Napoleon, Snowball & Squealer

Lots of links... don't get too distracted. You're welcome :)

After a really fantastic (and rather educational) walk last night the most brilliant (and incredibly good looking) man I know and I ended up at a bar (go figure, right?). As usual our conversation drifted to politics and somehow the subject of Animal Farm came up. Neither of us could remember the exact details but we had the premise and message of the story right. What it came down to was trying to figure out why the book is still required reading in most middle schools even though it's obvious that the lessons Orwell was teaching are ignored. Back in the late 70's and the 80's it was a testament against communism and tyranny. It was a statement against Populism and explained the idea that Populists (as it's traditionally defined) are not in it "for the good of the people." And now?

Now we have a populist as President. (that one's a cartoon... click it) He's a man who captivated enough Americans to win the election, promised a change that would be in the best interest of the people and had the charismatic, laid back, coolness that people flock towards. Sixty-two days into this and we've got a man who had hand picked lobbyists for his cabinet despite promises not to, has not followed through on his promise to publish for five days on the internet everything he plans on signing into law, and apparently has to spend four or five days to "know what he's talking about" before he comments on something the American public has been raging about since the beginning.

Just like in Animal Farm, Napoleon the Pig and his buddies start off creating change (sound familiar?) and end up with Napoleon taking the entire farm over and everything being worse than it began. Obama is exactly what every other poor (not financially, but behaviorally) politician and the transformation from Fearless Leader to Worthless Self-absorbed Authoritarian hasn't taken long. To top it all off...

"Squealer, Napoleon's propagandist, justifies every action to the other animals, convincing them that Napoleon is a great leader and is making things better for everyone—despite the fact that the common animals are cold, hungry, and overworked."

And if I have to explain to you that Squealer is synonymous with Robert Gibbs you may want to start paying more attention.

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In Other News, my experiment continues although I've altered it a bit. Instead of trying to alter my current relational styles I'm simply going to try to expand. Who says people should only have two main styles? Why not rely on four of them? It seems to be working pretty well (read: I feel a better despite still struggling a bit), expanding is so much easier than a complete conversion. And who doesn't want to be touched and verbally affirmed anyway? Well, I can think of one but he's not the norm (thankfully) and that's not the point. Moving on! I painted my nails a weird color just now and it's really getting on my nerves. I could bite it off but that would ruin an entire week of work. I started volunteering at a Horse Rescue Shelter and it breaks my heart. I've started working with the three studs to get them lead broke so we can lunge them after they're gelded but unfortunately, I just don't have the time or money to be out there as often as they need training. Doesn't help that I'm in love with half of them now and want to just love on all of them. Finally, I miss my Mommy. Tune in next time when I tell you about our first home-brewed batch of beer (Unreasonable Red) and more experiment findings.

The First 100 Days

Ladies and Gentlemen, for your reading pleasure I'd like to present the only "First 100 Days" list worth reading.

The Onion has developed their own list. Is most of it ridiculous? Yes. Is 99% of it completely fabricated? Certainly. (One of my favorites being.... "DAY 10: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Donovan wonders if they mean "urban" like "city" or "urban" like "black.") Is it worth your time to read when compared to FoxNews or CNN's versions? Absolutely.

Ok so maybe FoxNews and CNNs' lists are more relevant and actually contain information that would enhance your political perspectives and keep you up to date. (Another good one... "DAY 40: President Obama forwards the link to the new Star Trek movie trailer to the entire staff. Again.") But did dying the White House fountains green have to be the update for today (Day 57)? Now, why on earth the first 100 days are so important is well beyond me, but if you're going to read one at least it should be entertaining. (last but not least... "DAY 51: Reaching a milestone common for new presidents, Obama spends the afternoon seeing who is the most important person he can get on the phone in under five minutes.") So take a deep breathe, forget about the political wreck of a mess that is D.C. and go read the list. And when you're done jump on John McCain's Twitter... he's got an interview on there at Noon. And shut up, I know I'm obsessed. Thank you very much.

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In Other News, I want a puppy. A free Boxer-Coonhound Puppy from the Ad Pages to be specific. Am I getting one? Yeah, right. But a girl can wish right? Oh, and a house. A limestone house with a pond, a pole barn and probably vaulted beamed ceilings. Not getting that one either though. I've been doing an experiment for about the past week. It's a personal experiment and I'm actually not torturing somebody else this time. Ever tried to change your relational style (aka love language)? So far the first week has gone badly. I'm still overwhelmingly sensitive to verbal affirmation and touch but I'm trying to be better at the quality time and acts of service thought process. Although, I should have expected the results (frustration, disappointment and a bit of withdrawal) because a week of making a concerted effort itsn't going to outweigh 22 years of conditioning. Hm, this all seems like a bit of an over share. Thankfully, Staci's the only one who reads this... I love you :)

Bastards.

"The five detainees at Guantanamo Bay charged with plotting the September 11, 2001 attacks have filed a document accepting responsibility for the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and expressing pride at their accomplishment, the New York Times reported late on Monday."

And how long have they been sitting down there living off American tax payers' money, torturing the men and women who have to guard them?

The worst part about it is that there are still a number of liberals, democrats, socialists, and left-wingers who think it's wrong that we have them there at all. And you know what... I agree. It is wrong that we are holding them in Guantanamo Bay. They should have been put to death years ago.

Yes He Is.

Is Obama a DOW Downer?

Yes. But only because he wants to be.

The more times he screams "economic crisis" and uses words like "disaster" the worse it's going to get. Somebody brilliant (and coincidentally also ridiculously good looking) pointed something interesting out to me the other night. Eight months ago the only thing that was failing was the banks... not every other company that happens to exist. Coincidence? Casualties of an "economic crisis"? Or the unnecessary by-product of politicians who are scaring the market into oblivion so they can pass a bill that funds all of their pet projects, puts them in control of just about everything and delivers an entire country of people into their worthless manipulative hands? I've been following John McCain's Twitter account since it was brought to my attention (it's Maureen Dowd's fault). He keeps posting updates that plain as day state the project that the Senate has kept in the bill and the cost. It makes me sick the junk they're having tax payers fund in the middle of a bailout. A recreation park and fair ground? Pleasure Beach Water Taxi? Money for the Historic Jazz Foundation in Kansas? SERIOUSLY?!

I thought we were supposed to be creating jobs, and stimulating the economy not just paying to amuse ourselves? Part of the reason we're in this mess is because a large group of people is too lazy to work and wants the government to take care of them. So what's the logical solution? Ah, yes, amuse them so they're distracted from how much of a drain they are on Capitalism-loving, hard-working Americans.

In other sickening news, while waiting for my hair appointment (it now looks fantastic thank you for asking) I saw this headline.

Does no one else see an issue with a WORKER TAX for a JOBLESS FUND? I work to support me. Not me and someone who doesn't have a job and does not a damn thing. If someone comes and works for me... yes, I will gladly pay them. Until then I am so tired of paying for people who haven't earned a single penny that I really don't know what to do with myself.

And on top of all the economic crap there's a Professor who called the cops on a College Senior for talking about guns. TALKING about guns. The full article is right here... because if I keep typing I swear my head is going to spin around and I'll start spitting tacks.

Somebody tell me I'm not the only one who feels like this isn't the America we were raised in...

where did it go, why and when the hell can I have it back?

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In Other News, spent a weekend with the family before they left for Italy. It was amazing :) Then I spent the week following being sick with the plague. It sucked, but I lost 10 pounds! The weather is lovely today despite being a bit windy and I have a wonderful Friday night planned. Yoga has been amazing recently... I love being back in a class and the studio I go to is a perfect little yoga haven. Also, I desperately want to go to the Kentucky Derby this year... sit on the in-field and participate in the mint-julep-fueled drunk fest that happens the day before my birthday. Who wants in?