Not that I like McDonalds or anything, but its website has a pinball game on its anti-starbucks website and the graphics are pretty good. i think it would play better on my home computer (with less ram and a leaner os), but it played ok. i'm at work so i didn't check out the sound. that could spoil the whole thing.
the link: http://unsnobbycoffee.com/
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
"Unconscionable And False"
The words used by the Senate to describe the Bush administration's attempt to pin torture on low level soldiers.
What did the Senate investigation find: the physical and mental abuse of detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base was the direct result of Bush administration policies and should not be blamed on guards and interrogators.
http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_12_07_archive.html#472430460332425147
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What did the Senate investigation find: the physical and mental abuse of detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base was the direct result of Bush administration policies and should not be blamed on guards and interrogators.
http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_12_07_archive.html#472430460332425147
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Feel free to comment on anything I write about
I'll never get offended. Otherwise, what would be the point of posting something? I posted a comment to somebody's update about a televised fight in which somebody sustained a serious injury. I completely mis-gauged the tone of the post, and posted back a note concurring in the morbidness of it all by comparing it to a cockfight. The post back suggested my opinion wasn't shared and commentary wasn't necessarily welcome.
So here's the deal: I post a lot of opinion stuff - politics, music, culture. It's always an invitation to a debate or discussion, public or private. As long as there's nothing personal in it, I won't ever be offended by what you think about my music tastes, cultural preferences, or political leanings.
For example - I love schlock exploitation films. Lots of people out there may find that preference repulsive because they arguably promote violence and are undeniably sexist. Let me know how despicable you thank crap movies like that are. That doesn't say anything about me - and often enough I'll agree with you and just chalk it up to a guilty pleasure.
Of course, I don't intend on being confrontational - so if that's the way you take that sort of thing, let me know and I'll chil.
So here's the deal: I post a lot of opinion stuff - politics, music, culture. It's always an invitation to a debate or discussion, public or private. As long as there's nothing personal in it, I won't ever be offended by what you think about my music tastes, cultural preferences, or political leanings.
For example - I love schlock exploitation films. Lots of people out there may find that preference repulsive because they arguably promote violence and are undeniably sexist. Let me know how despicable you thank crap movies like that are. That doesn't say anything about me - and often enough I'll agree with you and just chalk it up to a guilty pleasure.
Of course, I don't intend on being confrontational - so if that's the way you take that sort of thing, let me know and I'll chil.
Bush: An eight year long national disaster
Regarding a recent polls showing the public approves of Obama's cabinet picks and policy proposals:
"An Obama job approval rating of 79 percent -- that's the sort of rating you see when the public rallies around a leader after a national disaster," said Bill Schneider, CNN's senior political analyst. "To many Americans, the Bush administration was a national disaster."
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/12/10/184936/21/576/671655
"An Obama job approval rating of 79 percent -- that's the sort of rating you see when the public rallies around a leader after a national disaster," said Bill Schneider, CNN's senior political analyst. "To many Americans, the Bush administration was a national disaster."
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/12/10/184936/21/576/671655
thank goodness
Drudge and the radio demagogues finally have a scandal to talk about. For a while there, it looked like they'd have to sit back and just let the country be hopeful about its future and happy that its president-elect was putting some pretty sensible policy proposals on the table.
Whew. Thank goodness for a scandal!
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/12/questions-arise.html
Whew. Thank goodness for a scandal!
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/12/questions-arise.html
rich people are cute
After all this media talk about the left being discontent with Obama, I finally found somebody saying Obama is just another Bush . . . . but, oops, its not liberal at all. It's the Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122878176562589761.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122878176562589761.html
What discontent?
The right and the "mainstream" media keep talking of some rift that's emerging between Obama and his left base over cabinet picks and policy statements - but where it it? I'm pretty left, and while I don't agree with Obama's support for bailouts, I'm thrilled at a 21st century new deal and national health care. I don't see alot of discontent on the liberal/leftists blogs i read either. So where is it?
I think everyone knows he isn't going to be a leftist president. But his picks and proposals so far make him a vast improvement over any president I'm old enough to remember.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081208/pl_politico/16293
I think everyone knows he isn't going to be a leftist president. But his picks and proposals so far make him a vast improvement over any president I'm old enough to remember.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081208/pl_politico/16293
bullshit rationale
I've been hearing alot of belly aching about the Appellate Division's recent decision in In the Interest of P.M.P. The consensus is that the Court left juvenile's with a narrower right to counsel than adults.
I don't see it that way. Rather, the Court simply refused to treat a juvenile complaint as the equivalent of an adult indictment. I think that's correct.
The problem is that a juvenile doesn't have a right to indictment, which the Court recognized is that significant moment where it is undeniable that the state becomes the accused's adversary. When is that moment in the case of a juvenile? According to the Court: never.
In fact, the Court bloviated on the differences between the criminal prosecution of an adult and delinquency proceedings against a juvenile. It amounted to a total crock of shit.
The entire process was designed for the juvenile's protection, the Court opined. Indeed, the Court even asserted that getting arrested isn't getting arrested when you're a juvenile - it's merely being taken into custody (for your own good, of course).
Yet anyone who has ever been a juvenile accused of delinquency - and i have - knows that the authorities can be just ruthless with you as they'll ever be with an adult. No adversarial relationship my ass. In fact, in the very case before the Court the police attempted to deceive the accused into making an inadvertent confession. What's that? Lying to you for your own good?
So in the end, I don't disagree with the decision per se - but don't give me the horse shit.
I don't see it that way. Rather, the Court simply refused to treat a juvenile complaint as the equivalent of an adult indictment. I think that's correct.
The problem is that a juvenile doesn't have a right to indictment, which the Court recognized is that significant moment where it is undeniable that the state becomes the accused's adversary. When is that moment in the case of a juvenile? According to the Court: never.
In fact, the Court bloviated on the differences between the criminal prosecution of an adult and delinquency proceedings against a juvenile. It amounted to a total crock of shit.
The entire process was designed for the juvenile's protection, the Court opined. Indeed, the Court even asserted that getting arrested isn't getting arrested when you're a juvenile - it's merely being taken into custody (for your own good, of course).
Yet anyone who has ever been a juvenile accused of delinquency - and i have - knows that the authorities can be just ruthless with you as they'll ever be with an adult. No adversarial relationship my ass. In fact, in the very case before the Court the police attempted to deceive the accused into making an inadvertent confession. What's that? Lying to you for your own good?
So in the end, I don't disagree with the decision per se - but don't give me the horse shit.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Modern Twisted Sister
Judging from the two times I've seen them and the Twisted Christmas album, modern Twisted Sister can be summed up as: pompous, cheesy, and oddly genuine. Like a 40 year old uncle that never married, has a mullet, drives an IROC, and is so damn cool precisely because he hasn't figured out that nobody thinks that's bad ass anymore. Hop in that bithin' camaro and peel out. It's a time machine if you let it be.
Also – If you ever want to take a non-metal head to a metal show, I recommend Twisted Sister. Its fun, lively, and – unlike Priest – it exists in a bubble where mosh pits and death metal never happened. Not that Priest is death metal - but there is some fan base overlap. Not so with Twisted Sister. A newbie can get a true all out metal experience without the risk of getting a tooth knocked out.
Also – If you ever want to take a non-metal head to a metal show, I recommend Twisted Sister. Its fun, lively, and – unlike Priest – it exists in a bubble where mosh pits and death metal never happened. Not that Priest is death metal - but there is some fan base overlap. Not so with Twisted Sister. A newbie can get a true all out metal experience without the risk of getting a tooth knocked out.
"Ho Ho Ho Beeotches! I got da Baccardi!"
Bedlight for Blue Eyes' Christmas Song
An outstanding mock metal Christmas party song. With its fun 80s feel, its has a certain Bill and Ted empty headed senselessness about it - in the best possible way. The song plays out like a story, complete with a happy Christmas ending.
An outstanding mock metal Christmas party song. With its fun 80s feel, its has a certain Bill and Ted empty headed senselessness about it - in the best possible way. The song plays out like a story, complete with a happy Christmas ending.
Bush Legacy Project
Proof that Republicans are scared the chump is another Hoover - a generational burden on the party. Nobody fucks it up like a Republican. Rove is on the project - doing his favorite job - polishing turds.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/02/legacy-project/Proof that Republicans are scared the chump is another Hoover - a generational burden on the party. Nobody fucks it up like a Republican. Rove is on the project - doing his favorite job - polishing turds.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/02/legacy-project/
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/02/legacy-project/Proof that Republicans are scared the chump is another Hoover - a generational burden on the party. Nobody fucks it up like a Republican. Rove is on the project - doing his favorite job - polishing turds.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/02/legacy-project/
Right wing Christians: It's time to SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!
Ever hear of Romans 13? It's the verse evangelical minister Rick Warren told Sean Hannity justifies assassinating people. Know what else it says? "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God . . . This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. " Well Obama is in charge, and God must have wanted you to submit to his authority or else he wouldn't have won.So no more whining about liberal policies, taxes, and tolerance of all those things you hate. You read the Bible: SHUT THE FUCK UP and submit - or your're going to hell.Ever hear of Romans 13? It's the verse evangelical minister Rick Warren told Sean Hannity justifies assassinating people. Know what else it says? "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God . . . This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. " Well Obama is in charge, and God must have wanted you to submit to his authority or else he wouldn't have won.So no more whining about liberal policies, taxes, and tolerance of all those things you hate. You read the Bible: SHUT THE FUCK UP and submit - or your're going to hell.
idea stolen from: http://thismodernworld.com/4591idea stolen from: http://thismodernworld.com/4591
idea stolen from: http://thismodernworld.com/4591idea stolen from: http://thismodernworld.com/4591
AC DC's mistress for christmas
A powerless AC DC song that does nothing to ignite the Christmas spirit. A failure by any account.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Englebert Humperdnick's We Made It Happen
I got beat. I bought what I thought was Led Zeppelin IV for a dollar at goodwill, but inside the sleeve was Engelbert Humperdnik. I guess I'd be justified in asking for my dollar back, but I figured my dollar would be just as well spent trying something new.
The album consists of rock standards of the late 60s to early 70s sung by a crooner backed by an orchestra. Easy. Mellow. Regal. Elegant. Boring.
Consider the recent Rock Swings by Paul Anka as a point of reference. On that album, Anka reaches out to a rock audience – showing us that swing can rock as much as rock can swing.
“We Made It Happen” doesn't rock or swing. The best that can be said for it is that it replaces all the rock & roll passion in songs like “Something” and “My Cherie Amour” with well balanced orchestration. And these are hardly rock & roll's most passionate numbers . . . .
The best track on the album is the Bee Gee's Words. The production is vaguely reminiscent of The Doors' Soft Parade - except without any balls.
At first, it was hard for me to fathom who the intended market for this album was. After some thought, I speculate that Humperdnick had a an album or a single that got some traction with the generation that came of age after Korea but before the baby boomers started rocking. Perhaps the people who listened to Sinatra in the 60s – a mature and often nostaligic audience - an equivalent of today's adult contemporary alternative rock market. Once rock and roll took over, I speculate that “We Made it Happen” was an attempt to keep Humperdnick relevant. I also speculate that the album was played by radio stations whose primary market was that in-betweener generation – again to stay relevant, cross market, or even just have some new material to play.
I mean, The Beatles and Stevie Wonder are hardly unaccessible acts, but these are performances for an audience too white bread for even the most accessible rock and roll. These are the people who were too young to have truly experienced swing but too old to revel in rock – and that's a damn shame. Believe me – I'm glad as hell I came of age the year punk broke. A few years in either direction and the music of my generation would be the swan songs of over exploited dying sub-genres.
So in the end – I thought I bought Zeppelin, and what (I think) I got was a snap shot of one moment in the pitiful and slow the death of pre-rock crooning.
The album consists of rock standards of the late 60s to early 70s sung by a crooner backed by an orchestra. Easy. Mellow. Regal. Elegant. Boring.
Consider the recent Rock Swings by Paul Anka as a point of reference. On that album, Anka reaches out to a rock audience – showing us that swing can rock as much as rock can swing.
“We Made It Happen” doesn't rock or swing. The best that can be said for it is that it replaces all the rock & roll passion in songs like “Something” and “My Cherie Amour” with well balanced orchestration. And these are hardly rock & roll's most passionate numbers . . . .
The best track on the album is the Bee Gee's Words. The production is vaguely reminiscent of The Doors' Soft Parade - except without any balls.
At first, it was hard for me to fathom who the intended market for this album was. After some thought, I speculate that Humperdnick had a an album or a single that got some traction with the generation that came of age after Korea but before the baby boomers started rocking. Perhaps the people who listened to Sinatra in the 60s – a mature and often nostaligic audience - an equivalent of today's adult contemporary alternative rock market. Once rock and roll took over, I speculate that “We Made it Happen” was an attempt to keep Humperdnick relevant. I also speculate that the album was played by radio stations whose primary market was that in-betweener generation – again to stay relevant, cross market, or even just have some new material to play.
I mean, The Beatles and Stevie Wonder are hardly unaccessible acts, but these are performances for an audience too white bread for even the most accessible rock and roll. These are the people who were too young to have truly experienced swing but too old to revel in rock – and that's a damn shame. Believe me – I'm glad as hell I came of age the year punk broke. A few years in either direction and the music of my generation would be the swan songs of over exploited dying sub-genres.
So in the end – I thought I bought Zeppelin, and what (I think) I got was a snap shot of one moment in the pitiful and slow the death of pre-rock crooning.
To those that fear gvt healthcare because of the inconveniences:
You don't know shit. I'm one of the lucky ones - I have a good health insurance plan provided by my employer. I rarely get sick (knock on wood), and when I do I rarely go to the doctors. I just got a notice indicating that my insurer has not paid the doctor for the two times in the last year I did go. I followed all the instructions. I went to a doctor in my network of doctors the insurer picked because they're cheap. I paid my co-pay. And tommorow I'm STILL going to have wait on hold and fight with somebody to make sure I don't get reported to a credit agency and have my ability to buy a house or car impaired. Go capitalism!
The next time somebody tells me that I don't want Canadian style health care because of the bureaucracy, I may just pop em in the nose.
The next time somebody tells me that I don't want Canadian style health care because of the bureaucracy, I may just pop em in the nose.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Mott the Hopple's All the Young Dudes
I was skeptical before I even put the needle on the record. If you read my Let's Go review, you know that I think an albums opening track, title track, lead single, and any follow ups are windows are focus points of any album. Some albums remain rock solid despite having lame singles – in fact, its almost forgivable the way a mailing fold is forgivable in comics of a certain era (it speaks more to the business model than anything else – but its hard for any album to overcome a poor lead off or title track. In this case, the album leads with a Velvet Underground cover and the title track/ lead single was written by David Bowie. Somebody didn't have a lot of confidence in Mott the Hopple's original material.
Sweet Jane – the lead track – is a fairly generic cover. It's not an attempt to recreate the VU classic, nor should it be. However, Mott never makes it their own. They don't do anything special with the song to justify it being on the release, let alone the opening number.
The Bowie influence that pervades the first side is obvious from the opening notes of the second song. Yet despite the Bowie ambiance, close listening leaves the listener without the emotional experience or satisfaction Bowie's song writing delivers. The only exception is the title track - and that's the song Bowie wrote for the band.
All the Young Dudes is a good song – so much so that the album is a one hit wonder in the truest sense. I always thought the was mismatched on the Juno soundtrack (despite the fact that soundtrack is outstanding, its not a glam collection), but you'd be better off getting the song on the soundtrack or downloading it by itself.
On the second side, the track Soft Ground strays from the Bowie feel and delves into heavy psychedelic territory in the Deep Purple vein. However, the listeners is treated to overly repetitious heavy riffing and none of the bursts of Ritchie Blackmore's virtuosity.
Fans of Bad Company may find Mott the Hopple's take on Are You Ready For Love interesting. I'm not a big fan of Bad Co., so I didn't add any value to the album beyond initial curiosity. I found the track to be a less concise and poorly sung version of one of Bad Company's weaker hits.
Conclusion: Fine album to create Bowie style glam ambience at a party, but stick with the real thing for a compelling listen.
Even going into the album I was skeptical. If you read my Let's Go review, you know that I think an albums open track, title track, lead single, and any follow ups are windows are focus points of any album. Some albums remain rock solid despite having lame singles – in fact, its almost forgivable the way a mailing fold is forgivable in comics of a certain era (it speaks more to the business model than anything else – but its hard for any album to overcome a poor lead off or title track. In this case, the album leads with a Velvet Underground cover and the title track/ lead single was written by David Bowie. Somebody didn't have a lot of confidence in Mott the Hopple's original material.
Sweet Jane – the lead track – is a fairly generic cover. It's not an attempt to recreate the VU classic, nor should it be. However, Mott never makes it their own. They don't do anything special with the song to justify it being on the release, let alone the opening number.
The Bowie influence that pervades the first side is obvious from the opening notes of the second song. Yet despite the Bowie ambiance, close listening leaves the listener without the emotional experience or satisfaction Bowie's song writing delivers. The only exception is the title track - and that's the song Bowie wrote for the band.
All the Young Dudes is a good song – so much so that the album is a one hit wonder in the truest sense. I always thought the was mismatched on the Juno soundtrack (despite the fact that soundtrack is outstanding, its not a glam collection), but you'd be better off getting the song on the soundtrack or downloading it by itself.
On the second side, the track Soft Ground strays from the Bowie feel and delves into heavy psychedelic territory in the Deep Purple vein. However, the listeners is treated to overly repetitious heavy riffing and none of the bursts of Ritchie Blackmore's virtuosity.
Fans of Bad Company may find Mott the Hopple's take on Are You Ready For Love interesting. I'm not a big fan of Bad Co., so I didn't add any value to the album beyond initial curiosity. I found the track to be a less concise and poorly sung version of one of Bad Company's weaker hits.
Conclusion: Fine album to create Bowie style glam ambience at a party, but stick with the real thing for a compelling listen.
Sweet Jane – the lead track – is a fairly generic cover. It's not an attempt to recreate the VU classic, nor should it be. However, Mott never makes it their own. They don't do anything special with the song to justify it being on the release, let alone the opening number.
The Bowie influence that pervades the first side is obvious from the opening notes of the second song. Yet despite the Bowie ambiance, close listening leaves the listener without the emotional experience or satisfaction Bowie's song writing delivers. The only exception is the title track - and that's the song Bowie wrote for the band.
All the Young Dudes is a good song – so much so that the album is a one hit wonder in the truest sense. I always thought the was mismatched on the Juno soundtrack (despite the fact that soundtrack is outstanding, its not a glam collection), but you'd be better off getting the song on the soundtrack or downloading it by itself.
On the second side, the track Soft Ground strays from the Bowie feel and delves into heavy psychedelic territory in the Deep Purple vein. However, the listeners is treated to overly repetitious heavy riffing and none of the bursts of Ritchie Blackmore's virtuosity.
Fans of Bad Company may find Mott the Hopple's take on Are You Ready For Love interesting. I'm not a big fan of Bad Co., so I didn't add any value to the album beyond initial curiosity. I found the track to be a less concise and poorly sung version of one of Bad Company's weaker hits.
Conclusion: Fine album to create Bowie style glam ambience at a party, but stick with the real thing for a compelling listen.
Even going into the album I was skeptical. If you read my Let's Go review, you know that I think an albums open track, title track, lead single, and any follow ups are windows are focus points of any album. Some albums remain rock solid despite having lame singles – in fact, its almost forgivable the way a mailing fold is forgivable in comics of a certain era (it speaks more to the business model than anything else – but its hard for any album to overcome a poor lead off or title track. In this case, the album leads with a Velvet Underground cover and the title track/ lead single was written by David Bowie. Somebody didn't have a lot of confidence in Mott the Hopple's original material.
Sweet Jane – the lead track – is a fairly generic cover. It's not an attempt to recreate the VU classic, nor should it be. However, Mott never makes it their own. They don't do anything special with the song to justify it being on the release, let alone the opening number.
The Bowie influence that pervades the first side is obvious from the opening notes of the second song. Yet despite the Bowie ambiance, close listening leaves the listener without the emotional experience or satisfaction Bowie's song writing delivers. The only exception is the title track - and that's the song Bowie wrote for the band.
All the Young Dudes is a good song – so much so that the album is a one hit wonder in the truest sense. I always thought the was mismatched on the Juno soundtrack (despite the fact that soundtrack is outstanding, its not a glam collection), but you'd be better off getting the song on the soundtrack or downloading it by itself.
On the second side, the track Soft Ground strays from the Bowie feel and delves into heavy psychedelic territory in the Deep Purple vein. However, the listeners is treated to overly repetitious heavy riffing and none of the bursts of Ritchie Blackmore's virtuosity.
Fans of Bad Company may find Mott the Hopple's take on Are You Ready For Love interesting. I'm not a big fan of Bad Co., so I didn't add any value to the album beyond initial curiosity. I found the track to be a less concise and poorly sung version of one of Bad Company's weaker hits.
Conclusion: Fine album to create Bowie style glam ambience at a party, but stick with the real thing for a compelling listen.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Completing my collection for a dollar
Always go through the records at good will. You can find some awesome vinyl for a buck. Just yesterday I found Pink Floyd's Meddle - filling a gap in my vinyl Floyd collection. Also found: Mott the Hopple's All the Young Dudes, Ten Nugent's Cat Scratch Fever, and Led Zepplin IV.
Reviews forthcoming . . . . .
Reviews forthcoming . . . . .
Sounds unconstitutional to me . . . or at at least it ought to be
Man posts rants and raves about his ex on craigs list, and instead of just getting sued he gets charged with a felony libel. Worse: truth is not a complete defense.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-craigslist-libel4-2008dec04,0,2332954.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-craigslist-libel4-2008dec04,0,2332954.story
Because everything else Bush has done has proven to be a success
he should ignore the will of the people as expressed in the elections of 2006 and 2008, and do something that will plunge the world into an expensive bloody war . . . . .
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1226404823710&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1226404823710&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Blood thirsty war mongers
"The IDF is drawing up options for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities that do not include coordination with the United States, The Jerusalem Post has learned."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1227702421218&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1227702421218&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
John Edwards getting the snub?
As Obama finds room in his cabinet for many of his formal rivals, Drudge asks why Edwards gets the cold shoulder. As much as I once liked Edwards, there are two good reasons for his political career to be over.
The most obvious reason is the affair. It's not just that he had one, but that he had one while running for president. Imagine if he had won the nomination and botched this historic opportunity for progressives? His lack of self control amounted to an enormous gamble with efforts and money of his supporters and Democratic party as a whole. The dude is an ass.
The second reason is that its not altogether clear what his views are. He had the most progressive, pro labor rhetoric of the leading candidates - and i supported him for it. But don't forget the centrist that emerged when he joined the Kerry ticket. Its safe to say that the reason Edwards took the hard left line was because he was behind in the polls - it was just as feasible that it was a gambit as it was the "real" Edwards. It certainly wasn't the Edwards we would see post nomination or in the White House.
I liked him best before he dropped out of the primaries anyway. I knew that alot of his positions were rhetoric, but I also felt there was a grain of truth in it all. But as much as Obama moved to the center, he never made the regressive transformation Edwards did when he went from primary candidate to running mate in 2004. Even today, Obama's cabinet picks and public statements indicate he's moving the country in a progressive direction on health care and public infrastructure investment - even if I take strong issue with his position on the economy. I don't see any reason for him to elevate an unproven lightning rod for controversy.
The most obvious reason is the affair. It's not just that he had one, but that he had one while running for president. Imagine if he had won the nomination and botched this historic opportunity for progressives? His lack of self control amounted to an enormous gamble with efforts and money of his supporters and Democratic party as a whole. The dude is an ass.
The second reason is that its not altogether clear what his views are. He had the most progressive, pro labor rhetoric of the leading candidates - and i supported him for it. But don't forget the centrist that emerged when he joined the Kerry ticket. Its safe to say that the reason Edwards took the hard left line was because he was behind in the polls - it was just as feasible that it was a gambit as it was the "real" Edwards. It certainly wasn't the Edwards we would see post nomination or in the White House.
I liked him best before he dropped out of the primaries anyway. I knew that alot of his positions were rhetoric, but I also felt there was a grain of truth in it all. But as much as Obama moved to the center, he never made the regressive transformation Edwards did when he went from primary candidate to running mate in 2004. Even today, Obama's cabinet picks and public statements indicate he's moving the country in a progressive direction on health care and public infrastructure investment - even if I take strong issue with his position on the economy. I don't see any reason for him to elevate an unproven lightning rod for controversy.
Sounds likey they're the smart ones . . . .
"They drink too much and they're too fat to fight, that's the damning conclusion of German parliamentary reports into the country's 3,500 troops stationed in Afghanistan.
While British and U.S. troops in the country face a strict ban on alcohol, their German comrades are allowed two pints a day.
The stunning statistics reveal that in 2007 German forces in northern Afghanistan drank 1.7million pints of beer and 90,000 bottles of wine."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1091559/German-soldiers-fat-fight-Taliban-drink-boys-dry.html
While British and U.S. troops in the country face a strict ban on alcohol, their German comrades are allowed two pints a day.
The stunning statistics reveal that in 2007 German forces in northern Afghanistan drank 1.7million pints of beer and 90,000 bottles of wine."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1091559/German-soldiers-fat-fight-Taliban-drink-boys-dry.html
Thursday, December 4, 2008
proof law enforcement is in vital need of drastic reform
In rush-hour labor, ticket delivered
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/12/04/in_rush_hour_labor_ticket_delivered/
"Jennifer Davis was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Nov. 18, her contractions just 3 minutes apart. Her husband, John, was trying to appear calm for his wife's sake, driving in the breakdown lane of Route 2. They pulled up behind a state trooper to ask whether they could continue using the lane to reach the next exit, near Alewife Station.
Not only did the trooper say no, he gave them a $100 citation for driving in the breakdown lane, made them wait for their citation while he finished writing someone else's ticket, and even seemed to ask for proof of pregnancy, Jennifer Davis said.Jennifer Davis was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Nov. 18, her contractions just 3 minutes apart. Her husband, John, was trying to appear calm for his wife's sake, driving in the breakdown lane of Route 2. They pulled up behind a state trooper to ask whether they could continue using the lane to reach the next exit, near Alewife Station.
Not only did the trooper say no, he gave them a $100 citation for driving in the breakdown lane, made them wait for their citation while he finished writing someone else's ticket, and even seemed to ask for proof of pregnancy, Jennifer Davis said."
And by reform I mean:
1.Recruit better talent for law enforcement. Set higher standards.
2.Provide police officers with better pay, training, and equipment.
3.Demand a high level of professionalism and respect for civil rights
4.Root out bullies and promptly terminate bad cops
5.Completely overhaul the system by which we hold police accountable for misconduct – and give police discipline some real teeth.
6.Eliminate police access to military weaponry.
7.Reduce the level of weaponry, deadly and otherwise, cops ordinarily carry on their person. There is absolutely no reason for every police officer in the suburbs to have a fire arm on his person at all times. Ban the taser.
8.Establish and enforce strict standards regarding the use of non-lethal weaponry.
9.Destroy the culture of the blue wall of silence.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/12/04/in_rush_hour_labor_ticket_delivered/
"Jennifer Davis was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Nov. 18, her contractions just 3 minutes apart. Her husband, John, was trying to appear calm for his wife's sake, driving in the breakdown lane of Route 2. They pulled up behind a state trooper to ask whether they could continue using the lane to reach the next exit, near Alewife Station.
Not only did the trooper say no, he gave them a $100 citation for driving in the breakdown lane, made them wait for their citation while he finished writing someone else's ticket, and even seemed to ask for proof of pregnancy, Jennifer Davis said.Jennifer Davis was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Nov. 18, her contractions just 3 minutes apart. Her husband, John, was trying to appear calm for his wife's sake, driving in the breakdown lane of Route 2. They pulled up behind a state trooper to ask whether they could continue using the lane to reach the next exit, near Alewife Station.
Not only did the trooper say no, he gave them a $100 citation for driving in the breakdown lane, made them wait for their citation while he finished writing someone else's ticket, and even seemed to ask for proof of pregnancy, Jennifer Davis said."
And by reform I mean:
1.Recruit better talent for law enforcement. Set higher standards.
2.Provide police officers with better pay, training, and equipment.
3.Demand a high level of professionalism and respect for civil rights
4.Root out bullies and promptly terminate bad cops
5.Completely overhaul the system by which we hold police accountable for misconduct – and give police discipline some real teeth.
6.Eliminate police access to military weaponry.
7.Reduce the level of weaponry, deadly and otherwise, cops ordinarily carry on their person. There is absolutely no reason for every police officer in the suburbs to have a fire arm on his person at all times. Ban the taser.
8.Establish and enforce strict standards regarding the use of non-lethal weaponry.
9.Destroy the culture of the blue wall of silence.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Bikini Kill's Bloody Ice Cream
Best song on Reject All American. Very simple structure - verse chorus verse chorse verse chorus - but the little variations make the difference. the guitar tone is authentic riot grrl grunge - i particularly like the full over driven sound of the down picked power chord runs - but the pace is far more aggressive. the song climaxes when the drum roll rolls in the finale, kathleen starts holding her notes, and the beat cuts its tempo in half. counter intuitively, these changes stoke the flames earlier ignited.
Is it Carnival? No. Is it Suck My Left One? No. It's not even Pussy Whipped. Nevertheless, Bloody Ice Cream is proof that Bikini Kill can deliver the punk out even though their prime had passed.
Is it Carnival? No. Is it Suck My Left One? No. It's not even Pussy Whipped. Nevertheless, Bloody Ice Cream is proof that Bikini Kill can deliver the punk out even though their prime had passed.
Miami school chief: Congress should bail out nation's schools
But wait a second! Teachers are union! They get good benefits. Forget it . We need that bailout money to help the poor non-union investment bank execs.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081202/NEWS01/81202048
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081202/NEWS01/81202048
Sure is a sad day . . . .
when a math teacher has to sell ads on the back of his tests to pay for the students' copies. Good thing we've got those wars raging on though . . . .
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081202/NEWS01/81202049
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081202/NEWS01/81202049
"I've never seen so much drugs and puke in my life . . . ."
My secretary's review of the Pink Floyd concert she saw in 1974.
disconnect healthcare from employment
For whatever reason, there is some cultural resistance to disconnecting health care from employment. The LA Times reports that Obama may finally sever the link between the availability of health care and employment status - and thank goodness: it will let people like my dad retire and empower somebody like me to make an employment decision (eg hanging my shingle or venturing with another attorney) without fearing i could get seriously sick or hurt without coverage.
Nevertheless, the Times indicates that team Obama is not prepared to sever the link completely. Too bad. Remember the link I posted yesterday about GM workers earning close to $80.00 per hour after benefits? That same article explained that a GM worker makes pretty much the same wage as a non-union Honda or Toyota worker. The difference is health care, retirement, etc.
So if you want to bail out the auto industry, why not take health care off its shoulders? We tend to treat health care as a commodity in this country - and in some respects it ought to be. But there is also a human right aspect to health card - and health care is a vital component of any nations economic infrastructure.
Severing health care from employment will enhance our economic competitiveness by leveling the playing field between u.s employers and employers in nations where access to health care is completely detached from employment. Severing health care from employment will enable small businesses to more effectively compete with larger entities for the best talent. Severing health care from employment will remove a barrier to entrepreneurship.
In fact, severing health care from employment forwards almost all the objectives conservative pay lip service to - but never support in practice.
Nevertheless, the Times indicates that team Obama is not prepared to sever the link completely. Too bad. Remember the link I posted yesterday about GM workers earning close to $80.00 per hour after benefits? That same article explained that a GM worker makes pretty much the same wage as a non-union Honda or Toyota worker. The difference is health care, retirement, etc.
So if you want to bail out the auto industry, why not take health care off its shoulders? We tend to treat health care as a commodity in this country - and in some respects it ought to be. But there is also a human right aspect to health card - and health care is a vital component of any nations economic infrastructure.
Severing health care from employment will enhance our economic competitiveness by leveling the playing field between u.s employers and employers in nations where access to health care is completely detached from employment. Severing health care from employment will enable small businesses to more effectively compete with larger entities for the best talent. Severing health care from employment will remove a barrier to entrepreneurship.
In fact, severing health care from employment forwards almost all the objectives conservative pay lip service to - but never support in practice.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Stop blaming the unions for the auto makers' troubles
I keep seeing this figure thrown around - something along the lines of the average gm factory worker makes close to $80.00 an hour after benefits - as if this is something that must be undone if we are to save the auto industry. But how much does gm's ceo make? According to Forbes, 8.5 million per year. And all he's done is run the company into the ground. It is the plant worker that actually builds the cars, risks physical injury, and has nothing to do with the poor corporate decisions. He earns his money. I'm tired of hearing that he earns too much.
Funny thing is, AIG, Citi, and Wamu, and how many other banks have tanks - but there's no union there . . . . Only greedy executives.
http://www.forbes.com/static/pvp2005/LIRSOX2.html
http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=14185
Funny thing is, AIG, Citi, and Wamu, and how many other banks have tanks - but there's no union there . . . . Only greedy executives.
http://www.forbes.com/static/pvp2005/LIRSOX2.html
http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=14185
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The steak sandwich shops and the Italian market after dark
The last South Philly hot spot (arguably) alive, and oh how gaudy it is. A charicature of a charicature of Italian America, yet oddly authentic.
Ray's Happy Birthday Bar
It's an insider's club. I think you have to smoke cigarettes to join. Guess that means I'm out, but it's still a damn cool place.
Friday, November 28, 2008
An example of the type of work i could do
I was at the laudromat, and this guy lost his change to a machine. Because it is a slimly low class laundromat, there is no attendant. Worse, there is no posted number to call. Unless you're willing to wait until the owner closes shop at midnight, your shit out of luck.
If it happens once you might let it slide, but if it happens with any frequency at all you'd probably get pissed. Not because the $1.50 is something to cry over, but because you ought to get what you pay for. Then you start to think: how long has that machine been stealing people's quarters without an 'out of service' sign? Left long enough, the machine could generate its owner hundreds of dollars or more. Somebody ought to sue the asshole.
Problem: It would cost far more than $1.50 in court costs alone. It's not worth it.
Solution: The Consumer Fraud Act. If I can prove that the laundromat owner engaged in an unconscionable consumer practice, he pays your fees and costs. That includes an award of a reasonable attorney fee. Plus, he'll have to pay triple damages.
Problem: So what? Three times $1.50 is $4.50. In the meantime, he made tons of money.
Solution: I bring it as a class action, with you as the class representative. We bring the suit on behalf of everyone whose been ripped off by the laundromat. Often, the Court will even award a lead plaintiff a sizable stipend as an incentive for others to take on small time crooks. I get paid my hourly rate by the laundromat, the laundromat gets stripped of the money he was unjustly enriched by, and the lead plainiff might get awarded thousands of dollars as a thank you from the court.
Problem: We can't get the ripped off people their money back because theres no way of proving who was ripped off and who wasn't.
Solution: There's precedent for this situation. Just because its hard to figure out who needs to be compensated doesn't meant that the crook gets to keep the money. In one case, cab drivers were ripping off countless cash customers at an airport. Of course, there was no way to identify the defruaded - but the Court ordered the cab companies to offer their services at deep discounts below operating costs until the debt was paid. In other cases, the court can order un-earned sums be given to a charity.
So thats just one example of how I can make a $1.50 case work.
If it happens once you might let it slide, but if it happens with any frequency at all you'd probably get pissed. Not because the $1.50 is something to cry over, but because you ought to get what you pay for. Then you start to think: how long has that machine been stealing people's quarters without an 'out of service' sign? Left long enough, the machine could generate its owner hundreds of dollars or more. Somebody ought to sue the asshole.
Problem: It would cost far more than $1.50 in court costs alone. It's not worth it.
Solution: The Consumer Fraud Act. If I can prove that the laundromat owner engaged in an unconscionable consumer practice, he pays your fees and costs. That includes an award of a reasonable attorney fee. Plus, he'll have to pay triple damages.
Problem: So what? Three times $1.50 is $4.50. In the meantime, he made tons of money.
Solution: I bring it as a class action, with you as the class representative. We bring the suit on behalf of everyone whose been ripped off by the laundromat. Often, the Court will even award a lead plaintiff a sizable stipend as an incentive for others to take on small time crooks. I get paid my hourly rate by the laundromat, the laundromat gets stripped of the money he was unjustly enriched by, and the lead plainiff might get awarded thousands of dollars as a thank you from the court.
Problem: We can't get the ripped off people their money back because theres no way of proving who was ripped off and who wasn't.
Solution: There's precedent for this situation. Just because its hard to figure out who needs to be compensated doesn't meant that the crook gets to keep the money. In one case, cab drivers were ripping off countless cash customers at an airport. Of course, there was no way to identify the defruaded - but the Court ordered the cab companies to offer their services at deep discounts below operating costs until the debt was paid. In other cases, the court can order un-earned sums be given to a charity.
So thats just one example of how I can make a $1.50 case work.
Too connected
People have a love/ hate relationship with their cellphones, and for good reason. On the one hand, it makes me available in an emergency and it lets me use those moment i'd waste waiting in line talking to people. on the other, i don't need to talk to people on the phone every moment of every day.
whenever I'm doing something I don't pick it up unless somebody calls twice in a row. I let everyone know that I'll pick up the second call, but I'm also clear that I won't tolerate calling twice in a row without good cause. So I'm not disconnected from the world, but I still get to do whatever i'm doing without interuption. I mean, when i'm spending time with patty, i'm with patty. i don't want that interupted by a conversation with my boss, my freinds, or my family. but when i'm with my family, i don't want that interupted by my boss, my freinds, or patty. and the same goes for my freinds or when i'm at work. It's nothing personal, but being connected doesn't mean you have to be at everyone's beck and call.
whenever I'm doing something I don't pick it up unless somebody calls twice in a row. I let everyone know that I'll pick up the second call, but I'm also clear that I won't tolerate calling twice in a row without good cause. So I'm not disconnected from the world, but I still get to do whatever i'm doing without interuption. I mean, when i'm spending time with patty, i'm with patty. i don't want that interupted by a conversation with my boss, my freinds, or my family. but when i'm with my family, i don't want that interupted by my boss, my freinds, or patty. and the same goes for my freinds or when i'm at work. It's nothing personal, but being connected doesn't mean you have to be at everyone's beck and call.
Chasing happiness is like chasing the setting sun
Before everyone thought the meaning of life was obtaining happiness, people were generally happier. Today, everyone chases happiness and is miserable for lack of something in their life.
Thanksgiving Eve speedline observation
Thanksgiving Eve can be a cold night to have to look hot. I bet New Years Eve can be even colder. Makes me give thanks to the fact that I largely don't worry about that crap.
facebook is better, blah blah blah
people prefer facebook to myspace for the same reasons they like to be seen in expensive restaurants regardless of the quality of the food. for whatever reason, it is more "sophisticated" or "mature" or "professional" or some other code word for elitist. personally, i like myspace because it has more options for substantively expressing myself. that said, i'm going to be turning my attention to my facebook shortly . . . . while their is some overlap, it does attract a different clientèle than myspace. i'd like to keep in contact with them too . . . . .
A Thanksgiving messeage from Wes
Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you all have the day off, and I hope your holiday extends into tomorrow as well. People work too hard for too little these days. We have very few holidays. When you don't have the next day off, Thanksgiving is hardly a holiday. It's a pain in the ass.
Unless they're in retail, shame on any employer who doesn't give their employees off Black Friday. And even if they're in retail, SHAME on those employers who are open on Thanksgiving itself.
An employer who works their employees on the holiday is a poor corporate citizen, placing their business interests so far above the individual needs of their workers so as steal something important from them. There should be enormous social pressure on businesses not to work their employees on holidays and to extend the holiday into the weekend when the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. We can create that kind of social pressure by refusing to shop on the Holiday itself and calling most other employers for what they are when they don't give their employees that extra day off: greedy uncaring thieves.
Have I shopped on Thanksgiving? I'm guilty. But Christmas and New Years are fast approaching. With only a minimal amount of planning, we can make sure our dollars don't contribute to some poor Wawa employee's ruined holiday.
Unless they're in retail, shame on any employer who doesn't give their employees off Black Friday. And even if they're in retail, SHAME on those employers who are open on Thanksgiving itself.
An employer who works their employees on the holiday is a poor corporate citizen, placing their business interests so far above the individual needs of their workers so as steal something important from them. There should be enormous social pressure on businesses not to work their employees on holidays and to extend the holiday into the weekend when the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. We can create that kind of social pressure by refusing to shop on the Holiday itself and calling most other employers for what they are when they don't give their employees that extra day off: greedy uncaring thieves.
Have I shopped on Thanksgiving? I'm guilty. But Christmas and New Years are fast approaching. With only a minimal amount of planning, we can make sure our dollars don't contribute to some poor Wawa employee's ruined holiday.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
B-52's Dance This Mess Around
My favorite B-52s song of all time. It sits on the fabulous first side of the self entitled debut album, smack between the poppy 52 Girls and the worthy single Rock Lobster. The song itself is minimalistic, a characteristically mock retro. yet the fanciful setting is a dance party, and the tone is darker than the other songs on the album, so it is easier to transport yourself into the imagined world. The song is driven by the organ, with a heavily reverbed electric guitar providing subtle accents. despite being less prominent than in the guitar centric Rock Lobster, the guitar still defines the mood.
The subtle music is a good indication that the song was designed to be a showcase of Cynthia Wilson's range. She blows the roof off the house with both melody and passion, starting out like a seductress ("remember . . . ."), letting out a bratty growl worthy of Bikini Kill ("why won't you dance with me?"), and bringing about the songs sweet first resolution only measures later ("everybody goes to parties"). The male/ female conversational interplay her and Schneider seals the deal - only to be followed by Wilson taking on a spoken word feel, sounding like a mock beatnik instead of a goofy proto rap like Blondie. A+ job.
However, I always wondered, how do you do those dances? Apparantly there are 16 of them, but only 8 are expressly mention by name: the shugaloo, the shy tuna, the camel walk, the hipocrit, the coo coo choo, the aqua-velva, the dirty dog, and the escalator.
I did a youtube search, and the only one i could find was the hipocrit
The subtle music is a good indication that the song was designed to be a showcase of Cynthia Wilson's range. She blows the roof off the house with both melody and passion, starting out like a seductress ("remember . . . ."), letting out a bratty growl worthy of Bikini Kill ("why won't you dance with me?"), and bringing about the songs sweet first resolution only measures later ("everybody goes to parties"). The male/ female conversational interplay her and Schneider seals the deal - only to be followed by Wilson taking on a spoken word feel, sounding like a mock beatnik instead of a goofy proto rap like Blondie. A+ job.
However, I always wondered, how do you do those dances? Apparantly there are 16 of them, but only 8 are expressly mention by name: the shugaloo, the shy tuna, the camel walk, the hipocrit, the coo coo choo, the aqua-velva, the dirty dog, and the escalator.
I did a youtube search, and the only one i could find was the hipocrit
thanks sarah palin
you have left me thoroughly disgusted at the idea of eating a turkey. i'm not a vegitarian, but i'm sympathetic to their cause. Patty's a vegitarian, and while she is considerate to the meat eaters in her life, her vegitarianism has led to huge improvements in my diet. I don't know if i can ever wipe meat out of my diet completely, but seeing the Palin video and the PETA video i found as a consequence makes me want to try.
Maybe theres nothing wrong with meat, but there sure is something wrong with cruelty to the animals you eat.
Watch more videos at PETA.org
Maybe theres nothing wrong with meat, but there sure is something wrong with cruelty to the animals you eat.
Watch more videos at PETA.org
while we're blaming the unions for ruining the auto industry
anyone have a gander at GM's ceo salary? 8.5 million.
but all those guys who work with heavy machinery and actually make the cars are getting too much pay and too many benefits. how dare they.
but all those
anyone notice the early christmas push?
i'm at the laudromat more than a week ago, and they're already playing christmas tunes. It's not even thanks giving . . . . and I think I know why.
The economy is in the shitter. People can point fingers all they want, but at this point it is undeniable that times are going to get worse before they better. the retail sector is getting hit hard as people cut back on discretionary spending.
so what can beat the "fear for my job" blues? maybe, just maybe, the christmas spirit. extending the christmas buying season, and playing up the connection between Christmas and gift giving (ie unnecessary consumer purchases) may be the only thing the retailers have to prevent a miserable season.
The econo
so what can beat the "
Monday, November 24, 2008
Pink Floyd's Let There Be More Light
The Beatles reference totally destroys the credibility of the most accessible song on Saucerful of Secrets.
if a so-called dictator can lose an election, is he really a dictator?
The idea of socialism is so scary to conservative American that they have to accuse its leading modern proponent of attempting to undermine democracy. There's a lot I don't like about Chavez, but I've never bought the idea that he was a dictator. After all, he wins election after election by enormous margins. And now the opposition party has taken some seats. Don't sound like a dictator to me.
Nor do I buy the line that he is anti-American. At worst, he's been anti Bush. And that's pretty generous of him since the United States actively supported a campaign to assassinate him.
You know what it really comes down to? He had the gall to kick out our oil companies and use his nations oil wealth to improve the lives of Venezuelans.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081124/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_elections
Nor do I buy the line that he is anti-American. At worst, he's been anti Bush. And that's pretty generous of him since the United States actively supported a campaign to assassinate him.
You know what it really comes down to? He had the gall to kick out our oil companies and use his nations oil wealth to improve the lives of Venezuelans.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081124/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_elections
scary shit
This is a fucked up story - not a political one - but it starts with me walking home the day before election day. That whole week I was wearing an Obama T-shirt. To get into my apartment you have to get through a security door, which puts you into a stairwell with access to 8 units. To get past the security door you either have to have a key or get buzzed in. To let somebody know you need to get buzzed in, you can hit a button that makes a noise inside the apartment.
As I'm walking up I discover this guy trying to get into the security door. I ask if I canhelp him, and he's clearly tanked. He asks if I know somebody, and I say that name doesn't sound familiar. I then scoot in in a way that keeps him out, and he starts making racist remarks at me because of my t-shirt. when i get upstairs my neighbor says he was hitting everyone's button. so i called the cops.
then, just last week, i was at the laudromat. typically, i'd go to the laundromat in oaklyn. it's nicer and there is always an attendent to make change for you. however, the oaklyn laundromat closes at 10:00, and it was late. So I went to the laundromat on Collings Ave next to Sorrento's Pizza. That place is a bit more of a dump and there is never an attendant. The only time I've ever met anyone connected with the place was when I was making change and a guy quized me to make sure i was going to use it all at the laudromat.
there were five other people in there. a white guy and his 12 year old kid, an asian guy, a black guy, and guy sitting on a bench not doing any laundry. nobody was talking - everyone was just doing laundry - except for the dad and the kid. the dad was helping the kid with his homework, talking out the difference between mitosis and meiosis, and the evolutionary advantages of sexual and asexual reporduction. i thought the way he was explaining it was on point, and when he stopped i told him so. for whatever reason, the broke the silence and everyone started talking - especially the guy on the bench. that's when i realized - he was the dude who was trying to get into the security door.
we all got to learn his sob story. he's homeless, and can't find a job. he just can't ditch the bottle for the life of him.
then the asian guy lost his money to a machine. we all tried to find a number for him to call, to no avail. that's when i said they need to have an attendent there, or something. then the homeless guy said, i'd love to be an attendent here. and then, for whatever reason, we started brainstorming to try to figure out how this guy could become the attendent. a win win win. laundromat owner gets a cheap attendent, the homeless guy gets a job, and people who lose their money in a machine get their money back. i suggested that he advertize his services to the owner by posting something on the billboard. but the guy was all excuses, and said, but i've got a record
so i said, so waht? its not like they're going to do a background check on you. just say you don't have one.
then he said, it's for sexual assaut
and then everyone stopped talking to each other. it was like, ok - - - - - fun times over. lets just go back to doing our laundry and get the hell out of there.
but the dude wouldn't shut up. nobody was talking to him. but he just kept going on and on about his miserable life. he told us the sexual assault wasn't his fault. he said everyone just walked in the room and the wrong time. the only reason he was pulling down his pants was because . . . .
and thats when everyone said enough! shut up! nobody wants to hear anymore! the dad and his kid got out fast. then the black dude left - and as the guy got into his car, the homeless guy says, you ever notice niggers always drive nice cars? they're dealing drugs.
then he started talking about asians and jews, to the asian guy, who was trying to ignore it as best he could. his observation was that the chinese and jews were both greedy people, but that chinese people work harder and stick together - even if they smell bad.
then he started talking about how easy it would be to steal the money out of the washing machines, and how the first thing he'd do is buy a 12 pack - and we were all supposed to laugh along with him at that one. then he told us how easy it would be to rob the drug store accross the street.
needless to say, i was geting my laundry out of the machie as fast as i could. the black guy came back so i didn't feel so bad about leaving the asian guy alone, and i got the fuck out. but as i was moving my laudry, the guy jumped up and tried to help me carry it to me car. no thanks, pal.
and i got the hell out, clothes half wet.
As I'm walking up I discover this guy trying to get into the security door. I ask if I canhelp him, and he's clearly tanked. He asks if I know somebody, and I say that name doesn't sound familiar. I then scoot in in a way that keeps him out, and he starts making racist remarks at me because of my t-shirt. when i get upstairs my neighbor says he was hitting everyone's button. so i called the cops.
then, just last week, i was at the laudromat. typically, i'd go to the laundromat in oaklyn. it's nicer and there is always an attendent to make change for you. however, the oaklyn laundromat closes at 10:00, and it was late. So I went to the laundromat on Collings Ave next to Sorrento's Pizza. That place is a bit more of a dump and there is never an attendant. The only time I've ever met anyone connected with the place was when I was making change and a guy quized me to make sure i was going to use it all at the laudromat.
there were five other people in there. a white guy and his 12 year old kid, an asian guy, a black guy, and guy sitting on a bench not doing any laundry. nobody was talking - everyone was just doing laundry - except for the dad and the kid. the dad was helping the kid with his homework, talking out the difference between mitosis and meiosis, and the evolutionary advantages of sexual and asexual reporduction. i thought the way he was explaining it was on point, and when he stopped i told him so. for whatever reason, the broke the silence and everyone started talking - especially the guy on the bench. that's when i realized - he was the dude who was trying to get into the security door.
we all got to learn his sob story. he's homeless, and can't find a job. he just can't ditch the bottle for the life of him.
then the asian guy lost his money to a machine. we all tried to find a number for him to call, to no avail. that's when i said they need to have an attendent there, or something. then the homeless guy said, i'd love to be an attendent here. and then, for whatever reason, we started brainstorming to try to figure out how this guy could become the attendent. a win win win. laundromat owner gets a cheap attendent, the homeless guy gets a job, and people who lose their money in a machine get their money back. i suggested that he advertize his services to the owner by posting something on the billboard. but the guy was all excuses, and said, but i've got a record
so i said, so waht? its not like they're going to do a background check on you. just say you don't have one.
then he said, it's for sexual assaut
and then everyone stopped talking to each other. it was like, ok - - - - - fun times over. lets just go back to doing our laundry and get the hell out of there.
but the dude wouldn't shut up. nobody was talking to him. but he just kept going on and on about his miserable life. he told us the sexual assault wasn't his fault. he said everyone just walked in the room and the wrong time. the only reason he was pulling down his pants was because . . . .
and thats when everyone said enough! shut up! nobody wants to hear anymore! the dad and his kid got out fast. then the black dude left - and as the guy got into his car, the homeless guy says, you ever notice niggers always drive nice cars? they're dealing drugs.
then he started talking about asians and jews, to the asian guy, who was trying to ignore it as best he could. his observation was that the chinese and jews were both greedy people, but that chinese people work harder and stick together - even if they smell bad.
then he started talking about how easy it would be to steal the money out of the washing machines, and how the first thing he'd do is buy a 12 pack - and we were all supposed to laugh along with him at that one. then he told us how easy it would be to rob the drug store accross the street.
needless to say, i was geting my laundry out of the machie as fast as i could. the black guy came back so i didn't feel so bad about leaving the asian guy alone, and i got the fuck out. but as i was moving my laudry, the guy jumped up and tried to help me carry it to me car. no thanks, pal.
and i got the hell out, clothes half wet.
Friday, November 21, 2008
NOFX's Mattersville
What a lame song. So when people who get rich off of a punk rock gimmick get old, they retire to a place where they can live in a retirement village caters to their nostalgia and desire for leisure. What's punk rock about that?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Spin so stupid its retarded
This is possibly the most stupid thing I've heard in weeks. I was listening to NPR Marketplace Morning Report, and they had some guy from the American Enterprise Institute who served as an economic advisor for John McCain. He said: It's a good thing that America's fiscal policy was bad because it gives us something to fix in response to the financial crisis. Hmmmmmm . . . . . Conservatives wreck the ecoonomy, and now they want us thank them for it?
By that logic -
It's a good thing the operating room was a mess - it gave the doctors something to do while the patient died of a heart attack.
I am so glad those morons will be out of power in less than three months.
By that logic -
It's a good thing the operating room was a mess - it gave the doctors something to do while the patient died of a heart attack.
I am so glad those morons will be out of power in less than three months.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Big Three Bailout: An Alternative Solution
I'm not for the bailout, per se. I agree with Greg Saunders when he says:
"The auto industry has been outsourcing American jobs for 25 years now with little regard for the devastated communities they’ve left in their wake (seriously, re-watch Roger & Me sometime). The big three have also used their lobbying might to oppose every environmental regulation in their sights. And on top of all of that, their cars suck. Bailing out the auto companies whose single-minded devotion to SUV’s made them blind to the hybrid revolution is like bailing out a record company that hasn’t had a hit since “The Macarena”. Screw them." http://thismodernworld.com/4581
But Atrios also has a couple good (but borrowed) points. First, he observes that the Republican opposition to the bailout only solidifies the gains Obama made in rust belt swing states like Ohio and Michigan. Second, he notes that:
"How about we take healthcare off their books? . . . Instead of writing a big check to the auto companies or loaning them money we could, you know, enroll all their employees in the new national health insurance system." http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_11_16_archive.html#6574405605070297976
What an idea! Conservatives love to blame auto industry woes on the Unions' insistence on solid health care and a dignified retirement. Japanese automakers don't have to pay for such things - Japan already provides its citizens with health care and a guarantee of a decent retirement. Thus, Japanese automakers are at a competitive disadvantage to U.S. automakers out the gate. This is why I argue that healthcare is more than a mere commodity - it also a human right and KEY PART OF A SOCIETY'S ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE. Our refusal to see past terms like "socialism" puts us at a competitive disdavantage against every modern nation in the world because the cost of hiring a skilled employee necessarily involves offering him/her some type of healthcare as part of their employment.
"The auto industry has been outsourcing American jobs for 25 years now with little regard for the devastated communities they’ve left in their wake (seriously, re-watch Roger & Me sometime). The big three have also used their lobbying might to oppose every environmental regulation in their sights. And on top of all of that, their cars suck. Bailing out the auto companies whose single-minded devotion to SUV’s made them blind to the hybrid revolution is like bailing out a record company that hasn’t had a hit since “The Macarena”. Screw them." http://thismodernworld.com/4581
But Atrios also has a couple good (but borrowed) points. First, he observes that the Republican opposition to the bailout only solidifies the gains Obama made in rust belt swing states like Ohio and Michigan. Second, he notes that:
"How about we take healthcare off their books? . . . Instead of writing a big check to the auto companies or loaning them money we could, you know, enroll all their employees in the new national health insurance system." http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_11_16_archive.html#6574405605070297976
What an idea! Conservatives love to blame auto industry woes on the Unions' insistence on solid health care and a dignified retirement. Japanese automakers don't have to pay for such things - Japan already provides its citizens with health care and a guarantee of a decent retirement. Thus, Japanese automakers are at a competitive disadvantage to U.S. automakers out the gate. This is why I argue that healthcare is more than a mere commodity - it also a human right and KEY PART OF A SOCIETY'S ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE. Our refusal to see past terms like "socialism" puts us at a competitive disdavantage against every modern nation in the world because the cost of hiring a skilled employee necessarily involves offering him/her some type of healthcare as part of their employment.
Vinyl Listening Party: Rancid's Let's Go
For along time, I've been wanting to get some friends over for a vinyl close listening party. The theory is that a vinyl record, when the source was recorded and mastered in analogue, carries more of the warmth of the session performance than a cd. thus, while a cd (or a lossless digital format like flac) is superior to an lp in the long run because it doesn't degrade with each play, a better experience can be had with an unplayed vinyl (depending, of course, on your equipment and how the music was recorded, mastered, and mixed).
I have some pretty good equipment. Nothing really fancy, but a nice set up of various cheap shit that I can connect my dj grade turntable to (a stanton direct drive straight arm). So all I needed was the record (I have a solid 80s metal collection, but all the records are well worn).
That problem was solved at a recent Rancid show at the Electric Factory. During an opening act, Jim DiRaddo and I got chummy with the merch dude, and before we left he hooked us up with four brand new picture disc vinyls: rancid (the first self titled album), lets go, life won't wait, and rancid (the second self titled album).
On Saturday, I set up my rig, invited Jim - a big Rancid fan - and my friend Aaron - a rock music encyclopaedist. The purpose was to get a load on, give the "Lets Go" a close listen, and discuss. In my mind, I wanted for all three of us to really focus on the album - but it was hard to do. People, especially drinking people, have a tendency to chit chat - and I more than goa load on ( i got tanked).
That said, it wasn't a failure by any means.
Before I started, I thought of Lets Go as comparable in quality to Out Come the Wolves. I compared the two albums to Slayer's South of Heaven and Seasons in the Abyss - two albums that are arguably career high points, with nothing more than listener prference to distiguish between the quality of the two.
I now stand corrected. A btter comparison, if one need be made would be to Slayer's Hell Awaits and Reign in Blood, Metallica's Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, or more appropriately NOFX's White Trash and Punk in Drublic. In each of those circumstances, the earlier release contains undeniable gems and showcases the band's potential for the masterpiece that followed. Yet, in each of those cases, the earlier release had deep flaws.
Lets Go is a flawed album. Nihilism is a great song, but insufficient for the opening track. The single - Salvation - is the dullest song on the album. The title track has better parts than its whole. The second side is a hodge podge collection of songs that arn't unified in feel the way the first side is.
Nevertheless, high energy is pervasive throughout - only disrupted, if at all, for Salvation. The album lacks the slinky ska jams that makes Wolves a more rounded listen, but it is a mosh pit lovers dream.
The highlight of the album is Radio. Radio tells the story of a kid who uses music to escape life's unbearable hardships. The listener gets a glimpse into the narator's broken family during the verse, and a segue transitions the listener along with the narator into the world of music. The chorus is anthemic, and conveys the spirit of the type of punk show Rancid performs.
The star of the album is the bassist - except when he's singing. Throughout, the bass conveys the instrumental melody (largely abandoned by the guitars) with near metal virtuosity, without ever losing any punk rock grit.
In conclusion - Lets Go is a worthy album for anyone who wants to listen to early 90s punk without listening to another NOFX/ Bad Religion clone. It is not an immature album, but it has its low points. The casual fan who enjoyed the faster material on Wolves will find a number of solid songs of comparable merit on the first side, and some pieces of interest on the second.
I have some pretty good equipment. Nothing really fancy, but a nice set up of various cheap shit that I can connect my dj grade turntable to (a stanton direct drive straight arm). So all I needed was the record (I have a solid 80s metal collection, but all the records are well worn).
That problem was solved at a recent Rancid show at the Electric Factory. During an opening act, Jim DiRaddo and I got chummy with the merch dude, and before we left he hooked us up with four brand new picture disc vinyls: rancid (the first self titled album), lets go, life won't wait, and rancid (the second self titled album).
On Saturday, I set up my rig, invited Jim - a big Rancid fan - and my friend Aaron - a rock music encyclopaedist. The purpose was to get a load on, give the "Lets Go" a close listen, and discuss. In my mind, I wanted for all three of us to really focus on the album - but it was hard to do. People, especially drinking people, have a tendency to chit chat - and I more than goa load on ( i got tanked).
That said, it wasn't a failure by any means.
Before I started, I thought of Lets Go as comparable in quality to Out Come the Wolves. I compared the two albums to Slayer's South of Heaven and Seasons in the Abyss - two albums that are arguably career high points, with nothing more than listener prference to distiguish between the quality of the two.
I now stand corrected. A btter comparison, if one need be made would be to Slayer's Hell Awaits and Reign in Blood, Metallica's Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, or more appropriately NOFX's White Trash and Punk in Drublic. In each of those circumstances, the earlier release contains undeniable gems and showcases the band's potential for the masterpiece that followed. Yet, in each of those cases, the earlier release had deep flaws.
Lets Go is a flawed album. Nihilism is a great song, but insufficient for the opening track. The single - Salvation - is the dullest song on the album. The title track has better parts than its whole. The second side is a hodge podge collection of songs that arn't unified in feel the way the first side is.
Nevertheless, high energy is pervasive throughout - only disrupted, if at all, for Salvation. The album lacks the slinky ska jams that makes Wolves a more rounded listen, but it is a mosh pit lovers dream.
The highlight of the album is Radio. Radio tells the story of a kid who uses music to escape life's unbearable hardships. The listener gets a glimpse into the narator's broken family during the verse, and a segue transitions the listener along with the narator into the world of music. The chorus is anthemic, and conveys the spirit of the type of punk show Rancid performs.
The star of the album is the bassist - except when he's singing. Throughout, the bass conveys the instrumental melody (largely abandoned by the guitars) with near metal virtuosity, without ever losing any punk rock grit.
In conclusion - Lets Go is a worthy album for anyone who wants to listen to early 90s punk without listening to another NOFX/ Bad Religion clone. It is not an immature album, but it has its low points. The casual fan who enjoyed the faster material on Wolves will find a number of solid songs of comparable merit on the first side, and some pieces of interest on the second.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
From socialist to conservative in less than two weeks
Barrack Obama of course! Yesterday, when conservatives were trying to scare us all into voting for a cranky old man and an inept beauty queen, they tried their damnedest to convince us Obama was a socialist. Today, with Obama's commanding win, they tell us he is a conservative in an attempt to convince us his election is no mandate on ending the war or providing Americans with better healthcare.
Lying windbags.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/768820.html
Lying windbags.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/768820.html
Are you sure it was a feminist and not a chauvinist?
I've never heard a feminist say that a woman with children needs to stay home. On the other hand, I hear plenty of social conservatives say that sort of thing all the time . . . particularly when they're talking about faceless women that don't really exist, and not the mexican woman they underpay to clean their house.
the quote:
But a friend (who doesn't always vote Republican) called with an interesting and different perspective on the Palin imbroglio. Not this one. And not the one about her clothes. But the original question as to whether a mother of five should even consider the vice presidency. "There were all these feminists saying 'A woman with children needs to stay at home,' " she noted with wonderment. But what about Todd?
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/13/todd-palin-dissed-too/
the quote:
But a friend (who doesn't always vote Republican) called with an interesting and different perspective on the Palin imbroglio. Not this one. And not the one about her clothes. But the original question as to whether a mother of five should even consider the vice presidency. "There were all these feminists saying 'A woman with children needs to stay at home,' " she noted with wonderment. But what about Todd?
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/13/todd-palin-dissed-too/
Mic City Sons by Heatmiser: recomended
Its the perfect intersection between early 90s mainstream grunge and Portland indie. Having Elliot Smith and Sam Coombs rocking together don't hurt either.
heres to jay steinhower
after talking it up with you, i had yeungling in your name.
here's to the next time your in town!
a metal head that will keep you laughing and thinking about life. that's jay.
here'
a metal
In other words, Bush is mad Obama refused a backroom deal
Obama leaks that Bush opposed a bail out of the auto industry - a policy I don't personally support, particilarly if it is not accompanied with majorconcessions and oversight. Bush is then forced to clarify that he tried to use aid to the auto industry as a bargaining chip to passage of another raw deal trade agreement with Columbia. Now Bush is steamed because Obama broke a tradition of keeping the contents of transitional meetings secret.
boo hoo
boo hoo
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
American healthcare: an example of free market success
- - - - -NOT! - - - - - - - -
The Smiths, who raised six children together, consistently had employer-sponsored health insurance. Like the Krinskys, however, they began to notice a drift upwards in the cost of premiums as well as higher co-pays and higher deductibles in the 1990s.
"While we were both well, we could absorb that creep," said Donna, formerly a newspaper editor and now a community organizer for the California Nurses Association and the National Nurses Organizing Committee in Chicago.
But then the medical crises set in: Larry was diagnosed with serious artery disease, Donna with uterine cancer.
"Our debt was accelerating, but it wasn't just accelerating in medical debt," Donna said. "What you do is you hang on, you borrow from another place and pay the doctor. It's a balancing act all the time." The Smiths took payday loans, Donna pawned her engagement ring, and they even crawled to relatives.
"I can't tell you how humiliating it is," Donna said. "By the time you've gone through that kind of trauma, you've tapped out the good will of family and friends. You call them, and their tone of voice changes. You've damaged personal relationships. People are less excited about seeing you."
By 2004, their health insurance policy had a maximum out-of-pocket exposure of $9,000, and they were sued by a dermatologist for an unpaid bill. The amount? A mere $600.
Donna's wages were garnished, and the couple were forced to declared bankruptcy and sold their house for pennies on the dollar, all while they were technically fully insured.
The couple first moved in with a daughter living in Colorado and are now renting in Chicago.
"I don't know if we have enough working years left to buy a house," Donna said. "That's pretty heavy punishment for having gotten sick."
spreading the wealth a bad thing?
Atrios points out:
It takes a long time to build up words and phrases which have commonly understood meanings and appropriate negative connotations. You can't just make them up 2 weeks before an election. Most voters are going to hear "wealth spreader" and think... sounds good to me! Spread some all over me, please.It takes a long time to build up words and phrases which have commonly understood meanings and appropriate negative connotations. You can't just make them up 2 weeks before an election. Most voters are going to hear "wealth spreader" and think... sounds good to me! Spread some all over me, please.
I think the words deserve a little bit more context, ad the American people deserve a little bit more credit. Phrases such as "spreading the wealth" mean more than the sum of their words because of the right wing's fetish with opposing all things socialist. When the threat of "socialism" was external (during the cold war), this fetish could be turned into a litmus test for patriotism. With the fall of the soviet union, socialism is just another idea. Some of us think its bad, some of us think its tyranny, some of us think its short term pandering and counter revolutionary, and some of us cling to the fetish that an idea can be un-american. But I think a lot of us see that other countries have had some success with raising their citizens' standard of living by mixing some "socialist" policies into their largely market economies. I think that most Americans reject the notion that an idea must be bad just because some right wing hack calls it "socialism."
At this point, the best argument against "socialism" is that its been tried and failed. But that's an old argument. Supply side economics has also failed to ensure that all Americans benefit from our nations vast wealth. What has tax breaks and privitization done for the overworked person with two jobs who still has to declare bankruptcy over medical bills? I think most people see that its not that way in Canada or England, and whatever those systems' faults are, affordibility isn't one of them. And if making our system a little bit more like theirs is "socialism" in the mind's eye of a right wing talk show host, so be it.
Think of it like this. If you are a blue based rock musician, you still should know your classical modes - injecting a classical line into a rock song doesn't make your song a "classical" song. It doesn't even make it classically inspired. But sometimes, it's just what your song needs. So why rule it out?
http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_10_26_archive.html#2593164586740531465
It takes a long time to build up words and phrases which have commonly understood meanings and appropriate negative connotations. You can't just make them up 2 weeks before an election. Most voters are going to hear "wealth spreader" and think... sounds good to me! Spread some all over me, please.It takes a long time to build up words and phrases which have commonly understood meanings and appropriate negative connotations. You can't just make them up 2 weeks before an election. Most voters are going to hear "wealth spreader" and think... sounds good to me! Spread some all over me, please.
I think the words deserve a little bit more context, ad the American people deserve a little bit more credit. Phrases such as "spreading the wealth" mean more than the sum of their words because of the right wing's fetish with opposing all things socialist. When the threat of "socialism" was external (during the cold war), this fetish could be turned into a litmus test for patriotism. With the fall of the soviet union, socialism is just another idea. Some of us think its bad, some of us think its tyranny, some of us think its short term pandering and counter revolutionary, and some of us cling to the fetish that an idea can be un-american. But I think a lot of us see that other countries have had some success with raising their citizens' standard of living by mixing some "socialist" policies into their largely market economies. I think that most Americans reject the notion that an idea must be bad just because some right wing hack calls it "socialism."
At this point, the best argument against "socialism" is that its been tried and failed. But that's an old argument. Supply side economics has also failed to ensure that all Americans benefit from our nations vast wealth. What has tax breaks and privitization done for the overworked person with two jobs who still has to declare bankruptcy over medical bills? I think most people see that its not that way in Canada or England, and whatever those systems' faults are, affordibility isn't one of them. And if making our system a little bit more like theirs is "socialism" in the mind's eye of a right wing talk show host, so be it.
Think of it like this. If you are a blue based rock musician, you still should know your classical modes - injecting a classical line into a rock song doesn't make your song a "classical" song. It doesn't even make it classically inspired. But sometimes, it's just what your song needs. So why rule it out?
http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_10_26_archive.html#2593164586740531465
baseball fans: is there any precedent for last night?
I'm not a baseball fan, but I did see much of last night's game in three bars (and experienced the cold miserable rain on the walks in between). What I understand is that (1) in the inning they were in, they could have called the game official prior to TB scoring a tying run, but (2) ending the game like that would be a controversial and unceremonious way to end the world series. If they would have called the game at the tie - instead of delaying it - they risked controversy because it would deprive Philadelphia of its opportunity to win the world series at home. But now it seems like the world series will be decided in a mini-game in which the Phillies get first and last bats.
I think the more fair route would have been to announce the inning they were would be the last of the game, and if the Phillies scored, they'd win the world series. If not, back to Florida.
I think the more fair route would have been to announce the inning they were would be the last of the game, and if the Phillies scored, they'd win the world series. If not, back to Florida.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Nick and Nora stunk
Just a word of warning - Nick and Nora's play list was lame. Although its a teen movie aimed at an audience with low expectations, I was kind of excited because it professed to be a movie about good music. The music was good - but unlike other soundtrack centric movies - Nick and Nora felt like an advertisement. The songs felt more like product placement.
The characters were all stereo types, and in some cases offensive ones: when the male lead's gay friends doll up the female lead, not only do we have a reinforcement of gay stereotypes, but a very offensive message about a woman's value being tied to her appearance (they don't doll up the dude, they fix his car).
one theme in the movie is the lead characters severing their ties to the elements of their lives that hold them down. they both have abusive exes they have to get around or over, but the interesting part is the friends. Nora has to cut the chord with her childhood best friend, being that she's become a burden, and her other friend is too manipulative to be trusted. Nick's band mates, on the other hand, are supportive and the heroes of the movie. Male companionship is good, female companionship is bad.
There is a finger fuck scene with extremely vivid audio, but i thought it gratuitous.
not the worst movie i've ever seen, but not worth seeing in the theater.
The best part of the movie: the white rapper with the asian break dancer. totally dublo.
The characters were all stereo types, and in some cases offensive ones: when the male lead's gay friends doll up the female lead, not only do we have a reinforcement of gay stereotypes, but a very offensive message about a woman's value being tied to her appearance (they don't doll up the dude, they fix his car).
one theme in the movie is the lead characters severing their ties to the elements of their lives that hold them down. they both have abusive exes they have to get around or over, but the interesting part is the friends. Nora has to cut the chord with her childhood best friend, being that she's become a burden, and her other friend is too manipulative to be trusted. Nick's band mates, on the other hand, are supportive and the heroes of the movie. Male companionship is good, female companionship is bad.
There is a finger fuck scene with extremely vivid audio, but i thought it gratuitous.
not the worst movie i've ever seen, but not worth seeing in the theater.
The best part of the movie: the white rapper with the asian break dancer. totally dublo.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Palin: abortion clinic bombing not terrorism
I guess Palin defines terrorism as politically motivated violence against civilian targets - to the extent that she disagrees with the politics behind it.
exciting: working for obama on election night as a lawyer
I attended the first meeting last night, so its official: i'm on the obama voter defense team.
it's very exciting. i worked the nader campaign back when gore was running. being a partisan in a presidential election is an unforgettable experience. once in a while i'll bump into somebody from the nader campaign. anyone who worked it had a blast and has a lot of fond memories of the race.
obama is a whole different story. theres a good chance he's going to win. and while i don't agree with everything he stands for, i think he is going to make a great president.
(you can read some of my posts at westival. blogspot. com to see why). if he lives up to his enormous potential, and given the implicit historical nature of our first black president, i think this guy is going to end up on coins or stamps, and have things named after him. Working for Obama is going to be like working for JFK - I'll be on the right side of history.
I was going to just do the whole get out the vote thing - but this is so much better. Taking on Republican shenanigans, arguing before the Court on short notice, and for something truly noble: securing citizens' right to vote.
What an opportunity!
it's very exciting. i worked the nader campaign back when gore was running. being a partisan in a presidential election is an unforgettable experience. once in a while i'll bump into somebody from the nader campaign. anyone who worked it had a blast and has a lot of fond memories of the race.
obama is a whole different story. theres a good chance he's going to win. and while i don't agree with everything he stands for, i think he is going to make a great president.
(you can read some of my posts at westival. blogspot. com to see why). if he lives up to his enormous potential, and given the implicit historical nature of our first black president, i think this guy is going to end up on coins or stamps, and have things named after him. Working for Obama is going to be like working for JFK - I'll be on the right side of history.
I was going to just do the whole get out the vote thing - but this is so much better. Taking on Republican shenanigans, arguing before the Court on short notice, and for something truly noble: securing citizens' right to vote.
What an opportunity!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Reckless high stakes gambles
Something I've been arguing is that we can make a prediction on what a McCain presidency would look like by looking at the way he's run his campaign. What I've sen in this campaign is a series of reckless high stakes gambles with big potential rewards - but all of which ultimately flopped. Sarah Palin, suspending the campaign, etc.
Tom Tomorow points out something I hadn't thought of: McCain decision to make a celebrity out of "Joe" the "Plumber" is another example of McCain failing to vet somebody putting them into a prominent position. Turns out, Joe's name isn't Joe, he isn't a plumber, he lied about planning on purchasing a 250k earning business (he barely makes 40,000), he would get a tax cut under obama, and - to top it off - he's an attention addicted nut job.
Michelle Malkin has cried fowl - why pry into this private citizen's life? What a hypocrite! Malkin stalked a little kid to try to prove they weren't sick when their story was cited as a reason for passing SCHIP. Nevertheless, "Joe" the "Plumber" has traveled to NY to be on Fox and made an appearance on Hannity's radio show - and thats just what I've observed. Conservatives have no problem giving him the limelight when he is an everyman who back republicans. But when the truth is revealed that he is a kook - the media has gone too far!
Regardless, Joe proves one thing - McCain doesn't do his homework on people. He didn't do it with Palin. He didn't do it with Joe. What do you think he's going to do with his cabinet? I'll say it again: we can make a prediction on what a McCain presidency would look like by looking at the way he's run his campaign.
http://thismodernworld.com/4515
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/malkin-then-and.html
Tom Tomorow points out something I hadn't thought of: McCain decision to make a celebrity out of "Joe" the "Plumber" is another example of McCain failing to vet somebody putting them into a prominent position. Turns out, Joe's name isn't Joe, he isn't a plumber, he lied about planning on purchasing a 250k earning business (he barely makes 40,000), he would get a tax cut under obama, and - to top it off - he's an attention addicted nut job.
Michelle Malkin has cried fowl - why pry into this private citizen's life? What a hypocrite! Malkin stalked a little kid to try to prove they weren't sick when their story was cited as a reason for passing SCHIP. Nevertheless, "Joe" the "Plumber" has traveled to NY to be on Fox and made an appearance on Hannity's radio show - and thats just what I've observed. Conservatives have no problem giving him the limelight when he is an everyman who back republicans. But when the truth is revealed that he is a kook - the media has gone too far!
Regardless, Joe proves one thing - McCain doesn't do his homework on people. He didn't do it with Palin. He didn't do it with Joe. What do you think he's going to do with his cabinet? I'll say it again: we can make a prediction on what a McCain presidency would look like by looking at the way he's run his campaign.
http://thismodernworld.com/4515
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/malkin-then-and.html
Monday, October 20, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
sayreville sucks
or - better stated - central jersey is a horrible place to see a punk band. i hate the e-center ("the money funnel"), so i ditched it in favor of englishtown twice. what a mistake. the food choices are better, and the bleachers are a great place to chill - but the central jersey crowd is a bunch of emo bitches. no fun to see a band with.
so last night i saw nofx. the troc sold out before i got tickets, so i bought tickets for the starland ballroom in sayreville. what a lame punk scene. chuckleheads and bimbos galore. it was an assortment of people dudes that acted like douchebags in gym class and chicks that acted like skanks after school - except i grew up and they didn't. attitudes and bullying all night.
i want to see a band in new york. i think it might be like an amped up version of the philly scene. jersey - thats no scene - thats a bunch of losers.
so last night i saw nofx. the troc sold out before i got tickets, so i bought tickets for the starland ballroom in sayreville. what a lame punk scene. chuckleheads and bimbos galore. it was an assortment of people dudes that acted like douchebags in gym class and chicks that acted like skanks after school - except i grew up and they didn't. attitudes and bullying all night.
i want to see a band in new york. i think it might be like an amped up version of the philly scene. jersey - thats no scene - thats a bunch of losers.
It isn't free speech when you have to change your shirt to vote
"The [Virginia] State Board of Elections yesterday voted 2-1 to ban clothing, hats, buttons or other paraphernalia that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or issue inside polling places.
The board said its action strikes a balance between the First Amendment right to free speech and the right of people to cast secret ballots in a safe, orderly way free of undue influence or harassment."
So, lets get this straight: I have a First Amendment right to walk around election day with an Obama shirt on, and I have the right to vote - but if I want to do both I have to get changed? And how exactly are expression rights balanced here? It sounds to me like they just got outweighed . . . . . Sue the bastards.
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=20706
The board said its action strikes a balance between the First Amendment right to free speech and the right of people to cast secret ballots in a safe, orderly way free of undue influence or harassment."
So, lets get this straight: I have a First Amendment right to walk around election day with an Obama shirt on, and I have the right to vote - but if I want to do both I have to get changed? And how exactly are expression rights balanced here? It sounds to me like they just got outweighed . . . . . Sue the bastards.
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=20706
Expression as ugly
I get tired of municipalities, home owners associations, and land lords poo pooing signs because they detract from the appearance of the neighborhood. You know what's ugly: middle class conformity. You what's uglier? Tyranny of the majority.
If it were up to me, everyone's house would be their bill board for their feelings and ideas on issues large and small.
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=20707
If it were up to me, everyone's house would be their bill board for their feelings and ideas on issues large and small.
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=20707
Drug war: proven waste of time and money
"A federally funded anti-drug media campaign during the first half of the decade did little to curb teen marijuana use, and may have increased it, researchers here found . . .
During the study period, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign -- supervised by the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy -- spent nearly $1 billion on advertising, with the stated goal of preventing kids from trying drugs and getting occasional drug users to stop.
In a surprising finding, the researchers said, exposure to anti-drug advertising during the third round of interviews was associated with the initiation of marijuana use in round four"
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/PublicHealth/11368
During the study period, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign -- supervised by the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy -- spent nearly $1 billion on advertising, with the stated goal of preventing kids from trying drugs and getting occasional drug users to stop.
In a surprising finding, the researchers said, exposure to anti-drug advertising during the third round of interviews was associated with the initiation of marijuana use in round four"
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/PublicHealth/11368
Up yours, New Jersey
breaking news: poll finds New Jersey residents unhappy with their government. No shit sherlock. I can't afford to but a home in Camden County because the taxes are so high - even in areas where the property values are modest (eg Pinehill) - and all I ever see towns like that doing is using their police to collect traffic fines.
they were going to shut down the state parks because of a budget crisis last may, but now they're giving corporations a tax cut.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081015/NEWS01/810150355
they were going to shut down the state parks because of a budget crisis last may, but now they're giving corporations a tax cut.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081015/NEWS01/810150355
support our nurses
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS01/810160383
Oh really, Buchanan? Here's a dirty little secret . . .
Pat Buchanan: "America may desperately desire to close the book on the Bush presidency. Yet there is, as of now, no hard evidence it has embraced Obama, his ideology, or agenda"
Really? Every poll I've ever read indicates that the American public overwhelmingly supports key progressive policies like raising the minimum wage, providing health care for all, making corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, promoting renewable energy alternatives, and expanding voting rights. Its the dirty little secret neither the dominant political parties or the news like to talk about.
I mean, you ever notice that in the build up to the war with Iraq, no news organization ever reported a poll that said point blank: should we invade iraq? of course those polls would have shown America was against it. So the news focused on a bunch of inane if/then questions to explore under what circumstances America would favor an invasion. The decision had been made, and the establishment was searching for a rationale.
Even today - polls focus on the horse race, but not the issues. I liked when Obama was asked whether healthcare should be viewed as commodity to turn a profit on. As much as I liked his answer about pre-existing conditions, he didn't address the question - and neither candidate ever will. To do so would force them to acknowledge that they are at war with the American people on the idea that access to healthcare is ought to be universal.
Really? Every poll I've ever read indicates that the American public overwhelmingly supports key progressive policies like raising the minimum wage, providing health care for all, making corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, promoting renewable energy alternatives, and expanding voting rights. Its the dirty little secret neither the dominant political parties or the news like to talk about.
I mean, you ever notice that in the build up to the war with Iraq, no news organization ever reported a poll that said point blank: should we invade iraq? of course those polls would have shown America was against it. So the news focused on a bunch of inane if/then questions to explore under what circumstances America would favor an invasion. The decision had been made, and the establishment was searching for a rationale.
Even today - polls focus on the horse race, but not the issues. I liked when Obama was asked whether healthcare should be viewed as commodity to turn a profit on. As much as I liked his answer about pre-existing conditions, he didn't address the question - and neither candidate ever will. To do so would force them to acknowledge that they are at war with the American people on the idea that access to healthcare is ought to be universal.
I wish it were true . . . .
"McCain suggests Obama's tax policies are socialist"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_el_pr/mccain
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_el_pr/mccain
Nobel prize winning economist: McCain not the right man
"Will the next administration do what’s needed to deal with the economic slump? Not if Mr. McCain pulls off an upset."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17krugman.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17krugman.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
California: vote no on Proposition 8
"It's a rare and drastic step, invoking the constitutional-amendment process to strip people of rights. Yet in California, it can be done with a simple majority vote."
propositions against gay marriage are nothing more than ruses to drive bigots to the polls to vote republican. a backfire would be nice.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-marriage8-2008aug08,0,1229155.story
propositions against gay marriage are nothing more than ruses to drive bigots to the polls to vote republican. a backfire would be nice.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-marriage8-2008aug08,0,1229155.story
Cuba made a word class health care system out of dirt
Now they have oil. Venezuela built their "socialist" state on oil, but Cuba resisted America and became the best 3rd rank power to live in with next to nothing and in spite of a crippling trade embargo.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/18/cuban-oil
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/18/cuban-oil
Thursday, October 16, 2008
insulting teachers
McCain proposed that veterans ought to bypass testing and licensing requirements to become a teacher. Why stop there? Why not let vets bypass the boards to become surgeons? Why not let vets bypass the bar exam to become lawyers?
Perhaps John McCain sees teachers as a lower class of professional. After all, they're only responsible for the education of the future generation . . .
Perhaps John McCain sees teachers as a lower class of professional. After all, they're only responsible for the education of the future generation . . .
fuck pundits
as my mom's friend carol said: why do i need somebody to tell me what i just saw with my own eyes.
A transcript of the assholiness
OBAMA: We can find some common ground, because nobody's pro-abortion. I think it's always a tragic situation. We should try to reduce these circumstances.
SCHIEFFER: Let's give Sen. McCain a short response...
McCAIN: Just again...
SCHIEFFER: ... and then...
McCAIN: Just again, the example of the eloquence of Sen. Obama. He's "health for the mother." You know, that's been stretched by the pro-abortion movement in America to mean almost anything. That's the extreme pro-abortion position, quote, "health."
McCain: No respect for women's health
Even the most ardent pro lifers I know think abortion ought to be an option when carrying to term poses a threat to the health of the woman. Not John McCain . . . He thinks its a back door so women can get abortions for any reason they want. For fun perhaps! What an asshole.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thank you Flyers fans
She got booed
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20081012_Palin_hears_plenty_of_boos.html
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20081012_Palin_hears_plenty_of_boos.html
I was wrong and I should have known better
Before the weekend, I argued that the Connecticut gay marriage decision was a good one in principal, its timing was bad because of its proximity to the national elections. However, the same thing happened two years ago when New Jersey's decision came out, and the only people who cared were the chatterers on cable tv. Today's economic crisis is too big to be overshadow by this type of issue. So congratulations Connecticut - you have joined the modern world.
State GOP's sales tax holiday a good idea
Whatever impact it has on revenue, sales taxes are regressive. They tax a greater portion of a poor person's income than a rich person's. The holidays are a great time for it too. Unless targeted at and specifically utilized to remedy economic bads (eg taxing cigarettes to pay for programs to help people quit), any reduction or suspension of a sales tax is a good thing.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081014/NEWS01/81014005
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081014/NEWS01/81014005
Friday, October 10, 2008
why today?
New Jersey released it's gay marriage decision right before the big Congressional races two years ago, and now Connecticut does the same. As a proponent of equal rights for everyone i'm happy. but the timing - the decision has been under review for more than a year, and now with less than a month until the presidential election the Connecticut Supreme Court issues a decision to galvanize McCain's base. Why?
http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_10687555
http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_10687555
Thursday, October 9, 2008
bitter bill clinton
New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, a longtime Clinton supporter, was on NPR this morning talking about the fallout of his decision to endorse Obama during the primaries. Richardson says that he has re-established a relationship with Hillary, but that he and Bill are still not on speaking terms over it.
Talk about petty . . . . . . . .
Talk about petty . . . . . . . .
Is there any way we can make sure she gets booed?
McCain supporter Ed Snyder has injected politics into hockey by having Sarah Palin drop the puck at a game. It'd be nice if the stadium booed her.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081009/SPORTS/81008049
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081009/SPORTS/81008049
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
ever heard of sallie mae?
Want some proof that McCain is out of touch?
John McCain, at last nights debate (paraphrased): you may of never heard of sallie may or freddie mac until this recent crisis.
John McCain, at last nights debate (paraphrased): you may of never heard of sallie may or freddie mac until this recent crisis.
more on the debate: social security
I didn't like Obama's failure to correct the characterization of social security as an imminent failure. That's only true if Social Security is an insurance plan and not a general entitlement program. Social Security taxes are paid directly into the general fund, and payments are drawn from the same. Keeping Social Security "solvent" is no more difficult than funding any other program. If you want to make it truly self sustaining, all you have to do is raise (or eliminate) the income ceiling that allows high earners to pay social security tax on only a portion of their income.
what i liked/ didn't like about the debate
what i liked about the format: nothing
what i didn't like about the format:
1. Tom Brokaw was a tool
2. No follow up questions
3. Using the internet as a gimmick. Why not just let more people there ask questions, or let them get a followup? It's not as if the internet let someone like me ask a question. It was just another hoser like the people in the audience, except without a face.
4. boooooooooriiiiiiiiing
What I like about Obama
1. Obama's response to McCain's proposal of a spending freeze was spot on. As soon as McCain said it, I said to myself, So McCain is saying that after we spend 700 billion on tycoons, we freeze spending for schools and health programs? Obama riffed on the point: spending needs to be cut, but with a scalpel, not an ax, so that the most vulnerable don't bear the brunt of the hard times.
2. Obama's reference to his mother's battle with insurance companies while dying of cancer, and his focus of the predicament of "pre-existing conditions."
3. Obama's comeback after McCain said thank you
4. Obama's comparison of McCain's border crossing healthcare "plan" to the bording crossing credit cards do to engage in predatory lending - and oops - Joe Biden is from Delaware. Does that make Obama a maverick?
5. Obama taking the oppurtunity to tell his story again, describing his working class roots, and dispelling the elitist myth while trumpetting the American dream.
What I didn't like about Obama: His refusal to answer the woman's question about the commodification of health care. I was so glad she asked that, and I was so dissapointed with the fact that Obama avoided answering it (although I liked his answer anyway).
What I liked about John McCain: His mortgage takeover/ renegotiation proposal
What I didn't like about John McCain:
1. McCain calling Obama "Obama" instead of Barrack, Mr. Obama, or Senator Obama
2. His proposal for a spending freeze
3. "That one"
4. If you have this secret plan to catch Bin Laden - other than the focus ob Afghanistan Obama is proposing - perhaps you could let the pentagon in on it so we could get the mother fucker already? Keeping it in reserve for after election is hardly putting America first. But that's ok - I think its a lie anyway.
5. His refusal to shake Obama's hand at the end
what i didn't like about the format:
1. Tom Brokaw was a tool
2. No follow up questions
3. Using the internet as a gimmick. Why not just let more people there ask questions, or let them get a followup? It's not as if the internet let someone like me ask a question. It was just another hoser like the people in the audience, except without a face.
4. boooooooooriiiiiiiiing
What I like about Obama
1. Obama's response to McCain's proposal of a spending freeze was spot on. As soon as McCain said it, I said to myself, So McCain is saying that after we spend 700 billion on tycoons, we freeze spending for schools and health programs? Obama riffed on the point: spending needs to be cut, but with a scalpel, not an ax, so that the most vulnerable don't bear the brunt of the hard times.
2. Obama's reference to his mother's battle with insurance companies while dying of cancer, and his focus of the predicament of "pre-existing conditions."
3. Obama's comeback after McCain said thank you
4. Obama's comparison of McCain's border crossing healthcare "plan" to the bording crossing credit cards do to engage in predatory lending - and oops - Joe Biden is from Delaware. Does that make Obama a maverick?
5. Obama taking the oppurtunity to tell his story again, describing his working class roots, and dispelling the elitist myth while trumpetting the American dream.
What I didn't like about Obama: His refusal to answer the woman's question about the commodification of health care. I was so glad she asked that, and I was so dissapointed with the fact that Obama avoided answering it (although I liked his answer anyway).
What I liked about John McCain: His mortgage takeover/ renegotiation proposal
What I didn't like about John McCain:
1. McCain calling Obama "Obama" instead of Barrack, Mr. Obama, or Senator Obama
2. His proposal for a spending freeze
3. "That one"
4. If you have this secret plan to catch Bin Laden - other than the focus ob Afghanistan Obama is proposing - perhaps you could let the pentagon in on it so we could get the mother fucker already? Keeping it in reserve for after election is hardly putting America first. But that's ok - I think its a lie anyway.
5. His refusal to shake Obama's hand at the end
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
using ubuntu for evil
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2007/11/mpaa_university_toolkit_opens_1.html?nav=rss_blog
summary: the motion picture association uses an ubuntu derivative to monitor student downloading activities, with major privacy implications.
summary: the motion picture association uses an ubuntu derivative to monitor student downloading activities, with major privacy implications.
your tax dollars enjoy a day at the spa
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5973452&page=1
more at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/7/135934/790/537/622894
more at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/7/135934/790/537/622894
After Bailout, AIG Execs Head to California Resort
Rescued by Taxpayers, $440,000 for Retreat Including "Pedicures, Manicures"By BRIAN ROSS and TOM SHINE
October 7, 2008—
Less than a week after the federal government committed $85 billion to bail out AIG, executives of the giant AIG insurance company headed for a week-long retreat at a luxury resort and spa, the St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach, California, Congressional investigators revealed today.
"Rooms at this resort can cost over $1,000 a night," Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) said this morning as his committee continued its investigation of Wall Street and its CEOs.
AIG documents obtained by Waxman's investigators show the company paid more than $440,000 for the retreat, including nearly $200,000 for rooms, $150,000 for meals and $23,000 in spa charges.
sarah palin: bringing out america's worst
From: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100602935.html
Palin then went on to blame Katie Couric's questions for her "less-than-successful interview with kinda mainstream media." At that, Palin supporters turned on reporters in the press area, waving thunder sticks and shouting abuse. Others hurled obscenities at a camera crew. One Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at an African American sound man for a network and told him, "Sit down, boy."
Palin then went on to blame Katie Couric's questions for her "less-than-successful interview with kinda mainstream media." At that, Palin supporters turned on reporters in the press area, waving thunder sticks and shouting abuse. Others hurled obscenities at a camera crew. One Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at an African American sound man for a network and told him, "Sit down, boy."
Saturday, October 4, 2008
and the boss?
I've never seen a political machine beat its chest and roar the way i did today
holy cow -that was nuts. and Obama didn't even speak. i went knowing that i was voting for obama despite his flaws. i came home feeling like we're going kick the republicans to the curb for what they've done to our country.
you've got big thing going obama . . . . don't squander it.
you've got big thing going obama . . . . don't squander it.
Friday, October 3, 2008
she was like a bad movie with a stunning opening sequence
The crowd i watched the debate with are all essentially decided on how we're going to vote next month, as am i. the interest in last night's debate stemmed from palin's bad interviews. the train wreck metaphor was frequently cited. We didn't get a train wreck. And thus, she did not kill John McCain's campaign - but she certainly didn't rescue it.
Palin started strong - because we were only scoring her on ability. Once she passed the threshold, something became very clear: she wasn't answering the questions. Sure, terrorism is bad, freedom is good, and the american people deserve straight talk - but she never talked straight with us. All she offered was substance-less platitudes. Did the American people notice? Time will tell, but I think it'd be hard not to.
Palin started strong - because we were only scoring her on ability. Once she passed the threshold, something became very clear: she wasn't answering the questions. Sure, terrorism is bad, freedom is good, and the american people deserve straight talk - but she never talked straight with us. All she offered was substance-less platitudes. Did the American people notice? Time will tell, but I think it'd be hard not to.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
June: budget crisis to close nj's parks; today: tax cut for businesses discussed
simply - fucking - amazing
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS01/81002012
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS01/81002012
A good reason not to drink and drive
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS01/810020403&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
On the road, you know how many crazy accidents I've almost had? Some were my fault, and some were theirs. And that's everyone. And it would be a tragedy had any of those accidents happened. But if I were at all "drunk" by their lame definition - I could be in jail until i was 35 or 40. I've seen it happen at the Court I clerked at.
On the road, you know how many crazy accidents I've almost had? Some were my fault, and some were theirs. And that's everyone. And it would be a tragedy had any of those accidents happened. But if I were at all "drunk" by their lame definition - I could be in jail until i was 35 or 40. I've seen it happen at the Court I clerked at.
Florida: a great place to have sex with your teacher
ever notice how the bulk of the tazer horror stories come out of
Florida? check out this line up:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/orl-pg-womenoffenders113007,0,4150845.photogallery
(out of 13) 1-4, 6-8, and 11 are from florida.
Florida? check out this line up:
http://www.orlandosentinel.
(out of 13) 1-4, 6-8, and 11 are from florida.
Reverse sexism
SANFORD - A former middle school teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student in her car pleaded no contest to a reduced charge today and was sentenced to five years probation.
Jennifer Tarkenton, who has since gotten married and goes by Jennifer Nero, was arrested Nov. 30, shortly after she and the student were discovered in her Ford Focus on a deserted stretch of road near Lake Mary.
The boy told deputies that he and his teacher had just had sex. He was still wearing a condom, according to court records.
Tarkenton also admitted that they had just had sex.
She was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery.
Today, after plea negotiations, she pleaded no contest to one count of felony battery. That means she will not have a record as a sex offender.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-teacher-sex-jail-100108,0,4080309.story
Jennifer Tarkenton, who has since gotten married and goes by Jennifer Nero, was arrested Nov. 30, shortly after she and the student were discovered in her Ford Focus on a deserted stretch of road near Lake Mary.
The boy told deputies that he and his teacher had just had sex. He was still wearing a condom, according to court records.
Tarkenton also admitted that they had just had sex.
She was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery.
Today, after plea negotiations, she pleaded no contest to one count of felony battery. That means she will not have a record as a sex offender.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-teacher-sex-jail-100108,0,4080309.story
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
You ever listened to the lyrics?
I'm tired of wingnuts refraining that a left wing musician is stepping over their bounds by being a left wing musician. It happened when Roger Waters played the e-center. Apparantly he spoke about bush, and wingnuts wrote into the courier post claiming dissapointment that roger waters didn't stick to playing the songs. Check out the comments to this story about Bruce playing a benefit for Obama.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081001/NEWS01/81001016
Dude - you ever listen to their lyrics? Pink Floyd wrote whole albums about militarism and greed. the final cut calls out margaret thatcher by name. And they're LESS poltical than Springstein.
If i saw roger waters and he didn't put forth his mildly cocky oppinionated stage persona, I'd feel like i didn't get the benefit of the bargain.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081001/NEWS01/81001016
Dude - you ever listen to their lyrics? Pink Floyd wrote whole albums about militarism and greed. the final cut calls out margaret thatcher by name. And they're LESS poltical than Springstein.
If i saw roger waters and he didn't put forth his mildly cocky oppinionated stage persona, I'd feel like i didn't get the benefit of the bargain.
Self Help Name Change For Our Stadiums
The media is reporting that stadiums are going through an identity crisis because the banks with naming rights to them are changing hands so rapidly. But think about what naming rights have done to these very important public places: the Eagles used to play in a stadium named after President Kennedy, and then one dedicated to veterans, and now one named for a bank. That's pathetic.
If we were building suspension bridges today, something makes me think they wouldn't be named after poets and visionaries (walt whitman and ben franklin). We'd be taking the Commerce Bank bridge into Philly.
So I propose that we refuse to call these stadiums by their sponsor's names, and instead give them proper names. If enough people do it, the name will stick - and then we don't have to worry about mergers and take overs.
If we were building suspension bridges today, something makes me think they wouldn't be named after poets and visionaries (walt whitman and ben franklin). We'd be taking the Commerce Bank bridge into Philly.
So I propose that we refuse to call these stadiums by their sponsor's names, and instead give them proper names. If enough people do it, the name will stick - and then we don't have to worry about mergers and take overs.
What happened to fiscal responsibility?
America opposed the bailout in part because it's alot of money we don't have. The Senate's response to the bill's failure in the House: a tax cut to appease Republicans.
What happened to regulating these out of control markets?
America opposed "the bailout" in part because it failed fix the regulatory scheme that enabled the mess. The White House's response: relax accounting standards so that banks can declare a value for investments that currently have no market value.
Swaping labels
Yesterday I said we should start calling the bailout for what it is - a hand out. The bitches and hos in the Senate had a similar idea - realizing taxpayers don't like giving away free money (especially to very greedy rich people), the bailout has become the recovery plan. What a crock of shit.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Poor quality of life making us shorter, just like in N.Korea
In the debates, John McCain cited the fact that North Koreans are 2 inches shorter than South Koreans as proof of the vileness of that regime. McCain overlooked one important fact: Americans are 2 inches shorter than Europeans due to a lower standard of living, poor health care, and inadequate nutrition. According to Tara Parker of the New York Times:
"While the conditions for North Koreans are troubling, Americans have a similar height gap to worry about, and it also appears to be due to a lower standard of living, poor health care and inadequate nutrition. Last summer, the journal Social Science Quarterly reported that Americans are, quite literally, falling short of Europeans. In 1880, Americans were the tallest people in the world. But by 2000, American men, at an average height of 5-feet-10.5-inches, ranked 9th, and women, at about 5-feet-5-inches, fell to 15th. Several Northern European countries rank the highest in height, with the Dutch coming in first, at just over 6 feet for the men and 5-feet-7-inches for the women."
"While the conditions for North Koreans are troubling, Americans have a similar height gap to worry about, and it also appears to be due to a lower standard of living, poor health care and inadequate nutrition. Last summer, the journal Social Science Quarterly reported that Americans are, quite literally, falling short of Europeans. In 1880, Americans were the tallest people in the world. But by 2000, American men, at an average height of 5-feet-10.5-inches, ranked 9th, and women, at about 5-feet-5-inches, fell to 15th. Several Northern European countries rank the highest in height, with the Dutch coming in first, at just over 6 feet for the men and 5-feet-7-inches for the women."
When it Counts, Rob Andrews is Bush's bitch
yes to invade Iraq, yes to keep funding it without a timetable, yes to the handout. Fuck Rob Andrews.
bailout v. handout. whats the difference?
why is it that a family who takes a government check to keep a roof over their head is benefiting from a handout, but the bank who takes a government check to protect it from the consequences of bad investments is the beneficiary of a bailout?
perhaps its time to call it for what it is.
perhaps its time to call it for what it is.
news: no huge bailout for the rich and the world has not ended
Patty's point: If we give them 700 billion today, whats to stop them from putting us in the same spot in the future - needing another handout.
My point: 700 billion is too much, no matter what. You'll wreck the economy with that kind of a money dump, and spending that kind of money helping rich people will guarantee we won't be able make major commitments to combating climate change, improving infrastructure, or providing people with health care.
My point: 700 billion is too much, no matter what. You'll wreck the economy with that kind of a money dump, and spending that kind of money helping rich people will guarantee we won't be able make major commitments to combating climate change, improving infrastructure, or providing people with health care.
brace yourself
by the narrowest of margins, the house refused to be bullied. now wall street is going to throw its temper tantrum . . . .
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Here's a good reason to vote Obama
from the courier post:
"Money for the rescue plan would be phased in, he said. The first $350 billion would be available as soon as the president requested it. Congress could try to block later amounts if it believed the program was not working. The president could veto such a move, however, requiring extra large margins in the House and Senate to override.
Despite the changes made during an intense week of negotiations, the heart of the program remains Bush's original idea: To have the government spend billions of dollars to buy mortgage-backed securities whose value has plummeted as hundreds of thousands of Americans have defaulted on their home loans."
dress it up in as many fancy words as you want, the purpose of the bailout is to give rich people free money so they don't wreck the economy in something akin to the captain taking the first lifeboat off a sinking but savable ship.
it doesn't take a genius to figure out that printing 700 billion dollars and getting nothing for it is a recipe for disaster in the long run. and if this is the best compromise we're going to get, goodness knows we need a president with more loyalty to the american people than bush.
"Money for the rescue plan would be phased in, he said. The first $350 billion would be available as soon as the president requested it. Congress could try to block later amounts if it believed the program was not working. The president could veto such a move, however, requiring extra large margins in the House and Senate to override.
Despite the changes made during an intense week of negotiations, the heart of the program remains Bush's original idea: To have the government spend billions of dollars to buy mortgage-backed securities whose value has plummeted as hundreds of thousands of Americans have defaulted on their home loans."
dress it up in as many fancy words as you want, the purpose of the bailout is to give rich people free money so they don't wreck the economy in something akin to the captain taking the first lifeboat off a sinking but savable ship.
it doesn't take a genius to figure out that printing 700 billion dollars and getting nothing for it is a recipe for disaster in the long run. and if this is the best compromise we're going to get, goodness knows we need a president with more loyalty to the american people than bush.
opensuse is no ubuntu killer
its bland, hard to install programs with, and i havn't been able to get my printer or graphics card to work.
i think the only people rooting for an ubuntu killer are people who have a problem with popularity - people who want to be using the next big thing, not the big thing. like fans of an underground band who move on after the band gets big, assuming that the band didn't sell out.
next stop: linux mint, to see if i can't resolve some screen resolution issues - and if that sucks, i'm back to ubuntu.
i think the only people rooting for an ubuntu killer are people who have a problem with popularity - people who want to be using the next big thing, not the big thing. like fans of an underground band who move on after the band gets big, assuming that the band didn't sell out.
next stop: linux mint, to see if i can't resolve some screen resolution issues - and if that sucks, i'm back to ubuntu.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
my middle name is glenn, and i'm not an astronaut
you could have the best criticism of Obama in the world, but if you predicate it by calling him Barrack Hussein Obama - pandering to bigotry and and fear - you automatically have zero credibility.
the debate
the debate proved to me that obama is willing to sell out on nukes and be another interventionist war hawk to win president.
mccain proved to me that he is a good actor - projecting the whole 'i break with my party' shtick. the record says something else.
and how come these guys sat down with george bush to talk about the economy yesterday and i still have no idea why 700 billion is necessary or if it'll even be enough? The whole economy is being bet on this package, but I guess i'm to stupid to merit knowing anything about it.
on the merits, obama won - yet his performance left me unispired. how many times was he going to say "john's right"? you know there's youtube montage coming.
And you know what makes me sick - none of the leading left blogs are calling obama for his shortcomings, all while affirming their support the campaign. but i guess that would just give ammunition to the right blogs to say there is division on the left.
i'm still voting for obama. did anybody's mind change or get made up by the debate? i doubt it.
mccain proved to me that he is a good actor - projecting the whole 'i break with my party' shtick. the record says something else.
and how come these guys sat down with george bush to talk about the economy yesterday and i still have no idea why 700 billion is necessary or if it'll even be enough? The whole economy is being bet on this package, but I guess i'm to stupid to merit knowing anything about it.
on the merits, obama won - yet his performance left me unispired. how many times was he going to say "john's right"? you know there's youtube montage coming.
And you know what makes me sick - none of the leading left blogs are calling obama for his shortcomings, all while affirming their support the campaign. but i guess that would just give ammunition to the right blogs to say there is division on the left.
i'm still voting for obama. did anybody's mind change or get made up by the debate? i doubt it.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sincere wish
I wish that somebody with more clout, good sense, and credibility than a minority of Republican congressmen would oppose the bailout and offer some alternatives.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
why don't you read the damn thing
John McCain wants to call of the debates because the threat to the economy is SO serious, but he refuses to answer questions about the 700 billion Paulson proposal becuase he hasn't read it yet. the proposal is 3 pages long.
You'd think if the crisis was as serious as he says it is, he'd read the damn thing.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/25/115343/699/188/610030
You'd think if the crisis was as serious as he says it is, he'd read the damn thing.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/25/115343/699/188/610030
and then theres the truth . . .
McCain is not on ONE single committee that decides the fate of the bailout. Nor do the committees meet at 8/9 pm on Friday night when the debates happen.
stunts and high stakes gambles
How would McCain lead? Look at the way he runs his campaign: lots of stunts and high stakes gambles.
Choosing Sarah Palin - a huge gamble. A now, calling for the debate to be postponed. A total stunt - why not have a robust discussion about the economy before the American people prior to any irrevocable changes? But this move too is a high stakes gamble - Obama says he'll be at his podium tomorow night. It's the political equivellent of calling McCain a pussy if he don't show. The drama McCain has added to the debate ensures it will be more widely watched. Maybe McCain will deliver - Obama is known to be far better with a big audience and a prepared speech than at responding to trick questions on the fly. But if he doesn't, he's going to look like a real smacked ass in front of alot of people.
Choosing Sarah Palin - a huge gamble. A now, calling for the debate to be postponed. A total stunt - why not have a robust discussion about the economy before the American people prior to any irrevocable changes? But this move too is a high stakes gamble - Obama says he'll be at his podium tomorow night. It's the political equivellent of calling McCain a pussy if he don't show. The drama McCain has added to the debate ensures it will be more widely watched. Maybe McCain will deliver - Obama is known to be far better with a big audience and a prepared speech than at responding to trick questions on the fly. But if he doesn't, he's going to look like a real smacked ass in front of alot of people.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Oh so sublte
Maybe there is no connection, but myspace's lead in page has a video of a russian atomic bomb blast prominently featured. Russian and US tensions have been on the rise. The war mongers have been talking about a new crusade - even though they've yet to clean up the mess from their last round of crusades. Myspace is owned by fox.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Waking up in a new world of computer freedom
I just had a reminder about the new world I live in. The other morning, I wanted to look at somebody's myspace to see if the person i saw at the drum circle the other night was this guy that used to date this girl i knew. Since they have a baby together, I figured he might be on her friends list. When i clicked on her friend list, a pop up appeared reading "your computer is infected with spyware."
And you know what? I could give two flying shits. On my lap top, I don't have to worry in the least about spyware, viruses, trojans, or worms. I run linux. And soon enough, I'll have the system simplified enough that I can run it on my desktop without Patty suffering any unecessary transitional pain.
One of the selling points of linux systems is that it's free. Not as in free beer - although it didn't cost me a dime - free as in free speech. there is no drm, no user agreements limiting how and where i get to use my programs, etc. But how is this for freedom:
Two months ago, I had two choices in operating systems. There was windows, with all its bugs - and mac, with compatibility issues and pricey equipment to buy. Today, I can choose between Ubuntu, OpenSuse, Mandriva, and countless other operating systems (i use Ubuntu). I can run a desktop called gnome that is easier than mac os to learn, a desktop called kde that is more customizable than windows, and a desktop called xfce that is so fast on my computer it's sick. I can run all three on the same computer.
And then there's the free programs - free as in free beer. A free multitrack recorder, a free sequencer, a free drum machine, a free notation writer . . . several 3d animators, a 2d animator, a free photo editor that rivals photoshop, and the list goes on (free molecule map generator, free algebra equation generator, etc etc etc)
so fuck windows.
And you know what? I could give two flying shits. On my lap top, I don't have to worry in the least about spyware, viruses, trojans, or worms. I run linux. And soon enough, I'll have the system simplified enough that I can run it on my desktop without Patty suffering any unecessary transitional pain.
One of the selling points of linux systems is that it's free. Not as in free beer - although it didn't cost me a dime - free as in free speech. there is no drm, no user agreements limiting how and where i get to use my programs, etc. But how is this for freedom:
Two months ago, I had two choices in operating systems. There was windows, with all its bugs - and mac, with compatibility issues and pricey equipment to buy. Today, I can choose between Ubuntu, OpenSuse, Mandriva, and countless other operating systems (i use Ubuntu). I can run a desktop called gnome that is easier than mac os to learn, a desktop called kde that is more customizable than windows, and a desktop called xfce that is so fast on my computer it's sick. I can run all three on the same computer.
And then there's the free programs - free as in free beer. A free multitrack recorder, a free sequencer, a free drum machine, a free notation writer . . . several 3d animators, a 2d animator, a free photo editor that rivals photoshop, and the list goes on (free molecule map generator, free algebra equation generator, etc etc etc)
so fuck windows.
Friday, August 8, 2008
celebrating 50 years of shit
Earlier in the summer I went to Ocean City and saw that every boardwalk shop was selling t-shirts with iron on peace signs. There could be worse fads - especially in an election year I hope everyone remembers which party took us into a pointless war - but I couldn't help but feeling like an old metal head looking at some kid with ac-dc shirt from target. like, i'm glad you like the band - but do you even know who bon scott is?
What I wanted to do was make a flyer that basically told people: "if you're going to go around promoting peace, you better mean it. i was in the streets of dc fighting for peace before you put your yellow ribbon magnet on your s.u.v." I wanted to pass around a pledge card that said, "by advocating for peace today, i vow to advocate for it again tomorrow when war fever again grips the nation." I wanted to get people to promise they'd never buy the war machine's lies ever again. I
Last night, i went to Ocean City again, and it's a good thing I didn't make any flyers or pledge cards because nobody was wearing the shirts. the stores still had them. so i go to wondering - what made the iron-on makers of the world think that people were going to start feeling so strong about ending the war that they'd stop wearing 'hollister' and start wearing something that matter.
Then i saw the answer: a store with a sign that read "celebrate 50 years of the peace sign. 1958-2008." So that was it - the peace sign had nothing to do with peace. It was just another cultural icon from the past that some marketing men thought it was high time to make some money on. As disappointing as it is that people arn't so energized for peace, I'm actually kind of glad people didn't buy into the hype.
So fuck celebration! In the fifty years since the peace sign, American wars have killed millions, maimed even more, and ruined places all over the world. If the fifty years since the peace sign we have fought cold wars, containment wars, wars against communism, wars against drugs, and wars against terror. lbj declared war on poverty, but then the war in vietnam took precedent - and we ultimately surrendered in both.
I'll start celebrating 50 years of the peace sign when I can celebrate 50 years of peace.
What I wanted to do was make a flyer that basically told people: "if you're going to go around promoting peace, you better mean it. i was in the streets of dc fighting for peace before you put your yellow ribbon magnet on your s.u.v." I wanted to pass around a pledge card that said, "by advocating for peace today, i vow to advocate for it again tomorrow when war fever again grips the nation." I wanted to get people to promise they'd never buy the war machine's lies ever again. I
Last night, i went to Ocean City again, and it's a good thing I didn't make any flyers or pledge cards because nobody was wearing the shirts. the stores still had them. so i go to wondering - what made the iron-on makers of the world think that people were going to start feeling so strong about ending the war that they'd stop wearing 'hollister' and start wearing something that matter.
Then i saw the answer: a store with a sign that read "celebrate 50 years of the peace sign. 1958-2008." So that was it - the peace sign had nothing to do with peace. It was just another cultural icon from the past that some marketing men thought it was high time to make some money on. As disappointing as it is that people arn't so energized for peace, I'm actually kind of glad people didn't buy into the hype.
So fuck celebration! In the fifty years since the peace sign, American wars have killed millions, maimed even more, and ruined places all over the world. If the fifty years since the peace sign we have fought cold wars, containment wars, wars against communism, wars against drugs, and wars against terror. lbj declared war on poverty, but then the war in vietnam took precedent - and we ultimately surrendered in both.
I'll start celebrating 50 years of the peace sign when I can celebrate 50 years of peace.
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