I KNOW YOU MUST KNOW and so with a chuckle-laced tip of the sombrero tip to reader Colorado Bob, I reluctantly link you to the aforementioned Karl Rove Horror Show. It is certainly not worksafe, not pleasant, and I'm not really sure why a grown man would insert his penis into an automobile tailpipe...but the human creature is a strange one indeed. My mother is a nurse and has been since I was very young. In the earlier part of her career, she worked long hard hours in the emergency room. I have heard stories of men being brought in after more than a few failed attempts to copulate with surprising objects, or after attempting to decorate their piece with items better left attached to sinks, gears, vacuum cleaners or whatever else was sitting around the house.

So while this pic is not half as graphic as a simple story can be, click it at your own peril and join us in the big BUT WHY, MAN? Why?

NOT THAT I THINK it was any great prediction (because if you simply realize we are reliving the Vietnam War era you can predict most of what's happening today), one of the things I said we'd see more of in my New Year's Predictions was protesting from the military—those troops we, er, support. Here is a case of just what I was talking about, where a group of about 50 U.S. service members is not only holding a news conference in Norfolk (VA) today, to "voice opposition" to America's disastrous and horrific MISTAKE in Iraq, but who will, tomorrow, deliver more than 1,000 signatures to Congress—mostly of active duty soldiers—"as part of an Internet-based effort called 'Appeal for Redress.'"

This is fantastic, it's exciting, and it's about time. Propz to Lt. Watada, the brave man who was the first one, this time, to make it clear with his actions that risk his own well-being and situation that being human comes before being a soldier.

If ever there were a question of what I advocate or will lend my voice to in today's military actions, let it be known now: Lt. Watada and this group of fifty are some troops you better believe I support.

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

WITH A RATHER SOMBER tip of the sombrero to reader Ill Do Chay, I'm sorry to highlight the news of a shot-dead 22 year-old, Francisco Dominguez who was crossing from Mexico into Arizona with family members. The report states that he was killed by a US Border Patrol Agent while they were "trying" to take him into custody. This is by no means a new or surprising incident. I'm sure it happens more than we know, and when it does happen, you better believe that the dominant cultura's media machine is going to strip it down and redress it Murkan Style so you feel the way they want you to about a long war that is still rolling on. While I wonder why he had to be killed without a reason immediately obvious enough to state in the news report, it doesn't really matter. Nobody can convince me that a border founded on an illegal war (just like Iraq) based on the greed of American politicians justifies further killing of the people already wronged by it. Welcome to my world—one larger than a TV screen or a square classroom filled with lies.

FINALLY, an item without a link. Just a thought. The internet brings us many people, doing many things, feeling many ways, talking in many styles. No one statement can be made to encapsulate THE INTERNET, nor the people on it, nor the activities. More often than not, my issue with it is that it is rife with projection [correntewire points out yet one more beautiful examples of bush's use of same], and believing you can see past your own entirely is a dangerous path.

I look around and see people—especially when ranting—who seem to feel that the quick-n-easy way to be hip is to be angry and self-righteous. Nothing more. Just some well-worded anger and they are cool. That's often today's youth culture in Murka, and some carry this empty, pained, stagnant ego forward until death. (If you think I am specifically calling you out and being sly, I am not. I am talking from years of reading online, and the person who inspired this particular paragraph to blossom at this time does not read this blog and has never commented here).

I just looked at an entry on a certain blog community made by someone I was once friends with, and they are spewing condemnation on the ethereal "You" who exists somewhere out there...the general audience, the audience as they feel it when they type a post. But it's not hip. And it's not cool. Maybe for a moment, five years ago, it felt that way. But to still see this emotional blight on their happiness, haunting them and dogging their steps after all this time, it's just sad to me. They've ranted and blamed like this for years and you're never quite sure who that Person is they are constantly pissed at. Anger, self-righteousness, misery, and all aimed at...whomever. Some unknown, unnameable Person.

I know who the Person is. The one they rant at. And no matter how many new blogs one makes or name changes to a journal, or layout redos, that Person cannot be escaped. And you cannot hurt them by screaming into your text box. And you cannot make yourself feel better by sharing your anger without restraint. Because the Person is you.

We all add to this conversación going on out here. We are all human, and we all get angry and hurt and feel fear and frustration. But let's remember that we can bring strength and a feeling of hope, too. If we don't have as much as we want, let's reach for a little. Let's "augment" our musings with a hand outstretched when we can. Focus on hate, and you become hate. Focus on fear, and you help fear grow. Focus on hope, and the Person dares to dream.