The following article is from the CNN website, and is copied as was shown in
greater detail on this page in
order for you, my friends and random site visitors, to read and relish.
May 22, 2000, 3:54p.m. EST
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday struck down as unconstitutional a portion of a federal
law that restricts adult programming on cable to the overnight hours if providers do not fully scramble the
signal. The justices ruled 5-4 in favor of Playboy Entertainment Group, saying Congress went too far in trying
to protect children from adult-oriented programs by implementing Section 505 of the Telecommunications Act of
1996. Section 505 sought to protect kids from "signal bleed," the fuzzy images and sometimes clear audio
nonsubscribers get if the signal is not fully blocked. Cable providers either had to fully scramble the signal
or show adult programming during the "safe harbor" hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., times when children are most
likely asleep. By striking down Section 505, the Supreme Court potentially opened the floodgates to a deluge
of sexually explicit programming on cable.
I think that we should all write our local (or not so local, if you prefer) cable provider(s) and tell them
exactly what we feel about this court decision and let them know how we would like it to affect television
programming in and around our community. I'm not encouraging pornographized (like my new word) television, nor
am I throwing dirt at the idea. I am simply providing information which could affect us all and giving you the
chance to contribute (or not) to your community. This being said, enjoy the last week of school all of you
Houston County kids!
Sunday, May 21, 2000
Tomorrow, I begin the last week of my high school life. This coming Saturday, I end it. It has been four years
of an evolution for me. I don't know much to say about it now, but I expect it to be an emotional week. It
seems to me that many of my fellow seniors have been keeping it all in, and it hasn't felt like the end of the
year lately. I expect that to change tomorrow. I don't know how I would be living my life without all the
wonderful people I've known for the past four years, but I know that I wouldn't be the same. I've run myself
into a dead end of thoughts, so I'll stop now.
Saturday, May 20, 2000
I've been told that I've hurt quite a few people lately. This doesn't surprise me. Pain being caused by one
person or another happens to everyone. I've been told that I've acted rather indifferently to the "pain" that
I've caused. Okay, here's a no-brainer. Has it ever occured to any of you that I've hurt (whomever you may be)
that a little communication might help the problem? Talking about problems is probably the best way of solving
them, especially with me. Especially when I have no idea I've done anything wrong until weeks after I've done
it and weeks after you not saying a word about it, only to let me continue doing my unknown dirty work until
it has taken such a toll that it affects how you talk about me and how others feel about me.
This world could use a few lessons in communication. People are afraid to tell each other the truth. Hello,
earth to the world: the truth hurts sometimes. I would much rather hear an insult from a good friend than a
lie to cover something up or let it build up inside. I would much rather be told bluntly that I'm doing
something very wrong at the moment I'm doing it than hear about it after the damage has been done. People are
too passive when it comes to their own emotions. They would much rather distance themselves for a few moments
from the pain than try to fix it before it starts. By hiding from their fear, they escape it, only to let it
grow until finally the pain is so great that it starts taking out entire relationships.
It seems my life is on a cycle. It's fairly random, but every few months a new "best friend" turns his or her
back on me for reasons I don't know. It just so happens that I've been doing something so wrong for so long
that they can't stand it anymore. Okay, screw you too. If you had told me I was doing something wrong as I was
starting it, it would never have developed at all and would not be near the habit it has become. I don't know
about you, but I'm not about to make drastic changes to my life just because I've gotten gradually worse about
one little aspect of life. If you don't like it now, you should have said something before. I've never had the
intentions to hurt anyone.
I love being at peace with the world. It's the greatest feeling I have. I love the feeling of people liking my
company and no one hating me (except Marla, which I've grown to accept). I do anything and everything I can to
keep it that way. I don't want to lose any of you. I love my friends too much. In fact, I would have to say
that my friends are the most important aspect of my life, and I don't think I could live without them. Sure,
one or two will go from time to time, but trying to imagine a life with no one to turn to in a time of need,
any kind of need, is an unbearable thought. I love you too much to give you up, I need you by my side, and I
want you by mine. It's the way things have been, and the way they should be.
Okay, I'm done. A few of you know who I'm aiming this at, so if you would be so kind as to point their
wandering minds in the general direction of this web page soon, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, I'm not
the kind to sit and let things deterioriate. Anyway, thanks for putting up with me.
Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Let's see. Last time I was here I told you baseball was going well. Unfortunately, we have a team full of
jackasses. Okay, not full, about half full. Of thirteen guys I can say we have six morons who think the team
revolves around him or no rules apply to him. I'm not going to name any names, for anyone who's on the team or
knows the guys on the team knows who they are. Let's just put it this way, because of their arrogance and
self-absorbance, our baseball team is now coachless. A rather immature move on our coaches' part, but I can't
really blame them. Only half the team listens to them, and that's not enough to play baseball. Apparently our
team is getting new coaches, which really sucks, because all they'll hear is that our team is full of
self-centered asses that think they own the team, and the few good guys out there are going to have to suffer
for it. Personally, I'd prefer that the old coaches come back. If that can't happen, I'd rather one or a few
of the "good" guys on the team to help coach it.
In other news, I graduate in ten days. School is basically over, though I still have quite a few papers to
write for Literature. I have two finals to review for, an SAT to prepare for, and college to fear. My sickness
- whatever it may be - is not going away. It doesn't seem to be getting any worse, but I can't keep on keeping
on if it doesn't go away sometime soon. It's starting to get old. :-)
Okay, I'm done combining random thoughts now. I'll try to get back to this page a couple more times before I
graduate, but no promises. I'll have very little spare time in my last days of high school, and I'm planning a
trip to the beach June 3-12. I hope all of you enjoy your time away from me!
Sunday, May 14, 2000
Baseball seems to be going well. We've won twice and lost twice. Our best game so far was the game I decided
to get really upset and coach took me out. It was a really good scene, actually. I was yanked from the game
after yelling at our coaches and then the rest of our team played like all-stars (except Zach's one teeny tiny
little error at shortstop, hehe). Mike, my replacement in centerfield, made an unnecessarily awesome catch in
the last inning, saving a couple runs. It was beautifully done, though had he been playing in straight center
it would have been a much easier catch. :-) Good play, Mikey.
Sorry if I haven't been keeping up with the page lately. I'm sure my devoted readers out there are feeling
extremely neglected at this point. I've finally gotten my AP exams out of the way, but I still have two non-AP
English classes with lots of work to do - two tests in the next week, loads of homework, and a book to read by
tomorrow (yeah right). With all that and baseball practice and games, I have very little time to do anything
on my computer, which means this page is neglected. I found 15 minutes to squeeze in just now, but that's 15
minutes that I should have used to do some of my "homework" for the day. So, wish me luck!
Tuesday, May 9, 2000
Wow, I'm on fire this month. Three updates in nine days! My life has been extremely hectic lately. I'm
preparing for graduation (May 27), I'm preparing for AP Exams (which are tomorrow and Thursday, by the way), I
have to read Brave New World by Monday (which I haven't even opened yet), I have baseball practice or a
game nearly every weekday, and I bowl every Saturday night. This leaves me very little spare time, and what
little I do have something almost always takes it. Anyway, I felt like dropping all my readers a line. Thanks
for bearing with me.
Friday, May 5, 2000
I had a good week. I don't really have much to explain it. I did well on my AP Exams and I played in my first
baseball games of the year. And something just squeaked over my head and I'm alone in this house. Hmm...... Do
take note of the new quote. :-)
Tuesday, May 2, 2000
I spent a day by the river
It was quiet and the wind stood still
I spent some time with nature
To remind me of all that's real
It's funny how silence speaks sometimes when you're alone
And remember that you feel
Again I stand, Lord I stand, against the Faceless Man
Now I saw a face on the water
It looked humble but willing to fight
I saw the will of a warrior
His yoke is easy and His burden is light
He looked me right in the eyes
Direct and concise to remind me
To always do what's right
Again I stand, Lord I stand, against the Faceless Man
'Cause if the face inside can't see the light
I know I'll have to walk alone
And if I walk alone to the other side
I know I might not make it home
Again I stand, Lord I stand, against the Faceless Man
Next time I see this face I'll say
I choose to live for always
So won't you come inside And never go away
Again I stand, Lord I stand, against the Faceless Man