Members of the Washington Community Action Network who arrived at their offices Sunday morning to plan a May 1 march found the tires of a Honda Civic slashed and the words "Rahowa 88" written on the car's window.
The Anti-Defamation League said Rahowa means "racial holy war" and that 88 means "Heil Hitler."
The vandals struck sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Leaders of Washington CAN! said the incident strengthens their resolve.
A police spokesman said department's bias crimes unit will review the case.
When wind and sea conditions become unmanageable to a sailboat for it to carry on its road, there are two paces which a skipper can still take: "heaving to under reduced sail" (the skipper keeps the jib cleated and starts to tack, a course of action meant to minimize opposition, which subjects the boat to the drift of winds and sea), and "running" in front of the storm (steering is difficult when running because there is often little or no pressure on the tiller to provide feedback to the helmsman, so the boat may easily go off course). Running often remains, far from the coasts, the only way of saving the boat and its crew. It also makes it possible to discover unknown shores which may emerge on the horizon of new found calm. These unknown shores, they will never know them those whose seeming good fortune brought them to follow the safe roads of the cargo liners and the tankers---roads of no unforeseen, the companies of maritime transport dictate.
---Henri Laborit, In Praise of Running
Years ago I set out to change my corner of the world with my first blog. It had a wide readership in western Illinois but the reality was nobody cared what I had to say. A post would generate a thousand or so hits and a hundred or so comments. Most of the time they were just to swear at me or each other.
It never gained me any fame or money. It did piss off right wingers so that was a good thing. And in the end, isn't that enough? To just type something and be happy with it? Or am I settling for mediocrity and blissful obscurity? Which isn't so bad. I can always find a barstool at The Wuflshead and hope someone posts a naughty picture or two. I just hope nobody thinks less of me that I've discovered the joy that comes with having no goals anymore. Just a barstool. Interesting people and the occasional scantily clad hot chick.
It's taken me nearly two years to see the bright side of life. This weekend I had a "Light Bulb" moment & shortly after I couldn't stop whistling that ridiculous clip (...and hopefully now, you too will have it stuck in your head for daaays *snicker* ;-).
I was a very late & unexpected baby. jinDad was supposed to be shooting blanks according to his MD (then again, it was the 70's & one wonders how, after zero tests, the doc could legally say 'you don't need a vasectomy because surely you'll be sterile after having the mumps'... I do not jest, either).
On top of my parents being older for starters, they aged even faster than average. They were both heavy drinkers, huge eaters & jinMom was quite the smoker- along with pretty much my entire extended family (and peeps wonder why I refused to take back my maiden name after the divorce- I was jinbarrassed to).
When their health started failing during my early 30's I was mortified that I found myjinself dealing with issues that most peeps first encounter when they are in their 50's. I recall two of my clients in particular, both millionaires, both in their late 50's, sympathizing with what I had to deal with as they were doing the same. I couldn't help being irritated... the same? While trying to run my business alone I had to chase endlessly because my parents couldn't afford to hire aides... not nearly the same. I was concerned jinMom's hospital bills & lack of insurance would bounce back & eat away at my assets because of the once-upon-a-time partnership (which was never, totally, legally dissolved properly)... not the same at all.
Last January jinMom ended up in a nursing home after an extended stay in the hospital with no supplemental insurance. Again I had to do the footwork, letting my business slide beyond belief, but I got lucky. Really lucky. jinMom was able to get full aid from the state; at the time it wasn't certain to be permanent, but since then it has worked out that it will be. She is currently completely taken care of (she's mostly bedridden) with very very little required of me.
I'm currently working to get jinDad in the same facility, in an affordable section which should be covered entirely by his social security (with possible additional aid if he runs short *fingers crossed*). Do me a favour & send me well-wishes as I'd love to have him in there within the next 2 months! They currently have no openings but he's top on the waiting list. He is ready to move there also, I've discussed it with him.
So back to my Light Bulb! I finally turned around the angry & realized the wonderful- I'll be totally free, without having to deal with the 'rents, while I'm still young! Free to concentrate on me for a change! FREE!
Of course, a jin must be completely & totally free. I am Virgo-to-the-core so I like to sever those ties. I am closing my business & walking away. I shall lose the building (it's mortgaged) but it matters not. I need a fresh start. Being a small business owner for the past 17 years I have no savings so I will sell everything I own & hope I have enough dough (pun jintended ;-) to ease my fears of walking away without looking back.
I'm so tired of hearing the negative:
After 17 years of your life what have you got to show for it? "My self esteem, talent & business experience thankyouverymuch!"
You shouldn't give up your business to chase a man! "I am not chasing a man. The decision to close & move was mine & mine alone. The fact that there happens to be a man going with me is simply a bonus."
Can't you stick around longer & try to sell your business & the building? You can't just leave everything! "Um, yes...yes I can. I'm tired of taking care of everyone else & leaving my business/myself for last. If I stay here that is what will continue to happen. I'd rather start over if it's meant to be. I refuse to 'cling' to 'stuff'. The wisdom I have accrued is much more valuable than a 2-story brick building. It's my time to move on."
And move on I shall... as I have been procrastinating all day, the trip to the Credit Union, to remove jinMom's access from her/jinDad's account. I must. Sadly, she's been trying to sabotage my efforts (morphine induced or years of hatred- I honestly do not know anymore) to tie up all the loose ends before I go.
May I have a stiff shot of something before I head out Bartender?
MORE >
But take it from someone who actually likes both big-band swing and "classic hits of the '80s"...this is really, really bad and unpleasant.
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20100423
One of the basic tenets of American life, writ in stone, is that TAXES ARE BAD! That's one article of faith the mass 'news' media will never trespass on. So we see Tea Party after Tea Party demonstration on TV, as Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania tells us, without any coverage of even larger contrary demonstrations elsewhere. (Though the Tea Party types admittedly possess a certain fascination.)
This was on Common Dreams yesterday....
SPRINGFIELD -- Thousands of protesters bused down by labor unions and social service advocates rallied at the Capitol today in an attempt to pressure state lawmakers into raising the income tax to avoid more budget cuts....
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/04/22-2
I would have marched with them. For, like many a Tea Partyer, I enjoy the numerous benefits government provides. And since I know damn well I could pay a little more in taxes without really noticing, and would be willing to, I know the end of the world will not come about by a tax increase. After all, if I can afford it the rich certainly can.
I've been around for a awhile. And have seen many an anti tax movement materialize. They're good at finding rationalizations - Reaganomics codified their philosophy. But as John K. Galbraith said, "The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
The Wulfshead club is a well known watering hole for all the strange and unusual people in the world. And for those just passing through... No one's quite sure exactly where the club itself is located, and the very anonymous management likes to keep it that way, but there are authorized access points at locations all around the world, if you know where to look. And if your name's on the approved list. ~Simon Green, Daemons Are Forever
