Wednesday, January 26, 2005
A Bright Future
When I read about the parents in Blue Valley wanting to ban books. I had really one thought. Why? Why would they want to keep student from reading Catcher In The Rye? I have found the answer. The "Right" is holding on with everything they have. They are slowly going the way of the Dinosaur. Young people don't believe the bullshit and when people feel desperate how do they react? With force.
I got this email tonight and it reminded me why they have to fight so hard. The short term future of America may be in trouble. On the other hand the future looks pretty bright.
Hey Lazlo-
I'm a big fan of the Church.
Enough of that. I heard about the ClassKC weirdos on your show and I got pretty angry. I did what any normal freedom-loving person would do and I submitted a comment for them to "review." I did not use profanity and I stayed as civil as I could. They did not email me back or post the comment on their website. So, I used what little power I have as editor of my school newspaper ("The Red and Blue Review" at Santa Fe Trail High School.) I wrote an editorial about the issue. I included it below because I thought you might like it. So, take the time to read it. It's worth it, I promise. Keep up the good work.
Seriously,
Marcus Day
Your mom wants to ban my book!
Parents of students in the Blue Valley District try to remove books from curriculum
By Marcus Day
Editor
ClassKC.org offers the following purpose for their website, "To inform parents and the community about vulgar subject matter (prolific use of obscenities, sexually stimulating passages involving teens, and many other types of morally repugnant content) in required reading assignments in schools in the Kansas City/Johnson County area, at present focusing on the Blue Valley school district in Overland Park, KS."
However, if you surf around the website for a while, you discover that the group is trying to replace books in the Blue Valley English Curriculum. The group (concerned parents, mostly) is fronting a petition that would require the school district to replace 14 books that they have found offensive.
Apparently, these parents consider themselves to be literary experts. The books in question, including Catcher in the Rye, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Slaughterhouse Five, are American Classics that stimulate students to think.
"Freedom of thought requires the freedom to explore issues and questions necessary to education, enlightenment and self-governance," wrote Nancy Kranich, past president of the American Library Association, in an essay on ALA's Web site.
"I think that all they are going to accomplish is to damage their childrens' education. Not only that, but they will augment Kansas' reputation of ignorance," said Senior Angie Marquart.
On the other hand, "Some parents do not allow their high school children to see R-rated movies, and do not expect the school to introduce R-rated ideas, words, and situations to their kids without prior parental knowledge and consent," says the ClassKC website.
I'm no expert, but it seems like the people that made the English curriculum would want the students to read the best and most thought-provoking books availible.
The group's fight to replace books in the curriculum could be construed as book-banning or censorship. ClassKC adamantly denies this on its website.
According to the website, "Anyone who suggests that the removal of a particular novel as part of a required reading assignment for a class is equivalent to censorship is either ignorant of the law as well as the policies of the Blue Valley School system, or deliberately obscuring the truth."
This is true. If the group wanted to censor the books, they would suggest that the removal of the objectionable parts of the books in question. However, this does not clear them of "book-banning." One of the definitions of the word "ban," according to dictionary.com, is, "Censure, condemnation, or disapproval expressed especially by public opinion." The group's agenda on objectionable books fits that definition perfectly.
This issue at hand is not concerning whether or not this group wants to ban books. That's clearly their goal. The real issue is whether or not their argument makes any sense. In regards to that, it clearly makes no sense.
Try to remember the editorial in the last issue of The Red and Blue Review. It dealt with profanity in school. Apparently, the use of profanity in school is quite a problem. ClassKC would blame this problem partly on the reading of literary masterpieces in English class. Unlike these, dare I say, ignorant parents, I have a unique perspective on how high school students think--probably because I am a high school student. Because of this, I can say with a lot of confidence that I didn't decide to use the f-word, or any profane other word, because I read Slaughterhouse Five. I may look at war differently now that I have read Slaughterhouse Five, but an increase of profanity in my vocabulary could probably be traced back my viewing of The Big Lebowski or Reservoir Dogs the week before. The same thing goes with sex, drugs or violence. A student will not go out drinking because he read The Great Gatsby. A student will not commit murder because he read about one in A Tale of Two Cities. And most importantly of all, a student will not commit adultery later in life because King David did it in The Bible.
The scariest thing of all is that these parents that champion this cause are actually causing far more developmental harm to their kids than any book they read in school is going to. If my parents prevented me from viewing objectionable movies, reading objectionable books, listening to objectionable music or hanging out with objectionable friends, I can't imagine how socially retarded I would be. These parents want to do precisely that. Books should be the least of their worries.
In this day and age of nipples at halftime of the Super Bowl, naked twister on the radio and teachers (allegedly) using profanity in class, we as a society need to know where to draw the line of decency. As for me, I'll take Salinger, Kesey and Vonnegut on my side of the line. Whether or not my side of the line is the right side of the line is debatable. In fact, I'm not even so sure if it's the right side. I don't even really know the authors personally, so I don't know how excited they'd be to have me on their side. I do know one thing though, and that is that the ClassKC people scare me with their moral agenda, and I want to be as far away from them as I can.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
classkc.org
I know the fine people in the Blue Valley School District do not want their kids to read Maya Angelou. They say young adults shouldn't read it because and I quote their site "put his hand between my legs, my introduction to lesbianism, hermaphrodite, crabs, nigger, jigs, dinges, blackbirds, crows, boots and spooks, shit, shit-color".
I say everyone should read it. Even those parents. I would like to quote something a little different from it.
"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom...
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Accountability??? That is a mighty big word for a President!
"Well, we had an accountability moment, and that's called the 2004 election. And the American people listened to different assessments made about what was taking place in Iraq, and they looked at the two candidates, and chose me, for which I'm grateful."
- George Bush
Hey George,
I looked at both sides and chose the other guy. So did 50 million other people. You didn't win this thing in a landslide. If you think your accountability moment has already come and gone your sadly mistaken. Your accountability moment comes every day. Every morning when you read about another casualty. When a coffin comes back with an American flag on it. Those are your accountability moments.
Those are the accountability moments for everyone who voted for you. If a week before your inauguration you think you were held accountable for your actions in November than I suggest you still don't get it.
Stay Golden,
Lazlo
Monday, January 10, 2005
Winning over listeners one at a time!
Here is the email I got from Anthony. Following the email you will find my Instant Message conversation with him....
Name: ANTHONY BARNES
E-mail Address: MADCOWDISEASE333@AOL.COM
City: LIBERTY
Comments:
HEY LAZLO...YOU HYDROCEPHALIC USLESS WASTE OF OXYGEN...YOU BAG ON THE REST OF THE GENERAL POPULATION BY CHASTIZING AND HUMILITATING OTHERS..I LOST ALOT OF RESPECT FOR YOU...WHEN YOU WERE CALLING THAT ONE GIRL "BITCH"...BUT I FORGAVE YOU..THEN YOU BLATHERED ON ABOUT POLICTICS AND HOW THEY WERE "RIGGED"...THEN YOU REALLY MADE ME MAD..WHEN YOU GAVE AWAY THE ENDING TO SOME OF THE MOVIES THAT I HAVENT SEEN YET..SINCE I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT..AND LIVE ON A LIMITED BUDGET...BUT YOU REALLY ENRAGED ME ...BECAUSE YOU BLAMED YOUR PRODUCER FOR FORGETTING TO BRING THE PLAY SCRIPT...AND YOU BROKE TO COMMERCIAL CALLING HIM AN "ASSHOLE"..EXCUSE ME DIPSHIT (PRONOUNCED LAZLO)...BUT YOU MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT SOME OF US HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT DO LISTEN TO YOUR MUSIC...WE (ADULTS) DO NOT WANT OUR KIDS PICKING UP YOUR NASTY FILTHY MOUTH ANTICS...BUT AS FOR YOUR FINAL TRANSGRESSION..YOU NEED TO LOOK AT YOUR LIST FOR THE TOP 96 SONGS THAT YOU LIKE...WELL RETARD...#54 IS THE SAME PICK AS #7..NIN!
E INCH NAILS- HURT...CONGRATULATIONS DICK STAIN..YOUVE HAD TO HAVE MADE SOME TYPE OF NEW LIST FOR "MY DADDY PUMPED MY ASS FULL CUM..AND NOW IM A DISC JOCKEY..SO I CAN TAKE MY DYSFUNCTIONAL RANTINGS ..AND CAST THEM INTO THE GENERAL POPULATION THAT REALLY DOESNT CARE"...YOU ARE A SORRY SACK OF SHIT...FOR DEGRADATING YOUR PARTNER...THE ONE THAT YOU CALL "SUZIE MCDUMBITCH" ...GROW UP..AND REALIZE THAT NOT EVERYONE IS MISERABLE.. IM SORRY THAT YOU HAD TO SUCK OFF THE OWNER OF SINCLAIR BRODCASTING TO GET YOUR JOB..JUST SO YOU CAN SAY "IM SOMEBODY"
MadCowDisease333: I GUESS MY BIGGEST QUESTION FOR YOU IS WHY SO MUCH ANGST
LazloTheBuzz: why do you care?
LazloTheBuzz: you sent the email
MadCowDisease333: YES...I DID..
MadCowDisease333: YOU TRIED TO INSTANT MESSAGE ME EARLIER BUT I WAS CHATTING WITH A FRIEND
LazloTheBuzz: yea
MadCowDisease333: MY ISSUE IS THE FCAT THAT MY 6 YR OLD SON AND I BOTH ENJOY THE MUSIC THAT YOU PLAY...BUT TO BE A CRASS/ ANGRY INDIVIDUAL..DOESNT BECOME YOU..
LazloTheBuzz: yea...i got your email...crass becomes you?
MadCowDisease333: NO IT DOESNT...IT LOWERS ME...BUT I WAS UPSET ABOUT THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU CALLED JASON AN ASSHOLE.. MY 6 YR OLD LOOKED AT ME AND TOLD ME .."HE SAID A BAD WORD"...
LazloTheBuzz: so change the station
LazloTheBuzz: your life has to change when you have a kid...mine doesnt...grow up
MadCowDisease333: BUT WHY??? WHY NOT TRY TONING IT DOWN A COUPLE OF NOTCHES OR TAKE YOUR SHOW TO A DIFFERENT TIME SLOT WHERE KIDS WONT BE UP...
LazloTheBuzz: my show isnt for kids
LazloTheBuzz: when your kid is in the car listen to radio disney
LazloTheBuzz: im not here to raise your kids
MadCowDisease333: MY KID HATES RDAIO DISNEY...
MadCowDisease333: RADIO*
LazloTheBuzz: well get him a cd i dont give it a shit
MadCowDisease333: YOURE RIGHT YOU ARENT...
LazloTheBuzz: have fun raising your kid...if you keep expecting me to do it...i want a check
MadCowDisease333: I AGREE YOUR SHOW ISNT FOR KIDS..
LazloTheBuzz: good than turn it off when your kid is around
LazloTheBuzz: simple
LazloTheBuzz: have some responsibility..your a parent
MadCowDisease333: YOURE RIGHT IM A PARENT...MAYBE YOU OUGHT TO TRY A DISCLAIMER..
LazloTheBuzz: o.k. well now you know....no further problems
LazloTheBuzz: you wont be tuned in...you won't allow your kid to listen. problem solved
LazloTheBuzz: see ya later
LazloTheBuzz: asshole
MadCowDisease333: I WASNT EXPECTING THE NASTY LANGUAGE....KINDA LIKE THE SUPERBOWL ISSUE WITH JANET JACKSON
LazloTheBuzz: well tomorrow im going to show my nipple
LazloTheBuzz: did you cover your kids ears when i read your email?
MadCowDisease333: NO BECAUSE I WROTE IT AFTER HE WENT TO SLEEP..
LazloTheBuzz: great
MadCowDisease333: NOT DURING THE "FAMILY HOUR" DIPSHIT
LazloTheBuzz: my show is not for families
LazloTheBuzz: not even yours
LazloTheBuzz: as fucking disfunctional as i imagine it to be
LazloTheBuzz: see ya later fuck stick
Friday, January 07, 2005
Why are we losing the war in Iraq?
While I never want to come off as a minature version of Jane Fonda. I have to be honest. We are losing the war in Iraq and we are losing the war on terror. You can hide your head in the sand and deny this but the truth is out there.
So the question begs why? How after Vietnam could we let this happen again?
We could start with poor planning. We could talk about lack of troops and lack of armor etc....
All of those and many more issues are debatable and in my mind reason for some of the problems.
The real problem is what we are not talking about.
This administration has forgotten what it means to be America. The good guys. The men in white suits who come to save the day. We have resorted to fighting with tactics that the enemy uses. See people respect us (or did) because we held ourself to a higher standard. We don't do that anymore. If someone is caught promoting torture what do we do? We promote them. We make them Attorney General.
Please read this and tell me we are winning the war in Iraq it's a first-hand sworn Red Cross deposition of an interrogation in Abu Ghraib:
They took me inside the building and started to scream at me. They stripped me naked, they asked me, "Do you pray to Allah?" I said, "Yes." They said, "Fuck you" and "Fuck him." ... Someone else asked me, "Do you believe in anything?" I said to him, "I believe in Allah." So he said, "But I believe in torture and I will torture you. When I go home to my country, I will ask whoever comes after me to torture you." Then they handcuffed me and hung me to the bed. They ordered me to curse Islam and because they started to hit my broken leg, I cursed my religion. They ordered me to thank Jesus I am alive. And I did what they ordered me. This is against my belief. They left me hang from the bed and after a while I lost consciousness."
Ask yourself again...Why do they hate us?
![Democratic Party Meetups]()
Sunday, January 02, 2005
A New Year!
Hopes, Dreams, Predictions!
The end to a relgious, opressive regime....in the U.S.
Equal rights for everyone.
A shut down corner on the Chiefs.
Karl Rove getting Martha's old cell. Just because I would like to see the soft, pudgy, bumbling slew of goo, get fucked in the ass by a gaggle of homosexual women.
Young people continue to get engaged in their community.
an unreleased box set of The Cobain/Tupac tapes surface right before X-mas!
I want my flying car...
That virtual sex gadget finally being released.
Cubs win the series....
Parachute pants make a comeback!
Bill Gates gets caught on tape fucking the shit out of Pamela Anderson. Steve Jobs super pissed.
A magic eight ball will run for office. Beats Kobach in a debate for super intendent when Kobach makes racial slur.
The women of Kansas City will step up to the plate and cut their fem-ullets in a ceromony to be held at arrowhead stadium before opening day. Vermeil cries...
You make your predictions in the forums!
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