In my brother's house. He picked me up at the airport (air temp: 10 degrees), and we chatted about this and that (mostly our medical problems) on the drive up to Mequon.
We sat around the kitchen table, chatting with Ellen, and a political ad for Obama came on (remember, the Wisconsin primary is next Tuesday). I mentioned that I had just changed my party affiliation from Green to Democrat, so that I could vote in the Oregon primary, and that I would certainly vote for Obama.
Ellen casually mentioned that she's a Democrat, but that Allen (with whom I share a considerable number of genes), is a Republican.
I am shocked, but, in retrospect, statements he's made over the past couple of years gave me pause. I fear my brother is among the brain-washed, and here's the capper:
He said to me: "Don't you know that Obama is a secret Muslim, and that the Muslims are behind his candidacy so they can take over?"
WTF?
Can it be that my dense brother has been drinking the kool-aid of Internet smears? It is apparently so.
Restraining my rage and disgust, I firmly let loose with a rant, asking if he's been watching Fox News. He then asked me, would I ever consider voting for Hillary and I said, of course, if she is the Democratic nominee. He was incredulous, and listed several unflattering adjectives that are commonly used to disparage the Clintons, most of which perfectly suit the Bush crime family.
I gave my stock answer, that the future of the Supreme Court demands that a Democrat take the White House in 2008, and nothing else matters.
I retired up to my room, and, with Google assisting, immediately found two websites that convincingly debunk the Obama/Muslim smear. I emailed them to Allen, but I sense that it may be judicious to avoid politics for the next couple of days.
Big snow-storm expected Saturday night and Sunday, but things should be tidied up by the time I need to head back to Portland Tuesday afternoon. For the moment, though, I feel storm warnings here in my brother's house.
Friday, February 15, 2008
on the ground in Minneapolis
...waiting for my flight to Milwaukee.
In Portland, wifi is free, which is great, as I was able to check my mail and respond to two current clients and one potential client, while sipping my pre-flight coffee.
Here in Minneapolis, it's costing me $5 for one hour of access. I needed to get online to respond to some last-minute matters, but not only do I not have a full hour before my next flight boards, but I was able to finish my business in about 15 minutes.
At least it's tax-deductible!
Therefore, so as not to waste my money, I am posting this here, to waste *your* time. Life just isn't fair.
In Portland, wifi is free, which is great, as I was able to check my mail and respond to two current clients and one potential client, while sipping my pre-flight coffee.
Here in Minneapolis, it's costing me $5 for one hour of access. I needed to get online to respond to some last-minute matters, but not only do I not have a full hour before my next flight boards, but I was able to finish my business in about 15 minutes.
At least it's tax-deductible!
Therefore, so as not to waste my money, I am posting this here, to waste *your* time. Life just isn't fair.
the wedding
I mentioned yesterday that, last night, I was to play piano for a wedding at the Jewish home, where I accompany the chorus. It was a wonderful evening, with the Bride's and Groom's extended families (i.e. children and grandchildren) all taking part.
The chorus sang several numbers before and during the ceremony (including "Making Whoopee"), and I played a bunch of old songs afterwards, while many folks danced. Three local TV stations sent cameramen to film it - we watched two of the reports on the 10:00 pm news. Here's a little story that The Oregonian carried.
Ruth and Frank were cute and just glowing last night, and the spirits of the entire place were soaring. It was an amazing evening.
Off to the airport in an hour. Tomorrow, I'll be playing the piano at my mother's facility in Milwaukee!
Beautiful sunrise this morning - the eastern sky is on fire. I sure hate to leave Portland.
The chorus sang several numbers before and during the ceremony (including "Making Whoopee"), and I played a bunch of old songs afterwards, while many folks danced. Three local TV stations sent cameramen to film it - we watched two of the reports on the 10:00 pm news. Here's a little story that The Oregonian carried.
Ruth and Frank were cute and just glowing last night, and the spirits of the entire place were soaring. It was an amazing evening.
Off to the airport in an hour. Tomorrow, I'll be playing the piano at my mother's facility in Milwaukee!
Beautiful sunrise this morning - the eastern sky is on fire. I sure hate to leave Portland.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
My Left Foot - the saga begins
Among all the things you know about me, you probably don't know that Karen has been making fun of my deformed left foot for years.
When I was a little kid, I remember hearing my grandmother complaining incessantly about her bunions. I always thought that was such a funny-sounding word.
It stopped being funny about 15 years ago.
About a month ago, I looked at the calendar, and realized I have a window where I can get it corrected and deal with the 6-8 weeks of general discomfort, inactivity, and restricted mobility.
Tomorrow, I fly to Wisconsin for my mom's 94th birthday. I return to Portland next Tuesday night, weather permitting.
Wednesday afternoon, I'm getting a bunionectomy. The surgical method is called 'external fixation', which means that there will be screws protruding thru the skin, attached to an external metal device that resembles a medieval torture accessory, but is supposed to permit me to walk in two weeks. The alternative is to have all the screws internal, but that requires no weight-bearing for 6-8 weeks, and I think that would drive me nuts.
It will be the end of March before everything is healed.
It's going to be a long stretch, but presents ample opportunity to solicit pity.
Today, I spent hours driving around to pick up my X-rays at the podiatrist, get an EKG, get my blood tested, get a handicapped parking permit from DMV, meet with the surgeon to answer my final questions and clarify what to expect once I'm post-op, and pick up Vicodin and Oxycodyn prescriptions.
I have set up our living room as my temporary bedroom, with the fold-out couch, a little TV and stereo (both with remotes), my laptop, a rolling office-chair (for navigating to the bathroom), and a nice stack of books. Here is the stack of books (the one under 'River Town' is 'The Old Curiosity Shop', by Charles Dickens):
When I was a little kid, I remember hearing my grandmother complaining incessantly about her bunions. I always thought that was such a funny-sounding word.
It stopped being funny about 15 years ago.
About a month ago, I looked at the calendar, and realized I have a window where I can get it corrected and deal with the 6-8 weeks of general discomfort, inactivity, and restricted mobility.
Tomorrow, I fly to Wisconsin for my mom's 94th birthday. I return to Portland next Tuesday night, weather permitting.
Wednesday afternoon, I'm getting a bunionectomy. The surgical method is called 'external fixation', which means that there will be screws protruding thru the skin, attached to an external metal device that resembles a medieval torture accessory, but is supposed to permit me to walk in two weeks. The alternative is to have all the screws internal, but that requires no weight-bearing for 6-8 weeks, and I think that would drive me nuts.
It will be the end of March before everything is healed.
It's going to be a long stretch, but presents ample opportunity to solicit pity.
Today, I spent hours driving around to pick up my X-rays at the podiatrist, get an EKG, get my blood tested, get a handicapped parking permit from DMV, meet with the surgeon to answer my final questions and clarify what to expect once I'm post-op, and pick up Vicodin and Oxycodyn prescriptions.
I have set up our living room as my temporary bedroom, with the fold-out couch, a little TV and stereo (both with remotes), my laptop, a rolling office-chair (for navigating to the bathroom), and a nice stack of books. Here is the stack of books (the one under 'River Town' is 'The Old Curiosity Shop', by Charles Dickens):
In the freezer, are 6 packages of frozen peas and corn, since I have to (ready for this?) ice my foot for 20 minutes out of every waking hour, for at least the first week. In the bathroom are the two vials of narcotics (one ominously marked 'for severe pain').
Upstairs is my mostly-packed suitcase. Four days in frozen Wisconsin, hanging around Mom and her cronies, and a long day of travel on Tuesday, and then, once I get back home Tuesday night, a few hours to make the final plans and get some sleep, before heading into surgery. It's going to be a whirlwind, between this moment, and when I arrive back home Wednesday afternoon, and sink into bed for a few days.
In the meantime, I am playing piano this evening at the Jewish Old Folks home, where two of the members of the chorus (that I accompany every week) are getting married tonight. Last month, the 88 year-old bride was in the hospital, and, last week, the 90 year-old groom had a heart-attack. When they announced their engagement last November (and intent to get married on Valentines Day), everybody said "what are you waiting for?".
Finally, you didn't think you'd get away from this without having to see the 'before' photo, right? Bye-bye, bunion. 
Pretty weird, eh?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Visited the Multnomah County board of elections today
And I changed my party affiliation from 'Green' to 'Democratic'. I've been a Green since 2000, but, this year, I kinda want to vote in the Oregon Democratic primary, in May.
I asked the election guy if he's seen a lot of activity like this, and he said 'I sure have!'
Haven't heard any news from Maryland, Virginia and DC today. Wonder how things are going there? If Barack makes a clean sweep today, we have some authentic momentum going on.
If Hillary manages to pull out victories, more power to her. However, I have to say that recent Clinton campaign tactics are mighty disturbing. Anyone disagree?
I asked the election guy if he's seen a lot of activity like this, and he said 'I sure have!'
Haven't heard any news from Maryland, Virginia and DC today. Wonder how things are going there? If Barack makes a clean sweep today, we have some authentic momentum going on.
If Hillary manages to pull out victories, more power to her. However, I have to say that recent Clinton campaign tactics are mighty disturbing. Anyone disagree?
Friday, February 08, 2008
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
SuperDuper Tuesday bottom line
As one of the blogs proclaimed, "the only thing that was settled on Tuesday is that Mitt Romney is indeed a LOSER."
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
I was excited when I saw the headline:
'Grateful Dead reunite for concert in support of Obama'.
Unfortunately, the 2nd word in the copy, 'surviving', dashed all my hopes. Damn, Jerry's still dead.
Should be an interesting evening, especially with the California polling all over the place. Plus, since CA has eschewed electronic voting machines (yea!), the public is being 'warned' that the results won't be fully 'tabulated', as we have come to expect, at 8:04 pm, as can so easily be done with Diebold machines (heck, they're so advanced you know the outcome BEFORE the polls close!).
Meanwhile, compare and contrast two headlines I see on 'My Yahoo" this morning:
"Tipping point" on horizon for Greenland ice
Spears' father retained as conservator
Unfortunately, the 2nd word in the copy, 'surviving', dashed all my hopes. Damn, Jerry's still dead.
Should be an interesting evening, especially with the California polling all over the place. Plus, since CA has eschewed electronic voting machines (yea!), the public is being 'warned' that the results won't be fully 'tabulated', as we have come to expect, at 8:04 pm, as can so easily be done with Diebold machines (heck, they're so advanced you know the outcome BEFORE the polls close!).
Meanwhile, compare and contrast two headlines I see on 'My Yahoo" this morning:
"Tipping point" on horizon for Greenland ice
Spears' father retained as conservator
Friday, February 01, 2008
it's not easy being godless
Yes, Jesus is Love. Seems like a case-study in Abnormal Psychology 101.
On the other end of the religious spectrum, however, there is hope. Last night, I was part of a huge crowd at the wonderful Bagdad Theater, to see Jim Wallis, the left-wing evangelical, who is out spreading the good news in his new book.
It's not often I find myself in a crowd of people wearing large crucifixes (and not being nervous), but this was a sympathetic group, and the message, that the Christian Right is ebbing and the evangelical movement now shifting to issues of poverty, environmental sanity, and social justice, is encouraging.
I was invited to the talk by a friend who is a left-wing evangelical. Being a McMenamin facility, I was able to enjoy a pint of beer during the talk, which was refreshingly ironic, too.
It's great to think that POF (People of Faith) will bond together to reject the right-wing politics to which they have been associated for the past 25 years, and take us into a new Age where the true message of You-Know-Who will spread across the public landscape.
As a Jewish agnostic cynic, I say 'bring it on'.
On the other end of the religious spectrum, however, there is hope. Last night, I was part of a huge crowd at the wonderful Bagdad Theater, to see Jim Wallis, the left-wing evangelical, who is out spreading the good news in his new book.
It's not often I find myself in a crowd of people wearing large crucifixes (and not being nervous), but this was a sympathetic group, and the message, that the Christian Right is ebbing and the evangelical movement now shifting to issues of poverty, environmental sanity, and social justice, is encouraging.
I was invited to the talk by a friend who is a left-wing evangelical. Being a McMenamin facility, I was able to enjoy a pint of beer during the talk, which was refreshingly ironic, too.
It's great to think that POF (People of Faith) will bond together to reject the right-wing politics to which they have been associated for the past 25 years, and take us into a new Age where the true message of You-Know-Who will spread across the public landscape.
As a Jewish agnostic cynic, I say 'bring it on'.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
two hardboiled eggs
Last night, I found myself wandering around my local Fred Meyer while Karen was doing some banking. We really didn't have anything major on the shopping list (but, of course, while there, picked up a few things).
In the deli/produce section, I amused myself (!) by reading the labels on various processed foods, marveling at the distance they had traveled and the plastic packaging in which they traveled, when my eyes landed on what I propose to be the most successful product-that-should-not-exist.
It was a bunch of plastic containers, each securely cradling two hard-boiled eggs, for 99 cents, from Minnesota. Having now reached the final 3rd of the "Omnivore's Dilemma", I cannot look at something like this without mentally tabulating all the petroleum that went into it.
In the following summary, the letter P stands for 'petroleum'.
First of all, there is P to grow the corn that fed the chickens who laid the eggs, not to mention the P expended in transporting the corn to the chickens. The eggs are transported to the processing-plant (more P), where they are cooked (P) and packaged (P, unless the electricity came from coal) into the plastic containers (that were made elsewhere out of P and transported to the packaging plant using P). Finally, the packaged eggs were distributed around the country (P) to my local store, where they can be sold for 99 cents (with everyone along the entire supply-line making enough of a profit to justify the effort).
How can this be? Simple. As Michael Pollan makes clear, society is hiding the costs of cheap food, which explains how you can get a delicious (?) spicy-chicken burrito at your local Taco Bell for $1.29.
I can't look at food now, without thinking about all that went into bringing it before me. I especially can't look at beef, but that's another part of the story.
In the deli/produce section, I amused myself (!) by reading the labels on various processed foods, marveling at the distance they had traveled and the plastic packaging in which they traveled, when my eyes landed on what I propose to be the most successful product-that-should-not-exist.
It was a bunch of plastic containers, each securely cradling two hard-boiled eggs, for 99 cents, from Minnesota. Having now reached the final 3rd of the "Omnivore's Dilemma", I cannot look at something like this without mentally tabulating all the petroleum that went into it.
In the following summary, the letter P stands for 'petroleum'.
First of all, there is P to grow the corn that fed the chickens who laid the eggs, not to mention the P expended in transporting the corn to the chickens. The eggs are transported to the processing-plant (more P), where they are cooked (P) and packaged (P, unless the electricity came from coal) into the plastic containers (that were made elsewhere out of P and transported to the packaging plant using P). Finally, the packaged eggs were distributed around the country (P) to my local store, where they can be sold for 99 cents (with everyone along the entire supply-line making enough of a profit to justify the effort).
How can this be? Simple. As Michael Pollan makes clear, society is hiding the costs of cheap food, which explains how you can get a delicious (?) spicy-chicken burrito at your local Taco Bell for $1.29.
I can't look at food now, without thinking about all that went into bringing it before me. I especially can't look at beef, but that's another part of the story.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday night Letterman Top Ten
In case you missed it:
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
Dennis is out
Just saw his announcement. Maybe it's for the best, at this point.
On Air America the other evening, Rachel Maddow proposed her ideal Democratic ticket: Obama/Webb. I like it. Webb brings military and anti-Iraq credibility, and can assure the southern, White males that that uppity blank man will be closely watched.
I am truly disgusted at Bill Clinton's recent antics, trashing Obama. If they feel this is necessary, they do not deserve our vote. I say, no more Clintons and no more Bushes. A pox on both houses.
On Air America the other evening, Rachel Maddow proposed her ideal Democratic ticket: Obama/Webb. I like it. Webb brings military and anti-Iraq credibility, and can assure the southern, White males that that uppity blank man will be closely watched.
I am truly disgusted at Bill Clinton's recent antics, trashing Obama. If they feel this is necessary, they do not deserve our vote. I say, no more Clintons and no more Bushes. A pox on both houses.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
movie reviews
Within the past 48 hours, I have seen "Charlie Wilson's War" and "There Will Be Blood".
"Charlie" was pretty straightforward, with the always-professional Tom Hanks delivering yet another great performance. Philip Seymour Hoffman, though, steals the show. Julia Roberts was OK, but odd. Nicely shot - effective sequences - sobering lesson. Curiously, there was no mention of Osama bin Laden, who, I believe, was part of the covert army that the CIA funded, to frustrate the Russians. Seems like an opportunity lost. Recommended.
"Blood" was the first film in MANY years, where I considered walking out, well into the 2nd hour. It's got many spectacular scenes, with splendid cinematography and editing. However, I kept being aware of the mechanics: oooh, an amazing dolly shot; wow, what odd lightling; hey, incredible use of sound; etc. The problem, for me, was that the protagonist was so unrelentingly unlikeable - so evil, so selfish, so greedy, so unprincipled. We get the message in the first half-hour, and, after a while, I felt I had seen enough.
Is "Blood" the 'masterpiece' that the hype promises? Is the ending brilliant or stupid? What really happened to 'Paul'? I don't know, and, frankly, my dear, I don't give a hoot.
If you are a film-lover, you will probably end up seeing "Blood". My only suggestion: be sure to fully empty your bladder before it starts - it's a long journey to get to the bowling alley.
"Charlie" was pretty straightforward, with the always-professional Tom Hanks delivering yet another great performance. Philip Seymour Hoffman, though, steals the show. Julia Roberts was OK, but odd. Nicely shot - effective sequences - sobering lesson. Curiously, there was no mention of Osama bin Laden, who, I believe, was part of the covert army that the CIA funded, to frustrate the Russians. Seems like an opportunity lost. Recommended.
"Blood" was the first film in MANY years, where I considered walking out, well into the 2nd hour. It's got many spectacular scenes, with splendid cinematography and editing. However, I kept being aware of the mechanics: oooh, an amazing dolly shot; wow, what odd lightling; hey, incredible use of sound; etc. The problem, for me, was that the protagonist was so unrelentingly unlikeable - so evil, so selfish, so greedy, so unprincipled. We get the message in the first half-hour, and, after a while, I felt I had seen enough.
Is "Blood" the 'masterpiece' that the hype promises? Is the ending brilliant or stupid? What really happened to 'Paul'? I don't know, and, frankly, my dear, I don't give a hoot.
If you are a film-lover, you will probably end up seeing "Blood". My only suggestion: be sure to fully empty your bladder before it starts - it's a long journey to get to the bowling alley.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
an evening with the gov
Our friend, Sandy, is the head of the Campaign for Equal Justice, and Karen made a nice donation last year. So, we got invited to the annual 'Thank You, big Donors' reception, at the Governor's residence in Salem.
There was an armed guard outside the gates with a clipboard, to screen out the riff-raff. Amazingly enough, we passed. We walked in, and tiptoed around the corner, heading for the goodies, when we ran right into the Governor, who turned to greet us.
We actually spent several minutes chatting about Karen's work, my work, upstate New York (he had been to the Adirondacks), and Enron - he was charming, relaxed (drinking a beer), and seemed pleased to have opened the mansion to such a distinguished crowd (everyone other than us, that is).
I had my camera in my pocket, just in case, and Karen had the nerve to ask if a photo would be OK. He went to put down the beer - we said, "it's OK" and he said "my staff would never forgive me." Here 'tis:
Everyone was gathered around the hors d'oervres table, and the living room was empty. Karen asked the Gov if he would like me to play the piano, and he smiled and led me into the living room, to an amazing Steinway. I sat down to play, Karen brought me a glass of wine, and the crowd moved into the room. I played for about an hour, and it was great fun. Plus, I didn't have to make conversation with a bunch of seriously-connected bigwigs!
As we were getting ready to leave, a distinguished gent came up to me, and asked "haven't we met before?" and introduced himself. I gently replied that he was most likely mistaken.
We don't go to these types of functions very often.
There was an armed guard outside the gates with a clipboard, to screen out the riff-raff. Amazingly enough, we passed. We walked in, and tiptoed around the corner, heading for the goodies, when we ran right into the Governor, who turned to greet us.
We actually spent several minutes chatting about Karen's work, my work, upstate New York (he had been to the Adirondacks), and Enron - he was charming, relaxed (drinking a beer), and seemed pleased to have opened the mansion to such a distinguished crowd (everyone other than us, that is).
I had my camera in my pocket, just in case, and Karen had the nerve to ask if a photo would be OK. He went to put down the beer - we said, "it's OK" and he said "my staff would never forgive me." Here 'tis:
Everyone was gathered around the hors d'oervres table, and the living room was empty. Karen asked the Gov if he would like me to play the piano, and he smiled and led me into the living room, to an amazing Steinway. I sat down to play, Karen brought me a glass of wine, and the crowd moved into the room. I played for about an hour, and it was great fun. Plus, I didn't have to make conversation with a bunch of seriously-connected bigwigs!
As we were getting ready to leave, a distinguished gent came up to me, and asked "haven't we met before?" and introduced himself. I gently replied that he was most likely mistaken.
We don't go to these types of functions very often.
Monday, January 14, 2008
one year left for Bush
and we all seem ready to just let it happen, so that we can be cleanly rid of him.
After all, what can happen in just 1 year? Here's a list, to refresh your memory.
After all, what can happen in just 1 year? Here's a list, to refresh your memory.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
It's the [Stupid] Economy
Just heard a report on NPR about the Writers Strike, and how it's leading to the cancellation of the Golden Globe awards ceremony is affecting the Hollywood economy.
The subsidiary businesses, that exist because of shows like the Golden Globes, are suffering. These include limo drivers, waiters in expensive restaurants, caterers, fashion writers, tuxedo rentals, etc. etc. etc. The inevitable conclusion is this:
There are many niche businesses in our economy, that have come into existence due to their support of other businesses, providing a livelihood for countless individuals and families, leading to the inescapable conclusion that these dependencies demand that the originating institution or belief MUST be perpetuated, no matter how ultimately silly or worthless.
Other examples come to mind - notably every business related to cars. This was especially evident driving along any LA freeway, last week. We can't lessen the dependency on private cars without devastating all these family businesses.
Another major example: military bases, that have become the primary employer (and, hence, economic engine) for towns across America. We can't trim back the military without
devastating these towns.
Heck, look at the entire Military/Industrial/Educational complex.
We have evolved a system on interlinking dependencies, and the Awards Shows (i.e. federal subsidies) simply must go on and on, or people will lose their jobs.
I guess it would be Evil Socialism to stop the spending on Bombs and devote a portion of the savings to providing a safety-net for those individuals (not corporations) who no longer have a reason to go to work.
Ultimately, we are all caterers, serving the Economic Monster that is kept lubricated (literally) by petroleum. And, one of these days, the Oil awards show is going to be cancelled.
The subsidiary businesses, that exist because of shows like the Golden Globes, are suffering. These include limo drivers, waiters in expensive restaurants, caterers, fashion writers, tuxedo rentals, etc. etc. etc. The inevitable conclusion is this:
There are many niche businesses in our economy, that have come into existence due to their support of other businesses, providing a livelihood for countless individuals and families, leading to the inescapable conclusion that these dependencies demand that the originating institution or belief MUST be perpetuated, no matter how ultimately silly or worthless.
Other examples come to mind - notably every business related to cars. This was especially evident driving along any LA freeway, last week. We can't lessen the dependency on private cars without devastating all these family businesses.
Another major example: military bases, that have become the primary employer (and, hence, economic engine) for towns across America. We can't trim back the military without
devastating these towns.
Heck, look at the entire Military/Industrial/Educational complex.
We have evolved a system on interlinking dependencies, and the Awards Shows (i.e. federal subsidies) simply must go on and on, or people will lose their jobs.
I guess it would be Evil Socialism to stop the spending on Bombs and devote a portion of the savings to providing a safety-net for those individuals (not corporations) who no longer have a reason to go to work.
Ultimately, we are all caterers, serving the Economic Monster that is kept lubricated (literally) by petroleum. And, one of these days, the Oil awards show is going to be cancelled.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Everybody seems to love politicians who get emotional these days - so why not?
"President Bush had tears in his eyes during an hour-long tour of Israel's Holocaust memorial Friday and told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the U.S. should have bombed Auschwitz to halt the killing, the memorial's chairman said."
Appalling on so many levels.
Appalling on so many levels.
I [heart] Dennis
Kucinich has filed to have the NH ballots hand-counted. I love it.
This will be a VERY interesting project, as long as the 'chain-of-custody' for the ballots is firmly established as being sound.
Why is this a good idea? For one thing, we have yet another instance of "gosh, the polling was wrong again. These things happen." We have heard this before.
But wait, there's more. As posted on the Brad Blog this morning:
Analysts at the Election Defense Alliance (EDA) have confirmed that based on the official results on the New Hampshire Secretary of state web site, there is a remarkable relationship between Obama and Clinton votes, when you look at votes tabulated by op-scan v. votes tabulated by hand:
Clinton Optical scan 91,717 52.95%
Obama Optical scan 81,495 47.05%
Clinton Hand-counted 20,889 47.05%
Obama Hand-counted 23,509 52.95%
The percentages appear to be swapped. That seems highly unusual, to say the least.
'Highly unusual', indeed.
[UPDATE: the contrarian view]
This will be a VERY interesting project, as long as the 'chain-of-custody' for the ballots is firmly established as being sound.
Why is this a good idea? For one thing, we have yet another instance of "gosh, the polling was wrong again. These things happen." We have heard this before.
But wait, there's more. As posted on the Brad Blog this morning:
Analysts at the Election Defense Alliance (EDA) have confirmed that based on the official results on the New Hampshire Secretary of state web site, there is a remarkable relationship between Obama and Clinton votes, when you look at votes tabulated by op-scan v. votes tabulated by hand:
Clinton Optical scan 91,717 52.95%
Obama Optical scan 81,495 47.05%
Clinton Hand-counted 20,889 47.05%
Obama Hand-counted 23,509 52.95%
The percentages appear to be swapped. That seems highly unusual, to say the least.
'Highly unusual', indeed.
[UPDATE: the contrarian view]
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
ever hear of 'the Jerusalem syndrome'?
always wrong
As the only person to lose money in Real Estate in the 1990's (it's a long story), and, as someone who has consistenly backed presidential candidates who either didn't get the nomination or lost, let me comment on New Hampshire.
I think the pre-vote polls were correct (Obama ahead in a blow-out), but I really believe that the final 24 hour commotion over HRC's 'emotional' moment changed everything.
I think she came off as very sympathetic and was perceived as speaking honestly. That, coupled with the natural tendency for NH voters to look at the Media and say "you can't tell ME what I'm going to do", overruled the Obama polling from two days before.
Also, even though Edwards is my current guy, I think he made a major mistake in the way he reacted to that story. He came off as mean and macho, sorry to say.
Some people are suggesting that the voting was rigged. This I cannot believe.
So, the Media got exactly what it wanted:
* a surprise - fodder for 'The Situation Room'
* a slowdown in Obama momentum
* a major slap in the face for Romney
* a minor smack-down of Huck
* an opportunity to insist that Edwards (who is eager to take on Big Media) is irrelevant
Why, oh why, do the Democrats snipe at each other, when the points that need to be made again and again is that the Republicans, since the Age of St. Ronnie, have ruined this country financially, that the W Administration is filled with criminals and incompetents, and that a Democrat MUST be elected in 2008, to prevent the Supreme Court from turning into the Star Chamber?
I think the pre-vote polls were correct (Obama ahead in a blow-out), but I really believe that the final 24 hour commotion over HRC's 'emotional' moment changed everything.
I think she came off as very sympathetic and was perceived as speaking honestly. That, coupled with the natural tendency for NH voters to look at the Media and say "you can't tell ME what I'm going to do", overruled the Obama polling from two days before.
Also, even though Edwards is my current guy, I think he made a major mistake in the way he reacted to that story. He came off as mean and macho, sorry to say.
Some people are suggesting that the voting was rigged. This I cannot believe.
So, the Media got exactly what it wanted:
* a surprise - fodder for 'The Situation Room'
* a slowdown in Obama momentum
* a major slap in the face for Romney
* a minor smack-down of Huck
* an opportunity to insist that Edwards (who is eager to take on Big Media) is irrelevant
Why, oh why, do the Democrats snipe at each other, when the points that need to be made again and again is that the Republicans, since the Age of St. Ronnie, have ruined this country financially, that the W Administration is filled with criminals and incompetents, and that a Democrat MUST be elected in 2008, to prevent the Supreme Court from turning into the Star Chamber?
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
FOX News - the Ministry of Truth
slime
Meanwhile, it's finally a real primary. I fear that Edwards has been steamrolled by Obama-ecstasy, and Clinton a victim of 'been there - done that' syndrome. Short of a surprising tally for Richardson or Kuchinich (seems unlikely), the Barak bandwagon has left the station.
What worries me is what I fantasized about yesterday. This is too much like Bobby Kennedy in 1968, where new political enthusiasts are inflamed by hope - the environment where a crackpot with a gun determines that the parade must be cancelled.
When the public pendulum swings into euphoria, it never takes long for the tragedy to appear. Pakistan comes to mind. Hope I'm wrong, but the patterns of history and human behavior are well-established, and 'tis the season for martyrs.
Meanwhile, it's finally a real primary. I fear that Edwards has been steamrolled by Obama-ecstasy, and Clinton a victim of 'been there - done that' syndrome. Short of a surprising tally for Richardson or Kuchinich (seems unlikely), the Barak bandwagon has left the station.
What worries me is what I fantasized about yesterday. This is too much like Bobby Kennedy in 1968, where new political enthusiasts are inflamed by hope - the environment where a crackpot with a gun determines that the parade must be cancelled.
When the public pendulum swings into euphoria, it never takes long for the tragedy to appear. Pakistan comes to mind. Hope I'm wrong, but the patterns of history and human behavior are well-established, and 'tis the season for martyrs.
Monday, January 07, 2008
another dot to connect
hmmmm - I've been seeing Sybil Edmonds' name popping up in various places the past few days, but this is the best explanation of why this story may be significant.
what does it all mean?
IMHO, it means that 'the public' is
1) revolting against 'the Media' having annointed Hillary as 'the inevitable one', months ago
2) accepting Obama as a New Face who is NEITHER a Bush nor a Clinton
Plus, it means that 'the Media' is
1) as always, making sure that any voice that discusses Class Warfare and Corporate Greed (Edwards, Kucinich) is silenced
2) lazy
Scenarios:
Obama is killed by a 'lone gunman' white supremicist.
Public outrage ensues.
Bush declares martial law, and McCain agrees that cancelling the elections is a 'wise move in these troubled times'.
James Baker III heads the commission on the assassination of Obama - says "we'll never know what really happened".
Bush is declared Supreme Leader.
30 years go by. Fox News is on all channels.
Supreme Leader dies at the age of 94, and the Reconciliation Commission (headed by James Baker VI) advises everyone to forget about the Re-Education Camps, which is easy, since, by now, most of them are under water and there are other things to worry about.
It could just be my imagination...
Happy Monday
1) revolting against 'the Media' having annointed Hillary as 'the inevitable one', months ago
2) accepting Obama as a New Face who is NEITHER a Bush nor a Clinton
Plus, it means that 'the Media' is
1) as always, making sure that any voice that discusses Class Warfare and Corporate Greed (Edwards, Kucinich) is silenced
2) lazy
Scenarios:
Obama is killed by a 'lone gunman' white supremicist.
Public outrage ensues.
Bush declares martial law, and McCain agrees that cancelling the elections is a 'wise move in these troubled times'.
James Baker III heads the commission on the assassination of Obama - says "we'll never know what really happened".
Bush is declared Supreme Leader.
30 years go by. Fox News is on all channels.
Supreme Leader dies at the age of 94, and the Reconciliation Commission (headed by James Baker VI) advises everyone to forget about the Re-Education Camps, which is easy, since, by now, most of them are under water and there are other things to worry about.
It could just be my imagination...
Happy Monday
Saturday, January 05, 2008
both Karen and I sent John Edwards some cash today
As disappointing as it was, that Dennis was excluded from the ABC debate (I just sent them an angry comment about that), I have to say that Edwards was great, as are all the Democratic candidates.
We watched both debates, and there was a lot of muttering during the Republican segment. It was (not really) amusing how the name 'George W Bush' was strangely absent then - all the Republicans say they want to be agents of 'change', but nobody wants to identify who we so desperately want change from.
I really hope Edwards does well. They are all good, but I missed Dennis there, to make things even more interesting.
We watched both debates, and there was a lot of muttering during the Republican segment. It was (not really) amusing how the name 'George W Bush' was strangely absent then - all the Republicans say they want to be agents of 'change', but nobody wants to identify who we so desperately want change from.
I really hope Edwards does well. They are all good, but I missed Dennis there, to make things even more interesting.
Huckabee/Obama '08
I am amused this morning, seeing all the hype about these two, when it's absolutely clear to me (not that I've ever been wrong before) that, next November, the choice will be Clinton vs. McCain.
The Media machine and Power Establishment settled on these candidates months ago, and it's almost time for us frivolous potential 'voters' (how quaint) to get in line.
The final straw here is ABC's edict that Dennis be excluded from the upcoming New Hampshire debate. The fantasy that the public airwaves are lent to media companies as a courtesy, as long as they operate in the 'public interest' (how quaint), died long ago.
Last night on Bill Moyers' show, both Ron Paul and Dennis received a solid 20 minutes each, and it was so damn refreshing. I think Ron is absolutely correct in his catalog of what's wrong - it's just his remedies that I find unsettling.
Dennis seemed tired - it was not a great appearance, despite his making some very good points, as always. I think he is realizing that his endorsement of Obama in Iowa, due to its unique convoluted caucus procedures, is perceived by most as a bad, inauthentic move.
I am confused by the media meme that Edwards' 2nd place finish in Iowa means he is finished. We like Edwards - heck, you gotta love a candidate who is willing to bring up what, ultimately, is the central question of our times, the successful Class Warfare that the Rich are currently winning.
Finally, I bring up the following with great hesitancy. This morning, I had a premonition of Michelle Obama wearing a black mourning veil. Sorry, but there it was. The national joy in such an admitted triumph has so often, in many times and places, been transformed into shock by the events of three seconds. I fear.
Last night, while Karen was at her dance class, I had the house to myself for a couple of hours. I turned on the light at the piano, and had a wonderful hour playing old tunes, loud and fast and loose. This makes me happy. You?
The Media machine and Power Establishment settled on these candidates months ago, and it's almost time for us frivolous potential 'voters' (how quaint) to get in line.
The final straw here is ABC's edict that Dennis be excluded from the upcoming New Hampshire debate. The fantasy that the public airwaves are lent to media companies as a courtesy, as long as they operate in the 'public interest' (how quaint), died long ago.
Last night on Bill Moyers' show, both Ron Paul and Dennis received a solid 20 minutes each, and it was so damn refreshing. I think Ron is absolutely correct in his catalog of what's wrong - it's just his remedies that I find unsettling.
Dennis seemed tired - it was not a great appearance, despite his making some very good points, as always. I think he is realizing that his endorsement of Obama in Iowa, due to its unique convoluted caucus procedures, is perceived by most as a bad, inauthentic move.
I am confused by the media meme that Edwards' 2nd place finish in Iowa means he is finished. We like Edwards - heck, you gotta love a candidate who is willing to bring up what, ultimately, is the central question of our times, the successful Class Warfare that the Rich are currently winning.
Finally, I bring up the following with great hesitancy. This morning, I had a premonition of Michelle Obama wearing a black mourning veil. Sorry, but there it was. The national joy in such an admitted triumph has so often, in many times and places, been transformed into shock by the events of three seconds. I fear.
Last night, while Karen was at her dance class, I had the house to myself for a couple of hours. I turned on the light at the piano, and had a wonderful hour playing old tunes, loud and fast and loose. This makes me happy. You?
Friday, January 04, 2008
Iowa numbers
Lots of analysis going on this morning. You can't take away from Obama the stunning margin of victory. However, one of my favorite blogs, Hoffmania, put up this interesting little table:
Total Voter Turnout (approximate) 356,000
Percentage of total vote
24.5% Obama
20.5% Edwards
19.8% Clinton
11.4% Huckabee (R)
Think about it, looking at the totality of votes cast last night, in both parties. The Democrat who came in 3rd (being treated in the mainstream press today as a 'major defeat') still managed to pull in almost twice as many votes as the Republican winner.
Total Voter Turnout (approximate) 356,000
Percentage of total vote
24.5% Obama
20.5% Edwards
19.8% Clinton
11.4% Huckabee (R)
Think about it, looking at the totality of votes cast last night, in both parties. The Democrat who came in 3rd (being treated in the mainstream press today as a 'major defeat') still managed to pull in almost twice as many votes as the Republican winner.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
the Bhutto assassination - another angle
This from Capitol Hill Blue, not exactly a non-partisan source. Still, one wonders...
back home - happy new year!
8 am on Jan 1. A cold morning in Portland.
We returned from LA yesterday afternoon. Had a pretty good time, visiting family and doing sight-seeing.
In the course of three hours, we wandered among the celebrity graves at the Hollywood Forever cemetery (seeing Rudolph Valentino, Peter Lorre, CB DeMille, John Huston, Marion Davies, Tyrone Power, Mel Blanc, many others, and the main goals: Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone) and then, a short time later, browsing the VAST music/film offerings at Amoeba music, where, oddly, I happened to encounter films that related to many of the stars we had just visited. It was spooky.
Then, in the next hour, we had a fabulously relaxing round of drinks and snacks at the 'Cat and Fiddle' pub's wonderfully calming courtyard. Ah, Hollywood.
Did many other things, too - will write more if I feel like it. Now, I need to go thru a stack of mail, feed the dog, make some coffee, and be happy that 2007 is History.
We returned from LA yesterday afternoon. Had a pretty good time, visiting family and doing sight-seeing.
In the course of three hours, we wandered among the celebrity graves at the Hollywood Forever cemetery (seeing Rudolph Valentino, Peter Lorre, CB DeMille, John Huston, Marion Davies, Tyrone Power, Mel Blanc, many others, and the main goals: Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone) and then, a short time later, browsing the VAST music/film offerings at Amoeba music, where, oddly, I happened to encounter films that related to many of the stars we had just visited. It was spooky.
Then, in the next hour, we had a fabulously relaxing round of drinks and snacks at the 'Cat and Fiddle' pub's wonderfully calming courtyard. Ah, Hollywood.
Did many other things, too - will write more if I feel like it. Now, I need to go thru a stack of mail, feed the dog, make some coffee, and be happy that 2007 is History.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
that's it - Ron Paul definitely does not get my vote
My flirtation with Ron Paul lasted about 7.5 seconds, and, I have to admit, his recent statements about fascism were most endearing.
However, it is now revealed that Ron is yet another Republican Presidential candidate who simply feels that the Theory of Evolution is just a theory, and that the Science has holes.
Um, that's Dr. Ron Paul, the annointed oracle of common sense.
Um, that makes 6 of the 11 Republican candidates (including Alan Keyes, who, after all, was included in the recent debate) rejecting the notion that Evolution provides a mechanism for explaining that things can change over 4.5 billion years. Of course, there's still some debate about that last item, too.
Heading for the airport in an hour, for 6 days in LA with Karen's family. The boys are coming, too. In fact, this was the first morning in a long time, when there were 4 humans waking up in this house (if only we could get them to wake up).
However, it is now revealed that Ron is yet another Republican Presidential candidate who simply feels that the Theory of Evolution is just a theory, and that the Science has holes.
Um, that's Dr. Ron Paul, the annointed oracle of common sense.
Um, that makes 6 of the 11 Republican candidates (including Alan Keyes, who, after all, was included in the recent debate) rejecting the notion that Evolution provides a mechanism for explaining that things can change over 4.5 billion years. Of course, there's still some debate about that last item, too.
Heading for the airport in an hour, for 6 days in LA with Karen's family. The boys are coming, too. In fact, this was the first morning in a long time, when there were 4 humans waking up in this house (if only we could get them to wake up).
Monday, December 24, 2007
Ron Paul
Don't know what to make of this phenom.
He is clearly connecting with many young idealists, and his statements about creeping fascism and government abuses are timely and correct.
Still, there's something disturbing about the 'reduce government', libertarian strain, that I just can't accept. If he bolts the Republican party and runs as an Independent, I think he will be very successful.
Here's what worries me - the Supreme Court has gone past the tipping-point into very bad territory, and the next nominee, from the next president, will either restore some balance, or seal the doom of the American Experiment. To me, this is the chief reason why a Republican must NOT be permitted to win the White House next year.
I am endlessly frustrated by reporting about the presidential race. Even NPR is totally deficient in discussing any substantive issue - I expect this to be gone from all other media reporting. Either the Media emphatically doesn't want any real debates about issues, or they are simply too lazy to report on anything other than popularity polling. I just don't get it.
Merry Christmas, all you Christians out there. To all of us humans living in the northern hemisphere, we are over the solstice hump, and the Sun will NOT be going away, once again. We can breathe a sigh of relief and, now, all we have to worry about is Greenland melting.
Off to LA tomorrow morning - as our little family does its share to contribute to the unsustainable lives our ingenious-but-flawed species has invented. Never have so many been so comfortable - never have society's slaves been so invisible.
He is clearly connecting with many young idealists, and his statements about creeping fascism and government abuses are timely and correct.
Still, there's something disturbing about the 'reduce government', libertarian strain, that I just can't accept. If he bolts the Republican party and runs as an Independent, I think he will be very successful.
Here's what worries me - the Supreme Court has gone past the tipping-point into very bad territory, and the next nominee, from the next president, will either restore some balance, or seal the doom of the American Experiment. To me, this is the chief reason why a Republican must NOT be permitted to win the White House next year.
I am endlessly frustrated by reporting about the presidential race. Even NPR is totally deficient in discussing any substantive issue - I expect this to be gone from all other media reporting. Either the Media emphatically doesn't want any real debates about issues, or they are simply too lazy to report on anything other than popularity polling. I just don't get it.
Merry Christmas, all you Christians out there. To all of us humans living in the northern hemisphere, we are over the solstice hump, and the Sun will NOT be going away, once again. We can breathe a sigh of relief and, now, all we have to worry about is Greenland melting.
Off to LA tomorrow morning - as our little family does its share to contribute to the unsustainable lives our ingenious-but-flawed species has invented. Never have so many been so comfortable - never have society's slaves been so invisible.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
there are no coincidences - part II
Isn't it funny how quickly the fire in the Executive Office building has become the non-story of the week, especially since, as reported in this article (scroll down to the 5:10 pm update):
"the fire raged mainly in the office of Mr. Cheney’s political director, Amy Whitelaw".
Nothing to see here - move along...
"the fire raged mainly in the office of Mr. Cheney’s political director, Amy Whitelaw".
Nothing to see here - move along...
there are no coincidences
So, a copy of the Magna Carta sells at auction. Isn't it nice that the document that first proclaimed and guaranteed our basic civil liberties is so highly valued?
Let's take a closer look at the Reuters story. The document was purchased 'by the founder of a private equity firm'. Sounds reasonably innocent.
How much effort would it have been to mention the name of that 'private equity firm'? A very short trip to Google reveals:
who is that masked man?
I am reminded of how Hitler was determined to preserve relics of Judaism, for his planned museum to a 'vanished race'.
Just sayin'.
Let's take a closer look at the Reuters story. The document was purchased 'by the founder of a private equity firm'. Sounds reasonably innocent.
How much effort would it have been to mention the name of that 'private equity firm'? A very short trip to Google reveals:
who is that masked man?
I am reminded of how Hitler was determined to preserve relics of Judaism, for his planned museum to a 'vanished race'.
Just sayin'.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
ok, geography hounds - try this
as heard on 'The World' (public radio) this afternoon, this geography quiz.
My final score: 374,201 (level 10). You are scored both on accuracy and response-speed.
My final score: 374,201 (level 10). You are scored both on accuracy and response-speed.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
morning in America
Something I haven't done in a while: walking outside with my camera after eating my cereal, and appreciating the beginning of a new day. From our side-yard, looking east:
Not too much work pending today, so I will steal some time and get back to the pile of films that I now have checked out from the library.
Last week, at a used book sale, I chanced upon the autobiography of Josef von Sternberg, a director I was first exposed to in college. I didn't know that much about him personally, so the book was a revelation. First of all, I always thought he was one of the classic early German directors, and was astonished to hear that he grew up in New York, and was a Jew originally named 'Jo Sternberg' (a capricious distributor added the 'von' to give the impression of nobility and he liked it).
The other day, I watched one of his early silents: The Last Command', for which the star, Emil Jannings, apparently won the very first Best Actor award, in 1928. It was astonishing in its vision, composition, lighting and editing, with multi-layered characters and quirky title cards that were written by Herman Mankiewicz (who, of course, went on to write little films like 'Citizen Kane').
Waiting for pickup at the library is The Docks of New York, and already on the pile upstairs is The Blue Angel (which I saw, once, decades ago) and The Scarlet Empress (the film which I studied back in college).
This is what I do, when I get interested in a particular director: view as many of the films as possible, in sequence, if possible. The last director that captured my attentions in this manner is Werner Herzog, and in my VCR at this moment (only a tape was available) is a curiously-repellent film called 'Auch Zwerge haben klein angefangen' (or, in English, 'Even Dwarfs Started Small'). I think I'll be done with Herzog after this one - it is truly bizarre.
Played piano for two musical programs tomorrow, so it was a busy day. On Thursday, I have the first rehearsal for another music program, to be given on December 23rd. The 22nd, 23rd, and 24th will be busy with several events and dinners with friends, and then, on Christmas morning, we (all 4 of us) fly to LA for a few days, returning to Portland on the 31st (so the boys can be with their friends on New Years Eve).
As a said earlier, not a whole lot of pending work for me, before we leave, so it's a great time to watch films and read, listening to the furnace burn oil to keep us warm, while the Washington DC circus goes on and on and on...
OK, I really do need to do a little programming today, so time for coffee!
And, a few more steps back, revealing the dim outline of Mt. Hood (you have to squint, but it's there, at the bottom of the clear spot on the left):
Not too much work pending today, so I will steal some time and get back to the pile of films that I now have checked out from the library.
Last week, at a used book sale, I chanced upon the autobiography of Josef von Sternberg, a director I was first exposed to in college. I didn't know that much about him personally, so the book was a revelation. First of all, I always thought he was one of the classic early German directors, and was astonished to hear that he grew up in New York, and was a Jew originally named 'Jo Sternberg' (a capricious distributor added the 'von' to give the impression of nobility and he liked it).
The other day, I watched one of his early silents: The Last Command', for which the star, Emil Jannings, apparently won the very first Best Actor award, in 1928. It was astonishing in its vision, composition, lighting and editing, with multi-layered characters and quirky title cards that were written by Herman Mankiewicz (who, of course, went on to write little films like 'Citizen Kane').
Waiting for pickup at the library is The Docks of New York, and already on the pile upstairs is The Blue Angel (which I saw, once, decades ago) and The Scarlet Empress (the film which I studied back in college).
This is what I do, when I get interested in a particular director: view as many of the films as possible, in sequence, if possible. The last director that captured my attentions in this manner is Werner Herzog, and in my VCR at this moment (only a tape was available) is a curiously-repellent film called 'Auch Zwerge haben klein angefangen' (or, in English, 'Even Dwarfs Started Small'). I think I'll be done with Herzog after this one - it is truly bizarre.
Played piano for two musical programs tomorrow, so it was a busy day. On Thursday, I have the first rehearsal for another music program, to be given on December 23rd. The 22nd, 23rd, and 24th will be busy with several events and dinners with friends, and then, on Christmas morning, we (all 4 of us) fly to LA for a few days, returning to Portland on the 31st (so the boys can be with their friends on New Years Eve).
As a said earlier, not a whole lot of pending work for me, before we leave, so it's a great time to watch films and read, listening to the furnace burn oil to keep us warm, while the Washington DC circus goes on and on and on...
OK, I really do need to do a little programming today, so time for coffee!
Monday, December 10, 2007
most mysterious news story of the week
is there something more to this than meets the eye? the story, as written, has a certain Zen-like quality.
Friday, December 07, 2007
the White House sez...
they agree with the decision where the CIA destroyed the torture videotapes, because, had they come to light, it would have exposed the identities of the CIA agents involved, and this would be a serious security breach.
One word comes to mind: Plame.
It's (almost) laughable.
Meanwhile, GREAT news for Catholics (building a bridge to the 11th Century!).
One word comes to mind: Plame.
It's (almost) laughable.
Meanwhile, GREAT news for Catholics (building a bridge to the 11th Century!).
actual good news
2 items today.
first of all, Keith Olbermann's rousing special comment last night.
second, and even more heartwarming, is the story that the California initiative to modify its electoral college winner-take-all practice (as done in virtually all states), will apparently NOT make it to the ballot.
This was a bald-faced GOP attempt to steal 2008 (their claims of 'it brings fairness into the system' might be respectable if they also advocated making this change in Texas, which routinely awards all its electoral votes to Republicans).
This was truly a sleazy, cynical political nastiness, with signature-gatherers fraudulently inducing passers-by to first sign a petition asking for more money for 'Childrens Cancer Research' (as if they really cared), and then slyly asking if the person would also sign this additional sheet for 'something about election reform'. Bastards.
first of all, Keith Olbermann's rousing special comment last night.
second, and even more heartwarming, is the story that the California initiative to modify its electoral college winner-take-all practice (as done in virtually all states), will apparently NOT make it to the ballot.
This was a bald-faced GOP attempt to steal 2008 (their claims of 'it brings fairness into the system' might be respectable if they also advocated making this change in Texas, which routinely awards all its electoral votes to Republicans).
This was truly a sleazy, cynical political nastiness, with signature-gatherers fraudulently inducing passers-by to first sign a petition asking for more money for 'Childrens Cancer Research' (as if they really cared), and then slyly asking if the person would also sign this additional sheet for 'something about election reform'. Bastards.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Liar (earlier this week) and Incompetent (today)
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Harried homeowners seeking mortgage relief from a new Bush administration hotline Thursday had to contend with a bit of temporary misdirection from the president himself.
As he announced his plan to ease the mortgage crisis for consumers, President Bush accidentally gave out the wrong phone number for the new “Hope Now Hotline” set up by his administration.
Anyone who dialed 1-800-995-HOPE did not reach the mortgage hotline but instead contacted the Freedom Christian Academy — a Texas-based group that provides Christian education home schooling material.
Maybe he was actually intending to advocate a faith-based solution to the mortgage defaults...
As he announced his plan to ease the mortgage crisis for consumers, President Bush accidentally gave out the wrong phone number for the new “Hope Now Hotline” set up by his administration.
Anyone who dialed 1-800-995-HOPE did not reach the mortgage hotline but instead contacted the Freedom Christian Academy — a Texas-based group that provides Christian education home schooling material.
Maybe he was actually intending to advocate a faith-based solution to the mortgage defaults...
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
today's humor
First, Andy Borowitz:
Kim Jong-Il Kicks Iran out of Axis of Evil
Nukeless Nation ‘Not Evil Enough,’ Says Korean Madman
One day after a National Intelligence Estimate revealed that Iran halted its nuclear arms program in 2003, North Korean president Kim Jong-Il ejected Iran from the Axis of Evil, calling them “not evil enough.”
A visibly furious Kim called a press conference in Pyongyang today to excoriate the Iranians as “evildoer wannabes” and “pussies.”
“I can’t tell you how many times Mahmoud Ahmadinejad looked me in the eye, told me he was developing nuclear weapons, and cackled like a madman,” Kim said. “That man does not deserve to cackle.”
Kim added that when Iran was admitted into the Axis of Evil in 2002, “they knew the rules: no nukes, no membership.”
The National Intelligence Estimate, Kim said, showed that Iran was not holding up their end of the bargain: “They said they were enriching uranium and all the while they were going all Libya on my ass.”
In the first step towards formally removing Iran from the evil organization, the North Korean strongman said he was “un-inviting” Mr. Ahmadinejad from the Axis of Evil’s winter golf outing in Scottsdale, Arizona. In a terse statement from Mr. Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president said he would agree not to attend the outing but wanted his deposit back.
As for who would take Iran’s place in the Axis of Evil, Kim said there was no shortage of candidates: “Right now we’re looking at Venezuela, Syria, and Rupert Murdoch.”
And now, for Hannukah, there's this:
Kim Jong-Il Kicks Iran out of Axis of Evil
Nukeless Nation ‘Not Evil Enough,’ Says Korean Madman
One day after a National Intelligence Estimate revealed that Iran halted its nuclear arms program in 2003, North Korean president Kim Jong-Il ejected Iran from the Axis of Evil, calling them “not evil enough.”
A visibly furious Kim called a press conference in Pyongyang today to excoriate the Iranians as “evildoer wannabes” and “pussies.”
“I can’t tell you how many times Mahmoud Ahmadinejad looked me in the eye, told me he was developing nuclear weapons, and cackled like a madman,” Kim said. “That man does not deserve to cackle.”
Kim added that when Iran was admitted into the Axis of Evil in 2002, “they knew the rules: no nukes, no membership.”
The National Intelligence Estimate, Kim said, showed that Iran was not holding up their end of the bargain: “They said they were enriching uranium and all the while they were going all Libya on my ass.”
In the first step towards formally removing Iran from the evil organization, the North Korean strongman said he was “un-inviting” Mr. Ahmadinejad from the Axis of Evil’s winter golf outing in Scottsdale, Arizona. In a terse statement from Mr. Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president said he would agree not to attend the outing but wanted his deposit back.
As for who would take Iran’s place in the Axis of Evil, Kim said there was no shortage of candidates: “Right now we’re looking at Venezuela, Syria, and Rupert Murdoch.”
And now, for Hannukah, there's this:
It's sort of fascinating to me...
How, one by one, the Media annoints a white guy as the 'Republican front-runner', only to discover that, as the weeks go by, the new guy is exposed as either a raging hypocrite or, more frequently, shallow.
First Mitt Romney - he was the fresh, energetic, handsome guy who would rescue the GOP - now revealed as a pandering glamour-boy with no scruples.
Next Rudy - he was the strong-on-leadership-9/11 candidate, now revealed as thoroughly corrupt and mean, to boot.
Next Fred Thompson - he was the 'charismatic' plain-speaking, just-us-folks Everyman, now revealed as dense and mostly disinterested.
So who comes riding into the lead? Huckabee, currently vaulting into the front-runner slot, a God-fearing speaks-his-mind Man of God, who has God on his side, and benefits from the advice of God, and did I mention God? Now, not only are the vultures pouncing on the unpleasant facts of his actual record, but today, it is revealed that Huck was asked yesterday to comment about the uproar over the Iran NIE, and that topic was news to Mikey.
One by one, they are all exposed as hopeless hacks, no better than the shameful W they are hoping to succeed (so to speak).
Who's left? John McCain, who, I'm beginning to feel, may actually come out on top, since nobody cares enough to attack him (for now).
And now a word about political dynasties.
Yes, it's bizarre how some families have made political office the family business, but it's always been that way, and, I think, goes back to our species' acceptance of hereditary tribal chiefs. It was thus a hundred-thousand years ago, it was thus in every human society.
This tendency has frequently brought us leaders-with-familiar-names who rose to the demands of the times and performed great service (think Franklin Roosevelt). On the other hand, we have the obvious W, finally fulfilling the promise that was unfulfilled by his less-than-brilliant ancestor, Franklin Pierce (did you know that Barbara Bush was a Pierce?).
Would Bush be where he is today if his last name wasn't Bush? Probably not.
Would Hillary be where she is today if her last name wasn't Clinton? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Would Gordon Smith be where he is today if his last name wasn't Smith (yes, the same Joseph Smith who founded Mormonism)? Maybe not, but the fact that the other side of his family is the (mostly Democratic) Udalls, there's the family business again.
Let's all admit that we love our dynasties, and we cede to them the prerogative to rule over us. I'm not sure whether that's simple laziness, mass hypnosis, or that inbred instinct to recognize the familiar and reject anyone whose last name has more than two syllables and/or an uncomfortable number of consonants, sort of like 'Kucinich'.
Just sayin'.
First Mitt Romney - he was the fresh, energetic, handsome guy who would rescue the GOP - now revealed as a pandering glamour-boy with no scruples.
Next Rudy - he was the strong-on-leadership-9/11 candidate, now revealed as thoroughly corrupt and mean, to boot.
Next Fred Thompson - he was the 'charismatic' plain-speaking, just-us-folks Everyman, now revealed as dense and mostly disinterested.
So who comes riding into the lead? Huckabee, currently vaulting into the front-runner slot, a God-fearing speaks-his-mind Man of God, who has God on his side, and benefits from the advice of God, and did I mention God? Now, not only are the vultures pouncing on the unpleasant facts of his actual record, but today, it is revealed that Huck was asked yesterday to comment about the uproar over the Iran NIE, and that topic was news to Mikey.
One by one, they are all exposed as hopeless hacks, no better than the shameful W they are hoping to succeed (so to speak).
Who's left? John McCain, who, I'm beginning to feel, may actually come out on top, since nobody cares enough to attack him (for now).
And now a word about political dynasties.
Yes, it's bizarre how some families have made political office the family business, but it's always been that way, and, I think, goes back to our species' acceptance of hereditary tribal chiefs. It was thus a hundred-thousand years ago, it was thus in every human society.
This tendency has frequently brought us leaders-with-familiar-names who rose to the demands of the times and performed great service (think Franklin Roosevelt). On the other hand, we have the obvious W, finally fulfilling the promise that was unfulfilled by his less-than-brilliant ancestor, Franklin Pierce (did you know that Barbara Bush was a Pierce?).
Would Bush be where he is today if his last name wasn't Bush? Probably not.
Would Hillary be where she is today if her last name wasn't Clinton? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Would Gordon Smith be where he is today if his last name wasn't Smith (yes, the same Joseph Smith who founded Mormonism)? Maybe not, but the fact that the other side of his family is the (mostly Democratic) Udalls, there's the family business again.
Let's all admit that we love our dynasties, and we cede to them the prerogative to rule over us. I'm not sure whether that's simple laziness, mass hypnosis, or that inbred instinct to recognize the familiar and reject anyone whose last name has more than two syllables and/or an uncomfortable number of consonants, sort of like 'Kucinich'.
Just sayin'.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
ha ha - Kucinich saw a UFO!
Monday, December 03, 2007
Andy Borowitz piece today - har har...
Huckabee Chooses Jesus as Running Mate
Move to Shore Up Evangelical Base
In a bold move that could dramatically alter the playing field of the 2008 G.O.P. presidential race, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee today named Jesus Christ as his vice-presidential running mate.
Governor Huckabee has made an increasing number of comments about his relationship with Jesus in recent debates, but few Republican insiders expected him to announce that he was anointing Christ as his vice-presidential pick.
“This could be huge for Huckabee,” said Stenson Partridge, a veteran G.O.P. consultant. “Among Republican voters, Jesus Christ is even more popular than Ronald Reagan.”
The Reverend Pat Robertson, a supporter of former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, said he was “blindsided” by the news of Huckabee’s decision: “I talked to Jesus last night and He didn’t mention anything about it.”
At a raucous Huckabee rally in Davenport, Iowa today, supporters of the former Arkansas governor could be seen holding signs reading “HUCKABEE/CHRIST ’08.”
It is “highly unorthodox” for a presidential candidate to select a vice presidential running mate who is a prominent figure in the Holy Bible, says Davis Logsdon, dean of the School of Divinity at the University of Minnesota.
But according to Mr. Logsdon, if the Huckabee-Christ ticket makes it all the way to the White House, it could be historic in more ways than one: “If Huckabee is elected and then something happens to him while in office, we would be looking at our first Jewish president.”
Move to Shore Up Evangelical Base
In a bold move that could dramatically alter the playing field of the 2008 G.O.P. presidential race, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee today named Jesus Christ as his vice-presidential running mate.
Governor Huckabee has made an increasing number of comments about his relationship with Jesus in recent debates, but few Republican insiders expected him to announce that he was anointing Christ as his vice-presidential pick.
“This could be huge for Huckabee,” said Stenson Partridge, a veteran G.O.P. consultant. “Among Republican voters, Jesus Christ is even more popular than Ronald Reagan.”
The Reverend Pat Robertson, a supporter of former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, said he was “blindsided” by the news of Huckabee’s decision: “I talked to Jesus last night and He didn’t mention anything about it.”
At a raucous Huckabee rally in Davenport, Iowa today, supporters of the former Arkansas governor could be seen holding signs reading “HUCKABEE/CHRIST ’08.”
It is “highly unorthodox” for a presidential candidate to select a vice presidential running mate who is a prominent figure in the Holy Bible, says Davis Logsdon, dean of the School of Divinity at the University of Minnesota.
But according to Mr. Logsdon, if the Huckabee-Christ ticket makes it all the way to the White House, it could be historic in more ways than one: “If Huckabee is elected and then something happens to him while in office, we would be looking at our first Jewish president.”
Sunday, December 02, 2007
just saw 'Into The Wild'
We read the book years ago, and, since it was a miserable day of rain and wind (more coming tonight), and since we had other chores in the area, we went to an early-afternoon matinee.
Wonderful film, heartbreaking. Amazing photography and performances by all the actors. Sean Penn is turning into quite the craftsman. Plenty to think about.
While in the theater, my cell phone vibrated. On the way to the car, I checked my message - it was from Joe and Shirley, sitting on Poipu Beach, drinking a mai tai at Brenneke's, my unchanging standard of Heaven on Earth. A bit different from a dark and stormy night in Portland. Enjoy, guys!
Wonderful film, heartbreaking. Amazing photography and performances by all the actors. Sean Penn is turning into quite the craftsman. Plenty to think about.
While in the theater, my cell phone vibrated. On the way to the car, I checked my message - it was from Joe and Shirley, sitting on Poipu Beach, drinking a mai tai at Brenneke's, my unchanging standard of Heaven on Earth. A bit different from a dark and stormy night in Portland. Enjoy, guys!
Friday, November 30, 2007
bible, bible, bible, bible....
Is anyone else out there dumbfounded that time at the last Republican 'debate' was spent on asking the doofuses if they believe that the Bible is 'the word of God'? The only thing worse than that question was the predictable parade of responses that were so patently pandering to the Christianistsas.
I wouldn't mind so much if the logical follow-up occurred (after each old-White-guy had had his say), with the moderator then holding up a Koran and asking 'what do you say to the millions of folks who believe that THIS book is also the Word of God'?
Oh, Lord (so to speak), how I yearn for the day when a presidential candidate is not afraid to say "I respect people of faith, and the strength they derrive from the Bible's message, but, frankly, I suspect that much of organized religion is a major con job, and that believers are SUCKERS."
Yeah, in my dreams.
What passes for political debate in the MSM is utterly pathetic. How can the Professionals in that business look at themselves in the mirror? Why can't everyone perform their work with total integrity and committment to honest quality, like programmers?
By the way, have you rented 'Jesus Camp' yet? You should.
Currently re-reading (3rd time): 'Live From Golgotha,' Gore Vidal's HILARIOUS send-up of religion, advertising, and time-travel sci-fi.
Next book on the pile: 'The Assault on Reason', by Al Gore. I suspect that it will further fuel my indignation (ya think?).
I wouldn't mind so much if the logical follow-up occurred (after each old-White-guy had had his say), with the moderator then holding up a Koran and asking 'what do you say to the millions of folks who believe that THIS book is also the Word of God'?
Oh, Lord (so to speak), how I yearn for the day when a presidential candidate is not afraid to say "I respect people of faith, and the strength they derrive from the Bible's message, but, frankly, I suspect that much of organized religion is a major con job, and that believers are SUCKERS."
Yeah, in my dreams.
What passes for political debate in the MSM is utterly pathetic. How can the Professionals in that business look at themselves in the mirror? Why can't everyone perform their work with total integrity and committment to honest quality, like programmers?
By the way, have you rented 'Jesus Camp' yet? You should.
Currently re-reading (3rd time): 'Live From Golgotha,' Gore Vidal's HILARIOUS send-up of religion, advertising, and time-travel sci-fi.
Next book on the pile: 'The Assault on Reason', by Al Gore. I suspect that it will further fuel my indignation (ya think?).
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
sorry for the Gloom and Doom
Looking over recent posts, I see that I have tended to emphasize the pessimistic side of Life on Earth.
I was going to offer a few encouraging words, to project faith in the Human Spirit to overcome challenges.
History, however, suggests that we are, indeed, screwed. Sorry.
But cheer up, holiday spending appears to be on track.
I was going to offer a few encouraging words, to project faith in the Human Spirit to overcome challenges.
History, however, suggests that we are, indeed, screwed. Sorry.
But cheer up, holiday spending appears to be on track.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
it all depends on who gets to write History
yikes - can he possibly get away with this?
Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking. As we are deluged with Christmas advertising, which propagates the illusion of endless First World prosperity, let's read together the first sentence:
Unless the international community agrees to cut carbon emissions by half over the next generation, climate change is likely to cause large-scale human and economic setbacks and irreversible ecological catastrophes, a U.N. report said on Tuesday.
But hey, Obama said something critical about Hillary.
Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking. As we are deluged with Christmas advertising, which propagates the illusion of endless First World prosperity, let's read together the first sentence:
Unless the international community agrees to cut carbon emissions by half over the next generation, climate change is likely to cause large-scale human and economic setbacks and irreversible ecological catastrophes, a U.N. report said on Tuesday.
But hey, Obama said something critical about Hillary.
Monday, November 26, 2007
goodbye kitties
The last 2 of our 4 kittens just left. Two of them were picked up yesterday, from our craigslist ad.
We've had these kittens for just under 2 months, and it has been a real kick watching them born and develop into minitature cats, full of energy and playfulness.
We hope that Edie, the mom, will not be too upset. She seemed OK last night, with only half a brood around. It was really sad to see them go, but our furniture was on the verge of immanent destruction.
Now we are back to one middle-aged dog and two adult cats. First the boys grew up and moved out, and now this. Life is just one loss after another.
We've had these kittens for just under 2 months, and it has been a real kick watching them born and develop into minitature cats, full of energy and playfulness.
We hope that Edie, the mom, will not be too upset. She seemed OK last night, with only half a brood around. It was really sad to see them go, but our furniture was on the verge of immanent destruction.
Now we are back to one middle-aged dog and two adult cats. First the boys grew up and moved out, and now this. Life is just one loss after another.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
T + 3
We survived the Day, working pretty continuously from 8 am until chow-time. Everything went off perfectly - Karen now feels she is the Master (Mistress?) of Turkey-Roasting.
A couple of the guests reported, the next day, that it was the best Thanksgiving dinner they had ever had.
There are still a few leftovers, and we are just beginning to deal with the turkey stock. All in all, worth the efforts, and we even emerged with a much-cleaner house than it was before.
Yesterday was a magnificent pre-Winter day - sunny but cool. We spent many hours raking and cleaning up the yards and beds. Our compost-pile is loaded with leaves and clippings, and ready for the long snooze until next Spring.
Life here, in the waning days of the Age of Petroleum and Abundance, is pretty good. I will miss this.
Next up: Hannukah and Ben's 21st Birthday!
A couple of the guests reported, the next day, that it was the best Thanksgiving dinner they had ever had.
There are still a few leftovers, and we are just beginning to deal with the turkey stock. All in all, worth the efforts, and we even emerged with a much-cleaner house than it was before.
Yesterday was a magnificent pre-Winter day - sunny but cool. We spent many hours raking and cleaning up the yards and beds. Our compost-pile is loaded with leaves and clippings, and ready for the long snooze until next Spring.
Life here, in the waning days of the Age of Petroleum and Abundance, is pretty good. I will miss this.
Next up: Hannukah and Ben's 21st Birthday!
Monday, November 19, 2007
here we go...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Have you tried OpenDNS?
My geek-friend Dave told me about this last night, surprised that I had not yet heard about it.
Today, I reconfigured my DSL Router to hit their IP addresses for DNS and, by George, it really does noticeably improve Web browsing. Incredible.
Today, I reconfigured my DSL Router to hit their IP addresses for DNS and, by George, it really does noticeably improve Web browsing. Incredible.
T minus 4 and counting
We spent most of the morning moving furniture around, polishing wood, washing windows, setting up tables and chairs, and finalizing the menu and shopping list, in anticipation of 15 people coming for dinner on Thursday.
The stuffing will be corn-bread based, with sausage, tequila-soaked raisins, etc. There will be green beans, the usual cakes and pies, a mountain of mashed potatoes, dry-cured turkey of course, and a couple of cranberry relishes, including the old stand-by: the famous NPR relish, that I've made every year since about 1979.
Karen is genuinely into the ritual of Thanksgiving dinner, and it pleases her to get underway with all the preparations. I am ready for a nap, but I still have to polish more wood, give the dog a bath, and do the grocery shopping this afternoon.
In 30 years, how unbelievable it will seem, that people devoted this much time (and had the opportunity and choices) to plan a meal like this, not to mention simply driving to the store and loading up on all the goodies you can think of.
Unfortunately, I see global catastrophe and human misery in our future - I have no confidence that the powers-that-be will rise to the challenge of managing and minimizing the Transition that is surely coming our way.
Of course, I could be wrong. Wouldn't that be great?
The stuffing will be corn-bread based, with sausage, tequila-soaked raisins, etc. There will be green beans, the usual cakes and pies, a mountain of mashed potatoes, dry-cured turkey of course, and a couple of cranberry relishes, including the old stand-by: the famous NPR relish, that I've made every year since about 1979.
Karen is genuinely into the ritual of Thanksgiving dinner, and it pleases her to get underway with all the preparations. I am ready for a nap, but I still have to polish more wood, give the dog a bath, and do the grocery shopping this afternoon.
In 30 years, how unbelievable it will seem, that people devoted this much time (and had the opportunity and choices) to plan a meal like this, not to mention simply driving to the store and loading up on all the goodies you can think of.
Unfortunately, I see global catastrophe and human misery in our future - I have no confidence that the powers-that-be will rise to the challenge of managing and minimizing the Transition that is surely coming our way.
Of course, I could be wrong. Wouldn't that be great?
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
this is cool
saw a reference to this site on the CBS Evening News.
Incredibly enough, it told me that Dennis reflects 90% of my views, more than any other candidate.
I was surprised that it actually worked.
Incredibly enough, it told me that Dennis reflects 90% of my views, more than any other candidate.
I was surprised that it actually worked.
Gore Vidal endorses Dennis
yea! As everyone here knows, Vidal is my candidate for the greatest American writer of these times (Vonnegut comes in 2nd).
Monday, November 12, 2007
Republican 'survey'
I received this fund-raising solicitation from the National RNC, in the guise of a survey. It was full of pseudo-official bullshit, like the words 'Official Document' and 'Process Immediately'. All the questions have the choices 'Yes', 'No', or 'Undecided' and I am transcribing them VERBATIM:
1. Do you feel voters in Oregon's 1st District support making all of the Bush tax cuts permanent?
2. Do you support the House Democrats' "slow-bleed" strategy to "choke-off" funding for our troops in Iraq, leading to their withdrawal and a perception of American defeat?
3. Should Republicans continue fighting for full implementation of a ballistic missle defense system?
4. Do voters in Oregon's 1st District agree with the Nancy Pelosi Democrat Magority's decision to impose massive tax hikes on the American people?
5. Do you think that House Republicans should continue to push for pro-growth ploicies that create jobs and oppose tax increases that would add a burden to working families and set back our economy?
6. Do you support Congressional Republicans' efforts to decrease domestic government spending in order to reduce the national deficit?
7. Do you support the Democrats' efforts to give federal government bureaucrats complete control of your health care costs and choices?
8. Should Republicans in Congress make expansion of Veterans' benefits a priority?
9. Do you support maintaining anti-terrorism laws that give law enforcement and intelligence agencies the far-reaching powers to track, detain and prosecute terrorists and their accomplices?
10. Should Republicans in the House of Representatives make securing our nation's borders and enforcing our nation's immigration laws, including combating the hiring of illegal workers and ending the "catch and release" policy a top priority?
11. Do you think House Republicans should continue fighting for comprehensive education reform to ensure that every child in America receives a first-rate education?
12. Do you agree that winning back a Republican Mahority in the House of Representatives is essential to stopping the Nancy Pelosi Democrats from raising our taxes, destroying our economy and endangering our homeland?
Who says there are no jobs available for Psych majors?
1. Do you feel voters in Oregon's 1st District support making all of the Bush tax cuts permanent?
2. Do you support the House Democrats' "slow-bleed" strategy to "choke-off" funding for our troops in Iraq, leading to their withdrawal and a perception of American defeat?
3. Should Republicans continue fighting for full implementation of a ballistic missle defense system?
4. Do voters in Oregon's 1st District agree with the Nancy Pelosi Democrat Magority's decision to impose massive tax hikes on the American people?
5. Do you think that House Republicans should continue to push for pro-growth ploicies that create jobs and oppose tax increases that would add a burden to working families and set back our economy?
6. Do you support Congressional Republicans' efforts to decrease domestic government spending in order to reduce the national deficit?
7. Do you support the Democrats' efforts to give federal government bureaucrats complete control of your health care costs and choices?
8. Should Republicans in Congress make expansion of Veterans' benefits a priority?
9. Do you support maintaining anti-terrorism laws that give law enforcement and intelligence agencies the far-reaching powers to track, detain and prosecute terrorists and their accomplices?
10. Should Republicans in the House of Representatives make securing our nation's borders and enforcing our nation's immigration laws, including combating the hiring of illegal workers and ending the "catch and release" policy a top priority?
11. Do you think House Republicans should continue fighting for comprehensive education reform to ensure that every child in America receives a first-rate education?
12. Do you agree that winning back a Republican Mahority in the House of Representatives is essential to stopping the Nancy Pelosi Democrats from raising our taxes, destroying our economy and endangering our homeland?
Who says there are no jobs available for Psych majors?
Friday, November 09, 2007
just saw 'Michael Clayton'
Great film - tense and intelligent, with effective cinematography, a tight script, and believable acting. George Clooney knows what he's doing. Recommended.
amusing video
Al Gore on '30 Rock'. I've never seen the show, but if this is an example of the writing and acting, I should tune in.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
cute kitten photos...
...will NOT be posted here, until I get you to look at this. I had heard about this book a few weeks ago and got it from our library.
Just finished it a couple of days ago, and its effect is still reverberating.
Considering how much time I've been spending the past few months, actively contacting government people to advocate emissions controls, CO2 caps, etc, the arguments advanced by these guys makes all that effort seem misdirected.
The basic argument, to over-simplify, is that Global Climate change is coming and it can't be stopped by current legislative efforts. Rather than visualize humanity retreating to a simpler life and scaled-back economy, the best action would be to accept the inevitability and harness traditional human cleverness (sic) to think and innovate our way into dealing with the changes and ADAPT.
I guess that's easy to say, from someone who lives 400 feet above sea-level. If I were a Floridian or a Pakistani, or a New Yorker, the vision of a 30-foot rise in sea-level might be more difficult to adapt to.
In Holland, they are building floating cities. Think about it.
Now, about the kittens: they are almost a month old, beginning to eat kitty kibble and using the litter-box. They will be ready to find new homes in a couple of weeks. They are truly adorable, and I WILL post some photos soon.
Just finished it a couple of days ago, and its effect is still reverberating.
Considering how much time I've been spending the past few months, actively contacting government people to advocate emissions controls, CO2 caps, etc, the arguments advanced by these guys makes all that effort seem misdirected.
The basic argument, to over-simplify, is that Global Climate change is coming and it can't be stopped by current legislative efforts. Rather than visualize humanity retreating to a simpler life and scaled-back economy, the best action would be to accept the inevitability and harness traditional human cleverness (sic) to think and innovate our way into dealing with the changes and ADAPT.
I guess that's easy to say, from someone who lives 400 feet above sea-level. If I were a Floridian or a Pakistani, or a New Yorker, the vision of a 30-foot rise in sea-level might be more difficult to adapt to.
In Holland, they are building floating cities. Think about it.
Now, about the kittens: they are almost a month old, beginning to eat kitty kibble and using the litter-box. They will be ready to find new homes in a couple of weeks. They are truly adorable, and I WILL post some photos soon.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Sunday, November 04, 2007
no place like home
We are back in sunny, mild Portland, after a week cruising around the Caribbean, sampling the sun, heat, humidity, rain, jungles, caves, third-world sights, and endless buffets, that constitute a Caribbean cruise.
Had a couple of highlights, which I hope to write about at some point. Today, we spent time cleaning the house (our standards are a bit higher than teen-agers), doing laundry (load #3 going now), food shopping, and communing with the animals, who seem pleased to have us back.
Quick shout-out to Joe and Shirley, who met us at the Tampa airport for a too-quick drink and a few laughs, before we resumed our 20-hour travel day, arriving home around 10:30 pm PDT. Here's Joe's post about the visit, complete with photo of the 4 of us.
Just to tantalize you, here is a page describing the cave we visited in Belize. It was truly astonishing.
Had a couple of highlights, which I hope to write about at some point. Today, we spent time cleaning the house (our standards are a bit higher than teen-agers), doing laundry (load #3 going now), food shopping, and communing with the animals, who seem pleased to have us back.
Quick shout-out to Joe and Shirley, who met us at the Tampa airport for a too-quick drink and a few laughs, before we resumed our 20-hour travel day, arriving home around 10:30 pm PDT. Here's Joe's post about the visit, complete with photo of the 4 of us.
Just to tantalize you, here is a page describing the cave we visited in Belize. It was truly astonishing.
Friday, October 26, 2007
um, does anyone else find this headline disturbing?
It's been a while since I took Biology in High School, but aren't we primates?
Dawn in Portland. I let the dog out, then walked outside in my bathrobe. To the east, I see the outline of Mt. Hood, surrounded by a glow of very early-morning light. To the west, I see the extremely full Moon. It's very quiet.
Karen is still in bed, and will sleep late. I woke up around 4, and turned on my little bedside radio, listening to NPR and Air America while dozing in and out, until 7. I am mostly packed, of course - still a couple of very minor decisions to make.
Plane doesn't leave for six hours, and my work projects are under control - must resist urge to tinker this morning.
I know Karen will go into a last-minute frenzy of house-cleaning, which, considering that a teenager, with many priorities other than house-cleaning, will be in charge for the next week, seems on the verge of pointless.
I know I've been derelict in not posting a photo of the kittens upstairs. Here's one:
Dawn in Portland. I let the dog out, then walked outside in my bathrobe. To the east, I see the outline of Mt. Hood, surrounded by a glow of very early-morning light. To the west, I see the extremely full Moon. It's very quiet.
Karen is still in bed, and will sleep late. I woke up around 4, and turned on my little bedside radio, listening to NPR and Air America while dozing in and out, until 7. I am mostly packed, of course - still a couple of very minor decisions to make.
Plane doesn't leave for six hours, and my work projects are under control - must resist urge to tinker this morning.
I know Karen will go into a last-minute frenzy of house-cleaning, which, considering that a teenager, with many priorities other than house-cleaning, will be in charge for the next week, seems on the verge of pointless.
I know I've been derelict in not posting a photo of the kittens upstairs. Here's one:
Thursday, October 25, 2007
heading off for the cruise TOMORROW!
Yes, a giant ship transporting 2000 over-fed people in a large circle for a week, after most of them arrived and will depart by jet airplanes.
I am part of the problem, and the problem is getting worse.
Beautiful, peaceful Fall day in Portland, where the living is good and easy. It's all so unreal.
I am part of the problem
Beautiful, peaceful Fall day in Portland, where the living is good and easy. It's all so unreal.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
getting ready to head out again
We leave Friday afternoon for Florida, to cruise around the Caribbean for a week with family. It's not our favorite kind of vacation, but Karen's 96 year-old Mom has limited mobility and eye-sight, so this is what we do.
In the past, on cruises, I spend hours researching shore activities, to maximize the experiences to be had in each port. This time, there's been little of that. Karen's brother did arrange for one cave tour in Belize (where he had gone some years ago), but, other than that, we have no plans.
On my iPaq, I have two PG Wodehouse novellas, a bunch of O. Henry short stories, and a dozen political/cultural essays by George Orwell, plus a bunch of music. There will be Internet access on the boat (overpriced, as always), which is a mixed blessing.
My mother in Wisconsin is clearly declining - her (even older) brother and his wife are flying there from Phoenix next week, for what they all surely realize is their last visit together. In Portland, Edie, our siamese cat who gave birth to 4 kittens three weeks ago, was ill yesterday, and I am just now waiting for a call-back from the local vet, about what to do.
Meanwhile, we've had three days of spectacular weather, which is greatly disappointing. It's always better to escape to a warm, sunny place, if you're not leaving a warm, sunny place that's your home!
So, my duffle-bag is out again, piles of clothes are being assembled and rethought, and I pulled our 20 year-old snorkels and fins out of the cellar closet. Two client visits today, to turn over recently-completed stuff, and a computer-guy meeting tonight at our synagogue. Busy day - wonder how I'm going to fit a visit to the vet in there?
In the past, on cruises, I spend hours researching shore activities, to maximize the experiences to be had in each port. This time, there's been little of that. Karen's brother did arrange for one cave tour in Belize (where he had gone some years ago), but, other than that, we have no plans.
On my iPaq, I have two PG Wodehouse novellas, a bunch of O. Henry short stories, and a dozen political/cultural essays by George Orwell, plus a bunch of music. There will be Internet access on the boat (overpriced, as always), which is a mixed blessing.
My mother in Wisconsin is clearly declining - her (even older) brother and his wife are flying there from Phoenix next week, for what they all surely realize is their last visit together. In Portland, Edie, our siamese cat who gave birth to 4 kittens three weeks ago, was ill yesterday, and I am just now waiting for a call-back from the local vet, about what to do.
Meanwhile, we've had three days of spectacular weather, which is greatly disappointing. It's always better to escape to a warm, sunny place, if you're not leaving a warm, sunny place that's your home!
So, my duffle-bag is out again, piles of clothes are being assembled and rethought, and I pulled our 20 year-old snorkels and fins out of the cellar closet. Two client visits today, to turn over recently-completed stuff, and a computer-guy meeting tonight at our synagogue. Busy day - wonder how I'm going to fit a visit to the vet in there?
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Accepting Hillary
Gore is not going to run - he's made it quite clear. It's going to be Hillary - she has been annointed by The Power - and pretending that it ain't so is a waste of energy.
She has the cash, she has the zeitgeist, she has the name recognition.
Obama as a VP makes sense - a Democratic ticket that couldn't be better designed to bring out the worst in the die-hard rednecks, many of whom are still blind as to who has been picking their pockets since 1980.
It's going to be ugly.
Hard to believe that we are still over a year away from the next election, if it is permitted to happen. Easier to believe that a GOP that sees itself doomed to ignominious defeat will pull some stunt out of their voluminous bag of magic tricks (standard election fraud, The Fear, and martial law, in some combination, ought to work fine).
And, if Hillary does make it to Innauguration Day, what kind of a world will she be tasked to manage? Yikes.
Seems to me her best strategy is to say to the other Democratic candidates, "give it up, acknowledge that I'm going to be in the top slot, and I'll put you in the Cabinet position of your choice, announcing that slate after the last Primary."
I surfed thru the TV channels last night, before heading off to read my current book, and was struck by the profoundly-sad heights of human triviality that the networks present. 'Beauty and the Geek,' while it does offer many opportunities for cleavage-comparisons, seemed to say that those women are little more than great hair, great skin, and did I mention cleavage?
Gore will emerge as a the first global leader in history, who is not holding political power. There have been UN General Secretaries that approached this status, but Gore will redefine the category.
Hillary may do OK. We could do much worse. On Cheney's dying day, he will still be convinced that everything he did was right and necessary.
Bush will fade into permanent disgrace - the National butt of jokes, reduced to celebrity golf tournaments and sports commentary. He will find this wonderful.
Have you sensed that I have not had any coffee this morning? Must address this.
She has the cash, she has the zeitgeist, she has the name recognition.
Obama as a VP makes sense - a Democratic ticket that couldn't be better designed to bring out the worst in the die-hard rednecks, many of whom are still blind as to who has been picking their pockets since 1980.
It's going to be ugly.
Hard to believe that we are still over a year away from the next election, if it is permitted to happen. Easier to believe that a GOP that sees itself doomed to ignominious defeat will pull some stunt out of their voluminous bag of magic tricks (standard election fraud, The Fear, and martial law, in some combination, ought to work fine).
And, if Hillary does make it to Innauguration Day, what kind of a world will she be tasked to manage? Yikes.
Seems to me her best strategy is to say to the other Democratic candidates, "give it up, acknowledge that I'm going to be in the top slot, and I'll put you in the Cabinet position of your choice, announcing that slate after the last Primary."
I surfed thru the TV channels last night, before heading off to read my current book, and was struck by the profoundly-sad heights of human triviality that the networks present. 'Beauty and the Geek,' while it does offer many opportunities for cleavage-comparisons, seemed to say that those women are little more than great hair, great skin, and did I mention cleavage?
Gore will emerge as a the first global leader in history, who is not holding political power. There have been UN General Secretaries that approached this status, but Gore will redefine the category.
Hillary may do OK. We could do much worse. On Cheney's dying day, he will still be convinced that everything he did was right and necessary.
Bush will fade into permanent disgrace - the National butt of jokes, reduced to celebrity golf tournaments and sports commentary. He will find this wonderful.
Have you sensed that I have not had any coffee this morning? Must address this.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Randi Rhodes hospitalized
Apparently the victim of a violent mugging in New York. Details are sparse, other than her losing some teeth and being out of commission for a few days.
Meanwhile, read some of the comments ('Anonymous', of course) from the compassionate conservatives. Sickening.
I listen to Randi every day, and was somewhat surprised when a guest hosted yesterday's show. Now it becomes clear.
By the way, no money or jewelry was taken from her. Too soon to know what/why this happened, but I can't help wondering if the assailant was wearing a brown shirt.
UPDATE: there are now conflicting stories about the incident - might NOT have been a mugging. Hold off on further speculation until we know more.
Meanwhile, read some of the comments ('Anonymous', of course) from the compassionate conservatives. Sickening.
I listen to Randi every day, and was somewhat surprised when a guest hosted yesterday's show. Now it becomes clear.
By the way, no money or jewelry was taken from her. Too soon to know what/why this happened, but I can't help wondering if the assailant was wearing a brown shirt.
UPDATE: there are now conflicting stories about the incident - might NOT have been a mugging. Hold off on further speculation until we know more.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
why isn't this story on every front page?
So, former Qwest exec Joe Nacchio says that the Bushies wanted Qwest to engage in warrantless wiretaps 6 months BEFORE 9/11/2001?
Um, that would be 1 month after the 2000 Coup d'etat.
Doesn't this qualify for a collective 'WTF' moment? Hello?
Um, that would be 1 month after the 2000 Coup d'etat.
Doesn't this qualify for a collective 'WTF' moment? Hello?
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
I disagree with Wesley Clark
I respect him, but I think this petition campaign to get Congress to dump Rush from Armed Forces Radio is dead-wrong. Go ahead and sign it, if you think it's the correct action. However...
Free Speech is Free Speech, no matter where it comes from. The antidote to Bad Speech (which Rush certainly is) is NOT to censor it, but to publicly criticize it.
I know this goes against the George Lakoff approach, which says that ridicule is ineffective with Those People, but I still maintain that making it clear that Rush is an unacceptable boob is more effective, in the long run, than purging him from the airwaves (which makes him a martyr).
Just finished reading a wonderful biography of George Orwell, and then read 'Animal Farm', for the first time in 40 years (just takes a couple of hours). Great writing - relentless in its portrayal of the arrogance of power and privilege.
Time to make coffee and get to work. John Dean is on Air America in one hour.
Free Speech is Free Speech, no matter where it comes from. The antidote to Bad Speech (which Rush certainly is) is NOT to censor it, but to publicly criticize it.
I know this goes against the George Lakoff approach, which says that ridicule is ineffective with Those People, but I still maintain that making it clear that Rush is an unacceptable boob is more effective, in the long run, than purging him from the airwaves (which makes him a martyr).
Just finished reading a wonderful biography of George Orwell, and then read 'Animal Farm', for the first time in 40 years (just takes a couple of hours). Great writing - relentless in its portrayal of the arrogance of power and privilege.
Time to make coffee and get to work. John Dean is on Air America in one hour.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
back home
Ah, the familiarity of a dark, drippy Sunday morning in Portland.
We landed around 11 pm and were home before midnight. The dog and cats were happy to see us - the house was in pretty good shape - just a pizza box, a slightly-disheveled guest-room bed, and other assorted debris to let us know that teenagers were here.
Mom was to spend Saturday night in the hospital and should be released this morning. She was obviously improving by the time we said our goodbyes, Saturday afternoon.
Although we did have about an hour in the Minneapolis airport, I didn't go seeking the Larry Craig bathroom. I guess the novelty has worn off. I did use the facilities there, but did not accidentally touch the foot of the guy in the next stall.
One moment from this trip stands out. We went for a very brief walk outside Mom's facility. Next door to it is a children's DayCare, and there were a bunch of very energetic little kids, running around the play structure, jumping around, and squealing.
With us watching from across the fence, I flashed on the end of '2001 - A Space Odyssey', where we cycle through a human life, young to old, with the constantly shifting perspective. That's Life, I guess, except for the part about being reborn as a cosmic baby - the jury's still out on that.
Cleaning the house, going thru the mail, talking to the still-pregnant-and-enormous cat, doing laundry, preparing a shopping list - all the domestic chores for today. It's somewhat reassuring.
Scanned my calendar for October - lots of events coming up in the next few weeks, culminating in our next trip - a flight to south Florida for a week-long Caribbean cruise. Still, I put my duffle-bag in the attic - don't need to think about repacking it again for a little while.
Wondering when, and under what circumstances, I will be seeing my Mom again.
We landed around 11 pm and were home before midnight. The dog and cats were happy to see us - the house was in pretty good shape - just a pizza box, a slightly-disheveled guest-room bed, and other assorted debris to let us know that teenagers were here.
Mom was to spend Saturday night in the hospital and should be released this morning. She was obviously improving by the time we said our goodbyes, Saturday afternoon.
Although we did have about an hour in the Minneapolis airport, I didn't go seeking the Larry Craig bathroom. I guess the novelty has worn off. I did use the facilities there, but did not accidentally touch the foot of the guy in the next stall.
One moment from this trip stands out. We went for a very brief walk outside Mom's facility. Next door to it is a children's DayCare, and there were a bunch of very energetic little kids, running around the play structure, jumping around, and squealing.
With us watching from across the fence, I flashed on the end of '2001 - A Space Odyssey', where we cycle through a human life, young to old, with the constantly shifting perspective. That's Life, I guess, except for the part about being reborn as a cosmic baby - the jury's still out on that.
Cleaning the house, going thru the mail, talking to the still-pregnant-and-enormous cat, doing laundry, preparing a shopping list - all the domestic chores for today. It's somewhat reassuring.
Scanned my calendar for October - lots of events coming up in the next few weeks, culminating in our next trip - a flight to south Florida for a week-long Caribbean cruise. Still, I put my duffle-bag in the attic - don't need to think about repacking it again for a little while.
Wondering when, and under what circumstances, I will be seeing my Mom again.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Friday night in Wisconsin
Karen and I stopped by my Mom's Assisted Living place this morning. Mom was not looking all that great - seemed pale and was breathing with a little difficulty. Nevertheless, we took a very short walk outside, so that she could enjoy the warm sunshine.
At lunch time, Karen and I took off for Cedarburg, a nearby town famous for its antique stores and restored brick buildings. It was charming. We had a little lunch, then browsed around for a couple of hours. Karen bought some antique salt-and-pepper thingies and a glass plate. I bought a CD of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie tunes ($3). Each to his/her own.
We got back to Mom's around 2:30, and she was looking awful - breathing with difficulty and hands shaking. We phoned my sister-in-law, and decided to take her to the Emergency room. We spent the next 5 hours there, while they did some tests, administered some medications, and analyzed the x-rays and tests. She was visibly better by early evening, but they decided to keep her there overnight, for observation.
My brother said that Mom has been in just about every different examining room at the Emergency dept. of this local hospital, over the past three years. Sucks to get old.
We finally got back to my brother's house around 8, ate some dinner, then tried to relax. Karen is watching a DVD - some Jerry Bruckheimer action/sci-fi film, with Denzel Washington. Allen went to sleep. I retreated to the bedroom, to read blogs and get ready for bed myself.
We head to the Milwaukee airport late tomorrow afternoon, and should be landing in Portland just before midnight, tomorrow night. All in all, it's been a nice visit - Karen and I went bike-riding yesterday, returning to my brother's house 10 minutes before the lightning and hail storm hit. The countryside around here is pretty, in a gently-rolling-but-mostly-flat sort of way.
Tired now. Long day.
At lunch time, Karen and I took off for Cedarburg, a nearby town famous for its antique stores and restored brick buildings. It was charming. We had a little lunch, then browsed around for a couple of hours. Karen bought some antique salt-and-pepper thingies and a glass plate. I bought a CD of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie tunes ($3). Each to his/her own.
We got back to Mom's around 2:30, and she was looking awful - breathing with difficulty and hands shaking. We phoned my sister-in-law, and decided to take her to the Emergency room. We spent the next 5 hours there, while they did some tests, administered some medications, and analyzed the x-rays and tests. She was visibly better by early evening, but they decided to keep her there overnight, for observation.
My brother said that Mom has been in just about every different examining room at the Emergency dept. of this local hospital, over the past three years. Sucks to get old.
We finally got back to my brother's house around 8, ate some dinner, then tried to relax. Karen is watching a DVD - some Jerry Bruckheimer action/sci-fi film, with Denzel Washington. Allen went to sleep. I retreated to the bedroom, to read blogs and get ready for bed myself.
We head to the Milwaukee airport late tomorrow afternoon, and should be landing in Portland just before midnight, tomorrow night. All in all, it's been a nice visit - Karen and I went bike-riding yesterday, returning to my brother's house 10 minutes before the lightning and hail storm hit. The countryside around here is pretty, in a gently-rolling-but-mostly-flat sort of way.
Tired now. Long day.
Monday, September 24, 2007
simply brilliant
this ad campaign from Horizon Air, touting their Portland-Seattle shuttle flights.
Anyone who is a fan of the Ken Burns 'Civil War' documentary will hoot with pleasure at this. Someone deserves an award.
Anyone who is a fan of the Ken Burns 'Civil War' documentary will hoot with pleasure at this. Someone deserves an award.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
I scream at my TV again
Last night, as we generally do, we watched the ABC Evening News. I love doing this because, as a less-subtle arm of the Bush Administration, ABC News accomplishes its mission thru less-flagrant innuendo and distortion than its cousin, Fox.
In other words, you have to think about both what they are saying and what they are leaving out, in order to fully appreciate the delusions being perpetrated. For example...
Last night, they did a brief piece on the alarming shrinkage of the Arctic ice-cap. A nice animated graphic showed its shocking reduction, over the past couple of years. They then immediately morphed into a series of quick cuts, showing naval vessels from several countries, all making their presence known to each other to bolster each country's claims on the newly-accessible seabed.
Then, the piece teasingly asked, 'and why is everyone so interested in the newly-accessible seabed?', and ended with the confident statement that it's the new oil fields that are certainly there, just waiting to provide a cash bonanza for the lucky country who establishes the right claims.
And there the story ended, moving quickly on to OJ.
And that's where I screamed at my TV, because the ABC copy-editors incredibly missed the opportunity (or was it intentional - you decide) to nicely close the circle on the entire piece. Here's the sentence they omitted:
"Isn't it ironic that the easing of the global hunger for new sources of oil (i.e. the 'good news' in this story) is directly responsible for the ice-cap disappearing (the 'bad news' in the story)."
In other words, burning oil has opened up the Arctic, to enable us to find more oil to burn.
Again and again, I return to the wise words of Kurt Vonnegut, who, when asked what he would say to the People of the Future, said: 'Forgive us - we were drunk on petroleum.'
In other words, you have to think about both what they are saying and what they are leaving out, in order to fully appreciate the delusions being perpetrated. For example...
Last night, they did a brief piece on the alarming shrinkage of the Arctic ice-cap. A nice animated graphic showed its shocking reduction, over the past couple of years. They then immediately morphed into a series of quick cuts, showing naval vessels from several countries, all making their presence known to each other to bolster each country's claims on the newly-accessible seabed.
Then, the piece teasingly asked, 'and why is everyone so interested in the newly-accessible seabed?', and ended with the confident statement that it's the new oil fields that are certainly there, just waiting to provide a cash bonanza for the lucky country who establishes the right claims.
And there the story ended, moving quickly on to OJ.
And that's where I screamed at my TV, because the ABC copy-editors incredibly missed the opportunity (or was it intentional - you decide) to nicely close the circle on the entire piece. Here's the sentence they omitted:
"Isn't it ironic that the easing of the global hunger for new sources of oil (i.e. the 'good news' in this story) is directly responsible for the ice-cap disappearing (the 'bad news' in the story)."
In other words, burning oil has opened up the Arctic, to enable us to find more oil to burn.
Again and again, I return to the wise words of Kurt Vonnegut, who, when asked what he would say to the People of the Future, said: 'Forgive us - we were drunk on petroleum.'
Monday, September 17, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
RESIST the Hillary/Obama/Edwards media focus
watch
As it was in 2004, there is a real alternative to where the media wants your attention directed.
As it was in 2004, there is a real alternative to where the media wants your attention directed.
Friday, September 14, 2007
as always, Paul Krugman nail it
reprinted here. It's always been The Oil, and nothing but The Oil.
By the way, anyone who ever accused Bush of not having an Exit Strategy, is dead wrong. He's got it all planned.
Bastard.
By the way, anyone who ever accused Bush of not having an Exit Strategy, is dead wrong. He's got it all planned.
Bastard.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
this is weird
Both Ramadan and Rosh Hashonna begin tonight at sunset. Since Ramadan cycles thru the months, over many years, this can't happen all that often. Anybody know just how rare this is?
check out the photo
here. Between the headline and the Vlad's picture, this seems a little on the ominous side.
I know it's just part of the process, but I can't help wondering if W looks at how things are run 'over there', and yearns for that much power for himself.
Meanwhile, Rosh Hashonna begins at sundown tonight. I am playing music with three other friends at a congregational dinner, before services, so I have to schlep my electric piano and amp downtown this morning for setup and the sound-check.
Happy New Year. To tell you the truth, this seems a lot more reasonable as the seasons change here in September, than in the middle of winter, but I guess you have to look at it from the perspective of northern European pagans, for whom the days after the winter solstice were reassuring, convincing them that the sun was NOT going to totally disappear ("whew - dodged that bullet AGAIN!").
Meanwhile, Kucinich will be on Ed Schultz's radio show for all 3 hours today. Should be great exposure.
I know it's just part of the process, but I can't help wondering if W looks at how things are run 'over there', and yearns for that much power for himself.
Meanwhile, Rosh Hashonna begins at sundown tonight. I am playing music with three other friends at a congregational dinner, before services, so I have to schlep my electric piano and amp downtown this morning for setup and the sound-check.
Happy New Year. To tell you the truth, this seems a lot more reasonable as the seasons change here in September, than in the middle of winter, but I guess you have to look at it from the perspective of northern European pagans, for whom the days after the winter solstice were reassuring, convincing them that the sun was NOT going to totally disappear ("whew - dodged that bullet AGAIN!").
Meanwhile, Kucinich will be on Ed Schultz's radio show for all 3 hours today. Should be great exposure.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sept. 11, 2001
I woke up around 5:30 am, to the familiar sound of port-a-potty doors slamming. I was in my tent, in a pasture in Crane, Oregon, surrounded by 2000 other tents. It was the 3rd day of my first Cycle Oregon.
I had been training all that summer, while waiting for my job with Enron to be terminated. It did end, at the end of August.
I got up, and, in the chilly dawn, got myself dressed, packed up and fed. The prior day was a hard ride, up and over a high ridge, along a long, dusty gravel road, up and over another divide, and down into the flat high desert. Today's ride was only 35 miles, to Diamond. Easy.
By the time I was in the saddle, it was a bright, quiet morning, on a largely-flat two-lane blacktop, through fragrant sagebrush. After a few miles, I came up to one of the many rest-stops. Curiously, there were people clustered around one of the support vans, instead of waiting in long lines at the port-a-potty or quick-carbs stations. People were talking.
I joined the conversation. "Has something happened?" This was about 9 am. "The World Trade Center has been destroyed." "No shit?" "Yep". "Wow".
I continued down the road with everyone else. It was very strange.
Pulled into Diamond around 11 or so. Pitched my tent, grabbed some lunch, then headed over to the staging area where they had arranged buses, to take the early-birds up to the top of Steens Mountain. As I waited in line with others, I had my little shortwave radio with me, but news was spotty and reception poor.
We filled one bus and headed out. Still a beautiful, warm day as we motored down to Frenchglen, then began the gradual ascent of Steens. At the windy top, the view was impressive along the steep east face, down a couple thousand feet to the gleaming desert below. We hiked along the crest, then along the Kiger gorge. There were some rumors of what was going on in the rest of the world - some of them quite wild ("I heard that San Francisco was also about to be attacked").
After an amazing afternoon up there, we got back on the bus and were driven back to Diamond. There was the normal beer garden, and dinner lines. At the regular evening gathering, Jonathan Nichols of the Oregonian gave us what news he had, and mentioned that some folks were leaving the Tour, to try to get to their East Coast homes. He said that the directors considered cancelling the remainder of the ride, but that notion was quickly dismissed.
Someone produced a trumpet and played taps, which echoed in the desert twilight. Soon, I went to bed. The next day would bring more bike-riding and more scenery, followed by three more, taking us back, via Burns, to Prarie City and the bus-ride back to Portland.
We got into Portland late Saturday night. I was tanned and very tired, having ridden about 500 miles that week. I slept a lot over the next couple of days.
It wasn't until the middle of the next week that I finally saw the video of the planes hitting the Trade Center. I had totally missed the media frenzy/nightmare. I think that was a very good thing.
Cycle Oregon is going on right now. This is the first one since 2001, where Sept. 11 has once again fallen on a Tuesday. I know they are talking about it right now, as they finish their coffee, break camp, and mount their bikes.
I am so sorry what has happened to my country in these six years. A very few people have made a lot of money from this tragedy, and surely goodness and mercy have eluded the world, while Frat-Boy smirks and his buddies send their invoices to our depleted Treasury.
We could have been so much better than this. We could have pursued justice, rather than blind revenge. We could have embraced hope, rather than fear.
Nah - no profits in hope. One Nation, Under Intimidation.
I had been training all that summer, while waiting for my job with Enron to be terminated. It did end, at the end of August.
I got up, and, in the chilly dawn, got myself dressed, packed up and fed. The prior day was a hard ride, up and over a high ridge, along a long, dusty gravel road, up and over another divide, and down into the flat high desert. Today's ride was only 35 miles, to Diamond. Easy.
By the time I was in the saddle, it was a bright, quiet morning, on a largely-flat two-lane blacktop, through fragrant sagebrush. After a few miles, I came up to one of the many rest-stops. Curiously, there were people clustered around one of the support vans, instead of waiting in long lines at the port-a-potty or quick-carbs stations. People were talking.
I joined the conversation. "Has something happened?" This was about 9 am. "The World Trade Center has been destroyed." "No shit?" "Yep". "Wow".
I continued down the road with everyone else. It was very strange.
Pulled into Diamond around 11 or so. Pitched my tent, grabbed some lunch, then headed over to the staging area where they had arranged buses, to take the early-birds up to the top of Steens Mountain. As I waited in line with others, I had my little shortwave radio with me, but news was spotty and reception poor.
We filled one bus and headed out. Still a beautiful, warm day as we motored down to Frenchglen, then began the gradual ascent of Steens. At the windy top, the view was impressive along the steep east face, down a couple thousand feet to the gleaming desert below. We hiked along the crest, then along the Kiger gorge. There were some rumors of what was going on in the rest of the world - some of them quite wild ("I heard that San Francisco was also about to be attacked").
After an amazing afternoon up there, we got back on the bus and were driven back to Diamond. There was the normal beer garden, and dinner lines. At the regular evening gathering, Jonathan Nichols of the Oregonian gave us what news he had, and mentioned that some folks were leaving the Tour, to try to get to their East Coast homes. He said that the directors considered cancelling the remainder of the ride, but that notion was quickly dismissed.
Someone produced a trumpet and played taps, which echoed in the desert twilight. Soon, I went to bed. The next day would bring more bike-riding and more scenery, followed by three more, taking us back, via Burns, to Prarie City and the bus-ride back to Portland.
We got into Portland late Saturday night. I was tanned and very tired, having ridden about 500 miles that week. I slept a lot over the next couple of days.
It wasn't until the middle of the next week that I finally saw the video of the planes hitting the Trade Center. I had totally missed the media frenzy/nightmare. I think that was a very good thing.
Cycle Oregon is going on right now. This is the first one since 2001, where Sept. 11 has once again fallen on a Tuesday. I know they are talking about it right now, as they finish their coffee, break camp, and mount their bikes.
I am so sorry what has happened to my country in these six years. A very few people have made a lot of money from this tragedy, and surely goodness and mercy have eluded the world, while Frat-Boy smirks and his buddies send their invoices to our depleted Treasury.
We could have been so much better than this. We could have pursued justice, rather than blind revenge. We could have embraced hope, rather than fear.
Nah - no profits in hope. One Nation, Under Intimidation.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
nothing to see here - move along...
hmmm. At our camping trip last weekend, one of my friends had a copy of the new book "The World Without Us", and NPR just did a segment on that book.
The author described the crumbling skyscrapers and the huge fires that would sweep thru an unattended, unwatered Central Park. What he left out of that scenario is the likelihood that Manhattan will be under several meters of water, by the end of this century.
I pity my unborn grandchildren. They will shake their heads in disbelief, how we could have been so blind, so utterly consumed by our own consumption and diversions. They will never understand how, each night as we watched what was supposed to be the nightly news, we were told to be alarmed about restless leg syndrome.
We are a society full of Neros, fiddling around while Greenland melts.
The author described the crumbling skyscrapers and the huge fires that would sweep thru an unattended, unwatered Central Park. What he left out of that scenario is the likelihood that Manhattan will be under several meters of water, by the end of this century.
I pity my unborn grandchildren. They will shake their heads in disbelief, how we could have been so blind, so utterly consumed by our own consumption and diversions. They will never understand how, each night as we watched what was supposed to be the nightly news, we were told to be alarmed about restless leg syndrome.
We are a society full of Neros, fiddling around while Greenland melts.
Friday, September 07, 2007
I have to laugh
at this.
So, a wacko group up in Battle Ground, WA (makes perfect sense if you've ever been there) is urging Americans to 'boycott the Minneapolis airport'.
Umm, aren't boycotts supposed to target things or places which you can choose NOT to frequent? Anyone who is flying ANYWHERE on Northwest Airlines (which I frequently do) ALWAYS changes planes in Minneapolis (which I have done many times, and will again in 2 weeks).
I guess the folks in Battle Ground envision people saying, "You know that cross-country drive I'm doing next month? I staying clear of that airport in Minneapolis. THAT'll show them.'
For what it's worth, I've used the facilities in airports many times, and never did my feet touch the guy in the next stall. Guess my stance is not very wide.
So, a wacko group up in Battle Ground, WA (makes perfect sense if you've ever been there) is urging Americans to 'boycott the Minneapolis airport'.
Umm, aren't boycotts supposed to target things or places which you can choose NOT to frequent? Anyone who is flying ANYWHERE on Northwest Airlines (which I frequently do) ALWAYS changes planes in Minneapolis (which I have done many times, and will again in 2 weeks).
I guess the folks in Battle Ground envision people saying, "You know that cross-country drive I'm doing next month? I staying clear of that airport in Minneapolis. THAT'll show them.'
For what it's worth, I've used the facilities in airports many times, and never did my feet touch the guy in the next stall. Guess my stance is not very wide.
yikes
Starting to feel like 1968 again.
I started college in 1969, having already, as a 17 year old, concluded that the Vietnam War had to end.
October 15th, 1969: I attended the first nationwide Moratorium in downtown Baltimore - my first mass anti-war rally. Big crowd, very exciting. Corretta Scott King spoke to us.
November 15th, 1969: I attended the GIANT Moratorium in DC (250,000, dubbed the 'largest anti-war protest in U.S. history' - the one shown in 'Forrest Gump'). It produced a stunning sense of solidarity, and a good time was had by all.
These two events made a big impact on me, and I think of them every time I attend yet another Stop-The-War event (there have been so many wars; so many events).
Now, it's this generation's turn to have that experience, with nationwide rallys planned for September 15th. Hope to see y'all there.
I started college in 1969, having already, as a 17 year old, concluded that the Vietnam War had to end.
October 15th, 1969: I attended the first nationwide Moratorium in downtown Baltimore - my first mass anti-war rally. Big crowd, very exciting. Corretta Scott King spoke to us.
November 15th, 1969: I attended the GIANT Moratorium in DC (250,000, dubbed the 'largest anti-war protest in U.S. history' - the one shown in 'Forrest Gump'). It produced a stunning sense of solidarity, and a good time was had by all.
These two events made a big impact on me, and I think of them every time I attend yet another Stop-The-War event (there have been so many wars; so many events).
Now, it's this generation's turn to have that experience, with nationwide rallys planned for September 15th. Hope to see y'all there.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Progressive Voter Network news
I may have mentioned in prior posts that I have gotten involved with this new nationwide group (that does not yet have a web site).
It's an attempt to mobilize groups of neighbors into teams, to take specific actions aimed at influencing legislators on mostly Environmental and Energy issues. There was a nice planning meeting here at the house tonight, where I met the other local Team Leaders (I am one now).
The immediate target it to get Gordon Smith to sign on to one of the progressive pending CO2 emission reduction bills. Wouldn't it be nice if this group really developed a reputation as dedicated and persistent?
If nothing else, maybe we can all get adjoining cells at the Re-education Camp.
It's an attempt to mobilize groups of neighbors into teams, to take specific actions aimed at influencing legislators on mostly Environmental and Energy issues. There was a nice planning meeting here at the house tonight, where I met the other local Team Leaders (I am one now).
The immediate target it to get Gordon Smith to sign on to one of the progressive pending CO2 emission reduction bills. Wouldn't it be nice if this group really developed a reputation as dedicated and persistent?
If nothing else, maybe we can all get adjoining cells at the Re-education Camp.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
It must work, or why would they keep trying?
Received this morning:
Date: Tue, 04 Sep 2007 07:46:57 AM PDT
From: "Internal Revenue Service U.S.A."
Subject: September 2007 Tax Refund
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $109.30.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 3 days in order to process it. A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
To access the form for your tax refund, please click here : http://sls-gc2p17.dca2.superb.net/irs/
Regards, Internal Revenue Service
© Copyright 2007, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A.
I love the 'allow us 3 days in order to process it'. If they really wanted to make it sound like an official IRS letter, they'd say something more realistic, like '3 months'.
Date: Tue, 04 Sep 2007 07:46:57 AM PDT
From: "Internal Revenue Service U.S.A."
Subject: September 2007 Tax Refund
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $109.30.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 3 days in order to process it. A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
To access the form for your tax refund, please click here : http://sls-gc2p17.dca2.superb.net/irs/
Regards, Internal Revenue Service
© Copyright 2007, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A.
I love the 'allow us 3 days in order to process it'. If they really wanted to make it sound like an official IRS letter, they'd say something more realistic, like '3 months'.
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