Existential Punk

Personal Connection

i have sadly come to the place in the senseless Iraq War where i have a personal connection. i have never known someone close to be in a war going on in my lifetime. But, i just recieved an email yesterday from my cousin, Kim Brasier, that my little 20 year old cousin, her son, Dylan James Brasier, is now stationed in Iraq. She sent me his mailing address over there, and when i get over the shock of him actually being there, i will write him a letter. i knew several months ago he was heading out to training and going to be shipped out to Iraq in March, but i guess i kept telling myself it was far off and not really dealing with it. Well after seeing the film, "Stop-Loss" today, something hit in my emotions and i became very sad and angry at the same time. I would LOVE for all the children of military age of this current administration and ALL of Congress to be taken over to Iraq to fight in this senseless and stupid war where we are getting no closer to being finished. If this happened, i bet our troops would be home in no time! i don't think they would want to sacrifice their precious children. Yet, they expect other Americans to sacrifice their loved ones.

i remember Dylan as a kid always when asked what he wanted to do when he grew up, would say, "Join the military". He always wore army camo clothes and had a smile on his face  at the mention of the military. i never gave it a 2nd thought because we were not in any serious conflicts and used to think the military was a great option for young people not inclined to go to university.

Now i have to trust God to look after him because our government sure won't. God, i LOVE my little cousin, SPC. Brasier, Dylan, and i ask you to watch over him and all of our military in Iraq and Afghanistan. PLEASE bring him home quickly and safely, unharmed physically, mentally and emotionally. PLEASE look out for his mom and dad, and his siblings, and his girlfriend, who are all back in Indiana. PLEASE, PLEASE, don't allow me to have to attend his funeral. God, help me with my deep-seated anger i already had towards this administration and that is now growing more intense in light of this news about Dylan. God, have mercy on me and on those who make decisions in your Name.

'Killing Fields' Survivor Dith Pran Succumbs to Cancer

Dith Pran was a Cambodian translator for American journalists during the Vietnam War in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. He is the one who coined the term "The Killing Fields". He was diagnosed 3 months ago with pancreatic cancer. Here is Pran talking about US troops bombing enemy targets:

' "If you didn't think about the danger, it looked like a performance," he said. "It was beautiful, like fireworks. War is beautiful if you don't get killed. But because you know it's going to kill, it's no longer beautiful." '

That quote really hit me hard, especially in light of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and also becuse i just got home from seeing the film, "Stop-Loss", which is about, "Decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King who makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. He tries to resume the life he left behind. Then, against Brandon’s will, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq, which upends his world. The conflict tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love and the value of honor." Pran's words echo ever so deeply today in me especially since i just received an email that my 20 year old cousin is now in Iraq. i am saddened and sickened even more now that i have a personal connection for the first time since this senseless war began.

Such a sad moment. God, please comfort Pran's surviving family and friends as they learn to cope without Pran. Amen.

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard

THANK YOU Katryna, for bringing this to my attention! This is a teaser video to Annie Leonard's incredible film, "The Story of Stuff":

Gotta love Jon Stewart

HT to my friend Roy once again for this one from Jon Stewart of The Daily Show:

                                                    John Stewart:

"On a Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock a.m., a prominent politician spoke to Americans about race-- as though they were adults"

"The Speech"

A wonderful article by Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Dish:

The Speech

                     

18 Mar 2008 11:32 am

                               

Alas, I cannot give a more considered response right now as I have to get on the road. But I do want to say that this searing, nuanced, gut-wrenching, loyal, and deeply, deeply Christian speech is the most honest speech on race in America in my adult lifetime. It is a speech we have all been waiting for for a generation. Its ability to embrace both the legitimate fears and resentments of whites and the understandable anger and dashed hopes of many blacks was, in my view, unique in recent American history.

And it was a reflection of faith - deep, hopeful, transcending faith in the promises of the Gospels. And it was about America - its unique promise, its historic purpose, and our duty to take up the burden to perfect this union - today, in our time, in our way.

I have never felt more convinced that this man's candidacy - not this man, his candidacy - and what he can bring us to achieve - is an historic opportunity. This was a testing; and he did not merely pass it by uttering safe bromides. He addressed the intimate, painful love he has for an imperfect and sometimes embittered man. And how that love enables him to see that man's faults and pain as well as his promise. This is what my faith is about. It is what the Gospels are about. This is a candidate who does not merely speak as a Christian. He acts like a Christian.

Bill Clinton once said that everything bad in America can be rectified by what is good in America. He was right - and Obama takes that to a new level. And does it with the deepest darkest wound in this country's history.

I love this country. I don't remember loving it or hoping more from it than today.

(HT to my good friend and fellow blogger, Roy at Free Donuts.)

"Change We Can Believe In ..."

i LOVE this quote from Obama 08: "I'm ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington ... I'm asking you to believe in yours."

Moby RE(Design)

Moby has re(designed) the look and feel of moby.com, added a comments feature to his journal, and added videos to the main page. It scrolls like Apple's cover flow but can be a bit of pain catching the video you want to view. The new look is FANTASTIC and easy on the eyes with the black and yellow background and white writing. Videos from his forthcoming album, 'last night', can be found as well as some older stuff like the following video:

Lawmaker says gays are worse than terrorists

This is SO sick and sad. Thanks to HRC for their advocacy work! PLEASE take the time to watch this hurtful video clip and PLEASE TAKE ACTION!!!!

Moby at Speak Up! Protest in NYC

The following is a video clip i took from the Speak Up! War protest and fundraiser on March 18, 2008 in Brooklyn, NY:

OUCH!!!!

Our 'wonderful' governmental agency, TSA, is at it once again! As a woman who has various piercings, which are my right and my freedom of expression, this story disgusts and angers me at the sheer STUPIDITY of our government. Does terrorism mean we check common sense at the door? This woman should not have had to face this pain and humiliation. Our country has gone way overboard with fear tactics and we are no safer than before 9/11. So, when EVER have body piercings been a threat to security? This is ridiculous. I have been saying for years that eventually the TSA will want us to come to the airport in our birthday suits. I don't think i'm too far off my rocker after reading about this poor woman.

"Hamlin said she could not remove them and asked whether she could instead display her pierced breasts in private to the female agent. But several other male officers told her she could not board her flight until the jewelry was out, she said."

"She said she heard male TSA agents snickering as she took out the ring. She was scanned again and was allowed to board even though she still was wearing a belly button ring."

"The conduct of TSA was cruel and unnecessary," Allred wrote. "The last time that I checked, a nipple was not a dangerous weapon."