The Gods Must Be Crazy

First, allow me to apologize for the debacle below. I don't know what happened to the format of the blog below, and I apologize for the ridiculousness.

I've been thinking a lot lately about random topics to rant about- celebrities, people that piss me off, things that I've been enjoying (as in my new and awesome iPad), beers I've been drinking, etc., et. al.

But then I was walking back the block from court to my office and I couldn't help but notice about 7 homeless folks with clear-cut Axis I disorders that should not be on the streets to fend for themselves.

And of these 6 or 7 folks, I personally have represented 4 of them in criminal matters. Matters which they were arrested for being homeless. And no, I'm not being a bleeding heart or activist for saying this; they were literally just out, and were homeless.

Ever since my second year of law school I have been fascinated with the cross section of jurisprudence and psychological issues. Not guilty by reason of insanity, competency to stand trial, factors in mitigation in sentencing- they were all theoretical and philosophical issues that were fun to play around with.

But now, slightly jaded by a year of this work, I am of the opinion that criminal courts, at least in counties with no resources for the mentally ill, do absolutely nothing to help those in need. To a large extent, it's not their fault; there are simply no resources for the court to utilize in order to assist a criminal defendant with mental health issues.

But here's where things get convoluted. Courts will routinely order someone to go, on their own, and make and keep an appointment with county Mental Health to address their behavior. Which, when you really think, is unbelievably short-sighted. Assuming the defendant does have significant mental health issues, it's not paternalistic to assume that they simply do not have the resources to maintain appointments. And they don't. And then, when they don't show up to court, they are faced with further consequences that only serve as a drain on the court system. Probation violations are filed, bench warrants issued, which is frankly a bazooka firing at an ant hill. What's more ridiculous, is county mental health, like some other behavioral programs here in this county, are self reporting. So, if a crazy person goes there, and as is routinely the case, feels that they are perfectly sane, they are taken at their word. Viewing it cynically (which is nearly impossible to do otherwise), it's a cost-saving tactic to prevent providing services for those who may actually benefit.

I wish I had an answer that incorporated getting help to those who needed it, and ensured that they were able to easily access those services. Other, more affluent, counties do have mental health courts, which if appropriately staffed with personnel and the right mindset, can have a profound impact. But I suppose it all depends on the almighty dollar. Hopefully, money will begin to trickle again, even in the more rural counties, and people can get the help they deserve.

Gender Normalities are Mere Formalities

Hey that rhymed!

So, with coffee and new toy in hand, I began to scan the morning headlines today, looking for nothing too deep that would make me think.

Of course, fox news is a constant source of inspiration in ridiculousness, so it is not uncommon for me to meander throughout their "journalistic integrity."

Today, I found this:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/04/11/j-crew-plants-seeds-gender-identity/

So, long story short: J Crew designer is in her magazine painting her son's toes pink. PINK. PINK.

Which spurns fox news' resident "psychiatrist" to go off on what gender norms are and how fucking important they are.

They are?

Wait, are you telling me if you little boys don't wear cowboy outfits and play with guns, they may be weird?

First of all, how weird? Are we talking John Wayne Gaycie weird? Or John Waters weird? Because if it's the latter, I'll paint my hypo-kid's toes pink and put him in a sequence gown.

The article irks me for a couple of reasons. First of all, all boys kinda act a little stereotypically gay to begin with. Don't believe me? Is that offensive? I'll put my money where my 7-year-old mouth is (gross):


Pretty clear that gender norms were loosely affixed to young Patrick. And while yes, I do presently harbor a STRONG desire to become a Nikki Minaj impersonator, I also think I'm more or less normal.

Moral of the story: Fox News, stfu- let parents parent. If you're not hurting you child, and your child is happy, who the fuck are you to judge.

Of Marshmallows and Teenage Witticisms

It doesn't take much for LLK to make a strong push for the canceled Veronica Mars. Several years ago, I took her up on her recommendation.

The recommendation delivered. And, quite honestly, it makes sense to recommend the show at any occasion.

I've been devouring the show (presently streaming on Netflix) lately, and it has progressively hit me.

This fucking show has everyone.

Rob Thomas, most recently of Party Down fame (another show canceled despite critical reception), seems to either have influential friendships, or a knack for creating shows that people what to involve themselves with. If I had to hazard a bet, I would guess it's some combination.

So, to avoid butchering the explanation of why VMars is so amazing (and it is), I'll simply point you to your Wii, blue ray player, or computer to stream that shit. But what I will do is illustrate the eerie encompassing of other shows. If you judge people by the company they keep, this list should be illustrative.

1. The "Wet Hot American Summer" contingent: The greatest movie ever, this program incorporated two actors from Wet Hot: Ken Marino, who plays the asshole detective Vinny Van Lowe, and Paul Rudd, who makes an awesome asshole guest appearance as Desmond Fellows, an "aging rocker." For anyone with taste, this should automatically clinch.

2. The "Simpsons" contingent: Dan Castelleneta, aka Homer, makes a guest cameo as the sociology professor. At one point, one of the actors exclaims "Doh!" as he walks away. Very awesome.

3. The "Home Improvement" contingent: Ok, so if you're like me, you haven't thrown away a single "Tiger Beat," especially those with JTT gracing the cover. Both JTT and ZTB have guest appearances, which induces such a strong nostalgic reaction that I'm half-tempted to reach for the nearest Boyz to Men cassette I have laying around.

4. The "Just Shoot Me" contingent: Enrico Colantani, who plays Keith Mars, obviously was in Just Shoot me. So it makes sense that they should bring the actress that played Maya in the third season.

5. The "Boy Meets World" contingent: A bit of a stretch since there's only one actor, but Rider Strong (porn name), who blessed this world as Cory's wrong-side-of-the-tracks bff Sean, resurfaces as the asshole college kid.

6. The "Freaks and Geeks" contingent: Samm Levine, who was in another too-soon canceled show, "Freaks and Geeks," graces us with his presences as Samuel Horshack, in the same episode with Strong, above.

Honorable Mentions: "Laguna Beach," "Celebrity Sex Tapes involving Heiresses."

I know I'm missing some, but I'd like to think that the above list shows that Rob Thomas keeps good company, and makes good tv that is cut down too soon.

Enjoy!

Cabin Fever

So, as of this morning, the following has occurred:

101 is COMPLETELY shut off south of Garberville.

299, one of two highways to get to the 5, has been plagued with rock slides.

It's created a bit of a cabin fever situation, and hopefully, as the ever wonderful (sarcasm) Times-Standard reports, 101 will be one-way traffic by Sunday at the earliest.

With that in mind, I have no recourse but to drown my sorrows in the following blooper reel: