Monday, February 28, 2005
Che-fing Remarks
One of my girlfriend's pet peeves is the infatuation many people have with Ernesto Che Guevara. T-shirts idolize him, and last night Santanna was wearing one during the Oscards, as he performed a song from the movie The Motorcycle Diaries, which makes Che appear as a hero, which he was also called during the introduction for the song.
Here's a lengthy exerpt from Paul Berman's Slate article about Che:
"The cult of Ernesto Che Guevara is an episode in the moral callousness of our time. Che was a totalitarian. He achieved nothing but disaster. Many of the early leaders of the Cuban Revolution favored a democratic or democratic-socialist direction for the new Cuba. But Che was a mainstay of the hardline pro-Soviet faction, and his faction won. Che presided over the Cuban Revolution's first firing squads. He founded Cuba's "labor camp" system—the system that was eventually employed to incarcerate gays, dissidents, and AIDS victims. To get himself killed, and to get a lot of other people killed, was central to Che's imagination. In the famous essay in which he issued his ringing call for "two, three, many Vietnams," he also spoke about martyrdom and managed to compose a number of chilling phrases: "Hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and cold-blooded killing machine. This is what our soldiers must become …"— and so on. He was killed in Bolivia in 1967, leading a guerrilla movement that had failed to enlist a single Bolivian peasant. And yet he succeeded in inspiring tens of thousands of middle class Latin-Americans to exit the universities and organize guerrilla insurgencies of their own. And these insurgencies likewise accomplished nothing, except to bring about the death of hundreds of thousands, and to set back the cause of Latin-American democracy—a tragedy on the hugest scale.
The present-day cult of Che—the T-shirts, the bars, the posters—has succeeded in obscuring this dreadful reality. And Walter Salles' movie The Motorcycle Diaries will now take its place at the heart of this cult. It has already received a standing ovation at Robert Redford's Sundance film festival (Redford is the executive producer of The Motorcycle Diaries) and glowing admiration in the press. Che was an enemy of freedom, and yet he has been erected into a symbol of freedom. He helped establish an unjust social system in Cuba and has been erected into a symbol of social justice. He stood for the ancient rigidities of Latin-American thought, in a Marxist-Leninist version, and he has been celebrated as a free-thinker and a rebel. And thus it is in Salles' Motorcycle Diaries."
Here's a lengthy exerpt from Paul Berman's Slate article about Che:
"The cult of Ernesto Che Guevara is an episode in the moral callousness of our time. Che was a totalitarian. He achieved nothing but disaster. Many of the early leaders of the Cuban Revolution favored a democratic or democratic-socialist direction for the new Cuba. But Che was a mainstay of the hardline pro-Soviet faction, and his faction won. Che presided over the Cuban Revolution's first firing squads. He founded Cuba's "labor camp" system—the system that was eventually employed to incarcerate gays, dissidents, and AIDS victims. To get himself killed, and to get a lot of other people killed, was central to Che's imagination. In the famous essay in which he issued his ringing call for "two, three, many Vietnams," he also spoke about martyrdom and managed to compose a number of chilling phrases: "Hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and cold-blooded killing machine. This is what our soldiers must become …"— and so on. He was killed in Bolivia in 1967, leading a guerrilla movement that had failed to enlist a single Bolivian peasant. And yet he succeeded in inspiring tens of thousands of middle class Latin-Americans to exit the universities and organize guerrilla insurgencies of their own. And these insurgencies likewise accomplished nothing, except to bring about the death of hundreds of thousands, and to set back the cause of Latin-American democracy—a tragedy on the hugest scale.
The present-day cult of Che—the T-shirts, the bars, the posters—has succeeded in obscuring this dreadful reality. And Walter Salles' movie The Motorcycle Diaries will now take its place at the heart of this cult. It has already received a standing ovation at Robert Redford's Sundance film festival (Redford is the executive producer of The Motorcycle Diaries) and glowing admiration in the press. Che was an enemy of freedom, and yet he has been erected into a symbol of freedom. He helped establish an unjust social system in Cuba and has been erected into a symbol of social justice. He stood for the ancient rigidities of Latin-American thought, in a Marxist-Leninist version, and he has been celebrated as a free-thinker and a rebel. And thus it is in Salles' Motorcycle Diaries."
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Sunday, February 27, 2005
2008 Watch: Sen George Allen for Pres?
The Blue State Conservatives: Allen for President: "Allen is a conservative with a solid voting record in the Senate and unlike some of the other choices such as Frist and Rice, Allen has exective experience. Prior to his election to the Senate he was Virginia's governor. If you don't think that is important look at recent history. Four of the past five Presidents have been governors (three from Southern states). Allen also has national security experience from serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee."
Good case, but I'll stick with Gingrich as my guy. He continues on to discount support from McCain or Guiliani, and I agree that they are too moderate for my support. The primaries bring out the ideologues, and I'm one of them. We need a conservative in the White House, but I can handle a monderate presiding over the Senate, especially when the GOP has 55 seats. Hugh Hewitt is also talking about George Allen, so maybe I should have included him in my pool. Either way, a lot could happen in 3 years.
Good case, but I'll stick with Gingrich as my guy. He continues on to discount support from McCain or Guiliani, and I agree that they are too moderate for my support. The primaries bring out the ideologues, and I'm one of them. We need a conservative in the White House, but I can handle a monderate presiding over the Senate, especially when the GOP has 55 seats. Hugh Hewitt is also talking about George Allen, so maybe I should have included him in my pool. Either way, a lot could happen in 3 years.
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Santorum & Biden on MTP
Sens. Rick Santorum (my home Senator) & Joe Biden (the Senator where I go to school) were just on Meet the Press. They jauntily went through many topics, from Social Security to the judiciary to 2008.
Biden says that he would oppose Antonin Scalia for Cheif Justice because "he interprets the Constitution in a way fundimentally different [from me]." This is outrageous. He admitted Scalia was qualified for the job, and that's the only requirement! Santorum should have pounced on him for that! It is that kind of obstructionist mentality that holds up judicial nominees, and makes the minority Senators believe that they can choose appointess by opposing ones they disagree with!
On 2008, Santorum said he is running for reelection in Pennsylvania in 2006, but qualified with a never say never. Biden said he wanted to run, "because the stakes are so high," but isn't sure he can beat Hillary, who is 'electable.'
Other MTP notes:
Biden says that he would oppose Antonin Scalia for Cheif Justice because "he interprets the Constitution in a way fundimentally different [from me]." This is outrageous. He admitted Scalia was qualified for the job, and that's the only requirement! Santorum should have pounced on him for that! It is that kind of obstructionist mentality that holds up judicial nominees, and makes the minority Senators believe that they can choose appointess by opposing ones they disagree with!
On 2008, Santorum said he is running for reelection in Pennsylvania in 2006, but qualified with a never say never. Biden said he wanted to run, "because the stakes are so high," but isn't sure he can beat Hillary, who is 'electable.'
Other MTP notes:
- Maureen Dowd still calls Bush a liar about Iraq
- Tom Friedman likens Operation: Iraqi Freedom to a change not seen in the Middle East "since Napoleon invaded Egypt."
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Iran, Syria & North Korea: Axis of Evil 2?
Youngpundit 'Confronts the Axis of Evil.'
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Saturday, February 26, 2005
Clinton Puts Foot In Mouth (Yet Again)
FOXNews.com: Speaking at an international forum in Japan, Clinton said Bush's second-term appointment of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state marked a new beginning for the administration.
"I think by sending Condoleezza Rice to the State Department, (the president) was saying diplomacy will be more important in his second term," Clinton said. "The drain on our military has made this administration more interested in diplomacy."
So says the president to engage our forces in conflict more than any other in history! Maybe if he hadn't reduced the military to try and socialize our healthcare, they would not be "drained."
I still think we should put him here to get rid of him.
"I think by sending Condoleezza Rice to the State Department, (the president) was saying diplomacy will be more important in his second term," Clinton said. "The drain on our military has made this administration more interested in diplomacy."
So says the president to engage our forces in conflict more than any other in history! Maybe if he hadn't reduced the military to try and socialize our healthcare, they would not be "drained."
I still think we should put him here to get rid of him.
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Japan Returns to Space
TANEGASHIMA, Japan — Fifteen months after Japan's last liftoff ended in a spectacular fireball, an orange and white H-2A rocket blasted off Saturday on a mission officials hope will revive this country's once proud space program — now languishing in China's shadow.
The 174-foot-tall rocket, with the word "Nippon," or Japan, emblazoned on its side, lifted off into a cloudy sky just before sunset from the sprawling space center on this remote southern island. The rocket carried a multipurpose weather and navigation satellite.
About 40 minutes later, mission control announced the rocket had successfully delivered its payload into orbit.
I wonder if Japan will allow commercial spaceflight soon...especially becuase of thier tech-heavy economy...
The 174-foot-tall rocket, with the word "Nippon," or Japan, emblazoned on its side, lifted off into a cloudy sky just before sunset from the sprawling space center on this remote southern island. The rocket carried a multipurpose weather and navigation satellite.
About 40 minutes later, mission control announced the rocket had successfully delivered its payload into orbit.
I wonder if Japan will allow commercial spaceflight soon...especially becuase of thier tech-heavy economy...
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Democracy in Egypt
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered the constitution changed to allow multi-candidate presidential elections in September, making a surprise reversal Saturday that could mean he will face a challenger for the first time since taking power in 1981.
This seems good, and will be as long as the new President continues the "Cold" peace between Egypt & Israel. I don't think that we would have ever forced democracy on Egypt, but part of me wonders if this comes as a response to the Second Inaugural Address and the Iraqi elections. I'm happy for the Egyptians, and just hope that someone the US likes.
This seems good, and will be as long as the new President continues the "Cold" peace between Egypt & Israel. I don't think that we would have ever forced democracy on Egypt, but part of me wonders if this comes as a response to the Second Inaugural Address and the Iraqi elections. I'm happy for the Egyptians, and just hope that someone the US likes.
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Friday, February 25, 2005
An Old New Book
I got Neal Stephenson's System of the World out of my university library, and discovered the version puictured below. Not sure if the University rebinded it, but it looks almost like it was printed in the time peroid it takes place (I say almost, as that it probably early 1900's binding style).
System of the World
System of the World
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Bloggers Are Mortals Too
Radley Balko, writing at FOXNews.com, attempts to demystify blogging. An interesting read, I agree with his main point:
There's no reason to think that these new voices will be inherently more or less flawed than the mainstream media voices we've been hearing for generations. There will be good and bad bloggers just as there are good and bad reporters, magazines, newspapers and opinion journals.
There's no reason to think that these new voices will be inherently more or less flawed than the mainstream media voices we've been hearing for generations. There will be good and bad bloggers just as there are good and bad reporters, magazines, newspapers and opinion journals.
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Lesson One: Bacon Tastes Goooooood
Redstate has some great points on why even so-called fiscal conservatives in Congress don't deserve the title:
There are three essential lessons here:
First, no one wants to cut spending. Not really, and not ouside internet constituencies.
Second, there is no real political price to pay for shoveling pork.
Third, Come, budget hawk Republicans! Rally to the President's side! We'll be over here listening to crickets chirp.
There are three essential lessons here:
First, no one wants to cut spending. Not really, and not ouside internet constituencies.
Second, there is no real political price to pay for shoveling pork.
Third, Come, budget hawk Republicans! Rally to the President's side! We'll be over here listening to crickets chirp.
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Now This Is Just Ridiculous
(The Political Teen) File this under the most ridiculous item of the day: A New Jersey animal rights activist group, New Jersery Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is targeting Kraft Foods, becuasue of their new Trolli Road Kill Gummi Candy, which has gummi candy in the shape of squished animals. Now I find gummi to be tasteful and delicious, but NJSPCA is saying that this candy "sends the wrong message to children, teaching them that's it's OK to harm animals." I beg to differ, becuase I have never met a kid who ate a real worm becuase he had just had a gummi one. I think we have these at the school convenience store, and I may go buy a pack after lunch today, just for spite.
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Thursday, February 24, 2005
The Brickhouse & Snow
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Book Review: Men In Black
Men In Black: How the Supreme Court is Destroying America by Mark R. Levinis a great read. It details the usurping of power by the judiciary, once envisioned by the Consititution Fathers as the weakest branch, going back to Marbury v. Madison. In fact, the Supreme Court's "power" of jusicial review is itself Constitutional! It debunks absurd descisions like Roe v. Wade, and uses history (like Dredd Scott) to point out how the Courts have failed America over the last 200 years. Levin writes in a great style, and is able to explain high legal concepts to those of us who have not passed the bar, but have a working knowledge of government. The only flaw in the book is that Levin does not provide enough of a solution to this problem. One chapter is dedicated to "Resotring the Constitution," and this mostly involves Senate Republicans altering the filibuster rules. Either way, this book can empower the American public to call for change to our Courts, and could spell the end of "bench litigation." I highly recommend this book, and if I had an extra $500, I'd buy copies for 25 of my conservative friends and liberal professors.
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Pennsylvania 2006
An interesting assesment of the race that Rick Santorum faces in 2006.
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Tuesday, February 22, 2005
The Post-Rehnquist Court
Defending the Undefendable
Monday, February 21, 2005
CPAC 2005: Reflections
It was quite a busy weekend, and for the sake of homework and rest, I am going to just run through the highlights.
Sen. Rick Santorum spoke on family, saying that "if Mom and Dad are not there [to raise their kids], someone needs to, and it shouldn't be the government." Santorum says the President's Marriage Initiative creates a "pro-marriage, pro-family govenment." When asked if he regretted supporting Arlen Spector in the 2004 election (and primary), Santorum said that "the plan" was to pick up as many seats as possible, and minimize the "blue state problem."
Bob Novak and Sam Donaldson had their annual "debate" about the liberal media, which was very hilarious. Novak said that every story has become an editorial, while Donaldson pointed out the abusurdity that the election was spent "refighting the Vietnam War."
Karl Rove said that the 2004 election was important "not just that he [Bush] won, but how he won." That Bush "stood on principle" and"put it all on the table," running on the future and not what he did in his first term.
Mark Levin, author of Men In Black, warned of the current "government by the judiciary," saying that "liberals hold onto power through the unrestricted judiciary." He also called on Sen. Maj. Leader Bill Frist (not in attendance) to change the rule on the two thirds super-majority needed to end a filibuster, saying that it was unconstitutional, becuase it was not explicitly mentioned as a super-majority, as others (e.g. veto override) were.
Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association rallied the crowd with an excellent speech on stopping the UN from trying to eliminate all citizen firearms. He also praised Iraqi voters, saying they lived Patrick Henry's words of "give me liberty or give me death!"
Dr. Nile Gardiner, of The Heritage foundation talked about the problems with the UN in detail. He propsed an organization like NATO made up of excluisively democracies. He also criticized Kofi Annan extensively, saying that the lack of leadership fosters a lack of respect, also calling Oil-for-Food the "biggest financial scandal of our time." Tom Kilgannon, also on the UN panel, derided the UN for the Congo sex scandal saying the Congo nees to look more like a military base, and "less like Neverland Ranch." He also pushed against the Law of the Sea Treaty, which I will essay about later this week.
Pat Buchanan brought his neoisolationist brand of politics to center stage, denouncing the neocons and Bush's immigration plan, "amnesty-lite," and calling for fiscal responsibility.
EDIT: Here's the rest, now that I am caught up on homework...
Ann Coulter & special guest Matt Drudge took questions after Coulter gave her usual fire bombing rhetoric, something that riled up the crowd (including me). She poked fun at Dean, Madame Hillary Stalin, and urged a "New McCarthyism" to purge liberals from college campuses, calling for "Define, Attack, Destroy," as the plan for conservative students.
Ken Mehlman defined Bush's mandate with all the usual facts and figures, and alluded to blogs, saying that the "news media is now a free market system." He stated that campaign promises would be kept, attacked the DNC, saying that "anger is not a platform, obstruction is not a solution."
One surprisingly interesting panel was entitled "In Defense of Innovation: The War Against the Drug Companies." Dr. Merrill Mathews accused the Left of "character assasination," and portraying the health care industry as "evil." It started with the HMOs, and now the target is perscription drugs, as the Left pushes for socialization, said Dr. Mathews. Deroy Murdock attacked the idea of Canadian drugs, saying that becuase of Canada's populaton, the supply is one-tenth that of the United States, and the US would have to steal all of Canada's drugs to get them, thus leaving Canadians with bad healthcare. Pennsylvania Representative Tim Murphy (18th), claimed it was not drugs themselves, but the way they are perscribed, and that misguided care, fueled by doctors not having enough information quick enough and a patient-determined relationship was a cause of the "health care crisis."
The last speaker I wish to recap is probably my favorite conservative personality, from the time I was 7 (1992), I have admired him. Newt Gingrich. His speech detailed ideas from Winning the Future, which is amazing in it's own right, and should become the Republican party platform in 2006-08. Mr. Speaker's strategy is to find an issue that falls under the GOP that 80%+ of Americans agree with, "stand next to it and smile." With this in mind, he pointed out the absurdity of the Supreme Court (as well as the 9th Circuit Court) trying to eliminate God from America. "The Court would probably interpret a refrerece to God on the Jefferson Memorial as large purple banana, becuase it is obviously not talking about God," said Gingrich. He also called for the rallying of campus conservatives.
Sen. Rick Santorum spoke on family, saying that "if Mom and Dad are not there [to raise their kids], someone needs to, and it shouldn't be the government." Santorum says the President's Marriage Initiative creates a "pro-marriage, pro-family govenment." When asked if he regretted supporting Arlen Spector in the 2004 election (and primary), Santorum said that "the plan" was to pick up as many seats as possible, and minimize the "blue state problem."
Bob Novak and Sam Donaldson had their annual "debate" about the liberal media, which was very hilarious. Novak said that every story has become an editorial, while Donaldson pointed out the abusurdity that the election was spent "refighting the Vietnam War."
Karl Rove said that the 2004 election was important "not just that he [Bush] won, but how he won." That Bush "stood on principle" and"put it all on the table," running on the future and not what he did in his first term.
Mark Levin, author of Men In Black, warned of the current "government by the judiciary," saying that "liberals hold onto power through the unrestricted judiciary." He also called on Sen. Maj. Leader Bill Frist (not in attendance) to change the rule on the two thirds super-majority needed to end a filibuster, saying that it was unconstitutional, becuase it was not explicitly mentioned as a super-majority, as others (e.g. veto override) were.
Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association rallied the crowd with an excellent speech on stopping the UN from trying to eliminate all citizen firearms. He also praised Iraqi voters, saying they lived Patrick Henry's words of "give me liberty or give me death!"
Dr. Nile Gardiner, of The Heritage foundation talked about the problems with the UN in detail. He propsed an organization like NATO made up of excluisively democracies. He also criticized Kofi Annan extensively, saying that the lack of leadership fosters a lack of respect, also calling Oil-for-Food the "biggest financial scandal of our time." Tom Kilgannon, also on the UN panel, derided the UN for the Congo sex scandal saying the Congo nees to look more like a military base, and "less like Neverland Ranch." He also pushed against the Law of the Sea Treaty, which I will essay about later this week.
Pat Buchanan brought his neoisolationist brand of politics to center stage, denouncing the neocons and Bush's immigration plan, "amnesty-lite," and calling for fiscal responsibility.
EDIT: Here's the rest, now that I am caught up on homework...
Ann Coulter & special guest Matt Drudge took questions after Coulter gave her usual fire bombing rhetoric, something that riled up the crowd (including me). She poked fun at Dean, Madame Hillary Stalin, and urged a "New McCarthyism" to purge liberals from college campuses, calling for "Define, Attack, Destroy," as the plan for conservative students.
Ken Mehlman defined Bush's mandate with all the usual facts and figures, and alluded to blogs, saying that the "news media is now a free market system." He stated that campaign promises would be kept, attacked the DNC, saying that "anger is not a platform, obstruction is not a solution."
One surprisingly interesting panel was entitled "In Defense of Innovation: The War Against the Drug Companies." Dr. Merrill Mathews accused the Left of "character assasination," and portraying the health care industry as "evil." It started with the HMOs, and now the target is perscription drugs, as the Left pushes for socialization, said Dr. Mathews. Deroy Murdock attacked the idea of Canadian drugs, saying that becuase of Canada's populaton, the supply is one-tenth that of the United States, and the US would have to steal all of Canada's drugs to get them, thus leaving Canadians with bad healthcare. Pennsylvania Representative Tim Murphy (18th), claimed it was not drugs themselves, but the way they are perscribed, and that misguided care, fueled by doctors not having enough information quick enough and a patient-determined relationship was a cause of the "health care crisis."
The last speaker I wish to recap is probably my favorite conservative personality, from the time I was 7 (1992), I have admired him. Newt Gingrich. His speech detailed ideas from Winning the Future, which is amazing in it's own right, and should become the Republican party platform in 2006-08. Mr. Speaker's strategy is to find an issue that falls under the GOP that 80%+ of Americans agree with, "stand next to it and smile." With this in mind, he pointed out the absurdity of the Supreme Court (as well as the 9th Circuit Court) trying to eliminate God from America. "The Court would probably interpret a refrerece to God on the Jefferson Memorial as large purple banana, becuase it is obviously not talking about God," said Gingrich. He also called for the rallying of campus conservatives.
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Sunday, February 20, 2005
CPAC 2005: Book Haul
I got a ton of books at CPAC, with 5 signed by the author. In order to conserve space, I made a "Listmania!" on Amazon.com. The only ones I had before CPAC were A Matter of Character and Winning the Future, which I brought with me to get signed.
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Saturday, February 19, 2005
CPAC 2005: I'm back!
I am back from CPAC, and I have to catch up on rest and homework. Expect a large photo-essay up sometime before Monday afternoon, most likely tomorrow night.
I had a blast!
I had a blast!
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Wednesday, February 16, 2005
CPAC 2005
I'll be attending CPAC tomorrow through Saturday (but not as an official blogger, through the DE GOP), so no regular updates for the rest of week. If I can borrow or beg computer/internet access, I will have an update or two about CPAC while I'm there. If not, expect a big post either late Sunday or more likely Monday evening.
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Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Once Again, Civil Liberties At Risk on the Left Coast
(Drudge)This time, the Left's own propoganda backfired on government, causing them to want to infringe on civil liberties. Hypocracy or stupidity? Both, I think.
Because of higher sales of gas-hybrid cars, which people on the Left are a huge proponent of, (I myself could care less as to what car you drive, but agree that new energy s good energy, but with the reservation that hyrbids are not a solution) places like California and Oregon are losing their precious (yes think Gollum) tax dollars due to falling gas tax revenue. Oregon is testing the "tax by the mile" system, and California is mulling it.
"Drivers will get charged for how many miles they use the roads, and it's as simple as that," says engineer David Kim. Kim and his team at Oregon State University equipped a test car with a global positioning device to keep track of its mileage. Eventually, every car would need one. "So, if you drive 10 miles you will pay a certain fee which will be, let's say, one tenth of what someone pays if they drive 100 miles," says Kim. The new tax would be charged each time you fill up. A computer inside the gas pump would communicate with your car's odometer to calculate how much you owe. The system could also track how often you drive during rush hour and charge higher fees to discourage peak use. That's an idea that could break the bottleneck on California's freeways.
Having GPS in my car is good if I'm the only one who knows where I am (or agree to having one through OnStar or another such service. Having the government being able to track everywhere I drive is bad. Very bad. The GPS would be forced upon all, and we know how trustworthy government officials are. What's to stop someone from finding out where I buy my grocieries and selling that information to a competing store so they can ad target me? GPS in a car also means that the government can tell if I speed and issue tickets electronically (A simple calculation of location over time). This is ridiculous! Cut some programs and kiss your gass tax goodbye.
Because of higher sales of gas-hybrid cars, which people on the Left are a huge proponent of, (I myself could care less as to what car you drive, but agree that new energy s good energy, but with the reservation that hyrbids are not a solution) places like California and Oregon are losing their precious (yes think Gollum) tax dollars due to falling gas tax revenue. Oregon is testing the "tax by the mile" system, and California is mulling it.
"Drivers will get charged for how many miles they use the roads, and it's as simple as that," says engineer David Kim. Kim and his team at Oregon State University equipped a test car with a global positioning device to keep track of its mileage. Eventually, every car would need one. "So, if you drive 10 miles you will pay a certain fee which will be, let's say, one tenth of what someone pays if they drive 100 miles," says Kim. The new tax would be charged each time you fill up. A computer inside the gas pump would communicate with your car's odometer to calculate how much you owe. The system could also track how often you drive during rush hour and charge higher fees to discourage peak use. That's an idea that could break the bottleneck on California's freeways.
Having GPS in my car is good if I'm the only one who knows where I am (or agree to having one through OnStar or another such service. Having the government being able to track everywhere I drive is bad. Very bad. The GPS would be forced upon all, and we know how trustworthy government officials are. What's to stop someone from finding out where I buy my grocieries and selling that information to a competing store so they can ad target me? GPS in a car also means that the government can tell if I speed and issue tickets electronically (A simple calculation of location over time). This is ridiculous! Cut some programs and kiss your gass tax goodbye.
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Monday, February 14, 2005
Debunking 9-11 Conspiracies
Popular Mechanics has a great article debunking 9-11 Conspiracies popular with the loony left. It should be in print form in the March 2005 issue.
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English Class 2/14/05
We're in the computer lab in English class today. This class is "English 110: Critical Reading & Writing," which the University demands all of us take in our tenure here. It is as obvious as the course title, so I've been websurfing while listening.
Keith Olbermann's Bloggermann column today is a rant about "The Gates" that is quite hilarious, and I totally agree. He's not wild about "saffron."
UPDATE: Oh. Great. I got an assignment due Friday doing an analysis on an article from The New Republic. A liberal professor. Surprise!
--It's this article, telling me he's a suscriber, or at least somone at UD is. It also tells me he may be a rabid enviro-doctrinist. I can't wait to tell him I'm going to CPAC after class.
Keith Olbermann's Bloggermann column today is a rant about "The Gates" that is quite hilarious, and I totally agree. He's not wild about "saffron."
UPDATE: Oh. Great. I got an assignment due Friday doing an analysis on an article from The New Republic. A liberal professor. Surprise!
--It's this article, telling me he's a suscriber, or at least somone at UD is. It also tells me he may be a rabid enviro-doctrinist. I can't wait to tell him I'm going to CPAC after class.
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Lieberman for SOD?
ZELL MILLER II: THE KISS...According to the Washington Post (via Drudge), Sen Joe Lieberman could be on the short list to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense sometime this year or early 2006. This by no means indicates that Rumsfeld will resign, who has often reminded people that he will serve until Bush asks him not too. As Al Kamen points out, Lieberman (or his seat) would be up for reelecion in 2006, allowing the Republican governor of Connecticut appoint a Republican "incumbant" before the 2006 election.
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Saturday, February 12, 2005
Stephenson on Government
Thanks to Glenn Reynolds, I read an excellent interview with author Neal Stephenson (Cryptonomicon, The Baroque Cycle), in which he not only talks about his books, but government in general.
Reynolds also thought this was interesting, and I agree:
"Speaking as an observer who has many friends with libertarian instincts, I would point out that terrorism is a much more formidable opponent of political liberty than government. Government acts almost as a recruiting station for libertarians. Anyone who pays taxes or has to fill out government paperwork develops libertarian impulses almost as a knee-jerk reaction. But terrorism acts as a recruiting station for statists. So it looks to me as though we are headed for a triangular system in which libertarians and statists and terrorists interact with each other in a way that I’m afraid might turn out to be quite stable. "
Read the whole thing. Very interesting, as Stephenson always is.
Reynolds also thought this was interesting, and I agree:
"Speaking as an observer who has many friends with libertarian instincts, I would point out that terrorism is a much more formidable opponent of political liberty than government. Government acts almost as a recruiting station for libertarians. Anyone who pays taxes or has to fill out government paperwork develops libertarian impulses almost as a knee-jerk reaction. But terrorism acts as a recruiting station for statists. So it looks to me as though we are headed for a triangular system in which libertarians and statists and terrorists interact with each other in a way that I’m afraid might turn out to be quite stable. "
Read the whole thing. Very interesting, as Stephenson always is.
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Friday, February 11, 2005
Sex Toy Bingo
Here is something that absolutely sickens and offends me. The University is not directly holding this, but with the signatures on the bottom of the flyer they are endorsing it. There are flyers like this all over campus, encouraging people to come to this event. Now whether someone owns a "sex toy" is really none of my business, and it should remain that way. This is the same group sponsoring the "Vagina Monologues" later this year. 
Why does the ultra-feminist movement continue to subjugate men and women to their agenda of eliminating heathly relationships between men and women? How does "Sex Toy Bingo" promote a healthier image of women than a porn magazine or a Maxim cover? I do not care if they have this event, but I find it just as offensive as they would find a fraternity advertising they were going to have a contest to win some Girls Gone Wild DVD's with sample pictures on the flyer. If such a thing happened, the Women's Studies department would sue to get the fraternity removed from campus. This is an outrage. Women's equality does not mean the inequality of men. I hope this gets some attention, and if I weren't already occupied on Monday, I'd protest or something.
UPDATE: Welcome Blue State Conservatives Readers!
Why does the ultra-feminist movement continue to subjugate men and women to their agenda of eliminating heathly relationships between men and women? How does "Sex Toy Bingo" promote a healthier image of women than a porn magazine or a Maxim cover? I do not care if they have this event, but I find it just as offensive as they would find a fraternity advertising they were going to have a contest to win some Girls Gone Wild DVD's with sample pictures on the flyer. If such a thing happened, the Women's Studies department would sue to get the fraternity removed from campus. This is an outrage. Women's equality does not mean the inequality of men. I hope this gets some attention, and if I weren't already occupied on Monday, I'd protest or something.
UPDATE: Welcome Blue State Conservatives Readers!
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Liberal Academia: The Neverending Story
YoungPundit explains something I have realized about academia specifically and about free speech on the left in general. It's quite hypocritical in their actual application of it. A good read.
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I'm back...
After getting situated with classes, and a mild case of writer's block...I have returned to opine and bloviate once more.
Opine & Bloviate brought to you by Bill O'Reilly.
Opine & Bloviate brought to you by Bill O'Reilly.
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Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Happy Birthday to...Me!
I am turning the big ol' 1-9 today. Plan to spend it with girlfriend and friends, because I already celebrated with family. Serious bloggin resumes tomorrow (I promise!!)
In the meantime, this day in history (from historychanel.com):
1587: Mary Queen of Scots is beheaded
1692: Teenage girls declared to be under the spell of a witch in Salem, Mass.
1924: First execution by lethal gas
Famous people born (other than yours truely):
James Dean, Jules Verne, John Williams, John Grisham, Nick Nolte & William Tecumseh Sherman
Most Well-Known movies released (imbd.com):
Taxi Driver, Fantasia
In the meantime, this day in history (from historychanel.com):
1587: Mary Queen of Scots is beheaded
1692: Teenage girls declared to be under the spell of a witch in Salem, Mass.
1924: First execution by lethal gas
Famous people born (other than yours truely):
James Dean, Jules Verne, John Williams, John Grisham, Nick Nolte & William Tecumseh Sherman
Most Well-Known movies released (imbd.com):
Taxi Driver, Fantasia
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Monday, February 07, 2005
Super Recap
So, the Eagles lost. Intensive overnight therapy and some sleep is helping me get over that.
What I want to write about is the commercial. Yes, no "s." For me, there was one commercial that stood above all the rest. This one brought tears to my eyes (no kidding), and made me proud to be an American. It was this commercial from Anheuser-Busch. The 2.4 Million dollar thank you card. Watch it here.
What I want to write about is the commercial. Yes, no "s." For me, there was one commercial that stood above all the rest. This one brought tears to my eyes (no kidding), and made me proud to be an American. It was this commercial from Anheuser-Busch. The 2.4 Million dollar thank you card. Watch it here.
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Sunday, February 06, 2005
Super
I'm back in my dorm, and getting ready to watch the Super Bowl. Be back Monday.
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Friday, February 04, 2005
Conan's State of the Show
As he has done in the past, Conan O'Brien gave his hillarious "State of the Show" speech which mocks everything from the State of the Union-style of speech itself to Conan's own worn out gags. Included this year were propositions to give the Iraqi people the greatest gift of comedy: Iraqo Jacko, and to use every Paris Hilton joke ever concieved. Brian Williams and Conan talked for a while, as well as an appearance by Jimmy Buffett (not the musical guest). Williams joked back and forth with Conan effortlessly about his job, and Conan's show, chiding Conan that he needed Williams, "becuase what you are doing isn't real." Fun for all, and nice to see a political spoof that doesn't fall to ideology...but then again, Conan has been doing that for 10 years.
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Bush: Nuanced?
Instapundit points out ome blasts from the past back up things Bush put forth in his SOTU address:
"BUSH IS SUBTLER THAN I THOUGHT: Vik Rubenfeld notes that the "Syrian Accountability Act" that Bush invoked during the State of the Union speech was originally introduced by Barbara Boxer, back when she was taking a somewhat more hawkish line.
UPDATE: Another blast from the past: Harry Reid used to support Social Security reform: "Most of us have no problem with taking a small amount of the Social Security proceeds and putting it into the private sector."
Interestingly, so did FDR: "In a written statement to Congress in 1935, Roosevelt said that any Social Security plans should include, 'Voluntary contributory annuities, by which individual initiative can increase the annual amounts received in old age,' adding that government funding, 'ought to ultimately be supplanted by self-supporting annuity plans.'"
Now that's a real blast from the past. Is it "ultimately" yet?"
"BUSH IS SUBTLER THAN I THOUGHT: Vik Rubenfeld notes that the "Syrian Accountability Act" that Bush invoked during the State of the Union speech was originally introduced by Barbara Boxer, back when she was taking a somewhat more hawkish line.
UPDATE: Another blast from the past: Harry Reid used to support Social Security reform: "Most of us have no problem with taking a small amount of the Social Security proceeds and putting it into the private sector."
Interestingly, so did FDR: "In a written statement to Congress in 1935, Roosevelt said that any Social Security plans should include, 'Voluntary contributory annuities, by which individual initiative can increase the annual amounts received in old age,' adding that government funding, 'ought to ultimately be supplanted by self-supporting annuity plans.'"
Now that's a real blast from the past. Is it "ultimately" yet?"
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Thursday, February 03, 2005
Eliminating Straight Tickets? Bad for Dems?
Missouri State Senator John Loudon is calling for the elimination of straight-ticket balloting. Thirty-Four states gave done away with this kind of balloting, in which you have the option of hitting one button to vote for the enitre party ticket, and it seems to help Republicans, whom higher turnout (except in urban areas) is usually good for.
I didn't do this, though I did end up voting straight GOP. I think it is good, as it hurts the lazy. But whatever.
I didn't do this, though I did end up voting straight GOP. I think it is good, as it hurts the lazy. But whatever.
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Now with Ads!
Yes. Amazon.com, Mecca of all that is commerce on the Internet, is now advertising on my site. Why? Becuase I asked them to. And becuase I get 5-7% of whatever is bought through those links. Amazon.com, remember, is a "Red" Company.
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Border Security Update
Key Pols React to SOTU
State of the Union
I'm cheating on this one. Powerline has better SOTU coverage then I could (because I missed it live).
Liveblogging the SOTU
Powerline also points out that the Washington Post had a huge blunder talking about what is going on in this picture.
Liveblogging the SOTU
Powerline also points out that the Washington Post had a huge blunder talking about what is going on in this picture.
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State of the Union Reaction...later
Yes it is now 6:40 AM...I'm back from work (called in for an overnight shift...and I need the money). I saw the first hour or so of the speech, and my initial reaction was that it was good, especially about Social Security and the promise to cut 150+ government programs (which would be joyous). So whenever I get up, I shall peruse the transcript and write a full reaction.
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Wednesday, February 02, 2005
2008 Watch: Frist Ups the Ante
According to various sources around the Internet, though none of which had an actual story on it, including this Instapundit post, which I am not counting, Bill Frist, Senate Majority Leader will not run for reelection in 2006. This low-profile announcement puts him in the front running slot for the GOP nomination for 2008. He's my personal pick, so I am happy about this.
Perhaps he will look to Sentaor Brownback as a running mate to appeal to the social conservatives?
On a personal note, I notice that Free Republic is also using the "2008 Watch" header.
Perhaps he will look to Sentaor Brownback as a running mate to appeal to the social conservatives?
On a personal note, I notice that Free Republic is also using the "2008 Watch" header.