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Saturday, September 22, 2001
A few hours ago, I watched my tape of the historic American Aid Telethon, which was held Friday night on practically all the networks simultaneously. To say it was emotionally draining would be an understatement - but then, it was supposed to be. The events that led to it were beyond tragic. I still don't have the words to accurately convey the scope of atrocity last Tuesday. One celebrity deserves mention right here: Jim Carrey. I've been underwhelmed by him ever since his debut on a special here in Canada many years ago. I don't find him funny in the least. I do admire him now, however, for donating one million dollars to the relief efforts. He's Canadian, and no celebrity has ever found need to give so much of their own money - yet he didn't hesitate, didn't even blink here. He just saw that it would help a lot, and gave it. I wish more celebrities were as selfless. Posted by Jeff Boman on Saturday, September 22, 2001 | link me Seymour!
Wednesday, September 19, 2001
The first steps of a War have begun: the US are sending military forces into the Persian Gulf.
With the Taliban actually trying to negotiate terms for the release of Osamu Bin Laden, I don't blame them. Scumbag terrorists took too many human lives (anything over zero is too many); what right would they now have to dictate terms? NONE.
What I'm upset with though is the now-current trend of PC censorship. A list of songs radio stations should now cease playing because of potentially offensive lyrics has now been released. On that list is Imagine by John Lennon.
Excuse me?! A song extolling peace and unity for all mankind is dangerous? What are they smoking? Whatever it is, keep me far away from it!
Posted by Jeff Boman
on Wednesday, September 19, 2001 | link me Seymour!
Tuesday, September 18, 2001
I read this on a forum yesterday, and I can't contain it anymore - ESPECIALLY with the jackals of the Taliban spreading the lies:
JIHAD IS NOT "HOLY WAR" NOR IS IT A "PILLAR OF ISLAM" --------------------------- JIHAD: (Striving) Although it is not a pillar of Islam but is a duty in one form or another. The most common media misconception is of calling Jihad a 'Holy War.' The general meaning of the term is "striving for moral and religious perfection." The broader meaning of this term encompasses one's life and community. The constant struggle of striving to remain on the path of Islam by observing the above five pillars of Islam (Witness, Prayer, Alms, Fasting, and Pilgrimage) is Jihad. One who Strives is Mujahid. Being a Mujahid, a striver for moral and religious perfection, involves numerous forms of public and private devotion that charaterizes the 'practice' of islam. This includes respecting the dietry laws against eating pork and drinking alcohol, respecting parents and elders, helping to provide for close relatives and kin, giving to the poor and disadvantaged. On the other side, theft, murder, fornication, adultery, lying, cheating, wrongly accusing or testifying are strictly forbidden by Shari'a (Islamic Law). http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~calmsa/intro.html ------------------------- It is of the utmost importance at this time of justice-seeking and finger-pointing that non-Muslims learn something about the religion of Islam before buying into and passing on dangerous misinformation about Islamic beliefs.(e.g. that jihad is a religious mandate to holy war). Sources of clear information abound on the web, including the FAQ at alt.religion.islam or http://www.faqs.org/faqs/islam-faq/alt-newsgroup/, and the fine longer article "The Spiritual Significance of Jihad" at http://www.al-islam.org/al-serat/jihad-nasr.htm But there are even better sources of information about the Muslim religion: your local Islamic community centers and the Islamic members of your local community. Many American Muslims are currently in deep fear of the reactions of their fellow non-Muslim countrymen; help ease their fears -- and yours. Show them that America is ready to learn about their beliefs and practices from the keepers of those beliefs and not through media-driven misconceptions. Would you expect any less from others if your your own religious tradition were being questioned? America shows her best side when she shows her wisdom as well as her compassion. Let us not add Muslims to the long list of religious and ethnic groups who have suffered due to the ignorance of others or the heinous acts of the few. May the golden lamp of knowledge draw us all together and light our way in the dark days to come. "Without knowledge there is no wisdom" (Sirach 3:25)
- This shows just how evil terrorist fundamentalists are: they perverted the usage of a word signifying peace in their own faith, and convinced people of a lie that it actually represents violence.
Posted by Jeff Boman
on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 | link me Seymour!
A legend to Canadian children died today: Ernie Coombs, the man who played Mr. Dressup on Canadian television for three decades. He died of complications from a stroke at the age of 73.
How significant was his part of Canadian culture? Mike Myers listed him on his list of Top 5 things he loved about Canada - even higher on his list that hockey... and we all know how fanatical he is about that.
Mr. Dressup was a simple children's show. The central character would draw cartoons, or dress-up to enact stories for the puppet boy Casey and his silent dog Finnegan. No explosions, no action or guns. Just a gentle half hour for kids every day.
I saw him perform live on stage when I was a child. That'll be a memory I'll always cherish.
Posted by Jeff Boman
on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 | link me Seymour!
Monday, September 17, 2001
The ABC network are continuing their trend of pointless "Special Reports" to interrupt TV shows.
My friend Pat, a journalism graduate, spoke of the malignancy of the networks in his log, now I've seen it proven: today the tv schedule was supposed to get back to normal, so I tried watching All My Children. After a week of dread, I needed some fluff to lift my spirits. Many people do.
ABC doesn't think so. First they interupted 15 minutes in for a so-called Special Report: the presidential press secretary giving the President's schedule for the day. Considering it was business as usual, did we really need to hear that for 20 minutes?
Then, as they were supposed to go back to the show, they cut in with another Special Report - this time for a briefing by Secretary of State Colin Powell. At this point I turned the set off, but I'm sure nothing he said would be important to know now.
ABC, if grinding life to a standstill was a terrorist goal, you're doing their work for them.
Posted by Jeff Boman
on Monday, September 17, 2001 | link me Seymour!
Sunday, September 16, 2001
One of the most revolting things about these terrorit attacks is how Reverend Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson of the 700 Club have been using this event to spread hate, intolerance, and ignorance to the masses of the world.
Here's what Falwell had to say - no, dared to say:
"The ACLU's got to take a lot of blame for this. And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God or successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen'."
He realized what damage these words may have done for his
Pat Robertson did no better. Also on the 700 Club, his words did the work for the terrorists:
On his website, Pat's doing the hateful, anti-American, seditious act of telling people that the terrorism is going to grow worse. He's doing the terrorists' job for them. And get this quote: "We lie naked before these terrorists who have infiltrated our country. There are probably tens of thousands of them in America right now. They have been raising money and preaching their hate."
(Fair credit time. These words came to me thanks to members of the Compuserve Comics and Animation forum.
Can people now get it through their brains that these scum don't do anything good, that they do nothing but program hate into the masses? I hope they get shut out by all like they deserve!
Posted by Jeff Boman
on Sunday, September 16, 2001 | link me Seymour!
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