So the Democratic National Convention is in the bag. Hilary Clinton didn’t raise hell, Biden talked a lot but not so much that he put everyone to sleep and Obama rocked the mic to close the whole shebang Thursday night.
In my opinion the best and most powerful speech was given by disabled Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth. She really stressed Obama’s emotional and political investments with soldiers, sailors and airmen by giving concrete examples of actions the presidential candidate has taken. Not only that, she talked up Obama as strong and right, not only for veterans but for the military.
Hands down, the best line out of any of the speeches was Ohio Governor Ted Strickland’s bit about Bush starting on third base and stealing second. Classic!
Overall all I’d say the Democrats did a pretty good job of getting their message across; painting Obama as a common man with excellent judgment and McCain as out of touch, but more importantly as Bush’s little crony. Over and over again, McCain was linked to Bush and his failed policies, which I think is really going to put the heat on McCain during next week’s Republican Convention.
I assume Bush will speak, but I highly doubt he’ll be seen with McCain. However, even having McCain’s name coming out of Bush’s mouth is going to leave a taint. It’s going to be a very interesting and I’m actually looking forward to the Republican convention more than I did the Democratic one.
Linkity goodness: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3981669.stm
Why I voted for Bush, a message board from 2004.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Books are Hell
Hellboy: Odd Jobs by multiple authors including Michael Golden and Poppie Z. Brite – I wish that these stories held the magic and fascination of Mike Mignola’s comics or of Guillermo Del Toro’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Instead, you get some pretty rote stories with not much humor, action or horror.
As in nearly every compilation there are a few exceptions. In this book that exception is Stephen Bissette’s Jigsaw. It captures Hellboy’s personality perfectly and draws the reader into an eerie story with its tentacles slithering around the painful topic of addiction. Very good and highly recommended for those that like their Hellboy stories intense and disturbing.
Currently reading: E=mc2 by David Bodanis
Who would have thought that a lowbrow mathematical Neanderthal like myself would find reading about mathematics, physics and theory so interesting.
As in nearly every compilation there are a few exceptions. In this book that exception is Stephen Bissette’s Jigsaw. It captures Hellboy’s personality perfectly and draws the reader into an eerie story with its tentacles slithering around the painful topic of addiction. Very good and highly recommended for those that like their Hellboy stories intense and disturbing.
Currently reading: E=mc2 by David Bodanis
Who would have thought that a lowbrow mathematical Neanderthal like myself would find reading about mathematics, physics and theory so interesting.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
I can haz nother cheezburger: Part II
I understand that people aren’t just going to jump up and start eating less and exercising because some wack-job on a little read blog says it’s the right thing to do. I also don’t see many politicians brave enough to “stab the free market in the back” and ban fast food restaurants like recently happened in Los Angeles. However, the government can leave the blessed free market alone and help jumpstart the economy with the old carrot and stick approach.
Consider the plan that Alabama’s State Employee Insurance Board recently approved that will require state employees with a body mass considered overly obese to pay an additional $25 for their health insurance. Surely this is a “stick” approach and as is to be expected, many employees have complained. However, this “stick” could easily be turned into a “carrot” by rewarding employees below the obesity level with a $25 discount.
Another option might be tied to taxes or stimulus payments. With the shape of our economy looking downright anorexic, politicians have been attempting to feed it with stimulus payments and tax breaks. It hasn’t seemed to have helped much but those fighting to be the next president have kept the idea alive and it’s possible Americans will see more money or tax breaks coming down the pipeline. Why not connect a portion of this money/tax breaks to physical fitness in that $100 of it must be used for gym memberships, smoking cessation programs or something similar.
My dream would be for state and local governments to work together to create a system of community centers with gyms, classrooms and athletic fields that could be used for a fee based on a sliding scale of income. Not all of these centers need be brand spanking new facilities. Instead include community colleges, high schools and elementary schools that have the proper facilities and staff them with student trainers overseen by a more experienced certified trainer. Have a nurse and a nutritionist available a few times a week and bring in local farmer’s markets to sell locally grown produce.
Of course this is all a pipedream, but these few ideas I’ve thrown out illustrate that there are many ways to approach America’s obesity epidemic. By offering people easily accessible and cheap options you increase the likelihood that health will begin to take a bigger role in their life thus saving me and the rest of the country money.
Clickity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdZEtB_x_bg
Guilty dog
Consider the plan that Alabama’s State Employee Insurance Board recently approved that will require state employees with a body mass considered overly obese to pay an additional $25 for their health insurance. Surely this is a “stick” approach and as is to be expected, many employees have complained. However, this “stick” could easily be turned into a “carrot” by rewarding employees below the obesity level with a $25 discount.
Another option might be tied to taxes or stimulus payments. With the shape of our economy looking downright anorexic, politicians have been attempting to feed it with stimulus payments and tax breaks. It hasn’t seemed to have helped much but those fighting to be the next president have kept the idea alive and it’s possible Americans will see more money or tax breaks coming down the pipeline. Why not connect a portion of this money/tax breaks to physical fitness in that $100 of it must be used for gym memberships, smoking cessation programs or something similar.
My dream would be for state and local governments to work together to create a system of community centers with gyms, classrooms and athletic fields that could be used for a fee based on a sliding scale of income. Not all of these centers need be brand spanking new facilities. Instead include community colleges, high schools and elementary schools that have the proper facilities and staff them with student trainers overseen by a more experienced certified trainer. Have a nurse and a nutritionist available a few times a week and bring in local farmer’s markets to sell locally grown produce.
Of course this is all a pipedream, but these few ideas I’ve thrown out illustrate that there are many ways to approach America’s obesity epidemic. By offering people easily accessible and cheap options you increase the likelihood that health will begin to take a bigger role in their life thus saving me and the rest of the country money.
Clickity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdZEtB_x_bg
Guilty dog
Thursday, August 21, 2008
I can haz nother cheezburger: Part I
A new study released this last Tuesday by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports that adult obesity rates continue growing in 37 states. So unlike other jokes that target nationalities, the one the rest of the world tells about the US being a bunch of fatties is no longer a joke, it’s true.
According to the F as in Fat 2008 report “more than 25 percent of adults are obese in 28 states” and nationwide over 16 percent of children are considered obese. Think about that for a second…that’s a lot of people, literally and figuratively! (Booyah! Of course, I kid.)
Now, I’m not an obese person hater. I can’t be because I have friends and family who are more than likely considered obese and I love them….well, most of them. However, this trend still alarms me because it’s costing me money and contributing to the economic decline of our country. More importantly, in 99.9 percent of cases, with a little sweat and personal responsibility, it’s preventable.
Here’s how it all comes together:
- Obesity and being overweight are contributing factors to 20 chronic diseases
- By definition chronic diseases last for a long time. Hence, they require numerous visits with a doctor
- Because of that, more than a quarter of the nations’ health care costs are related to obesity and physical inactivity
- Health insurance and government assistance cover much of the nations’ health care costs
- When insurance companies pay more, they charge their customers more (my premiums and co-pay charges rise) and when more tax dollars head to health care it’s less money for education, technology, aid, etc.
- Obesity can be “cured” with physical activity (which is free) and by eating better (this is complicated and is tied in with government but one thing is for sure, eating less is free)
Although the problem is growing (pun intended) and almost seems insurmountable when you look at the current numbers, I don’t think it’s hopeless. Check back for the next blog update where I’ll suggest some possible solutions.
Now go take a walk.
Linkity: http://www.nicecritic.com/
Send a helpful message to a friend or co-worker.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Reading the books of children
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer – To say this little children’s book is action packed is an understatement. People, fairies, dwarves and trolls crash into one another like contestants in a backwoods county’s demolition derby. There are guns, military squads, bombs, martial arts and a dwarf that farts earth with such force he blows a guy through a wall…yeah, I know it doesn’t make any sense but that’s the only way I can explain it.
This is all fine and good and makes for an enjoyable read, but it would mean so much more if it was written around characters I didn’t hate. In short, all the characters are bastards and I pretty much hoped throughout that most would die horrible deaths. The book almost redeemed itself when a battle between a troll and a sword wielding human built like a tank left the human a broken bloody mess, but more importantly…dead. Of course the author had to go and screw it all up by having some fairy resurrect him or some such nonsense.
More bloody and violent than Harry Potter but not as engaging, this book makes for an enjoyably quick read but I’m not running out to get the rest of the series anytime soon…actually probably never.
Today's linky goodness: http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-utah17-2008aug17
Cry you bastards, cry!
This is all fine and good and makes for an enjoyable read, but it would mean so much more if it was written around characters I didn’t hate. In short, all the characters are bastards and I pretty much hoped throughout that most would die horrible deaths. The book almost redeemed itself when a battle between a troll and a sword wielding human built like a tank left the human a broken bloody mess, but more importantly…dead. Of course the author had to go and screw it all up by having some fairy resurrect him or some such nonsense.
More bloody and violent than Harry Potter but not as engaging, this book makes for an enjoyably quick read but I’m not running out to get the rest of the series anytime soon…actually probably never.
Today's linky goodness: http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-utah17-2008aug17
Cry you bastards, cry!
101 uses for baby stool softener
So I had to pay a quick visit to the doctor’s office yesterday. Nothing serious, I’ve just had water stuck in my ears for the last 9 days. (Actually since it’s probably still in there, today will be day 10.) It seems that jamming Q-Tips into my ears in order to “clean” them has really only succeeded in building an incredibly solid wall of wax. Disgusting I know, and possible painful if the water behind them sits too long and causes an infection.
To remove these walls, I first have to use oil to change them from crusty hard to moist and malleable. My doctor said that normally she’d do this with regular mineral oil, but in my case she decided to go with something a bit stronger. What she used and says works best….get ready for it….baby stool softener.
Yes, baby stool softener was put in my ears and it’s still in there. See, the first round of stool softener and warm water rinse didn’t do the job, so I was sent home with more softener and told to come back on Friday. Now, twice a day I’m using it to loosen the wax in my ears.
I suppose this “cure” goes a long way in proving that I really am a shithead, with shit for brains who needs to clean the shit out of his ears.
On a similar note, with the addition of the baby stool softener the wax seems to be expanding making it so that I can’t hear shit.
No wonder the ladies love me!
To remove these walls, I first have to use oil to change them from crusty hard to moist and malleable. My doctor said that normally she’d do this with regular mineral oil, but in my case she decided to go with something a bit stronger. What she used and says works best….get ready for it….baby stool softener.
Yes, baby stool softener was put in my ears and it’s still in there. See, the first round of stool softener and warm water rinse didn’t do the job, so I was sent home with more softener and told to come back on Friday. Now, twice a day I’m using it to loosen the wax in my ears.
I suppose this “cure” goes a long way in proving that I really am a shithead, with shit for brains who needs to clean the shit out of his ears.
On a similar note, with the addition of the baby stool softener the wax seems to be expanding making it so that I can’t hear shit.
No wonder the ladies love me!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Turned down but not off
So I got turned down again by someone I get along really well with. No problem, as I wasn’t romantically attached but that’s not the end of it because she keeps calling me and inviting me to events. I appreciate that and I always have a great time but I’m betting dollars to doughnuts that when a new guy comes along I’ll be tossed aside like yesterdays ham sandwich. Not that she’d be intentionally cruel mind you. It’s just what happens in male/female friendships, a woman in a romantic relationship with a man cannot have a male for a best friend and vice-versa. Like putting your brain into a robot body, there is just something about it that goes against the natural order.
Now, here’s where the problem arises. The more I invest in our friendship the more disappointment I’ll experience when she does find someone. Does this sound right? Should I do my best to avoid her? Should I just forget about it, have fun now and be disappointed when I’m kicked to the side?
Speaking of relationships or lack thereof, I’ve been focusing way too much on the idea lately. Maybe it’s the news of a past girlfriend’s pregnancy or the whole getting turned down thing, but I’ve been dwelling on my lack of prospects and questioning myself.
My prospects at the moment are jack and shit and jack just left town. It’s not that I’m a shut-in and am just not putting myself out there. I play one sport all year round and another a few months out of the year. I go out with friends at least once a week, work out at a gym and live in downtown Sacramento which is a hot bed of young ladies. Still, the river runs dry and I think the main reason is my age.
At 34, most of my friends and acquaintances are married or in long term relationships, the majority of my co-workers are over 40 and most of the ladies I run into while I’m out and about are under 30.
So I either need to find a married lady who likes to swing, an older lady who likes younger men or young lady who like older guys.
Today's link goodness: http://www.glumbert.com/media/honestrb
Now, here’s where the problem arises. The more I invest in our friendship the more disappointment I’ll experience when she does find someone. Does this sound right? Should I do my best to avoid her? Should I just forget about it, have fun now and be disappointed when I’m kicked to the side?
Speaking of relationships or lack thereof, I’ve been focusing way too much on the idea lately. Maybe it’s the news of a past girlfriend’s pregnancy or the whole getting turned down thing, but I’ve been dwelling on my lack of prospects and questioning myself.
My prospects at the moment are jack and shit and jack just left town. It’s not that I’m a shut-in and am just not putting myself out there. I play one sport all year round and another a few months out of the year. I go out with friends at least once a week, work out at a gym and live in downtown Sacramento which is a hot bed of young ladies. Still, the river runs dry and I think the main reason is my age.
At 34, most of my friends and acquaintances are married or in long term relationships, the majority of my co-workers are over 40 and most of the ladies I run into while I’m out and about are under 30.
So I either need to find a married lady who likes to swing, an older lady who likes younger men or young lady who like older guys.
Today's link goodness: http://www.glumbert.com/media/honestrb
Friday, August 15, 2008
No, not that Georgia
Things are looking pretty grim in Georgia. Russia plowed its way in there and it doesn’t look like they’ll be leaving anytime soon. As I understand it, the ceasefire agreement is signed and it allows Russian troops to occupy some areas of the country indefinitely.
This seems like a pretty risky move. Allowing Russia to stay basically condones its actions and gives it the green light to make other “little” land grabs. History would lead me to believe that this could lead to world War III. I stress the word “could” as I can’t see it happening, but it’s important to remember that both WWI and WWII started with actions in tiny, tiny nations.
That’s not the only thing that bothers me about the whole situation. What does international pressure really mean? You’d think the first actions to be taken would be economic sanctions of some kind, but in our global economy that’s all but impossible. Russia is too large and plays too much of a role in making the world economy run. Besides, the US economy is currently in shambles, so indebted to foreign interests that an embargo on Russia would cripple us even further. So what can we and/or the world do, or should we do anything?
If the majority of opinion in certain parts of Georgia embraces Russian rule, should an outside power try to stop them? I’m not sure how valid a question it is as it essentially negates the entire idea of landownership, countries and nationalities but it is interesting. Might this freedom to take your home and the land it sits on and join another country be the ultimate freedom?
Todays link: http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/31/depressed-pug-is-hot-as-sh-t-web-star/
If that's not the cutest little guy ever, I'll punch a baby.
This seems like a pretty risky move. Allowing Russia to stay basically condones its actions and gives it the green light to make other “little” land grabs. History would lead me to believe that this could lead to world War III. I stress the word “could” as I can’t see it happening, but it’s important to remember that both WWI and WWII started with actions in tiny, tiny nations.
That’s not the only thing that bothers me about the whole situation. What does international pressure really mean? You’d think the first actions to be taken would be economic sanctions of some kind, but in our global economy that’s all but impossible. Russia is too large and plays too much of a role in making the world economy run. Besides, the US economy is currently in shambles, so indebted to foreign interests that an embargo on Russia would cripple us even further. So what can we and/or the world do, or should we do anything?
If the majority of opinion in certain parts of Georgia embraces Russian rule, should an outside power try to stop them? I’m not sure how valid a question it is as it essentially negates the entire idea of landownership, countries and nationalities but it is interesting. Might this freedom to take your home and the land it sits on and join another country be the ultimate freedom?
Todays link: http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/31/depressed-pug-is-hot-as-sh-t-web-star/
If that's not the cutest little guy ever, I'll punch a baby.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Quick and so very dirty book review
Boys Will Be Boys: Breaking the Link Between Masculinity and Violence by Myriam Miedz – This book took me forever to get through. I was totally down for the first couple chapters concerning how boys are conditioned to be violent. It’s interesting and from what I understand pretty ground breaking work for when it was published.
Still, Miedz is very repetitive and covers the same topics in similar words several different times. This makes an otherwise interesting work drag, but it wasn’t this repetition that bothered me most.
Miedz is very adamant that making the changes to US society that would allow us to raise less violent boys must be mandated by government legislation. She continually states that the power of legislation trumps personal responsibility. I believe that she is only partly right. If, as she proposes, school districts are required to have classes thaT teach parenting and/or conflict resolution skills they’re essentially teaching personal responsibility. The two go hand-in-hand and are not mutually exclusive. By having legislation trump responsibility, she creates an unreal expectation that the government would actually work to ban certain types of television shows, toys and sports like she suggests. Anyone with an iota of common sense realizes that a government raised on the free market tit is going to have none of that. They might however agree to fund a conflict resolution class for high school freshmen.
Lastly, Miedz viciously attacks any sport that involves physical contact. She vilifies these sports while totally ignoring any of their positive aspects. Yes, she does lay some of the blame on coaches and a society that champions winning at any cost but instead of focusing on changing that mentality she again asks for legislation.
Her hatred for sports and her focus on legislation often undermine her whole argument because they’re totally unrealistic to our society. Members of our government would be laughed out of office if they suggested banning high school football or toy guns. Skip this and read Susan Faludi’s Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man. It’s much more timely, better written and will allow you to come up with your own ideas on how we can raise less violent boys.
Still, Miedz is very repetitive and covers the same topics in similar words several different times. This makes an otherwise interesting work drag, but it wasn’t this repetition that bothered me most.
Miedz is very adamant that making the changes to US society that would allow us to raise less violent boys must be mandated by government legislation. She continually states that the power of legislation trumps personal responsibility. I believe that she is only partly right. If, as she proposes, school districts are required to have classes thaT teach parenting and/or conflict resolution skills they’re essentially teaching personal responsibility. The two go hand-in-hand and are not mutually exclusive. By having legislation trump responsibility, she creates an unreal expectation that the government would actually work to ban certain types of television shows, toys and sports like she suggests. Anyone with an iota of common sense realizes that a government raised on the free market tit is going to have none of that. They might however agree to fund a conflict resolution class for high school freshmen.
Lastly, Miedz viciously attacks any sport that involves physical contact. She vilifies these sports while totally ignoring any of their positive aspects. Yes, she does lay some of the blame on coaches and a society that champions winning at any cost but instead of focusing on changing that mentality she again asks for legislation.
Her hatred for sports and her focus on legislation often undermine her whole argument because they’re totally unrealistic to our society. Members of our government would be laughed out of office if they suggested banning high school football or toy guns. Skip this and read Susan Faludi’s Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man. It’s much more timely, better written and will allow you to come up with your own ideas on how we can raise less violent boys.
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