I'm killing this blog off yet again. This time, though, it's because I'm starting a new blog someplace else. I now have a LiveJournal. I like it better, for reasons that may or may not be apparent. Go there instead, if there are any of you. Nobody ever reads this blog, so I sort of doubt it.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
If I were running for President...
My Platform:
Iraq
Preemptive warfare is a flawed and morally indefensible principle, even when there is good solid intelligence leading to its waging. The war in Iraq did not even have a sound basis in fact, and was thus a double mistake, one compounded by later incompetence. As President, I would issue an apology to the people of Iraq for presuming to intervene in their military affairs, and offer an immediate withdrawal. However, if the Iraqi government requested it, I would be open to leaving up to 120,000 troops in Iraq for up to one year. If sufficient stability is not achieved by that time, I would propose a referendum on the Iraqi government, including the possibility of dividing Iraq into multiple new countries to ease sectarian tensions. In all negotiations, my goal would be to have all American troops, excluding those guarding our embassy, out by the end of my term.
Iran
I would insist that Iran comply with the NNPT, but if they decide to withdraw from that treaty, they will have my acquiescence. Although it may not be in our best security interests (though I doubt this), it is their right to have a nuclear deterrent. We are not the policeman of the world, nor do other nations have to change their behavior for us because of some vague “national security concerns.”
The Economy
I would take steps to reverse the decline of the US dollar, requesting the Fed to raise interest rates. If Bernanke does not comply, I will remove him from office and appoint a solid money economist in his place. This will almost certainly plunge the country into recession, but it will hopefully preserve the Dollar's status as a good reserve of value, trusted by bankers all over the world. Troubled mortgage holders will be left up to their own devices, or the discretion of the states.
The Budget
I would veto any and all pork-barrel spending sent to my desk. I would drastically reduce Federal expenditures on nonessential programs, such as environmental and agricultural subsidies. These things are not the government's business. I would cut government bureaucracy and regulations. Money saved by this would go towards reducing the Federal deficit. I would halve the size of the IRS, introducing a flat tax of 20% on income and 5% on goods and services. Those earning less than $15,000 a year would be exempted from the income tax.
Illegal Immigration
It seems obvious to me that the whole reason there is a problem with illegal immigration is because it's hard to immigrate legally. I would remove all quotas and waiting lists on incoming immigrants, and allow anyone to apply for citizenship, whether within our borders or out. The only requirement for citizenship would be not having a criminal record and knowing enough English to fill out the forms. To prevent negative consequences on the Federal budget, all new citizens will be exempt from receiving benefits for five years after becoming a citizen. All illegals who have not applied within one year of citizenship becoming available or within one year of entering the country will be required to get visas or be deported. I would tighten border security and require all entering, whether they intend on staying or not, to register and submit to a background check.
Health Care
I would deregulate the market and abolish HMOs. Any government-sponsored health care that exists will be created by the states, on their own. Medicare will be phased out gradually over the next ten years. Social Security will be frozen, with no new people or payments entering the system. Each person already a part will be paid in full over the time they were allotted to, and their account closed out.
Global Warming
I will take aggressive action to not do anything about global warming, thus staving off the more imminent threat of global cooling.
Japan
I will request that Japan revise its Constitution to allow it to have its own army, thus allowing us to withdraw forever. We will still guarantee its security, just not with any real presence or bases, just the threat of our nuclear arsenal. Troops and money freed up from this will be used to police the Mexican border (see above.)
Energy
Biofuels are garbage, and all Federal subsidies to them will be eliminated. Sources of “clean” energy will be given tax credits, no more. The private market can deal with our energy needs on its own. I will encourage the construction of more nuclear power plants.
Moral Issues
I would support a Federal ban on abortion and nominate only conservative judges to the Supreme Court. While I oppose gay marriage, I believe that should be left to the states.
The UN
I would withdraw from the UN. We cannot continue to sponsor such a corrupt institution in good conscience.
Space
I would halve NASA's budget, eliminate the shuttle program, and instruct it to focus on probes, telescopes, and experimental work that actually has some value.
Genocide
I would do everything in my power to aid victims of genocide and bring about a peaceful conclusion. However, direct military intervention would be an unconscionable breach of national sovereignty.
...is there anything I'm forgetting?
Iraq
Preemptive warfare is a flawed and morally indefensible principle, even when there is good solid intelligence leading to its waging. The war in Iraq did not even have a sound basis in fact, and was thus a double mistake, one compounded by later incompetence. As President, I would issue an apology to the people of Iraq for presuming to intervene in their military affairs, and offer an immediate withdrawal. However, if the Iraqi government requested it, I would be open to leaving up to 120,000 troops in Iraq for up to one year. If sufficient stability is not achieved by that time, I would propose a referendum on the Iraqi government, including the possibility of dividing Iraq into multiple new countries to ease sectarian tensions. In all negotiations, my goal would be to have all American troops, excluding those guarding our embassy, out by the end of my term.
Iran
I would insist that Iran comply with the NNPT, but if they decide to withdraw from that treaty, they will have my acquiescence. Although it may not be in our best security interests (though I doubt this), it is their right to have a nuclear deterrent. We are not the policeman of the world, nor do other nations have to change their behavior for us because of some vague “national security concerns.”
The Economy
I would take steps to reverse the decline of the US dollar, requesting the Fed to raise interest rates. If Bernanke does not comply, I will remove him from office and appoint a solid money economist in his place. This will almost certainly plunge the country into recession, but it will hopefully preserve the Dollar's status as a good reserve of value, trusted by bankers all over the world. Troubled mortgage holders will be left up to their own devices, or the discretion of the states.
The Budget
I would veto any and all pork-barrel spending sent to my desk. I would drastically reduce Federal expenditures on nonessential programs, such as environmental and agricultural subsidies. These things are not the government's business. I would cut government bureaucracy and regulations. Money saved by this would go towards reducing the Federal deficit. I would halve the size of the IRS, introducing a flat tax of 20% on income and 5% on goods and services. Those earning less than $15,000 a year would be exempted from the income tax.
Illegal Immigration
It seems obvious to me that the whole reason there is a problem with illegal immigration is because it's hard to immigrate legally. I would remove all quotas and waiting lists on incoming immigrants, and allow anyone to apply for citizenship, whether within our borders or out. The only requirement for citizenship would be not having a criminal record and knowing enough English to fill out the forms. To prevent negative consequences on the Federal budget, all new citizens will be exempt from receiving benefits for five years after becoming a citizen. All illegals who have not applied within one year of citizenship becoming available or within one year of entering the country will be required to get visas or be deported. I would tighten border security and require all entering, whether they intend on staying or not, to register and submit to a background check.
Health Care
I would deregulate the market and abolish HMOs. Any government-sponsored health care that exists will be created by the states, on their own. Medicare will be phased out gradually over the next ten years. Social Security will be frozen, with no new people or payments entering the system. Each person already a part will be paid in full over the time they were allotted to, and their account closed out.
Global Warming
I will take aggressive action to not do anything about global warming, thus staving off the more imminent threat of global cooling.
Japan
I will request that Japan revise its Constitution to allow it to have its own army, thus allowing us to withdraw forever. We will still guarantee its security, just not with any real presence or bases, just the threat of our nuclear arsenal. Troops and money freed up from this will be used to police the Mexican border (see above.)
Energy
Biofuels are garbage, and all Federal subsidies to them will be eliminated. Sources of “clean” energy will be given tax credits, no more. The private market can deal with our energy needs on its own. I will encourage the construction of more nuclear power plants.
Moral Issues
I would support a Federal ban on abortion and nominate only conservative judges to the Supreme Court. While I oppose gay marriage, I believe that should be left to the states.
The UN
I would withdraw from the UN. We cannot continue to sponsor such a corrupt institution in good conscience.
Space
I would halve NASA's budget, eliminate the shuttle program, and instruct it to focus on probes, telescopes, and experimental work that actually has some value.
Genocide
I would do everything in my power to aid victims of genocide and bring about a peaceful conclusion. However, direct military intervention would be an unconscionable breach of national sovereignty.
...is there anything I'm forgetting?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Warning Signs: The Economy
(This is my from my dA journal for today, but it's very important and applies you too.)
Now normally I pretty much stick to talking about me here--what I'm doing, my art, what I think of politics--because, well, it's my journal. But today I want to talk a bit more about something I'm worried about that's not going to affect me, but rather you.
This morning the dollar fell to 1.51 against the Euro, 1.02 Canadian, and .94 Australian. Gold is almost to $1000, Silver to $20, and Oil is at $100 a barrel. Food prices are also skyrocketing. The Fed, meanwhile, wants to cut rates even further. The dollar is collapsing, and there is nothing to stop it.
I don't have to tell you that this is very bad news for all US citizens, so I'll skip to my point: if you have any savings at all, please get it out of dollars! Buy gold, silver, stockpile food, even buy foreign currency. I don't care what you do, get it out of the bank and into something safe!
The dollar crash is mostly only a problem for us Americans, but the real estate crash effects everybody. If you have a house, sell it! You've probably lost tons of money on it already, but if you wait, you'll lose even more. Get out of debt! Store some food!
You are all good friends of mine, so I hope you'll perhaps listen to me on this. A lot of people are going to be made desperate and miserable by all this, and I don't want it to be any of you. There's still time.
These are going to be hard times for everybody, but you can avoid the worst of it. The thought that any of you might have your lives ruined by this is very upsetting to me, and I hope that you will take a moment to think about it and do something. Please.
Now normally I pretty much stick to talking about me here--what I'm doing, my art, what I think of politics--because, well, it's my journal. But today I want to talk a bit more about something I'm worried about that's not going to affect me, but rather you.
This morning the dollar fell to 1.51 against the Euro, 1.02 Canadian, and .94 Australian. Gold is almost to $1000, Silver to $20, and Oil is at $100 a barrel. Food prices are also skyrocketing. The Fed, meanwhile, wants to cut rates even further. The dollar is collapsing, and there is nothing to stop it.
I don't have to tell you that this is very bad news for all US citizens, so I'll skip to my point: if you have any savings at all, please get it out of dollars! Buy gold, silver, stockpile food, even buy foreign currency. I don't care what you do, get it out of the bank and into something safe!
The dollar crash is mostly only a problem for us Americans, but the real estate crash effects everybody. If you have a house, sell it! You've probably lost tons of money on it already, but if you wait, you'll lose even more. Get out of debt! Store some food!
You are all good friends of mine, so I hope you'll perhaps listen to me on this. A lot of people are going to be made desperate and miserable by all this, and I don't want it to be any of you. There's still time.
These are going to be hard times for everybody, but you can avoid the worst of it. The thought that any of you might have your lives ruined by this is very upsetting to me, and I hope that you will take a moment to think about it and do something. Please.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Comparing Sketchbooks
Now, as I might have mentioned, I like to use sketchbooks a lot. Lately, I've been looking for the Ultimate Sketchbook. Haven't found it, but in case you were wondering what sketchbooks are closest, here are my thoughts on five of the nicer brands.A. Moleskine Sketch Book
The fancy name brand. Rather overpriced for what you get: a stylish book, but not really better than the others. The paper is a very smooth off-white card, which doesn't look like it'd be very good for pencils. However, I haven't actually drawn in mine yet, so I could be wrong. Looks great for nib pens, though, because it's so smooth. The cover is a very tough imitation moleskin that's okay. The spine looks sort of cheap, as do the ribbon and elastic band. (Though I alway cut out the ribbon anyway. Who needs a ribbon in a sketchbook, for heaven's sake?) On the other hand, the binding is great. It always lies perfectly flat. No binding is perfect, of course, and this one can break as well as any, but it's pretty good anyhow. Typically costs 15-17 dollars US. Black only (boo!) Two sizes available: 5.5x8.5 in. and 3.5x5.5 in.
B. Watson-Guptill Sketchbook
Your basic sketchbook. No frills, plain white paper with medium tooth (not real thick, but not thin, either), no ribbon, elastic, rounded corners, or any of that silly stuff. These books have been around for a while, so you can find them at all sorts of prices, and in all sorts of colors (I saw a hot pink one on Amazon the other day.) The binding is tough, though it doesn't always want to lie flat. Good general-use sketchbook. 5.75x8.75 in.
C. Hand*Book Journal
A nice off-white thick sketching paper that's good with pencil, though it doesn't work real good with ink. Doesn't wrinkle very badly with watercolor, either. I still don't really like the paper as much as I could, though...it just seems dry, if that makes any sense. Nice cloth cover, very nice elastic closure, not-so-nice pocket in back. The pocket in the Moleskines are spiffy, but this is just a plastic envelope glued to the back cover. The binding is okay, but I've already broken it in one place. The spine looks great. Overall, it's a quality-looking book, though perhaps its quality isn't as high as first appears. Mostly, it's just not my kind of sketchbook. Costs about the same as a Moleskine, but available in several nice colors. Same two sizes as the Moleskine.
D. A la Modeskin by Pentalic
The cheaper alternative to the others. Which kind of shows, though it's very good for the price. The cover is a sort of wierd spongy vinyl with a fine leather texturing. Unlike all the others, the cover is not hard, merely stiff (it bends without wrinkling, though, so that's okay.) The paper is ivory, smooth, and not real thick, with square edges like the Watson-Guptill. It's good-quality paper, though. The binding is sewn and tough, but too springy to really lay flat. Nice ribbon, elastic, and pocket. Available in three sizes: 6x9, 4x6, and 3x4. Lots of colors, though they are mostly sort of wierd-looking 70's colors. I hate retro. The red and black are okay. Cheap--always under $7 at Amazon.
E. Pen & Ink Sketch
This might be the best of the bunch. The paper is an inviting smooth ivory stock that's pretty thick. The cover is well-made, though I admit I don't really care for the faux leather thing. But it's soft and attractive, so that's okay. The binding is as good as you might expect, at least as good as the Hand*Book. They both lie flat good most of the time, but there are weak spots where signatures were glued together where it's easy to break the binding. The Moleskine has this problem too, of course, just not as bad. Decent ribbon and elastic, nice pocket (same as the Moleskine.) The whole thing just exudes an air of high quality, unlike the others, all of which have cheap-looking or -feeling bits. The problem is, it only comes in one size: 3.5x5.5 in. Small, in other words. Bummer there. Black only, costs about ten bucks.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Ron Paul Paster
Have you ever seen that one paster* of Barack Obama with him looking all visionary and with the word PROGRESS printed underneath? I thought it was pretty cool, so I tracked it down. Turns out it was created by Obey Giant Art (the imprint of a young guy who likes to create propaganda as art.) I printed it off and stuck it on my wall, but I'm not really an Obama guy, so... this!It's basically a reply to the Obama poster. Not only is it in a similar style and for the same thing, but its caption, LIBERTY, is a rebuttal of Obama's supposed "progress." I like Obama well enough (and won't rule out voting for him in the general election if RP isn't available), but I don't think that you can achieve "progress" by government intervention. All it does is whittle away at personal freedom and the health of the economy.
I've got a printable PDF you can download here. Then you can print it off, copy it...and put it all over the place. If you like.
*A paster is a cheap little poster for sticking all over the place.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Journal: Excelsior!
Since I'm now disappointed in politics (and thinking that maybe I should join the Libertarian Party or something), all the more reason to jump into art things with more energy. I've got commissions to do, and lots of interesting drawings I want to do for myself because they're interesting.
I also have a couple of paintings I want to do, but I'm all out of Bristol board. And since I WILL NOT buy any more of that cheap stuff, so determined am I to upgrade to decent illustration board, we'll just have to see if I can persuade myself to part with the necessary cash. Illustration board is nearly five bucks a sheet, see.
I recently dragged my violin out of storage and fiddled around with it a bit (pun not intended.) Yes, I do play violin--badly, at least. I only took lessons for a year before my teacher moved away and I quit. It's too bad, sort of, because I was picking it up amazingly fast (considering that I never practiced, that is.) I am a natural on the instrument, but I'm also lazy. Anyway, it was not looking real good after being unplayed for about two years. One of the strings had actually come loose altogether. I tightened everything up and got it into some sort of tune (tuning instruments has never been my forte--I'm okay with the violin, but I can't tune a guitar to save my life), and then promptly broke the D string. Then I broke the only spare I had (which was probably an A string anyway.) Bah. Those suckers cost at least $12. But I guess I should probably replace all of them, since they've been sitting for so long (the G is even sort of blackened--must be silver wound.) I don't even know why I want to get it in working order again, besides that it's a pretty good violin and it's a shame for it to not be playable. I did like to improvise on it, I guess. That, and the piano bores me nowadays.
Now onto a different subject: DMFA. [link] You know, the comic strip. Those of you who read it will know that Amber is doing a donations drive for necessary travel money. I'm offering to draw Abel for you guys if she reaches her goal, since she's already maxed out and can't really do much in the way of incentives. So if you want to see that (and I know lots of you do), go donate. More info on the forum. [link]
We're expecting even more snow up here. We also have an icicle that's like five feet long. Winter is getting a bit out of control, I think.
But mostly I'm raring to work on art! There are SO MANY possibilities out there I want to explore... and you bet I'll poke my head into all of them. In the four years I've been doing artistic things, I've done hundreds of paintings and drawings, written five symphonies and numerous other compositions, written several dozen poems, designed books and CDs and websites, made comics, and experimented with all sorts of new ways of doing things. You can bet this trend will continue! This month marks the first anniversary of when I started learning to draw characters (before I just did landscapes and abstracts), and look how far I've gotten. I'm excited about the future, and I'm excited about what I can learn to do! (How's that for a rebound from yesterday, huh?)
I also have a couple of paintings I want to do, but I'm all out of Bristol board. And since I WILL NOT buy any more of that cheap stuff, so determined am I to upgrade to decent illustration board, we'll just have to see if I can persuade myself to part with the necessary cash. Illustration board is nearly five bucks a sheet, see.
I recently dragged my violin out of storage and fiddled around with it a bit (pun not intended.) Yes, I do play violin--badly, at least. I only took lessons for a year before my teacher moved away and I quit. It's too bad, sort of, because I was picking it up amazingly fast (considering that I never practiced, that is.) I am a natural on the instrument, but I'm also lazy. Anyway, it was not looking real good after being unplayed for about two years. One of the strings had actually come loose altogether. I tightened everything up and got it into some sort of tune (tuning instruments has never been my forte--I'm okay with the violin, but I can't tune a guitar to save my life), and then promptly broke the D string. Then I broke the only spare I had (which was probably an A string anyway.) Bah. Those suckers cost at least $12. But I guess I should probably replace all of them, since they've been sitting for so long (the G is even sort of blackened--must be silver wound.) I don't even know why I want to get it in working order again, besides that it's a pretty good violin and it's a shame for it to not be playable. I did like to improvise on it, I guess. That, and the piano bores me nowadays.
Now onto a different subject: DMFA. [link] You know, the comic strip. Those of you who read it will know that Amber is doing a donations drive for necessary travel money. I'm offering to draw Abel for you guys if she reaches her goal, since she's already maxed out and can't really do much in the way of incentives. So if you want to see that (and I know lots of you do), go donate. More info on the forum. [link]
We're expecting even more snow up here. We also have an icicle that's like five feet long. Winter is getting a bit out of control, I think.
But mostly I'm raring to work on art! There are SO MANY possibilities out there I want to explore... and you bet I'll poke my head into all of them. In the four years I've been doing artistic things, I've done hundreds of paintings and drawings, written five symphonies and numerous other compositions, written several dozen poems, designed books and CDs and websites, made comics, and experimented with all sorts of new ways of doing things. You can bet this trend will continue! This month marks the first anniversary of when I started learning to draw characters (before I just did landscapes and abstracts), and look how far I've gotten. I'm excited about the future, and I'm excited about what I can learn to do! (How's that for a rebound from yesterday, huh?)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Stupid Country.
JOHN MCCAIN. OH HOW I HATE HIM.
THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO HELL.
Wah...
As the enormity of the political consequences and the completeness of the dashing of my hopes becomes more evident, I almost feel like I could cry...
But I can deal with it. I'll just become MORE CYNICAL.
My problem was that I was letting my idealism get out of control. I was beginning to let myself think that the country might actually do the right thing. Stupid me.
Hillary is still looking strong too...gah.
THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO HELL.
Wah...
As the enormity of the political consequences and the completeness of the dashing of my hopes becomes more evident, I almost feel like I could cry...
But I can deal with it. I'll just become MORE CYNICAL.
My problem was that I was letting my idealism get out of control. I was beginning to let myself think that the country might actually do the right thing. Stupid me.
Hillary is still looking strong too...gah.
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