This week at the Roxy I'm featuring one of my favorite writer performers, Ricky Gervais. He's a Brit so you may not have heard of him but he starred in, co-wrote and co-produced The Office, a sitcom first broadcast in 2001 on BBC2. He's hilarious, if you like dry humor. As he's not that well known in the US we begin with Jon Stewart...
I served the last of the those horrible, organic, frozen waffles in the Bird Park this morning. Eating healthy is an acquired taste. Anyway, as usual Minerva and her partner showed up almost immediately. She must always have her eye on the place. In less time than it took me to doctor this image they (and the waffles) are gone. No video. I'm sure that's a big disappointment. You'll just have to use your imagination but check back later for Saturday at the Roxy.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated ... I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. Mahatma Gandhi
China is a very old country with history stretching back over 4,000 years but despite all the glorious achievements of which it is so proud, human rights are non-existent, what to speak of animal rights. The plight of animals in China again came under international scrutiny when around 55,000 dogs were murdered in mass hangings and clubbing during the government's recent "antirabies" campaign.
Barbaric doesn't even being to cover it. There is, however, a sliver of light in this monstrous dark. Pet owners, the same people who slavishly participated in the massacre, have begun to mobilize. They are protesting online and circulating petitions, in an effort to stop further killings. Here's an excerpt from an article Howard W. French on the story for the New York Times ...
"In fact, discussion of the issue has surpassed the bounds of a simple conversation about petsÂ’ rights, with many commentators sharply questioning a system that could order the mass extermination of dogs, whether or not they are licensed and vaccinated. The reaction of groups and individuals, often through the Internet, also provides a striking illustration of the emergence of true public opinion in China, unmediated by the official press or censors."
In this country, Bush and his fellow nazis conservatives have put animal rights groups on their terrorist watch list. China knows. In a corporate police state there is no room for compassion or rights, human or otherwise. To such governments, an act of kindness may be considered an act of civil disobedience.
"The human spirit is not dead. It lives on in secret . . . It has come to believe that compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind." Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize address: The Problem of Peace in the World Today
I took this photo of Mt. Shasta on our way to Oregon this weekend, but as people are touchy lately about doctored photos, I want to warn you that I doped the image. I didn't change it much, just cleared up the haziness and brought out the color of the mountain a tiny bit, but photo isn't the "way it was", whatever that was.
I have to laugh though about all the fuss over doctored images. What do people expect? Take televsion for example. Seconds of TV time cost tens of thousands of dollars but "news" items air for free, courtesy of the sponsors. Truth in reporting? My god! How naive is that? It blows my mind. What are people thinking? That politicians and multi-billion dollar corporations are honest? When the White House releases a photo of Bush it's as staged and phony as any Hollywood poster ever was. It's called Perception Management ... Truth®. "Photo ops"? Come on. It's the fine art of using the camera to lie. Yes! Cameras lie. Movies lie. We all know it but want to believe the news anyway, as though somehow Big Media holds our trust sacred. Viewer beware. If that blows your cookie, wah-fucking-wah. Sober up.
I've always preferred Eastern Philosophy because at least it gives main stage to the idea that so-called "reality" is maya or illusion. But materialists don't want to know that, spoils the fun, plus it's a lot of work using your brain when you're hypnotized. Then add the extra difficulty of facing reality when you're an idiot in the first place. People like nice, spoon-fed American Dreams, pablum for the lazy mind, so now we're up to our eyeballs in lies and outraged when we notice that fact. Crazy, but as the saying goes, "nothing changes if nothing changes" and I must say, harsh as it sounds, change is a hell of a lot harder when you're hooked up to the brain drain.
Probably you don't think about elephants very often but I regularly follow the lives of several at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Today the August eTrunklines included a final report of the tragic accident that happened there last month. Perhaps you too will find it interesting. Joanna Burke was the primary caregiver for the elephants over the last eight years. It was her dream come true. Sadly this July, in a single tragic moment, Winkie the elephant knocked her down and crushed her. Joanna died instantly.
After an investigation it was determined that the incident was accidental and that the Sanctuary's standards continue to be impeccable. Winkie will not be put down (yeah!), a decision also fully supported by Joanna's family. It was also Joanna's often expressed desire that no harm should come to any elephant no matter what their action. What a terrible loss for everyone that such a fine person died so young.
eTrunkLines also carried the happy news that Misty just completed her year long treatment for tuberculosis and enjoyed a special party which included her favorite treats and plenty of playful silliness.
Also good news, Delhi is enjoying the custom elephant shoes Teva donated to the Sanctuary for Tina who was suffering from osteomyelitis (acquired during her bad old days at a zoo). It's nice to see the shoes are finally getting some use. Unfortunately Tina died suddenly of undetected heart disease before she could use them.
So that's it. The news of the day here at the Language Barrier. At least it's not disheartening like news about Bush & Co. I don't know about you but I need to hear stories of love and compassion, even sad ones.
As Saturday has passed and gone I have to post something just to release the Roxy to the backward flow. I'm home from Oregon and at the moment eating soy bologna stuffed in a pita pocket and seasoned with soy mayo, salt and pepper. I'm not a full-blown vegan but after watching the video narrated by Alex Baldwin I moved a couple of ticks further along that continuum ... meaning I'm trying out new things ... rice cream, vegan "butter" and "mayo". I'll let you know how it goes. So far, the mayo gets two spoons up but the rice cream sandwiches are in the trash. Tasty but too sweet and too many calories. I should have bought the plain rice dream or soy ice "cream". All I wanted was something ice something or other, not a cold cookie. Besides they are minuscule for 100 calories. Bah!
We had a good and quick visit in Oregon. I didn't try to do everything which is the great secret for a short trip. But the big news is that I did a full revolution on the recumbent at the gym today! I know that's not mind-boggling like Brent and Eivind's adventure riding through Canada on a homemade recumbent attached an old couch but it was a breakthrough for me. I'm delighted even though, so far, I can only do it going backwards.
Also, if anyone knows which poem the quote below is from I'd really appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.
As David Letterman was one of the topics this week here at the language barrier, it only seemed right to include something from the Late Show on the marquee so to kick things off sit back and enjoy Napoleon Dynamite as he presents the day's Top Ten List...
The next clip is from David Attenborough. It's a fantastic ... bird video. Consider it an amend to those of you who have suffered through the Bird Park thrillers. I hope you trust me enough to give it a play. I guarantee, it's well worth your time.
I didn't intend to make this "Bird Saturday" but the next amazing real life adventure is also about a crow ... and a kitten.
If you want extra points check out this final video. It's not just a science lesson. It's mind boggling. If you think you're up for it, try wrapping your head around
Mr. Lee is shutting down the house, blinds, doors, windows and I'm here pounding out a blog post. What is it with this thing? Don't get started is my best advice. Anyway, we're on our way to Oregon for the weekend. This is my big week. I've hardly been out of the house since summer solstice and now.. an all day adventure in Reno, now Oregon until Sunday. Not looking forward to the ride. My knee will surely stiffen up but gotta go. I just have to put some goodies out for the birds. I already have the videos picked out so be sure and come back for Saturday at the Roxy!
F.T. Wuck recently left me this fuming comment: "I type in "ashabot" and all I get is "Yahoo News, Rabid Edition", but all I really want is comix, dammit! Jeez, even static films of feathery shitbirds is welcome at this point...how about a fucking poem or little story even?" Although the rants aren't going away (sorry F.T.) I get damn few visitors around here and even fewer comments so when someone makes a fuss I do pay attention.
Sadly, I only have excuses for why I don't post more fabrication. Certainly politics is fabrication of the grossest order but F.T.'s right. I am pretty stingy about posting my own poetry, comix, even feathery shitbird movies. I guarantee you, it bothers me a whole lot more than it bothers anyone else. I know, while it's true that I'm very disturbed by the advancing shadow of the corporate police state and, however marginally, have to participate in this maddening political debate, I am also profoundly lazy and spend far too much time mucking in the muck when I could otherwise be working on my own, creative projects. So no promises but, rest assured, the matter is under consideration. So, okay. Stories is it? Here's a short one I just heard, a true story as a matter of fact. It will have to do for moment.
My son and his wife ran into David Letterman the other day. They were just starting out on the South Fork trail of Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness for a five day backpacking trip when a guy wearing chaps and a "Late Show" tshirt, came walking down the trail leading his horse and a small group of riders who were following behind. Naturally J. and A. moved out of the way to let the horse party pass. As the guide got closer they exchanged the usual, "Hi. Thanks. No problem. How are you? Fine. Thanks. How are you"s. It was then they noticed that the guy was none other than CBS Late Show host David Letterman. Now J. and A. are low key people, students at the U of M in Missoula, and not the kind to stop a stranger for a photo op, even David Letterman roughin' it behind a goatee. The next person to pass was a kid about eighteen. J. said to him, "Hey was that David Letterman?" The kid said, "Yes." Then J. asked where they'd been to which he replied, "Oh I don't know. Somewhere out in the Bob".
Yesterday, I promised W.T. "feathery goodness" but my doctor's appointment in Reno turned into a grueling all day errand quest so today, for you W.T. and Roy, I posted an all new, exciting adventure from the Bird Park.
Yes, I'm encouraged that Lamont won the Democratic primary in Connecticut tonight. And I think that Lieberman is a dirty bastard for switching to "Independent" when actually he is just another twit sucking on the neocon tit but, all things in perspective. A lot more Republicans are sweating under the collar and looking for "graceful" ways to jump their ship. I'm certainly willing to do what I can from my little corner to help restore some balance to the world but I can't help thinking how all this looks in a more comprehensive perspective.
