BrewBlog

777

New legislation nicknamed "sexual indoctrination bill" (bill 777) claims to ban bias against homosexuals, transgenders and bisexuals in public schools.  I'm in favor of protecting individuals and groups from harassment and persecution, of course.  I also believe we should protect people's rights to live how they want and be treated fairly.  Much of what this bill prescribes seems reasonable on the surface, although I'd definitely argue that in many cases we don't need legislation for things like this.  There are better ways but passing laws is easier than learning how to raise our children properly. 

However some of what this bill is attempting to make law is foolishness.  This law, if passed, subjects children as young as kindergarten to teachings that all types of sexual orientation are to be praised. It requires textbooks and other school materials to positively portray same-sex marriage and “gay history.”  Huh?  That kind of garbage doesn't belong in school.  With people getting dumber do we really want kids focusing on gay history and the virtues of transexuality?  Stupid California.  Ahhhhhnold already vetoed a similar bill (1437) that was passed by California legislation.  This one was already passed by State senate by a vote of 7-3 (7 Democrats voted in favor and 3 Republicans against).  Kids need to be learning about reading, writing, math and physical education.  Kids are more stupid and fatter than ever.  So yeah let's take more time away from things that are useful and important and spend them on learning about being gay.  Let's replace home economics with homo economics.  I'm not talking about the rational human being that many economists use when deriving, explaining, and verifying their theories and models (Homo economicus).

When things like this come up I just wonder what we're thinking as a society.  Then I remember that it's not we but them and me.  It's either the masses that are losing their minds and a few us that are not or the masses feel as I do and a powerful few are pushing this garbage.  I'm think it's a combination of both.  There are people with stupid ideas and a majority that are willing to accept it for fear of being politically incorrect or intolerant.  When are be going to stop pandering to these people?  I'm not going to go off like a crazy person and I'm no religious wacko.   Just decide if this makes sense for yourself and your children and vote accordingly.

The "In Rainbows" Quandary

Quandary is probably exaggerating how I feel regarding Radiohead's strategy to release their latest, In Rainbows.  But nonetheless, while I appreciate their attempts to open things up and do things differently, I prefer to get my music through the usual channels.  And I'm not surprised by the publics reaction because people are hopeless creatures of habit.  Radiohead is offering up their latest release for download from their website for whatever price you want to pay.  There is really no catch other than that you have to login to their website and register with the usual information.  The "pay what you want" angle is interesting because you can pay nothing and download it.  Despite the offer to get their music for free the peer-to-peer music freeloaders are stealing In Rainbows in droves.  Bit-Torrent users downloaded In Rainbows 240,000 times the first day.  Seriously, is anyone surprised?

I'm not sure what Radiohead was going for here but it doesn't matter.  I really like Radiohead but I have a feeling they are elitists and think they are super special.  My guess is that they sat around and tried to think of something unique to do and assumed whatever they came up with would work because their fans are loyal and their music is too special to steal, etc.  I could very well be off base and I don't have anything to support what I'm saying.  It's just a guess.  I went to their web site and downloaded it, paying $10 for it.  I figured that was fair for the bits and no actual CD.  I'm very much looking forward to listening to it.  But are the masses that are used to stealing music via Bit Torrent or whatever really going to go to a website register and enter their information to get the music for free?  No.  Also, are they really going to then select zero dollars (or pounds) and expose themselves as cheap asses?  No.  People would rather steal something at no risk than go to a web site and declare that they want this music for nothing.  They know it's not worthless yet they want to spend nothing for it.  It's just too easy and thus too tempting.  Did Radiohead think their little idea was going to curb this urge?  Come on.  I'm not trying to come across as different than everyone else because I've taken without paying.  I think the difference is that I pay a lot and occasionally seek a freebie, even though it's rare.

And it's not just the money either.  Not everyone wants to register at a website so that they can buy music they should be able to get anywhere.  I'd rather have just bought it at the store or Amazon or whatever.  I can somewhat relate to the "screw the record label" angle some bands take but this felt more like an ego thing or a "we're being cool" thing.  If I had to register separately to purchase the well over 1,000 CDs I've purchased I'd be less motivated to buy.  Of course I supposed over time I may save money by picking my own price but still. 

Little Boxes

We've recently been hooked on the Showtime original series, Weeds.  It's a funny but often disturbing show about drug dealers in the suburbs.  We often find ourselves a bit shocked by what transpires, laughing at normally inappropriate themes but always entertained and looking forward to next week's episode.  Among the draws of the program is the theme song played at the shows open.  It's the same song performed in different ways by different people.  The lyrics are classic.  What's funny is that we're totally laughing at ourselves because it's really a rib on us.

Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky-tacky,
Little boxes, little boxes,
Little boxes, all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same.

And the people in the houses
All go to the university,
And they all get put in boxes,
Little boxes, all the same.
And there's doctors and there's lawyers
And business executives,
And they're all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same.

And they all play on the golf-course,
And drink their Martini dry,
And they all have pretty children,
And the children go to school.
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university,
And they all get put in boxes
And they all come out the same.

And the boys go into business,
And marry, and raise a family,
And they all get put in boxes,
Little boxes, all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same.