Obama's O'Beer

The media has placed far too much of its attention and energies in the Gates/Crowley scenario. I have no idea who overreacted--Gates or Crowley, but I do know who has overreacted. The media and Mr. Obama.

Obama made an uninformed statement about the situation. Fine. I don't care. But I did start to care when my news feeds kept informing me that Obama, Gates, and Crowley were going to have a beer together. I didn't care, I still don't care, and I care even less as to what kind of beer it is--and I really appreciate a good beer.

That's not news. That's extremely trivial information. The whole thing is starting to look like a publicity stunt which screams: Look at me! Look how cool I am! I drink beers with normal people!

And you know what? I don't care. But I do wish the media would report something important.

Peace.

Another Reason to Always Carry a Knife

Off-duty firefighters save a boy trapped in a burning SUV. Unfortunately, they had trouble finding a knife and I suppose the boy wouldn't have been so badly burned had they found one faster.

Video here.

Take that, British pansies.

I Make Shakespeare Weep

I've recently begun writing poetry in earnest again. My poems have never been structured, so I'm forcing myself to write sonnets and very strict forms in an attempt to improve. At any rate, it's getting frustrating because every poem feels incredibly forced.

But frustration can also be productive:

I bear the name 'poet' with shame
I'm not worthy to go by that name
Every rhyme is a crime
And I ought to get time
'Cause my poems are stupid and lame.

Peace, poesy, and prose.

Policies tend to excede their Statutes

This article makes some interesting points about the current 'hate crime' bill.

Check it out.

Peace.

Banned in the UK

If you don't think it possible that freedom of speech could soon become a thing of the past, go read this. It's possible.

In Observance of the 4th of July

In observance of Independence Day, July 4, I urge you, my fellow Americans, to celebrate by observing the following annual ritual:

Read the Constitution while drinking coffee.

A day without coffee is like a day without sunshine. And a day without reading is like a day without coffee. And a country that doesn't know its Constitution is like...in trouble.
The Declaration of Independence.

The Constitution of the united States of America.

Peace, prosperity, and happy 4th.

Tolstoy on Truth in Art

Many people, especially children, when reading a story, fairy-tale, legend, or fable, ask first of all: 'Is it true?' and if they see that what is described could not have happened, they often say: 'Oh, this is mere fancy, it isn't true.'

Those who judge so, judge amiss.

Truth will be known not by him who knows only what has been, is, and really happens, but by him who recognizes what should be according to the will of God.

He does not write the truth who describes only what has happened and what this or that man has done, but he who shows what people do that is right--that is, in accord with God's will; and what people do wrong--that is, contrary to God's will.

Truth is a path. Christ said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.'

And so he who looks down at his feet will not know the truth, but he who discerns by the sun which way to go.

- Tolstoy on truth in art