September 2011
0 posts
February 2011
7 posts
Credi where credit is due →
Sen. Scott Brown has said and done a lot of thing since he came in to office that have been rather nice. While I don’t agree with all his policies I think an even slightly moderate voice in GOP is a good thing.
Mapping of Union Opposition By State →
The folks over at Ballon Juice show an interesting correlation between those states in which unions are forbidden and those that supported slavery.
China, the US, the internet, freedom and using the... →
From the BBC News article “China warns US over Clinton’s web freedom call.”
“It is ironic that the Chinese are blocking an online discussion about internet freedom,” [Ambassador Jon Huntsman told The Wall Street Journal.] said, in comments confirmed by the US embassy in Beijing to the BBC.
First thing, that is not ironic.
Irony:
Noun - ...
“Sexual encounters have their ebbs and flows. What may be unwanted one minute can...”
– -Geoffrey Robertson, attorney for alleged rapist Julian Assange, quoted in today’s New York Times.
I know the Assange case is old news, but I found this quotation really interesting. (Interesting : disturbing :: potato : potahto.) In particular, I was captivated by the phrase “with...
Workers of the World, Gripe
“Employers should think twice before trying to restrict workers from talking about their jobs on Facebook or other social media.
That’s the message the government sent on Monday as it settled a closely watched lawsuit against a Connecticut ambulance company that fired an employee after she went on Facebook to criticize her boss.
The National Labor Relations Board sued the company last...
We Have Reached a New Level of Crazy
“Almost anyone in the United States, and especially soldiers or the families of US Air Force members, could be under the threat of prosecution by the military, according to a recent “guidance” document issued by the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) public affairs office.” At least according to the article ‘Air Force legal office: All of our members’ families can be prosecuted for...
January 2011
7 posts
1 tag
"After Tucson, Is the Anger Gone?" NY Times →
This article takes a good look at the debate surrounding the shooting in Arizona. Oddly, even as some try to seek unity, this event which should have woken the nation up, has been used by the right and the left to continue the the nightmare of near constant debate over which side of the political isle is to blame for all of the nations woes. (Here’s a hint: It isn’t a zero sum...
Israel Demolishes Historic Hotel Shepherd To Make... →
It is maneuvers like this that make me think the Israeli government isn’t invested in the peace process. I understand they believe it is a god given right to build there, but does it have to be done right now?
A Small Point Of Light →
Or more accurately heat. “How Sweden turns human body heat into useful energy,” is an interesting article about using the heat generated by large crowds in buildings is being used to heat nearby buildings. ” Now you can enjoy someone else’s body heat without the awkward proximity and possible legal ramifications.
The Shootings in Arizona: Too Soon To Tell →
I’m right there with many people that have seen Sarah Palin’s crosshair map in thinking there is a connection, but I think we need to step back and let the investigation proceed a little further before we grab our pitch forks and torches.
That being said, if nothing else comes from this tragedy I hope that as a political body this nation can learn to stop treating all discussions as...
Louisiana officials: Parts of coastline still... →
Remember that. The whole oil industry and government failures causing such devastation to fragile ecosystems with barrels upon barrels of oil. It is still there.
I’m actually impressed the CNN showed a greater attention span than I have come to expect from many major media sources. Usually once the main crisis is over, the media tends to not give us much follow up.
With the Coldest January Since 1985, Where's... →
So basically, science is about looking at data over time. One cold winter does not disprove global warming, just as one hot summer does not prove it. You can’t look out side at midnight in the dead of winter and say it is going to be cold and dark forever. File under “things I thought were obvious but apparently are not.”
Arizona Orders Tucson to End Mexican-American... →
It is hard for me not to view this as deliberately targeting Latinos. It is especially aggravating that Mr. Horne tries to say the Latino community isn’t oppressed and therefore he can oppress them.
December 2010
8 posts
TSA says no more underwire →
Okay, here is my prediction for 2011: TSA will demand that everyone board the plane naked. That will stop those terrorists.
Common Phone Chargers Could Economic and... →
And would just makes life simpler. This is the kind of thinking I would like to see more of.
Increase In Police Officer Deaths Could Be Linked... →
Keep plugging for less funding to state and local governments Republicans and blue dogs. Not only are you laying off teachers that are needed to educate the next generation, but you’re pulling critical funding from police officers. Actions have consequences.
Watch It Beck →
So radio host Harold Turner got a nice 33 month sentence for insighting listeners to attack three judges. Does this mean that insighting violence or calling for armed revolution on the air waves will start to come with consequences? If that is the case, then Fox News and extreme right talk radio will need to drastically alter their program line up.
EPA Compromised By Corporate Money →
Anyone else seeing a pattern here?
Sanctions Compromised by Corporate Loop Holes →
When the US imposes economic sanctions on another nation, Uncle Sam is trying to starve the foreign government without starving the the civilian population. To this end there are certain loop holes built in to the sanctions for things like food and medical necessities. Think of it as siege light. While I haven’t done a lot of heavy research into it, I have never thought our sanctions were...
Goodbye Internet →
So while it would hyperbole to say that letting cable companies charge more for high use applications, like streeaming video, is the end of freedom of speech, I just have to call foul on this.
As it says in the article, before this decision, things like Netflix and Hulu were seen as possible threats to the cable companies. It’s easy to see why when a full cable package can run you close to...
I'm not dead
So it has been a long time sine I posted anything hear. Some of it was personal stuff. Some of it was a crushing political depression brought on by what seemed like a torrent of bad congressional and presidential decisions. But I’m back and should soon be posting again.
Cheers.
September 2010
1 post
Could a Peanut Paste Called Plumpy'nut End... →
This stuff would be miraculous but, since there is a buck to made, I’m not expecting it to end up really helping starving children. Why not let it be produced in the countries that need it.
August 2010
7 posts
Gay Soldier’s Dad: ‘DADT documents on abuse he... →
This is a powerful letter by a father pleading for his son and others to be able to continue serving in the military. I recommend all give it a read.
On The First Amendment
Ever since grade school, I can remember folks saying something stupid or hurtful, and when you called them on it they’d respond, “This is a free country. I can say whatever I want.” And that is true, barring certain reasonable exceptions like yelling “Fire” in a crowded theater. But here is the thing: person X calling “bullshit” on what person Y said doesn’t violate person Y’s first amendment...
Let’s Play the Blame Game: The Civilian Casualties...
A mass of secret military communications was leaked via the whistle-blowing site Wikileaks. While trying to handle the story, Obama said “these documents don’t reveal any issues that haven’t already informed our public debate on Afghanistan.” Even is that is true the big problem has been that there really hasn’t been a robust public debate on the Afghan war in a long time,...
Afghan president to issue order on private... →
“Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to issue an order Tuesday demanding that all private security companies in Afghanistan cease operation within four months.” Now this could get interesting. Are we, as a nation, there to support a sovereign nation, or are the politicians just trying to make a buck for their friends at the expense of the American tax payer and the Afghan people?...
Watch: Protect Marriage, Protect Children,... →
So Prop 8 was struck down and the stay will end soonish (barring any bizarre legal shenanigans) but I’m sure the news wont stop there. But really if it goes to the Supreme Court and is, for some reason beyond my comprehension struck down, what next? Well the lovely folk at the New Civil Rights Movement pointed out one possible option—banning divorce. Enjoy.
Obama vs. Obama On Afghanistan: Who Wins? (VIDEO,... →
This articulates exactly why I’m so disappointed in Obama as a President. We got promises that never came to fruition. And I understand Republican obstructionism has delayed a lot but when you take his stance on the war and his very politically conservative debt commission into account, it’s enough to make a man wonder, “Did I somehow vote republican by mistake?”
Think Progress » Kansas lawmaker compares rape to... →
Do these idiots realize people are listening when they say stupid shit? Or do they not consider it stupid shit?
July 2010
8 posts
GE settles SEC charges on Iraq kickback scheme |... →
I wonder if anyone at MSNBC will cover such news? Maybe not considering GE owns substantial portions of that media outlet. This is the problem with corporate owned media. Even the most ethical journalist has a financial disincentive to report all the news.
NYC - Islamic Center Would Not Be ‘at’ Ground Zero... →
Apparently, when it comes down to fear-mongering, prepositions—just like facts—don’t really matter.
Florida church plans to burn Korans on 9/11... →
Best Quote from this post: “OK, so they’re going to burn Korans to show the Muslims they hate them, and they’re putting together a protest to show gays that they hate them. I’m having a little trouble understanding their ‘outreach’ theory.”
Cenk Uygur: Why Does Fox News Have More Power Than... →
“As we can all see now, when Fox says jump, the Obama administration asks how high? (Then jumps one inch less and considers it a progressive victory).”
Sad. So f**king sad, but so damn true. I agree with what Mr. Uygur has said several times on his show. I can’t see some sort of master strategy that Obama is playing at in his politics. All I see is someone who tries so hard to...
“We’ve got nuthin”: New video explains entire Prop... →
It’s the little things that bring me joy.
Obama to Outline New Strategy Against AIDS -... →
I’m saddened that this plan, at least according to this article, doesn’t include a more comprehensive sex ed and the death of abstinence-only sex education.
Sharron Angle's Advice For Rape Victims... →
… rape is a lemon …
In the great words of Jon Stewart, “Go F@$K yourself.”
2 tags
When Does A President Own His Presidency?
Again I shall shred all my liberal leftist cred when I say that I am beginning to agree with the commentators on the right. I have begun to grow tired of constantly blaming every problem Obama has on Bush. Granted, Bush did have eight years to simultaneously run the US economy and foreign policy/image into the ground with two unpopular and totally unfunded wars. (Afghanistan and Iraq are the first...
Oh, for f**k sake. My good news high couldn't even... →
Okay, what do the Republican’s not understand about Texas v. Lawrence. You can’t arrest ‘em for being gay. Get over it and move on.
West Virginians: 1 Wingnut Westboro: 0 →
I have gotten in some semi-heated arguments with folks on how I don’t think the Westboro Churches protests should be made illegal. And this is why. Good job West Virginia and Iowa. Problem trounced and not a freedom trampled.
June 2010
7 posts
Police Said to Taze Grandmother →
I think tazing granny for taking “a more aggressive posture in her bed” is just another example of how the Tazer has become many cops way of just shocking the hell out of anyone at the drop of a hat. How the hell do you take an aggressive posture while supine in bed? Is this a lack of proper training or the fact that the Tazer just makes it too easy?
I can already hear it now:...
Kagan Shifts on Disclosing Legal Views at Hearings... →
Color me totally not surprised. Why would we actually want to know how the members of our Supreme Court would actually rule?
1 tag
Some Palette Cleansing Good News
We now have a bionic cat. Talk about a fluff piece.
2 tags
We Need To Change How We Are Doing This
Do you all remember back in April when the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia collapsed killing 29 miners or the criminal investigation that followed? Is this the clean coal I have been hearing so much about? Even if you were able to capture all the carbon made from burning coal you still have to deal with the mining processes. We have mountain top removal, failed coal slurry retention, coal...
1 tag
Um, No
Because there have been several instances of police officers getting in trouble when their police brutality videos makes their way onto YouTube, several states are working on laws that would make it illegal to video tape officers on duty. The legal justification falls under the wire tapping law… I smell bullshit.
May 2010
3 posts
2 tags
A Glimpse Of Our Future?
So, since the 1981 assassination of President Anwar el-Sadat, Egypt has had on the books an “Emergency Law” which basically means that they can “arrest people without charge, detain prisoners indefinitely, limit freedom of expression and assembly, and maintain a special security court…”. All this in the name of combating terrorism and drug trafficking. But as any demonstrator in Egypt...
2 tags
The Standard Review: Gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... →
“[We] respect your obligation not to comment on certain matters but I hope that you will understand that in light of your lack of written record on major issues, it is our obligation in this hearing to attempt to insure that you do not prove as great a surprise to President Reagan as Earl Warren…
Lots To Say But Not A Lot Of Time
Very busy but all I can say is that out of the catastrophe that is the oil spigot in the Gulf of Mexico and the tragedy of the collapse of the Upper Big Branch Mine I hope we can salvage the realization that our energy policy and labor policy need a serious revision.
April 2010
14 posts
As Support Fades, Al-Qaida Shows Signs Of Decline... →
So does this mean we will be winding down our “War On Terror?” Probably not. The paranoia of the next 9/11 will be drummed up in the next election I’m sure.