Birthday of a Sultan’s Son

In light of recent developments, I thought it time to re-post this.

Once upon a time, a Sultan was blessed with the birth of a son after years of hoping. The boy immediately became the apple of his father’s eye. 

Just before his son’s sixth birthday, the Sultan said to him, “Son, I love you very much. Your birthday is coming soon What would you like?” His son replied, “Daddy, I would like to have my own airplane.” His father bought him American Airlines.

Just before his son’s seventh birthday, the Sultan said, “Son, you are my pride and joy. Ask what you want for your birthday. Whatever it is, it’s yours.” His son replied, “Daddy, I would like a boat.” His father bought him the Princess Cruise Line.  

Just before his son’s eighth birthday, the Sultan said, “Son, you bring so much happiness into my life. Anything you want, I shall get for you.” His son replied, “Daddy, I would like to be able to watch cartoons.” His father bought him Disney Studios.  

Just before his son’s ninth birthday, the Sultan said, “Son, you are my life. Your birthday is coming soon. Ask what you wish. I will get it for you. His son, who had grown to love Disney, replied, “Daddy, I would like a Mickey Mouse outfit and a Goofy outfit” His father bought him the Republican Party and Fox News.

Yes, We Can

 

It’s my last day of vacation. It’s also payday. So this morning as I sat in my favorite boxers, swilling home brewed coffee, and paying bills, I did something totally out of the blue. I went to Obama’s website and sent out a little hard earned cash. I’m not sure why. I usually don’t contribute to political campaigns. For some reason this time is different. I honestly feel like my liberty is at stake in November. I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say this is the most important election in a generation — in the US at any rate.

Yes, I can speak pejoratively of McSame and Caribou Barbie, but this is about more than personality. In November it’s a win or lose situation for more than the candidates. We can continue on with the Asses of Evil or we can change. From my perspective we are a a crossroads where we, as a nation, can choose either to put our country back on the path to safety, security, and liberty or we can choose the path of ruination that will let us become a third world nation in my lifetime. I choose to side with Barack and make my country the place I know it can be.

The America I belive in doesn’t have illegal wiretaps, torture prisoners, or suspend the Constitution. The America I believe leads by example. The America I belive in is a safe, equitible place for all — citizen and non-citizen alike. Looking at the major contenders, I have two choices. I can vote for McCain realizing that he doesn’t even begin to represent who I am or what I’m about. Or I can vote for Obama — a man with whom I don’t completely agree (he’s probably okay with that). With Obama in the Oval Office, I’m certain that my fundamental rights are protected. I’m certain that he won’t authorize getting my phone and Internet records. I’m sure he will lead the way for generations to come putting the United States back on the path of greatness.

Inspired by Tony

Reading an acquaintance’s blog made me take a long, hard look at my own beliefs on a topic. It’s fairly well known that I’m a firm believer in the concept: “from each according to his abilities to each according to his needs.” In 1950s America that could have gotten me hauled up before the Committee. To me the creation of a Workers’ Paradise is a natural progression in our evolution as a species, and my forthcoming proposal would be obsolete. A union, in Jack’s World, would be rather passe, but this is reality.

Prostitutes, adult film industry workers (not just the talent in front of the camera), escorts, erotic masseurs, strippers, the folks who work the counters at adult bookstores, etc. should band together and insist on health benefits, retirement plans, a living wage – all the things I take pretty much for granted in my job. Yes, there would be those who don’t join up just as there are people who don’t join unions now. I guess brothels would be divided into union and non-union shops. I didn’t say I had the details worked out.

And while I’m at it, workers in the adult film industry ought to get royalties and percentages of the profits from the movies they star in. After all, if it weren’t for them, I’d be watching a blank screen with my bottle of Sex Grease.

Before you chuckle and see this as some satire, I’m serious. I’m not moralizing or trying to reform anyone. Because I don’t see sex as a sin, I can extend that idea to the industrial side of things as well. There’s the age old question about what if my sister were a sex worker. The simple answer is that if it were something with an amount of class and decent pay I wouldn’t have a problem. I’ve always wondered why people bring up the relative aspect when it comes to sex workers. They never ask it about people who clean up road kill on the highway.

Not Banned in Boston

The Golden Compass has been banned and pulled from the library shelves in some parochial school districts because the author is an admitted atheist. Having neither read the book or seen the film adaptation, I cannot comment on the literary or aesthetic merits of either. However I can comment on the level of censorship displayed by the school districts – and thus by the larger Church. It’s my understanding that the problems are not with the content of the books but with the authors personal spiritual (or lack thereof) beliefs.

As I’ve said before some of the most Christlike people I know are atheists. They “minister” to the sick, the hungry, the poor – to all who need aid and comfort. Some of the most deplorable people on the planet have no issue proudly professing their work for God Almighty (cf. the current administration). I am condemned to Hell for my reading choices, the films I watch, the way I love, my personal beliefs, and spiritual practices. These people with their hatred, bigotry, and inspired demoralization of the masses are, apparently, given the keys to the kingdom and seated nearest the Throne of God.

With Thomas Jefferson a Deist (at best) we should toss out the Declaration of Independence. I’ve read theories that Lincoln was a closeted atheist, so we repeal the Emancipation Proclamation. I’d bet there were more Freethinkers, atheists, and agnostics among the men who wrote our Constitution than most people would like to think, so let’s just put that little document in the shredder and be done with it. If anyone ever wants to know what scares me most, it’s that this thinking will be seriously taken up, and people will actually try to put such a culling into practice.

But then I’m one of those liberals who believes in a free exchange of ideas. I find it a better world when I can find my Truth and allow you to have yours. It makes the world a better place, and when we talk I’m hearing something besides the echo of my own voice.

Holding Out for a Hero

The CDs from Musclecakes were waiting for me in my PO Box this afternoon. I’ve got them downloaded to my hard drive (and one in my Lyra). I can’t wait to take give it a go at the gym. I was almost inspired to head to the gym, but, um, no. One workout a day is enough. The best thing about an athletic trainer (and musician) making a workout track for you is that it is really good stuff to use for a work out. I gave him the ingredients for my chili mac. I doubt he’ll be impressed with anything that contains smart ground, dark chocolate, and organic whole wheat pasta. But then he is a Bright Blue Spot in Texas. BTW, I’m officially a Bright Blue Dot in the Blue Grass.

On Friday I went to Sesame Street only to discover that The World’s Greatest Bar Tender doesn’t work there any more. At least The Empress is still there. Having been encouraged so many times, I tried a Bombay Sapphire martini. I wasn’t impressed. Give me my Tanqueray Rangpur any day, and I’ll be a happy camper. I don’t know quite what that shot was the Newbie comped, but I wasn’t impressed with it.

I watched the first episode of Dante’s Cove last night. I’m hooked. Let’s just say that if Here! were offered in my area, I’d get cable. I think there is a way to watch it on-line, and it might be possible to get the channel on my phone. I know there are several TV options available for telephone viewing. I don’t know if I’m more amazed by the technology or my willingness to buy into it. Anyway, Cove is a combination of Dark Shadows, Sex in the City, live action The House of Morecock, and even a little Scooby Doo. Suffice to say that I couldn’t have done a better job. Well, okay I would have done a little better with bondage, but hey, that’s just me.

Instant Karma

I just ordered the Instant Karma CD from Amnesty International. “Yoko Ono generously granted rights to John Lennon’s entire solo songbook to Amnesty International, the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization, to use as the centerpiece of this project and to inspire and invigorate a new generation of human rights activists.” I don’t understand how the United States can willfully invade a country that, to be sure, had been fractious and bombastic but was of no real threat to our sovereignly then become so mired in that conflict that we cannot give military resources to stop genocide in Darfur. Perhaps were they to find an oil field….

While window shopping on the site, I saw a poster that sums up the America in which I believe:

The America I believe in does not torture people.

The America I believe in does not run secret prisons.

The America I believe in would shut down Guantanamo Bay.

As I couldn’t have said it better myself, I’ll quote them and give them full props (http://www.amnestyusa.org).