Taking the Week Off

This movie spoof has lead to bigger and better ideas and I'm going to be spending this week coming up with ideas, checking the bases, and working everything out to prepare for our feature length mockumentary. I'll see everyone post-holiday, be safe.

I do have that itch

A great article today in the USA Today about Troops Getting Different Tattoos once they come home from Afghanistan and Iraq.

In the beginning they wanted tattoos that identified them by name, religion or simply as soldiers, as Freeman did, says tattoo artist Scott LaGrange, 26, of Forever Tattoos in Evans Mills.

"That's when their religion comes out," LaGrange says. "Crosses, bottles of booze, hearts with 'Mom' and 'Dad.' "

A former Marine and veteran of Afghanistan, LaGrange says those who return are requesting skulls, patriotic phrases or memorials to fallen comrades.

"It's more what had happened to them," he says.

Returning troops often want tattoos to express their intense feelings, or even to blot them out — if only for a short time.

"A little bit of pain makes you forget about a whole load of it," says Joe Robbins, 37, owner Empyre Tattoo.

As a tattoo person, it's always nice to see an article that puts tattoos in a positive light as it still has that stigma of bikers and ruffians to most people, even though my generation is probably more tattooed then any American generation prior. This article just reminds me that I need to go see my guy next month, it's been far too long.

The Result of My Labor of Love

The Holiday When Prada Departed The D

Go, watch, make sure to rank it five stars (pretty please?) and send us (well me since MTV will only send one person) to the MTV Movie Awards. Send it to friends, family, co-workers, dock workers, and anyone else who has internet access.

I'd also love to hear your thoughts on it, and for the record, that was the second take of her doing an actual powerslide on the carpet.

Be Missing Today

I'm trying to come up and organize people to make one of the MTV Movie Award Spoofs and it will take all of my time today. I've already lost the potential cast to film The Departed with various other roles in it and now I might be forced into a chick flick. Lord save us all.

Smack Yo Bitch Up

Rep. Ron Paul laid another bitch slap to the Republican nominees last night during the second debate. Finally a candidate told the truth of some of the reason why were attacked on 9/11. It wasn't because they hate our FREEDOMS, it's due to the policy and actions of our government over the last quarter of a century.

Rudy Giuliani apparently took offense to the FACTS and tried to go after Ron Paul. Since Rudy is trying to run as the Mr. Terrorism Defeater since he was Mayor of NYC during 9/11 (who doesn't even have the support of his former constituents) he wanted to sound strong, in the end I think he hurt himself. Then on the blowback, Hannity and Colmes, who must have had a shot of courage prior to this, Ron Paul smacked Hannity as well.

I don't know which Republican talking point Hannity was trying to push, as he tried about five at once, but Paul and Colmes were able to correct him. I wouldn't mind a Paul/Hagel ticket as now one outside of NYC cares for Bloomberg. In the end Ron Paul even won Faux News American Idol imitation text poll, though of course Faux tried to spin that as well. We may as well call Faux News The Spin Cycle.

My Office Is Dee Dee Dee

So I just received a call from one of my bosses...

Jaba-Does anyone have YouTube or MySpace on their computers?

Joker-Uhh...no, the Pentagon blocked all access so to them from the .mil network.

Jaba-So no one has it on their machines then?

Joker-Nooo, they cannot reach it when input the address.

Jaba-Good, I was worried that the secretaries were using them after that decision.

Joker-YouTube and MySpace are websites, they aren't programs, no one can access them now. The Pentagon merely blocked the websites.

Jaba-Oh, ok, so no one has it on their computers then, ok thanks. (click)

(head. desk)

Yeah, I....I'm just speechless that I had to have the conversation. It even says on the memo, the websites of etc etc etc. Yeah, I've told you I work in a very SPECIAL office.

Fall of the Moral Majority

I guess I should say something about the passing of Christian blow-hard Jerry Falwell yesterday. I have no love for the guy and I'm trying my damnedest not to dance on his grave. I don't feel sympathy for friends and family, it's always tough to lose a family member or someone you're close to. I could say something nice and say something like...he touched many people's lives, but then again so did Pinochet.

I know some people gasp when there has been comments like, one down now it's time for Pat Robertson to push up daisies. Hell, I thought it too. These two men have caused more harm to our nation arguably then any other two men in the last quarter century. This was a man who had the audacity to say our embrace of homosexuality is why God punished us with 9-11. So I'm supposed to feel sorry that this cosmic jackass is dead?

Hell no I won't, and I won't feel bad when Pat Robertson is released from the mortal coil. These men lead a religion that is supposed to be based on love and forgiveness but preach hate and damnation. They love to say what Jesus would do, but their turning business into a business goes right against the teachings of Christ.

John 2:13-15
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

In the last 25 years they have preached hatred and condemned people of other lifestyles because it wasn't what THEY believed, Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. Pat Robertson even went against the Ten Commandments, which the right hold in such high regard, and called for the assassination of Hugo Chavez. It was people like these two assclowns that led me to almost despise organized religion. I grew up in a religious household of a sort, I knew my bible, I know the message Jesus taught and it wasn't this message. About ten years ago it went from love, forgiveness, and the good news of Jesus Christ. In the last ten, it has become hellfire and brimstone, damnation and how all these sins are to be blamed for our lot in life.

I'm sorry, I just don't buy it. I think these two figured out people will gladly give money to save their souls from fire on Earth, a message of the great evil that surrounds us, then a message of peace, love and prosperity. I know I'm ranting, but these people get under my skin like no one else. I know around every turn of the century the Christians get like this, expecting the Rapture and Revelations, but it's tired.

The saddest thing is John McCain, so determined to become President he sold his morals and integrity to attempt to win favor of these far right whack jobs. He once called Jerry Falwell "an agent of intolerance" and he was completely right. Since losing in 2000 he has sold his soul to the devils of this world in an attempt to be President and it hurts me a lil bit inside. Damn, I didn't want to dance on a grave, but it looks like I went off on a rant a bit.

Punisher 2 News

I think I was one of a few people who enjoyed The Punisher from the comic book community. I think it was brilliant, money wise and story wise, to move the location to Florida. The crime bosses down there are still as vicious as they have ever been and brings a bit of reality to the story. Plus not every Marvel movie can be set in New York City can it?

I didn't know much of Thomas Jane before the movie, I knew him from Deep Blue Sea but other then that nothing sprung to mind. See I have always been in the camp of Henry Rollins needs to play The Punisher. Myself and many others believes he is a dead on ringer for our favorite vigilante. That being said I LOVED what Thomas Jane did with the character and I believed in it, I really really enjoyed the flick.

Ever since then he has been the biggest supporter of The Punisher 2. He has always been involved in the direction of this film and was trying desperately to get this film made. Well, apparently that is all over.

What I won't do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don't believe in. I've always loved the Marvel guys, and wish them well. Meanwhile, I'll continue to search for a film that one day might stand with all those films that the fans have asked me to watch.

The stinks of someone who really doesn't know shit from shinola messing with the script and going away from the source material that the fans and Jane love. He has been a die hard fan of the fans and wanted to do this right. Him pulling out of the picture tells me they're working on an abomination, and no I'm not talking about the Hulk 2 villain.

Rare Throwback

Since YouTube is now blocked at work I can no longer post throwbacks during the day. Though my best friend Dock let me in on this sweet gem from 91.


The best thing is how Kevin Nash is in character the entire time

I Hate Police Week

So this week is the annual Police Week in Washington, DC and I felt the brunt of it last night when I was DJing kickball. The highlight of the night was when the Suffolk County Pipers came down to The Swerve and played for a few minutes for our enjoyment. Being the resident kilt wearer I obviously got a huge kick out of it. Though I had to spend some of the time explaining to my friend why you don't ask an IRISH Pipers for Scotland The Brave.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate Cops, the job they do, or the people themselves. What I hate is this event in my bar. You see, I usually get to go home when they shut down The Swerve. The rest of kickball is gone and I can go home and sleep a lil sleep. Last night however was not the case, and I was not informed of such until about midnight. There was not many folks down there and so I played some of the harder requests that had been made. One of the managers didn't appreciate and as such I had to go back to the grind of country, 80s, pop and grinding music.

Let me tell you folks there is nothing more terrifying then see two late 30s early 40s cops grinding each other on the dance floor. I mean this was basically the cop version of Band Candy. Of course they would argue over what they want to hear, hip-hop and dance music or, "that college rock stuff the kids like". There was one gentleman, easily had to be in his fifties who was falling all over the place, passing out, knocking over beers, until his friend finally convinced him to attempt the stairs.

I finally was allowed to leave about 2am, and as I reached the top of the stairs I have never EVER seen The Times as packed as I saw it that night. They weren't letting people in it was so crowded. Of course the folks downstairs had no complaints, there was only about 30, compared to the two hundred or so upstairs. I walked out at one am or so for a smoke and these bastards were still coming out of the woodwork, I couldn't believe my eyes. We're not talking a few, we're talking in swarms of twenty.

The second blast of the evening was seeing the Sommerset County Pipers playing in the middle of the street and the go off marching into the barren streets of DC at one in the morning, with my hope they would wake the nation's capitol. I do not wish that night on anyone, a bunch of officers of law drunken as a kitten with catnip, all trying to obey the law. I will say this for them all, they can drink with the best of them, some just can't control themselves all the time.

We All Hate Comcast

Hell, if you have cable you probably hate your provider as well. Sen. John Rockerfeller (D-WV) is going to introduce a bill that has something to do with Television violence and this has led to the Cable Choice a la carte option that many folks want. John Dunbar, AP, has more:

The Federal Communications Commission released a report in late April suggesting to Congress that an a la carte system would allow parents to shield their children from violent shows by not subscribing to the channels that carry them.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who has been unshakable in his support of channel choice, says it can't happen without federal legislation. And thus far, the issue has gotten little traction on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., who is expected to unveil a bill addressing television violence any day now, has opposed the creation of an a la carte system.

The overall lack of support might seem surprising, considering that the average household in 2006 received 104 channels, yet tuned in to only 16 of them, according to the Nielsen TV ratings company.

A la carte is being supported by the Parent's Television Council and Consumer's Union and is being opposed by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, an industry trade group. Of course this is because, despite their claims, subscribers would be charged less money not more. Yeah, they may need to hire more staff, but they need to do that anyway because 90% of Comcast employees are fucking dee dee dee.

I am in full favor of a la carte, especially since it would hopefully shut the Parents Television Council up, which I've been dying to have for a decade now. So this now brings to mind, what channels would you want? The study shows that people only really watch 16 channels so my question to you is what twenty channels would you choose to have on your cable subscription?

My List
ABC
CBS
NBC
FOX
The CW
ESPN
ESPN 2
MASN
USA
TNT
Sci-Fi
Comedy Central
BRAVO
History Channel
NFL Network
A&E
MSNBC
Food Network
SPIKE TV
Cartoon Network

Theocrat of the Week

Goes to Joseph Scheilder, head of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action Network (PLAN) who won his Supreme Court case on a technicality. This case has been going on since the 80s, Scheilder was the head of the folks were bombing and committing arson against abortion clinics.

Scheidler, a leader of some of the most violent anti-abortion protests in American history, is celebrating final victory in a civil suit that lasted 21 years, and went to the U.S. Supreme Court three separate times before it was dismissed on a technicality. Scheidler and his allies orchestrated violent clinic protests at the same time he was praising notorious criminals, visiting convicted clinic arsonists in prison, and personally pleading (unsuccessfully) for pardons from then-president Reagan. The better known Operation Rescue, was created by, and was a project of the Scheidler-led PLAN.
...
The Supreme Court did not dispute the factual findings of the federal jury that criminal acts had been committed -- only that they did not constitute extortion. Free speech and the First Amendment rights of protest were not an issue. Nevertheless, Scheidler, told the Associated Press:

"It's really about free speech."

Right, bombing a building, burning it down and harassing the employees of said building is all about free speech. How very Christian of you, little baby Jesus must be so proud of you sir. You are truly a role model to the religious zealot faction of this once great nation that is sadly growing in this country. You're the people who hijacked the Republican Party because you have some idiotic belief that this is a "Christian" nation.

Now I don't need to go into detail about how I wouldn't piss on this guy if he was on fire, but I do have a question. In this 9/11 world we now live in, are the acts he committed in the 80s forms of Terrorism? I would think so, if they were perpetrated by someone from the Nation of Islam the entire country would be out with pitchforks and torches.

Ten on Tuesday

10 Songs That Make You Cry

This is an interesting list as I didn't think I could fill it but then I remembered that I could. I will not only list the songs, but where they come from in relation to when they first made me cry.

10. Last Kiss-Pearl Jam-No where really, and this one doesn't really make me cry it's just very sad to me.

9.Everywhere-Tim McGraw-It made me cry once due to my first really bad break up, and it was how I felt about it at the time.

8.Questions In A World of Blue-Juliee Cruise-An absolutely beautiful song in Twin Peaks:Fire Walk With Me. First time I saw it, I think the song plus seeing Laura Palmer crying got me.

7.If I Had Only Known-Reba McEntire-The first of the two songs from 8 Seconds that just rip your ever loving heart right out.

6.It's Your Song-Garth Brooks-Just listening to this song on the live album and the passion behind it you break down when he breaks down.

5.Wild Horses-The Sundays-I know what some of you are thinking and yes, this is from the Buffy Prom episode when Angel walks in for that perfect prom moment. Yeah, I know, sue me I fucking loved that show.

4.Full of Grace-Sarah McLachlan-Once again we have Buffy, the song that is played right after she has saved the world by putting a sword in the gut of the man she loves.

3.Once In A While-Billy Dean-Our second entry from 8 Seconds, just thinking about the song right now is making me teary eyed. Jesus does this song get to me.

2.Sgt McKenzie-Clann An Drumma-Mind you that Clann An Drumma is my favorite band ever, but most of you know this song from the movie We Were Soldiers as they fly into the first battle.

1.Amazing Grace-Bagpipes-I won't lie to you people, this is also the song that caused me to cry at the movie for the first time. Say it with me, Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan, Spock's funeral.

Quote of the Day

"No, the insane ones would make a suit of the rock and march into Metropolis and play king of the mountain."-Black Mask, Batman #638 in reference to Kryptonite and Red Hood's sanity.

For some reason I found this fucking hysterical.

Well That Explains It

via CNN:

The Defense Department will begin blocking access "worldwide" to YouTube, MySpace and 11 other popular Web sites on its computers and networks, according to a memo sent Friday by Gen. B.B. Bell, the U.S. Forces Korea commander.

The policy is being implemented to protect information and reduce drag on the department's networks, according to Bell.

I suppose this is the reason why I don't get to spend my days watching videos and the like at work. It also could be suggested that it's the reason I've blogged more on average in the last week then I have the entire time I've run Planet Houston.

With that in mind, I've noticed a HUGE spike in my traffic over the last few weeks. In the last three weeks I've had something like 3000 visitors, and I want to thank you all. Since BlogPatrol is still down I have no idea where you all are coming from, if there really is that many people taking interest in me. So please, tell me about yourselves, where you found me and what brings you back every day?

Stats are facts...right?

Carlos Mencia hit the nail on the head when this so called "report" was published recently. Of course they call more fouls on black players then they do on white players, they are the majority of the NBA. I think each team might have a token white guy, though only a few are considered "stars". Almost every white star in the NBA is a foreigner as well, (see Nash, Steve and Nowitzki, Dirk). Hell, let me go take a look at this year's All NBA team and see if I see any player who is a white American.

First Team: F Tim Duncan, F Dirk Nowitzki (German), C Amare Stoudemire, G Kobe Bryant, G Steve Nash (Canadian).
Second Team: F LeBron James, F Chris Bosh, C Yao Ming, G Gilbert Arenas, G Tracy McGrady
Third Team: F Kevin Garnett, F Carmelo Anthony, C Dwight Howard, G Dwyane Wade, G Chauncey Billups

Ok, so nothing there, if I had the time I would check each roster of starters to see how many of those people are white but off the top of my head I can say Luke Walton (American), Wally Szczerbiak (Spanish), Kirk Hinrich (American), Mike Dunleavy (American), Mike Bibby (American), and Mehmet Okur (Turkish). Of those the closest one of those players who can even get into the conversation is Kirk Hinrich, MAYBE Mike Bibby and Luke Walton a few years from now, but that's it.

Of course this all came out after the Tim Duncan ref suspension incident occurred right before the playoffs. I know there are a good number of people who LOVE, I mean absolutely adore, playing the race card (see Sharpton, Al). Sometimes there are definitely legitimate concerns about how certain races are treated (see LAPD) and other times it has almost nothing to do with it (see Bonds, Barry). Personally I don't see why a study like this even has to take place. To me, someone who was raised in a multi-cultural society in Northern California, the only racism I experienced growing up was my grandfather who still used racist words because he grew up in a time where that was the norm.

Racism is a huge problem still in this world and I wish it didn't exist, but what doesn't help the situation is when people try to use it where it as a scapegoat and there is no legitimate claim. That is why I see so many people pay no regard to anything that Al Sharpton says, because no matter what the situation the fault lies in racism. Shaquille O'Neal does not get called for fouls by NBA referees because he is black, it's because he is a huge lumbering oaf who just powers people that isn't allowed by the rules of the game. Bill Laimbeer was one of the all time biggest culprits of committing fouls, and he is about as white as they come.

On a quick side note, I always loved watching Bill Laimbeer play when I was a kid. Hell, I loved the Pistons style of play, even growing up in California where we had Magic, Worthy and Kareem. He was one of my top five players I enjoyed watching growing up (Dominique Wilkins is my favorite b-ball player ever) without a doubt. I believe he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, it always bugs me that we give this decision in some sports over to writers, they can be so fickle and can carry a grudge forever.

What Would You Do With A Billion Dollars

via Crooks and Liars:

While there is some disagreement on the idea of troop deadlines for US soldiers in Iraq, all sides seem to be on board with the amount included in the bill to fund the war.

Including the $124.2 billion bill, the total cost of the Iraq war may reach $456 billion in September, according to the National Priorities Project, an organization that tracks public spending.

The amount got us wondering: What would $456 billion buy?

You can take a glimpse of what it could buy with Boston.com's gallery.

I find it funny that while we are more then willing to give $400 billion for this illegal war we tighten our purse strings when it comes to helping our OWN folks here at home devastated by natural disasters, which the government is at fault in certain occasions (see levees).

More than 20 months after the Katrina catastrophe, tens of thousands of houses remain vacant, in part because of administrative delays in the aid program, the largest single source of direct federal help for homeowners. To date, only 16,000 of 130,000 applicants have received money.

Now, ICF Consulting, the Fairfax firm hired to administer the claims as part of Louisiana's Road Home program, projects that the allotted aid budget of $6.9 billion will fall $2.9 billion short of the claims from homeowners who have been promised checks.

Read the whole story at The Washington Post.

It is shameful that we give more to other countries when a natural disaster hits then we do to ourselves. It's almost two years later and people are STILL living in FEMA trailers and that is inexcusable. We have no problem apparently throwing money to Haliburton, Blackwater, and other Haliburton subsidiaries, but when it comes to actually helping our own people there apparently is nothing to gain, no monetary reason to attempt restore their lives back before Katrina hit.

If I were the Democrats and want to get REALLY creative with the War Funding Bill and make it lethal to Republicans, add some pork that no one with a heart would object to. Add say $20 billion dollars of aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina and those who lost their homes in the recent tornadoes in Kansas. See what Bush's response to the bill is, sure it makes it even more political then it already is, but you can claim that you're at least trying to help people here while funding the war as well.

The Politicizing of Justice

Many have commented how ironic it would be to have the person to take down a powerful arm of the Administration if her name was Monica. The New York Times has an article up about this very thing.:

She also insisted that she be given final approval in hiring assistant United States attorneys in offices where there was an interim chief prosecutor. Interim United States attorneys always had to seek permission for hiring, but the review was typically lower level and involved checking that sufficient slots were available, current and former employees said.

But Ms. Goodling’s reviews delayed hiring decisions for weeks or months, creating problems in busy offices, and her concerns at times appeared to be for partisan reasons.

In one case, Ms. Goodling told a federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia that she was not signing off on an applicant who had graduated from Howard University Law School, and then worked at the Environmental Protection Agency.

“He appeared, based on his résumé, to be a liberal Democrat,” Ms. Goodling told Jeffrey A. Taylor, the acting United States attorney in Washington, according to two of the department employees who asked not to be named. “That wasn’t what she was looking for.”

Mr. Taylor ultimately found a way to go around Ms. Goodling in hiring the applicant.
She appeared to take similar concerns about political leanings into account when making decisions about promotions and special assignments for Justice Department lawyers.

I love the fact that this is the woman who wanted to plead the fifth when asked to testify to Congress. In the past pleading the fifth has been used so that you don't incriminate yourself in a crime. Well, this would be the huge smokestack rising from DoJ that lets us know that there is definitely fire where we believe it is. A judge has recently granted an immunity deal to Ms. Goodling in regards to her testimony to Congress. I don't have the details with me, but she more or less can only be charged with perjury after this, no criminal actions. I don't believe this has anything to do with Iglesias filing a Hatch Act complaint either, just what is brought up during Congress.

Now we will see the lady who is such a die-hard Republican and Christian if she will actually stick to her Christian teachings and not lie under oath. She says she expects to tell the truth when testifying, which I will be pleasantly surprised to see, but I expect we will hear much of the same as we've heard during this entire process. A good amount of I don't recall, I can't remember, I've searched my memory and have no recollection, you know things of that nature.

I won't lie, I'd love to see this topple the house of cards that the administration built because Karl Rove never expected to lose the power base they had in Congress. The politicizing of DoJ may only be the tip of the iceberg, with Congress intent on finding how far down the rabbit hole really goes.

Pacman Jones-Worst Person of the Year

The story about Pacman Jones making it "rain" and the shooting at a Vegas strip club has received a great deal of press in these last few months. It forced Roger Goodell to suspend Pacman Jones for the entire year, even though he is appealing it, and let to what was needed by the NFL, a new player conduct policy. Pacman even took out an ad in a Nashville paper to apologize to the fans.

That is all fine and dandy, apologize to the fans for not being able to stay out of trouble. You talk about earning back their trust, making amends and the like but have you apologized to Tommy Urbanski yet? CNNSI has a great story about Mr. Urbanski who is paralyzed after the shooting. A former professional wrestler, no I don't recognize him must have been a run of the mill indy worker, is paralyzed from his belly button down after the shooting. The man has a 9mm bullet permantely lodge into his spine cause of this and all he did is walk outside.

My problem with this whole situation is I haven't heard Pacman Jones apologize to this man whose life has been turned upside down after only trying to help put his wife through law school. He apologized for letting down the team and basically being a menace to society, but what about the immediate harm your actions and the actions of the people you run with with? All anyone seems to care about is how this affects the Tennessee Titans and the NFL conduct policy, not the fact that Tommy Urbanski is permanently in a wheelchair because of this.

I would like to ask Mr. Goodell if the year long suspension was too soft for Pacman Jones. Some have said, oh it's far too hard, but I disagree completely. When you are involved in an incident that results in a shooting that results in someone being paralyzed you deserve far more then just a suspension. I hope the Vegas PD are not afraid of Jones and his lawyers and slam the book on him and send him to prison for a few years. So he may have ruined the Titans season, who cares, they'll have plenty of other seasons. Tommy Urbanksi however will likely never walk again and for that Pacman Jones needs to be held responsible.

Mission Accomplished

That's right ladies and gentlemen, I bypassed the closer supermarkets yesterday to go find my second grail of ice cream of the Ben and Jerry and Stephen Colbert fame, Americone Dream. We might as well call this our new 37 part series, Better Know An Ice Cream. It wasn't all cotton candy and rainbows finding this ice cream either, it took effort, it took dedication, and a relentless will to find this brand of ice cream.

I walked into Safeway yesterday to get my breakfast and lunch items for work this week. I knew what to get, I had a game plan and a portion of that game plan was to find The Dream. I knew from Ben and Jerry's website that this Safeway sold The Dream, so it was only a matter of time until I came across it. I had my roommate SB with me and I had to help her with her shopping. You have to understand, SB is in her early 20s and moved down here from the rural Jersey/PA border. To put it into context she once watched a cow float by one day when there was a flood.

Her parents are old fashioned, to the point of they never want her to go anywhere alone because she could be raped and killed by some maniac. I wish I was making this up, but I'm not. She also doesn't know how to cook much of anything other then Mac and Cheese. So as we perused the aisles I pointed out things that shouldn't be that difficult for her to make for dinner and the like. This took up a good portion of our time until we finally emerged onto the ice cream aisle.

As I approached I had a sense of anticipation, much like a child on a crisp Christmas Morning awaiting to see what presents Santa Colbert had left for me. SB was excited as well as she wanted to try the Vermonty Python. As we walked up the aisle the BnJ section almost gave off a holy glow, much like ancient paintings of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. We approached slowly, making sure to look down for it is forbidden to look into the face of one's God. We finally reached the section and right there SB was quite excited for the was a plethora of Vermonty Python for her enjoyment.

I however looked and Americone Dream was not to be found. I searched every row, Cherry Garcia, Cookie Dough, Willie Nelson's, The Gobfather, a Phish one, everything but MY Grail. I continued to look, checking the labels of the empty spots and FINALLY came across one barcode. Above the barcode and numbers it clearly said, AMERICONE DREAM. It however...was empty. I almost felt crushed, like running up to the Stadium expecting to see KISS in concert but learning that it was sold out. I felt defeated briefly, the very will that propelled my hung over stature was slowly crumbling like ashes in a campfire.

I then looked up, with a renewed sense of religious fervor that only abortion clinic bombers can match. I could sense that it was in there, somewhere it was in there, The Dream was in this freezer, I just had to find it! I looked next to it, I don't even remember what it was it was insignificant. I decided to pull out the very last one in that row since all that was facing me was the nutritional information. As it turned to my face I felt like Joseph of Arimathea as there smiling back at me was none other then Stephen Colbert. I had in my hand, finally, my own portion of the Americone Dream. I immediately sent a text to Anita proclaiming my victory over Satan and his legions.

That night I sat down after dinner to the Law and Order channel, intent on discovering what the Americone Dream tasted like. Was it everything it promised to be and then some? Could it match the might which was the power of the Vermonty Python? I figured the only way to be sure was to do what I did with the Python, and eat the entire thing right there. Well, I ate it, I loved it, it was absolutely delicious. The question remains though, was this as good as Vermonty Python?

A day later and I still have not come to the conclusion, I am no closer to the answer. Much like the old blind taste test on the street corner, this will need a competition to see who is the superior ice cream once and for all. I will buy one portion of Vermonty Python and Americone Dream and we will have our first Planet Houston taste off for the best ice cream on the planet. I will likely have my roommates SB and MF accompany me in this endeavor. I will take their thoughts into consideration, but in the end it will be mine and mine alone to determine which ice cream truly is superior.

Updated The Space

Yeah, I updated the colors (a lil Longhorn and Browns action for ya) messed with a few settings and there ya go. Any thoughts on the updates?

More Then Meets The Eye and then some

Michael Bay has posted images of what the Autobots and Decipticons will look like this summer in his annual overhyped blockbuster, Transformers. Naturally I have issues with these, he seems to be suffering from George Lucas syndrome.

Mr. Bay, a friendly word of advice that Mr. Lucas didn't heed. Just because you can update something and make it all kinds of flashy and futuristic doesn't mean you should. These things shouldn't look like different models of the T-100 and a car combined. For example the following is Frenzy the difference between Frenzy in the movie and classic Frenzy.

Now do either of these two items look similar to you what so ever? Besides how are you going to have Frenzy when you're not even bothering with Soundwave?! So you don't see it feasible having a boom box as one of the items, but a pistol you have no problem with? Update it, make it a stage of some kind with speakers, there's your Soudwave. I mean you have a good group of Decepticons, and the only big names one you take are Megatron, Starscream and to a lesser extent Frenzy, but who should really be Rumble. No Constructacons, no Skywarp, no laserbeak or ravage, and no Shockwave. Hell, most of their Transformers come from later generations or from their own subconscious. I don't care if Soundwave "Has a big part in the sequel" we'll never see it if you bomb the first one assclowns.

The Autobots aren't much better, though at least they give you name characters. You have Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz, Rachet, and Ironhide, all names we all recognize from the original show. These appear somewhat more like their cartoon counterparts, for example Jazz still has his shades eyes.
Though I am sad that Volkswagon didn't want to be a part of this movie and as such Bumblebee will not be a bug. I still just don't understand the thought process of eliminating the outer casing for more of a Terminator feel. Am I crazy in this thought, am I the only one worried they're gonna completely ruin this movie but like a schmuck I'm gonna see it anyways? Please folks, tell me I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Into The Black

You scored as Serenity (Firefly). You like to live your own way and don’t enjoy when anyone but a friend tries to tell you should do different. Now if only the Reavers would quit trying to skin you. Serenity (Firefly) 100% Moya (Farscape) 88% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 88% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 75% Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 75% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 69% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 69% SG-1 (Stargate) 69% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 63% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 56% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 56% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 50% Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

Quote of the Day

Rep. Linda Sanchez this morning on the Stephanie Miller Show:

My father has Alzheimer's and has a better memory then Alberto Gonzalez.

It's funny cause it's true.

Painting Prodigy

A 12 year old girl apparently paints the visions she receives from god. This isn't the case of a religious nuthouse, her mother was apparently atheist when all this began. I don't want to go into the entire spirituality of this, but she is quite the excellent painter. I don't think I've seen someone that young paint something that beautiful. The only question I have is, why does Heaven look like Middle Earth? Is it just me?

Fantasy Island

Source: The Hollywood Reporter
May 10, 2007

Eddie Murphy is attached to star in Columbia Pictures' big-screen adaptation of Fantasy Island, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Murphy will play multiple roles in the film, which is based on the popular TV series that ran from 1978-84 and starred Ricardo Montalban.

Described as a family-oriented comedy, the project will be written by Jay Scherick and David Ronn, who most recently teamed with Murphy on Norbit.

So basically it will take a decent show and bastardize it, much like Charlie's Angels. Of course, this is also the movie that Eddie Murphy has made for the last ten years save Dreamgirls and Shrek. I've heard of mailing it in but jesus christ on a pogo stick, I mean Rob Schiender stretches more acting in an Adam Sandler movie then Eddie Murphy does now a days. Then again we shouldn't be shocked, 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop were more or less the same character as well. Hell, last I checked Khan Noonian Singh was still alive...just like you left me...buried alive!!!

While you're at it, take a look at these Star Trek Inspirational Posters

Covering Your Own Ass

By Edward Cody, Washington Post Foreign Service, Washington Post May 9, 2007

China will send a military engineering unit to help strengthen the overtaxed African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, the Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday, following criticism that Beijing has not done enough to support peace efforts in the region.

A spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, did not say how many Chinese soldiers would be dispatched or what their duties would be, describing them as "multifunctional" military engineers. U.S. officials in Washington estimated the number at around 300, the Reuters news agency reported.

The decision to help bolster the 7,000 African Union peacekeepers was seen mainly as a gesture to underline Chinese support for a U.N.-administered solution to the four-year-old conflict in western Sudan's Darfur region. Since an armed secessionist revolt began there in 2003, as many as 450,000 people have died from violence and disease and about 2.5 million have fled their homes.

In recent weeks, the Darfur crisis has become particularly sensitive in China because of suggestions in the United States and Europe that people should boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics to demonstrate opposition to Chinese policies in Sudan. China, which has deep economic and military ties there, has been widely criticized for failing to bring strong pressure on the government to persuade it to accept a large force of U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur.

The ties include large oil purchases and extensive arms sales. The human rights group Amnesty International recently charged that the purchases and sales have been continuing despite U.N. calls for an embargo. Jiang, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, declined to respond to questions about the Amnesty charges. But she said China's arms sales to Sudan are strictly controlled, include only conventional weapons and do not violate U.N. regulations.

Five of the African Union peacekeepers were killed April 1, leading to warnings that the Darfur situation could deteriorate further unless more is done to stop the fighting. Clashes involving the Sudanese army, allied militias and a half-dozen rebel groups have erupted regularly despite a peace agreement reached a year ago. Fifteen A.U. soldiers have been killed since the peacekeepers were stationed in Darfur in 2004.

The U.N. Security Council decided in August to send more than 20,000 peacekeeping troops and police officers to halt the bloodshed, which the Bush administration has described as genocide. But the Sudanese government, headed by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, has insisted that Sudanese authorities should retain control over the rebellious area and suggested that the African Union force should be allowed to do the job.

As negotiations continue about the full U.N. force, Bashir has accepted a 3,500-member interim U.N. force designed to strengthen the African Union units already on the spot. The Chinese engineers were being dispatched as part of those reinforcements, which have been called a "heavy support package," U.S. officials said.

Rejecting the criticism from abroad, Jiang said China also has "a positive attitude" toward getting the full-strength U.N. force to Darfur. Throughout the struggle, however, the Chinese government has insisted that whatever the United Nations does should first be approved by Bashir's government. Citing that stand, it abstained when the Security Council voted in August to send 20,000 peacekeepers.

So the Chinese Government, one considered to be one of the bad guys by our Administration and Jack Bauer are assisting in the Darfur crisis. Of course we could have troops there if they weren't too busy fighting and dying in an oilman's war. How bad does this look, a Communist country is assisting in Africa, a location that to my knowledge they haven't helped with much in the past. We are being upstaged by China and this is all on your shoulders Dubya.

Then again, this may be to just cover their own ass in regards to arming the various sides in this conflict along with the Russians.
via New York Times, May 9, 2007:

China and Russia are supplying arms to Sudan that are being used to fuel the violence in the Darfur region, in violation of a United Nations arms embargo, Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday.

“The irresponsible transfer of arms to Sudan and its neighbors are a significant factor in the massive human rights catastrophe in Darfur and its spread into eastern Chad,” Amnesty International said.

The report said “the bulk” of the arms were transferred from China and Russia, without giving specific figures. It added that Beijing and Moscow should have been aware that their military equipment was being used for attacks on civilians.

A Sudanese government spokesman, Bakri Mulah, denied the report’s accusations, saying, “It is the sort of claim that has no material proof.” A spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Jiang Yu, said Chinese sales to African nations were “very limited and small in scale,” but refused to say whether any were being made to Sudan. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “no Russian weapons have been shipped to Darfur.”

In March 2005, the Security Council extended an arms embargo already in force in Darfur for the rebels and the militias to include Sudan’s government.

The Amnesty report said the group was particularly concerned about Russian Mi-24 helicopter gunships acquired by Sudan that were said to be used for attacks in Darfur.

A photo of three Chinese “Fantan” fighter jets on the tarmac of an airport in southern Darfur was also in the report.

So, we have China sending troops over to "assist" with the Darfur crisis at the same time Amnesty International releases this report, coincidence? Perhaps, they may have merely buckled to the international pressure, or they could be doing the work of covering their ass and disobeying the UN embargo of weapons in the region.

You know what is truly sad about this entire situation, it's that George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Elie Wiesel and other non government workers have done more to help the region then governments have. Why is it individual citizens are having to Save Darfur and politicians only talk about it when there is a rally at your doorstep?

The Greatest Ice Cream Ever?!

Sunday night Anita and I were at the store gathering components in what was to become a very delicious dinner that I cooked us when we stopped by the Ben and Jerrys location of the Giant Supermarket. Of course I was looking for my so far unobtainable holy grail when I came upon another type of...graaaaaaaaaail. Yes, I came upon Vermonty Python ice cream from Ben and Jerrys. I've loved my concoction that I made at Cold Stone (chocolate shavings, sweet cream ice cream and whip cream) but not even that holds a candle to this explosion of deliciousness.

When they say , "Fudge Cows" they mean fudge cows. Each intact piece of fudge, which I usually don't eat, was imprinted in the shape of a cow. The cookie crunch swirl is an actual cookie crunch swirl, the snoz berries taste like snoz berries! It is an absolute treat that I've been wanting to write about for a few days now but I just never got around to it.

As for Americone Dream, it appears I must locate a Safeway in the greater DC Metro area if I wish to find it according to BenandJerry.com, as they appear to be the main supplier of Americone Dream in the area. I shall find it soon and then we will have the battle of ice cream to see who is truly superior, American Grail and British Grail.

Ah What Could Have Been

You see that building, the white one, right past right field? That is where I work and where I would have been able to watch Nationals games if Arlington had won the right to have the games. It would have been a much better location then the current DC one, and would probably have had much less political bullshittery then what the DC City Council did in regards to the new stadium. You would have been able to see the Washington Monument, Capitol Hill, and if up in the nose bleeds, the Pentagon and Lincoln Memorial.

It is the PERFECT location for the ballpark, unlike the current location. It has acess to two different metro lines with room to expand. It shows all the sights of DC more or less, and you still have a very picturesque view of DC. Sadly they wanted the stadium IN DC and not Virginia and it ended up there. It just makes me shake my head at what could have been. For the record you can look at images and news of the new ballpark here.

The National Pastime

Tom Verducci over at CNNSI has made his list of Top Ten Franchise Players under 25. I enjoy the list, have a few issues (why is David Wright so far down, is it because he is sucking right now, maybe, START PLAYING ASSHOLE I SPENT A FIRST ROUND PICK ON YOU!)but for the most part I like the list. That being said, and in tradition of my Mock Draft, I give to you the team I would field of under 25 studs. Well, a team in the field including pitcher, three utility men, another two starters and a reliever.

C. Joe Mauer, 24, Twins-The 2006 batting champ is without a doubt the easiest choice on this list. I can see someone making an argument for McCann, but then they're Braves fans.

1B. Prince Fielder, 23, Brewers-Anyone who is wondering what has gotten into the Brewers this season can look no farther then Prince Fielder. Every time I'm looking up this kid is making a big hit of some kind to help his team win.

2B. Robinson Cano, 24, Yankees-This was without a doubt the hardest position to chose from. There are at least four other players who could have been here (Upton, Kendrick off the top of my head) but to play consistently for the Yankees means you have ice water in your veins and I want that in a player.

3B. David Wright, 24, Mets-I know, some people would rather have Cabrera in this spot, but I see Wright as more of a leader then Cabrera and hence he gets the starting nod. Plus, this guy made the greatest defensive play I've ever seen last year, and that includes my entire life of watching baseball.

SS. Jose Reyes, 23, Mets-Right now he has to be the front runner for MVP in the NL. Him and Wright not only represent the best combination of SS and 3rd in the NL, they can be argued to be the best of all of baseball, sorry A-Rod and Jeter, the Yankees don't beat the Mets in this category.

OF-Grady Sizemore, 24, Indians-Here is the reason the Indians have been on fire the last few weeks. Without a doubt the best outfielder under 25, maybe even under 35. Next to Joe Mauer this was the easiest decision on this list. To think, he was one of a group of players the MLB ripped off the now Nationals when they had control of the Expos (see Bay, Jason, Lee, Cliff).

OF-Jeff Francoeur, 23, Braves-Sadly the rest of the outfield was not as easy as Sizemore. After Sizemore the list of outstanding outfielders dwindle a bit to just good players. I chose Francoeur because I think if he isn't the focal point of the offense he can blossom.

OF-Nick Markakis, 23, Orioles-This kid has shown real potential in his year and a half in the majors. On a team with people like Ramon Hernandez and Miguel Tejada, this kid is their other big name. He could be something special not being the focal point, much like Francoeur.

UTL-Miguel Cabrera, 24, Marlins-I think he is the only Marlins player on my roster, with Dontrelle Willis just missing the pitching spot by a hair. Easily the third best player on this team, he'd likely replace Markakis in the outfield in the starting lineup.

UTL-Stephen Drew, 24, Diamondback-He would have easily been the shortstop if it wasn't for uberchild Jose Reyes. Now he is the utility infielder, maybe even playing 2nd if this is in the AL as he tends to be a better fielder then Cano.

UTL-Ryan Zimmerman, 23, Nationals-This kid was a beast when Soriano was here and had all the expectations to be the star. Since he left that has fallen upon Zimmerman and he is still adjusting to that role. When not expected to be a star there is one word that represents this kid, clutch.

SP-Matt Cain, 22, Giants-This kid looks like he will become the ace the Giants have always needed. He has great stuff, allows few hits, and is young enough to just improve. As long as they take care of his arm, he averages 200 innings a year right now, this kid will be money.

SP-Cole Hamels, 23, Phillies-Ever since this kid walked into the MLB last year he has impressed me. He isn't cocky as some think, he is merely confidant. He fully expects to win 20 games and a CY Young every year. I want that in a starting pitcher, not the arrogance that some have with it, just the confidence that he has.

SP-Francisco Liriano, 23, Twins-We don't know if he is playing again, but if he is I want him on my team. This kid has absolutely nasty stuff and is a winner, hands down. Easily the best pitcher under 25, I just hope he still has his stuff when he recovers.

RP-Huston Street, 24, Athletics-You knew I had to have one of my A's on this list. Who can argue that he isn't the best under 25 closer in baseball? A national champion from Texas, he just gets all kinds of bonus points from me.

Don't Ask

...unless we are severely low on numbers and then we don't care WHAT you do.
via Petulant:

The Navy returned an openly gay sailor to active duty last year in what gay rights advocates say is an example of how some military commanders — stretched by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — are turning a blind eye to the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning gays and lesbians from revealing their sexual orientation.

Petty Officer Jason D. Knight, a Hebrew linguist who says he had officially informed his superiors that he was homosexual, was discharged in April 2005 after completing his four-year tour of duty, according to a summary of his Navy personnel file.

Nine months later, the Navy recalled him to active duty, even though he was openly gay, and sent him to Kuwait, where he served as a translator and received multiple awards for exemplary service.

You can read the rest of the story over at Boston.com

Of course, if you ask the Navy...

The Navy stressed yesterday that Knight was dismissed in 2005 simply because his service commitment was over, not because he was gay, as reported in Stars and Stripes. The assertion "is not consistent with our records," said Commander Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman.

But other military officials who declined not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the press said it was possible that the Navy simply waited for Knight's commitment to end rather than dismiss him for being gay. In fact, Knight's personnel record was coded RE-1, allowing the Navy to recall him if needed.

This is true, he was dismissed in 05 because his commitment was over, but only because it was done before the DADT paperwork would have even been close to being completed. They know now and...they're doing nothing. This is how bad it has gotten, we all remember at the start of the war when the Army discharged a great deal of linguists because they were gay. I can only shake my head at this story, what a wondrous world we now live in.

The Only Respect I've Given

Via ZMan once again


That is Texas Rep Ron Paul, one of the Republican candidates for President. Now, I know why I am respect him other then any other Republican candidates, he is listed as a Republican but considers himself a Libertarian, much like myself. So he would be a right leaning Libertarian to my left leaning Libertarian. He also appears to be the only Republican candidate going against the War in Iraq, via his website:

The war in Iraq was sold to us with false information. The area is more dangerous now than when we entered it. We destroyed a regime hated by our direct enemies, the jihadists, and created thousands of new recruits for them. This war has cost more than 3,000 American lives, thousands of seriously wounded, and hundreds of billions of dollars. We must have new leadership in the White House to ensure this never happens again.

Now, I have a few issues with his Border and Immigration ideas (mainly the ending of citizenship for children born of illegal aliens) I do like the fact he merely wants to enforce the laws already on the books. Then again, this history right here is the reason as he is the only Republican candidate to have any respect from myself.

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.
He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

I'm going to contact his group to find out his stance on the religious rights involvement with this administration to see if he is someone we can actually support. I don't know about you, but I'd love to have two candidates this time around who are worth voting for.

Rock It Amadeus

Via ZMan


I just wish I had the coordination that this kid has, I have a problem walking a straight line and that was before the vertigo.

Popular Passions are Necessary

LT. COL. Paul Yingling has written a scathing article for the Armed Forces Journal in regards to the failure that he sees in our military, namely our Generals.

America's generals have failed to prepare our armed forces for war and advise civilian authorities on the application of force to achieve the aims of policy. The argument that follows consists of three elements. First, generals have a responsibility to society to provide policymakers with a correct estimate of strategic probabilities. Second, America's generals in Vietnam and Iraq failed to perform this responsibility. Third, remedying the crisis in American generalship requires the intervention of Congress.

Now I'm not just saying this was a great article because his last name sounds similar to my favorite beer; it's because he is able to lay everything out there for you in a simple manner and be clear about.

The passion of the people is necessary to endure the sacrifices inherent in war. Regardless of the system of government, the people supply the blood and treasure required to prosecute war. The statesman must stir these passions to a level commensurate with the popular sacrifices required.
...
The general is responsible for estimating the likelihood of success in applying force to achieve the aims of policy. The general describes both the means necessary for the successful prosecution of war and the ways in which the nation will employ those means. If the policymaker desires ends for which the means he provides are insufficient, the general is responsible for advising the statesman of this incongruence.
...
However much it is influenced by passion and probability, war is ultimately an instrument of policy and its conduct is the responsibility of policymakers. War is a social activity undertaken on behalf of the nation; Augustine counsels us that the only purpose of war is to achieve a better peace.
...
The most tragic error a general can make is to assume without much reflection that wars of the future will look much like wars of the past. Following World War I, French generals committed this error, assuming that the next war would involve static battles dominated by firepower and fixed fortifications. Throughout the interwar years, French generals raised, equipped, armed and trained the French military to fight the last war. In stark contrast, German generals spent the interwar years attempting to break the stalemate created by firepower and fortifications. They developed a new form of war — the blitzkrieg — that integrated mobility, firepower and decentralized tactics.
...
After visualizing the conditions of future combat, the general is responsible for explaining to civilian policymakers the demands of future combat and the risks entailed in failing to meet those demands. Civilian policymakers have neither the expertise nor the inclination to think deeply about strategic probabilities in the distant future. Policymakers, especially elected representatives, face powerful incentives to focus on near-term challenges that are of immediate concern to the public. Generating military capability is the labor of decades.

It may just be me, but this Light Colonel puts it simply the problem we see with today's Generals. I've seen it working at the Pentagon, we have a group of Generals who idolize Patton, this in itself is not a bad thing. The bad thing is they would make Patton sick with the way they care about policy and politics. They idolize a man, they invoke his name, and yet have none of the qualities that made him one of if not our greatest general.

We have generals who do only what this administration tells them, they jump through hoops instead of focused on the job of winning the war and informing the administration what they needed to win this war. General Shinseki had it right at the outset when he testified to Congress that they would need hundreds of thousands of troops to pacify Iraq. Wolfowitz and Rummy took him to task and replaced him as Chief. He understood what the dangers were, but didn't go along with the administration's policy and as such was replaced. This has happened to any officer that didn't agree with the administration and in their place we have yes men who will gladly do what the administration desires.

I have to suggest reading the entire article, it's long but it is very well written and thought out.

This is where the real failure lies in this war in Iraq. We all know we shouldn't be there, except for the 28% who believe Sadaam was BFF with Osama, but the military decisions are being made by men who have no military background. They have no idea what COMBAT is like, and as such think they know best and avoid the PTSD problem that the military currently has.

Quote of the Day

Found via Melissa McEwan of Shakesville and John Edwards fame.

“States all over the country are not only missing personnel—National Guard troops are about 40 percent of the troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan—but we’re missing the equipment. When the troops get deployed, the equipment goes with them. So, here in Kansas, about 50 percent of our trucks are gone. We need trucks. We’re missing Humvees, we’re missing all kinds of equipment that can help us respond to this kind of emergency. … [A]s you travel around Greensburg, you’ll see that the city and county trucks were destroyed. They—the storm hit them, as well as anything…so we’re borrowing equipment from around, but National Guard are our first responders. They don’t have the equipment they need to come in. And it will just make it that much slower.”

That was from Kansas Govenor Kathleen Sebelius (D). As you know there were six tornadoes that touched down in Kansas over the weekend unleashing a tremendous amount of damage. It killed ten and put hundreds, maybe thousands, more without homes. Above is an aerial image of the Greensburg Tornado damage. Just another example of how this war in Iraq is hurting our country.

I have to wonder, how many natural disasters do we need, how many American's without homes can we get, before the commander guy realizes those people are desperately need more here then to defend your poppa, get oil, fight terror, or whatever other rhetoric he wants to come up with this week to justify this illegal invasion.

Paris Hilton Appeals

Paris Hilton appealed her sentence of 45 days in jail for an alcohol related reckless driving case. According to Paris:

"I feel that I was treated unfairly and that the sentence is both cruel and unwarranted and I don't deserve this,"

Of course you don't dear, what you deserve is someone to slap you straight, but then I don't even know if Mike Tyson could do that. Hun, you're a Hotel heiress, you're worth millions I would guess. Is there any reason what so ever that you were driving?

I mean really, this just doesn't go out to Paris Hilton, this goes out to every celebrity and athlete who makes more money then the rest of us. Folks you have to understand, when us the "common folk" get drunk we're smart enough to know to call a cab, take the subway, something to prevent from being arrested and going to jail. You have the money to afford these things, hell you have the money to afford a chauffeured car or limo for the evening, I suggest you use it. I think the family of Josh Hancock wished he would have called a cab or something last week.

I don't care how powerful, famous, notorious or rich you are if you're drunk do NOT drive. If you're caught drunk driving then you will have no sympathy from the rest of us. I know people who got six months in jail for a DUI, Paris your measly 45 days is laughable. If I were you, I'd pray for solitary because County prison in LA is full of gang bangers who would love nothing more the shank your rich ass. Sleep in the bed you made baby, and next time maybe your entourage will be smart enough to hail you a cab.

Right Fears Olberman

Glenn Greenwald is a terrific writer in the blogosphere, at least from my point of view. When I read his work, I almost always come away impressed. He also wrote a best selling book, How A Patriot Would Act. He's one of the good guys (see constitutional law and civil rights litigator in New York.) in this where more and more of the bad guys are the ones who get to speak their minds while those who are tolerant and thoughtful are pushed away for sound bites.

His piece yesterday is about an AP story that the Giuliani campaign had complaints over the fact that Keith Olbermann, heir apparent to Edward Murrow, was assigned to cover the GOP presidential debate with Chris Matthews, windbag extraordinaire, to moderate.

Olbermann's popularity and evolving image as an ideaologue (sic) has led NBC News to stretch traditional notions of journalistic objectivity. . . .

Having Olbermann anchor -- as he will continue, with Matthews, for big political nights throughout the campaign -- is the MSNBC equivalent of Fox News Channel assigning the same duties to O'Reilly.

Fox has never done that, perhaps mindful of the immediate controversy that would result. Fox has tried to differentiate between its news operation and its prime-time opinion shows, even as its critics believe strongly that's bunk.

In this case, MSNBC doesn't try to separate news and opinion people, even as it tries to separate news and opinion.

Now, I'm not going to go off on Brit Hume or other Faux News personalities because in my opinion they're all Bill O'Reily, I don't know if you have one legitimate straight news anchor on that network. No, what I would like to speak on is the right's fear of K.O.

He has done his damnedest to channel his inner Murrow, and in doing so has seen his ratings rise. He has taken on the beast with a shield and sword and has beaten the beast back. If you think that blogs and people like Glenn Greenwald, Jon Stewart and Keith Olbermann don't have anything to do with this change in national perception in regards to the right wing politicians, you must be living under a rock. Unlike the right who plead to the community's fears and emotions, this new left pleads to your common sense and decency.

This is a new left that has a backbone, even if the majority of the politicians don't yet. Some are slowly growing one, they're not backing down when confronted by a White House or hit an obstacle like a Presidential veto. The people have spoken and they are tired of all the lies and corruption in our Nation's capital. I think the right fears Olbermann because he is the closest thing to Edward R. Murrow that we have right now and the right saw the power Murrow had to bring down one of the most powerful Senators of his time.

If I was the right, I would be scared shitless right now. The corruption they have been living in for the last six years is beginning to peak its head out from under the carpet they tried to sweep it under. The wolves are closing in around their campfire and they only have a few embers left until it completely goes out and their entire party is hurt worse then anything Nixon ever did to harm it. This time no actor, be it Fred Thompson or Arnold himself, will be able to pull it up from the absolute carnage that this administration is going to leave it in.

Vertigo

That's right folks, if you've been wondering why the updates have slowed in the last week it is because I have been experiencing vertigo for the last week and a half. Oh, believe me, it's about as much fun as you can imagine. Finally made myself go to the doctor last week and I now have a date with a specialist, an otologist. Sadly it's not until the 21st since he is extremely busy and is only at this location one day a week. Hopefully if I keep taking my meds it can keep it at bay until it goes away as the severe case I had yesterday afternoon was no fun what so ever. Luckily I took my medication and it subsided in time to play in our game yesterday afternoon.

That's right, the Potomac Pirates are in First place in the Potomac division. I apparently pitched a gem when I was playing yesterday, which was nice since I don't think I was even at 80% health wise cause of this vertigo bullshit. People always ask, how is it hard to pitch in kickball. Well, it's not just the slow underhand that you're used to, people chuck that red ball at you. I'm not a speed pitcher like some of the other folks in the league. The best way to describe me is the Greg Maddux of the league. No Cy Young awards, but just some nasty curvy shit to throw you off just enough to make you kick a bad ball.

I'll probably have something more substantial later on today, I think a piece about Roger Clemens and the Yankees may be brewing, but we'll see. Here's to hoping that I have a spell free day as I really don't want to spend my afternoon like I did yesterday.

Movie Review: The Black Dahlia

The Black Dahlia, starring Josh Harnett, Scarlet Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, and Hilary Swank.

I've been fascinated with the unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short for a long time, but I never really dug into the history of it until this movie. My roommate is a lover of all things serial killer so I know she was absolutely fascinated by this story, maybe the most notorious unsolved murder in California's history (we all know OJ did it). So Anita and I last night were looking for something to watch last night as we ate dinner and decided on The Black Dahlia, something we had both wanted to see last fall just never got around to it.

On the surface this movie has all the tools to be VERY successful. It has a two time oscar winner, Hilary Swank, the IT girl of the last few years, Scarlet Johansson, an award winning director, Brian De Palma, and a book by acclaimed writer James Ellroy. Aaron Eckhart was an extra bonus for me as I enjoy pretty much everything I've seen him in (Thank You For Smoking, Suspect Zero) and he will be our new Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight and I'm all kinds of excited to see how he portrays Two-Face. Everything seemed in place, so where exactly did it all go wrong?

For myself I think it has to do with the murder itself not truly being the centerpiece of the movie and more of a plot device to tell the story of Eckhart, Harnett, and Johansson. Even with that story you lose Eckhart's character halfway through the movie and it does a poor job explaining why he's doing what he's doing. They give you one line why this case is more personal to him then any other, but other then that (which doesn't do a good job of that) there is no real explanation. I loved the chemistry between Harnett, Johansson and Eckhart, but again there was no real explanation as to why they did the things they did, it almost assumes the audience knows that this kind of life is normal.

Mira Kirshner, wonderful actress (24, Crow City of Angels), is highly underused in this picture as well. We get to see her in screen tests, but that is the extent of that. I believe what the problem with this film is that it doesn't really look into the murder what so ever, sure they give you a killer and the like, but none of it is based on any kind of known fact. The murder is merely the backdrop where it needs to be the centerpiece if the movie is called The Black Dahlia. Though it is one of the few movies I've seen where I've actually found Hilary Swank attractive.

Sadly it appears that Josh Harnett is doomed to romance his best friend's lady after they die (allegedly in some movies). He actually did a well enough job acting wise to hang with four other actors who are much better then he is, but that doesn't help when there is loophole after loophole in the story and plot. I haven't read the book, maybe it fills those gaps and this could be a result of the studio having editing ability, but that is where the movie fails.

The Black Dahlia, C.

Spiderman 3

As I look out at the vast land of the blogosphere this morning and read other's reviews of Spiderman 3 I see a general consensus of the same thing. We all think Spidey 2 was so far the best comic book movie of all time. We all wish for that to improve on, but how do you improve on perfection? I don't know if you can, and they definitely didn't, but we all agree that we liked it and didn't like it all at the same time. That being said, let me talk about first about the things I absolutely loved about this movie.

1. I loved the fact that both Venom and Sandman had dead on costumes in this movie and Gwen Stacey had Gwen Stacey hair. I know this seems childish in a sense, but when you have movies like X-Men just completely throw off the costume idea, it's nice to see something that is such a visual art form stay true to that fact.

2. Sandman, wow, they did this character some justice in his back story and what his motivations were. I think you could have saved this character for the next movie and mix in some Lizard, but he was really well done.

3. Venom, it was from space, it became bloodthirsty, and I personally think they set up Carnage at the end, but then I may be the only one who picked up on that. Not just that, they stayed true to his weaknesses and the like, I though that was really well done. Actually, Venom and Sandman were both really well done, that was not the problem in this movie, it was something else completely.

4. Bruce Campbell and Stan Lee with their best cameos in this series in this movie. Their characters gave a levity that helped this movie and die-hard fans greatly at times where there was no action.

Problems with this flick

1. Kirsten Dunst, who I'm pretty sure hung out with Chong this entire film, just mailed this one in. I know Peter got the emo hair at one point, but did she have to actually be emo the entire time? We didn't need to hear her sing, no one cares about MJ, and this just isn't the right actress to play her, period. Other then the plot device to get Aunt May involved and Harry involved in the final scene. I think to me she is what was wrong with this movie, I just didn't buy the chemistry of Peter and herself. The better choice would be for at the beginning of the movie MJ to go off to LA to become an actress, which leads to Gwen and Peter and Eddie having conflict. Hell, you could have still killed her father and her blaming Spidey, just have Venom do it.

2. The wrong relationship was center stage, they wanted to focus more on MJ and Peter and this will they won't they bullshit they've had since the first once and the Harry and Peter relationship that had a chemistry I DID buy. The butler part wouldn't have been as cheesy if they had skipped the entire Peter as Fred Astair in the Jazz club. You could have seen a mental breakdown of Harry, seen him fight within himself, and come to the realization that Peter was right.

3. Not enough Gwen Stacey, and when she was used, it was improperly. MJ and Gwen were friends, almost best friends one would say. She was smart and loved the intellectual side of Peter Parker, not the bimbo model they portrayed her as half the movie. She still could have died in this movie, but to have any impact there would have had to been a romance between Peter and her and for some reason the powers that be refuse to allow us Peter's one true love.

It was at least a solid movie, not as bad as others, but I could just see the potential they had in it. Just the various things they could have done that would have made it oh so much better, but sadly they love MJ for some reason. Yes, I putting the blame of this movie on Kirsten Dunst and Mary Jane. Everything else was spectacular, it wasn't the problem of too many villains as some have suggested it's this worthless layabout who can't hack it on Broadway, whore.

Though I did pop for the Spamalot signs, which apparently MJ's play was in the same building since if I remember right from earlier this year, there isn't a theater right next to it.

I love me some sci-fi...

EW has posted their Top 25 SCI-FI Movies and TV shows of the last twenty five years. To say that I have issues with this list would be an extreme understatement. This list is an abomination, with shows and movies being listed which are not even remotely sci-fi. I'm sorry, I don't care how much I love Lost, Heroes and Eternal Sunshine but those are not Sci-Fi shows. The only thing we agreed on was V being number 25, other then that I think this person needs to expand their viewing of sci-fi if they're going to write a column. The following is my top twenty five, I'd write why, but I have to do my Spidey review.

25. V The Mini-Series
24. Starship Troopers
23. Millennium
22. Pitch Black
21. Andromeda
20. Event Horizon
19. ET
18. Blade Runner
17. Total Recall
16. Fire In The Sky
15. They Live
14. Quantum Leap
13. Stargate SG1
12. The Matrix
11. Battlestar Galatica
10. Dr. Who
9. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. The Thing
7. Firefly/Serenity
6. Back To The Future Trilogy
5. The Terminator 1&2
4. Aliens
3. Star Trek Movies 2 & 4 (Khan and Voyage Home)
2. The X-Files
1. Farscape

Draft Day 5

6. Baltimore Ravens, B+. It pains me of doing this, it really does, cause I hate the Ravens with a PASSION. You know, I'd probably be a fan of theirs, if they weren't the former Browns, but since they are they deserve to burn in hell for all of eternity. As for their draft, I love the selection of Ben Grubbs, OG Auburn, and Marshall Yanda, OG Iowa, to help their aging line. If the Ravens have proved anything it's that they know offensive linemen. This just secured their interior and will help McGahee and McNair stay healthy, sadly. I REALLY love the selection of Troy Smith, QB Ohio St, by the Ravens. He will be motivated to prove that he can play in the pros and gets to learn from a constant winner, Steve McNair.

5. San Francisco 49ers, B+. Much like my Cleveland Browns, the Niners fought their way back into the first round to select some protection for their young QB with Joe Staley, OT Central Michigan. I don't know if I'm sold on Staley, but they had to do it as he wouldn't be available by their next pick. Patrick Willis, ILB Ole Miss, could be the central fixture of their defense for the next decade, but I have my reservations about his lack of tackles behind the line. I think Mike Nolan will get Jay Moore, DE Nebraska, and Tarrell Brown, CB Texas, to play to the best of their ability. Their not superstars, but they can be consistent players who are always on the field giving 100%. Jason Hill, WR Washington St, could be the steal that absolutely no one is talking about due to his lack of playing time at WR in the sense that he just moved there recently. Dashon Goldson, FS Washington, may have been a stretch that early in the draft, but he is quite versatile so maybe that's the thinking there. A good solid draft by a team on the upswing.

4. New England Patriots, A-. Of course they get this high, they just received arguably the best Wide Receiver in the NFL for a fourth round pick. He has already shown that he is willing to conform to the Patriots' way of business and they have let it known that one misstep, one hair out of place and your ass will be shown the door. Brandon Merriweather, FS Miami, I think will be compared all year long to Devin Hester and I believe it is a valid comparison. Dude can seriously be the game changer they need on defense and special teams that put them back on top. Think about the finesse at one safety and the manslaughter that Rodney Harrison unleashes on the other. Clint Oldenburg, OT Colorado St, and Justin Rogers, OLB Southern Methodist, are players in that traditional Patriots mold. Corey Hilliard, OT Oklahoma St, could very well be one of those players as well, I just don't know if he will excel in the NFL as he struggled from time to time in college. Oscar Lua, LB USC, could very well be the steal for the Patriots in this draft if he manages just to stay healthy. He will learn a great deal from his fellow SC alumni Junior Seau and could be that replacement that they were needing for the aging linebacking corps.

3. Carolina Panthers, A-. Jon Beason, the heir apparent for one of the best defenses in the league, possibly. I like the idea that this kid can excel in the NFL, and if anyone can get this accomplished it's the Panthers, but I wonder if Harris or Buster Davis would have been a better choice. No doubt he will be assisted by fellow U alumni Dan Morgan, but something in my head says this is a huge bust. No real reason why, I just see his stuff and feel uncomfortable spending a first round pick on him. That has nothing to do however with their second round which can be summed up with the following, holy shit v is for victory. The tandem of Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC, and Ryan Kalil, C USC, just bumped up their offense immensely. They let go Keyshawn Johnson to make room for this kid who I think compliments Steve Smith almost perfectly. Charles Johnson, DE Georgia, will have a great career with the Panthers opposite Julius Peppers not to mention over his much hyped teammate Quentin Moses. Ryne Robinson, WR Miami (OH), will alleviate Steve Smith from returning everything as he is the nation's active career leader in both punt-return yardage (1,677) and punt-return touchdowns (seven).

2. Arizona Cardinals, A. Yeah, I know, I'm just as shocked as you all are. The first two spots in this grading goes to two teams that have been the doormats for the last five years or so. I LOVE their choice as the head coach, they have all the talent on offense to win and I will say it now, the Cards will be a wild card team this year, at the least. I called Levi Brown, OT Penn St, going to the Cards Whisenhunt loves this kid. I do too, he's a strong and physical player who will just smash you in the mouth. Alan Branch, DT Michigan, SHOULD be motivated after going from Top Ten pick to the second round, but ya never know sometimes with kids. Their BEST selection was Buster Davis, ILB Florida St, to lead their defense out of the drums it has been in for the last twenty years. This kid is all over the place, we're talking the second coming of Mike Singletary. If the offense has the ball somewhere, this kid is likely to be somewhere nearby. His selection is just slightly over the pick of Ben Patrick, TE Delaware, the best TE to come out of this draft, who was selected in the seventh round. You just gave Leinart all the tools he needs to succeed in the NFL. A fully equipped WR corps, with additional fourth man Steve Breaston, WR Michigan, a star TE and a running back. Whisenhunt will shape this line up and once he does, this offense becomes more potent then the Colts.

1. Cleveland Browns, A+. When Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin, Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame, and Eric Wright, CB UNLV, are your first three picks you know you just had a Reggie Jackson day in October. You just gave yourself three people who are the foundation, with Kamerion Wimbley, just gave you the foundation for a great franchise. Yes, for the first time since the Browns came back from exhile, we have the foundation we have always needed. Add that too SGT. Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards and D'Qwell Jackson and you have the beginnings of a beautiful relationship to all involved. We showed that we had a huge pair by trading back into the first round to get the man we could have easily taken at our original position. The rest of our picks are solid depth players who should have an opportunity to show themselves, prove they have what it takes and can end up starting some time soon. There is plenty of opportunity and the players drafted all look to be over-achievers, which is a beautiful change.