hawaii pic

Random Hawaii picture (May 2004 trip)... the firedancer was very cool. I just slowed down the shutter speed a bit and got a few like this...
Clickie the pic for a larger image. I lubz joo, Imageshack.

whacko news commentators

Fox News commentator John Gibson thinks Jeb Bush should order the police to storm Terri Schiavo's hospice and take her into the state's custody to keep her alive. While we're at it, John, why don't we have them arrest Judge Greer and throw him in the slammer for awhile? Why don't we have the Army grab Michael Schiavo and send him to guantanamo? Congress already gave the judicial branch the finger when they called a special freaking session to pass a bill for one person because they didn't like the courts' decision. Nevermind how they trampled on anything resembling state's rights. Now people like Gibson want Governor Bush to directly violate the law to keep a vegetative woman alive. You're a fucking nutcase, John.
On a related note, here's an interesting interview with a Jesuit bioethicist.

The biggest question I have about the whole Terri Schiavo thing though is this: why the hell is this such a huge freaking story? Is anything else going on in the world? Anything? We had another Columbine last week and it seems like people hardly noticed. A kid in Minnesota killed his grandparents, 7 people at his school, and then himself. We've got soldiers dying in Iraq almost every day. It's better there than it was a couple months ago, at least for us. We're losing 50% fewer soldiers because the insurgents are so busy slaughtering other Iraqis. Anyway, why do we get so stupidly obsessed with one story about one person that's been litigated for years in Florida?

On to happier news, Colby College is taking an unusual approach to alcohol on campus. They're providing it! The university hosts beer and wine soirees. Of course the prohabitionists argue that it's totally inappropriate, but I commend the college on their efforts. You're never going to keep college students from drinking. Colby's approach allows students to enjoy good beer and wine in moderation though, instead of swilling can after can of Bud Light. It's quality over quantity and learning responsibility with their drinking. What's wrong with that? Cheers!

Panties for Christ

Hey girls, ever wanted some panties that declare your intentions to remain abstinent until marriage? You're in luck! WaitWear has an entire line of underwear just for you! I'm not making this up. Though as one woman in the Fox News article pointed out, The underwear line is the most illogical part of the whole [WaitWear Web] site. Shouldn't it read: 'If You Can Read This, I'm Probably Not Waiting Until Marriage?'" she said. Steel chastity belts can't be far behind!

A first grader recently brought enough crack to school for the whole class. The child apparently thought the 40 baggies in his backpack were filled with candy and started passing them out. Police say he lives at a suspected drug house. No.... I never would have guessed...

Next, a Michigan man stabbed himself to death to try to frame a neighbor in a fight over a bottle of booze. Here comes Darwin...

summer travel plans - Ibiza

I'm still debating about whether to visit 8 countries in 12 days in Western Europe, or spend a couple weeks in Spain instead. Either way I'm adding time on the island of Ibiza. I usually like to travel in late May, but reading up in Ibiza I think I'll bump that to late June. I can hit 3 huge opening night club parties in Ibiza in just 4 days in June. These are literally all night parties in perhaps the best nightclubs in the world with DJs like Paul van Dyk. Yeah, whether I do the Europe tour or just Spain, I definitely need to hit Ibiza. Maybe I'll just dispense with the rest of the tour and spend a week or two on the island instead.

Schiavo case

Check here for the best, least biased assessment and background information on the Terri Schiavo case that I've found. Conclusion (with which I agree wholeheartedly) -- the courts have already decided this one. Pull the plug.

IMO Congress and the President are totally out of line to get involved. It's been in the courts for years and they have decided repeatedly that Terri's wish would be to die. They have far more information about the case than the congressmen who are using this thing for political points with fundamentalist supporters. It's over. Most of her cerebral cortex is GONE. Let her go. It's been far too long already.

Turtle survives fire, could it be... Satan?

A turtle that was the lone animal survivor of a pet store fire is said by the owner to have the image of Satan on its shell. The owner claims his now demonic tortoise was perfectly normal before the fire. Now the flame resistant turtle is apparently a slow moving billboard for the Prince of Lies.

A recent study claims that kids who pledged to remain abstinent until marriage are having about as many problems with STDs as those who didn't, and are getting far more oral and anal than other kids. The study mostly consisted of giving surveys to teenagers, and we know how completely, 100% reliable those are. Unsubstantiated rumor indicates that when asked about their sexual activity, 53% of the abstinence pledging teens replied, "it's not immoral if it's only oral".

Finally, a wildly popular Japanese chewing gum claims to make breasts up to 80% bigger and better. Sales have exploded among women and, one would hope, dropped sharply among men.

A toast!

In honor of St Patrick's Day, here are some links to mostly Irish toasts.
Toasts, toasts, and more toasts...

Here’s to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold beer—and another one!

how not to promote your candidate

This group is trying to draft Condoleeza Rice to run for President in 2008. Their bid for "worst campaign song ever" is in, and lands securely in the so bad it's sort of funny especially if you've been drinking category. So take a listen if you missed it on the Daily Show yesterday. Oddly the political group is not promoting this song as a joke. They actually seem to like it.

In case you're wondering, Rice has, on numerous talk shows recently, emphatically denied any intent to ever seek the Presidency.

And in today's stupid lawsuit from a leech on society, a woman is suing the hospital where she gave birth because she was handed the wrong baby by mistake and held it for a few minutes attempting to, but not actually, breastfeeding it. Her baby spent a couple minutes in a room with another mother and was also NOT fed, then mom #1 noticed the mistake and it was corrected. That's it. Seriously. And she's SUING! She claims that "she's been traumatized by the event, has been unable to work and has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome." What a load of bullshit. Who the hell let this woman breed? People just suck.

followups

It should be noted that following 9/11, many Muslim clerics came out against bin Laden and terrorism. Information can be found here and here.

In other news, a Florida congressman proposed a tax on toilet paper. Stock up now, Floridians! I can't wait for the protests. They should schedule a rally. Good times, good times. The same link mentions that a proposed bill wants to follow in the footsteps of a Virginia bill and make it a crime to wear your pants too low. Update! The Virginia bill was voted down, striking an important blow for low pants riding rights! Break out the champagne and drop your pants to your knees, everyone! Let freedom ring!

Muslims issue fatwa against Osama

Spanish Muslim leaders say they will be issuing a fatwa against Osama bin Laden. I applaud this important step from moderate Muslim leaders while at the same time wondering, why haven't we seen more of it? It seems like all we've ever heard about previously are anti-Western fatwas issued by radical, fundamentalist Muslim leaders who support terrorism. It's long past time that the moderate Muslim leaders responded to these decrees with their own. Apparently these fatwas, or decrees, are very influential in many Muslim communities. Perhaps more moderate communities were afraid to respond for fear of reprisals, I don't know, but the Spanish leaders appear to be taking an important step.

update: The fatwa has been issued and is in fact the world's first fatwa against Osama bin Laden. Again, much credit to the Spanish Muslim leaders who issued it. But why on earth is it the first? What took so long for some moderate Muslims to come out against terrorism in this important way?

Phoney social security scare

Social security is not in trouble. It bears repeating. Social. security. is. NOT. in. trouble. Bush's personal investment account plan would cost us hundreds of billions more and would not solve any problem. Why? Because social security is NOT... okay, I'll not repeat that again. But other than the fact that even at current levels social security can hold until 2042, here's why it's not in trouble...

The level of our social security tax is directly proportional to how many years benefits can be paid for each person. The tax has gone up several times since social security's inception as average lifespans have steadily risen. As average lifespans continue to rise, either A) the tax must be increased to keep pace, B) the retirement age must be increased to keep pace, or C) benefits must be cut. That's not a system in crisis. That's basic math. Social security was never intended to pay everyone 15 to 20 plus years of income. If as a society we want to pay that many years of benefits, it's going to cost us more. Surprise, surprise. I think we pay enough already. The health of the average person in their mid 60s is far better than it was twenty or forty years ago, so the de facto retirement age set by when you're eligible to collect social security should continue to increase. That's it. Problem solved. If you save enough money yourself to retire sooner, hurray for you, but the government will not pay until the ever increasing age is reached. It's that simple.

If we could be reasonably sure that personal investment accounts or any other major change to social security would provide better total benefits at the same old tax rate and total cost, then sure, let's do it. We're not seeing that evidence though. So for now, let's learn some basic math. Longer lifespans means that to keep paying the same yearly benefits at the same social security tax rate, the retirement age MUST continue to go up. You don't have to be a math major, an economist, or a politician to figure it out. The politicians are unnecessarily complicating the issue.

p.s. If you're already receiving social security, stay out of the debate, okay? It doesn't concern you. Your benefits aren't going to change. Thanks.

The Great Alaskan Ice Tower

All hail Big John and the Alaskan Alpine Club! John Reeves is a big, big man at 6'9", 350 pounds, and when John gets bored and sick of the long Alaskan winters, his thoughts turn to artwork. BIG artwork. Big artwork made of nothing but copper piping, sprinkler heads, a pump, and large supply of well water. Check out the club's website for several pages and updates and photographs on this amazing ice tower. As of March 6th it was 147 feet tall and still growing. Every now and then the guys climb it and add more pipe. The writeup is great, full of photos and Alaskan humor and attitude. Good stuff.

In case you're wondering, despite the growing popularity of John's tower, he's not making a cent off of it. Actually he's spending 200 to 300 bucks a month to power the water pump. He says it's well worth it just for fun and loves seeing so many people get a kick out of it.

Italian hostage full of crap

Freed Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena claims that the United States military may have deliberately targeted her when they fired on her vehicle, killing agent Nicola Calipari and injuring Sgrena. The Italian woman ignores the fact that such accidental shootings have happened numerous times. The Christian Science Monitor published a much more objective look at why checkpoints in Iraq are confusing and these accidents happen. They also printed this article describing why sometimes the soldiers have to shoot an approaching vehicle to protect themselves. I challenge everyone to read it and not pass judgment on soldiers doing what they have to do. It sounds like the way that checkpoints are set up could use some work to help reduce these types of accidents. That, however, is a far cry from any deliberate targeting of civilians.

Sgrena, rather than accepting the fact that she and Calipari are victims of another of these tragic accidents caused by the fog of war and a breakdown in communication, apparently wants to think she's special and was targeted. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised as she writes for a communist newspaper in Italy. Fringe party members like to think the establishment is out to get them. Fight the power! Power to the people! Blah blah...

Though it should be noted that in Italy communism is no ways near as far on the fringe as it is in the United States.

another crappy film

I just watched Neve Campbell in When Will I Be Loved. Save yourself the hour and a half and the rental price. It sucks. I'm surprised Ebert and Roeper liked this tripe. Ebert had the gall to give it 4 stars even. The film is pretentious as hell without going anywhere. Overrated director James Toback has about a 45 minute story to tell and takes 85 minutes to do it, but even at 45 I don't think it would be all that good. Instead we get a thin, crappy plot with a collection of useless scenes thrown in to fill things out. We get overly long shots of such "charms" as Campbell's face while her scumball boyfriend bangs her from behind. The characters are all despicable human beings though that in itself wouldn't utterly ruin the film. No, it's the despicable plot that pulls that off. One star for Toback somehow convincing Campbell to do her first ever nude scenes, which were largely gratuitous, and in such a lousy film too. It's actually kind of funny. She must have bought into his pretentious "I'm an artist!" crap. No stars for the rest of the movie. So.... 1 star...

The Man in White

I've been reading Tom Wolfe's Hooking Up, a set of non fiction essays from the award winning man in white. It's good, witty, thought provoking work, and I'll have to read more from this author. In this volume he bios the founder of Intel, and skewers modern art, late 20th and 21st century literary criticism, "intellectuals" and more. I don't always agree with him, but the writing is almost second to none.

In one chapter he talks about how intellectuals in this country, continuing to learn from European counterparts, just can't stand to see anything positive happen. Despite America's ascendancy in the 20th century to by far the most powerful and influential nation in the world, despite America's key rule in defeating both the Nazis and the Soviet Communists, despite the incredible standards of living enjoyed by most Americans, some people can only find fault with their own nation. Even though they're often ignorant about the matters that they protest, it doesn't stop them from looking down with skepticism, cynicism, and contempt from their lofty perch of righteous indignation.

Do I think our country is perfect? Absolutely not! There are many things we could improve. We have made mistakes, some of them big ones. Corruption still exists. Our lawsuit happy society drives me nuts. We had apparently crappy intelligence telling our government that Saddam had WMDs. That's just for starters. Yet we have a lot to be proud of too. Anyone can be a naysayer. You don't even need to have a clue what you're talking about. To be fair though you should also recognize the incredible accomplishments of these United States.

Army of Darkness and other films

I recently watched Suicide Kings, a 1997 Christopher Walken film, and the more recent films The Human Stain and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. I watched the latter two back to back for constrast or something. Follow up a stupid, mindless stoner flick with a pretentious, serious artsy film.

Here are my really short reviews and this time I'm adding stupid little star ratings!

"Harold..." had a few funny moments, but overall it's much like Half Baked (ie. probably only really funny to stoners). 1 1/2 stars (out of 4).

Suicide Kings was a good, darkly comical film with another fine performance by Walken. Denis Leary was hilarious as a mob enforcer. Don't ask him about the stingray boots. The only bad part was a somewhat flawed ending. 3 stars.

The Human Stain - Starring Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman, this drama predictably had some great acting, but was clearly miscast. Kidman looks far too stunning to pull off a role as a depressed, down and out woman working three part time jobs to get by. Hopkins is too pale to be playing an unusually fair skinned man from a black family who passes himself off as Jewish. I could be wrong, but I think the only way the character could be as pale as Hopkins is if he was an albino. Boobies? Very briefly. Don't bother renting this film just to see Nicole Kidman's boobs, you sad little man. 2 stars.

Finally, pop in Army of Darkness and grab your adult beverages. It's drinking game time!

1. Every time Ash fires his shot gun, drink.
2. Every time Ash fires up his chainsaw, drink.
3. Every time Ash says one of his great lines (audience judges), drink. This includes but may not be limited to: a) Hail to the king, baby. b) First you want to kill me, then you want to kiss me. Blow. c) Gimme some sugar, baby. d) Yo, she bitch! Let's go. e) Come get some. f) Yeah, and maybe I'm a Chinese jet pilot.
4. Every time Ash suffers bodily harm, drink.
5. Every time Ash makes arrogant or chauvanistic remarks to people, drink.
6. Take 3 drinks when Ash finally finishes off Bad Ash.
7. Down the whole drink when Ash gets home.
8. Treat yourself to another drink if you watch the alternate ending.