MSNBC - Validation By Defeat: "homophobic, gun-obsessed, economically suicidal, antiscience, theocratic dunces"
Last week George Will chastised a small percentage of the Democratic Party for their stereotyping of Bush voters as “homophobic, gun-obsessed, economically suicidal, antiscience, theocratic dunces.”
While the pundits look to the war and moral values as the reason President Bush won the vote, the reality of the situation is that his reelection campaign started over ten years ago. At this time Conservative talk radio began it’s own four part campaign 1) proclaiming the victimization of Conservatives by Liberals, 2) splitting America into two parts, us (Conservatives) and them (Liberals) 3) stereotyping Liberals (i.e. big government loving, tree hugging, American hating, pacifist, etc.) and eventually 4) assigning any contrary argument as Liberal and not worthy of debate.
The point has been reached where Liberal is a dirty word and most self-identified Conservatives have no idea what it means to be a Conservative other than voting for a Republican. This process has been good for the Republican Party but bad for the country, bad for Conservative ideals and intellectually repulsive. After a decade Democrats are finally beginning to wise up and take their turn at flinging scum.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=4968&sequence=0
The big one this time around was how tort reform is going to reduce the outrageous cost of health care. According to this report put out by the Congressional Budget Office earlier this year, if they put a cap on damages and banned punitive damages, it would at best lead to a one half of one percent of a decrease in medical costs. That’s .5%
I figured out how much my company and I spend per year on medical insurance, deductibles, co-pays and even threw in aspirin and shit like that and came up with about $12,000. That means if tort reform takes affect I will save about $50.
Thank god Bush is looking out for me, the little guy.
The big one this time around was how tort reform is going to reduce the outrageous cost of health care. According to this report put out by the Congressional Budget Office earlier this year, if they put a cap on damages and banned punitive damages, it would at best lead to a one half of one percent of a decrease in medical costs. That’s .5%
I figured out how much my company and I spend per year on medical insurance, deductibles, co-pays and even threw in aspirin and shit like that and came up with about $12,000. That means if tort reform takes affect I will save about $50.
Thank god Bush is looking out for me, the little guy.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Trendy source of waste | csmonitor.com
A three fold increase in plastic bottles, since 1990, due primarily to bottles for drinking water. Why do people like bottled water? It is portable, cold and ready to go right out of the fridge. This is a great opportunity for Rubbermaid to sell clear (none of that nasty cloudy stuff) plastic water bottles that are dishwasher safe and come in a pack of six. They could sell it with a holder that you put in your car to store the empties until they are ready to be washed. When they come out of the dishwasher you can fill them up with filtered water and put them in the fridge.
Submitted idea to Rubbermaid on 10/27/04.
A three fold increase in plastic bottles, since 1990, due primarily to bottles for drinking water. Why do people like bottled water? It is portable, cold and ready to go right out of the fridge. This is a great opportunity for Rubbermaid to sell clear (none of that nasty cloudy stuff) plastic water bottles that are dishwasher safe and come in a pack of six. They could sell it with a holder that you put in your car to store the empties until they are ready to be washed. When they come out of the dishwasher you can fill them up with filtered water and put them in the fridge.
Submitted idea to Rubbermaid on 10/27/04.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Breaking free | csmonitor.com
The best thing the government could do to encourage development of alternate modes of transportation would be to increase the gas tax. Right now the current gas tax does not even cover the cost of building and maintaining roads. A tax increase would force the market to find more efficient ways to travel, which is far better than letting Congress try and guess what the future will be like through legislative grants. To keep the shock to the economy to a minimum the tax could be phased in over time and accompanied by a comparable across the board income tax cut.
The best thing the government could do to encourage development of alternate modes of transportation would be to increase the gas tax. Right now the current gas tax does not even cover the cost of building and maintaining roads. A tax increase would force the market to find more efficient ways to travel, which is far better than letting Congress try and guess what the future will be like through legislative grants. To keep the shock to the economy to a minimum the tax could be phased in over time and accompanied by a comparable across the board income tax cut.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
The New York Times > Arts > Television > TV Watch: No Jokes or Spin. It's Time (Gasp) to Talk.
Good for Jon Stewart and the rest of us. The idea that we should all line up on the right or the left is for politicians so they can get voted into office. We as citizens should argue on each issue independently.
Good for Jon Stewart and the rest of us. The idea that we should all line up on the right or the left is for politicians so they can get voted into office. We as citizens should argue on each issue independently.
Friday, July 30, 2004
Sony Walkman - Music to whose ears?
There has been a lot of talk recently about the I-Pod and how fast it is growing and how ubiquitous it is. I am in Pittsburgh and while I see an occasional I-Pod I don’t see any large phenomenon occurring.
After reading so much about them I thought how cool it would be to have one but it is really hard to justify spending $300 for something that would have such a limited use. Limited in the fact that I would almost have to go out of my way to listen to it, really when would I listen to it? At home I listen to radio or CDs on the stereo and when I am traveling I am in my car and listen to radio or CDs. It occurred to me that the phenomenon is really limited to three occasions: 1. when traveling on public transportation, 2. when walking or jogging, and 3. when used by an anti-social person (a kid) to listen to music instead of talking to those around them. Only the first two of these apply to people over 16 and in America they only really apply, in large numbers at least, in big cities with good public transportation areas like New York where you travel by bus or train for a distance till you reach your stop and then you have to walk for a bit. The rest of us in America drive everywhere. The media is so New York centric that they believe that what happens there is happening everywhere. For the rest of us there may be some use for the I-Pod yet if home and car stereos are created to use the I-Pod.
There has been a lot of talk recently about the I-Pod and how fast it is growing and how ubiquitous it is. I am in Pittsburgh and while I see an occasional I-Pod I don’t see any large phenomenon occurring.
After reading so much about them I thought how cool it would be to have one but it is really hard to justify spending $300 for something that would have such a limited use. Limited in the fact that I would almost have to go out of my way to listen to it, really when would I listen to it? At home I listen to radio or CDs on the stereo and when I am traveling I am in my car and listen to radio or CDs. It occurred to me that the phenomenon is really limited to three occasions: 1. when traveling on public transportation, 2. when walking or jogging, and 3. when used by an anti-social person (a kid) to listen to music instead of talking to those around them. Only the first two of these apply to people over 16 and in America they only really apply, in large numbers at least, in big cities with good public transportation areas like New York where you travel by bus or train for a distance till you reach your stop and then you have to walk for a bit. The rest of us in America drive everywhere. The media is so New York centric that they believe that what happens there is happening everywhere. For the rest of us there may be some use for the I-Pod yet if home and car stereos are created to use the I-Pod.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Friday, June 25, 2004
Friday, June 11, 2004
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Reagan to boot Hamilton from the $10 bill? - Jun. 8, 2004
I agree that Ronald Reagan should have something named after him, something much bigger than the $10 bill. How about "The Ronald Reagan United States Federal Deficit".
I agree that Ronald Reagan should have something named after him, something much bigger than the $10 bill. How about "The Ronald Reagan United States Federal Deficit".
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
For 9/11 probe, a key peek into Bush's mind | csmonitor.com
Absolutely ridiculous that Bush has to bring his "big brother" Dick Cheney along to the 9/11 hearings.
One can almost hear the conversation with his Mom
George: “Aw mom can't I go to the 9/11 hearings by myself.”
Mom (while smoothing his hair down on his head):“I certainly think that you will be able to handle that 9/11 commission all by yourself but your father just wants to make sure if that if anyone starts getting rough with you someone will be along to help. “
Absolutely ridiculous that Bush has to bring his "big brother" Dick Cheney along to the 9/11 hearings.
One can almost hear the conversation with his Mom
George: “Aw mom can't I go to the 9/11 hearings by myself.”
Mom (while smoothing his hair down on his head):“I certainly think that you will be able to handle that 9/11 commission all by yourself but your father just wants to make sure if that if anyone starts getting rough with you someone will be along to help. “
Monday, April 26, 2004
the american street: Atrios Has A Religion Problem
When Christians hoist their religion upon the rest of us they can’t seem to understand why we mind so much. It's like someone shoving a banana in your rear and when you complain they ask why you don’t like bananas. It isn’t the banana it’s where the banana is shoved that’s causing the problem.
Many Christians in America seem to not only have a problem separating church from State but they don’t even understand that there is a difference. If those that insist on putting Christianity into the public sector followed the simple rule of inserting Allah into every place they currently use the term God and replace Jesus with Muhammad, they might get a understanding of how non-Christians feel.
When Christians hoist their religion upon the rest of us they can’t seem to understand why we mind so much. It's like someone shoving a banana in your rear and when you complain they ask why you don’t like bananas. It isn’t the banana it’s where the banana is shoved that’s causing the problem.
Many Christians in America seem to not only have a problem separating church from State but they don’t even understand that there is a difference. If those that insist on putting Christianity into the public sector followed the simple rule of inserting Allah into every place they currently use the term God and replace Jesus with Muhammad, they might get a understanding of how non-Christians feel.
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
The New Yorker: The Critics: A Critic At Large: " Jacobs"
I first visited New York and Times Square as a 21 year old in the late 80’s. I stayed at a friends’ cousins’ apartment a few blocks from Times Square and we passed through it several times during our stay. The last time was at about three in the morning, freshly dropped off by a jitney who was clearly sent from heaven. He charged us a measly five dollars for the trip from Harlem, where all legitimate taxis feared to tread. As we walked through Times Square we were approached by a three-year-old boy, backed by his proud parents, who offered to sell us crack. His parents obviously thought that if the boy was caught he was a minor and could not be charged in the offense and at which point the police would have to give him back the crack and let him go home. It is this story that I tell when I tell a story about Times Square. During this time New York, for me at least, had a feeling of lawlessness. You could do as you wish and also be at the consequence of someone else doing as they wished.
A decade later I walked through New York with my wife and had my five-month old son strapped to my back. I had heard that Times Square had changed since my last trip a decade earlier but as I found myself approaching I began to re-think if I should be walking through there with my family. I soon found myself in the middle of what appeared to be a bigger, outdoor version of my local mall. The only danger was that of a potential trampling by theater ticket-hungry gray hairs.
It is hard to tell if New York had changed or my vision of it had changed. First viewed at nighttime through the drunken eyes of a 21 year-old and then viewed in the daytime as a 31 year-old parent.
I first visited New York and Times Square as a 21 year old in the late 80’s. I stayed at a friends’ cousins’ apartment a few blocks from Times Square and we passed through it several times during our stay. The last time was at about three in the morning, freshly dropped off by a jitney who was clearly sent from heaven. He charged us a measly five dollars for the trip from Harlem, where all legitimate taxis feared to tread. As we walked through Times Square we were approached by a three-year-old boy, backed by his proud parents, who offered to sell us crack. His parents obviously thought that if the boy was caught he was a minor and could not be charged in the offense and at which point the police would have to give him back the crack and let him go home. It is this story that I tell when I tell a story about Times Square. During this time New York, for me at least, had a feeling of lawlessness. You could do as you wish and also be at the consequence of someone else doing as they wished.
A decade later I walked through New York with my wife and had my five-month old son strapped to my back. I had heard that Times Square had changed since my last trip a decade earlier but as I found myself approaching I began to re-think if I should be walking through there with my family. I soon found myself in the middle of what appeared to be a bigger, outdoor version of my local mall. The only danger was that of a potential trampling by theater ticket-hungry gray hairs.
It is hard to tell if New York had changed or my vision of it had changed. First viewed at nighttime through the drunken eyes of a 21 year-old and then viewed in the daytime as a 31 year-old parent.
CNN.com - Bush challenges Kerry comments - Mar 16, 2004
While Kerry has a lot of balls to state that other government officials support his run for office without revealing these officials, the Bush administration had twice as much balls (four balls?) to demand that he should announce the names. From attendance at policy meetings to locations of WMD the Bush administration won't reveal anything unless you have a court order in your hand.
PRESS: Mr. President what did you have for lunch.
MCCLELLAN: It is important that the President be able to eat lunch and not have the details scrutinized in public.
While Kerry has a lot of balls to state that other government officials support his run for office without revealing these officials, the Bush administration had twice as much balls (four balls?) to demand that he should announce the names. From attendance at policy meetings to locations of WMD the Bush administration won't reveal anything unless you have a court order in your hand.
PRESS: Mr. President what did you have for lunch.
MCCLELLAN: It is important that the President be able to eat lunch and not have the details scrutinized in public.
Monday, March 15, 2004
Guardian Unlimited Books | Review | Homage to Catalonia:
"I knew Dali' only slightly - he held court at the St Regis in New York, where he favoured new acquaintances with foul gusts of the worst human breath I have ever smelt."
Robert Hughes on Salvador Dali' on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
"I knew Dali' only slightly - he held court at the St Regis in New York, where he favoured new acquaintances with foul gusts of the worst human breath I have ever smelt."
Robert Hughes on Salvador Dali' on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Salon.com News | Pakistan knew of nuclear black market
If this is true this puts the U.S. in quite a predicament. We invaded Iraq with the guess that they had WMD. If we find solid proof that Pakistan aided in the spreading nuclear weapons are we obligated to invade?
If this is true this puts the U.S. in quite a predicament. We invaded Iraq with the guess that they had WMD. If we find solid proof that Pakistan aided in the spreading nuclear weapons are we obligated to invade?
Friday, March 05, 2004
Salon.com News | Microsoft gadget keeps record of your life
My Palm Pilot has done untold damage to my memory, I rely on it incessantly. Can you imagine a camera that keeps track of every bit of your life down to the wine you drank. Conversation as we know it would cease and be replaced with people referencing through their life database to confirm exactly what happen. Eliminating all the fun.
My Palm Pilot has done untold damage to my memory, I rely on it incessantly. Can you imagine a camera that keeps track of every bit of your life down to the wine you drank. Conversation as we know it would cease and be replaced with people referencing through their life database to confirm exactly what happen. Eliminating all the fun.
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Quarantining dissent / How the Secret Service protects Bush from free speech
The article points at the Secret Service for keeping protesters away from the President. When in fact it looks like all they are doing is asking local authorities to keep protesters away. I would think that would fall under the jurisdiction of the local police and it should be up to them whether or not they do the Secret Service's bidding and all the constitutional fall out that comes from shutting down protest.
The article points at the Secret Service for keeping protesters away from the President. When in fact it looks like all they are doing is asking local authorities to keep protesters away. I would think that would fall under the jurisdiction of the local police and it should be up to them whether or not they do the Secret Service's bidding and all the constitutional fall out that comes from shutting down protest.
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