Maybe Craig could snag these talented folks to play at his church on Christmas Eve:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/09/16/full-album-from-sons.html
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Drive-by Post
Colt McCoy's early endorsements:
http://www.your-arcade.com/games/10002/colt-mccommercial.html#play
http://www.your-arcade.com/games/10002/colt-mccommercial.html#play
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Time on our side
Here is a graph I found on Andrew Sullivan's blog. As you can see, the % of Republican voters is getting older and older. This is because the whole strategy of emphasizing God, gays, and guns that won the Republicans the last two presidential elections really is a turn off to young people. Young people do not care about moral values. We do not care if "One Nation Under God" is on our currency, this is not 1950. Old people view gays as sinners and a threat to the moral fabric of society. Young people view gays as people, and the only beef we have with them is the programming on the Bravo! channel. Old people are stuck in the cold war and think that there are great powers mobilizing against our nation. Young people see that our enemies are scattered nutjobs who live in caves, and that most of our national security problems can be solved by throwing around our economic and diplomatic clout around. Would the apocalypse happen if Iran got nuclear weapons? It wouldn't be good, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.
I saw this on cnn.com today. There is no way this can be true. I know Sarah Palin is less intelligent than everyone who reads this blog, and probably less qualified to be President of the United States, but she thought Africa was a country? I mean Dad is smart and he seriously considered (if he did not actually do so) vote for this ticket.
I saw this on cnn.com today. There is no way this can be true. I know Sarah Palin is less intelligent than everyone who reads this blog, and probably less qualified to be President of the United States, but she thought Africa was a country? I mean Dad is smart and he seriously considered (if he did not actually do so) vote for this ticket.
A Bittersweet Election
Ahh, the campaign is over. The presidential campaign reminds me of Lost. They have fun new characters, the threat of explosions, addictive catch phrases, and mysterious polar bears. Both are fun for a while, then it gets old and boring - like the actual job of the President, or stark reality of being stranded on an island. There will be moments, oh yes. They'll find a hatch, a Supreme Court justice will die - and I'll tune back in for a modicum of excitement. It will soon be over and I'll go back to taking away homes from poor people.
While Obama's victory made me proud of America, I was saddened at the passage of Proposition 8 in California. I admit, I wanted the discriminatory and hateful constitutional amendment to fail. But this bitter taste in my mouth is not from the closed-mindedness of the older generation or the ironical bigotry of the African-American community.
The legal system cannot be expected to force marriage equality on an unwilling majority. One lesson of law school is that the Supreme Court and all courts underneath have no real power. They can't enforce their judgments or opinions. A judge can see anything he wants, but if the people and institutions do not believe it, it will fail to implement. Timing is everything. And while reason may be on our side, we have simply not made our case to the majority of Americans.
It is our responsibility to stand up in our communities, our workplaces, our churches and demonstrate that love does not know gender. Marriage equality needs to happen now. But it will not, and should not, be forced down our throats by the courts. It is our duty, our responsibility, to make the case.
It is too easy to cover. We all do it. We downplay disfavored traits to blend into the mainstream. We downplay our religious beliefs so as not to appear preachy. Women downplay their gender to "act like a man" when the situation, or the mainstream, expects it. Gays cover their sexuality at work so that their bosses see their work for what it is, in new social settings so as not to ostracize a new acquaintance and in public so as to call to the attention of others our affection. Everytime we introduce our loved one as a friend or a roommate, we cover.
African-Americans did not have the privilege to "cover" their disfavored trait. They were forced to stand up for equality. We have to choose. It's a choice we have to make everyday. I brag that I've never encountered someone who explicitly ridiculed me for being gay or shunned me for my sexuality. But should I be bragging? Or should I realize I am just good at keeping quiet?
If we do not make our case, we will never achieve true equality. We must meet the older generation - our grandparents, our bosses, our neighbors, our churches - head on. The courts in the 50's and 60's were only able to bring racial equality to America when the majority of the country believed in it. Only then did the court's rulings give power to the country forcing the minority South into equality. If we continue to hide in shades of gray, we will not achieve a democratic majority. And sadly, the courts can only take us so far. If we want the responsibility of marriage, we must accept the responsibility to make our case.
While Obama's victory made me proud of America, I was saddened at the passage of Proposition 8 in California. I admit, I wanted the discriminatory and hateful constitutional amendment to fail. But this bitter taste in my mouth is not from the closed-mindedness of the older generation or the ironical bigotry of the African-American community.
The legal system cannot be expected to force marriage equality on an unwilling majority. One lesson of law school is that the Supreme Court and all courts underneath have no real power. They can't enforce their judgments or opinions. A judge can see anything he wants, but if the people and institutions do not believe it, it will fail to implement. Timing is everything. And while reason may be on our side, we have simply not made our case to the majority of Americans.
It is our responsibility to stand up in our communities, our workplaces, our churches and demonstrate that love does not know gender. Marriage equality needs to happen now. But it will not, and should not, be forced down our throats by the courts. It is our duty, our responsibility, to make the case.
It is too easy to cover. We all do it. We downplay disfavored traits to blend into the mainstream. We downplay our religious beliefs so as not to appear preachy. Women downplay their gender to "act like a man" when the situation, or the mainstream, expects it. Gays cover their sexuality at work so that their bosses see their work for what it is, in new social settings so as not to ostracize a new acquaintance and in public so as to call to the attention of others our affection. Everytime we introduce our loved one as a friend or a roommate, we cover.
African-Americans did not have the privilege to "cover" their disfavored trait. They were forced to stand up for equality. We have to choose. It's a choice we have to make everyday. I brag that I've never encountered someone who explicitly ridiculed me for being gay or shunned me for my sexuality. But should I be bragging? Or should I realize I am just good at keeping quiet?
If we do not make our case, we will never achieve true equality. We must meet the older generation - our grandparents, our bosses, our neighbors, our churches - head on. The courts in the 50's and 60's were only able to bring racial equality to America when the majority of the country believed in it. Only then did the court's rulings give power to the country forcing the minority South into equality. If we continue to hide in shades of gray, we will not achieve a democratic majority. And sadly, the courts can only take us so far. If we want the responsibility of marriage, we must accept the responsibility to make our case.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Gays to the back of the bus
Sorry, this will be kind of an angry blog. Prop 8 passed. California sucks. I have one thing to say to the proponents of Prop 8: Die already. According to exit polls, the only age demographic that supported Prop 8 was the 65+ crowd. They need to die and let smarter voters take their places. Hey old people, remember how you thought it was ridiculous when your parents supported segregation? Thats how we feel about you. Ages 50-65 was 50/50, and in every younger age demographic, Prop 8 was defeated. Ironically, there was a huge black turnout due to Obama in California, and they overwhelmingly voted in favor of Prop 8. Really, black people? Nobody in America has faced more discrimination under the law over the years than you, and now you want to dish out a new round? Shouldn't African-Americans be able to relate? Honestly, who cares if gay people marry?
At least we got the presidential election right. I thought McCain's concession speech was very gracious. It looked like the old McCain. I think if he would have thrown less mud and attacked W more, he might be the president today. The state of Texas voted for Bush a 5th time by going for McCain. Good work, Texas.
A lot of my friends have posted stuff on Facebook like "OMG, I am so depressed about the nation. I am going to move out of the country". So, a 72 year old social conservative loses an election to a cool black progressive guy, and my party friends in their mid '20s want to move out of the country? Where are you going to find a more conservative nation? Iran? Saudi Arabia? The Vatican?
At least we got the presidential election right. I thought McCain's concession speech was very gracious. It looked like the old McCain. I think if he would have thrown less mud and attacked W more, he might be the president today. The state of Texas voted for Bush a 5th time by going for McCain. Good work, Texas.
A lot of my friends have posted stuff on Facebook like "OMG, I am so depressed about the nation. I am going to move out of the country". So, a 72 year old social conservative loses an election to a cool black progressive guy, and my party friends in their mid '20s want to move out of the country? Where are you going to find a more conservative nation? Iran? Saudi Arabia? The Vatican?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Election tidbits
I think we need some blogging here, the election is just a few days away.
I couldn't be prouder of my home state. Seriously, 1 in 4? No wonder we elected W 4 times.
I couldn't be prouder of my alma matter. I'm glad the young conservatives are keeping us in the spotlight for intolerance. First the bake sale, then marrying inanimate objects, now this.
As expected, the socially liberal, fiscally conservative, 18th grade reading level publication The Economist endorsed Barack Obama. This means that all 7 conservative intellectuals in the world have endorsed the Democrat.
Craig, have you voted yet? Changed your mind about Bob Barr? I hear he is going to be a libertarian for Halloween. Sorry, I couldn't resist the cheap shot.
The Rockets look good. They might be the deepest team in the league. Last year Chuck Hayes started. Now he is like our 11th man. Artest is crazy, but nobody ever goes crazy in Houston. Carl Everett didn't. Barkley didn't. Francis even did okay here. The reason is because we have no state income tax, warm weather, and plenty of stuff for rich, famous guys to do. Artest went crazy in Indianapolis because him and Reggie Wayne are like the only black people in the city. I know, I have been to Indy. He will be okay there. My prediction: Rockets lose in Western Conference Finals.
I couldn't be prouder of my home state. Seriously, 1 in 4? No wonder we elected W 4 times.
I couldn't be prouder of my alma matter. I'm glad the young conservatives are keeping us in the spotlight for intolerance. First the bake sale, then marrying inanimate objects, now this.
As expected, the socially liberal, fiscally conservative, 18th grade reading level publication The Economist endorsed Barack Obama. This means that all 7 conservative intellectuals in the world have endorsed the Democrat.
Craig, have you voted yet? Changed your mind about Bob Barr? I hear he is going to be a libertarian for Halloween. Sorry, I couldn't resist the cheap shot.
The Rockets look good. They might be the deepest team in the league. Last year Chuck Hayes started. Now he is like our 11th man. Artest is crazy, but nobody ever goes crazy in Houston. Carl Everett didn't. Barkley didn't. Francis even did okay here. The reason is because we have no state income tax, warm weather, and plenty of stuff for rich, famous guys to do. Artest went crazy in Indianapolis because him and Reggie Wayne are like the only black people in the city. I know, I have been to Indy. He will be okay there. My prediction: Rockets lose in Western Conference Finals.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Proposition 8
Unfortunately for everyone who reads this blog, our vote doesn't matter. Texans will vote for McCain because most of them have no teeth, Californians and D.C. guys will vote for Obama b/c he did drugs when he was younger and they can relate to that. But my vote does kind of matter on Propostion 8. Voters in some Western states like California can put measures on the ballot if they get enough signatures. Opponents of same sex marriage (i.e. old, rural people who think gays are icky) got enough measures to put an anti same sex marriage measure on the ballot. California's liberal attorney general played with the words a bit, and now it reads: "Propostion 8: Eliminates rights of same sex couples to marry. Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same sex couples to marry".
Theoretically due to the full faith and credit clause of the constituion, other states will have to recognize other state's marraiges the same way Texas recognizes my California Driver's License. Maybe Adam can weigh in on that since he knows more than I do. New polls show Prop 8 losing but the race is narrowing. I don't really trust the polls as the opponents of Prop. 8 are more likely to be young surfers who will smoke weed all day on Nov. 4th instead of voting, whereas proponents of Prop 8 will be commanded by their megachurch pastors to flock to the polls and smite the heathen homosexuals, probably while praying that Rick Warren will summon fire and brimstone to destroy the Castro in San Fran. My vote finally counts. And I will use it to speak out against hate.
Theoretically due to the full faith and credit clause of the constituion, other states will have to recognize other state's marraiges the same way Texas recognizes my California Driver's License. Maybe Adam can weigh in on that since he knows more than I do. New polls show Prop 8 losing but the race is narrowing. I don't really trust the polls as the opponents of Prop. 8 are more likely to be young surfers who will smoke weed all day on Nov. 4th instead of voting, whereas proponents of Prop 8 will be commanded by their megachurch pastors to flock to the polls and smite the heathen homosexuals, probably while praying that Rick Warren will summon fire and brimstone to destroy the Castro in San Fran. My vote finally counts. And I will use it to speak out against hate.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Foreign Policy
I kind of miss having Ron Paul in the race. Sure he has extreme views, can't do math, and anybody who would consider voting for him should be sent to Brad Lidge's psychologist, but at least he brought up some good points. In between his nonsense about destroying the Fed and getting rid of the income tax, Paul questioned why the United States should be the world cop. Why should we spend half of our discrescionary spending on defense when our enemies are guys in caves halfway around the world? Its a good point, and both of the candidates will get us into more of the "foreign entanglements" that George Washington warned about. McCain's foreign policy resembles a young Chase Jones. If you threw a pencil at young Chase, he would try to kill you. Imagine what President McCain would do if Indonesia looked at him funny.
McCain (and probably Obama, I am too lazy to research it) wants Georgia in NATO. This is retarded. By the terms of NATO this would mean that an attack on Tblisi, Georgia would be the same as an attack on Atlanta, Georgia. Lenin was born in Georgia, but any attack on them would bring them us into a war with Russia. Why the hell would we do that? Who cares about Georgia? Both candidates also want us to be staunch supporters of Israel. Why is this in our national interests? Most people in the Middle East hate America because we support Isreal. But why do we do that? If we decided to give the state of Florida back to the Seminole Indians because of historical injustices, do you think Uncle Ken would be pissed? This is exactly what happened to the Palestinians in Israel. So why do give the Israelis our unconditional report even when they start random wars and kill a lot of civlians trying to get back at terrorists?
McCain (and probably Obama, I am too lazy to research it) wants Georgia in NATO. This is retarded. By the terms of NATO this would mean that an attack on Tblisi, Georgia would be the same as an attack on Atlanta, Georgia. Lenin was born in Georgia, but any attack on them would bring them us into a war with Russia. Why the hell would we do that? Who cares about Georgia? Both candidates also want us to be staunch supporters of Israel. Why is this in our national interests? Most people in the Middle East hate America because we support Isreal. But why do we do that? If we decided to give the state of Florida back to the Seminole Indians because of historical injustices, do you think Uncle Ken would be pissed? This is exactly what happened to the Palestinians in Israel. So why do give the Israelis our unconditional report even when they start random wars and kill a lot of civlians trying to get back at terrorists?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Good Word
I woke up this morning, turned on my computer, and found some endorsements for Obama that I thought were strange. Colin Powel endorsed Obama today. Also, after 40 years of endorsing Republican presidents, The Houston Chronicle endorsed Obama. When an East Texas newspaper endorses an African-American liberal from a Yankee state, you can tell things are not looking good for McCain.
But the most interesting endorsement of Obama I read was from Christopher Buckley. Christopher Buckley used to write for the National Review and is an old school conservative. His father, William Buckley founded that same magazine and is considered one of the great conservative intellectuals of all time (before the term conservative intellectual became an oxymoron). After endorsing Obama on his blog, he was forced to resign from the NR after an enormous reader backlash. Click the link, its an excellent read.
But the most interesting endorsement of Obama I read was from Christopher Buckley. Christopher Buckley used to write for the National Review and is an old school conservative. His father, William Buckley founded that same magazine and is considered one of the great conservative intellectuals of all time (before the term conservative intellectual became an oxymoron). After endorsing Obama on his blog, he was forced to resign from the NR after an enormous reader backlash. Click the link, its an excellent read.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
In Search of the real Adam Moore
To commemorate your birthday Adam, I decided to do the only thing I could think of - type in "Adam Moore" in google images and see what I could find. The answer - a lot of people who aren't you. Nevertheless, it was difficult trying to decipher who was and who wasn't the Adam Moore I know. See if you can tell the difference yourself.
This guy's name is Adam Moore. Check. He's a lawyer. Check. He owns a law firm called "The Adam Moore Law Firm". Maybe. He's 99 years old, wears suspenders and is probably successful - Not Adam Moore
Stylish haircut? Check. Fancy clothes? Check. Ability to grow facial hair? Not Adam Moore
Clean Clothes? Check. Leaning to the left? Check. African American? Not Adam Moore
Awkward interaction with women? Check. Creepy? Check. Obsession with ears? Questionable - Possibly Adam Moore
Inability to take normal pictures? Check. Stylish hair cut? Questionable. Drunk? Check. Awkward one-sided of face smile? Correction - Possibly Steven Moore.
Definitely not Adam Moore.
Awkard face? Check. Stylish t-shirt and jeans? Check. Putting birthday hats on your dog on your own birthday - Definitely Adam Moore.
Happy Birthday Adam
This guy's name is Adam Moore. Check. He's a lawyer. Check. He owns a law firm called "The Adam Moore Law Firm". Maybe. He's 99 years old, wears suspenders and is probably successful - Not Adam Moore
Stylish haircut? Check. Fancy clothes? Check. Ability to grow facial hair? Not Adam Moore
Clean Clothes? Check. Leaning to the left? Check. African American? Not Adam Moore
Awkward interaction with women? Check. Creepy? Check. Obsession with ears? Questionable - Possibly Adam Moore
Inability to take normal pictures? Check. Stylish hair cut? Questionable. Drunk? Check. Awkward one-sided of face smile? Correction - Possibly Steven Moore.
Definitely not Adam Moore.
Awkard face? Check. Stylish t-shirt and jeans? Check. Putting birthday hats on your dog on your own birthday - Definitely Adam Moore.
Happy Birthday Adam
Thursday, October 9, 2008
1984 Part 2
When is the best time to encroach upon civil liberties and expand the scope and power of government? The answer is easy - during times of crisis, war, or economic hardship (better if its all three). It's easy to justify, and better yet, easy to ignore.
The Department of Homeland Security just had its space based spying program go live in its first phase. Its capabilities include "...utilizing different parts of the light- and infrared spectrum, spy satellites, in addition to taking ultra high-resolution photographs to within a meter of their "target," (they) can also track the heat signatures generated by people inside a building" - sweet. It was included in spending bill - and was barely debated.
Don't worry though, The DHS will provide access to their spy imagery to federal, state, local and contracted private agencies - but no eavesdropping. Don't worry. Rest assured.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
"A new 60-page Government Accountability Office report said the department "lacks assurance that NAO operations will comply with applicable laws and privacy and civil liberties standards," according to a person familiar with the document...
The report cites gaps in privacy safeguards. The department, it found, lacks controls to prevent improper use of domestic-intelligence data by other agencies and provided insufficient assurance that requests for classified information will be fully reviewed to ensure it can be legally provided."
In the midst of war, economic crisis and Sarah Palin, government surveillance is reaching unprecedented levels with an even greater opportunity for shredding personal privacy. John McCain wants to extend these measures, as does Barack Obama. To be fair though Obama wants to extend the power to spy to our federal agencies but while giving them the power to spy on you and me, wants to stop them from spying on you and me by means of congressional oversight - Thank God for congressional oversight!
Maybe you're not concerned and to be honest, i'm not pooping my pants over it either. However, this does reinforce my view that the status quo needs to change and it won't happen in 2008.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
I'm a Loser
I turn 28 next week. Yes, I feel blessed, successful and, as always, dashingly handsome.
This guy though is only 7 years older than me and tapped to head the government's $700 billion bailout program. The greatest financial crisis the United States has faced since the Great Depression and some guy six years out of business school gets the job.
Kashkari may be more successful, but I'm definitely more handsome.
This guy though is only 7 years older than me and tapped to head the government's $700 billion bailout program. The greatest financial crisis the United States has faced since the Great Depression and some guy six years out of business school gets the job.
Kashkari may be more successful, but I'm definitely more handsome.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I can see Russia!!
Having fun with Sarah Palin's alleged foreign policy credientials based upon her ability to see Russia from Alaska. By the way, this article notes that Sarah Palin has not just never been to the island with a Russian view, but that most of its residents have never heard of her.
Uhh what?!
Did anyone else see this???
It's almost as if George W. Bush, after 9/11, said, "It's not based on any particular intelligence, we just wanted to choose a really bad country."
No wonder both the bailout and the war are disasters.
It's almost as if George W. Bush, after 9/11, said, "It's not based on any particular intelligence, we just wanted to choose a really bad country."
No wonder both the bailout and the war are disasters.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
More About Hochuli
Steven, only you and I read this blog anymore. That's probably good since you are probably the only other person that has a poor enough sense of humor to love The Hoch Blog. It's basically a composition of quotations from the NFL's best referee.
"Just rented You’ve Got Mail again. It made me cry so hard my basement flooded. I had to throw my house out into the desert. I’ll go pick it up when it’s dry."
Awesome.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Finance's 9/11
I'm pretty convinced the system doesn't work any more. The $700 billion bailout deal had the blessing of the current president, leaders of both houses of Congress in both parties, and both presidential candidates and it still got voted down. Then the Dow dropped like 800 points and my 401k looks about as healthy as Papa Combs. Nobody likes giving that much money to Wall Street, but it seems like it is probably necessary. After all, if nobody loans money to anyone, economic growth is impossible. Lawmakers in D.C. obviously read my blog entry and put in some reasonable additions that would give taxpayers a stake in the firms they save, more oversight, and executive pay additions, but House Republicans voted it down. Yes, the same group who believed that Velociraptors were chasing Noah around 4,000 years ago may have just thrown us into a huge recession. As for the Democrats that voted for the bill, I can only assume they are the coal miner Democrats from stupid states like West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Look at the roll call for people who voted for and against the measure. Most of the representatives who are universally thought of to be awful (Sheila Jackson-Lee, John Culbersen, McCaul, Grand Dragon Barton, Kucinich, Ron Paul) voted against it, probably because they can't read. The ones universally thought of to be awesome (Chet Edwards, Susan Davis, All 3 Congressmen with the last name Moore) voted for it. The ones with hilarious names all voted for it too ("Tobacco" John Boehner, "Tobacco/Marijuana" Roy Blunt, Rep. Boozman, Rep. Dicks, Rep. Weiner). Anyways, Washington sucks.
Look at the roll call for people who voted for and against the measure. Most of the representatives who are universally thought of to be awful (Sheila Jackson-Lee, John Culbersen, McCaul, Grand Dragon Barton, Kucinich, Ron Paul) voted against it, probably because they can't read. The ones universally thought of to be awesome (Chet Edwards, Susan Davis, All 3 Congressmen with the last name Moore) voted for it. The ones with hilarious names all voted for it too ("Tobacco" John Boehner, "Tobacco/Marijuana" Roy Blunt, Rep. Boozman, Rep. Dicks, Rep. Weiner). Anyways, Washington sucks.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005
This is the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005 as introduced by Republican Senator Chuck Hagel cosponsored by Senator John McCain. This bill was killed in committee a party-line vote by the Democratic Party, led by ranking member Senator Chris Dodd.
I find it laughable that many on both sides are trying to win points here. Obama said this to NBC's Matt Lauer, "the fact that somebody like John McCain who for 26 years has been an advocate for deregulation, for 26 years has said the market is king and then starts going out there suggesting somehow that he's a populist who's been railing against Wall Street and regulation -- that's what drives people crazy about politics."
To be honest, that crap he just said, drives me crazy about politics.
I'm certain that the bill that came up in 2005 wouldn't have alleviated all these problems and that if passed, there would still be a huge mess on our hands. I'm also sure it had its usual Republican flaws. McCain and his supporters are sure to claim that this would have solved all of our problems and made us all millionairs a la Barack Obama. However, I do believe, though that it might have helped and I know that Democrats firmly opposed while McCain was a cosponsor. I also know that Obama has received more money from employees and PACs of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae than any other Senator, except of course, Chris Dodd.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Wilford Brimley
I have a coworker who is a dead ringer for Wilford Brimley, who as I was discussing with Craig earlier, has the funniest IMDB mini bio ever. I mean they look exactly the same. I kind of like him because he sucks at selling even worse than I do. I mean way worse. Like I have sold about 20 times more than he has, and I am only a decent salesman at best. Anyways, this goes out to him.
Poor investments
I don't know about you, but I am really uncomfortable with the government's proposed 700 billion dollar bailout plan. From what I understand, this proposal gives the treasury the authority to spend up to 700 billion to purchase illiquid assets from failing financial institutions, giving these companies a life raft when say, their debt gets downgraded or they can't cover their obligations. The point is to save these financial institutions so that their failures don't take down the entire economy. AIG insured all sorts of corporate debt out there, having them fail could potentially create some real chaos in the markets. Whatever. Its true that government
action is probably needed. But here is what upsets me about the plan.
1) Hank Paulson - The man deciding who gets bailed out and who doesn't is Hank Paulson, the former head of Goldman Sachs. So the former head of one of head of one of the firms that got us into this mess is going to get us out of it. I'm sure that the former leader of a giant investment bank can objectively decide who gets Uncle Sam to buy their bad investments and who doesn't. Sounds kind of shady to me.
2) It rewards companies that suck at what they do - Oh, you thought it was a good idea to buy all those mortgage backed securities? Oh well, everyone makes mistakes. Have a cookie!
3) These suck-ass Wall Street CEOs are making out like bandits -AIGs CEO Martin Sullivan ran the company into the ground, and got paid $47 million when he was kicked out. Are the taxpayers going to reward that? I think if a Wall Street firm sells us their bad debt, they should agree not to give their managers ridiculous severance packages when they eventually get fired. Its the least they can do for us taxpayers to buy their terrible assets.
4) Where is the money coming from? - For the last 7 years, George Bush has cut taxes and increased spending. Now we are going to spend a bunch of money to help the economy recover. 700 billion is a lot of money. The total budget is 2.9 trillion. The war in Iraq is like 180 billion. How are we going to get that money? Are we going to raise taxes? Are we going to make any meaningful cuts in spending? Really? None of that? Nice plan.
The Dems in Congress want a the government to not kick people out of the houses of the mortgages the governement will eventually buy, shares of the companies of the companies they help out, more regulation on who gets bailed out, and executive pay reforms. All of those sound pretty reasonable to me. After all, its my money they are giving out.
action is probably needed. But here is what upsets me about the plan.
1) Hank Paulson - The man deciding who gets bailed out and who doesn't is Hank Paulson, the former head of Goldman Sachs. So the former head of one of head of one of the firms that got us into this mess is going to get us out of it. I'm sure that the former leader of a giant investment bank can objectively decide who gets Uncle Sam to buy their bad investments and who doesn't. Sounds kind of shady to me.
2) It rewards companies that suck at what they do - Oh, you thought it was a good idea to buy all those mortgage backed securities? Oh well, everyone makes mistakes. Have a cookie!
3) These suck-ass Wall Street CEOs are making out like bandits -AIGs CEO Martin Sullivan ran the company into the ground, and got paid $47 million when he was kicked out. Are the taxpayers going to reward that? I think if a Wall Street firm sells us their bad debt, they should agree not to give their managers ridiculous severance packages when they eventually get fired. Its the least they can do for us taxpayers to buy their terrible assets.
4) Where is the money coming from? - For the last 7 years, George Bush has cut taxes and increased spending. Now we are going to spend a bunch of money to help the economy recover. 700 billion is a lot of money. The total budget is 2.9 trillion. The war in Iraq is like 180 billion. How are we going to get that money? Are we going to raise taxes? Are we going to make any meaningful cuts in spending? Really? None of that? Nice plan.
The Dems in Congress want a the government to not kick people out of the houses of the mortgages the governement will eventually buy, shares of the companies of the companies they help out, more regulation on who gets bailed out, and executive pay reforms. All of those sound pretty reasonable to me. After all, its my money they are giving out.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sarah Palin Name Generator
What would your name be if Sarah Palin was your mom? According to this website, my name would be Pie Gallon Palin. I would also be pregnant and believe dinosaurs existed 4,000 years ago. Okay, maybe not, but I would probably own a more expensive pair of glasses. What are you names?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Decline of a Manbeast
If NFL referees are known as Zebras, Ed Hochuli must be like some sort of striped Centaur or something. The dude is definitely on roids or something. But Hochuli has definitely manned up after making one of the worst calls in NFL history last Sunday. After Hochuli somehow blew his whistle after Denver's Jay "The $5 Hair-"Cutler dropped the ball on the biggest play of the San Diego-Denver game, he became the most hated man in San Diego. Hochuli has gotten hundreds of hate emails from angry Charger fans, and has personally answered each one with an apology. I have to respect that. Now if only Dick Bavetta and David Stern would apologize for Game 6 of the 2002 Kings-Lakers Western Conference Finals.Thursday, September 11, 2008
Down to Earth
As a young 3rd string linebacker at Katy High School, I was trained to hate Vince Young. As a Texas A&M student who was subjected to watching him destroying the Aggies for 3 years and propel Texas to their first national championship since before the forward pass was invented or whatever, I hated him even more. When he was drafted by the franchise I despise more than any other, my hatred hit a frenzy. But even I feel bad watching him fall apart right now. Here is a good article about what is going down with him. Vince may not be able to spell cat if you spotted him the C and the T, but a lot of successful quarterbacks were like that. I think it is just a classic case of everybody telling him he could do no wrong his entire life, and then he didn't know how to deal with it when he struggled. All I can say is thank God for Mario Williams.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Do smarter presidents make better presidents?
One of the biggest arguments for the candidacy of Barack Obama made by his supporters (including myself) is that he is an extremely smart guy. Obama's brainiac credentials are hard to dispute. He was born into a poor family, though he eventually moved in with his working class grandparents, and then made it to Columbia and Harvard Law School. At Harvard, he was the first black person to ever be made editor of the Harvard Law Review. He was a law professor for 11 years. He wrote two best selling books without the help of any ghostwriters, a feat which very few politicians can claim. So basically this Obama guy is pretty damn smart. Probably a genius. But do smart presidents neccesarily make good presidents?
Here is Wikipedias list of the best president's of all time according to historians. The most recent one was done in 2005 by the Wall Street Journal, who seem to give a little more points to Reagan than the rest of them. But here is their rankings:
1) Washington
2) Lincoln
3) FDR
All the polls have these three guys at the top in some order. Hard to argue with those guys, though I would put Lincoln at the top. The list goes on:
4)Jefferson
5) The Teddy
All the polls seem to agree that these guys are 4 and 5 in some order. Now to the controversy:
6) Reagan
7) Truman
8) Eisenhower
9) Polk
10) Andrew Jackson
Two of these guys are considered extraordinarily intelligent: Jefferson and Lincoln. Some of them are considered (by me, granted) to be extremely smart: Washington, FDR, Teddy, Eisenhower (IQ: 122). Three of them are average: Reagan, Truman, and Polk. And one is half retarded: Jackson (though he was awesome at dueling, historians claim he successfully dueled with between 25 and 133 men).
Anyways, most of our great presidents are extremely smart. John McCain, though no G.W. Bush, is not extremely smart. He graduated 894 of 899 from the Naval Academy, and is old, and old people get dumber with age. You know why Marty Schottenhiemer doesn't have a job in the NFL anymore? Because he is old. But McCain does have courage, and like Jackson, Reagan, and Truman, he might be able to make up for the fact that he is not the sharpest guy in the Senate. Who knows. My bet is on the genius though.
Here is Wikipedias list of the best president's of all time according to historians. The most recent one was done in 2005 by the Wall Street Journal, who seem to give a little more points to Reagan than the rest of them. But here is their rankings:
1) Washington
2) Lincoln
3) FDR
All the polls have these three guys at the top in some order. Hard to argue with those guys, though I would put Lincoln at the top. The list goes on:
4)Jefferson
5) The Teddy
All the polls seem to agree that these guys are 4 and 5 in some order. Now to the controversy:
6) Reagan
7) Truman
8) Eisenhower
9) Polk
10) Andrew Jackson
Two of these guys are considered extraordinarily intelligent: Jefferson and Lincoln. Some of them are considered (by me, granted) to be extremely smart: Washington, FDR, Teddy, Eisenhower (IQ: 122). Three of them are average: Reagan, Truman, and Polk. And one is half retarded: Jackson (though he was awesome at dueling, historians claim he successfully dueled with between 25 and 133 men).
Anyways, most of our great presidents are extremely smart. John McCain, though no G.W. Bush, is not extremely smart. He graduated 894 of 899 from the Naval Academy, and is old, and old people get dumber with age. You know why Marty Schottenhiemer doesn't have a job in the NFL anymore? Because he is old. But McCain does have courage, and like Jackson, Reagan, and Truman, he might be able to make up for the fact that he is not the sharpest guy in the Senate. Who knows. My bet is on the genius though.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
What if the Candidates Pandered to Economists?
An interesting article in the NY Times. Here
1. Support Free Trade
2. Oppose Farm Subsidies
3. Leave Oil Companies and Speculators Alone
4. Tax the Use of Energy
5. Raise the Retirement Age
6. Invite More Skilled Immigrants
7. Liberalize Drug Policy
8. Raise Funds for Economic Research
1. Support Free Trade
2. Oppose Farm Subsidies
3. Leave Oil Companies and Speculators Alone
4. Tax the Use of Energy
5. Raise the Retirement Age
6. Invite More Skilled Immigrants
7. Liberalize Drug Policy
8. Raise Funds for Economic Research
Ridiculous
"If you are ever going to be elected president, you have to change positions or take positions that are completely ridiculous (SM)."
Even foul-smelling libertarians like myself can agree.
"Ironically enough, the only way to deliver real change in Washington is to not deviate from the proven path to winning a presidential election (SM)."
It is this sentence that you have made a dramatic jump and where I think you are missing the point entirely. To be honest Steven, it kind of scares me. I'll put aside the assertion that the only change in Washington occurs in the Presidency of the United States - I'm sure you didn't actually mean that. I'm sure that you meant that in order for one to change Washington, one must first actually be elected and that can't happen without taking "positions that are completely ridiculous."
I disagree. Change does not necessarily come from the powerful. More importantly, it does not necessarily come from those who are elected. More often, change comes from independent and rebellious citizens who refuse to conform to the status quo - who demand something different of their society and their leaders. Your vote yields little power if it supports those that continue to do the same thing. We will only see something different out of our leaders if we demand something different with our votes, instead of our commentary - no matter how clever and unsubstantive it is.
The Republican and Democratic parties have changed over the last 50 years not just because of the leaders they elected, but often because of the those that they did not. What would the Republican party look like right now if the evangelical right hadn't asserted its power by being willing to vote for someone else? Where would the Democratic party be right now if the environmentalists and trade unions weren't willing to vote for someone else? What would our nation look like right now if more citizens refused to vote for politicians who did not display sanity, honesty, and transparency?
But instead, you choose to believe that a candidate's foolish positons are evidence of their wisdom and their ridiculousness evidence of their sanity. Unfortunately, the system will only supply you with what you are demanding. Expect more of the same.
Even foul-smelling libertarians like myself can agree.
"Ironically enough, the only way to deliver real change in Washington is to not deviate from the proven path to winning a presidential election (SM)."
It is this sentence that you have made a dramatic jump and where I think you are missing the point entirely. To be honest Steven, it kind of scares me. I'll put aside the assertion that the only change in Washington occurs in the Presidency of the United States - I'm sure you didn't actually mean that. I'm sure that you meant that in order for one to change Washington, one must first actually be elected and that can't happen without taking "positions that are completely ridiculous."
I disagree. Change does not necessarily come from the powerful. More importantly, it does not necessarily come from those who are elected. More often, change comes from independent and rebellious citizens who refuse to conform to the status quo - who demand something different of their society and their leaders. Your vote yields little power if it supports those that continue to do the same thing. We will only see something different out of our leaders if we demand something different with our votes, instead of our commentary - no matter how clever and unsubstantive it is.
The Republican and Democratic parties have changed over the last 50 years not just because of the leaders they elected, but often because of the those that they did not. What would the Republican party look like right now if the evangelical right hadn't asserted its power by being willing to vote for someone else? Where would the Democratic party be right now if the environmentalists and trade unions weren't willing to vote for someone else? What would our nation look like right now if more citizens refused to vote for politicians who did not display sanity, honesty, and transparency?
But instead, you choose to believe that a candidate's foolish positons are evidence of their wisdom and their ridiculousness evidence of their sanity. Unfortunately, the system will only supply you with what you are demanding. Expect more of the same.
Craig lives in Fairyland
It finally happened. Chalkb0ard Libertarian Craig Moore has finally divorced himself from reality. In his mind, the White House is located at the 1600 block of Gum Drop Lane. Yeah, Obama never really had a clear policy on NAFTA. He made himself sound protectionist while campaigning to backwoods hillbillies who are afraid of mexicans and laid-off factory workers in rust belt states. He changed his mind on taking public money when he realized that people with $ overwhelmingly prefer younger, smart, self-made guys over old, batsh*t crazy, non-independently weathly dudes who basically want to continue all the policies of one of the worst presidents in our nation's history. He seems to be trying not to back himself into a corner on Iraq when he gets elected. (It should be noted, however, that in every one of those instances he changed to a correct position, unlike this guy, who by the way is the real master of the flip flop)
Here is the reality, Craig: If you are ever going to be elected president, you have to change positions or take positions that are completely ridiculous. This is because presidential elections are decided in states that are full of really stupid people (Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc). These states are loaded old people, rednecks, factory workers, and Cubans who wear clothes with very bright colors. I wouldn't trust any of those people to choose the next song on my iPod, much less the leader of the free world. And Obama has the rabid support of most educated people, save for the following subgroups:
1) Xenophobes and/or Wackos (Grand Dragon John Cornyn, Brian Shipley)
2) Rich people who ignore everything and only vote with their wallets (T. Boone Pickens, Larry Moore)
3) Long haired, unkempt, foul-smelling libertarians (Ted Kacinski, Craig Moore)
Ironically enough, the only way to deliver real change in Washington is to not deviate from the proven path to winning a presidential election (pander to the extreme for the primary, move to the center for the general, raise lots of $). Obama realizes this. That is why he is going to crush Ol' Poopy Pants in November. It may not fly in Fantasy Land, but it win elections in the real world.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Pot, meet kettle
I am Karl Rove and Cheney combined. Cross me and I'll smear you and shoot you in the face!
Lets take a look back at the play by play.
1. Craig criticizes Obama for shifting positions on issues like Iraq and NAFTA based on political convenience
2. Adam fights back by labeling Craig as the new Karl Rove (Karl Rove. as you will remember, is famous for diverting attention and clouding debates as to avoid important issues)
3. Adam defends Obama's position by claiming his Iraq comment isn't a shift at all - suggesting instead that it's smart leadership
4. Adam ignores section on NAFTA which Craig mentions is bigger issue (or "fiasco")
You can blame me for using the "tactics of the old-GOP", but by not addressing the entire issue or even my main point and labeling me as "Rovian" you are using their playbook as well. Congratulations!
This isn't just Iraq. This is about NAFTA (which you didn't address at all - Hello Rove!), public financing, selling out Jeremiah Wright, and all other convenient rhetoric. I don't care about public financing or Wright - but he changed his opinion on all these issues when they were convenient for him. As Wright said, "He goes out as a politician and says what he has to say as a politician."
You can say all you want that his policy hasn't shifted. Fine - cause I never said that. His rhetoric/message/words have. You've been out of marketing classes for awhile so I'll refresh your studies. He's rebranding his message for a new audience to create room for a shift later in the election or during his presidency. He's not just trying to deceive the American voters, he's actually preparing just in case he has to. You may see this is an insignificant change, but in the words of Barack Obama, "Just words???" Apparantly it has been decided that words actually don't matter.
I read a great book one time by Harry Frankfurt called "On Bullshit". It was fantastic. He says that bullshit is more dangerous than lying because liars actually care about the truth. Bullshitter's decisions are not based on truth at all. Allow me to "refine" my position as well. It wasn't a lie; it was bullshit.
From Arianna Huffington, your classic conservative pundit. Enjoy
Welcome back Adam.
Think Inside the Box
I am thankful everyday that I did not get a M.B.A. Otherwise, I would be destined to speak MBAish for the rest of my life: synergy, value-added, paradigm shift.
The worst is the infamous, "think outside the box." My new boss can't stop saying that during executive meetings. "We need to start thinking outside the box guys! Come on!"
Idiot. What's wrong with the box anyway? The box has made us a lot of money. The box has put food on the tables of hundreds of employees for years. The box wasn't always broken, but it's broken now. Why do I have to drive my mind all the way outside the box and think there? Gas is really expensive!
If more people thought inside the box, it would save a lot of time.
Craig-Rant over.
Craig is the New Rove
How do you force Adam to post on the blog?
1. Criticize Obama.
2. Perpetuate Rovian-style political tactics.
I agree with my learned sibling that Obama's stance on Iraq is not an insignificant shift. It's a distinct shift I'll grant you, but a change so significant that it constitutes deceit? No, Karl.
While Obama could be more candid about his reasoning for shifting his position on Iraq, isn't this exactly what the majority of Americans have been craving from President Bush? President Bush has employed an overarching theme the last 7 years: a "war on terror" that is willing to limit civil liberties and a "stay the course" approach in Iraq and damn the consequences.
Senator Obama has employed an overarching theme as well: the war was a mistake, America should not be in Iraq and the troops should be out as soon as possible. The flexibility that America has been wanting from President Bush is exactly what Senator Obama is offering in this shift that according to Craig is so shameful that it rises to the level of "lying." He has, and continues, to advocate a withdrawal of troops within 16 months. However, at the mere mention that he might back off that plan, that circumstances could change, and that the advice of his commanders may demand a modification of his plan, the punditry goes ablaze and regurgitating the Rovian bile of the last two presidential elections.
I want a President that is willing to reconsider his position on an issue. I want a President that sticks to theme like President Bush has, but is willing to compromise and shift his stance within that theme like President Bush has not. (Sorry, the surge doesn't count).
I am tired of pundits, politicians and bloggers that continue to employ the tactics of old-GOP - that see a shift and immediately label them a liar, a flip-flopper and deceitful. That take the words of General Clark and spin it to an attack on McCain's military service. That take Ferraro's words and label them racist. That take Michelle's words and call them unpatriotic.
I want something different. I think America does too. No wonder Obama is slaughtering McCain in the polls. Yes Craig, change is on the horizon.
1. Criticize Obama.
2. Perpetuate Rovian-style political tactics.
I agree with my learned sibling that Obama's stance on Iraq is not an insignificant shift. It's a distinct shift I'll grant you, but a change so significant that it constitutes deceit? No, Karl.
While Obama could be more candid about his reasoning for shifting his position on Iraq, isn't this exactly what the majority of Americans have been craving from President Bush? President Bush has employed an overarching theme the last 7 years: a "war on terror" that is willing to limit civil liberties and a "stay the course" approach in Iraq and damn the consequences.
Senator Obama has employed an overarching theme as well: the war was a mistake, America should not be in Iraq and the troops should be out as soon as possible. The flexibility that America has been wanting from President Bush is exactly what Senator Obama is offering in this shift that according to Craig is so shameful that it rises to the level of "lying." He has, and continues, to advocate a withdrawal of troops within 16 months. However, at the mere mention that he might back off that plan, that circumstances could change, and that the advice of his commanders may demand a modification of his plan, the punditry goes ablaze and regurgitating the Rovian bile of the last two presidential elections.
I want a President that is willing to reconsider his position on an issue. I want a President that sticks to theme like President Bush has, but is willing to compromise and shift his stance within that theme like President Bush has not. (Sorry, the surge doesn't count).
I am tired of pundits, politicians and bloggers that continue to employ the tactics of old-GOP - that see a shift and immediately label them a liar, a flip-flopper and deceitful. That take the words of General Clark and spin it to an attack on McCain's military service. That take Ferraro's words and label them racist. That take Michelle's words and call them unpatriotic.
I want something different. I think America does too. No wonder Obama is slaughtering McCain in the polls. Yes Craig, change is on the horizon.
Change on the Horizon
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11517.html
This isn't a small shift. This was a major selling point of his campaign and something that he emphasized on the campaign trail against Hillary. This is almost as bad as his NAFTA fiasco when he said he would bring the hammer down on the deal and opt out while at the same time his economic advisor told the Canadians that this was political maneuvering and not indicative of actually policy.
Maybe some of us will vote for him regardless of these changes as they see him as the best overall candidate or that no other candidate (outside of McCain) has a realistic chance. However, I think we should demand something more of our politicians than lying to us on the campaign trail and then expect us to trust them in office. Our only leverage is our votes. Continue to support lying candidates if you so choose.
This isn't a small shift. This was a major selling point of his campaign and something that he emphasized on the campaign trail against Hillary. This is almost as bad as his NAFTA fiasco when he said he would bring the hammer down on the deal and opt out while at the same time his economic advisor told the Canadians that this was political maneuvering and not indicative of actually policy.
Maybe some of us will vote for him regardless of these changes as they see him as the best overall candidate or that no other candidate (outside of McCain) has a realistic chance. However, I think we should demand something more of our politicians than lying to us on the campaign trail and then expect us to trust them in office. Our only leverage is our votes. Continue to support lying candidates if you so choose.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Canadian Health Care Architect
Canadian Health Care We So Envy Lies In Ruins, Its Architect Admits
From Article:
Back in the 1960s, Castonguay chaired a Canadian government committee studying health reform and recommended that his home province of Quebec — then the largest and most affluent in the country — adopt government-administered health care, covering all citizens through tax levies.
...
Four decades later, as the chairman of a government committee reviewing Quebec health care this year, Castonguay concluded that the system is in "crisis."
"We thought we could resolve the system's problems by rationing services or injecting massive amounts of new money into it," says Castonguay. But now he prescribes a radical overhaul: "We are proposing to give a greater role to the private sector so that people can exercise freedom of choice."
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Big John!!!
Screw it. I'm voting for John Cornyn. He's not the best candidate and I really don't even like him, but if we re-elect him, we'll keep getting videos like this.
P.S. I also want the narrator's voice. I changed my mind. I'm voting for that guy.
P.S. I also want the narrator's voice. I changed my mind. I'm voting for that guy.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Nerd Alert!
Maybe only Steven will find this amazing (but im hoping to convert megan to the dark side as well). The nintendo wii made me excited specifically for one reason - to use the wiimote as a light saber. The new star wars force unleashed for the wii gives you that option. Steven, you better buy this game...
by the way, morgan webb > olivia
by the way, morgan webb > olivia
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Oil!
This blog has been at a grinding halt for a long time since Adam's entrance into the fray. Recently this blog has seen less activity than my relationship status on Facebook. Where is Ashley? Did she give up on the blog? If she doesn't respond to a posting about oil profits, she is most certainly dead. At least to me, anyway.
Last month lawmakers called in top oil executives in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to have them defend the industry record profits. What resulted was record political grandstanding. Lawmakers showed, that like normal Americans, they have no idea how gas prices work.
It is true that oil companies are making record profits. Last year Exxon Mobil made a staggering $36 billion on the bottom line. So its easy for people to equate high gas prices with oil companies gouging drivers. What people do not look at is profit margin. Exxon Mobil's profit margin is nothing special compared to some companies in other industries. Take a look at some of their profit margins:
Exxon Mobil: 10.04%
United Technologies (Carrier): 8.31%
General Electric: 13.01%
Urban Outfitters: 10.63%
Apple: 15.37%
Google: 25%
Now none of these companies has to answer to Congress b/c someone paid too much for an iPod or a $45 "The Pope is Dope" t-shirt. But gas is 3.20 a gallon (3.97 in California)! Nevermind that more oil is being sold than ever before, particularly to the booming Asian countries like India and China. Nevermind that oil is getting increasingly more scarce and expensive to find. Never mind that Americans refuse to buy cars that don't gobble a ridiculous amount of gas. Never mind that an oil refinery hasn't been built in America since a 175 lb Larry Moore was jamming out to Bee Gees tunes while sporting a mustache, white man fro, and leisure suit. Exxon Mobil is depriving us of our God given right to cheap gasoline!
And Congress is calling them out. The same people that levy a 18.4 cent tax a gallon tax on gas (total with state taxes averages out to be about 42 cents, and can't we put a tax on something less regressive instead, like yachts or spinning rims?). The same people that subsidize oil companies. The same people that have failed to do anything meaningful to promote cleaner burning fuels, like natural gas. What a bunch of clowns.
Last month lawmakers called in top oil executives in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to have them defend the industry record profits. What resulted was record political grandstanding. Lawmakers showed, that like normal Americans, they have no idea how gas prices work.
It is true that oil companies are making record profits. Last year Exxon Mobil made a staggering $36 billion on the bottom line. So its easy for people to equate high gas prices with oil companies gouging drivers. What people do not look at is profit margin. Exxon Mobil's profit margin is nothing special compared to some companies in other industries. Take a look at some of their profit margins:
Exxon Mobil: 10.04%
United Technologies (Carrier): 8.31%
General Electric: 13.01%
Urban Outfitters: 10.63%
Apple: 15.37%
Google: 25%
Now none of these companies has to answer to Congress b/c someone paid too much for an iPod or a $45 "The Pope is Dope" t-shirt. But gas is 3.20 a gallon (3.97 in California)! Nevermind that more oil is being sold than ever before, particularly to the booming Asian countries like India and China. Nevermind that oil is getting increasingly more scarce and expensive to find. Never mind that Americans refuse to buy cars that don't gobble a ridiculous amount of gas. Never mind that an oil refinery hasn't been built in America since a 175 lb Larry Moore was jamming out to Bee Gees tunes while sporting a mustache, white man fro, and leisure suit. Exxon Mobil is depriving us of our God given right to cheap gasoline!
And Congress is calling them out. The same people that levy a 18.4 cent tax a gallon tax on gas (total with state taxes averages out to be about 42 cents, and can't we put a tax on something less regressive instead, like yachts or spinning rims?). The same people that subsidize oil companies. The same people that have failed to do anything meaningful to promote cleaner burning fuels, like natural gas. What a bunch of clowns.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Why Am I Not Voting for Hillary
The following is why I am not voting for Hillary Clinton:
The following is why I am not voting for myself.
The following is why I am not voting for myself.
The Greatest Generation meets Technology
We recently bought my grandmother a portable DVD player. Big buttons and only 4 of them. It could not have been designed more simple. Now this wasn't to watch movies - oh Lord no, that would require menus and choices and listening to things and time. And oh my, you know how busy they are these days, with the moaning and groaning, the pill-taking, Shepherd Smith. "Oh Adam, we can't go to the mall, it's almost 2 o'clock, supper is soon." Translation: Grandma needs a drink.
I digress.
The DVD player was to view pictures. Turn it on. Open the cover. Insert CD that grandson sent you with pictures on it. Press play button. View photos.
Easy. As. Pie.
Or so we thought. The pictures pretty much wrap it up.
I digress.
The DVD player was to view pictures. Turn it on. Open the cover. Insert CD that grandson sent you with pictures on it. Press play button. View photos.
Easy. As. Pie.
Or so we thought. The pictures pretty much wrap it up.
The Farm is Sold
Papa sold the farm. Well maybe not all of it, but the house and a few acres were sold to a 20-something Weimar divorcee. Oh the glamorous lives of young, recently single Weimar divorcees. I am sure that Candace Bushnell (author of "Sex and the City") will have a new book out in no time detailing the non-stop drama of the Weimar dating scene and nightlife. I wonder if the farm will now turn into the ultimate bachelor pad - flat-screen televisions to replace the wooden one. A kegger in the backyard instead of "boat boys." Hot pockets and taquitos instead of corn bread and pecan pie.
On a more serious note, it is sad to see the house go. Aside from your hometown memories, everyone has that special place where so many of your fondest childhood memories were made. Some have a camp they go to every summer or maybe a lake house or beach house. My brothers and I had the farm. It wasn't big or fancy. It didn't have cable or even an answering machine. It will not sell for a lot of money or provide a place to retire. But for three wild, and let's face it - weird, boys - it was perfect. The stereotypical boy adventures were all there: fishing, hunting, climbing trees, an occasional horse, always work to do. Life was slower at the farm, but a bit fuller. I will miss it.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Clean block here by UCLA. In other fake news, I'm not bitter about the game or about having to watch the michigan state - pitt blowout instead until the last 3 minutes, and I'm getting a lot of homework done.
For those keeping the score at home, a&m has been eliminated two years in a row off terrible calls. Sloan getting mauled against UCLA and sloan with a phantom foul against memphis that puts them on the line to take the lead.
...again, not bitter.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Obama's positions lack transparency
This is a grossly unreported story which has been ignored by the liberal media. How much longer can we let the liberal media in this country deny valuable information to concerned citizens about a candidate's positions on important issues. While John McCain has voiced his opinions on issues important to the east, west, south and midwest, Obama only gives minimal information on what he truly believes. Of the little information that he gives, these opinions always seem to be pandering to a particular group to the detriment of the entire nation without regard to his true feelings.
Example, here. I mean, how can people not see through the fact that he is picking Pittsburgh to make it to the final four with the Pennsylvania primary coming up? Why doesn't he just post his entire bracket displaying all of his positions. Hillary, as always, has deferred to Bill when making an important decision.
McCain has posted all of his positions with all of his tournament picks here compared to Obama who has made his positions unknow, AGAIN. McCain has a conservative bracket which makes the likes of pat robertson and larry moore happy.
Damn liberal media. Demand transparency of politicians tournament brackets! Besides, it's just as relevant as the jeremiah wright and old age issues anyway.
Example, here. I mean, how can people not see through the fact that he is picking Pittsburgh to make it to the final four with the Pennsylvania primary coming up? Why doesn't he just post his entire bracket displaying all of his positions. Hillary, as always, has deferred to Bill when making an important decision.
McCain has posted all of his positions with all of his tournament picks here compared to Obama who has made his positions unknow, AGAIN. McCain has a conservative bracket which makes the likes of pat robertson and larry moore happy.
Damn liberal media. Demand transparency of politicians tournament brackets! Besides, it's just as relevant as the jeremiah wright and old age issues anyway.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Wall Street Vandals
Here is something that the news hardly ever mentions, but should get more publicity. CEOs are getting huge payouts after gettting fired for sucking at their jobs. Former Citigroup CEO Charles Prince got canned because he was awful. Last April, Prince cut his corporations compliance staff because he though playing by the rules would make Citigroup "less competitive". Nice work, Chuck. At least there wasn't a bunch of people in your company trying to hide subprime losses, because that would destroy investor confindence in your company. Oh wait there were? Man, a good compliance department might have caught that. Oh well. On his way out the door though, Prince was able to pick up a $40 million severance package as well as a car, driver, office, and spot on the payroll for the next 5 years. Not bad for a guy who oversaw the largest bank in the world lose half of its worth in a little over 6 months. Stan O'Neal was the man in charge when Merryl Lynch lost $2.24 billion in one quarter, a record for the 93 year old company and 6 times as large as what he was promising analysts. He is now forced to eek out a living on the $161 million he got as a severance package. Richard Grasso was the man in charge of the New York Stock Exchange, which was not for profit at the time. He got to hand pick the committee that determined his compensation. When it came to light that he was doing this, he was let go, with a $140 million severance package. CEOs have the most important job in American business. Thousands of workers and their families are affected by their actions. If a regular American worker doesn't perform to expectations, he or she loses his job. Normally, these people don't get any severance package, just a kick out the door. I don't mind a CEO getting paid lots of many if he or she is doing a good job, but it sickens me to see Citigroup lose half its value, lay off thousands of workers, and give this douchebag Prince $40 million to leave. Oh, and Prince will pay a much lower tax rate this year than anyone reading this blog.
And Obama and Hillary, stop talking about whose minister said what and what fairy dust you are going to sprinkle to give laid off coal miners in Pennsylvania their jobs back and start talking about how CEOs and boards of directors are ripping us off. Talk about what you are going to do to prevent Warren Buffett from paying a lower tax rate than his secretary. Tell me why a CEO who makes 1000 times more than his average employee can get millions of dollars for not being very good at his job, but the common man gets a pink slip and the chance to buy COBRA health insurance at $600 a month.
And Obama and Hillary, stop talking about whose minister said what and what fairy dust you are going to sprinkle to give laid off coal miners in Pennsylvania their jobs back and start talking about how CEOs and boards of directors are ripping us off. Talk about what you are going to do to prevent Warren Buffett from paying a lower tax rate than his secretary. Tell me why a CEO who makes 1000 times more than his average employee can get millions of dollars for not being very good at his job, but the common man gets a pink slip and the chance to buy COBRA health insurance at $600 a month.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Are you kidding me?
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5618463.html
So let me get this straight.....
White cop gets stupidly drunk + White cop drives a car + White cop runs into a car driven by a Mexican dude = Mexican dude gets arrested for negligent murder
That is embarrassing for our justice system. I know Houston law enforcement is racist, but I thought they at least tried to hide it.
So let me get this straight.....
White cop gets stupidly drunk + White cop drives a car + White cop runs into a car driven by a Mexican dude = Mexican dude gets arrested for negligent murder
That is embarrassing for our justice system. I know Houston law enforcement is racist, but I thought they at least tried to hide it.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Yao Ming is out for the season!!! Revised....
Apparently I was wrong in my previous pictures. Here is an updated one.....
Monday, March 10, 2008
Why Hillary Won't Be Getting on the $3 Bill Anytime Soon
I am astounded at how many gays and lesbians support Hillary Clinton. In California, 63% of homosexuals voted for Clinton. In New York, 59% voted for her. All this despite the fact that her husband signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 and instigated the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in 1993 despite a campaign promise that he would let gays and lesbians into the army. Homosexuals are the last group of people in America that are openly discriminated against, but Hillary will only speak for their cause when it is politically convenient, and she will only do so quietly. Meanwhile Obama recently told a group of black Christians in Beaumont that the way homosexuals are treated in America is not very Christian. Obama will question the way gays are treated in the middle of a campaign to black Christians in East Texas, and some think Hillary Clinton will do more to advance the rights of gays? Shouldn't Obama be getting like 90% of the gay vote or something? I mean, only Madonna should be more popular among gays right now. Whats the deal?
Michigan/Florida and one hilarious preacher
Considering a revote or whatever in these states would seem to favor clinton, what do obama supporters that read this blog (read - probably only steven cause I think only me and you respond anymore) think of revoting in those states?
I really do enjoy the freshness the Obama campaign has brought to the political arena (while I despise the messianism) but it seems odd to me that the "politics of hope" instead of the "politics of the washington" isn't more upset about this issue. He stated that we should "play by the rules to which we agreed." How can we simply not give voters a choice? How incredibly stupid is it for the DNC to piss off so many voters in crucial states?
Anytime in the future that I ever hear a Democrat upset that those evil Republicans are disenfranchising voters, I will simply laugh to myself remembering 2008 when the DNC didn't give a vote in the primaries to two states that represent 5,000,000 people.
Carville chimes in
"The devil is a motherfucking liar! So you know I ain't worried bitch!"
Steven, It may only be you that watched this guy. If anybody else hasn't (or god forbid, steven didn't click every link on gorillamask) you need to watch this preacher on whom I will be modeling all my sermons. Apparently this guy is broadcasting from prison. Awesome. Plus the way the camera works in this video just adds to the impression that he is on coke.
I really do enjoy the freshness the Obama campaign has brought to the political arena (while I despise the messianism) but it seems odd to me that the "politics of hope" instead of the "politics of the washington" isn't more upset about this issue. He stated that we should "play by the rules to which we agreed." How can we simply not give voters a choice? How incredibly stupid is it for the DNC to piss off so many voters in crucial states?
Anytime in the future that I ever hear a Democrat upset that those evil Republicans are disenfranchising voters, I will simply laugh to myself remembering 2008 when the DNC didn't give a vote in the primaries to two states that represent 5,000,000 people.
Carville chimes in
"The devil is a motherfucking liar! So you know I ain't worried bitch!"
Steven, It may only be you that watched this guy. If anybody else hasn't (or god forbid, steven didn't click every link on gorillamask) you need to watch this preacher on whom I will be modeling all my sermons. Apparently this guy is broadcasting from prison. Awesome. Plus the way the camera works in this video just adds to the impression that he is on coke.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Pool Pictures!
Get in shape and get to Dallas! The pool is well on its way - here are pictures after a week of construction. P.S. Obama is awesome.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
America's Top Black Presidents
In honor of Barack Obama's historic run to the White House, recently a list was a released of America's top black presidents. Like so many historical rankings, this one was full of controversy. I personally would have liked to see Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho in the top spot, but I guess the listmakers don't agree with his politics.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Yao is out for the season!!!
What a terrible situation! Words can't describe how I feel! So maybe this picture I made at work can.....
Also, this bootlegged video also pretty much sums up how I feel.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Pool!
With an influx of superdelegate cash and the huge bonus I received this year of zero dollars and zero cents, we are building a pool. Construction should begin next week. Although a tree has to come down to make room for it, we are remaining carbon neutral by recycling our beer labels and the presence of Ashley's Prius. Pictures to come.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Superdelegate cash
Link
There's gotta be more to this story than this article is claiming (found this off drudge). Do any of you know how this works? What are they receiving money for?
Any info would be appreciated. This whole thing seems a little ridiculous though.
There's gotta be more to this story than this article is claiming (found this off drudge). Do any of you know how this works? What are they receiving money for?
Any info would be appreciated. This whole thing seems a little ridiculous though.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sharks!
I think I have lived in California too long. Driving to work this morning while simultaneously drinking a Grande Latte, eating my Starbucks Parfait, and listening to Phil Collins, I realized that I was in real danger of losing my Man Card. I began to feel better about myself after sending a few horribly offensive e card to my friends through my work email network, such as this one and this guy here. Then I found an article on the internet later that struck near and dear to my heart. Someone needs to stop the persecution of sharks. Take a look.......
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Foam Soap Makes Me Mad
I recently visited a bathroom and after approaching the sink, I dispensed the soap into my hand. At my horror, the soap dispensed in a frothy foam instead a lovely orange, blue or creamy white liquid.
How lazy have we become? Personally, I enjoy a good lather. If submitted to the rigors of the scientific method, I would wager that liquid soap, due to the physics of friction, kills more germs than the slothfulness of foam.
I hereby boycott all bathrooms with foam soap.
How lazy have we become? Personally, I enjoy a good lather. If submitted to the rigors of the scientific method, I would wager that liquid soap, due to the physics of friction, kills more germs than the slothfulness of foam.
I hereby boycott all bathrooms with foam soap.
The Prodigal Son Returns
After only a single lame post about Huckabee, I have returned to the Moore Family Blog. Why? I have discovered i can post to the blog from my phone. My ultra-lame firm blocks blogs, porn, even evite! What did evite do to them?!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
"The Flintstones"... A Documentary?
Soon after making a lame comment to another Capitol staffer about the evangelical nutjobs who deny evolution and believe dinosaurs and man coexisted, I received the following email:
Subject: Dinosaurs in the bible...
Job 40:15-23
15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
thanks for playing…..oh wait you don’t believe the bible is real….well, too bad it is talking about an Animal (dino)---
a man during modern history (that of the written age) speaking of dinosaurs…sorry to burst your bubble….
whether God exists or not (to you)…dino's and man did live at the same time.
Did I mention, this guy is the Legislative Director for a senior House Member?
And we wonder why Texas has so many problems...
Subject: Dinosaurs in the bible...
Job 40:15-23
15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
thanks for playing…..oh wait you don’t believe the bible is real….well, too bad it is talking about an Animal (dino)---
a man during modern history (that of the written age) speaking of dinosaurs…sorry to burst your bubble….
whether God exists or not (to you)…dino's and man did live at the same time.
Did I mention, this guy is the Legislative Director for a senior House Member?
And we wonder why Texas has so many problems...
Monday, February 4, 2008
PJ O'Rourke's letter to our European Friends
Quite possibly the best political article I've read in a long time. Steven, you may be funny and you may repeat more jokes than Larry Moore (i know for a fact that you used that reginald veljohnson line on multiple occassions) but you're still not the "republican party animal"
Here's an excerpt:
"The difference between American parties is actually simple. Democrats are in favor of higher taxes to pay for greater spending, while Republicans are in favor of greater spending, for which the taxpayers will pay. In foreign policy, Republicans intend to pursue the war in Iraq but to do so with a minimal number of troops on the ground. This is not to be confused with the disastrous Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld policy of using a minimal number of troops on the ground to pursue the war in Iraq. Democrats intend to end the war, but they don't know when. Democrats are making the "high school sex promise": I'll pull out in time, honest!"
Enjoy
Here's an excerpt:
"The difference between American parties is actually simple. Democrats are in favor of higher taxes to pay for greater spending, while Republicans are in favor of greater spending, for which the taxpayers will pay. In foreign policy, Republicans intend to pursue the war in Iraq but to do so with a minimal number of troops on the ground. This is not to be confused with the disastrous Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld policy of using a minimal number of troops on the ground to pursue the war in Iraq. Democrats intend to end the war, but they don't know when. Democrats are making the "high school sex promise": I'll pull out in time, honest!"
Enjoy
Seeking the Professional Advice of one Steven Moore:
Seeing as how I just recently purchased a new car, I knew this day would soon be upon me. It is one of those days you hope for and yet fear all at the same time. It is a rite of passage, if you will. Many questions constantly race through your head. Am I mature enough to handle the responsibility? Will people start to look at me differently? Will I sever my leg on the sharp edges?...
Yes, that’s right--my new license plates arrived in the mail today!! So, I am therefore seeking the advice of Steven Ward Moore, Tamer Of Thy Plates. Please advise how to proceed without suffering the same fate as the unfortunate owner of these plates.
Yes, that’s right--my new license plates arrived in the mail today!! So, I am therefore seeking the advice of Steven Ward Moore, Tamer Of Thy Plates. Please advise how to proceed without suffering the same fate as the unfortunate owner of these plates.
Dad Finally Breaks the Silence!
To whom it may concern,
Many have wondered why I, Dad Moore, have not posted on the internets yet. Some have speculated that I do not know how to post on this “blog”, however, it must be noted that I was the first person in the Settlement to have the internet, and I frequently used my 2k modem to peruse the World Wide Web with my America Online 1.0. I simply deemed it not prudent to post until today.
Without further ado, here is my rundown of the remaining candidates before Super Tuesday:
Democrats - As a yellow-dog Republican, I cannot seriously consider any of these candidates. However, since the kids these days are all over these candidates like they were Hanson or something (or whomever you are listening to nowadays), I will include them. Here they are:
Barack Obama – A black president? Ha. What is next, a blonde James Bond?
Hillary Clinton – Once again, we have a specialty candidate, a female running for president. When will someone in Washington speak for me, the 56 year-old well-to-do white male?
Republicans – this group has real solutions to the real problems in the world, such as me paying a slightly lower rate on my capital gains taxes. Like all of these fine candidates, I advocate tax cuts no matter what the fiscal or economic situation, and those cuts don’t need to be tied to decreases in spending. This is why we Republicans are the party of fiscal responsibility. So here they are:
Mike Huckabee – This man is a Baptist from a small town, thus he is probably a good guy. However, I could never consider voting for him due to his anti-cookie agenda.
Ron Paul – This man gets it, we need to return to the government the founding fathers wanted. No, not the current constitutional democracy, but the one they created in the Articles of Confederation. That was going fine until they blew it up.
Mitt Romney – Some think it’s strange that the Mormon church wouldn’t let African Americans in until 1978. That’s no big deal in my book, after all the Settlement wasn’t integrated until 1991.
John McCain – One time I met John McCain, and I said “Anyone who wants to be president, please raise your hand”. And he couldn’t do it! And oh, how he tried! Boy did I have a good laugh. Turns out later he couldn’t raise his hand because his arms were broken by the North Vietnamese, but that doesn’t make it any less funny.
Anyways, you kids enjoy the posts. I may post again next year.
Many have wondered why I, Dad Moore, have not posted on the internets yet. Some have speculated that I do not know how to post on this “blog”, however, it must be noted that I was the first person in the Settlement to have the internet, and I frequently used my 2k modem to peruse the World Wide Web with my America Online 1.0. I simply deemed it not prudent to post until today.
Without further ado, here is my rundown of the remaining candidates before Super Tuesday:
Democrats - As a yellow-dog Republican, I cannot seriously consider any of these candidates. However, since the kids these days are all over these candidates like they were Hanson or something (or whomever you are listening to nowadays), I will include them. Here they are:
Barack Obama – A black president? Ha. What is next, a blonde James Bond?
Hillary Clinton – Once again, we have a specialty candidate, a female running for president. When will someone in Washington speak for me, the 56 year-old well-to-do white male?
Republicans – this group has real solutions to the real problems in the world, such as me paying a slightly lower rate on my capital gains taxes. Like all of these fine candidates, I advocate tax cuts no matter what the fiscal or economic situation, and those cuts don’t need to be tied to decreases in spending. This is why we Republicans are the party of fiscal responsibility. So here they are:
Mike Huckabee – This man is a Baptist from a small town, thus he is probably a good guy. However, I could never consider voting for him due to his anti-cookie agenda.
Ron Paul – This man gets it, we need to return to the government the founding fathers wanted. No, not the current constitutional democracy, but the one they created in the Articles of Confederation. That was going fine until they blew it up.
Mitt Romney – Some think it’s strange that the Mormon church wouldn’t let African Americans in until 1978. That’s no big deal in my book, after all the Settlement wasn’t integrated until 1991.
John McCain – One time I met John McCain, and I said “Anyone who wants to be president, please raise your hand”. And he couldn’t do it! And oh, how he tried! Boy did I have a good laugh. Turns out later he couldn’t raise his hand because his arms were broken by the North Vietnamese, but that doesn’t make it any less funny.
Anyways, you kids enjoy the posts. I may post again next year.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
One sided rivalry
Once again, Texas A&M crushed Texas at a sport, cruising to a 17 point victory over the No. 10 Longhorns in basketball last night. Sure A&M had just lost to Baylor, but we needed an easy opponent to break our slump. Maybe Texas will beat us at swimming or something this year.
Recently, A&M has lost a few games on the road. I think I have a solution to that. Start this guy at point guard for all road games. He knows how to win away from home.
Recently, A&M has lost a few games on the road. I think I have a solution to that. Start this guy at point guard for all road games. He knows how to win away from home.
Picks
Attention! There is limited time before Super Tuesday in which we will most like have nominees. There is also limited time before the super bowl. Make your picks now and post them on the comments. These are predicitions not your personal favorites
Nominees:
Nominees:
- hillary - she's gonna win the big super tuesday states which means obama is gonna have to do very, very well everywere else. hillary is also up 9 points nationally.
- mccain - and superconservatives will be pissing their pants and it will be hilarious.
President:
- Im gonna guess mccain. i would have thought six months ago it would be impossible for a republican to win but this is a weird year. check out these head to head matchups. Now I realize its early and theres a lot left but nader did set up an explaratory committee for another campaign. could be a rough year for democrats.
Super bowl.
- im gonna go giants just because im pretty sure mercury morris is going to shoot tom brady.
...who you got?
p.s. dad, mom - its okay if you post. i promise. and don't give me another 4 word post. lame.
Monday, January 28, 2008
For Those Interested in the Texas Primary Process:
The Texas House Research Organization (people that make my life so much easier) has published a report summarizing the procedures for selecting Texas delegates to the Democratic and Republican party national conventions, including the systems used to apportion delegates among the presidential candidates. It also reviews the procedures for other parties to gain ballot access for their presidential candidates.
http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/interim/int80-3.pdf.
http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/interim/int80-3.pdf.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Somewhat Lengthy (and Tardy) Reply to Craig & Steven's Comments Regarding My Mini-Rant:
In the generic words I often invoke for bullshit replies to Ellen’s constituents: “I appreciate your comments and share your concerns”. I agree with Craig that for a lot of countries (including this one) privatization has proven successful, but I also agree with Steven that it might only be successful up to a certain point. I think the US is pretty close to that point. Here are just a few recent examples I have witnessed where privatization or deregulation has failed more miserably that Hillary’s attempts to look natural in a dress:
1) Sub-prime Mortgage Crisis:
It is my understanding that back when this industry was well-regulated and there were strict credit standards for buying a home, this sort of stuff did not happen. Low-income families received government help rather than private-market scams and there were hardly any defaults. (Ash Note: The Bailey Building & Loan Company only exists in the movies—and even then, the president was suicidal.)
2) Texas College Tuition:
Tuition rates at state universities have continued to dramatically increase each semester since deregulation. The state has given unchecked power to a bunch of unelected lazy bastards a.k.a. the Board of Regents with the common sense and budgeting skills of an infant (Case Study: Tony Sanchez for Governor Campaign.) Deregulation also gave the regents the power to determine the cost of individual student course loads, employment benefits and sick leave, expenditure of revenue derived from indirect research costs, etc. based upon the economic goals/market needs of each institution—all without the level of accountability previously held by the state legislature. Basically there is no longer any incentive to hold down unnecessary costs and eliminate waste. (Ash Note: Tuition deregulation is likely to be reexamined this next legislative session. With that in mind the UT Student Government President, who has his head shoved tightly up the regents’ asses, sent a letter to our office actually praising the tuition hikes as a way to improve the quality of education. Seeing as how he sent the letter on the very last day of the fall semester, chances are he was not truly speaking on behalf of the UT student body especially when multiple petitions, surveys, and campus protests have shown an overwhelming majority against the increases in tuition. (Yes, I am aware that the typical margin of error is much higher for liberal universities where half the students are too high or too outraged about anything and everything to actually pay attention to or care about what they are signing or participating in.)
3) Texas CHIP Program:
As a result of privatizing the administration of CHIP, over 6,000 children were mistakenly dropped from receiving coverage. This was just one of many mishaps that occurred at the hands of incompetent state contractors. (Ash Note: While there is nothing fun or funny about sick children, I must admit that my fav drinking game last session during House floor debate was ‘CHIPS and Dicks’. Basically you drank every time a Member added the nonsensical “S” to the end of CHIP or every time one of the crazy Republicans said something truly horrible about poor kids or illegal immigrants.)
3) Medicaid Doctor Reimbursements:
Since Medicaid has moved to contracts with private HMO providers, more and more doctors are refusing to accept Medicaid patients because of extremely inefficient and late reimbursements. This has created a huge burden on Medicaid patients and the increasingly low number of doctors who will see them.
4) Media Outlets:
Deregulation of the media has resulted in high prices for the consumer and less diverse sources of information. Instead of receiving a wide range of contrasting perspectives from the media, we are simply getting the opinions of a handful of douche bags like Rupert Murdock and Ted Turner.
5) Black Water:
(‘Nuff said.)
To sum it all up (philosophically speaking), I believe the government works to serve the people and the greater good, private industry works to serve itself and the bottom-line. (That could just be the governmental employee in me talking.)
1) Sub-prime Mortgage Crisis:
It is my understanding that back when this industry was well-regulated and there were strict credit standards for buying a home, this sort of stuff did not happen. Low-income families received government help rather than private-market scams and there were hardly any defaults. (Ash Note: The Bailey Building & Loan Company only exists in the movies—and even then, the president was suicidal.)
2) Texas College Tuition:
Tuition rates at state universities have continued to dramatically increase each semester since deregulation. The state has given unchecked power to a bunch of unelected lazy bastards a.k.a. the Board of Regents with the common sense and budgeting skills of an infant (Case Study: Tony Sanchez for Governor Campaign.) Deregulation also gave the regents the power to determine the cost of individual student course loads, employment benefits and sick leave, expenditure of revenue derived from indirect research costs, etc. based upon the economic goals/market needs of each institution—all without the level of accountability previously held by the state legislature. Basically there is no longer any incentive to hold down unnecessary costs and eliminate waste. (Ash Note: Tuition deregulation is likely to be reexamined this next legislative session. With that in mind the UT Student Government President, who has his head shoved tightly up the regents’ asses, sent a letter to our office actually praising the tuition hikes as a way to improve the quality of education. Seeing as how he sent the letter on the very last day of the fall semester, chances are he was not truly speaking on behalf of the UT student body especially when multiple petitions, surveys, and campus protests have shown an overwhelming majority against the increases in tuition. (Yes, I am aware that the typical margin of error is much higher for liberal universities where half the students are too high or too outraged about anything and everything to actually pay attention to or care about what they are signing or participating in.)
3) Texas CHIP Program:
As a result of privatizing the administration of CHIP, over 6,000 children were mistakenly dropped from receiving coverage. This was just one of many mishaps that occurred at the hands of incompetent state contractors. (Ash Note: While there is nothing fun or funny about sick children, I must admit that my fav drinking game last session during House floor debate was ‘CHIPS and Dicks’. Basically you drank every time a Member added the nonsensical “S” to the end of CHIP or every time one of the crazy Republicans said something truly horrible about poor kids or illegal immigrants.)
3) Medicaid Doctor Reimbursements:
Since Medicaid has moved to contracts with private HMO providers, more and more doctors are refusing to accept Medicaid patients because of extremely inefficient and late reimbursements. This has created a huge burden on Medicaid patients and the increasingly low number of doctors who will see them.
4) Media Outlets:
Deregulation of the media has resulted in high prices for the consumer and less diverse sources of information. Instead of receiving a wide range of contrasting perspectives from the media, we are simply getting the opinions of a handful of douche bags like Rupert Murdock and Ted Turner.
5) Black Water:
(‘Nuff said.)
To sum it all up (philosophically speaking), I believe the government works to serve the people and the greater good, private industry works to serve itself and the bottom-line. (That could just be the governmental employee in me talking.)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Will Ferrell
I honestly never thought that the Dr. Phil link I put up could be topped. I was wrong...... http://www.glumbert.com/media/powerlunch
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Finally, something nerdier than Fantasy Football
Fantasy Politics!
Luckily for me, I drafted Barack Obama in the early rounds but that Sam Brownback pick has cost me. He had all the essentials. The guy hates gays, women, atheists, catholics, democrats, free-thinkers, college graduates, black people, immigrants, and kittens... everybody. The evangelicals love him, What happened to Kansas? hates him too, which only bodes well for a conservative in states like South Carolina. I thought he was perfect, until it hit me that he's exactly like George Bush except for the fact that W's dad was the president - thats bad. Its like picking up Adrian Peterson as a free agent only to realize that your Adrian Peterson doesn't play for the Vikings.
...okay, i'm not playing fantasy politics. After fantasy football took over my life, there's no way I would go for that. But, you can still join now.
Luckily for me, I drafted Barack Obama in the early rounds but that Sam Brownback pick has cost me. He had all the essentials. The guy hates gays, women, atheists, catholics, democrats, free-thinkers, college graduates, black people, immigrants, and kittens... everybody. The evangelicals love him, What happened to Kansas? hates him too, which only bodes well for a conservative in states like South Carolina. I thought he was perfect, until it hit me that he's exactly like George Bush except for the fact that W's dad was the president - thats bad. Its like picking up Adrian Peterson as a free agent only to realize that your Adrian Peterson doesn't play for the Vikings.
...okay, i'm not playing fantasy politics. After fantasy football took over my life, there's no way I would go for that. But, you can still join now.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tales of Horror
As all of you are at work being jealous that I am at home doing nothing and sleeping till 2 everyday, just know that today I go through unspeakable pain. Such horror should not be experienced by any person for if I try to imagine hell, I can only imagine endless hours of this afternoon.
Today, I was awoken by someone barging in my room asking where my dirty clothes were, shuffling through all of my stuff and endlessly babbling - all while speaking in a thick Polish accent. Have any of you ever been awoken by Elizabeth telling you about a stone in her urethra? Anybody??? No, you haven't and thats pretty much the worst experience that could ever be imagined... until it got worse. Oh yes, it got worse.
I was downstairs trying to ignore Elizabeth while she seamlessly transitioned from talking about my messy room, to the museum of modern art in new york and her new iphone. She sat down next to me only to show me all of the "amaazaingg feeeturus" like google maps. Then she made another classic elizabeth seamless transition. here comes the stone in her urethra again. Only this time she pulls out the picture. Thats right, the PICTURE! My reaction can probably described like this.
I literally closed my eyes and pleaded with her not to show me the picture. If my eyes would have been opened I might have known that she was digging through her purse and walking my way. I would have run out of the room and probably prevented years of psychological assistance. I opened my eyes in horror.
...Yes, while you are at work reading this today or tomorrow, or next week or whatever, know that things could always be worse. She could always start describing stones in men, which she did.
Gross.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The picks
After going 1-3 last week, I forgot that I messed up one of my rules..... It's always bet against Brian Shipley. Well now I am locked in, and am actually really going to put real money on these teams when I go to Vegas, so here are the picks vs the spread, home team in caps.
GREEN BAY (-7) vs. NY Giants
I have never liked Brett Favre, and I never could figure out the reason. Maybe it's b/c every announcer who has done a Packers game in the last 5 years spends 70% of the broadcast talking about how great he is, or maybe its the dyslexic spelling of his last name. But I realized its his first name, I have never met a person named Brett that wasn't a complete D-bag. Also, Brett has to be the whitest popular name around. Have you ever met a black dude named Brett? Didn't think so. So why am I picking them to win? Because I would never put money on this guy on the road....... http://www.gatorcountry.org/wearetheboys/images/eli_drunk.jpg
San Diego (+13.5) vs. NEW ENGLAND
New England hasn't covered the spread in like 50 years. They have been slowing down as of late. Also, the Chargers are secretly better with Darren Sproles at RB, and are getting stronger every week. Being forced to watch the Chargers every week, I noticed their season turned around when Phillip Rivers started inexplicably talking trash to every single opposing player/fan. He's not even good, but the team rallied around it. If he can pull of the victory, he will earn a spot in my favorite qbs of all time group alongside Jared Lorenzen, Jake Plummer (with mustache), Juice Williams, Shane Falco, and "Steamboat" Willie Beamin.
Anyone else got picks? Post them while you still can.
GREEN BAY (-7) vs. NY Giants
I have never liked Brett Favre, and I never could figure out the reason. Maybe it's b/c every announcer who has done a Packers game in the last 5 years spends 70% of the broadcast talking about how great he is, or maybe its the dyslexic spelling of his last name. But I realized its his first name, I have never met a person named Brett that wasn't a complete D-bag. Also, Brett has to be the whitest popular name around. Have you ever met a black dude named Brett? Didn't think so. So why am I picking them to win? Because I would never put money on this guy on the road....... http://www.gatorcountry.org/wearetheboys/images/eli_drunk.jpg
San Diego (+13.5) vs. NEW ENGLAND
New England hasn't covered the spread in like 50 years. They have been slowing down as of late. Also, the Chargers are secretly better with Darren Sproles at RB, and are getting stronger every week. Being forced to watch the Chargers every week, I noticed their season turned around when Phillip Rivers started inexplicably talking trash to every single opposing player/fan. He's not even good, but the team rallied around it. If he can pull of the victory, he will earn a spot in my favorite qbs of all time group alongside Jared Lorenzen, Jake Plummer (with mustache), Juice Williams, Shane Falco, and "Steamboat" Willie Beamin.
Anyone else got picks? Post them while you still can.
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