Well, as if we didn't already know, the White House and Congress have proven that they are full of flaming idiots. Heh. Let's be inflamatory now.

So, everybody seems to be up in arms about a few words mindlessly recited by millions in children in American schools every day. (Really? Where do they do that? Certainly wasn't part of my routine, either during private or public school years.)

Of those that actually do live in areas where they happen to recite it everyday, how many kids (or adults) bother to actually think about the syllables being babbled from their mouths? It's really a stupid debate. But they're talking about it on slashdot. They're talking about it on kuro5hin. They're talking about it on Salon. So... I'm talking about it here.

Hmmmm... Well, somebody, somewhere actually did think about these words, and decided that they didn't agree with this idea of "God", and cared enough to actually take it to court. Good for them. I'd wager that such an act requires more (insane?) idealism than Richard Stallman himself possesses.

So, just for the record, Bitscape agrees with the court's decision. In a nation that is not supposed to officially endorse or prohibit any particular religion, the words "under God" should not be pushed on children by a government sponsored institution. How hard is it for our so-called leaders to understand this concept?

Let the flames pour in.

...

Another official addition to the guilty pleasures list.

On the way back from San Antonio last month, I must have heard the new Eminem single Without Me at least two or three times during my occassional scans of the Texas radio dial. I think I got addicted.

One week prior to last Saturday, my plans to go hiking were foiled by rain (or so it seemed). Since it was starting to dribble, and the mountains looked cloudy, I took a detour to the mall and stopped at Borders. After perusing some of the books dealing with eastern religious philosophy, I noticed the Eminem sale display on the way out, and the "Limited Edition including Free DVD, only while supplies last" sign. Supplies had not run out. I took the bait.

Back at home, I actually watched some of the DVD first, and wasn't very impressed with it. Maybe a hardcore fan would like it. Some live performance footage, music videos, an animated short feature, all of which appeared to confirm criticism of the rapper's harshest critics: That he is a dispicable, woman-hating, bigoted asshole. OTOH, some of his on-camera statements about the release were quite funny. Then then I listened to the album.

I think mesmerized would be the word. I sat, listened, and read along with the words for the entire hour+. The sound was a jam. The lyrics were riveting. The crowd roared like a lion. (Um... yeah.)

I guess I was stunned by it because the rhyming raps took on such a deeply personal nature. This guy was spitting out his soul, his life. Songs like Cleanin Out My Closet and Say Goodbye Hollywood were delivered with such frankness in the midst of all the confusion, I almost felt wierd to be listening to them. Though I've never met this artist, and don't really care to, I felt like I could see into his head, feel it through his eyes. Just for a little while.

Ah well. Digging Sing for the Moment right now.

Ah well. Good stuff.

I think I'll go feed my Buffyholism some more now. It's chronic. The real tragedy is that before long, I'll be all through Season 2. No Season 3 dvd for another 6 months. Doh!

Oooh, but I still got the commentary tracks. I'll listen to those after I get through the season. So may be is some hope.