News Item: ". . . McCain owns seven houses. . . ."
News Item: ". . . McCain's nine houses. . . ."
News Item: ". . . McCain owns eight houses. . . ."
News Item: ". . . McCain's 10 houses. . . ."
It might help if John McCain helped us pin down just how many houses he owns so he can get on with campaigning against his elitist opponent.
~
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Is today the day?
Separately, Ms. Tumulty has a line-by-line assessment of Mr. Obama’s statements, speculating that many signs point to Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana "or a surprise whose name has not been circulating on the pundits’ short lists."
I'm less excited about him after reading Samantha Power describe how he phokked up in Rwanda, but it would be fun to have him out there on the campaign every day reminding everybody how bad the Republicans have sucked at the Global War on Tairrism (GWOT).
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Let me try dis again...
I'm going to look into plane tickets for a Chicago pilgrimage sometime after Oct 5th thru maybe Veteran's Day weekend. So let me know if you will NOT be in town during that time, and i will plan accordingly. I don't want any, "Oh, i forgot i was going on an African safari then...sorry"--K-Mad, after the fact.
I will also be looking for lodging. Is Corms' new place habitable? How about Fung's deluxe apartment in the sky?
~
I will also be looking for lodging. Is Corms' new place habitable? How about Fung's deluxe apartment in the sky?
~
Wiki has articles on EVERYTHING (cont)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riding_shotgun
Recent advances in the rules of shotgun allow, for the use of mobile phones to "txt" a valid call for shotgun to the driver well in advance of a trip. This rule is controversial but is widely accepted, and heralded as an indicator, that the rules of shotgun are keeping up with modern advances in technology.
Recent advances in the rules of shotgun allow, for the use of mobile phones to "txt" a valid call for shotgun to the driver well in advance of a trip. This rule is controversial but is widely accepted, and heralded as an indicator, that the rules of shotgun are keeping up with modern advances in technology.
Once Again, LoC's ahead of the curve
We knew about lolcats before the NY Times told everyone about dem...
Advertising: A Small Empire Built on Cuddly and Fuzzy Branches Out From the Web
Advertising: A Small Empire Built on Cuddly and Fuzzy Branches Out From the Web
if k-mad had a fantasy cricket team, this kid would be on it
Boy in hospital after 'gas lighting' stunt backfires
A 12-year-old has been taken to hospital with burns after blowing up a petrol can while breaking wind.
The boy was attempting to set fire to his farts as part of a competition against his cousin in the garden of a house in Tipton when the accident occurred.
Fire fighters were called to the address but the small blaze had already burned itself out when the crew arrived.
A 12-year-old has been taken to hospital with burns after blowing up a petrol can while breaking wind.
The boy was attempting to set fire to his farts as part of a competition against his cousin in the garden of a house in Tipton when the accident occurred.
Fire fighters were called to the address but the small blaze had already burned itself out when the crew arrived.
I would say this is something to be very worried about...
...but since it's a poll by Zogby--who is profoundly brain dead--it's probably good news for Obama...
McCain takes lead over Obama in new poll
In a sharp turnaround, Republican John McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Democrat Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential race and is seen as a stronger manager of the economy, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday. McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama's solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll....
~
McCain takes lead over Obama in new poll
In a sharp turnaround, Republican John McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Democrat Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential race and is seen as a stronger manager of the economy, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday. McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama's solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll....
~
It's like they're reading my mind... wait, they are reading my mind...
Dear Amazon.com Customer,
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We've noticed that customers who have purchased or rated The Way of the World: A Story of Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism by Ron Suskind have also purchased Why We Hate Us: American Discontent in the New Millennium by Dick Meyer. For this reason, you might like to know that Why We Hate Us: American Discontent in the New Millennium is now available. You can order yours for just $16.47 ($8.48 off the list price) by following the link below.
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K-Mad, a pessimist? Shirley, you jest.
life just keeps getting better (unless you're the rezzidunt and had to give up golf out of respect for the troops)
Driving range planned for Near West Side
(Crain’s) — Downtown duffers who want to work on their swing may soon have a place nearby to do it.
A little-known Chicago real estate developer plans to build a 140,000-square-foot indoor golf driving range and fitness center at 401 N. Ogden Ave. on the Near West Side, according to a zoning application filed with the city...
Sandwiched between train tracks to the north and south, the three-story building would offer a year-round opportunity for golfers to working on their driving, chipping and putting within a few minutes of downtown...
(Crain’s) — Downtown duffers who want to work on their swing may soon have a place nearby to do it.
A little-known Chicago real estate developer plans to build a 140,000-square-foot indoor golf driving range and fitness center at 401 N. Ogden Ave. on the Near West Side, according to a zoning application filed with the city...
Sandwiched between train tracks to the north and south, the three-story building would offer a year-round opportunity for golfers to working on their driving, chipping and putting within a few minutes of downtown...
Bushian logic from Planet McCrazy - this sounds like something Perino would say
Because he was a POW, he is incapable of doing anything wrong.
Meanwhile, it's emerged that while Obama was answering questions from celebrity pastor Rick Warren, McCain wasn't being "held in a cone of silence", as Warren claimed: actually, he was in his car. But his campaign insists he wasn't listening to the questions, breaking the rules so as to be better prepared, and they've made an official complaint to NBC, dripping in wronged outrage, for suggesting as much. ("The insinuation from the Obama campaign that John McCain, a former prisoner of war, cheated is outrageous," says spokeswoman Nicole Wallace, as if one followed automatically from the other.)
Meanwhile, it's emerged that while Obama was answering questions from celebrity pastor Rick Warren, McCain wasn't being "held in a cone of silence", as Warren claimed: actually, he was in his car. But his campaign insists he wasn't listening to the questions, breaking the rules so as to be better prepared, and they've made an official complaint to NBC, dripping in wronged outrage, for suggesting as much. ("The insinuation from the Obama campaign that John McCain, a former prisoner of war, cheated is outrageous," says spokeswoman Nicole Wallace, as if one followed automatically from the other.)
whitey: fullas#i+
Only nine per cent of Americans say they'd be uncomfortable about electing a black president, the LA Times found -- but a majority say they "know someone" who feels this way: that's a standard pollster's technique to try to get around the unwillingness of respondents to admit to racist thoughts.
advantages of being an empire in decline (though we do have to put up with the hurling hooligans running loose on Michigan Avenue)
Come for the cheap crap. Stay for the being treated like a criminal at the border.
Shopping is good with euros to spend
Crain's, Aug. 18, 2008
Back home in Italy, Stefano Fante, 51, is a prudent consumer, buying just what he needs and never shopping while on vacation. But a $600 chocolate-brown leather jacket beckoned from the racks at the Cole-Haan store on Michigan Avenue.
Mr. Fante, an attorney from Padua, slipped it on, took a few turns in front of the mirror and then conferred with his wife Marilisa, 45, also an attorney, and their 13-year-old son, Tommaso. After some lively deliberation, he put the jacket back on the rack and decided to keep looking.
Money definitely was not the issue. Mr. Fante, like many European tourists in Chicago, can afford to give in to temptation these days. Indeed, he bought an even pricier jacket a few doors down, splurging on a $950 version — about two-thirds what it would've cost him at home — at Johnston & Murphy.
With 1 euro hovering between $1.50 and $1.60 this summer, Michigan Avenue seems like one big clearance bin to Europeans, who are snapping up iPods, laptops, cameras and American clothing brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, plus Chicago Bulls merchandise.
. . .
"We came here because of the strong euro," Mr. Fante said. "It's great for us. The first time I came to the U.S. was more than 20 years ago, in 1983, and I couldn't buy anything. Everything was impossible, too expensive. We find the USA for us is now cheap, so we buy."
Digging through shelves of discounted T-shirts were Shane Mullally, 22, and Damian Kelly, 20, two Irishmen here for the summer at the invitation of a local hurling club. Hurling is a native sport of Ireland, a cross between baseball and lacrosse (yeah - suuure it is - ed.).
"These $20 shirts would easily cost double in Ireland," Mr. Mullally pointed out, walking to the dressing room with armfuls of clothes...
Shopping is good with euros to spend
Crain's, Aug. 18, 2008
Back home in Italy, Stefano Fante, 51, is a prudent consumer, buying just what he needs and never shopping while on vacation. But a $600 chocolate-brown leather jacket beckoned from the racks at the Cole-Haan store on Michigan Avenue.
Mr. Fante, an attorney from Padua, slipped it on, took a few turns in front of the mirror and then conferred with his wife Marilisa, 45, also an attorney, and their 13-year-old son, Tommaso. After some lively deliberation, he put the jacket back on the rack and decided to keep looking.
Money definitely was not the issue. Mr. Fante, like many European tourists in Chicago, can afford to give in to temptation these days. Indeed, he bought an even pricier jacket a few doors down, splurging on a $950 version — about two-thirds what it would've cost him at home — at Johnston & Murphy.
With 1 euro hovering between $1.50 and $1.60 this summer, Michigan Avenue seems like one big clearance bin to Europeans, who are snapping up iPods, laptops, cameras and American clothing brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, plus Chicago Bulls merchandise.
. . .
"We came here because of the strong euro," Mr. Fante said. "It's great for us. The first time I came to the U.S. was more than 20 years ago, in 1983, and I couldn't buy anything. Everything was impossible, too expensive. We find the USA for us is now cheap, so we buy."
Digging through shelves of discounted T-shirts were Shane Mullally, 22, and Damian Kelly, 20, two Irishmen here for the summer at the invitation of a local hurling club. Hurling is a native sport of Ireland, a cross between baseball and lacrosse (yeah - suuure it is - ed.).
"These $20 shirts would easily cost double in Ireland," Mr. Mullally pointed out, walking to the dressing room with armfuls of clothes...
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Familiarity breeds contempt
Funny stuff from the New York Times second most emailed story. I felt like I was reading something oddly familiar and it was puzzling, sad:
The ’90s were an eventful time for an international economist like Roubini. Throughout the decade, one emerging economy after another was beset by crisis, beginning with Mexico’s in 1994. Panics swept Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia and Korea, in 1997 and 1998. The economies of Brazil and Russia imploded in 1998. Argentina’s followed in 2000. Roubini began studying these countries and soon identified what he saw as their common weaknesses. On the eve of the crises that befell them, he noticed, most had huge current-account deficits (meaning, basically, that they spent far more than they made), and they typically financed these deficits by borrowing from abroad in ways that exposed them to the national equivalent of bank runs. Most of these countries also had poorly regulated banking systems plagued by excessive borrowing and reckless lending. Corporate governance was often weak, with cronyism in abundance.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Unfair
He probably didn't offer the same deal to the male students...
Professor accused of offering A's to fondle students
Professor accused of offering A's to fondle students
WTF?
Fung and Briggs? Keeping the blog going since Friday? Wha happen? Cat got Smiff's tongue? K-Mad's players needed more tending to? Sarge still trying to figure out whether to live here, there, or everywhere? Corporal all TSP'd out? Ranger undercover somewhere? Corms trying to design the perfect wordscraper board to defeat the Fungster?
Just wondering...
Just wondering...
The singlemindedness will end immediately
Michael Phelps will now start to discover whether an "eat, sleep, and swim" mentality is enough to sustain him a lifetime...
The question-and-answer session, arranged by one of Phelps’s sponsors, Visa, included journalists from The Harvard Lampoon, The Hollywood Reporter and a cheeky gentleman from New Zealand, a nonmedalist in swimming here, who, when called on, delivered a stand-up routine around the theme of Phelps’s greediness.
Phelps was asked to weigh in on whether light is a particle or a wave and describe love. His answer to both was, “I have no idea.”
Quandary
Did the terrists win, or did democracy win? Did America lose an ally in the war against terrorism, or gain an Islamic democratic state?
Musharraf resigns as Pakistan president
Musharraf resigns as Pakistan president
The war par-tay
The NYT reports:
Washington was quick to rally around Mr. Saakashvili. Senator John McCain, whose campaign foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, had represented Georgia as a lobbyist, was the first to blast Russia. Mr. McCain, who already was the Republicans’ presumptive presidential nominee, telephoned Mr. Saakashvili to offer support, and then told reporters on April 17 that “we must not allow Russia to believe it has a free hand to engage in policies that undermine Georgian sovereignty.” On April 21 came a statement from a “deeply troubled” Senator Barack Obama, the leading Democratic candidate.
“There’s no doubt that the Georgians have carefully cultivated a broad base of support in Washington,” said Stephen Sestanovich, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and foreign policy adviser to the Obama campaign who has hosted dinner parties for Mr. Saakashvili in Washington.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooold
Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe finally won a gold in Beijing, defending her Olympic title in the 200 backstroke with a world record of 2:05.24. She lowered the mark of 2:06.09 set by Margaret Hoelzer at the U.S. trials last month.
However, Canada has surged past Togo, and closing in on Kirsty...
Zimbabwe 1 3 0 4
Canada 1 1 1 3
Togo 0 0 1 1
However, Canada has surged past Togo, and closing in on Kirsty...
Zimbabwe 1 3 0 4
Canada 1 1 1 3
Togo 0 0 1 1
Friday, August 15, 2008
Finally...
Guys running around in circles... THIS is the Olympics. None of this ping-pong crap.
Seriously, if the Chinese can have their ping-pong and the Brits can have their horsie-jumping, why can't the Americans have bass fishing in the Olympics?
Seriously, if the Chinese can have their ping-pong and the Brits can have their horsie-jumping, why can't the Americans have bass fishing in the Olympics?
things that make you go HOLY PHOKKING S#I+ WE'RE SO PHOKKED
But we should be drilling offshore.
Mass Extinction Event On the Horizon?
Of course, since it's on NPR, it's a pile of liberal elitist pooh.
Mass Extinction Event On the Horizon?
Of course, since it's on NPR, it's a pile of liberal elitist pooh.
McCain dreams of being Teddy Roosevelt but without all the substance part....
Simply put, John McCain is a douchebag, but here's some more thoughtful commentary:
McCain has attacked Barack Obama for his popularity, on the advice of Karl Rove acolytes in his camp who think that being a global celebrity is a bad thing.
You want celebrity? As the most popular American in the dawning decade of the American Century, Teddy Roosevelt was a global superstar — “the most popular human being that has ever existed in the United States,” as Mark Twain wrote.
He spoke to throngs in Europe, gave lasting speeches at the Sorbonne and Oxford. Often, he parried with his foreign guests in their own language. During his travels throughout Europe, South America and Africa, he could not so much as bite into a sandwich without being asked to comment on the bread.
Stirring words meant something coming from Roosevelt. The man and the persona could shape world opinion.
Both McCain and Roosevelt are Republicans, though Roosevelt famously bolted from his party to run as a Progressive in 1912, trying for a third term after sitting out four years in favor of the befuddled William H. Taft.
But Roosevelt clearly tried to steer his party away from what would now be seen as its hard-right elements — big money, anti-environmentalism, race-baiting — into what he called in his autobiography “the fairly radical progressive party.”
Born of money in New York City, educated at Harvard and fussy in dress, Teddy Roosevelt might today be seen as, um, an elitist. But he turned against his class, not just busting the monopolies and promoting public ownership of natural resources, as most students of his presidency know, but taking hard verbal swipes at the predatory rich.
He called them “malefactors of great wealth” and “the most dangerous members of the criminal class — the criminals of great wealth,” in two of his best-known phrases.
Appalled by the historic gap between rich and poor, Roosevelt favored a national inheritance tax. “Of all the forms of tyranny, the least attractive and most vulgar is the tyranny of mere wealth, the tyranny of plutocracy,” he said.
A century later, in a time of similar disparity between rich and poor, McCain wants to cut the corporate tax rate, and keep those tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans that ushered in the Bush age of privilege. His campaign is thick with lobbyists who embody everything about how power in Washington has shifted to the well-connected moneyed class.
“I have often been called a socialist,” Roosevelt wrote. In fact, he despised the far left as much as the far right. But he said, “I have always maintained that our worst revolutionaries today are those reactionaries who do not see and will not admit that there is any need for change.”
McCain sidles up to Big Oil and calls for more drilling, whereas Roosevelt went after the resource monopolies. When Standard Oil donated $100,000 to his campaign, he requested that it be sent back.
Teddy was also known for a big stick foreign policy and his heroics as a warrior; in that sense the McCain comparisons may be closer to the mark. Roosevelt was honest enough to admit that war could be stirring.
“All men who feel any power of joy in battle know what it is like when the wolf rises in the heart,” he wrote.
Yet, this saber-rattler was also a master diplomat, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for helping to resolve the Russo-Japanese conflict.
In at least one way, Roosevelt is closer to Obama. A prolific author who also penned more than 100,000 letters, Teddy wrote 15 books by his 40th birthday. Obama got his start as an author, and shows a literary flair rare among politicians.
On race, Roosevelt was a man of his time, sharing some of the more absurd anthropological notions of the day.
Yes, he brought the wrath of the South on him by hosting the black leader Booker T. Washington in the White House. Yet it was a different Roosevelt who wrote his friend Owen Wister on the question of what to do about “the negroes” in 1906.
“I entirely agree with you that as a race in the mass they are inferior to the whites,” he wrote. But he added, “I do not know a white man in the south who is as good a man as Booker Washington today.”
McCain has attacked Barack Obama for his popularity, on the advice of Karl Rove acolytes in his camp who think that being a global celebrity is a bad thing.
You want celebrity? As the most popular American in the dawning decade of the American Century, Teddy Roosevelt was a global superstar — “the most popular human being that has ever existed in the United States,” as Mark Twain wrote.
He spoke to throngs in Europe, gave lasting speeches at the Sorbonne and Oxford. Often, he parried with his foreign guests in their own language. During his travels throughout Europe, South America and Africa, he could not so much as bite into a sandwich without being asked to comment on the bread.
Stirring words meant something coming from Roosevelt. The man and the persona could shape world opinion.
Both McCain and Roosevelt are Republicans, though Roosevelt famously bolted from his party to run as a Progressive in 1912, trying for a third term after sitting out four years in favor of the befuddled William H. Taft.
But Roosevelt clearly tried to steer his party away from what would now be seen as its hard-right elements — big money, anti-environmentalism, race-baiting — into what he called in his autobiography “the fairly radical progressive party.”
Born of money in New York City, educated at Harvard and fussy in dress, Teddy Roosevelt might today be seen as, um, an elitist. But he turned against his class, not just busting the monopolies and promoting public ownership of natural resources, as most students of his presidency know, but taking hard verbal swipes at the predatory rich.
He called them “malefactors of great wealth” and “the most dangerous members of the criminal class — the criminals of great wealth,” in two of his best-known phrases.
Appalled by the historic gap between rich and poor, Roosevelt favored a national inheritance tax. “Of all the forms of tyranny, the least attractive and most vulgar is the tyranny of mere wealth, the tyranny of plutocracy,” he said.
A century later, in a time of similar disparity between rich and poor, McCain wants to cut the corporate tax rate, and keep those tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans that ushered in the Bush age of privilege. His campaign is thick with lobbyists who embody everything about how power in Washington has shifted to the well-connected moneyed class.
“I have often been called a socialist,” Roosevelt wrote. In fact, he despised the far left as much as the far right. But he said, “I have always maintained that our worst revolutionaries today are those reactionaries who do not see and will not admit that there is any need for change.”
McCain sidles up to Big Oil and calls for more drilling, whereas Roosevelt went after the resource monopolies. When Standard Oil donated $100,000 to his campaign, he requested that it be sent back.
Teddy was also known for a big stick foreign policy and his heroics as a warrior; in that sense the McCain comparisons may be closer to the mark. Roosevelt was honest enough to admit that war could be stirring.
“All men who feel any power of joy in battle know what it is like when the wolf rises in the heart,” he wrote.
Yet, this saber-rattler was also a master diplomat, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for helping to resolve the Russo-Japanese conflict.
In at least one way, Roosevelt is closer to Obama. A prolific author who also penned more than 100,000 letters, Teddy wrote 15 books by his 40th birthday. Obama got his start as an author, and shows a literary flair rare among politicians.
On race, Roosevelt was a man of his time, sharing some of the more absurd anthropological notions of the day.
Yes, he brought the wrath of the South on him by hosting the black leader Booker T. Washington in the White House. Yet it was a different Roosevelt who wrote his friend Owen Wister on the question of what to do about “the negroes” in 1906.
“I entirely agree with you that as a race in the mass they are inferior to the whites,” he wrote. But he added, “I do not know a white man in the south who is as good a man as Booker Washington today.”
The Russians are Coming!
Fighter jets have been screaming by our offices for hours now! This must be the precursor to an all out attack on Da City Dat Works! Oh the humanity!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
HATING the Crab Queens for already drafting this guy
Even Without a Gold Medal, Strasburg Could Be No. 1
Team USA Pitcher Seen as Top MLB Pick
Team USA Pitcher Seen as Top MLB Pick
Fun Wid Wiki
Fung searched wiki for "Fridge", and just loves the last part of the header...
Refrigerator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Fridge)
Jump to: navigation, search
"Fridge" and "Freezer" redirect here. For other uses, see Fridge (disambiguation) and Freezer (disambiguation).
For the football player, see The Refrigerator.
Refrigerator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Fridge)
Jump to: navigation, search
"Fridge" and "Freezer" redirect here. For other uses, see Fridge (disambiguation) and Freezer (disambiguation).
For the football player, see The Refrigerator.
Canadian nationalists demand more medals
The nationalists at their National Post, that is:
[A] country as young, prosperous, healthy and intelligent as Canada should be doing better, now. We have heard for years that our athletes will shine at the next Summer Games or the one after. It’s time to stop putting off success until tomorrow while making excuses today.
If we need more training facilities, let’s build them. If we need better coaches, let’s hire them, no matter where in the world we must recruit them. Is our national attitude the problem, or our athletes’ attitude? Are we and they too content with their personal bests rather than world records and Olympic wins? Is it the fault of our national sports associations and executives?
[A] country as young, prosperous, healthy and intelligent as Canada should be doing better, now. We have heard for years that our athletes will shine at the next Summer Games or the one after. It’s time to stop putting off success until tomorrow while making excuses today.
If we need more training facilities, let’s build them. If we need better coaches, let’s hire them, no matter where in the world we must recruit them. Is our national attitude the problem, or our athletes’ attitude? Are we and they too content with their personal bests rather than world records and Olympic wins? Is it the fault of our national sports associations and executives?
Fungster is always the last to know
US airline 'broke safety rules'
American Airlines committed safety breaches including flying planes known to need repairing, US aviation officials allege.
American Airlines committed safety breaches including flying planes known to need repairing, US aviation officials allege.
We are living in a golden age (cont)
JOHNSON WANTS TO BE OCHO CINCO, LEGALLY
Posted by Michael David Smith on August 12, 2008, 7:24 p.m. EDT
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson was fined $5,000 for wearing “Ocho Cinco” on the back of his jersey before a game in 2006.
To avoid getting fined, Johnson hasn’t done it since then. But Johnson now has a plan for how he can get away with having “Ocho Cinco” spelled out over the “85″ on his back.
We’ve learned that Johnson has taken the first steps in the state of Florida toward legally changing his last name to Ocho Cinco.
Seriously.
If Johnson follows through on this, his actual, legal name will be Chad Ocho Cinco, and the NFL would then (we assume) allow him to put his new last name on the back of his jersey.
From a business standpoint, this might be Chad’s way of picking up some of the extra cash that he wants to make but that the team has said it won’t give him. The jersey would instantly become one of the NFL’s top sellers, and NFL players get a cut of all sales of their jerseys.
In recent interviews, including one on ESPN Monday night, Johnson has made veiled references about future plans that he has said will change the way fans think about him. This is a strange one, to say the least.
Posted by Michael David Smith on August 12, 2008, 7:24 p.m. EDT
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson was fined $5,000 for wearing “Ocho Cinco” on the back of his jersey before a game in 2006.
To avoid getting fined, Johnson hasn’t done it since then. But Johnson now has a plan for how he can get away with having “Ocho Cinco” spelled out over the “85″ on his back.
We’ve learned that Johnson has taken the first steps in the state of Florida toward legally changing his last name to Ocho Cinco.
Seriously.
If Johnson follows through on this, his actual, legal name will be Chad Ocho Cinco, and the NFL would then (we assume) allow him to put his new last name on the back of his jersey.
From a business standpoint, this might be Chad’s way of picking up some of the extra cash that he wants to make but that the team has said it won’t give him. The jersey would instantly become one of the NFL’s top sellers, and NFL players get a cut of all sales of their jerseys.
In recent interviews, including one on ESPN Monday night, Johnson has made veiled references about future plans that he has said will change the way fans think about him. This is a strange one, to say the least.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
What hope is there for drunks like K-Mad & Smiff when an alleged teetotaler like Fung is pounding the beers like this?
(Ok, Stella really isn't a beer, but you know what i mean.)
Fungster back in northern hemisphere, reflecting...
Fung's back from down South, exploring the world as he always done. Verdict: thumbs up. You should go. It's like the middle of winter there, and the temp yesterday was warmer than today in Chi-town, in the middle of summer. 'Nuff sed. Kinda like Chicagah though, the weather can change at a whim. We didn't make it to the Corcovado (that's where the famous statue is) until yesterday - most days it either clouded over or we got lazy. It's also not quite as expensive as I initially intimated - but by golly they'll try and make it so. "Don't be naive" was the advice.
It's probably time to say goodbye to an old friend. My current passport has been to Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and North America. The others didn't make it to Asia or South America, though they have interesting stories of their own. Now, it is getting close to 6 months to expiry, and they don't always let you travel when that's the case. So it's time to renew it. Which means a new passport picture. That should be fun...
It's probably time to say goodbye to an old friend. My current passport has been to Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and North America. The others didn't make it to Asia or South America, though they have interesting stories of their own. Now, it is getting close to 6 months to expiry, and they don't always let you travel when that's the case. So it's time to renew it. Which means a new passport picture. That should be fun...
FISK August supplemental draft alert
News item: Laynce Nix has been recalled from Triple-A Nashville, according to the AP.
SUCKS-like symptoms infest Team USA dugout
Night of the Tiffees Part II - The Horroring
With former/current K-Madders Tiffee, Koplove, LaPorta, Schierholtz, Marson, and most ominously, Dexter Fowler on his first day as a Prairie Chicken, these poor phokks never had a chance.
Jung Bong started for Korea. Winning pitcher: Y Suk Min.
With former/current K-Madders Tiffee, Koplove, LaPorta, Schierholtz, Marson, and most ominously, Dexter Fowler on his first day as a Prairie Chicken, these poor phokks never had a chance.
Jung Bong started for Korea. Winning pitcher: Y Suk Min.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Mmmmmmm
I may have missed this being posted earlier, but in case it hasn't found its way to the LoC yet here goes:
Flying Chocolate Pig!
Flying Chocolate Pig!
Pythagoras SUCKS
K-Mad in our Nation's capital, still whining...
This week in Andersonville Horrorz: run differential +27; record 3-3
This week in Andersonville Horrorz: run differential +27; record 3-3
Monday, August 11, 2008
Fung ain't gonna like this
Zimbabwe has won two medals at the Olympics, both by the same white chick!
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Hey, Russia*, invading sovereign countries with governments we don't like: That's Our Phokking Job
Dumbass Bush warns Russia
President Bush demands that Russia end the violence in Georgia.
*In McCain speak: "Soviet Union"
President Bush demands that Russia end the violence in Georgia.
*In McCain speak: "Soviet Union"
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A Great Day for Dusty: Seeya Base-Clogging, Whiff Machine
Diamondbacks acquired outfielder Adam Dunn and cash from the Reds for RHP Dallas Buck and two players to be named later.
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And yet the world's dumbest GM still thinks they're in a playoff race...
Astros GM Ed Wade said Sunday that the team isn't interested in signing Barry Bonds to replace Carlos Lee in left field. For now, the team will have Darin Erstad take over in left, with Ty Wigginton and possibly Lance Berkman also seeing some time in the outfield.
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Saturday, August 9, 2008
Was K-Mad at the game?
CHICAGO PITCHER JOSE CONTRERAS LEFT THE GAME IN THE TOP OF THE SECOND INNING DUE TO A RUPTURED LEFT ACHILLES.
Contreras could miss the start of next season with what is typically a 9-12 month injury.
Contreras could miss the start of next season with what is typically a 9-12 month injury.
Nate Silver on K.O.
story #3
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/
His prediction: the Cubs will not win the World Series.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/
His prediction: the Cubs will not win the World Series.
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Apparently, they have some standards
Zimbabwean strongman/asshole Robert Mugabe kept out of China...
Beijing sends Mugabe packing Sydney Morning Herald
ZIMBABWE'S President, Robert Mugabe, has been forced to return home following intense political pressure from the Chinese Communist Party not to attend Friday night's opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. The Herald understands high-powered lobbying from political leaders who will be attending the ceremony prompted the highest levels of the Chinese Government to convince him not to attend. It is understood he had arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday but could get no further.
The two countries have a close relationship (really? that is a surprise--ed.) and it took intense persuasion to convince Mr Mugabe to return to Zimbabwe and not cause embarrassment to the host country. A Mugabe spokesman, George Charamba, wrote in a Zimbabwean newspaper: "President Mugabe attaches great importance to the ongoing talks [between the Government and Opposition], which is why he is not going to China for the grand opening of the Olympics." (also known as total bullshit--ed.)
The US President, George Bush, (but they let this asshole in?--ed.) and the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, will be among heads of state attending the opening ceremony. The pro-Tibet supporter and Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans will respect the Olympic rules and not protest at Games venues, says the Australian Olympic Committee president, John Coates.
Beijing sends Mugabe packing Sydney Morning Herald
ZIMBABWE'S President, Robert Mugabe, has been forced to return home following intense political pressure from the Chinese Communist Party not to attend Friday night's opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. The Herald understands high-powered lobbying from political leaders who will be attending the ceremony prompted the highest levels of the Chinese Government to convince him not to attend. It is understood he had arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday but could get no further.
The two countries have a close relationship (really? that is a surprise--ed.) and it took intense persuasion to convince Mr Mugabe to return to Zimbabwe and not cause embarrassment to the host country. A Mugabe spokesman, George Charamba, wrote in a Zimbabwean newspaper: "President Mugabe attaches great importance to the ongoing talks [between the Government and Opposition], which is why he is not going to China for the grand opening of the Olympics." (also known as total bullshit--ed.)
The US President, George Bush, (but they let this asshole in?--ed.) and the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, will be among heads of state attending the opening ceremony. The pro-Tibet supporter and Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans will respect the Olympic rules and not protest at Games venues, says the Australian Olympic Committee president, John Coates.
Friday, August 8, 2008
His maverickyness is what I like best
Check out his afro.
When I pointed out that the Rocchios' job titles seemed to jar a bit with the size of their donations, Ms. Rocchio said that no one could guess the real income levels of other people.
When a New York Times reporter contacted the owner of a discount stereo store who gave $9,200 with his wife to help elect McCain, here's what happened:
"He's like a worse copy than Bush," Mr. Makhlouf said of Mr. McCain. When a reporter initially contacted Mr. Makhlouf, he denied giving to the McCain campaign. After eventually admitting to the donation, Mr. Makhlouf added, "I'm still not going to vote for him."
When I pointed out that the Rocchios' job titles seemed to jar a bit with the size of their donations, Ms. Rocchio said that no one could guess the real income levels of other people.
When a New York Times reporter contacted the owner of a discount stereo store who gave $9,200 with his wife to help elect McCain, here's what happened:
"He's like a worse copy than Bush," Mr. Makhlouf said of Mr. McCain. When a reporter initially contacted Mr. Makhlouf, he denied giving to the McCain campaign. After eventually admitting to the donation, Mr. Makhlouf added, "I'm still not going to vote for him."
Well, you know what Ohio will vote for: more of the same economic policy via McBush III
America's Fastest-Dying Cities
Washington, D.C. - The turmoil of the mortgage market granted a temporary reprieve from hearing about the woes of America's Rust Belt. That doesn't mean things are better. Despite a decade of national prosperity (huh??--ed.), the former manufacturing backbone of the U.S. is in rougher shape than ever, still searching for some way to replace its long-stilled smokestacks.
Where's it worst? Ohio, according to our analysis, which racked up four of the 10 cities on our list: Youngstown, Canton, Dayton and Cleveland. The runner-up is Michigan, with two cities--Detroit and Flint--making the ranking.
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Washington, D.C. - The turmoil of the mortgage market granted a temporary reprieve from hearing about the woes of America's Rust Belt. That doesn't mean things are better. Despite a decade of national prosperity (huh??--ed.), the former manufacturing backbone of the U.S. is in rougher shape than ever, still searching for some way to replace its long-stilled smokestacks.
Where's it worst? Ohio, according to our analysis, which racked up four of the 10 cities on our list: Youngstown, Canton, Dayton and Cleveland. The runner-up is Michigan, with two cities--Detroit and Flint--making the ranking.
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2016: we're ready
News item: The run-up to the Beijing Olympics has been marred by a well-documented surge in violations of the rights of free expression and association, as well as media freedom. In addition, abuses of migrant construction workers who were pivotal to Beijing’s infrastructure improvements have increased, as have evictions of Beijing residents whose homes were demolished to make way for that infrastructure.
News item: Arlene Benson isn't leaving, even if the bulldozers come... About 30 other families in a 300-acre stretch of Bensenville targeted for demolition are hanging on to their homes, according to village representatives. But their time may be running out. A DuPage County judge Thursday ruled to lift a public health injunction blocking Chicago from demolishing hundreds of homes and businesses in Bensenville to make way for the next phase of the O'Hare Airport expansion.
These two stories just seemed to go together for some reason.
News item: Arlene Benson isn't leaving, even if the bulldozers come... About 30 other families in a 300-acre stretch of Bensenville targeted for demolition are hanging on to their homes, according to village representatives. But their time may be running out. A DuPage County judge Thursday ruled to lift a public health injunction blocking Chicago from demolishing hundreds of homes and businesses in Bensenville to make way for the next phase of the O'Hare Airport expansion.
These two stories just seemed to go together for some reason.
so much for that theory
From EU Observer, August 5
Some analysts believe the situation is beginning to thaw after some 15 years of tense ceasefire, as separatist authorities weigh up the option of semi-autonomous rule in a prosperous Georgia against continued isolation and increasing Russian domination.
Some analysts believe the situation is beginning to thaw after some 15 years of tense ceasefire, as separatist authorities weigh up the option of semi-autonomous rule in a prosperous Georgia against continued isolation and increasing Russian domination.
Brett Favre update
Favre, the New York Jets' newest quarterback, was introduced to the city by Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a packed City Hall press conference Friday.
A wide-eyed Favre walked into the Blue Room and was greeted by dozens of flashing camera lights. He got a number of gifts from Bloomberg, including a couple of cheesecakes.
LoC will keep you posted on what kind of cheesecakes they were as soon as the information becomes available.
A wide-eyed Favre walked into the Blue Room and was greeted by dozens of flashing camera lights. He got a number of gifts from Bloomberg, including a couple of cheesecakes.
LoC will keep you posted on what kind of cheesecakes they were as soon as the information becomes available.
LoC posters - you are hereby relieved from jury duty for the rest of your natural lives
News item: As personal information becomes more widely available on blogs, MySpace, Facebook and other social networking Web sites, the Internet has become an important tool for jury consultants and trial lawyers. Such sites are a treasure trove of information about potential and seated jurors that can be used in picking the right jurors, bouncing potential jurors and even influencing jurors during trial and in closing arguments. Jury consultants have begun turning to private investigators, some of whom have started niche businesses offering Internet jury research and "personality profiling" of jurors.
Hey Red China - go phokk yourselves
Where Once He Was Lost, Now He Is Found
For seven years, China has dreamed of orchestrating every detail, athletic and political, of its glorious Opening Ceremonies to the Olympics. Now, one lean 1,500-meter runner from the United States, chosen by his teammates in an act of open defiance, may steal the show. Lopez Lomong, one of the Sudanese "Lost Boys" and a member of the anti-genocide group Team Darfur, has been chosen by his 595 U.S. Olympic teammates to carry our flag on Friday. What, we couldn't find a Tibetan monk on the team?
What a coincidence. Just hours before U.S. team captains met to decide on the flag carrier, Chinese officials rescinded the visa of Joey Cheek, a speedskating gold medalist who carried the U.S. flag at the Closing Ceremonies at the 2006 Winter Games and later co-founded Team Darfur. After that slap at Cheek, U.S. athletes here had almost nothing to say on the topic. One even referred to the subject as "the question they warned us about."
Perhaps they didn't answer individually. But the entire U.S. team gave its answer -- as a group and in capital letters -- with Lomong's selection. You jerk Cheek's visa. We put Lomong in your face. And do it proudly.
You have to hand it to the Chinese Communist Party: They certainly know how to muzzle Americans. Cheek, a Princeton grad, might have held a seminar. Four billion people around the world will see Lomong carrying our flag.
For seven years, China has dreamed of orchestrating every detail, athletic and political, of its glorious Opening Ceremonies to the Olympics. Now, one lean 1,500-meter runner from the United States, chosen by his teammates in an act of open defiance, may steal the show. Lopez Lomong, one of the Sudanese "Lost Boys" and a member of the anti-genocide group Team Darfur, has been chosen by his 595 U.S. Olympic teammates to carry our flag on Friday. What, we couldn't find a Tibetan monk on the team?
What a coincidence. Just hours before U.S. team captains met to decide on the flag carrier, Chinese officials rescinded the visa of Joey Cheek, a speedskating gold medalist who carried the U.S. flag at the Closing Ceremonies at the 2006 Winter Games and later co-founded Team Darfur. After that slap at Cheek, U.S. athletes here had almost nothing to say on the topic. One even referred to the subject as "the question they warned us about."
Perhaps they didn't answer individually. But the entire U.S. team gave its answer -- as a group and in capital letters -- with Lomong's selection. You jerk Cheek's visa. We put Lomong in your face. And do it proudly.
You have to hand it to the Chinese Communist Party: They certainly know how to muzzle Americans. Cheek, a Princeton grad, might have held a seminar. Four billion people around the world will see Lomong carrying our flag.
People - we need to do something with this:
Go here and you can leave comments and accumulate points to redeem for John McCain merchandise!
Basically, go around and seed blogs with comments following talking points from John McCain and then go and report them. Somebody will check it out, verify it, and then you get some points. Get enough points and you get a book that John McCain "wrote" - autographed. Or some other such bauble of love.
I'm going to leave a post over for Brain Dead Bob as well - letting him know he might be able to get an autographed hunting rifle or something....maybe this if you're really lucky!
Basically, go around and seed blogs with comments following talking points from John McCain and then go and report them. Somebody will check it out, verify it, and then you get some points. Get enough points and you get a book that John McCain "wrote" - autographed. Or some other such bauble of love.
I'm going to leave a post over for Brain Dead Bob as well - letting him know he might be able to get an autographed hunting rifle or something....maybe this if you're really lucky!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Who is with the terrorists now? Hand-picked U.S. military officials...
Gitmo jury gives bin Laden driver 5 1/2 years
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba - A U.S. military jury gave Osama bin Laden's driver a surprisingly light sentence on Thursday, making him eligible for release in just five months despite the prosecutors' request for at least a 30-year sentence to deter would-be terrorists.
Salim Hamdan's sentence of 5 1/2 years, including five years and a month already served at Guantanamo Bay, fell far short of the life sentence he could have gotten for aiding terrorism by driving and guarding bin Laden. It now goes for mandatory review to a Pentagon official who can shorten the sentence but not extend it.
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GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba - A U.S. military jury gave Osama bin Laden's driver a surprisingly light sentence on Thursday, making him eligible for release in just five months despite the prosecutors' request for at least a 30-year sentence to deter would-be terrorists.
Salim Hamdan's sentence of 5 1/2 years, including five years and a month already served at Guantanamo Bay, fell far short of the life sentence he could have gotten for aiding terrorism by driving and guarding bin Laden. It now goes for mandatory review to a Pentagon official who can shorten the sentence but not extend it.
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Sounds pretty bad, but what kind of beer was it?
Woman kills boyfriend for drinking her beer, officials say
Bail set at $500,000 in West Side stabbing death in car
A West Side woman who allegedly stabbed her elderly boyfriend to death because he was drinking her beer was ordered held Thursday in lieu of $500,000 bail. Regina Williams, 55, of the 1000 block of North Waller Avenue appeared in Cook County Bond Court before Judge Israel Desierto, charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Willie Anderson, 77, of the 2200 block of West Monroe Street.
About 6 p.m. Wednesday, the two were sitting in Anderson's car outside his home when Williams became angry that he was drinking her beer, authorities said. They began to quarrel, and Williams allegedly pulled a knife she carried for protection and began stabbing Anderson.
Anderson yelled for help, but Williams continued to stab him, Assistant State's Atty. Susanne Groebner told Desierto.
Afterward, Williams got out of the car and called down the street to Anderson's nephew, saying, "You better come get your uncle—I just killed him," according to her arrest report.
Groebner said Williams got back in the vehicle and finished drinking her beer.
Williams is on probation for a 2007 felony conviction for aggravated battery. In that case she was convicted of spitting in the face of a Chicago Fire Department paramedic who was giving her medical treatment. Williams has a history of mental illness, according to the Cook County public defender's office. Her next court date was set for Aug. 26.
Bail set at $500,000 in West Side stabbing death in car
A West Side woman who allegedly stabbed her elderly boyfriend to death because he was drinking her beer was ordered held Thursday in lieu of $500,000 bail. Regina Williams, 55, of the 1000 block of North Waller Avenue appeared in Cook County Bond Court before Judge Israel Desierto, charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Willie Anderson, 77, of the 2200 block of West Monroe Street.
About 6 p.m. Wednesday, the two were sitting in Anderson's car outside his home when Williams became angry that he was drinking her beer, authorities said. They began to quarrel, and Williams allegedly pulled a knife she carried for protection and began stabbing Anderson.
Anderson yelled for help, but Williams continued to stab him, Assistant State's Atty. Susanne Groebner told Desierto.
Afterward, Williams got out of the car and called down the street to Anderson's nephew, saying, "You better come get your uncle—I just killed him," according to her arrest report.
Groebner said Williams got back in the vehicle and finished drinking her beer.
Williams is on probation for a 2007 felony conviction for aggravated battery. In that case she was convicted of spitting in the face of a Chicago Fire Department paramedic who was giving her medical treatment. Williams has a history of mental illness, according to the Cook County public defender's office. Her next court date was set for Aug. 26.
More on the race - this New York Magazine article is good stuff...
I'm not happy with the passivity of Obama's campaign over the last five or six weeks, however, there's this feeling I have that Obama might be attempting to ride over this wave as a kind of inevitable reaction of fear to his candidacy. By allowing the fear to his candidacy to grow as ugly as possible as the Republicans seek to provoke him into a stupid response with their veritable chest-thumping "Obama's a traitor who wants to suck the gas out of your car and give it to the hoot owls while you eat out of a grocery's dumpster," it might be that at the end of this road he can come out with a some kind of sane response that gains some traction with voters in swing states like Ohio and Florida while at the same time giving the Republican attacks the true shape of their idiotic ludicrousness.
I fear though, that this isn't going to work. That the Republicans, on a national level, are very good at giving the electorate a framework through which to view the presidency and its responsibilities and necessities. I believe American voters have proven time and time again that they want somebody in there who is a ball-breaker, who won't take bullshit and who is kind of macho. This was where Hillary had her greatest success among Democratic voters and she rolled up pretty huge victories in some of the swing states - she wasn't talking issues when she was beginning to win.
As well, I think, and I know I am speaking in great generalities here, that the Republicans have done an excellent job of making decisions about things like the environment seem, time and time again, like a decision between pragmatism and loony-we-don't-care-how-much-this-hurts-you-as-long- as-it-doesn't-hurt-a-dolphin arguments. In fact, environmentalism, in pretty much every study when dealing with energy delivery or car-design and in many other directions, shows tremendous potential to actually grow the economy in some pretty exciting directions.
It's hard to imagine at this point that the election is going to be won on issues, it's another popularity contest and the way to win those is to paint mustaches and boogers on your opponent's face. I mean, who wants to hear about the detail points of saving a bleeding and rocky infrastructure when you can hear about how Obama did or did not visit troops and how come? It would be refreshing to hear more opinions about what needs to be done voiced by the American voter rather than on their opinions on one candidate or other. I think when voters are asked to respond on issues, many of them have salient and insightful points to make, sadly when asked to respond to the actors in this campaign, they seem, increasingly, to respond with the conventional fallacies that are taking the lead in determining where this election will lead.
This little article at New York Magazine seems like pretty good reading - and it's quick.
I fear though, that this isn't going to work. That the Republicans, on a national level, are very good at giving the electorate a framework through which to view the presidency and its responsibilities and necessities. I believe American voters have proven time and time again that they want somebody in there who is a ball-breaker, who won't take bullshit and who is kind of macho. This was where Hillary had her greatest success among Democratic voters and she rolled up pretty huge victories in some of the swing states - she wasn't talking issues when she was beginning to win.
As well, I think, and I know I am speaking in great generalities here, that the Republicans have done an excellent job of making decisions about things like the environment seem, time and time again, like a decision between pragmatism and loony-we-don't-care-how-much-this-hurts-you-as-long- as-it-doesn't-hurt-a-dolphin arguments. In fact, environmentalism, in pretty much every study when dealing with energy delivery or car-design and in many other directions, shows tremendous potential to actually grow the economy in some pretty exciting directions.
It's hard to imagine at this point that the election is going to be won on issues, it's another popularity contest and the way to win those is to paint mustaches and boogers on your opponent's face. I mean, who wants to hear about the detail points of saving a bleeding and rocky infrastructure when you can hear about how Obama did or did not visit troops and how come? It would be refreshing to hear more opinions about what needs to be done voiced by the American voter rather than on their opinions on one candidate or other. I think when voters are asked to respond on issues, many of them have salient and insightful points to make, sadly when asked to respond to the actors in this campaign, they seem, increasingly, to respond with the conventional fallacies that are taking the lead in determining where this election will lead.
This little article at New York Magazine seems like pretty good reading - and it's quick.
The Biggest Piece of Shit in America:
Steve Schmidt is a veteran campaign strategist and public relations expert. In his career to date he has been (from sourcewatch):
* Communications director for Senate campaign of Matt Fong. (1998)
* Chief strategist in charge of Supreme Court nominations of Samuel A. Alito. and Chief Justice John Roberts
* Counselor and spokesman for Vice President Dick Cheney.
* Member of the exclusive "breakfast club" led by top White House adviser Karl Rove that ran President Bush's re-election campaign. (2004)
* Campaign Manager for re-election campaign of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. (2006)
Currently Steve Schmidt is working as a campaign strategist and advisor to 2008 Presidential campaign of Senator John McCain. On July 2, 2008, Schmidt was promoted to heading up day to day operations of the McCain campaign in response to concerns that the McCain campaign was losing ground to Obama.
Since that point, July 2, 2008 - the Republican attempt to win the presidency has reached new lows almost daily as McCain appears willing to sell whatever was left of his soul and the shine of his one heroic act to win the White House so that he can give his friends more money and fritter away whatever's left of the American economy and its standing in the world in the pursuit of giving that money to his friends.
This was the man who helped Frenchify John Kerry and who seems to understand that his position is basically only made in negative assertion of the other because his own candidate's positions are antithetical to any sane approach to government.
I despise McCain for his willingness to leave important issues in the stink of name-calling and pointless assertions of gym-attending, but it's the Steve Schmidts of the world who I hope to God one day are forced to give account of their actions to an awakened American public. And I hope on the day that happens that after giving account, he will have to climb back into the sewer he's emerged from and is never seen again.
* Communications director for Senate campaign of Matt Fong. (1998)
* Chief strategist in charge of Supreme Court nominations of Samuel A. Alito. and Chief Justice John Roberts
* Counselor and spokesman for Vice President Dick Cheney.
* Member of the exclusive "breakfast club" led by top White House adviser Karl Rove that ran President Bush's re-election campaign. (2004)
* Campaign Manager for re-election campaign of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. (2006)
Currently Steve Schmidt is working as a campaign strategist and advisor to 2008 Presidential campaign of Senator John McCain. On July 2, 2008, Schmidt was promoted to heading up day to day operations of the McCain campaign in response to concerns that the McCain campaign was losing ground to Obama.
Since that point, July 2, 2008 - the Republican attempt to win the presidency has reached new lows almost daily as McCain appears willing to sell whatever was left of his soul and the shine of his one heroic act to win the White House so that he can give his friends more money and fritter away whatever's left of the American economy and its standing in the world in the pursuit of giving that money to his friends.
This was the man who helped Frenchify John Kerry and who seems to understand that his position is basically only made in negative assertion of the other because his own candidate's positions are antithetical to any sane approach to government.
I despise McCain for his willingness to leave important issues in the stink of name-calling and pointless assertions of gym-attending, but it's the Steve Schmidts of the world who I hope to God one day are forced to give account of their actions to an awakened American public. And I hope on the day that happens that after giving account, he will have to climb back into the sewer he's emerged from and is never seen again.
Fung - still going broke
Fung went to a club with no entry fee, but you had to drink $50 worth of booze. Now Smiff woulda been all over dat, but dat's a lotta sprites, even in a bar. Den today he got caught with a work crisis/internet crisis just as the weather got nice (and da internet is a ripoff too), and resolved both just as the wind kicked up and kicked folks off the beach. Woe is me.
But ya know, Paul DePodesta didn't know what he was doing...
Joe Torre said before Thursday's game that Jason Schmidt probably wouldn't return this season. Schmidt doesn't have his next side session planned, and he has less than a month before the minor league season ends, so he might not even make a rehab appearance this year. Two years into his three-year, $47 million contract, the Dodgers have six starts and one win to show for Schmidt.
Then there were Ned Colletti's brilliant signings of Juan Pierre ($44m) and Andruw Jones ($36m).
I saw L.A. Times sportswriter, Bill Plaschke, commenting on Around the Horn about Billy Beane after the Rich Harden trade. Like most brain-dead sportswriters, Plaschke hates Beane and all things sabermetric (probably because it requires them to think - it's much easier just to look at pitcher wins or RBI, and how many "guts" a player has....), and certainly hated DePodesta while he was there. Of course, he hated the Harden trade, and it surely looked like his head was going to explode while talking about Beane. Plaschke has been "writing" for the L.A. Times since 1987. Since then, they have won one World Series ('88) and been to the playoffs 4 other times (inc. one of DePodesta's two seasons), losing in the first round each time. Since Beane became the A's GM in 1997, they have been to the playoffs 5 times. Seems like his track record is better than the GM buffoons L.A. has had, with a lot less money to work with. But he's never won the World Series, so obviously he and his ilk are all morons (also see: the Red Sox two World Series wins since they hired Bill James). But the fact remains, the Dodgers haven't been in the World Series since 1988, and ain't going to be there this year, either. Maybe if they had Beane spending the $127 million they wasted on Schmidt, Pierre and Jones they would have a team closer to contending.
And thank God Colletti finally traded Andy LaRoche away...
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Then there were Ned Colletti's brilliant signings of Juan Pierre ($44m) and Andruw Jones ($36m).
I saw L.A. Times sportswriter, Bill Plaschke, commenting on Around the Horn about Billy Beane after the Rich Harden trade. Like most brain-dead sportswriters, Plaschke hates Beane and all things sabermetric (probably because it requires them to think - it's much easier just to look at pitcher wins or RBI, and how many "guts" a player has....), and certainly hated DePodesta while he was there. Of course, he hated the Harden trade, and it surely looked like his head was going to explode while talking about Beane. Plaschke has been "writing" for the L.A. Times since 1987. Since then, they have won one World Series ('88) and been to the playoffs 4 other times (inc. one of DePodesta's two seasons), losing in the first round each time. Since Beane became the A's GM in 1997, they have been to the playoffs 5 times. Seems like his track record is better than the GM buffoons L.A. has had, with a lot less money to work with. But he's never won the World Series, so obviously he and his ilk are all morons (also see: the Red Sox two World Series wins since they hired Bill James). But the fact remains, the Dodgers haven't been in the World Series since 1988, and ain't going to be there this year, either. Maybe if they had Beane spending the $127 million they wasted on Schmidt, Pierre and Jones they would have a team closer to contending.
And thank God Colletti finally traded Andy LaRoche away...
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why Obama will always be a Muslim
Truth: Can You Handle It?
Better Yet: Do You Know It When You See It?
Better Yet: Do You Know It When You See It?
while QT has our attention...
A Republic, If You Can Keep It:
A Canadian contestant on "Last Comic Standing" was told to avoid mentioning Canada because it might "confuse" American TV audiences.
A Canadian contestant on "Last Comic Standing" was told to avoid mentioning Canada because it might "confuse" American TV audiences.
more Olympics shenanigans
News Item: "Extra innings will have a new look in what could be baseball's last Olympic appearance. Each team's at-bat in the 11th inning and beyond will begin with runners on first and second base. Teams may start the 11th at any point in their batting order. . . ."
Or put it another way: The game of baseball has already had its last Olympic appearance.
Or put it another way: The game of baseball has already had its last Olympic appearance.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
McCain: Words to Avoid
contraption
sarsaparilla
whipper-snapper
negro league
daguerreotype
telegraph
dagnabbit
fossil
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WE SUCK!
The Olympics have started and the U S and A women's soccer team lost to Denmark, 2-0. In soccer, excuse me, football, parlance that's a blowout. Just pathetic.
Denmark? Not only are they the happiest country happy in the world, but they have the hottest women in the world (i was there for a day and just walked around wiff my tongue scrapping the ground), and now they're kicking our ass in "football." I want to be Danish. Plus, they taste good. Raspberry? Almond? Dat's good eatin'.
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Smiff is back and he has this off-shore drilling thing all figured out
It's simple: states filled with dumb-ass crackers who voted for George W. Bush twice and will most likely vote for John W. McBush will get the off-shore drilling. So that will most likely be the entire coastline of Alaska and from Brownsville to Norfolk. And none of this "150 miles from the coast" bullshit. I say, a mile from the coast with an oil rig every mile. Even if it's shown there's no oil there, you get a fucking oil rig there anyway.
Meanwhile, the northeast and from San Diego to Seattle will remain pristine because these places weren't dumb enough to vote for the troglodyte homunculus and the guy who forgets to put on his pants.
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Meanwhile, the northeast and from San Diego to Seattle will remain pristine because these places weren't dumb enough to vote for the troglodyte homunculus and the guy who forgets to put on his pants.
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Why doesn't the NFL re-locate a team to Mississippi?
The agent for Brett Favre says a resolution involving his client and a trade is close. "It looks like it's going to be New York or Tampa Bay," said agent Bus Cook. "We're waiting to find out and we could learn in the next hour or so." Of course, this was said hours ago. The Jets are reportedly offering the most compensation, while the Bucs are probably Favre's preferred destination. Stay tuned.
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nice try @ss#ole
Forecast from National Weather Service As of 11:39 am CDT on August 6, 2008
This Afternoon... Partly sunny.
Current conditions: Mostly cloudy.
This Afternoon... Partly sunny.
Current conditions: Mostly cloudy.
Backe v. Marquis: Duck and Cover
Top 1st: Houston
- K. Matsui fouled out to third
- H. Pence flied out to right
- L. Berkman grounded out to second
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Chi Cubs 0
Bottom 1st: Chi Cubs
- A. Soriano grounded out to third
- R. Theriot lined out to second
- D. Lee grounded out to pitcher
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Chi Cubs 0
Top 2nd: Houston
- C. Lee grounded out to third
- G. Blum grounded out to third
- T. Wigginton doubled to deep left
- D. Erstad grounded out to pitcher
0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Chi Cubs 0
Bottom 2nd: Chi Cubs
- A. Ramirez flied out to right center
- J. Edmonds doubled to right
- M. DeRosa doubled to deep left center, J. Edmonds scored
- K. Fukudome flied out to right
- G. Soto walked
- J. Marquis fouled out to first
1 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Chi Cubs 1
Top 3rd: Houston
- H. Quintero flied out to right
- B. Backe grounded out to third
- K. Matsui ground rule double to deep center
- H. Pence walked
- L. Berkman singled to right, K. Matsui scored, H. Pence to third
- C. Lee homered to deep left, L. Berkman and H. Pence scored
- G. Blum grounded out to first
4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors
Houston 4, Chi Cubs 1
Bottom 3rd: Chi Cubs
- A. Soriano popped out to shallow right
- R. Theriot singled to right
- D. Lee flied out to deep right
- A. Ramirez walked, R. Theriot to second
- J. Edmonds walked, R. Theriot to third, A. Ramirez to second
- M. DeRosa homered to deep center, J. Edmonds, A. Ramirez and R. Theriot scored
- K. Fukudome doubled to right
- G. Soto intentionally walked
- J. Marquis doubled to deep right, K. Fukudome scored, G. Soto to third
- A. Soriano homered to deep left, J. Marquis and G. Soto scored
- K. Matsui fouled out to third
- H. Pence flied out to right
- L. Berkman grounded out to second
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Chi Cubs 0
Bottom 1st: Chi Cubs
- A. Soriano grounded out to third
- R. Theriot lined out to second
- D. Lee grounded out to pitcher
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Chi Cubs 0
Top 2nd: Houston
- C. Lee grounded out to third
- G. Blum grounded out to third
- T. Wigginton doubled to deep left
- D. Erstad grounded out to pitcher
0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Chi Cubs 0
Bottom 2nd: Chi Cubs
- A. Ramirez flied out to right center
- J. Edmonds doubled to right
- M. DeRosa doubled to deep left center, J. Edmonds scored
- K. Fukudome flied out to right
- G. Soto walked
- J. Marquis fouled out to first
1 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Chi Cubs 1
Top 3rd: Houston
- H. Quintero flied out to right
- B. Backe grounded out to third
- K. Matsui ground rule double to deep center
- H. Pence walked
- L. Berkman singled to right, K. Matsui scored, H. Pence to third
- C. Lee homered to deep left, L. Berkman and H. Pence scored
- G. Blum grounded out to first
4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors
Houston 4, Chi Cubs 1
Bottom 3rd: Chi Cubs
- A. Soriano popped out to shallow right
- R. Theriot singled to right
- D. Lee flied out to deep right
- A. Ramirez walked, R. Theriot to second
- J. Edmonds walked, R. Theriot to third, A. Ramirez to second
- M. DeRosa homered to deep center, J. Edmonds, A. Ramirez and R. Theriot scored
- K. Fukudome doubled to right
- G. Soto intentionally walked
- J. Marquis doubled to deep right, K. Fukudome scored, G. Soto to third
- A. Soriano homered to deep left, J. Marquis and G. Soto scored
Maybe because he gave them the money?
DRIVING THE CONVERSATION 3 – WashPost, front page, “Bundler Collects From Unlikely Donors,” by Matthew Mosk: “The bundle of $2,300 and $4,600 checks that poured into Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign on March 12 came from an unlikely group of California donors: a mechanic from D&D Auto Repair in Whittier, the manager of Rite Aid Pharmacy No. 5727, the 30-something owners of the Twilight Hookah Lounge in Fullerton. But the man who gathered checks from them is no stranger to McCain -- he shuttled the Republican on his private plane and held a fundraising event for the candidate at his house in Delray Beach, Fla.
“Harry Sargeant III, a former naval officer and the owner of an oil-trading company that recently inked defense contracts potentially worth more than $1 billion, is the archetype of a modern presidential money man. The law forbids high-level supporters from writing huge checks, but with help from friends in the Middle East and the former chief of the CIA's bin Laden unit -- who now serves as a consultant to his company -- Sargeant has raised more than $100,000 for three presidential candidates from a collection of ordinary people, several of whom professed little interest in the outcome of the election. …
“Some of the most prolific givers in Sargeant's network live in modest homes in Southern California's Inland Empire. Most had never given a political contribution before being contacted by Sargeant or his associates. Most said they have never voiced much interest in politics. And in several instances, they had never registered to vote. And yet, records show, some families have ponied up as much as $18,400 for various candidates between December and March. Both Sargeant and the donors were vague when asked to explain how Sargeant persuaded them to give away so much money.”
“Harry Sargeant III, a former naval officer and the owner of an oil-trading company that recently inked defense contracts potentially worth more than $1 billion, is the archetype of a modern presidential money man. The law forbids high-level supporters from writing huge checks, but with help from friends in the Middle East and the former chief of the CIA's bin Laden unit -- who now serves as a consultant to his company -- Sargeant has raised more than $100,000 for three presidential candidates from a collection of ordinary people, several of whom professed little interest in the outcome of the election. …
“Some of the most prolific givers in Sargeant's network live in modest homes in Southern California's Inland Empire. Most had never given a political contribution before being contacted by Sargeant or his associates. Most said they have never voiced much interest in politics. And in several instances, they had never registered to vote. And yet, records show, some families have ponied up as much as $18,400 for various candidates between December and March. Both Sargeant and the donors were vague when asked to explain how Sargeant persuaded them to give away so much money.”
A Terrible Word to Lose
This deplorable error in an Associated Press wire dispatch Monday is surely the result of the demise of copy editors in the news business. The wire carried news of conservative political commentator Robert D. Novak -- who, by the way, was always gracious and helpful to us, despite his cranky public persona -- and his retirement from the biz after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
And then a terrible gaffe: "Novak has been a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for decades. He announced late last month he has a brain."
And then a terrible gaffe: "Novak has been a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for decades. He announced late last month he has a brain."
getting curioser
More from Greenwald on Iraq/anthrax stuff:
Last year, when I first wrote about ABC's broadcasting of this false Saddam/anthrax story, I spoke with numerous experts in "journalistic ethics," such as they are, and all of them -- journalists, Journalism Professors, and media critics alike -- agreed that while the obligation of source confidentiality is close to absolute, it does not extend to a source who deliberately exploits confidentiality to disseminate lies to the public. Under those circumstances, it's axiomatic in journalistic ethics that a reporter is not only permitted, but required, to disclose the identity of the source who purposely used the reporter to spread lies.
Who were the "four separate and well-placed sources" who told ABC News, falsely, that tests conducted at Fort Detrick had found the presence of bentonite in the anthrax sent to Tom Daschle, causing ABC News to aggressively link the attacks to Iraq for five straight days in October, 2001?
LoC in the Southern Hemisphere!
Fung's reporting from Rio, adding South America to his list of continents traveled to. I think that leaves Australia (if that's a continent), Central America (if that's a continent), and Antarctica (which I believe is a continent, but the chances of getting there are remote, geddit?). So far, it's been one word: expensive. Really, really expensive. Apparently there are issues with security here so you pay to be safe. Our hotel is situated quite nicely just steps from the beach, but it's bloomin expensive. Methinks I shall have no money by the time I get back...
Why do we even need to electorate a new president anyway? The one we have is doing a heckuva job.
News item - A man interrupted a speech by presidential candidate B. Hussein Obama by shouting out the pledge of allegiance - sorry, Pledge of Allegiance, in Berea, Ohio yesterday.
Also, I hear he is a Muslim
News item - Barack Obama may be the fresh face in this year's presidential election, but nearly half say they're already tired of hearing about him, a poll says.
America rules - we don't need no stinking world court
We'll need a "World Court" when it comes time to execute the Saucer People for invading da Earf. Until then, they can go phokk dereselves.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
brain-dead Cub fan knows all, reveals some
Way too much time on your hands
Thank God I had to go back to work this afternoon, you guys citing PECOTA and all the other stuff have way too much time on your hands..It doesnt take a numbers genuis to tell you the Cubs always suck against a pitcher they never faced, that is mental, got a theory to figure that out ?..How many times have we seen the Cubs roll , only to take a team , a triple A team in the Pirates kick their butts ? As I have said many times before, nice to see Theriot and DeRosa sit, Sotto needs some more time off as well..
. . .
Eat your numbers. They beat the Brewers because they scored runs...
Thank God I had to go back to work this afternoon, you guys citing PECOTA and all the other stuff have way too much time on your hands..It doesnt take a numbers genuis to tell you the Cubs always suck against a pitcher they never faced, that is mental, got a theory to figure that out ?..How many times have we seen the Cubs roll , only to take a team , a triple A team in the Pirates kick their butts ? As I have said many times before, nice to see Theriot and DeRosa sit, Sotto needs some more time off as well..
. . .
Eat your numbers. They beat the Brewers because they scored runs...
Republicans enamored with the magical powers of the Twitter
Aim it at Cheney's pacemaker, maybe it will explode.
GOP: Oil markets 'responding' to our protest
House Republicans issued the boldest claim yet in their three-day energy protest, insinuating on Tuesday morning that their demonstration may in fact have already begun to lower gas prices.
“The market is responding to the fact that we are here talking,” said Republican Rep. John Shadegg.
GOP: Oil markets 'responding' to our protest
House Republicans issued the boldest claim yet in their three-day energy protest, insinuating on Tuesday morning that their demonstration may in fact have already begun to lower gas prices.
“The market is responding to the fact that we are here talking,” said Republican Rep. John Shadegg.
Republicans embrace the Twitter (cont'd)
A Stunt-Driven Agenda
"Eighteen times over the past 90 days, the minority tried, unsuccessfully, to force the House to adjourn. Now the House has finally adjourned -- for a five-week recess, no less -- and Republicans are demanding that the chamber be called back into session," the Washington Post's Dana Milbank observed. Believing "they have struck political gold with American voters," conservatives are lauding their stagecraft in the most grandiose terms. "Today is the 2008 version of the Boston Tea Party," exclaimed Rep John Shadegg (R-AZ). "[L]ike the founders of this country we're going directly to the American people," boasted Rep. Tim Price (R-GA). "This could be America's greatest hour," crowed Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL). Conservatives extended the theatrics yesterday and have declared they will continue their floor protests for "as long as it takes."
"Eighteen times over the past 90 days, the minority tried, unsuccessfully, to force the House to adjourn. Now the House has finally adjourned -- for a five-week recess, no less -- and Republicans are demanding that the chamber be called back into session," the Washington Post's Dana Milbank observed. Believing "they have struck political gold with American voters," conservatives are lauding their stagecraft in the most grandiose terms. "Today is the 2008 version of the Boston Tea Party," exclaimed Rep John Shadegg (R-AZ). "[L]ike the founders of this country we're going directly to the American people," boasted Rep. Tim Price (R-GA). "This could be America's greatest hour," crowed Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL). Conservatives extended the theatrics yesterday and have declared they will continue their floor protests for "as long as it takes."
Interesting Analysis of Evan Bayh by Nate Silver
Evan Bayh: Latent Liberal?
Speaking for a moment as a Democratic partisan, I can't say that I'd be thrilled with the selection of Evan Bayh as Barack Obama's VP nominee. But this has more to do with personality factors -- my feeling that Bayh is a little dull and drab, and that Obama may underestimate the importance of maintaining high levels of excitement among the Democratic base -- than anything having to do with his voting record......
Speaking for a moment as a Democratic partisan, I can't say that I'd be thrilled with the selection of Evan Bayh as Barack Obama's VP nominee. But this has more to do with personality factors -- my feeling that Bayh is a little dull and drab, and that Obama may underestimate the importance of maintaining high levels of excitement among the Democratic base -- than anything having to do with his voting record......
I look forward to Dana Perino's indignant denial
I mean, I know they've been fullas#i+ about everything else, but why would they lie about this?
Book says White House ordered forgery
A new book by the author Ron Suskind claims that the White House ordered the CIA to forge a back-dated, handwritten letter from the head of Iraqi intelligence to Saddam Hussein.
Suskind writes in "The Way of the World," to be published Tuesday, that the alleged forgery – adamantly denied by the White House – was designed to portray a false link between Hussein’s regime and al Qaeda as a justification for the Iraq war.
Book says White House ordered forgery
A new book by the author Ron Suskind claims that the White House ordered the CIA to forge a back-dated, handwritten letter from the head of Iraqi intelligence to Saddam Hussein.
Suskind writes in "The Way of the World," to be published Tuesday, that the alleged forgery – adamantly denied by the White House – was designed to portray a false link between Hussein’s regime and al Qaeda as a justification for the Iraq war.
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