On This American Life this week in Real Audio is David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries -- a verbal essay first broadcast on NPR's Morning Edition, which became the most listened-to piece ever from Morning Edition. Sedaris has expanded it, much longer than could have been broadcast in the limited Morning Edition format.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Friday, December 24, 2004
Specter's sceptre
Recall, if you will, the last time Sen. Arlen Specter (R - PA) lost his penis. In the immediate aftermath of the Presidential election, Sen. Specter - who will acceed to the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary committee unless something unfortunate happens to his leadership prospects before January - declared that he would not be supporting any anti-abortion nominees put forward by the President. Despite the fact that this position was consistent with the views of those Pennsylvania constituents who voted him into office, and to whom he is chiefly accountable within our "representative" system of government, he was later persuaded to change his mind and now rejects any such "litmus test" for judicial nominees. In other words, he lost his manhood.
Remarkably, comes the NYT today with evidence that the entire episode made very little impression on the Senator. Just two days ago, President Bush announced his intention to re-nominate 12 judges, originally nominated during his first term, who were blocked from confirmation by Senate Democrats. This amounts to a declaration of war, since the only way it is even interesting to re-nominate these candidates is if the President, Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist, and the Senate Republicans intend to repeal filibuster on judicial nominees. Just to give you a sense of the bipartisan spirit with which this plan is conceived: In the past, this parliamentary maneuver has been termed "the nuclear option."
And what does Sen. Specter think about this looming battle-to-the-death with the Dems?
Remarkably, comes the NYT today with evidence that the entire episode made very little impression on the Senator. Just two days ago, President Bush announced his intention to re-nominate 12 judges, originally nominated during his first term, who were blocked from confirmation by Senate Democrats. This amounts to a declaration of war, since the only way it is even interesting to re-nominate these candidates is if the President, Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist, and the Senate Republicans intend to repeal filibuster on judicial nominees. Just to give you a sense of the bipartisan spirit with which this plan is conceived: In the past, this parliamentary maneuver has been termed "the nuclear option."
And what does Sen. Specter think about this looming battle-to-the-death with the Dems?
It has been my hope that we might be able to approach this whole issue with some cooler perspective. I would have preferred to have some time in the 109th Congress to improve the climate to avoid judicial gridlock and future filibusters.That's right - he's just put his Wee Willie on the chopping block, again. Stay tuned for what is sure to be a very thrilling conclusion.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Assault on Donald Rumsfeld Continues
After we heard from senators McCain, Chuck Hagel -- among others -- that they no longer have confidence in Donald Rumseld, we had Republican Senate leaders Bill Frist and Mitch McConnell saying all was well. Earlier this week, President Bush took questions and answers at the White House, saying that Rumsfeld is doing a fine job.
All background to today: a coalition of groups had sued the US Government under the Freedom of Information act, regarding detainee deaths, abuses and transfers after Sept 11, 2001.
Frankly, compared with Abu Ghraib, the abuses are not as bad.
However, what they do is undermine Rumsfeld's insistence that Abu Ghraib was due to "a few bad apples". Clearly, the problems were widespread, systemic.
The kind of thing which happens under bad leadership. I don't expect new indictments, but it make Rummy look bad in a week where he needs spit-shining.
All background to today: a coalition of groups had sued the US Government under the Freedom of Information act, regarding detainee deaths, abuses and transfers after Sept 11, 2001.
Frankly, compared with Abu Ghraib, the abuses are not as bad.
However, what they do is undermine Rumsfeld's insistence that Abu Ghraib was due to "a few bad apples". Clearly, the problems were widespread, systemic.
The kind of thing which happens under bad leadership. I don't expect new indictments, but it make Rummy look bad in a week where he needs spit-shining.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Slate sold to WaPost
Just so that we know who owns what, Slate today announced that they're being sold off to the Washington Post.sold off to the Washington Post.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Frist and McConnell leap to Rumsfeld's Defense
Somebody must have got on the phone.
Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist and Republican whip Mitch McConnell of Kentucky came out swinging for Rumsefeld, saying they expect him to be leading for some time.
I suppose Frist and McConnel can explain why their constituents in the Tennessee and Kentuck National Guards aren't home for Christmas this year because of Rumsfeld's Stop Loss programs. If so, they were talking about that yesterday, but that he is "fully capabale of leading the Department of Defense and our military forces to victory in Iraq and the war on terror" (Frist) and that he ''is an excellent secretary of defense, and we are fortunate to have a man of his courage and vision serving the president at this critical time." (McConnell).
Afterwards, Frist and McConnell did backflips for biscuits.
Friday, December 17, 2004
And in the distance.... you can faintly hear....
The drums begin to beat.
They go like this:
rums felds head
rums felds head
rums felds head
rums felds head
come, they told me
rums felds head
a new born king to see
rums felds head
They go like this:
rums felds head
rums felds head
rums felds head
rums felds head
come, they told me
rums felds head
a new born king to see
rums felds head
MIT: The Missle-Defense Propoganda Arm of the Department of Defense?
A missle defense sensor was tested at MIT Lincoln labs in 1998. The trumpeted result: the sensor works, it can sense incoming missles. Forward with missle-defense.
Later, a contract engineer came forward with documents she said proved the classified data had been tampered with. The sensor doesn't work.
MIT's mission is research of unimpeachable integrity. Faked data don't square with that. MIT launched an investigation in 2002. They put together a committee of outside academics with secret security clearances.
The Defense Department says: clearances or no, you can't look at the data. Full stop. MIT has now given up on investigating.
[Nature Article, subscription required]
Critics could say that, if MIT can't police its own research, then MIT is simply part of the propoganda arm of the United States Department of Defense.
Later, a contract engineer came forward with documents she said proved the classified data had been tampered with. The sensor doesn't work.
MIT's mission is research of unimpeachable integrity. Faked data don't square with that. MIT launched an investigation in 2002. They put together a committee of outside academics with secret security clearances.
The Defense Department says: clearances or no, you can't look at the data. Full stop. MIT has now given up on investigating.
[Nature Article, subscription required]
Critics could say that, if MIT can't police its own research, then MIT is simply part of the propoganda arm of the United States Department of Defense.
Canada Says: MP3, for free.
Time was, in Canada, you had to pay a fee for every media bought on which you could save an MP3 -- iPods were an extra $25C, CDs had a tax. This was to collect money which -- supposedly -- goes back to the recording industry for losses due to illegal copying.
And they still do this.
But not for iPods anymore. Turns out the legislative act giving the Copyright Board power to levy these fees specifies disks and casettes, but not hard drives or embeddable memory.
So, your Canadian iPods are now $25 cheaper.
And they still do this.
But not for iPods anymore. Turns out the legislative act giving the Copyright Board power to levy these fees specifies disks and casettes, but not hard drives or embeddable memory.
So, your Canadian iPods are now $25 cheaper.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Lincoln: The First Log Cabin Republican?
A new book, "The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln" -- reviewed today in the NYTimes -- claims Lincoln was gay.
So, my first reaction to claims about homosexuality is a sarcastic "yeah, right." How do you prove something like that?
It appears uncontested between historians that, as a young man, Lincoln slept in the same bed with another man, Joshua Speed, for a period of four years. Carl Sandburg, in his biography, described the two as having "streaks of lavendar, spots soft as May violets." A dissesnting historian, David Donald, says in frontier times, space was tight and men shared beds. Really? For four years? And this wasn't occaisioned with emotional intimacy, and wasn't visited by physical intimacy?
Also, there was wide commentary on the fact that, while Lincoln's wife Mary Todd was not at home, Lincoln regularly slept with the captain of his bodyguards, David V. Derickson. As described by Derickson's commanding officer: "Captain Derickson, in particular, advanced so far in the president's confidence and esteem that, in Mrs. Lincoln's absence, he frequently spent the night at his cottage, sleeping in the same bed with him and - it is said - making use of his Excellency's night-shirts!" Donald doesn't comment if space was a premium in the White-House, too. But, he does say that if Lincoln and Derickson were so intimate, then Derickson would not have separated from Lincoln as he did when he left Washington in 1863 - apparently ignoring the fact that sometimes, relationships end. The article relates other comments which demonstrate that the sleeping arrangements were widely known.
The book, by A. C. Tripp, charts numerous relationships between Lincoln and men, including one Billy Greene, whom Lincoln is supposed to have shared a bed with, and who described to Lincoln's law partner Lincoln's thighs: "as perfect as a human being could be." I'm a bit taken back at what situation could have brought Mr. Greene into close inspection of Lincoln's thighs which did not involve physical intimacy.
I don't really know how you get to the bottom of evidence like this, and conclude that Lincoln couldn't possibly have had sexual relationships with men. A more suitable conclusion is that it seems pretty likely that he did.
The review states that no one ever described Lincoln at the time this way could be due, in part, to the fact that the word "homosexual" didn't enter the English language until 1892.
So, my first reaction to claims about homosexuality is a sarcastic "yeah, right." How do you prove something like that?
It appears uncontested between historians that, as a young man, Lincoln slept in the same bed with another man, Joshua Speed, for a period of four years. Carl Sandburg, in his biography, described the two as having "streaks of lavendar, spots soft as May violets." A dissesnting historian, David Donald, says in frontier times, space was tight and men shared beds. Really? For four years? And this wasn't occaisioned with emotional intimacy, and wasn't visited by physical intimacy?
Also, there was wide commentary on the fact that, while Lincoln's wife Mary Todd was not at home, Lincoln regularly slept with the captain of his bodyguards, David V. Derickson. As described by Derickson's commanding officer: "Captain Derickson, in particular, advanced so far in the president's confidence and esteem that, in Mrs. Lincoln's absence, he frequently spent the night at his cottage, sleeping in the same bed with him and - it is said - making use of his Excellency's night-shirts!" Donald doesn't comment if space was a premium in the White-House, too. But, he does say that if Lincoln and Derickson were so intimate, then Derickson would not have separated from Lincoln as he did when he left Washington in 1863 - apparently ignoring the fact that sometimes, relationships end. The article relates other comments which demonstrate that the sleeping arrangements were widely known.
The book, by A. C. Tripp, charts numerous relationships between Lincoln and men, including one Billy Greene, whom Lincoln is supposed to have shared a bed with, and who described to Lincoln's law partner Lincoln's thighs: "as perfect as a human being could be." I'm a bit taken back at what situation could have brought Mr. Greene into close inspection of Lincoln's thighs which did not involve physical intimacy.
I don't really know how you get to the bottom of evidence like this, and conclude that Lincoln couldn't possibly have had sexual relationships with men. A more suitable conclusion is that it seems pretty likely that he did.
The review states that no one ever described Lincoln at the time this way could be due, in part, to the fact that the word "homosexual" didn't enter the English language until 1892.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients
President Bush awarded Tommy Franks, George Tenet and Paul Bremer the Presidential Medal of Freedom today for the work they did in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It's usually handed out in a batch, in the summer (for the past few years). Bush handed out 11 in July this year.
Is Bush politicizing the medals? Maybe, but I can't get too exercised about it, because the award has aleady been given to Rita Moreno. If Anita from West Side Story gets the Medal of Freedom, then, yeah, sure, add Franks, Tenet and Bremer to that list.
Medal of Freedom Website.
It's usually handed out in a batch, in the summer (for the past few years). Bush handed out 11 in July this year.
Is Bush politicizing the medals? Maybe, but I can't get too exercised about it, because the award has aleady been given to Rita Moreno. If Anita from West Side Story gets the Medal of Freedom, then, yeah, sure, add Franks, Tenet and Bremer to that list.
Medal of Freedom Website.
Gay Marriage Debate Rages in Canada
You may have heard that gay marriage is a hot button issue in Canada, as it is in the US.
(Here's a recent article).
By "hot button issue", I mean that the Supreme Court has already found that it must be allowed, and Parliment is voting it into national law early next year.
The debate here is huge: the Conservative party is saying that churches cannot be forced to perform gay marriages, while the Liberal party says "no duh". Conservatives also say they want to make sure men and women can still get married -- that allowing gay marriage doesn't exclude the possibility that men and women can still marry each other, if they should want to (Liberals: "no duh"). Finally, the Conservatives demand, explicitly, whatever rights conferred upon marriage between a man and a woman, these *same* rights must be given to gay couples in marriage (Liberals: "Oh, for chrissakes, can we go home now?").
Sometimes these debates come off as Monty Python sketches.
(Here's a recent article).
By "hot button issue", I mean that the Supreme Court has already found that it must be allowed, and Parliment is voting it into national law early next year.
The debate here is huge: the Conservative party is saying that churches cannot be forced to perform gay marriages, while the Liberal party says "no duh". Conservatives also say they want to make sure men and women can still get married -- that allowing gay marriage doesn't exclude the possibility that men and women can still marry each other, if they should want to (Liberals: "no duh"). Finally, the Conservatives demand, explicitly, whatever rights conferred upon marriage between a man and a woman, these *same* rights must be given to gay couples in marriage (Liberals: "Oh, for chrissakes, can we go home now?").
Sometimes these debates come off as Monty Python sketches.
Monday, December 13, 2004
O'Keefe, He Gone
And who can blame him, with the shuttles still grounded, the ISS accumulating garbage and running out of food and water, and those seductive LSU sirens calling. Whither NASA now? Bush will signal his feelings on the matter with the person he nominates in replacement. If rumors that he wants to nominate General Kadish - lately of the anti-ballistic missile initiative, aka "a wing of missiles and a prayer" - are true, then Bush will be showing that he believes military, corporate, and civilian uses of space are all of a piece - similar to the approach he and his Vice President have taken towards, for instance, the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge ("Why can't the ABMs, the oil derricks, and the caribou all just share the wilderness?").
If he instead nominates a NASA insider - preferably a lifelong engineer/manager and contrarian thinker - then give him credit for striking out on his own this time... and maybe, just maybe, being serious about doing something interesting with NASA during the next four years.
If he instead nominates a NASA insider - preferably a lifelong engineer/manager and contrarian thinker - then give him credit for striking out on his own this time... and maybe, just maybe, being serious about doing something interesting with NASA during the next four years.
Circus over big nobody is about to end
I can't tell you how much I didn't care about the Scott Peterson trial. Somehow, a guy from Modesto was making headlines, and basically sucking up a lot of news space on the local news stations. Every single day there was a new twist: "the concrete was used for putting in posts in the back yard", "Here's what Scott wore today:...". I would frequently have to change radio stations because this would come up every 15 minutes or so.
It's a lot like the OJ trial, except that OJ was famous AND he got away with it. I also didn't give a rats ass about OJ.
Scott Peterson is guilty. He's either going to be in jail for a long time or he's going to die. Either way, at 1:30 I won't have to hear about him ever again.
It's a lot like the OJ trial, except that OJ was famous AND he got away with it. I also didn't give a rats ass about OJ.
Scott Peterson is guilty. He's either going to be in jail for a long time or he's going to die. Either way, at 1:30 I won't have to hear about him ever again.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
FOX TELEVISION REALITY SHOW LOOKING FOR ASTRONOMERS
It's no joke. On December 9, AAS Electronic Announcement #144 was emailed out. Unfortunately it's not archived on the web though I'm holding onto a copy. The announcement had a table of contents with seven items:
---------------------------------------------------------
1. THE ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL EDITORIAL OFFICE MOVING TO
MADISON, WISCONSIN
2. AAS SAN DIEGO MEETING
3. 2005 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
4. IMPRS PH.D. PROGRAM
5. 1.8-METER PERKINS TELESCOPE OBSERVING TIME
6. LARGE OBSERVING PROGRAMS ON THE ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN
TELESCOPE
7. RADIO & SUBMILLIMETER ASTRONOMY REVIEW BY AUI
---------------------------------------------------------
However, the body of the email contained an eighth item:
___________________________________________________________
8. FOX TELEVISION REALITY SHOW LOOKING FOR ASTRONOMERS
Fox Television's hit new reality show "Trading Spouses" is
currently casting for the third season and is looking for
a family of astronomers! There must be two parents and
children over six living at home. If interested, please
contact Kate Currier.
Kate Currier
Assistant Talent Supervisor
Rocket Science Laboratories
8441 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: 323-802-0489
fax: 323-802-0599
email: katec@rocketsciencelabs.com
___________________________________________________________
Sadly, none of us qualify.
---------------------------------------------------------
1. THE ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL EDITORIAL OFFICE MOVING TO
MADISON, WISCONSIN
2. AAS SAN DIEGO MEETING
3. 2005 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
4. IMPRS PH.D. PROGRAM
5. 1.8-METER PERKINS TELESCOPE OBSERVING TIME
6. LARGE OBSERVING PROGRAMS ON THE ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN
TELESCOPE
7. RADIO & SUBMILLIMETER ASTRONOMY REVIEW BY AUI
---------------------------------------------------------
However, the body of the email contained an eighth item:
___________________________________________________________
8. FOX TELEVISION REALITY SHOW LOOKING FOR ASTRONOMERS
Fox Television's hit new reality show "Trading Spouses" is
currently casting for the third season and is looking for
a family of astronomers! There must be two parents and
children over six living at home. If interested, please
contact Kate Currier.
Kate Currier
Assistant Talent Supervisor
Rocket Science Laboratories
8441 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: 323-802-0489
fax: 323-802-0599
email: katec@rocketsciencelabs.com
___________________________________________________________
Sadly, none of us qualify.
How to Sink the Department of Homeland Security
It turns out, politicians have some pride. They don't like being used as body armor for someone else's political purposes. And they don't like coming in second behind someone nobody knows.
The previous Secretary of Homeland security, Tom Ridge, was the former governor of Pennsylvania -- a major state -- and was sometimes mentioned as a possible President or Vice-President. When Bush named him first Secretary of DHS, it was clear some stature was being put into the office. However, not much has come through DHS which is memorable, as all the political capital Bush had handed to him on a silver platter by 9/11 was spent invading Iraq. Ridge is being remembered as the man who played with colors. He leaves the office a weaker politician than when he came.
So it's no surprise that Bush couldn't find a politician bigger than the former NYC Police Commissioner Kerik. Who wants to see their career cratered as Bush's Hillbilly Body Armor?
Ignore these comments that possible replacements for Kerik are former Democratic VP candidate, and current Senator Joseph Liberman, or Assistant Secretary of State Asa Hutchinson. These are serious men, with real, and as yet unrealized, long-term political ambitions.
DHS will be filled by someone of the stature of, say, a former Congressman, now retired or a businessman. Someone who, on command from Cheney-Rummy-Bush, will run out there, take the hits, make the ridiculous statements that Cheney-Rummy-Bush can duck behind.
However, this fact should freak y'all out. Secretary of DHS has real powers, just not the political will behind it. If you put someone with no political maturity into that chair, if something were to occur which put political will behind him, we can look forward to stupid, anti-consitutional mistakes being made.
It's not good for the country to have politically weak cabinet members.
The previous Secretary of Homeland security, Tom Ridge, was the former governor of Pennsylvania -- a major state -- and was sometimes mentioned as a possible President or Vice-President. When Bush named him first Secretary of DHS, it was clear some stature was being put into the office. However, not much has come through DHS which is memorable, as all the political capital Bush had handed to him on a silver platter by 9/11 was spent invading Iraq. Ridge is being remembered as the man who played with colors. He leaves the office a weaker politician than when he came.
So it's no surprise that Bush couldn't find a politician bigger than the former NYC Police Commissioner Kerik. Who wants to see their career cratered as Bush's Hillbilly Body Armor?
Ignore these comments that possible replacements for Kerik are former Democratic VP candidate, and current Senator Joseph Liberman, or Assistant Secretary of State Asa Hutchinson. These are serious men, with real, and as yet unrealized, long-term political ambitions.
DHS will be filled by someone of the stature of, say, a former Congressman, now retired or a businessman. Someone who, on command from Cheney-Rummy-Bush, will run out there, take the hits, make the ridiculous statements that Cheney-Rummy-Bush can duck behind.
However, this fact should freak y'all out. Secretary of DHS has real powers, just not the political will behind it. If you put someone with no political maturity into that chair, if something were to occur which put political will behind him, we can look forward to stupid, anti-consitutional mistakes being made.
It's not good for the country to have politically weak cabinet members.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Sean O'Keefe, NASA Administrator, To Retire
Apparently going to become Chancellor of LSU.
So what will change? The Mars-plan priority? The no Shuttle-to-Hubble decision?
Let's watch.
So what will change? The Mars-plan priority? The no Shuttle-to-Hubble decision?
Let's watch.
Nobody Nobody Again, Blames Nannygate
Kerik took a roundtrip back to obscurity by withdrawing his name from consideration for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Why? Seems he never paid social security taxes for a former nanny/housekeeper. Tax evasion is illegal. The identical situation has felled executive appointments in the past -- most famously in 1992 to Zoe Baird, Clinton's first nominee for Attorney General, and then immediately again to Kimba Wood, Clinton's second nominee for Attorney General.
My big question: who can Bush find who won't mind being known as runner-up to this Kerik?
NYTimes Article.
My big question: who can Bush find who won't mind being known as runner-up to this Kerik?
NYTimes Article.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Armored Hummers
When an army soldier asked Rumsfeld why they had to scrounge in scrap heaps for extra vehicle armor Rumsfeld was temporarily knocked out of his onsetting dementia to answer 'Hell, I'm an old man and it's early in the morning. I'm just gathering my thoughts here.'
Rumsfeld paused long enough to answer: "As you know, you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want." Why didn't he just cut to the chase and say "You're about to go to war! Quit your bitching!"?
Probably because he wanted to make another salient point: "If you think about it, you can have all the armor in the world on a tank and a tank can be blown up. And you can have an up-armored Humvee and it can be blown up..."
So the entire point was "You're going to war, it doesn't matter how much armor you have, you're gonna die ANYway." Rumsfeld is apparently really candid in the morning.
He could have told them the real reason why they don't have enough armor: They didn't expect to have such a large number of troops in Iraq this late in the game. The fact that they don't have enough of the correct equipment (and that they are only now dealing with that oversight) is further proof that they haven't fully thought through their gameplan.
Rumsfeld paused long enough to answer: "As you know, you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want." Why didn't he just cut to the chase and say "You're about to go to war! Quit your bitching!"?
Probably because he wanted to make another salient point: "If you think about it, you can have all the armor in the world on a tank and a tank can be blown up. And you can have an up-armored Humvee and it can be blown up..."
So the entire point was "You're going to war, it doesn't matter how much armor you have, you're gonna die ANYway." Rumsfeld is apparently really candid in the morning.
He could have told them the real reason why they don't have enough armor: They didn't expect to have such a large number of troops in Iraq this late in the game. The fact that they don't have enough of the correct equipment (and that they are only now dealing with that oversight) is further proof that they haven't fully thought through their gameplan.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
A Shuttle for Hubble
A National Academy of Sciences panel has recommended that, instead of preparing a costly $2b+ robotic mission to the Hubble Space Telescope that (if it flies at all) may arrive too late to save the facility, NASA should just go ahead with its original plan to dispatch a shuttle mission: NYT Story.
This is but one of the dozens of ways in which open-minded and politically forgiving scientists - including yours truly, natch - find themselves on the wrong side of this Administration. The article mentions in passing some NASA science missions that may be postponed if their budgets are affected: "other projects like the study of black holes and dark energy." What they are referring to here are the LISA, Constellation-X, and JDEM/SNAP missions.
LISA will detect the gravitational-wave signatures of colliding black holes in the distant universe. It represents the only near-term way to test Einstein's General Relativity in its strongest form, near black holes. If we care about learning anything about black holes, this is the way to do it.
Constellation-X will be the successor to Chandra and XMM-Newton; it will allow detailed investigation of accreting black holes in the distant universe, and will also be crucial for learning about the properties of neutron stars in our Galaxy (just ask Bob). If we care about the properties of the black holes that lurk in the centers of nearly every galaxy - and which are our universe's most powerful energy sources - then this is the way to study them.
JDEM/SNAP has been designed to reveal the next level of information about the Dark Energy that pervades our universe and is currently driving an acceleration of the cosmic expansion. There is no more important question for those seeking to understand the origin and destiny of our universe on the largest scales.
The shuttles are currently being prepared for launch next spring, when they will begin their final series of flights to "complete" construction of the International Space Station (ISS). Shuttle flights to Hubble have been judged marginally more risky than flights to the ISS. We're not talking about a dramatic difference, however - chances are, if we lose another shuttle, it will be to a launch failure (which is generically fatal) or to a new failure mode during descent and landing, not to the lost tile(s) problem which doomed Columbia (and which are potentially fixable at the ISS).
If the Administration nonetheless chooses, against the advice of the NAS panel, to forbid shuttle flights to Hubble, restrict shuttle flights to the ISS alone, and push forward with the robotic repair mission at the expense of LISA, Constellation-X, JDEM/SNAP, and like missions, then they will not just be choosing the ISS over Hubble. Rather, they will effectively be admitting that they judge the welfare of NASA's aerospace contractors to be more important than every major question in astrophysics.
This is but one of the dozens of ways in which open-minded and politically forgiving scientists - including yours truly, natch - find themselves on the wrong side of this Administration. The article mentions in passing some NASA science missions that may be postponed if their budgets are affected: "other projects like the study of black holes and dark energy." What they are referring to here are the LISA, Constellation-X, and JDEM/SNAP missions.
LISA will detect the gravitational-wave signatures of colliding black holes in the distant universe. It represents the only near-term way to test Einstein's General Relativity in its strongest form, near black holes. If we care about learning anything about black holes, this is the way to do it.
Constellation-X will be the successor to Chandra and XMM-Newton; it will allow detailed investigation of accreting black holes in the distant universe, and will also be crucial for learning about the properties of neutron stars in our Galaxy (just ask Bob). If we care about the properties of the black holes that lurk in the centers of nearly every galaxy - and which are our universe's most powerful energy sources - then this is the way to study them.
JDEM/SNAP has been designed to reveal the next level of information about the Dark Energy that pervades our universe and is currently driving an acceleration of the cosmic expansion. There is no more important question for those seeking to understand the origin and destiny of our universe on the largest scales.
The shuttles are currently being prepared for launch next spring, when they will begin their final series of flights to "complete" construction of the International Space Station (ISS). Shuttle flights to Hubble have been judged marginally more risky than flights to the ISS. We're not talking about a dramatic difference, however - chances are, if we lose another shuttle, it will be to a launch failure (which is generically fatal) or to a new failure mode during descent and landing, not to the lost tile(s) problem which doomed Columbia (and which are potentially fixable at the ISS).
If the Administration nonetheless chooses, against the advice of the NAS panel, to forbid shuttle flights to Hubble, restrict shuttle flights to the ISS alone, and push forward with the robotic repair mission at the expense of LISA, Constellation-X, JDEM/SNAP, and like missions, then they will not just be choosing the ISS over Hubble. Rather, they will effectively be admitting that they judge the welfare of NASA's aerospace contractors to be more important than every major question in astrophysics.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Wine America!
The Supreme Court is hearing cases today which can change the restriictions on interstate commerce of wine.
In-state liquor distributers have held in place laws which don't allow direct mailing of wine from out of state. That meant that, if you lived in NY, you couldn't get a nice Rex Hill Pinot Noir from Oregon sent to you by the winery. You had to buy it from an in-state liquor distributor. Bad for vintners, bad for consumers, spectacular for distributers profits.
Let's hope this changes.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
The Mexican-American War
I recently read something that sparked my interest in the Mexican-American war so when I was at my local Borders bookstore in Sherman Oaks, California looked for a book about it. Finding none, I asked a salesperson. She looked on the computer and told me no, not a single one. It's gotta be something like a fifth of the land in the 48 contiguous states, including the land that this bookstore occupies, that is part of the United States because of this war and while they have shelves of books on World War II, books on individual battles of the Civil War they haven't a single book on the Mexican-American War! In fairness to Borders, I doubt that this lack is peculiar to this bookstore. I think it's just that this war occupies a miniscule part of our national consciousness. Despite it's clear relevance to the foundation of the American California, the Mexican-American war seems simply not be part of our foundation myth here. Think about it, especially those of you who, like me, went to high school in California. What do you know about the Mexican-American War? I certainly don't know much and especially didn't before some web research an hour ago. Why is this? Is it because we, the Americans, appear to be the bad guys in this one?
Friday, December 03, 2004
New York Times Blows my Cover
I signed up with Jdate --- a jewish dating site -- about a month ago. It's been going pretty well -- a lot of interest, and a lot of interestingness. Sure, I'm not Jewish, but I put this on my profile. It doesn't seem to have detered many from writing me first.
And now, the NYTimes totallly blows it open by writing a style piece on: You Don't Have to Be Jewish to Love JDate.
And now, the NYTimes totallly blows it open by writing a style piece on: You Don't Have to Be Jewish to Love JDate.
Fun with Spaces
Over at BoingBoing they've been poking around Microsoft's innovative new blog-hosting service, "MSN Spaces": Fun stuff.
Frist's Re-Election Campaign Speculates in Stock Market, Loses Half a Million Bucks
Associated Press reports that his re-election campaign has lost $524,000 in the stock market since 2000.
Frist might want to look into T-Bills.
AP Article
Frist might want to look into T-Bills.
AP Article
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Those Silly WaPost Photo Editors
 | This
ran tonight at the WaPost website -- Bush at the annual Christmas tree lighting. Is that fair? Is that right? As Steve asked, "Where's the codpiece"? |
Bush Taps A Complete Nobody To Replace Former Penn sylvania Governor Tom Ridge as Secretary of Homeland Security
CNN.comis saying: "President Bush to tap former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik as next homeland security chief, administration officials say. Details soon."
No details yet, but who the hell is THIS nobody?
No details yet, but who the hell is THIS nobody?
Banning abstinence only programs will be the Scopes monkey trial of the 21st century
In The Washington Post today, they talk about some talking points of our federally funded abstinence-only programs that are currently taught in schools. Among these points are:
• A 43-day-old fetus is a "thinking person."
• HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, can be spread via sweat and tears.
• Condoms fail to prevent HIV transmission as often as 31 percent of the time in heterosexual intercourse.
First of all, what the heck is a 43 day old fetus thinking? Gee, it's comfy in here. Now, this could be a debateable point and we could go on forever about it, but it is nothing compared to the mis-information in point #2:
AIDS can be spread through sweat and tears. Why is this even MENTIONED in an abstinence program? Are they trying to frighten kids from even touching each other? This is just the first step in declaring HIV positive people as modern day lepors. "Don't touch them son! You could getleoprosy AIDS!" The next step will be putting them all on an island until the scourge is cured. Doesn't anyone remember in the early 80s, the bathhouses being closed in San Francisco because people believed that AIDS was spreading through the hot water. In retrospect it was probably because of a lot of unprotected sex, but the implication was that the baths themselves were unsafe. These "facts" have gone right back to those old uninformed opinions.
Teaching our kids lies should be illegal, and teaching them these lies using federal funds should be a federal crime. I'd be mad, but I expect this under an "ends justify the means" administration.
• A 43-day-old fetus is a "thinking person."
• HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, can be spread via sweat and tears.
• Condoms fail to prevent HIV transmission as often as 31 percent of the time in heterosexual intercourse.
First of all, what the heck is a 43 day old fetus thinking? Gee, it's comfy in here. Now, this could be a debateable point and we could go on forever about it, but it is nothing compared to the mis-information in point #2:
AIDS can be spread through sweat and tears. Why is this even MENTIONED in an abstinence program? Are they trying to frighten kids from even touching each other? This is just the first step in declaring HIV positive people as modern day lepors. "Don't touch them son! You could get
Teaching our kids lies should be illegal, and teaching them these lies using federal funds should be a federal crime. I'd be mad, but I expect this under an "ends justify the means" administration.
Banned In Greece! Oh, the days of censorship.
Well, not yet.
But two Greek lawyers are viewing the film ALEXANDER to see if the main character is portrayed as gay.
And if it looks like Alexander is portrayed as having had sex with men -- something which the lawyers say there is no official document saying ever happened, mind you -- they will sue to keep ALEXANDER off of Greece's screens.
All 80 of them.
Really. 80 screens.
And, apparently, the Lawyers have never heard of DVDs or BitTorrent. Proverbial pissing in the wind.
Remember when we used to worry about censorship? Now we just worry about stupidity trying to enforce censorship with draconian and ultimately fruitless laws.
But two Greek lawyers are viewing the film ALEXANDER to see if the main character is portrayed as gay.
And if it looks like Alexander is portrayed as having had sex with men -- something which the lawyers say there is no official document saying ever happened, mind you -- they will sue to keep ALEXANDER off of Greece's screens.
All 80 of them.
Really. 80 screens.
And, apparently, the Lawyers have never heard of DVDs or BitTorrent. Proverbial pissing in the wind.
Remember when we used to worry about censorship? Now we just worry about stupidity trying to enforce censorship with draconian and ultimately fruitless laws.
What Is A Dictionary Useful For when the Most Looked-up word isn't in it?
Dictionaries are points of language contention. New inclusion of a word can be seen as conferring legitimacy. Those who advocate a dead language bristle at this -- stick to what we have! they say. Others see dictionaries as reflections of usage --- our langauge as we use it. Oh, and the former are wrong, the latter are right.
But what does it mean when the most looked-up word in the Merriam-Webster's online dictionary this year isn't even in it? Look-up frequency probably follows something like a Laffer-curve for tax policy. A word which is never used is never looked up; increasing usage means an increasing number of look-ups, until the point where the word is so common, everyeone knows it and, again, it is never looked up (does anyone question what the meaning of "is" is?).
But now, thanks to the web, we have a whole new class of words -- ones which reach near universal usage immediately, and when that happens, everyone at once needs to know what the word means.
So, the year's most looked-up word, which wasn't even in Webster's?
Blog.
But what does it mean when the most looked-up word in the Merriam-Webster's online dictionary this year isn't even in it? Look-up frequency probably follows something like a Laffer-curve for tax policy. A word which is never used is never looked up; increasing usage means an increasing number of look-ups, until the point where the word is so common, everyeone knows it and, again, it is never looked up (does anyone question what the meaning of "is" is?).
But now, thanks to the web, we have a whole new class of words -- ones which reach near universal usage immediately, and when that happens, everyone at once needs to know what the word means.
So, the year's most looked-up word, which wasn't even in Webster's?
Blog.
Making Movies is REALLY Expensive 2: The $200M Movie
Further to Derek's relating of the 3-day set-up for a 20 second-shot in the coming Shaggy Dog picture, I have my own recollection of how big movies get to be really expensive.
In a previous incarnation, I dated an independent producer. "Independent" in Hollywood parlance means she didn't have a 3-picture deal with a studio with a $4B market capitalization. The movie she produced was a huge $120M budget thing, starring one $20M star, directed by an A-list director, and had an ensemble cast of no less than 3 already well known actors, plus 2 new hot-faces of the year, and the up-and coming beauty love interest. The movie was shot largely in Hawaii which ain't cheap, but movie people love to work in because -- hey, it's Hawaii. It's kind of like the Keck Telescopes for us astronomers -- also in Hawaii -- it's where you can do your best work, because the facilities are the best and, hey, beaches on the off-hours.
Anyway, after that was all done, I was going to spoken-word nights round LA (mostly the ones hosted by Rachel Kahn ( website ) and I took the opportunity of an open-mic public confessional to express my regrets for done-done relationship. We all move on, but I still like the rhythms from rattling it off.
Comeback
June 2002
I want to die and come back
as a two hundred million dollar movie
Variety-headlined high-five payday
for the freshman team
three-studio deal sharing radioactive risk
to die and come back as a
two hundred million dollar
Woo/Lucas/Raimi/Spielberg film-by
twelve month pre-production, two hundred-day shoot
to die and come back
as a two hundred million dollar
inspired by true events
history never happened
story never told
my sets
bursting with producers
black as absence
my sets bursting with producers assistant
bursting with producers executive
producers associate
producers co-
four Titan producers vanilla plain
and a lonely line, loved by all
a two hundred million dollar
triple trailer double lear-jet stars
production companies that would bankrupt MGM I say
not far these days you say but wait a minute.
two hundred million dollar movie of
locations, locations and locations
Truola Valley Hawaii
Tunisia
New Zealand
Bali St. Basil’s Boise Burundi Big-Ben Bilbao Burbank Soundstage
locations
and a third team shooting three weeks in Columbian civil conflict
two P.A.’s dead.
two hundred million dollar movie of
kraft services with
four meat lunches
roving ice frappuccino
five AM egg-white omelet
thousand dollar daily budget of
Red Bull and Krispy Crème
Two hundred million dollar movie of
gasoline explosions brighter than a billion suns
phosphorus glinting fountains of
twenty million dollar stars tumbling off the tops of skyscrapers
faces disfigured
bubbling skin ripped like cloth from broken fibrous ribs and
beauty violated, beauty lost, beauty stripped like an ashen tarp
balletic violence, gorgeous violence, ultra-violence, anti-violence
p-PG-13 stripped from the folded arms of
Jack Valenti
Two hundred million dollar movie
ruins the Hollywood marriage ignored
the forty-five hundred crew members
all libidinous sweaty, muddy excitement
every night on days
every day on nights
and twice daily on set.
The pre-release buzz
the NPR history on the history of histories
and E!
Discovery Channel, People and Time
covers on the
history of histories.
She, on Madamoiselle
He, a quarterly for gentlemen
Television final week advertising saturation
Ice-cream cross promotion
release
promoted on the profits of
Your Whitest Teeth Tonight of
neck tendons swaddled in three percent body fat of
the newest star on the walk of fame of
Congressional Medals for wartime valor of
That Hollywood/White House screening of
that Hollywood marriage ignored re-fired like phoenix in victory of
that Hollywood marriage ignored exploded by
your whitest teeth tonight by
three percent body fat by
sweaty, muddy days and nights.
And a line, four months long, of 15-year-old cheerleaders
high pitched screeching in the blackest background
of the ten-o’clock live news broadcast.
Two hundred million dollar movie with
digital projection and fifteen thousand screens distribution domestic and
Oh! A one hundred and fifty million dollar opening
with five percent drop off,
legs stretched luxuriously from April to August,
teenagers sprinting into seats,
and seven months along, blue-hairs waddling into matinees, antiquarian
finding an audience hungry for fiction
all because they want to believe
eyes roiling in breathless titilation
true events.
In a previous incarnation, I dated an independent producer. "Independent" in Hollywood parlance means she didn't have a 3-picture deal with a studio with a $4B market capitalization. The movie she produced was a huge $120M budget thing, starring one $20M star, directed by an A-list director, and had an ensemble cast of no less than 3 already well known actors, plus 2 new hot-faces of the year, and the up-and coming beauty love interest. The movie was shot largely in Hawaii which ain't cheap, but movie people love to work in because -- hey, it's Hawaii. It's kind of like the Keck Telescopes for us astronomers -- also in Hawaii -- it's where you can do your best work, because the facilities are the best and, hey, beaches on the off-hours.
Anyway, after that was all done, I was going to spoken-word nights round LA (mostly the ones hosted by Rachel Kahn ( website ) and I took the opportunity of an open-mic public confessional to express my regrets for done-done relationship. We all move on, but I still like the rhythms from rattling it off.
Comeback
June 2002
I want to die and come back
as a two hundred million dollar movie
Variety-headlined high-five payday
for the freshman team
three-studio deal sharing radioactive risk
to die and come back as a
two hundred million dollar
Woo/Lucas/Raimi/Spielberg film-by
twelve month pre-production, two hundred-day shoot
to die and come back
as a two hundred million dollar
inspired by true events
history never happened
story never told
my sets
bursting with producers
black as absence
my sets bursting with producers assistant
bursting with producers executive
producers associate
producers co-
four Titan producers vanilla plain
and a lonely line, loved by all
a two hundred million dollar
triple trailer double lear-jet stars
production companies that would bankrupt MGM I say
not far these days you say but wait a minute.
two hundred million dollar movie of
locations, locations and locations
Truola Valley Hawaii
Tunisia
New Zealand
Bali St. Basil’s Boise Burundi Big-Ben Bilbao Burbank Soundstage
locations
and a third team shooting three weeks in Columbian civil conflict
two P.A.’s dead.
two hundred million dollar movie of
kraft services with
four meat lunches
roving ice frappuccino
five AM egg-white omelet
thousand dollar daily budget of
Red Bull and Krispy Crème
Two hundred million dollar movie of
gasoline explosions brighter than a billion suns
phosphorus glinting fountains of
twenty million dollar stars tumbling off the tops of skyscrapers
faces disfigured
bubbling skin ripped like cloth from broken fibrous ribs and
beauty violated, beauty lost, beauty stripped like an ashen tarp
balletic violence, gorgeous violence, ultra-violence, anti-violence
p-PG-13 stripped from the folded arms of
Jack Valenti
Two hundred million dollar movie
ruins the Hollywood marriage ignored
the forty-five hundred crew members
all libidinous sweaty, muddy excitement
every night on days
every day on nights
and twice daily on set.
The pre-release buzz
the NPR history on the history of histories
and E!
Discovery Channel, People and Time
covers on the
history of histories.
She, on Madamoiselle
He, a quarterly for gentlemen
Television final week advertising saturation
Ice-cream cross promotion
release
promoted on the profits of
Your Whitest Teeth Tonight of
neck tendons swaddled in three percent body fat of
the newest star on the walk of fame of
Congressional Medals for wartime valor of
That Hollywood/White House screening of
that Hollywood marriage ignored re-fired like phoenix in victory of
that Hollywood marriage ignored exploded by
your whitest teeth tonight by
three percent body fat by
sweaty, muddy days and nights.
And a line, four months long, of 15-year-old cheerleaders
high pitched screeching in the blackest background
of the ten-o’clock live news broadcast.
Two hundred million dollar movie with
digital projection and fifteen thousand screens distribution domestic and
Oh! A one hundred and fifty million dollar opening
with five percent drop off,
legs stretched luxuriously from April to August,
teenagers sprinting into seats,
and seven months along, blue-hairs waddling into matinees, antiquarian
finding an audience hungry for fiction
all because they want to believe
eyes roiling in breathless titilation
true events.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Microsoft Innovates Again
Microsoft has entered the blog-hosting space.
Their big innovation, by comparison to the original Blogger? They've added the capability to host your pictures and music as well. See - it's like a total web home for the average user. So easy to use it will really "bring blogging to the masses". And it's going to drive tons of traffic and subscriptions for their MSN network of sites.
It's utterly amazing. The largest market cap of any company in world history, and they're pursuing ideas that would have been, like, pretty cool and advanced... for 1999... in late 2004.
Their big innovation, by comparison to the original Blogger? They've added the capability to host your pictures and music as well. See - it's like a total web home for the average user. So easy to use it will really "bring blogging to the masses". And it's going to drive tons of traffic and subscriptions for their MSN network of sites.
It's utterly amazing. The largest market cap of any company in world history, and they're pursuing ideas that would have been, like, pretty cool and advanced... for 1999... in late 2004.
Throw Novak in Jail
Eugene Volokh of the Volokh conspiracy agrees with Bob - throw Novak in jail.
Any journalists' privilege must extend to bloggers, but you can't give everyone with broadband access a get-out-of-jail-free card. So instead, condition the privilege on the nature of the leak. If the leak makes the journalist an accessory to a crime, then poof! No privilege.
From his NYT Op-Ed today.
Any journalists' privilege must extend to bloggers, but you can't give everyone with broadband access a get-out-of-jail-free card. So instead, condition the privilege on the nature of the leak. If the leak makes the journalist an accessory to a crime, then poof! No privilege.
From his NYT Op-Ed today.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Making Movies is REALLY Expensive
Almost daily, it seems, we are exposed to the multimillion-dollar budget figures for new movie releases - often enough that the tendency is to grow completely inured to them. "Oh yeah - $180m for Matrix 3; that sounds about right."
And yet the truth is that these are really astounding quantities of money for businesses that, from first employee hire to final burn-out, rarely last more than two years. And nothing brings that fact home like an honest-to-goodness big-budget movie coming to film on-location on your block.
That's right - THE SHAGGY DOG (2005) is filming at Colorado & Sierra Madre tomorrow. We saw the first signs this morning, when the entire north side of Mohawk Street was signed off-limits for parking (west side of Sierra Madre too). Looking around, I noticed some windbreaker-jacketed guys from "Reel Security" waving at each other and coordinating the removal of the last hold-outs. Driving home after sunset tonight we saw the trucks and StarWaggons gathering like cattle before the storm. Staff from Reel Security are posted at every corner and in the middle of every block - they have been here all day, and look ready to stick it out through the night. At home we found a flyer on our doorstep explaining the disruption - which lasts throughout tomorrow - and the shot:
And yet the truth is that these are really astounding quantities of money for businesses that, from first employee hire to final burn-out, rarely last more than two years. And nothing brings that fact home like an honest-to-goodness big-budget movie coming to film on-location on your block.
That's right - THE SHAGGY DOG (2005) is filming at Colorado & Sierra Madre tomorrow. We saw the first signs this morning, when the entire north side of Mohawk Street was signed off-limits for parking (west side of Sierra Madre too). Looking around, I noticed some windbreaker-jacketed guys from "Reel Security" waving at each other and coordinating the removal of the last hold-outs. Driving home after sunset tonight we saw the trucks and StarWaggons gathering like cattle before the storm. Staff from Reel Security are posted at every corner and in the middle of every block - they have been here all day, and look ready to stick it out through the night. At home we found a flyer on our doorstep explaining the disruption - which lasts throughout tomorrow - and the shot:
The scene involves the Shaggy Dog running down the sidewalk on the South side of Colorado Blvd from Sierra Madre to the West for 200 feet.So... like I said: Making movies is really expensive.
Brooks Blows Again
David Brooks' apparently doesn't like what he sees on TV. After Sunday's dust-up on Meet the Press between Jerry Falwell (former leader of the right-wing Moral Majority) and Democratic Presidential contender Al Sharpton (and ordained minister), Brooks says neither are the face of Christianity in American public life -- that mantle belongs to John Stott.
Never mind, Brooks says, that nobody knows John Stott. Brooks likes him. And therefore, Brooks concludes, Stott must be the pope of American Christian Right. Oh, apparently, Stott doesn't lead any American groups, isn't involved in politics, and has never appeared on any news shows.
By this line of reasoning, Betty Crocker is as much a leader of the Christian Right as John Stott -- just as many evangelicals read her books, if not more. However, having your books read by people doesn't constitute leadership of them (pace, Brooks -- I know you fight hard for your books to be read at all).
Brooks seems to be under the impression that if things seem to be a particular way to him, then they are that way. However, there's no argument that even one Evangelical Christian read any of Stott's books and, as a result, adopted Stott's line. The opinions Brooks attributes to Stotts (pro-life, pro death penalty) are no different from those espoused by evangelical preachers the country over -- and Brooks doesn't argue that these opinions have historical roots in Stott, instead of heated discussions over the church BBQ.
So, why do I say "Brooks blows again?" Such an unkind thing to say. It's because Brooks is bad at laying out reasoned arguments supporting his plantive statements. His article's conclusions ("Stott the king of Evangelicals") is Wyle-E-Coyote-like suspended in air. He makes no argument that evangelical 1 has ever been influenced by him. So, Brooks is just saying "This is my opinion." Which, you can do. But it fails to be convincing.
Never mind, Brooks says, that nobody knows John Stott. Brooks likes him. And therefore, Brooks concludes, Stott must be the pope of American Christian Right. Oh, apparently, Stott doesn't lead any American groups, isn't involved in politics, and has never appeared on any news shows.
By this line of reasoning, Betty Crocker is as much a leader of the Christian Right as John Stott -- just as many evangelicals read her books, if not more. However, having your books read by people doesn't constitute leadership of them (pace, Brooks -- I know you fight hard for your books to be read at all).
Brooks seems to be under the impression that if things seem to be a particular way to him, then they are that way. However, there's no argument that even one Evangelical Christian read any of Stott's books and, as a result, adopted Stott's line. The opinions Brooks attributes to Stotts (pro-life, pro death penalty) are no different from those espoused by evangelical preachers the country over -- and Brooks doesn't argue that these opinions have historical roots in Stott, instead of heated discussions over the church BBQ.
So, why do I say "Brooks blows again?" Such an unkind thing to say. It's because Brooks is bad at laying out reasoned arguments supporting his plantive statements. His article's conclusions ("Stott the king of Evangelicals") is Wyle-E-Coyote-like suspended in air. He makes no argument that evangelical 1 has ever been influenced by him. So, Brooks is just saying "This is my opinion." Which, you can do. But it fails to be convincing.
Monday, November 29, 2004
Hollywood Visuals Come to Iraq
A severe set-back in the Iraq war has been the indistinctive and visually difficult desert terrain -- the kind of terrain which held the movie Three Kings in the $60M range, barely recouping its $48M outlay --- while Vietnam era-set films become runaway blockbusters while feasting on jungle exteriors -- like Apooclypse Now, Platoon, and Good Morning, Vietnam! John Ford knew what to do with the American desert, but even his exteriors were most notable when there was something recognizable to focus on in the distance -- a rocky prominence, say. This leaves Hollywood in a bind -- you've seen one dusty road 20 miles out of Baghdad, and you've done the trip. Back to the hotel! So, what to do?
Well, the NYTimes has found the jungle exteriors!
Seems there are a few rivers in Iraq on which patrol boats can wade. Sure, we've known the coastline is always there (hey, do Iraqis surf?), but there can't be any filmic-based introspection unless a visually stunning metaphor for spiritual journey runs through it. Even Mark Twain knew you've got to go up river, down river, or down to the river to get the skin of the story onto weighty moral bones -- and now that the US military has found the rivers in Iraq, we can expect the movies to come.
Well, the NYTimes has found the jungle exteriors!
Seems there are a few rivers in Iraq on which patrol boats can wade. Sure, we've known the coastline is always there (hey, do Iraqis surf?), but there can't be any filmic-based introspection unless a visually stunning metaphor for spiritual journey runs through it. Even Mark Twain knew you've got to go up river, down river, or down to the river to get the skin of the story onto weighty moral bones -- and now that the US military has found the rivers in Iraq, we can expect the movies to come.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Why you don't want to hold stock in the Washington Post
The Washington Post sat down a bunch of young people to try to get a sense of how they might improve circulation among this advertiser-favored demographic. The conclusion? They can't.
When the Post offered to deliver the paper to the panelists' doorsteps for free, they said they still wouldn't want to subscribe because - wait for it - they didn't like the thought of all that newspaper piling up around the house.
All in all, they'd really rather be getting their news online. It's free, there's a great selection, and it doesn't make a mess. So... that hissing you're hearing? It's the sound of market capitalization slowing leaking out of the inflated bubbles that are the NYT, Times-Mirror, WaPo, & Co.
From the Wired News Story.
When the Post offered to deliver the paper to the panelists' doorsteps for free, they said they still wouldn't want to subscribe because - wait for it - they didn't like the thought of all that newspaper piling up around the house.
All in all, they'd really rather be getting their news online. It's free, there's a great selection, and it doesn't make a mess. So... that hissing you're hearing? It's the sound of market capitalization slowing leaking out of the inflated bubbles that are the NYT, Times-Mirror, WaPo, & Co.
From the Wired News Story.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Rumsfeld's got Bush's back
No worries, Mr. President - your SecDef is right behind you in supporting the 9/11 Commission Intelligence Reform bill that those devious House Republicans tried to can last week.
I can see it now:
I should warn you ahead of time, Mr. President, that my best efforts may not be enough to convince them to change their minds. They're stubborn folk, and once they've got their minds and political reputations set on something, well...
I can see it now:
I should warn you ahead of time, Mr. President, that my best efforts may not be enough to convince them to change their minds. They're stubborn folk, and once they've got their minds and political reputations set on something, well...
Monday, November 22, 2004
JFK Reloaded
A few weeks ago, I mentioned a gaming company idea to Bob. This company would create video games based on historical atrocities. You could have games such as "Trail of Tears: the First Person Shooter", torture game engines that would run games like "The Inquisition", and "1492 Spain: the Cleansing". This company would benefit from these titles in several ways:
1. The company wouldn't need to generate any creative ideas. It would just draw on historical accuracy.
2. The company would not need an advertising budget. The negative press generated by these gruesome titles would send kids drooling to their nearest video game store to pick up a copy.
Well, it turns out yesterday that a company has already beat me to the punch. JFK Reloaded is a game that puts you in the mindset of Lee Harvey Oswald, attempting to assasinate JFK. You score points by hitting the President as historically accurate as possible. You lose point by hitting others such as Jackie, or anyone else riding in the motorcade. You can view your attempts close up, or from various angles, including the angle at which the Zapruder film was shot.
These games will ultimately be educational for our youngsters. How many of these players would know what the Zapruder film was, or how many shots the President took in this assasination. Will they be able to try their luck from the Grassy Knoll?
I'm just waiting for "Crusades: the Massive Multiplayer Online Game", where you have to choose sides before signing up, then attempt to attack or defend the holy land. These are million dollar ideas folks.
Horrible, horrible million dollar ideas.
1. The company wouldn't need to generate any creative ideas. It would just draw on historical accuracy.
2. The company would not need an advertising budget. The negative press generated by these gruesome titles would send kids drooling to their nearest video game store to pick up a copy.
Well, it turns out yesterday that a company has already beat me to the punch. JFK Reloaded is a game that puts you in the mindset of Lee Harvey Oswald, attempting to assasinate JFK. You score points by hitting the President as historically accurate as possible. You lose point by hitting others such as Jackie, or anyone else riding in the motorcade. You can view your attempts close up, or from various angles, including the angle at which the Zapruder film was shot.
These games will ultimately be educational for our youngsters. How many of these players would know what the Zapruder film was, or how many shots the President took in this assasination. Will they be able to try their luck from the Grassy Knoll?
I'm just waiting for "Crusades: the Massive Multiplayer Online Game", where you have to choose sides before signing up, then attempt to attack or defend the holy land. These are million dollar ideas folks.
Horrible, horrible million dollar ideas.
My New Fighting Technique
Over at My New Fighting Technique is Unstoppable, there's an inspirational message for post-election Dems, allegedly by Deepak Chopra.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
The Baroque Cycle
Over at BoingBoing, Cory Doctorow has posted his impressions on completing the last volume of The Baroque Cycle, Neal Stephenson's 3-volume 2700-page super-novel about the Age of Enlightenment and how the contemporaneous invention of the calculus, money, mass-market newspapers, and steam power gave birth at that time to a new System of the World.
I've also recently finished reading the complete work, and heartily enjoyed almost every chapter. If some sections are hard slogs... well, I was inclined to tolerance, not having written many 2700-page works myself lately. I don't think love stories are Stephenson's forte, although he attempts a couple. The payoff comes during the interludes when he has you convincingly inhabiting 18th century Europe (or its colonial outposts), interacting with the natural philosophers and bankers who bequeathed us most of the power over the natural world we now take for granted.
It was a tremendously exciting time if you were moving in the right circles. Stephenson gets that, and he gets enough of the underlying science and economics and history and politics right to get that feeling across in convincing fashion. In the process, he has spun himself - and the rest of us - quite an enchanting yarn.
I've also recently finished reading the complete work, and heartily enjoyed almost every chapter. If some sections are hard slogs... well, I was inclined to tolerance, not having written many 2700-page works myself lately. I don't think love stories are Stephenson's forte, although he attempts a couple. The payoff comes during the interludes when he has you convincingly inhabiting 18th century Europe (or its colonial outposts), interacting with the natural philosophers and bankers who bequeathed us most of the power over the natural world we now take for granted.
It was a tremendously exciting time if you were moving in the right circles. Stephenson gets that, and he gets enough of the underlying science and economics and history and politics right to get that feeling across in convincing fashion. In the process, he has spun himself - and the rest of us - quite an enchanting yarn.
Rumsfeld: Loose Canon, or Bush's Canon?
Apparently, the Pentagon drove the Congress to rejecting Intelligence reform -- protecting their $36B budget, defeating the primary recommendation of the 9/11 commission. The way the Pentagon did this was they had the House Committee on Armed Services chair Representative Duncan Hunter declare to the Republican caucus that he would not allow the bill to pass through his committee. Thus, even though the Democrats and Republicans are willing to pass the bill -- a minority of Republicans opposed it, but the bill has a majority in the House -- Speaker Hastert declared the bill dead.
The question is, then -- did Bush permit Rumsfeld to do this, in which case Bush is responsible for defeating the 9/11 commission's recommendation, or did he oppose Rumsfeld, in which case Bush lost a political battle to his Secretary of Defense? Is Rumsfeld working against Bush, or at the behest of Bush? Is he a loose canon, or Bush's canon?
The question is, then -- did Bush permit Rumsfeld to do this, in which case Bush is responsible for defeating the 9/11 commission's recommendation, or did he oppose Rumsfeld, in which case Bush lost a political battle to his Secretary of Defense? Is Rumsfeld working against Bush, or at the behest of Bush? Is he a loose canon, or Bush's canon?
Bush/Cheney Let Intelligence Reform Die, Pin it on Armed Services, Judiciary
Reformation of the nation's Intelligence apparatus, the key recommendation of the 9/11 comisssion, has been allowed to die in the House. Hastert shakes his head woefully, we tried and tried, he says.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, Chair of the Armed Services committee, says the bill takes battlefield intelligence out of Pentagon control. As we all know, 80% of the national ingelligence budget is under the Secretary of Defense. Hunter's protecting Rumsfeld's fieifdom.
Rep. Jim Sensebrenner, Chair of Judiciary, says the bill doesn't deal properly with illegal immigration -- which is about as directly relevant to intelligence reform as a good egg salad recipe -- the kind of thing which is put in to get horses, and is taken out in horse trading. Clearly, the administration isn't trading even for an egg-salad horse.
Bush's administration doesn't want intelligence reform, and they aren't pushing on the House to get it. They're happy to see it die, and let someone else take the blame.
Have a good egg-salad recipe? Post it here. We'll send the best one to Sensebrenner.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, Chair of the Armed Services committee, says the bill takes battlefield intelligence out of Pentagon control. As we all know, 80% of the national ingelligence budget is under the Secretary of Defense. Hunter's protecting Rumsfeld's fieifdom.
Rep. Jim Sensebrenner, Chair of Judiciary, says the bill doesn't deal properly with illegal immigration -- which is about as directly relevant to intelligence reform as a good egg salad recipe -- the kind of thing which is put in to get horses, and is taken out in horse trading. Clearly, the administration isn't trading even for an egg-salad horse.
Bush's administration doesn't want intelligence reform, and they aren't pushing on the House to get it. They're happy to see it die, and let someone else take the blame.
Have a good egg-salad recipe? Post it here. We'll send the best one to Sensebrenner.
Friday, November 19, 2004
In Bizarre Twist, Bush executes retarded; pardons Turkey
Not that the turkey hurt anyone (in fact, Bush seems a bit pleased in this picture), , Bush still thought it was a good idea to have the mentally retarded executed. Maybe he's getting soft in his old age. .
I Need more erototoxins
Apparently, much worse than the crack epidemic, is the Internet porn epidemic. Viewing Internet porn releases "erototoxins".
Not content to just winning the election, the religious right is now making up stuff to crusade against.
Erototoxins, indeed.
Not content to just winning the election, the religious right is now making up stuff to crusade against.
Erototoxins, indeed.
Dahlia on the Loyalty Oath
Over at Slate, Dahlia Lithwick has a concise piece, presented with her usual wit, on the new Republican penchant for direct loyalty oaths to our President over musty old traditions like the swearing of fealty to the Constitution.
See also: My post on the recent Ashcroft speech decrying the existence of an independent judiciary in our country, and Bob's recent post on the emasculation of Arlen Specter.
See also: My post on the recent Ashcroft speech decrying the existence of an independent judiciary in our country, and Bob's recent post on the emasculation of Arlen Specter.
Grey Album goes Video
Outstanding mash-up video creation for the "Encore" track from the Grey Album available here.
Utterly illegal, of course, just like much of our truly creative art these days. Get it while it's still downloadable.
Utterly illegal, of course, just like much of our truly creative art these days. Get it while it's still downloadable.
When 1 and 1 Equals War
Here's two facts:
1. Bush now sees Iran's nuclear potential as a major threat to the US requiring confrontation, economic sanctions, military action, or "regime change". Perhaps we can think Colin Powell for giving his parthian shot yesterday, declaring the Iranians' nuclear ambitions were a problem for the US -- perhaps throwing Bush into that Briar patch, the one which looks all thorny with geopolitical intrigue, but is Bush's favorite place in all the world.
2. The US continues to have insurgent trouble in Iraq even as the country approaches a democratic election in January, and trains more and more Iraqi army forces.
Neither of these two issues play supremely well at home. How to stop the Iranians in their tracks? How to firm up Iraq's government and put down the insurgency? We have no credible threat toward Iran, since our army is stretched thin in Iraq.
I'll tell you how, if you're a member of Bush's Cheney/Rice/Rumsfeld troika: you train the Iraqi Army, and start that country on a war footing toward Iran. Iraq played the war in the 1980s to a draw, and, golly, wouldn't they like to have another shot, this time with US backing?
1. Bush now sees Iran's nuclear potential as a major threat to the US requiring confrontation, economic sanctions, military action, or "regime change". Perhaps we can think Colin Powell for giving his parthian shot yesterday, declaring the Iranians' nuclear ambitions were a problem for the US -- perhaps throwing Bush into that Briar patch, the one which looks all thorny with geopolitical intrigue, but is Bush's favorite place in all the world.
2. The US continues to have insurgent trouble in Iraq even as the country approaches a democratic election in January, and trains more and more Iraqi army forces.
Neither of these two issues play supremely well at home. How to stop the Iranians in their tracks? How to firm up Iraq's government and put down the insurgency? We have no credible threat toward Iran, since our army is stretched thin in Iraq.
I'll tell you how, if you're a member of Bush's Cheney/Rice/Rumsfeld troika: you train the Iraqi Army, and start that country on a war footing toward Iran. Iraq played the war in the 1980s to a draw, and, golly, wouldn't they like to have another shot, this time with US backing?
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Thanksgiving: A Short Week Away
We're almost there, and I'm looking forward to my trip to New York -- a short flight from Montreal -- to spend with my brother Bill, his wife Emily, and her grand family. Chefs note the recipes for Thanksgiving hit the food sections this week -- including a nice article on smoking turkeys, both indoors and out, in the NYTimes.
From the "could be bad" department -- flight attendants are voting today on a strike, to employ a technique of work stoppage following random patterns. They could stop work system-wide for one day, stop only flights leaving Denver, stop everyone in NYC-DC corrider. The attendants are striking against companies in bankruptcy re-negotiating their contracts.
From the "could be bad" department -- flight attendants are voting today on a strike, to employ a technique of work stoppage following random patterns. They could stop work system-wide for one day, stop only flights leaving Denver, stop everyone in NYC-DC corrider. The attendants are striking against companies in bankruptcy re-negotiating their contracts.
National Book Awards: Robin Left Off the Short-List Again
Today, the winner of the National Book Award will be announced, and I'm sad to say that our own Robin Dennis yet again did not make the five-long shortlist. Seeing that all five of the nominees for this year's award are women living in New York City, I fail to see, short of conspiracy inside the secret star-chamber of the nomination process, what has kept Robin off this list. That she didn't write a book this last year hardly seems material. Did any of the other nominees? They did? Oh. Well, but they are all women living in New York City, and there, Robin is also another woman living in New York City. She's got them in spades!
It just doesn't make any sense. Better luck next year, Robin. Although, I hear that next year they'll be possibly focusing on the outer boroughs.
It just doesn't make any sense. Better luck next year, Robin. Although, I hear that next year they'll be possibly focusing on the outer boroughs.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Indicted? No Problem If you're Tom DeLay.
Usually, being criminally indicted would bring shame on the Congress, and members who are convicted of a crime find themselves removed from office. Well, not so if you're Tom DeLay.
Seems that DeLay is having the Republican House change the rules, so that when his indictment is handed down in Texas for illegally raising political funds from corporations in 2002 (that is, the charges that three of his political aides have already been indicted for), he can continue serving as the Majority Leader.
Should we be embarrassed by this? Yes, we should. Our leadership should not have even the whiff of corruption about them. Tom DeLay doesn't only have a whiff -- he's probably guilty. Which means that eventually, he'll be convicted. When that happens, it will reflect on the Republican party that they circle the wagons around their own -- regardless of their reckless violations of the law.
Seems that DeLay is having the Republican House change the rules, so that when his indictment is handed down in Texas for illegally raising political funds from corporations in 2002 (that is, the charges that three of his political aides have already been indicted for), he can continue serving as the Majority Leader.
Should we be embarrassed by this? Yes, we should. Our leadership should not have even the whiff of corruption about them. Tom DeLay doesn't only have a whiff -- he's probably guilty. Which means that eventually, he'll be convicted. When that happens, it will reflect on the Republican party that they circle the wagons around their own -- regardless of their reckless violations of the law.
Rumsfeld has not discussed his future with Bush
Doesn't Rummy intend to consult wiith Bush before he declares himself Secretary of Defense again? Or is he simply avoiding the President's eye contact, while Bush carries the axe?
Monday, November 15, 2004
Music is Not a Loaf of Bread
Quoth Jeff Tweedy, the lead singer of Wilco, in his interview with Xeni Jardin today over at Wired News.
When common sense is heresy, and nonsense ("Our business is tanking - let's sue our customers or throw them in jail!") orthodoxy, I think you can safely state that a revolution is under way. That ground there, beneath our feet? It's shifting.
At the movie theater last night Erica and I paid $21.50 (including parking) for the joy and privilege of watching The Incredibles - a great, great movie - and for our law-abiding trouble were subjected to a three-minute guitar-riffing screed - cut with the sort of fast, jerky camera work that makes Erica nauseous - on the subject "Downloading free movies is stealing. Buying pirated movies is stealing. Illegal downloading: Inappropriate for all ages." One more reason to download that next theatrical release over BitTorrent.
The television companies can't make a decent HDTV for less than $3,000, it seems, and I can't get HDTV content over my local cable - if I want HDTV I need to hook up an actual antenna. If I also fork over $1,000 for an HDTV-compatible TiVO, I might actually get the chance to watch some shows. But over here in the office, HDTV versions of every current TV show are available for the asking, via BT and a $1500 computer (here's a cute way to get your PC to impersonate an HDTV TiVO). On our LCD flatscreen the shows looks fantastic. Oh - and did I mention? No commercials.
So Erica and I sit in our office, with our G4 and our flatscreen and our broadband connection, and we dim the lights, and from our futon we watch as Hollywood burns.
When common sense is heresy, and nonsense ("Our business is tanking - let's sue our customers or throw them in jail!") orthodoxy, I think you can safely state that a revolution is under way. That ground there, beneath our feet? It's shifting.
At the movie theater last night Erica and I paid $21.50 (including parking) for the joy and privilege of watching The Incredibles - a great, great movie - and for our law-abiding trouble were subjected to a three-minute guitar-riffing screed - cut with the sort of fast, jerky camera work that makes Erica nauseous - on the subject "Downloading free movies is stealing. Buying pirated movies is stealing. Illegal downloading: Inappropriate for all ages." One more reason to download that next theatrical release over BitTorrent.
The television companies can't make a decent HDTV for less than $3,000, it seems, and I can't get HDTV content over my local cable - if I want HDTV I need to hook up an actual antenna. If I also fork over $1,000 for an HDTV-compatible TiVO, I might actually get the chance to watch some shows. But over here in the office, HDTV versions of every current TV show are available for the asking, via BT and a $1500 computer (here's a cute way to get your PC to impersonate an HDTV TiVO). On our LCD flatscreen the shows looks fantastic. Oh - and did I mention? No commercials.
So Erica and I sit in our office, with our G4 and our flatscreen and our broadband connection, and we dim the lights, and from our futon we watch as Hollywood burns.
Condi Gets Secretary of State: Bush Reveals Lack of Confidence, Demand for Loyalty
Rice is the next Secretary of State according to Senior Administration officials quoted in the NYTimes, the Associated Press and Reuters.
Funny thing, but Rummy says the subject of his resignation hasn't come up with Bush yet. Guess they have other things to talk about.
Okay, with the AG and State done -- that's two major appointments. Enough to connect the dots. Bush is appointing very, very close insiders -- specifically, people who are heavily politically indebted to him to the highest positions. He has not appointed anyone who is a political equal or even a modest heavyweight who might counter him -- they are people who are first and foremost loyal to him. He is looking to be the number one muther-fucker in charge this time around, and he doesn't want any lip from anyone. That betrays a lack of self-confidence on his part. It also means Cheney will have more than his say again, unless his cold keeps him down.
Funny thing, but Rummy says the subject of his resignation hasn't come up with Bush yet. Guess they have other things to talk about.
Okay, with the AG and State done -- that's two major appointments. Enough to connect the dots. Bush is appointing very, very close insiders -- specifically, people who are heavily politically indebted to him to the highest positions. He has not appointed anyone who is a political equal or even a modest heavyweight who might counter him -- they are people who are first and foremost loyal to him. He is looking to be the number one muther-fucker in charge this time around, and he doesn't want any lip from anyone. That betrays a lack of self-confidence on his part. It also means Cheney will have more than his say again, unless his cold keeps him down.
Even Bigger Than Powell Stepping Down: William Safire Retires from the Times.
He makes his final Op Ed appearance Jan 24 2005.
This leaves David Brooks as the conservative columnist. Perhaps he'll announce in his final column that it was he who was Woodward and Bernstein's Deep Throat, as I've long suspsected?
This leaves David Brooks as the conservative columnist. Perhaps he'll announce in his final column that it was he who was Woodward and Bernstein's Deep Throat, as I've long suspsected?
Colin Powell Resigns
Powell Resigns. He's told high aides and submitted his letter last Friday. Other resignations expected today.
This explains how he can go to Palestine next week and retain his credibility -- as a truly lame duck, he carries no endorsed portfolio or responsibility for the administration.
This explains how he can go to Palestine next week and retain his credibility -- as a truly lame duck, he carries no endorsed portfolio or responsibility for the administration.
Powell: The Good Soldier, The Perpetually Beaten Dead Horse
When Tom Friedman suggested yesterday that George Bush turn to Powell and say (paraphrased): Colin, I want you to sit down with Israelis and Palestinians and forge a framework for a secure Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and progress toward a secure peace in the West Bank. Only this time I will stand with you. I will not let Rummy or Cheney fire any more arrows into your back. I don't want to see you back here until you've put our words into deeds.
This sounded hilarious. Bush has sent Powell there before, and while abroad, Rummy and Cheney launched broadsides, and when he came back with progress, it was treated Dead On Arrival. Powell's got 2 months before he retires from being the administration's perpetually beaten dead horse. He has worked to shore up credibility which has been spent by this administration, time and again (that is, they make a liar out of him). Powell wants to run for President in 2008, and as he leaves the administration why should he set up any efforts to be knocked down by Bush, yet again?
Because he's a good soldier, is why. He leaves next week. But, as the Palestinians prepare for a January vote on new leadership -- coinciding with Powell's likely departure -- watch for limited to no advancement in the peace process before than. Powell's visit is a simple sign of friendly normalcy, preparing continuity with new leadership, both in the US and in Palestine. There can't be any breakthroughs before then, because the Palestinian leadership does not carry either historical or electoral legitimacy.
This sounded hilarious. Bush has sent Powell there before, and while abroad, Rummy and Cheney launched broadsides, and when he came back with progress, it was treated Dead On Arrival. Powell's got 2 months before he retires from being the administration's perpetually beaten dead horse. He has worked to shore up credibility which has been spent by this administration, time and again (that is, they make a liar out of him). Powell wants to run for President in 2008, and as he leaves the administration why should he set up any efforts to be knocked down by Bush, yet again?
Because he's a good soldier, is why. He leaves next week. But, as the Palestinians prepare for a January vote on new leadership -- coinciding with Powell's likely departure -- watch for limited to no advancement in the peace process before than. Powell's visit is a simple sign of friendly normalcy, preparing continuity with new leadership, both in the US and in Palestine. There can't be any breakthroughs before then, because the Palestinian leadership does not carry either historical or electoral legitimacy.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Political Allegiance Demanded of Specter by Frist for Bush
Bill Frist is demanding that, for Arlen Specter to be given the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee as would be accorded him by seniority, he must pledge to support all of Bush's judicial nominees sight unseen -- an extraordinary demand. It can only be dismissed out of hand by Specter, unless he is to declare himself a rubber-stamp to the Executive Branch. It's unclear whether other Senators would support his threat. If other Senators agreed to enforce Frist's threat, it would herald an enfeebled Senate, violating the spirit of the separation of powers, when the majority leader demands allegiance to the Executive Branch to be accorded their recognized privileges.
The ODB, Dead at 35
Complained of chest pains before collapsing in a recording studio. He founded the Wu-Tang Clan. He grew infamous for his brushes with the law, which included drug charges, shoplifting and driving without a license. All in all, not one of your ganster gansta rappers.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Ashcroft denounces judiciary
You know, that "third branch" of our "balanced powers" system of government. The one that the Attorney General is supposed to coordinate Executive branch activities with. Well, our ex-AG has stated that the courts have no business interpreting the law.
Apparently, it's because judges are unelected and hence, unaccountable.
Apparently, it's because judges are unelected and hence, unaccountable.
Best investing advice, ever
I've spoken to some of you about Henry Blodget's series of articles for Slate on personal investing - his "Wall Street Self Defense Guide" - and I recommend every article in the series, but his latest is quite honestly the best investing advice article, ever.
CIA Senior Managers Disgruntled, Leaving
The WaPost reports that the CIA is seeing resignations of its high-level officials. Also, today David Brooks reflects back on how, during the election, the CIA was leaking leaking leaking with information which undermined Bush's position -- most famously, the Agency approved a book "Imperial Hubris" by Anonymous (Michael Scheuer) which lambasted the President's foreign policy. And how, now that the election is over, it's time for Bush's payback. Brooks calls the White House-CIA relationship "dysfunctional", which seems an understatement -- it is, more accurately, adversarial.
What exactly is going on? Who knows? Probably a combination of career CIA officials having had their intelligence manipulated for political ends (the Iraq war), followed by getting hooked with the blame for "intelligence failures", which were really political failures of the intelligence apparatus. Resulting in, bingo, the complete reorganization of the nation's intelligence services, which effectively means doing away with the CIA.
What exactly is going on? Who knows? Probably a combination of career CIA officials having had their intelligence manipulated for political ends (the Iraq war), followed by getting hooked with the blame for "intelligence failures", which were really political failures of the intelligence apparatus. Resulting in, bingo, the complete reorganization of the nation's intelligence services, which effectively means doing away with the CIA.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Sure Enough, Powell misses Arafat's Funeral
It looks like the US sent Assistant Secretary of State William Burns.
Heck, I hear even Burns is trying to kick the responsibility over to his no-account brother-in-law Cletus.
When the White House declared last week that Bush wasn't going, but that they would send Powell instead, it was obvious nobody had asked Powell. Why would a Presidential hopeful attend the funeral of someone who terrorizes their constituency?
Heck, I hear even Burns is trying to kick the responsibility over to his no-account brother-in-law Cletus.
When the White House declared last week that Bush wasn't going, but that they would send Powell instead, it was obvious nobody had asked Powell. Why would a Presidential hopeful attend the funeral of someone who terrorizes their constituency?
Frist Moves to End the Filibuster on Judicial Nominiees
Apparently, Bill Frist is falling in line with the demands of evangelical christians, who oppose Sen. Arlen Spector's bid to head the Senate Judicial Committee -- a position which seniority owes him. Well, say the ECs, if we can't stop him from getting this privilege, we demand the Senate do away with the filibuster on judicial nominees, so that the 45 Democrats can't stop the expected juggernaut of Supreme Court Justices.
Bill Frist backs this: "One way or another, the filibuster of judicial nominees must end," Frist (R-Tenn.) said in a speech to the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group.
Problem is, once you kill the filibuster in one place, it's a skip and a jump from being killed everywhere. One method Frist is considering is to declare the filibuster unconstitutional -- which would likely have the effect of completely doing away with the filibuster. This leads quickly to the tyranny of the majority, where the actions of the Senate are determined by the 50 percent plus 1 senator.
Big changes afoot.
Bill Frist backs this: "One way or another, the filibuster of judicial nominees must end," Frist (R-Tenn.) said in a speech to the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group.
Problem is, once you kill the filibuster in one place, it's a skip and a jump from being killed everywhere. One method Frist is considering is to declare the filibuster unconstitutional -- which would likely have the effect of completely doing away with the filibuster. This leads quickly to the tyranny of the majority, where the actions of the Senate are determined by the 50 percent plus 1 senator.
Big changes afoot.
Paternity Dispute: Just do a DNA Test, Right? Not In This Case....
Here's some crazyness to brighten your day. A couple is separating, and the man wants parental rights for their child -- the one he was at the birth for, the one who calls him papa. She is saying, "No Dice, he may not be the father, I was sleeping with someone else during the period of conception." You think, no problem -- see which man the child's DNA matches. Case solved. Right? Except, here, the woman was apparently sleeping with the purpoted father's identical twin brother.
Oops.
Oops.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Gonzales out of the Running for Supreme Court Justice
Bush picked his advisor Alberto Gonzales to be the next Attorney General. First, he's been mentioned as a possible Supreme Court nominee, but if he serves (or fails to be approved by the Senate) as Attorney General, that will make it politically impossible.
Moreover, the fact that Gonzales' legal opinion was that the Geneva Conventions should be discarded in dealing with terrorists taken prisoner on Afghanistan and Iraq battlefields-- and the subsequent spectacle of Abu Grahib -- tells us what we can expect from a Gonzales Attorney General: a trashing of civil liberties.
Oh, but Bush said Gonzales will protect civil liberties? Another example of Bush saying one thing, meaning the opposite.
Moreover, the fact that Gonzales' legal opinion was that the Geneva Conventions should be discarded in dealing with terrorists taken prisoner on Afghanistan and Iraq battlefields-- and the subsequent spectacle of Abu Grahib -- tells us what we can expect from a Gonzales Attorney General: a trashing of civil liberties.
Oh, but Bush said Gonzales will protect civil liberties? Another example of Bush saying one thing, meaning the opposite.
Been Bert?
Apparently, even though our terror alert level icon indicated that Ernie at the financial institutions in NYC, NJ and DC was dropped to Bert on Nov 3, Homeland security only just reporeted that the terror alert level is now going to be lowered.
And, even though Homeland Security considers the country to be Bert, the NYC Police Department regard the city of NY to be on Ernie.
And, even though Homeland Security considers the country to be Bert, the NYC Police Department regard the city of NY to be on Ernie.
Kristof Argues Self-Defense, when the Crime is Murder
Today, Nicholas Kristof columnizes that the judiciary is in a broad assult against American press freedoms. A judge is fining a Rhode Island reporter $1K/day, and is threatening to throw him in prison, if he does not reveal where he got a video tape of a city official accepting an evelope of cash -- allegedly, a bribe.
That sounds like protected reportage. A crime was committed and caught on tape. Evidence of it was transmitted to the press by a confidential source, the press distributed that evidence. The confidential source should be protected by anonymity against revenge by the criminal (the city official) and from prosecution, because revealing corruption is a compelling social interest. Case closed.
He then goes on to NYTimes reporter Judith Miller -- who was told by a high Administration official that Valerie Plame was a CIA operative. The confidentiality of this "source", Kristof asserts, should be equally protected as that who revealed corruption.
Hold on, here Nick: The crime in question is not that Valerie Plame is a CIA operative. Last I checked (this morning, about 8:35am EST), being a CIA operative is entirely legal. So, the conversation that Nick wants to claim "anonymous source" protection for doesn't serve a compellling social interest -- revealing and giving evidence of a crime. The crime in question is the conversation itself: between the high Administration official and Judith Miller. This doesn't make the high Administration official a source (transmitting evidence of a crime -- since, again being a CIA operative isn't a crime) -- since the "source" wasn't transmitting any evidence of a crime at all. The official was simply using Judith Miller to illegally reveal government secrets.
Ah, you say: but doesn't everyone who reveals secret information (like the Pentagon Papers, or that Plame is a spook) do so illegally? No. Like killing someone can be either murder or self-defense, revealing secret information can either further a compellling social interest (like self-protection of the republic) or work against social interest (like murdering a member of the public).
Some whistle blowers reveal information which furthers a compelling social interest -- and the law knows the difference. That the Pentagon was involved in a duplicitous fraud in selling the Vietnam war to the public --- telling lies about the status of the war -- is a crime, and revealing that crime furthers a compelling social interest. Self-defense.
There is no compelling social interest in revealing that Valerie Plame was a spy. It's purpose most likely was revenge by the high administration official on her husband. And there's no way that revelation could ever act even incidentally as serving an interest. It's just revenge. Murder.
In this case, the crime committed was the source's conversation with Judith Miller, and not that Plame is a spook. Judith is a co-conspirator in this crime if she does not reveal who the administration official is.
So this worries Judith that her revealing *any* source will make *all* sources dry up -- which is certainly against our society's interest. Judith: tell your sources, before they tell you, that they should motivited by the self defense of the Republic -- which judges will agree is a broad social interest -- and not the murder of the reputation of a defenseless individual like Valerie Plame, for their own selfish retribution.
That sounds like protected reportage. A crime was committed and caught on tape. Evidence of it was transmitted to the press by a confidential source, the press distributed that evidence. The confidential source should be protected by anonymity against revenge by the criminal (the city official) and from prosecution, because revealing corruption is a compelling social interest. Case closed.
He then goes on to NYTimes reporter Judith Miller -- who was told by a high Administration official that Valerie Plame was a CIA operative. The confidentiality of this "source", Kristof asserts, should be equally protected as that who revealed corruption.
Hold on, here Nick: The crime in question is not that Valerie Plame is a CIA operative. Last I checked (this morning, about 8:35am EST), being a CIA operative is entirely legal. So, the conversation that Nick wants to claim "anonymous source" protection for doesn't serve a compellling social interest -- revealing and giving evidence of a crime. The crime in question is the conversation itself: between the high Administration official and Judith Miller. This doesn't make the high Administration official a source (transmitting evidence of a crime -- since, again being a CIA operative isn't a crime) -- since the "source" wasn't transmitting any evidence of a crime at all. The official was simply using Judith Miller to illegally reveal government secrets.
Ah, you say: but doesn't everyone who reveals secret information (like the Pentagon Papers, or that Plame is a spook) do so illegally? No. Like killing someone can be either murder or self-defense, revealing secret information can either further a compellling social interest (like self-protection of the republic) or work against social interest (like murdering a member of the public).
Some whistle blowers reveal information which furthers a compelling social interest -- and the law knows the difference. That the Pentagon was involved in a duplicitous fraud in selling the Vietnam war to the public --- telling lies about the status of the war -- is a crime, and revealing that crime furthers a compelling social interest. Self-defense.
There is no compelling social interest in revealing that Valerie Plame was a spy. It's purpose most likely was revenge by the high administration official on her husband. And there's no way that revelation could ever act even incidentally as serving an interest. It's just revenge. Murder.
In this case, the crime committed was the source's conversation with Judith Miller, and not that Plame is a spook. Judith is a co-conspirator in this crime if she does not reveal who the administration official is.
So this worries Judith that her revealing *any* source will make *all* sources dry up -- which is certainly against our society's interest. Judith: tell your sources, before they tell you, that they should motivited by the self defense of the Republic -- which judges will agree is a broad social interest -- and not the murder of the reputation of a defenseless individual like Valerie Plame, for their own selfish retribution.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
13D beats Slate
Today's comparison/contrast:According to the time stamps, Bob had Timothy beat by about 7 hours. Better luck next time, Tim!
In Other Deathwatches: ASHCROFT is GONE
Resigned today.
Which was a different thing than Bush said would happen, which is everyone to stay on through January to permit an orderly change.
Must be he didn't get the promotionhe wanted. Pretty damned petty. Unsurprisingly. Who goes next?
Oh, Commerce Sec'y Don Evans is gone too -- will anyone notice?
Oh: and news reports (Canada TV) are that Bush won't attend Arafat's funeral. But Powell WILL. Oh, sure, like he agreed to that. Not that he has a choice now.
Arafat Deathwatch
Actual headline sighted today on the NYT website:
Arafat's major organs still functionalI for one am glad they're keeping us up to date on these developments.
David Brooks Explains why The Democrats Lost
Surprisingly, it's because they didn't read his latest book when it came out several months ago. Uh huh.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Bush Ignores Supreme Court Ruling
After the Supreme Court -- you know, that third, supposedly equally powerful branch of government -- ruled that prisoners a Guantanamo Bay had a right to a trial in Federal Courts, the Bush administration
promptly ignored them, giving the prisoners review in front of a military court instead.
Really, the Executive Branch is ignoring what the Judicial Branch is telling them to do? Yes, in fact, they are, as they recently repeated the arguments to another Federal Judge -- below the Supreme court, obviously -- verbatim. As if the Supreme Court ruling didn't exist.
That Judge -- James Robertson, threw out the trials, and says to the admin: get your trials back into Federal courts where the Supreme Court already said they should be.
promptly ignored them, giving the prisoners review in front of a military court instead.
Really, the Executive Branch is ignoring what the Judicial Branch is telling them to do? Yes, in fact, they are, as they recently repeated the arguments to another Federal Judge -- below the Supreme court, obviously -- verbatim. As if the Supreme Court ruling didn't exist.
That Judge -- James Robertson, threw out the trials, and says to the admin: get your trials back into Federal courts where the Supreme Court already said they should be.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Well Wadda Ya Know
An electronic voting machine in Ohio gave Bush 3893 more votes than he should have. How'd they figure it out? Apparently, Kerry got 260 votes in the same district -- oh, and only 638 people voted in the district.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Karl Rove, Evil Genius
In 2000 Bush lost the popular vote to Gore by 500,000 nation-wide. As we have read in numerous stories since, his Brain (=Rove) then became obsessed with the lackadaisical turnout among Christian evangelical voters. His working hypothesis: They were turned off by the last-minute revelation of Bush's youthful DUI arrest in Connecticut.
Maybe so, maybe not - after all, Bush's born-again experience came well after that arrest. The point, though, is that for whatever reason 4 million evangelicals failed to turn up at the polls in November 2000, depriving the Brain's body (=Bush) of his mandate. Henceforth the Brain would stop at nothing to get out that evangelical vote. Thus: Partial-birth abortion fights, the quashing of Federal funding for stem-cell research, the constitutional amendment against gay marriage, anti-gay initiatives on the ballots of swing states, Dred Scott and "culture of life" references left and right in the Presidential debates, and so forth.
Result: Bush over Kerry in 2004 by 3.5 million nation-wide. A delta-increment of 4 million on the 2000 result.
Pretty impressive, no?
Maybe so, maybe not - after all, Bush's born-again experience came well after that arrest. The point, though, is that for whatever reason 4 million evangelicals failed to turn up at the polls in November 2000, depriving the Brain's body (=Bush) of his mandate. Henceforth the Brain would stop at nothing to get out that evangelical vote. Thus: Partial-birth abortion fights, the quashing of Federal funding for stem-cell research, the constitutional amendment against gay marriage, anti-gay initiatives on the ballots of swing states, Dred Scott and "culture of life" references left and right in the Presidential debates, and so forth.
Result: Bush over Kerry in 2004 by 3.5 million nation-wide. A delta-increment of 4 million on the 2000 result.
Pretty impressive, no?
Arafat not dead
Actual lede of an NPR news story heard during one of their hourly news updates today. The sort of news that all of us can aspire to making some day.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Alert level reflects terrorist optimism after tight election
Let's take a moment to notice that the Alert level has dropped from a Bert/mini Ernie alert (Ernie in NY/DC) to just a plain Bert. Terrorists must be happy that Bush won, with a mandate this time.
The South to soothe the savage terrorist.
The South to soothe the savage terrorist.
Bush's Vice Presidential Appointment
Dick Cheney, newly elected Vice President at 69 with a bum ticker, stressful job and - have we mentioned this? - a lesbian daughter, has a better-than-not chance of going to his just rewards while Bush is in office.
So, we've all seen The Contender. Who does Bush appoint as Vice President?
Given Bush's penchant for appointing minorities and women to positions they have not previously broken the barrier into, we see that as an opportunity for him to break yet another glass ceiling.
Bob and Derek's consensus pick: Elizabeth Dole.
So, we've all seen The Contender. Who does Bush appoint as Vice President?
Given Bush's penchant for appointing minorities and women to positions they have not previously broken the barrier into, we see that as an opportunity for him to break yet another glass ceiling.
Bob and Derek's consensus pick: Elizabeth Dole.
My Dad, still employed
My Dad was reelected last night, 60-30 in his district. That's good news, of course - apart from keeping him gainfully employed, it shows that his constituents approve of what he's been doing. Sort of like a biannual performance review and contract renewal, all in one.
Unfortunately, the Republicans lost seats in the State House, so he will be leading an even smaller caucus than he did in 2002 to '04.
Unfortunately, the Republicans lost seats in the State House, so he will be leading an even smaller caucus than he did in 2002 to '04.
Thanks Iowa!
Let the bitter recriminations begin, I say - they nominated the guy, and in the end couldn't even deliver their seven measly electoral votes. So why are we caring what they think, ever again?
Oh, plus: I think I'm owed some coffee.
Oh, plus: I think I'm owed some coffee.
Frist Hopes to end "Extreme Partisanship"
With a loss of 2 Democratic seats, and the defeat of the Democrat's leadership in the Senate, ousting Tom Daschle, Bill Frist hopes to end the extreme partisanship in the Senate of the past few years. Of course, it will be done the same way you stop a dog and a cat from fighting.
You drown the cat.
You drown the cat.
Why Kerry Cannot Win Ohio -- or, what I learned in 7th grade algebra.
It's the morning after election, and Kerry has withheld conceding, as Ohio counts absentee and provisional ballots (which, by law, they must due within 12 days, so watch for Nov 13).
Kerry is separated from Bush by 140,000 votes in Ohio. There are estimated to be N=175,000-250,000 provisional ballots, and tens of thousands of absentee military ballots. To overcome this deficit, Kerry needs to win a fraction f of
fN>140,000 + (1-f)N
(2f)N>140,000+N
f>(140,000)/(2N) + 1/2
f> 1/2 * (140,000/N + 1)
Thus, for the lowball estimate (175,000), Kerry needs f=90% of the uncounted ballots. If there are as many as 250,000, Kerry needs 78%.
It's possible Kerry pulls down that percentage -- many of the provisional ballots are in heavily Democratic areas, because of the Republican challenges, and Kerry is right to not concede this election Ohio makes its official declaration. But in a state that's 50-50, pulling out a population which is 78% Kerry would be lucky, indeed.
Kerry is separated from Bush by 140,000 votes in Ohio. There are estimated to be N=175,000-250,000 provisional ballots, and tens of thousands of absentee military ballots. To overcome this deficit, Kerry needs to win a fraction f of
fN>140,000 + (1-f)N
(2f)N>140,000+N
f>(140,000)/(2N) + 1/2
f> 1/2 * (140,000/N + 1)
Thus, for the lowball estimate (175,000), Kerry needs f=90% of the uncounted ballots. If there are as many as 250,000, Kerry needs 78%.
It's possible Kerry pulls down that percentage -- many of the provisional ballots are in heavily Democratic areas, because of the Republican challenges, and Kerry is right to not concede this election Ohio makes its official declaration. But in a state that's 50-50, pulling out a population which is 78% Kerry would be lucky, indeed.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Election 9:22pm
No surprises so far, yet Bush is 155 v. Kerry's 112. The votes are far from counted -- but it seems pretty clear that Slate's early exit polling was not very accurate, at all. They had Kerry up in Florida by 1%, but now, with 53% of the precincts reporting, Bush is up 53 v. 46.
Kerry Still Up
Jack Shafer's second batch of exit poll results are in, and Kerry has held the lead in Wisconsin as well as (barely) Florida and Ohio. He is ahead handily in New Hampshire - almost enough to make you want to forgive them for 2000.
Kerry has a thin edge in Iowa and Nevada. If those go for Kerry with NH and WI, then he can tie W even while losing Ohio and Florida. Not that we want that to happen.
Kerry has a thin edge in Iowa and Nevada. If those go for Kerry with NH and WI, then he can tie W even while losing Ohio and Florida. Not that we want that to happen.
Best Election Update Website?
Seriously people -- what's got all the stuff on a single self-updating page? I'm sitting at WaPost right now. Waeve.
The Rehnquist Side-line
A little side wager, if you wish: In the case of a Kerry victory, Rehnquist resigns the Supreme Court ("health reasons") during Bush's lame-duck 2 1/2 months. Stakes: One LCB.
Kerry by a Nose
Jack Shafer's first results are in, and it's Kerry by a nose (so far) in Florida, Ohio, and (more comfortably) Pennsylvania.
Go Dems go!!
Update: Make that very comfortably in Penn, and comfortably in Wisconsin. Bob and I have worked the numbers, and with Wisconsin under his belt Kerry only needs Florida or Ohio to win the pot.
Go Dems go!!
Update: Make that very comfortably in Penn, and comfortably in Wisconsin. Bob and I have worked the numbers, and with Wisconsin under his belt Kerry only needs Florida or Ohio to win the pot.
Exit Polls, Early
Jack Shafer at Slate will be putting out early exit poll results this year. So this is one way to get your answers before the polls close.
All part of his "greater transparency in the media" campaign.
All part of his "greater transparency in the media" campaign.
Poll Closing Times for the Big Swing States
Here's a list of poll closing times for the biggest swing states which remain in play, in EST, according to the WaPost:
Keep in mind that, based on "strongly leaning" projections, if OH and FL both end up in either Bush or Kerry's column, the respective candidate will take the election. If said candidate takes all three of FL, OH, PA, then it is a landslide for them. So, this thing can be over by 8:30pm -- in time to run out and catch either "The Grudge" (if Bush wins) or "Ray" (if Kerry wins).
- FL 7:00
- OH 7:30
- PA 8:00
- WI 9:00
- NM 9:00
- IA 10:00
Keep in mind that, based on "strongly leaning" projections, if OH and FL both end up in either Bush or Kerry's column, the respective candidate will take the election. If said candidate takes all three of FL, OH, PA, then it is a landslide for them. So, this thing can be over by 8:30pm -- in time to run out and catch either "The Grudge" (if Bush wins) or "Ray" (if Kerry wins).
GOP to Intimidate Minority Voters in Ohio
After two judges in Ohio ruled against the Ohio GOP, disallowing election "monitors" who Dems (and commentators, like me) widely believed will be used to intimidate voters and create long back-logs in minority districts, in a cynical effort to dissuade voters from going to the polls and supressing the Democratic vote Ohio Federal Appeals court overturned the earlier ruling and found that, in fact, the GOP can go ahead and do this.
This is bad for the country. We know that, when the GOP can use an advantage to supress the opposition, they do. It's Florida all over again, x1000.
This is bad for the country. We know that, when the GOP can use an advantage to supress the opposition, they do. It's Florida all over again, x1000.
Monday, November 01, 2004
The California Diebold VIBS Memory-Leak Problem could change the election outcome.
California has apparently deployed electronic voting machines with memory leaks, and this could change the election outcome. As Steve writes below, my parents run the polling place in their Alameda County, CA district (Steve and I are brothers). They got that memo with their Diebold eVoting machines from the county.
The described problem is exactly what one would expect from a memory leak. A "memory leak" happens due to bad programming -- the program, while executing, over-writes memory which the programmer didn't intend for it to.
If the program only over-writes part of itself, then shutting the computer down and turning it back on -- as the memo instructs -- will solve the problem, no harm done.
However, if your program has memory leaks, it means can't find your ass with your hands as a programmer. You can't account for your memory-writes. The program, while executing, can over-write anything which is in memory -- such as votes. Shutting your computer down and restarting it won't restore the votes. In fact, you wouldn't even notice they were gone.
It could be much worse than this -- if the memory leak accidentally over-writes the votes, it could fill the memory position where the votes were with junk -- so we would get out complete gibberish, and the votes could not be reconstructed.
A problem like that threatens the validity of the California vote.
The described problem is exactly what one would expect from a memory leak. A "memory leak" happens due to bad programming -- the program, while executing, over-writes memory which the programmer didn't intend for it to.
If the program only over-writes part of itself, then shutting the computer down and turning it back on -- as the memo instructs -- will solve the problem, no harm done.
However, if your program has memory leaks, it means can't find your ass with your hands as a programmer. You can't account for your memory-writes. The program, while executing, can over-write anything which is in memory -- such as votes. Shutting your computer down and restarting it won't restore the votes. In fact, you wouldn't even notice they were gone.
It could be much worse than this -- if the memory leak accidentally over-writes the votes, it could fill the memory position where the votes were with junk -- so we would get out complete gibberish, and the votes could not be reconstructed.
A problem like that threatens the validity of the California vote.
Unresolved memory Leak in California Diebold eVoting Machines--Overwriting the Vote?
The message sent to polling places in Alameda along with their Diebold eVoting machines reads:
Now, this doesn't appear to render the machine inoperable as stated in my previous post (the instructions tell the pollster to simply reset the machine), but memory leaks are the breeding ground for every major computer virus. These machines are vulnerable.
Now, this doesn't appear to render the machine inoperable as stated in my previous post (the instructions tell the pollster to simply reset the machine), but memory leaks are the breeding ground for every major computer virus. These machines are vulnerable.
Economist endorses Kerry
I wouldn't have thought it possible for them to so change their minds, not after they made it clear that the absence of WMD in Iraq made no difference to the merits of the war, in their minds, but here it is... the Economist has endorsed Kerry.
It is a strong measure of how far Bush has fallen, post-9/11 and post-Afghanistan. To the magazine's credit, they cite Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib as primary reasons for witholding their support from the President. Nonetheless, one cannot help but feel that the butchered corpse this Administration has made of Iraq is really the critical factor here.
It is a strong measure of how far Bush has fallen, post-9/11 and post-Afghanistan. To the magazine's credit, they cite Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib as primary reasons for witholding their support from the President. Nonetheless, one cannot help but feel that the butchered corpse this Administration has made of Iraq is really the critical factor here.
How Voters Can Render California's eVoting Machines Inoperable
I was having dinner with my parents last night. They run the poll in their precinct, and they just recently received the Diebold voting machines to be used in eVoting. An in-box note came with the equipment which basically said:
"When using the audio headset with a voting machine if used more than 4 times on a single machine, you will receive a message that says 'Out Of Memory' and the voting machine will shut down. Please move the headset to a different voting machine after 4 uses, otherwise the voting machine will be rendered inoperable"
This is gross incompetence at all levels. The company should not be putting out machines that can crash (most likely huge memory leaks), and the state should not be approving these.
"When using the audio headset with a voting machine if used more than 4 times on a single machine, you will receive a message that says 'Out Of Memory' and the voting machine will shut down. Please move the headset to a different voting machine after 4 uses, otherwise the voting machine will be rendered inoperable"
This is gross incompetence at all levels. The company should not be putting out machines that can crash (most likely huge memory leaks), and the state should not be approving these.
Rove-like activities in Michigan
Remember the Push-pollling of South Carolina Bush used to defeat McCain in the primaries of 2000?
It appears that Karl Rove is up to the same tricks again.
According to AP: "In a recording of a phone call played for The Associated Press, a young woman says: 'When you vote this Tuesday remember to legalize gay marriage by supporting John Kerry. We need John Kerry in order to make gay marriage legal for our city. Gay marriage is a right we all want. It's a basic Democrat principle. It's time to move forward and be progressive. Without John Kerry, George Bush (news - web sites) will stop gay marriage. That's why we need Kerry. So Tuesday, stand up for gay marriage by supporting John Kerry.'"
We should really see a flurry of prosecutions after this election, but only if Kerry wins.
BTW, if we're not code:Ernie by tomorrow, elections will most likely take place on schedule which means I owe Robin a luxury caffinated beverage.
It appears that Karl Rove is up to the same tricks again.
According to AP: "In a recording of a phone call played for The Associated Press, a young woman says: 'When you vote this Tuesday remember to legalize gay marriage by supporting John Kerry. We need John Kerry in order to make gay marriage legal for our city. Gay marriage is a right we all want. It's a basic Democrat principle. It's time to move forward and be progressive. Without John Kerry, George Bush (news - web sites) will stop gay marriage. That's why we need Kerry. So Tuesday, stand up for gay marriage by supporting John Kerry.'"
We should really see a flurry of prosecutions after this election, but only if Kerry wins.
BTW, if we're not code:Ernie by tomorrow, elections will most likely take place on schedule which means I owe Robin a luxury caffinated beverage.
You and What Army?: 2
Back in June, the Supreme court ruled the Administration must permit Gitmo prisoners to have their cases reviewed by federal courts in the US. (Recall the 13D post here) These are the "unlawful enemy combatants" that the Bush Administration says has no right to judicial review, and can be held indefinitely without charge.
Then, Bush (through spokesman Scott McClellan) said they were glad teh Supreme Court "recognized the authority of the president as commander in chief" and "We also recognize that the court had some concerns, and we respect those concerns." Really, the administration effectively responded to the Supreme Court's ruling by glaring them in the eye and saying, "Says you and what army?"
Today, lawyers for the detainees are saying that the Bush Administration is refusing to comply with the Supreme Court's order. Whenever the lawers bring briefs to courts to exercise these rights, the Justice department re-argues the same arguments they lost on in the Supreme Court case. In other words, they're ignoring the Supreme Court.
When the Executive branch under the Bush administration refuses to acknowledge the ruling of the Judicial Branch, it's anti-constitutional.
I hate to be a bother -- but it's worth noting that a President who ignores the Constitution, rather than supporting and defending it as they swear to do, should be impeached.
Then, Bush (through spokesman Scott McClellan) said they were glad teh Supreme Court "recognized the authority of the president as commander in chief" and "We also recognize that the court had some concerns, and we respect those concerns." Really, the administration effectively responded to the Supreme Court's ruling by glaring them in the eye and saying, "Says you and what army?"
Today, lawyers for the detainees are saying that the Bush Administration is refusing to comply with the Supreme Court's order. Whenever the lawers bring briefs to courts to exercise these rights, the Justice department re-argues the same arguments they lost on in the Supreme Court case. In other words, they're ignoring the Supreme Court.
When the Executive branch under the Bush administration refuses to acknowledge the ruling of the Judicial Branch, it's anti-constitutional.
I hate to be a bother -- but it's worth noting that a President who ignores the Constitution, rather than supporting and defending it as they swear to do, should be impeached.
Bush and GOP Want to Deny Minorities the Vote
NYT Story. Bob and I discussed the situation of GOP "voter challenges" in Ohio yesterday. I was stunned that this type of behavior - targeted specifically at inner cities and other minority-rich districts - was legal. I mean, this is classic Civil Rights-era stuff; what do we have a Voting Rights Act for?
Turns out a couple of Federal judges in Ohio agree with me. They have issued injunctions preventing all partisan "challengers" from entering the polling places. So far, so good.
However, the Ohio GOP is now appealing this ruling to the Sixth Circuit. Apparently, they really really want to deny minorities the vote. And Bush, by visibly failing to upbraid the Ohio GOP for this rank racist behavior, has shown his colors as well.
Honestly folks. It doesn't get any less subtle than that.
Turns out a couple of Federal judges in Ohio agree with me. They have issued injunctions preventing all partisan "challengers" from entering the polling places. So far, so good.
However, the Ohio GOP is now appealing this ruling to the Sixth Circuit. Apparently, they really really want to deny minorities the vote. And Bush, by visibly failing to upbraid the Ohio GOP for this rank racist behavior, has shown his colors as well.
Honestly folks. It doesn't get any less subtle than that.
Watch Ohio and Florida Tomorrow
According to the NYTimes Electorcal College Calculator, PA is firmly in Kerry's column.
In this scenario: if either Bush *or* Kerry takes *both* Ohio and Florida (whose polls close earlier than more Western states), then the respective candidate will win.
In this scenario: if either Bush *or* Kerry takes *both* Ohio and Florida (whose polls close earlier than more Western states), then the respective candidate will win.
Slate's Election Scorecard: OH, FL breaking to Kerry
Slate's election scorecard claims, in the closing hour of this campaign, FL and OH are breaking toward Kerry. PA, where Bush is campaigning today, is firmly in Kerry's column.
Most importantly, they say that regardless of what happens elsewhere, Kerry cannot win if he loses in both FL and OH.
Most importantly, they say that regardless of what happens elsewhere, Kerry cannot win if he loses in both FL and OH.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
The Election Offensive
The US began a major attack on Fallujah today, starting with aerial bombing. Major troop movements in the next few days, with battles in the streets of Fallujah.
Oh, gosh, do we have an election on Tuesday?
It is a cynical, manipulative tactic for Bush to launch a major offensive just days before the election. Yet again, he abuses the lives of our soldiers for his political gain. Here, we have the Election Offensive -- an offensive attack timed to coincide with the presidential election, with the cynical intent of shoring up Bush's support.
Oh, gosh, do we have an election on Tuesday?
It is a cynical, manipulative tactic for Bush to launch a major offensive just days before the election. Yet again, he abuses the lives of our soldiers for his political gain. Here, we have the Election Offensive -- an offensive attack timed to coincide with the presidential election, with the cynical intent of shoring up Bush's support.
Friday, October 29, 2004
President John Edwards
This NYTimes OpEddescribes a not-that-far-fetched electoral scenario --- with only a single flyer.
If the electoral college deadlocks 269-269, the Senate elects the Vice President while the President is elected in the House. It is not far-fetched that the Dems take the Senate (Edwards is elected VP there), while the Republicans retain the house. In the House, however, the voting is one vote per state, and Minnesota and Wisconsin are evenly divided Dem/Republican (deadlocked votes, meaning no votes). If there is just *one* more deadlocked state, then the House election would be tied.
And the Constitution stipulates that, in the event that a President is unable to take the oath of office come late January, the Vice President acts as President until such time that a President is qualified.
If the electoral college deadlocks 269-269, the Senate elects the Vice President while the President is elected in the House. It is not far-fetched that the Dems take the Senate (Edwards is elected VP there), while the Republicans retain the house. In the House, however, the voting is one vote per state, and Minnesota and Wisconsin are evenly divided Dem/Republican (deadlocked votes, meaning no votes). If there is just *one* more deadlocked state, then the House election would be tied.
And the Constitution stipulates that, in the event that a President is unable to take the oath of office come late January, the Vice President acts as President until such time that a President is qualified.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
BushWired: Best foot forward
Salon has a short piece up on the latest BushWired development: A NASA/JPL physicist has performed a science-level analysis of images of Bush's back from the first debate. Conclusion? It is not a wrinkled shirt. It is not Bush's shoulder blades. There is definitely something there, but it also does not look much like a box. This is a relief in a way, since all of the audio techs agree that "between the shoulder blades" is a strange place to put a wireless transceiver unit.
What the processed images definitely reveal is some sort of arrangement of wires snaking up and down Bush's back, between the shoulder blades. Recall, now, that the best-technology in-ear units use magnetic induction to power the in-ear speaker; this requires a wire loop to be laid around the subject's head.
I had thought the case was closed; instead, Dr. Robert Nelson has just blown it wide open. Don't forget: (1) Bush team insisted on no video from behind (and have never explained that request); (2) Bush demanded "Let me finish!" 15 seconds into a 60-second response during this debate.
What the processed images definitely reveal is some sort of arrangement of wires snaking up and down Bush's back, between the shoulder blades. Recall, now, that the best-technology in-ear units use magnetic induction to power the in-ear speaker; this requires a wire loop to be laid around the subject's head.
I had thought the case was closed; instead, Dr. Robert Nelson has just blown it wide open. Don't forget: (1) Bush team insisted on no video from behind (and have never explained that request); (2) Bush demanded "Let me finish!" 15 seconds into a 60-second response during this debate.
A Shred of Proof: The Missing Explosives on Video
Bush, Limbaugh, and other right-wing blowhards have been screeching the Kerry doesn't have any proof that the 370 tons of munitions were stolen before, or after the US invasion of Iraq. Never mind that a munition stolen before the invasion kills American soldiers just as well as ones stolen after -- they're all focussed on whether Bush is to Blame.
Turns out, Bush is to blame. A EXCLUSIVE:
San Francisco Bay Area news station had an embedded reporter, who videotaped the munitions that have now turned up missing.
ANOTHER example of Bush's lack of planning making Iraq a more dangerous place, and putting our troops in harm's way.
Turns out, Bush is to blame. A EXCLUSIVE:
San Francisco Bay Area news station had an embedded reporter, who videotaped the munitions that have now turned up missing.
ANOTHER example of Bush's lack of planning making Iraq a more dangerous place, and putting our troops in harm's way.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Hawaii as Future Swing State
Robin asked me to comment today on the latest polls which show the Presidential race approaching too close to call in... Hawaii (4 electoral votes). Which went for Dukakis in '88. By 9 points. And had Gore over Dubyah by 19 points a mere four years ago. It's a pretty stunning development if true, but is it true, and if so what does it mean?
Well, I don't honestly think the suggestion can be taken at face value. Hawaii will go for Kerry in '04, have no fear. The fact that some organizations are coming close to suggesting otherwise is - to that degree - merely an indication of their own biases (Gallup, I'm looking at you here).
However, I do believe we will come to look back on the 2004 election in Hawaii as the end of an era. The Democrats have had their way with Hawaii ever since Statehood. We finally got a Republican governor in '02 (go Linda!), and she has been able to turn things around locally. She has made the health of the State's economy - above and beyond the usual soaking of tourists (11.5% hotel room tax) - a priority. In addition, she and my Dad have been working hard to improve public schools via devolution of power to local districts. This surprises people from the mainland, but in Hawaii it has been the Republicans (and my Dad) fighting for fair (=progressive) taxation, and against Democratic proposals to raise the sales tax (which applies to gasoline and food). No, I'm not kidding. The Democrats over the years became too invested in the bureaucracy and programs of the State government, such that they were willing to tax anything and everything in sight to keep the budget in balance.
It was only natural that the people of the State would eventually tire of these shenanigans (Remember how great that 90's boom was? Not in Hawaii!) and give the Republicans a chance. For the last few years, though, they have remained strongly on the Democratic side in national politics.
And yet, nothing lasts forever. Here as in America's traditional South, there is a religious majority that can be won over with a morality-based appeal. Intriguingly, the religion in question is not strictly evangelical Christian, but includes a large admixture of Buddhist and associated East Asian beliefs. None of these faiths much cottons to homosexuality, though - hence the resounding passage of our State Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage in 1998 (first in the US!). That referendum was a real surprise to me, who had been out of state since the start of the controversy, and while away had been caught up in the post-AIDS surge towards full and unremarkable equal rights for gays. How was this happening in my Hawaii? Who were these people?
I'm still not completely sure, but whoever they are, they ceased being down-the-line Democrats (in the national sense) with that vote six years ago. And it does not surprise me that, in the years that have passed since then, they have been pulling the state closer to the center of our national politics, as well.
Who knows? In 2008 we may even get a couple of Presidential campaign photo-ops.
Well, I don't honestly think the suggestion can be taken at face value. Hawaii will go for Kerry in '04, have no fear. The fact that some organizations are coming close to suggesting otherwise is - to that degree - merely an indication of their own biases (Gallup, I'm looking at you here).
However, I do believe we will come to look back on the 2004 election in Hawaii as the end of an era. The Democrats have had their way with Hawaii ever since Statehood. We finally got a Republican governor in '02 (go Linda!), and she has been able to turn things around locally. She has made the health of the State's economy - above and beyond the usual soaking of tourists (11.5% hotel room tax) - a priority. In addition, she and my Dad have been working hard to improve public schools via devolution of power to local districts. This surprises people from the mainland, but in Hawaii it has been the Republicans (and my Dad) fighting for fair (=progressive) taxation, and against Democratic proposals to raise the sales tax (which applies to gasoline and food). No, I'm not kidding. The Democrats over the years became too invested in the bureaucracy and programs of the State government, such that they were willing to tax anything and everything in sight to keep the budget in balance.
It was only natural that the people of the State would eventually tire of these shenanigans (Remember how great that 90's boom was? Not in Hawaii!) and give the Republicans a chance. For the last few years, though, they have remained strongly on the Democratic side in national politics.
And yet, nothing lasts forever. Here as in America's traditional South, there is a religious majority that can be won over with a morality-based appeal. Intriguingly, the religion in question is not strictly evangelical Christian, but includes a large admixture of Buddhist and associated East Asian beliefs. None of these faiths much cottons to homosexuality, though - hence the resounding passage of our State Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage in 1998 (first in the US!). That referendum was a real surprise to me, who had been out of state since the start of the controversy, and while away had been caught up in the post-AIDS surge towards full and unremarkable equal rights for gays. How was this happening in my Hawaii? Who were these people?
I'm still not completely sure, but whoever they are, they ceased being down-the-line Democrats (in the national sense) with that vote six years ago. And it does not surprise me that, in the years that have passed since then, they have been pulling the state closer to the center of our national politics, as well.
Who knows? In 2008 we may even get a couple of Presidential campaign photo-ops.
13 Dickinson St: 1000 Posts Old.
Folks, we just passed the 1000 posts mark.
And the Sox won the world series on a night with a lunar eclipse.
Happy Anniversary.
And the Sox won the world series on a night with a lunar eclipse.
Happy Anniversary.
Kos raising money for terrorists?
Tom Delay sez:
"LaRouche is a con felon and all I can tell you is that Mr. Morrison has supported and campaigned with LaRouche followers and Mr. Morrison also has taken money and is working with the Daily Kos, which is an organization that raises money for fighters against the U.S. in Iraq,"
Wow. Now DeLay can add defamation to the list of charges against him.
"LaRouche is a con felon and all I can tell you is that Mr. Morrison has supported and campaigned with LaRouche followers and Mr. Morrison also has taken money and is working with the Daily Kos, which is an organization that raises money for fighters against the U.S. in Iraq,"
Wow. Now DeLay can add defamation to the list of charges against him.
October Surprise: American Officers Report Falluja Rapidly Slipping into Chaos
"The city is chaotic" says a leader of a local tribe paid off by Allawi. "There's no presence of the Allawi government."
Looks like we're gonna have to invade, big time, with big bombs, lots of shock and awe. All that chaos, need for shock and awe.
Surprised?
Looks like we're gonna have to invade, big time, with big bombs, lots of shock and awe. All that chaos, need for shock and awe.
Surprised?
The Sox Overcome The Curse, During a Total Lunar Eclipse?
Game 4 of the world series starts in 25 min and with the Sox up 3-0, and with heavy momentum, there's a strong chance they'll whup the Cards tonight. If so, they'll do it during a lunar eclipse -- totality begins about 10:30, peaks at 11:00pm, and ends at 11:45pm EDT.
Get out there and stand those eggs on end!
Get out there and stand those eggs on end!
Election Fatigue
Everybody who's got election fatigue, and just want the thing over with (as long as Bush is out of office).
RAISE YOUR HANDS!
RAISE YOUR HANDS!
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Bush: the anti-business president
I heard on AirAmerica radio this morning that in a poll of foreign consumers, 20% are now actively avoiding American products.
Of course, that could just be slightly up from the usual 18%.
It also may have been skewed because the poll was done entirely in France.
Who knows?
Besides, who doesn't avoid Starbucks and McDonalds when they can help it?
Of course, that could just be slightly up from the usual 18%.
It also may have been skewed because the poll was done entirely in France.
Who knows?
Besides, who doesn't avoid Starbucks and McDonalds when they can help it?
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