Danny's Dozens

	*MONK RULES* *WELCOME to the Thelonious Sphere Monk* Memorial WebLog** Play "Some Toonz" by Monk Go to MacDries Design.
	*March Y2K5*
	3/31/05 Click HERE for the latest totals. The Old Republican Way In The Name Of Politics - John C. Danforth St. Louis - By a series of recent initiatives, Republicans have transformed our party into the political arm of conservative Christians. The elements of this transformation have included advocacy of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, opposition to stem cell research involving both frozen embryos and human cells in petri dishes, and the extraordinary effort to keep Terri Schiavo hooked up to a feeding tube. Standing alone, each of these initiatives has its advocates, within the Republican Party and beyond. But the distinct elements do not stand alone. Rather they are parts of a larger package, an agenda of positions common to conservative Christians and the dominant wing of the Republican Party. Christian activists, eager to take credit for recent electoral successes, would not be likely to concede that Republican adoption of their political agenda is merely the natural convergence of conservative religious and political values. Correctly, they would see a causal relationship between the activism of the churches and the responsiveness of Republican politicians. In turn, pragmatic Republicans would agree that motivating Christian conservatives has contributed to their successes. High-profile Republican efforts to prolong the life of Ms. Schiavo, including departures from Republican principles like approving Congressional involvement in private decisions and empowering a federal court to overrule a state court, can rightfully be interpreted as yielding to the pressure of religious power blocs. In my state, Missouri, Republicans in the General Assembly have advanced legislation to criminalize even stem cell research in which the cells are artificially produced in petri dishes and will never be transplanted into the human uterus. They argue that such cells are human life that must be protected, by threat of criminal prosecution, from promising research on diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and juvenile diabetes. It is not evident to many of us that cells in a petri dish are equivalent to identifiable people suffering from terrible diseases. I am and have always been pro-life. But the only explanation for legislators comparing cells in a petri dish to babies in the womb is the extension of religious doctrine into statutory law. I do not fault religious people for political action. Since Moses confronted the pharaoh, faithful people have heard God's call to political involvement. Nor has political action been unique to conservative Christians. Religious liberals have been politically active in support of gay rights and against nuclear weapons and the death penalty. In America, everyone has the right to try to influence political issues, regardless of his religious motivations. The problem is not with people or churches that are politically active. It is with a party that has gone so far in adopting a sectarian agenda that it has become the political extension of a religious movement. When government becomes the means of carrying out a religious program, it raises obvious questions under the First Amendment. But even in the absence of constitutional issues, a political party should resist identification with a religious movement. While religions are free to advocate for their own sectarian causes, the work of government and those who engage in it is to hold together as one people a very diverse country. At its best, religion can be a uniting influence, but in practice, nothing is more divisive. For politicians to advance the cause of one religious group is often to oppose the cause of another. Take stem cell research. Criminalizing the work of scientists doing such research would give strong support to one religious doctrine, and it would punish people who believe it is their religious duty to use science to heal the sick. During the 18 years I served in the Senate, Republicans often disagreed with each other. But there was much that held us together. We believed in limited government, in keeping light the burden of taxation and regulation. We encouraged the private sector, so that a free economy might thrive. We believed that judges should interpret the law, not legislate. We were internationalists who supported an engaged foreign policy, a strong national defense and free trade. These were principles shared by virtually all Republicans. But in recent times, we Republicans have allowed this shared agenda to become secondary to the agenda of Christian conservatives. As a senator, I worried every day about the size of the federal deficit. I did not spend a single minute worrying about the effect of gays on the institution of marriage. Today it seems to be the other way around. The historic principles of the Republican Party offer America its best hope for a prosperous and secure future. Our current fixation on a religious agenda has turned us in the wrong direction. It is time for Republicans to rediscover our roots. John C. Danforth, a former United States senator from Missouri, resigned in January as United States ambassador to the United Nations. He is an Episcopal minister. The Way No, not Enlightenment, just the path to the studio paved with field stones and wating for the rain tonight to let it settle and wash. Glad that's done. Betcha you are too. ZAP The Pests In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. You will be charged for these calls. Call this number from your cell phone 888-382-1222. It is the national DO NOT CALL list. It only takes a minute of your time. It blocks your number for 5 years. Please pass this on to everyone you know who doesn't want a hassle and additional charges. Or you can Go HERE. Thanks to Jim Shuman for this tip. Stiff & Sore This work stuff gives me a pain. Painting is a whole lot easier.
	3/30/05 Bandit The raccoons are managing to get the lid off the garbage can where we stash the deer/bird feed. Got a bale of field stone coming this morning. Gonna lay the path from house to studio today. Sun's out. Spring has sprung. Thank you heavenly mother nature. Path laid except for some leveling and minor adjustments. I'm whipped, rode hard and hung up wet.
	3/29/05 Cold & Damp No paving today. Guess I'll have to go to the pool hall. Except there is no pool hall hereabouts. I've got it! A nap! That's the ticket. Wound up exhausting myself repairing the damage from all the plowing. Not too fair that The Geezer is supposed to get exercise but seems not suited for it anymore. Got a raging rivulet in the ravine between the deck and the pond. Pix to come. There were 30-40 turkeys out by the pond tonight at sunset and finally a few females showed up. Three brazen little hens walked right up within 10 feet of me expecting food. But we've been told to stop feeding the deer because for some reason their digestive system changes around now and they can't process corn and sunflower seed and peanuts and they die. OK with me but I'm still feeding the birds; they're so tiny and helpless.
	3/28/05 Seems It's T-Day Instead of E-Day Imperialism Revisited HS girl #1: So exactly how many states are there? HS girl #2: 52. HS girl #3: I thought there were only 50. HS girl #2: That's because they never count Haiti and Cuba. "And those AmeRicans from Puerto Rico make it 53," says MacDries Another Holiday Shot To Hell Into bunker City last night at 6pm and back out this morning at 9am with a load of stuff. Raining all day but at least it washed the winter dirt off the Jeep. Brought all my old computers up and am going to set up a Mac Museum in the basement. Laying a flag stone walk on the muddy path from the house to the studio. $200 for a 3x3x3 foot bale of flat stones delivered. Seems odd to buy stones but it's easier than scouring the 20 acres for rocks since a mule didn't come with the place. Ann's bulbs are coming up so it looks like spring. 10 beautiful fat wild turkeys in our back yard yesterday. All males for some reason. Go figger.
	3/27/05 Oh, Happy Day! When Jesus washed... when Jesus washed... yadda yadda. Easter egg hunt over. Emma's cinnamon rolls successful and delicious. Now for a quick trip back to Bunker City, pick up more stuff and come back up for a week of chores. Gonna lay a flag stone path to the studio.
	3/26/05 Deaths Pass 1700. Remember that war over there? This Just In If you believe in such things. Kate and Emma settle for the the Easter Bunny.
	3/25/05 Not Much Here Stocking up on eggs for the ritual coloring. Girls on the way. Silly e-card of Easter bunny singing hip-hop. Yadda yadda.
	3/24/05 The Recruit Dear Ma and Pa, I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled. I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing. Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc. but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you til noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much. We go on "route marches", which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The country is nice but awful flat. The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none. This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes. Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6" and 130 pounds and he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry. Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in. Your loving daughter, Gail Dumped On Again Woke up at daybreak to 6-8 inches of that fluffy white stuff. Went back to sleep and woke up to about a foot. It's costing me a fortune to pay my plow geezer at 40 bucks a pop.
	3/23/05 Outta Here Goin' to Ghent for Easter.
	3/22/05 Pigeon Hawks Go HERE. 1st Painted Rock Š1975 Danny Dries Modem Land Going up country tomorrow for a few days, got a few spring chores at the house, so blogging will be sparse. Hope you can survive. Wanna Read An Interview With God? Go HERE. A guy I used to know as a child somehow got my email and sends me this sort of stuff all the time. Some people actually think this way. Pretty pictures anyway.
	3/21/05 Iceland, Oh Iceland REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) -- Iceland's parliament has voted to grant citizenship to fugitive U.S. chess star Bobby Fischer. MacDries says, "Wacko geniuses need a home too." Wanna Have An Orgasm? Go HERE. Wanna Be Irritated? Go HERE. Wanna Have Some Fun Go HERE. Eeeewwww! The Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, has been testing a device intended for the space station that would recycle astronauts' sweat, and urine into drinking water purer than any found in a tap. MacDries says, "Don't wanna hear about it. And I'll bet it won't taste as good as NYC tap water." Pro Bono Ever wonder why some people can do good and some can't. Fr'instance; that guy Bono who ostensibly is working for the betterment of poor and starving people. Why don't I believe him? I think it might be the single name. Except for artists (Vincent, Rembrandt, Leonardo) I tend to not trust people with just one name. Don't like his band either. At least The Edge has two names. I'm in a bad mood today. Stay away from me. Celebrate Celibacy Got teenagers? Go HERE. 1st Day Of Spring Ha!
	3/20/05 The Art Of WAR Go HERE. Out My Window Š2004 Danny Dries 2 Years Of Killing Nome sain? In The Beginning... Baby Solveig. Graduate Solveig.
	3/19/05 Soft Porn NYC Style Š2004 Danny Dries Cute World's smallest primate. Irony Defined Congress is trying to get a brain dead woman to testify before them.
	3/18/05 Solveig Grupp, (1913-2005) R.I.P. This is Solveig's Day. The world has lost a pure soul. Mother to us all. It's a sad day we share with Carl and Dorothy. She was Norweigan, not Irish, but her last meal was Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Paddy's Day. She also had the chance to spend a last night with both her children. Bon voyage Solveig on to your next perfect life. Everyone who knew you will miss you and everyone who didn't should have. I didn't cry for many years after my mother died, I was too young and too angry, but today it feels good to cry again.
	3/17/05 Democracy For America Go HERE. Homeland Security I continue to get feelers from people like Alice peterson (below) who are interested in renting our country apartment, site unseen, payable by certified check, usually for their son or wife who will be attending some unamed college in the area. I emailed the Department Of Homeland Security because it all seems so odd to me. More to follow. McGwire Says He Won't Name Names to Steroid Committee This is not Mays, Mantle and Maris we hear today. Take me "out" to the ballgame has a new meaning. Headline Of The Day BYOTP. That means Bring Your Own Toilet Paper in Albany Speak. MacDries says. "That's way more than I need to know of the NY state political system." Halliburton Need I say more? NYC Sky Š2004 Danny Dries Letter From Mom Dear Son: Happy St. Paddy's day. Just a few lines to let you know I'm still alive. I'm writing this letter slowly because I know you can't read fast. You wont know the house when you get home because we've moved. Your father has a lovely new job. He cuts grass at the cemetery and has 500 people under him. There was washing machine at the new house when we moved in but it hasn't been working too good. Last week I put in 14 shirts, pulled the chain and haven't seen the shirts since. Your sister Mary had a baby this morning but I haven't found out whether it's a boy or girl - so I don't know if you're an Uncle or an Aunt. Your Uncle Padraic drowned last week in a vat of whisky in the Dublin Brewery. Some of his workmates tried to save him but he fought them off bravely. They cremated him and it took three days to put out the fire. I went to the doctor and your father went with me. The doctor put a small tube in my mouth and told me not to talk for ten minutes. Your father offered to buy it from him. It only rained twice this week, first for three days and then for four days. Monday was so windy one of the chickens laid the same egg four times. We had a letter from the undertaker. He said if the last payment on your Grandmother's plot wasn't paid in seven days, up she comes. Your loving Mother p.s. I was going to send you five pounds but I had already sealed the envelope. The Night Of Drunks St. Padraic's Day. The Paris Bar is next door and, like last year, I predict there will be vomit on my doorstep tomorrow morning. Quote Of The Day If you want to know how stupid people really are, just think how stupid the average person is and realize that half of them are stupider. -George Carlin Baretta Walks You read it here February 23rd. Even though the guy did it.
	3/16/05 The Oil Slick (No, not Wolfowitz) Senate votes to allow drilling in Alaska's National Refuge. This is so disgusting, every day there is a new horror story out of Washington. Thus I have decided not to bother commenting on politics anymore. Just assume they will always do the wrong thing. The Kinkster Kinky Friedman, The Original Texas Jewboy, musician, author, and fellow F.O.B.S., plans to run for governor of Texas in 2006. He made his announcement Feb. 3, 2005, in front of the Alamo in San Antonio. Friend Of Bob Stein Street Scene Š2004 Danny Dries The Art Of Fish Four Star, Le Bernardin is the best restaurant I've ever eaten in. If you like fish, have an extra C-note plus to spend and want to experience what daily fare in heaven might be like, try to get a reservation. I've been there twice in 20 years and would give it Five Stars actually. Even Mom can't cook like Eric Ripert. Is This Denial? "I look back and I would say to you, if confronted with the same evidence we had back then, I would recommend exactly what I recommended then. It turns out we were all wrong." - Alan Greenspan, defending his support of Bush's tax cuts. MacDries wants to know, "Who is this 'we". You got a turd in your pocket Al? And why is anyone still listening to you? You're Fired!"
	3/15/05 The Sob Sister Chronicles Martha Stewart says the electronic monitoring device she wears around her ankle chafes. Stewart told fans in an online chat Monday night that the rigid plastic bracelet which she can't remove for even a minute until her home detention is over in August is uncomfortable and gets in the way of exercise. "I wish it were removable, but it is not," she wrote in her chat. MacDries says, "Tough Titty Miz Martha, that's why they call it punishment. As Baretta used to say, 'If you can't do the time, don't do the crime'." Latest Tondo Every Which Way - 24" diameter Relativity Think a gallon of gas is expensive? It could be worse. What if your car ran on... Lipton Iced Tea --- 16 oz = $1.19 --- $9.52 per gallon Ocean Spray --- 16 oz = $1.25 --- $10.00 per gallon Gatorade --- 20 oz = $1.59 --- $10.17 per gallon Diet Snapple --- 16 oz = $1.29 --- $10.32 per gallon Evian water --- 9 oz = $1.49 --- $21.19 per gallon Whiteout --- 7 oz = $1.39 --- $25.42 per gallon Brake Fluid --- 12 oz = $3.15 --- $33.60 per gallon Scope --- 1.5 oz = $0.99 --- $84.48 per gallon Pepto Bismol --- 4 oz = $3.85 --- $123.20 per gallon Vick's Nyquil --- 6 oz = $8.35 --- $178.13 per gallon Bug Me Not Tired of Compulsory web site registrations. Go HERE.
	3/14/05 Oyez, Oyez!!!! SAN FRANCISCO, California - A judge ruled today that California's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional, saying the state could no longer justify limiting marriage to a man and a woman. MacDries says, "Marriage? Is that a defunct term, institution, word??? I know if you are not married to your loved one, your children (genetic or adopted) are not eligible for Social Security. Equal rights???? All are born equal!!!!" Can He Do Anything Right? The Bush administration this week will propose the first federal controls on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. The new rule will abandon the Environmental Protection Agency's original tilt toward a remedy favored by most environmental groups in favor of a system of tradable pollution allowances that is more congenial to industry. MacDries is amazed, "What or Who can possbily possess these Bush guys? Have they Zero intelligence. Do they not listen to anyone in a position of "so-called" knowledge? Do they willfully seek the stupidest response to any conceivable problem? I'm like dumb-struck. Tomorrow Bush is going to call for what...????? Partial-birth adoption? The elimination of Lite Beer? Low-Cal Snickers bars??? No, I've got it! Chocolate is now illegal." Latest Tondo Another Shade Of Blue (for Lee Konitz) - 24" diameter
	3/13/05 Phones Out Again Whenever the DSL line goes down I realize how dependent we've all become on the internet. Kate couldn't finish her homework. Emma couldn't iChat with her posse. Ann had to rely on her unreliable cell phones to schedule a trip and couldn't do email. I managed to finish a painting and began stripping the varnish off the old bathroom door because I couldn't waste time diddling around with this blog.
	3/12/05 Whew! What A Relief The judge takes the gag off Jay Leno's humongous jaw and he can now tell Jackson Jokes until Michael's doomsday. Tune in tonight folks and watch him give it to The King Of Pop. MacDries says, "This is what judicial system is spending time on." Philistinism Thrives On ABC John Stossel analyzes art/non-art and you can take the test. Stupidest and oldest argument ever. Go HERE. Idiot. MacDries says, "His basic argument is that if something is done by an artist, it's art. If it's done by a 4-year old artist, it's not art. And you can fool some people too by hanging a piece from Goodwill. My position is simple and follows Ortega Y Gasset: The root word is artifact and all things made are artifacts. Beyond that you can distinguish between functional/aesthetic, academic/modern, good/bad, insider/outsider, adult/child, valuable/worthless, interesting/boring, genuine/hype, etc." As for art criticism you can distinguish between stupid and ignorant. Stossel qualifies in both catagories.
	3/11/05 Happy 102nd Birthday Mama Buddah Agnes Isabella Guertin Dries 1903-1957 Fuhgedaboutit Hillary (no gender thing) Ann Richards. This is the first in a series of women I could (or could have) supported for Prez. First there was Eleanor Roosevelt, then that pipe-smoking Republican curmudgeon from New Hampshire or one of those other teeny-tiny states up in northern New England. (Can't remember her name but Doonebury used to do her. Fenwick?) Like everyone else who wasn't patronizing her, I never took Shirley Chishom seriously. Ditto doubled to that hypen-Braun what's her name in 2004. Whuzzup with her beyond proving the cliche that anyone (are you listening Kuchinich, Sharpton, Edwards, Clark, yadda yadda yadda) can grow up to "run" for President. And then there was that Mafia wife who ran with (death wish) Mondale. She was a joke at best but... I would suggest my wife but she would no doubt not take the job if offered... But I could have gotten behind another Ann: Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas, defeated for re-election by The Twerp Shrub. Richards famously said of Dubya, "Poor George, he can't help it - he was born with a silver foot in his mouth." Richards admitted, "I smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish." She didn't find the lord (probably never lost him) but merely entered rehab and emerged sober. Plus she has a great sense of humor, supports Womens Rights and is not too fond of war. I think she does have a few guns however. Don't Miss A (sound) Bite Hillary Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said that although this was not considered a life-threatening procedure, "that didn't stop Chelsea and me from worrying together and praying together." MacDries says, " Yeah, right, I'll bet you got right down on your knees and praised Jesus Christ for saving Bill and your beautiful marriage. Gimme a tiny break here Senator while I puke a bit." My Favorite Weather Site Go HERE and enter your own Zip. I check it all the time now to see whether it is snowing on our house. I know what the weather is in Bunker City; crappy. Jean-Michel Basquiat Jesse is in the Basquiat retrospective @ Brooklyn Museum. I'd check it out when it comes your way. I'm going tomorrow. Proof Is In The Pudding After retiring, I went to the social security office to apply for Social Security. The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's license to verify my age. I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home. I told the woman that I was very sorry but I will have to go home and come back later. The woman says, "Unbutton your shirt." So I opened my shirt. She says, "That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me" and she processed my Social Security application. When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience. She says, "You should have dropped your pants.You might have gotten disability too." MacDries says, "This story came via Carl; it is not my story, in case you were wondering." More Snow
	3/10/05 Apartment (follow-up 2) Havent't heard from model "Ms. Peterson" since my last email. This Is For Aaron If you like spiffy cars and don't hate Ralph Lauren as I do, go HERE. Gun-toting Pussy Cat BATES TOWNSHIP, Mich. Mar 10, 2005 - A man cooking in his kitchen was shot after "one" of his cats knocked his 9mm handgun onto the floor, discharging the weapon. Joseph Stanton, 29, was shot in his lower torso around 6 p.m. He was transported to Iron County Community Hospital. MacDries says, "Serves him right for having a cat, not to mention more than one. Not to mention a loaded gun. Jerk." Doonesbury Does Duke Go HERE. Up Again Actually couldn't take a nap but I've still got nuthin'. You're on your own until I perk up. Got a good painting coming up though. Nap Time I'm irritated this morning. Last night I fell asleep reading at about 10:30 then woke up about midnight and was awake for two hours. Couldn't wake up this morning. Isn't that interesting. More later.
	3/9/05 Shocking News At Thriller Trial Watercolor illustration of the shock! Who Reads What 1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country. 2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country. 3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles. 4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts. 5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country -- if they could find the time --- and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it. 6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and did a far superior job of it, thank you very much. 7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train. 8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who's running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated. 9. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country but need the baseball scores. 10. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure there is a country ... or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority feminist atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy provided, of course, that they are not Republicans. 11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store. 12. None of these are read by the guy who is running the country into the ground. MacDries says, "I'm re-reading Scott Fitzgerld short stories these days. Shakey, bio of Neil Young is also really good. And Dyaln's Chronicles is a don't miss. Elmore Leonard needs to get off his ass and write a nerw one; I'm caught up, Dewd. Latest Painting No More Blues (for Jane Monheit) 19" x 27" Coach Accused Of Licking Student's Cut Intrigued? Go HERE. Apartment (follow-up) I sent the following response to yesterdays query from "Alice Peterson" from Nigeria out of Chico/Oxnard califonia (sic) about our apartment: I am attaching an application for you to return to me if you are serious. You may view the apartment at this site: Apartment Please fill out the application and return to me: This was her response today. Hello, mr DANNY DRIES how are u doing ,i am so glad that u mail me back i will as my modelling ccompany to send u the check as soon as possible for the apartment,thank,for yuor information that you gave me to send the check to ,i will love to settle there as soon as i get back to the state but i don,t understand what u mean about the application form.so get back to me with the explanation of that so i can know the next step to take on this transaction .ASAP ALICE PETERSON I replied: I will not consider anyone for the apartment until they fill out and return the application so I know who you are, your social security number, and your credit history. Plus your lack of understanding of English and general American procedures makes me suspect something illegal in what you propose. It also makes me suspect you are not who you say you are. Got it?
	3/8/05 Huh? "It was certainly an accident, an accident caused by a series of circumstances and coincidences." - Gianfranco Fini; Italian Foregn Minister on the amBush of journalist Giuliana Sgrena and Security Agent Nicola Calipari. MacDries says, "Plus, not to put a sharp point on it, we've got one dead man and a wounded woman." Missing Info This image came via Wlfsng but he failed to tell me the location of the beach. Perhaps its in the oft-touted Heaven. Anthrax Seems odd that we have never caught the Anthrax mailers? Just wondering. Also wondering why no one in the news game is writing about it. Mr. Self-Righteous ...would like to have it both ways. McCain's assistance in 2003 and 2004 was sandwiched around two donations of $100,000 each from Cablevision to The Reform Institute, a tax-exempt group that touts McCain's views and has showcased him at events since his unsuccessful 2000 presidential campaign. The group also pays McCain's chief political adviser, Rick Davis, $110,000 a year. That Fluffy White Stuff Is Falling Again And quickly turning to black, cold, wet slush. Oh, well, one day of Spring is better than nothing. I'm almost certain that one day it will return. Apartment (sic) HELLO OWNER, my name is ALICE PETERSON,am from califonia and have been living there my whole life,my mum and dad are both from there,i live in chico in my childhood life and later moved to oxnard where i stayed with my elders sister. A m a model by occupation and i mostly model cloths and other things like shoes and more,i have been modeling ever since i was 16 years but that was localy but now i model all over the state and sometimes move out of the country to model too. i am curectly in west africa ,nigeria to be precise ,and am there for my contract,modeling for issey miyake,is just a month contract,but i wont love to go back to my sister house when geting back to the state cus she is about preparing to get married to her husband ,so cus of this i will like to have my own room. i registered for roommate and i saw you advertising your room, that there is vacant there,i will love to know if the room can be given to me cus i will love to come there directly to stay when coming back to the state. About the payment that is not a problem I WILL tell MY LAST BOSS WHO I MODELED FOR WHEN I WAS IN THE STATE TO SEND YOU A CHECK OF MY LAST PAYMENT WISH HE IS OWING ME SO THAT THE ROOM CAN BE KEPT FOR ME. I will be glad if you can also pls send me some of the pix of the room to my email box a_peter_son@yahoo.com I will be so slad to rent your room and ,am sure you will be so glad to have someone like me cus i am a very kool and easy going person,am looking forward for your reply YOURS SINCERELY ALICE PETERSON MacDries says, "Got this letter from someone who wants to rent our appartment. It's the third such letter, written in about the same sort of English and all coming from Nigeria or nearby. Also get about 1 letter from Africa a day offering me a few million dollars if I will send my bank info."
	3/7/05 Hey, Mike! Peace. Y'know, Dewd, just because you're in the company of co-dependent wackos and battered children doesn't mean you have carte blanche. Check in to San Quentin for some re-hab with those other guys in the white collars. See you in 20. You used to be a Thriller. Can't Help It A new name for B...S... Really Kewl Trust me, you're gonna want to go HERE. It's a collaborative project based on an old Surrealist drawing game called The Exquisite Corpse. Feels Like Spring And not a month too soon. May have to actually go outside. Nifty Science Stuff Go HERE for The Why Files. This One's For Carl Go HERE Grupp. Yer Prez Speaking "I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein." "The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein and his willingness to terrorize himself." "If you find a neighbor in need, you're responsible for serving that neighbor in need, you're responsible for loving a neighbor just like you'd like to love yourself." Go HERE for more and more. It's endless.
	3/6/05 OK, One More Flutterby ŠDee Grupp Billy Collins Go HERE for links to one of America's best poets. The Last Word The art critic's name is Deke. Image comes from Andrea Callard.
	3/5/05 Experience Music Project Even if it is housed in one of the ugliest buildings ever created by one of the worst architects of all time, they are featuring Dylan these days. So, go HERE to Experience it. Enough!!! Better Days August 9, 1974. Some days are better than others. My Feeling Is... ...you're getting away with it so why worry about something that will never occur. Other crappy things will happen but you can't know what they are so you can't worry about them. You're still here so that means you've handled everything thus far and so you go on. Sometimes you think you can't handle things but that's only because you don't want to be bothered. And sometimes you have to put yourself in a precarious situation just so you can move on. The alternative is to just sit on your ass and grow calluses. Columbia County Apartment For Rent Rural 1 bedroom partially furnished apartment above garage. $650 rent plus utilities. Long Term renters only. Newly built -- we're looking for the first tenant. Beautiful, accessible location. 20 acres, pond, woods in rural Ghent, NY. Sorry, No pets. No smokers. Lots of privacy - main house occupied by owners on weekends. Close to supermarket and other shopping. 10 mins from Chatham, NY. 25 mins from Hudson, NY. Go HERE for pix of apartment. Go HERE for pix of location.
	3/4/05 Whoops! Coalition (of the willing) Forces mistakenly fired on an Italian hostage being released, wounding the journalist. A member of the Italian security forces was also killed. Apologies are no doubt forthcoming. Will You Please Shut Up! Please? Cos says words and actions can be misinterpreted. Doh! And he apologizes to his long-suffering wife. MacDries says, "Gimme a break Bill. We liked you better when you were hustling Pudding. And the old days when you were funny. Bush Explains His Social Security Plan "Because the - all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculate, for example, is on the table; whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those - changing those with personal accounts - the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be, or closer delivered to, what has been promised. Does that make sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the - like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate - the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those - if that growth is affected, it will help on the red." Verbatim Government Transcript - February 4, 2005 - Florida MacDries says, "Scared yet?" Bush Of Another Kind This Beetle doesn't bite. Our Baby Older Brothers Alas, I knew him. Go HERE.
	3/3/05 What Is Fascism? Go HERE. Bubba Dies The big lobster died after being moved to Zoo. Celeb Spotting Saw Liza Minnelli on Canal Street yesterday. That's it. Connie Crothers - Solo Concert Thursday, March 17, 2005 8:30 p.m. $10/$8 The New Vanguard Series THE GALLERY AT DEEP LISTENING SPACE 75 Broadway (Historic Rondout), Kingston, NY www.deeplistening.org (845) 338-5984 MacDries says, "If you're in the Kingston area and like jazz, get to it. Kate and I just saw her with Lee Konitz, Richard Tabnik and John McCutcheon. Kewl. Global Flyer Steve Fossett is going to go for it despite a fuel problem. Scehduled to land in Salina, KS for lunch. Track the flight HERE. Well, he made it. What's next Steve? Shoot for the moon? Sybella Rosie Dries Reiners @ 80 Happy 80th Birthday to our Matriarch.
	3/2/05 Latest Painting Little Piggies - 26" x 31" No Sir! Bill Gates is dubbed an Honorary British Knight but'ya doesn't has ta call him Sir. Good Eatin' Bubba, a 22-pound lobster was pulled from the waters off Nantucket, Massachusetts, and shipped to a Pittsburgh fish market. On Tuesday, Owner Bob Wholey gave the lobster to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, which will send him to an aquarium at a Ripley's Believe It or Not museum. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent Wholey a letter asking him to work with the group to release Bubba back in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine. Another group calling itself People For Eating Tasty Animals reportedly offered Wholey a hefty price for the lobster. At Tuesday's price of $14.98 a pound, Bubba would retail for about $350.
	3/1/05 The Good News Is... Supreme Court Rules Juvenile Death Penalty Unconstitutional. MacDries says, "Awesome, until The Shrub gets to appoint a couple more Scalia/Thomas clones and they reverse it." Kobe Pays Off Hope it was worth it Dewd. Bob Hicks RIP Just learned that an old friend, artist, bass player, fellow Monk fan, (on the left with inseparable brother Herb, piano) has passed away, way too early. You've read mentions of him and Herb here a few times. Damn God, is all I have to say. It was nice re-connecting with Bob this year after 40 years. And I still envy him that green Austin-Healy he rode around in on the streets of Minneapolis. A Little Slow Oblivious to many things, I just discovered that this blog began on the 11th of March 2004, which would have been my mother's 101st birthday. On that note I've revised my intention to shut this WebLog down after one year. Instead, I'll keep it open but entries will be more sporadic, less compulsive. When I have something to add, or if I just feel like it, or when you send me something priceless. Those average 40 of you who have visited the site will still find stuff from time to time but... if I don't feel like it, too bad. Global Flyer Steve Fossett is over North Africa. Track the flight HERE. Oldest Trick In The Book A gas station in Mississippi was trying to increase its sales, so the owner put up a sign saying, "Free Sex with Fill-Up". Soon a local red neck pulled in, filled his tank, and then asked for his free sex. The owner told him to pick a number from 1 to10. If he guessed correctly, he would get his free sex. The red neck guessed 8, and the proprietor said, "You were close. The number was 7. Sorry, no sex this time." A week later, the same red neck, along with a buddy, Bubba, pulled in for a fill-up. Again he asked for his free sex. The proprietor gave him the same story, and asked him to guess the correct number. The red neck guessed 2 this time. Again the proprietor said, "Sorry, it was 3. You were close, but no free sex this time." As they were driving away, the red neck said to his buddy, "I think that game is rigged and he doesn't really give away free sex." Bubba replied, "No it ain't, Billy Ray. It ain't rigged. My wife won twice last week." Welcome To March 'In like a lion' here in Bunker City and I'm hoping the 'out like a lamb' portion of the proverb holds true. Wampumpeag (repeat) ON SALE... Got a 13x50 foot wall that needs a painting? Enamel on silver, gold and black anodized aluminum. This one has been sitting in a crate since it was finished in 1980-81. It needs a home larger than my own. What ever possessed me?
	*February Y2K5 Archives* *January Y2K5 Archives* *Decemnber Y2K4 Archives* *November Y2K4 Archives* *October Y2K4 Archives* *September Y2K4 Archives* *August Y2K4 Archives* *July Y2K4 Archives* *June Y2K4 Archives* *May Y2K4 Archives* *April Y2K4 Archives* *March Y2K4 Archives* Back at'cha Shrub. You little twerp! Go HERE to see the whole tape. Turn the ballot box into a shopping list. These are the stores that supported The Shrub and those who supported the Dems. Buy Blue!!! For The Latest Dries Art GO HERE For The Latest CyberToonz GO HERE I've never actually watched an episode of The Simpsons (I'm more of a Pixar kind of guy) butt... *Dislaimer Go To: MacDries Design Your # is: