R Blog

Project Runway

Fans who don’t want to wait for the fashion week show to air can go  here and see the collections of Laura, Uli, Michael and Jeffrey.

Iraq For Sale

While the Bush Administration continues its shameless attack on the Constitution a barrage of books and films and government reports floods the public consciousness with the fact that something is terribly wrong with the morality and decision making ability of our government. Movie producer Robert Greenwald (Wal-Mart, The High Price of Low Cost and Outfoxed) now delivers Iraq for Sale (more to come here). Greenwald reports that “In the months of work on IRAQ FOR SALE, one of the most shocking and troubling discoveries was how  CACI International profiteered by torturing Iraqis at Abu Ghraib.  Specifically, J.P. (Jack) London, the head of CACI, took home over $22 million!” CACI has sent Greenwald a cease and desist order which he is ignoring and has added this supplemental film clip to his web site.

Un-American Golf Fan

So, what kind of excuses does one have to make for rooting for Europe to win the Ryder Cup, the every-other-year golf extravaganza that pits the best of the Euros against the USA? Is it imperative that as a US citizen I have to always root for our team? Should I be ashamed? Could I be considered a traitor?  Might I be subject to investigation by a House Committee? Because I have to confess that, recently, I cheer openly for Europe. This used not to be the case. In the days of Severino Ballesteros it was easy to dislike the European team. Seve was an obnoxious bully who created confrontation through gamesmanship. There was bad feelings between the two teams. But Seve is gone; that is his game is gone and Europe is led by another Spaniard, the irritating but likable Sergio Garcia. Sergio gloats, but why shouldn’t he? He’s been pretty much unbeatable in team competition at the Ryder Cup. The golf commentators have to say nice things about him because he seems never to miss a shot (as opposed to regular tour events when he can’t ever seem to make the crucial putt). Sergio loves the Ryder Cup. The entire Euro team loves the Ryder Cup. (It’s easy to love it when you’ve won it five out of six times). The Americans, on the other hand, take on the Ryder Cup as a duty. These money making machines would rather be someplace else. (Perhaps at a couple corporate outings that might pay them a couple hundred thou). But the Ryder Cup is held in such high esteem in the world of golf that even Tiger Woods has to pretend he is interested. It’s really a no win deal for the US team. If they do win, it’s to be expected. If they lose the media pounces on them and Johnny Miller says they are the “Worst Ryder Cup team we’ve ever fielded.” Johnny Miller is NBC’s golf commentator and one of the people that makes golf interesting. Miller was a great golfer and a real hot dog like Sergio except that Johnny actually won a bunch of tournaments. He is very astute about golf and not shy about truthiness. Most US golfers can’t stand him. They hate criticism. After this weekend’s rout at the hands of Europe they will get their share. It’s good for them, coddled fellows that they are. I mean Tiger hasn’t flown in other than a private jet since 1999. The Euro players make a lot of money too. But they seem more human, certainly more joyous. Frankly, the Ryder Cup is a bigger deal for them, important to the European Golf Tour which some Americans claim ranks behind the Nationwide Tour—US golf’s minor league. (I’d like to see a team from the Nationwide Tour take on the European Ryder Cup Team). So, the fellows from Great Britain, Spain, Sweden, etc have a great interest in putting it to the Americans. The Euro team, from a fan standpoint, is just more appealing. You’ve got Sergio, of course, and Monte (Colin Montgomerie) who US fans loved to hate and now kind of like because he’s come so close to winning big tournaments and come up short every time. And this year again they had Darren Clarke who looks like Russell Crowe only better. Clarke’s wife had died six weeks ago after a long bout with cancer and with Clarke being Irish, the event being held in Ireland, his wife recently dead, Clark became the emotional story line for the three day event. The TV guys couldn’t quit talking about it but it wasn’t why the Europeans won. Golf is pretty simple: hit better shots, make more putts and you win. That’s what Europe did. Those guys are good too.

Bush’s Bitch

I can’t begin to explain how much respect I used to have for John McCain. I donated to his Presidential campaign. I had such high hopes for him as a leader. As a Homecoming debriefer I heard first hand what American pilots suffered in North Vietnam. Some were even used as guinea pigs by visiting Cuban interrogators experimenting with torture techniques. But in his uncontrollable lust to become President Mr. McCain is sliding down that slippery slope of compromise losing fingernails one at a time. The fact is that the Republican troika of McCain, Warner and Graham caved to the White House. We will continue to torture and our torturers will be safe from harm:

AGREEMENT UPON COMMON ARTICLE 3
SEC. 7. TREATY OBLIGATIONS NOT ESTABLISHING GROUNDS FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS. (a) IN GENERAL. No person may invoke the Geneva Conventions or any protocols thereto in any habeas or civil action or proceeding to
which the United States, or a current or former officer, employee,
member of the Armed Forces, or other agent of the United States, is a
party as a source of rights, in any court of the United States or its
States or territories.

Not that President Bush would have lived up to any agreement made anyway. Normally, he would issue a signing statement and do what he wants. But the new agreement (not yet debated or voted on in the House or Senate) offers this:

(3)INTERPRETATION BY THE PRESIDENT. (A) As provided by the Constitution and by this section, the President has the authority for the United States to interpret the meaning and application of the Geneva Conventions and to promulgate higher standards and administrative regulations for violations of treaty obligations which are not grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions.

Poor Senator McCain. Once a lauded hero. Now Bush’s Bitch.

Compassionate Conservative Tortures Logic

I once spent two weeks attending the Army Interrogation School. There was no good reason for me to go there. I was in the Air Force Reserve and training to be a debriefer for Operation Homecoming, the hoped for return of American PW’s from North Vietnam. Our PWs were being interrogated and tortured in Hanoi. The military had a school for interrogators. That was the only connection. I didn’t need to learn interrogation techniques to debrief a returnee.  They sent me anyway. It wasn’t a very exciting school and it was held in Baltimore, not an exciting city in 1971. The curriculum was typically dry and lifeless. But right from the start we learned that we didn’t torture people. Torture didn’t work. Army policy, US policy was we didn’t torture people. The whole idea of interrogation was to establish rapport, develop a relationship and to outsmart the prisoner using various tried and true techniques most of which you’ve seen Andy Cipowicz and the other cops use on NYPD Blue:"Good cop; bad cop,” “We know all,” ect.. However, what the Army taught me has been very helpful. First, I’ve made it a rule never to torture anyone. Irritate, perhaps, but never torture. Second, the Army taught me how to ask questions. The key is to never ask a question that can be answered “yes” or “no.” You pose your question in such a way that an essay type answer is required. Instead of, “Did you charge $372 on the Visa?” you ask “What did you get for $372?” Obviously, a wily subject may refuse to answer or counter with a question of their own. (It’s easier to get answers to your questions when your subject is, in fact, your prisoner). American pilots were tortured by the NVA. They were tortured quite brutally. Men like Senator McCain had their arms tied behind them with a rope tightly strapping their elbows together. The arms were in the same position as the yoga stretch where you grasp your hands behind your back and straighten your arms as high as you can. From here another rope was looped around the rope holding the elbows and tossed over a rafter. The arms were pulled up until the pilot’s feet were off the ground. This put terrible stress on the shoulders and ribs were popped loose from the sternum. This torture didn’t elicit any important intelligence but McCain and many others have lifelong disabilities from this and other torture techniques. Our country was angry as we learned our airmen were being treated this way. It will be inconceivable if Senator McCain compromises in any way in the protection of the Geneva Convention on treatment of prisoners. It is also inconceivable that an American President is arguing for the legal right to torture when it has been long established that torture has no value.

Dresden Dolls Gang Up

Last October 2005 I wrote made some comments about a group called the  Dresden Dolls. Just noticed that on August11,  12 and 13, 2006 a bunch of DD fans ganged up on me and tried to beat me up (except for Spinner) who actually read the blog and noticed that I really do like the Dresden Dolls even though they are obviously too DEEP for me to comprehend. The Dresden Dolls are four starred on my iPod and I highly recommend their interesting sound. Beware of their fans, however. A very touchy group. Deeply offended by my interpretation of the duo’s lyrics. Wonder what generated this outrage against a normally unread blog ten months after the fact. Here are the comments, wonderfully snarky, dripping with emotion and almost Puritanically outraged at any suggestion of sexual content in the Dresden Doll’s lyrics”

“fuck that. youre completely wrong about them.”

Posted by: Devon | August 11, 2006 at 11:53 PM

“You Have Utterly NO CLUE WHATSOEVER what your talking about...why not ask real fans about them before making these ridiculous statements”

Posted by: Danira | August 12, 2006 at 01:08 AM

“Coin Operated Boy is not about vibrators, dildos or any kind of sexual toy. It's about having a sort of wind up man who will be the ideal partner and she won't have to deal with all the shit that love has to bring sometimes. The part you quoted:
saying that he loves me that hes thinking of me
straight and to the point
Shows that she just wants simple, love. She will wind him up (like a toy) and he will tell her all she wants to hear.
They are hardly goth, but in a league of their own.”

Posted by: Fan | August 12, 2006 at 01:12 AM

“WTF?
You're an idiot.”

Posted by: Amanda | August 12, 2006 at 01:14 AM

OMG!!! Your WRONG!!! You obviously do NOT know the dresden dolls. For fucks sake, you should think about what you are saying before you write this shit down. *evil glares* Amanda is AWESOME as is Brian and what the hell is wrong with their lyrics? They are RAD. You try and write a song... Your a dickhead!!!

Posted by: Jess | August 12, 2006 at 01:48 AM

“If you've got "no idea what the heck that might mean", you've also no idea about what you're trying to write. Your article is such narrow-minded that I'm afraid about people reading this. First get some knowledge and think, than write!
This is all bulshit about the DD.”

Posted by: amen | August 12, 2006 at 01:57 AM

“I was directed here by another avid fan and feel that although you have not completely slated the band, you have introduced issues with your own opinions. Which is entirely acceptable in our day and age. However I must agree with the abouve on certain matters your brain has addresses. It seems you are thinking in a closed mind position about the lyrics. I too listening to 'coin-operated boy' and saw throught the obvious conclusion to the one that is perhaps the true. The song is about finding absoulute happniess whitout emotional strive, which seems to be impossible and may be the reasoning for the lyrics. Even though I will agree that some people have over-reacted and not shared their thoughts/opinions I must also tell you that they are not-nor described as ''gothic'' They are burlesque and their face paints aprt of them/their act. I would suggest if you were after a gothic flutter to check out cradle of flith.”

Posted by: Mangadarkogirl | August 12, 2006 at 03:35 AM

“Maybe, just maybe you should adtually take the time to do some research before you post something.
Like Devon said, maybe you should try asking some real fans before you post gross assumtions.”

Posted by: Jenni~Page | August 12, 2006 at 05:23 AM

“What it seems to me is that you just recently started enjoying the sounds of The Dresden Dolls, and you made very unrealistic assumptions. "Gothic" does not even hit the slightest mark on what The Dresden Dolls are, or I would hope ever wanting to be. They are all about individuality and personalities, there is not really a stereotypical point of view within them whatsoever. Although listeners can take whatever they want out of the music, one thing is certain that Coin Operated Boy is most definately about any "Sexual Toys." I cannot blame you for your ignorance, but I can be disgusted with what I just read, and I was.”

Posted by: Matt | August 12, 2006 at 06:36 AM

“The Dresden dolls is a punk cabaret style. Meaning it tells storys.
To some people they sound like they have tons of sexual content. But you know what, you just have a dirty mind and that's all you think.
Coin operated boy is not sexual. Are you kidding me? It's a fictional fun story. That's like saying the disney channel is sexual.
You are terrible. Do more research next time.”

Posted by: xxDrea | August 12, 2006 at 08:11 AM

“Wow, you just butchered the band....if you dont know anything about the band, let alone...near hate/bashing the band. and their pictures, arent done in a pornographic way, its done in a art-ish way... and if you dont know what their songs are about...dont write about them.”

Posted by: Garrett | August 12, 2006 at 09:50 AM

“what is wrong about the dolls? they are one of the few proper storytelling bands around and how do you decide their a) goth or b)writing about sex all the time?”

Posted by: zuppy | August 12, 2006 at 10:23 AM

“Their website is not full of nude pictures or as your hinty at, porn. Rather those are very famous old greek and italian paints during the 1800s Era. Those are considered works of art not slanderous pornography. Secondly none of the songs talk about wanting to moleste rape or assault another person rather you have to look at the meaning to the song not what is just being said, that comes with being a bit more open minded rather then block-headed. Finally coin operated boy has nothing to do with sexual toys, it is all about love and how she is searching for the perfect man or "knight in shining armour".If your going to make statement please make sure they are atleast correct.”

Posted by: Scott | August 12, 2006 at 10:31 AM

A parody of blow-up dolls? What!? Dearest, you couldn't be more wrong. Never, ever try to explain something you don't even begin to understand (and especially follow through with it after you've already admitted your ignorance). Though if-- and this is assuming you might have some kind of scheming intellgience-- this "article" was to piss peoples off, you have done so quite well. To finish it off, if you're ever going to consider yourself a journalist, you need to have facts and more research. Get quotes and look up the words you don't understand (ex: "punk cabaret"). Uhn. What a shame.”

Posted by: Natasha | August 12, 2006 at 11:23 AM

“dude, ur a fucking idiot. their a great duo. at least they have balls to be origional. ur just jealous.”

Posted by: jayne | August 12, 2006 at 05:21 PM

“Unless you want to write songs, and preform them PERFECTLY. Don't critique other bands. You have no room to talk.”

Posted by: Angela | August 13, 2006 at 11:26 AM

“Geez, just because you misinterpreted their lyrics doesn't mean people should get all up in your face about it. I mean, from your comments, it sounds like you LIKE them, so I'm not sure why the commenters above are telling you you 'have no room to talk' and 'ur just jealous.'”

Posted by: Spinner | August 13, 2006 at 04:24 PM

“reading this sets my mind on fire..what were you thinking when you wrote this. the dresden dolls lryics are deep, they have meanings that you have to find. the dresden dolls are the greatest band ever, and amanda and brian are fabulous people. they are not a goth band they are PUNK CABARET!!!! if you actually took the time to research them you would know that. also the website is not full of nudity, there are a few skin baring pictures, not porn or anything bad. every picture was taken with good taste. the dresden dolls are the greatst band of all times!”

Posted by: 7 | August 13, 2006 at 05:49 PM

Useless FDA

The FDA is useless. They have  once again ratified the use of mercury in silver fillings claiming that 34 research studies show there is no significant new information that would change its previous determination that the toxic metal mercury would harm patients. The FDA as protector of the medical establishment simply cannot allow this Pandora’s Box to open. Imagine the class action law suits that would ensue if anyone admitted that mercury, known to be toxic and subject to hazardous waste removal regulations , were deemed dangerous when placed inside someone’s mouth. The FDA apparently ignores all   European and WHO studies when making their decisions. If amalgams were proven dangerous and unhealthy the resulting lawsuits would break the dental and insurance industries as American mouths are chock full of mercury. The American Dental Association says that any dentist claiming mercury is hazardous is a quack. To claim that putting one of the most hazardous materials that exists on the planet into one’s mouth is safe flies in the face of all logic.