In a post-debate poll of 1,982 Californian adults Sept 25-29, 8 percent think Schwarzenegger has the best experience for the job of Governor (behind Davis, McClintock and Bustamante); 8 percent think he is more knowledgeable than the others; and 40 percent want him as their next governor.
If Californians don't want knowledge or experience, then what is it people are voting for? Passion? Fame?
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
The Circle Widens
The NYTImes reports that two Newsday reporters (Timothy M. Phelps and Knut Royce) were among the six receiving the leaked information about Plame. They wrote an article in July, stating that "intelligence officials" expanded Novak's account saying Valerie Plame worked in "an undercover capcity", confirming that she was not merely an analysit, as Novak has suggested in public statements since this weekend. (That accounts for 4 of the six reporters the leak went to, according to the anonymous WHouse source for the WAPost article; the forth -- after Phelps, Royce and Novak -- ).
There are only two offices which knew about Wilson's selection for the Nigerian job: Justice (the CIA), and office of the Vice President.
Unless Tenet is in the habit of leaking and then complaining about it -- it seems likely that Cheney's office was involved in the leak.
There are only two offices which knew about Wilson's selection for the Nigerian job: Justice (the CIA), and office of the Vice President.
Unless Tenet is in the habit of leaking and then complaining about it -- it seems likely that Cheney's office was involved in the leak.
Sunday, September 28, 2003
Rove/Cheney Perp Walk?
A WAPost article says CIA director Tenet has requested an investigation from the FBI
which could bring a scandal to the White House.
Only days after Joseph Wilson penned the NYTimes OpEd stating his Nigerian investigation showed no evidence for yellowake trade with Iraq (an investigation prompted by the Vice-President's office), two senior White House officials rang up six different journalists and revealed that Wilson's wife is CIA operative, making vulnerable anyone she had ever met outside the US -- oh, and breaking federal law. Syndicated columnist Bob Novak published the statement. The revelation is interpreted as revenge, and a warning to others who would fight this administration.
The administration won't go on the record as to who those two officials are -- but speculation is that one was Karl Rove. Was the other was our Vice President Cheney? Are we going to see a perp walk starring Bush's lead political operative and the man who it has been said was the only one who stood between Bush and the Presidency?
which could bring a scandal to the White House.
Only days after Joseph Wilson penned the NYTimes OpEd stating his Nigerian investigation showed no evidence for yellowake trade with Iraq (an investigation prompted by the Vice-President's office), two senior White House officials rang up six different journalists and revealed that Wilson's wife is CIA operative, making vulnerable anyone she had ever met outside the US -- oh, and breaking federal law. Syndicated columnist Bob Novak published the statement. The revelation is interpreted as revenge, and a warning to others who would fight this administration.
The administration won't go on the record as to who those two officials are -- but speculation is that one was Karl Rove. Was the other was our Vice President Cheney? Are we going to see a perp walk starring Bush's lead political operative and the man who it has been said was the only one who stood between Bush and the Presidency?
Friday, September 26, 2003
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Bob Reviews Voice over IP (VoIP): Vonage
By now, you all have my new number (510-868-1639) -- but you're possibly wondering "Hey, what's with the Bay Area area code when you live in Pasadena? Is it cellular? And aren't you moving to Montreal in 2 months? Why a new phone, in the wrong area code, just before you leave the country?"
Answer: my phone is part of the newest, hottest trend in telephony: voice-over-IP by Vonage, which uses your fast internet connection (DSL or cable modem at home, or your screaming T1 line at work). This is a telephone which uses the internet to send the voice signal. You pick a phone number ANYWHERE in the USA, and Vonage sends you a little box, about the size of my hand. You plug that box into your Ethernet, and then plug a phone into the box (any phone -- I had to go out and buy one since I only had a cell before), and voila! you have a working telephone.
Big phreaking deal, you say, I have that already with my local land line. Ah, but:
And really cool things about it:
How's the sound quality? Outstanding.
What are the downsides? Well, for 911 calling, you have to tell vonage where you are when you plug in your phone -- they can't just figure it out (if you plug in your phone and leave it there, say at home, then the one-time registration is a snap). And, if your power goes out at home, your cable modem and vonage box will not function (generally, local phones work during power outages).
Bob gives it two thumbs up.
Answer: my phone is part of the newest, hottest trend in telephony: voice-over-IP by Vonage, which uses your fast internet connection (DSL or cable modem at home, or your screaming T1 line at work). This is a telephone which uses the internet to send the voice signal. You pick a phone number ANYWHERE in the USA, and Vonage sends you a little box, about the size of my hand. You plug that box into your Ethernet, and then plug a phone into the box (any phone -- I had to go out and buy one since I only had a cell before), and voila! you have a working telephone.
Big phreaking deal, you say, I have that already with my local land line. Ah, but:
- You can pick a local phone number anywhere in the US, so that people can call it, and it is a local call for THEM, even though you are far away.
- The box is an internet device. That means, you can take it with you (say, to Canada, like I will do in 2 months), plug it in, and it's like I'm in Pasadena -- works just fine! So, you'll be able to call me in Canada -- or, Bulgaria if I should travel there -- at this number.
- Charges? Vonage just reduced their rates, to $25/month for unlimited local calling and 500 min long distance in US and Canada; or $35 for unlimited long distance in the US and Canada. Their long distance rates are very low (4 c/min to Austrailia?)
And really cool things about it:
- For $5/month, I can add an additional phone number to map to my phone. So, you can also call me at (202-448-8931), and I'll pick up. After I move to Canada, I'll add a 626 number as well. The easier for my friends to call me.
- Yes, yes, caller-ID works.
- Voice mail: check it, people call my vonage number, it rings for 15 seconds (and you have control over how many seconds), it then forwards to my cell phone (in case I'm not home) which rings for 5 seconds. Then, the phone will transfer to my Vonage voice mail. You leave a message, and then Vonage sends me an email with the number you just called from (via caller ID).
- Oh, and that voicemail? I log in to my vonage account on the web, and I can hear it in streaming audio. Or, they can send it as an attached audio file in the email they sent me.
How's the sound quality? Outstanding.
What are the downsides? Well, for 911 calling, you have to tell vonage where you are when you plug in your phone -- they can't just figure it out (if you plug in your phone and leave it there, say at home, then the one-time registration is a snap). And, if your power goes out at home, your cable modem and vonage box will not function (generally, local phones work during power outages).
Bob gives it two thumbs up.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Issa Balks
The California Republican congressman who bankrolled the recall against Davis -- ostensibly to remove from office an incompetent -- now says that, actually, it's not about removing an incompetent at all: it's about installing a Republican Governor.
In a speech to San Francisco GOP'ers (probably held in a phone booth on Nob Hill) Darrell Issa revealed that he believed having two Republicans in the race (McClintock and Schwarzenegger) will throw it to Bustamante. Rather than that, Issa says, vote NO on Recall.
So, Issa agrees with Clinton and Davis: Issa bankrolled the recall -- not because Davis is an unacceptable Governor, not because the state of California needs to remove him as incompetent, not because the will of the people of California has somehow been thwarted -- but because Republicans lost last year's election and they want a "do-over", to install a Republican Governor.
In a speech to San Francisco GOP'ers (probably held in a phone booth on Nob Hill) Darrell Issa revealed that he believed having two Republicans in the race (McClintock and Schwarzenegger) will throw it to Bustamante. Rather than that, Issa says, vote NO on Recall.
So, Issa agrees with Clinton and Davis: Issa bankrolled the recall -- not because Davis is an unacceptable Governor, not because the state of California needs to remove him as incompetent, not because the will of the people of California has somehow been thwarted -- but because Republicans lost last year's election and they want a "do-over", to install a Republican Governor.
Monday, September 22, 2003
What if the economy should tank?
Bill Safire works a scenario where the Clintons are pushing for control of the Dems, over Dean who owes them nothing, by king-making Wes Clark. In so doing, Bill asks What if, as Christmas nears, the economy should tank and President bush becomes far more vulnerable?
Um, 3M lost jobs in 2 years, 6.1% unemployment (oh, and the direct marketers claim they will lose 2M fo their 4M jobs by christmas due to the national do-not-call list, containing 48M numbers -- a credible claim), a $500B deficit with no end of deficits in sight. Did anyone notice the huge gain in productivity in the second quarter (6.8%, vs. 2.1 in the 1st?) -- that's the sound of workers being squeezed. Want to know how long THAT lasts? Not 3 quarters.
Bill, the economy IS tanking. It's not like the economy is a random walk -- you can see it coming over the hill.
Um, 3M lost jobs in 2 years, 6.1% unemployment (oh, and the direct marketers claim they will lose 2M fo their 4M jobs by christmas due to the national do-not-call list, containing 48M numbers -- a credible claim), a $500B deficit with no end of deficits in sight. Did anyone notice the huge gain in productivity in the second quarter (6.8%, vs. 2.1 in the 1st?) -- that's the sound of workers being squeezed. Want to know how long THAT lasts? Not 3 quarters.
Bill, the economy IS tanking. It's not like the economy is a random walk -- you can see it coming over the hill.
Sunday, September 21, 2003
Brooks' Column 4
Brooks: Why can't Puerto Ricans be more like Jews?
(And thanks for catching that hereditary bit, Jamie.)
(And thanks for catching that hereditary bit, Jamie.)
Saturday, September 20, 2003
Canada: The New U.S.
In honor of Bob's soon-to-be country of residence, top five reasons why Canada is the new U.S.:
- Stable currency
- Civil liberties
- Democratically-elected leader
- Respect of the international community
- Independent media
3 Strikes
Bush II is now playing with 3 strikes on Iraq:What with those lies, and the entry of a four-star General into the race on the Democratic side, you have to think things are looking up.
Friday, September 19, 2003
Thursday, September 18, 2003
What was that again? A little louder please, you're mumbling. I can barely hear you.
I think this makes it everyone except Dick Cheney. Oh, and 70% of the American people, but we can thank Rummy, Condi and George for taking the mislead on that.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Bush-Powell in '04?
Given Dick Cheney's recent health problems (babbling incoherently), it bears pointing out that a Bush-Powell ticket in 2004 might provide much-needed polish, now that appears Rummy and Condy have dropped the incoherent babble act.
New Opera
The NYT has reviewed Nicholas and Alexandra, the new opera by Deborah Drattell whose premiere Erica and I attended on Sunday night. Unfortunately, I think Bernard Holland is pretty much on the money. Personally, I found the libretto substantially duller than the music, some of which was beautiful - Drattell is a genius and I hope she finds her way to a more interesting musical and dramatic structure next time (her next opera is a collaboration with Wendy Wasserstein, so there is hope).
Monday, September 15, 2003
K Street Shuffle
Slate magazine founding editor Michael Kinsley made an interesting point today in his segment on the new NPR/Slate news program Day to Day. During last week's Democratic Contenders debate, Howard Dean said
The problem, as Kinsley pointed out, is that last night's debut episode of the new HBO drama K Street, featuring Howard Dean as himself (in a guest appearance), had him delivering exactly that line, on a prompt from James Carville (playing himself, but as a recurring character). In other words, the line was not only scripted for him - it was scripted for him by a member of the HBO writing team for that fictional show.
Kinsley draws the conclusion that Dean is maybe not as smart as we had thought. I feel that's a bit harsh, but don't really have a better answer myself to the questions this incident raises. Namely, (1) What is Dean doing playing himself on a fictional HBO drama? This seems a recipe for trouble from the start. (2) What is Dean doing later, at the debate, when he repeats a line that (a) Is so dramatically not his own; (b) As if it is his; (c) When the line is not his even in the context of the fictional show that he copped it from? This is bizarre stuff.
If the minority percent in your state had anything to do with how you connect with African-American voters, then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King.Not a bad line - and it got him a good response at the debate, as you can hear for yourself if you listen to the story.
The problem, as Kinsley pointed out, is that last night's debut episode of the new HBO drama K Street, featuring Howard Dean as himself (in a guest appearance), had him delivering exactly that line, on a prompt from James Carville (playing himself, but as a recurring character). In other words, the line was not only scripted for him - it was scripted for him by a member of the HBO writing team for that fictional show.
Kinsley draws the conclusion that Dean is maybe not as smart as we had thought. I feel that's a bit harsh, but don't really have a better answer myself to the questions this incident raises. Namely, (1) What is Dean doing playing himself on a fictional HBO drama? This seems a recipe for trouble from the start. (2) What is Dean doing later, at the debate, when he repeats a line that (a) Is so dramatically not his own; (b) As if it is his; (c) When the line is not his even in the context of the fictional show that he copped it from? This is bizarre stuff.
Robin, I don't wonder how the Supreme Court will rule where the concern is that there are faulty voting techniques which may disenfranchise a population, and decide an election's outcome. If they didn't mind the chads in Bush v. Gore, why would it bother them here? Besides, California law holds that the chad voting machines must be replaced by Jan 2004, and so their use in this election seems legal, unless someone would be willing to declare all past CA elections using punch cards to be invalid.
Cheney a lobbyist?
Dick Cheney believes that the US will eventually find WMD and Hussein in Iraq, and therefore that extra $87B ought to be spent.
Question: how much of the $87B goes to pay Haliburton?
Perhaps none. But, wouldn't it be nice to have officials about whom such questions could not be asked?
Question: how much of the $87B goes to pay Haliburton?
Perhaps none. But, wouldn't it be nice to have officials about whom such questions could not be asked?
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Alert, alert! The NYT has just run a big correction on the Fall Movie Season Preview piece that I referenced a few weeks back:
Robin, as a "Freaky Friday" fan you ought to appreciate that...
Correction: September 3, 2003, Wednesday
Because of an editing error, an article in Business Day on Monday about the success of the Walt Disney Company during the summer movie season referred incorrectly to ''Freaky Friday.'' It is a comedy, not a thriller.
Friday, September 12, 2003
John Ritter is dead. I'm reminded of the immortal words of Victor Hugo who, upon learning of the death of Baudelaire, said, "Oh."
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
I made a trip to San Diego this weekend. As much as the subject has been talked about, I'd like to share some excerpts from one of my greatest sources of amusement from the weekend: the sample ballot for the recall election. It gives the list of candidates with names and occupations. That's all. Here are some of my favorites:
Mary "Mary Carey" Cook: Adult Film Actress
Warren Farrell: Fathers' Issues Author
Larry Flint: Publisher
Ned Roscoe: Cigarette Retailer
Kurt E. "Tachikaze" Rightmyer: Middleweight Sumo Wrestler
Bruce Margolin: Marijuana Legalization Attorney
Paul "Chip" Mailander: Golf Professional
Ivan Hall: Custom Denture Manufacturer
and a story. I was reading these in the presence of my mother and Max, a childhood friend whose mother has been a friend of my mom since Max and I were in kindergarden together. As I read out "Warren Farrell: Fathers' Issues Author", my mom said to Max, "Warren Farrell! Your mom used to date him!"
Mary "Mary Carey" Cook: Adult Film Actress
Warren Farrell: Fathers' Issues Author
Larry Flint: Publisher
Ned Roscoe: Cigarette Retailer
Kurt E. "Tachikaze" Rightmyer: Middleweight Sumo Wrestler
Bruce Margolin: Marijuana Legalization Attorney
Paul "Chip" Mailander: Golf Professional
Ivan Hall: Custom Denture Manufacturer
and a story. I was reading these in the presence of my mother and Max, a childhood friend whose mother has been a friend of my mom since Max and I were in kindergarden together. As I read out "Warren Farrell: Fathers' Issues Author", my mom said to Max, "Warren Farrell! Your mom used to date him!"
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