Hope you enjoy this. Meanwhile, for personal reasons, I'll be taking a break from blogging for the rest of the year.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Turning Point
In an interview in Vanity Fair, several Bush aids are pointing at Hurricane Katrina as the turning point of the Bush administration (September of 2005). According to them, the American public lost faith in Bush during his botched response to the storm, and the President never regained the public's trust after that.
An interesting theory, but wrong. As I've said before, the big turning point actually came in the spring of 2005 during the Terry Schiavo case.
You may remember her as the woman in Florida who was in a vegetative state, and who's family became embroiled in a bitter battle over whether to disconnect her feeding tube. The then Republican Congress got involved and passed legislation seeking to keep her on the feeding tube. President Bush, in a dramatic gesture, hopped on Air Force One and flew from Texas to DC to sign the legislation. He did this even though he could just as well have signed the bill while at his ranch where he was vacationing at the time.
Americans in general were horrified by this exhibition of political opportunism. Many of us have had to deal with such decisions within our own families. It's an intensely personal and--yes--difficult choice to make. And while it was unfortunate that the Schiavo family could not arrive at a consensus on their own, the United States Congress and the President had absolutely no business getting involved.
It was during this tragic circus that most sensible Americans finally realized that the Republican party had gone too far in pandering to the lunatics of the religious right. It was also the moment that began the downfall of the Republican party and led to their eventual loss of both Congress and the White House.
An interesting theory, but wrong. As I've said before, the big turning point actually came in the spring of 2005 during the Terry Schiavo case.
You may remember her as the woman in Florida who was in a vegetative state, and who's family became embroiled in a bitter battle over whether to disconnect her feeding tube. The then Republican Congress got involved and passed legislation seeking to keep her on the feeding tube. President Bush, in a dramatic gesture, hopped on Air Force One and flew from Texas to DC to sign the legislation. He did this even though he could just as well have signed the bill while at his ranch where he was vacationing at the time.
Americans in general were horrified by this exhibition of political opportunism. Many of us have had to deal with such decisions within our own families. It's an intensely personal and--yes--difficult choice to make. And while it was unfortunate that the Schiavo family could not arrive at a consensus on their own, the United States Congress and the President had absolutely no business getting involved.
It was during this tragic circus that most sensible Americans finally realized that the Republican party had gone too far in pandering to the lunatics of the religious right. It was also the moment that began the downfall of the Republican party and led to their eventual loss of both Congress and the White House.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Winning Hearts and Minds....
And Certain Other Organs
With the U.S. hopelessly bogged down in Iraq for much of the last five years, the war in Afghanistan has been neglected. As a result, many of the gains against the Taliban made early on have been eroded.
However, it seems we may have finally discovered a winning strategy in winning back the country's citizens. And no, it has nothing to do with the deployment of more troops, or increased air power, or (sorry to disappoint Mr. Cheney) the use of "enhanced methods of interrogation."
Rather, it has to do with Viagra.
Yep, the CIA has found that bribing village elders--often shouldered with the responsibility of satisfying several wives--gladly surrender information on Taliban movements in exchange for those little blue pills.
However, it seems we may have finally discovered a winning strategy in winning back the country's citizens. And no, it has nothing to do with the deployment of more troops, or increased air power, or (sorry to disappoint Mr. Cheney) the use of "enhanced methods of interrogation."
Rather, it has to do with Viagra.
Yep, the CIA has found that bribing village elders--often shouldered with the responsibility of satisfying several wives--gladly surrender information on Taliban movements in exchange for those little blue pills.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Lights Out
A severe storm knocked out power on virtually the entire Hawaiian island of Oahu. Among those effected by the massive blackout was President-elect Barack Obama, who has a home on the island. He and his family were without power for 11 hours.
Police are investigating unconfirmed reports that John McCain was seen fleeing the area in a small boat.
Police are investigating unconfirmed reports that John McCain was seen fleeing the area in a small boat.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Speaking of Nuts Roasting on an Open Fire...
Aside from the immense waste of life, one of the most scandalous things about the Iraq war has been the profound waste of money. Of the tens of billions of dollars in aid provided by American taxpayers to rebuild the country, billions remain unaccounted for. For all we know, much of the money has simply ended up lining the pockets of corrupt Iraqi politicians.
So you would think that the Bush administration and Congress would have learned a thing or two about insuring that our money goes where it's intended to, and is otherwise properly tracked.
And if you seriously thought that, you would be a naive fool.
Of that $700 billion bailout package provided to financial institutions last month, billions are unaccounted for. Many of the recipient banks simply don't know where the funds went, or are outright refusing to say.
I have previously offered a novel solution for holding the people responsible for our current economic mess accountable: Cut off their nuts.
Perhaps it's time to expand that list of names.
So you would think that the Bush administration and Congress would have learned a thing or two about insuring that our money goes where it's intended to, and is otherwise properly tracked.
And if you seriously thought that, you would be a naive fool.
Of that $700 billion bailout package provided to financial institutions last month, billions are unaccounted for. Many of the recipient banks simply don't know where the funds went, or are outright refusing to say.
I have previously offered a novel solution for holding the people responsible for our current economic mess accountable: Cut off their nuts.
Perhaps it's time to expand that list of names.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Is Irony a Sacrament?
A Vatican committee has come out with a controversial ethics guide intended to set rules for reproductive sciences. It condemns such things as stem cell research and the practice of discarding unused eggs after fertility treatments.
The irony of having a bunch of old men who have never had sex create such a document is apparently lost on the authors.
Anyway, Church officials also go on to list as unethical other such things as the artificial insemination of eggs, cloning research, gene therapy, and the genetic testing of embryos. They also condemn the use of "morning after" pills.
No word on whether these same Church officials plan to come out with an ethics guide to control the behavior of priests around altar boys.
The irony of having a bunch of old men who have never had sex create such a document is apparently lost on the authors.
Anyway, Church officials also go on to list as unethical other such things as the artificial insemination of eggs, cloning research, gene therapy, and the genetic testing of embryos. They also condemn the use of "morning after" pills.
No word on whether these same Church officials plan to come out with an ethics guide to control the behavior of priests around altar boys.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Not That There's Anything Wrong with That...
It has been established that global warming is causing the extinction of more and more species. Wildlife experts, with fewer and fewer animals to study, are apparently finding themselves with a LOT more time on their hands.Evidence of this disturbing rise in spare time among such experts can be found in a recent debate that has come to light: They are arguing over whether Santa's reindeer are male or female.
Alice Blue-McLendon, a veterinary medicine professor at Texas A & M University, argues that they are female. She bases this on the the fact that the reindeer are usually depicted with antlers as they launch into the skies on their annual journey. Male reindeer typically lose their antlers during the winter while females keep them year-round.
However, Greg Finstad of the University of Alaska Fairbanks says that the animals are actually castrated males. Such steers keep their antlers through the winter and only shed them in the spring.
This argument is, even at its best, stupid. The well known Rankin-Bass documentary that chronicles the early life and times of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer clearly establishes that he was fathered by Donner, one of Santa's eight reindeer. And Rudolph's mother? She was a stay at home mom who doted on her son with the oddly glowing snozz.
That said, the documentary did also raise disturbing questions about the nature of the relationship between Rudolph and his dentist.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
More Evidence That We Were Lied to
Back in his 2003 State of the Union address, President Bush said that Iraq had been trying to buy uranium from the African country of Niger. That statement has since been proven to be false, and the situation has devolved into a classic case of who knew what when.
In 2004, then White House Counsel Alberto Gonzalez told a Senate committee that the CIA had approved the inclusion of that assertion in Bush's speech. The CIA, on the other hand, said it never did any such thing. In fact, according to the CIA, it repeatedly tried to have that statement withdrawn from the speech because it had been found to be unproven.
Now a different congressional committee looking into the matter has concluded that Gonzalez deliberately misled the Senate in 2004. Even worse, then National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice may have also lied when she also said she was unaware about the CIA's doubts.
This is just more proof that when President Bush and his defenders blame the Iraq war on bad intelligence, it's just a flat out lie. They knew full well that their claims about Iraq's WMD's were false.
A mistake is one thing. If a bad decision is at least arrived at in good faith, it can almost be excused.
A deliberate, outright lie is quite a different matter. It can not, under any circumstance, be forgiven.... Especially when the lie leads to the loss of tens of thousands of lives.
In 2004, then White House Counsel Alberto Gonzalez told a Senate committee that the CIA had approved the inclusion of that assertion in Bush's speech. The CIA, on the other hand, said it never did any such thing. In fact, according to the CIA, it repeatedly tried to have that statement withdrawn from the speech because it had been found to be unproven.
Now a different congressional committee looking into the matter has concluded that Gonzalez deliberately misled the Senate in 2004. Even worse, then National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice may have also lied when she also said she was unaware about the CIA's doubts.
This is just more proof that when President Bush and his defenders blame the Iraq war on bad intelligence, it's just a flat out lie. They knew full well that their claims about Iraq's WMD's were false.
A mistake is one thing. If a bad decision is at least arrived at in good faith, it can almost be excused.
A deliberate, outright lie is quite a different matter. It can not, under any circumstance, be forgiven.... Especially when the lie leads to the loss of tens of thousands of lives.
He's Got Sole
The Arab world has a new hero: The guy who threw the shoe at President Bush a few days ago. In the middle east, throwing a shoe is considered a major insult, and Muntadar al-Zaidi's act of frustration has made him quite popular. Even in Iraq itself--the country that's supposed to be in love with us for getting rid of Saddam--crowds are demonstrating in the streets demanding that al-Zaidi be released from prison.
This leaves the U.S. backed government in quite a pickle. If they do release him, they risk insulting the Americans. On the other hand, if they leave them man in jail and ultimately put him on trial, they risk pissing off their own citizens. And given the current government's tenuous hold on power, that's something they can ill afford.
This leaves the U.S. backed government in quite a pickle. If they do release him, they risk insulting the Americans. On the other hand, if they leave them man in jail and ultimately put him on trial, they risk pissing off their own citizens. And given the current government's tenuous hold on power, that's something they can ill afford.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Oh, What a Tangled Web....
Scientists in Britain have discovered a spiderweb that is 140 million years old. If the age is confirmed by further study, it will be the world's oldest.
Obviously these clowns have never explored the corners of my living room ceiling.
Obviously these clowns have never explored the corners of my living room ceiling.
A Reason to Wear Shoes That Are Too Big
As his presidency winds down, President Bush has made one last visit to Iraq as Commander-in-chief. While answering questions, Bush was the near-recipient of a traditional Iraqi gesture of gratitude when a reporter for Al-Baghdadia TV threw a shoe at him. When he missed with the first one, the reporter threw a second one. That one missed too.
Presumably this means the guy had extraordinarily small feet. Other reporters in the room began snickering, as Arab custom suggests that this usually indicates a small penis as well.
"This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq," shouted the man as he launched his errant footwear.
Bush, clearly moved by the outpouring of goodwill, wiped a tear from a cheek as expressed remorse for not having had the chance to create more widows and orphans in Iran.
Presumably this means the guy had extraordinarily small feet. Other reporters in the room began snickering, as Arab custom suggests that this usually indicates a small penis as well.
"This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq," shouted the man as he launched his errant footwear.
Bush, clearly moved by the outpouring of goodwill, wiped a tear from a cheek as expressed remorse for not having had the chance to create more widows and orphans in Iran.
Clingons
Illinois governor Rod R. Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell Obama's now vacant Senate seat, continues to resist pressure to resign. Both the Illinois Attorney General and the state legislature are taking to steps to forcibly remove him from office. Meanwhile, Blagojevich continues to insist he did nothing wrong.
Why do politicians do this? Even after their hands are caught in the cookie jar (or, in the case of Republican Senators, their hands are caught in the pants of the guy in the adjacent bathroom stall), they will deny reality and continue to desperately cling to power even after there is absolutely no doubt of their guilt.
It's kind of the political equivalent of leading police on a low speed chase in a white Ford Bronco.
Why do politicians do this? Even after their hands are caught in the cookie jar (or, in the case of Republican Senators, their hands are caught in the pants of the guy in the adjacent bathroom stall), they will deny reality and continue to desperately cling to power even after there is absolutely no doubt of their guilt.
It's kind of the political equivalent of leading police on a low speed chase in a white Ford Bronco.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The World's Most Honest Love Song
This song left me weeping. Its honesty and tenderness capture the true spirit of love, and one can not help but be moved by it.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Politics as Usual
Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has been charged with corruption. He is accused of trying to set up sweetheart deals to benefit himself and other family members.
This is sad news. Shui-bian had been widely considered to be a top contender in the next election for governor of Illinois.
This is sad news. Shui-bian had been widely considered to be a top contender in the next election for governor of Illinois.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Frakkin' End Is Near
No, not of the world. Don't get your hopes up on that. Rather, it's the the end of Battlestar Galactica that's near. The final episodes will begin airing on January 16th.
In case you need a refresher course, here's a quick summary of what's happened so far:
Found @ Too Many Tribbles
In case you need a refresher course, here's a quick summary of what's happened so far:
Found @ Too Many Tribbles
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Robert Prosky
Dec. 13, 1930-Dec.8, 2008
Actor Robert Prosky has passed away. He was only five days away from his 78th birthday. Anyone who was a Hill Street Blues fan back in the 80s should know the name--he played Sgt. Stan Jablonski on the show's later seasons. He closed all his daily briefings with the phrase, "Let's do it to them before they do it to us." Twenty years later, those same words would unfortunately become the motto of the Bush administration.Prosky did a number of other roles on both TV and in the movies. Aside from his film work, he was a near legend in the DC theater scene.
Here's a nice Appreciation for him from today's WaPo.
Too Bad He Didn't List It on eBay
In the waning days of the presidential campaign, desperate Republicans tried to portray Obama and the Demnocrats as "socialists." One has to wonder if the clowns making these allegations had the vaguest notion of just what socialism is, especially since it was their own Republican President who had just orchestrated a massive $700 billion bailout of several financial institutions.
In light of the socialism charges, it is all the more ironic that the Democratic governor of of Illinois has just been ensnared in a case of capitalism run amok.
First, a civics lesson: When one of the two U.S. Senate seats of a state become vacant before the conclusion of its six year term, it falls to the state's governor to appoint an interim Senator until a special election can be held. Such is the case with Obama's Senate seat in Illinois. Having won the presidential election, Obama resigned from his senate seat late last month. It thus fell to Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. While the appointment would have been temporary, any occupant of the seat would have a built-in advantage going into the special election.
So how did Blagojevich decide to fill the seat? Well, rather than do something predictable and boring, like looking through a list of qualified individuals and selecting someone on the basis of merit, he decided to solicit bids. Some members of the law enforcement community failed to fully appreciate this bold entrepreneurial process and instead decided to arrest Blagojevich on charges of conspiracy and bribery.
Well, I guess one man's capitalism is another man's felony corruption.
In light of the socialism charges, it is all the more ironic that the Democratic governor of of Illinois has just been ensnared in a case of capitalism run amok.
First, a civics lesson: When one of the two U.S. Senate seats of a state become vacant before the conclusion of its six year term, it falls to the state's governor to appoint an interim Senator until a special election can be held. Such is the case with Obama's Senate seat in Illinois. Having won the presidential election, Obama resigned from his senate seat late last month. It thus fell to Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. While the appointment would have been temporary, any occupant of the seat would have a built-in advantage going into the special election.
So how did Blagojevich decide to fill the seat? Well, rather than do something predictable and boring, like looking through a list of qualified individuals and selecting someone on the basis of merit, he decided to solicit bids. Some members of the law enforcement community failed to fully appreciate this bold entrepreneurial process and instead decided to arrest Blagojevich on charges of conspiracy and bribery.
Well, I guess one man's capitalism is another man's felony corruption.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Avast ye Mateys
The pirate problem plaguing the waters off Somalia has gotten so bad that a German cruise ship is going to offload its passengers before sailing through the Gulf of Aden. The passengers will then be flown to Oman, where the (hopefully still intact) ship will pick them back up.
I'm guessing the in-flight movie won't be Pirates of the Caribbean.
I'm guessing the in-flight movie won't be Pirates of the Caribbean.
Oink.
Call it a hunch, but I think the Post will be getting a LOT of Letters to the Editor about this cartoon.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
Here Birdy, Birdy, Birdy.....
Scientists have discovered the fossils of a previously unknown flying reptile that lived 115 million years ago. Called a pterosaur, it ruled the skies during the age of the dinosaurs. Well, at least the experts say the creature lived that long ago. But that's only because they base their conjectures on silly things like a careful examination of the evidence, and a thorough understanding of silly things like geology, paleontology, and a whole bunch of other ologies too numerous to mention.
On the other hand, if you're a Bible totin' creationist, it's obvious that the pterosaur lived only 6,000 years ago and Fred Flintstone kept one in a cage hanging in his living room.
On the other hand, if you're a Bible totin' creationist, it's obvious that the pterosaur lived only 6,000 years ago and Fred Flintstone kept one in a cage hanging in his living room.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Eh?
In an unprecedented move, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has suspended his nation's Parliament in a bid to stay in power. Had it stayed in session, the Parliament was apparently set to deliver a no-confidence vote which would have forced Harper from power.
No word on whether President Bush plans to invade Canada to restore democracy.
Don't laugh. Like the Cylons, we have a plan.
No word on whether President Bush plans to invade Canada to restore democracy.
Don't laugh. Like the Cylons, we have a plan.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Give Me Some of That Old Time Religion
Conservative Episcopalians, upset by the increasingly liberal leanings of the mother church, have now officially formed their own separate church. The Episcopalian church is the American branch of the Church of England. The Church of England, in turn, was created by King Henry VIII in the 17th century after the Pope refused to give him permission to divorce his first wife.
Presumably that means that this new conservative religious group is returning to the early teachings of the Church of England. That means easy divorces, and failing that, beheading your wife so you can marry your mistress.
Hmmm.... Now that sounds like my kind of church!
Presumably that means that this new conservative religious group is returning to the early teachings of the Church of England. That means easy divorces, and failing that, beheading your wife so you can marry your mistress.
Hmmm.... Now that sounds like my kind of church!
_____________________________________________________________________
See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Christmas, the Final Frontier
If you're a godless pagan such as I myself, this time of the year always presents special challenges. How do you share holiday wishes without compromising your own beliefs (or lack there of), while at the same time trying not to come across as some sort of Scrooge who's completely devoid of any moral standards and is into beastiality?Well, here's the perfect solution: A series of non-denominational holiday cards featuring photos taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The images are free and designed to be downloaded. From there you can either use your own printer, or take the CD to a photo store for a professional look.
Now if you'll excuse me, my neighbor's goat looks kinda hot today.
Monday, December 01, 2008
D'OH!
In an interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson, President Bush says that his biggest regret was the intelligence failure over Iraq. He went on to say that while it was unfortunate, there were a lot of people who agreed with the flawed intelligence.
What Bush conveniently forgot to mention, however, that there were also a lot of people in the intelligence communities of both America and Britain that doubted that same information. And rather than listening to them, the Bush administration chose to either ignore them or brand them as unpatriotic. Also, no word on whether Bush "regrets" trying to falsely connect Saddam to the 9/11 attacks.
But hey, that's okay. It's not like any of that caused the deaths of almost 5,000 American service members, the lifelong maimings of thousands more, the deaths tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians, the destabilization of the entire Middle East, the rise of Iran, and the waste of over a trillion dollars (and counting).
Yeah, it's probably all just a coincidence.
What Bush conveniently forgot to mention, however, that there were also a lot of people in the intelligence communities of both America and Britain that doubted that same information. And rather than listening to them, the Bush administration chose to either ignore them or brand them as unpatriotic. Also, no word on whether Bush "regrets" trying to falsely connect Saddam to the 9/11 attacks.
But hey, that's okay. It's not like any of that caused the deaths of almost 5,000 American service members, the lifelong maimings of thousands more, the deaths tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians, the destabilization of the entire Middle East, the rise of Iran, and the waste of over a trillion dollars (and counting).
Yeah, it's probably all just a coincidence.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Merry Christmas & Don't Trip Over the Bodies
Known as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving is considered by many in retail as the busiest shopping day of the year. And despite all the dire economic news of the last several months, shoppers crowded stores as early as 5 A.M.
In one particularly heartwarming tale, a Wal-Mart employee in New York was literally trampled to death by the crowd that surged through the doors when the store opened. Other employees who tried to help him were also knocked around by the stampede of shoppers. Even the police officers who tried to restore order were being jostled.
Many people are horrified by what happened. On the other hand, the store was selling 50" plasma TV's for $798, so why let a dead guy spoil the fun?
In one particularly heartwarming tale, a Wal-Mart employee in New York was literally trampled to death by the crowd that surged through the doors when the store opened. Other employees who tried to help him were also knocked around by the stampede of shoppers. Even the police officers who tried to restore order were being jostled.
Many people are horrified by what happened. On the other hand, the store was selling 50" plasma TV's for $798, so why let a dead guy spoil the fun?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Oopsies
Remember the pirate ship that was sunk by the Indian warship last week? Well, it turns out that it was a Thai fishing vessel that had itself been seized by pirates earlier the same day.
The Thai boat had previously reported that it was under attack, and the crew had asked the British for assistance. But before more details could be gathered, its radio went silent. Pictures of the captured boat were broadcast to other naval vessels in the area but its unclear if the Indians got the message since they operate on a different frequency.
A Canadian crew member was rescued by another fishing boat after spending four days in the water. Fourteen more of the original crew members remain missing.
For their part, the Indians say they only fired in self defense after the pirates on the ship shot at them. Sad as it is, the situation points out the difficulty of policing that vast area of ocean.
The Thai boat had previously reported that it was under attack, and the crew had asked the British for assistance. But before more details could be gathered, its radio went silent. Pictures of the captured boat were broadcast to other naval vessels in the area but its unclear if the Indians got the message since they operate on a different frequency.
A Canadian crew member was rescued by another fishing boat after spending four days in the water. Fourteen more of the original crew members remain missing.
For their part, the Indians say they only fired in self defense after the pirates on the ship shot at them. Sad as it is, the situation points out the difficulty of policing that vast area of ocean.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
After All, The Catholic Church Is Never Wrong
Researchers in Poland say that they have positively identified the remains of Copernicus. DNA from the bones, which date back to the 16th century, match DNA in a hair found in one of Copernicus' books. Additionally, there is a mark on the skull that matches a scar the astronomer is known to have had.
In response, the Catholic church has begun proceedings to excommunicate Copernicus' remains on charges of heresy for daring to suggest that the sun does not revolve around the Earth.
In response, the Catholic church has begun proceedings to excommunicate Copernicus' remains on charges of heresy for daring to suggest that the sun does not revolve around the Earth.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Pass the Curry and Artillery Shells
Pirates near the coast of Somalia in recent days have seized Thai and Iranian vessels. These come on the heels of last weekend's capture of the Saudi supertanker. The pirates are now negotiating with the Saudis for a ransom. Incidentally, if you think it's Saudi Arabia that is going to be paying for the ship's release, you're wrong. Ultimately it's you and I that will pay for this in the form of higher gas prices.
But there's some good news from the area as well. A pirate ship in the Gulf of Aden recently made the mistake of firing on an Indian naval vessel. The warship quickly returned fire and sank the pirate vessel, then pursued the survivors when they tried to escape in speedboats.
The entire world was stunned by this recent development. Who even knew India had a navy?
But there's some good news from the area as well. A pirate ship in the Gulf of Aden recently made the mistake of firing on an Indian naval vessel. The warship quickly returned fire and sank the pirate vessel, then pursued the survivors when they tried to escape in speedboats.
The entire world was stunned by this recent development. Who even knew India had a navy?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Hillary for Secretary of State?
Not so Fast
There has been a lot of speculation that Hillary Clinton will be Obama's pick for Secretary of State. However, there may be a problem with that: The United States Constitution.
Article I, Section 6 of the document says that no member of Congress, during the term for which he was elected, shall be named to any office "the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during his term." This is a problem since the pay for the position of Secretary of State was increased during Clinton's current term in the Senate.
This unusual circumstance has arisen before and has been solved by giving the incoming official a pay cut. The last two times this has arisen, however, was with Republican Presidents. While the appointments (with pay cuts) were approved, some Democrats at the time questioned the legality of the maneuver. Now those objections may come back to haunt them.
On the other hand, George W. Bush spent the last eight pissing all over the Constitution, so maybe Article One, Section Six is no longer legible.
Article I, Section 6 of the document says that no member of Congress, during the term for which he was elected, shall be named to any office "the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during his term." This is a problem since the pay for the position of Secretary of State was increased during Clinton's current term in the Senate.
This unusual circumstance has arisen before and has been solved by giving the incoming official a pay cut. The last two times this has arisen, however, was with Republican Presidents. While the appointments (with pay cuts) were approved, some Democrats at the time questioned the legality of the maneuver. Now those objections may come back to haunt them.
On the other hand, George W. Bush spent the last eight pissing all over the Constitution, so maybe Article One, Section Six is no longer legible.
Reasons We Should have Voted Republican
Maybe if more people had seen the below video prior to election day, John McCain would be our next President.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Out of This World Spam
NASA has finally developed an internet type computer network for use in outer space. The system is expected to improve communication with spacecraft, and should make missions easier to manage. In time, astronauts may even be able to check their email.
This raises an interesting question: If you're on the International Space Station, how are you going to get that shipment of penis enhancement pills you just ordered?
This raises an interesting question: If you're on the International Space Station, how are you going to get that shipment of penis enhancement pills you just ordered?
New Star Trek Trailer
And unless we're intentionally being misled by one of the scenes, the young Kirk wastes no time blowing up his new ship.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Shiver Me Timbers,
It's a Pirate's Life for Me
For the last several years, Somali pirates have harassed shipping along the northeast coast of Africa (note to Sarah Palin: That would be the continent of Africa). This is an area of strategic importance since it includes tankers coming from the Middle East, as well as freighters using the Suez Canel as a shortcut between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In response, the U.S. Navy has stepped up its presence in the area.
Occasionally, the pirates--usually in highly maneuverable speedboats--do succeed in capturing smaller ships and holding the crews for ransom. They are still holding a Russian freighter loaded with tanks that they captured last month. Aside from that, the pirates have had limited success.... Until this week.
This time they succeeded in capturing a Saudi Arabian supertanker the size of an aircraft carrier. The ship is loaded with two million barrels of crude oil worth about $100 million.
Of greater concern, however, is that this attack took place more than 500 miles from the coast. That's much further out to sea than the pirates have operated before, and well beyond the area patrolled by U.S. warships. It also suggests the pirates are getting bolder and more sophisticated.
On the other hand, it's kind of like a dog that loves chasing cars and finally catches one: Now that you have it, what do you do with it?
Occasionally, the pirates--usually in highly maneuverable speedboats--do succeed in capturing smaller ships and holding the crews for ransom. They are still holding a Russian freighter loaded with tanks that they captured last month. Aside from that, the pirates have had limited success.... Until this week.
This time they succeeded in capturing a Saudi Arabian supertanker the size of an aircraft carrier. The ship is loaded with two million barrels of crude oil worth about $100 million.
Of greater concern, however, is that this attack took place more than 500 miles from the coast. That's much further out to sea than the pirates have operated before, and well beyond the area patrolled by U.S. warships. It also suggests the pirates are getting bolder and more sophisticated.
On the other hand, it's kind of like a dog that loves chasing cars and finally catches one: Now that you have it, what do you do with it?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Personally I Prefer the Grape Flovored Kool--Aid
When someone gets suckered into some sort of scheme, it's often said that "he drank the Kool-Aid." Well, today marks the 30th anniversary of the origin of that phrase.
It was in the country of Guyana in South America that a cult leader named Jim Jones decided to make a home for his wacky band of followers, the Peoples Temple. A small group of critics, led by American congressman Leo Ryan of California, traveled to Jonestown to check out allegations of brainwashing and other abuses. The visit didn't go well for Jones and other Peoples Temple leaders. Just as Ryan's group was preparing to leave, the congressman and several others in the group were shot and killed.
Sensing that his days were numbered, Jones ordered his followers to drink Kool-Aid laced with cyanide. Many apparently did so willingly; those that hesitated were shot. By the time it was over, more than 900 people were dead.
So the next time someone asks you to drink the Kool-Aid, tell them to go first.
It was in the country of Guyana in South America that a cult leader named Jim Jones decided to make a home for his wacky band of followers, the Peoples Temple. A small group of critics, led by American congressman Leo Ryan of California, traveled to Jonestown to check out allegations of brainwashing and other abuses. The visit didn't go well for Jones and other Peoples Temple leaders. Just as Ryan's group was preparing to leave, the congressman and several others in the group were shot and killed.
Sensing that his days were numbered, Jones ordered his followers to drink Kool-Aid laced with cyanide. Many apparently did so willingly; those that hesitated were shot. By the time it was over, more than 900 people were dead.
So the next time someone asks you to drink the Kool-Aid, tell them to go first.
Damn Chinese Time Machine Parts
"Back to the Future" actor Christopher Lloyd's home was among the dozens destroyed in last week's southern California wildfires.
Authorities are looking into whether a malfunctioning flux capacitor triggered the blaze.
Authorities are looking into whether a malfunctioning flux capacitor triggered the blaze.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
A priest in South Carolina has warned his parishioners that they are NOT eligible for communion if they voted for Obama. The problem? Well, according to the Rev. Jay Scott Newman, since Obama supports a woman's right to choose, then a vote for him "constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil."
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, here's a great hypothetical situation for the Reverend: Let's say you're a bishop who has just found out one of his priests has been molesting the altar boys. But instead of reporting him to law enforcement and expelling him from the church, you choose to merely transfer him to another parish. And when he does the same damn thing there, you transfer him yet again.
How does that NOT constitute "material cooperation with intrinsic evil?"
Too bad the Catholic church isn't as judgmental about its own priests as it is about everyone else.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, here's a great hypothetical situation for the Reverend: Let's say you're a bishop who has just found out one of his priests has been molesting the altar boys. But instead of reporting him to law enforcement and expelling him from the church, you choose to merely transfer him to another parish. And when he does the same damn thing there, you transfer him yet again.
How does that NOT constitute "material cooperation with intrinsic evil?"
Too bad the Catholic church isn't as judgmental about its own priests as it is about everyone else.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Biden, Cheney Meet
Just a few weeks ago, then vice presidential candidate Joe Biden called Dick Cheney "the most dangerous vice president we've had."
With the campaign now over, and in an effort to demonstrate that there are no hard feelings, the two men met last night at the official vice presidential residence in DC. Cheney then invited the incoming vice president to go "hunting" in the backyard.
Curiously, Biden hasn't been seen since.
With the campaign now over, and in an effort to demonstrate that there are no hard feelings, the two men met last night at the official vice presidential residence in DC. Cheney then invited the incoming vice president to go "hunting" in the backyard.
Curiously, Biden hasn't been seen since.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Hillary Was Right
Back during the primary season, Hillary Clinton claimed to have been under sniper fire during her visit to Bosnia ten years ago. A number of people quickly claimed forward and said that simply wasn't true. The former First Lady turned presidential hopeful quickly became the butt of jokes over her (apparently) false claim.
The point is now moot, but it turns out Hillary was telling the truth:
The point is now moot, but it turns out Hillary was telling the truth:
How True
The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn.
The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work, and then they get elected and prove it.
The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work, and then they get elected and prove it.
----P. J. O'Rourke
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Siriusly XM
Even though the merger between Sirius and XM was finalized several months ago, the two have continued to operate as separate entities, with their own distinct channels. This has been more difficult than you might expect since the two companies operate off different satellites and use different radios.
Personally, I've had XM continuously since 2005. I've had Sirius off and on since roughly the same time period. Though I had favorite channels on both, overall I would have given Sirius the edge in its music offerings. Technically, however, XM has a superior broadcast system. Its signals have far fewer problems with overhead obstructions like trees and overpasses than Sirius does.
The separate programming has now come to an end, as both have finally begun offering the exact same music channels. For the most part, it seems that XM lost more of its original channels, replaced by the corresponding Sirius channels. Existing Sirius and XM radios, however, will continue to operate.
For example, XM classic rock channels (Top Tracks and Big Tracks) were replaced entirely by Sirius' classic rock channels (Classic Vinyl and Classic Rewind). The channel positions on XM stayed the same, however. In other words, Classic Vinyl remains as channel 14 on Sirius but channel 46 on XM.
The same thing happened with the 80s channel. You now have the same programming on both XM's and Sirius' channel 8. This is a good thing, since I've always found the 80s channel on Sirius to be more enjoyable--they play more of the decade's hits, plus they have several of the original MTV crew (Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood, and Martha Quinn) doing the programming.
Also, my favorite Sirius channel--the Coffee House (ch. 30)--is now available on XM as ch. 51, as is the Springsteen channel (58 on XM and 10 on Sirius),
In some cases, existing channels changed position entirely. A case in point is XM's former classical channels (110, 112, & 113) are now channels 77,78, and 79. What's more, if you had any of those channels as a preset on your radio, XM automatically changed the preset for you.
I know XM thinks that was a good idea that would make things easier on their subscribers, but it's just downright creepy. I'm not sure I appreciate some XM employee picking the lock on my car in the middle of the night and resetting the buttons on my radio. That's just wrong. For all I know, he may have found the stash of dirty magazines I keep under the front seat.
I better not find any of the pages stuck together.... Well, at least not any that weren't already that way.
Personally, I've had XM continuously since 2005. I've had Sirius off and on since roughly the same time period. Though I had favorite channels on both, overall I would have given Sirius the edge in its music offerings. Technically, however, XM has a superior broadcast system. Its signals have far fewer problems with overhead obstructions like trees and overpasses than Sirius does.
The separate programming has now come to an end, as both have finally begun offering the exact same music channels. For the most part, it seems that XM lost more of its original channels, replaced by the corresponding Sirius channels. Existing Sirius and XM radios, however, will continue to operate.
For example, XM classic rock channels (Top Tracks and Big Tracks) were replaced entirely by Sirius' classic rock channels (Classic Vinyl and Classic Rewind). The channel positions on XM stayed the same, however. In other words, Classic Vinyl remains as channel 14 on Sirius but channel 46 on XM.
The same thing happened with the 80s channel. You now have the same programming on both XM's and Sirius' channel 8. This is a good thing, since I've always found the 80s channel on Sirius to be more enjoyable--they play more of the decade's hits, plus they have several of the original MTV crew (Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood, and Martha Quinn) doing the programming.
Also, my favorite Sirius channel--the Coffee House (ch. 30)--is now available on XM as ch. 51, as is the Springsteen channel (58 on XM and 10 on Sirius),
In some cases, existing channels changed position entirely. A case in point is XM's former classical channels (110, 112, & 113) are now channels 77,78, and 79. What's more, if you had any of those channels as a preset on your radio, XM automatically changed the preset for you.
I know XM thinks that was a good idea that would make things easier on their subscribers, but it's just downright creepy. I'm not sure I appreciate some XM employee picking the lock on my car in the middle of the night and resetting the buttons on my radio. That's just wrong. For all I know, he may have found the stash of dirty magazines I keep under the front seat.
I better not find any of the pages stuck together.... Well, at least not any that weren't already that way.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
