I finally had a full day to kick back and read. No hospital rounds, no running all over creation, no 5-minute "inbetween" reading while I was waiting for my pager to go off. Nope, I had the whole day to read. And man did I read. I poured through an Economist cover-to-cover over breakfast. The renewable energy articles flat out blew my mind. Then I read a few posts on fivethirtyeight.com, the most wonderfully nerdy polling blog ever created. After lunch I made my way over to the DC bloggers, and eventually found myself reading old Bernie Watersmouth posts.
This is all rather fragmented, but some initial bloggy insights gleaned during my long absence from blogging: A) Reihan Salam is the most exciting thing to happen to conservatism since Andrew Sullivan - it's all for the better that he pissed off Newt Gingrich B) Liberal bloggers should under no circumstances be trusted with healthcare reform - I don't doubt their wonkishness, just their ability to grasp what actually happens when people become seriously and chronically ill C) Barack Obama has tapped into a cultural phenomenon that is simply huge - he has managed to merge the public's distaste for cynical, dumbed down politics with the first technology available (the internet) that allows ordinary citizens to circumvent corporate media and financing.
On a more personal note, I've gained one additional insight from recent fatherhood. And that's that single men shouldn't be in charge of anything important. They don't know real beauty when they see it.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The End of the Primary!
HOORAY!!!!
It appears that I don't blog on here very often any more and Dr. Bellowsair seems to have given up as well. I'm sorry to the millions of people who read this blog each day looking for a new post. For now, please go elsewhere for your political entertainments. Thank ye!
It appears that I don't blog on here very often any more and Dr. Bellowsair seems to have given up as well. I'm sorry to the millions of people who read this blog each day looking for a new post. For now, please go elsewhere for your political entertainments. Thank ye!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Gential Party
A new political party known as the Genital Party has arisen in American politics. It's President, Laurence Olivier says, "Politicians talk tough. But no one has balls like us."
Treasurer Karate Kid says, "American politics smells like my nuts. That's why our new party is going to fit in so nicely. Chris Matthews you better guard those hard balls of yours. Cause we are going to karate chop them."
Even such celebrities like, Guy Onthe Street seem interested: "Some politicians talk about a new kind of politics. That's just talk. These guys want action."
Treasurer Karate Kid says, "American politics smells like my nuts. That's why our new party is going to fit in so nicely. Chris Matthews you better guard those hard balls of yours. Cause we are going to karate chop them."
Even such celebrities like, Guy Onthe Street seem interested: "Some politicians talk about a new kind of politics. That's just talk. These guys want action."
Bill Prohibits Bias Based On Jeans
Bill prohibits bias based on jeans
People with ugly jeans need not fear
The AP Examiner
A bill that would prohibit discrimination by people that you are interested in dating based on the style or look your genes won final approval in Congress on Thursday by an overwhelming vote.
The legislation, which President Bush has indicated he will sign, speaks to the mounting fear of a dystopia in which the brand and make of people's jeans will be the only determining factor in people being attracted to you. On the House floor Thursday, Democrats and Republicans alike cited anecdotes and polls illustrating that people feel they should not be penalized for the style of their jeans.
"People know we all have a couple pairs of bad looking jeans, and we are all potential victims of jeanetic discrimination," said Rep. Polly Ester, D-N.Y., who was a key sponsor of the bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of 95-0 on Tuesday and the House on Thursday by a 414-1 vote, with the one defector being Rep. Jord Dash, R-NM.
Rep. Dash made the statement, "There is no reason for us to be afraid of people being discriminated against by members of the opposite sex based on their jeans."
Rep. Ide Dehn Titty, D NJ responded: "Representative Dash's comments are heterosexist. Some of us are attracted to members of the same sex. Others are not attracted to members of the same or the so-called opposite gender but an alternative gender altogether."
Sen. Dick N Pussy-Rock hailed the measure. "Everyone knows that your attractiveness should not be determined by what your jeans look like. It's what's inside them that counts. Your genitals are all that actually matter. At the end of the day, they are the only thing that make life worth living."
Still, some experts said people still should be cautious with what brand of jeans they where. The bill leaves open the ability for people to be allowed to be unattracted to people who wear EXTREMELY crappy looking jeans.
Owners of dating agencies say a fear of discrimination on the part of their clients has prevented thousands of them from wearing the kind of jeans they wish to wear. A study introduced by the University of Sukmee shows that both male and female clients worry they may be denied blow jobs based on what their jeans look like.
If the bill is signed into law, many more people are expected to take advantage of wearing whatever they want.
The measure did not always have such overwhelming support. Similar legislation had foundered for more than a decade in the face of opposition from Big Jeans.
"Things have changed" says Rep Seth D Michaels, one of 20 newly elected representatives for the District of Columbia.. "And much faster than you can change in and out of your jeans."
"It's a new era," says Rep. Andrew Slack, D MA. Rep. Seth D Michaels replies: "Rep Andrew Slack is crazy but he's right about one thing: it is indeed a new era."
After eating the flesh of fifteen terrorists, Dr. Jonathan Dworkin, D MD says, "It's time to take some action!"
Indeed.
People with ugly jeans need not fear
The AP Examiner
A bill that would prohibit discrimination by people that you are interested in dating based on the style or look your genes won final approval in Congress on Thursday by an overwhelming vote.
The legislation, which President Bush has indicated he will sign, speaks to the mounting fear of a dystopia in which the brand and make of people's jeans will be the only determining factor in people being attracted to you. On the House floor Thursday, Democrats and Republicans alike cited anecdotes and polls illustrating that people feel they should not be penalized for the style of their jeans.
"People know we all have a couple pairs of bad looking jeans, and we are all potential victims of jeanetic discrimination," said Rep. Polly Ester, D-N.Y., who was a key sponsor of the bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of 95-0 on Tuesday and the House on Thursday by a 414-1 vote, with the one defector being Rep. Jord Dash, R-NM.
Rep. Dash made the statement, "There is no reason for us to be afraid of people being discriminated against by members of the opposite sex based on their jeans."
Rep. Ide Dehn Titty, D NJ responded: "Representative Dash's comments are heterosexist. Some of us are attracted to members of the same sex. Others are not attracted to members of the same or the so-called opposite gender but an alternative gender altogether."
Sen. Dick N Pussy-Rock hailed the measure. "Everyone knows that your attractiveness should not be determined by what your jeans look like. It's what's inside them that counts. Your genitals are all that actually matter. At the end of the day, they are the only thing that make life worth living."
Still, some experts said people still should be cautious with what brand of jeans they where. The bill leaves open the ability for people to be allowed to be unattracted to people who wear EXTREMELY crappy looking jeans.
Owners of dating agencies say a fear of discrimination on the part of their clients has prevented thousands of them from wearing the kind of jeans they wish to wear. A study introduced by the University of Sukmee shows that both male and female clients worry they may be denied blow jobs based on what their jeans look like.
If the bill is signed into law, many more people are expected to take advantage of wearing whatever they want.
The measure did not always have such overwhelming support. Similar legislation had foundered for more than a decade in the face of opposition from Big Jeans.
"Things have changed" says Rep Seth D Michaels, one of 20 newly elected representatives for the District of Columbia.. "And much faster than you can change in and out of your jeans."
"It's a new era," says Rep. Andrew Slack, D MA. Rep. Seth D Michaels replies: "Rep Andrew Slack is crazy but he's right about one thing: it is indeed a new era."
After eating the flesh of fifteen terrorists, Dr. Jonathan Dworkin, D MD says, "It's time to take some action!"
Indeed.
And We Thought the Democratic Primary Was Dysfunctional?
It has nothing on the "post-election/pre-runoff/boycott/other options" climate in Zimbabwe.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The Beginning of the Beginning of the Beginning of the End of this Primary, Part Twenty Seven
This primary may be reaching its end now. For real this time. A few weeks ago Clinton was all like, "I'm winning the superdelegates" and Obama was all like, "I'm winning the actual states." Now that pattern is reversing. Clinton is winning the states. But she's not winning by large margins (with the exception of places like Kentucky). And Obama's getting a key defection by Joe Andrew today is a sign that this primary is about to be over. And I'm pretty optimistic that it's going to Obama.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Hoping For Change
Here's a CHANGE that I am filled with HOPE will happen: the end of the Democratic Primary. This blows.
69
This is the 69th post on Huntingdon Pike. In celebration of this momentous occasion, I have given myself a 69. And if you think that's impossible take a look at the mess that is the Democratic Primary. Any thing is possible. AH! I feel better now.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Getridofthemoderators.com
Geridofthemoderators.com – this could be a good and catchy web site that puts pressure on the moderators and exposes just how stupid they are. We could show quotes and graphs of how bad a job they do and have an honest discussion (as well as a grassroots campaign) around what it would be like to have a good old fashioned Lincoln-Douglass debate where the candidates slug it out without being spoon fed politics-lite BS from moderators who are making this country dumber with each passing second.
This would also remove the question of bias. So yeah, methinks that moderated debates should go "bye bye" and we should usher in a new era of debates based on an old era of debates.
This would also remove the question of bias. So yeah, methinks that moderated debates should go "bye bye" and we should usher in a new era of debates based on an old era of debates.
Barack-aby Bama on the Tree Top
Now my last post aside, I've got to say: Barack Obama did a shitty job at the debate last night. Now if it were me and I was being asked repulsive questions, I would have been pretty freakin' annoyed to. I mean, those were bad questions that Obama has mostly addressed many times over.
But that said, Barack looked as if he was going to fall asleep last night in the middle of each sentence. He looked so tired. I could hardly watch. It was almost as if he was annoyed at the questions not just because they were stupid questions, but because he was really cranky. I understand that and have sympathy for it.
I almost find it funny. I told my roommate, one day when I have a child I'm going to say to him or her when they are looking sleepy: "We better put you to bed! Why you look just as tired as Barack Obama at a Pennsylvania debate!"
But that said, Barack looked as if he was going to fall asleep last night in the middle of each sentence. He looked so tired. I could hardly watch. It was almost as if he was annoyed at the questions not just because they were stupid questions, but because he was really cranky. I understand that and have sympathy for it.
I almost find it funny. I told my roommate, one day when I have a child I'm going to say to him or her when they are looking sleepy: "We better put you to bed! Why you look just as tired as Barack Obama at a Pennsylvania debate!"
The Obama Partisan
Alright. So I'd say that I am a huge Obama fan and that I am pretty annoyed at this point with Hillary Clinton. While I wouldn't mind to see her as president, I would love to see Barack Obama as president. In many ways, I think this primary is a referendum on hope.
We have a choice between "hope" and a narcissistic circle that is determined to win and consolidate power at all costs. That's often how I see this race. Obama says he's running because this country needs a change. Hillary says she's running because she wants to be president. I mean, she didn't stay with her asshole husband for nothing right? She should at least get to be President of the United States.
Alright. That's mean. But I think there's a degree of truth in it. And frankly, it pisses me off.
We have a choice between "hope" and a narcissistic circle that is determined to win and consolidate power at all costs. That's often how I see this race. Obama says he's running because this country needs a change. Hillary says she's running because she wants to be president. I mean, she didn't stay with her asshole husband for nothing right? She should at least get to be President of the United States.
Alright. That's mean. But I think there's a degree of truth in it. And frankly, it pisses me off.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Democrats Duh-Bate
“Is Reverend Wright as patriotic as you?” “Why can’t you wear a pin with an American flag?”
There is a line in Billy Madison where after Adam Sandler speaks for a while, the principal gives a stark reply that I think should be applied to tonight’s moderators: “Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to (you). I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
It’s become popular in the blogosphere to ridicule these debates, but with good reason. And this one especially. There was barely any thing on environment, health care, human rights in Darfur, or most issues that are or should of value to most us. I am of the view that it’s time to get rid of the moderators. It’s time for a good old fashioned “Lincoln-Douglass” debate where the candidates go head to head without being spoon fed politics-lite crap that is making everyone in this country dumber. What is, essentially in the way of this happening?
There is a line in Billy Madison where after Adam Sandler speaks for a while, the principal gives a stark reply that I think should be applied to tonight’s moderators: “Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to (you). I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
It’s become popular in the blogosphere to ridicule these debates, but with good reason. And this one especially. There was barely any thing on environment, health care, human rights in Darfur, or most issues that are or should of value to most us. I am of the view that it’s time to get rid of the moderators. It’s time for a good old fashioned “Lincoln-Douglass” debate where the candidates go head to head without being spoon fed politics-lite crap that is making everyone in this country dumber. What is, essentially in the way of this happening?
Knock Knock
Who's there?
McCain.
McCain who?
Mc-ain't-he-the-one-who-supports-actual-elitist-policies?
INSIDE JOKE: Mr. D, did I finally pull it off?
McCain.
McCain who?
Mc-ain't-he-the-one-who-supports-actual-elitist-policies?
INSIDE JOKE: Mr. D, did I finally pull it off?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Hard Rains Goin' Fall...Let's Get Building
Literally. Thanks to global warming, a hard rain will literally fall in certain areas. And completely not fall in other areas.
But actual rain is not what Dylan meant, right? He used "hard rain" in the figurative/metaphorical sense that ten thousand voices will start fighting to be heard if we choose not to hear them. And yet, while we in the West may be unnerved by car bombs and other tragic attacks, those in the poorest nations will feel the figurative "hard rain" the hardest. Because in times of great economic strife, poor people turn on the rich less often, and instead turn on each other.
And in a fascinating piece by Nick Kristoff, they turn on elderly women. Now if there is any thing disgusting in the world it's global trends that lead to the brutal executions of elderly women.
Al Gore wanted to create a lock box for Social Security to protect our elderly.
Looks like we should open up a box right now for the Social Security of elderly women across this world. In fact, we need to start preparing some sort of "Noah's Ark" plan for the coming invasion of global warming. And by "building an Ark" I do not necessarily mean a physical Ark. I mean something else. And I'm not sure what. I just know it's going to require some imagination and community building.
As Kristoff points out, there's no way to predict how human beings respond to terrible weather conditions. But if history has any thing to say, human beings do not respond well to crazy weather. They become insane. And so we need to start thinking about building an Ark. Cause Noah was the only visionary that we can point to who knew to think ahead. I mean, let's think about it. Let's create a plan on how to respond to the unpredictable, volatile, and vicious trends that global warming has in store.
I want to believe in hope (thank you Barack). But we have a progressive movement that is so (rightly) entrenched in the battle for universal health care and getting out of Iraq that I don't see many Noahs building arks for the future.
There is some serious shit looming that we could possibly have prevented in the Roaring Nineties and that we can still do something about, but far less it seems. Now we have to take into account that the worst of humanity that we are seeing in Darfur is a stone's throw away on an even wider scale.
Don't like the invention of trench war fare and all the other stuff that came out of the first half of the twentieth century? Well...we got to get moving then to prevent more "inventions" from humanity's worst nightmares.
I hate to be a doomsayer. I want to believe in hope. But in searching for my hope, I'm going to have to follow Dylan's advice and head for the Church of my choice where I might find God or Brooklyn State Hospital where I may still find Woodie Guthrie. But if I don't find either in these places, Dylan has a solution: you can find them both at the Grand Canyon at sundown. And if by the time I get there, the canyon is covered by the ocean, I hope to be with you all in an Ark that we had imagined and prepared.
But actual rain is not what Dylan meant, right? He used "hard rain" in the figurative/metaphorical sense that ten thousand voices will start fighting to be heard if we choose not to hear them. And yet, while we in the West may be unnerved by car bombs and other tragic attacks, those in the poorest nations will feel the figurative "hard rain" the hardest. Because in times of great economic strife, poor people turn on the rich less often, and instead turn on each other.
And in a fascinating piece by Nick Kristoff, they turn on elderly women. Now if there is any thing disgusting in the world it's global trends that lead to the brutal executions of elderly women.
Al Gore wanted to create a lock box for Social Security to protect our elderly.
Looks like we should open up a box right now for the Social Security of elderly women across this world. In fact, we need to start preparing some sort of "Noah's Ark" plan for the coming invasion of global warming. And by "building an Ark" I do not necessarily mean a physical Ark. I mean something else. And I'm not sure what. I just know it's going to require some imagination and community building.
As Kristoff points out, there's no way to predict how human beings respond to terrible weather conditions. But if history has any thing to say, human beings do not respond well to crazy weather. They become insane. And so we need to start thinking about building an Ark. Cause Noah was the only visionary that we can point to who knew to think ahead. I mean, let's think about it. Let's create a plan on how to respond to the unpredictable, volatile, and vicious trends that global warming has in store.
I want to believe in hope (thank you Barack). But we have a progressive movement that is so (rightly) entrenched in the battle for universal health care and getting out of Iraq that I don't see many Noahs building arks for the future.
There is some serious shit looming that we could possibly have prevented in the Roaring Nineties and that we can still do something about, but far less it seems. Now we have to take into account that the worst of humanity that we are seeing in Darfur is a stone's throw away on an even wider scale.
Don't like the invention of trench war fare and all the other stuff that came out of the first half of the twentieth century? Well...we got to get moving then to prevent more "inventions" from humanity's worst nightmares.
I hate to be a doomsayer. I want to believe in hope. But in searching for my hope, I'm going to have to follow Dylan's advice and head for the Church of my choice where I might find God or Brooklyn State Hospital where I may still find Woodie Guthrie. But if I don't find either in these places, Dylan has a solution: you can find them both at the Grand Canyon at sundown. And if by the time I get there, the canyon is covered by the ocean, I hope to be with you all in an Ark that we had imagined and prepared.
Nick Kristoff is da Awesomest
It seems to me that Nick Kristoff at the NYT puts out more original substance than all the other op-ed writers for the NYT Times put together. Frank Rich is a nice read. But I can basically get the same idea from 100 liberal bloggers and MoveOn emails. Maureen Dowd is basically a DC version of "People Magazine" or "Cosmo."
Paul Krugman has substance and doesn't stand down even in the face of unpopular opinion. So mad props to him. Also, some mad props to Tom Friedman for his unique take on globalization, etc...however, Friedman is give or take. For all his unique perspectives, he's also a bit of a wild card on his facts. He's more of a "I have a hunch and I'm going to present my hunch as FACT" kind of a guy."
Kristoff writes articles that speak to issues that are ignored by just about everyone except the International Crisis Center. He's original and he seems based on facts.
So yay Kristoff!
Paul Krugman has substance and doesn't stand down even in the face of unpopular opinion. So mad props to him. Also, some mad props to Tom Friedman for his unique take on globalization, etc...however, Friedman is give or take. For all his unique perspectives, he's also a bit of a wild card on his facts. He's more of a "I have a hunch and I'm going to present my hunch as FACT" kind of a guy."
Kristoff writes articles that speak to issues that are ignored by just about everyone except the International Crisis Center. He's original and he seems based on facts.
So yay Kristoff!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
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