The Great Outdoors
Soundtrack: “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow” by John Hartford

I have realized recently that I cannot remember the last time I went out and enjoyed the beautiful sights and sounds of nature that Colorado so lovingly offers us, her residents.

And so I've resolved to go out and frolic in the mountains as soon as is humanly possible for me. It's about time. And if anyone would like to help me out with that, I would sure appreciate it.

In other news, I had a super freaking awesome night last night, and I did so without having to consume more than 1 alcoholic beverage. That's pretty damn good, I'd say. I met up with some old high school friends, carroused with a drunken Benjamin, and in general just enjoyed being back out and about after a stressful week trying to get all sorts of stupid crap done. Important crap, yes, but stressful and therefore stupid.

Oh, I Forget...
Soundtrack: “Street Carp” by the Deftones

Bathóry

Summer fell upon me
With all of it's lush decadence
I wore it upon my sleeve
And I bathed in it's excess

Autumn fell, a shower of gold
Dignified and beautiful
I wore robes of white and silver
And I bathed in milk and roses

Winter fell upon me
The virgins' blood on my velvet gown
Languidly wearing a smirk on my face
And I bathed in crimson serum

Winter fell as I did
Cruel and cold, dark and dire
I danced upon the scales of the Dragon
And I bathed in the fires of Hell

Autumn Wonderland
Soundtrack: snowy silence and the tapping of laptop keys

Today is the first big snow of the year. It started off sleeting this morning, then the sleet turned to slushy snow, and then the slush turned into wonderful big fat flakes of snow that caught in my eyelashes and slowly melted. It's been precipitating since I woke up this morning and it's been going all day long. That means that the high country is getting plenty of snow, and that makes my soul sing with joy.

Despite the snow it is still Autumn here in Colorado. And to honor this, my favorite season, I have written a poem. Enjoy.

Autumn
I traverse these autumn shadows
Black Cat can't even see my path
My foot falls silent, eyes always seeking
The dry dead leaves part as the red sea

But here in the silence
These dark forms stalk me
My fear overwhelms
As my eyes cloud
Intangible sadness
I won't let it take me
I unfurl black wings
And I fly away.

Unseen horrors peek from dark corners
They lick their lips and gnash their teeth
My mind falls silent, I can't let them find me
My fear parts as the red sea
And I traverse my mountains of uncertainty
And let my wings bandage me
My eyes fall silent, my soul always searching
And in a moment the tide is turned.

My fear will run away before me
My eyes wil paralyze their legs
My enemies will bow before me
And offer their necks to my sword

“If Jesus Christ's Second Coming Were Tomorrow...”
Soundtrack: “One Love” by Massive Attack

"... He would be killed by Christians."

Not my words, but the words of an amazing slam poet. These words were heard at the Denver Art Museum Hamilton building opening.

It was amazing.

Killing My Darlings
Soundtrack: “An Eclipsing” by Stavesacre

It's taken me a while, but I had a pretty shocking revelation recently. This revelation is about responsibility mainly, but also entitlement. I realized that I need to focus on how the decisions I make in my life affect me, not how others' decisions play into my life. Because I have no control over the decisions that others make, but I sure as hell have a say in how my own decisions work for me.

In other words, I need to stop shooting myself in the foot.

It's true. I am exceptionally good at self-destruction, and I wasn't sure why up until very recently. It is because I like to make my life as difficult as possible. It's emotional masochism in a way. Part of it is fuel for my creativity (animosity breeds innovation) and part of it is because I want to overcome the challenges behaving in a self destructive way presents.

Yup, I'm fucked up.

Finding Happiness In Depression
Soundtrack: "In Regards To Myself" by Underoath

Some say depression is a sin. I say those people are crazy. See, I've learned to thrive on depression. I've learned to take it and club it into submission. I do my best creative work when I feel like my world is collapsing around me. And there is nothing like the feeling of being right on the edge, of being in peril of falling over the edge of the cliff. It's an emotional adrenaline rush of sorts.

So what am I depressed about? Um, everything. Because I am afraid. I am afraid of fear and afraid of failure. I am afraid I may not accomplish anything I have set out to do. But I am not worrying about it. When I have these thoughts of fear, I send them up into my Beloved's hands because I know that only He has the strength to take them on.

Phoenix
You can not be real
But you claim to be me
I'd like to know how
To get you off my back (monkey)
These Autumn leaves burn red
As dos my blackened heart
These soldiers march through my soul
And occupy my mind

But I know
Something you don't
This fire
Purifies gold
Don't hold on
To what you've got
Let ye
Be judged and destroyed

I am so real
But not in this room
I watch my body burn
So I can rise again
These Autumn leaves burn red
As dos my blackened heart
These soldiers march through my soul
And occupy my mind

But I know
I will live again
This fire
Purifies me
Don't hold on
To what you've got
Lest it
Be taken from thee

I destroyed myself tonight
So I can fly again
This cleansing fire
And this pure water
Lift me up again

I destroyed myself tonight
So I can live again
This burning desire
And this pure soul
Will fly yet again

A Doozie Of A Biology Lesson
Soundtrack: "Ignition" by Stretch Armstrong

My dear mother sent the following tidbit to my e-mail inbox and I cracked up for what seemed like eternity. I thought I'd share with all of you out in internet land.

If you have raised kids (or been one), and gone through the pet syndrome including toilet flush burials for dead goldfish, the story below will have you laughing out LOUD!

Overview: I had to take my son's lizard to the vet.

Here's what happened:

Just after dinner one night, my son came up to tell me there was "something wrong" with one of the two lizards he holds prisoner in his room.

"He's just lying there looking sick," he told me. "I'm serious dad, can you help?"

I put my best lizard-healer statement on my face and followed him into his bedroom. One of the little lizards was indeed lying on his back, looking stressed. I immediately knew what to do.

"Honey," I called, "come look at the lizard!"

"Oh my! gosh," my wife diagnosed after a minute. "She's having babies." "What?" my son demanded. "But their names are Bert and Ernie, Mom!"

I was equally outraged.

"Hey, how can that be? I thought we said we didn't want them to reproduce," I accused my wife.

"Well, what do you want me to do, post a sign in their cage?" she inquired.

(I actually think she said this sarcastically!)

"No, but you were supposed to get two boys!" I reminded her, (in my most loving, calm, sweet voice, while gritting my teeth together).

"Yeah, Bert and Ernie!" my son agreed.

"Well, it's just a little hard to tell on some guys, you know," she informed me. (again with the sarcasm, you think?)

By now the rest of the family had gathered to see what was going on. I shrugged, deciding to make the best of it.

"Kids, this is going to be a wondrous experience, I announced. "We're about to witness the miracle of birth."

"Oh, gross!" they shrieked.

"Well, isn't THAT just great! What are we going to do with a litter of tiny little lizard babies?" my wife wanted to know. (I really do think she was being snotty here, too. Don't you?)

We peered at the patient. After much struggling, what looked like a tiny foot would appear briefly, vanishing a scant second later.

"We don't appear to be making much progress," I noted. "It's breech," my wife whispered, horrified.

"Do something, Dad!" my son urged.

"Okay, okay." Squeamishly , I reached in and grabbed the foot when it next appeared, giving it a gentle tug. It disappeared. I tried several more times with the same results.

"Should I call 911," my eldest daughter wanted to know. "Maybe they could talk us through the trauma." (You see a pattern here with the females in my house?)

"Let's get Ernie to the vet," I said grimly.

We drove to the vet with my son holding the cage in his lap. "Breathe, Ernie, breathe," he urged.

"I don't think lizards do Lamaze," his mother noted to him. (Women can be so cruel to their own young. I mean what she does to me is one thing, but this boy is of her womb, for God's sake.)

The Vet took Ernie back to the examining room and peered at the little animal through a magnifying glass.

"What do you think, Doc, a C-section?" I suggested scientifically.

"Oh, very interesting," he murmured. "Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, may I speak to you privately for a moment?"

I gulped, nodding for my son to step outside.

"Is Ernie going to be okay?" my
wife asked.

"Oh, perfectly," the Vet assured us. "This lizard is not in labour. In fact, that isn't EVER going to happen... Ernie is a boy. You see, Ernie is a young male. And occasionally, as they come into maturity, like most male species, they um....um....masturbate. Just the way he did, lying on his back." He blushed, glancing at my wife. "Well, you know what I'm saying, Mr. Cameron."

We were silent, absorbing this.

"So Ernie's just...just... excited," my wife offered.

"Exactly," the vet replied, relieved that we understood.

More silence. Then my viscous, cruel wife started to giggle. And giggle. And then even laugh loudly.

"What's so funny?" I demanded, knowing, but not believing that the woman I married would commit the upcoming affront to my flawless manliness.

Tears were now running down her face. Laughing "It's just...that...I'm picturing you pulling on its... its...teeny little..." she gasped for more air to bellow in laughter once more.

"That's enough," I warned. We thanked the Vet and hurriedly bundled the lizards and our son back into the car. He was glad everything was going to be okay.

"I know Ernie's really thankful for what you've done, Dad," he told me.

"Oh, you have NO idea,"

Closed mouth, my wife agreed, collapsing with laughter.

2 Lizards... $140
1 Cage... $50
Trip to the Vet... $30
Memory of your husband pulling on a lizard's winkie...Priceless

Moral of the story: Finish biology class. Lizards lay eggs.

Telling The Untold Stories
Soundtrack: "Fixation On The Darkness" by Killswitch Engage

Breath

Little girls grow up
And break their fathers' hearts
Little boys become armchair gladiators
Follow the American dream
But I stand alone
And let the rain soak in
While office flunkies run
Holding soaked newspapers over their heads

I sleep on the pavement
Of this city I call my own
I take with me nothing
But these things I hold inside
My skin is stone
But my soul, it transforms
Soon I will be light
To stand out against consuming black

These little lies we hold
These severed truths we hide
I am standing outside the fray
Where will you be when this ends?
And I still stand alone
And let this light soak in
While the weekend warriors run
To try to escape the fire

Just breathe

Just believe.

I Like To Make Life Excruciating
Soundtrack: “Roses” by Outkast

I still have not been able to remedy the problem of no power supply for my laptop, which is excruciating. Aha, I have successfully used that word twice in one blog entry. Beat that. Anyway, not having a laptop has been hell because I'm tied down to my tired old PC at home. And I tend to be less than productive on that thing, especially since I have Need For Speed Underground 2 loaded on it. Which, speaking of, I was up until 6:30 am this morning playing that thing. Man that game is addictive. “Just... one... more... race...”

I have also been busy, so that along with no computational mobility makes for very few blog entries indeed. Do not fret, though, my pretties. Once I have an AC adapter for Rosebud (the name I have given to my laptop), I will be blogging slightly more often and with more gusto. I am trying to inject some dedicated blogging time into my day, hopefully that happens.

Stay tuned for more on how I like to make my life hard. It promises to be entertaining.

Jet Ski Lessons
Soundtrack: "Recado Bossa Nova" by Hank Mobley

It's been a rough week for me. Monday didn't start out too bad. Since it was Labor Day I had the day off from classes, so I hung out with Kyle for most of the day. We did some design work and shot some photos. Afterwards we headed over to Joe's for Genesis. While I was over there I had my laptop set up on a stool with the power adapter running across the width of the room to the wall. Dawson, Joe's dog, is the most neurotic creature on earth and he likes to freak out and run around all the time. And, well, he ran straight through the power cord, yanking it forcibly out of my laptop. The end was all bent, so Joe and I tried to fix it. Alas, we only made things worse. Anyway, that was the end of my power adapter, and I've been without one the whole week. Since my PowerBook only has 3-4 hours of battery life, I had to transfer some important design files and shut it down until I can recharge the battery. So I've been using my PC for doing design projects, and that's rough. Stupid windows.

On top of that, I got sick on Tuesday and it got worse on Wednesday. Turns out to be Bronchitis. Wonderful. So I've been drinking tons of liquids, especially orange juice, and taking it easy. I really shouldn't be awake right now, but the insomnia isn't letting me sleep and so here I am. Of course, I'll live. And I keep telling myself I don't have it that bad, especially since there are starving children in Africa.

One of my favorite shows on television is Whose Line Is It Anyway? You can tell the guys have so much fun doing the show, especially when they have a guest appearance by someone like Richard Simmons. In fact, that episode is still my favorite, I couldn't breathe by halfway into it. And look, I just happen to have it for your enjoyment.

Victory Through The Cunning Use Of Flags
Soundtrack: "Wherever I May Roam" by Metallica

I stalk through the no man's land
Gingerly avoiding the spidery mines
They blindly float through this tortured atmosphere
Feeling out the helpless victims with spindly arms

Run and leap
From cloud to cloud
Hold on tight
To your banner
Once you reach
Your intention
Plant it deep

This burden hangs heavy on my heart
I gingerly avoid all responsibilities
But they blindly follow me anyway
Feeling me out with their darkened tendrils

This world is bearing down on me
This world is bearing down on me
This world makes it hard to see
But I will not let this world break me

I can see
The battlefield
Holding tight
To my banner
I will reach
My destination
And plant it deep

Rock and Mutha Snorkin’ Roll
Soundtrack: “Electioneering” by Radiohead

So, Friday night I witnessed one of the most epic shows I’ve ever seen. Planes Mistaken For Stars and Avail were at the 3 Kings Tavern as part of Denver Fest II. And it was rock and roll, baby. I had blood on my sleeve after the show. Now that's a good rock concert. And it's probably the only time I am ever going to see Avail, so I was really excited to see them. Later on this month is Vaux with the Photo Atlas, Dead To Fall with Misery Signals, Throwdown with Zao, Evergreen Terrace, and Maylene and The Sons of Disaster, and last but not least Mastodon with Converge and The Bronx. I doubt I’ll be able to see all of those shows, but for sure I'm checking out Vaux, Throwdown, and Mastodon. Yay, metal.

School is going great. Both classes are pretty cool, especially Design and Concept. I think I am going to post updates of my progress in that class. The first project that we’re working on right now is a masthead for a magazine that we will eventually be designing. Look for that this next week.

Innit Technology Wonderful?!
Soundtrack: “Song 2” by Blur

So, I have been hearing friends of mine talking about Skype and I decided to check it out. Skype is a cool little program that lets you talk to friends for free. And by talk I don’t mean instant message, I mean talk. Like people used to do back in the 90’s. The great thing about it is that it is free. It doesn’t stop there, though. Skype offers some super cool features like Skype SMS (which allows you to text a la your super expensive cellular phone plan) and SkypeIn, which gives you your own local phone number that works with Skype. Talk about cool.

Last night was an interesting night. I won't go into the whole thing because things got very creepy at the end of our night. But I would say the highlight of the night was doing a guerilla photo shoot with Brandi and Kyle at the Erie Cemetary in Erie, which is just outside of Denver on the way to Fort Collins. The shots turned out great, unfortunately we had to keep it short because the police were on the prowl. Ironically it was a police officer who told us about the graveyard. We had been scouting locations at one point and we found a stretch of road that looked pretty abandoned and perfect for our means, so we started shooting. The officer pulled up behind us, asked us what we were doing with a camera on the side of the road at that time of night, and we straight up told him what we were trying to accomplish. So he directed us to the graveyard but warned us that "Sarge" was on the patrol, so we should keep things short. After the camera battery died on us, we headed off to find a gas station, then we headed to Hell's Gate. That's when things got creepy. Brandi and I were getting majorly bad vibes, so we left and then parted ways once we got back to Kyle's car. We now have some really cool locations that we can use for shoots in the future, though, so that will be cool.

Saving Typography
Soundtrack: “Dolly Dagger” by Jimi Hendrix

Design by Fire is one of my favorite blogs to read. First of all, it is less of a blog and more of an über-magazine dedicated not only to Design but to the thoughts of Andrei Michael Herasimchuk, who worked for Adobe Systems for many years as an interface designer. Which means he is a big reason why products like Photoshop and Illustrator are so damn fun to use. He was also project lead for Adobe Lightroom from 2002 through 2004 and he currently is a principle designer at Involution Studios. But really, this is not so much about him as it is about his fun and informative writings at Design By Fire. The fact that the site is so well designed is insignificant compared to awesome articles like this one. When I read it, my soul smiled.

The article takes the form of an open letter to John Warnock, who is a god among men in the design world. The letter is a plea from Andrei for John to “consider releasing eight to twelve core fonts into the public domain.” And I have to say, I hope John Warnock reads Andrei’s letter and takes his request seriously. Because the future of design depends on it.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a typography nut. I love it. I love collecting new typefaces and fonts, I love studying the history, and I love it when I can find the perfect typeface for a project… the one that makes all the difference. And I get incredibly frustrated when people just slap some random font on a design without any care or thought. Right now Times New Roman, Arial and Verdana rule the design landscape, especially on the web. While Times is not a terrible font, Arial is nothing more than a poor bastardization of Helvetica and Monotype Grotesque, and Verdana doesn’t even work right (see also Tahoma, which is pretty much just a rehash of Verdana). Part of this problem is Microsoft’s attitude towards typeface licensing. It’s a long story, but back in the late 80’s there was a huge digital typeface language war which led to Apple and Microsoft agreeing upon a cross-licensing and product development deal, the fruits of which would be available to both parties. Microsoft’s solution, TrueImage, never took off, but Apple's TrueType did and TrueType has been built into the Mac operating system ever since. Microsoft was on the bandwagon a couple years later when they introduced TrueType into Windows 3.1. Apple, being the sticklers for quality they are, decided to license a selection of fonts that were very useful for professionals as well as for everyday use, like Helvetica, Times, Courier, and Garamond. Microsoft, being the cheap bastards they are, decided to grab a whole bunch of knock-off fonts, like Arial. Thankfully they also licensed Courier and Times, I'd imagine life without those typefaces would lead to a cold, dark, lifeless world. I shiver at the thought.

So this brings us to the modern day. Right now Apple only has just over 2% of the market share in the computer industry. That means that most of the computers in the world, almost 98% in fact, use Windows as their primary operating system. That means that a majority of amateur graphic design and desktop publishing projects are using fonts like Arial and Verdana. And this is a bad thing. If you have to ask why it's bad, just reread the third paragraph.

What can be done? Well, until Microsoft stops ripping off fonts, there won’t be much that can be done about Windows users having access to bad fonts. Thankfully with Vista and Office 2007 they are changing most of the default fonts that Windows users have overused and abused through the years. Maybe that means less Tahoma and Verdana. I hope so. I think what has to happen is something that Adobe and many of the world’s most prestigious font foundries are not going to like. I think they are going to have to listen to voices of reason, voices like Andrei, and make some sacrifices. I think Microsoft will have to stop being a cheap little bitch and cough up a few dollars for some decent typeface licenses. But most of all I think higher learning institutions are going to have to put more of an emphasis on teaching students about typography. It’s one thing to learn the tools of the trade. But it’s another thing to learn how to use design concepts like composition and typography effectively. And I just don't see that coming from places like the Art Institutes. I dunno, maybe Microsoft and Apple and Adobe need to start helping out in that area too, offering effective and concise tutorials on typography and typefaces to help users out with that side of things. Granted, that is not necessary for the dude who just wants to write an inter-office memo. I don't care what typeface people use for that. But when it comes to graphic design, both print and web, good typography is essential and necessary. I just hope it does not become a lost art.

Cruelty
Soundtrack: “One” by U2

Apparently there is a video floating around the intarweb of a small kitten being doused in lighter fluid and burned to death. I haven’t seen it, but I did stumble upon some screen shots and they made my stomach churn like it’s never churned before. It took me a second to figure out what was going on, and I naturally took a second look to see if it was Photoshopped.

It was the real deal.

And I have to ask myself, why is cruelty such a celebrated thing right now? Why have we as a society come to the point where we are worshiping hardcore porn and animal cruelty? But most of all, I have to ask myself who is capable of these acts? My heart is sad, not just for the kitten but for the soul who committed this act. I pray that he sees how monstrous and unnecessary his abuse was, and I hope he’s brought to justice.

In other news, school is back in session. This week was my first week of classes, and it was a busy week indeed. Not only am I still trying to hash out financial aid (I hope I get it, because if not I’m screwed), but all of my classes have already kicked into high gear. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. I’m expecting this semester to be fun, even if I probably won’t be getting much sleep. But hey, who needs sleep?

Mission Accomplished
Soundtrack: “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by Uncle Tupelo

I'd like to geek out for a minute. One of my favorite games when I was in High School was Command and Conquer. Real time strategy style games are my favorite genre, they offer the chance to get lost in a world and challenge myself with the destruction of an enemy that is, much of the time, unseen. It's a nice challenge. So when I saw the trailer for the new Command and Conquer 3, well, I've been giddy all morning! This is definitely a game I'm going to look forward to playing, and hopefully it will return RTS games to their rightful place at the top of the video game hierarchy. Here's hoping!

Return Of The Lyrical Jedi
Soundtrack: “Blood Sugar Sex Magic” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

It's an oldie but a goodie.

Plunge

Here we stand
Holding hands
Ready to go over the edge
You grip my hand tight
And ease my fright
We're going to go over that edge

I can feel your strength
And I know you won't let go
Your eyes are reassuring
Telling me all I need to know

Here we plunge
Falling in a lunge
Towards our ultimate goal
Air rushes past my face
As we leave that decrepit place
Your strength is all I need to know

Talking To Americans
Soundtrack: “Would” by Alice In Chains

Although it is not entirely fair that everyone thinks of all Americans as fat and stupid, a great many of us are. Especially stupid. Well, perhaps not stupid, but ignorant. For example, Canada is one of our closest friends. They are our polite, quiet neighbors to the North. And yet we, the rowdy downstairs party animals, know nothing about them. Case in point: Rick Mercer's “Talking to Americans”. Just watch the clip below to see just how many people have no idea who Brian Mulroney is.

Doot doo do-do-do...
Soundtrack: "Mah Na Mah Na" from The Muppet Show

I'll bet you never thought Star Wars could be this funny...

I Am An American
Soundtrack: "Call On My Brothers" by Ignite

I am "unpatriotic" because I believe in a transparent government that adheres to the laws of my nation, and a voting system that isn't operated behind closed doors.

I am "disrespectful" of the office of the presidency because I believe it should be occupied by someone whose policies are aimed at the betterment of my countrymen rather than the sole benefit of his own cronies.

I "don't support the troops" because I believe they shouldn't be placed in harm's way based on lies, nor be under-equipped when sent into combat.

I am "selfish" because I think the interests of my fellow citizens should come before the interests of Big Business, Big Oil and Big Pharma.

I am a "coward" because I don't blindly support military aggression advanced by people who themselves refused to serve in a time of war, or by those who profit from it financially.

I am "unethical" because I believe politicians should debate their opponents on issues, rather than concocting smear campaigns against them personally.

I am "anti-Christian" because I do not accept that people who invariably display un-Christ-like behavior should be called Christians, nor should they, or any other religious group, have influence over my government.

I am "sympathetic to my country's enemies" because I don't support torture, or the killing of innocent civilians.

I am "stubborn" because I insist on thinking for myself, instead of allowing myself to be told what to think.

I am an "intellectual snob", because I seek out the truth, instead of
accepting what I am told without questioning the motives behind it.

I am an "elitist" because I believe in being well-read, well-educated, and well-informed, and do not want my country being governed by those who are clearly none of those things.

I am a "cut-and-run pacifist" because I don't believe that inflaming my alleged enemies' hatred by killing their families and destroying their way of life makes me any safer.

I am a "bleeding-heart" because I believe that diplomacy, rather than killing children, is more likely to lead to peaceful co-existence.

I am "irresponsible" because I believe that those in charge of my government should be held to account when their incompetence and their ulterior motives cause harm to my country.

I am "naïve" because I believe that political corruption should be rooted out instead of being accepted as business-as-usual.

I am an "unyielding skeptic" because I continue to question where millions of taxpayers' dollars have gone when no one is able, nor willing, to explain it.

I am obviously "guilty" of "something" because I refuse to willingly accept being wire-tapped or spied upon.

I am "heartless" when I mourn the loss of my fellow citizens and an entire American city, instead of focusing on the inconveniencing of those who were in a position to assist and ignored their cries for help.

I am "ill-informed" because I do not accept biased media news coverage as being the last word on any topic.

I am "ill-advised" because I want to hear both sides of an issue, and not just the side I am told is the correct side.

I am "stupid" because I don't believe that every Muslim in the world spends their every waking hour thinking about ways to kill me.

I am a "communist" because I believe the wealthy should pay their fair share of taxes instead of placing the entire burden of the national debt on the back of the working middle-class.

I am a "socialist" because I believe that in a country as wealthy as mine, children should not go to bed hungry and people should not die because they cannot afford medical care.

I am "thick-headed" because I question the veracity of things said by people who have been proven to have lied to me over and over, and over again.

I am "godless" because I believe we should respect every person as a child of God, regardless of how they choose to worship Him.

I am a "bigot" because I refuse to hate people on the basis of their income, their color, their ethnicity, or their citizenship.

I am "immoral" because I judge people on the basis of who they are and not on the basis of their sexual orientation.

I am "short-sighted" because I do not foresee that after trillions of dollars spent, tens of thousands of lives lost, and escalating chaos and violence that victory in Iraq is imminent.

I am a "snob" because I do not see the president of my country acting like a clown in public as being charming or funny.

I am an "enemy of the state" because I think both of the major political parties in our nation are led by corrupt bigots who do not care about real issues but instead like to line their pockets with their contributors' money.