Little Mr Mahatma

2008-11-04T21:38:00.001-08:00

A Change for a Change
I'll be dipped. America didn't vote again for a rich white guy. Better, the Republicans didn't pull any tricks like they've managed the past 2 elections. Obama won. McCain lost and graciously. I think they and America realized just what a calamity this country is in and voted for a change, a real change. Obama can't do worse than Bush. If anything, his victory signals a couple of changes:

He's not a rich WHITE guy. There I've said it. He's of mixed parentage and bless it he brought us together to overlook race.

He's smart enough not to pick a VP canidate like Sarah Palin. Sure, Biden is an old school rich white guy but he's not a Right-wing nut job like Palin. Watching her debate with Biden, she came across as condescending, inexperienced, and of the same cloth as Bush - running things by guts instead of brains and we saw where that got us

He's young enough to likely survive the 4 years term. This might not have held true for McCain.

Sure, Obama may also be inexperienced but he'll get that damn fast. His diplomatic and oratical abilities are sharper than McCain's and that's also to his benefit. Last, he's not entering the Oval Office unsupported. He'll have his cabinet. He'll have a gazillion Americans online posting their views and recommendations. He won't be in a information vacuum.

He won't be Bush and already things are looking up.

2008-09-06T00:57:00.000-07:00

More of Same - That's Real Change
With the Bush Catastrophe nearing an end, we get to choose the next catastrophe. Third parties are out. Not a chance for real change.

So we have Obama and Biden. Obama - Another slick Democrat who, if he wins, will likely end up flying down in flames at the hands of the Republicans who have little better to do than smear their crap over everyone else. Biden - yet another white politician. Woo-hoo.

Or McCain and Palin. At first, I was excited that McCain chose Palin until I found out it was Sarah and not Michael. It would have been awesome to have a Monty Python member as Veep. That's real change. As it is, I doubt McCain would last out a full term and Palin is too scary. Either of the two and we'll in wars up to our noses.

Oh wait, we already are thanks to Dubya, who, by the way, wants to get us involved in yet another skirmish. This time in Georgia. If McCain comes in add Iran to Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, and whereever else we shouldn't be.

McCain or Obama. Both have professed their belief in Jesus as if now that's a prerequisite for becoming President. Now the Left is leaning Right and the Right much further. How much longer before jackboots become mandatory footwear?

I feel somewhat vindicated about Bush though. Much of everything I posted years ago about him and the phony reasons for invading Iraq have proven true. Bush and his cronies have milked this mess for billions. In fact, if you can remember far back to his first term the big issue was Social Security and how it would run out Real Soon unless something was done. That issue disappeared with the 9/11 and the Invasion.

But consider...Social Security with the, what?, 1/2 TRILLION dollars wasted in Iraq. Think that would solve the problem?

I veer.

Obama or McCain. Neither impresses. Michael Palin would be a better choice.

2008-03-01T23:18:00.000-08:00

Politics And OTher Detritus
Clinton, Obama, and McCain. Proof positive that the U.S. will remain in the crapper for a long time coming. I say this because whichever Democrat gets elected as a rebound from the Bushit Administration, will face four years of attacks from the Republicans, resulting in - 8 years from now - someone from the Right who will make Dubya look good.

Plus, I don't like Clinton, Obama, or McCain.

Hillary is too much the politician. She'll do the politically correct choice for her own power. She'll say the politically correct thing to say, look the politically correct look, and be politically effectual, that is, nothing good for us. She really lost me a couple of years ago when some jackass sponsored yet another jackass bill railing against violence in video games and there she was for the photo op. She was asked for her opinion on the matter and all she could do was smile and say something shallow and meaningless. She gave no valid argument for the bill; she said nothing. She was there for the op. No thank you HIllary.

Obama looks good and sounds good but he loses me because of one reason: religion. Not because of his religion but because he doesn't have the balls to leave religion out of politics. Folks, contrary to misguided belief, America was not founded to be a Christian nation. It was founded to be a free nation. Our Government needs to be free from Poliitics because the second you mix Poltics and Religion, you get a conflict of interest between serving a God/Gods and serving the people. For our country you also get a nice backlash from non-Christian nations.

But back to Obama. I'm just not sure of his substance, his savviness and his ability to hold up in the corrupt halls of our Government. Bye-bye Obama.

McCain is too old and too much a war freak. Don't get me started (again) on why Iraq was a massive mistake but the fact that McCain supports it, loses him my vote and interest.

Honestly, the only candidate who seemed to have answers and plans of action instead of words and clever saying was Edwards, but his family problems and lack of Blackness/Femality did him in. He wasn't a convenient label for the Media to use.

On the other hand, BUSH WILL FINALLY BE GONE!!! Farewell to the Bottom Decile!!!

2007-08-11T13:32:00.001-07:00

Follow-up to Frys
For the past week my 8 year old rarely mentioned the Frys fiasco, instead focusing on the chase. Which stores can we look at? Where can we look online? Last night he trolled the entire Northridge mall in search of an MP3 player but to avail.

And this morning it happened, proving that good things do (occassionally) come to those with patience and a positive spirit. During the kids piano lessons my wife ducked out to a nearby drug store. She came tearing back with a bag.

"$3," she said. "It's only 512 mb but it's also a voice recorder and a flash drive." She pulled out from the bag a no-name MP3 player. The sticker said $20. The discount sticker said $5.

"The cashier said it was on sale," my wife explained.

At that price we went back and grabbed four more. The cashier commented that all of them had different prices (they didn't) so was it okay for her to charge us $1.50 each?

YES!!!

And my 8 year old is thrilled with his new player. It's not a 1 gb like his brothers but it wasn't $30 either. In fact, his brother also bought one of the cheapies.

Peace again reigns in the Mahatma family.

2007-08-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

Another Frys Tale of Horror
I just returned from returning something from Frys. For those of you unfamiliar with Frys it's a superstore of electronics, like a cross between Best Buy and Radio Shack. They have a great variety and you never know what you'll find on sale. Their reputation though is thoroughly sullied by abyssmal Customer Service combined with a practice of rewrapping and reshleving returned merchandise. Most customers have true love/hate relationship with the place. You go there knowing you may find what you want but at the risk of having to return it. It's a perverse form of gambling.

Anyway. My wife and I were shopping for a VCR to DVD conversion package and my youngest son wanted an MP3 player like his older brother. Looking online, Frys had an MP3 player - 1 gb, white - for $20. My youngest had saved up his money and he had just that amount. So off we went.

Frys Failure #1: Poor Inventory Management. We found the VCR / DVD Conversion packages in the software department. Usually these packages have a hardware component that sits between your VCR and PC, plus software. That's exactly what we were looking for. Unfortunately I kept looking and found more packages - different packages - in the graphics card section of hardware. Same type of hardware / software solutions located in two different departments.

It gets better.

We collected the packages that looked like they may do the trick and asked an employee for help. Did this package have all the cables? DId that package have a certain type of cable? [Insert sounds of crickets. Hello?!?] We asked if they had a computer that had Net access so we could look up the specs. "Sure," they said, "in the Service Department." So off went to the Service Department.

The Service Department is incorrectly named because it's the last thing you'll get there. The person helping us said that they did have a computer with Net access - the one right behind him. But because some of the packages we wanted to look up were from the software department we'd have to get an employee from that department to stand with us while we used that machine.

Frys Failure #2: Clueless Customer Service Read that last paragraph again. The Service Department employee wanted us to get another employee to come stand with us while we looked online for a review?!? Un - freaking - believable.

Scrap getting the conversion package until we do more homework. Now for the Mp3 player and I have to say right off that my youngest kid showed the heart of a lion. As I will soon relate, he got disappointed not once but thrice and proved the better between us.

As I mentioned earlier we had found online an MP3 player - 1 gb, white - $20. We found it in stock in the flash drive hardware aisle, for $30. Same exact item - $10 more. That was the first disappointment. An employee came to help and I asked about the pricing discrepancy, he said that the online prices differed from the store prices because when you buy online you have to return it online instead of to a store. Huh?!?

Frys Failure #3: Poor Business Model Between Store and Online - that's all I'll say about that.

We noted that directly above the plethora of the $30 MP3 players the exact same model in black for $20, except they were out. The employee went to the back to see if they had any more but no. Sold out and no more expected, and - no - he couldn't sell us the white model for $20. My kid did the big eyes and quivering lips but to no avail. Second disappointment yet with a barb back. My kid said loudly that he'll find what he wants online from another store.

Frys Failure #4: Powerless Employees.

My wife had wandered off. She was in the radio aisle where she found - lo! and behold - MP3 players. On sale they had a 2 gb MP3 player/flash drive for $20. My kid was thrilled.

Frys Failure #5: Employees Who Don't Know What's On Sale. It's bad enough when you have the same items in two different departments but the problem gets compounded when your employees don't know that much less what's on sale.

We got the MP3 player and plugged it into the computer to download songs. Uh-oh! Norton says there's a virus on it but that it's been quarantined. Still, it comes right up as a flash drive and we copy some MP3s to it. Now insert a new battery and...nothing. It won't play or light up. Try another new battery and same result. Insert it back into the computer and nothing. Piece of junk and the final disappointment for my brave-hearted kid.

So today after work I suffered the hell that is the Frys Return. Honestly it wasn't too bad a wait but when I mentioned that I really wanted the $30 MP3 player and explained the whole scenario, I could hear those crickets chirping. I asked about whether they price match (they do) but they won't match their own online prices.

What an aggravating, pain-in-the-ass store. I was there when they opened in Woodland Hills. They had horrible service then and they still have horrible service.

Hello Frys! It's more than having the employees smile, it's about doing the right thing by the customer, about having your inventory ass-ets together, about getting past the nonsensical and illogical policies. You may be profitable but how much more so if you only had your collective crap together.

Meanwhile there's a disappointed 8-year boy who smiled throughout the ordeal. He will be shopping elsewhere.

2007-07-23T20:11:00.001-07:00

Being and Emptiness
My life is over - bleak, empty, void. Now every moment is a struggle, a perpetual question of "Why bother?". It is, simply, over.

And I know why it happened and when and how and I couldn't stop it, couldn't avoid draining my life's worth untila ll was empty.

It started with "God of War". This Playstation 2 has garnered a million awards and sold 10 times more copies. I had bought a copy of the game a year ago and never played it. It sat in a drawer with a few other games that I knew someday I'd get around to...someday.

And about a month ago someday happened. A free weekend with a few hours to fill and out came the stack. I decided to give each game a solid 1/2 hour of play, figuring that'd be plenty of time to determine whether the game was a keeper or not.

Let me confess now that I had little hopes for any of the games because frankly I'm a computer gamer, not a PS2 gamer. I grew up with computers and was in gaming from the early days of the Apple 2. For me, computer games peaked with Doom, Diablo 2, Warlords 2, Starcraft, and Duke Nukem. Everything after that was more of the same. Worse, I couldn't "get" console controllers. They're harder than a keyboard and mouse. You can't twiddle with console files as easily as with computer files. Consoles are for kids.

So I thought. I started through the pile and one game after another fell by the wayside. Then "God of War". I loaded it and started playing, thinking that I wouldn't like the control but it was OK. Hmmm, mythology, hack 'n' slash, naked bosoms, hidden chests - I played games kind of like this before but not like this. This was freaking awesome!

I finished "God of War" in about a week and passed it on to my kids.

A quick aside. "God of War" is rated "M for Mature" because of the gore and naked bosoms. Yet, I let my kids watch me play. They saw the gore and the bosoms, adn didn't care. They were captivated by the puzzles, the play, and the theme. If anything they now know that war is not clean or heroic or fun but gross, scary, and not to be taken lightly. I didn't make a fuss over the bosoms and they didn't get fixated. Maybe something there to be learned.

Anyway. I finished "God of War" and went right out and got "God of War 2". Same thrill and involvement - pure escapism. I couldn't and didn't want to stop playing. I finished it in even less time than "God of War" and felt...drained, lost. I wanted more. I wanted "God of War 3" NOW!!! But that game doesn't exist.

That was last week.

I thought I was getting over "God of War" until last Saturday. That's when the family went to the local mall, to the bookstore, and I got "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". I started reading the book that night - 200 pages down. Sunday I told the family to leave me alone. 550 pages later I was done. The series was over and...now what?!?

No more "God of War". No more Harry Potter. Life feels so bleak and empty now. I don't know if I can make it until Friday the 27th when The Simpsons Movie and what will happen when that series ends?

2007-02-23T08:26:00.000-08:00

1st Amendment
Coming home on the commuter bus, I was witness - the entire bus was witness - to an exercise in Freedom of Speech. This young couple, and I'll say they were of Middle Eastern origin judging from their looks, dress, and speech, were having a little argument for whatever reason. Actually, he was doing the arguing: berating her, threatening divorce, and using language inappropriate for kids (which there were plenty on the bus). She kept trying to quiet him down and when she did so, he would go off on a tirade that this was America and he had Freedom of Speech. He could say whatever he wanted.

And when he said that he kept looking around like he expected us to side with him. Dude, welcome to America! We do enjoy the Freedom fo Speech but it doesn't mean we should act like braying jackasses or treat our spouses like servants.

3 Democrats - 1 Office
I think it's safe and fair to say that there are only three viable Democratic candidates for 2008: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. I don't like HIllary because she's too political. Everything she says and does is measured in political brownie points. She, the person, doesn't come through. For her, though, is that she has the most political experience of the three. If she won the candidacy, how long before jokes about blue dresses or blue jeans popped up?

Obama is a ray of light. He speaks well and has undeniable charisma. He doesn't have the political experience of the other two. The one time on TV I heard him speak, he impressed me with his eloquence but lost me when he brought religion into his speech.

Edwards is an intelligent speaker though not as eloquent as Obama. He was on one of those Sunday morning news shows and he laid out a plan for Iraq that was insightful. He gave details and reasons for actions. My problem with him is, simply, he doesn't have the Presidential Stature. Hillary and Barack have the composure. Edwards is more VP material.

Maybe an Obama/Edwards or Clinton/Edwards ticket would do it. What I'd like to see in any case is a candidate who doesn't drag religion into politics. Better would be a candidate who declares that religion shouldn't be a part of politics and acts accordingly. I'd like a candidate who recognizes that our Government is not beholden to Corporate America but to the Real America, the ordinary people who put them in power. I'd like a candidate with the intelligence to weigh decisions, not act from the gut like our current President. I'd like a candidate who can speak in complete sentences, without sound bites or pre-written material. I'd like a candidate who has the guts to admit mistakes and not slough off past errors as childish mistakes. I'd like a candidate who understands that our country, great as it is, doesn't rule the world nor should it try to - Diplomacy has to be a vital tool in the political kit.

I'd like a candidate, a President, who doesn't make me feel like I need to bathe after seeing him or her, someone for whom we don't have to apologize.

2007-02-03T16:39:00.001-08:00

If Not A Lie
It is the epitomy of irony that Bush went to Wall Street and suggested that greedy Executives be held to "pay for performance" standards. By that logic, he'd be paying us for his, frankly, god-awful performance as President. For Bush his performance is typical of his career; succeeding by virtue of the Bush name and Bush family contacts. It's not his intelligence or diplomatic skills; it's not his business acumen.

But as always, I get sidetracked so easily.

Bush is now provoking Iran with subtly threats of "Do as I say or face the consequences". This is the Bush family tactic, by the way, and while it works one way in business, it doesn't work quite the same way on the International political scene. If I were Iran and heard these types of threats I wouldn't be very scared. Considering that Bush has our military quagmired in Iraq and Afghanistan, and working in Somalia - they know we're spread too thin. They also know that America gets sick of war real fast and we're sick of it now. For us, it's a weakness and strength.

The Middle East is a mess and America in too many ways isn't far behind. Unless you're in the Oil Biz you may not be doing too well. What really hurts is that the billions wasted in Iraq could've have been well spent in the U.S.. If you are in the Oil Biz, you are daily blessing Saint Dubya. This past week saw yet another quarter of record oil profits.

Quiz question: What do Unocal, Exxon, Dubya Bush, Dick Cheney, and Iraq have in common?

2007-01-28T11:03:00.001-08:00

Who Sez?
In my day Sunday morning TV used to be fun - Wonderama, wrestling, cartoons. Now it's evangelists and political analyses. So while channel-flipping bright and early, I came across an interview with Duncan Hunter, a Republican Rep from California. He was a scary looking sort of fellow with an even scarier rhetoric. Simply, he spouted the too commonly held American belief that America has a duty to spread Freedom and, thus, our presence in Iraq is justified. In addition, he said, with regards to Islamo-fascists it's better to fight them now and over there, that the confrontation was inevitable. We've heard that before too.

But both logics are twisted and dangerous.

Taking the latter idea first that it's better to fight a (perceived) enemy now rather than later is an insane basis for a foreign policy much less any other type of social policy. Are we too fight anyone who disagrees with us? We'd be fighting half the world. Is our enemy based on potential economic threat? Then China should be our next target. Military threat? China's right there. By all logic, we should be gearing for war against China. It sure looks like they're doing the same for us.

But we're in the Middle East. Why? 9/11 was an attack from al Qaeda. Yet the War on Terror has expanded to nearly all groups of Islamic origin that, well, disagree with what we think. That's the same attitude from Wordl War II that all Germans were Nazis and vice versa. It isn't true. Where Bush has failed is keeping the focus on the target. He didn't finish the job with Osama. Iraq not only distracted from that pursuit but split our forces, wasted billions, emboldened Iran, strenghtened the "Islamo-fascists"...

If you're going to fight, isn't it better to fight an enemy one at a time, rather than all at once? But looks at Bush has brought us to: Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia. And those are the fights we know about. The War on Drugs (remember that one?) is still being waged. Yet THAT War is being cannabilized for for the War on Terror. So now you have a War on Drugs where, before we moved in to Afghanistan, there was little Opium being produced to now it's the major world supplier. And arguably we're behind it.

All because of...what?...will we ever now the real reason Bush dragged us into Iraq? It's wasn't al Qaeda or WMDs or Hussein being a threat to our National Security. But Iraq shoudl have taught us that fighting an imaginary enemy can turn real in a very ugly way.

For most of the life of the U.S. there has been this notion that we must spread Democracy to the rest of the world, that somehow our political system is so inherently superior that it must grow, not natural, but forcefully. Who sez?

We do have a great political system albeit one that is quickly being undermined by corrupt and self-serving politicians. But however great our system is its greatness should spread by example not by force. Our way of life should be an illustration of what Freedom entails. That illustration should market and merit itself. By forcing our system on other countries is wasteful, disrespectful, dangerous, and potentially self-defeating. Some call it Imperialism. But however called Freedom must be gained from the inside not forced from the outside.

Look at North Korea. The people are in terrible straights while their Leader has all his Western toys. How long before the discrepancy drives the populace to revolt? It's a matter of time. (Of course, if North Korea has any oil reserves we'd be more attentive.)

The point of this rant is that America's greatness should come by example not by force and our current leaders don't see or understand this. Our greatness can't shine through with a President who can't distinguish between your average Islamic follower and one who's burying the mine trap. But then again our President isn't know for his powers of reasoning or diplomacy.

2007-01-21T18:15:00.001-08:00

American Idle
I stopped posting for a couple days way back in September. The days turned into weeks then months. The world didn't come to an end with me not posting and frankly I didn't miss it. It broke the rut. Too often week after week I was simply rehashing some tidbit of news from Yahoo, usually about another mindless move by Prez Bush, and inserting my own mindless commentary. It was sort of fun and too time consuming.

So I took a break that went on longer than expected.

Am I back? I don't know though, politically, there's plenty to gripe about. On the positive side it looks like - finally - the other half of America is beginning to get an inkle of just how incompetent our current Administration has been and will be. Iraq is a shambles without much hope of getting better. Afghanistan is sinking quickly and bin Laden (remember him?) still runs loose. Castro is dying but that's due to old age, not to any action by Bush.

But what I originally planned to write about was the show "American Idol". I made the mistake of watching some of it this past week and have regretted the loss of time. What a piece of garbage! The good singers all sound the same with their cookie-cutter belting out of a musical phrase after musical phrase. There was no singing! It was all blast-and-warble. Or, to put it another way, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, and others who are not vocally perfect but are musically gifted wouldn't have made the cut to Hollywood.

Even more painful were the other shows. "Beauty and the Geek", "Armed and Famous"...what utter trash. And, no, I'm not going to pay for cable. That'll just get me 900 channels of more trash. Of course, I'll get movies, great movies, CLASSIC movies, like "Jackass 2" or other attitude-loaded crap.

No thanks.

2006-09-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

Back To Work
There are few things worse than work and fewer things worse than going back to work after a vacation. I'm wiped. First off, my work rhythm is completely off. I got used to sleeping in a bit more. Having to wake up early, shave, shower, grab some food then rush out for an hour and a half commute made me tired before I reached work.

At work then is the catching up on emails and all the crises that no one could, or wanted to, handle. Finally, the long slow, slog home in time to eat a quick dinner, read email, blog, and pass out. Which is what I'm....

2006-09-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Be-Laboring The Point
Almost two weeks since the last update but I have a written excuse: my wife and I did our parental duties and took the kids to Disneyland for three days. That the kids had a great time means the trip was a success but - boy! - did we get get somewhat taken.

The park has grown beyond the "do-it-in-one-day" boundary. With California Adventure next door, Disneyland demands that you devote a minimum of two days. We did three which turned out to be just right. Mind you we went Tuesday through Thursday of last week. Many schools were in session so the park wasn't packed, yet it wasn't the true off season so all the rides were open. The first day we "did" Disneyland proper, including multiple sessions on the big ticket rides like Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn. The revamped Pirates of the Caribbean looked great with new special effects. The second day we went through Disneyland again going on a few of the lesser rides as well as, of course, again going on our favorites from the day before. The kids acted up so we forced them through "It's A Small World" with the threat that if they continued to act up they go on the ride again. Their behavior improved. Late in the day we found ourselves Disneylanded out so we traipsed over to California Adventure to get a preview of our next day. In the two hours there we managed to get through Grizzly River Rapids, the Massive outdoors climbing area and Paradise Pier. Thursday we finished California Adventure and returned to Disneyland for one last ride on our favorites and to watch the fireworks show.

So, how did we get taken? As I started above, the park demands more than two days. We made our reservations through Disneyland for a three-day park hopper plus hotel. We saved about $400 by not choosing a Disney hotel but one of their friendly partners. Our hotel was literally across the street. No complaints there. That the maid was asleep in our room...well...that's not a Disney issue.

No, the gripe was in the math. If we had bought the hopper tickets and gotten the room withouth going through Disney we could have saved another $200. Plus, by going through Disney we weren't eligible to gain frequent user points for the hotel.

Sure, Disney gave us extras like getting access to the park 1 hour early on one morning, lanyards for collecting (overpriced) Disney pins, and discount coupons to offset the absurd prices, but they couldn't counteract the price difference we paid.

We ate at the Blue Bayou - the nice restaurant next to the Pirates ride. I had fond memories of eating their as a kid but, while the food was good - not great - but good, it wasn't worth the price. $150 for 5 and that's with 3 kids. The best offering is the prime rib but it wasn't a $30 prime rib, it was a $15 prime rib. Sure, you can eat outside of the park and save bundles but your feet will have already taken a pounding, your kids will already be wilting with exhaustion, why subject everyone to an extra half-mile hike for cheap food? Disney knows this. Disney exploits this.

But the kids had a great time and they'll continue to do so until they have kids and take their kids to Disneyland. They'll then feel the pain.

A final word. California Adventure was odd. My wife commented that it made her want to visit the real places (again) instead of being in the phony versions here. My feeling was that they borrowed from the other amusement resorts. Grizzly River Rapids reminded me of Magic Mountain's Roaring Rapids (or whatever their rafting ride is called) only with 30 years of improvements over the original. The Hollywood Backlot area needed only a tram ride to mimic Universal Studios (and Downtown Disney was a CityWalk clone if ever there was one). Don't be surprised if a Shamu clone ends up swimming around Paradise Pier.

2006-08-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

Some Get It
There was this Harvard Divinity High-up muckity-muck on TV. Old guy wearing the clerical garb and looking rather prudish. Lemons would pucker looking at him. And yet he got it.

He said that the problem or challenge with monotheism is that it presents God as an absolute and fanaticism is the result when the followers absorb that idea a bit too much. It was a sound bite which didn't allow follow-up questions regarding the nature of God, like God is absolute what? Good? Evil? If anything God bears a suspicious resemblance to (generic) man with all foibles, idiosyncracies, and problems therein.

But the topic here is really about Science and Religion. Can they co-exist? Previously I've written that they really can't, that as Science expands its knowledge, Religion must recede. God may represent some absolute nugget of knowledge that will never be attained but who's to say Science won't unveil that nugget.

The problem is that Religion recognizes the danger of Science and therefor attempts to stifle it as much as possible. Witness the latest moves of the Vatican firing their Astronomer and the horrific anti-Science antics of Bush.

Science is about exploration, about questioning, about seeking answers. Rarely in Science is anything considered absolute. Yes, you have absolute zero and the speed of light but even these "absolutes" get attacked, prodded, and scrutinized.

Religion says simply that God is it and there's no need for further discussion or exploration. Or, the (generic monotheistic) Preachers say there's freedom of inquiry but always up to a point. Any line of thought that threatens the dogma gets subdued, often harshly. Goodness, how many times have I gotten email saying that a statement I wrote will send me to Hell, or that I should just (blindly) accept Jesus to go to Heaven. But if I say "Sure, show me any evidence of Hell or Heaven or anything beyond Death and I go along with your admonishment. Show me that Jesus was as you claim and I'll believe." But if you whip out a Bible and start quoting from here and there, you'd better be prepared to demonstrate the validity and reality of your Source. I could take any book and make the claim that it's Divinely inspired or is the true Word of God if only you believe hard enough.

So really it comes down to Belief Systems. Some of us have rather flexible belief systems and I would guess that we tend to become scientists or some such. Others have more rigid belief systems and some have severely inflexible belief systems. I can accept them but they can't accept me. And therein lies the problem plagueing our so-called Modern World.

2006-08-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Stupid Mouse Creatures
Around this time of year is when we take our Family Vacation, usually a long drive somewhere with little planning but lots of impromptu fun and exploration. This year, with the kids at that age, we decided to cave in and take them to the House o' Mouse. Yep, we're going to Disneyland.

And right off the bat we made our first and second mistakes. By waiting too long we couldn't avail ourselves of the full power of the AAA travel agents. Lesson learned: give yourself plenty of planning time.

Second mistake was booking through the Disneyland site. We saved some money by not staying at any of the Disney hotels proper but after we hit the confirm button on our reservation, we then spent the time to price our room and tickets separately. We found that we could have saved $300 if not more by booking our hotel room through the hotel web site (or AAA) and buying the Disney passes through Costco. Stupid us.

Recently I finished a book about Disneyland and all the hidden stuff therein. One of the points it made was that the difference between the Disney Era compared to the Eisner Era is that Disney was concerned about the guests having a good time. Eisner's focus was on the guests leaving with empty pockets.

I can see how true that is today. I grew up with Disneyland during the time of the A-E tickets and when they first brought out the passes. You could do Disneyland in a day - no problem - and go on all the favorite rides. But not any more. By expanding the park and adding California Adventure you have to spend at least two days, if not more, to do things right. I fear that for my kids Disneyland won't have that special homey feel that I remember. Instead it'll be just another amusement park. Run! Get in line and wait for 40 minutes. Do the ride. RUN!

Of course, to make the experience more efficient we could pay for special passes but that's my point. The Disney magic comes with a steep price and for Joe Ordinary like myself, I don't want to pay it. Nor, I think, is that what Disney intended when he built the place. I know my kids won't be growing up with Disneyland the way I did.

2006-08-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

There's Disasters...
And then there's Bush.


Bush: Leaving Iraq now would be disaster

By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent 

WASHINGTON -President Bush said Monday the Iraq war is "straining the 
psyche of our country" but leaving now would be a disaster.

It's not the Iraq War that's straining the psyche of the country, it's Bush's utter ineptness as President combined with the gall, chutzpah, and hypocrisy of his Administration. He's the cause of our moral and morale decline, not just the Iraq War. We want a leader, not a buffoon.

Yes, to leave Iraq now would be a distaster. But to stay would be a bigger disaster. Bush doesn't get that but, then again, his friends are making sure those blinders are tight and snug.

2006-08-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

Ceasefire - Restock - Start Again
I get the distinct feeling that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is nothing more than a lull to re-stock. Certainly, both sides are crowing more about victory than about peace. Yep, nothing like a religious war to get the blood flowing, literally and figuratively. I think all sides should send their holiest warriors - their best of the best - to a neutral spot to fight it out and after the hidden nuke goes off any survivors will be declared the winner and Peace shall reign in their name. The ratings will be boffo.

For the U.S. I'd nominate and insist that George W. go as our valiant leader and Christian-Warrior supreme. Go Georgy! Lead your neo-cons down the path of righteousness to victory over the heathen scum. Kill! Maim! Slay!

(Push the button, Max!)

On a lighter, more cerebral note I recommend "Germinal" by Emile Zola. This books was written about 60 years before Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" but the topics are similar, namely fairness for workers. It was a great book but apparently it's one in a series of twenty. I don't know if I can handle 6,000 more pages but it's sure tempting considering the quality of writing. But, first, I want to finish the collected stories of Kafka. All I can say about Kafka is that he's so Kafka.

2006-08-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Continued
Yesterday I mentioned how Bush wants us to think in terms of Freedoms vs. Safety. That is, to be safe we have to give up some freedoms. However, I noted that the two aern't opposites. That the opposite of freedom is imprisonment and that it is possible to be free AND safe.

What irks me is that there is so much emphasis by Bush on terrorism that greater threats to us are overlooked: pollution, crime, car accidents, gun accidents, smoking, and so on. Terrorism, frankly, doesn't register as a concern. It doesn't affect me but could. On the other hand, the new airline rules do have a more immediate effect. The covert eavesdropping by our Government does pose more of intrusion into our lives than terrorism.

In short, we have more to fear from our own Government than terrorists. That ain't right; that ain't America.

2006-08-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

Unbelievable Bushit


Bush sees terrorism war 'for years to come'

MCLEAN, United States (AFP) -
President George W. Bush pointed to last week's alleged plot in Britain to bomb 
US-bound airliners as evidence that the US-led war on terrorism will last "for 
years to come."

"America is safer than it has been, but it is not yet safe," Bush said after 
meeting with senior national security aides and touring the US National Counter-
Terrorism Center (NCTC) just outside of Washington.

Bush, flanked by homeland security adviser Fran Townsend, director for 
national intelligence John Negroponte, and CIA chief Michael Hayden, thanked 
the NCTC staff, pointing to their "good work" with British counterparts in 
thwarting the alleged airline bomb plot last week.

"The work going on here really is indicative of the challenge we face, not only 
this week, but this year and the years to come," in the global war on terrorism 
sparked by the September 11, 2001 attacks, said Bush.

The president, suffering in the polls because of sky-high gas prices and the 
unpopular war in Iraq, was on the second day of a week-long push on national 
security and the economy, two critical issues in the November 7 vote.

Historically, Bush's Republicans have enjoyed an edge over Democrats on 
national security, but a few recent polls have called that into question and the 
opposition party seems eager to make the most of the issue.

The campaign-style push comes one month before the fifth anniversary of the 
September 11 terrorist strikes and one week after the news of the alleged 
conspiracy in London to bomb US-bound airliners with liquid explosives.

"The enemy has got an advantage when it comes to attacking our homeland. 
They've got to be right one time, and we've got to be right 100 percent of the 
time to protect the American people," said the president.

"I'm proud to report that there's a lot of good folks that are working hard to see 
to it that we're right 100 percent of the time," added Bush.

Three things. First comment is unrelated to this but needs to be said.

Regarding the Mideast Ceasefire...that Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria are claiming a victory is not unexpected. But for Bush to declare Israel the victor is downright stupid. How is that diplomatic? How will that help keep a peace? Instead the U.S. should have stated a more neutral position claiming that neither side won because simply neither side did win. The body bags tell that story. Bush should be muzzled.

About the blurb above and point number two...so the U.S. has two wars without end: drugs and terrorism. How convenient then that the onerous laws passed in support of such wars are essentially permanent. All the laws allowing searches based on mere suspicion, wiretaps, etc. are set up for the third "War without End", namely the "War against Indecency". We've seen the opening broad sides with the reprisals for Janet Jackson's wardrobe "malfunction". We have the V-chip appearing in TV's, ratings on everything. Next up will be the final push to control our information for decency's sake. It won't be called censorship, it'll be called decency filtering or some such buzz phrase. It'll be for our safety.

And that's the third point. The Bush cabal wants you to think that safety must be gained at the sake of freedom, or phrased differently, it's freedom vs. safety. But the two aren't opposites. The opposite of freedom is imprisonment and as they take away more of our liberties, we must therefore become more imprisoned. Are we more safe? Let's put it this way, how many of you would voluntarily go to a Federal prison to be more safe? None of you, I bet, because our prisons are incredibly dangerous. To be safe doesn't mean you have to give up freedoms. It does mean you have to be smart, responsible, alert, and respectful. But thiese are the Bush years so those qualities don't apply.

2006-08-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

Rambling Roundup
The Dodgers are at the top of their division but the local little league team could as easily be there. I remember Tommy Lasorda saying many years ago that a good team would win about 2/3rds of their games. By that criterion only Detroit could be considered a good team. None would be a great team.

Bruin football starts in a month but no one will notice because USC football starts at the same time. What new Trojan scandals will we see this year? My knives are sharpened.

Two paragraphs without mentioning Bush. That's a new personal best. But it's too depressing. Last year I thought Bush couldn't get any worse or act more incompetent. Boy, was I wrong. I think this guy is hellbent on getting Armageddon going - seriously! That's what the Religious Right wants - a Master War in the Mid-East so that Judgement Day occurs and Bush gets to ride a white stallion at the side of Jesus, or some lunatic fantasy like that.

It's all bloodshed - more stupid, unnecessary, religious-based bloodshed. It's to the point where they fight because they don't know any other way to live. Democracy isn't the answer in that case. They need a touch of humanity. Notice I haven't specified which side this would apply to - both could use the touch.

And the recent British interruption of a major potential act of terrorism... Why, if the bad guys have been caught are they subjecting the rest of us to these onerous rules and regulations? They didn't have the rules when they caught the bad guys, why impose them now? It doesn't make sense. I guess Bush and Blair want to show they're on top of things, maybe get their approval ratings out of the toilet.

The best way to show terrorists the beauty of Freedom and Democracy is to have unfettered Freedom and Democracy. Anything else shows the terrorists have won and are arguably on the side of the current ruling Regime. Or, put in plain English, Bush needs and wants terrorists. With them, he can justify passing and/or breaking any law. The proof is in our existence.

One more time: Impeach Bush!

2006-08-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Another Fine Mess
In the LA Times, conservative columnist Max Boot (AKA Das Boot) called for increasing the number of troops in Iraq or we may lose the war. I had to fight my breakfast from coming up because for the past - what? - three years we've heard nothing from the Bush Administration but that "Mission accomplished", or that the war was won and this is a minor skirmish, or that things are getting better in Iraq.

They're not. Either the civil war that's occuring is going to get worse and take a lot of our soldiers in the process, or the country may split apart, fight amongst themsleves and still take a lot of our soldiers in the process. Iraq stinks and we need to get out.

We shouldn't have invaded in the first place. Doing so gave Iran the breathing room to spread their wings (and armaments) and now look. The Mid-East isn't in any better shape and the World isn't any safer. But what can you expect when you have a semi-literate, (possibly recovering) alcoholic, no-nothing, malleable puppet for a leader as we do.

At least, Lieberman got his neo-conservative ass whooped. Democrat! He's as Democratic as Falwell.

2006-08-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

Ramming Speed
Driving home today I almost purposely rammed into the car ahead of me. He wasn't driving erratically but he did something so annoying that I nearly lost whatever semblance of cool I had. Even with Led Zeppelin blasting on the stereo, my apres-work calm got destroyed.

So what did he do? Did he flip me off? No, I bet he didn't even know that what he did was an act of provocation.

What he did was, simply, throw his used, lit cigarette butt out his car window, where it landed on the ground and started gently rolling with the wind. The cigarette was still lit and letting off a thin wisp of smoke.

Here's why his little act cheesed me off:

The most obvious reason: littering. He might not give a flying about the neighborhood but I do and a cigarette butt here and there, and over there adds up to a lot of butts. The kids don't need to find them and play with them.

The weather finally stopped its brutal heat, leaving a nice dry city ripe for fires. Chucking a lit cigarette out the window won't make it magically stop smoldering. That, with the gentle wind, meant the stick would stay lit *AND* be on the move. This is how many of the fires get started - stupidity.

But the biggest reason was that on his car was one of those DARE bumperstickers. Dude! You dare your kids to keep off drugs while you suck on a deathstick. Good example fo the young 'uns.

I shouldn't get so worked up but it was so stupid and the temptation to ram my Suburban up his little prissy Toyota tailpipe was THERE, if you get my drift. One little firm press on the accelerator...

2006-07-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

Monday Miscellaneous Musings
I can't believe it's the end of July already. The summer's half over and the heat wave finally broke. It's a beautiful morning. Shame that I have to waste it on going to work.

Does anyone else find it ironic that now Bush is asking the U.N. for help? After snubbing and castrating the U.N. to push his invasion of Iraq, now Bush finds that perhaps he's in over his head. That or he plans to set them up as some sort of scapegoat. If it sounds like I have no trust or faith in Bush, you're absolutely right. Any sympathy I had for the guy after 9/11 disappeared once the war rhetoric kicked in. Can we please have a President who doesn't take us into some sort of war?

I'm thinking of converting to Islamo-Christianity. Then I could claim to be a servant of Allah and kill heathens in his name (to get the virginal reward). Any guilt I feel would be absolved because I'd also accpt Christ as my savior. The problem is: should I kill myself as a heathen?

2006-07-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

Bully Bush Bad Boy
Too often I get the feeling that Bush was bullied as a young boy and now he's striking back by portraying a tough guy image, an image that worked for John Wayne and other "tough Texans" but in reality has made a shambles in the political world. His "oops the mike is on?!?" remark showed a shallow grasp of the desperate and dangerous situation in the MIddle East. His typical reaction and pro-action of "More force, more force!" may bring smiles to the Terminator intellects that comprise his ilk, and to those who think that the U.S. has some sort of right to rule the world, but for those of us who do use our brains regularly we see his leadership and use of American forces as an unnecessary waste. He has not made the world safe for Democracy, nor for another other ideology. He's bringing the world down to his level where thinking and negotation is discouraged and animal instincts are encouraged. "No talk, just fight!" must be his private motto, thinking this game of "King of the Hill" will always have him at the top.

But we know how those games always ended: with the King deposed. Mud-covered, grass-stained, the King watches as another King fights to reign supreme and so it continues until the voices of the Parents call them home for dinner.

If only George and Barbara would call Dubya in for dinner. Maybe then we could start repairing the damage done by this darn Bush Boy.

2006-07-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

Time For A New Car
The transmission died on my circa 1994 car. It'll cost about $2500 to repair, which I'll pay, but I think it's time to start looking for a new car. My wife wants a hybrid. I want functionality. Although it'll be our main commuter car it'll need to, in a pinch, stand in for our traveling car, which is a nice gas guzzling 'burb.

Why, you may ask, is your traveling car a gas guzzling Suburban? Because on any given weekend we have minimum 5 bodies to schlep, up to the max of 8. That's why. When the 'burb is in the shop we need a backup that can handle our family of 5.

So I'm thinking like a sedan or something. Not new but maybe 1 year used. That way there should still be a warranty in effect but you won't suffer that quick depreciation of buying new. Any thoughts? Any recommendations?

2006-07-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

Oops, I Did It Again
Sorry, nothing about Britney here. I couldn't give a flying about her which is why I sent a vicious email to Yahoo when they unveiled their new look. Unfortunately their new look "featured" brain-dead news like what Britney thinks. Who cares!

I missed 5 days of blogging because of two things: One, the damn heat. It's been well over a hundred the last week. Combine that with, two, a dead air conditioner and the computer does not - repeat - does NOT go on. Finally a repair person made it out today and we're back in business but the past five days were like hell. If Bush didn't think Global Warming was for real he should have come out here for a bit.

With the AC out we had the kids camp out at night. They loved it. Between camping and the constant dunks in the pool, this was all one big adventure for them, and that's they way it should be. It took some pressure off of us to have them in such a mood.

So how does all this tie in with the title? What did I do wrong again? Nothing, except forgetting to blog every day like I wanted. But you have my excuse. The house is finally down to a tolerable 85. Where's the chocolate ice cream?

2006-07-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Bush, For Iran
Read and please pay particular attention to the second paragraph.

Iran seeks to become major Mideast player

By BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer Thu Jul 20

TEHRAN, Iran - Iranian officials often say that places with the greatest troubles 
offer their country the best opportunities.

Iranian influence in Iraq has surged since the U.S.-led invasion three years ago. 
Its reach into Afghanistan continues to grow.

And now, the war in Lebanon could make Iran an even more important player in 
the Islamic world even as its militant Shiite Arab client, Hezbollah, gets pounded 
by Israel.

"Iran sees itself more than just the moral father of Hezbollah. Iran seeks to 
become a major force across the region as a counterbalance to America and 
Israel," said Ahmad Bakhshaiesh, a professor of political studies at Tehran's 
Azadi University.

"Lebanon is part of this plan," he said.

Already, officials and experts say that for any cease-fire or broader peace 
package to succeed, Iran's deep ties with Hezbollah must be taken into account.

Hezbollah could emerge from the battles severely weakened militarily, but with its 
reputation enhanced in the Muslim world for resisting Israel. That in turn would 
give Iran, a non-Arab country, an even higher profile in the Arab world — a 
prospect that frightens the Jewish state.

Yes, Hussein was a mother-f but with him in power Iraq and Iran kept each other at bay. Remove Hussein, put Iraq into Chaos for a few years and there's no more threat to Iran. Iran's actions were predictable with even a small amoutn of intelligence, which the bush Adminsitration lacks severely. We're spread thin in Iraq and Afghanistan. If Iran makes even stronger moves, ther's little we can do other than make threats with bigger consequences (*cough*nuclear*cough*). and THAT would be disasterous.

Invade Iraq, $300 billion, impotent U.S.. Assasinate Hussein, cost of bullets, U.S. military remains intact. What a choice.

I know. Why, for a pacifist, do I keep dwelling on assassination of Hussein over invasion of Iraq. Simple. It's cheaper, more efficient, and less disruptive to us. To those that claim the U.S. doesn't do assassinations, I say "Bullhockey!" We do. It's just not publicized. But how is it morally better to invade and kill thousands of people instead of taking out the one person who is claimed to be the problem? Even if the Hussein Administration were targetted, that'd be better than invasion and the disruption that caused the Iraqis.

But the answer is in the billions we've spent and that have disappeared into the pockets of Government officials (ours and theirs), Government friends and business contacts, and so on.

So if we can't repeal Bush then we should say, in our "sincerest" tone of voice, "Thanks Bush!"

2006-07-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

Ceasefires And Embryos
Instead of supporting a ceasefire to save lives, Bush would rather risk civilian lives and "collateral damage" in the hopes that Israel will somehow castrate Hezbollah. Instead of supporting stem cell research to save people currently living, he'd rather support embryos that may or may not be viable, that may or may not be adopted, that will likely develop in old age the very diseases and afflictions stem cell research may cure.

Bush, if "potential" lives are so sacred in your creed, why no outlaw masturbation, prophylactics, and non-vaginal sex? Why not pass a law that states sex is only for procreation...and then convince us that you've had sex only twice in your life?

That's what I thought...

2006-07-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Ceasefire

Analysis: Bush admin. gives Israel room

By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer 

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is trying to hold off international 
pressure for an immediate halt to the Israeli assault in southern Lebanon, 
apparently to allow Israel a short window to do as much damage as possible to 
the Hezbollah guerrillas.

That puts Washington at odds with some allies and others who want a quick 
end to cross-border rocket attacks that have claimed more than 200 lives in a 
week and sent a tide of refugees fleeing Lebanon.

"I want the world to address the root causes of the problem, and the root 
cause of the problem is Hezbollah," President Bush said Tuesday.

Once again the Bush mentality shows there's plenty of mental going on. First, there's no guarantee that Israel will do sufficient damage to Hezbollah to put them out of damaga but every innocent caught in the crossfire will become a martyr. The longer you take, the more martyrs. Heck, how many innocents have died in Iraq yet al Qaeda is still in business.

A part of me thinks that Bush isn't pressing for peace because of the religious aspect, that this is the supposd pre-cursor to Armageddon. Bush's religious buddies want to make sure that things get inflamed enough to get the Final War going so they can be on Christ's side when the rapture happens. Ironic - wanting a war to continue to supposedly bring on the end of the world so that a bunch of religious nuts can find out that there will be Messiah coming down from the skies. Just tears.

But I'm hoping I'm wrong on this but with Bush you never know...

2006-07-17T20:48:00.000-07:00

Blog Groupies
I wonder if there is such a thing. Of course, that implies a blog celebrity of which I know of none. Well, that settles that. I'll never be rich and famous as a blogger and certainly never get a blog groupie. Besides the Mrs. would likely go on a seek-and-destroy mission to eliminate said groupie.

Blogs aside, thank goodness for the Internet. It still survives as arguably one of the last bastions of true freedom in this world. The Internet and the Sahara. Where else can you spew venom at the top of your lungs and be duly ignored by all.

Lebanon. Nuff said. I've written before that perhaps the Mid-East should be one nuclear testing zone. Just turn all those "sacred" sites into piles of new glass. If God wants to save any of all of them let it be. In fact, it'd be a good test to determine whether any of the sites are truly sacred to anyone beyond us humans. I recommend Georgy be at Ground Zero just to make sure things turn out right.

2006-07-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Political Ramblings
Re-reading what I write about Politics or most anything...OK, I tend to ramble with sentences flowing from one to another without necessarily an obvious connection. Yesterday, I started the entry asking why we didn't Cuba but the entry ended with a plea for economic accountability. How I got from C to E, I still haven't figured out but I blame Hunter S. Thompson for making train of thought journalism acceptable.

I know, this isn't journalism but then neither is most of what you see in the papers. Anyway. I took the kids to see "Pirates of the Caribbean 2" yesterday. It was an enjoyable film but a tad too long and the cliffhanger ending was most annoying in an eager way. Most bothersome though were the people who brought their little kids to the film. Pirates was too scary in some places for them and simply too long. So - wail!, wail!, tromp, tromp, tromp - all through the film. Hey parents! Get an effing babysitter or wait for the film to come out on DVD. Something! But don't bring your kids to the theater. Not only will they ruin it for everyone but you won't see significant chunks as well. Save us all the aggravation.

2006-07-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Why Not Invade?


Exiles concerned over U.S. plans in Cuba

By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ, Associated Press Writer

MIAMI - A presidential commission's report on U.S. plans to promote democracy 
in Cuba has earned applause from Cuban exiles, particularly for an $80 million 
commitment to bolster civil society and independent media. But while many 
expressed broad support for the commission's message, some were wary of 
how, and if, the promised funds will be spent.

This is what I hate about our Government, especially with the current personnel. Yes, Democracy is a very empowering and enobling system of Government. No argument there. But why then did Bush see fit to invade Iraq because Hussein was such a tyrant, yet we don't invade Cuba for the exact same reason?

Worse, when I read about how much money is going to Iraq or will be thrown to Cuba for Democratic purposes, I feel the money is simply being thrown away to F.o.B.s ("Friends of Bush"). A few days ago there was a little blurb in the paper about how the Army is finally investigating Halliburton for a small matter of 1$ BILLION dollars in overcharges. If that level of corruption doesn't make you angry then $80 million for Cuba won't make you blink. But it adds up and we're paying for it.

And we're paying for it while the Government spends and throws it away with no accountability. None. We, as the taxpayers, have a right to know exactly where our money is going. Every cent. And if the Government, our Government, poo-poos our rights away saying "Where the money goes is a matter of National Security, so we can't say." then our BS alarms should go off and we should demand to know - LOUDLY. Let the politicians know that we the voters aren't fooled, won't be fooled, and will vote against them and their cronies every damn chance we get. And that's before we get the courts on them.

It's our money; it's our Government. We deserve to know!

2006-07-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

Religion and Politics
Let's just get the Civil War over and I don't mean Iraq. With Religion and Politics seemingly more important than human lives, let's just get the fight going for those who want to fight. Winners can strut around like roosters proclaiming that their ideology reigns supreme. We'll make it a yearly event: the Stupor Bowl.

I have just finished a book about a writer who traveled through Russia right before the country collapsed. One recurring theme that sounded painfully too familiar was that the Government were disconnected from the people. The Government simply spewed slogans, kept security tight, and did what they wanted while the populace suffered. It sounded like what the U.S. is quickly becoming.

But it got me thinking about wars. How many people in and of themselves want war? My guess is that very few. But how many Governments want war? My guess is too many. And so begins the propaganda that war is inevitable for whatever reason the Government think the people will believe. Really, if Bush had played the up-and-up with us, you think America would have bought the invasion of Iraq?

There's something deeper here but I'm too tired from work to think. I've done my citizen's duty for the day. This comrade is going to bed. I just hope Homeland Security won't mind.

2006-07-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

MIdeast Peace
Peace in the Mid-East. I remember reading those headlines many years. Now look at the place. It's not any safer or calmer. It's borderline all-out war: Israel vs. everyone else. Sad thing is for the U.S. we're stretched thin between Afghanistan and Iraq. No wonder then that the Iranian President feels so empowered. Surely he knows that for all our military greatness, we're just too stretched.

Ironically, this is what Bush said he wouldn't do when he campaigned for office the first time. But, as we have so painfully seen, world politics and strategy is way out of his realm of grasp. Apparently no one on his staff seems able to grasp things much better.

With Bush making Diplomacy a lesser option and threats the top option he has taught the Mid-East participants how to act. It's a brutal, archaic, and downright stupid method of leadership. I fear for the Mid-East. The violence is unnecessary but sadly blind. So it continues: Eye for an eye until they're all blind.

If only we had real leadership.

2006-07-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

Overworked Wednesday
You can't win. You can't lose. Sometimes you can't even play the game. I've been at my job 2 months and everyone thinks I'm the Master of the Data Warehouse, capable of extracting the most excruciating details witha single mouse-click. Thing is, I'm still figuring the damn thing out. IT and I know the data repository is in sad shape yet I keep pulling out numbers that seem to make sense. At least, my customers are pleased. I'm very tempted to simply fudge numbers but that would be completely unethical though highly efficient.

Problem is, if I did that, My customers would expect even faster results. Already my "three-day" rule has been broken. That rule is, simply, for any data request, it'll take at least three days to fulfill. Now it's down to hours and they want more. Uggh. Why this career path? Why can't I be something fun or interesting like an engineer or a movie director?

Ah well. That's life. C'est la vie.

2006-07-11T20:06:00.000-07:00

W.C. of Doom
Originally I planned to call this "Crapper of Doom" but I figured it'll be even more offensive than need be. Anyway. At work I needed to use the restroom in a more involved manner than using the urinal. There's a handicapped stall but that thing is always occupied, which makes me suspicious about the work or eating habits of some of the employees. Next to that stall is an other "normal" stall.

I plopped my skinny Mahatma ass down and took care of business. No problems, right?

Wrong. This was no ordinary toilet. This one was outfitted with one of those auto-flush gizmos that works when your body moves away from the sensor. Well, guess what happens when you:

Pick up your dropped change from the floor

Look down to read whatever you brought

Bear down to put some "effort" into your movement

Wipe
What happens is your body moves away from the back of the toilet and, in this case, away from the sensor. In short, the toilet flushes.

It wouldn't be a problem if the toilet was one of those castrated, low-power flushers that can barely handle urine much less a dump but this baby was rigged high-pressure. We're talking whitewater class V. Before I could respond the backsplash soaked the back of my shirt, not to mention all visible body parts within spraying distance.

You could say I was red-cheeked with embarassment in more ways than one. Luckily I was able to dress and look like I was serious sweater while sneaking out of the building into the blast furnace mid day sun to dry off. Granted there was a lingering odor but I simply explained with "Cafeteria!" and people understood.

But lesson learned. I'll have to either take a number for the handicapped stall or sneak up to the Executives washroom.

2006-07-10T19:32:00.000-07:00

Kingdom for a Hot Dog
Yesterday was an extremely lazy day: watching World Cup and "An Officer and a Gentleman" on TV, playing on the computer, reading, napping. Around 6:30 I started to watch a show on PBS about hot dogs. I'd seen it before and enjoyed it but, like all the previous times, it made me hungry for hot dogs. So we packed up the vultures and headed to Northridge Mall. I was the only one wanting doggies and the Mall offered the others a choice. We got there, did a quick run through the bookstore to get reading material for dinner, got to the food court and fed the kids. But it was late and the place was closing down. I was in line at Tommys which is known for the gutbuster chili burgers but they had hotdogs as well. They did until the person in front of me ordered and cleaned them out. Dang!

After the kids finished eating, my wife said "Target! They're open until 9 and they have hotdogs in their food area." What the hell, why not. We drive to Target and, sure enough, they're open until 9 and serve hotdogs in their food area. Except there weren't any dogs actually being cooked. Oh for two.

On the drive home, my wife suggested going to K-Mart to see if they had a food area but, by then, I'd had it. No doggies with mustard, onion, and sauerkraut for me. Maybe tonight I'll drag the family across town to Hots, Cupids, Pinks, or the Munch Box.

It's all PBS's fault. Can't find a freaking hotdog on a Sunday night.

2006-07-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

World Cup Finale, Finally
Like everyone else I have to throw in my $0.02 about this World Cup final. Congratulations to Italy, though I rooted for France. I've been a fan of Vieira, Henry, and Zidane and I looked forward to a good brawl. When France scored early on the penalty followed by Italy's response a bit later, I settled in expecting something great. But with Vieira out and then, in the second half, Henry out and Zidane doing a Rooney and getting sent off, it looked bleak. You could tell it would likely end with the Shoot-out.

Yawn.

Another game ended with the Shoot-out. And Italy won. That's that.

This was not a satisfying World Cup. The only real excitement was seeing whether Ghana could advance further than the second round and having Brazil fall. Now with four more years to the next, I do wish the World Cup were on a two-year cycle. That would give fans more exposure to their favorite players and allow players to become real legends if they have the talent. You figure a great player has maybe 2 or 3 World Cups in which to contribute. That's not enough.

Think of it: Could Italy hold the title still two years from now? They could very well have the same team then but four years from now will show nearly a different lineup. That's just too much time passed.

And there'd be more money to be made. They could alternate venues between established locales like England, Spain, Brazil, etc. and developing locales like in Africa or Asia or the U.S.. Yes, they'd have to re-cycle the preliminaries and figure out a way to not have such an impact when pulling players from leagues for national play but it is do-able.

That or open up the Champions League worldwide.

2006-07-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

TGI Friday
Another work week over, finally! But, Damn!, someone won the Lottery so it looks like I'll have to return to work on Monday. Strange that when I was unemployed I missed work. Now that I'm working I miss the free time and freedom. But when I was unemployed I missed, I think, the social aspect of work, not so much the act of working. Now, with work, I find I'm beginning to not enjoy so much the social aspects as well as the work.

The problem is, with the cubicle environment, noise. The people around me insist on using their phones in speaker mode and because they all do it, they all have to TALK LOUDER to be heard. But, you see, they're "Creative" and they put up with this crap because that's part of the "Creative" quirk. But they're not the only annoyance. Cubicle world means people tromping by, popping in, passing by and making comments.

But you got to be a team player and take one so I grit my teeth (or what's left of them) and do my work. Still, I've worked at worse places and the truly awful thing is the commute. My last job had no parking. Here I have plenty of parking but to drive would be insane. I'd be taking on the worst of the L.A. Freeway system - no thanks!

Oh well. World Cup Final on Sunday and then go back to work. Unless I win the Lottery.

But if anyone out there (Bill? Warren?) wants to take pity on Ol' Mahatma here feel free to donate a few million. It will go to a good cause.

2006-07-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

One of Those Days
Though I got the kids up a little earlier than normal and we got out the door a little earlier than normal, it took me over 1 half-hour, instead of my normal 15 minutes, to get across the Valley to catch my bus. And as I got out of my car, the bus pulled up across the street and left.

I missed the subway connection too. In short, I got to work late. I hate that because I've been in the situation where if you show up to work late once or twice THEY never forget it and you get dinged come review time. But show up to work early for a month and...nothing. At the very least, I like to be consistently on time. Arrive on time and damn well leave on time. I still left on time.

Only to get near home and see a sports car flying through an intersection to smash into an SUV. No one was hurt fortunately and there was a firestation literally half a block away. Just one of those days.

Got home. Did the dishes and laundry. Went to bed. Got out of bed to write this. Now back to bed. Maybe tomorrow will be more than just another day. Didn't even win the lottery.

2006-07-05T19:34:00.000-07:00

Apres Fourth
Last night we went to the nearby church on the hill to watch the 8th annual fireworks show. It was hot as usual but it cooled off just enough to make the show nice. Sadly the fireworks display couldn't compare to years past. It seemed shorter this year and had less sparkle. For me the apogee was two years ago when, somehow, they managed to do a literal wall of flame way up into the sky. It was amazing and they've yet to match or exceed that unspoken standard. Afterwards, we braved tha parking with 20,000 other people, got home, passed out, and woke up to go to work. Oh boy.

Ken Lay died. That's one way to avoid justice. Pity that he didn't leave a few choice parting words.

France vs. Italy in the Final?!? Who'd a thunk it? But, I guess I'm slightly siding more with France because Zidane and I have the same lack of hair.

So Iraq didn't have WMDs but we invaded just in case. Iran's working on nukes. North Korea's working on nukes. Go figure. Bush had a 1/3 chance on the "axis of evil" (as if the axis members ever talked together like Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII). If we really wanted to give America a present we'd get rid of Bush for someone at least partially competent.

A few days ago I read that Jeb Bush was thinking of maybe running as the Vice President part of a ticket. He's considered one of the smarter Bush Boys, or, at least, smarter than Dubya. HELLO! The dog could be considered smarter than Dubya. But, please no!, no more Bush's in office. They've done enough damage.

2006-07-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth!!
As we celebrate America's birthday, let us remember those qualities of our country that make us great: innovation, perseverance, generosity, sacrifice. Let us remember those qualities that we used to have: honesty, freedom, humility, selflessness, justice. As a country we should never be satisfied with how we are but always seek to improve and know that e can improve.

So on this Fourth as many will call out for us to blindly cheer on in the name of patriotism the selfish madness that has gripped our Government, cheer instead for resisting the madness and for not giving up that which allows you cheer freely instead of blindly.

Be safe.

2006-07-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

More Vacations
As one of the lucky ones who gets this Monday off, I reflected that Americans work too much for too little. We need to be more assertive, more individualistic, instead of good, mindless automatons. 8 to 5, rinse, repeat. At least in Europe, they get a month off in some places and/or lazy lunches (siestas).

Frankly put, the world would not end if us Americans didn't work so hard. But we're brainwashed from birth that we must work, work, work. Company loyalty. Team player. Sacrifice all for the company good. Until we get laid-off or the pension fund gets raided. And before any critics claim that this sounds like communist propaganda needs to read some John Steinbeck. It's about fairness. For us that work so hard we should reap the rewards so like Executives we can take months off.

Companies can't exist without their trench warriors but they can without their over-paid stuffed shirt Executives, at least, for a short time. SUre, there needs to be a leader but when I read about some incompetent Executive getting a few million for doing a poor job while another company lays off thousands to boost up the bottom line, it just doesn't sit right. Our American priorities are off and contrary to what we are told, we do have power. Power to strike. Power to vote corrupt politicians out. Power to say "No!"

We need to exercise that power.

2006-07-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday Snooze and Saturday Soccer
Oooph. Big mistake. With the weather so blasted hot, we stayed inside this morning with the A/C going full tilt. Still you could feel the heat just enough to make you drowsy and so I stretched out in them iddle of the living room and took a nap. Unfortunately when I woke up I felt like I'd been hit with a sledgehammer about the head. Worse, I know I won't be able to sleep tonight. Really, I should know better but this damn heat makes a siesta so appetizing.

For some time now I'd been lamenting that there wasn't some form of pro soccer closer to Chatsworth than the L.A. Galaxy over the hill. Little did I realize! Yesterday I stumbled upon the San Fernando Valley Quakes and they had a match that night against the San Diego Gauchos. Could it be? Real soccer in the Valley? I insisted that the kids, wife, and a grandmother join me to check this out.

YES!!! Real soccer! There was about two hundred people in the stands (at Granda Hills High School, once home to John Elway) about a quarter of whom were rooting for the Gauchos. The heat was still oppressive but with the sun quickly sinking it cooled off just right.

The first three minutes saw the Gauchos take a 1-0 lead off an impressive run by a Ronaldo clone. This player (#12) was most impressive and continued to be so throughout the game. But the lead didn't hold. The Quakes equalized and, in the second half, add two more to secure the win and break a Gaucho four game win streak.

I enjoyed the game as did my mother and middle kid, who bought a duffel bag and got as many autographs as he could. My wife enjoyed screamining her lungs out and being herself. Before the game the announcer kept telling people to stay dehydrated by buying water and drinks at the refreshment stand. My wife couldn't handle this. She went to the announcer and corrected him so for the rest of the evening we were admonished to stay HYDRATED. One guy sitting next to us shook his head and muttered "FInally! He gets it right."

My older kid didn't really get into the game that much but my youngest (and loudest) enojyed being a cheerleader. Sadly he kept rooting for the wrong team but later he would vary his directions.

The only knocks against the team, or more precisely the organization behind the team - the United Soccer League, are that ticket information (prices) and schedules aren't found on the link given above. You have to go here. I was surprised and pleased to find that the teams are widespread with development and women's league. It'd be nicer though if they had a relegation system going with the MLS.

But it's a great start and wonderful discovery. The Quakes are in third place in the Premier Development League's Western Conference - Southwest Division. They play again locally in two weeks. I'm game.

2006-07-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

Shocking Saturday
I'm still in shock that the Supreme Court actually demonstrated some backbone in ruling against Bush. Considering that they have three working testicles in the lot, and Bader-Ginsburg owns two of them, to go against the Tyranny showed a minor spark of American spunk. I hope they will show more spine in the future.

England lost to Portugal. Not really a surprise but I'm unsure who to blame. Rooney shouldn't have been sent off with a red card. That his foot got caught crushing an opponents cajones was truly an accident but pushing an opponent right in front of the ref was downright stupid (or to use the British styu-pid). But England still had an attack and a helluva defense. Unfortunately for them so did Portugal. So the blame must go to the Keeper for England who, during the penalty shoot-out phase, rarely moved from the line. He didn't even try on a couple of shots. Pathetic.

On the bright side, France took out Brazil and gets from me an "!".

So it's France vs. Portugal and Germany vs. Italy. All of my favorites are gone. I guess it will be France vs. Germany in the Final with France winning it all. Pity that. I really had hoped that England would continue because frankly I still haven't figured out how Crouch can move in five different directions at once. A skeleton playing football - really now.

2006-06-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

Blowout
I should know better but there was nothing else. Nearly everyday I eat at the work cafeteria and the selection of main entrees is varied between 3 chioces. Not today. Today, before the big holiday weekend, saw very little choices and so I had the best: chilimac.

To the uninitiated chilimac is pasta made with, instead of normal spaghetti sauce or a fine pesto, chili. As you may or may not know, the quality of chili varies tremendously with the majority of commercial offerings ranking somewhere below curdled shoe polish. This was industrial-strength chili, purchased by the gross ton and packaged in boxes covered with hazmat stickers.

In short, this chilimac and arguably all chilimacs can be summed up in one word: nasty!

The one I had for lunch would prove no exception.

At the very best one can expect massive gastrointestinal twinches with a little gas. One hour after eating lunch I felt the gurglings but I ignored the warnings. With the big weekend nearly here, I looked forward to leaving work early and fairly soon I got the go-ahead. Bye work - see you in five days.

My commute has four parts: the first part is getting to the subway. Usually it's a brisk 8 minute walk. But with the hundred-plus degree heat, it's been taking a bit longer. Today it took about fourteen minutes and the stifling heat re-cooked that which I had for lunch.

The second part of my commute is a short subway ride to catch the longer third section that consists of a bus ride. The second phase of the commute went well. Stomach was still gurgling but no pain.

It was the third part - the forty minute bus ride - that proved the breaking point. Sitting and jostling riled up the chilimac. The resulting gases expanded far too quickly for a mortal human to contain them. In a flatulence blast worthy of the Bush Administration, I loosed a cloud of searing poison. Children screamed. Women fainted. Men curled up to fetal positions as the bus driver swerved in panic. Oxygen!! They needed oxygen.

The driver managed a miraculous controlled swerve to a bus stop where upon opening the doors the huddled masses of coughing, choking vicitms fell out to the fresh air.

Except for me and an elderly gentleman who sat watching me. He was laughing and shaking his head. He looked at me and cackled "43 years cooking for the military. I know a chilimac blowout when I smell one!" I couldn't help but laugh with him.

But I am permanently banned from riding the Metro.

2006-06-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

DVD Prices
I was at Toys R Us just a few moments ago. Among the things I was eye-balling while waiting for the kids to stop drooling was the DVD version of "Kronk's New Groove" (sorry, no link to Amazon this time. You see why real soon.). T.R.U. had the DVD for $19.99. That's for essentially 1 - count it: 1 - DVD. There may be an extra DVD full of, well, extras but I only look at how many DVDs of actual essential material there is and in this case, it's 1. For $19.99.

Rip off.

So I figured I'd get the DVD at Target. They usually have better prices on DVDs anyway. Got home. Fired up the computer and check Target online. There it was - "Kronk's New Groove" for...

$29.99.

WHAT THE ?!?

Amazon - $29.99

(sputtering, choking sounds from Little Mr. Mahatma)

As I've blogged before, DVDs should cost no more than $6 retail. $8 absolute tops. To sell DVDs for $19.99 or $29.99 each is like selling gasoline for $3.50 a gallon. It's a blatant ripoff. BLATANT-RIPOFF! And yet these same companies have the gall to cry about losing profits to pirates.

HEY EXECUTIVES!!! YOU'RE LOSING MONEY BECAUSE (1) NO ONE WANTS TO PAY PREMIUM FOR YOUR CRAP; And (2) THERE'S SOOOOO MUCH STUFF OUT THERE ALREADY, YOU'RE COMPETING AGAINST YOURSELF. So you'll excuse me while I go to EBay and find that the DVD I want can be had for about $8, including media shipping. Get a clue guys.

2006-06-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Recall Bush
I'm a Californian. We know about recalls. When a politician is grossly ineffective, we get rid of them. OK, we replace them with an other grossly ineffective politician but that's besides the point. The point is that Bush needs to be recalled. Heck, his whole Administration needs to go. Now. Immediately, if not sooner.

Maybe even the serious threat of action will spur Bush to do something legal, ethical, or semi-not-selfserving for once. But likely it would only result in a long vacation in Gitmo for this Mahatma. What an image I just had: Kafkaesque bureaucracy tinged with Nazi regalia. But can there be a better description of what's going on? Thanks to Bush, we live in age of secrecy, distrust, fear, paranoia beyond which I can usually blame on Microsoft. It's too much. It's not American. It's not us.

Recall Bush!

2006-06-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

Flag Desecration
Finally some sanity in the Government, though just barely enough... Don't worry. I'm not posting the entire article. I had to end it on a certain quote.


Senate rejects flag desecration amendment

By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer 

WASHINGTON - A constitutional amendment to ban flag desecration died in a
Senate cliffhanger Tuesday, a single vote short of the support needed to send 
it to the states for ratification and four months before voters elect a new 
Congress.

The 66-34 tally in favor of the amendment was one less than the two-thirds 
required. The House surpassed that threshold last year, 286-130.

President Bush, who supports the amendment, called the failed vote 
unfortunate and commended Republicans and Democrats who voted to move 
the ratification process forward. In a statement, Bush said he continued to 
believe that "the American people deserve the opportunity to express their 
views on this important issue."

The proposed amendment, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (news, bio, voting 
record), R-Utah, read: "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical 
desecration of the flag of the United States."

It represented Congress' response to Supreme Court rulings in 1989 and 1990 
that burning and other desecrations of the flag are protected as free speech 
by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Senate supporters said the flag amounts to a national monument in cloth that 
represents freedom and the sacrifice of American troops.

"Countless men and women have died defending that flag," said Majority 
Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., closing two days of debate. "It is but a small humble 
act for us to defend it."

So, Mr. Frist, if I'm travelling in South Dakota or some other forsaken place and I see someone desecrating the flag, can I kill them and claim defense? It's a flag, fer Pete's sake! A piece of cloth. It has no more inherent worth or value than a bible. If people like you are willing to kill someone over a piece of cloth or a book, then pity you. Countless mena and women have died because some politicians are stupid and self-serving. Should we dedicate libraries in their names?

Our Government needs to focus on important things like where the money is disappearing to in Iraq and why our President believes himself above the Law. Accountability is a much bigger issue than this time and money wasting Flag Amendment.

2006-06-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

Perpetual War


Bush ignores laws he inks, vexing Congress

By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer 

WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain thought he had a 
deal when President Bush, faced with a veto-proof margin in Congress, 
agreed to sign a bill banning the torture of detainees. Not quite. While Bush 
signed the new law, he also quietly approved another document: a signing 
statement reserving his right to ignore the law. McCain was furious, and so 
were other lawmakers.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is opening hearings this week into what has 
become the White House's favorite tool for overriding Congress in the name of 
wartime national security.

But wait...


Bush slams leak of terror financing info

By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent 

WASHINGTON -
President Bush said Monday it was "disgraceful" that the news media had 
disclosed a secret CIA-Treasury program to track millions of financial records 
in search of terrorist suspects. The White House accused The New York 
Times of breaking a long tradition of keeping wartime secrets.

What we have here is a "war" against an ill-defined enemy with no clear conditions for victory against said enemy. Our Government has seen fit to use and abuse this "war" to justify behaviors that are, in part, illegal and unethical. Bush makes and breaks rules as he sees fit, not based on what's good for the U.S. or the World. That his Administration takes secrecy to new levels holds more than terrorists in fear. He is a danger to us all - plain and simple. We, as Americans, have more to fear from what Bush is doing than what any terrorist has done. Yes, 9/11 resulted in thousands of people dying but how many more Americans have been killed or disabled because of Afghanistan and Iraq? How many thousands of innocent Iraqis have died? And for what? That Halliburton Executives can buy new properties? Instead of tracking the spending of terrorists, how about tracking the multi-billions of dollars being siphoned from our Government in the name of this "war"? Let's see how many of Bush's cronies are profiting from our suffering.

2006-06-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Summer Sunday
I think there should be a rule that during the summer, the weekend should include Fridays. Yes, a true three-day weekend because two days is too damn short. Today, after a wonderful morning of watching England advance in World Cup and despite the brutality of the Portugal - Netherlands game, I was starting to relax. The heat wasn't the oppressive blanket that is usually is and with a quick dip in the pool, I could feel my muscles unknot.

But it took just a few moments of realization that tomorrow it's back to work and my ulcer and tensions kicked back up. It's just not fair. Maybe I should try a 4/10 work week since the commute's going to keep me from home anyway. Or, I should win the darn lottery. 80 mil would do the trick. You listening up there? How about a little taste for Ol' Mahatma? Let me spend some quality time with the family, get the house repaired, take care of the elder Mahatmas. The money would be for a good cause, I guarantee.

2006-06-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday Shleppings
Really can't think of anything to grumble about. The U.S. in World Cup is over thanks to a lackluster overall performance. Mexico lost today to Argentina so some of my co-workers will be bummed come Monday. Hopefully England and Netherlands will go through tomorrow.

School is out so the vultures are on the loose for summer. That's something I miss from when I was unemployed, having the summer back (and fall, winter, and spring). It was nice not working plus having the time to spend with the kids. And they're growing up too fast. One is now out of elementary school but I know it was yesterday or last month that he just entered Kindergarten. Damn clock ticks too fast. No more diapers, highchairs, drop cloths. No more "Goodnight Moon" at bedtime. No more giggles at tummy tickles. A part of me wishes that I started having kids at an earlier age and had more of them. My wife begs to differ at the technical aspects but agrees with the sentiments. I guess we have the post-baby blues about 5 years too late.

Oh well. The temperatures been well over a hundred but is now looking like it might break. The early evenings have been wonderful. It's a shame I don't really drink much alcohol. I expect a nice light wine would fit in the scenario. Bed time now as soon as the kids are done with their video. Bugs Bunny. One can't argue with that.

2006-06-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

To Snoop Or Not


Analysis: CIA program expands Bush's power

By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer 

WASHINGTON - A secret CIA-Treasury program to track financial records of 
millions of Americans is the latest installment in an expansion of executive 
authority in the name of fighting terrorism. The administration doesn't apologize 
for President Bush's aggressive take on presidential powers. Vice President 
Dick Cheney even boasts about it.

Bush has made broad use of his powers, authorizing warrantless wiretaps, 
possibly collecting telephone records on millions of Americans, holding 
suspected terrorists overseas without legal protections and using up to 6,000 
National Guard members to help patrol the border with Mexico.

That's in addition to the vast anti-terrorism powers Congress granted him in the 
recently extended Patriot Act.

Civil liberties activists, joined by congressional Democrats and some members 
of Bush's own party, suggest the president has pushed the envelope too far 
— usurping authority from Congress and abusing individual privacy rights in the 
process.

So far, the administration has been unapologetic.

The question is whether all this snooping and privacy invasion has been truly effective against terrorism. The Government say, of course, that is has but refuses to give any examples.

But what we're really talking about here is data mining and I have two article links that may give some insight as to the effectiveness of the overnments snooping. The first article is called TIAin't and it examines some problems and fallacies of "data mining for terrorists". The second article Using Data Mining to Find Terrorists expands on the first article and shows some likely pitfalls faced by the miners.

In short, you must ask yourself whether it is worth giving up so much of your privacy and freedoms for what has be called a theoretical direction of attack against terrorists. Considering the Government refuses to give explicit examples of ANY terrorist caught by either phone tapping or money tracing, we must question the efficacy of such policies as well as the true intention of the Government

This we do know about our Government. It is corrupt beyond measure. Why they should expect us to believe anything they say or do is beyond fathom. That Bushs' approval rating is rock bottom is no surprise. We need a change for the better. We, and the rest of the World, deserve a change for the better.

2006-06-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Comparative Governments
I had a long talk with one of my co-workers who happens to be from China. She commented that Mao brought with his revolution a skewed version of Black vs. White Morality. As a result, many people killed themselves because they were deemed morally "Black". I asked whether things have improved since then and she replied that the government is marginally better but there's still a problem with morality and people distrust the Government.

I laughed. Our government here isn't exactly trustworthy or morally stable either. Too often we hear from our elected officials how they'll do one thing and they'll do the opposite. If you question their actions you get spin, spin, and more spin. For myself I want honesty from the get-go. If a politician smoked pot then say so. Don't hem and haw and look at your poll ratings to determine your answer.

Well, I'll generalize and state that likely most governments suffer from the same predicament of interpretive morality and a fair level of corruption. After all, the First Rule of any government is simple: stay in power - keep the system. So, for us, switching from Democrats to Republicans doesn't change things all that much. Bush just happens to be a crappy Republican President, like we've had crappy Democratic Presidents. I would prefer a good Republican to a crappy Democrat but there aren't any of either party right now. Third party? Forget it - the Big Two have made damn sure a third party won't gain a true foothold in our political system because of the above First Rule.

True revolution comes bloodily from the people and, frankly, the American people are too freakin' braindead from their TVs, video games, iPods, and constant electronic brain numbing to achieve any decent change. Pity that.

2006-06-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Lakers Win!!
Yeah, I know, Miami won but a guy can dream. Great coach in Riley. Two effective centers in Shaq and 'Zo. And the Kobe Killer in Wade. Sure, Kobe got, like, 80 somethingpoints in a game but Wade got the ring. Nice also that Payton got his ring too. NOW he can retire. Hmmm, maybe Malone will come out of retirement for one year to play for Miami and get his ring.

One of my sons asked whether Yao will come to L.A.. I don't know whether Buss (or his successor) will pony up that kind of dough considering that the big money has to go to Kobe. Now if the Lakers could get a Dirk Nowitzski clone, maybe there'd be a ring awaiting.

But Wade...woof!...what a player!

And Thursday is the big day for the U.S. in the World Cup. They need to beat Ghana by about a jillion goals to get to the next round. If the U.S. loses, well, the next version will have Freddy Adu on board and maybe he can make some magic.

I did catch the first half of the England-Sweden game. Yep, Rooney was worth waiting for to watch. He didn't score but he gave Sweden fits.

2006-06-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day
Just back from a Happy Fathers Day celebration with the In-laws, my mother, wife, and the kids. We sat and relaxed, watching the kids swim in the In-laws pool. And we ate. Though we numbered only 8, my Mother-In-Law insists on making enough for about triple that number. "Just in case," she says. Besides, we could and did take some home. When she says take some home, we're talking not about a little care package but something measured in gross tonnage. Thank goodness we have a Chevy Suburban or we'd never get the food home. We'll share with the neighbors, in fact, most of West Valley.

The Lakers won. I mean, the Miami Heat won. I get confused between Shaq and Kobe to Shaq and Wade.

The U.S. really needs to win and win big against Ghana. Funny thing is that Ghana is no guaranteed pushover. This has been a great World Cup. Brazil didn't destroy Australia though they did win. I think Brazil can be upset. And Korea - WOW!

I've been having a commentary dispute with Little Miss Attilla about Osama Bin Laden HERE. Simply put. She's comfortable with Bush bailing on the chase after Osama. I say, finish the job that he said he would. You can ignore the secondary thread running through it. Really.

2006-06-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday Sweatings
The past two days it has been over 90 degrees...at 7 AM and then it got hotter. Triple digits. I hate summer in the Valley. Anyway. I forgot to add to yesterdays post about Dippin Dots another gripe. That beiing the "So what?" factor. So what that someone could make little ice cream pellets. The technology and cost of making the flavored dots doesn't offset the simplicity of basic churned ice cream.

Ghana just upset the Czech Republic in the World Cup. That opens up the group, meaning if the U.S. beats Italy and Ghana they advance. If Ghana beats the U.S. Ghana advances. Every game counts now and it just made the World Cup more tense. Hopefully the U.S. can beat Italy. They've never done so before and now would be a great time.

The kids are holding a yard sale but with little luck. hey started too late and, frankly, it's just too damn hot. I'll take them out for ice cream - not dots! - and maybe a movie. That'll be my nice Father's Day, more time with varmints.

2006-06-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

Dippin Dots Ditz
You may have seen them at fairs or at malls, carts selling "Dippin Dots" - pellets of frozen ice cream. I tried them at work, in fact, a few of us did and the consensus was - stick with real ice cream. First, you pay as much or more for a cup of this stuff than for real ice cream. But with a cup of ice cream you just get more unless it's been over-pumped with air.

The dots tend to clump together and to unclump them results in dots flying all over the place and then quickly melting. The dots are also kept colder than normal ice cream and can "burn" you tongue. But the most important test, and where these critters fail, is taste. I had chocolate-flavored dots. Yes, there was a chocolate-flavor but it wasn't chocolate "wow!" or even chocolate "yum!". It was "chocolate?" For the money, I'd much, much, MUCH rather have a scoop of Baskin-Robbins, Ben & Jerry's, or - YES!!! - Double Rainbow Ultra Chocolate over the dots. Save your money.

2006-06-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

Metro Mayhem
I've been riding the Orange Line Metro for about a month now. This particular line isn't a true subway but a double-length bus that runs over a paved old train line. It's 14 miles of traffic bypass at a fairly decent speed. The problem has been though it has gotten is that car drivers aren't used to the busses suddenly appearing, despite the signs, lights, and warnings. Part of the problem is that the old train line frequently parallels major streets, so that when you approach the double intersection you think all the warnings are for the major street, not for the secondary bus-only street.

The bus drivers have taken to slowing as they approach intersections and honking like crazy. Still it hasn't stopped some distracted nimrods from nearly getting creamed by the busses.

I thought that was the worst thing that could happen on the Metro. Yesterday, I was proven wrong. On the Red Line - the underground portion of the Metro - I was treated to a nice female gang fight. These two girls were duking it out with their respective "homies" egging them on. Funny thing was that there was no Sheriffs around. Usually they are pervasive but not this time. ANd some of the Metro workers seemed to wiisely disappear.

But no blood, no deaths just a worry on the Mahatmas part that this incident could grow. With summer coming and all the schools out, I hope the Police beef things up a bit. We have enough violence.

2006-06-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

Mission Accomplished


Bush rejects calls for pullout from Iraq

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON -
President Bush, just back from Iraq, dismissed calls for a U.S. withdrawal as 
election-year politics and refused to give a timetable or benchmark for success 
that would allow troops to come home.

"It's bad policy," Bush said in a Rose Garden news conference Wednesday, 
about six hours after he returned from Iraq. "I know it may sound good 
politically. It will endanger our country to pull out of Iraq before we accomplish 
the mission."

But it was "Mission Accomplished" when Hussein was ousted. Gosh, just when you think Bush has accomplished something he goes and changes the mission. And, frankly, it won't endanger our country one bit - NOT ONE BIT - to pull out of Iraq. We were in no danger from Iraq around 9/11 and not now. For Bush to state otherwise is a bald lie. And he still hasn't gotten bin Laden.

2006-06-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

Bush reviews Iraq plan, says oil is key


Bush reviews Iraq plan, says oil is key

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer

CAMP DAVID, Md. -
President Bush began a two-day strategy session on Iraq at Camp David on 
Monday, saying Iraq's neighbors should be doing more to help and suggesting 
the nation's vast supply of oil could be a way of reuniting the country.

Y'think? Didn't Bush say early on something to the effect that our invasion would eliminate Hussein but that the cost of rebuilding of Iraq would be offset by their oil? So what happened? Why is he suggesting now that their oil process is secure enough to somehow reunite the country? Something stinks here folks and it's coming again from a large pile of Bushit in W.D.C.

2006-06-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Brazil
Brazil looked vulnerable in their game against Croatia. Maybe it was early tournament jitters but they did not look like the Omnipotent Brazil that they've been built up to be by the press. Croatia got off some wicked shots against a Brazil defense that looked just a tad pourous. That's good. It means that this World Cup could be full of tremendous nail-biters. If Brazil wins it all - great but I like that the door appears open. Now if the U.S. could somehow miraculously top Italy...

2006-06-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

So Much For The World Cup
Unless the U.S. and the Czech Republic both demolish Italy, which ain't gonna happen, the U.S. is pretty much out of the World Cup. That was a quick wam-bam. Now I'm down to rooting for a sluggish England, Netherlands, and maybe I'll throw a few oles to Mexico.

Pity that Ghana couldn't keep the ball lower in their bursts of offense against Italy. They sure had some nasty looking shots. Still, it was a fun match. And I thought this morning when I flicked on Australia-Japan that Japan had it in hand. Pity that I had to go to work. I'd loved to have seen the massive Australian comeback.

Tomorrow: Brazil. Nuff said.

At work, even though I've been there for a month, I still feel like I'm working stupid. There's still so much to learn and so little documentation or people to help. You'd think it'd be job security but it's more insecurity. I'm afraid to run analyses because I have nothing to compare against and mistakes can only be "learning mistakes" for so long. I need more chocolate.

2006-06-11T19:37:00.000-07:00

San Fernando Valley Fair
Yeah, we decided to visit the San Fernando Valley Fair after all. The weather was perfect - mostly overcast until about 1:30 when the sun broke out - and no crowds. The fair is unlike most county fairs; it's very small. We "did" the whole fair within about 1/2 hour but let the kids get wristbands for unlimited carnival rides. They disappeared for an hour while the wife and I saw the sights they usually prefer to miss: horticulture, arts, and then the vendors. I did have to put up with the wife wanting to find the kids and just "keep an eye on them" but I convinced here that they were okay, they knew where to find us, and that the ever-present police are capable of handling emergencies. She grumbled but kept pace.

We visited en famille the livestock and imagined what it woukld be like to live on a farm and whether we could live off the land. The idea though of raising critters knowing eventually we'd eat them kept us realistic. But who knows, maybe one day the Mahatmas will be on our own Green Acres instead of the Valley.

We spent three hours total at the Fair and it was fun. The wuestion was whether it was worth it. We easily broke triple digits between entrance costs, wristbands, and food. Looking at the sunburnt faces of the kids and having them quietly shlep around at home from the near heat exhaustion, yeah, it was worth it. Peace has returned.

2006-06-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

Another Saturday
A week gone by again. Tomorrow, another Sunday and then back to work. Until then. I just finished the book Million Dollar Baby and am still trying to catch my breath. I haven't seen the film but now Imust. It's a collection of short stories F.X. Toole, all with a boxing theme. The first two stories were good and get you acquainted with the seedy underworld of boxing. You get used to the terms and the spirit. The last two stories, I felt, were a bit of a letdown because the middle story and the one that inspired the film is a masterpiece. I fell right into it, finished it, and promptly re-read it - it's that good. A while back I had read that Brokeback Mountain was that type of a short story, one that grabs you, blows you away, and ultimately changes you. I read that one and wasn't nearly as impressed as with this one. Highly recommended.

But with that book done I've started in on Black Dahlia Avenger. I had read Severed and was gruesomely fascinated. I picked up BD Avenger at an outlet bookstore. What the heck. So far it's holding my interest but the problem is that this book proves one guy (father of the author) did it while Severed proves it was someone else. Who's right?

What to do tomorrow...maybe we'll go to the San Fernando Valley Fair. It's not the L. A. County Fair but a small and manageable endeavour. If it's not blazing hot tomorrow it'll be perfect. Maybe even get in some horseback riding.

2006-06-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

World Cup - Finally!
Dang work got in the way but I followed the Germany - Costa Rica match via Yahoo. Looked like a good start for Germany though Wanchope is one of my personal favorite players. Of course, I'm rooting for the U.S. but I always get nervous watching them. I expect them to play well and then, grrrr, they play well but not like I expected. They're not smooth like a Brazil or aggressive like a Germany. It feels like when they win it's almost more by luck than skill. Hopefully this World Cup will prove different.

And I'm still rooting for England just because and for the Netherlands. I've always wanted to live in the Ntherlands so here's to my adopted other home. (insert virtual beer here).

Realistically though, can anyone stop Brazil other than self-implosion on their part?

2006-06-08T21:29:00.000-07:00

Summer's Here - Potato Salad
It's officially summer at the Little Mahatma household. I can tell because my wife made a batch of potato salad and she makes it just the way I like it, like my grandmothers. My grandma made potato salad with nice chunks of potato, some mayo, a little mustard, celery, egg, and something else but it was tremendous. So good that I would choose it over chocolate ice cream and that's a big deal.

Well, my wife - bless her! - decided to copy it and she succeeded. So come summertime when we want something cool yet filling and relatively healthy, we break out the potato salad. Assuming I haven't demolished it already.

Kubuntu Upgrade
As some of you may remember I had an old computer (1 ghz) sitting around taking space so I wiped out Windoze 98 and installed Kubuntu, which is simply Ubuntu but using KDE instead of Gnome as its manager. Well, Kubuntu got upgraded this past week and I made the executive decision to go for it. Sunday morning, I booted the computer and - lo and behold! - it told me that a new version was available. So I started the process and away it downloaded.

Sure, it took five hours to download and install everything but it was one smooth process. So smooth in that there was only one, count them Microsoft, ONE reboot at the very end. I didn't lose any data not that I had any to lose and everything works well. There was only one minor glitch with the upgrade in that the old system would shut off my computer on a shutdown and this version doesn't, it justs halts everything. I thought I had found the solution when I found the SHutdown options and add a "-p" to the the Halt command but it didn't shut off my computer. I'll find it though unless someone tells me first (hint, hint).

But, to summarize, the upgrade was painless, the price was perfect (free!), and the OS is stable. installed Kubuntu r00l3z!

al-Zarqawi Dead
I'm surprised that Bush is on TV 24/7 gloating "Mission accomplished!" about the death of al-Zarqawi. Humility is not Bush's style but maybe the Admin is getting wise to the fact that most Americans don't give a flying anymore about Iraq or any of that "War on Terrorism" we're so embroiled in.

Fact is, Bush *STILL* hasn't done jack about getting bin Laden despite all of the proclamations against terrorism. Not only is bin Laden still loose somewhere but the Taliban are making a comeback in Afghanistan. Mission not done there.

As for al-Zarqawi, had anyone outside of the snoops heard of this guy before the invasion or Iraq? Nope. Not until after we invaded and gotten stuck in the mire did he start up. Arguably, Bush made him what he was by giving him the opportunity to ply the bomb trade using our kids as targets.

And as for the "War on Terrorism", forget it. It can't be won or lost. It's not a military thing either. It's a cultural thing and unless we want to do a little bout of genocide the "terrorists" can't and won't be eliminated. Keeping our troops in Iraq won't help matters either. Somehow making Iraq stable isn't going to, miraculously, make the world free of terrorists. We'll just have a change of venue and even then there's no guarantee that Iraq will stay stable or remain free of the bad guys.

But give Bush a brownie point for not saying something stupid about al-Zarqawi...yet.

2006-06-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

Papa Needs A Brand New Job
On the commute home I realized that Ihave to start my job search again. Mind you, the current job is terrific and the people are great. It's simply the long commute and facing that the time away from home will get longer once school is out. Two things happen in three weeks: my kids graduate and they start camp. Since I'm now the morning kid schlepper, the task of taking them to camp falls to me. The camp's nearby but out of way enough that I'll be getting to work about 1/2 later, which translates into staying at work even later and getting home later. In all, less family time.

Once summer ends and school starts, I'll have one in Middle School and two in Elementary. That translates to, again, getting to work late, staying late, and coming home late. In all, less family time.

I'll admit I like time away from the family but only when it's voluntary, like when I'm on a trip with my friends. I don't like wasting 15 hours per week in commuting topped off with forty hours of work.

I could work part-time but as a Mid-level Professional it is near career suicide to work part-time. I could work from home but I'd still have the horrible commute the other days.

And so I need a new job, something much closer to home. Any one need a data jockey?

2006-06-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

"Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out"
Timothy Leary called it correctly but for the wrong reasons. Many moons ago in a more adventurous time, he urged people to "Turn on, tune in, drop out". He meant or may have meant for folks to try drugs like LSD and many did. But if he were alive today he'd be beaming proud because people are doing just what the good doctor ordered.

On my daily Metro rides I figured about 25% of the people are "Learying" with their iPods or cellphones. They can't be bothered or put another way "when the buds are in, the bud is out". I saw quite a few people fondling their cellphones, flipping them open and shut, or playing with the buttons but fiddling nonetheless like the phone were electronic rosary beads.

My kids want cellphones and iPods but no way. Although the case can be made that phones are great for emergencies the case can also be made that there are plenty of responsible adults with cellphones around them at all times. They don't need to be tethered electronically and we don't need the hassle of lost or broken phones. When they can demonstrate that they can take care of breakable things for more than a month then we'll talk.

More importantly I don't want them used to phoning their friends every second. They can visit them in person, learn some social graces instead of fon3sp3ak. The phone should be for planning to get together with friends, especially considering they're all in the neighborhood. No lazy kids mine!

Yeah, arguably electronics are ruining America - movies, music, ebooks, pcs, consoles. We've lost something social. Pity.

Alright kids, your turn on the computer...I'm done.

2006-06-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

Random Rails
Will the Christian babies born tomorrow (6/6/6) be sacrificed or are they special members of God's Army? Will the California Governor elected tomorrow be a true disciple of Satan or just act like one? Just how does one distinguish between Satan and God if Satan can lie and appear just as enticing as God?

Now that the temperature broke how about a break in the damn humidity...

Shaq or Dirk? I have to still go with Shaq and Miami, if anything, because Mark Cuban is such a putz. Of course, if I had his money I'd be a putz too.

My kids can smell the end of the school session. They're getting restless. With just starting a new job I doubt I'll be able to take off for our usual week-long family vacation. But I've got to do something even if it's unpaid vacation.

2006-06-04T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hot And Plain Bananas
We solved the bananas problem by going to our favorite market. Not Vons, Ralhps, or any of the major name places but a little known place in Reseda called Valley Produce. Visiting this market is like visiting a shouk in the Middle East. There's an unusual mix of foodstuffs mixed with an unusual mix of people. You're likely to hear Russian, Farsi, Hebrew, Spanish, and Tagalog in one aisle and in the next aisle some other set of languages. Arguably Valley Produce is more American than a Vons or a Ralphs.

There is another Valley Produce-type place in Sun Valley called, of course, Sun Valley Produce. It too is recommended.

We solved our banana problem but the heat is still hitting us. We woke up at 5 covered in sweat then passed out for another 3 hours. We've pretty much sequestered ourselves inside with the air conditioner going full blast. But the heat is still there. Even with the AC you can feel the invisible arms or heat around you softly squeezing.

I do not look forward to tomorrow going to work in this heat.

2006-06-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hot And No Bananas
It's 8:30 and already bloody hot. That's one of the reasons why I hate living in the San Fernando Valley. It doesn't just get hot, it gets brain-frying, temper-raising, just-want-to-curl-up-and-die hot. You don't want to move but you have to breathe and that becomes numbing. The only bright side to this heat is that the mosquitos are also too numb to move.

But it does get nice around 7 at night when the cooling off starts. The air gets a special sweetness perhaps from the jasmine and you can breathe again. But is it worth an hour or two of paradise for nine hours of heat exhaustion?

I can tell it's been a bad week because we have no bananas. We haven't had the energy to shop because of the damn heat. When my wife picks up the kids, instead of hitting the grocery store they go home and straight into the pool. I'm guilty too. When I finally finish my Metro maze of commuting and reach my car, I could on my drive across the Valley stop at a store but my thoughts are on (1) getting nearly naked as quick as possible; and (b) sleep. Food doesn't even rank in that list.

So Saturday comes with blast furnace termperatures and we have no bananas. Maybe when it cools off later we'll go shopping. Maybe.

2006-06-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Plenty Of Gripes
My supervisor was out today so my co-worker, who seemed to have lots of free time, spent most of the day interrupting me. We had nearly come to blows the other day because of mutual misunderstandings. Simply put, we get along but our personalities and cultural backgrounds are different. I'm American; she's not. She's more in-your-face; I'm not. I get things done in due time based on priority and urgency. She expects things done now. Worse, she may think that she's my superior. She acts like it. Anyway. We're getting along now and I'm trying to control my habit of making cynical remarks but it's a matter of time before one of us has a meltdown. My bets on her.

Coming home on the Metro we nearly had another accident. This time it was a man who decided to cross the street even though there was a multi-ton bus blazing towards him with horn a-honking. What's unbelievable is that the view of the bus route at this particular intersection has visibility for about a half mile in either direction. If man had only looked he would have seen the bus; he couldn't have missed it. But, for whatever reason, he decided to cross. Luckily some lady literally grabbed his shirt and pulled him over to safety, thereby dealing the Law of Survival a temporary setback.

2006-06-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

No Gripes
That's right. No gripes today though I'd be justified. One of my kids forgot his lunch so in going back home and finding it made me 15 minutes to work. No biggie. That the bus I took nearly got into an accident with a moron who was paying more attention to his cellphone than to the multi-ton that was bearing down on him...no problems. That the weather in LA is hitting the 90's in the Valley and WILL get much hotter though it's just the start of June - no sweat. Well, plenty of sweat.

But no gripes. No rants about Bush. No rants about bills. I'm just going to enjoy the sticky, sultry night with the sounds of crickets and screaming kids. Aaaah!

2006-05-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

Government Employees


Court Limits Public Workers' Speech
Rules That First Amendment Does Not Protect Every Whistleblower

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2006
 
(AP) The Supreme Court on Tuesday made it harder for government employees 
to file lawsuits claiming they were retaliated against for going public with 
allegations of official misconduct.

By a 5-4 vote, justices said the nation's 20 million public employees do not have 
carte blanche free speech rights to disclose government's inner-workings. 
New Justice Samuel Alito cast the tie-breaking vote.

So this Government of ours that is for us, by us, and of us does not get to speak as us. Considering we pay for our Government shouldn't we get a say in whether they get a say?

Or, what could be worse, if Government Employees have limited speech, how long before the Supreme Court declares that - lo and behold! - we're all Government Employees and subject to the same restrictions?

But what's most disgusting about this is simply that it's a curb against whistleblowers, which can only add to the current layers of secrecy and corruption plaguing the Bush Administration. Disgusting but sadly not surprising.

2006-05-31T21:08:00.000-07:00

Basketball Math
Shaq + Great Coach (Jackson) + Great Player (Kobe) = 4 Championship Finals + 3 Rings

Shaq + Great Coach (Riley) + Great Player (Wade) = 1 Championship Finals + ? Rings

Kobe + Great Coach (Jackson) + No Real Center = 1st Round Elimination

Either the Lakers get a great center real soon or they'll be a long ways from any Finals any time soon.

2006-05-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

Random Monday Musings
The mother came through. She trolled Nordstroms and found me a pair of pants 30x33 that fit rather nicely. It's a small 30 waist as opposed to a pair od Dockers that I bought that were a large 30 waist. But I'm still planning to find and try the Wrnaglers Riatas. Business casuals uber alles!

It's been a quiet Memorial Day. We had piano lessons today. The final ones we're having on the Westside. The kids have outgrown their teacher and now we're trying some new tutors next week closer to home. Coming home though was a bear. Typical rush hour on the 405: packed and plenty of idiot drivers gabbing on their cellphones switching lanes without signalling.
I'm amazed that so many BMWs, Mercedes, and Lexuses don't have working turn signals. Why isn't there a recall?

2006-05-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

Business Casual
At my new job we have to wear business casual Monday through Thursday. Friday we can wear jeans. This is a departure from my last position where jeans everyday wasn't an issue. Quality of your work was the standard by which you were judged, not what you wore. But that's not what I'm going to gripe about today. Today I'm peeved because, simply, I can't find business casual clothes in my size: 29x34.

I'm tall and skinny and most clothes manufacturers assume that Americans are more wide than long. I spent the past couple of weeks scouring Macy, Bloomingdales, Robinsons-May, JC Penneys, Nordstroms, Nordstroms Rack, and Sears for clothes.

Out of sheer disgust and utter desperation I bought at Sears three pair of pants size 30x32. Two of the pair were Sears brand and they fit OK. The waist wasn't too distorted and the length was a shade under flood embarrassing. The third pair was Dockers and the 30 waist was too big. I shouldn't have bought them.

Yesterday I remembered that the last time I shopped for pants I had great success at a western wear store in Bakersfield. Since this place catered to rodeo types they had a tremendous selection of skinny-ass pants and I found a plethora of pants to choose. I went online and sure enough they had business casual pants in my size. But I didn't want to go to Bakersfield just for pants.

The pants I found were Wranglers and further investigation showed that there may be a couple of places in the San Fernando Valley that carry the Wrangler bsuiness casual line. I hope so because this is ridiculous. Pants makers need to realize that not all Americans are fat tubs of lard, especially those of us with blast-furnace metabolisms.

2006-05-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

Democrat Neocons
Nice article in the LA Times today about the new Neocons. They're Democrats and they're just as repulsive and stupid as their Republican counterparts. Who's the biggie Neocon Dem? Lieberman. Why he's considered a Democrat is beyond me.

Folks, we've been conned enough from Neocons, Republican or otherwise. Let's make sure that we're not conned again. No more Bushes, Liebermans, Roves, Wolfowitzes, or any of their ilk. We deserve so much better and so does the rest of the World.

2006-05-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

He Don't Get It


Bush: U.S. won't relent in war on terror

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer 

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The U.S. will take the fight against terrorism to every shore 
and outpost in pursuit of enemies like none before, not relenting until their 
defeat and showing the same resolve that won the Cold War, President Bush told West Point graduates Saturday.

"America will fight the terrorists on every battlefront. And we will not rest until 
this threat to our country has been removed," the commander in chief said in 
his commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy.

"Against such an enemy there is only one effective response: We will never 
back down, we will never give in, and we will never accept anything less than 
complete victory," Bush said.

This is the same President that still has yet to capture bin Laden, still hasn't quelled the Taliban in Afghanistan, still hasn't resolved anything and everything to do with Iraq, and yet continues to implicitly threaten not just the terrorists but, well, everyone.

Because, in the Bushian view which he has repeatedly stated, you're either with him or against him.

Worse, President Putin recently mentioned that he will start up the Cold War again because, I suspect, he realizes that America has an easily manipulated fanatic at the helm and this fanatic has not ruined the infrastructure of America but divided the country as well. In short, we are - thanks to Bush - MORE vulnerable than ever. With Bush acting as a strutting bully he has united more of the world against us if not overtly than covertly. We're stretched militarily, depressed morally and ethically, and politically sick.

Bush is trying to sound like Winston Churchill - tough and inflexible - but comes across as a one-note Willy. It's time to change the tune and the player.

2006-05-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

IRS Woes
What a nice way to start the long weekend: receive a notice from the IRS that I owe a lot of money. The amount, amazingly enough, is the exact amount (plus penalty and interest) that I paid when I sent in my return. I have the cancelled check to prove it.

So when I got home from work I called them to clear things up.

Let's get one thing clear: the thing to fear from the IRS is their answering system. I ended up calling twice because their stupid menuing system does not have, repeat NOT have, the one option needed for this situation. All the options assume you want to pay. I wanted to talk to a human. Out of sheer frustration I started hitting the buttons that weren't menu choices.

Bingo! The magic button was #. TO TALK TO A LIVE HUMAN HIT THE # KEY!!!

I got a human, a very real and extremely nice woman who listened and took all the relevent information. It was so nice talking to her that I didn't mind it when she said they could find no trace of my payment in the system, meaning some slob got a bonus of my money or my money disappeared in to the black hole of Bushian Economics.

But, since I have the cancelled check, I just need to mail in a copy and all will be forgiven. Until next year.

2006-05-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

Out the Window
Coming home on the Metro I spied out the window a group of older men with their bicycles. What caught my attention was that these guys were outfitted for something like the Tour De france. They had the tight bike wear, snazzy glasses, and helmets. And the attitude; they oozed attitude even though I was thirty feet away inside a bus.

But the clincher, th eone for the memory books was one guy was this rather short, pudgy gentleman gabbing away with his friends while puffing on a cigarette. See the disconnect?

Nice healthy activity - bike riding - offset, nay!, verily ruined by a most unhealthy activity - smoking. Yet there he was.

2006-05-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

When is USB Not USB?
Stupid computer. I wasted too much time yesterday finding a USB A-A cable for some mini-notebooks that we have at work. I wanted to use ActiveSync via USB instead of a serial conenction between my PC and one of the minis. Short summary: the cable didn't work. Turns out that the ActiveSync that comes pre-installed on the notebook doesn't have an option to use the USB, just serial or via network (though, hmmmm, maybe that gets the USB going). So perhaps I need a serial to USB connector.

Sometimes I hate that I work with computers. They don't make life any easier; they just make you put effort into a different direction. I once went a whole week without computers. A WHOLE WEEK! It was great - no worries about e-mail, viruses, drive crashes, spam, or anything. And then at the end of the week - this was a vacation - when I had to go back into the world of computers, I realized that now I was a week behind in everything: e-mail, anti-virus updates, drive backups, and so on.

Oh well. Just 1.5 more days until a 3 day vacation.

2006-05-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

That's Why Fry's
So at work I inherited some old yet unused mini-notebook computers. They weren't THAT old, just a couple of years, and my Supervisor wanted me to do SOMETHING with them, some sort of development. After all, they were an expense and they didn't want to just throw them away.

So I'm staring at these things and I cannect it up to my work computer to see how and if the things will synch up. OK, the critters use MS ActiveSync over the serial port. No problem, although I also use the serial port to Hotsync to my other development targets: Palms.

Two syncs both demanding the serial port and me too damn old to keep crawling under my desk to switch cables. But I notice that the mini-notebooks have a USB port and I make the Executive Decision that I will use THAT connection for ActiveSync.

Except the notebooks came with a serial cable and a USB adaptor but not a USB cable per se. I look at the adaptor. One end is a proprietary P.O.S. connector. The other is a standard female. So I would need a male-to-male (A-A) connector. No problem.

I went online and everywhere has it: CompUSA, Staples, Frys, Best Buy, and so on. I should order through the company but they only order twice a month and I want the cable NOW. So I figured to pick up a cable after my Orange-line Metro commute. My stop in Woodland Hills was literally down the street from Best Buy, CompUSA, Staples, Circuit City, and Frys.

Right. I decided to go to Best Buy first. Found the cables section and, and, and they're sold out of it. Even at the rip-off price of $29 they're out. They have a bazillion (A-B) USB cables but not mine. I cornered a worker and he slyly pulled rank on another worker who grudgingly looked on their computer which I assumed was tied to their inventory but could have been Minesweeper. He said they may have some in back and he disappeared for about five minutes. He came back. Nope, no A-A cables.

Fine, CompUSA was right across the street. They'd have it. Good old CompUSA. I went in, found the cables section and nada. Not even an empty placeholder. Same with Staples. Nothing. And in both places no one came to help me, although I stood in the cables section looking like a lost idiot. No help.

Circuit City was better. No cables, but within a minute of finding the cables someone asked if he could help me. Even better, he explained why they didn't carry the cables (not enough profit margin and the A-A cables were somewhat obsolete) and suggested an alternative: Fry's. Kudos to Circuit City.

Fry's. I used to love the place. Now it's a mix of love and loathing. Sure, they have a great selection and their prices are sometimes unbeatable but to return stuff there is hellacious. But I digress.

I found the cables section and sure enough they had a snazzy, gold-plated, A-A USB cable for only $29.99. Of course. Typical. But the cable section was a mess and - what the hell - I continued looking and, and, and - BINGO! - a cheapie, no-name A-A cable for $9. Perfect.

And lesson learned: when you need the obsscure and obsolete, try Fry's first.

2006-05-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

No Limit


House passes $2.7 trillion budget plan
By William L. Watts, MarketWatch
Last Update: May 18, 2006

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The House voted along party lines early 
Thursday morning to pass a $2.732 trillion fiscal 2007 budget plan and boost the 
federal debt limit, but only after Republican leaders promised party moderates 
that they would increase spending on politically-sensitive education and health-
care programs.

Does anyone remember when the U.S. Government almost declared bankrupcy? It couldn't pay the bills and, if memory serves correct, an emergency limit was passed to save things but the increase was a big deal.

Now look. The Bush Administration and Us-First Republicans have not only run us into an unbelievable debt but they're giving themselves the means to continue the siphoning. They are out of control. If anything the limit should be reduced. The pork projects and earmarks should be removed and the Republicans swatted for bad behavior. This is beyond irresponsible; it's criminal.

I think I'll call my credit card companies and tell them that not only do I not plan to pay off my cards completely but that I am unilaterally increasing my limit. If they want payment in full they'll have to deal with my kids or their kids or their kids' kids. Does that make any common sense? Hell no but somehow it's good Administration in these Bushian Times.

2006-05-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

War On Terrorism Part 35
Riding the Metro Orange home the other day we passed a couple of power stations or whatever they're called. You know, those fenced off area with all that yummy electrical stuff - transformers and whatnot. Anyway. The Metro passes right by a couple of them and at one of them there were parked right by the fence two large hauling trucks.

And I thought about how easy it would be for those trucks to be loaded with explosives and how godawful damaging it would be if they blew up. And I thought about how for all the talk about making America safe the politicians don't get it. They don't or can't think outside the box. They think about themselves and wear highly colored glasses.

You want to make a terrorist statement in LA? Talk about target rich environment. I've blogged about this before. I mentioned the freeways and how easily someone with a truck could take out an overpass or connector but it never dawned on me that the electrical grid was so exposed. Even better, we're talking about the media capital of the world so if they did anything they'd get plenty of coverage.

If anything we're lucky that we haven't been hit by evil nasties. On the other hand, why should they bother? The next earthquake, and believe me we're overdue, will do the work for them. Yeah, you bad, old terrorists, just keep hanging down at the beach staring at the exposed female flesh. We all do it. Don't feel too bad. Just go with the flow and chill.

2006-05-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Condi on the Press
Condi was on "Meet The Press" this morning and she sounded like her usual coherent, smooth-talking self. She stressd thatIran was not the same as Iraq and that Iraq posed a greater threat to the U.S. in its time. That is, in the early 90s Iraq had a far more developed WMD program than Iran does now and that Hussein just wasn't cooperating with anyone. And so we had to go in.

It all sounded good...except that we've had repeated mentions from others that the Bush cabal had strong desires to go in to Iraq well before 9/11 and were just looking for an excuse. That's why they ignored certain information, distorted other information, didn't verify not enough information, and just outright lied, to get an invasion going, to get a U.S. presence in Iraq.

And that is why Bush's approval rating is in the dumps. Nearly everything he says, particularly about Iraq, is shallow, wrong, or nothing more than spin. That's why he keeps finding other issues - like illegal immigration - to grab the spotlight. Anything to keep our eyes and ears away from Iraq, unless it looks like good news. Sure, Iraq has the makings of a govnerment...this week. Next week it could easily be a peaceful, effective entity or downright civil war.

2006-05-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Privacy vs Security Again
Last week I blogged about Privacy and national security. The impression may have been incorrect, that if wiretapping and snooping were to disappear then we'd have this great privacy. It isn't so. In fact, the greater threat to our privacy may not be the Government at all but businesses who are more than willing to share (sell) your private information.

With todays multi-national, conglomerate, uber-corporations we too often see that in divulging our information to one branch we, in effect, give our information to all branches. How often do we see on forms little checkboxes asking whether our information can be shared within the company or with allied companies? How often are these checkboxes conveniently pre-checked for us?

Whenever my my wife and I fill out a form, under the second address line we'll put something like "#DM" to signify that we just applied to Dumbcrap Magazine. (Often we aren't even so cryptic. We'll put "#Dumbcrap Magazine" and the person copying over the data does so automatically.) Then we'll see whether that Magazine sold our name. It happens too often even when we specify that our name be sold. Yeah, we could probably sue but frankly we don't have the deep pockets like companies so the years and costs of such a lawsuit jsut aren't worth it.

Point being, that our privacy is under attack from many sides. Businesses are bad enough but how can we trust the Government to protect us when it, too, is in the Privacy bashing business.

2006-05-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

Lazy Saturday
Kids are watching cartoons. Dad is blogging nothing of interest. Mom is getting car fixed and hitting the garage sales. Preakness will be on later. Cleveland will eliminate Detroit. It might rain. It might not. Maybe we'll go to the Northridge mall, or Topanga Plaza. Maybe not. Just a lazy, lazy day.

This, of course, is denial at its fullest. We have stacks of laundry and dishes to do. All rooms need to be vacuumed and dusted. The cars have an inch of dirt on them. The pool needs sweeping. The garden needs weeding, pruning, fertilizing, picking, and a variety of other verbs ending in -ing.

And it's just me. I'm feeling really lazy. No energy to do what needs to be done. But I realize this and am working up the strength to stop typing and go do something worthwhile.

OK, here I go. I am going. Yep, watch out.

Going. For real.

Going.

Gone.

2006-05-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

Bend It Like Beckham
My middle son and I just finished watching Bend It Like Beckham. It was a nice film although I wish it had more soccer footage and less of Keira Knighley's emaciated body. Sorry, Keira fans, she looked terrible in this film. Acted great, looked skeletal. And with her bony look she lost believability as a soccer pro. Still, fun film although I had to explain to my kid about homosexuality. THAT was real fun too.

2006-05-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

Rule 47a
Rule 47a: Never schedule a meeting immediately before or after lunch.

This is obvious but I broke this one too. I had a meeting set for right after lunch. Noon came. I went out, got settled in over a chicken aioli sandwich, and relaxed. Until I relaized that I had ten minutes to run back to work, tear up to my office, finish the paperwork needed for the meeting, print, run out, up the stairs, and into the conference room. I'm surprised I didn't vomit over everyone.

Worse is that once I settled down and my heartrate returned to its usual semi-comatose state, I found myself falling asleep. That's bad, real bad. And to keep awake I started to think of things to keep me awake. Thinking led to dreaming and dreaming led to...WAKE UP!!! PAY ATTENTION!!!

It's safe to assume that scheduling a meeting right before lunch is just as bad. No one cares about what's going on. They're just watching the clock and nodding in agreement to whatever is being said. If you ever need anything approved then, yeah, schedule a meeting right before lunch. Just don't get caught yourself on the receiving end.

2006-05-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Rule 47
Rule 47: Never schedule a meeting 1/2 hour before you're to get off work.

Stupid me, stupid me, stupid me! I broke Rule 47. I had a meeting at 5:30 and sure enough the damn thing continued until 6:30. So instead of missing all my bus connections on time, I missed them much later and got home way too late to be any help to the wife and too late to spend some fun time with the kids, though they didn't exactly rush away from the computers to greet me.

It's very frustrating. I *FINALLY* get a job, a great job, and the damn commute is going to kill me. I plan to check into carpooling or something, anything to speed up the commute.

But this is LA and in going across the Valley there are no shortcuts. The only commute worse would be over the hill to the Westside. My neighbor does that and how she keeps her sanity is beyond me.

But for you Dear Readers learn from this. NEVER BREAK RULE 47!

2006-05-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

Go Clippers!
Damn that feels strange. But I would love to see a Cleveland/Clippers Finals. That would be a great coming out for LeBron who is proving the new Kobe...I mean...Michael, or Magic.

On the other hand, a Clippers/Heat Finals would be awesome to see Shaq show that while there are many Kobe's (like Dwayne), there's still one Shaq.

On the other hand, I like Elton Brand so much that I don't care who the Clippers play just as long as they win. Certainly, the players deserve to win.

On the other hand, Donald Sterling and Elgin Baylor don't deserve to win. Sterling's been such a tightfist for the past umpteen years and Elgin Baylor - great player - has repeatedly proven a lousy GM. They've had so many potentially great players over the years yet have contended so infrequently.

But what the hell. Go Clippers!

2006-05-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

Privacy vs Security
Is it worth it? Is it worth having your privacy completely dismatled in the name of National Security? Is it worth having all your phone calls, emails, and communications intercepted, stored, and analyzed in the name of Security from some evil nebulous enemy?

The Bush Adminstration wants you believe it so but there are three problems with this.

First, you are more likely to die from a car accident then you are from a terrorist incident. Far, far, FAR, FFFFAAARRR more likely. Heck, you're more likely to win the Lottery than to get involved in a terrorist incident. As I've blogged before, tobacco and alcohol kill more Americans than terrorists but you see no action on those fronts.

Second, with all the secrecy surrounding what the Administration does, we have no measure the effectiveness of their anti-terrorism actions. They could say to us "With our illegal wiretapping, we stopped 200 terrorist actions last month!" and we'd have no way to judge the truthfulness of the statement. We are expected to believe what they tell despite their history of repeated lies. That ain't gonna cut it. Bush wants to strip us of our privacy then we need to see open and honest results.

Third, with the amount of information they plan and want to collect there is an increased risk of false positives. That is, a greater chance of a message looking suspicious and implicating an innocent person. And with the Administration we have now you could be picked up and shipped to Guantanamo without any recourse - none! No lawyers, no explanations. Is that what you want? I'm sorry but the little shred of security we'd receive for the amount of privacy and freedoms we give up isn't an equitable trade. It isn't America.

2006-05-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

Halliburton Record Profit


Move of Halliburton Meeting Draws Fire

By KELLY KURT, Associated Press Writer 

DUNCAN, Okla. - Halliburton earned a record $2.4 billion last year, but Houston 
executives will forgo Texas-sized luxury when they come to this rural 
Oklahoma county seat this week.

Anyone surprised at Halliburton's record profit?

First Lady a Real Mother
I should have realized this would be a special Mother's Day when I flipped the TV on in the morning and saw Laura Bush on ABC's "This Week". She's scary. Not Maria Shriver skeletal scary but too much face lift and botox scary. Laura Bush seems to have this Joker's inability to not smile or move her eyebrows. Consequently whatever she's talks about, whether humorous or serious, she says with this alarming wide-eyed mainc look. Perhaps she's trying to hide something; perhaps she's trying to come off as a perpetually perky person.

But she's scary. No wonder Dubya likely abuses the bottle.

2006-05-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

Mothers Day?!?
Saturday morning and it has hit me that I have only this day to prepare for Mother's Day. Worse, it's not just one Mother but four: my wife (mother of three), my mother, my mother-in-law, and my mother's friend who is an official family-adopted mother.

I must do things right for my status is at stake. If I make one worng decision, give one incorrect gift, kiss one wrong cheek, then my life is forfeit. Heck, I'm still wrestling with the hierarchy. Does my wife take precedence over my mother? If so, then my mother gets insulted and I get a day with slow sighs and The Sad Look. You know, "I brought you into this world and this is what I get..."

But if I show deference to my mother over my wife then it's the "You have to live with ME!" glare for the rest of the day.

And if I waste too much time on both of them my mother-in-law will make clucking sounds to her daughter - my wife - about how much better she could have done. She could have married someone WHO CARES.

And the adopted mother will sit, quietly suffering the agonies of martyrdom for being the one left out.

The final topping: the kids will be running rampant leaving a path of destruction for daddy (ME) to clean op and/or fix because it's Mother's Day and they can't be expected to do EVERYTHING.

But it will be worth it, I think, because at the very end a mothe will ask me what I want for Fathers Day and I'll say "To be left alone!!!" and they'll smile and that will be that. Right? RIGHT???

2006-05-12T22:28:00.000-07:00

First Week Over

I survived my first week with only minor flesh wounds. I think I did more eating than working but there were shoes to be dropped and they decided to temper the drops with calories. To refresh your memories, after ten months of being laid-off and over 170 job applications and over 20 interviews, I got a job. The difficulty was or is switching an HRIS mentality over to Marketing but this company wanted my technical skills more than my limited Marketing experience.

So far I've helped out but I still have a tremendous amount to learn in the remaining week before my co-worker goes on vacation and I have to cover for her.

What I'm finding particularly frustrating is the IT. In my old job at a World Class aerospace company I had Admin rights to my machine so I could install the programs I needed to do my job. This was a somewhat uncommon exception to the company rule but the IT people there knew me and trusted me since I was once a sysop.

Not so with the new company. To install a program or an upgrade I have to call the Help desk which has been outsourced out of country. They, in turn, will call the IT people to come down from the floor above me to install my programs, or the Helpdesk will remote install my programs. Either way it's annoying. I'm too hands-on and too experienced for this.

Both companies are so worried about their users installing virus-ridden programs, which is understandable. But both companies also make an even greater mistake. Neither company teaches or preaches the users to back up their data. To me, that's the greater crime. The companies have spam-filters, virus checkers, and active firewalls up the gazoo.

Data backups? Nada. Today, one of the Senior VPs had a hard-drive failure. Think the data was backed up? Nope. Think the Senior VP had a conniption? Yep. Think anyone told the Senior VP "Hey dipshit, did you back up your data?" Nope. Think the Senior VP is going to learn to back up his data? Maybe but only if his secretary does it for him.

Anyway. The first week is over and done. There's plenty to do. Nice folks, nice atmosphere. Unless I win the Lottery, I think I'll go back.

2006-05-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

"Not Qualified" - Surprised?
Caught this little tidbit yesterday:


ABA rates Bush nominee 'not qualified'
Posted 5/10/2006  
WASHINGTON (AP) — The American Bar Association rated one of President 
Bush's judicial nominees "not qualified" Wednesday, prompting a call from a 
liberal group for the president to withdraw the Mississippi lawyer's nomination.

A panel of the nation's largest lawyers group voted unanimously to give its 
lowest rating to Michael Wallace, Bush's nominee for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court 
of Appeals.

Mind you the ABA had, up to that point, NEVER unanimously given its lowest rating to a candidate. But, this being the Bush Adminstration, it is just par. The Bush Administration continues to spread incompetence through the government.

If the nomination weren't bad enough, consider that the Bushes are now going for the next step:


A 3rd President Bush? First 2 All for It

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. - Could there be a third President Bush? The current chief said 
Wednesday that younger brother Jeb would make a great one, too, and has 
asked him about making a run. The first President Bush likes the idea as well.

Jeb Bush, the Republican governor of Florida, has one asset that his 
presidential brother doesn't right now — approval from most of his 
constituents. While George W. Bush's approval ratings are in the low 30s, 
some 55 percent of Florida voters surveyed last month by Quinnipiac University 
said Jeb was doing a good job.

This is a feeler to let us know that Jeb will likely run real soon. One advantage Jeb has over Dubya is that he can speak in a coherent fashion, probably due to his being sober for a greater amount of time. But, God NO!, not another Bush in the White House. America will take years to recover from the current embarrassment.

NOW is the time to let the politicians know that Dubya is bad enough and should be, at the minimum, impeached if not outright incarcerated. Tell them to not even bother with Jeb. The Bush dynasty must end. Two disasters is enough from that clan.

2006-05-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Lakers and other LA Teams
Today at my new job I was asked during lunch from a co-worker if I was a sports fan. I replied that I liked soccer and basketball. He asked what I thought about the Lakers. I replied:

Kobe is a great player - no doubt. 82 points in one game is unbelievable BUT given a choice between Kobe or Shaq and the Coach I would have taken the latter. Shaq, despite his fitness problems and encroaching age, is still unique. Kobe is replaceable, like with a Dwayne Wade. Imagine if the Lakers had kept Shaq and Coach and gotten Dwayne. They might be playing the Clippers right now.

Amazingly my co-worker agreed. We also agreed that Elton Brand is still severely underrated yet a class act all around.

He asked about the Dodgers and we had the same assessment. We both had stopped following the team when the O'Malleys sold out. Pretty amazing consensus of opinion considering the guy is about ten years younger than myself.

On soccer we differed but in a good, friendly way. He likes Brazil in the World Cup; I'll be rooting for the U.S. and the Netherlands. How and why the U.S. is ranked #4 in the world is beyond me but whatever greenery the judges smoked, I want some.

He also explained to me the big brouhaha about the Mexican player Blanco who is one of my personal favorite players. He said it was about money but if a reader with clearer knowledge would pipe in I'd appreciate it. And if someone could tell me how to pronounce his first name "Cuahtemoc" I'd appreciate that as well.

Work is fun so far but there are shoes waiting to be dropped, like I'm supposed to learn what one of my co-workers does so she can go on vacation in two weeks. Damn tall order considering there is zero project tracking, meaning there's no documentation as to what's where.

And that's why we have Mylanta and Tums...

2006-05-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

Dean and McCain
Sunday morning while channel flipping I came across Howard Dean on, I think, Face the Nation. I forget exactly which show because I also caught John McCain on Meet the Press. Maybe I have the shows reversed.

Anyway. Howard Dean recited a litany of ethics violations and illegalities of the Bush Adminstration. Essentially, every one in the cabinet is under some sort of investigation or has a close underling under investigation. What he didn't say was that they all could without exception be under an investigation. But he summed it up nicely when he said that this was an Administration of Corruption. Nice to hear but I wanted to yell to him "What are you as Chairman of the Democratic National Party, doing about it?" Why wasn't he leading a charge to, frankly, impeach the President? And thereby is the problem of the Democrats. They have no balls. None. I like Dean but I wish he would DO something to lead instead of griping.

Hillary? She lost my vote because she keeps popping up on these pissy little issues that really shouldn't issues but they're safe, like violence in video games. Yawn. We've had an entire generation raised on evil comic books. The world survived.

Lieberman? He's a republican and nearly as right-wing as Bush.

Kerry? GOD NO!! He was dull and ineffective once. Not again.

Gore? Nope, he's gone. In fact, all the familiar names are passe. The Dems need fresh blood and they need to support fresh blood, instead of relying on known losers.

Then there's John McCain looking like a bird-fed cat. e once had my admiration despite his politics for being a straigh-shooter but now...I just can't bother with him.

Personally, I liked Colin Powell. I just wish he had never put up with the Bush Admin crap and had loudly called them on it. He seemed to have a shred of integrity but I guess it got locked away for the duration. Pity.

2006-05-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

New Beginning
Since I started my new job today blog updates may be sporadic. Considering that I'm thoroughly fried after a day of corporate brainwashing plus a 3-hour roundtrip commute, if this entry lacks coherency, don't be surprised.

So far the only complaint I have about the job is the commute. My previous job took me 40 minutes one way but I had to drive. This jobs take 1.5 hours one way and I drive just to the train station. Still that's a long day and more time away from my family than I'd like.

But I'm committing to a six months tryout. Unless I screw up so royally that I get fired, I'm determined to tough it out for six months before re-assessing my commitment. If I stay it will have to be for an additional four and a half years so that my pension gets vested.

That's all for now. Must sleep, sleepy-bye. G'night!