Mark B.

12:09 pm: Earn Your Wiretap!
Well Kidoes it has been a long time.  I have been distracted lately.  It so happens that distraction is the topic of today’s soap box rant.  The events in Iran have been truly tragic.  The ability for the world to gather and collect creditable tidbits of data has been difficult to say the least.  This is due to the stifling of information by, let me emphasize, “Government Funded” news programming in Iran.  Communication media has been virtually cut off.  Our own news media have had resort to desperate measures to report what they see as accurate news.  I look at these news cast with a bit of skepticism.  Of course I look at most things with a bit of skepticism.  It is the only source of data for that region that I have access to. I won’t knock it. Yet.

This brings me to the real issue.  It is hidden just below the surface flicking us off and scoffing at our self induced distracted ignorance.  I am talking about the potentially destructive possibilities of a Government Owned news media.  This like many concepts is not a new one.  The question I put to you is this.

We can see how a completely Government Owned Broadcasting Media is currently trying to control the events of Iran.  We have evidence of a government perverting the information and outright lying its people to forward a potentially sinister agenda.  We can see the desperate measures an oppressed people have to resort to in order to get even the smallest bits of information heard.  With all of that, why do we support our own Government Owned news media so willingly?

Yes, our government hesitates when it comes to clubbing protesters in the street.  It doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen in the past.  Instead in this country we use distraction instead of intimidation.  We use Pop Culture Icons instead of batons to get the populous to turn a blind eye when the truth is too blatant to ignore.  Either way the goal of the Government Owned Information System is the same.  Get the masses to see things the way of those in power regardless of the truth.

Think about that when you turn on Pop Culture News instead of paying attention to world events.  Because of the celebrity surge in our media it is actually “un-cool” to turn on Real news and “cool” to watch E! news.  Take a step back and look at the types of programming our own Government Funded FOX network is making available to us.  Shouldn’t or Government be funding media that educates its people instead of distracting them?  The formula for the Fox Network is Distraction and Fear mongering.  Other nations like Iran and China have seen the success of this model and copied it.  Why can’t we see the problem when it applies to us?  Oah I forgot.  The Simpsons are on.  In this episode Lady Gaga has a sex scandal with the Joanus Brothers.

Pay attention.  An informed society is the greatest fear of a corrupt government.

11:23 am: So addicted to this
A new undefeated master

http://coffin-nail.mybrute.com/

05:38 pm: Become My Pupil
Learn under The Great "Settles Conflict"

http://settles-conflict.mybrute.com

WIN MANNY GREAT VICTORIES!!!!

12:20 pm: Help! Item lost
Can you please help me find my motivation. I seemed to have left it behind at the bar or something. If you find it please return it to me. I miss it.


P.S. My motivation answers to the name," Pappittoe".

09:03 am: Thank You!
Yuppers I am 34 now.  I had a blast this weekend.  Thank you everyone.  Thank you for showing up.  Thank you for the drinks.  Thank you for the multitude of text messages. Thank you for your friendship.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Some pictures are up.  I have to adjust a few and it will take forever to title and tag them all.  More pictures from the dinner party will be up soon. 

01:44 pm: Cool night in
Had a great night in last night drinking wine and watching Tropic Thunder.

02:50 pm: Issues made easy
Here is a great link for issues coverage.  Heavy emphasis on VA concerns.  Other than that, there is not much bias.

http://www.legion.org/whatsnew/legiontv?flvurl=/documents/legion/video/introtext.flv

11:14 am: Maybe I wasn't clear before.
This gives me a chance to explain why I take things so personally.  Thank you 3Horn for supplying the article and expressing your outrage.
(Please read link)


Inland GOP mailing depicts Obama's face on food stamp
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_buck16.3d67d4a.html

I refuse to put this image up but I think the message is important.  I would like to illustrate the power of imagery and the damage it can cause.

In the article the Inland Republican women's group defends itself and apologizes for the obvious racist depiction contained within.  The only problem is that the damage of the image has been done.  Something this irresponsible can only fuel the fire to ignorant oppressors and the rage of the hurt oppressed.  I have personally taken great strides to eliminate these blanket stereotypes.  All of my and many others work for tolerance is whipped away by images like these. 

Here is how and why.  An image like this creates a false sense of security for people to express latent racist and separatist thoughts and intents.   Racist depictions if repeated enough times can and will be regarded as truth.  This is why images of chickens, watermelons, apes, and such still hurt when viewed by African Americans. 

When those depictions of intolerance were first used it was a direct attempt to destroy the identity and pride of an entire race.  Let me repeat the scope of the negative image campaign in America. [AN ENTIRE RACE OF PEOPLE].  Do you get it now?  Now do you see why we as a free loving people can’t let this continue unchecked? 

Justification is the way to allow things that are obviously wrong to happen without a moral backlash.  And it is usually done with a righteous smile.  We can no longer afford to let this happen.  If we truly want to end racism and you are truly not a racist then you should equally share the pain and outrage, associated with hurtful images, with the targeted group.  You should also not allow the perpetrator to simply justify themselves and let them off of the hook. 

In the article Diane Fedele stated that, ”she doesn't think in racist terms, pointing out she once supported Republican Alan Keyes, an African-American who previously ran for president.

"I didn't see it the way that it's being taken. I never connected," she said. "It was just food to me. It didn't mean anything else."

Well Diane if that is the case then I will hold you to the fire for not being sensitive enough to realize the pain associated with the food you chose.  Why couldn’t you choose an apple pie instead of watermelon?  What could be more American than apple pie?  Why didn’t you choose a long horned cow instead of a chicken?  It is also a food and widely consumed by Americans.  And don’t use the old and weak argument that you,” supported Republican Alan Keyes, an African-American,” as a justification for your actions.  That is like saying that you like gays because you have a token gay friend.

This is not good enough for me and it shouldn’t be good enough for anyone else.  The damage is done and cannot be undone.  Think about that next time you decide to make a joke at the expense of an entire race or sexual orientation.

That is all....
For Now...

03:15 pm: Listen Up!
It’s a sad day

It’s a sad day when one realizes that the same people that have embraced and called me friend have latent racist/elitist ideals still lurking within them.  I like to think that I pride myself on the type of people that I surround myself by.  Now I’m not to sure. 

Bear in mind that these are the same people that stand up for gay rights, animal rights, women’s rights, and civil rights for anyone that is told “NO” because they are different from the masses or majority.  I never thought that they can fight for rights of others, but when it comes to poor black people that finally have a positive role model, that doesn’t bling or ride on 22s, you can only think of way to tear them down. 

That is what is wrong with elitism.  It gives people the justification to lump people into a group and treat them less than human.  This sickens me more than lying.  And don’t think that I am not offended when this behavior is allowed to propagate into a lasting “joke”.

Well it’s not funny at all.  I don’t want to live in a world where divisions define a people or group.  I don’t want to surround myself with people that think that I have to prove myself before they stop treating me like a stereotype.   I am really considering cutting loose the fucktards that can’t see beyond sexually oriented and racial lines.

Next time you joke around me about minorities and a derogatory way.  Remember that you are talking about my mother, brother, and my whole family.  I won’t hesitate to defend them.

Next time you speak ill of a gay person.  Remember that you are talking about my best friend and I’ll knock your head off.

Next time someone picks on a smaller person because they look different and make an easy target.  Guess what, I’ll be there to make sure nothing happens to the “different kid.”

That is all and I’ll be watching.

04:44 pm: Sorry for this one ekeppich
OMG and I quote!

"It is good to be visiting here in Alaska's little sister state Texas," says
Gov. Palin in her speech to Dallas this afternoon.



The wrong thing to say to a Texan.  Call it Texas Pride.



Here is the link:

http://www. dallasnews. com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/100308dnpolpalindallas. d8031df1. html

02:20 pm: Political Post. (ignore if you want to close your eyes)
"John McCain has not yet released his medical records to the public. McCain is 72 years old, and has been diagnosed with invasive melanoma. In May of this year, a small group of selected reporters were allowed to review 1,173 pages of McCain's medical records and were allowed only three hours to do so. John McCain's health is an issue of profound importance. We call on John McCain to issue a full, public disclosure of all of his medical records, available for the media and members of the general public to review."
The above is the text of a petition to the McCain staff. It has been signed by 56,974 people, including 2,759 doctors (see http://therealmccain.com/doctors/).  the problem with melanoma, especially McCain's type, which was diagnosed as Stage 2, is that it does reoccur. When it reoccurs, it has often already spread to other organs and body systems.
Several cable networks have refused to run advertisements asking McCain for full medical disclosure. Such a request is reasonable and fair, especially in view of McCain's choice of running mate. I doubt if even Sarah Palin's most generous observers believe that she is fit to be President.
Please circulate the video referenced above, and spread the word demanding that McCain come clean about his health.
(see: http://therealmccain.com/doctors/  http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/10/1/14644/4519   and    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-greenwald/john-mccains-health-recor_b_126288.html  )

10:29 am: Start with the Ground and Pound already!
With all of my work goals for the week met, I have a lot of spare time.  Hmmmm what to do?   I have already set the Tivo to record the vice presidential debate.  Hopefully this debate will result in a more solid stand for each party, free from cryptic jargon that only high ranking people from that party will understand.  This is a turning point for this nation and I have yet to see either candidate take a hard line stand on any issue.  This conservative approach will result in the American people not taking the election itself seriously.  For example, I want Sarah Palin to admit the she wants to take the right to choose away from American women.  Not just simply say,” I will council against abortion.”  If you support the right to choose it does not mean that you are pro abortion.  It simply means that you are not giving the government the authority to take away your basic human right to choose for yourself.  I wanted John McCain to just come out and say that he plans to appoint conservative judges that would throw out the Row vs. Wade decision. That didn’t happen in the last debate.  These and many other issues should come to light tonight.  That is if the questions are being answered in a straightforward way.  I guess all I want is straight talk.  No more blanket promises without examples.  No more kid politics that assume that as American people we need to be treated like illiterate children.

I want this race to heat up.  I am tired of both parties trying to appeal to each other in an attempt to steal votes from one another.  We are facing some of the greatest crises in recent American history, 30- 50 years, and we are not tuning in.  The message isn’t getting out.  Are we witnessing the beginning of American information black out and media control?  If that is the case then we are in more trouble than I thought.  Where is the drama?  These two presidential candidates rarely agree on any issue.  I want to see more of that.  Stop playing defensive and start with the ground and pound.

I want Gen-X and Gen-Y people to show the baby boomers that we can finally make decisions for ourselves and WE HAVE A VOICE THAT COUNT!

02:54 pm: Wicked RAD Weekend!
This weekend was the pimp shit.  I couldn’t think of anybody better to spend it with.  Now I have to find more excuses to visit Austin.  So this is what I saw at the Austin City Limits Festival:

Fleet Foxes
The Fratellis (Heard in the distance)
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
CSS
Man Man
Erykah Badu
MGMT
The Black Keys
Beck

It was a full day.  I rode a giant Jackalope.  Even getting lost couldn’t diminish the joy of the day.  But that wasn’t the best part.  The next day we all went out to the lake swam a bit and completely stuffed ourselves on BBQ and beer.  Good times indeed.  If I can track them down I’ll post pictures later.

I don’t think I have ever felt more comfortable and welcome than this weekend in Austin.  Mad props to my hospitable Austin Peeps.   Next trip will involve a pizza quest.

09:37 am: Need a day pass
I need one day pass for Austin City Limits Festival for a friend.  Can anyone help?

03:10 pm: Good Week For Me!
The Mrs. Kitten show on Monday Rawked my socks. After the show I got some free tickets to see Hot Chip this Thursday. So I have a hot date all lined up already. Whoot whoot. I would like to say that I am the adopted son to Krissy's dad even if we don't get married when she turns thirty. The guy is the coolest guy ever! Wednesday I will check out Wan's new live act in Deep Ellum.

This weekend I will be heading to Austin City Limits on a Saturday day pass. The lineup includes acts like: Beck, MGMT, Man Man, Sarah Jones, Erika Badu, John Fogerty and lots more. I met a hottie at the Mrs. Kitten show that can give me the hook-up on concert tickets in Austin. We are supposed to hook up on Saturday.

So, in a nutshell, I will have caught four live show nights including an entire day of live music this week alone! It's good to be the Mr. Princess. Spoiled because I spoil myself.

-Respect all. Fear none.

01:35 pm: Words and stuff
Thanks to the lovely Cherry Valance I am feeling 90% better.
Luv the bitch!

Here is the show for the night:

War Cola, Human Struggle, and Violent Messiah at Reno’s.

Not sure if I am going or not because Except Europa plays Reno’s Saturday night as well.


I will be tearing it up with Mark somewhere tonight. So ladies watch out and take your morning after pill.
We are Single, Wild, and Crazy Guys!

08:38 am: Weekend Fasting Experiment
Weekend Fasting Experiment

So I fasted for the entire weekend and learned quite a bit about others and myself.  Couple that with my interest in meditation, religions, and philosophy and you get a pretty intense spirit walk through the world of human understanding.  It is quite obvious that I need to read up on safer ways to fast and more productive ways toward meditation.  I am quite pleased with the results.  This time I went for 52 hours.  I didn’t stop because I couldn’t handle it physically.  I stopped because in my limited mind I believe that I found what I was looking for.  The next time I will attempt a longer fast.  I will plan more and set things up so work and home schedules will not conflict with the fast.  Also preparations for the fast itself will be in place.  I would like to thank all of my friends and strangers for their continued support and temptations throughout the experience.

-Love

10:35 am: Relax
Don’t worry kiddoes it’s in the stars.  As we enter into a period of rebirth a lot of you will notice the sudden changes in relationship situations.  This may occur on many extremes.  Extremes such as a sudden surge in marriages and a surge in break-ups as well.  Although these life changing events might seem sudden they are not life ending.  In most cases they are in fact life-beginning events.  So relax and enjoy your rebirth. Be it with another person as you strike out together on a quest of world domination.  Or start your own quest for the ultimate destruction of the universe.  In the end the world will be destroyed or dominated.  I like both outcomes so, Burn Baby Burn!

Remember, change it as inevitable as the shifting of the tides.  Only a fool will fight nature and the unseen forces of the universe.

02:32 pm: Goings on
It is time for Mark to grow up and be an adult.  Well as much of an adult as I can be.  I am spending some time to myself in order to get my life back in order.  I can’t keep living in my 30s like I am still in my 20s.  Things have been too chaotic lately and I need to quiet the storm in my head.  My new goal is to lead a quiet life.  I am trying new things to occupy my time.  The transition will be slow and smooth.  I don’t like sudden change.  But rest assured that my days in the public eye will be fewer.  Well at least it will be less chaotic.  It was nice to see some friends on Sunday and Late Saturday.  

I am still a little sad but my life is simpler now.  This is one step closer to my goal.  I have never been good in emotionally charged situations.  Now I know for certain that I can’t survive in a high drama environment.  I will continue to stay to myself and slowly surround myself with positive people.  This is what I need.  This is who I am.

12:30 pm: I got bored at work so I took some quizes
here is the link to the results.  For some reason Html code does not work on my LJ

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=3199623