So I'm not the only one, along with a conservative I still can't believe I agree with, who sees and has a problem with President Obama's address to Muslims.
What's that make it? 3 to...millions of "kum-bi-ya why can't we all just get along" left-wing nut jobs.
Fuck.
31 January 2009
Charles Krauthammer: Pres. Obama's kissing Middle East ass
Shit. A conservative I agree with? What is the world coming to.
But seriously. I actually don't think he went far enough. Is America enemies with the "Muslim world?" No. But here is a list of things I think we should be enemies of:
Killing children just because they are Jewish
Beheading bus riders
Religious persecution
Again, killing children
Infringing on Americans rights ON American soil
Throwing family members out of windows
Killing aide workers
Attacking people based on their sexual orientation
Beheading pro-government tribal leaders
Abusing societies disaffected
I could go one but I got tired of copy/pasting links. But you should get my drift. Was the Iraq war a mistake and thoroughly mishandled? Dear God yes. Was Afganistan mishandled? Again, yes.
But at what point are Americans and other "kum-bi-ya why can't we all just get along" left-wing nut jobs understand that not everyone can be friends with everyone? There are times when one side's "philosophy" is just so out of whack, that you have to step in and say, "hey, I'm not perfect, but even I know what you're doing is FUBAR and I'm going to have to impose my will on you."
No, America isn't enemies with Muslims everywhere or even Islam. But we should be enemies of the evil actions committed in the name of the "Muslim world" or Islam.
And damn if we should apologize for doing what we think is right to stop atrocities such as those listed above.
But seriously. I actually don't think he went far enough. Is America enemies with the "Muslim world?" No. But here is a list of things I think we should be enemies of:
Killing children just because they are Jewish
Beheading bus riders
Religious persecution
Again, killing children
Infringing on Americans rights ON American soil
Throwing family members out of windows
Killing aide workers
Attacking people based on their sexual orientation
Beheading pro-government tribal leaders
Abusing societies disaffected
I could go one but I got tired of copy/pasting links. But you should get my drift. Was the Iraq war a mistake and thoroughly mishandled? Dear God yes. Was Afganistan mishandled? Again, yes.
But at what point are Americans and other "kum-bi-ya why can't we all just get along" left-wing nut jobs understand that not everyone can be friends with everyone? There are times when one side's "philosophy" is just so out of whack, that you have to step in and say, "hey, I'm not perfect, but even I know what you're doing is FUBAR and I'm going to have to impose my will on you."
No, America isn't enemies with Muslims everywhere or even Islam. But we should be enemies of the evil actions committed in the name of the "Muslim world" or Islam.
And damn if we should apologize for doing what we think is right to stop atrocities such as those listed above.
Going Green American Style
This. Is. Amazing.
And kinda sad I think.
Remember the days when people did a thing just because it was the *right* thing to do? Not because “as Americans, we are good at entertainment and competition....”
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going green and damn if I don't hope SLC will employ something similar.
But what part of "without the Earth you will DIE" don't people understand?
Still, props to California. Always on the cutting edge of smart.
And kinda sad I think.
Remember the days when people did a thing just because it was the *right* thing to do? Not because “as Americans, we are good at entertainment and competition....”
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going green and damn if I don't hope SLC will employ something similar.
But what part of "without the Earth you will DIE" don't people understand?
Still, props to California. Always on the cutting edge of smart.
30 January 2009
Beijing Fumbles the transition
I always said China shouldn't have gotten the Olympics. Oh sure, they pulled it off with style and pizazz, convincing (nearly) everyone that they were ready for the 21st (or, at least 20th) century.
The homeless, the sweatshop working poor, and grieving mothers of children fallen victim to governmental cheapskate syndrome were hidden away. Toothy grins and eagerly waving hands greeted tourists, Olympic junkies, and anyone glued to their TVs.
But all that aside. How do you turn that marvelous architectural work of art, the Bird's Nest Stadium, into an empty overpriced souvenir shop for tourists? Please, someone explain this to me!
The homeless, the sweatshop working poor, and grieving mothers of children fallen victim to governmental cheapskate syndrome were hidden away. Toothy grins and eagerly waving hands greeted tourists, Olympic junkies, and anyone glued to their TVs.
But all that aside. How do you turn that marvelous architectural work of art, the Bird's Nest Stadium, into an empty overpriced souvenir shop for tourists? Please, someone explain this to me!
19 January 2009
Polictial reflection during study break
Tomorrow, President-elect Obama will become Present Obama, leader of the United States of America.
In recent days, my "I voted for him out of necessity, not some fantasy of hope" bubble has been forced to rub elbows with the general sense of "oh isn't this wonderful" mindset of the masses. While I grumbled, I realized that perhaps I was not taking his inauguration in the fullness of its scope.
Despite what I think of him as a man and politician, he will be the first racial minority president elected. No small feat for a country built on inequality and violence.
Though I may find his "fancy rhetorical dance moves" overbearing and deliberately misleading, for the first time in years, we have a president who is not afraid of espousing the need and rightness of higher education. If indeed there is one thing I hope for from President Obama, it is the restoration of education as a good thing in the minds of American citizens.
In him we have a leader focused on individuals rather than corporations; community and national service rather than greed and rung-climbing; the reaching for high ideals rather than submitting to the ease of brute force.
Perhaps, perhaps, there is reason to hope. As they say, any change from what we had is good (minus Governor Palin).
To President-elect Obama: I don't quite like you and I still don't trust you. But good luck. As my President, I now stand by you.
In recent days, my "I voted for him out of necessity, not some fantasy of hope" bubble has been forced to rub elbows with the general sense of "oh isn't this wonderful" mindset of the masses. While I grumbled, I realized that perhaps I was not taking his inauguration in the fullness of its scope.
Despite what I think of him as a man and politician, he will be the first racial minority president elected. No small feat for a country built on inequality and violence.
Though I may find his "fancy rhetorical dance moves" overbearing and deliberately misleading, for the first time in years, we have a president who is not afraid of espousing the need and rightness of higher education. If indeed there is one thing I hope for from President Obama, it is the restoration of education as a good thing in the minds of American citizens.
In him we have a leader focused on individuals rather than corporations; community and national service rather than greed and rung-climbing; the reaching for high ideals rather than submitting to the ease of brute force.
Perhaps, perhaps, there is reason to hope. As they say, any change from what we had is good (minus Governor Palin).
To President-elect Obama: I don't quite like you and I still don't trust you. But good luck. As my President, I now stand by you.
08 January 2009
Permission or no? Police req. to search cars
I thought this was one of those "duh!" factor things.
It seems in Utah there was some question as to whether or not a police office actually *needed* your permission to search your vehicle after pulling you over.
Seems a little simple doesn't it? But to be sure I have it, lets do some math:
My = possessive. My vehicle = individual possession of vehicle. My, not yours infers need for permission. Thus: My vehicle, you need permission to enter, touch, or do anything with said vehicle.
I may suck at math, but I think this works out.
Of course, there are instances where "my" is canceled out by "reasonable proof of wrong doing" such as having a gun on the seat, drugs, open bottle of alcohol, person tied up and gagged in the back seat, where a police officer doesn't need your permission.
Next time a cop pulls you over for speeding or no lights and asks to search your car, stick to your hypothetical guns and say no way!
Of course, this won't happen unless you are any of the following:
*Black/listening to rap
*Mexican/have the Virgin Mary as back window decorations
*Gay/listening to Cher louder than neighborhood regulations allow
*Muslim/have something other than a...well, nothing, on your head
It seems in Utah there was some question as to whether or not a police office actually *needed* your permission to search your vehicle after pulling you over.
Seems a little simple doesn't it? But to be sure I have it, lets do some math:
My = possessive. My vehicle = individual possession of vehicle. My, not yours infers need for permission. Thus: My vehicle, you need permission to enter, touch, or do anything with said vehicle.
I may suck at math, but I think this works out.
Of course, there are instances where "my" is canceled out by "reasonable proof of wrong doing" such as having a gun on the seat, drugs, open bottle of alcohol, person tied up and gagged in the back seat, where a police officer doesn't need your permission.
Next time a cop pulls you over for speeding or no lights and asks to search your car, stick to your hypothetical guns and say no way!
Of course, this won't happen unless you are any of the following:
*Black/listening to rap
*Mexican/have the Virgin Mary as back window decorations
*Gay/listening to Cher louder than neighborhood regulations allow
*Muslim/have something other than a...well, nothing, on your head
06 January 2009
Truth falsified: Memoirs faked for...what?
This is the third article I have seen in the New York Times about some previously unknown writer falsifying his or her "true" story.
What the fuck?
These people have had some legitimately good stories that had elements of truth, but were on the whole fiction. If, as I see it, the message is more important than the facts, sell it as fiction and be done! That way the message gets through without the taint of author greed and duped publishers and promoters like Oprah.
What I don't understand is why? The truth will eventually out—why go there in the first place?
Besides, the student side of me shudders at the idea of plagiarism.
For more, visit: "A Lineup of Recent Literary Fakers" by Mokoto Rich.
What the fuck?
These people have had some legitimately good stories that had elements of truth, but were on the whole fiction. If, as I see it, the message is more important than the facts, sell it as fiction and be done! That way the message gets through without the taint of author greed and duped publishers and promoters like Oprah.
What I don't understand is why? The truth will eventually out—why go there in the first place?
Besides, the student side of me shudders at the idea of plagiarism.
For more, visit: "A Lineup of Recent Literary Fakers" by Mokoto Rich.
02 January 2009
Utah Utes: Running Utes dominate the Crimson Tide
I won't often blog about sports, but in this case, I got to.
Utah: ranked #7. Alabama: ranked #4.
Utah: undefeated season. Alabama: 12-1 season.
Can someone please tell me why the BCS seems to think that Mountain West teams don't deserve to play in their little tournament?
The U of U was the first Mountain West state to bust into the BCS, and we slaughtered the other team. Two more times Western teams were invited, and we split the difference. The Utes were invited again (4th time for a Western state), and again, Utes with an undefeated season, prove their metal.
News flash BCS: Up Yours.
Go Utes!
Utah: ranked #7. Alabama: ranked #4.
Utah: undefeated season. Alabama: 12-1 season.
Can someone please tell me why the BCS seems to think that Mountain West teams don't deserve to play in their little tournament?
The U of U was the first Mountain West state to bust into the BCS, and we slaughtered the other team. Two more times Western teams were invited, and we split the difference. The Utes were invited again (4th time for a Western state), and again, Utes with an undefeated season, prove their metal.
News flash BCS: Up Yours.
Go Utes!
Digital deviousness: the text messaging trap
Like anyone between the ages of 1 to 30 years of age, I text message. A lot. In many ways, I prefer text messaging to talking on the phone.
Talking requires conversation and a fake acknowledgment of things I don't care about at *that* specific moment:
"Hey, it's me..."
"Hey, how are you?"
"Not bad. Counting the minutes until I'm off of work. You?"
"Meh, about to go to a meeting. I hate meetings..."
"Yeah, they can be pretty boring."
A few minutes in and I still haven't gotten to the point! What was the point?
"Hey, I get off in an hour. Want to grab lunch at Crown Burger?"
But this convenient mode of communication comes with a price.
I thought I was getting a deal with Verizon's unlimited text messaging program. Not exactly. According to the New York Times article, "What Carriers Aren't Eager to Tell You About Texting," the cost to send these tiny, 160 character messages is minuscule. Minuscule. But I pay an extra $10 or so a month for unlimited messages, and I don't even send 300/month.
I think I'm getting ripped off...
Talking requires conversation and a fake acknowledgment of things I don't care about at *that* specific moment:
"Hey, it's me..."
"Hey, how are you?"
"Not bad. Counting the minutes until I'm off of work. You?"
"Meh, about to go to a meeting. I hate meetings..."
"Yeah, they can be pretty boring."
A few minutes in and I still haven't gotten to the point! What was the point?
"Hey, I get off in an hour. Want to grab lunch at Crown Burger?"
But this convenient mode of communication comes with a price.
I thought I was getting a deal with Verizon's unlimited text messaging program. Not exactly. According to the New York Times article, "What Carriers Aren't Eager to Tell You About Texting," the cost to send these tiny, 160 character messages is minuscule. Minuscule. But I pay an extra $10 or so a month for unlimited messages, and I don't even send 300/month.
I think I'm getting ripped off...
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