Have I turned to the dark side?

It has been forever since I last blogged, my apologies. Truth is, I wouldn't be blogging at all (my brain is still offline) but after reading my past entries, I find it amazing how my politics have shifted, and feel the need to share.

On social issues such as gay rights, sex education, and a progressive tax code I am still a raging liberal. But regarding foreign policy, defending human rights and acceptable uses of intervention, I am finding myself siding with the "neo-cons" on occasion and defending America and Israel far more than I would have ever imagined.


What changed my mind you ask? Well, a couple of things really.


First is my beautiful Persian princess I fell in-love with. She entertains me with tales of her childhood in Iran, and unfortunately, its not what this "cultural relativist" could ever have thought. I have always (naively) felt that grievances stemmed from actual events, and not irrational hatred.


It never occurred to me that a theocratic government could try to (unsuccessfully) condition an entire society to loath Americans, Israelis, gays, apostates, and atheists simply because they exists. I am so grateful my princess's generation managed to resist the culture of hatred embedded in the religious/education system. (Iran was the only Islamic country to have a candlelight vigil after 9/11)


The second changing point was the reaction to the tasteless Danish cartoons. Watching millions around the world (including free Europe) burning churches, killing innocent people, and holding up signs saying "butcher anyone who insults Islam" was beyond comprehension. Sure the cartoons were offensive, but no more than the weekly Arab editorials depicting hooked-noses jews killing babies. (mental note: I desperately need a nose job)


Even worse was that even after the violent reactions, moderates (and the UN) are STILL demanding apologies and punishing Danish farmers. I find myself asking the question, which Islamic state should Denmark apologize to first? The state that executes gays, the state that executes rape victims, or the state that executes Muslims who become Christian? It is if we live in two different worlds.


Finally, the event that really made me question my allegiance to the left was watching anti-war Cindy Sheehan hug upcoming dictator Hugo Chavez. Chavez throws dissenting voices like Sheehan into prison for decades, and yet, she still embraces this paranoid lunatic simply because he hates George Bush. I have also witnessed the left embrace ultra-racist like George Galloway, a man who has openly praised police-states such as Cuba, Syria, Saddam, and the mother of all democides, the Soviet Union (20 million died in the Gullags).


The left used to represent freedom and human rights, but now it seems the left is more interested in glorifying victomhood and defending countries where citizens live in fear of their own government.


Do I think George Bush is a good choice for president and the Iraq war a good strategy to engage the Arab world? No, of course not. His policies lack rational pragmatic thought and have failed far more than even the left could have expected. But I am starting to realize how difficult it is to defend the secular democratic principals I have been so fortunate to enjoy. No matter what America does, it will always be blamed for the self-defeating ideologies of others.


I love Canada's liberal multi-cultural democracy. But I am starting to realize that you sometimes have to do ugly things to defend it.

8 Comments | Send To Friend | 26 March 2006

Update on my life/site

I feel the need to explain why things around here are so stagnant.

Truth is, my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has never been worse. No matter how much Ritalin I consume, my cognitive skills seem to have vanished and even the most trivial work is impossible.

What is tearing me apart is not so much CFS, but the depression of working so hard on something only to see my dreams erode. Don't get me wrong, I am so lucky to have a website that brings in revenue, but it had so much more promise... I honestly felt that I was going to be the 1 in a 100 that make it on nothing but ambition.

I know I know... sob sob. 30,000 people just dies in Kashmir and here I am complaining about my life of relative comfort. And even worse, my biggest complaint is out of sheer vanity... not being able to prove to the world (and myself) that I could have been successful. Its just so hard to accept.

There is some good news. 2005 seems to be the year of "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"!

So much promising research has been released this year, including a possible blood test for the disease and a VERY promising (and VERY expensive) drug called Ampligen that should be released next year.

I also have to thank g-d for Iranian repression for driving a beautiful Persian into the arms of a Canadian Jew. I should send the Ayatollah a nice fruit basket. I am also so in debt to my community for being so understanding and keeping CasualKiss alive! I have no idea why you guys do what you do, but you all rock.

So this is the end of my gloomy rant. I NEED to work again!! I can only guess when it will happen but when it does, you will see some fantastic stuff from this little dating site, I promise

Until then, I will just continue to mindlessly surf the web and tv all day on various subjects of interests. If you need any info on PS3 vs Xbox360, Islamic theocracies, or abstinence only... I'm your man

1 Comments | Send To Friend | 12 October 2005

Is America going broke?

A great article by Macleans shows the fiscal state of the US economy. Basically, the numbers suggest America will financially collapse within 10-25 years.

The problem is America's twin deficits, trade and debt. Currently, America is racking up about $450 billion deficit a year to its $8 trillion real debt, and has $43 trillion unfunded liability (medicare/social security) debt.

Who's fault is this? I hate to sound like a broken record, but its mostly republicans. Before Regan, America was in great shape with little debt, but he created a culture where taxes are evil.

Unfortunately, Republicans don't have the heart to throw poor people out on the street, so they didn't bother to reduce their spending, and thus debt started rising.

Fortunately, Clinton was much more focused and for a while, it seemed like America was going to be ok after all. But then came Bush, who apparently believes that the top 1% should not pay any taxes at all, even during war time.

So what will happen? Well, within by 2015 the US will only have enough money to fund 4 programs: medicare, social security, defense, and debt service. Things like education and transportation will either have to be axed or payed for with massive new debt and insane interests rates.

This will cause massive inflation, stock market collapsing, and housing prices to plummet. It will not be contained to America, Canada will suffer as our economy is based on American credit card debt. (actually, every country is milking off America's spending habits)

And this scenario doesn't even mention oil.

I doubt it will be as bad as the great depression, but it will be unlike anyone of us has ever felt. If we think the world is unstable now, just imagine how bad things will be when China owns 30% of America... sorry Taiwan!

Personally, I am planning on getting property when interest rates rise! Land is the least susceptible to inflation. Other then that, I will pray that Americans elect democrats!

1 Comments | Send To Friend | 4 June 2005

lemontonic's Q1 results

Well, my evil competator, lemontonic.com (all other dating sites are evil) just released their quarterly numbers... suddenly my studio appartment doesn't look so bad!

They made about $20,000 this quarter from 300 paying customers (they charge about 10x more than CasualKiss ). Unfortinately, they loss more than $1,300,000 this quarter to aquire and service those 300 customers.

One thing I will say about lemontonic, their site is GORGEOUS!!!

I would love to get my hands on their $200/hour designer! Also, before it was discontinued, the lemontonic msn messenger was pretty cool... although I think msn is better for friends than strangers.

In total, about $13,000,000 was spent on lemontonic. Lots of ads on toronto.com, lots of executives helping themselves to generous stock options, and lots of investors losing their money (buyer beware I guess).

I have a few questions though.

1. How does lemontonic, which is pretty slick, perform so badly against its competators?

2. How does lemontonic convince investors to keep pouring in money... I can't get any serious investment offers for CasualKiss (although admitingly, the things I would do with the money are risky (web tv shows, CasualKiss bar, etc..)

3. How does CasualKiss , which doesn't advertize at all, get more visitors than lemontonic which spends a fortune? And why do some sites blow both our sites out of the water in terms of traffic (not quality)

The world is a funny place! I have no idea how some things succeed and others fail. Like friendster is a ripoff of sixdegrees but sixdegrees never really took off!

I just don't understand the world of business.

3 Comments | Send To Friend | 1 June 2005

The Less you Know the Better

Human Rights Watch just released a report today stating America's abstinence only has finally hit Uganda and is already starting its damage.

Now Uganda teachers are telling students NOTHING about condoms, and instead just to avoid having sex.

This policy is extra offensive considering many Uganda girls use sex to buy bread.

Now President Bush is not dumb. He has the grade 3 math skills needed to read a chart showing abstinence only is a complete failure and actually promotes HIV.

But even knowing this, he still spends money promoting his abstinence policy in both rich America, which can afford AIDS drugs, and poor Africa which cannot. And of course, his Christian Coalition supporters praise him for it.

I would love to ask Bush if he feels it is better to live as an athiest, or die as a christian.

This is the best proof that Bush is in fact a fundementalist nutbar... he is willing to let tens of thousands to die in order to satisfy his personal religion.

Man I am mad.

2 Comments | Send To Friend | 30 March 2005

my thoughts on going pay...

I had to do it... i can't just keep pretending to run a business... I am 26 years old, either i have to turn this into a business or go work for an insurance company making software.

going pay has been one of the toughest things i ever had to do, and its going to be tough to get through it!

i hope i hope i hope people decide to stay. i made the price SO LOW!!! (any lower and its almost not worth it)

what should i do to convince members to stay? Honest feedback needed!

8 Comments | Send To Friend | 28 February 2005

The Pope

The pope is ill, and probably will not pull through (although I have no doubt he will carry out his duties to his last breath)

What do you think of this Pope's legacy?

I personally think he is one of the best popes, possibly ever. He reached out to other religions, apologized for events of the holocaust, and generally tried to spread a message of peace.

He even forgave and blessed a man who tried to assisinate him. He trully practices what he preaches.

But...

His views on all issues sexual is his acheles heal.

His irresponsible denouncement of condoms has no doubt caused millions to aquire HIV, specially in the developed world where a campaign of dishonesty (ie "condoms don't work") exists.

And of course, the church's continued policy of sexual repression for all priests/nuns puts children in great danger.

Most recently, he refered to gay marriage as "evil", and compared abortion to the holocaust. This no doubt will encourage intollerance.

He is no doubt a good person who has great love for humanity, but can his irresponsible viewpoints be dismissed?

I do think that historians will view him as a great man who succumbed to prejudice of the times.

Overall, he did make this world better than the way he found it. If there is a g-d, i think he served her with passion and faith.

Thoughts?

0 Comments | Send To Friend | 24 February 2005