Friday, January 09, 2009
That magical time of the year
North American International Auto Show pictures coming soon. Stay tuned!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Chris Matthews rocks the ethnocentrism
"What is it in the Arab world where there's so many people available for demonstrations on a weekday? I mean... these guys always look like they've got a two day growth of beard, they're always available for demonstrations and they're always yelling in the same passionate way. Are they always ready, like, sitting on benches ready to hit the streets, with attitude? I mean, I'm kidding, but it is to us a cartoon. They put a shoe at the top of that flagpole. We (Americans) laugh at this! I mean, you want to know our western attitudes? This is a joke! You guys are sitting around with nothing to do, drinking sweet tea, waiting for something to happen. I mean, why don't they work?"
Well Chris, unfortunately, due to the economic downturn, Starbucks has had to close four of its shops in Sadr City. And this is after Macy's and Neiman Marcus announced they would not be opening branches in Fallujah or Basrah.
Seriously?
Where the hell have you been for the last, oh, I don't know, 5 years? Did he really ask, "Why don't they work?" as if, there is some abundance of jobs just waiting for these people in Iraq? Maybe it has something to do with the absurdly high unemployment rate that's been estimated at anywhere between 25% and 50%.
The man gets paid upwards of $5 mil. per year and asks questions like this? Isn't he supposed to be a reporter.
If this is the standard to which MSNBC holds their reporters, then the whole network is a joke.
That's all I got.
Well Chris, unfortunately, due to the economic downturn, Starbucks has had to close four of its shops in Sadr City. And this is after Macy's and Neiman Marcus announced they would not be opening branches in Fallujah or Basrah.
Seriously?
Where the hell have you been for the last, oh, I don't know, 5 years? Did he really ask, "Why don't they work?" as if, there is some abundance of jobs just waiting for these people in Iraq? Maybe it has something to do with the absurdly high unemployment rate that's been estimated at anywhere between 25% and 50%.
The man gets paid upwards of $5 mil. per year and asks questions like this? Isn't he supposed to be a reporter.
If this is the standard to which MSNBC holds their reporters, then the whole network is a joke.
That's all I got.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Independent Pres. Bush
Bush is now saying that he might use the TARP money to keep the automakers afloat. I guess that's the benefit of being hated by both parties... You don't need to care what other people think.
I find myself agreeing with the Bush administration... this is unprecedented.
I find myself agreeing with the Bush administration... this is unprecedented.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Us and Them
MSNBC is filled with coverage today surrounding what police said is a child's skull found near the Orlando home of a missing child.
As the local sheriff was grilled by reporters, again and again, he said that he was unable to discuss evidence (or frankly any other real details of the situation).
I understand that as a police officer, often times, keeping information private is vital to solving a case and that these sort of restrictions are in place for very good reasons. But this sort of thing reflects a larger cultural aspect that may be all too prevalent in our society; the concept of us vs. them.
The government (including the police) is supposed to lead the people. In an ideal society, we would have no problem trusting our leaders with our own well being and have no doubt that they have only the best intentions in mind. But unfortunately, this is not the case. As demonstrated in today's discovery, the police see themselves as separate from the community at large, an outside force that is there to keep the peace and find the truth.
It's these kinds of perceptions that are detrimental to a functioning society.
At Miami, this concept came up a little over a year ago when many permanent residents and the city council pushed to ban outdoor drinking games. Is it outrageous that local parents might not want their children to be constantly exposed to drunk students? Absolutely not. But in my mind, creating city ordinances to solve the problem only work to exacerbate the situation.
While the immediate problem was perhaps the drinking games, the bigger picture showed a rift between permanent residents of Oxford and students. If instead of forcing laws on students, or showing no regard for permanent residents, an effort was made to unite these two groups, I think we would see a much more cohesive and productive environment.
We don't need laws to fix our problems, we need mutual respect.
On a national level, people see the federal and state governments as outside forces imposing their will on the everyman. Politicians, as evidenced by shady pardons and illegitimate wealth, aren't perceived to understand what the average American has to deal with on a daily basis. For this country to survive, this kind of imagined separation needs to end.
Just some food for thought.
As the local sheriff was grilled by reporters, again and again, he said that he was unable to discuss evidence (or frankly any other real details of the situation).
I understand that as a police officer, often times, keeping information private is vital to solving a case and that these sort of restrictions are in place for very good reasons. But this sort of thing reflects a larger cultural aspect that may be all too prevalent in our society; the concept of us vs. them.
The government (including the police) is supposed to lead the people. In an ideal society, we would have no problem trusting our leaders with our own well being and have no doubt that they have only the best intentions in mind. But unfortunately, this is not the case. As demonstrated in today's discovery, the police see themselves as separate from the community at large, an outside force that is there to keep the peace and find the truth.
It's these kinds of perceptions that are detrimental to a functioning society.
At Miami, this concept came up a little over a year ago when many permanent residents and the city council pushed to ban outdoor drinking games. Is it outrageous that local parents might not want their children to be constantly exposed to drunk students? Absolutely not. But in my mind, creating city ordinances to solve the problem only work to exacerbate the situation.
While the immediate problem was perhaps the drinking games, the bigger picture showed a rift between permanent residents of Oxford and students. If instead of forcing laws on students, or showing no regard for permanent residents, an effort was made to unite these two groups, I think we would see a much more cohesive and productive environment.
We don't need laws to fix our problems, we need mutual respect.
On a national level, people see the federal and state governments as outside forces imposing their will on the everyman. Politicians, as evidenced by shady pardons and illegitimate wealth, aren't perceived to understand what the average American has to deal with on a daily basis. For this country to survive, this kind of imagined separation needs to end.
Just some food for thought.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
My world is turned upside down
Holy crap. Karl Rove just defended Barack Obama on Hannity and Colmes with regard to this whole Blagojevich debacle. It happened.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Bailouts that don't bail out.
Looks like the Senate is looking at a $15 bil. "bridge loan" for the ailing auto industry.
Oh yeah, that's effective.
Compromise is great and all, but not when it will be completely useless.
I can't even tell you how many times I've hear people say things like, "Oh, this money would just delay the inevitable bankruptcy to come. (regarding the asked-for $34 bil.)"
Well, that seems to be exactly what this $15 bil. will do. Sure, we might be able to float G.M. until February, but what then?
This is about the equivalent of giving a homeless guy a couple thousand dollars and telling him to get his life on track.
Here's how the conversation would play out:
Senate: Hey homeless guy, we know your down on your luck. We know you've made some poor choices in the past, but a lot of us want to help you out.
Homeless Guy (we'll call him Rick): That would really be great! I'm pretty sure I'm going to starve to death in the next couple months without some kind of help.
Senate: We know you really need something along the lines of $25,000 to get yourself a place to stay and time to clean yourself up, maybe take a couple workshops or online classes, and find a job, but we've decided to give you $2,000 now and then check up on you in a few months to see what progress you've made. Frankly, we can't even promise that you'll get any more money.
Rick: But if I use the $2,000 to get a place to stay and turn my life around, I won't have any money to buy food - I might starve by then. And how can I know how to use the money if I don't even know if you'll help me in the future?
Senate: That's a risk we're willing to take.
Rick: Umm...
Senate: Of course, some of us think it would be better for you to lie in a gutter and restructure.
Oh yeah, that's effective.
Compromise is great and all, but not when it will be completely useless.
I can't even tell you how many times I've hear people say things like, "Oh, this money would just delay the inevitable bankruptcy to come. (regarding the asked-for $34 bil.)"
Well, that seems to be exactly what this $15 bil. will do. Sure, we might be able to float G.M. until February, but what then?
This is about the equivalent of giving a homeless guy a couple thousand dollars and telling him to get his life on track.
Here's how the conversation would play out:
Senate: Hey homeless guy, we know your down on your luck. We know you've made some poor choices in the past, but a lot of us want to help you out.
Homeless Guy (we'll call him Rick): That would really be great! I'm pretty sure I'm going to starve to death in the next couple months without some kind of help.
Senate: We know you really need something along the lines of $25,000 to get yourself a place to stay and time to clean yourself up, maybe take a couple workshops or online classes, and find a job, but we've decided to give you $2,000 now and then check up on you in a few months to see what progress you've made. Frankly, we can't even promise that you'll get any more money.
Rick: But if I use the $2,000 to get a place to stay and turn my life around, I won't have any money to buy food - I might starve by then. And how can I know how to use the money if I don't even know if you'll help me in the future?
Senate: That's a risk we're willing to take.
Rick: Umm...
Senate: Of course, some of us think it would be better for you to lie in a gutter and restructure.
Monday, December 01, 2008
The more you know!
As Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor picks Kevin O. McCarthy to be his top deputy, the word of the month is: Rising Stars.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Battered wife leaves abusive husband at Fox
Looks like the crypt keeper has finally decided to leave Hannity and Colmes. Alan Colmes announced he plans to terminate his 12 year partnership with Sean Hannity at the end of this year.
Kinda surprised it took 12 years for Colmes to get tired of being walked on.
Hannity and Colmes was largely a show that argued semantics while still rocking the blatant conservative bias so loved by most of the Fox News Channel. Bare with me here.
By having the "liberal" voice on the show, Fox was able to say "Look! Look! We're fair and balanced!"
Unfortunately, in head to head confrontation, Alan Colmes is about as intimidating as an paraplegic infant — and argues with about that much authority.
Kinda surprised it took 12 years for Colmes to get tired of being walked on.
Hannity and Colmes was largely a show that argued semantics while still rocking the blatant conservative bias so loved by most of the Fox News Channel. Bare with me here.
By having the "liberal" voice on the show, Fox was able to say "Look! Look! We're fair and balanced!"
Unfortunately, in head to head confrontation, Alan Colmes is about as intimidating as an paraplegic infant — and argues with about that much authority.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Team of rivals
Politico's reporting today that Clinton is expected to accept Obama's offer for Secretary of State. I'm a bit worried, but also optimistic.
In the primaries, Clinton had no problem slamming Obama for saying he would meet with Iranian leaders without preconditions. That's big points against. I will never understand why anybody could be opposed to meeting with anyone. It's the equivalent of the biggest baddest jock on the street being afraid to meet with the skinny goth kid. What threat could they possibly pose? What negative outcome could possibly come from talking? God only knows.
Now, there are a few issues with Ahmadinejad in particular. With Iranian elections coming up this summer, perhaps it would be prudent to avoid looking too buddy buddy with the conservative leader. His main competition hails from the more moderate branch of Iranian politics and would be a much easier guy to deal with. By speaking with Ahmadinejad, we would, in a way, be legitimizing his position and possibly strengthening his support from otherwise moderate Iranians.
In the primaries, Clinton had no problem slamming Obama for saying he would meet with Iranian leaders without preconditions. That's big points against. I will never understand why anybody could be opposed to meeting with anyone. It's the equivalent of the biggest baddest jock on the street being afraid to meet with the skinny goth kid. What threat could they possibly pose? What negative outcome could possibly come from talking? God only knows.
Now, there are a few issues with Ahmadinejad in particular. With Iranian elections coming up this summer, perhaps it would be prudent to avoid looking too buddy buddy with the conservative leader. His main competition hails from the more moderate branch of Iranian politics and would be a much easier guy to deal with. By speaking with Ahmadinejad, we would, in a way, be legitimizing his position and possibly strengthening his support from otherwise moderate Iranians.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Slow news day
"3-year-old nearly falls off cliff while taking a picture"
Yes, that is seriously the news on msnbc right now... a 3 year-old not quite falling off a cliff... right... slow news day I guess.
Yes, that is seriously the news on msnbc right now... a 3 year-old not quite falling off a cliff... right... slow news day I guess.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
No I Can't
Ok, I know it's been a while, and this is going to mark a bit of a shift in this blog. Instead of the periodic long entries, I'm going to work towards several shorter entries. Enjoy.
MSNBC has gone off the deep end. The network used to be the news network I could turn to for balanced coverage and a variety of viewpoints. What the hell happened?
While sitting here, hammering away on a story for The Student, Contessa Brewer just let me know that I can order a video documentary on Barack Obama called "Yes We Can". Ummm... yeah... that's some honest journalism right there.
But that's really just the tip of the iceburg. How about that primetime lineup? Keith Olbermann? Rachel Maddow? Chris Matthews? Are you kidding me?
Now, don't get me wrong, all these characters, short maybe of Olbermann, have a legitimate place as news commentators. However, to put them all back to back on primetime TV is nothing less than obsurd.
MSNBC has gone off the deep end. The network used to be the news network I could turn to for balanced coverage and a variety of viewpoints. What the hell happened?
While sitting here, hammering away on a story for The Student, Contessa Brewer just let me know that I can order a video documentary on Barack Obama called "Yes We Can". Ummm... yeah... that's some honest journalism right there.
But that's really just the tip of the iceburg. How about that primetime lineup? Keith Olbermann? Rachel Maddow? Chris Matthews? Are you kidding me?
Now, don't get me wrong, all these characters, short maybe of Olbermann, have a legitimate place as news commentators. However, to put them all back to back on primetime TV is nothing less than obsurd.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Old McCain shines through the filth
Cheers to John McCain for refusing to budge on a proposed set of ads that would reignite the Reverend Wright controversy.
Although his top advisers and Sarah Palin have been pushing for him to light this fire, McCain has refused to allow the ads to run.
This is the John McCain so many of us loved in 2000 and even at the beginning of this election cycle - a man who welcomed the media, ran an open and transparent campaign, and competed fairly and honestly.
Perhaps if he had maintained such a moral discipline throughout, the poll numbers wouldn't be what they are today with Obama up 9 points according to Bloomberg.
Although his top advisers and Sarah Palin have been pushing for him to light this fire, McCain has refused to allow the ads to run.
This is the John McCain so many of us loved in 2000 and even at the beginning of this election cycle - a man who welcomed the media, ran an open and transparent campaign, and competed fairly and honestly.
Perhaps if he had maintained such a moral discipline throughout, the poll numbers wouldn't be what they are today with Obama up 9 points according to Bloomberg.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
End the madness
As the election draws ever closer, the candidates are getting more and more aggressive. Actually, aggressive probably isn't the right word. Their behavior could be likened more to desperately starved hyenas approaching a recently deceased gazelle carcass soaked in A1 steak sauce. And the sad part is that people actually eat this shit up.
Looks like the latest catch phrase from the right is "career first, country second," referring to Obama's association with former weatherman Bill Ayers. Are you f@#$ing kidding me? Perhaps it wasn't the best move on Obama's part to launch a state senate campaign in the home of a former terrorist. That said, however, the man, Ayers that is, hasn't been involved in any shady dealings since the 60's. He's an distinguished professor at the University of Illinois and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to the educational and local community.
But the most important aspect of these attacks to consider is the way they drive political discourse. Every political campaign has its share of crazies, racists and straight up lunatics. That's to be expected, particularly in an election as historic as this. However, the character assassinations put forth by McCain's campaign have taken these voices and brought them to the mainstream, evidenced by participants at McCain's rallies that are willing to say things like ""I can't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's not, he's not uh — he's an Arab. He's not — ". (McCain cuts off the woman).
What does that say about our country? How can democracy work effectively if that kind of unabashed ignorance holds sway in the political arena? Again, I can only blame McCain himself. Sure he cut off the woman (crazy nut ball) and actually defended Obama. But it was his campaign that allowed this kind of commentary to exist. It was his onslaught of attack advertisements and public smears that made it OK for the xenophobic idiots to hijack the limelight from thoughtful conservatives with a real point to make.
Readers might notice at this point that I've focused pretty much entirely on McCain. And yes, perhaps I am a bit liberal, but that's not to say that Obama hasn't upped his attacks. There is no doubt that the fire is coming from both sides. However, I do feel strongly that the attacks coming from the right are harsher and more damaging to character than the attacks from the left which seem to be primarily policy oriented - with exceptions of course.
Anyhow, I can only worry about the weeks to come until Election Day. Will the current political conversations set precedent for future political campaign? Will the Karl Rove politics, characterized by a total lack of respect or any shred of real evidence become the rule of the game? I guess we can only wait and see.
Looks like the latest catch phrase from the right is "career first, country second," referring to Obama's association with former weatherman Bill Ayers. Are you f@#$ing kidding me? Perhaps it wasn't the best move on Obama's part to launch a state senate campaign in the home of a former terrorist. That said, however, the man, Ayers that is, hasn't been involved in any shady dealings since the 60's. He's an distinguished professor at the University of Illinois and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to the educational and local community.
But the most important aspect of these attacks to consider is the way they drive political discourse. Every political campaign has its share of crazies, racists and straight up lunatics. That's to be expected, particularly in an election as historic as this. However, the character assassinations put forth by McCain's campaign have taken these voices and brought them to the mainstream, evidenced by participants at McCain's rallies that are willing to say things like ""I can't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's not, he's not uh — he's an Arab. He's not — ". (McCain cuts off the woman).
What does that say about our country? How can democracy work effectively if that kind of unabashed ignorance holds sway in the political arena? Again, I can only blame McCain himself. Sure he cut off the woman (crazy nut ball) and actually defended Obama. But it was his campaign that allowed this kind of commentary to exist. It was his onslaught of attack advertisements and public smears that made it OK for the xenophobic idiots to hijack the limelight from thoughtful conservatives with a real point to make.
Readers might notice at this point that I've focused pretty much entirely on McCain. And yes, perhaps I am a bit liberal, but that's not to say that Obama hasn't upped his attacks. There is no doubt that the fire is coming from both sides. However, I do feel strongly that the attacks coming from the right are harsher and more damaging to character than the attacks from the left which seem to be primarily policy oriented - with exceptions of course.
Anyhow, I can only worry about the weeks to come until Election Day. Will the current political conversations set precedent for future political campaign? Will the Karl Rove politics, characterized by a total lack of respect or any shred of real evidence become the rule of the game? I guess we can only wait and see.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
HOLY CRAP! THE WORLD MIGHT END!
OH MY GOD! Iran is going to go APE SHIT and invade Israel. Yeah, it's going to happen. Seriously. That crazy/evil man is going to push the big red invade button and the whole middle east is going to fall into anarchy. Then China will invade Taiwan, Venezuela will take over South America, and Russia will retake the whole soviet block.
Right. More B.S. for the educationally challenged.
Right. More B.S. for the educationally challenged.
Evil Shenanigans
Russia is an Evil Empire. Really guys? Really? Evil? This isn't Lord of the Rings, there isn't some giant black tower with a glowing eye looking out over Moscow. Evil? Really? Grow up.
Fun Fact: $700 billion dollars can solve any problem in the world. Fact.
Solve economic crisis: $700 bil.
Cost to end war in Iraq: $700 bil.
Cost to send a man to Mars: $700 bil.
Cost to end genocide in Darfur: $700 bil.
Cost to cure HIV: $700 bil.
Cost to research and develop a T-1000 unit to go back in time and kill Hitler's mother thus preventing WWII: $700 bil.
Solve economic crisis: $700 bil.
Cost to end war in Iraq: $700 bil.
Cost to send a man to Mars: $700 bil.
Cost to end genocide in Darfur: $700 bil.
Cost to cure HIV: $700 bil.
Cost to research and develop a T-1000 unit to go back in time and kill Hitler's mother thus preventing WWII: $700 bil.
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