Why Christopher Hitchens is a Writer and I'm a 'writer'...

"This is what the Republican Party has done to us this year: It has placed within reach of the Oval Office a woman who is a religious fanatic and a proud, boastful ignoramus. Those who despise science and learning are not anti-elitist. They are morally and intellectually slothful people who are secretly envious of the educated and the cultured. "

Well-stated, Sir. I was just having a conversation the other day after hearing more and more about this Joe the Plumber (wicked nickname, by the way. I hope that dude at least gets to appear in a Little Caeser's ad and make a few bucks for this) and how Joe represents honest, hard-working, normal Americans as compared to 'the rest of us'. And it's true. He does represent a lot of people in the states. And that's cool. But it's not an 'us vs. them' situation. As I like to tell folks over here (who continually ask me if I support the war in Iraq, own a handgun, and like my women-folk barefoot, knocked up, and dumb -- (the answer is 'perhaps')), there are 300 MILLION of us...There is room for Joe the Plumber, Joe the Mechanic, Joe the Brain Surgeon, Joe the Professor, etc. etc...

I'm not really sure what I'm getting at here, but it's been bugging me lately. When people talk about 'real americans' (implying that if you, you know, went to college, have a white collar job, speak a foreign language and like wine you are some sissy nancy-boy), they seem to forget that America was FOUNDED on intellectualism. I have a news flash. You know the Constitution? It was written by a bunch of reasonably smart, well-educated, french-speaking, enlightenment-loving people. That's WHY IT FUCKING WORKS, DUDE!!

Anyway, whatever. I hate politics, so shall stop writing. Poorly :)

Turbo Hamster

Usually I use this platform for serious pursuits. You know...waxing poetic on a variety of timely social, political, and economic issues. Today I shall abstain, because the turbo hamster has conquered my little black heart...

Pictures from Lis and Jeff in Paris

Hey guys, it's been a crazy few weeks! Was traveling for work for two weeks, first to Istanbul and then to Beijing! Just back from China last nigth. It was a freaking scene, man. And to quote Unkie Noah quoting old lady Ann next door who was yelling at Phil one time in front of 152 Carroll Street.... 'There's CHINESE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE'. Crazy. Anyway, here are a few pics from our awesome visit with Lis and Jeff a few weeks ago! Good times, man. Remember, if you come visit, you too can have your picture on Ben's world famous (disclaimer -- actually not famous at all) blog.