Citizen Reporter

I am indeed blogging from my family’s humble abode, somewhere near Newark, NJ. I arrived in the early afternoon after a long and typically uncomfortable flight. The whole time I was having visions of peasants rising up from couch and taking first class over. You know they have empty seats… and it’s in humane how we underlings must sit. Them and their privacy curtain… and toilets without queues…. rubbish!

I did manage to come up with a new invention for airlines: The Standing Lounge. This because lots of passengers, rightfully so, are concerned with circulation and long hours spent sitting. They stand in the isles.. which is a problem for safety and service. If there were a designated area without seats.. maybe with a bar, like on a train.. people could go stand there during appropriate times in the flight. Then during take-offs and landings, back to their seats. And this could be available for all classes, not just those nobles in business class.

Oh, one last airline point… the extra security measures are pointless! Asking me if I packed my own bags and if anyone asked me to carry something, useless and I’ve had it with those two questions! Also, I want my metal butter knife back. They give a metal fork, as if that’s not a weapon, give me the full set for the love of utensils!

It’s really hard to blog and read blogs with a modem connection. Or at least, I’m spoiled and it’s already driving me nuts. And I’m not obsessed… well.. maybe according to what Pandagon pointed out recently. But hey, I’m flying over oceans, going out, biking/jogging, holding newborns:

Clearly not blog obsessed… at least.. I think.

Today’s Music:Azure Ray – Hold on Love

In a little over 24 hours, I shall be setting sail for the little town of Newark, NJ, where I was born in a manger. Oh wait. Well.. something like that. This visit is an especially important one considering my newly appointed uncleship, meeting with some new friends, and of course – the boys who have already started contacting me. I’m fairly sure that my tour will be playing in NYC, Philly, and DC. So keep your ears peeled.

Speaking of time spent somewhere… I was thinking about time and what we do with it. I tend to blog after midnight, every other day. Recently someone asked – why? Why not do it earlier? I don’t know. My brain wants to blog usually after midnight. I also keep a personal journal and have big ideas at this time of night. I’m not sure I have any ideas in the morning beyond – “TIME FOR CEREAL.” Maybe Jill’s blog will shed some light on this subject.

Hey the department of homeland security, you know — the ones with the tacky and useless color coded warning system, they released their numbers recently. $38 billion. $38 billion! What are the top three expenses:

-1. Miscellaneous alarm, security systems, $792,078,468

-2. Other administrative support services, $767,915,734

-3. Radio navigation equipment, $431,082,736

So, you can rest easy knowing the nation has a nice new alarm system, lots more administration, and some fancy radios.

(Meter courtesy of the Daily Gusto.)

Today’s Music: Rush – Roll the Bones

I’ve said it many times, and it continues to be true, the blog world is something really special. I recently decided that I needed to read some blogs written by soldiers in Iraq, cause we’re all heard how they’re all over the internet. So most of them didn’t capture my attention, and as you can imagine (if you know my politics) I had a hard time reading through them. But one in particular caught my attention, first and foremost for its title: A Line in the Sand.

As I read through this blog, while I didn’t agree with what the Sgt. had to say about the occupation of Iraq, I did find his honesty and open reflection compelling. So I read a few more posts, and eventually left a comment. Before I did that, I had to really think about it. This because most comments on this type of blog, as you can imagine, are just constant praise and support for soldiers and the “war” on terrorism. By posting on there, I risk bringing, perhaps unwanted attention to my own blog.(that’s if I fear ultra-conservative spam in my comments, which.. ok I do) But I guess I wanted to give it a go, so I commented in the calmest and respectful manner I could at that moment. Here comes my point: the soldier emailed me personally, thanking me, and continuing the discussion about music that he noticed we both listen to. (the quality Indyrock that many of you know and love) I was impressed… his email was respectful and curious, and I looked forward to responding.

It’s a funny thing how we disagree or how we communicate with one another despite differences. I’ve very interested in doing that, and I’m weary of people who just turn off opinions they don’t like. (though I admit some are just broken records, so why bother) But this was a really welcome thing, to talk to a soldier, despite my strong disapproval for wars and military related things in general. (except military surplus, I’m always shopping there!) In summary… I’ve made a new friend.. in Iraq.

Out with the old and in with the new it seems. The white house’s best Iraqi friend has become the new worst enemy. Looks like it’s pretty hard to be a politician on the governing council these days, what with all the assasinations, searches, and you can bet soon… arrests.

Today’s Music: Mos Def – Black on Both Sides

On beautiful, happy-go-lucky days like today, one could easily forget the horrors in this world. Biking down the street, I glance over at the fire-department, where it seems the fire-fighters are letting an entire primary school class have a go at using the hose. I get sprinkled, but kind of enjoy it, and I snap off a few photos of them.

This all comes to an abrupt end when I get home and turn on internet radio to listen to… brace yourselves.. the 9/11 commission.

Never has a more useless group of politicians been assembled in order to address such an important subject: the failures and reasons behind the failures on 9/11. But no real questions have ever or are ever going to be asked. And yet I listened, like so many, wishing for one of those commission members to have a sudden revelation – that he/she should start asking real questions. But alas, nothing. For hours they each take the mic and give some neverending speech kissing the ass of the witnesses like Rudy Giuliani, Mike Bloomberg, G.W. Bush, etc. They even manage to throw in little promos for the war on terrorism. But never do they find the time to ask useful questions about why emergency agencies (fire and police) can’t seem to work together, why FDNY equipment was of such poor quality, and why intellegence warnings were ignored.

There was one highlight, all be it a dim one. The hearings are being held in NYC right now, and many audience members were directly involved/affected by the tragedy. During the proceedings some would stand up and shout their questions and frustrations at witnesses and the commission. By favorites were the guy who shouted: “Just give me 15 minutes to ask real questions!” or “Why isn’t there a single family member on that commission!?” or even better, the more blunt: “LIAR!”

In the end, this is merely a hoax. Nothing will be learned because the government whose failures and policies allowed 9/11 to happen will not allow for a real investigation of themselves. That much is clear if you read the depressing and soporific transcripts.

Today’s Music: Morrissey – You are the Quarry