Homercles: Space Monkey Man of Tomorrow
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Well, monkey poop
I just realized a need to write a quiz for tomorrow. Can't believe that slipped my mind.
Doofus.
Aug 31
Cardio
Time 1:00:00
2004 total 120:30:00
Weights + Cardio 135 Days (21 to go)
Doofus.
Aug 31
Cardio
Time 1:00:00
2004 total 120:30:00
Weights + Cardio 135 Days (21 to go)
Currently monitoring study hall
It's okay. I can type and scowl menacingly at the same time.
Watched some of McCain's speech last night, and about half of Guiliani's. The text of Guiliani's is available via RWN.
I don’t believe we’re right about everything and Democrats are wrong. They’re wrong about most things. But — but — but, seriously, seriously, neither party has a monopoly on virtue. We don’t have all the right ideas. They don’t have all the wrong ideas.
But I do believe there are times in history when our ideas are more necessary and more important and critical. And this is one of those times when we are facing war and danger. These are times — these are times when leadership is the most important.
I think Rudy struck just the right tone here. For over a year the Left has been hoppin' and howlin' about the evil immoral soul-killing baby-devouring Republicans; a lot of that sentiment, while not presented overtly at the DNC, certainly dampened my enthusiasm and willingness to hear what they had to say. And maybe I'm wrong about this, but I don't remember hearing any speaker at the DNC mention that Republicans aren't always wrong, nor are Democrats always right.
The RNC speakers are trying to bridge the gap between the GOP and the undecideds, instead of solely preaching to the choir.
It was good to mention W's leadership and steadfast implementation of the newly-coined Bush Doctrine. I should hope, though, that the RNC isn't all 9/11, all the time. He's already got all the pro-war people he's going to get. Bush has got a lot of good things to say about the economy, tax cuts, and small business incentives; this is where he needs to contrast himself with Kerry. Domestic policy is said to be Kerry's strong suit, so this is where the attack should be.
Watched some of McCain's speech last night, and about half of Guiliani's. The text of Guiliani's is available via RWN.
I don’t believe we’re right about everything and Democrats are wrong. They’re wrong about most things. But — but — but, seriously, seriously, neither party has a monopoly on virtue. We don’t have all the right ideas. They don’t have all the wrong ideas.
But I do believe there are times in history when our ideas are more necessary and more important and critical. And this is one of those times when we are facing war and danger. These are times — these are times when leadership is the most important.
I think Rudy struck just the right tone here. For over a year the Left has been hoppin' and howlin' about the evil immoral soul-killing baby-devouring Republicans; a lot of that sentiment, while not presented overtly at the DNC, certainly dampened my enthusiasm and willingness to hear what they had to say. And maybe I'm wrong about this, but I don't remember hearing any speaker at the DNC mention that Republicans aren't always wrong, nor are Democrats always right.
The RNC speakers are trying to bridge the gap between the GOP and the undecideds, instead of solely preaching to the choir.
It was good to mention W's leadership and steadfast implementation of the newly-coined Bush Doctrine. I should hope, though, that the RNC isn't all 9/11, all the time. He's already got all the pro-war people he's going to get. Bush has got a lot of good things to say about the economy, tax cuts, and small business incentives; this is where he needs to contrast himself with Kerry. Domestic policy is said to be Kerry's strong suit, so this is where the attack should be.
Monday, August 30, 2004
The impossible has happened.
I just got my thousandth hit. Thanks to my friends, the regulars, and random passers-by. It's been a blast reading your words, and I hope mine have brought you some enjoyment as well.
Okay, now I'm confused
I e-mailed my friends live-in SO about the sorta-date, and basically said what I posted here on Saturday (well, everything except my descent to the Dark Side). She writes back, and says it's okay with the sorta date if I e-mail her.
So what the hell do I do now? If she's not ready to get involved right now, should I be e-mailing her? Should I wait a discreet amount of time, and then e-mail? Should I just give up on the whole thing, and play Knights of the Old Republic for the third time instead?
Argh. This is aggravating.
All right, it's exhilarating too. I've been out of circulation for a while, so the instincts are rusty. Maybe, if I'm lucky, it's just like learning to ride a bike.
So what the hell do I do now? If she's not ready to get involved right now, should I be e-mailing her? Should I wait a discreet amount of time, and then e-mail? Should I just give up on the whole thing, and play Knights of the Old Republic for the third time instead?
Argh. This is aggravating.
All right, it's exhilarating too. I've been out of circulation for a while, so the instincts are rusty. Maybe, if I'm lucky, it's just like learning to ride a bike.
Somewhere, there's a grassy knoll in need of a second gunman
Iowahawk has uncovered the fiendish web of intrigue that conclusively connects the Swiftvets with the Bush camp. Take that, Fox News! (Beware, occasional blogger inside jokes contained within)
Liveblogging from the RNC
I'm not, but Roger Simon is. Just start at the top and scroll, scroll, scroll.
I'm going to be checking his site frequently, because I'm pretty confident he'll actually write on interesting behind-the-scenes stuff, instead of parroting the party talking points.
I'm going to be checking his site frequently, because I'm pretty confident he'll actually write on interesting behind-the-scenes stuff, instead of parroting the party talking points.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
If I were President . . .
But thank goodness I'm not. I'd rather be on the giving end of the mockery, thank you.
Just the same, there's some things I'd like to see changed; sadly, I personally lack the authority to implement them.
For instance, I think campaign finance needs to be reformed. Sure, we're all having a merry old time with the Swiftvets and MoveOn, but it occurs to me that having quasi-affiliated political hitmen who are immune to the checks that bind the legit campaigns can only further degrade the campaign process. (And yes, I recognize that the Swiftvets story likely would not have broken without 527s; but we also wouldn't have had to put up with those mortifying Bush=Hitler ads. So my glee at the Great Kerry Unraveling is tempered somewhat.) I'd like a little dignity to remain in the process of choosing the person for the most important job in the world. Also, as Zell Miller details in A National Party No More, policymakers from both sides of the aisle spend more time meeting with lobbyists than they do fulfilling the office we elected them to.
So, what to do? Well, how about:
1) Forbid campaign donations from all PACs, lobbying firms, and private organizations of all stripes with a pet cause. If they can't woo you with donations, then you may as well stay in the office, yes?
2) Ensure that there's no cap on individual campaign donations. Look, we all know that business about the Democratic Party being the party of the poor is crap. Looking at the Who's Who of party boosters on both sides, it's obvious that the two major parties have economic parity. So there's no need to handicap any one side with a donation limit.
3) Prohibit 527s and other non-affiliated groups from advertising within a year of an election. Pretty much would neuter MoveOn and its ilk, I'd think.
4) All campaign funds would come directly from individual voters. In this day and age, it wouldn't be that difficult to set up a web site or an 800 number (hell, even a PO box) to take donations. Technology and telecommunications have made it possible for anyone to jumpstart a campaign; what could be more egalitarian than allowing people to fund the campaign of their chosen candidate directly, without having to PAC up?
Maybe this is all foolish nonsense, and I'm an idiot who knows jack about campaign financing. All I know is that McCain-Feingold is not the panacea it was made out to be, and I'm appalled that AARP or the NRA gets more of a politico's time than do his/her constituents.
Just the same, there's some things I'd like to see changed; sadly, I personally lack the authority to implement them.
For instance, I think campaign finance needs to be reformed. Sure, we're all having a merry old time with the Swiftvets and MoveOn, but it occurs to me that having quasi-affiliated political hitmen who are immune to the checks that bind the legit campaigns can only further degrade the campaign process. (And yes, I recognize that the Swiftvets story likely would not have broken without 527s; but we also wouldn't have had to put up with those mortifying Bush=Hitler ads. So my glee at the Great Kerry Unraveling is tempered somewhat.) I'd like a little dignity to remain in the process of choosing the person for the most important job in the world. Also, as Zell Miller details in A National Party No More, policymakers from both sides of the aisle spend more time meeting with lobbyists than they do fulfilling the office we elected them to.
So, what to do? Well, how about:
1) Forbid campaign donations from all PACs, lobbying firms, and private organizations of all stripes with a pet cause. If they can't woo you with donations, then you may as well stay in the office, yes?
2) Ensure that there's no cap on individual campaign donations. Look, we all know that business about the Democratic Party being the party of the poor is crap. Looking at the Who's Who of party boosters on both sides, it's obvious that the two major parties have economic parity. So there's no need to handicap any one side with a donation limit.
3) Prohibit 527s and other non-affiliated groups from advertising within a year of an election. Pretty much would neuter MoveOn and its ilk, I'd think.
4) All campaign funds would come directly from individual voters. In this day and age, it wouldn't be that difficult to set up a web site or an 800 number (hell, even a PO box) to take donations. Technology and telecommunications have made it possible for anyone to jumpstart a campaign; what could be more egalitarian than allowing people to fund the campaign of their chosen candidate directly, without having to PAC up?
Maybe this is all foolish nonsense, and I'm an idiot who knows jack about campaign financing. All I know is that McCain-Feingold is not the panacea it was made out to be, and I'm appalled that AARP or the NRA gets more of a politico's time than do his/her constituents.
Strangely reminded of Fight Club
Found this on Fark:
Teacher in-service day slide show goes porno.
Excerpt:
"It actually was very professionally done -- up to the point it happened. They had gotten to a point where they were going to show images of various staff awards from last year. Then there was a delay, like a glitch. They couldn't get the slide to show," said one source.
What appeared next was anything but routine.
"All of a sudden, there's this photograph showing two naked men. There was silence at first, then sort of a buzzing among the audience -- 'Did we just see what we saw?' -- and then a little muffled laughter," said another employee.
An investigation is under way. They should probably start with Tyler Durden, AKA Jack's pancreas.
Sorry. Inside joke for film buffs.
And here I was complaining about the lame in-service stuff I had to go through. At least I didn't have to put up with hot guy-on-guy action.
Teacher in-service day slide show goes porno.
Excerpt:
"It actually was very professionally done -- up to the point it happened. They had gotten to a point where they were going to show images of various staff awards from last year. Then there was a delay, like a glitch. They couldn't get the slide to show," said one source.
What appeared next was anything but routine.
"All of a sudden, there's this photograph showing two naked men. There was silence at first, then sort of a buzzing among the audience -- 'Did we just see what we saw?' -- and then a little muffled laughter," said another employee.
An investigation is under way. They should probably start with Tyler Durden, AKA Jack's pancreas.
Sorry. Inside joke for film buffs.
And here I was complaining about the lame in-service stuff I had to go through. At least I didn't have to put up with hot guy-on-guy action.
Sign of the times, part 2
Right Wing News has a post up about some lovely, and oh-so tasteful children's costumes.
Yes, you too could have your child dress up as a prostitute, or a pimp, as the case may be.
Any time that the parents who would buy this stuff would like to actually grow up and start being parents would be fine to me.
Yes, you too could have your child dress up as a prostitute, or a pimp, as the case may be.
Any time that the parents who would buy this stuff would like to actually grow up and start being parents would be fine to me.
Sign O' the Times
While browsing the bestseller list at Amazon.com, I found this notice, right above the reader reviews, for the Swiftvets book:
Important note from Amazon.com: We've decided to suspend our normal customer review policies and rules for this title. For example, we usually prohibit ad hominem attacks. That policy in particular seems to be incompatible with presidential election year politics. Therefore, short of obscenities, reviews on this book are now a free-for-all. We take no responsibility for the following discussion. Aren't presidential election years great? Have fun!
Well, that just about says it all, doesn't it?
Important note from Amazon.com: We've decided to suspend our normal customer review policies and rules for this title. For example, we usually prohibit ad hominem attacks. That policy in particular seems to be incompatible with presidential election year politics. Therefore, short of obscenities, reviews on this book are now a free-for-all. We take no responsibility for the following discussion. Aren't presidential election years great? Have fun!
Well, that just about says it all, doesn't it?
Friday, August 27, 2004
So tired
Was up most of the night towelling up my basement floor. Turns out the window well in the corner isn't watertight, and when a couple inches of rain fill it up, the water tends to escape into the basement.
It took nearly every towel, hand towel, dish towel, and washcloth I own to keep the water from spreading farther into the furnished part of the basement.
I have got to catch a nap between the end of work and the double-date-but-not-really.
It took nearly every towel, hand towel, dish towel, and washcloth I own to keep the water from spreading farther into the furnished part of the basement.
I have got to catch a nap between the end of work and the double-date-but-not-really.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Well, now I've gone and done it.
A couple of weeks back, I went out of town to attend a party being thrown by one of my old high school friends. Understand,please, that my friend and his live-in girlfriend are the only people I know at this little wing-ding. Ordinarily in a situation like this, my social anxiety would kick in, and I'd feel really awkward and out of place.
But this night was different. I felt good. Only God knows why. Have you ever had those days, where you're feeling particularly good for no reason?
Anyway, I'm at this party, and I'm having a great time. One party guest, a friend of the host's from work, made a good impression on me, if you follow my meaning. And evidently I made a good impression on her, as I was told tonight by phone.
So tomorrow, I'm heading back out of town to catch a movie with my friends and this potential suit-ee, in this kind of double-date-but-not-really-'cause-we're-just-hanging-out kind of thing.
And I am absolutely scared out of my frigging mind.
I know I have to take opportunities like this when they arise, because they don't arise too often, but I'm already nervous. I wonder things, like if my social magnetism two weeks ago was nothing more than the effects of copious amounts of refreshing alcoholic beverages. I'm afraid I won't be so uninhibited if I'm sober, and that I won't seem quite so attractive if she's sober. I'm thinking that keeping the conversation flowing was likely a lot easier because there were twenty people there to chime in.
I know I need to do this; I need to be out, and socializing, even if it's a date-but-not-really. But Lord, I'm scared. What will she think when she sees the real me? Hell, what if I find out that she's not as appealing as I thought?
I'm just going to go, I think, with the mindset that it's a night out of the house, with people whose company I enjoy. No pressure.
I am so boned.
But this night was different. I felt good. Only God knows why. Have you ever had those days, where you're feeling particularly good for no reason?
Anyway, I'm at this party, and I'm having a great time. One party guest, a friend of the host's from work, made a good impression on me, if you follow my meaning. And evidently I made a good impression on her, as I was told tonight by phone.
So tomorrow, I'm heading back out of town to catch a movie with my friends and this potential suit-ee, in this kind of double-date-but-not-really-'cause-we're-just-hanging-out kind of thing.
And I am absolutely scared out of my frigging mind.
I know I have to take opportunities like this when they arise, because they don't arise too often, but I'm already nervous. I wonder things, like if my social magnetism two weeks ago was nothing more than the effects of copious amounts of refreshing alcoholic beverages. I'm afraid I won't be so uninhibited if I'm sober, and that I won't seem quite so attractive if she's sober. I'm thinking that keeping the conversation flowing was likely a lot easier because there were twenty people there to chime in.
I know I need to do this; I need to be out, and socializing, even if it's a date-but-not-really. But Lord, I'm scared. What will she think when she sees the real me? Hell, what if I find out that she's not as appealing as I thought?
I'm just going to go, I think, with the mindset that it's a night out of the house, with people whose company I enjoy. No pressure.
I am so boned.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Somewhere out there, a boy geek just became a man
Female video game characters will "pose" nude for next month's Playboy. (via Fark)
As if fourteen year old boys didn't already have enough trouble separating fantasy from reality.
As if fourteen year old boys didn't already have enough trouble separating fantasy from reality.
Beach Volleyball Rules!
Mathman reminds us all why we love beach volleyball so much.
Should I be ashamed that I watch it alone, in the dark, with the sound off? :)
Should I be ashamed that I watch it alone, in the dark, with the sound off? :)
Swift Vets make baby Jesus cry
Don't miss the latest faux campaign poster from the magnificent Allahpundit.
And while we're on the subject: wahhh.
I know politics is a dirty business, but the Kerry camp's crying about the Swiftvets is patently ridiculous, considering the dirty pool that's been played on Kerry's behalf for over a year now. The only time Bush has ever complained about 527s was to distance himself from the SwiftVets. Not one word of protest was offered by Mr. Bush regarding MoveOn, even after the whole commercial-likening-Bush-to-Hitler thing.
Kerry has no right to even try seizing the moral high ground on this one. The Kerry camp has been making hay over Bush's National Guard service for months now, yet they fall to pieces when the same thing happens to them? (link via LGF)
Pathetic.
**ADDENDUM** Allow me to state, for the record, that the stunt with Max Cleland today was the tackiest, most tasteless, most shameless display I've ever had the misfortune of viewing.
And while we're on the subject: wahhh.
I know politics is a dirty business, but the Kerry camp's crying about the Swiftvets is patently ridiculous, considering the dirty pool that's been played on Kerry's behalf for over a year now. The only time Bush has ever complained about 527s was to distance himself from the SwiftVets. Not one word of protest was offered by Mr. Bush regarding MoveOn, even after the whole commercial-likening-Bush-to-Hitler thing.
Kerry has no right to even try seizing the moral high ground on this one. The Kerry camp has been making hay over Bush's National Guard service for months now, yet they fall to pieces when the same thing happens to them? (link via LGF)
Pathetic.
**ADDENDUM** Allow me to state, for the record, that the stunt with Max Cleland today was the tackiest, most tasteless, most shameless display I've ever had the misfortune of viewing.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Not holding my breath,
but if anyone from NOW would like to organize a protest against this sort of thing, please let me know.
An Iranian man finds out his wife is having an affair, which is, of course, a criminal act for women under sharia. Concerned that she would not receive her due punishment from the court, the man stabbed her to death in the courtroom.
Since she had no male family members to claim retribution, he got away with it scot-free.
Tell me, at exactly what point will some people stop hiding behind cultural diversity, and say that this is wrong?
An Iranian man finds out his wife is having an affair, which is, of course, a criminal act for women under sharia. Concerned that she would not receive her due punishment from the court, the man stabbed her to death in the courtroom.
Since she had no male family members to claim retribution, he got away with it scot-free.
Tell me, at exactly what point will some people stop hiding behind cultural diversity, and say that this is wrong?
Everybody's doing it
Do the Lynndie! (via Bob and Tom)
I always thought the hysteria over Abu Ghraib was a joke. Apparently, the rest of the world might be starting to agree with me.
I always thought the hysteria over Abu Ghraib was a joke. Apparently, the rest of the world might be starting to agree with me.
Monday, August 23, 2004
Oops, forgot to do this yesterday
Aug 22
Cardio
Time: 1:02:00
2004 total:117:29:00
Weights + Cardio: 132 Days (24 to go)
Cardio
Time: 1:02:00
2004 total:117:29:00
Weights + Cardio: 132 Days (24 to go)
Possibly bogus, but interesting
Ain't It Cool News claims to have gotten a peek at the script for Jurassic Park 4.
All I can say is if what they're reporting is true, this is the biggest shake-up in a movie series formula since Halloween 3. Which makes me nervous; if you've ever seen that stink-nugget, you know what I'm talking about. If it's done right, however, it could revitalize the franchise.
All I can say is if what they're reporting is true, this is the biggest shake-up in a movie series formula since Halloween 3. Which makes me nervous; if you've ever seen that stink-nugget, you know what I'm talking about. If it's done right, however, it could revitalize the franchise.
Purple is the new red
At least in terms of the ink used to grade papers.
You know, I've been hearing this since college, that grading in red is damaging to a child's self-esteem, it unnecessarily highlights their failure, etc. Some teachers I know mark problems right, and steadfastly avoid the dreaded red ink.
Once again, however, I show what a neanderthal throwback I am.
Wrong answers get marked wrong. To me, it always seemed like marking the correct problems implies a certain acceptance of the level the student performs at, good or bad. As far as I'm concerned, the expectation is to meet my standards, and if a student fails to do so, then I need to point out where they've fallen short.
As to the red ink, well, to be honest, nothing says "you screwed up" like big bold swaths of red ink. And hey, if red ink bugs my students so much, all they have to do is perform at the level I want, and they won't have to see a drop of it.
You know, I've been hearing this since college, that grading in red is damaging to a child's self-esteem, it unnecessarily highlights their failure, etc. Some teachers I know mark problems right, and steadfastly avoid the dreaded red ink.
Once again, however, I show what a neanderthal throwback I am.
Wrong answers get marked wrong. To me, it always seemed like marking the correct problems implies a certain acceptance of the level the student performs at, good or bad. As far as I'm concerned, the expectation is to meet my standards, and if a student fails to do so, then I need to point out where they've fallen short.
As to the red ink, well, to be honest, nothing says "you screwed up" like big bold swaths of red ink. And hey, if red ink bugs my students so much, all they have to do is perform at the level I want, and they won't have to see a drop of it.
Michelle Malkin, continued
John Hawkins at Right Wing News has read Michelle Malkin's In Defense of Internment, and offers some thoughts.
His review is definitely worth reading; unlike some "legitimate" journalists (*cough*Chrismatthews*cough*), Hawkins actually bothered to READ the book before passing judgment.
Personally, while my mind is not yet made of on the issue of internment (in WW II), I am amazed at just how verboten it is to even consider the reasoning behind it. As soon as you wander along the train of thought that suggests maybe FDR had his reasons for deciding to inter Japanese-Americans, the response is swift, and harsh.
"It was wrong!"
"It was racist!"
"Another evil committed by America!"
Etc.
It's amazing, really, how our culture has evolved so that the tough decisions get avoided at all costs. We've lost a certain ruthlessness, for lack of a better term, necessary to make smaller sacrifices now, so that we avoid massive sacrifices later.
Some say the sacrifices made in Afghanistan and Iraq weren't worth it. But the cold and ruthless mathematics of it tells me that sacrificing a thousand of our young is worth it, if it saves many times that number here at home.
His review is definitely worth reading; unlike some "legitimate" journalists (*cough*Chrismatthews*cough*), Hawkins actually bothered to READ the book before passing judgment.
Personally, while my mind is not yet made of on the issue of internment (in WW II), I am amazed at just how verboten it is to even consider the reasoning behind it. As soon as you wander along the train of thought that suggests maybe FDR had his reasons for deciding to inter Japanese-Americans, the response is swift, and harsh.
"It was wrong!"
"It was racist!"
"Another evil committed by America!"
Etc.
It's amazing, really, how our culture has evolved so that the tough decisions get avoided at all costs. We've lost a certain ruthlessness, for lack of a better term, necessary to make smaller sacrifices now, so that we avoid massive sacrifices later.
Some say the sacrifices made in Afghanistan and Iraq weren't worth it. But the cold and ruthless mathematics of it tells me that sacrificing a thousand of our young is worth it, if it saves many times that number here at home.
Billion-Dollar Crybabies
Rosemary Esmay, the Queen of All Evil, found an interesting interview with Alice Cooper, who has some pointed words for musicians-turned-activists:
"To me, that's treason. I call it treason against rock 'n' roll because rock is the antithesis of politics. Rock should never be in bed with politics," says the 56-year-old Cooper, who begins a 15-city Canadian tour on Aug. 20 in Thunder Bay, Ont.
SNIP
"If you're listening to a rock star in order to get your information on who to vote for, you're a bigger moron than they are. Why are we rock stars? Because we're morons. We sleep all day, we play music at night and very rarely do we sit around reading the Washington Journal."
Very astute. I would add to this that maybe teens and 'tweens shouldn't be getting their politics from MTV. Never has so much airtime been devoted to things of such little substance.
"To me, that's treason. I call it treason against rock 'n' roll because rock is the antithesis of politics. Rock should never be in bed with politics," says the 56-year-old Cooper, who begins a 15-city Canadian tour on Aug. 20 in Thunder Bay, Ont.
SNIP
"If you're listening to a rock star in order to get your information on who to vote for, you're a bigger moron than they are. Why are we rock stars? Because we're morons. We sleep all day, we play music at night and very rarely do we sit around reading the Washington Journal."
Very astute. I would add to this that maybe teens and 'tweens shouldn't be getting their politics from MTV. Never has so much airtime been devoted to things of such little substance.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Six Degrees of John Kerry
Using the NYT's logic in establishing a sinister web of connections between the Bush campaign and the Swiftvets, Blogs For Bush gives to the gander what the DNC gave to the goose.
(via LGF)
Are the Bush camp and the Swiftvets connected? Maybe. Hell, probably. Just as connected as the Kerry campaign and MoveOn. What infuriates me is that Kerry cries about those nasty Swiftvets, when his campaign has been doing the EXACT SAME THING for months now.
Evidently, they're only dirty tricks when someone else does them.
(via LGF)
Are the Bush camp and the Swiftvets connected? Maybe. Hell, probably. Just as connected as the Kerry campaign and MoveOn. What infuriates me is that Kerry cries about those nasty Swiftvets, when his campaign has been doing the EXACT SAME THING for months now.
Evidently, they're only dirty tricks when someone else does them.
Strip clubs are bad, mmmkay?
A county in northern Kentucky has passed an ordinance prohibiting strippers from talking to their customers. (via Fark)
In an ironic twist, a few hundred miles away, Maureen Dowd is still permitted to speak at will.
In all seriousness, I understand that the ordinance in question is an intentional nuisance designed to force strip clubs to close, because strip clubs are naughty places where men go to see real live boobies for a nominal fee. But if the point of all this is to save women from being objectified, isn't this the wrong way to go about it? By forcing the dancers to remain silent, doesn't that reduce them to nothing more than performing mannequins? Doesn't it reduce women to nothing more than images, coming from a stage rather than a magazine or a computer?
Just a thought.
It bugs me when people run to the state to enforce morality, instead of doing it themselves. Giving the state the authority to decide what is morally right, or even tasteful, is giving them entirely too much authority.
In an ironic twist, a few hundred miles away, Maureen Dowd is still permitted to speak at will.
In all seriousness, I understand that the ordinance in question is an intentional nuisance designed to force strip clubs to close, because strip clubs are naughty places where men go to see real live boobies for a nominal fee. But if the point of all this is to save women from being objectified, isn't this the wrong way to go about it? By forcing the dancers to remain silent, doesn't that reduce them to nothing more than performing mannequins? Doesn't it reduce women to nothing more than images, coming from a stage rather than a magazine or a computer?
Just a thought.
It bugs me when people run to the state to enforce morality, instead of doing it themselves. Giving the state the authority to decide what is morally right, or even tasteful, is giving them entirely too much authority.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
It does a body good
The state of Washington recently revoked a resident's vanity plates, after receiving complaints.
The plates read: GOT MILF
Admittedly, this is not a milestone moment in humor history. What struck me is that the man told DMV that "MILF" stood for "manual inline lift fluctuator," and the DMV folks bought it. Well, at least for a while.
Maybe he should've said something more plausible. He could've said he was a film buff, and that "GOT MILF" stood for "got movies in letterbox format."
There are other possibilities, I'm sure. I'm just too tired to think of them.
The plates read: GOT MILF
Admittedly, this is not a milestone moment in humor history. What struck me is that the man told DMV that "MILF" stood for "manual inline lift fluctuator," and the DMV folks bought it. Well, at least for a while.
Maybe he should've said something more plausible. He could've said he was a film buff, and that "GOT MILF" stood for "got movies in letterbox format."
There are other possibilities, I'm sure. I'm just too tired to think of them.
Just a friendly reminder
As you watch the Olympics, please remember that should they lose, the Iraqi athletes, for the first time in over a decade, will not be subject to torture upon their return home.
Those soccer players who have spoken out against W will suffer no reprisal for it.
You can question the motives for this war all you want. The rightness of it is on display before your very eyes.
Those soccer players who have spoken out against W will suffer no reprisal for it.
You can question the motives for this war all you want. The rightness of it is on display before your very eyes.
Know why Europeans are better than us?
Class.
For instance, take this pic of a French Olympic fencer pretending to shoot the American opponent he just defeated.
Tres classe.
For instance, take this pic of a French Olympic fencer pretending to shoot the American opponent he just defeated.
Tres classe.
Google Search of the Day Part 2
Actual Google search which led someone to this blog:
HIJAB MUSLIM SLUT GIRLS FUCKED ME HARD
Okay, I admit it. That one's a little frightening.
HIJAB MUSLIM SLUT GIRLS FUCKED ME HARD
Okay, I admit it. That one's a little frightening.
Friday, August 20, 2004
From Protein Wisdom
This post from Jeff Goldstein pretty much typifies why I check his blog twice a day. His style is so compact, yet it says more than I can after typing for pages on end.
Holy Krikey!
preemptive update: Oliver Willis, suddenly quite unconcerned with the stifling of dissent or the chilling of speech (but still very friendly with barbecue pork rinds, I’d venture), seems rather gleeful over what he calls Chris Matthews’ smack down of Ms. Malkin. Which I’m guessing is because in his creme-addled brain, Oliver believes the stifling of right-wing dissent is patriotic. After all, silencing Bush supporters is doin’ the Lord’s work, right Oli? And can I get an Amen?
...Whereas, say, calling Oliver a hack purveyor of egregious Donkey spin blinded by his own paid allegiances, is the tactic of a digital brownshirt neoconfascistoilpigbushapologist.
Because black is white, up is down, Siegfried is Roy… And because Abu Ghraib, of course.
Again, once again, for the record, this is Jeff Goldstein's post, not mine. I'm emphasizing this because I copied the whole post here, and I'd prefer not to be accused of wholesale plagiarism.
For the love of all that is good and decent, read the man's blog already.
Aug 20
Cardio
Time:1:00:00
2004 total:115:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 130 Days (26 to go)
Holy Krikey!
preemptive update: Oliver Willis, suddenly quite unconcerned with the stifling of dissent or the chilling of speech (but still very friendly with barbecue pork rinds, I’d venture), seems rather gleeful over what he calls Chris Matthews’ smack down of Ms. Malkin. Which I’m guessing is because in his creme-addled brain, Oliver believes the stifling of right-wing dissent is patriotic. After all, silencing Bush supporters is doin’ the Lord’s work, right Oli? And can I get an Amen?
...Whereas, say, calling Oliver a hack purveyor of egregious Donkey spin blinded by his own paid allegiances, is the tactic of a digital brownshirt neoconfascistoilpigbushapologist.
Because black is white, up is down, Siegfried is Roy… And because Abu Ghraib, of course.
Again, once again, for the record, this is Jeff Goldstein's post, not mine. I'm emphasizing this because I copied the whole post here, and I'd prefer not to be accused of wholesale plagiarism.
For the love of all that is good and decent, read the man's blog already.
Aug 20
Cardio
Time:1:00:00
2004 total:115:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 130 Days (26 to go)
Michelle Malkin on H&C
Michelle Malkin was on Hannity and Colmes tonight, plugging In Defense of Internment. It was an interesting segment, and both hosts asked the tough questions, but did so in a fair-minded and respectful manner.
Compare and contrast with the hatchet job Michelle suffered at the hands of Chris Matthews and Keith Olberman yesterday.
My mind isn't made up on this, so I'd like to read the book, to see what she has to say. I do believe there has to be a fair middle ground between rounding up every Arab-American, and completely ignoring (lest we offend) the very real fact that nearly all of our terrorism issues spring from people who are of Arabic descent.
Compare and contrast with the hatchet job Michelle suffered at the hands of Chris Matthews and Keith Olberman yesterday.
My mind isn't made up on this, so I'd like to read the book, to see what she has to say. I do believe there has to be a fair middle ground between rounding up every Arab-American, and completely ignoring (lest we offend) the very real fact that nearly all of our terrorism issues spring from people who are of Arabic descent.
Is old media running scared?
Dean Esmay recently commented on the Swiftvets, but the money quote came at the end.
But here's the bigger story: The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the Boston Globe are no longer the arbiters of what's important and what's not, of whose criticisms of our politicians will be heard and whose will be ignored.
The Internet has detected the mainstream media as a form of censorship and simply routed around them.
Champions of the blogosphere have been predicting the death of the mainstream news media for a couple years now, but I do think there is some truth to Dean's words.
I do not claim to be representative of Americans as a whole, but I can tell you that I personally ignore the major news outlets most of the time. It started for me back in March of last year, when I detected just how desperate the press was to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in Iraq. ( Ooh, it's a sandstorm! And the Iraqis are shooting back! It must be a quagmire of Vietnam-like proportions.) So I started looking around the Internet for more news than what I was being given, and I found Instapundit. Remarkable, really. With nothing more than links coupled with an occasional "Heh," "Indeed," or "Read the whole thing," my eyes were opened to a whole world of new information, information that I could not get from Peter Jennings.
And I don't think I'm the only one. Blogging was kind of a fringe thing, until the Iraq War, and then it just exploded. Coincidence? Maybe, but I don't think so. What I think is that there were a lot of Americans who knew there was more going on than what was being conveyed by CNN, and they found a means of getting the news they wanted, without having the networks act as the gatekeepers of what information shall pass, and what shan't.
The Dean campaign, MoveOn, and the Swiftvets all illustrate how the national dialogue can no longer be regulated by a select few, much to the consternation of those quite comfortable with the portrait that the major news media paints.
For example, in the comments section, Dean replies to a staunch Kerry-ite:
Ara: Fuck dude. I tried so hard to defend Wes Clarke. I tried extra hard to defend Joe Lieberman. I swore off attacking Kerry's record. But Jesus Christ on a crutch, when are you going to concede that your guy Kerry's got a major credibility problem?
For God's sake, man. Do you believe in your party first, or your country first?
Fuck me if I'm wrong. I swear I'll vote for Kerry, I really will, if this all turns out to be a smear campaign. But what does it take to convince you that there's a problem here?!?!?!?
When does winning become more important that what you actually believe in?
The statement itself is not what's important. What's important is that Dean could not have made this argument, indeed, could not even have learned of Kerry's credibility issues, if the old media model was still completely dominant.
The Swiftvets, if you'll recall, tried to get some airtime at the beginning of the year, trying to make sure that John Kerry did not get the nomination. That didn't fit the script, so they weren't given any exposure. But the gatekeepers don't have the stroke they used to; they can't completely paint the portrait of the world as they see it, and remain free from challenge, anymore.
Of course, not everyone reads blogs or scours the Internet for news, but those who do are shaping the dialogue in ways that non-journalists have never been able to do before. The influence that bloggers and blog readers are gaining is not confined to the blogosphere. Think about this: how many times have you discussed a story with family or friends that was given zero airplay of the six o'clock news? If it was even once, just once, then you have bypassed the media gatekeepers. Could you have done this five years ago?
Bloggers and blog readers are not an overwhelming threat to the media worldview, as yet, but there are signs and portents. For instance, Walter Cronkite goes out of his way to dismiss the Internet as a cesspool of rumor and innuendo. Several pieces in the major news weeklies dismiss the blogosphere as a bunch of news junkies passing the same obscure links back and forth. Well, if what they say is true, then why bother mentioning it? If it's all a bunch of lies, being spread by and confined to computer geeks, then who cares?
There must be something more to it than that.
But here's the bigger story: The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the Boston Globe are no longer the arbiters of what's important and what's not, of whose criticisms of our politicians will be heard and whose will be ignored.
The Internet has detected the mainstream media as a form of censorship and simply routed around them.
Champions of the blogosphere have been predicting the death of the mainstream news media for a couple years now, but I do think there is some truth to Dean's words.
I do not claim to be representative of Americans as a whole, but I can tell you that I personally ignore the major news outlets most of the time. It started for me back in March of last year, when I detected just how desperate the press was to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in Iraq. ( Ooh, it's a sandstorm! And the Iraqis are shooting back! It must be a quagmire of Vietnam-like proportions.) So I started looking around the Internet for more news than what I was being given, and I found Instapundit. Remarkable, really. With nothing more than links coupled with an occasional "Heh," "Indeed," or "Read the whole thing," my eyes were opened to a whole world of new information, information that I could not get from Peter Jennings.
And I don't think I'm the only one. Blogging was kind of a fringe thing, until the Iraq War, and then it just exploded. Coincidence? Maybe, but I don't think so. What I think is that there were a lot of Americans who knew there was more going on than what was being conveyed by CNN, and they found a means of getting the news they wanted, without having the networks act as the gatekeepers of what information shall pass, and what shan't.
The Dean campaign, MoveOn, and the Swiftvets all illustrate how the national dialogue can no longer be regulated by a select few, much to the consternation of those quite comfortable with the portrait that the major news media paints.
For example, in the comments section, Dean replies to a staunch Kerry-ite:
Ara: Fuck dude. I tried so hard to defend Wes Clarke. I tried extra hard to defend Joe Lieberman. I swore off attacking Kerry's record. But Jesus Christ on a crutch, when are you going to concede that your guy Kerry's got a major credibility problem?
For God's sake, man. Do you believe in your party first, or your country first?
Fuck me if I'm wrong. I swear I'll vote for Kerry, I really will, if this all turns out to be a smear campaign. But what does it take to convince you that there's a problem here?!?!?!?
When does winning become more important that what you actually believe in?
The statement itself is not what's important. What's important is that Dean could not have made this argument, indeed, could not even have learned of Kerry's credibility issues, if the old media model was still completely dominant.
The Swiftvets, if you'll recall, tried to get some airtime at the beginning of the year, trying to make sure that John Kerry did not get the nomination. That didn't fit the script, so they weren't given any exposure. But the gatekeepers don't have the stroke they used to; they can't completely paint the portrait of the world as they see it, and remain free from challenge, anymore.
Of course, not everyone reads blogs or scours the Internet for news, but those who do are shaping the dialogue in ways that non-journalists have never been able to do before. The influence that bloggers and blog readers are gaining is not confined to the blogosphere. Think about this: how many times have you discussed a story with family or friends that was given zero airplay of the six o'clock news? If it was even once, just once, then you have bypassed the media gatekeepers. Could you have done this five years ago?
Bloggers and blog readers are not an overwhelming threat to the media worldview, as yet, but there are signs and portents. For instance, Walter Cronkite goes out of his way to dismiss the Internet as a cesspool of rumor and innuendo. Several pieces in the major news weeklies dismiss the blogosphere as a bunch of news junkies passing the same obscure links back and forth. Well, if what they say is true, then why bother mentioning it? If it's all a bunch of lies, being spread by and confined to computer geeks, then who cares?
There must be something more to it than that.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Revenge!
I saw a great documentary on the History Channel called Revenge! It detailed the wave of assassinations conducted by Mossad in the aftermath of the 1972 Munich massacre.
To borrow some dialogue from Kill Bill, they rampaged, and they roared, and they got bloody satisfaction. And for once, it was the PLO who was terrorized.
Of course, they eventually got busted, and there was a huge international brouhaha. Which I can certainly understand, as their tactics were ruthless, brutal, and designed for the purpose of terrorizing a whole lot of people, guilty or not.
Still, when the event that triggered Operation Wrath of God is factored in, I can't really bring myself to condemn it too strongly.
To borrow some dialogue from Kill Bill, they rampaged, and they roared, and they got bloody satisfaction. And for once, it was the PLO who was terrorized.
Of course, they eventually got busted, and there was a huge international brouhaha. Which I can certainly understand, as their tactics were ruthless, brutal, and designed for the purpose of terrorizing a whole lot of people, guilty or not.
Still, when the event that triggered Operation Wrath of God is factored in, I can't really bring myself to condemn it too strongly.
The media is the message
Roger L. Simon is excellent as usual. A sample:
Instapundit has it just right this morning when he writes that mainstream media coverage and accuracy is a bigger issue than the election itself.
Elections come and go, politicians come and go, and pretty much all of them turn out to be disappointments one way or another. But the "Fourth Estate" is a big part of the unelected Permanent Government that in many ways does more to run the country than the politicians. And it's unravelling before our very eyes, which I think is the biggest story of the election so far.
Is this blogger triumphalism? Maybe, but a chink in the armor of information control has been created -- and it's growing. "Information control?" you ask. Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration? Well, consider this: the major television networks (ABC, NBC and CBS) and The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times (not to mention others less important) all work from substantially the same world view with only the most minor variations. Some would call this "liberal." I don't at all, but never mind. It is nigh onto monolithic (with obvious exceptions) and it is protecting jobs, status, etc. as much as ideology. In fact, more than ideology, which seems to shift from day to day for pragmatic reasons. In that sense, these groups reflect the major political parties, which also appear more intent on winning, creating jobs for themselves, etc., than projecting specific policy.
Something to think about. I'm not sure how much I agree with this, but it is thought-provoking.
Instapundit has it just right this morning when he writes that mainstream media coverage and accuracy is a bigger issue than the election itself.
Elections come and go, politicians come and go, and pretty much all of them turn out to be disappointments one way or another. But the "Fourth Estate" is a big part of the unelected Permanent Government that in many ways does more to run the country than the politicians. And it's unravelling before our very eyes, which I think is the biggest story of the election so far.
Is this blogger triumphalism? Maybe, but a chink in the armor of information control has been created -- and it's growing. "Information control?" you ask. Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration? Well, consider this: the major television networks (ABC, NBC and CBS) and The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times (not to mention others less important) all work from substantially the same world view with only the most minor variations. Some would call this "liberal." I don't at all, but never mind. It is nigh onto monolithic (with obvious exceptions) and it is protecting jobs, status, etc. as much as ideology. In fact, more than ideology, which seems to shift from day to day for pragmatic reasons. In that sense, these groups reflect the major political parties, which also appear more intent on winning, creating jobs for themselves, etc., than projecting specific policy.
Something to think about. I'm not sure how much I agree with this, but it is thought-provoking.
Google Search of the day
I'm amazed at some of the Google queries that end up leading someone to this blog. Case in point: someone hit my page today after googling the term "immortal atheist nymphos."
Don't ask. I have no idea either. I mean, I'm aware each of those words appeared in a post of mine; I just don't know why someone would be looking for an immortal atheist nympho.
I suppose it's better than searching for a frigid God-fearing mortal.
Don't ask. I have no idea either. I mean, I'm aware each of those words appeared in a post of mine; I just don't know why someone would be looking for an immortal atheist nympho.
I suppose it's better than searching for a frigid God-fearing mortal.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Proof Positive
DNC Axiom #1: If it comes from Bush, it must automatically be wrong.
Kerry Blasts Bush Troop Realignment Plan
This from the guy who spent the entire primary season arguing that our armed forces were underpowered in Iraq, and that reservists shouldn't be there. This from the guy who has spent the last twenty years trying to downsize the military.
Those of us who can keep a memory in our heads for more than a day aren't buying it, Buttercup.
Not everyone's buying what you have to sell. (via Instapundit)
Aug 18
Cardio
Time:1:00:00
2004 Total:114:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 129 Days (27 to go)
Kerry Blasts Bush Troop Realignment Plan
This from the guy who spent the entire primary season arguing that our armed forces were underpowered in Iraq, and that reservists shouldn't be there. This from the guy who has spent the last twenty years trying to downsize the military.
Those of us who can keep a memory in our heads for more than a day aren't buying it, Buttercup.
Not everyone's buying what you have to sell. (via Instapundit)
Aug 18
Cardio
Time:1:00:00
2004 Total:114:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 129 Days (27 to go)
Hey, if the shoe fits . . .
29 has been on Tom Harkin like a pit bull. Just click the link, and scroll. For those of you who aren't familiar with our illustrious Iowa senator, 29's posts are quite the eye-opener.
I always knew Harkin was an ass, but I never realized the degree of his assitude until I read Mona Charen's Useful Idiots. As just one ferinstance, Harkin, along with a few of his left-leaning colleagues back in the 80's, wrote a letter to Daniel Ortega to express solidarity with the Sandanistas.
Because, you know, communist thugs who seize power illegitimately HAVE to be better than the Contras. Why? Because Reagan supported the Contras.
Some things never change....
Okay, I mean it this time. Going off to work out.
I always knew Harkin was an ass, but I never realized the degree of his assitude until I read Mona Charen's Useful Idiots. As just one ferinstance, Harkin, along with a few of his left-leaning colleagues back in the 80's, wrote a letter to Daniel Ortega to express solidarity with the Sandanistas.
Because, you know, communist thugs who seize power illegitimately HAVE to be better than the Contras. Why? Because Reagan supported the Contras.
Some things never change....
Okay, I mean it this time. Going off to work out.
Back to the salt mines
Well, that's actually a bit of a misnomer. Referring to it as "the salt mines" implies a distaste for the work, and I'm having a blast. For the most part.
One downside: nothing is more painful or boring to me than meetings, and we start off every year with a slew of them. The first one was an all-district introduction to the new superintendent, who reminded us of the challenges we face with NCLB, and of course, to get out and vote. Hint hint. Gee, I wonder who I'm SUPPOSED to vote for?
It got better from there. One nice thing is that the new administrative team in our building is a lot less verbose than the old one when it comes to meetings. We had two hours blocked out for a general faculty meeting, and we were actually done in a little over an hour.
The third meeting was dull, but again, mercifully concise.
So I finally got some time to unpack my classroom; I'm almost done, with the exception of getting rid of the crap from the last teacher to use the room.
Freshman orientation is tomorrow. Surprisingly, I really enjoy this. It's a chance to make a good impression, to convey authority but not authoritarianism, and get the year off to a good start.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to work off my lunch. Back later.
One downside: nothing is more painful or boring to me than meetings, and we start off every year with a slew of them. The first one was an all-district introduction to the new superintendent, who reminded us of the challenges we face with NCLB, and of course, to get out and vote. Hint hint. Gee, I wonder who I'm SUPPOSED to vote for?
It got better from there. One nice thing is that the new administrative team in our building is a lot less verbose than the old one when it comes to meetings. We had two hours blocked out for a general faculty meeting, and we were actually done in a little over an hour.
The third meeting was dull, but again, mercifully concise.
So I finally got some time to unpack my classroom; I'm almost done, with the exception of getting rid of the crap from the last teacher to use the room.
Freshman orientation is tomorrow. Surprisingly, I really enjoy this. It's a chance to make a good impression, to convey authority but not authoritarianism, and get the year off to a good start.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to work off my lunch. Back later.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Log
No more blogging tonight. Gotta get up way early tomorrow. 'Night, all.
Aug 17
Cardio
Time: 1:00:00
2004 total: 113:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 128 Days (28 to go)
Aug 17
Cardio
Time: 1:00:00
2004 total: 113:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 128 Days (28 to go)
A little something on the Theology tip
This is a mindbender I've struggled with for as long as I've been contemplating and examining my faith. It's just popped back into my head in the last day or so.
The central events that define Christianity are the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Caiphas and the temple elders of Jerusalem feared the influence that Jesus was gaining, enough so that the Romans who occupied Judea might be tempted to intervene in typically Roman fashion. So it was decided that Jesus was to be arrested, away from the eyes of the public, tried and executed.
Enter Judas Iscariot. One of the original twelve apostles, he told Caiphas where Jesus could be found. Jesus was then arrested, and according to plan, tried and executed by crucifixion. Days later, Jesus' tomb was found to be empty, and Mary Magdelene saw the resurrected savior. The sacrifice had been made, and in his death, Jesus gave all of us a chance to cheat death of its finality.
And Judas, he was so wracked with guilt over what he had done that he committed suicide.
Okay, so here's the question: Is Judas in Heaven or Hell? The gut reaction is to say Hell; after all, it was his betrayal that led to Jesus' death. Dante certainly seemed to think so. When he penned The Divine Comedy, he placed Judas in the innermost ring of the deepest circle of Hell, alongside Brutus and Cassius. To call someone a "Judas" is to say that he or she betrayed you in a way which can never be forgiven. My own grandparents considered the words "Judas Priest" to be a profanity (which I found out when wearing my JP "Screaming for Vengeance" t-shirt; it was the 80's, so sue me).
But without Judas, there is no betrayal. Without the betrayal, there is no crucifixion. Without the crucixion, there is no resurrection. In God's preordained plan, Jesus had to make the sacrifice, so somebody had to do what Judas did to make the whole thing come off. By doing what he did, Judas set God's plan in motion. So how can the man who was the catalyst for the salvation of all mankind be damned for eternity? Then again, how could he not? After all, he did betray Jesus unto his untimely death, and then commit suicide, which is another sin.
Sigh. This is why I did not go into the ministry (well, that and the fact that I really didn't understand what Christianity was all about until I was in my mid twenties). The big bullet points I can accept as a matter of faith, but the little details bug me.
The central events that define Christianity are the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Caiphas and the temple elders of Jerusalem feared the influence that Jesus was gaining, enough so that the Romans who occupied Judea might be tempted to intervene in typically Roman fashion. So it was decided that Jesus was to be arrested, away from the eyes of the public, tried and executed.
Enter Judas Iscariot. One of the original twelve apostles, he told Caiphas where Jesus could be found. Jesus was then arrested, and according to plan, tried and executed by crucifixion. Days later, Jesus' tomb was found to be empty, and Mary Magdelene saw the resurrected savior. The sacrifice had been made, and in his death, Jesus gave all of us a chance to cheat death of its finality.
And Judas, he was so wracked with guilt over what he had done that he committed suicide.
Okay, so here's the question: Is Judas in Heaven or Hell? The gut reaction is to say Hell; after all, it was his betrayal that led to Jesus' death. Dante certainly seemed to think so. When he penned The Divine Comedy, he placed Judas in the innermost ring of the deepest circle of Hell, alongside Brutus and Cassius. To call someone a "Judas" is to say that he or she betrayed you in a way which can never be forgiven. My own grandparents considered the words "Judas Priest" to be a profanity (which I found out when wearing my JP "Screaming for Vengeance" t-shirt; it was the 80's, so sue me).
But without Judas, there is no betrayal. Without the betrayal, there is no crucifixion. Without the crucixion, there is no resurrection. In God's preordained plan, Jesus had to make the sacrifice, so somebody had to do what Judas did to make the whole thing come off. By doing what he did, Judas set God's plan in motion. So how can the man who was the catalyst for the salvation of all mankind be damned for eternity? Then again, how could he not? After all, he did betray Jesus unto his untimely death, and then commit suicide, which is another sin.
Sigh. This is why I did not go into the ministry (well, that and the fact that I really didn't understand what Christianity was all about until I was in my mid twenties). The big bullet points I can accept as a matter of faith, but the little details bug me.
It was fun while it lasted
1) John Hawkins at Right Wing News is back from his time off, so the links to blogs he wanted to help expose (including this one) are gone, and the Daily News bar is back. Traffic has slowed pretty much back to normal. But hey, it was a blast, knowing there was a whole new audience reading this thing. Hopefully, a few people who found my site through RWN will stick around.
If you haven't checked out RWN yet, I highly recommend it. I don't always agree with Mr. Hawkins, but he continually finds articles of interest, and there's generally good discussion in his comments.
2) And while we're on the subject of "fun but now over," summer vacation is nearly over, and I report back to work tomorrow. I can't really say how much time I'll have to devote to blogging, once things get rolling, but somehow I suspect I'll be able to devote some of my evening time to posting, and to reading the words of my distinguished peers.
The end of summer break is always kind of strange for me; you'd think that after three months of basically doing as I please, going back would be an unpleasant thought. Strangely enough, though, I'm really looking forward to it. Now I'm going to see if all the planning and curriculum work I put in during the summer will pay off. Every year, I start off with new ideas, and new ways of teaching things; some ideas work, some not so much, but the excitement is in the experimenting.
To answer the question I always get: no, I never do get tired of teaching the same thing, even though I've done it for nearly a decade now. New kids and new strategies make it different every time.
The start of the school year also brings some much-needed structure in my life, after a few months of doing things whenever the inspiration struck. There's a perverse comfort for me in knowing where I'll be and what I'll be doing, at just about any given point in time for the next 9 1/2 months.
If you haven't checked out RWN yet, I highly recommend it. I don't always agree with Mr. Hawkins, but he continually finds articles of interest, and there's generally good discussion in his comments.
2) And while we're on the subject of "fun but now over," summer vacation is nearly over, and I report back to work tomorrow. I can't really say how much time I'll have to devote to blogging, once things get rolling, but somehow I suspect I'll be able to devote some of my evening time to posting, and to reading the words of my distinguished peers.
The end of summer break is always kind of strange for me; you'd think that after three months of basically doing as I please, going back would be an unpleasant thought. Strangely enough, though, I'm really looking forward to it. Now I'm going to see if all the planning and curriculum work I put in during the summer will pay off. Every year, I start off with new ideas, and new ways of teaching things; some ideas work, some not so much, but the excitement is in the experimenting.
To answer the question I always get: no, I never do get tired of teaching the same thing, even though I've done it for nearly a decade now. New kids and new strategies make it different every time.
The start of the school year also brings some much-needed structure in my life, after a few months of doing things whenever the inspiration struck. There's a perverse comfort for me in knowing where I'll be and what I'll be doing, at just about any given point in time for the next 9 1/2 months.
Monday, August 16, 2004
I never get tired of being right...
Usually because it doesn't happen too often. But this time, oh this time, it's extra sweet.
According to the Washington Times, Saddam would periodically swap his normal border guards with spooks so he could move banned materials into Syria. (Via Protein Wisdom)
I look forward to the in-depth analysis that the New York Times will provide. I'm also looking forward to hiking the Himalayas with a squad of lusty porn stars.
Aug 16
Cardio
Time: 1:00:00
2004 total:112:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 127 Days (29 to go)
According to the Washington Times, Saddam would periodically swap his normal border guards with spooks so he could move banned materials into Syria. (Via Protein Wisdom)
I look forward to the in-depth analysis that the New York Times will provide. I'm also looking forward to hiking the Himalayas with a squad of lusty porn stars.
Aug 16
Cardio
Time: 1:00:00
2004 total:112:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 127 Days (29 to go)
Question for readers
Since I'm enjoying a bit of a surge in hits, I feel like I could get a decent range of responses.
The Passion of the Christ is coming out on DVD next week, and I'd like to know whether I should buy it or not. I've read that the violence is absolutely ghastly, with some reviewers dismissing it as nothing more than a period snuff film. Other reviews indicate that it does what it intends to: namely, to underscore the sacrifice Christ made for all mankind.
Any thoughts or reflections on the film are greatly appreciated, and will likely help me decide. As long as it's related to the movie, anything you have to share is on topic.
And if worse comes to worst, and I am still unable to decide, I'll just have to break down and get a membership at Blockbuster.
The Passion of the Christ is coming out on DVD next week, and I'd like to know whether I should buy it or not. I've read that the violence is absolutely ghastly, with some reviewers dismissing it as nothing more than a period snuff film. Other reviews indicate that it does what it intends to: namely, to underscore the sacrifice Christ made for all mankind.
Any thoughts or reflections on the film are greatly appreciated, and will likely help me decide. As long as it's related to the movie, anything you have to share is on topic.
And if worse comes to worst, and I am still unable to decide, I'll just have to break down and get a membership at Blockbuster.
Maybe, Just Maybe,
Common sense might be common practice.
Jeff's mom reacts to the Kerry's Excellent Cambodian Adventure.
Smart woman. If she's at all typical of America at large, there might be hope yet.
Jeff's mom reacts to the Kerry's Excellent Cambodian Adventure.
Smart woman. If she's at all typical of America at large, there might be hope yet.
Oh you didn't know?
There have been good things happening in Iraq, even in the last two weeks. (via Realpolitik)
I'm linking this as a public service, on the miniscule chance that your local news outlet completely failed to cover it.
I'm linking this as a public service, on the miniscule chance that your local news outlet completely failed to cover it.
Lamentations
This is boring personal stuff. Skip if you want to. I won't hold it against you.
I've been struck lately with the desire to start dating again. For a while, I really lost the desire to meet people because all of the women who expressed interest fell into two categories:
1) Mooches, Gold-diggers, and assorted Hangers-on
True story. Started hanging out with a girl, things are going great, yadda yadda yadda. Then she says it. "I'd be soooooo happy if I had a new car." *bats lashes and smiles coquettishly*
"You want me to buy you a car." *Stunned look of disbelief*
"Well, yeah, I mean, if you want to."
Hey, can't fault her for trying.
2) Married Women
"But I'm getting a divorce!"
Umm, no. Good luck with the next guy.
How could I possibly trust someone who's willing to forsake a solemn oath? How could I look myself in the mirror if I had a role in committing such an immoral act?
2a) Married Women with Children
See #2
One of my distant cousins has had three babies by three different men. Every six months, there's some new guy, and the kids call him "Daddy." Yeah, that's just the kind of stability a child needs when growing up.
No way. Uh-uh.
I swear I must have "I can fix what's wrong with your life" tattooed on my forehead. Either that, or "I'm desperate enough to break up your marriage for you."
So, like I was saying, I haven't really been looking for a while. But Spring has come at last, and in that foolish hope against all evidence to the contrary, which has become my trademark, I think I'm going to start looking again. We'll see how the next few months go.
I've been struck lately with the desire to start dating again. For a while, I really lost the desire to meet people because all of the women who expressed interest fell into two categories:
1) Mooches, Gold-diggers, and assorted Hangers-on
True story. Started hanging out with a girl, things are going great, yadda yadda yadda. Then she says it. "I'd be soooooo happy if I had a new car." *bats lashes and smiles coquettishly*
"You want me to buy you a car." *Stunned look of disbelief*
"Well, yeah, I mean, if you want to."
Hey, can't fault her for trying.
2) Married Women
"But I'm getting a divorce!"
Umm, no. Good luck with the next guy.
How could I possibly trust someone who's willing to forsake a solemn oath? How could I look myself in the mirror if I had a role in committing such an immoral act?
2a) Married Women with Children
See #2
One of my distant cousins has had three babies by three different men. Every six months, there's some new guy, and the kids call him "Daddy." Yeah, that's just the kind of stability a child needs when growing up.
No way. Uh-uh.
I swear I must have "I can fix what's wrong with your life" tattooed on my forehead. Either that, or "I'm desperate enough to break up your marriage for you."
So, like I was saying, I haven't really been looking for a while. But Spring has come at last, and in that foolish hope against all evidence to the contrary, which has become my trademark, I think I'm going to start looking again. We'll see how the next few months go.
Is it just me . . .
Or are Foxy Boxing and Lawn Darts the only activities NOT represented at the Olympics?
Sunday, August 15, 2004
"I'm not gay . . ."
but the guy I'm ******* is. (via Drudge)
Iknow, old joke, and in poor taste. But it fits. Oy, what a mess.
This is going to sound strange, but out of this whole mess, the thing that disturbs me most of all is McGreevy's statement of "My truth is that I am a gay American."
My truth?
My truth?
Well, Mr. McGreevy, as long as it's your truth, then I guess there's no harm done, right? It's unfortunate when things like personal responsibility to those you claim to love, or duty to one's constituents, gets in the way of YOUR truth.
Mark Steyn noticed the same thing . (via LGF)
Iknow, old joke, and in poor taste. But it fits. Oy, what a mess.
This is going to sound strange, but out of this whole mess, the thing that disturbs me most of all is McGreevy's statement of "My truth is that I am a gay American."
My truth?
My truth?
Well, Mr. McGreevy, as long as it's your truth, then I guess there's no harm done, right? It's unfortunate when things like personal responsibility to those you claim to love, or duty to one's constituents, gets in the way of YOUR truth.
Mark Steyn noticed the same thing . (via LGF)
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Overdue, but welcome nonetheless **Updated**
I waited to post on this until I could find more than one source. The Bush Administration is planning on removing 70,000 troops from Europe, and basing them stateside. There will still be a US military presence in Europe, including a lighter mobile infantry force armed with Stryker vehicles.
Source 1: via Fark
Source 2: via Drudge.
This just shows common sense. We don't need an army group capable of defeating the Soviets in Europe anymore. Those forces are needed elsewhere, and fast. Keeping them around just to please our allies is not a good enough reason.
The articles don't say anything about it, but I'd like to see a lot of the Reservists rotated out of Iraq, and Regulars rotated in.
The second article mentions that this is not intended as a punitive action against Europe for opposing the Iraq War. That may not be the intention, but the move will certainly have a negative impact on the Euro economy.
Boo-frickety-hoo.
**Update** Germans Wary of US Troop Withdrawl (via Vodkapundit)
And in related news: wahhhhh.
Source 1: via Fark
Source 2: via Drudge.
This just shows common sense. We don't need an army group capable of defeating the Soviets in Europe anymore. Those forces are needed elsewhere, and fast. Keeping them around just to please our allies is not a good enough reason.
The articles don't say anything about it, but I'd like to see a lot of the Reservists rotated out of Iraq, and Regulars rotated in.
The second article mentions that this is not intended as a punitive action against Europe for opposing the Iraq War. That may not be the intention, but the move will certainly have a negative impact on the Euro economy.
Boo-frickety-hoo.
**Update** Germans Wary of US Troop Withdrawl (via Vodkapundit)
And in related news: wahhhhh.
A round of thanks is in order
I don't know why it happened,and I don't know for how long it will last, but I've been linked by RightWingNews.com . Thank you very much.
And while I'm at it, I've been lax at thanking everyone who has linked to me. So, to Kris, Royce, Brent, and to the gentlemen at Tusk & Talon, thank you also.
(And no, I don't think I just won an Oscar or anything. I'm just shocked when anyone but my friends reads this thing. Twelve visits a day is about ten more than I ever thought I'd get.)
Finally, to RWN readers who found their way here: thanks for stopping by. Please check out the other Iowa blogs in my links (at right). They all make for good reading, and they're all run by some incredibly smart and articulate people.
And while I'm at it, I've been lax at thanking everyone who has linked to me. So, to Kris, Royce, Brent, and to the gentlemen at Tusk & Talon, thank you also.
(And no, I don't think I just won an Oscar or anything. I'm just shocked when anyone but my friends reads this thing. Twelve visits a day is about ten more than I ever thought I'd get.)
Finally, to RWN readers who found their way here: thanks for stopping by. Please check out the other Iowa blogs in my links (at right). They all make for good reading, and they're all run by some incredibly smart and articulate people.
Friday, August 13, 2004
Damn you, Blogspot
Just spent a half hour writing an entry, and poof, it's all gone.
Grrr.
Aug 13
Cardio
Time:1:02:00
2004 total: 111:25:00
weights + Cardio: 126 Days: (30 to go)
Grrr.
Aug 13
Cardio
Time:1:02:00
2004 total: 111:25:00
weights + Cardio: 126 Days: (30 to go)
Blood in the water
Interesting op-ed, found via Little Green Footballs:
John F. Kerry's campaign for president is imploding. And he knows it.
The anti-war candidate went public as a pro-war candidate this week, and the members of his beloved "Band of Brothers" are exposing a whole book's worth of ugly lies. And they've got details, evidence, footnotes, signed affidavits and witnesses who back up their claims.
Kerry himself bestowed immense credibility on his "Band of Brothers" when he used a picture of some of them in his campaign ad titled "Lifetime."
Essentially, Kerry made Vietnam, and these men, the centerpiece of his campaign. Of course, that was when he thought they'd support his candidacy. No matter that he'd never bothered to ask their permission to use them to promote his political career.
Man, I so wish I had said this:
Looks to me like he wrote the wrong names down in the reference column of his resume.
Like I said earlier, I'm not uncorking the champagne yet. But with one Kerry canard already irrefutably proven to be a lie (you know, the whole Cambodia thing), the Swiftvets just might be on the up and up; and the story may yet be gaining traction, despite the best efforts of the DNC and the more sympathetic elements in the news media.
Face facts, folks. The Democratic Party gave us a poor option this time around, and they know it. They gave us a turd, and have subsequently been working madly to polish it.
Aug 13
Cardio
Time: 1:02:00
2004 total: 111:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 126 days (30 to go)
John F. Kerry's campaign for president is imploding. And he knows it.
The anti-war candidate went public as a pro-war candidate this week, and the members of his beloved "Band of Brothers" are exposing a whole book's worth of ugly lies. And they've got details, evidence, footnotes, signed affidavits and witnesses who back up their claims.
Kerry himself bestowed immense credibility on his "Band of Brothers" when he used a picture of some of them in his campaign ad titled "Lifetime."
Essentially, Kerry made Vietnam, and these men, the centerpiece of his campaign. Of course, that was when he thought they'd support his candidacy. No matter that he'd never bothered to ask their permission to use them to promote his political career.
Man, I so wish I had said this:
Looks to me like he wrote the wrong names down in the reference column of his resume.
Like I said earlier, I'm not uncorking the champagne yet. But with one Kerry canard already irrefutably proven to be a lie (you know, the whole Cambodia thing), the Swiftvets just might be on the up and up; and the story may yet be gaining traction, despite the best efforts of the DNC and the more sympathetic elements in the news media.
Face facts, folks. The Democratic Party gave us a poor option this time around, and they know it. They gave us a turd, and have subsequently been working madly to polish it.
Aug 13
Cardio
Time: 1:02:00
2004 total: 111:25:00
Weights + Cardio: 126 days (30 to go)
Helpful Hints from Frank J
Looking to fight a more sensitive War on Terror? Frank has some helpful tips. My favorites:
* Instead of writing things on missiles such as "Suck on this!" and "Payback time!", write "We're really, really sorry about this."
* Instead of training with use of bayonets for close quarters combat, they'll train to use hugs.
* Enemy fire is immediately responded to with the statement, "We know this is just misdirected anger at your father."
* Try to get terrorists to surrender by reminding them over and over that our commander in chief "served in Vietnam."
And remember, whenever savages try to kill you and a few thousand of your closest friends, because their religion tells them to, let a smile be your umbrella.
* Instead of writing things on missiles such as "Suck on this!" and "Payback time!", write "We're really, really sorry about this."
* Instead of training with use of bayonets for close quarters combat, they'll train to use hugs.
* Enemy fire is immediately responded to with the statement, "We know this is just misdirected anger at your father."
* Try to get terrorists to surrender by reminding them over and over that our commander in chief "served in Vietnam."
And remember, whenever savages try to kill you and a few thousand of your closest friends, because their religion tells them to, let a smile be your umbrella.
Genuinely Shocked
This can't be true. The moral implications are just absolutely staggering.
There have been rumors swirling around the Internet that the Kerry campaign has responded to the Swiftvets by releasing "brown books" to friendly media outlets. These are essentially dossiers on the Swiftvets, containing whatever dirt could be found on them.
I cannot find anything to substantiate this rumor, but I'll keep looking. I'm disturbed by this, for a whole host of reasons. Look at how the board is set up: Kerry runs with Vietnam as the centerpiece of his campaign, and criticism of his service record has been verboten. The Swiftvets offer a different take on the events of 1968, and suddenly they're targeted for character assassination. Kerry gets an automatic pass on everything because of his service, yet every bit of minutia that can be dug up on the Swiftvets is fair game?
If the "brown books" rumor is true, that opens up a whole passel 'o questions.
1) To the media outlets in possession of the brown books, I would ask: does this strike you as remotely ethical? Are you so invested in seeing Kerry elected that you'd sacrifice your professional and personal integrity?
2) To the DNC, I would ask: How can you justify this? How can you claim to be the party of ethics, inclusion, and fair play when you engage in this kind of behavior? And don't give me that "The republicans are doing it too" business. If you're so much better than them, your behavior should reflect that. Do the ends justify the means? How low are you willing to stoop to see Bush defeated?
3) To my fellow Americans, I would simply ask: is this the kind of party you want running the country?
If this is borne out, we are talking about genuine, honest to goodness crushing of dissenting views by a major political power, and complicity by the media impact players. It's an unholy alliance, the very prospect of which is leaving me deeply uneasy.
There have been rumors swirling around the Internet that the Kerry campaign has responded to the Swiftvets by releasing "brown books" to friendly media outlets. These are essentially dossiers on the Swiftvets, containing whatever dirt could be found on them.
I cannot find anything to substantiate this rumor, but I'll keep looking. I'm disturbed by this, for a whole host of reasons. Look at how the board is set up: Kerry runs with Vietnam as the centerpiece of his campaign, and criticism of his service record has been verboten. The Swiftvets offer a different take on the events of 1968, and suddenly they're targeted for character assassination. Kerry gets an automatic pass on everything because of his service, yet every bit of minutia that can be dug up on the Swiftvets is fair game?
If the "brown books" rumor is true, that opens up a whole passel 'o questions.
1) To the media outlets in possession of the brown books, I would ask: does this strike you as remotely ethical? Are you so invested in seeing Kerry elected that you'd sacrifice your professional and personal integrity?
2) To the DNC, I would ask: How can you justify this? How can you claim to be the party of ethics, inclusion, and fair play when you engage in this kind of behavior? And don't give me that "The republicans are doing it too" business. If you're so much better than them, your behavior should reflect that. Do the ends justify the means? How low are you willing to stoop to see Bush defeated?
3) To my fellow Americans, I would simply ask: is this the kind of party you want running the country?
If this is borne out, we are talking about genuine, honest to goodness crushing of dissenting views by a major political power, and complicity by the media impact players. It's an unholy alliance, the very prospect of which is leaving me deeply uneasy.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Stumble, Bumble, and Fumble
John Kerry gets caught in a whopper. His crack spin team's response?
"Oh, you see, you've got it all wrong. John Kerry didn't actually say he was in Cambodia. He said he was NEAR Cambodia. And it wasn't seared into his memory, only lightly toasted."
Okay, I made the last part up.
The Swift Boat Vets are the first 527 to even take a shot at Kerry, and he's already backpedalling with lame-ass excuses.
Add to that his stunning reversal on Iraq, ie "I would've done what President Bush did, only BETTER."
Top it all off with the whole "sensitive" War on Terror, and Kerry looks a little wobbly right now. I'm not breaking out the champagne yet (although, win or lose, on Nov. 3 I will be raising my glass to George W Bush), but I do think Kerry's reeling right now. He's had a free ride for far too long, and it looks like he's having trouble standing on his own because of it.
And I have a sneaking suspicion that the debates are not going to be the coup the Kerry camp thinks they will be. I think W will represent, and anyone who catches the debates, and not the post-debate bullshit media spin, will see both candidates for who they are.
They keep "misunderestimating" Bush, and they keep paying for it . . .
Aug 12
Cardio
Time 1:00:00
2004 total:110:23:00
Weights + Cardio: 125 Days (31 to go)
"Oh, you see, you've got it all wrong. John Kerry didn't actually say he was in Cambodia. He said he was NEAR Cambodia. And it wasn't seared into his memory, only lightly toasted."
Okay, I made the last part up.
The Swift Boat Vets are the first 527 to even take a shot at Kerry, and he's already backpedalling with lame-ass excuses.
Add to that his stunning reversal on Iraq, ie "I would've done what President Bush did, only BETTER."
Top it all off with the whole "sensitive" War on Terror, and Kerry looks a little wobbly right now. I'm not breaking out the champagne yet (although, win or lose, on Nov. 3 I will be raising my glass to George W Bush), but I do think Kerry's reeling right now. He's had a free ride for far too long, and it looks like he's having trouble standing on his own because of it.
And I have a sneaking suspicion that the debates are not going to be the coup the Kerry camp thinks they will be. I think W will represent, and anyone who catches the debates, and not the post-debate bullshit media spin, will see both candidates for who they are.
They keep "misunderestimating" Bush, and they keep paying for it . . .
Aug 12
Cardio
Time 1:00:00
2004 total:110:23:00
Weights + Cardio: 125 Days (31 to go)
Hi-frickin-larious
National Lampoon's MoveOnPlease.Org
(Found via Dean's World)
The entire site is comedy gold, but be sure to check out the trailer for Michael Moore's I Am Not An Asshole, and the Worser Than Hitler TV spot. And if you've got the time, look through as much as you can. This thing is positively dense with appropriately-aimed mockery.
(Found via Dean's World)
The entire site is comedy gold, but be sure to check out the trailer for Michael Moore's I Am Not An Asshole, and the Worser Than Hitler TV spot. And if you've got the time, look through as much as you can. This thing is positively dense with appropriately-aimed mockery.
Stimulating the economy
Alas, my old elliptical glider is kaput. It has served me well, giving me seven years (and 3000 miles) of decent cardio exercise. Granted, I spent the last two years having to MacGuyver it periodically to keep it running, but all in all, it was probably the most worthwhile $100 I ever spent.
(Nostalgia time. I bought it at Montgomery Ward, of all places. Anyone else miss that chain as much as I do?)
But everything old is new again. Or at least, replaced with something new.
I'm always jittery about buying something when I'm not sure I'll like it. There was no opportunity to test drive it, as there was no floor model set up, and even if there had been, the floor models at Wal-Mart are in fact on an elevated platform, making it difficult to give it a looky-loo. But what the hey.
Assembly was pretty easy, for the most part. I liked how all of the little parts came in a blister pack, which showed each part and its corresponding number in the instruction manual; although, I must admit, it would have been nice if the numbers on the blister card actually corresponded exactly with the numbers in the manual.
Now that's it's set up, I think it'll be okay. It's got a wider radius, so just taking a few turns on it strained my muscles in a way they're not used to. Also, I like the pulse feature, where I can put my hand on the bars and check my heart rate.
On the downside, it uses magnetic resistance instead of a drive belt, and the max resistance is less than what I was used to. Of course, it was the drive belt on the old one that required periodic MacGuyver-ing.
I'm cautiously optimistic I'll like it. For what I paid, it should do nicely. I'll know better after giving it an hour of my time tonight.
(Nostalgia time. I bought it at Montgomery Ward, of all places. Anyone else miss that chain as much as I do?)
But everything old is new again. Or at least, replaced with something new.
I'm always jittery about buying something when I'm not sure I'll like it. There was no opportunity to test drive it, as there was no floor model set up, and even if there had been, the floor models at Wal-Mart are in fact on an elevated platform, making it difficult to give it a looky-loo. But what the hey.
Assembly was pretty easy, for the most part. I liked how all of the little parts came in a blister pack, which showed each part and its corresponding number in the instruction manual; although, I must admit, it would have been nice if the numbers on the blister card actually corresponded exactly with the numbers in the manual.
Now that's it's set up, I think it'll be okay. It's got a wider radius, so just taking a few turns on it strained my muscles in a way they're not used to. Also, I like the pulse feature, where I can put my hand on the bars and check my heart rate.
On the downside, it uses magnetic resistance instead of a drive belt, and the max resistance is less than what I was used to. Of course, it was the drive belt on the old one that required periodic MacGuyver-ing.
I'm cautiously optimistic I'll like it. For what I paid, it should do nicely. I'll know better after giving it an hour of my time tonight.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
And you thought the Iranians had brass balls . . .
Tehran is demanding that Europe share its nuclear technology, and give protection to Iran in case Israel decides to launch air strikes.
As Jeff notes, they've pretty much got Zeropa's number. Given historical precedent, I expect France to capitulate within 72 hours.
But that's not the ballsiest move in the news today, oh no.
A group of Germans is asking for reparations from Poland, for property losses incurred during World War II.
Only in this insane world would aggressors dare to cloak themselves in victimhood.
So much for Germany's national shame for its past.
As Jeff notes, they've pretty much got Zeropa's number. Given historical precedent, I expect France to capitulate within 72 hours.
But that's not the ballsiest move in the news today, oh no.
A group of Germans is asking for reparations from Poland, for property losses incurred during World War II.
Only in this insane world would aggressors dare to cloak themselves in victimhood.
So much for Germany's national shame for its past.
Suckered again
While zapping through channels thismorning, I came across Headline News, boldly emblazoned with the words "Anti-Americanism." My thumb pauses, hoping for some honest-to-goodness objective journalism about this.
Sadly, no. It amounted to nothing more than handy tips for not annoying people while traveling abroad. Or, in other words:
Know your place when amongst your betters.
Say, I've got a good idea. What say I take my hard-earned money and travel to where elitist Euro-trash, Marxists, or Eighth-century barbarians aren't in charge?
If I do choose to travel abroad, I'll be polite, courteous, and respectful, but I'll be damned if I'm going to ever deny my national pride. And the first person who tries to act superior to me will get back in equal measure what he gives.
The absurdity of this Anti-American mindset just leaves me gobsmacked. Oh, you want my money, but not my opinion? I'm supposed to deny my heritage just because you have an inferiority complex?
Sorry, bucko. Ain't happening.
**Update** Tunisia sounds nice.
Sadly, no. It amounted to nothing more than handy tips for not annoying people while traveling abroad. Or, in other words:
Know your place when amongst your betters.
Say, I've got a good idea. What say I take my hard-earned money and travel to where elitist Euro-trash, Marxists, or Eighth-century barbarians aren't in charge?
If I do choose to travel abroad, I'll be polite, courteous, and respectful, but I'll be damned if I'm going to ever deny my national pride. And the first person who tries to act superior to me will get back in equal measure what he gives.
The absurdity of this Anti-American mindset just leaves me gobsmacked. Oh, you want my money, but not my opinion? I'm supposed to deny my heritage just because you have an inferiority complex?
Sorry, bucko. Ain't happening.
**Update** Tunisia sounds nice.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Random Thoughts
1) Have you noticed this? The consensual assumption is that the Swift Boat veterans who support Kerry are honest and forthright Americans, and the ones who oppose Kerry are tools of the VRWC. It occurs to me that no one has asked if the vets who support Kerry are in fact the political whores, and the vets who oppose him are the honest and forthright ones. Why are the pro-Kerry vets admired and the anti-Kerry vets disdained? Didn't they all serve our country?
I have no stake in this story; it's not like I really needed another reason to vote for Bush. But I want the truth on this, one way or the other. And I want the people who SHOULD be examining this with an open mind to put their feelings aside, and get to the truth, for good or ill.
2) Continuing on the theme of drinking games, here's my suggestion for a news junkie drinking game. I'll pour myself a stiff one every time:
A) A talking head begins a sentence with "I question the timing of . . ."
B) A talking head uses the words "Bush administration" and "defended" in the same sentence.
C) A talking head uses the words "militant," "rebel," "revolutionary," or gunman" instead of the word "terrorist."
That'll probably do it right there. If I actually tried this game, I'd be blogging from the hospital next week, while waiting for a new liver.
3) This one's for Brent at Cop Talk. I meant to comment on your post from yesterday, but decided not to, because I'm not exactly sure how funny this would be. Anyway, here goes.
"I fought the lawn, and the lawn won."
Hm?
Hm?
Sigh.
Thank God you can't see my flop sweat over the Internet.
Aug 9
Cardio
Time 0:52:00
2004 total:109:23:00
Weights + Cardio: 124 Days (32 to go)
I have no stake in this story; it's not like I really needed another reason to vote for Bush. But I want the truth on this, one way or the other. And I want the people who SHOULD be examining this with an open mind to put their feelings aside, and get to the truth, for good or ill.
2) Continuing on the theme of drinking games, here's my suggestion for a news junkie drinking game. I'll pour myself a stiff one every time:
A) A talking head begins a sentence with "I question the timing of . . ."
B) A talking head uses the words "Bush administration" and "defended" in the same sentence.
C) A talking head uses the words "militant," "rebel," "revolutionary," or gunman" instead of the word "terrorist."
That'll probably do it right there. If I actually tried this game, I'd be blogging from the hospital next week, while waiting for a new liver.
3) This one's for Brent at Cop Talk. I meant to comment on your post from yesterday, but decided not to, because I'm not exactly sure how funny this would be. Anyway, here goes.
"I fought the lawn, and the lawn won."
Hm?
Hm?
Sigh.
Thank God you can't see my flop sweat over the Internet.
Aug 9
Cardio
Time 0:52:00
2004 total:109:23:00
Weights + Cardio: 124 Days (32 to go)
Impulse Buy
Today, while out shopping, I found Disney's The Black Hole on DVD. I bought it, because I'm weak-willed, and I was temporarily insane from nostalgia.
I've grown a little leery about buying DVDs of older movies/TV shows, because I'm increasingly cognizant of how much more willing I was to suspend my disbelief back in the day, and how easily impressed I was with action and explosions. To wit:
Star Trek The Next Generation: Loved it in high school, absolutely cannot watch the show now. It might have something to do with all that "Yay, everybody!" sensitivity. If I had a nickel for every time Picard and co. faced peril by having a meeting, I'd have, well, probably a couple bucks.
The Lethal Weapon Films: Riggs & Murtaugh at odds. Riggs and Murtaugh bond. Gunplay. Riggs gets beaten to an inch of his life. Gunplay. Pithy comment. Yawn.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome: This film does not hold up nearly as well as the first two Mad Max films, but how I loved it as a child.
Sometimes, though, I do break down and buy DVDs of older features/shows, and I'm pleasantly surprised.
Sledge Hammer! Strangely enough, I find the show funnier now, despite its continual onslaught of 80's references.
Tron: Silly fun. But even with my (slightly) more mature sensibilities, I'm amazed at how well the film realizes its vision, and succeeds at the level for which it aims.
So I bought the Black Hole, and my feelings are mixed. On one level, I'm still impressed with the effects, which hold up quite well for a movie nearly 25 years old. Plus, it's a well-paced, spry little adventure laced with imagination.
Alas, it's also appallingly bad science. Let me put it this way: if I took a drink every time someone should have died from exposure to space, but didn't, I'd be unconscious by the end credits. And the dialogue! If I expanded my drinking game to include a sip every time someone drops some clunky exposition, I'd be rushed to the hospital before the 30 minute mark.
Maybe, though, what bugs me is that I've lived to an age where the rules of reality are pretty well rigid. When I was a kid, one could go through a black hole, passing through Heaven and Hell into another universe. Now, of course, I know I'd be stretched infinitely long, then crunched into an infinitesimally small point as soon as I crossed the event horizon. In my youth, there were monsters, and heroes who always won. At my age, monsters are still real, but hero is a verboten concept. In the beginning, there were infinite possibilities; now, not so much.
I told a friend today that my school seems smaller than it did when I was a student there. He suggested that we were smaller at the time, but I'm starting to think it's because I now know exactly what's behind every door.
I'd never go back to childhood, even if I could, but damn if I don't miss that youthful naivete.
Okay, that was quite the tangent. Apologies, all.
I've grown a little leery about buying DVDs of older movies/TV shows, because I'm increasingly cognizant of how much more willing I was to suspend my disbelief back in the day, and how easily impressed I was with action and explosions. To wit:
Star Trek The Next Generation: Loved it in high school, absolutely cannot watch the show now. It might have something to do with all that "Yay, everybody!" sensitivity. If I had a nickel for every time Picard and co. faced peril by having a meeting, I'd have, well, probably a couple bucks.
The Lethal Weapon Films: Riggs & Murtaugh at odds. Riggs and Murtaugh bond. Gunplay. Riggs gets beaten to an inch of his life. Gunplay. Pithy comment. Yawn.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome: This film does not hold up nearly as well as the first two Mad Max films, but how I loved it as a child.
Sometimes, though, I do break down and buy DVDs of older features/shows, and I'm pleasantly surprised.
Sledge Hammer! Strangely enough, I find the show funnier now, despite its continual onslaught of 80's references.
Tron: Silly fun. But even with my (slightly) more mature sensibilities, I'm amazed at how well the film realizes its vision, and succeeds at the level for which it aims.
So I bought the Black Hole, and my feelings are mixed. On one level, I'm still impressed with the effects, which hold up quite well for a movie nearly 25 years old. Plus, it's a well-paced, spry little adventure laced with imagination.
Alas, it's also appallingly bad science. Let me put it this way: if I took a drink every time someone should have died from exposure to space, but didn't, I'd be unconscious by the end credits. And the dialogue! If I expanded my drinking game to include a sip every time someone drops some clunky exposition, I'd be rushed to the hospital before the 30 minute mark.
Maybe, though, what bugs me is that I've lived to an age where the rules of reality are pretty well rigid. When I was a kid, one could go through a black hole, passing through Heaven and Hell into another universe. Now, of course, I know I'd be stretched infinitely long, then crunched into an infinitesimally small point as soon as I crossed the event horizon. In my youth, there were monsters, and heroes who always won. At my age, monsters are still real, but hero is a verboten concept. In the beginning, there were infinite possibilities; now, not so much.
I told a friend today that my school seems smaller than it did when I was a student there. He suggested that we were smaller at the time, but I'm starting to think it's because I now know exactly what's behind every door.
I'd never go back to childhood, even if I could, but damn if I don't miss that youthful naivete.
Okay, that was quite the tangent. Apologies, all.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Recommendations
John Stossel was on C-Span's Book Talk today, giving a spirited defense of unregulated free-market capitalism (and plugging his book). Check it out when they rerun it.
Also, Michelle Malkin was on the Hannity radio show, plugging her book. The shows over, but you can listen to the streaming version on the internet until 2:00 PM tomorrow CDT. Ms Malkin's segment will replay at about 6:30, 9:30, 12:30, 3:30, etc.
Both highly recommended
Also, Michelle Malkin was on the Hannity radio show, plugging her book. The shows over, but you can listen to the streaming version on the internet until 2:00 PM tomorrow CDT. Ms Malkin's segment will replay at about 6:30, 9:30, 12:30, 3:30, etc.
Both highly recommended
Sunday, August 08, 2004
A day without politics
I spent most of the day yesterday in a violent disagreement with some food I had eaten the day before. Suffice it to say, the food won definitively. On the upside, basic cable finally paid off, and I was entertained by a whole day of zombie movies on SciFi. Oh, and Payback on TNT.
In a way, it felt good, because there was no stress, and no stooges from the far left to aggravate me; well, except for Krugman on Russert yesterday. But why stay around for that, when Night of the Comet is on?
Anyway, since my cup runneth over with chores to do today, I'm declaring a one-day moratorium on politics. No Bush, no Kerry, no tubby bitch, no Swift Boat Vets, nada. Instead, my day will be spent with laundry, dishes, dusting, and exercise. And I'm sure my stomach will thank me for it. If I find something amusing to blog about, non-political of course, then I will, otherwise I will hold my tongue.
The beatings will resume sometime tomorrow.
So, dear reader, adieu. May your day be as pleasant as I intend to make mine.
In a way, it felt good, because there was no stress, and no stooges from the far left to aggravate me; well, except for Krugman on Russert yesterday. But why stay around for that, when Night of the Comet is on?
Anyway, since my cup runneth over with chores to do today, I'm declaring a one-day moratorium on politics. No Bush, no Kerry, no tubby bitch, no Swift Boat Vets, nada. Instead, my day will be spent with laundry, dishes, dusting, and exercise. And I'm sure my stomach will thank me for it. If I find something amusing to blog about, non-political of course, then I will, otherwise I will hold my tongue.
The beatings will resume sometime tomorrow.
So, dear reader, adieu. May your day be as pleasant as I intend to make mine.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
The sharks are circling; is that a good sign? UPDATED 8/6
I've kept mum on the whole Swift Boat Vets thing, largely because I wish to keep the debate focused on the candidates' records, which in my view favors Bush over Kerry.
All I'm going to say is this: it's a non-issue for me. But it could quickly become an issue, if the DNC continues the goon tactics (such as the veiled threats to sue stations that run the Swift Boat Vets' ad) to try and bury it.
Oh yeah, they don't mind a 527, as long as it's a group like MoveOn, who gets a wink and a nod from the DNC when they host ads comparing Bush to Hitler on their web site. If it's a 527 that's got something nasty to say about Kerry, well then, that's just wrong.
Shoe, meet other foot. I'm sure you'll get along famously.
Or, as a coworker would say, hoisted by their own petard.
The DNC should learn the lesson that Nixon and Reagan and Clinton never did. The more you try to bury a story, the more potent the story becomes.
I'll bet anyone a shiny quarter that if Kerry loses, Daschle will push to repeal McCain-Feingold before the spring of 2005.
**UPDATE** The truth finally comes out. ;)
**UPDATE** The swift boat vets respond to the pit-bull legal tactics. Spread this around, because you know the NYT won't.
(via Dean's World)
Aug 5
Cardio
Time: 1:05:00
2004 total: 107:41:00
Weights + Cardio: 122 days (34 to go)
All I'm going to say is this: it's a non-issue for me. But it could quickly become an issue, if the DNC continues the goon tactics (such as the veiled threats to sue stations that run the Swift Boat Vets' ad) to try and bury it.
Oh yeah, they don't mind a 527, as long as it's a group like MoveOn, who gets a wink and a nod from the DNC when they host ads comparing Bush to Hitler on their web site. If it's a 527 that's got something nasty to say about Kerry, well then, that's just wrong.
Shoe, meet other foot. I'm sure you'll get along famously.
Or, as a coworker would say, hoisted by their own petard.
The DNC should learn the lesson that Nixon and Reagan and Clinton never did. The more you try to bury a story, the more potent the story becomes.
I'll bet anyone a shiny quarter that if Kerry loses, Daschle will push to repeal McCain-Feingold before the spring of 2005.
**UPDATE** The truth finally comes out. ;)
**UPDATE** The swift boat vets respond to the pit-bull legal tactics. Spread this around, because you know the NYT won't.
(via Dean's World)
Aug 5
Cardio
Time: 1:05:00
2004 total: 107:41:00
Weights + Cardio: 122 days (34 to go)
Geek alert
And yes, I'm stealing this bit from FARK/MIB 2:
Old and busted: the Joel Schumacher Batman movies
New Hotness: Batman Begins
Old and busted: the Joel Schumacher Batman movies
New Hotness: Batman Begins
Poor campaign moves, Part 1
So now Kerry is getting his talking points from the tubby bitch?
That's classy. And I'm sure it will endear him to the undecideds.
Honestly, if you're voting for Kerry, I cannot for the life of me see why. Feel free to try to help me make sense of it.
That's classy. And I'm sure it will endear him to the undecideds.
Honestly, if you're voting for Kerry, I cannot for the life of me see why. Feel free to try to help me make sense of it.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Ah, sweet, sweet memories
Found via Vodkapundit:
Listen to Beavis' sage wisdom, in his alter ego of the Great Cornholio.
If you were ever a B&B fan, check this out. And if you have time, check out the other Soundboards.
How I miss that show. It seems positively tame by today's standards.
Listen to Beavis' sage wisdom, in his alter ego of the Great Cornholio.
If you were ever a B&B fan, check this out. And if you have time, check out the other Soundboards.
How I miss that show. It seems positively tame by today's standards.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
An appeal to undecided voters, Part 2
Part 2: The Focus-Group Candidate
In part 2, I will try to explain why I will not vote for John Kerry. Part 3 will focus on why I will vote for George W Bush.
Chances are, John Kerry is not your ideal candidate. Maybe you were a Dean booster during the primary season, or a Clark supporter. Maybe, like me, you were hoping for some Joe-mentum; or maybe you were just waiting for the mother ship to call Kucinich home.
There was a lot of variety going into the primaries, nine different and diverse personalities. But somewhere between the run-up to the Iowa Caucases and YYYYEEEEEAAAAAAGGGGGHHH!!!!! The consensual wisdom became that the party should find someone “electable.”
And Kerry certainly fits the bill, insofar as anyone who looks at his vitals can see something good to play up. It’s like a list a lovestruck teen might make, detailing the reasons for asking a cute guy out.
War Hero
Anti-War Activist
20 years as Senator
Diplomat
Environmentalist
More importantly, there’s no lunatic-fringe stigma attached to Kerry. His followers lack the saucer-eyed sincerity of the Dean fans, or the Trilby Else-like thralls to Kucinich. Clark was too prefabricated, Sharpton was too polarizing, and Gephardt had the distinct stench of the multiple-time loser. From the get-go, Kerry looked middle-of-the-road enough that he wouldn’t look too ridiculous on a classroom poster featuring the 44 presidents. Get it? He looks the part, and he has just enough in his background to imply that more is there.
Problem is, I don’t think that’s true. Let’s look at the man, only we’re going to do exactly opposite of what Kerry did in his acceptance speech: we’re going to spend about one minute on Vietnam, and use the balance of our time on everything after.
Regarding Vietnam, I have exactly one point to make. The Democratic Party is asking you to accept both of these facts simultaneously:
1) Kerry was noble and heroic for serving his country in Vietnam.
2) The Vietnam War was unjust, ignoble, and immoral, and should never be repeated.
Do you hear the tree falling in the forest? If Kerry was doing the right thing by being in Vietnam, then Vietnam must have the right thing. Unacceptable. All wars are unjust, and there is nothing worth fighting for. If the Vietnam War was unjust, ignoble, and immoral, then how can Kerry be a hero for participating in it? Heresy. Kerry’s heroism must never be challenged.
The party is unwilling to contradict either statement, lest they risk chasing away the veterans and the anti-war types. (Personally, I appreciate Kerry’s service. Then again, that’s because I think Vietnam was worth fighting, as Iraq is worth fighting. The line MUST be drawn and defended, or we stand to lose our very culture.)
Wait a tick. The veterans and the anti-war types . . .hmmm . . . isn’t that interesting? Two generally disparate and opposed camps being baited toward a common candidate.
Time to move on. Vietnam isn’t everything, you know.
So let’s talk about Kerry’s record in the Senate. One thing I will not do is savage Kerry for the things he voted for or against. While I certainly disagree with many of Kerry’s votes, I recognize that he is serving his own beliefs and the people of Massachusetts when he votes. That I can respect. That’s his job: to draft legislation, to debate bills, and ultimately vote for or against them.
Kerry however, has been too busy campaigning to actually do his job. During the 108th Congress, he was absent for 292 out of 459 votes. He missed 64% of all votes held during the session. That means he did vote 36% of the time. The man was too busy to serve his conscience or his constituency two-thirds of the time. Even Sky-Captain Kucinich had a 94% attendance rate.
Hey, you’re a taxpayer, right? You pay my salary just like you pay for Kerry’s. What say I teach only a third of the time I’m in the classroom this coming year. Feel like hiring me back for next year?
But he’s busy campaigning against the Bush juggernaut! you might be thinking. True. But again, I ask you, if you were my boss, how would you feel if I spent two-thirds of the time I was supposed to be working, looking for another job?
I’ll agree that just this past session of Congress is not a complete picture of a 20-year career. So let’s look back all the way, shall we?
Over his career, Kerry has sponsored 57 pieces of legislation. Subtract those pieces that deal with granting commercial licenses to ships, those stating the general mood of the Senate, and those honoring people or establish a given day as “Hug a turtle” day or whatever, and you’re left with about 18 bills. Eighteen bills over a twenty-year career. Interestingly enough, during the primary debates, Dean scoffed at Kerry’s failure to pass any of the health care bills he sponsored. Kerry replied by stating that Dean didn’t know how Congress works, and that sometimes a Congressman’s name gets attached to a bill, even if he didn’t write it. So what is he saying, that he didn’t even write some of the 18 or so useful bills he sponsored in the Senate?
I may be wrong on this, but I believe Kerry also served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence during the 106th, 107th, and part of the 108th Congress. During his tenure there, he missed 38 out of 49 public meetings. Considering his abysmal attendance record, any criticisms that Kerry levels at Bush for mishandling intelligence ring a little hollow, wouldn’t you say?
Of course, one could argue, that Kerry didn’t miss anything vital during the Senate votes, and the intel meetings, or that his presence wasn’t essential to the proceedings. I flat-out disagree with the former, because anytime you are representing the people, you’d better damn well be there to represent, no matter how inauspicious the agenda for the day is. The latter statement implies that Kerry had nothing to contribute. Well, if he had nothing to contribute to those 38 intel meetings he missed, then what good is he?
I guess the point I’m trying to make is: do you really want to give this man the most important job on Earth, after he’s just kind of shuffled through the last 20 years? Ask yourself: has Kerry ever in his career shown the leadership skills necessary for the job of president? Are you comfortable with that?
Kerry reminds me a lot of Lionel Hutz, the lawyer voiced by the late Phil Hartman on The Simpsons.
Testifying to his prowess as a lawyer: “I was watching Matlock in the bar last night. The sound was off, but I think I got the gist of it.”
Look, let’s face it. The Democratic Party gave us a weak candidate. It’s all right to admit it. They found someone who looks presidential, and hasn’t made any waves. No fanatical crazy-eyed followers, no animal-in-heat shrieking, nothing to pop up on the target radar. He’s got a life story that, in some ways, is remarkable.
But if you scratch even the slightest bit below the surface, you find nothing. There’s nothing there. Again, referencing The Simpsons, John Kerry is Poochy the dog, a caricature dreamed up by a committee to be all things to all people, but in fact not at all substantive.
Much of the time, he’s not even been around to do the job he already has.
In part 2, I will try to explain why I will not vote for John Kerry. Part 3 will focus on why I will vote for George W Bush.
Chances are, John Kerry is not your ideal candidate. Maybe you were a Dean booster during the primary season, or a Clark supporter. Maybe, like me, you were hoping for some Joe-mentum; or maybe you were just waiting for the mother ship to call Kucinich home.
There was a lot of variety going into the primaries, nine different and diverse personalities. But somewhere between the run-up to the Iowa Caucases and YYYYEEEEEAAAAAAGGGGGHHH!!!!! The consensual wisdom became that the party should find someone “electable.”
And Kerry certainly fits the bill, insofar as anyone who looks at his vitals can see something good to play up. It’s like a list a lovestruck teen might make, detailing the reasons for asking a cute guy out.
War Hero
Anti-War Activist
20 years as Senator
Diplomat
Environmentalist
More importantly, there’s no lunatic-fringe stigma attached to Kerry. His followers lack the saucer-eyed sincerity of the Dean fans, or the Trilby Else-like thralls to Kucinich. Clark was too prefabricated, Sharpton was too polarizing, and Gephardt had the distinct stench of the multiple-time loser. From the get-go, Kerry looked middle-of-the-road enough that he wouldn’t look too ridiculous on a classroom poster featuring the 44 presidents. Get it? He looks the part, and he has just enough in his background to imply that more is there.
Problem is, I don’t think that’s true. Let’s look at the man, only we’re going to do exactly opposite of what Kerry did in his acceptance speech: we’re going to spend about one minute on Vietnam, and use the balance of our time on everything after.
Regarding Vietnam, I have exactly one point to make. The Democratic Party is asking you to accept both of these facts simultaneously:
1) Kerry was noble and heroic for serving his country in Vietnam.
2) The Vietnam War was unjust, ignoble, and immoral, and should never be repeated.
Do you hear the tree falling in the forest? If Kerry was doing the right thing by being in Vietnam, then Vietnam must have the right thing. Unacceptable. All wars are unjust, and there is nothing worth fighting for. If the Vietnam War was unjust, ignoble, and immoral, then how can Kerry be a hero for participating in it? Heresy. Kerry’s heroism must never be challenged.
The party is unwilling to contradict either statement, lest they risk chasing away the veterans and the anti-war types. (Personally, I appreciate Kerry’s service. Then again, that’s because I think Vietnam was worth fighting, as Iraq is worth fighting. The line MUST be drawn and defended, or we stand to lose our very culture.)
Wait a tick. The veterans and the anti-war types . . .hmmm . . . isn’t that interesting? Two generally disparate and opposed camps being baited toward a common candidate.
Time to move on. Vietnam isn’t everything, you know.
So let’s talk about Kerry’s record in the Senate. One thing I will not do is savage Kerry for the things he voted for or against. While I certainly disagree with many of Kerry’s votes, I recognize that he is serving his own beliefs and the people of Massachusetts when he votes. That I can respect. That’s his job: to draft legislation, to debate bills, and ultimately vote for or against them.
Kerry however, has been too busy campaigning to actually do his job. During the 108th Congress, he was absent for 292 out of 459 votes. He missed 64% of all votes held during the session. That means he did vote 36% of the time. The man was too busy to serve his conscience or his constituency two-thirds of the time. Even Sky-Captain Kucinich had a 94% attendance rate.
Hey, you’re a taxpayer, right? You pay my salary just like you pay for Kerry’s. What say I teach only a third of the time I’m in the classroom this coming year. Feel like hiring me back for next year?
But he’s busy campaigning against the Bush juggernaut! you might be thinking. True. But again, I ask you, if you were my boss, how would you feel if I spent two-thirds of the time I was supposed to be working, looking for another job?
I’ll agree that just this past session of Congress is not a complete picture of a 20-year career. So let’s look back all the way, shall we?
Over his career, Kerry has sponsored 57 pieces of legislation. Subtract those pieces that deal with granting commercial licenses to ships, those stating the general mood of the Senate, and those honoring people or establish a given day as “Hug a turtle” day or whatever, and you’re left with about 18 bills. Eighteen bills over a twenty-year career. Interestingly enough, during the primary debates, Dean scoffed at Kerry’s failure to pass any of the health care bills he sponsored. Kerry replied by stating that Dean didn’t know how Congress works, and that sometimes a Congressman’s name gets attached to a bill, even if he didn’t write it. So what is he saying, that he didn’t even write some of the 18 or so useful bills he sponsored in the Senate?
I may be wrong on this, but I believe Kerry also served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence during the 106th, 107th, and part of the 108th Congress. During his tenure there, he missed 38 out of 49 public meetings. Considering his abysmal attendance record, any criticisms that Kerry levels at Bush for mishandling intelligence ring a little hollow, wouldn’t you say?
Of course, one could argue, that Kerry didn’t miss anything vital during the Senate votes, and the intel meetings, or that his presence wasn’t essential to the proceedings. I flat-out disagree with the former, because anytime you are representing the people, you’d better damn well be there to represent, no matter how inauspicious the agenda for the day is. The latter statement implies that Kerry had nothing to contribute. Well, if he had nothing to contribute to those 38 intel meetings he missed, then what good is he?
I guess the point I’m trying to make is: do you really want to give this man the most important job on Earth, after he’s just kind of shuffled through the last 20 years? Ask yourself: has Kerry ever in his career shown the leadership skills necessary for the job of president? Are you comfortable with that?
Kerry reminds me a lot of Lionel Hutz, the lawyer voiced by the late Phil Hartman on The Simpsons.
Testifying to his prowess as a lawyer: “I was watching Matlock in the bar last night. The sound was off, but I think I got the gist of it.”
Look, let’s face it. The Democratic Party gave us a weak candidate. It’s all right to admit it. They found someone who looks presidential, and hasn’t made any waves. No fanatical crazy-eyed followers, no animal-in-heat shrieking, nothing to pop up on the target radar. He’s got a life story that, in some ways, is remarkable.
But if you scratch even the slightest bit below the surface, you find nothing. There’s nothing there. Again, referencing The Simpsons, John Kerry is Poochy the dog, a caricature dreamed up by a committee to be all things to all people, but in fact not at all substantive.
Much of the time, he’s not even been around to do the job he already has.
Log
Aug 2
Cardio
Time 1:00:00
Aug 3
Cardio
Time 1:00:00
2004 total:106:36:00
Weights + Cardio: 121 Days (35 to go)
Cardio
Time 1:00:00
Aug 3
Cardio
Time 1:00:00
2004 total:106:36:00
Weights + Cardio: 121 Days (35 to go)
Monday, August 02, 2004
Ah yes, seizing the moral high ground I see
The heroic brigades of the Patchouli Liberation Army will be out in full force at the RNC, it seems, and they've got a lovely little handbook to help them defeat the moronic/Machiavellian Bushitler and his sheeple from Red Amerikkka.
I especially like the safety tips for throwing Molotov Cocktails at police, and the how-to for calling in a false bomb threat.
Call me an optimist, but if this plays out the way it sounds, I don't see how the media could spin this to Kerry's advantage. If anything, I think it may push some undecideds into the Bush camp. Of course, that's foolishly optimistic.
Tell you one thing: if even one, just one, innocent gets hurt by these shenanigans, or if terrorists manage to take advantage of the confusion (ya know, false bomb threats and all), they better pray that the cops get them before the silent majority decides enough is enough.
**Update** The one and only Allah stopped by to offer a correction. The bit about Molotov cocktails and false bomb threats was from the latter part of Allah's post, which was referencing tactics used in the past by protestors, and was not in fact contained in the handbook. Also, it should be noted that the excerpt of the handbook that Allah posted spoke of throwing debris at police, not flaming objects. I sincerely regret the error.
I especially like the safety tips for throwing Molotov Cocktails at police, and the how-to for calling in a false bomb threat.
Call me an optimist, but if this plays out the way it sounds, I don't see how the media could spin this to Kerry's advantage. If anything, I think it may push some undecideds into the Bush camp. Of course, that's foolishly optimistic.
Tell you one thing: if even one, just one, innocent gets hurt by these shenanigans, or if terrorists manage to take advantage of the confusion (ya know, false bomb threats and all), they better pray that the cops get them before the silent majority decides enough is enough.
**Update** The one and only Allah stopped by to offer a correction. The bit about Molotov cocktails and false bomb threats was from the latter part of Allah's post, which was referencing tactics used in the past by protestors, and was not in fact contained in the handbook. Also, it should be noted that the excerpt of the handbook that Allah posted spoke of throwing debris at police, not flaming objects. I sincerely regret the error.
