There's now a website for all those semi-trailer drivers who are spying on the population: HighwayWatch.com (this website may contain something other than the link to the Highway Information Sharing and Analysis Center, but it's not obvious).
The Highway Watch® program is explained in Amanda Ripley's Eyes And Ears Of The Nation article. So, be careful of making that downward hand-yanking motion that signals you want to hear them blow their horn. Instead, these volunteers may turn you into the CIA for interrogation.
When I read about truckers mis-identifying turbaned Sikhs as Muslim (of which all are terrorists, right?), I had to cringe. A little ignorance can go a long way. I wandered across the Sikh Study Circle in Irving (near Texas Stadium). There's also a nice website for the Dallas Indian community (of which the Sikhs are a part) at ekNazar.com
Deep Thought #37: I hope the Sikhs who work the car rental operation at SJC [the San Jose, California airport] are protecting themselves against Ashcroft's army of terrorist-tracking truck drivers from Little Rock.
Wednesday, July 7
Tuesday, July 6
highly educated <> competent
I stopped at Sam's Club and bought 12 items, but the sales receipt counted only 10 (it counted my annual renewal as an item, and the 4x2 liter Diet Cokes as one). The Receipt Checker (at the exit) also miscounted, but let me pass without so much as a glance (after commenting on his non-Harvard MBA). I suspect underemployment is common in this economy; we may have evolved into a nation of the best educated receipt checkers in the world. Still, I didn't mind the incompetence, especially if the alternative was a cavity search in a side room.
(back to the time when I was inline, at the cashier:) While checking out, a peculiar question appeared on the display: Is the person over 18? I asked the clerk what prompted that, and he said "the Cascade dishwasher detergent" (which could be used to make methamphetamines). The checker also clued me in to a maximum number of batteries that can be bought each day (which could be ground up to make explosives). I couldn't find anything on the web to validate either claim, so .. they must be true!
I lunched with Eddie and Jill-Bob at Scotty P's Hamburgers in Allen, TX. The unadulterated1 ambience of this venue is unmistakable, further accentuated by the crayon-coloring contest (photos coming Real Soon Now). Biggest complaint: only 4 colors of crayons with which to work (red, green, blue and orange). Good thing I had excess barbecue sauce.
After that, I moseyed over to Costco where they gave me a pass to look around, but wouldn't let me buy anything if I didn't join. They had a couple things that Sam's Club doesn't carry, but it wasn't enough to make me fork over the cash (not to mention them being inconvenient).
(1) unadulterated = family friendly, according to William-Bob
(back to the time when I was inline, at the cashier:) While checking out, a peculiar question appeared on the display: Is the person over 18? I asked the clerk what prompted that, and he said "the Cascade dishwasher detergent" (which could be used to make methamphetamines). The checker also clued me in to a maximum number of batteries that can be bought each day (which could be ground up to make explosives). I couldn't find anything on the web to validate either claim, so .. they must be true!
I lunched with Eddie and Jill-Bob at Scotty P's Hamburgers in Allen, TX. The unadulterated1 ambience of this venue is unmistakable, further accentuated by the crayon-coloring contest (photos coming Real Soon Now). Biggest complaint: only 4 colors of crayons with which to work (red, green, blue and orange). Good thing I had excess barbecue sauce.
After that, I moseyed over to Costco where they gave me a pass to look around, but wouldn't let me buy anything if I didn't join. They had a couple things that Sam's Club doesn't carry, but it wasn't enough to make me fork over the cash (not to mention them being inconvenient).
(1) unadulterated = family friendly, according to William-Bob
Republicans Attack!
Even though I can't login, the GOP Team Leader site allows interesting insights. As of 11am they already are out to discredit VP candidate John Edwards (yet, oddly enough .. it has no pointer to IsDickCheneyDeadYet.com)
It also didn't point to The Street's A Kerry Win Might Not Be So Bad (so .. just like Michael Moore, they practice selective vision).
Even more entertaining is what Google sees as "related pages": Science Fiction Originals; Johnny Cash; the Pima Air & Space Museum ... the list goes on.
It also didn't point to The Street's A Kerry Win Might Not Be So Bad (so .. just like Michael Moore, they practice selective vision).
Even more entertaining is what Google sees as "related pages": Science Fiction Originals; Johnny Cash; the Pima Air & Space Museum ... the list goes on.
Monday, July 5
circular logic == the BEST logic
Kerry may as well step aside now; here's the real reason Bush cannot be beaten in November: The Faith-Based Presidency. The Regressives have learned a valuable lesson: Circular Logic beats NURBS Logic(1) every day.
Distantly related: I recall an episode of South Park where attorney Johnny Cochran invoked the Chewbacca Defense. At the end, one of the jurors head exploded; this is fine drama!
(1) everybody knows the opposite of a circle is a NURBS. There are people who believe it is a square, or a cube; they are obvious Nazis (see Godwin's Law).
Distantly related: I recall an episode of South Park where attorney Johnny Cochran invoked the Chewbacca Defense. At the end, one of the jurors head exploded; this is fine drama!
(1) everybody knows the opposite of a circle is a NURBS. There are people who believe it is a square, or a cube; they are obvious Nazis (see Godwin's Law).
Saturday, July 3
Conspiracy Theories
The biggest problem with Fahrenheit 9/11 is that people will confuse it with A Documentary, versus A Viewpoint. The fact that Moore ignores America's unconditional backing of Israel (and how that sense of unfairness plays in the Arab world) then barely admits that the coalition includes the UK, torpedos his credibility. If he really wanted to present a documentary, he would've shown both sides. As I opined yesterday: he's getting better as a filmmaker, but much of the movie is still Vintage Michael moore.
If you've seen Michael Moore's prior work, you'll know that he never met a conspiracy theory that he didn't love. More Distortions from Michael Moore (by Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball) is an important read, highlighting several problems with the film. Some of Moore's conspiracy theories are red herrings; he could have done better, had he not aimed for theatrics. I suspect he's only marginally smarter than the target of this film.
Numbing: The Puppet's quote: "after all, Saddam tried to kill my daddy!" (he comes off as a Class A Goober, and appears to believe that alone justifies war). Was greed (by a few people) the real reason for the The Puppet's Oil War(using the al-Qaada attack on 9/11 as a pretext)? Does this make me a believer in Real Conspiracy Theories? Hmm.
Moore undoubtedly picked the juiciest of all the Bush-Saudi connections and ignored the rest. This is not to say that greed hasn't driven a lot of bad policy. The scenes of seminars explaining how to make obscene profits in rebuilding Iraq were most disturbing. Companies such as Halliburton come off smelling like huge rotting fish corpses.
I'm betting Michael Moore hasn't read the terrifying account of WMDs, from the week of 5 October 2003: George W Bush.com :: Official Blog
It bothers me that The Regressives (Christian Fascist Republican Party) appear in control, by proxy. Is there a goal of a Return To Mayberry, turning the USA into The Stepford Nation? What The Regressives won't accept is that 1) "Mayberry" was not idyllic for a lot of people; 2) the world is a place where hidden agendas are the norm; 3) problems cannot always be light-hearted and solved in a 22-minute episode (allowing 8 minutes for commercials).
Related: the "OREO Animation" on TrueMajority.org is a simplified explanation of the problem with our military spending.
Jill-Bob and I had a brief discussion about Mandatory Voter Testing, where people would have to prove they are logical. When someone indicates they're voting for someone because "he has nice hair", their voter card would be taken away. I like this idea! Good thing such a plan could never be abused, and that it's completely objective.
I found a Texas Request for Voter Registration Applications, and noticed that you're only required to certify that you're not insane. And over 18 years old. Hmm.
Unrelated: Godwin's Law FAQ (How to post about Nazis and get away with it)
If you've seen Michael Moore's prior work, you'll know that he never met a conspiracy theory that he didn't love. More Distortions from Michael Moore (by Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball) is an important read, highlighting several problems with the film. Some of Moore's conspiracy theories are red herrings; he could have done better, had he not aimed for theatrics. I suspect he's only marginally smarter than the target of this film.
Numbing: The Puppet's quote: "after all, Saddam tried to kill my daddy!" (he comes off as a Class A Goober, and appears to believe that alone justifies war). Was greed (by a few people) the real reason for the The Puppet's Oil War(using the al-Qaada attack on 9/11 as a pretext)? Does this make me a believer in Real Conspiracy Theories? Hmm.
Moore undoubtedly picked the juiciest of all the Bush-Saudi connections and ignored the rest. This is not to say that greed hasn't driven a lot of bad policy. The scenes of seminars explaining how to make obscene profits in rebuilding Iraq were most disturbing. Companies such as Halliburton come off smelling like huge rotting fish corpses.
I'm betting Michael Moore hasn't read the terrifying account of WMDs, from the week of 5 October 2003: George W Bush.com :: Official Blog
It bothers me that The Regressives (Christian Fascist Republican Party) appear in control, by proxy. Is there a goal of a Return To Mayberry, turning the USA into The Stepford Nation? What The Regressives won't accept is that 1) "Mayberry" was not idyllic for a lot of people; 2) the world is a place where hidden agendas are the norm; 3) problems cannot always be light-hearted and solved in a 22-minute episode (allowing 8 minutes for commercials).
Related: the "OREO Animation" on TrueMajority.org is a simplified explanation of the problem with our military spending.
Jill-Bob and I had a brief discussion about Mandatory Voter Testing, where people would have to prove they are logical. When someone indicates they're voting for someone because "he has nice hair", their voter card would be taken away. I like this idea! Good thing such a plan could never be abused, and that it's completely objective.
I found a Texas Request for Voter Registration Applications, and noticed that you're only required to certify that you're not insane. And over 18 years old. Hmm.
Unrelated: Godwin's Law FAQ (How to post about Nazis and get away with it)
Friday, July 2
Fahrenheit
Okay, after some tasty German trout for lunch, I went to see Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 at the new Angelika theatre in Plano (at Legacy and the Tollway).
My quick reaction (to be followed by something more substantive, Real Soon Now) is that Michael is becoming a better filmmaker, for sure. I saw Roger & Me when I lived in Los Angeles, and watched Bowling for Columbine last year. While Michael does leave out some very key details (so as to get his point across) he's not trying so hard to be the center of attention, which is good.
Yes, Moore oversimplifies (partially to make it fit the 2 hours), but this whole discussion is exceedingly complex. Anyone who thinks they can understand it with a few sounds bites is sadly mistaken. I wish Michael had elaborated on the pathetic job the American news media are doing, but that's for another rant. See President Bush in Ireland for a sample of what I mean. I've found myself gravitating to international TV (satellite) and various RSS feeds from outside the country, so as to see what the rest of the world is seeing. If you can't imagine yourself listening to opposing viewpoints and making up your own minds, well .. that in itself is a huge part of our problem.
Bottom line? If you consider yourself rational, and are able to listen to an opposing viewpoint, go see this movie. If you've already made up your mind that George W. Bush should be re-elected regardless, you're a lost cause and should have your voter registration card revoked anyway. Yes, I am dead serious.
My quick reaction (to be followed by something more substantive, Real Soon Now) is that Michael is becoming a better filmmaker, for sure. I saw Roger & Me when I lived in Los Angeles, and watched Bowling for Columbine last year. While Michael does leave out some very key details (so as to get his point across) he's not trying so hard to be the center of attention, which is good.
Yes, Moore oversimplifies (partially to make it fit the 2 hours), but this whole discussion is exceedingly complex. Anyone who thinks they can understand it with a few sounds bites is sadly mistaken. I wish Michael had elaborated on the pathetic job the American news media are doing, but that's for another rant. See President Bush in Ireland for a sample of what I mean. I've found myself gravitating to international TV (satellite) and various RSS feeds from outside the country, so as to see what the rest of the world is seeing. If you can't imagine yourself listening to opposing viewpoints and making up your own minds, well .. that in itself is a huge part of our problem.
Bottom line? If you consider yourself rational, and are able to listen to an opposing viewpoint, go see this movie. If you've already made up your mind that George W. Bush should be re-elected regardless, you're a lost cause and should have your voter registration card revoked anyway. Yes, I am dead serious.
Thursday, July 1
Hey, Buford -- we're #50 -- AGIN!
Perhaps Texas' low high school graduation percentages are why the DMN's Letters to the Editor are dominated by idiots? I guess sometime I'd like to see all the letters received, and not just 8 or 10 each day. Then I could decide how representative the published ones are .. to reality.
Some newspapers around the country are writing that high school graduation rates are the highest ever, but not in Texas; buried on page 4A of the Dallas Managed News is a story about how Texas is dead last. The results are punctuated by the ethnic divide, especially amongst Hispanics (32% of the population, yet only 51% graduated, compared to 91% of Anglos, who are 52% of the population). I wonder how this is being played in the DMN's Spanish-language (Al Dia) newspaper (I couldn't find the article in either the English- or Spanish-language online versions).
Granted, these percentages can be misleading. Let's assume (humor me) that it's more difficult to graduate in Texas, than in New Hampshire. Perhaps the TAKS [Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills] test brought down the graduation rate, because we're more demanding here?
By the way, I've already updated my Sundry on Thursday blog .. those are interesting items that didn't make it here on the Gene Bob Blog(tm).
Some newspapers around the country are writing that high school graduation rates are the highest ever, but not in Texas; buried on page 4A of the Dallas Managed News is a story about how Texas is dead last. The results are punctuated by the ethnic divide, especially amongst Hispanics (32% of the population, yet only 51% graduated, compared to 91% of Anglos, who are 52% of the population). I wonder how this is being played in the DMN's Spanish-language (Al Dia) newspaper (I couldn't find the article in either the English- or Spanish-language online versions).
Granted, these percentages can be misleading. Let's assume (humor me) that it's more difficult to graduate in Texas, than in New Hampshire. Perhaps the TAKS [Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills] test brought down the graduation rate, because we're more demanding here?
By the way, I've already updated my Sundry on Thursday blog .. those are interesting items that didn't make it here on the Gene Bob Blog(tm).
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