02.27.06
Music News
If you have yet to visit my music page, now’s the time. I’ve uploaded high quality mp3 files of all the songs from my album The Crossing. Also, you can check out my new MySpace page. Tell a friend!
Permalink Comments off
Dear Hillary: Don’t Run
This is an interesting plea from the Tampa Tribune in Florida. I found this comment particularly pertinent:
Should the Democratic Party be crippled, the Republican Party is likely to become complacent, uninspired and unaccountable.
All I would add is that it appears that the Republican Party has already become complacent, uninspired and unaccountable. Our two-party system requires the vital contribution of two parties and these parties should be defined by more than their stance on a handful of issues.
Read More: Dear Hillary: Don’t Run
Permalink Comments off
02.24.06
Band Identity Theft
Here’s an interesting case of overt, flaunted identity theft:
Doo-wop and rock ‘n roll legends are asking lawmakers across the country to stop performances by some not-so-great pretenders.
There are hundreds of bands touring the country these days claiming to be The Platters, the Drifters, the Coasters or some other group from the ’50s and ’60s, according to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pa.
Most of them have no ties to the original artists.
Read More: ’50s and ’60s Bands Aim to Stop Copycats - Yahoo! News
Permalink Comments off
02.16.06
Iran’s Version of “Freedom Fries”
sigh
Iranians love Danish pastries, but when they look for the flaky dessert at the bakery they now have to ask for “Roses of the Prophet Muhammad.”
Iran Renames Danish Pastries - Yahoo! News
Permalink Comments off
02.15.06
Be Mine
I’m a day late with this link, but you’ll still get a kick out of these funny valentines from Something Awful.
Everyone knows that Valentine’s Day is a soulless abomination of a holiday invented by an evil consortium of wealthy gardeners and greeting card designers in a desperate attempt to make us buy more flowers and cards. Their nefarious ploy worked, as every year men are forced to buy cards and gifts or face scorn and ridicule.
Check ‘em out: Something Awful
Permalink Comments off
02.14.06
The Death of Conservatism
Joe from the Evangelical Outpost is running a theme in the same vein as my prior post. Joe states that “Conservatism is dead and Ann Coulter is its corpse.” I’d have to agree that if vitriolic name-calling and childish polemic are the best the so-called “Conservative” movement has to offer these days, then it has truly lost its way.
Read More:the evangelical outpost: Civility and the Coulterization of Conservatism
Going Liberal
I have sensed for a while what Glenn Greenwald eloquently summarizes:
Now, in order to be considered a “liberal,” only one thing is required – a failure to pledge blind loyalty to George W. Bush. The minute one criticizes him is the minute that one becomes a “liberal,” regardless of the ground on which the criticism is based. And the more one criticizes him, by definition, the more “liberal” one is. Whether one is a “liberal” — or, for that matter, a “conservative” — is now no longer a function of one’s actual political views, but is a function purely of one’s personal loyalty to George Bush.
Since my primary devotion and loyalty is not to any mortal man, I guess I’m a “liberal” too. Anyone who can’t see some of the glaring failures of the current administration needs to get their head out of the sand. Criticism actually expresses support, not opposition, when the goal is the betterment of the individual/entity/organization critiqued. Especially worrisome is the blind devotion to this president by many who call themselves “Christians.” If we cease to criticize our government and our leaders, then we imply that it and they can do no wrong.
Read More: Unclaimed Territory - by Glenn Greenwald: Do Bush followers have a political ideology?
Permalink Comments off
02.10.06
The Way of the 8-track
While I’m not big on computer gaming, I recognize that gaming trends are huge drivers of technological innovation. So, when a person like Peter Moore (corporate vice president of Microsoft’s interactive entertainment business) has something to say about the direction technology is heading, it’s time to listen.
“Let’s be fair. Whether it’s five, 10, 15, 20 years from now, the concept of driving to the store to buy a plastic disc with data on it and driving back and popping it in the drive will be ridiculous,” Moore said. “We’ll tell our grandchildren that and they’ll laugh at us.”
I’m already waiting for the shock factor when my kids are old enough to understand that there was no “Internet” when I was their age. Imagine, however, the incredulity of my future grandchildren when my kids try to explain “DVDs” and “CDs.” Wow, I’m already starting to feel like an antiquated dinosaur from the last millennium.
Read more: Industry icons get connected
Permalink Comments off
02.09.06
Asteroid Mining
If rocket launches become more cost effective, and less regulated, perhaps a new industry will spring up: space mining.
The Near Earth Asteroids offer both threat and promise. They present the threat of planetary impact with regional or global disaster. And they also offer the promise of resources to support humanity’s long-term prosperity on Earth, and our movement into space and the solar system.
Asteroid Mining: Key to the Space Economy - Yahoo! News
Permalink Comments off
02.07.06
Kids Update
The kids are growing like crazy (as kids are prone to do). Here are some recent pictures of our family trip to the snow during Christmas.
Permalink Comments off
02.06.06
Excuse the Mess
I finally decided it’s time to cut over from MovableType to WordPress. I’ve been fighting comment/ping spammers for far too long. While the newer version of MT has better handling for this, I didn’t feel like re-enduring the nightmare of installing it. WordPress is a cinch to install and configure and does a great job letting authors moderate/approve/deny comments and pings.
Things may be a bit messy while I get a few things back online, so your patience is greatly appreciated!
Permalink Comments off
Ron and Bob
I’ve known since he was first elected that I shared my birthday with Ronald Reagan. Today I discovered that February 6th is also the birthday of Bob Marley.
And so here we have conclusive proof that astrology is bunk. Could you think of two more opposite people born “under the same sign?”
Favorite Ronald Reagan quote: “‘Status Quo’ is latin for ‘the mess we’re in.”
Favorite Bob Marley quote: Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights.
02.03.06
“Who in their right mind would homeschool?”
I read an encouraging story today about a homeschooling family that was dragged into court.
HSLDA | Homeschool Family Grilled in Court for an Hour but Case Won
Some of the judges comments in the case would almost be funny if the issue hadn’t been so serious for this family.
