Elephant In Exile

I have a new Blog

2008-09-22T09:12:00.000-04:00

Swampoodle

I have a new blog and a new blog writing partner. Check out Swampooodle.

Like a Close Football Game

2008-09-08T12:39:00.001-04:00

The 2008 Election is Driving Me Crazy!

Wow, did I ever pick a bad year to stop blogging. What an exciting primary season on both sides of the aisle. I don't think either side could have made a better choice - at least from the 'pool' of talent they ran.

I spent a majority of the year focused on the purported rise and fall of the Clintons. Hey the 1990's were good economically, but we've got 300,000,000 people and I think we've seen the impact on issues related to family dynasties. My motto continues to be - No more Clintons, No More Bushes.

I'm back to blogging mainly for my own sanity. I'm getting tired of yelling at my television and it really doesn't matter what network one chooses, they are all fast approaching the the journalistic equivalent of the old Izvestia and Pravda..except in the new 'autocratic' Russia, Izvestia and Pravda probably have better journalistic practices than MSNBC, CNN or Fox.

That said, there is much for us to discuss. The Media, the candidates, the GOP, Obama, Palin(?!) and much more. At the very least, I'll have an outlet for all the things I've been shouting at the TV for the past few months.

Somethings Fishy

2008-02-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Broken Sattelite or?

Yesterday the U.S. Navy used a missle to shoot down an 'ailing spy sattelite". The sattelite was allegedly in a useless orbit and full of scary, poisonous fuel. For "safety" the government shot it to pieces to ensure its inceration as it falls from the sky. Why don't I believe them?

But I guess I should feel safer, as the government allegedly used "Star Wars" technology to shoot down the sattelite. So we are safe from futur failing sattelites...unless of course there are rough seas. Still fascinating though...

Yes, This Should Work

2008-02-21T08:49:00.000-05:00

New Week, New Theme.

Again, sorry if this is obsessive, but I find the excessive and spectacularly bad decisions and strategy of the Clinton team to be mezmerizing. As I mentioned yesterday, she's the new Britney Spears.

Hillary Will Mount a Commander-In-Chief Offensive

Also, the campaign rolled out a working class themed commercial called "Night Shift” and it talks about how Clinton wants to help folks who work hard, like waitresses, etc. Perhaps that money would have been better spent paying off the tens of thousands of dollars the campaign owes various businesses, restaurants and catering companies across the country.

Don't Like the Rules?

2008-02-20T11:09:00.000-05:00

Change them...

Senator Clinton may be the true candidate of change after all. With the numbers stacked against her for winning the democratic nomination, her only options are to change the rules. In case we don't fully grasp this concept, she's launched a website to promote this strategy. Report here.

And why not? When dismissing the will of the voters of 23 states as 'not significant' doesn't work, or when shrill cries of plagiarism fall flat, why not change the rules.

As we've seen with South Carolina, The Clintons will stop at nothing in pursuit of power. There are numerous avenues the Clintons can pursue to secure the nomination, the problem is that in achieving that goal there aren't many of those options left that wouldn’t spilt the party and guarantee John McCain's election.

Denver

2008-02-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

Picture

Here is a shot of the floor of the Colorado state assembly I took last Friday.

Sweet!

2008-02-20T08:40:00.001-05:00

Best Exit Poll Number

Of the voters identifying themselves as listening to conversative radio commentators like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity or thier ilk, 75% voted for John McCain.

They're enteraining, but apparently not influential. That's part of my excitement about this election, on the left and on the right the leading candidates aren't entirely under the thumb of their party's establishment.

Wisconsin, Hawaii

2008-02-20T08:37:00.000-05:00

Decide they don't matter

By wide margins....

Democrat Battle

2008-02-15T09:15:00.001-05:00

Down to the Wire?

The drama continues. Senator Clinton releases an attack ad, which isn't really an attack nor very much of an ad. Obama counters then peels of Super Delegate and uber-civil rights bearer John Lewis. Polls from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas show Clinton may still have a chance. And the media and blogger cynics ponder how dumb we all are to get excited by Obama's speech-making.

After seven years of listening to President Bush struggle to put together sentences, which more often than not are lies anyway; it's fun to watch a real, dynamic political discussion.

On Travel

2008-02-15T08:39:00.000-05:00

Denver...

I flew out to Denver yesterday for a series of meetings this morning. As opposed to flying my usual platinum elite status on Northwest, whose ticket prices have skyrocketed, I took Frontier. It was nice, even in my seat way back. The flight attendants were nice and professional.

Anyway, it was snowing in Denver when I arrived. Nice.

Meetings all day, then a late flight back to DC.

Less of this Please Mr. Obama

2008-02-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

Che?!

Not only was Che Guevara a mean guy, but he's also sort of a liberal cliche'. If you're the candidate of tomorrow, then let's not be looking to yesterday...especially if you want the vote of independents like me.

Unless the revolution you propose is along these lines:

"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary...These procedures are an archaic bourgeois detail. This is a revolution! And a revolutionary must become a cold killing machine motivated by pure hate. We must create the pedagogy of the The Wall! (El Paredón)" --Ernesto 'Che' Guevara

And as wel all know, that's pretty much what we've got under Bush!

Operation "Buckwheat"

2008-02-13T09:58:00.000-05:00

Clinton Surrogates Continue "Race-Baiting"

Candidate of change my *ss. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell continues the Clinton surrogate whisper campaign that whites won't vote for Obama. It's shameless really, and when you're talking about folks at this level, coordinated as well. I'm sure that the Clinton team even has a project name...operation "Buckwheat." (Hoping perhaps to paint Obama as a minstrel show characticture ala Amos and Andy)...

First we have the candidate herself commenting on her loss on Louisiana.

"These are caucus states by and large, or in the case of Louisiana, you know, a very strong and very proud African-American electorate, which I totally respect and understand." (I'm not so sure you do understand Hillary).

My question to Ed is what makes Pennsylvanians different than folks in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, North Dakota and other states that have voted overwhelmingly for Obama? Did all the racists from the Deep South move to Pennsylvania? Could you be more insulting to the residents of the state you represent?!

The best part is though after being so dismissive of the states she hasn't carried, and after making such statements like the one above, her next breath talks about who there will be a unified party in the fall. Don't be so sure.

Wow!

2008-02-13T09:49:00.000-05:00

A Good Day for McCain and Obama

A good day for the two leading candidates in the Mid-Atlantic States.
Obama has momentum, but the pattern is set for a very tight race with a very tanacious opponent. Let me say again, it's so refreshing, after 7 years to tuning this stuff out to be focused again on what comes next!

I Agree 100%

2008-02-12T10:49:00.000-05:00

Sullivan's Take

Is dead on...

Generation Gap

2008-02-12T10:31:00.000-05:00

Do Endorsements Matter?

On the left or the right a lot of talk on endorsements by various current and former leaders. For McCain, so big points this week in picking up the Jeb Bush's (the good one!) endorsement. On the Dem side, such backing is a little more important since the party gives about 1/3 of its delegates to party insiders (which may prove problematic moving forward).

Clinton is touting a potential endorsement in Ohio (a must win state for her) of former Senator/Astronaught John Glenn. I'm not sure how much that gets her. In discussions with my friends, the consensus headlines were:

For those 55 and older - Clinton gets Endorsement from Hero-Astronaught John Glenn.

For those under 55 - Former member of the "Keating Five" and that Old-Senator-who-used-his-political-power-to-get-a-free-ride-on-the-space shuttle - Endorses Senator Clinton.

Sexism and the Campaign

2008-02-12T08:24:00.000-05:00

Clothing Choices

Senator Clinton's staff decries it as sexist when the public or media discusses her clothing choices. What do they say when she does an exclusive article on the same topic?

Voting Begins

2008-02-12T08:07:00.000-05:00

Potomac/Chesapeake Primary

Got to the polls as they opened and about 50 people cycled through in the short time I was there. A steady stream were walking up as I left. Not bad for 7AM and 24 degrees. My neighborhood is about 60% African American and 40% mixed with a growing number of highly educated young professionals. Not favorable territory for Senator Clinton (and one she's noted doesn't really count anyway).

Here's what the scene looked like at 7:05 AM.

The Chesapeake Primary

2008-02-11T16:13:00.000-05:00

Is tomorrow!

It will be interesting to see how the voting plays out tomorrow. Virginia has been trending dem for some time, but has a strong religious streak that could help Huckabee. Clinton is reportedly working hard for a win in Virginia, or at least not a catastrophic loss.

Typically in DC we don't get much campaigning on the presendential level, so it has been intersting to see some action. My observations:

There has been zero GOP activity.

The Hillary folks were at the metro stop by my office this morning (temp of 16!) but the Obama volunteers were there all last week and this morning as well.
Additionally, I've heard at least 3 Obama ads on the radio.

We'll know more tomorrow. Remember to vote!

Not Good News

2008-02-11T15:16:00.000-05:00

When You're Compared to Poochi!

I'm an old school Simpson's fan. I caught this reference today related to a Clinton Campaign posting of a response to the now famous "Obama Girl." Daily Kos makes the analogy...it's all very Poochie-esque. Awesome!

An and interesting insight into the two campaigns use of the interents. Clinton doesn't seem to fully grasp it's power (especially in fundraising), where as Obama and his supporters are breaking new ground.

Gotta go...my planet needs me!

Drama!

2008-02-11T09:33:00.000-05:00

Obama pulls ahead in delegate count.

Huckabee robbed?

Clinton retools! Were the campaign funding issues a trick?

Can McCain...

2008-02-11T08:39:00.000-05:00

Save the GOP?

One of the biggest challenges facing the GOP is the total destruction of the parties credibility on core issues like limited govermnet, fiscal responsibility and even their hawkishness on national defense. The hijacking of the party the Bush-Conservatives and the preeminance of false profets like Jamesdobson as well as cheerleeding by the Hannities, Limbaughs and Coulters have moved the party so far into the corner, that not even Ronald Reagan would be considered a conservative by these folks.

But that's the opportunity for John McCain isn't it? Not indebted to these fringe groups he could move the party back to the middle. I mean if these other groups were so powerful, were's Guiliani? Romney? It'd be nice to have a GOP candidate not beholden to these people.

The Permanent Victims

2008-02-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

Tears, Race Cards and Money...

Have you ever noticed that the Clinton machine runs best when they play the victims?

First it was the vast right wing conspiracy that forced Bill Clinton to harass women and molest cigars. Then of course, after the Iowa caucus it was the tears. Before and after South Carolina is was shameful and disgusting race baiting by the Clintons* and their surrogates**. Now it's the Clinton money woes.

It all lends itself to the drama doesn't it?

But it is drama that gives this woman of privilege and advantage the appearance of having to overcome faux hardships. Feminism indeed.

Readers of this blog will know that I've been disgusted by the politics of the last seven years and would love to send the GOP to the wood shed for the next four. But I'll vote for Kim Jung Il before I'd hand the presidency back the the Clintons.

* Don't you like the dismissive chuckle?!
**Robert Johnson is a creep

Hillary Clinton

2008-02-07T08:36:00.000-05:00

Candidate of Change

Apparently 35 years of public service (including 8 years without pay) is a lot more lucrative than one would expect. lucrative enough that she has $5 million to lend her campaign?! Now that's a lot of change. Of course, as a feminist she certainly wouldn't be tapping into her husbands riches would she? Especially when it comes from despots?

Just asking.

Meanwhile the O-Train has raised $7 million in the last 24 hours.

Save the Mermaids!

2008-02-06T08:54:00.000-05:00

State of Florida Buys Weeki Wachee

Back in 1977, my folks drove me and my brothers down to Florida to our vacation. Just north of St. Pete, where my grandparents had just purchased their retirement home, was the folk-tastic Weeki Wachee park. A roadside attraction par-excellance.

Threatened with closure, Florida decided to step in a preserve this unique part of its history.
Good for them.

We Don't Torture....

2008-02-06T08:49:00.000-05:00

Ummm Actually....

We do. (But just the really, really bad guys)

Super-Fat Tuesday

2008-02-06T08:41:00.000-05:00

Wow!

Again, what an amazing couple of days. Two debates last week, the Super Bowl, then a Super Tuesday/Fat Tuesday election free for all!

Obama continues to rise, although Senator Clinton is clinging tightly to a lead. The once confident Dems may be heading into an open convention. Amazing. Reports are that Obama may have won more delegates yesterday continue to shake things up.

Meanwhile, on the right, McCain is pulling into a solid lead thanks to winner take all primaries, but Huckabee and Romney's wins show that the social conservative/immigration bully side of the party has not yet bought into a McCain nomination. From my perspective the Dobson, Limbaugh, Coulter attacks on McCain make him a much more appealing candidate.

In case you missed it

2008-02-05T08:56:00.000-05:00

PUPPY BOWL IV!

This makes sense...

2008-02-05T08:35:00.000-05:00

Income= $50K, Mortgage=$607,000

An interesting article in today's Washington Post on the impact of the mortgage crisis on sunbelt cities. I found this quout enlightening:

"We're in so deep that it doesn't seem like anything will help," said Rebekah Ao, 33, a pregnant homemaker who lives in a new four-bedroom home in Avondale with her husband, Otto, a truck driver. The Aos, with $50,000 in income, owe a total of $607,000 on mortgages for two houses they bought since they moved to the Phoenix area about two years ago.

So please tell me exactly why taxpayers whould be bailing out the Aos?

They'll get a bail out, the executive of the mortgage firm that lent to these people will get a huge bonus, and responsible folks who were smart enough to get a fixed rate mortgage- like most of us - will pay for it.

Mission accomplished.

Remember to Vote!

2008-02-04T09:12:00.000-05:00

Super Tuesday!

Probably one of the best campaign speeches in the last 20 years. Why would anyone vote for Senator Clinton?

Amazing

2008-02-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

China Transport Crisis

Wow! This is one of those events that put into perspective just how BIG China is.
800,000 people - one train station - no trains. Makes O'Hare look like paradise.

Blast from the Past

2008-02-04T08:50:00.000-05:00

Still Rockin' the Free World

Or something like that. Got together with an old friend who now goes by Boogie and is set to be bigger than the Biggles! I'm speaking of the N. Virginia sensation, Rocknocerous!

Fiscal Restraint

2008-02-04T08:48:00.000-05:00

And the GOP

This about says it all doesn't it?

President offers $3 TRILLION budget.

Paging Dr. Paul?!

A Great Week

2008-02-04T08:44:00.000-05:00

For Geeks

Wow, what a great weekend. Kicked it off on Wednesday with the GOP debate. Sad, but interesting. Then Thursday's Democrat debate. I think Senator Clinton did well, as I found myself not cringing everytime she spoke. Then we get an amazing Superbowl (even if the evil Eli Manning is the hero of the day). It was a good game. And Tommorrow's Super Tuesday!

Oh yeah...and Ground Hog's Day was in there somewhere too!

Here's hoping for a McCain-Obama race.

Public Speaking

2008-01-28T12:11:00.000-05:00

To 500 Attorneys....

Here's a view of the room I spoke to at my conference here in Las Vegas. A good group and a fun event. I got to review attendee evaluations as well. Nearly universally good reviews for my performance. Among my favorites:

"Elephant is a stud. This guy could read the phone book and keep my attention."

"It's a difficult task to my legislation and regulations interesting, but Elephant succeeds on all counts."

Lest I get too cocky:

"This guy is a clueless @#$clown."

"Quick, someone call Dale Carnegie!"

And my favorite, "I've accepted the fact that I will never get these forty-five minutes of my life back."

Thanks to all!

I'm Trapped in Las Vegas

2008-01-28T12:05:00.000-05:00

Send Help!

Just wrapped up a conference and board or directors meeting in Las Vegas. Nice town, in small doses. But I've been here a week, and I think I'm losing it. The Venetian is a nice hotel with giant, plush rooms. It is also ginormous. The walk from my room to the meeting space is longer than the walk from my house to the subway (about 3/4 of a mile) and it is all indoors! Amazing.

The Venetian also hosts a permanent "Phantom of the Opera" show. They promote it by playing the soundtrack constantly in the public areas. If I hear "Music of the Night" one more time...

(Photo: view from my window this morning)

A Note to Democrats

2008-01-20T18:10:00.000-05:00

Obama is Your Reagan

I've been in DC for more that 14 years. I've seen hack politicians come and go. Like most of us on both sides of the aisle, I've been crushed and saddened about the divisiveness President Bush and Karl Rove have brought to our country. That's why I'm finding it a bit breath taking to watch Senator Hillary Clinton pretty much emulate the political tactics and strategies perfected by the Bush-Rove cadre. And it's funny to see all the liberal blogs I love so much, be a bit coy in addressing the issues of race baiting, voter suppression, push polling and just plain outright lying that the Clintons have been engaging in during their so-far ham-handed campaign.

What's even more stunning, is when I reach a speech like this. It gives me chills. At 16 I sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and listened to a recording of Martin Luther King Jr.'s, "I have a Dream" speech. It was that moment I knew I wanted to make my way back to this great city someday and work to make my country a better place. I had that feeling again today, when I read Mr. Obama's speech.

This man, regardless of his experience, has a message and a vision. One that gets even my cynical heart beating a little faster. Oh, I have nothing in common with him on the policy side of the equation, but I think he is by far, the type of leader we will need going into the troubled years ahead. He's your Ronald Reagan, a man that can make the left a relevant player in American politics and change the 'center' like Reagan did so many years ago. How great would it be to have a fall campaign with Senator Obama and Senator McCain debating beyond the orthodox, focus grouped sound bites of their lesser competitors?

After eight years of criminal mismanagement, I am so looking forward to voting against the Republicans. To tear down the party that I've hitched my wagon to in order to rebuild it as a party of limited government, social libertarianism and fiscal conservatism.

There is only one thing that can have me cast my vote for any of those candidates however and that's Senator Clinton. If you haven't noticed, she's George Bush in drag...same divisiveness, same 'you're either with me or against me' attitude, and the same appeal to fear. And if you haven't noticed, she's thrown the democratic African American community under the bus, just as her husband did to the gay community they courted so heavily back in 1992. They're opportunists and after four years of Bush-Cheney the voting public's BS detection skills are too sharp to be fooled by the liberal version of the Bush Dynasty.

I'd vote for Obama. In fact, I've sent money to him. I'm hoping that I have the choice in November of Obama against McCain, that would be one of the toughest votes to face.

For years my Democrat friends have been telling me that they can do better than the last eight years. It's time to step up and show me and my fellow elephants in exile that the left is in fact able to break this partisan war and to nominate someone who can change the game rather than extend it for four more years.

No Clear Winners?

2008-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

An Open Convention?

Three primaries for the GOP and three different winners. Interesting. Rudy Giuliani looks set to do well in Florida (where your humble blogger finds himself today). It certainly is interesting isn't it?

On the GOP side, the emerging possibility is that they will head into a convention with no clear nominee. On the Democrat side, it seems that Senator Obama is drawing enough support that if Senator Clinton may have to rely on super delegates to get the nomination.

Competition is good, and it's great to see the various factions of the GOP duke it out. It is just as rewarding to see the upstart Senator Obama taking on Senator Clinton. More importantly, it's great to start thinking about the end of the Bush administration.

This is boring

2008-01-15T22:40:00.000-05:00

Democrat Debate

The Democrat debates are more fun when they aren't pretending to like each other.

I get the impression that Senator Clinton has some 35 years of 'experience'.
That John Edwards is against just about everything, especially electricity.
Barack Obama wants to bring people together.

The first forty-five minutes, when they were singing each others praises, reminded me that I have very little in common with any of them on policy issues.

Democrat Endorsements

2008-01-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

Interesting

Not to get to much into the racial politics being through about on the left side of aisle of late, but I made an interesting observation yesterday. A good portion of Senator Obama's Senate and House endorsements come from Midwestern states, e.g. red states. His most recent additions being Senator McCaskill from MO and Ben Nelson from NE. Senator Clinton gets a ton of support from the coasts. Perhaps the folks in the middle of the country aren't a bunch a dumb rednecks that the liberal coastal elites would have you believe.

I'll try to find time to map this out. But it seems to me, the if the Democrats want to retake the White House, perhaps they may want to look at a candidate that makes the competitive in middle America?

Nano, Nano

2008-01-15T09:15:00.000-05:00

Goodbye Cheap Oil

Seems to me the $2,500 Tata Nano just introduced into a market of close to 1 billion poeple just might increase demand for oil. I'm just guessing.

Welcome Back Stagflation!

2008-01-15T09:10:00.000-05:00

Wholesale prices rise by 6%

Soaring energy prices, the falling dollar and the subprime mess are creating the perfect storm for a return to the stagnant economy and high inflation of the 1970s. Wholesale prices surged by 6.3% this past year. Good thing the federal reserve isn't cutting interest rates again...oh wait.

Time Asks

2008-01-14T16:40:00.000-05:00

Will Campaign 2008 Destroy the Dems?

Elephant Answers: Yes, if that is what is required to elect another Clinton. More here.

One thing that has struck me is how the trend of left-right divisiveness that characterized the 2004 election has now infected both parties - the Dems with a two-way (or perhaps 3-way) split and the GOP with five factions competing for the nod. I think this is good in the long run for both parties and in the short term makes for a riveting news cycle.

Tech Support

2008-01-14T14:17:00.000-05:00

This seems about right

Customer support calls back - 10 years later.

Probably better than my recent experiences with Apple's so-called 'Genius Bar"....

Clinton and LBJ

2008-01-14T11:29:00.000-05:00

Sullivan's Right...

If Hillary were LBJ, we'd still be waiting for the civil rights act. More here.

Can't Keep My Mouth Shut

2008-01-14T11:25:00.000-05:00

2008 Elections

Greetings all. I hope the New Year finds everyone well. Looking forward into 2008, I would never have guessed that the pending presidential election would turn into such a stunningly exciting affair. I'm captivated, captivated enough to come back from my sabbatical and start yammering again.

First, off, let me give you an idea of where I am at this stage. Like many, I'm frustrated and angry with the GOP for taking the country in the direction they have. On just about every front the GOP control of Congress and the presidency has been an utter failure. They've nearly doubled the national debt, they've grown spending more than any modern administration save FDR, and they've empowered government to the extent they can arrest U.S. citizens, ship them to Syria and torture 'em. Mission Accomplished indeed.

So, I'm ready, willing and eager to vote against the GOP nominee. To destroy the party to save it. To that end my cynical heart has found common ground with the Barack Obama campaign. Mainly for his tone of trying to bring the country together. I can't face another four years of being a red/blue nation or basically having to tune out 50% of the populace. From a policy standpoint, I probably have very little in common with his candidacy, but then I think it is safe to say the Obama’s policy positions are to the right of those of Mike Huckabee. That's how bad it is for the GOP.

But there's one thing at this stage that can save the GOP and push my vote back to the right. Her name is Hillary Clinton, and from what I've observed over the past few weeks, it seems her campaign his taking notes from Karl Rove. So nasty is her tone, so arrogant, that at times it is if George W. Bush has put on a dress.

The GOP Debate

2007-10-10T08:45:00.000-04:00

A Bunch of Grandpa Simpsons...

I watched a rerun of the GOP Presidential debate last night and all I can say is what a sorry crop of candidates it is. I found the messianic debut of Fred Thompson underwhelming and thought he was looking physically ill. Ron Paul got in some good sound bites and I was surprised that I found myself rooting for a sometimes sympathetic Mike Huckabee (I know!), but thought the whole bunch sounded like five or six Grandpa Simpsons. McCain was especially wooden and pathetic.

The worst part of it, was the Hillary baiting and the reflexive arguments that any democrat candidate will grow the federal government, spend more money, and subjugate me to the state. Really?

I mean under the current administration, with the acquiescence of Congress, the President has the authority to strip me of my constitutional protections, lock me away, subject me to 'enhanced interrogation techniques' perfected by the likes of Stalin and the Khmer Rogue (but it's not torture!) deny me access to the courts and an attorney. But I should be afraid that the recently vetoed health insurance program for kids is a slide into socialism? I'm also told that I should be outraged by the budget busting $6 billion per year for a program while this same cadre is well on its way to spending $1 TRILLION dollars on a war that was supposed to pay for itself?

They don't get it, the party doesn't get it and the need some time in the wilderness to figure it out if you ask me. Of course the only thing that can save them and the party is Hillary and it looks the the GOP, the media and the Dems are doing everything they can to ensure that she's the nominee. I've had eight years of divisiveness, I don't want another four.

OMG!

2007-10-10T08:36:00.000-04:00

Re-emerging

First of, I can't believe it has been two months since I've posted. Time flies. Part of the lack of blogging has been that the new job is much more demanding than the old job. I like it fine, but I'm earning my keep as they say. It's also hard to blog about the current state of affairs when they've gone so far over the cliff that they simply mock themselves. From the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, to Larry Craig's sad demise, the plunging dollar, to Bush's ongoing destruction of our republic, to the pathetic crop of GOP presidential candidates, idiot talking heads on TV, etc, it's taken all my energy not to explode in rhetorical rage, thus the silence.

On the flip side a lot is happening in the personal and professional life that's keeping me going. Just got back from an AMAZING trip to Guatemala (Antigua & Tikal), and in a week, I'm headed to France for a two week vacation and work is busy and challenging. Will try to get back to regular blogging soon.

A Surprise!

2007-08-02T18:34:00.000-04:00

Please be a pony! please be a pony!

News

2007-08-02T18:27:00.000-04:00

Sighting!

OK, I haven't blogged for a while due to being busy at work and having some business travel. I did get a response for Whole Foods to the posting below and it was very lame. I hope to have more on that later. But in other news, I returned from a trip to Denver yesterday and who should plop down on the seat right next to me on the Metro? None other the disgraced former FEMA Director Mike Brown!

I resisted the urge to shout out, "You're doing a heck of a job Brownie!"

Willard "Mitt" Romney

2007-07-17T08:47:00.000-04:00

The Perfect GOP Candidate

I've been chatting up Mitt (Willard) Romney for some time as the best candidate for the GOP nomination. Why? He's the perfect embodiment of what the GOP has become. He has a solid record as a moderate, pro-business leader with high ethical standards and he's decided to run away from these to cater to a small and ever more rigid core group of nut jobs we like to call "the base." If he's reminiscent of John Kerry in his flip-floppiness it's only because the GOP has become a hollow core of "Do as I Say, Not as I Do" leaders.

Look no further than this wonderful ad Andrew Sullivan linked to. Willard promises to fight "Indolence and Perversion" which I think means he just declared war on Senator Vitter.

Whole Foods Response

2007-07-17T08:44:00.000-04:00

More to come...

I did get a response from teh Whole Foods, "Global Communications Team". More on that in a bit. Needless to say it was about as lame as the excuses we're getting from Senator Vitter.

Just $6 Million Away

2007-07-17T08:39:00.000-04:00

From a perfect settlement...

Seems to me that the LA Diocese was just $6 million away from a perfect verdict for the years long cover-up of clergy abuse. But $660 million dollars is a staggering amount, no doubt due to the many, many lives a few troubled priest and the hierarchy allowed to hurt for far too long. It's good to see this being addressed, finally. Pray for the many lives ruined that no cash compensation can fix.

Wholly Rotten

2007-07-12T16:34:00.000-04:00

Healthy, Organic, Sleazy.

I'm a huge Whole Foods fan. One of the nice things about my new job is that it is directly across the street from a new Whole Foods store. What I like best is that Whole Foods seems to approach its business from a perspective that being a good corporate citizen and profits don't have to be mutually exclusive. It turns out that may not be the case.

Whole Foods CEO, John Mackey (Mmm-hay) has reportedly been secretly talking up Whole Foods and bashing competitor Wild Oats on yahoo investor forums. At the same time, his public persona espouses concepts of transperancy and accountability. Legal, perhaps, but definitely unethical and sleazy. I don't mind buying products from profit maximizing multinational corporations - Walmart doesn't try to sugar coat its agressive business model . When I shop at Whole Foods, I'm buying more than overpriced, organic, ethically raised products, I'm also buying into this espoused ethos, or at least I used to.

Perhaps this is just another in a long line of examples of broken institutions in this country we can put on a list with the Media, Congress, the Presidency and so on. But frankly I'm getting pretty tired of it. So bear witness as I slowly devolve into a ranting Granpa Simpson with this dispatch I just sent to Whole Foods investor relations.

Dear Whole Foods:

I'm a daily shopper at your Alexandria, VA store. I enjoy Whole Foods for it's commitment to healthy living and the environment. I take pride in knowing I'm spending my money with a company understands corporate citizenship and profit are not mutually exclusive goals. Like a majority of your customers, I don't mind paying a little more to support that focus.

However, I find the reported actions by your CEO Mr. Mackey, in relation to postings regarding Wild Oats to be totally at odds with the values espoused by your corporation. Even if legal, Mr. Mackey's actions are sleazy, inappropriate and unethical. Mr. Mackey should be fired for his actions and an apology issued to customers and shareholders. Absent firm and harsh consequences, Whole Foods is simply Enron with a really, really nice meat and produce section. I certainly hope that the board of directors can find a means to resolve this issue consistent with the values the corporation claims to uphold, until that happens, I’ll be shopping elsewhere.

Regards,
Elephant.

Let's see what happens shall we. I'm tired of institutions like government, the media, corporations, etc. thinking that it's just about truthiness. Values mattter and if you can't walk the walk, don't talk the talk. Of course now that I've set off on this path I figure in about six months I'll be living under a bridge mutter to myself and training my army of stray cats. Either way it should be fun for you to watch.

Do as I Say Republicans

2007-07-12T13:09:00.000-04:00

Like the Sun Rising in the East.

Another day dawns and yet another republican is busted for solicitation.

"State Rep. Bob Allen was arrested Wednesday afternoon at a local park
after offering to perform a sex act on an undercover officer in exchange for
$20, police said."

It used to be funny, now it is just sad. It turns out our country's moral fiber is under attack, under attack by Do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do-Republicans.

Update: Holy Straight Talk Express!- Suspect is John McCain's Florida Co-Chair.

$500 Billion & 3,000 Lives

2007-07-12T08:52:00.000-04:00

Puts us back at September 10, 2001

So Al-Qaida is back to its pre-9/11 strength. After two wars, 3,000 lives and $500 billion dolllars. Seems like a good argument to stay the course to me. It's nice to know that the politics of failure are working just fine.

Poor, Poor Babies

2007-07-12T08:36:00.000-04:00

It's tough to be a politician

Could there be a more compelling story? Presidential candidates whining about how unfair it is that they have to fly commercial? Somehow I don't feel sorry for them.

David Vitter

2007-07-11T08:51:00.000-04:00

Skank or Slut?

I thought Republicans were supposed to be real men. You know like John Wayne and Jean Schmidt. Seems to me that such tough guys, with their neoconservative swagger and their understanding of the proper role of a man in society would have to be peeling all sorts of virtuous women off of themselves. Guess not.

I have no problem with people espousing the virtues of leading a 'wholesome' life. I do have a problem with these folks telling me how to live my life, more so when they turn out to be secret meth addict closet cases or whore mongers like Vitter.

If you're gonna talk the talk...

My Simpson's Avatar

2007-07-11T08:42:00.000-04:00

Call Me Grimey

I don't plan on seeing the movie, the Simpsons jumped the shark long ago. But I think this is a great marketing tool. Create your avatar here.

More than a Feeling!

2007-07-11T08:34:00.000-04:00

A Gut Feeling!

We've spent close to half a trillion dollars fighting in Iraq, about $40 billion a year on the Department of Homeland Security, Congress created a new intelligence Tsar to improve our spying, we've mortgaged our national soul torturing enemy combatants (and a few U.S. Citizens), the FBI is listening to our phone calls and monitoring our electronic transactions and the result?

DHS Secretary Certoff (aka Skeletor) has gut feeling that an attack may be imminent. Now that he mentions it, the tea leaves in the bottom of my cup did look suspicious this morning.

Why do I get the feeling that after all this we probably know less now than we did on September 10, 2001? Of course that's just my gut feeling.

The GOP

2007-07-03T15:39:00.000-04:00

Just Like Bovine University

Per my rant below, this is the modern Republican Party.

Willed Suspension of Disbelief

2007-07-03T07:40:00.000-04:00

To be a Republican today is to surrender reason for an ever-shifting reality of convenience in support of an administration drunk with its own power. The unhinged depravity from the White no longer shocks my sensibilities; it's just the brazen, transparent disregard for the rule of law that's still stings.

What's more shocking is that the Congressional GOP leadership seems blind to how their silence or support of the President's commutation of convicted felon Scooter Libby effectively neuters their moral authority on government accountability. Just like they’ve surrendered on restraining government power and just about every other value that makes a Republican a Republican

These are the same people who (rightfully I might add) impeached a President for lying under oath in a civil matter. I cheered when the GOP set such a lofty benchmark for our highest office. Now some of the very same people are telling me that perjury and obstruction of justice related to the exposure of a CAI agent as political payback is somehow not worthy of punishment?

To quote Lisa Simpson, "They don't expect me to buy this tripe?"

Conservatives should be both appalled and outraged. Their contribution to the American experience is an ethos that holds high personal responsibility, integrity and consequences for ones actions as cornerstones for a healthy society. Loyalty does not trump justice. President Bush didn't stick his finger in the eye of the left, he ground under his heel the very set of values he claims to uphold. What's even worse is that those who claim to be champion of these values cheer him on as he destroys everything they claim to stand for.

Joe Lieberman

2007-06-11T07:59:00.000-04:00

Is Insane

Seems to me someone needs to give Senator Joe Lieberman (R, Israel) a big dose of reality.
Attach Iran? With what Army? and with what budget? Of course by comparison, it would probably make our efforts in Iraq look much, much better. As with most 'strategic' discussions coming out of DC the past few years, I'm laughing between the sobs.

A Most Excellent Adventure

2007-06-11T07:46:00.000-04:00

A Visit with the Folks

My parents came down for a few days last week, arriving on Wednesday and departing just yesterday. Took them to the Nats v. Pirates game on Thursday (is there anything better than a baseball game on a sunny 85 degree day?) and scored some pretty decent seats.

Also hosted a cookout that turned out to be quite fun as well. Chicken, Steak, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs...Yum!

63 Years Ago Today

2007-06-06T09:17:00.000-04:00

Operation Overlord Launched

Kind of like storming the Death Star. That was my impression on touring the D-Day beaches on a trip back in 2000. some 56 years or so from the actual invasion the remnants of the Atlantic Wall were still impressive and seemingly impenetrable. Worse for our troops, behind the wall lay field after flied surrounded by hedges and berms, giving the retreating Germans shelter. This was a day when it was all on the line. Seeing what we were up against, even today, is humbling.

D-Day Resources:

Wikipedia - Battle of Normandy
Encyclopedia Britannica - D-Day

Someone, Anyone

2007-06-06T08:41:00.000-04:00

Please buy me a Chairbot!

This is part of the future I've been waiting for!

Brookland

2007-06-05T08:57:00.000-04:00

How fun is this?!

My house is being featured on the promotional materials for an event this weekend promoting my neighborhood. Sweet!

One small typo, but it makes it even more appropriate since this blog is littered with them. As I didn't make the brochure one could assume that such things are contagious.

More on the event here.

Spreading Democracy

2007-06-05T08:43:00.000-04:00

Bush to extend call for global democracy

Great, good for him. Funny thing is that he seems to support democracy in all parts of the world save for his own back yard, DC. I guess perhaps that's because granting DC true representation in Congress doesn't involve hundreds of billions of dollars for war.

Quote of the Day

2007-06-05T08:07:00.000-04:00

"My message will be Vladimir — I call him Vladimir — that you shouldn't fear a missile defense system," Bush said. "As a matter of fact, why don't you cooperate with us on a missile defense system. Why don't you participate with the United States." - George Bush, at a press conference n the Czech Republic.

(One wonders what his good friend Vlad calls him?)

We will always have Paris

2007-06-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

Schadenfreude

I'm not one to be proud of reveling in the "suffering" of others (at least not overly proud). But for what ever reason, I must admit that there is something rather poetic about Paris Hilton going to jail, even if it is for only 23 days.

Perhaps it's not her fault, and I'm sure there's a women's studies professor who can argue it is somehow my fault. But being famous for a homemade porn video, being rich, drunk and stupid isn't the kind of celebrity we should be celebrating.

Today's lesson: Act like jail bait, become jail bait

Star Wars: The Holiday Special

2007-05-24T09:06:00.000-04:00

Better than the American Idol Finale!

Degobah System?!

2007-05-24T08:44:00.000-04:00

Star Wars

In the realm of things that make me feel old(ish), 30 years ago this weekend was the premier of Star Wars. It ran at the only theater in my town for the entire summer. My friend Tommy Murdah's dad owned the theater and I got to see it a couple of times in the owners suite just off the projection booth. Fun!

Of course I saw it like 8 times or something and would go one to spend untold hundreds of dollars on Star Wars Toys. And of course who could forget the Star Wars Holiday Special with Bea Arthur, Art Carney, and Jefferson Starship!

I'd love to watch it this weekend and would love to pick up the DVD set, but I think you can only get the 'updated' version...sigh...

Insomnia

2007-05-23T01:25:00.000-04:00

I can't fall asleep tonight. It's very strange, I'm tired, nothing is troubling me, yet here I am at 1:30 am.

Record Gas Prices

2007-05-22T09:40:00.000-04:00

Hurray! :(

I don't drive, and when I do its not very far, so I don't feel this pain as much as say, my brother who commutes 45 miles (one-way) to work, or my 'nother brother who drives around auditing businesses. Although the other day I filled up my gas can for the lawn mower and it cost me $6.75.

The Happiest Place on Earth

2007-05-22T09:38:00.000-04:00

Disney World

Always thought it was a bit over the top and cloying. But this news makes it sound much more interesting.

Fun!

2007-05-21T09:20:00.000-04:00

Flightmemory.com

I saw an article about Flightmemory.com in USAToday last week and spent a couple lunch hours plugging in my data for the last 18 months or so. Mostly because I love maps...but also so I could be bummed out by the fact that I've spent2.5 weeks (400 hours) of the past two years on airplanes. I know others travel much more for business and such, but I can't imagine doing more... Photo at left is my domestic travel for past 18 months or so...

Updates

2007-05-21T09:16:00.000-04:00

Time Flies...

Lots going on in the world, and I've been focused on getting out and enjoying the incredible spring weather here in DC. Lack of blogging falls mainly under, "if you can't say anything nice." I mean it was 78 degrees yesterday, Paris Hilton is going to jail....what's not to like?!

Also working through all these issues with Bush. A stunning article in this weeks National Journal on Bush/Gonzalez's attempts to get John Ashcroft to sign off on domestic wire tapping, while he was heavily sedated and in the Hospital. Aschroft's appointed Deputy had to call the FBI and CIA to keep from getting kicked out of the room...nice. More on that later.

Also trying to cope with this little factoid...STAR WARS turns 30 this weekend!

NO!

2007-05-07T08:44:00.000-04:00

DC Landmarks Dropping Like Flies

First came the news that Yenching Palace is closing (to become a Walgreens!), the news that A.V. Italian Restaurant will also close. Then last week Eastern Market burns down! Uggh...it's like I woke up to a whole new city, one that's a lot less interesting.

Back in the Saddle

2007-05-07T08:42:00.000-04:00

Three Weeks Out!

I'm back in the office. I've been on the road so long it seems like I have a new job. I'm hoping they don't call security as there is a strange guy in my office. (Me!)

Two Bussiness Trips and A Funeral

2007-05-03T18:10:00.000-04:00

Gone So Long...

Sigh. I just returned to DC after having been on the road nearly nonstop since April 18. My road trip was extended by a death in the family which sadly kept me out of town for yet another week. So much to say about the later, all positive, but way too soon. Just wanted to let you know I'm not slacking off, just busy with life.

Working on some postings this weekend, check back on Monday!

More Crazies

2007-04-23T09:26:00.000-04:00

Fear the Mexican Trucker?

Sigh! Crazies to the left, crazies to the right. A group called "Save America" or something plans to shut down the beltway because George Bush wants to form a super country consisting of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico?! WTF?!

But since you mentioned it...that might be a good idea.

(and better yet, reminds me of Slowpoke Rodreguiez!)

She's got a point.

2007-04-23T09:02:00.000-04:00

The Media and VT

Ever notice how quick the media elites are to jump on us common folk? The VT shootings are a prime example. Even before the ambulances have finished moving the injured and killed, they start the arm waiving on how the 2nd Amendment is the root of all evil and that the rights and responsibilities if affords us as citizens are ones we can't be trusted with.

Megan McArdle gets it about right in sub'ing for Andrew Sullivan.

"[Megan] In the wake of the Virginia tech murders, there has been a lot of editorialising about gun control and mental health interventions. But I haven't found a single editorial addressing one factor we know creates these mass murders: reporting on the mass murders."

I couldn't agree more. What the shooter wanted was the media infamy and NBC gave it to him on a silver platter. NBC's quest for ratings trumped any responsibility to the public they may have under the first amendment, and just a few days later we get another shooter in Houston. So we get a lenghty discussion on curbing my and millions of others liberty without any discussion on how NBC's self restrain could help prevent future shooting sprees.

She's Joking Right?

2007-04-23T08:43:00.000-04:00

Limits on Toilet Paper? The Napkin Sleeve?

This has not been a good weekend for the so-called environmental movement. First I had to wade through the Forest killing, wild-eyed irony of the Vanity Fair Green Issue (see below) and now all sorts of crazy reports in the Post on some of the grand plans of the new green dynamic duo of Sheryl (read Cherl) Crow and Laurie David.

Here's some highlights on from the Post from their blog:

Crow: I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting. Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required.
(Elephant: I'll do this one better. In South East Asia they don't use toilet paper, but rather have a bucket of water near the squat-hole. You use your hand and the water to clean you behind. This is why you NEVER offer out your left hand in South East Asia...it's your poop hand.)
Crow: I also like the idea of not using paper napkins, which happen to be made from virgin wood and represent the height of wastefulness. I have designed a clothing line that has what's called a "dining sleeve." The sleeve is detachable and can be replaced with another "dining sleeve," after usage. The design will offer the "diner" the convenience of wiping his mouth on his sleeve rather than throwing out yet another barely used paper product. I think this idea could also translate quite well to those suffering with an annoying head cold.

I'm pretty sure that last one is a joke right? The Napkin sleeve? I mean surely she jests? And one square?! Lord!

This weekend I saw a commercial from Walmart encouraging all of their customers to buy just one compact fluorescent bulb. If we all did (I currently have 10 installed at home) it would be as if we took 1,000,000 cars off the road. In the end, the evil Walmart will likely do more to cut emissions this year than all of the environmental organizations combined.

Vanity Fair's Green Excressence..

2007-04-20T09:51:00.000-04:00

This is Environmentalism?!

Preparing for my flight yesterday, I decided to pick up a copy of Vanity Fair's 2nd Annual Green Issue. I confess that the main attraction was a picture of Knute the polar bear (photo-shopped onto the cover and gazing hopefully at his environmental savior Leonardo DiCaprio). I admit I do, from time to time, enjoy indulging in the self-absorbed excesses of Graydon Carter's megalomania...if only to look for faint echoes Spy Magazine irrelevance. But the depth of self-absorption, corporate bashing and loppsided hysteria found in this Green Issue left me enranged enough to finish off torching the amazon by myself.

Keep in my that I'm no SUV driving, electricity burning, chemical spewing denailist. I take mass transit to work daily. I installed a programable variable thermostat, and have begun replacing my incandesant bulbs with more efficient compact flourscent ones (while closely watching developments in the LED areana). I'm contemplating upgrading my furnace to gain a few more percentage points of efficiency and I'm now buying free-range, humane raised meats and looking at participating in buying a share of a local farmers co-op for fresh summer vegetables. You'd think I'd have less of a tin ear for the claptrap filling the pages of VF.

Let's start with an article titled A Convenient Truth. It's a "scathing" profile of climate change denialist and corporate man-whore Myron Ebell. Best as I can tell, Myron is a professional skeptic who works for the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). The think tank that brought us those laughable commercials on CO2 (They call it pollution, We call it Life!). The article informs me that Mr. Ebell's employer CEI has taken money from Exxon-Mobile. A fact the author reminds me of that more than 22 times. Granted, Mr Ebell sounds like a total tool. But is his interest any less bought and sold than the environmental groups that offer me the chance to buy my carbon offset indulgences to fund their hysteria machines?

And this group of some thousand experts at the UN? I'd like some more information there please? After all this is the same UN the puts Iran, Lybia, Sudan and other countries into leadership positions on UN Human Rights councils. The experts pronouncements ushering in a new age of neo-malthusian panic akin the righteous certainty Erlich's The Population Bomb or the fears of a coming Ice Age just some 30 years ago.

What is it about the obnoxious questions put forward by Ebell and CEI that so ruffle the feathers of the Climate Change Elite that, despite there "near certainty" of the data and the "wide spread" concensus among 1,000s of unamed experts that requires his containment?

Could it be that underlying Ebell's fingers to the eye is a subtext of doubt?

An attempt at humbling the malthusian tendencies and perhaps suggesting that, while we should take some actions, it's not yet time for the hair shirts and self flagellation?

Who knows. But the author's understanding of Ebell's sins is only matched by the fervor of the minister in A Scarlett Letter. And I'm sure that he offsets his Volvo V8 driving, the house in Mantuak and those dinners at Nobu by funding green interships for RFK Jr. And other Kennedy prodgeny.

Needing something a little lighter to read, I decided to skip the article on Leonardo Di Caorio's upcoming environmental documentary. Although the article is peppered with photos of Leo draped over varios hunks of ice (in Iceland!) courtesy of Annie Leibotwitz. (I'm sure that they've both "offset" the carbon emmissions from that trip) Again, celebrities who own multiple mansions, dozens of gas guzzilng luxury cars and have carbon footprints the size of Texas really don't have anything to teach me on planetary stewardship or moderation.

Unfortunately, that left me to thumb through the beautifully shot, but entirely too serious photo spread of "Global Citizens". I learn that Julia Louis Dreyfuss drives a hybrid car and is committed to turn her beach house in Santa Barbara into a show case of green technology. Good for her! (wouldn't it be nice to hear about celebrities who downsized their beach mansions and lived simply by...I don't know...having one house?!) There pages and pages of serious looking, important IMPORTANT! People who have a host of ideas on how best I should live. I'm sure a few of them may actually even take their own advice.

Of course the coup de grace is the article on Prince Charles and his efforts to help educate the masses on how to live in harmony with the environment. You know the advice on simple living that one achieves through the ownwership of several castles. By the way what is the carbon footprint of Buckingham Palace? Highgrove? And Windsor Castle?

Then there is this paragraph from an article titled An Ecosoystem of One's Own:

More than half of this (electric) grid is powered by coal-fired plants, which account for 40 percent of our national output of greenhouse gases. With their emmissions regulations gutted by the current administration, power plants belch carbon dioxide, mercury, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide, an active ingredient of both acid rain ans smog. Some of this pollution is drifting all the way up to the Arctic and poisoning fish, ringed seals, polar bears, and pregnant Inuit Women.

What's lost among the carcasses of sooty polar bears and inuit women is the fact emissions from coal fall each year even as the electricy geberated by coal continues to grow. By some accounts emissions have fallen by close to 36 percent. And of course not a mention of how the air we breath today is cleaner than anytime since the 1600s. And the rules the Bush administration "gutted"? They were never inforce.

There's a lot we can and should be doing about C02. But it somehow seems both obscene and ironic that I can read of this coming appoloypse while enjoying titilating photos of celebrities with baby polar bears and puruse ads to $50,000 watches, $100,000 cars and the lost photos of the VF Oscar party.

Seriously, can't we have a rational discussion on climate change and mitigation without having to deal with delusional celebrities or oil company man whores? When we do, give me a call. Until then I'll be making small sustainable changes for more efficient living. If I read any more of this compost, I may just go out and buy a Hummer SUV.

My first sacrifice will be to drop my copy of the VF Green issue in the nearest recycling bin rather than the nearest toilet where it belongs.

The Fog Lifts

2007-04-19T08:57:00.000-04:00

Mental Illness, not the 2nd Amendment

So as the fog lifts and more facts are uncovered about the VT shooter. It seems the root cause of the tragedy is a story of mental illness and our failure to see multiple warning signs than it is a story of gun control. I hope it sparks a debate on how best to address how to protect the freedoms of those suffering from mental illness and the balance of that freedom against the need to protect the public at large. It seems in this case, we all failed.

Gonzales v. Carhart

2007-04-19T08:43:00.000-04:00

The End of the Beginning or the Beginning of the End?

Seems the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a limited ban on certain kind of mid-to-late term abortion procedure. Is this the beginning of the end of abortion rights or merely the debate entering a new phase of debate.

Ultimately I think the court will over turn Roe. Without commenting on whether or not they should, the imposition of Roe and its absolute sway for more than forty years has served to radicalize both sides of the reproductive rights debate and suppressed the possibility of finding a consensus. The pro-choicers cry is for "Free Abortion on Demand!" and the pro-lifers call is for a ban on all abortions (and probably all contraception too). Most of us don't fall into either of those camps.

That being said, if I were I women, I certainly would rather have a person in a white robe make decisions on the appropriate procedure related to my pregnancy than say a judge or worse yet, a Congressman.

Roe allows for restrictions on abortion access in the later stages of pregnancy, so a quick read of this decision does not put in at odds with Roe precedent nor does it chip away at Roe. It has only been in application that the rights granted by Roe have been made absolute. But clearly a shift in tenor of the court. So the pendulum begins its reverse arc. It will be interesting to see where it stops.

I'll read the case on the plane today, back with more thoughts later....

SLC

2007-04-18T08:59:00.000-04:00

The Place for Me

It's travel time for work again. I'll be on the road tomorrow through the end of the month. I'm heading out to SLC for a meeting with a commission that drafts uniform model laws on a variety of topics. (How fun does that sound?! SLC and discussions of model laws?!) Then it's off to Las Vegas for my organization's annual meeting. So, blogging may be intermitent.

HOT Lanes

2007-04-18T08:53:00.000-04:00

Economics and Traffic

Back in graduate school* I wrote a rather lengthy treatise on using congestion pricing and other economic tools as a traffic management scheme. My paper focused on several theoretical studies done at the time and a pilot program then in effect in Singapore. This was back in 1993 or so.

Today we see these schemes popping up all over. Now Virginia is looking at such toll lanes. I think it is a great idea and one that could also help curb C02 emissions by capturing the external costs of rush hour traffic. You want to fly down I-395 during the morning rush hour? Be prepared to pay for it.

Oh, my professor gave me a C on the paper, her main beef was that such systems would never work and would never be implemented.

*One would think that after attending some graduate school and law school I'd be a better writer and proofer. But this a blog so I'll just call it poetic license.

After VT

2007-04-18T08:47:00.000-04:00

Blame, Gun Control and All That

Jane Galt is filling in at AndrewSullivan.com and pretty much sums up m feelings on all of this.

And a shout out to Governor Kane.

Raw

2007-04-16T21:16:00.000-04:00

I'm speechless. I feel like someone has knocked the wind out of me. The cold and dreary weather here in DC embodies the dark, cold evil that visited the students of Virginia Tech. Let's reflect, grieve and let the facts reveal themselves. When we've had time to wrap our minds around this, then it will be the right time to discuss the why, and how..

It's too much to watch the talking heads breathlessly report on the carnage (with a gleam in their eye) then frivolously shift to uniformed and trite ‘analysis’. I'm reserving my energy, my thoughts and my prayers for the victims and their families.

Just Asking

2007-04-16T09:19:00.000-04:00

Live Earth

Rather than spend all this money on putting on simultaneous concerts around the world to promote awareness of global warming, and all the electricity and transport they will require, why not just spend all those millions on buying folks around the world one or two compact florescent lights for their home?

My bet is that that would have a bigger impact on carbon emissions than all that celebrity hot air. And who isn't aware of global warming?

The Corner Office

2007-04-16T09:08:00.000-04:00

Perks and Perks

Hey wait! I have a corner office and a phat VP title, but I don't get any of this. In fact, it seems many bus drivers here in DC make more money than I do.

Big Storm

2007-04-16T09:06:00.000-04:00

Sort of...

Frankly the "Big Nor'Easter" that rolled up the coast this weeked was sort of a dissapointment. It did bring some much needed rain (3 inches or so), but it failed to live up to the apocolyptic hype of the local media. But doesn't it always?...

Great Moments in Marketing

2007-04-12T09:28:00.000-04:00

On sale now!

Saw this new product on the self at my local grocery store. Cock Flavoured Soup (Spicy!).
$0.47 a "package".

Soylent Peeps!

2007-04-12T09:26:00.000-04:00

Is Peep-le!

Funny! (Click on No. 17)

Passenger Bill of Rights

2007-04-12T09:16:00.000-04:00

Government vs. Airlines?

Wow, it's sort of like choosing between Imus and Sharton. Two undesirable outcomes.

Passenger advocates are pushing for a so-called "Passenger Bill of Rights" getting the government more involved in airline business decisions. U.S. based airlines, with their horrendous service are on the other side. Can't say I sympathize with the generally poor service you get on airlines these days (but flying is so inexpensive) and I really think it is unexcuseable for an airline to keep passengers on the runway for 9 hours.

The only thing worse than the status quo would be greater government intervention. As a consumer I have the ultimate "Bill of Rights", I can choose not to fly Jetblue or whom ever has the worst service...that is the best way to get things turned around.

Global Climate Change

2007-04-11T08:48:00.000-04:00

Stop the Madness!

If you want me to be concerned about global climate change, then please stop having carbon spewing celebrities lecture me about it and put on sham concerts to 'raise awareness' of this issue.

Thanks

A Very Small Tent

2007-04-11T08:42:00.000-04:00

Goodbye GOP

A great article about the current crop of GOP Presidential contenders, Bush's reverse Midas Touch and the social conservatives. Bottom line the litmus tests are so many, the orthodoxy so prevalent that Ronald Reagan himself couldn't get the nomination. Ann Coulter would probably call him a "Hollywood F@g" anyway.

Money Quote: "Alan K. Simpson, a former Republican senator from Wyoming, said the party’s presidential candidates were being whipsawed as they tried to appeal to conservative voters who have a history of strong views on issues like abortion and gay rights. “These tests are destroying the Republican Party,” Mr. Simpson said.

Of course we can't underestimate the GOP's secret weapon for retaining power...Democrats inability to nominate an electable candidate.

The Ten Commandments

2007-04-10T09:18:00.000-04:00

The Greatest Story Ever Told Redux

The Easter/Passover Season means one important television event. Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments. Probably one of the best movies ever! Like a fine wine, it gets better and better each year. Some of my favorite scenes are 1) Mosses comes down from seeing God on the mountain and has frosted hair. 2) Three words..."Moses! Moses! Moses!", 3) Lilly Munster as Mosses's wife Sephora and so much more!

Now this classic has been re-imagined as an 80s teen drama! Enjoy!

Oh Brave New World!

2007-04-10T09:11:00.000-04:00

Teen Repellant!

Some one has invented teen repellent! Can my hover car be far behind?

Target Guam!

2007-04-10T09:07:00.000-04:00

Navy plans massive war games off Guam

I hope they've planned for the insurgency.