Blogging the State of the Union

My first State of the Union speech. Lets see what happens.

After a 10 minute party of clapping and superficial greetings the President took the podium. Good speech so far. It's a shame our "commitment to democracy and freedom" is limited to small countries that we can bully. You wanna set lofty goals to spread democracy? How about China and Russia?! :-) Of course, they have nuclear weapons and are otherwise economically strong so we can't really tell them what to do. But sure, we will go and undermine Burma's regime in order to install democracy. Don't get me wrong - I applaud the thought and effort. It's a good cause. Thanks to that good cause we have changed numerous regimes over the years, many times bringing to power the irresponsible, the destructive and certainly anything but democratic governments the world over. Let freedom ring! Across America at least.

6:25pm - Do not question me! Or my wars. This particular marine did not and he died. You wanna die? Follow me! Let freedom ring as we march from nation to nation ensuring America-friendly regimes are left behind.

The Bush administration enthusiasm for democracy reminds me a lot of Brandon Fraser's character in "The Quiet American". He plays the enthusiastic CIA agent supplying weapons to a rebel army in hopes of speeding up regime change. This is all done in the name of spreading democracy (even as the resulting bombings kill many innocents). As he explains this to his friend, an older British journalist (brilliantly played by Michael Caine), he receives a poignant rhetorical question in return: "It's not that simple. So, you give them democracy. And what happens when they elect the communists?" Exactly.

I can't wait to see whether he will talk about Palestine. That is exactly what happened there.

6:32pm - Iran responds: "Dear American president, go fuck yourself. We overthrew your puppet government 26 years ago"

6:35pm - Aha... here we go. Domestic spying. I like how he stressed "international". *lol* And they focus the camera on Hillary Clinton as the entire room applauds - she shakes her head with a smirk. I'd vote for her just for that. Who are all these people clapping? Do all of them support the Patriot Act and domestic spying of American citizens? How about you stand up one by one and tell us why. And then we won't vote for you this Fall.

6:37pm - Freedom is on the march? Aha. See above.

6:39pm - Way to bring down protectionism!! My hat off for that.

6:41pm - Will he call for more tax cuts? Yup, calls for tax cuts to stay. And half of the room stands up in ovation! :)

6:42pm - I'd love to see him list some of those 140 programs he is going to cut. But that wouldn't be pretty. Heh, 14 billion. What huge savings!

6:44pm - Go Democrats!!! That was really cute. They all stood up when Bush said Congress killed his reform of Social Security.

6:45pm - Putting aside partisan politics? Now that is disguisting coming from a man whose adminstration has done nothing but aggressively kill bipartisanship by screwing all the people who were open to it.

6:47pm - Affordable healthcare? No such thing in a country that provides the best healthcare in the world, to those who can afford it. You can either have the best healthcare (for some) or good healthcare for all.

6:49pm - Oil. Here we go. "Advanced Energy Initiative"? Hmmm... nothing new really here. We'll build more coal and nuclear power plants and some solar. Pffttt.. whatever. That ain't gonna help. Ethanol? Whatever. Replacing 75% of our oil consumption from Middle East by 2025? How? Some fancy words, but no plan.

How about you call for some sacrifice? How about you increase the tax on gas? How about you implement an SUV tax? And fuel consumption tax for all cars running on less than 30mpg.

6:51pm - "American Competitiveness Initiative"? Strenthen education? OK. That's cool. R&D deduction? That's good. Canada does that.

How about you strengthen the import of great people from all over the world? Import the best. A lot of American innovation has come from the US harvesting the cream of the crop from around the world. Why pick from a pool of 300 milion when you can pick from a pool of 6 billion!

6:56pm - The American Empire will reign says Bush.

6:58pm - Indeed. Both O'Connor and Rehnquist.

Standing ovations seem to be pretty popular. The whole speech seems like a series of workouts Denis Leary style: "The Chairmaster. I sit down. I get up. I sit down. I get up." It's the new gov't recommended workout initiative to curb obesity.

7:00pm - OK, I totally want to see Hillary Clinton introduce our new first lady Bill Clinton during her State of the Union speech! :-))

7:05pm - It's over. Nothing too crazy.

Children tell: HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?...
( 1 ) You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10
( 2 ) No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. -- Kirsten, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
( 1 ) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10
( 2 ) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married. -- Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
( 1 ) You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
( 1 ) Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
( 1 ) Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. -- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
( 2 ) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
( 1 ) I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns. -- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
( 1 ) When they're rich. -- Pam, age 7
( 2 ) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. -- Curt, age 7
( 3 ) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. -- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
( 1 ) It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
( 1 ) There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? -- Kelvin, age 8

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
( 1 ) Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. -- Ricky, age 10


Blog Note: No editorial comments were made. The text was posted as-is, with only slight changes in formatting and the omission of a somewhat stupid and seemingly arbitrary comment towards the end.

"Typhoid Fever Behind Fall of Athens"

"An estimated one-third of Athenians died, including Pericles, their leader." Ouch!

Hamas and Palestine

If you haven't heard already (it's been hard to miss) Hamas won the Palestinian election. Shock and awe has set in as the political leaders and the media try to figure out how to start anew with a government formed by an organization that US, EU and Israel have been trying very hard to marginalize and destroy. There are a lot of disparaging comments regarding Hamas and this new goverment largely due to the violent zeal of Hamas towards seeing Israel destroyed.

There is a lot of confusion in my mind as to why this is such a big shock? Hamas had strong showing in the pre-election polls. Fatah is extremely corrupt and inefficient! While Fatah hasn't done diddly squat for the people of Palestine Hamas was building schools, hospitals and churches! I strongly disapprove of Hamas' violent ways, but given the choice between Fatah and Hamas I would've voted Hamas too!

Hamas should do a lot of good things for Palestine such as establish law and order and improve the lives of ordinary Palestinians. The downside will most likely be less freedom as they are certain to introduce some religious restrictions on the populace. Considering the disparaging situation that is a good short term trade-off. One can only hope that Hamas will respect the democracy that brought them to power and abstain from setting up an Iranian-style theocracy.

For couples with a gamer (or two)...

First, WoW as a birth control device.
http://www.premisedenied.com/img/blog/WOW.wmv

And then a serenade for the couples with an Xbox.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1329362959167995041

aussielicious

don't ask how i find these sites, i am not sure. considering most of the regulars here are women i consider it a humanitarian part of my blog. so, enjoy the new boytoy of the week ladies! (*lol* well on its way to becoming an irregular column) NOTE: not safe for work

sidenote: body perceptions totally trip me out. this dude may not be a stunner (depends on your taste), but he is certainly not plain. and yet... "Some say good looking, i say plain". modesty is great and all, but give yo'selves some lovin' people!

"Kodesex: Coded Wearable Clothing and Apparel for Sexual Compatibility"

Is it me or is this just weird? I mean would you really want to walk down a street full of strangers and yell "I like fisting!!"?

"Mexican Commission to Give Migrants Maps"

This is kinda like saying: "Good luck and here's a little something for the road." OK, I guess it would be more in the line of, "Well, you know they're going to do it so you might as well give them condoms."

Update 1/26/2006: Well, that was short lived. They just killed it.

Iran Nukes 101

Excellent analysis of the nuclear issue with Iran from The Christian Science Monitor.

Annual list of ideal car brands for car dealers

This is actually a pretty interesting list. It rates based on three factors, but I think it says a lot about what kinds of cars people are generally interested in. Pretty much what you'd expect, but it was interesting to note that Saturn was at a high #4 and Volkwagen at a low #16. Maybe due to other factors, but I've only heard bad stuff about Saturn quality and it seems to me Volkswagen has some solid products with high popularity (Bug, Jetta), especially amongst women.

Any thoughts on that? In California at least 90% of Volkswagen drivers are women.

Clinton for President!

Speaking of the current administration she woved to fight to bring "an end to cronyism, incompetence and cover-ups."

That is the best three-point summary of our current presidency. Just another reason I'd vote for her if she ran. Clinton for President for another term! :-)

"I, Cringely" tech predictions for 2006

Makes for a very interesting and entertaining read, if you're into computer tech at all.

Become a warlord and spread your genes

They suspect Genghis Khan has 16 million descendants! Damn! Screw marriage and 2 1/2 kids. Get your junta and start conquering something.

"Calif. Governor Has No Mercy for Inmate"

As well he shouldn't! As the brother of the victim commented:

"Allen's repeated appeals are the only reason he is old and frail."

And when you consider why he is on death row:

"Allen was serving time for murder when he ordered the three slayings because he feared the victims' testimony would hurt the success of his appeal, prosecutors said. Allen's hired hit man, Billy Ray Hamilton, was also sentenced to death."

Mercy? Yah, I don't think so buddy.

If we want to stop death penalty on the grounds that it is inhumane, uncivilized and the like - fine. But as long as we have it there should be no mercy for cruel and brutal murderers who showed their victims none.

"Report: Aniston wasn't alerted to Jolie pregnancy"

The entertainment industry produces such drivel sometimes.

We're all rooting for your butt...

You know this one and the Carl's Jr. Milk Shake commercial where the guy is getting his freak on with the cow go for some of my strangest recent advertising encounters.

Shake, shake, shake...

Shake that booty boyfriend!

"RUFSKIN denim offers men a chance to own a unique, well-fitted and sexy designer jean. Yes guys....you have the right to look sexy in jeans too! Show off what you got!"

And to complete the experience you have to check out the actual site for the manufacturer: Rufskin Jeans. I just have such a hard time picking a favorite. There are too many contestants.

"U.S. Faces Severe Worker Shortage in Future"

"[U.S. Chamber of Commerce will be] working to obtain a bill that provides the workers and is in keeping without our legacy as a welcoming nation"

HA! What a joke. You destroyed your legacy as a welcoming nation by effectively killing immigration, creating the gordian knot that is the INS and the US immigration process (or lack thereof), refusing visas to noted scholars, making it difficult for students to obtain/extend visas, halting green card applications for skilled workers, treating people like cattle at your border crossings, treating all foreigners like criminals, etc, etc, etc.

This great nation does not understand the meaning of the word "welcoming"!!