Cartoon of the Day

Source: http://cagle.com/

Democratization by Invasion: 0-2

We "liberated" Afghanistan; they were going to kill someone for being of a different religion...and not just any religion: the dominant religion of those who decided to liberate Afghanistan.

We wanted democracy in Palestine: they elected Hamas.

The only reason I have not listed Iraq yet is because it does not officially count until the civil wars break out. It is still a disaster-in- progress.

Cartoon of the Day

Source: http://cagle.com

Laxed Immigration: Why Not?

I thought about the illegal immigration issued and wondered why exactly do we make such a big deal about people becoming citizens. September 11 already proved that one does not have to go through INS to commit terrorists acts in the U.S. One would think that the government would be in favor of laxed immigration: workers could be taxed, and in the case of criminal behavior, tried in American courts without question.

On a side note, I find it terribly ironic that the U.S. - a nation of immigrants - is so xenophobic.

Policab

I have decided to create a list of politically-inspired jargon for my own amusement. I have already braced myself for the ultra-pathetic joke that will follow the first term, in fact I will go ahead and kill the punchline: "Policab? I thought that meant 'many taxis!'"

Policab - politically-inspired jargon

Übercrat (oo-behr-krat) - a fiercely loyal Democrat; still stewing about 2000 elections and does Howard Dean "whoop" when happy or to irritate Übercans; may still have Kerry/Edwards paraphenalia

Übercan (oo-behr-kan) - a fiercely loyal Republican; still thinks that there are WMDs in Iraq and that the war is "winnable;" wears W the President paraphenalia year-round; defensive about Ann Coulter

Dammitcrat ('dam-it-krat) - a Democrat that serves as an embarassment to the party; ex: Al Sharpton

Republi-damned (ri-'p&-bli-'dam'd) - Republicans that have been blacklisted; ex: Tom Delay

Cartoon of the Day

Source: http://cagle.com/

Cartoon of the Day

Source: http://cagle.com

Cheney's Ultimatum

VP Cheney has informed Iran that if it pursues its nuclear program there would be "meaningful consequences."

I think there should be more checks on the power of the Executive Office to conduct war. Do we really need to give access to the Big Red Button to someone that shoots his friends in the face...literally?

South Dakota's Gamble

I must say that at first, I was vehemently disturbed at South Dakota's attempt to bait the Supreme Court by outlawing almost all abortions, but the strictness of their law may actually work against them. I had a discussion with a pro-lifer today, and asked him how would he tell a rape or incest victim that once again, her body did not belong to her; that society views her the same as her rapist: a soulless object. Naturally, he could not give me an answer, but back to the subject.

In a way, though, I am glad that SD took this risk. The restrictions are so intense that it could prove to be a backlash, setting Roe v Wade a little deeper in stone.

I wish pro-lifers would invest energy into protecting children after they are born. In my state, a pro-life arena, a child rapist or abuser gets less than a decade in prison, but a robbery can get life. The pro-life movement forgets that their are other victims that need to be rescued.

On a Side Note...

Crash beat Brokeback Mountain?

Crash? That feast of urban clichés?

I officially have ZERO respect for the award committee.

WTF.

Sheri's Weekly Rant - Stood Up & Shot Down

The Student Government Association of my university is trying to block the formation of an organization that promotes gay tolerance. I pointed out that the same arguments being used to stop this organization from being on campus were once used to block organizations that tried to teach racial tolerance, and that this effort violated their Constitutional Right to Assembly and Free Speech. You would not believe some of the responses I received:

"My friends and I don't want any gay people on campus passing out flyers about gay stuff."

"I think their meetings should be monitored."

"They are discriminating against straight people and if they are going to teach about being gay, they should teach about being straight, too."

The last comment won the argument and they sent their constitution back with the caveat that they would not approve it unless the group explained their "intentions" and agreed to teach about "being heterosexual." I knew this would be difficult, but it hurt like hell when I had to call the Gay-Straight Alliance president and tell him that I failed. I fear that some of the programs that I have been backing on behalf of rape/assault victims on campus will pay for me speaking out. Still, I do not regret my actions. It will help me sleep at night.

I never thought that I would ever be on the "other side" of a civil rights movement.