Tortured Language...

This from a new book catalogue from a regional publisher. I'll save the author embarrassment by deleting his name, but the book title must stand, as its part of the "stupefying" spectacle that follows. I have no idea if this is copy written specifically for the catalogue or excerpted from the book jacket's back cover copy; one can hope this is reserved only for catalogue ballyhoo.

The following is best appreciated if read aloud:

"If one has grown tired of the ambition, naked, shorn, and bleating, on display in many recent first books of poetry, then one will welcome the concussive impact of ------ -------'s The Stupefying Flashbulbs. These are short, impulsive, occasion-stained lyrics, by turns insouciant and pregnable. Their pretensions are few, their presumptions, endearing. Thematic concerns include severity, inconclusiveness, and artistry. An evil cube makes repeat appearances. We will all laugh last."

I did not make this up.

What is that evil cube doing over there -- ??
__

Speaking of evil cubes, it should come as no surprise that the twisted hyenas in power responsible for sick monikers like "Clear Skies Initiative" (which increases pollutants and toxins in our atmosphere) and "Healthy Forests Initiative" (encouraging timber companies to go hog-wild) cooked up the 'USA PATRIOT' act. I thank Christopher Faris for reminding me that term is actually an acronym for (ahem) "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism."

If it were true, it would be levelled against those in power who are so effectively spreading terrorism across the globe, like Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice et al. But, of course, it isn't, and it doesn't. It's aimed at our collective civil liberties, and its reauthorization or revision comes down to this week's -- possibly today's -- vote on the Senate floor.

This Act is sorely in need of scrutiny, debate, and revision now that we are no longer in the immediate wake of 9/11, and have had a few years to weigh its reality.

Filibuster or nuclear option? We'll see, won't we.

But we needn't stand by silently as this goes down. Speak up -- write your Senator; sign the petition

here.

Our Vermont state Senator Patrick Leahy is leading the call for change, campaigning for an extension to March to ensure time to properly dissect and 'correct' the Act. I'd rather it simply not be extended, given the abuses of power abundantly in evidence from this corrupt President and Administration, but that's unlikely given the Republican dominance in Washington, and Leahy's call for compromise and further debate and analysis is likely a best-hope option.