:: Archipelapogo ::

:: 31.10.04 ::

Overtime?

Hell yeah, choke on it, Aggies.
:: Scott [+] ::
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:: Scott [+] ::
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The Incompetent or the Incoherent?

Crap. I've tried to do this post for about three hours now. IM'ing and e-mails and phone calls get in the way sometimes. So, sorry if this seems a bit disjointed.

Anyhow...The Economist (of whom you know I love) have officially made their endorsement for the President.

Yeah, I know. What the hell? A rag based in London, with conservative leanings, why on earth am I posting this? Additionally, why do they endorse someone anyhow? Well, in their words:

Whenever we express a view of that sort, some readers are bound to protest that we, as a publication based in London, should not be poking our noses in other people's politics. Translated, this invariably means that protesters disagree with our choice. It may also, however, reflect a lack of awareness about our readership. The Economist's weekly sales in the United States are about 450,000 copies, which is three times our British sale and roughly 45% of our worldwide total. All those American readers will now be pondering how to vote, or indeed whether to. Thus, as at every presidential election since 1980, we hope it may be useful for us to say how we would think about our vote—if we had one.

So bugger off, mate.

Anyways, of all of the endorsements I've read, this seems to be one of the most conflicted. While they maintain that invading Iraq was a good thing and calling John Kerry - via many SAT words like "oscillating" and :vasillated" over and over and over again, they still, half-heartedly, endorse John Kerry. Many caveats. Many 'what-if' statements, but nevertheless, that's where they stand. Even if you don't read the article, here's the conclusion:

Many readers, feeling that Mr Bush has the right vision in foreign policy even if he has made many mistakes, will conclude that the safest option is to leave him in office to finish the job he has started. If Mr Bush is re-elected, and uses a new team and a new approach to achieve that goal, and shakes off his fealty to an extreme minority, the religious right, then The Economist will wish him well. But our confidence in him has been shattered. We agree that his broad vision is the right one but we doubt whether Mr Bush is able to change or has sufficient credibility to succeed, especially in the Islamic world. Iraq's fledgling democracy, if it gets the chance to be born at all, will need support from its neighbours—or at least non-interference—if it is to survive. So will other efforts in the Middle East, particularly concerning Israel and Iran.

John Kerry says the war was a mistake, which is unfortunate if he is to be commander-in-chief of the soldiers charged with fighting it. But his plan for the next phase in Iraq is identical to Mr Bush's, which speaks well of his judgment. He has been forthright about the need to win in Iraq, rather than simply to get out, and will stand a chance of making a fresh start in the Israel-Palestine conflict and (though with even greater difficulty) with Iran. After three necessarily tumultuous and transformative years, this is a time for consolidation, for discipline and for repairing America's moral and practical authority. Furthermore, as Mr Bush has often said, there is a need in life for accountability. He has refused to impose it himself, and so voters should, in our view, impose it on him, given a viable alternative. John Kerry, for all the doubts about him, would be in a better position to carry on with America's great tasks.

Yeah, I know, the election is sketchy as hell and I'm sure everyone is tired about the politics. But I'm seriously stressed about this. You've made up your mind. Chances are you've already voted. But you know what? Screw it. It's on my mind. I'm stressed about it. Deal with it. Or just come back when it's resolved.

By the way....Texas folks: vote already!
:: Scott [+] ::
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Well I left Oklahoma - Driving in a Pontiac Subaru

Recent inactivity can be blamed on a recent trip to Tulsa for, well, Thanksgiving. See, since the sister is back in retail, she can't take time off to come up at all during the holidays, and she'll be working meth-inducing hours, so going to Florida isn't much of an option either. So we just said screw it, and had it in October. And I took a few days off for some quality family time.

We did hit up Oktoberfest (which, on Tulsa time, can happen a few weeks late)and the Oklahoma Aquarium - which just opened last year - where we got to see a Shark feeding. Oktoberfest was cool, the aquarium was a bit cooler. They seem to focus a lot on regional fish though which just aren't as sexy* as tropicals. Still, I got some decent pictures, I think, which I'll post to my Flickr feed whenever I can be arsed to do so. $14 is a bit much for what you get though. I've been to aquariums in many other cities that were quite a bit cheaper and at had at least one Mammal or Bird. I guess it's a work in progress though. They did have one hell of a history of fishing equipment exhibit** - a sport that is *huge* in Oklahoma.

Anyhow, all of this is just incoherent rambling saying "yo, I'm back". Revel in the ensuing chaos folks. Revel. Oh, and go vote you Texas type of people. Early voting ends tomorrow.

*Don't really mean it in the freaky way.
**Seriously, it was quite well done, and I've only been fishing once in the past oh, fifteen years or so. I'll have to tell that story sometime.
:: Scott [+] ::
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:: Scott [+] ::
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Endorsement

The Dallas Morning News has officially endorsed Martin Frost for Senate. Some excerpts:

This is a choice we shouldn't have to make. Yet at House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's insistence, the Texas Legislature drew 13-term Democratic veteran Martin Frost out of his longtime congressional district and into the district represented by four-term GOP Rep. Pete Sessions.

Both candidates present considerable strengths and certain weaknesses. On balance we recommend Mr. Frost because:

He has a longer and stronger record of going to bat for the region on local issues. Mr. Frost was one of the first in Congress to advocate funding Dallas Area Rapid Transit, back when the idea of mass transit in Dallas seemed as far-fetched as snow in the summertime. He also led the way on Pinnacle Park and repairs to the Dallas Naval Air Station that helped retain thousands of Vought Aircraft jobs. He led efforts to mediate American Airlines' negotiations with its unions last year to avert bankruptcy.

He worked with a coalition of business and environmental interests – and several Republican county judges – to block efforts to shield Ellis County's industries from the same pollution standards applied in other industrialized North Texas counties. Mr. Sessions didn't.

Mr. Frost has been in Congress longer than any other incumbent Texas representative – or any other Southern Democrat, for that matter. He ranks 28th in seniority in the 435-member House, making his experience and clout especially valuable – whichever party is in control.

Mr. Frost has voted more often in accordance with our editorial recommendations – including votes for stringent clean-air measures, for shallower tax cuts than the president sought and against a pork-laden energy bill – where Mr. Sessions took the opposite tack.

Mr. Frost is a moderate who has shown his ability to work across party lines. Mr. Sessions, by comparison, is known as both more ideological and more partisan.

You'd think they'd get all their endorsements out before early voting started - two days ago (and yes, I've already voted). That said, I'll be interested to see who they endorse for President.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangsterer

I love this.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Just because you say it, that doesn't make it true

In the second Presidential debate, Bush stated "I guess you'd say I'm a good steward of the land. The quality of the air is cleaner since I've been the president. Fewer water complaints since I've been the president. More land being restored since I've been the president."

Superfund cleanups of toxic waste fell by 52 percent.
Fish-consumption warnings for rivers doubled.
Fish-consumption advisories for lakes increased 39 percent.
The number of beach closings rose 26 percent.
Civil citations issued to polluters fell 57 percent.
Criminal pollution prosecutions dropped 17 percent.
Asthma attacks increased by 6 percent.
There were small increases in global temperatures and unhealthy air days.

More can be found here.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Honouring Nerd Values

Craigslist got featured in an article in The Economist. This rates right up there with "being a question in a Jeopardy! answer" as far as geek wet dreams go. Good on them.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Frosted

I'm really pulling for Martin Frost in this year's local Congressional race, so I was pleased to see that the Morning News reported that the current poll has numbers at 50% Sessions, 44% Frost, 6% undecided or other with a margin of error at +/- 3.5%. The article* even includes Republican insiders sayint they're surprised that the race is so close and that Frost has put up such a fight. See, Frost is the 13-term Democrat Congressman whose district was gerrymandered out by Mssr. Tom DeLay and his cronies last year (remember the infamous fleeing Democrat state senators going first to Oklahoma and then New Mexico? This is the end result, after several special sessions costing the taxpayers millions of dollars).

That said, I'm a bit disappointed in a couple of Frosty's tactics. Using the WTC still photos in his commercials while attacking Sessions's statements about airport security and funding-voting record was completely tasteless. And now he's surfaced some photos of a streaking 18-year-old Pete Sessions. This seems a bit petty, even in light of Sessions comments about the Janet Jackson booby-flash.

I get mailings from Frost about twice a week, many of them containing great political points about both himself and Sessions. They focus on facts, voting records, possible corruption, and a wealth of vacations that Sessions has taken during very important Congressional decisions. Frost and his campaign have the ability to make a cogent point without resorting to smear tactics and inappropriate usage of terror attacks. They do so. Why they chose to take the cheap route kind of befuddles me and my fear that these tactics will backfire on him.

*I'd link to the article, but the stupid Bevo-Empire-Owned Dallas Morning News has the most one of the most arcane and cumbersome registration policies that I've seen.
:: Scott [+] ::
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How the non-l33t travel

There's one of these outside my building right now. Too damn funny. I can't help but find it all too appropriate that they're based in Green Bay.
:: Scott [+] ::
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High-Tech Japanese Toilets

Most high-tech toilets also provide the option to select the water pressure to adjust to the preferences of the user. By default, the vulva receives less pressure than the anus. Usually, the temperature of the water can also be adjusted. Researchers in Japan have found that a water temperature slightly higher than the body temperature is preferred by most customers, and 38 degree Celsius is considered best. The exact nozzle position can also often be adjusted forward or aft manually. High-end washlets also provide options for a vibrating and pulsating jet of water. The manufacturers claim that this helps against constipation or hemorrhoids.

I love Wikipedia something fierce.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Building it up, tearing us down

I warned you. Isn't Lola a cutie though? Things are going fairly well with her - and by fairly well, I mean she no longer runs into the bedroom and hides under the desk when I walk into the apartment.

It took me about three hours to get her to go outside on Wednesday night. It was a beautiful tango of me lying on the floor tossing milk bones at her for half an hour then giving up in frustration to browse the books of her owners, including the mind-bending trifecta of "The Millionaire Mind", "The Millionaire Next Door", and "Creating Wealth". Eep. I told you this was in the swanky part of town. And I mean swanky enough that when the 2004 version of Bud Fox pulls up next to you in a squeaky new Ferrari with a vanity plate reading "SUGAR", you just kind of shrug it off. Double eep.

But now she's good and even will come greet me as I walk in the door. Hopefully in a few days I'll have enough rapport to take her out to the dog park and run around a bit.

Fortunately, in addition to the slew of wealth and management books, these folks also have Digital Cable, thus offering me unfettered access to roughly 27 times the channel options that my antenna gets. Shockingly enough, in contrast to my setup at home, more than 33% of these channels are actually in English.

So I've watched the Chelsea v. Liverpool game from this past Sunday on Fox Sports World twice now (Cole's goal really was a beaut), and managed to catch a bit of SportsCenter (did Linda Cohn have a ton of plastic surgery or what?) and part of squakbox Bill O'Reilly on the Daily Show last night.

I'd go into O'Reilly's claiming that he's an undecided voter and all that, but it's been well covered in many other places, and I'm pretty ready to disregard the point anyhow since O'Reilly, at best, is the Professional Wrestling equivalent of punditry and, no matter which show he's a guest on, always plays to the audience. However, I was dismayed to see that he was plugging a new book, The O'Reilly Factor For Kids, an excerpt of which can be read here. I just wanted to wish that anyone who actually purchases this for their children be blessed with the 2010's version of Abbie Hoffman.
:: Scott [+] ::
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:: Scott [+] ::
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Miscellinkage

..::30 Days, 2368 Attacks - a NYT graphic detailing the attacks in Iraq by insurgents in the past 30 days. Nota Bene: less than 25% were from small-arms::..

..::Billionaire Activist George Soros has started a blog. Sadly, he's yet to discover RSS Feeds::..

..::Neve and Gliz - Torino 2006's Olympic Mascots. They seem to be continuing the trend towards really weird mascots (via)::..

..::Finally, it looks like dumpster-divers, given a fancy new name, have made their way into the mainstream::..
:: Scott [+] ::
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This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship

So tonight I met Lola, who, from Wednesday to the following Friday, is destined to be my bestest buddy.

See Lola's cute. And fun. And playful. And a mutt. And I'll be taking care of her while her parents are off getting married.

Plus, I get to live in a swanky part of town and take the McKinney Ave. Streetcar to work.

It's been years since I've gotten the opportunity to take care of a young, playful dog. And I'm quite excited about it. And now that I've got one of them fancy new phones what takes the pictures, and a Flickr account set up, get ready to see the end of my holdout on the last blogmeme that I've thus far avoided:

Pictures of Pets.

You've been warned.
:: Scott [+] ::
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Just close your eyes and plug your ears and march to your doom

Sorry for the unintended silence. I've been incredibly busy and had far too much on my mind to care much about blogging. I swear, '04 has been the most stressful year I've ever encountered and every time I feel like I've picked myself up and dusted myself off, I get knocked right back down in the mud face-first. But I'm allright, and I realize that, so I'm staying in this Friday night, enjoying the storm, and hoping to get more than six hours of solid sleep for the first time in two and a half weeks.

Also, I'm feeling that, no matter the outcome of the upcoming election, it may be time for me to bail out of the country for, oh, say, two years. I came close to doing it a few years back and didn't for various reasons. But the call is strong right now, and it just seems right. So much so that I've an appointment to meet with a recruiter on Monday, which is likely when anyone will read this. But you all don't come here for unwitty musings about my life or to hear my whining, so here's what I would've been blogging about lately, had I been blogging:

..::Michael (MeFi's Ljubljana) has a great post on Sunday's Slovenian Parliamentary Elections. The Carniola Awards for Election Posters 2004 is symptomatic as to why The Gloria of Carniola is truly one my favorite blogs out there. If you're not feeding/reading it on a daily basis, you're really missing out::..

..::I really *do* like Brittney's submission for a short story contest, as I did when she originally posted it. It's stronger through editing as well. I recently had the thought of a community blog for short fiction story writers where people could submit very short stories for true criticism. I still think it's a solid idea. By making it public, maybe I'll actually get off my ass and do it::..

..::The good boys of local band Lady of the Lake are embarking on a brief national tour. So those of you that live in the locales they're hitting: Murfreesboro, TN on Oct. 23rd, October 26th in NYC at the Knitting Factory, for you New York City folks, and even Iowa City on Oct. 28th. I'm certainly not saying it's anyone's cuppa, but I dig 'em and Sergio, the bassist, even offered to let me ride along with them, which, at the time I didn't even consider an option. Probably isn't still, but I'll give them the free promo::..

..::Speaking of kickass Texas bands, Explosions in the Sky, the Austin instrumental band who put out my favorite album of the last year, got signed to do the score for Friday Night Lights. I doubt I'll see the movie, but I'll for sure buy the album. PlMaybe...just maybe, Jaquandor will buy it or let me send him a copy for his thoughts, since he's *literally* the only film score buff that I have any connection with. Additionally, they're playing up in Denton in late October. You DFW'ers should really consider going::..

Finally, I had a great post in my head about the debate and that horrible show The 360 which airs on UPN nightly. It was fantastic and hilarious in my mind, but it's not going to come to fruition. So just accept the fact that it was great, okay? Thanks.


:: Scott [+] ::
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