Wednesday, November 30, 2005
by Joe Lieberman
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
The Wall Street Journal
I found this article interesting in today's political climate that Joe Lieberman, who is a well-known Democratic senator from Connecticut, would publicly post this article. It is a very interesting read.
"I have just returned from my fourth trip to Iraq in the past 17 months and can report real progress there. "
Here is a congressman who is actually visiting the area and getting the truth instead of relying upon main stream media to get his information.
"There are many more cars on the streets, satellite television dishes on the roofs, and literally millions more cell phones in Iraqi hands than before. All of that says the Iraqi economy is growing. And Sunni candidates are actively campaigning for seats in the National Assembly. People are working their way toward a functioning society and economy in the midst of a very brutal, inhumane, sustained terrorist war against the civilian population and the Iraqi and American military there to protect it."
Our media fails to report the whole truth. They seem to be hell bent upon sensationalizing of their “stories”. Blood and gore sell. Most of the media also seems to be for the failure of our government and especially of President Bush. United we stand divided we fall.
"In the face of terrorist threats and escalating violence, eight million Iraqis voted for their interim national government in January, almost 10 million participated in the referendum on their new constitution in October, and even more than that are expected to vote in the elections for a full-term government on Dec. 15. Every time the 27 million Iraqis have been given the chance since Saddam was overthrown, they have voted for self-government and hope over the violence and hatred the 10,000 terrorists offer them. Most encouraging has been the behavior of the Sunni community, which, when disappointed by the proposed constitution, registered to vote and went to the polls instead of taking up arms and going to the streets. Last week, I was thrilled to see a vigorous political campaign, and a large number of independent television stations and newspapers covering it."
Giving the right for people to decide their own fate is one of the greatest gifts of modern life. The Iraqi people seem to be voting more and more. To me this is a huge sign of success. The Sunni's going to the polls instead of fighting is a huge step forward.
"Here is an ironic finding I brought back from Iraq. While U.S. public opinion polls show serious declines in support for the war and increasing pessimism about how it will end, polls conducted by Iraqis for Iraqi universities show increasing optimism. Two-thirds say they are better off than they were under Saddam, and a resounding 82% are confident their lives in Iraq will be better a year from now than they are today. What a colossal mistake it would be for America's bipartisan political leadership to choose this moment in history to lose its will and, in the famous phrase, to seize defeat from the jaws of the coming victory. "
If Iraqis who have suffered through so much feel optimistic and have hope for the future how can we as spoiled Americans not join in their hope for a free and peaceful future?
We invaded Iraq on the belief of a terrorist threat. Everyone knew it and agreed with it at the time. This even includes President Clinton who chose to bomb Iraq in 1998. Was our intelligence flawed? We know now that it was but it was what we had. Has the President handled the whole Iraq war properly? I think he has but he has failed in his PR. The President seems to be slow to admit to problems and often comes across wrong, which has been multiplied 100x by the bias media who are out to crucify him.
If we are to be successful we need to stay the course. Fighting about the reasons we went to war is like crying over spilled milk. We went to war and it cannot be undone, but now we need to do the best we can with the situation. Pulling out too soon or announcing our intentions only gives hope to the small numbers of terrorists through out the region. Terrorism can be neutralized. Iraq needs the power to choose its own destiny. It needs to modernize and become a member of the global economy. Economic prosperity reduces terrorism by creating opportunities for education and the accumulation of wealth by employing the masses. People who are educated, employed and fed are far less likely to resort to violence. Like the great Poet Bob Dylan once said, “when you got nothing you got nothing to lose.”
I am a news junkie. I watch and read too much news. I openly admit I watch Fox News, listen to NPR, read several newspapers every day and read too much on the Internet. I am big enough of a man to admit that lately I have even been listening to talk radio instead of an endless wave of crappy FM music stations cloned from each other. The media likes to over-hype over-report and just plain annoy us with all kinds of news especially Celebrity news. I can’t seem to escape the following celebrity egos. I herby decree a ban on the following:
Paris Hilton
I am not sure why she is such a darling of the media. I don’t find her attractive; she never seems to have anything intelligent to say. It is all just “look at my skimpy outfit.” I just don’t believe that she is that interesting.
Lindsey LohanI wish she would just learn to drive. When Disney has to spend $2 million on digital breast reduction in your Herbie movie, it might be time to take out the silicon. Watching her butcher Stevie Nicks’ Edge of Seventeen on the American Music Awards has just pushed me over the edge. If you can’t sing or act don’t be on TV. It seems simple doesn’t it?
Tom CruiseWow talk about going off the deep end… and losing all respect. Let’s see I would like to see him shut the hell up about the following: Katie Holmes, Scientology and how much he is in love. Isn’t it bad enough you impregnated America’s Dawson’s Creek star?
Kevin Federline/Britney SpearsFederline is the ultimate slacker/gold digger. It's not "Chaotic" is Moronic. I work in Welfare Valley City if I wanted to see white trash all I have to do is look out my office window. Crawl back into your Louisiana Mansion and disappear.
Harry PotterSure he is fictional and I am sure that I will be despised for saying this but I am sick of Harry Potter everything… I want to go to Toys R Us and not see Harry everything… I want to be able to eat fast food without Harry Potter trying to sell me a hamburger.Runner-ups in this contest include The Olsen Twins, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey Michael Jackson, and Ashlee Simpson.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
That’s right kids the price of 12 Fun-filled Days of Christmas went up 6.1% and of course I blame big oil. I do enjoy the stock ticker on this site. Nice...
Monday, November 28, 2005
Provo traffic enforcement lacks basic common sense
Some months ago a visit to Provo turned out to be a rather expensive trip.
Surprised at receiving a citation for parking my vehicle with the driver's side against the curb, I was further shocked that the imposed fine would be $30.
Having been guided by numerous radio advertisements warning against the dangers of backing over children I proceeded to explain to the hearing officer how backing a pickup truck with sleeper created much more danger than the way I was parked. This was fruitless.
After observing numerous cars parked in Orem in the manner for which I was being cited in Provo, I decided to seek an audience with the public safety director.
It seems that after public safety considerations Orem's powers that be have wisely concluded that they are only going to issue citations where vehicles may cause accidents or are parked in such position for a longer period that allowed by law.
In my opinion the mayor and Municipal Council of Provo have run amok. Provo boasts BYU as its largest employer and the merchants post such glorious banners welcoming students while all the time police lay in wait.
By the way, if you're really pressed for parking next time try double parking; it's only $10.
Jerry Lees
Orem
Link
As usual my dream Response Letter…
Dear Jerry
Don’t do the Crime if you can’t do the Time. Remember to repent to your ecclesiastic leader not confess of your stupidity to readers the Daily Herald.
Mayor Billings
Other News according to the Daily Herald.
High-schooler proposes on Hogi Yogi marquee
The scary part is that they are both 17.
Dear Newly Engaged
Who is going to support you? Where are you going to be able to live on $5.35 an hour? How soon until you have a baby that the state gets to pay for? My advice move out of your parent’s house for a while and revisit the engagement in 6 months. See what happens and see if you can afford to be taking risks with my welfare payments I pay through my taxes.
John Q. Taxpayer
Simpson, Lachey Officially Separate
This really got me teary eyed especially when I thought of a perfect break up song to play in remembrance. It’s the Misfits Die Die Die. (lyrics below) The Metallica Garage Days Revisited version is the best version..
. There are samples at Amazon. This album is good for house cleaning on Saturday mornings cranked at a decent level. Favorite Tracks include a cover of Queen's Stone Cold Crazy, Thin Lizzy's Whiskey in a Jar and Bob Segar's Turn the Page and Lynard Skynard's Tuesday's Gone. Please don't buy the album but make an illegal copy of it just to tick of Lars Ulrich who is a greedy son of a gun.DIE DIE DIE by the Misfits
Die, die, die my darling
Don’t utter a single word
Die, die, die my darling
Just shut your pretty mouth
I’ll be seeing you again
I’ll be seeing you in hell
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Your future’s in an oblong box, yeah
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Should have seen it a-comin’ on
Don’t cry to me oh baby
I don’t know it was in your power
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Dead-end girl for a dead-end guy
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Now your life drains on the floor
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Die, die, die my darling
Don’t utter a single word
Die, die, die my darling
Just shut your pretty mouth
I’ll be seeing you again
I’ll be seeing you in hell
Don’t cry to me a baby
Your future is in an oblong box
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Should have seen the end a-comin’ on, a-comin’
Don’t cry to me oh baby
I don’t know it was in your power
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Dead-end girl for a dead-end guy
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Now your life drains on the floor
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Die, die, die my darling
Don’t utter a single word
Die, die, die my darling
Shut your pretty mouth
I’ll be seeing you again
I’ll be seeing you in hell
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Die, die, die my darling
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Die, die, die my darling
Die, die, die my darling
Die, die, die my darling
Die, die, die, die, die, die....
In no way shape or form am I condoning or suggesting anyone to do Nick and Jessica harm but instead I wish they would just disappear forever from the public eye never to be seen again in the news.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
A few days ago I posted about how Google is a strong company. Here is some more evidence.
"It seems no one is safe: Google is doing Wi-Fi; Google is searching inside books; Google has a plan for ecommerce.Of course, Google has always wanted to be more than a search engine. Even in the early days, its ultimate goal was extravagant: to organize the world's information. High-minded as that sounds, Google's ever-expanding agenda has put it on a collision course with nearly every company in the information technology industry: Amazon.com, Comcast, eBay, Yahoo!, even Microsoft. In less than a decade, Google has gone from guerrilla startup to 800-pound gorilla." from Wired Magazine
Aglets: those little plastic things on the ends of your shoelaces
My Dogs
A Fairly Understanding and Patient Wife
Flush Toilets
4 day Weekends
The Bangater Highway: a silly pseudo-freeway with poor traffic management named after a Governor who hired his brother to build $200 million in pumps to drain the Great Salt Lake that have never been used in over 20 years. Ok just kidding… I hate this road
The Freedom to have ROADRAGE on Bangater
A working Car
ESPN
My garage
My family
Sunshine
Ergonomic Keyboards
My IPOD
Donuts
Rotating Microwave plate
Freedom of Speech to bash Oil Companies and Sundance
Cherry Coke
Mexican Food
Dilbert
The ability to laugh
Bulk Hand Sanitizer
Wal-Mart: Despite the parking lot rage I feel.
The millions of countless people who made this country what it is and have made me who I am.
Mountains
Mike Brooks who wrote this letter to the Deseret News because it made me laugh
When did Boozer retire?
When did Jazz player Carlos Boozer announce his retirement?
I must have missed it. Though $65 million does make for a nice retirement package.
Nike Air Shoes
Pajamas
Guitars
Nerf Footballs
Toys R Us
Terrell Owens getting Fired
Free Turkey from work
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Lately the American consumer has been getting the shaft economically. Recently it was high gas prices, then high heating oil/natural gas prices and now Microsoft’s XBOX 360. The last few days of television has included numerous reports on the new gaming system XBOX 360. It isn’t surprising since its Christmas buying season and Xbox fans have been waiting more than 2 ½ years for the 360.
What I find appalling is the method in which each of these bastard companies ExonMobile, Questar Gas, and Microsoft has promoted their product. These companies have used fear to sell product and make record profits. The oil companies used the fear of terrorism and natural disasters to boost profits to stratospheric levels. You might argue that these companies weren’t responsible for either terrorism or natural disasters and you are right but they certainly didn’t do anything to dispel the myth that we were running out of gas. Gas prices were raised due to perceived decrease in production and perceived increase in demand due to fear. Average Joe Consumer thinks well if I don’t buy gas today by tomorrow it will be more expensive or there won’t be any so I better buy today because I have to get to work. Suddenly inquires by the government and prices miraculously go down.
Questar did the same thing in Utah. They started announcing that there would be considerable shortages of natural gas and that their suppliers were going to raise prices. Questar then convinces the Utah Utility Commission that we need another rate increase. For those who don’t know that is 2 rate increases in 4 months for a total increase of 45%. FYI: Questar is only dependant upon the market for 18% of its natural gas supply.
Xbox 360 is now being marketed the same way. Microsoft is creating frenzy among its buyers by creating demand by inventing an artificial lack of supply. Utah stores have not been allowed to release supply numbers but many news sources have come out saying that Wal-Mart who is a majority supplier only has 15 units at each of the Utah stores. “Microsoft has conceded that an ambitious plan to launch the console worldwide within a few weeks will mean fewer consoles initially in North America.” MSNBC. Microsoft is manipulating supply to boost press coverage. The shortage has become headlines for papers and top news on television. This coverage is free to Microsoft and is creating for more demand. You cannot convince me that Microsoft wasn’t prepared for this release. The date of the release has been public for more than a year. The system was announced almost 3 years ago. Microsoft has plenty of Xboxes waiting in warehouses and as we get closer to Christmas more of it will be released. Bill Gates didn’t become the world’s richest man by being stupid. He knows business. This is manipulation of the market that I think is wrong. On last nights news a clip was shown of two women fighting over a Cabbage Patch Doll back in 1985 when there really was a supply problem of the hottest Christmas toy. Check eBay for the exorbitant prices people are buying and selling Xbox 360’s. My point is how can business ethics allow companies to market and sell products solely based on fear. Fear from being able to get to work, fear from being able to heat their homes, fear that little Johnny will be disappointed on Christmas. Maybe its shame on America for allowing companies to market and sell to us as though we are sheep.
Now damn it were can I get my Xbox?
Monday, November 21, 2005
Rivalry weekend or the proclaimed Holy War between Brigham Young University and the University of Utah is now over. Once again the Cougar fans are hanging their head in shame. Can we blame it on poor coaching? Maybe a little if the majority of the inside running game fails and the outside running has been successful maybe we shouldn’t call an inside run in overtime when its 2nd and 10. Can we place blame on the players? Hell Yes…. The BYU defense gave up an average of 412 yards a game including 2 first down passes at 3rd and 20+ downs vs Utah
Quote of the Weekend:
"We were more concerned about trash talking," said BYU running back Fahu Tahi.
Running Scared…
Tina Kunzer-Murphy, the Las Vegas Bowl executive director, left town without extending an invitation she was prepared to give if BYU had won. I guess it doesn’t say much to offer a bowl bid to a 6-5 team whose six wins include teams who haven’t won more than 5 games a piece. I believe that there are too many bowl games and too much money being thrown at football programs. I don’t believe that football pays for other sports. If that were true BYU wouldn’t be cutting sports programs left and right. You might have an argument with title IX but they have cut women’s programs also.
I think that if BYU was truly run by inspiration that most sports would need to be cleaned up or eliminated but then again if BYU was run by the church why would we need a signed and endorsed honor code. Didn’t Satan offer up a plan to take away free agency?
Keywords: Brigham Young Football Sucks, BYU Sucks, BYU Football Sucks BYU Football Pass Defense Horrible Pass Defense Sucks. BYU always Loses to UTAH. University of Utah's Biotch
Friday, November 18, 2005
I do all the time.
For example I recently stumbled across a genius website. http://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/. A fresh high school graduate or the equivalent thereof in England decides he needs to earn a little money for college. Instead of just going out and getting a summer job, this business genius decides to create a million pixel website and sell each pixel at a $1 a pop. One pixel is difficult to see so he sells them in 10 x 10 pixel squares for $100 a pop. What a web gimmick? The pixels may link to a website. It is the ultimate useless web advertising one of a kind. I visited the site yesterday and he had sold approximately 609,000 pixels by this morning he is over 617,000 pixels and counting. The young lad started this project end of August and by mid-November he has earned over $600,000. Not a bad profit. Look at the press his site is generating.
On the other hand there are sites that just scare the hell out of me like: http://www.leiasmetalbikini.com/ I am in no way responsible for your vomiting by visiting this site. This site scares me for a couple of reasons. One few people look good in bikinis and second who dresses up like Princess Leia and then posts their photo on the Internet. My favorite part of this site is the Make a Bikini Section. http://www.leiasmetalbikini.com/make.html
How High Can You Go?
I read today that shares of Google passed the $400 a share mark. I just checked it and its at $404. Holy $#@%!!!! When Google stock was in the $175 range I had some cash and thought about purchasing some Google. Google produces a very good search product and their Adsense and Adword programs seemed very attractive and would undoubtedly be successful, I just wondered what kind of sustainability they would have because of Yahoo, AOL, and MSN. The other Internet giants would surely copycat the Google business model. Fast forward a couple of years and Google is sitting at $300 a share and again I was like wow I blew it on this one but no worries Google will tank soon enough. Google releases Google Maps… rinse lather repeat Enter Google Earth… repeat… now Google Analytical. Ok so how high can Google go? Who knows?
Google has been taking their core business Search and adding products and services to it constantly. Google added revenue producers through advertising. Google adds feature rich technology like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Earth and now Google Analytics. Each one of these gains market share, like Gmail gives users 2gb of email space back when Hotmail is giving a measly 10mb. I think Google used Gmail to gain market share but to also gain buzz about what is currently hot. Google let customers know that they were indexing their emails but doing it so that no personal data was being indexed. What Google was doing was monitoring what was being talked about. Google had a new source for spidering the Internet for better search results. Google was now aware of trends sooner than the competition. Google maps did similar thing. What were people searching for on maps? Google took the basic Internet map and made it more useful with GeoCoding Data. Geocoding is adding map data, GPS data and database data together to form a nice useful interactive map. Users can take the Google Map API and use their own database to overlay data in an interactive manner. Example: Chicago Arson data This functionality blows all other internet maps away. Now add in Google Earth that does the whole process worldwide and in 3D. Notice how ads have been integrated. Google Analytics now adds website metrics into the equation. People using this program now get free and quite impressive website stats. Google uses this information in their search engine algorithm and in turn creates better search. I personally am very excited to see what Google produces next. I believe the stock will rise even more.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
In Honor of Rivalry Week
How do you get a BYU coed into your car?
Show her a diamond ring.
How do you get her out again?
Tell her that you're a non-member.
What do you call an intelligent coed in Cougar Stadium?
A visitor.
What's the difference between a BYU coed and a rooster?
Roosters say "cock-a-doodle-doo" but BYU coeds say, "any dude'll do."
Why didn't the BYU coed use her water skis?
She couldn't find a lake on a hill.
Why do BYU coeds wear stripes?
So you can tell if they're standing up or lying down.
Why do BYU coeds have such a terrible time in the morning?
They're so fat they rock themselves to sleep trying to get up.
What is the difference between a BYU coed and a toilet?
The toilet doesn't follow you around after you use it.
What do a BYU co-ed and a quarter in the toilet have in common?
Everyone Sees them, but no one wants to take them out.
What do you call a BYU Coed Hand gliding?
Solar eclipse.
What do you call a 300-pound BYU coed?
Anorexic.
How do you get a BYU coed into an VW Bug?
Grease her thighs and put a Twinkie on the dashboard.
What's the difference between a police car and a BYU coed?
It takes two police cars to block the road.
What do a moped and a BYU coed have in common?
They're both okay while the ride lasts, but you don't want anyone to see you on them.
Did you hear about the driver who had to swerve to miss the BYU coed walking in the road?
He ran out of gas.
Did you hear about the new BYU Coed Doll?
You put a ring on her finger and she inflates.
What is the difference between a BYU Coed and Sasquatch?
One of them weights 300 lbs has matted hair and stinks and the other has big feet.
What is the difference between a BYU Coed and garbage?
The garbage gets taken out at least once a week.
What's the difference between a BYU Coed and an elephant?
About 10 pounds.
What's the difference between a BYU Coed and a whale?
Whales can swim.
Why is BYU considering fitting Cougar stadium with artificial turf instead of grass?
So the cheerleaders will stop grazing...
How does a BYU Coed take a bath?
Fills the tub, then puts in some water.
How do you get a BYU Coed into a phone booth?
Grease her hips and throw in a wedding ring.
Did you hear about the truckload of pigs that got loose on the BYU campus?
They had to check I.D.s to reload the truck.
What is the thinnest part of a BYU coed?
The hair on her palms.
What's 36-24-32?
A BYU coed's leg.
How many BYU coeds does it take to play hide-n-seek?
It takes at least three BYU coeds to play hid-n-seek. One goes to hide and the other two try to figure out who left.
How do you tell a if a BYU Coed is smart?
Her lips don't move when she reads to herself.
Did you hear about the lucky BYU Coed who had a date every Friday night last semester?
She kept them in her refrigerator so they'd stay fresh all semester long.
Why did BYU Police raid a candle passing in the girl's dorm?
They thought they were breaking up a dope ring.
A BYU Coed asked a store clerk, "Can I put this wallpaper on myself?"
"Yes, but it will look better on the wall," he said.
What has an I.Q. of 144?
Twelve BYU Coeds.
What's the difference between a BYU coed and a palm tree?
A palm tree has dates.
What's worse than being a BYU coed?
Being behind one in a cafeteria line.
What is the difference between a BYU Coed heading to the cafeteria and a speeding bullet?
Superman can stop a speeding bullet.
A BYU coed and a U of U coed are on top of the Marriot Center. Which one comes down first?
The Marriot Center
How do you get a U. of U. grad off your front porch?
Pay him for the pizza.
What do you get when you crossbreed BYU football and a groundhog?
Six more weeks of bad football!
How do you tell the difference between a BYU coed and a U. of U. coed?
The BYU coed is looking for a husband. The U. coed is looking for the father.
What is a BYU coed's favorite after-game wine?
When are we going to get married?
What is the difference between the BYU football team and a bowl of Cheerios?
The Cheerios belong in a bowl!
How is a Ute like a possum?
Both play dead at home and usually die on the road.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Bad Deal...
State officials and environmental groups agreed Wednesday to allow Legacy Parkway to proceed after four years of litigation. I would just like to say thank you Sierra Club and thank you Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance for helping Utah pay $150 million in legal fees and not too mention delays in work helping to drive up the price. Legacy Parkway was $451 million in 2001, but court-ordered delays and additional environmental studies have pushed the total to $689 million.
In an agreement both the Utah Department of Transportation and the Sierra Club called a “win-win” compromise, both sides made concessions to allow the 14-mile road to be constructed along the Great Salt Lake from Farmington to Salt Lake City. Not a win-win. This agreement just jeopardized every possible road building or expansion project in Utah.
The legal agreement, which was signed by Gov. Huntsman, states the road will be a parkway rather than a freeway. This means it will be smaller, the lanes will be narrower and it will allow a speed limit of 55 mph rather than 65 mph as originally planned. Why not put in some traffic lights? Why not make it a toll road with money going directly to the new communist party a.k.a. Sierra Club/SUWA. All in all this is a bad precedent giving into eco terrorists.
According to the agreement, Legacy Parkway will be restricted to four lanes until at least 2020. Semi-tractor trailers will be prohibited from driving on the parkway except during emergencies and I-15 construction. The road will be made with noise reducing pavement and no billboards will be posted. In addition, UDOT agreed to provide $2.5 million for environmental studies on other transit methods, such as light rail options. The Legacy Nature Preserve that surrounds the parkway will also receive an additional 125 acres for preservation of the wetland.
As American’s we long ago made the choice to not negotiate with terrorists but yet in Utah we did.
These same groups want to remove all motorized vehicles from all national parks, national forests. These groups want drain Lake Powell in spite of the fact that it provides electricity and water to most of Southern California. It doesn’t get much cleaner than hydroelectricity folks. These people don’t want anyone to use the wilderness. The motto is no one should use the environment except naked hikers. I strongly disagree. I think that people should be able to hike, bike, swim, canoe and even drive responsibly in our wilderness. There are thousands of trails that don’t need to be protected to the extent of these extreme groups believe. If you don’t believe me check out their websites and the lies and half-truths they promote on their websites. The SUWA is full of scare tactics and anti recreation. I support groups like USA-ALL, Utah 4 wheel Drive Association, The Blue Ribbon Coalition and groups that support multiple use public lands.
The new faces of the Utah Terrorists. Lynn de Freitas, Marc Heileson and Roger Borgenicht of Utah Sierra Club.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
“Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don’t they help themselves, oh.
But when the taxman comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale
It ain’t me, it ain’t me,
I ain’t no millionaire’s son, no.”
Fortunate Son by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty
Fogerty was protesting the Vietnam War in this classic song written with his group Creedence Clear Water Revival. Fogerty was angry about being drafted. He was angry that the rich and the privileged escaped service in a war that the wealthy had supported. His lyrics ring just as true today as they did in 1969. Only now these words represent current injustices like Big Oil Executives testifying to Congress on their record profits.
Recently pressure has been put upon politicians because of record profits put into the bank accounts of Oil Companies. Due to the pressure from the public congress called meetings to discuss these windfalls.
Lee Raymond, chairman of ExxonMobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, acknowledged the high gasoline and home heating prices "have put a strain on Americans' household budgets," but he defended his company's profits by saying Petroleum earnings "go up and down" from year to year and are in line with other industries when compared with the industry's enormous revenues. First off why didn’t the senators require these executives to go under oath? The republicans seem to be the ones bucking against this but then a simple check into who the biggest donors to these republicans campaigns found big oil as the big spenders it was no surprise. . Second, I would just like to know what other industry is this joker talking about. Is Raymond comparing his business to Wal-Mart to Microsoft? What other business was so opportunistic with a monopoly that has such a huge impact upon our nations economy? This little stunt could easily put the brakes on our economy causing a massive recession all because oil companies could line their pockets with cash. The bottom-line is these business leaders just fleeced America. America’s reliance upon cheap oil is also our Achilles heal. When there is a sharp rise in gas the average American is not able to stop purchasing gas.
The US Congress is thinking of imposing a windfall tax as a punishment to such reckless price gauging. The oil companies don’t believe this is fair and Raymond basically threatened Congress by saying “It would be a mistake to impose punitive damages and would probably result in less investment in refineries and oil exploration” when pressed on the issue. Oil companies are now saying without record profits that they will not invest more in oil exploration and refinery capacity. I see this as a threat. These companies are playing hardball to avoid a tax on ill-gotten gains. These same clowns expect that Congress to help them circumvent environmental law that restricts the expansion of refining and oil exploration. While I am no eco-nazi by any stretch, why should congress play ball with these guys who are just exploiting John Q. Public. Maybe we should restrict their future profits by imposing price controls on gasoline based upon the cost of a barrel of oil.
But then again… It ain’t me, It ain’t me I ain’t no Senators Son, No!!!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Hooked on Phonics Might Just Help Jesse
In a press release on Friday, My favorite Civil Rights Innovator Jesse Jackson proclaims Owens’ suspension without pay for four games and deactivation for the rest of the season is “much too severe for the charge” and hurts the athlete’s NFL career at its height. “This does not warrant a one-year ban from the game,” cries Jesse Jackson. hey Jesse maybe you should read or watch some tv and find out the truth.
The truth is that Owens was only suspended 4 games or ¼ of the season and deactivated for the season. If the Eagles think they need to deactivate Owens its their right, besides its not like he is the first employee to be “fired” with pay for saying or doing something stupid. The Eagles will be required to pay out his contract even though Owens is inactive… Must be nice to have a union involved to keep players paid even after being fired.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
For Sale 2005 Ferrari Low Miles One Owner MUST Sell
I didn’t really want to have to write about TO but I couldn’t resist. Terrell Owens worried about not making the car payment on his Ferrari reads an apology. His new suspension will cost him close to a $1,000,000 in lost wages. Last night I teared up a little listening to T O reading his apology. Ok not really… I just thought what an idiot. He could have issued this PR piece a week ago and avoided this whole mess.
''The mentality that I have, my greatest strength can also be my greatest weakness. 'I'm a fighter. I've always been and I'll always be. I fight for what I think is right. In doing so, I alienated a lot of my fans and my teammates. This is very painful for me to be in this position, I know in my heart that I can help the team win the Super Bowl and not only be a dominant player, but also be a team player. I can bring that”, read Terrell Owens.
To put this in perspective, yesterday I took my 100th help desk phone call and solved a computer problem but my employer failed to recognize my success as a Tech Services employee so threw a little tirade and held a news conference. In the process I whined and bad mouthed my boss my coworkers and praised my agent. Ok I didn’t do any of this because I knew that my employer would fire my butt in 2 seconds. Why the hell would he think that he flap his gums about his employer failing to recognize his records? It seems stupid. Football is a team sport. Teams win games, divisions, play offs and championships not single players.
Every time I see Terrell Owens opening his mouth I think of that memorable quote from Backdraft
And his agent Drew Rosenhaus is a pompous butt-kissing egomaniac. His speech after Owen’s read apology was amazing. Rosenhaus’s actions makes sports agent Bob Sugar from the movie Jerry Maguire
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Blunders of Utah’s Sacred Cow…Orin Hatch Must Go!
If you haven’t discovered a reason to vote this clown out of office,
I found a pretty big reason: The Music of Senator Orrin Hatch, Listen to his Songs Wow… this made my dog run for cover.
The longer I am in Utah the more I think Orin Hatch needs to retire or be retired. I didn’t do anything when Hatch sponsored and promoted the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or the Induce Act, or when he became the biggest opponent after Metallica to jump on the bandwagon to outlaw Napster and assorted file sharing utilities but now I believe its time to send him home. Orin Hatch has become a puppet of Hollywood and big business.
The DMCA is bad for technology. It kills small business who may be inventing incredible technology but due to lawsuits or threats of lawsuits stop pursuing technology that could be used for good and not just bad. DCMA opens up a world of more frivolous lawsuits (for examples see http://www.anti-dcma.org/) An example: Dutch Pass iPod Tax
"The Register is reporting that in a few short months a proposal to tax all MP3 players in the Netherlands will become law. The levy taxes 3.28 euros ($4.30 US) for every gigabyte of capacity. This means a 60GB iPod Photo will be hit for an additional 196 euros ($258), all of it going to the record industry's copyright collection agencies. And they call file sharers thieves?"
“Senator Hatch has shown that he doesn't understand the Internet or, at least, he does not welcome the kind of democratizing tool it can be. This attitude is clearly shown by sponsorship and promotion of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the Induce Act. It is shown by the amicus brief he filed with the Supreme Court in the MGM vs. Grokster case, essentially asking the court to make the Induce act law through court action. These actions favor big, entrenched business over small, innovative business.” Steve Urquhart in his blog post titled Technology, Politics and You. Steve Urquhart is running against Orin Hatch in 2006.
A Few Great Reasons to Axe Hatch:
Destroy 'pirate' PCs, says politician
“Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican representing Utah, asked technology chiefs at a hearing in Washington about whether they could develop ways to damage or destroy the computers.”
Do you think this isn’t serious? Read about Sony Music’s RootKit or Read the dangers of any RootKit. RootKits are a method that malware and spyware use to hide files from system utilities and virus protection. Does Hatch not remember McCarthyism? I believe that he is doing the same thing to technology as McCarthy did to “suspected” communists.
Flag Protection Amendment
I think we get into a dangerous slope when we legislate how people can express themselves. I personally hold the flag sacred and don’t think it should be defiled but I believe that the first amendment allows for its desecration. I believe this is another example of the slow erosion of the freedoms of America.
Immigration:
Hatch continues to support immigration including illegal, chain, and for cheap work supply. I believe that America depends upon cheap labor to fill jobs that the majority of white Americans won’t do: however I think we should create an easier way to import labor, which allows for documentation of immigrates. We should seal our borders but loosen the rules so that it promotes legal immigration vs illegal immigration. There is a real threat from undocumented aliens. These people can be criminals, terrorists or other dregs of society that need to be closely watched. Look at what is happening in France. The riots caused by Africans and Middle Easterners is due to large importations of immigrants without proper controls.
Recently I have seen a lot of buzz for Steve Urquhart. I believe that he will probably get my vote in 2006 because of his understanding of the importance of the creation of new technology.
The only thing I like about Hatch has been his comments on Rocky Anderson’s stupid mayor tricks like Presidential Protests or Cohabitant rights. Or maybe Rocky and Orin are the Same Person?
Monday, November 07, 2005
I was reading this morning about how with one more win BYU becomes Bowl Eligible. Are you serious? Have college football fans become so desperate for a bowl game that we allow most teams a chance to “go to a bowl game”? Maybe we have too many bowl games if a team must only win a whopping six games to become bowl eligible. It used to be that bowl games were reserved for conference champions and or top 20 teams. Now any team capable of winning six games can be picked for a bowl game. BYU is flirting with that sixth win with 2 games remaining vs. Wyoming and instate rival Utah.
I don’t believe for a single instant BYU should be picked for a bowl game. BYU isn’t on the radar of any poll but the Fox Sports poll who ranks them as #78. Lets recap our season thus far.
Game 1: Boston College gives us a nice thumping 20-3. BYU continues its end zone phobia. paging Dr. Phil… BYU needs you. Where the hell is Dr. Phil?
Game 2: BYU welcomes the high school team of Eastern Illinois. Who in the hell schedules a division II A team for a game? Was this Gary Crowton trying to save his job? BYU of course wins 45-10. Eastern Illinois has an enrollment of less than 8000 students. I give huge ups for any IIA school that has the testicular fortitude to come to Provo and play. Oh and Oregon is doing great with Crowton.
Game 3: BYU blows a 21-point lead in the 4th and ends up losing to TCU. TCU suddenly has become ranked in the top 20. BYU DEFENSE or lack there of squanders a nice 3 td lead in the 4th with 2 td passes of over 35 yards. Pass defense ranks dead last…
Game 4: Beats Colorado State… who almost beat #25 Colorado but every other team they have played has a nice losing record.
Game 5: San Diego St Aztecs eat fresh cougar meat. 31-10. BYU melt down in Cali. It was even uglier than the score indicates. After this pathetic effort Lavelle Edwards contemplates calling BYU to have his name removed from the stadium.
Game 6: BYU visits South Bend for a nice refresher course on humble pie. Granted BYU played well for almost 2 quarters before the appearance of Dr. Jekyll. Bronco Mendenhall calls Arnold Friberg and asks him to paint a Mormon version of touchdown Jesus.
Game 7: BYU manhandles Air Force who seems to be struggling with a nice losing record vs. nobody opponents.
Game 8: BYU beats UNLV who is 2-7 but yet Bronco plays John Beck the whole game despite being up by 34 points. I guess the fear of a TCU like collapse was ever present.
On a Related Note:
While reading the BYU athletic page I stumbled upon the Cougar Cheerleader page. I had no idea the entertainment value of their site. I became quite enlighted.
“Imagine an athletic team consisting of both women and men athletes who practice weekdays for the sole purpose of enhancing the efforts of other athletic teams.”
It makes the cheerleaders seem like Viagra. Maybe they should have a warning on their page. If athletic efforts last for more than 4 hours please consult your physician.
“The BYU Cheer Squad supports men's and women's NCAA sports. Squad members are expected to promote student participation in University activities, enrich relationships with the community, and uphold the standards set forth by Brigham Young University and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
This quote made me laugh also since the photos clearly show outfits that wouldn’t be allowed on BYU campus due to the honor code. I guess its better that one squad dwindle in unbelief rather than one football team fail to be bowl eligible.
Cheerleader “Mission Statement:
As representative of Brigham Young University and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we will bring others unto Christ through our talents, attitudes and services.”
I can’t tell you how many sinners cheerleaders have converted. Maybe we could lower Utah's record level of convicted sex offenders?
Cheer Squad Quick Facts
True Freshmen: 5
What the hell is a true freshman? Someone who is in his or her first freshman year? Someone who has no AP credit?
Average Female Weight: 104 lbs.
This is a very important stat to publish… We all know that a chubby cheerleaders is as popular as an IED in Iraq.
The Cheer Squad cheers for; football, woman's volleyball, men's basketball, and women's basketball.
I guess this means the other 20 sports teams are screwed on their “athletic enhancements”.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Questar Gas Co. recently was granted a 20.3 percent rate increase by the Utah Public Service Commission to cover its own costs in the wake of higher natural gas prices.
Questar Corp. was named the top revenue growth company in Utah for 2005 at MountainWest Capital Network's annual Top 100 Awards banquet last week.
The new rate increase will generate $196,481,000 in additional revenues for Questar Gas.
