I'm going to put this here quick because it's Drunken Debate Watching and Crossdressing Night at the Hive and I need to get ready.
As a side note, I fucking love my new(ish) friends.
In case anyone didn't hear, two nights ago McCain was slated to appear on Letterman. Four hours before taping, he called Dave and said that he needed to get back to Washington. Luckily, David Letterman happens to have a stand-in on hand for such situations.
The plot thickened during the break.
In fact, John McCain didn't leave for Washington until the next day. And his arrival in Washington coincided not with some miraculous bipartisan deal to save Wall Street, but rather the disintegration of a deal that was agreed to in principle before he was even in the air. Now a Republican insurgency is looking to fund the proposal in a different way (perhaps even a good idea) and also refusing to agree to any measure that includes taxpayers holding equity shares in the companies and assets their money is being poured into. Not because they don't feel the taxpayers deserve it, so they say, or because they feel that potential profits need to be used elsewhere, but rather that they're morally opposed to taxpayers getting something for their money because it's in the same vein as Socialism. Guess what, dumbfucks! You're looking to spend seven hundred billion dollars of government money on industry. You're not making a stand for Capitalism by refusing dividends to investors.
9.26.2008
9.23.2008
But remember kids, it was deregulation that made our economy as strong as it is today
The ink had barely dried on Henry Paulson's three page proposal before it was treated like a fait accompli by the mass media. Headlines such as "Today, we are all socialists" and "How We Became the United States of France," have found their ways to the pages.
What the fuck.
A poor custodian of a failed, lame duck administration's Treasury Department wrote three pages of text and our shithead of a President has said that it needs to be made law post haste, normal legislative process be damned. Stop me if you've heard this one.
Initial reactions give a glimmer of hope to the possibility that just maybe our two presidential candidates will work together to kill this one. Maybe.
Princeton Economics professor and occasional New York Times contributer Paul Krugman, described the proposal as Henry Paulson declaring "all your decisions are belong to me."
I almost didn't notice that a perfectly respectable economist had just made an All Your Base reference on national television, what with the trying to wrap my head around a Republican administration advocating a nationalization of the financial sector. The same Republican administration that wanted to put said financial sector in charge of Social Security.
700 billion dollars in the hands of one man, whose decisions are unimpeachable by any court or legislative body.
What a bunch of fucking Professors. The economy tanks due to deregulation in the banking industry, so let's hand the keys to someone who'll himself be subject to no sanction or regulation.
And lets borrow a trillion fucking dollars from China to do it.
Of course, there is one presidential candidate who is surrounded by the people responsible for this unholy mess. He'd have you believe that it was Obama, though.
The McCain Campaign's declaration that the New York Times and Politico.com have ceased to be journalistic institutions, one for investigating Rick Davis, the other for pointing out provable falsehoods in the campaign's unprincipled slander of the Times, should come as no surprise. When your political ambitions require that the People fail to recognize you for who you truly are, anyone caught peddling Truth becomes the Enemy.
What the fuck.
A poor custodian of a failed, lame duck administration's Treasury Department wrote three pages of text and our shithead of a President has said that it needs to be made law post haste, normal legislative process be damned. Stop me if you've heard this one.
Initial reactions give a glimmer of hope to the possibility that just maybe our two presidential candidates will work together to kill this one. Maybe.
Princeton Economics professor and occasional New York Times contributer Paul Krugman, described the proposal as Henry Paulson declaring "all your decisions are belong to me."
I almost didn't notice that a perfectly respectable economist had just made an All Your Base reference on national television, what with the trying to wrap my head around a Republican administration advocating a nationalization of the financial sector. The same Republican administration that wanted to put said financial sector in charge of Social Security.
700 billion dollars in the hands of one man, whose decisions are unimpeachable by any court or legislative body.
What a bunch of fucking Professors. The economy tanks due to deregulation in the banking industry, so let's hand the keys to someone who'll himself be subject to no sanction or regulation.
And lets borrow a trillion fucking dollars from China to do it.
Of course, there is one presidential candidate who is surrounded by the people responsible for this unholy mess. He'd have you believe that it was Obama, though.
The McCain Campaign's declaration that the New York Times and Politico.com have ceased to be journalistic institutions, one for investigating Rick Davis, the other for pointing out provable falsehoods in the campaign's unprincipled slander of the Times, should come as no surprise. When your political ambitions require that the People fail to recognize you for who you truly are, anyone caught peddling Truth becomes the Enemy.
.............
The last season of Boston Legal began tonight. I believe that the show has existed about as long as this blog has, actually. In any case, it managed to take a fairly well-traveled issue in the case against Big Tobacco and breathe fresh life into it, which I appreciate. The idea, as posited on the show, that the anti-smoking commercials funded by the tobacco companies are actually intended as reverse psychology to entice young people to pick up the habit, was one of those things that provoked in me both shock and puzzlement as to why I hadn't guessed at it previously. I've had a lot of those lately.
............
Today happens to be the first anniversary of this event, wherein I met (0r met people who would introduce me to) most of the people I spend time with on any kind of a regular basis, all the result of a webcomic. One year later, five of the people I met that day and one who I came to know through my involvement with the xkcd forums have moved into a house in Somerville. Two came from Virginia, one from New Jersey, one from Michigan, one from New Mexico. They moved in with yet another friend I met that day who happens to be from here.
The extent to which this series of events is fucking awesome is hard to properly quantify. Suffice to say, I rarely find myself without something to do on the weekends anymore.
The extent to which this series of events is fucking awesome is hard to properly quantify. Suffice to say, I rarely find myself without something to do on the weekends anymore.
9.13.2008
Cosmetics and America's New Front Page Beauty Queen.
Every night since the night I last posted I've used the delete key over what would have been some mean spirited-- though wholly warranted-- trashing of Sarah Palin. Over the past two weeks she's been a fantastically soft target. The Pat Buchanans and Lou Dobbses of the world have gone red in the face talking of how she's been "savaged by the liberal media." Equal parts stalking horse and lightning rod for baseless accusations of sexism, she poses a Problem for those of us who were hoping for a reprieve from an era that's been a total nightmare to anyone not a sports fan from Boston. And even some diehard fans would I'm sure trade a few rings for the ability to attack the eventual history books with some white-out.
At last we seem to have learned what the term Conservative Feminist means when it's been applied to Palin. One would be inclined to believe, at face value, it would refer to conservative principles tempered by an interest in equality. Or for that matter, any definition that might be derived from the combination of those two words. But when used to describe the VP to a candidate that opposes equal pay for women, the smart money was on it being GOP newspeak.
For the McCain-Palin ticket, Conservative Feminism is simply being a woman running for office on a Conservative ticket. It's crying sexism whenever one is maligned for any reason. It is, in short, the right wing's cynical and distorted view of Feminism proper. Reinforced and justified by those vangaurds of the New Dumb who cried Sexism when Clinton's attempts to strongarm herself onto the Democratic ticket were called a "shotgun wedding." Who are now, with a sense of self-righteous jubilation, braying that Obama should have picked Clinton after all, and giving all of the reasons why doing so would have been fucking idiotic the hand wave.
In her interview with Charles Gibson she said "Charlie" more often than Miss Teen South Carolina said "such as" when given the microphone in 2007 and displayed about as much understanding of foreign policy. It may be possible for someone who's been paying attention for the past eight years to not know what the Bush Doctrine is, but even the less politically aware among people I know personally would have made a better guess than that grating bespectacled hockey mom. Matt Damon is right. This is like a bad Disney movie. Which does not lend any encouragement to those hoping that the electorate will come to their senses. Bad Disney movies are a billion dollar industry.
Those who never fully believed that a homespun dimwit like George W Bush could be elected until the Supreme Court made their ruling in November of 2000 are now feeling uneasy. The last swine put forth by the GOP inherited peace and prosperity. This new model, now available with red lipstick, will not. That they've inherited 9/11 is working in their favor, which they will exploit no matter how low it takes them. The disgusting "tribute" displayed at the RNC all but stated outwardly that only McCain could prevent another 9/11. The GOP conned all major networks into showing a film which can only be honestly described as domestic terrorism, albeit slathered with still more lipstick.
That the first real sign of the media being willing to call McCain a liar could never have come were it not for Palin is a welcome irony. His reaction to Obama's "lipstick on a pig" remark was fairly tame so far as his campaign has been concerned, but with any luck the average voter may yet get the message: McCain thinks that enough of you are complete idiots to carry him to victory. A message that's been between the lines of many successful presidential bids. The voting bloc whose sole actionable issue is tax cuts have long given me headaches. Not because their particular litmus test is wholly selfish or misguided, but because as a group they've seemed determined to get it wrong. Once again they seem poised almost universally to oppose the candidate who'll give them a better deal, and no amount of fact or argument seems to hold sway.
But there's something about this latest gaffe that seems potentially volatile. Even the most woefully oversensitive pricks in the Universe wouldn't see a comment that Obama made about McCain's economic policy as sexism against Palin. And there were no shortage of conservative jackasses coming to Don Imus' defense in the face of actual racism and actual sexism. Add to this the fact that the candidate who made such an accusation uses the same phrase all the damn time, and in fact used it against Hillary Clinton, and you're left with an interesting brew. The assembled masses will be content to pretend that the emperor is fully clothed until he shows them his asshole. How long half of our electorate will stare dazedly into it and fail to recognize it for the grim omen it represents for what could potentially be the next four years remains to be seen.
It's going to be a rough one. But there is the sense that a few more people have Learned Their Fucking Lesson this time around. It's the fourth quarter and we only just now know all the players. What's reaffirmed is that a sport this deranged and unnatural can only be played every four years. Either way we'll all need a stiff drink to recover. Whether it comes with a wedge of lime or a bottle between the teeth remains to be seen.
At last we seem to have learned what the term Conservative Feminist means when it's been applied to Palin. One would be inclined to believe, at face value, it would refer to conservative principles tempered by an interest in equality. Or for that matter, any definition that might be derived from the combination of those two words. But when used to describe the VP to a candidate that opposes equal pay for women, the smart money was on it being GOP newspeak.
For the McCain-Palin ticket, Conservative Feminism is simply being a woman running for office on a Conservative ticket. It's crying sexism whenever one is maligned for any reason. It is, in short, the right wing's cynical and distorted view of Feminism proper. Reinforced and justified by those vangaurds of the New Dumb who cried Sexism when Clinton's attempts to strongarm herself onto the Democratic ticket were called a "shotgun wedding." Who are now, with a sense of self-righteous jubilation, braying that Obama should have picked Clinton after all, and giving all of the reasons why doing so would have been fucking idiotic the hand wave.
In her interview with Charles Gibson she said "Charlie" more often than Miss Teen South Carolina said "such as" when given the microphone in 2007 and displayed about as much understanding of foreign policy. It may be possible for someone who's been paying attention for the past eight years to not know what the Bush Doctrine is, but even the less politically aware among people I know personally would have made a better guess than that grating bespectacled hockey mom. Matt Damon is right. This is like a bad Disney movie. Which does not lend any encouragement to those hoping that the electorate will come to their senses. Bad Disney movies are a billion dollar industry.
Those who never fully believed that a homespun dimwit like George W Bush could be elected until the Supreme Court made their ruling in November of 2000 are now feeling uneasy. The last swine put forth by the GOP inherited peace and prosperity. This new model, now available with red lipstick, will not. That they've inherited 9/11 is working in their favor, which they will exploit no matter how low it takes them. The disgusting "tribute" displayed at the RNC all but stated outwardly that only McCain could prevent another 9/11. The GOP conned all major networks into showing a film which can only be honestly described as domestic terrorism, albeit slathered with still more lipstick.
That the first real sign of the media being willing to call McCain a liar could never have come were it not for Palin is a welcome irony. His reaction to Obama's "lipstick on a pig" remark was fairly tame so far as his campaign has been concerned, but with any luck the average voter may yet get the message: McCain thinks that enough of you are complete idiots to carry him to victory. A message that's been between the lines of many successful presidential bids. The voting bloc whose sole actionable issue is tax cuts have long given me headaches. Not because their particular litmus test is wholly selfish or misguided, but because as a group they've seemed determined to get it wrong. Once again they seem poised almost universally to oppose the candidate who'll give them a better deal, and no amount of fact or argument seems to hold sway.
But there's something about this latest gaffe that seems potentially volatile. Even the most woefully oversensitive pricks in the Universe wouldn't see a comment that Obama made about McCain's economic policy as sexism against Palin. And there were no shortage of conservative jackasses coming to Don Imus' defense in the face of actual racism and actual sexism. Add to this the fact that the candidate who made such an accusation uses the same phrase all the damn time, and in fact used it against Hillary Clinton, and you're left with an interesting brew. The assembled masses will be content to pretend that the emperor is fully clothed until he shows them his asshole. How long half of our electorate will stare dazedly into it and fail to recognize it for the grim omen it represents for what could potentially be the next four years remains to be seen.
It's going to be a rough one. But there is the sense that a few more people have Learned Their Fucking Lesson this time around. It's the fourth quarter and we only just now know all the players. What's reaffirmed is that a sport this deranged and unnatural can only be played every four years. Either way we'll all need a stiff drink to recover. Whether it comes with a wedge of lime or a bottle between the teeth remains to be seen.
9.01.2008
ENOUGH
Like anyone with a modicum of respect for civil liberties, I was enraged to hear of China's dealings during the Olympics. The government accepted applications for protests, and designated three public parks as protest zones. They then went on to deny every request, and even go so far as to arrest some of the people who applied.
WHAT
THE
FUCK
But then again, it's China. A country where a non-trivial portion of the population knows nothing of the Tienanmen Square Massacre. Where no student interviewed at the local U was able to identify the Tank Man, who swiftly became an unperson following his superlative badass moment. A country where the name of the official news agency translates to Newspeak. WE DON'T EXPECT MUCH FROM THEM IN THIS AREA.
But as of now, we've fallen off of the pedestal once again. One step closer to losing the ability to honestly claim that we, as a nation, are any fucking better.
Homes are being raided in Minneapolis.
Officers in SWAT gear, wielding semi-automatic rifles, have been kicking down doors, handcuffing people, seizing laptops, journals, and other materials, never showing any evidence of having obtained a search warrant. Journalists and lawyers have been detained.
and why?
because they were planning to protest at the RNC
It's apparently become insufficient to consign protesters toholding cells free speech zones. Now they need to be detained, questioned, and denied counsel (not officially, but if your lawyer is being detained as well good luck getting in touch.)
And the feds are in on it.
That the federal government is interceding on behalf of Republicans is, of course, a complete fucking surprise.
The worst part about this is that I have yet to hear word one about this from any mainstream media outlet. It doesn't seem to even be indexed on Google News.
This is getting fucking ridiculous folks. Remember that Bill of Rights thing that we used to have?
Wasn't it fucking great?
WHAT
THE
FUCK
But then again, it's China. A country where a non-trivial portion of the population knows nothing of the Tienanmen Square Massacre. Where no student interviewed at the local U was able to identify the Tank Man, who swiftly became an unperson following his superlative badass moment. A country where the name of the official news agency translates to Newspeak. WE DON'T EXPECT MUCH FROM THEM IN THIS AREA.
But as of now, we've fallen off of the pedestal once again. One step closer to losing the ability to honestly claim that we, as a nation, are any fucking better.
Homes are being raided in Minneapolis.
Officers in SWAT gear, wielding semi-automatic rifles, have been kicking down doors, handcuffing people, seizing laptops, journals, and other materials, never showing any evidence of having obtained a search warrant. Journalists and lawyers have been detained.
and why?
because they were planning to protest at the RNC
It's apparently become insufficient to consign protesters to
And the feds are in on it.
That the federal government is interceding on behalf of Republicans is, of course, a complete fucking surprise.
The worst part about this is that I have yet to hear word one about this from any mainstream media outlet. It doesn't seem to even be indexed on Google News.
This is getting fucking ridiculous folks. Remember that Bill of Rights thing that we used to have?
Wasn't it fucking great?
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