Scary Times Are Never Dull - 2010 Edition

Came across this scary article from Democracy Now covering a documentary on the rise of the white power movement these days. Scary times.



I wish I could say that these fucking idiots surprise me, but they don't - sadly. Wish these assholes would get a clue and realize the real enemies in terms of class and economic reasons share their skin pigmentation. Sickening!!!

Re: How to Commemorate the 100th Issue

As you most likely have figured out by now, The Trouble With Normal is just around the corner from putting out the 100th issue of this fanzine. As such we felt it was appropriate to plan something special to celebrate this occasion that nobody thought would happen (I never even considered it myself when we began work on issue one back in 1992). Now we have got the clearance to spill the beans and let you know what’s up…So, before we forget, we’re proud to formally announce

THE TROUBLE WITH NORMAL 100TH ISSUE SHOW!

The show is scheduled at be held on Saturday May 1, 2010 at Mojo's in Columbia, MO.

Currently slated to play the show at this point in time are the following:
Big Medicine
Bruiser
Pat Boone's Farm
Jerusalem and the Starbaskets
Spectravox
Non Serviam
More TBA

We're currently approaching some out of town bands we want to have play. Since we're still in the extremely tentative stages we will announce these bands when we know if they can play the show or not (remember its still four months away as I type this).

Hope this helps. Feel free to come and enjoy this event. We'll let you know more about the show as we get more info and the date nears.

So This Is Health Care Reform?

The Senate has passed its health care bill today. To say it's disappointing is being mild to say the least. This clip says it more than I could.

CLimate Change News From Copenhagen

Via Democracy Now.

Just learned of a new secret agreement that allows unequal limits on per capital carbon emissions. Ths interview covers that, what it could mean, and similar things better than I could.. A lot of food for thought in this piece.

The Clip Says More Than I Could on The Topic

Once in a while something will come across one's radar that just speaks for itself. I was looking at Feministing tonight and found someone posted a clip of actor Patrick Stewart (best known to a lot of people form his work on Star Trek: The Next Generation) speaking to Amnesty International in England on violence against women. This says volumes on a highly sensitive topic. Watch and pay attention.

Holidays 2009 - A Few Thoughts and Some Dates

Well it’s the ..Holiday.. season again and I’m almost guaranteeing that this post is going to piss some people off.

.. ..

I’m talking about the people who like to whine and complain about the whole “War on Christmas” bullshit. While they have a right to their opinion, I wish they’d take into account that other holidays are celebrated this time of year also. When people say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas it’s out of respect because you can’t always tell who celebrates which holiday this time of year whether it be due to spiritual/religious conversions, customs of the culture they grew up in, etc. This is why the people who act so damn persecuted when someone says Happy Holidays pisses me off.

.. ..

Now as for the Holidays themselves: we know X-Mas Eve and X-Mas is December 24th and 25th. New Years Eve and New Years Day are December 31st and January 1st. However, some holidays change dates (by our calendar anyway) each year. The following are some of those dates according to the Ethnic and Religious Cultural Holidays Page on the KU Medical Center website (though I tried to link to a few sites on the actual holidays themselves)

.. ..

NOVEMBER 2009

27 - Eid al-adha (Islamic, Muslim)

.. ..

DECEMBER 2009
6 - St. Nicholas Day(International)....
8 - Bodhi Day - Buddha's Enlightenment(Buddhist)....
11 - 19 - Hanukkah(Jewish)....
12 - Virgin of Guadalupe (....Mexico....)....
13 - Santa Lucia Day (Sweden)....
16-25 - Las Posadas (Mexico)....
18 - Al Hijra - Muslim New Year....
25 - Christmas (Christian, Roman Catholic, International)....
26 - Boxing Day (..Canada.., ....United Kingdom....)....
26 - Kwanzaa (African-American - Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan 1, 2010)....


Some people will be pissed off at me for this, but remember your culture/religion isn’t the only one in this country much less the damn world. Get over yourselves and live your own lives.

Just Checking In - NOW UPDATED

Hey! I know it's been a while but things have been a bit crazy around here. Between getting the 17th anniversary issue done, trying to survive, looking for work, and other obligations I sometimes forget to get my head straight. Add to that coming down with a cold the week of Halloween and you have an idea why I've been a little distracted lately.

On a more serious note, the House passed its health care reform bill. Unfortunately it contains the anti choice Stupak Amendment, which not only keeps abortion care out of the "public option" but could keep it out of private insurance plans as well. While I have strong feelings on this misstep, this article at Pandagon states the case far better than I could. So does this post from Shark Fu.

I'll be trying to post more regularly in the future.