Constructive gadfly
stevendedalus's Articles In Blogging » Page 3
November 14, 2004 by stevendedalus
When asked what mistakes He had made, God paused and seemed dumbstruck, then replied, “Like my son George, I can’t think of any, … if I can I’ll get back to you.” How is it a miscarriage is God’s will, but a woman’s will to abort is unacceptable? No one seems to be worried that the Arctic temperature — since it’s all ocean — has been on the rise due to two hundred years of carbon dioxide; on the other hand, when industry develops carbon dioxide below the equator and the Antarctic be...
October 2, 2004 by stevendedalus
Briefly we praise those who made the ultimate sacrifice while the families forever mourn. Indeed love is blind, inflicted by the rude glare of divorce. Statesmanship is the love of prudence; politics is the love of impudence. Only when elections are over does the truth begin. CBS is pilloried for putting the wrong wrapper on the sugar-coated sidebar. The affluent have no compulsion to give back to society because as entrepreneurial wizards they actually believe their ...
September 26, 2004 by stevendedalus
As a people we expect a large return from investment in education but accept a loss in terms of the intelligence of the presidency. Whoever is enthroned must still sit on his bottom; implicit is that he is but an ass. Republicans who misspeak, divinely err, while Democrats, guilty of the same, are assholes. Today, reflective thinking is flip-flopping; impulsive action is wisdom. When we aspire to goodness, we had better have the proper religion in mind. When in my mo...
September 18, 2004 by stevendedalus
The genius in the classroom answers every question while collective mediocrity smirks to hide its admiration and envy. Islamic murderers are rewarded with seventy virgins, but Christian sinners spend time in hell with dried up prostitutes. It’s easy to denigrate the nation’s treasures like Purple Hearts that do not bleed enough or the Iwo Jima memorial where Marines posed for the heroic imagery. In spite of desecration, the symbols proudly endure. When Marie Antoinette said, “L...
September 11, 2004 by stevendedalus
A sleeping conscience or one in denial is the most effective way to hide the truth. The art of a politician is to lie without a shit-eaten grin. The Constitution was never meant to be etched in marble to allow for amendments, but neither was it intended to be inscribed in play-dough for frivolous amendments. If God created humanity to put it through a test, then all of us have graduated from failing schools. When the voice behind the check-out counter says “Have a good day...
August 22, 2004 by stevendedalus
Even though records show otherwise, Kerry’s master plan was to make himself a hero for future political aims. Homeland Security is to secure Bush’s re-election as it proved successful in the 2002 congressional election. Apparently the hundred or so deaths of US contractors don’t count — after all, they were paid handsomely. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth have apparently dropped anchor on their heads. Praise for Tom Cruise’s neutrality — or indecision — concerning the presid...
August 15, 2004 by stevendedalus
Conservatives should try to love more, and Liberals should love less. Democrats pander all but the affluent while Republicans pander to the affluent only. Lyric is melodious and sensitive to romance; rap is to desensitize by savage rhythm. One who does not live by bread alone has an appetite for junk food. A married man who delivers himself to the Lord abandons his wife. Politics without gluttony for money is politics running on empty. God must exist because no one can ...
July 15, 2004 by stevendedalus
I have never trolled even though I might perceive a comment unseemly. No, this is not about points; rather it is concern over ideological vindictive trolling, which, I believe, is done by some among the "elite" or power users who with one fell swoop can knock off 300 points to symbolize a behavior warning or else. If I'm wrong, then--however far-fetched-- it has to be some paranoid blogger obsessed with his ranking and if his standing is threatened will search out one infringing on h...
June 12, 2004 by stevendedalus
      1.          Will Nancy Reagan’s plea for stem-cell research change the right’s viewpoint? 2.          If it’s true that Kerry asked McCain to be his running mate, diminish respect you might have had for Kerry? 3.          Do you believe that the Reagan funeral was overblown? 4.     &nb...
May 26, 2004 by stevendedalus
Although I'm now into another novel and do not write blogs with the same frequency, I am still very much a fan of JU. I've learned recently from Brad that feature articles require some HTML editing and helps clear up why so few of mine have been featured. But my major gripe is in the point system governing user points--I'm not into the arcane system of what constitutes top blog sites, leaving that to professionals. Since I joined JU some six months ago, I have been trolled to the tune of over 1...
March 20, 2004 by stevendedalus
Andy’s shaggy brows on High Definition are clearly white birch splinters.… The only way to keep a clean keyboard is to avoid profanity…. Osama bin Laden is not my idea of a militant leader; from the hundreds of images on TV he looks more like a mountain goat with a cane, and why is it he only walks down those rocky hills, has anyone ever seen him climb up?…A liberal goes to see the “Passion” to feel the pain of the underdog.…The conservative sees it for the heroics in enduring pain.…If single...
March 19, 2004 by stevendedalus
  JoeUser.com seems a war zone for ideologies. Still, this is not at all surprising inasmuch as the media, including the Internet, have been overrun by ideological pundits and talking heads. Many of us bloggers try to be eclectic yet unwittingly allow our precepts to get the better of us. For instance, we all agree with, and count our blessings for, the Constitution, yet tend to disagree or agree with some of its parts that require explanation and is subsequently appealed in the courts to ...
March 16, 2004 by stevendedalus
Bloggette Wise-Fawn generates immense controversy on the JoeUser site because of her indefatigable defense of government-assistance programs designed for those in permanent or temporary need. Most of the comments against her views come from those who are not in need and exhibit a lack of “compassionate conservatism” for those who have primarily been victimized by circumstances beyond their control. Their arguments as a rule are from the vantage point of “If I can make a living for myself with...
March 11, 2004 by stevendedalus
  The right turn on red was invented to enhance ticket revenue; too often motorists are fined for failing to make a complete stop before turning. …My very first traffic violation many years ago was in not stopping at a yellow light; …I wouldn’t advise anyone now even to slow down, let alone make a full stop, lest you cause a massive pileup from behind.…Those who are illiterate still smoke — unaware of the Surgeon General’s Warning on the pack — and usually Camels because the icon is so fam...
March 8, 2004 by stevendedalus
I don’t know about you, but TV commercials rely so heavily on fantasy that it makes me feel like I’m a real loser because I don’t have a super Honda to magically transport me to Maine for a coffee break. Instead I’m stuck home with my soup made from leftovers. Nor do I feel like a Nascar Dad that in purchasing a new SUV I have to test drive it up Mt. Everest--and I'm just too damned old to buy a sports car and find excitement in watching the rpm glare red. I suppose, too, my age controls motiv...