unattractive on conservatives:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

The secret to improving Universities...always...perpetually...

Is really no secret at all:):):):):):)...

In fact, it is the MOST OPEN SECRET in the culture, all taken

together:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

It is to think...

To think more...

To think better...

And to subject your thoughts to the criticisms and constructive

suggestions of everyone...

Including and ESPECIALLY people you disagree with:):):):):):)...

Which means all of those KOOKY, CONSPIRACY-SPEWING, liberal AND

conservative professors that you or I might run across in a university

setting:):):):):):)...

And even they -- in my experience -- will tend to treat you

fairly...roughly speaking...if you have good ideas:):):):):):)...

So bone on the studying, folks...because a culture cannot sustain

itself on WHINING, I guarantee you:):):):):):)...

It can only sustain itself on GOOD IDEAS:):):):):)...and if you got

em'...offer 'em up:):):)...

And if they're good:):):):):):)...

I GUARANTEE:):):):):):)...THEY WILL STICK:):):):):):):):):)...

Because THAT...by definition...is what a GOOD IDEA

is:):):):):):):):):)...

It is an idea that gets picked up:):):):):):)...because it is just TOO

GOOD TO PASS UP:):):):):):):):):):):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben"...

...and...finally...my post to Bigandmean's roughly paraphrased

question, "How do you stay so open-minded in a liberal university

town?":):):):):):) (Bigandmean is a conservative law professor who I

PRESUME does NOT live in a liberal university town:):):):):):)...

"It's a great question, bigandmean:):):):):):)...

I ask myself that question ALL THE

TIME:):):):):):):):):):):):)LOL:):):):):):):):)...

My undergrad experience was in my home town of Wichita, Kansas at

Wichita State University...which is a much more open university to

conservative ideas...MANY of my professors were conservatives and

Republicans...and I was more of libertarian, really, going into college

from high school...I read and argued with my liberal professors about

authors like Ayn Rand, and Nathaniel Branden, and Murray Rothbard, and

ALAN GREENSPAN:):):) (did you know that Alan was an Objectivist and

SERIOUS libertarian, back in the day?:):):):):):)...that was the FIRST

encounter I had with the name, Alan Greenspan:):):):):):)...on the

cover of an objectivist newsletter way back in my last years of high

school researching for debate rounds at the nearby university

library:):):):):):)...

WSU was also MUCH MORE involved with the business community in Wichita

than the University of Kansas is, here in Lawrence, I think...MANY, of

the business owners in Lawrence are KU grads...but...in Wichita...not

only were many of the folks Wichita State grads...but the university

made a proactive effort to connect the university with the local

business community...

A MUCH DIFFERENT OUTLOOK than a liberal university town campus

perspective:):):):):):)...

So when conservatives criticize liberals as not being REALLY in favor

of diversity -- meaning ideological diversity:):):) -- I know EXACTLY

what they mean:):):):):):)...

I had ONE HELL of a time in grad school trying to voice conservative,

libertarian, Christian, and religious viewpoints in a radical/liberal

graduate program dominated by two radical Ph.D.'s/professors who showed

FAR TOO LITTLE tolerance for viewpoints different from their own...

But it was good getting all of the experiences...the good ones and the

bad ones...

I call myself a liberal because of my deepened theological perspective,

lately...

Meaning...I grew up and was a youth leader in a little liberal church

in Wichita, Kansas called Unity Church...which was, generally, a REALLY

WONDERFUL spiritual/religious experience for me:):):)...

And...fundamentally...for me...this meant living a life of authentic

love and compassion and understanding for all people...no matter

what...just like Christs' example...

This doesn't mean you let people murder you, of course...that you don't

take terrorists seriously...or murder seriously...or crime...or

violence...or whatever...

It just means that -- as Bobby Kennedy spoke about after the

assassination of Martin Luther King --that you reach past your pain to

find compassion and understanding that helps to better deal with these

and other serious problems in a society and a community:):):)...

And I do that to the best of my ability every day of my

life:):):):):):)...

Desult has counciled me on keeping these posts shorter,

Bigandmean:):):):):):)...so I'll do that now and we can talk more

later:):):):):):)...

Talk soon:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben"

Thanks...Ala and Bigandmean...for offering such great forums to discuss

important stuff:):):):):):)...

And thanks to everyone else for being patient with the little

technological snafu that we encountered, here;):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben

Listening to country music...hanging out with the person who supports me best:)...ME:):):)...

Maybe the reason I've been listening to so much country music, lately, is because it reminds me of the period of my life where there was someone around when I most needed them who supported me better than anyone else:):):):):):)...

Me:):):):):):)...

When Jenny and I broke up when I was a senior in college, I was a lost little puppy...I had several groups of friends...but...you know the routine...when you break up with someone, your friends can, often, be kind of dicks about it:):):)...noone wants to hear about it very long:):):)...or at least not as long as you need to be heard on it:):):)...

That is...all of my friends...except one:):):)...

Brandi:):):)...

...which is EXACTLY why I -- eventually...not right off:) -- fell MADLY in love with her:):):):):):)...

...because she supported me better than any friend I had ever had:):):):):):)...

...and that's what love really is, I think:):):):):):)...

...and I am proud to say, today, that the person that supported me best through my last break-up and who I can depend on for the rest of my life -- including times like these when I'm feeling a little more distrustful of all my friends than hanging out with Rascal Flats and the Dixie Chicks:)...and U2:):):)...and Toby Keith:):):)...and Darryl Worley:):):)...and Diamond Rio:):):)...and a lot of good movies:):):)...and Melissa, of course, since we talk every day:):):)...living together will do that:):):)...

...and...right now:):):)...The Scissor Sisters:):):):):):)...

...I am proud to say that the person that supported me best during that time and who I can still count on best to be supportive when I need it, rather than bitchy or taking their shit out on me:)...

Is me:):):):):):)...

And that's who I plan to hang out with until I feel like I can trust that when the turtle sticks his head out from his shell, that the monkeys are not going to throw their shit at him:):):):):):)...

I know...a crude analogy:):):):):):)...but one that works, I think:):):):):):)...

I love the Scissor Sisters, by the way:):):):):):)...even if they're not Rascal Flats:):):):):):)...or Diamond Rio:):):):):):)...

Last night I realized that I think the most important virtue for ANYONE to have is not to be good, in any particular way...or perfect (which is impossible and an illusion and a dangerous and self-righteous illusion at that:):):):):):)...

The MOST IMPORTANT VIRTUE CAN HAVE, I think, is TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES:):):):):):)...to make up their own minds:):):)...independence of thought:):):):):):):)...

And it is the ONE VIRTUE that we spend MORE TIME UNDERMINING than any other...

Because people who don't respect it enough do too much running of shit around these parts...

Planet Earth, that is:):):):):):)...

It is the ONE VIRTUE that is more important than any other...and which is taken for granted more than any other, I think...

Sadly...for all of our sakes...

That will changing soon enough...I'm confident...

But in the meantime...it's a big pain in the ass to have people lord over me/you with threats of all kinds if I think too much for myself or express myself too honestly that I can hardly stand it sometimes...

People need to stop being such FRAGILE LITTLE BITCHES and to to give all us...everyone...more room to live...and grow...and learn...and make mistakes...

And those who do, will live better lives...

Guaranteed...

Societies which do so, now, have individuals and groups of folks who are, by and large, FAR HAPPIER and live lives of FAR HIGHER QUALITY than those who don't...

And for whatever stupid, dumbass, foolish reasons...

So many of them are working BACKWARDS along this principle and simultaneously FORWARDS (where forward looking, freedom-loving people assert their need for freedom) for their own sakes...

And my society is no exception...unfortunately...and it tires me the fuck out...

Talk with everyone later:)....

Love,
Ben

Thank god for great country music...the next generation:):):)...

...a better version of the post below can be found at my other blog:

Building a Better World...Original Flavor:):):)

...oh:):):)...and don't forget to download/play some of the music while you read to get the FULL EXPERIENCE:):):):):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben

Thank god for great country music:):):):):):)...

Top of the World:)...Dixie Chicks:):):)...

Beautiful Mess:):):)...Diamond Rio:):):)...

These Days:):):)...Rascal Flats:):):)...

I Miss My Friend:):):)...Darryl Worley:):):)...

A Home:):):)...Dixie Chicks:):):)...

Long Black Train:):):)...Josh Turner:):):)...

Godspeed:):):)...Dixie Chicks:):):)...

American Soldier:):):)...Toby Keith:):):)...

More Love:):):)...Dixie Chicks:):):)...

I've watched the video for Darryl Worley's I Miss My Friend three times, this morning...

And I've balled twice...

I miss my friend:(...

When Brandi and I broke up almost 4 years ago, now (we broke up the first August of 2001...about a month before 9/11)...it was temporary...

It took 6 months for Brandi to figure out that she wanted to make it permanent...

And...so...in the spring and summer of 2002...I fell in love with root beer and country music:):):)...

With songs like I Miss My Friend...by Darryl Worley:):):)...These Days...by Rascal Flats:):):)...Beautiful Mess...by Diamond Rio:):):)...

...and later:)...

The entire Home album put out by the Dixie Chicks...the one that got them in so much trouble:):):)...and one of the most beautiful albums, period, I've ever heard...and definitely the best country album I've ever heard in my life...

Songs like More Love...A Home...Top of the World...Traveling Soldier...Godspeed...Tortured, Tangled Hearts...White Trash Wedding:):)...I Believe in Love...Truth No. 2...Long Time Gone:)...the Chicks' AWESOME cover of Landslide:):):)...Little Jack Slade:):)...

It's an INCREDIBLE album...beautiful...smart...compassionate...loving...funny:):):):):):)...

And uniquely the Chicks:):):):):):)...

I repeat:):):)...it is one of THE BEST ALBUMS I've ever heard, period:)...but it is definitely the best country album I've ever heard in my life:):):)...

Has anyone ever heard any of these songs?:):):)...Am I the only country music geek among us?:):):)...

I hope not:):):)...because these songs are BEAUTIFUL:):):)...and should be appreciated by everyone, I think:):):):):):)...

These songs are so authentic:):):)...these really beautiful reflections on relationships gone awry:):):)...for grown-ups who know that they have to pick themselves up and move on to new loves and new dreams:):):)...

The best that country music has to offer, I think:):):)...no matter how many people say that they like old country better than new
country:):):)...

It's pretty clear to me that the life in country music is derived from wonderful, new, progressive country music bands like these:):):)...

These Days is this GORGEOUS song about a couple running into one another after having broke up years earlier:):):)...

"Hey, baby...is that you?...wow, you're hair got so long:)...yeah, yeah, I love it...I really do":):):)...

"Norma Jean, ain't that the song we'd sing in the car, driving downtown, top down, making the rounds, checking out the bands on Dulhemy Avenue"...

"Yeah...life throws you curves"...

"But you learn to swerve"...

"Me...I swung and missed...and the next thing you know...I'm reminiscing...dreaming old dreams...wishing old wishes...like you would be back again"...

"I wake up...and teardrops...they fall down like rain"...

"I put on that old song we danced to and then"...

"I head off to my job...guess not much has changed":):):)...

"Punch the clock...head for home...check the phone...just in case...go to bed...dream of you"...

"Yeah...that's what I'm doing these days"...

"Yeah that's what I'm doing":):):):):):)...

AMAZING song:):):):):):)...I must have listened to that song a hundred times after Brandi and I broke up:):):)...

I listened to a lot of country music after Brandi and I broke up:):):)...sat in the driveway...drank root beer:):):)...

I did have one night of whiskey and Darryl's "I Miss my Friend":):):)...another GREAT country song:):):)...

And "The Good Stuff":):):)...by Kenny Chesney:):):):):):)...

A lot of REALLY GREAT love stories that got played a lot (I'm not sure when they came out since my following of country music is only very recent:):):) about the time when Brandi and I broke up:):):)...just post 9/11 (Brandi and I broke up in August of 2001, just a month before 9/11:):):)...

And...then...just like every other area of music and
entertainment:):):)...

With the exception of the Dixie Chicks' AWESOME album, post 9/11, Home...from which Top of the World came:):):)...

I later learned to love Toby Keith and Josh Turner and more conservative country singers:):):)...I would sing American Soldier at the top of my lungs in my car when it first came out:):):)...and Josh Turner's Long Black Train was some comfort and a healthy antidote to the slight mean streak I could feel coming on when I was out of work, after Community Living Opportunities (I just want to go on record to say that I have been fired twice...and both times -- 100% -- the folks who fired me were soon fired afterwards...which was little comfort to me while I slept in my car in Milwaukee, scared to death of where I was going to sleep, eat, work, etc)...

And only very recently did I find Leann Rhimes' GORGEOUS version of Amazing Grace:):):)...

But, recently, the creative juices in country music just didn't seem to flow so easily:):):)...Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" is beautiful:):):)...but his "Drugs or Jesus" is just one of the shittiest country music songs I've ever heard in my entire life:):):):):):)...

And just not a lot of songs like these really beautiful love songs that seemed to be playing more in 2001 and 2002:):):)...

I was just having this conversation with my friend, Angela, last night:):):)...

The Academy Awards, I think, have just been much shittier in the last few years (as has mainstream cinema, as well, I think, relative to some recent past years -- like 1993 and 1994, when the Unforgiven and Schindler's List won Best Picture awards) for whatever reasons:):):)...

I mean...Lord of the Rings was good...but Best Picture of 2004?...I don't think so...Lost in Translation was nominated that year...and there were at least 10 and as many as 20 movies I named for Angela that I thought should have been nominated and/or won over Lord of the Rings:)...

The Cooler?...Monster?...Girl with the Pearl Earring?...

I have my normal beefs with the Oscars...not nominating Glengarry Glenn Ross for Best Picture or the rest of that cast other than Al Pacino for Best Supporting Actor in 1993...or Denzel Washington in Malcolm X losing to Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman that year for Best Actor the same year ...Al DESERVED Best Supporting Actor, for Glenngarry Glenn Ross:):)...but Denzel deserved the Best Actor award, and was robbed, I believe:):):)...

But my problem with the Academy runs deeper the last couple of years...

The movie selection, generally, just hasn't been as good these last couple of years:):):)...

...and then the Academy's just been making these really poor choices, lately, I think:):):)...

Like Rene Zelwigger for Best Supporting Actress in 2004 for Cold Mountain, a TERRIBLE movie, that she tries to save like a sinking ship...when there were 20 actresses, at least, who did better jobs with good scripts and deserved that award:):):)...that pick was THE BIGGEST EMBARRASSMENT in recent and maybe all-time Oscar history, I think:):):):):):)...

...or Lord of the Rings for Best Picture in the same year when Lost in Translation is nominated:):):)...and when a ton of other movies...

...Monster...House of Sand and Fog...The Cooler...In America...Finding Nemo...the Barbarian Invasions...The Girl with the Pearl Earring...even
American Splendor...are all probably better movies:):):)...

I think my favorite, that year, amongst all of those (there are still a couple like Seabiscuit or Master and Commander: The Farther Side of the World that I still have not seen or, as in the case of Seabiscuit, which I've only seen in part) was Monster...which didn't get nominated...but deserved it more than Seabiscuit, I can tell just from what I'm seen of that cheesy little flick:):):)...and certainly more than the cold, dark, helpless landscape painted in Mystic River...

...and Monster is a fairly decent-sized budget movie...with two stars, Charleze Theron, who was BRILLIANT and TOTALLY deserved the Best Actress Award, and Christina Ricci, who WAY deserved that Best Supporting Actress Award far more than fuckin' Rene Zelwigger for Cold Mountain...

The Oscars and the movie world, generally...and the music world (U2, in particular)...and the entertainment, world, generally, I think...they've all just not been putting out their best stuff in the last couple of years...

And it's just kind of disappointing when you compare it with really great stuff from earlier periods:):):):):):)...

A lot of it I think is money...people rationalizing and compromising quality with profits...I think that explains the Lord of the Rings pick for Best Picture in 2004, which was DEFINITELY NOT the best picture of 2004:):):)...

And a lot of it, I think, may be politics...war and uncertainty...a conservative push that was scaring a lot of the liberals, in particular, in Hollywood, that the Appocalypse was near:):):):):):)...

And...I don't know what...exactly:):):)...

I just know that a lot of the best movies and performances were/are not getting recognized:):)...and a lot of shittier movies/performances ARE when they don't deserve it, as much:):):)...

I'm sure the Academy will sort through it, over time:):):)...

But it's just sad and frustrating to watch it happen in the meantime, as people rationalize why they don't do GREAT WORK:):):)...and why they, far too often, do a lot of SHITTY WORK:):):):):):)...

But it's great work, in the end, that really innovates in the field:):):)...

50 years from now...very few people will remember Under Siege:):):):):):)...one of the candy movies that made big bucks in 1993:):):)...or Stephen Segal, probably:):):):):):)...

I mean...we all will:):):)...

But not like Stephen Spielberg:):):)...and Schindler's List:):):)...which won Best Picture -- rightly -- that year:):):):):)...

Spielberg makes a lot of silly candy movies:):):)...But he will, ultimately, be remembered for his greatest movies:):):):):):)...

Two of which, I think, are two of the greatest movies, if not THE TWO GREATEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME:):):)...

Schindler's List...and Saving Private Ryan (I can't decide, any more, which I like better:):):):):):)...they're both AMAZING:):):):):):)...

But no movies like those last year...or the last couple of years...

I haven't seen Million Dollar Baby or Ray, yet...so I'm probably speaking too soon on this one:):):):):):)...

Because I'm really looking forward to seeing both of them:):):)...

I hope this is all just a blip on the America's and the world's cultural screen:):):)...because we need the life that great music and movies and TV and journalism and media and culture, otherwise, breathes into our lives and into the culture...

For all of his whining...

Does David Horowitz...or Newt Gingrich...or Jerry Falwell...or Pat Robertson...or other pushers of the culture war, feeding America's addiction to blame someone else for the sorry state of our lives...

Do these folks really believe that the culture could really sustain itself on their culture war or their ideas or their words or voices, alone...or primarily?...

The truth is that I doubt these folks have thought VERY MUCH AT ALL ABOUT ANYTHING except for THEIR HATE OF LIBERALS...and just about everyone else, as well, I would bet...

What piss poor culture it would be if the growth of the culture was based on the whims or the permission of folks like David Horowitz:):):)...or Jerry Falwell:):):)...or Pat Robertson:):):)...or Newt Gingrich:):):)...

...or as it already is, far too much, on the whims of my Senator from Kansas, Sam Brownback, as his modern day crusades from the FCC:):):):):):)...

What does it say about the future of the Republican party, by the way, that the only two people flirting with running for office amongst Republicans and conservatives, right now, are Sam Brownback and Newt
Gingrich?:):):):):):):):):)...

That's like a Democratic race between Al Sharpton and Dennis Kucinich:):):):):):):):):):)...

What a shitty race that would be:):):):):):):):)...and then you get a fairer idea of what a shitty selection Republicans have in front of them, right now:):):):):):)...

I think I'd rather elect Mandy Moore -- who I'm listening to right now and who's about as candy as red licorice, though her most recent
performance in Saved -- which I have not seen but am DYING to see:):):) -- looks like a nice break from that old typecast:):):):):):)...

...or the Five Blind Boys from Alabama:):):):):):)...

...at least we might get some authentic soul into Congress:):):)...

...instead of all the same old power-wrangling that tries to play itself off as more honest soul-searching:):):):):):)....

In the meantime...

I have a message for conservatives still engaged in the culture war:):):):):):)...

YOUR CULTURE WAR IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF MY/OUR CULTURE:):):):):):)...

You need to take a seat and find a place within it...rather than trying to control or hurt or limit it:):):):):):)...it's doesn't need your control or regulation, thank you:):):):):):)...

It needs room to grow and live and breathe...and create:):):)...

Including...and especially:):):)...

Room to criticize what sons-a-bitches you are for trying to herd something that, fundamentally, needs to be out from under your thumb:):):):):):)...

Because I'm tired of shitty "Drugs or Jesus" songs from Mr. McGraw:):):):):):)...

I want great music, again:):):)...

And I want new stuff all over the airways:):):)...

Not having the find old stuff from a downloading service because new stuff gets squeezed by an unforgiving, ugly, nasty inversion of everything that authentic religion and spirituality does or should stand for:):):):):):)...by this stupid little culture war, that needs to take a break, pick up a book (preferably one by someone whom you DON'T AGREE WITH:):):):):):)...

...and LEARN SOMETHING ALREADY:):):):):):)...

In the meantime:):):)...

I've got my Chicks:):):)...and my Rascal Flats:):):)...and my Diamond Rio:):):)...and Darryl Worley:):):)...and even Josh Turner and Toby Keith:):):):):):)...

And I need them during times like now when...

...when I miss my friend...

It took an awful lot for me to open up my heart after Brandi and I broke up...

I think Brandi and most of my friends just totally take that for granted, really...

But Brandi, especially...

I'm so thankful to have these songs:):):)...

...to help me let it all out...and all of the love in:):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):):):):)...

Love,
Ben