Consistency

I never cared much for Peter Arnett before this stunt. I'm having the same opinion of Pulitzer Awards and Academy Awards these days.

Update

I was under the impression that Mean Mr Mustard was the author of some original art. Imagine my surprise to come across a suspiciously similar letter addressed from Jimmy Carter to the Ayatolah in 1979. Kinda makes you go HMMMMM.

He's Baaaack!

Bill Whittle.

Read it...

Think about it...

Learn from it

Swords into Scams

Mean Mr Mustard has posted a strategic idea of gargantuan proportions. Quick! Someone forward this to Rumsfeld!

Apple Heaven

One weekend a month I have the priviledge of volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Orlando. This is my weekend this month. We have a resident manger family who keeps an apartment in the house, and on weekends, one of four families or individuals checks into the house to take over management responsibilities, so that our resident managers can take off, if they feel the urge.

This weekend, the wife is out of town, the kids are with the aunt, and I'm working while I'm working. It's a slow sort of weekend day. Mr. Sparby has his new 17' powerbook, Katherine the Datababe is across the room on her G3 Wallstreet, and I'm composing on the venerable 12' iBook. All of us sharing the most excellent Airport network, connected to the world without cables! Awesome!

Amazing. Simply Amazing!

This technology stuff is simply amazing to me. Look, you can see live camera feeds fom the middle of a war zone. War Zone or not, isn't it fascinating that you can get movies and sound from half a world away? And they're comparing this one to Vietnam! Ha!

CNN Live Video

I'll bet it's not French technology they're using to beam that stuff out of Baghdad.

Ficticious

Michael Moore? I think he's a ficticious character made up to harass the political right. Has anyone ever seen him personally? No one I know personally has. I will claim to know a few folks who would admit to having met him, were they ever to, but I excuse them for a lot of other reasons, too.

No, I choose to believe that Michael Moore is no more than a figment of Oliver Stone's imagination, brought to life by none other than Jeffrey Katzenburg and Dreamworks with a little help from Michael Eisner by pitching in the suport of the Pixar group. (Eisner and Katzenburg working together?? Well, it could only happen with a Republican in the White House. The enemy of my enemy, you know...)

Anyway, the guy I heard at the Oscars kept talking about "ficticious this" and "ficiticious that" and he seemed to think he was an expert, or something, which is why I think he recieved that ficticious award.

I know, I know, some of you think that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences would might actually be dumb enough to give a REAL person like Michael Moore an Oscar, but in reality, I think even they are not that stupid. Ah, but then you say, we are not talking about reality, we are discussing ficticiousnessnous -(ficticious-ness-nous, that is being ficticious about fictional things) which is exactly the realm into which the ficticious Michael Moore falls.

I herby provide my theory and evidence:

A REAL PERSON Michael Moore would demonstrate self respect. Only a charicature, or a Democratic Senator, would stoop to attempting to perpetuate a myth by repeating in public what the public knows to be false. The television world calls this type of phenomenon "Re-Runs" Any self-respecting REAL person would get an agent, clean himself up and project the type of appearance which would make everyone want to trust you. My point is clarified in the persons of Gary Hart, Gary Conditt and Bill Clinton. All three had agents and groomers, only Bill got people to trust him. Oh, and Connie Chung, another prospect for being labeled a "So-Called Real Person." Who would actually apply for a job with a ficticious sounding name like "Chung?"

Point number two, were the So-Called-Michael Moore a real person, he would change his name to "Bill." In order to gain trust, you need a name everyone can trust, like "John," "Jimmy" or "Bill." Like I mentioned above, nobody believes you if your name is Gary.

Point number three, there is no way to respond to or contact the So-Called Michael Moore. His website comment section has been off-line for months, his e-mail link doesn't work and he doesn't post a phone number for his agency on his site. "Moore-over" a search of the Internet Movie DataBase only lists the So-Called Michael Moore once, and he wasn't at the top:

IMDb name and title search

A search for 'moore' found the following results:

Most popular name searches:

1. Dudley Moore


2. Roger Moore


3. Michael Moore (II)


4. Mandy Moore (II)


5. Mary Tyler Moore
   (aka: mary moore)


6. Julianne Moore


7. Demi Moore

31 'title' matches (i.e. movies, TV, video etc):

1. Wrath of Cactus Moore, The (1916)


2. She Turned the World On with Her Smile: The Making of the Mary Tyler Moore Show (2002) (V)


3. "Mary Tyler Moore Hour, The" (1979)


4. "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970)


5. "Garry Moore Show, The" (1950)


6. "Garry Moore Show, The" (1958)


7. Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story (1993) (TV)


8. Saturday Night, Sunday Morning: The Travels of Gatemouth Moore (1992)

A REAL Person would look more like all the others in that list. The So-Called Michael Moore I have seen looks more like a candidate for animation at the Pixar factory. I know they can do hair like that.

Which brings me full circle to my original point.

The So-Called Michael Moore you saw at the Oscars is a FAKE! He is really a ficticious character who was given a ficticious award for a ficticious work. Get real, you whiners! The stuff in Blowing for Columbine NEVER HAPPENED! If it had, a REAL person might have been nominated for a REAL award, not that ficticiuos stuff they give for hot air balloons in the Macy's Parade (No disrespect is intended to Macy's for the inclusion of their name in this post)

You gotta admit, the animators did a pretty good job on this one. Seems like they fooled A LOT of people. Just don't you be one of them!

After the War

I've been working on my suggestions for the New World Order after the enforcement action in Iraq reaches the conclusion of what really is a foregone conclusion. . . -Absolute Success in battle.

So, here is how we should divvy up the spoils of war:

1. Iraq finally gets to sell its oil. We'll happily buy it. It will be labeled "FreedomFuel" and be available worldwide to advertise the benevolent action we undertook to free the country and its resources.

2. The Germans get to help rebuild Iraq's infastructure. They get to dismantle all of Iraq's gas weapons, supervised by the Israeli Government. (What Irony!)

3. The French get to participate in rebuilding Iraq's political system. They will teach English in all the Iraqi schools.

4. Russia gets to help the electronics industry of Iraq. They will supply surplus electronic equipment to be dropped from cargo aircraft to help clear minefields after the war.


On the other hand, maybe let's not let them participate. Let's let them rot together, without US food or products to enrich their lives.

Al on Board

I heard last week that AlGore has been named to the board of Apple Computer. I'm not sure if that means he's going to serve on their board, or whether they just think he resembles a board. In any event, to show what a big person I am, I'm not going to announce an immediate moratorium on my purchases from Apple. I will likely be buying from Apple resellers, rather than from the Apple Store, however. Come to think of if, maybe Al should work for a while at the Apple Genius Bar. Anyone who has experience with the Genius Bar geniusses will know that just because someone calls you a genius, doesn't mean you are one (Wink, wink, Al).

I do intend to ask Apple for a recount. I'm not sure a majority of Apple users would actually vote for him...

Similarities

Listening to the radio coverage of the action happening in Iraq as I do, I tend to catch the irrelevant banter of the "so-called-Anti-War" crowd. Today, a blurb was broadcast by a college student at U of F who stated that she thought the Pres. was enforcing UN resolutions for all the wrong reasons. (Italics are my words - you don't really think she would have described it thus, do you?) You know, the typical stuff, oil, Father finisher, power, imperialism, etc. You know.

One of those random thoughts came to mind as a talk show host commented on another caller who promoted the illegal re-routing of traffic in SF yesterday by commenting, "we can't just go on with our lives while people are dying!" Is that not a serious "DUH?" type of comment, or what? Seems to me to be exactly the reason we're in there now. The show host pointed out that while the US-led coalition is liberating the oppressed people of Iraq, individuals like these two (know anybody personally like them?) are content to leave the country impoverished, underfed and under-heard.


Not only that, but having the people of countries like Iraq remain under duress empowers these people. Without dictators like Saddam, our government would have no issue to solve for the left-wing rabble to complain about. They might actually have to work at a job, for lack of media attention.

Listening to Veterans


I went roller-skating with my son two weeks ago. We had a great time, he moving his feet as fast as he could, I holding his hand high enough that every time he lost it, I was there holding him up until he caught his balance, aimed his skates, got back in stride and proceeded right on. We went round and round for nearly three hours, he getting better and more independent, I getting more and more tired and sore and proud of him. About he time they called for the last song, he tripped two yards in front of me. I almost made the perfect save, leaning quickly, then jumping, landing, sliding around behind him to help him up. That last instant, the right ankle fell off center, wheels out, leg in then a small "pop".


It didn't hurt bad. I got right up, helped him up and we skated a bit more slowy all the way around twice more until, as the music waned, we stepped up onto the carpet and returned our skates.


Two weeks later I decided the pain was not subsiding and I visited the doctor for an inspection. He found the spot, and quickly handed me a script for an air splint.


I had never been inside a prosthetics office before. I had presumed a quick visit to Walgreens would have provided me with my required personal immobilizer, but apparently there, the conversations would have been a bit different. The prosthetics office reminded me of other medical specialists I have had the opportunity to visit. In this case, lots of seats, television and magazines. In our community, a small rag called the "Orange Peel Gazette" is left available for free to those inclined to read a bit after leaving the office where they are found. Mostly advertising surrounding wide central columns packed with local wit, short, cute stories and a few jokes. I must remember to inquire about advertising rates. I read probably twice through while the receptionist, sporting a mild latin accent, processed my insurance information. A new policy through my wife's company, you never know if it'll go through. An older couple, followed by another came in. The first proceeded past the receptionist, after signing in, the second, told that Medicare wouldn't pay unless the Doctor wrote a more specific type of condition, left for another visit to their doctor, I presume.


As another couple came in, the first gentleman started flipping through the channels on the TV. I thought for a minute that we would all be entertained by country music videos for a while, but as two more couples entered, he settled on one of the cable news shows. As he sat down, a gentleman moved over and sat, one on each side of him.


I had picked up a Newsweek, or something, and was flipping to the politics pages as a story came on the TV about the human shields leaving Iraq. One of the gentlemen spoke up, "Back in our day, they'd be coming back to stand trial for treason." Two affrimative agreements from the others. "After all we went through in that war, you'd think people would remember" spoke one of the others.


My turn. I put the magazine down, went into the exam room to have my brace fitted, and to get instruction for its use. I nodded to the gentlemen as I passed. "Thanks", I thought.


My father was in training in the Navy on a destroyer when WWII ended. My father-in-law saw combat aboard the USS Tennessee, witnessed the combat and flag raising on Iwo Jima, and won't talk about a lot of his experiences. In their day, parades would form to see troops off. Students would quit school to enlist. Patriotism would compel ordinary citizens to actively seek how they cold contribute to the war effort.


I spent this morning's breakfast with a close friend who unequivocably stated that he is against going to war. I commented that I prefer a peaceful solution, as well, but I asked how we accomplish our goals, then? He didn't know, of course. I get that answer from a lot of my liberal acquaintances. I'm still waiting for the first reasoned response. If war is not the answer, then I expect Saddam Hussein to begin his sue for peace any day, now.


I thank the wholly unrecognized supreme God above that my father had the courage to enlist to protect our country. I thank Him that
my father-in-law absorbed sights and sounds and smells that hopefully my son will never have to see or hear or smell. I thank God that our current administration, after having seen pictures of the road to Basra, after consulting with soldiers who were there, has decided that with or without world opinion, or popular opinion, that they will decide to actively protect my family from those who would amplify the sights and sounds and smells of civilians who loved liberty falling to their deaths, screaming in horror and being collected in pieces from rubble of cities on our continent. "Did that building really fall down?" my son asked me. "Yes, it did, that wasn't pretend" I said.


"Why" he asked me. "I don't know" I said. But I did. And I think everyone who opposes war after all he evidence seen so far, knows the answer, too. They just can't bring themselves to think that they themselves may be the cause.

Why not just lie?

Why is it I feel like politicians and spokesmen for them are always couching words and tip-toeing around statements, as if protecting themselves from inevitable and terminal scrutiny? Since when do reporters do homework and remind politicians what they said in their previous public statements?

I was driving home from my office in Orlando last night when the President's address came on. I listened to him the half hour or so it takes to get home, and then watched the TV for the rest of the broadcast. Pussyfooting around answers to questions just doesn't seem necessary anymore. Or is it?

Everyone knew Clinton was lying to us, because of the way he chose his words. My most liberally minded Clinton supporters freely admit to that. I have heard them say that the reason they support Democratic candidates is because they "Hear" more compassion from Democrats and they "Hear" more hatred from Republicans. They may be right in the first case. I've never heard a Democrat prescribe tough love to fix a problem. (Well, maybe I did hear Clinton support traditional Republican policies when the wind was blowing that way.)

But still my question cries out. If the Democrats can lie their way into office by promising free healthcare and prescription plans, and can lie about the facts of our economy, Why do any of them still watch their p's and q's when it comes to public statements. When Neal Boortz asks a Democratic lawmaker "How much in income tax is too much?", he still has yet to get a response. Why won't they simply pick a number and assume we'll forget, as usual?

Just kinda makes me wonder...