12 October 2007
06 May 2007
12 April 2007
11 April 2007
Imus' Explosion
Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.
I'm glad that racism and bigotry are a big deal. They should be. But I also know what every 5th grader in the country knows. See above. Then get over it.
I'm glad that racism and bigotry are a big deal. They should be. But I also know what every 5th grader in the country knows. See above. Then get over it.
09 March 2007
I Love TV Again
No, I still don't have a TV. But I did come by a DVD of The Office [Season 1] and I'm pretty hooked. I'm sure i'm 3 seasons behind, no idea how long it's been on the tele, but for once I'm actually psyched to get another DVD.
Other things I've seen recently:
Other things I've seen recently:
- Control Room - Story of Al Jazeera during the early Iraq war, evidence of the "different sources, different truths" doctrine. Lead PR spin guy from the military has since quit his job and taken a job with Al Jazeera. [**** 4 stars]
- Out Foxed - Who knew, Fox News is neither fair nor balanced? Documentary of how insidious they really are. Nothing new, but good for the masses. [*** 3 stars]
- V For Vendetta - Took me a while to see this one, but it's pretty solid. Definite 1984-type rip of the possible future, but some alarming strings tied to the present. [*** 3 stars]
- The Departed - Interesting. Not sure if it's as good as everyone else seems to think, but certainly well-worth the watch. Kate Blanchett is hot in this movie, as opposed to scary as shit (ie. Lord of the Rings) Not a big fan of the plot twist at the end that seems a little to easy. [**** 4 stars]
- Van Wilder II: The Rise of Taj - I won't even consider this piece of monkey dung. I haven't seen it, I won't see it, why did they make it? National Lampoon is sliding downhill. John Belushi is crying. But at least he's drunk.
05 March 2007
Read What I Read?
Since I don't have anything clever to say, I will just plug my new feature. If you're ever curious about what sort of drivel I'm reading on the Internets, just look to the top pane to the right.
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The Goose and Danielle have another little one on the way, keeping up with the Goodwins, as it were.
Speaking of, congratulations to Goody and Amy for their Molly. And then there were four.
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The Goose and Danielle have another little one on the way, keeping up with the Goodwins, as it were.
Speaking of, congratulations to Goody and Amy for their Molly. And then there were four.
23 February 2007
The Goods on CFLs
The Goods on CFLs
(get it?)
Goody asks a good question:
"Johnson, make 10 Million dollars, and buy everyone in America 1 of these lightbulbs. It would reduce emissions by 800,000 tons/year.
But on the downside, there is a small amount of mercury in these bulbs. How do we dispose of them?"
I would love to make 10 million for this purpose. Or just to keep my lazy ass from having to work all that much anymore. But here's my skinny on the deal...it's a great question.
A deposit on them which is refundable when they are recycled? Don't think it would work well but it would be better than not. As with many things, doing the "right thing" is the answer (why pollute the environment by throwing them away when you can take them to be recycled?) Recycling the little devils is really pretty easy.
If you're buying, buy Phillips (and maybe GE?) because they have less Hg per bulb than others, less than 2mg each.
I also read somewhere that even with Hg in the bulbs, you save more Hg contamination from NOT burning coal for electricity (vs. incandescent bulbs).
Oh, and while we're at it, there is quite a lot (relatively speaking) of mercury in cars. There are trace amounts in many switches, but there are a lot of switches in your car. What do we do with cars these days? In Maine we drive them out back and let them rust into the ground. We don't even take them to the junkyard, which at least moves all the pollution to someone else's land...
(get it?)
Goody asks a good question:
"Johnson, make 10 Million dollars, and buy everyone in America 1 of these lightbulbs. It would reduce emissions by 800,000 tons/year.
But on the downside, there is a small amount of mercury in these bulbs. How do we dispose of them?"
I would love to make 10 million for this purpose. Or just to keep my lazy ass from having to work all that much anymore. But here's my skinny on the deal...it's a great question.
A deposit on them which is refundable when they are recycled? Don't think it would work well but it would be better than not. As with many things, doing the "right thing" is the answer (why pollute the environment by throwing them away when you can take them to be recycled?) Recycling the little devils is really pretty easy.
If you're buying, buy Phillips (and maybe GE?) because they have less Hg per bulb than others, less than 2mg each.
I also read somewhere that even with Hg in the bulbs, you save more Hg contamination from NOT burning coal for electricity (vs. incandescent bulbs).
Oh, and while we're at it, there is quite a lot (relatively speaking) of mercury in cars. There are trace amounts in many switches, but there are a lot of switches in your car. What do we do with cars these days? In Maine we drive them out back and let them rust into the ground. We don't even take them to the junkyard, which at least moves all the pollution to someone else's land...
22 February 2007
What Can Washington Learn From Corporate America?
What Can Washington Learn From Corporate America?
To answer this question, you need only look here to see what JetBlue did after it fucked over its passengers for a week. They issued an apology. I don't even think they're bullshitting, any more than anyone would in such an instance. At least in as much as it effects their bottom line, I think that JetBlue is genuinely sorry that they blew it. (When it comes to corporations, what more can you ask them to be genuine about?)
How about just a little accountability in the halls of power? It's not too much to ask. Even now I would relish the release of such a statement by FEMA regarding the Katrina debacle. Plagiarize the damn thing, change a couple of words and you've got it. Would it be so bad for the government to own up to its failures? And, more importantly, where does that patent denial stem from? Is it a reflection of the populace as a whole? Are we, as a people, unable to own up to our wrongs, our transgressions, our fuck shows? Does this tie together with the culture of blame in this country, the reliance on tort and lawsuit to assign culpability (anyone but me) to all events?
How about just a little accountability in the halls of power? It's not too much to ask. Even now I would relish the release of such a statement by FEMA regarding the Katrina debacle. Plagiarize the damn thing, change a couple of words and you've got it. Would it be so bad for the government to own up to its failures? And, more importantly, where does that patent denial stem from? Is it a reflection of the populace as a whole? Are we, as a people, unable to own up to our wrongs, our transgressions, our fuck shows? Does this tie together with the culture of blame in this country, the reliance on tort and lawsuit to assign culpability (anyone but me) to all events?
Is this genetic defect in the country's collective DNA responsible for both a $2.9 million McDonald's coffee lawsuit and a generalized inability to take responsibility for action? Did we, as a nation, learn this from our government? How would our grandfathers, and our grandfather's government, deal with these same issues?
NotPocalypse
Today's sign that the end may not be as close as I fear:
Australia yesterday decided to ban traditional incandescent light bulbs. They will be phased out over the next 3 years.
Globally, lighting accounts for about 3/4 as much Carbon emission as cars do.
Australia yesterday decided to ban traditional incandescent light bulbs. They will be phased out over the next 3 years.
Globally, lighting accounts for about 3/4 as much Carbon emission as cars do.
20 February 2007
03 February 2007
25 January 2007
A Call For Sequels
So maybe this is a little past due. But I wanted to throw something out there: the long MLK day weekend in Portland was a bitchin' time. (I am sorry that Z injured himself of course, but other than that...) I'm rather glad that .5 inches of snow kicked the Visco's and my ass into not leaving.
I want to call for repetition. I think that perhaps once every two months would be gooder than not.
- Jen was a Major rockstar all weekend. 4 Stars.
- Drunk trivial is actually as fun as I remember it being in college.
- Drinking all day Sunday is a sign that God may in fact exist. (Not working on Monday is proof.)
- Aahnna puking: 4 stars. Not feeding the dog? 1 Star penalty.
As Visco pointed out recently, sometimes sequels are as good as the original.
I want to call for repetition. I think that perhaps once every two months would be gooder than not.
- Jen was a Major rockstar all weekend. 4 Stars.
- Drunk trivial is actually as fun as I remember it being in college.
- Drinking all day Sunday is a sign that God may in fact exist. (Not working on Monday is proof.)
- Aahnna puking: 4 stars. Not feeding the dog? 1 Star penalty.
As Visco pointed out recently, sometimes sequels are as good as the original.
18 January 2007
Good Morning, Guantanamo
The pentagon released rules for detainee trials this week. They include, I shit you not, the ability to use hearsay as valid evidence against the defendant. Hearsay is evidence based on the reports of others (not direct knowledge) and is therefore not generally admissible in court, or important for that matter. It's sorta like if Visco told me some guy from RiRa said he saw Joe kissing some dude in the kitchen I wouldn't just take it as fact that Joe is gay. But the tribunals in Guantanamo would.
12 January 2007
NotPocalypse
[Today's Sign That the Apocalypse Is Not As Near As I Think]
WallyWorld has accepted bids on what could become the largest solar power project in history. If they proceed it will be 50x larger than the (currently biggest) Google corporate headquarters solar array.
At the end of February Walmart will announce a decision, so they still have ample time to reverse course. But there is some small measure of hope.
At the end of February Walmart will announce a decision, so they still have ample time to reverse course. But there is some small measure of hope.
10 January 2007
Ars Discordia
Well, I just listened to the best thing ever: hearing the Shrub (try) to speak. It really amuses me. The speaking part anyway. (What he says? That, my friends, is a horse of a different fucking color.)
So there is this: Shrub speaking reminds me of, well, me speaking. Only the me I'm referring to is 18 and hungover, is fumbling thru COM 103 in his first semester at UMaine, and is not the leader of the free world.
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The title of this post is Ars Discordia. It's Latin, but i don't know if it means anything. I took Latin in High School, and you can imagine that my grammar (never good) has not exactly improved since that time. The point is that I am considering starting another blog. One that I will probably not write in. But I might. And if i did it would be slightly more serious political and social commentary. Less swearing and more detail-oriented.
It is unclear to me at this late hour whether or not this is a good idea. Is it respect for the few people who read my blog that I might split off my mundane musing from my leftist babble? Or is it vanity, thinking that some people would actually read two different blogs posted by me?
These things I don't know, so in honor of "sitting on the fence" I will write a new post. I give you, my loyal but tiny audience the opportunity to either read it below, or on Ars Discordia (where there is also a definition.)
So there is this: Shrub speaking reminds me of, well, me speaking. Only the me I'm referring to is 18 and hungover, is fumbling thru COM 103 in his first semester at UMaine, and is not the leader of the free world.
---
The title of this post is Ars Discordia. It's Latin, but i don't know if it means anything. I took Latin in High School, and you can imagine that my grammar (never good) has not exactly improved since that time. The point is that I am considering starting another blog. One that I will probably not write in. But I might. And if i did it would be slightly more serious political and social commentary. Less swearing and more detail-oriented.
It is unclear to me at this late hour whether or not this is a good idea. Is it respect for the few people who read my blog that I might split off my mundane musing from my leftist babble? Or is it vanity, thinking that some people would actually read two different blogs posted by me?
These things I don't know, so in honor of "sitting on the fence" I will write a new post. I give you, my loyal but tiny audience the opportunity to either read it below, or on Ars Discordia (where there is also a definition.)
Strategy v Tactics -or- How Bush is Stupid
Strategy: the planning and conduct of battles to gain the end of war
Tactics: a plan for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle
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George Bush has finally made his appearance. He waited. He hid. By keeping the doors closed and the phone lines secure since the November elections, Bush has effectively held the citizenry of this country in limbo. Equally important, but almost always forgotten, he has kept the citizenry of Iraq hostage to the terror and strife that descended there in the aftermath of our "mission accomplished" victory.
For two months the President and his staff have been talking about the unveiling of a new "strategy" in Iraq. Their words.
We can look at the definitions above and see that strategy is big picture. Tactics are small picture. You win a battle with tactics. You win the war with strategy. Are battles important? Absolutely. But not if they don't help towards your objective. In terms of football: first downs are only useful if you don't turn the ball over ever possession.
So, what did Bush say? Well, he said basically only two things. (One might argue a third.) First, he said that he is ultimately responsible for the errors of the war thus-far. Interesting, but ultimately unimportant. We all knew this anyway; he's just attempting to gain some measure of credibility by his apparent humility. Second, he said he's sending in 21,000 more troops. And that's it.
What he didn't say is more telling. He did not say that we are going to change the mission of the troops that are in Iraq. He did not say that we are going to engage in aggressive diplomacy with the states of the region to enlist their help in stabilizing Iraq. He did not say that we are going to undertake a massive effort the likes of which haven't been seen since the end of WW II to rebuild the shattered country of Iraq. He did not say that the US will put massive pressure on the peace process in Israeli occupied territories to help treat the cause of the terrorism disease.
From what he didn't say we can deduce that he did not in fact change the strategy for the war. He changed the tactics. More troops. "Stay the Course II."
Sequels are always worse than the original.
Tactics: a plan for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle
---
George Bush has finally made his appearance. He waited. He hid. By keeping the doors closed and the phone lines secure since the November elections, Bush has effectively held the citizenry of this country in limbo. Equally important, but almost always forgotten, he has kept the citizenry of Iraq hostage to the terror and strife that descended there in the aftermath of our "mission accomplished" victory.
For two months the President and his staff have been talking about the unveiling of a new "strategy" in Iraq. Their words.
We can look at the definitions above and see that strategy is big picture. Tactics are small picture. You win a battle with tactics. You win the war with strategy. Are battles important? Absolutely. But not if they don't help towards your objective. In terms of football: first downs are only useful if you don't turn the ball over ever possession.
So, what did Bush say? Well, he said basically only two things. (One might argue a third.) First, he said that he is ultimately responsible for the errors of the war thus-far. Interesting, but ultimately unimportant. We all knew this anyway; he's just attempting to gain some measure of credibility by his apparent humility. Second, he said he's sending in 21,000 more troops. And that's it.
What he didn't say is more telling. He did not say that we are going to change the mission of the troops that are in Iraq. He did not say that we are going to engage in aggressive diplomacy with the states of the region to enlist their help in stabilizing Iraq. He did not say that we are going to undertake a massive effort the likes of which haven't been seen since the end of WW II to rebuild the shattered country of Iraq. He did not say that the US will put massive pressure on the peace process in Israeli occupied territories to help treat the cause of the terrorism disease.
From what he didn't say we can deduce that he did not in fact change the strategy for the war. He changed the tactics. More troops. "Stay the Course II."
Sequels are always worse than the original.
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