their strategy is to cross their fingers and hope for the next terrorist attack.
i watched this movie for about 8 years, it never had a climax.
Ominous ad shows GOP still thinks security a winning issue
4.30.2009
2.06.2009
Show me the Money!!!!!!
Pork pork pork. A magical, mystifying word that is used much more than it is understood. Given that the government is looking to spend about $900 billion, essentially a trillion dollars on an economic recovery package, it is no surprise that the word is thrown around. I’ve seen the media and pundits highlighting multitudes of questionable appropriations within the “economic recovery package”. $25 million for condoms, $90 million to educate on the DTV transition, the list goes on. I suggest checking out 50 De-Stimuatling Facts to get a better idea on the “outrageous” spending.
The dictionary describes several definitions of pork, perhaps the most cutting as appropriations made for political reasons rather than for public benefit. It also explains pork as government funds appropriated by politicians to gain favor with their constituents. The question I ask myself (everyone should) - is what in the world is passed by congress that is NOT pork? All activities of congress are political and therefore done for political reasons. Hopefully, and typically, these political maneuverings are done because they will gain favor with constituents (and therefore be a public benefit). This entire $1 trillion dollars of stimulus is pork. Get over it.
So it is a spending bill of pork (surprise!). What lawmakers and the media are fawning over are the big numbers for what may or may not be considered economic stimulus. They make great sound bytes! The “De-Stimulating” article points out many of the segments which are arguably inappropriate. $50 million for the Endowment for the Arts. Outrageous! But before we all foam at the mouth, lets get relative. What is $50 million of a trillion dollar package?
A hundredth of a percent.
Add all these ridiculous points of spending this article points out together, and you get over $33 billion in pork. No sneezes here. What is the entire total of “De-Stimulating” spending ($33 billion) relative to a trillion dollar package?
3%.
If the best you can do is point out that only 97% of this bill can be considered economic stimulus, that you should be an outraged, hippie hating, nobama voting citizen, perhaps you should consider a reality check. The government’s/America's fiscal problems are far beyond spending $25 million on condoms.
The dictionary describes several definitions of pork, perhaps the most cutting as appropriations made for political reasons rather than for public benefit. It also explains pork as government funds appropriated by politicians to gain favor with their constituents. The question I ask myself (everyone should) - is what in the world is passed by congress that is NOT pork? All activities of congress are political and therefore done for political reasons. Hopefully, and typically, these political maneuverings are done because they will gain favor with constituents (and therefore be a public benefit). This entire $1 trillion dollars of stimulus is pork. Get over it.
So it is a spending bill of pork (surprise!). What lawmakers and the media are fawning over are the big numbers for what may or may not be considered economic stimulus. They make great sound bytes! The “De-Stimulating” article points out many of the segments which are arguably inappropriate. $50 million for the Endowment for the Arts. Outrageous! But before we all foam at the mouth, lets get relative. What is $50 million of a trillion dollar package?
A hundredth of a percent.
Add all these ridiculous points of spending this article points out together, and you get over $33 billion in pork. No sneezes here. What is the entire total of “De-Stimulating” spending ($33 billion) relative to a trillion dollar package?
3%.
If the best you can do is point out that only 97% of this bill can be considered economic stimulus, that you should be an outraged, hippie hating, nobama voting citizen, perhaps you should consider a reality check. The government’s/America's fiscal problems are far beyond spending $25 million on condoms.
1.19.2009
bush is out, with the murders.
i think everyone is looking forward to the new page as compared to lamenting the page just read. the current political discussion has been mostly forward thinking regardless of party. given the past 8 years, who can blame anyone. America has stumbled into the 21st century (in part) no fault of itself, yet the outcome plausibly avoidable.
one of the oval office, "i'm outta here so who the f*$% cares what I mess up whatta are you going to do fire me?" traditions is to commute the sentences of convicted felons believed to be judged unfairly. bush like all presidents gave his leniency to selected members of the convicted in the last throws of his presidency. one of his commuted sentences was just hours ago, the day before the election.
"President George W. Bush on Monday granted early prison releases to two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer fueled the national debate over illegal immigration." A vocal contention of individuals, many from Texas where the killings took place, spoke against the convictions.
Wether or not you agree, Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas who supported the release summed up President Bush's actions best, "With this one decision, President Bush has done more to improve his popularity than any single thing he could do."
It is sad when the best thing you can do for your popularity as president for 8 years is to commute the sentence of two convicted murderers everyone forgot about.
Article
one of the oval office, "i'm outta here so who the f*$% cares what I mess up whatta are you going to do fire me?" traditions is to commute the sentences of convicted felons believed to be judged unfairly. bush like all presidents gave his leniency to selected members of the convicted in the last throws of his presidency. one of his commuted sentences was just hours ago, the day before the election.
"President George W. Bush on Monday granted early prison releases to two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer fueled the national debate over illegal immigration." A vocal contention of individuals, many from Texas where the killings took place, spoke against the convictions.
Wether or not you agree, Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas who supported the release summed up President Bush's actions best, "With this one decision, President Bush has done more to improve his popularity than any single thing he could do."
It is sad when the best thing you can do for your popularity as president for 8 years is to commute the sentence of two convicted murderers everyone forgot about.
Article
5.05.2008
Clinton needs to Eight Belles
Clinton, destined for a second place finish with no good leg to stand on, needs to be euthanized.
4.01.2008
April Fools
Class Mishaps: Fake miscarriages? Oh boy!
published on Tuesday, April 1, 2008
comic by Shaun Capehart
www.statepress.com
3.14.2008
Fear Factor Friday Fails
The House, surprisingly had some balls and decided not to roll over to Bush's demands for once.
"Without that immunity, it would be unreasonable to expect the telecommunications firms to continue providing the NSA with their records, as, indeed, one company already has stopped doing."
This is the type of trash fear mongering republican die-hards want you to believe, without question. This type of statement relies on multiple fallacys -
1 - If the NSA followed the law/ the Constitution / everything America is founded on, telecommunication companies would be forced to comply. Qwest Communications, the only telecom company to not comply with government requests chose not to, because the government did not move through the proper channels. Protecting, or at least validating America's constitution does not equal destroying America. The bill of rights exists for a reason.
2- Not providing retroactive telecommunications immunity means nothing for the national safety of America. Allowing a neutral party to review the argument of legality is the entire reason of the court system. Checks and balances are key to American justice. Entirely removing this option is another step towards American oligarchy.
3 - The fear mongering will wish you to think that America would crumble without immunity legislation.
President Bush "At this moment, somewhere in the world, terrorists are planning new attacks on our country. Their goal is to bring destruction to our shores that will make September the 11th pale by comparison. There is really no excuse for letting this critical legislation expire" - this, ironically while President Bush refuses to sign an extension to the current FISA law. In other words, Bush is saying this is critical legislation for our national security that he will not sign, because it could allow a well-informed court to decide the legality.
Invoking the smokey scream filled picture of 9-11 is a common "point" of argument, even though it has been discovered that the Bush administration begun subverting the FISA court prior to 9-11. Also crucial to note - the original FISA law (and court) still stands, allowing the surveillance of "targets" with a warrant from the FISA court... which can occur before or after surveillance actually begins. In other words, Bush says protecting Americans rights is too much paperwork, and the last thing he wants is an audit.
"Without that immunity, it would be unreasonable to expect the telecommunications firms to continue providing the NSA with their records, as, indeed, one company already has stopped doing."
This is the type of trash fear mongering republican die-hards want you to believe, without question. This type of statement relies on multiple fallacys -
1 - If the NSA followed the law/ the Constitution / everything America is founded on, telecommunication companies would be forced to comply. Qwest Communications, the only telecom company to not comply with government requests chose not to, because the government did not move through the proper channels. Protecting, or at least validating America's constitution does not equal destroying America. The bill of rights exists for a reason.
2- Not providing retroactive telecommunications immunity means nothing for the national safety of America. Allowing a neutral party to review the argument of legality is the entire reason of the court system. Checks and balances are key to American justice. Entirely removing this option is another step towards American oligarchy.
3 - The fear mongering will wish you to think that America would crumble without immunity legislation.
President Bush "At this moment, somewhere in the world, terrorists are planning new attacks on our country. Their goal is to bring destruction to our shores that will make September the 11th pale by comparison. There is really no excuse for letting this critical legislation expire" - this, ironically while President Bush refuses to sign an extension to the current FISA law. In other words, Bush is saying this is critical legislation for our national security that he will not sign, because it could allow a well-informed court to decide the legality.
Invoking the smokey scream filled picture of 9-11 is a common "point" of argument, even though it has been discovered that the Bush administration begun subverting the FISA court prior to 9-11. Also crucial to note - the original FISA law (and court) still stands, allowing the surveillance of "targets" with a warrant from the FISA court... which can occur before or after surveillance actually begins. In other words, Bush says protecting Americans rights is too much paperwork, and the last thing he wants is an audit.
3.08.2008
Hillary Clinton sucks balls.
"If you believe that we need to have reality as opposed to rhetoric about what we get from from our next president, then I need you to (believe my rhetoric and) go to those caucuses tomorrow and stand up for me!"
P.S., that's really all I got as to why I could be a better pick, a speech about how my opponents speech is too speechy.
P.S., that's really all I got as to why I could be a better pick, a speech about how my opponents speech is too speechy.
3.04.2008
Import Ignorance
The $ continues to fall compared to the rest of the world's currency, and no matter where you get your news, there is always the reporting of the silver lining. This being that as the dollar falls, exports increase. This is true, but it's like saying the New Orleans's floods increased your ability to ship away valuables by boat.
Economics is not that complicated unless you want it to be. Americans worth is continuing to slide in comparison to the rest of the world. At the shipping dock, the thousands of containers are leaving America full and coming back empty. We are taking less and giving more.
The American superpower is not a given.
Economics is not that complicated unless you want it to be. Americans worth is continuing to slide in comparison to the rest of the world. At the shipping dock, the thousands of containers are leaving America full and coming back empty. We are taking less and giving more.
The American superpower is not a given.
2.19.2008
Hillary Grasping at Straws
When I first heard the Clinton campaign accusing Obama of plagiarism I was surprised, and after hearing the details fo the accusation I laughed. The Clinton campaign held an hour long conference call to discuss Obama's "plagirism", saying that Obama is "breaking his promises and his rhetoric isn't his own.... It raises questions about the premise of his candidacy."
This, over a few sentences attributed to Deval Patrick, a friend and supporter of Obama who shared the lines from his 2006 campaign with Obama and "wanted no credit, because the two men often swap ideas."
The lines in question:
"Don't tell me words don't matter,'I have a dream' — just words? 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal' — just words? 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself' — just words? Just speeches?"
12 words which can't already be attributed to a third.
If this is the kind of meat which causes question of the premise of one's candidacy, then the only thing Hillary has proven is complete ineptitude for picking a worthwhile argument. If this is the content you wish to argue Mrs. Clinton, then you're politics as usual... just as everyone has suspected, and you won't win anything this time around.
P.S., you suck.
This, over a few sentences attributed to Deval Patrick, a friend and supporter of Obama who shared the lines from his 2006 campaign with Obama and "wanted no credit, because the two men often swap ideas."
The lines in question:
"Don't tell me words don't matter,'I have a dream' — just words? 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal' — just words? 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself' — just words? Just speeches?"
12 words which can't already be attributed to a third.
If this is the kind of meat which causes question of the premise of one's candidacy, then the only thing Hillary has proven is complete ineptitude for picking a worthwhile argument. If this is the content you wish to argue Mrs. Clinton, then you're politics as usual... just as everyone has suspected, and you won't win anything this time around.
P.S., you suck.
1.22.2008
The American Freefall
As the bad news continues to pile up surrounding the economy, you may wonder to yourself - why this is happening to America, the greatest nation in the world? Well, the cause can be summed up with a similar reply – the economy is plummeting because of the worst president in the world. Lets review reasons why starting with a history lesson from May 1, 2000.
“WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Bill Clinton said Monday that the United States would pay off $216 billion in debt this year, bringing to $355 billion the amount of the nation's debt paid down in the three years since the government balanced the budget and began running surpluses.”
The US national debt at this time in 2000 was about $5.5 trillion. Since George W. Bush has taken office, the national debt limit has been raised at least four times, and the national debt now stands at over $9 trillion. That is to say that President Bush has increased the national deficit in 7 years by 65%, to over $9.194 trillion.
A large portion of this US debt (in the trillions) is owned by China and Japan. The last people we want calling our debt is China. The easiest way to calculate these huge debt numbers is that every American citizen has $30,000 of the national debt. This is not a good financial story, especially considering most Americans are already in debt, and this is one of the main reasons the US dollar is falling.
The White House stated that over 50% of this debt so far is due to tax relief and the Iraq war… which brings me to my next two points.
The Iraq war is an unsustainable, fruitless, capricious endeavor that is only training the next generation of terror. WMD’s did not exist. Bin Laden is still at large. The price of oil when George W. Bush took office/ pre-war was around $26. The price is now hovering around $87. The price of oil has increased over 230% in the past 6 years, so you can’t even argue that the blood of 3,930 dead Americans was for oil. The projected cost of the war is at about $1 trillion, and the current plan is to remain occupiers of Iraq and Afghanistan after “Mission Accomplished” and Americans continue to die.
And second, tax relief for the wealthy does not help the economy when middle and lower incomes can barely survive. The wealthy run the economy but are far from the ones supporting it. The millions of $ made by the rich are from the peons below them. But when you wring your hands so tight you finally choke those who have supported your rise to power, you fail.
In addition:
-Energy policy that only relaxes standards, increasing our long-term dependence on oil and refuting strong evidence for global warming.
-Removal of individual rights and freedoms, including habeaus corpus. Governing through fear.
-Refusal to federally fund stem cell research, even on stem cells which will be destroyed regardless.
-Enhancing government’s role in religion. It is only the separation between religion and government that allows religion to thrive.
-Reducing funding for education. Creating No Child Left Behind, which removes funding from underperforming schools, and minimizes a teacher’s ability to tailor education to students needs.
Where does the list end? When does the $ stop falling? When do people stop dying?
“WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Bill Clinton said Monday that the United States would pay off $216 billion in debt this year, bringing to $355 billion the amount of the nation's debt paid down in the three years since the government balanced the budget and began running surpluses.”
The US national debt at this time in 2000 was about $5.5 trillion. Since George W. Bush has taken office, the national debt limit has been raised at least four times, and the national debt now stands at over $9 trillion. That is to say that President Bush has increased the national deficit in 7 years by 65%, to over $9.194 trillion.
A large portion of this US debt (in the trillions) is owned by China and Japan. The last people we want calling our debt is China. The easiest way to calculate these huge debt numbers is that every American citizen has $30,000 of the national debt. This is not a good financial story, especially considering most Americans are already in debt, and this is one of the main reasons the US dollar is falling.
The White House stated that over 50% of this debt so far is due to tax relief and the Iraq war… which brings me to my next two points.
The Iraq war is an unsustainable, fruitless, capricious endeavor that is only training the next generation of terror. WMD’s did not exist. Bin Laden is still at large. The price of oil when George W. Bush took office/ pre-war was around $26. The price is now hovering around $87. The price of oil has increased over 230% in the past 6 years, so you can’t even argue that the blood of 3,930 dead Americans was for oil. The projected cost of the war is at about $1 trillion, and the current plan is to remain occupiers of Iraq and Afghanistan after “Mission Accomplished” and Americans continue to die.
And second, tax relief for the wealthy does not help the economy when middle and lower incomes can barely survive. The wealthy run the economy but are far from the ones supporting it. The millions of $ made by the rich are from the peons below them. But when you wring your hands so tight you finally choke those who have supported your rise to power, you fail.
In addition:
-Energy policy that only relaxes standards, increasing our long-term dependence on oil and refuting strong evidence for global warming.
-Removal of individual rights and freedoms, including habeaus corpus. Governing through fear.
-Refusal to federally fund stem cell research, even on stem cells which will be destroyed regardless.
-Enhancing government’s role in religion. It is only the separation between religion and government that allows religion to thrive.
-Reducing funding for education. Creating No Child Left Behind, which removes funding from underperforming schools, and minimizes a teacher’s ability to tailor education to students needs.
Where does the list end? When does the $ stop falling? When do people stop dying?
1.06.2008
Register or else!
The last day to register and be able to vote in the presidential primary is January 7th, so do it now at www.servicearizona.com. I usually register as independent, but looked at my card today and it said PND- Party not Decided. In Arizona you can't vote in the primary election unless you're affiliated with one of the two evildoers!
If you're tired of all the crap that goes on in politics you need to get involved. Right now, the majority of voters are stubborn and old, with little plan for progress and views distorted by their entrenched opinion. Pick who ever you want, but don't let someone else vote for you.
And please, please make sure that you're not basing your vote on overriding emotion, and instead on facts and issues.
That being said, I would really hope to see Barack Obama get the democratic election. A fresh, positive face is exactly what this country needs.
If you're tired of all the crap that goes on in politics you need to get involved. Right now, the majority of voters are stubborn and old, with little plan for progress and views distorted by their entrenched opinion. Pick who ever you want, but don't let someone else vote for you.
And please, please make sure that you're not basing your vote on overriding emotion, and instead on facts and issues.
That being said, I would really hope to see Barack Obama get the democratic election. A fresh, positive face is exactly what this country needs.
12.14.2007
Acquire to Destroy
Have you ever noticed that different newspapers have the same headlines? That when flipping through television news that all the reporters are standing on the same corners, all the weather reports at the same times? Where is the choice? It is amazing and pathetic how identical these "different" sources have become.
December 18th may mark an important milestone in the decline of news diversity already held sabotage. In the face of strong criticism, the FCC is continuing their march to allow major media conglomerates further consolidation.
Limiting sources of information will always limit the intelligence to make proper decisions. While history proves the importance of information, even the recent past provides example. I'll let you draw your own conclusions. (Ach-hem WMD's!)
The only practical value I can find from conglomeration is it's eventual demise..... when people demand truth otherwise unavailable through the system. Too bad that likely means civil war.
12.13.2007
Interestingly boring - Light Rail
I saw the Phoenix Light Rail on TV. Looks kinda cool. Phoenix is making it big time. Public transportation is awesome when it works... it is going to completely change downtown. Maybe people will want to go.
Time to buy soon
Everybody's thought about it at one point. How sweet it would be to own a house. Well, things just started to get better for that idea, because you can now buy real estate at Wal-Mart. In Arizona a local realty firm just took up business in Wal-Mart. Apparently, Wal-Mart has it's own division of real estate for a while. While I question the real desire to get your house from Wal-Mart, this means good things for prices.
You would have to of not been alive in the past year to miss some of the talk about how low things may go. The important numbers are real, and not looking good. 40% declines in new mortgages (people buying houses) occurred this year at the the country's largest lender Countrywide Financial, as reported today by the company.
Plan to buy a house in a few years. You will benefit from the crazy price slashing.
10.05.2007
Radiohead Free Tracks Won't Last Long
Tracks for what could easily be my favorite band, Radiohead, are available for pre-order. The album "In Rainbows" are DRM free, and you even set your own price on the band's website, www.radiohead.com. Downloads for the album begin on the 10th of this month, and the direct musician to listener model is revolutionary (even in non-marketing speak).
The music industry has hurt music as much (if not more) than its helped. The industry is a cumbersome, lumbering machine, adding little to no value to the end product (music). Given that current distribution mehthods can completely leave out "physical" product, the internet negates need for much of the "value" a label would bring.
Apparently not for long though. Billboard reports that Radiohead managers are quickly coming to conclusion that the CD needs a label. "The band think they [are] incredibly proud of this record and feel that it deserves to be brought into the mass marketplace. That's why we need a record company who have that infrastructure to deliver the CD."
Download your DRM free tracks and set your own price soon, before a label comes in and fucks the whole process while taking half the bands cut.
The music industry has hurt music as much (if not more) than its helped. The industry is a cumbersome, lumbering machine, adding little to no value to the end product (music). Given that current distribution mehthods can completely leave out "physical" product, the internet negates need for much of the "value" a label would bring.
Apparently not for long though. Billboard reports that Radiohead managers are quickly coming to conclusion that the CD needs a label. "The band think they [are] incredibly proud of this record and feel that it deserves to be brought into the mass marketplace. That's why we need a record company who have that infrastructure to deliver the CD."
Download your DRM free tracks and set your own price soon, before a label comes in and fucks the whole process while taking half the bands cut.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
