Senator Larry Craig of Idaho, a high-profile "family values" Republican, admitted to having sex with men in restrooms at Washington DC's Union Station and Minneaepolis's airport. He was busted by an undercover cop.
Just how far will the hypocrisy go?
The likes of Craig, Jim Kolbe, Jeff Gannon, Mark Foley, Mann Coulter, and many more, must be given the Republican Party platform treatment on sodomites - namely, Biblical law, AKA death. This is probably the only case where I support capital punishment, given the harm done to many average LGBTs (and allies) by these sodomites.
MSNBC
29 August 2007
27 August 2007
Swallowing my pride again
Once, BART ran anti-choice ads in its commuter trains, and I vowed to avoid BART on my next Bay Area trip. Then the reality of high fuel prices and parking wars hit, and I ended up riding BART.
Now, as my long weekend nears, I may have to break another vow, and take my BMW to the Bay Area. Although the highlight of my trip will be in the far north of California among the redwoods, I will stop in the Bay Area for the Sausalito Art Festival and a special Da Vinci exhibition. I'll also visit a few novel sites again. The decision is being made, because my Honda Accord's transmission is acting up. (Besides, the Accord is titled to my father, who would rather have me save the car for work-related duties, whereas the BMW is completely mine.)
I do hope for a smooth journey, even though the Bay Bridge's complete closure during my stay will mean some headaches as I visit various locales in the Bay Area.
Now, as my long weekend nears, I may have to break another vow, and take my BMW to the Bay Area. Although the highlight of my trip will be in the far north of California among the redwoods, I will stop in the Bay Area for the Sausalito Art Festival and a special Da Vinci exhibition. I'll also visit a few novel sites again. The decision is being made, because my Honda Accord's transmission is acting up. (Besides, the Accord is titled to my father, who would rather have me save the car for work-related duties, whereas the BMW is completely mine.)
I do hope for a smooth journey, even though the Bay Bridge's complete closure during my stay will mean some headaches as I visit various locales in the Bay Area.
Odds and Ends
Good news today - the torture czar, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, is gone. Even then, Gonzales is being spun as an immigrant success story, which disgusts me greatly.
On the subject of reactionary immigrant Republican whores, W recently compared the Iraq War to the Korean and Vietnam Wars, calling it a struggle for freedom of a nation. Empty rhetorics can only say so much - W has destroyed many cherished American freedoms, and it bears remembering that South Korea AND South Vietnam were dictatorships that happened to be fighting commies, not democracies in their own right. South Korea's democratization, in fact, happened despite American prop-up of its fascist dictators (and massive admittance of the fascist supporters into the US when the fascism finally crumbled).
Besides, W never believed in nation-building, accusing the Clinton administration of overextending American troops in Somalia and the Balkans; nation-building became his interest only after 9/11, a convenient excuse to be linked to his former buddy Saddam Hussein. Moreover, he turned from a small-government president to the leader of the largest expansion of US government in history.
Disgust is an understatement.
On the subject of reactionary immigrant Republican whores, W recently compared the Iraq War to the Korean and Vietnam Wars, calling it a struggle for freedom of a nation. Empty rhetorics can only say so much - W has destroyed many cherished American freedoms, and it bears remembering that South Korea AND South Vietnam were dictatorships that happened to be fighting commies, not democracies in their own right. South Korea's democratization, in fact, happened despite American prop-up of its fascist dictators (and massive admittance of the fascist supporters into the US when the fascism finally crumbled).
Besides, W never believed in nation-building, accusing the Clinton administration of overextending American troops in Somalia and the Balkans; nation-building became his interest only after 9/11, a convenient excuse to be linked to his former buddy Saddam Hussein. Moreover, he turned from a small-government president to the leader of the largest expansion of US government in history.
Disgust is an understatement.
21 August 2007
Minutemen United
Apparently, a group by this name has been crashing the services of moderate churches, to force them to take a more homophobic stance.
This is rude - and that's an understatement.
On Ellen Beth's blog, the discussion is on Ellen's Republican Congressman, Mark Kirk (IL-10), pretending to support gay rights through sponsorship of a hate crimes legislation, yet doing nothing about this kind of demagoguery, which isn't limited to Columbus, Ohio, but is also an issue at IL-10 and nationwide. Ellen charges that Kirk has been nothing more than a shill for the politics of Karl Rove, who turned homophobia into a potent weapon for the evangelical Republicans.
Columbus Dispatch
Ellen Beth's Illinois Tenth Blog
This is rude - and that's an understatement.
On Ellen Beth's blog, the discussion is on Ellen's Republican Congressman, Mark Kirk (IL-10), pretending to support gay rights through sponsorship of a hate crimes legislation, yet doing nothing about this kind of demagoguery, which isn't limited to Columbus, Ohio, but is also an issue at IL-10 and nationwide. Ellen charges that Kirk has been nothing more than a shill for the politics of Karl Rove, who turned homophobia into a potent weapon for the evangelical Republicans.
Columbus Dispatch
Ellen Beth's Illinois Tenth Blog
17 August 2007
Compact Discs turn 25
A year ago, the original IBM PC turned 25. And now, I'm being told that today is the compact disc's 25th birthday.
I know I am getting old, when I find that I am old enough to remember my first encounter with what is an everyday technology today. I still remember when a CD player was a museum piece (due to its excessive price), and when my choice was either vinyl (for quality) or cassette (for portability). Of course, CDs almost killed off the vinyl, and MP3 players have now eliminated cassettes.
I did not have my own CD player until late 1990, when a 5-disc carousel cost me $200 as part of a $500 system.
BBC has some interesting facts about the development of CDs, including the unusual alliance between Philips and Sony, and the very first CD being an ABBA album. Also, back in 1982, nobody had envisioned the CD being a data storage medium, which it ended up becoming by the mid-1990s.
BBC
I know I am getting old, when I find that I am old enough to remember my first encounter with what is an everyday technology today. I still remember when a CD player was a museum piece (due to its excessive price), and when my choice was either vinyl (for quality) or cassette (for portability). Of course, CDs almost killed off the vinyl, and MP3 players have now eliminated cassettes.
I did not have my own CD player until late 1990, when a 5-disc carousel cost me $200 as part of a $500 system.
BBC has some interesting facts about the development of CDs, including the unusual alliance between Philips and Sony, and the very first CD being an ABBA album. Also, back in 1982, nobody had envisioned the CD being a data storage medium, which it ended up becoming by the mid-1990s.
BBC
15 August 2007
What Your Car Says about Love
I found this match.com article very interesting, in the wake of the actions I've been taking re: my BMW.
Match.com
Basically, I am sending mixed signals by driving a sensible sedan (a Honda Accord) and a luxury car (a BMW, though not a 7-series).
It looks like I should be driving a Toyota Prius, however, based on what this article says. Prius and other hybrid car drivers are more likely to be ideological, and more likely to meet mates at a political rally or convention. I think that pretty much describes me, especially since there is no way I will be dating anyone of a different political persuasion.
Of course, I'll never drive a Prius - Toyota is too evil a company. But I could probably switch to a Honda Civic Hybrid, like some peace activists I know (though I will get lots of strange looks, for taking that huge "downgrade" from a BMW).
Match.com
Basically, I am sending mixed signals by driving a sensible sedan (a Honda Accord) and a luxury car (a BMW, though not a 7-series).
It looks like I should be driving a Toyota Prius, however, based on what this article says. Prius and other hybrid car drivers are more likely to be ideological, and more likely to meet mates at a political rally or convention. I think that pretty much describes me, especially since there is no way I will be dating anyone of a different political persuasion.
Of course, I'll never drive a Prius - Toyota is too evil a company. But I could probably switch to a Honda Civic Hybrid, like some peace activists I know (though I will get lots of strange looks, for taking that huge "downgrade" from a BMW).
14 August 2007
BMW boycott update
Now that I mentioned my travel plans - without BMW - I would like to discuss what has happened since BMW's sponsorship of Bill O'Reilly's hate speech.
I contacted Gabriella Molteni, the Corporate Communications Manager at BMW North America. No reply has ever come. In fact, I do not know of anyone, among the numerous progressive bloggers driving BMW products, who ever received a reply from her.
BMW must indeed be a very proud sponsor of Bill O'Reilly's hate speech, and has absolutely no interest in selling to wealthy, well-educated progressives. This is in line with BMW's longstanding refusal to market to specific demographics. Perhaps BMW needs to start a line of wheelchairs, given that most O'Reilly viewers are too old to drive.
Needless to say, BMW will get its wish. I will never buy any of its products again. Pretty good move on BMW's part, considering that I am young enough to buy several more 3-series vehicles over my lifetime (or better, upgrade to a higher-numbered series), and I've recommended the BMW brand to others until now (and many people do rely on me for automotive advice). All of this business will find its way to a competitor.
I will not get rid of my existing 3-series, however. If I sell it, it may end up in the hands of a budding enthusiast, and BMW may win a new customer to replace me, rendering my boycott pointless. Moreover, the car is paid for, and it makes most financial sense to keep driving my car until it wears out.
As for my future vehicles, a decision will need to be made: will I keep owning two cars (a cheap car for work, and an expensive car for vanity), or will I consolidate into one near-luxury car that is still low-profile enough for work? In the case of the latter, the Audi A4, or one of the more expensive VWs, should do the trick. If I really want my vanity and shoot for a Mercedes, however, I will still need a second, cheap car. I really am a sucker for German cars...
I contacted Gabriella Molteni, the Corporate Communications Manager at BMW North America. No reply has ever come. In fact, I do not know of anyone, among the numerous progressive bloggers driving BMW products, who ever received a reply from her.
BMW must indeed be a very proud sponsor of Bill O'Reilly's hate speech, and has absolutely no interest in selling to wealthy, well-educated progressives. This is in line with BMW's longstanding refusal to market to specific demographics. Perhaps BMW needs to start a line of wheelchairs, given that most O'Reilly viewers are too old to drive.
Needless to say, BMW will get its wish. I will never buy any of its products again. Pretty good move on BMW's part, considering that I am young enough to buy several more 3-series vehicles over my lifetime (or better, upgrade to a higher-numbered series), and I've recommended the BMW brand to others until now (and many people do rely on me for automotive advice). All of this business will find its way to a competitor.
I will not get rid of my existing 3-series, however. If I sell it, it may end up in the hands of a budding enthusiast, and BMW may win a new customer to replace me, rendering my boycott pointless. Moreover, the car is paid for, and it makes most financial sense to keep driving my car until it wears out.
As for my future vehicles, a decision will need to be made: will I keep owning two cars (a cheap car for work, and an expensive car for vanity), or will I consolidate into one near-luxury car that is still low-profile enough for work? In the case of the latter, the Audi A4, or one of the more expensive VWs, should do the trick. If I really want my vanity and shoot for a Mercedes, however, I will still need a second, cheap car. I really am a sucker for German cars...
Travel Updates
Given that I work so many weekend days, a long weekend is one of the few opportunities that allows me to get away. I've been exploiting them to the fullest over the past year or so, covering Seattle, Chicago, Vancouver, Carlsbad Caverns, and more.
It looks like I will find myself in the far north of California, among the redwood trees, come Labor Day weekend, if my current plans hold.
On the way back, I will stop in the Bay Area again, to visit a few novel settings and hit a few sights.
As I can no longer take my BMW to the Bay Area in good conscience, I am busy prepping my beat-up Honda Accord for the long journey.
Hoping for another nice trip.
It looks like I will find myself in the far north of California, among the redwood trees, come Labor Day weekend, if my current plans hold.
On the way back, I will stop in the Bay Area again, to visit a few novel settings and hit a few sights.
As I can no longer take my BMW to the Bay Area in good conscience, I am busy prepping my beat-up Honda Accord for the long journey.
Hoping for another nice trip.
07 August 2007
Protect America Act of 2007
Passed this past week, this Orwellian-named new law gives the Executive Branch unlimited surveillance powers for six months. Many Democrats caved in, in order to avoid looking weak on national security - and in the process, becoming willing accomplices in W's mad power grab on the way to totalitarian fascism.
The best editorial on this travesty of a law was found, by fellow blogger DiAnne Grieser, on Bangkok Post. It clearly states that this is not the law W needs, at a time when he is trying to keep all his internal memos and conversations secret, citing "executive privilege." It further states that giving up freedoms, in the name of security, must be done with adequate judicial oversight.
Bangkok Post
The best editorial on this travesty of a law was found, by fellow blogger DiAnne Grieser, on Bangkok Post. It clearly states that this is not the law W needs, at a time when he is trying to keep all his internal memos and conversations secret, citing "executive privilege." It further states that giving up freedoms, in the name of security, must be done with adequate judicial oversight.
Bangkok Post
03 August 2007
More Yearly Kos report
BBC reports now. Democratic candidates are showing up at Yearly Kos, and Republicans are noting that the Democrats are heading for Yearly Kos instead of the Republican-Lite Democratic Leadership Council.
Yearly Kos (and Daily Kos) are not the far left. They are simply well-informed, and the public's opinion follows a few months later.
BBC
Yearly Kos (and Daily Kos) are not the far left. They are simply well-informed, and the public's opinion follows a few months later.
BBC
Yearly Kos
I'm getting some live blogging feedback, from the "KKK Convention" (if Bill O'Reilly is to be believed), through some of my acquaintances at Democracy Cell Project. So far, some very powerful, moving speeches have been made, by the likes of General Wesley Clark and more.
There are many caucusing opportunities, for voters of different regions and social backgrounds (ethnicity, LGBT, seniors, etc.). Some great updates have been posted on Ellen Beth's blog as well.
Between the great programs offered at Yearly Kos, and the publicity generated by Bill O'Reilly's attacks, I have decided that I will attend the next year's edition. Quite a few acquaintances are out there in Chicago having a good time, and I am sick of missing out. Moreover, Yearly Kos teaches people how to think rationally and be a positive force in local communities, and that's something I need to work on badly.
Speaking of O'Reilly, his biggest sponsor BMW still refuses to answer any Daily Kos emails, including mine.
Yearly Kos
There are many caucusing opportunities, for voters of different regions and social backgrounds (ethnicity, LGBT, seniors, etc.). Some great updates have been posted on Ellen Beth's blog as well.
Between the great programs offered at Yearly Kos, and the publicity generated by Bill O'Reilly's attacks, I have decided that I will attend the next year's edition. Quite a few acquaintances are out there in Chicago having a good time, and I am sick of missing out. Moreover, Yearly Kos teaches people how to think rationally and be a positive force in local communities, and that's something I need to work on badly.
Speaking of O'Reilly, his biggest sponsor BMW still refuses to answer any Daily Kos emails, including mine.
Yearly Kos
01 August 2007
My Post on Daily Kos
Thread starters, or "diaries" as they are called, make up for varied and interesting discussions on Daily Kos.
Please see my first-ever Daily Kos diary, which continues the discussion of Bill O'Reilly and BMW:
BMW: Not a Friend of Progressives
Please see my first-ever Daily Kos diary, which continues the discussion of Bill O'Reilly and BMW:
BMW: Not a Friend of Progressives
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