several days prior, my father passed away. it's difficult to iterate exactly how much was against him (you wouldn't believe the circumstances), but it's also a complex issue to explain concerning such a sudden and intense change to "how things are".

i'm not working on anything at the moment, be it story-wise, music-wise, poetry-wise, or really anything else. now we're in the process of managing the vulture effect that may or may not ensue in some form amongst the family.

also on the table: i am appalled by the behavior of this country. i am absolutely infuriated by the blind hatred of our president by conservatives, especially over things that have been either the norm or a constant of some sort long before obama took the job. the idocy and sheer ignorance is staggering, and such characters as glenn beck and lobbyists across the board are taking politics at the expense of actual progress. republicans have been fighting tooth and nail since day one against any policy or ideal that he spearheads. the cloud of lunacy surrounding his speech to school children was a low-point. what the hell kind of country are we now where people are afraid (though, admittedly, weak-minded individuals were convinced he was 'indoctrinating', and anyone you hear say that word undoubtedly heard it repeated endlessly on fox news, their children) to have their president speak to their children. it wasn't 'unprecedented', and it sure as crap wasn't a "secret leftist indoctrination of our country's youth". stunts like this are why we can't get anywhere when we have a problem (and we have several to deal with). let alone the fact that the republicans NEVER had a plan for any of the health care concerns that are currently in motion, despite claiming such several months ago. actually, they've also had no input on the process in general until lately. it's been all about killing the thought, keeping things as they are, and booning obama. the grand old party is a sham of what it once was and there are too many wasted seats in congress, many (but perhaps not all) of the right wing.

also, the senator who debated against "government run health care" (which is already treading the same waters as, ohhhhhh, three months ago) by listing examples of exemplary and cost-contained health care systems such as in france and other high-profile nations.... all of which had government run/aided healthcare, which is a wholeheartedly dunce motion. it's moments like this where the very question of progress is blocked by the need to have an argument. the validity of such is always in question nowadays, but no one seems to have the authority to smack these people for being liars. i'm looking at you, joe wilson, who was never an immigration lawyer, nor did he support whats-her-name despite such claims, and as a bit of a cringer, obama was referring to his plan which actually had a whole section devoted to denying those who were in the country illegally of such rights to reform. joe's (already idiotic) accusation of the commander-in-chief wasn't completely unfounded because of the literacy involved (causing the democrats to honestly make it more clear in later drafts), purporting i suppose that if it's not in crayon, it might take a few minutes to click properly. the republicans were holding signs saying "what bill?". actually there were 2 on their way at that very moment.

i could (literally) go on for hours.

it's funny. three of the worst people of the media all happen to be conservative extremists (an oxymoron in any other country). see if you can guess. the reasoning isn't their message (which is angry white noise mixed with a WTF attitude i can't bear to witness for too long before becoming so angry i start shaking. the reason is because of their influence, their ability to influence the weak-minded, not the strong-minded. i've met good-willed and capable conservatives. these are the people who bring the worst of the worst out into the sunlight, or just shout angrily into the crowd hoping to pull the equally angry into the spotlight instead. problem is, not all of it is genuine (or fact-based... or sane).

hints: G, R, aaaaand B