Although I'd expect the cussing out to continue for some time...
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Swearing In Today
Madame Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Although I'd expect the cussing out to continue for some time...
Although I'd expect the cussing out to continue for some time...
Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis
From: Austin City Limits (January 23, 1993). He's bald now, but glad people still want to hear it.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Follow The Money
Rachel explored some connections Wednesday...
Thursday one of the people named surfaced...
Thursday one of the people named surfaced...
Night Owl U
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This fall, Bunker Hill Community College in Boston will offer two classes between 11:45 pm and 2:30 in the morning... an hour and a half after public transit closes each night. College President Mary Fifield says the school, already operating seven days a week, is bursting at the seams with students partly because of the down economy. She says these night owl classes will provide an opportunity for people who work and can’t go to school during normal hours.
Audio: BBC, PRI & WBUR's Here & Now, August 3. Host: Robin Young.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Political Paranoia
From CBS New Political Hot Sheet"Sen. Accuses White House of Creating "Enemies List"Political Motives? Senator Cornyn of Texas is also currently the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
by Stephanie Condon
The White House in recent days has taken pro-active steps to combat the misinformation spreading about the president's health care plans -- but one Republican senator thinks they are going too far.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) sent a letter to President Obama on Wednesday to express his concern about "a new White House program to monitor American citizens' speech opposing your health care policies."
Cornyn's letter was prompted by a White House blog post written by White House Director of New Media Macon Phillips.
"Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to 'uncover' the truth about the President’s health insurance reform positions," Phillips wrote. "Since we can't keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."
More from CBS
Sicko
It used to be the FBI would find a diary or some other written evidence to explain the acts of a person the press would label as "one lone nut."George Sodini is a name we didn't know until a heinous lashing out at a health club... Yet evidence of his mental state was hiding in plain sight on the internet, in a blog posted on his own domain:
"Probably 99% of the people who know me well don't even think I was this crazy. Told by at least 100 girls/women over the years I was a 'nice guy'. Not kidding." -- George Sodini, on the edge of murder, August 4, 2009.
Home, Home Again
I like to be here when I can
When I come home
cold and tired
Its good to warm
my bones
beside the fire
Far away
across the field
The tolling
of the iron bell
Calls the faithful
to their knees
To hear the
softly spoken
magic spells
AP/Reuters photos via China Daily & Pink Floyd - Breathe (reprise)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Astroturf
Astroturf: a manufactured, as opposed to an organic "grass roots movement."
I saw an anti health care ad by a group calling itself "The Better Government Association."
Turns out they have more than health care on their mind. To quote from their website:
Who are they?
Hard to say. Their website and press release contain no clue about who they are beyond a press contact quoted in a February 15, 2007 posting by "The Non Profit Times":
Mr. Davis (a donor to Fred Thompson's lackadaisical 2008 Republican Presidential Campaign) is referring to political telemarketing, a specialty of InfoCision Management, exempt from "do not call" regulations, or any obligation to the truth. Succesful enough to have purchased naming rights for the football stadium at the University of Akron, InfoCision, which operates 32 call centers, is a "message mercenary." They'll provide workers who in turn will say anything for a price.
Political opposition isn't the only challege for the new highly partisan BGA of Akron. They're being sued for stealing the name of a much older non-partisan group of the same name based in Chicago.
Washington Post Staff Writer Ben Pershing reports today (August 5): $52 Million Has Been Spent So Far on Ads in What Could Be Record-Shattering Battle.
I saw an anti health care ad by a group calling itself "The Better Government Association." Turns out they have more than health care on their mind. To quote from their website:
The mission of the BGA will be:
1. To inform the public on the fallacies of the information being spread by liberal socialist organizations and the facts on capitalism versus socialism;
2. To promote conservative capitalist candidates for public office at all levels;
3. To file lawsuits against unconstitutional laws and actions by government and counter-lawsuits to those lawsuits filed by the liberal socialist organizations; and
4. To form grassroots organizations to compete with ACORN.
Who are they?
Hard to say. Their website and press release contain no clue about who they are beyond a press contact quoted in a February 15, 2007 posting by "The Non Profit Times":
“We have to be very aggressive in our scripting,” said Lance Davis, director of marketing – political for InfoCision, based in Akron, Ohio. “You’ve got to hit them with a sledgehammer in the first five seconds of the call.”
Mr. Davis (a donor to Fred Thompson's lackadaisical 2008 Republican Presidential Campaign) is referring to political telemarketing, a specialty of InfoCision Management, exempt from "do not call" regulations, or any obligation to the truth. Succesful enough to have purchased naming rights for the football stadium at the University of Akron, InfoCision, which operates 32 call centers, is a "message mercenary." They'll provide workers who in turn will say anything for a price.
Political opposition isn't the only challege for the new highly partisan BGA of Akron. They're being sued for stealing the name of a much older non-partisan group of the same name based in Chicago.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Bears & Balls - How to Pay for Health Care | ||||
| ||||
Washington Post Staff Writer Ben Pershing reports today (August 5): $52 Million Has Been Spent So Far on Ads in What Could Be Record-Shattering Battle.
Ensign Email Evidence
"Family values" takes another kick in the nuts:
Jon Ralston's blog and columns appear on the Las Vegas Sun website.
Jon Ralston's blog and columns appear on the Las Vegas Sun website.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Healthcare Holdup
After 2 weeks on vacation, he's back...
Loaded forbear, er elephant & blue dog:
Loaded for
Also see Keith Olbermann's December 14, 2007 appearance on Bill Moyers Journal for a great conversation, including the story of how his controversial "Special Comment" segements began.
Return On Investment
In a story completely unrelated to the current health care debate, NPR reported a college had conducted an effectiveness study on its own lobbying efforts.The results: $122,000 grant dollars returned for every $1 of lobbying money spent.
Lobbying money is the ultimate leverage.
Keep that in mind as you watch "Americans Against Food Taxes" TV Ad:
Who is "Americans Against Food Taxes?"
Their nofoodtaxes.com website is registered to the DC/Sacramento lobbying firm Goddard Claussen, specialists in "issue advocacy," lobbying via mass media, in which a fictitious "grass roots" sounding organization tries to cultivate a few real shoots after fertilizing the populace with mis or disinformation.
Who's paying for "Americans Against Food Taxes?"
Membership includes the American Beverage Association, the National Supermarket Association, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Can Manufacturers Institute, the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, the Corn Refiners Association (manufacturers of "high fructose corn syrup" sweetners), the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the International Dairy Foods Association, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), the National Grocers Association, the National Restaurant Association, the Snack Food Association and the National Taxpayers Union, among others... All except one are food industry lobbyists, looking to preserve big profit margins as their big return on their investment.
Goddard Claussen co-founders Ben Goddard and Rick Claussen are the same people behind the 1993 & 2008-9 "Harry & Louise" ad campaigns, the first credited or blamed for defeating "Clinton Care."
The Health Insurance Association of America, a predecessor to America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) funded the couple’s first appearance speaking out against health care reform in 1993 and 1994. AHIP is not a member of "Health Care First Coalition" (2008's sponsors), but issued a release supporting the current campaign, which launched Aug. 19, 2008 to coincide with presidential nominating conventions... Health insurance mandates are what they're after in the current proposals.
Read Jeff Birnbaum's 2004 profile of the Goddard Clausen firm & their M.O.
AfPak MedEvac
Casualties spiked since the U.S. launched a major offensive into Afghanistan's Helmand province... 39 U.S. troops and 22 British troops killed in July alone. Busy times for U.S. MedEvac (medical evacuation) chopper pilot Jay Hanshaw, who picks up injured Marines on the front line. He joined The Takeaway from "Camp Dwyer."
 | Deployed Into The Dust Audio: PRI & WNYC's program The Takeaway, 7/31/09. |
Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne
From Steely Dan's 1976 album "The Royal Scam." Performed for a "VH1's Storytellers" episode first aired in 2000.
Flip This House
An 82 foot high building was involved in a rollover accident as an attempted demolition went awry in Cankiri, Turkey, August 1:
The BBC reports the building, a flour factory built in 1928, had been idle since the 1980s and was to be demolished to make way for a shopping center.
The BBC reports the building, a flour factory built in 1928, had been idle since the 1980s and was to be demolished to make way for a shopping center.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Smash Open iPhones
Washington Post tech writer Erick Schonfeld of TechCrunch.com explains why an FCC investigation of how the "Google Voice" app was rejected may be the key to making cell phone networks as wide open as the Internet.
Fast Draw: Lessons Of Sand
"And so castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually."
-- Jimi Hendrix (1967)
-- Jimi Hendrix (1967)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Confrontation
People who know my background often ask if the news is biased.
I answer: "Yes... Toward controversy."
When real tension subsides, cable TV finds ways to keep it going:
It was well cast. Ann played her part. Al didn't take the bait.
The producers were probably really disappointed.
"Blessed are the peacemakers." -- attributed to Jesus of Nazareth, circa 32 AD
I answer: "Yes... Toward controversy."
When real tension subsides, cable TV finds ways to keep it going:
It was well cast. Ann played her part. Al didn't take the bait.
The producers were probably really disappointed.
"Blessed are the peacemakers." -- attributed to Jesus of Nazareth, circa 32 AD
Sweet Treat
One of the hallmarks of culinary school is learning about edible garnishes & how to mimic the appearance of other foods. These mini melons are the creation of a home-schooling Mormon mom with a vivid imagination, a built-in clatch of future sous chefs as kitchen helpers and a blog called Chocolate On My Cranium.
CPR - Deja Vu
Recorded in 2000, for Dutch TV:
CPR: David Crosby, Jeff Pevar & James Raymond
with Steve Distanislao (drums) & Andrew Ford (bass.)
CPR: David Crosby, Jeff Pevar & James Raymond
with Steve Distanislao (drums) & Andrew Ford (bass.)
They Met On The Internet
She won't be changing her name:
Having a name that's not gender specific opens up possibilities, but it's not just couples connecting via social networking.
The BBC found clubs of people who share names within Facebook. For example: the "Our Name is David Nelson" group, or a 52-member group called "We Are Paul Quinn" that won't even accept Paulas or Paulines.
The San Francisco Chronicle consulted the director of the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford University, who suggested there's a certain "fascination" to finding a person who shares our name but no other component of what makes us who we are.
So, have you ever Googled yourself?
Having a name that's not gender specific opens up possibilities, but it's not just couples connecting via social networking.
The BBC found clubs of people who share names within Facebook. For example: the "Our Name is David Nelson" group, or a 52-member group called "We Are Paul Quinn" that won't even accept Paulas or Paulines.
The San Francisco Chronicle consulted the director of the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford University, who suggested there's a certain "fascination" to finding a person who shares our name but no other component of what makes us who we are.
So, have you ever Googled yourself?
So You Think You Can Dance?
I do.
Usually reserved for the reception, the bride & groom's first dance proved memorable, even newsworthy, with a cast that took the term "wedding party" and kicked it up a notch.
Happy anniversary to Ken & Julie (17) plus Ben & Meg (6)... Celebrating today!
I can neither confirm, nor deny, the existence, or authenticity, of any photo, tape or digital recording purporting to depict someone alleged to be me "dancing" at either wedding.
Usually reserved for the reception, the bride & groom's first dance proved memorable, even newsworthy, with a cast that took the term "wedding party" and kicked it up a notch.
Happy anniversary to Ken & Julie (17) plus Ben & Meg (6)... Celebrating today!
I can neither confirm, nor deny, the existence, or authenticity, of any photo, tape or digital recording purporting to depict someone alleged to be me "dancing" at either wedding.
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