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| | | Site UpdatesWell it's been about three years but I am finally back to my own website.
My health is MUCH better, I am awake much more and able to recognize simple shapes and objects 
Now, what do I do with the rest of my life? Do I get a regular job (probably able to work full time by this summer) and get some much needed cash...
...or do I try to save this site from 3 years of neglect. (is it 3 or 4?)
Remember when this site used to have thousands of people online? Obviously the site is not up to par for that, it would need to be 100% re-worked.
The question is, is it worth it?
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Tuesday Feb-5-08 11:11 PM |
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| | | Blogs| Have I turned to the dark side? |
It has been forever since I last blogged, my apologies. Truth is, I wouldn't be blogging at all (my brain is still offline) but after reading my past entries, I find it amazing how my politics have shifted, and feel the need to share.
On social issues such as gay rights, sex education, and a progressive tax code I am still a raging liberal. But regarding foreign policy, defending human rights and acceptable uses of intervention, I am finding myself siding with the "neo-cons" on occasion and defending America and Israel far more than I would have ever imagined.
What changed my mind you ask? Well, a couple of things really.
First is my beautiful Persian princess I fell in-love with. She entertains me with tales of her childhood in Iran, and unfortunately, its not what this "cultural relativist" could ever have thought. I have always (naively) felt that grievances stemmed from actual events, and not irrational hatred.
It never occurred to me that a theocratic government could try to (unsuccessfully) condition an entire society to loath Americans, Israelis, gays, apostates, and atheists simply because they exists. I am so grateful my princess's generation managed to resist the culture of hatred embedded in the religious/education system. (Iran was the only Islamic country to have a candlelight vigil after 9/11)
The second changing point was the reaction to the tasteless Danish cartoons. Watching millions around the world (including free Europe) burning churches, killing innocent people, and holding up signs saying "butcher anyone who insults Islam" was beyond comprehension. Sure the cartoons were offensive, but no more than the weekly Arab editorials depicting hooked-noses jews killing babies. (mental note: I desperately need a nose job)
Even worse was that even after the violent reactions, moderates (and the UN) are STILL demanding apologies and punishing Danish farmers. I find myself asking the question, which Islamic state should Denmark apologize to first? The state that executes gays, the state that executes rape victims, or the state that executes Muslims who become Christian? It is if we live in two different worlds.
Finally, the event that really made me question my allegiance to the left was watching anti-war Cindy Sheehan hug upcoming dictator Hugo Chavez. Chavez throws dissenting voices like Sheehan into prison for decades, and yet, she still embraces this paranoid lunatic simply because he hates George Bush. I have also witnessed the left embrace ultra-racist like George Galloway, a man who has openly praised police-states such as Cuba, Syria, Saddam, and the mother of all democides, the Soviet Union (20 million died in the Gullags).
The left used to represent freedom and human rights, but now it seems the left is more interested in glorifying victomhood and defending countries where citizens live in fear of their own government.
Do I think George Bush is a good choice for president and the Iraq war a good strategy to engage the Arab world? No, of course not. His policies lack rational pragmatic thought and have failed far more than even the left could have expected. But I am starting to realize how difficult it is to defend the secular democratic principals I have been so fortunate to enjoy. No matter what America does, it will always be blamed for the self-defeating ideologies of others.
I love Canada's liberal multi-cultural democracy. But I am starting to realize that you sometimes have to do ugly things to defend it.
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Sunday Mar-26-06 2:23 AM |
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| | | BlogsI feel the need to explain why things around here are so stagnant.
Truth is, my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has never been worse. No matter how much Ritalin I consume, my cognitive skills seem to have vanished and even the most trivial work is impossible.
What is tearing me apart is not so much CFS, but the depression of working so hard on something only to see my dreams erode. Don't get me wrong, I am so lucky to have a website that brings in revenue, but it had so much more promise... I honestly felt that I was going to be the 1 in a 100 that make it on nothing but ambition.
I know I know... sob sob. 30,000 people just dies in Kashmir and here I am complaining about my life of relative comfort. And even worse, my biggest complaint is out of sheer vanity... not being able to prove to the world (and myself) that I could have been successful. Its just so hard to accept.
There is some good news. 2005 seems to be the year of "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"!
So much promising research has been released this year, including a possible blood test for the disease and a VERY promising (and VERY expensive) drug called Ampligen that should be released next year.
I also have to thank g-d for Iranian repression for driving a beautiful Persian into the arms of a Canadian Jew. I should send the Ayatollah a nice fruit basket. I am also so in debt to my community for being so understanding and keeping CasualKiss alive! I have no idea why you guys do what you do, but you all rock.
So this is the end of my gloomy rant. I NEED to work again!! I can only guess when it will happen but when it does, you will see some fantastic stuff from this little dating site, I promise
Until then, I will just continue to mindlessly surf the web and tv all day on various subjects of interests. If you need any info on PS3 vs Xbox360, Islamic theocracies, or abstinence only... I'm your man
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Wednesday Oct-12-05 5:14 PM |
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| | | BlogsA great article by Macleans shows the fiscal state of the US economy. Basically, the numbers suggest America will financially collapse within 10-25 years.
The problem is America's twin deficits, trade and debt. Currently, America is racking up about $450 billion deficit a year to its $8 trillion real debt, and has $43 trillion unfunded liability (medicare/social security) debt.
Who's fault is this? I hate to sound like a broken record, but its mostly republicans. Before Regan, America was in great shape with little debt, but he created a culture where taxes are evil.
Unfortunately, Republicans don't have the heart to throw poor people out on the street, so they didn't bother to reduce their spending, and thus debt started rising.
Fortunately, Clinton was much more focused and for a while, it seemed like America was going to be ok after all. But then came Bush, who apparently believes that the top 1% should not pay any taxes at all, even during war time.
So what will happen? Well, within by 2015 the US will only have enough money to fund 4 programs: medicare, social security, defense, and debt service. Things like education and transportation will either have to be axed or payed for with massive new debt and insane interests rates.
This will cause massive inflation, stock market collapsing, and housing prices to plummet. It will not be contained to America, Canada will suffer as our economy is based on American credit card debt. (actually, every country is milking off America's spending habits)
And this scenario doesn't even mention oil.
I doubt it will be as bad as the great depression, but it will be unlike anyone of us has ever felt. If we think the world is unstable now, just imagine how bad things will be when China owns 30% of America... sorry Taiwan!
Personally, I am planning on getting property when interest rates rise! Land is the least susceptible to inflation. Other then that, I will pray that Americans elect democrats!
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Saturday Jun-4-05 3:00 PM |
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