:: The Bitch Girls ::

:: Saturday, March 22, 2003 ::

Missing Ohio Already I'm missing Ohio already. It's been great being at home the past week. I think it was especially good for me to be here with my family and in this area when the war broke out. It's just a totally different attitude here than in New England (or at least "elitist women's college in rural New England"). There is such great support for the troops and administration out here. It's really made my break a good one. I was also semi-productive. I was able to visit Ohio State Law School. It's where I'm supposed to be after undergrad. I walked around campus a little bit and I remembered how beautiful the campus is (yes, a large state university can be beautiful). The law school itself was perfect. It's so small and the students I met seem so laid back. It was a great experience and I hope to get in. As it is my LSAT/LSDAS registration has been sent in, and so I will soon be preparing for the LSAT in October. Well, I should go try to get some sleep or something. The brothers and sister are watching "1941", so I may go join them. Back to New England tomorrow (leaving at about 4:00AM).

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:: Preppy 9:19 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I am the least creative person ever Well, maybe not ever, but I am too lazy to think of a nice title. So I have been thinking about working at church camp in Pennsylvania this summer and I figured that my parents would be the biggest obstacle in the whole thing and that if they let me go then that was that and I would go. But when I asked my mom what the verdict was she said that I could make up my own mind but that basically she and my dad would be put out if I didn't come home. They feel like I don't understand the importance of putting money away for this equivocal "future" which I suppose I don't to the extent that they do because I have not yet had to provide for myself. I understand that they worry that I will be old and not have enough money to support myself (I put the money in an IRA, not just a regular savings acct.) and whatnot, but I think they also haven't fully come to terms with the fact that I am probably not going to have a job that has me living in the country club at age 35. I won't be living in a cardboard box either, I hope, but yeah... and on one hand, since they have shelled out the big bucks for my education, I feel obligated to do that kinda job, even though while I could find that kinda job fulfilling, right now, I just don't see that happening. But I think that it could be good for me to work at camp this summer and that while I thought maybe I was wanting to do it for the wrong reasons (being mostly I wanted to chill with my friends this summer) I think now that I can definitely learn a lot from the experience. So, honor my parents, or go to camp, eh?

On a separate note: I went all over this part of New England this weekend. Went to Williams. Golly, I hope I get in! (crossed fingers) Went to "elitist college in the middle of freakin nowhere New England" and got to spend some quality time with the boy. It was really good one on one time which was definitely a positive. Thursday night we watched the Goonies with Emily and a couple of her housemates and on Thursday we hung around his place, it was a gorgeous day (the sky was blue, thats right, blue, not grey, blue and it was really warm!) so we went on a little hike up a nearby mountain which was a really nice little half hour walk through town and to the trailhead and then up the mountain for about an hour where we sat at the top for a good hour chatting. Then we had dinner, chilled some more, walked across campus, chilled with some other people, then went to bed. The bitches and I will analyze and reanalyze these two days at a later date when they are all back on campus. Perhaps dinner on Monday girls? Or on the way back from Providence?

And finally: I decided today that I don't really want to talk about the war because no "opinion" of mine will really add to the greater good of humanity and there's no sense in linking to news about it because all you people who read this probably already know whats going on.

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:: Baby 2:25 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Can't sleep. The planes are so loud. I heard a helicopter earlier. They're so loud and they just keep going. My love and prayers go with them. I'm feeling useless again. I'm going to visit the "adopt a soldier" program tomorrow (the care package idea was a great suggestion guys, thanks). I hope I can help at least some people over there remember that they are supported over here. We're not all a bunch of mindless, ungrateful, fucktards, like the people in the streets tonight. There goes another plane. I wish I could sleep.

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:: Spooky 2:36 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Back Again I'm sending an email to my Senator, what are you doing right now? (Yes, it's about guns. He's about to get another one from me on the Air Force rape issues. I want to wait before I send it though. I'm curious to know if more is coming out, and I'd like to read it a couple of times. It's a tough issue to tackle because of protecting privacy, overcoming reluctance to testify, and punishments appropriate to everyone involved.)

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:: Bitter 8:47 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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It's Almost 5 PM Here Even the reporters are calling the protestors crazy. One woman apparently walked out into the middle of the street with her baby and kept trying to get the police to come after her. Some of the media have been attacked with spray paint. (Wait, are they trying to do it so that they can claim their voices are being silenced?) The reporter said that even though she's been downtown all day, she has yet to see a protestor being beaten, but of course they claim otherwise. Some claimed they had video coverage, but they "refuse to produce it." Of course, it's so convienent that way. I'm getting frustrated and am going to go away now.

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:: Bitter 8:04 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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A New View I hadn't thought about the war coverage this way before, but now that I have...

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:: Bitter 7:49 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Is He Taken? I want the guy that does these videos. He's hot and funny as hell. (Link swiped from Misha.)

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:: Bitter 7:41 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Late Again But, I did remember to post the link that I know you've all been waiting for! That's right, it's Jeff's weekly table on Yahoo's bias against guns.

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:: Bitter 7:31 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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WeatherSlut Update I just realized that WeatherSlut has been with whatever boy she's with for too long. (Is this still Penn State boy?) I have unilaterally decided that now she'll be with a boy from Tulane for her spring break which just started. Look for a change after she returns. Hell, look for another boy during spring break. If she gets drunk enough, maybe another girl. Or maybe not.

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:: Bitter 7:27 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Just A Thought Boo-f*cking-hoo.

The outfit due to be worn by Hollywood star Angelina Jolie at Sunday’s Oscar ceremony has been stolen from the designer’s car in London. British designer Scott Henshall said the dress, along with jewelry, accessories and other gowns earmarked for guests at the annual glitzy show in Los Angeles, had been stolen from his car in the Knightsbridge area of the British capital Wednesday evening.

I still don't have a dress for Senior Ball next month. If I wore Angelina's size, then I'd start keeping my eyes open...

P.S. Remember kiddies, banning guns solved all of England's crime!

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:: Bitter 7:13 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Stupidity Isn't Limited To The West Coast It's in Boston, too.

''I pledged to myself that if war starts, I will get arrested at a federal installation,'' said Jonathan Cook, 42, a Brookline environmental activist who said he is between jobs. ''It'll get my message across to those who are interested . . . that I am willing to put my body on the line.''

I remember the first time I read a publication put out by a group that First Bitch is involved in. It was my first year and I was totally put off because they had an article on the joys of being arrested. But I love Jerry's response to this whole thing:

Jerry, a construction worker and veteran from Wakefield who would not give his last name, spied the protest from his job site on Cambridge Street, got into an argument with an activist, and blasted protesters for not being at work. ''Oh, they're all on welfare,'' he said.

Funny as hell. Of course what do you expect average people to think of those that think like this jerk.

A few hours after leaving the protest, Greg Banks, 33, of Jamaica Plain, sat in the lobby of the South Boston police station, waiting for his friends to post bail. He was glad the protests had finally taken this turn, he said, but added that he is worried about terrorism -- and doesn't want to drain the resources of the police at such a crucial time.

Let me see if I understand this. You think there will be terrorist attacks. You're probably one of those people that honestly believes the police will be there to stop every crime and therefore people shouldn't have tools available to defend themselves. (Sorry, I forgot this wasn't a gun post.) So you go out and intentionally commit crimes so that the resources of this police department are tied up dealing with you instead of protecting against murderers, rapists and terrorists. Now why should I support your actions?

''To be honest, I haven't come to terms with that yet,'' he said.

Yeah, I haven't figured out how you got hit with the stupid stick so many times yet.

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:: Bitter 6:43 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Oh I LOVE It! It's innovative. (Link found via Pave France.)

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:: Bitter 6:27 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Dixie Chicks Thing, Again I just wanted to put my two cents out there because it's my blog and I'll bitch if I want to. (That was bad, so sue me.) My attitude has been that they were stupid, the comments were uncalled for simply because they didn't criticize policy at all, and the group deserves whatever people want to do to their pocketbooks. They only apologized after backlash began that did hit their bank accounts. I don't believe that they mean it at all. That's fine, it's their reputation. They can kill it if they want to. I do have to admit that I like Travis Tritt's suggestion to them. I'll be curious to know if they respond at all.

"The bottom line is ... what's going to happen is going to happen. To be a good American ? regardless of which side you're on ? you have to get behind President Bush. More important, you have to get behind the troops," the singer said recently.
...
"If the Dixie Chicks really wanted to do something to prove just how sorry they are about those statements, they would volunteer to go and perform at some military base," suggested Tritt.

Maybe instead of their upcoming US tour, they should do performances for the troops. Perhaps people that are very upset about this could contact stations that will be promoting the tour to encourage the Chicks to take Tritt's advice.

I guess my views can be summed up like this: They are protected by the same First Amendment that protects us. They should also have to deal with the same consequences. Very few people would have their jobs protected if they started spitting off political views in the workplace. The same applies to Hollywood and Nashville. We, as the people who pay the salaries of the stars, have the right to no longer hand over their pay check if they do things that we don't approve of. Of course I love the response of the people at the concert that Spooky attended the other night. :)

UPDATE: At least someone was thinking for the Chicks in this situation.

The Dixie Chicks — who took a lot of heat after one member of the group made anti-Bush comments — narrowly averted another controversy with some of their red-blooded fans. The Scoop was startled to learn that the country and western crooners posed for one of those “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” ads for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — but the ad was never released.
THE TRIO POSED in a field of flowers, wearing nothing but blossoms and their strategically placed instruments. A photo of the ad can be seen on the photographer’s Web site, sebreephoto.com.
It turns out that the Chicks are staunch animal-rights supporters, but at the last minute the group’s management put the kibosh on the ad.
“The Chicks themselves were lovely about the whole thing, but their management got worried that some of their fans were rifle-toting, Bambi-shooting types who would take offense at an anti-fur, pro-animal message,” says a source. “They forbid release of the ad because they were worried about backlash or boycott. They even tried to pay PETA $10,000 to say it never happened.”

Now that we know they have a history of lying for money, even offering to pay people off to stay popular, what do they have to say for themselves?

The Chicks’ spokeswoman didn’t return calls for comment.

Of course not, that would mean taking responsibility for one's actions. We can't promote that or anything.

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:: Bitter 6:12 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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A Funny I don't think I've ever shared this funny story with you all before. It was probably because at the time the situation had me fuming. I was speaking with a woman from Germany when the subject turned to gun rights. (See a theme today? Maybe it's because it's been all of four days since I went shooting.) :) Anyway, she said that a European would never consider a firearm as a defensive tool. I then asked her why a French girl asked me where to take classes on basic gun safety so she can learn how to shoot less than a week before if Europeans would never think like that. She blamed it on American culture and was horrified that we had done such a thing to the girl.

Now I'm amused and somewhat proud if we really have "corrupted" this girl.

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:: Bitter 5:24 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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So Damn Annoying I'm listening to the local news right now and they are reporting that "things are getting violent again." People are throwing rocks, breaking police car windows and opening hydrants. Reports have varied saying that between 350 and 500 have been arrested. More protests are planned for 5 PM to block traffic. At that point they aren't even stopping "the capitalist machine," they're keeping people from getting home to their families. They are keeping single mothers away from picking up their children. Oh, I could have fun playing with their little heads if I were there. At least I haven't seen anything as strange as this yet. Granted, I've been a bit slow on watching tv, reading blogs and checking emailing. It's easy to get distracted by my company here.

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:: Bitter 5:05 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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So at the Disturbed concert last tues night, the singer started his political speech on how the symbol behind him represented all the major religions of the world, and how we need to fight the war, use our music as a weapon, blablabla... honestly, had I not been in such a good spot right in front of the stage, I probably would've left to get a beer. The anti-war rhetoric is really getting old. I didn't leave though, and much to my delight, I found that his political pep talk was cut short. About five minutes into it, the crowd began chanting U-S-A and quickly drowned him out. Hey, he wanted to talk about politics...

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:: Spooky 4:25 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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More Guns! As disconnected from the world as I've been since I've been gone, I am pretty happy to find out good gun news. Thanks to reader James Foster for sending us this link on North Carolina reciprocity. It's about time. If they pass it, I'll have to update my list of permits that I can get as a non-resident to carry in as many states as possible.

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:: Bitter 3:25 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Also On Guns Thank goodness. I'm happy for my Colorado friends. Actually, I only have two that I can think of, and only one likes to shoot. She's actually been in Virginia for a couple of years, so she's not really from Colorado anymore. I guess I'm happy for her family then. Whatever, I'm happy.

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:: Bitter 3:11 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I'm Glad I'm Not The Only One Eugene Volokh also notices when basic gun safety rules are broken in photos. Now how about movies? My friends get annoyed with me when I watch a movie with guns in it.

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:: Bitter 3:08 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I would like to thank... The Bush Administration. Not only for starting to deal with what should have been dealt with 12 years ago, but for also choosing to do so over our Spring Break so that I don't have to listen to the annoyingly vocal anti-war left wing fanatics yell about Blood for Oil and other stupid stuff. Thank you.

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:: Baby 2:48 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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One Possible Reason for my bad mood might be this post. I appreciate the coverage that Winds of Change is giving to this issue. Even in times of war, we have to pay attention to these stories. If we don't, we aren't acting any more civilized than the people we are fighting right now.

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:: Bitter 8:20 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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On That Insulting Note I laughed outloud at this news. I just drove over the bridge late last night after I arrived. Speaking of my arrival, I'm staying with a friend that lives in such a bachelor pad. No food to speak of except for frozen foods, various condiments, Hamburger Helper (with no hamburger meat around), and quite a bit of alcohol. Shame, shame. (Link stolen from the comments at Right Thinking.)

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:: Bitter 8:14 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Connie Chung Is An Idiot I just wanted to put that out there because I'm in an insulting mood right now.

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:: Bitter 8:09 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Stupid f*cking Macs. That's all I have to say on this subject.

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:: Bitter 8:05 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Juan's New Job I think he's qualified, don't you?

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:: Bitter 8:05 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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A Little Odd I just can't believe the coincidence! /end sarcasm

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:: Bitter 8:03 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Concerned What could cause this much concern in DC? Has a terror threat been discovered?

Tactical officers armed with automatic weapons, bomb squad technicians and fire department hazardous materials specialists were among the more than 100 public safety personnel involved in the incident.

Then I laughed.

The incident began around noon Monday when a man wearing a military medic's helmet drove a jeep and trailer carrying the tractor and a motorcycle into Constitution Gardens, a federal park bordered by the Washington Monument, the Vietnam War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. After driving the jeep into the lake, the man drove the tractor off the trailer and into the water.

I know I'm late on this one, but that's what being on the west coast does to you. I'm still amused.

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:: Bitter 1:01 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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For The Good Of "The Children" "The Readers" Juan has a new glossary so you can better understand the world around you.

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:: Bitter 12:57 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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More Traveling I'm leaving LA tomorrow to head up north to the Bay area. Because I have lunch plans and then I have to pack afterwards, don't expect much from me tomorrow. I just realized that due to the time difference, it will really be today on the blog. Wish me luck in traveling. This time I'll be traveling with booze in my bag. Yes, I'm allowed to as long as I don't have any fuses. That's what the Southwest guy said on the phone. He also said that if I bring any in my carryon that I have to give one to the captain. Hmmm...

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:: Bitter 2:50 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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I'm feeling useless. I've been talking to a couple of my friends heading overseas and I can't help but feel extremely useless in the effort to defend our country and myself. I hate being defenseless, it's one of the worst feelings in the world (next to uselessness).

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:: Spooky 11:39 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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That's What You Get I love the Dixie Chicks. I'm sad to see them getting banned from radio stations around the country. But then when you say something as boneheaded as ``Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas,'' you really should know that country music fans aren't going to respond well. Natile Maines did try to save her ass, but it didn't seem to work very well.

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:: Preppy 8:22 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I Don't Like Orange I won't be color coding my wardrobe with the terror threat or doing anything to match because I don't like the color orange. I haven't seen a link yet, but I've heard from someone that has a reason to know that the threat level will be raised tonight after the speech. I'm sure this will be the first page to change when it does happen.

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:: Bitter 7:22 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Oh, I Played That Game As A Child Juan has his "Imagination Cap" on and yet, he fails.

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:: Bitter 1:22 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Biased Media I don't like when media is anti-conservative or anti-liberal. Reporters need to know their place in this world. Not that I'm somehow saying they are lowly and should bow down...well...no, I don't think I'm saying that...yet. Anyway, if you choose a field like that you should have some sense to understand you should report the basic facts and include both sides if you are going to include one. It's not that much to ask.

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:: Bitter 1:09 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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First, A Personal Update I went to the range yesterday with Cool Friend Ian. I would like to thank Armed Liberal for both the recommendation and the wonderful company. He's the first blogger I've met, so it was very exciting. If other bloggers are anything remotely like A.L., then I look forward to meeting more of you. It was a great day overall. I'm keeping this short because there's more posts on the way and more stuff I want to do.

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:: Bitter 1:03 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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At Home Needless to say, I am now at home. Taking the train was a new experience. I can only say that I really wish that it didn't take 12 hours to get from New England to Cleveland, and then have a 2 hour drive home. I really haven't been doing much. Hanging out with my family and all that. I am writing a post on my laptop, so once it is done I will get it up on here.

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:: Preppy 10:41 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Quick Update Sorry, I've been busy here. Cool Friend Ian and I have been hanging out, playing Monopoly, and drinking. Yay for drinking. Actually the biggest reason I say that is because I'm very picky about my beer and they have my favorite kind out here. I bought a couple of 6 packs. I am a happy woman. In a little while Cool Friend Ian and I are headed to the range. I'm gonna get to shoot out here in crazy California. I'll tell how it compares to shooting in crazy New England when I get back.

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:: Bitter 3:41 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Bitter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you send in my Williams peer rec?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I turned in my app yesterday. Ahhh!!!! And after going again this weekend to turn in my rec, I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to be there next year. And every little bit helps. So I hope that you sent it in and that it is phenomenal and just makes them to where they really have no choice BUT to let me in! Also, I am going up to "elitist college in the middle of freakin nowhere New England" next Thursday night and on Friday Paul and I are going to hang. He is doing the ultimate fasting for Lent (which means he is essentially Vegan) so eating out is kinda a bad idea since he can't eat much, but do you know of anything else to do around there? We could go to Vermont I suppose, but I don't know of much to do and I don't want to take him to Albany because we'll just end up going to his house. If you think of anything, let me know!!! :) Have fun chica!

UPDATE: On another side note, I didn't put this in the last post, but I'm not screwed afterall. Whew! There were a few interesting moments in conversation with the boy (such as when we were talking about my parents and I told him that I had told my mom about the police incident with the sledding in December and he was all like "now your parents are going to think I'm some horrible influence on you" or something like that and I didn't look at him, but I said "what difference does it make? you're never going to meet my parents" and there was this kind of strange long pause (i'm still not looking at him so I don't know what his face looks like) and then he's like "yeah, I guess not") but I discovered that as long as I act like "one of the guys" around him (thereby he forgets that I am a girl and therefore won't make that move... but I have realized that and moved on sort of...) we're cool. No weirdness as long as I treat him like I do my brother or my best guy friend. I also think that he has no sex drive. Well, not NONE, but a very small one. He just doesn't seem like the sex drive type, if that makes any sense. But yeah, it was fun, we hung out, he offered to let me sleep on his couch since I ended up staying too late to warrant driving back last night. So yeah, all in all, we're cool, and I'm not screwed, and we're friends and that's cool and who knows, maybe when he wakes up and grows up it will hit him and maybe I still won't be with anyone else or something. OH! AAAAND Jim is working at this camp in Pennslyvania this summer and I might be applying to work there too and the boy was going to be in New Zealand, but he decided not to go because he might go to Tibet instead next fall semester, so he's working at the camp too! Oh man, y'all have no idea. Between Jim and the boy, those poor kids!!! hahaha. Yeah, anyway. Have a good week everyone, I know I will!

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:: Baby 1:53 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Title Looks like Haloscan is down with the comments again... So yesterday I was really productive. I got up, went to get my drugs from A&P, went to Williams and turned in my application and went to "elitist college in the middle of freakin' nowhere New England" to visit everyone. A lot of driving (well, not really a lot, but you don't pass anything so it feels like a lot longer than it really is) in Bitter's car, which, by the way, is treating me very well. So my visit up to "elitist college..." was a lot of fun. I had lunch with Andrew and hung with him and Todd for a while then went over to the boy's room and Jim, who's taking a semester leave, was visiting so I got to see him too! Went to see our friend Em play piano in a jazz concert (she's really good!) then I headed over with the wicked hot Italian Catholic (who doesn't look particularly Italian with his dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, but is hot nonetheless) with five names (oh so sexy) to see an improv comedy group perform (with free alcohol!) followed by a dance party. SO fun. So yeah. Good times. I am leaving tomorrow for Orlando! Yay for 80 degrees!!! I don't even remember what 50 feels like... And Preppy and First are gone too... so I'm thinkin there won't be too much going on here for the next week, but check back periodically to see what the Bitches have been up to!

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:: Baby 1:18 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Guns! Maybe there is some hope for Ohio.

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:: Bitter 8:20 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Hmmm...

Democrat - You believe that there should be a free
market which is reigned in by a modest state
beaurocracy. You think that capitalism has
some good things, but that those it helps
should be obliged to help out their fellow man
a little. Your historical role model is
Franklin Rosevelt.


Which political sterotype are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Well, okay... as long as I am a moderate or even right leaning Democrat, it's okay... I can't think of any Dems that I have like since Roosevelt, but then again, I can't think of too many politicians I have liked since like Bill Frist. That's your next President right there. I'd vote for him. And you know why? Because he seems like a regular guy. Even as a Dr. he's against human cloning. And he supports farmers. He's helpin' to keep the government out of my family's wallet and off their land (as his website claims). Yeah.

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:: Baby 7:46 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I don't understand Bitter leaves, goes to Los Angeles and still posts like five million times a day! Oh, and by the way dude, you owe me 60 bucks for your Serpentine Belt (or whatever the crap its called) replacement. Don't forget that when you get back! Don't spend all your money out there cause you have to have enough to pay me back cause I put that on MY card, not mommy's. ;) Have fun chica!

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:: Baby 7:31 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I Suppose It's Kinda Alright that they are being honest. I like Pejman's question though.

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:: Bitter 7:22 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Catching Up This is something I meant to link to the other day. I suck at the game, but I'm addicted.

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:: Bitter 5:25 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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"Just A Job" Get the crazy bastard out of power now. I have this feeling that certain kneejerk often left leaning people (not rational ones, I'm talking about the ones that don't think about their positions for more than 2 seconds) would be behind this effort 100% if it weren't a Republican leading it after reading this. What about popular phrases like human rights abuses? Where does all that rhetoric go when it is most appropriate?

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:: Bitter 5:15 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Quiz Fun It's been awhile since we've had a quiz frenzy going on over here. I found this one at InstaPundit.


Libertarian - You believe that the main use for
government is for some people to lord it over
others at their expense. You maintain that the
government should be as small as possible, and
that civil liberties, "victimless
crimes", and gun ownership should be basic
rights. You probably are OK with capitalism.
Your historical role model is Thomas Jefferson.


Which political sterotype are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

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:: Preppy 5:11 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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A New Business Model I guess it's one way to solve problems.

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:: Bitter 5:09 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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All Done All done and going home tomorrow! I can't wait to see my neice (now three months old), my dog, my mother, my brothers and sister (even though they did tell my mom to let me sit in downtown Cleveland all night all by myself) and my cousin. I do need to call OSU Law and schedule a vist. But I'm so happy now!!!

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:: Preppy 5:06 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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It's Different Juan Gato's take on the criminal justice system.

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:: Bitter 5:03 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I Want More These demands aren't enough to satisfy me.

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:: Bitter 5:02 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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HeHeHe, Weather slut went down on her boyfriend. Dirty girl... Y'know with all the Brittany Spears like cloths she wears, I would've thought she was a pure little virgin girl.

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:: Spooky 4:32 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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One Last Note For Now I still haven't gotten used to my new nails. (I can't grow them because of my nail biting habit, so I buy 'em.) I may make some fairly screwy spelling errors on top of what I normally make. Ignore them, especially if they don't make much sense. Meanwhile, I'm going to go get in a catfight just so I can get some good use out of these things.

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:: Bitter 1:42 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Will It Ever Get Better? Here's the weekly link to the gun debate bias chart at Alphecca. Really, a bit of improvement is all I'm hoping for. Unfortunately, it never seems to happen.

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:: Bitter 1:23 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I'll Send The Letter along with a note telling them about how I'm doing it with a reformed vegetarian.

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:: Bitter 1:17 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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He's Right

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:: Bitter 1:13 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Morning Laugh What can I say other than I love it.

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:: Bitter 1:11 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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More Stupid People Stupid human shields. I would say they don't deserve the space it takes to put their story up, but it is good for a laugh.

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:: Bitter 12:53 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Stupid People There are lots of them in Massachusetts. Not all of them there are missing a few cards from the deck, but a notable majority are. This is just more evidence.

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:: Bitter 12:40 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Perhaps It's time to be concerned. If it happens three times, I'm calling for help.

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:: Bitter 12:33 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Silliness So I made here. It's damn hot. I have a blog post that I wrote on my laptop about the trip that I'll post later. Until then, I just wanted to share that when Cool Friend Ian kicked on the computer, this is the first story we caught.

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:: Bitter 12:07 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Spooky's Back! My 2 month long house sitting job has ended and I'm officially back on campus, and back to my computer-yay. I missed you guys! Oh, and I've got a thought (yes just one) to share with y'all. Most people who know me, know that I'm a concert fan, actually I have this bizarre and often dangerous obsession with front and center at standing room only shows, but that's not part of my thought. I'm a concert fan (that is part of my thought) and I've been making some observations about shows in the last year and a half. I've noticed that every artist feels the need to add his/her/their political two cents to the performance. The December before last, Saliva got the crowd to chant curses at Bin Laden (which, I'll admit, was a lot of fun), but more recently the comments, outbursts, and jokes have gotten out of control. Most recently, I was at a Mudvayne show and the lead singer stopped to "give a big F*CK YOU" to Osama Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, and "for being a greedy, money hungry, moron, just trying to finish daddy's war"~approx quote, President Bush. Now, I'm a fan of every individual engaging in freedom of speech, but I wasn't happy about the use of an entertainment platform for the purpose of anti-Bush propaganda. I paid for a ticket to see a musical performance and it upsets me that I was unknowingly contributing to a political campaign. I may be way off here, but I really don't think I should have to research and assess a band's political affiliations before I decide to buy a ticket to see them live. I'd like to think I can decide to attend a concert based on the quality of music (and estimated pit size).

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:: Spooky 10:58 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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I Love Leno While I was rewarding myself with a break because I had gotten so much work done, First and I decided to watch some TV. Yeah for rotting our minds even more!!! Well, of course late night, means the late night shows. We caught the replay of Leno. Can I say it had some hilarious moments. I really like the footage of "Saddam" riding the razor scooter... straight into a concrete wall. And David Spade... funny!! He was taking digs at all of the celebrities who think that a) they know anything at all and b) that anyone cares what they think. It was great. Well I better get back to writing my paper it's now due in less than 12 hours, but add in time to eat, and for class (yes only one class, as I'm skipping my other two so I can get this paper done).

UPDATE: As of 2:00PM EST my paper is done. I need to print it out and turn it in and I will be free from the shackles of academia (well for a few days anyways).

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:: Preppy 3:26 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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The best thing... Not ever, but pretty darn close. I have these little cards that have a little kid on the phone in the bottom left hand corner. They're all nice and glossy and the size of a business card. And on it is written:

Thank You For Taking Two Parking Spaces You Stupid Inconsiderate Bastard I Had To Park Two Blocks Away

Ahahahah! I'm totally going to put it on the chick's car who's got the 'stang that she doesn't drive and just leaves parked in the parking lot taking up space while she drives around in her new car. Argh! And after I put it on there and see that she has gotten the message, maybe I will call the towing company and have them tow the car. Can I do that? Lord knows Public Safety doesn't do that (or anything much else for that matter.... yeah, public saftey.... they're safe.... from the public.... argh!)

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:: Baby 7:02 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Praise God! Wow. There are no words. Yay for miracles! Man, can you imagine being her parents. ::shakes head:: It is so nice to hear GOOD news!!! :)

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:: Baby 6:48 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Vacation Time! So I'm about to leave for my final spring break. Obviously, I'll be posting less frequently. Don't worry, I'll pop on over every couple of days. I have a few days with relative freedom and computer access, so look for random flurries of posts. :) I would say that this means the other Bitches have to pick up the slack, but it's midterms and lately there have been a lot of slow news days. Enjoy you day everyone!!

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:: Bitter 7:28 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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So F*cked I have a paper due Thursday at 3:00pm. I have to read a 130 page excerpt in order to write said paper. I still have 113 pages of said excerpt to read. I'm driving Bitter to the airport in Rhode Island tomorrow morning. When I return to campus I should go to a Japanese Tea Ceremony for a class which I must blog about later, however if I still have said 113 pages to read, I will not be going to the ceremony. I see no way I can possibly get this reading done before tomorrow evening when I need to write the paper, as I have class all day Thursday and should not skip in order to write the paper. I feel so f*cked right now, and it's only half way through the semester. I'm going to be a mess at finals. Someone get me out of here!!! I swear I'm paying to end up a chain smoking, alcoholic with hypertension.

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:: Preppy 3:15 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Is It Too Late To Sign Up? I wanna take a class with Glenn now.

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:: Bitter 12:12 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Blah I'm ready for vacation, I don't want to work today.

UPDATE: I'm packed! I'm sorry that I keep talking about this, but I'm ready for it. This is my very last spring break, so it has to be interesting. 7 hours until breakfast with Preppy, 8 until we leave...

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:: Bitter 8:34 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Travel Warnings I feel like this story is a travel warning for me. As you may recall, I was already concerned about whether or not I could take a sewing kit aboard. Now I'm really thinking about what is going in my carry on. I think the list at this point is:
1) A printed list from TSA's website of items I'm allowed to have on board.
2) 2 pairs of shoes
3) 2 changes of clothes in case they lose my bag
4) My sewing project
5) My laptop so I can type Baby's transfer recc and a story for a club newsletter
6) A book or two
7) Gifts for my friend
8) Toiletries
9) Whatever crap is in my purse, which may or may not include brass from my time at the range. I should probably check that...
10) My kubaton because I'm not leaving without it. I doubt they even notice, but if they try to take it, I'll make them retrieve my checked luggage to put it in. I refuse to surrender absolutely all control of my safety over to a government that I don't always trust and I don't want to depend on.

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:: Bitter 8:33 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Can't Resist So I was chatting with someone on AIM when we started talking about dogs. I looked up one of my favorite breeds, the miniature pinscher. Here are a few reasons this is the perfect dog for me:
Reason #1 - Reason #2 - Reason #3 - Reason #4 - Reason #5 - Reason #6

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:: Bitter 11:43 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Affirmative Action: Yes or No? Explain (briefly...)

And just for kicks, for those of you who are against affirmative action, are you white?

PS: I do not adhere to all sentiments in the above links and they should not be seen as my stance on AA, which for the sake of this blog and public knowledge, is currently undecided, potentially leaning pro.

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:: Baby 9:47 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Yeah, We're Tough Don't mess with us, or we'll show you.

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:: Bitter 9:47 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Reasonable People in Ohio? After all the looney stuff that seems to be coming from the state these days, I was shocked to read this.

Talk show host Jerry Springer, who has said he might run for the Senate, scored the highest unfavorable rating in the 14 years that the Ohio Poll has been taking the state's political pulse.
Springer, a Democrat and former Cincinnati mayor, drew an unfavorable response from 71 percent of those surveyed in the Ohio Poll. Thirteen percent had a favorable opinion, while 14 percent knew little about Springer and 2 percent had not heard of him.
Springer's unfavorable rating surpassed the 65 percent logged in 2000 by real estate magnate Donald Trump, poll director Eric Rademacher said Monday. The Ohio Poll began tracking such numbers in 1989.

It's possible for people to have not heard of him?

UPDATE: Funny enough, Pejman posted almost this exact same thing and a very similar post as the one below in the same order only an hour before I did here. Great minds think alike. Or at least I'd like to flatter myself and say that. :)

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:: Bitter 8:38 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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My Eyes! If I thought I was blind before, well, I should go have my eyes checked now. Warning, don't click unless you are in for the shock of a lifetime. Or rather, unpleasant surprise.

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:: Bitter 8:35 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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What To Say I saw this story yesterday, but I didn't really know how to react. Today, I have a reaction.

HEAVILY armed al Qaeda thugs practiced storming a school, shooting children and taking hostages in a videotaped training exercise, The Post has learned.
The terror rehearsal took place under the mandate of al Qaeda's operations chief, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.
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The video shows bullet-ridden blackboards and cut-out targets in classrooms, apparently representing students and teachers, said former Green Beret Keith "Jack" Idema.

But school zones are gun free zones.

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:: Bitter 8:23 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Bitchy Mom sent me this picture yesterday. The person who wrote on it asks a good question.

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:: Bitter 4:38 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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No Words Words tend to escape me when I read something like this. The only thing I can say is those poor indoctrinated children. This is the reason why there will be no end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

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:: Preppy 3:56 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Vacation Countdown Just under 54 hours until I'm in California. Woo hoo. Only about 40 hours until I leave!

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:: Bitter 3:54 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Strange How on earth would you deal with news like this?

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:: Bitter 11:24 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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What The Hell? Sometimes I wonder just how much women get paid to wear stupid shit like this.

UPDATE: And to think, she didn't get paid...

UPDATE II: Here's a few more. Scary.

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:: Bitter 11:16 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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No, No What the hell is he thinking?

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:: Bitter 11:15 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Check This Out If you haven't checked in on the TroopTrax initiative in a while, read the site today. There's a letter posted from a solider to his anti-war mother. Very moving. Also, check out Michele's progress with it. Amazing. That's all I have to say.

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:: Bitter 11:08 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Video Lawyers Killed The Radio Star People will find any reason to sue nowadays.

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:: Bitter 11:03 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Random Comments Before Normal Blogging I overslept today. It sucked because I missed a class. This is a class that I can't miss. And I'm missing it on Wednesday because I'm flying out. The prof. has known about Wednesday for a while. I just hope that today didn't piss him off too much. I emailed him and apologized profusely. I wake up at 7 on weekends, I don't know how I managed to sleep until 10 today. Hell, I even went to bed early. When someone called me late last night, I don't remember the conversation, just that I was babbling about something and he told me that I was way too asleep to be talking on the phone. I hate that. If someone talks to me when I'm asleep or trying to fall asleep, I will do my damnedest to talk back. Sometimes I'll kind of dose off in the middle of a word. That used to drive my ex crazy. He'd wake me up to ask me to finish the sentence and I'd have no idea what he was talking about.

So yeah, all of you California readers, I need you to listen up! I need you to get me some better weather while I'm out there. Do you realize we are supposed to get hit with a snowstorm the morning I leave? It's the middle of *various curse words* March and we're still getting major snow. Do you know how many inches are still on the ground outside? It's miserable here. The days that it does get above freezing, we get all excited because it finally starts to melt a little, then it all freezes again that night. What was snow shoved onto the dead grass becomes huge areas of ice frozen on our sidewalks and roads. So I want some nice weather! Right now you crazy LA people are going to having your annual 2 days of rain while I'm out there and the temps are falling literally the day I arrive! I'm bringing shorts with me people. I want to wear them. You folks up north have a little more time to get this crazy weather out of your system. I won't be up there until the 18th. Again, I want to be able to wear shorts or skirts and tank tops or short sleeve shirts and sandals. I'm bringing exactly 3 long sleeved shirts with me for 12 days. Don't make me wear them until I'm flying back here to miserable New England.

Normal blogging to resume now...

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:: Bitter 11:00 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Damn Good Advice This girl knows what she's talking about.

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:: Bitter 10:27 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Gas Taxes This is a chart of state gas taxes. Let's take a look at New England states:
Rhode Island - 30 cents
Connecticut - 25
Maine - 22
Massachusetts - 21.5
Vermont - 20
New Hampshire - 18
Look at that! For once Massachusetts doesn't have the highest taxes on something. Shocking, I know. Now, Preppy, when you drive me to the airport in Rhode Island on Wednesday, do not fill up my car there with the gas money I'm going to give you. If you need to fill up, get it somewhere else. You shouldn't need to fill up anyway. I'm just giving you the money in case you need to get a little extra before you pick me up on Sunday.

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:: Bitter 1:07 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Blogroll Updated, Finally! I finally got around to updating our blogroll. I was going along my merry little way of cutting and pasting when I got distracted. So, if there are repeats of any that I don't notice, let me know. If they don't lead to the right sites, let me know. If I accidently left one off that was either previously there or was supposed to be there, let me know. Distraction is a bad thing. Now I just need to get around to doing my school work and hopefully not get nearly as distracted.

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:: Bitter 11:14 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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This Actually Makes Me Sad The story about the Iraqi soldiers that surrendered before war even started actually made me sad. The Brits couldn't take prisoners because there was no war taking place. Now these guys will probably be killed, along with their families, if Saddam and his thugs can figure out who they are. With widespread coverage, he'll do his damnedest to find out. Saddam is trying to down in the record books, he doesn't want to be made to look like a fool.

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:: Bitter 10:42 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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More On Air Force Rapes I know that many of you are probably getting tired of this. I'm just livid, so you get to deal with it. It also reminds me of something that I know goes on at many women's colleges. If you've ever looked at crime stats for a women's college, you'll see a surprising trend in domestic violence problems. All of the bad guys are male. Oddly enough, when two women are involved in a situation that would normally be considered a domestic violence situation, it suddenly becomes a "residential life dispute." Most of the women's colleges that I can think of off the top of my head work by similar honor codes that the military academies do, minus the military punishments.

Anyway, we received a heads up on this post on the topic over at Winds of Change. Make sure you read it. It calls for major reforms that I don't know if I support completely, but it also revisits this question that I asked when I first heard about the cases.

I'm curious to know how us charging a rape victim for "having sex" is much different than those bastards, many of whom live in Middle Eastern countries, that kill or beat women who have been raped for "having sex." Someone explain the difference to me.

For the record, no one ever explained it to me. And to think, my money is being used to pay for this.

I think what upsets me the most is the fact that nothing will change. As Trent points out in that post, they are simply expanding the "solution" offered by contacting the rape counseling program to include more people that have actively worked to cover up these rapes. Good solution. Wonderful. Bravo.

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:: Bitter 10:38 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Vacation Blogging I'm gonna get to do that soon. Only 88 hours and 50 minutes until my plane pulls up to the gate at LAX if there are no delays. My flights are all on time about 80% of the time according to Orbitz. Only 233 hours until I arrive in San Jose.

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:: Bitter 2:31 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Remember Grease? Those Pink Ladies were cool. These are not.

"The White House is definitely afraid of women in pink and the power of love," said CodePink co-founder Jodie Evans.

I hate being a woman and having to admit that I have anything at all in common with these jackasses.

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:: Bitter 12:31 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Post In The Works I have a post in the works, but I have to put it off until I get all of this work that I am behind on finished. I am now recovered from my illness, well almost I can't sing yet so I'll give it another week. But right now I have to head back to the coffee shop to do more homework with Classy and First.

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:: Preppy 10:38 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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News Like This Makes My Day I love some people. I really do.

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:: Bitter 9:19 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Worship Me It's what you should be doing today. There's 3 hours hours left, 6 if you are on the West Coast. Worship me now.

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:: Bitter 9:10 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Money & Happiness So I was having a discussion with a friend last night about the importance of having money for one to be happy. I could go into a long description of everything we said, but I'll sum it up instead of wasting too much of your time. Basically, for him, money is the most important thing, and he feels like money can buy happiness in life. I disagreed, arguing that while money can certainly make life less stressful, it won't bring happiness. He continued to disagree and then wrote me off as being too young and idealistic. I kept on saying that I will acknowledge that money is something that is important in life, but it is far from the most important thing and can't actually make a person happy. He stopped listening to me after I disagreed with him and then suddenly changed the topic after several seconds of dead silence. Seeing as he's very engaging when he's listening most of the time, I'm lead to believe that he actually started ignoring me and only started talking when he heard silence that obviously wasn't a break in sentences. This was frustrating to me because I don't think I have these feelings because I'm young and idealistic. I've had access to quite a bit of money before, but that didn't make me happy. It made life a little easier in some regards, but it didn't make me happy to be alive because it was in my bank account. He made a point that today money can buy anything. If it ends a relationship, it's fine because you don't need it. Money can buy sex, it can buy companionship.

So here's my question for the readers: At what point does money become more important than relationships? I'm not going to get all socialist on your or anything, but is this level of greed what we should expect at this point in time with our relatively free markets?

Just so this isn't only personal bitching, I'll relate it to this bit of news.

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:: Bitter 2:15 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Mixed Feelings I just don't know how to put them into words. Go check it out.

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:: Bitter 9:46 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Sort Of A Personal Blogiversary It was one year ago today that I discovered blogs. The very first one I ever read was VodkaPundit. After I read some stuff on his page, I started clicking on the links and the rest is history.

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:: Bitter 9:43 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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I Don't Think It's Too Much To Ask I think the college mentioned in this post yesterday should take Glenn's advice.

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:: Bitter 9:35 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Well... Christine was here last night (actually she is still here taking her EMT exam...) and the issue of the boy came up. I got some answers, sort of. I think I can take this as a no, though:

yada yada yada talking about random stuff, talking about her and Jim, talking about boys in general, I say that if a guy is interested and he thinks or knows I am he should take the initiative because I don't have the balls (literally or figuratively) to do it, she says what if he's shy, I think she might be talking in hypothetical situations about the boy, she says I'm ballsy and that I should take the initiative if he is shy as long as its the "right thing"

yada yada yada talking about random stuff that's been going on at their college, talking about last weekend when I was up there
Christine: "Yeah so [the boy] asked me. He was like "Uhhhh... Christine..." "
Me: "Oh yeah?"
Christine: "Yeah, I said "Don't worry, you're still okay, budddy" "

Okay? Bummer.

Aaaand I hadn't told anyone from "elitist college in the middle of freakin' nowhere New England" except Christine and Jim that I was applying to transfer to Williams, but the boy knows. It's kinda a strange situation, because I knew that he suspected and I knew that he knew I was keeping something from him. But I needed to be able to pretend that he didn't have any idea for my own sanity. But now I know that he knows. Christine mentioned it today. Apparently he put two and two together and then asked Jim if he knew anything about it and Jim being his best bud is of course not going to lie. So anyway, yeah, now that I know that he knows, I guess he should hear it from me so at least it is all out on the table.

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:: Baby 9:25 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Why I'm Preppy I realized why I'm called "Preppy" tonight. I was sitting at my laptop, drinking evian, eating some strawberries, wearing nothing but silk and listening to Chopin while chatting with readers. What a way to spend a Friday night at this school.

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:: Preppy 3:17 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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More News That Gets My Blood Boiling I need to stop reading the news and blogs tonight. I just have no words for this. While I was at a public university, I had a class where a professor forced us to write letters on a particular issue. I did not feel I was informed enough to make a decision on the issue, so I declined. She screamed at me something along the lines of me not needing to know any more than what she was telling me because any cuts to education are bad. (It was in regards to education funding.) Anyway, I said that I would compose a letter, and even bring it to her if need be, but that I wanted to do more research for myself and write from my own perspective. Thank goodness they weren't graded because she hated me after that.

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:: Bitter 10:11 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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More Air Force Rape Stories I've said before that I don't think women should go unpunished for their actions when they were also breaking the rules when the rape occurred. Neither one of these stories appears to be one of those cases. One girl was offered a ride and a guy raped her. Then he showed up to her dorm room a few weeks later. The other girl doesn't give the circumstances of her rape, but I would doubt that there were any questionable actions if they ended up kicking her out for mental health issues, all of which developed after she was raped. I'm sorry, I would like to believe that these are some terrible mistakes. I think what bothers me most is this statement:

"During sexual assault awareness week, people told us that if you make it through all four years without being sexually assaulted, you're lucky," Fullilove said. "They also say if you want to have an Air Force career you should not report it."

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:: Bitter 10:02 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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And the number one bad pick up line is... Not a line at all. There are no words. Poor, pathetic schmuck. But hey, whatever works I guess. Bet he's gettin more than I am (::grumbles under breath about "stupid elitist woman's college in rural New England..."::)

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:: Baby 6:58 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Darn! Does this mean we can't call our stupid ex boyfriends and anyone else who can't seem to dress themselves, can't show manners, and have the right parts and continually scratch said parts Neanderthals?

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:: Baby 6:54 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Oh No, She Did Not Just Say That
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.
I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college. I hate my college.

The head of admissions here at the college had this to say about the Simpsons piece with the Seven Sisters.

"We say bravo to Lisa Simpson for refusing to throw the spelling bee, even though her scruples cost her a free college education. Lisa sounds like the kind of bright, talented, principled, independent young women who thrives at *our college*. We would certainly consider her for early admission - or, in her case, early, early, early admission. She'd want to bring her saxophone and guitar, but she really should lose the pearls."

What the hell does losing the pearls mean about coming here? Let's reinforce every damn stereotype we have. We can't have girly girls here. Nope, that would go against strong women. It's not like those strong women who make it to the top of their careers don't have to wear pearls at some point. I know, I'm overreacting to nothing. I just immediately read stereotypes and also thought about what that could mean towards Republican women since they are often characterized by the idea that they all wear pearls. I'm sorry. I had to rant. I also hate my job with the college if that counts for anything.

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:: Bitter 1:02 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Covering Her Tracks I know you all heard about the Ohio representative that compared terrorist activity by religious fundamentalists to the American Revolution. If you didn't, you can read about it here in the article where she tries to cover her ass by accusing Republicans of twisting her words.

"If you think back to our founding as a country, we are a country of revolution," Kaptur told the Toledo Blade. "One could say that Osama bin Laden and these non-nation-state fighters with religious purpose are very similar to those kind of atypical revolutionaries that helped to cast off the British crown."
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Kaptur responded in a statement that Republicans had "chosen to twist my words."
"My comments were intended to point out that what faces us is a rising revolution being felt across repressive regimes of the Arab and Islamic world," she said. "The American people understand the power of revolution. It is in that context that I referred to the American Revolution."

Now maybe I don't get something, but she's either saying that the revolutions are being felt by the repressive regimes or that the repressive regimes are committing the "revolutions." If she's saying that the revolutions are against the repressive regimes then why the hell are they trying to kill us and other nations that allow basic freedoms? Her argument doesn't stand because we didn't go and attack France because the Brits were oppressing us. If she is saying that the "rising revolution being feft across repressive regimes" is about the governments going against us (we're nasty imperialists, remember?) then how the hell can a fight for freedom of the people by the people be compared to the fight for the freedom to oppress by a murderous dictator? I'm so confused. Maybe the fall yesterday hurt my head in ways I haven't figured out yet.

If you aren't a fan of her remarks and live in Ohio's 9th district, here's her contact information. :)

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:: Bitter 12:06 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Guns I have something to say about this article.

More than half of the guns used in the rash of school shootings during the 1990s came from home or from friends or relatives, the government reported Thursday.
Between 1992 and 1999, 123 students used 128 guns in school-related homicides and suicides, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Nearly 38 percent of the guns were from home and more than 23 percent of the guns were from a friend or relative.
"It is not enough for parents to eliminate unsupervised access to firearms in their home," the CDC said. "Parents should consider discussing access to firearms and safe-storage practices with their relatives and the parents of their children's friends."
Seven percent of the guns used in school shootings were purchased by the student. Only 5.5 percent of the guns were stolen.
The CDC did not know the origin of nearly 23 percent of the guns used.

Now, the CDC claims that only 5.5% of the guns were stolen. Unless the more than 61% that came from friends or family members were borrowed with their consent to use in a school shooting, they were stolen. Stupid political agendas. You know, I also want to add that no where in this article does it mention how ILLEGAL it was for these kids to a) shoot people and b) commit all sorts of other crimes in the process, including obtaining the guns.

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:: Bitter 6:53 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Air Force Rape Updates It looks like there were problems in the system.

Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., said he believes the situation at the academy is worse than the 1991 Tailhook Scandal -- when dozens of women complained they were groped or assaulted by drunken pilots at a Navy booster group's convention -- because the system has failed the cadets in this case.
"The entire support and legal system at the academy appears to have failed," Allard said. "We really do need to instill confidence in the system so victims know when they report rape they know the rape itself will not jeopardize their career."

That's harsh, but it seems like it might be true.

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:: Bitter 6:46 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Why is crap like this out there? What would posses anyone to do this? And then put it on the web? I don't understand. But, in the words of Pete, "This is the funniest thing I have ever seen... watch the whole thing." Pete, you have got to stop hangin out with your friends, dude. I think you're getting dumber by the minute.

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:: Baby 6:18 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Yeah, Peace & Stuff I would actually like to find a reasonable and rational anti-war student to speak with. Unfortunately, I find that they probably don't exist.

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:: Bitter 5:41 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I didn't want anyone to miss this observation about the comments in the snow post: "also, have you noticed that the frowny face isnt frowny? he's mad. or maybe he's the devil. or has high colesterol and blood pressure and it makes his face all red. or maybe he's constipated?" :(


and on a separate note, in case you didn't check up with the comments on the post that was a complete waste of space and the "who the FUCK cares" guy was dead on and i can't believe you wasted your time reading...
geoff, you are right on the first one you put up. the second one, well, you seem to have violent tendencies... (hehe.... i'm kidding.... i think.... hmmmm.....)

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:: Baby 3:40 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Quit Your Bitchin' That's all I have to say to any Kennedy, but especially this one.

Michael Skakel, serving 20 years to life for the 1975 murder of his teen-age neighbor, has complained in letters to a cousin that he is receiving harsher treatment in prison than other inmates.
In letters to George Skakel III, of Greenwich, Skakel said he's twice been thrown into solitary confinement and has been denied his heart medication at Cheshire Correctional Institution, the Greenwich Post reported Thursday.
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Department of Correction spokeswoman Christina Police told the newspaper that Skakel has never been in solitary confinement and has only once been placed in restrictive housing, for safety and security reasons.

Well if you wouldn't go around killing teenage girls, then maybe you wouldn't have to worry about this. I know, I have such wild ideas sometimes!

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:: Bitter 1:22 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Yeah, what he said.

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:: Bitter 1:01 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Snow = Bad The problem with rapidly falling and accumulating snow and having to walk down hills is that it is easy to fall. I've taken two hard spills today because one of my jobs has steps that aren't level and my dorm entrance is down hill from my car. I don't think I'll be going in to work this afternoon. It will probably be dangerous to my health, plus I will have at least a couple of bad bruises to take care of and a pounding headache from when I hit my head. Make the f*cking snow stop.

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:: Bitter 12:38 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Question For Protestors They keep saying that the time isn't right in Iraq and we need to give the people more time to stand up for themselves when we would just be helping them. Given that argument, they would support an invasion of Iran, right? (Pejman always has great coverage of the situation over there.) Of course, given this story they'd obviously support getting rid of the Saudi government as well.

No, see that would require logical thinking on their part.

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:: Bitter 8:41 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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ARGH! I dont get it. I really dont. Why are guys so fascinated by this whole "innocent" thing? I have talked about this before and it is starting to drive me a little nuts. I dont want to be "innocent." I mean, I DO, but I dont want to be known as it. And the same goes for "cute." Can people please stop telling me how "cute" I am like twenty times a day? One guy told me I was "wicked hot" which was new for me because usually I am "cute" like he's not embarrassed to be out with me, but he doesn't exactly brag about how dead sexy I am to people either. Don't get me wrong, I'll take cute over nothing any day. But every once in a while, I like to know that some guy just wants to jump me too... so long as he doesn't actually act on it... Okay, I can see how the accent works for me up here and guys are always like "its soo hot" or whatever, but please stop telling me how "cute" I am and how its so "cute" that I'm so "innocent." Not that I don't EVER want to hear it, and I do like having my ego boosted as much as the next guy because this is all very new (as in it never happened before college) but try to find some other ways to let me know that I am attractive or something. Okay, that is my rant. I appologize for the waste of your time it has been to read this. :-\

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:: Baby 2:17 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Guns! One of my favorite products of the blogosphere, Jeff's coverage of Yahoo's Gun Control Coverage, is up.

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:: Bitter 1:18 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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My First Thought when I saw this story this morning was this site. Sometimes guns and computers really do mix well.

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:: Bitter 9:59 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Mindless Fun Thanks to Radley, I find all sorts of ways to waste my time. Today I found an anagram site. So what phrases does my full name spell? Here are a few:
irony show accidently
holy syndication crew
why tonic secondarily

Taking a hint from him, I plugged in thebitchgirls.blogspot.com. What did it spell?
rightmost chic gobbles plot

I don't know what the means, but I'm amused.

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:: Bitter 9:25 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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MUST Read Check this out over at Instapundit.

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:: Preppy 4:27 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Protest Fun So today was "Books not Bombs day". I didn't make it to the protest to see what was going on because I actually had some work to get done on my mid week break from classes (that's right I do not have classes on Wednesday). So as I was running from place to place after lunch getting some things done that are necessary to my survival here at school, when I heard this girl shout out to a friend down the hallway "Hell no, we won't go. We won't fight for Texaco." It appears that the "cowboy" (as Pres. Bush has been called on campus in a chat thread) is only in this thing for oil still. Apparently no one really cares that there is a madman loose in the Middle East who has been amassing weapons of mass destruction, and has proven capable of invading two of his neighbors thus far (who has the imperialistic ambitions?). I just don't get how people can be so opposed to this war. I always hear from people "Yes, Saddam/Iraq is a problem, but it should be solved without going to war." What will work? Weapons inspections obviously haven't helped any. Two weeks ago in one of my classes the topic came up, and some one suggested the UN place sanctions against Iraq. I had to point out that there already are sanctions in place against Iraq and that obviously hasn't helped anything so what good would more sanctions be. I mean how dense can these women be that I go to school with. I really wonder sometimes. And then I started thinking about the slogan that girl shouted to her friend. What does she think this is the Vietnam era? Is she at risk of being arbitrarly selected to serve? No. There are so many differences between the two situations that these women either don't know about or fail to aknowledge. I'm sorry, I'm just sort of spouting off my thoughts in a disorganized ramble.

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:: Preppy 4:22 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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You MUST Read This Post Just don't drink anything while reading it.

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:: Bitter 10:35 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Yay for another opportunity to stand in the cold! This caught my eye at CNN just now. Look at the picture. Crunchy crunchy crunchy. But it IS New Hampshire... whaddya expect other than crunchy granola?

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:: Baby 2:02 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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Birth Control So MarkJ's comment made me wonder whether or not birth control has made men or women more promiscuious. I mean, yeah, women definitely are getting around more now, but have they surpassed men in promiscuity? I don't know. I think that birth control has made it easier for men to sleep around more as well as women since the number of guys that wait or keep their sexual activity in check on account of worrying about getting some girl knocked up has probably gone down, although I have no hard and fast stats to prove that (um, pun not intended). So yeah. Anyway, thats just another random thought for the day...

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:: Baby 7:24 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Laissez les bons temps roulez!! Seeing as no one else has said anything today, I just wanted to wish everyone a happy Mardi Gras. Hopefully you filled your day with indulgence of all of your bad habits.

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:: Preppy 6:12 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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More On Naked Protestors I'm just gonna make a link, no more commentary.

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:: Bitter 4:47 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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No Fun My grandmother is taking me to Europe this summer. This is the first time I've really been out of the U.S. Granted, I've been to Cancun (hardly representative of Mexico) and once did a trip for a couple of hours up to Montreal (what? Canada is another country?). Beyond those two experiences that shouldn't really count, I've never traveled anywhere else. Part of me can't wait. The other part dreads it. First, we have a 22 day trip with my grandmother and no escape or breaks away from her. Second, we have this news that Europeans are treating Americans worse than ever. Now combine those two things. Let me put it this way, my grandmother hates confrontation of any kind. She will go above and beyond to appease. She also admits to being a kneejerk liberal who feels like it is the responsibility of government to take care of everyone in every aspect of their life. Imagine those conversations now. Yeah. Big fun, can't you tell? And before I get bitched at for not being appreciative, I am. I can't wait to see everything I've had to study since elementary school. I just won't be looking forward to the social aspect of the trip. (Link stolen from Right Thinking.)

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:: Bitter 4:36 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Celebrity Opinions Most bloggers have written off celebrity opinions on public policy issues for a variety of reasons. Well, Gallup decided to find out if John and Jane Doe really give a damn. Guess what? They don't.

As the real West Wing prepares for a possible war with Iraq, the leader of the fictional "The West Wing" is trying to use his celebrity status to keep that war from happening. Actor Martin Sheen is just one of many Hollywood celebrities in vocal opposition to military action against Iraq.
However, a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll finds more than eight out of 10 Americans say no entertainment personality has the clout to affect their personal stance on political issues. On the other hand, the poll finds celebrities' political involvement could well backfire and hurt their careers. Just one in five American adults say their willingness "see, hear, or read" a celebrity's work has been affected by that celebrity's political positions. But among that group, the tendency is to be less likely to see a celebrity's work as a result of the celebrity's political stance.

There's a lot more on what people think of outspoken celebrities. Go read it if you are really interested in the subject.

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:: Bitter 4:11 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Masculinity Crisis? So maybe I am just so turned off by this whole fanatical extreme left wing radical feminist bullshit (I am giving up swearing, a newly formed bad habit, for Lent in attempt to break said habit, so today will be the last of it...) that I have gone to the other end of the spectrum and find myself fascinated by what is happening to men, young men, and boys in today's society. So has anyone read The War Against Boys? (there's a nice little link to a sort of summary-esque page) Is this some sort of backlash to the wacked out version of feminism that seems to be existing in larger percentage (or at least more vocal percentage) today or what? I've only really read one book that focuses on male identity, Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, which I really liked and reccommend it for sure. Some have made a few arguments concerning why the loss of masculinity among males, particularly boys and young men, and one of which is that boys don't have solid father figures, so no one is teaching them that it is "okay" to be a man or what that means or whatever. But at any rate, it makes me wonder about gender roles.

Now, I'm all about thinking that men and women were NOT created equal. Does this mean that women should be paid less for doing the same job as a man? No. Does this mean that women can't do the same job as a man? No. In the sense that a woman can be CEO of some large conglomerate and do just as well as a man anyway... But you know, I totally think that men and women were created differently and each has strenghts and weaknesses and abilities inherent to the sex that are not shared by the opposite sex. Sure, society prepetuates these "gender roles" on a lot of levels, but that doesn't mean that differences weren't existent before this kinda of arbitrary "society" stepped in and in a sense made more definite (and then these days, is in part bluring) the lines of distinction between men and women.

But at any rate, ya know? Are we experiencing some sort of crisis in males and their notion, understanding, and supposed living out of masculinity or what? Maybe it's just that women have changed and men don't know what to do with themselves now? I have no idea. But anyway. That's my quasi-intellectual pseudo-social critique for the day.

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:: Baby 3:37 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Need Some Help I have a friend, let's call her Alum Bitch, that has a guy problem. Her guy that wouldn't officially commit to her kinda sorta cheated on her. Granted, they weren't official, but they did have something and he didn't tell her that he was seeing this other girl. On top of that, it's not like her met her at a bar or followed up on some blind date. He actively went after her, and the girl just happens to sit literaly right behind Alum Bitch at work. She hasn't completely ditched him, but she'll be spending the next week making his life miserable. He admits that he deserves it. Now what I need from you readers is a list of ideas of things she can do to him to make him hurt just a little more. He admits that he's the kind that has to feel pain and suffering in order to realize when he loses a good thing. So far the best idea we have is for her to wear the jewelry he gave her for Christmas every day this week. Tomorrow, the first day after their confrontation, when the other girl is over talking to Huge Bastard (his name), Alum Bitch is going to sneak up behind her and wink at him while pushing her hair aside to show the bracelet. These are the kinds of ideas we need. She's already pulled every insult out of the book. (My favorite: I hope the pussy is made of gold because you just lost platinum.) She also has a website she's going to forward him that has something like a bunch of couples having sex as a picture of a human brain.

Anyway, any bitter chicks out there are encouraged to contribute. Guys, what would be the boot heel through the heart kind of thing to do here?

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:: Bitter 12:31 AM [+] :: (0) comments
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That's one big behind.

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:: Baby 10:32 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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I Feel Fine When I see headlines like this, or just think about the state of affairs in the world today, I can't help but think of one of my favorite songs by REM, "It's The End of The World As We Know It." I think I would honestly feel perfectly fine if we all just started bombing the hell out of each other, I mean what the hell could I do to stop it.

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:: Preppy 9:34 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Well, At Least It Wasn't A Protest It's something a little different that made these women strip.

Hundreds of Australian women danced naked at a secluded location amid drought-ravaged farmland on Sunday in a ritual intended to bring rain.
Organizers from the small town of Ouyen in far northwest Victoria state said up to 500 women danced and chanted in a ceremony inspired by a Nepali drought-breaking tradition.
"We are all pretty positive that it is going to work and the community here has got behind it just so well," organizing committee chairwoman Lynne Healy told Reuters. "We are expecting rain within the next few days, or a week anyway."

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:: Bitter 7:10 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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What The Hell? Since we're on the topic of education, here's another story that's relevant.

An English essay written by a British teenager in text messaging short-hand has reignited concern among teachers that literacy standards are under threat.
The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported Monday that the 13-year-old's teacher could not decipher what the youngster had written.
"I could not believe what I was seeing. The page was riddled with hieroglyphics, many of which I simply could not translate," the teacher told the newspaper.

How bad could it be? Really...

The girl's essay began: "My smmr hols wr CWOT. B4, we used 2go2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3 :- kids FTF. ILNY, it's a gr8 plc."

Oh...bad. I know we're no where near perfect on here, but we ain't that bad. ;)

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:: Bitter 6:56 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Damn Harsh news for a state full of people who can't breathe without the state stepping in to regulate.

Romney's 2004 state budget, announced Wednesday, includes a business-focused model for state colleges: a decentralized system dedicated to economic growth, which also trims $150 million from the state budget. It is already roiling the education and political establishments; officials at nearly every college see themselves as losing out and the plan amounts to a direct assault on a carefully built network of schools and their guardians in the Legislature.
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The plan's author is a no-new-taxes Republican, yet his proposal raises most tuitions by 15 percent, which some students say is a backhanded tax increase. It asks outside business people to help craft curricula, even though faculties still hold that power exclusively. Though Romney said the University of Massachusetts at Amherst will not be privatized, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey says it will, some day.

I would normally say "yay" to cutting taxes and making government smaller, but I don't think Massachusetts can handle it. The people won't support, and things will fail because of that fact. You have to have support for these kinds of drastic reductions to work. Massachusetts probably hates Romney since he's a Republican. All in all, this won't be a pretty fight.

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:: Bitter 6:52 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Reality Television, The Untold Stories Hehehe, I go clicking and find more reality television fun.

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:: Bitter 6:46 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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No Fun Well Married By America doesn't sound like very much fun. Of course, I look forward to hearing what dirt they dig up on contestants.

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:: Bitter 6:45 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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More Campus War Observations I think it is interesting that First Bitch said she would be unwilling to serve in the military unless she absolutely agreed with the war. Based on her comments from yesterday, I'm not sure she would ever support a war, even when there is a clear good guy/bad guy scenario. This isn't directed at her as much as it is about many of my fellow college student/part time foreign policy "experts." They claim a moral superiority over men and women that either support or haven't yet decided upon the upcoming war, but they will pretend to be willing to lay down their lives for a cause. We only have to look at the much blogged about human shields story from this weekend to see their dedication. I have yet to find situations in which they'd be willing to go to war.
They would have protested the first Gulf War when one of our allies was invaded by a murderous dictator. (And, First, it doesn't matter if we like them mostly for their oil. Murder by a leader just because the U.S. doesn't like them isn't justified.) These students wouldn't have supported WWII. We already know this based on their reaction to the event most similar to Pearl Harbor, 9-11. (And also on that note, see this story on the development of the anti-war movement. Link via Instapundit.) They wouldn't have supported WWI when our allies were in trouble. They would have argued that it's not our problem, that we haven't been attacked directly. Of course, as we have seen over the last year, they aren't satisfied even when we are.
Before I appear as though I'm claiming a moral superiority over them, I would help out if the military would take. I already know they won't because they told me so when I was in high school. It doesn't let me off the hook with doing something, though. I would find a way to do something. I know most of this isn't news, it's just irritating me right now.
My second observation is on the Books for Bombs campaign going on here. They want to cancel classes in order to protest the war. Yeah, because when we walk out, Bush will stop everything and listen to us. One of my professors called them on their crap today. They wrote him off as a right-wing warmonger when he's an anti-war Dem. Childish. My classes cost about $250 per meeting. If I skip that's fine. It's my choice. Don't force it on me while taking my money.

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:: Bitter 6:16 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Did You Know? that beating students with a bamboo stick can be justified by saying you are "revitalizing" them? The world according to my Zen professor. I think I might pay more attention in class from now on...

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:: Bitter 4:33 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Going To Refrain From Cursing I'm happy that I'm not going to DC now.

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:: Bitter 4:27 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Ummm... what the crap does all this mean? I think I got the first one, but the other two? How about spelling things out a little more. "JMHO. FWIW. YMMV."

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:: Baby 4:07 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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One Last One Before Class Don't forget that it's 20 Questions Day over at How Appealing.

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:: Bitter 2:33 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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You Read My Mind I've been thinking this for the last few years. I can't pick a favorite part, so the whole thing is going up.

At what point is it worthwhile to abandon the Republican Party? As I've complained before, Bush is expanding the size of government faster than any president since Nixon. His prescription drug benefit for Medicare represents the largest and most costly expansion of government since Lyndon Johnson, it will cost over $400 billion over the next ten years, probably more since estimates of government spending for new programs always seem to be serious underestimates. He will also take the federal involvement with education to new heights, and has been nothing short of cowardly in advancing the cause of vouchers and charter schools, the only way to save another generation of poor children from America's failing and violent inner-city schools. Even liberal Republicans such as George Voinovich have been more active in addressing this problem, not to mention his younger brother and former governor Tommy Thompson.
What has Bush done for conservatives lately? He's cut taxes, but in a haphazard way that further complicates the tax code. And it really doesn't matter if the government cuts taxes if it keeps spending more and more money. The money is still sucked out of the private section via public borrowing, which in a way is even worse than taxes because it sucks money from private investment rather than private consumption. Since Bush hasn't cut the size of government every dollar in lower taxes represents a dollar not invested in the private economy now, and a future dollar in higher taxes or higher interest rates. The only other thing I can think of is that he's been good about is appointing conservative judges. If he backs down on Miguel Estrada however I'll be left without much reason to support the party I've been a member of and voted for since I was 18, and will start voting Libertarian. Of course it's true that voting for third parties is wasting one's vote, but more and more voting Republican seems to be the same thing.

I'm trying to keep in mind that I'm just angry at the world for being stuck in a liberal hell hole. I have yet to meet a good liberal in this state. (Lefty, stay here with me and I can change that attitude!) :) Anyway, to add to my sentiment, looking back at home in Oklahoma, compared to this crazy state, the Dems weren't much different than the Repubs. I'm looking for meaningful change here people. Let's get with it. Inspire me. I'm young and idealistic, I need to believe that everything I've been fighting for the last couple of years is worth it.

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:: Bitter 2:13 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Hell Has Frozen Over There is word that there is a Democrat that isn't running for president.

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:: Bitter 1:52 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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Shitty Places To Live Wait! You mean that Iraq isn't a cool place to live under Saddam? I'm so shocked!

The Swiss city of Zurich edged out Vancouver, Canada, and the Austrian capital of Vienna to top a quality of life survey published on Monday, with impoverished, war-torn African cities dominating the bottom ranks.
Baghdad, the Iraqi capital where residents are preparing for a possible U.S.-led war, placed 213th of the 215 cities studied.
The study handed the crown to Zurich based on 39 criteria ranging from political, social and economic factors that also included the quality of health, education and transport services.
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The top-rated city in the United States was San Francisco, which placed 20th, down from 18th last year.
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Other notable cities included Amsterdam at 10th spot, Tokyo at 26, London at 39, Los Angeles at 53 and Rome at 66th.
Lower down the table, Athens finished at 79, Istanbul at 91, Rio De Janeiro at 108, Jerusalem at 126, New Delhi at 162 and Havana, Cuba, at 189.

I think freedom should be something that counts for some points. If I'm not free to bitch about or praise my government, if I'm not free to defend my life against bad guys who want to take it from me, if I'm not free to run this blog, then I don't think a beautiful view is worth much.

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:: Bitter 1:45 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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A Return To In Loco Parentis Rules? It's not as radical as what colleges used to do, but I see a slow return that will hopefully stop soon.

It's Friday evening in this city of 78,000 that's home to the University of Alabama. On the tree-lined residential street where they live, university students Chris Smith, 22, and Jayson Perkinson, 21, are sipping bloody marys and expressing their extreme displeasure over a crackdown by the city.
''It's just one thing after another,'' says Perkinson, a public relations major from Pensacola, Fla., plopping down on a tan sofa on the front porch.
''It seems like they're trying to take away our freedoms, piece by piece,'' adds Smith, an advertising major from Savannah, Ga.
What has their ire up is a series of new City Council laws. Effective Saturday, the city banned the outdoor use of indoor furniture -- like their couch -- and reduced the operating hours of all-night bars. The city already prohibits more than three unrelated tenants in a house or apartment. It's also considering a ban on parking in front yards.
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But Tuscaloosa, like dozens of other college communities across the nation, is adopting these laws in an effort to keep residential neighborhoods around campuses from becoming ''student ghettoes.''
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As students flood surrounding residential areas, some families are moving out. Cities, often in concert with the schools themselves, are trying a variety of measures to get students to be better neighbors:
* Several college towns, including Michigan State University's home, East Lansing, and the University of North Carolina's Chapel Hill, limit the number of students who can live together in off-campus housing.
* In San Marcos, Texas, home of Southwest Texas State University, police cite motorists and landlords for noise coming from their cars and property.
* In Boston, building inspectors accompany police responding to complaints about loud parties. The inspectors check for safety, building and sanitary violations.
* Seattle limits off-campus land that the University of Washington can buy or lease for student housing.
* A University of Toledo police officer visits student homes that have prompted neighbors' complaints. The officer distributes a list of ''do's and don'ts'' and a brochure: How to be a Good Neighbor.
* The Philadelphia suburb of West Chester, where about 3,500 West Chester University students live, bans new student housing within 400 feet of other such housing. Last semester, West Chester Mayor Richard Yoder implemented Operation Vigilance. It aims to reduce underage and excessive drinking by imposing the maximum state penalty, such as loss of a driver's license, compared with previous consequences like community service.
The mayor says the program is working, but some residents say they've seen no change. Joseph Norley, a West Chester resident and president of a neighborhood watch group, says he and his South Walnut Street neighbors still are ''psychologically terrorized in their homes.''
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The Harvard study was a major impetus for the crackdown on student drinking in Tuscaloosa, says Barry Mason, interim president of the University of Alabama, which was rated last year by the Princeton Review as one of the nation's top 10 party schools.
In response, the university began considering a series of ''Healthy Campus'' initiatives: mandatory on-campus housing for freshmen; mandatory class attendance for freshmen and sophomores; a ban on alcohol in residence halls; extended library hours; first-run movies shown all night on weekends in the student center. The latter two measures have been adopted.

The biggest reason I say that I see a return to in loco parentis type rules isn't so much for what is said in this article. It has more to do with the number of articles like this I've been having to copy at work for the higher up meetings here. As a residential college, I think we have reason to fear these kinds of moves. They can try to control every move if they want. Granted, the most strict rules we have (all about alcohol) were forced on us by big government and other students that were "offended" a few years ago when they saw a group of legally aged students drinking in a common space (the damn laundry room in the basement of the dorm).

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:: Bitter 1:36 PM [+] :: (0) comments
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