Nobody
17th December 2003, 00:24
Foreword
This is a book about me. And the people who have made me who I am, most of whom I have never met (Che-livers!, it will be mentioned)!. Blame them, not me.
Introduction
This story has, I my opinion, has one of the greatest titles ever: Searching for Terrorists on the Internet: The Development of a Teenager’s Political Psyche. I’m not sure if this would qualify as autobiography, political science, or as a darkly humorous tale. I guess it is your call.
I never envisioned myself writing this book now. I always say myself writing this on toilet paper in prison while my appeals were running out. Racing against the clock, trying to get my view on what I did out to the world. Hopefully it would have a stirring title like History will Absolve Me (taken, damn!) or something along those lines. Finishing just in time to become a political martyr.
However, I doubt that will ever happen. Given the fact I can not muster the courage to ask a girl out, I seriously doubt I will be hijacking any planes or holding some hostages anytime soon. All those plans call for brave people, which I can not claim to be one of. It takes all sorts, I guess (and hope). So without further ado, chapter one.
Chapter 1
My formal introduction to radical politics came in the eighth grade. To be more specific in a Mrs. Montgomery’s Honors English class. I can not say I learned much about verbs that year, but I did learn a lot about hate that year. It was the first time in my life I came face to face with a religious fanatic, who was very verbal. It was the dogma she held too, acting in concert with her tirades concerning it, that I came to loath. It was this fire that was lit that year that still rages inside me, and oft times gives me the strength to soldier on.
The important lesson I learned in dealing with her was fanatics can not see logic. The book that brought out this nasty trait was called Inherit the Wind. It basically deals with the Scopes Monkey Trail and evolution. Something she was against. And she told us that. Over and over again. I, like I have stated above, am a logical person. So I started coming with sources to back up my points. I would argue a point with her, normally something about the age of the earth or evolution, and the whole time I would bang my large stack of magazines and books.
In hindsight I think it is was a pretty funny sight. A ten year old opening up a magazine to angrily point to a page containing information that supported my point. For your enjoyment I have reconstructed one of these arguments.
Mrs. M - …And that is why these scientists are wrong. Yes Kyle. (sighs softly).
Kyle - Evolution is a fact.
Mrs. M - No it is not.
Kyle - Yes it is, look at this article in Scientific American, it gives an excellent timeline for the evolution of half a dozen animals. And this man has a PhD and teaches at UCLA.
Mrs. M - That is beyond the fact.
Kyle - You don’t have a PhD, and you teach eighth grade English. Not exactly a pulpit from which to preach against science. I think I win.
Mrs. M - Who ever wrote that article is wrong. God trumps education. And if you ever talk to me like that again I will send you to the principle.
I now know that a teacher talking like that once, much les incessantly. That is a ground for a lawsuit, being backed by the ACLU, of course. However, at that point in my life I did not realize that. I thought that if I brought in enough evidence supporting my point one day she would sigh, and sit down heavily in her chair and mutter something along the lines of “Blinded by Science”. And agree I was right.
That did not happen. But I took several lessons away form talking with her. As I stated above, fanatics can not be turned to see the truth. As I was quickly walking down the road to becoming an atheist, I saw anyone who believed in religion as a primitive superstitious spear throwing barbarian. But I was not looking at the world through red tinted glasses yet, so I wrote her off as just plain dumb. But I have now realized that there is only one way to deal with such stupidity. That is harshly and permanently, what will happen I will leave up to the reader.
But I did take some positives away from the class. The first was an ability in researching. I can locate anything rather quickly. Secondly, when debating, or talking passionately, I tend to flail my hands and arms in a very Lenninistic way. I jab the air over and over again, which is terribly cool, once more in my humble opinion.
As you can tell this is still very rough (see word choice/pharases), and a lot more then this happened in the 8th grade. What are you thoughts so far about general setup, mood and stuff. I welcome all constructive thoughts. More will happen at some future date.
This is a book about me. And the people who have made me who I am, most of whom I have never met (Che-livers!, it will be mentioned)!. Blame them, not me.
Introduction
This story has, I my opinion, has one of the greatest titles ever: Searching for Terrorists on the Internet: The Development of a Teenager’s Political Psyche. I’m not sure if this would qualify as autobiography, political science, or as a darkly humorous tale. I guess it is your call.
I never envisioned myself writing this book now. I always say myself writing this on toilet paper in prison while my appeals were running out. Racing against the clock, trying to get my view on what I did out to the world. Hopefully it would have a stirring title like History will Absolve Me (taken, damn!) or something along those lines. Finishing just in time to become a political martyr.
However, I doubt that will ever happen. Given the fact I can not muster the courage to ask a girl out, I seriously doubt I will be hijacking any planes or holding some hostages anytime soon. All those plans call for brave people, which I can not claim to be one of. It takes all sorts, I guess (and hope). So without further ado, chapter one.
Chapter 1
My formal introduction to radical politics came in the eighth grade. To be more specific in a Mrs. Montgomery’s Honors English class. I can not say I learned much about verbs that year, but I did learn a lot about hate that year. It was the first time in my life I came face to face with a religious fanatic, who was very verbal. It was the dogma she held too, acting in concert with her tirades concerning it, that I came to loath. It was this fire that was lit that year that still rages inside me, and oft times gives me the strength to soldier on.
The important lesson I learned in dealing with her was fanatics can not see logic. The book that brought out this nasty trait was called Inherit the Wind. It basically deals with the Scopes Monkey Trail and evolution. Something she was against. And she told us that. Over and over again. I, like I have stated above, am a logical person. So I started coming with sources to back up my points. I would argue a point with her, normally something about the age of the earth or evolution, and the whole time I would bang my large stack of magazines and books.
In hindsight I think it is was a pretty funny sight. A ten year old opening up a magazine to angrily point to a page containing information that supported my point. For your enjoyment I have reconstructed one of these arguments.
Mrs. M - …And that is why these scientists are wrong. Yes Kyle. (sighs softly).
Kyle - Evolution is a fact.
Mrs. M - No it is not.
Kyle - Yes it is, look at this article in Scientific American, it gives an excellent timeline for the evolution of half a dozen animals. And this man has a PhD and teaches at UCLA.
Mrs. M - That is beyond the fact.
Kyle - You don’t have a PhD, and you teach eighth grade English. Not exactly a pulpit from which to preach against science. I think I win.
Mrs. M - Who ever wrote that article is wrong. God trumps education. And if you ever talk to me like that again I will send you to the principle.
I now know that a teacher talking like that once, much les incessantly. That is a ground for a lawsuit, being backed by the ACLU, of course. However, at that point in my life I did not realize that. I thought that if I brought in enough evidence supporting my point one day she would sigh, and sit down heavily in her chair and mutter something along the lines of “Blinded by Science”. And agree I was right.
That did not happen. But I took several lessons away form talking with her. As I stated above, fanatics can not be turned to see the truth. As I was quickly walking down the road to becoming an atheist, I saw anyone who believed in religion as a primitive superstitious spear throwing barbarian. But I was not looking at the world through red tinted glasses yet, so I wrote her off as just plain dumb. But I have now realized that there is only one way to deal with such stupidity. That is harshly and permanently, what will happen I will leave up to the reader.
But I did take some positives away from the class. The first was an ability in researching. I can locate anything rather quickly. Secondly, when debating, or talking passionately, I tend to flail my hands and arms in a very Lenninistic way. I jab the air over and over again, which is terribly cool, once more in my humble opinion.
As you can tell this is still very rough (see word choice/pharases), and a lot more then this happened in the 8th grade. What are you thoughts so far about general setup, mood and stuff. I welcome all constructive thoughts. More will happen at some future date.