Today Sesame Street turns 40. This story includes some great facts and trivia about the show.
I grew up on Sesame Street and think that it is a fantastic show for young children. Here’s to 40 more excellently educational years!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
The Fall of the Wall 20 Years Later
I’ll never forget where I was when I heard that the Berlin was had gone down. I was 14-years-old and in the car with my mother. We were listening to the local top 40 radio station when the DJ came on and stated that the Berlin Wall had just gone down. Needless to say we were both shocked and delighted at the news. In celebration the DJ played “Crumbling Down” by John Cougar Mellencamp and since that day I have associated that song with this memory.
Today they are celebrating in Germany the fall of the Berlin Wall.
November 9, 1988 was a good day in the cause of freedom. May many more like it come to pass.
Today they are celebrating in Germany the fall of the Berlin Wall.
November 9, 1988 was a good day in the cause of freedom. May many more like it come to pass.
Indoctrination or a Joke?
Sesame Street is under attack from conservatives over a two-year-old skit that was a parody of the cable news network wars. In the skit, Oscar the Grouch is a reporter for the Grouchy News Network (GNN) who is booed by a female viewer who says “From now on, I'm watching Pox News. Now there's a trashy news show!”
From the story –
As far as this skit is concerned, it seems to me to be more of a stab at the cable news wars than a slam at Fox News. And come on…all of the networks in the skit are “trashy”…Oscar lives in a trash can for Pete’s sake and he is playing the part of the CNN anchor. I think that it is pretty safe to say that the producers were being equally critical of the “news” on both CNN and Fox. But then again a lot of the people who are going to see this as another reason to hate Sesame Street and PBS are probably the ones who think that Bert and Ernie are some subtle way of getting kids to turn out gay.
Here is another story on this subject. You can also see some collections of other Sesame Street parodies here and here.
From the story –
Big Hollywood, the celeb blog founded by conservative writer Andrew Breitbart, called out the old skit (re-run this week) as a jab at the mega popular news network. "The message is clear," a blogger named Stage Right noted, "I can't even sit my kids in front of 'Sesame Street' without having to worry about the Left attempting to undermine my authority."Here’s the deal, conservatives (for the most part and yes I am making a fairly big generalization here) despise PBS and everything associated with it. Thusly they see shows like Sesame Street as tools in said indoctrination. This is of course poppycock. PBS is one of the few networks that consistently produces quality programming at all levels.
Since then, the ombudsman for PBS has weighed in and agrees the parody "should have been resisted" by producers.
As far as this skit is concerned, it seems to me to be more of a stab at the cable news wars than a slam at Fox News. And come on…all of the networks in the skit are “trashy”…Oscar lives in a trash can for Pete’s sake and he is playing the part of the CNN anchor. I think that it is pretty safe to say that the producers were being equally critical of the “news” on both CNN and Fox. But then again a lot of the people who are going to see this as another reason to hate Sesame Street and PBS are probably the ones who think that Bert and Ernie are some subtle way of getting kids to turn out gay.
Here is another story on this subject. You can also see some collections of other Sesame Street parodies here and here.
Currently Listening
Today we’re doing all Foo Fighters tunes.
1. “Monkey Wrench” (from The Colour and the Shape)
2. “Enough Space” (from The Colour and the Shape)
3. “Long Road to Ruin” (from Echoes, Silence, Patients & Grace)
4. “Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up is Running)” (from Echoes, Silence, Patients & Grace)
5. “This is a Call” (from Foo Fighters)
6. “I’ll Stick Around” (from Foo Fighters)
7. “Times Like These” (from One by One)
8. “All MY Life” (from One by One)
9. “Breakout” (from There is Nothing Left to Lose)
10. “Next Year” (from There is Nothing Left to Lose)
1. “Monkey Wrench” (from The Colour and the Shape)
2. “Enough Space” (from The Colour and the Shape)
3. “Long Road to Ruin” (from Echoes, Silence, Patients & Grace)
4. “Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up is Running)” (from Echoes, Silence, Patients & Grace)
5. “This is a Call” (from Foo Fighters)
6. “I’ll Stick Around” (from Foo Fighters)
7. “Times Like These” (from One by One)
8. “All MY Life” (from One by One)
9. “Breakout” (from There is Nothing Left to Lose)
10. “Next Year” (from There is Nothing Left to Lose)
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Leprechaun: A Fairy’s Godly Origins
The following is the documented essay (i.e. research paper) that I will be turning in this week for my Folklore class. Personally I don't think that it is my best writing. For some reason I had a bit of a hard time knocking this thing out.
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Leprechaun: A Fairy’s Godly Origins
For many the word leprechaun conjures up images of cereal boxes or murderous little men (a.k.a. Warwick Davis in the Leprechaun films) but how many know of his true origins? How many realize that the shoe making little man with the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was once seen as the Irish Zeus? (Berresford Ellis, 9) This is the story of how the once mighty Lugh Lamhfada becomes the curmudgeonly little Leprechaun.
Lugh Lamhfada is the “crowning glory of the Gaelic Pantheon.” He leads the Children of Danu to victory over the Fomorii during which he defeats his grandfather Balor. Yet today his glory is but a memory found in the myths and legends of the Irish and Celtic peoples. (“The Gods of the Gaels;” Berresford Ellis, 31-3)
Originally a god, in many of the later versions of his stories Lugh is transformed from a god to a hero. In one such story Lugh arrives at the court of The Dagdha, known as “The Good God,” and requests admittance to the company of the gods. The gatekeeper asks what skills he posses that would entitle him to be in company with the great gods. For every skill, talent, and ability that Lugh names the gatekeeper says they already have a master for each. Lugh then points out that he is a master of them all and thus, he is granted entrance to the court. (“Celtic Deities”) In different version of the story, Lugh, known as Lug, is a mighty warrior who wishes to be seated in King Nuada’s council of war for the upcoming battle with the Fomors, another name for the aforementioned Fomorii. This story includes an exchange with the gatekeeper and two other feats that he must complete before being granted entrance. Upon joining the council, Lug is placed at the king’s side in the seat of knowledge and in time King Nuada awards him the crown to lead the council. After the planning session the Tuatha De Danann engage in battle with the Fomors who are lead by Lug’s grandfather Balor. Ultimately, Lug faces Balor and kills him by using his slingshot to knock Balor’s evil eye from his head. This eye destroys whoever gazes upon it; from where it lands many of the Fomors are killed by its stare. Following the battle, Lug is declared king of the Tuatha De Danann. (“Lug—The Master of Masters”)
An earlier account of this story, called “The Ever-Living Ones,” finds the chosen people of the Mother Goddess Danu, known as the Children of Danu and/or the Tuatha De Danann, departing for the island of Inisfail to fulfill their destiny. Here they meet and enter into battle with the Children of Domnu, also known as the Fomorii. The Fomorii are the descendants of the Goddess Domnu, Danu’s sister and rival. It is during this battle that Lugh defeats his grandfather Balor and acquires the Island of Destiny for the Children of Danu. (Berresford Ellis, 25-34). Evident in the more recent adaptation cited above, the story is the same but all aspects of the characters’ divinity have vanished. Gods have become heroes. It is here that we see the beginnings of Lugh’s fate unfold.
While Lugh Lamhfada is not well known, his descendant the leprechaun is. Leprechaun appears as an aged diminutive man who is often unfriendly, intoxicated, and incredibly clever. (Krull, 145; “The Leprechaun”) Leprechauns are famous for beings cobblers and shoemakers to the elves and fairies. They are owners of a secret treasure, often a pot of gold, which may be procured by humans. The trick is the humans must be able to capture and keep their eye on Leprechaun – not an easy task. (“Leprechaun”) The story “Patrick O’Donnell and the Leprechaun” finds Mr. O’Donnell coming upon a leprechaun who has gotten himself caught on a long black thorn. Mr. O’Donnell agrees to help him get unstuck under the condition that the leprechaun shows him the location of his pot of gold. Leprechaun agrees but craftily tries to trick the man into looking elsewhere. In due course, the leprechaun leads Mr. O’Donnell deep into the swamp to one of hundreds of black thorn bushes, stating that the treasure is buried beneath it. The man has nothing with which to dig up the treasure and the leprechaun refuses to help him further. He has already done what the man requested. Mr. O’Donnell ponders his situation and finally decides to tie his red scarf to the bush so that he can find his way back with his shovel. Leprechaun laughs at Mr. O’Donnell asking, “That’s your solution?” Regrettably, Mr. O’Donnell thinks his solution is sound, lets the leprechaun go free, and begins the long journey back to his house. When he returns the next day, for that is how long it took him to walk home and back, he discovers that every thorn bush in the swamp has a red scarf, identical to his own, tied to it. (Krull, 147-151) This story highlights the innovative, clever, trickster-like nature of the leprechaun.
Some of the elements that tie the leprechaun to Lugh Lamhfada are their skills in making things: the leprechaun is a cobbler; Lugh is a smith, carpenter and master of all things. Both are clever as seen in the leprechaun’s trickster-like qualities, Lugh’s battle preparations and ability to outsmart the competition. Both are quick-witted but perhaps not quick enough.
It is the introduction of Christianity that in the end decides the fate of Lugh. Formerly a god, many of Lugh’s stories and those of other pre-Christian gods and goddesses morph into fairy tales or legends in which gods become mere heroes, goddesses transform into benign spirits, and pagan priests emerge as wizards and sorcerers. (Berresford Ellis, 6-7) In fact it is in the story of “The Ever-Living Ones” that this fate is best explained:
Works Cited
Berresford Ellis, Peter. Celtic Myths and Legends. Running Press Book Publishers, 2008. Print. 6-9, 25-34.
“Celtic Deities.” The Sacred Fire. 1999. 11/07/2009. Web. <http://www.sacredfire.net/gods.html>
“The Gods of the Gaels.” The Gaelic Gods and Theirs Stories. Sacred Texts. 11/07/2009. Web. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cml/cml09.htm>
Krull, Kathleen. A Pot O’ Gold: A Treasury of Irish Stories, Poetry, Folklore, and (of Course) Blarney. Hyperion Books for Children. 2004. Print. 145, 147-151.
“The Leprechaun.” Irish Fairies. 11/07/2009. Web. <http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/leprechaun.html>
“Leprechaun.” Lindemans, Micha F. Encyclopedia Mythica. 1999. 11/07/2009. Web. <http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/leprechaun.html>
“Lug—The Master of Masters.” Argdagh, Philip. Celtic Myths and Legends. World Book, Inc., 2006. Print. 7-12.
___________________________________________________
Leprechaun: A Fairy’s Godly Origins
For many the word leprechaun conjures up images of cereal boxes or murderous little men (a.k.a. Warwick Davis in the Leprechaun films) but how many know of his true origins? How many realize that the shoe making little man with the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was once seen as the Irish Zeus? (Berresford Ellis, 9) This is the story of how the once mighty Lugh Lamhfada becomes the curmudgeonly little Leprechaun.
Lugh Lamhfada is the “crowning glory of the Gaelic Pantheon.” He leads the Children of Danu to victory over the Fomorii during which he defeats his grandfather Balor. Yet today his glory is but a memory found in the myths and legends of the Irish and Celtic peoples. (“The Gods of the Gaels;” Berresford Ellis, 31-3)
Originally a god, in many of the later versions of his stories Lugh is transformed from a god to a hero. In one such story Lugh arrives at the court of The Dagdha, known as “The Good God,” and requests admittance to the company of the gods. The gatekeeper asks what skills he posses that would entitle him to be in company with the great gods. For every skill, talent, and ability that Lugh names the gatekeeper says they already have a master for each. Lugh then points out that he is a master of them all and thus, he is granted entrance to the court. (“Celtic Deities”) In different version of the story, Lugh, known as Lug, is a mighty warrior who wishes to be seated in King Nuada’s council of war for the upcoming battle with the Fomors, another name for the aforementioned Fomorii. This story includes an exchange with the gatekeeper and two other feats that he must complete before being granted entrance. Upon joining the council, Lug is placed at the king’s side in the seat of knowledge and in time King Nuada awards him the crown to lead the council. After the planning session the Tuatha De Danann engage in battle with the Fomors who are lead by Lug’s grandfather Balor. Ultimately, Lug faces Balor and kills him by using his slingshot to knock Balor’s evil eye from his head. This eye destroys whoever gazes upon it; from where it lands many of the Fomors are killed by its stare. Following the battle, Lug is declared king of the Tuatha De Danann. (“Lug—The Master of Masters”)
An earlier account of this story, called “The Ever-Living Ones,” finds the chosen people of the Mother Goddess Danu, known as the Children of Danu and/or the Tuatha De Danann, departing for the island of Inisfail to fulfill their destiny. Here they meet and enter into battle with the Children of Domnu, also known as the Fomorii. The Fomorii are the descendants of the Goddess Domnu, Danu’s sister and rival. It is during this battle that Lugh defeats his grandfather Balor and acquires the Island of Destiny for the Children of Danu. (Berresford Ellis, 25-34). Evident in the more recent adaptation cited above, the story is the same but all aspects of the characters’ divinity have vanished. Gods have become heroes. It is here that we see the beginnings of Lugh’s fate unfold.
While Lugh Lamhfada is not well known, his descendant the leprechaun is. Leprechaun appears as an aged diminutive man who is often unfriendly, intoxicated, and incredibly clever. (Krull, 145; “The Leprechaun”) Leprechauns are famous for beings cobblers and shoemakers to the elves and fairies. They are owners of a secret treasure, often a pot of gold, which may be procured by humans. The trick is the humans must be able to capture and keep their eye on Leprechaun – not an easy task. (“Leprechaun”) The story “Patrick O’Donnell and the Leprechaun” finds Mr. O’Donnell coming upon a leprechaun who has gotten himself caught on a long black thorn. Mr. O’Donnell agrees to help him get unstuck under the condition that the leprechaun shows him the location of his pot of gold. Leprechaun agrees but craftily tries to trick the man into looking elsewhere. In due course, the leprechaun leads Mr. O’Donnell deep into the swamp to one of hundreds of black thorn bushes, stating that the treasure is buried beneath it. The man has nothing with which to dig up the treasure and the leprechaun refuses to help him further. He has already done what the man requested. Mr. O’Donnell ponders his situation and finally decides to tie his red scarf to the bush so that he can find his way back with his shovel. Leprechaun laughs at Mr. O’Donnell asking, “That’s your solution?” Regrettably, Mr. O’Donnell thinks his solution is sound, lets the leprechaun go free, and begins the long journey back to his house. When he returns the next day, for that is how long it took him to walk home and back, he discovers that every thorn bush in the swamp has a red scarf, identical to his own, tied to it. (Krull, 147-151) This story highlights the innovative, clever, trickster-like nature of the leprechaun.
Some of the elements that tie the leprechaun to Lugh Lamhfada are their skills in making things: the leprechaun is a cobbler; Lugh is a smith, carpenter and master of all things. Both are clever as seen in the leprechaun’s trickster-like qualities, Lugh’s battle preparations and ability to outsmart the competition. Both are quick-witted but perhaps not quick enough.
It is the introduction of Christianity that in the end decides the fate of Lugh. Formerly a god, many of Lugh’s stories and those of other pre-Christian gods and goddesses morph into fairy tales or legends in which gods become mere heroes, goddesses transform into benign spirits, and pagan priests emerge as wizards and sorcerers. (Berresford Ellis, 6-7) In fact it is in the story of “The Ever-Living Ones” that this fate is best explained:
Despite the transition, the heritage of this god lives on in the hearts and minds of the people, in the stories and tales as the image of Ireland, the rainbow and its treasure. Yet, buried in the myths and tales of the Irish, the truth about the mighty Lugh Lamhfada shines once more, brighter than any gold, that is, if you are quick enough to catch a glimpse of him.“Indeed, there came a time when the Children of Mil flooded into the Island of Destiny and when the Children of Danu were driven underground into the hills, which were called sidhe, which is pronounced shee, and in those mounds they dwelt, the once mighty gods and goddesses, deserted by the very people who they had sought to nourish. The descendants of Mil, who line in the Island of Destiny to this day, called the Children of Danu the aes sidhe, the people of the hills, and even when the religion of Mil was forgotten, when the religion of the Cross replaced that of the Circle, the people, simply called the aes sidhe by the name of fairies.
Of the greatest of the gods, the victor of the battle on the Plain of Towers, Lugh Lamhfada, god of all knowlesge, patron of all arts and crafts, his name is still known today. But as a memory of the mighty warrior, the invincible god, has faded, he is known only as Lugh-chromain, little stooping Lugh of the sidhe, relegated to the role of the fairy craftsman. And, as even the language in which he was venerated has disappeared, all that is left of the supreme god of the Children of Danu is the distorted form of that name Lugh chromain . . .leprechaun.” (Berresford Ellis, 34)
Works Cited
Berresford Ellis, Peter. Celtic Myths and Legends. Running Press Book Publishers, 2008. Print. 6-9, 25-34.
“Celtic Deities.” The Sacred Fire. 1999. 11/07/2009. Web. <http://www.sacredfire.net/gods.html>
“The Gods of the Gaels.” The Gaelic Gods and Theirs Stories. Sacred Texts. 11/07/2009. Web. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cml/cml09.htm>
Krull, Kathleen. A Pot O’ Gold: A Treasury of Irish Stories, Poetry, Folklore, and (of Course) Blarney. Hyperion Books for Children. 2004. Print. 145, 147-151.
“The Leprechaun.” Irish Fairies. 11/07/2009. Web. <http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/leprechaun.html>
“Leprechaun.” Lindemans, Micha F. Encyclopedia Mythica. 1999. 11/07/2009. Web. <http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/leprechaun.html>
“Lug—The Master of Masters.” Argdagh, Philip. Celtic Myths and Legends. World Book, Inc., 2006. Print. 7-12.
Currently Listening
Today we’re doing all Dropkick Murphys tunes.
1. “This is Your Life” (from Blackout)
2. “Front Seat” from (Boys on the Docks)
3. “Fightstarter Karaoke” (from Do or Die)
4. “The Gang’s All Here” (from The Gang’s All Here)
5. “Tomorrow’s Industry” (from The Meanest of Times)
6. “Knock Me Down” (from Mod Mentality)
7. “A Few Good Men” (from Sing Loud, Sing Proud)
8. “John Law” (from The Singles Collection)
9. “We Got the Power” (from Singles Collection, Vol. 2)
10. “The Auld Triangle” (from The Warrior’s Code)
1. “This is Your Life” (from Blackout)
2. “Front Seat” from (Boys on the Docks)
3. “Fightstarter Karaoke” (from Do or Die)
4. “The Gang’s All Here” (from The Gang’s All Here)
5. “Tomorrow’s Industry” (from The Meanest of Times)
6. “Knock Me Down” (from Mod Mentality)
7. “A Few Good Men” (from Sing Loud, Sing Proud)
8. “John Law” (from The Singles Collection)
9. “We Got the Power” (from Singles Collection, Vol. 2)
10. “The Auld Triangle” (from The Warrior’s Code)
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Drumming for Derek
Today in at 66 Bowl in OKC will be an event to help raise money for local drummer Derek Dugger who is battling cancer.
SHOW INFO:
SHOW INFO:
- When: Saturday, November 7 (Noon - 1am)
- Where: 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39th St., in OKC
- Bands: Mack Stevens, Brian Dunning and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio, The Hellbilly Saints, The Ike Lamb Band, The Muck Savages, The Reverb Brothers, Brian Parton, Ong, The R.I.P. Tides, Billy Joe Winghead, Bloody Ol’ Mule, The Starkweather Boys & Little Rachel.
- Admission: $5 (donations will be accepted)
- All Ages
- Silent auction will be held and several items will be raffled off.
To find out more about Derek and the show check out this excellent post on OklahomaRock.com.
I met Derek once at a Poison Okies show and emailed back and forth with him quite a bit a few years ago when I interviewed him for OklahomaPunkScene.com. Derek is a super nice guy and I wish him and his family the best of luck.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Currently Listening
Today we’re doing all Alkaline Trio tunes.
1. “Fine Without You” (from BYO Split Series, Vol. 5)
2. “Wait for the Blackout” (from BYO Split Series, Vol. 5)
3. “Rooftops” (from Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music [Split CD])
4. “Bleeder” (from Alkaline Trio)
5. “For Your Lungs Only” (from Alkaline Trio)
6. “Armageddon” (from From Here to Infirmary)
7. “Trucks and Trains” (from From Here to Infirmary)
8. “This Could Be Love” (from Good Mourning)
9. “Fatally Yours” (from Good Mourning)
10. “Keep ‘Em Coming” (from Maybe I’ll Catch Fire)
11. “Radio” (from Maybe I’ll Catch Fire)
1. “Fine Without You” (from BYO Split Series, Vol. 5)
2. “Wait for the Blackout” (from BYO Split Series, Vol. 5)
3. “Rooftops” (from Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music [Split CD])
4. “Bleeder” (from Alkaline Trio)
5. “For Your Lungs Only” (from Alkaline Trio)
6. “Armageddon” (from From Here to Infirmary)
7. “Trucks and Trains” (from From Here to Infirmary)
8. “This Could Be Love” (from Good Mourning)
9. “Fatally Yours” (from Good Mourning)
10. “Keep ‘Em Coming” (from Maybe I’ll Catch Fire)
11. “Radio” (from Maybe I’ll Catch Fire)
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Making Progress at Work
The other day I was chosen to be part of a town hall meeting with our site director and local head of HR. Apparently I was selected because my boss and her boss thought that I would be opinioned and express myself in the meeting (my initial reaction was “man are they going to regret this”). For the beginning of the meeting I just sat there and bit my tongue, internally debating whether or not I wanted to open my mouth. Finally my mouth one and the flood-gates opened.
One issue that I brought up was the poor way that agents are treated by the support staff (managers, etc). I suggested that the support staff should have to sign a pledge to the agents (we actually had to sign one to the customers). Amazing the site director loved the idea and told me to write it up. So yesterday I did and it was emailed off to the boss. When I did talk to him about it, I suggested that the signing be a big deal and that the pledge be displayed with everyone’s signatures for the agents to see, because if no one knows about it then it is a meaningless gesture (which it still may be). He said that he loved the idea, but we’ll see if it actually comes to fruition. The site director seems like a nice guy but he also reminds me a lot of a politician. I guess only time will tell if something comes of me opening my big fat mouth.
One issue that I brought up was the poor way that agents are treated by the support staff (managers, etc). I suggested that the support staff should have to sign a pledge to the agents (we actually had to sign one to the customers). Amazing the site director loved the idea and told me to write it up. So yesterday I did and it was emailed off to the boss. When I did talk to him about it, I suggested that the signing be a big deal and that the pledge be displayed with everyone’s signatures for the agents to see, because if no one knows about it then it is a meaningless gesture (which it still may be). He said that he loved the idea, but we’ll see if it actually comes to fruition. The site director seems like a nice guy but he also reminds me a lot of a politician. I guess only time will tell if something comes of me opening my big fat mouth.
Milo Interviewed on a Sports Talk Station
PunkNews.org is reporting that the Descendents’ Milo Aukerman was recently interviewed by Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub. The coolest part of the interview (which you can download and listen to in the original article) is that Milo apparently hints at the end that the Descendents may tour again (I say apparently because I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet).
Lex and Terry on Religion
I am not a fan of morning drive talk shows. For the most part they come off as a bunch of buffoons laughing at anything and everything. Well on my way to school this morning I was flipping through the radio dial and stopped on the Lex and Terry Show on 94.7 the Buzz. Yesterday I had heard a pretty funny segment where they had people in the studio and they were playing name that tune. Well today when I flipped on the show they were discussing religion. To my amazement, both Lex and Terry had very similar views on religion to my own. Both professed that what truly mattered was how one treats people and lives his/her life versus what religion he/she follows. It was a breath of fresh air.
For Once I Agree with Randy
My State Representative Randy Terrill has ripped DHS (that’s Department of Human Services and not Homeland Security) a new one for nearly $200,000 in pay raises given in the past years before the agency cut benefits to seniors.
From the story –
From the story –
Terrill said records show, “These raises were given at a time when the economic situation was bad and getting worse and a budget shortfall was clearly imminent. In light of the raises, I find it hard to believe DHS could not find any way to save money other than cutting nutritional programs for the elderly.”I don’t like Terrill’s policies and I don’t foresee voting for him in the future (not that he needs my vote mind you) but I’ve got to give credit where credit is due. Terrill is spot on with this and it is another shining example of how inefficient large bureaucracies are.
[...]
“This unconscionable series of events calls into question the judgment of DHS’ senior management,” Terrill said. “With state workers facing furloughs or layoffs, the Legislature should scrub every agency budget to determine whether the DHS abuses are an isolated case or just the tip of the iceberg. Somehow, I suspect the latter.”
Quote of the Day
The ties between economic freedom and social freedom are intricate and complex. Economic freedom encourages social freedom and when you try to destroy social freedom the only way you may do so is to destroy economic freedom.-- CLS from the post How conservatives undermine economic freedom
Huckabee on Talk of the Nation
Former AR Governor and GOP Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was on Talk of the Nation yesterday discussing the Obama victory one year later. During the discussion, Huckabee was asked about things that he thought needed to be done in politics. He rattled off a list that included term limits, government transparency (like posting proposed legislation on the internet for five days before it is voted on), and making it a requirement for anyone currently in office who is running for another office (i.e. someone in the House running for Senate or Governor or President) to resign from his/her current position (the reason being that they should get a paycheck from the tax payers while they are out running for a different office instead of doing the job that they were elected to do). When he was done I said to my wife “I pretty much agree with everything he just said.” While I may disagree with Huckabee on a host of social issues, on issues dealing with the economy and governmental power he is right on.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Quote of the Day
It really does make you wonder. Are people really that stupid nowadays? Have they actually lost the capacity to ratiocinate? Are they deaf?-- Man of the West from the post Losing the Art of Listening
Or is it that people have become so accustomed to substituting snark for substantive commentary that they no longer bother to listen to the argument actually being made, but instead listen only for something that they can seize on long enough to distort, lampoon, misrepresent, blow out of proportion, or otherwise abuse in a none-too-thinly-veiled attempt merely to make their opposition look ridiculous rather than engage and critique his ideas?
Pitifully, I'm afraid that too often that is it; people hardly ever engage in argument or discussion anymore. They are not interested in understanding what their opposition thinks, or in clearly articulating what they think themselves. They neither defend nor critique, not in a proper sense. They just mock and ridicule, just standing out in the street like a bunch of drunken chimps, throwing feces at the portraits of great men whose ideas they do not trouble themselves to study enough to understand.
A Crack in Africa May Become a New Ocean
According to this story, researchers believe that a 35-mile long, at places 20 feet wide, crack in the Ethiopian desert will one day become a new ocean.
From the story –
From the story –
A new study involving an international team of scientists and reported in the journal Geophysical Research Letters finds the processes creating the rift are nearly identical to what goes on at the bottom of oceans, further indication a sea is in the region's future.
The same rift activity is slowly parting the Red Sea, too.
Using newly gathered seismic data from 2005, researchers reconstructed the event to show the rift tore open along its entire 35-mile length in just days. Dabbahu, a volcano at the northern end of the rift, erupted first, then magma pushed up through the middle of the rift area and began "unzipping" the rift in both directions, the researchers explained in a statement today.
"We know that seafloor ridges are created by a similar intrusion of magma into a rift, but we never knew that a huge length of the ridge could break open at once like this," said Cindy Ebinger, professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study.
The result shows that highly active volcanic boundaries along the edges of tectonic ocean plates may suddenly break apart in large sections, instead of in bits, as the leading theory held. And such sudden large-scale events on land pose a much more serious hazard to populations living near the rift than would several smaller events, Ebinger said.
"The whole point of this study is to learn whether what is happening in Ethiopia is like what is happening at the bottom of the ocean where it's almost impossible for us to go," says Ebinger. "We knew that if we could establish that, then Ethiopia would essentially be a unique and superb ocean-ridge laboratory for us. Because of the unprecedented cross-border collaboration behind this research, we now know that the answer is yes, it is analogous."
The African and Arabian plates meet in the remote Afar desert of Northern Ethiopia and have been spreading apart in a rifting process — at a speed of less than 1 inch per year — for the past 30 million years. This rifting formed the 186-mile Afar depression and the Red Sea. The thinking is that the Red Sea will eventually pour into the new sea in a million years or so. The new ocean would connect to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, an arm of the Arabian Sea between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia in eastern Africa.
42 vs. 43
It is being billed as “The Hottest Ticket in Political History,” a debate between former Presidents’ Bill Clinton and George W. Bush at Radio City Musical Hall. And you can be there if you have somewhere between $60 and $1,250 for tickets.
When Journalists Fight
According to this story, a 68 year-old, Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of the Washington Post punched out a colleague on Friday.
From the story –
From the story –
The altercation was apparently over a "charticle" -- a peculiar journalistic invention that fuses text with graphics, and is widely disdained by many traditionalist reporters.
According to The Washingtonian's Harry Jaffe, "the incident began when Style Editor Ned Martel assigned a semi-political story to Monica Hesse and Roig-Franzia. Playing off of an inadvertent disclosure last week that many congressmen are being investigated for ethics violations, Martel asked the two Style writers to compile a list of similar disclosures in the past. They came up with a 'charticle' with a dozen examples, starting with Robert E. Lee's Civil War battle plans for Antietam showing up wrapped around cigars."
[…]
Allen apparently did not approve and let his charges know of his dissatisfaction, saying, "This is total crap. It's the second worst story I have seen in Style in 43 years." Hesse was apparently reduced to tears by the verbal barrage.
Meanwhile, Roig-Franzia had walked into the newsroom and wandered over to his colleagues. Hearing Allen berating Hesse, Roig-Franzia reportedly said, "Oh, Henry, don't be such a [expletive]."
That's when Allen "lunged" at Roig-Franzia and started throwing punches at the one-time foreign correspondent as the newsroom dissolved into chaos. Brauchli, the executive editor, rushed out of his office and separated the two men like a referee. At least one punch reportedly found its target -- Roig-Franzia's head, according to MediaBistro.
The offending "charticle" can be found here.
Currently Listening
Today we’re doing all Fugazi & Minor Threat tunes.
1. “Waiting Room” by Fugazi (from 13 Songs)
2. “Bad Mouth” by Fugazi (from 13 Songs)
3. “Full Disclosure” by Fugazi (from The Argument)
4. “Smallpox Champion” by Fugazi (from In on the Kill Taker)
5. “Public Witness Program” by Fugazi (from In on the Kill Taker)
6. “Sieve-Fisted Find” by Fugazi (from Repeater + 3 Songs)
7. “Merchandise” by Fugazi (from Repeater + 3 Songs)
8. “Repeater” by Fugazi (from Repeater + 3 Songs)
9. “Straight Edge” by Minor Threat (from Complete Discography)
10. “Think Again” by Minor Threat (from Complete Discography)
11. “Salad Days” by Minor Threat (from Complete Discography)
1. “Waiting Room” by Fugazi (from 13 Songs)
2. “Bad Mouth” by Fugazi (from 13 Songs)
3. “Full Disclosure” by Fugazi (from The Argument)
4. “Smallpox Champion” by Fugazi (from In on the Kill Taker)
5. “Public Witness Program” by Fugazi (from In on the Kill Taker)
6. “Sieve-Fisted Find” by Fugazi (from Repeater + 3 Songs)
7. “Merchandise” by Fugazi (from Repeater + 3 Songs)
8. “Repeater” by Fugazi (from Repeater + 3 Songs)
9. “Straight Edge” by Minor Threat (from Complete Discography)
10. “Think Again” by Minor Threat (from Complete Discography)
11. “Salad Days” by Minor Threat (from Complete Discography)
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