Monday, February 28, 2022

Our Government At Work

So I had to renew my passport this year.  I sent it in back in September and got it back in February.  Having to get a passport is annoying in the first place (here's a brief history of how they came about; mainly, they were a World War I "emergency" that never ended:  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/how-passport-became-improbable-symbol-american-identity-180962064/), but having to wait six months for something that should take all of three weeks (anyone piping up about just having to pay a bit extra for the expedited service should shut up now as it's yet another example of how the rich cut lines)--a week to mail in, a week to process, and a week to mail back--is super annoying and yet another example of our "beloved" American government being badly run.  Instead of doing something sensible like run efficiently so the passport process only takes the three weeks it should, the government spends my, and your money (if you're American), tax money doing stupid stuff instead.

For example, they printed up a bunch of flyers recommending that Americans get fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before using the passport and traveling internationally.  I got one along with my new passport.  OK, I know you've likely experienced metric tons of propaganda about how the vaccines are "safe and effective", so I might sound like someone from Mars when I point out that's not the case, but please try to have an open mind.  If the vaccines actually worked, we wouldn't have seen the explosion in cases after the vaccines were introduced (lowering the bar to say they prevent hospitalizations and deaths doesn't cut it) nor would we see all the odd injuries and deaths that have resulted, usually cardiac related and probably a side-effect of the mRNA vaccines (I can cite personal examples, as can you likely, but the number of celebrities getting injured or dying unexpectedly or mysteriously before their time is one that probably all of us are familiar with).

Again, the point of this post is that instead of being efficient and fulfilling their responsibilities properly, the American government is badly run.  Instead of cleaning up their act, the government wades into areas that are outside their (using "their" instead of "its" here to emphasize that the government is made of people who are responsible for decisions and actions and consequences) scope such as an individual's health, or Russia's relationship with Ukraine, or spying on everyone's telecommunications, and so on and so forth.  Given how badly the government performs its own responsibilities, it's easy to see that going outside the scope is typically disastrous (with luck, we won't all be blown up with nuclear weapons in the blunder du jour, the Russia/Ukraine war, and, by the way, here's some background on that you might find a refreshing antidote to all the mainstream media out of context war hysteria:  https://scheerpost.com/2022/02/11/oliver-stone-american-exceptionalism-is-on-deadly-display-in-ukraine/).

No doubt this complaint is an exercise in futility (and I've worked in government so I can testify personally to it being badly run--so is much of private enterprise but I don't pay taxes on that, so I don't care as much), but Uncle Sam, get your shit together!  Once there's no national debt, my tax refund doesn't take six months to get back, I get my passport renewed quickly (if I have to have one at all), you don't waste tons of money doing stupid stuff, and so on and so forth, then we can have a conversation about expanding your responsibilities (I'll tell you likely no then as well, but at least then I'll be willing to hear about it--until then, shut up about it and stay in your lane, as the old saying goes). 

If you need a laugh after your latest interaction with government, then please read Edna's Employment Agency, my latest novel.

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Updated Bear And Snake Strip For The Biden Era!

This marks the third time that I've run this gag, but since it's a year into a new presidential administration, here we go (it might be funnier if I just crossed out the previous presidents' names, but I just erase the old one and insert the new one, so the word balloons don't get too messy):






Given Biden's inflation, I'm not sure how far $5 goes at Steak And Snake anymore, or even the real life Steak And Shake, but I left the strip otherwise as it was in 2010.  If Trump wins again in 2024, then I can probably just run the 2018 version again without having to change anything.  If Biden wins, then The Thirsty Bear And The Hungry Snake will see you in 2030!  Otherwise, if someone else wins, then this strip will get updated and recycled in 2026!

And I've published a couple of other novels since Blog Love Omega Glee.  They are Frequently Asked Questions About Being Dead and Edna's Employment Agency.

Monday, February 14, 2022

Exclusive Preview Of President Biden's State Of The Union Speech!

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere.  Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place!  And ain't I a woman?  Look at me!  Look at my arm!  I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me!  And ain't I a woman?  I could work as much and eat as much as a man--when I could get it--and bear the lash as well!  And ain't I a woman?  I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me!  And ain't I a woman?

I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel.  This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly.  Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today.  This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.  So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.  In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.  I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

And so, my fellow Americans:  ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.  Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace.  The war is actually begun!  The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!  Our brethren are already in the field!  Why stand we here idle?  What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have?  Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?  Forbid it, Almighty God!  I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

I think you all know that I've always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are:  I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.  A great many of the current problems on the farm were caused by government-imposed embargoes and inflation, not to mention government's long history of conflicting and haphazard policies.  Our ultimate goal, of course, is economic independence for agriculture, and through steps like the tax reform bill, we seek to return farming to real farmers.  But until we make that transition, the Government must act compassionately and responsibly.  In order to see farmers through these tough times, our administration has committed record amounts of assistance, spending more in this year alone than any previous administration spent during its entire tenure.  No area of the budget, including defense, has grown as fast as our support for agriculture.

Why is it that Joe Biden is the first in his family ever to go to a university?  Is it because I’m the first Biden in a thousand generations to get a college and a graduate degree?  That I was smarter than the rest?  Those same people who read poetry and wrote poetry and taught me how to sing verse?  Is it because they didn’t work hard?  My ancestors, who worked in the coal mines of northeast Pennsylvania and would come up after 12 hours and play football for four hours?

Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play.  It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials.

I will end this.  This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and I’m not working for you.  Give me a break, man.  Don’t be such a horse’s ass.  No, that’s a great asset, what a stupid son of a bitch!  I probably have a much higher IQ than you do, I suspect.  In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian-Americans, moving from India.  You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.  And I’m not joking.  I mean, you’ve got the first sort of mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean.  That’s a storybook, man.  Clap for that, you stupid bastards.  We’ve got to recognize that a kid wearing a hoodie may very well be the next poet laureate, not a gangbanger.  Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids.  Let’s do push-ups together, man, let’s run, let’s do whatever you want to do.  Let’s take an IQ test, all right?  Well I’m telling you, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.  Jill, if there's ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony here, walk out and put that double-barrel shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house.  Let's go Brandon, I agree.  My fellow Americans, I close today where I began, with a sacred oath.  Before God and all of you I give you my word.  I will always level with you.  I will defend the Constitution.  I will defend our democracy.  I will defend America.  I will give my all in your service thinking not of power, but of possibilities.  Not of personal interest, but of the public good.  And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear.  Of unity, not division.  Of light, not darkness.  An American story of decency and dignity.  Of love and of healing.   Of greatness and of goodness.  May this be the story that guides us.  The story that inspires us.  The story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history.  We met the moment.  That democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch but thrived.  That our America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world.  That is what we owe our forebearers, one another, and generations to follow.  So, with purpose and resolve we turn to the tasks of our time.  Sustained by faith.  Driven by conviction.  And, devoted to one another and to this country we love with all our hearts.  May God bless America and may God protect our troops.  Thank you, America, you lying, dog-faced pony soldiers.

For more laughs, better read Edna's Employment Agency while you still have money before Uncle Joe's inflation strips away all your savings or before he blows us all up playing chicken with Russia over Ukraine or you stroke out from getting the twelfth booster of his "safe and effective" Covid vaccine.

Monday, February 7, 2022

Liner Notes For Severe Platter Damage!

 

It seems that with MP3s and streaming that the liner notes of the lp and cd eras in recorded music have been going extinct.  I really enjoyed reading Fuck Facts, for example, that The Dead Kennedys used to tuck into their albums or a surreal story that Robyn Hitchcock would thrown in or even Sting just including the lyrics and some background info on the songs.  I have encountered some great liner notes as of late, but it's rare.  For example, I've really been enjoying the Jon Savage liner notes for the series of 1960s and 1970s music compilations that he's been making for Ace Records.  Inspired by the hope of keeping the art of liner notes alive, I created 58 pages of liner notes for Severe Platter Damage.  You can download them or just read them at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nA6Yi2FDREAabZtCkjK-UG72jJq8-pE9/view?usp=sharing.  I made the font big since I didn't have to worry about cramming a bunch of text onto a cd booklet or whatnot, which is one reason for the page count, so you won't need a magnifying glass to read these like would sometimes be the case on some cds and even lps.  The notes just include the lyrics and some background on the songs, but it should be fun for anyone who likes the album, which, of course, you can listen to here:  https://soundcloud.com/wredfright/sets/severe-platter-damage.

If you really miss the good old days of vinyl, then you can order the Yeast? 7" here:  https://www.wredfright.com/2018/05/yeast-warehouse-find.html