THE SUNDAY QUIZ
Under heaven nothing is more soft and yielding than water.
Yet for attacking the solid and the strong, nothing is better.
It has no equal.
The weak can overcome the strong.
The supple can overcome the stiff.
Under heaven, everyone knows this.
Yet no one puts it into practice.
Therefore the Sage says:
He who takes upon himself the humiliation of the people
is fit to rule them.
He who takes upon himself the country's disasters deserves
to be king of the universe.
The truth sounds paradoxical.
Tao Te Ching (Ch-78)
No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.
Heraclitus
It has been too damn long. Time for another list. A LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR THE AGES.
- Why do modern day NAZIS call everybody else NAZI'S?
- Why was the Clean Air Act not called the Dirty Air Act?
- Why was the Patriot Act not called the Dictatorship Act?
- Why was the Middle Class Tax Relief Act not called the Rich People's Take All Act?
- How can a repub senator author 'end of live counseling provisions' and then attack them as promoting euthanasia?
- How can repub Romney set up a program for universal health coverage in Massachusetts and attack the same program nation-wide?
- If there has to be someone between a doctor and her patient, why must he be an insurance agent?
- If the Dems have 60 senators, why am I worried about cloture?
- How come every time I go outside without a hanky, my nose drips?
- How come Cheney is not in jail?
- How come Feith is not in jail?
- How come Gonzo is not in jail?
- How come _______________** is not in jail?
- How come Tom Ridge complains about issuing an alert just prior to the election of 2004 when no alert issued?
- How come Tom Ridge does not complain about obeying certain edicts for alerts at other times that effected the elections?
- How come w is getting ten million to write a book when he cannot read, speak or write good?
- How come repubs say things and then, even when the video is played, deny they ever said such things?
- How come repub adulterers stay in office when they voted to impeach MY PRESIDENT?
- How come every time I find myself outside with a hanky, my nose does not drip?
- Who really would want Michelle Bachman's body anyway?
- How many roads must a man walk down......
- Where in the fuck DID that cigarette go....OH JEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!!!!
- Why am I supposed to be more concerned with mock executions than the actual executions?
- If Joe the plumber is not a Joe and not a plumber why cannot I be a bank examiner?
- Why is money worth so little these days even though it's covered in cocaine?
- Why is Sarah Palin?
- Why cannot I plan better on $133/month after rent is paid?
- Why does the government give the airwaves away for free and for 30 + years I got a water bill?
- If the Fed lends money to banks for 0% interest, how can a bank not make a profit?
- Why is 'liberal' such a good adjective for a bartender, and such a bad adjective for a politician?
- How many repubs does it take to tell the truth?*
BUSH: http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/03/george_w_bushs_book_the_decide.html & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7JY6i9gi1Q
RUSH: http://mediamatters.org/columns/200908210050
RIDGE: http://mediamatters.org/research/200908210056
BACHMAN: http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/12596/michele-bachman-no-governmental-control-on-my-body
ADULTERY: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/dikkday48yahoocom/2009/08/the-hammer-of-justice.php
ROADS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ced8o50G9kg
CLOTURE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloture
EXECUTIONS: http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/
COCAINE: http://www.slate.com/id/2225893/
BECK: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/20/whoopi-goldberg-calls-gle_n_205845.html
EUTHANASIA: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1917525-2,00.html
* One. And where is he or she again?
** Come on folks, wake the frick up, fill in the blank. At least a thousand answers possible.
16)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP8xff2X46A
August 23, 2009 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
20)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12EgF5TVKVY
August 23, 2009 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
21)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmFN9C9PVpg
August 23, 2009 10:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
10-13)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zgja26eNeY
August 23, 2009 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is fun. I wanted to wait till my other blog got to 24 so I postponed this. That damn postponement button does not work.
So instead I get a musical review:
The Platters--wow
Leon the Redbone--cryin in his beer
Johnny Cash--I have been everywhere. jonnie I have been looking for this song for two months but I could not for the life of me recall the title and I sure the hell could not recall the lines. It is such a tribute, really, to the traveling minstrel and no wonder Dylan stood in awe of this guy.
And San Quentin, just like the movie. wow
Thank you for this--and yes you have answered many questions with four songs. hahahahaha
August 23, 2009 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dickon, these questions...
The world has gone mad.
August 23, 2009 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
We should do a blog, present a NEW LEFTIST. ha
She would just lie all day for our benefit. Take calls and spew out untruths all day. Sometimes I think: 'What's the difference'. These people do not care a whit about truth, about north and south, up and down.
ack ack ack
August 23, 2009 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wondered how you managed to post this later today. This is my favorite Johnny Cash,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPOVL6Z20aM
August 23, 2009 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet tune Jonnie. heartily felt.
August 23, 2009 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
dd,
We all have more questions than valid answers.
This a.m. I have to ask:
Why did they choose David G. to host MTP? (Horrible choice!)
Why are Sunday Morning (CBS) and often Face the Nation (CBS) the only intelligent and worthwhile programs on MSM on Sundays?
Why do I care?
Rec'd.
August 23, 2009 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right on Auntie. I would give a vote for Chris Matthews show. Its taped sometime on Friday and we get it here on an independent channel at 10 right after face the nation.
Today Woodward and Joe Kline were two of four 'on the panel'. Half an hour. Just journalists talking about issues but usually REAL issues.
MTP is a waste of time with monkeyface gregory. I sometimes tune in to stephadoofalis in the last half for the panel discussion and see who is there.
Today Reich and Kruger were 'on the panel'. Just great.
August 23, 2009 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Had an interesting thought a few days ago. Why not Rachel Maddow as anchor for MTP. Gregory was the obvious choice from the "usual suspects"; It's certainly proven to be a disaster. Rachel, on the other hand, is not afraid to ask the 'critical' questions.
They always say, "if you are to tough on the guests, no one will come on the show and the show will go down the tubes". Well it's "going down the tubes", why not give the lesbian a shot. When they won't go on her show we can accuse them of being homophobes.
August 23, 2009 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
A lot of people like Rachel, including me. Frankly, she needs this hour show along with her three hours of radio...keeps her sharp, tough and researching.
I never miss her. I would if I could only see her for one hour a week.
She is young. Frankly MTP should go back to what it used to be....four or five gooooooood journalists pounding on one guest.
August 23, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
The MSM needs to start thinking outside the box.
August 23, 2009 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
second that, DD. David Gregory also had Joe Scarborough on today to discuss health care. This, this really has to stop. Joe Scarborough has ZERO to contribute to a debate about health care. Maybe he's thinking about running again, maybe he's a token Republican, I don't know, frankly I don't care, this debate is too important to squander on meaningless hacks.
August 23, 2009 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Jughead was his usual dumb self but Tavis Smiley was very good during those last few minutes of the show this morning. As was, of course, Charles Schumer, earlier in the show. Chuckie rawks.
August 23, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love Schumer too even though I mispell his name most of the time. Hell I even misspell misspell. ha
Always good to hear him weigh in. Softly is his usual pace. But he is more fun when he is mad.hhahahahah
August 23, 2009 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
jughead claims to be the 'reasonable voice of the people'. You know of course that our country is 'right of center' and blah blah blah blah. hahahhah
Jackass. No he is making too much money. I did some research on him and put it in a blog where I went a little overboard. I did apologize to you, right? I was venting hatred against one of the impeachers.
There was a dead girl found in his office one day..a short time later he resigned...a short time after that he got divorced...he is dirty and he impeached MY PRESIDENT.
No he makes too much money and has nothing to lose with his current wife a couple states away most of the time. And Mika is a drunk duggie...I have seen her so out of it she had to hang on to her chair just to keep from falling. She is supposed to be the 'liberal;..............
Ahh but I go on tooooooooo long.
August 23, 2009 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely brilliant concept!
Um, could you make that happen? Puleeze!
That would be a show I know would be something worth watching!
(There's a pair of dd's ol' jammies in it for ya! And yes, freshly laundered.)
Thanks J!
August 23, 2009 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't wear jammies, but a few tightly knotted old socks for my dog Kai would be nice.
August 23, 2009 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, obviously you don't understand. It would be sacrilege to wear them. You see, they are greatly in demand by many. And the plaid ones, with ciggy burns and cherry pie fillings stains, well, they are priceless!
dd's jammies are the inspiration for many a song and tome! Josh is begging for a pair for the TPM Hall of Infamy!
August 23, 2009 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cherry pie filling stains! Kai is licking his chops. They might not be safe here.
August 23, 2009 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
if you are to tough on the guests, no one will come on the show and the show will go down the tubes
That's a myth created by the MSM to justify their cowardice. Peopel LOVE to hear the tough questions. The politicians need the MSM as much as the MSM needs the politicians. Let a host go on and on about a pol and then inform the viewer the pol refuses to come on the show and that pol will make it their business to get on the show. Either the pol shows up, or s/he gets hammered with no response. They will show up!
August 24, 2009 2:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
One of the things about warbling Palestrina and Lassus on Sunday Mornings is that I have an excuse not to listen to any of the bobbleheads. And I can let Atrios document the atrocities. :-)
August 23, 2009 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Elder Ting asked Lin-chi, "Master, what is the great meaning of Buddha's teachings?" Lin-chi came down from his seat, slapped Ting and pushed him away. Ting was stunned and stood motionless. A monk near by said, "Ting, why do you not bow?" At that moment, Ting attained great enlightenment.
Zen Koan
C
August 23, 2009 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
You not only treat your neighbor as you would wish him to treat you
You do not treat your neighbor in a manner that you would not particularly enjoy yourself
You must not only quietly and peacefully accept the bad behavior of your neighbor...
YOU MUST THANK HIM FOR TREATING YOU THUS!!!!
August 23, 2009 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you miss the point DD. Was Elder Ting's question valid or not ?
And Lin-chi's response...showing Elder Ting his displeasure at his question. Had he (Elder Ting) learned nothing ?
The monk's question was to be meditated on. "Why did he not bow ?" Did the master deserve it or not ?
Teachers open the door. But you must enter yourself.
It is a koan. Something to think about.
C
August 23, 2009 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maukonen, you've penned the best koan of all:
"I think you missed the point."
Just kidding. But isn't a koan something that one should stop thinking about? What was the one about the student who would always answer the master's questions by raising his hand and pointing his finger as he rattled off the answer? So the master cut off the student's finger. When the student was asked "what is zen?" he raised his hand and...
August 24, 2009 2:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
But isn't a koan something that one should stop thinking about?
You are correct. "Think of not-thinking. How do you think of not-thinking? Be before thinking. These are the basics of zazen." Zen Master Dogen.
However this concept is difficult to explain. True meditation (practice) involves emptying ones mind of all thoughts and concentrating on what is happening this very minute.
Not as easy as it sounds. And to meditate on a koan then, is even more difficult.
I took the easy way out.
C
August 24, 2009 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is interesting stuff, and I'm glad you've brought it up. When I was 17 I had the wonderful experience of working with Feng Gia-Fu - primarily known for his translations of Lao Tzu.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gia-Fu_Feng
It's strange the Wiki bio misses Gia Fu's Zen background. In 1960, when we worked together at Hidden Villa, it seemed Zen was his main interest. We worked at a kid's summer camp in Los Altos, Ca - we were co-counselors to the youngest boys age group - 9 and 10 year olds. One evening many of the counselors were sitting around the large room devoted to the counselors, we heard terrible and loud profanity coming from up the hill. The head counselor, a terrific lady but a bit of a Christian prude, led the expedition to investigate. When we arrived at the showers, there was Gia Fu, wringing his hands together in supreme pleasure, with a gigantic grin on his face. The boys were in the showers shouting strings of every cuss word they could think of, in a state of pure joy. The head counselor was horrified, and she jumped in front of Gia Fu, demanding and explanation.
"The boys were feeling a little tense," Gia Fu explained, "so I thought I would give them a period of free expresion."
After that, Gia Fu became the brunt of jokes and ridicule from the counselors (but not I) and it even degenerated to calling him "Snuf-fu" - but he loved it. He was in charge, finally. And his revenge was magnificent, I must say. The camp tradition at Hidden Villa for the last day of camp is to construct small floats for each group, including the counselors, and then place candles representing the members of each group. The floats would be taken to the swimming pool after sunset, each candle lit, and launched into the water as all sang camp songs - Kumbaya included. Gia Fu volunteered to make the counselor's float, and as it neared completion, he called me over to show me a small hole he drilled in the bottom. "I don't think that will make it sink - it's all wood and the wood will still float" I told him. "Well, we shall see." said Gia fu.
Sure enough that evening, about 30 minutes into the singing, someone shouted "Look at the counselors float!" It was sinking - not only that, it was sinking like the Titanic. The float was upending as it took on water, and as it sank the candles were "snuffing out" one by one.
August 24, 2009 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=john+trudell+bombs+over+bagdad&search_type=&aq=f
This is john trudell's "bombs over bagdad" from a show in germany. He is Santee band sioux, an early AIMer during the COINTELPRO days. His wife and children died in a suspicious house fire during the time that the govt.-sponsored GOON sqauds (guardians of the oglala nation) were terrorizing the traditionals who didn't want the uranium mined on the rez. FBI, dick wilson, leonard peltier. etc. times. He sees the corporate-run government clearly.
August 23, 2009 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS A GEM. Even Kris is there. ha
It says 1993 on it. Could that be?
What a song. Wendy, for heavens sake get the lyrics and do a blog on this thing. This is goooooooood.
August 23, 2009 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, i have been wanting to write about peltier and the surrounding issues...when i can grab some time.
August 23, 2009 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
20) has me in hysterics, hahahahaha...
August 23, 2009 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is quoting Steinem right out of the box and is toooooooooooo dumb to understand what she said.
August 23, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just woke up and you're giving us a pop quiz.
How am I supposed to keep my grades up? Oy.
My answer:
The evolution of consciousness is not keeping up with the pace of human development.
(Hey usually if you at least 'sound' intelligent answering these things you get a passing grade, right?)
August 23, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Had an English lit pop quiz once, I had read the wrong assignment. Got a B+, IT WORKS.
August 23, 2009 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
sie, sie, see, see, c, C....hhahahaha
But with all your extra credit assignments completed you get an A+ today.
And you enjoy your Sunday. We are sunny, just a few clouds to make the sky interesting. 70degrees. Might get to 75 or so. This IS HEAVEN.
August 23, 2009 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh Master DickDay
Why do we park our cars on the driveway and drive our cars on the parkway?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDFQXxWIyvQ
Student Amike.
August 23, 2009 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Professor, I am playing this right now. How I love tabs.
I remember thinking the same things as a kid; hell as an adult. And I certainly was confused over parkways.
August 23, 2009 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention putting the cargo on a ship and the shipment in a truck, or rush hour being the hour when absolutely nobody rushes.
August 23, 2009 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amike, if your nose runs and your feet smell, you're built upsidedown.
Why does a private live in general quarters and a general live in private quarters?
August 24, 2009 2:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
As I usually rest on Sunday - I hope you realize this is a big strain for me. hahahahahahaha
#6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzq5X-p2C0Y
August 23, 2009 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
hahahahahah
Good old Patsy. Wonderful!!!!
You rest up good, yahear?
August 23, 2009 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do right-wingnutters rail against the elite, then try to pretend to sound intelligent in their rhetoric?
Why do flammable and inflammable mean the same thing?
How do we know that few Americans will give a **** about the details in the CIA inspector general's report?
Why is Tom DeLay dancing in pumps instead of making liscense plates?
Why do so many bullies taunt "make my day?" Would it really make their days to shoot me? Or you?
Why are so many Christianists totally duped by creepy politicians?
Why do so many right-wingers maintain at all costs that Ronald Reagan never raised taxes?
Why have Americans over the decades increase the importance of who is President, when it is Congress that makes Laws?
Why didn't a Rainbow Coalition ever take hold; i.e., why doesn't one minority take up the issues of other minorities?
Why are Native Americans always left out of the lists of minorities?
Sorry; they got less funny as i let my mind where it would...
August 23, 2009 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
See Wendy, once in awhile is boils over...emotionally or intellectually. And I just list the contradictions throughout the day. Kind of fun really.
A week, your turn. hahahahaha
August 23, 2009 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
As radio comedian, Fred Allen once said, "If you laid all the politicians in the world end to end, they would still be lying."
August 23, 2009 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
hhahaha.I know of Fred Allen. Great quote...
August 23, 2009 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
DD, I'll tell you what attracted me to study Critical Theory. I was browsing through a book about the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory, and I stumbled across a paragraph that said the Frankfurt School gave up the search for answers and replaced it with the search for better questions. That really impressed me, even though I had no idea why. Well, of course...it's obvious. If the trip is better than the destination, then a trip with no destination has to be the best of all. No, no, seriously, seeking answers is a terminal project. When the answer is found, the inquiry stops. Seeking questions is open ended, infinite. Gorbachev said it all: "True communism is impossible to attain, but we should never cease striving for it."
August 24, 2009 2:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dylan does that song about how everyone needs to follow someone. Took me so damn long to get out of the umbra of catholicism that the song bothered me.
Getting to the answer. repubs would surely no wish to have anything to do with your idea because a conservative abhors change. He really just wants money but that is another rant.
How to we clean our air?
How best to clean our water?
Just two highly important issues to me since the entire human race is dependent upon doing something in these two areas.
Well there is no answer to either question. We have to keep framing the question.
And we will attempt this or that. But the environment will keep changing so an answer that was 'good' forty years ago may not be so good right now.
Thank you for this. I really did not think about it in this light.
August 24, 2009 2:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqxW6E24Jh8
August 24, 2009 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jonnie, I hereby dub you 'JONNIE ON THE SPOT'
Got up an hour ago and just keep playin' it. Ha!!
August 24, 2009 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okey dokie Dick. Cosmic questions every one. Would you kindly point us in the direction of the oracle with the answers.
And the oracle responded:
But you already know the answers.
To which we said:
What is this answer?
The answer you choose is your reality.
But oracle how will we know the right answer?
You must search far and wide for the truth.
How will we know the truth oracle?
You will find it in the soul of men.
Oracle, how can we know another man's soul?
And the oracle responded:
Precisely.
August 24, 2009 3:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
hahahahaha.
All we can do is replay the radio tapes and the video tapes in front of them. I did not particularly like fathead Russert but he was good at that.
Otherwise the truth is in the eyes and the ears of the beholder.
The caveat here, of course, is that many of the repubs have to soul, goddamnable or otherwise.
August 24, 2009 5:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why do I always miss the best parties???
August 24, 2009 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink