January 2009 Archives

Star-Tribune

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget proposal would cut the equivalent of more than 1,100 full-time state employees by mid-2011, an Associated Press analysis has found.

The projections are detailed in hundreds of pages of agency budget overviews posted by Minnesota Management and Budget. They can't be translated directly into job cuts because the figures include overtime, on-call pay and part-time, seasonal and temporary work.

Even so, the figures show a trend toward lighter payrolls at Minnesota's largest single employer -- state government -- as unemployment swells. The budget shows the biggest staffing reductions in the state courts, Human Services Department and Revenue Department.

Norwegianity is now blogging with WordPress. It's about damn time he got back to Blogstonia. Where the hell he's been all this time, I haven't a clue. Nor does he elucidate upon his earlier departure.

What a Cheney.

Friday Blogaround

The House passes a massive stimulus bill, Rod Blagojevich is out of work -- along with several thousand other people -- and the GOP grovels to the dulcet tones of a flaming gasbag. Oh, the humanity.

- A Blog Around The Clock links to a post about the sicker sex.
- archy: Part I of some mammoth research.
- Bark Bark Woof Woof: Mayor Sam Adams doesn't help gay equality.
- Bloggg: need a job?
- Dohiyi Mir: NTodd likes the new Illinois governor.
- Echidne Of The Snakes: inside the sex trade.
- Florida Progressive Coalition Blog: ammo to counter right-wing spin.
- Iddybud Journal tears down the myth of Reagan.
- Left Is Right: bits and pieces for the week.
- Musing's musings on fixing what isn't broken.
- Pen-Elayne on the Web finds a bad day at work is relative.
- Rook's Rant: dominoes...
- rubber hose: trouble in film-festival land.
- Scrutiny Hooligans: Heath Schuler, one of the few.
- Speedkill: Overly optimistic?
- Steve Bates, The Yellow Doggerel Democrat, offers the president some advice.
- Stupid Enough Unexplanation: Are we post-racial yet?
- The Invisible Library: a fine point.
- WTF Is It Now?? snarks Karl Rove.

Meanwhile, there's some sort of sporting event going on over in Tampa on Sunday. Whatever

What sporting event?

StarTribune

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is singing the praises of newly passed legislation making it easier for workers to sue for discrimination on the job.

At a White House bill-signing ceremony, he said the measure upholds the principle that "we are all created equal" and that each person deserves an equal opportunity.

I have such a desire to write, and yet lack an interesting topic upon which to apply eloquence. It might be described as writer's boredom; that choice of choosing what not to write about because it has already been inked at other sites much finer than my own. Or perhaps I am simply tired of listening to my own bitching, because I am tired of listening to everyone else bitch.

So, do me a favor, everyone. Stop bitching so I can bitch. Seriously, you're cramping my style.

First, you put people on the stand who readily admit to having committed voter fraud, then you fake a web site crash. Can you be any more pathetic?

MSNBC

BAGHDAD - Iraq will not authorize Blackwater Worldwide, the U.S. Embassy's main security company, to operate in the country anymore, a senior Iraqi official said Thursday.

Growing up I was taught the Domino Theory; the fall of one country to communism would inevitably result in the fall of another, then another, so on and so forth. That theory itself seems to have had a set back in the end of the 80s when the Soviet Union fell apart. China's move to capitalism certainly nailed the coffin shut.

However, when it comes to economics, especially globally, I suspect we are seeing the first in what no doubt will be a Domino Effect; the fall of Iceland. Where as the collapse of communism in eastern Europe was hailed as a failure of socialism, I can't help but see now the failure of capitalism.

While Kevin Drum frets about nationalization of the banks, I figure it's a done deal, only being held back because of fear of the plunge. But extremes never work long term, whether it be socialism or capitalism. What needs to happen is a nice, steady balance of both. Unfortunately, I suspect there will be a swing closer to socialism for a bit until some of the more worthy capitalism systems are stabilized. Until then, prepare for a bumpy ride.

Oh dear. The delicious smell of potatoes fried in butter, scrambled eggs, and toast is wafting it's way downstairs. Normally, I make myself a bowl of fruit with some granola, toast, coffee, and fiber (because I'm getting old). But Damn! The GirlFriend™'s breakfast is just making my stomach grumble in desire.

When Yellowstone was allowed to burn, within a year people talked about the beauty that sprang up from the ashes. Quite frankly, it looks like that might be what we have to allow with Wall Street and the Super Banks.

New York Times

Instead, losses mounted and Mr. Lewis is now fighting to prop up his banking empire and keep his job.

For the love of all that is Holy, or Unholy! When I call to cancel my service, and report I've already signed up with another company, would you please just shut the hell up and get my service with you canceled. That fact that for the 20 minutes (using up my minutes) of supposedly going through the various steps of canceling my service, you used high pressure sales tactics to try and get me to return back to you has ensured that I will not, in fact, be returning to you.

And that 20 minutes was after having put me on hold to switch me to another department.

And corporations wonder what the hell they did to earn the animosity of their customers.

Oh, and for the record, that is 20 minutes of perceived time, not actual time. I'm exaggerating. It's my blog, I can exaggerate if I want. If you don't like that, than what the hell are you doing reading my blog? Sheesh.

This is good news.

CNN

Federal regulators have cleared the way for the first human trials of human embryonic stem-cell research, authorizing researchers to test whether the cells are safe to use in spinal injury patients, the company behind the trials announced Friday.

[snip]

The primary purpose of the trial will be to see whether injecting these cells into patients is safe, but Okarma said researchers will also look for any signs of recovery. Scientists will monitor the patients for a year after the injections to see if they are regaining any function below the injured point.

I hope they are able to find their hypothesis to be sound, and the results not only promising, but successful. Right now, my mother is suffering from damage to her spine. She has lost the use of her right diaphragm, and reports daily pain in her back and abdomen. I can't help but wonder if any new discoveries may help ease her discomfort and restore to her a quality of life she currently does not enjoy.

Friday Blogaround

The first Friday Blogaround of the Obama administration. Let's see what the LC has to say this week.

- A Blog Around The Clock: Science Online '09 in pictures.
- archy: the face of the modern conservative movement.
- Bark Bark Woof Woof says goodbye to President Bush.
- Bloggg: in case you missed it, the inauguration was live-blogged.
- Collective Sigh with some thoughts on the change in Washington and in her life.
- Dohiyi Mir: neener, neener.
- Echidne Of The Snakes: ledbettered!
- Florida Progressive Coalition Blog: Larry Thorson was there.
- Iddybud Journal: remembering Dr. King.
- Left Is Right: this cartoon says it all.
- Musing's musings grades the speech.
- Pen-Elayne on the Web: measure your morality.
- Rook's Rant with the irony of the day.
- rubber hose: too much fairness?
- Scrutiny Hooligans gets a new design.
- SoonerThought signs off. Thanks for everything, ST, and keep us informed.
- Speedkill: random thought.
- Steve Bates, The Yellow Doggerel Democrat: it's about time.
- Stupid Enough Unexplanation: reviews of the speech from the right wing.
- WTF Is It Now?? on how the Republicans can really apologize.
- ...You Are A Tree: resetting the clock.

It's been a year to the day since I went to New York to see Can't Live Without You open off-off-Broadway. Where'd the time go?

Beats me, MB. Where does time ever go? In fact, where does it come from?

Oh, on a totally off subject matter, I am close to finishing the rough draft of my novel. Now comes the truly fun aspect; typing it onto the computer. I have found that I write better with pen and paper. At least the rough draft part. For some reason, my creativity is hindered when typing, where creating the story is concerned.

Now, I've always done re-writing by computer. It's just I must have over 600 pages of hand written story. It's going to be fun typing all that into word files. Oh joy! And then, after that I need to find an editor. One that will work for cheap. You know, as in free. Because, I honestly don't see my book getting published.

I just want the opportunity to say I wrote a story. But, since I am not trained or educated at writing, I figure to make it a good story, I do need someone to go over it and critique it as needed. That is probable even worse than typing it into text files.

Hehehehehe.

Talk about your rank hypocrisy. Jim Yeager, over at skippy international, catches some proposition 8 supporters attempting to circumvent proposition 9.

"Some gay activists have organized Web sites to actively encourage people to go after supporters of Proposition 8," said Frank Schubert, the campaign manager for Protect Marriage, the leading group behind the proposition. "And giving these people a map to your home or office leaves supporters of Proposition 8 feeling especially vulnerable. Really, it is chilling."

So chilling, apparently, that supporters have filed suit in Federal District Court in Sacramento seeking a preliminary injunction of a state election law that requires donors of $100 or more to disclose their names, addresses, occupations and other personal information. In particular, the suit seeks to stop the final filing for the 2008 election, which is due Jan. 31. That filing includes donations made in the closing days of the campaign, when the proposition surged to victory.

[snip]

The election law in question, the Political Reform Act of 1974, was approved by California voters as Proposition 9, and gay rights advocates say there is rich irony in supporters of Proposition 8 opposing the earlier ballot measure.

"They believe in the will of the people if it's in tune with what they believe," said Jennifer C. Pizer, marriage project director with Lambda Legal, the gay rights legal organization, in Los Angeles.

Opponents of Proposition 8 are also suspicious of the intent of trying to prevent donors from being identified. "Do they want to hide something?" said Shannon P. Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco.

If you can't stand up for your convictions.... well, I guess there must not be much to them.

Or could it be they are scared of teh gay.

That feeling all us progressives/liberals/reality thinking types are having right now is about the good guys winning. Cool.

President Barack Obama. Even cooler.

Today is the first full day of not having that piss poor excuse of a human as president.

Sorry, I just can't bring myself to have the same humility and grace as Mustang Bobby. I may not have known the man personally, and so can't hate him, but I do hate the death and destruction he has left in his wake. Iraq, Afghanistan, New Orleans, and our economy, all unmitigated disasters. Of all that he wrought, the death and suffering of fellow human beings haunts me the most.

Like most of the nation, when he was awarded the presidency in 2000, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I was proud of our nation resolving an issue as important as the ruling of a country as large and powerful as ours without the firing of a single gun.

Boy, was I wrong on that account. With Iraq as testament, the firing of guns simply came much later.

George W. Bush's lasting legacy will be one of incompetence, callowness, and bigotry. Like a spoiled rich child he has left his bedroom a mess and then with wanton disregard, and a total lack of awareness, leaves it for those he sees as servants to clean it up.

Thanks in all the Names of the Higher Power a competent, intelligent, ethical, moral, and mature person is now residing in the Oval Office.

Finally, a clear sign of this administration breaking with the past.

Washington Post

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Jan. 20 -- In one of its first actions, the Obama administration instructed military prosecutors late Tuesday to seek a 120-day suspension of legal proceedings involving detainees at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba -- a clear break with the approach of the outgoing Bush administration.

The instruction came in a motion filed with a military court in the case of five defendants accused of organizing the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The motion called for "a continuance of the proceedings" until May 20 so that "the newly inaugurated president and his administration [can] review the military commissions process, generally, and the cases currently pending before military commissions, specifically."

They can't move fast enough to undue the damage of the last 8 years. But at least they are moving.

According to the CNN Headline Breaking News, Senator Kennedy collapsed at the Presidential Luncheon and paramedics have been called to the scene

Update: George has more. Hat Tip Jeff

Answered my own question.

CNN

Vice President Dick Cheney will be in a wheelchair during Tuesday's Presidential Inauguration, after pulling a muscle in his back while moving...

I suspect, with today being the first true computer/internet age administration, we will be experiencing occasional bouts of post dramatic tube blockage. My guess is almost half the country will be watching the inauguration by way of the internet.

My first experience with blockage? Comcast email is acting up.

Earl was right; This so rocks

If there is one thing I've learned over the last 5 years of reading Kevin, it's that he is great at thoughtful analysis as long as it's inside the box. His cynicism over Fiat getting a 35% claim in Chrysler is just one such example. At this point and time there appears to be no tried and true method for salvaging Chrysler's financial situation. Bully on them for giving something a try.

And least he forget, by keeping a plant open, Chrysler just saved jobs. That has to count for something.

Am I bad for laughing maniacally after reading that Cheney pulled a muscle after lifting a box?

Leave it to the Germans to create a home cheaper than most cars.

Hat Tip: Swear Left

Unless I am mistaken, tomorrow is BushCo™'s last chance at pardoning all the villains responsible for making torture a policy of our country, and for breaking the cover of a CIA operative. I am wondering the odds. Because, quite frankly, I believe there will be no pardons. Bush, along with Cheney, have been coming across as arrogant and cocksure of themselves, believing they have broken no laws. As such, they do not see the need to pardon anyone.

Or, the other way to look at this; A pardon would basically remove the self-preservation instinct. They do not want to pardon anyone so that people will not be willing to testify against them.

Honestly, though, the two of them are no different in attitude and demeanor than Gov. Rod Blagojevich. So, I am sticking with my belief of no pardons because of their arrogance.

Hehe... hehe... hehe... He said penis.

For some reason, this post happens to be the post that gets the most hits from Google. Weird. Especially since I deleted the image a while ago and until today, never uploaded it back onto my blog.

Jeff  Foxworthy on Minnesota :

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by,
You might live in Minnesota.

If you're proud that your state makes the national news 96 nights a year because International Falls is the coldest spot in the nation,
You might live in Minnesota.

If you have ever refused to buy something because it's "too spendy",
You might live in Minnesota.

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March,
You might live in Minnesota.

If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there,  
You might live in Minnesota.

If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead,  
You might live in Minnesota.

If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time,
You might live in Minnesota.

If your town has an equal number of bars and churches,
You might live in Minnesota.

If you know how to say... Wayzata... Mahtomedi... Cloquet... Edina... and Shakopee,
You might live in Minnesota.

If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy,
You might live in Minnesota.

If vacation means going "up north" for the weekend,
You might live in Minnesota.

You measure distance in hours,
You might live in Minnesota.

You know several people who have hit deer more than once,
You might live in Minnesota.

You often switch from "Heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again,
You might live in Minnesota.

You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching,
You might live in Minnesota.

You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events,
You might live in Minnesota.

You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked,  
You might live in Minnesota.

You think of the major food groups as beer, fish, and Venison,
You might live in Minnesota.

You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them,
You might live in Minnesota.

There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at Mill's Fleet Farm at any given time,
You might live in Minnesota.

You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit,
You might live in Minnesota.

Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow,  
You might live in Minnesota.

You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and -- of course -- road construction,  
You might live in Minnesota.

You can identify a southern or eastern accent,
You might live in Minnesota.

Your idea of creative landscaping is a plastic deer next your blue spruce,
You might live in Minnesota.

If "Down South" to you means Iowa,
You might live in Minnesota.

You know "a brat" is something you eat,
You might live in Minnesota.

You find -10 degrees "a little chilly",
You might live in Minnesota.

As the legacy media slowly turns into a parody of itself, the new media -- that is, the internet -- seems to be getting some protection from corporate control.

Considering that corporate control has as much to do with the failure of our legacy media to expose; the lies of the Bush administration during the run up to the invasion of Iraq, acts eroding our civil liberties and displaying out right total disregard for human dignity, and the failure of dealing with the financial crisis, any move towards steering the internet away from corporations and towards an open forum is good news indeed.

I was thinking of writing a post on US Airway's Flight 1549 as a harbinger of things to come under an Obama administration, but Walter Brasch beat me to it.

I've had this post from FiveThirtyEight.com in a tab for a couple of hours now. I just don't know what to think about it. My first response was; "Are you kidding?" With Coleman's numbers in the polls sinking due to his legal wrangling, this seems the worse possible strategy. Then, with his past lip service to deficit reduction and limiting government spending, to now push for a new election is in direct contradiction to those claims. Hypocricy is not selling these days.

When I look over the whole history of the recount, it seems as if Norm is making decisions that hurt him more than help him. It's as if he's hell bent on ensuring his loss is verified and certified. But than, desperation will often result in grasping for straws. In all fairness, Al Franken's team did also show a propensity of making frivolous challenges. However, it would seem they were more willing to withdraw more challenges at the end.

In an interesting turn of events, Mark Ambinder at The Atlantic suggests Coleman could still win it, then in a surprising twist of rhetoric, suggests the Democrats (Al Franken) might request a new election. Of course, this is with the unspoken assumption Norm and his legal team are experienced practitioners of the subtle art of judicial manipulation and subterfuge. If that were the case, the recount would now be in Norm's favor. But it's not.

Once again, the facts are Norm is behind by 225 votes. Any experience at judicial manipulation and subterfuge would not have allowed this fact to be in existence. So, despite Mr. Ambinder's fear (or hope?) of a Norm win, I think we are simply seeing the grasping of straws by a desperate man who's only true desire is to remain in power. 

Friday Blogaround

This is the last Friday Blogaround... of the Bush administration. How will the LC say goodbye?

- A Blog Around The Clock: microscoping dinosaurs.
- archy: desperate times mean desperadoes.
- Bark Bark Woof Woof: anybody seen Fidel lately?
- Bloggg: those were the days: get married or get fined.
- Dohiyi Mir: A picture tour of Hoover Dam.
- Echidne Of The Snakes: the new face of the Supreme Court.
- Florida Progressive Coalition Blog: Crist vs. Rubio in Senate primary?
- Iddybud Journal: Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing.
- Left Is Right: bits 'n' pieces.
- Left Turn Only: rebuilding...
- Musing's musings: act responsibly.
- Pen-Elayne on the Web: want to become an Obamicon?
- Rook's Rant: Rick Sanchez lays into "Joe the War Correspondent."
- rubber hose: what comes next in Gaza.
- Scrutiny Hooligans: you can't work from home?
- SoonerThought announces its plans for the future. So long, ST...
- Speedkill: looking forward.
- Steve Bates, The Yellow Doggerel Democrat: FISA Court screws you.
- Stupid Enough Unexplanation: Reagan's legacy.
- The Invisible Library: characters take over.
- WTF Is It Now?? Blamey Whinehouse.
- ...You Are A Tree: slowly getting back to life.

Next week: the first blogaround of the Obama administration.

And a good morning to Blogstonia this fine, frigid, Friday. 20 below zero this morning!

For in the end we are but one nation. Not a nation of God; for God is many, as numerous as the minds of men, and as ephemeral and diffused as the mist on a morning pond. No, we are a single earthly nation of beings ignorant to our sentient connection, lashing out in powerless rage, languishing in the futility of existence, hoping against hope for heaven on earth while ignorant of it's lack of past, presence, or future; condemned to experience our base selves as we strive to achieve our potential.

My new hero!

Retail slumps in December; No! Knock me over with a feather.

Guantanamo Detainee tortured; No way! Shut the fuck up.

Hamas May Survive; You mean violence isn't the answer?

Skin-blistering cold; What was your first clue?

Thus ends this edition of No Shit Sherlock.

Carl, please tell us how you really feel about Microsoft.

Friday Blogaround

Here's a sample of what the LC wrote about this week.

- A Blog Around The Clock: honey laundering.
- archy: shooting stars.
- Bark Bark Woof Woof: to wingnuts, reporting is just another ideological outlet.
- Bloggg: there's a lot going on.
- Dohiyi Mir: the Chicago way.
- Echidne Of The Snakes: Amish tech support.
- Florida Progressive Coalition Blog: Kenneth plays hardball with the Republican Party of Florida.
- Left Is Right: one view of Al Franken's win in Minnesota.
- Musing's musings: comparing Bill Richardson to Rod Blagojevich.
- Pen-Elayne on the Web still does a great blogaround.
- Rick's Cafe Americain proposes a new emoticon: ~*~ [shrug]
- Rook's Rant: not taking sides.
- rubber hose: shaddup and deal.
- Scrutiny Hooligans: a sign of the times.
- SoonerThought: going bananas.
- Speedkill: dumb statement of the day.
- Steve Bates, The Yellow Doggerel Democrat, has concerns about Obama's ideas for revamping Social Security.
- Stupid Enough Unexplanation: football as a metaphor.
- The Invisible Library solves the Israel/Palestine conflict.
- WTF Is It Now?? on conservative wishful thinking.

I'll do this again next week.

Me too!

Washington Post

Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. today called for abolishing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and replacing them with highly-regulated utilities that would play a more narrow role in supporting the U.S. housing finance system.

Hotline On Call

WASHINGTON -- The six men vying to lead the Republican Party out of the era of a botched war tried today to outgun each other, quite literally, during a 90-minute debate sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform.

CNN

Hamas rocket fire into southern Israel prompted Israeli forces to launch a military campaign in Gaza 10 days ago, which culminated in a major ground offensive at the weekend.

All things considered, both Hamas and Israel can proudly thump their chests at having caused the death of 530 people, including 100 women and children, and the injuries to 2,600 others.

This is stupidity on the part of humanity as a whole, but especially for Hamas and Israel. Neither have any claim to righteousness. In fact, it goes without saying that violence and righteousness together form an oxymoron. What really sucks is that, for the most part, the leadership of both sides sit comfortably on the sidelines while the majority of death occurs to the average person.

The use of violence is proof that intelligent people are not in control of the situation.

I have to admit, it was not my plan to go over a week without posting. But, it is (or was) the holidays, and I was focused on family and work. Even my novel got the short shift this past week or more.

Anyhow, I am alive and well, still blogging from my basement, and in pajamas and a robe. Meanwhile, the Middle East is going to hell in a hand basket. Bush is becoming more irrelevant, and Barack Hussein Obama is by far the most popular president elect since Jesus.

Oh, wait.

Since sliced bread.

Well, whatever.

Anyway; yes I am still alive. However, I need to take a shower, and wash my robe/pjs.

Peace out, man.