Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
when they came for the baseballs no one objected, and when they came for the tether balls everyone was silent . . .
. . . so now a Toronto elementary school has banned all "hard" balls--including soccer balls . . .
. . . because an adult--not a kid, an adult--got a concussion after being hit in the head with one.
. . . because an adult--not a kid, an adult--got a concussion after being hit in the head with one.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
and for a new low in politics, we will now analyze Herman Cain's wife's pelvis for honesty
Proving that nothing is too ridiculous to get space these days, US News and World Report turns loose a body language "expert" on Gloria Cain's interview about the sexual harassment charges against her husband.
The money quote:
The money quote:
"Her arms are out in front of her hands, laying one over the other in her lap, which I call a blanket hand cross," Wood says. "She is protecting her pelvis, which signals her feeling like her sexual relationship with her husband has been exposed or attacked, but she is clearly not hiding anything."Whether Cain is guilty or not, analyzing his wife protecting her pelvis from Greta van Sustern's questions is some how . . . just what you'd expect.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
the new york times says the rape of young boys at penn state won't really affect the university in the long run . . .
. . . because, well, people really won't care very long.
Which is, sadly and horribly, probably true.
Which is, sadly and horribly, probably true.
evolutionary psychologist stephen pinker on the decline of violence in the world
This may challenge a lot of people, but Pinker is a heavyweight of the Richard Dawkins, Richard Feynmann, Stephen Hawking breed in his own field. It will be controversial (the link to the Scientific American review below is not positive), but it will not be ignored.
From a podcast promoting his new book, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Why Violence Has Declined:
From a podcast promoting his new book, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Why Violence Has Declined:
“Believe it or not, violence has been in decline for long stretches of time. And today are probably living in the most peaceful time in our species’ existence.” Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker at the ScienceWriters2011 conference in Flagstaff on October 17th. His new book is The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined.
“The decline of violence has not been steady. It has not brought violence down to zero. And it is not guaranteed to continue. But…it is a persistent historical development, visible on scales from millennia to years, from the waging of wars and genocides to the spanking of children and the treatment of animals.”
the three people to fire immediately, according to management consultants . . .
This from Bloomberg:
Fire immediately:
1. People to whom you have given too much work with inadequate resources to accomplish the mission (and who actually point this out).
2. People with enough experience to realize which ideas have a good chance of succeeding, and which ones don't (and who actually explain why).
3. People who have spent years developing specific expertise and have the temerity to bring that expertise to the table.
I wish this was satire. But it isn't.
Fire immediately:
1. People to whom you have given too much work with inadequate resources to accomplish the mission (and who actually point this out).
2. People with enough experience to realize which ideas have a good chance of succeeding, and which ones don't (and who actually explain why).
3. People who have spent years developing specific expertise and have the temerity to bring that expertise to the table.
I wish this was satire. But it isn't.
in which the daily kos gets pwned (a headline of the day, sort of)
But you will want to click the links before you figure out what's going on
PROOF the TEABAGGERS are RACIST, VIOLENT, and DISGUSTING
and in yet another unsurprising obama-era military intervention . . . .
Will Rogers, who apparently knew President Obama was coming, once said,
Now you can't pick up a paper without reading where our Marines have landed to keep some nations from shooting each other, and if necessary we shoot them to keep them from shooting each other.Guess what? We're now apparently sending troops to Nigeria:
U.S. troops are on their way to Nigeria to help fight Boko Haram, in yet another newfangled military intervention into Africa. Boko Haram are an Islamic terrorist group, but its not clear what danger they’ve ever presented to America. Nevertheless, this new war is not much different from the Obama administration’s other martial adventures in the region, in Somalia with al Shabaab, in Uganda with the Lord’s Resistance Army, and beyond.
Friday, November 11, 2011
my second science fiction story is up at ray gun revival
It's titled "Bleed," and again it is probably too gory for jason.
The first one, "Flawed Tool," is available in their archive.
The first one, "Flawed Tool," is available in their archive.
remember, please, who the President was when the United States . . .
. . . decided that we needed to make the world safe . . . for cluster bombs.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
gee. no kidding.
Generation Jobless: Students Pick Easier Majors Despite Less Pay
If I had a buck for every time a student has told me that he or she selected X as a major because it involved no math or science beyond general education courses, I'd be wealthy.
comment rescues: corporate oligarchy and the government revolving door
Two thoughtful comments on my post yesterday about the corporate shadow government deserve greater attention (at least for the other three people reading) and a decent response.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
keith clinkscales has a big "thank you" for herman cain and penn state . . . .
. . . . because otherwise people might actually be paying attention to this particularly Clintonesque headline:
ESPN Executive Denies Masturbating Next To Erin Andrews On Plane
And to think that, back in the 1990s, all we were worried about was whether our kids would be asking us what "oral sex" meant.
Next thing you know, they'll be letting homosexuals get married.
two takes on president obama and wall street
Politico weighs in on the President as the ultimate hypocrite who demonizes Wall Street bankers by day while making them the lynchpin of campaign fundraising (and policy decisions) by night.
Meanwhile, at The Atlantic, columnist Daniel Indiviglio makes the fascinating argument that Wall Street bankers will still make the same amount of money, bonuses or no bonuses, and that they will engage in far riskier behavior without the bonuses. So, of course, there is therefore nothing to be done to change the situation, because--after all--they are the real government.
Meanwhile, at The Atlantic, columnist Daniel Indiviglio makes the fascinating argument that Wall Street bankers will still make the same amount of money, bonuses or no bonuses, and that they will engage in far riskier behavior without the bonuses. So, of course, there is therefore nothing to be done to change the situation, because--after all--they are the real government.
Monday, November 7, 2011
the corporate oligarchy that has become our shadow government
Although I begin this post by pointing you to a list of fifty-one former corporate lobbyists (including four cabinet-level officers) holding senior positions in the Obama administration and recalling the vast array of lobbyists called in for "consultation" about healthcare reform, this is about process rather than partisanship (Bush certainly did the same, or worse).
Simple fact: highly paid corporate positions are where senior government folks go to spend their "out" years when the other party is in power.
When they come back in, they know it is a time-limited gig, and they naturally represent the interests of their once and future employers as much if not moreso than the interests of the general public.
Simple fact: highly paid corporate positions are where senior government folks go to spend their "out" years when the other party is in power.
When they come back in, they know it is a time-limited gig, and they naturally represent the interests of their once and future employers as much if not moreso than the interests of the general public.
occupy delaware and brian selander's damage control
Not long after I posted the Dana Garrett video on my site, I received the following email sent to my State email address at DSU from Brian Selander. I should make clear that my State email address has never been linked to this blog by any means, which means that Brian had to go seek it out.
Here is the email in its entirety (not really any point in blanking out my DSU email since the Governor's office is now using it, is there?):
Here is the email in its entirety (not really any point in blanking out my DSU email since the Governor's office is now using it, is there?):
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
in solidarity with dana garrett and occupy delaware
Whether I agree or not with all of the aims of Occupy Delaware is immaterial.
What the State government is doing to throttle Occupy Delaware is wrong, but probably dictated by the corporate lords of the First State.
My friend Dana Garrett lays it all out (eight minutes; please take time for it all):
The world (and even Delaware) is in the midst of interesting times.
My friend Dana Garrett is doing what he has habitually done: putting himself out there for his beliefs.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
why we won't cut the defense budget even if the supercommittee (predictably) fails to cut the government
Leon Panetta may be full of angst that massive Defense cuts will occur is the Congressional supercommittee can't agree on cuts and tax increases elsewhere, but he needn't worry.
The Military-Industrial complex is so thoroughly entertwined in the American political economy that it is now an inoperable cancer.
The Military-Industrial complex is so thoroughly entertwined in the American political economy that it is now an inoperable cancer.
dilbert's creator scott adams with a few modest proposals
In today's WSJ.
I'm particularly struck by the simplicity of his campaign proposal:
I'm particularly struck by the simplicity of his campaign proposal:
I can also imagine a constitutional ban on all election contributions for any candidate that polls above 10%. In our current system, a multibillionaire could get his own neck fat elected president if he put enough money into it. For candidates below the 10% polling level, perhaps there would be no limits whatsoever on campaign funding. That way, new candidates have a chance to break into the field.
For candidates polling above 10%, their campaigns would only be allowed to use public funding. That levels the playing field. Incumbents would typically poll above 10% and no longer feel obligated to satisfy corporate donors or unions just to attract campaign funds.
Friday, November 4, 2011
what's necessary for a functioning free society: michael shermer's list.
I like Michael Shermer even when I don't agree with him. His argument for dumping "In God We Trust" [all others pay cash] as the national motto was nothing new, but his LA Times op-ed included one of the best single paragraphs I've ever read on the bottom line for a free society. For easier reading, I break it down into a list:
Notice that Shermer doesn't proscribe the how along with the what. We need a stable economy for a free society, but he doesn't get into small government vs regulation etc etc.
I think this is a good list, possibly not quite complete, but good.
For example, I think that an awful lot depends on his definitions of "civil liberties." Do they include just the traditional "Bill of Rights" kinds of liberties, like freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, do they more closely represent FDR's "four freedoms," and would they cover anti-discrimination law?
I think we need to do more thinking along the lines of what is essential and what is only preferrable in a free society.
The rule of law;
property rights;
a secure and trustworthy banking and monetary system;
economic stability;
a reliable infrastructure and the freedom to move about the country;
freedom of the press;
freedom of association;
education for the masses;
protection of civil liberties;
a clean and safe environment;
a robust military for protection of our liberties from attacks by other states;
a potent police force for protection of our freedoms from attacks by people within the state;
a viable legislative system for establishing fair and just laws;
and an effective judicial system for the equitable enforcement of those fair and just laws.
Notice that Shermer doesn't proscribe the how along with the what. We need a stable economy for a free society, but he doesn't get into small government vs regulation etc etc.
I think this is a good list, possibly not quite complete, but good.
For example, I think that an awful lot depends on his definitions of "civil liberties." Do they include just the traditional "Bill of Rights" kinds of liberties, like freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, do they more closely represent FDR's "four freedoms," and would they cover anti-discrimination law?
I think we need to do more thinking along the lines of what is essential and what is only preferrable in a free society.
two different forms of neo-colonialism in africa: the us and china. not much to choose from between them.
It is becoming increasingly clear that China is forging ahead as a world superpower by using strategic economic investments rather than military force, while the US is dusting off old Cold War templates.
Here is John Glaser's wrap-up of current US operations in Africa, the vast majority of which have been initiated under the Obama administration:
Here is John Glaser's wrap-up of current US operations in Africa, the vast majority of which have been initiated under the Obama administration:
The United States is in the midst of fighting a new war in Africa, following familiar foreign policy conventions applied previously, particularly in Latin America and the Middle East, to ruinous results.
The strategy is characterized by military aid to and reliance on brutish, undemocratic regimes, proxy militias, and targeted special operations as opposed to invasion and occupation. All of this is done without the consent of Congress and for the most part in secret.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
and descending further into the abyss, the obama administration declares itself to be immune to court decisions
Just great. He can be tried, and if found guilty can then be executed. But if the military tribunal finds him not guilty, he can still be held for the rest of his life.
Thank you, Barack Obama.
From Reuters:
Thank you, Barack Obama.
From Reuters:
MIAMI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. war crimes tribunal that will try the alleged planner of a deadly attack on a U.S. warship has no power to free him if he is acquitted, military prosecutors said in court documents made public on Wednesday.
...
Nashiri, a 46-year-old Saudi Arabian of Yemeni descent, could be executed if he is convicted of charges that include conspiracy, murder and perfidy.
But the U.S. government has said that regardless of the trial's outcome, it has authority to hold the alleged al Qaeda conspirator until the end of hostilities in the U.S. war against terrorism -- essentially for the rest of his life.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
headline of the day
Adult deer found inside python in Everglades
More amazing that an intact 76-pound deer in a python's belly would be an actual adult congresscritter in Washington DC.
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