FDA's Morning After

Conservatives are probably reeling in fear after hearing news that the FDA will most likely approve behind-the-counter sales of the "morning after pill". The Right claims that this move will increase the sexual appetites of America's youth and encourage promiscuity. However, I disagree. We live in an overly sexualized society where social taboos cause curiosity, not drugs meant to help women. America's Puritanical views on the evils of sex directly correlate with higher rates of promiscuity. This is my belief, and I don't feel like backing it up with any concrete data, so kiss my arse.

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My Way or the Highway

After an enjoyable weekend in Indianapolis with family, I was pretty anxious to get back to my place to relax. On the drive into the city I witnessed honestly one of the funniest sights of my life. This is one I'll remember for a long time coming.

It's the usual rubber necking traffic coming off 495 and onto the BQE. I see sirens in the distance and thinking, great people are always so feeble minded to slow down and look. Only this time, I was in complete agreement with this line of thinking. As we passed by the blinking lights, 2 cops were standing next to an individual in his vehicle - his motorized wheelchair!! This fucker was using the highway and no one was gonna stop him. WTF Mate!? Either that or this guy just wasn't sure where he was going; but somehow I don't much believe that. He was caught on the on-ramp before the merge. I wonder if he would have survived that merge..

Can't Wait

R.E.M. was forever popularized by their song's appearence in Black Sheep with David Spade and Chris Farley. I wonder if Michael Stipe purposely wrote a song knowing its inevitable misunderstanding, just to step aside and have a laugh at his audience? What do you think?

Well, whatever you think, that song ("It's the End of the World as We Know It") will be appearing on a new R.E.M. compilation on September 12. The set chronicles the band's stint on the indie label I.R.S. until 1987.

Tracklist for And I Feel Fine...The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987:

01 Begin the Begin
02 Radio Free Europe
03 Pretty Persuasion
04 Talk About the Passion
05 (Don't Go Back To) Rockville
06 Sitting Still
07 Gardening at Night
08 7 Chinese Bros.
09 So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)
10 Driver 8
11 Can't Get There from Here
12 Finest Worksong
13 Feeling Gravity's Pull
14 I Believe
15 Life and How to Live It
16 Cuyahoga
17 The One I Love
18 Welcome to the Occupation
19 Fall on Me
20 Perfect Circle
21 It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

(via Pitchfork)

It Comes Full Circle

Unlike the media, I rightfully consider what's happening in the Mideast as a WAR, and not a CONFLICT. I love how PC now means to not say the word war ever. So for the past 12 or so days, my eyes and attention have been focused on the news; while my thoughts are with my family and friends living in harm's way.

I alluded to Live From an Israeli Bunker in my last post, and I check his blog daily. This dude is only 17 and is somewhat of a journalistic phenom. Today he posted this video on his blog, which inspired me to post after my usual hiatus.

It's scary to think that people are still so ignorant to the point of disaster. It's shit like this that in part justifies the ongoing WAR.

Shit Hits Fan

I think now is the time to weigh in on what's happening in Israel. Some may think I'm a cynic for saying so, but I don't think peace is really a viable option in the Middle East. The only way such a "miracle" can happen is if terrorist organizations (and their state sponsors) recognize Israel as a legitimate entity; and that textbooks fed to impressionable minds have accurate maps of the Jewish State. After this first step is complete, that's when peace will become a viable option. But you and I both know that won't happen anytime soon.

Israel has the right to protect itself from terrorists, like any other country would. Why the double standard? A foreign entity enters your land, kidnaps 2 of your bretheren while slaying others, then returns to their homeland. Therefore you can't honestly tell me that Israel's reaction is too severe. They are a country virtually surrounded by nations that want them off the map. Israel will protect itself and will be victorious.

Lastly, I was reading Dark Stuff, and he had a link to this great site. This person is documenting first hand his experiences taking cover in a bomb shelter.

Fat Tony

Once upon a time, The Soprano's used to be a great show with a regular television schedule. The first season easily ranks in the echelon of classics. However, as Tony Soprano's (James Gandolfini) waistline expanded, so too did the show's greed. And inevitably such greed led to poor writing. Such as having only one major plotline carrying the season. I'm a huge Soprano's fan, but am fed up with being strung along with no end in sight. Honestly, I wish the show would fuckin end already. This whole ordeal has turned the last few seasons into the Godfather III, which as everyone knows, was the worst of the trilogy.

But this rant doesn't come from left field. No No. No more than two months after viewers learned the final season would return in Jan. 2007, it was announced today that we will need to wait even longer. That's right kids. Because dumbass Tony had knee surgery, the final season is postponed (yet again) to March.

Shine on You Crazy Diamond

Syd Barrett passed is gone. Diabetes. What a tragic story for such a troubled soul. But perhaps the worst thing about his passing is his troubled legacy. This always seems to be a theme of mine, talking about legacies. But back to the point, shall we. Anyway, he will always be remembered as the guy who helped found Pink Floyd and then was kicked out because of a mental breakdown. But that story has been the same for the past 30 years. He died the same way he left public consciousness, a talented musician and a troubled soul. As fans of Pink Floyd, we owe a debt to Syd. Especially helping to create and inspire some of the best and most influential music of our time.

Out

Yours truly finally made it to his new abode in downtown NYC. Let's just say it's been a long time coming. And that it hasn't completely hit me that I'm moved out. Got an early start this morning moving some shit in, then went uptown to watch Italy play the French. I'm glad Italy won, but any match that ends in a penalty kick win is very anti-climactic; especially the final game.