Yes, I disagree. When you refer to me, and my lack of oppisition, I assume that your talking about the collective conciousness of America that excercises lack of oppisition on this subject.

Though I am not a real journalist and don't see myself entering that field, I've still been taught to approach problems the same way that a journalist would. Journalists do not engage in protests, they observe them and report on them. That's how America gets its objective information. (I think that is one of the most important points that I'll be bringing up during this discussion.)

That is also how I get information. Once I've gathered a substanstive amount of information, I pinpoint what I think the problem is and ask why people who are responsible for the problem what they plan to do about it. I then I look at the people who are in charge of keeping these institutions in check and see what they're doing about the problem.

It's a simple process. Just because I'm not protesting anything, does not mean I'm part of the problem. If you were watching the news of a protest, and the loudest most spirted protester broke out of the pack with a news mic in his hand and started reporting the news, would you trust what he or she had to say? You shouldn't.


Your "us versus them" soap opera scenerio reminds me of sixties activism. I wasn't around for that crap the first time around, and I don't want to see it surfacing on this issue. I visited the sites that you recommended for some "education" and I couldn't help but notice how they demonized everything the IMF and World bank did, and failed to tackle the issue at a more worldly level. You cannot view the world only in terms of "Global North and Global South." It's an interesting paradigm to consider, but it's too biased to rely on as your sole source of information.

The whole point of this diatribe is to further agrue against the statement, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." I still think that's horseshit. I'm arguing that point and nothing else at this time.

The entire IMF, World Bank situation hinges on you, Mike Mann. This is your world. These institutions could not survive without your support, or in this case, lack of opposition.

I have maintained, and always will, that the entire Universe revolves around the thoughts and decisions of a boy from Illinois named Mike Mann.

This whole IMF, World Bank situation - I'm not part of the problem, period. This has nothing to do with me or my lifestyle, nor anyone that I know. Take that to the streets and smoke it.

dc.indymedia.org has coverage from the ground of the marches and protests, if you are interested in those details.

If you want to educate yourself on globalization (or more accurately, global corporatization) these sites explain a lot:

Campaign Against the IMF, World Bank and Structural Adjustment
http://www.essentialaction.org/imf/

The Global Rulemakers
http://www.globalexchange.org/economy/

Globalize This!
http://sept.globalizethis.org/

Proclaiming yourself "not part of the problem" does not make it so, even if it does eleviate your own personal guilt.

People don't just take to the streets willy nilly, as some may believe. There is a lot of thought and love behind street action. There are a lot of "cerebral" people out there marching and yellling. Who do you think is doing it? Random dumbasses who protest for arguments sake? No.

It seems abrasive to confront problems and issues in this manner, but it is an effective means of doing such. It also is a bit difficult to understand how empowering and positive direct action is looking at it from the outside. Who knows, maybe Joe has been to rally's in his college days that he can tell us about.

Activism is a joy if you just do it, and it is fun and easy too. Jesus was an activist. I've been thinking a lot of him lately. He spoke to people. He knocked over the money-changers tables outside of the temple. He cared.

I wish more people would. He died for our sin's, for Christ's sake.

Joe, I found a website based out of Chicago that is the Drugde Report for the left. It is called Buzzflash.com. Check it out.

I hope the Cardinals lose on Saturday so there will be a game 4 so Mike can go to it. That would be an experience of a lifetime.

Good night all. God bless.

I can't find any information on what happened during the IMF convention, besides for the protests. Why were they meeting, and what did they decide upon?

Is anyone offering suggestions on how to change the World Bank or IMF other then anarchy and boycotts. This is such a cluster fuck of an issue.

I also don't like the phrase, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." It's shameless attempt at a guilt trip, and I'm not going for it. There's too many problems in the world today to make that type of assertion. Personally I'm not part of the problem, nor am I part of the solution. I'm trying to make up my mind on what to think about and how to react to the World Bank and IMF problems. It takes me longer to make up my mind then most people. I like to get a little more information.

I agree with Matt when he said not that many people would care about the policies of the IMF, minus the protests and marches in Seattle and now in DC.

I more cerebral, then active and vocal, and I get really turned off by protests and marches. I especially don't like call and response mantras, unless it has something to do with the death of Randy Johnson in game 4 of the NLDS Sunday afternoon at Bush Stadium - I got tickets!

However, I appluad those who took the time to shout about all the crap that the IMF has done to third world countries. (I would also like to applaud the CA Angels for just now pulling ahead of the NY Yanks in game three of the ALDS series. Score 9-6 Angels)

Anaheim Angels: "One Half the Payroll, Twice the Heart"

I'd love to see Cowboy Autry's Angels against King of Beers Auggie's Cardinals in the 02 World Series.

Whatever you say Mike.

Hey everybody, just wanted to clarify the situation:I didn't knock anybody up. Thankyou.

MattK . I think the bumper sticker read "i'm not part of the solution,
I'm part of the problem"
Get it right.

Oh, Kev. Sweet sweet Kevin. I want to thank you, seriously, thank you.

You bring up sooo many good points, and I know that many people use that same faulty logic that you just blew up all our asses.

Number 1: There are solutions. No matter what the problem, no matter what the time, no matter what the place; There is always a solution. It is there if you choose to see it. I don't like cop-out, can't-do attitudes. There is a saying, "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." I've heard before the critisicm that these marches, actions, demonstrations, etc. do not accomplish anything, and also that the people who protest do not have any solutions.
That is total bullshit. We have the answers, or at least the will to find them. The main point of demonstrating is to make a scene, to make our voices heard. I remember once they had this thing in ancient Greece they called "Democracy," where everyone had their say. What a concept, huh?

Number 2: Another important aspect of marching and organizing is to create an event that people talk about, just like we are doing. Do you think anyone on this blog, or at my school would even know what the IMF and World Bank are or how horrible their policies are if there was no rally? Doubtful. I remember we were walking through some neighborhoods from an organizing meeting and some little black girls said to us, "Ya'll going to protest the IMF?" That is so beautiful, man.
Demonstrating creates awareness to issues. Granted, awareness is not enough, but it is where all discussion starts. Change begins in the mind and the heart, baby, then the body.

Diamond-who? The Redbirds have taken two big ole' bites out of the desert slitherers. The fatal blow us coming Saturday.
Then the Cards will feast in glory.

Beavers love snakes. Diamondbacks are especially tasty, if a little bitter on the tongue.

do beavers eat snakes?

schilling and the snakes are going to be devoured tommorow night.

GO Cards! 12 to 2 they beat the Diamond-Johnson-Schilling-backs. What happened to the Big Unit?

I have a million stories about DC, so please forgive me if I go astray (a little Prince lyric for ya).

Imagine streets with every parking meter having a sticker pasted on it reading, "Ashcroft is a pig." That is what it was like! So inspiring! So empowering! So Anarchy!

Matt, I looked at that picture of the "whose streets?" I think i know the girl in the red bandana.
Looks like you had good times. 8-)

Here is a link to a large picture file of us parading through the streets of DC. There was a chant that went,
"WHOSE STREETS?"
"OUT STREETS!"
"WHOSE STREETS?"
"OUT STREETS!"

http://www.ameritech.net/users/mkomanecky/whosestreets.jpg

The sticker on the bumber of this D.C. Metro PD squad car says "Bush is a punk ass chump"

The more I read and see about anarchism, the more I am falling in love with it. It is romantic, beautiful, and real. You have to really trust in people and the universe to take care of you. It is living day by day. It is bread and roses. it is fighting for our lives

You are all so very long winded (and opinionated) today. It might take me all night to digest.
Can you hear me now?

Wearing black clothes and bandanas does not make one an anarchist, that much is obvious, and no one has ever made that claim. The Black Bloc is a name and a TACTIC, not a fashion statement (Although I think it looks cool too).

Go Dick!
Durbin says no to signing the resolution for war in Iraq. I hear more and more anti-war sentiment every day.

Africa is an oppressed and exploited continent, still reeling from Imperialism and still being controlled by trans-national interests in the Global North. There is an AIDS crisis and widespread famine in Africa that is only getting worse. The U.S. supports diamond and gold mining operations and allows companies like Dupont and Monsanto sell genetically modified foods (which Africa does not want because GM crops, once planted, spread like a cancer over non-GM crops. It also has to do with future trade with the European Union, which has rejected GM foods from being imported as a form of trade contol - instead of inacting high tariffs. Rejecting GM crops accomplishes the same thing.). The solution to this can be found in a simple parable. Give a man a bag a genetically modified corn, feed his family for a day, Teach a man how to grow his own non-GM corn, feed his village for a lifetime.
Much like the African subcontinent is still exploited and oppressed, so too are the black people in the U.S.
The Civil War is over, but the war for black freedom is not.
The Civil War was not fought for the freedom of slaves, it was fought for control of the cash generator that was the South. While I sympathize with reparations, and I think that Blacks deserve reparations, I don't think money is the answer. Let's give them a better world. The Civil Rights movement is not over, black people today are NOT treated equally. They are still passed over in job interviews and too many young black males end up in a correctional facility or dead.

Consumer Report: If you really are socially concious about where you buy your clothing, try shopping at Structrrue or Bachrachs. Seriously, those stores do not try their jeans on baby rabbits, or promote slave labor. Thier prices are thrice that of the GaP and even more so then WalMart or Target, but it's the guilt free choice to make.
As far as comparing dead union soldiers to people dying in Africa: try as hard as I can, I can find no similarities for metaphor.

Still, I would love to see some pictures of the events that you experienced Matt. Back home I didn't see hardly any news coverage of the protests, It was almsot as if it were a non-issue. They seemed to be too focused on the supposed immenint war with Iraq. Therefore, I thing that I am not informed enough to agree or disagree with your accounts of the IMF festivities.

I would further like to add that I consider myself a self-respecting anarchist as the next guy, but I don't need a black mask to hide my face. What was that shit all about? Anybody that cares for a cause so much that they need a mask to conceal their identity looks like a complete poseur to me.

The United States is getting richer. The rest of the world is getting richer much slower. The rest of the third world countries don't know the difference between capitalism and maniacal despotism because their too busy blaming their problems on the evil axis of the western countries, or crawling through the dessert hallucinating trying to get to the United States. Why don't we trade with Cuba? Why don't we trade with Iraq? For the same reasons we shouldn't trade with Bangledesh or Taiwan. The United States is not the problem. If you want to solve the problem try going to DC and burning the Bangledeshi flag. The only money pouring into that country is the pennies that I pay for my ISU baseball cap. If I didn't support slave labor by shopping at the Gap or buying a University baseball cap, then those poor people in Bangledesh who make 15 cents a month would starve to death. Present a solution before you attack the Americann shoppper. This had nil to do with competition. The US was the first counrty to incorporate anti-competitive jurisdiction into its framework of law. The rest of the world needs to catch up. The laws are there. No protest is going to solve anything. The laws are there. Enforce the laws. Walmart can be taken down. The radio stations can be taken down. You could revoultionize the whole print medium. Hold up a sign and sing songs? Fuck All That. Boycott? That's Bull shit. Where does the government stand in all of this? Nowhere. They don't care. It's a non-issue. Why would the govenment think twice about going after Walmart, Starbucks, and the Gap. I don't think that's not the government's job. Enact new legislation? Spell it out. I don't see anything in the activist agenda that makes me think: "Man, I really think things are turning around, and the world is taking a turn for the better."

Ultimately, I think I have problems with grass-roots demonstrations because any ya-hoo with a black mask and a temper can participate. If their were a timeline on activism, I don't think I don't think I would enter the picture until the tenth stage or so.

What exactly were you protesting Matt?

(And) Financial inequality is not at an all time high. It's as constant as it's always been.

I better have made the news. If not, we have a TON of pictures, video, and audio from the trip. I took a digital video cam with me so now you too can feel what it is like inside a protest. It is not at all like the corporate media would have you believe! We were nonviolent, joyous, and powerful. I have pictures of the parks and streets filled with beautiful people carrying signs, sitting in the grass, holding hands in a dancing circle, and carrying giant puppets. And of course, cops!

We stayed in a part of town that was filled with small-business international restaurants - including etheopian, mexican, and vietnamese quisine. We ate out twice there - at a chinese place and a mexican place. At the church where the mobilization meetings were taking place they made vegan lentils and salad for all. We ate a lot of bread, bagels, pop tarts, junk snacks; free or cheap meals were not hard to come by. It was great. Lots of water was drank because we walked a lot.

Welcome back MattK. I can't wait to hear all about the protesting, pipe bombs, molotav cocktails, etc....
wasn't that you I saw on the news? It's good to have you home.

We abolished slavery; we abolished Jim Crow laws; we abolished the exclusion of women from voting; we abolished the 60-hour work week; and we can abolish international banking institutions that do more to prevent democracy than promote it. If we are to have real democracy, then sovereignty must reside in the people themselves, not in institutions with limited public accountability.
10 Reasons to Abolish the IMF and World Bank, by Kevin Danaher

Fuck "competitive" trade. Cooperation not competition.

Capitalism was meant to solve the world's financial troubles, to lift "all boats" on it's rising tide. It has failed miserably. Financial inequality is at an all time high. When are we going to really provide the means for all people to eat and work in this world?

I'm following the Black Bloc Anarchists' example. I am refusing to allow the rich rape the world's poor. Now there is a "global south" that is being held as slaves to the Capitalist North.

I'll take your "bunch of f'n dead union soldiers," and raise it twenty African villages dying of AIDS.

Peppermint Patty was not sexually mature enough to be a lesbian or a heterosexual. She hadn't even reaches puberty yet. If PP did grow up to become a lesbian then it still would not have meant she was a lesbian as a child. The similarities between Charlie Brown and myself only begin with our infatuation of red heads.

Peppermint Patty was definitely a lesbian. No doubt about it.
Mike good luck with your redhead; go get em tiger! Be charming,
act interested, and brush your teeth in the morning! and don't forget to
use a condom.

I'm withdrawing my Beaver bid for Presidident in 2004.

What the world needs now is another goofy president with an speech impediment, like I need a hole in my head.

What the world needs now... is less Eminen, and another Frank Sinatra, so I can get that cute little red head from work in bed with me.

Punnet Square: Cute Little Red Head with a long tall wily guy? Answer: fiesty little beavers with an appreciation for Camper Van Bhetthoven.

That last post didn't make a lot sense. didn't it? (I'll be prez in no time.)

It's hard to endorse global capitalism when our own cournty does not suuport that type of full-on capitalism. I think we should afford foreign coutries the same free and equal "competitive" trade that we strive for in our own country.

However, the biggest difference is that we strive for competition, whereas many other foreign countries do no support competitive trade.

In the end, We should strive for the ideal: a competitive world trade where human rights of the individual countries are taken into consideration.

How do you convince other countries to strive for human rights, when there are black people in your own country seeking financial compenations for slavery? My own answer to that Big Q:: a bunch of f'n dead union soldiers.)

Do I sound conservative? I'm trying.

Which came first: competive trade or human rights? Which came first in America?
(Personally

I'm looking for a precedent.) I'm issuing a panel of my

- stepdad's friend's - to look into that issue right now. ) I'm also trying to write in the style of eeeee cummings (
Until the results arrive,

No justice, no peace -

God Bless and good night.

p.s. I will be appearing on hardball's college campus tour supporing Israel's right to attack at Bradfield Auditorium at ISU campus on 35th of Septober. Please tune in.

Global Capitalism is not an issue I endorse.

As far as tantra postions: on it's knees is no place for America to be.

Opinions opinions opinions!
Everybody has an opinion.

President Mann would bring this nation to it's knees. That is the kind of leadership we need.

I would definitely vote for him. That's not an issue. I'm just not sure it's right.
I have complete faith he could screw it up just as well as the next guy!

I'm going to have to agree with Matt Natale on this one. I'm not so sure Mike is the right man for the job either.
Matt K, I hope you have a great time in D.C. this weekend. And for goodness sake, be safe, and remember to think to yourself;
WWWAD? What Would Woody Allen Do?

Here is an vicious parody of the World Bank organization called the Whirled Bank. Scathingly funny and morbidly sobering at the same time, The Whirled Bank Group exposes the true policies and motivations behind the purveyors of, what I like to call, global Enronization.

Our Campus Greens bake sale went well. We showed footage of the WTO demonstrations from the Battle for Seattle in '99, and also showed a video called Breaking the Bank (about the World Bank's devastating effects on the global south) in the cafeteria.

Here is a full calendar of events that the UIS Greens will be attending in D.C. this Thursday through Saturday. We are staying at a student hostel called the Washington International Student Center.

Peace be with us all.

Kevin Hankis mentions in his post that our nation is transfixed with "the obscure, the shocking," implying that we are a nation obsessed with cultural freakiness. I say hooray to our nation of freaks! I like the Pepsi and the sex and the nipples and Brad Pitt's hair, I just wish we had a news organization that could tie all of these elements together into one massive conspiracy story.

And I say God Bless America, because there is no reply you can give in disagreement to that.

Times have changed since Mike Mann got fired from BK. Clinton changed the stigma around getting high. It is now even cool to say "I maybe inhaled, but can't remember," like Rod "the Bod" Blagojevich. Senior Mann, you too can be President.

Mike Mann in 04!

I find it interesting that some of us actually sing the archives of this blog in tune to their favorite songs, be it Van Morrison's Moondance, or Billy Joel's We Didn't Start the Fire. I would prefer that if you are going to put my blogs to music, that you do it in the style of John Prine. Thank you for your continued interest on this topic.

Tasers Unite!

(a slogan?)

I knocked up some girl from the Illinois Brewing Co. tonight.

How exactly do you prod the powers that be?

Thank you for your wisdom Joe, I am looking forward to meeting the new bosses. Or at least getting maced by their goons.

"Then, without warning, Queen Power exploded with all the fury of a gay atomic bomb." I am not going to put this quote into context, because I think it is more profound by itself. However, if you want to find out where it came from, visit GLOBAL Diversity.

Don't tell Mrs. N 5 this, but I cannot have kids because much like Jesse the Body Ventura, I am not a role model. Besides, right now I have to concentrate on winning the big points in DC.

I am not participating in any Anarchist destruction or violence. Why is it that the only thing that makes the "news" is the trite sensational stories of car chases, child-beating moms, and kids breaking windows? Are these the really important issues?

"Meet the new boss --- same as the old boss" : does that also apply to your buddy Jesse the Bod?

Does anyone know if Nader's running in 04'? Can any of the Beavers think of a legitimate reason why he would not make a good President? And how hard could being President of the most powerful Nation be?

I remember getting busted with pot and getting fired from Burger King when I was seventeen. After cleaning out (and mopping the basement) I remember my Mom telling me (paraphrasing of course - I was pretty doped up at the time), "You do realize that you'll never be able to become President now, don't you?"

I learned my lesson. I've very rarely smoked pot since. But I've learned another lesson since: I can still become President. I've got a t-shirt with Uncle Sam on the front with his finger pointed forward saying: "Even you can become President."

I'm not running for President in 04', so why not Nader - second best thing.

In the mean time I plan on trying out to make the NY Mets. Wish me luch Beavers. If I don't make it back, rest assured I am in a happy place.

I remember Bob Costas once saying that fans don't identify with their favorite team's players anymore, but with the anouncers who call thier favorite team. First point to make: Bob Costen is a Cardinals fan, and I'm glad he doesn't anounce for them. Second: Joe Buck needs to follow in Chip Carey's footsteps and anounce for the team that paid for his school lunches while growing up. Why is Joe Buck whoring himself out to ESPN, or whatever game of the week network he's working for now. Thirdly: Al Hrobosky looks at home drenched in Budweiser. Al should take Mike Shannon's lead and start getting loaded during broadcasts.

Andy Warhol would be proud

Here today
Gone Tomorrow

I am going to DC Thursday to march on Washingtion for nonviolence and fair trade. If I don't come back, know that I loved my country.

Is the US ready for its first Japanese President - Will the Cardinals win the 2002 World Series? The answer to both of these questions will be answered in a very special episode of Futurama. Or you can take heart in the lyrics of a not-so-obscure band from England: "Smoke Pot, Smoke Pot, Everybody Smoke Pot."

"that's a winner." I got into baseball listening to Jack Buck. If it weren't for Buck, I don't think I would give 3 shits if the Cardinals won the division or finished tied for last with Millwaukee Brewers.

What I remembered and liked about Jack Buck: Jack called it like he saw it, when the Cardinals stunk, he said so. When the Cardinals were great, Jack made them even better.

When the Cardinals won the division tonight, all I could think about was how much I missed Jack Buck and how he would have made the call on Rolen's somesault catch to cinch the title.

Nuff said, bring on the dasterdly Snakes - down with Arizona. (And) forget about the twins - contract the white sox. that towns only big enough for one group of stupid fans.

What the world needs now is less actors turned politians and more wrestlers turned politicians. What's Mr. Fuji up to these days?

Cardinals clinched their division tonight, 40 1/2 games in front of their arch rivals the Chicago Cubs. Maybe next year for the hapless Cubies.

Will the Cardinals make it pass the Arizona Shilling-Johnson Backs. Probably not, but anything is possible in baseball. Hell, the Cubs won the World Series - even if it was 167 years before I was born.

How bout them south-siders? It turns out that of the 187 White Sox fans in attendence, two of them hated the the Royals first base coach. Mathematical equation: 7% of all White Sox fans in attendence are violent bare-chested catshits who got grief with aging first base coaches. I still think that White Sox fans got more class then any other Chicago Team Baseball fan.

Has anyone seen my Dodger hat?

Today I sneezed with a mouthful of food. I did not want snot to fly across the new vinyl floor so I opened my mouth and blew noodles across the kitchen instead.
I ask you, did I do the right thing?

I sometimes spit when I talk.

I have a great idea. Let's move out to California and become schlepy Hollywood actors, who wrestle to make a living, one day aspiring to become Governor of an unsuspecting state.
What an awesome idea. It cannot fail, and we would be destined to be labeled genius', commanding the agreement of all who listen to us on Nightline.

Wow. What a coincidence, I just gone done watching the new Woody Allen movie and then I get on the blog and that's what the beavers are talking about. We think alike.

Personally, I don't judge Woody on whether or not he was a good step-father, but its hard to get past his sexual past when he jokes about it in all of his movies. There's always a little bit of sickness from Woody's personel life that he incorporates work. Lately, however, his films have not focused quite as much on his affinity for little girls.

What is it about Woody that you don't like anymore Joe? Is it stricly his personel behavior with his family, or is it how he seems to trivialize and poke fun of his past sexual indiscretions through his movies. Personally I don't give a crap. I don't think he's a genius, but I never miss any of his movies. Sure he's a pervert. OK he's more then a pervert, he's a complete sodomizer.

Movie Stars and celebreties I've been compared to: Sean Penn, Jeff Foxworthy, and lately James Woods. I Don't know who James Woods is.

You see, the problem is I have no sense of humor. I don't understand subtlety or irony. This whole Wily Beaver thing we are doing?
NOT FUNNY

I also think that Joe reminds Monica of Woody Allen. I never compare people, I think it is rude and insulting. Even your less than average Springfield citizen has more character than most Hollywood air-heads.

Did you know that Paul is a real estate novelist who never had time for a wife? It's true.

Time for another Internet blog poll.

How hateful is Matthew Komanecky?

• He is not hateful, he only comes across that way.
• He is not full of hate, because there is the tiniest bit of live somewhere in his heart.
• Is there anything he does not hate?
• He is so hateful it is evil. He should be destroyed.

I have been sitting here wondering.... Joe am I the only one that thinks you remind me of Woody Allen?

Apathy bombs. That's what we are gonna drop. America's "Who gives a shit how many Iraqi's die" attitude is gonna be inside each and every one of those precision computer-guided daisy cutters that the U.S. Air Force is gonna be droppin' in the desert this fall.
Apathy bombs. We will destroy you by not giving a fuck.

Death and destruction! Death and destruction!

There is a heavy metal band from Downers Grove, Illinois called Novembers Doom. Saddam should really listen to these guys, cause he has his own surprise coming in November. Here are some lyrics to a song called, Not the Strong:

How many times have I fallen before you
How much longer can I go on
To raise to my feet, to try this game again
I often point fingers of blame

If only my mother knew the real me
Her heart would break, for I am shame
Not the strong man she raised from birth
A coward, a child, and a scared soul

I really think Saddam would break down and cry if he would just give these guys a listen. Powerful stuff.

Sing us a song, you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a
melody
And you've got the feelin' all right.

Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he's quick with a joke, or a light
up your smoke
But there's someplace he'd rather be.

He says, "Bill, I believe this is killling
me."
As the smile runs away from his face
"Well I'm sure that I could be a movie
star,
If I could get outta this place."

Oh, la la la, de de da
La la, de de de, da da

Mr. Komanecky: I've read about your problems with ads on the Beaver, and I would like to make a helpful suggestion: Victoria Secrets. Look up "playful and naughty panties" on their website. I think that Mrs V's ads would dutifully respect the content the Beaver's character. Look into those panty ads. I personally have them plastered all over my desktop.

In respsonse to my prior post, I would like to make a more accurate comparison: that of snails to slugs with a texas lisp / (drawl?) Shame on you Mr Natale.

Comparing G-Dub to Bud Selig is like comparing oranges to tangerines. Shame on you Mr. Natale for coming up with such a gross and shameless comparsision.

I worked 40 hours in the last 3 days and I'm listening to Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire."

Who says Americans are lazy slobs? There's a general misconception that Germans are the hardest working people in the world. Wrong. They're up there with the Italians. Only in Europe do people take 3-month vacations. Only in Europe do people take 3-hour lunch breaks. There's a lot of talk lately about patriotism. I've got my own take on patriotism, and its not how our military is superior (even thought it is.). In the terrible days following of 9-11, the firefighters of New York city worked endless 15 / 16 hour days to save the lives of people trapped, and then later, to dig up the remains of the dead

They did all this knowing that most of the dead were not people who worked in the building, but people that they lived and died with - other firefighters. I think its sad to think about digging through endless wreckage to find the remains of your peers.

I can't help but to think about how those firefighters felt during those subsequent days thereafter, especially the days (possibly day) when they knew all that they would find would be the dead remains, at the same time knowing the it might as just as well have been them lying in the rubble.

That brings me to war. Firefighters are not soldiers. They are not prepared to deal with a situation on a scale that terrible - soldiers are. The soldiers are lucky (or a least "luckier.")

When I was I kid, I - like a lot of other kids - wanted to be a fireman. I also wanted to star in the next round of Star Wars movies, too late for that - damn you McGregor.

My point is, would Ewen McGregor make a good fireman?

Yes. Damn right he would.

And even though I think I could play a better obi-won, I don'[t think I could deal with the what the New York firefighters had to after 9-11. That is patriotism to me. That's how I feel about America. And on that note, Goodnight Saigon, and - Good Morning Iraq. Boo-Yah!

Apparently it's not cool to have a favorite Billy Joel song, and it's even less cool when your favortie Joel song is "Tell her about it." But I've always loved it, and always will. It speaks volumes to me. Kevin's favortite Billy Joel song is Goodnight Saigon. Cooler then "Tell Her About It," but still a pretty uncool war song.

there's an article in the villiage voice right now, and it talks about one of my old favorite artists: billy joel. part of the article focuses on billy's legace, and how 50 years from now no one will look at joel in the same light that as other great artists from 70's and 80's. The article talks about johhny rotten and neil young, and then it quotes how critics have always said billy joel never really mattered - and will never be considered "cool." There's a phrase in Spanish, and I don't know how to spell it, but I will try: Juevos! It means "Balls" - as in testes. What a crock! Johnny Rotten never banged a supermodel, and Neil Springsteen - whatever his name is - writes more sentimental slop then any "respected artist" of the last couple of milleniums. Juevos! Joel has always been dissed by the critics. I myself am supercritical of everthing. I think most everything sucks juevos, but I love billy joel. I "admire" guys like Nel Young and Johnny Rotten, I listen to, and identify with Billy Joel. Post and Publish. That's the last I will ever write about billy joel.

Smiles are contagious! :-D
Humility is like venereal disease. If you have it, you don't talk about it.
Inspiration is like a venereal disease; the only people who don't have one are ugly.
Car crashes are like sexual intercourse. I don't know how exactly, but they are. I think it has something to do with sex, death, orgasms, and God.

Bill Clinton is still doing great work since he left office, like going on talk shows and working to Harlem. Miss him not Joe, for he is still with us.

Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo YO! You can't mess with my Yo-yo, YO! Who is the man with a master plan? A nigga with a mutha fuckin' gun, Git Down!
A hip hop, a hippity hop, to the hip hip hop and ya just don't stop.

It's MLK and I'm comin your way, with a fat cheeseburger and I'm here to stay
Ya can't get rid of me, are you Uripide? It's serendipity, we meet infrequently

The sleek Brazilian jaguar
Does not in its arboreal gloom
Distil so rank a feline smell
As Grishkin in a drawing-room.

Whispers of Immortality, T.S. Eliot, 1920

The Filthy Critic on the movie Swimfan,

"It takes monster nuts to have absolutely nothing to say, write a whole movie to prove it, and find a director and studio who share your lack of vision. Then you must have the conviction and strength of belief to see your ass-ripping turd through to completion. You have to wake up every morning and be excited to think "Today's the first day of the rest of my life barfing up someone else's ideas." You have to know that your story is entirely implausible and laughably absurd, but not care for one second. You have to be willing to cave in to every studio demand to make sure that the final product is as compromised as possible. You have to pretend you care, yet put something on the screen that shows you don't.

Despite Swimfan's cornhole-clogging shittiness, it inspired me. The handful of you who have read my reviews for a while know I've been listless; unemployed, mostly drunk, pissed at objects animate and inanimate and feeling personally insulted by the WB's fall lineup. I've been like a boat set adrift with no direction, blaming everyone but myself for the fact that I will die alone, poor, penniless and wearing someone else's old clothes. That's not a bad thing, really. I mean, it beats working. But having a reason to live is better."

This is why I love this guy. The Filthy Critic inspires me, fills me with hope, and washes me in cynicism. God Bless America. I Love the world, I love you all. Good night and good day.

I believe I said, "Good day!!!!!!"

P.S. I can't believe no one snatched up the domain, www.turdfest.com. I'm gonna have to buy it before some wily entrepaneur does. Peace!

Maybe you should write to "Dear Alice"
Maybe she can help.

Pee Wee is getting a lot of action today then because i watched him this morning too. Mike, Exhibitionism is defined in the dictionary as "a perversion marked by a tendency to indecent exposure" or "the act or practice of behaving so as to attract attention to ones self." Do you fit the profile?

I'm sitting in a specialized publications class, putting together a magazine, and I can't stop looking up erotic artwork on the web. I have no shame. Everyone in back of me can see all the "smut" I'm pulling up, and I'm kind of getting off on it. I'm like an exhibitionist. I'm thinking about changing my major to erotic artwork. nude means naked. bathers means naked chicks. It's great.

I commemerated the day by watching Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Americana Baby! At its best.

Admitting it is the first step Matt. I'm proud of you.

Pretty girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like to look at pretty girls. And pretty boys too. I am not ashamed to admit it.

i truly think you guys need to take a step back, relax and forget about the day. Pick up the latest edition of the COSMO and just take a gander at pretty girls in trendy clothes. They aren't even thinking about the events from a year ago. What a refreshing way to pass the time.

Scattered Notes from Tuesday, September 10th's Panel discussion on Peace
A diverse panel of UIS professors provided thoughtful discussion about peaceful avenues to local and global conflicts and the complexities therein.

Religious pluralism, also ethnic and political pluralism.
Extremists in each religion thinks that their religion is the one true religion.
"Religion is wonderful until it is placed between two covers."
On the idea that all religions have something to offer, "All rivers flow into the same ocean."

Included was a screening of a 15-minute video, Steps to Peace: The Journey of September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.
Our grief
is NOT
a cry
for
WAR

Message on sign carried by families of victims of Sept. 11, 2001 during A Walk for Healing and Peace, DC to NY, in November 25, 2001 - December 3, 2001

"Terrorism is here to stay. It is the weapon of the weak." Dr. Proshanta Nandi, Retired Professor said, speaking on the fact that terrorism is something we will always be dealing with throughout the world now. The question was asked, How can we stop terrorism? Dr. Nandi pointed to the words of Mahatma Gandhi for direction. "Violence breeds violence...Pure goals can never justify impure or violent action...They say the means are after all just means. I would say means are after all everything. As the means, so the end....If we take care of the means we are bound of reach the end sooner or later."

"Violence cannot be defeated by super-violence," Dr. Nandi stated. Teaching nonviolence instead of violence was another point he brought up. Nonviolence is not a passive process, it is an active process. Nonviolence must be a relentless as a military campaign. Indeed, if we spent 1 percent of 1 percent of the Pentagon bugdet on nonviolence programs, permanent stable solutions and peace would come out of that research and action.

Terror can only be destroyed through LOVE. (Possible slogan for a sign)

Ends do not justify the means. Every step to an ideal must fall in line of the ideal itself. As Martin Luther King, Jr. eloquently stated, "Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal." Other quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr., which went along with the theme of the discussion, yet were not directly expressed:
"Love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and destroys. The aftermath of the 'fight with fire' method which you suggest is bitterness and chaos, the aftermath of the love method is reconciliation and creation of the beloved community. Physical force can repress, restrain, coerce, destroy, but it cannot create and organize anything permamnent; only love can do that. Yes, love--which means understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill, even for one's enemies--is the solution to the race problem."
Martin Luther King, Jr. 1957

"Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty setimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one's whole being into the being of another."
Martin Luther King, Jr. 1957

"I am convinced that love is the most durable power in the world. It is not an expression of impractical idealism, but of practical realism. Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, love is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization. To return hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of evil in the universe. Someone must have sense enough and religion enough to cut off the chain of hate and evil, and this can only be done through love."
Martin Luther King, Jr. 1957

"In struggling for human dignity the oppressed people of the world must not allow themselves to become bitter or indulge in hate campaigns. To retaliate with hate and bitterness would do nothing but intensify the hate in the world. Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can be done only by projecting the ethics of love to the center of our lives."
Martin Luther King, Jr. undated

For more on the writings, speeches, and messages of hope of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project website, http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/

If Iraq does finally acquire Weapons of Mass Destruction, especially nuclear weapons, that only makes them a part of the world community. The moral authority of the United States telling another country not to build or buy nuclear weapons is weak, because America is the largest stockpiler of nuclear weapons.
Jan Droegkamp's peace activist friend Gale taught a class in Afghanistan about gender equity and steps to facilitate the education of Afghani girl's. The remarkable fact was that 20 men from the Taliban, some high ranking, participated in the seminar. This is stunning because of the propaganda in America declaring that all Taliban are "evil". This is also hopeful.

Economics as a barrier to peace. Gandhi once said that poverty is the worst form of violence. Gandhi also said, "Economic equality is the master key to non-violent independence...A non-violent system of government is impossible as long as the wide gulf between the rich and the hungry millions persists....A violent and bloody revolution is a certainty one day unless there is a voluntary abdication of riches and the power riches give and a sharing of them for the public good....All
have not the same capacity...I would not cramp talent...I want to bring about an equalization of status...."

It is not just war talk saturating the media. It is also an exploitation of the September 11th events. It seems to me the all the networks are competing for coverage. I don't mind watching the reading of the victims' names during the ceremony at Ground Zero, but I do mind the "commentary" by historians or news anchors. Let it speak for itself.

Turn off your TV. Turn off your radio. I have come to realize the amount of propaganda that is in the media, and their is a lot. Read Noam Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent, or Profits over People. That is the role of media, along with the government, to manufacture consensus on issues, to create public opinion that really does not exist. Public polls are bullshit too. That is why I signed Arianna Huffington's petition to ban polls - The No Poll Pledge.

Now let's take a poll.

• Should we ban polls?
• Should we take more polls?
• Have you ever even been polled?
• Do you frequently lie to pollsters and say what you think a good person would say?

Since I've gotten television I've avoided watching news programs because of war talk. I don't want to think about war and I don't want our counrty to go to war. As far as I can remember, this is the first time I've ever felt this way.

The problem I have is that I don't feel informed or educated enough to make a decision one way or another. An ever bigger problem I have is that I don't think our president is either. There's been plenty of talk about how our president is stupid. And as far as that goes, what does Bush really know about Irag's ability or intentions of unleashing biological or neucleur warfare on anybody? From what I've heard outside of politcal rhetoric, Iraq is incapable of creating nukes, and even further from ever lauching them at anyone. Why is there such a discrepancy between what politicians are saying and what experts on the subject are saying?

The only testimony I've heard, however, concerning Iraq's inability to wage nucleur war have been former weapons inspectors and people I've talked to who are in the miliitary? Should I need more? (not a rhetorical Q)

"only an American would make a game where you steal home and win the game"

I was talking to a friend of the beavers' a couple of weeks ago in a bar in chicago about art. it was about 3 in the afternoon and the bar was buzzing about the uncoming baseball strike. my friend and i were swilling down pbr's and he was talking to me about art.

he was wondering when the "new" art movement would come about, and what I thought would be like. i don't know too much about art. i know a little history, and i know the big leaguers, but i don't consider myself literate in that field.

i'm still reflecting on that question weeks later, and i think that art - as far as paintings and what not - has somewhat become obsolete. why would anyone go and see a painting if they could see the movie instead? i wonder if anyone would go to see Renoir's Beach Party if that scene were taken out of a movie.

There's a french movie out now titled "Amelie". which has become quite popular world-wide. Part of that movie focuses on one of the inhabitants of Renoir's Beach Party painting. If Renoir were alive today -and his painting was actually a still frame of that movie (a pause during the DVD) - I don't think anyone would look at it twice.

So getting back to the question: What is art? In a sense, what do people admire? What do people stop to gaze at, and wonder the compleixites of?

Car crashes. Not just the smashed cars themselves, but the cop and ambulance lights as well. I think the emergency lights are what make crashes - especially during the night - so beautiful. At least at a distance.

Moments after a bad car crash in a neighborhood like mine, the cops and their emergency ligths enter the picture. Slowly after that, the drunks enter the picture, followed by the kids. Everything happens in very slow frames. Even from a second story window you can still see the fright and intrique in the faces of the kids. Looking around into other windows you see more people like me.

I don't know if that's what I think art has come to, or even if you could even consider a near-fatal car crash art. It does fit the description though. When was the last time you were at a museum and stared intently at a painting for more then a half hour, and feel as many emotions as watching the aftermath of a terrible car crash?

The beaver's been a bit slow lately. Let's talk about terrible car crashes.

patience Matt.

Thank you friends, that is precisely what is wrong. I found some sites, like gwbush.com (this site give dub too much credit for being a world leader) and greaterthings.com (Religious politcal doomsaying), that have completely fucked my brain with paranoid delusions of sinister world governments and mormon 911 prophesies. I will now only try to focus on what is important, and what is real; like Beavers.

Also, does anyone know where I can get a Lou Dobbs Moneyline t-shirt? I'll bet you didn't know Lou has a great interest in space. It's true. Hey, my middle name is Louis. Shorten that to Lou...yes! We even have the same name! I wonder if Lou Dobbs will adopt me. I miss my dad. He looked kind of like Lou Dobbs.

Here is the results of a Lou Dobbs Moneyline QuickVote online poll I took at CNN.
Do you believe Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has or is about to acquire weapons of mass destruction that he will use against the United States?
Yes 31%
No 69%

Operation Ending Our Freedom continues...What is that buzzing in my ears? Conform...Conform...Conform...Conform...Conform...Conform...Conform...
Stop it! Stop!
Conform...Conform...Conform...AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH (I think it is time for a blog intervention. Somebody please stop me from blogging. I'm addicted. I need help.)

Hi my name is Matt and I'm a blogaholic. I started blogging in July 2002. I did it to put my thoughts out onto the Internet. Sort of like an online diary. I wanted an electronic copy of my thoughts. My penmenship is atrocious. So I made a weblog. I thought it was cool at first, and it was free. Then they started to charge me for removing ads. I started to steal then. I visited friend's houses and took socks out of there sock drawer, coasters off their coffee table, even half-eaten sandwiches. I was delusional. I thought stealing would make all my problems go away. They didn't.

I knew I was blogging too much when I stopped visiting my favorite porn sites. "They'll always be there," I thought. "I don't have a problem with not looking at naked women (and sometimes a naked hairy man ass)." I was wrong. Not looking at soft-core pornographic pictures is unhealthy.

I'm doing the twelve steps now.

1. I have admitted I am powerless over blogging - that my life has become unmanageable.

2. I have come to believe that a Power greater than myself could restore me to sanity.

3. I have made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him.

4. I have made a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself. (I'm stuck at this step.)

One day at a time.

Wow! I just read a great book about elephants.

Hey Matt, I think your problem is that your paying way too much attention to politics lately. Don't worry about the government. They screw everything up with or without your help. Paying attention to politics is similar too watching too many soaps at one time.

I suggest you take some time off and read some fantasy literature. That should ground you back to reality for a while.

Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck.

I have been wanting to get that off my chest for a few days now. Shit Fuck.

As far as the Wily Beaver cares, the culture of man can do whatever it pleases. Just leave some fresh water, some big trees, and some green grass and the Wily Beaver will be happy. A simple lodge, to build and to love, is his primary concern. And maybe a Mrs. Beaver, too.

Blogs. Psh. I call them Blaaahgs. I got your editorial journalism right here. I got your fancy substantive personality right here. I got your social commentary and insightful news too. Ok, I don't have that.

No, you have not said that before. But you will be saying it in the future.

Reading this blog is like watching Momento... did I say that before?

I saw a beaver reading the bible once.

I also once saw a cat reading the bible, but then I realized he was only looking at the pictures.

And then I realized that the bible doesn't have pictures, and that the cat was actually writing a story about elephants.

I'm depressed. I'm depressed because my spiritual advisor is an atheist. How am I supposed to transcend the eternal battles that wage on this earth between the powers of light and darkness, good and evil, when my religious teachers don't even believe in God?

My lack of faith is disturbing.

Spirituality is not about God, really. It is about how you live your life, the principles you stand for. Spirituality has to do with how you approach your existence as a human...or a beaver.

Beavers have an innate sense of spirit, sense of self, sence of consciousness. Beavers have the benefit of not having large brains so that there intellect doesn't get in the way between them and their creator. Let's face it: beavers are the superior species.

"You know very well that whether you are on page one or page thirty depends on whether they fear you. It's as simple as that."
Richard Nixon, Philosopher

He who says it cannot be done should get out of the way of the one who is doing it.
Chinese Proverb

For more great quotes visit LaborNet's Labor Quotes Page.

You know Mr. Natale, that wasn't right throwing out that black leather chair of Matt's, because that was one hell of a comfortable chair; even if it stank like piss and body odor. Buying a new chair for Matt Natale is only supporting the consumer culture prevalent in America.

I saw Andy Powell out at Brewhaus tonight. He's a big Cardinal fan, God bless his soul. It turns out he voted for Nader in 2000. It's ironic that I voted for Gore and now I am more active in the Green Party than three of my friends whom all voted for Ralph Nader. I suppose it is liberal guilt.

Allison and Megan [sic] were also out at the bar tonight. Allison walked by twice going to the women's restroom with a fierce zombiefied forward stare. She would not look at anybody. Even Andy said she was spaced out tonight. She was with her boyfriend; maybe that had something to do with it. She had a four year old daughter now. Time flies.

I was also talking to Mike Reefler tonight about how he trained out at Southeast High School recently while getting his teaching cerificate. He said going back from a teacher's perspective was a bit strange. We chatted also about the 10 year high school reunion that is coming up in 2004. We wondered who would organize that. Would it be the class president, Tony Thrasher? I would volunteer.

This is why people move an hour out of the way - say, to Bloomington, Illinois: so they don't have to see people they knew from high school in bars. Apparently, Mr. Lawson is still the guidance couselor. He is one of the few faculty remaining that the class of '94 would still recognize. Times have changed (I can't believe I just wrote that. What am I? An old man already? I did just buy Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation at a garage sale today for a buck.).

In order for this to be a serious article, I have to say two phrases: America (which I already mentioned) and, "In this post-September 11th climate...

There. Now I am a real journalist. Good night.

I'm still laughing out loud at these subversive posters.

I hope you all read my other blog once in a while, Human Animal. I post stuff on my personal blog so not bore those who read the Beave with excessive rants. But every so often I put up a zinger. Swim on over and give it a sniff.

No Fun

No fun my babe no fun
No fun my babe no fun
No fun to hang around
Feeling that same old way
No fun to hang around
Freaked out for another day
No fun my babe no fun
No fun my babe no fun
No fun to be around
Walking by myself
No fun to be alone
In love with nobody else
Well maybe go out maybe stay home
maybe call Mom on the telephone
Well come on, well come on,
well come on..........

Written by: The Stooges, Recorded: 1969, Released: 1969, Album: The Stooges.

And fuck the corporate media, too.

The Internet is only as filthy as the person using it. Maybe we should get Mike some filtering software.

My dreams lately have taken the form of a network newscast or LIVE reporting. It's like I am watching or participating in events from my day on the evening news.

At the Involvement Expo this afternoon, most student organizations were baking in the hot sun; except the College Republicans, who had there own tent. Sort of fitting that the Campus Greens and the various minority student groups sweated and shielded our eyes while the right wingers kept in the cool shade.

Hey Joe, are you gonna vote for Joe Lanter for County Board? What is your opinion concerning the voting population of our district? Is it mostly Republican? Would the Democrats be willing to vote for a Green if their is no Democratic candidate?

I'm watching The Graduate tonight on my first night of free cable. I kinda feel like dustin "The Graduate" hoffman right now, seeing as how in a couple of months, I too, will be graduating from college. Unlike "The Graduate", however, I've never been seduced my any of my parent's friends (though I've come close), nor I have I took any of my parent's friend's daughters to a strip club. But that doesn't mean I never will... nor does it mean that I ever will. The comparisons between myself and The Graduate are the following: I don't want to get a job or go to grad school, I'm actually closer to thirty then I am twenty, and, I would also like to move on to bigger and better things - like becoming Rain Man.

Reading this blog and its archives is like watching Momento.

If you haven't seen Momento... go watch Momento.

True....

I'd send you some links Matt, but I don't want to feel dirty. Sorry, don't know what else to say - except that I feel dirty right now just thinking about it.

I was up late last night having an "internet party" with Scott and Kevin. To take our minds off the fact that we were three guys all sitting around is a small room watching a computer screen, we downloaded the most sick and disgusting things we could think, which culminated with a Chinese chick repeatedly sticking half her arm down her throat and puking in a bowl for a minute and a half, and then taking a big gulp out of the bowl.

Scott and Kevin had to leave the room, and I heard some dry hacking, but I don't think either of them started blowing chunder. I also learned what is meant by "nerf herder" last night. (Just use your imagination... it's pretty simple really.)

Anyway, my point is that the internet is a filthy place.

Today is a big day in our apartment building because my neighbors are getting cable, and that means I' m getting cable too (one way or another.) Scott and I are going to slip his wife some sleeping pills around nine tonight, and then wer'e going to have an "ESPN PARTY."

It's been about 2 years since I've had cable, or had acess to a television on a regular basis, which means I've got almost years of catching up to do. I am going to need some help from my fellow beavers on what to watch. Please send me a list of your favorite shows, and what time they're on so that I can begin my viewing.

When I first moved to Bloomington I was pretty idealistic on how I would live. The only entertainment I brought with me were books, CD's and my word processor. I chose not have a phone, not to watch TV, nor have acess to the internet. I don't think I had a place to sit either, so what I had in mind was laying around on the floor, reading Gore Vidal and listening to Fugazi. I thought that type of lifestyle would help me to personify a state of character so high that anyone who knew my when I was 8 would never recognize me. Unfortunately I didn't spend too much time reading Vidal, but I did spend a lot time sitting in the bath drinking beer, with my ear to the wall spying on my neighbors.


Anyway, where is this story going? Nowhere. The point is I'm having an ESPN PARTY. That's tangible. That means something. ESPN is a 24 hour sports network. They take all the boring parts out of sports, and show all the good stuff. That reminds me: for every 3 hour baseball game, the ball in only actually in play for a few minutes - five at the most. Upon hearing that I thought people must be right when they say baseball is boring, and nothing ever happens. But then I thought again (which I often do) and wondered if baseball would be anymore interesting if someone hit a pop up and the ball stayed in the air for 13 minutes, or if it didn't take a split second for the ball to leave the pictures hand and then end up in the cathers mit. What if it took five seconds for the ball to get to the plate? What would people think of baseball then? I tell you what then... but I'll tell you what when later. Later.

Send me your links, folks. I'll put any links you request up.
I will rock your face.

I want to thank everyone who contributes to The Wily Beaver. This weblodge was built, through hard work (and a flat tail), as a place where anyone, from any species, can show their ignorance. I applaud everyone who has made the effort.

Mr. Natale, it turns out that you are in the [bleeding] heart of district 22. Actually you are about left of center. Hey, I made a pun. Anyway, I live on the very western edge of the district, on 6th street. It reaches as far south as Outer Park Drive, north to Lawrence Ave., and east to MacArthur. I have lived in this area of central Springfield most of my life; This is my community, my people. It would be a diservice to them if I did not help Joe Lanter get elected to the County Board in my community.
We need your help to defeat the "evil" Republican Tim Moore. Thank you for your support.

Mr. Mann, you call yourself a journalist. Well, Bloomington has a wily and prosperous Independent Media Center. Why don't you get involved in that? The conservitive media has suppressed any sort of liberal or progressive ideas for long enough. At the very least, please pick me up a few issues of the newsprint.

I listen to radio constantly at work - sometime for 14 hours at a time. I'm personally sick and tired of having to listen to the problems Eminem has with his Mom. It's like listening to the Jerry Springer show.

Back in the day there was a little punk named Frank Sinatra. Like Eminem, Frankie liked to shoot his mouth off too; he called life like he saw it. He was conceited, a little obnoxious, and - like Eminem - talented. But nobody had to listen to Sinatra bitch ALL the time about his Mom and his ex-girfriend.

How many more millions of dollars can this jerk (EMINEM) get writing songs about how much he hates his mom?

I was not around when Sinatra was considered to be as prominent as Eminem is now. And I'll probably never see the day when someone with as much class, talent, and character as Sinatra become a national icon. I know Sinatra could be a conceited dickhead, but at least he could play the part.

The one thing I always admired about the Timmys was the intricate and stimulating play of their mysterious and spirited bass player "Matt Woo." If it were not for Woo I don't think Springfield's legendary Timmys would amout to anything more then your average run of the mill punk bands. Even though I've never seen this young man play live - nor do I one any of their CDs - I still illegally download their music from file sharing sites, and I have to admit, I often become mesomorized by Woo's raucous and wily approach to playing the bass. Sometime I go to the Timmys website, and put the download the pic of Woo throwing his leg kick into the air; and I listen to some of Woo's legendary performances with that pose set as my background picture.

However, It's easy to forget the Rock Stars are real people too, and this Woo character might actually be just a smelly little creep that used to break his older brother's Star Wars toys.

I swore that when I was nine and I found my Luke Skywalker in the tattoine outfit missing an arm that I would never forgive or forget - and I have not. Mr. Woo - if you're out there -you owe me a Luke Skywalker character... doll.

Sorry I have not contributed to the Wily site as of late; I'd like to explain: I joined the Libertarian Party last week, and it is customery to put yourself into a self-induced coma in an attempt to forget about "issues." Luckily I broke the stranglehold of the Libertarian Party upon seeing the infamous G. Dub / Mt Rushmore pic, and I realized that my loyalty lay (lie?) with the liberals.

I've been on a media blackout as of late, but I saw today that British and American planes have been dropping bombs on the Iraq's again. "Give War a Chance" proponants say that if we don't attack Iraq now, we will pay a huge price later - as if Iraq is going to declare War on and attack the United States. I don't know about you, but if I were Hussein, and if I was a complete Lunatic / deranged moron, I still would not attempt an attack against the United States. It's like Matt Woo challenging Mike Tyson to a back ally fight

I think that if Saddam actually did develop weapon of mass destruction. he would use it on those dasterdly Kurds first and foremost. The Kurds and the Kuwait's are like our very own presonal guinne pigs.