To go or not to go to college

An interesting read here from a career counselor, Marty Nemko, and from "The Chronicle of Higher Education."

Nemko's is simply that today, in these times, the Bachelor's Degree is "America's Most Overrated Product."

My original BA is in an industry that I no longer work in, essentially it was a wasted $40 grand. I got tantamount to another Bachelor's in Education/Science degree because I had to retake 3 years of core classes to obtain the position I am now happily in.

Because of this, you would think I'd agree with his overall position. But, I don't. However, there are some merits to his case, and i've wondered aloud at times if this was an accurate position.

Clearly, former Presidential Candidate John Edwards' plan to allow everyone graduating high school with a C average (or whatever it was) would have been a complete disaster, despite its lovely thought. Being in college recently made me realize a few things. First of all, that plan would never work. Schools are already trimming enrollment because there are no more beds to house students, and classes are booked. Second, not all people are made for college. Not because of the workload, but because of the thought and thinking you end up doing in college. During my first degree I learned more about myself than I did anything else...I was enlightened to the world for sure, but some of the values that I found challenged made me take another look at my thinking and further develop my worldview.

Nemko's strongest argument comes from the following graft: "...many institutions tend to educate students in the cheapest way possible: large lecture classes, with necessary small classes staffed by rock-bottom-cost graduate students. At many colleges, only a small percentage of the typical student's classroom hours will have been spent with fewer than 30 students taught by a professor, according to student-questionnaire data I used for my book..."

This I could not agree more with. The biggest scam outside of the money may be indeed the unseen role grad students play when "teaching" a class. I've taken some of these classes, and i have had some great graduate students who did a fine job of running a course, but by and large...they stink to high heaven.

I pay the college for my professor's expertise in this area, and I expect him/her to actually teach the class, not just hand off the agenda to some grad student. I will note, that once you get into the core of your degree (depending on the college and/or degree) you do get to have smaller classes, which are typically (but, not always) taught by professors.

Herein lies the rub. A good friend of mine is a grad student, in fact he's working on his doctorate and wants to possibly teach. I am fine with him teaching a class because that is his intention, his likely choice of a career. This is different than what typically happens, the grad students are typically "teaching" the class because they are forced to carry a professors water because that professors often holds the massive power key to their future success. So, we do need some grad students teaching classes so that, they can eventually take over when the professors leave/retire.

Nemko's argument that the job market for college graduates seems off to me as well. If anything, it's become more relevant, more required to get those degrees as factory-type jobs head overseas and the more cerebral jobs are staying put...or highly technical jobs which do require some post high school training.

Ultimately, if you intend to get a job where a college degree is a likely necessity, it behooves you to get that degree now. Finally, also, I concur with Nemko that big-brand-name institutions may offer less valuable educations because those big-name prefessors are so busy doing their research. However, I also caution against settling for a community college, and try to get into a fairly decent-sized university that offers both the mix of a research-based-community and the hands-on access to those very professors when you get into your core area of interest.

P.S. Nemko cites via his survey/research that "43.5 percent of freshmen also reported "frequently" feeling bored in class." OF COURSE! Freshman classes are frequently boring, not just because of the material not being in your core interest area, but it also is usually a class given in a large (I'm talking over 500 students) lecture hall. It's all part of the freshman year experience, Nemko, being a career counselor, should know better than to include this erroneous stat in his article. There's a reason he isn't citing sophmores, juniors, or seniors interest level...your first year is often the worst between dorm life, trying to survive classes, trying to deal with the new freedom, and finding where you fit in.

*Beep, Beep, Beep*

...that sound you hear?...yeah, that's the Obama Bus backing up and rolling over Rev. Wright...just MOMENTS after throwing him from the bus and running has fat ass over.

Nicely done Obama...I'm impressed.

Obama's New Test - Shut the Reverend Up

Obama needs to show his Democratic delegates something here. This situation has to be "handled." By "handled," I mean simply that someone needs to do everything in their power to shut this fucking man up until December.

Reverend Wright was a problem, it was handled...if not in a great fashion. But, the "issue" has essentially disappeared.

But, if this jackass is going to open his fat yap every two minutes, mark my words...Obama WILL lose.

THIS..."Wright said he's told Obama that if he is elected in November and is inaugurated in January, 'I'm coming after you.'"...IS NOT HELPING!!!

Obama needs to take the threat Wright has issued towards him, take him behind the scenes and give him the complete ultimatum. You shut your pie-hole, or so help me, when I am elected President, your ass will NEVER see the inside of the White House as long as I am in charge.

This is not an argument about whether Wright is wrong or not, it's a matter of perception. And in politics, perception rules all...perception is the kingmaker/queenmaker.

Obama needs to handle this, he needs to shut this man up...and that means...yesterday!

Why ESPN's ratings have been going down

Moments ago, in the 7th round of the NFL Draft Caleb Campbell from Army was taken by the Lions...only the 4th player in the last decade plus to be taken during the draft that played for one of the armed forces football teams.

In a post-pick interview: Trey Wingo (whom I generally like) said the following to this soldier: "Thanks for letting us be a part of your story." GAG ME! This just in ESPN...you are NOT a part of the story...it's not ALWAYS about you!

ESPN's ratings have tanked in recent years for several reasons. Among them:

1. Their constant, glad-handing, and total own ass-grabbery/self-promotion. They constantly feel the need to make themselves "part" of the story when they are supposed to be a sports news organization.

2. The birth of regional sports networks (primarily via FoxSportsNet, and ComcastSportsNet) have dug into ESPN's core audience.

3. A bit of a controversial one here, but I think their inclusion and heavy coverage of NASCAR has hurt them. NASCAR has a solid, core demographic of predominantly lower-middle class socioeconomic people. Most of these people don't have cable, can't afford it. And ESPN has turned off people like me with their annoying coverage of this supposed "sport."

4. Their on-air personalities have become a caricature of their real personality. Some personalities like Scott Van Pelt, Linda Cohn, Cindy Brunson, Suzy Kolber, Trey Wingo, Karl Ravech, and my own personal fave, Kenny Mayne have been cast aside and given side roles as hosts or sidelines reporters. Meanwhile, people like Steve Berthiume and Neal Everett do a shabby job of making nightly highlights fresh and interesting. It's not the catchphrases that are the problem, it's the BAD catchphrases are completely overused. For years, Dan Patrick used the catch phrase "en fuego" to describe when someone was "on fire"...it was a phrase he used over and over, but it never became overly stale because he knew HOW and WHEN to use it.

5. Finally, and perhaps the most asinine thing ESPN has done to lose people, including me, as regular viewers of their franchise show (SportsCenter) is the BLATANT product pushing they've done. They have completely sold out to every corporation possible. Every highlight package, every recap of an event, every interview, is brought to you by some corporation. That wouldn't be so bad, but when it's splayed all over the screen with a graphic and 5 second annoying audio cue...it gets mighty old, might fast...and it starts to leave a sour taste in your mouth.

"The Budweiser Hot Seat???"...seriously? It's an asinine segment to begin with, which has changed from an in-depth interview, to a ass-grab-fest between the on-air personality lobbing fat softballs to some person related to a sports team. ESPN has lost their core, their journalism core and they've become a bastardization of themselves.

ESPN had me back in the late 90s before the ridiculous product announcements began, and I will continue to not watch ESPN's staple show until they take that shit out. I do miss Kenny Mayne, and the continued under-use of him by ESPN is a damn shame because he's hilarious.

Detroit continues to not get it

Reaping what you sew. Detroit automakers have been out of fashion for decades and they continue to not get it. It's astonishing how moronic and stupid these people can be, when the writing is so clear on the wall...it's as stark as the little boy in "The Shining" writing REDRUM in a mirror.

I have sympathy for Detroit autoworkers who have been continually screwed by their companies, and laid off as their CEO's rake in millions of dollars of compensation for doing a job so badly, a cockroach could do it.

Finally, Detroit has begun making more reliable cars, with better parts, but they continue to hold onto and crank out SUV's like they are cheese puffs and their feeding a fat ass couch potato.

I have a socialist streak in me, I am constantly asking, what is BETTER for all not just ME. The governor in this state of mine has been pondering putting in new toll booths on some of the well-travelled highways on the perimeter of the city. He's been deciding between that plan and just simply raising the gas tax to get/force people to carpool, use public transportation. If he were to put in the tolls, I would not be affected as I don't drive often where he's proposing they should go, but if he chose the gas tax hike...that clearly would affect me as I drive about an hour one way to work.

I wrote the Governor a letter urging for the gas tax hike. I don't relish the idea of paying more for gas, but i think it's more fair to spread the burden. Moreover, it will cause more than just the city folk to think twice about buying that gas-guzzling 10 mpg Lincoln Navigator.

I have been asking for $4 dollar gas for years, and we are almost there, and I am...quite possibly (other than oil executives)..the only American happy about it...I'm positively giddy.

Despite what people have always SAID, "I will never give up my SUV, It's my right to own my fat SUV, I couldn't possibly live without my SUV"...HAHA!!...what do you know? People are able to live without them when the situation makes them adapt.

And now, Detroit has screwed themselves again for not seeing this coming. They have a massive back load of SUVs that they will never sell, and people are beginning to jump ship and buy cars that don't guzzle QUITE as much gas.

I laugh at their continued incompetence, and ineptitude. They have been losing the war against foreign automakers for YEARS, despite the higher costs of those cars despite tariffs imposed on those cars. There's a reason GM has been surpassed by Toyota in auto sales...and they better look out...as Honda is right on their tail. Make shitty automobiles, and make automobiles that continue to guzzle gas...you were asking for it.

Further proof this Clinton/Obama is GOOD for Democrats

There are several reasons I have thought this battle between Obama and Clinton has been good for the party, just from my political analysis. But, the esteemed Frank Rich provides some color to make my previous points in this blog have merit...albeit he does use some polling data (and we all know how I'm not a fan of polls, but I think these are at least interesting to take note of):

1. In the Pennsylvania Republican Primary we heard nary about 220,000 Pennsylvania Republicans (out of their total turnout of 807,000) were moved to cast ballots for Mike Huckabee or, more numerously, Ron Paul. That’s more voters than the margin (215,000) that separated Hillary Clinton and Mr. Obama.

2. The primary in this state was closed, so independents who are trending Democrat as recently as 2006, were left out of being able to show their displeasure with Republicans.

3. The whole argument being pushed by the left-wingers supporting Obama that McCain is getting a free ride is somewhat true, but he will eventually pay for that (we are seeing signs of that in the story about him using his wife's corporate jet for little money)...but, the argument that McCain is cleaning up the money in a fund raising blitz doesn't match the true numbers. Coming up to the primary the Clinton campaign trounced the McCain campaign in fund-raising by 2.5 to 1 (the Obama-McCain ratio is 3 to 1). McCain will have NO cash to speak of.

And seeing how poorly he is doing nationally, it makes me wonder whether Republican big-wig donors will really open their pocket book to help McCain much, when they probably figure this next President is going to be saddled with Dubya's sack of shit that they will conveniently hang around the next of the next President. The gift that keeps on giving...

4. The prolonged Democratic primary race, far from destroying the Democratic candidates, may do more insidious damage to the Republican nominee, lulling his campaign into an unjustified complacency. McCain has been unable, despite having all this time to gird up support in this supposed "nasty, bitter" fight, to move past 45% in the nationwide polls.

5. On Tuesday, a Democrat won the first round of a special Congressional election in Mississippi, even though the national G.O.P. outspent the Democrats by more than double and President Bush carried this previously safe Republican district by 25 percentage points in 2004. That is damning news for any Republican incumbent.

Finally, I would just like to reiterate this post was largely/completely plagiarized and if Frank Rich comes after and suits my ass, I'll just pile that court judgment on top of my student loan debt...but, Frank made some damn good point in this morning's Times. Including an argument my fellow blogger Heartlandish would like as he takes on Hillary's supposed claim of her skeletons being out there. I think this is primary why I am moving to Obama, seeing that Hillary would make such a fantastic number two.

Obama has been tested well. While he hasn't performed and shown the willingness to fight dirty that I think he NEEDS to know how to do...particularly come 2012...by putting Hill on the ticket would give him plausible deniability when she unleashes her claws and gnashes her teeth.

Yet another cold-blooded heart/opinion

A few days ago Afghan President Hamid Karzai felt the need to open his fat yap and make the general comment that the US should stop targeting the Taliban in his state/country.

When I heard he had said this, I literally laughed out loud. Then I thought, fine. Let's go troops. Because I figured not 1 second outside the Afghan border...his ass would be a dead man.

And wouldn't you know it, but it didn't even take that long. Earlier today Karzai, narrowly survived an assassination attempt. Now who would do such a thing?....oh yeah, the Taliban!!

Are you REALLY sure about wanting us to leave? Really? Go blow your horn you stooge.

I take the same attitude with Iraq's guy Al-Malaki? A month or so ago he was bitching about American presence in Iraq...I think that's also a guy has a destination with a bullet in the cranium the minute we get out of Iraq. When WE put your ass into power...I think you need to be careful on how much you really want to rip us, because if we are gone...so are you, in the superficial title sense, and in the alive sense.

Are we starting this on sharks again?...seriously?

OH SHIT YO!!! There's a shark in the water!!!!!

Before I continue with my mock-fright...let's take a trip down memory lane. A trip back to the summer of 2001. The biggest stories of the day: Chandra Levy/Gary Condit "scandal", and shark attacks!!!!

Some dude, a triathlete who was also 66 years old...66 is 66 ya'll...triathlete or no triathlete...and a shark is a shark...was killed when he was attacked Friday by what authorities believe to have been a great white shark.

1. Sharks do live in the water/ocean.
2. Sharks are attracted by fluttery things on the surface that look like tasty treats.
3. Sharks are not attacking people deliberately.
4. There are, on average, a whopping 4 deaths per year as a result of shark attacks.

But, despite these fundamental truths...the media is coming close to losing their collective minds, yet again. Beaches have been closed in So. Cal. And what is more pathetic, helicopters are in a search for said shark who attacked the man in question.

Do we not have better things to do? It was 1 shark attack...call me when there is 2 in the same area, then we may have a problem with a specific shark. We have enough problems wasting fossil fuels, flying helicopters around and around in search of a random shark they are not likely to find seems like a ridiculous waste of governmental resources and energy resources.

When are we going to get it? Sharks are animals, grizzly bears are animals, and freaking tigers are animals.

Leave this shark alone. Don't kill "Rocky", the "trained" grizzly bear, who attacked his "trainer" this past week resulting in his death. Just like Siegfried and Roy found out, wild animals are...HAHA...wild.

If you make the CHOICE to bring these animals into your domain, you have it coming if/when they've had enough of your song and dance routine, and decide to lop off your head.

I'm sorry to be so cold-blooded, but these are reasons why they invented the Darwin Awards. People SO tremendously stupid, they are literally ASKING, if not BEGGING, for their lives to end.

Give the animals a medal. It's the least we can do for continuing to infringe our houses, our "developments", on their habitat. I do believe they were here first.

Finally, lest the media tempt fate and go on this shark attack rampage scare-a-thon again. Last time, it resulted in a sobering reminder of what is truly important when the country was attacked in September of the same year. This is not meant to refer totally to the Condit story, as the Levy disappearance was a real story, but the media was all about the sex more than the poor girl.

P.S. I just feel sick. I completely apologize for using the 9/11 event in this way...I puke in my mouth anytime I hear a politician use it. So, I will leave the words stand, but disregard the reference...because that was a bit too sanctimonious...even for me.

Why I want to, but can't, trust Google

Google has proprietary ownership of their book scanning technology and they have consistently refused to share it with universities and other like-minded institutions that have been doing some really good work to build a world library that can eventually be accessed all over the world from the Internets.

Moreover, I don't believe in or buy the writer's whining. Most people prefer to use/read books in their hands, and it's also no different than going to the library and checking out the book. Google could develop a way where you can "rent" the book for yourself for a month, and then you have to "return" it. Perhaps this would be more like a brick and mortar library and would ease writer complaints, but some people just don't have ready access to libraries.

Finally, more on Google. Google needs to show some good sandbox play here. Some are fearful they will get all the books in the world and then end up holding the world hostage for their database. Realistically, I don't see this as a viable option, but they need to do something to assuage those fears.

3 cops, 1 dead black man

This is about the case that has had NYC on edge since November 2006. Sean Bell was killed on his wedding day when 3 NYC cops pounded over a whopping 50 bullets aimed at his chest. I admit freely here, I don't know the dirty full details of this case beyond cursory lowlights mentioned in media reports ever since the event occurred.

What I do know is this: When 31 of those 50+ bullets are fired by one cop, semi-automatic gun or no, that's not a good start. But, apparently the newly-married and probably drunk Mr. Bell didn't acquit himself well either.
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As undercover cops, these officers had a duty when they tried to deal with Mr. Bell and his group that they indeed were cops.

It seems that the judge in this case acted judiciously in my opinion. Clearly, Detective Oliver (the one who shot the 31 bullets of over 50), has a plausible story, but he still needs to be dealt with administratively. There is virtually no reason a cop should be blowing through 31 bullets...but then again, I've never fired that type of gun and apparently, this 12-year veteran hadn't fired his gun in action before either, so maybe he was freaked a bit by being caught in that position.

The judge was prudent here. In such a mess of a case where it was clear several humans made several bad choices, it was a no-win case. I agree with the judge's decision to acquit the 3 cops, but I also hope that there are some administrative things the NYPD does to handle these men; especially Oliver.

As sad case, and it's closed.

The Sham of the Shoe?

Interesting article here on the myth of the shoe. I always wondered why the freaking shoes had that tail up in front.

I for one, wear Birkenstocks as much as I can, even at work. My attitude is if you are going to can my ass because I wear freaking sandals, then I don't want to be your employee in the first place.

But, seriously, the article looks at the role of shoes and how those shoes designed to protect you with all that extra padding, and the thick heel to absorb the impact of the foot landing...may, in fact, be counter-intuitive. It may be hurting you. A portion of the article cites a study where they compared the impact/stress on the heel of the foot people have when wearing shoes to that stress when going barefoot.

What they found is your body is overcompensating for that extra heel built into modern shoes, and actually causing more stress/impact on your body because your body needs to feel the ground to maintain balance. The thicker heel in a normal shoe, means you'd need to actually press harder to get a sense of the ground through that heel.

Very interesting read. Partly also why when I do wear shoes, I wear slip on/off's so I can take them off in my room when students are away...and hell, sometimes when they aren't.

Spying on the Dems

This is exactly the type of dirty politics I write of when I make the comments I did in my earlier posts today:

There is no serious note of the Republicans here, it's mostly centered on big business corporations, but there's no doubt that this "information" would gleefully get sent down the chain for a few favors/dollars.

These are the people the Democrats on the left don't get they are fighting, and if they do get it, then they are stupid for not realizing you need to fight fire with fire. An honorable loss is meaningless at this juncture, for if the Democratic party were to lose this election, then what real viability would we have as left-wing believers?

This, I tell you, is the essence of politics at it's nastiness. You must play nasty to beat nasty. Sorry to deliver the bad news you big softees.

McCain hires prisoners...literally

The McCain campaign has been busted for...whoops!...my bad...accidentally using free prison labor for a private fund raising event earlier this week. This is absolutely brilliant! Save this one for a fantastic television advertisement.

My continued disgust with the leftists

This behavior is what ticks me off about the namby-pamby left side of the Democratic party. This from the party who was too spineless to open their trap when they KNEW the I-raq "war" was a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-War.

This from the left media baron, the NY Times. The bitching, whining about Hillary and her "negativity" hurting the party. I come from the heartland, a location of this country I decry constantly, and hate being from. However, perhaps that's why I have a freaking backbone...perhaps it's why I have a pair of balls dangling from my scrotum...because this is bullshit, it's crap....and I've had ENOUGH!

A day ago, the Times unleashed this whopper from their "Editorial Board"...aka: their all-sissy board. The low road eh?

Yeah, well it's cute, it's political-Pollyanna-ish, and it's a tired, old, refrain we have heard many times over: "People don't like negative campaigning." Boo...fucking hoo....let's all cry our eyes out. Let's have a huggy moment. Strictly by the polling, this opinion may be accurate...but it has CONSISTENTLY been disproved by the very effectiveness of negative campaigning. You want proof?:

Ask Harold Ford Jr. Wait, don't ask Harold, because he too plays cute political games and flat out refuses to call out what was blatantly clear in his race for Senate in Tennessee. He lost because Bob Corker unleashed a negative ad mixing racial hatred with the sexual patriarchy social norms that assholes in that part of the country (and perhaps those voters Obama has been unable to close) subscribe to and cling to. To this day, Harold can't bring himself to say he lost because of his skin color and his bachelorhood and the cause of that nasty ad Corker sank him on.

Ask Max Cleland, an amputee who was called unpatriotic by his Republican opponents in his race, and subsequently lost in a dirty, nasty campaign. Ask John Kerry, who lost primarily due to his ineffectiveness and unwillingness to fight fire with fire and let the Swift Boat accusations stand without addressing them immediately.

I know I am running a broken record here in this blog...but I will keep running until you all GET IT. You can bring your blankeys and you Smores to the cute little campfire of election politics...you can sing Cumbayah (however you spell it) and hold hands...but when the Republicans dump lighter fluid on the Obama campfire (AND THEY WILL DUMP A LOT, make no mistake about McCain and his dumbfuck/awww shucks promises)...you do not stand there and watch the fire burn out of control. You don't try to talk to the fire and calm it down. You don't wait it out until it dies down and then put out the damage done...YOU MUST SHOOT LIGHTER FLUID BACK INTO YOUR OPPONENT'S FIRE.

My fellow Hoosier, Heartlandish, has broken up with Hillary not recognizing her role in this campaign. More on that development below in a somewhat-redundant post of mine.

But, my fellow leftists...I AM BEGGING YOU....I URGE YOU...do not forsake Hillary. No matter what "negative ad" Hillary ran in Pennsylvania, no matter what ad she airs in the next 2 contests, this Democratic primary is FAR from negative campaigning to the level of the Republicans. To ignore this, to poo-poo this is at your own candidates peril in the fall.

Do you seriously think Hillary is airing any issues, any serious concerns, that would NOT have been thought of by the Republicans? Seriously? The Repos are the best in the bidness, and the Clinton's through their battles have learned how to fight back with all the vitriole it takes to combat such a force. Hillary and her campaign are not bringing up any issue that McCain or his surrogates wouldn't have, and it's better Obama get a primer of those attacks now, rather than be blind-sighted by them later.

Let me be clear (thanks Larry Craig for the line): I am NOT in favor of campaigning this way. I never have been, I never will be. The system is highly unfair, from the Selectoral College on down. I hate all forms of soft money. I hate PACs. I hate private financing of campaigns. But, no matter how unfair the system may be, you have to fight within the limits of that system, and be willing to take advantage of ALL avenues within said system. This includes negative ads. If you refuse to fight within these rules, the Democratic Party WILL lose again, ask John Kerry.

In short, to my fellow liberal bloggers and The New York Times, Andrew Sullivan: Stick a cork in it. Hillary has earned every right to run her campaign, she has earned the right to stay in this. Grow a backbone people...or get out of the business of covering elections, because you clearly don't get how the meanest, dirtiest sport in America is played and YOU CAN'T HACK IT!

No one loves the Hatchet-man/woman

This is a note most specifically to my fellow Hoosier...Heartlandish.

In a recent post, she breaks up with one Hillary Clinton.

I am sure I will hear if I mistakenly represent her position...and I welcome that if necessary.

Obama has again failed to court blue-collar, older, and white voters. It is hard to fully say how many of these votes he would get in a race against a different, younger opponent...perhaps like my choice in 04 and 08, John Edwards.

But back to the Heartlandish: Her break-up with the big Hill sounds like its a result of the type of campaigning (perhaps negative) the Hill demonstrated in this latest Pennsylvania Primary.

I am no fool. If this was an election to vote for America's top hatchet-man (woman)...she'd win hands down.

What is it about Hill's role in this race do Dems (especially the far leftists) not get?? Hill herself may not get it, but she is playing her role well. Hill is playing dirty, but that is exactly what she should be doing. Obama HAS to prove he can win these voters over. And he has yet, in any significant state, to do so. If Hill takes votes from these race-paranoid people...doesn't it follow that McCain would also get these votes over Obama?

McCain is older, more male, more hawkish...how does Obama get those votes? Not saying it is impossible, but telling me Obama won the Oklahoma Democratic primary DOES NOT mean he has a chance in hell of winning that state come the general.

As a Hill supporter of sorts, I am calling on her to wind this down. This means within the next month. Her negatives are skyrocketing, which only makes it harder to get her elected in the general. But beware the dirty, filthy, attacks from the right Obama. You Dems, constantly bitching about the unfair, vile attacks by Hill, have no fucking perspective.

Hill's attacks you now find so vile, which they are not, will look like cotton candy when the right starts their campaign in full. Sure cool-hand McCain will deny any involvement and he will feign disgust...this is why forcing Obama to take Hill as his VP may be helpful. You may hate her now Dems...but she clearly knows how to engage in a knife fight and she can stab right back with he best of them.

So Heartlandish...I know you are upset with her. I know you are disgusted and disappointed by her tactics, but take notice and if/when Obama wins...he will owe her a big "Thank you" whether she's on the ticket or not.

Furthermore, if Obama loses to old man McCain without her on the ticket, it WILL NOT be her fault.

So, congrats to the left wing (which is my wing when it comes to values) on their selection and ascendancy of Obama. If he wins, I will love watching him work. Barring a serious setback...he should be the next President of the United States. But, I urge ye to beware the Republicans...beware, indeed.

Pitcher's Beware THIS Man!!!

Who is THIS man? It's none other than the first Native American of Navajo descent to reach the Major Leagues himself: Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury. He came up to the BoSox late last year and made a HUGE impact. He has the speed to score all the way from first on a double. Not including last night's game, since he came up he has stolen 17 bases and has yet to be thrown out. In his last 5 games as a starting center fielder this year he's hitting 11-19 (.579 average) with: 5 walks, 4 stolen bases, 2 HR, 10 Runs Scored. His on-base percentage this year is over .450...if this guy gets on base he will score.

I repeat, pitchers...BEWARE this man!!

Guilty pleasure numero 2

Turning off all lights, cranking up the volume on the iPod and dancin' in the dark for a good hour.

TBC

It's weird in some respects, not so in others. As a loner who prefers the solitude of his own, often odd, thoughts...you wouldn't think Im* like the big ole' city (TBC).

Different loners and solitude seekers have their own way as I have read: Some prefer to the far away back country and hole up in a cabin in da woods. Others like me enjoy the relative anonymity you can enjoy walking/living in TBC.

For me the city, Boston, gives the feel of aliveness that I would feel awful without. Being from crap-tastic Indiana...I never got to live with the occasional big city energy infusion. Not matter how long I stay, I can never get enough of just simply walking through the diversity.

I felt the similar feeling the 2 times I've visited NYC...though that is definitely more energy infusing.

Good thing is...the energy infusion usually lasts a while. It most def brings my spirits up.

Mel Kiper, Jr.

Love watching Mel on ESPN when debating draft picks with some other analyist. He's got this narrow eyed, furrowed brow look that says: "Oh reeealllly? You sure about that punk?"

Color me shocked THIS happened in S.C.

Per Drudge, a fantastic highlight on how Obama will not win many of the states he won during the Democratic primary race.

You must love S. Carolina, their refusal to recognize African Americans as actual people/humans is hilariously myopic and fantastically ridiculous.

A sign in front of...wait for it...a church (of COURSE it was a church!)...reads: "Obama, Osama, hmm, are they brothers?"



As annoying as Texas has been in recent years about their wish to secede from the Union, So. Carolina is on the top of my list of states that i wish we could literally push a button on, and drop it 500 feet into the freaking ocean. What a bunch of gnomes.

Unfortunately, someone else would have to push that button because there's no way I'd push it to sink the hotlicious Ginger from Trademark Properties, which is based there. Couldn't take the chance she'd be going down with the ship, so to speak.

The fact someone even thought about this sign, and then chose to put it up is incredibly pathetic. Grow a brain.

Comcast's & HD BS Marketing

In typical Comcast fashion, anyone who has dealt with these fuck-wits knows how much this company continues to blow chunks year after year, they are up to their old tricks.

However, it's not just Comcast, it's apparently all of the HD providers, Comcast just happens to be the biggest and thus gets the most shit (but, they deserve it anyway).

HD TV is proving to be the same technological maze and perhaps scham that people invested in the HD-DVD versus Blue-Ray DVD's found. The very same conundrum that has plagued comsumers as technology advances and no one knows which device is going to take over: Betacam/VHS, Laserdiscs/DVD, etc.

Verizon Fios has had similar problems/customer complaints, where they strip out your cable in order to sloppily put in the new cable, thus forcing you to stick with the service because you no longer have your normal cable accessible.

It seems HD dvd may not be all it's cracked up to be. And as a typical American telecom corporations, Comcast, Dish Network, DirecTV, etc are doing what they do best...they market the hell out of a product that is an apparent actual significant upgrade. But, then when it comes to implementing the product after they have the consumer on the proverbial hook, they stab a hundred knives in their back to distract them from the shitty way they implement the service.

Per this story from MSNBC, consumers are beginning to garner notice for the shouting they've been doing in online forums where they pan the quality of HD service. It seems these corporations, instead of spending the money in infrastructure and improving bandwidth, they have been compressing the HD signal to fit in the current bandwidth, which then causes part of the signal to be lost and the quality to be seriously diminished.

This is why I have not purchased a new dvd player of any sorts. This is why I buy regular dvd's. This is also why I will be waiting a good long while before I upgrade my television service to get the HD TV. Because, clearly the service isn't being delivered they way it's promised, and you have to buy a new tv to get the full features of HD TV.

Moreover, much like it is with food...once you go up in quality of food, it's a bitch to go back. One you've tasted great food, it's really hard to go back to the boring ass chain's like TGI Fridays (they stink). I've heard that the HD TV is so good, it makes watching sports on normal tv almost unbearable once you've seen it and gotten used to it.

The Boston Marathon...

...is a completely retarded, fucking, moronic "event." It's nice in that lots o' money is raised for non-profits, but the media coverage around here is totally whack.

It's a marathon people! It's about as fun to watch as that NASCAR bullshit. It's a joke, most of the people who run in the marathon are jokes, and anyone who gives a damn about the marathon is a complete retard.

It's just like the Tour De France. Total farce! Lance Armstrong is a nice story, but the race itself is stupid. GET OVER IT PEOPLE!!!

Joba the Great?

The MFY made a decision early on this spring during spring training...they decided to keep the young phenom pitcher Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen as their primary set-up man. As a BoSox fan, I was thrilled.

Joba has the stuff to be a starter, and anyone with half a baseball brain would tell you that the average MLB career of any relief pitcher is much less assured health-wise than that of a starter.

This has to do with the wear and tear the rotator cuff in the pitching shoulder goes under with getting up and down like most relievers have to do.

Mariano Rivera and his tremendous career s an abberation and NOT the rule. Most closers do not have the longevity of Rivera, and to put Joba in his shadow will certainly cut what could be a great career short.

I didn't want my Sox to do this with Papelbon, but that was the path chosen and in his first year in the closer's role (2006) he showed what that type of work can do to the youngest of shoulders.

In short, Hank Steinbrenner may be a colossal blow hard, but in this case...he's right. Chamberlain SHOULD be a starter starting immediately.

For the Record...

...I am aware that my blog is completely mis-subtitled. My thoughts are rarely pithy. It will be changed to verbose...doesn't sound as good as the pithy, but it's much more accurate. My apologies to all affected.

Feminism & Sexuality & Law

I continue to laugh and also think hard about the double standard that this sudden rash of women fucking young boys has displayed in our culture.

Seems like ever since Mary Kay Letournau had her thing with the kid, whom she subsequently had a kid with and married, there has been a huge increase of women getting busted for having sexual contact with men usually in high school, but some even in middle school.

In general, I laugh and I think what I'm sure most guys thing...boy are those guys lucky, and...where were these teachers when I was a kid, damnit?? In retrospect, there were rumors within our graduating class of a girl who ended up marrying one of her middle school teachers, but they were apparently discreet enough and quiet enough to evade detection. But, still...

Along with the massive number of undergraduate classes I've taken in my college tenure (almost enough for 3 separate majors...don't ask), were some of my favorite classes that I'd gladly take again. I took two political science classes that looked at the law and how women were affected positively and/or negatively by it. I looked at the jurisprudence of women and the law and how court cases in the past and decisions written by previous justices.

I generally consider myself to be a feminist. However, in my view, that doesn't mean anything until you delineate what type of feminist you are. Based on my limited experience/knowledge, I find there are generally two tracks feminists go in:

1. First track: This is the track that says women should utilize their mind, educate themselves, and not flaunt their sexuality, as it engenders a general acceptance in society that allows men to degrade women purely on their sexual hotness. They believe words like 'bitch,' 'cunt' are awful and shouldn't be said.

2. Second track: This is the track that says education is a good thing, but women should also celebrate and utilize their sexuality and power over men to control them in some respects and not let men's attitudes and societies bullshit norms affect their ability to enjoy life, love, and happiness. This could include things like, using sexual dress to work their way up the corporate ladder, garner favors, and do the whole "bat your eyelashes and give him the pouty look" thing to get what you want from men who are unable to control themselves sexually. Moreover, they encourage women to embrace their sexuality, embrace their orgasm, and they embrace the use of the word 'cunt' because they find it to be beautiful and not a dirty thing to be ashamed of.

Just because these women did what they allegedly did, it doesn't mean they are the number 2 type of feminist.

I'm trying to flip the situation and see how I and society would react if this was men and the girls were young teen aged women. Clearly, the reaction by society would be infinitely harsher than it has been on these women, as they have been barely noticed on your late national news. This would be front page, tabloid-style news on all the big 3 networks and the country, if not the Presidential race, would be abuzz about it in between bouts about I-raq.

I can honestly say that if the sexes were flipped in these stories, I'd have the exact same reaction for the most part about the men being lucky sons a bitches. My question is not whether there is a double-standard, but IF there should be.

According to everything I recall about adolescent development, girls are "more mature" than boys at a faster rate in general, so one could argue the boys in these real stories were grossly emotionally immature (if fact, they are in most cases). But, by flipping the roles, the girls would be more emotionally mature than those boys and then would the "crime" be less damming?

While not putting a value judgment on this phenomenon in this post, no one can argue about the influence of pop culture and the television has had on your young ladies. Between that and, what is believe to be caused by growth hormone in the milk/food we ingest, young women are growing breasts faster, are getting their hips earlier, and are sexually aware at an earlier time line than older women were when they were at the very same age: I think it's safe to say that any possible man in the flip scenario would be crucified, but I'd argue he shouldn't be. At least no more than the women in the real cases. Several of these women are being put on "administrative leave," while the school/district "investigates."

Make no mistake about it. Any man accused of said action wouldn't just be put on administrative leave, especially with the possible epidemic we are seeing with these women. Schools would be much quicker to fold on these hypothetical men.

During my teaching prep classes, I was in a fifth grade classroom (and even before this I knew I wanted to go no higher than 3rd) and just walking into that classroom I could tell you couldn't pay me enough to go in there full-time as a teacher. One girl was just as tall as me, and had clearly started developing her breasts...had to be a big A cup, or perhaps even a small B. This told me, I was out of my league. Dealing with the girls at that age nowadays with all the ways they are dressing and not to mention the attitude, I clearly foresaw a situation where I gave a girl a C, she says I sexually harassed her by starting at her underwear that would obviously be plainly visible when she sat down or bent over to pick up a pencil...and I'd be cooked. Not matter if you get proven innocent on ALL accounts, even if she completely recants her story, you could never work anywhere in that area again.

For the record: I am a mix of those feminists profiles. I love a smart woman who can compete in a good intellectual debate, but I also support the female sexual liberation. Women should be free to display their sexuality as they please, as I should be allowed to look. I don't look down on women who enjoy sex and have it frequently and openly. To me Paris Hilton is not trashy because she has sex the way she does...she's just stupid and sad for needing the attention to let it all get out.

Stop the Clock on McCain

It only took, what?, 3 months for McCain to go the Swift Vote route. Just months after saying he intended to run a clean campaign, John McCain has begun to show his true colors.

1. While bashing Obama and Hill over tax returns, he has yet to have this trophy wife release her recent tax returns. She's filthy rich, and I am guessing the amount will make McCain's poor man routine look pathetic.

2. But, here's the Swift Boating. Viet Nam is back baby. To be fair, Hill has brought this up apparently during that ABC debate I missed this week due to attending a class. Here's the graft in the story I point to: "William Ayers — a former member of the Weather Underground, which embraced bombing in its effort to end the Vietnam War — became an issue in the Democratic nominating race at last week’s debate. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) said Obama’s past meetings with Ayers are part of a “larger set of concerns about how we are going to run against John McCain.'” The graft at then end here says John McCain, but I'm assuming that was a typo and meant Obama.

Could we please move beyond Viet Nam? OY!

As badly as Kerry handled the Swift Schamers...I hope Obama and/or Hill has their ducks in a row to lay some smack. Clearly, this issue is lost to McCain, but we still have to show some fight, and we can't let McCain feel so confident he can lay a big whopper of a lie out there and have it completely unchallenged because the candidate is too chicken shit to touch the subject.

Look out people of the sports world

BoSox come from down 0-3 to the MFY in '04.

BoSox come back from down 1-3 to the Indians in '07.

NOW the Boston Bruins have come back from down 1-3 to their arch-rival the Montreal Canadiens to tie the series @ 3 games each. Thus, forcing a game 7.

Their is something in zeee H2O...Beware the Celtic Pride

Sexiest thing a woman can wear...

...is it:

A. The infamous little black dress?

B. Some hot lingerie?

C. Her birthday suit?

D. A tie (ala Pretty Woman)?

If you guessed A, B, C, or D...you're wrong!!

The correct answer is E: A great pair of jeans.

A well-fitting pair of jeans is the sexiest damn thing a woman can wear. BAR NONE!

Urlacher

As a Chicago Bears football fan, I have thought for a while that Brian Urlacher was overpaid, and overhyped.

Now, there are reports this fat, bald-headed, stooge wants a new contract with more money from Daaaaaaa Bears or he wants to be traded. There are even rumors he threatened retirement, which would be hilarious because if he were to retire he wouldn't get paid in the world of non-guaranteed NFL contracts.

Urlacher, in the past few years, has been plagued by an arthritic back condition that will only get worse and neck problems, including a potentially career-ending neck injury.

As a fan of the Bears who have MANY things we could do with the average $6.29 million he makes yearly. Granted, the Bears are under the cap to the tune of $16 million, but Urlacher has yet to fulfill half of his current 9 year, $56.65 million deal he signed in 2003. Daaaaa Bears also recently signed a new deal with outside linebacker Lance Briggs; 6 years, $36 million. So, while Urlacher may be underpaid slightly when compared to the top of the class linebackers, he fits in well with what Briggs just got paid.

In short, this jackass needs to stuff it. You signed the deal. Stick to it. Quit whining like a 'lil bitch.

Barack on the lower middle class

Barack Obama's own words:

"They cling to guns and religion..."

As an atheist, this is the same view I have, and Barack Obama said it out loud during a Presidential race. However, not only is this a view, this is a FACT. They cling to religion especially, and I'd also add to that, alcohol.

While this is an accurate view, again, it is NOT a winning argument. This makes him beatable. You can speak the truth to these people, but you have to be careful HOW you do it...that is partly why Bill was/is so beloved in the Democratic Party. People in the know, understood Bill was able to deliver the message to these people that got through to them, reminded them of their stiff upper lip and are going to need to sacrifice or two to benefits their children. The people bought it.

McCain can beat Obama if he keeps fucking up in this manner.

Finally, the argument that Obama came into the race being sold as this man who can unite the country was an accurate one. You can unite the country around the idea that these people are completely getting screwed by the rich (because they are).

The problem is simple: You cannot do it in these stark tones, when the very people who are getting screwed flat-out refuse to concede they are indeed getting screwed. And if they admit they are getting screwed, they often will blame the wrong person, the liberal who would support policies that help them, and vote for the folksy republican (see Dubya) who they mistakenly believe are intent on seriously helping them.

Finally, I love how the media snarks about politicians being elite when THEY themselves are often the real elite. And, they shamefully go to the White House Correspondents Dinner year after year to rub shoulders with those who have power...while, laughing at ridiculous video of a moron Resident thinking a joke about finding weapons of mass destruction is actually funny when it's tragic (and they proceed to laugh along in such a pathetic, sickening, manner.

Much like the word "liberal," "elitism" has become a naughty words. Both, wrongfully accused and convicted.

? to Ponder #3

I wonder if the "single" as many call it (the one dollar bill) will eventually go away, and if the "deuce" (my word for the two dollar bill) will become en vogue given the current rate of inflation.

Ban Cell Phone Chatter

Despite my most recent phone purchase (by recent, I mean I've had it about a week), I fully support these types of measures:

In Vienna, Austria authorities are starting to crackdown on cell phone chatter in public transit modes of transportation.

I bought a very specific phone so I could chat on IM and do my e-mailing. I fully support banning the use of talking on cellphones in all types of public transportation, short of cabs.

The Mythbusters did a show where they tested the old myth about airline gauges being screwed with by cellphone signals, and they found it to be plausible but probably a bogus claim. Bogus or not, who wants to sit next to some chowderhead who is yapping about shit in their lives on a plane? Especially with that confined space, by the time everyone got on their phone, they'd be yelling into their phones...it's ridiculous.

Nor, do I want this on the subway, on the commuter rail, on a bus.

I also agree with bans on texting while driving, and forcing people to use a hands-free device while talking and driving. But, if we are going to go after these people, can we also go after the asshats who put on makeup, shave, or even read a friggin' book while driving??

ABC Debate

I applaud ABC television's decision to air their debate live on the air during prime time hours yesterday. We need more debates like this, in the prime time hours, and live on the big 3...fine the big 4 if your count Fox.

I am hearing criticism about said debate, and I haven't paid attention as to why. But, i did see some were annoyed that a former Clinton staffer...apparently it's a big scandal or something. Look, no matter who you get to moderate the debate there will always be some group bitching about the host/hostess. For the record, George was BILL Clinton's advisor, not Hillary's. Moreover, the Clinton's were known to be very miffed when George dumped his book "All Too Human" which skewered them in some respects.

In all honesty, I didn't see the debate. I was taking a class last night, so I was busy (yes, teachers DO continue take courses after they gain employment parents, unlike you who just fuck each other and develop a spawn).

It sounds like the debate was spirited, and both candidates were scrutinized through different parts of the debate, even having Hillary issue an apology for mis-speaking about the sniper fire incident/thing.

But, in the end, after not even seeing the debate, I still give ABC props for putting it on air during the prime time hours. My guess is what we are really hearing is jealousy from other networks (*cough* NBC, CBS) who didn't expect the debate to get the good ratings it seems to have gotten.

Great choice ABC.

Dominican Ballplayers & Fraud

This could be something to look for in the future. There's a common inside joke around baseball about Dominican baseball players, you never really know their age. The infamous Julio Franco who played in MLB from 1982-2007 and is (at least according to the books) 49 years old was perhaps the biggest player this was joked about. It was never a mean joke, just a recognition by all that his reported/given age may not be in fact, his real age.

Well the imminently bitchy Miguel Tejada has admitted to his current team, the Houston Astros, that he is in fact 2 years older than he had admitted in the past.

Tejada has played in MLB since 1997, and at one point was considered one of the premiere Shortstops in the game, at one point signing a huge contract with the Baltimore Orioles in 2004 when they thought he was 28, when he knew he was really 30 years old. The late 20s if the prime of a baseball career, and in my opinion, he has knowingly committed fraud.

He only made this latest admission after his father filed a birth certificate and then the Dominicans tried to say his records were confidential to ESPN lawyers seeking information, when anyone knows that birth certificates are a matter of public record.

Tejada, knowingly entered into a contractual agreement with the Baltimore Orioles in 2004, knowing he was telling a lie. I guarantee somewhere in that lawyered-up contract he had to sign some type of statement that said he was fully telling the truth to the best of his knowledge.

This, is the essence of fraud. According to the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, fraud is defined as: deceit, trickery; specifically : intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right.

My BoSox have a VERY popular Dominican player, David "Big Papi" Ortiz, but I think they too should probe his records to ensure his age is accurate. Moreover, there has been a dramatic increase of good Dominican players, and those too should be looked at with a keen eye and full records. While, allowing some financial repercussions if the player in question is found to be knowingly lying about his age when he signs a lucrative financial deal to play the game of baseball, when age can be an integral part of the cost-benefit-analysis.

Player X at 28 years old, should and would be paid more than Player Y at 30 years old simply because that's an extra 2 years of his prime as far as baseball players go.

Correction

Apparently the story of the Marilyn Monroe giving some dude a BJ is a big, fat, lie...which, is fine with me.

This is an official rant

To those stores, those asshats who go into a store and think a 10% sale is something incredibly special...go fuck yourselves!

10% is nothing, it's crap.

Unless your buying something over a grand, it's a waste. Yeah, yeah, yeah, "a penny saved is a penny earned."

But, seriously. By the time you load your fat ass in the car, wade your car through traffic, sit at stoplights, buy more than you intended to because "Hey!...it's on sale!"...how much do you REALLY think you save?

NOTHING...you spend more you jackass.

Moreover, if it's always "on sale," then it's never really "on sale." The department store Kohl's, last time I heard, was still being investigated by the Justice Department because they chronically mark-up their prices, then claim they have a "sale" every fucking week. When there is federal legislation that explicit states something about an item is only really "on sale" if it's "on sale" for something like 5% of a month or a quarter. But, it's definitely not every day and every week.

Finally, I take a store advertising 10% off as a personal slap in the face to my math skills, my integrity, and my intellect.

So, I repeat: If you get your panties all wet-n-wild over a 10% sale...go fucking kill yourself.

Earnings

Okay, 12 days ago the media was all up in arms over the reported earnings of the Clinton's when they "finally" released their tax returns.

This was the combined income of two very powerful people, who got large sums of money for their books, and as an ex-President and ex-First Lady they were well compensated for their "speeches" or "appearances."

I expect to hear/see the same slight bit of outrage at Obama's reported income of $4.2 million in 2007. Uh, since when do junior Senators make millions of dollars?

As I've written here before, I generally don't care how much someone makes (I do care HOW they made it though, Mr. Cheney). But, if the media is going to go ape-shit over the Clinton's earnings, I expect some serious discussion and investigative reporting on how Obama, a relative unknown until just 2 years ago, made that much money in a year when he was supposedly campaigning for the highest office in the land.

And don't feed me the line that Obama really became 'known' after delivering the keynote to the Democrat convention in 2004.

This is not to diminish or disregard the contributions of Michelle, but there has to be some questions raised here.

Boston's Metro System Overreacts

The Boston Metro system has violently overreacted to the dude who was recently convicted in NYC for groping a woman. This after getting paroled after groping women 53 times previously.

Two days ago the MBTA formally announced they were launching an ad campaign to curb this nefarious behavior.

I'm fine with prosecuting people who flash people on the metro systems in our country, tho I find it largely innocuous and harmless unless you're exposing yourself to a minor. Some asshat wants to flash me, I wouldn't enjoy seeing his penis...but, you can be sure I'd laugh my ass of at him. Some chick wants to flash her breasts at me...well...no comment.

However, here's the rub...literally: "One ad show a young woman standing on a bus or train squeezed between two larger, anonymous bodies opposite the words, 'Rub against me and I'll expose you.'"

Are you freaking kidding me?? Whether you've gone to a sporting event or not in downtown Boston, you assuredly have been caught in the metro foot/body traffic. Even if you haven't been caught, try getting on the metro in Chicago, New York, and yes...Boston. You'll find much the same thing, I imagine.

Often bodies are tightly squished in to maximize the number of people you can transport. It's that ol' college game, "How many people can we fit into a shower?" Only, this is no shower, and this isn't a game.

I will admit to being on a metro when it's been packed to the gills before. I've been on one when I was standing up and I was smashed between two lovely ladies, where one was wearing some fantastic perfume. I will also admit to never actually "copping a feel," but damn have I wanted to.

The thing is, when you stop/start on the metro while standing, you often end up not just rubbing against the other people, you often can be thrust backwards into someone else's thighs or a woman's breasts.

To then turn around and prosecute my ass when your asinine system doesn't have enough trains to cart people around safely is unfair, and it's stupid. I'm assuming the MBTA will blow their wad...errr...steam on this bullshit issue and will go back to normal after 2 weeks or so. This is a stupid policy, and even more stupid to enforce.

The Pope is Here?!?!

Ohhhhh...you mean that false/symbolic head of the Catholic Church? Yeah, wake me up when the jackass is g-g-g-g-gone.

I have never understood why/how the Vatican became their own freaking lot of land with their very own sovereignty.

Good thing Vatican City isn't in America. I'd be screaming for taking over that land via the eminent domain clause.

Of course, there are always good uses and bad uses by governments/states when utilizing this clause. But, in general I like the clause and think governments should use it more often to get shit done that needs to be done.

Clearly, the Pope is a farce of epic proportions. While he may "do" more than the Queen of England in terms of actually affecting change, affecting policy, he's a bigger waste of a human gas-bag.

To not publicly address and privately meet with at least SOME of the people affected by the sex abuse scandal is pathetic, and a scandal in my view in and of itself.

The fact that Bernard Law is still breathing air is a scandal, much less he's got a nice cushy job courtesy of who?...oh yeah, that "Pope" guy again. Fuck Law, and Fuck the Pope.

How to waste $730 million

Today, the administration sort of announced that the American Embassy built inside the Green Zone in Iraq.

Yep, that's how you waste $730 million. We spent that much taxpayer money to build a lavish Embassy inside the Green Zone, which will ultimately be looted and destroyed the minute the US Troops pull out of the country.

Doing a helluvah job there Dubya!

I'm Sick & Tired of Hearing It

All this doom & gloom talk from the liberals. Worrying about how McCain is scooping up all this money, he's building a lead in the daily tracking polls, yadda, yadda, yadda.

If you really look at the numbers, McCain isn't really raising all that much cash. Heck, he is doomed to go into public financing, which will cripple his campaign. Meanwhile, he will ultimately be forced to defend the sure to come nasty attacks from the soft money ads funded by the RNC & the like.

Finally, take ALL your polls and shove it where the sun doesn't shine! (Kudos to mom who taught us that one)

Breaking news...it's freaking APRIL!!!!!!! Until we get rid of the Selection College, large national polls don't mean squat to me because it doesn't tell me where he's gaining ground on whomever he may face in November.

If he's gaining significant ground in Timbucktoo, Utah...I don't care. If he is gaining ground in California, I don't care. If he's gaining ground in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois...now you have me interested.

McCain will crumble when this surge plan tumbles into oblivion. When more an more people come out detailing the bullshit going on in Iraq. How hopeless it is. Wait until America gets a good sniff and pays attention to the massive amounts of corruption we've seen in Iraq. Wait until American's realize and allow themselves to admit we are paying money to fund the sham of a government, who is so corrupt they are funneling that money into the very organizations killing our men and women.

Wait until not just the aide of Al-Sadr gets whacked, wait until Al-Sadr himself gets "accidentally" whacked. Tons of shit can happen.

I'm not saying the Democrats can't screw this up royally. But, what I am saying is that if we can't win this election, no matter our "issues," then do we really deserve to continue as a party at all? I'd argue no, and I'd be first in line for canning the party altogether; Firing every damn asshat in leadership and starting anew with a new mission, a new charter, etc.

But, shut the heck up people. Let the process play out. We owe this to our party, we owe this to our country.

Marylin Monroe

Per the NY Post, there is a tape of Marilyn giving a BJ to some anonymous guy. Wow. From the way it reads, it seems that the guy knew there was a camera, but she may not have.

Talk about odd timing.

Currently on the History Channel...

...while in a commercial break during my BoSox taking of the MFY, I flip around to find this HIGHLY APPALLING program currently airing on the History Channel: some damn program glorifying the people employed by companies who are in the trade of stripping out last forests of trees.

I am a pseudo-environmentalist. I'm not a tree hugger. But, this is appalling. Even to me. Oh my!

Obama show AGAIN why Hill should stay in

If you read recent posts to this blog, you'll notice I love Obama's politics, his voting record, and his rhetoric.

But, my argument ALL along in arguing for Hill to stay in was because Obama isn't full tested. She's clearly more moderate, while I fall into the left liberal wing of the party.

Perhaps the biggest rule in politics: Perception is reality.

Obama again stumbles with his "bitter" commentary in Pennsylvania (a key swing state the Dems MUST win in Nov.).

Factually, Obama is accurate. Hell, I'm bitter. I'm bitter about 2000. But, I also have a large worldview and I look at the big picture when arguing my politics. I'm a realist.

However, most white men won't much appreciate told they are bitter by a young, black man. Not to mention a young, black man who they probably see as inexperienced, and perhaps a "creation" of sorts of the liberal media.

Obama cannot afford these kinds of mis-steps in the general election. I don't think he'll lose against McCain, but if he makes enough silly statements that allow Republican radio to paint him as an elitist, jackass...the repos may get themselves another miracle circa 2000.

? to Ponder #2

There's a saying, "___ is as soft as a baby's bottom."

Really? Seriously? I have concerns about this:

1. Who are these people blatantly groping baby's butts? 2. Why are they groping the ass of a poor, defenseless baby? 3. Is there a chart? A Richter Scale-type apparatus used to measure the "softness" of a given baby's ass? What is the "official" name of said scale ("The Bass" - "The Baby's Ass Softness Scale")? 5. Is the scale liner? 6. Does it have a standard deviation? 7. Who certifies this scale? 8. Should we be prosecuting these people who apparently go around groping a bare ass of a baby for pedophilia? For sexual harassment? For assault? Should they get jail time? A fine of some consequence? Both?

Just a few questions I recently pondered.

Is that a Seinfeldian moment or what?

Linens -N- Things...GONE!

Per this story from one of the sites I check daily (Consumerist), Linens -N- Things is apparently going to apply for bankruptcy Tuesday.

I always wondered how they AND Bed, Bath & Beyond could both survive. They're basically the same store, but BB&B has/had the much better name.

When considering Linens -N- Things, I always thought of something like JoAnn Fabrics...even though they are NOTHING like JoAnn's. Something about the word "Linens" makes one think it's basically store full of...well...linens. Bad choice for a name...think part of their plan should be to re-brand and rename the store.

That's if they actually survive.

I heart Maher

Quote from Maher on his show on HBO from April 3rd:

"If voting can destroy the Democratic Party, then the party isn't very democratic."

I concur.

Inside television-ball

As a former worker in the television industry who knows a bit about the inner workings of a basic tv affiliate station and programming choices as well...tv programmers are quite possibly, the dumbest people in television. Surprisingly, it's not because they choose crappy programs.

The most current example stems from an advertisement on the radio I heard on the way home from my Sunday ritual: the NY Times, Frank Rich, at Starbucks.

The Discovery Channel, a marginal-to-prominent cable channel which has done well recently is apparently fucking with their schedule now.

The highly popular and fantastic show, Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, has consistently aired new shows on Wednesdays at 9pm Eastern. Well, this just in...this is no longer true. They are moving Mike to Mondays at some time, I think it was 9pm Eastern still.

OY! The Discovery Channel wishes to fuck with one of it's stud shows by dicking around with the schedule. A channel in their position should NOT be playing Russian Roulette with a hit show.

The standard industry argument is as follows: Once a show becomes a "hit" and has a deep following, they will "find" the show wherever it lands on the schedule.

Back when there were only 5 major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS), this could hold water because it wouldn't be hard to find among 5 channels. Today with the internet, a billion television channels all going for a specific niche, fucking with a shows schedule will cause it to die an early death.

The proper way is to establish a "hit." Then, like NBC did with "Friends," they left it alone, but they developed new "hits" by putting those shows directly before or after "Friends," while promoting those shows during the hit. That's how NBC built their big Thursday night lineup years ago, and how ABC built up their TGIF lineup way back in the early 90s I think it was. I mean, come on! "Step by Step," "Family Matters" those were marginally good shows, but by programming, packaging, and promoting them effectively, ABC brass built them into "hits" that brought in the big dough.

Shame on the Discovery Channel and I hope Mike Rowe kicks their ass.

Hookers Should be Legal - Reason # 457,823

I just had a reminding note in my ol' noggin' on a rationale I came up with a while ago on why prostitution/hooking/escorts should be legal and regulated. Very simple...but, this will clearly cause much scoffing...

this should be part of an overall health plan for ALL Americans over 21.

Having great sex is a workout! It burns calories, it releases endorphines, and it generally makes people feel great.

I think having a co-pay with your insurance company for sexual service much like psychological services should be an option. It's all part of an overall health and wellness package. I would also make it mandatory that you can't get the sex without the psychologist. Just to ensure people aren't replacing sex for their problems and then developing a sex addiction much like an alcohol or drug addiction.

Perhaps we could include alternative therapies with that as well. Sex then acupuncture therapy. Massage therapy and then sex.

SO many choices!!!

Colour this blogger shocked

Absolutely shocked! Per the front page of Drudge at this moment (it's just text, no link to a real story yet) former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez is having trouble finding a firm that's interested in hiring his fat ass.

I'm stunned that no firm wants to take on a former AG who is clearly guilty of breaking the law, and providing a "rationale" for people to be tortured by United States soldiers. I'm frankly...stunned.

*cough* 'cuse me.

I applaud American Airlines

Look, I'm as much of a critic of the airline industry as the next person. Look within this blog and you'll see posts on how I think the industry needs a MASSIVE overhaul, including the elimination of several airlines and a governmental takeover (or heavy regulation).

See: One

See: Two

But, what American Airlines has done here the past few days, while shitty, is the RIGHT thing to do.

The cutbacks within the industry )their own damn fault, mind you) have created a situation where airplanes are doing token maintenance checks. There are not enough mechanics, there are too many planes, on too close/tight a schedule to do the maintenance checks right, to assure the airlines are following FAA protocol correctly.

If your one of those people who are stranded, I feel for you. I really, really do. However, don't get your fat face on television whining about how it's annoying or unfair to be getting to your destination so late. Be glad you are even going to get there.

If you've ever paid attention to big corporation lawsuits, like those dealing with the auto industry...the bean counters will often tell you that when they do the math...sad to say...it's often cheaper in the long run to ignore the problem and pay for the one big crash/disaster that costs them one massive punitive judgment from a jury.

Because in the end, the public outrage will fade, appeal after appeal will be made, dragging out any litigation and money the victims families will see for perhaps decade(s). Ultimately what may have started as a $500 million in punitive damages judgment against the company, will be whittled down to chump change for the corporation's bottom line.

So, let's be glad, let's applaud American for taking it on the chin the hard way. They clearly fucked up. But, they are owning up to it, and costing their company millions.

I applaud this type of corporate responsibility, and frankly, so should you.

I'm lovin' Obama today

Obama talking tough to the 'rents:

1. "Parents if you don't parent, we can't improve our schools," he said. "You've got to parent. You've got to turn off the television set in your house once in a while, you've got to put the video game away once in a while."

2. "Don't blame the teachers, and the government and the schools if you're not doing your job."

The quotes lifted from this AP story. I LOVE IT!!

Suck it 'rents!

Sex, Teachers, and Anonymity

As a teacher, I have virtually no private life. Even in private employment like my friend Dooce (who was canned for writing about her job), it is tough to be controversial and stay employed. This is a trend I fear will only get worse.

I work close to the town I live like most teachers do. I occasionally run into people I know in the stores, one of many reasons I wish more groceries were open 24/7 around here. I can literally do nothing outlandish. And, if you've been reading this blog (grief, do you have a strong stomach), you can tell I have very passionate, out-spoken opinions. When I was in college, I had a few pins on my backpack...some that were patently and purposefully offensive.

Teachers, the guardians of your children take on a tremendous burden. We are asked to do more every passing year. We have been called lazy because we "get summers off" (those in the know, realize we usually take a class or do something constructive to better our teaching practices). As parents become more incompetent, more likely to give their already hyper spawn a sugary snack, we are increasingly becoming babysitters. We are being targeted through testing students and determining our future pay (or teaching future at all) on how well Jimmy does on a given standardized test on a given day.

I can take all that, but privacy and the right to be myself is where I take issue. I have written about this before in other posts, but this story sums it up:

A teacher, 33 years of age, has had to resign because she apparently was operating an escort service on the side. As we know, I am for the legalization of escorts and the like, but let's throw that out of this equation and look deeper into what this story likely tells us.

Most teachers even that young teach for one reason, it's clearly not the greenbacks, they love working with children and teaching in general. Some old veterans do tend to stick around when they've had enough so they can collect their pension, this does not appear to be the case in this situation.

I am guessing this woman didn't make enough as a teacher, an experienced teacher no doubt, to live comfortably on. Teachers continue to be under-valued and underpaid by society as a whole.

I'm not saying teachers should really be doing this. But, there has to be a line drawn where teachers have a right to do as they will.

Change the situation slightly and say she was married. And that her and her husband were swingers, and this was found out despite them being very careful. I have no doubt that as soon as this would be outed, she also would have been canned.

There has to be some freedoms allowed teachers to do as they will. As a teacher, I should not be your child's role model or moral compass, however you deem necessary to term it. That's your job. YOU are the parent.

This is why I am anonymous. I write many outlandish, controversial things. I don't write them just to be controversial, I write them because they are what I believe. Heck, even in this area of high culture, an atheist is still an atheist. I'm quite certain most of my student's parents would be stunned, shocked, then possibly outraged at the thought. I will not lie on this blog, but I will also never tell the whole truth about who I am and where I am. Perhaps, when I retire, if this blog survives that long.

P.S. To my reader who I believe is a teacher, I do apologize for the apostrophes. I write well, but grammar was never a huge concern to me.

A Plea - Mazda 3 drivers

If you happen to drive a Mazda 3 automobile...could you please leave a tiny comment (it can be anonymous) at the end of this post.

Please include how long you've owned it, and how reliable it has been.

This is not for me. I have my new car already, this is for my sister who is contemplating between 3 cars. one of them is the Mazda 3, and I can't find a lick on their reliability.

Danke'.

Try number uno

My first attempt @ mobile blogging...eek!

A ridiculous bill

As a teacher, I work with Special Needs students all the time. I work with other teachers to ensure modifications are met for students who need them. Heck, I myself was a Sped. student.

But, this bill introduced in Congress today is ridiculous. Democratic Rep. Edolphus Towns, who's sponsoring the bill with Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns.

These two are sponsoring a bill that would make the quiet, eco-friendly hybrids cars louder. While there have been NO documented cases of blind people getting whacked because a car ran over their ass in the middle of the road because they crossed when they thought it was safe, they are adamant that these quiet hybrids must be made noisy.

I completely disagree with this notion. Blind people are known to have an acute sense of sound. Introduce them to the subtle sound a hybrid does indeed make, I'm sure they'd be able to pick that up. Moreover, blind people are noticed by the majority of drivers when they see them.

I'd argue that speeding alone would be a bigger detriment to the blind, because the driver would have NO time to react to a blind person crossing the road who doesn't catch the sound of a car just behind a hill, then it flies over the hill and whacks 'em.

We shouldn't do this people. Assume every car was a hybrid, that would decrease the noise pollution and that'd make them easier to hear. We should be solving this purported "problem" by attaching dinging noise to crosswalk buttons when all lights are red, and not be for looking ways to enhance out noise pollution constantly by keeping cars loud.

Places like big inner cities don't need to add noise pollution back they've lost from people embracing hybrid cars, trucks, and eco-friendly buses. The buses in NYC that are eco-friendly are remarkably quiet from my experience.

The Olympic Torch

Should've seen this whole bru-ha-ha coming after my post a while back saying we should not just boycott the Opening Ceremonies, as some like Nancy Pelosi have urged, I want to boycott the whole damned thing.

The organization that gave this Olympics to China should learn from this experience. There's not reason to continue to award an event like the Olympics to a country with such the horrific human rights record as China. Between the smog problems they are likely to encounter because they don't give a damn about the environment there, and the human rights problems, the world could have leveraged this far better and for far more concessions than they did.

It's sad when something like the Torch has to be put out twice in one day because of protesters.

The Polygamist Sect

This is a tough call, and NOT a tough call. Clearly, this sect deserves/deserved to be broken up and disassembled. Having sex and getting pregnant 15 year old girls is against THE law, a law I think most would support. However, it's the forcible brainwashing that is the real terror of this story.

This should be a debate we have as a nation at some point. We won't because the nation has a Puritan overtone that may take a few more centuries to fully evaporate. Atheists/Freethinkers/Non-Believers, such as myself, have grown in number recently. But, we are far overwhelmed by the church-goers.

I support civil unions of all types. And I believe that could/should include relationships that are of the open variety, and polygamy where there are multiple partners. It's not my thing, but who is to say what is right for one person (marriage) is right for another.

If this sect had been a group of 20-year old polygamists who didn't insulate any children they had and didn't force them into the lifestyle, that'd be okay with me. But, the very nature of this sect is the damning part that we need to stop. A 50 year old man, having sex, and then getting the same 15 year old pregnant...that's a problem not just by the very letter of the Texas law...that's an issue concerning when one is able to truly make their own mind, truly have free will.

It's not only age, but it's opportunity. This poor girl had neither.

Kathie Lee

Kathie Lee Gifford has made her return to daytime television. Considering that during most of her heyday on the "Reeeeeeeeeeg!" show was during my school years, I rarely saw her live. Only during the summers and/or during days we had off.

Barring the little problem she had with her clothes being made in a sweatshop or two (name me a big time manufacturer who doesn't have their clothes made in nearly identical situations, I'm telling you, it's rampant), I have never understood the nastiness directed towards her.

Tom Shales, who is a horrible tv critic at the Washington Post, routinely lampooned Gifford. There were others who scoffed at her ability, and at her personally...laughing behind her back.

Sure, she talked/talks WAY too much about her damn kids (especially that fucking Kody). Sure, she can be a bit over the top at times. But, I just don't get it.

She's a very talented woman. She has a terrific singing voice, tho I would NEVER buy any of her cd's. I think she's generally a nice person, who has gotten a raw deal. I wish her well in her new endeavor at the craphole that is the Today Show.

Finally, it's very simple. Don't like her, don't watch. There's a reason I don't listen to the Oxycontin-Addicted Limberger, nor the Orafice O'Reilly.

Iran and Russia

Iran and their nuclear weapons. Perhaps the biggest reason not to go into Iraq and topple the powerless Saddham besides the loss of 4,000 of US troops (not to mention the MANY injured)...was the power Iran and have been handed with kid gloves.

The last meeting between Putin and Dubya was a total joke. Anyone with a brain could've seen nothing was going to be accomplished, Putin and Dubya are both leaving office, but Putin still holds power by a factor of a bazillion over Dubya.

The whack-job in Iran, Ahmadinejad, has also been given a virtual pass to do as he sees fit with his hellhole, errrr...country. "Ahmadinejad said scientists were putting 6,000 new centrifuges into place, about twice the current number, and testing a new type that works five times faster." This quote from this AP story, is cute and lovely.

I am no scientist. However, from my meager brain, I know that this cannot be a good thing. Despite the U.N. Security Council says that Iran has continually over-stated their capabilities, the rhetoric is bad enough.

If true, or even half true, this could prove to be a bad, bad precedent.

McCain...hahahaha

McCain raised over $15 million in March, eh? Well, you know what that means...?

IT'S TIME FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Errrr...not. Obama and/or Hill can raise $15 million by raising their leg and taking a leak on the nearest tree trunk. *Yawn*

McCain is SO not scaring me right now. Fight on Dems!

The NCAA

You have a national championship game and you wait to play the game until 9pm eastern time? How stupid is that? Perhaps not since the northeast is more pro sports oriented and specifically baseball oriented. But, still...9pm...eastern? as the start time...YIKES!

Mark Penn is OUT!

One: The first news is the best. The Big Hill has FINALLY tanked the keeping his day job while campaigning, no-talent, chief-strategist Mark Penn. Apparently, though, this is not because he's done such a shitty job, it's because he lied to her. Two key grafts in the ABC News story:

"Penn realized that he needed to step down after it was discovered this past week that Penn, who also is chief executive of the lobbying and public relations firm Burson-Marsteller Worldwide, had been hired by the Colombian government to help secure a trade deal that Sen. Clinton has said she opposes..."

Penn's resignation was a result of "pressure from an angry Sen. Clinton, who believed that Penn had recused himself from any clients who might pose a conflict for her campaign."

The man sucked. I thought he was bad for her and the campaign. Typical strategist crap that caused Gore the selection in 2000, and Kerry the election in 2004. Being too cautious, too controlled, too driven by polls/focus groups. Good riddance to his fat ass.

Two: Per Drudge, it appears that Condi Rice is actively campaigning for the VP nomination under McCain. I remember posting about the possibility of her being the VP pick, but I honestly never saw that she would actively campaign for the job/post/call. I don't think much of her, personally. But, I think this will be a tough call for McCain. As I've written before, if Obama gets the Democrat nod, he should be able to beat the likely duo of two white, rich, old men. Thus, it would make sense for McCain to put some color in the lineup. However, attaching Rice, comes with it's own set of problems. As far away from Dubya as he intends to run, McCain will still be tangentially tied to Dubya through pictures of them kissing ass, not to mention having roughly the same policy in Iraq. By putting Rice on the ticket, McCain would be severely hand-cuffed by Dubya's record no matter how much Rice may insist she isn't the same.

At best, Rice played a key role in the Dubya administration, which led/duped a nation into a gigantic quagmire for no real reason.

At worst, Rice was a rollover dummy who was easily played, rolled, and/or ignored by all players in the Dubya administration. We cannot afford to have a light-weight VP for McCain considering his health and age.

Toronto Blue Jays

Right now, the Toronto Blue Jays are up 7-3 on my beloved BoSox, and Roy Halladay, the Toronto starter who has thrown a total of 96 pitches is STILL in there.

This is why the Blue Jays will never win the American League East. Halladay, an ace starter who can get an injury or two, is a damn good pitcher. With a 4 run lead and 6 outs to go, with him only starting his 2nd game of the year, and having thrown 96 pitches, he has GOT to be pulled.

In baseball, great starting pitching is king. To waste an already tired Halladay on 6 outs, when you've already won the first 2 games this weekend against the BoSox, shows how bad a decision this is. If you can't win a game you're leading by 4 runs in the top of the 8th inning at home, with your bullpen you don't deserve to win...and it's monumentally stupid to force your ace pitcher to throw that many extra pitches in only his second start of the year.

Bad pitching management will kill you later in the year, come the dog days of the summer grind, not to mention October if you get that far. Ask the Cleveland Indians why they lost to the BoSox even after going up 3 games to 1 in a 7 game series...their starting pitching (especially their 2 aces) was completely gassed.

Heston, Dead - *Yawn*

Charlton Heston dead at the age of 84...makes me want to *yawn.*

Like seriously, who cares? I thought what Michael Moore exposed in his documentary on the war was hilarious and well-deserved. This is a man who made gun laws harder to enforce through his NRA activities. I'm glad the fucker is gone, perhaps now it will force the real asshat of the NRA to come out and be a real man...Wayne "whackjob" LaPierre. Behind the scenes LaPierre has been running that sham of an organization, while refusing to take the responsibility hiding behind the feeble-minded Heston.

This is the me that is the angry, demonic, liberal who secretly wishes republican whackjobs dead. I'm sorry, but I'm not. Certain people are so fucking crazy they deserve what they have coming to them. Adios, Heston, adios.

Thibodeaux

Tonight, in Charlotte, North Carolina THEE Boston Celtics have done the unthinkable. They have just accomplished a few things with their win tonight over the Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA:

1. Become the first team in NBA history to go from the worst record the previous season, to the best record in the next.

2. They have established the home court advantage throughout the entire NBA playoffs.

3. They have established the best record in the NBA and in the Eastern Conference.

4. Have won 61 games, 37 more than they did all of last year (there are still 6 games to play in this regular season). That +37 swing in games won, also marks the biggest positive record change from one year to the next in NBA history.

There are many MVPs on this team with the tremendous turnaround. Certainly the big 3 whom I call the GPA: Garnett, Pierce, and Ray Allen are all MVPs and All-Star's. (Incidentally, none of those 3 played tonight, so it was largely a bench victory.) Rajon Rondo, the sophomore point guard, who has become a force to be reckon with. But, while Doc Rivers is a good to average NBA coach, I'd argue the MVP of this team is the new defensive specialist the team brought in during the off-season: Tom Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux brought his system to the Celtics, and with the influence of The Big Ticket's (Garnett) attitude and energy on this team as a whole, this team is the best defensive team in the NBA. If not, they are in the top 2-3 in the NBA. In the playoffs, the defense, largely a result of hussle, will be key to winning the Celtics first championship since 1986...

2002 - it was the Patriots turn to surprise this area with a title.

2004 - it was the Red Sox who banished a curse, came from down 3-0 to the MFY (mother fucking Yankee's) to win a championship.

2008 - is it the Celtics turn to stop their championship drought?

Congrats to the Celtics, and major kudos to General Manager Danny Ainge on a fantastic regular season.

Now, let's go win a damn championship!

Obama Shows No Balls...Again

This is an example of the BullShit involved in our Presidential Campaigns and why need enforced public financing as I've advocated for in the past.

Obama turtles, and then I'm sure will get a free pass, when Ed Schultz at an Obama rally calls McCain a "warmonger." This is a statement not only I agree with, but is, in my view, factually accurate.

According to the Free Dictionary, a warmonger is: "One who advocates or attempts to stir up war." I believe McCain has been stirring up war his entire freaking campaign.

For Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki to say in a statement: "John McCain is not a warmonger and should not be described as such. He's a supporter of a war that Senator Obama believes should have never been authorized and never been waged."...is a complete crock of shit.

How lame by Obama. I'm sure the MSM will let this slide, and will continue to attack the big Hill. Obama needed to show some balls here. Pathetic.

Maddow's Movin' on Up

It seems Air America's Rachel Maddow has moved up in the world, and I'm happy for her. She's doing Countdown with Keith Olbermann tonight. I respect and love Maddow, though as a lesbian I'm not sure she'd care for my love, and I wish her well. I hope she doesn't abandon her radio gig anytime soon, however.

Financial Disclosures

I don't know about this financial disclosure thing. I get why we insist upon candidates to offer up their tax returns for the last x number of years.

However, I just don't get why this should be such a huge story, barring something completely insane; Like...perhaps...being financially too close to a Saudi Royal Prince. Or donating money explicitly to a terrorist organization.

I just don't get why it's relevant that Hillary make x million from her book sales in 2006, and that Bill make x million from public speaking contracts, etc, etc.

People that run for the Presidency often have a ton of money somehow, because in order to get the financial support, you have to rub shoulders with those people. Thus, you'd be part of that crowd and your money would reflect that reality.

Get over it America. Let's move onto meaningful topics to explore when it comes to choosing the next American President.