Tokatakiya

Take That, Arizona State!

2009-10-09T09:08:00.003-04:00

"Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize"I will admit that I am somewhat dubious about this award at this time. While he may not have accomplished anything concrete yet, he has single-handedly brought the U.S. back into better favor with most of the rest of the world. His administration will agree to a historic reduction in nuclear weapons with Russia, which will reduce the likelihood of nuclear

Obama Hosts Tsvangirai at White House

2009-06-12T22:32:00.003-04:00

There are still a lot of problems that Zimbabwe has to deal with, but this meeting is remarkable, nonetheless.

Hit It and Twit It

2009-05-30T19:12:00.006-04:00

Life is good my friends, but busy and in flux.Loyal readers of this blog (both of you) will notice that I have REALLY slacked off of late. I feel bad about this, especially in light of everything that I have failed to cover in the ever changing situation in Zimbabwe. [Incredibly long story short: Things are better but still bad.] Hopefully, I'll be better about this in the future. [Although it

Legalize It.

2009-03-27T21:27:00.001-04:00

I never would have thought that an issue that I am relatively non-passionate about would make me so disgusted with the president that I think is the best thing to happen to our country in decades, but here we are.I am dumbfounded at how flippantly the idea of legalizing marijuana was handled at yesterday's online White House town hall. [Especially considering the hypocrisy that Obama has admitted

Sign a One Petition to the African Union about Zimbabwe

2009-03-08T10:20:00.003-04:00

I received this email from the ONE Campaign. I signed the petition and would ask that you do the same.Dear ONE Member,My name is Kumi Naidoo, a South African founder of the Global Campaign Against Poverty, and a ONE member. I’m writing to ask you to join me in signing ONE’s petition calling on the African Union to do everything in its power to end the human rights violations against Zimbabweans

Sad News from Zimbabwe

2009-03-07T12:02:00.001-05:00

"HARARE, Zimbabwe – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has left the hospital where he was treated after a car crash that killed his wife.Associated Press reporters saw the former opposition leader leaving with a baseball cap pulled over his bandaged head.Dr. Douglas Gwatidzo, head of casualty at the hospital , said the prime minister had head injuries and chest pains. State television showed

Mugabe Pushes on with Land Grabs

2009-02-28T14:22:00.000-05:00

So, if you were wondering how much better things would be in Zimbabwe after the swearing in a the ZANU-PF/MDC Unity government, the answer, sadly, is not much:"Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has vowed to continue seizing land from white farmers after a spate of "farm invasions" over the past month. Speaking at a rally to celebrate his 85th birthday, he also promised to push for majority

Colorado State Senator (D-Bag)

2009-02-26T21:35:00.000-05:00

[Don't be confused by the title of this post, this guy's a Republican.]Via Political Wire:"A Republican legislator in Colorado opposed a bill requiring pregnant women to be tested for HIV, so that if they are infected their babies can be treated to prevent the transfer of the virus, the Rocky Mountain News reports. But it was his reasoning that sparked outrage.Said state Sen. Dave Schultheis (R):

Send a Letter to Muammar Gaddafi!

2009-02-17T20:14:00.004-05:00

I received this email today from The One Campaign:Dear ONE Member,Zimbabwe is beyond a state of crisis.Zimbabwe was once one of the most promising countries in Africa with a thriving agriculture industry, one of the region’s highest literacy rates and a robust healthcare system. Today, Zimbabwe is a land of devastation. 28 years of increasingly dictatorial rule by President Robert Mugabe have led

Tsvangirai Sworn in as Zimbabwe Prime Minister

2009-02-11T19:56:00.002-05:00

clipped from news.yahoo.com Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in today as the new Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. (The full text of his inauguration speech can be found here.)This new arrangement has been viewed with much skepticism, and rightly so. Mugabe has used the guise of a unity government before to eliminate his

Zim Update 2.5.09

2009-02-05T19:36:00.002-05:00

I have been holding off on talking about the latest developments in the political situation in Zimbabwe because it has seemed like it could fall apart at any minute, which it still may.But I would be remiss if I did not mention what happened today:"Zimbabwe's parliament passed a key constitutional amendment Thursday opening the way for a unity government after years of deadly political

There Goes The Neighborhood

2009-02-04T22:21:00.002-05:00

It seems that former Vice President Cheney has moved into an office just down the street from me in McClean. Sadly, his new lair isn't exactly a hollowed-out volcano:"His office is in a non-descript suburban office building in McLean, Va., in a suite that could just as easily house a dental clinic. The office is across the hall from a quick-copy store. The door is marked by nothing except a paper

Zim Update 1.27.09

2009-01-27T19:05:00.004-05:00

Deal or No Deal?With the exception of Botswana, which continues to be a model for the rest of Southern African countries, the member countries of SADC continue have their noses firmly up the @$$ of Robert Mugabe.The Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced today (again without Botswana) that ZANU-PF and MDC had come to an agreement about forming a national unity government.There's

The President's Weekly Address: January 24

2009-01-24T17:37:00.001-05:00

[Isn't it sweet that we can just say "the president" and know we are talking about Obama, not Bush? I think it is!]

Evening Chuckle: Un-American News

2009-01-23T21:58:00.001-05:00

The intro to this bit had interesting overlap with both my ongoing Zimbabwe coverage and my recent Open Letter to Europe..cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;

An Open Letter to Chief Justice Roberts

2009-01-22T07:13:00.000-05:00

Dear Chief,I read with great interest that you had to re-administer the oath of office to President Obama after the mix up at the inauguration ceremony.I have some friendly advice for subsequent inaugurations, as you will likely need to administer the oath several more times before you retire:WRITE THAT $#!# DOWN NEXT TIME!!!!You don't have to impress anyone with your memory; you're the Chief

Zim Update 1.21.09

2009-01-21T20:57:00.000-05:00

What appear to be last ditch power-sharing talks have failed.According to Kenya's Daily Nation newspaper, trouble's a brewin' with the Zim military."Zimbabwe's soldiers, furious at the refusal by President Robert Mugabe's government to pay them in foreign currency, have resumed spontaneous protests throughout the country, raising fears the rising anger will escalate into a mutiny.Armed police

Obama's Challenge to Mugabe?

2009-01-21T07:45:00.004-05:00

[I regret that a consequence of my recent blogging hiatus I have neglected the increased strife in Zimbabwe. I plan to correct this in the future with however much free time I will have for blogging. I cannot do enough. If you want to help, contribute to Save the Children's efforts in Zimbabwe.]Was this passage from Obama's inauguration speech aimed at Robert Mugabe?"To those leaders around the

An Open Letter to Europe

2009-01-20T17:41:00.003-05:00

Dear Europe,I have something to get off of my chest, and seeing as today is a celebration of the greatness of America, I am going to say it with characteristic American bluntness.Go #^@% yourselves.We Americans have dealt for years with your condescending bull$#!#. You have constantly looked down your nose at us and our society and culture.Shove that $#!# back up your @$$#$.Germany, call me when

President Obama's Inauguration Speech

2009-01-20T13:22:00.003-05:00

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A New Day

2009-01-20T09:38:00.002-05:00

Today we witness history.The inauguration of the first Black President of the United States.A man who I personally believe will be a President more concerned with the performance of his administration than with ideology. He will get things done. He will lead.Barack Obama has reached the mountaintop, but he did not do it alone and he will not be there alone. We are all in this together. That does

Auburn Administration Dumb as Bag of Hammers

2008-12-13T20:56:00.003-05:00

Instead of hiring Turner Gill and his program-changing, championship-winning resume to Auburn, the school's brain trust (the same one that forced out Tommy Tuberville - also a great call) have decided on Gene "5-19 at Iowa State" Chizik to be their new head coach.Genius. (If they are trying to get fired that is.)I feel bad that Turner keeps getting turned down but, upon refection, it seems like a

President-Elect Obama's Weekly Address: December 6

2008-12-06T10:39:00.001-05:00

President-Elect Obama's Weekly Address: November 22

2008-11-22T11:01:00.001-05:00

President-Elect Obama on 60 Minutes

2008-11-17T08:11:00.000-05:00

Watch CBS Videos Online

First Weekly Online Address By President-Elect Obama

2008-11-15T11:56:00.003-05:00

Obama Officially Wins Omaha!

2008-11-14T17:48:00.001-05:00

Rock.

AM Punk Rock: Rancid - Time Bomb

2008-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

"Secret to a good life's knowing when you're through."

Zuma: Regional Powers Must Force Mugabe Into Real Power-Sharing

2008-11-08T08:16:00.001-05:00

I have a lot of problems with the putative next president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. Mainly, he seems to be a bit of a thug. He was acquitted of raping the HIV-posiive daughter of a friend. During the trial he said that he had taken a shower afterwards to keep from getting AIDS. (Sadly, even this makes him comparably light years ahead of his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, on the HIV knowledge.) He

Obamaha

2008-11-07T23:20:00.002-05:00

Obama claimed the electoral vote for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.I can not tell you how happy that makes me. It is so huge.Wow. There may really be able to do anything. (Heh.)

"You Can't Beat the Axis If You Get VD."

2008-11-07T21:58:00.000-05:00

I ran across this program for a National Academies of Science exhibit of public health posters from around the world through the years.As with most propaganda, some of these are pretty amusing. (Such as my favorite tag line, which I used for the title of this post.)Check it out: Iconography of Contagion (PDF).

Obama Has a Good Shot at Winning Omaha!!!!!!!!

2008-11-06T20:05:00.002-05:00

McCain is currently up 569 votes in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District with 10-12,000 early votes and 5,200 provisional votes left to count. Obama won 61% of the early votes that have already been counted.Things look good for Obama to actually win an electoral vote from Nebraska.I can't tell you how great that makes me feel.

Electoral Scoreboard: 297-139

2008-11-04T17:35:00.030-05:00

I'll be updating this map all night (and comparing it with my prediction map below). Feel free to make you own by clicking on the states. Enjoy.Obama: Vermont, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, DC, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania (Woo-hoo!), New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Michigan, OHIO, New Mexico, Iowa, Real VirginiaMcCain: Kentucky, South Carolina,

Prediction Map: 319-219

2008-11-04T17:27:00.002-05:00

And, yes, I'm giving Omaha to Obama. Call me sentimental.Go Obama!

Dereliction of Duty

2008-11-03T21:57:00.000-05:00

Dear Everyone,I've been terribly remiss in my blogging responsibilities of late. Considering the gravity and importance of this election, I sincerely apologize.On the other hand, I've been busy; can't you people figure this stuff out for yourselves?[Actually, considering that Obama looks strong nationwide and in Virginia particularly, and that the VA Senate race is a laffer for Warner, I guess

Fareed Zakaria: Palin Is Ready? Please.

2008-09-28T21:14:00.004-04:00

Fareed Zakaria pretty much sums up what I (and I assume everyone else, at least secretly) thinks about Sarah Palin. Here are some of his more brutal truths:"Palin has been given a set of talking points by campaign advisers, simple ideological mantras that she repeats and repeats as long as she can. ('We mustn't blink.') But if forced off those rehearsed lines, what she has to say is often, quite

On the Financial Crisis

2008-09-22T22:20:00.000-04:00

This isn't the kind of I normally write about but I'd just like to go on the record as saying: You want $700 billion dollars with no oversight or accountability? Are you #%@%ing kidding me?The only people still stupid enough to trust the Bush administration when they say, "Trust us," probably work in the Bush Administration.I'm glad to see that the Democrats aren't pulling out their usual

Do This!

2008-09-22T21:58:00.001-04:00

Do it here!

Thabo Mbeki to Resign as SA President!

2008-09-20T10:45:00.001-04:00

Holy crap!"South African President Thabo Mbeki will accept a call to resign by the governing African National Congress (ANC), his spokesman has said."I had read about the possibility of this yesterday but I didn't think it would actually happen.The sad thing is that this is totally political (and somewhat vindictive since Mbeki's term was up next spring anyway). Mbeki deserved to be removed years

Zimbabwe Power Sharing

2008-09-15T22:24:00.000-04:00

Finally:"Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe signed a power-sharing agreement with opposition rival Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday, relinquishing some of his powers for the first time in nearly three decades of iron rule."Unfortunately, although ceding control of the police force, Mugabe is keeping control of the Armed Forces. (Or as I read somewhere today that I can't find now - the Armed Forces

Kurdistan Now the Less Stable Part of Iraq

2008-09-15T22:12:00.003-04:00

Here's something I haven't written about in a while: The Kurds!Remember when Bush (and former Senator George Allen) touted how great things were in the Kurdish region of Iraq?Well, not so much.To recap: the Kurds want to expand their autonomous region to include Kirkuk, which has a crapload of oil. This, unsurprisingly, does not appeal to the Arab (and Turk) population of Kirkuk or, frankly, the

9.11.2001

2008-09-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Never forget.

Question

2008-09-04T22:27:00.002-04:00

Why does Cindy McCain's speech make me feel like she's more qualified to be VP than Palin?She has clearly spent more time abroad than Palin and dealt with more international issues.Of course, her $300,000 outfits might short circuit some of the "elitist" (or, if you will, "uppitty") line of attack being used against Obama.

Evening Chuckle: Politics Would Be So Much Easier without Video Tape

2008-09-04T19:30:00.002-04:00

Hat tip to Rhonda.

Sarah Palin

2008-09-03T23:00:00.004-04:00

(I'm taking a brief break from not-blogging to get on the record about this.)I assume Sarah Palin as Veep is some sort of maverick-y practical joke that has gone horribly wrong.I seem to find this person more objectionable as the hours go by. I find everything she says and does to be distasteful. However, worst of all is the fact that she is incredibly, perhaps uniquely, unqualified to be

Meet Your New Veep! (Photos)

2008-08-23T10:00:00.001-04:00

Great pick. Biden was my original #1 pick for President so I'm pretty happy.

Bunches O' Stuff: 8.21.2008

2008-08-21T22:25:00.000-04:00

Most U.S. Measles Cases Reported Since 1996 - Most of the reported cases of measles are due to people not being vaccinated, or more accurately, their parents decided not to have them vaccinated.I say this with all sincerity: Thanks a lot, idiots.U.S., Iraq reach deal to pull U.S. Troops Out by June - Apparently, the Bush administration has decided that time tables are no longer for pussies. As an

Speculation Actually DOES Drive Up Oil Prices

2008-08-21T21:34:00.000-04:00

No $#!#.I first posted about the subject of unregulated speculation being a driving force in the price of oil almost two years ago. This speculation can be demonstrably shown to be disconnected from events in oil-producing regions despite the fact that such events are often used as justification for price increases.So, seeing this article in the Post today was no surprise to me (emphasis mine):A

New One Ad with Matt Damon

2008-08-21T17:32:00.000-04:00

In Case You Missed This: August 4

2008-08-04T19:41:00.000-04:00

The AIDS Diary Project - The International AIDS Conference is underway this week in Mexico City. One of the attendees is Thembi Ngubane, a young HIV-positive girl from South Africa, and this is her audio diary of living with HIV.Attack in China Kills 16 Border Patrol Officers - Muslim separatists in China's northwest were behind this attack. Despite the security crackdown in China in preparation

In Case You Missed This: July 30

2008-07-30T21:55:00.000-04:00

McCain's Tax Burden - McCain is fond of saying, "Senator Obama will raise your taxes; I won't." Apparently, that's not so true and now even the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal is calling McCain on his bull$#!#. Honestly, you'd think someone who has been in Congress for 30 years would be better at running for office. (Go Obama!)McCain Goes Negative, Worrying Some in GOP - Also, McCain

Jim Webb on the Colbert Report

2008-07-22T22:05:00.000-04:00

AM Punk Rock: Damien Marley - Welcome to Jamrock

2008-07-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

[OK, not punk. But still good.]"On the beach with a few club sodasBedtime stories, and pose like them name Chuck NorrisAnd don't know the real hardcore"

China and Russia Veto Mugabe Regime Sanctions

2008-07-12T13:57:00.003-04:00

God...dammit.Well, I guess if you are autocratic, repress and brutalize your own people, you can't really fault someone else when they do it.But hey! The Olympics are going to be awesome, right? And let's make sure we don't do anything to curb our oil consumption so we can keep pumping money in to prop up the Putin/Medvedev regime! Dirty...bastards.[BTW, don't think that we didn't set ourselves

AM Punk Rock: Dropkick Murphys - The Spicy McHaggis Jig

2008-07-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I'll tell you a story, believe me it's truea tale you'd best hope never happens to you."

AM Punk Rock: Tim Armstrong - Wake Up

2008-07-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I got a new girl I'm seein'.Just like the last one, jus' like the first one."

AM Punk Rock: Rancid - Salvation

2008-07-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I was down on my luck working for the salvation army.The shelter is where I reside."

AM Punk Rock: NOFX - Franco Un-American

2008-07-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I don't want changes, I have no reactions.Your dilemmas are my distractions."

Webb Says "No" to V.P.

2008-07-07T18:01:00.001-04:00

Suck.Oh, well. Go Biden, I guess.

AM Punk Rock: Motion City Soundtrack - My Favorite Accident

2008-07-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I spent two years alone with you."

AM Punk Rock: Bad Religion - Broken

2008-07-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I know I'm not broken.A little cracked,but still I'm not broken"

African Union Calls for Unity Government in Zimbabwe

2008-07-01T21:44:00.001-04:00

I would say 'About damn time' but I'm honestly stunned that they said anything.At least someone is paying attention to calls like this one.PS: Cato has a paper on how to fix Zimbabwe's hyperinflation, which the paper notes has been 3.8 billion percent since 1997. Unbelievable. Also, the German company that supplies Zimbabwe with the paper it uses to print bank notes has cut off deliveries to the

NYT Op-Ed: Obama Can't Win the South (Except Virginia)

2008-07-01T18:29:00.000-04:00

I really do like Virginia even more when I read things like this:"Virginia, however, is the one Southern state that Mr. Obama has a reasonable chance of winning. And it’s precisely because the home of Robert E. Lee, as NBC News’s political director, Chuck Todd, has suggested, is seceding from the Confederacy."And it only took 140 years!

AM Punk Rock: NOFX - Leave It Alone

2008-07-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I hear the voice of reason on the P.A."

Mandela's "Elders" Urge African Union to Pressure Mugabe

2008-06-30T22:09:00.002-04:00

I was hoping we'd see something like this:"A group of international elder statesmen, including Nobel Peace Prize winners, urged the African Union on Monday to reject Zimbabwe's presidential vote and called for a transitional government and a new election."See more about The Elders.

AM Punk Rock: Rancid - Bloodclot

2008-06-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

"Pick it back up and start it all over again."

Mugabe Declares Victory, Is Sworn In

2008-06-29T12:59:00.003-04:00

They didn't waste anytime rigging the result this time.Well, now that this joke of an election is out the way, the world can focus on putting some serious pressure on Mugabe and ZANU-PF in earnest.I'm looking forward to seeing the U.S. sanction package (hopefully, including an arms embargo). I'm really hoping this will be something I can get behind the Bush administration on (for once).Now is the

Hagel Won't Back McCain

2008-06-28T16:43:00.000-04:00

Ouch.He would serve in an Obama administration, however.

Zimbabwe Election A Sham...As Expected

2008-06-28T03:25:00.000-04:00

To sum up yesterday's "election" in Zimbabwe:Opposition supporters were killed.Voters were forced to the polls under threat of violence.Despite that, turnout was apparently very low - despite the government controlled media's assertions to the contrary.Many who did vote spoiled their ballots, writing "Mugabe Must Go!"There will likely be reports of violence against the opposition and people who

Pray

2008-06-26T21:56:00.004-04:00

Apparently, these flyers fell from the sky in Harare this morning:Good luck. [H/T This is Zimbabwe.]

Zimbabwe "Election" Tomorrow

2008-06-26T20:22:00.004-04:00

Mugabe is going ahead with tomorrow's sham runoff election despite the fact that it has been roundly condemned as illegitimate. Turnout may well be high given that ZANU-PF and all their surrogates (the military, "War Veterans", etc.) will probably bully people to the polls and to vote for Mugabe just to try to make it seem as if Zimbabweans actually still want the old butcher in

Mandela Condemns Zimbabwe Crisis

2008-06-25T21:45:00.003-04:00

Today Nelson Mandela condemned the "tragic failure of leadership in Zimbabwe." (About damn time.) (See video.)Hopefully, this will open the flood gates and allow other African leaders to come out against the crimes that are being committed against the Zimbabwean people. (More have already spoken up in recent days. I would hope SA President Mbeki would follow suit but he's proven once again that

AM Punk Rock: Flogging Molly - What's Left of the Flag

2008-06-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

"Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear,and raise what's left of the flag for me."

ZANU-PF Won't Acknowledge Reality

2008-06-24T22:06:00.003-04:00

I was listening to NPR earlier and they interviewed a spokesman for Mugabe's government.Give it a listen.It is terrifying to listen to this man speak and realize that there is no reasoning with these people.Pray.

AM Punk Rock: Dropkick Murphys - The Warrior's Code

2008-06-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

"You make the most of the hand you're dealtBecause the quitter never wins."

Tsvangirai Seeking Refuge in Dutch Embassy

2008-06-23T11:36:00.002-04:00

Hopefully, they can get him out of the country safely.He's a brave man to have ever returned to Zimbabwe in the first place.Pray.

AM Punk Rock: Transplants - DJ DJ

2008-06-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

"Ride's gettin' rough, so I know I better buckle.P U N X tattooed on my knuckles."

Tsvangirai Pulls Out of Zim Election; Mugabe Automatically Wins Re-Election

2008-06-22T13:09:00.002-04:00

Due to the unmitigated violence being visited upon the people of Zimbabwe by Robert Mugabe's regime in an attempt to steal the Presidential runoff election that had been scheduled for this coming Friday, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has opted to drop out of the race for fear that voting for him could cost many Zimbabweans their lives."We in the MDC cannot ask them to cast their vote on the 27th

Bush Should Act on Zimbabwe

2008-06-21T23:17:00.001-04:00

From today's Post:"The Zimbabwean tragedy may continue beyond the Bush administration, but that is not a foregone conclusion. The United States has nothing to lose by investing in a bold diplomatic initiative to fix one of the world's worst man-made humanitarian disasters. What better legacy could George Bush leave in Africa than to close out this terrible chapter of tyranny and restore to a

Jim Webb on Point for Obama and the Dems

2008-06-21T17:06:00.002-04:00

This article in the Wall Street Journal today paints a detailed and compelling picture of our favorite Senator. The most amazing thing about the article (and Senator Webb) and probably the reason he WON'T be picked for Vice President, is that it paints a picture of a politician who is...a real person (gasp)!Check it out if you want to read a profile of a man who will be a major player with

AM Punk Rock: Motion City Soundtrack - Hold Me Down

2008-06-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

"How will I break the news to you?"

Obama and McCain Sign on to PEPFAR Bill

2008-06-19T22:08:00.003-04:00

Kudos to Sens. McCain and Obama for (finally) cosponsoring the PEPFAR bill that is being stalled in the Senate by Sen. Tom Coburn and his merry band of fellow nutjob Senators.A little late to the party but still welcome. Here is a list of the Sponsors of the bill:Joe Biden (D-DE)Richard Lugar (R-IN)Chris Dodd (D-CT)Richard Durbin (D-IL)Chuck Hagel (R-NE)Edward Kennedy (D-MA)John Kerry (D-MA)John

Zim Election in 8 Days

2008-06-19T20:31:00.003-04:00

Zimbabwe has devolved into such an unmitigated cluster%#@$ that it is hard to even follow (let alone write about) all the violence and election rigging. (That's why I added the Zimbabwe Election Coverage link at the top of the page.)The election is one week from tomorrow. Things will probably get worse until then...and then things may explode.Pray.

AM Punk Rock: The Vandals - I Have a Date

2008-06-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I picked her up at a quarter to eight.I got there early - didn't want to be late."

AM Punk Rock: Motion City Soundtrack - Broken Heart

2008-06-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

"You never get used to it. You just have to live with it."

Hey Dominion Power, Bury Your #@#%ing Power Lines! (with bonus anti-McCain article)

2008-06-17T21:02:00.000-04:00

Sorry there was no AM Punk Rock this morning. Apparently, Northern Virginia's infrastructure is analogous to Baghdad's and we lose power every time the wind blows; so, no internet access for me. Won't happen again...unless the wind blows again.Anyway, I just wanted to point out this Matt Taibbi article from Rolling Stone that I really enjoyed. Here's one of the many entertaining (and depressing)

AM Punk Rock: Bad Religion - American Jesus

2008-06-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I don't need to be a global citizencause I'm blessed by nationality."

Rest in Peace, Tim Russert

2008-06-13T17:48:00.000-04:00

Speechless.

AM Punk Rock: Tiger Army - Forever Fades Away

2008-06-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

"But the embers fade."

Zim Military Running the Show; Kudos to the BBC

2008-06-12T20:50:00.000-04:00

The BBC has done some excellent reporting in uncovering the role of the Zimbabwean military in organizing the crackdown (story and undercover video) against MDC as part of Mugabe's election campaign (also run by the military). Mugabe, et al. are also using food aid as a weapon; taking it from areas that support MDC and using it to buy votes. They've even stolen food aid from America.The Secretary

Man, I'm Tired of Being Right

2008-06-12T18:45:00.004-04:00

Almost five months ago (my God, really?) I laid out my reasons for supporting Barack Obama for President and one of them was:"3. President Barack Obama's name and face on TV screens across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia will fundamentally reshape the way American is viewed abroad. They will see that, for once, America elected a more diverse leader. One who for many, will seem much more

AM Punk Rock: Dropkick Murphys - Barroom Hero

2008-06-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

"Face down in the gutter, won't admit defeat, though his clothes are soiled and black. He's a big, strong man with a child's mind, don't you take his booze away!"

AM Punk Rock: Rancid - As Wicked

2008-06-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

"I saw an old man on the street.He was in a dumpster lookin' for somethin' to eat.He moved so slow like a dyin' dream.Like a machinist who got caught in the machine."

Tsvangirai: Zimbabwe Now Ruled by Junta

2008-06-10T18:00:00.003-04:00

Morgan Tsvangirai claimed today that Zimbabwe has undergone a "de facto coup d'etat" and was now being run by a Junta, ala Myanmar.There have been rumors that Mugabe was forced to contest the Presidential runoff and crack down on the Zimbabwean people by a military unwilling to allow Tsvangirai and MDC to take control of the country. Whether that's true or not, the suffering of the Zimbabwean

AM Punk Rock: The Offspring - Come Out and Play

2008-06-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

"If you're under 18, you won't be doing any time."

AM Punk Rock: Pennywise - Bro Hymn

2008-06-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

"If you're ever in a tough situation; we'll be there with no hesitation."

Zimbabwe Opposition Rallies Banned

2008-06-06T16:17:00.003-04:00

And just three weeks shy of the election, no less.Mugabe and ZANU-PF must be pretty scared of losing again if they took this step so soon.Again, what a free and fair process they have. Why would they need election monitors?PS: Make sure you check out the picture of Mugabe in the story I linked to above...He even looks bat-$#!# crazy.