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December 31, 2005

Happy New Year

Well, I just got my behind handed to me in a long game of Risk (hint: never attack Africa from South America - bad news) and am now home from the evening's festivities.

Just wanted to wish all of you a happy new year. Thanks for reading.

Posted by slublog at 11:19 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

The Christmas Wars

No, this post isn't about the ongoing battle between secularists and people of faith over the words, songs and symbols of Christmas. No, this battle is much more serious than that.

Dave at Garfield Ridge thought he could make everyone jealous by posting a picture of the Xbox 360 he received for Christmas. While I think there's still reason to be skeptical of the 360, it is something I want to get after it's been out a year or so - when the bugs are worked out.

Still, Dave's present can't even begin to compare with my Christmas haul:

That's right, buddy. An All-Clad stainless steel saute pan.

I know, I know...hard to compete with that, isn't it?

Posted by slublog at 11:26 AM | Comments (20) | TrackBack

December 30, 2005

Friday Link Dump

Yup, I'm lazy today, at least for now: (I may keep adding to this list as I find stuff)

Jonah Goldberg on the "Brokawsaurus."

From a co-worker, a very weird story out of Britain on the voting patterns of parents.

This kid is going to have a heck of a "What I Did Over My Christmas Vacation" essay to write.

Grisly Christmas decorations on sale now!

Lion beats up ape.

Men, women use web differently. You don't say. What's next? Cats, dogs, emit different noises; Bears may use woods for restroom; Pope Catholic. Okay, I'll admit, that last one took a few people by surprise.

50 Best Robots Ever.

Posted by slublog at 08:19 AM | Comments (49) | TrackBack

December 29, 2005

Free Money!

One of the most annoying late-night ads on television is that guy in the question-mark covered suit who screams at the camera about the 'free money' you can get from the government if you just BUY HIS BOOK!

Looks like the guy wasn't too far off the mark.

WASHINGTON - Most companies interviewed about the government-backed Sept. 11 loans they received have told investigators they weren't hurt by the suicide attacks and didn't know they were getting terrorism assistance, an internal government investigation found. The Small Business Administration's inspector general also reported Wednesday that lenders who doled out billions of dollars in such loans failed _ 85 percent of the time _ to document that recipients were actually hurt by the terrorism attacks and therefore eligible for the federal aid.

The IG, the agency's internal watchdog, concluded only nine loan recipients in the 59 cases sampled appeared to be qualified for the special disaster loans. The report said SBA officials told lenders they would not be questioned on how they gave out money.

One would think that the government would make need a requirement of this type of loan. Guess not.

I have to give reluctant kudos to Senator Olympia Snowe, who is helping lead the investigation of why so much money was given to people who simply didn't need it.

Posted by slublog at 12:40 AM | Comments (12) | TrackBack

Bloggers are Evil

Ace fisks the heck out of an article by a conservative suspicious of blogs. Reading Ace's entry, and the conversation that follows, makes me wonder again why I spend so much time doing this.

It always comes back to two things - it keeps me from yelling at the television and annoying my wife; and it's just fun to write and have it read by at least a dozen people. I've always enjoyed putting my thoughts on paper (or in this case, on pixel) and blogging is just a fun way to do that without too much pressure.

Plus, it's allowed me to converse with people I would not otherwise have met, and that has to count for something, right? I mean, as much as I disagree with commenters like Bill, it's pretty darn cool that a guy from a different state and I can talk politics.

Posted by slublog at 12:27 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

December 28, 2005

Thirty-Nine Inches

Dodged a bullet on this one.

A late Christmas snowstorm hit Aroostook County on Sunday evening, dropping as much as 11/2 feet of snow in some communities by Monday morning and, according to a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Caribou, some areas could see as much as 3 feet of snow before the storm ends.

"We're not aware of any records just yet," meteorologist Mark Bloomer said Monday morning. "Right now snowfall amounts across the north and around central Aroostook are averaging about 14 to 16 inches."

I'm glad the County got this for two reasons. One, it's not here. That much snow in December would cause me to double-fist the prozac.

Two, their economy could use a boost and those who like to ride snowmobiles, ski or engage in other lunatic winter sports will be out in full force, helping boost an economy in dire need of the assistance.

UPDATE - Pictures available here.

Posted by slublog at 07:45 AM | Comments (86) | TrackBack

'Fake But Accurate' Returns

Missed this story over the Christmas weekend. College student makes up tale about being visited by college students and is embraced by certain members of Congress.

Senator Ted Kennedy jumped all over this story and ended up with egg on his face. Instead of admitting he was duped along with the rest of us, though, he continues to try and use the student's lie to criticize the Bush administration. I guess Mary Mapes has had much more of an effect on political discourse than we thought. (h/t: Ace and Digitalbrownshirt)

Posted by slublog at 12:32 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Impeachment is History

Man does this make me feel old.

Recent events to me, history to today's high school students.

Posted by slublog at 12:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

December 27, 2005

The Shopping Season Stinks

Except it doesn't.

Ouch.

UPDATE - NBC News calls this 'ho-hum.' That's not really media bias. It's more like simple misinformation, also known as lying.

Posted by slublog at 10:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Blasting a Newbie

I recently purchased a videogame for the XBox that included a card for a free subscription to XBox Live, which enables you to download new levels in games, play online, etc. Today I finally decided to try it out and realized just how bad I am at Halo 2. My average lifespan in any free-for-all game is about 39 seconds and my average score is about 3. In a good game, that is.

Still, it's kind of fun - made more so by the fact that it's free.

UPDATE - I went to the mall area yesterday (big mistake, BTW) and used some Best Buy rewards certificates to purchase the service. It came with a headset so you can talk and listen to what others are saying during the game. It also allows you to talk to friends via the internet, and since I have friends with XBox live, that will be its primary use, I think.

The headset chatter is very funny at times, very profane at others. At one point, as I struggled to survive one game, I realized that the others in the game were probably preteens. Humbling, getting virtually smacked around by 10 year olds.

Posted by slublog at 10:40 AM | Comments (39) | TrackBack

The Slow Season

There is just not a lot going on this time of year. Between the lack of news and holiday fatigue, blogging may be light this week.

Posted by slublog at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

December 26, 2005

Celebrities Refuse USO Service

But remember, they "support the troops." Do I think celebrities should be required to do this? Of course not, but it does tend to make their 'oppose the war, support the troops' rhetoric somewhat hollow.

Posted by slublog at 10:38 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Back from Western Maine

My wife and I had intended to come back today from the in-laws, but the weather didn't cooperate with those plans, so we left yesterday afternoon. Had a good Christmas and I hope you did as well.

Posted by slublog at 08:47 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

December 23, 2005

Merry Christmas

Tomorrow I leave for the in-laws (better known as the land of dial-up) so blogging will be nonexistent. I hope all of you have a great Christmas.

Now, as sort of a mini-blog tradition, the Christmas story. Just imagine Linus reading it:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:1-21 (English Standard Version)

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December 22, 2005

Bored

Yup, bored.

I would write about the President's approval of evil spying on innocent American citizens NSA surveillance, but why bother? This is yet another example of how polarized politics has become. There's no conern for the facts of this particular incident, or of the history or legality of this sort of surveillance. To those on the left, all politics is Bush, and how best to get rid of him.

It's pretty boring, and may actually change the political landscape for the 2006 elections.

Posted by slublog at 12:00 AM | Comments (13) | TrackBack

The Joys of Shopping

Dave at Garfield Ridge had some bad shopping experiences, it seems.

Some friends and I went to the local mall this evening to finish up our shopping, and it wasn't too terrible. A couple of us actually braved the horror that is Bath and Body Works. Every time I go into that store, I can feel my throat constricting from the overwhelming odors. It's interesting to watch how men shop in that store versus how women shop. The women wander around, trying out different lotions, scents and sniffing everything in site. The guys, on the other hand, walk in as fast as they can, run immediately to the counter and start shelling over cash to purchase gift cards.

I wandered around a bit, trying to find something for my wife, but after only a few minutes, felt my nose twitching from sensory overload. They should really hand out little masks at the door if they want guys to buy more than cards.

I don't go to the mall all that often, and it seems I'd allowed myself to forget just how annoying people can be there. I especially love how groups of oblivious shoppers s-l-o-w-l-y walk shoulder to shoulder while talking to one another and then give you a dirty look when you sneak past them. It made me wish I had a shock stick, like the security guard used on the cheating gambler in Casino.

The good news is, that was my last trip to the mall. The Christmas shopping is done.

Posted by slublog at 12:00 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

December 21, 2005

Rejecting the Native Son - Updated

Arnold Schwarzenegger's refusal to grant clemency to Stanley Williams angered the city council of his hometown so much that they voted to remove his name from the local sports stadium.

Today, Schwarzenegger responded, and probably not in the way the town fathers likely expected.

ACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday told officials in his hometown in Austria to remove his name from a sports stadium and stop using his identity to promote the city. The governor's request came after politicians in Graz began a petition drive to rename the stadium, reacting to Schwarzenegger's decision last week to deny clemency to condemned inmate Stanley Tookie Williams. Opposition to the death penalty is strong in Austria.

In a sense, Schwarzenegger is forcing them to show their hand - did they do this for media attention or principle, and are they really willing to give up being affiliated with someone as famous as the California governor? I predict the name will remain. Towns just don't reject their local celebrities, at least not without some backlash, and I have a feeling this city council wants to be re-elected someday.

UPDATE - "Mayor begs Schwarzenegger not to cut ties." Nicely played, Governor.

Posted by slublog at 12:39 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!"

30 seconds of a Christmas Story. With bunnies.

Posted by at 09:16 AM | Comments (201) | TrackBack

Damon to the Yankees???

I now have no desire whatsoever to follow baseball. This, more than anything else, shows that baseball is all about the money and not at all about the tradition. Players and owners don't care one bit about fans. I'm done.

Posted by at 08:24 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

Unions: Winning Friends, Influencing People

It's a really good thing for these guys that Ronald Reagan is not mayor of New York City.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A judge ruled a strike by New York transit workers illegal on Tuesday afternoon, while millions of commuters battled their way home in frigid temperatures.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg lashed out at union leaders for "thuggishly" turning their backs on the city, vowing there would be no further contract negotiations until the strike ends.

"You can't break the law and use that as a negotiating tactic," he said at an afternoon news conference. "This is unconscionable," he added.

Judge Theodore Jones ruled Tuesday afternoon that the Transport Workers Union was in contempt of two court injunctions ordering it not to strike, and he ordered that the union be fined $1 million a day beginning Tuesday.

A million dollars a day. That's going to leave a mark. When are public sector unions going to learn - it's against the law to strike. Those with public sector jobs should realize there's a reason they are called "public" sector jobs. With the taking of public money comes a responsibility to serve the public. That doesn't mean they should be taken advantage of, but it also means those employees who do strike should have some concern for the important nature of the jobs they do. The public puts more trust in those who serve in these jobs, and that trust should not be used as a negotiating tool to blackmail a city.

If I were Mayor Bloomberg, I'd give these guys one day to get back to work, then I'd start firing them. The law is simple - public employees cannot strike. These guys have broken the law, and there should be consequences. No matter what grievances the striking employees have against the city, each of them made a promise when they took their jobs - and now many of them are breaking that promise.

In the end, I think this strike will prove more counterproductive than anything else. The union isn't finding a lot of support among New Yorkers who had to walk or take cabs to work today, and a continuation of the strike would only make things worse for their negotiating position, not to mention the union's funds. Once again, it seems a union is breaking its own back with a bad decision.

Since I'm on the union kick - from Protein Wisdom - Unions make children cry.

Posted by slublog at 12:00 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

George Lucas' Shame

I bet everyone involved with this really regrets it - "The Star Wars Holiday Special."

Thanks to Bart, a commenter on Ace's site, for pointing this out.

Posted by slublog at 12:00 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

December 20, 2005

Precedent

No wonder the president looks so calm about the 'spying on US citizens' story.

There is ample presidential precedent for such action, it seems. The Democrats have stepped into yet another trap. The president let them step out onto a limb, and now the White House is slowly releasing information that serves to slice that limb off, slowly.

The Democrats and the press have been playing a game of overhyped story of the month since Bush was re-elected and it makes absolutely no sense at all. The Dems are spending a lot of time, money and energy on an anti-Bush crusade when they really should be looking forward to future elections. After all, Bush's political career is over after this term - he can't run again. Hating him may have some value in emotional release, but it doesn't make political sense.

Posted by slublog at 09:33 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Taxing Water

This is why businesses don't come to Maine.

Supporters of a proposed tax on bottled water taken from Maine wells failed to collect enough valid signatures to place the issue before voters next year, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap ruled Monday.

Dunlap said 7,100 of the 56,287 signatures submitted in September by proponents of a 19-cents-per-gallon tax on large water bottlers did not meet state requirements. That left the group behind the referendum, H20 for ME, 1,419 signatures short of the required threshold to put the citizens initiative on the November ballot.

Poland Spring already pays property taxes on the land it uses and is subject to regulation from a number of state agencies. Adding $100 million a year to their operating costs would force them to make some business decisions that would hurt Maine workers. Maine already has enough damned taxes and we should look at ways to cut spending instead of trying to look for new ways to make businesses in the state pay.

Ridiculous.

Posted by slublog at 08:00 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Well THIS is Interesting

Every once in awhile, a story comes along that makes you just scratch your head and say "huh." This is one of those stories - "Stalin's half-man, half-ape super-warriors:"

THE Soviet dictator Josef Stalin ordered the creation of Planet of the Apes-style warriors by crossing humans with apes, according to recently uncovered secret documents.

Moscow archives show that in the mid-1920s Russia's top animal breeding scientist, Ilya Ivanov, was ordered to turn his skills from horse and animal work to the quest for a super-warrior.

According to Moscow newspapers, Stalin told the scientist: "I want a new invincible human being, insensitive to pain, resistant and indifferent about the quality of food they eat."

I'm going to be watching Snopes for the next few days to see if this story holds up, but I'll be darned if that isn't one of the best headlines I've read this year.

Posted by slublog at 08:00 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Book Recommendations

Glenn Reynolds asked for and received a number of book recommendations. Just because this is my bandwidth and you people choose to read this stuff, here is the official Slublog Book Recommendation List.

Empire Falls by Richard Russo. I'll admit it, I didn't want to read this book for the longest time, because all of the book critics loved it and it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. I'd been burned before by book critics. But Russo's book, set in Maine, is a great read with a lot of well-written characters. How a book this unpretentious ever won the Pulitzer is beyond me.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do by Peter Schweizer. This book asks a very simple question - do liberals live according to the principles they espouse? All too often, the answer is no. This could have been a series of ad hominem essays, but Schwiezer isn't interested in the personal - he looks at issues such as tax breaks, stock ownership and wealth and compares what people say with how they actually live. It's amazing to me that people like Michael Moore can get away with having Halliburton stock or that the Clintons survived the Whtitewater scandal at all, considering what they did. The book is more than simple schadenfreude. It has a simple point - live by the rules you set for others.

Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. Outstanding. This book helped me look at my relationship with God in new ways, and is very funny in parts, which is a bonus. There are just not enough truly funny Christian writers out there.

No Holds Barred: Wrestling With God in Prayer by Mark D. Roberts. Good blogger, excellent writer. Very good book about how we talk to God, and how we can do better at it, based on a study of the prayers in Psalms.

Hush. Story by Jeph Loeb, Art by Jim Lee. Yes, it's a comic book, but it's one that's over 300 pages long. Great art, excellent story - if you like comic books graphic novels, this is one that you can lose yourself in - just like with a good book.

More to come if I think of them.

Posted by slublog at 12:01 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Eminem is Torture

Makes sense to me.

I'm sorry, but if Human Rights Watch seriously considers Eminem and Dr. Dre to be actual 'torture,' then the word has been defined down to the point where it no longer has meaning.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of rap (okay, maybe there is some Gorillaz and Kanye on my iPod) but torture? Sure, it may not be all that nice to do, but it's hardly bamboo under the fingernails or being stretched on a rack.

Plus, everyone knows that if you really wanted to torture someone, you'd make them listen to country.

Posted by slublog at 12:00 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

December 19, 2005

On "Spying"

Jeff Goldstein is really angry, but it makes for great reading.

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The Louder Someone Congratulates Themselves...

We really should have seen this coming, given how proud of themselves the media was for their coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Almost everything about their on-the-spot reporting was wrong.

This is a natural effect, though, of the switch from facts-based reporting to a more 'dramatic' and 'storytelling' approach. News these days isn't about what happened - it's entertainment, and framed in a way to accentuate the drama or conflict. For the most part, it's also unwatchable, which is why the only television news I watch these days is the local stations - and even then, it's mostly just to see what the weather will do tomorrow.

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Why Advent Matters

A great essay by Pastor Mark D. Roberts.

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December 18, 2005

Bad Blogger! No Cookie!

I didn't watch the speech this evening. I was too busy using this to try and find the baby's heartbeat. Was able to catch him/her now and again, but there was too much movement.

Plus, the kid's starting to react to the world around him (or her) and everytime I'd press the monitor against my wife's stomach, I'd feel (and hear) a kick or punch right where it was placed. Guess I interrupted a nap.

Posted by slublog at 09:33 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

December 16, 2005

This Stinks

John Spencer, who played Leo on "The West Wing," has died at age 58.

I liked the actor and the character he played. Sad news.

Posted by slublog at 06:37 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

All I Want for Christmas

Is a talking John Lennon action figure.

Yes, I'm serious. Such a thing really does exist.

No, you don't really need to buy me one.

Posted by slublog at 10:41 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

New Dollar Coins

Looks like the US Mint is going to follow on the success of the state quarters programs with dollar coins depicting past presidents. This is good, but the "success" of the Susie B and Sacagawea gives one's pause. Here is what is needed IMO for a successful dollar coin:

1. It needs to be distinctive. The Susie B was too much like a quarter. The gold color of the Sacagawea dollar was good in this sense.
2. You have to discontinue the dollar bill. This is what the Canadians did when they introduced the loonie. Still having the bills doomed the Sacagawea.
3. It needs to be small. I remember a trip to Ireland before they switched to the Euro where the punt coin, their dollar analog, was the largest of the coins, and there was no bill for it. My pockets were obnoxously heavy and jangly.

So my suggestion for the coin is this. The Presidents idea is great, that will build interest and teach history. It should be gold, only a little bit bigger than a nickel, and either have cornered sides (nine or so) or be significantly thicker than other coins, so it can easily be distinguished by feel.

Posted by at 09:46 AM | Comments (15) | TrackBack

Far-Reaching Elections

The emotion raised by the Iraqi elections reaches as far as Maine.

A 10-hour drive from Portland to Washington D.C. kept Nayef Zamat from joining other East Coast Iraqis who voted in their native country's parliamentary elections. But a telephone conversation with his grandparents almost made up for it.

They said despite fears that insurgents would attack the polls Thursday, the election was going smoothly and drawing large numbers. They, themselves, had voted without problems.

"Right now, I feel happy," Zamat, 22, said. "It's a new life for each person over there."

Pretty cool.

Posted by slublog at 08:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Merry Christmas

I always lock my car doors, especially when I'm in the city.

Maybe I shouldn't.

Posted by slublog at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Impeachment Jokes are Funny

Har de har har.

John Kerry once again says the wrong thing at the wrong time, and as Glenn Reynolds points out, he'll end up helping Republican candidates next year if he keeps this up.

MA. Sen. John Kerry said last night that if Dems retake the House, there's a "solid case" to bring "articles of impeachment" against President Bush for allegedly misleading the country about pre-war intelligence, according to several Dems who attended.

Kerry was speaking at a holiday party for alumni of his WH '04 bid.

About 100 campaign vets gathered at Finn McCool's bar in D.C. to hear him. In a short speech, Kerry praised Dems who were working on Senate and House campaigns, and then said, according to one listener: "If we take back the House, there's a solid case to bring articles of impeachment against this president." Another listener heard a slight variation: "If we win back the House, I think we have a pretty solid case to bring articles of impeachment against this President." Kerry then quickly added, according to several in the audience, "Don't tell anyone I said that."

Between Howard Dean's 'we're gonna LOSE' rhetoric and now Kerry's 'impeach Bush' talk, a lot of wavering Republicans are realizing just how batcrap crazy this party's leadership has really become.

Even if Kerry was joking (how could you tell?) it was just not a politically smart thing to say in public. Impeachment is an extreme measure and I think most Americans realize that, which is why the impeachment proceedings of President Clinton went nowhere after the initial vote. If the Democrats keep talking impeachment, I will hold my nose and vote for Olympia Snowe next year. Their rhetoric grows increasingly unserious and they should not be rewarded with a return to power until they find a way to quiet their more extreme voices.

The Republicans were able to calm or jettison their extremists after the 1998 election. The Democrats now have to do the same, or risk an extended stay in the political wilderness.

Posted by slublog at 12:00 AM | Comments (18) | TrackBack

December 15, 2005

Happy Festivus!

The alumnium pole is up, I've made my donation to the Human Fund and now it's time for the Airing of Grievances. Festivus is here. Who and what has disappointed me over the past year?

President Bush - Might as well start at the top. This has been a bad year for the president. Harriet Miers, Hurricane Katrina and "Plamegate" are just a few of the things that went wrong this year for the White House. Add in a refusal to fight back against the increasingly shrill rhetoric of the Democrats on the war and the economy (both of which are doing better than reported) and you have the makings of a grievance.

Bill Frist - Come on, this one should be obvious.

People with Lists - Nothing bothers me more than going into a sandwich shop (especially the Coffee Pot) and being in line behind someone who has a list of special orders from everyone in their office. Of course, everyone gave this person money and they are paying for everything separately. It's okay - there's no one in this restaurant but you...

Most Retailers - 18 registers, and only 5 of them open. Brilliant business plan you've got there. If a store is busy, but all of the registers are open, I understand and tend to be patient. If a store is busy and more registers are closed than open, impatience ensues. Sure, you save some money in the short term, but it does make me less likely to shop at your store in the long run.

Every Driver But Me - Yup. Every single one.

Madonna - Again, this one should be obvious. Fantastic marketing skills. Musical abilities? Eh, not so good.

John Derbyshire - His writing - well, it's mostly defined by - his overuse of hyphens and his tendency to, well, think that "speaking truth to power" means saying really stupid things in the name of honesty. Unfortunately, he's a conservative, which means the rest of us conservatives have to clean up his rhetorical messes all the time.

Michael Heath - I'll be honest. The evil part of me (about two-thirds) wanted to buy him tickets to see "Brokeback Mountain." Nice? No. Funny? Well...

(Idea shamelessly stolen from the Club for Growth)

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Home Defense

An unusual idea for defending your home, from Britain.

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December 14, 2005

Why Cuba?

Maine Governor John Baldacci is being criticized for visiting Cuba.

Despite the fact that the trade mission will benefit numerous Maine industries and businesses, including apple and potato growers and dairy cattle farmers, Baldacci's trip to the communist country was assailed by Republican legislative leaders who claimed the governor's Havana stop amounted to "political grandstanding."

"There was no reason for him to fly all the way down there at taxpayers' expense other than political grandstanding and posturing and to embarrass President Bush," said House Republican leader David Bowles of Sanford in a prepared statement. "It worries me that he's willing to meet with communist rulers who have absolutely no regard for human rights. If trade is the goal, why not go to friendly countries? Also, I question why the governor is spending so much time traveling when we have tremendous problems here in Maine with health insurance costs and other serious issues."

First, allow me to say the first part of David Bowles' statement is crazy. I don't think Baldacci's trip was political posturing or to embarrass the president, and those sorts of statements muddy the main issue - no matter the benefit to Maine, should we be doing business with dictators?

The BDN reporter seems to have his or her mind made up on this one. "Despite the fact that the trade mission will benefit numerous Maine industries and businesses, including apple and potato growers and dairy cattle farmers..." I mean, look at all the benefits and those damn pesky Republians want to carp about human rights violations? Piffle.

Fidel Castro is a despot whose regime regularly imprisons dissidents, executes those who criticize his rule and keeps people living under repressive rules and in poverty. The governor may have been there to do "anything he could" to help Maine's economy, but I believe there are some lines that should not be crossed in the name of economic development for the state.

Heck, loosening the child labor laws in Maine would have an economic benefit, but we don't consider such a move because it would be wrong. So why is making deals with a tyrant okay?

Posted by slublog at 12:14 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Diplomacy, Iran-Style

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to show that the idea of 'good faith' relations between his country and Israel is one in which he's just not interested.

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad escalated his anti-Israeli rhetoric Wednesday, calling the Holocaust a "myth" used by Europeans to create a Jewish state in the heart of the Islamic world.

"Today, they have created a myth in the name of Holocaust and consider it to be above God, religion and the prophets," Ahmadinejad told thousands of people in the southeastern city of Zahedan.

I hope Ahmadinejad is not growing too attached to his nuclear reactor.

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"No More Dying"

A town in Brazil has a problem.

It has a full cemetery, can't build a new one or expand the existing, so the mayor decided on a novel solution - no more dying.

BIRITIBA MIRIM, Brazil (AP) -- There's no more room to bury the dead, they can't be cremated and laws forbid a new cemetery. So the mayor of this Brazilian farm town has proposed a solution: outlaw death.

Mayor Roberto Pereira da Silva's proposal to the Town Council asks residents to "take good care of your health in order not to die" and warns that "infractors will be held responsible for their acts."

The law is actually a protest against the federal government's refusal to allow them to expand their cemetery. Nice to see that we aren't the only people in the world constrained by annoying federal regulation.

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December 13, 2005

The Year in Review - By Lileks

James Lileks looks at 2005 - a 'peevish' year. One of my favorite lines?

Iran announces it will no longer allow inspectors into the Khomeini Memorial Peaceful Nuclear Research Facility for Hastening the Destruction of Israel. European diplomats threaten to take the matter to the U.N. Subcommittee of the Task Force for Occasionally Threatening to Issue a Strongly-Worded Report. But the group’s next meeting isn’t until 2007, and it must first take up the horror of Israel’s security fence.

Read the whole thing.

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Bummed?

Try Happy News. It's quite refreshing.

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Screw-Cap for Good Wine?

Screw-top wine is often thought of as the mark of cheap rotgut, but times may be changing.

"Most wine drinkers are aware of the hassles caused by corks. Those who say they’ve never tasted a "corky," or spoiled, wine are undoubtedly mistaken. They just didn’t know it, perhaps because they’re not sensitive to the taint. Those who haven’t lost a good, old, cellared bottle to a crumbled cork, well, that too is hard to imagine. I can only say their time is coming."

...So what’s the answer? I hate to say it, but I am persuaded that the answer is the Stelvin screw cap.

I like a glass of wine now and again, but don't know enough about what makes a good wine to know if I've ever had one that has been corked.

I'm not a picky wine drinker at all, although I do prefer red. I agree with Christopher Hitchens, who, when asked whether he wanted red or white wine, responded "Wine is red." My favorites are burgandy, cabernet sauvignon, and have recently tried and liked pinot noir. I also like the blueberry wine and the port from a local winery.

The screw-top method seems the best for storing wine so it stays fresh, but I know it will likely cause some controversy from a lot of wine snobs. My opinion is that whatever keeps the product fresh is the best thing to use, whether it be screw tops or bags. Wine snobs be darned - I just want the stuff to taste good and I hope winemakers start utilizing technology that works. (h/t: Doug)

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Keith Olbermann...

Really, really bad "journalist."

Guy should have stuck to sports.

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Cool

Muslim group to guard Christian churches at Christmas.

Volunteers from Indonesia's largest Islamic organisation will guard churches across the world's most populous Muslim nation on Christmas amid fears of terrorist attacks on those places, the group said on Friday.

Jakarta police have said they would boost security in the capital ahead of Christmas to avoid a repeat of 2000 Christmas Eve bombings on churches in several Indonesian cities, including in the country's capital.

A youth wing affiliated with Indonesia's largest Muslim group Nahdlatul Ulama, some 40 million strong, said that members would guard churches for the coming Christmas festivities and it had persuaded youths from other religions to join the project.

More of this, please. (Via)

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December 12, 2005

SCOTUS to review DeLay Gerrymandering

Okay, so granted that title presumes more than has been proved. I think it's a good thing, though, for the Texas map to get a review. I hope it is overturned, and furthermore that the Court lays down some guidelines for what is appropriate and inappropriate redistricting. Gerrymandering robs people of their franchise IMO.

As for DeLay? Throw the bum out. Let's get a politician who at least keeps up a pretense of honesty to be a Congressional leader.

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Narnia Review, Take 2

I liked the Narnia movie. This surprises some of my friends because I did NOT like the LOTR movies. Jackson made an action movie that used morality as a plot device; Tolkein wrote a morality play that used action sequences as a plot device. The Narnia movie, though, did not deviate strongly from the central message of the book, so I was pleased.

The essential elements of the story are the Christian allegory. It is there, and with one big caveat detailed below, pulled off faithfully. Not only that, but it is pulled off subtly. As has been said many times, if you didn’t know the allegory was there (I don’t know how you’d manage this with the media blitz, but whatever), you’d miss it. I’m reminded of the time a long time ago when I saw, “John 3:16” at a football game, found a Bible, and looked it up. It meant nothing whatsoever to me. In the same way, I think someone seeing this movie without a Christian frame of reference would feel neither like they had been hit over the head with a sermon nor like it was a lame movie. Unlike, say, “Left Behind,” there is still a good story here apart from the Christian element.

Spoilers follow:

I concur with the praises of Lucy and Edmund. I thought Peter was the weakest of the lot, he never seemed like a leader at all. At first I thought that Susan was weak too, but later realized that she was spot on for someone who ends up “no longer a friend of Narnia.” I don’t know whether that is by design and she s a brilliant actress, or by accident—probably the latter. At the same time, though, her latent skepticism made her grief at the Stone Table seem fake.

Tweaks with the book that I liked:

• The professor saying he’d tried to go back to Narnia through the wardrobe. Does this imply that he has successfully made it to Narnia through it, or simply that he knew that it was built form the magic apple tree and had tried it hoping it would work?
• The lion’s roar in Tumnus’ fire
• The change in the dialogue during the White Stag chase
• The opening sequence explaining the reason for the siblings to go to the country. Americans and perhaps even contemporary Brits wouldn’t know what it was about otherwise. I especially liked from this the perspective from inside the German cockpit at the very beginning. Wish I knew German.
• Edmund’s frustration with his older siblings was better developed, and the opening sequence fit an opportunity for this in seamlessly.
• Tumnus and Edmund interacting in the dungeon.
• The fox, especially the “I’m sorry Your Majesty” line.

Tweaks with the book that I didn’t like:

• Jadis leaving the parley with dignity intact. This is huge. It was a great opportunity to show Aslan as both noble and terrible, and Jadis as inferior usurper. This essential point makes Alsan’s sacrifice all the more meaningful. They dropped the ball big time. The strength of he allegory takes a big hit here.
• The frozen waterfall sequence (see below)
• Saving “Not a tame lion” to the end, where it seemed like a sop to people who would complain if it wasn’t mentioned. Another opportunity to emphasize Aslan’s dual nature that was missed
• The Peter/Jadis fight (also see below) would have been a lot more believable if it were sword against knife, but novice with one sword against warrior with two? She should have Cuisinarted him on the first pass.
• The resurrection of Aslan was too convenient, as if he’d been thinking, “Will you two please go away so I can come back to life while you aren’t looking?” In the books they are away for a while before it happens. And the glowy backlight was cheesy.
• What is wrong with the name, “Fenris Ulf” that you have to change it?

Stupid Hollywood Tricks. These are the things that make no sense but are included to appease the cinema cattle’s need for fake tension on frequent enough timescales to retain their attention.

• The confrontation between the Wolf and Peter at the waterfall. Count the seconds between when he plunges his sword into the ice, and when the sheet ice breaks up. That’s the amount of time the wolf has to open all their throats while Peter is weaponless. Oh and why would the Beaver not be killed as soon as he started encouraging Peter?
• The Jadis/Peter Fight. What’s the deal with the slow motion bend-back-so-the-two-swords-don’t-cut-my-head-off stuff? Slo-mo worked for the Matrix because of the unique way reality worked in that world, here it is just STUPID.
• Can’t the wolves smell the beavers and kids in the tree? Wouldn’t they wonder when they didn’t smell anything to the north or see any tracks?
• Lucy getting lost in the river. No purpose whatsoever except to give Susan a snippy line (a very good snippy line I’ll grant, from the perspective of building her character) and to make phony suspense for a few seconds.
• Notice how Jadis’ chariot stops at the front of a ridge at the beginning of the battle. Then later when she advances after her first wave falters, the chariot advances without a bump, the ridge is gone. Okay I’m just being picky.

Overall, well worth seeing.

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Narnia Review

Went to see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Friday. The theater was not overly crowded, which wasn't too surprising considering we'd received a couple inches of snow. I was actually glad for the lack of people, as a packed house is usually a noisy one.

So how was the movie?

I thought it was very well-done, but not perfect. I don't blame anyone for that - it's simply that the movie didn't match my imagination. Not that any movie could really capture what I felt upon first reading a book like C.S. Lewis' introduction to Narnia.

The best part of the movie was the casting. The children were all perfect, especially the actors playing Lucy and Edmund. Those were two very difficult roles and the child actors pulled it off well. Tilda Swinton has been widely praised for her portrayal of the White Witch, Jadis, and I'll just add to that chorus - she's outstanding in this role.

The character of Aslan was quite well done. Liam Neeson provided the perfect balance of kind but firm to the role, and I especially loved that the director and writers didn't try to fill one scene (between Aslan and Edmund) with dialogue, but allowed Lewis' vision of a conversation we weren't meant to hear.

There was some stuff I would have liked to see, but nothing in the movie I would have left out. Except, maybe, the end of Jadis' henchmen, which I don't think was meant to be as funny as it was.

The Christian message was evident to those who are familiar with the gospels, but not overpowering. The themes in Lewis' book were kept intact, for which I'm thankful. Overall, I'd recommend this movie and think it's going to make quite a bit of money, because it's appropriate for children (who will love it the most, I think) and entertaining for adults.

If you see it, stay for the credits to see a great scene between the professor and Lucy

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Learning Curve

Every year, about this time, small flakes of frozen water fall from the sky here in Maine. You would think people would be used to it by now.

I guess not.

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December 09, 2005

I'm Impressed

I actually had to shovel my driveway this morning. I'm in the dark blue band between the two pink areas in Indiana. Even so, we don't have 8-16" unless the guy with the yard stick was finding drifts to measure.

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Spreading Christmas Cheer

An email I received today gave me an idea. The email asked me to consider supporting Christian political organizations because it was Christmas. One of the organizations listed was Michael Heath's Christian Civic League, and given what I've written on this site about him, you can imagine my reaction.

Here are some organizations that could use your help around this time of year. They all do good work, and I hope you can support at least one of them:

Samaritan's Purse
World Vision
Compassion International
Prison Fellowship
Salvation Army
Goodwill

We'll always have politics. Christmas only comes once a year. So use those warm fuzzy feelings to do some good.

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Merry Christmas from Your Uncle Sam

The government wants you to have a digital television.

And it's willing to pay you to get one.

Completely, utterly ridiculous.

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Die, Santa DIE!

This is just not right.

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December 08, 2005

I Guess the Previous Remarks Weren't Aberrations

A few months ago Iran's new President urged that Israel be wiped off the map. Now he's saying the Holocaust never happened.

I'll repeat what I said last time: this is no way to get international support for your nuclear weapons program, but it is an excellent way to make the sole current nuclear-capable state in the Middle East nervous.

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Watch Your Language, Take 2

I was writing a comment to Peter's post when I realized that it was much too long because he'd really hit a nerve, so I'm just going to post it instead.

It's very simple. Jargon puts a stumbling block in the way of the unchurched. No one likes not fitting in, and there's no better way to make someone feel out of the loop than tossing jargon around. It instantly makes Jesus uncomfortable for the wrong reasons. Jesus should be uncomfortable because of the battle going on in a person’s heart, not because of how cliquish we act.

There is a lady who babysits our daughter when we go to our doctor appointments for our pregnancy. She is a loyal consumer of the Christian products industry. Everything is has a verse on it, or is a Christianized version of a typical object, Christian radio is on all the time, her bookshelf is all Christian books, etc. I wonder how a person who hadn't grown up in the church would feel becoming friends with her. My personal opinion would be that they would conclude that becoming a Christian would entail giving up a lot of things they enjoy to replace them with the Christian versions of them. Perhaps it will be a disappointment that there is no “What Would Jesus Drink” beer label, or that Christian music is in general way lamer than real music. In any case, by totally submersing herself in the evangelical subculture I fear this woman is communicating the lie that Jesus can only be found from inside this subculture. That adds to the Gospel; Jesus may indeed ask people later on to change their habits and hangouts, or he may not, but the crucial point is that he doesn’t ask them to make these changes to qualify for his salvation. His is a “come as you are” invitation, however we frequently do not portray it as such, whether unwittingly or intentionally.

It isn’t just cultural choices that Jesus overlooks, it is also ideological choices. Can a person who’s pro-choice turn to Jesus without becoming pro-life first? Can a homosexual turn to Jesus without becoming straight first? Can an evolutionist turn to Jesus without becoming a creationist first? Can a Democrat come to Jesus without becoming a Republican first? The answer to all of these is yes, and I hope you agree, but look at the inserts in your church bulletin last week and see whether they agree also or are saying the opposite.

Donald Miller has a good chapter on this towards the end of Blue Like Jazz when he talks about the summer he worked at a fundamentalist summer camp immediately after spending a month living in the woods with hippies. I seriously wonder whether this guy makes this stuff up sometimes. Anyway he makes a great point to make. He quotes a guy who changed his life by making him realize that we thing of relationships in economic terms—we value people, we invest in people’s lives, etc. This sets us up to use acceptance as a currency for relationships. If you say the right things and do the right things then you are loved, if you don’t, then you are not so loved. In other words, all our talk about unconditional love is just talk. Different people are ostracized the world over, but when the church is doing it, it takes a strong individual to be able to separate how the church treats them and how God feels about them. I’m a Christian myself and I have a very, very hard time making this separation, so I wonder how anyone who is not a Christian handles it.

The trick, then, is to see how an individual Christian or a church becomes culturally inclusive without becoming relativistic about truth. Seeing how hard it is to nail down the last one, good luck, but I think it is a good goal to shoot for however one ends up tackling it.

Posted by at 08:48 AM | Comments (14) | TrackBack

Watch Your Language!

Chris Rice, one of my favorite Christian singer/songwriters, has a blog, and he wrote an entry that communicates something I've often felt about how the Christian faith is lived out in modern-day America.

I have a challenge for all of us. It’s about our choice of words and our use of language. But I think you might be surprised by what I mean by that. Here’s where the twist comes. Let’s take a break for a little while from words like “bless,” “ministry,” “anointed,” “secular,” and “Christ-like.”

What? What’s wrong with these words? Absolutely nothing. They are just overused by one group of people. Everyone in the group knows what they mean, but anyone outside the club doesn’t really understand. And we need practice using different words to communicate the same truth...

Maybe WE could make the same point using different language, so that we don’t alienate anyone. Maybe WE’re too afraid of ‘outsiders.’ Maybe WE’d rather not have to mingle or make sense in their world. That mentality sadly misses the whole purpose of living.

We versus Them. No such thing. There’s only We. “We” includes every messed up human on the planet (and if there happen to be any on the space station or in a space shuttle, they’re included too.) Every human who needs to be connected to God. That’s ALL of us! So, some are further along than others. Big deal. There’s no Them. We are Them. Humans. Needy humans....

It's perfectly normal for organizations to develop their own culture, and in the development of that culture, languages are formed. Anyone who's been to another country knows how of a barrier language can be. When I was in Russia, all of us Americans spent at least some time silently smiling across the table at our Russian counterparts, simply because the translator wasn't available and none of us had enough of the other's language to communicate effectively.

Christianity is not a faith meant to be lived in cloistered comfort. Jesus said we're supposed to be set apart, but I don't think that means constructing walls of language and culture between us and the world. We're meant to tell other people about what we believe and that means going out there, dropping the masks and the lingo, and really communicating with people. Rice brings up some good points in his entry and ends it in a wonderfully snarky way.

Oh, and his new Christmas album? Very fun.

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Aslan Vs. Kong

Who's going to win at the box office - King Kong or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? I'm going to do my part to help both movies. I've loved the Lewis books since I was a kid, and already have my tickets to see the Narnia movie. I wasn't as excited about Kong, but after watching The Pianist a few nights ago, I realize just how good an actor Adrien Brody is and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with a big-budget movie.

Plus it's got Jack Black in it.

Ace has a good post on the subject, which includes links to some very angry secularists who are up in arms over the Narnia movie. These critics are just horrified that someone actually made a movie that included some of the Christian allegory Lewis put in the book.

Interesting that critics praise some movies with strong, nearly preachy, themes but shun other thematic films. I mean, American Beauty was one of the preachiest films I've ever seen and it was praised by critics and won an Academy Award. It was well-acted and directed, but that only made its obvious pedantic nature easier to take.

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December 07, 2005

Saddam: Terrorism's Victim

Saddam Hussein went a little nuts at his trial today, telling the judge to "go to hell" and claiming to be the victim of American terrorism. Was he tortured? Questioned harshly?

Nope.

Seems the guy's just out of clean underwear.

Saddam Hussein shouted Tuesday that he will not return "to an unjust court" when it convenes for the fifth session of his trial Wednesday. As the end of the session, when the judges decided to hold a session Wednesday, Saddam suddenly shouted: "I will not return. I will not come to an unjust court! Go to hell!" Saddam also complained that he had no fresh clothes and had been deprived of shower and exercise facilities. "This is terrorism," he said.

Well, I'm certainly not going to shed any tears for a genocidal ex-dictator. I've only got so much compassion to give, after all, and the thought of Saddam wearing dirty clothes just doesn't bring out my warm and fuzzy side, you know? (h/t: Maloney)

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Ah, Technology

Yes, I actually went and purchased one of these today, so we could listen to the baby's heartbeat. The thing was only $20 at Burlington Coat Factory, which is amazing, considering what it does.

The kid was uncooperative at first, but eventually sat still long enough to let us hear his or her heartbeat. Amazing.

Of course, I've also been using the thing to listen to my own heartbeat, and to the sound of my stomach gurgling after a meal. Hey, the baby moved to a place we couldn't hear him or her and I had to use the new electronic gadget somehow.

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December 06, 2005

Your Daily Dose of Creepy

Courtesy of Lileks.

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Nurses Win, Journalists Lose

Hey, at least they beat lawyers.

This Gallup poll made me laugh, as my wife is a nurse and I have a degree in journalism and an interest in politics. Guess I married up in more ways than one.

It's a pretty predictable list. Nurses, doctors and teachers are near the top; car salesmen, politicians and telemarketers (boo! hiss!) are near the bottom. It's interesting that this poll comes out after journalists just finished patting themselves on the back for doing such a 'great' job reporting on Hurricane Katrina, where most of them got the story wrong.

It's good that journalists think so highly of themselves. No one else seems willing.

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Whoa

Howard Dean is a just not a very good politician. The Democrats were just starting to get their storyline together - this is an important war, but it needs a plan - then Dean comes along and says we're not going to win.

Bravo, Mr. Dean. Are you sure you're not on Darth Rove's payroll?

JeffG has more.

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December 05, 2005

Weblog Awards

The nominations for the 2005 Weblog Awards are now out, and one of the commenters on this site, who runs the blog Seven Deadly Sins, has been nominated for "Best of the Rest" blog.

Take a moment to visit this link and vote for his blog.

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December 02, 2005

A Trekkie's Dream

The Ultimate Star Trek Collection.

Included?

# Star Trek The Original Series: The Complete Seasons 1-3
# Star Trek The Next Generation: The Complete Seasons 1-7
# Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Complete Seasons 1-7
# Star Trek Voyager: The Complete Seasons 1-7
# Star Trek Enterprise: The Complete Seasons 1-4
# The 10 Star Trek feature films in two-disc special editions

(Via) Give this to the Trekkie in your life, and you may never see them again.

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On Torture

For months, a very good debate has been taking place on the internet about how far the United States should go when questioning terrorism suspects - should torture be acceptable?

Personally, I don't believe that torture, by which I mean severe and lasting physical pain, should be used. Basically, I think it's ineffective, as people will say anything to end pain. Plus, it's just wrong. Psychological coersion is different - if we can trick information out of people without physically harming them, then I think it's an allowable method of interrogation.

Unlike Andrew Sullivan, though, I'm not horrified by the practice of making detainees touch an Israeli flag or things like sensory deprivation. Ace points out that at one time, Sullivan wasn't terribly bothered by those things either. Until, of course, Bush decided to support the Federal Marriage Amendment. Sullivan's change of heart on this issue shows his fundamental unseriousness of late. I agree with him on the ineffectiveness of the FMA and partially on torture, but wish he would stop writing on the subject. He makes those of us who disagree with torture look silly by defining it down to include basically anything that makes someone feel bad.

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Bad Christmas Music - UPDATED

Usually, when I take a long drive, the iPod is with me so I don't have to listen to the radio (except, of course, this radio show). Unfortunately, I did not have my constant musical companion with me this weekend, and spent a lot of time flipping between stations.

What I heard was appalling. Many of the stations have switched to a heavy Christmas music rotation and while I love Christmas, it seems to bring out the inner schlockmeister in a lot of artists. There is some truly terrible Christmas music out there, and it needs to be exposed and the artists who produced it shamed.

"Blue Christmas" by Elvis - Sure, the guy's considered the King of Rock and Roll. This tune is enough to make you consider regicide.

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Johnny Mathis - When Johnny's singing this song, it really isn't.

"Happy XMas (War is Over)" by John Lennon - Is it a Christmas song, or a funeral dirge? It's really hard to tell, since Lennon is slurring his way through this wretched tune. I blame Yoko Ono.

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Bruce Springsteen - I like Bruce Springsteen, but just can't take him growling his way through this song. Especially at the end, when he's running out of air and steam.

"Hey Santa" by Wilson Phillips - How bad is this song? It's almost bad enough to make me wish there was no such thing as music.

More to come if I think of them. Got any of your own?

UPDATE - I cannot believe I forgot "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." Egads, that's an awful song.

More bad ones?

"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby - Hey, I hate snow, so I hate the idea of a white Christmas. The Christmases I "used to know" were in places like Texas and Hawaii, where the temperature never got cold enough to hurt and snow was unheard of.

"Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie - Sorry, Bing. I'm not trying to pick on you, honest. But this song is just so bad, and the pairing of Bowie and Bing is distractingly strange.

"The Christmas Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" by the Chipmunks - Ears...bleeding...must...stop...bad...noise...

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Update on the Stowaway Cat

Emily, the cat that hitched a ride to France in a shipping container, was flown back to the United States. It's a brilliant PR move by Continental, who likely didn't lose a bit of money by doing it (after all, they fly this route all the time) and bought themselves some amazing publicity.

Since cats tend to be faithful to whoever feeds them, it should be interesting to see whether Emily actually cares that she's back with her original owners.

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Arg

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

STUPID!

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December 01, 2005

Hey Fool! Turn Right in 500 Feet

Sick of a wuss giving you directions out of your car's navigation system? Now you can get Mr. T to yell at you over your car's navigation system courtesy of NavTones. Here's a review. Burt Reynolds and Dennis Hopper are also avaiable, and John Cleese is on the way.

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