BONG HITS 4 JOHN ROBERTS

Opinion: The Roads Have Eyes, Part One

2007-11-06T09:40:00.000-05:00

Opinion: The Roads Have Eyes, Part One

Quote: "Dave Goodson, a motorist with an engineering background, performed a number of measurements and calculations after receiving a ticket at Union City Boulevard and Lowry Road. His case forced Union City's traffic engineers to concede that they had set the yellow signal time 1.3 seconds too short. The timings weren't faulty, they were illegal."

With that having been said (it's at the very end of the article), I hereby present for your consideration, PhotoBlocker Spray. It supposedly makes it very difficult for speed and red-light cameras to take a picture of your license plate. I don't generally condone anything that encourages someone to break the law; but what's good for the goose, as they say. If city governments are so corrupt as to do things like shorten the yellow-light cycle timing for the sake of garnering your dollars, then we as citizens have the right to stimy these attempts.

Opinion: The Roads Have Eyes, Part One

2007-11-06T09:39:00.000-05:00

Freezing your credit

2007-11-06T08:33:00.000-05:00

Link

It's almost winter, so I cannot think of a more appropriate time to talk about freezing your credit. It essentially tells the three major credit bureaus that NOBODY has access to your credit information without your consent.

Check out the link.

Getting your day in court? Think again.

2007-10-26T08:33:00.000-04:00

How Arbitration Steals Your Day In Court

Just throwing this up here, for everyone's edification.

Because you can never get enough "Harry Potter"...

2007-08-01T12:58:00.000-04:00

...I present you with: Kill Harry!

Oh, and this is for you guys who liked "Kill Bill," by the way.

No, I did not do this comic. It's somebody else's.

PS: Harry dies at the end. Hahahahahaha! Actually, I don't really know. I'm on "page" 14.

Is it so wrong that I laughed like a lunatic at this?

2007-07-19T15:20:00.000-04:00

Ghastly's Ghastly Comic

It's funny, but...

2007-07-16T14:48:00.000-04:00

Ghastly's Ghastly Comic - Tentacle Monsters And The Women Who Love Them.

So I've stumbled onto yet another comic site. Some of this shit is absolutely hilarious, but I have to warn you:

THIS WEBSITE IS TREMENDOUSLY NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!!

Or sanity. Either way. Proceed with extreme caution. There's stuff on here I couldn't dream up even while on the best drugs available.

Man!

PS: Do a Google for "Evilest Person Ever". Somehow, I'm not surprised.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

2007-06-28T08:45:00.000-04:00

Penny Arcade! - Superb Technique

*gasp!*

...

AHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!! Cockney. *snert!*

The slippery slope

2007-06-25T12:46:00.000-04:00

Court tightens limits on student speech - Yahoo! News

If this were a debate on whether "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" was puerile or not, I would've supported the Supreme Court. The banner was silly at best. However, that's not the issue on the table here. The issue on the table is a person's freedom of speech.

Of course, if you want to be literal about it, the First Amendment says that Congress, not the Supreme Court, shall make NO law abridging a person's right to free speech. However, the Supreme Court, I guess, has free reign to restrict you as much as possible.

But now there's precedent for any asshat teacher or principal who, if they don't agree with a student's political views, can simply say, "Well, he's only saying something with no merit, because..." And then they can just fill in the blank with any rationale they can to suppress a teenager's freedom of expression because, well, they're not 18, so they must not know any better.

Oh, the magic number 18. Except there are plenty of fuckwads running around this country right now with less of a clue than a rock, and they're over 18.

It's a slippery slope we're on, now that there's precedent. I don't care if I agree or disagree with the message, or even if the message appears to me to be juvenile. It's not our job to allow or disallow what we agree with (or not)--that's called CENSORSHIP, and it's used with great relish in places like Iran.

I served in the armed forces to protect everyone's rights, as (supposedly) guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States, and this ruling makes me sick. I'm sure Thomas Jefferson is rolling over in his grave right now.

PS. I changed the name of the blog, for obvious reasons.

Good advice

2007-06-15T14:37:00.000-04:00

How victim snared ID thief

Near the bottom of the linked article is a list of ten things you can do to protect your financial identity. I suggest you check it out.

That is all.

THIS IS THE SONG THAT WOULD NOT DIE

2007-06-08T17:40:00.000-04:00

Don't get me wrong. I like the song "Xanadu." Srsly. It's also a catchy name. And, it's used in one of the finer works of 19th century poetry. And...AND...I used it in the title of my book.

But come on people!!

Apparently, "The Olivia Project" just released this very year a CD with something like 6 different remixes of Xanadu.

Yes. In 2007. Many of you may remember this post ages ago where I counted the number of songs named--in whole or in part--"Xanadu," and the number of remakes of said 1980's song. I think the count stood at 18. Now, I see we have 6 more versions (actually, 5...their "Millenium Mix" is one I have already heard, so I'm thinking this album is a re-release of older mixes, with some new ones thrown in).

Oh, and did I forget to mention the 1994 Muzak(tm) trumpet version of "Xanadu?" It's ...it's... I don't know what it is. It sounds like Herb Alpert-style music. But it's Xanadu, ffs!

This is only the beginning. If you have Napster, you can do a track search for "Xanadu." There are some in there I've already listed. There are the new ones, done by the Olivia Project. And there are even more here.

I'm telling you, people! It's the song that just won't die! And, it's a crying shame the vast majority of these remixes SUCK!

WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE TRYING TO DO TO ME!??!?!

(curls up in corner and sucks thumb)

PUNISH BAD BEHAVIOR!!

2007-05-31T13:08:00.000-04:00

FARK.com: (2835992) Livejournal accounts deleted on a massive scale by abuse team. In related news, stock in razor blades doubles

A Farker on Fark.com made the following comment:

wow... after reading the slashdot thread on this, I found the link where people found posts by the WFI group responsible for this mess. It basically comes down to them being dominionist "xian warriors". This explains a lot unfortunately.

The most disturbing quote form them, though, is this:

Every single one of you [LJ users that were banned] are indeed pedophiles. Nasty, filthy, stinking pedophiles. You all preface your statements with "I'm not a pedophile myself BUT"

I would think with that a direct accusation like that in a public forum would be a fairly open-and-shut libel case...

/that's using logic in law, though, which is obviously a stupid thing to do

Emphasis mine.

Can you imagine the shitstorm that would ensue if groups such as abuse survivor groups (among those deleted and, apparently, lumped into the above statement from Warriors for Innocence) all got together and filed a class-action lawsuit against WFI for such a libelous statement? Oh, YES! It would be a victory for freedom of thought everywhere, and a resounding defeat for draconian so-called "Christians" still stuck in the 14th century.

I'm going to look up the list of these groups, see if I can contact any of them, and RAISE ALL HOLY HELL!!

I WOULD PAY A MILLION BILLION GAJILLION DOLLARS...

2007-05-29T13:02:00.000-04:00

scaryideas | Star Wars: Airport

...to see someone dressed up as Darth Vader go through airport security AND STAY IN-CHARACTER!

Oh my God that would be TOO FUNNY.

I've often wondered...

2007-05-17T21:58:00.000-04:00

The Life Purpose Discovery System |

...how many of these self-improvement sites are really nothing more than a regurgitation of what other sites have said. I'm not saying that there isn't truth in what they say (because many times there is), but I can't help but wonder how much is borrowed from others; and that becomes their way to 'success.' Not everyone's way...just some of these sites.

I present to you, for your consideration, this site and this site. Tell me if there aren't any immediate similarities. Now, these are only two sites; not the bulk of them. But it was enough to make me take notice.

Which leads me to my next question: how many of these self-improvement sites bogus? How many of these sites are just shameful copies (or near-copies) of others' work, and you're coughing up ~~$97~~ $47 for each site?

I know very few people ever read this blog, but I figured I'd throw it out there in the off chance someone has had experience with this. The 12-week life transformation site has free stuff (so does the life purpose site), just so people know--I guess--they're not just out for your money.

Maybe I'm too cynical.

Anyway, that's my thought for the day.

The Bank of America wants your money. Really.

2007-05-11T17:54:00.000-04:00

This is the story (stories, actually) as told to me. The people I've heard these from have more details, and my time is short; so I have to do this quickly.

Story Number One: A friend of our family is a probate paralegal. She is working with some people in Seattle to get a CD out of Bank of America (the person who died, lived in and died in Maine, so State of Maine laws apply here). However, even after 14 years after the death of the decedent, the SOLE LIVING HEIR cannot get the money from the CD. Bank of America has pulled a series of stall tactics, wanting: (1) to refer back to their legal department, (2) have the probate paralegal all but commit perjury (as she explained it) by signing some kind of affidavit, (3) simply just not respond AT ALL to letters of inquiry from the paralegal (and other lawyers and I understand it), and (4) telling the paralegal that she must get a court order to get Bank of America to release the funds from the CD which should have been released to the heir 14 years ago.

What the hell is that all about?

Story (Stories) number 2 can be found on MSNBC.com. I'll link in the story later. You can probably find it a few days earlier as a post on this blog. It was about identity theft. Which leads us to ...

Story number 3. My father, through a debt management company, paid off a debt to MBNA, just after MBNA was bought out by Bank of America. MBNA, while in their transition phase, acknowledged the debt was taken care of under special circumstances (reduced intererest rate, forgiven past due penalties, etc). However, Bank of America decided to completely ignore this prior agreement (the agreement was made BEFORE BoA bought MBNA, and was completed just after the buyout), and has continued to hassle my father ever since.

I suggest that, based off of these stories, and the 1300+ comments (may be more now) from that MSNBC.com article, that anyone with a BoA account should really consider another bank, before they get screwed.

Allegedly. You know. Standard disclaimer to hopefully avoid getting sued for 'libel' or some other bull. Considering some of the tactics BoA has pulled so far on their so-called 'valued' customers, it wouldn't surprise me if they fought dirty if someone called them out on it.

1276 and counting

2007-05-09T08:40:00.000-04:00

MSNBC.com - Identity Theft

It's not as uncommon as you may think.

Over twelve hundred (!!!) in just a day, leaving comments here stating how they've gone through similar instances.

But nobody's doing anything about it.

My father loses almost a hundred grand because of someone he thought he could trust. It makes it even worse than it being a complete stranger.

I left a comment on this article, as well. It's #17. And it has my father's blog listed in there.

Perhaps the time has come for vigilante justice. If the law enforcement agencies aren't going to do anything about it, maybe it's time to put the fear of Joe Public into the hearts and minds of these nefarious thugs.

Workout Blog!

2007-05-04T15:29:00.000-04:00

blog.myspace.com/xanadian

The above link may or may not work. If not, just try this link.

I'm doing a daily (almost daily) log of my never-ending quest for "That Body Girls And Approximately Two Percent Of Guys Dream Of (tm)." Most attempts have been been nothing more than short little trips down Buff Lane, but I've found a new technique I've been trying; and so far the results are good. I still have this beer gut (probably from the beer); but my shirts aren't fitting quite right anymore, so that MUST be a good sign. Right?

Right!?

But seriously. I'm making strides I've never been able to before. This new blog will chronicle my progress, sure; but mostly it's about techniques I learn along the way, and diet and safety tips. Anyone and everyone is willing to join me (if only virtually) on this journey; because good health is for a lifetime.

Well, so is bad health, but the lifetime's a bit shorter.

Help save internet radio!

2007-05-01T17:37:00.000-04:00

Write Your Representative - Contact your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The RIAA has pushed the copyright review board to increase royalty rates for music broadcasted over the Internet via "streaming" audio. This is the biggest bunch of horse manure to come from the record industry I've ever seen.

Write your Congressman now to help put a stop to this!

There is a grass-roots campaign to petition Congress to pass HR 2060. I've written my letter to my congressman. It goes like this:

Dear Congressman Michaud,

I'm sure by now you have received plenty of mail, email, faxes and phone calls regarding HR 2060. I am another constituent who feels strongly about this bill. If it hasn't been iterated already, let me point out the main reasons why I believe this bill is important:

1. Many Internet users listen to music over the Internet via 'steaming' audio. It is a source of enjoyment for many. The royalty hikes would essentially put (at least) the smaller internet radio stations out of business.

2. Internet radio stations, like Pandora for example, are an outlet for independent artists' musical creations. There are many bands I would have never even known existed if it weren't for providers like Pandora. If stations like Pandora are forced to close down due to these royalty hikes, (a) these independent artists would have fewer channels for their work and (b) these independent artists would NOT get the royalties they already receive through places like Pandora. With no (or much fewer) sites broadcasting the works of these artists, where will they get their royalties from? I can guarantee to you that Top 40 stations won't broadcast their work.

Allowing the RIAA to have their way with internet radio would be catastrophic to independent musicians' free expression and frustrating to the fans who want to listen to them. I'm not saying that internet radio should get a free pass to broadcast music free, as that's also not fair to artists. But hiking the rates like this is just as detrimental, if not more so for the little guy.

Please co-sponsor HR 2060, and help keep the music industry fair.

As I look at this letter, it gets the point across, but man I need to go back to writing school. Free pass to broadcast free? Free, free, free. WTF? Alas.

Regardless, if you like the ability to listen to ANY kind of music you want, and not just what the Top 40 stations (on your FM radio) want to push down your throat, you should really give your Representative a call, or write him a letter.

Satellite radio people...not sure how this will end up affecting you, but I'm sure a rate hike for YOUR Sirius or XM is not too far down the road.

For the love of God, don't buy these bulbs!

2007-04-30T13:24:00.000-04:00

The CFL mercury nightmare

Apparently, compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs contain mercury...at an amount 6x recommended 'safe' levels. And what happens when the bulbs have finally outlived their usefulness? From the article:

As each CFL contains five milligrams of mercury, at the Maine "safety" standard of 300 nanograms per cubic meter, it would take 16,667 cubic meters of soil to "safely" contain all the mercury in a single CFL. While CFL vendors and environmentalists tout the energy cost savings of CFLs, they conveniently omit the personal and societal costs of CFL disposal.

Wow. That's a pretty big problem. And, how many light sockets are in the United States?

I think I'm going to stick with regular incandescent bulbs until the LED bulbs come down in price.

Doesn't quite add up

2007-04-26T09:24:00.000-04:00

U.K. reviewing prince’s Iraq stint - Europe - MSNBC.com

I don't know how many hawks in Washington have children in Iraq, let alone on the front lines; so this statement may be unqualified. But I find it a little strange that such a high-ranking member of the royal family would DEMAND to be serving right in the middle of things in Iraq. Prince Harry has even threatened to quit the royal army if he's stuck behind a desk.

Why?

Why would someone with so much to lose be willing to risk it all in Iraq? Is he crazy? Is he stupid? Is this just blind patriotism?

Or, perhaps, there's more going on here than the MSM and the Dems are allowing us to see.

I don't know. To me, though, this just doesn't quite add up.

I think I just came a little...

2007-04-18T21:17:00.000-04:00

A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins - Pandora Internet Radio

This song is amazing. I've heard it before (of course...the song is 14 years old), but it's the first time I've seen it pop up on Pandora.

It's like David Bowie singing, and Jimi Hendrix on the guitar.

ohhhhh....

Someone get me a towel.

Or a mop.

Whatever.

THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED

2007-04-12T10:07:00.000-04:00

Unless you live under a rock, you've probably heard that one of the greatest authors and minds of all time died yesterday. There's an outpouring of grief on teh intarwebs as we speak, from all the people who were touched by this man's wit and wisdom.

I stumbled across a little quote from his last (or one of his last) work, and I think it's fitting to use it here:

"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:"

THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC

If it walks like a duck...

2007-04-10T23:38:00.000-04:00

I have no idea how or why I stumbled across it, but it let me on an interesting adventure so far. For some completely illogical reason (other than, maybe, I want 'prosperity' without putting effort into it, like a good-ole-fashioned lazy American should want), I ended up looking for this book.

PS: No blue feathers in, on, or near the book; however, there is a RED feather on the back...which meant SOMETHING, but I forget what now. But I digress.

So, I bought the book for, like, $4.50 (plus $5 for shipping and handling, expedited). It finally arrived yesterday afternoon, and I followed the instructions and lessons therein.

Just this morning, not even 24 hours after I received the book, and did the first few exercises (which, by the way, aren't TOTALLY effortless, but RELATIVELY effortless...just to clear that up), one of my coworkers commented that there was something very different about me.

The first thing that came to my mind was, "Say what!?" I'm just as scruffy as usual...my hair is still long and graying...I was wearing the same clothes I always wear (uh, I do change my clothes day to day, wise guy(s)...I mean, the same KIND of clothes)...so what in the world COULD be so different about me?

I don't know about you, but after this happened, then some other "Donnie Darko" synchronicity I never posted on my blog, and now this, I'm taking a bit of a new approach to things. The timing of all this stuff is ... beyond coincidence. What's really odd is how all the things I learned in Christianity tie into what I learned from Eckankar, that tie into Huna, that tie into this stuff in Bijan's book, that tie into everything else. It's almost a perfect web, leaving me to wonder what it all means.

I looked at this website after getting the book yesterday, and noted first off its extraneous use of Flash (being a bit of a hack webmaster, I can get a little picky about web usability). Then I wondered how much money-grubbing horse manure Bijan's stuff is compared to every other self-help manual. Well, like the old cliche goes, if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck...

So far, I don't think this stuff amounts to just 'quackery.'

What's in that food you're eating?

2007-04-03T09:03:00.000-04:00

So, having recently kicked my gym-bunny habit into full gear ... again ... for the third time now ... I started looking more closely at what I eat. I've always considered low-fat yoghurt to be one of the better things you can eat for a snack. But, after being told (you need to sign up to see this page--it's free, so don't worry--and it's page 7 on week 4) that I need to consume at least 400g of protein a day, I wanted to see how much of that protein I'm getting from my yoghurt.

Well, here's the breakdown of what's in my yoghurt:
Calories: 210
Serving size: 1 container (227 grams ... keep a note of this!)
Total fat: 2.5 grams
Cholesterol: 0.01 g
Sodium: 0.105 g
Potassium: 0.300 g
Total carbs: 41 g
Protein: 7g

Wow. 7g? That'll be about 57 yoghurts I'll need to eat. Yikes.

After looking at all the nutrients in the yoghurt, I wondered about something. Do all those numbers add up to the total weight of the yoghurt in the container?

Not even close.

It seems that there is 176.085 grams of ... stuff ... in my yoghurt. Out of 227. Only 50.915 grams of the yoghurt is really accounted for, nutritionally.

So, that left me to wondering... what the hell ELSE is in my yoghurt!?

Is your soul ready for the coming of the Lord?

2007-03-26T14:56:00.000-04:00

Can I get an Aaaaaa-men!

How I know the US public is wrong

2007-03-26T08:43:00.000-04:00

U.S., militants allying against al-Qaida? - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com

From the featured article: "Khalilzad said he was encouraged be security and political developments in recent months but urged Iraqi leaders to ensure commitments were met swiftly since Americans were increasingly impatient."

What? We Americans, who scream at the person ahead of us when he's only doing 5 MPH over the speed limit and we want to go faster? We Americans, who if the burger isn't right there at the drive-thru window after we've placed our order will get all uptight and sometimes just downright mean? We Americans, who are too busy to stop for a second to look around, but are considerably more interested in grabbing the dough and racking up our credit cards so we can have that plasmat TV now?

Us? Impatient? Surely you jest.

This is how I know the US public is wrong about withdrawing from Iraq ASAP. It's taken over three years to get to the point where we're actually JUST STARTING to sway the insurgents to be a source of help. If we can't have an Instant Total Victory, it's not worth it.

I realize that at some point in time, in the chain of command, someone either got their information wrong or just plain lied, but we're in there now. Iraqis (from a MUCH earlier poll) actually at one point preferred their situation post-Saddam to when Saddam was in power. We were doing some good. We're still doing SOME good. I realize 2000+ soldiers dead is significant to the families of these soldiers, but we've lost a lot more people than that for less. We ousted a genocidal despot. Perhaps W was looking for some kind of glorious struggle unlike one we've seen since the 1940's, when we did in another genocidal despot? Perhaps W really thought there were WMDs in Iraq? I don't know, considering I'm not in his inner circle. But I was brough up being told that if I made a mess, I was expected to clean it up. I don't expect the rest of us to do any different.

Still just a word though...

2007-03-23T11:20:00.000-04:00

No truer words...

I should do a "Greatest Hits" list.

blut

2007-03-21T12:45:00.000-04:00

I'm foregoing any kind of serious ... anything today. Of course, it's been a while since I posted diddly here, but hey.

I found this while tooling around on Fark.com. Actually, I found it while reading a comment on Fark.com, that led to a cartoon about apostrophes on the same website.

This comic literally made me choke on my own mirth. The flower has teh funnay.

Superior

2007-03-07T09:28:00.000-05:00

I'd like to know how they do it. How, in a poorer country than the US, can a soup kitchen (that analogy leaves a lot to be desired, by the way, as a langar is NOT a 'soup kitchen') feed so many people in a day? I haven't heard of it in the US. And yet, here is a religious group (apparently not just Sikhs, though) that puts no pressure on the recipients of its good graces, and still manages to feed ten thousand people a day. And that's just one kitchen.

In this land of prosperity, how hard could that be?

Or maybe there are langars in the US, and I just don't know about them. Wouldn't be the first time.

Read more here.

Mind Over Matter

2007-02-28T09:59:00.000-05:00

Placebo Power: Can 'Thinking' Fit Get You Fit? - Newsweek Mind Matters - MSNBC.com

Just putting this here, as it bears repeating. The mind is an amazing instrument.

Older than Dirt

2007-02-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

Answers From the FAQ, Page 6 - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net

It may surprise you to know that--ALLEGEDLY--the US Constitution has a source of inspiration that outdates it by 300+ years. At least, some people claim it does. Quote:

During the bi-centennial year of The Constitution of the United States, a number of books were written concerning the origin of that long-revered document. One of these, The Genius of the People, alleged that after the many weeks of debate a committee sat to combine the many agreements into one formal document. The chairman of the committee was John Rutledge of South Carolina. He had served in an earlier time, along with Ben Franklin and others, at the Stamp Act Congress, held in Albany, New York. This Committee of Detail was having trouble deciding just how to formalize the many items of discussion into one document that would satisfy one and all. Rutledge proposed they model the new government they were forming into something along the lines of the Iroquois League of Nations, which had been functioning as a democratic government for hundreds of years, and which he had observed in Albany.

An interesting bit of trivia.

John Edwards is f*cked

2007-02-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

YouTube - O'Reilly - John Edwards hires fanatical extremist staffers

I might've voted for Edwards. But now ...well, whether I like him or not is irrelevant. I agree with O'Reilly. This debacle has sunk Edwards's (grammar??) campaign. I don't like radical ...anything. Radical Islam, Radical Christianity, Radical Liberalism, you name it. So, for one radical wing to attack the other, it becomes a major turn-off for me. And, one has to wonder:

(a) Did Edwards keep these women on because, deep down, he AGREES with them? Shudder. Or...
(b) Did Edwards keep these women on because he's a wuss?

Either way, do YOU want someone like that in the White House? If I didn't say it before, I'll say it now. It's more than just about ISSUES when you're selecting a candidate. You can have the best talking points on the planet. But if you can't back it up, what's the point? If you can't CONVEY these talking points in a convincing manner, what's the point? If you have no credibility or charisma, you can be the wisest person in the world and have the cure for cancer, and there won't be a single person who will listen to you.

Honest Ed?

2007-02-12T09:54:00.000-05:00

Campaign '08: Who Is the ‘Real’ John Edwards? - Newsweek Politics - MSNBC.com

People are looking for a 'change' in Washington. That, at least, is what every politician is telling us. I'm not sure that any candidates being fielded right now would create a worthy 'change,' but here's another guy I'm beginning to respect. First, some quotes:

In the fall of 2005, John Edwards sat down with a pad and pen and scrawled out three simple words: "I was wrong [agreeing to the Iraq war]." [...] But when a draft came back from his aides in Washington, Edwards's admission was gone. Determined, the senator reinserted the sentence. [...] "That was the single most important thing for me to say," Edwards recalls. "I had to show how I really feel."

On Feb. 4, in an appearance on "Meet the Press," he broke the cardinal rule of presidential politics and admitted that his proposal for universal health care would require raising taxes.

I'm not keen on giving more of my money to the government...but it's refreshing to actually see a presidential candidate be so candid and honest. Personally, I agree that taxes need to be raised some, considering (a) the limits imposed by our current health care system (which needs more than just money but a total overhaul) and (b) the looming potential for crisis in Social Security.

A note on this: "Critics claim Edwards's new 28,000-square-foot home in Orange County, N.C., shows his commitment to the poor may not be as all-consuming as he suggests." Does Edwards pay his taxes? He's even proposing to raise them (including his own). So STFU (as they say). If he's earned that money legally, who are you to gripe? Any mention from you guys at all about charities he may have donated to? Of course not.

It begins

2007-02-12T09:20:00.000-05:00

Obama declares he's running for president - CNN.com

It's official. Obama's running for President.

I do hope that he's going to be different than the politicians we've had to deal with in the past. I'm yet to be excited about a presidential race. I don't think he'll get the nomination, because (a) other candidates like Sen. Clinton are already ahead in raking in the campaign money, (b) he's green, and (c) if this is true, he's less corruptable than other politicians.

Item C right there will lose him the race. The Powers That Be are NOT going to allow someone who will truly act in their own best judgment into the White House. Not going to happen. Don't put your tinfoil hats on...what I'm referring to is this:

Admitting the tactic is typical of aspiring candidates, Obama promised to overhaul a political system he says is dominated by lobbyists and special interest groups "who've turned our government into a game only they can afford to play."

These are the people who will prevent him from getting the nomination.

Final note: In Obama's speech, he talks about change. What politician doesn't? I guess it's hard to sound truly unique...he can seriously mean to change things for the better, while other politicians just give us lip-service.

It's "Big Block of Cheese Day!"

2007-02-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

Firefighters' windfall comes with a catch - The Boston Globe

Any "West Wing" buffs may read the following and go, "A-ha!"

The town does have the Cheshire Cheese Monument, a sizable concrete sculpture of a cheese press commemorating a 1,450-pound cheese hunk given by town elders to Thomas Jefferson in 1801. But its value as a terrorist target is not readily apparent.

A quick note on vigilante justice

2007-02-08T17:00:00.000-05:00

I am sick and tired of receiving these little phishing expeditions in my inbox. I think the time has come for any able-bodied hackers/crackers to fight back.

The IP address is 202.62.97.140. It is registered in Laos (according to APNIC). They can be pinged (tried it). My hack-fu is pretty weak, but I think the time has come for those of us who give a shit to fight fire with fire.

That is all.

PS: No, they did not scam me. My hack-fu is good enough to see through most bullshit. I just think it's time to take the war to the aggressors.

UPDATE (2/9/07): If the government thinks it's a good idea, then it must be!

The Sacred Cow

2007-02-07T08:30:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | Europe | Banning the freedom to deny

I imagine that, on Fark.com, they'd put an "Asinine" tag next to the featured article.

I really hope nobody tries this stunt in the US. I imagine, though, that the Supreme Court, while still stating an acknowledgment of the holocaust, will strike down such a law as unconstitutional. I find it disturbing that there are MODERN governments that are trying to control what people believe. If a person, for whatever reason, believes that the holocaust didn't happen, it's their right to be wrong. There are people who still believe in creationism, DESPITE science 'proving' otherwise; just as the courts have 'proven' that the holocaust did happen. "When an international court determines that such crimes have taken place, then you should no longer be able to say: 'You're making that all up.' (from the article)" When a body of renowned scientists determines that evolution is how all things came into being, then you should no longer be able to say: 'Blah, blah, blah.'

It starts with the holocaust. Perfectly innocuous. But criminalizing people who deny the holocaust is, in a matter of process, the same as criminalizing people who deny evolution. Or deny modern astrophysics (i.e., people who still believe the universe revolves around Earth). The context may be different, but the action is the same. Sure, these people (deniers) are wrong. Should they be jailed for it?

And then, how much farther down the road will we be jailing people for OTHER beliefs? Where does it end? I know where it starts, and it needs to be nipped in the bud before it happens.

Another cool blog, and, POST #450 (yay?)

2007-02-06T19:55:00.000-05:00

I don't know if this is really Mr. Jobs's (Jobs'?) blog or not (since his profile has another blog called 'iamnotstevejobs'), but I happened to see this one line, regarding ... well, read the featured article and you'll see what I mean:

I've already instructed my guys to get on this like a hobo on a ham sandwich.

I can just picture Steve Jobs writing that. What a mental picture. It made me laugh. In fact, I haven't laughed this hard since I was a little girl.

So, Mr. Fake Jobs, I don't know if you're real or not, but I'll buy you a beer.

It's a communist pot! I mean, plot!

2007-02-06T15:16:00.000-05:00

AlterNet: Once-Secret "Nixon Tapes" Show Why the U.S. Outlawed Pot

I have two people in mind when I think of pot and drugs.

One is a cousin of mine. He was a straight-A student, and otherwise doing quite well socially and educationally. He then got mixed up with some people who were heavy into drinking and marijuana. He smoked quite a bit of the whacky terbakky himself. As I recall, he never finished high school and now pretty much just drifts.

I tend to think his supposed decline was more based in who he kept for company.

A second person I know is just plain old nuts. He smokes weed AND does a wide array of hallucinogens. I'm not sure about this, but I *think* he dropped out of school and got a GED. Or not. But at any rate, to listen to him talk is enough to make your brain hurt. It's not so much that he speaks like an incoherent stoner or anything like that. Not only is he big on psychedelia, but he reads. A LOT. And, despite his usual rambling vocal gait, he makes coherent points about topics that are WAY over my head. Thus the subsequent hurting brain.

Opponents of legalizing marijuana will tell you that pot destroys the mind. I don't know about that. I think the purported bad effects of marijuana usage are more of a case of (to quote one of my favorite TV shows): post hoc, ergo propter hoc. That is, one event doesn't necessarily lead to the next event (I just restated the interpretation as its opposite, but oh well...and based off of how they conveyed this whole theory in logical fallacy on West Wing). In the case of my cousin, was it the pot usage that sent his life into a tailspin, or the people he was hanging out with? Because, in the case of the second guy, he hangs out with other subvertive-types, but all fairly intelligent and bent on 'expanding the mind' as opposed to just getting high. This second guy is also a dope field (and does harder stuff), but he's definitely no low-watt bulb. True, he isn't raking in 6 figures a year (he works at McDonalds)...but I believe that is because counterculture people are generally frowned upon in Corporate America and are relegated to subservient roles in society, such as jobs where you have to say, "Do you want fries with that?"

Seriously, folks. Do 'potheads' 'fail' in life because of the J, or because of society's tendency to ostracize (and imprison) those who smoke the J?

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc? I don't think so.

Drug Policy Alliance

PS: No, I do not smoke (or otherwise use) pot. I do not smoke, period. My lungs would go into a revolt.

Another paradise lost

2007-02-05T13:57:00.000-05:00

The Seattle Times: Nation & World: Where women alone choose whom to wed

Pretty neat such a place still exists in this world. But, "the treacherous tides and narrow channels that long kept outsiders from these remote islands are no longer holding back the modern world."

Anyone who would say these 'savages' should just 'get with it' needs to reverse some roles and see if they'd like it if their views were considered savage and should 'get with' the new modern program.

Just stopped by to say that. That is all people. Move along.

Talk Your Way Out of a Ticket

2007-02-01T10:42:00.000-05:00

Talk Your Way Out of a Ticket (Deal of the Day: Personal Finance) | SmartMoney.com

I figured this of such importance, that I'm not just linking to it, but copying the whole article here. After all, news sites tend to purge their articles after a while, and I want this bit of info to stick around a while longer.

NOBODY RELISHES AN encounter with the fuzz. But chances are you have friends who have the uncanny ability to weasel out of any speeding ticket. What's their secret?

"If you're a woman, crying profusely has been known to help," suggests David Matheson, principal of X-Copper Legal Services, a North American fraternity of former police officers turned lawyers. But, let's face it, unless you're a soap opera star, crying on cue can be hard to do.

The good news: There are many alternative ways to get out of a ticket. Mastering these skills is bound to prove financially rewarding. Speeding tickets can easily set you back $200 — and result in painful hikes in your insurance premiums to boot.

Here's advice both on how to avoid getting a ticket — and, if you aren't successful there, how to get your ticket dismissed in court.

When You've Been Pulled Over
Be on your toes, here: The first few minutes after you get stopped are critical. "If you're going to be doing any fast talking, do it before the officer starts writing the ticket," says Lauren Z. Asher, a New York City attorney specializing in traffic law. Nowadays, most ticket-writing systems are computerized, which makes it a whole lot harder to make that ticket disappear once an officer starts the paperwork. Here's what to do:

Stick 'em up
You've watched the show "COPS," right? Well, so has the officer who just pulled you over, who's now wondering whether he's got a homicidal nut case on his hands. So don't pull any fast ones. Put the officer at ease by turning off your engine, lowering your driver's side window and placing your hands on the steering wheel. Don't root around for your personal documents until the officer asks for them — the motion may be mistaken for you hiding something or, worse, retrieving your handy Smith & Wesson.

Name-drop
It feels shameless, but go for it. If you have a police benevolent association, or PBA, card, hand it over with your license and registration. (Departments give these cards to donors, and individual officers hand them out to family and friends.) Keep in mind, though, that you'll get better results if you actually know an officer and have a card with his badge number on it.

Play dumb
When the officer asks, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" it's best to feign ignorance. "Sometimes it's a fishing expedition," explains Aaron Larson, a civil litigation and appeals attorney in Ann Arbor, Mich. The cop might have you for speeding for example, but not notice that you've got a blown-out headlight. No need to volunteer that information.

Kiss up
Obsequiousness works. Tack a "sir," "ma'am" or "officer" onto the end of every sentence, advises Jodi R.R. Smith, founder of Mannersmith, an etiquette consulting firm in Boston.

Don't argue
Being rude, sarcastic or combative with an officer can lead to more tickets (maybe he notices your seat belt isn't on) or a heftier charge ("reckless driving" rather than "failure to stop"). "He's got the pen and he's got the ticket book, and he's just going to say, 'Tell me when it hurts,'" says Matheson. And if you're really a jerk, you can bet the officer is going to remember you, should you later appeal the ticket.

Ask for a warning
"If it's pretty clear that the officer is going to ticket you, there's nothing to be hurt by asking," says Larson. More states are recording warnings, though, so getting one may decrease your chances of wrangling your way out the next time you're pulled over.

You Got a Ticket
Don't be so quick to pull out your checkbook. With a little time and effort, you may be able to avoid paying the ticket and, perhaps more importantly, clear it from your record.

One option, of course, is traffic school. The outcome of these day-long programs is arranged before you attend — usually, the ticket will be cleared from your record. In this case, you'll still need to pay for the ticket itself, but you won't have to worry about insurance premium hikes and added points on your record. Of course, if you're a frequent offender, you might find that traffic school is not an option.

Fighting a ticket in court is a gamble, but it's one you may be able to win. The key, says Matheson, is proving that the officer and the court made a mistake. Here are some tips:

Don't count on a no-show
You'll often hear that to contest a ticket, all you have to do is show up — ticketing officers rarely make an appearance at court. Not true, says Asher. It's considered a serious part of a traffic cop's job, she says. Many cities even schedule traffic-court hearings around an officer's schedule, so he or she can show up on one day at testify for a handful of cases.

Always plead not guilty
Pleading guilty with explanation (i.e., you did what you're accused of but for a good reason) allows a judge to reduce the penalty, but only if he or she buys your excuse. The offense still goes on your driving record — and can affect your insurance. Better to plead not guilty. One exception, notes Matheson, is if the judge or prosecutor is willing to accept a guilty plea in exchange for a lesser charge, or dropped charges.

Get the officer's notes
While you were babbling excuses in the car, your ticketing officer was writing down everything you said, as well as details of the scene. Often, these notes are all officers have to rely on at court. In most states, you have a right to request a copy before your court appearance. That way, you won't be blindsided by what an officer says, and can further build your defense.

Polish your defense
Arguing that you didn't know you were in a school zone, or didn't see the red light because you were talking on your cellphone aren't viable defenses. According to Nolo, a company that specializes in do-it-yourself legal materials for consumers, there are two tactics you might try: challenging the officer's observations (I had the right of way, not the other car), or defending your conduct (I had to cross the double yellow line to avoid hitting a dog).

Bring evidence
Diagrams and pictures are always helpful, says Asher. They can help prove that an officer may not have had a clear view, or that your mistake was an honest one (say, if road markings were faded). For photos, include an identifying building, street sign or landmark in the frame. And make sure it's seasonal. Showing a stop sign partially obstructed with lush summer foliage won't help if you were ticketed in December.

No, I AM JESUS!

2007-01-30T13:50:00.000-05:00

Meet the Minister Who Says He Is Jesus Christ - Newsweek Beliefs - MSNBC.com (sorry, goes to page 2)

All members of Growing in Grace are expected to tithe—which, along with offerings, yielded $1.4 million for headquarters last year. One of the first orders of business at every service is the collection of money (credit cards accepted)....Such funds help underwrite a lavish lifestyle for de Jesus, including diamond-encrusted gold rings and fancy cars.

First of all, I'm no big fan of the tax man, but here's an operation that needs a visit from the IRS, religious exemption be damned. I guess, like the real Jesus once said (paraphrased), by a man's fruits so shall he be known.

Second of all, I'm NOT going to rant about how stupid these people must be to follow this man's "ministry." I've been doing some reading, and have come to the conclusion that it's quite easy to brainwash even a rocket scientist. Once again, like the real Jesus once said (paraphrased): judge not, because you too will be judged by the same measure.

Finally, I'd like to state I'm starting my own religion. Hell, why not? Everyone else is doing it. ...Or, they're running for President in 2008. But in all seriousness (albeit a little tongue-in-cheek), if I were, I'd refrain from the 'brainwashing' that comes from initiation into cults (and, arguably, in all religions or any form of ideological doctrine). Anyone who has read this blog should know that I am in search of Truth ... although, nobody will ever have the exact same Truth as others (read the book I linked to above). But to be able to intersect my own reality-tunnel with others would allow me to learn things that will help further my quest for truly knowing--as best as I can, anyway--God. And it would do the same for others, who are willing to open their minds and come to the conclusion that they, in fact, do NOT know it all; and may very well be wrong, as I may very well be wrong, also.

...By the same measure...

I believe the human mind capable of incredible feats. I'm not so sure about such paranormal events as telekinesis, clairvoyance, etc; but I do believe we can affect our bodies and our environment, at least to some degree. I also believe that the only way we can continue to grow is through the exchange of ideas amongst people with the same (or similar) goals.

I also know that growth is change, and people are resistant to change.

I also know that if you don't grow, you stagnate, and die. We are all set up to die eventually, anyways...but I mean 'die' in a more metaphysical sense. Imagine if you will if all the knowledge and information that is racing around the internet right now (and/or through whatever other medium you wish to use, be it print, electromagnetic (TV, radio), etc) came to a screeching halt, what that would do to the future of humanity? This is the death I speak of. The death of discovery, the death of society, the death of an ever-expanding freedom.

I also know that we are comfortable with the status-quo. The present is fixed, and the past is known. We don't know what the future holds, and we fear that whatever 'growth' or 'change' may occur would result in our untimely demise. Imagine if all the pioneers of our day had thought that way.

I've made my point. I also don't think anyone can honestly 'found' a 'religion' based off of these tenets, because religion tends to force people into a particular dogma and restrict 'growth'...that is, 'new' ideas are considered heresy because they do not match up with ancient texts written by God-inspired men (but men nonetheless) centuries ago.

Or, in some cases, a mere few years ago. But the dogma is still created.

Eh. Now I'm rambling.

Gapiana, and the Random Thought of the Day

2007-01-30T11:19:00.000-05:00

BOVILEXICS.COM

According to various sniglets sites, the "gapiana" is the 'unclaimed' strip of land between the "You Are Now Leaving" and "Welcome To" signs when crossing state lines.

Which got me to thinking...

As an example, let's look at the state line between Maine and New Hampshire. On one side of the line is Maine; and it can be said that the land on this side of the line belongs to the State of Maine. The same logic prevails for the land on the New Hampshire side: the land belongs to New Hampshire.

Who owns the line?

Six-word Story, or, I (Sometimes) Like Mysteries

2007-01-29T14:50:00.000-05:00

FARK.com: (2569479) Sword-wielding teen killed by police after he kills his mother; local high school yearbook committee says "hey, don't look at us"

I read somewhere that Hemingway was credited for writing a six-word story, and claiming it to be his best work ever. The story goes like this:

For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

Six little words can speak volumes, and encite the imagination to the drama held within.

In this Fark.com thread, there is a link to the alleged perpetrator's Myspace page. It says NOTHING about what was going on in this kid's head before the incident. All there is, are the comments from his friends, before and after the stabbing/slashing/shooting/etc. So you have to guess what was going on with this kid.

But some of the comments give hints that he was starting a downward slide into his own personal Hell.

Hey kiddo! so I want to hear whats going on. I'm so confused. you started to tell me something at lunch that day and then everybody else came over and I was hungry. So TELL ME. I keep hearing shit and I don't know whats going on. I don't like not knowing.

So do you hug random ppl often like that? It was kinda unnexpected. lol

Hello! Don't shut me out and the rest of the world cause that is NOT good for you!

A day or two later, the kid kills his mother, attacks his sister and a foreign-exchange student, and is shot and killed by police (in self-defense).

What was going on? What would have pushed this youth so far that he would, for all intents and purposes, throw his life away like this? This news article can be so easily summed up--at least, for me--in another six-word story:

For sale: graduation gown, never worn.

The First Circuit

2007-01-22T14:06:00.000-05:00

FOXNews.com - First All-Female U.N. Peacekeeping Force to Deploy to Liberia - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News

No, I'm not talking about federal court.

I've recently been reading Prometheus Rising by Robert A. Wilson. I became interested in his work (ironically and sadly enough) on the date of his death. It seemed interesting. At any rate, the very first thing he discusses in this book is the first neurological circuit of the brain, which is the "oral" security circuit, which is imprinted upon the infant. Essentially, it is the part of the brain that controls fight-or-flight and security issues, which is formed and impressed upon by the mother...hence the term "momma's boy" relating to someone who has security issues (as I recall).

I immediately thought of this interesting physiological theory when I read the following: "'Women police are seen to be much less threatening, although they can be just as tough as men. But in a conflict situation, they are more approachable and it makes women and children feel safer,' Seema Dhundia, a unit commander, said recently."

Think about that one.

Anyway, I'm only into chapter 4 of this book, and I am certainly no expert in psychology, but I just thought it an interesting observation.

DrMLK Day

2007-01-15T13:08:00.000-05:00

They shot him. They shot him because they didn't like his message. They've shot many others, but it did little good. They shot this man, and now there are songs about him, poems about him...even a holiday named after him, which has allowed me to sit here, on a day-off from work, to write this.

They shot him; and like so many others they've shot, he has become immortal. His name is etched in everyone's minds. We all know who he is. They didn't want us to pay attention anymore to him. Yet, we all do.

They shot him to silence him. Yet his voice is louder than ever.

They shot him to make him irrelevant. They failed.

So, what's your sign? You crash here often? - Yahoo! News

2006-12-18T09:56:00.000-05:00

So, what's your sign? You crash here often? - Yahoo! News

There's something wrong with this. I'm sure the insurance companies are just going based off of statistical research data, but there's still something very wierd about it. That something so arbitrary as your astrological sign determines whether you're a high-risk or not is absurd. I'm sure a lot of people who believe in astrology would argue with me. But really. And, I wonder, if someone took the ball and ran with it, if insurance companies could be sued for this kind of bias?

Ubersite - Video games make me racist

2006-12-12T13:41:00.000-05:00

Ubersite - Video games make me racist

Funny how well I can identify with this story.

Hell, even when I'm not playing games, the computer can make me swear. And every time I get multiple aggro from elite mobs playing my char on World of Warcraft, I can swear well enough to make a sailor blanch.

Yes, I play World of Warcraft. F*!? off.

Killing the sacred cow

2006-12-12T09:53:00.000-05:00

Holocaust conference begins in Iran - Yahoo! News

But he added that Zionists have used the Holocaust to "give legitimacy to their illegitimate project," the creation of Israel.

You'd expect something like that to be stated at this Holocaust convention in Iran. And such a typical thing to come from the mouth of that radical nutjob calling himself Rabbi Ahron Cohen.

Wait, what?? A Rabbi said that?

Yep. And I think I can understand why.

Anyone with even the slightest grasp of mid 20th century history will recall that Hitler's Big Thing (tm) was to create a National Socialist empire ruled by the Aryan race. Essentially, a Nazi earth governed by blue-eyed, blond dudes...or, at least, people with that heritage (considering Hitler himself had brown hair, etc).

So...a nation based off of being Aryan. How much different, at the most basic level, is that from a nation based off of being Semitic--specifically Jewish?

But that's what Israel is. After World War II, the Powers That Be felt that these distinct people without a nation needed to have SOME place to call home. So they took a chunk of British Palestine and made it Israel in 1948. They didn't carve an arbitrary chunk of land out of somewhere for just anybody. This was for the Jews who had managed to survive the Holocaust.

Pay no attention to whether or not this was merited. The fact still remains the same. It is a nation established based off of racial identity. Most nations are like that by default...that is, it's hard to NOT be a (generally) Black nation if you're in Africa; just like it's hard to NOT be a (generally) White nation if you're in Scandinavia, or (generally) Oriental if you're in East Asia. It's all about the geography. The same could be said for Israel, EXCEPT that it was expressly MADE for the purpose of these nationless people, who were INVITED to come there from all over the world (especially Eurasia). It is a nation of immigrants...specifically of one race. They weren't (generally) already there...they were scattered across the globe.

This reasoning may be a large part of why the Arab populace in the region hate Israel and, by proxy, the United States so much. It does, at the most basic level, seem hypocritical.

Now, something else to consider about the founding of Israel is that a lot of nations at the time (1940s) didn't want the Jewish people in their country. A little known "fact" (note the quotes) says that Hitler initially just wanted to get the Jewish people OUT of Germany (good luck with that as you're gobbling up countries like a fat man at a KFC). Jews also suffered at the hand of people like Stalin, as well. So what do you do for a specific group of people who are persecuted throughout Europe?

Unlike the "Aryan" people, Jews WERE persecuted. "Aryan" people were not. There is that one fundamental difference between establishing an Aryan state and a Jewish state. IMHO, at the time it was the best solution to be made. It, unfortunately, displaced a lot of Palestinian Arabs; and the effect still lasts to this day.

People will argue that Jewish people are entitled to Israel because they are God's chosen people. I won't argue that. I'm pointing out how it would LOOK to an outside observer...and how it probably looks to the Palestinians and other Arabs in the area. The only way to resolve an argument--especially one that has lasted almost 60 years now--is to understand the other person's point of view, which is what I'm trying to do here.

Sodomy (oooooo!!)

2006-12-08T15:57:00.000-05:00

VERSES FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES (OLD TESTAMENT) ON HOMOSEXUALITY

When just about any person--especially Christians--hear the name "Sodom," gay sex immediately jumps to mind. After all, "sodomy" is specifically defined (in a dictionary, mind you, as well as many law books) as anal sex (straight OR gay for that matter).

Would it surprise you to know that Sodom's crime probably wasn't "teh buttsecks?"

We are faced with the inescapable and rather ironic conclusion that the condemned activities in Sodom had nothing to do with sodomy. As one Christian editor (9) wrote: "To suggest that Sodom and Gomorra is about homosexual sex is an analysis of about as much worth as suggesting that the story of Jonah and the whale is a treatise on fishing." There is still another level of irony associated with this passage: God seems to condemn the citizens for insensitive treatment and harassment of others. But, this is the favorite Biblical passage that some Christian faith groups use to attack gays and lesbians.

Bububutbutbut...how could this be true??? Well, there's a way to find out exactly what God had in mind.

LITMUS TEST TIME!

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

The author of the referenced article that debates the Bible's stance on homosexuality (wow what a grammar nightmare this sentence is) suggests that what Sodom was most guilty of was being inhospitable (if not just downright horrible) to strangers. In fact, the straw that breaks the camel's back in Genesis 19 is the fact that the townsfolk of Sodom wanted to treat the angels badly. Click the title of my blog entry to go to the author's argument. It makes good sense.

This being the Christmas season, I think it would do us well to contemplate on how we treat our fellow human beings--gay or straight. To quote a very favorite meme of many Christians: "What Would Jesus Do?"

Our greatest fears

2006-11-13T13:41:00.001-05:00

Baltimore City Paper: NEWS. Interviews by Lee Gardner and Jason Torres

I would like you to pay especial attention to two of the last three interviews (of Anirban Basu and Lee Gardner).

I've mentioned it before: we're running out of room and food on this planet. Basu paints a further grim picture. What happens to a society when there is no middle class? Pre-industrial and early-industrial Russia comes to mind. It was little more than aristocracy and the serfs. We all know what a great contribution to Western (or any) civilization that group of people made. Well, ultimately, it led to the Soviet Union. But it was much easier to hold a revolution back in 1917.

Without a middle class, the US would have nothing more than the filthy rich (the top 5%), the dirt poor, and those who work in the government. I work in the government. My mother worked for the IRS. My father was in law enforcement. We were/are all middle class people. Hard to figure out who would constitute ANY "middle class" in this kind of a future. And what will happen to the social systems we have in place when the vast majority of people are either on the government dole (either through the social system or on the government payroll)? Who will pony up that dough? The top 5%?? Hell no! These are the people who pay to put politicians into power (through special interest groups, lobbyists, etc). They're not going to give away their hard-earned millions and billions of dollars (in most cases, I'm not saying that sarcastically). But they'll be the only ones with the money. It's either:

(a) the richest people in the US will be fronting all (I said, ALL) tax revenues...
(b) we just ignore the poor (who will be the largest voting base by far), or ...
(c) put an end to shipping so many jobs overseas.

"A" will never happen. The top 5% have too much vested interest in keeping the bulk of their money. Note that the top 5% of Americans pay more than 5% of the total tax revenue. So you can thumb your nose at the upper crust all you want. The majority of these folk got their money the hard way: they earned it. And yes, there are the handful of corporate scumbags who seemed to revel in "earning" that money off the backs of the repressed, etceteras (insert your liberal rant here). But they are a minority. We should also note that some of THE richest people in the WORLD are the biggest philanthropists. They could just as easily keep all their billions of dollars.

"B" is unconscionable. And, to prevent a popular uprising a-la 1917 Russia, we'd have to confiscate all the guns and be able to track ... well, everyone. Strange...that's what a lot of conspiracy theorists are saying what's happening right now. Everyone go get your tinfoil hats now! But all levity aside, this is a potential scenario. Think about it logically: what WOULD "average" Americans do if we were all lumped into the 95% who are the "have nots?" Just grin and bear it? Or, perhaps, we'll entertain ourselves with the lives of celebrities and reality TV, and try to escape from it all.

"C" is also not likely without the voters banding together and telling the politicians "NO." We would have to enact laws that control how big businesses outsource jobs, AND to restrict who gets what rights when they come into this country--especially if entry into this country was illegal. And, in just two breaths, I've already alienated Republicans and Democrats, in that order. (the politicians, at least)

Thus, my view of the future is not very bright. Maybe I just have my head up my ass, because the outlook really is quite shitty.

Our greatest fears

2006-11-13T13:41:00.000-05:00

FARK should've used an "Obvious" tag

2006-11-07T10:02:00.000-05:00

Bloomberg.com: U.S.

Isn't this already common knowledge?? I mean, c'mon! "'They took a student who loved his school and crushed his spirit,' Doyon, 46, says." That's what schools do! Remember the schoolmaster from "The Wall?"

Here. Lemme do it for you.

"They took a student who loved his school and crushed his spirit," Doyon, 46, says.

They did, however, use the "Asinine" tag for the overall story. I guess the two tags had to duke it out, and "Asinine" won.

The clock is ticking

2006-11-06T09:21:00.000-05:00

Gerson: A New Faith-Based Agenda - Newsweek National News - MSNBC.com

I've heard two things in recent days that are pretty disturbing:

1. Around 2048, the population of Earth will double to about 13 billion (yikes!)
2. Around 2048, the oceans will be effectively fished out.

At about the same time all this talk is going on, there's a lot of talk about helping kids in Africa, the AIDS problem, more cases of tuberculosis, etc. We're also finding new ways, via science, to extend a person's life span and the quality of life for all those years.

The problem I see is that, in one hand, we're killing the Earth by overpopulating it; and in the other, we're trying our damnest to preserve and extend human life.

We can't do both at the same time. Can we? What will happen, as I see it, is sometime before 2048, resources will be at such a premium that a really big, global war is going to erupt. And/or, despite our best efforts, billions (probably the majority of human population) will suffer. More land will HAVE to be cleared to produce food, which means we can kiss our rain forests goodbye.

I will be in my seventies when 2048 rolls around. With all the pressures on our environment, and the subsequent pressures on society, I am really not looking forward to my "golden years." Is there anything we can do to ensure that those people who are around the middle of the century aren't looking at dead oceans, crowded countrysides, lack of food and resources... What are our options?

There are some pretty draconic ones, others are just heartless.

1. Not to give a damn about the poor, underdeveloped countries. Anyone with a beating heart can't subscribe to that option; but the underdeveloped world accounts for the vast majority of humans on this planet. Left to their own devices, without special life-saving technologies, perhaps at least this section of the world will level out population-wise very soon. But the suffering level would be too high.
2. Let's start a war! That's always been successful at killing off millions of civilians. Look at WWII for a good example.
3. Population control. China already has a "one child" policy. Some more detached provinces of China even force sterilization and abortion (which is illegal). Something heavy-handed will have to be passed as a law, limiting our basic, human rights. Telling people to stop having sex isn't going to work by itself.
4. Stop looking for ways to extend human life. Take all the money from cancer research, etc, and put it into education, social welfare, etc. Improve the quality of life for everyone, while they have time on this Earth. But don't extend that time.
5. Get the fark offa this planet. This is the best option. But it is also impossible. Scientists don't believe we will be anywhere NEAR the technology needed to (for example) travel faster-than-light for another hundred to two hundred years. If ever. Outside of that, we'd have to engineer space ships that are self-sustaining for hundreds of years. And a lot of them. VERY expensive.

One can also hope that, in time, we'll develop new technologies that will help feed all these people without killing off entire species (or ecosystems). Better feed practices for private, local fish farms, so we don't have to farm the ocean to death. But who is to say what's going to work? All I know is, by most scientists' best guesses, and from what I feel about these guesses, we only have about 40 good years left on this planet. Something drastic needs to be done. Or, perhaps, Mother Nature herself will find a way to take care of us, once and for all.

So long, Bob

2006-11-01T13:44:00.000-05:00

After 50 years, Bob Barker to say goodbye to TV - CNN.com

Bob Barker is leaving TPIR. He isn't 100% sure what he's going to do yet...probably work in charities dealing with animal-rights causes. Or maybe a movie: "He said he'd take on a movie role if the right one came along, but filmmakers, take note: 'I refuse to do nude scenes. These Hollywood producers want to capitalize on my obvious sexuality, but I don't want to be just another beautiful body.'"

ZOMG MY BRAIN JUST MELTED! AAAAARGHH!!!

Anyone else worried?

2006-11-01T09:43:00.000-05:00

Pacific News Service > News > Homeland Security Contracts for Vast New Detention Camps

It's a figment of our imaginations

2006-10-31T11:39:00.000-05:00

Fundies say the darndest things! - Comments

To quote:

"Evolution covers a finite time interval

It is comical that people who choose "evolution" as a philosophy which explains our ultimate origins are also claiming to be logical and intelligent.

Because right at the outset, it is OBVIOUS TO ANYONE WITH A FUNCTIONING BRAIN, that since evolution only even tries to address a finite time interval, IT IS NOT EVEN A DIMENSIONALLY CORRECT THEORY TO APPLY TO EXPLAIN OUR ULTIMATE ORIGINS AND THE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSED.

ie - What happened before the "big bang"?

What percent of the infinity of time is accounted for by the finite time interval of the theory of evolution?

Answer: ZERO PERCENT.

Since God created the dimensions of time and space and all matter from nothing, it is logical that He is also responsible for all life, whether or not any suppositions of the theory of ecolution are consistent with His creative process. "

quackie9999, Yahoo!News message board for article headlined "Scientist finds 100 million-year-old bee"

FSTDT (Fundies Say The Darndest Things) is a site where you can rate how "fundamentalist" a person's quote is (i.e., how much of a radical right-wing statement it is). But this quote brought something to mind that I often muse about.

I think time is illusory. I realize there are proofs that the faster you move, the slower time moves (they did this with 2 clocks at different elevations or something like that). Einstein even stated that time and space are one thing with four dimensions: "space-time". But why is it we can move freely in three dimensions but cannot do the same (without a whole lot of esoteric happenings) in the fourth: time?

Let's take an example. Quantum physics has concluded that light is made out of a "quanta" (both a wave and a particle) known as a photon. Now, the question is, can a particle have zero mass? It must have SOME mass if a black hole can attract it, which has been proven. The law of gravity states that 2 objects with mass will exert some attraction between each other. Therefore, light has mass.

But how can anything with mass move at the speed of ... well ... light? If, as Einstein (or some other physicist) suggests, anything moving AT the speed of light would encounter an environment of no temporal progression (time stands still), how can light move anywhere? If t always equals '0', how can anything move? This is the theory about what happens when something reaches the "event horizon" on a black hole. Time stands still and the object is stuck there at the event horizon.

Actually, that last bit might be wrong. I recall now that the "event horizon" is where light can no longer escape the black hole. Or it may be both.

Anyway, I do recall the theory that time stands still as v = c (velocity reaches the speed of light). But that would mean, as I said before, that the photon would not be able to progress...as I see it anyway. And that would mean there'd be no light, as light is at a standstill. At the speed of light.

It may just be that I can't get my mind past this point to understand how anything can move when time is standing still. The theory is that the faster you go, the slower time goes (see my clock experiment reference above); and therefore time stops at the speed of light. I just can't figure that one out.

So, consider these 2 points:

1. You cannot freely move in this fourth dimension--time--like you can in the other three that comprise 'space.'
2. You seemingly reach a paradox regarding the motion of photons (how can anything move when time stands still, yet light still moves!!!).

I therefore postulate that time is a creation of the mind, to help us chronicle events. Even our measurement of time is arbitrary: we invent minutes and days to help us track time. What if humans had evolved on Venus, instead? Our measurement of time within a solar year would be a lot different than we would have created (and did create) on Earth.

With that having been said, what DID happen before the Big Bang? How can time be tied into space, if time is an illusion? Time could not have started at the Big Bang. It's an awful lot like the Zen-like train of thought, "if a tree crashes in the woods, and nobody's there, does it still make a sound?" (Schroedinger's Cat also applies here--if the event is unobserved, what will the outcome of the event be?) That having been said, could there have been time if nobody was around to observe it? What was the rate of time back at the creation of the universe? With all the new particles moving at or near the speed of light mere picoseconds after the Big Bang, how fast was time moving? Or has "time" always had a constant rate, because it doesn't really exist?

What existed before the Big Bang? Older universes that fizzled out (as we expect our current universe to do)? How many? And why, oh, why did the Big Bang happen, and why did it happen when it did? What caused it? A random roll of the dice?? A purely statistical anomaly? How can anything "happen" if there's no time? How can this event be chronicled if time was also created at the event? There was no time beforehand, so how can an event be marked to have happened if there's no way to mark it?

This is why I believe time is truly relative (and subjective), and that God exists.

Protecting fair use and free speech

2006-10-27T08:44:00.000-04:00

What we might lose from YouTube to GooTube - Tech News & Reviews - MSNBC.com

Here's the quote I'm going by today:

Here is an example in which copyright acts as an instrument of political censorship: U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson (R-New Mexico) is running for re-election in a close race this fall. Back in the mid-1990s she chaired the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Problem was, her husband was being investigated about accusations that he had been sexually involved with a minor. So, one of the first things she did as head of the department was remove his file. Now everyone in New Mexico is finding out about it. A blog called Democracy for New Mexico posted on YouTube a news clip of Wilson and others discussing the cover-up.

But New Mexico voters could not view the clip for long: The TV station invoked the "notice and takedown" provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to kill the video clip.

Of course, any one of my students would be able to tell you at length why posting a news clip of a public official who is under scrutiny and up for re-election would be fair use – an allowable use of copyrighted material for the purpose of news and commentary. But when it comes to the Web, the copyright act has no respect for fair use. Neither does YouTube, apparently. The clip came down.

It would be safe to say that, perhaps, sites like YouTube should not be based in the United States, where it is subject to the supposed laws that "protect" copyrights.

Rather, they seem to, from time to time, protect special interests.

Perhaps it is time for a YouTube to be founded in a country not bound by these laws, so that people can freely express themselves, and not have their clips pulled off the 'net all because it makes some politician look bad (like they need any help).

Any countries qualify for that? The location would also have to have some fast connections...

Take THAT, you goddamed hippies!

2006-10-26T08:42:00.000-04:00

'Destroy All Humans! 2' is a kick - Games - MSNBC.com

A game even Cartman would love. "RESPECT MY AUTHORITAY!"

Like, cool, man...

2006-10-18T08:37:00.000-04:00

Nevadans to vote on legalizing marijuana - Politics - MSNBC.com

It will be interesting to see where this goes. I've heard proponents of legalized marijuana suggest that the government could make a lot of tax revenue by regulating and selling the stuff itself. Well, this new referendum states just that: that the government will allow adults 1 oz of pot bought from government stores.

!

2006-10-11T11:34:00.000-04:00

AlterNet: White-Collar Workers Unite!

Dude!

Quick summary of this organization: it's not a "union" ... although they did get some money from the SEIU (Service Employees International UNION). I want to see this thing get off the ground. Boo-yah!

Cool tech news

2006-10-11T08:34:00.000-04:00

Google to offer free software package - Tech News & Reviews - MSNBC.com

The thing I find quite alluring about Google's offering is that it is designed so you can easily share your documents on Teh Internets. The software is Internet-based (unlike Microsoft Office, which is stored on your hard drive).

How Dreams Fall

2006-10-04T13:17:00.000-04:00

Deleted. Most of it was utter bullshait written up in a fit of angst. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Dave's not here, man. Waiter, check please!

One of the wierdest things I've read in a while

2006-10-03T11:36:00.000-04:00

Hit in midair: a jolt, a bang, silence

Imagine that.

2006-09-21T08:21:00.000-04:00

U.S. gets bad grade on health care scorecard - Health Care - MSNBC.com

Of course, we will NEVER enact any change in this country as long as the pharmaceutical and hospital administration corporations are raking in the big $$$.

NEVAH!!

The Islamic "Soviet Union"?

2006-09-19T09:23:00.000-04:00

Iran Pursues A Grand Bargain

It seems to me a lot of the rhetoric Ahmadinejad has been spewing has been just that: rhetoric. His comment (for example) of wiping Israel off the map is, in my mind, akin to Kruschev banging his shoe on the table in the UN and saying they (the USSR) would crush us.

And yet, nothing ever happened.

Why am I making this analogy? Because of President Bush's (so far) reactions to Iran. It seems to me that he's treating this as a Cold War issue: with his own bluster as well.

I also mention this because of the article I'm linking to. Iran "...offered to accept a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, to rein in Iranian support for what the United States considered terrorist groups, cooperation with the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan and against al-Qaida, and to join a comprehensive security agreement with the countries of the Persian Gulf. This would include an agreement to exclude nuclear weapons, which in effect suggested that Iran was prepared to suspend its nuclear program." This was a formal offer. Iran had even offered to put its nuclear program under even closer scrutiny than is standard pracice by the IAEA.

All Iran wanted in return was this: "In return, Iran wanted full diplomatic recognition from the United States along with a suspension of U.S. sanctions and an agreement to drop plans for regime change and support for groups opposed to the Iranian regime."

I see nothing wrong with this.

Therefore, all this is really nothing more than Iran just looking for a little respect. If this offer was sincere, I can begin to understand why many Muslims (and plenty of jihadists) contend that the US is in a cultural "crusade" against Islam. Because the ONLY reason I see that the US still won't form diplomatic ties with Iran is because of the 1979 revolution and subsequent hostage crisis.

That was over 26 years ago.

I should note, in closing, that I'm not the only one who has compared Iran to the former Soviet regime. I may have linked to it or not in my blog, but I remember seeing an article discussing Iran using proxies like Hezbollah (while also trying to make Iraq a proxy country) in the same way the USSR had it's communist "bloc" of eastern Europe countries.

I probably haven't stated these opinions eloquently enough to shed enough light on the possible thought processes behind the leaders of the US and Iran, but I hope to have at least started a pretty good theory here. It really does seem to me to be like Cold War rhetoric.

It isn't hard to do...

2006-09-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Al-Qaeda threatens jihad over Pope's remarks - World - Times Online

I'm reminded of a certain song every time I hear of stuff like this. That's all I wanted to say.

There's pr0n in the Bible! (kind of)

2006-09-14T09:27:00.000-04:00

One preacher's message: Have hotter sex - America Unzipped - MSNBC.com

I realize that a lot of people outside of mainstream Christianity would probably find it strange that ANYONE Christian would encourage "hotter sex" in any way, shape or form, but it's not unheard of. In fact, there's a whole book in the Bible that is essentially three-thousand year old (for a lack of better words) literary porn. Example, if I may:

2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.

3 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the maidens love you!

4 Take me away with you—let us hurry!
Let the king bring me into his chambers.

That's from Song of Solomon 1:2-4. Here's a few others, just for shits and giggles:

3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest
is my lover among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste. (SoS 2:3)

7 Your stature is like that of the palm,
and your breasts like clusters of fruit.

8 I said, "I will climb the palm tree;
I will take hold of its fruit." (dude!)
May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine,
the fragrance of your breath like apples,

9 and your mouth like the best wine. (SoS 7:7-9)

Well, I could go on. But I think you get the gist of it. The Bible has one book completely devoted to innuendo (of the romantic sort), even though it's only eight chapters.

I wonder how many people are truly aware of this little gem...

Springtime for Hitler?

2006-09-08T09:44:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Gadhafi opera bewilders critics - Sep 8, 2006

I just wonder how much Bialystock and Bloom had to do with this production...

Privacy Note: TrackMeNot

2006-08-31T08:42:00.000-04:00

Tool generates fake searches for privacy - Tech News & Reviews - MSNBC.com

TrackMeNot is a tool that works with Firefox (only...sorry IE users) to make it harder for people to establish a pattern of what you search the web for. Follow the link for the whole story.

President Bush sez...

2006-08-30T22:12:00.000-04:00

FOXNews.com - Iraq How-to Manual Directed Arab Military Operatives In Afghanistan - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News

..."I Told You So."

Well, probably not. But I can feel it coming. I should note that this IS a FOX News exclusive, and FOX News has been ...um... 'accused' of being right-wing biased. Draw your own conclusions here. Or, I can spell it out for you.

You will probably NEVER see this on MSNBC or CNN. What will happen when (or if) history proves President Bush right in his actions in Iraq? Will mainstream media deny it ever happened? Will they perform some kind of journalistic sleight of hand and put a BIGGER story up to divert your attention from their blunder? "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"

Only time will tell. But I find it amusing that the media STILL harps on how Bush lied about Iraq and why we went in there. Here's the facts that I could find...there's only two, so just deal with it.

1. There were still WMDs in Iraq as of the 2003 invasion. They were just seriously degraded beyond any usefulness as a weapon. This is supposedly based off of Italian intelligence. However, as far as anyone has found, no NEW WMDs were made.
2. The above link to the FOX News article. Still not concrete, though (it explains why in the article).

My point is, more and more news is coming to light (just barely) about just how bad Saddam was (and is). Leaving him in power there, if he was, in fact, helping the Taliban, would have been extremely stupid.

I also find that the more and more I dig through the news, the more I begin to think President Bush isn't the low-watt bulb so many people make him out to be, nor do I think he's doing such a bad job (if a bad job at all). But, why must I come to this conclusion only after DIGGING for information? Why isn't this out in the wide open?

I'll let you all ponder on that for a while.

PS. Good, relevant Bible quote, from Proverbs 18:2. "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions." Since I do find pleasure in understanding, but ALSO delight in airing my opinions, what does that make me? Half a fool? Half an ass? Half-assed?

There but for the grace of God...

2006-08-30T21:46:00.000-04:00

FOXNews.com - Lawyer Stabs Neighbor Believing He Molested 2-Year-Old Daughter - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

I have a three year old son. 'Nuff said.

Oink Oink

2006-08-30T21:15:00.000-04:00

TPMmuckraker August 30, 2006 01:59 PM

For anyone who cares about government spending, the above link will take you to a site detailing a small drama of sorts that has taken place in the Senate. A couple Senators (Obama, Coburn) proposed a bill that would put money towards a Google-like search engine that the public could access and find information on government spending--what money went where.

Well, a short while ago, a Senator put a "secret hold" on the bill, preventing it from reaching the floor. A source inside Sen. Stevens' office (who leaked the info on the condition of anonymity) said the hold came from that office.

Anything else regarding this bit of news is less relevant to the hold issue (the link, and a link leading off of it, question Sen. Stevens' involvement in other pork schemes).

I should note that ANYONE can RIGHT NOW find information on government spending, thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (or should be able to, anyway). This bill would simply make finding this information easier. Stopping this bill does not trample on a citizen's rights...but it does make you question the motives of those involved. Why would anyone want to ensure that finding FOIA information on government spending remains difficult?

iPods on a Plane?

2006-08-30T11:40:00.000-04:00

WoW Forums -> I played WoW, I became a terrorist (story!)

Apparently, if you carry your iPod on board a plane, MAKE DAMN SURE you have it properly secured...OR ELSE.

Here's a story about a WoW player who accidentally dropped (and flushed) his iPod in a lavatory, thus prompting a bomb scare and flight diversion. The link leads to his story about what happened, and is a pointed example of government pushing the limits. As our author states, "Thomas Jefferson predicted that every government will, over time, grow to protect solely its own interests, and I agree with him."

This is more than just a funny story, this is a testament to what Thomas Jefferson said some 200 or so years ago. As constituents of our elected officials, we can make threats to the jobs of these so-called leaders in office. It baffles me why we don't...we keep electing the same morons over and over again. I guess there's not a whole lot of choice out there. Only those with money can afford to run for the highest offices in the country, and I find it hard to believe that these people would put the public's interest over their own.

That, however, isn't always true. But, majority rules.

Constitutional violation?

2006-08-24T11:29:00.000-04:00

Union Leader - Police property: It's finders keepers in NH - Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006

It seems to me the retention of seized property in this case is a violation of the 5th and 14th amendment, that no person be deprived of their possessions under due process of law. The gray area here is that the CDs in quesiton were properly seized under the 4th amendment; yet after being found not guilty, does 'due process' require these CDs to be returned, as they are not illegal copies? I can see this easily going to the Supreme Court, and the justices therein ruling in favor of the plaintiff.

THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!

2006-08-23T09:13:00.000-04:00

Nude people in town center could prompt ban - Boston.com

You knew someone was going to go here...

"A parking lot is not a strip club. It's a parking lot," resident Theresa Toney told the Select Board last week. She said she has seen repeated instances of naked people hanging out downtown. "This is a problem. What about children seeing this?" Toney asked.

Yeah? What about it? Shall we expose the minds of our young children to the ridiculous notion that the human body is something to be ashamed of? Shall we let them obtain such a low image of self-worth that they could turn into anything from a molester to someone who just eats themselves into a body that furthers their feelings of low esteem (think "repressed" here folks)? Good God, it's not like these young people are fornicating in public. Go take your antiquated Puritanical beliefs and sit in the closet, grousing about how ugly you are.

Apparently, even the Antichrist is cool

2006-08-14T09:47:00.000-04:00

Microsoft to sell software tools for games - Games - MSNBC.com

I'm sorry, but despite how much people may think (including me at times) that Microsoft is the Evil Empire, $99 a year for a program to MAKE your own Xbox games is TOO FREAKING COOL!

The other side of the coin

2006-08-13T21:28:00.000-04:00

Jill Carroll asked to die by gun - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com

As days turned to months, Carroll, who speaks Arabic and moved to Iraq to fulfill a dream of being a foreign correspondent, said she was interrogated, but, at times, was given a remote control to a television set where she watched the Oprah Winfrey show. She said her captors also let her play with their children.

At one point, she said they served her from a platter of chicken and rice "that would have been fit for an honored guest."

"We have no problem with you. Our problem is with your government," her captors told her as they prepared to release tapes of the journalist wearing a headscarf and weeping.

The bold text is at the core of what the 'doves' (most Democrats, for example, as well as most Americans right now) would say is the reason why we need to be OUT of Iraq. Our meddling in foreign policy (the way we have so far) breeds contempt in people and creates extremism.

That's a very valid point.

However, even if we were to leave the entire Middle East to its own devices, that will not stop the march of extreme Islam in its attempt to cover the world in sharia law. If history is any guide, we should be wise to recall how Islam spread in the world some several hundred years ago--by the sword. Well...for that matter, so did Christianity at many points in history. But (with few exceptions nowadays), Christians don't forcibly convert people to Christianity.

It seems that only in Islam do we have people going across major tracts of land and bodies of water to create fear in the name of a religion. In Christianity, Jesus tells his apostles that when they preach His word in foreign towns, if the townspeople do not accept the teachings, to leave the town and dust off their (the apostles') feet, leaving the town to its own devices. Does Islam teach this? I've never heard of it. As I've understood it, the path of Islam isn't complete until every single human being on the planet is converted. Or, they're left as second-class citizens in a caliphate.

So leaving Iraq might help reduce hatred in the general populace, and maybe make the pool of willing jihadists smaller. But it won't eliminate it. History has indicated (see my article below) that acts of extremism are less likely (not completely absent, but less likely) in democratic countries. The last truly homegrown terrorist I can recall, that wasn't linked to any outside religion, was McVeigh (I could be wrong). But the Middle East and parts of Africa--especially places where democracy is either very new or non-existant--seems to be a breeding ground of extremism.

Personally, I feel we need to finish the job in Iraq. We also need to ensure that it's a country by Iraqis, of Iraqis, and for Iraqis. We need to get them up on their feet--if it includes sending in more troops to quell the insurgency, then so be it--and then let them do as they need to, unless we're asked for help.

That's my feelings on it, anyway.

This kind of blows my mind

2006-08-13T21:06:00.000-04:00

Turks: We Don't Want Europe - Newsweek: International Editions - MSNBC.com

Businessmen like Mehmet Yazici, head of the Altinok extractor-fan factory outside Istanbul, fear they'll go bankrupt complying with EU rules. If Altinok were to go by the book, its old East German-made stamp-pressing machinery would have to be replaced—it doesn't conform to EU safety standards. And under Brussels' labor laws, Yazici wouldn't be able to use teenage part-timers to package boxes after school or ask regular workers to pull 50-hour weeks.

Part-time teenage labor and 50-hour weeks is against EU law!? Hell, that's the norm in the United States! In fact, a 50-hour week is a dream for most white-collar workers in the US. Wow. Yes, Turkey, I wouldn't join the EU if I were you. Very restrictive. Holy crap.

Where's that line in the sand?

2006-08-13T10:55:00.000-04:00

Michael Gerson on How 9/11 Changed Bush - Newsweek National News - MSNBC.com

"From those events [of 9/11], President Bush drew a fixed conclusion: as long as the Middle East remains a bitter and backward mess, America will not be secure."

This is the one thing that I think the 62% or so of Americans polled (that's 100% minus Bush's current approval rating, not necessarily just the 55% who DISapprove of Bush's job) seem to miss. Why did we invade Afghanistan? Why did we invade Iraq and oust Saddam? And why do I sometimes think we need to lower the boom on Iran and Syria? Because as long as the Middle East remains such a mess, America will NOT be secure.

Why don't these people get this? All we (and the media) can focus on is the hundreds (not tens of thousands or even millions) of soldiers that gave their lives in Iraq. How many troops have died in Iraq and Afghanistan to date? Does it yet surpass the number of people who died in 9/11? Or London? Or Madrid? Or all of the above? Does it yet surpass the number of people who COULD have died very possibly this past weekend? What is the measure that we use to determine when too many young men and women have died for what a lot of Americans seem to think is a stupid idea?

"Every element of the Bush doctrine was directed toward a vision: a reformed Middle East that joins the world instead of resenting and assaulting it."

There's no doubt that we seem to be fostering even more resentment muddling around in Iraq (etc) right now. And if history ends up proving that President Bush did the worst possible thing invading Iraq, then that old adage will have proven true: the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

"Some commentators say that America is too exhausted to confront this [Iran] threat. But presidential decisions on national security are not primarily made by the divination of public sentiments; they are made by the determination of national interests. And the low blood-sugar level of pundits counts not at all. Here the choice is not easy, but it is simple: can America (and other nations) accept a nuclear Iran?"

I predict, unfortunately, that before 2008, President Bush may have to institute the draft again. You know why. And I swear, if the media starts decrying an invasion of Iran (or whatever we have to do), then perhaps it's time to put the First Amendment aside for a second and gag the press. Because it's one thing to be free to express your opinion. It's another thing to erode national morale when we would need it the most. To be honest, if it were to incite unrest even in this country, that could be construed as a threat to national security. And I really see things heading this way, considering how much the Bush administration has been testing just how far they can push the Constitution aside to get the job done.

So, can America accept a nuclear Iran? Well, can the media actually back off a bit and stop bringing down the morale of an entire country? Can we Americans actually, for once, hope that our elected officials are acting in our best interests (or at least trying to)? Or should we just kowtow to the peacenicks and let Iran have its nukes? Should we just open the floodgates to Hell, and let every Tom, Dick and Atta march in with briefcase nukes? Sure! Why not?

That was sarcasm, by the way.

"Americans have every right to expect competence and honesty about risks and mistakes and failures. Yet Americans, in turn, must understand that in a war where deception is the weapon and goal of the enemy, every mistake is not a lie; every failure is not a conspiracy. And the worst failure would be a timid foreign policy that allows terrible threats to emerge."

No comment. I think the quote speaks for itself.

What is my final thought on this article? America, you need to get a clue. There are times when we have to shoulder the burden and risk our children in a distant land. And this is it. Unless you have a better idea. I'd really like to know. And, how will this idea of yours work? What guarantees its success? What makes it a better idea than what the administration is doing now? I'd really like to know.

Al Gore for President...

2006-08-09T22:10:00.000-04:00

DRAFT GORE: AL GORE FOR PRESIDENT 2008

Al Gore...because he can't be any worse than "Dubya."

No, seriously. If you support his ideals about our environment and domestic policy, you should seriously consider signing this petition. I don't know about his foreign policy expertise, but he's the best Democratic possibility we've seen in a long time.

If you're a Republican, or just think Al Gore is a goon, then I guess you can pass on the petition. Unless, for a laugh, you'd LIKE to see his name on the ballot, just so you can vote for the other guy. Yes, I know people like this; who makes comments like this.

Now, "Draft Gore Dot Com" touts VP Gore's record and stance on things like the environment. They have links to various people giving him praise, including former President Clinton. Also, the petition says that our current administration is "a government that tramples our Constitution, wages unjust war in our name, sacrifices our economic future, and puts our very planet on the endangered species list." Well, we all know my stance on this so-called "unjust" war we're waging in Iraq...and if you don't, I'll break it down for you. We were, at the very least, duped into going in there looking for WMDs (and no, I wouldn't put it past the administration to outright lie about it, but there is proof of intelligence saying there WAS WMDs in Iraq just before we went gallavanting through their country); and now that we're there, and deposed of 'the Butcher of Baghdad' (I'm sure he got that name for a good reason), we owe it--I say OWE IT--to the Iraqi people to leave them with some semblance of a country, let alone a prosperous one. That means staying there (and even adding troops if needed) until the job is done. Period. Or their democratically-elected government tells Dubya, "Get your troops outta here." One or the other. We, as 'average' citizens of the United States, have NO REAL IDEA what's going on in there. Some have an up-close view (our troops, journalists, relief workers), but nobody (especially us armchair jockeys watching the news every night) can really see the Big Picture, except the higher-ups in our government and military. So calling the war 'unjust' really boils down to nothing but conjecture. Until it's written in the history books (and history will always bring out the truth in time).

Jesus, I was putting up a post about petitioning Al Gore to run for President, and I went off on that tangent. Okay. Back to the topic at hand.

I don't know just how much base this grass-roots Internet effort (they just recently used a word, regarding Lamont's victory over Liebermann in Conneticut using grass-roots Internet efforts--called 'Netroots') to get Gore to run really has, but in the end, it's really his decision. I'm sure he had his reasons to refuse to run in 2004. I, personally, would LIKE to see someone charged up running for President on the Democratic ticket in 2008. I'm unsure about Hillary Clinton, and I haven't really seen any other potential candidates one can really get excited about. "DGDC" seems to have polling data that shows if Gore were to run in the primary right now...well, here's the blurb right on their front page:

A large straw poll of 13,000 people by AlterNet has Al Gore blowing away all potential candidates for 2008 -- 35% to Hillary Clinton's 7%. In a DailyKos poll of 13,000 people, Gore leads all contenders by a whopping 68%, with the runner up, Russ Feingold, at 15%. And on Democrats.com poll, Gore again has a huge lead with 38%.

(I should note these are Internet polls, like they'd have on CNN.com, and therefore are probably not scientific and, therefore, an accurate sampling of Americans' views.)

To be perfectly honest, for me anyway, it'd be REALLY exciting to see Gore running against McCain in 2008. Holy. Crap. TWO quality candidates running for office?? Well, if our last presidential election is any indication, we'll have a chimp and an orangutan running instead.

So sign the petition. Maybe it'll work. Maybe Gore's been calculating this since his defeat in 2000. If so, he must have an assload of patience.

"First Class" Idiots

2006-08-08T11:30:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Protesters 'boarded U.S. plane' - Aug 8, 2006

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You can't be running around saying "Don't do that," or "Doing that is wrong," unless you come up with a solution.

What, exactly, should Israel do? Let Hezbollah be, so they can accumulate MORE rockets and prisoners? No, that's bullshit. So if you don't want Israel in Lebanon attacking (not Lebanese military but) Hezbollah militants, then SUGGEST A SOLUTION instead of whining or doing stupid-ass shit like forcing your way on a plane to look for US weapons bound for Israel. Oh, the stupidity!

And I'm going to rant about Iraq now. If there was even the CHANCE of WMDs in Iraq, should we have sat blithely by and let Saddam have his way with ... well, even the Arab countries in the region? He has a history of lying through his teeth, for crying out loud. The biggest mistake I can see out of all this is basing a major assault off of some faulty Italian intelligence (they did find WMDs, by the way, but they were significantly degraded, NOT destroyed as promised I should note).

Now that we're in there, we DO owe it to the Iraqi people to be able to live a fulfilling life without the threat of mass kidnappings and car bombings. Pulling our troops out right now (or even in the near future) is STUPID. What's going to fill that power vacuum? People are reeling over the deaths of 2 Marines here, 4 soldiers there...it's nothing compared to the sacrifices given in World War 2 (for example). No, I don't like the fact we have young men and women dying in a strange and foreign land (where many of the population there would rather we be gone), but we're in there now; so support them and think about the bigger picture for a change.

I have no doubt that our administration (both Bushes and even Clinton to some degree...at least in recent times) is a wellspring of idiocy when it comes to foreign policy. But, depending on the angle you look at it, there is some method to the madness that isn't solely based off of some ideals of imperialism. Look at WHO it was we deposed and WHAT they did, and you tell me we're doing the wrong thing.

People who balk at the US interfering in such regions as the Middle East seem to forget what the ideology of radical Muslims is: to establish a regional--if not global--caliphate (Sounds almost like Hitler's vision for the Third Reich covering the whole globe, does it not???). That means YOU, Mr. and Mrs. Protester, would become a second-class citizen (if you didn't convert to Islam) and NOT have the ability to even wander the streets with signs, chanting slogans, let alone do anything else.

The Word of the Week (or so)

2006-08-07T11:48:00.001-04:00

zaftig - Definitions from Dictionary.com

zaf·tig or zof·tig, (zäf-tik, -tig), adj.
1. Full-bosomed.
2. Having a full, shapely figure.

Brought to you by the Guardian Unlimited.

The Word of the Week (or so)

2006-08-07T11:48:00.000-04:00

zaftig - Definitions from Dictionary.com

zaf·tig or zof·tig, (zäf-tik, -tig), adj.
1. Full-bosomed.
2. Having a full, shapely figure.

Brought to you by the Guardian Unlimited.

(Note (8/9/06): Yes, this got posted twice. Don't know why.)

Quick comment on Iraq

2006-08-04T12:06:00.000-04:00

In Connecticut, Lieberman is on the brink - Politics - MSNBC.com

I don't have a lot of time, so this is going to be incredibly terse. I'll have to follow up later.

Should we have gone into Iraq? Probably not. We seem to be establishing a very bad track record for spreading democracy. Should we just up and bail? Definitely not, lest we repeat our last half-ass attempt at helping a country. I speak of Afghanistan in the 1980's, when we helped the resistance fighters against the Soviets. Once the Soviets were out...nothing. This made Afghanistan (or helped anyway) a perfect breeding ground for the Taliban, which we NOW have to deal with today.

If we bail on Iraq, God only knows where that will go. If anything, we need to stop being so candy-ass and put MORE people in there. Not only are we getting a reputation of making bad foreign policy, but other countries are going to see us as a country with no backbone. It'll make us a soft target, and only worsen problems in the future. For example, we will have less 'street cred' when the time comes to REALLY deal with Iran.

So, stop whining over '2 deaths in Baghdad' every other day. Yes, it's a shame that someone died. But what will it really mean in the end?

It's like something out of Planet of the Apes...

2006-08-03T08:51:00.000-04:00

Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com

In June, a monkey boarded a train at the underground Chawri Bazaar station and reportedly scared passengers by scowling at them for three stops. It then alighted at Civil Lines station.

It was just on its way to work that morning. That must be where he conducts all his monkey business. Yuk, yuk, yuk.

Seriously, though. It's almost like the monkey had a destination in mind. Really strange.

Having nothing better to do with their time...

2006-08-02T08:57:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Authors to Rowling: Don't kill Harry Potter - Aug 1, 2006

I say kill the little bugger off. I mean, really. What a nancy.

If you don't do anything else today... (POST #400)

2006-08-02T08:21:00.000-04:00

eBay Government Relations

...do this.

PS: This is post #400! zomfg! I have nothing better to do with my time! How amazing is that!?

More Castro shiat...

2006-08-01T11:34:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS | Have Your Say: Castro illness: What next for Cuba? ...

On one front:

"I have read many of the posts on this page. Just about every European has stated something positive about Castro and Cuba (and has been rough on the US). For those of you who have expressed those ideas - you are absolutely clueless. Imagine people getting in a raft in shark infested waters to get a place they have never seen before just to get out of where they live. That happens EVERYDAY in Cuba.

What I find ironic is this same thing happens with North Africans trying to get to Europe - and it's the Europeans who are turning these people away. Funny how Europeans don't want people looking at them and there faults. I just hope when our European friends decide to make comments about Cuba and the US - at least know what your talking about. Being anti-American is just to easy."

This seems to be very true. Being anti-American is very popular in the world today. It seems everyone loves the underdog and hates the ...uh... overdog? It's the popular thing to do. But, is there reason behind anti-Americanism, at least as far as Cuba goes? What do people who have lived in or been to Cuba think?

Let's take a rough tally.

Those who have lived there and LIKED it: 0 (hmm.)
Those who have lived there and HATED it: 1
Those who have visited there and SUPPORT it: 9
Those who have visited there and DONT: 5
Those who just WHINE about Cuba (pro or con): Countless

Despite the fact that the posts kept rolling past (I mean, some people's posts got skipped accidentally), I find it interesting that the one and only person I found that claimed to have LIVED there ran away from Cuba because of the regime and life there in general. But, people VISITING Cuba seemed to support it more than deride it (or its government). It makes you wonder how much of the real Cuba these yea-sayers actually saw.

More of my comments and observations (mostly counters or comments to people's posts)

"I hate to rain on your parade, but the Cuba economic, educational and health care model is HARDLY the one americans dream about, or anyone else for that matter.

Answer me one question Martyn? If it is such a utopia, why do people continue to float over here to the US on inner tubes, bathtubs or whatever they think will float?

Answer me that one if Cuba is such a communistic utopia."

...and...

"People risk their lives every year to make the 90 mile journey, often on small rafts, to flee his dictatorial goverment. That is what the people inside think of life in Cuba."

The "why do people continue to float over here" argument seems to be used an awful lot. What are they basing that on? Actual demographics? Or what they see on the news? Or, even a stereotype BASED off of the news? None of the people who have made this argument against Cuba has backed it up with ... well, anything. Other than what images the news gives us. How many people live in Cuba? How many of them wish to escape?

Other interesting viewpoints:

"Cubans flee to America for a simple yet fairly unknown reason. Migration from a third-world country to a first-world country is somehow regarded as an amazing thing when it's Cuba. Yet the flow of immigrants is far fewer than Mexico, where the US actively tries to stop immigration, as opposed to Cuba, where the US ENCOURAGES it. Cubans are not allowed to emigrate to america by US laws, not cuban laws. If, however, they hijack a boat, for example, and go over illegally, they are "fleeing the communist terror" and will be made US citizens."

---

"'Fidel is everything good and everything bad about the Revolution'. A university student shared that with me in a university class in Havana. She didn't whisper, and the other students nodded & added their comments. I had the privilege to study in Cuba a few years ago, & those words ring true for me as I continue to follow the news about the ailing leader. Yes, there are tough circumstances in Cuba, but comparatively, they live far better than the much of the caribe and Lat Am.

Cuba is NOT the only country with emigrants, especially in Lat Am. With all the talk of US immigration laws, let us not forget the good fortunes that Cubans receive when they arrive like citizenship after 1 YEAR!

Important changes are coming for Cuba, and those changes must be carried out by Cubans in Cuba."

---

"I got back yesterday from a year spent living and studying in Cuba, so I know that the latest developments will be greeted with hope and happiness by 99% of Cubans. It's true that Fidel did many great things when he came to power (eradicate illiteracy and create a free healthcare system etc) but that was over 40 years ago and times have changed. Nowadays, Fidel champions his medics and teachers abroad, but it remains unmentioned that this is at the expense of the living standard of the average Cuban. Cubans can only get good healthcare if they know/bribe a doctor, and many common medicines are only available in dollars. Standards have fallen in schools and universities. Cubans earn less than 50 cents a day. Hopefully Cuba's future will now be decided by Cubans, not by the USA or Raul."

---

"Having recently spent a month in Cuba, i found many people in favour of the continued revolution. How many "Evil Dictators" provide free eduction, healthcare, housing and food to all? As one man put it "Under this regime i know i will always have a roof over my head and food on the table for my family." How many people round the world can say that? Leave Cuba for the Cubans!"

---

"I recently visited Cuba and found a vibrant and good natured people who supported Castro. In a recent study Cuban's were in the top 8 happiest nations. [note: orly? which study was that?] I can see Cuba being destroyed by US imperialism and turned into another Las Vegas. Under the crushing US embargo they have achieve very much domestically. The US needs to realise partnership will create change not embargos and forced regeime change."

---

He must have been doing something right...

2006-08-01T09:48:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS | Americas | Castro: Profile of the great survivor

President Castro has used US hostility as a reason to reject democratic reforms to his one-party state.

But Cuba under his rule has made impressive domestic strides.

Good medical care is freely available for all, there is 98% literacy, and Cuba's infant mortality rates compare favourably with western nations.

Does it take an oppressive communist dictatorship to have such superb educational and health systems? That doesn't make sense. They have a crappy economy (mostly due to the loss of Soviet support some 20 years ago), so how can they manage to put out some of the world's BEST doctors and have universal health and education? They're poor, they're oppressed, but damn are they healthy and smart.

Wierd!

So, is Castro's reluctance to implement these "democratic reforms" simply a case of "father knows best?" Is it because he hates the idea of anything that sounds American (or styled after America)? Or is it just because he's a stubborn old coot?

I think the two leading communist countries in the world must be Cuba and China. Cuba for its education and health systems, and China for ... well, its adaptability. You don't hear anything about China having 98% literacy or a world-renowned health-care system. To me, present-day China sounds an awful lot like late 19th century America...minus the political freedoms.

I've always been curious what makes certain countries work (or not work in many cases). Why should Cuba be known for education, health-care and cigars (as well as communist oppression)? Has Castro paid for all these luxuries (full health coverage and education, even in the United States, is a luxury--let's face it) using the moneys seized in the late 50's when he took power? Has improved trade with countries like Venezuela helped here?

And speaking of "oppression"...how many Cubans really DO hate Castro? I'm sure the vast majority of Cuban exiles hate him. What about Cubans left in Cuba? Do 20% of all Cubans in Cuba hate him? 40%? 80%? Can you have a populist revolution if it isn't popular? And, if it isn't popular anymore, why haven't there been a lot of reports of uprisings in Cuba as of late? You'd think with how rabidly the United States treats Cuba, our media would be all over populist uprisings in Cuba. I haven't heard of any (that's not saying there aren't any).

Whether Castro is a good guy or the devil incarnate is irrelevant...once he dies, that country will descend into chaos without such an icon to rally around.

Anyway, that's my random thought for the day.

The red carpet treatment?

2006-07-31T09:18:00.000-04:00

DRAFT GORE: AL GORE FOR PRESIDENT 2008

He's leading in a series of polls (supposedly, based on this website). We've got a very unpopular president in the White House (based on any NUMBER of polls). Republicans are up against the wall. All the other potential Democrat nominees for President have a slim chance of winning the election. And yet, this guy still refuses to run. Dude, it's almost like they've rolled out the red carpet for him to just waltz right on into the White House. Of course, it really depends on what candidate the Republicans eventually end up fielding. If it's anyone other than John McCain, Gore could very well be a shoe-in. If it's McCain...well...at least it'll be a very interesting election. Better than the choices we had in 2004. Bush or Kerry???

Although I have to kind of understand Gore's point of view. I'm sure everytime someone says the word "Florida," he must curl up in a ball on the floor and start sucking his thumb. Hanging chads. Sheesh.

This shit has got to stop

2006-07-27T08:51:00.000-04:00

Army dismisses gay Arabic linguist - Military Affairs - MSNBC.com

This is intolerable. An able-bodied Army sergeant who has a VERY RARE and sought-after skill was kicked out of the army, all because he likes dick. To this I say: what the fuck? We're SUPPOSEDLY so concerned about terrorists, and yet we throw away a perfectly good tool of defense all because he's GAY. Damn, I'm moving to Denmark. Why is it the US Government (and, unfortunately, to some degree, the US people) so bass-ackwards? Why is Europe (most of it) so progressive? What is our rationale here? Anyone who counters with "God hates gays" and uses that as a rationale for our laws...well, to them, I say, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." To me, that says that if a law is based off of some kind of antiquated and obsolete religious morality, it shouldn't be in the books. It establishes the so-called 'moral' standard of a religion, and therefore the religion(s) that go along with it. For fuck's sake, being gay doesn't hurt anyone. It's not murder, it's not armed robbery. So what's the problem here? We ALL need to mentally (and spiritually) move into the 21st century here.

A potentially cool investment

2006-07-27T08:42:00.000-04:00

'Microjets' may be the future of air travel - Travel - MSNBC.com

It's just my opinion, but if microjet travel becomes cheap enough, it has the potential to rival the big airline companies. Imagine hopping an air taxi from East Buttfuck, Maine, to Where The Hell Am I Now, Vermont, without having to resort to driving all the way to Bangor or Portland (or worse if you're in Northern Maine: Boston) to catch a jet, just to end up in Burlingon and finding a ride from there? And, you won't have to deal with all the hassles of the larger airports

Convenient? Hell yes. Cheap? Not yet, but if the prices get reasonable enough, this may be the wave of the future of air travel. So if any of these companies planning microjet travel in 2007 and beyond offer stock, I suggest getting some. But that's just me.

Remembering Amalek

2006-07-20T09:05:00.000-04:00

Gellman: What the Bible Says About Terrorism - Newsweek Rabbi Marc Gellman - MSNBC.com

Reading this article reminds me of the only real thing about President Bush I can honestly support...except the way he's going about it. Was he duped into sending our troops into Iraq (based off of incomplete and/or faulty intelligence from the Italians)? Did he just want to finish what his father didn't? Who can say for certain? Anyone who says they know the answer are just speculating (unless you are Bush or are in his inner circle), so don't tell me "OF COURSE IT WAS FOR THE OIL." Well, duh! Just look at what happened after Iraq (and Katrina, oddly enough): record profits recorded by the major oil companies (not just OPEC, per se, but by Exxon/Mobil and their ilk). But there's more to it than that, I think. But again, it's just speculation.

Now we're in a time, once again, where we have to respond to this threat of terrorism. There's been speculation about Iran's and Syria's involvement in the recent trouble in Lebanon (open support from their governments, Iranian rockets being used to blow up Israeli targets, etc). There's suspicion that even groups like al Qaeda are getting help from these radical governments. What are we to do about this?

In Deut. 25:17-19 we read: "Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it."

Clearly, if you believe anything the Bible has ever said, the answer is to kill them all. Wipe out all the terrorists. How you do that is beyond my grasp of understanding, short of genocide. I'm not saying ALL Muslims are terrorists; the problem is, how do you figure out WHICH of these Muslims are the terrorists? The only certain way to get them all is to kill ALL Muslims, which is just a bad answer.

I'm curious what Rabbi Gellman believes the Bible says we should do.

And now, a little something extra from Captain Obvious...

2006-07-19T09:30:00.000-04:00

Ask Annie: Best places: Find your dream town, then a job - Jul. 18, 2006

Quote:

Not so long ago, most career-minded professionals looked for the right job - or any job - and took for granted that they might have to move somewhere less than ideal if their employer asked them to. That's changing fast.

In fact, two-thirds of Americans ages 25 through 34 say they're deciding first where they want to put down roots, and then looking for a job in that place, according to a new study by Yankelovich, a marketing firm, and CEOs for Cities, a national network of urban leaders.

Why the change? For one thing, women care somewhat more than men do about quality-of-life issues, the study says, and they make up a greater proportion of the workforce now than in previous decades. Meanwhile, advances in technology give knowledge-workers more flexibility in choosing where to live and, with a decline in loyalty to any particular employer, people are more willing to bail on a job if they don't like where it's located.

Gee, why a decline in loyalty? Would it have something to do with ANY of the following:

1. Decreased positive treatment of employees (i.e., making other employees suffer--have their hours cut in half, for example--due to some error on another person's part)?
2. Outsourcing?
3. Longer and longer commutes?

I'm sure this list could be longer; and I'm sure some of these bullets could be broken down more. But you get my point. Bosses seem to care less about retention...and yet, when quality employees (even less-than-top performers) leave, a few things happen that negatively affect the bottom line:

1. Money has to be spent to find a replacement (advertising, training, etc)
2. Other people get nervous which can lower morale and, thusly, productivity
3. "Brain drain" -- that is, you're losing 'experts' in your company to get cheaper labor

There's a reason why many of the 'Fortune 500' companies are where they are. For example, Microsoft (from what I've read) can be VERY good with their employees; offering them many perks, a comfortable work environment, satisfactory compensation, etc.

And then there are places like my old construction company, where the general superintendent had NO PROBLEM demeaning the engineers publicly and/or over the 2-way radio (for example). By the time I quit that job, two other people had quit, one was fired, the job was MONTHS behind schedule AND several million dollars over-budget (no I'm not talking about the Big Dig here).

Is there a lesson in all this? Yes. Treat your employees as you would like to be treated. Now, if someone is a total fuck-off, by all means, fire him. But before you just toss in the towel on a B-grade employee, find out if there is a way to help him improve his performance BEFORE you give him the boot.

No good solution

2006-07-19T09:14:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Anderson Cooper 360 Blog

There is no good solution to this problem. Things can go either one of three ways:

1. Muslims (specifically, radical Muslims) ultimately get their way and turn the entire Middle East (if not most or all of the world) into one big caliphate. This is unacceptable.
2. The US, Israel, or SOMEBODY turns the entire Middle East into one big, shiny, glassy plain. This is also unacceptable.
3. This shit keeps going on and on and on. This, once again, is unacceptable.

The question finally becomes: which of these three options is the LESSER of all evils? And, what other possible options are out there that nobody has discussed? And, if there ARE other options that haven't been discussed, why haven't they been discussed? Are we going to keep having to deal with this crap until the end of time?

Sometimes, you just gotta love this man

2006-07-17T11:07:00.000-04:00

Unplugged Bush, Blair speak frankly on Mideast, G8 - Yahoo! News

A microphone picked up an unaware President Bush saying on Monday Syria should press Hizbollah to "stop doing this shit" ...

Huzzah! Not only is Bush's observation a statement that would make Captain Obvious proud, but it can be (kind of) heartwarming to see a more human side to this guy. I read this part of the article and laughed out loud. Awesome.

A proportional response

2006-07-14T08:37:00.000-04:00

BREITBART.COM - Israel Claims Hundreds of Hits in Lebanon: "The European Union criticized Israel for using what it called 'disproportionate' force in its attacks and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he was planning a peace mission."

"Did you know that two thousand years ago a Roman citizen could walk across
the face of the known world free of the fear of molestation? He could walk across
the earth unharmed, cloaked only in the words 'Civis Romanis:' I am a Roman citizen.
So great was the retribution of Rome, universally understood as certain, should any
harm befall even one of its citizens."

That was a quote from one of my favorite shows. And I think it's very appropriate here. We've been waging "proportional responses" for ages now. Where has it gotten us?

I Fark too much

2006-07-13T11:14:00.000-04:00

eBay: MY HANDWRITTEN JOURNAL: JESUS CHRIST APPEARED TO ME. (item 200004365852 end time Jul-14-06 15:34:54 PDT)

I found this link on Fark.com. Holy crap. The things people come up with. I guess I need to do something outlandish to get my book to make money.

And now, a word from Captain Obvious...

2006-07-13T08:31:00.000-04:00

N. Korea cuts talks with South - Asia-Pacific - MSNBC.com

"So far they don’t seem to be interested in listening, much less doing anything," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill told reporters in Beijing. "I think the Chinese are as baffled as we are."

I know why North Korea is being so brazen: they've been emboldened by what's going on with Iran. DUH!