This Election Day 2004 I don't plan to vote, but instead behead a chicken to cook in my small, 17-year-old microwave. A symbolic offering to Alpha-Allah, because Americans are in a world of hurt... No matter who they vote for, facts are facts. The Republicans pulled off an immanent government coup just four years ago when they ousted Mr. Goofy Gore, the popular vote-winner who supposedly received more votes than past Democratic presidential victors. (With an assist from little bro' Jeb in Florida, "mr. nepotistically correct".) So this Nov. 2 will probably bring the same results: W. wins by a landslide! Though naturally Kerry's the more deserving and humane candidate, of course, who really knows what the wages of war amount to on more than a special interests' account receivable level.
Bush has more in common with Bin Laden than anyone suspects: both are fundamental fanatics in many ways, religion being their lowest common denominator. Both need one another the way flesh needs the spirit -- or a fatal blow job? They are shadow reflections of each other, and we're lost in the darkness.
So this Election Day, while the chicken's broilin', I'll more than likely be putting the finishing touches on the 20th anniversary issue of my little ‘zine, ART:MAG, which -- for the past coupla years or so -- I've released annually every November, don't ask me why. It may feature a caricature of George W. Bush on the cover recently sent in by a talented illustrator, along with some other yuk-filled cartoons skewering W.
At this juncture, that seems the most appropriate action for any editor in a good citizenship sense. There's not much more one can do to save the country, except bite the heads off diseased chickens, perhaps.
Also, I'll no doubt be working still on Neal Wilgus' chapbook, ironically called The March of Politics. For years Wilgus -- small press political pundit par excellence -- has been putting out his humorous poems & broadsides. Here's once excerpt from the chap:
by Neal Wilgus
On the secret film
of George W's one and only
visit to the funeral of
an American soldier
killed in Iraq
we see the US dictator
solemnly approach the casket
with flowers and official
looking doodads which he
ceremoniously places
on the soldier's bare chest.
He bows his head a moment,
then turns to accept
the official instruments
from the orderly --
a large two pronged fork
and a carving knife.
The crowd moves closer
and the guests hold up
their plates and napkins
as George W begins to carve.
Flowers appear and there
is wine and in the background
we see a band,
although there is no sound.
George W fills the plates
as fast as he can
and there are orderlies
supplying mashed potatoes,
dressing, cranberry sauce,
salads, nuts, desserts.
George W is relieved of the
task of carving by a six star
general and a national
security advisor,
and we see him heaping high
his own plate and raising
his wine glass.
As he opens his mouth to take
the first bite of
sacrificial lamb
the film abruptly comes to an end.
(Available for $3 from the author at:
927 Camino Hermosa
Corrales, NM 87048-8436)
...AND of course on this coming Election Day, by the time all the votes are tallied, I'll remove that chicken from the oven. To find that sucker burned to a crispy-crisp!
A feast fit for maggots only, & nothing else.
But what of its uncooked head?
Peter says, "In all honesty I'm still wondering who the heck 'Peter Magliocco' is & what he did." His latest chapbook is available from Vergin' Press.