28 September 2006
Borat, spokesman
Borat's new movie is coming out on Nov. 3. We can expect some continued good press for Kazahkstan in the coming weeks. In fact, Borat himself highlights some of the recent reforms, as quoted in this article:
Progress is on the march.
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"Since the 2003 Tulyakov reforms, Kazakhstan is as civilized as any other country in the world," he goes on in the video, citing fictional details in the absurdly stilted English that is central to his act. "Women can now travel inside of bus. Homosexuals no longer have to wear blue hats. And age of consent has been raised to 8 years old."
Progress is on the march.
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Think you are having a bad week?
Republican candidate for Filling Elliot Spitzer's Shoes, Jeanine Pirro, has probably had a worse one. Why? Well, normally we don't have high ethical standards for our politicians - however, those running for Attorney General might be expected to score higher marks in that department. And Pirro is under state AND federal criminal investigation. The worst part? She got caught because she was asking Bernie Kerik (our former NYC police commish and Republican thug) to bug her husband's boat (to catch him cheating) - and she asked this of Bernie while he was under investigation, and thus there is a handy little audio recording of their conversations. Best part? Rudy Giuliani's firm was called in to help plant the illegal bug. Oh, her husband is a convicted criminal and notorious womanizer.
Poor Jeanine. It's sad, but amazing that she would subject herself to this for really no reason: she is running against Andrew Cuomo, whose famous name and party affiliation almost guarantee he will win. Not to mention the top of the ticket landslides for Spitzer and H. Clinton will destroy NY Republicans everywhere.
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Poor Jeanine. It's sad, but amazing that she would subject herself to this for really no reason: she is running against Andrew Cuomo, whose famous name and party affiliation almost guarantee he will win. Not to mention the top of the ticket landslides for Spitzer and H. Clinton will destroy NY Republicans everywhere.
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26 September 2006
RIP Lord Byron
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So, yeah I've not been posting, but I am now, due to both a little more free time and also the passing of (apparently) a big time guy in Golf History, Sir Lord Byron. So I read about this guy a little bit in the papers (his passing being news and all) and it becomes clear that absolutely, this is a good guy, sounds like an ideal sportsman. In fact, while playing golf in the 40s and 50s, he was doing so not even for really the love of the game, but instead for the prize money that would allow him to buy things like: a ranch, a tractor and/or a cow, as mentioned in this article. Very solid indeed. But, the point of all of this, is that I think more than anything else, Lord Byron should be remembered for this epic quote, cited in same article:
"I don't know very much," Nelson said in a 1997 interview with The Associated Press. "I know a little bit about golf. I know how to make a stew. And I know how to be a decent man."
Wow. That is awesome. I'm going to repost this now, with the important point bolded (I know my audience sometimes needs a little nudge):
"I don't know very much," Nelson said in a 1997 interview with The Associated Press. "I know a little bit about golf. I know how to make a stew. And I know how to be a decent man."
How many men of my generation (Y?) can honestly say, "I know how to make a stew." Not many. In fact, I can only think of one guy, my good friend P-Bass, who can make a stew (an exceptional one at that, man). But most of us cannot. And were I to die today, my accomplishments would pale in comparison to Lord Byron's:
"I don't know very much," I would have to say in a distant interview with The Associated Press. "I know a little bit about golf, but really truly almost nothing. I know how to find on the internet some sketchy directions about how to make a stew. And I know how to be a decent manager of my time."
So, Lord Byron, I salute you, aspire to be you, but more than anything else, to learn how to make a stew.
13 September 2006
Brilliant Politics
This is the kind of great tactical campaign stuff that makes me smile (direct from Political Wire):
Nearly as brilliant as Congressional candidate Larry Kissel, who has offered gas to voters at $1.22/gallon - the price before his Republican opponent took office.
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In Missouri, a Touchdown for McCaskill
Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill (D) pulled off one of the better political stunts last Sunday, according to the Belleville News Democrat .
A local St. Louis television station was able to broadcast the Rams season-opener only because McCaskill bought the remaining 100 tickets, which resulted in the NFL lifting their local blackout rule. The station later aired a press conference where McCaskill gave the tickets to two charities.
The bottom line: For $4400, McCaskill bought several hours of very good media coverage.
Nearly as brilliant as Congressional candidate Larry Kissel, who has offered gas to voters at $1.22/gallon - the price before his Republican opponent took office.
12 September 2006
The Filter of His Fantasies
NY Times editorial from today (emphasis mine):
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Leave. Iraq. Now.Establishing democracy at the heart of the Middle East no longer qualifies, desirable as that would be. Where Mr. Bush sees an infant secular Iraqi government, most of the world sees a collection of ethnic and religious factional leaders, armed with private militias, presiding over growing strife between Shiites and Sunnis. Warning that American withdrawal would "embolden" the enemy is far from an argument as long as there is constant evidence that American presence is creating a fearful backlash throughout the Muslim world that empowers the fanatics far more than it frightens them.
Fending off the chaos that would almost certainly come with civil war would be a reason to stay the course, although it does not inspire the full-throated rhetoric about freedom that Mr. Bush offered last night. But the nation needs to hear a workable plan to stabilize a fractured, disintegrating country and end the violence. If such a strategy exists, it seems unlikely that Mr. Bush could see it through the filter of his fantasies.
It's hard to figure out how to build consensus when the men in charge embrace a series of myths. Vice President Dick Cheney suggested last weekend that the White House is even more delusional than Mr. Bush's rhetoric suggests. The vice president volunteered to NBC's Tim Russert that not only was the Iraq invasion the right thing to do, "if we had it to do over again, we'd do exactly the same thing."
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Team America
With (of course) little notice on this side of the Atlantic, this past weekend was perhaps one of the best in history for Americans playing in the English Premier League. Check out this recap:
Too bad DMB didn't play, but other than that, absolutely incredible. For those not in the know, Brad Friedel is probably the best goalkeeper in US history, the guy who was in net for the US's amazing run in the 2002 World Cup. He has saved 3 of 4 PKs this season. C'mon, that is ridiculous.
Tim Howard will be the starting 'keeper in the next World Cup, and is currently on loan to Everton from Manchester United. For him to get that shutout against Liverpool is exceptional. And then, Fulham, my favorite EPL team, gets goals from both McBride and Bocanegra to win. Awesome.
There are more Americans playing in the EPL, I think the total number is something like 12 or 13. If you haven't gotten into the EPL, this is a great year to tune in.
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It was a big weekend for American players in the English Premier League. Blackburn's BRAD FRIEDEL saved two penalty kicks in a scoreless tie with Sheffield United, Everton's TIM HOWARD shut out Liverpool, 3-0, and BRIAN McBRIDE and CARLOS BOCANEGRA each scored a goal in Fulham's 2-1 victory over Newcastle. Friedel has saved three of four PKs this season. Yesterday, midfielder BOBBY CONVEY assisted on the goal and MARCUS HAHNEMANN earned the shutout in Reading's 1-0 victory over Manchester City. CLAUDIO REYNA started in the Man City midfielder, but DeMARCUS BEASLEY, acquired from PSV Eindhoven last month, was not on the active roster.
Too bad DMB didn't play, but other than that, absolutely incredible. For those not in the know, Brad Friedel is probably the best goalkeeper in US history, the guy who was in net for the US's amazing run in the 2002 World Cup. He has saved 3 of 4 PKs this season. C'mon, that is ridiculous.
Tim Howard will be the starting 'keeper in the next World Cup, and is currently on loan to Everton from Manchester United. For him to get that shutout against Liverpool is exceptional. And then, Fulham, my favorite EPL team, gets goals from both McBride and Bocanegra to win. Awesome.
There are more Americans playing in the EPL, I think the total number is something like 12 or 13. If you haven't gotten into the EPL, this is a great year to tune in.
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11 September 2006
History, Remembered
ABC has an interesting article up in which they interview some of the students who were in the Florida classroom with Bush on 9/11. Most of them were only about 10 back then and are thus 15 now. I was struck by the following quote from one of the students:
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Andrews has a few questions for the president.
"What is he really doing to prevent war from happening, and what's he really doing to ensure our safety here?" he asked.
What left the biggest impression on these kids that day? The sadness, the tragedy of seeing so much death and destruction. And that is clearly where their focus remains. What are we doing to prevent more death and destruction? Not much.
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08 September 2006
Clarification: Couric, Feminism, and Ron Burgundy
As some readers have helpfully pointed out, Dan Rather has left CBS news and has been replaced by a woman, Katie Couric. I was puzzled by this, as I thought it was some sort of Celebrity News week at CBS. Apparently, it is not. I looked into the issue further and discovered this is most likely the result of something known as "feminism". To quote the wikipedia article to which I have linked:
Note to readers: I hate to have to put in this little disclaimer, but it has come to my attention that my sarcasm and satire are not always readily detectable. If you think I'm joking, I probably am. ¶ 10:38 AM 0 comments
While there is much equity feminism talk of the "glass ceiling," the ranks of women at the CEO, CFO and COO levels of private and public businesses continues its inexorable rise.I suppose you could bundle in "managing editor of the CBS evening news" with this. This "inexorable rise" of feminism has claimed its latest casualty: Dan Rather, the Great American Newsman. This all seemed like some sort of deja vu to me, and then I realized this exactly what happened to Ron Burgundy in the 1970s. The War on Manliness continues.
Note to readers: I hate to have to put in this little disclaimer, but it has come to my attention that my sarcasm and satire are not always readily detectable. If you think I'm joking, I probably am. ¶ 10:38 AM 0 comments
Florence Update: Swordboat Captains, Beware!
Ok, so looks like the impending disaster for the US east coast has now shifted to being an impending doom for Bermuda and Atlantic Canada instead. It's those high pressure systems, you know? If you check out the link above (to Accuweather) you'll see how the Highs are pushing Florence away.
Also, I would like to use this opportunity to address those readers of mine (and there are quite a few) who classify themselves as swordboat captains -- particularly those operating in the area of the Flemish Cap. To quote Linda Greenlaw, as quoted in The Perfect Storm:
Ok, so looks like the impending disaster for the US east coast has now shifted to being an impending doom for Bermuda and Atlantic Canada instead. It's those high pressure systems, you know? If you check out the link above (to Accuweather) you'll see how the Highs are pushing Florence away.
Also, I would like to use this opportunity to address those readers of mine (and there are quite a few) who classify themselves as swordboat captains -- particularly those operating in the area of the Flemish Cap. To quote Linda Greenlaw, as quoted in The Perfect Storm:
Billy? Get outta there! Come about! Let it- let it carry you out of there! What the hell are you doing? Billy! For Christ sake! You're steaming into a bomb! Turn around for Christ sake! Billy, can ya hear me? You're headed right for the middle of the monster! Billy?...You crazy swordboat captains: get outta there! But, I know why you do it. As Billy says:
The fogs just lifting. Throw off you're battle line, throw off you're stern. You head out to South channel, past Rocky Neck, Ten pound island. Past Niles Pond where I skated as a kid. Blow you're airhorn and throw a wave to the lighthouse keeper's kid on Thatcher Island. Then the birds show up black backs, herring gulls, big dumb ducks. The sun hit ya , head North, open up to 12, steamin' now. The guys are busy, you're in charge. Ya know what? You're a goddam swordboat captain! IsAnd for the rest of you: we still will get some big waves from this one, so if you're near the coast, go check it out. ¶ 10:11 AM 0 comments
there any thing better in the world?
05 September 2006
Dan Rather Out on Vacation
Just saw that tonight's CBS Evening News will be hosted by Katie Couric. I assume Mr. Rather has taken a much-deserved vacation. I am going to look this up in a second, but it looks like it is some kind of "Celebrity News Host" week or something (perhaps there is a charity tie-in?). I think Katie Couric is a great way to start the week off - some light, People Magazine type stories would be great instead of the usual heavy fare. I love the cooking segments she does too. I am thinking Will Smith for Wednesday night, with maybe his take on "Hip Hop and Hollywood: The Future of the Biz" or something equally cutting-edge. Thursday perhaps they will go with someone along the lines of Britney Spears, "Working Moms: Why They Might Be Happier at Home Like Me." Friday round out the week with ESPN's Chris "Boomer" Berman to get us pumped up for the NFL season kick-off -- picture some "Osama 'Been Hidin' and We Ain't Been Lookin' Laden takes it to the hole with a monster jam!!"
Anyway, neat idea CBS. And Mr. Rather, enjoy your time at the beach. I know we will have a busy few months of news ahead of us, and we need you to rest up. Can't wait to see you behind that newsdesk, being the All American Newsman we've come to expect.
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Anyway, neat idea CBS. And Mr. Rather, enjoy your time at the beach. I know we will have a busy few months of news ahead of us, and we need you to rest up. Can't wait to see you behind that newsdesk, being the All American Newsman we've come to expect.
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Florence Flowers
It's official. Florence is her name, and she's gunnin' for the eastern seaboard. Well, maybe not yet, but it bears watching. ¶ 11:24 AM 0 comments
It's official. Florence is her name, and she's gunnin' for the eastern seaboard. Well, maybe not yet, but it bears watching. ¶ 11:24 AM 0 comments
04 September 2006
NYC Hurricane Doomsday Scenario
If you're into hurricanes, as I am, you know that there exists a certain doomsday scenario regarding a hurricane hitting New York City. You can read more about it here and here. Anyway, the idea would be two high pressure systems, one off the coast (known as a Bermuda High) and the other coming about as far East as the Appalachians or so. The gulf between these two high pressure systems becomes a direct expressway for the hurricane to the US Northeast, possibly New York City.
So, right now we have Tropical Depression 6 stirring about 15 degrees to the east of the Lesser Antilles. And, we have 1 of the 2 high pressure systems in place. Let's check out Accuweather's graphic:
It's still far too early to tell exactly how this thing will develop. However, last week's Hurricane Ernesto, which was really never much of a threat to the U.S., received an inordinate amount of press, simply because of the massive imprint Katrina has left upon our media landscape. So, this tropical depression might be all over the news if it continues to develop as it is currently forecast to do. Hurricane Florence, if I read the list right. The fact that TD6 could become one of the fiercest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. or could simply dissolve into nothing more than some t-storms hits at why I find it all so interesting.
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So, right now we have Tropical Depression 6 stirring about 15 degrees to the east of the Lesser Antilles. And, we have 1 of the 2 high pressure systems in place. Let's check out Accuweather's graphic:
It's still far too early to tell exactly how this thing will develop. However, last week's Hurricane Ernesto, which was really never much of a threat to the U.S., received an inordinate amount of press, simply because of the massive imprint Katrina has left upon our media landscape. So, this tropical depression might be all over the news if it continues to develop as it is currently forecast to do. Hurricane Florence, if I read the list right. The fact that TD6 could become one of the fiercest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. or could simply dissolve into nothing more than some t-storms hits at why I find it all so interesting.
RIP Steve Irwin
I awoke this morning to some terribly shocking news: Australian naturalist Steve Irwin died after being stung through the heart by a stingray while filming for a Discovery Channel show "Ocean's Deadliest." The circumstances of the death are, well, freakish. The stingray's barb struck him directly in the heart, after penetrating his ribcage, and killed him almost instantly. It is not at all common for a human to die after being stung by a stingray.
Steve Irwin did so much for promoting an understanding of our planet. As the popularity of his show "Crocodile Hunter" rose throughout the globe, so did an awareness of the natural gifts the planet offers us. I was always struck by his compassion: he had a true link to the natural world around him, and was not afraid to wear the related emotions on his sleeve while filming. The following clip captures this well. In Steve's reaction to the death of a crocodile he has known and worked with for many years, you can see what a truly great and caring human he was:
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I awoke this morning to some terribly shocking news: Australian naturalist Steve Irwin died after being stung through the heart by a stingray while filming for a Discovery Channel show "Ocean's Deadliest." The circumstances of the death are, well, freakish. The stingray's barb struck him directly in the heart, after penetrating his ribcage, and killed him almost instantly. It is not at all common for a human to die after being stung by a stingray.
Steve Irwin did so much for promoting an understanding of our planet. As the popularity of his show "Crocodile Hunter" rose throughout the globe, so did an awareness of the natural gifts the planet offers us. I was always struck by his compassion: he had a true link to the natural world around him, and was not afraid to wear the related emotions on his sleeve while filming. The following clip captures this well. In Steve's reaction to the death of a crocodile he has known and worked with for many years, you can see what a truly great and caring human he was:
¶ 10:32 AM 1 comments
01 September 2006
DMB Goes to UK
DeMarcus Beasley, who longtime readers of this blog know is my favorite player on the US men's national team, is moving to the UK. His Dutch club, PSV Eindhoven, loaned him to Manchester City, the "other" club in Manchester. There is no real analysis of this out there yet, but my thinking is, this is a great move for Beasley. Manchester City is a pretty good club, but small enough that Beasley will have a chance to shine. It seems like he's had a rough last year or so at PSV, so a change of scenery should help. Plus, the US Captain, Claudio Reyna, plays for Man City and will be a great resource for Beaz. And, for US fans wanting to see him play, far more Man City games make their way to American TV than do PSV games. So, cheers to that.
To see a small sampling of his skills, click here.
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To see a small sampling of his skills, click here.
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