Discontented Turtle

Way to Go Bush!

2006-07-14T14:36:00.000-04:00

Don't you just love it when a photo op goes horribly wrong?

Some Things About Swings

2006-03-20T23:47:00.000-05:00

USA Today claims that swing sets are disappearing from American playgrounds---this can't really be true, can it? The swing set can't really be disappearing, can it? The swings always were (and still are) my favorite piece of playground equipment. Some of my favorite things about swings (in no particular order):

1. The feeling of flight.
2. Pushing the swing to its edge, how hi could you go.
3. Spending my recess during 6th grade pushing Becky B. on the swings. Sure it was a one-sided relationship but that didn't matter to me.
4. Swinging in the park late at night when the whole town is sleeping.
5. Swinging in the dark with your eyes closed.
6. Feeling the jerk of the swing set when you swing just a little too high.
7. The power of being in charge of your swings speed and destiny.
8. Pretending to be Superman while lying belly down on the swing.
9. Testing your limits by jumping off a moving swing (the higher the better).
10. Laughing at the other kids who are too afraid to jump from their swings.
11. Giving younger cousins and nieces and nephews their first push on a swing.
12. Sitting on the swings while being drunk with college friends, discussing the meaning of life at 3 in the morning (and being told by the cops to move along).
13. Did I mention pushing Becky B??

USATODAY.com - The great American swing set is teetering

Religion and Politics

2006-03-09T22:56:00.000-05:00

An interesting article from Washington Monthly about evangelicals becoming frustrated with the Republican Party. The whole time I was reading the article I kept wondering who is playing who? At their most ideal, both politics and religion should be about making the world a little better....but it seems like the bigger concern is winning for the sake of winning.

"When Would Jesus Bolt?" by Amy Sullivan

Ok, which one of you 18 people is it???

2006-01-16T20:06:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | Health | Cancer hope over breast gene find: "One in 18 people has an extra nipple, which can look like freckles or moles."

I really want to know who is holding back....actually odds are there are more than one of you that I know that have the extra nipple. Come on let me know. I don't have to see it, but you should at least have the courtesy to tell me that you have the triple nipple!

Here is another fun list from the BBC of things that were not known one year ago.

Constitution, I Don't Need No Stinking Constitution

2005-12-18T00:34:00.000-05:00

Why the hell is Bush still in power? Does no one care about their rights? Have we finally gotten the crappy, dishonest, power-hungry government that our apathetic nation deserves?

Turtles Rule

2005-12-03T17:10:00.000-05:00

One of the things about work that frustrates me is that everything happens so fast. There only seems to be time to react instead of think and plan. My brain is definitely prefers to be much more turtle like.

Movie Review: Walk the Line

2005-11-15T00:45:00.000-05:00

Went and saw a sneak preview of Walk the Line tonight...it was fantastic. It was much more about the relationship between Johnny Cash and June Carter than I expedted. It only focused on part of his life (1944-1968), but I guess that is when the most dramatic bits happened. The movie did a good job exploring the creative process; little flashes of something became inspirations for songs, and then the songs developing more fully. Jaoquin Pheonix and Reese Witherspoon were great and mesmerizing, and I still can't believe that it was them singing in the movie...absolutely amazing---but they had great material to work with also.

Why would Cheney resign? My Theory

2005-10-19T00:38:00.000-04:00

So its starting to look like the leaky Plamegate fiasco might end in some indictments. They are even starting to mention that Cheney could possibly be indicted or he might resign. The Republicans would probably love it if they could clear Cheney out now, face it the guy does not have a chance of being president in 2008 (too many people hate him, don't trust him, and/or think he is about to drop dead). So why not get someone new into that Vice-President position to make them look presidential---maybe someone that couldn't normally get elected, (i.e., Condoleeza Rice). They would have to replace Cheney before the 2006 elections so that the Democrats couldn't interfere with the approval process.

Yes, I'm probably headed toward the deep end of conspiracy thinking....but frankly nothing much surprises me about Bush and his right wing cronies.

25 Most Influential Music Artists of the Last 25 Years

2005-10-10T22:55:00.000-04:00

CMJ posted a pretty good list of bands for an old guy like me. I was a college radio DJ from 1986 to 1991 for KUMM. I kid you not about the radio station name, our unofficial slogan was "the only station that puts KUMM in your ear. Many of these bands on CMJ's list formed the core of my shows.

Reviewing CMJ's list I'm wondering why The Cure is missing. They were definitely one of the most influential college/alternative band of that time period. Other possible bands that should have been included are: Camper Van Beethoven, Jesus and Mary Chain, Love and Rockets, Stone Roses, B-52's, Bahaus, INXS, James, Psychadelic Furs, Liz Phair, Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, Lemonheads, or Yo La Tengo. Some of these are personal favorites, while others are just holes I see in the list. Who do you think is missing?

Five Pairs of Soiled Shorts

2005-09-15T02:27:00.000-04:00

Go Buckeyes!!!!

The Columbus Dispatch - OSU Football: "five pairs of soiled shorts from revel- ers who didn’t make it to the bathroom"

3 More Years of Bush?? Oh no!!!!!!

2005-09-10T14:05:00.000-04:00

Yes, Bush should go. But look at the line of Replacements?

Cheney? Hell No!
Dennis Hasert? Are you kidding?
Bill Frist? I don't think so.
Condoleeza Rice? No thank you.

Maybe we could go without a President for the next 3 years....could things really be any worse without one, than having the one we have?

A Can't-Do Government - New York Times

2005-09-02T11:39:00.000-04:00

A Can't-Do Government - New York Times: "Maybe administration officials believed that the local National Guard could keep order and deliver relief. But many members of the National Guard and much of its equipment - including high-water vehicles - are in Iraq. 'The National Guard needs that equipment back home to support the homeland security mission,' a Louisiana Guard officer told reporters several weeks ago."

Haves vs. Have-Nots

2005-09-02T11:31:00.000-04:00

I don't know what else there is to say, but at least the mainstream media is actually raising the important questions. Heads better roll.

Check out this National Geographic article......IT WAS WRITTEN BEFORE HURRICANE KATRINA.

Bush and the English Language

2005-08-14T01:26:00.000-04:00

Check out this hilarious short film starring Andy Dick which reveals the truth of Bush and his use of the English language. It all makes so much sense.

Wanted: Responsible Leaders

2005-07-17T12:56:00.000-04:00

Don't you find it interesting that Bush promised to restore trust and integrity to our government if he was elected. Yes, Bill Clinton was a liar---but his lies were never about things that affected any of us personally (unless you happen to be Hillary or Monica). But think of the ways that Bush's lies and irresponsibility have effected us (and will continue to affect us for years to come).

1. Rising gas prices because Bush fails to see the need for any type of energy policy other than drilling for oil in Alaska and maintaining an ongoing war in the Middle East.
2. Rising debt with irresponsible tax cuts and spending.
3. Science and medical policies being decided by religion instead of facts and common sense.
4. Failed foreign policy because Bush is unwilling to admit that the whole Iraq thing was one big mistake. I know it will never happen, but think how much good will Bush could gain for the U.S. if he stood up and just said, "I screwed up. There weren't any weapons of mass destruction there. We made a messier country even messier. I'm sorry, please help us get out of this mess!"

I could go on, but my heart is pumping too fast at the moment.

Columns: Wanted: Adult in the White House

2004 Election Mess, Yet Again

2005-07-16T12:38:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that we are still finding out more about the 2004 Ohio election mess. Are other states this crooked, and Ohio politicians are just unbelievably sloppy? Or is Ohio just more crooked than the rest (with the possible exception of Florida)? I can't say that I have much faith in the future of Democracy. The country has grown too big, and the powerful have grown to powerful, and the apathetic have become too apathetic. Bah Humbug!

The Columbus Dispatch - Election

Virtual Wanderlust

2005-07-09T00:13:00.000-04:00

I've been using the Internet for over 10 years now, and it still manages to amaze me. What has captured my attention now? Google Earth! Google Earth is a satellite map of every place on earth wrapped around a virtual globe. It has absolute amazing control over visual perspective, including zooming, rotating, and tilting. With the amount of control that I have over what I am looking at it seems to be the closest thing to actually being there.

I have spent the last several days zooming around the world. Today, I took a trip up the Alaska Highway, climbed Mt. McKinley zipped down to Tierra Del Fuego at the southern tip of South America and then I explored the streets of Paris (reliving my backpacking trip their from 10 years ago). I saw the Eiffel Tower, the Pompidou Centre, and ran through the fountains of La Defense once again. Where will my wanderlust will bring me to tomorrow?

Independence Day Ambivalence

2005-07-05T00:53:00.000-04:00

I'll admit it, I enjoy watching things blow up. I also enjoy hot dogs, potato salad, and beer. The Fourth of July should be my dream holiday, but it isn't. Like most holidays I get sucked in even though my better judgment tells me not to.

I headed downtown to watch the big fireworks celebration. Everything was fine and dandy, until I found myself in the middle of a throng of people shouting U.S.A. It made my stomach turn. After 5 years of Bush, I really don't know what is so great about this country that I want to shout its name out.

Check out this great editorial by Howard Zinn who discusses Independence Day and nationalism much more eloquently than I do.

Bush=Hitler?? Check out the picture

2005-06-14T22:36:00.000-04:00

Republican Party on Yahoo! News Photos

Then again maybe Bush and Hitler aren't similar.

Kidnap Instead Of Recruit......That's One Way To Get More Enlistees

2005-06-13T00:20:00.000-04:00

Each and every one of these military recruiting fiascos needs to be publicized heavily.

When will Bush and his buddies finally realize that nobody wants his stupid war? Not soon enough.

Oops, Sorry

2005-06-10T13:39:00.000-04:00

If I had a catch phrase it would probably be, "oops, Sorry". No its not a particularly catch phrase, but it seems as if I am apologizing constantly. Apologizing for what? Basically anything and everything. Perhaps for my existence, but who knows. I have a very people oriented job, and I'm apologizing for screw-ups constantly (even when it is the customer/co-worker who was the one screwed-up). Why do I do this? I haven't a clue.

So here is my "oops, Sorry" to all of you. There hasn't been much for new posts here at the Discontented Turtle lately. I could say that I have been too busy but that really isn't it. The bigger problem has been that I haven't had much to say. I guess that could be a result of being too busy with work---I feel robbed of psychic energy. Will it get better and will there be more posts? I certainly hope so, but I'm certainly not going to make any promises. Maybe that way I don't have to give out any more "oops, Sorry" to any of you.

Here are some other blogs you should check out during my quiet periods:

Red Roach World Lots of fantastically written hilarious rants about life, work, family, dogs, and pretty much anything else that catches his attention.
Sure Thing, Babs Babs is an ESL teacher in New York City. I love her writing style, she writes exclusively in the 3rd person which just makes her stories even more over the top. Great stories about trying to teach English, celebrity sightings, being a sex object, life in NYC, and much more. She hasn't been writing as much lately, but go back through her archives and you will have some great laughs.
One Good Move There is basically one reason I go to this site, he always seems to have great clips from The Daily Show. I don't have cable so this is where I get my little dose of Jon Stewart. The writer of One Good Move also keeps a close eye when Republicans are making fools of themselves with even more video clips also.
PostSecret I probably don't need to give this site any more publicity (Its been featured on NPR and other places). Its basically a blog for people to artistically confess their deepest and darkest secrets. When I read PostSecret I usually do a combination of the following, laugh, cringe, and ask myself if someone made up the confession just so they would get posted. At the very least it makes me think I am a little less screwed up than I thought.

Am I Old? Probably.

2005-05-19T00:03:00.000-04:00

So I've spent the last couple of days debating whether I should go to the midnight or the 3:30 showing of Revenge of the Sith. Of course here it is opening night, shortly after midnight, and I am typing on my blog instead. Why am I not going? Because I have to work in the morning, and I want to be well rested for a group of middle school students that I am meeting with in the morning.

I keep telling myself, don't be lame go see the movie. The other voices say it is just a movie, you can see it tomorrow after work. What happened to my former self that wouldn't think twice of waiting in line for several hours to see a movie, or waiting in line over night for concert tickets. He's gone. And that is why I think I am old (or maybe I am just lame and boring, but who wants to admit that!).

********
Other Star Wars memories.

28 years ago-First Time. Its hard to believe it has been so long since the original movie, I was nine years old. This is what I recall about seeing Star Wars the first time. Standing in line of course. With about 20 minutes left in the movie, some crazy man jumped into the screen ripping a large hole in it. They stopped the movie, and this guy screamed about having his kids taken away from him until the police arrived in the theatre. They then continued to show the rest of the movie even though the screen had a large 10 foot gash in the center of it.

28 years ago-Second Time. We were on a family vacation during the middle of that summer. We visited the town of Eagle River in northern Wisconsin and we watched Star Wars in a very old and very uncomfortable theatre, and of course the theatre was packed.

28 years ago. Ricky was my best friend when I lived in Minnesota, from age 5 until age 10 when I moved to Wisconsin. That is he was my best friend all except for the summer of 1977. Why wasn't Ricky my best friend? Because Gene from school became my best friend from that summer. I didn't' care that I had to walk 5 blocks to his house because he had all the coolest Star Wars toys. He had the X-wing fighters, the Y-wing fighters, the Tie fighters, and he had all the action figures. He didn't care that all I had to contribute to our Star Wars re-enactment was Luke's landspeeder. Of course as soon as Star Wars fever died down, I went back to my old friend Ricky. Ahh, what a fair weather bastard I was. Sorry Gene! Sorry Ricky!

What happened in Ohio?

2005-05-12T02:08:00.000-04:00

I haven't gone off about the 2004 election in quite a while (actually I haven't gone off on much of anything on here in quite a long while---but that's a different post). I had several friends and family members ask me why in the world would people in Ohio vote for Bush? Ohio's economy has sunk under Bush, unemployment has rocketed yet Bush somehow got the most votes. This video about election day in Columbus gives you a flavor of the snafus that were taking place. I personally stood in line for 3.5 hours.

Also check out this post by Jim Lampley about the high likelihood that the election was stolen, his argument relies on science and math which of course the Republicans oppose (but that's another post also).

Government Lies Caught on Tape....By A 17-Year Old

2005-04-30T01:25:00.000-04:00

This is high school journalism at its finest. A 17-year old reporter caught on tape an Army recruiter telling him to forge a high school diploma and cheat at his drug test. Way to set a positive example guys!

If only our country's mainstream media still did investigative journalism. At least Channel 4 in Denver was willing to follow-up on this story.

Follow-up:
Fallout From Army Investigation
Military Recruiting Center Attacked

REVIEW: Revelations on NBC

2005-04-13T02:15:00.000-04:00

Well I was lucky enough to be sent a preview DVD on NBC's new series Revelations. I am still not sure what to think about this show. I think at this point I would describe myself as intrigued. It is definitely a show that has the potential to build overtime, this first episode was a lot of introducing characters and setting up the premise. It struck me as a religious oriented X-Files, except instead of 2 FBI agents we have a nun and a scientist/professor (Bill Pullman) trying to explain the unexplainable (and witness the battle between good and evil). The show also has elements of CSI and Medium mixed in. If you think the show would interest you I would definitely give the first couple episodes a try, because otherwise I think one could be totally lost trying to join the series later on.

Information and Entertainment Overload

2005-04-07T21:59:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I had posted how I was feeling overwhelmed by so much news, information, and information. Well I still haven't found an answer, but I have managed to reduce the number of blogs that I monitor regularly from about 140 to about 75. It is still too many, but it is a definite improvement. Well what's my point? I found this great discussion thread on Metafilter about information overload and a blog entry about entertainment overload. At the very least it is good to know that others are feeling the same overload.

To paraphrase my mom, you can read anything you want, but you can't read everything.

It Takes One to Know One

2005-03-30T21:21:00.000-05:00

Fox News, Fair and Balanced? Yeah right! (Please notice the sarcasm dripping all over this entry)

Sean Hannity Calls Congressman "Asshole" | Oliver Willis

Evil Corporate America Is Out To Get You!

2005-03-27T22:44:00.000-05:00

Should any of us really be surprised that the credit card companies are raising the minimum payments due, less than a month after Congress passed laws making it more difficult to declare bankruptcy because of credit card debt?

I'm in the credit card mess myself...we are digging out bit by bit, but I hate the mess that we've put ourselves into. I try to give this advice to every kid about to graduate high school. Avoid credit cards and credit card debt at all cost!!

Banks bump monthly amount due on credit cards

Baseball, Steroids, Congress, Iraq, and the WWF?????

2005-03-23T01:04:00.000-05:00

Red Roach is at it again with another hilarious entry. Actually there is very little he writes that doesn't amuse the crap out of me. Check it out.

In These Troubled Times The Wall Street Journal Covers The Important Issues

2005-03-21T02:24:00.000-05:00

The price of gas is skyrocketing......
Social Security may or may not be in a crisis......
The value of the dollar is dropping like a rock.....
Health Care costs are spiraling out of control......

But at least the Wall Street Journal is covering the important stories of the day.

Have you thanked an SUV driver today?

2005-03-16T23:50:00.000-05:00

Bush is wasting all his time on trying to solve the so-called Social Security crisis (which won't actually be a problem for 30 or more years), but we have an oil crisis right now which he won't do jack squat about. Hmmmmm? I wonder why not? Who's getting rich because of rising oil prices? And trust me its not just OPEC.

MSNBC - OPEC says it has lost control of oil prices

Corporate America Sucks

2005-03-15T23:18:00.000-05:00

Bankruptcy Bill Said to Hit Poorest Americans Hardest

New ways to get fired

ChoicePoint: We're sorry for data leak

Report Says U.S. Banks Helped Pinochet

Pentagon 'hid' damning Halliburton audit

Ex-WorldCom CEO Ebbers guilty

Sleepless in Houston

Gasoline flirts with record highs

SEC files suit against ex-Qwest bosses

Questions About Earnings Manipulation Weigh on A.I.G.

Status of high-profile corporate scandals

Fed chief relied on 'wrong' forecast

Police in Burbank, Calif., arrested two protesters yesterday who tried to stop transport trucks from hauling about 28 electric cars from a General Motors Corp. storage yard and taking them to be destroyed.

The Washington Post reported last weekend that an Indian tribe and a gambling services company made donations to a policy group that covered most of the cost of a $70,000 trip to Britain by DeLay, his wife, two aides and two lobbyists in mid-2000, two months before DeLay voted against legislation opposed by the tribe and the company.

Good To See Americans Finally Coming To Their Senses

2005-03-12T11:55:00.000-05:00

I hate to pay so much for gas as the next person, but I'm glad to see that it is having the positive effect of getting some of these stupid SUV's off the road.

McDonald's Jobs Being Outsourced?

2005-03-12T11:45:00.000-05:00

If they've figured out a way to outsource a crappy McDonald's job they will certainly figure out a way to outsource each and everyone of our jobs. Hmmmm and they wonder why employees don't have loyalty anymore?

Some Guys Have All The Luck

2005-03-08T23:11:00.000-05:00

What can I do to get a bare-breasted protest directed towards me?

International News Article | Reuters.com

1:1 In-ay e-thay eginning-bay Od-gay eated-cray e-thay eaven-hay

2005-03-06T16:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was one of those life milestones (i.e., 37th birthday) where it seemed like it would be a good time to take stock of my life. How do I do this? I go to the website Things Other People Accomplished When They Were Your Age.
What a mistake! My day is absolutely ruined when I discover that Earl Vickers has already translated the entire Bible into Pig Latin. What am I to do with my life now?

Earl-ay Ickers-vay you-ay astard-bay!

Do I Need A Catch Phrase?

2005-03-05T01:05:00.000-05:00

I want to transform my life into a sitcom. Why?

No one ever works on a sitcom. They might go to work, but they don't do anything.
Despite the lack of work there is never a shortage of cash.
The women in my life would all show lots of cleavage.
Any problem that I might have would be wrapped up within 30 minutes.
My life would be extra special every February and November for sweeps.
I would always have something funny to say.

My first step in developing my sitcom life is for me to adopt a catch phrase. With that in mind I've been reading this book called Zounds: A Browser's Dictionary of Interjections. I have narrowed my catch phrase possibilities to the following choices:

Whoop-de-do
Uffda
Gadzooks
Trollope
Gardyloo
Alakazam
Stuff and nonsense!
Oopsy daisy
Zut alors!
Outta sight!

Death by Improbability

2005-03-03T23:37:00.000-05:00

I spend far too much time worrying about dying. Its not death so much that I am worried about, it is dying in some very embarrassing manner. These are some of the ways that I have met my demise in my daydreams this week.

1. Death by impalement. I have a car accident while I am picking my nose. The accident doesn't kill me, but my finger is forced so deep into my nose that I poke my brain and I die of a massive brain hemorrhage. Of course the EMT's discover me with my finger jammed into my nose and laugh about my demise for years.

2. Attacked by a fish. This isn't just any fish attack. I am skinny dipping (for those of you that know me I apologize for the gruesome image of me naked; for those of you that don't know me I look like a sexier version of Brad Pitt), and some fish mistakes my wiener for a worm. I die of blood loss. My body is discovered naked and wienerless. This phobia is strong enough that one time I actually turned down skinny dipping with a cute woman.

3. Escalator. I notice my shoelaces are untied while riding an escalator. A horrible image of my shoelace getting caught in the escalator flashes before my eyes, so I lean over to re-tie my laces, as I'm leaning over the seat of my pants rip down the middle, and at that very instant someone hits the escalator's emergency stop button. At this point I completely lose my balance and tumble down the escalator steps smashing my head repeatedly. The final words I hear before dying are: "Did you see that fat ass rip his pants?"

Damn, do I need some serious psychiatric counseling!

Lack of Creative Energy

2005-02-28T00:40:00.000-05:00

I haven't had much in my blog lately. Everything I have posted seems to be from a link that I saw somewhere else. I'm at a complete creative lull, and I'm not quite sure why.

I suppose the obvious thing for me to do would to talk about my new job; but I'm not sure I really want to go there. People at work know that I blog and I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with anyone there. It was so much easier to blog when I was substitute teaching because I felt very anonymous within the system. My lack of anonymity with the new job makes me feel paranoid.

I'm sick bitching about politics and Republicans.....yes it needs to be done, but it has worn me down. I feel powerless that my silly little posts won't change anything. Oh well.

Further Proof That Corporate America Sucks!

2005-02-26T14:39:00.000-05:00

How do we change the way that our Government always looks out for corporations instead of actual people? Are we really as powerless as I feel?

Guide to Springfield USA

2005-02-24T23:45:00.000-05:00

A Simpson's fan with way too much time on their hands provided me with 15 minutes of entertainment tonight. Enjoy!

Bill Maher: Kids Say the Darndest, Most Stalinist Things

2005-02-23T03:17:00.000-05:00

Great commentary by Bill Maher about the recent survey showing high schoolers complete lack of understanding about the importance of freedom of speech and the press.

Scrabble Obsession

2005-02-22T01:18:00.000-05:00

I just watched a fantastic web film about one woman's obsession with Scrabble. As I watched it I started to think about the fact that this fantastic film would never be seen in a movie theatre or on television. Hard to believe but sometimes the web is the perfect tool to show one's creativity. I know completely dorky of me to praise the web, but it was what I was thinking.

Tips For A Happy President's Day

2005-02-21T01:20:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Otis, there is no need to ever have a boring President's Day again. Just make sure you have that Gettysburg Address memorized!

Republican Family Values....What a Joke!

2005-02-14T22:52:00.000-05:00

So when did disowning your children become a Republican value?

Happy Valentine's Day

2005-02-13T21:54:00.000-05:00

More evidence that Valentine's Day sucks....maybe that explains why my wife and I have been fighting like cats and dogs this weekend.

Republicans Against Freedom..........Again

2005-02-13T00:44:00.000-05:00

Remember when the Republicans were in favor of small government? Staying out of people's lives? Those days are clearly over. If Republicans are so concerned about what is being taught in our nation's colleges why don't some of them spend 4-10 years in graduate school (being paid close to nothing) and then accept a low paying college position. But like usual the Republicans would rather just bitch about liberal professors and liberal media. Aaaargh!

Happy Your Dad's In Jail Day

2005-02-12T14:52:00.000-05:00

I didn't know it but today is Your Dad's In Jail Day. So go out and raise some money to get your Dad out of jail. The fine folks at Girls Are Pretty have given each day a special designation, usually quite humorous and even more bitter (always a great combination).

One Car or Two Cars?

2005-02-11T00:58:00.000-05:00

My wife and I have been having this semi-major discussion off and on for the last couple of weeks about whether or not to purchase a second car.

When we lived in Washington, DC we didn't own a car for our last couple of years there. It just wasn't needed. Public transportation was readily available (and frequently less of a hassle). Well when we moved to Columbus we quickly realized that we couldn't survive on just public transportation, so we purchased the little black beast (a 1994 Nissan Altima). We were now a one car family, which was fine because Margaret worked close enough that she could ride her bike or take the bus; and I was only working part-time so I could drop her off at work or skip having the car for the day.

Well now I've got a full-time job (that occasionally requires a car), and Margaret is getting the short end of a stick. The short end of the stick being waiting for a bus when it is 15 degrees out, walking in the dark, and being stuck at work during her lunch break.

So of course she wants us to get a second car. I'm saddened that we could go from being a no car to a two car family in the space of less than two years. I'm pissed that public transportation sucks in Columbus (and America in general). Would I be begging for a second car if I was the one on the short end of the stick? I hope I wouldn't but I probably would. I know this is all very hypocritical of me.

Will resolve this dilemma anytime soon? Doubtful, I just hope spring comes early and she will get excited about riding her bike to work again.

Riding the Bus

2005-02-04T18:31:00.000-05:00

Today was my day off from work. After spending many extra hours sleeping, I took the bus downtown to buy some CD's (BoDeans, Joan Armatrading, Modest Mouse, and The Soundtrack of Our Lives for those keeping score at home).

Riding the bus is such a great place for thinking about humanity. I get on the bus in a very residential area, it passes through a small commercial area filled with fast food and bars, through student housing area, and through the OSU campus. Each stop has its own group of characters.

I waited for the bus with a borderline schizophrenic. He was listening to a radio and having a very animated conversation with himself. He wasn't talking loud enough for me to get a good idea about what he was arguing with himself about, but his hands were moving wildly.

Next we picked up three girls from a tanning salon. They proceeded to talk loudly about their tans and their skin. They were sitting in the front seat, and I was sitting close to the back, and yet I could hear their words perfectly. Why do people who talk about the least interesting things always talk about them the loudest?

Well that was just a little tiny bit of my bus ride today......

And We Wonder Why the Rest Of The World Hates The United States?

2005-02-04T01:17:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Marine general:�It's 'fun to shoot people' - Feb 3, 2005: "'Actually it's quite fun to fight them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot,'"

President Bush Shouldn't Be Trusted With Social Security

2005-02-04T00:33:00.000-05:00

After the incompetence Bush and his administration have shown with this economy (including the out of control spending on Iraq), why would we ever think of trusting him with Social Security.

Debt for EveryoneI love the way Robert Reich thinks. It will never happen in a million years but I wish the Democratic Party would nominate Reich to be its next presidential candidate. But then again I'm one of those whacked out liberals.

Libraries, Individualism, and America

2005-02-03T01:32:00.000-05:00

Yes, I think libraries should be fully funded. Partially because their funding keeps me employed, but more because I think the library is one of our greatest American institutions. People always talk about that one of the things that make Americans different is because we have such a strong streak of individualism. Libraries nurture that individualism. You can walk into a library and look for anything, and probably find something about that topic. In the past few days these are just a few of the topics about which I've helped people find information:
1. Aircraft Frequencies (aircraft radios were interfering with his television)
2. A summary of Huckleberry Finn (a student waited until the very last minute to complete a report on the book which she never read)
3. The Underground Radio
4. The Water Cycle
5. Prayer
6. The Maltese Falcon
7. The TV show, 24
8. Upholstery Techniques for Wingback Chairs
9. Repair Manual for 1991 Town & Country Van
10. How to Start a Cleaning Business

Talk about individualism. Everybody wants something different and that is great. Libraries will give you service that you will never get at a bookstore (sorry all you booksellers out there, but you know its true). And don't say well just use the Internet, because there are still too many people in our country without the connections or the equipment necessary.

We discussed literacy at our staff meeting today. I heard this statistic that just floored me. California and Indiana are able to accurately predict future prison needs based on reading scores of 3rd graders. Instead of using those that knowledge and money to fund even more prisons why are we not increasing funding for schools and libraries?

I will try to find a link to the California and Indiana research, but at this point it is late and I am sleepy. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Request for Advice

2005-02-01T00:55:00.000-05:00

I've notice that I am being overwhelmed with news, information, and entertainment these days. I can't get through everything and still take care of my real responsibilities in life. I currently use Bloglines to get through my RSS feeds, and I am subscribed to over 130 different feeds. It is too much! So this is my question----what do you think is essential online reading each and every day?

This is what I would like-
1. The best news feed (overall)
2. The best national (U.S.) news feed
3. The best international news feed
4. Liberal news and political commentary
5. Conservative news and political commentary (I want to stay balanced, or at least know what they are thinking)
6. Internet and technology news and commentary
7. A decent MP3 blog (for a 36 year old male who wishes he was still 23 and not a total dweeb)
8. And a mix of other interesting and funny blogs covering travel, books, food, writing, and life

Are you serious?

2005-02-01T00:39:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I feel like I should just bury my head in the sand so I don't have to know more about my fellow Americans.

1. About 50% of U.S. High School students think that the government should regulate what newspapers print. I keep trying to think why anyone would think that would be a good idea, but I can't come up with a single possibility.

2. I keep reading about these right wing Republican Christians who think that the end of the world is quickly approaching. They don't care about the environment; they don't care about war; they don't care about the future; they just want the world to end. How can there be reasonable political debate when we are all living in such different realities (or unrealities for that point)?

Why do I get this feeling that Jenna Bush is dumb as a brick?

2005-02-01T00:17:00.000-05:00

Jenna Bush has been unable to get work as a teacher in Washington, DC (a city with very lax standards and always a shortage of teachers). I worked as a teacher in the DC area a few years ago (Post No Child Left Behind), I was able to get a full time teaching job without an education degree because they were so desperate. As long as you had a somewhat decent GPA (I think the requirement was a 2.75 or 3.0) and could pass the PRAXIS, a standardized test on reading, writing, and math skills you could get a provisional teaching license. So what qualification has Jenna not met? The PRAXIS is not a complicated test.....a reasonably intelligent high school freshman should be able to pass the test. Hmmmmmmm, what's going on Jenna?

Why don't we send Armstrong Williams to Iraq?

2005-02-01T00:03:00.000-05:00

Since the Army has to make sure our soldiers say the "right" things, and the White House likes to pay right-wing columnists, such as Armstron Williams, to say the "right" things, why don't we just consolidate and send all the right wing columnists on the take to Iraq to fight and provide U.S. propaganda? Just an idea.

Media Training Now Required for Iraq-Bound Soldiers

Female Monkey Bottoms

2005-01-30T15:49:00.000-05:00

I just wanted an excuse to say female monkey bottoms; wouldn't Female Monkey Bottoms be a great name for a band? Of course my thoughts of Female Monkey Bottoms was inspired by this fantastic research out of Duke University. It is good to know that us human males aren't the only perverts in the animal kingdom.

Monkeys Pay to See Female Monkey Bottoms

Bad, Bad Corporations

2005-01-29T14:31:00.000-05:00

Typically if I see one of these lists of immoral corporations I would say you should avoid using their products, but as I read through this list I realized how difficult that would be. Three of America's major pharmacuetical companies are on the list. I take two different prescriptions daily and my wife is on several other prescriptions---what are we supposed to do, stop taking our meds? I don't think so. As a result of our nation's patent laws, the drug companies have us over a barrel. So what am I left with, calling them names?

Coca-Cola was one of the companies on the list this year also. I have to say I know they are a horrible corporation, but I do love their sweet tasty carbonated caffeine beverage. Trust me I try to stop drinking the stuff every few months. I'm in the middle of one of my Coke detoxing efforts right now (I'm down to about one 8 oz. can a day). Don't tell me to switch to Pepsi, because that stuff is revolting. And I especially don't want to hear from any of you coffee drinkers out there complaining about me drinking Coke----unless you want to get into a big discussion about the environmental effects of the coffee bean growing process and about the use of child labor in its harvesting (these are things that I've seen first hand with my own eyes, not that I've read in some book or on some blog).

What's my point? Sometimes like I feel like the corporations have already won. I don't know what to do other than complain or close my eyes and ignore everything.

AlterNet: The 10 Worst Corporations of 2004

What's Your Secret?

2005-01-29T02:09:00.000-05:00

A very twisted, funny, and depressing project from Artomatic in Washington, DC.

Thoughts After One Week At The New Job

2005-01-29T01:16:00.000-05:00

I started a job at the local library on Monday. These are a few of my thoughts about this job and working in general.

1. I didn't realize how much I had gotten used to living life as a pseudo-bum. As a substitute teacher, I usually had 3 days of work each week (and that was a busy week). Each day was about 7 hours of work. So now I'm working 8 hours a day (plus an extra hour because they force us all to take an hour for lunch), 5 days of week. Needless to say my body and my mind are missing their down time.

2. A new job certainly brings out one's paranoid test. I feel like everyone has been testing me all week at work. Let's see how much the new guy really knows. Let's see how much stuff we can dump on the new guy before his brain implodes.

3. People seemed a little surprised that I came back for a second (3rd, 4th, and 5th also) day. There has been nothing about this job nearly as stressful as a day of subbing. If you ever think your job sucks, I suggest you try substitute teaching for a week in an urban school district. It will really put things into perspective.

4. Sometimes it is a good thing to be wearing a Trainee badge, people expect much less of you.

5. I actually had a patron ask me to stop reading to children today. He was sick of the repetitive nature of the book. I continued reading the book. Why? Because the kids were loving the story (and so were the parents).

6. It doesn't take a lot for me to have a good day. A mother told me today that her child had never sat through someone reading him an entire book until I read to him. I was on cloud 9 the rest of the day.

Yet Another Health Benefit Of Drinking

2005-01-29T00:28:00.000-05:00

Can you imagine the stench of this guy's car at the moment?

Ananova - Man peed way out of avalanche

Contented Turtle? Never! (1st Draft)

2005-01-26T01:39:00.000-05:00

So my friend the Red Roach asked if my days as a Discontented Turtle were over given my new employment status. Not a chance!

Do I think my new job is cool? Yes, I get to work with books, I get to play on computers most of the day, I get to help people (and helping in a more satisfying way than saying "would you like fries with that?"), and I get to work with like-minded people whose first concern is not chasing the almighty dollar.

With all that said, why do I think I will remain discontented (though ideally maybe a slight bit less discontented)? Because it is still a job. There is no way that you can have a job and not lose freedom and control over your life when you have a job. You can skip having the job to regain some control and freedom, but unfortunately in our capitalist society the lack of money can affects one control over life and their freedom as well.

What about the rest of life beyond work? That is probably the biggest source of discontentment these days. My pessimism about the state of the world and our country is at an all time high. I know I will not have my big five year trip this year (that is part of the freedom that I gave up with this job, but the trip would have been given up anyway because of a lack of money due to the poor pay of my previous job and being burdened by stupid credit cards).

Basically I can always find a reason to be discontented, work is just not the biggest source of discontentment these days.

I hear what you are saying about how job searching is a soul killing process. Sometimes the discontentment from the current job outweighs the possible discontentment of the search, and that is when you must make your move. Other times the discontentment from both sources is in perfect balance and it freezes you in place----talk about feeling maximum discontentment! All I can say is hang in there Red Roach!

New Career for the New Year

2005-01-25T01:32:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to get out of the teaching thing for well over a year now, and today I officially have a non-teaching career. I officially started a permanent full time library assistant position today. I think even I have lost track of my career tally at this point. I don't count pre-college jobs because those were strictly to earn a buck to make the next move.

1. Psychology/Social Science Researcher (research assistant, teaching assistant, research consultant) 1990-1995
2. Administrative Assistant 1994, 1995, 1997, 2000 (who knew that high school typing class would pay off so well)
3. Salesman (why can't I get back those 2 years of my life?) 1995-1997
4. Meeting/Convention Planner (one of those glamour jobs that everyone should like, guess what I didn't like it) 1997-1999
5. Teacher (hmmm, I'm sure there is something smart-alecky I could say about teaching, but I will behave myself today) 2000-2005
6. Library Assistant 2005

I really do think this is the career for me. Hopefully any future job changes will just be due to climbing the library ladder. Stay tuned.

Cool things about my job after 1 day
1. Casual dress and comfortable shoes are encouraged. NO DAMN TIES!
2. No more library fines.

Weird thing about starting a new job
Wanting to work, but not having a clue what to do.
The fact that I can't remember new names for more than five minutes.

What A Waste Of Money

2005-01-20T16:41:00.000-05:00

I was watching the inaugural parade this afternoon. It was great to see the protesters drowning out the Bush supporters. ABC's coverage was humorous because even conservative George Will thought the presidential motorcade was ridiculous. I can't remember his exact words but that it looked like a military operation in some South American dictatorship. He also referred to the limousines as "civilian tanks".

Here's another good post about what all of the money could have been used for instead:
AlterNet: Lifestyles of the Rich and Heartless

Hear Ani DiFranco's new album Knuckle Down

2005-01-19T13:12:00.000-05:00

VH1.com is streaming Ani's new album, Knuckle Down, in its entirety (I'm not sure how long the stream will stay up). I've listened to it once and its pretty good, it sounds a little bit closer to some of her older stuff. The last few albums had seemed a little too jazzy and over-produced for my tastes. The interesting thing about this new album is for the first time she is actually working with a producer. Sometimes that can be a good thing, we all need someone sometimes to help keep us a little more focused.

Happy listening.

VH1.com : Ani DiFranco : Hear Music First

Board Games Warp The Mind

2005-01-19T13:05:00.000-05:00

Mr. Sun has written a hilarious piece about how board games have completely warped him. It gives you plenty to think about before you reach for a board game on that next cold winter night. Speaking of cold nights Mr. Sun also provides some very useful (ok, maybe not useful but they are funny) tips for dealing with winter. And as if that was not enough Mr. Sun has also shared his six-point plan on seducing Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island.

How come I keep finding all these great blogs to read? Don't these bloggers know that I need to get some other stuff done with my life?

Who re-elected this guy?

2005-01-19T12:49:00.000-05:00

Seriously, who voted for this guy? Take a list of this screw-ups over the last four years. Either Bush and the Republicans are incompetent or just plain evil? Which one is it?

Show your disgust on inauguration day (that's tomorrow) by supporting Not One Damn Dime Day.

Salon.com News | The scandal sheet

Interesting article about how copyright law is hurting culture

2005-01-19T04:15:00.000-05:00

The Globe and Mail: How copyright could be killing culture

Talk About A Jury Of One's Peers

2005-01-19T02:12:00.000-05:00

Remind me to try and avoid going to trial in Tennessee. And if I recall from the election, wasn't Tennessee one of those "moral" red states? Hmmmmm.

CNN.com - Attorney meets the 'jury pool from hell' - Jan 18, 2005

Should the U.S change its election primary system?

2005-01-18T11:28:00.000-05:00

Another great piece on AlterNet about what a possible change to our election primary system.

AlterNet: Primary Colors

Happy Birthday Dr. King

2005-01-18T00:10:00.000-05:00

"Don't let anybody make you think that God chose America as His divine messianic force to be -- a sort of policeman of the whole world. God has a way of standing before the nations with judgment, and it seems that I can hear God saying to America: “You are too arrogant! If you don't change your ways, I will rise up and break the backbone of your power"

Interesting how his words are just as timely 38 years later.

Check out more quotes of Dr. King at the Institute for Public Accuracy (including mp3 files).
IPA News Release: Martin Luther King and War

Civil Rights, Brought To You By... Republicans?

2005-01-17T15:03:00.000-05:00

The people at AlterNet brought this to my attention. If you thought the Department of Education paying off Armstrong Williams was offensive you've seen nothing yet. The Policy Committee of the House of Representatives have come out with a new calendar highlighting the civil rights accomplishments of the Republican Party while denigrating the Democratic Party. Guess who is paying for this new piece of propaganda? That's right you and me.

Do the Republicans have any sense of decency left? They claim they are the party of morality.....but what do lies and deceit have to do with morality?

AlterNet: Civil Rights, Brought To You By... Republicans?

Review: In Good Company

2005-01-13T22:28:00.000-05:00

I will get my disclaimer out of the way. I was given free passes for this movie, with the marketing company's hope that I might give some positive feedback about the movie, In Good Company. Well their plan worked, I saw the movie and I loved it. This is a movie about work, relationships, and family and how they are all mixed together. I found myself thinking throughout the movie about how few movies there are that examine the world of work. Most of us spend at least eight hours a day working, but rarely do we address it in our movies and literature. In a way that isn't surprising, most of us want to spend as little time thinking about work (especially when we aren't at work).

I loved the way this film acknowledged how work has a way of messing up our lives and our families. This is the film about a young man, Carter Duryear (played fantastically by That 70's show's, Topher Grace) who has devoted all of his life's energy to climbing the corporate ladder and gaining more power and status. His rise to the top has given Carter the distinction for being the first divorced member of his high school class because he has put zero energy into his relationship with his wife.

The film is also about a middle aged man, Dan Foreman (played wonderfully by Dennis Quaid), who barely clings to his job because he wants to provide for his family. He believes in what he does for a living, but he also knows it is only a job--it is his family that matters.

The paths of Carter and Dan cross when Carter becomes Dan's boss. There is the problem of Dan working for someone who is 30 years his junior. It is only complicated when Carter becomes romantically involved with Dan's daughter, Alex (played fantastically by the beautifully large lipped, Scarlett Johannson).

Both my wife and I were in cranky moods before we went into the movie, and both of us left smiling. That's a pretty good statement for a movie don't you think?

Did the movie have any faults, not many other than the fact that Scarlett Johannson should have been in every scene, but then that would have taken away from the great chemistry between Quaid and Grace. The movie wraps itself up a little too neatly at the end, but that's ok because sometimes a happy ending is a good thing (especially when its not the overly predictable happy ending).

Go see this movie! You will be glad you did.

Why is productivity always the first concern?

2005-01-13T02:30:00.000-05:00

There is an interesting article in the New York Times about how Spain is considering abandoning the afternoon siesta and working a "western-style" 9 to 5 day. How boring!

I spent a month in Barcelona in 1995, and one of the things I loved about the country was spending 3 hours on lunch. How about instead of Spain changing to meet our schedules, we all change our schedules and start having a daily siesta? I know it won't happen, but I can dream.

The New York Times > International > Europe > Letter From Europe: Spaniards Dare to Question the Way the Day Is Ordered: "'These Spanish lunches of two to three hours are very pleasant, but they are not very productive.'"

Great Quote for all of us bloggers to keep in mind

2005-01-09T04:37:00.000-05:00

Being Noor Javed: "'Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. ~ Cyril Connolly (1903 - 1974)"

This quote on Noor's blog really puts why we blog into perspective. I discovered it while doing some random blog hopping.

The writer of this blog, who happens to be a Pakistani born in Canada also has written an interesting piece about arranged versus love based marriages.

"The Motorcycle Diaries" and Big Trips

2005-01-09T04:17:00.000-05:00

I went and saw "The Motorcycle Diaries" with my wife tonight. It is a wonderful story filled with gorgeous scenery. Don't go into the movie with preconceived notions about Che Guevera and his politics. This is the story of two 20-somethings and their road trip through 1950's South America. This movie reminded me everything that I love about travel....the adventure of it and its ability to transform us in unexpected ways.

In 1990, I road Amtrak around the eastern United States for several weeks. In 1995, I spent 3 months backpacking around Europe. In 2000, I spent three months living in Guatemala and Honduras. I had vowed that every 5 years I would make another one of these "BIG" trips. Well it is now officially 2005, and its looking like I am about to break my vow to myself. Why am I telling you that, because it was a thought that was running through my head as I watched this movie.

Why do I think I won't be traveling this year?

Hopefully I will be starting a new job within the next month, so that will mean I can't run away for three months.
There is always the financial aspect--I can't say that I am rolling in extra cash at the moment. Not to mention the way that the dollar's value has tanked under Bush's presidency.
I got married last year, so taking off for 3 months involves someone else's life now also.
I'm not sure where to go. I know that is a lame excuse, but if you are going away for three months you really need to pick the right place for the right reasons. Asia and the Middle East are definitely off the list of possible destinations thanks to Mother Nature and Bush.

Maybe this just means that my 2010 trip will have to be a spectacular year-long trip around the world. Or maybe I will somehow have to squeeze out a little trip for 2005 and call it a big trip.

Long Haired Hippies Attempting to Takeover North Korea

2005-01-08T18:50:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | N Korea wages war on long hair: "'People who wear other's style of dress and live in other's style will become fools and that nation will come to ruin,' it says."

Lawn Mower Drag Races and National Security

2005-01-08T18:33:00.000-05:00

Some how the state of Texas thinks Lawn Mower Drag Races are related to National Security. We can't afford to check every ship that enters our nation's ports, but we can find the money to support Lawn Mower Drag Races. How about during our next election we vote to give Texas back to Mexico? My guess is that they wouldn't want it either.

Yahoo! News - Audit: Texas Improperly Spent Terror Funds

Ken Blackwell Screws Up Again

2005-01-08T18:09:00.000-05:00

Yahoo! News - Ohio Letter Seeks Illegal Contributions

Bundt Pan's Inventor Dies

2005-01-07T00:29:00.000-05:00

The inventor of the Bundt pan gets his own full obituary in the New York Times. Can you believe that? Well way to go H. David Dalquist. It says that he died in Minnesota. Minnesota funeral services are typically followed by a large "lunch" including a whole lot of fabulous desserts. I can just imagine the dessert spread that they are going to have for Mr. Dalquist. I would how many of those Tunnel of Fudge cakes will be served?

Interested in going to the movies for free?

2005-01-06T15:04:00.000-05:00

Universal Pictures and Grace Hill Media is offering bloggers free tickets to see IN GOOD COMPANY; sign up at info@gracehillmedia.com.

Sorry for the advertisement, but I'm a sucker for free movie tickets.

He'd yodel just about anywhere

2005-01-05T18:15:00.000-05:00

I could only hope that my obituary would start with such a great line.
The Seattle Times: Obituaries: Othello P. Dickert was avid climber, longtime employee at Boeing: "He'd yodel just about anywhere;"

Why Did Kerry Lose Ohio?

2005-01-04T23:08:00.000-05:00

Because the top election official is a Republican who is more concerned about Bush and the rest of the right wing wackos than he is about Ohio or the United States.

Blackwell needs to be stopped before he becomes Ohio Govenor and climbs another rung on the Republican power ladder.

I certainly hope one of the Democratic Senators comes forward to help the house protest the way the vote was handled in Ohio.....

Gotta Get My Stuff Done

2005-01-03T00:09:00.000-05:00

A fitting film for all of those people who are still thinking about there New Year's Resolution. Well time to go, I gotta get my stuff done.

Beatles mashup mixes 40 different tracks, and still manages to sound pretty cool

2005-01-02T01:50:00.000-05:00

I've been spending a lot of time listening to a variety of music on the internet the past few weeks....I guess I have too much free time with it being vacation time. But check out this Beatle mash-up. I'll try and post some other cool music links that I have been playing with the last few days also.

My New Year's Resolution---at least according to this dorky quiz

2005-01-01T23:23:00.000-05:00

Your New Years Resolution Should Be: Get rid of your "computer butt"

You've got more than "back" - you've got a big, fat ass.
And it's probably because you count multiple IM sessions as exercise
So, get yourself on the Hacker's Diet, stat...
And then you can stop pretending that you're a hot chick in chat rooms.

What Should Your New Year's Resolution Be?

Best Picture Books for Kids - 2004

2004-12-31T20:43:00.000-05:00

I have just completed best of the year lists on my other blog - Books for Kids. There is a list of the best children's picture books of 2004 and another list of the best chapter books of 2004 for kids and teens. Check them out!

These are some great stories for children and adults alike!

Indian Ocean Tsunami

2004-12-30T17:45:00.000-05:00

What a way to come back to my blog. I joke about being discontented, but I've really got nothing to complain about compared to the hundreds of thousands of people in the Indian Ocean region. These are the two things that have struck me most about this disaster, other than the sheer number of dead;

First, no one knows for sure, but there might have been some primitive cultures that were wiped off the planet. Can you believe that, languages and cultures that will never be seen or heard from again. It blows my mind.

Second, it appears as if some islands in the Maldives were completely washed away. Sure, in a tornado or a hurricane your house might be destroyed, but in this case there is absolutely nothing left. No house, no land, nothing. If you can't rely on the ground beneath your feet, what can you rely upon?

I'm planning on making a donation, but I'm still not sure to which organization I should send my money. Speaking of donating money, there is a great editorial in the NY Times about the stinginess of the US Government. How come I am still amazed each and every time that Bush shows that he doesn't have a clue?

Merry Christmas!

2004-12-23T19:29:00.000-05:00

See you after the Holidays.....

Television Networks refuse to share exit polling data

2004-12-22T16:44:00.000-05:00

This is the problem with big corporations owning our news media, they are more concerned with their corporate interests instead of the interests of the United States. Democracy is crumbling and no one is making a stink that will be seen by the masses.

Yahoo! News - Michigan Congressman Seeks Exit Poll Data

Cheat on elections, Cheat on tests, Let's hear it for the great state of Texas

2004-12-21T21:59:00.000-05:00

Of course no child will be left behind, its just a matter of teaching how to cheat at a young age.

CNN.com - Newspaper finds evidence of cheating by Texas schools - Dec 20, 2004

Merry Christmas

2004-12-21T19:37:00.000-05:00

Do you really blame these kids for being afraid of some of these freaky Santas?

44% of Americans Are Idiots

2004-12-18T00:26:00.000-05:00

I should just stop reading the news, because every single day I am more and more scared by the United States. What other groups does this idiotic 44% think should give up their rights also?

Yahoo! News - In U.S., 44 Percent Say Restrict Muslims

Time to Simplify

2004-12-15T23:05:00.000-05:00

If more people would actually do something about simplifying their lives, instead of just talking about it think about what a better country this would be?

This is what my wife and I have done to simplify our lives in the past year:
1. We share a single car and make lots of use of the bus. Yes, the bus can be a pain, but its still better than an extra car payment, extra car maintenance, and extra car insurance.
2. Eating at home more instead of eating out. The majority of the cooking duties have landed in my lap and I've discovered that I actually like to cook. Tonight's dinner was Pepperoni Pizza Chili (I added a small can of mushrooms to the recipe)---yumm!
3. Visit the library instead of the bookstore, video store, and record store.
4. Learned to rely on the income from one job so that we have more free time.
5. Waiting to see movies at the dollar theatre instead of paying $8.50 per person.

BuzzFlash > News Analysis > Theft of the Election, Redux.

2004-12-15T15:48:00.000-05:00

Why aren't people rioting in the streets? Right wing conservatives are in the middle of stealing our country from us and everyone seems to be sitting back and not giving a rat's ass. Why?

Incompetence vs. Fraud: Ohio Election Mess Update

2004-12-13T23:51:00.000-05:00

I just finished watching the 11:00 news. The Columbus NBC station did not mention the election hearing or the protests about the Electors casting their ballots today. They did mention it on their web page, http://www.nbc4i.com/politics/3992559/detail.html. But I am sick of hearing all of these Republican officials refer to us as poor losers and treating this like it is some sort of game---this is the future of our country and the world that is at stake. Screw you if you think I am a sore loser for caring about fair and honest elections. The more pissed off the Republicans act, the more inclined I am to think that they have manipulated the system. If they truly think Bush won in an honest and fair election they should have no problem with looking into various allegations. What are they afraid of?

Let me count ways that the Ohio 2004 Election was screwed up:
http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/fitrakisvotestmt12804.pdf

Kerry/Edwards campaign finally starts paying attention to this mess:
http://www.buzzflash.com/alerts/04/12/ale04101.html

Good to see that Florida is experiencing some of this election silliness also:
http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=489

Ohio Election Mess - Lots of Links

2004-12-13T01:58:00.000-05:00

Ohio's Electors are supposed to make their vote tomorrow. Representative John Conyers (D-MI) and the Democratic members of the House Committee on the Judiciary are supposed to hold a forum on the 2004 election at Columbus City Hall tomorrow. If my work schedule permits, I am going to attempt to sit in on the forum. Supposedly members of the Republican Party are doing their best to make sure that the forum does not occur.

Doesn't it strike anyone else as just a little bit odd that the Republicans are trying so hard to make sure that a recount does not occur? What are they trying to hide?

Here are some links to various updates about the whole election mess:

The Columbus Dispatch is finally starting to get a little interested in this story. I don't understand why more of the media isn't covering this story. The Washington Post is still able to coast on their coverage of Watergate more than 30 years ago. What sort of publicity would the news organization get that breaks open this election mess get?
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2004/12/12/20041212-A1-03.html&chck=t

A great summary site of the whole mess. It also contains time and locations of various upcoming hearings and protests.
Ohio Election Fraud Blog

More summary
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x145282

A Heart and Head approach to the 2004 election mess.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x141527

Citizens Alliance for Secure Elections (CASE). CASE is another good site for upcoming protests and ideas about what you can do to help fix this mess.

Current press releases from the Democratic members of the House Committee on the Judiciary.
http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/correspondence/letters.html

News:
More Absentee Votes than Absentee Voters in Ohio ----- hmmmm seem a little strange? Lots of data for those of you looking to do some late night or early morning statistics.

Consumerism, Culture, and the Media

2004-12-12T21:11:00.000-05:00

A very interesting article by Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter in This Magazine. Anti-consumerism has been co-opted by capitalism. Yikes!

This Magazine: The Rebel Sell

My New Favorite Internet Time Killer

2004-12-12T20:46:00.000-05:00

Basically this is Name That Tune, you can pick the musical artist and it gives you 10 songs by that artist. They give you four songs and you see if you can pick the correct song title. I've wasted the last hour putting in various artists....it will find the artist as long as their music is for sale on Amazon.