Is it just me or are these two starting to look alike? Maybe Ole Rummy is grooming up to run for the monarchy... Actually, on second thought, Rummy is starting to look more like Daddy Bush than the chimp we have in office now.

Townes Van Zandt in Heartworn Highway

---

What a shame music like this seems to be dying out...

Figgie's Friday Cat Blog

...in which, Figaro, the feline master tries to hypnotize his fox. "Look into my eyes.... You will bring me cream....". Actually, it was king crab legs, but he's not really one to quibble about these things.

"Crimes again Nature"

One would think when they hear this phrase that it refers to the punishment of crimes such as littering, pollution, and the gang-raping of our planet for its natural resources, but apparently not. As far as I can determine, this phrase is a catchall legal term for prosecuting some really bent, sick people. These crimes usually tend to be of a sexual nature and involve someone getting their jollies in any manner deemed deviant or unacceptable. Now, in the case of a Michigan man engaged in a sexual act with a dead dog in front of a preschool I can't say that I disagree. It's not that I believe we should shield youngsters from the natural act of sex. I can even be openminded enough to accept that some people get their kicks from something other than plain vanilla. But wait, the story gets even more bent to the disgusting. The dog, belonging to the man's girlfriend, had been dead for four or five days. All of this combined just triggers the gross button.

The man faces up to 15 years in prison for a first time offence and a life sentence if he's a repeat offender, but I have to think that this man's behavior was prompted by some sort of psychological disorder. He probably belongs in a hospital rather than a prison. Let's save prison and the term "crimes against nature" for those who really deserve to go to hell--like polluters and exploiters of natural resources.

I'm so depressed... So for a month now, I've been working on this treasure hunt called Secrets of the Alchemist Dar. 2 mil worth of jewelry is up for grabs and while most people are in it for the money, I just want a pretty Aaron Basha ring. Afterall, a kitsune's got to have her paw sparklers ;-)

I think if you're in the mood to feel stupid, you can do one of two things: try to follow the logic of politics or try to solve this puzzle book. Some users on the SOTAD board are swimming along at a breakneck pace, decoding lines already while me, I don't even know where to begin. I'm also thoroughly convinced that the author Michael Stadther is laughing his ass off at us in addition to getting rich. I've spotted at least half a dozen smilies in the illustrations. Anyway, now that I've had my lament, let's move on to more serious business.

---

Dunkin Donuts invades Krispy Kreme territory

As if we don't already have enough invasions to worry about with the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the invasions of privacy by our government, Dunkin Donuts is invading the traditional territory of my favorite doughnut chain. The doughnut wars are heating up. Yes, friends, I'm hooked on the Krispy Krack. The hot doughnut sign is like church bells calling me to mass. I may have grown up with the Dunkin D, but I'm a tried and true Krispy Kreme fan. Light, sweet, melt in your mouth hot doughnuts are the way to go. Although, I will say that the Dunkin D makes an okay cup of coffee. Might explain why it makes up 60% of their sales.

Well, it's official. I've been "Desperately" sucked in...to Desperate Housewives that is. I don't want much tv and I tend to avoid shows that get a lot of water cooler buzz because in generaly, my tastes differ quite a bit from the average American public. So blame it on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition , a show that I do like. It's good to sit down once a week and see something *gasp* positive on television. About a month ago, I did flip the tv off immediately after the show was over, but left it on while I meant to do other things. Ten minutes later, I was still sitting on my butt glued to the show. I've watched every week since then. True, the show hasn't made it into my TiVo for automatic series recording, but more often than not I record it, watch it, and watch again the next day. Such a twisted show, but so highly amusing. Doesn't require a lot of thought and I don't have to change the channel. So... really all I have to say is... Nora is such a conniving bitch.

The Links:


The links:
Women in Black
http://www.womeninblack.net

Women In Black New York stand in silent vigil to protest war, rape as a tool of war, ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses all over the world. We are silent because mere words cannot express the tragedy that wars and hatred bring. We refuse to add to the cacophony of empty statements that are spoken with the best intentions yet may be erased or go unheard under the sound of a passing ambulance or a bomb exploding nearby.

Our silence is visible. We invite women to stand with us, reflect about themselves and women who have been raped, tortured or killed in concentration camps, women who have disappeared, whose loved ones have disappeared or have been killed, whose homes have been demolished. We wear black as a symbol of sorrow for all victims of war, for the destruction of people, nature and the fabric of life.

How to Be Invisible
http://www.howtobeinvisible.com/index.cfm/page/Books

How to get and maintain privacy in an era of the government openly spying on its citizens, harassing fourteen year old girls for making political commentary, and sanctioning torture and illegal detainment.

---

[pasted from comments to Badtux.net] I think that nearly anyone who opposes the current regime can answer no when we look at it honestly. But honestly, I've given up. Why you might ask? Ultimately, what will be will be. Nothing lasts forever and once this regime ends another will take it's place. If you want to change the world you need yourself. If enough people looked to themselves and their business, who knows what would happen, but for right now, I can only try to make my little corner of the world a little nicer while planning for the worst. I no longer feel safe speaking my mind, practising my religion publicly, or protesting the inhumanities that are being committed each and every day. So when I protest, it will be with my face and head covered, my religion will go underground, I will be purchasing weapons and learning to survive, and when it comes time, I'll be ready to leave and disappear before they can throw me into an gov't facility for "reeducation". Extreme, maybe. Selfish, absolutely. But as I said, in the end, you can only take care of yourself. BTW, I've posted two links of interest. One, a protest group, the other is a book by an author who worked underground in an activity that was at that time illegal under the regime of Generalissimo Francisco Franco.

Let's get started off on the right paw...err, make that foot with an early Friday cat-blog. This is the resident feline here in the den. In the infamous words of another cat-blog entry "There are many cats, this one is ours." Here Figaro demonstrates the art of getting stoned on sunshine.

Welcome to my den, my safe haven. As all foxes do, I like to watch without being seen. I hope you enjoy reading about what I see and think.