Since Sturm has bailed on his obligation (Dentist? Whatever, Bob!), I will attempt to fill the void regarding Avs 5 Stars 4.
Oh, this is very bad news indeed.
I must be honest - I didn't tune in to Ralphie and Razor until the first intermission. It's difficult to describe the shock and dismay I felt when I saw the 3-0 score after the first period.
The second period was awesome. The Stars took it to Colorado from the drop of the puck and pummeled them. Four goals later, it's Stars in the lead and all is right in the universe.
Then here comes the third period and overtime. Arnott (the most consistent guy in green thru the first two games) NEARLY won the damn thing. If his heart-stopping shot had gone in rather than hit the post, we'd be talking about a close, but needed, win.
Instead, defensive lapses, questionable goaltending, lack of energy, and a general appearance of disinterest cost the Stars another game. They now head off to Colorado, down 2 games to none, and in complete disarray.
Marty Turco is now one of the highest-paid goaltenders in the NHL, and he plays like it pretty much every regular season. However, this is a guy who has yet to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Talk was (here and elsewhere) this is the year. It may still be, but we've seen no signs of it yet. Turco's already got the tag of "Big-Game Choker". If he doesn't stage an immediate and complete turnaround, he may as well sew that onto the back of his sweater.
Bill Guerin is turning out to be the biggest bust in recent Stars history. Here's a guy who came in with all kinds of hype and an enormous contract. What, exactly, has he done since then? He's one of the most likeable guys on the team, but let's face it: He's got a BAG.
Modano summoned some energy during period two, and looked like the Mikey Mo of old. It didn't last long. What's his story? He had a great comeback season, shut up a lot of his critics, but he's choking as badly as anyone on the team.
Tippett, the most consistent coach in the NHL, apparently panicked after the no-show his team pulled in Game 1 and completely shuffled his offensive lines. Is this the reason the Stars got KILLED in the first period? I'll give him this: He didn't back off, and the team turned in an All-World performance in period 2. But it's hard to argue with the hole dug in the first.
I'll give props to the Finns (with the exception of Janne Niinimaa - why was HE playing?) and Jason Arnott. These guys showed some jump and some want-to throughout. Arnott took NO crap off anyone last night and I loved it.
Well, Game 3 is an absolute MUST-win. Tippett will start Turco, but I wonder if this is the right way to go. Does the team have faith in Turco anymore? Does a change to Hedberg shake up the team enough to force some change? I have no idea, and I doubt Tippett would make the switch regardless. However, I have to believe Turco is on the shortest of short leashes.
This is NOT what we had in mind while the regular season crawled to an end.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Unexplained "booms" in the skies over US
Boing Boing had this yesterday, and I almost blogged it. A few updates to the original post made it show up in RSS this morning, which I'm taking as a sign of...something.
Anyway, there have been reports from across the South, as well as SoCal, of window-rattling booms of unknown origin. Thunder and supersonic aircraft have been ruled out, as have explosives. Its not caused by earthquakes or meteors. In short, no one knows what the hell is going on.
Someone will come up with an explanation, and it will probably wind up being something really boring. But, for the moment, this is a pretty good mystery.
Anyway, there have been reports from across the South, as well as SoCal, of window-rattling booms of unknown origin. Thunder and supersonic aircraft have been ruled out, as have explosives. Its not caused by earthquakes or meteors. In short, no one knows what the hell is going on.
Someone will come up with an explanation, and it will probably wind up being something really boring. But, for the moment, this is a pretty good mystery.
Iranian money is scared of Mahmoud too
With all the insane actions and even more insane rhetoric from Iran lately, it's easy to forget that the country is subject to the same principles of economics as everyone else. Once you remember, it's not such a surprise to find there is some very shaky economic news coming out of the friendly Islamic Republic.
What does this really mean? I have no idea. Iran has plenty of dough from oil, and more support from the international community than one would hope, so the news reflected here probably doesn't mean much, if anything, in the short term. However, at some point, you would think that Iran will need some political and economic stability.
Unless, of course, God really is on their side. In which case He will provide.
What does this really mean? I have no idea. Iran has plenty of dough from oil, and more support from the international community than one would hope, so the news reflected here probably doesn't mean much, if anything, in the short term. However, at some point, you would think that Iran will need some political and economic stability.
Unless, of course, God really is on their side. In which case He will provide.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Ahmadinejad keeps up the comedy
Today's episode of The Mahmoud Hour: Israel is a "fake regime" that cannot continue to exist.
Hey, at least he seemed to acknowledge the Holocaust:
Hey, at least he seemed to acknowledge the Holocaust:
"Some 60 years have passed since the end of World War II. Why should the people of Germany and Palestine pay now for a war in which the current generation was not involved?" Ahmadinejad said at a news conference.
Dallas sports - mostly up, some down
The news on the Dallas sports scene is better than expected in some ways, and concerning in others. A quick rundown:
Mavs dominate
The little Mavericks got off to a dominating start against the Memphis Grizzlies (when was the last time anyone saw a grizzly bear in Memphis, or anywhere in Tennessee for that matter?) last night.
Erick Dampier showed what a difference he can make when he’s interested.
In reality, this was not the Mavericks’ best game, but they fought for it all the way through. To me, this is more encouraging than a standout Dirk or Stackhouse performance would have been.
It’s only Game 1 of the first round, and it’s only Memphis, but it was a great start.
Has any coach ever gotten more out of his team in his first full year than Avery Johnson?
Stars wet the bed
On the other side of the coin, we have Your Dallas Stars, who looked to be asleep on Saturday night against Colorado. Poor play, way too many penalties, and way way too many turnovers led to a drubbing in every sense of the word.
Turco played well enough to win, but got nothing from his teammates, with the exception of Jason Arnott and whoever he was on the ice with. Until the rest of the offense realizes the playoffs have started, I vote for double-shifting Arnott and leaving wakeup calls for Modano and Guerin (esp Guerin, who’s been hitting the snooze button since Oct).
Rangers are above .500
The whole fam got to spend a wonderful Sunday at the Temple in Arlington yesterday, in a luxury box right behind home plate no less, thanks to our friends E and J. The kids had a great time running around with their friends and eating themselves silly, Robynne got to catch up with some of the girls, and I got to see John Koronka pitch a beauty.
Koronka has turned out to be the biggest pleasant Ranger surprise in a long time. The last-minute acquisition, whom I though was bound for Frisco or OK City, has, instead, turned in three very good to outstanding performances, crowned by yesterday’s eight-inning effort. A soft-tossing lefty, Koronka read thru Kenny Rogers’ pamphlet Successful Left-Handed Pitching at the Launching Pad in Arlington and clearly took good notes. He changed speeds, kept the ball down, and worked the corners. The Devil Rays (and what a crap team they have, btw) scattered a few hits and some runs, but never mounted any sort of charge.
Ranger bats, on the other hand, were plenty busy. The kids are huge fireworks fans, and they got to see lots of them as the Rangers belted homer after homer. The bottom of the third was particularly exciting, as Tex, Nevin, and Mench all clobbered long balls. Devil Rays’ manager Joe Maddon (who?) left poor Casey Fossum (who?) out there throughout the onslaught, determined to get four innings out of him, come hell or high water. He got both.
After a TERRIBLE start, the Rangers are righting the ship. Sweeping Tampa Bay in April is not anything to get overly excited about any more than getting drilled in the first week of the season was, but it a step in the right direction.
Mavs dominate
The little Mavericks got off to a dominating start against the Memphis Grizzlies (when was the last time anyone saw a grizzly bear in Memphis, or anywhere in Tennessee for that matter?) last night.
Erick Dampier showed what a difference he can make when he’s interested.
In reality, this was not the Mavericks’ best game, but they fought for it all the way through. To me, this is more encouraging than a standout Dirk or Stackhouse performance would have been.
It’s only Game 1 of the first round, and it’s only Memphis, but it was a great start.
Has any coach ever gotten more out of his team in his first full year than Avery Johnson?
Stars wet the bed
On the other side of the coin, we have Your Dallas Stars, who looked to be asleep on Saturday night against Colorado. Poor play, way too many penalties, and way way too many turnovers led to a drubbing in every sense of the word.
Turco played well enough to win, but got nothing from his teammates, with the exception of Jason Arnott and whoever he was on the ice with. Until the rest of the offense realizes the playoffs have started, I vote for double-shifting Arnott and leaving wakeup calls for Modano and Guerin (esp Guerin, who’s been hitting the snooze button since Oct).
Rangers are above .500
The whole fam got to spend a wonderful Sunday at the Temple in Arlington yesterday, in a luxury box right behind home plate no less, thanks to our friends E and J. The kids had a great time running around with their friends and eating themselves silly, Robynne got to catch up with some of the girls, and I got to see John Koronka pitch a beauty.
Koronka has turned out to be the biggest pleasant Ranger surprise in a long time. The last-minute acquisition, whom I though was bound for Frisco or OK City, has, instead, turned in three very good to outstanding performances, crowned by yesterday’s eight-inning effort. A soft-tossing lefty, Koronka read thru Kenny Rogers’ pamphlet Successful Left-Handed Pitching at the Launching Pad in Arlington and clearly took good notes. He changed speeds, kept the ball down, and worked the corners. The Devil Rays (and what a crap team they have, btw) scattered a few hits and some runs, but never mounted any sort of charge.
Ranger bats, on the other hand, were plenty busy. The kids are huge fireworks fans, and they got to see lots of them as the Rangers belted homer after homer. The bottom of the third was particularly exciting, as Tex, Nevin, and Mench all clobbered long balls. Devil Rays’ manager Joe Maddon (who?) left poor Casey Fossum (who?) out there throughout the onslaught, determined to get four innings out of him, come hell or high water. He got both.
After a TERRIBLE start, the Rangers are righting the ship. Sweeping Tampa Bay in April is not anything to get overly excited about any more than getting drilled in the first week of the season was, but it a step in the right direction.
Chernobyl: 20 years ago this month.
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. In case you didn't know (or had forgotten, which I had), "disaster" in no way describes the nightmare which resulted from this fiasco. The radiation released in the event (I don't know what else to call it) was over a 100 times more than that released by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There are huge portions of the Ukraine and Belarus which will be unihabitable for hundreds of years.
Boing Boing provides some interesting links which address both the event itself and its long-term consequences. The picture on the Boing Boing page ("An aerial view of the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after its explosion.") is only terrifying when you consider just how much radiation continues to emanate from the wreckage 20 years later. Think Vladimir Repik of Reuters (the attribution on the photo) is still with us today?
My memory of Chernobyl is fuzzy at best, which is partly due to 1986 being my third year of college, but more due to the Soviet government's official policy of denying the obvious: "What shiny explosion and glowing forest are you talking about? Firemen cooked like microwave burritos? This is some sort of imperialist plot."
Boing Boing provides some interesting links which address both the event itself and its long-term consequences. The picture on the Boing Boing page ("An aerial view of the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after its explosion.") is only terrifying when you consider just how much radiation continues to emanate from the wreckage 20 years later. Think Vladimir Repik of Reuters (the attribution on the photo) is still with us today?
My memory of Chernobyl is fuzzy at best, which is partly due to 1986 being my third year of college, but more due to the Soviet government's official policy of denying the obvious: "What shiny explosion and glowing forest are you talking about? Firemen cooked like microwave burritos? This is some sort of imperialist plot."
Friday, April 21, 2006
Zimbabwe invites white farmers to return
Can't let this slip by without making note: Zimbabwe has invited thousands of white farmers, all of whom were forced off their land by the government's "fast-track" land reform in 2000, to apply for leases on that same land.
Obviously, the land reform has been an abysmal failure, which has crippled the economy and caused massive food crises in Zimbabwe. You'll probably never hear President-for-Life Mugabe admit that it was a mistake, but what more proof do you want besides this completely unexpected U-turn?
Obviously, the land reform has been an abysmal failure, which has crippled the economy and caused massive food crises in Zimbabwe. You'll probably never hear President-for-Life Mugabe admit that it was a mistake, but what more proof do you want besides this completely unexpected U-turn?
Oil prices - Iran has it's big laugh now
My favorite nut-job, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is enjoying the current surge in crude oil prices.
"The increase in oil price and growth of oil income is very good and we hope that the oil prices reach their real levels," he says. No indication of what he thinks "real levels" are, but you get the gist.
These smug bastards. Laugh now, you clowns. You'll be back to farming dirt within 100 years and nobody will care what you have to say.
"The increase in oil price and growth of oil income is very good and we hope that the oil prices reach their real levels," he says. No indication of what he thinks "real levels" are, but you get the gist.
These smug bastards. Laugh now, you clowns. You'll be back to farming dirt within 100 years and nobody will care what you have to say.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Too long without an "I-hate-the-Cowboys" post
I was strolling down memory lane and ran across this genius Sturm post (aren't they all?) from Nov 9, 2005. Just think back for a moment, and remember what we all thought of Terrell Owens when this was going on.
Now he's got a star on his helmet.
Have fun with that, Cowboys sheep (er, I mean "fans").
Personally, I'm looking forward to the inevitable implosion. Look for me afterwards. I'll be the guy in the back of the room saying, "I told you so."
Now he's got a star on his helmet.
Have fun with that, Cowboys sheep (er, I mean "fans").
Personally, I'm looking forward to the inevitable implosion. Look for me afterwards. I'll be the guy in the back of the room saying, "I told you so."
Burma - Newsweek says, "C'mon. It's not so bad."
From Newsweek's International Edition this week: The other side of the story from Burma. Joe Cochrane spends a bit of time in Rangoon and tells us that all is not so grim in the Golden Land.
I haven't been there myself, so I can't argue the point on my own. However, there are enough really grim stories coming out of Burma, especially from the countryside, that I really wonder what Cochrane's agenda is.
Read the Newsweek article, then read about Doctors Without Borders' experience in Burma, what ASEAN has to say about their neighbor and member, Amnesty International's opinion of the junta's actions against it's own citizens, and comments from Canadian Friends of Burma which could be interpreted as a direct refutation of Cochrane's piece, and let me know what you think.
I haven't been there myself, so I can't argue the point on my own. However, there are enough really grim stories coming out of Burma, especially from the countryside, that I really wonder what Cochrane's agenda is.
Read the Newsweek article, then read about Doctors Without Borders' experience in Burma, what ASEAN has to say about their neighbor and member, Amnesty International's opinion of the junta's actions against it's own citizens, and comments from Canadian Friends of Burma which could be interpreted as a direct refutation of Cochrane's piece, and let me know what you think.
Hamas gives terrorists the keys to the castle
More fantastic news from the humanitarians from Hamas: They want terrorists to work with, not against, the Palestinian police. Just to show how well-meaning they are, they've put a character named Jamal Abu Samhadana in charge of Palestinian police and security forces. Samhadana has been on the receiving end of a few targeted assassination attempts by the Israelis.
Just for the record, I have no problem w/ Israel's targeted killings. Shin Bet and the Mossad seem to have a pretty good handle on who the baddies are and where they can be found. While there has been too much "collateral damage" from these strikes, it certainly appears that the Israelis are going after the right people.
Regardless, this latest move from Hamas is akin to turning over the US Drug Enforcement Agency to John Belushi or giving the secret handshake from the New York Stock Exchange to Jeff Skilling. In all cases, the result is a near-guarantee that the abuses will only get worse.
How I long for the days leading up to the Yom Kippur War, when Israel's biggest threats came from other countries, instead of a bunch of lunatics who already have a free pass to the entire country, and the sickness of mind to think blowing themselves and a bunch of civilians up will actually help furthur their goals.
Just for the record, I have no problem w/ Israel's targeted killings. Shin Bet and the Mossad seem to have a pretty good handle on who the baddies are and where they can be found. While there has been too much "collateral damage" from these strikes, it certainly appears that the Israelis are going after the right people.
Regardless, this latest move from Hamas is akin to turning over the US Drug Enforcement Agency to John Belushi or giving the secret handshake from the New York Stock Exchange to Jeff Skilling. In all cases, the result is a near-guarantee that the abuses will only get worse.
How I long for the days leading up to the Yom Kippur War, when Israel's biggest threats came from other countries, instead of a bunch of lunatics who already have a free pass to the entire country, and the sickness of mind to think blowing themselves and a bunch of civilians up will actually help furthur their goals.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Fond memories of Shawn Bradley
Just in case you missed The Mantis (aka Shawn Bradley), here's a compilation of about 50 different guys taking it to the rack right over Big Goofy Shawn.
Note how many of them are significantly shorter than he is. Bradley has a foot or more on most of these guys.
What was Mark Cuban thinking in those days?
Note how many of them are significantly shorter than he is. Bradley has a foot or more on most of these guys.
What was Mark Cuban thinking in those days?
SF Big Wheel race
Easter Sunday saw the annual BYOBW (Bring Your Own Big Wheel) race (caution: annoying song starts as soon as you hit the page - turn down your speakers if you don't want to bother the dude in the next cubicle) down Lombard St. in SF.
In case you didn't know, Lombard St is the famous "World's Crookedest Street", so incredibly steep it's one of the very few places on Earth where you'll find switchbacks on an urban street.
So, if you're in SF next Easter and your medical insurance is paid up, get one of the old-fashioned plastic-wheel Big Wheels (no rubber wheels allowed) and go try to break some bones with the big boys.
In case you didn't know, Lombard St is the famous "World's Crookedest Street", so incredibly steep it's one of the very few places on Earth where you'll find switchbacks on an urban street.
So, if you're in SF next Easter and your medical insurance is paid up, get one of the old-fashioned plastic-wheel Big Wheels (no rubber wheels allowed) and go try to break some bones with the big boys.
Traffic rules in India
Here's another YouTube classic - strangely mesmerizing video of a complex, unregulated (no stop signs or traffic signals) intersection somewhere in India.
There are two things I find amazing here:
1. No one dies. Not even a fender bender.
2. Traffic continues to move.
An intersection like this in the US would result in a daily toll of 200 accidents of all descriptions, 15 vehicular fatalities of various sorts, 50 road-rage-induced firearms violations, and a traffic jam requiring at least an hour and a half to negotiate.
There are two things I find amazing here:
1. No one dies. Not even a fender bender.
2. Traffic continues to move.
An intersection like this in the US would result in a daily toll of 200 accidents of all descriptions, 15 vehicular fatalities of various sorts, 50 road-rage-induced firearms violations, and a traffic jam requiring at least an hour and a half to negotiate.
Lost - How the DHARMA Initiative Works
All hail Geeding and his never-ending fountain of "Lost" tidbits. Here's an exhaustive "How Stuff Works" article on the DHARMA Initiative.
No "Lost" this week, dammit. Instead, ABC is showing two hours of "Alias". I'm all for watching Jennifer Garner do just about anything, but I'd still rather have my weekly visit to Mystery Island.
No "Lost" this week, dammit. Instead, ABC is showing two hours of "Alias". I'm all for watching Jennifer Garner do just about anything, but I'd still rather have my weekly visit to Mystery Island.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Always like to see Glenn Reynolds agreeing with me
From Instapundit the other day (sorry, I'm way behind): Glenn has some links related to the Alberta oil shale fields as well as an interesting about-face on nuclear power by a founder of Greenpeace.
Sounds familiar. And absolutely right, for many reasons.
Sounds familiar. And absolutely right, for many reasons.
It's playoff time in Big D
Dallas, the ultimate winner's town (the only way to sell season tickets around here is to win a championship - just ask the Stars), is about to get a double-sports-treat. Both the Stars and the Mavs are playoff bound and both, rather incredibly, have legit shots at their respective league championships. There are not many towns in America where this happens - my college home of Boston won championships in the two biggest American sports not so long ago, but I really can't think of another time when it's happened. I'm sure it has, but it's rare enough to be noteworthy.
And note it, we shall.
First, the little Mavericks: I've said several times before, and I'll say it again. San Antonio and Detroit are clearly the class of their respective conferences. But the gap between them and their competition is not what it has been in years past. The Mavs in particular match up very well with both, and far better than they ever have before.
The Mavs are a team with a legitimate MVP candidate in Dirk, two superstars-in-training (Josh Howard and Devin Harris), guys who are deadly from the perimeter (Jason Terry), guys with an inside game (Stackhouse), and a center rotation that actually works (Diop and Dampier). Their bench is long, their coaching staff is solid, and no young head coach has seized his team's attention and made a fundamental improvement in it's approach to the game like Avery Johnson.
For those of us who suffered through the 1990s, when the Mavs were the worst joke in professional sports, it's still difficult to believe that our little Mavericks are really and truly contenders for the title. Sports observers much smarter than me have been saying it for a while, and I'll add my feeble voice to the din: They are.
The pressure this year sits squarely on the Teutonic shoulders of Herr Nowitzki. Dirk got thrown off his game during the playoffs last year. Both Houston and Phoenix beat him up and frustrated him, and he disappeared just when the Mavs needed him most. If he pulls a similar stunt this year, it will be a short run. However, it's important to remember that Dirk was in the midst of a pretty good playoff stretch two years ago in the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs when he got hurt. In addition, and maybe more importantly, Dirk has done just about everything right all year. The only remaining challenge for him is his post-season performance. I've seen enough out of him this season to be very optimistic. If Dirk continues his All-World play from the regular season, the Mavs will be playing well into June.
Now, the Stars: In a hockey season when no one has made a whole bunch of noise, the Stars have emerged as one of the top three teams in the league. Steady play from a whole slew of guys has been the recipe, with no one, with the possible exception of shoot-out whiz Jussi Jokinen, having a truly break-out year. Newly-very-rich Marty Turco has been very good throughout, and, at time, dominating. The pieces are in place, and there's no reason why the Stars should not contend for the Western Conference title and the Stanley Cup.
As with the Mavs, all of the pressure is on one guy. In this case, it's Turco. Similar to Dirk, Turco has, fairly or unfairly, earned a reputation as a great regular-season player who can't turn it up in the playoffs. Physically, he's proven himself to be, beyond a doubt, one of the most talented goaltenders in the NHL. Mentally, there's some question about his make-up. That may not be fair, but it is what it is.
Regardless, Turco has a solid team in front of him, a tournament full of other teams who have not proven themselves to be any better than the Stars, and holds his own, and his team's, fate in his hands.
Playoff hockey and playoff basketball, with a legitimate chance for our local teams to go far: I'd be more jacked up if the Rangers were in the baseball post-season, but this is as good as it gets otherwise. The TV and the TiVo will be busy for the next few weeks.
And note it, we shall.
First, the little Mavericks: I've said several times before, and I'll say it again. San Antonio and Detroit are clearly the class of their respective conferences. But the gap between them and their competition is not what it has been in years past. The Mavs in particular match up very well with both, and far better than they ever have before.
The Mavs are a team with a legitimate MVP candidate in Dirk, two superstars-in-training (Josh Howard and Devin Harris), guys who are deadly from the perimeter (Jason Terry), guys with an inside game (Stackhouse), and a center rotation that actually works (Diop and Dampier). Their bench is long, their coaching staff is solid, and no young head coach has seized his team's attention and made a fundamental improvement in it's approach to the game like Avery Johnson.
For those of us who suffered through the 1990s, when the Mavs were the worst joke in professional sports, it's still difficult to believe that our little Mavericks are really and truly contenders for the title. Sports observers much smarter than me have been saying it for a while, and I'll add my feeble voice to the din: They are.
The pressure this year sits squarely on the Teutonic shoulders of Herr Nowitzki. Dirk got thrown off his game during the playoffs last year. Both Houston and Phoenix beat him up and frustrated him, and he disappeared just when the Mavs needed him most. If he pulls a similar stunt this year, it will be a short run. However, it's important to remember that Dirk was in the midst of a pretty good playoff stretch two years ago in the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs when he got hurt. In addition, and maybe more importantly, Dirk has done just about everything right all year. The only remaining challenge for him is his post-season performance. I've seen enough out of him this season to be very optimistic. If Dirk continues his All-World play from the regular season, the Mavs will be playing well into June.
Now, the Stars: In a hockey season when no one has made a whole bunch of noise, the Stars have emerged as one of the top three teams in the league. Steady play from a whole slew of guys has been the recipe, with no one, with the possible exception of shoot-out whiz Jussi Jokinen, having a truly break-out year. Newly-very-rich Marty Turco has been very good throughout, and, at time, dominating. The pieces are in place, and there's no reason why the Stars should not contend for the Western Conference title and the Stanley Cup.
As with the Mavs, all of the pressure is on one guy. In this case, it's Turco. Similar to Dirk, Turco has, fairly or unfairly, earned a reputation as a great regular-season player who can't turn it up in the playoffs. Physically, he's proven himself to be, beyond a doubt, one of the most talented goaltenders in the NHL. Mentally, there's some question about his make-up. That may not be fair, but it is what it is.
Regardless, Turco has a solid team in front of him, a tournament full of other teams who have not proven themselves to be any better than the Stars, and holds his own, and his team's, fate in his hands.
Playoff hockey and playoff basketball, with a legitimate chance for our local teams to go far: I'd be more jacked up if the Rangers were in the baseball post-season, but this is as good as it gets otherwise. The TV and the TiVo will be busy for the next few weeks.
Plagiarizing a baseball blog???
In one of the stranger events I've run across in my adventures in the blogosphere, Beth from Cursed to First has busted a plagiarist who was lifting entire posts from Beth's blog, along with some other Red Sox-oriented blogs.
All I have to say on the subject is "WTF?" All of the fun of having a blog is, to me, wrapped up in having a forum to drop my own Hot Sports Opinions on an unsuspecting world (or, at least, the 7 people who actually read this thing). Why on Earth would someone want to impersonate a blogger? That's like pretending you're a human.
Well, justice has prevailed, and Beth (who has been known to drop her own Hot Sports Opinions, which we've quoted here before) has outed her would-be evil twin. Bravo, Beth!
I just wish someone thought enough of my work to rip me off.
All I have to say on the subject is "WTF?" All of the fun of having a blog is, to me, wrapped up in having a forum to drop my own Hot Sports Opinions on an unsuspecting world (or, at least, the 7 people who actually read this thing). Why on Earth would someone want to impersonate a blogger? That's like pretending you're a human.
Well, justice has prevailed, and Beth (who has been known to drop her own Hot Sports Opinions, which we've quoted here before) has outed her would-be evil twin. Bravo, Beth!
I just wish someone thought enough of my work to rip me off.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Now THIS is a funny blog
Just ask yourself: How glad am I that blogs didn't exist when I went to college?
My answer: Pretty damn glad.
My answer: Pretty damn glad.
Finally, math I can understand
From the Sydney Sunday Times, via Boing Boing:
Here's a mathematical equation that I will be committing to memory:
(S+C) x (B+F)/T = V
It is the formula that describes the perfect female posterior. A quick definition of terms:
S is the overall shape or droopiness of the bottom,
C represents how spherical the buttocks are,
B measures muscular wobble or bounce,
F records the firmness,
Here's a mathematical equation that I will be committing to memory:
(S+C) x (B+F)/T = V
It is the formula that describes the perfect female posterior. A quick definition of terms:
S is the overall shape or droopiness of the bottom,
C represents how spherical the buttocks are,
B measures muscular wobble or bounce,
F records the firmness,
T measures the skin texture and presence of cellulite, and
V is the hip to waist ratio, or symmetry of the bottom.
This is pure genius. And, yes, it does describe my wife - I have the measurements to prove it.
I love practical uses of math. I just wish my algebra classes had concentrated on this sort of thing. It would have made the subject much more relevant to me.
V is the hip to waist ratio, or symmetry of the bottom.
This is pure genius. And, yes, it does describe my wife - I have the measurements to prove it.
I love practical uses of math. I just wish my algebra classes had concentrated on this sort of thing. It would have made the subject much more relevant to me.
Zimbabwe on the verge of big trouble?
From Reuters today: An analysis piece on the current situation in Zimbabwe. The news ain't good.
Growing up Jewish in Dallas, I had lots of friends from southern Africa - for whatever reason (similar climate, growing city w/ lots of opportunity, an even sillier local accent than their own?), many South African and Rhodesian Jews relocated to Dallas in the late 70s and through the 80s. Today, quite a few of my kids' schoolmates are 2nd or 3rd generation southern African immigrants, and many of their parents (our contemporaries) retain the distinctive accent and drive for success that characterized the first wave.
So, with that background, I do keep an eye out for news from southern Africa, and have written about the region several times here. While South Africa has had it's share of problems since majority-rule, the overall trend has been mostly positive. Not so in Zimbabwe.
Back when it was called Rhodesia and it was ruled by minority whites, this south-eastern African country was the breadbasket of the continent. Easily able to feed itself and it's neighbors, it was one of the leading exporters of food in the world. Further blessed by abundant natural resources (nothing like the treasure-house next door in South Africa, but better than most countries), Rhodesia was among the most prosperous countries in Africa and, indeed, the entire world.
The news seemed good in 1980 when, in a largely bloodless transition, the country moved to majority rule and changed it's name to Zimbabwe. The business and agricultural environment remained robust and prosperous, and it seemed like the success story would continue.
The wheels have been slow, but steady, in coming off since then. Robert Mugabe, President since 1980, has become more and more radical as time has gone by, foisting ever-more destructive economic and agricultural policies on the country. His disastrous land-reform methods (revocation of whites' right to own land and making most farmland available to any black who could grab it and hold it) were the most visible, but only average in terms of damage caused to the economy.
So, now here we are, in April of 2006 and the economic news from Zimbabwe is beyond bad - it's nearly incomprehensible. The inflation rate has topped 900%, unemployment is over 70%, an entire generation has never held a job, and the country is on the brink of... what?
Well, we'll find out in the next few weeks. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has proposed mass demonstrations in the next few weeks (no dates have been announced yet, just the intent). While the government is outwardly blowing this off, internal, unnamed sources are saying they're worried.
They should be.
Robert Mugabe deserves the Nicolae Ceausescu treatment more than any world leader not in Burma. And he appears likely to get it.
Stay tuned to this one.
Growing up Jewish in Dallas, I had lots of friends from southern Africa - for whatever reason (similar climate, growing city w/ lots of opportunity, an even sillier local accent than their own?), many South African and Rhodesian Jews relocated to Dallas in the late 70s and through the 80s. Today, quite a few of my kids' schoolmates are 2nd or 3rd generation southern African immigrants, and many of their parents (our contemporaries) retain the distinctive accent and drive for success that characterized the first wave.
So, with that background, I do keep an eye out for news from southern Africa, and have written about the region several times here. While South Africa has had it's share of problems since majority-rule, the overall trend has been mostly positive. Not so in Zimbabwe.
Back when it was called Rhodesia and it was ruled by minority whites, this south-eastern African country was the breadbasket of the continent. Easily able to feed itself and it's neighbors, it was one of the leading exporters of food in the world. Further blessed by abundant natural resources (nothing like the treasure-house next door in South Africa, but better than most countries), Rhodesia was among the most prosperous countries in Africa and, indeed, the entire world.
The news seemed good in 1980 when, in a largely bloodless transition, the country moved to majority rule and changed it's name to Zimbabwe. The business and agricultural environment remained robust and prosperous, and it seemed like the success story would continue.
The wheels have been slow, but steady, in coming off since then. Robert Mugabe, President since 1980, has become more and more radical as time has gone by, foisting ever-more destructive economic and agricultural policies on the country. His disastrous land-reform methods (revocation of whites' right to own land and making most farmland available to any black who could grab it and hold it) were the most visible, but only average in terms of damage caused to the economy.
So, now here we are, in April of 2006 and the economic news from Zimbabwe is beyond bad - it's nearly incomprehensible. The inflation rate has topped 900%, unemployment is over 70%, an entire generation has never held a job, and the country is on the brink of... what?
Well, we'll find out in the next few weeks. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has proposed mass demonstrations in the next few weeks (no dates have been announced yet, just the intent). While the government is outwardly blowing this off, internal, unnamed sources are saying they're worried.
They should be.
Robert Mugabe deserves the Nicolae Ceausescu treatment more than any world leader not in Burma. And he appears likely to get it.
Stay tuned to this one.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Thank God, a decent game for the Rangers
Vicente Padilla got win #2 for both himself and the team yesterday, as the Rangers FINALLY beat the mighty Tigers (huh?) 5-3 in the final game of the season's first homestand.
Brad Wilkerson, who has been swinging (and missing) at everything, delivered one of the VERY few clutch hits produced so far by this team, a two-run double in the sixth. Kenny Rogers (jerk) hung a curve ball and Wilkerson, who's shoulder is still a BIG question mark, smote it but good.
And as for Big Dumb Kenny Rogers, he had nothing to say to the Texas media, shooing them away from his locker but speaking at length to the Tigers' beat reporters. I don't miss that miserable SOB one bit. Even if Kevin Milwood turns out to be the second coming of Chan Ho Park (God forbid), I still won't miss Kenny friggin' Rogers.
It's been as bad a start as one could imagine for the Rangers, but at least the homestand ends on a positive. The Rangers now hit the road, making their first swing through the AL West. Let's see if they can make any hay on this trip, or at least get a few clutch base hits.
Brad Wilkerson, who has been swinging (and missing) at everything, delivered one of the VERY few clutch hits produced so far by this team, a two-run double in the sixth. Kenny Rogers (jerk) hung a curve ball and Wilkerson, who's shoulder is still a BIG question mark, smote it but good.
And as for Big Dumb Kenny Rogers, he had nothing to say to the Texas media, shooing them away from his locker but speaking at length to the Tigers' beat reporters. I don't miss that miserable SOB one bit. Even if Kevin Milwood turns out to be the second coming of Chan Ho Park (God forbid), I still won't miss Kenny friggin' Rogers.
It's been as bad a start as one could imagine for the Rangers, but at least the homestand ends on a positive. The Rangers now hit the road, making their first swing through the AL West. Let's see if they can make any hay on this trip, or at least get a few clutch base hits.
Indonesian Playboy - all publicity is good publicity
Playboy magazine has started publishing a new Indonesian version. This is only surprising when you stop to consider that Indonesia is the world's most-populous Muslim nation.
Tame by Western standards, the magazine is causing the expected furor throughout Indonesia. Since principles like "freedom of the press" and "let the market decide" are completely alien to many in the Muslim world, the Jakarta streets are full of threats, calls for the banning of the magazine, and, no doubt, cries of "Death to America".
And, as for the folk at Playboy - even if the Indonesian edition turns into a failed bit, they've got a few mentions on the news services and a bit of blog-pub (the best kind to have), so they're happy.
Tame by Western standards, the magazine is causing the expected furor throughout Indonesia. Since principles like "freedom of the press" and "let the market decide" are completely alien to many in the Muslim world, the Jakarta streets are full of threats, calls for the banning of the magazine, and, no doubt, cries of "Death to America".
And, as for the folk at Playboy - even if the Indonesian edition turns into a failed bit, they've got a few mentions on the news services and a bit of blog-pub (the best kind to have), so they're happy.
Big surprise: France caves
Staying entirely in-character, the French government has caved in to trade union and student protestors regarding the controversial CPE Employment Contract Law.
Is anyone really surprised by this? The French sense of entitlement is truly a force of nature.
Where does it end for this once-proud, now-third-tier-and-sliding-fast country? A mild attempt to spark the economy and get the nation's youth on payrolls and off the streets has been blocked so completely and so violently that nothing like it will ever be proposed again. What can the government possibly do now, besides continuing to grow the welfare state?
If I were a planner for AQ or any other radical movement that thrives among a disaffected, already-conditioned-to-street-protest-and-violence, near-hopeless population, I'd be pulling up stakes from tired dumps like Somalia and heading for the jihad-ready streets of Paris, baby. Get ready for terms like "Marseilles mullahs", "Liberation Army of Lorraine", "Flanders Fedayeen", and other catchy team names, not to mention a whole new definition of "French Roast". Go git 'em, boys.
Is anyone really surprised by this? The French sense of entitlement is truly a force of nature.
Where does it end for this once-proud, now-third-tier-and-sliding-fast country? A mild attempt to spark the economy and get the nation's youth on payrolls and off the streets has been blocked so completely and so violently that nothing like it will ever be proposed again. What can the government possibly do now, besides continuing to grow the welfare state?
If I were a planner for AQ or any other radical movement that thrives among a disaffected, already-conditioned-to-street-protest-and-violence, near-hopeless population, I'd be pulling up stakes from tired dumps like Somalia and heading for the jihad-ready streets of Paris, baby. Get ready for terms like "Marseilles mullahs", "Liberation Army of Lorraine", "Flanders Fedayeen", and other catchy team names, not to mention a whole new definition of "French Roast". Go git 'em, boys.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
First swim through the rotation - initial reaction is "Uh-oh"
While it's far too early to draw any real conclusions about your 2006 Texas Rangers, the first five games of the season have left me feeling decidedly queasy. While there were a few encouraging signs, the negatives far outweighed the positives and I'm beginning to wonder (again) why this team full of sluggers can't buy a hit with runners in scoring position.
Pitching has been about what we figured. While Milwood got clobbered in his first game as the Rangers' ace, it's not too difficult to remain optimistic about him. Vicente Padilla looked great in his first Rangers' start, and Kam Lowe looked even better. RA Dickey has already been sent down after getting his ass handed to him the other day (a major-league-record-tying SIX home runs allowed), but many of us thought he should have started the season there anyway. Koronka looked OK in his first start, but one suspects the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation will be in flux most of the year, or at least until Eaton gets back.
Defense has been good enough through five games. No glaring problems, nor should there be. Ian Kinsler (Jewish?) got his first error to go along with his first hit and home run, but he should be an upgrade over Soriano. Everyone else is an average or better defensive player. We should expect solid, if unspectacular, defense from this team and, so far, that's what's been delivered.
It's the hitting that has me a bit freaked out at the minute. No one is pounding it, and the team can't buy a clutch hit. I keep hearing, "This team has too much talent. The hitting will come." Haven't we heard this same thing for about 3 years now? WHY can't this team move runners? If they don't homer, they've got nothing. I have been mystified by this for some time and remain so. I am further mystified by the fact that no one really seems to call them out on it.
Like I said - it's way too early to draw long-term conclusions, and it's certainly not time to panic. But it sure is time to start asking some questions.
Pitching has been about what we figured. While Milwood got clobbered in his first game as the Rangers' ace, it's not too difficult to remain optimistic about him. Vicente Padilla looked great in his first Rangers' start, and Kam Lowe looked even better. RA Dickey has already been sent down after getting his ass handed to him the other day (a major-league-record-tying SIX home runs allowed), but many of us thought he should have started the season there anyway. Koronka looked OK in his first start, but one suspects the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation will be in flux most of the year, or at least until Eaton gets back.
Defense has been good enough through five games. No glaring problems, nor should there be. Ian Kinsler (Jewish?) got his first error to go along with his first hit and home run, but he should be an upgrade over Soriano. Everyone else is an average or better defensive player. We should expect solid, if unspectacular, defense from this team and, so far, that's what's been delivered.
It's the hitting that has me a bit freaked out at the minute. No one is pounding it, and the team can't buy a clutch hit. I keep hearing, "This team has too much talent. The hitting will come." Haven't we heard this same thing for about 3 years now? WHY can't this team move runners? If they don't homer, they've got nothing. I have been mystified by this for some time and remain so. I am further mystified by the fact that no one really seems to call them out on it.
Like I said - it's way too early to draw long-term conclusions, and it's certainly not time to panic. But it sure is time to start asking some questions.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Atomic Age nostalgia
Billing itself as a repository of "All Things Atomic" from "The Golden Age of Homeland Security", Conelrad is wacky stroll down late-1940s through mid-1960s nuclear-threat Memory Lane.
The combination of scare tactics and false reassurance is a study in the duality of man, esp when under the threat of nuclear annihilation. Good times.
If you're old enough to remember those halcyon days of looming destruction, or if you're like me and have only read about them, this site is worth a check-out. It's a chilling, yet sort of comforting, contrast to the Homeland Security scare tactics and false reassurances of today.
The combination of scare tactics and false reassurance is a study in the duality of man, esp when under the threat of nuclear annihilation. Good times.
If you're old enough to remember those halcyon days of looming destruction, or if you're like me and have only read about them, this site is worth a check-out. It's a chilling, yet sort of comforting, contrast to the Homeland Security scare tactics and false reassurances of today.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
French students and unions are apparently now the government
In a truly unbelievable move, French labor unions and students have told PM Dominique de Villepin and President Jacques Chirac they must repeal the controversial First Job Contract law by April 15. They made no mention of consequences if the demand is not met.
I am stunned by this move. Who do these guys think they are? Surely they know they have forced a showdown with de Villepin. Apparently, the unions think they have enough momentum and support behind them to blatantly challenge the power of the elected government like this.
The really sad part is de Villepin (who's career is over, regardless) will probably cave. One hopes not, as the repercussions for democratically elected governments in general, and for France in particular, could be disastrous. An elected government must represent, and answer to, the people, but this is silly. This is nothing more than extortion. It is absolutely the antithesis of the way a democratic government is supposed to work and is, as the Founding Fathers would say, "tyranny of the majority" in the worst sense.
The equally sad part is this law, or something like it, is desperately needed in France. The French unemployment rate is the highest in Western Europe, and it won't get any better until hiring an employee no longer means the business has to keep paying that employee for life, regardless of his/her performance.
I am stunned by this move. Who do these guys think they are? Surely they know they have forced a showdown with de Villepin. Apparently, the unions think they have enough momentum and support behind them to blatantly challenge the power of the elected government like this.
The really sad part is de Villepin (who's career is over, regardless) will probably cave. One hopes not, as the repercussions for democratically elected governments in general, and for France in particular, could be disastrous. An elected government must represent, and answer to, the people, but this is silly. This is nothing more than extortion. It is absolutely the antithesis of the way a democratic government is supposed to work and is, as the Founding Fathers would say, "tyranny of the majority" in the worst sense.
The equally sad part is this law, or something like it, is desperately needed in France. The French unemployment rate is the highest in Western Europe, and it won't get any better until hiring an employee no longer means the business has to keep paying that employee for life, regardless of his/her performance.
Finding your way around - getting easier, but still a ways to go
Ran across this on Boing Boing today (BTW - if you're not reading Boing Boing every day, what is wrong with you? It is simply the greatest blog in the history of ever.): Loki is a new, location-based Internet search and navigation service, currently in beta.
Loki uses within-range Wi-Fi networks and a database to figure out your current location for you. So, your directions start you out correctly, even if you have no idea where you are.
This is, of course, pure genius. The limitations are still fairly significant - you have to use your laptop (Windows XP only, at the moment) instead of a mobile device, there have to be some hotspots in the vicinity, and the database has to be ultra up-to-date - but this is a great idea.
Where it needs to go, of course, is onto a mobile device (my much-anticipated 30 gb, flash-memory, music-store-agnostic, 3G, Windows Mobile PDA/phone/mp3 player, natch), it needs to keep track of where I am, and it needs to be able to read directions to me out loud, so I don't have to squint at the screen while driving. I'm OK with it delivering location-based advertising, as long as I can mute the sound for that (while leaving the sound up for my directions).
This is in contrast to my current state of affairs: While touring my parents' new, under-construction house in Frisco the other day, I attempted to find directions to the local Romano's Macaroni Grill. It took me five minutes of drill-down on my silly little Cingular WAP phone, and the best I could do was a Yellow Pages lookup of the phone number for the restaurant. Not too impressive.
Loki uses within-range Wi-Fi networks and a database to figure out your current location for you. So, your directions start you out correctly, even if you have no idea where you are.
This is, of course, pure genius. The limitations are still fairly significant - you have to use your laptop (Windows XP only, at the moment) instead of a mobile device, there have to be some hotspots in the vicinity, and the database has to be ultra up-to-date - but this is a great idea.
Where it needs to go, of course, is onto a mobile device (my much-anticipated 30 gb, flash-memory, music-store-agnostic, 3G, Windows Mobile PDA/phone/mp3 player, natch), it needs to keep track of where I am, and it needs to be able to read directions to me out loud, so I don't have to squint at the screen while driving. I'm OK with it delivering location-based advertising, as long as I can mute the sound for that (while leaving the sound up for my directions).
This is in contrast to my current state of affairs: While touring my parents' new, under-construction house in Frisco the other day, I attempted to find directions to the local Romano's Macaroni Grill. It took me five minutes of drill-down on my silly little Cingular WAP phone, and the best I could do was a Yellow Pages lookup of the phone number for the restaurant. Not too impressive.
Ariel Sharon has another surgery
Ariel Sharon (he's still got the Prime Minister title, which sounds more like a cruel joke as time passes) had surgery today to replace part of his skull, which was removed following his massive stroke back in early Jan.
This is terribly sad, and I wonder how much longer it will continue. At this point, there's very little chance that Sharon will recover even a little bit. Why are they still carving him up?
I'm already working on my tribute to Sharon, to be published when he passes. A controversial figure for most of his adult life, he wound up being in the top 5 (arguably in the top 3) most influential Israelis ever. He is missed right now, and will be missed for years to come.
This is terribly sad, and I wonder how much longer it will continue. At this point, there's very little chance that Sharon will recover even a little bit. Why are they still carving him up?
I'm already working on my tribute to Sharon, to be published when he passes. A controversial figure for most of his adult life, he wound up being in the top 5 (arguably in the top 3) most influential Israelis ever. He is missed right now, and will be missed for years to come.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Real lawn furniture
I don't know if this is cool or stupid (the line so fine sometimes, isn't it?), but here, from Gizmodo, is the grass armchair.
It's a corrugated cardboard frame that you place on your lawn, pack with soil, and sprinkle grass seed on. Before you know it, you have an immovable chair that is part of your yard.
I do know this: You will drive the person responsible for cutting the grass completely insane with a few of these!
It's a corrugated cardboard frame that you place on your lawn, pack with soil, and sprinkle grass seed on. Before you know it, you have an immovable chair that is part of your yard.
I do know this: You will drive the person responsible for cutting the grass completely insane with a few of these!
The hi-tech way to keep your coffee warm
From our pals at Gizmodo:
Probably not as effective as the little hotplate you've been using to keep your coffee cup warm for the past 10 years, but undoubtedly geekier (and, therefore, sexier), here's a USB cup warmer.
Just wrap the sleeve around your cup, plug it into the USB port on your laptop, and presto! You've got a forever-warm cup of coffee.
I sorta wonder about tethering a cup of scalding hot liquid to your $1,000 laptop via a 50 cm electrical cord, but you'll be the coolest kid in your cube farm.
Probably not as effective as the little hotplate you've been using to keep your coffee cup warm for the past 10 years, but undoubtedly geekier (and, therefore, sexier), here's a USB cup warmer.
Just wrap the sleeve around your cup, plug it into the USB port on your laptop, and presto! You've got a forever-warm cup of coffee.
I sorta wonder about tethering a cup of scalding hot liquid to your $1,000 laptop via a 50 cm electrical cord, but you'll be the coolest kid in your cube farm.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Opening Day - Let's try to be realistic
The Rangers open the regular season against Boston today at 2:00 at The Temple. It's a PERFECT day in old DFW - not a cloud in the sky, temp around 70 or so, not much wind (but probably about Force 8 out from the plate), couldn't be better for the start of what MIGHT be a fun baseball season.One must remember that last year's opening day (which I was lucky enough to attend, in a box no less) was equally glorious. And we all remember how last year worked out. I don't even remember who the Rangers played. I do, however, remember the flyover by the B-52. You don't forget a flyover by a B-52. How does something that huge fly? But I digress...
I'm going to record some thoughts for posterity. We'll look back later in the season and see if any of this matters at all.
First, the opening day line-up, which looks like this:
LF - Brad Wilkerson
SS - Michael Young
1B - Mark Texeira
DH - Phil Nevin
3B - Hank Blalock
RF - Kevin Mench
CF - Laynce Nix
C - Rod Barajas
2B - Ian Kinsler
The addition of Wilkerson ought to be a plus - the guy can work pitchers and get on base.
Young and Tex are solid, with Tex finally starting to find the groove late in spring training, after a disappointing WBC.
Nevin is what, 85 years old? If he can drive his Lark out to the on-deck circle, he should be solid enough.
Blalock will start fast, as always. Check back in Aug for a true assessment of his season.
Mench and his giant melon will be good enough. I have no big hopes for him, but he'll deliver an adequate performance for a #6.
Nix should be in the minors, recovering from his two (!) shoulder surgeries. This is troubling. I have to believe the plan WAS for Dellucci to carry some of the load here, but the pitching problems (more in a moment) forced Jon Daniels' hand. We're going to have to hold our breath on Mr. Nix.
Barajas is what he is. Solid behind the plate and solid, if unspectacular, with the bat.
Kinsler has emerged as hoped. He'll be better in the field than Soriano was (faint praise if ever I've heard it), but there will be a drop-off in offense from 2B. There should be enough from elsewhere to make up for it, but it does bear watching. I still think the subtraction of Soriano's bat will be one of the biggest negatives from the off-season.
Now, the pitching, which is what it all comes down to. The rotation shapes up like this:
Kevin Millwood
Vicente Padilla
Kam Lowe
RA Dickey
John Koronka
Millwood should be the ace we've been looking for since the dawn of history. With some real run support, which he never got in Cleveland, he ought to produce. Anything short will be a surprise. This is an upgrade over Kenny Rogers without question, and cameramen on the Ranger beat are breathing a sigh of relief.
Padilla gave me a warm fuzzy as the #3. We will have to see how he does as #2. He's taking Chris Young's spot, and it's too early to tell if that's a step up.
Kam Lowe should be a #4.
RA Dickey should be in the minors working on the knuckler. If he can master it (and it looks like he will), he can be a solid rotation guy for the Rangers for years to come. The Launching Pad is a lousy place to work out the kinks, however. I hope the Rangers can afford to be patient with him.
Koronka should be in the minors as well.
The Adam Eaton injury has well and truly screwed the Rangers' plans for the rotation. I give Jon Daniels full marks for revamping his pitching staff not once, but twice this off season. Unfortunately, the Rangers are in the same division as the Angels and As, neither of whom have anything like the heartburn the Rangers do in their starting pitching.
The bullpen probably hangs on one guy: Joaquin Benoit. If he can be a competent middle guy, the bullpen sets up nicely with Otsuka handing off to Cordero.
All told, I think we are looking at an upgrade from last year's fiasco. Eaton (hopefully) coming back in July should be a boost just when the team needs it. But, the headline says "realistic", and when you look at the AL West realistically, it's hard to see how the Rangers finish higher than third.
Well, today is the one day of the season when everyone is tied and every team has a chance. So, let's play ball!
Sunday, April 02, 2006
More "Lost" goodies
Geeding, the master of all things "Lost", has provided a couple of mind-blowers from the show. All avowed Losties should drop what they're doing and check these babies out:
1. From Entertainment Weekly, a vidcap and some analysis of the looney black-light map Locke saw on the inside of the blast door in the episode entitled "Lockdown".
2. From thetailsection.com (a fan site, I think), a video which sure looks like another Dharma Initiative training video, ala the "Swan Station" film Desmond bequeathed to Locke early in Season 2. This one has not made it onto the air yet.
Have I mentioned recently that I LOVE THIS SHOW?
By the way, go check out the new and improved Bag of Nothing, and leave a little love for Geeding. The man gets up at a ridiculously early hour every morning, just to provide his public with top-notch entertainment. His stuff should be on your daily reading list. It sure is on mine.
1. From Entertainment Weekly, a vidcap and some analysis of the looney black-light map Locke saw on the inside of the blast door in the episode entitled "Lockdown".
2. From thetailsection.com (a fan site, I think), a video which sure looks like another Dharma Initiative training video, ala the "Swan Station" film Desmond bequeathed to Locke early in Season 2. This one has not made it onto the air yet.
Have I mentioned recently that I LOVE THIS SHOW?
By the way, go check out the new and improved Bag of Nothing, and leave a little love for Geeding. The man gets up at a ridiculously early hour every morning, just to provide his public with top-notch entertainment. His stuff should be on your daily reading list. It sure is on mine.
Immigration imbroglio - time to weigh in
A representative from the Guacamole Party asked recently about the lack of comment from CIT regarding the immigration imbroglio currently causing more missed school than a bad mono breakout.
The Guacs are right, man. It's been nothing but sheer intellectual laziness that has prevented me from weighing in on this controversial subject. No more. Let's get to it. And fair warning - I'm a Republican, but I reserve the right to disagree.
So, as I understand it, the brouhaha was sparked by legislation currently doing it's rendition of "Today I Am Still Just A Bill" in DC. This legislation (the House version of it, anyway) labels illegal immigrants as felons, and criminalizes any activity that aids or abets illegal immigrants. The Senate is debating a somewhat less harsh version, which calls for a "guest worker" status. The Pres has called for this sort of approach.
So, first a few comments on the tenor of the protests:
1. If you're hollering "We're Americans too", why are you waving Mexican flags? Over the American flag? Which you have upside down? Folks, this is called "burying the lead".
2. Time for a quick civics lesson to the well-intentioned folks who state words to the effect of, "Illegal immigrants are not criminals." Um, sorry. They kind of totally are. Here's the big tipoff: "ILLEGAL immigrants". Get it?
3. My favorite pointy-headed liberal quoted in the news: Camella Pinkney-Price of the Hispanic Evangelical Churches. I'm sorry to typecast, by hyphen last names are like a red cape to a bull. Anyway, Camella is quoted as saying, "We want to say that we deserve to be legal. Why are people called illegal immigrants when they have shed blood, sweat and tears to work in this country?" Camella, babe, please see #2 above.
It's like shooting fish in a barrel, isn't it?
However, even with all this making sport, I still haven't got to my opinion.
On one hand, of course, is it's absolutely silly to think that our borders should be wide open, and those who are protesting right now are incredibly naive if they think that's in the cards. In the post-Sept 11 world, we really do have to do a better job of figuring out who's coming into our country.
On the same hand, enormous waves of immigration, especially undocumented and/or illegal immigration, puts a great deal of strain on the social services network of our fair burg. Education, welfare, and other public services are stretched. I think the biggest negative impact of the current flow of immigration (legal and illegal) is the colossal, near-fatal strain being put on the healthcare system. My wife works in healthcare, and my son's condition ensures that we see a great deal from the patient's perspective, so I think I'm qualified to comment. It's a mess. It's worse than you can imagine. It's a wonder the system hasn't imploded yet. That the implosion is coming is, to me, a foregone conclusion. I literally lose sleep over this.
On the other hand, a few points:
- I love the big, comfy, brand new house I live in, esp at the price I paid.
- The woman who cleans our house and the gentleman who does our yard work (husband and wife, btw) are the most dependable, conscientious workers you could ask for.
- The Dallas North Tollway, which will make my life MUCH easier once complete, is being built at a pace that frankly amazes me. Something MAJOR gets done every week on that stretch of road.
- I love that the North Texas service economy is absolutely booming. As a consumer, I am the one who reaps most of the benefits.
I have no idea how many illegal immigrants are involved in the bullet points above. Maybe none. Maybe lots.
What I do know is immigrants are fueling the astounding economic activity you'll find throughout Texas, Florida, Arizona, California, and lots of other places. Turning off the tap of immigration, or even slowing it significantly, will have some impact on this economic growth. Maybe a big impact. Maybe a REALLY big impact. So be careful.
There you go. I think a lot of what's going on right now is pretty darn entertaining. But, at the heart of it, I think I'm on the side of the entertainers.
UPDATE: A few things occurred to me as I reread this (What's the point of having a blog if you don't revel in your own wisdom? At least, that's what Narcissus would say.) and I want to add a bit of color (ha!).
First, we (the right) are always hollering about "Family Values" and "Traditional Families". I don't go all the way with my conservative bretheren on this one - I think same-sex parents are swell, as long as they provide a stable and loving environment, and I'm pretty sure I don't want my or my kids' reading and TV list approved by the Baptist Church - but it's difficult to argue with the basic logic.
Ever been around a Hispanic family? I'm not going to tell you that I've spent loads of time around them myself, but I have spent some, plus I read a bit, and I think it's safe to say Hispanics are, by and large, as family-oriented as anyone. There is a tradtion of staying together as an extended family, taking care of elders, sharing domestic responsiblities, working hard to support dependants, and raising children that will rival anything you'll see in the Jewish, Asian, or any other community. And when you compare it to the average American "family", well, there's not much of a comparison.
Don't we want more of this in America? I think we do. I know I do.
Next, and unrelated, and on the other side of the coin completely: I happened to catch a bit of the new HBO drama "Walkout" last night. I didn't see enough to give a thorough review, but it appeared to be about Hispanic students protesting for something they felt strongly about by walking out of class. Sound familiar? I'm not going to throw too many stones here, because my generation copied much more inane crap from movies (I can't tell you how many pizzas were delivered to class, Spicoli-style, in my high school), but it just makes you wonder what would have happened if HBO had done a special on the Whiskey Rebellion this month instead.
They taught us in 10th-grade English to summarize, so: Something does need to change w/ regard to immigration. We have to do a better job of monitoring who's coming in. Social services, and esp healthcare, cannot, in their current forms, continue to support the growing demand. But, let's not get nuts about this. Immigration brings a lot of really valueable things to this country, including strong values, a source of inexpensive labor that fuels our economy, and people who are willing to work hard to provide a better life for following generations. That's pretty compelling to me.
The Guacs are right, man. It's been nothing but sheer intellectual laziness that has prevented me from weighing in on this controversial subject. No more. Let's get to it. And fair warning - I'm a Republican, but I reserve the right to disagree.
So, as I understand it, the brouhaha was sparked by legislation currently doing it's rendition of "Today I Am Still Just A Bill" in DC. This legislation (the House version of it, anyway) labels illegal immigrants as felons, and criminalizes any activity that aids or abets illegal immigrants. The Senate is debating a somewhat less harsh version, which calls for a "guest worker" status. The Pres has called for this sort of approach.
So, first a few comments on the tenor of the protests:
1. If you're hollering "We're Americans too", why are you waving Mexican flags? Over the American flag? Which you have upside down? Folks, this is called "burying the lead".
2. Time for a quick civics lesson to the well-intentioned folks who state words to the effect of, "Illegal immigrants are not criminals." Um, sorry. They kind of totally are. Here's the big tipoff: "ILLEGAL immigrants". Get it?
3. My favorite pointy-headed liberal quoted in the news: Camella Pinkney-Price of the Hispanic Evangelical Churches. I'm sorry to typecast, by hyphen last names are like a red cape to a bull. Anyway, Camella is quoted as saying, "We want to say that we deserve to be legal. Why are people called illegal immigrants when they have shed blood, sweat and tears to work in this country?" Camella, babe, please see #2 above.
It's like shooting fish in a barrel, isn't it?
However, even with all this making sport, I still haven't got to my opinion.
On one hand, of course, is it's absolutely silly to think that our borders should be wide open, and those who are protesting right now are incredibly naive if they think that's in the cards. In the post-Sept 11 world, we really do have to do a better job of figuring out who's coming into our country.
On the same hand, enormous waves of immigration, especially undocumented and/or illegal immigration, puts a great deal of strain on the social services network of our fair burg. Education, welfare, and other public services are stretched. I think the biggest negative impact of the current flow of immigration (legal and illegal) is the colossal, near-fatal strain being put on the healthcare system. My wife works in healthcare, and my son's condition ensures that we see a great deal from the patient's perspective, so I think I'm qualified to comment. It's a mess. It's worse than you can imagine. It's a wonder the system hasn't imploded yet. That the implosion is coming is, to me, a foregone conclusion. I literally lose sleep over this.
On the other hand, a few points:
- I love the big, comfy, brand new house I live in, esp at the price I paid.
- The woman who cleans our house and the gentleman who does our yard work (husband and wife, btw) are the most dependable, conscientious workers you could ask for.
- The Dallas North Tollway, which will make my life MUCH easier once complete, is being built at a pace that frankly amazes me. Something MAJOR gets done every week on that stretch of road.
- I love that the North Texas service economy is absolutely booming. As a consumer, I am the one who reaps most of the benefits.
I have no idea how many illegal immigrants are involved in the bullet points above. Maybe none. Maybe lots.
What I do know is immigrants are fueling the astounding economic activity you'll find throughout Texas, Florida, Arizona, California, and lots of other places. Turning off the tap of immigration, or even slowing it significantly, will have some impact on this economic growth. Maybe a big impact. Maybe a REALLY big impact. So be careful.
There you go. I think a lot of what's going on right now is pretty darn entertaining. But, at the heart of it, I think I'm on the side of the entertainers.
UPDATE: A few things occurred to me as I reread this (What's the point of having a blog if you don't revel in your own wisdom? At least, that's what Narcissus would say.) and I want to add a bit of color (ha!).
First, we (the right) are always hollering about "Family Values" and "Traditional Families". I don't go all the way with my conservative bretheren on this one - I think same-sex parents are swell, as long as they provide a stable and loving environment, and I'm pretty sure I don't want my or my kids' reading and TV list approved by the Baptist Church - but it's difficult to argue with the basic logic.
Ever been around a Hispanic family? I'm not going to tell you that I've spent loads of time around them myself, but I have spent some, plus I read a bit, and I think it's safe to say Hispanics are, by and large, as family-oriented as anyone. There is a tradtion of staying together as an extended family, taking care of elders, sharing domestic responsiblities, working hard to support dependants, and raising children that will rival anything you'll see in the Jewish, Asian, or any other community. And when you compare it to the average American "family", well, there's not much of a comparison.
Don't we want more of this in America? I think we do. I know I do.
Next, and unrelated, and on the other side of the coin completely: I happened to catch a bit of the new HBO drama "Walkout" last night. I didn't see enough to give a thorough review, but it appeared to be about Hispanic students protesting for something they felt strongly about by walking out of class. Sound familiar? I'm not going to throw too many stones here, because my generation copied much more inane crap from movies (I can't tell you how many pizzas were delivered to class, Spicoli-style, in my high school), but it just makes you wonder what would have happened if HBO had done a special on the Whiskey Rebellion this month instead.
They taught us in 10th-grade English to summarize, so: Something does need to change w/ regard to immigration. We have to do a better job of monitoring who's coming in. Social services, and esp healthcare, cannot, in their current forms, continue to support the growing demand. But, let's not get nuts about this. Immigration brings a lot of really valueable things to this country, including strong values, a source of inexpensive labor that fuels our economy, and people who are willing to work hard to provide a better life for following generations. That's pretty compelling to me.
France on self-destruct again, and I still don't get it
France is on the verge of implosion, again (or still, I can't tell) and I, for one, am ready to see that collection of arrogant twits beat each other senseless.
The latest upheaval has to do with legislation, which has been approved by the parliament, that would make it easier to hire and fire young workers. Trade unions and students are all a-twitter because workers in their early 20s will now have to (gasp) work to keep their jobs.
The French (and other Euros, the Froggies are only the most annoying example) are used to "employment for life" and other forms of socialized hand-holding. The result of this heart-in-the-right-place-but-brain-stuck-in-the-jacket-pocket sort of societal engineering is a youth unemployment rate of over 20%, a rate that doubles when you look at inner-city youth (yep, the same folks who did their best to burn down metropolitan France about six months ago).
Capitalism sure ain't perfect. Unfettered by oversight, it is as destructive as any other "-ism" out there. However, with good intentions, good oversight, and accountability, it's the best thing going.
Folks from Howard Dean and on over, please take note of what's happening in the land of wine, cheese, and a military tradition second only to Chad and Burkina Faso. Is this REALLY what you want to do to us?
UPDATE: The protests continue, although there are some signs that at least someone (Interior Minister Sarkozy and some of the more moderate unions) is willing to talk.
What am I missing here? Are the students and unions REALLY protesting because they think a status quo where 75% of young Frenchmen and -women have near-guaranteed jobs while 25% (50% of the inner-city and minority population) go without any job at all is better than this law which would mean a FAR higher percentage are employed at jobs they need to perform to keep?
How does this make ANY sense at all?
The latest upheaval has to do with legislation, which has been approved by the parliament, that would make it easier to hire and fire young workers. Trade unions and students are all a-twitter because workers in their early 20s will now have to (gasp) work to keep their jobs.
The French (and other Euros, the Froggies are only the most annoying example) are used to "employment for life" and other forms of socialized hand-holding. The result of this heart-in-the-right-place-but-brain-stuck-in-the-jacket-pocket sort of societal engineering is a youth unemployment rate of over 20%, a rate that doubles when you look at inner-city youth (yep, the same folks who did their best to burn down metropolitan France about six months ago).
Capitalism sure ain't perfect. Unfettered by oversight, it is as destructive as any other "-ism" out there. However, with good intentions, good oversight, and accountability, it's the best thing going.
Folks from Howard Dean and on over, please take note of what's happening in the land of wine, cheese, and a military tradition second only to Chad and Burkina Faso. Is this REALLY what you want to do to us?
UPDATE: The protests continue, although there are some signs that at least someone (Interior Minister Sarkozy and some of the more moderate unions) is willing to talk.
What am I missing here? Are the students and unions REALLY protesting because they think a status quo where 75% of young Frenchmen and -women have near-guaranteed jobs while 25% (50% of the inner-city and minority population) go without any job at all is better than this law which would mean a FAR higher percentage are employed at jobs they need to perform to keep?
How does this make ANY sense at all?
Hamas to Palestinians: Come on , you guys - it's us asking for calm!
Hamas says it wants to enlist clan elders, mosques, and local media to help calm tensions and enhance security in the Palestinian territories.
Good luck with all that.
You reap what you sow, boys. You were the guys who refused to listen to Fatah when they called for calm. Good luck getting anyone to listen to you, now that you have the responsibility for quieting things down.
The sooner the fence is built, the better.
Good luck with all that.
You reap what you sow, boys. You were the guys who refused to listen to Fatah when they called for calm. Good luck getting anyone to listen to you, now that you have the responsibility for quieting things down.
The sooner the fence is built, the better.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
There's bad, then there's "Basic Instinct 2"
I suspect many of you have, as I have, gone back and forth on the subject of Basic Instinct 2. When I heard that it was going to be made, my initial reaction was, "Why bother?" I had no interest in the subject at the time and thought it was just a desperate attempt by Sharon Stone to resurrect a career that never should have existed in the first place.
Then the "trailer" hit the Web. Say what you want, but you can't deny that it has some pretty hot stuff in it. And, after seeing it, my thinking changed to, "Maybe this is going to be so bad that it's good, sort of like the first one." The original Basic Instinct was an over-the-top train wreck in many ways, but it was a guilty pleasure. This is clearly demonstrated to be true by the aforementioned Sharon-Stone-career-that-never-should-have-been. Like it (or her) or not, the movie made her a star.
Now comes Ain't It Cool's review of BI2 (catchy), and it looks like the original thought was spot on. According to Massawyrm, it's worse than you can imagine. God knows where the trailer came from, 'cause it sounds like none of it is even in the completed film. What we're left with is bad dialogue, bad acting, bad storytelling, and perhaps the most Razzie-worthy movie ever made.
The review is worth reading, however.
Then the "trailer" hit the Web. Say what you want, but you can't deny that it has some pretty hot stuff in it. And, after seeing it, my thinking changed to, "Maybe this is going to be so bad that it's good, sort of like the first one." The original Basic Instinct was an over-the-top train wreck in many ways, but it was a guilty pleasure. This is clearly demonstrated to be true by the aforementioned Sharon-Stone-career-that-never-should-have-been. Like it (or her) or not, the movie made her a star.
Now comes Ain't It Cool's review of BI2 (catchy), and it looks like the original thought was spot on. According to Massawyrm, it's worse than you can imagine. God knows where the trailer came from, 'cause it sounds like none of it is even in the completed film. What we're left with is bad dialogue, bad acting, bad storytelling, and perhaps the most Razzie-worthy movie ever made.
The review is worth reading, however.
Oh, crap - injury bug hits Ranger pitching
Rangers' #2 Adam Eaton is the first casualty - a tendon on his pitching hand let go yesterday. The scary part of this is he suffered pretty much all last year from the same injury. He thinks he's going on the DL, which is never good news.
The Rangers had JUST named RA Dickey as starter #5. Other options for Eaton's replacement are Edinson Volquez, Juan Dominguez, and apparently, John Danks or Thomas Diamond, neither of whom have made it past AA yet.
It's way too early for this sort of nonsense, but it gives you an idea of how thin the Rangers' pitching is, improved or not.
The Rangers had JUST named RA Dickey as starter #5. Other options for Eaton's replacement are Edinson Volquez, Juan Dominguez, and apparently, John Danks or Thomas Diamond, neither of whom have made it past AA yet.
It's way too early for this sort of nonsense, but it gives you an idea of how thin the Rangers' pitching is, improved or not.
World talks tough to Iran; Iranians have nation-wide giggle fit
The US, China, Russian, UK, France, and Germany have told Iran to stop their nuclear program or face "isolation", whatever that means.
The Russians have gone out of their way to clarify "isolation" as NOT including sanctions. So, I guess the rest of the world will talk to each other at cocktail parties while pointedly ignoring Iran like an ex-girlfriend. Oooo, harsh.
The Iranians are laughing their asses off as the world fumbles for a way to deal with their nuclear program. Iran's barmy Pres, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has proven time and again that he can say anything that pops into his breezy brain with no significant consequences. Now the whole country is learning to thumb their noses at the rest of humanity while they do whatever they damn well please.
I hate to say it, but I don't really think I'm going too far out on a limb when I predict that AQ or one of their correspondent groups will set off a dirty bomb or the real, fissiony deal in a major Western city in the not-too-distant future. Stamped on the bomb case will be the words "Made in Iran" and a big, smilely mullah. And we'll all wish we had shown some spine back in 2006, when it would have made some difference.
The Russians have gone out of their way to clarify "isolation" as NOT including sanctions. So, I guess the rest of the world will talk to each other at cocktail parties while pointedly ignoring Iran like an ex-girlfriend. Oooo, harsh.
The Iranians are laughing their asses off as the world fumbles for a way to deal with their nuclear program. Iran's barmy Pres, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has proven time and again that he can say anything that pops into his breezy brain with no significant consequences. Now the whole country is learning to thumb their noses at the rest of humanity while they do whatever they damn well please.
I hate to say it, but I don't really think I'm going too far out on a limb when I predict that AQ or one of their correspondent groups will set off a dirty bomb or the real, fissiony deal in a major Western city in the not-too-distant future. Stamped on the bomb case will be the words "Made in Iran" and a big, smilely mullah. And we'll all wish we had shown some spine back in 2006, when it would have made some difference.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Hun Sen blows a gasket
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen launched a verbal broadside of monumental proportions against UN human rights envoy Yash Ghai on Tuesday.
Mr. Ghai, in Cambodia on a 10-day fact finding trip, apparently had the gall to criticize Cambodia's commitment to human rights. He went on to state the obvious by saying too much power has been centralized around one person (that would be Hun Sen, for those of you following along at home).
Hun Sen took the paranoid-former-Khmer-Rouge-pretending-to-be-reformed track in responding, calling Mr. Ghai "deranged", insisting Kofi Annan sack him, and pointing out that Kenya (Ghai's home country) has a poverty problem too.
Hun Sen, in power in Cambodia since the Vietnamese installed him in 1979, has never been one to play by the rules. He's bullied his way into government when he didn't receive the votes to be involved, his Cambodian Peoples' Party has often been accused of strong-arm tactics, and he's done everything he can do to stall the trials of former Khmer Rouge leaders to prevent unsavory details about his own past from coming to light. Even by his standards, though, Hun Sen has been acting increasingly paranoid and insecure lately, charging multiple opposition figures with criminal defamation, only to drop the charges after the headlines subside.
Cambodia continues to be one of the poorest countries on earth, seemingly unable to recover from its decent into hell under the Khmer Rouge 30 years ago. It seems clear Cambodia will not make any significant progress while Hun Sen keeps his hands firmly on the reins.
Mr. Ghai, in Cambodia on a 10-day fact finding trip, apparently had the gall to criticize Cambodia's commitment to human rights. He went on to state the obvious by saying too much power has been centralized around one person (that would be Hun Sen, for those of you following along at home).
Hun Sen took the paranoid-former-Khmer-Rouge-pretending-to-be-reformed track in responding, calling Mr. Ghai "deranged", insisting Kofi Annan sack him, and pointing out that Kenya (Ghai's home country) has a poverty problem too.
Hun Sen, in power in Cambodia since the Vietnamese installed him in 1979, has never been one to play by the rules. He's bullied his way into government when he didn't receive the votes to be involved, his Cambodian Peoples' Party has often been accused of strong-arm tactics, and he's done everything he can do to stall the trials of former Khmer Rouge leaders to prevent unsavory details about his own past from coming to light. Even by his standards, though, Hun Sen has been acting increasingly paranoid and insecure lately, charging multiple opposition figures with criminal defamation, only to drop the charges after the headlines subside.
Cambodia continues to be one of the poorest countries on earth, seemingly unable to recover from its decent into hell under the Khmer Rouge 30 years ago. It seems clear Cambodia will not make any significant progress while Hun Sen keeps his hands firmly on the reins.
And there goes Amare
Amare Stoudamire's comeback has, after three games, probably ended for the year. He played poorly in a lopsided Suns loss to New Jersey on Monday night, then was held out of another lopsided Suns loss last night in Milwaukee.
Apparently, he's experiencing some stiffness in his surgically repaired left knee, and the Suns, who have huge long-term hopes for Stoudamire, are making a sensible choice by holding him out.
You hate to see really gifted athletes like Stoudamire sidelined with major injuries like this, and one hopes that his career is not diminished or ended by the injury. Stoudamire is the kind of guy who can inherit the mantle from Duncan and Shaq and could dominate the league for the next 10 years. I sincerely hope he comes back next year and regains his former, amazing stature.
Apparently, he's experiencing some stiffness in his surgically repaired left knee, and the Suns, who have huge long-term hopes for Stoudamire, are making a sensible choice by holding him out.
You hate to see really gifted athletes like Stoudamire sidelined with major injuries like this, and one hopes that his career is not diminished or ended by the injury. Stoudamire is the kind of guy who can inherit the mantle from Duncan and Shaq and could dominate the league for the next 10 years. I sincerely hope he comes back next year and regains his former, amazing stature.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Big day in Israel
Israelis went to the polls today, apparently in historically low numbers, to elect a new government.
This will be the first election for Ariel Sharon's Kadima Party. Prior to Sharon's debilitating stroke, Kadima was virtually assured of victory, and probably by a large margin. Now that Sharon is out of the picture, replaced by his longtime deputy Ehud Olmert, Kadima will probably still win, but apparently by a smaller margin.
Regardless of who does win, a coalition government is a virtual certainty. Is it a left- or right-leading coalition? We shall see; the left has been in disarray for some time, but Likud (the right) has very little right now. Former PM Benjamin Netanyahu is the leading right wing candidate, and he's seen in Israel as a bit of a snake-oil salesman.
One hopes that however it shakes out, the coalition is secure enough to seek to negotiate with the Palestinians, but strong enough to pursue the unilateral course if no viable partner emerges. The situation in Israel will look very different in five years, and this government will have a lot to say about the shape it takes.
UPDATE: Kadima will win, and it looks like their coalition partners will be from the left. Olmert has some additional legitimacy, he's no dummy, and Sharon trusted him for years, so I'm hopeful. This is a CRITICAL time for Israel, and an opportunity of historic proportions - the world is going to cut Israel some slack in it's dealings with Hamas - but no major screw ups can be afforded.
This will be the first election for Ariel Sharon's Kadima Party. Prior to Sharon's debilitating stroke, Kadima was virtually assured of victory, and probably by a large margin. Now that Sharon is out of the picture, replaced by his longtime deputy Ehud Olmert, Kadima will probably still win, but apparently by a smaller margin.
Regardless of who does win, a coalition government is a virtual certainty. Is it a left- or right-leading coalition? We shall see; the left has been in disarray for some time, but Likud (the right) has very little right now. Former PM Benjamin Netanyahu is the leading right wing candidate, and he's seen in Israel as a bit of a snake-oil salesman.
One hopes that however it shakes out, the coalition is secure enough to seek to negotiate with the Palestinians, but strong enough to pursue the unilateral course if no viable partner emerges. The situation in Israel will look very different in five years, and this government will have a lot to say about the shape it takes.
UPDATE: Kadima will win, and it looks like their coalition partners will be from the left. Olmert has some additional legitimacy, he's no dummy, and Sharon trusted him for years, so I'm hopeful. This is a CRITICAL time for Israel, and an opportunity of historic proportions - the world is going to cut Israel some slack in it's dealings with Hamas - but no major screw ups can be afforded.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Things get weirder in Burma
The Burmese junta staged a huge military parade in the new capital on Monday to commemorate Armed Forces Day. It was the first official event held in newly-named "Naypyidaw" (Seat of Kings), the brand new capital city recently hacked out of the jungle near Pyinmana, 375 miles north of Rangoon.
Than Shwe's speech made no mention of the new capital, and state TV showed pictures only of the troops, not the city. Still under construction? Seems so.
Big Than Shwe, practically staggering under all his gold braid and medals, did the usual, "We're paving the way for disciplined democracy" shtick during his speech. It's a wonder these guys don't burst into laughter as they repeat the same lies for the 10,000th time.
There's still been no explanation for why the junta moved north. However, BBC tells us that they've increased civil servant pay, probably in an effort to get people to leave their lives in Rangoon (no hot spot, for sure, but the closest thing to sophisticated urban living you'll find in Burma) and move into a half-built insta-city in the middle of the jungle.
Ah well, another day, another bizarre tale of oppression from the Golden Land.
Than Shwe's speech made no mention of the new capital, and state TV showed pictures only of the troops, not the city. Still under construction? Seems so.
Big Than Shwe, practically staggering under all his gold braid and medals, did the usual, "We're paving the way for disciplined democracy" shtick during his speech. It's a wonder these guys don't burst into laughter as they repeat the same lies for the 10,000th time.
There's still been no explanation for why the junta moved north. However, BBC tells us that they've increased civil servant pay, probably in an effort to get people to leave their lives in Rangoon (no hot spot, for sure, but the closest thing to sophisticated urban living you'll find in Burma) and move into a half-built insta-city in the middle of the jungle.
Ah well, another day, another bizarre tale of oppression from the Golden Land.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Buck Owens now playing his red, white, and blue guitar in Heaven
Country star and long-time host of "Hee Haw" Buck Owens died today. He was 76.
I was a huge Hee Haw fan when I was a little kid, and I used to think that Roy Clark and Buck Owens were two of the coolest guys on the planet. Which gives you an indication of Owens' greatness, my level of dorkitude, or both.
Well, thanks for all those years you spent a-pickin', Buck. Or were you a-grinnin'? I can never remember...
I was a huge Hee Haw fan when I was a little kid, and I used to think that Roy Clark and Buck Owens were two of the coolest guys on the planet. Which gives you an indication of Owens' greatness, my level of dorkitude, or both.
Well, thanks for all those years you spent a-pickin', Buck. Or were you a-grinnin'? I can never remember...
Another diplomatic trip to Burma ends badly
Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Alber, cut short a state visit to Burma this week, heading home a day earlier than planned.
It's speculation, but probably grounded in fact, to assume that he bolted after he learned the junta would not let him see Aung San Suu Kyi or any other members of the NLD, in jail or not.
ASEAN is making noises like they're tiring of Burma's schtick. That would be refreshing, as they've been conducting business as usual w/ the fascist military government in Rangoon for over a decade so far.
It's speculation, but probably grounded in fact, to assume that he bolted after he learned the junta would not let him see Aung San Suu Kyi or any other members of the NLD, in jail or not.
ASEAN is making noises like they're tiring of Burma's schtick. That would be refreshing, as they've been conducting business as usual w/ the fascist military government in Rangoon for over a decade so far.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Basque terrorists hang it up
In news that we'd like to see a lot more of, Basque seperatist, or terrorist, depending on which side of the dispute you come down, group Eta (which I had always thought was ETA, like an acronym for something in the indecipherable Basque language) has announced a permanent ceasefire in it's campaign to "liberate' the Basque homeland from France and Spain.
Eta has been blowing Spanish and French stuff (and people) up for 40+ years, so this is a MAJOR event. After the boyos from PIRA, the Eta goons have been the most long-lived, prolific, and visible terrorists in Europe. For them to just pack it in like this indicates a significant shift in the culture of international troublemakers.
According to BBC, the long and short of it is AQ have made bombings, long the preferred method of making a point for these types, more unsavory and less effective than ever. Since the Madrid train bombings in early 2004, Spaniards especially have reviled groups who would stoop to such measures. With their tactic-of-choice rendered counter-productive, about all Eta had left in terms of options was to go legit and try to win via elections.
Is this an unintended, positive consequence of the rise of Islamist terrorism? Have the tactics of AQ, JI, Hamas, and the others put a bullet in the viability of terrorist groups of yore like PIRA, Baader-Meinhof, and the Red Brigades? Sure looks that way to me.
UPDATE: In the US, it is "ETA", not "Eta". I thought so. Silly Brits.
Eta has been blowing Spanish and French stuff (and people) up for 40+ years, so this is a MAJOR event. After the boyos from PIRA, the Eta goons have been the most long-lived, prolific, and visible terrorists in Europe. For them to just pack it in like this indicates a significant shift in the culture of international troublemakers.
According to BBC, the long and short of it is AQ have made bombings, long the preferred method of making a point for these types, more unsavory and less effective than ever. Since the Madrid train bombings in early 2004, Spaniards especially have reviled groups who would stoop to such measures. With their tactic-of-choice rendered counter-productive, about all Eta had left in terms of options was to go legit and try to win via elections.
Is this an unintended, positive consequence of the rise of Islamist terrorism? Have the tactics of AQ, JI, Hamas, and the others put a bullet in the viability of terrorist groups of yore like PIRA, Baader-Meinhof, and the Red Brigades? Sure looks that way to me.
UPDATE: In the US, it is "ETA", not "Eta". I thought so. Silly Brits.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The last picture he ever took
Today's giggle from ezprezzo.com: The last picture each of these photographers took (or not - Photoshop is a wonderful thing).
Uh-oh - here comes Amare
Amare Stoudamire is talking about taking the floor when the Suns play Portland tomorrow (Thurs) in Phoenix.
This is potentially tremendous news for the Suns, and equally dreadful news for the rest of the league, esp the West.
Stoudamire is a MONSTER. A force in the paint, a guy who can shoot from outside, he's got post moves like Kevin McHale and can handle the ball. When he's on, there's no stopping the guy.
For the Suns, his return in any sort of capacity is fantastic news. Phoenix has rocketed to the top of the Pacific division without Stoudamire, but seems to be slowing a bit as the season winds down. They've fought some injury problems and had to rely on career years from their spares, most notably Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw. Steve Nash especially seems to be wearing out under the strain. Amare strolling out for pre-game warmups could be exactly what this team needs in terms of physical and psychological reinforcement.
As a part time resident of Phoenix at the moment, and a fan of the NBA in general, I hope he does come back and comes back strong. The guy is great fun to watch!
As a related aside, the Western Conference playoffs are starting to look like an absolute war. The Spurs are still (to me) the class of the conference, but they don't seem as bullet-proof as last year. The Mavs are right there. And the Suns, with or without Amare (but a lot more with Amare), are holding up their end of the bargain. We're approaching 15 or so games left for everyone. It's almost time for the fun to start!
This is potentially tremendous news for the Suns, and equally dreadful news for the rest of the league, esp the West.
Stoudamire is a MONSTER. A force in the paint, a guy who can shoot from outside, he's got post moves like Kevin McHale and can handle the ball. When he's on, there's no stopping the guy.
For the Suns, his return in any sort of capacity is fantastic news. Phoenix has rocketed to the top of the Pacific division without Stoudamire, but seems to be slowing a bit as the season winds down. They've fought some injury problems and had to rely on career years from their spares, most notably Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw. Steve Nash especially seems to be wearing out under the strain. Amare strolling out for pre-game warmups could be exactly what this team needs in terms of physical and psychological reinforcement.
As a part time resident of Phoenix at the moment, and a fan of the NBA in general, I hope he does come back and comes back strong. The guy is great fun to watch!
As a related aside, the Western Conference playoffs are starting to look like an absolute war. The Spurs are still (to me) the class of the conference, but they don't seem as bullet-proof as last year. The Mavs are right there. And the Suns, with or without Amare (but a lot more with Amare), are holding up their end of the bargain. We're approaching 15 or so games left for everyone. It's almost time for the fun to start!
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Documentary on the state of the Internet in 1972
Here's a truly fascinating piece of "paleo-nerd memorabilia" from Boing-Boing. It is a documentary, circa 1972, called "Computer Networks: The Heralds of Resource Sharing".
It features interviews with visionary geeks from MIT, DARPA, BBN, and elsewhere and provides some background on the creation of a little thing called the ARPA-net.
You know the ARPA-net as today's Internet.
It's 30 minutes of grainy footage of proto-geeks talking about things we now take for granted. However, try to remember (if you can) how you paid your bills and got your driving directions in 1972, then check it out.
These guys were geniuses in every sense of the word.
It features interviews with visionary geeks from MIT, DARPA, BBN, and elsewhere and provides some background on the creation of a little thing called the ARPA-net.
You know the ARPA-net as today's Internet.
It's 30 minutes of grainy footage of proto-geeks talking about things we now take for granted. However, try to remember (if you can) how you paid your bills and got your driving directions in 1972, then check it out.
These guys were geniuses in every sense of the word.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Gallery of the not safe
From our new friends at ezprezzo.com, here's a gallery of what can only be described as people doing really, really stupid shit.
'Boys are going to sign TO, and I am back on the Dark Side
According to the DMN, Sturm, Gramps, ESPN, and God-knows-who-else, it's all but done: Terrell Owens is going to be a Cowboy.
For a brief moment there, I was a Cowboys' fan again. It was a tough year to be a fan, but I hung in there with them, cheered the success, and contemplated suicide when they failed, just like I used to.
Well, no more. This move puts a stake in my fandom.
I will freely admit that TO is as talented a receiver as there is in the NFL today, and that he arguably has the skills to put him up there with the tops all-time. He works his ass off, plays through pain, and I'm sure he has other redeeming qualities - hell, maybe he likes dogs.
But none of those redeeming qualities make up for his intense sorriness as a human. He has destroyed the chemistry of two teams in his relatively brief NFL career. San Francisco was on the verge of getting it together when he called Jeff Garcia gay, and Philadelphia had just come off an NFC Championship when he decided it would be a good idea to say, on national TV, the team would be better off with Brett Farve.
I'm sure Jerry thinks TO will behave himself here. And if he doesn't, Parcells can handle him. Maybe so, but do you really think Parcells is going to be around for the duration of TO's 3-year deal?
Well, you reap what you sow, Jerry. This has the potential to destroy Dallas' hopes for the next 10 years. You've lost me, big boy. I'm back on the Dark Side, cheering your failures and wishing more upon you.
I bet I'm not lonely at all over here come about October.
UPDATE: It's done. I'm weeping and rejoicing at the same time. Greg Williams called TO a "human flamethrower", which is the best description I've heard so far.
Oh, ye poor mis-guided Cowboy fans, I despair for you. There is room over here on the Dark Side for all of you.
For a brief moment there, I was a Cowboys' fan again. It was a tough year to be a fan, but I hung in there with them, cheered the success, and contemplated suicide when they failed, just like I used to.
Well, no more. This move puts a stake in my fandom.
I will freely admit that TO is as talented a receiver as there is in the NFL today, and that he arguably has the skills to put him up there with the tops all-time. He works his ass off, plays through pain, and I'm sure he has other redeeming qualities - hell, maybe he likes dogs.
But none of those redeeming qualities make up for his intense sorriness as a human. He has destroyed the chemistry of two teams in his relatively brief NFL career. San Francisco was on the verge of getting it together when he called Jeff Garcia gay, and Philadelphia had just come off an NFC Championship when he decided it would be a good idea to say, on national TV, the team would be better off with Brett Farve.
I'm sure Jerry thinks TO will behave himself here. And if he doesn't, Parcells can handle him. Maybe so, but do you really think Parcells is going to be around for the duration of TO's 3-year deal?
Well, you reap what you sow, Jerry. This has the potential to destroy Dallas' hopes for the next 10 years. You've lost me, big boy. I'm back on the Dark Side, cheering your failures and wishing more upon you.
I bet I'm not lonely at all over here come about October.
UPDATE: It's done. I'm weeping and rejoicing at the same time. Greg Williams called TO a "human flamethrower", which is the best description I've heard so far.
Oh, ye poor mis-guided Cowboy fans, I despair for you. There is room over here on the Dark Side for all of you.
Making money the old-fashioned way: Suing the doers
In news that should come as no surprise, but somehow still does, here's an article from MSNBC detailing the activities of "patent trollers" like Forgent Technologies.
Rather than actually, you know, produce something, these characters file and buy patents on rather mundane things like the JPEG digital picture compression format and wireless email. Then, they turn around and sue the companies who utilize these things to produce valuable goods and services like digital cameras and Blackberries.
While legal in every sense of the word, this kind of activity is, to me, the worst kind of parasitic existence. It's scumbags like Forgent who slow technical advances and make goods and services more expensive than they should be. While there's no real recourse against these bottom-dwellers, all we can do is shine the light on them and, hopefully, make them squirm a bit.
Rather than actually, you know, produce something, these characters file and buy patents on rather mundane things like the JPEG digital picture compression format and wireless email. Then, they turn around and sue the companies who utilize these things to produce valuable goods and services like digital cameras and Blackberries.
While legal in every sense of the word, this kind of activity is, to me, the worst kind of parasitic existence. It's scumbags like Forgent who slow technical advances and make goods and services more expensive than they should be. While there's no real recourse against these bottom-dwellers, all we can do is shine the light on them and, hopefully, make them squirm a bit.
Finally - riots I can understand
There have been huge street riots across Spain recently, with police firing rubber bullets, more than 80 people injured, and more than 50 substantial fires set.
The reason for the confrontations? Did the cops kill an unarmed Muslim youth? Did someone print pictures of the Prophet doing his laundry?
Nope.
Young Spaniards are protesting high bar prices.
It's almost refreshing, isn't it?
The reason for the confrontations? Did the cops kill an unarmed Muslim youth? Did someone print pictures of the Prophet doing his laundry?
Nope.
Young Spaniards are protesting high bar prices.
It's almost refreshing, isn't it?
Those nutty humans
Here's a gallery of unbelievably overloaded vehicles of every description. Most of them can be chalked up to unbridled optimism. You can just hear the conversations in your mind:
"Think it'll ride?"
"Sure. Why wouldn't it?"
"Think it'll ride?"
"Sure. Why wouldn't it?"
Friday, March 17, 2006
Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD: Now you don't have to know who's going to win
With no one ready to call a winner in the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD battle royale, LG is covering their bases with a player that will read both formats of next-gen DVDs.
The hope (at least from us here at CIT) is still on Blu-Ray, but HD-DVD is clearly going to hit the market sooner and will be less expensive.
If you're looking to move past the 480i you get from your current DVD player, your best bet is something like the LG product featured in the article linked above. Anyone who says he/she knows which format is going to win is lying to you.
The hope (at least from us here at CIT) is still on Blu-Ray, but HD-DVD is clearly going to hit the market sooner and will be less expensive.
If you're looking to move past the 480i you get from your current DVD player, your best bet is something like the LG product featured in the article linked above. Anyone who says he/she knows which format is going to win is lying to you.
Alabama morons
The three lowlifes who were arrested for torching nine churches across the South have tried to explain their actions as a "joke".
I know some folks from Alabama, and some of the things they find funny are a mystery to me, but not one of them would think a burning church is comedy.
I know some folks from Alabama, and some of the things they find funny are a mystery to me, but not one of them would think a burning church is comedy.
Pennsylvania moron
A drunken Harrisburg PA idiot, during a recent bit of "horseplay" with his new fiance, dangled her off the balcony of their 23rd floor apartment. Unfortunately for both of them, he was too pissed to hold on, and dropped her to her death.
Dude blew a 0.225 BAL several hours after the event. Remember, the legal limit to drive is generally 0.08.
Dude blew a 0.225 BAL several hours after the event. Remember, the legal limit to drive is generally 0.08.
Meet the 7-year old racist poet
From Michelle Malkin (who is normally a bit too shrill for me) the other day:
Remember the furor over those twin girls who are "white nationalist" singers? The reaction from the media when covering these young "ladies" was akin to "look at the poor, misguided teens, turned into something monstrous by those around them."
You know what? I think that's probably the right way to look at them.
However, it's strange to me (and Ms. Malkin) to see how the media is reacting to 7-year old Autum Ashante, described as a "black nationalist poetry prodigy".
An example of her work:
White Nationalism Put U In Bondage
White nationalism is what put you in bondage
Pirate and vampires like Columbus, Morgan, and Darwin
Drank the blood of the sheep, trampled all over them with
Steel, tricks and deceit.
Nothing has changed take a look in our streets
The mis-education of she and Hegro — leaves you on your knee2grow
Black lands taken from your hands, by vampires with no remorse
They took the gold, the wisdom and all of the storytellers
They took the black women, with the black man weak
Made to watch as they changed the paradigm
Of our village
They killed the blind, they killed the lazy, they went
So far as to kill the unborn baby
Yeah White nationalism is what put you in bondage
Pirates and vampires like Columbus, Morgan, and Darwin
They drank the blood of the sheep, trampled all over them with
Steel laden feet, throw in the tricks alcohol and deceit.
Nothing has changed take a look at our streets.
So, help me out here. When white kids do stuff like this, it's bad, but when black kids do stuff like this, we should celebrate it? I don't get it.
Remember the furor over those twin girls who are "white nationalist" singers? The reaction from the media when covering these young "ladies" was akin to "look at the poor, misguided teens, turned into something monstrous by those around them."
You know what? I think that's probably the right way to look at them.
However, it's strange to me (and Ms. Malkin) to see how the media is reacting to 7-year old Autum Ashante, described as a "black nationalist poetry prodigy".
An example of her work:
White Nationalism Put U In Bondage
White nationalism is what put you in bondage
Pirate and vampires like Columbus, Morgan, and Darwin
Drank the blood of the sheep, trampled all over them with
Steel, tricks and deceit.
Nothing has changed take a look in our streets
The mis-education of she and Hegro — leaves you on your knee2grow
Black lands taken from your hands, by vampires with no remorse
They took the gold, the wisdom and all of the storytellers
They took the black women, with the black man weak
Made to watch as they changed the paradigm
Of our village
They killed the blind, they killed the lazy, they went
So far as to kill the unborn baby
Yeah White nationalism is what put you in bondage
Pirates and vampires like Columbus, Morgan, and Darwin
They drank the blood of the sheep, trampled all over them with
Steel laden feet, throw in the tricks alcohol and deceit.
Nothing has changed take a look at our streets.
So, help me out here. When white kids do stuff like this, it's bad, but when black kids do stuff like this, we should celebrate it? I don't get it.
World's greatest pool lounger
One of the best ways to get through a ridiculous Texas summer is to stay in the pool for about three months straight. It's tough to beat floating around on your inflatable pool lounger with a frosty beer or margarita tucked into the cup holder.
About the only thing can go wrong with the above scenario is when your lounger floats out into the sun. Trying to move yourself back into the shade can be tricky. Paddling with your hands without accidentally watering down your 'rita is difficult to do.
Along comes the Excalibur Motorized Pool Lounger, with hand controls that allow you to activate two shrouded propellers to steer you back out of the sun.
Genius! Why didn't someone think of this before?
About the only thing can go wrong with the above scenario is when your lounger floats out into the sun. Trying to move yourself back into the shade can be tricky. Paddling with your hands without accidentally watering down your 'rita is difficult to do.
Along comes the Excalibur Motorized Pool Lounger, with hand controls that allow you to activate two shrouded propellers to steer you back out of the sun.
Genius! Why didn't someone think of this before?
US ports controversy - This isn't racist? Just checking
This goes back quite a ways, but I'm so far behind that I'm just now getting to it.
Remember the brouhaha about the sale of Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., the company that currently manages port operations in several major US seaports, including NY, Miami, New Orleans, and Baltimore, to Dubai Ports World, a port management firm owned by the government of United Arab Emirates?
The thinking is (at least as far as I can tell) there will be an increased threat of terrorism at these ports because they are managed by an Arab nation.
This sounds like it might be a bit discriminatory to me. So, I apply my usual test, substitute "Jew" for the nationality/ethnicity/religion/sexual preference in question, and come up with "There will be an increased threat of terrorism at these ports because they are managed by a Jewish company."
Um, wait a second. I want to know a bit more about this.
Are the UAE linked to any known terrorist groups? Not that we know of.
Are their streets full of malcontents burning effigies of Uncle Sam and shouting "Death to America" every Friday afternoon? No.
Have the UAE let us base troops and aircraft on their soil before without raising a ruckus? Yep, since the first Gulf War.
These are obviously very cursory, high-level questions which don't get into the details. However, even if you do get into the details, you find the UAE have been pretty staunch allies for the past 15 years or so. They are shrewd businessmen (which is what Arabs really SHOULD be known for, rather than blowing stuff up)
Bush, whom I must restate I am no fan of lately, is trying to do something positive here. He's trying to engage with a stable Arab government and reward them for being American pals. This seems to me to be a heck of a lot more effective (and cheaper and less controversial) than sending in the Armored Cav.
But that's just me. I could be wrong.
Of course, the upshot of all of this is the transaction has taken place, Dubai Ports has bought P&O Steam Navigation, but Dubai Ports is promising to sell of it's US operations within six months. Who won here?
Remember the brouhaha about the sale of Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., the company that currently manages port operations in several major US seaports, including NY, Miami, New Orleans, and Baltimore, to Dubai Ports World, a port management firm owned by the government of United Arab Emirates?
The thinking is (at least as far as I can tell) there will be an increased threat of terrorism at these ports because they are managed by an Arab nation.
This sounds like it might be a bit discriminatory to me. So, I apply my usual test, substitute "Jew" for the nationality/ethnicity/religion/sexual preference in question, and come up with "There will be an increased threat of terrorism at these ports because they are managed by a Jewish company."
Um, wait a second. I want to know a bit more about this.
Are the UAE linked to any known terrorist groups? Not that we know of.
Are their streets full of malcontents burning effigies of Uncle Sam and shouting "Death to America" every Friday afternoon? No.
Have the UAE let us base troops and aircraft on their soil before without raising a ruckus? Yep, since the first Gulf War.
These are obviously very cursory, high-level questions which don't get into the details. However, even if you do get into the details, you find the UAE have been pretty staunch allies for the past 15 years or so. They are shrewd businessmen (which is what Arabs really SHOULD be known for, rather than blowing stuff up)
Bush, whom I must restate I am no fan of lately, is trying to do something positive here. He's trying to engage with a stable Arab government and reward them for being American pals. This seems to me to be a heck of a lot more effective (and cheaper and less controversial) than sending in the Armored Cav.
But that's just me. I could be wrong.
Of course, the upshot of all of this is the transaction has taken place, Dubai Ports has bought P&O Steam Navigation, but Dubai Ports is promising to sell of it's US operations within six months. Who won here?
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Mavs D completely stuffs Cavs (Yes, you read that right)
The Mavericks rallied from 19 down to beat Cleveland last night. In doing so, they gave up a total of eight points to the Cavs in the third quarter.
Let that sink in for just a moment.
This is the Dallas Mavericks, folks. The team that redefined "Matador" defense (waving the cape and shouting "Ole" as the offensive player blew past them) as recently as last year.
They held LeBron James and the Cavs to eight points in an entire quarter. And it's not like the Cavs were ice cold - they dominated the first half.
The comeback was a masterwork of defense, with everyone getting into the act. Erick Dampier made maybe his best play as a Maverick, cleanly blocking a dunk by Drew Gooden.
In the midst of all this, the man responsible for the Mavs transformation celebrated a milestone of his own. Avery Johnson coached his 82nd regular-season game and has won 66 of them. The previous best for a first full season was Paul Westphal, who won 62 of his first 82.
The Mavs still have to have real success in the playoffs before I'm completely sold - I still have doubts about this team's toughness and killer instinct. But there sure isn't much left for them to prove in the regular season.
Let that sink in for just a moment.
This is the Dallas Mavericks, folks. The team that redefined "Matador" defense (waving the cape and shouting "Ole" as the offensive player blew past them) as recently as last year.
They held LeBron James and the Cavs to eight points in an entire quarter. And it's not like the Cavs were ice cold - they dominated the first half.
The comeback was a masterwork of defense, with everyone getting into the act. Erick Dampier made maybe his best play as a Maverick, cleanly blocking a dunk by Drew Gooden.
In the midst of all this, the man responsible for the Mavs transformation celebrated a milestone of his own. Avery Johnson coached his 82nd regular-season game and has won 66 of them. The previous best for a first full season was Paul Westphal, who won 62 of his first 82.
The Mavs still have to have real success in the playoffs before I'm completely sold - I still have doubts about this team's toughness and killer instinct. But there sure isn't much left for them to prove in the regular season.
Dems can't distance from Feingold fast enough
Dana Milbank's column in today's WaPo tells the story of the Democrats' scramble to get away from Russ Feingold's proposed censure of the President over warrantless wiretapping.
According to Milbank, the only senator to pronounce support for the resolution is Tom Harkin.
I am not a fan of Bush at the moment, and haven't been for some time. I think he's made a lot of mistakes and has squandered the good will of the entire world since Sept 11, 2001. I didn't vote for him in 2004 and probably wouldn't vote for him now.
However, it amazes (and depresses) me to see how little the Democrats have to offer in response. As ridiculous and time-wasting as Feingold's resolution is (and it is the biggest time-waster I've read about in YEARS, going back to at least the Clinton impeachment and maybe even further than that), at least he's doing something.
And maybe that last comment sums up his entire agenda.
According to Milbank, the only senator to pronounce support for the resolution is Tom Harkin.
I am not a fan of Bush at the moment, and haven't been for some time. I think he's made a lot of mistakes and has squandered the good will of the entire world since Sept 11, 2001. I didn't vote for him in 2004 and probably wouldn't vote for him now.
However, it amazes (and depresses) me to see how little the Democrats have to offer in response. As ridiculous and time-wasting as Feingold's resolution is (and it is the biggest time-waster I've read about in YEARS, going back to at least the Clinton impeachment and maybe even further than that), at least he's doing something.
And maybe that last comment sums up his entire agenda.
Another post I'm going to have to answer for
Tara McAvoy, the reigning Miss Deaf Texas, was killed by a train the other day. Witnesses say the train's horn was going nuts right up until the accident.
This is a tragic story in many, many ways, and my sympathy goes out to her family.
But does it make me a miserable human if I get just the slightest giggle out of it?
This is a tragic story in many, many ways, and my sympathy goes out to her family.
But does it make me a miserable human if I get just the slightest giggle out of it?
Cowboys cut Keyshawn . . . for T.O.?
Keyshawn Johnson is an ex-Cowboy.
While this is certainly not a devastating blow, I did come to appreciate Johnson over the past year, and really wanted to see how he might perform in some big games, assuming the Cowboys ever play a big game. I will miss Keyshawn and wish him luck in his next stop.
The interesting part is the speculation that Keyshawn was fired in order to make room for Terrell Owens. I'm a bit torn by this.
The anti-Cowboy fan in me (the dominant part of my football self for the past few years) is sorta rooting for it to happen, because I think it would be great theater. Jones and Parcells vs. TO could be the soap opera of the football year, and there's a good chance it could all go BOOM. It's almost reflex for me to wish failure on Jerry and the Pear-Shaped "Football Genius", and this could be the biggest, messiest failure in Cowboys' history.
The other, more rational side of me remembers that I would like to start involving my kids in Cowboy fandom, and the inclusion of a miserable human like TO would be difficult to explain.
Well, Jones is going to do what he wants, regardless of my opinion. I can't figure out if character still counts w/ Jerry. He was vindicated on the Randy Moss non-draft, and this has been a team largely free of malcontents for the past few years. God knows the Cowboys need a LOT more than a receiver this off season. But, it would be a big splash - the biggest since the Deion signing, and Jerry is drawn to those like a moth to a halogen.
While this is certainly not a devastating blow, I did come to appreciate Johnson over the past year, and really wanted to see how he might perform in some big games, assuming the Cowboys ever play a big game. I will miss Keyshawn and wish him luck in his next stop.
The interesting part is the speculation that Keyshawn was fired in order to make room for Terrell Owens. I'm a bit torn by this.
The anti-Cowboy fan in me (the dominant part of my football self for the past few years) is sorta rooting for it to happen, because I think it would be great theater. Jones and Parcells vs. TO could be the soap opera of the football year, and there's a good chance it could all go BOOM. It's almost reflex for me to wish failure on Jerry and the Pear-Shaped "Football Genius", and this could be the biggest, messiest failure in Cowboys' history.
The other, more rational side of me remembers that I would like to start involving my kids in Cowboy fandom, and the inclusion of a miserable human like TO would be difficult to explain.
Well, Jones is going to do what he wants, regardless of my opinion. I can't figure out if character still counts w/ Jerry. He was vindicated on the Randy Moss non-draft, and this has been a team largely free of malcontents for the past few years. God knows the Cowboys need a LOT more than a receiver this off season. But, it would be a big splash - the biggest since the Deion signing, and Jerry is drawn to those like a moth to a halogen.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Where do I get one of THESE?
UltraCell is about to start marketing a fuel cell for your laptop that will keep you surfing for up to two days. In addition, you can swap out the fuel cell for a fresh one without turning off the laptop.
There's no info on cost yet, but I am definitely interested!
There's no info on cost yet, but I am definitely interested!
Sneak peek behind the Stars' scene
Our pal Bob, current holder of the title "Luckiest Man on Earth", got invited to sit in the GM's box with Doug Armstrong and Andy Moog to watch Stars-Oilers the other night. As any self-respecting blogger should, Bob immediately fired up the laptop after the game and filed a detailed report on his experience.
I am glad to hear the Stars' "brass" treats an early-March contest in Edmonton as seriously as this.
Read the whole thing - it's fascinating!
I am glad to hear the Stars' "brass" treats an early-March contest in Edmonton as seriously as this.
Read the whole thing - it's fascinating!
Shockingly decent review of "Shaggy Dog"
Once you get past Harry's, um, uncomfortable headline, AICN has a surprisingly positive review of the Tim Allen/Disney remake of The Shaggy Dog.
The reviewer feels pretty strongly that the Disney marketing folks have screwed the pooch (ha!) in their presentation of the film in trailers. They've featured the Tim Allen "Stupid Pet Tricks", which the reviewer thinks are the least effective parts, and missed some of the stronger scenes in the movie.
This one sounds like it's worth a check-out, esp if you're looking to entertain the squids.
The reviewer feels pretty strongly that the Disney marketing folks have screwed the pooch (ha!) in their presentation of the film in trailers. They've featured the Tim Allen "Stupid Pet Tricks", which the reviewer thinks are the least effective parts, and missed some of the stronger scenes in the movie.
This one sounds like it's worth a check-out, esp if you're looking to entertain the squids.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Time to quit, Barry
Mike Celizic, who I normally don't have much use for, hits it right on the head when it comes to Barry Bonds and his chemically-enabled pursuit of baseball's home run record.
Celizic urges Bonds to quit. Use any excuse you choose, Bar - knees haven't recovered, eyesight is failing, tired of the press, whatever. Just quit. Don't insult the game by continuing to pursue Hank Aaron's 755 homers.
I totally agree. I don't want to watch Bonds break Aaron's record. Of course, if he plays an entire season, he will and there will be nothing MLB can do about it.
I hope Bonds finds it within himself to take the high road. However, as Celizic points out, there's nothing in Bonds' history to indicate that he will.
Celizic urges Bonds to quit. Use any excuse you choose, Bar - knees haven't recovered, eyesight is failing, tired of the press, whatever. Just quit. Don't insult the game by continuing to pursue Hank Aaron's 755 homers.
I totally agree. I don't want to watch Bonds break Aaron's record. Of course, if he plays an entire season, he will and there will be nothing MLB can do about it.
I hope Bonds finds it within himself to take the high road. However, as Celizic points out, there's nothing in Bonds' history to indicate that he will.
Wait, Cowboy games are going to be broadcast where?
This is SHOCKING news - the Cowboys radio broadcasts are moving from the oldies station at 98.7 (where they never fit, at least not to me) over to The Ticket and it's sister station, The Bone (93.3).
While I'm pleased as punch for the gang at The Ticket, who have provided me with countless hours of entertainment over the past decade plus, this is sort of mind-boggling. This is akin to Dick Cheney going to work for Air America.
No one delivers harsher criticism of the Cowboys than Mike Rhyner. No one makes more fun of Jerry Jones than The Great Gordo. The fact that The Ticket is not (as they like to tell you) "in the pocket of any of the local owners" has provided them with a lot of rope to mock the players, Jones, Parcells, and many other targets at Valley Ranch.
According to the press release and everything I've read (I'm traveling, so I completely missed the announcement and it's follow-up on the air), Big Dan Bennett has made it a point to reserve the right to continue the criticism and mockery unabated. Assuming that's true, this is potentially a great move.
But don't forget, Jerry got Hansen fired from the old KRLD broadcast because he didn't like the criticism Dale aimed at him.
While I'm pleased as punch for the gang at The Ticket, who have provided me with countless hours of entertainment over the past decade plus, this is sort of mind-boggling. This is akin to Dick Cheney going to work for Air America.
No one delivers harsher criticism of the Cowboys than Mike Rhyner. No one makes more fun of Jerry Jones than The Great Gordo. The fact that The Ticket is not (as they like to tell you) "in the pocket of any of the local owners" has provided them with a lot of rope to mock the players, Jones, Parcells, and many other targets at Valley Ranch.
According to the press release and everything I've read (I'm traveling, so I completely missed the announcement and it's follow-up on the air), Big Dan Bennett has made it a point to reserve the right to continue the criticism and mockery unabated. Assuming that's true, this is potentially a great move.
But don't forget, Jerry got Hansen fired from the old KRLD broadcast because he didn't like the criticism Dale aimed at him.
How much is that diamond REALLY worth?
One of the most fascinating stories I've ever run across is that of the diamond business. It's not widely known, although it's received a bit more attention recently, but it's the story of market manipulation, artificial scarcity, and the most successful long-term marketing strategy in the history of the world.
The story starts in the mid-1800s. At the time, diamonds were incredibly rare gemstones, found only in a very few riverbeds in South Asia and South America. The stones were so rare, and so sought after by royalty, their value was immense. That all changed when, in 1870, enormous diamond deposits were found in South Africa. It became apparent quickly that diamonds are, in fact, semi-precious gemstones at best, and not anywhere near as rare as once believed. In fact, there are many, many other, less-valued gemstones which are far more rare than diamonds.
However, in one of the most astute moves ever made by the business community, the folks in the diamond trade of the late 1800s realized that collusion was the only way they were going to save their market. They formed a company to control the entire world's supply of diamonds and named it DeBeers. Yep, the same DeBeers who's name appears at the end of those "Diamonds are Forever" TV ads.
Which takes us to the second part of the story.
DeBeers controls the supply of diamonds, but in order to maintain the value of the stones, the cartel also had to control demand. Thus, the "Diamonds are Forever" campaign was born. To be successful in the long term, DeBeers had to create the belief that true love MUST be signified by a diamond. In this, they've been more successful than they ever could have dreamed. Do you know anyone who has been married without buying a diamond? I don't. It was never even a question in my relationship with Robynne, and it's not even a question in the VAST majority of relationships in the Western (and, increasingly, in the Eastern) world.
But even that wasn't really enough to ensure DeBeers' long-term viability. Sure, everyone buys a diamond. But, if everyone subsequently SOLD those diamonds, it would all be in vain for the cartel. So, the more subtle, but vitally important, part of the marketing plan was born. The notion that, once purchased, a diamond becomes a family heirloom, never to be resold, was presented to the market and, remarkably, wholeheartedly embraced. Ever try to sell a diamond? Me neither. Know anyone who has? Diamonds shouldn't depreciate, right? The whole idea is they're "Forever". But they do. You'll never resell a diamond back to a jeweler for the same price you paid. No one sells a diamond, but those who do are penalized by the industry.
The reality is, if the diamond market were free, diamonds would be worth very little. There are millions of carats of diamonds still in the ground, easily mineable. There are further millions of carats of diamonds in warehouses around the world, all controlled by DeBeers and released only as a trickle. And there are uncountable millions of carats of diamonds in the hands of consumers, which will never be parted with except upon the deathbed and within the family.
This story used to piss me off. Now, all I can do is shake my head in admiration. The folks at DeBeers are unqualified geniuses. In addition to their control of both sides of the diamond market for the past 135 years, they've also done a remarkable job of staying out of the public eye.
Quite a story.
The story starts in the mid-1800s. At the time, diamonds were incredibly rare gemstones, found only in a very few riverbeds in South Asia and South America. The stones were so rare, and so sought after by royalty, their value was immense. That all changed when, in 1870, enormous diamond deposits were found in South Africa. It became apparent quickly that diamonds are, in fact, semi-precious gemstones at best, and not anywhere near as rare as once believed. In fact, there are many, many other, less-valued gemstones which are far more rare than diamonds.
However, in one of the most astute moves ever made by the business community, the folks in the diamond trade of the late 1800s realized that collusion was the only way they were going to save their market. They formed a company to control the entire world's supply of diamonds and named it DeBeers. Yep, the same DeBeers who's name appears at the end of those "Diamonds are Forever" TV ads.
Which takes us to the second part of the story.
DeBeers controls the supply of diamonds, but in order to maintain the value of the stones, the cartel also had to control demand. Thus, the "Diamonds are Forever" campaign was born. To be successful in the long term, DeBeers had to create the belief that true love MUST be signified by a diamond. In this, they've been more successful than they ever could have dreamed. Do you know anyone who has been married without buying a diamond? I don't. It was never even a question in my relationship with Robynne, and it's not even a question in the VAST majority of relationships in the Western (and, increasingly, in the Eastern) world.
But even that wasn't really enough to ensure DeBeers' long-term viability. Sure, everyone buys a diamond. But, if everyone subsequently SOLD those diamonds, it would all be in vain for the cartel. So, the more subtle, but vitally important, part of the marketing plan was born. The notion that, once purchased, a diamond becomes a family heirloom, never to be resold, was presented to the market and, remarkably, wholeheartedly embraced. Ever try to sell a diamond? Me neither. Know anyone who has? Diamonds shouldn't depreciate, right? The whole idea is they're "Forever". But they do. You'll never resell a diamond back to a jeweler for the same price you paid. No one sells a diamond, but those who do are penalized by the industry.
The reality is, if the diamond market were free, diamonds would be worth very little. There are millions of carats of diamonds still in the ground, easily mineable. There are further millions of carats of diamonds in warehouses around the world, all controlled by DeBeers and released only as a trickle. And there are uncountable millions of carats of diamonds in the hands of consumers, which will never be parted with except upon the deathbed and within the family.
This story used to piss me off. Now, all I can do is shake my head in admiration. The folks at DeBeers are unqualified geniuses. In addition to their control of both sides of the diamond market for the past 135 years, they've also done a remarkable job of staying out of the public eye.
Quite a story.
Missing in action - Sorry, folks
Hi. Remember me? Probably not, since it's been over a week since I've posted anything.
Between the current client, the travel, trying to exercise, and, most important, trying to stay involved enough with the family that my kids continue to recognize me, I have been struggling mightily to keep up. Something had to give, and, unfortunately, CIT was it.
Things are a little quieter with the client at the moment, so I intend to get back to posting.
Thanks for sticking with me!
Between the current client, the travel, trying to exercise, and, most important, trying to stay involved enough with the family that my kids continue to recognize me, I have been struggling mightily to keep up. Something had to give, and, unfortunately, CIT was it.
Things are a little quieter with the client at the moment, so I intend to get back to posting.
Thanks for sticking with me!
AT&T - they're back and they still want to rule the world
Big article today in Forbes regarding the AT&T buyout of Bell South and the motivations for it. In a nutshell, it's obvious to EVERYONE that traditional telephone service can no longer support a company. To survive, AT&T, Verizon, and Qwest (the only major players left) have to offer more services, including Internet, television, mobile, and others.
This got me to thinking about how things go in circles sometimes.
Back in the mid-90s, when AT&T made it's first bid to dominate the digital home, I was a big fan of their efforts. To me, the combination of AT&T's traditional telephone service, along with their then-newly acquired mobile service (called AT&T Wireless in those days), and, more importantly, the cable television service they had just acquired from TCI (changed to the monniker AT&T Broadband if memory serves) presented an enormous opportunity for Ma Bell to make some exciting things happen.
The thinking in those days of yore was, to be successful, you had to control the "last mile" of wire, into the consumer's home. AT&T Broadband had that, and it was a much-superior pipe, bandwidth-wise, than anything the Regional Bell Operating Companies (a blast from the past - RBOCs) like Southwestern Bell (remember them?) or NYNEX (zowie - there's a stroll down Amnesia Lane) had in their arsenals. AT&T had a big, fast broadband connection into millions of homes to deliver great stuff like video-on-demand, interactive television, high-speed connectivity to the entire world through your computer, television, security system, microwave oven, and hot water heater. Jetsons, here we come!
I was a huge proponent of AT&T's plan, and a customer of every single one of their divisions. And what did that get me? No discounts, no preferential treatment, incredibly confusing and screwed up billing, and no additional services. In other words, NOTHING.
AT&T could never figure it out. They were never able to combine any operations across services, never able to offer consolidated billing, never able to leverage customer information across divisions, never able to deliver on the enormous potential they had in the palm of their hand.
What a disappointment.
AT&T failed in every way you can imagine. And it cost them their company. AT&T Wireless is now part of Cingular. AT&T Broadband is now part of Comcast. No one buys long distance service anymore. AT&T just about ceased to exist.
But it didn't go bye-bye completely. Enough of the company survived to be purchased late last year by SBC. The leadership at SBC was smart enough to realize they had played out the SBC name by pissing off their customers for so long, so they wisely took the more universally-known AT&T brand. And now, with the acquisition of Bell South, AT&T is back full-force.
The strategy is the same as it was back in the 90's. Control the "last mile" and offer a ton of services. This time, it will be IP- and fiber-based, which should be better than the old coaxial cable method they tried w/ AT&T Broadband. And the rest of the entertainment industry has caught up in terms of content and devices.
Comcast, Cox, Verizon, and the others (if there are any) will be right in AT&T's grille, vying for the same market and offering (essentially) the same services using different technology. Who gets there first? Who bets on the right technology? Who can integrate it all and make it easy for the customer?
Will it work this time? It will for someone. Will it be AT&T? I doubt it - every company that has been rolled up to form the new AT&T has a track record of under-delivery, underperformance, and failure. Comcast, Cox, and Verizon are no better. Each has a ton of baggage in the form of disgruntled customers and former customers to overcome.
So who does make it work? It will be someone you're not watching right now. Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple, or someone you've never heard of.
The past 5 years, despite some big advances like HDTV and ubiquitous broadband, have been disappointing in the evolution of the digital home. The next 5 years look very promising to me. Stay tuned.
This got me to thinking about how things go in circles sometimes.
Back in the mid-90s, when AT&T made it's first bid to dominate the digital home, I was a big fan of their efforts. To me, the combination of AT&T's traditional telephone service, along with their then-newly acquired mobile service (called AT&T Wireless in those days), and, more importantly, the cable television service they had just acquired from TCI (changed to the monniker AT&T Broadband if memory serves) presented an enormous opportunity for Ma Bell to make some exciting things happen.
The thinking in those days of yore was, to be successful, you had to control the "last mile" of wire, into the consumer's home. AT&T Broadband had that, and it was a much-superior pipe, bandwidth-wise, than anything the Regional Bell Operating Companies (a blast from the past - RBOCs) like Southwestern Bell (remember them?) or NYNEX (zowie - there's a stroll down Amnesia Lane) had in their arsenals. AT&T had a big, fast broadband connection into millions of homes to deliver great stuff like video-on-demand, interactive television, high-speed connectivity to the entire world through your computer, television, security system, microwave oven, and hot water heater. Jetsons, here we come!
I was a huge proponent of AT&T's plan, and a customer of every single one of their divisions. And what did that get me? No discounts, no preferential treatment, incredibly confusing and screwed up billing, and no additional services. In other words, NOTHING.
AT&T could never figure it out. They were never able to combine any operations across services, never able to offer consolidated billing, never able to leverage customer information across divisions, never able to deliver on the enormous potential they had in the palm of their hand.
What a disappointment.
AT&T failed in every way you can imagine. And it cost them their company. AT&T Wireless is now part of Cingular. AT&T Broadband is now part of Comcast. No one buys long distance service anymore. AT&T just about ceased to exist.
But it didn't go bye-bye completely. Enough of the company survived to be purchased late last year by SBC. The leadership at SBC was smart enough to realize they had played out the SBC name by pissing off their customers for so long, so they wisely took the more universally-known AT&T brand. And now, with the acquisition of Bell South, AT&T is back full-force.
The strategy is the same as it was back in the 90's. Control the "last mile" and offer a ton of services. This time, it will be IP- and fiber-based, which should be better than the old coaxial cable method they tried w/ AT&T Broadband. And the rest of the entertainment industry has caught up in terms of content and devices.
Comcast, Cox, Verizon, and the others (if there are any) will be right in AT&T's grille, vying for the same market and offering (essentially) the same services using different technology. Who gets there first? Who bets on the right technology? Who can integrate it all and make it easy for the customer?
Will it work this time? It will for someone. Will it be AT&T? I doubt it - every company that has been rolled up to form the new AT&T has a track record of under-delivery, underperformance, and failure. Comcast, Cox, and Verizon are no better. Each has a ton of baggage in the form of disgruntled customers and former customers to overcome.
So who does make it work? It will be someone you're not watching right now. Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple, or someone you've never heard of.
The past 5 years, despite some big advances like HDTV and ubiquitous broadband, have been disappointing in the evolution of the digital home. The next 5 years look very promising to me. Stay tuned.
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