the zxbe collection

Syria

2012-02-10T06:30:00.001-06:00

A "You Decide" push poll from Fox about whether or not we should intervene in Syria.

Is it time for the US to intervene in the Syrian crisis?

-Not sure. Can we afford another military action while the Afghan War is being waged? 1.25% (247 votes)
-Yes. Time for some kind of military intervention. 5.86% (1,162 votes)
-Yes, but the US should only provide humanitarian aid. 1.9% (376 votes)
-Yes, if the US is part of a larger coalition that includes the Arab League. 14.73% (2,919 votes)
-Yes, just because it's the right thing to do and the US needs to do it. 4.62% (916 votes)
-No, this is a crisis the Arab League and the UN needs to solve. 35.74% (7,083 votes)
-No, just because I’m tired of everyone always looking to the US as the solution. 34.4% (6,818 votes)
-Other (post a comment) 1.5% (298 votes)

Total Votes: 19,819

So the UN, which righties wish to defund, gets the plurality of votes here. And what about America's Divine Supremeacy? Isn't it God's will for us to stick our noses in everywhere? And let's not forget, Saddam moved his WMD's to Syria. Remember that?

What do you suppose the answers would have been like, if the question was more like this:

Do you think Obama has failed by not intervening in Syria?

-Yes: He's a worthless traitor who deserves to be deported to Syria or Kenya for not intervening
-Yes: God hates Obama and this is just another way in which he has failed the country.
-Yes: Obama hates America and loves Syria. That's why he won't invade.
-Yes: It is God's will that America show its influence in the world. This means Obama is defying God's will and is going to Hell.
-Yes: Syria has WMD's from Iraq. Duh. Obama wants Syria to wipe out the world with those WMD's because Obama hates Republicans.
-Yes: Because Rush Limbaugh told me so.
-Yes: Because Obama is a commie.
-Yes: Because Obama wasn't born in the US.
-Yes: Because Sarah Palin is hot.
-Yes: But he won't do it because he's black.

(There would be no "No" answer. It's a Fox poll, remember.)

Who's Winning? (You'll Be Sorry You Asked)

2012-02-08T07:08:00.000-06:00

So Santorum sweeps the February 7th primary/caucus states. Interesting. According to this NY Times chart Romney still leads the delegate count by a comfortable margin. He has 91, Santorum 44, Gingrich 29, Paul 8, and Huntsman 2.

They give the state-by-state details as well. As you can see some states are all-or-nothing in assigning the delegates, and others are proportional; Florida being a huge all-or-nothing state. If this race were proportional, it would be a lot closer.

What's interesting is that Missouri's numbers are not in this total and they list a March date for Missouri getting its delegates assigned? WTF? Google, help me. So I found this reference in an LA Times article. "Missouri's primary has no connection to delegate selection"

I just did a Lewis Black head shake when I read that. Then what the fuck is going on in Missouri? Well according to a site called The Green Papers (which looks kind of interesting in a wonkish sort of way), they say that yesterday that the primary is non-binding, and the caucuses in March will determine delegate selection.

A non-binding election? Isn't that what dictators have? This is confusing. But, this is party politics at it's finest.

So in checking information from the NY Times chart, and The Green Papers site, the plot thickens. Let's take Minnesota as an example.

So the NY Times shows Santorum as getting 13 of 40 delegates in Minnesota, with the other 27 being uncommitted. It turns out that even the 13 aren't necessarily committed yet. Following a link on the NYT chart, we get to more information about the Minnesota Caucus:

None of Minnesota's 40 delegates will be bound to any candidate as a result of the Feb. 7 precinct caucuses. The election of 24 delegates will take place at Congressional district conventions in mid-April. The state convention, which takes place May 4-5, may vote to bind 13 At Large delegates. The state's three Republican National Committee members remaining as unpledged to any candidate.

Apparently, it must be tradition to award the 13 At-Large to the winner of the caucus. That's mighty big of them.

Then of course we get into the discussion of hard/soft delegates, pledged/unpledged delegates. Again, I do a Lewis Black head shake in a combination of disgust/confusion. And some pledged delegates are bound, but some are not. Then we go to the state nominating conventions where really delegate selection matters, and the delegates for the national convention are selected. Rinse. Repeat.

To be fair, the Democratic party process is equally as confusing.

So who's winning right now? Hard to say. Counting is pointless. Only in America. And other third-world countries.

America The Beautiful

2012-01-30T07:29:00.000-06:00

During a recent trip up to Lake Superior, I was greeted by this not-so-beautiful vista. Wind was blowing plastic bags from he dump into the woods.

Canal Park Christmas

2012-01-21T08:06:00.002-06:00

Canal Park, Duluth, Christmas Day 2011

Fun With HDR

2012-01-21T08:05:00.000-06:00

After HDR Processing
As you can see, there's a lot of detail in the
snow (foot steps) that is recorded in the data of the
image, but just wasn't visible in the original shot.

This shot was a single RAW shot, saved two copies with
+2 and -2 exposure, and then merged with the original into
a single HDR image via CS5. This is one of the reasons to
shoot in RAW format so that you have the option of doing
more in post production; should that suit you.

As Shot

HDR is a fun technique that can bring out a wider range of light-to-dark areas in your photo. It often also involves higher saturation, higher detail, and higher contrast. Sometimes the technique can be used in subtle ways to bring out more detail in shadows and clouds, and other times it can be used for very dramatic surrealistic effects. Of course, the success of the results is purely subjective, and is in the eye of the beholder.

The above shot was taken this past Christmas at Duluth. It was a single hand-held shot, in RAW format. The beauty of RAW is that the image file sometimes contains enough data to still use an HDR process on it in post-production. It involves saving two copies of the file; one with +2 stops of exposure and one with -2 stops. Then run the three images through a normal HDR process, and tweak until it suits you.

Many cameras now have the feature built in now; where when you engage the mode you will actually take three shots instead of one; and the merging will take place in-camera. A tripod is a must otherwise the images won't line up correctly and you'll get blurring when they're merged.

Stop American Censorship

2012-01-18T07:45:00.002-06:00

Corporate Trust

2012-01-09T07:15:00.003-06:00

Why is it that the company you do business with is allowed to change the rules, and even do a complete 180 on promises they’ve made for years; yet we’re all supposed to follow the rules to the letter. Or else.

I’m talking about bank fees. In 1991, upon moving to Minnesota, I opened an account at a bank called TCF that had “Totally Free Checking.” You even got free checks. No fees. They made an offer. I accepted.

Somewhere along the way, they stopped providing free checks. Not a deal breaker, but it was opening the door a bit. This past month, two new fees showed up. A monthly maintenance fee, and a check image on the statement fee. (Check images are still available online). The maintenance fee was $9.95 and the other one was $1.95.

These “maintenance” fees seem to be all the rage in banks these days, and there are hoops you can jump through to avoid paying it. At some banks it’s as easy as having direct deposit. Some require a minimum balance. Yet others base it upon the number/type of transactions you make. Mine chose the latter, and in a big way: 15 debit card purchases, not including ATM withdrawals or gift card purchases, and $10,000 in combined balances. This is for the basic checking account.

So for the 10,000 in combined balances, I could move some money around. But the rates at banks are pathetic these days. And I could start using my debit card to buy everything. But I actually already use my credit card for that. It's an interest free 30-day loan. I get points on purchases, and get a lot of cash back at the end of the year. So I don't see any real incentive to switching to the debit card for everything.

The bottom line, is I’ll never hit the threshold to avoid paying the $10/month “maintenance fee.”

One might think they're hurting. According to BankRate, they get 3-stars: Performing. Yet, this bank had enough money to buy the naming rights for the new University of Minnesota stadium to the tune of $35-million. And they were able to take the CEO’s total compensation from $3.8-million in 2009 to $4.1 million in 2010. And I’m sure for all these extra fees he will be rewarded even more handsomely in 2011. (Those figures aren’t available yet.) If the bank is experiencing some trouble, financially, to necessitate these fees, perhaps they need to reexamine their priorities.

I've tried over the years to do more business with TCF; a sign of my loyalty as a customer. I called to ask about applying for home equity loan. I got a voice mailbox that said I needed to leave my name and number and someone would call me back. That was six years ago. No one ever called me back. I applied for an overdraft loan on my checking a couple of years ago. I was told the approval process would take a couple of days. I waited a couple of weeks and called back. The person who took my app couldn't event tell me the status, and seemed surprised that I was even calling to ask. It had been approved, but no one could be bothered to tell me. Amazingly poor customer service.

Then there was the one time in my life I ever had to "wire" money to someone. I stopped in one of the bigger branches. Filled out all the paperwork. Was informed of the fee. And then told it would go out the next business day. A week later the money still hadn't been sent. I called to find out, and again no one seemed to have any clue as to what I had asked for. I escalated it and they finally found that the form had inadvertently been put in the wrong pile. They were quite apologetic, and reversed the fee (only after I demanded it).

I don't mind that services cost money. The home equity loan wouldn't have been free. I would have paid fees and interest to close on that. But TCF couldn't be bothered to return my call. I know the overdraft was a loan (with high interest) and an annual fee. But no one at TCF could be bothered to follow up with me to let me know that it had gone through. I know that wires take extra handling by staff, and that the fee for wires helps cover it. However, if I'm going to pay fees and interest, including this new maintenance fee, then I want to get a quality product. TCF has demonstrated to me that they aren't a quality product, and quite frankly they haven't earned their fees. At least not from me.

I still can't help but feel like they violated my trust. I did everything they asked. I paid fees whenever I encountered them. I tried to give them more business. I kept up my end of the bargain. Why are they allowed to renege on their end? And before any lawyers smack me down on the legality of this; I do understand that the actual contract you sign with a business usually has all the legalese to allow them to do things like this. However, I’m talking more about the basic contract of trust and goodwill.

I know I’m not alone in this frustration. And mine isn’t the only bank that’s done this. And this isn’t the only industry that’s ever turned it’s back on prior promises to customers. Yet, even though the fine print may give them the legal cover to do all this; when the ads, and posters on the walls at the bank said “Totally Free Checking” for decades; why isn’t that also a binding contract? At least a contract of good faith.

Gone is the Totally Free Checking and it's been replaced by Totally Fee Checking. So, I’m using my power as one lonely consumer and am moving my business elsewhere. TCF has lost my business for good.

How much will it cost them to attract a new customer to replace me?

Lake Superior

2011-12-29T08:46:00.000-06:00

Various shots from my recent visit up north.

Duluth, Minnesota

Wisconsin Point, Wisconsin

Self Portrait

2011-12-28T08:59:00.000-06:00

On a recent visit to Lake Superior, I found I kept getting my shadow in the shots. So I decided to embrace this and take a self portrait. I'm waving to the camera. See? Oh, just smile and nod. The location is Wisconsin Point. Taken 12/26/11. Enjoy.

Colbert and Costello

2011-12-22T07:09:00.000-06:00

Singing about the real "War" on Christmas...

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: Colbert/Costello Duet

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

Fist Bumping Soldiers

2011-12-18T07:27:00.000-06:00

So one of my Tea Party acquaintances on Facebook (keep your friends close, your enemies closer...) posted this Fox News article about the last US troops leaving Iraq. It's an AP story, but in the first paragraph it reveals that our troops are all terrorists.

The last U.S. soldiers rolled out of Iraq across the border into neighboring Kuwait at daybreak Sunday, whooping, fist bumping and hugging each other in a burst of joy and relief. Their convoy's exit marked the end of a bitterly divisive war that raged for nearly nine years and left Iraq shattered, with troubling questions lingering over whether the Arab nation will remain a steadfast U.S. ally.

Did you spot it? They were fist bumping. You see, according to Fox that's a key sign that someone is a terrorist. Hill's show was actually cancelled and her contract was not renewed. But that didn't stop the right-wing noise machine from going on, and on, and on, and on about the terrorist fist bump.

I wonder if we'll hear a peep out of them about our soldiers doing the same thing?

Presidents Live Longer Than Average

2011-12-07T08:22:00.002-06:00

Study: Presidents live longer than men of their times

Our presidents get the best health care possible.

Coincidence?

It's Okay To Say Happy Holidays

2011-11-30T21:03:00.002-06:00

I've been seeing a lot of graphics on Facebook lately saying it's okay to say "Merry Christmas." This is, of course, in response to the Faux War on Christmas. What people seem to forget is that it's also okay to say Happy Holidays. Get over it.

Old Glory

2011-11-30T10:34:00.002-06:00

I'm not one for waving the flag to prove I'm a patriot. But the fact is I am a patriot because I believe in the constitution. So for all those who need some flag waving, here you go. Now, when's the last time a rightie took their own picture of the flag, and posted it? That makes me way more patriotic than them.

Merry Christmas - Man Dies While Others Get A Good Deal

2011-11-28T10:50:00.001-06:00

A Black Friday shopper who collapsed while shopping at a Target store in West Virginia went almost unnoticed as customers continued to hunt for bargain deals.

Walter Vance, the 61-year-old pharmacist, who reportedly suffered from a prior heart condition, later died in hospital, reports MSNBC.

Witnesses say some shoppers ignored and even walked over the man's body as they continued to shop, reports the New York Daily News.

Is this the season of Peace On Earth, and Good Will Towards All?

I think not.

Occupy Common Sense

2011-11-28T10:03:00.001-06:00

Caught a pic over at WhiteNoiseIsanity of a Occupy protester holding up a great sign. The caption reads:

"If they enforced bank regulation like they do park rules, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place!"

Mindless Consumerism

2011-11-25T11:47:00.000-06:00

HT: Being Liberal on Facebook.

Insider Trading Legal for Congress

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

Insider trading, which will send you or I to jail, is apparently legal for Congress. According to a 60-Minutes report, in fact, Congress seems to routinely enrich themselves based upon inside information.

Schweizer: These meetings were so sensitive-- that they would actually confiscate cell phones and Blackberries going into those meetings. What we know is that those meetings were held one day and literally the next day Congressman Bachus would engage in buying stock options based on apocalyptic briefings he had the day before from the Fed chairman and treasury secretary. I mean, talk about a stock tip.

While Congressman Bachus was publicly trying to keep the economy from cratering, he was privately betting that it would, buying option funds that would go up in value if the market went down. He would make a variety of trades and profited at a time when most Americans were losing their shirts.

Congressman Bachus declined to talk to us, so we went to his office and ran into his Press Secretary Tim Johnson.

Waiting For Wind

2011-11-10T05:20:00.000-06:00

Milkweed seeds waiting for some wind to take them to their

new home.

Evening Glow

2011-10-25T22:32:00.000-05:00

The setting sun created some vivid colors near Bush Lake.

Milky Way

2011-10-24T07:44:00.000-05:00

A first attempt at photographing the Milky Way. It was spur-of-the-moment, and this was my first real attempt, so it was more about experimentation than anything else.

Conditions were favorable; it was clear, calm, and moonless. Although some ground fog was starting to settle in. I drove to the state park near Jordan. Found a turn-off from the main road, and decided it was good enough. It was amazing how many stars I could see with the naked eye.

According to Dark Sky Finder, I was still in a pretty high light-pollution area. I have an area near Gaylord, Minnesota that's two more points better in terms of light pollution (and that's a relatively easy drive). Ideally, I'd like to get to an area with no light pollution.

I found I was a little nervous while I was out there. It was actually, from a human's point-of-view, amazingly dark. I was on a little dirt road, and I really couldn't pull off. I was half-afraid of getting hit; even though the entire half-hour I was there only one car went by on the main road - not even the road I was on. I think I was also nervous about getting in trouble for being stopped on the road. Anyway, none of these fears materialized.

My choice of lens was my 24mm. I manually set the focus (which it supposedly has a hard-infinity stop). I knew I didn't want star trails, so I kept the exposures to 30 seconds or less. And then I played with the aperture, and ISO.

I didn't really let the camera steady long enough after adjusting it, so there's some minor motion blur. And 30 seconds may have been slightly too long as well. I'll go for higher ISO and shorter shutter speed next time. And I'm not sure the 24 is by best lens for the job, so I'll try the 35 and even the 50. They're both slightly faster, so that should help as well.

Anyway, the goal was to see the Milky Way, and it definitely seems to be visible. And I gathered some useful information about how to do this, so the next attempts should be better.

Enjoy!

One Tin Soldier

2011-10-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

Happened to hear this on the radio this morning. It had been a long time, and I was struck by how the lyrics really seem to apply to all religious mobs who seek violence as the answer to resolving conflicts with their neighbors.

Netflix Debacle

2011-10-10T09:45:00.000-05:00

Dear John,

It is clear that for many of our members two websites would make things more difficult, so we are going to keep Netflix as one place to go for streaming and DVDs.

This means no change: one website, one account, one password…in other words, no Qwikster.

While the July price change was necessary, we are now done with price changes.

We're constantly improving our streaming selection. We've recently added hundreds of movies from Paramount, Sony, Universal, Fox, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, MGM and Miramax. Plus, in the last couple of weeks alone, we've added over 3,500 TV episodes from ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, USA, E!, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Discovery Channel, TLC, SyFy, A&E, History, and PBS.

We value you as a member, and we are committed to making Netflix the best place to get your movies & TV shows.

Respectfully,

The Netflix Team

So putting this in perspective.

They raised prices; nearly 50%.
Then the decided to just split the company.
Now they've decided not to split the company.

Time for a new CEO in my opinion. This has been a public relations disaster. I was a happy and loyal Netflix customer. I'm looking for alternatives now.

Suburban Sunset

2011-10-05T07:02:00.000-05:00

There's a magic moment in the evening. It's called Dusk. There's still ambient light available. But business signs and street lights are illuminated as well. The colors are almost surreal in this moment.

Three quick Suburban Sunset shots as I was getting back to my car after shooting some rather boring fall-color/sunset shots. (Wasn't in the right place at the right time, and missed the good light for those shots.)

This is at the Southwest Transit station (and parking lot) in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Harkin General Store

2011-10-03T21:06:00.000-05:00

The Harkin General Store; a trip back in time:

Savor the smells and sights of an 1870s general store as you sample the wares or try a game of checkers. Chat with the costumed staff, or sit on the porch and envision a steamboat plying the river below.

When the railroad passed by the small town of West Newton, the store was forced to close with much of the unsold inventory still on the shelves, where it remains today.

Jordan Brewery

2011-10-01T19:16:00.000-05:00

Beautiful fall day. The sun was hitting the old Jordan Brewery just right. This is a five-image panorama (something I don't do very often). A little fun with stitching in Photoshop, as well as the removal of a motorcycle that was in the way. Not bad.

Evolution of a Concept

2011-10-01T08:12:00.001-05:00

Version 1a - Time Concept there from beginning. Three zones:
Architecture/History; Detail; Night Life

Version 1b - Switched Nightlife with Detail

Version 2 - Using Different Images withing same concept

Version 3 - To get the shots to flow around the clock in

a more free-form manner

Version 4 - Some final tweaks and this is the board that

is being presented. The story of this version is here.

Hopkins: Time For Everything

2011-10-01T07:05:00.001-05:00

I'm taking a class at the Hopkins Community Center. It's called a "Field Shoot" and it's a photography class that all convenes at a common location to shoot photos, and then you present a 24"x36" board with some of your representative photos and your own theme for the shoot. The location of the shoot varies from each section of the class, but this time we were to shoot the town of Hopkins itself.

I choose my theme as "Hopkins: Time For Everything." It says that it has a lot of activities; and that being a small laid back town, there's time to take it all in.

For my board, I used their clock tower as the centerpiece, and then have the other photos surrounding it. Starting with the "Enter" photo (entrance to one of many free parking garages), and moving clockwise, there's the arts with the Muse statue in front of the Arts Center, and a downtown sidewalk scene, then the bells of the clocktower, a relaxing patio out at Shady Oak Beach (a short five minute drive), the menu board from one of the many places to eat and drink, a shot of the entrance to the Catholic school tells that this is a community with education and churches, to the corner stone of the an older building says that there is architechture and history in the town, and then a detail shot of the brickwork in the old high school. You finally end up at a night shot of the Hopkins Downtown sign to start take in the wonderful night-life. As I said: Time for everything.

Thanks for some input to Lass for some feedback on the mockups, and I'm actually very pleased with out this one turned out. This is, of course, one of the reasons I haven't been posting so much lately. I've been busy with this and other projects. Enjoy!

Hopkins

2011-09-25T21:15:00.001-05:00

Fun with creating photo mosaics using AndreaMosaic software. It's free! I'm currently in a photography class (two actually) and many of our subjects have involved Hopkins, Minnesota. Using just the 175 images I shot, I was able to convert two of them into passable photo mosaics. They are rather pixelated due to the vary small number of input photos. The more photos, the better the results you can get.

I haven't decided if I'll use these in the class, but thought I'd share them here. (Caution, the images are quite large if you click on them.)

A Referendum? Hardly.

2011-09-15T06:46:00.003-05:00

So. I just saw a headline about the upset in New York.

"A referendum on Obama? GOP celebrates its NY win"

One election, in one district doesn't signal anything except the voters in that district wanted a change.

If these single elections are truly the "signals" of something about to change, why not let political power shift with them? When Scott Brown won the Senate seat, then turn over our entire government to the Republican party. When the Democrats won that seat in upstate New York not long after, then turn complete control over our government to the Democrats. Rinse and repeat.

That's really what must be done if these things are to be called referendums.

Minneopa Falls, Revisited

2011-09-14T20:05:00.000-05:00

An excursion to Minneopa Falls near Mankato, Minnesota. Unfortunately, the water level is way down, so it was more of a trickle, than an outright waterfall. But, this revealed a lot of the rock formation that is normally hidden from view.

The Upper Falls

Close up of the Upper Falls

Looking up stream

WPA-Era building detail

Fun With Fiberglass

2011-09-10T18:12:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe some of the "signage" (if you can call it that) from the 60's still survives today. This very happy chef welcomes diners to the Happy Chef just outside of Mankato, Minnesota. (Either than, or he threatens to beat them with that spoon if they don't stop in and dine.)

And this icon at the junction of I-90 and US-169 in Blue Earth, Minnesota mocks the mere mortals who stand at his feet. He's 55 feet tall and wears size 48 shoes.

Tag

2011-09-07T08:49:00.000-05:00

Several of the cast from "The Guild" (I'll post more on this later). In the video era, kids just don't know how to play any more.

Neon Pegasus

2011-09-06T06:58:00.003-05:00

Not to endorse this company (particularly since it's an oil company); I drive by this neon Pegasus more than a dozen times a month, and have always wanted to stop and take a night shot. Finally had the chance.

House Fire (Training Exercise)

2011-08-29T20:22:00.003-05:00

Shakopee Fire Department works on a house fire. The blaze was actually set by the Fire Department to a house that was going to be demolished. They used it as a training exercise.

Firefighters working to control the fire.

Fire Vortex

Firefighter looking over the scene

Trainees work the hoses as everyone else poses for a photo

Real "on-the-job" training

To Intervene or Not Intervene... That Is The Cognitive Dissonance

2011-08-18T16:48:00.000-05:00

So yesterday Fox had a poll wondering if we should intervene in Syria. The overwhelming answer by Fox viewers was "No. We can't save everyone."

So today's poll (which is just a way to bash Obama) asks if Obama's call for the Syrian leader to step down is too little too late. What's interesting is the wording of the popular response.

For the first time, President Obama called for Syria's president to step down Thursday. In a statement he said: "The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way." Approximately 2,000 people have been killed since the government crackdown against protestors began in mid-March according to rights groups. After 6 months of brutality is Obama's request for Assad to step aside too little, too late?

After 6 months of brutality is Obama's request for Assad to step aside too little, too late?

I'm not sure. Will words alone make a difference? 7.41%

No. Each crisis brings its own set of concerns. This is the right response at the right time. 15.6%

Yes. Where's the "or else?" Without that, Assad has no reason to listen. 73.57%

Yesterday they said we shouldn't intervene. Today they say we should threaten to intervene.

Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. And Fox just damns all Democrats.

We Can't Save Everyone

2011-08-17T06:42:00.001-05:00

A Fox viewer poll asking whether or not the US should get involved in Syria.

Dozens are dead as Syrian President Bashar Assad's military escalates the crackdown in the beseiged[sic] city of Latakia. Should the U.S. and NATO intervene in Syria?

Share your thoughts, answer our question then click "Leave a Comment."

Should the U.S. and NATO Intervene in Syria?

I'm not sure. We're already in 3 wars. 5.92%

Yes. Syria's people need help. 15.94%

No. We can't save everyone. 76.31%

Other (post a comment). 1.83%

This one is somewhat rare, in they're they're not overtly pushing an agenda with this one. (Unless that agenda is the US shouldn't get involved overseas, which would be a big change for the pro-Iraq war Fox.)

What strikes me about this one, is the right are always telling us about American exceptionalism. Why can't the US be in more than three wars at once? We're the greatest!

That even spills into the notion that we can't save everyone. Sure we can. We just need to choose to do so. This is America. Greatest nation on earth? No limitations, right?

And, what about all those WMD's that Iraq hid in Syria to make George W. Bush look bad. Shouldn't we go secure those? Surely they exist, because Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck told us (repeatedly) that they exist. They were right, weren't they? They aren't liars, are they?

Don't worry. I haven't lost faith in the right's ability to engage in Doublethink. If Obama were to announce that we're not going to do anything, this poll will disappear, and a new one will appear. The results would be at odds with this one; but every option in that poll will be phrases to hurt Obama saying that the US must help Syria.

Fair And Balanced In Their Unfair and Unbalanced Bashing

2011-08-12T14:14:00.001-05:00

Well Fox is at it again, trying to make sure the viewers are sufficiently revved up. What more than a push poll that mentions, Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, a Fox-News Poll that says the country is going in the wrong direction (read: Obama's fault)?

The latest Fox News poll shows two-thirds of Americans think the country is going in the wrong direction. The last sitting Democratic president to face a serious primary challenge was Jimmy Carter, who was challenged by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. With that in mind, do you think any Democrat could mount a serious primary challenge to President Obama?
Could a Democrat Challenge Obama for Nomination?
Yes. The only hope Democrats have is a new voice and direction. 46.02%

No. It would be an admission of failure that the Democratic Party would never permit. 44.5%

Not sure. There are a lot of strong candidates out there, but I doubt anyone would dare. 8.5%

Can you believe the lead-in? That would have most Fox viewers foaming at the mouth before they even see the possible poll responses.

Oh my. Both the Yes/No answer bash Democrats and Obama. The "Yes" answer says Democrats need a new voice and direction. (aka it's an anti-Obama choice)

The "No" answer just accuses the Democrats of the sin of pride.

The "Not Sure" answer points out that Obama's beatable by any of these other "strong" candidates. But the not daring could be interpreted as they're spineless, or that Obama's Chicago thuggery wouldn't let them.

This is a talking-points smorgasbord for the Foxie pundits. They can spin any outcome they want. The fact that the yes/no's are closely split probably makes Sean Hannity all tingly with anticipation to start running with this on the air.

About Those Jobs - According To Fox Blame Obama

2011-08-11T13:52:00.002-05:00

Fox has been using more of these big images as their "headlines" on the website. Makes it harder to search for, and they can change them rapidly with little record of what they said before.

Here's a link to one that says:

Jobless...
Homeless...
Hopeless?
As President Obama talks jobs in the Midwest, 'Tent City' residents have much to say.

And then the tagline (which is actual text) is this:

Homeless and jobless, the residents of a tiny makeshift 'Tent City' just south of New York City have a message for President Obama: Be 'captain of the ship' and create jobs.

Oh where to start on this one? It conjures memories of Herbert Hoover (arguably one of the worst presidents in US history). So it makes a connection in the mind of the Fox 'reader' that Obama is as bad as Hoover.

It also puts the blame for lack of jobs on Obama. A very convenient thing if you're a right-wing site. No mention of the fact that he tried to create jobs with a stimulus bill, but have been hammered (by Fox employees often the leading the charge) for that.

Nevermind that he took over GM to save tons of jobs.

Nevermind that he wants to keep extending unemployment benefits.

No mention of the trillions of dollars corporations are sitting on.

No mention that Republicans ran on a jobs platform and haven't produced one jobs bill for Obama to sign.

I get that the president gets blamed for things they can't always control. But this isn't just because it happened on his watch. This is overt propaganda aimed and deflecting blame away from all the parties that deserve, and making sure it lands squarely on one individual. And it's all based upon ideology (and perhaps even racism).

So maybe Fox should have a banner that puts Boehner in the hot seat about these 'Tent' cities?

Don't hold your breath.

The Media and The Wisconsin Recall Election

2011-08-10T10:43:00.001-05:00

Well Fox is getting an early start at spinning the Wisconsin recall elections. The headline starts us off.

Wisconsin GOP's Stand Could Reverberate Elsewhere

That's true. It's also true to say that it may not reverberate anywhere else. It seems unlikely to me that a voter in Hawaii is going to say "Gee, since Wisconsin GOP kept control of their Senate, I should vote GOP." So the headline is spin. (And this isn't even an opinion piece, it's a "news" story.)

But that's not enough. They gleefully cheer on what they refer to as the conservative revolution:

A stand by Wisconsin Republicans against a massive effort to oust them from power could reverberate across the country as the battle over union rights and the conservative revolution heads toward the 2012 presidential race.

You can almost hear the fife and drums in that paragraph. This small, rag-tag band of freedom-fighting Republicans against this mighty liberal machine. They fail to mention how well financed the GOP candidates were just to keep 4 of their 6 seats.

Then they go on to the he-said, she-said type of reporting and hit us with this comment:

Democrats and union leaders tried to make the best of the historic GOP wins. There had been only 13 other successful recalls of state-level office holders nationwide since 1913.

If the trend is for incumbents in recall elections to prevail, how is this historic for the GOP. It actually seems historic for the Democrats that they just added two more successful recalls to that nearly-century-old statistic.

One has to wonder if the Democrats hold on to their seats in next week's recall election if Fox (and the AP, who is credited with this story) will be equally as proactive in saying it's a huge Democratic victory. Historic even, and evidence that the tide is turning toward the liberal revolution?

'My Way Only' Should Be The Tea Party Slogan

2011-08-09T13:40:00.001-05:00

In a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, six in 10 of those surveyed say members of the joint panel established in the debt-ceiling negotiations should be willing to reach an accord, even if it means making major compromises. Just over a third say the members should stand firm on principle, even if doing so blocks an agreement.

While a majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents endorse doing what it takes to reach an agreement, supporters of the Tea Party disagree: 53% say they want committee members who will stand on principle no matter what.

My own emphasis added, but in this story about a USA-Today poll, it would seem the Tea Party is pretty much the "My Way Only" Party. Maybe they should adopt that as their new slogan.

The Old Blue Bike

2011-08-09T07:51:00.000-05:00

Indulging in a trip down Memory Lane (courtesy Facebook), we got on the subjects of our old bikes. I'd forgotten about this old one until thumbing through the photo album, and there it was.

AIG Accusing Someone Else of Massive Fraud?

2011-08-08T14:19:00.001-05:00

AIG accusing someone else of massive fraud? Wow.

AIG sues BofA for $10 billion alleging "massive fraud"

Bank of America Corp was sued by American International Group Inc for more than $10 billion over an alleged "massive fraud" on mortgage debt, causing the bank's shares to tumble 22.8 percent amid worries it cannot manage a deepening litigation morass.

Dilbert Isn't Bored

2011-08-08T13:07:00.001-05:00

Scott Adams (of Dilbert fame) isn't bored enough. He thinks we aren't either. This is actually a very interesting read and hypothesis; that lack of boredom is actually hampering us creatively.

For starters, you might see people acting more dogmatic than usual. If you don't have the option of thinking creatively, the easiest path is to adopt the default position of your political party, religion or culture. Yup, we see that.

You might see more movies that seem derivative or are sequels. Check.

You might see more reality shows and fewer scripted shows. Right.

You might see the best-seller lists dominated by fiction "factories" in which ghostwriters churn out familiar-feeling work under the brands of famous authors. Got it.

You might see the economy flat-line for lack of industry-changing innovation. Uh-oh.

You might see the headlines start to repeat, like the movie "Groundhog Day," with nothing but the names changed. We're there.

You might find that bloggers are spending most of their energy writing about other bloggers. OK, maybe I do that. Shut up.

You might find that people seem almost incapable of even understanding new ideas. Yes.

To be fair, economics is to blame for some of the decrease in creativity. A movie studio can make more money with a sequel than a gamble on something creative. A similar dynamic is at work in every industry. And, to be fair, sometimes things seem to be getting worse when, in fact, you're only noticing it more. It seems as if folks are more dogmatic than ever, but maybe the pundits are creating that illusion.

An Arboretum Morning

2011-08-07T16:50:00.001-05:00

You look outside, and see that it's an overcast day. Rather than be sad that there's no sun, grab a camera and take advantage of nature's lightbox. An overcast day makes for some very vivid colors. Enjoy!

Click on the thumbnails for the larger image.

The Veyron

2011-07-28T20:39:00.000-05:00

The clip really speaks for itself. The Bugatti Veyron is just one of the most amazing cars ever built.

The Heritage Foundation Repsonds

2011-07-28T12:04:00.001-05:00

A few days ago, I posted about the rampant right-wing speculation on the right that the killer in Norway had to have been an Islamic terrorist.

I cited as an example, an opinion piece that appeared on the Fox News website, authored by the Heritage Foundation's James Jay Carafano. You can read the piece here.

Most of the piece warns about speculation and conjecture. I can agree with that.

The second paragraph, however, is where the author indulges in his own conjecture and speculation by telling us that no one should be surprised if it's related to Islam and/or Al Qaeda.

Why was that gratuitous bit of conjecture and speculation included? It seemed quite at odds with the rest of the piece. That's when my irony meter exploded, and I decided to call attention to it.

So I actually got a response from the author of the piece in the form of a comment on my original post.

First, he had to insult me by accusing me of not reading his post. I had read it.

Here is that comment thread. I'll update this as it continues.

James Carafano

if you actually read the post I specifically said that it was premature to attribute the attack. Your comments about me views are completely irresponsible. Shame on you.

James Jay Carafano

zxbe in reply to James Carafano

Yes, you did say it's premature to speculate. Then you went on to speculate by saying:

"No one—terrorism expert or man-in-the-street—will be surprised if the attacks are linked to Islamist terrorists. There are plenty reasons to believe Norway might be a target. An Al Qaeda cell was unmasked there last year. And just a few days ago, Norway indicted a radical Iraqi cleric Mullah Krekar, (founder of Ansar al-Islam) for making death threats against Norwegian officials."

So is it only okay for you to speculate, but not others?

You can't have it both ways.

Shayne01 in reply to James Carafano

What does this mean then?
"No one—terrorism expert or man-in-the-street—will be surprised if the attacks are linked to Islamist terrorists"
Shame on you, no?

EV in reply to James Carafano

As you are a man of words, purportedly, I quote yourself and then ask you: What did you specifically say again?No one—terrorism expert or man-in-the-street—will be surprised if the attacks are linked to Islamist terrorists.

No One Would Be Surprised (Except Those Who Deal With Facts)

2011-07-23T10:12:00.000-05:00

From an AP story (happened to be posted on Fox):

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told reporters that the attacks, believed to be the work of a man who has posted on Christian fundamentalist websites, showed you can't jump to conclusions about terror acts. He said most of the political violence that Norway has seen has come from the extreme right.

And from a Heritage Foundation Op-Ed by James Jay Carafano (also posted on Fox, before the facts were in):

No one—terrorism expert or man-in-the-street—will be surprised if the attacks are linked to Islamist terrorists.

One statement is from someone who lives in Norway and knows what he's talking about. The other statement is from a right-wing "think" tank in the US and demonstrates that the author doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about.

Those pesky, liberally-biased facts.

But the Heritage Foundation piece went on to say we mustn't speculate. (Except, apparently, when trying to tie the event to Islam.)

But speculation adds little value to the hard work of fighting terrorists. Nor is it usually necessary in the wake of these kinds of attacks. Usually the perpetrators leave a lot of evidence. Even bombings leave a trail that can be traced. In the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah Federal Office Building, police quickly found the VIN plate of the vehicle that carried the bomb to its target.

One wonders why the author speculated before he condemned speculation.

Epicurus

2011-07-19T07:44:00.003-05:00

I was ranting yesterday on another blog about God. To be fair, I'm not a pure atheist. I don't know what created the universe, and I don't know that there is nothing on the spiritual plane. I think everyone is technically an agnostic. It's not a matter of if a person has doubt. It's a matter of how much. Those with very little doubt are the faithful. Those with a lot of doubt are considered atheists.

Regardless, my rant yesterday was in response to articles that Christians were praying for rain.

If there is a God, it’s hardly omniscient and omnipotent.

Why do I need to pray? It knows what I’m thinking. It also knows there’s a lack of rain. (It also knew at the time it set this great experiment into motion that I’d be writing this very sentence.) Yet it went ahead with its failed experiment anyway. Knowing it would turn out bad. So either it’s omniscient and doesn’t give a damn. Or it’s not omniscient.

On the omnipotent front, why doesn’t it should provide food for everyone? Eliminate hunger? It apparently doesn’t care that people starve to death. Or it’s incapable of solving the hunger problem. Which is it?

At the face of it, praying for rain seems to be smack in the face of faith. One must have faith that the current crisis is all part of God’s plan. To ask God to change it is to question that plan, and to question God itself. Off to hell with anyone who dares question God’s wisdom by asking for rain.

HouseOfRoberts over on The Zoo pointed out that this rant reminded him of the philosophy of Epicurus.

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able, and willing?
Thence whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?
~Epicurus

I can't say that I'd never read about Epicurus before. I don't recall that I had. Certainly it resonates with me and I find Epicurus' philosophy to make a lot of sense. A major tip of the hat to HouseOfRoberts for steering me toward this information, and I've been enjoying reading about Epicurus' philosophy as a result.

A phrase from Epicurus that summed up his philosophy of life and death was once very commonly put onto the gravestones of his disciples. (I plan to have it added to my own as well.)

Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo
(I was not; I was; I am not; I do not care)

This gist of this describes our time before birth (I was not), our lives (I was), our current state of being dead (I am not) and the fact that there is no perception of death in death (I do not care).

I talk about death a lot, and had a conversation a couple of years ago with a good friend (whom I often meet for lunch in St Paul). I don't know if he reads Epicurus, but he made a comment to me once that very much in line with Epicurus. He essentially said there's nothing to fear in death, as you won't be aware that you're dead.

Epicurus believed (from Wikipedia):

He also believed (contra Aristotle[12]) that death was not to be feared. When a man dies, he does not feel the pain of death because he no longer is and he therefore feels nothing. Therefore, as Epicurus famously said, "death is nothing to us." When we exist death is not, and when death exists we are not. All sensation and consciousness ends with death and therefore in death there is neither pleasure nor pain. The fear of death arises from the belief that in death there is awareness.

Some very fascinating stuff, and I'm looking forward to reading more. You should too.

Whoopee! A Zeppelin!

2011-07-18T19:19:00.001-05:00

As mentioned by a friend of mine, my Zeppelin siting is very reminiscent of Randy in A Christmas Story getting a toy Zeppelin for Christmas.

The Farmer's Airship

2011-07-17T17:56:00.000-05:00

Okay. Is it a blimp? A dirigible? A Zeppelin?

A dirigible, is simply a broader term that refers to lighter-then-air craft.

A blimp has no internal structure or keel to maintain it's shape.

A rigid-airship has an internal structure to maintain the overall shape of the airship.

And finally, a Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship built by the Zeppelin company in Germany.

The Farmer's Airship is called Eureka, and is a Zeppelin NT airship. One of only two in service today. You can actually book rides on it ranging from $375 for around 45 minutes upwards of $950 for two hours.

I spotted Eureka going over my house, as it's been on tour around the Minneapolis area for the last few days.

Poor Stampede For Housing Vouchers While Rich Really Suffer

2011-07-17T07:34:00.000-05:00

Over on ThinkProgres they have this headline: 5,000 Poor Dallas Residents Stampede Each Other In Race For Scarce Housing Vouchers. Only 100 vouchers were available. However, the fact that 4,900 of these folks won't get a voucher, or that some of them may actually have no where to sleep tonight, is not the real story. A meal to eat? Maybe. Healthcare? Forget about it.

ThinkProgress screwed up. The real story is that the rich are suffering too. With tax increases looming in the political discourse, theirs is the real story here. Many are sitting around the formal, gold-leaf, marble-topped dining room table, nervously waiting for the servants to clear the dishes from the last course of dinner.

After the servants are out of the room, the patriarch of the family loosens his bow tie, and lowers his head. "How on earth are we going to be able to buy that villa in France, if these tax increases go through?" he cries. "Why, oh, why is this happening to us?"

The family discusses that they will have to make do without the villa, and that instead of spending next winter in the South of France, they may have to make do with the home in Palm Beach instead. Certainly, many of their friends, who are also facing a similar crisis with tax increases, would understand. Even though they had promised to fly them all to the South of France for the house-warming party.

As they consider their options, the chef comes to ask if they'd like to have lobster or lamb for tomorrow night's supper. After that agonizing decision, a few minutes later the wine steward with recommendations for tomorrow.

All the while, 4,900 people in Texas wonder where they're going to sleep tonight, and where their next meal might come from.

Mary Tyler Moore Statue

2011-07-16T13:58:00.000-05:00

The Mary Tyler Moore statue captured while doing

some street candids last February.

Magic Highway USA

2011-07-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

Walt Disney's Magic Highway USA. A 1958 glimpse of what the future may bring. It does hint at GPS and other gadgets. These retro "future" movies are always fun to watch. Enjoy.

Apollo 11 - 500 Frames Per Second

2011-07-13T20:25:00.002-05:00

Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch (HD) Camera E-8 from Mark Gray on Vimeo.

Showoff Shoots Himself

2011-07-12T09:41:00.000-05:00

Heard the audio for this on the Stephanie Miller Show this morning. So I went and found the video. Enjoy. Yes, we need more people like him to carry guns everywhere they go.

The Family Pledge

2011-07-11T19:10:00.003-05:00

ThinkProgress had a post about how some of the right-wing presidential candidates were all too happy to sign the Family Leader pledge, but that Newt Gringrich has opted out. (Apparently his life choices may not be compatible with this far-right group.) Good for Newt actually. What person, in their right, mind would sign this? Cantor. Bachmann. Romney. For starters.

The crucial part of the pledge id transcribed below. You can read the entire document here. My notes about each point are in red.

Therefore, in any elected or appointed capacity by which I may have the honor of serving our fellow citizens in these United States, I the undersigned do hereby solemnly vow* to honor and to cherish, to defend and to uphold, the Institution of Marriage as only between one man and one woman. I vow* to do so through my:
Personal fidelity to my spouse. [We can see why Newt didn't want to sign it.]

Respect for the marital bonds of others. [Except gay people.]

Official fidelity to the U.S. Constitution, supporting the elevation of none but faithful constitutionalists as judges or justices. [Activist judges anyone?]

Vigorous opposition to any redefinition of the Institution of Marriage – faithful monogamy between one man and one woman – through statutory-, bureaucratic-, or court-imposed recognition of intimate unions which are bigamous, polygamous, polyandrous, same-sex, etc. [So if a state chooses to pass something for themselves, and it doesn't violate the US constitution, then these clowns want the president to disobey the constitution and impose federal authority over state autonomy?]

Recognition of the overwhelming statistical evidence that married people enjoy better health, better sex, longer lives, greater financial stability, and that children raised by a mother and a father together experience better learning, less addiction, less legal trouble, and less extramarital pregnancy. [This is true for gay couples as well as straight couples. Apparently, they don't want gay people to be happy. What's the divorce rate among straight couples in the US right now? Is that stability?]

Support for prompt reform of uneconomic, anti-marriage aspects of welfare policy, tax policy, and marital/divorce law, and extended “second chance” or “cooling-off” periods for those seeking a “quickie divorce.” [How about a tax beak for single filers? I don't send kids to schools, and I don't use a lot of the facilities that I have to pay for; for other people's children.]

Earnest, bona fide legal advocacy for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) at the federal and state levels. [Oh I see. This group only wants the president to advocate for laws they agree with.]

Steadfast embrace of a federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which protects the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman in all of the United States. [So DOMA doesn't go far enough? Apparently not.]

Humane protection of women and the innocent fruit of conjugal intimacy – our next generation of American children –from human trafficking, sexual slavery, seduction into promiscuity, and all forms of pornography and prostitution, infanticide, abortion and other types of coercion or stolen innocence. [What about needless war?]

Support for the enactment of safeguards for all married and unmarried U.S. Military and National Guard personnel, especially our combat troops, from inappropriate same-gender or opposite-gender sexual harassment, adultery or intrusively intimate commingling among attracteds (restrooms, showers, barracks, tents, etc.); plus prompt termination of military policymakers who would expose American wives and daughters to rape or sexual harassment, torture, enslavement or sexual leveraging by the enemy in forward combat roles [Well I think I can read into this that they're upset with the verdict that favored KBR over Jamie Leigh Jones' rape by KBR employees while on civilian duty in a war zone.]

Rejection of Sharia Islam and all other anti-woman, anti-human rights forms of totalitarian control. [What about anti-choice laws? And speaking of totalitarian control, have they read their own document?]

Recognition that robust childbearing and reproduction is beneficial to U.S. demographic, economic, strategic and actuarial health and security. [So all you people who choose to not have kids are not welcome by this organization.]

Commitment to downsizing government and the enormous burden upon American families of the USA's $14.3 trillion public debt, its $77 trillion in unfunded liabilities, its $1.5 trillion federal deficit, and its $3.5 trillion federal budget. [I thought this was about marriage? And does the debt only burden families? What about single people? Check the tax tables for a given income. Compare the married column vs. the single column. Who's shouldering more of the burden here?]

Fierce defense of the First Amendment's rights of Religious Liberty and Freedom of Speech, especially against the intolerance of any who would undermine law-abiding American citizens and institutions of faith and conscience for their adherence to, and defense of, faithful heterosexual monogamy. [So their free speech is more free than my free speech. Got it.]

I guess that as a single person, I'm clearly looked down upon by this group. Regardless, it's clear that this organization has an agenda that goes beyond just marriage.

Old With New

2011-07-08T16:30:00.001-05:00

Okay, this is cool. A "camerist" named Jason Powell takes old photographs of buildings and street scenes; finds those today; and holds up the photograph and aligns to to the correct position and takes a current picture; blending old with new.

My description doesn't do justice to just how much fun and cool this is. Here's an example, and you can check out his blog here.

Antitax Extremism

2011-07-07T08:17:00.000-05:00

Editorial from the New York Times.

How far will Republican lawmakers go to protect millionaires? Those who think a default on the federal government’s credit seems implausible should take a sobering look at the “closed” signs dotting Minnesota. The Republican Party there readily shut down the state’s government on Friday by refusing to raise taxes on the 7,700 Minnesotans who make more than $1 million a year.

...

As painful as the closure may become, the governor is right not to yield to the extremist ideology the Republicans are pursuing in St. Paul, Washington and across the country. President Obama has done so twice and faces an emboldened opposition willing to create chaos in the credit markets rather than agree to modest revenue increases from the richest people. On Tuesday, he urged everyone to leave ultimatums at the door in this week’s talks, but the Republican Party has shown no willingness to do so.

Read rest here.

"Ford Mustang" Revealed

2011-07-07T06:26:00.000-05:00

I'm totally fixated on this silly song from the 1960's. I heard it on the Current recently, and found this funny parody video of it. Since the song is mostly in French, but with distinct English words, I was curious to know what it was about. I found the lyrics in French, and with the help of Google Translate, I now have the answer. Words about words. I love it.

Ford Mustang - watch more funny videos

Ford Mustang
by Serge Gainsbourg

On s'fait des langues
En Ford Mustang
Et bang !
On embrasse
Les platanes
« Mus » à gauche
« tang » à droite
Et à gauche à droite

Un essuie-glace
Un paquet d'Kool
Un badge
Avec inscrit d'ssus
Keep cool
Une barre de
Chocolat
Un coca-cola

On s'fait des langues
En Ford Mustang
Et bang !
On embrasse
Les platanes
« Mus » à gauche
« tang » à droite
Et à gauche à droite

Une bouteille
De fluide Make-up
Un flash
Un Browning
Et un pick-up
Un recueil
D'Edgard Poe
Un briquet zippo

On s'fait des langues
En Ford Mustang
Et bang !
On embrasse
Les platanes
«Mus » à gauche
«tang » à droite
Et à gauche à droite

Un numéro
De Superman
Un écrou de chez
Paco Rabanne
Une photo
D'Marilyn
Un tube d'aspirine

On s'fait des langues
En Ford Mustang
Et bang !
On embrasse
Les platanes
« Mus » à gauche
« tang » à droite
Et à gauche à droite

What's Up languages
In Ford Mustang
And bang!
it embraces
the plane
"Mus" to the left
"Tang" to the right
Left and right

A windshield wiper
A package of Kool
badge
With registered ssus
Keep cool
Bar
chocolate
A Coca-Cola

What's Up languages
In Ford Mustang
And bang!
it embraces
the plane
"Mus" to the left
"Tang" to the right
Left and right

bottle
Fluid Make-up
flash
a Browning
And a pick-up
a collection
On Edgar Allan Poe
Zippo lighters

What's Up languages
In Ford Mustang
And bang!
it embraces
the plane
"Mus" to the left
"Tang" to the right
Left and right

number
Superman
Nut in
Paco Rabanne
a photo
From Marilyn
A bottle of aspirin

What's Up languages
In Ford Mustang
And bang!
it embraces
the plane
"Mus" to the left
"Tang" to the right
Left and right

Relaxing to Debussy

2011-07-06T20:56:00.000-05:00

Some relaxing Debussy with a very cool animation. Arabesque #1 by Claude Debussy.

Broken Glass

2011-07-06T05:53:00.000-05:00

The monthly topic for the photography club, to which I belong, is "Broken." This is what I came up with.

After The Storm

2011-07-02T13:06:00.000-05:00

Some images around Shakopee after the storms went through.

The porta-potty in the park didn't make it.

The low clouds with the setting sun made for some

spectacular colors.

That post-storm strange color made things look

a bit surreal.

If I'm going to wait at the light, may as well take

a photo. (I actually like this one.)

More of that surreal post-storm lighting.

A-Bombs, H-Bombs

2011-07-01T23:12:00.003-05:00

I have a song parody to share. I only wrote a couple in my life and it was long ago, and one of my favorite ones was to the tune of Incense and Peppermints. Given this fresh read of it, I see it's a little rough around the edges, but I think this is a date I can pinpoint that I was a liberal (hippie-wannabe, actually, but born about 10 years too late).

A-Bombs, H-Bombs
February 12, 1979

To the tune of Incense and Peppermints

Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb

Newspapers, TV capers
Tell us what's new.
Look around, turn around
It'll scare you.

A-Bombs, H-Bombs
They'll blow your mind.
These are the weapons,
That will wipe out mankind!

Who cares what bombs we use?
A country may win,
The people will lose.

A-Bombs', H-Bombs'
Infinite bounds.
Grow up within,
Take a real look around.

Look all around.
Look all around.
Boom, boom.

Bombs all around,
Bombs all around,
Boom, boom,
Boom, boom!

Fusion of the atoms,
Now the world's in two.
The shock wave will devastate,
All it goes through.

Pacifists, Activists,
Say nothing new.
Arms pacts, for Bureaucrats,
What do they do?

Who cares what bombs we use?
A country may win,
The people will lose.

Newspapers, TV capers
Tell us what's new.
Look around, turn around
It'll scare you.

A-Bombs, H-Bombs
They'll blow your mind.
These are the weapons,
That will wipe out mankind!

Who cares what bombs we use?
A country may win,
The people will lose.

A-Bombs, H-Bombs
A-Bombs, H-Bombs.
Sha la la,
Sha la la,
Sha la la,
Sha la boom!

Storms @ Target Field

2011-07-01T20:06:00.000-05:00

A friend captured the approaching storm at Target Field and

posted it via a mobile device to Facebook.

Minnesota government begins historic shutdown

2011-07-01T06:28:00.000-05:00

From the Star Tribune...

The governor said his last offer would have raised income taxes only on those earning more than $1 million a year -- an estimated 7,700 Minnesotans, or 0.3 percent of all taxpayers, according to the Revenue Department.

Republicans rejected the proposal, Dayton said, because they "prefer to protect the richest handful of Minnesotans at the expense of everyone else."

Republican leaders made their own statement, saying Dayton's proposal for dealing with the projected $5 billion deficit would cause irreparable harm to the state's economy for generations.

Irreparable harm? The taxes have been higher in the past. So how is it the state survived through those periods?

This is a clear case of ideology before common sense. Thanks to Pawlenty the taxes are already too low for the state to survive.

The damage to the economy is the massive layoff that just took place because they couldn't reach a deal.

The Internet in 1969

2011-06-25T16:32:00.000-05:00

Eerily accurate description of what would become home computers and the internet.

Ford Mustang

2011-06-25T13:16:00.001-05:00

Heard this song on 89.3 the other day. It's called Ford Mustang by Serge Gainsbourg and came out in 1968. The female vocal is Brigette Bardot, whom he was married to at the time. Comedian/Actress Lisa Paige Robinson, actor/director Matthew Robinson, and actor Martin Starr created their own interpretation of what the video would have been like. It's hilarious.

Ford Mustang - watch more funny videos

Ground Control To Major Tom

2011-06-25T12:56:00.002-05:00

A ceramic astronaut coin bank that my grandmother gave

to me when I was a kid, and the Apollo Program was in

full swing. Just having fun with flash and a black background.

(Click for full-size)

A Gathering of Drops

2011-06-23T22:19:00.001-05:00

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum after a gentle shower.

(Click on images for full size.)

Mighty Mississippi

2011-06-23T21:12:00.000-05:00

The Mississippi River looking north, from the

locks at Minnehaha Park. (click for full-size)

Weed

2011-06-14T20:49:00.001-05:00

There's beauty even in a weed. (Click to see amazing detail.)

Who Would You Like to See Debate Obama?

2011-06-14T12:17:00.001-05:00

Another Fox viewer poll. (Unscientific - as it should be for Fox.) While I expected the results to be all over the place at this stage, I was a bit surprised by the current front-runner: Herman Cain. Granted, this isn't who would you like to see as president; but who would you like to see debate Obama.

Which Republican presidential hopeful or would-be candidate would you most like to see debate President Obama?

Mitt Romney 10.51% (12,605 votes)

Gary Johnson 0.56% (670 votes)

Newt Gingrich 9.03% (10,824 votes)

Herman Cain 21.03% (25,222 votes)

Tim Pawlenty 3.15% (3,779 votes)

Ron Paul 20.11% (24,121 votes)

Rick Santorum 2.48% (2,975 votes)

Sarah Palin 10.14% (12,156 votes)

Mike Huckabee 2.81% (3,372 votes)

Mitch Daniels 0.53% (631 votes)

John Huntsman 0.47% (568 votes)

Michele Bachmann 9.57% (11,479 votes)

Donald Trump 6.94% (8,318 votes)

Other (post a comment). 2.68% (3,209 votes)

Link here.

Gingrich on Staff Defection

2011-06-10T13:09:00.001-05:00

"There is a fundamental strategic difference between the traditional consulting community and the kind of campaign I want to run." -Newt Gingrich

Is that difference that they wanted to run a campaign to win it, as opposed to doing everything possible to lose it?

Anti-Immigration Without Represenation

2011-06-09T14:36:00.001-05:00

Alabama governor just signed into a law a tough Arizona-style anti-immigrant bill.

The governor is a Republican.

The state House is controlled by Republicans.

The state Senate is controlled by Republicans.

All of the above mentioned Republicans are white. I thought they were a big tent party. Apparently not in Alabama.

Standing Out

2011-06-08T21:42:00.000-05:00

There's always one who stands out in the crowd.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Miss You Dad

2011-06-08T14:58:00.001-05:00

It was five years ago this morning that my dad finally lost his fight with cancer.

I was actually on my way back to Minnesota when I got the call to turn around and head back (to Ohio). I had spent two weeks down there and helped my step mother make arrangements for the funeral (hospice recommended we do it in advance) and also helped her get him set up for at-home care. The nurse and doctor said he had a couple more weeks (based upon the vitals that day). So I needed to return home to take care of some of my own matters and would return back to visit him in a week or so.

I spent the night in Rochelle, Illinois (roughly the half-way mark on a 13-hour drive). My step mother called me in the morning, as I was just packing the car to continue on to Minnesota, to tell me that he had passed during the night. So rather than head north, I just headed back to Ohio. I stopped on the way to buy a suit (as I didn't have one with me) and we proceeded with the funeral. It rained.

I always wondered if I should have gone home that day or should have stayed. Based upon all the information I had at the time, it seemed like a reasonable decision to go.

A Few Tweaks

2011-06-05T08:09:00.002-05:00

Have decided that the focus of the blog was a bit too narrow, so it's not just about "progressive political views" but now about "various & sundry things." (Of course that's what it's always been about; now it also says so on the tin.)

Starlite Motel

2011-06-04T19:02:00.001-05:00

Came across this classic old motel sign in Columbia Heights, MN.

Tornado Damage

2011-06-04T14:14:00.002-05:00

Met up with a friend to go walking around beautiful Como Park in St Paul this morning. On my way back, I decided to just avoid the freeways and took city streets. I had no plan in mind; just meandering.

Quite by accident, I ended up in the area of Lowry and Morgan in Minneapolis. This didn't mean anything to me either, until I saw all the downed trees and damaged roofs, business sign, etc.

Trees with 3-4-foot diameters were felled, their root structure ripping through the concrete sidewalk and curbs as if they weren't there. On Morgan (and adjacent side-streets) just south of Lowry, the damage was quite pronounced. While no structure was completely leveled, some were severely damaged. A couple more blocks over, the beautiful canopy of trees covered the street as if nothing had happened.

This was a minor tornado. F1 or F2, I believe. Nothing compared to the tornadoes that have hit other parts of the country. Yet, I was still taken aback at seeing the damage first-hand.

Here's a link to a small photo gallery (not mine) of the damage.

The Fox and the Grapes

2011-06-02T20:58:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time there was a fox strolling through the woods. He came upon a grape orchard. There he found a bunch of beautiful grapes hanging from a high branch.

"Boy those sure would be tasty," he thought to himself.

He backed up and took a running start, and jumped. He did not get high enough.

He went back to his starting spot and tried again. He almost got high enough this time, but not quite. He tried and tried, again and again, but just couldn't get high enough to grab the grapes.

Finally, he gave up. As he walked away, he put his nose in the air and said: "I am sure those grapes are sour." --Aesop

More Signs of Spring

2011-05-22T17:20:00.002-05:00

More signs of spring at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

The Koch Song

2011-05-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

Spring Is In the Air

2011-05-18T23:12:00.001-05:00

Normandale Lake

Healthy Skepticism

2011-05-14T09:29:00.000-05:00

A Special Comment from Keith Olbermann on his Fok News Networks.

HT: MotivatedInOhio

The Palin Doctrine

2011-05-05T12:57:00.001-05:00

This was posted over at RedState. Seriously.

First, we should only commit our forces when clear and vital American interests are at stake. Period.

So how did Iraq fit into that?

Second, if we have to fight, we fight to win. To do that, we use overwhelming force. We only send our troops into war with the objective to defeat the enemy as quickly as possible. We do not stretch out our military with open-ended and ill-defined missions. Nation building is a nice idea in theory, but it is not the main purpose of our armed forces. We use our military to win wars.

Like sending too few troops into Afhganistan, then diverting our attenting with the unneccessary war in Iraq, and then sending too few troops there.

And third, we must have clearly defined goals and objectives before sending troops into harm's way. If you can't explain the mission to the American people clearly and concisely, then our sons and daughters should not be sent into battle. Period.

Not sure why she put the "And" here when she's clearly not done with her list. It's usually for the last option. The grammar aside, what was the goal in Iraq?

Fourth, American soldiers must never be put under foreign command. We will fight side by side with our allies, but American soldiers must remain under the care and the command of American officers.

We may need to check our treaty obligations about this one.

Fifth, sending in our armed forces should be the last resort. We don't go looking for dragons to slay. However, we will encourage the forces of freedom around the world who are sincerely fighting for the empowerment of the individual. When it makes sense, when it's appropriate, we will provide them with material support to help them win their own freedom.

Again, how does this square with Iraq? And what about fighting for the empowerment of the individual here at home against Republicanism and Corporatism?

Bush Deserves Credit

2011-05-03T15:02:00.000-05:00

Any credit Bush deserves has to start with the following:

1) He refused to carry on with Clinton-era counter-terrorims efforts
2) He ignored the daily brief entitled "Bin Laden Determined to Attack US"
3) 9/11 happened on his watch
4) He sent too few troops after Bin Laden in the first place
5) He attacked Iraq, which had nothing to do with 9/11 or Bin Laden
6) He didn't order a mission to get Bin Laden at Tora Bora
7) He authorized illegal torture which delayed useful intelligence gathering
8) He admitted he wasn't interested in catching Bin Laden

That's the kind of credit Bush deserves in all of this.

High Health Costs/Waste

2011-05-03T09:14:00.000-05:00

My private health insurance company just sent me an e-mail telling me I could win a trip to New York. I have to submit ideas to their "health challenge" and some lucky winner will get an all-expense-paid trip to New York. It's being co-sponsored by a national women's magazine.

My question is, why on earth is my health insurance company getting in the contest business? Do they have too much money to spend? Are they just bored?

This is a great example of the waste in our health care system. Premium dollars should be used for providing care, and minimal administrative costs. CEO Bonuses, record company profits, silly contests, have nothing to do with providing health care.

Right-Wing "Hat Tip" of Obama

2011-05-02T14:01:00.002-05:00

Whoa. Just red the Bin Laden piece over on Red State.

They give a "hat tip" to Obama, but not until the 7th paragraph.

First paragraph they say that Hamas is our partner.

Second paragraph they talk about Code Pink.

Third and Fourth paragraphs marginalizes Bin Laden's importance.

Fifth paragraph claims that Bin Laden being a live vindicated Bush's policies.

Sixth paragraph marginalizes Bin Laden's death and talks about the Muslim Brotherhood.

Seventh paragraph praises "the president" (doesn't mention Obama by name) but does mention Clinton not getting Bin Laden. It also says that Obama owed Bush a debt of gratitude. (By that twisted logic, Obama apparently owed Bin Laden a debt of gratitude too.)

Eighth paragraph condemns Obama's lack of resolve in the execution of the Bush policies and his hostility toward military power.

Ninth paragraph says Obama lacked the guts to adopt his own policies, and lacked the guts do other things which the author now says Bin Laden's death will embolden him to do.

Tenth paragraph is this: "If the killing of bin Laden results in the administration declaring our job is done then bin Laden will have done more for al Qaeda in death than he ever accomplished in life."

That's quite the "hat tip" they gave the president.

Victory!

2011-05-01T22:08:00.001-05:00

Osama Bin Laden
Is Dead!

Icarus

2011-04-30T19:55:00.001-05:00

Spring Snow

2011-04-20T21:50:00.001-05:00

April snow showers brings May flowers?

On Budget Showdowns

2011-04-11T12:28:00.001-05:00

Fox in another one of their view (push) polls sets the Fox tone for the budget discussion. Two answers here support conservative ideas (defund things conservatives don't like; and blame the Democrats). One is centrist (stop fighting) and then just "Other."

Another fiscal showdown looms as President Obama will once again ask Congress to raise the nation's debt ceiling -- now at $14.3 trillion -- while House Speaker John Boehner warns that Republicans will not vote to raise the cap without 'serious steps' on spending cuts. What do you want your representatives in Washington to do?

51.73% - First make sure all non-essential 2012 spending -- like funds for NPR -- is cut.
4.53% - Stop fighting -- agree to raise the ceiling, then deal with the 2012 budget.
42.38% - Demand that Obama and Democrats agree to a zero-based budget process.
1.36% - Other (post a comment).

Why didn't the first one list "faith-based initiatives" as an example? Or why didn't it list government subsidies to oil companies (who are making record profits and pay no taxes)? And the third option makes it sound like the Republicans want a zero-based budget process. Do they? I don't think so.

American Workers Got What They Deserved

2011-03-31T08:17:00.000-05:00

From Ray Buursma at hollandsentinel.com:

First, hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs went overseas while the politicians you elected did nothing to stop them. Yet you continue to elect leaders who offer nothing but tax cuts, as if that would stem the flow of disappearing jobs.

Did you demand your leaders address America’s trade imbalance or continuous outsourcing of jobs? Did you demand your leaders require foreign countries to buy a dollar’s worth of American goods for every dollar of goods they sell here?

No and no. You didn’t bother. You simply crossed your fingers and prayed, “I hope my job’s not next.” You made concessions to your employer and hoped that would stem the exodus of jobs, or at least yours. How’d that work for you?

Second, you bought into the myth that unions are the cause of America’s demise. You didn’t bother to learn America became a world power when union membership was at its peak. You didn’t bother to learn America became the envy of the world while 1 of every 3 Americans was a union member.

So, how are things going for you? How do your benefits compare to a quarter century ago? Are you paying a higher or lower percentage of your income for health insurance? Does your company offer a pension plan, or do you now fund your own 401(k)?

Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m not a union worker, so this doesn’t affect me.”

Stop being stupid. Union benefits provide a standard other companies have to match, or at least come close to. When those benefits are cut, yours are, too. Or do you think you operate in your own little employment vacuum?

Read entire piece here.

HT: Katy on ThinkProgress

A Haunting Foggy Morning

2011-02-28T20:24:00.002-06:00

One of my last shoots with the old camera (Nikon D70) during an unseasonably warm, and thusly foggy, morning. Just thought I'd share.

Goldman Sachs Says GOP Budget Plan Will Hurt Economy

2011-02-24T10:31:00.000-06:00

If Wall Street doesn't like a GOP plan that tells you how bad it really is.

The GOP spending cuts have been criticized again.

A Goldman Sachs economist has warned that the $60 billion package of spending cuts proposed by the Republicans to counter President Obama's proposal could slow economic growth.

And if budget wrangling between the Obama administration and the Republican-dominated House of Representatives led to a shutdown? That, according to Goldman, could cost $8 billion a week, the Financial Times reported.

Goldman's warning follows Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner's recent claims that the Republican plan would cost jobs.

In the confidential report, obtained by ABC News, among other news outlets, Goldman Sachs economic forecaster Alec Phillips said the GOP plan could slow economic growth by up to 2 percent. Even a compromise deal, with $25 billion in cuts could slow growth by 1 percent.

Read rest at HuffPo.

2011-02-23T06:56:00.000-06:00

Interesting article on HuffPo.

Gov. Walker Informed That Bill Targeting Unions May Cost State $46 Million In Federal Funds

WASHINGTON — Budget referees and transportation officials in Wisconsin have informed Gov. Scott Walker (R) that if he were to pass his controversial anti-union legislation into law, he could be forfeiting tens of millions of dollars in federal funds for transportation.

Under an obscure provision of federal labor law, states risk losing federal funds should they eliminate “collective bargaining rights” that existed at the time when federal assistance was first granted. The provision, known as “protective arrangements” or “Section 13C arrangements,” is meant as a means of cushioning union (and even some non-union) members who, while working on local projects, are affected by federal grants.

It also could potentially hamstring governors like Walker who want dramatic changes to labor laws in their states. Wisconsin received $74 million in federal transit funds this fiscal year. Of that, $46.6 million would be put at risk should the collective-bargaining bill come to pass — in the process creating an even more difficult fiscal situation than the one that, ostensibly, compelled Walker to push the legislation in the first place.

The governor is certainly aware of this. While the potential loss of funds may have escaped the attention of many observers, sources familiar with the state’s transportation policy tell The Huffington Post that Walker’s office has been informed of the relevant legal language. Moreover, in an a nearly unnoticed report filed by the state’s Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the non-partisan budget scorekeeper, the stakes are laid fairly bare.

Read the rest at HuffPo.

This is clearly not about money. It’s about union busting.

Only 12% Of Fox Viewers Support Health Care Reform

2011-02-12T09:25:00.000-06:00

First a disclaimer. This is not a scientific poll, but Fox's infamous "You Decide" polls seem to set the tone for what the network pushes for a few days. So one of their latest polls was an effort to embarrass president Obama when he laid out high-speed rail and internet access among his policy priorities.

Fox immediately put up a poll asking viewers what they thought should be the priority. Naturally they included waht the president said in the question, and listed those in the answers. (A big clue to the often ill-informed Fox viewer as to which answers not to pick.)

President Obama has pointed to expanding rail travel and wifi Internet access as some of his priorities for America. If you could set America’s priorities, what would be the most important

While Fox will get its desired talking point of 'Our viewers disagree with the president's priorities' I suspect they will actually be surprised that the Fox viewers seem to also disagree with GOP priorities as well. (Not that you'll hear that reported on Fox.)

Repealing health care only garnered 12.17%. Patriotism and God (a strange thing to list as a presidential policy initiative) got 8.24%.

Interestingly the righties don't seem too interested in the War on Terrorism^®, with less than one percent selecting that.

Overwhelmingly (about 60%) Fox viewers want the president to focus on the economy on jobs. Now, don't worry, despite facts to the contrary, Fox already believes the president doesn't do this so they can still use their poll to hammer him.

However, if you look at what the GOP has done so far in Congress and in the State Legislatures, it would seem it's not a GOP priority at all. (Not that you'll hear that on Fox either.)

What The Republicans Really Do And Fake Tsuamis

2011-02-12T09:04:00.000-06:00

Great op-ed piece by Charles Blow talking about what Republicans are doing in all those state legislatures they won this past year. While the campaign talk was about jobs and the economy, the real legislation they are passing are an assault on women, immigrants, minorities, gays, and liberty.

It's a good read.

But there's also a very interesting chart along with the piece showing the makup of each state legislature before last election, and now. It also shows the current party affiliation of each governor.

It's interesting to note that the only states that flipped from Democrat to Republican legislatures are: Alabama, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

There are some states that switched from being split (one chamber Democratic, and one chamber Republican) to Republican-only. Those are: Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania. (Interesting Rust-Belt trend there. I'm sure the jobs focus on the campaign is what swung it.)

All-in-all only 11 states went red, that weren't completely red already. While significant, not anything close to a tsunami. What's more if you look at the governorships of those eleven states, three are currently Democrat, so they will be able to bring out the veto pen to keep things in check. Those three are North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Minnesota.

Here in Minnesota, Governor Mark Dayton issued one of the earliest vetos in a term for this state, vetoing the Republican legislature's attempts to cram through a rushed cut-only spending bill.

The Founders Did What?

2011-01-20T08:47:00.001-06:00

Heard this mentioned on Stephanie Miller this morning. This post is on the Forbes website.

In July of 1798, Congress passed – and President John Adams signed – "An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen." The law authorized the creation of a government operated marine hospital service and mandated that privately employed sailors be required to purchase health care insurance.

Since many in Congress, and President John Adams were the Founding Fathers, I'm guessing they didn't see a problem with the constitutionality of it.