Also, check this out. Apparently, McCain can't even monitor the comments on his own website. And he thinks he should be in charge of the country?
6.11.2008
Beer for Obama
Also, check this out. Apparently, McCain can't even monitor the comments on his own website. And he thinks he should be in charge of the country?
5.31.2008
5.30.2008
So, about Scottie's book
So, former chief liar White House spokesperson, Scottie McClellen has written a book saying that most of what he said as spokesperson was lying propaganda.
Karl Rove's response:
Well, Karl, you are correct it does sound like a left-wing blogger because we were/are FUCKING RIGHT. Sorry for the profanity but sometimes there is just no other way to convey something.
Karl Rove's response:
This doesn't sound like Scott, it really doesn't, not the Scott McClellan I've known for a long time. Sounds like a left-wing blogger.
Well, Karl, you are correct it does sound like a left-wing blogger because we were/are FUCKING RIGHT. Sorry for the profanity but sometimes there is just no other way to convey something.
5.29.2008
Hey
Hillary, Bill, Terry McAuliffe, Howard Wolfson, Geraldine Ferraro, James Carville, Harold Ickes:
Doesn't look like his daughters are too pleased with you either.
Doesn't look like his daughters are too pleased with you either.
5.28.2008
This is fun
Found this Electoral College tracking tool. My most pessimistic prediction is a 270-268 Obama win (need 270 to win). The swing state for me - Virginia. And actually, in this scenario, Obama loses Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.
My most optimistic is 362-176 landslide. I think the deep South, with the exception of Florida (can we give it back to the Spanish already) is very much in play. I could see North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana going for Obama. Also, the Mountain West and the Southwest might have some surprises. I think Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado are all in play, with New Mexico almost sure to go blue. Montana, North and South Dakota might be possible with Montana being the most likely.
My most optimistic is 362-176 landslide. I think the deep South, with the exception of Florida (can we give it back to the Spanish already) is very much in play. I could see North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana going for Obama. Also, the Mountain West and the Southwest might have some surprises. I think Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado are all in play, with New Mexico almost sure to go blue. Montana, North and South Dakota might be possible with Montana being the most likely.
OMGWTF!
Words almost fail me. The jackassiest president in all past and future history just surpassed his own record for jackassiness.
5.13.2008
West Virginia results coming in... zzzzz
I started this post yesterday morning:
So WV voters are going to overwhelmingly endorse Clinton maybe by as much as 40%. So what. By that I mean it really isn't going to make much of a difference in the nominating process. WV has 28 pledged delegates at stake and I think the most likely split is 19-9 for Clinton. And apologies to all the people who aren't racist in WV but 25% of Clinton voters cited race as a deciding factor. The demographics of WV, for the most part, mean that Clinton wins the over 65 crowd, the poor, the under-educated and the bigots, sounds like a Republican's wet dream. Hopefully, Obama is able to win over some of the over 65 crowd, the poor, and under-educated. Screw the bigots.
Wednesday:
First, for any Obama supporters who are feeling nervous or depressed, don't worry read this. The best part is the counter to "no Democrat has won the presidency without winning WV's 5 electoral votes." No Democrat has won the presidency without winning DC...and Obama won DC by 52%.
Which also brings me to this:
Notice where Obama took the lead? That's right, the Potomac Primary. Makes me proud to be a Virginian.
Finally, the real stories from yesterday. MS-01, which proves that no Republican seat is safe (DCCC press release), and NE-Sen, which proves once again that the Netroots have clout.
Something else to chew on: if you're not white and not male and not straight and not Christian, you're probably a Democrat. Minorities are not minorities when they are together and they overwhelmingly identify with the Democratic party and they are stepping into roles of power within the party. The Republicans have the white, male, straight, Christians, we have everyone else. I would speculate that the Republicans won't even have that demographic much longer.
So WV voters are going to overwhelmingly endorse Clinton maybe by as much as 40%. So what. By that I mean it really isn't going to make much of a difference in the nominating process. WV has 28 pledged delegates at stake and I think the most likely split is 19-9 for Clinton. And apologies to all the people who aren't racist in WV but 25% of Clinton voters cited race as a deciding factor. The demographics of WV, for the most part, mean that Clinton wins the over 65 crowd, the poor, the under-educated and the bigots, sounds like a Republican's wet dream. Hopefully, Obama is able to win over some of the over 65 crowd, the poor, and under-educated. Screw the bigots.
Wednesday:
First, for any Obama supporters who are feeling nervous or depressed, don't worry read this. The best part is the counter to "no Democrat has won the presidency without winning WV's 5 electoral votes." No Democrat has won the presidency without winning DC...and Obama won DC by 52%.
Which also brings me to this:
Notice where Obama took the lead? That's right, the Potomac Primary. Makes me proud to be a Virginian.
Finally, the real stories from yesterday. MS-01, which proves that no Republican seat is safe (DCCC press release), and NE-Sen, which proves once again that the Netroots have clout.
Something else to chew on: if you're not white and not male and not straight and not Christian, you're probably a Democrat. Minorities are not minorities when they are together and they overwhelmingly identify with the Democratic party and they are stepping into roles of power within the party. The Republicans have the white, male, straight, Christians, we have everyone else. I would speculate that the Republicans won't even have that demographic much longer.
5.12.2008
This makes me sad.
Whenever I think of my DC United heroes: Marco Etcheverry,Jaime Moreno, John Harkes, Eddie Pope, Carlos Llamosa I always leave out Ben Olsen. Because, for me, he is a given, the bedrock upon which the tradition of United has been built. So when I hear that he, like Josh Gros, may have to retire prematurely, it makes me sad.
5.07.2008
It's all over but the crying
With Obama's win in NC and squeaker loss in IN Clinton is done. Playing around with CNN's delegate tracker there are ways that she could still pull it out. But those scenarios are so unlikely as to be non-existent. Let's start with an across the board number for all the remaining races. If she wins all of them (WV, KY, OR, MT, SD, PR) by 85% she would still need 60% of the remaining unannounced super delegates. That 85% is impossible. Hell, in IN McCain only won 77% running unopposed.
So, let us look at some more realistic results. WV - she will win WV and she'll win it big. I'll give her the best result she has had and say she wins it 65%-35%. For many of the same reasons she will win KY, probably not by as large a margin but for argument's sake we'll say she does. OR looks like an Obama win and it should be a comfortable 5%-10% margin but we'll say he squeaks by with a 52%-48% win. I haven't seen any polls for MT so it is a bit of a mystery, it is more rural which favors Clinton but it is a Mountain West state which favors Obama. The netroots/blogger community has been very influential in the rise of the MT Democratic party which also favors Obama. I'm sure there are other factors but I'm going to give it slightly to Obama, 52%-48%. SD I think is similar to MT with the exception of the netroots/blogger influence. The one poll I've seen from there had Obama 46% Clinton 34% with 10% undecided. We'll give Clinton all of the undecideds and split the mystery missing 10% to give Obama another 52%-48% squeaker. Finally, PR. For reasons I can't figure out Clinton does very well with Hispanics so we'll give her another landslide 65%-35%. Given all that she would still need 78% of the super delegates.
In conclusion, right now Clinton could technically still pull it off. But, here are the absolute numbers. If Obama gets 188 of the remaining 488 delegates it doesn't matter what else happens. I don't think he reaches that number until after the last primaries on June 3. For that reason, I don't think Clinton should concede yet, BUT, I do think she should recognize the inevitable and change her campaign focus from bringing down Obama to unifying the party and attacking McCain. Will she do that? I doubt it but unlike her and her supporters I have HOPE.
Update: Something I noticed about their respective websites. They both have a "Find an Event" tool. Clinton's defaults to within 250 miles of your zip code. Obama's defaults to within 100 miles. Clinton's turns up 4 events, Obama 237 events at the 250 mile distance.
So, let us look at some more realistic results. WV - she will win WV and she'll win it big. I'll give her the best result she has had and say she wins it 65%-35%. For many of the same reasons she will win KY, probably not by as large a margin but for argument's sake we'll say she does. OR looks like an Obama win and it should be a comfortable 5%-10% margin but we'll say he squeaks by with a 52%-48% win. I haven't seen any polls for MT so it is a bit of a mystery, it is more rural which favors Clinton but it is a Mountain West state which favors Obama. The netroots/blogger community has been very influential in the rise of the MT Democratic party which also favors Obama. I'm sure there are other factors but I'm going to give it slightly to Obama, 52%-48%. SD I think is similar to MT with the exception of the netroots/blogger influence. The one poll I've seen from there had Obama 46% Clinton 34% with 10% undecided. We'll give Clinton all of the undecideds and split the mystery missing 10% to give Obama another 52%-48% squeaker. Finally, PR. For reasons I can't figure out Clinton does very well with Hispanics so we'll give her another landslide 65%-35%. Given all that she would still need 78% of the super delegates.
In conclusion, right now Clinton could technically still pull it off. But, here are the absolute numbers. If Obama gets 188 of the remaining 488 delegates it doesn't matter what else happens. I don't think he reaches that number until after the last primaries on June 3. For that reason, I don't think Clinton should concede yet, BUT, I do think she should recognize the inevitable and change her campaign focus from bringing down Obama to unifying the party and attacking McCain. Will she do that? I doubt it but unlike her and her supporters I have HOPE.
Update: Something I noticed about their respective websites. They both have a "Find an Event" tool. Clinton's defaults to within 250 miles of your zip code. Obama's defaults to within 100 miles. Clinton's turns up 4 events, Obama 237 events at the 250 mile distance.
4.28.2008
4.14.2008
OH NOES!!!
Two of my favorite blogs, Wonkette and Gridskipper have been sold from the Gawker media empire. Hopefully the new owners don't change too much. Although they could change the tags of Gridskipper, apparently DC posts are tagged, Washington, Washington-d.c. and Washington-dc.
3.31.2008
3.28.2008
3.24.2008
So True. Oh, so true.
From the always awesome xkcd.com. Although my embarrassing songs would probably be random chapters of various audiobooks...or traditional Christmas music from the Shetland Islands... or 80's hair metal power ballads... or Hungarian folk music done with sitars... or minimalist trance techno. I have some odd music.
3.20.2008
Lane Myer: Ohhhh. Tentacles. N-T. Big Difference
1PM Must've Been Talking about Jellyfish
via Overheard in the Office, Mar 18, 2008
Visiting sales rep: Wow, that aquarium is really cool! Is it a lot of work?
Desk owner: Thanks. It's not too hard once it's set up for a while.
Visiting sales rep: I've never seen one with all those things with testicles in it before.
Desk owner: [Silence until sales rep obliviously boards elevator.]
75 Battery Street
San Francisco, California
Overheard by: We didn't buy her product.
via Overheard in the Office, Mar 18, 2008
3.18.2008
Obama: I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.
I have been avoiding politics lately, mostly because I was fighting off teh killah strep bacteria of pain. So, I've really kinda missed the whole build up of this Obama/Wright (his pastor) brouhaha. But now I'm paying attention and I won't lie, I'm very nervous about Obama's speech. On the one hand I like to see a Democrat who is going to aggressively and substantively attack the skewed narrative of the corporate media. But on the other hand, he is talking about race and racism which is alive and well in America. And unfortunately there is a lot of nuance required to walk that fine line of race discussions in this country. I am worried about the ease with which that nuance can be ignored or twisted. Will the voting public take the time and effort to hear what Obama is saying and embrace it or will they continue to let the corporate media interpret things for them? I fear the latter but hope for the former, because, dayummm, that's one of the best speeches addressing race I've ever heard.
Full text here.
Some commentary:
Firedoglake
Talking Points Memo and TPM Election Central
Daily Kos Open Thread here, here, here and here.
And of course Glenn Greenwald exposes how badly the corporate media is about discussing this kind of issue here.
And Clinton or a Clinton surrogate belittling this speech in 3...2...1...
Update: One thing that went through my mind after seeing this speech was, "Who the hell are Obama's speech writers? Whoever they are they are awesome and deserve a raise." According to one source the name of the speech writer is Barack Obama. Other people are beginning to comment on this although I haven't seen any sources other than Marc Ambinder. Something else, it seems that he has 3 speech writers, the oldest of whom is 30.
Full text here.
Some commentary:
Firedoglake
Talking Points Memo and TPM Election Central
Daily Kos Open Thread here, here, here and here.
And of course Glenn Greenwald exposes how badly the corporate media is about discussing this kind of issue here.
And Clinton or a Clinton surrogate belittling this speech in 3...2...1...
Update: One thing that went through my mind after seeing this speech was, "Who the hell are Obama's speech writers? Whoever they are they are awesome and deserve a raise." According to one source the name of the speech writer is Barack Obama. Other people are beginning to comment on this although I haven't seen any sources other than Marc Ambinder. Something else, it seems that he has 3 speech writers, the oldest of whom is 30.
3.17.2008
3.12.2008
Reason # 5975 why Clinton is unacceptable
Seriously, Ickes, you're right, those states are never going to switch...UNLESS YOU FIGHT FOR THEM. Dumbass.
 clipped from www.nytimes.com
|
3.11.2008
Hallelujeh and why Grunge failed
A pretty interesting albeit somewhat rambling discussion of the progression of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujeh which evolves into a discussion of the pop significance of "The OC" and why Grunge and other "indie" rock movements don't stay true.
3.07.2008
I have in fact said this exact same thing.
9AM Sure Enough, It Says So in the Operating Manual
Tech guy on phone: If it's fixed, it's not working.
South Brunswick, New Jersey
via Overheard in the Office, Mar 5, 2008
Tech guy on phone: If it's fixed, it's not working.
South Brunswick, New Jersey
via Overheard in the Office, Mar 5, 2008
3.03.2008
Stabby
I wouldn't say I'm a "good" feminist. I haven't read many books on the subject and sometimes I have a hard time with the rhetoric used. But I definitely reject most of the "men are better at X than women" and even more so the "men are smarter than women" arguments. So imagine my disgust when I read this craptastic opinion piece in the Sunday Washington Post. I don't have time to destroy the piece point by point, I'll let Jezebel do that here and Feministing here, but I will say two things.
First, once again the Washington Post exposes itself as the pathetic, lame, dare I say it, right-wing publication that it is. Ok, ok, that's over the top. The most egregious instances occur on the opinion page and there are occasionally more progressive pieces, but... I'm just saying this piece would have been more appropriate in some right wing religiousy publication, maybe the Washington Times.
Second, hey, Charlotte Allen, project much? Just because you have bought into the theory that women are less intelligent than men, maybe in an attempt to explain your own shortcomings, doesn't mean all women are inferior. Yeesh, do you pull the knife out of womankind's back cleanly or do you relish twisting it as well?
First, once again the Washington Post exposes itself as the pathetic, lame, dare I say it, right-wing publication that it is. Ok, ok, that's over the top. The most egregious instances occur on the opinion page and there are occasionally more progressive pieces, but... I'm just saying this piece would have been more appropriate in some right wing religiousy publication, maybe the Washington Times.
Second, hey, Charlotte Allen, project much? Just because you have bought into the theory that women are less intelligent than men, maybe in an attempt to explain your own shortcomings, doesn't mean all women are inferior. Yeesh, do you pull the knife out of womankind's back cleanly or do you relish twisting it as well?
2.28.2008
Game on
I predict the demise of DRM (a Microsoft product, natch) in 5...4...3... You don't f#$% with gamers.
Can't stop the signal
This rather long but very informative article lays out the legal issues of Bank Julius Baer v. Wikileaks. The basics of the case are that Wikileaks provides a place for leaked documents, the bank is trying to shut down the site completely (not just trying to have the incriminating documents removed) on the grounds that the documents are private, internal documents. A hearing is scheduled today to dispute the injunction the bank placed against Wikileaks. This is a pretty big deal; there are First Amendment issues, there are internet issues and there are whistleblower issues.
2.27.2008
Prince William County - how ya like them apples?
So, Prince William County residents (Hi Mom and Dad!) are going to have their property taxes increase by 28% mostly to cover the costs of their stupid, lame, bordering on unlawful illegal immigration initiative. I couldn't find an email address to contact County Executive Craig Gerhart but this is the number to the County Switchboard (703-792-6000). They might be able to direct you the right place to complain about this. Or you could call police Chief Charlie Deane at 703-792-6650 to let him know this is a dumb idea. Or email the police department at policedept@pwcgov.org.
Also, it appears that the official behind the push for this initiative is Republican (natch) Corey Stewart of Woodbridge. You can email him here: corey@coreystewart.com
Also, it appears that the official behind the push for this initiative is Republican (natch) Corey Stewart of Woodbridge. You can email him here: corey@coreystewart.com
Hope, people!
After Obama crushes McCain in the general it can be said that the netroots (internet based grassroots blogging activists) have arrived. And the traditional media and the political consultants will become second tier. What makes me say this? Oh, only that Obama has now passed the 1,000,000 individual donor mark. We, the people, own this.
2.26.2008
Where are my night vision, infrared, zoom eyes?
Oh, here they are. So, I've been thinking of getting Lasik surgery but maybe I'll hold off until they perfect these lenses.
2.20.2008
Cleaning, found this from many years ago
It is hard to hold
onto a soapy glass
I thought
with the hollow metallic drum sound
and the holding
of breath receding
nothing broken
Then.
What else is hard to hold
What else slips from our
grip to clatter into the sink
Love you say
Au contraire mi amore
Perhaps you are right
Coin flip.
This edition of emo poetry brought to you by writing things in notebooks and then not looking at them again for many years. Fun.
onto a soapy glass
I thought
with the hollow metallic drum sound
and the holding
of breath receding
nothing broken
Then.
What else is hard to hold
What else slips from our
grip to clatter into the sink
Love you say
Au contraire mi amore
Perhaps you are right
Coin flip.
This edition of emo poetry brought to you by writing things in notebooks and then not looking at them again for many years. Fun.
I'd vote for him
Hobo: Hello! I am running for president! Vote for me and I'll legalize marijuana! You can marry whoever you wanna!
--Deli, 12th & 6th
Overheard by: Nora, Bianca, and Ethan
From Overheard in New York
--Deli, 12th & 6th
Overheard by: Nora, Bianca, and Ethan
From Overheard in New York
2.19.2008
CCD - the impact is going to hurt
So, the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is not only going to affect honey production but the pollination of, well, everything. This is not unknown but the ramifications keep expanding, for instance, your ice cream may be seriously disrupted.
Speaking of Nestle (owner of Haagen-Dazs), they suck. Is there anything that corporations touch that does not have "blood", "slave" or "exploitation" attached to it? This is why it is so important to look for Fair Trade certified products.
Speaking of Nestle (owner of Haagen-Dazs), they suck. Is there anything that corporations touch that does not have "blood", "slave" or "exploitation" attached to it? This is why it is so important to look for Fair Trade certified products.
2.11.2008
2.09.2008
PWNED!
This "interviewer" was obviously attempting to show Obama supporters as uninformed and he picked the wrong guy. Take that possibly racist old white guy, you've just been served.
2.05.2008
Yes. We. Can. - Let's Do This.
Now here is an endorsement that actually means something to me.
Email from DJ Spooky:
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
I'm writing you today with something I haven't done before, and that's a simple request: please please please go out and vote today. Stakes are high!!! Our hopes for this election and encouraging those of us in the 22 states voting tomorrow to go out and vote for Obama. I really think that he's probably the only candidate who will actually change things. I just want to say it loud: YES. WE. CAN.
I tend to to not shy away from proselytizing to people about voting. I am so inspired by Barack Obama, what he stands for, and the movement of people behind him that I feel compelled to ask you all to vote for him.
As I walk the streets of New York, I've seen so many people showing their support for Obama, all different genders, races, ages, you name it. Something special and inspiring is in the air. I believe this is the moment, today is the day to take action, make history, and move this country forward by voting for Obama.
I am moved by Obama and I like his policies – I encourage you to read about them if you have not already at www.barackobama.com
Barack Obama stands an excellent chance of not only gaining the majority of delegates tomorrow* but of becoming our next, and best president.
The more exposure he has, the higher his polling. In 3 short weeks, he went from trailing Clinton by double-digits in some states, to leading her now in almost every state where she had formerly held huge ground.
Everyone knows that McCain has the ability to attract votes from Democrats. But when was the last time you heard of Democratic candidate who has been inspiring Republicans to vote Democrat in huge numbers? It's happening. Susan Eisenhower (Dwight D.'s granddaughter) has recently endorsed the Obama campaign and the message of bi-partisanship and unified goals is starting to resonate even wider across the aisle.
Check out some of these links (especially the "Yes We Can" video) and don't ever let anyone convince you that the country isn't ready. YES. WE. CAN.
*Vote Vote Vote (Obama).
Today, Tuesday, Feb. 5 is Super Tuesday.
Obama gains ground. HERE
Obama more likely to beat McCain HERE
If you want to see a different nation,
Obama is your man. HERE
In case you missed it,
"Yes We Can" the music video HERE
www.djspooky.com
www.rhythmscience.com
http://www.myspace.com/djspooky
2.04.2008
Game Over?
While this Obama video
UPDATE [2/5/08 - 11:50] -
Same YouTube search "obama yes we can" yields 11 instances of the video with 1,682,000 views.
A Likely Story Film wins coveted award
From my friend Adam:
We entered the National Film Challenge back in October, and while we didn’t place in the Top 15, our film, “Tunnel Vision,” did get a Special Judges Award: “Best Extensive Use of Plaid in a Costume.”
You can view the film, along with all the other winners, here:
Scroll down to the bottom—ours is the 2nd from the last.
I play the dead guy, with a fantastic mustache.
We entered the National Film Challenge back in October, and while we didn’t place in the Top 15, our film, “Tunnel Vision,” did get a Special Judges Award: “Best Extensive Use of Plaid in a Costume.”
You can view the film, along with all the other winners, here:
Scroll down to the bottom—ours is the 2nd from the last.
I play the dead guy, with a fantastic mustache.
THE Event from yesterday
Did you miss the biggest event of yesterday's Super Sunday? Well, don't worry here are highlights from Puppy Bowl IV including the cutetacular Kitteh Halftime Show.
1.31.2008
1.29.2008
YEAH!
YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!
See ya later, [expletive]!
Davis's seat should be in Democratic hands this time next year.
See ya later, [expletive]!
Davis's seat should be in Democratic hands this time next year.
::sigh:: I miss Rockport
You Know What's Really Emo? Not Breathing.
via Overheard at the Beach, Jan 28, 2008
Teen #1: Get out of the street! There's a car coming.
Teen #2, not moving: I don't care.
Teen #3: God, you're so emo, it's ridiculous.
--Rockport, Massachusetts
Overheard by: Avery
via Overheard at the Beach, Jan 28, 2008
1.16.2008
1.13.2008
DCist Exposed Contest Submissions
So here is a link to the 3 pictures I entered in the DCist Exposed Photo Contest. Looks like there is some tough competition. Wish me luck. Oh, and here are the other photos I was considering.
1.10.2008
2007 Pics
My New Year's Resolution for 2007 was the same as one of the ones for 2008, take at least 1 picture every day. I didn't keep that resolution. But I did take 2196 pictures (more really but that's the number I have saved) which is an average of about 6 pictures per day. Here are 365 of them. I used 3 different cameras, my cell phone camera, a typical point and shoot digital camera and my Nikon D80 SLR. Here is the embedded slideshow, but you might want to go here and run the slideshow from there to get bigger pictures.
1.08.2008
Teh Liburlz r in ur deafth star not writing ur codez
MWAHAHAHAHA. It's not that they are asking for money that makes it so funny, it's that it's the fault of liberals. Like there is some Liberal Cabal that meets at midnight in a secret chamber under the Washington Monument and plots to destroy Red State. "I know what we'll do, we'll recruit all the Scoop programmers to our side. That will cripple them, bring them to their knees." Also, it's kind of cute/sad that they think they have 1000 readers.
1.07.2008
The NYT Opinionator... of crap.
A friend of mine sent me this opinion piece from the NYT and, well, it mostly pissed me off. This same friend has told me that I need to tone down the foul language so I'll try not to drop any F&%* bombs.
We'll start with the pathetic line at the end of the article. "But if Obama does win, the netroots (at least as Armstrong and others define them) will have gone yet another cycle without a big victory to point to." Three words: Tester, Webb, Lamont. These were netroots candidates from the start and the first two won in red states, Montana and Virginia respectively. The third, Lamont, didn't win the general election but he did force [expletive] Lieberman to show his true colors as a wannabe neocon. I call those victories. Tester and Webb gave Democrats control of the Senate. That's not a win?
And Tester and Webb were the rock stars of 2006 because they were running for close Senate seats in red states but what about these other 2006 House and Senate wins:
Jerry McNerney (CA-11) defeated Richard Pombo
Claire McCaskill (MO-Sen) defeated Jim Talent
Bob Casey, Jr. (PA-Sen) defeated Rick Santorum
Nick Lampson - (TX-02) defeated Shelley Sekula-Gibbs who won the special election to replace Tom "the hammer" DeLay for 51 days
Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23) defeated Henry Bonilla
These are a few of the actual wins for netroots candidates (others are Joe Sestak, Zack Space, Amy Klobuchar).
Then there are the almost wins, which are probably the races that generate the "netroots can't win" meme. But here's the thing, these races were in traditionally strong republican districts/states. Places that the "sensible, serious" Democratic insiders had already written off. One example:
Scott Kleeb (NE-03) lost to Adrian Smith. In a district that went 66-33 for Bush in 2004 Kleeb lost 55-44. That doesn't sound like a positive but when you factor in that the previous Representative (Tom Osborne) won in 2004 with 87% of the vote and that in the waning days of the race Bush was sent to the district to shore up support (one of the few places where a visit from the Shrub actually would help) and there were some under-handed possibly illegal robo-calls it adds up to a win nationally. Meaning that the republicans were forced to play defense, to allocate scarce resources, in places where they didn't expect to have any opposition. And that kids, is what the netroots endorsed 50-state strategy of DNC chairman Howard Dean is all about. Getting away from the "safe" strategies of centrist, beltway insiders like the DLC (do not be fooled by their use of the word progressive on the website).
Next, we'll discuss the whole "netroots against Obama" theme. It's simply not true. For one thing, this implies that there is some sort of consensus among the netroots. There is not. The blogosphere can be an unruly place. People have strong opinions and are not afraid to express them. And in primary season that means attacking fellow Democrats, or at least expressing a preference of one Democrat over another. Often, expressing that preference means saying that one doesn't like some other candidate's stance on X subject or the tactic some other candidate is using to differentiate themselves from your candidate. It can get ugly. But, what I think you will see once the Democratic candidate has been chosen is a circling of the wagons effect. While the netroots are definitely fractured with respect to who the best Dem candidate is they/we all know that any of the Dem candidates are infinitely better than any of the republican candidates and our support will show that reality.
Finally, Chris Suellentrop is being a bit disingenuous with the entire premise of his piece. First of all, the entire piece is really a response to one blog post by Jerome Armstrong, on one blog. Somehow that doesn't seem representative of the netroots. But whatever, let's actually look at what Jerome says. The first thing to note is that this post is from June 14, 2007. I think it is safe to say that things are much different now than they were in June, but again we'll kind of ignore that and look at the first sentence of Jerome's piece, "I don't have a dog in the race, and voted "other" in the MyDD poll. But I gotta tell you, this race is Hillary Clinton's to lose at this point. I wish to be wrong, and see Obama or Edwards get the nomination, but I honestly don't see it happening from this vantage point, and it's very frustrating." Um, Chris, I think we have a problem, not only is Jerome not against Obama but is actively saying that he would be happy to see him win the nomination. Is there really any point in continuing this discussion?
Sigh, I guess we'll continue. The gist of Jerome's post is this, "the frustration is more directed at Obama because he has the opportunity to lay claim with what's grown in the netroots this decade and hasn't grasped it at all, and it shows." Not that there is necessarily some animosity or even dislike of Obama in the netroots but that he hasn't acknowledged us. Meaning that either he doesn't agree with the progressive netroots or he is too scared of the right wing or he is trying to claim the middle ground (the same territory Hillary has planted her flag in). None of those options are going to give the netroots the warm and fuzzies for Obama although only the first one is potentially a real problem.
Suellentrop goes on to quote this, "never aligned with the existing movement that began with Dean in ‘02, swelled for Wesley Clark in ‘03, led Dean to the DNC Chair and propelled the [Paul] Hackett and [Ned] Lamont candidacies," as if that was some kind of indication of the unreasonableness of the netroots. But, um, it's true, Obama seems to have decided to avoid the existing netroots movement and create his own, which as Jerome points out seems to consist entirely of insisting that they have a movement. Just saying it doesn't make it so.
Which brings us to this from Suellentrop, "The netroots will not have “Obama’s back” when the news media turns on him, Armstrong said." Jerome explains this further down in the post:
"It's ludicrous that some point toward the outreach and early partnership that Edwards has done with the blogging community and the netroots in the same manner that a candidate reaches out to an issue base group, and argue from there that Obama doesn't kowtow to such groups. First of all, that's bs, he does plenty of pandering and is very ordinary in that regard; but more fundamentally, this is the base of the Democratic party's rapid response team. The issue is combating the rightwing machine in unison with Democratic candidates, but you can't partner with a candidate that [is] not inclined to join the partisan progressive movement. In all those emails, Obama has never once even associated with the word Democrat or Democratic, not mentioning either word even once."
I do disagree with Jerome a little on this. I think once Obama is the nominee (and I think he will be) the netroots will have his back, maybe somewhat reluctantly, but we'll be there nonetheless. Because, when you get down to it the netroots movement is about electing Democrats because they are more likely to be progressive and, also, the issue is about "combating the rightwing machine" more more than eating our own.
Finally, let's look at the other two links Suellentrop uses. The first is a satirical piece about Obama eating babies. Do you see what he did there? By linking to the post through the words "actively hostile" he might give someone the impression that the satire was actually a serious post and representative of what is to be found on Daily Kos. This is reinforced when he says that there is so much hostility to Obama that someone wrote a satirical piece about Obama eating babies as if it was not the SAME post he linked to. That being said, there IS some hostility towards Obama on DKos... and towards Hillary and towards Edwards and towards Kucinich and all the rest of the candidates. There are also satirical pieces in exactly the same vein about all of them as well. Basically, you could substitute any of the other candidate's names in that post and no one on DKos would be surprised.
And then we have the link to the Weekly Standard, a neocon rag started by "Bloody" Bill Kristol and Fred "Global Warming Denier aka Idiot" Barnes and owned by Rupert Murdoch's "News" Corporation. Need I say more? Okay, Dean Barnett is discussing this post from Matt Stoller of Open Left but if you actually read Matt's post you find things like this: "And while Obama performed fantastically, Clinton and Edwards did better than any Democrat has ever done in Iowa... except Obama. This is very very good news, and continues the trend of huge infrastructure gains for Democrats. Obama's coalition was also extremely liberal and Democratic, with 41% of self-identified very liberal Democrats going his way." and "Lots of Obama staffers and media types want this to be a show of independents and Republicans coming over to Barack, but the reality is actually better. In the 17-29 age bracket, Obama took 57% of the voters; in the 30-44 age bracket, he took 42% of the vote. He took 41% of new caucus goers, while Edwards led with prior caucus goers. This was a liberal, Democratic, young group that went for Obama. In other words, Obama is in fact capitalizing on or creating new Democrats. And demographically, this generation is as large as the baby boomers, and if they vote as Democrats, which it looks like they will, that's huge." and "The electorate really is changing in dramatic ways, and Obama is a key part of that shift. This country is turning far to the left, and while I don't expect media pundits to talk about pandering to youth the way they do values voters, they should." Even the quote that Barnett highlights is followed by this, "It's not like the Republicans didn't also have a caucus. But on another level, there really is a multiracial emergence here, a new generation of activists taking over the party." I can't really dissect Barnett's craptastic piece further here since it would require a post at least as long as this one. Suffice to say, that most of what he says simply makes no sense when you actually look into it. So, where does that leave Suellentrop? Basically, he polished Barnett's piece of poo and said, "look at this truthiness."
We'll start with the pathetic line at the end of the article. "But if Obama does win, the netroots (at least as Armstrong and others define them) will have gone yet another cycle without a big victory to point to." Three words: Tester, Webb, Lamont. These were netroots candidates from the start and the first two won in red states, Montana and Virginia respectively. The third, Lamont, didn't win the general election but he did force [expletive] Lieberman to show his true colors as a wannabe neocon. I call those victories. Tester and Webb gave Democrats control of the Senate. That's not a win?
And Tester and Webb were the rock stars of 2006 because they were running for close Senate seats in red states but what about these other 2006 House and Senate wins:
Jerry McNerney (CA-11) defeated Richard Pombo
Claire McCaskill (MO-Sen) defeated Jim Talent
Bob Casey, Jr. (PA-Sen) defeated Rick Santorum
Nick Lampson - (TX-02) defeated Shelley Sekula-Gibbs who won the special election to replace Tom "the hammer" DeLay for 51 days
Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23) defeated Henry Bonilla
These are a few of the actual wins for netroots candidates (others are Joe Sestak, Zack Space, Amy Klobuchar).
Then there are the almost wins, which are probably the races that generate the "netroots can't win" meme. But here's the thing, these races were in traditionally strong republican districts/states. Places that the "sensible, serious" Democratic insiders had already written off. One example:
Scott Kleeb (NE-03) lost to Adrian Smith. In a district that went 66-33 for Bush in 2004 Kleeb lost 55-44. That doesn't sound like a positive but when you factor in that the previous Representative (Tom Osborne) won in 2004 with 87% of the vote and that in the waning days of the race Bush was sent to the district to shore up support (one of the few places where a visit from the Shrub actually would help) and there were some under-handed possibly illegal robo-calls it adds up to a win nationally. Meaning that the republicans were forced to play defense, to allocate scarce resources, in places where they didn't expect to have any opposition. And that kids, is what the netroots endorsed 50-state strategy of DNC chairman Howard Dean is all about. Getting away from the "safe" strategies of centrist, beltway insiders like the DLC (do not be fooled by their use of the word progressive on the website).
Next, we'll discuss the whole "netroots against Obama" theme. It's simply not true. For one thing, this implies that there is some sort of consensus among the netroots. There is not. The blogosphere can be an unruly place. People have strong opinions and are not afraid to express them. And in primary season that means attacking fellow Democrats, or at least expressing a preference of one Democrat over another. Often, expressing that preference means saying that one doesn't like some other candidate's stance on X subject or the tactic some other candidate is using to differentiate themselves from your candidate. It can get ugly. But, what I think you will see once the Democratic candidate has been chosen is a circling of the wagons effect. While the netroots are definitely fractured with respect to who the best Dem candidate is they/we all know that any of the Dem candidates are infinitely better than any of the republican candidates and our support will show that reality.
Finally, Chris Suellentrop is being a bit disingenuous with the entire premise of his piece. First of all, the entire piece is really a response to one blog post by Jerome Armstrong, on one blog. Somehow that doesn't seem representative of the netroots. But whatever, let's actually look at what Jerome says. The first thing to note is that this post is from June 14, 2007. I think it is safe to say that things are much different now than they were in June, but again we'll kind of ignore that and look at the first sentence of Jerome's piece, "I don't have a dog in the race, and voted "other" in the MyDD poll. But I gotta tell you, this race is Hillary Clinton's to lose at this point. I wish to be wrong, and see Obama or Edwards get the nomination, but I honestly don't see it happening from this vantage point, and it's very frustrating." Um, Chris, I think we have a problem, not only is Jerome not against Obama but is actively saying that he would be happy to see him win the nomination. Is there really any point in continuing this discussion?
Sigh, I guess we'll continue. The gist of Jerome's post is this, "the frustration is more directed at Obama because he has the opportunity to lay claim with what's grown in the netroots this decade and hasn't grasped it at all, and it shows." Not that there is necessarily some animosity or even dislike of Obama in the netroots but that he hasn't acknowledged us. Meaning that either he doesn't agree with the progressive netroots or he is too scared of the right wing or he is trying to claim the middle ground (the same territory Hillary has planted her flag in). None of those options are going to give the netroots the warm and fuzzies for Obama although only the first one is potentially a real problem.
Suellentrop goes on to quote this, "never aligned with the existing movement that began with Dean in ‘02, swelled for Wesley Clark in ‘03, led Dean to the DNC Chair and propelled the [Paul] Hackett and [Ned] Lamont candidacies," as if that was some kind of indication of the unreasonableness of the netroots. But, um, it's true, Obama seems to have decided to avoid the existing netroots movement and create his own, which as Jerome points out seems to consist entirely of insisting that they have a movement. Just saying it doesn't make it so.
Which brings us to this from Suellentrop, "The netroots will not have “Obama’s back” when the news media turns on him, Armstrong said." Jerome explains this further down in the post:
"It's ludicrous that some point toward the outreach and early partnership that Edwards has done with the blogging community and the netroots in the same manner that a candidate reaches out to an issue base group, and argue from there that Obama doesn't kowtow to such groups. First of all, that's bs, he does plenty of pandering and is very ordinary in that regard; but more fundamentally, this is the base of the Democratic party's rapid response team. The issue is combating the rightwing machine in unison with Democratic candidates, but you can't partner with a candidate that [is] not inclined to join the partisan progressive movement. In all those emails, Obama has never once even associated with the word Democrat or Democratic, not mentioning either word even once."
I do disagree with Jerome a little on this. I think once Obama is the nominee (and I think he will be) the netroots will have his back, maybe somewhat reluctantly, but we'll be there nonetheless. Because, when you get down to it the netroots movement is about electing Democrats because they are more likely to be progressive and, also, the issue is about "combating the rightwing machine" more more than eating our own.
Finally, let's look at the other two links Suellentrop uses. The first is a satirical piece about Obama eating babies. Do you see what he did there? By linking to the post through the words "actively hostile" he might give someone the impression that the satire was actually a serious post and representative of what is to be found on Daily Kos. This is reinforced when he says that there is so much hostility to Obama that someone wrote a satirical piece about Obama eating babies as if it was not the SAME post he linked to. That being said, there IS some hostility towards Obama on DKos... and towards Hillary and towards Edwards and towards Kucinich and all the rest of the candidates. There are also satirical pieces in exactly the same vein about all of them as well. Basically, you could substitute any of the other candidate's names in that post and no one on DKos would be surprised.
And then we have the link to the Weekly Standard, a neocon rag started by "Bloody" Bill Kristol and Fred "Global Warming Denier aka Idiot" Barnes and owned by Rupert Murdoch's "News" Corporation. Need I say more? Okay, Dean Barnett is discussing this post from Matt Stoller of Open Left but if you actually read Matt's post you find things like this: "And while Obama performed fantastically, Clinton and Edwards did better than any Democrat has ever done in Iowa... except Obama. This is very very good news, and continues the trend of huge infrastructure gains for Democrats. Obama's coalition was also extremely liberal and Democratic, with 41% of self-identified very liberal Democrats going his way." and "Lots of Obama staffers and media types want this to be a show of independents and Republicans coming over to Barack, but the reality is actually better. In the 17-29 age bracket, Obama took 57% of the voters; in the 30-44 age bracket, he took 42% of the vote. He took 41% of new caucus goers, while Edwards led with prior caucus goers. This was a liberal, Democratic, young group that went for Obama. In other words, Obama is in fact capitalizing on or creating new Democrats. And demographically, this generation is as large as the baby boomers, and if they vote as Democrats, which it looks like they will, that's huge." and "The electorate really is changing in dramatic ways, and Obama is a key part of that shift. This country is turning far to the left, and while I don't expect media pundits to talk about pandering to youth the way they do values voters, they should." Even the quote that Barnett highlights is followed by this, "It's not like the Republicans didn't also have a caucus. But on another level, there really is a multiracial emergence here, a new generation of activists taking over the party." I can't really dissect Barnett's craptastic piece further here since it would require a post at least as long as this one. Suffice to say, that most of what he says simply makes no sense when you actually look into it. So, where does that leave Suellentrop? Basically, he polished Barnett's piece of poo and said, "look at this truthiness."
1.03.2008
Yup, corporate media still sucks
And water is still wet. What a bunch of self righteous pricks. As Glenn says, it is not their job to be hostile to Hillary, it is their job to report. That being said Hillary doesn't do herself any favors.
We got all kinds
Who ever said Manassas didn't have diversity?
None of Your Fancy Airs and Graces for Us
Girl #1: I'm Jewish.
Girl #2: I'm Catholic.
Girl #3: I'm Christian.
Girl #2: What kind of Christian?
Girl #3: Plain. Plain Christian.
Freedom Center
Manassas, Virginia
Overheard by: Amused Counselor
via Overheard Everywhere, Jan 2, 2008
None of Your Fancy Airs and Graces for Us
Girl #1: I'm Jewish.
Girl #2: I'm Catholic.
Girl #3: I'm Christian.
Girl #2: What kind of Christian?
Girl #3: Plain. Plain Christian.
Freedom Center
Manassas, Virginia
Overheard by: Amused Counselor
via Overheard Everywhere, Jan 2, 2008
Hotel, motel, hoilday inn
This is the grandfather of rap. Without this song rap might not have made it out of NYC (not really true, but no one can deny that this song was the beginning of the phenomenon). I found this version from here (CO shout out, Meg Frost is a goddess). The thing that really caught my attention were these lyrics:
I don't mean to brag
I don't mean to boast
But we're like hot butter on our breakfast toast
Which are remarkably like these Beastie Boys lyrics
I don't mean to brag
Don't mean to boast
But I'm intercontinental when I eat french toast
Also, check out the "dancers" in the video, almost as good as the song itself.
1.02.2008
Holey nu biblez tranlashons! Kthxbai!
This is the most awesomest thing ever and will usher in a new age of understanding and peace. A LOLcats (and here) translation of the Bible. Yez, Ceiling Cat yu can haz cheeseburgerz now.
1.01.2008
2008 New Year's Resolutions
1) Take at least one picture every day
2) Post at least one blog entry every day.
2) Post at least one blog entry every day.
12.23.2007
I agree.
Obama is not Howard Dean. The reason the blogosphere and I got behind Dean is that he was saying Democrats needed to fight Republicans for every single f*ing vote and more importantly, the way to do this was to not get in bed with them (too many jokes). Meaning this bipartisan crap was/is just that, crap. You don't win elections and change the direction of the country by parsing out how much you are going work with Republicans. Of the top three I feel that Obama is the most likely to make sacrifices at the altar of bipartisanship.
Beckham. Yawn.
So Becks is going to practice with Arsenal in the offseason. Who cares?
So why did I link to the story? The picture with the article. That's at RFK. DC United represent.
So why did I link to the story? The picture with the article. That's at RFK. DC United represent.
12.19.2007
EXACTLY!
This is pretty much exactly what I have been saying for a few years now. Corporate media has lost its credibility and new media has not yet evolved to take its place.
12.17.2007
Can I get a "You were right"?
Once again the left blogosphere turns out to be correct. Joe Lieberman is a colossal douchebag. So, this prick, who was a Democrat until he lost the Democratic primary in Connecticut, is now an "Independent". Specifically, he is a member of the Connecticut for Lieberman party (the chair of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party asked him to resign). But becasue he "caucuses" with the Democrats he has been allowed to keep his leadership posts on various committees. Well, now that he has actually ENDORSED a Republican I hope the Democratic leadership will final kick him to the curb. Unfortunately, it won't happen until after the 2008 elections when the Dems increase their majority and will no longer be beholden to fucktard Joe.
12.13.2007
We're all Liberals now
America is much more liberal than we are led to believe. As usual I blame our craptastic media for misrepresenting the American public to itself.
12.11.2007
My unease with Obama continued
This post does a fairly good job of pointing out some of the problems I have with Obama. The 11th paragraph (counting the one word second paragraph) is where it really hits home, specifically these sentences:
clipped from www.mydd.com
Like I said previously, Edwards has problems for me as well, but he seems much more likely to reject the corporate-friendly status quo than Obama.
clipped from www.mydd.comYou need not be an ardent leftist like Street to question Obama's progressivism and commitment to political battle. Just about every month he delivers a warning sign to progressives, and every time progressives manage to be surprised. Joe Lieberman. "Playing chicken with our troops." Donnie McClerkin. The Move On Vote. The silence on Kyl-Lieberman. The social security "crisis."
 |
Like I said previously, Edwards has problems for me as well, but he seems much more likely to reject the corporate-friendly status quo than Obama.
12.07.2007
12.05.2007
Ok, Ok, Katie, sheesh
Obama is now tied with John Edwards in my book. This is the latest thing that pulled him even with JE. It still concerns me that Obama is not progressive enough (or at least is not openly pursuing a progressive agenda that I have seen) but I have to admit that aside from his populist economic talk JE is not really the one for me. His stance on gay marriage (he's against) is realistically a deal breaker and if his environmental record is as bad as Katie says, that is even more of a deal breaker. Can't Al just throw his hat in the ring and eliminate all of my uncertainties? My decision might come down to whoever Gore endorses.
I support the writer's strike
I have boycotted watching TV shows online until the writer's reasonable demands are met . And I've sent letters to the networks stating that. The thing that amazes me are all the people who say they support the strike but do nothing to show they support it.
UPDATE: In response to the comments: sorry, no, that doesn't count. For me, it's not so much about the writers and TV but more about unions. America is a better place when unions are strong. So, write those letters to the networks saying you're not going to watch their shows until the writers get what they are asking for, just don't tell them that you already don't watch.
I'm in.
I will start looking through my photos this evening to see if I have anything to enter. I can think of one off the top of my head.
DCist Exposed Photography Show
Leonie, do you see this?
DCist Exposed Photography Show
Leonie, do you see this?
Google searches
It's always interesting to see what people search to find this blog.
"jen capps" is by far the most common search string that brings people to the site and I am currently 5th on the search list. The funny thing is that people are looking for Jennifer Capps the actress not Jen Capps, the friend I run into in very random places, at least I assume that is the case.
Another recent search was "sites to visit every day". I show up 2nd in that search list.
"jen capps" is by far the most common search string that brings people to the site and I am currently 5th on the search list. The funny thing is that people are looking for Jennifer Capps the actress not Jen Capps, the friend I run into in very random places, at least I assume that is the case.
Another recent search was "sites to visit every day". I show up 2nd in that search list.
11.30.2007
Huckabee: Just as mean, stupid and corrupt as the rest of them
For anyone who was worried that Huckabee had a chance of beating any of the Dems it looks like he is just as bad as the rest of them and so should be pretty easy to beat.
Oh, and this is kind of funny.
Oh, and this is kind of funny.
'Cuz Ah'm Giuseppe Franco
Used to see this commercial on Fox Soccer Channel a lot. There was one day when I think the only thing Peter, Anika and I said to each for a couple hours was, "I'm Giuseppe Franco" and "I don't own the company. I don't own anything about it". Good times. Good times.
And hey, Gary Busey!
And hey, Gary Busey!
11.29.2007
Ah, Mike Gravel, putting the crazy in "crazy hippie"
Yeah, I agree with the basic premise of what he's saying but DAAAAYYYMMMMM! Seriously, dude, the 60s are way over you can stop dropping the acid now.
The Washington Post: continuing to own the Partisan Hacks label
Over Thanksgiving I had a lively debate with Katie (actually she pretty much kicked my ass) about the merits of Barak Obama. So I came home and tried to do a little more research to back up my claims that he is basically a more cuddly version of Hillary. And I quickly found examples of Barak making Republican lite/triangulation statements. But I am quite sure that I, Hater of Corporate Media, Caller of Bullshit, has been at least partially duped. The latest evidence is from the craptastic Washington Post. Their front page story is a discussion of the completely idiotic and debunked rumors of Barak's Islamic connection. Not about amazingly pathetic and scary GOP debate last night or the newest allegations of Ghouliani corruption (I need to find another source here, linking to The Politico, ugh. Oh, wait, here we go, much better). It's just mind boggling how inept and craven the media is, as Phoenix Woman at Firedoglake says (paraphrasing), screw "balanced" how about just reporting.
[Update] Yes, this is the point. Not that Obama denies the lies of "Obama is a Muslim" but that the WaPo continues to bring it up AND doesn't admit that they are lies. Wankers.
Some more on just how awful our media is.
[Update] Yes, this is the point. Not that Obama denies the lies of "Obama is a Muslim" but that the WaPo continues to bring it up AND doesn't admit that they are lies. Wankers.
Some more on just how awful our media is.
11.28.2007
MWAHAHAHAHA
This is just too funny. Apparently, the Republican Party of Virginia will require voters to sign an oath promising that they will vote for the Republican candidate in the general election. They have progressed from shooting themselves in the foot to a straight up face shot. Keep up the good work GOP!
Glenn Greenwald
You don't read Glenn Greenwald over at Salon? You should and here's why. His thorough and complete evisceration of Joe Klein (Joke Line), Time magazine and the entire corporate media. More and more it appears that the corporate media owns the majority of the blame for the current state of our country.
This is when they would call me
10AM Whatever Shall We Do?
via Overheard in the Office, Nov 28, 2007
Woman #1: Does this copier work?
Woman #2: Yes, but it's not turned on. It will take a while to warm up.
Woman #1: I'm in a hurry, so I guess I'll just go to another office and use theirs.
Woman #2: Why don't you just use our other copier?
Woman #1: It's not working.
Woman #2: Really? I just used it last night.
Woman #1, going to copier: See? It says, 'Paper tray empty. Please load paper.'
425 I Street
Washington, DC
via Overheard in the Office, Nov 28, 2007
11.25.2007
The Flat File
Check out John's new blog, The Flat File. I love this idea of his of providing an opportunity for people to purchase smaller pieces. As the owner of the largest private collection on John's work it's good to see more people exposed to his work.
11.17.2007
11.12.2007
Where do you want to eat?
This is a pretty cool tool for finding restaurants. Roll over Washington DC at the top to go to different neighborhoods. The best part is that Metro stations are included on the map.
What?
You don't visit Gridskipper? What is wrong with you? This might help, brewpubs in the DC metro.
WTF!
It's like they want to look incompetent. Just pathetic.
BTW, how many of you even know there was a huge oil spill in San Francisco Bay? Hello? Media are you there, it's us, the uninformed public.
BTW, how many of you even know there was a huge oil spill in San Francisco Bay? Hello? Media are you there, it's us, the uninformed public.
11.11.2007
11.10.2007
Chapter 4: The Inconsequential Stuff I thought about while lying on my back in the grass, Part I: Sabrina
YAY! NEW Jester Knives chapter. I'm not sure how I feel about the direction this chapter takes things but, hey, it's finished.
Previous chapters here if you need to recap:
Chapter 1: My Own Fault
Chapter 2: Fight at the Moondrop
Chapter 3: Tea and what was that all about
********************************
I lay on the couch and replayed the previous evenings events. My head hurt and between sips of tea I rested the warm mug on my forehead. It helped a little. I kept coming back to lying on my back in the grass of someone's backyard. It was cool and quiet and I felt safe and strangely at peace. It was nice.
My first thoughts were of Sabrina waiting for me at the Moondrop, which led to thinking about Sabrina in general. I was working with Wu Han at the smithy when we first met. She came in to see if we could make a sheath for The Sword. There are no qualifications to make when I say that she is a beautiful woman. She is about two inches taller than me, around 5'9” with sharp, high but surprisingly wide cheekbones. Her hair is black like a winter night. There is a strange mistiness so that when you look at it directly your eyes slip off. Yet light reflects off of it like stars,small distinct points of brightness, and your eyes are drawn back, trying to focus on it. But what I noticed most those five years ago were her eyes. Slightly almond shaped and colored. It's hard to explain the intenseness of eyes so warm and comforting, like hot chocolate and yet so biting. Later I would find the green and yellow flecks in them that could render me speechless.
That first day I just stared at her for at least a full minute before I tried my flirting routine. She just looked at me with that judgmental look of hers. She was judging but not condemning. It's a look that most people misinterpret and take offense to, I know I did on that day.
After that I continued to see her around. For about three months I would try to get her in bed but she wasn't having it. Eventually, I gave up and just started talking to her. Turns out we had much in common and many differences. We both lost a parent young, her mother at 8, my father at 10. We both became separated from the other parent shortly after that, her father at 13, my mother at 12. We both became reacquainted with that parent later in life, her father at 20, my mother at 18. But while my mother continued to be a part of my life Sabrina no longer knew where her father was.
Because of our early losses we both had a quick and rough upbringing However, while I grew up on the streets I had a rather extensive and supportive network. Sabrina was truly on her own. This difference had a lot to do with some of our more extreme differences. Shortly after the first bar fight we had ever been in together we compared notes and she revealed that the entire time she had to resist drawing The Sword and resist crippling and killing blows. I revealed that I had to resist running. I filed that away and it wasn't until I read a bootleg copy of Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear and Rage by Walter Cannon that I understood that her inclination was to turn to the fight side of the fight or flight dichotomy while I leaned toward the flight side. It wasn't until a year or so later while reading another bootleg book (don't remember which one) that I connected it to our upbringing. I had safe havens to which I could escape, she did not. And so, I was outwardly gregarious while she was reserved and yet my relationships were rarely very intense, hers were for life and to the death.
It turns out another thing we had in common was fighting. We were both very good at it. Having started at young ages and having been blessed with exceptional teachers we had become deadly capable. And while I relished a good bar fight now and then (provided no one was permanently maimed) neither of us truly enjoyed fighting. Unless you're a psychopath killing or maiming was never easy, but sometimes it was you or the other guy. Unfortunately, for both of us, as much as we tried, sometimes it was impossible to avoid those situations.
Shortly after that first bar fight we thought it would be a good idea to start our own crew, we had dreams of becoming the mid-Atlantic triad. At first it went well, with my connections and our combined badassedness we were well on our way. But then it fell apart. And not because of the usual reasons: money, love or pride. It was more idealistic. The underdog phenomenon. I always root for the underdog because of the drama, Sabrina for the righteousness. We got into a situation where my sense of drama did not equal her sense of doing right. Sounds silly now but at the time this situation became polarized in our minds. So much so that we drew on each other. Her, The Sword, me, my knives. We fought to kill. It lasted for about an hour before the rest of our crew arrived to break it up. We said some truly evil things to each other.
For about three months after we continued to try to kill each other. Then six months later, during the tail end of a hurricane, she was attacked by Shaymous McGougles entire crew. Initially, after seeing who they were fighting I continued walking past the alley. But then I took ten steps and fell to my knees. As the downpour intensified I asked forgiveness of all that is holy. Then I sprinted into the alley, catapulted myself off a trash dumpster and into the center of the ring surrounding her.
“I think I love you,” I said to Sabrina.
“I know,” she replied, “and we need to talk about that.” Blood dripped from The Sword as I looked in her eyes. I could tell from her stance she was unsure what to do, ready for an attack from Shaymous McGougles' crew behind her but concentrated on me. I turned my back to her and drew my knives.
We killed more than we wanted to that night but fewer than we probably should have. In the days nursing ourselves back to health we discussed what was admitted and said. After three days of rest and Wu Han's ministrations we were able to walk around, which resulted in us discussing the meaning of love while pulling books off my shelves and engaging in a quote-off. I won the quote-off but lost the argument. She did not love me according to my definition. She did not have a definition. And I'm not sure that my definition was valid. We left it at that.
But I do know this, I would willingly die for some women and some men, but there are very few I would kill for. My mother, my sisters, Wu Han, and Sabrina.
Sabrina is the only one for whom I would have no questions.
************************
Next Chapter is half finished, so next Saturday, Nov. 17
The Inconsequential Stuff I thought about while lying on my back in the grass, Part II: The History of the Fall of the United States of America
Previous chapters here if you need to recap:
Chapter 1: My Own Fault
Chapter 2: Fight at the Moondrop
Chapter 3: Tea and what was that all about
********************************
I lay on the couch and replayed the previous evenings events. My head hurt and between sips of tea I rested the warm mug on my forehead. It helped a little. I kept coming back to lying on my back in the grass of someone's backyard. It was cool and quiet and I felt safe and strangely at peace. It was nice.
My first thoughts were of Sabrina waiting for me at the Moondrop, which led to thinking about Sabrina in general. I was working with Wu Han at the smithy when we first met. She came in to see if we could make a sheath for The Sword. There are no qualifications to make when I say that she is a beautiful woman. She is about two inches taller than me, around 5'9” with sharp, high but surprisingly wide cheekbones. Her hair is black like a winter night. There is a strange mistiness so that when you look at it directly your eyes slip off. Yet light reflects off of it like stars,small distinct points of brightness, and your eyes are drawn back, trying to focus on it. But what I noticed most those five years ago were her eyes. Slightly almond shaped and colored. It's hard to explain the intenseness of eyes so warm and comforting, like hot chocolate and yet so biting. Later I would find the green and yellow flecks in them that could render me speechless.
That first day I just stared at her for at least a full minute before I tried my flirting routine. She just looked at me with that judgmental look of hers. She was judging but not condemning. It's a look that most people misinterpret and take offense to, I know I did on that day.
After that I continued to see her around. For about three months I would try to get her in bed but she wasn't having it. Eventually, I gave up and just started talking to her. Turns out we had much in common and many differences. We both lost a parent young, her mother at 8, my father at 10. We both became separated from the other parent shortly after that, her father at 13, my mother at 12. We both became reacquainted with that parent later in life, her father at 20, my mother at 18. But while my mother continued to be a part of my life Sabrina no longer knew where her father was.
Because of our early losses we both had a quick and rough upbringing However, while I grew up on the streets I had a rather extensive and supportive network. Sabrina was truly on her own. This difference had a lot to do with some of our more extreme differences. Shortly after the first bar fight we had ever been in together we compared notes and she revealed that the entire time she had to resist drawing The Sword and resist crippling and killing blows. I revealed that I had to resist running. I filed that away and it wasn't until I read a bootleg copy of Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear and Rage by Walter Cannon that I understood that her inclination was to turn to the fight side of the fight or flight dichotomy while I leaned toward the flight side. It wasn't until a year or so later while reading another bootleg book (don't remember which one) that I connected it to our upbringing. I had safe havens to which I could escape, she did not. And so, I was outwardly gregarious while she was reserved and yet my relationships were rarely very intense, hers were for life and to the death.
It turns out another thing we had in common was fighting. We were both very good at it. Having started at young ages and having been blessed with exceptional teachers we had become deadly capable. And while I relished a good bar fight now and then (provided no one was permanently maimed) neither of us truly enjoyed fighting. Unless you're a psychopath killing or maiming was never easy, but sometimes it was you or the other guy. Unfortunately, for both of us, as much as we tried, sometimes it was impossible to avoid those situations.
Shortly after that first bar fight we thought it would be a good idea to start our own crew, we had dreams of becoming the mid-Atlantic triad. At first it went well, with my connections and our combined badassedness we were well on our way. But then it fell apart. And not because of the usual reasons: money, love or pride. It was more idealistic. The underdog phenomenon. I always root for the underdog because of the drama, Sabrina for the righteousness. We got into a situation where my sense of drama did not equal her sense of doing right. Sounds silly now but at the time this situation became polarized in our minds. So much so that we drew on each other. Her, The Sword, me, my knives. We fought to kill. It lasted for about an hour before the rest of our crew arrived to break it up. We said some truly evil things to each other.
For about three months after we continued to try to kill each other. Then six months later, during the tail end of a hurricane, she was attacked by Shaymous McGougles entire crew. Initially, after seeing who they were fighting I continued walking past the alley. But then I took ten steps and fell to my knees. As the downpour intensified I asked forgiveness of all that is holy. Then I sprinted into the alley, catapulted myself off a trash dumpster and into the center of the ring surrounding her.
“I think I love you,” I said to Sabrina.
“I know,” she replied, “and we need to talk about that.” Blood dripped from The Sword as I looked in her eyes. I could tell from her stance she was unsure what to do, ready for an attack from Shaymous McGougles' crew behind her but concentrated on me. I turned my back to her and drew my knives.
We killed more than we wanted to that night but fewer than we probably should have. In the days nursing ourselves back to health we discussed what was admitted and said. After three days of rest and Wu Han's ministrations we were able to walk around, which resulted in us discussing the meaning of love while pulling books off my shelves and engaging in a quote-off. I won the quote-off but lost the argument. She did not love me according to my definition. She did not have a definition. And I'm not sure that my definition was valid. We left it at that.
But I do know this, I would willingly die for some women and some men, but there are very few I would kill for. My mother, my sisters, Wu Han, and Sabrina.
Sabrina is the only one for whom I would have no questions.
************************
Next Chapter is half finished, so next Saturday, Nov. 17
The Inconsequential Stuff I thought about while lying on my back in the grass, Part II: The History of the Fall of the United States of America
11.09.2007
11.06.2007
Adam quote #2
Adam: Oh man, I had the best lunch today. I had the Baconator from Wendy's. It's 6 strips of bacon, two beef patties, two slices of cheese and...BBQ sauce!
Me: This from someone who just recently saw Supersize Me
Adam: I'm living the dream.
Me: This from someone who just recently saw Supersize Me
Adam: I'm living the dream.
It's about habitat not animals
Cheetah Orphans
Beside the existential and responsibility questions the main take home point for me is that we should not be trying to save individual animals or even individual species we should be trying to protect the habitat of those animals.
Beside the existential and responsibility questions the main take home point for me is that we should not be trying to save individual animals or even individual species we should be trying to protect the habitat of those animals.
Burt's Bees sellout
Bought by Clorox.
Bummer. On the upside, I imagine some of that $926 million payout will end up back in the Maine economy.
Bummer. On the upside, I imagine some of that $926 million payout will end up back in the Maine economy.
11.05.2007
Geeks rule!
We'll Just Follow Him Up the Food Chain to the Bigger Fish That Are His Suppliers
via Overheard at the Beach, Nov 1, 2007
Professor: Are you guys working or just following a stingray?
Student #1: Working!
Student #2: Um...
Student #3: Both.
Professor: Both?
Student #3: We're using the stingray to randomly decide where to take our next sample. They eat invertebrates -- it's like a divining rod!
--Fergie Shoals, Florida
Overheard by: Justification is for the geeky
via Overheard at the Beach, Nov 1, 2007
11.04.2007
The History of LOLcats.
**
I found this at Presurfer which I found by following this link from Daily Kos. From that post I followed the link to the 2007 Weblog awards, where, after doing my duty to vote for Daily Kos as the best Online Community (seriously, Little Green Footballs is the competition, does it even have that many readers?), I started perusing the other categories. In some I didn't know any of the nominees such as Best New Blog, never heard of any of them. In others such as Best Blog I knew most of the entrants but others, not so much. I decided to follow a couple links and Presurfer is the first one so far.
WTF!!? Michelle Malkin (refuse to provide link) is in the running for Best Blog?? So if I started writing hateful, racist, misogynist, false, disingenuous things, if I start posting personal information about people who disagree with me so that my psychotic minions could harass them and send death threats, if I stalk a 12 year old boy in an attempt to expose him and his family as not being poor enough to get health care help from the government will I be nominated for Best Blog. Apparently so.
**Can't find a link to the originator of the video
10.31.2007
10.30.2007
Jet powered biodiesel hybrid Hummers for everyone.
Once again proving that the automotive industry is full of crap.
Original story here, commentary from Daily Kos here.
Also, here is the website of Goodwin's company SAE Energy.
Original story here, commentary from Daily Kos here.
Also, here is the website of Goodwin's company SAE Energy.
10.29.2007
10.24.2007
10.19.2007
10.18.2007
Sites I visit every day
xkcd – hilarious… if you’re a science/computer geek
questionable content – hilarious… if you’re an indie music hipster
cute overload – awesome… if you like teh cute and funny accents
overheard in new york – awesome… if you have a little bit of the voyeur in ya and you secretly think the majority of the people on the planet are idiots
soccer insider - steven goff is one of the best, if not the best, soccer blogger.
dcenters - a mostly dc united blog
yanks abroad - updates of americans playing overseas
lifehacker - for hacking life
scienceblogs - pretty self explanatory
treehugger - everyone should hug trees
gristmill - more treehugger stuff
wonkette - snarky politics
daily kos - the mothership of left blogistan
talking points memo - some seriously journalistic blogging
firedoglake - more political blogging
salon: glenn greenwald - some more seriously journalistic blogging
questionable content – hilarious… if you’re an indie music hipster
cute overload – awesome… if you like teh cute and funny accents
overheard in new york – awesome… if you have a little bit of the voyeur in ya and you secretly think the majority of the people on the planet are idiots
soccer insider - steven goff is one of the best, if not the best, soccer blogger.
dcenters - a mostly dc united blog
yanks abroad - updates of americans playing overseas
lifehacker - for hacking life
scienceblogs - pretty self explanatory
treehugger - everyone should hug trees
gristmill - more treehugger stuff
wonkette - snarky politics
daily kos - the mothership of left blogistan
talking points memo - some seriously journalistic blogging
firedoglake - more political blogging
salon: glenn greenwald - some more seriously journalistic blogging
10.14.2007
DC United wins the Supporters Shield
With Colorado's improbable defeat of Chivas in LA DC is uncatchable by Chivas, the only team left who could catch them.
10.12.2007
I said this would be the trigger
This would be a great opportunity to enter the race.
Please?
Unfortunately, the presentation ceremony isn't until Dec. 10. He might make us wait that long.
Please?
Unfortunately, the presentation ceremony isn't until Dec. 10. He might make us wait that long.
10.09.2007
Yay! F#$% baseball! Yay! *
RFK has new grass and new permanent international goals(?), not sure what that means but if it means true boxy goals Peter is probably gonna have a big O (um, me too). Now if they would just put the La Norte seats back (unfortunately, not likely), everything will be perfect.
* Suck it Yankees fans! Your dynasty is truly over. This is the only time baseball is vaguely interesting. I may even watch a couple of the Indians-Red Sox games. Go Sox! Mark my words, whoever wins this series wins the World (sic) Series.
* Suck it Yankees fans! Your dynasty is truly over. This is the only time baseball is vaguely interesting. I may even watch a couple of the Indians-Red Sox games. Go Sox! Mark my words, whoever wins this series wins the World (sic) Series.
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