Saturday, March 21, 2009
Out with a Fizzle
Yesterday I wrote that I was bracing myself for what I feared would be a disappointing finale to Battlestar Galactica.
So how did it turn out? Well, let's just say that the show fulfilled my expectations.
So how did it turn out? Well, let's just say that the show fulfilled my expectations.
Friday, March 20, 2009
BSG: The Final Frak
For anyone who has followed the updated version of Battlestar Galactica for the last several years, tonight is the night. The show wraps up its five year run on the Sci-Fi channel. If you avoided watching the show simply because you hated the cheesy series that aired some 30 years ago, shame on you.
The updated version has been nothing if not dark and depressing with allegories to our post 9/11 society. Episodes have explored prisoner torture, terrorism, civil liberties, kangaroo courts, and the conflicts that can arise between a civilian government and its military leaders. One early episode dealt with a life and death decision over whether to destroy a civilian liner that may have been hijacked by Cylons and sent on a suicide run against the human fleet. Ultimately, the ship was attacked and blown up, with a lot of second guessing afterwards.
Another story arc had the humans settling on a planet only to be occupied by the Cylons. The human resistance grew even as other humans cooperated with their Cylon occupiers. Once freed, the resistance leaders took it upon themselves to exact justice against those they viewed as collaborators. In many ways, that storyline was ripped from the real world headlines about Iraq.
There was also a big shocker in last week's episode: One character is seen using a cordless phone (if you've been watching, you'd appreciate the joke).
And if you're thinking that tonight is the night they find Earth, boy, are you out of the loop. That ship sailed at the end of last year. Not only did they find Earth, they discovered it to be a lifeless cinder destroyed by nuclear war some 2000 years earlier.
This final batch of episodes (technically the second half of season four) has only become more intricate and confusing. Turns out that not only had the Earth been nuked, it happened during an earlier Cylon war. That raised the strong possibility that the existing human race were actually Cylons themselves. That issue remains unresolved at this point.
And in another major plot twist, fighter pilot Kara "Starbuck" Thrace finds her own remains on that scorched Earth. That little discovery completely freaked out even the normally unflappable Cylon that was with her at the time. Again, no real explanation has been offered so far.
So tonight's two hour finale has a lot of loose ends to tie up. The writers have clearly set themselves a high bar. Whether they can live up to expectations and wrap everything up in a satisfying manner remains to be seen.
Personally I'm bracing myself for a major disappointment. That way, if tonight's episode does turn out to be a dud, at least I won't feel let down. On the other hand, if it turns out to be the best two hours ever written for television, I'll be pleasantly surprised. Either way, I win.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
But Is the Drywall Safe to Eat?
Two years ago the Chinese were sending us pet food ingredients contaminated with a substance called melamine, which ended up killing hundreds--maybe thousands--of cats and dogs. Not having learned their lesson, they then began spiking their own baby formulas with the substance. Meanwhile, just keep us on our toes, Chinese manufacturers would periodically send us toys made with lead paint.
The good news is that those wacky Chinese have finally learned their lesson: No more melamine or lead for Americans.
The bad news, however, is that now they're sending us drywall containing sulfur. And in case you're wondering, no, sulfur is not a standard ingredient in housing materials.
Not only does sulfur smell bad, it also has a bad habit of eating through copper. Consequently, many homeowners (well, at least the ones who are still able to live in their homes) are finding that the copper coils in their air conditioners are disintegrating. Many of the people living in those houses are also complaining of respiratory ailments.
However, at least one home builder who used the materials is saying that tests show that sulfur gas is safe for humans.
Makes sense. Just because something causes metal to disintegrate doesn't necessarily mean it will turn your lungs to mush.
The good news is that those wacky Chinese have finally learned their lesson: No more melamine or lead for Americans.
The bad news, however, is that now they're sending us drywall containing sulfur. And in case you're wondering, no, sulfur is not a standard ingredient in housing materials.
Not only does sulfur smell bad, it also has a bad habit of eating through copper. Consequently, many homeowners (well, at least the ones who are still able to live in their homes) are finding that the copper coils in their air conditioners are disintegrating. Many of the people living in those houses are also complaining of respiratory ailments.
However, at least one home builder who used the materials is saying that tests show that sulfur gas is safe for humans.
Makes sense. Just because something causes metal to disintegrate doesn't necessarily mean it will turn your lungs to mush.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Going Batty
NASA officials now say there was a stowaway on last week's space shuttle launch: A small bat was seen clinging to the side of the external fuel tank. One wildlife expert who examined the photo said the bat appeared to be injured and probably unable to fly to safety. It could still be seen clinging to the tank as the spacecraft cleared the tower.
Quite frankly, it is inhumane to have allowed the launch to proceed at the expense of this tiny little creature. That bat has never hurt anyone and is actually quite beneficial to mankind. Bats eat tremendous amounts of mosquitoes, including some that carry diseases harmful to us. Allowing such innocent creatures to needlessly perish is a terrible waste. As humans who presumably know the difference between right and wrong, do we not bear some responsibility for the well being of Earth's more vulnerable inhabitants?
On the other hand, I would have absolutely no objection whatsoever to strapping AIG executives to the outside of the next shuttle flight.
Quite frankly, it is inhumane to have allowed the launch to proceed at the expense of this tiny little creature. That bat has never hurt anyone and is actually quite beneficial to mankind. Bats eat tremendous amounts of mosquitoes, including some that carry diseases harmful to us. Allowing such innocent creatures to needlessly perish is a terrible waste. As humans who presumably know the difference between right and wrong, do we not bear some responsibility for the well being of Earth's more vulnerable inhabitants?
On the other hand, I would have absolutely no objection whatsoever to strapping AIG executives to the outside of the next shuttle flight.
Mistakes Were Made
Catholics have long been taught that the Pope is infallible. It thus comes as something of a surprise that Benedict XVIQVC has now admitted to having made "mistakes" in readmitting a previously excommunicated Bishop who has questioned whether the Holocaust ever happened.
This becomes even more confusing when you consider that by readmitting the guy to the fold, Benedict was essentially saying that John Paul II had made a mistake in 1988 when he excommunicated Bishop Richard Williamson in the first place. So either way you look at it, one of the two Popes failed.
Benedict now says that he was unaware of Williamson's background. Critics, on the other hand, point out that all kinds of information about the Bishop and his views on The Holocaust have been long available on the internet. Of course, checking that out would have required going online.
Perhaps the Vatican should finally get a phone line so it sign up for a really cheap dial-up service. An additional benefit would be that priests would find it easier to locate kiddy porn.
But enough with the cheap shots. What makes this story even more hilarious is that Richardson has been living in Argentina, a nation long rumored to be a haven for for ex-NAZI war criminals. But when word of the Bishop's anti-Semitic views got out, the Argentinian government kicked him out of the country.
Out of fairness, it's unclear if Williamson is really a Jew hating NAZI sympathizer. Technically, all he did was question the "historical accuracy" of the Holocaust. Apparently eyewitness accounts, photographs, concentration camps, tattooed arms, mass graves, and industrial size gas chambers aren't sufficient evidence in his mind.
Still, for someone who's so big on historical evidence, it's somewhat surprising that Williamson has no problem believing that that some guy once walked on water, turned water into wine, and rose from the dead.
This becomes even more confusing when you consider that by readmitting the guy to the fold, Benedict was essentially saying that John Paul II had made a mistake in 1988 when he excommunicated Bishop Richard Williamson in the first place. So either way you look at it, one of the two Popes failed.
Benedict now says that he was unaware of Williamson's background. Critics, on the other hand, point out that all kinds of information about the Bishop and his views on The Holocaust have been long available on the internet. Of course, checking that out would have required going online.
Perhaps the Vatican should finally get a phone line so it sign up for a really cheap dial-up service. An additional benefit would be that priests would find it easier to locate kiddy porn.
But enough with the cheap shots. What makes this story even more hilarious is that Richardson has been living in Argentina, a nation long rumored to be a haven for for ex-NAZI war criminals. But when word of the Bishop's anti-Semitic views got out, the Argentinian government kicked him out of the country.
Out of fairness, it's unclear if Williamson is really a Jew hating NAZI sympathizer. Technically, all he did was question the "historical accuracy" of the Holocaust. Apparently eyewitness accounts, photographs, concentration camps, tattooed arms, mass graves, and industrial size gas chambers aren't sufficient evidence in his mind.
Still, for someone who's so big on historical evidence, it's somewhat surprising that Williamson has no problem believing that that some guy once walked on water, turned water into wine, and rose from the dead.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Lynne Cheney Falls Ill
Lynne Cheney fainted yesterday afternoon and was taken to a Philadelphia area hospital. It remains unclear why she collapsed.
Her husband, former vice president Dick Cheney, has generously offered to torture his wife until she begins cooperating with doctors.
Her husband, former vice president Dick Cheney, has generously offered to torture his wife until she begins cooperating with doctors.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
WTF Are They Thinking?
Insurance giant AIG--which has received $170 billion in bailout money from American taxpayers--is about to pay out $165 million in bonuses to its executives.
Suddenly my previous suggestion about cutting off the balls of those responsible for getting us into this mess doesn't seem that outrageous, does it?
I understand the argument that we can't afford to let AIG fail and that its collapse would drag down not only our own banking system, but those of other nations as well. But paying out over a hundred million dollars in bonuses is just plain inexcusable. That's like giving the crew of the Titanic a bonus for at least getting partway across the Atlantic.
The Obama administration says that there is nothing it can legally do to block this particular payout. AIG is contractually obligated to issue these payments and would otherwise face lawsuits.
That may well be the case, but it goes to the very heart of what got us into this mess in the first place: The attitude among business leaders that its okay to get rich yourself while telling everyone else to go fuck themselves.
Regardless of what the letter of the law may say, this is wrong on so many different levels that it defies any possible rational justification.
The truly laughable part is that the chairman of AIG is trying to justify the payouts. His argument? It's the only way the company can retain talented staff. Is this guy on drugs, or what? What "talented staff?" These incompetent idiots have led the world to the brink of economic ruin. In what possible sense are they talented? Calling them talented is like calling Dustin Hoffman's character in Rain Man talented because he could count the number of matchsticks on the floor.
Actually, that comparison may be an insult to Raymond. He probably would have done a better job than the people running AIG now.
So fine. Issue the payouts. But let's post the name of every single recipient of these bonuses, as well as their home addresses and phone numbers, on a website for everyone to see. We can even call it OffWithTheirBalls.com. If they're being funded by the rest of us, then it's only fair that we should be able to see where our tax dollars are going.
I just purchased that web address. Anyone in a position to follow through with my suggestion should contact me. You can have the address for $15.
Suddenly my previous suggestion about cutting off the balls of those responsible for getting us into this mess doesn't seem that outrageous, does it?
I understand the argument that we can't afford to let AIG fail and that its collapse would drag down not only our own banking system, but those of other nations as well. But paying out over a hundred million dollars in bonuses is just plain inexcusable. That's like giving the crew of the Titanic a bonus for at least getting partway across the Atlantic.
The Obama administration says that there is nothing it can legally do to block this particular payout. AIG is contractually obligated to issue these payments and would otherwise face lawsuits.
That may well be the case, but it goes to the very heart of what got us into this mess in the first place: The attitude among business leaders that its okay to get rich yourself while telling everyone else to go fuck themselves.
Regardless of what the letter of the law may say, this is wrong on so many different levels that it defies any possible rational justification.
The truly laughable part is that the chairman of AIG is trying to justify the payouts. His argument? It's the only way the company can retain talented staff. Is this guy on drugs, or what? What "talented staff?" These incompetent idiots have led the world to the brink of economic ruin. In what possible sense are they talented? Calling them talented is like calling Dustin Hoffman's character in Rain Man talented because he could count the number of matchsticks on the floor.
Actually, that comparison may be an insult to Raymond. He probably would have done a better job than the people running AIG now.
So fine. Issue the payouts. But let's post the name of every single recipient of these bonuses, as well as their home addresses and phone numbers, on a website for everyone to see. We can even call it OffWithTheirBalls.com. If they're being funded by the rest of us, then it's only fair that we should be able to see where our tax dollars are going.
I just purchased that web address. Anyone in a position to follow through with my suggestion should contact me. You can have the address for $15.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Mysterious Boom in NY
People in New York are reporting hearing a loud explosion in the middle of the night. Some experts think it was a meteor that may have set off a sonic boom.
More likely, it was just the stock market crashing again.
More likely, it was just the stock market crashing again.
If the Shoe Flies....
When Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi threw his shoes at President Bush last fall, he instantly became a hero to many of his fellow countrymen. This wasn't surprising, since many Iraqis consider the Americans to be occupiers, not liberators.
Today al-Zeide was sentenced to three years in prison for his actions. Many Iraqis are upset by what they consider to be a surprisingly harsh verdict.
Meanwhile, the man who invaded their country under false pretenses and then lied about the reasons for remaining there, whose reckless actions directly or indirectly caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and who managed to destabilize a strategically vital region of the world, remains scot-free and enjoying a comfortable retirement in Texas.
Today al-Zeide was sentenced to three years in prison for his actions. Many Iraqis are upset by what they consider to be a surprisingly harsh verdict.
Meanwhile, the man who invaded their country under false pretenses and then lied about the reasons for remaining there, whose reckless actions directly or indirectly caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and who managed to destabilize a strategically vital region of the world, remains scot-free and enjoying a comfortable retirement in Texas.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
New AmEx Ad
American Express has come out with a new commercial better suited to our current economic climate.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
What's Next? Someone Proving the Earth Is NOT Flat?
President Obama yesterday lifted restrictions on stem cell research. He then took additional steps to insure that science will remain insulated from politics, saying that "promoting science isn't just about providing resources — it is also about protecting free and open inquiry,"
This is outrageous. Obama is going to throw all those former oil company scientists who set national policy on global warming during the Bush administration out of work. Isn't the nation's unemployment rate bad enough already?
Science is Satan's tool. We must continue to abide by the teachings of the Bible. Otherwise some blasphemer named Galileo might come along, invent the telescope, and prove that it is the Earth that orbits the sun rather than the other way around.
This is outrageous. Obama is going to throw all those former oil company scientists who set national policy on global warming during the Bush administration out of work. Isn't the nation's unemployment rate bad enough already?
Science is Satan's tool. We must continue to abide by the teachings of the Bible. Otherwise some blasphemer named Galileo might come along, invent the telescope, and prove that it is the Earth that orbits the sun rather than the other way around.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Helpful DTV Advice
Granted, the digital TV conversion deadline has been extended to June. The following video is still applicable to anyone who is yet to make the transition to digital television.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Speaking of Change We Can Believe in....
When someone told me that the clocks were changing tonight, I called mental health services and had the guy committed to the loony bin. Imagine my chagrin when I discovered the guy was right!
Which raises an important question: Why the second Sunday of March? How the hell are we supposed to remember that? I mean, why not do on either the last Sunday of a month or the last? But scheduling it for the second Sunday requires us to learn to count. And given the poor mathematical skills of American students nowadays, that's just asking too damn much.
Besides, why even bother with the time changes any more? We're only on standard time for 18 weeks of the year, and on daylight savings time for the other 34. More importantly, since we use it the vast majority of the year, shouldn't daylight savings time become the new standard time? And if our clocks are already potty trained, do we still need to change them?
The next thing you know, the people who came up with the idea of changing the clocks back and forth will be telling us that February is too short to be a month.
Anyway, I'm sorry. I guess I'm just irritable because I have to find all the user manuals for the various electronic devices I have. Otherwise, I'll never figure out how to reset the times.
Which raises an important question: Why the second Sunday of March? How the hell are we supposed to remember that? I mean, why not do on either the last Sunday of a month or the last? But scheduling it for the second Sunday requires us to learn to count. And given the poor mathematical skills of American students nowadays, that's just asking too damn much.
Besides, why even bother with the time changes any more? We're only on standard time for 18 weeks of the year, and on daylight savings time for the other 34. More importantly, since we use it the vast majority of the year, shouldn't daylight savings time become the new standard time? And if our clocks are already potty trained, do we still need to change them?
The next thing you know, the people who came up with the idea of changing the clocks back and forth will be telling us that February is too short to be a month.
Anyway, I'm sorry. I guess I'm just irritable because I have to find all the user manuals for the various electronic devices I have. Otherwise, I'll never figure out how to reset the times.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Another Bush Legacy
Just in case you haven't already climbed out on a ledge and jumped, here's some more depressing news about the mortgage crisis.
As of the fourth quarter of 2008, a mind-blowing 48% of people who have one of those sub-prime adjustable rate mortgage were either behind or in foreclosure. Overall, 12% of Americans with a mortgage of any kind were at least one month behind or in foreclosure.
So who's to blame for the mortgage crisis? There are those who blame the homeowners who bit off more than they could chew. But that's hardly fair. If that were really the case, then what's the role of the bankers and lenders who issued the questionable loans in the first place? Wasn't it their job to evaluate the borrowers and determine whether they were financially capable of handling a loan of several hundred thousand dollars?
And things aren't about to get better any time soon. While the crisis started in fast growing states like Florida, California, and Nevada, it has now spread to other states. That's probably not surprising, with more and more people losing their jobs.
Meanwhile, there is increasing talk of nationalizing the nation's banks. With so many of them in danger of becoming insolvent, it may be the only way to save them. Republican critics, of course, are accusing Obama and the Democrats of leading the nation down the road to socialism.
I personally don't know what the answers are to our critical predicament. But I can look around and see that the world around us is turning into a giant putrid pile of steaming shit surrounded by a virtually impenetrable cloud of flies.
And how did we get to this pathetic state? Well, it was pure unbridled capitalism fed by corporate greed and unhindered by government regulation. So for Republicans to to sit there and defend the very system they helped foster is mind-boggling in its absurdity.
As of the fourth quarter of 2008, a mind-blowing 48% of people who have one of those sub-prime adjustable rate mortgage were either behind or in foreclosure. Overall, 12% of Americans with a mortgage of any kind were at least one month behind or in foreclosure.
So who's to blame for the mortgage crisis? There are those who blame the homeowners who bit off more than they could chew. But that's hardly fair. If that were really the case, then what's the role of the bankers and lenders who issued the questionable loans in the first place? Wasn't it their job to evaluate the borrowers and determine whether they were financially capable of handling a loan of several hundred thousand dollars?
And things aren't about to get better any time soon. While the crisis started in fast growing states like Florida, California, and Nevada, it has now spread to other states. That's probably not surprising, with more and more people losing their jobs.
Meanwhile, there is increasing talk of nationalizing the nation's banks. With so many of them in danger of becoming insolvent, it may be the only way to save them. Republican critics, of course, are accusing Obama and the Democrats of leading the nation down the road to socialism.
I personally don't know what the answers are to our critical predicament. But I can look around and see that the world around us is turning into a giant putrid pile of steaming shit surrounded by a virtually impenetrable cloud of flies.
And how did we get to this pathetic state? Well, it was pure unbridled capitalism fed by corporate greed and unhindered by government regulation. So for Republicans to to sit there and defend the very system they helped foster is mind-boggling in its absurdity.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Lying Sack of Crap Alert
Remember Judd Gregg? He was the Republican senator from New Hampshire who was briefly President Obama's nominee for Commerce Secretary. Then Gregg abruptly withdrew his name from consideration, citing philosophical differences with Obama's economic stimulus plan. Gregg made quite a show of his withdrawal, causing more than a little embarrassment for the White House. His fellow Republicans praised him for his decision. Heck, even those who disagreed with Gregg had to grudgingly the man for sticking to his conservative principles.
Now it turns out those conservative principles may be nothing more than a load of horse hockey.
It seems that Gregg helped steer a lot of Federal money towards the redevelopment of a shuttered military. Sounds reasonable, until it turned out that both the senator and his brother had invested heavily in that same base.
So now it's starting to look like maybe Gregg withdrew his nomination not because of some noble belief in the free market system, but because he was worried his finances--and possible conflict of interest--would come under close scrutiny during his confirmation hearings.
Curious how Republicans are all for limited government until they directly benefit from it.
Now it turns out those conservative principles may be nothing more than a load of horse hockey.
It seems that Gregg helped steer a lot of Federal money towards the redevelopment of a shuttered military. Sounds reasonable, until it turned out that both the senator and his brother had invested heavily in that same base.
So now it's starting to look like maybe Gregg withdrew his nomination not because of some noble belief in the free market system, but because he was worried his finances--and possible conflict of interest--would come under close scrutiny during his confirmation hearings.
Curious how Republicans are all for limited government until they directly benefit from it.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Make No Bones About It
The fossilized skull of a giant seabird has been found in Peru. Scientists say the creature, which lived millions of years ago, had giant bony teeth and sported a wingspan of 20 feet.
On the other hand, what do scientists know? Just because they have PhD's and rely on silly things like scientific evidence doesn't mean they're right.
That's why I'm waiting for the creationists to announce that this bird actually lived 5,000 years ago and was rendered extinct by God because they had legalized same sex marriages.
On the other hand, what do scientists know? Just because they have PhD's and rely on silly things like scientific evidence doesn't mean they're right.
That's why I'm waiting for the creationists to announce that this bird actually lived 5,000 years ago and was rendered extinct by God because they had legalized same sex marriages.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Time for New Yorkers to 'Toughen Up'
So here we are, just into the second day of meteorological spring, and what happens? We get the biggest snowstorm of the last three years. The storm actually pummeled most of the east coast, from Alabama up through New England. Conditions got so bad in New York city that they closed their schools for the first time in 11 years.No word on whether President Obama plans to tell New Yorkers to "toughen up."
Yeah, I'm still bitter about that incident. And if he felt compelled to criticize how Washingtonians handle snow, it would seem only fair to do the same with New Yorkers. Failure to do so would be tantamount to discrimination.
One letter writer to the Post pointed out that 500 Chicago residents died in a 1995 heatwave. The temperatures during that weather event peaked at 107 degrees. By comparison, average July highs in Phoenix are 105 and sometimes go as high as 121. Yet you don't hear about hundreds of people in Phoenix dying. Can you imagine the uproar if someone had told Chicagoans they needed to "toughen up" and deal with the heat? The difference is that people in Phoenix are accustomed to heat, just as people in Chicago are accustomed to snow and people in Baghdad are accustomed to car bombs. Folks get used to what they have to deal with on a daily basis. For those of us here in DC, that does NOT include snow.
George Bush may have been an idiot, but at least he didn't run around criticizing us whenever it snowed.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Or Just Pee Out a Window
Is this what the world is coming to?
Ryanair, a European carrier, is considering charging passengers who want to take a leak or dump on its planes.
Fine. But in exchange, it would be only fair that airlines begin refunding ticket prices anytime an airplane fails to reach an actual runway while landing.
Ryanair, a European carrier, is considering charging passengers who want to take a leak or dump on its planes.
Fine. But in exchange, it would be only fair that airlines begin refunding ticket prices anytime an airplane fails to reach an actual runway while landing.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Here We Go Again
Two weeks ago I called for Obama's impeachment because his press conference was preempting several of my favorite TV shows. In what is shaping up to be a disturbing pattern, he's doing it again tonight when he delivers a nationally televised speech to Congress.
So much for this week's installments of The Mentalist and Fringe.
It almost makes me sick to say this, but I miss George W. Bush. At least when he was in office, he never gave a crap about the wishes of the American people. He never felt the urge to explain himself. I guess that's why he called himself The Decider. It just goes to show that sometimes there are advantages to living under a dictatorship.
Obama's speech tonight will focus on the economy and the recently passed stimulus package. The rescue plan has come under serious fire from Republicans. Among other things, they're critical of the massive deficits it's going to cause.
WOW!!!! Talk about your deathbed conversions! When Bill Clinton left office, the Federal budget was showing a surplus of $230 billion. Bush wasted no time getting rid of that, and the last several years of his presidency ended up showing record deficits. Where were the Republicans in Congress when Bush was practically pissing red ink over everything he touched!?!? For Republicans to suddenly find religion on this issue is like a serial killer finding Jesus just as he's being strapped into the electric chair.
I don't know if Obama's plan will get us out of this financial mess or not. But it's clear as day that the GOP has no right to sit there and snipe. It was their own inept leadership that led us down this path to economic ruin. Let big business be big business was the Republican mantra for years. Free them from the constraints of overly zealous government controls and big business will lead us into a time of eternal prosperity. Even that financial guru Alan Greenspan once said that business leaders will act in their own best interest.
Right. Now look where the philosophy of deregulation has gotten us. You would think the accounting shenanigans of Enron and Worldcom earlier this decade would have served as a wake-up call, but no. Of course not. And certainly not with the Republican politicians who were the primary recipients of political donations from big business.
And now these very same Republicans want to offer their own solutions? Give me a frakking break. That's like Captain Joseph Hazelwood of the Exxon Valdez offering to teach a course in navigation.
And yes, I do love my metaphors.
So much for this week's installments of The Mentalist and Fringe.
It almost makes me sick to say this, but I miss George W. Bush. At least when he was in office, he never gave a crap about the wishes of the American people. He never felt the urge to explain himself. I guess that's why he called himself The Decider. It just goes to show that sometimes there are advantages to living under a dictatorship.
Obama's speech tonight will focus on the economy and the recently passed stimulus package. The rescue plan has come under serious fire from Republicans. Among other things, they're critical of the massive deficits it's going to cause.WOW!!!! Talk about your deathbed conversions! When Bill Clinton left office, the Federal budget was showing a surplus of $230 billion. Bush wasted no time getting rid of that, and the last several years of his presidency ended up showing record deficits. Where were the Republicans in Congress when Bush was practically pissing red ink over everything he touched!?!? For Republicans to suddenly find religion on this issue is like a serial killer finding Jesus just as he's being strapped into the electric chair.
I don't know if Obama's plan will get us out of this financial mess or not. But it's clear as day that the GOP has no right to sit there and snipe. It was their own inept leadership that led us down this path to economic ruin. Let big business be big business was the Republican mantra for years. Free them from the constraints of overly zealous government controls and big business will lead us into a time of eternal prosperity. Even that financial guru Alan Greenspan once said that business leaders will act in their own best interest.
Right. Now look where the philosophy of deregulation has gotten us. You would think the accounting shenanigans of Enron and Worldcom earlier this decade would have served as a wake-up call, but no. Of course not. And certainly not with the Republican politicians who were the primary recipients of political donations from big business.
And now these very same Republicans want to offer their own solutions? Give me a frakking break. That's like Captain Joseph Hazelwood of the Exxon Valdez offering to teach a course in navigation.
And yes, I do love my metaphors.
Monday, February 23, 2009
So Many Questions, So Few Answers
Is it just me, or has "Battlestar Galactica" become even more confusing than "Lost?"
Sunday, February 22, 2009
If God Were a Super Hero
After USAir flight 1549 ended up in the Hudson River last month with no loss of life, there were those elements of society that immediately seized on it as "proof" of God's existence. In the minds of these folks, the fact that there was a veteran pilot with 30 years of experience at the controls had absolutely nothing to do with it. And that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion--which is why I now point to the more recent crash in Buffalo as proof that God does NOT exist.
But getting back to the so-called "Miracle on the Hudson:" If it was truly God who saved those people, then why did He allow the bird strike to happen in the first place? Why didn't He just make the geese disappear BEFORE the plane even hit them? Or does He get some sort of sick pleasure out of scaring the shit out of innocent airline travelers?
So when a reader provided a link to the below comic, I thought it summed up my argument perfectly.
(Thanks be to the almighty MK for the link)
But getting back to the so-called "Miracle on the Hudson:" If it was truly God who saved those people, then why did He allow the bird strike to happen in the first place? Why didn't He just make the geese disappear BEFORE the plane even hit them? Or does He get some sort of sick pleasure out of scaring the shit out of innocent airline travelers?
So when a reader provided a link to the below comic, I thought it summed up my argument perfectly.
(Thanks be to the almighty MK for the link)
Friday, February 20, 2009
That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles
My God, is nothing safe in this frakked up economy?
The Girl Scouts are reporting that preorders for their annual cookie sales are down by 19%. Preorders account for the majority of cookie sales, and take place mostly in offices and workplaces. Of course, this drop-off probably isn't all that surprising since pretty much everyone and their uncle has been laid off from work.
They are hoping to make up for the shortfall later in the spring when they begin setting up their stands at shopping centers.
The Girl Scouts are reporting that preorders for their annual cookie sales are down by 19%. Preorders account for the majority of cookie sales, and take place mostly in offices and workplaces. Of course, this drop-off probably isn't all that surprising since pretty much everyone and their uncle has been laid off from work.
They are hoping to make up for the shortfall later in the spring when they begin setting up their stands at shopping centers.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Lousy Targeting
Pope Benedict recently promoted an Austrian pastor who had called Hurricane Katrina God's punishment on New Orleans for the city's tolerance of homosexuality. Apparently those earlier theories suggesting that Katrina was a tropical weather system fueled by warm ocean waters were a bunch of hogwash.
Well, if true, it's another example of God's lousy aim. New Orleans was actually spared the worst of Katrina's fury. Southern Mississippi was much harder hit, with entire communities literally wiped from the face of the Earth. And Mississippi is one of the most conservative states in the U.S. It's downright frightening how religious that state is.
Also, most the homosexuals in New Orleans are concentrated in the French Quarter. Oddly, that section of the city was spared the flooding because it sits on high ground. The people that died were largely the black heterosexuals who lived in the poor neighborhoods outside of the downtown area. Other groups hit hard were the elderly, such as the occupants of that nursing that failed to evacuate its patients. Again, I'm guessing most of them were heterosexuals. And if any of them were gay, well, they were too damn old to do anything about it. So if Katrina was some sort of divine punishment, it apparently targeted the wrong people.
Perhaps this pastor should be glad God doesn't punish child molesters. Otherwise the Vatican would be hit by a hurricane every damn week.
Well, if true, it's another example of God's lousy aim. New Orleans was actually spared the worst of Katrina's fury. Southern Mississippi was much harder hit, with entire communities literally wiped from the face of the Earth. And Mississippi is one of the most conservative states in the U.S. It's downright frightening how religious that state is.
Also, most the homosexuals in New Orleans are concentrated in the French Quarter. Oddly, that section of the city was spared the flooding because it sits on high ground. The people that died were largely the black heterosexuals who lived in the poor neighborhoods outside of the downtown area. Other groups hit hard were the elderly, such as the occupants of that nursing that failed to evacuate its patients. Again, I'm guessing most of them were heterosexuals. And if any of them were gay, well, they were too damn old to do anything about it. So if Katrina was some sort of divine punishment, it apparently targeted the wrong people.
Perhaps this pastor should be glad God doesn't punish child molesters. Otherwise the Vatican would be hit by a hurricane every damn week.
"The Worst Is Yet to Come"
Here's a somewhat less than completely optimistic take on the future of the economy. Word of warning: You may want to jump out a window after watching this.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
A New Look for Some Old Friends
I just finished watching last night's Simpsons episode, and I thought something looked different: Turns out they finally went to a widescreen format in anticipation of tomorrow's big switchover to digital TV.... Well, at least what was SUPPOSED to be tomorrow's big switchover (let's pray the government does a better job dispersing the stimulus package than it did handling the DTV transition). The show also did an extended opening credits sequence by adding a few scenes. Oh, and the couch they always plop down into? Well, it finally decides to make a run for it. Even ends up in outer space.You can watch the opening sequence below. Or, if you prefer, the complete episode is available for free on either Hulu or Fox (hopefully the Fox link will work for those of you overseas).
Incidentally, the below video also offers a plausible explanation for that mysterious fireball over Texas the other day (it will be at 1:40 mark or so).
Even I Have My Standards
People sometimes say to me, "Hey, Lugosi, or whatever the hell your real name is, have you ever even read the Bible?"
The answer to that is no. While I enjoy pornography as much as any degenerate pervert, I nonetheless have some standards that I must live up to.
Specifically, I'm referring to the story of Noah. According the good book, the only human survivors of the Great Flood were Noah and his family. That would mean that once the waters receded, they had to resort to incest in order to rebuild the human race. And given the high infant mortality rates of those pre-vaccine days, that means they had to reproduce as often as possible.
I, for one, am too moral to follow the teachings of a book that advocates rampant sexual promiscuity with your immediate relatives.
The answer to that is no. While I enjoy pornography as much as any degenerate pervert, I nonetheless have some standards that I must live up to.
Specifically, I'm referring to the story of Noah. According the good book, the only human survivors of the Great Flood were Noah and his family. That would mean that once the waters receded, they had to resort to incest in order to rebuild the human race. And given the high infant mortality rates of those pre-vaccine days, that means they had to reproduce as often as possible.
I, for one, am too moral to follow the teachings of a book that advocates rampant sexual promiscuity with your immediate relatives.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
DTV: FUBAR?
The date February 17, 2009, has been repeatedly hammered into our minds as the day that old style analog TV signals would cease to be broadcast. Anyone still relying on a TV antenna on that date, and without the appropriate equipment to receive the new digital signals, would be sh*t out of luck when The Price Is Right next came on.
Then last week Congress voted to extend the deadline until June 12. The reason was that the coupon program--intended to help people offset the cost of a new set top converter box--was in disarray. For one thing, the program had run out of money for new coupons. A further complication was that the supply of converter boxes had been erratic, and people who had gotten their coupons early on now had expired coupons.
If that wasn't bad enough, many people who had already received their converter boxes found that they didn't work because they also needed to upgrade their antennas. Apparently no one in the government had thought of that little detail.
But then the TV stations said not to worry, that once they shut off their analog signals on February 17 they'll be able to boost the power devoted to their digital signals. That would presumably take care many of the problems people were having.
So rather than fixing the coupon book problem last fall, Congress waited until two weeks before the final deadline to act. But rather than simply extend the deadline and leave it at that, they voted to give TV stations the option of still doing a complete switchover on February 17, or broadcasting both types of signals until June 12. That only seemed fair, since many stations had already committed crews and personnel for the transition this month.
Now along comes the Federal Communications Commission, which says not so fast. Their concern is that not everyone has their converter boxes yet, and those people would be left without their precious Judge Judy and Oprah if ALL the stations in any given market make the switch on the 17th. So now they want to set up the transition in such a way that at least one station keeps broadcasting analog signals in every city. Problem is, that's not Congress wrote the new law, and its unclear whether the FCC can do this. Also, who's going to pick up the tab if some broadcasters are forced to incur extra costs because of the delay?
The end result is that no one seems to know for sure what's going to happen this coming Tuesday. That February 17 deadline, which we had repeatedly been told was set in stone, now seems etched in jello. Consumers are confused, TV stations are confused, and the government is confused.
Boy, I can hardly wait until Obama takes office and fixes this latest fiasco by the Bush administration.
Then last week Congress voted to extend the deadline until June 12. The reason was that the coupon program--intended to help people offset the cost of a new set top converter box--was in disarray. For one thing, the program had run out of money for new coupons. A further complication was that the supply of converter boxes had been erratic, and people who had gotten their coupons early on now had expired coupons.
If that wasn't bad enough, many people who had already received their converter boxes found that they didn't work because they also needed to upgrade their antennas. Apparently no one in the government had thought of that little detail.
But then the TV stations said not to worry, that once they shut off their analog signals on February 17 they'll be able to boost the power devoted to their digital signals. That would presumably take care many of the problems people were having.
So rather than fixing the coupon book problem last fall, Congress waited until two weeks before the final deadline to act. But rather than simply extend the deadline and leave it at that, they voted to give TV stations the option of still doing a complete switchover on February 17, or broadcasting both types of signals until June 12. That only seemed fair, since many stations had already committed crews and personnel for the transition this month.
Now along comes the Federal Communications Commission, which says not so fast. Their concern is that not everyone has their converter boxes yet, and those people would be left without their precious Judge Judy and Oprah if ALL the stations in any given market make the switch on the 17th. So now they want to set up the transition in such a way that at least one station keeps broadcasting analog signals in every city. Problem is, that's not Congress wrote the new law, and its unclear whether the FCC can do this. Also, who's going to pick up the tab if some broadcasters are forced to incur extra costs because of the delay?
The end result is that no one seems to know for sure what's going to happen this coming Tuesday. That February 17 deadline, which we had repeatedly been told was set in stone, now seems etched in jello. Consumers are confused, TV stations are confused, and the government is confused.
Boy, I can hardly wait until Obama takes office and fixes this latest fiasco by the Bush administration.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Happy Birthday, Mr. Darwin
Today marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. To mark the occasion, the Washington Post has a great article that focuses on the secrets being unlocked in the human genome--secrets that further support evolution over time.There are those, of course, who claim there is some sort of scientific debate about evolution. Well, there isn't. Within the scientific community, the issue is settled. One only needs to look at the alarming rise of drug resistant germs for proof that evolution occurs.
The people that argue against evolution are the product of the same mentality that led to the persecution of early astronomers who dared suggest that it was the Earth that revolved around the sun. Five hundred years ago that was an outrageous notion that the church called sacrilegious and contrary to the teachings of the Bible. Believing in such nonsensical teachings could get you excommunicated and tortured.
Does anyone still seriously believe that the Earth is the center of the universe? We now know that the supposedly infallible church was wrong about that. Just as early religious leaders chose to discount the mounting evidence about Earth's place in the solar system, supporters of intelligent design refuse to accept the evidence against their own ignorance.
All this is not to diminish the wonder that is modern man. We are a product of millions of generations evolutionary progress. Modern humans have gotten here through a series of cosmic accidents and coincidences. For example, would we still be here if an asteroid had not wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago? Would a 40 foot tall reptilian Britney Spears still be hot?
So what if man wasn't created on a whim by some omnipotent being for His or Her own amusement? Humans are still special. We are unique among animals in that we can explore the origins of our very existence and ponder our utterly insignificant place in the universe.
Even if it's only by chance, we should still consider our being here a gift to be savored.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
And the Bad News Just Keeps Getting Worse
One of the bright spots in today's economy had been Wal-Mart. With more people looking for bargains, the chain had been expected to weather the current economic storm. But now comes word that the company will be laying off 700-800 people at its Arkansas headquarters.
Also, Sirius XM--formed when the two rival satellite companies merged late last year--is rumored to be on the verge of filing for bankruptcy. Since most of their new customers come from new car sales, the company has taken a big hit.
And if you're not already depressed enough, Us News & World Report has come out with a list of 15 companies that may not survive the year. What's most disturbing about the list is that there are some very familiar names on it, including Rite Aid, Chrysler, Blockbuster, and Six Flags. But the most disturbing company name on the list is one that embodies all that is good and wonderful about America, and the loss of which would carry disturbing implications for our nation's law enforcement community: Krispy Kreme donuts.
My God, is nothing safe?
Also, Sirius XM--formed when the two rival satellite companies merged late last year--is rumored to be on the verge of filing for bankruptcy. Since most of their new customers come from new car sales, the company has taken a big hit.
And if you're not already depressed enough, Us News & World Report has come out with a list of 15 companies that may not survive the year. What's most disturbing about the list is that there are some very familiar names on it, including Rite Aid, Chrysler, Blockbuster, and Six Flags. But the most disturbing company name on the list is one that embodies all that is good and wonderful about America, and the loss of which would carry disturbing implications for our nation's law enforcement community: Krispy Kreme donuts.
My God, is nothing safe?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 09, 2009
Time to Impeach President Obama?
The President will be holding his first televised news conference tonight at 8 PM. And yes, I'm completely infuriated by this profound act of arrogance..
Monday nights is a major TV night. I record Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Chuck, Heroes, 24, and House. The President's arrogance in disrupting my TV habits is inexcusable. Who voted for this guy, anyway? If this were an isolated incident, I might be inclined to let it slide. But it comes on the heels of another outrage perpetrated by Obama just two weeks ago.
Back on January 27 the Washington area received several inches of snow during the course of the day. Then that night the snow changed to sleet and freezing rain, adding several inches of solidly packed ice to the layer of snow. Needless to say, the next morning was a traffic disaster. Rather that put their students at risk, schools wisely closed for the day.
Now you would think the President of the United States would have other things to worry about than commenting on the winter habits of Washingtonians. After all, there are terrorists to capture and looming economic depression to prevent. But no. Obama has offer his own two cents worth by delivering this little quote to reporters:
Secondly, how can you compare Chicago to DC when it comes to snow? Does Chicago even have hills? More importantly, they get an average of 38 inches of snow versus 15 inches for DC. That means that not only do residents there have more experience driving in icy conditions, but Chicago and its suburbs will have much more sophisticated snow removal equipment. And that's just simple economics: Why would the DC area invest as heavily in the number of plows and salt trucks if you're only going to use the stuff a couple of times a year?
Finally, what possible grounds does Obama have to talk about how the rest of us handle snow and ice? I'm willing to bet he wasn't outside that morning chipping ice off the presidential limo. And as to his little girls, they ride to school in a heavily armed motorcade. They're not out there on a street corner waiting for bus, trying not to slide into the path of oncoming traffic.
It's clearly time to give President Joe Biden a chance.
Monday nights is a major TV night. I record Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Chuck, Heroes, 24, and House. The President's arrogance in disrupting my TV habits is inexcusable. Who voted for this guy, anyway? If this were an isolated incident, I might be inclined to let it slide. But it comes on the heels of another outrage perpetrated by Obama just two weeks ago.
Back on January 27 the Washington area received several inches of snow during the course of the day. Then that night the snow changed to sleet and freezing rain, adding several inches of solidly packed ice to the layer of snow. Needless to say, the next morning was a traffic disaster. Rather that put their students at risk, schools wisely closed for the day.
Now you would think the President of the United States would have other things to worry about than commenting on the winter habits of Washingtonians. After all, there are terrorists to capture and looming economic depression to prevent. But no. Obama has offer his own two cents worth by delivering this little quote to reporters:
"My children's school was canceled today. Because of what? Some ice? . . . We're going to have to apply some flinty Chicago toughness to this town."Say what? "Chicago toughness?" WTF is that? First of all, ice is a hell of a lot more dangerous than snow. You can't just plow ice out of the road. You basically have to wait for it to melt.
Secondly, how can you compare Chicago to DC when it comes to snow? Does Chicago even have hills? More importantly, they get an average of 38 inches of snow versus 15 inches for DC. That means that not only do residents there have more experience driving in icy conditions, but Chicago and its suburbs will have much more sophisticated snow removal equipment. And that's just simple economics: Why would the DC area invest as heavily in the number of plows and salt trucks if you're only going to use the stuff a couple of times a year?
Finally, what possible grounds does Obama have to talk about how the rest of us handle snow and ice? I'm willing to bet he wasn't outside that morning chipping ice off the presidential limo. And as to his little girls, they ride to school in a heavily armed motorcade. They're not out there on a street corner waiting for bus, trying not to slide into the path of oncoming traffic.
It's clearly time to give President Joe Biden a chance.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Friday, February 06, 2009
Mixed Bag
Unemployment offices throughout the nation are so swamped with new claims that they are experiencing delays getting benefits out.
Well, at least the unemplyment offices are hiring.
Well, at least the unemplyment offices are hiring.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
When Star Trek Fans Go Bad
Police in Colorado Springs are looking for a man who tried to rob a couple of convenience stores the other night. Nothing noteworthy about that, except that the guy was trying to use a "bat'leth."If you have to ask what that is, you've obviously moved out of your parents' basement. A bat'leth is a Klingon sword. Before you laugh, consider that a full sized one is about three feet long and shaped like a crescent with points on either end. There are two more points along the razor sharp inside edge and a handle on the outside.
And yes, it is rather pathetic that I know exactly what a bat'leth is.
How'd You Like to Find This Sucker in Your Garden?
Researchers in Colombia have discovered the fossilized remains of a giant snake. Estimated to have lived some 60 million years ago, the creature weighed 2,500 pounds and was longer than a city bus.
No word on whether it was also a talking snake with a proclivity for apples.
No word on whether it was also a talking snake with a proclivity for apples.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Shades of Alfred Hitchcock
A United Airlines plane returned to the airport in Denver after striking a large bird. Only one engine was affected and it continued to operate, although its "pitch changed."
It remains unclear why the pilot elected to land at the airport instead of the Colorado River.
It remains unclear why the pilot elected to land at the airport instead of the Colorado River.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Remembering 'The Day the Music Died'
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the crash in an Iowa corn field of the small plane carrying Buddy Holly, Richie Vallens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Their deaths by aircraft began a tradition among singers that has been proudly carried on by the likes of Jim Croce, Patsy Cline, Ronnie Van Zant, Stevie Gaines, Otis Redding, Rick Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Aaliyah, and John Denver.
To this day, theologians remain baffled as to why God didn't grab the plane just before impact, carry it to New York, and land it in the Hudson where the musicians could have put on a show for rescuers on the Staten Island Ferry.
To this day, theologians remain baffled as to why God didn't grab the plane just before impact, carry it to New York, and land it in the Hudson where the musicians could have put on a show for rescuers on the Staten Island Ferry.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Where Was He This Time?
Six people have died in the crash of a small plane in West Virginia. The pilot had radioed that he was low on fuel shortly before hitting power lines during a snowstorm.
This tragic event raises some perplexing theological questions: If God was the one who saved the passengers on that USAirways jet in New York a couple of weeks ago, why didn't he save the people on this plane? Why didn't He put more fuel in the gas tank? Why didn't He lift the plane clear of the power lines? Why did He allow the snowstorm to develop knowing that it would lead to the loss of lives? All excellent questions that deserve a well reasoned answer.
Too bad I'm the one to do it.
Personally I believe that God can't be bothered with a measly six lives. Our lord generally adheres to a 100 soul minimum. Plus, the West Virginia crash happened on a Saturday, which further convinces me that He likes to take weekends off, which is why I don't bother going to church on Sundays. What's the point if no one's listening?
Then again, maybe it was just bad timing on the part of the pilot and his passengers. The Super Bowl is today, and God may have been tied up planning a heavenly Super Bowl party.
This tragic event raises some perplexing theological questions: If God was the one who saved the passengers on that USAirways jet in New York a couple of weeks ago, why didn't he save the people on this plane? Why didn't He put more fuel in the gas tank? Why didn't He lift the plane clear of the power lines? Why did He allow the snowstorm to develop knowing that it would lead to the loss of lives? All excellent questions that deserve a well reasoned answer.
Too bad I'm the one to do it.
Personally I believe that God can't be bothered with a measly six lives. Our lord generally adheres to a 100 soul minimum. Plus, the West Virginia crash happened on a Saturday, which further convinces me that He likes to take weekends off, which is why I don't bother going to church on Sundays. What's the point if no one's listening?
Then again, maybe it was just bad timing on the part of the pilot and his passengers. The Super Bowl is today, and God may have been tied up planning a heavenly Super Bowl party.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Just a Scapegoat.... Literally
Police in Nigeria are holding a goat on suspicion of trying to steal a car.
Now at first glance the story may seem ridiculous, but it's deadly serious. It seems that two men tried to steal a car at gunpoint but local residents prevented them from following through with their dastardly deed. They then gave chase to the evildoers.
One of the men managed to escape entirely. The other one, however, cleverly changed himself into a goat. The local residents, who are certainly no fools, caught him and escorted the metamorphist to a local police station.
What is this world coming to when our livestock begin turning to a life of crime?
Now at first glance the story may seem ridiculous, but it's deadly serious. It seems that two men tried to steal a car at gunpoint but local residents prevented them from following through with their dastardly deed. They then gave chase to the evildoers.
One of the men managed to escape entirely. The other one, however, cleverly changed himself into a goat. The local residents, who are certainly no fools, caught him and escorted the metamorphist to a local police station.
What is this world coming to when our livestock begin turning to a life of crime?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Okay, so I'm Back
Sorry, but I just couldn't stay shut up for very long. On the other hand, the good news is that I won't be posting on a daily basis.
Why Does Rush Limbaugh Hate American Democracy?
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, his mind apparently still clouded by the Oxycontin he had to scarf down to get through the inauguration, has proudly declared he hopes Obama fails. This statement can only indicate that Limbaugh despises the very concept of democracy and free elections.
Obama was elected with 52.9% of the popular vote and an overwhelming margin in the electoral college. More importantly, he is the first presidential candidate to capture a majority of the popular vote since George H. W. Bush in 1988.
To clarify: Bill Clinton was able to win the presidency in 1992 with 43% of the vote in because of Ross Perot (who won 19%, leaving the elder Bush with 38%). Perot ran again in 1996, and while he had fewer votes than four years earlier, he still kept Clinton to 49.24%. Then in 2000, Limbaugh's hero George W. Bush won the presidency despite have captured fewer votes than Al Gore. And in 2004, Bush managed to squeak by with 50.74% and a narrow margin in the electoral college.
But even more importantly, Obama won more popular votes (69,456,897) than any other presidential candidate in American history. Here are some more fun facts: The last presidential landslide was Reagan in 1984, and he won 54,455,472 votes (58.8%). Nixon in '72 had just over 47 million votes. Granted, Franklin Roosevelt managed to win over 103 million votes, but it took him four elections to do it.
Limbaugh should stick those little factoids in his crack pipe and smoke them.
But that prescription drug swilling lard butt isn't done. Thanks to his drug induced dementia, Limbaugh has begun referring to our current economic crisis as "Obama's recession." Huh? What about George W. Bush, who was President for the last eight years? What about the House of Representatives, which the Republicans controlled for 12 years? Or the Senate, which the Republicans controlled for much of the same time? And let's not forget the financial collapses of Enron and Worldcomm, both of which took place under Bush's presidency. Shouldn't those two fiascoes served as a wake-up call to questionable financial practices by American corporations?
Limbaugh needs to face the ugly truth: was the Republican philosophy of lax business regulation that got us into this freakin' mess.
Oh, and then there's that fun little "Barack the Magic Negro" song that Limbaugh was playing on his radio show last fall. If that's not pure, unadulterated racism, I don't know what is. Yet 20 million Americans continue to listen to this drug-addled right-wing lunatic!?!?!?
With the election of Barack Obama, America has demonstrated that it has moved into the 21st century. Until people like Rush Limbaugh and his fellow Republicans figure that out, they will remain stuck back in the 19th century wondering where all the slaves have gone.
Obama was elected with 52.9% of the popular vote and an overwhelming margin in the electoral college. More importantly, he is the first presidential candidate to capture a majority of the popular vote since George H. W. Bush in 1988.
To clarify: Bill Clinton was able to win the presidency in 1992 with 43% of the vote in because of Ross Perot (who won 19%, leaving the elder Bush with 38%). Perot ran again in 1996, and while he had fewer votes than four years earlier, he still kept Clinton to 49.24%. Then in 2000, Limbaugh's hero George W. Bush won the presidency despite have captured fewer votes than Al Gore. And in 2004, Bush managed to squeak by with 50.74% and a narrow margin in the electoral college.
But even more importantly, Obama won more popular votes (69,456,897) than any other presidential candidate in American history. Here are some more fun facts: The last presidential landslide was Reagan in 1984, and he won 54,455,472 votes (58.8%). Nixon in '72 had just over 47 million votes. Granted, Franklin Roosevelt managed to win over 103 million votes, but it took him four elections to do it.
Limbaugh should stick those little factoids in his crack pipe and smoke them.
But that prescription drug swilling lard butt isn't done. Thanks to his drug induced dementia, Limbaugh has begun referring to our current economic crisis as "Obama's recession." Huh? What about George W. Bush, who was President for the last eight years? What about the House of Representatives, which the Republicans controlled for 12 years? Or the Senate, which the Republicans controlled for much of the same time? And let's not forget the financial collapses of Enron and Worldcomm, both of which took place under Bush's presidency. Shouldn't those two fiascoes served as a wake-up call to questionable financial practices by American corporations?
Limbaugh needs to face the ugly truth: was the Republican philosophy of lax business regulation that got us into this freakin' mess.
Oh, and then there's that fun little "Barack the Magic Negro" song that Limbaugh was playing on his radio show last fall. If that's not pure, unadulterated racism, I don't know what is. Yet 20 million Americans continue to listen to this drug-addled right-wing lunatic!?!?!?
With the election of Barack Obama, America has demonstrated that it has moved into the 21st century. Until people like Rush Limbaugh and his fellow Republicans figure that out, they will remain stuck back in the 19th century wondering where all the slaves have gone.
Microsoft's Turn for Layoffs
In yet another sign that the economy is in a freefall, much like a guy who has jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet and suddenly remembered he has forgotten his parachute, Microsoft has announced that it is cutting 5,000 employees. This marks the company's first-ever layoffs. While the stagnating economy is certainly to blame, some experts are going a step further and saying that the layoffs are yet another sign that Windows Vista sucks.
Is Mars Farting?
Scientists have found that methane is being released from beneath the Martian surface in regular intervals. While it doesn't quite qualify as definitive proof that there is life on Mars, the discovery at least raises the intriguing possibility that there are subterranean Taco Bells on our planetary neighbor.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Adieu
Over the course of the last several months, several people have asked me what I'm going to write about once Bush is gone. I really haven't had a good answer until now:
Nothing.
I'm done, spent, tired, and out of ideas. Bush's departure really doesn't have anything to do with it, but it nonetheless seems like a fitting time to hang up my keyboard. While writing this blog has been mostly fun over the years, I no longer feel like I have the motivation to write worthwhile posts.
Quite frankly, this site has never caught on with readers. Sure, there's a handful of loyal readers like Gordon, Danny, Mary, MK, Paradise Driver, and Arby, but that's really about it. Even worse, readership over the last few months has dropped off considerably. Lately there have been days when I didn't even break 30 hits a day. I was starting to feel like a print newspaper. And most of those visits come from search engines and people who never bother coming back.
But what really burns my behind is that 'Saddam's Cyber Palace' still ROUTINELY gets three or four times the traffic 'Mirth, Musings, & More' does. Seriously. The guy's been dead for over two years, for crying out loud!!!!! And people would still rather hear from him than me!?!?!?!
Clearly, when you start getting jealous of deceased bloodthirsty dictators, it's time to re-evaluate your priorities.
So.... Those of you who have been with me for these last five years, I thank you. Perhaps some day I'll get back to blogging, but for now I'm clicking my last "publish post" button.
Nothing.
I'm done, spent, tired, and out of ideas. Bush's departure really doesn't have anything to do with it, but it nonetheless seems like a fitting time to hang up my keyboard. While writing this blog has been mostly fun over the years, I no longer feel like I have the motivation to write worthwhile posts.
Quite frankly, this site has never caught on with readers. Sure, there's a handful of loyal readers like Gordon, Danny, Mary, MK, Paradise Driver, and Arby, but that's really about it. Even worse, readership over the last few months has dropped off considerably. Lately there have been days when I didn't even break 30 hits a day. I was starting to feel like a print newspaper. And most of those visits come from search engines and people who never bother coming back.
But what really burns my behind is that 'Saddam's Cyber Palace' still ROUTINELY gets three or four times the traffic 'Mirth, Musings, & More' does. Seriously. The guy's been dead for over two years, for crying out loud!!!!! And people would still rather hear from him than me!?!?!?!
Clearly, when you start getting jealous of deceased bloodthirsty dictators, it's time to re-evaluate your priorities.
So.... Those of you who have been with me for these last five years, I thank you. Perhaps some day I'll get back to blogging, but for now I'm clicking my last "publish post" button.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Instruction Video
I was so busy watching the below video, I completely missed the inauguration.
And after several hundred viewings, I still can't spot a nipple!
And after several hundred viewings, I still can't spot a nipple!
Bush's Legacy
Here's what columnist Mark Shields had to say on this week's "Inside Washington" about George W. Bush's eight years in office:
"Mr. Bush leaves with the lowest job rating of any President since Richard Nixon. The reason is, and it will be history's judgment of him, that George Bush took the United States to war against a country that constituted no threat to us, on a totally bogus claim that the country possessed weapons of mass destruction that constituted a threat to us, which it did not. And in doing it, and in the conduct of the war, he violated one of the most sacred and honored of American values: That is that war truly demands equality of sacrifice. He demanded no sacrifice of any of us. All the sacrifice and suffering was done, and continues to be done, by less that one percent of Americans.
And that is fundamentally unamerican."
Weren't the Birds Here First?
The National Transportation Safety Board has released more details on what happened to USScare Flight 1549. The plane was at 3200 feet and doing 250mph when it hit a flock of birds and simultaneously lost power in both engines. At that moment they were still over northern Manhattan and about to pass over The Bronx. The captain immediately lowered the nose of the plane to avoid stalling.
The crew declared a mayday and a controller at LaGuardia told them to turn left and return to the airport. But with zero power, it quickly became clear they weren't going make it all the way back. But with nothing but the crowded areas of New York city and northern Jersey within their reach, they quickly realized they had no alternative except the river.
Meanwhile, a controller asked which runway they wanted to use. The pilot's response? "We're gonna be in the Hudson." Helpful, in case no one on the ground happened to notice a massive Airbus A320 landing in the middle of a river.
One question that some people have raised is why jet engines don't have screens to protect against birds. The problem, according to experts, is that any screen sturdy enough to withstand an impact with a large bird is also going to restrict the airflow to the engine. Also, if the screen should break apart, you would also have chunks of metal flying into the engine in addition to the meat and bone. Says one expert: "It would be like traveling with your own flock of geese."
Meanwhile, some people are viewing the incident as proof that God exists. As I said the other day, that ignores the question of why God let the situation happen in the first place. Why didn't he just make the birds vanish before they actually hit the plane? Was he just not paying attention, and didn't notice what had happened untio it was almost too late? Well, if that's the case, then don't we deserve better service from a deity?
But if you accept that this plane was saved by God, then why do we waste money training pilots? Hell, why not have a drawing at the beginning of every flight to pick someone at random from among the passengers to fly the plane? After all, if God's in charge, nothing bad will happen even if you have a total ninny at the controls. Better yet, why don't we just develop planes that run on "prayer power?" It would eliminate the need for jet fuel AND help the environment!!
But seriously, all this fuss over what happened last Thursday ignores the hidden tragedy: The birds. What about them? They're just flying along, minding their own damn business, following their instincts as they have done for countless millennia, and suddenly a jet airplane rudely interrupts their annual migration. Where was God for them?
Someone owes those poor geese an apology.
The crew declared a mayday and a controller at LaGuardia told them to turn left and return to the airport. But with zero power, it quickly became clear they weren't going make it all the way back. But with nothing but the crowded areas of New York city and northern Jersey within their reach, they quickly realized they had no alternative except the river.
Meanwhile, a controller asked which runway they wanted to use. The pilot's response? "We're gonna be in the Hudson." Helpful, in case no one on the ground happened to notice a massive Airbus A320 landing in the middle of a river.
One question that some people have raised is why jet engines don't have screens to protect against birds. The problem, according to experts, is that any screen sturdy enough to withstand an impact with a large bird is also going to restrict the airflow to the engine. Also, if the screen should break apart, you would also have chunks of metal flying into the engine in addition to the meat and bone. Says one expert: "It would be like traveling with your own flock of geese."
Meanwhile, some people are viewing the incident as proof that God exists. As I said the other day, that ignores the question of why God let the situation happen in the first place. Why didn't he just make the birds vanish before they actually hit the plane? Was he just not paying attention, and didn't notice what had happened untio it was almost too late? Well, if that's the case, then don't we deserve better service from a deity?
But if you accept that this plane was saved by God, then why do we waste money training pilots? Hell, why not have a drawing at the beginning of every flight to pick someone at random from among the passengers to fly the plane? After all, if God's in charge, nothing bad will happen even if you have a total ninny at the controls. Better yet, why don't we just develop planes that run on "prayer power?" It would eliminate the need for jet fuel AND help the environment!!
But seriously, all this fuss over what happened last Thursday ignores the hidden tragedy: The birds. What about them? They're just flying along, minding their own damn business, following their instincts as they have done for countless millennia, and suddenly a jet airplane rudely interrupts their annual migration. Where was God for them?
Someone owes those poor geese an apology.
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