"Control Room" written by Hodown on estrip.org

12/08/08 03:00 - 24ºF - ID#46997

Control Room

I go through Documentary phases. Usually I have to curb these phases because I watch them and get all "workers of the world unite". I'm in one of those phases now.

My latest from Netflix is: Control Room. A 2004 documentary about Al Jazeera and the coverage of the beginning of the Iraq war.

Before watching this I had little knowledge of this TV station other than it was the main news outlet for the Middle East and may or may not be associated with terrorists.

After watching this documentary I want to punch George Bush. I already wanted to punch him, but now honestly if I ever saw him I can't say that I wouldnâ€™t spit on him (and with that sentence the FBI beings to wire tap my phone calls).

Some key points from the film:

Josh Rushing, a press officer from US Central Command (Cent Com) (and I quote): "Doesn't understand how the people of the Middle East can't separate in their minds the Palestine conflict from the overall conflict in the Middle East."

He also, after the fall of Iraq, states that the people of Iraq should be responsible for the protection of their own heritage sites and that the US Military has no responsibility for the museum looting. A BBC reporter, in complete astonishment, repeats this and states that from the mobs she saw she thought it would take a tank or men with guns to hold back the mobs. Again he stated it was not the responsibility of the US.

Ironically he later joined Al Jazeera English after leaving the US military.

A reporter from Al Jazeera also analyzed the iconic moment when the Iraqi's took down the Statue of Saddam in the Square. She noted:

The Us Military rode into the square where they knew all the press would be.

All the people in the Square were males of the same age. There were no women, children or older men. No one came out of their homes to see what was happening. Only these few young men ventured out?

The flag they used was a flag from 1991 Iraq. So this kid in his teens just happened to have a flag from 10 years ago? Do you have a flag from the US when we only had 30 states?

Basically her point was the whole thing looked very orchestrated. After hearing her argument, it made a lot of sense.

I understand that propaganda is a necessary part of any war, but the fact that this was a war built on GW's bullshit lies (weapons of mass destruction?!) just infuriates me. It was also a good reminder to view all media with a bit of doubt.

Permalink: Control_Room.html
Words: 449
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/05/08 04:09 - 26ºF - ID#46975

Le bebe

I'm obsessed with the idea of babies lately. To go with this theme I've found the place to birth my child:

Permalink: Le_bebe.html
Words: 37
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/05/08 12:24 - 26ºF - ID#46971

Not being an asshole

On certain days I'm not a huge asshole. Days when I don't elbow anyone on the train, silently judge outfits, give the look of death to everyone around me. Today is one of those days. I'm always pleasantly surprised what happens when I'm nice.

It started this morning when I went to go grab coffee at Starbucks before work. There was this couple in front of me in line. They were clearly tourists that spoke no English. The "barista"/cashier was being a super huge asshole about some coupon they were trying to use for a free latte. It was only good for 3 kinds of drinks and they looked so confused. To top it off the wife was getting mad at the husband. He looked kinda scared. It pissed me off that the cashier was being so mean. Tourists are going to be one of the things that keeps the economy in NYC afloat. I stepped in to help out. Problem solved, coupon redeemed.

I then started to walk to work and there was the source of the free coupons. The dude gave me a free latte coupon and TWO bags of coffee.

Flash forward to lunch time. I go to grab a egg salad sandwich on rye. I walk into the deli and order. The owner is behind the counter yelling at everyone, basically being douchy. I give the guy who is making my sandwich a "yeah what a douche" look. He smiles back. He then proceeds to cut me a fresh pickle (note: I love pickles and getting a fresh one is a huge score).

Then I walk over to redeem my coupon for coffee. I go to exit Starbucks with sandwich in one hand and coffee in the other. This guy pulls open the door from the outside, I thank him and he tells me how pretty I am! Ok so he was missing a few teeth and about 20 yrs older than me. But letâ€™s be honest, I'll take compliments where I can get them these days..

Youâ€™d think this would teach me to be nice all the time. But letâ€™s be honest, that is not going to happen.

Permalink: Not_being_an_asshole.html
Words: 365
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/04/08 11:26 - 34ºF - ID#46953

A Poem for Le Creuset

A haiku dedicated to my favorite dish:

Creuset casserole
A dish that I so beloved
Broken and betrayed

I was baking a piece of chicken and it just cracked in the oven. I had a hard time bringing myself to throw it out. This haiku is my way of dealing with the pain.

Permalink: A_Poem_for_Le_Creuset.html
Words: 59
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/02/08 03:06 - 31ºF - ID#46925

Wow Tina, just wow

Permalink: Wow_Tina_just_wow.html
Words: 3
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/02/08 01:50 - 33ºF - ID#46923

I can not believe

that there is a human being that does not know about what happened in India over the holiday weekend.

I work with someone who had NO FUCKING IDEA about the massacre in Mumbai and any sort of background on the story.

One of my biggest pet peeves are people who are clueless about the world we live in and the political/social context that shapes it.

I know at times I come off a vapid or self absorbed, but I read up on politics/current events like a mo fo. It just blows my mind that someone who watches TV could have missed the news updates.

Alright, I'm done with my rant. I just had to get that out.

Permalink: I_can_not_believe.html
Words: 119
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/02/08 12:52 - 33ºF - ID#46922

40% off Boxed Sets at Borders

Use code: CM2008 for 40% off all boxed set DVDs at Borders today. Limit of 2 sets of DVDs. I just used it and it works!

Permalink: 40_off_Boxed_Sets_at_Borders.html
Words: 24
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/01/08 06:22 - 38ºF - ID#46909

Liza is official

Thank you for purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster.

Your order number for this purchase is [redacted]

You will receive your tickets via: Standard Mail - Your tickets will be mailed to your billing address and delivered no later than 48 hours before the event in a plain unmarked white envelope.

We'll email you when your tickets are printed and about to be shipped.

You purchased 1 ticket to:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Liza's At the Palace
Palace Theatre New York, New York, NY
Sat, Dec 20, 2008 08:00 PM

Order for: Jessica Ho
Seat location: section ORCH, row W, seat 109
Total Charge: US $ 136.90

I'm gonna start working on my jazz hands. Oh and break out the sequin pants suit. Gotta be in full effect for Liza.

Am I a gay man? Why do I constantly question myself on this topic?

Permalink: Liza_is_official.html
Words: 132
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/01/08 11:33 - 41ºF - ID#46902

Blog-o-rama

I just discovered a blog of someone who was really anti blog. I passed the link on to my sister to get affirmation that my blog is better. This is the conversation that ensued:

hlokty33: [redacted blog web address]
hlokty33: his blog sucks, at least mine is better
shushu1015: i can't read that shit
shushu1015: it's boring
hlokty33: I know it makes me feel better that at least my blog is better than someone's.

Permalink: Blog_o_rama.html
Words: 74
Location: Jersey City, NJ

12/01/08 10:18 - 39ºF - ID#46901

Gift Lists

I just sent off my gift list to my mom. It had mostly books on it. I have this whole thing about asking for specific things. It's not like I'm 10 and can't afford anything. For the most part I can buy the things I need and if I want something I'll save up for it. If you have a gift list, why not just exchange piles of cash? I never ask people what they want. I like to give people gifts that are a surprise. Honestly I'd rather my mom just knit me an awesome scarf or sew me some pot holders. Things I can't make myself, but would love. That will never happen though. Instead my family always wants to do this extravagant gift exchange. It makes me sad.

jenks writes at 10:54:20 12/02/08 - Comment #42859: yeah, my mom is bugging me for a xmas list too. It's always hard for me to think of things I want- b/c usually I buy them for myself. And yeah, I hate asking for something specific and knowing what it cost.

But my mom refuses to give gift cards. she thinks it's a cop out.
And I kind of agree. I think it's a lot nicer to put some time and thought into picking a gift out for someone.

(I certainly don't mean to offend anyone that gives gift cards.)

ladycroft writes at 04:03:34 12/02/08 - Comment #42845: now that i look back at my childhood i never got excited about 'wanting' something for christmas because we never made lists for santa. we just got a few small things sitting in a chair christmas morning (wrapping paper cost too much money). maybe it was best that way, you do appreciate whatever comes your way, and it certainly is a surprise :)

metalpeter writes at 07:11:31 12/01/08 - Comment #42826: If a gift list is done right what you get will be a surprise see many things are listed and then the person chooses one or a couple of things or something based on that list, but you don't know what it is if there are many items.

hodown writes at 12:01:34 12/01/08 - Comment #42800: I'm not a jerk. I think you SHOULD give me what you choose. I mean otherwise what's the point?

lilho writes at 11:46:10 12/01/08 - Comment #42798: you are a huge jerk. i am not asking again. you get what i choose... it will be fabulous.

leetee writes at 10:50:53 12/01/08 - Comment #42793: My mom wants gift lists, too. I find it reminds me of being wee and making a list for santa, only the theme is far more boring since it is usually things i have to struggle to think of.

Like you, i prefer a gift to be a happy surprise. I just wish that i was better at it... i have so little practice.

Maybe next year, i will just take my chances and tell everyone to get me something they think i might like... or that they made.