There’s nothing “inhuman” about torture, given that there is no animal (besides human beings) that does it.
(Cats fooling around with prey a possible exception?)
Utterly unable to comprehend the human predilection for torture.
True, I do sometimes “torture” Dante and Nemo by (lightly) squeezing them and asking them to tell me the name of the former leader of communist China.
But that’s different.
Can it be that I am really paying the salaries of the torturers?
This has got to stop.
Amy Goodman reporting this morning on how a 70-year-old Iraqi woman was tortured by US soldiers. They called her a “donkey” and rode on her back.
Can someone explain to me why anyone would want to do something like that?
From Minima Moralia:
Love you will find only where you may show yourself weak without provoking strength. 192
He who has laughter on his side has no need of proof. 210
… legitimate works of art are today without exception socially undesired. 213
The almost insoluble task is to let neither the power of others, nor our own powerlessness, stupefy us. 57
Normality is death. 56
Once the last trace of emotion has been eradicated, nothing remains of thought but absolute tautology. 123
Listening to Dolly Parton this morning, thinking to teach “position of adverbs” with “I Will Always Love You.”
It’s too easy for my class.
But I was thinking listening to “Coat of Many Colors” that it advocates a politically complacent romanticization of poverty.
Maybe Dolly Parton should read Brecht?
Learned the other day that Sharon Mesmer and I have the same mantra:
“All is Maya.”
Reading Juliana Spahr’s talk on Poetry in a Time of Crisis…
… thinking, I have never preferred Brecht to Adorno.
OK, I admit the cast-iron rolling pin image is a little violent. It’s an image for the sake of effect.
I love Gary. I would never hit him with a cast-iron rolling pin.
Some bridal shower epigrams & exchanges:
Me: I hope someone is going to give me a cast-iron rolling pin. That or a male chastity belt.
Sharon Mesmer: Honey, marriage is a male chastity belt.
………………………………………..
Me: (on receiving sexee negligee/ thong ensembles) Butt floss! Good thing I’m over that bout with hemorrhoids!
………………………………………..
Me: (on receiving an adorable little decorative pair of wall hooks in the shape of an elephant) Perfect! We can hang our wedding rings on them when we get in fights!
Sharon Mesmer: No, you can hang your wedding rings on them when you do the dishes together. [chirp chirp]
……………………………………………
(hey Sharon, let’s you and me start a borscht-belt act, whaddya say?)
(p.s. I made these remarks in the spirit of bawdy all-girl fun. It was truly a beautiful party. Thanks, dear ladies!)
This map makes me realize how few (rather than how many) countries I’ve visited.
Upon request, I have a created a little wishlist blog for wedding gifts. As I mention therein, gifts are strictly non-obligatory, and/but enthusiastically appreciated.
Anyway: ifwisheswerefishes.blogspot.com
