Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Iraq
OK, so the United States handed over sovereignty to the Iraqi people last week. Are the leaders of this autonomous nation now in charge of the 'coalition' military forces? Guess not. By most accounts, the US is handing the new government a mess. Even the centrist to right-leaning Hoover Institution (a place where Dick Cheney even agreed to speak recently -- so it must be full of Republicans) realizes that the U.S. failed to deliver on its promises prior to the 'transfer of power'.
From a syndicated Washington Post report, "We blatantly failed to get it right," said Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution who served as an adviser to the occupation authority. "When you look at the record, it's impossible to escape the conclusion that we squandered an unprecedented opportunity."
Then we have the Chicago Tribune reporting that "It's the Iraqi people who lost," said the Harvard-trained minister of public works, Nasreen Mustapha Berwari, an early proponent of the war who has since survived two assassination attempts. "We could have saved a lot of lives. We could have generated a lot of support. But it was what we did after [the Saddam Hussein regime fell] that made us lose the public support." This person seems like a fairly reliable source, btw.
Moreover, today's New York Times reports that, "fewer than 140 of 2,300 promised construction projects are under way. Only three months after L. Paul Bremer III, the American administrator who departed Monday, pledged that 50,000 Iraqis would find jobs at construction sites before the formal transfer of sovereignty, fewer than 20,000 local workers are employed."
But wait, there's more. According to terrorist expert John Robb, the Iraqi infrastructure remains under constant seige ensuring that the population there has less reliable utility services than pre-war Iraq due to more than a hundred attacks on the electrical grids, not to mention hits to the oil pipelines. According to Robb, "today, seven of Iraq's 15 provinces get less than 8 hours of power a day. The remaining eight get only 9 to 15 a day." The implication is clear - - if the nation can't stabilize its basic infrastructure, how can it survive long-term?
With a lack of reconstruction and the constant threats to the infrastructure and quality of life, one has to wonder whether Iraq was ready for the 'transfer of power'. The nation is still teetering on the brink of collapse -- and despite the presence of the world's most advanced fighting force, the nation can't rely on basic infrastructure to drive the economy.
Let freedom reign, W.
OK, so the United States handed over sovereignty to the Iraqi people last week. Are the leaders of this autonomous nation now in charge of the 'coalition' military forces? Guess not. By most accounts, the US is handing the new government a mess. Even the centrist to right-leaning Hoover Institution (a place where Dick Cheney even agreed to speak recently -- so it must be full of Republicans) realizes that the U.S. failed to deliver on its promises prior to the 'transfer of power'.
From a syndicated Washington Post report, "We blatantly failed to get it right," said Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution who served as an adviser to the occupation authority. "When you look at the record, it's impossible to escape the conclusion that we squandered an unprecedented opportunity."
Then we have the Chicago Tribune reporting that "It's the Iraqi people who lost," said the Harvard-trained minister of public works, Nasreen Mustapha Berwari, an early proponent of the war who has since survived two assassination attempts. "We could have saved a lot of lives. We could have generated a lot of support. But it was what we did after [the Saddam Hussein regime fell] that made us lose the public support." This person seems like a fairly reliable source, btw.
Moreover, today's New York Times reports that, "fewer than 140 of 2,300 promised construction projects are under way. Only three months after L. Paul Bremer III, the American administrator who departed Monday, pledged that 50,000 Iraqis would find jobs at construction sites before the formal transfer of sovereignty, fewer than 20,000 local workers are employed."
But wait, there's more. According to terrorist expert John Robb, the Iraqi infrastructure remains under constant seige ensuring that the population there has less reliable utility services than pre-war Iraq due to more than a hundred attacks on the electrical grids, not to mention hits to the oil pipelines. According to Robb, "today, seven of Iraq's 15 provinces get less than 8 hours of power a day. The remaining eight get only 9 to 15 a day." The implication is clear - - if the nation can't stabilize its basic infrastructure, how can it survive long-term?
With a lack of reconstruction and the constant threats to the infrastructure and quality of life, one has to wonder whether Iraq was ready for the 'transfer of power'. The nation is still teetering on the brink of collapse -- and despite the presence of the world's most advanced fighting force, the nation can't rely on basic infrastructure to drive the economy.
Let freedom reign, W.
Monday, June 28, 2004
Here is all you need to know about Yankees fans
The reason I began blogging late last year was because of baseball. The Red Sox were doing their annual imitation of Skylab's collapse and I needed an outlet. As if '78 and '86 weren't enough......Red Sox nation now has the Legend of Grady Gump's Brain Fart in 2003 to join us for the ride into baseball eternity.
Back to the Yankees and their twisted fandom. Below is an an actual conversation from New York talk radio this afternoon:
Idiot Yankee Fan: "I just wanted to make my case for the greatness of Derek Jeter."
Radio guys: "Go ahead"
Idiot Yankee Fan: "I was looking at his stats, and if you take out the power numbers, Jeter's stats are almost the same as ARod's"
Ah yes. And Dave Kingman's stats are about the same as Ken Griffey, Jr's if you take out batting average.
At least the radio guys puked all over this clown, ruining his day and leaving him ranting obscenities into the phone as he was cut off. The caller probably thought he was brilliant, about to offer the kind of insight that every caller dreams of delivering during drive-time. Doh!
Please note - - I did NOT make this up. And neither did the folks who statistically prove that Jeter is a rotten defensive shortstop, including Rob Neyer of ESPN, Rob Neyer again, Michael Hoban and Stats Guru who notes that "Jeter is the worst regular shortstop in terms of defense over the last five years. And it's not just that he's at the bottom; he's way below the level that keeps shortstops playing."
The reason I began blogging late last year was because of baseball. The Red Sox were doing their annual imitation of Skylab's collapse and I needed an outlet. As if '78 and '86 weren't enough......Red Sox nation now has the Legend of Grady Gump's Brain Fart in 2003 to join us for the ride into baseball eternity.
Back to the Yankees and their twisted fandom. Below is an an actual conversation from New York talk radio this afternoon:
Idiot Yankee Fan: "I just wanted to make my case for the greatness of Derek Jeter."
Radio guys: "Go ahead"
Idiot Yankee Fan: "I was looking at his stats, and if you take out the power numbers, Jeter's stats are almost the same as ARod's"
Ah yes. And Dave Kingman's stats are about the same as Ken Griffey, Jr's if you take out batting average.
At least the radio guys puked all over this clown, ruining his day and leaving him ranting obscenities into the phone as he was cut off. The caller probably thought he was brilliant, about to offer the kind of insight that every caller dreams of delivering during drive-time. Doh!
Please note - - I did NOT make this up. And neither did the folks who statistically prove that Jeter is a rotten defensive shortstop, including Rob Neyer of ESPN, Rob Neyer again, Michael Hoban and Stats Guru who notes that "Jeter is the worst regular shortstop in terms of defense over the last five years. And it's not just that he's at the bottom; he's way below the level that keeps shortstops playing."
Sunday, June 27, 2004
"Coach stays"
“Although I prefer not to comment or speculate on another institution’s search, I feel it is necessary at this time,” said Crean. “Competitors of ours have seized the opportunity to negatively influence recruiting by taking liberties and speaking on my behalf. Despite what has been reported, I have not made myself a candidate for another opportunity and am happy at Marquette. The culture of our program is alive and well, and grows daily. I look forward to building on Marquette basketball’s outstanding tradition.”
As with Illinois, Georgia and other jobs that have opened up in the past few years, Tom Crean proves yet again that Marquette is a big-time program. Despite Bo Ryan and Andy Katz' best efforts to undermine the MU program, Crean continues to prove them wrong. BTW, I wonder if Bo loses sleep over his decision not to double-team Marquis Estill in the round of 16 game in 2003. Or if he questions his own selfishness in openly campaigning for Devin Harris to stay in school when it was clear to everyone else that it was time for DH to make a living. I sure hope he does.
“Although I prefer not to comment or speculate on another institution’s search, I feel it is necessary at this time,” said Crean. “Competitors of ours have seized the opportunity to negatively influence recruiting by taking liberties and speaking on my behalf. Despite what has been reported, I have not made myself a candidate for another opportunity and am happy at Marquette. The culture of our program is alive and well, and grows daily. I look forward to building on Marquette basketball’s outstanding tradition.”
As with Illinois, Georgia and other jobs that have opened up in the past few years, Tom Crean proves yet again that Marquette is a big-time program. Despite Bo Ryan and Andy Katz' best efforts to undermine the MU program, Crean continues to prove them wrong. BTW, I wonder if Bo loses sleep over his decision not to double-team Marquis Estill in the round of 16 game in 2003. Or if he questions his own selfishness in openly campaigning for Devin Harris to stay in school when it was clear to everyone else that it was time for DH to make a living. I sure hope he does.
Friday, June 25, 2004
'Are you.....'
Here is a complete transcript of a conversation I had with a smart techie dude at a technology conference this week in California. The conversation started after he noticed the name on my badge:
Techie dude: "Are you Tim Blair the right-wing blogger from Australia?"
Me: "No"
Techie dude: "Good. But you know, he's a very popular blogger."
Me: "Yes, I know about his blog. In fact, I've debated a few issues on his site"
Techie dude: "Oh"
Me: "Small world to find another blogger with the same name."
Techie dude: (disappears)
No doubt about it, my blog is making a difference
Here is a complete transcript of a conversation I had with a smart techie dude at a technology conference this week in California. The conversation started after he noticed the name on my badge:
Techie dude: "Are you Tim Blair the right-wing blogger from Australia?"
Me: "No"
Techie dude: "Good. But you know, he's a very popular blogger."
Me: "Yes, I know about his blog. In fact, I've debated a few issues on his site"
Techie dude: "Oh"
Me: "Small world to find another blogger with the same name."
Techie dude: (disappears)
No doubt about it, my blog is making a difference
Tom Crean Will Not Take The Ohio State Job
Says this confident Marquette alum. Crean is the BMOC at Marquette, has a committed administration, burgeoning fan base, a new on campus facility, and is about to joing the best hoops conference in the nation. I can't see him giving that up to go to Ohio State, a fine university to be sure, but currently mired in litigation and likely probation for its hoops program. Somehow, the mental midget Andy Katz fails to realize that MU has more stability to offer than OSU. Perhaps I'll be able to heckle Andy (again) at a basketball game later this year after the Buckeyes hire someone else.
Says this confident Marquette alum. Crean is the BMOC at Marquette, has a committed administration, burgeoning fan base, a new on campus facility, and is about to joing the best hoops conference in the nation. I can't see him giving that up to go to Ohio State, a fine university to be sure, but currently mired in litigation and likely probation for its hoops program. Somehow, the mental midget Andy Katz fails to realize that MU has more stability to offer than OSU. Perhaps I'll be able to heckle Andy (again) at a basketball game later this year after the Buckeyes hire someone else.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Eddie, Eddie, Eddie
As predicted, the Van Halen show last night at the Meadowlands was a blast. Despite age and eight years apart, the guys sounded great - - particularly Eddie and Alex. The crowd was, to be polite, much more mature than any show I've ever attended. And the lack of pot and even cigarettes in the crowd were a testimony to the minivans scattered throughout the parking lot. However, please let the record show that 'Mudge and I did not drive a minivan to the concert.
A few highlights:
+ Eddie Van Halen is a marvel. He showed no ill-effects from the last eight years of hell which included Gary Charone, alcoholism, hip replacement surgery, divorce and throat cancer. He was as active as ever on stage, complete with scissor kicks and his typically unbridled enthusiasm.
+ Eddie's guitar solo was the highlight of the show. Unlike the first few shows of the tour, we were treated to fifteen minutes of terrific guitar work capped by his 13 year-old son Wolfgang joining him onstage for a few minutes to jam. It was a nice touch and was not over done. During the solo, during which Eddie displayed the full range of his expertise by teasing sounds out of the guitar in ways that nobody else on the planet is able to do, he stopped at one point and told the audience, 'Its just so good to be out here' -- with his eyes welled up with tears. 'Eruption' sounded fabulous. The rough spots he endured for much of the last decade made Eddie's performance all the more impressive.
+ Sammy screamed just enough but was not overbearing on stage. The only true 'beer song' in the entire concert was the reprise of the his mid-80s solo hit, 'Where Eagles Fly' - - which spoke more to the fans craving access to Eddie and Alex than it was a slap in the face to Sammy.
+ Alex Van Halen treated us to a five minute drum solo. He's no Neal Peart, but wow is Alex fast and clever with the sticks.
+ Michael Anthony made us suffer though the obligatory bass solo complete with his signature Jack Daniel's bass. In a tip of the cap to Father Time, Michael downed a trial-sized bottle of Jack as he completed his ear-splitting waste of time - - - in the past he used to (allegedly) down a fifth of the stuff.
+ The band ripped through 23 songs. The best of the bunch were 'Poundcake', 'Panama', 'Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love', 'Somebody Get Me a Doctor', 'Why Can't This Be Love',and 'Unchained'. Its hard to argue with the set list, though I would have like heard more from Van Halen II and Fair Warning.
In short, the guys can still play the game and play it well. This one was well worth the sixteen year wait.
As predicted, the Van Halen show last night at the Meadowlands was a blast. Despite age and eight years apart, the guys sounded great - - particularly Eddie and Alex. The crowd was, to be polite, much more mature than any show I've ever attended. And the lack of pot and even cigarettes in the crowd were a testimony to the minivans scattered throughout the parking lot. However, please let the record show that 'Mudge and I did not drive a minivan to the concert.
A few highlights:
+ Eddie Van Halen is a marvel. He showed no ill-effects from the last eight years of hell which included Gary Charone, alcoholism, hip replacement surgery, divorce and throat cancer. He was as active as ever on stage, complete with scissor kicks and his typically unbridled enthusiasm.
+ Eddie's guitar solo was the highlight of the show. Unlike the first few shows of the tour, we were treated to fifteen minutes of terrific guitar work capped by his 13 year-old son Wolfgang joining him onstage for a few minutes to jam. It was a nice touch and was not over done. During the solo, during which Eddie displayed the full range of his expertise by teasing sounds out of the guitar in ways that nobody else on the planet is able to do, he stopped at one point and told the audience, 'Its just so good to be out here' -- with his eyes welled up with tears. 'Eruption' sounded fabulous. The rough spots he endured for much of the last decade made Eddie's performance all the more impressive.
+ Sammy screamed just enough but was not overbearing on stage. The only true 'beer song' in the entire concert was the reprise of the his mid-80s solo hit, 'Where Eagles Fly' - - which spoke more to the fans craving access to Eddie and Alex than it was a slap in the face to Sammy.
+ Alex Van Halen treated us to a five minute drum solo. He's no Neal Peart, but wow is Alex fast and clever with the sticks.
+ Michael Anthony made us suffer though the obligatory bass solo complete with his signature Jack Daniel's bass. In a tip of the cap to Father Time, Michael downed a trial-sized bottle of Jack as he completed his ear-splitting waste of time - - - in the past he used to (allegedly) down a fifth of the stuff.
+ The band ripped through 23 songs. The best of the bunch were 'Poundcake', 'Panama', 'Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love', 'Somebody Get Me a Doctor', 'Why Can't This Be Love',and 'Unchained'. Its hard to argue with the set list, though I would have like heard more from Van Halen II and Fair Warning.
In short, the guys can still play the game and play it well. This one was well worth the sixteen year wait.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
"San Dimas High School Football Rules!"
Today is 80's Flashback Tuesday here at Blair's Blog....while I'd enjoy catching the reunion tour of Wyld Stallion (perhaps with Rufus as the opening act), I'll have to settle for Van Halen tonight at the Meadowlands. This marks the second summer in a row where I'll force fit my rapidly aging self to re-acclimate to one of my favorite 80's bands - - last year it was Metallica and a host of other performers along with 55,000 of my close buddies at Giants Stadium for the 2003 Dysfunctional Family Picnic (so says K-Rock here in New York)). Helluva show. I still have the t-shirt!
Tonight should be a little more tame, but perhaps more fun. This will be the third time that I'll see Eddie, Alex and the Boys - but the first since 1988. The Way Back Machine tells me that I first saw the band live was in 1986 at the Houston Summit with BTO as the opening act. I remember it well. A high school chum had failed his honors chemistry test days before the concert, and his mother refused to let him slip down to H-Town during the middle of the week for the concert. Being the good friend that I was at the time, I relieved him of this burden by taking the ticket and attending on his behalf (with his brother - - that was harsh).
I next saw the band at Rice Stadium as part of the memorable Monsters of Rock tour in the summer of 1988...it was hotter than hell that day, but I did not seem to mind. Aside from the noise of Kingdom Come, the rest of the day rocked: Dokken, Metallica, Scorpions and Metallica.
Back in 1986, Eddie gave the world a 15 minute guitar solo. In 1988 it was 12, and from the early reviews of this culirrent tour its down to 10 and part of it might be with his 13 year-old son Wolfgang. As long as Sammy keeps the screaming to a minimum and Eddie and Alex abuse their instruments of choice, I can't imagine having anything but a great time tonight. The only bummer is that the band's new album is not yet released - - it's essentially a greatest hits compilation, but three of the songs are new. Oh well, everybody needs beer songs at a concert.
Today is 80's Flashback Tuesday here at Blair's Blog....while I'd enjoy catching the reunion tour of Wyld Stallion (perhaps with Rufus as the opening act), I'll have to settle for Van Halen tonight at the Meadowlands. This marks the second summer in a row where I'll force fit my rapidly aging self to re-acclimate to one of my favorite 80's bands - - last year it was Metallica and a host of other performers along with 55,000 of my close buddies at Giants Stadium for the 2003 Dysfunctional Family Picnic (so says K-Rock here in New York)). Helluva show. I still have the t-shirt!
Tonight should be a little more tame, but perhaps more fun. This will be the third time that I'll see Eddie, Alex and the Boys - but the first since 1988. The Way Back Machine tells me that I first saw the band live was in 1986 at the Houston Summit with BTO as the opening act. I remember it well. A high school chum had failed his honors chemistry test days before the concert, and his mother refused to let him slip down to H-Town during the middle of the week for the concert. Being the good friend that I was at the time, I relieved him of this burden by taking the ticket and attending on his behalf (with his brother - - that was harsh).
I next saw the band at Rice Stadium as part of the memorable Monsters of Rock tour in the summer of 1988...it was hotter than hell that day, but I did not seem to mind. Aside from the noise of Kingdom Come, the rest of the day rocked: Dokken, Metallica, Scorpions and Metallica.
Back in 1986, Eddie gave the world a 15 minute guitar solo. In 1988 it was 12, and from the early reviews of this culirrent tour its down to 10 and part of it might be with his 13 year-old son Wolfgang. As long as Sammy keeps the screaming to a minimum and Eddie and Alex abuse their instruments of choice, I can't imagine having anything but a great time tonight. The only bummer is that the band's new album is not yet released - - it's essentially a greatest hits compilation, but three of the songs are new. Oh well, everybody needs beer songs at a concert.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Blogging as a profession
Most of us dorks who blog merely enjoy ranting in order to excorsize some sort of demon.....you know, kind of like that little rock that lands in your shoe from time to time. Blogging is a virtual way to dissolve that friggin' thing.
Or maybe not. In another sign of momentum for the craft, the 2004 Democratic Convention will actually credential bloggers - - just like mainstream media.
What a remarkable development. Blogging is still stuck in infancy, and most blogs never last more than a couple of months before becoming virtual space junk. Yet, those blogs that survive and develop readership are in fact important outlets that shape and reinforce readers' points of view. Moreover, the RSS technology -- that clever code that allows bloggers to syndicate their musings (something I've been too lazy to figure out) -- ensures that a blogger's ruminations can reach countless thousands, unbeknownst to the author. In that regard, blogging is a natural for politicians and their political parties - - as a new way to reach the massses and engineer consent.
Most of us dorks who blog merely enjoy ranting in order to excorsize some sort of demon.....you know, kind of like that little rock that lands in your shoe from time to time. Blogging is a virtual way to dissolve that friggin' thing.
Or maybe not. In another sign of momentum for the craft, the 2004 Democratic Convention will actually credential bloggers - - just like mainstream media.
What a remarkable development. Blogging is still stuck in infancy, and most blogs never last more than a couple of months before becoming virtual space junk. Yet, those blogs that survive and develop readership are in fact important outlets that shape and reinforce readers' points of view. Moreover, the RSS technology -- that clever code that allows bloggers to syndicate their musings (something I've been too lazy to figure out) -- ensures that a blogger's ruminations can reach countless thousands, unbeknownst to the author. In that regard, blogging is a natural for politicians and their political parties - - as a new way to reach the massses and engineer consent.
Friday, June 18, 2004
And in this corner
We have the appropriately named Dick Cheney, who in addition to being a pathological liar about the justification for war in Iraq has spent the last decade working to deny his gay daughter of her civil rights. And in this corner we have the 9/11 Commission - - a bipartisan group of folks charged with investigating the details of the attacks on America (albeit in an unnaturally short time frame thanks to Dick and Rummy). Dick Cheney loves urinary Olympics, but I think his bladder is too small to win this one.
Cheney's latest strategy . . . blame the press! Yes, Dick, let's use that classic PR technique of bridging away from the subject at hand and discuss how the media is lazy and agenda driven. As if you are not, sir.
In a memorable diatribe on CNBC last night, Cheney claimed again (as did his puppet, the president earlier in the day) that there was 'overwhelming' evidence that Al Queda had a relationship with Saddam's regime. Dick cited evidence of a meeting between a leader of the Republican Guard and Osama bin Laden as evidence of the relationship. Yet the 9/11 Commission cites the same meeting as an example of contact between these two groups and notes that it resulted in no future collaboration despite Osama's best efforts. So, Saddam's goons refused to collaborate with Al Queda according to the findings of the bipartisan commission.
Oh - - the meeting happened in 1994. That is right, 10 years ago. Overtures rejected 10 years ago.
Cheney also sites a controversial Czech intelligence report that places Mohammed Atta with Iraq intelligence before the 9/11 attacks. Of course, then Dick goes on to say that ", and we've never been able to confirm or to knock it down." No shit, Dick. If you can't prove it how can you claim there was a relationship? That's akin to saying the Hatfield and McCoys have a relationship.
Sounds underwhelming to me. And it appears that the administration's lies and semantics might prove to be a watershed event in turning the tide of public opinion. Here is an editorial by the San Francisco Chronicle. As well as the New York Daily News. And the Salt Lake City Tribune. And the Financial Times. And the Washington Post. And the Sacramento Bee. And the Cincinnati Post. And the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. And the Denver Post.
Dick, people are not buying your snake oil anymore.
We have the appropriately named Dick Cheney, who in addition to being a pathological liar about the justification for war in Iraq has spent the last decade working to deny his gay daughter of her civil rights. And in this corner we have the 9/11 Commission - - a bipartisan group of folks charged with investigating the details of the attacks on America (albeit in an unnaturally short time frame thanks to Dick and Rummy). Dick Cheney loves urinary Olympics, but I think his bladder is too small to win this one.
Cheney's latest strategy . . . blame the press! Yes, Dick, let's use that classic PR technique of bridging away from the subject at hand and discuss how the media is lazy and agenda driven. As if you are not, sir.
In a memorable diatribe on CNBC last night, Cheney claimed again (as did his puppet, the president earlier in the day) that there was 'overwhelming' evidence that Al Queda had a relationship with Saddam's regime. Dick cited evidence of a meeting between a leader of the Republican Guard and Osama bin Laden as evidence of the relationship. Yet the 9/11 Commission cites the same meeting as an example of contact between these two groups and notes that it resulted in no future collaboration despite Osama's best efforts. So, Saddam's goons refused to collaborate with Al Queda according to the findings of the bipartisan commission.
Oh - - the meeting happened in 1994. That is right, 10 years ago. Overtures rejected 10 years ago.
Cheney also sites a controversial Czech intelligence report that places Mohammed Atta with Iraq intelligence before the 9/11 attacks. Of course, then Dick goes on to say that ", and we've never been able to confirm or to knock it down." No shit, Dick. If you can't prove it how can you claim there was a relationship? That's akin to saying the Hatfield and McCoys have a relationship.
Sounds underwhelming to me. And it appears that the administration's lies and semantics might prove to be a watershed event in turning the tide of public opinion. Here is an editorial by the San Francisco Chronicle. As well as the New York Daily News. And the Salt Lake City Tribune. And the Financial Times. And the Washington Post. And the Sacramento Bee. And the Cincinnati Post. And the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. And the Denver Post.
Dick, people are not buying your snake oil anymore.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
'Gonna make ya sweat 'till ya bleed'
More than a decade after C+C Music Factory mercifully disappeared from the music scene, El Paso, Texas might usher in a new era of appreciation for Freedom Williams' crew. Researchers have named El Paso the 'sweatiest city in the United States', an honor I thought was reserved for New Orleans or Houston. Perhaps those municipalities can find ways to improve their credentials for the 2005 bake off.
"For the dubious honor, El Paso Mayor Joe Wardy will receive a year's supply of Red Zone antiperspirant from Old Spice, a brand owned by consumer products company Procter & Gamble Co. and the sponsor of the study."
This is a slap in the face for all other El Pasoans. Why does the mayor - - who sits in a cushy, air-conditioned office all day - - earn the right to free deoderant? If the city is going to rid itself of the problems associated with profuse sweating, P&G should up the ante and provide free deoderant to the residents of El Paso and its sister city, Juarez (the sweatiest city in Mexico?)
More than a decade after C+C Music Factory mercifully disappeared from the music scene, El Paso, Texas might usher in a new era of appreciation for Freedom Williams' crew. Researchers have named El Paso the 'sweatiest city in the United States', an honor I thought was reserved for New Orleans or Houston. Perhaps those municipalities can find ways to improve their credentials for the 2005 bake off.
"For the dubious honor, El Paso Mayor Joe Wardy will receive a year's supply of Red Zone antiperspirant from Old Spice, a brand owned by consumer products company Procter & Gamble Co. and the sponsor of the study."
This is a slap in the face for all other El Pasoans. Why does the mayor - - who sits in a cushy, air-conditioned office all day - - earn the right to free deoderant? If the city is going to rid itself of the problems associated with profuse sweating, P&G should up the ante and provide free deoderant to the residents of El Paso and its sister city, Juarez (the sweatiest city in Mexico?)
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Battle of the Bulge and Other Musings
- OK, along with 'Mudge I committed to weekly updates on the battle of the bulge, the disposing of the dirty dozen. After one week I am fairly pleased for two reasons: 1) I lost a pound or two; 2) I've been able to moderate portion sizes and eat better food. So, I am off to a good start even if I'm too lazy to get into a real exercise routine. That'll come soon enough.
- Mercifully the NBA season is done. I am not usually a Pistons fan but I've been one for the last 10 days. The Lawrence O'Brien Trophy will spend at least a year in Motown. Larry Brown is a helluva coach.
- Iraq and the 'war on terror' is still a mess. Another US citizen is in the clutches of Islamic terrorists, a pipeline blew up, a Guantanamo investigator was charged with rape, and there is a dispute of custody of Saddam. Bush is probably disappointed that Reagan did not hold on for one more week.
- Time magazine's Lev Grossman takes a look at blogging, and unlike other articles on the subject effectively boils the ocean. Nice job, Lev.
- According to this report in the New York Post, one out of every 130 Americans is a millionaire. That ratio seems awfully high, but if true, Bush outta figure out a way to shift a bit more of the burden onto the broad shoulders of this successful group.
- Finally, the college basketball recruiting season is picking up speed. The good guys, Tom Crean's Marquette Golden Eagles, are in need of a better than solid class as the university prepares to join the Big East. MU was aced out of combo guard Bobby Frasor by UNC, but has a shot at a host of talented PGs - - a position that must be filled with a talented kid or Crean's guys will take their lumps more often than not in the Big East. Could Dominic James be the answer? Perhaps, but he's a longshot to commit to MU, IMHO.
- OK, along with 'Mudge I committed to weekly updates on the battle of the bulge, the disposing of the dirty dozen. After one week I am fairly pleased for two reasons: 1) I lost a pound or two; 2) I've been able to moderate portion sizes and eat better food. So, I am off to a good start even if I'm too lazy to get into a real exercise routine. That'll come soon enough.
- Mercifully the NBA season is done. I am not usually a Pistons fan but I've been one for the last 10 days. The Lawrence O'Brien Trophy will spend at least a year in Motown. Larry Brown is a helluva coach.
- Iraq and the 'war on terror' is still a mess. Another US citizen is in the clutches of Islamic terrorists, a pipeline blew up, a Guantanamo investigator was charged with rape, and there is a dispute of custody of Saddam. Bush is probably disappointed that Reagan did not hold on for one more week.
- Time magazine's Lev Grossman takes a look at blogging, and unlike other articles on the subject effectively boils the ocean. Nice job, Lev.
- According to this report in the New York Post, one out of every 130 Americans is a millionaire. That ratio seems awfully high, but if true, Bush outta figure out a way to shift a bit more of the burden onto the broad shoulders of this successful group.
- Finally, the college basketball recruiting season is picking up speed. The good guys, Tom Crean's Marquette Golden Eagles, are in need of a better than solid class as the university prepares to join the Big East. MU was aced out of combo guard Bobby Frasor by UNC, but has a shot at a host of talented PGs - - a position that must be filled with a talented kid or Crean's guys will take their lumps more often than not in the Big East. Could Dominic James be the answer? Perhaps, but he's a longshot to commit to MU, IMHO.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
So you wanna be a rock-n-roll star
INXS has officially jumped the shark - - and yes, I am being kind to the band from Down Under because the truth is when Michael Hutchence died in 1997, so did the band. Its a shame this guy died while trying to get the allegedly ultimate self-induced sexual high - - though masturbating to the thrill of near asphyxiation is not suicide as reported in the lead of this article. Perhaps it was the devil inside that made him do it. And perhaps the shock of his death is why its taken seven years for his lazy former bandmates to get around to finding a new lead singer through the magic of reality television.
Whether one liked INXS or not, Hutchence was a charismatic lead singer who excited the ladies and put on a heck of a live show. I had the pleasure of seeing INXS on their first American tour (opening for Adam and the Ants - they sucked) 21 years ago and even back then to this naive writer, Hutchence stood out as the primary reason for the band's appeal. The band's sound was built around Hutchence's emotional, expressive vocals which ultimately led to the their success as one of the top pop bands from the mid 80s through most of the 1990s.
Seven years later, the panacea called reality TV is set to re-launch INXS. Marky Mark, are you warming up for this audition? Replacing Hutchence with some sort of goofy tribute lead singer is doomed to fail. That this successful band has not been able to fill this role for seven years speaks more to their disinterest than to any commitment to rejuvenating the band. Lucky for them, Mark Burnett helped them see the error of their ways. More trainwreck television is on the way.
Burnett is almost certainly working on Rock Star II, The Search for Another Washed Up Band, perhaps specializing in finding a new flautist for Men at Work. Or perhaps Rock Star Video Regrets, The Series - - where Pat Benatar finally learns how to dance in 'Love is a Battlefield' or Alex Van Halen revisits his humiliation in 'Hot for Teacher'.
INXS has officially jumped the shark - - and yes, I am being kind to the band from Down Under because the truth is when Michael Hutchence died in 1997, so did the band. Its a shame this guy died while trying to get the allegedly ultimate self-induced sexual high - - though masturbating to the thrill of near asphyxiation is not suicide as reported in the lead of this article. Perhaps it was the devil inside that made him do it. And perhaps the shock of his death is why its taken seven years for his lazy former bandmates to get around to finding a new lead singer through the magic of reality television.
Whether one liked INXS or not, Hutchence was a charismatic lead singer who excited the ladies and put on a heck of a live show. I had the pleasure of seeing INXS on their first American tour (opening for Adam and the Ants - they sucked) 21 years ago and even back then to this naive writer, Hutchence stood out as the primary reason for the band's appeal. The band's sound was built around Hutchence's emotional, expressive vocals which ultimately led to the their success as one of the top pop bands from the mid 80s through most of the 1990s.
Seven years later, the panacea called reality TV is set to re-launch INXS. Marky Mark, are you warming up for this audition? Replacing Hutchence with some sort of goofy tribute lead singer is doomed to fail. That this successful band has not been able to fill this role for seven years speaks more to their disinterest than to any commitment to rejuvenating the band. Lucky for them, Mark Burnett helped them see the error of their ways. More trainwreck television is on the way.
Burnett is almost certainly working on Rock Star II, The Search for Another Washed Up Band, perhaps specializing in finding a new flautist for Men at Work. Or perhaps Rock Star Video Regrets, The Series - - where Pat Benatar finally learns how to dance in 'Love is a Battlefield' or Alex Van Halen revisits his humiliation in 'Hot for Teacher'.
Monday, June 14, 2004
One down, thirteen to follow
Now that Ronald Reagan is buried and finally resting in peace - - though the rah-rah Republicans did all they could do stretch out the idolotry beyond a reasonable length of time - - here's a reminder that there is still a war going on in Iraq. Earlier today, 13 innocents were killed by yet another suicide bomber. All last week I wondered if anything was going on in Iraq since the US-based media decided to take a break in covering the war. Back to reality, even for the right wing.
Now that Ronald Reagan is buried and finally resting in peace - - though the rah-rah Republicans did all they could do stretch out the idolotry beyond a reasonable length of time - - here's a reminder that there is still a war going on in Iraq. Earlier today, 13 innocents were killed by yet another suicide bomber. All last week I wondered if anything was going on in Iraq since the US-based media decided to take a break in covering the war. Back to reality, even for the right wing.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Bush Rings Hell's Bells to Secure Re-election
OK, so much for manageable phone bills. Bush and his cronies at the FCC have decided to side with the poorly run regional Bell telephone companies, allowing them to jack up the rates they charge rivals to access their networks. Its an interesting decision that effectively reinstates the monopoly rights of the larger Bells - - something the 1996 Telecommunications Act was supposed to end. Sensibly priced phone plans like MCI's The Neighborhood are sure to end or at least be priced out of their target market - - middle class America
And of course, this is all about Bush selling his soul for re-election:
"Before the decision, rivals of the Bells said they had told the administration that if it did not side with them in the dispute they intended to run television advertisements in swing political states accusing the White House of being responsible for higher telephone rates. For their part, the Bell companies pledged not to raise rates before the election in November."
Pot, meet kettle. And yet some people still insist that Bush runs this nation based on strong principles rather than the whimsy of focus group politics.
OK, so much for manageable phone bills. Bush and his cronies at the FCC have decided to side with the poorly run regional Bell telephone companies, allowing them to jack up the rates they charge rivals to access their networks. Its an interesting decision that effectively reinstates the monopoly rights of the larger Bells - - something the 1996 Telecommunications Act was supposed to end. Sensibly priced phone plans like MCI's The Neighborhood are sure to end or at least be priced out of their target market - - middle class America
And of course, this is all about Bush selling his soul for re-election:
"Before the decision, rivals of the Bells said they had told the administration that if it did not side with them in the dispute they intended to run television advertisements in swing political states accusing the White House of being responsible for higher telephone rates. For their part, the Bell companies pledged not to raise rates before the election in November."
Pot, meet kettle. And yet some people still insist that Bush runs this nation based on strong principles rather than the whimsy of focus group politics.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Still Capitalizing on Reagan
Looks like those compassionate conservatives are working hard to capitalize on the death of Ronald Reagan. First, this compassionate bunch decided to turn Reagan's funeral into a conservative celebration by refusing to offer the only two living Democratic former presidents an opportunity to eulogize the deceased. There have only been forty-three men to serve in this esteemed role in the history of mankind - - one would have thought the exclusivity of the office alone would have required a more inclusive funeral service. After all, it worked just fine for another Republican, Richard Nixon. Perhaps young Bush will meet with the same fate as the last candidate who allowed a memorial service to turn into a political event.
But wait, the compassionate conservatives are not done offending. They'd like Reagan to replace Alexander Hamilton on the ten dollar bill. Let's think about this. Alexander Hamilton was the champion of capitalism in an era when our young nation's future was very much in doubt. The states were regionally loyal (and therefore divisive) and based on the British experience were loathe to embrace any notions of nationalized monetary policies, debt management, debt assumption, and central banking.
As I look back on nearly 230 years of enormous success for this nation, its clear that a large fraction of our success is directly linked to Hamilton's visionary, courageous, and dogmatic pursuit of federal debt assumption and centralized national monetary policy. This economic foundation is a primary reason that ours is the longest standing true democracy in the history of mankind.
I can't believe these Republicans have the balls to try and capitalize on Reagan's death to erase this remarkable heritage. They should name some really expensive weapon that will never be used after Reagan and leave Hamilton on the cash. any sane observer or economics realizes that Reagan's economic legacy is laughable compared with Hamilton's - - unless one appreciates debt, deficits, an unprecedented widening of the delta between rich and poor, and a scheme that reduced taxes on those who could afford them while increasing the burden on those who could not.
Reagan v. Hamilton. I'd like Alexander in this duel. But maybe we can compromise: Put Reagan on the ten dollar bill when the Treasury Department decides to print the currency in red ink.
The compassionate conservatives have also decided that perhaps Reagan should appear on the dime. But here again is just another foolish example of their ignorance. FDR is on the dime because he wanted folks to donate to the March of Dimes in order to rid the world of birth defects and neo-natal illness. How compassionate of these conservatives to forget these roots.
Looks like those compassionate conservatives are working hard to capitalize on the death of Ronald Reagan. First, this compassionate bunch decided to turn Reagan's funeral into a conservative celebration by refusing to offer the only two living Democratic former presidents an opportunity to eulogize the deceased. There have only been forty-three men to serve in this esteemed role in the history of mankind - - one would have thought the exclusivity of the office alone would have required a more inclusive funeral service. After all, it worked just fine for another Republican, Richard Nixon. Perhaps young Bush will meet with the same fate as the last candidate who allowed a memorial service to turn into a political event.
But wait, the compassionate conservatives are not done offending. They'd like Reagan to replace Alexander Hamilton on the ten dollar bill. Let's think about this. Alexander Hamilton was the champion of capitalism in an era when our young nation's future was very much in doubt. The states were regionally loyal (and therefore divisive) and based on the British experience were loathe to embrace any notions of nationalized monetary policies, debt management, debt assumption, and central banking.
As I look back on nearly 230 years of enormous success for this nation, its clear that a large fraction of our success is directly linked to Hamilton's visionary, courageous, and dogmatic pursuit of federal debt assumption and centralized national monetary policy. This economic foundation is a primary reason that ours is the longest standing true democracy in the history of mankind.
I can't believe these Republicans have the balls to try and capitalize on Reagan's death to erase this remarkable heritage. They should name some really expensive weapon that will never be used after Reagan and leave Hamilton on the cash. any sane observer or economics realizes that Reagan's economic legacy is laughable compared with Hamilton's - - unless one appreciates debt, deficits, an unprecedented widening of the delta between rich and poor, and a scheme that reduced taxes on those who could afford them while increasing the burden on those who could not.
Reagan v. Hamilton. I'd like Alexander in this duel. But maybe we can compromise: Put Reagan on the ten dollar bill when the Treasury Department decides to print the currency in red ink.
The compassionate conservatives have also decided that perhaps Reagan should appear on the dime. But here again is just another foolish example of their ignorance. FDR is on the dime because he wanted folks to donate to the March of Dimes in order to rid the world of birth defects and neo-natal illness. How compassionate of these conservatives to forget these roots.
Sunday, June 06, 2004
"Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son"
Facetiously speaking, one of the reasons that I have not blogged regularly of late is because I've been too busy eating just about anything I can get my hands on. This is the way it is for me: I've gotta bottom out before I can bounce back. And lately, I've been working really hard at packing on the pounds and finding reasons to be outrageously lazy about exercise. Honestly, its becoming easier and easier to open up that freezer and go at it like Belushi on the cafeteria line.
Thankfully, I am not alone in my unenviable pursuit of slothdom. The Chronic Curmudgeon is down here in the abyss of excercise avoidance and dietary disillusionment. Heck, we worked hard to empty my wine cellar this past weekend, and ate Dove Bars at a rate that John Candy would have appreciated.
So, here's the deal.....its time to drop 12 pounds in a rather expedient fashion: gotta lose the lard by Labor Day. 'Mudge is gonna jump into this situation and commit to his own goal (which will likely exceed mine -- but it should). However, we need the folks who comment to come back here and chastise us reguarly into losing the weight. I realize this is a pathetic blog that is a waste of virtual space, but, so be it. Something's gotta give.
Facetiously speaking, one of the reasons that I have not blogged regularly of late is because I've been too busy eating just about anything I can get my hands on. This is the way it is for me: I've gotta bottom out before I can bounce back. And lately, I've been working really hard at packing on the pounds and finding reasons to be outrageously lazy about exercise. Honestly, its becoming easier and easier to open up that freezer and go at it like Belushi on the cafeteria line.
Thankfully, I am not alone in my unenviable pursuit of slothdom. The Chronic Curmudgeon is down here in the abyss of excercise avoidance and dietary disillusionment. Heck, we worked hard to empty my wine cellar this past weekend, and ate Dove Bars at a rate that John Candy would have appreciated.
So, here's the deal.....its time to drop 12 pounds in a rather expedient fashion: gotta lose the lard by Labor Day. 'Mudge is gonna jump into this situation and commit to his own goal (which will likely exceed mine -- but it should). However, we need the folks who comment to come back here and chastise us reguarly into losing the weight. I realize this is a pathetic blog that is a waste of virtual space, but, so be it. Something's gotta give.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Hi, I need a rubber. NOW!
From the 'You Can't Make This Stuff Up' file, horny Swedes can now rely on their government to serve the role of Trojan Man when the moment is right. Citing a need to 'increase the use of condoms', the government set up a new service to pass out condoms on demand to their horny minions. What is the phone number you ask? you guessed it, '696969'. Honest.
Like I said, you can't make this stuff up. I hope the Swedes have extra condom ambulances on call on the weekend overnight shift.
From the 'You Can't Make This Stuff Up' file, horny Swedes can now rely on their government to serve the role of Trojan Man when the moment is right. Citing a need to 'increase the use of condoms', the government set up a new service to pass out condoms on demand to their horny minions. What is the phone number you ask? you guessed it, '696969'. Honest.
Like I said, you can't make this stuff up. I hope the Swedes have extra condom ambulances on call on the weekend overnight shift.
