Twice Removed

I just got an email from the parents’ church (of which I guess I remain, technically, a member). It says they’re going to the park or some such nonsense to hand out this book. Yeah, I’m not sure I’ll be turning up for that. While the scare tactics about the end of the world hold a special place in my heart (as they were the main source of adrenaline for me into high school), I’m not sure spreading the fear around as a means of increasing the flock is identified as particularly christian in my book.

“It’s the end of the world! Only by joining our church and giving us 10% of your income can you be saved! Hurry! It’s happening now! Is that Satan behind you? Quick, run in here!”

Okay, now I’m just being silly.

Conquering Thailand

Check out this commercial (look for yellow text and play button to play) and see if you don’t spot someone from the same factory as the hbot3000. It is very cool and I am, sniff, so proud!

Good Citizenry

Matt was gracious enough to give me “The Good Citizen’s Handbook.” What hidden message there was in that gift, I don’t care to speculate. Regardless, on first glance it is a camp classic. In fact, I’m trying to decide if it’s serious or some horrible parody. In any case, I thought it would be amusing to read through and decide how much I fit this person’s model of a good citizen. So, the introduction begins, “A good citizen is well-groomed . . ..” Huh. Well, I’m damned six words into it (tosses book out window). I see “Big Hair” (as opposed to Big Tobacco) has bought and paid for this advocate’s book. Sad. More later, once I get past the horrible dejection I feel from having failed the good citizen test in the first sentence.

Disaster Porn

You know, I enjoy reading the Clusterfuck Nation Chronicles (linked to the right), but it’s become hard to take seriously. Someone on his site described what he does as “Disaster Porn” and I find that description hard to dispute. I must admit I like reading his site for the same reason I like disaster movies, just an abject fascination with apocalyptic/disaster scenarios. So, for the record, I don’t want an oil crisis to destroy the country. As much as I find it interesting to examine the possibilities, I do cherish my electricity and my easy motoring. Having said that, I do agree with Kunstler on what a silly idea suburbs, strip malls and long commutes are. I do think that gas prices are going to become higher and cause some significant problems, but I in no way really want it to happen. In any case, gas is edging up again this summer and my thoughts once again drifted to the demise of oiled civilization. Having said that, it is funny to watch the “we’re all doomed” side crow when oil and gas prices go up with the “sensible” I-heart-my-SUV crowd saying fluctuations are normal, only to see positions reversed completely with no trace of irony when prices go down again.

In a related note, I see that some people are getting a little upset about the confirmed report that the Chimperor is considering using nukes (“but they’re tiny!”) to destroy some targets in Iran. The report says that the Bush Administration believes that they can bomb Iran into Democracy. So, uh, yeah. Crazy people run the government. This guy probably sounds a little hysterical, but his feelings closely mirror my own. In short: Bombing Iran with tiny nukes = Stupid Fucking Idea. That is all.

An open letter

Dear Daylight Savings Time,

FUCK. YOU.

That is all.

Sincerely,

Hbot3000