Showing posts with label bumper stickers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bumper stickers. Show all posts
Monday, October 18, 2010
Franzen.
The personality susceptible to the dream of limitless freedom is a personality also prone, should the dream ever sour, to misanthropy and rage.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Dear America,
We haven't chatted in a while and I just wanted to say hi. I've been thinking about you because it's your birthday. I know we've had our differences in the past, because sometimes you're incredibly stupid (Blackwater, WMDs, 2000-2008, THE CURRENT OIL SPILL AND THE INABILITY TO DEAL WITH IT, Us Weekly culture, Leonard Peltier, SARAH PALIN, good christ I could go on forever).
But. Since we've separated, I've learned that you do have a few things going for you. Clean water from the faucet is nice. And, um, the idea of "democracy" is also pretty cool, if it's used correctly and effectively, ie to actually give power to the people.
I've always thought, though, that the greatest thing America has ever produced is its dissidents. The true mark of an evolved society is letting its citizens, or those a nation ostensibly exists for, change it and improve it. Anyone who takes the time to tell America how bad it's fucking up does so only because they believe it could do so much better. Abbie Hoffman, Hunter S. Thompson, et al believed that America could be the world's freest democracy, providing its citizens with the most liberties, and were only disappointed that their country was falling so short of its defined goals. Since being away, I guess I've realized the fact that I'm allowed to say "America, you're really fucking up" is pretty awesome, although I obviously wish I didn't have to say that at all. How great would it be to say "I love America! We have clean energy, awesome health care and a great education system! There's no discrimination or gun violence, and we're not sending (poor) 19 year olds to the other side of the world to die. We don't only elect fat, rich, old, racist white men to office, and instead we have elected officials of every race, gender and economic background to serve the interests of the people. Americans enjoy life and there's a high value placed on the arts. WE DON'T IMPOSE SEXIST BELIEFS ON WOMEN AND ASSUME OWNERSHIP OVER THEIR BODIES. America doesn't really subscribe to a religious doctrine and people are pretty much allowed to do what they want as far as that's concerned. America doesn't sell a lot of useless shit because we know that doesn't provide happiness. There is no show called 'Two And A Half Men' and people don't watch that much TV anyway, they spend a lot of time with their friends instead."
Today, we should all remember that America was founded by dissidents who didn't feel like taking shit from anyone because they wanted to have power over their own individual lives (people who quote the constitution these days seem to be only balding white dudes trying their hardest to make sure poor/brown people don't have health care/citizenship so I'll stop short of that).
Shouldn't the goal of any nation in the modern world be to provide it's citizens with the highest quality of life possible? And I'm not talking about cheap shit from Wal-Mart that will make your life easier. Quality of life can be truly determined by health, personal freedoms and yes, the ability toward the pursuit of happiness.
On my birthday, I like to think about what I could do better in the coming year; how I could be a better friend, sister, daughter, person. So America, on your birthday, put down the credit card, have a beer, appreciate what you have and think about how you could become the country you should be.
Love,
your friend.
PS: I just read that Obama is putting $2 Billion dollars into solar energy! Which will create jobs and help to liberate us from oil dependency. I can't think of a better birthday present.
But. Since we've separated, I've learned that you do have a few things going for you. Clean water from the faucet is nice. And, um, the idea of "democracy" is also pretty cool, if it's used correctly and effectively, ie to actually give power to the people.
I've always thought, though, that the greatest thing America has ever produced is its dissidents. The true mark of an evolved society is letting its citizens, or those a nation ostensibly exists for, change it and improve it. Anyone who takes the time to tell America how bad it's fucking up does so only because they believe it could do so much better. Abbie Hoffman, Hunter S. Thompson, et al believed that America could be the world's freest democracy, providing its citizens with the most liberties, and were only disappointed that their country was falling so short of its defined goals. Since being away, I guess I've realized the fact that I'm allowed to say "America, you're really fucking up" is pretty awesome, although I obviously wish I didn't have to say that at all. How great would it be to say "I love America! We have clean energy, awesome health care and a great education system! There's no discrimination or gun violence, and we're not sending (poor) 19 year olds to the other side of the world to die. We don't only elect fat, rich, old, racist white men to office, and instead we have elected officials of every race, gender and economic background to serve the interests of the people. Americans enjoy life and there's a high value placed on the arts. WE DON'T IMPOSE SEXIST BELIEFS ON WOMEN AND ASSUME OWNERSHIP OVER THEIR BODIES. America doesn't really subscribe to a religious doctrine and people are pretty much allowed to do what they want as far as that's concerned. America doesn't sell a lot of useless shit because we know that doesn't provide happiness. There is no show called 'Two And A Half Men' and people don't watch that much TV anyway, they spend a lot of time with their friends instead."
Today, we should all remember that America was founded by dissidents who didn't feel like taking shit from anyone because they wanted to have power over their own individual lives (people who quote the constitution these days seem to be only balding white dudes trying their hardest to make sure poor/brown people don't have health care/citizenship so I'll stop short of that).
Shouldn't the goal of any nation in the modern world be to provide it's citizens with the highest quality of life possible? And I'm not talking about cheap shit from Wal-Mart that will make your life easier. Quality of life can be truly determined by health, personal freedoms and yes, the ability toward the pursuit of happiness.
On my birthday, I like to think about what I could do better in the coming year; how I could be a better friend, sister, daughter, person. So America, on your birthday, put down the credit card, have a beer, appreciate what you have and think about how you could become the country you should be.
Love,
your friend.
PS: I just read that Obama is putting $2 Billion dollars into solar energy! Which will create jobs and help to liberate us from oil dependency. I can't think of a better birthday present.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Saw this on a SUV today
"To err is human, to forgive is divine. Neither is the policy of the U.S. Marine Corps."
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Our Age: A History in Postcards
Things sure have happened in the world lately! Here, a recap through the lens of everyone's favorite mailable that doesn't require an envelope.
Like a newly minted college graduate, Postmodernity is experiencing an existential crisis. The Modern dream of "progress" has ended in a horrifying global scenario that is confronted only by ignorance or guilt.
The "free world" is run by someone you wouldn't cheat off of in Intro to Government, and the idea of a "future" seems like wishful thinking.
A little heavy handed? Definitely. But this is no time for subtlety. The world is ending!
*which, incidentally, are one in the same.
and harass everyone whose address I have with stuff like this.
2006/7: Man, this blows.
Like a newly minted college graduate, Postmodernity is experiencing an existential crisis. The Modern dream of "progress" has ended in a horrifying global scenario that is confronted only by ignorance or guilt.
The "free world" is run by someone you wouldn't cheat off of in Intro to Government, and the idea of a "future" seems like wishful thinking.
It can't get any worse, so you attempt to cure the world of its ills-- the imperialism, consumerism, commodification that's killing everything it touches (and it's touching everything)-- and truly believe that you can.
A little heavy handed? Definitely. But this is no time for subtlety. The world is ending!
2008/9: A new day!
Our long global nightmare is over. Let's revel in the truths of existence (and Fleetwood Mac)*.
*which, incidentally, are one in the same.
2010:You know what? This whole thing is dumb.
The impossibility of human reason to surpass the interest of the self seems more evident every day in the actions of the people we elect to lead our society and make decisions that will impact our lives and the lives of future generations. Blind ignorance seethes from all ends of the political spectrum. No one has answers/911 is a joke/"society" is a cultural construct, man.
Things are realized and expectations are lowered. It is a possibility in our world that the person that is Sarah Palin might one day have power to influence the way other people's lives as humans. Absurdity is truth.
Think I'm gonna be thankful that at least emo is over (sort of?)...
... empty 18 packs while seeking refuge in a nostalgia for things that are "young" and "cool,"
and harass everyone whose address I have with stuff like this.
The USPS: still one institution for the people.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Feel like crying?
I do!
This song was written in 1964. In the past past 46 years, we've learned approximately nothing.
This song was written in 1964. In the past past 46 years, we've learned approximately nothing.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, March 28, 2008
My Blog, MY SELF!!!!!111111
(whatever the hell that means.) SERiously.
So everyone I know was all like, update yr blog!!! Although everyone I know is with me every waking minute of the day. Isn't that weird, that we look to the virtual for affirmation or something? Like, with Keh: I JUST LOOKED AT HER BLOG AND SHE'S SITTING ACROSS FROM ME EATING SALTY BEANS (organic) AND EGGS (cage free)!!!!!!!!111
Just let that one sink in and let your head explode.
So, at this juncture, I will just let the world know that Laurie Anderson's music is so awesome and it's pretty beautiful that she and Lou Reed are married. That wrinkled old bag of skin turned out to be a pretty legit human after all, which is more than I can say for most stars of rock, who tend to marry European supermodels who at some point will be asked by the Times style magazine about the last book they read in a completely non-ironic manner.
Also, did you know that muticulturalism can be bad for women? Seriously, check it out. Two cornerstones of liberalism duking it out: who can be more politically correct while simultaneously offending everyone who isn't a philosophy chair at Princeton?
And:
"Many people don’t write songs for an audience. They write songs for Gray’s Anatomy, for Zach Braff, and for Apple advertisements (Volkswagen if they’re not ambitious). If I was in a band I would write a slow song with an 808, reverb, and a female vocalist, and call that song “Zach Braff’s Eyes Reflected in My Nano.” I would make sure it got to the right people. By which I mean Zach Braff, or one of the leechlike marketing creatures that feed from the skin of Steve Jobs under his mock turtleneck."
-Paul Ford writes 6 word reviews of SXSW bands so you can impress your friends by being all like "Oh yeah, I've totally heard of these guys... they kind of suck."
and for this weeks installment of "thinegs i learnd at collge this week LOL!!!!111":
being "fashionable" isn't. Everyone can go to Urban Outfitters and dress like a damn Olsen twin or whoever the hell the kids like these days. Boots, scarves, big earrings and no pants are LAME and the fast track to a life of disappointment and incessant shopping. Find another reason to live before this nation turned into a toxic waste dump of your failed non-aspirations toward mediocrity and Braff-rock.
So everyone I know was all like, update yr blog!!! Although everyone I know is with me every waking minute of the day. Isn't that weird, that we look to the virtual for affirmation or something? Like, with Keh: I JUST LOOKED AT HER BLOG AND SHE'S SITTING ACROSS FROM ME EATING SALTY BEANS (organic) AND EGGS (cage free)!!!!!!!!111
Just let that one sink in and let your head explode.
So, at this juncture, I will just let the world know that Laurie Anderson's music is so awesome and it's pretty beautiful that she and Lou Reed are married. That wrinkled old bag of skin turned out to be a pretty legit human after all, which is more than I can say for most stars of rock, who tend to marry European supermodels who at some point will be asked by the Times style magazine about the last book they read in a completely non-ironic manner.
Also, did you know that muticulturalism can be bad for women? Seriously, check it out. Two cornerstones of liberalism duking it out: who can be more politically correct while simultaneously offending everyone who isn't a philosophy chair at Princeton?
And:
"Many people don’t write songs for an audience. They write songs for Gray’s Anatomy, for Zach Braff, and for Apple advertisements (Volkswagen if they’re not ambitious). If I was in a band I would write a slow song with an 808, reverb, and a female vocalist, and call that song “Zach Braff’s Eyes Reflected in My Nano.” I would make sure it got to the right people. By which I mean Zach Braff, or one of the leechlike marketing creatures that feed from the skin of Steve Jobs under his mock turtleneck."
-Paul Ford writes 6 word reviews of SXSW bands so you can impress your friends by being all like "Oh yeah, I've totally heard of these guys... they kind of suck."
and for this weeks installment of "thinegs i learnd at collge this week LOL!!!!111":
being "fashionable" isn't. Everyone can go to Urban Outfitters and dress like a damn Olsen twin or whoever the hell the kids like these days. Boots, scarves, big earrings and no pants are LAME and the fast track to a life of disappointment and incessant shopping. Find another reason to live before this nation turned into a toxic waste dump of your failed non-aspirations toward mediocrity and Braff-rock.
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