mjm wired

When using clipart in Microsoft Publisher 98 (part of the popular Microsoft Office) a search for the word "monkey" displayed an African-American couple sitting in a playground. Obviously someone eventually filed a lawsuit.

When users type the word "monkey" to obtain a graphic, the program displays an African-American couple sitting on playground equipment, alongside four other images that show various types of monkeys. The suit claims that while the term "monkey bars" is supposed to refer to the playground equipment on which the couple is sitting, the equipment shown in the image "is plainly not 'monkey bars.' "

A rational look at how this happened would lead one to realize it is just a result of the search algorithm used and was not intended in anyway to be racist.

Of course this was all back in mid-1999 - long before the 43rd President of the United States, George Walker Bush, was elected to office. The most common means of poking fun of the 43rd president was to compare him to a monkey. This clear case of disrespect for one of the highest offices in the world was widely found acceptable - in the name of comedy and satire.

This of course makes me very curious. My simple question is this: Can anyone poke fun at the 44rd President of the United States by possibly comparing him to an animal? ... Will it be funny or will it be racist?

Some of my more frequent visitors may have noticed the obvious banner on the top right of my site. I debated for a while as to whether or not I should have done so, but I decided that it might make a tiny difference. I want to say that I don't "believe in Obama". This is not a personal criticism, rather I see him just as much a politician as anyone else in the U.S. government. However I do believe that a better choice to attempt to correct Republican mistakes for the past 8 years would be a Democrat for president. As much as I greatly disagree with many Democratic views, I cannot in good faith vote for a Republican. Hopefully this will be a message to true conservatives that they have lost track of their core principals. Perhaps if they themselves make a "change", the nation would benefit.

At the end of the day, I do not think anyone understands what "change" really is. When Obama (hopefully) comes to office, what will be different? What can he change? The U.S. will still have more or less the same Congress. The economy will still be in turmoil. There will still be civil unrest in Iraq. It's quite convenient to point all blame at a (terrible) president and even even easier to think a new (charismatic) president can fix it all. The president is quite limited by himself. Citizens need to realize that a government is so much more than just a single leader.

When people vote this November, I hope they realize that the choice which will have the least direct impact on people will be for president. The choices for state representatives, mayors, proposals and even city council will hold so much more relevance. This is not to say that the president is not important, but rather that change depend on all aspects of the government working together. People need to hold all "public leaders" responsible.

A vote for Obama may be the first step towards the changes the United States so desperately needs. But The Change We Need will ultimately have to come from the entire government and most importantly: the people for whom they represent. Do your part.

I copied the title of this post directly from the CNN news article. To me, I find it very misleading. My first impression to "nonwhite" is that they were trying to say "black" as in African American, but did not want to use those words. After reading the article however, you find that they are referring to an American born Indian: Bobby Jindal.

I actually find the set of circumstances a little unique. Apparently he's a Republican Indian who was born Hindu but converted to Catholicism ... to become a Governor in the United States? What are the chances?

I have received at least a dozen different automated calls telling me to vote for someone. Majority after I voted. So much for Do-Not-Call.

Anyways, this is the second draft of this post. Originally I had planned to explain my reasoning for the candidates and state proposals for which I had voted. I did vote earlier today, but after I did, I realized that my reasoning does not make much difference for others to read. The bottom line is that common sense and rational thought does NOT prevail in politics. It is up to the voters to do that. I want to emphasize how incredibly devisive and partisan this country has become. To affiliate with anything seems to imply close-mindedness. I don't know how to combat that ignorance.

I did vote for change and balance. We'll see tomorrow if it makes a difference.

I think it was 1996 and someone whose opinion I valued, asked me what my greatest fear was. I answered that outside of closest monsters, laughing hyenas or having to shave my legs, that I feared being forgotten. Granted it was a very common response, so I would guess its a common fear. Whether or not it is genuine for others is beyond me.

So for Memorial Day weekend I went (with my family) to one of the usual places I "vacation" (shop rather). Along the way to Chicago, we visited a family friend who is dying of cancer. Its one of those odd situations where there's nothing you can do and they do occupy a notable part of your thoughts, but outside of that? ... Everyone who's lost someone to cancer, feels connected. Everyone who's lost someone to drugs, violence or war, they feel connected. They remember.

Passing through the Michigan highway system I noted at least 1 dedicated portion of highway. Entering Chicago from the south, you're bound to see Soldier Field, yet another dedication. I can't help feeling how wasted some of these dedications are. They don't really connect people. I'll drive on the road and curse the potholes. I'll get stuck in traffic and curse the Chicago Bears for having a game when I'm arriving. But then at the same time, does a concrete slab with someone's name on it in the middle of an infrequently visited graveyard somehow imply those people are remembered any more or less?

The names will be forgotten but everyone who ever gave a damn and could see past their own wishes, will undoubtedly leave an impact on someone or something. Names, faces, tombstones - all fade, but the actions make the difference. At the end of the day (or end of the race), I just hope that I helped someone or leave a positive impact. As for wishing someone remembers my name? Well, that I can see, is just plain selfish.