-- American Idol This whole reality singing "talent" show originated from the UK reality program Pop Idol, so I wouldn't blame America for this one. It's a really horrible show, and it's spun off other crappy reality dancing, skating, singing, dating, living shows. On the positive there have been some hotties like Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Katharine McPhee, and Antonella Barba. On the negative side... Ryan Seacrest is a raging homo.
-- School Shootings No I don't think that school shootings are completely American. You might think that they are American because everyone hears all the news from America. Here are 10 other school shootings from just the past decade. I know that there have been at least a dozen school shootings here in the states in that time, but it's not as frequent in other countries as you might think. Remember... guns don't kill people, crazy wacko people kill people.
Detailed below are some of the worst incidents of the past decade.
Scotland, March 1996: Gun enthusiast Thomas Hamilton shoots 16 children and their teacher dead at their primary school in Dunblane, Scotland before killing himself.
Yemen, March 1997: A man with an assault rifle attacked hundreds of pupils at two schools in Sanaa, Yemen, killing six children and two others. He was sentenced to death the next day.
Taber, April 1999: Opening fire on three students, hitting two, and killing one at W.R. Myers High School in Taber, Alberta, Canada.
Germany, November 1999: A 15-year-old student in Meissen, eastern Germany, stabbed his teacher to death after taking bets from classmates he would dare commit the crime.
Germany, March 2000: A 16-year-old pupil at a private boarding school in the Bavarian town of Branneburg, shot a 57-year-old teacher, who later died from injuries. The teenager - who also shot himself - was facing expulsion from school after failing a cannabis test.
Germany, February 2002: A former pupil killed his headmaster and set off pipe bombs in the technical school he had recently been expelled from in Freising near Munich. The man also shot dead his boss and a foreman at the company he worked for before turning the gun on himself. Another teacher was shot in the face, but survived.
Germany, April 2002: Seventeen people killed after a gunman - a former pupil - opens fire in a school in Erfurt, eastern Germany. He then turned the gun on himself.
Melbourne, October 2002: A student shot his classmates and teacher, killing two and injuring five. It took place at Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Montreal, September 2006: One victim died at the scene, while another 19 were injured before the gunman committed suicide at Dawson College, Westmount near downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Lebanon, January 2007: The Beirut Arab University shooting where four people were shot dead in clashes between pro- and anti-government activists at a Beirut university.
-- Paranoia Hey... everyone's got phobias, and are scared of thing. There's nothing wrong with that. Especially because I love to have crazy conspiracy theories. Some of my favorite are the 9/11 conspiracy, JFK assassination, and the Apollo moon landing hoax. Hey people might think that I'm a little delusional, but hey... I like my conspiracy theories, and if that makes me paranoid than so be it.
-- Media driven public outrage Yeah the Don Imus thing was kinda wack. His show sucks, and all the newer hip young DJ's were coming in and taking his audience. I know that he has gone over the top a time or two before this incident, so this is just the straw that broke the camels back. I would also like to put it in the same category as the Janet Jackson nipple showing during the Super Bowl a few years ago. Get over it... stop worrying about a little nipple or a few curse words, and sit down and have a talk with your kid. See how they are doing. Are they going to school, selling drugs, or school outcasts? I think that the media's gotta start reporting some real news and not just crap like Anna Nicole.
-- Speeding tickets Sorry Grey... you are on your own on this one. I found out at an early age that you can't drive fast all the time. I had 3 speeding tickets before you even had your drivers license. Since then... none. Trust me... I like driving fast, and speeding more than the next guy, but sometimes you gotta play by The Man's (The Canadian's) Rules n' go under 85 on the freeway sometimes. Save your illegal activities for places where cops are not driving behind you, or in front of you with radar guns.
-- Civil Liberties Hmmm... I love having Civil Liberties, but I guess that I've just grown up with them, so it's not like you really miss them until you have them taken away. Try and take my Civil Liberties away and we're gonna have a problem. Civil Liberties are great... Government in most cases is great... Red Tape and loads of Bureaucracy sucks.
-- RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America does suck. Well... I won't say that the RIAA sucks, but I really hate Metallica. They killed my Napster... my lovely lovely Napster. I remember being at work all day downloading movies and music all day. I would literally sit there and go... "uhh... what can I download now?" I literally had everything I could think of, or find. It was a great time in my music collections career. Then Metallica got a hair up there ass n' wanted to sue everyone so the RIAA started going after people. To this day I still don't listen to Metallica even when they are on the radio... I'll change the channel if they're on. Long live guys like Kid Rock n' others who don't care. If you make a good CD people will buy it, or at least come out to see you live when you are touring. Stop being lazy dudes n' let me download free music again.
-- No Siesta There is nothing that I could ever say bad about siestas. I spent about 3 weeks in Spain, and it was great. Most places closed for a couple of hours for everyone to take a long lunch. I on the other hand would already be buzzed from the beer n' sangria, so I'd take one of my 2 naps during the day. Aahhhh... taking a nap on the beach in Barcelona was the bomb. Having siestas is the only way that a country like Spain could function. I've never been to a place where people eat, drink, smoke, and party as much as the Spanish. It's a great country and I'd really like to go back. Oh yeah I gotta get to work before 7:00 am, and I don't drink coffee or soda, so I'm getting tired around break time at 10. If I could get an hour or an hour n' a half of sleep at 11:30 n' wake up at 1:00... I'd work until 5 or 6:00, and I know I'd be more productive too.
-- People Who Vote Damn Grey I hate how you just ramble and ramble about voting all the time. If you don't vote then you can't bitch. I know... I know... you are gonna bitch even more because you aren't voting, but I'm not gonna listen. I vote because I want to... I don't vote because I have to.
-- People Who Dont Vote From my experience people who don't vote bitch more than people who do. Sorry, but if you don't wanna at least make a little bit of an effort (no... not voting is not an effort) to make a change than just sit back and enjoy the ride. Plus if you don't vote then how are you gonna vote for me when I run for office again. I said again because I've already ran for City Council... n' no Grey didn't vote for even me.
Well America there you go. We've got a few differences of opinion about some things, but all in all I Love America. I've been traveling around the world for the past few years, and it's great to go and experience new places and see new things, but at the end of the trip I'm always glad to be heading back to the good ol' U S of A.
Norm has about 1000 posts in a row, and it's been a while since I put anything up here... So I thought I would give you something to read today...
here goes...
So... today I listened to most of the Alberto Gonzales hearing, and let me say for the record, I give him one more month before he's gone.. and that is being generous...
and as I listened to the senators of our fine country hand the head of the justice department his ass, it made me think of some of the problems we have here in America... so here's my list...
10 things that are wrong with america
American Idol: Let me be the first one to say, that I think this show really really really sucks... dont get me wrong... it has it's entertaining parts, but overall, it's just pure crap... A large part of the show revolves around public nation wide emmbarrassment of the participants. And then laughing at the contestants, as their petty little dreams of fame are snatched from them with a witty british accent... To be 100 percent honest... that is the entertaining part to me... The rest of it is some half assed talent show, for people who aren't innovative enough to find someone in their neigborhood to play guitar so they could start a band... but the thing that really sucks... is they voted off Sanjaya... perhaps the worst singer to ever make it into the final 12... He was so bad, Simon said he would quit the show if he won. I could give a crap about that show, but as Americans, we should have all pulled together to kick some british ass, and voted for Sanjaya... Thats what George Washington would have wanted...
School shootings: I ufcking hate these bastards who go and shoot up their schools... America is the only place where dip shits try this crap... that dude in texas, columbine, and that fag at virginia tech, and anyone else who shoots up their school. If you are one of those punks I want you to know that it would take less than 10 seconds for me to look up the guys names who did those shootings, and post their names instead of the cities where they did their shootings. I even know some of thier names, but I wont mention them on my website because I think they are trully cowards, and it benefits all of society if they were just forgotten... You guys are lil bitches... I hated school as much as the next person, but I would never run up in my school guns blazing... that solves nothing... ohh... I can hear you lil gunmen punks whinning already... we didn't hate the school, we hated the people, the society... well I got 2 suggestions for you assholes... 1. talk to the campus recruiter, and he can sign you up for the army, then you can take out your frustrations overseas, on very nice people in other countries... or 2. cheat, and get expelled... then you never have to see the ufckers you went to school with again... I did it, and now I have my own web site... and by the way... do you want to know why all your class mates hate you and don't hang out with you?... IT'S BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET MAD, YOU GO AND SHOOT THEM, AND EVERYONE AROUND THEM, WITH BULLETS STUPID... thats not someone you want to go bowling with...
Paranoia: Since I was kinda talking about that shooting anyways, I think it's note worthly to recognize that South Korea is all worried that there is gonna be some American Backlash against them because of it... !?!? are you ufcking kidding me? to be fair, I guess I understand their position... I mean, they dont have wepaons of mass destruction, they are geographically close to another country we already hate, they dont speak english, and I am not sure how much they love jesus... So... if you look at Iraq, South Korea could just be the next country we fuck up... but I digress... South Korea... let me say, on behalf of all americans... we aren't gonna blame you for this... the main reason is because that kid wasn't even really south korean any more... he was straight up american-ized... you know how I know?... I know because he walked into a school, and shot it up... Americans are the only people who do that kind of crap, and Asians love school... So chill out... We'll find a totally different reason to hate you later...
Media driven public outrage: this whole Don Imus thing is kinda just rediculous... I can't say I ever recall hearing him on the radio, so I certainly can't say I do, or don't like him... him getting fired I guess... you reap what you sow... but the media outrage that he called some girls basketball team "nappy headed hoes" is just mind blowingly stupid... PEOPLE LISTEN... no one, NO ONE, american or not, has the right not to be offended... As Americans, we DO have the right to say things that offend people... that is the bare bones foundation of free speech!... "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend till my death your right to say it", that is the spirit of free speech... I remember when I was a little kid, and my brother or sister would call me ugly, and I would go run to my mom and dad to tell them, and you know what they would tell me...? "ignore them"... what kind of lil tatle tale cry babues have we become, when you can't even let a thoughtless insult from some redneck roll off your back...? if you want to fire him because pepsi is not gonna sponsor your show anymore... FINE... but the media outrage... you guys suck...
Speeding tickets: I dont want to go into a long rant on this one, but if you know me, you also know why it's on the list...
Civil Liberties: I have heard that under the bush administration my civil liberties were being taken away, and the person who said it made it sound like a very bad thing... And I'm as "red blooded" as any other american, so when I hear the government is doing something really bad, I'm ready to burn my own city down in protest... but then I thought... what exactly are "civil liberties", and if I sold mine on ebay, how much could I get for them?... Ok... to be honest... I had to look up this one on wikipedia... and to be honest... I think I could get about $12.50 from someone stupid on ebay... don't get that look on your face... do you know all of your civil liberties??? I just read about them on wikipedia, and now I kinda forgot why I put them on the list... but thats not important... I think what I was trying to say is civil liberties suck. Or... maybe the government sucks... One thing I know for sure... If you are from the justice department, and you ar reading this... my roomate Steve is a heathen communist, my friend Ryan is Jewish democrat, and they both collaborated against the government in writing this entire list...
RIAA: Man... what a dilemma... ok, here is the back ground information... The RIAA is the organization that created and lobbies for many of the very unfair copyright laws that we have to deal with in the united states... They are the ones who sponsor those lil commercials st the begining of movies that state that downloading music and movies is stealing... Now I do understand that the word "stealing" has multiple definitions, but the word stealing very strongly implies taking something while leaving nothing in it's place... downloading music, or movies you haven't paid for isn't stealing, it is "copying"... and it may very well break copyright laws, but it is not "stealing", and it is important to make the distinction... after all "man slaughter" is not the same as "murder", and if we make that distinction, then we dont need the distinction between "stealing", and "copying" dumbed down for us... anyway, here's the dilemma part, see that logo over there on the right...? that was hotlinked directly from their site, and I think using other peoples bandwidth like that is genrally considered very rude on the internet, and may even be against some laws somwhere, but I didn't want to download the image and put it on my site without their permission... so thats the RIAA, and personally I think they suck...
No Siesta: I dont know about you guys, but about 1:30, 1:45 in the afternoon, I am really dragging ass, and I think it would be good for everyone if I just took a siesta. I mean... this is America, so if you dont want one, you shouldn't have to participate, but if you want to... let the good times roll... come and see me about 3:30pm, I'll be all bright and chipper, and happy to see you...
People Who Vote: It is your fault that the democrats can't win elections until it's meaningless, and an idiot is in the white house!... Lets imagine for a minute that you had to cast a ballot about if you want Captain Nemo, or Moby dick to win... and as a responsible voter I wanted you to make a very informed descision... how many people would be in the voting booth before they realized Nemo, and Moby Dick arent even from the same book?... It was Ahab that wanted to beat the big whale... wait... what was I talking about?... Oh yes.. voting... GO OBAMA and HILLARY... because... how else are the republicans gonna win?
People Who Dont Vote: It is your fault that the democrats can't win elections until it's meaningless, and an idiot is in the white house!... of course, you dont really care at all, and you are just glad that the administration makes for good saturday night live sketches...
so thats that... America, I love you, but face facts, sometimes you suck...
I've re evaluated my list and I'm gonna do a little updating to it. Some things have dropped off the list, and other things are new, so I hope you enjoy.
I read some article by a chick, and it had her 10 Essential Things list. I got to wondering... what are the 10 things that I need/want/use on a daily basis? I know this list could be longer, or more well thought out... so I might go back and edit it... but this is the top 10 off the top of my head right now.
10. iPod - I gotta have this for the train in the morning. I cannot stand to listen to the nonsensical ramblings of the people on the train. I have not only become a pro at sleeping for 15-20 minutes, sleeping sitting up in a chair, but now I can sleep while listening to music blasting into my ears. -- UPDATE: still rockin' my iPod
9. Passport – My new thing the past few years has been to travel. I think that at my last count I’ve been to 11 countries on 3 different continents. I love to travel and see new places n’ experience different things. I think that next time I might go with either a group of 4 or 5… or just go solo by myself. Hostels are the way to travel too… just in case you wanted to know. I gotta tell you about the beer too… WOW… beer around the world is sooooo good. Nothing like drinking some monk Trappist beer over in Belgium. Go grab a backpack n’ start traveling!!
8. MMA – Mixed Martial Arts... most people have seen it displayed on tv at the UFC. This has quickly became my favorite sport. Boxing, baseball, football, n' basketball are just tooo boring now. I'd rather watch a repeat of the UFC to watching the World Series or the Superbowl. Plus I really like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and this is a big part of MMA. I've been following the sport for years now, and in the past year or so it's started to blow up n' get mainstream.
7. Waitresses – Man do I love waitresses. This is even better than the remote control. All the remote does for me is change the channel or make the little talking box louder. Waitresses on the other hand bring me food, and more importantly drinks. All I have to do is ask for another one… and voila… another drink appears. Sometimes all I have to do is just motion for another drink, and she’s on it. Yes I did say “she” because I said I liked waitresses not waiter dudes. Thank you Ms. Hot Waitress for making my like just a little bit easier. If you would fold my laundry I would marry you.
6. Laptop Computer - Technology is great. I am in front of tons of computers all day, and when I get home from work what is one of the first things that I do? Sit down and turn my laptop on. Damn I'm addicted to that thing. Not only do I get on the internet with it, but I also love to do PhotoShops on it. There is a certain satisfaction I have with messing around with pictures on my computer. Gotta love the chops. Oh yeah… and pr0n. -- UPDATE: I'm not on my laptop as much, but I still get on it daily
5. Cellphone - I feel naked when I don't have my cellphone with me. I'm always reaching down to my left front pocket to check my cellphone... phone calls, txt msg's, and emails. I gotta be connected at all times. -- UPDATE: I still have my cellphone attached to my hip
4. Jeans & T-Shirt - Man what would I do without this combo. I have no problem dressing up for a wedding or some formal occasion and putting on a suit and tie. I'll dress up and head out to the club or party, and I have no problem. What I really do like is to not have to worry about what I'm wearing, and just throw on some comfortable jeans and a t-shirt. I almost look forward to Friday's because I can wear jeans and a t-shirt to work on Friday... it makes the day go by quicker and is more enjoyable. Jeans and a t-shirt is sooo much a staple of many peoples wardrobe that it is the default public attire that is accepted almost everywhere. -- UPDATE: yep... still love my t-shirt n' jeans
3. Good Imported Beer - The top three were all pretty close, and unfortunately this one came up just a little bit short. Everyone that knows me knows that I love beer... and I really love good beer. There is nothing like relaxing at the river with a Corona, or helping a friend move with a Heineken, or sitting down at an Irish Pub with a Guinness. Beer is a love in my life that has very rarely done me wrong. When I love beer too much... it has been known to treat me wrong, but it's my fault... not the beers. -- UPDATE: beer from Belgium is the best in the world
2. Credit Card - I'm pretty bad with money and I couldn't tell you how much money I had in my checking, savings, or retirement. What I do know is that I hand over a little piece of plastic, and people give me stuff for free. It could be a $3.50 cafe moca over at Starbucks or $4,000 for a bar tab over in Vegas. I know that I owe more than I'm worth, but who cares... I'm having fun!! -- UPDATE: yeah I'm still in debt n' still having fun
1. High Speed Internet - Thank you Al Gore!! What would I do without my good friend Mr. Internet. Yes I did say Mr. because the internet was invented by men... for men. I literally could stay in my house for the rest of my life and the internet can bring me all the things that I need. Information, groceries, movies, books, beer, technology... anything that I want can be looked at, and even delivered to my apt. Granted it has probably made me a much lazier person, but I'll say that is a great trade off for having the world at my finger tips. -- UPDATE: yes the internet has made me fatter and lazier
THINGS THAT ARE REALLY DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK :
1.) Thanks, but I don't want to have sex. 2.) Nope, no more booze for me. 3.) Sorry, but you're not really my type. 4.) Good evening officer isn't it lovely out tonight. 5.) Oh, I just couldn't. No one wants to hear me sing. 6.) Sorry I'm being such a jackass.
Here is a great quote...
“If life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life, lets all get wasted and have the time of our lives.”
-- American Idol
-- Paranoia
-- Speeding tickets
-- RIAA
-- People Who Vote
ohh... I can hear you lil gunmen punks whinning already... we didn't hate the school, we hated the people, the society... well I got 2 suggestions for you assholes...
Man... what a dilemma...
Lets imagine for a minute that you had to cast a ballot about if you want Captain Nemo, or Moby dick to win... and as a responsible voter I wanted you to make a very informed descision... how many people would be in the voting booth before they realized Nemo, and Moby Dick arent even from the same book?... It was Ahab that wanted to beat the big whale...
