Wednesday April 08, 2009

Satellite Sheiks

Satellite Sheik n. A televangelist for Islam. These media-savvy religious leaders broadcast moderate Muslim beliefs on satellite TV and social networks, appealing to Arabs alienated by traditional imams.[Jargon Watch]

Isn't that the opposite of Christian televangelists?
( Apr 08 2009, 03:38:02 PM ) Politics Permalink
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ReadWriteWeb on iPredator

ReadWriteWeb has a great entry today about a new service from The Pirate Bay, iPREDator. In particular, the following quotes really hit the nail on the head:

This is where the copyright witch hunt has brought us: in order to access the content we want, we have to become anonymous and hide our identities. Because people just want to watch a TV show or see a movie, they have to play a ridiculous cat-and-mouse game with the authorities who somehow equate downloading a file with stealing a car.
...
Yet here we are, only a day away from the launch of a tool that is surely going to be used for much more than just torrenting. [iPREDator]

I share the sentiments of Sarah Perez, the article's author.
( Apr 08 2009, 09:14:44 AM ) Politics Permalink [Link]
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Tuesday February 03, 2009

Re: What GOP Leaders deem wasteful in Senate stimulus bill

From CNN: "On Monday, House Republican leaders put out a list of what they call wasteful provisions in the Senate version of the nearly $900 billion stimulus bill that is being debated". I have to agree that several of these are questionable, others are defensible with "economic stimulation" in mind.

• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient. Sounds like a good idea to me, but also reeks of favoritism since it is in Obama's home state.
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film. WHAT?!
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program. From what I hear, the FCC underfunded this program. By $650 million though?
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). Do we really need a new polar icebreaker? Even though the polar ice is melting faster every year?
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. I'm guessing this has gone way over budget?
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees. Are these fleet or personal? Upgrading the fleet to hybrid's makes sense to me, gifting personal cars doesn't.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings. This one only makes sense in the scope of economic stimulus, plus it should help get solar into that 'economy of scale' that's needed to tip the pricing into accessible to the populace
• $850 million for Amtrak. Again, what?!
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations. Let the military agencies pay for this out of their normal funding.

It's really tempting to comment on every line item, but I've tried to restrain myself.
( Feb 03 2009, 03:00:55 PM ) Politics Permalink [Link]
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Tuesday January 20, 2009

Bad Behaviour

I'm watching the inauguration live, and current-President Bush just entered: has any other President even been boo'ed while leaving office?

Some people are even chanting "No More Bush". Didn't their mothers teach them to behave better than that? I'm no fan of the man (far from it), but even I consider it bad form to boo the man, especially while he still holds office. ( Jan 20 2009, 11:49:23 AM ) Politics Permalink
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Thursday November 06, 2008

Oooh, say can you see....

A while back one of my relations forwarded me an email claiming that Obama refused to sing the national anthem or put his hand over his heart or somesuch. A couple weeks ago my oldest daughter's marching band held a performance where they played the national anthem, and I had to show my youngest son (5 yrs old) how to put his hand over his heart. A quick glance around showed me that not everybody does this; the glance wasn't long enough to tell me any percentages but I did notice adults who didn't put their hands over their hearts and/or did not remove their baseball caps: I don't doubt their patriotism, but it shows that observance of this symbolism is no longer universal. When I was a kid you'd get in trouble if you didn't show proper allegiance to the flag, even when it wasn't present!

What brought this to mind was the YouTube video of the Yale band playing the national anthem to celebrate Obama's election. It actually choked me up to hear the band play. ( Nov 06 2008, 01:11:51 PM ) Politics Permalink Comments [2]
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Monday November 03, 2008

Red State Socialism

This is a bit of an "oldy", but it is a goody:

Of the 32 states that receive more than they contribute 84% are red states that have voted Republican in a previous presidential election.[RedState Socialism]

( Nov 03 2008, 09:37:58 AM ) Politics Permalink [Link]
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Thursday October 30, 2008

Oh Snap!

I wonder how many people bothered to watch Obama's 1/2 hour ad? I didn't, nor did my friend who is still uncertain. But you Gotta Love this comeback:

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds: "As anyone who has bought anything from an infomercial knows, the sales-job is always better than the product. Buyer beware." [Politico]

( Oct 30 2008, 01:34:37 PM ) Politics Permalink [Link]
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Wednesday August 13, 2008

Create Your Own Yardsign Most of these are distinctly political, but a couple aren't necessarily partisan.

( Aug 13 2008, 10:16:29 AM ) Politics Permalink [Link]
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