The Shit I Read
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Second Grade Online
Chad Gramling
Six Meat Buffet
Doug Masson
Mike Kole
3'O'Clock A.M.
Bartleby
Etc
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Tuesday, October 31, 2006
ALLOW ME TO BE THE FIRST
On behalf of all Republicans, Let me be one of the first to thank the Democratic Party for the gift that just keeps on givin'!
Right about now I imagine the only one more grateful for John is Tuhraaaaazzzzaaa......
TWO MORE REASONS FOR BABS TO STAY HOME
Concertgoer pelts Babs with beverage!
Miami Herald Staff Report
Barbra Streisand's politics didn't find a wholly agreeable crowd during her Monday concert at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise.
As Babs traded political barbs with a George W. Bush imitator, a fan of the songstress who apparently disagreed with her politics pelted her with a beverage. And as her anti-GOP riff ended, another man in the crowd found himself being escorted out of the center as he shouted at Streisand.
Streisand shrugged both incidents off, saying some people would do better to buy her records than come to her shows.
I really wish he would have left the beverage in the container, then thrown it at her...
yeeeeeesh
Monday, October 30, 2006
Happy Halloween! Evidently, the economic model that is Halloween in America is one that makes the economics buffs among us dry-heave!
At least according to Kevin Hassett, on Bloomberg.com:
When my kids get back from trick-or-treating, you can bet they will have countless candy bars of a variety that they never choose to consume on their own. For my money, the worst of these is the Charleston Chew. While Tootsie Roll Industries Inc., the company that makes this confectionary abomination, produces many delights and is a model American business, their Charleston Chew is a crime against dentistry.I thought that paragraph was funny, but more to the point of the article:
I guess that shoots my idea of gifting condoms and cigarettes to trick-or-treaters...I have never willingly purchased a Charleston Chew, and I'm not aware of ever observing anyone buying one for their own consumption. But rest assured, folks across America will be shoveling them into trick-or-treaters' bags.
Perhaps, you might say, it is just that people are taking the opportunity that Halloween offers to dispose of a menace. Rather than consume the Chews themselves, individuals foist them on unsuspecting youngsters.
But no, the Charleston Chew isn't the only problem. For every Chew my sons find in their trick-or-treat bags, there will be handfuls of tongue-slicing hard candies and bizarre mutations of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup never before seen.
The real problem is that the economics of Halloween is all wrong.
Give Them Money
Economists haven't adopted the vainglorious practice of physicists and applied numbers to their laws, but if they did, the first law of economics would be that lump-sum transfers are more economically efficient than in-kind transfers. If you are going to give a gift to somebody, you should just give them the money. They will be a better judge of the best way to spend it.
If instead, you give them a specific good, then you make them worse off, unless you somehow miraculously anticipate what the recipient would purchase if he received the money instead.
Big fun, big fun I tell ya.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Unfair Chinese Trade Practices
Today the AP reported the following:
This situation is one that needs more public debate. I have absolutely no idea why we continue to negotiate trade agreements that allow other countries to undervalue their currency. A true free market approach to trade requires each country's currency to float. When this occurs, the market can sort itself out because American imports would inevitably become cheaper while Chinese exports would become more expensive.
And yes I understand that immediately floating the Yuan could destabilize their economy, but they made that argument over 6 years ago and nothing has changed. Becoming an open market can be painful and if the Chinese want to become a true economic superpower then they must ultimately go down that road. But, in the meantime, the US shouldn't support agreements with China that don't hold them to free trade principles.
The other part of this story is one that I'm sure irritates every American - namely that the Chinese government has absolutely no respect for intellectual property rights. Over 75% of the counterfeit goods seized at our borders come from China. Ask anyone involved in manufacturing in China and they will tell you what a serious problem this really is.
In fact, I've spoken with Chinese immigrants I know and their reaction baffles me - they don't see it as any big deal. That's how prevalent and acceptable counterfeiting is within China. The average Chinese citizen sees nothing wrong with buying or selling counterfeit goods.
I'll be the first to admit that the US has probably gone overboard with intellectual property. Patents are now written as vaguely as possible and with so much legalese that even the inventor has a hard time following the patent submission. However, IP is extremely important to the future of the country. As manufacturing jobs go overseas we are working diligently to replace them with higher quality jobs. Many of these jobs create new products and ideas that will become the backbone of our new "information economy". Simply letting the Chinese government look the other way while their businesses reverse engineer (or blatantly copy) our products is unacceptable.
The US should immediately take its case to the WTO as well as revoke the permanent normalized trade relations status instituted by the Clinton administration. This would put us back to the situation where Congress would have to annually vote on whether or not to extend NTR to China.
The state department has too much control over international trade. Pursuing a fair trade agreement with China will most likely irritate them, make them angry and embarrass them. It will not, however, lead to WW3. The American worker can most certainly compete in a global economy and I am a strong believer in international trade. But the concept of "free trade" is overused in this country. Most of our trade agreements are not based on free trade principles.
The truth is that every country in the world needs our market. We can negotiate trade agreements that are fair to our own country. We could even use our economic strength to build other countries up by forcing them to go down the same path of civil and worker's rights we've chosen.
Whatever path you ultimately support the reality is that "stay the course" is no longer a viable international trade policy...
"A congressional advisory panel’s draft report is urging lawmakers to push for punitive action against China on two festering trade disputes: intellectual property protection and Washington’s view that China’s currency is undervalued."
This situation is one that needs more public debate. I have absolutely no idea why we continue to negotiate trade agreements that allow other countries to undervalue their currency. A true free market approach to trade requires each country's currency to float. When this occurs, the market can sort itself out because American imports would inevitably become cheaper while Chinese exports would become more expensive.
And yes I understand that immediately floating the Yuan could destabilize their economy, but they made that argument over 6 years ago and nothing has changed. Becoming an open market can be painful and if the Chinese want to become a true economic superpower then they must ultimately go down that road. But, in the meantime, the US shouldn't support agreements with China that don't hold them to free trade principles.
The other part of this story is one that I'm sure irritates every American - namely that the Chinese government has absolutely no respect for intellectual property rights. Over 75% of the counterfeit goods seized at our borders come from China. Ask anyone involved in manufacturing in China and they will tell you what a serious problem this really is.
In fact, I've spoken with Chinese immigrants I know and their reaction baffles me - they don't see it as any big deal. That's how prevalent and acceptable counterfeiting is within China. The average Chinese citizen sees nothing wrong with buying or selling counterfeit goods.
I'll be the first to admit that the US has probably gone overboard with intellectual property. Patents are now written as vaguely as possible and with so much legalese that even the inventor has a hard time following the patent submission. However, IP is extremely important to the future of the country. As manufacturing jobs go overseas we are working diligently to replace them with higher quality jobs. Many of these jobs create new products and ideas that will become the backbone of our new "information economy". Simply letting the Chinese government look the other way while their businesses reverse engineer (or blatantly copy) our products is unacceptable.
The US should immediately take its case to the WTO as well as revoke the permanent normalized trade relations status instituted by the Clinton administration. This would put us back to the situation where Congress would have to annually vote on whether or not to extend NTR to China.
The state department has too much control over international trade. Pursuing a fair trade agreement with China will most likely irritate them, make them angry and embarrass them. It will not, however, lead to WW3. The American worker can most certainly compete in a global economy and I am a strong believer in international trade. But the concept of "free trade" is overused in this country. Most of our trade agreements are not based on free trade principles.
The truth is that every country in the world needs our market. We can negotiate trade agreements that are fair to our own country. We could even use our economic strength to build other countries up by forcing them to go down the same path of civil and worker's rights we've chosen.
Whatever path you ultimately support the reality is that "stay the course" is no longer a viable international trade policy...
Next Monday
I have decided to start posting special announcements here that are of particular interest to me, and may be to other readers as well. I do pay a great deal of attention to micro/craft brewed beers, as some of you may have noticed in my past writing. There really are a fair amount of brew houses located in our region for both your travel and drinking enjoyment, and I have been amazed that my research has revealed many local or regional labels of which I had never heard. Anyway, to stop patting myself on the back and get to the point: I am going to post notifications of beer tasting events in our geographic region. I will not necessarily be attending all (or any) of these events, but I may. I am just passing on the information for any other beer enthusiasts.Monday, November 6
Jeremy Cowen will be showing off his line Hebrew Beers at Kahn's, Indianapolis.
When Jeremy Cowan founded Schmaltz Brewing he had no idea he’d be celebrating ten years of delicious beer and delicious shtick. Jeremy will be here to host a free tasting at the Kahn’s Keystone location for free from 5-7pm on Monday Nov. 6th. We will be featuring at least four beers from Schmaltz Brewing and possibly the newest batch of Jewbelation. I will definitely have the Messiah Bold, Genesis Ale, Genesis 10:10 & Lenny’s RIPA. Let’s hope the Jewbelation will make an appearance and we can raise all 5 ales to celebrate Hebrew’s success. I hope to see everyone in Indy attend and not miss this opportunity to sample some world class ales and meet one of the coolest guys in the industry. ~Ratebeer.com
Saturday, October 28, 2006
ANOTHER SOUTH PARK CLASSIC
KRIKEY! Don't miss this weeks classic South Park episode "Hell On Earth 2006." It pokes fun at the usual suspects as well as Steve Irwin. I think it's hilarious and I think he would enjoy it too.
Friday, October 27, 2006
I'M NOT ONE YET, BUT...........
This is by far one of the best quotes of the political season. Felix Aguilar is a 35 year old Libertarian running for the House of Representatives seat in District 50. The Urinal Gazette gives a short biography in r/e his political affiliation, to whit:
He was a Republican until 2000 and switched because "Republicans want to take my money and give it to rich people and Democrats want to take my money and give it to poor people. I just want to keep a little of my money."
That my friends is freakin' priceless!
He was a Republican until 2000 and switched because "Republicans want to take my money and give it to rich people and Democrats want to take my money and give it to poor people. I just want to keep a little of my money."
That my friends is freakin' priceless!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Classic Souderism:
From his closing comments on WANE TV's televised congressional debate:
"...our families are dying from meth."
Yeah, Marky Mark...our families are dying from old age, heart attacks, car accidents, lung cancer and a host of other problems...so why do you choose to be so goddamn picky about which of these evils the government should "fix?" Sorry, Mark, but although I find meth to be an absolute scourge, I find governmental overreach to be vastly more dangerous to millions of additional people.
"...our families are dying from meth."
Yeah, Marky Mark...our families are dying from old age, heart attacks, car accidents, lung cancer and a host of other problems...so why do you choose to be so goddamn picky about which of these evils the government should "fix?" Sorry, Mark, but although I find meth to be an absolute scourge, I find governmental overreach to be vastly more dangerous to millions of additional people.
That's Odd, I don't Recall That From Sunday School...
More from the WANE TV Souder v. Hayhurst debate:
Rep. Mark Souder (R[sort of]- IN): Jesus told me that internet gambling is the responsibility of the U.S. government to condemn and vilify.Uhhh, ok. Never read that passage myself. Yeah yeah, that was paraphrased too. So what's up with Souder's incessant blathering about prostitution lately? He sure has been talking about it a lot. I don't recall any major prostitution legislation, unless it was bundled with a defense budget or something like that.
And He Nails It!!!
More from the News Channel 15 debate from IPFW:
Hayhurst finally gets off his "I was a veteran" kick, just in time to put a spotlight on one of the most fallacious arguments that plague the annals of that which used to be the Republican Party: Abortion. I will paraphrase (I don't have a transcript yet):
Hayhurst finally gets off his "I was a veteran" kick, just in time to put a spotlight on one of the most fallacious arguments that plague the annals of that which used to be the Republican Party: Abortion. I will paraphrase (I don't have a transcript yet):
Hayhurst: "On this subject, my opponent completely abandons his professed conservative views, and says that he thinks the government should regulate and control the decisions of pregnant women."Absolutely dead-nuts accurate! Way to go, Doctor Tom. This is really the heart of the issue for me: So-called Republicans are acting like the professors and legislators of morality, which is just fascism in disguise. A REAL conservative is not concerned with the medical treatment, status or morality of others, they wish only to uninvolve the government from such things.
Irrelevant Self Congtratulation
Anybody else notice that Hayhurst started each of his debate segments by mentioning his military service? Hmmm....
"Let's talk about energy."
"As a Major in the U.S. Air Force, where I served when given the opportunity..."
OK, Doc, you made your point....
On a side note, Souder is a twit...
"Let's talk about energy."
"As a Major in the U.S. Air Force, where I served when given the opportunity..."
OK, Doc, you made your point....
On a side note, Souder is a twit...
Saturday, October 21, 2006
I laughed at this until I realized how disturbing it was. But hey, we let kids dress up like demons, Darth Vader, witches, etc....Unfortunately, those things are pretend, and this is just sick. Still, I do think it's funny on a very superficial level. Very superficial.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The Cart Ahead of the Horse, and Heading Off the Road
So, people are already editorializing much about the "First Hundred What-the-hell-ever," especially the lefty pundits. It's kinda funny, first they feign a cautious stance, and then spew forth a blueprint built mostly on fanciful, fairy tale-like potions, spells, smoke, and mirrors.
From today's Washington Post:
1. Spend spend spend.
Then, Mr. Meyerson makes a very interesting statement that just about had me puking up my lunch:
2. Give the Republicans a taste of their own medicine.
I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that "their constituents" should ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS take a front seat to their "financial backers" in whatever-the-fuck industry, whether it be pharmacal, oil, oatmeal, whatever. Fire all the bastards. But how exactly do the Dems think that they are going to accomplish this? We have seen for years that they will suck the dick of money with equal disregard for the concerns of their constituents as their Republican counterparts, so what makes anyone think that those laws will be repealed, just because one house or the other shifts to blue??? They won't be. The Dems will use the rules to their advantage, just because they've been getting spanked by them for a while. Mark my words.
Ugh.
Good for him. It's about time he sprouted some stones. His veto pen is vastly underused. He's been hiding behind an army of strawmen for quite some time though, it may be hard to find him.
3. Get out of Vietnam....err, Iraq (whatever, it's all the same war to these people).
4. The environment (I think):
Fancy that, more spending, and slather it with some regulation for an already struggling industry. Wow, that's some great stuff, isn't it? And of course Democrats have the balls to say that "Republicans are crushing the middle class." Hey, dickheads: What do you suppose happens when you morons start fucking with the industry that literally invented the American middle class? The middle class wouldn't exist as we know it without having big-ass automobile manufacturers.
I will note, however, that they also intend to allow the government to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutica manufacturers. Although I am opposed strictly to this on several philisophical levels, I figure what the hell, if the government is already up to it's ass in the medical industry, they might as well be able to negotiate some better. It might save me some money (and everyone else too). I absolutely hate the fact that I just said it, but if you're already dancing with the devil, you might as well take the lead, no?
Put a fork in me, I'm done.
From today's Washington Post:
OK, now the abrupt change in tone, since the author (Harold Meyerson) has already issued as much "assume nothing" warning as his gleeful, hand-wringing state of mind can muster. I have simplified this to plug the pieces into the same, tired-ass Democratic bullshit from their playbook that they've been using for 50 years.
Against their better judgment, the Democrats are starting to taste it. In the House, the number of Republican incumbents polling under 50 percent considerably exceeds the number of seats the Democrats need to pick up to make Nancy Pelosi speaker. Controlling the Senate depends on winning two of the contests in three Upper South states -- Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia -- that could go either way.
And then what? Putting a fleet of carts before a herd of horses, let's look at the legislation that the Democrats would push through the House and just maybe through the Senate. (Even if they win the upper house, of course, they'll still need the support of a number of Republicans to overcome a filibuster.)
1. Spend spend spend.
raising the minimum wage
[...]
replenishing student loan programs
[...]
funding stem cell research
[...]
implementing those recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission that have thus far languishedI, for one, am beside myself in astonishment. Democrats want to tax and spend? Didn't see that coming. I'm still trying to figure out where in the world anyone got the idea that funding stem cell research was the government's job. The public will get the same utility and benefit from the research no matter who funds it...and isn't it the job of the private sector to fund and perform research that inevitably will only add to their bottom line? Thought so.
Then, Mr. Meyerson makes a very interesting statement that just about had me puking up my lunch:
2. Give the Republicans a taste of their own medicine.
All these measures command massive popular support. The reason they've not been enacted is that House Republicans have passed rules making it impossible for the Democrats to offer amendments to any significant legislation, thereby sparing themselves the indignity of having to choose, say, between the interests of their financial backers in the drug industry and their constituents.
I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that "their constituents" should ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS take a front seat to their "financial backers" in whatever-the-fuck industry, whether it be pharmacal, oil, oatmeal, whatever. Fire all the bastards. But how exactly do the Dems think that they are going to accomplish this? We have seen for years that they will suck the dick of money with equal disregard for the concerns of their constituents as their Republican counterparts, so what makes anyone think that those laws will be repealed, just because one house or the other shifts to blue??? They won't be. The Dems will use the rules to their advantage, just because they've been getting spanked by them for a while. Mark my words.
Ugh.
Republicans will have to calculate the risks of filibustering such mom-and-apple-pie measures.How would one quantify such a measure? I haven't the faintest idea, but I guess they mean "government giveaways so big and all-encompassing that nobody could be opposed because everyone will be on the take." How sad. Why can't we just keep our money and use it for whatever we want instead of giving it to the Federal government and having them divvy it up, and give it back to us in whatever portions THEY choose?
Should they make it through both houses, many of these measures will face a presidential veto. George W. Bush has already vetoed stem cell legislation, and he has staunchly opposed raising the minimum wage since the day he entered politics.
Good for him. It's about time he sprouted some stones. His veto pen is vastly underused. He's been hiding behind an army of strawmen for quite some time though, it may be hard to find him.
3. Get out of Vietnam....err, Iraq (whatever, it's all the same war to these people).
Congress then could pass the kind of legislation it passed in the last years of the Vietnam War, stipulating the kinds of uses to which our military spending could -- and could not -- be put. At the same time, the ranking House Democrats in military matters -- Pennsylvania's John Murtha and Missouri's Ike Skelton -- might seek to increase the size of the Army, which the Iraq war has shown to be stretched to its limits.Seems an odd time to start talking about spending restraint, doesn't it? Oh, I get it!!! They will limit the scope of the military's activities, so that they can make the military bigger. That almost makes sense.
4. The environment (I think):
They will surely boost funding for alternative energy projects, which they see as a way not just to reduce greenhouse gases but to generate jobs as well. Many congressional Democrats also want to mandate stricter fuel efficiency standards, traditionally a cause that some auto-state Democrats have opposed, even though the Big Three's resistance to such standards is one reason their sales are plummeting.
Fancy that, more spending, and slather it with some regulation for an already struggling industry. Wow, that's some great stuff, isn't it? And of course Democrats have the balls to say that "Republicans are crushing the middle class." Hey, dickheads: What do you suppose happens when you morons start fucking with the industry that literally invented the American middle class? The middle class wouldn't exist as we know it without having big-ass automobile manufacturers.
I will note, however, that they also intend to allow the government to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutica manufacturers. Although I am opposed strictly to this on several philisophical levels, I figure what the hell, if the government is already up to it's ass in the medical industry, they might as well be able to negotiate some better. It might save me some money (and everyone else too). I absolutely hate the fact that I just said it, but if you're already dancing with the devil, you might as well take the lead, no?
Put a fork in me, I'm done.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Which Way Is Up?
Sylvester's pissed. He's pissed and he's right. I'm not even a Fort Wayne resident anymore, but the fact that I am in Fort Wayne every day, I wine and dine in Fort Wayne, my daughter is in school in Fort Wayne, and I do all of my grocery shopping in Allen County (and about 60% of it in Fort Wayne), I think entitles me to at least an opinion here, even if it is not that of an actual resident.Let me first say that I think the Riverfront Development idea is fine, as long as it's funded (at least in large part) by private dollars. I even think the cheap liquor licenses are a great idea...provided they are distributed universally within the city limits. If every business, existing and new gets the same treatment within the city limits, that's just ducky.
However, Mr. Sylvester notes the following paragraph from the News Sentinel:
Councilman Tom Smith, R-1st District, leans toward the proposal but only if the city establishes guidelines to select the best applicants, citing as examples businesses that would voluntarily be nonsmoking and not allow video gambling machines.To that I say horseshit! The whole idea that booze is splendid in exponentially increased quantites, yet smoke and gambling are still a "no-no," is absolutely preposterous. If you're gonna crawl up on your "moral" high-horse and spew bull-twaddle, then you best fleece yourself of all the hypocrisy prior to opening your fat trap. This whole thing reeks of bureaucratic tomfoolery.
Here's what it boils down to: Booze is good because every time someone buys one, the "little hand" of the government reaches in and swipes a small stipend from the sale. Restaurant owners as a whole are in a very taxable income bracket. The city council, although their hogwash would lead you to believe they care about you, your health, your "moral fiber" (whatever the hell that is), really just want your money so they can squander it on more garbage cans, new baseball stadiums, you know, pretty much whatever they can build or buy to act as a standing legacy...a testament to their commitment to public service.
The fact that these clowns wish to hand pick the objects of their benevolence is even more frustrating. Allowing the government to pick their favorites is a downright scandalous idea. Haven't we had enough of this constant spooning between government and private enterprise? Hasn't it caused enough perverse and unexpected consequences already?
Open your mouth and close your eyes, my fine Fort Wayne residents...hope you like the taste.
Just To Be Inflammatory...
I got an email forwarded to me that originated from a forward-deployed friend who is an Army Ranger, I'm not sure if he's in Iraq or Afghanistan...I guess it's irrelevant. It read as follows:
Drew:
i got this from doobie today!
----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: RIVER
Date: Oct 13, 2006 4:11 AM
so i think I got one last night. it was either me or my buddy Brandon, but i think it was me. Some of the guys who were there think it was me too. I guess we'll never know for sure. either way, the fucker is in hell now. HA
Great shooting, Doobie. Come home in one piece. We'll have your beer mug ready for you.
MySpace has claimed yet another victim...or more precisely, victims.It appears as if a bored 13-year-old girl (who should also be described as "crafty") has been victimizing innocent hopeful bands by posing as a powerful record executive in order to lure them to her home in Los Angeles (for free concerts in her basement w/ food and soft drinks). One such victimized band was Fonix Cat, who describe themselves as a neopunk-country band from Kansas City.
From BBSpot.com:
Fonix Cat bassist, Davin McLeod said, "Her profile was called 'sonymusicexec', how were we supposed to know it wasn't legit. I guess we should've realized she was a fake when she promised us free studio time and said she loved our music."Emphasis mine...but that statement really says a lot, doesn't it? I mean, seriously, neopunk-country????
The article continues:
Additionally, an anonymous REAL record executive chimed in on the topic with some hilarious commentary:Online band predators are such a big concern that the RIAA has created a website warning bands about the problem. The site gives a few warning signals that bands should watch out for:
- If you think the record executive is a "nice person" then you aren't dealing with a real executive. It's common knowledge that all record executives are assholes.
- If the contract you're being offered seems "fair" then you're dealing with an online band predator.
"I'm not surprised. Most of these bands are as dumb as dirt. They'll fall for anything. Anyway, most record executives I know are posing as thirteen year old girls on MySpace. Ironic don't you think?"Rimshot please!
It just makes me warm and fuzzy all over to know the train is coming down the tracks and this little prick has got his foot caught in the tracks.
You gotta believe in a little bit of karma, when you motherfuck all those around you, eventually you become the motherfuckee.
Couldn't happen to a nicer fellow.
No Ethics in the Republican Party Leadership
Is there ANYONE left in the leadership of the Republican Party w/ any credibility? Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, is the latest ethically-challenged Republican. See back in March, in an interview w/ Vanity Fair, Mehlman suggested he really didn’t know Jack Abramoff – the now convicted felon Republican lobbyist.
"Abramoff is someone who we don't know a lot about. We know what we read in the paper."
Of course everybody knew that was a crock. Vanity Fair reported in the same piece that they found e-mails showing he’d been in contact with Abramoff, had done him political favors, and even picked up his dinner tab at a restaurant called Signatures. It takes a lot of gall to stand up there and lie about your communications with people in this day in age. I’m not sure what made him think he could get away with it.
In an interview with the LA Times, Mehlman finally admits that he knew Jack Abramoff.
"I was a gateway," Mehlman said in an interview. "It was my job to talk to political supporters, to hear their requests, and hand them on to policymakers."Mehlman said he had known Abramoff since the mid-1990s and would listen to his requests along with those of other influential Republicans."I know Jack," Mehlman said. "I certainly recall that if he and others wanted to meet I would have met with them, as I would have met with lots of people."
Of course he doesn’t apologize for his lies or behavior. In today’s Republican Party this is business as usual. There is no accountability. I have a feeling that Mehlman’s days are numbered. The GOP will most likely lose their battle to keep the House and there’s about a 50-50 chance at this point that they’ll lose the Senate. Mehlman will become the scapegoat. He’ll be thrown out and rightfully so – but not because his party lost the election. He should be thrown out because he has no ethical standards and the Republican Party should strive to do better than him.
Is there any surprise that our local Republican party have ethical issues when people like Ken Mehlman are in leadership positions?
Monday, October 16, 2006
Wal Mart Bitch-Slaps the RIAA: Well Played!
Let's face it, Wal Mart is sadly one of the icons of our society. They sell millions of truckloads of cut-rate bullshit to trailer-dwellers (and plenty of other folks too) all over the world, every single day. They hold the unique power to strip the prestige from any product on the market with their bouncing, yellow happy face and their droves of underpaid, underappreciated and unhappy employees. They can make or break a supplier or competitor at their whim, and tend to do so with great regularity, followed by the din of applause signifying the gleeful approval of their shareholders.I'm not a Wal-Mart fan. They (the corporate shepherds, not necessarily the local employees) essentially rape and pillage every market they enter, and then like a symbiotic parasite, make that market dependent on their existence. It's a vicious process, and I've witnessed many casualties of the Wal-Mart machine. I could literally go on for hours, detailing with great specificity the way that Wal-Mart screws over people and companies alike, but today I have a different topic...one in which The Beast has turned its claws on another of my shit-list dwellers: The RIAA.
Here's the skinny: Wal Mart single-handedly accounts for about 20% of the music industry's record sales every year. Wal Mart doesn't make a dime shilling all those records, because they consider it loss-leader. Last year, the RIAA got absolutely crushed by a Federal lawsuit, wherin the Feds discovered that the record industry had set forth a MAP program (Minimum Advertised Pricing), which is, to wit, price fixing. This basically means that the industry as a whole was dicking not only the retailers and distributors, but also the consumers. Now MAP guidelines are perfectly legal when undertaken by individual companies. Take consumer electronics, for example. Every electronics company has the ability to set their prices wherever they want them, and if retailers advertise prices below those marks, they can lose cooperative advertising dollars, freight incentives and a host of other factory-direct perks. Now when an entire industry decides that they wish to do this, it's called collusion, because price fixing is illegal on that kind of a scale.
Evidently, Wal Mart has had more than enough of the RIAA's shenanigans. They have now made a less than subtle request of the RIAA to get the wholesale prices on CD's low enough so that they can turn a small profit on an album at an unspecified price point somewhere south of $9. What extraordinary balls Wal Mart has! I'm just happy that THIS time, they are using their clout for good instead of evil.
If this happens and CD sales go up, then it'll be yet more proof that the folks who're responsible for the current state of the music industry are myopic fools who should be tarred and feathered, or forced to watch MTV for a few hours, or some other such horrible punishment.
Check out the details at www.arstechnica.com.
www.radaronline.com has announced the 10 Dumbest Congressmen List for our amusement. I don't want to be a total spoiler, but somehow I think everybody already knows that Patrick Kennedy made the list...
Click here to check out the rest of the award-winning jackasses.
My favorite quote from the list is directly from the lips of one Donald Young (R-AK):
On a particular rant about how the Federal Government wastes money, Young mentions specifically the The National Endowment for the Arts, for example, funds art involving "people doing offensive things ... things that are absolutely ridiculous." One student asks, "Like what?"
Hope you all enjoy the list.
Click here to check out the rest of the award-winning jackasses.
My favorite quote from the list is directly from the lips of one Donald Young (R-AK):
On a particular rant about how the Federal Government wastes money, Young mentions specifically the The National Endowment for the Arts, for example, funds art involving "people doing offensive things ... things that are absolutely ridiculous." One student asks, "Like what?"
Keep in mind, this is the same guy who tried to porkbarrel a shitpile of money for the infamous "bridge to nowhere" that we discussed here at The Record back in July of this year.
"Buttfucking," replies the great scourge of obscenity and instructor of youth.
Hope you all enjoy the list.
Interesting Possibilities
George H.W. Bush and Rev. Sun Myung Moon (founder of the Washington Times) are buddies. Go ahead, Google it. You'll find countless references to the odd pair of gents swapping political saliva and cash in some seriously scary circumstancs.
Rev. Moon has purchased some South American land...in Paraguay to be precise.
And I just called more attention to it, with my emphasis via bold print.
In another article, this time from www.infobae.com from today even speculates that it may be a ploy to construct a U.S. military base. I wouldn't go so far as to speculate toward the intentions of Mr. Bush here, but I will say that Paraguay seems an interesting place to build a retirement villa, especially considering Bush's relative lack of popularity in the region.
I have a feeling I will be reading a lot more about this bizarre turn of events. What I see developing is a massive land-grab circle jerk transpiring on foreign soil, in what many believe to be the next "Middle East." C'mon, all you conspiracy theory whackos....I know you can lend some pertinent drivel to the discourse here...
Rev. Moon has purchased some South American land...in Paraguay to be precise.
More recently, Moon has been buying large tracts of agricultural lands in Paraguay. La Nacion reported that Moon had discussed these business ventures with Paraguay's ex-dictator Alfredo Stroessner. [Nov. 19, 1996]Now, today's news out of Buenos Aires is that Dubya has purchased almost 100k acres in northern Paraguay. That's a lot of land.
D Elia considered this Bush step counterproductive for the regional power expressed by Presidents Nestor Kirchner, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Evo Morales, Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro.Hmmm, Castro and Chavez. The plot thickens. Now, how this all works back to Rev. Moon, I haven't the slightest idea. I have a lot more reading to do. All I know is, there are some creepy goings on afoot.
[D Elia] said that "it is a bad signal that the Bushfamily is doing business with natural resources linked to the future of MERCOSUR."
The official pointed out that this situation could cause a hypothetical conflict of all the armies in the region, and called attention to the Bush family habit of associating business and politics.
And I just called more attention to it, with my emphasis via bold print.
In another article, this time from www.infobae.com from today even speculates that it may be a ploy to construct a U.S. military base. I wouldn't go so far as to speculate toward the intentions of Mr. Bush here, but I will say that Paraguay seems an interesting place to build a retirement villa, especially considering Bush's relative lack of popularity in the region.
I have a feeling I will be reading a lot more about this bizarre turn of events. What I see developing is a massive land-grab circle jerk transpiring on foreign soil, in what many believe to be the next "Middle East." C'mon, all you conspiracy theory whackos....I know you can lend some pertinent drivel to the discourse here...
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Busting Up A Monopoly...Or Not
Let's take a brief look at Central America. I don't think we spend nearly enough time (as a society) talking about our Spanish speaking brothers and sisters to the south, and for a variety of reasons, most of them bad. I do understand that illegal immigration from these nations is a real hot-button issue for a lot of folks right now, but I'm not one of them. We have better things to worry about than which poor people we need to beat up and ship out on which days. Actually, I'd rather talk today, not about the Central Americans who are headed this way, but rather the ones who continue to live and thrive in their own countries. I, for one, absolutely adore Central America. I realize that the third-worldiness of the joint really ruins it for some of the elitist pigs in our midst, but I find nothing more fascinating than to realize that a mere two-day drive from here, you can be in
places so remote and isolated that they have been damn near unchanged by the passage of the last century, almost as if driving into another world.WARNING: I am not recommending, nor condoning a road trip to southern Mexico or beyond. If you really must drive to Mexico, don't go any farther than TJ. If you do, you will likely lose your car, your wife/girlfriend/daughter, your pants, most certainly your money, and possibly your life. Although there are portions of Central America that are warm and inviting (read: they love tourism dollars, especially if they have dead American presidents' faces on them), but there are others that, well, let's just say that there are real, live revolutionaries who live in the jungle, carry machine guns and shoot other people with regularity. It's often been asked, "if a tree falls in the woods, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" The same point could easily be made of an AK-47 unloading on a car full of lost gringos.
OK, now to my original point...since I got somewhat distracted. Nicaragua has decided to pry Panama's fingers loose from death-grip they've had on the Central American freight business...they're building a canal. It does appear as if they are doing somewhat of a bait and switch routine for the benefit of the pensive Panamanians, though.
See...there it is...the old "Who ME? Compete with YOU, naaaaaah......"Panama is due to vote in three weeks on whether to expand its own canal, to let larger ships pass and cut queues.
Nicaragua sought to play down fears its canal would compete for the same trade.
They're lying, folks. Bigger than shit, they are lying. They would absolutely love it if every ship that was headed for the Panama Canal would detour through the
beautiful Nicaraguan wilderness. Here's my guess: they'll do it right. They will build a nicer, faster, bigger, better and cheaper route from east to west (and vice versa), and EVERYONE will start using it. Remember that little note earlier about the Panamanians voting in three weeks to expand their own canal? Yeah, if they don't, they're screwed. I've got ten bucks that says they not only approve the expansion project, but they will also begin taking bids almost immediately, with groundbreaking not far behind.Now, in an ideal world, if capitalism were left to do its job unhindered, this would create a price war that would have the Hyundai shipyards on the Korean coast upping their barge production to meet the immediatly swelling demand. However, this scenario will play out in a far-from-consumer-friendly way....at first. You see, business in Central and South America is not handled in the fashion we do here. Here's how it works:
In the U.S., companies find loopholes in laws, precedents and any other means by which to fuck-over consumers, employees and competitors alike. Sometimes they go too far, and they get a slap in the mouth from Uncle Sam. In Central and South America, companies do whatever they want, and if they get caught, they will usually just non-chalantly slide the prosecutor, judge, police or whoever a big stack of cash to insure that the laws are "properly applied."
So, what, you may ask, does this have to do with Nicaragua's new canal? Well, I only wanted to illustrate how the governments of Central and South America feed the corruption, if not instigate it...which leads us right back to the canal issue. How long do you suppose it will take for Panama to sleaze their way into "negotiations" (read: collusion) with Nicaragua to determine their most profitable arrangement with respect to rates, tolls etcetera? And after that, how long do you suppose it will be until the
private freight carriers sleaze their way into a clandestine bidding war to see which of the two canals will be getting their business?Oh well, just the wheels of industry turning, right? Wrong. You are now visualizing what happens when a government is allowed to freely interact with and/or against private enterprise. Ugly, isn't it? Now let's go socialize medicine....
Saturday, October 14, 2006
AP Headline in the Saturday Journal Gazette: "Local entities get 1st Major payment"...............
One would assume from the headline this is a story about local governments and how much money they are receiving from Major Moves. In the beginning the writer sticks to that premise, but by the 6th paragraph it becomes apparent this story is not worth telling with out slipping in the Democratic knife throwing of Indianas' favorite "Hair Club For Men" client, the Honorable Pat Bauer.
"But House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, said road funding has occurred in the past without leasing the Toll Road. He said the Daniels administration is desperate to justify the “sale of a major public asset.”
This tool uses the word "sale" over and over again (whenever his pie hole is open) knowing full well it is intellectually dishonest as he knows nothing was sold.
The Traficant look alike goes on : “I can hear it now: ‘This windfall is coming your way only because of Major Moves and our sale of the Indiana Toll Road."
Factually dishonest, morally bankrupt and blatantly misleading, your democratic leadership.
What a putz
One would assume from the headline this is a story about local governments and how much money they are receiving from Major Moves. In the beginning the writer sticks to that premise, but by the 6th paragraph it becomes apparent this story is not worth telling with out slipping in the Democratic knife throwing of Indianas' favorite "Hair Club For Men" client, the Honorable Pat Bauer.
"But House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, said road funding has occurred in the past without leasing the Toll Road. He said the Daniels administration is desperate to justify the “sale of a major public asset.”
This tool uses the word "sale" over and over again (whenever his pie hole is open) knowing full well it is intellectually dishonest as he knows nothing was sold.
The Traficant look alike goes on : “I can hear it now: ‘This windfall is coming your way only because of Major Moves and our sale of the Indiana Toll Road."
Factually dishonest, morally bankrupt and blatantly misleading, your democratic leadership.
What a putz
THIS TIME I GOT IT!!!
I am SOOOOOOO sorry, I had the nominees completely mixed up. I had been relying on the photos only, and as it turns out the nominee for The Nobel Peace Prize was in fact Cindy Sheehan (pictured at left) the famous mother of fallen soldier Casey Sheehan.
Friday, October 13, 2006
RETRACTION!
THE PREVIOUS POST REFERENCING THE NOMINATION OF THE LATE WALTER MATTHAU FOR THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WAS INCORRECT. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COMEDIC ACTOR JEFF DANIELS PICTURED HERE.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
NOBEL PRIZE NOMINEE ANNOUNCED
The Nobel Prize Selection Committee appears poised to honorthe late Walter Matthau (pictured at left) with this years' Nobel Peace Prize.
Our sincere congratulations!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
IT AIN'T PERFECT BUT IT'S STILL A BETTER CHOICE
Like many of you, I'm mad as hell that ALL politicians so carelessly spend our money. I think the republicans have absolutley lost their freakin' minds in ONE respect. That is spending. I'm not happy about it, I want it changed, and I want it changed soon!
While the current policies have blown gazillions of dollars on stupid shit, the other parts of the administrations' economic policy have worked well. Taxes are lower but revenues are at record levels, undeniable proof that the tax cuts the democrats want so badly to rescind are in fact, working as expected!
I may be pissed about the spending part, but I'd rather keep these republican whistledicks in office and MAKE them not spend, than take a chance on the party of Reid, Kennedy, Pelosi, Kerry, Rangle, Schumer etc.
I know it sucks to have to pick the lesser of two evils, but if we let the democrats take over, not only will our security be at risk, but our economic health will go right down the proverbial shitter....
Republicans may not be exactly WHAT you want, but I can promise you the democrats are exactly what you DON'T want.
While the current policies have blown gazillions of dollars on stupid shit, the other parts of the administrations' economic policy have worked well. Taxes are lower but revenues are at record levels, undeniable proof that the tax cuts the democrats want so badly to rescind are in fact, working as expected!
I may be pissed about the spending part, but I'd rather keep these republican whistledicks in office and MAKE them not spend, than take a chance on the party of Reid, Kennedy, Pelosi, Kerry, Rangle, Schumer etc.
I know it sucks to have to pick the lesser of two evils, but if we let the democrats take over, not only will our security be at risk, but our economic health will go right down the proverbial shitter....
Republicans may not be exactly WHAT you want, but I can promise you the democrats are exactly what you DON'T want.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
The Hypocrisy of the Bush Administration’s War on Terror
Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of the tragic midair bombing of Cubana Flight 455 that killed all 73 passengers on board the aircraft. There can be no doubt this was an act of terrorism and those involved should be brought to justice. The unfortunate part is that not only does the Bush administration KNOW who committed this terrorist act they also have him in custody and REFUSE to extradite him to stand trial and be brought to justice.
Luis Posada Carriles was an anti-Castro, Cuban CIA agent of operational interest throughout the 60’s. The CIA’s own declassified report shows that Carriles was the mastermind behind the bombing. He was subsequently jailed in Venezuela for his actions in the bombing but escaped in 1985.
In early 2005 he snuck into the US via Miami and sought political asylum. He was subsequently arrested for immigration violations but has not been labeled a terrorist and the Bush administration has stalled extradition requests from Venezuela and Cuba for over a year (if they refused them then he would have to stand trial here). This administration has been frantically looking for some other country to extradite him to but there are no takers.
Recently, a federal magistrate has ruled that the Justice Department must put him on trial, label him a terrorist, or set him free. To date, Alberto Gonzalez has done nothing. Perhaps the President and the Attorney General would be wise to listen to their own statements – “if you harbor terrorists, you are just as guilty as the terrorists”.
Ask yourself how you might feel if Venezuela and/or Cuba were blatantly harboring a know 9/11 mastermind and refusing to extradite him to the US while simultaneously not making him stand trial. The President and the Attorney General should immediately extradite Carriles for perpetrating the worst act of terrorism ever committed in Latin America and end their hypocrisy in the war on terror.
Holy Moly....Another story about detainee abuse. Who'd a thunk it? Here comes another front page news cycle portraying the U.S. as the abuser of millions. I defy anyone to find an article about this that brings up out these simple observations.
1. Five soldiers in a bar swapping stories...everyone knows guys NEVER exaggerate or make things up while drinking with their buddies.
2. Is it possible the one Marine Sergeant who makes the claim may have an agenda?
3. In any detention facility/prison in the WORLD will there be a small percentage of people working that are sadistic, cruel misfits? Of course there are.
Get ready for this to be blown way out of proportion by the usual suspects.....
1. Five soldiers in a bar swapping stories...everyone knows guys NEVER exaggerate or make things up while drinking with their buddies.
2. Is it possible the one Marine Sergeant who makes the claim may have an agenda?
3. In any detention facility/prison in the WORLD will there be a small percentage of people working that are sadistic, cruel misfits? Of course there are.
Get ready for this to be blown way out of proportion by the usual suspects.....
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Disturbing, but unsurprising...
This has got me a little wound up. Evidently, the scholars at Indiana University have really dug into some groundbreaking stuff here, comparing a comedy-based cable program with "real" news.
The results were a little amusing, in that they seem to indicate that The Daily Show is every bit as substantive as bona-fide news programming from several different "credible" sources (and since I'm a born cynic, you know I'm using credible in the loosest way).
Here's the kicker:
I'll bet they burned up a big chunk of Federal grant money studying this too.
Only in America.
The results were a little amusing, in that they seem to indicate that The Daily Show is every bit as substantive as bona-fide news programming from several different "credible" sources (and since I'm a born cynic, you know I'm using credible in the loosest way).
Here's the kicker:
Is it time to tune out World News Tonight and tune into The Daily Show? Professor Fox doesn't think so, saying that "we should probably be concerned about both of those sources, because neither one is particularly substantive. It's a bottom-line industry and ratings-driven. We live in an 'infotainment' society, and there certainly are a number of other sources available."Gee, that's just great. Comedy Central is now broadcasting a "News Program" with every bit the substance and credibility of the big name brands (which is still a virtual information vacuum). OK, so where exactly are we supposed to get our news, if not from these jokers? The good Professor doesn't say, but I'll just keep listening to NPR. They are so exhaustive in their coverage of even the most trivial and mundane of topic matter that I can't imagine I'm walking away uninformed.
I'll bet they burned up a big chunk of Federal grant money studying this too.
Only in America.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Oof.
OK, so they tell me that I am 30 years old today. Hmm...not really a very remarkable day if you ask me. No fireworks, I cooked my own dinner (my lovely wife had class), no free shots of booze, my kids were still a pain in the drawers...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not griping, not even remotely. I will, however, say that if I had any idea that I would live this long I would have taken better care of myself.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore warned hundreds of U.N. diplomats and staff on Thursday evening about the perils of climate change, claiming: Cigarette smoking is a "significant contributor to global warming!"
I wasn't sure, so I re-read that last line about 5 times, and yes Big Al say's cigarettes are a significant contributor to global warming. That is probably one of the DUMBEST things I have heard ANYONE say. Even Al Gore. Where in the hell are his handlers and speechwriters? Why in the hell didn't he check with at least an 8th grade science student before opening his big mouth? And the dems think he's Presidential material? Holy shit.....
For anybody who might have been "on the fence" regarding the mentality of Al Gore, this ought to make it simple to draw the correct conclusion. He's a frickin' idiot.
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