Jon Stewart who?

I find it hard to believe that many haven't heard of Jon Stewart the host of The Daily Show on comedy central. Especially in Washington, but apparently many have not.

If you don't watch this show, do it. Its own Monday through Thursday at 11pm eastern time. Its a hilarious and very informative showcasing of the news. Its does what the news use to, show inconstiancies, factuals missteps and other silliness of our nations leaders.

JetBlue Passengers Viewing Own Near Crash

I am sure many have seen the near crash (QT or WMP) of the JetBlue airplane after the front landing gear was discovered broken after takeoff. The landing was just amazing with the streak of fire and burst of flame. It was amazing footage and an amazing landing. If not the for the fire it was probably a textbook landing. The pilot deservers more then a handshake, he deserves a raise and an metal.

It must have been both frightening and bizarre for the passengers though. The JetBlue plane has DirectTV for each seat and as a result each passenger was able to view their own possible crash both from the perspective of potential victim and viewer. I don't know how I would handle that duality. It must have just been odd, scary, and strangly informative combines with cable TVs usually "we are going to die" drama they like to insert into everything. I honestly can't imagine.

Extra kudos should go to JetBlue, not only for apparently hiring great pilots, techs etc that got that plan down, but also for the decision to allow the passengers of not only that plane but others to see the unfolding drama. I am not sure most companies would have risked that kind of potential PR nightmare in their shoes. So hats off to all and its wonderful after so long to see a good ending on TV for once.

Clinton on Bush's Tax Policy

Clinton basically calls Bush out on his tax policy on George Stephanopoulos' show this weekend. "I don't think it makes any sense. I think its wrong." Despite the cost of Iraq, Katrina, and the general war on terror, Bush is still pushing to do tax cuts. Once again these tax cuts are aimed at the upper class. Republicans deny this but the facts bear it out. If it was an across the board cut...why not just make it that way? 5% for everyone, not the convoluted "trust us" math that is currently used.

Anyway, it just seems weird that Bush is talking about how we need to do this and that to eliminate our reliance on oil while at the same time creating this gigantic deficit that is reliant on foriegn money. Of course one of those is Saudia Arabia who the Bush family is in tight with so there is personal motivation involved.

For me, there should be "The 1st Law of US Tax Policy", its very simple:
Spend more, tax more; spend less, tax less.

The nice thing about this law it is a great motivator. All politicans like to cut taxes, they love to use it as a tool to boost numbers or get re-elected. Thats fine, they just have to be responsible about it. They want that boost, cut spending. That pork bill about to pass, sorry got to go. Oh that tax cut for oil, no can do unless can work arrangement with x to cut the spending on y.

Bush's policy though, no good can come of it. None, zilch, nada, there is nothing under the sun that can make me think that debt is a good thing, wether its on a credit card or for the federal government. Giving away money on the interest owed is always always bad business and it should be bad policy. But what the rich wants and can sell to the idiots, the rich get.

Nintendo Revolution Controller Revealed

Click here for the 411 on the Nintendo Revolution Controller being released next year. The controller, oddly enough, looks just like an old fashioned television remote mixed with the clean look of an iPod. Just based on the visual I thought "what the hell?" and then thought it was a hoax as there have already been many. Based on the description though and after the Gameboy DS, this just like Nintendo. Graphics, characters, story, difficulty can be important but if has to be balanced with the unquntifable thing called fun and Nintendo has always excelled at that. The PSP has shown that its an area that Sony still doesn't understand. Any case read up and be both confused and a little amazed.

Bandwagon Line Forming

Bush admitted a mistake yesterday, now its LA Governor Blano's turn. I wonder if the mayor is next? I don't think he is politically savy enough to see the smarts behind this but might be suprised.

Its nice to see our leaders grow up a little. To bad I think this new found honesty has less to do with a new understanding of the perils of leadership and more of a political move.

As I live and breath...

George Bush takes responsibility for something bad. He admits error. He acts presidential. I am simply amazed.

"Here's What Gets Me"

If only I could write like this. This blog post called "Here's What Gets Me" did what I couldn't and thats explain in words how President Bush keeps failing us. All the frustrations, rage, irriation, exasperation, and hurt that I feel towards that useless man but just cannot seem to express or explain in a coherent manner is explained there. I think for many that don't understand, its brings clarity, and for those that do, it brings a little release.

Anderson Cooper Piece

"Unanchored"- Good read describing the impact Hurricane Katrina has had on CNN's Anderson Cooper. I was one of those that thought Anderson was full of it out there on the bridges, in the weather and so on right at the beginning of the hurricane. I didn't think it was brave, just silly and stupid. The aftermath, the way he handled it, the way he brought it home, it finally reminded us of the press corps we use to have, use to love, and use to love to hate. I missed them and its nice to see Anderson leading the charge to their return. I just hope none of them decide to give up the fight halfway through.

"News You Can Lose" - Article by Jack Shafer describing many of the problems and bad habits that plague cable journalism such as muscial montages (i like them personally), lack of maps and illustrations (no kidding, Newsweek explained the hurricane better with a few graphics then all the hours of TV did), the dishonesty (could go pages on that) and opportunism (one word: Geraldo).

Another prediction down

Damn it feels good to be wrong. Another prediction bites the dust as FEMA director Mike Brown resigns. Now the door is still open as Bush could still reward failure with a medal but still I will err on the side of happy and go with totally wrong prediction. So that is 0/10, hopefully the streak will continue.

Pre-mature baby dies

A followup to a post in August about Susan Torres. At the time I wrote of it as a contrast to the Terri Schiavo disaster.

Sadly, Susan Torres was kept on life support for three months so her baby could live. The baby was born on August 2nd as Susan Anne Catherine Torres and her mother was allowed to die. Sadly the struggle for life ended today when the poor child died during emergency surgery to repair a perforated intestine.

Full story here.

The World Remembers 9/11

While the United States remembered the 4th Anniversary of 9/11 in New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania, so did many others around the world including:
Russia
Italy
Great Britain
Australia
Middle East
The Vatican
Afganistan

Also the politics of the time was discussed by many, rather then the tragedy, one a warning of more:
Al Quida
Scoops
PEJ.prg
Al Jazeera
MichNews.com

Katrina Death Toll Less Than 10k

Unlike most prognosticators, I don't mind being wrong. I am a cyncial SOB so my "predictions" are cyncial so being wrong can only mean good things for others. In this case I predicted a death toll of 35k, instead it looks like less than 10k. Still a high number and incredibly tragic (compare 9/11 with 3k) but still considering how bad the situation was alot of less then most expecting.

Katrina and Race

I was watching Bill Mohar or however spell it on HBO yesterday and once again they played the race card. Saying its unconscious racism and all this other garbage. They also said was a classism which is debateable but doubtful. On top of that, they just absolutely refused the believe the mayor could have played a part in it. I am sorry but you can't blame Bush and not blame the mayor. You have to blame both. If truly want answers and solutions, you must blame both.

Anyway, I am just sick of the racist and class angle and here is why: there is no proof. Seeing a bunch of poor black people is not proof of anything other then that a bunch of poor black people where effected.

What is never mentioned and what there is ton of circumstantial proof is this: incompetence. There is tons of proof of that. Why does this and everything have to about race just because it involves black people? Why does it have to be about class just because it involves poor? Why can't it just be about a lack of leadership? Or a lack of experience, lack of knowledge, lack of ability, lack of prepreperation? Other then discussions on this board I have yet to hear that anywhere else, they all just climb ontop of the race bandwagon because I guess its the politically safe wagon. But really sometimes, I know its hard to believe, but not everything is about race.

Right or Wrong Direction?

FEMA Director called back to Washington - This usually means a vote of no confidence from the presidential admisitration, but this is Bush so don't know what it means till he is either promoted or fired but its a step in the right direction.

Bush lifts wage rules for Katrina - Basically the president gives permission to anyone working on Katrina rebuilding can do what they want wage wise. Good news if you are one of the contractors used in the rebuilding (good news for Bush's friends) but bad news if one of the workers desperate for a job and forced to accepts a $2 hour wage or whatever the contractor decides is "fair". Since fair is usually defined as the bare minimium, I don't see those working on the rebuilding to be the best or the brightest. Personally I would be afraid to return to New Orleans for this reason alone. Definitly a step in the wrong direction for NO.

Media Moguls Regain Control of Media - Nice little article showing how the owners of all the major media new sources, CNN, Fox, NBC, etc, have used the last week to reign in their on air talent and once again return to the sunny size of the Bush agenda. Its a nice writeup comparing the previous week to the next and how most stations seems to do an 180 on approach to the coverage. The media may be liberal but the owners are not, people like to forget that.

"Everyone loses in blame game"

Wish I had a link but just read a column in the paper by Charles Krauthammer called "Everyone loses in blame game." Someone post it in comments if find it.

He startes by pointing out three of the popular reasons why blaming Bush is wrong:
1) Global warming.
He says that there is no relationship between global warming and frequency and intensity of Atlantic Hurricanes. He's right actually, there isn't really any definitive evidence that supports or disproves him. Both are just theories. I do agree that even if Bush had been mister gung ho on the enviroment things wouldn't have changed enough to make a difference.

2) War in Iraq. He says that the problem was that the guardsmen where Iraq but those in Louisianna didn't get to New Orleans. Not sure where was going with that as it doesn't really disprove or prove his point that its a false claim. Personally I think its sure didn't help.

3) Tax cuts. He basically saying that assuming if not for the tax cuts, thus loss revenue resulting in cutting the levee budget is wrong. Even if the money had been there it wouldn't have made a difference. He is correct on that. The levee's where rated for a cat 3 not a 4 or 5. They would have fallen. If anything, the fact that they held as long as they did is a marvel of the skill of the Army Corp of Engineers. Sadly the time that the levees bought was wasted by all levels of government.

Charles then points out that the "author of this calamity... was Nature (or Nature's God)". I find it interesting (say cowardly) he avoided just straight out blaming God. Personally I wasn't aware Nature had a God. Does that mean there are two Gods now?

He then listed "in descending order of culpability" those responsible for the recovery disaster. I mostly agree with his order except for FEMA almost is at 1 slot rather then 3.
1) Mayor of New Orleans.
Charles points out the mayor knew from Hurricane Georges in '98 the use of the Superdome was a disaster and that with 2/3 of the residents failing to get out new plans where needed, yet nothing was implemented. He then held off calling a mandatory evacuation until 24 hours before because was researching his legal authority to avoid lawsuits from hotels and businesses. Well I can understand where the Mayor was coming from on that but there was nothing preventing him from preparing with buses, supplies, and all that until the mandatory evacutation was called. Simply put, yes, the major deserves much blame.

2) The Louisiana Governor.
Her failure to call up the National Guard resulting in a delay. Also Charles points out the disaster with the school buses and says its her fault for not commanding them commandeered until it was too late. Personally, that sounds more like a failure on the Major's part to me. Anycase, the Governor's hesititancy and concern more for the beaurcracy over results definitly means some blame goes there. However, I would place her 3rd or 4th in order of blame.

3) Head of FEMA - "Late, slow, and in way over his head" Not knowing about the convention center while it was on every major news network is a inexcuseable. Good summation from Charles on that one. I think there are so many more reasons he is to blame I do not know where to begin but suffice it to say FEMA and the major run neck in neck for the number one slot to me.

4) The president. - "Late, slow, and simply out of tune with the urgency and magnitude of the disaster." That sums it up nicely and explains why he writes for a living and I don't. Charles says he takes the blame for failure to immediatly "addressd the country on national television to mobilize it both emotionally and physically to assist in the disaster." IE, a failure to lead. True but there is so many other things both past and present he didn't do.

5) Congress.
Charles blames then due to the creation of Homeland Security that really just added one extra layers and allowing it to spend more time "bureaucratic reorganization" rather then a workable plan for disasters (this could also go under why Bush is at fault.) I personally add allowing FEMA to become a second class citizen in Homeland Security and allowing the President to appoint clearly unqualified candidates to important jobs, ie allowing the party to come before the American people.

6) The American people. "They have made it impossible for any politican to make any responsibile energy policy over the last 30 years." I can't really argue with that. SUV buying loving public doesn't exactly disprove the notion. Of course I am confused he brought it up at all as this indicates he thinks global warming played a part, even though he called the idea a "kind of stupidity [that] merits no attention whatsoever." He needs to make up his mind on that. This last reason could then splinter in many directions that are not on topic.

I add a final item:
7) Citizens of New Orleans. Many that could have evacuated, didn't. Many could have helped their neighbors get out, didn't. Instead of forming gangs, they could have helped and protected their fellow citizen. Its a shame that the actions of so few has such an impact on so many. There is a lot that could be said on how the citizens responded both in the good and the bad, but they shouldn't be excused either.

Some Predictions for Rest of '05

1) Sadly the amount of dead in Katrina will be higher. In range of 35k.
2) The economy, due mostly to cost of oil, will enter a recession.
3) Bush by end of the year will pass another tax cut for the super rich. Once again it will have no impact on the economy.
4) The Katrina Commission will absolve the federal government of any responsibility, place it entirely on the local and state officials and thank Bush and Brown for a timely response that saved lives.
5) A "fix" will be to return FEMA to a cabinet level position.
6) "Brownie" will be named to the FEMA cabinet position.
7) The investigation into the White House leak will end with no charges filed and the grand jury dismissed.
8) Bush will sign into law a bill to seek out more oil reserves in response to Katrina and suggest that some exploration be looked into for alternative fuel sources but will not require it by law.
9) John Roberts will easily be confirmed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
10) Albert Gonzales will be confirmed to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court.

Bush's Katrina Dodge Strategy

Well, the Bush's administration has finally crystallized it strategy to avoid blame for the Katrina. Its called "not" playing the blame game as shown at the Wednesday White House news conference. This new purpose is further supported by Republican leadership who have also engaged in attacking others for engaging in such wrong behavior. How dare the public want to know what went wrong so its not repeated. We are such bastards for wanting answers. Tsk shame on us for questioning our masters, as Anne Coulter would say, that makes us traitors.

While our leaders bash us for daring to want answers, we have FEMA attempting to cover up the scope of the tragedy. Apparently they don't want the press to show the dead, the destruction and basically just want them to go away. I guess they figure if have nothing nice to say... should take priority. Also its interesting that while we are not supposed to play the blame game, its seems that Republican Speaking Points headhunters keep showing up on the news blaming state and local government. They are right of course, state and local deserver blame, but to obsolve the federal government, ie the Bush Administration, would be criminial.

Fortuntaly while our politicians are focused on saving their careers, the new continues to do an excellent job in cover this event, the aftermath and the litany of mistakes. For the first time in a long time they are doing their jobs.

Evidence of this politic dodging mixed with an excellent coverage is was shown on MSNBC by Keith Olbermann with a video timeline that shows the politicans dodging and lies with the actual truth. Thanks to Crooks and Liars for capturing that.

The press is doing their job finally of demanding the truth and seeking answers, the politicians are doing the job of spinning the truth and speading mis-information, now its time for the public to do their jobs. Seek out the truth, use our heads to find it, and make sure the politicans that failed to do their jobs at all levels of government are shown what we think of how they did their jobs. No more medals for incompetence should be the new call for this post-Katrina era.

Hurricane Katrina Timeline

Think Progress has an excellent timeline of Katrina and the government response. Worth a read with multiple links to back up the account.

More Katrina Links

We stood idle as a city fell to its knees - Essay written from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Katrina Aftermath. Worth reading.

Barbara Bush, dumbass bitch - The White House's failed attempt to respond to Barbara's Bush "better off now" remarks about Katrina. Talk about being oblivious.

The Pendulum of Reporting - A New York Times write-up about how the press has finally find its voice after many years of quiet. Its about damn time. If they had continued to do their jobs years ago instead of allowing themselves to be quieted, maybe not so many lives would have been lost such as say someone with experience being in charge of FEMA instead of an unqualified crony.

Many Evacuated... - Just a well-written story about all the work to go.

The Daily Show and Katrina

Make sure to watch the repeats of the Daily Show Wednesday. Jon Stewart just nailed it. Absolutely freaking nailed it.

"For people who are saying 'well stop pointing fingers at the President, the Left Wing Media...No. Shut Up. No. The is inarguably, inarguably a failure of leadership from the top of the federal government."

"He didn't even stop his vacation for three days..."
- Jon Stewart, Daily Show 9/6/05

He later then had the audio of Barbara Bush's comment about being better off and then back from commercial showed the timeline of Bush's "response" to the disaster. When broken down like that, its even more appalling and indefensible.

Saturday 8/27 Week 5 of Bush's summer vacation begins.
Sunday 8/28 Still on vacation even though clearly a cat 5 was near the gulf.
Monday 8/29 Hurricane hit, Bush doing a town hall meeting on Medicare in Arizona.
Tuesday 8/30 Levee collapsed over night. Bush was in San Diego for ceremony marking end of WWII.
Wednesday 8/31 New Orleans underwater. Bush makes decision to cut vacation short, goes back to Washington.
Thursday 9/1 "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees." - Bush said on Good Morning America. Copious amounts of data is available to prove otherwise.
Friday 9/2 Goes to Kenner, LA to "take charge" and that New Orleans "will rise again." Later gives "Brownie, you are doing a heck of a job" to FEMA head.

What amazes me is the defenders don't even get that as a leader, the President gets the blamed for all successes and failures. EVERY failure is his fault because he is the leader. That is part of the price of being in charge. The fact that none of them get that fundamental fact, including Bush, is part of the reason he is such a horrible leader.
The fact that his defenders have to keep pulling more and more rediculous excuses out of their ass is actually further proof at what a pathetic leader Bush is. The fact that the man has to have such blind faith to stand tall...that not a testament to his leadership, its a testament to his failure. True leaders can stand in criticism. True leaders can take it and learn from it. Bush cannot. Simply put, Bush failed. His entire last 4 years as a leader, as the President cost thousands of lives and an entire city. No. Shut Up!

Yahoo's Katrina Metasearch for the Missing

Katrina: Metasearch for Missing People

Click the link above, can look by location of the effected areas or search the Katrina lists from across the Web.

Katrina News Coverage Opinion Pieces

"How're they doing?" - Nice little write-up from Jeff Jarvis on Buzzmachine.com about how the press coverage of Katrina is doing. He makes excellent points and I agree with most of it. He feels it could be a turning point with "new humility, transparency, fallibility, and humanity". I say not likely but one can hope. In the end, the almighty ratings and thus dollars will get in the way.

Reporters Show Their Teeth - This one by Howard Kurtz is a nice little write-up showing how finally after nearly half a decade of complanency and cow towing to the Bush Admistration, the Press is finally baring their teeth and demanding answers. Not even 9/11 accomplished this. But Katrina has finally reminded the press why they exist, to seek out the truth whether we will want to hear it or not. The truth about what went wrong and right about Katrina needs to be discussed and with politicians already in damage control mode its up to the 4th estate to find the truth for the public. I hope they are up to the task as I still have my doubts if this new found aggression will last for the long difficult months ahead.

The World Reaction - Article describing some of the various reactions from the media around the world. "How could this happen in the richest, most powerful country in the world" seems to sum up the article nicely. Its also an answer the Americans need to.

Murders Most Foul - Article describing the dead bodies being found in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other refugee locations as many people where found dead including a 7 year old with her throat cut. A gruesome telling of human depravity.

Stupid Defiance - Up to thousands of New Orleans residents refuse to leave their devasted, mostly underwater homes. Rescuers keep asking to leave, try to explain why they need to leave, point out the lack of food, clean water, and no knowledge of when supplies will be available. Yet the fools will not listen. This level of blind stupidty is part of the reason why the death toll will be so high. Its also something to consider when blame is being assigned. The average NO does take some of the blame for the death toll, its not just the governments fault.

FEMA Chief Waited to Deploy - AP is reporting that FEMA Chief Michael Brown waited until after Katrina struck to dispatch 1000 homeland security employees to the region and gave them 2 days to get there. The article reports that one of the duties was to "convey a positive image" about the government's response. Just an example of how this man was over his head. That is a how a CEO responds to the sinking ship of his business, not to a disaster with lives on the line. With decisions like that Bush is sure to give him a Congressional Medal and cabinet position.

"I'm sick of the press conferences"

"Nobody’s coming to get us. Nobody’s coming to get us. The secretary has promised. Everybody’s promised. They’ve had press conferences. I’m sick of the press conferences. For God sakes, shut up and send us somebody."
- Aaron Broussard talking about efforts after Katrina on Meet the Press before breaking down in tears.

Mr Bush,
All we have seens since you took charge is a series of clearly staged press conferences as you visit Mississippi for the 3rd or 4th time and does a fly by over New Orleans. I don't want you pretending to care and playing the politics, I want to see results. Its seems everyone else, both Republican and Democrat realize right now is not the time for politics. Politics take a backseat to the devastation. Shut the Karl Rove machine down for god's sake.

Also President Bush quit blaming everyone but yourself. Take ownership for your failings so they will not be repeated. Rather then rewarding the FEMA head for his mistakes as you have everyone else in the administration, fire him. He was a crony that was not qualified for the postion. He should have never been put there in the first place. You failed as your job to look out for the nation when you put someone that unqualified in such a position and you failed at your job for failing to realize it fast enough, end your vacation and get supplies and troops in postition.

Fundamentally this disaster is what a president is for. Everything the office is about comes together in a time of crisis and you failed us in a way few have in history. You should be ashamed. You should be embarrassed and most importantly, as president, you have to put that aside, address the failings and get them corrected. To do that properly you must start with yourself.

Hurricane Katrina Links

Hurricane Katrina Aftermath:
DomeBlog - A blog report from Astrodome about conditions and events for refugees there.
Yahoo's Katrina Lists of Missing Lists - A list of all the lists that name the missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina - Java applet from the associated press that allows a look at the map with zoom function.
The World Responds - CNN article on pledges of help from countries all over the world.

Comicbook Related Charity events:
Newsarama Charity News - Updated thread from Newsarama.com updating on comic book related Katrina Charity events.
Bendis Board Charity - Items, artwook, video, tons of different stuff for auction for Katrina Victims.
Rob Liefeld Katrina Auction - Liefeld has put up the artwork for Teen Titans #27 with all proceeds going to Katrina relief.

Political:
CNN - The big disconnect on New Orleans - Basically how reporters are reporting one version of events with pictures and video and Bush admin officials say another view.
Bush Policy on NO levees - Summation report on how recent budget cuts may have resulted in the levee collapse.
Reports of Relief Arrival - CNN piece on arrival of relief supplies arriving to New Orleans

New Orleans Before and After

Here are some satellite photos of New Orleans courtesy of USA Today.

Before
After

New Orleans SOS

Sigh a few days ago we all thought that the US dodged a bullet. Sure some damage but nothing we can't handle...then the levees broke. The result is not a town, or a village, but one entire city destroyed.

Its pretty clear...everyone is overwhelmed. From the residents of the effected area, to the citizens of the US, to the reporters covering the event, and the rescuers trying to do everything they can but lacking the manpower to do it. The US use to have the man power for such events. We called then the National Guard. However most of them are overseas, as is the money, manpower, skill, equipment and everything else you can name. Sadly, to pull out of Iraq to deal with this is not an option. A constiutional crisis looms large and very little could spark violence.

So where does that leave New Orleans. I guess where often it leaves us in times of crisis. With each other. With the citizens of the United States and the World. The outpoor of help is everywhere. In the tears of the effected and the audience that watches in horror. On the radio, over the airwaves, the cries for help are heard, and everyone is trying to answer. Even the networks are joining in with one of the Heroes fundraiser campaigns. While the crime, looting, and gas gouging speaks of the horror of the human condition, the desire to help, the empathy and pain that many feel also shows its greatness. Times of great hardship require a response of great love and sacrifice and the nation is responding. Be sure to give to your favorite charity to help.

Katrina and the news

I am sure many have been watching the news coverage of Katrina as it made landfall. CNN showed a "man on the scene" type approach, often with Anderson Cooper talking about random stuff, trying not to get knocked down and of course hammering whenever possible just how dangerous what he is doing. Now he of course thinks that makes him heroic, the rest of us know it just makes him stupid. So CNN is doing the "you are all going to die" approach to Katrina.

Fox News, as much as I hate to say it, trumped CNN this time. They took the "this is the facts and what is happening now" approach. Less man on the streets wasting our time, more informative, and more insightful. This is all just leading to landfall.

During and especially afterwards however, both news stations became doppelgangers, just talking about the same stuff over again with the same footage over and over again as really no one knew anything. Rescue operations where just beginning, the damage assessment just starting. The horror revealed, but not digested. Basically back to the business of worse case scenarios, crappy guesses, cheerleading and useless information.

However, every know and then, these stations remind them why we need them. TVNewswer has done an excellent job of showing the shining moments and the not so grand moments.

One moment that stands out however is a phone report from CNN's Jeanne Meserve during 8/29 Newsnight. It was a sad accounting of the some of the lives lost and why. Also what she experienced while down there trying to give her report and the emotionial cost. It was a rare moment of humanity in the news coverage. A shrinking of the distance between reporter and subjects. Sometimes you need objectivity...and sometimes you don't.

Click here for the mp3 audio.

Serve iTunes to the PSP

Somehow someone figured out how to serve up your iTunes library to the PSP. It doesn't really replace the nifty iPod but its something goofy to do especially if have a sudden jones for a song.

Instructions are at the Digikid Blog.

PSP 2.0 is go.

Sony has finally gotton around to releasing the firmware update for the PSP. The two main features of this update is a pretty nifty web browser that works suprisingly well and wallpaper to replace the current background with whatever picture want to.

Hopefully soon websites designed with PSPs in mind will pop up for our enjoyment. Sony already has one but of course its just really adverts for sony crap. Also if someone comes up with a pic converter let me know. Because of the screen dimensions some pictures need to be converted to the dimensions etc for optimum viewing but until the playstation forums has proven to be exceptional with many PSP wallpapers and people willing to convert your posted pics so click here for some stuff to use.

Also check out WinPSPortal out for a program available for the PSP. Not sure what it does but might be worth goofing with.

PSP Update 2.0?

From Sony:

The PSP Firmware 2.0 Upgrade for the North American market will be available during the week of August 15th, instead of on August 12, as previously reported.
Designed to compliment the comprehensive entertainment experience of games, movies, music, photos and wireless connectivity provided by the revolutionary portable device, the firmware 2.0 upgrade will allow users to take advantage of the unit’s built-in Wi-Fi capability and wirelessly search the Internet from Internet Access Points or hot spots. The firmware 2.0 upgrade will be available for download directly to a PSP using a Wi-Fi connection or downloaded to a PC from http://us.playstation.com/psp and transferred to a PSP through a USB cable.


How come it seems so hard to release stuff in the US and not Japan? You would think by now they would have figured out a way to make sure that translation etc, was a straightforward process almost as simple as flicking a switch considering no product nowadays is hardly ever not released in both countries.

Not just Natalee "Aruba" Holloway is missing

Either its the new thing, or maybe just maybe, the media is realizing that other people disappear everyday. All in the same week, two media NBC and The Los Angeles Times, have indicated that they realize there is a bias in the media on covering missing person cases.

This of course is something I blogged about a long time ago but still interstesting to see others acknowledging it. The real question though is will there be change from it? Highly doubtful. Why? Its business people. The simple fact is the covering the death/disappearance/etc of an affluent family's missing female member is ratings gold. Especially when the pissing person is young and beautiful, followed by the family members greiving being quite beautiful. Have you seen Natalee's mother and aunt? They are gorgeous, which is why they are thrown up on television screens at every opportunity. As for why money is a factor? Well other then influence taht money brings, its a matter of convience. They usually have someone who doesn't have to work, which means they have time to fly around the country, to interview, to show up on the talk shows etc. Don't really have an explanation why men and non-white are not covered. Pretty sure there are slight racist overtones but more likly its again business. Ratings simply wouldn't be as high (course that doesn't speak well of the country).

Any case, we will continue to see the march of the pretty white affluent white woman bemoan the death/disappearance of her pretty white family member for years to come.

Hooking Up

I have been watching the program on ABC called Hooking Up. Its comes on Thursdays at 9:00pm. It basically follows 4 or so woman as they use online dating to find the perfect man. You would think it would be extraordinary entertaining or maybe uplifting. Instead its kind of sad.

Now the woman, simply gorgeous. We all wish woman that looked like them where on online services. The ages are the 20s and 30s cause 40s are apparently too old or don't date. I think the producers wasted an opportunity in contrasting how age plays a part in deciding a mate. So we have a bunch of photogenically stunning woman seeking the perfect man. Of course this means photogenically stunning men to start. Its interesting to see how the woman immediatly shutdowns when eyeballs her date is bald, or not tall or built enough. So physical is a priority on the ole checklist.

Then comes the dates...and the breakups. It will sound like I am picking on these woman, but they do the breaking up (ie just don't call him back) in every case shown. Now this just could be creative editing, I don't know. Often over minor things or way out there expectations. Some of these woman are making evaluations on whether she could marry him after the first date. Its the first date!!! You don't know shit about the person yet these woman are making those kind of decisions. One woman definilty likes the confident aggressive jock type. But god forbid he gets too aggressive. So she likes it, but doesn't. And somehow the guy is supposed to know the line is. If he doesn't guess it just right, bye-bye. I could give more examples but suffice it to say, the men are expected to be physical love at first sight followed by mental love at end of first date. There is a reason they continue to be lonely.

What makes it sad though is these woman don't seem to be bitches. They actually seem pretty great, someone that would probably be fun to date, develop a relationshipship with. You root for them. You want them to find happiness. I wish they where bitches so could yell in joy for every failure but instead I just think what opportunities they probably wasted. What possibilities of happiness never discovered cause this guy was bald, or too nice, or whatever thing was not good enough. If only they realized perfection doesn't exist. That a checklist is a guideline, not a rulebook. Until they realize that, I will continue to hope for the best.

Susan Torres dead

May not know who Susan Torres is. She and her family was the opposite of how Terri Schiavo was handled. Where one was forced to die with no dignity, this one was able to. Where one was a lesson in greed and abuse of power, this was a lesson of a parents love. Where one was abuse by the media, this was one of restraint. She saved her child, and her family allowed her to pass with dignity.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas sued

In another example of a country gone wacky on get rich easy through litigation, a New York grandmother is sueing Rockstar, the make of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas because she was upset over their "false, misleading, and deceptive practices."

For those that don't know, recently this game was changed to Adults Only rating do because khackers discovered hidden sexual explicit areas on the game. Areas that are by no means easy to access. Now before then this game was Mature Only (17+ years of age), which means if parents where doing their part, and lets face it many don't bother anymore, that 14 year old child should never have owned the game to begin with. Which is a main reason why the case should be tossed out, the grandmother should have never bought the game to begin with. The ONLY difference between a M rating and an A rating is wether the person is 17 or 18 years old. That is it! The judge should toss this case on its ass for that reason alone but we all know it will get settled and her get rich scheme will be a success.

Now of course, led by that worthless piece of crap Hillary Clinton, Congress once again wants to somehow legislate video games. This is a good example of how laws don't always help. Here is a rating systems that clearly states children shouldn't own the game. Its all over the box, the advertisement, any read up on the game would make it clear on any internet site in the world. Yet this and many other adults go right out and buy the games anyway turning them over to children without making even basic research or I don't know, reading the fucking box. Then they go crying about how they didn't know. How about instead of trying to force retailers to somehow tell adults what to do, they punish the parents for not doing their fucking jobs. I am so sick of everyone else being punished because of the laziness of others.

Anyone can agree that the extra content, since not really meant for retail use, should have been removed from the code before it shipped. The fact that it took over a year to be discovered is a good indication it wasn't meant to be found, but still, not there can never be found. They have since been punished with the bad press, loss of sales, and the government scrutinizing everything. Yet no one still asks the fundamental question, how can government "fix it" if parents don't do their part. If Clinton wants to do something useful, ask the question "where where the parents?"

Supreme Court Nom

Too early to form an opinion on the nomination but based on what little I have read, I don't really have cause to complain. Sounds like Bush might have picked a conservative moderate and really can't ask better then that (well for a liberal moderate of course :P). I am alo pleased that Bush didn't pick a woman or minority just to pick a woman or minority so points for that to.

Now here is the thing, its been proven that the press (and by extension congress) only has the attention span for one story at a time, so which will get the focus now? Rove or Court nom? Next few days should be interesting. Either way Bush wins. Attention focuses on the nom, Rove story becomes "old". Or they stay drilled on Rove, attention moves away from the nom making his passage more likely.

Now not saying that the Court nomination was planned for that cause really, I don't. Bush had to wait long enough after the British bombings to announce and if he waited too long that would just look indecisive. So timing is just lucky happenstance.

Harry Potter Year 6

Just finished the book and sadly I found it too short at only 630 pages. I wanted it to be longer because it was such an enjoyable read. I love to read, always have, and I can't recommend Harry Potter enough. It is a great read for all ages. Once get to book 3, you will not stop till get through with six.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a great and enjoyable read that further's his adventures and his relationships. The novel goes a long way into filling in the back story, motivations and evil of Lord Vordemort while at the same time showing how that back story plays apart into the previous books including a very neat explanation for the diary in the Chamber of Secrets. Pretty much every previous book gets touched upon in this story further filling out many backstories and questions. And like any good book series, new questions arise to join the ones not yet answered. If I had one complaint, it was the ending which seemed sudden and quick even with the big o' boomstick that Rawlings dropped on fans. Oddly enough the ending seems so rushed with the changes, revelations, and a quest that is introduced. that it feels like either the next book will be dictionary sized or maybe just maybe year 7 may not necessary be just one book. I don't remember if Rawlings ever said there would be only 7 books or 7 years but on can hope for the former.

New or old, go read this and all other Harry Potter books.


Now for some mean o fun:
SPOILERS LURK AHEAD, YOU KEEP READING DON'T COMPLAIN TO ME

- Snape kills Dumbledore.
- Voldemort is practically immortal because he committed murders to store 7 pieces of his soul in objects including the diary and his current body.
- To kill Voldemort, all 7 pieces have to be destroyed. Currently two pieces are destroyed, the diary and Sytherin's ring.
- Remaining pieces are in a snake, Humplepuff cup, and two unknown objects beloning to Ravenclaw and the other house.
- Potter vows to destroy Voldemort and will not return to the school to do it.
- Malfoy is instructmental in helping to kill Dumbledore, yet at the same time sorta redeems himself.
- Snape is the one that informed his master of the prophecy that led to the death of Potter's parents and his mark.
- Voldemort created his own arch enemy by responding to the prophecy. No action taken, no dead potter parents and no "chosen one".
- And for the wee ones, Harry and Ginny "snog" then break up and Ron and Hermoine are clearing about to snog but haven't yet.
- Lord Vordemort is winning the war.

The Return of the Press Corps!

As the Daily Show recently highlighted on its Tuesday Karl Rove edition, the Press Corps have finally remembered what their job is. One of even invoked the sacred "don't the people have the right to know" comment. Something probably not heard in that building for at least five years. The White House continues to comment with the "don't comment on an investigation [when one of us is named but have no problem doing it]" defense and finally the press corps has perked up and said "how odd". The smelled blood, they since the ability to tear a person's life to shreds, to bring someone high down low, to finally do what they love to do. The shark has awakened. Oh how the american public has pleaded for this shark to return.

Lies to the public didn't awaken the shark. The bad intelligence, the lack of WMDs, the plethora of lies and misinformation about Iraq, the list goes on really of huge wrongs didn't wake the shark. Hell, not even some gay escort non-journalist given full press crendentials and unheard of access awoke the shark. Instead of wakes the press corps? The reveal of ultimatly inconsequential name. All those many many wrongs and the press stays quiet and slumbers. But for this it awakes?!? What the hell? All these wrongs, all the lies, from an administration that sold itself as the honest not clintonite administration, and this is what wakes the shark?

Sadly the shark is still sleepy and not quite into the kill yet. Not even five years agot hey would be pushing the "what did the president know" angle. But this time? Nope not even a whisper. You can't tell me the president didn't know about this. Something as big as a leak like that had to have been passed onto the president and approved. Oddly if this is the case, then Rove probably has a defense and the president, who didn't testify, would take a hit but doubtful he broke a law either (being commander in chief and all). But the important thing to ask is "What did the president know and when?" Why hasn't that been asked? Will the press finally revive itself enough to ask? Will this finally lead them to ask for answers that before they let slide. Hell, just explain Gannon and I might be satisfied if the more complicated stuff like Iraq is too much for their wee little heads. The Bush Administration has done so really way out shit then Clinton has in his most debauched wet dreams, its about damn time the press did their jobs and called them on it.

The Stupid Character in Movies

Ok I got a question, why do all movies like this require one of the major characters to be so damn stupid over and over and over? In this movie, the stupid character is Cruise's son. The boy re-defines movie stupidity. His stupidity was so often, so spectacular that it actually took me out of the movie several times. I spent an inordinate amount of time hoping they would kill the character so the story could move on. Also figure great stupidity shouldn't get rewarded but anyways.

Overall a good movie, would have called it great if not for that stupid stupid stupid character.

Fantastic Four Review

- Spoilers lurk with, consider this the warning -

I thought it was a good popcorn flick.

But as great movie or even comic book movie, not even close. It was very much the broad brushstrokes take on the FF, like the writer and director just read a encyclopedia entry for each of the characters rather then really trying to understand them. Cause lets face it, as a concept, FF has got to be one of the hardest comics to write for.

Their rogues gallery is non-existant, their powers don't really lend themselves to a teamwork approach. Reed's real "power" is his brain shown off craploads of times in the books because its pretty difficult to make solid use of his powers on a regular basis. Also because its a team book, you really need a villian team to go against, not just one character.

Even in the comics, its rarely Doom vs the FF. Its more like Doom, his bots, distractions, etc vs the FF. The movie failed in a big way by not creating multiple enemies for the big fight so that each would "naturally" use their powers rather then forced into the sequence (the Incredibles being an excellent example of this). Its probably why the Thing and the Human Torch where used most effectivily both in the movies and the comics. Their powers are the easiest to incorportate into any storyline as is their relationship.

The movies has some big ass plot and detail holes in it (since when can Strechy throw a mailbox like he has super strength). The biggest hole was Doom. He was a major wuss. They did nothing to make him seem a super villian threat. Instead he was just a dick and not much else. If they had him blow up the bank boardroom and the entire floor, that at least would have super villian like behavior, but instead he killed one guy and then tried to trick the FF. Also, if you think about it, the two main fight sequences are all situations created by the FF. The bridge sequences wouldn't have been necessary if the Thing just used his head and sat his ass back down instead of scarying the guy and Reed Richards created Doom. He screwed up his calculations that results in the births of themselves and Doom. They should have stole from Ult. FF and had Doom change the calculations. Really at the end of the day, the movie forgot the most important questions of all "Why?" and "How?" Why hate the FF? How did they master their powers? Why do we need this Stretcho in this scene? Why revenge? and so forth.

For Alba , I had zero expectations for except for nice eye candy. Which really is all she was. She must be screwing the right people to keep getting these movie roles is all I am thinking cause there are not only much better looking actresses out there but better skilled ones too. (Is it me but does it seem like she doesn't have a whole lot going on upstairs?)

London Subway Bombed

If you haven't heard about this you might live in a whole in the ground. London experienced explosion of four bombs in their subway system that currently has killed 37 and wounded 700.

The group claiming responsibility is is called the "Secret Organization group al Qaeda Organization in Europe." If their actions didn't prove it then their name does. They are the stupidest bastards on the planet. The redefine stupidity. At a time in the ties between the US and Britain where falling apart, they decide that instead of trying to sever those ties to renew and strenghen them instead. They actually blew stuff up to make the relations stronger and better for the US. Gee thanks guys, didn't really need your help on that. Stupidest bastards.

What really amazes me about these groups beyond their stupidity is just how close minded they are. When we blow their shit up, they get pissed. What the fuck makes them think are reaction wouldn't be the same? Seriously what goes through their heads? It seems like their solution to everything is to blow shit up even though that hasn't worked. For centuries. They have literally been blowing shit up for centuries and accomplished nada, yet they continue the path as if something will change. They get pissed when their shit blows up, so do we. There something in common. And it shows just how stupid they are. At least the "infidels" learn after a few years when a new approach is needed. These dumb shits still haven't learned after centuries.

Another reason we know they are dumbshits. They stole from the Christian Playbook. Christian rulers way back when, lets use crusades as an example, would tell the uneducated that the bible says go kill the evil Muslims. Of course the Bible never said this, but the uneducated masses marching off to war couldn't read so they couldn't disprove it. They just assumed their leadership was telling the truth. That is exactly how these dipshit terrorists work. Instead of learning to read and verify for themselves what the Koran says, they just happily follow along with whatever garbage spews from their leadership. Once again, they fail to learn from history. The very tactics used against them, they know use against their own people. And the people love them for it. Once again, stupid dumpshits.

Finally, they blew up the streets of London. London people. Stupid. This is the city that has dealt with more then its share of bombings. The IRA for decades, Indian uprising, pretty much ever country in the world at some point in time has dropped a bomb or two on London. This is the same London that was bombed to hell and back in WWII. After all that, when the resolve of the British never changed, do these dipshits seriously think blowing up a subway system is going to get them to cower? Please.

Again, history. WWII is all you need to know to realize that the only thing this act would do is piss the British off. To again renew their ties with the US. To strengthen the goals of the US. The opposite of what the terrorists want. Stupid stupid stupid dipshits.

Sandra Day O'Connor Steps Down

Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female member of the Supreme Court, has resigned. This seems like a sad day for the US for it gives Bush the ability to continue his streak of unqualified choices for important positions. I swear he does it to amuse himself and just to see if can be done. So far, as proven with Bolton, he apparently can and even the republicans that disagree with the choice will bend over for him.

I have hope though that for something as important long term as a Supreme Court appointee that republicans will finally grow a backbone and start making decisions for the good of the country, not the party. They use to know that the country comes first, the party second or even third. I hope they once again find those priorties for such an important position.

Scrushy free, and Alabama regains stupidest state title

Healthsouth CEO Richard Scrushy got off scott free for robbing and nearly destroying the company after losing $3 billion and cooking the books to hide it. He claims trickery...and the Alabama jury in their infinite stupidity believed it.

Why you ask? According to one juror, cause investigators didn't get fingerprints off the notebooks for it "that would have shown Mr. Scrushy handled the notebooks," according to juror Vest. Nevermind that "notebook" is harddrive data, not an actual pile of paper. Nevermind this is about cooking books not a murder investigation. Nevermind this is a case about the responsibility of CEOs not wether they touched a piece of paper or not.

The message seems to be this, keep it digital, go to Alabama and those fools will let anyone off because apparently they watch to much CSI and Law & Order. You know those where a piece of dust in the wrong place points to the evil killer even though in reality doesn't quite work that way. Smart people know this, just not the citizens of Alabama apparently and definity those fools on the jury. If going to acquite someone at least have a sane logical reason for it. Not some bullshit "CSI" nonsense.

So once again, let the nation bestow the title "Stupidiest State" to Alabama.

Been sick

Been awhile cause been sick and just haven't felt like posting. That and haven't had anything that tickled me enough to write about. Feel free to submit your own rants if the mood strikes.

Jackson on all charges: not guilty

All I can say I am so glad that is done with. Not guilty. Another day or two of it and no more Jackson, Jackson, Jackson on the air waves. So sick of it. Now if only that pesky civil trial goes away Jackson can finally slide into that nothingness that all ex-popstars go to.

As for the verdict, I can't say I am happy or not happy. I still don't know what the man did. I do know that based on the evidence as presented by the prosecution, they didn't prove the case. It basically came down to a child with clearly money hungry parents. The problem with this is that you have to wonder how much the child tells is truth and how much was made up to bolster the civil case.

Not sure what the press will do after this, suddenly have 2100 reporters with nothing to do. Yes I am sure they will all squeeze at least another week of "reports" out this, the usual reaction, what you think, what we think, what now, blah blah blahness that tells you nothing and gives no actually news. Sigh, those poor bastards may actually have to do something they are out of practice on, actually report some other news. That transition alone may kill some of them.

Two things I would like to see from this trial:
1) Arrest charges against the parents. If you are not willing to let some adult from down the street watch you children or stay overnight, then there is no excuse for allowing Michael Jackson or any other celebrity that same. Just because can add some zeros on his income doesn't make the decision "ok". Rich, not rich, doesn't matter, those children should have never been allowed to visit and especially never, ever allowed to spend the night. What the parents did was sacrifice their children for the almight dollar and they should get jail time for it.

2) Make the fucking press actually report some news. Strange concept but the ONLY news from the Jackson trail is the verdict. That took, what 2 minutes to rattle off. Allow another 10 minutes for commentary and thats it. No more news. Either repeat or move on. Instead will hear about this for at least another 24-72 hours while the news elsewhere continues to get ignored. So to the press, report some news for once, there is an entire world out there beyond the "story of the day." Go do your jobs, find it and inform us about it.

Apple Switches to Intel

Read it here, Apples waves buy to IBM and says hello to Intel chips starting in 2007 but slow phasing in beginning now. Many may think its gloom and doom for Apple but it could be an excellent idea depending on a few decisions or hurdles.

Hurdle 1 is re-writing all that software and OS. Apple just released another update of OS X and now with a chip change they practically have to re-write it and all other software. Technically a driver update alone can handle it, but it simple wouldn't run as smooth or as quick as software built around a certain chipset. Since Apple likes to trump (its now decaying) dependability, they and related vendors have no choice.

Which leads to hurdle 2. What if many vendors say to hell with re-writing their software or at the very least delay. After all thats alot of work for a company that only has 2% market share. Microsoft and Adobe together could decide not to rewrite Photoshop and Office and that could break Apple's back before the first Intel machine ships.

Hurdle 3 is the pissed off customer base. Apple users tend to be a rabid die hard bunch. Anything that even sniffs of Apple tends to blow their tops and the resulting bad press for the next 2 years could be more damaging then Jobs may think. First step is to make sure those die hards are not losing the Apple they know and love. And nevermind confusion for the less computer savvy who will know have to know what their chipset is to make proper software and hardware purchases. That alone is going to be a troubleshooting nightmare.

Hurdle 4 is the price of those machines could come close to PCs. Cheaper will be nice but at least close to average PC price. iPods show that people are willing to pay a little bit more for looks, the key is making sure that Apple finds that sweet spot of not charging to much. Something they have historically had a problem doing but slowing getting better at. To truly compete however, they can't take their golly sweet time working out the price.

If Apple can overcome these main hurdles, they do have extra pluses going for them. Plus One is the iPod/iTunes combo. Here they have this massive highway into Windows world introducing millions to what Apple is able to do with both hardware and software. If they don't ruin that good will in the next two years, they can use those inroads to promote the intel version of the Macs. One top of that, the iPod shows that people are willing to pay more for a well engineered and gorgeous product. In other words, looks matter, even for computers and Apple bar none has the best looking machines on the market.

This leads to plus number two. Since its an intel chipset, which currently is on many many Windows PCs (such as Dell) this means that technically an Apple machine can run Windows instead of Mac. So users who want the look of a Mac but the OS of Windows can do that. Lots of customers there alone. Or even better, if Apple has some brains, they will make sure that the Intel OS X can run Windows programs nativily or in a built in emulator. Suddenly you can have the best of both worlds. Talk about maximum value. However, I don't see Jobs' ego allowing this to occur and the die hard community will shit a brick.

Finally plus number 3 is the GHZ speed. Most people here 3.2 ghz dell computer or 1.5 G5 they just assume that bigger number equals faster machine. And not only faster but cheaper so hince better deal. Now, finally, Apple can compete at a level the average customer understands. Now number for number there will be a true and easy comparison. Assuming Intel gives Apple the lastest and greatest (and it doesn't have to, Dell could say nope and since bigger customer Intel will listen) then in stats, Apple will have a level ground.

The main key I think however is Apple embracing Windows and windows programming either with duel boot setup (by at least not preventing it) or more smartly building it into the OS. To bad Apple didn't go with some of the proven (and cheaper) chipmakers such as AMD. That alone would have handled the pricing hurdle they have to deal with.

Give the finger to striking guild actors

Yeah right. This is one entertainment arena where an actor, wether its an A lister or a Z lister, has zero power. If the video games power that be have any brains, they will give a collective finger to the Screen Actors Guild and tell them to shove their strike (re: greed) where the sun don't shine.

I am just getting sick and tired of the already rich attempting to use their power to get even more money without having to earn it. They signed a contract for X amount to do Y work. If they didn't like the pay, they should have agreed to do the work. Its that fucking simple. I know I don't like what I get paid and I have the option to quit for that reason (of course unlike the rich, that would be disasterous). Just because after the fact they decided maybe they didn't get such a good deal doesn't mean they should be able to force it on others. Again, I am sure there are many many workers who wished they negotiated a higher pay scale but again thats life. Quit and move on, or in this case, don't sign the damn contract.

This strikes smells of the same stink that swirls around the Baseball and Hockey strikes. Its all about the greed for the already stinky rich. "To deny working-class performers their fair share of the tremendous profits their labor helps to generate is illogical, unreasonable and unjust," John Connolly, president of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists said recently. We all know damn well this has nothing to do with the working class. Its about the A listers who get a pile of dough for a few hours of work and decided they wanted more. Hell, just like baseball, even those poor "working class" slobs are getting an obscene amount of money, $278 an HOUR, in fact. I would love to get that much money in an hour. Hell for me to make that much, I have to work about 20 hours. My 20 hours of dealing with asshats on the phone for one hour of them speaking into a mike from a script. Give me a break.

Yeah, yeah some sympathetic fool will say "but they have no insurance and don't have regualer 40 hour a week jobs." My response is "so?" They made that choice. They went to explore a dream or whatever and if they can't make enough to live off of it, tough shit. Just like businessman who are forced to end their dreams and close up shop, may these actors need to do the same if can't make enough to live off of. Its their choice that put them in that situation, its not up to others to bail them out for no damn good reason. Again, they don't like the pay, don't sign the contract. Its all about choice people.

Fortunatly, video game companies have a choice. Which is truly give them the finger. After all about the ONLY reason voice acting matters is in games based off of movies. That the studio's choice to do that in attempt to get more tickets and DVDs sold. Video gamers will not miss them if not made, video game producers probably don't need to add those dogs to their repuation. I am sure most would agree that if, because of the strike, a game based on a movie, never had voices in it again, we all wouldn't care one damn bit.

"They have no leverage," Yankee Group analyst Mike Goodman said of the voice actors.
"In 99 percent of all games, the voice actors are irrelevant. You replace one voice actor with another nonunion actor and no one will know the difference." Really, if need more voices to continue the give crappy performances, bad line readings, etc, I am sure its easy to find any shmoe on the street that is just happy for the privilage. There are a legion of gamers out there who would probably "act" not only better, but do it for free, just to have their name in the end credits. Maybe explore that option rather then give into these greedy fools.

John Connolly, president of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists said recently. "It is simply shortsighted to believe that consumers don't care about the artistic quality of the characters." Quality is good, we want it, but really how often is there any quality in the voice "acting"? Most of the time its leaden readings that a 6 year old could do better, or worse, its crap taken right out of the movie without even needing the actor to "work" that day. No what that guild needs to understand, and video companies need to hammer home, is that they need video games far far far more then video games need them. At the very least if video game companies going to give in (as I am sure they will), at least make them work for it, force them to give a performance, to "work" for that obscene amount of money, rather then the crap gamers have been getting for over a decade.

Finally, what about the creators, designers, coders, producers, managers, etc of all the people that helped create the game. What about them? Apparently to the Screen Actors Guild they are nothing. Not only not relevant, but having nothing to do with the success of a game. Apparently in their world, a game's success is 99% voice acting and 1% design. That too is a reason to not give in. If they yield to a bunch of greedy actors, then suddenly everyone else that had a stake in the game will also want their share of the pie. That alone should make the companies give the finger to em.

Filibuster Fiasco

Well the Filibuster fight with its overly dramatic named "nuclear option" is at an end. Am I the only one that found the whole battle not only stupid but the height of hyprocrasy. Here is a tool that has been around for over a century, that both parties have enjoyed using, yet suddenly its "tyranncial" according to Frist? Where was that thinking even a few years ago when Republicans filibustered Clinton nominations? Where was that thinking when it was used to try to stop equal right and other needed social changes? Why is it that when republicans do ANYTHING, its wonderful and perfect and right, yet when the Democrats use the EXACT same tactics, its "tyrannical"? Why can't Americans see the hypcrasy of that line of thinking? Why don't people for both parties look at this fight and point out how horrible the behavior is and condemn it properly. I know I would if Democratics pulled this same stunt. Even worse, why would Republicans want to close a loop hole that they used to such great effect for decades? Are they so arrogant that they don't think they will ever become the minority party again? If so, what gives them that supreme confidence? Should that level of untouchable thinking scare the bejeezus out of the electorate? I know it scares me.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

I have just returned from the 12:01 showing of Star Wars and to sum up, the movie was incredibily entertaining and worth seeing. There are several ways to attempt to review this movie. On its own merits or within the context of all the Star Wars movies. In this post will just talk about it on its own merits.

This movie is about the end of the Clone Wars, birth of an Empire, Vader, Twins, and the death of the Jedi and the Republic. Thats a lot of story to get into one movie. On top of all that, have to make sure it segways into Episode 4 nicely. In achieving those goals Lucas has succeeded. He does hit all those elements, in some cases incredibly well and in others to utter disappointment. The plot is excellent and enttertaining.

Starting with the obvious, CGI and fighting, fantastic. If like things blowing up real good and don't care about story, plot holes, etc, this movie is great. From beginning to end, the action does not disappoint.

What does disappoint, among other things, is the acting and the lines. The acting was better then last two movies but Christianson (Anakin) and Portman (Padme) still come across wooden and emotionless. However, McGregar (Obi-Wan) and McDiarmid (Palpatine) did an outstanding job further highlighting how the other two failed to overcome the writing.

Sadly the writing, especially the scenes of love where sadly mostly corny. Most of the non-action scenes where actually pretty good except many timese Lucas took it about three lines to long so it tipped over into the realm of corny. If showed a little more restrait those scenes would have played much better.

The disappointment that really arises from this movie is the conversion of Anakin to the Dark Side of the Force. Even after thet movie is over, you still don't really understand why he becomes such absolute evil (trust me, its made clear hes evil). ITs just handled so aruptly and so poorly you are left scraching your head. The finaly nail in the head is the end when Anakin finishes the transformation to Vader. It was a scene where words could have been without or at least some subletly. However, there wasn't and as a result a line that will become infamous is spoken that totaled the scene and thus a pivatol moment in Star Wars history.

The end result is its a movie worth seeing. I recommend it with a large crowd. Its truly very entertaining. It redeems what came before, but still leaves an undercurrent of disappointment due to what we knows follows.

Monster-In-Law

Clearly Jane Fonda owns this movie. Jennifer Lopez is so out of her depth compared to her it actually makes you feel sorry for her. In many scenes, its clear Fonda is holding back so the scenes with Lopez have the intended balance but she didn't always succeed. Jane on screen is when movie rocks and is funny. Jennifer on screen is when movie slows down and gets tedious. End results is a so-so funny movies with bursts of life. Hopefully this will finally make people see the light that Lopez has a beautiful face and body, but lacks in any talent.

see it as a matinee.

Mindhunters

This is a horror flick about a group of FBI profilers stuck on an island in a training exercise that turns real when one of their own turns on them but they don't know who. Straight up horror flick with the usual gore, screams and nasty deaths. The story has wholes the size of a truck (a DNA machine in military training grounds) but don't really care because it moves at a good clip and stays interesting the entire time. Wish more movies followed that wisdom instead of the poor attempts to make a statement.

See it as a matinee.

XXX: State of the Union

Its a shame that this movie didn't do to well. Its actually a pretty good movies. Nothing to deep of course, just the hero has to stop the Secretary of State from killing the president and others so he can take over. Lots of action, one liners and stuff blowing up real good ensures. Its another great popcorn movie of the summer. See it, enjoy it, forget it. Which to me is what a great popcorn movie is all about.

See it now, with a crowd.

Sahara

Treasure hunt that turns into guy having to save a country from greedy dictator and industrialist. Silly movie but well executed with good lines, acting, and action scenes. Basically a fantastic popcorn movie to spend two hours with.

See now, with a full crowd.

Kingdom of Heaven

Oh man where to start with all the problems of this movie. Its too long, poorly written, poorly edited, the characters are asses. The lead character sucks and doesn't fit the hero they are trying to make him. They want him flawed but in the end he is beyond redemption because clearly he has learned nothing by movie's end. And the main women, Eva Green, or as I call her "the skeleton." That girl needs to eat more. She is frankly just ugly in ever scene she is in. Not only an ugly women, but crappy actress. If she ever appears in another anything, it will be too soon.

Kingdom of Heaven is about a blacksmith seeking redemption and forgiveness from God after killing a priest taunting him about the death of his wife and mom. And of course nothing is best for forgiveness then going to Jerulesuem and killing a bunch of heathens! So away he goes, after indirectly causing the death of his father, therefore inhereting his lands and responsibilty, to protect the citizens of his land. This is important cause they beat it to death by having him invent stuff apparently his father was too stupid to do, giving his people a properous land. Hurray for the blacksmith. He loves the people. Now how long all this took, who the hell knows. The director couldnt' be bothered to create some kind of hint on time progression. Without that, this movie could have been the progress of days, weeks, months or years. Not a clue. If have an idea let me know. Sadly, after doing the king's sister, the call comes in to defend christiandom. He does this by gallantently charging the masses so the citizentry can get behind the city walls. At least your told this, since the visials do a piss poor job of backing this up. Crap happens, he gets a chance to become king, but turns it down even though its pretty clear that killing one man will save thousands. Of course our man of the citizens says no, cause his little desire for nobility is apparently more imoportant then the lives he claims to want to protect. So here we go big ass fight scene ala lord of the rings. Only not as well done with many pregnant pauses for whatever reason no one understands. Somehow along the way, our blacksmith has become a master war general, coming up with plans, inventions and lots of others things to really stick it to the invaders. Must be nice to be an expert at everything. Now the war he could have avoided he ends, for the people of course. By then, your upset the asshat lived, but glad this overwrought, poorly written movie is over.

Skip this movie, but if determined, wait till its free on TV

The Interpreter

This movie is about a interpreter who overhears a plot to kill a despot of a foriegn country and the efforts to investigate who is behind the plan. The story is actually pretty good, Interesting if about 20 minutes too long. Don't really like Sean Penn a whole lot so could have done without him but he did a ok job here. Was his usual to serious self so his acting wasn't a stretch. A tense scene on a bus was interesting, if it did make the FBI look like incompetent fools. The silly little "love" cliche could have taken a pass on, but of course its practically studio rule 101 so not suprised its there nor handled well. It was clearly shoehorned in to apease a higher up.

see this as a matinee.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

I have never read the book, so the movie was going to be my only exposure. The main problem with this is movie is its simply to British. I just don't get that sense of humor, its too dry for me. The movie itself had some interesting ideas, great FX but really the story as a whole was boring. I just couldn't get into it. The lead characters where fine (the girl not so much) but it just wasn't that interesting to me. It had a plot, run from the bad guys, find out what the question is so can find out the answer, but it was just ho hum execution.

This movie is a renter.

End of Star Trek Enterprise

I have to admit it, I am a trekkie. Seen all the series (DS9 the best of bunch), watched the movies (II best), read the books religiously, and basically just enjoy the depth of "history" and creativity employed in its long life. So when I heard that season 4 of Enterprise would be its last, I just shrugged and though maybe its time. After all Enterprise for the first three seasons frankly sucked. It never came even close to its potential of exploring Star Trek's "prehistory". I was not only hoping for good stories and good acting, but little things that trekkies would get and enjoy but new audiences could use as launchpads to discover the rest of the universe. Instead, as all know, we got crap. It was season 1-6 of Voyager all over again. They tried for season long stories like the Dominion War of Deep Space Nine but instead they deliviered un-inspiring and pointless story telling. No exploring of the universe. No real attempt to explain how "Star Trek" became Star Trek. Just more of the same. It was a massive massive disappointment. Even worse, it was boring.

The came season 4. It was like an amazing breath of fresh air. Couple changes behind the scenese using "gasp!" real FANS of the universe! Not just businessman wanting next paycheck but FANS who have enjoyed the universe long before they made a living from it. The result is finally, FINALLY, Enterprise lived up to its potential. The Gorn, hints of the Federation Charter, the Dark Universe, and so much more have made this one of the best season of Star Trek in since last season of DS9. I think alot of the credit goes to the writers of some of the best Star Trek books in the entire universe, Gar and Judy Reeves-Stevens. If even a casual fan of Star Trek, I highly recommend picking up really any book on Star Trek they have written. First up, try a little book written about 15 years ago called "Federation."

Alas however, the combination of three lackluster seasons and UPN's fractured personality disorder has done the deed of killing Star Trek from the TV airwaves for years to come. Hopefully this will result in re-newed vigor for the series ala the wonderful Peter David's Star Trek New Frontier series. Not a re-imagining (shudder at that thought as disaster always follows) but simply...a renewal of insight and exploration and humanity that is the series hallmark, over the safe and predicable that has been guiding it for the last 10 years. New blood is necessary and even hoped for, but it must be tempered by their understanding and enjoyment of the universe. New blood who doesn't know Star Trek from Star Wars would be a costly and deadly mistake so lets us hope future masters of Star Trek's destiny are guided more by Gene Roddenberry's spirt and less by greed. Well there is still hope in Star Trek's future...and that really more then anything is what Star Trek is all about.

Where in the US is info on the British Election?

What do you know, tomorrow is the last day in United Kingdom to vote for their representatives in Parliment. What does this mean for the US?

Well it means the majority party, currently Tony Blair's Labour Party, would decide who the next prime minister. In theory, that means Tony Blair gets tossed on his keister, a new UK prime minister is selected, one who is not so happy to kiss Bush's ass. The end result would be our last large ally pulling out of Iraq. The one real friend in the world US has left may be gone after these elections end.

You would think the American media would feel a need to mention this at some point in the last week or so. Sounds like news to me, doesn't it you? But nope, the only reason I heard about this was from the 5/4/05 Daily Show. They informed me of this remarkable news. They also had a scathing difference of what a true town hall meeting is supposed to be instead of the rally that Bush's people kept labeling "town hall." So once again, the "Story of the Day" approach to the news fails to inform us of somethign we may need to know, that a new prime minister may be elected.

Home stretch for Runaway Bride story

Drive through downtown Duluth today. While the media hasn't quite abandoned this story, its clear the residents have. The news fans are still around the nearby park, but they seem to just be local news fans plus CNN and Fox News. The parking lot that had been the Media Headquarters has once again been returned to its nearly abandoned state. The house where all had congreated to show support now just shows a badly damaged lawn. The ribbons that remain up, which are few now, are showing signs of wear and tear. Yep, this sleepy town is ready to move on, slowly realizing that they are the butthole of many butt jokes. Now if only the Jennifer W would release her freaking statement so the media will skip town.

Of course her statement could be written by anyone, with apolgies to the town, family, volunteers. A quick sentence how she was overwhelmed and just had to leave. Her horror over learning of the attention and belief that only way to get out of it was a lie she now regrets. Etc, etc, etc. What she will fail to address is why a week long game plan, why she didn't tell anyone, yet did bother to make sure her mom had list of wedding vendors that. Of course it could be argued that she should not have to apoligize publically. Afterall, its not her fault that a local news story that should have remained local became national. The media should apoligize for that. If it hadn't gone national, doubt have the volunteers or a lie to the police. It would have remained where it belonged, between local police and the family. The family does deserve something, but thats not really our business.

So in the end, she is apolgizing to us for being busy bodies, butting our heads in matters where it didn't belong. So note to all future runaway brides, make sure you are not young white women from an affulent family or you too could have to issue a national apolgy.

More Runaway Bride thoughts

Just got my first blog think from Jeff Jarvis at his blog Buzzmachine. Do believe thats the first time I have ever been linked. Also makes me wish had better writing skills but maybe with practice. One thing I appreciate, he gives this runaway bride story the attention it deserves - a quickie paragragh and then moves on to real information of note and interest. I however, just don't have that kind of self control.

Try to check out the Daily Show from 5/2/05. It should be repeating again on Tuesday. About 12 minutes in Jon Stewart gives his opinion about the media's behavior to this story in way only he can...by using their own footage to hang em with. Basically he agrees with me, that clearly the media was hoping for some visious murder. Favorite line "When Hannity is the voice of reason we are all on the bus to CaCa land" Uh may have to watch ep again to get that exactly right. The media reaction to me is the real story, not the bride herself but I think I am a minority in that opinion.

As for local reaction, based on people talking and the radio, its probably what everyone else thinks. What I find amusing is that many feel some need to say something along the lines "thank god she's okay, but..." The opinions range from her needing serious medical attention to being a devious bitch. Some defend the fact that she did many things wrong but none that are illegal since she technically has the right to runaway. However, pretty much everyone agrees that she was selfish and seriously violated some moral lines. Also, that the husband should jettison her ass ASAP. I have a feeling he will but with the press attention on the family its best to just wait rather then do a public drop kicking. If so, I tip my hat to him. I doubt I would have that level of self control.

I, like most here, do believe some form of punishment needs to be dealt with. Most say just pay for the cost, I think forgetting that doesn't really punish the individual in this case since the family as a whole could cover any costs (estimated to be 40k to 80k here). One person suggested she pay in community service equal to the time all volunteers total went looking for her. I thought that was an excellent idea. Its not only an unselfish act (even if forced on her) but its truly a long term lesson that she has to cuss about every hour she works it. Also an excellent example to others who attempt such callous behavior and thens attempts to use lies to dodge responsibilty. If simply pay back the cost, her family writes a check and calls it a day, no lesson learned, consequences dodged.

A telling quote from Gwinnett county DA Danny Porter "Sometimes, I'm not sure she has the capability for remorse." Personally that sounds like political exaggeration but interesting nonetheless.

The Duluth Runaway Bride

Well I am sure everyone has heard about the Duluth Georgia Runaway Bride Jennifer Wilbanks. Lots of thoughts on this one. One, where the hell was I on this. Another is the press reaction to this, third is Duluth in general, and fourth what a nutter Jennifer has to be. So in no particular coherent order.

Funny thing about this, I live very near where all this went down. Totally oblvious to it. Didn't even find out about it till Thursday afternoon when heading to the library and kept passing all these news vans near the park. Then I pass this house with crap load of cars and people. At the time I thought "what an odd time for a party", then I saw a large missing poster. So the next thought was "wft?!?!" Then passed a parking lot that has no business so 99% of the time it has like 10 cars. That day, it was filled to the gills and then some. So slightly alarmed, I asked around, got the info and immediatly thought "hmph sounds like she ran away, what a doofus."
Now, Jennifer is not really a nutter. After all she planned this a week in advance (neat timeline here). She withdrew the money from the bank and bought the tickets with a plan in mind. That not nutty. What her behavior is selfish. A spoiled brat really. Obviously she was overwhelmed, having doubts, whatever so her response was a week old plan that gave zero consideration to friends and family. That is selfish brought to a new level. It really appalling. However, once you consider her background, you also can't really be suprised.
About Duluth and where she comes from. Duluth is the classis small town made up of the haves and the have nots. The haves generally have hard working parents, and incredibily lazy and spoiled children. You know the type. Cars, homes, bills, pretty much everything is payed for and taken care of. Have a problem, throw enough money at it, simply goes away. So these children have no concept of hardship and hard work. Can't really blame the parents for this, after all what parent doesn't want to protect their children from the big bad world. The problem with line of thinking is the children develop zero coping skills but lots of me-centric thinking. Which brings us back to the runaway bride. Clearly she has no coping mechanism. Clearly she is incredibily me-centric.

Also side note. Duluth cops...they are basically traffic cops. Except for this incident, they have about 50+ cops, a fleet of cars they replace about every 3 years whose only purpose is to issue tickets. The fleet by the way includes such necessities as SUVs, sports cars with no backseat, Harley's and other "necessities" that one may need to cover what is about a 10 miles square area if one is feeling generous. Usually the tough stuff, like the malls, arena, etc they leave to Gwinnett cops. This is probably the first time in years that Duluth earned to high piles of cash the spend and collect in something other then ways to get more tickets issued.

Anyways, if this story is proof of anything, its that press likes to create stories out of nothing. Lets face it, the only reason this became national news is the press was hoping it would be another Peterson case or just as good a dead bride before her wedding. In anycase for them it was a win win in ratings. Did the local news need to cover it throughly, yes it was local news. It just didn't rise to national news. So again further proof how national media CREATES news. Makes mountains out of molehills and so on. Whats really bad is the media is clueless on how this behavior erodes the trust of the public in them. Every time they make something out of nothing, the public isn't greatful, they just get annoyed and more pissed off. They will never stop though. Those brief spikes in ratings is all they care about.

As for the fiance, whathisname, if he is smart he will dump this women off at the nearest bus stop forever. If this is how she handles a one day even of a wedding imagine what she could do for life's other problems including the biggest stressor of all time - parenthood. Not only is that a neverending stress, it requires one to them-centric, not me-centric. Parenthood would probably knock her completly off her rocker and possibly make her dangerous. So for him, he needs to feel relief that he has dodged one massive and possibly deadly bullet. Mourn the loss and move on is my advice for him.

Catching Up

Man do I have alot of blogging need to do today and rest of the week.

The Runaway Bride near me comes quickly to mind.
Thoughts about Duluth which to me isn't quite like the picture presented by the press
Movies I have seen.
Whatever else comes to mind.