June 17, 2007
June 16, 2007
June 15, 2007
June 14, 2007
June 13, 2007
Regularly Scheduled Program
So for a few days there I was off my usual news junky fix, and remained blissfully ignorant of what was going on in the world.
Apparently, much like the viewers of Fox News on a regular basis.
So it looks like the immigration bill is dieing fast and hard. It was a mixed package and thus parts deserved to die and parts deserved to live, but the important thing is that this is just one more indication that Bush's political capital is gone, gone, gone.
I think that Paris Hilton should be released and then dragged back to jail every few days just for the entertainment value.
Oh and we are still screwed in Iraq. That has not changed in the last few days.
Apparently, much like the viewers of Fox News on a regular basis.
So it looks like the immigration bill is dieing fast and hard. It was a mixed package and thus parts deserved to die and parts deserved to live, but the important thing is that this is just one more indication that Bush's political capital is gone, gone, gone.
I think that Paris Hilton should be released and then dragged back to jail every few days just for the entertainment value.
Oh and we are still screwed in Iraq. That has not changed in the last few days.
June 12, 2007
Boy My Arms are Tired
Notes from Vegas:
Do you know what the World Series of Poker sounds like? Thousands and thousands of players all playing with their chips. A vast clicking sound.
California is making me soft with regards to cigarette smoke.
Working girls are kind of hard to spot.
Turns out I can survive three days without the Internet.
Seats at the buffet at the Bellagio are closed at 10:00 and they take the food away at 10:45. So you may worry about getting your 30 bucks worth of food. Don't worry, its turns out its more than possible to eat 60 dollars worth of crab legs in the first 10 minuets.
Do you know what the World Series of Poker sounds like? Thousands and thousands of players all playing with their chips. A vast clicking sound.
California is making me soft with regards to cigarette smoke.
Working girls are kind of hard to spot.
Turns out I can survive three days without the Internet.
Seats at the buffet at the Bellagio are closed at 10:00 and they take the food away at 10:45. So you may worry about getting your 30 bucks worth of food. Don't worry, its turns out its more than possible to eat 60 dollars worth of crab legs in the first 10 minuets.
June 7, 2007
June 6, 2007
June 5, 2007
Race!
Obama and Clinton are for all intents and purposes, in a complete tie in the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.
Curses!
The courts just buggered the FCC attempt to crack down on indecency. And i just love the reasons cited for the ruling:
But the judges said vulgar words are just as often used out of frustration or excitement, and not to convey any broader obscene meaning. “In recent times even the top leaders of our government have used variants of these expletives in a manner that no reasonable person would believe referenced sexual or excretory organs or activities.”
Adopting an argument made by lawyers for NBC, the judges then cited examples in which Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney had used the same language that would be penalized under the policy. Mr. Bush was caught on videotape last July using a common vulgarity that the commission finds objectionable in a conversation with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain. Three years ago, Mr. Cheney was widely reported to have muttered an angry obscene version of “get lost” to Senator Patrick Leahy on the floor of the United States Senate.
That's right, because the President and Vice-President cuss, it is now safe for the rest of us (the peon, like Bono) to cuss as well. Thanks to this Administration, we are now a more vulgur nation.
Thank you Mr. President.
But the judges said vulgar words are just as often used out of frustration or excitement, and not to convey any broader obscene meaning. “In recent times even the top leaders of our government have used variants of these expletives in a manner that no reasonable person would believe referenced sexual or excretory organs or activities.”
Adopting an argument made by lawyers for NBC, the judges then cited examples in which Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney had used the same language that would be penalized under the policy. Mr. Bush was caught on videotape last July using a common vulgarity that the commission finds objectionable in a conversation with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain. Three years ago, Mr. Cheney was widely reported to have muttered an angry obscene version of “get lost” to Senator Patrick Leahy on the floor of the United States Senate.
That's right, because the President and Vice-President cuss, it is now safe for the rest of us (the peon, like Bono) to cuss as well. Thanks to this Administration, we are now a more vulgur nation.
Thank you Mr. President.
June 4, 2007
Death Surge
14 U.S. deaths over the weekend. The "surge" is not just an increase in troops, but a change in tactics that is resulting in more casualties.
June 2, 2007
June 1, 2007
Tough Times
How rough is it for Republicans these days?
The Republican National Committee has fired all 65 of its telephone solicitors. So finally those non-stop calls I keep getting from the RNC will finally stop.
Link via TPM.
The Republican National Committee has fired all 65 of its telephone solicitors. So finally those non-stop calls I keep getting from the RNC will finally stop.
Link via TPM.
May 31, 2007
Welcome
To Crazytown:
At the Creation exhibit, two young T. rexes peacefully watch fish swim in a placid pond. Two curly-haired robotic kids play nearby. In any other place, this would be the setup for a massacre. But this pre-Noah's-flood Jurassic Park is benign. The animals are vegetarians and plants don't have thorns. The fossil record, says the museum, confirms all of this.
Mark Looy, co-founder of Answers in Genesis, is walking me through the museum. He explains that the great flood is responsible for the fossil record. Plants and animals are distributed in different strata based not on the time of their formation, but on where the flood waters moved them before receding. Those areas where no thorns or other defensive or hostile plants are found, he explains, are pre-flood forms.
Thats right, the Creation Museum
At the Creation exhibit, two young T. rexes peacefully watch fish swim in a placid pond. Two curly-haired robotic kids play nearby. In any other place, this would be the setup for a massacre. But this pre-Noah's-flood Jurassic Park is benign. The animals are vegetarians and plants don't have thorns. The fossil record, says the museum, confirms all of this.
Mark Looy, co-founder of Answers in Genesis, is walking me through the museum. He explains that the great flood is responsible for the fossil record. Plants and animals are distributed in different strata based not on the time of their formation, but on where the flood waters moved them before receding. Those areas where no thorns or other defensive or hostile plants are found, he explains, are pre-flood forms.
Thats right, the Creation Museum
May 30, 2007
May 29, 2007
Real Life: Such a Disappointment
So the first honest-to-God Cyberattack has taken place in Estonia, of all places.
But compared to the supercool cyberattacks that were promised us in the novels of William Gibson, the real thing seems a bit of a letdown.
But compared to the supercool cyberattacks that were promised us in the novels of William Gibson, the real thing seems a bit of a letdown.
Low Standards
OK, so the Miss Universe has no talent competition, so basically all a contestant has to do is put on an evening gown and a bikini and walk around. Apparently that was too much for Miss USA Rachel Smith, who slipped and fell on her ass during the evening gown "competition" Once again our international standing takes a hit. Miss USA still managed a fourth place finish which really does make you wonder about world beauty contestant standards.
May 28, 2007
May 27, 2007
May 26, 2007
May 25, 2007
May 24, 2007
Party Planning Note
Anyone going to Vegas but not getting an e-mail last night get in touch. Get yourself in the loop.
Whack a Braveheart
Alex Massie, spurred by the fact that Randall Wallace is going to be doing a movie out of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged (Staring Angelina Jolie! Talk about a libertarian wet dream.) to give Braveheart the serious whacking it deserves.
My personal favorite Braveheart crime against history was staging the Battle of Stirling Bridge without the bridge. That's like leaving the beach out of the D-Day invasion or taking the crossing of the Delaware River out of the Battle of Trenton.
My personal favorite Braveheart crime against history was staging the Battle of Stirling Bridge without the bridge. That's like leaving the beach out of the D-Day invasion or taking the crossing of the Delaware River out of the Battle of Trenton.
May 23, 2007
Not Over
So the Dems have decided to drop troop-withdrawal deadlines from the emergency Iraq funding bill. They had enough votes to pass it (and did) but not enough votes to overcome Bush's veto. So the simple truth is unless a significant number of Republican come over to the pro-withdrawal side, there is no stopping this war this way. Its not over however. Dems in Congress have lots of other ways to put pressure on the Administration and will do so.
May 22, 2007
Trails
I may never need to go see the actual movie, the trailers are so much fun.
Its like getting my childhood back, two minutes at a time.
Its like getting my childhood back, two minutes at a time.
Game Review: Lord of the Rings Online: Shadow of Agmar
Ah multi-player online games. Big, fun and complete and total time-sucks. Where free hours go to die. The reason I haven’t been able to solve either the Health Care or immigration crisis this week is due to taking Lord of the Rings Online out for a spin. What a great way to lose yourself for a few hours (day, months, etc).
You strap on your sword/bow/staff and go walk a mile in the shoes of a Tolkienesque hero. Or a mile in your bare, furry feet if you decide to have a hobbit character.
As a game LOTRO plays just like World of Warcraft. Same controls, combat system and quest system. Of course, unlike WOW’s Tolkien-inspired setting, you have an actual Tolkien setting with LOTRO. I’ve gotten drunk at the Inn of the Prancing Pony and wandered around Bag-In. I’ve defended a farm from a giant spider attack and earned the name “Spider-Foe.” I’ve seen a Ringwrath stab a ranger with a Mogul blade. I’ve even done a quest for those nasty Sackville-Baggins folks who have inherited Bag-In now that Frodo and Bilbo have left the Shire. In other words I’ve pretty much immerse myself into Middle Earth.
The setting will draw you in, but the game has bunch of ways of keeping you playing. In addition to the standard leveling (I’ll sleep/eat/take a shower right after I hit level 20) LOTR introduces “feat” these are special tasks like using your special moves lots of times (Shield Bash! Kick to the Head!) or killing lots of a particular type of monster (44 orcs…45… 46). The reward is a special bonus or a nifty title (strangly enough “bunny-slayer” is not available) that you can impress your friends with. Anything to keep you playing. And you will keep playing. And playing. And playing.
You strap on your sword/bow/staff and go walk a mile in the shoes of a Tolkienesque hero. Or a mile in your bare, furry feet if you decide to have a hobbit character.
As a game LOTRO plays just like World of Warcraft. Same controls, combat system and quest system. Of course, unlike WOW’s Tolkien-inspired setting, you have an actual Tolkien setting with LOTRO. I’ve gotten drunk at the Inn of the Prancing Pony and wandered around Bag-In. I’ve defended a farm from a giant spider attack and earned the name “Spider-Foe.” I’ve seen a Ringwrath stab a ranger with a Mogul blade. I’ve even done a quest for those nasty Sackville-Baggins folks who have inherited Bag-In now that Frodo and Bilbo have left the Shire. In other words I’ve pretty much immerse myself into Middle Earth.
The setting will draw you in, but the game has bunch of ways of keeping you playing. In addition to the standard leveling (I’ll sleep/eat/take a shower right after I hit level 20) LOTR introduces “feat” these are special tasks like using your special moves lots of times (Shield Bash! Kick to the Head!) or killing lots of a particular type of monster (44 orcs…45… 46). The reward is a special bonus or a nifty title (strangly enough “bunny-slayer” is not available) that you can impress your friends with. Anything to keep you playing. And you will keep playing. And playing. And playing.
May 21, 2007
What Else Goes?
Remember that scene in Pirate of the Caribbean were the heroes in their ship, are being chased by the villains in their bigger, better ship. And so the heroes begin to toss everything they can to make the ship lighter, to try and get away?
The Bush Administration is throwing everything they can overboard, just trying to keep Iraq going a little longer. The goal is the end of the term and dumping the mess on the next poor sap.
So now they throw out things like using the ISG report that they completely rejected six month ago. Or overthrowing the Maliki and bombing Iran. Any idea other than the right one. Just have to come up with a idea that last a little longer. It can be a total failure, just as long a it keeps things going.
The Bush Administration is throwing everything they can overboard, just trying to keep Iraq going a little longer. The goal is the end of the term and dumping the mess on the next poor sap.
So now they throw out things like using the ISG report that they completely rejected six month ago. Or overthrowing the Maliki and bombing Iran. Any idea other than the right one. Just have to come up with a idea that last a little longer. It can be a total failure, just as long a it keeps things going.
May 20, 2007
May 19, 2007
May 18, 2007
Meanwile
The most interesting thing happening in my neck of the woods is a pair of whales have wandered in. The trick now is to get them to wander out.
May 17, 2007
Wolfowitz Out
At this rate, every single member of the Bush Administration will have resigned in disgrace by January of 2009. Should make the transition to a new Administration much faster, what with all the jobs already empty.
May 16, 2007
Lizards
Sheesh, the GOP Presidential field is in a rapid race to the bottom when it comes to torture. When Endorsements of Torture are applause lines, things are seriously out of control.
Guantanamo Bay has become a black hole sucking America's moral authority into the void. Every nasty regime on the planet can point to Guantanamo Bay and say "look, we are just as good as the Americans."
So what does Mitt Romney say? We should double Guantanamo! And they cheered.
Guantanamo Bay has become a black hole sucking America's moral authority into the void. Every nasty regime on the planet can point to Guantanamo Bay and say "look, we are just as good as the Americans."
So what does Mitt Romney say? We should double Guantanamo! And they cheered.
May 15, 2007
Outrage!
The Pentagon is blocking YouTube, Myspace and 11 other website. Which means no more
Lazy Ramadi. This is just dumb.
It cuts off soldiers from home and hurts moral.
It also reduces the militiary ability to seem more human, which I don't recommend when stuck in the quagmire of a unpopular war.
Lazy Ramadi. This is just dumb.
It cuts off soldiers from home and hurts moral.
It also reduces the militiary ability to seem more human, which I don't recommend when stuck in the quagmire of a unpopular war.
May 14, 2007
America Held Hostage
Three US troops are missing in Iraq. Insurgents are claiming they captured them. Good to know that we are staying in Iraq to make it easier to attack the United States.
May 13, 2007
May 12, 2007
May 11, 2007
Beyond Death
Alberto Gonzales in a place beyond political death. By any reasonable poltical calculation, he should have resigned in complete disgrace weeks, if not months ago.
And yet here he is, being put the wringer of still yet another Congressional hearing. Dahlia Lithwick shows the scene. My favorite bit:
Robert Wexler, D-Fla., finally loses his temper and starts hollering: "You did not select Iglesias for the list." (No). "Did Sampson select him?" (No). "Did Comey?" (No.) "Did McNulty?" (No.) Did the president? (No.) "Did the vice president? (No)." Then Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., follows up with one of the best queries of the day: "If you don't know who put Iglesias on the list, how do you know the president or the vice president didn't?"
Long silence. Pause. "They wouldn't do that," hems Gonzales. "The White House has said publicly that it was not involved in adding or deleting people from the list."
Oh please. Eight US attorneys just were fired spontaneously and no one actually made the decision to fire them. A list just appeared? This has got to be the weakest cover story in the history of weak cover stories. A four year old, caught stealing cookies, would have the sense to blame his younger sister. Alberto Gonzales doesn't even have the sense to make up a fall-guy. Hell, just make up a name. "I beleive thatRolo Tomasi fired all those attorneys, Congressman." Make up something, just don't sit there. Gonzales doesn't even have enough respect for Congress to lie to them properly.
And yet here he is, being put the wringer of still yet another Congressional hearing. Dahlia Lithwick shows the scene. My favorite bit:
Robert Wexler, D-Fla., finally loses his temper and starts hollering: "You did not select Iglesias for the list." (No). "Did Sampson select him?" (No). "Did Comey?" (No.) "Did McNulty?" (No.) Did the president? (No.) "Did the vice president? (No)." Then Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., follows up with one of the best queries of the day: "If you don't know who put Iglesias on the list, how do you know the president or the vice president didn't?"
Long silence. Pause. "They wouldn't do that," hems Gonzales. "The White House has said publicly that it was not involved in adding or deleting people from the list."
Oh please. Eight US attorneys just were fired spontaneously and no one actually made the decision to fire them. A list just appeared? This has got to be the weakest cover story in the history of weak cover stories. A four year old, caught stealing cookies, would have the sense to blame his younger sister. Alberto Gonzales doesn't even have the sense to make up a fall-guy. Hell, just make up a name. "I beleive thatRolo Tomasi fired all those attorneys, Congressman." Make up something, just don't sit there. Gonzales doesn't even have enough respect for Congress to lie to them properly.
May 10, 2007
No Fooling
Lots of people are pointing to the NYTimes and Giuliani's intent to stop weasaling around and offer clear support for abortion rights. No more code words and false singnals, As Drum points out, in the wake of his donations to Planned Parenthood being revealed, its not like he had a choice.
I'm guessing this is the end of him. But you never know.
I'm guessing this is the end of him. But you never know.
May 9, 2007
France: Free and Clear
Out from under the thumb of the devastating Bill O'Reilly boycott.
However they may still have a marriage problem.
Or course this marriage problem seems to only exist in the mind of Mitt Romney.
However they may still have a marriage problem.
Or course this marriage problem seems to only exist in the mind of Mitt Romney.
May 8, 2007
Rubes!
Of course Mitt Romney believes in evolution. He is an educated man who has been rather seccessfull right here in the 21st Century. And yet he has to pretent like its an open question in order to fool a bunch of people and become President. And if he gets the GOP nomination, he still believe in evolution and stop pretending otherwise.
May 7, 2007
Great Moments in Exercise
So having just completed a half-hour on the cross-country skiing exercise machine thing and the digital readout says that I have maintained an average heartbeat of 293 beats per minute throughout the course of the run. Does this mean that ...
1. I am suffering some sort of heart attack? Stroke?
2. My newly installed bionic heart is functioning exactly as designed?
3. Turns out, I'm not human.
or
4. The sensors on this thing are not to be trusted.
1. I am suffering some sort of heart attack? Stroke?
2. My newly installed bionic heart is functioning exactly as designed?
3. Turns out, I'm not human.
or
4. The sensors on this thing are not to be trusted.
May 6, 2007
May 5, 2007
May 4, 2007
First GOP Debate
No real fireworks. Just Giuliani getting tripped up by questions over Roe v Wade.
Also three of the candidates do not believe in evolution.
Also three of the candidates do not believe in evolution.
May 3, 2007
My New Fear
Jason Zengerle on Obama getting Secret Service protection:
I must confess that my deepest, darkest fear about the '08 campaign is that Obama's candidacy--and what he and it represent--will prove irresistible to some racist nut-job with a gun, so I'm relieved that he's now getting Secret Service protection.
Oh great, I didn't even think of that till now. Something new to worry about.
I must confess that my deepest, darkest fear about the '08 campaign is that Obama's candidacy--and what he and it represent--will prove irresistible to some racist nut-job with a gun, so I'm relieved that he's now getting Secret Service protection.
Oh great, I didn't even think of that till now. Something new to worry about.
At Least Pretend
Now even the Bush administration has adopted the line that a political solution is nessisary to end the Civil War that dare not speak its name in Iraq.
So Bush and his dead-enders must pretend like the Iraqis are moving toward a political solution, that the Shia and Sunni are talking it out and are just on the verge of the magic deal that will turn the Country into the Magic Kingdom we were all promised.
The fact that the Iraqi Parliament is not even going to be in session for two whole months makes it difficult to even fake political progress. It really does make administration spinner's life difficult, when the Iraqis are not even pretending to try and come to a deal.
So Bush and his dead-enders must pretend like the Iraqis are moving toward a political solution, that the Shia and Sunni are talking it out and are just on the verge of the magic deal that will turn the Country into the Magic Kingdom we were all promised.
The fact that the Iraqi Parliament is not even going to be in session for two whole months makes it difficult to even fake political progress. It really does make administration spinner's life difficult, when the Iraqis are not even pretending to try and come to a deal.
May 2, 2007
May 1, 2007
Happy Mission Accomplished Day
Four years ago, the mission was accomplished. And everything has been great ever sense.
The State Department's terrorism report shows that terror attacks went up 40% last year. Iraq accounted for Two-Thirds of all terrorist attacks worldwide.
The State Department's terrorism report shows that terror attacks went up 40% last year. Iraq accounted for Two-Thirds of all terrorist attacks worldwide.
Hookers!
The DC Madam Tells All!
So a women who ran a high-class call girl operation in DC has been busted and is going on trial. In an effort to make everyone as uncomfortable as possible, she has released her phone records to the good people at ABCnew's investigative unit. A major State Department official has already resigned, and who knows how many more are on the list.
Now this is likely to effect both parties, but this sort of thing always hurts the Republicans more, because it always turns out the GOP guy getting the hookers was a member of the Project for Moral Values, the Anti-Sex League or based his last re-election campaign on "preserving the family" while he was snorting cocaine off the ass of a $1,000 dollar a night call girl.
So while deep down this is really none of our business (consenting adults, private lives, and all that) The tawdry sex stuff will always come out.
PS - I've always maintained that there is a better case to make to legalize prostitution than drugs. Discuss. I'm just throwing that out to keep our discussion high-minded.
So a women who ran a high-class call girl operation in DC has been busted and is going on trial. In an effort to make everyone as uncomfortable as possible, she has released her phone records to the good people at ABCnew's investigative unit. A major State Department official has already resigned, and who knows how many more are on the list.
Now this is likely to effect both parties, but this sort of thing always hurts the Republicans more, because it always turns out the GOP guy getting the hookers was a member of the Project for Moral Values, the Anti-Sex League or based his last re-election campaign on "preserving the family" while he was snorting cocaine off the ass of a $1,000 dollar a night call girl.
So while deep down this is really none of our business (consenting adults, private lives, and all that) The tawdry sex stuff will always come out.
PS - I've always maintained that there is a better case to make to legalize prostitution than drugs. Discuss. I'm just throwing that out to keep our discussion high-minded.
April 30, 2007
Crushed
Not a single person manages to complete a tour though the Bush Administration intact. Name me one person who had a better reputation after they serve in this Administration than before. Sit down Mr. Powell.
Next up is former CIA Director George Tenant, who ass-covering book will attempt to shift blame from...well Geoge Tenet and on people who...are not George Tenant.
In attempt to distract you from that whole "Missing Weapons of Mass Destruction" thing and that whole "9/11" thing and that "Presidential Medal of Freedom" episode, Tenant will offer all kinds of insidery stuff, like the fact that The Office of the Vice President had a schoolgirl crush on Chalabi.
But still.
Next up is former CIA Director George Tenant, who ass-covering book will attempt to shift blame from...well Geoge Tenet and on people who...are not George Tenant.
In attempt to distract you from that whole "Missing Weapons of Mass Destruction" thing and that whole "9/11" thing and that "Presidential Medal of Freedom" episode, Tenant will offer all kinds of insidery stuff, like the fact that The Office of the Vice President had a schoolgirl crush on Chalabi.
But still.
April 28, 2007
Fringe Canidate Update
So Dennis Kucinich was notable in 2004 as representing the far leftmost outpost of the Democratic Presidential field (Establish a Department of Peace, etc) and for being a bachelor. Jay Leno even did a dating show bit with Jennifer Tilly (Mmmmm) winning a date with Dennis.
Well Dennis is back running for President, but in the intervening 4 year he got hitched. And woah. I guess even a hopeless Presidential campaign can help your love life.
Well done Mr. K. This development should translate into 20, no 30 more votes nationwide.
Well Dennis is back running for President, but in the intervening 4 year he got hitched. And woah. I guess even a hopeless Presidential campaign can help your love life.
Well done Mr. K. This development should translate into 20, no 30 more votes nationwide.
April 27, 2007
April 26, 2007
Even NASA
From the always must read TPM it seems the Rove and company are fundamentally messing with the Federal Government:
Karl Rove deputies gave GOP campaign briefings to top officials in at least 15 government agencies last year.
Who's vulnerable, who's not and how you can use your agency's resources for the team effort -- that seems to have been the basic idea. Pretty much every department got a briefing. And oddly enough NASA too. That must have been an interesting one.
Look, at some level, every aspect of Government is political. But it occurs at the level of run the Government well, don't mess up, benifit the American People and score political points. Or the opposite.
What is not done is to turn the Federal Government in an extension of the Republican Campaign committees. Staff at Homeland Security should not be briefed on targeted House races. Health and Human Services should not be working to help endangered GOP Congressman. And you don't try to turn NASA into a political campaign shop. Fundamentally, this government needs to be for all people. Rove is trying to turn the Federal Government into nothing more than fodder for his attempts to elect Republicans.
Karl Rove deputies gave GOP campaign briefings to top officials in at least 15 government agencies last year.
Who's vulnerable, who's not and how you can use your agency's resources for the team effort -- that seems to have been the basic idea. Pretty much every department got a briefing. And oddly enough NASA too. That must have been an interesting one.
Look, at some level, every aspect of Government is political. But it occurs at the level of run the Government well, don't mess up, benifit the American People and score political points. Or the opposite.
What is not done is to turn the Federal Government in an extension of the Republican Campaign committees. Staff at Homeland Security should not be briefed on targeted House races. Health and Human Services should not be working to help endangered GOP Congressman. And you don't try to turn NASA into a political campaign shop. Fundamentally, this government needs to be for all people. Rove is trying to turn the Federal Government into nothing more than fodder for his attempts to elect Republicans.
April 25, 2007
Liveable
How cool is this:
For the first time astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable, with Earth-like temperatures, a find researchers described Tuesday as a big step in the search for "life in the universe."
The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. But the star it closely orbits, known as a "red dwarf," is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun.
So how long will it take to get there at warp 4.5?
For the first time astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable, with Earth-like temperatures, a find researchers described Tuesday as a big step in the search for "life in the universe."
The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. But the star it closely orbits, known as a "red dwarf," is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun.
So how long will it take to get there at warp 4.5?
April 24, 2007
Stay and Die
Nine more in one attack alone.
I think the plan is to keep the troops in Iraq till every last one of them is dead. There doesn't seem to be any other plan. Just stay and die, forever.
I think the plan is to keep the troops in Iraq till every last one of them is dead. There doesn't seem to be any other plan. Just stay and die, forever.
April 23, 2007
Boris the Pickled
Now that he's dead, we really should remember him for his greatest moment. But why does every story about him involve drunkenness?
Nasty Newt
Newt Gingrich has been entierly too warm and fuzzy as of late. His non-Presidential run has been filled with nice, soothing technobabble, that strange futurism he always goes back to. A future conservatism in which the goverment uses technology and becomes more efficent in order to ... do nothing because the government is the problem and...blah blah.
Nice to see him get back to his roots. Blaming the Virginia Tech killings On Liberalism.
Thats the nasty I remember.
Nice to see him get back to his roots. Blaming the Virginia Tech killings On Liberalism.
Thats the nasty I remember.
April 21, 2007
April 20, 2007
April 19, 2007
Quotes
The AG did not fair so well.
What's the senate hearing version of the "mercy rule"?
Ana Marie Cox
If Alberto Gonzales were a stock, we'd be at that point when those automatic trading halts kicked in because so many people are trying to sell.
Josh Marshall
Like clubbing a baby seal.
Senior White House aides quoted by CNN
Even his own guys are baggin on him. Time to go spend time with your family Al.
What's the senate hearing version of the "mercy rule"?
Ana Marie Cox
If Alberto Gonzales were a stock, we'd be at that point when those automatic trading halts kicked in because so many people are trying to sell.
Josh Marshall
Like clubbing a baby seal.
Senior White House aides quoted by CNN
Even his own guys are baggin on him. Time to go spend time with your family Al.
Grilled AG
Attorney General Gonzales is on the hot seat today.
He has apologized. He has said he's done nothing improper.
He's apologizing for doing nothing improper.
I don't think he's going to make it.
He has apologized. He has said he's done nothing improper.
He's apologizing for doing nothing improper.
I don't think he's going to make it.
Go Out
I'm just going to outsource all of my commentary on the Supreme Court abortion ruling yesterday to Dahlia Lithwick.
April 18, 2007
The Doolittle Raid
The FBI has raided the home of Congressman John Doolittle, political target number one here at Craigorian Chant. This, together with the fact that a top former aid has resigned from his job lead Muckraker to believe that Doolittle's doom is fast approaching.
Yeah.
Yeah.
April 17, 2007
HA HA
I would just like to take the time to note, on this tax day, that this year marks the first time in the recorded history of Craig that I filed my taxes on a day other than the last day.
That's right I did my taxes ahead of time! Woo.
That's right I did my taxes ahead of time! Woo.
Nancy Pelosi: Popular
Polling at 53% approval in the latest WaPo/ABC poll. Opposing Bush is very good for business these days.
April 16, 2007
Fox News Makes You Dumb
And The Daily Show makes you smart. Proven scientific fact. Let us comence with the smug liberal superiority.
To keep that theme going, check out Bill Maher's tribute to The Elite:
I don't get it: In other fields -- outside of government -- elite is a good thing, like an elite fighting force. Tiger Woods is an elite golfer. If I need brain surgery, I'd like an elite doctor. But in politics, elite is bad -- the elite aren't down-to-earth and accessible like you and me and President Shit-for-Brains. But when the anti-elite crowd demonizes the elite, what they're actually doing is embracing incompetence. Now, I know what you're thinking: That doesn't sound like our president -- ignoring intelligence.
To keep that theme going, check out Bill Maher's tribute to The Elite:
I don't get it: In other fields -- outside of government -- elite is a good thing, like an elite fighting force. Tiger Woods is an elite golfer. If I need brain surgery, I'd like an elite doctor. But in politics, elite is bad -- the elite aren't down-to-earth and accessible like you and me and President Shit-for-Brains. But when the anti-elite crowd demonizes the elite, what they're actually doing is embracing incompetence. Now, I know what you're thinking: That doesn't sound like our president -- ignoring intelligence.
April 15, 2007
April 14, 2007
April 13, 2007
Get Him, Get Him, Get Him
Time for a little confrontation:
But if the Congress instead uses its own power to arrest recalcitrant witnesses and seize documents demanded but not produced under valid Congressional subpoenas, the situation is reversed. Not only is there no delay, but a judicial refusal to intervene leaves the victory in Congressional hands. If the Sergeant-at-Arms shows up at RNC headquarters with an order to take the servers, is the RNC going to physically resist? I don't think so.
If Congress orders Karl Rove to appear, he fails to appear, and Congress issues a warrant for his arrest, his defiance of that warrant would make him, in effect, a fugitive from justice. Would the President order the Secret Service physically resist the lawful service of a Congressional warrant? In defense of a Watergate-like virtual "shredding" of the emails? I doubt it. It helps that Rove is ludicrously unpopular; Fox News has him at 18% favorable, 37% unfavorable.
You know where this blog stands on the issue.
But if the Congress instead uses its own power to arrest recalcitrant witnesses and seize documents demanded but not produced under valid Congressional subpoenas, the situation is reversed. Not only is there no delay, but a judicial refusal to intervene leaves the victory in Congressional hands. If the Sergeant-at-Arms shows up at RNC headquarters with an order to take the servers, is the RNC going to physically resist? I don't think so.
If Congress orders Karl Rove to appear, he fails to appear, and Congress issues a warrant for his arrest, his defiance of that warrant would make him, in effect, a fugitive from justice. Would the President order the Secret Service physically resist the lawful service of a Congressional warrant? In defense of a Watergate-like virtual "shredding" of the emails? I doubt it. It helps that Rove is ludicrously unpopular; Fox News has him at 18% favorable, 37% unfavorable.
You know where this blog stands on the issue.
April 12, 2007
Better Bring Your A Game
So the Presidential campaigns are thinking of running ads during the Superbowl next year.
If you think about it, it starts to make sense. Lots of States are moving their primaries up to Feb 5, including New York and California (Represent!) The Superbowl is on the Sunday before this new super-duper Tuesday.
Everybody votes on Tuesday and everyone is watching on Sunday.
But if campaigns want to try this, they are going to need to get better ads. The Superbowl is where the funniest, best produced, talk-about-it-the-next-day ads all show up. Political campaign ads are almost always the worse looking things on TV, produced cheap so they can be run more often. And most political ads are crude attacks lacking any humor or cleverness.
You can't bring these kinds of ads to the Superbowl party.
If you think about it, it starts to make sense. Lots of States are moving their primaries up to Feb 5, including New York and California (Represent!) The Superbowl is on the Sunday before this new super-duper Tuesday.
Everybody votes on Tuesday and everyone is watching on Sunday.
But if campaigns want to try this, they are going to need to get better ads. The Superbowl is where the funniest, best produced, talk-about-it-the-next-day ads all show up. Political campaign ads are almost always the worse looking things on TV, produced cheap so they can be run more often. And most political ads are crude attacks lacking any humor or cleverness.
You can't bring these kinds of ads to the Superbowl party.
April 11, 2007
Did You Know About This?
Go to Google Maps, ask for a way from New York, New York and Paris France and see what happens.
April 10, 2007
Correction
In 2005 the Govenator of California held a special election. Every single one of his proposed ballot measures (A collection of right-wing causes, like kicking unions) went down. His polls rating sucked. In response, the Governator shifted his political stance. To the left. He dropped all of his right wing policy proposals and started signing laws to combat global warming and giving more money to schools. He cruised to reelection.
The National Republicans are not learning this lesson. When you are unpopular, when you get beat in an election you have got to move. Or you're going to get thumped. Again
The National Republicans are not learning this lesson. When you are unpopular, when you get beat in an election you have got to move. Or you're going to get thumped. Again
April 9, 2007
Sell What? From Who?
What the hell?
Three months after the United States successfully pressed the United Nations to impose strict sanctions on North Korea because of the country’s nuclear test, Bush administration officials allowed Ethiopia to complete a secret arms purchase from the North, in what appears to be a violation of the restrictions, according to senior American officials.
The United States allowed the arms delivery to go through in January in part because Ethiopia was in the midst of a military offensive against Islamic militias inside Somalia, a campaign that aided the American policy of combating religious extremists in the Horn of Africa.
So the US busts its own sanctions so we can pore more weapons into the Horn of Africa and North Korea of all people get paid in the process? Even if more weapons into Ethiopia/Somalia was a good thing, there are something like 160 Countries who we would rather make money off the deal than North Korea, which will take the profits and reinvest in making nukes.
Lovely.
PS For a good look at the world of Arms Dealing - Check out Lord of War.
Three months after the United States successfully pressed the United Nations to impose strict sanctions on North Korea because of the country’s nuclear test, Bush administration officials allowed Ethiopia to complete a secret arms purchase from the North, in what appears to be a violation of the restrictions, according to senior American officials.
The United States allowed the arms delivery to go through in January in part because Ethiopia was in the midst of a military offensive against Islamic militias inside Somalia, a campaign that aided the American policy of combating religious extremists in the Horn of Africa.
So the US busts its own sanctions so we can pore more weapons into the Horn of Africa and North Korea of all people get paid in the process? Even if more weapons into Ethiopia/Somalia was a good thing, there are something like 160 Countries who we would rather make money off the deal than North Korea, which will take the profits and reinvest in making nukes.
Lovely.
PS For a good look at the world of Arms Dealing - Check out Lord of War.
April 8, 2007
Sunday Church
Twice a year. Today is one. In honor of the occation here a little church music of a sort.
Mindy Smith - Come to Jesus.
Craigorian Chant approved Church Music.
Mindy Smith - Come to Jesus.
Craigorian Chant approved Church Music.
April 7, 2007
April 6, 2007
UltraLies
I swear, Dick Cheney has entered into a type of lie so vast, so misleading, so blatant I feel the need to make up a new name for it.
April 5, 2007
More
Hey, we haven't done immigration in while, right?
Technology companies may face a shortage of skilled workers later this year after U.S. immigration services reached its annual quota for visa applications in one day.
We don't allow enough legal immigration to this Country. Discuss.
Technology companies may face a shortage of skilled workers later this year after U.S. immigration services reached its annual quota for visa applications in one day.
We don't allow enough legal immigration to this Country. Discuss.
Money, Money, Money
Barack Obama raised 23.5 million in the first quarter of the year putting him ahead Hillary. This is a real shock. The one thing everyone knew going in was that Hillary would be a fundraising giant. Unstoppable. Untouchable. The fact that Obama is keeping pace or even beating her says a lot. He is clearly a better speaker and charmer. If she doesn't have an advantage in money...
April 4, 2007
Today in Confrontations
Iran announced that it is freeing the British sailors, so I guess the chest thumping set will just have to come up with some other excuse for their nifty upcoming war with Iran.
Everybody yelled a little. Both sides put on a show and scored their points. And then it was done.
Everybody yelled a little. Both sides put on a show and scored their points. And then it was done.
April 3, 2007
Showdown, Slowly
So everybody seems to be digging in for the big showdown over Iraq, with Harry Reid now sponsoring bill to flat out end war funding and Bush giving a tough-talking news conference even as I write this. Every reporter is warming up their "Game of Chicken" metaphors.
Of course, a game chicken implies that both sides can turn aside and that both side get hurt if they collide. The polls are with Democrats here. 2/3's of the American people want the war to end. The GOP just got it ass handed to it in the last election, based on this fact. An end to the war in inevitable at this point. Maybe not at this exact moment, but the war is coming to an end. And anybody trying to stop that is going to get crushed. Bush is playing chicken with a train.
Of course, a game chicken implies that both sides can turn aside and that both side get hurt if they collide. The polls are with Democrats here. 2/3's of the American people want the war to end. The GOP just got it ass handed to it in the last election, based on this fact. An end to the war in inevitable at this point. Maybe not at this exact moment, but the war is coming to an end. And anybody trying to stop that is going to get crushed. Bush is playing chicken with a train.
April 2, 2007
The Money Chase
Forget poll numbers. The real numbers that matter at this stage of the Presidential game are the fundraising numbers. Democratic numbers are here. The big Democratic three - are coming on strong and running in exactly the same order as you find in the polls Clinton #1, Obama #2 and Edwards #3.
On the GOP side Mitt Romney is winning the money race, despite the face he is going nowhere in the polls.
On the GOP side Mitt Romney is winning the money race, despite the face he is going nowhere in the polls.
Setback for Porn
The .xxx domain registry has been rejected by something called ICANN, which, it turns out is the enity that approved domains. This is a massive setback for the porn industry. I wonder if they can still stay vialble on the internet.
April 1, 2007
Tick, Tick, Tick
Is time running out or is just one more deadline to blow?
“Petraeus went to the Republican caucus and told them, I will have real progress to you by August,” Mitchell said. The Republicans claim they told him that after August, they will end their support for the war. “They have told him at a caucus meeting as very, very recently, that if there isn’t progress by August — and real progress means not a day of violence and a day of sanity — that they will pull the plug.”
“Petraeus went to the Republican caucus and told them, I will have real progress to you by August,” Mitchell said. The Republicans claim they told him that after August, they will end their support for the war. “They have told him at a caucus meeting as very, very recently, that if there isn’t progress by August — and real progress means not a day of violence and a day of sanity — that they will pull the plug.”
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