opinions & rants

Decisive opinions, peeves, irritations, and just generally what's on my mind with regard to a variety of issues (e.g., U.S. politics, entertainment & the arts, health,"common knowledge," and everyday life). This page can be considered continually under construction.

government assistance—

As I've stated ad nauseam, I feel very strongly about personal responsibility. While I realize that sometimes people do need a break, and I support government assistance for those truly in need (e.g., suffering from catastrophic circumstances or a bona fide illness that precludes them from making a living)...I believe that the vast majority of those who receive welfare, food stamps, Section 8 housing, etc. are lazy and/or irresponsible and/or opportunistic.

I think that anyone receiving government assistance should, in exchange, be required to make some contribution to society (whether it's a regular job or just picking up trash in the street); they should also be placed in some sort of job training program. In addition, except for those with LEGITIMATE permanent disabilities, government assistance should be temporary—limited to no more than five years (which is more than enough time for a healthy adult to get it together).

Lastly, I believe that any woman (single or otherwise) who becomes pregnant while on government assistance should be forced to have an abortion in order to continue receiving that assistance. Furthermore, I believe that any woman (single or otherwise) on government assistance who refuses to use effective birth control (and thus repeatedly becomes pregnant) should be force-sterilized.

death penalty—

I support the death penalty for certain heinous crimes: serial murder, first-degree murder for monetary or other gain, ritual abuse of children or animals, and kidnap/torture.

These types of crimes are perpetrated by sociopaths. Sociopathy is an inherent personality disorder. Sociopaths have no conscience, lack the ability to empathize, and cannot be "rehabilitated." If a sociopath is moved to become violent, I feel that society is safer and healthier with such an offender permanently removed.

I do not believe in the automatic assigning of the death penalty for "cop killers." While I respect police officers, I don't believe that a cop's life is inherently of greater value than that of any other citizen.

firearms—

Sorry to disappoint all of my bleeding-heart-liberal friends...but I support ALL of the amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and am thus pro gun ownership. Although I will never take membership in the NRA (as they are a bunch of serious wingnuts), I strongly endorse the constitutional right to bear arms. I believe that ownership of hunting rifles, shotguns, and handguns (revolvers and semi-automatic pistols) should continue to be a legal right enjoyed by sane law-abiding adult citizens.

At the same time, I support a very light "gun control" policy, which would involve a criminal and mental background check as well as basic firearm education (on gun laws, proper usage, operation, storage, and safety).

homeland security/patriot act—

Terrorism is obviously a scary thing. To ensure safety for the citizenry of the U.S., money and resources should be spent on high-tech intelligence gathering and safety/security precautions. But the homeland should not be "secured" at the expense of the very liberties that define this country.

It is morally wrong for our government to use the fear of terrorist attacks as an excuse for racism, war mongering, torture, privacy invasion, and fascist control of its citizens. The "Patriot Act" is an evil instrument of law—passed for the sole purpose of providing the executive branch of the U.S. government with an undue and unbalanced amount of power—and it should be overturned as soon as possible!

war/imperialism—

War! Huh! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! Say it again!

As for our obnoxious meddling around the world....we need to seriously mind our own business, and concentrate on the issues facing us on the homefront. I also think we should stop standing on ceremony, and maintain a diplomatic relationship with EVERY sovereign nation (and maybe even every political faction) on the planet—friend or foe. I don't see anything wrong with "negotiating with terrorists." After all, COMMUNICATION is the first step in the PEACE process.

the middle east—

OK, this is what I think: First of all, it's boring already. Secondly, the leaders of ALL of the middle east nations are crazy, dogmatic, self-centered, and completely inflexible. I support neither Israel's position nor that of any of the fundamentalist Islamic countries/factions (although, as stated above, I think we should have diplomatic relations with all).

I liken the conflicts in the middle east to that of a dysfunctional married couple. So I ask the question: what's more important—getting along or being "right?"

gay rights—

I believe that the entire continuum of sexual orientation is normal and healthy, and that homosexuality is simply a node on one end of the vast spectrum. As far as I'm concerned, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered folk should be afforded the same rights and privileges as everyone else.

I completely support same-sex marriage...and I pray for the day when ALL couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, are allowed to legally marry if they so choose.

abortion—

This is a tough one for me. I believe that life is sacred, and that the soul enters the body at conception. Thus, the act of abortion = ending a "life." However, until such time as a fetus is able to thrive outside the womb, I do support a woman's right to choose, and think that women must be allowed the absolute choice to determine what is right for their own bodies. I respect the pro-life position (as long as it isn't grounded in misogyny), but disagree with it. I think that anyone who doesn't believe in abortion just shouldn't have one.

However, I do NOT support third-trimester abortion on demand. IMO, third-trimester abortions should only be performed when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman. Because premature babies can in most cases survive if born within the third trimester, I believe that elective abortions at that point should be illegal.

animal rights—

I oppose ALL forms of animal cruelty, abuse, and exploitation. I believe that the use of animals in laboratory experimentation (i.e., torture) is cruel, unethical, unnecessary, and absolutely IMMORAL. I cannot state this strongly enough.

In addition, I am opposed to the abuse of animals for the purpose of human entertainment (e.g., circuses, rodeos, zoos).

I do not oppose the use of service animals (e.g., guide dogs for the blind), as long as they are treated in a loving and humane manner. Especially dogs, since canines actually dig being of service to humans. Cats, on the other hand... ;)

stem cell research—

I wholeheartedly support stem cell research, as it will eliminate the current so-called "need" for animal testing. Fetal cell experimentation involves encouraging a clump of cells to grow a particular fashion. This is most certainly more ethical than torturing viable innocent living beings in the name of "science." (See my position on animal testing.)

illegal drugs—

Basically, I think all drugs should be legalized, or at least "decriminalized." With that said, I think the penalties should be much harsher for people who drive, work, operate machinery, or harm children while "under the influence." One strike, and you're out!

corporate america—

In a perfect universe, the business world would regulate itself. However, what's been cultivated is a culture of greed, exploitation, and the hunger of power. Corporate concerns have been afforded far too much political clout, too many tax breaks, and too little to answer for with regard to their raping of the environment. The Wal-Marts of the world are evil, with their unethical business practices and exploitation of people, animals, and the environment. It's bad karma, man.

censorship—

Censorship is sickening. Not to mention UNconstitutional. The right of free expression is a cherished institution, and one that should be fervently protected. I'm old enough to remember the expression: "It's a free country." Unfortunately, that statement is not so true any more...

public displays of breastfeeding—

Public breastfeeding should not only be legal, it should be encouraged! The main purpose of female breasts is to feed babies. When a baby is hungry, it needs to eat...end of discussion. Anyone who is titillated (pun intended) or somehow threatened by such a completely natural, life-affirming act has a big problem and needs to GET OVER IT.

jury duty—

I believe that it is wrong to force citizens to LOSE PAY in order to fulfill their "civic duty." For any days served, a juror should be paid (by the court) the exact amount that s/he would earn at work (I'm sorry, but $15 a day is a fucking joke!). This is especially important for lower- and middle-income folks.

The concept of paid professional jurors is a great one. Think about it: doesn't it make more sense to have jurors who are actually interested and enthusiastic, and want to give the service their full attention and consideration? If I were serving on a jury—and LOSING MY LIVELIHOOD WHILE DOING IT—I certainly would not be giving my undivided attention to the matter at hand. No, I would be making sure I got the hell out of there as soon as humanly possible so I could get back to work!

Furthermore, if I were the one on trial, I would prefer either a jury composed of professional jurors or simply a trial by judge.

english language usage—

Listen up, people! Here's your English language lesson for the day—

Subject/Verb Agreement:

The words "media," "data," "criteria," and "phenomena" are plural. Anyone who tells you otherwise (e.g., that the word "data" is singular in some circumstances) is a complete idiot. The singular forms of the above words are, respectively, "medium," "datum," "criterion," and "phenomenon."

This sentence is grammatically INCORRECT:

"The media is guilty of biased news reporting."

The grammatically-correct expression is:

"The media are guilty of biased news reporting."

so-called gray tabby cats

Here's a "pet" peeve of mine: People who refer to brown or silver tabby cats as "gray tabbies." There is no such thing!

Tabbies come in a variety of shades: brown, chocolate, blue, silver, caramel, cinnamon, cream, fawn, golden, red, and lavender. But not gray. There is no such thing as a gray tabby!!!

A tabby with dark-gray and light-gray stripes is BLUE.
A tabby with black and tan/light-brown stripes is BROWN.
A tabby with black and white/light-gray stripes is SILVER.

Let me say it again: There is no such thing as a gray tabby!!!

top 20 rock albums—

Chicago's second album may just be the best piece of music ever recorded. Rock, jazz, blues, and classical...all rolled up into one totally tight, spine-tingling, resonating-to-the-depths-of-my-soul, emotionally intense package.

That's right. Before they morphed into the muzak-manufacturing machine of the 1980s/90s, dishing up album after album of schlocky ballads, Chicago was THE MOST AMAZING BAND OF ALL TIME. No, I am not exaggerating. Chicago in its early years (1967 to 1974) put the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix to shame. (In fact, Hendrix himself recognized Terry Kath as a guitarist with talent superior to his own incredible gift.)

So, bearing that in mind, here's my list of top 20 rock/pop albums of all time:

Chicago II - Chicago
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
Blind Faith - Blind Faith
Layla - Derek & the Dominoes
Abraxas - Santana
Rubber Soul - The Beatles
Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago
Disraeli Gears - Cream
Night at the Opera - Queen
Abbey Road - The Beatles
Tapestry - Carole King
Madman Across the Water - Elton John
Days of Future Passed - Moody Blues
Court and Spark - Joni Mitchell
Innervisions - Stevie Wonder
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars - David Bowie
Elton John - Elton John
The Royal Scam - Steely Dan
AWB - Average White Band

andrew lloyd webber vs. stephen sondheim—

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a hack, plain and simple. He has done nothing but bastardize and dumb-down the art form known as the Great American Musical. In fact, his works are an affront to the genre. The music he writes is unsophisticated and one-dimensional. I would go so far as to say that what he produces are NOT musicals, but rather sung-through spectacles that are based on hype, flash, and over-production, with no substance whatsoever. It's pabulum for the great unwashed, and not very intelligent, masses.

On the other hand, Stephen Sondheim is a true genius in every sense of the word. His themes are complex; his musical sense is intricate. With each subsequent listen to a Sondheim song, more and more layers are uncovered. One is never completely "done" with a Sondheim musical, as there's always more to learn and appreciate. His work is brilliant and mesmerizing.