A Falk's View

Open for Questions

2008-12-12T07:17:00.002-06:00

This is the latest addition to Obama's transitional website. It's called "Open for Questions" and allows (will again later, it appears to be closed for this round) people to submit questions and vote them up or down depending on what people want answered. This is one of the most transparent/democratic ways for people to get in touch with the highest office in the land.

Some critics are pissy because questions about Ayers/Wright/Corruption/Birth Certificate/etc are being voted down. Critics are complaining about the democratic process. Unbelievable.

On my last post...

2008-12-09T15:00:00.003-06:00

Re-reading what I wrote in kind of a hurry, I realized how whiny that sounds. Geesh.

For clarification, my views on capitalism is that, borrowing from someone, it's great except for capitalists. The greed that has been rampant in the last few years is staggering. Capitalism would work if not for capitalists.

Here's my suggestion: Capitalism refocus itself into a wider spectrum. Individuals ought to recognize that the greater success of all usually means the greater success of few. What's the point if only a select few are doing well, while many, many others are not? While I recognize the need for classes, and I'm not rebelling against that, why the big gap between them?

Ugh. Still sounding whiny. Shit.

Dealing with the economy

2008-12-09T10:44:00.002-06:00

A lot of companies have been announcing layoffs lately, and the numbers have been very staggering. But to me, those were just numbers. Not to sound heartless, but it was distant to me, perhaps due to naivete on my part (probably) or maybe to a sense of denial as a means of protecting myself from thinking about it. But, this morning, two people I work with were told they were being laid off.

I'll admit that I did breath a sigh of relief that it wasn't me, because if it had, I'd have been screwed financially. Not my proudest moment, but I need to be honest with myself here.

I started to think why a company would lay off people, and came up with a notion of a sort of bastardized Social Darwinism (which Darwin himself abhorred, by the way). The rationale might be that: in order for the company to survive and maintain, the weaker bits must be cast off in order that the strong will then flourish. Now, whatever your opinion of this is, I have deep problems with it because of the social agreement that we all live in: a civilization.

Civilizations arose by individuals binding together and working toward a common goal, which amplified individual success in some instances and lessening it in others, rather than individuals focusing solely on their own success (or that of their immediate kin). Is this drive towards a sort of altruism inherently encoded into our DNA? Maybe, as evidenced by primates showing signs of altruistic behavior. But the origin of the drive is not really pertinent to what I'm saying here, so I'll skip it. If you don't like it, too bad.

The way that I see it, civilization and society has performed a function to enable individuals to cooperate for the betterment of the whole. So, a company which lays off employees should be analogous to a society right? Not on your life.

The difference between the two is a hugely categorical difference. Where on one hand, civilizations arose seemingly because of natural conditions (drought for example, forcing people to share/cooperate) corporations arose from purposeful action by individuals. (DISCLAIMER: I am not against corporations. I do not think they're destroying America. Etc, etc) If an action is purposeful, then there must be an instigator. If there is an instigator, then there is one who is responsible for what happens next. So, in short, a corporation has individual(s) who is/are responsible for the well being of their employees. And I guess that's the crux of the matter: Responsibility.

So, a CEO or something similar would be responsible for the health of the company and ensuring that the company practices good business habits (which is strongly related to the health of a company, since investors look at business practices to decide whether or not to buy stock).

The question then becomes: "Is it good business practice to layoff workers?"
Some say no. Others, would say yes. Regardless of that answer, does a business that lays off workers take responsibility for that? I'm going to say no.

They blame the economy, the market forces, etc. But never once would they say, "Well, we didn't do a well enough job to combat this, so we have no choice but to let people go." "Let people go"...as if they're clawing at the chains that are holding them in their cubicles...

Slacktivist puts it well:

[I]t's possible to imagine a scenario in which mass layoffs are an absolute last resort and thus not a grievous sin being committed by top management. But such scenarios are also rare in the real world...
You don't get to traumatize and place at risk 53,000 people and their families and then pretend it was just some kind of fluke natural occurence, like a hurricane or earthquake, and that you have no moral or ethical responsibility for the consequences of your decision.

The dodging of responsibility is a result of our current culture epitomized in "I'm just a simple President." George W. Bush. And I myself don't take responsibility all the times that I ought to, but I'm trying. This is one of few areas that I agree with Ayn Rand...(I can't believe I just wrote that)

I'm sorry that people have to get fired. But, at the same time, I'm very relieved that it's not me. I'm grateful for my job, and think that I work hard at it. Shouldn't that be enough?

A new post! Who would've guessed?!

2008-11-25T19:19:00.002-06:00

I guess it's hangover from the election (and a subsequent lack of subject matter) that has been a reason for not posting an update, and possibly a combination of little exciting to say--but here we go anyway!

Thanksgiving is upon us, and so that means that Christmas is coming, and with Christmas comes Christmas shopping! Woo... Unfortunately, I'm low on money because I bought a car two weeks ago (I'll try and post some pics of it, maybe...probably not), so no fun gifts from me.

A great blog I stumbled across is Bad Sandwich Chronicles. It's written by Brandon Kelley who is the bassist for the Lawrence Arms (probably my favorite band) and guitarist for the Falcon. The only other musician blog that I know of is Mark Hoppus (former bassist for blink-182 and current bassist for +44). So, check them out if you're bored. I know I am.

So, in summary, in the coming weeks I'll be substituting one hangover for another (election for holiday). Stay tuned.

Zack and Miri review

2008-11-07T10:03:00.001-06:00

I saw "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" last night, and I must say that it was pretty funny (especially if you like Kevin Smith movies). It also had some heart, even though it was blatantly obvious where the story was going. Also, cocks. It had cocks in it. And buttholes. And boobies!

Rating: 7.5/10

Shotgun wedding

2008-11-07T10:02:00.000-06:00

I just saw a mention of a shotgun wedding and wondered if Palin's daughter's shotgun wedding will go off now that she isn't the VP. Hmm...only time will tell.

Election results

2008-11-05T08:12:00.002-06:00

Barack Obama takes the election by a landslide in the Electoral College. I saw this last night before I went to bed, and it didn't really sink in. My fiance was awash with relief and almost on the verge of tears. This morning, it really started to sink in. Watching the videos of people celebrating all around the country, waving American flags with pride earned from voting for change. I have yet to hear Obama's speech, but I'll read it at work.

I did see McCain's concession speech, and it was a good one. If he had run his campaign in that manner, the race might have been different. What was really scary is the crowd there. McCain did well to shut them up and remind them that Obama is their President now. He is the President for all of us. When I was younger, I didn't really accept that idea. Toys were thrown. But I'm glad that McCain gave the speech that he did.

Unfortunately, it looks like Prop 8 in California is going to pass. This is the amendment to their state constitution to explicitly prohibit gays from marrying. Hearing this news really takes some of the wind out of my sails. This is blatant discrimination and it ought not to exist. But it does. And the fight will go on and one day it will be vindicated.

Election Day is here

2008-11-04T11:53:00.001-06:00

And I'm stuck at work, and won't be able to vote until about 5:30 today. Bummer.

But, there are tons of stories flooding the web of long lines, difficult poll workers, and dramatic recountings of peoples voting adventures. (Un?)fortunately, if my fiance's account is anything to go on, my polling place will be uneventful. But I am excited to get there tonight and cast my vote.

Please get out and vote. Don't take anything for granted!

One more day

2008-11-03T10:25:00.003-06:00

I am burnt out on the election. Thankfully, there's only one more day until it's over. And even then, it probably won't be over. I'm sure that some states will be too close to call and the process will drag on for a week or two at least. Regardless, I'm relieved that tomorrow will be the end of it.

But, without all the election coverage to read at work, how will I pass the time?

Rugby playoffs

2008-11-02T19:48:00.002-06:00

This last weekend, I traveled with my rugby team (Des Moines Rugby Football Club) to Milwaukee to play in the playoffs. This was the first time that the team had been to the playoffs in three years.

Unfortunately, we ended up losing to a very strong side. Incidentally, I am one sore and tired dude.

Posts will continue tomorrow. Two more days until the election.

The election, according to Dominoes

2008-10-29T20:13:00.001-05:00

I ordered dinner from Dominoes online tonight. Pretty slick set up they have there. Anyway, they ask questions after your answer to keep you on their site, and their questions were about the election. According to Dominoes Pizza unofficial survey, here's the results of today:

Overwhelming victory to the Senator from Illinois.

High fives to Shep Smith

2008-10-29T18:41:00.002-05:00

I know, I know...high fives to a Fox Newsy from me, but bear with me, and to the end of this video:

It fills me with some optimism to see someone from Fox News who is articulate and intelligent. Some of the things that have been said in this campaign, on both sides, are truly scary.

Are we not intelligent and grown-up enough to move past these pathetic straw men we build up?

Six days and counting....

It's like Pretty Woman...

2008-10-22T08:20:00.002-05:00

....like when a girl is pulled up from obscurity and is given lots of attention and gifts, even though she makes some faux pas and is often shown to be lacking the necessary intelligence for the social position, she makes up for those short comings with street attitude and know-how. Except she's not that pretty.

It seems that, according to Politico, that VP candidate and self-proclaimed fiscal conservative Sarah Palin has received over $150,000 worth of clothes from the Republican National Convention.

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.

Awesome. That's more than the median family income in America. But wait! There's more!

The cash expenditures immediately raised questions among campaign finance experts about their legality under the Federal Election Commission's long-standing advisory opinions on using campaign cash to purchase items for personal use.

Not really that surprising I guess. I'm glad though that this stuff is being picked up. It really shows that the reason she was picked was that she'd rally the base and maybe pick up some men who care more about the appearance of a woman than her abilities.

Way to chatter that glass ceiling.

One of the reasons Christianism is killing this country

2008-10-22T08:12:00.003-05:00

I have never really expressed my view on religion on this blog. The short version: it's unnecessary and poisonous in a modern world.

Here's an example (and sadly, people believe this stuff):

Two days ago, I listened to a 9-6-08 message by Bree Keyton, a young woman evangelist who had just traveled to Kenya and visited Obama's home village and what she found out about his relations with his tribal people was chilling. And his "cousin" Odinga was dreadful. She said the witches, warlocks and those involved in satanism and the occult get up daily at 3 a.m. to release curses against McCain and Palin so B. Hussein Obama is elected....

Bree Keyton went and visited Obama's tribal people and she found out Obama is 75% Arab and his family are Muslims. Odinga [ed: Obama's cousin according to this...] is strill trying to become the President of Kenya. If he does, he will make a law forbidding all public preaching and institute Sharia Law. Bree K. said Odinga has made a pact with satan.

Sweet. Witches are ruining it for McCain/Palin (and she has a kid named after a witch from that shitty Shannon Douherty show).

Ha.

You have to be kidding me....

2008-10-20T20:19:00.003-05:00

From a CBS blog:

"Palin Becomes Increasingly Accessible to the National Media"

It was less than two weeks ago when Sarah Palin astonished her traveling press corps by lifting the curtain (literally) and journeying to the back of her campaign plane to answer reporters’ questions for the first time after 40 days on the campaign trail. But the candidate who has been criticized for having a bunker mentality when it came to the national media can now lay legitimate claim to being more accessible than either Joe Biden or Barack Obama.

Huh? Just because enough people started bitching about Palin not holding a press conference (where the press are able to ask follow up questions) she starts talking to the journalist folks following her (who her secret service guys are blocking). This is a substitute for a proper conference I suppose. But really? Is this guy serious?

GTFO Scott Conroy. By straight definition, sure that statement is true. But put into the bigger context of this election, this is small potatoes. She should hold a proper press conference, release her medical records, and actually embody the transparency she says that government should have.

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-16T14:17:00.001-05:00

Overnight, Joe became a very famous plumber (perhaps second to the Mario Brothers?). But it turns out that he isn't a plumber. At least not a registered one. Which the city in which his business is located requires.

And, he owes in back taxes.

And, his question is not a valid one as economists point out (see above article).

Once again: Fuck Joe the Plumber.

"Zero"

2008-10-16T08:41:00.002-05:00

The first half minute or so of this is the moment of the debate. John McCain's jaw drops when he realizes that his main argument against Obama's healthcare plan (that he would levy a fine if you didn't provide the government health package) was misstated from the get go. Eleven seconds of a stunned, blank face. The wheels are obviously turning, but my guess is that he knows then, absolute certain knowledge, that he will lose this election and now surpass his father's and grandfather's amount of power.

On last night

2008-10-16T07:50:00.003-05:00

A very interesting piece from hilzoy's crew at Obsidian Wings:

I think that — deep inside — McCain thinks of himself as a deeply substantive “great man.” In his heart, he views himself as above all this Ayers-ACORN-infant nonsense. His closest supporters tend to share this view — Kristol, for instance, has complained that the campaign isn’t commensurate with “the man.”

And so tonight, the great man — having run a small and misguided campaign — was forced to scrape the absolute bottom. Tonight, the great man not only brought up the Ayers nonsense (see Pajamas Media point above), but he actually accused Obama and Ayers of being part of some grand conspiracy to subsidize ACORN. I would call it jumping the shark, but the Fonzie-derived phrase doesn’t do justice to the sheer tragic magnitude of the farce we saw tonight.

The truth is that the great man has nothing to say. It was a campaign constructed upon his own perceived greatness. The issues he noted — earmarks, the surge — had less to do with helping the American people than about illustrating his own morality and greatness.

Well said.

And fuck Joe the Plumber.

Live blogging Debate (third time's a charm!)

2008-10-15T19:52:00.025-05:00

7:53 - I'm just getting settled in here. I have my cat next to me, CSPAN's coverage of an empty stage, and a brew in the other hand.

Get it on!

7:56 - Creepy quiet in the debate hall. That is until the cardboard cut out of the Executive Director of the Commission on Presidential Debates came on stage to talk. Yikes.

Bob Schieffer is creepy looking too. Maybe he's wearing a Crypt Keeper costume...maybe not.

I can't help but think that the seated format will benefit McCain. He's shorter (very short for a politician), and this will put him on somewhat of a more even keel with Obama. I'd laugh if one of their chairs broke during the debate, and the candidate dropped down 6 inches all of a sudden. Good times.

8:02 - Follow up questions?! In a debate?! The nerve!

First question dealing with the economy. Thank Jeebus. -770something today...

8:04 - We're not innocent. At least not everyone. We are a country that lives on credit outside of our means. But they can't say that.

McCain's plan is to keep people in their homes by buying home mortgages. At what rate? Would there be a return? Would other tax payers profit off of these, or would the mortgages be bought at a loss?

Obama emphasizes that taxpayers would get money back from the bailout bill, but doesn't say how. Proposals: 1. Focus on keeping jobs state-side through business tax credits 2. Provide middle class (<$250 million) tax cuts 3. Renegotiate home mortgages 4. Deal with energy, healthcare, education.

McCain wants to keep small business tax rates low to create jobs. Claims that Obama will increase taxes on small businesses.

Obama says McCain will provide tax breaks to biggest companies, and that he wants to cut taxes for everyone (95%) below the 250 mill mark. Says that indie studies say support his plan for the majority of people.

8:11 - We need a tax increase because we're in huge debt, John.

8:13 - McCain seems to adhere in part to the trickle down theory that Regan made so famous. That has not been working.

8:14 - Schieffer says that both plans will add a lot of money to the deficit. "What will they cut back?"

Obama states the obvious that we're living beyond our means. Dur. Says that he wants to go through budget and cut what's wasteful. Everyone says that. I'd be REAL surprised if that actually happens.

McCain looks uncomfortable. Home ownership? That's not the question bud. He's taking his notes from Palin. If the question isn't what you expect, change the question.

Points for Schieffer for getting him on track. McCain - Spending freeze first, claims that he can save billions, and gives examples! Holy cow! Is this really happening?

8:20 - Time to get the laundry!

8:41 - I think that the last exchange about the individual's campaigns was very telling. While McCain seemed to have a biting or snarky desire to expose Obama and paint him into a corner, Obama remained cool and calm while reflecting attacks and being quite frank. Obama seemed more presidential and McCain seemed desperate.

8:44 - McCain's schpeel about Palin is just dribble. It's complete kak. And the throw in about special needs kids? What work has she done? She's had an autistic kid for a few months and she knows more about that than any other person, like McCain implied? GTFO

Transparency and accountability in government? In a McCain/Palin administration? Yeah right. She used private email accounts (numbering between 10 and 15!) to conduct state business. Why? Hmm....

8:47 - We get most of our oil from Canada...

Obama is an extreme environmentalist?

FlexFuel has ethanol in it, John. Something that you don't support.

8:49 - Neither candidate answered the question about how much foreign oil we can reduce. Although, once again, Obama gives specific policy ideas (not taking into account how feasible/plausible the ideas are (although I think they're pretty good...)) and McCain just spouts generic talking points.

8:55 - I'm sorry, but this debate is boring. But, boring is good for Obama.

And once again, Obama offers specifics about the issues. McCain is just rhetoric.

McCain's little segway into Obama wanting to sit down with foreign leaders just smacks of desperation, and having nothing to say.

8:57 - Gotta love Sullivan:

9.53 pm. "Maybe you ought to travel down there." C'mon, McCain, this is weeeaaak. And petty. And incoherent. McCain's veep only got a passport last year and McCain is attacking Obama for not visiting Colombia. He needs to look like a big man to become an independent president. Instead this campaign has made him look very, very small. Even against a freshman senator.

I don't know how much more clearly Obama needs to lay out his healthcare plan. He's done this in every other debate. It's almost a carbon copy each time, yet it still gets misconstrued. Come on America! Pay attention!

8:59 - McCain lists what we need to do. But how? McCain's tax credit for $5000 for healthcare is confusing. I bet the average family spends more than that per year for healthcare. So what's the point?

9:01 - McCain looks like he's been hit by a truck with that "Zero, John" line. Embarrassing.

9:03 - Obama just pwned McCain's healthcare plan. He has done his homework.

9:06 - TPM points out that 100% of McCain's ads have been negative. http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/mccain_campaigns_ad_spending_n.php

9:14 - Everything that McCain throws at Obama, he deflects, he confronts, and he gives details. Once again: Which candidate seems more Presidential?

All McCain can do is repeat what we must do, and what we have to do. But he never, never, gives specifics.

9:20 - I missed this, but Sullivan points out that Obama called sexuality "sacred". I love it.

9:24 - McCain is a federalist. But likes NCLB. Is anyone else as confused as I am?

Did you know that Sarah Palin has a special needs kid?

And why does McCain keep bringing up autism...when Trig has Downs...WTF?

9:28 - Closing statements. Thank the Devil.

McCain's: He still hammers the point that he's an agent of change. Mmkay.

Obama: Change. "Did you know that he's pro-change?" "By George! I was not aware! Thank you good sir!"

Null ARCs FTW

2008-10-15T15:15:00.005-05:00

Penny Arcade shows how awesome/frustrating it's going to be when I become a father:

The sad/awesome thing is, I knew exactly what he was talking about.

ARC troopers in action (mute the video when the crappy Linkin Park song starts):

Keith Olbermann grows a pair

2008-10-15T07:53:00.001-05:00

Awesomeness:

McCain Losing It

2008-10-07T21:54:00.000-05:00

He lets his contempt seep through.

McCain's Earmark Charade

2008-10-07T21:43:00.009-05:00

McCain wants to pay for a bunch of stuff he wants to do, and fix the economy!, by eliminating earmarks. Check out this chart:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/27/earmarks_6.gif

In a budget of $3 trillion, $18 billion is a drop in the water.

EDIT: Fucking shitty imbed...just click on the link

Live blogging Debate v2.0

2008-10-07T20:57:00.011-05:00

8:59 - Here we go...

"Did we hear the fine? Hehehehehe" Knob.

9:01 - McCain's record of foreign intervention as a positive? Are you kidding? Sept. 12, 2001: McCain says we need to go to Iraq. Good one, buddy.

Good job on this one Obama! Point out his shit. (For more info: click)

9:04 - Brokaw is sooooo annoying.

9:06 - Obama's notion of international cooperation? Way to logical! Rabble, rabble, rabble!

McCain: "Al Qaeda would have increased influence" b/c Obama would have set a time table? Are you kidding me?

McCain as a cool hand? Ha. That is so pathetic and laughable at the same time. He's a hot head (see that Rolling Stones article above)

9:10 - Obama kind of dodges the question about entering Pakistan, but does a good job of answering his own question, maybe?

McCain's answer? CNN's flat line seems to tell the story.... Afghan freedom fighters==Muslim jihadists (just so you know John!)

9:13 - Brokaw is such a tool

9:14 - Obama's mentioning of "Bomb bomb bomb Iran"!! Moar pleaze! McCain's smile went away faster than deep fried food at the State Fair...

9:18 - Obama's Pakistan/Afghanistan plan a year ago, A YEAR AGO, is the plan being espoused by Bush and Co. right now! Talk about foresight!

9:22 - I can't say I'm a fan of Obama's "Russia plan" because there doesn't really seem to be one. But his thought process seems to fit into his overall general rhetoric and foreign policy plan, so I guess I'll grudgingly give him the benefit of the doubt

9:24 - McCain does seem to do well with the Russia question, but that's been his big point of reference for foreign policy for his life.

9:25 - If Iran attacked Israel, the UN would shit its pants. Iran, I think, will not openly attack Israel outright because it would be an incredibly stupid thing to do.

THE IRANIAN PRESIDENT IS NOT THE HEAD OF THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT POLICY! SCIENCE-F'ING-CHRIST!

And a "League of Democracies" is a terrible idea. No one would join it because it would just be an extension of American idealism and would be American-run and anyone who falls out of line could geeeet out

9:28 - This Obama fella with his preventive diplomacy and foresight! Whooee! What a sucker!

A simple question: Which candidate has looked Presidential so far in this, and the previous, debate?

9:31 - This last question is just offensive on a lot of philosophical and epistemological levels. Patty from NH should quit life, because the question is a non-question. "What don't you know and how will you learn it?" Answer: "I don't know, and with pop-up books?"

9:34 - Brokaw sucks SO hard.

9:35 - My reaction: Obama did indeed seem much more presidential and offered (from what I saw) much more cogent and thought out answers than McCain. He seemed to be a Palin v2.0 (spouting off talking points, but doing it well)

Biden's home run

2008-10-03T11:07:00.002-05:00

In last night's debate, Joe Biden sputtered at the start, but got up to steam about half way through. This, his brightest moment, is in that latter half:

Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we've had probably in American history. The idea he doesn't realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that's the Executive Branch. He works in the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that.

And the primary role of the vice president of the United States of America is to support the president of the United States of America, give that president his or her best judgment when sought, and as vice president, to preside over the Senate, only in a time when in fact there's a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit.

The only authority the vice president has from the legislative standpoint is the vote, only when there is a tie vote. He has no authority relative to the Congress. The idea he's part of the Legislative Branch is a bizarre notion invented by Cheney to aggrandize the power of a unitary executive and look where it has gotten us. It has been very dangerous.

Here's Palin weighing in on the same subject, but in the Couric interview, answering the question "best and worst thing Cheney has done as VP":

Worst thing I guess that would have been the duck hunting accident--where you know, that was an accident. And I think that was made into a caricature of him. And that was kind of unfortunate. So the best thing though, he's shown support, along with George W. Bush, of our troops. And I've been there when George Bush has spoken to families of those who have suffered greatly, those who are serving in the military. I've been there when President Bush has embraced those families and expressed the concern and the sympathy speaking for all of America in those times. And for Dick Cheney to have supported that effort of George Bush's, I respect that.

McCain's 100% Truth

2008-10-03T08:22:00.002-05:00

Politco fills in where my own Des Moines Register fails. In an interview with the newspaper, McCain said, "that he always tells "100 percent absolute truth," even in campaign ads" and calls him out on his blatant and demonstrable lies. Here's the list:

1. On "The View," McCain claimed Sarah Palin did not take or request earmarks as governor of Alaska. "Not as governor, she didn't," McCain said. But in her first year in office, she requested $256 million in earmarks from the federal government.

2. Shortly after announcing Sarah Palin as his running mate, the McCain campaign ran an ad claiming, "She stopped the bridge to nowhere" — perhaps the most thoroughly debunked claim about the Alaska governor, who supported the bridge project before changing her position late in the game. Asked about the bridge during her 2006 gubernatorial bid, Palin replied: "I'm not going to stand in the way of progress."

3. At the Republican National Convention, McCain claimed Obama's national health insurance plan would "force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages and force families into a government-run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor." But according to factcheck.org, Obama's plan does not place burdens on small business, and people would have the option of keeping their existing insurance plans.

4. In a campaign ad, "Dome," McCain claimed Obama's election would result in "painful income taxes, skyrocketing taxes on life savings, electricity and home heating oil," the clear implication being that Obama wants to hike these tax rates. But factcheck.org says Obama hasn't proposed a tax on electricity or home heating oil and wouldn't raise taxes on investments for individuals earning less than $200,000 a year.

It's possible Obama's election would result in these tax rates increasing. But this McCain-Palin claim is a little like the Obama camp's misleading attack on McCain's Social Security plan, tagging his opponent with the most undesirable, unintended and far from certain consequences of his policy proposals.

5. McCain has repeatedly accused Obama of supporting higher taxes on people making as little as $42,000 a year. "Two times, on March 14, 2008 and June 4, 2008, in the Democratic budget resolution, he voted to raise taxes on people making just $42,000 per year," McCain said this week. But this is a misleading claim: Obama's votes were for nonbinding resolutions, which supported allowing certain Bush administration tax cuts to expire but didn't actually have the effect of raising taxes.

6. In a July visit to Colorado, McCain told voters: "I want to look you in the eye: I will not raise your taxes nor support a tax increase. I will not do it." Last Sunday, however, McCain acknowledged to ABC's George Stephanopoulos that his health care plan could lead to some people paying taxes on employer-provided health insurance.

"It depends on what plan they have," McCain said. "But that's usually the wealthiest people."

7. McCain's campaign claimed adviser Rick Davis had taken a leave of absence from his firm, Davis Manafort, and vigorously attacked a New York Times story suggesting that Davis had profited from Davis Manafort's relationship with mortgage lender Freddie Mac. "Mr. Davis has seen no income from Davis Manafort since 2006," wrote McCain spokesman Michael Goldfarb, who called the Times story "demonstrably false."

"Mr. Davis has never — never — been a lobbyist for either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac."

But Davis Manafort was receiving $15,000 monthly payments from Freddie Mac as recently as August, and while the payments didn't go to Davis personally he still stands to gain from the success of his firm.

8. McCain has boasted of never requesting a single earmark, saying in January: "I have never asked for nor received a single earmark or pork-barrel project for my state." But he has requested federal funding for special projects back home, including $10 million for a center at the University of Arizona, $5 million for a home-state water project and spending authority to purchase land around Arizona's Luke Air Force Base.

Politifact says it's a matter of debate whether these projects constitute pork-barrel spending — but clearly McCain has searched for federal help in his own backyard.

9. In last Friday's debate, McCain accused Obama of "voting to cut off funds for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan." But Obama has consistently voted in favor of war funding bills, including an earlier version of the bill McCain was discussing. The Illinois senator voted against this particular proposal because it did not push the Bush administration toward a timetable for withdrawal. McCain's comment was technically defensible — but rather too sly to be called "absolute truth."

10. In July, McCain accused Obama of skipping his visit to a military hospital in Germany because he was told he couldn't bring reporters and video cameras. McCain ran an ad saying: "Seems the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras." But when pressed to provide evidence that Obama had canceled the visit for this reason, McCain's campaign could not support their claim — and media reports found no evidence that Obama had ever planned to bring media with him.

And here's the link: clicky

Live blooging VP debate

2008-10-02T20:57:00.016-05:00

8:56 - Tardy to the party...

All that Palin has so far is talking points. That's it. Nothing coherent, or even beginning to sound like an actual argument.

Biden was doing his best to lose this debate with his style-less and authority-less answers, but seems to be warming up finally...

9:01 - Ifill is out of her league. She's is ineffectual and definitely doing NOTHING to make this a debate

And "Oh your God," Palin says NOOKULAR! Science damnit!

9:06 - Christ, Biden is a douchnozzle.

Palin: John McCain was a POW. He was a soldier. He takes politics out of war issues...Holy crap, his positions have been nothing but politics! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

9:07 - Regarding the question: "What would you do if the president dies and your president?" WTF? What kind of question is that? A terrible one that isn't going to produce anything of substance. What a waste of time.

Don't buy Ifill's book. What a useless moderator...

9:09 - "A team of Maverick's" GROOAAANNNN. If there is a God, and McCain wins, McCain should have a perfect bill of health.

Average working class family? Palin's family owns a boat, a plane, a half million dollar house on a lake, and makes more money than anyone else from her town. What a joke.

9:10 - Science damnit, I hate populist pandering. "Walk into Home Depot with me.." STFU. Period.

9:12 - Cesca nails it:

10:05PM
Is anyone with a brain in their head taking her seriously?

And Sullivan too:

The debate feels like a replay of the last five weeks. You begin by being dazzled by the style of this chipper little cheer-leader. But as time goes by, you wonder if there's any wisdom behind the blather.

9:13 - MORE AUTHORITY TO THE VP?!?!?! FUCK THAT NOISE! The executive has WAAAAYYY too much power right now as it is. Get the fuck out.

9:14 - A lot of left behinds there, Joe...

Every civics teacher in this country should have been shaking their heads at the answer that Palin gave about the role of the VP

9:16 - Palin just categorically agreed with Cheney. "I agree with him."

That should be game, set, match.

Way to go, Joe! About fucking time. VP == Executive branch. Finally, Biden is hitting his straps and getting past Palin's rapid fire sound-byte friendly talking points rhetoric. More of this!

9:18 - "How are they going to pay out of pocket for health care?" *cough*Universal health care*cough*

And she completely avoids the question. The question was, "What is your weakest trait?" She's just rambling. That's all she is: a rambler.

9:21 - McCain is only a maverick because his attitude is: fuck everyone who doesn't agree with me. Nothing in his campaign has changed that attitude.

IF EVERYONE SUPPORTS HIM, HE'S NOT A MAVERICK! JEEZUS H CHRIST!

9:24 - Biden has really rallied in the latter parts of this debate. Palin has just rambled

9:26 - Passing a budget is not changing an opinion, Sarah. She's been completely static in her positions? *cough*Bridge to Nowhere...

9:29 - So you like answering tough questions? HOLD A FUCKING PRESS CONFERENCE LIKE EVERY OTHER VP PICK HAS DONE BEFORE YOU (AND USUALLY THE NEXT DAY AFTER BEING NOMINATED)!!!!

I just want to rip my eyes out

9:32 - Wrap it up Joe...

Stop parading your families around like trophies. It makes me sick.

...and the Case of the Stolen Soda

2008-10-01T13:30:00.001-05:00

Here's a short story, with a surprising twist!

So, a soda I brought to work was taken out of the fridge today, and it wasn't by me!

The twist was at the end. Bummers all around for the crappy short story and for the crappy theft of my Dr. Pepper

Bailout Failout

2008-09-29T15:22:00.003-05:00

So the bailout failed to pass because of House Republicans. Sullivan's take here, Yglesias here, here, and here. Cesca here and here.

My thoughts? It seems the House Republicans failed to deliver on the votes promised on a compromise bill. House Dems should draft a real progressive reform bill and pass it on pure party lines and really hammer it home that the Republicans have pretty much fucked Main Street.

And the market seems to be in a race to the bottom.

EDIT: Markets close in a moment. Final damage: -777. Ouch.

Oktoberfest

2008-09-28T09:59:00.001-05:00

Some friends and me went to Oktoberfest here in Des Moines last night. And it was lame. I didn't have any fun, and everything was really expensive. Maybe my expectations were too high? Oh well...

Live blogging First Debate

2008-09-26T20:10:00.041-05:00

8:08 - Obama dodges first question, and McCain lies and talks about oil?

8:09 - Lehrer gets them back on track, but Obama still goes off on tangents. I hope this isn't his flow of talk for the night....

8:10 - McCain again ignores the fact that he said, "Thanks, but no thanks" (:eyeroll) to regulation. He even reportedly proposed it yesterday in his important talks in DC

8:12 - Obama rallies, but still doesn't say much beyond seemingly populist rhetoric. Come on! You've laid out a good plan! Stick to it! Loved the "fundamentals of the economy are strong" jab.

8:14 - McCain still didn't answer the original question, but neither did Obama

8:15 - Earmarks again... No. Going to war with deficit spending and no plan to get out it killed the credit markets.

8:16 - A specific example?! *gasp* How dare Obama bring empirical evidence into this mud fight! The gall!

8:18 - Federal indictments...like Sen. Stevens of Palin's state...Who she led a fund raising organization for...

8:20 -

9.15 pm. Does McCain really believe that earmarks are the only problem with government spending? They're bad, but they are not anything like the real problem.

Sullivan leads the way, and Obama echos the claim. It is a truth claim
And holy shit, is McCain making excuses for companies moving jobs overseas? Yep.

8:25 - Exhibit A:
http://www.stefanhayden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/obama_mccain_taxcut.gif

8:26 - Lehrer ate his Wheaties...some good questions being asked.

8:28 - Like Bridges to Nowhere? Sorry, couldn't resist--I do agree with what he's been saying.

Stop spending? That's it, John? High fives though for eliminating ethanol subsidies...

"Defense spending..." Anyone else hear that hawk coming?

8:30 - Rhetoric plans for the night:
McCain: "Pork barrel bad! Spending bad! Lower taxes good! Fire bad!"
Obama: Fix economy/etc from the ground up

Who sounds more presidential? Especially considering this last week...

Also, wasn't this debate supposed to be about foreign policy?

8:32 - A spending freeze?! Are you fucking kidding me? And McCain can fuck off about veteran benefits. Remember his convention speech? And instead of Walter Reed Hospital, a picture of Walter Reed Middle School came up? Fuck him.

Off shore drilling FTL.
Nuclear power FTW. (Obama is for this buddy. Don't people prep for debates anymore? Jeezus)

8:36 - I feel bad for Lehrer. Neither candidate is answering his questions...

McCain's worry about the Federal government controlling healthcare? He seems pretty eager to pass a bill which would put the mortgage market into the hands of the government...So he's only a partial socialist.

Owing China money because we went to war on credit! Who the fuck do you think loaned us money? Visa? Get the fuck out of here

8:38 - "Orgy of spending." Sounds hot. My nips are SO hard right now!

That's McCain's second time claiming not to be Miss Congeniality...he definitely doesn't have Sandra Bullock's legs

8:39 - No John, you said that walking through the market in Baghdad was like walking through a market in Indiana.

8:44 - Obama sinks a three by framing, for once, the proper context as to why the surge was necessary. Swish!

8:48 - McCain offers attacks on character (patriotism!), Obama offers details on policy. Hmm....

8:50 - Re: Afghanistan/Pakistan policy -- Obama leads the way, Bush and McCain adopt the strategy as their own only after it seems painfully evident.

8:52 - "Washed our hands of the region" to go to Iraq! Which you supported John!
John, you know Pakistan and United States troops have been trading fire, right?

"You don't say that" - John McCain: Transparency in Government! *eyeroll* Remember, "Bomb, bomb, bomb-bomb, bomb, Iran"?

8:59 - Bracelet stories = populist rhetoric. McCain's style is telling stories, just like grandpa! And just like grandpa, we should just smile, nod, and go on talking about what matters.

9:00 - Once again, Sullivan nails it:

9.53 pm. McCain concedes the failure in Afghanistan. Obama seems very authoritative. He seems to be passing the presidential. His exchange on Pakistan seemed to me to be a real turning point. He basically outed McCains distortion of his position and yet managed to seem more aggressive in foreign policy than the Republican. He's no Dukakis. He's no Kerry. He's winning on the issue of national defense. That's new. And McCain keeps gong back to claims that he knows more. And goes back to the Reagan era. This is the first exchange on national security in a presidential debate where the Democrat out-hawked, in a responsible way, the Republican.

9:04 - A League of Democracies! In the Hall of Justice!

9:08 - That's what grownups do John. They talk about their issues. They don't make broad threats or anything like that. Kissinger, Henry freaking Kissinger, said that he would meet with those leaders in precisely the same manner!

9:17 - I disagree greatly with Obama there. I don't think we should let Georgia in to NATO. Do we really want the possibility of our troops going to the Caucus mountains because of a territory dispute involving maybe 10,000 people? For realsies people.

9:21 - Russia's economy is in the shitter. Why doesn't anyone mention this?

9:22 - And Obama does! Adam leads the way!

9:24 - BOOOOO on clean coal! Contradiction of terms! Coal != clean, people!!!!

Ok, neither of them is allowed to say, "Walk the walk, talk the talk" things. Get a new cliche!

9:26 - Poor Lehrer. He's trying so hard to keep these guys in line.

9:28 - McCain is celebrating the reorganization of government. Into bigger government. Into more bloated government. Isn't he supposed to be the conservative one? (Smaller government, right?)

9:29 - Biggest threat to USA: A snuk in Ms. Clinton's snizz.

9:36 - It's all starting to sound the same....and I'm not paying too close of attention right now.

Whew. It's over.

I'd score it pretty even in "Gotcha!" moments. But attitude wise, Obama takes it hands down. He is much more presidential in his tone, manner, and demeanor (redundant?)

9:40 - Sullivan's take:

I give Obama an A - and I give mcCain a B.

And a very interesting point from Bob Cesca:

Jamie from C&L just e-mailed me with this. Where is McCain's lapel pin? Doesn't McCain believe in the American flag?

Back from the dead...

2008-07-13T14:56:00.002-05:00

A resurrection of sorts for this blog. I'm going to try and give it a serious go this time around. And here we go...

Yesterday I played in the Toys for Tots 7s Rugby Tournament in Des Moines, IA on the Des Moines Blue team. We ended up taking fifth out of 14 teams and did pretty well considering we suffered some injuries throughout the day. I made it through relatively unscathed (but fuck am I sore today), although the strap on my boots busted. I'm going to try and send them into Adidas for repair so I won't have to buy a new pair. I scored 5 trys or so, and kicked all my conversions through, but I set up more than I scored and ended up captaining/selecting/coaching/leading the side more so than focusing on my playing. It was an interesting experience.

I ran into a bunch of old UNI Alumni's who I hadn't seen in a few years, in addition to the guys who are still playing at UNI. Good times. Unfortunately for me, we had to play against UNI who didn't field a very strong 7s side, as they had brought mostly bigger forwards. But, while not doing so hot at the 7 a side game, they should do pretty well in the 15s this fall if they can recruit more. UNI Alumni weekend is in a few weeks and should be a fun time.

Some friends from UNI came down to visit this weekend. Big thanks to Brian and Kevin for making the trip. I sure as hell enjoyed you guys being around, and hope it wasn't too boring or anything for you.

I'm hoping to go see Hellboy II tonight, but my lack of a car might prevent it...oh well, here's hoping.

Panda Controversy

2007-04-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

There's trouble brewing at National Zoo in Washington DC. Luckily, The Onion is there to report:

Controversy In Captivity

The backlash will be of immeasurable proportions.

Grand Theft Auto IV

2007-03-29T19:26:00.000-05:00

The Internets have been buzzing lately in anticipation for the release of the GTA:IV trailer, and today is the day! Enjoy the show:

Is it all that you thought it would be?

Primates and Morality

2007-03-27T22:27:00.000-05:00

A recent article from the New York Times presents evidence that traits of moral behavior may be found in some primate species. This data could push ethics beyond the realm of philosophy and into biology if there is a link discovered between genetics and moral behavior. Applying this to the ideas of Kant or Hegel, it truly brings into question the role that reason and religion, two historic attributed origins of morality, play in defining moral behavior as a human-specific feature. However, the prominent view of biologists is that reason is not necessary for morality, but comes after a moral action.

Biologists like Dr. de Waal believe reason is generally brought to bear only after a moral decision has been reached. They argue that morality evolved at a time when people lived in small foraging societies and often had to make instant life-or-death decisions, with no time for conscious evaluation of moral choices. The reasoning came afterward as a post hoc justification. “Human behavior derives above all from fast, automated, emotional judgments, and only secondarily from slower conscious processes,” Dr. de Waal writes.

But ethics is the study of the difference between what a behavior is, and the
justification of why that behavior is considered good or bad. This is something that biology is unsuited to. However, if morality does have a biological link, the ideas that we have developed over the last two thousand years could have serious questions asked of them, which is never a bad thing.

Amazon and Milk

2007-03-27T22:22:00.000-05:00

Milk is now available for purchase through Amazon. Read the reviews, they are hilarious. The "cream" of the crop:

O Milky Milk!
So mellifluously milky
so sweet and delicious
sublime and silky
white and creamy
lush and dreamy
Milk, O Milk
For you I pine
Milk, O Milk
When will you be mine?

Ann Coulter and gay bashing

2007-03-05T11:33:00.000-06:00

Here's a video of right-wing pundit Ann Coulter speaking at a recent straw poll in one of the Carolina's. In this little bit, she is addressing John Edwards, who is a candidate for the Democratic nomination. She says, “I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I — so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.” This is responded by cheers.

Coulter has a history of being quite brash, blunt, offensive, and down right bigoted in her writing and speech. This sort of behavior should not be tolerated by anyone, let alone endorsed by the public. This is character attack at it finest (worst?), where one attacks the person rather than the ideas. Coulter has made a living of doing this in her books. It first and foremost is a logical fallacy, a delay tactic used in arguments. However, in this case, it is quite simply bigotry, hatred, close mindedness. Sadly, this type of behavior seems to garner support and applause. It is because of things like this, that I fear for the future of this country.

Virginia and slavery

2007-02-25T16:39:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, the Virginia legislature met specially to pass a resolution in which the state formally apologizes for its role in slavery. It claims that the apology is the first of its kind, and also expresses regret about the Native Americans, and how they were treated in our countries yester-years.

Whilst the sentiment seems nice and fills all of our hearts with a shinny light, I find this type of gesture to be pointless and politically motivated. What difference does the opinion of 136 lawmakers about the history of their state matter to anyone? Sure, the gesture might be appreciated by some, but to what avail? Will it change the fact that slavery did happen? No. Will it change the fact that a large section of this country was built, and allowed to thrive, using slave labor? No.

The fact of the matter is nothing will. There is no point passing empty measures like this whilst real problems could be worked on in the time it takes for things like this resolution to be passed. This is a perfect example of how ballooned and bogged down this political system is. Instead of working toward making an actual, physical difference, these lawmakers instead are now able to have quotes about there actions like this:

This session will be remembered for a lot of things, but 20 years hence I suspect one of those things will be the fact that we came together and passed this resolution," - Delegate A. Donald McEachin

What if in 20 years, we were able to look back and see how the Virginia legislature made a difference in the urban areas of Norfolk? Or a difference in financing a public education that is worthy of America?

Why I haven't updated

2007-02-13T18:17:00.000-06:00

{
where (schoolWork>timeAllowed)
{
adamsAss==busy;
}
}

Hooray for Java....

Anyways, Happy Valentines Day to all. Remember that soon after V-Day is Steak and Blow-Job Day. Ladies, this is payback for Valentines Day. He deserves it. Full stop.

More to come next week. I need time to catch my breath.

Boston is taken over!

2007-02-01T22:43:00.000-06:00

By Ignignokt and Err. The story is all over the media the last few days. The skinny of it is, in promotion for the upcoming Aqua Teen Movie, LED pictures of the Mooninites were placed around 11 cities. Now, the kind folks in sleepy Boston mistook these ads, made up totally of LED lights and a battery to run them, for bombs.

That's right. Bombs. The kicker is this: SOME OF THE ADS HAD BEEN UP FOR 3 WEEKS!!!!

Now, the two men responsible for putting the ads up have been arrested for placing hoax devices in simulation of an attack. What a bullshit charge. These "devices" as their called by the media are fucking Lite-Brite's! They're equivalent to a toy made in 19-sixty-fucking-seven! I can't wrap my mind around this.

Normally, I would sum this action up with a nice statement a friend of mine says-"Fucking Red States". But this is Massachusetts! Massa-fucking-chusetts! The birth place of the American Revolution, the home state of Senator Ted Kennedy. I think this video sums it up quite nicely:

Crave Online: Funny Videos, Sexy Videos, Music Videos, Movie Trailers, and More!

Fucking Boston....

Taken with a grain of sand

2007-01-28T16:09:00.000-06:00

A thought occurred to me today, and I am certain that I am not the first to have this thought, but it was mine nonetheless. The thought was of the what lies ahead in the future of our world Earth, but most specifically, the nation that I call home - the United States of America. Just as a warning, the proceeding is not a communist rant, nor an article bashing my country. Well, now that the disclaimer is done, on with the show!

As history has exhibited for those who care to pay attention, the history of mankind has been one filled with triumph, loss, sacrifice, joy, hardships; of conquering, submission, empires building to the heavens, and those very empires falling to the dust of history. However, much of humanities' focus, as a collective populous, has for the most part, been focused on the future--forward facing toward the great accomplishments of humanity to come. However, a view into the past is a valuable view at that, and that particular view is what I wish to explore here.

When one thinks of great rulers and empires throughout time there are many names and countries that come to mind--early Greek democracies, Roman empires, the dynasty clans of China, the Shogunate of Japan, feudal monarchies of Europe, the Aztec, the Maya--all of these nations and empires have left lasting impressions upon the race of man. But, for all their greatness, they are no longer in existence (save for mentions in history books and the like). I guess the subject of this is permanence--or a lack of, for that matter.

All things come into existence, and then after a time, go out of existence. This is what Disney calls "the circle of life" in the film Lion King. This progression is a natural part of all beings and things. However, it seems to be human desire to go against their nature and fight against the impending mortality.

This fight against nature has been an, ironically enough, everlasting theme in human beings. This strife against mortality is evidenced in the ancient Greeks, portrayed by the great hero Achilles, who wanted to fight so that his name would never leave the history books. The first Emperor of China took doses of mercury daily in an attempt to ward of death. Even today we as a populous are bombarded with commercials of products meant to revitalize our health--to make us feel younger.

Now, to the point about my country. I have no doubt in my mind that the country we know as the United States of America will one day fall.

It is only natural. In fact, our whole species will probably become extinct some day. And here is the part that might get a few people: the world will go on without humans. All that will remain of everything that you know, everyone that you love, all that you hold dear and all that you hate, everything that will prove we existed as a species will one day be gone. That thought sure makes you feel insignificant huh?

However, that's the beauty of our life. From the moment we are born, there are an infinite number of paths which we can follow. We have an infinite number of choices that we can make. With the knowledge that ones actions might not live past them, the choices we make are all that we have.

Stand up and make your choice--make your life. And then be ready to have the dust and dirt carry you into oblivion.

Religion Explained in the most Brutal Way Possible

2007-01-24T17:51:00.000-06:00

The extremely popular time block on Cartoon Network known as [adult swim] has produced many great shows such as Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Sealab 2021, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, without mentioning the reruns of Futurama and Family Guy. However, a more recent show called Metalocalypse has caught my attention. The show has produced a fantastic view of religion as shown in the following YouTube clips. Enjoy!

Part 1:

Part 2:

Star Wars Legacy Comics

2007-01-24T17:12:00.000-06:00

Two words can sum up what I've read of this series so far: Holy crap. This series is freaking crazy! It takes place over 130 years after the Battle of Yavin and revolves around the Sith returning to control of the galaxy. Not much is known about how the Sith came about again, although it won't be hard to imagine is has something to do with the fall of Jacen Solo in the forth coming Star Wars novels. Back to the comics though.

The Sith are headed by a rather large fellow named Darth Krayt, who wears Yuuzhan Vong armor. Krayt has dethroned the Emperor of the Galaxy Roan Fel (notice the surname Fel-possible descendant of Jaged Fel?) and is seeking out the last remaining Jedi. One character of interest is Cade Skywalker. Cade has forsaken his Jedi training and heritage.

I can't wait to keep reading this series. I suggest that everyone go out and read it as well.

As an end note - Star Wars fucking owns.

State of the Union Address 2007 -or- Stand-up-and-clap-apalooza

2007-01-23T23:25:00.000-06:00

President George Walker Bush gave his annual address to the nation this evening. This was his first address to a Congress which is not controlled by his Republican party (I emphasize his Republican party because that party has not been the traditional fiscally responsible, small-government-wanting, party that freed the slaves, but is instead being hijacked by far right religious zealots to push for a pro-Catholic government). It was on every channel of news significance; on a side note, Fox and CBS' coverage was a second or so behind CNN/NBC's coverage). For a transcript of the speech, see CNN.

The prez started out congratulating the Democrats on their majority winnings last year, and made sure to point out the fact that he was the first president to say "Madam Speaker" (much to the groans of old-white men everywhere, I'm sure).

Bush wasted no time and jumped right into speaking on the economy of the nation. He mentioned the minimum wage hike. He stated that we are "n the 41st month of uninterrupted job growth -- in a recovery that has created 7.2 million new jobs" and that unemployment and inflation were both low. So far so good for Mr. Bush. Continuing in the economic realm, Bush proposed to eliminate the Budge Deficit within five years. Finally, a little fiscal responsibility from what has traditionally been an administration with deficit spending seemingly at the forefront of economic policy. Bush also proposed to work on Social Security and Medicare in order to save "the children" (read my generation) from huge taxes, huge deficits, huge cuts in quality of service, plague, pestilence, and Godzilla. But in all seriousness, it's about freaking time. Finally, it sounds like Bush is a true Republican.

Bush's next topic was education, and he brought up his controversial program of No Child Left Behind. He claimed that this program was working, and wanted Congress to renew the program. Bush also briefly mentioned the following, "giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose something better." I personally was caught off guard by this comment. Was Bush advocating the voucher program, or just re-emphasizing the ability for parents to change their children's school? NCLB has been strongly opposed by teachers and their unions as unfair, under-funded and unrealistic. There seems to be no clear evidence of NCLB's true effectivness.

Bush then proceeded to propose two initiatives regarding health care. Prefacing these two initiatives was the comment that "when it comes to health care, government has an obligation to care for the elderly, the disabled, and poor children. We will meet those responsibilities. For all other Americans, private health insurance is the best way to meet their needs." So, if you're not old, crippled, or a poor kid, you're on your own for health care essentially. His initiatives were (1) to help people afford their own health care by giving tax credits and (2) to give local governments more funds to help support its citizens who are uninsured. Personally, I think we should nationalize our health system like in Canada, Cuba, or many other Industrialized nations. The one thing holding many people back from this idea is, by my guess, homosexuals and others who are infected with the AIDs virus. If you nationalize health care, the government starts to pick up the check for all of those expensive AIDs treatments. That will hurt the pocketbook for certain (or fo' sho' for all you kids out there).

Our president then brought up the subject of immigration, but I decided to pay attention to something else. I'm guessing though that his policy is walls, fences, tags, etc.

More to come tomorrow on President Bush's speech.

Blu-ray DRM pwn3d!

2007-01-23T23:16:00.000-06:00

As if poor Playstation 3 sales numbers weren't enough.... In more bad news for super corporation Sony, the Digital Rights Management software encoded into Blu-ray discs, Sony's next-gen DVD, was hacked by the same fellow, known as muslix64, that cracked open the DRM in competitor HD-DVD. The hits just keep on coming for the giant corporation.
In a personal note, Sony blows balls for how they've been behaving the last year or so. First it was the root-kit fiasco with CD's, then exploding Sony batteries in Dell laptops, then the fumbled PS3 launch and subsequent lack of demand for the overpriced grill. In summation Sony, screw off or make better product. Of course my rant is subject to change once Final Fantasy XIII comes out...

Via Theregister.co.uk

Windows Genuine (Dis)Advantage

2007-01-23T23:08:00.000-06:00

Not the most original title, I'm sure but if you don't like it then just saunter out of here. Anyways, Microsoft released some figures gathered by their controversial software, Windows Genuine Advantage, which was released mid 2005. This bit of software ran certain checks to verify the validity of a Windows install. This move was prompted by Microsoft's crusade against software piracy. The figures gathered stated that 22% of all Windows machines are not running valid copies of the OS.
From betanews.com

Since WGA launched in July 2005, over 512 million users have attempted to validate their copy of Windows, Microsoft said. Of those, the non-genuine rate was 22.3 percent. 56,000 reports have been made by customers of counterfeit software, which grants that user a free replacement copy of Windows.

So, by my math (as unreliable as that is), that means that 112,640,000 copies of Windows is counterfeit. All I can say is, "Wow".

Via Betanews.com

Are All Men A Little Gay? According to this Guy, Yeah...

2007-01-23T16:42:00.000-06:00

Sticky Butter has a little post up about his ideas regarding hidden homosexuality in all guys. Here's a preview:

I would like to start off by saying the opinions expressed in this post are not the opinions of all men. Probably not the opinions of all women either. It is however, the bold opinion of the man writing this post, me. Now why in hell would I be thinking such…I’ll say nonsense for argument sake, in the first place. The answer…I really don’t have one. Not one that would make reasonable sense.

Crappy preview, I know. But Sticky Butter's article allows one to consider the debate of homosexuality being a choice or a genetic predisposition.

It is my opinion that homosexuality is not merely a choice, but is due to genetics. My reasoning is based upon studies regarding how homosexual males and heterosexual females respond to pheromones given off by attractive men (can't find the article stating this, but it was published awhile ago). Now, homosexuality can be a choice as well but a choice chosen for pleasures sake. Still nothing definitive though. Interesting subject though, to say the least.

Comic Books -or- How Nerds Spend Their Money

2007-01-23T16:30:00.000-06:00

I discovered a comic book store on the Hill (23^rd and College Street, Cedar Falls, IA) the other day and decided to visit it when it was open. Well, that day was today and let me tell you--it was awesome. The store is called "Limited Edition Comics and Collectibles" and is operated by a fellow named Rob. The shop (actually, the shop is the adorning room of Rob's other place of business, a hair salon) is really pretty slick. He has a ton of comics (DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, etc) as well as Star Trek and Star Wars collectibles for sale. The best part is that his collectibles are priced to move. For example, a .45 scale Master Replica Lightsaber marked 10 bucks off the retail price. Pretty sweet deals to be found. I personally went in search of Star Wars: Legacy comics. Awesome find (more on Legacy to come).

So, if anyone in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area wants a cool little comic book shop made a collector, for collectors, head over to Limited Edition (225 College Street).

Cool Half Life: 2 Mod

2007-01-22T18:19:00.000-06:00

Since introduced to the architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright from my Aesthetics class (about the only good thing to come from that class) I've looked at architecture in a different light. Since introduced to the wonderful first person shooter Half Life (specifically the physics engine from the sequel), I have been exposed to some sweet videos of Rude Goldberg Machines and other hilarity from that very engine. So, a combination of the two would be pretty sweet huh? Well, it is. And here's the proof:

Pretty sweet to see what someone with waaay to much time can do.

Via Kotaku

Fir57!!!!!11111

2007-01-22T17:32:00.000-06:00

Well, here's the first post of a hopefully fruitful venture. I figure that I'll provide a bit of background on myself, my goals for this blog, and some other stuff I plan to figure out halfway through this post.

My name is Adam, and I am a 20 year old philosophy and ethics student living in Iowa. In this blog I plan to talk about things of interest currently in my life (whether or not you find them interesting is not my prerogative). For example, I plan to post about rugby, philosophy, video gaming, anime, school, work, etc. Basically anything and everything of interest to me.

Most posts will probably be links to other blog posts or news articles with my own editorial comments preluding them. Some will be completely original. Others may be just rants about whatever.

Overall, welcome and check back periodically.

Cheers
adam