Of Rick Perry and Christian "Victims"

A portion of Christopher Hitchens' letter to American atheists, written as he struggles with terminal cancer.

"As the heirs of a secular revolution, American atheists have a special responsibility to defend and uphold the Constitution that patrols the boundary between Church and State. This, too, is an honor and a privilege. Believe me when I say that I am present with you, even if not corporeally (and only metaphorically in spirit...) Resolve to build up Mr Jefferson's wall of separation. And don't keep the faith."

Christians in America are playing the victim to, what they claim, is a secular wave that is turning theists into second class citizens. This is, of course, ridiculous. The Right is ascendant in America, with Evangelicals loudly asserting that there is an impending apocalypse, and that we must put god "back into government" to avoid a disaster of (literally) Biblical proportions; that god is watching us through a microscope, like germs, and considering the use of Lysol if we don't get our moral house in order. Consider these quotes from the increasing popular Rick Perry, Republican Governor and Christian Caliph of Texas:

"Do not tell me that we cannot enforce laws against profanity, laws against blasphemy, law against misusing the Lord’s name. If we can punish somebody for using ‘F’ word, then you can punish somebody for taking the name of God in vain!"

Sweet, Fancy Moses! Here's another,

"I am convinced that the number one group, the number one class of people who are committing hate-crimes today are homosexual activists."

Can these wayward gays be reformed? Perry finds hope in the Good Book,

"The Bible teaches us that a change in sexual orientation is possible. This is a biblical principle. It is a biblical proclamation. It is a biblical assertion.”

My personal favorite of this, or any, election cycle,

"God has set boundaries for nations. These borders are not random, they’re set by God. In fact, we discovered that in American history. We tried a number of times to invade Canada and we couldn’t do it!"

As amusing as these comments are, we need to remember that this pilgrim is a popular newcomer to the field of Republican presidential candidates. I'm not going to waste your time with Palin and Bachmann quotes to bolster my case that religious fascism is a concept with growing appeal to many Americans. You don't need that, just Google their names. It's kind of fun and sad at the same time, like listening to a Tourette's sufferer order dinner. You'll laugh at first, but the more you think about it, the more depressed you will get.

A little Sinclair Lewis quote to close:

When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the flag and waving a cross.

Radical Notions

Socialist Party USA: Statement of Principles:

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THE SOCIALIST PARTY strives to establish a radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control -- a non-racist, classless, feminist, socialist society in which people cooperate at work, at home, and in the community.

Socialism is not mere government ownership, a welfare state, or a repressive bureaucracy. Socialism is a new social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and community residents control their neighborhoods, homes, and schools.

The production of society is used for the benefit of all humanity, not for the private profit of a few. Socialism produces a constantly renewed future by not plundering the resources of the earth.

Under capitalist and authoritarian "Communist" states, people have little control over fundamental areas of their lives. The capitalist system forces workers to sell their abilities and skills to the few who own the workplaces, profit from these workers' labor, and use the government to maintain their privileged position. Under authoritarian "Communist" states, decisions are made by Communist Party officials, the bureaucracy and the military. The inevitable product of each system is a class society with gross inequality of privileges, a draining of the productive wealth and goods of the society into military purposes, environmental pollution, and war in which workers are compelled to fight other workers.

People across the world need to cast off the systems which oppress them, and build a new world fit for all humanity. Democratic revolutions are needed to dissolve the power now exercised by the few who control great wealth and the government. By revolution we mean a radical and fundamental change in the structure and quality of economic, political, and personal relations. The building of socialism requires widespread understanding and participation, and will not be achieved by an elite working "on behalf of" the people. The working class is in a key and central position to fight back against the ruling capitalist class and its power. The working class is the major force worldwide that can lead the way to a socialist future – to a real radical democracy from below.

Radical democracy is the cornerstone not only of our socialism, but also of our strategy. Here are the main features of each:

Socialist Society

Freedom & Equality

Democratic socialism is a political and economic system with freedom and equality for all, so that people may develop to their fullest potential in harmony with others. The Socialist Party is committed to full freedom of speech, assembly, press, and religion, and to a multi-party system. We are dedicated to the abolition of male supremacy and class society, and to the elimination of all forms of oppression, including those based on race, national origin, age, sexual preferences, and disabling conditions.

Production For Use, Not For Profit

In a socialist system the people own and control the means of production and distribution through democratically controlled public agencies, cooperatives, or other collective groups. The primary goal of economic activity is to provide the necessities of life, including food, shelter, health care, education, child care, cultural opportunities, and social services.

These social services include care for the chronically ill, persons with mental disabilities, the infirm and the aging. Planning takes place at the community, regional, and national levels, and is determined democratically with the input of workers, consumers, and the public to be served.

Full Employment

Under welfare capitalism, a reserve pool of people is kept undereducated, under-skilled and unemployed, largely along racial and gender lines, to exert pressure on those who are employed and on organized labor. The employed pay for this knife that capitalism holds to their throats by being taxed to fund welfare programs to maintain the unemployed and their children. In this way the working class is divided against itself; those with jobs and those without are separated by resentment and fear. In socialism, full employment is realized for everyone who wants to work.

Worker & Community Control

Democracy in daily life is the core of our socialism. Public ownership becomes a fraud if decisions are made by distant bureaucrats or authoritarian managers. In socialist society power resides in worker-managed and cooperative enterprises. Community-based cooperatives help provide the flexibility and innovation required in a dynamic socialist economy. Workers have the right to form unions freely, and to strike and engage in other forms of job actions. Worker and community control make it possible to combine life at work, home and in the community into a meaningful whole for adults and children. Girls and boys are encouraged to grow up able to choose freely the shape of their lives and work without gender and racial stereotyping. Children are provided with the care, goods and services, and support that they need, and are protected from abuse.

Ecological Harmony

A socialist society carefully plans its way of life and technology to be a harmonious part of our natural environment. This planning takes place on regional, national, and international levels and covers the production of energy, the use of scarce resources, land-use planning, the prevention of pollution and the preservation of wildlife. The cleanup of the contaminated environment and the creation of a nuclear-free world are among the first tasks of a socialist society.

Socialist Strategy

Socialist Feminism and Women's Liberation

Socialist feminism confronts the common root of sexism, racism and classism: the determination of a life of oppression or privilege based on accidents of birth or circumstances. Socialist feminism is an inclusive way of creating social change. We value synthesis and cooperation rather than conflict and competition.

We work against the exploitation and oppression of women who live with lower wages, inferior working conditions and subordination in the home, in society and in politics. Socialists struggle for the full freedom of women and men to control their own bodies and reproductive systems and to determine their own sexual orientation. We stand for the right of women to choose to have a safe and legal abortion, at no cost, regardless of age, race, or circumstance.

Women’s independent organizations and caucuses are essential to full liberation, both before and after the transformation to socialism. Women will define their own liberation.

Liberation of Oppressed People

Bigotry and discrimination help the ruling class divide, exploit, and abuse workers here and in the Third World. The Socialist Party works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in all its forms. We recognize the right of self-defense in the face of attacks; we also support non-violent direct action in combating oppression. We fully support strong and expanded affirmative action programs to help combat the entrenched inertia of a racist and sexist system which profits from discrimination and social division.

People of color, lesbians and gays, and other oppressed groups need independent organization to fight oppression. Racism will not be eliminated merely by eliminating capitalism.

International Solidarity & Peace

People around the world have more in common with each other than with their rulers. We condemn war, preparation for war, and the militaristic culture because they play havoc with people's lives and divert resources from constructive social projects. Militarism also concentrates even greater power in the hands of the few, the powerful and the violent. We align with no nation, but only with working people throughout the world.

Internal Democracy

Socialism and democracy are one and indivisible. The Socialist Party is democratic, with its structure and practices visible and accessible to all members. We reject dogma and promote internal debate. The Socialist Party is a "multi-tendency" organization. We orient ourselves around our principles and develop a common program, but our members have various underlying philosophies and views of the world. Solidarity within the party comes from the ability of those with divergent views on some issues to engage in a collective struggle towards social revolution. We strive to develop feminist practice within the party.

Cultural Freedom

Art is an integral part of daily life. It should not be treated as just a commodity. Socialists work to create opportunities for participation in art and cultural activities. We work for the restoration and preservation of the history and culture of working people, women, and oppressed minorities.

The Personal as Political

Living under domination and struggling against it exact a personal toll. Socialists regard the distortion of personal life and interpersonal relations under capitalism as a political matter. Socialism must ultimately improve life; this cannot be accomplished by demanding that personal lives be sacrificed for the movement. We cherish the right of personal privacy and the enrichment of culture through diversity.

Electoral Action

Socialists participate in the electoral process to present socialist alternatives. The Socialist Party does not divorce electoral politics from other strategies for basic change. While a minority, we fight for progressive changes compatible with a socialist future. When a majority we will rapidly introduce those changes, which constitute socialism, with priority to the elimination of the power of big business through public ownership and workers' control.

By participating in local government, socialists can support movements of working people and make improvements that illustrate the potential of public ownership. We advocate electoral action independent of the capitalist-controlled two-party system.

Democratic Revolution From Below

No oppressed group has ever been liberated except by its own organized efforts to overthrow its oppressors. A society based on radical democracy, with power exercised through people's organizations, requires a socialist transformation from below. People's organizations cannot be created by legislation, nor can they spring into being only on the eve of a revolution.

They can grow only in the course of popular struggles, especially those of women, labor, and minority groups. The Socialist Party works to build these organizations democratically.

The process of struggle profoundly shapes the ends achieved. Our tactics in the struggle for radical democratic change reflect our ultimate goal of a society founded on principles of egalitarian, non-exploitative and non-violent relations among all people and between all peoples.

To be free we must create new patterns for our lives and live in new ways in the midst of a society that does not understand and is often hostile to new, better modes of life. Our aim is the creation of a new social order, a society in which the commanding value is the infinite preciousness of every woman, man and child.

If you agree with these principles, then we would encourage you to join the Socialist Party.

Of Judith and Kiri, Kiri, Kiri

Directly in front of me, behind the monitor and hanging on the wall, is Gustav Klimt's Judith I. It's a depiction of Judith, holding the head of Holofernes, and Hell knows from where the lovely, framed print came. Here it be:

The story of Judith comes from the Old Testament and, instead of ruining it I'll simply quote the Vatican web site. They seem to know a lot about Catholic canon:

The Old Testament narrates the episode of Judith who saved her city of Bethulia from the siege of Holofernes, general of the Assyrian king Nabucodonosor, by killing him after a banquet at which he had been made drink, beheading him and bringing his head to his fellow citizens (Judith ch. 10-13).

Judith, being beautiful as all get out, used Holofernes' lust for her against him and became Judith the Denogginizer when he passed out. It's a great story. Here, in my half-assed opinion, is a more compelling depiction of the scene, by Franz von Stuck:

What a wonderful expression is on her face, in both pieces.

There are many examples, in art, literature and life, which tell us that women are very dangerous, and will use your wang against you.

Have you seen, The Audition? Beautiful young woman attracts man to a horrific, mind-blowing death. Actually, many men. His interest in her, expressed in a simple phone call, clearly made her day. Some unfinished business lies in the background, as seen in this, "red band" trailer seen here.

And a lovely scene here. Mercifully cut before eye-balls get involved.

In my weak little mind, The Audition and the Story of Judith travel together.

That's all I got.

Held Close (Hey Hon?) with Mystery

How long --- how long can I live this night!

Look ...the clouds shine --- Darling, how did you do it?

The wind is so soft, the rain is beautiful --- what did you do to the wind, and the rain, and the clouds?

And to me? See, I am drunk, high...I am drunk on you as on a reefer!

We will cross here where the street is crowded that I may hold your hand.

We will ride the subways that we may sit touching, that there be no distance between us. Speak...that I may fill my ears with you. Stay near me...that I may fill my lungs with you.

Come home with me...that I may fill my arms with you.

Come where only I can see you, and we will reveal our bodies, and our lips will make our love burst open, like acorns planted in warm spring soil. Come home with me...

Lift your dress high, your thighs will light my room with moonlight and the hair in the pockets of them will recall to me the darkness fir and larches in the dark mountain passes.

If only I could fit my life's time into those hours --- that I might say:

Was with her from eight to twelve'oclock...and joyous years passed!

The "Ted Williams Raspberry" and a Hydrant

What a wonderful rainy day. The rain pleases me, as it provides a good excuse not to go outside. And if I do go outside, I just dig it. After about a week of rain I start to go stir crazy, but a few days is fine. The other night I had a dream where Nancy and her friend started a business together. They were buying whole tuna fish and cutting it down to fillets to be sent to Japan. Nancy produced a wad of money, and after some questioning her secret came out. I got really angry that she didn't tell me, and she said, "I don't have to tell you anything, you fucking asshole." Apology after apology flowed from my mouth, and finally she rolled her eyes and accepted. We made love passionately in the back of a truck containing dozens of tuna fish. We were really cold, so we left the truck and decided to make love in the back of a Chinese restaurant. Hot egg rolls and wrapped, stale fortune cookies flew off the table we were using. For laughs, we opened a fortune cookie. It read, "You're paying for those egg rolls, you dog-eyed prick." After that, I went to a black barber shop and got a haircut and shave via a straight edged razor. Even in my dream it was decidedly unpleasant.

What the hell is all that supposed to mean?

Damned if I know.

Despite the pouring rain, Annie had her walk this morning. My little umbrella provided little protection for the little dog, and she got soaked to the bone. As she contemplated a pee next to a fire hydrant (see photo above), the black and white fire hydrant caused an argument between Nancy and I, when she insisted that it should

be red. I disagreed. Later that night she tried to smother me with our cat, Impy. Image the horror! I'm alive only because Impy is a tiny kitty, and she couldn't cover my whole mouth. Life is like that. You never know when your spouse is going to try and kill you in some exotic fashion. I probably had it coming.

Through a downpour, we passed a stop sign with a Socialist Party bumper sticker stuck to it.

It has been there since 1995, when I stuck it there. It didn't have much of an impact on the election. Somehow, it has managed to survive all these years. Kudos to the union bumper sticker makers. Mary Cal Hollis and Eric Chester...those were the days. I guess.

As we made out way back to my flat, we passed a beautiful rose bush and I had to stifle the urge to pick one (pictured above). Flowers are generally out as a gift for Nancy, what with her allergies. One of her favorite activities is breathing, and I wouldn't want to stifle that. She would probably chastise me for stealing a rose, anyway. The other day we found a wallet with at least $50 in it, along with a driver's license and various and sundry other items. My inclination was to take the money and put the wallet in a mail box. Nancy would have none of it, though. She snatched it out of my hand and took it into the nearby Stop and Shop and gave it to the manager. A very nice thing for Nancy to do, and I'm sure the wallet is back with it's rightful owner. Sigh. I'm not a bad man, I don't think, but poverty has (apparently) turned me into a bit of a douche-bag.

As we made our way back to The House of Four Cats, I took note of our little victory garden. Michelle Obama told us to plant a garden, so that's what we did. The raspberry to the right is an actual, honest to goodness specimen taken from our new raspberry bush! It now sits in the freezer, to save it as the first of many. Why? It's unclear to me. Isn't it beautiful, though? It's all red and bumpy and juicy and sexy. Looking at is has given me an erection. That's not right.

Finally, below is the Four Cats garden, complete with chives, a pepper plant, six tomato plants, basil and Italian parsley. There is just enough room for a marijuana plant in the back there.

Thus completes the rainy walk. Adieu.