It’s been said by many that ignorance is bliss.

It’s also been said that there is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action. And I’m sure the same could be said regarding inaction in certain situations. Those who believe in the right to vote, and your duty as an American citizen to do so, would say that your inaction would be viewed as nothing short of disappointing negligence. Their faith in the perpetuation of government relies on your participation, however educated on the various subjects effected by the election you may be. Most voters would agree that a knowledgeable vote trumps a vote cast on looks or a thin understanding of policies any day. But are those who pay attention to the world of politics better off than the person who spares little consideration?

Perhaps “better” needs “better” clarification. By “better” I mean, are they happier? Is their life a fuller one? Is knowing the sordid details of the hypocrisy and beguilement constantly taking place around them making them richer in character, integrity, or prestige? Do those who take the time to make themselves aware of the day’s issues spend their days filled with hope and optimism? Or is immersion in the process, the scrutiny, and exhumation of corruption, transforming our most willful into cynics and skeptics?

Sure the overall state of affairs in this country is “better” when there is a more informed populous guiding it. But, again, are its citizens paying the price? At what point do those who note every deception and abuse of power decide that there is too much corruption to try and reverse?

Voter turnout and involvement in the political process is at an all time low. People just do not think that they can make a sizable difference. One politician is just as bad as another, only in a different way. With defeatist attitudes such as these shared by a majority of the population, is it somehow better for the individual to simply turn a blind eye and refuse to pay the process any further attention? For the good of the whole country, certainly not.  But have we reached the point of no return?  Is it time to count the country as lost and bury our heads in this nation’s many distractions?

When awareness leads to negativism and a life acknowledging the bad rather than the good, is ignorance truly bliss?

In other news, Mantarctica writers have crossed the WGA picket line today,  Spokesman Redlabel1856 said “We couldn’t possible deny people their daily dose of dick jokes, what with such high quality programming as “According to Jim”, “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and “America’s Most Insipid Model” all in re-runs until the real writers come back.”

Great news for all you young folks out there: The CDC announced today that the recorded incidences of VD are at the highest rate ever. Clearly there are more of you out there crammin someone else’s dinner then there were a scant 9 years ago when on any give week night, 3/5’s of the Mantarcticrew were snapping their meat to Skinemax.

The Nation’s school administrators were also dismayed by these findings, lamenting the billions of dollars wasted on Abstinence training rather than sex ed. In other CDC related news, they have managed to rid the Earth of the scourge of Canine Rabies, I guess that’s a start, maybe they’ll get around to cracking AIDS or malaria next year.

Whether it’s an ellaborate hoax, or the hot new drug of choice for the inhaling set, tales of purported “jenkem” or “jankum” use in American Schools have set the internet ablaze today.  Known in the street vernacular as jenkem, Leroy Jenkems, or the more charming “Butt Hash” this particular concoction is nothing more than the captured gasses of fermenting sewage (For those that can’t read between the lines, kids are pooping in bottles, putting them out in the sun to rot, and capturing the gasses for inhaltion). 

Stories abound of the “drug” producing a euphoric high lasting from 20 to 6o minutes in which users experience profound auditory and visual hallucinations and report communing with the dead, of course this all occurs when you wake up from immediately passing out on the twisted concoction.  Users also report an unpleasant sewage taste that last for several days after inhalation.

 Whether this bizarre behavior is actually occurring, or just someones elaborate hoax remain to be seen, let’s hope it’s the latter.

 Hey Kids, in celebration of “All Hallow’s Eve”, the day before halloween traditionally celebrated for some bullshit as a chance to throw flaming dogshit on the porches of neighbors who’ve pissed you off this past year.  Stop and think about about the true meaning of Halloween, according to some it’s not a harmless hold-over from a past age of frivolous superstition, it’s a truly demonic celebration of all that is wrong in the world.  Check out the their reasoning.  Baby Lucifer must be rolling over in his grave!

And for a good scare, check out www.yourgoingtohell.com 

      Shame on you President Bush,  your regime’s pardoning of the Blackwater Mercenaries (Lets call a spade a spade)  is the most despicable act you’ve perpetrated to date.  With one stroke of the pen, you’ve sold out every scared 19 year old Private put on trial for murder, while acting in self defense in a war zone.

 While Blackwater may provide a valuable service to the Military with their training programs, that in no way absolves them from the fact that many of them left the Military for higher pay and less so called “bullshit”, fully aware that they would no longer be afforded the same legal status or Governmental support they did while in the ranks.  Little did they realize they would be getting better support, purchased by Billionaire CEO Erik Prince’s multiple contributions to finance the now dying dream of Republican Mastermind Karl Rove.

As a Vet. who honorably served in this most recent and ongoing conflict I feel like I’ve been slapped in the face.  If our Government sanctions the acts of mercenaries, while holding us to ridiculous rules of engagement why do they need us at all???

As a parting shot check out Blackwater’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, no where does it mention that they will be held harmless for the wanton killing of civilians after recklessly shooting up a traffic circle, because they have become such jaded “badasses” who think they are running the place; quite the opposite in fact.

No Seriously,  I was flipping through the channels late last week (I’m fortunate that my wife doesn’t watch this garbage) when I had to stop on Ms. W’s show, my eyes glued like I was witnessing a gory traffic accident.  This google-eyed old crone looked like something from another planet, or perhaps she hasn’t been sleeping for some time, too busy perhaps masterminding a takeover of the world through her semi-coherent plan of psycho-babble bullshit?  Then again she could just be hitting the rock again, I here it’s a bitch to kick.

 In other news, how did a woman whose never been married become the relationship expert of the world? 

Yesterday’s USAToday published an article about the upcoming AVP sequel. It discusses the Strause brothers influences for the film, what they hope to bring back to the franchise, etc, etc. That’s all great and you can read it here if you like. We, however, just wanted to see the pics of something we’ve been waiting a long time to see on a big screen.

(spoiler after the break)

The Predalien:

See the rest of the photos over yonder.

This week’s Bungie update addressed some rather minor Halo gripes (melee scenarios, ranking plateaus, and resolution issues) but it also foretold of new multiplayer maps that are currently in the testing phases. Two of the maps in particular are hyped as causing some kind of radioactive doo-doo in the pants.

In addition to the multiplayer map progress report, Bungie has apparently confirmed a Halloween surprise for next Wednesday. The details of this event are few (duh, it’s a surprise) but it’s said to last 27 hours and involves matchmaking. The guys over at X3F are guessing a day filled with nothing but Infection and maybe a special medal. Our guess: something a little less restrictive. Like skull and cross bone flags for CTF, pumpkins instead of skulls in Oddball, and sure, a heavy smathering of Infection would be nice too.

Quick joke before we get started:

How many Vietnam Vets does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

YOU DON’T KNOW! YOU WEREN’T THERE!

Entire Puscifer Album Streaming Online

The latest pet project of Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan is now streaming on the Puscifer MySpace page. The entire album sounds like a collection of Tool intermissions, but head over there and give it a listen for yourself.

Saul Williams New Album: $5 or Free

The latest effort by Saul Williams (with producer Trent Reznor) is now available for pre-order here. The juxtaposed tracks can be sent to you for a small “donation” of $5 or a contribution of nothing. In an email sent to those on Reznor’s mailing list, the musician/producer acknowledges the recent influence of Radiohead’s release tactic:

A word on the way we’ve chosen to release this. There are obvious similarities in how Radiohead just released their new record and the way we’ve chosen to. After thinking about this way too much, I feel we’ve improved upon their idea in a few profound ways that benefit you, the consumer. You obviously will be the judge of this in the end. One thing that IS very different in our situation is that Saul’s not the household name (yet!) that Radiohead is, and that means we need your support on this more than ever. If you like what you hear, spread the word.

I hope you enjoy the music,

TR

Queens of the Stone Age: Where’s my tracks?

The track “Make It Wit Chu” (which first appeared on Desert Sessions) is scheduled to be released as a single for Era Vulgaris on November 26th. As two B sides, covers of Brian Eno’s “Needle in the Camel’s Eye” and Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” will accompany the release. I don’t know about you but a Queens.. cover of “White Wedding” has to be sweet. I can’t wait to..oh, wait, it’s an overseas import. Guess I’ll have to wait ’til it’s up on torrent.

And finally..

New Soilent Green Album Now in Production

Sludge-metal gods Soilent Green are back in the studio, recording a new album. This isn’t Earth shattering news necessarily, except that it’s Soilent Green and we’re fucking stoked. This from the band:

As you may or may not know, at this point SOILENT GREEN is currently in the studio in St. Petersburg, FL at Mana Recording Studios working on the debut album for new label Metal Blade Records. Captian Erik Rutan is at the engineering/producing helm and we are about five days into the process.

“We don’t have a solid release date as of yet, but it is scheduled for an early 2008 release. We will release more information as the process gains more stability. Touring will commence around release of the new record as well.”

Oh man, I’ll never forget the time I saw these guys live. I was getting my piss slit pierced while banging some heroine and making out with a Muslim chick.

Holy shit what a great night.