Salad Days - Ramblings of a Confused & Idealistic Punk

Casualties of War

2006-07-27T22:09:00.000-07:00

Do they look like terrorists to you? Is this what passes for a "Proportionate Response" By Israel?

A nation has been almost entirely demolished in a matter of days, and no one seems concerned. Today I put a "Stop Bombing Lebanon" sticker on my car and was called a Nazi, an anti-Semite, and was flipped off by at least 4 people. I am none of the above. I am, however, ANTI-WAR. These people did not attack Israel. Just like the people of Afghanistan did not attack the U.S. on September 11. Below is an account by United Nations Emergency Relief Chief Jan Egeland on the destruction of Lebanon (From the BBC July 23rd International Edition)

Sunday, 23 July 2006, 21:06 GMT 22:06 UK
UN appalled by Beirut devastation

Images of destruction in Beirut
The UN's Jan Egeland has condemned the devastation caused by Israeli air strikes in Beirut, saying it is a violation of humanitarian law. Mr Egeland, the UN's emergency relief chief, described the destruction as "horrific" as he toured the city.

He arrived hours after another Israeli strike on Beirut. Israel also hit Sidon, a port city in the south crammed with refugees, for the first time.

In Haifa, two people died as Hezbollah rockets struck the Israeli city.
Fifteen people were reportedly injured by the volley of rockets, which struck a house and an industrial zone.

The BBC News website's Raffi Berg visited the scene of one of the rocket attacks in northern Haifa.
He says the rocket exploded next to a carriageway, raking passing cars with shrapnel and ball bearings and killing a man in a nearby vehicle.

A later barrage of missiles was reported to have injured five people.

'Block after block'

Mr Egeland arrived in southern Beirut on Sunday just hours after Israeli strikes on the Hezbollah stronghold. A visibly moved Mr Egeland expressed shock that "block after block" of buildings had been levelled.
He said the "disproportionate response" by Israel was a "violation of international humanitarian law".
He appealed for both sides to halt attacks and said UN supplies of humanitarian aid would begin to arrive in the next few days.

"But we need safe access," he said. "So far Israel is not giving us access."
Israel has said it will lift its blockade on Beirut's port to allow aid through, but with roads, bridges and trucks among Israel's targets, transporting it around the country is difficult"

To make matters worse, it is U.S. tax dollars that are subsidizing Israel's weapons.

Death & Destruction

2006-03-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

I watched a show on the History Channel about "The Rapture" I sat there with my mouth hanging open. Everyday Americans are living their lives and planning for a future when "they will ascend into heaven" and the non-believers will be left behind.

I cannot believe the state of our collective intellect. The VOCAL minority wants god shoved down our collective throats. Who would have thought that in 2006 America, a woman would have to fight a court battle to get birth-control pills from her local pharmacy, just because her pharmacist doesn't believe in birth control?

Who would have thought that evolution would have to have a disclaimer as an "unproven theory" I am afraid for my children. I am afraid when a teacher in Florida is suspended for engaging his students into a debate of the similarities in tactics and policies between George W. Bush, and Adolph Hitler?

Who could have dreamed that something called the Patriot Act would pass with almost NO opposition, and be reaffirmed 4 years later? I guess if the Rapture is coming, the Anti-Christ must be among us as well, and he sits in the office that currently rules this land, and wages wars without opposition, without permission, and with impunity.

If the rapture will signal the beginning of the end, then I will welcome it, because perhaps then, and only then, the peoples of Iraq, North Korea, Angola, The Sudan, Afghanistan, and so many others; will finally stop suffering for warfare, starvation, rape, poverty, and every other hellish nightmare they've had to live through.

I am sick of doing nothing, I am sick of the wealth that is abundantly and decadently displayed in the streets of America. We cry for oil, and drive giant SUVs. We revel in the public humiliation of ordinary folks on TV and call it entertainment (American Idol beat the fucking Olympics in ratings!). We may not have reached the level of having gladiatorial fights to the death, but I can almost assure you that public executions are not far behind. Know what this reminds me of? That other hugely powerful, immensely wealthy empire, what were they called? Oh yeah, the Romans! They were inventive, exercised their right of eminent domain, had the lower classes and slaves build their enduring monuments, and then they fell, after centuries of abuse, debauchery and excess.

Gee I wonder where we are headed?

Oh the Almighty! Part II

2006-03-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

"On the other hand, I don't see how you can be president at least from my perspective, how you can be president, without a relationship with the Lord." [George W. Bush, January 11, 2005]

I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator. [Adolph Hitler, Mein Kampf, pp. 46]

Where have all the rebels gone?

2006-02-27T20:16:00.000-08:00

This is so very vexing to me. We are at a turning point, waging wars against a whole system of belief, under the pretense of "Fighting terrorism." In March 2003 Millions of people shouted a resounding NO! to Bush's illegal war in Iraq. Where are those people now?

In the 60's, as Vietnam brought body bags of dead US boys on a daily basis, teenagers, young adults and other progressive thinking people staged sit-ins, bands created potent anti-war anthems that resonate to this day.

In the 70's in England kids disenchanted with Thatcher's rule borne out punk bands such as The Clash, the Buzzcocks, and many others. In America, during Reagan's war on drugs, trickle down economics, from his infamous visit to Bitburg to the Iran-Contra scandal, his policies awakened kids here as well. The Ramones, The Dead Kennedys, Bad Religion, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and SO MANY OTHERS!

So, besides such notables as Bad Religion, NOFX, U.S. Bombs, I ask where the fuck are the youth of today? All I hear is emo bullshit. I suppose that as long as kids can have their mobile phones, their Ipods, cash for Hot Topic clothes, and the latest gaming console, I suppose they are happy. I suppose MOST kids today don't know what is going on in the world, that Americans are deeply disliked because of our foreign policies, because of our bullying of weaker nations, because they are not educated at school about world history.

Perhaps if they knew about depleted uranium, used by U.S. Soldiers contaminating them, as well as the land they bomb for millions of years. Perhaps if they knew that most soldiers that die, the cannon fodder, are poor whites, urban blacks, hispanics trying to get into college. Perhaps if they knew about the fact that Islam is NOT a "crazy" religion practiced by "crazy uncivilized people" (All the while forgetting that Persia, (Iraq) The Ottoman Empire, (Turkey) were advanced civilizations long before Europe. Perhaps they would care.

In the meantime MTV, and SPIN magazine (While airing/printing glitzy "Join the Army" ads) praises Green Day. I take offense when the above mentioned corporations label them "Political Punks"They are no longer punk (this fact acknowledged by the band themselves) and they are certainly NOT political. Just because they throw in a few mild punches at the Bush-Cheney regime does not make their band political. I invite any of you who think otherwise to watch/read any of the post America Idiot interviews that the band has given, and when a specific question about their political views is asked, all you get basically boils down to "because Bush sucks" If Green Day are a Political Punk Band, then Crass must have been last years' American Idol winner.

I am 33 years old, and I am writing songs, I am playing my guitar, and I don't give a shit how crappy my stuff might (and probably does) sound. I learned to believe that if something was wrong or was missing in your life, it was up to YOU to fix it. DIY.

Where are the punks of today?

Oh the Almighty!

2006-02-24T13:54:00.000-08:00

"I believe that God wants everybody to be free. That's what I believe. And that's been part of my foreign policy. In Afghanistan, I believe that the freedom there is a gift from the Almighty. And I can't tell you how encouraged I am to see freedom on the march."

The Third Bush-Kerry Presidential Debate, George W. Bush, October 13, 2004
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.

"Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord."

Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler, Ralph Mannheim, ed., New York: Mariner Books, 1999, page 65.

MORE EXAMPLES TO COME!

~ Don't ever forget that 9/11 WAS Bush's Reichstag
Hitler's Fatherland = Bush's Homeland

Today, more than ever: The voice of God is Government

2006-02-21T23:33:00.000-08:00

Neighbors, no one loves you like he loves you,
And no one cares like he cares.
Neighbors, let us join today in the holy love of God and money,
Because neighbors, no one loves you like He loves you.
And what better way to show your love than to dig deep into your pockets.
Dig real deep, until it hurts.
Alleviate your guilt, Free yourself once again,
because he gave to you, brothers and sisters.
Please give a 10, 25, or 50 dollar tax-deductible donation,
And I assure you your modest pledge will be used to censor TV and radio,
Ban questionable books, and contribute to many other Godly services.
No longer will young Christian Americans hedonistically indulge
In masochistic submission to rhythmic music,
for with your monetary support,
There is no end to what we can achieve in this country.

The voice of God is government.
The voice of God is government.
The voice of God is government.
In God we trust, sinners repent!m(1,2,3,4)

Can't you see what we believe in, all our thoughts, all our reasons,
Pursuit of life and liberty and happiness we cannot see?
Speak of truth with a mighty voice, but politics are your real choice.
Hire men to change the law, protect and serve with one small flaw.
Voice of God is government.
The voice of God is government.
Voice of God is government.
In God we trust, sinners repent!

If we shun God and Jesus Christ, religious love is sacrifice.
Love for God is shown in cash, the love they send is mailbox trash.
With every pamphlet we receive, more money asked for Godly needs.
Build a million dollar church, with money spent on God's research.

Voice of God is government.
The voice of God is government.
Voice of God is government.
In God we trust, sinners repent!

On late night TV, God can heal, a certain force you cannot feel.
Love for money in God's name, religion's now a TV game!
Build a million dollar church, with money spent on God's research.
Build a million dollar church, with money spent on God's research.

Voice of God is government.
The voice of God is government.
Voice of God is government.
In God we trust, sinners repent!
Yeah!Voice of God is government.
The voice of God is government.
Voice of God is government.
In God we trust, sinners repent!

Filthy Lucre ain't nothing new

2005-06-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

About a year and a half ago, I had the privilege to get to know Ian Mckaye. Although I was never into the Edge, I've loved Minor Threat for years. I respect Ian more than any other person, musician, writer, or punk icon, dead or alive. He in fact personally helped me through a really bad experience I had just gone through.

Seeing what Nike did to Minor threat, to Dischord, and to Ian himslef was a fucking slap in the face of all the kids for whom punk was the ONLY way to forget about their fucked up lives. Like the fact that you were being evicted 'cause Mommy didn't pay the rent, the assholes at school still called you a freak and just walking down the hallways could mean getting your ass kicked. The good ol' days, like when an asshole jock took ofense to my bro's 10" Mohwak, and decided to rearrange his nose.

Or when Mommy decided you were no longer fit to live at home 'cause you were in the way of her lifestyle. Punk Rock, DIY, middle finger to the world. You broke all the fucking rules, and it was OK. This is what Minor Threat means to me. Seeing them get raped by a filthy spirit crushing entity like Nike, pissed me off. NIKE-Not content with exploiting children in third world countries...........

Here's what they did: www.pitchforkmedia.com/ne...6/23.shtml

Here's Dischord's statement: www.dischord.com/news/index.shtml

Life, indeed, goes by so fast.

2005-05-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

I had all but forgotten about this blog and then I read some of the great comments left. After digging for my password, I decided it was time to write some more. So, today I am a year older although not much wiser. I took some hard blows last year and a tougher one still early this year when my beloved dog passed away unexpectedly. All of a sudden, life didn't seem worthwhile.

I am still in mourning I loved that dog and I will never forget her. She was my rock, it might sound ridiculous but that dog asked for nothing and had loads of love to give. A highlight of the last year was that I went to a quite a few shows. I met Mike Ness of Social Distortion, which was an incredible experience as I've been into this band since 1986. I also saw Bad Religion a few times, as well as Green Day, before they became the mega-stars they've turned into. Anyway, back to Bad Religion, how very inspiring and shamefully true the songs from "The Empire Strikes First" ring in these days of warfare and carnage.

Last December I traveled to New York city and I marvelled at the beauty and resiliency of both the city and its citizens. At the same time I was just filled with complete and utter sadness at the crass commercialism, the hustle and bustle of a city essentially driven by commerce and greed, from the hot dog vendor on the corner of 53rd and 3rd, to the very bastions of Wall St. The juxtaposition of the homeless people wandering through Central park, amidst the über-rich, and fabulous Manhattanites, was like an advertisement for "Socialism Now!" as far as I was concerned.

Early this year, I had to travel to D.C. and I visited some of our National Monuments. I read the "Declaration of Independence" and saw the original "Stars and Stripes" Banner. How did this once humble and idealistic nation become the Power-Hungry, Empire-Building war-waging bully that it is today? I got a chance to ponder that as I marched on March 19, to protest the occupation of Iraq, the crimes at Guantanamo, the crimes against humanity at Abu Ghraib and the axis of greed that currently rule this country and unleashed all the above horrors. It is hard for me to reconcile my love for this country with the out of control and maniacal patriotism that rule the airwaves each and every day. I am NOT anti-America, I am a PATRIOT, I support our troops therefore I want the young men and women being used as cannon foder each and every day, brought home NOW.
Goodnight.

Story of my Life 1984-1987

2004-05-10T01:05:00.000-07:00

I am a 31 year old female Immigrant to the U.S. I arrived here when I was 12 years old. Unlike most immigrants from Latin America or Mexico, I had visited the states in previous occasions. I belonged to Mexico City's upper-middle class. Besides the fact that we were of French descent; my family was NOT Catholic (The Official Religion of Mexico.) We were Mormon, and my Mother was divorced. Oh the horror! We moved in the archetypical American Suburbia: a quaint little bedroom community 20 miles east of Los Angeles, mostly upper middle class, mostly white in the early 80's. This is where I became a pariah. I was unlike the "typical" "Hispanic" (A term, which by the way I had never heard before) I did not fit in with the "La Raza" crowd, I did not fit in with the popular white kids, nor did I belong with the established 2nd or 3rd generation Hispanics. I didn't fit in anywhere. I was 13 years old, and a freshman in High School, when Punk rock gave a refuge from the hell that Middle School and High School had become. I bought Social Distortion's Mommy's little Monster on vinyl (there where no SD Cd's in 1986!) That album changed my life: Antifashion, All the Answers and The Creeps became my anthems. I didn't give a shit that I didn't fit in anywhere, I had found punk rock and in became my lifeline.