Hillary got beat up pretty bad by Obama over her pandering use of the Gas Tax Moratorium. It was silly because it had no chance of passing, and the leglslation to make sure the cost would be paid for had no chance of passing either. So it was obviously an act of pandering, however I did find one argument distressing. It's not a long term solution to the problem. Well no shit Sherlock!!!
She never said it was. In fact all the candidates claim to have a long term plan to our energy woes and we are heavy on the woe side with it only getting more woey every day!.
so what should be done. EVERYTHING!!! The great thing about Hillary and the Obama plan is it focuses on the decreasing demand. And we very much need to be doing everything we can to reduce the demand, especially on foreign oil,, i.e. making women abusing, christian killing Muslim crazies even richer then they already are. However it is extremely weak on the supply side. The nice thing about John McCains is it tries to improve the supply side. This is also very important. And this is the problem with politics. People pick a side and think their is no value on the other side. We are not going to solve this problem if we do not attack the issue from the supply and demand side. Recently I heard an argument that we shouldn't drill for oil in anwar because it is 10 years away from producing oil. Really!!! Well if we had started drilling there when we wanted to then it would be already be producing oil and helping us out. So get started, every time we sit around and wring our hands and cry in out lattes about what horrible thing might happen, we delay solving this problem. and it needs to be solved, bad!!!!
Here is why, all war and conflict between groups of people are about control of a resource needed for that society. We can say Iraq is not about oil but the truth is we wanted give a flying crap about that area if they didn't have oil. They would just be another Darfur or Kenya. However as India, China and to a certain extent Russia continue to grow their economic abilities, they also grow their middle class. What does the middle class like, warm houses, lots of meat and cars to get to work in. All that requires more and more energy. If we don't solve this problem, we are headed to war with these countries.
Here is what we need. We need meaningful alternatives to oil consumption. Nuclear energy, wind energy, Solar energy, Green bio fuels, A meaningful hybrid car, more drilling off the coast and in Anwar, more refineries, better stock choices for bio-fuels (No more corn based ethanol), and controls on commodities traders that drive up the cost of commodities.
Found at the Dailygut.com
May 1, 2008 12:29 PMTHURSDAY'S GREGALOGUE: FAST FOOD TAX
from The Daily Gut
I love my fast food as much as I hate big government. And now a slow-growth economy with rising food prices is causing idiot lawmakers to consider creating "sin taxes" on fast food. Color me engorged and enraged. The thought of taxing my taco came up at a New Jersey hospital meeting - it wasGov. Jon S. Corzine who brought it up. At the meeting, he called it a "constructive suggestion." Never trust a man named Jon without an "h." This idea blows. The fact is, people who eat fast food aren`t rich. So tax a burger, you tax the poor. Worse is the underlying sense of self-righteousness - that because you shouldn`t be eating this crud anyway, these dipwads are going to punish you for it. look, It`s not up to anyone but my mom to tell me what`s bad to eat - even if it's my own body hair. That's my right. Instead they should tax tofu and granola -if only because vegetarians are Nazis. See Hitler. So what`s the answer to our rising food costs? It ain't drilling my wallet. It`s drilling, period. Bush is right - Congress has failed to pass bills that expand oil exploration and create refineries that would boost crude oil production. That would cut prices across the board. And instead of embracing nuclear energy - we`re stupidly focusing on idiotic corn-driven biofuels, ethanol - which takes real food out of real mouths. It's so stupid, it makes me want to kill. Instead however, I`m going to McDonalds and have a quarter pounder special. Do you know what that is? It's when I take the burger and put it in a blender. And then I inject it straight into my armpit. It`s better than sex, people. And if you disagree with me, then you sir are worse than Moby.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Hillary or Obama, who has the most votes.
Recently Hillary claimed that she had the most votes cast for her and Obama claimed the same thing. The answer of course is what is the definition of a vote and whose vote do you count. If you do not include states that use Caucuses and include Florida and Michigan then Hillary has a wide margin, if you include Caucuses then she has a very thin margin. However, if you count the votes that are counted by the DNC to determine delegates then Obama is ahead. One thing to note, most caucus states do not keep accurate records so that vote is not very accurate.
This brings me to my point. Michigan and Florida need to be part of this process. Every vote should count. I'm not a big fan of Hillary and I don't really hope she wins the nomination but I am a big fan of democracy and voting. To ignore Florida and Michigan and exclude them from this process is a disgrace to a party that 8 years ago cried about how horrible not counting votes are.
Here is the best description of my thoughts on Obama are: Found over at the dailygut.com
As the democratic primary season drags on, we know the show by heart. It's experience vs. change. But I can't believe I'm about to do this - I`m going to defend Hillary Clinton. Why? Because when the New York Times viciously attacks someone in an editorial - that means that person must be doing something right. It's the enemy of my enemy theory that works in politics as well as the salad bar at the Olive Garden. Here's the bottom line. Barack Obama is about change. But what is that change? It's not substance, it's style. Fact is, not a single idea Barack has bandied about is new - he's every bit as liberal as Ted Kennedy on a bender- and his ideology is in lockstep with the most disastrous progressive thinking of the last 20 years. Meaning, Obama is praising stuff that doesn't work and never has. Hilary knows this, but has no idea how to explain it without the Obamites coming down on her.So she's screwed. She might actually be a fairly mediocre president, but it's not going to happen, because she's the old crone at Cinderella's ball. And it's Obama's foot that fits the slipper. This is not to say Barack doesn't believe in change.For him, change means "pick me." And that's it. There are no revolutionary ideas, or inspirational thoughts. He`s just an extremely charming man who wants to be president. Is that enough? Please let me know. I'll be out back tending to my roses. They cover the graves.
This brings me to my point. Michigan and Florida need to be part of this process. Every vote should count. I'm not a big fan of Hillary and I don't really hope she wins the nomination but I am a big fan of democracy and voting. To ignore Florida and Michigan and exclude them from this process is a disgrace to a party that 8 years ago cried about how horrible not counting votes are.
Here is the best description of my thoughts on Obama are: Found over at the dailygut.com
As the democratic primary season drags on, we know the show by heart. It's experience vs. change. But I can't believe I'm about to do this - I`m going to defend Hillary Clinton. Why? Because when the New York Times viciously attacks someone in an editorial - that means that person must be doing something right. It's the enemy of my enemy theory that works in politics as well as the salad bar at the Olive Garden. Here's the bottom line. Barack Obama is about change. But what is that change? It's not substance, it's style. Fact is, not a single idea Barack has bandied about is new - he's every bit as liberal as Ted Kennedy on a bender- and his ideology is in lockstep with the most disastrous progressive thinking of the last 20 years. Meaning, Obama is praising stuff that doesn't work and never has. Hilary knows this, but has no idea how to explain it without the Obamites coming down on her.So she's screwed. She might actually be a fairly mediocre president, but it's not going to happen, because she's the old crone at Cinderella's ball. And it's Obama's foot that fits the slipper. This is not to say Barack doesn't believe in change.For him, change means "pick me." And that's it. There are no revolutionary ideas, or inspirational thoughts. He`s just an extremely charming man who wants to be president. Is that enough? Please let me know. I'll be out back tending to my roses. They cover the graves.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Expelled
I got talked into seeing Expelled last night, This is the right wing response to the Michael Moore approach to propaganda. Let me say that Ben Stein has out Michael Moored the left. I generally didn't want to go see this but I'm now very glad I did. It was very, very thought provoking.
The premise is that the University systems and science in general is suppressing meaningful dialogue about Evolution as a scientific theory. There are holes in the theory that are not explained and most scientist would agree. However, not a lot of them think Intelligent Design has a shot at filling those. So why the suppression if ID as a solution.
This is where the movie got interesting. He says it's not about the science or lack there of, it's pretty clear that it's about religion and a world view. That this is just one of the battle grounds on going around two opposing world views. One where there is a morality, there is good and evil and a God who set it all up. And there is the world view where there isn't any of that, it's all happening by accident and chance. Good and evil are what we decide. He then shows the cultures that fully embraced that world view and where it led. Russia and Nazi Germany. That was very powerful, he showed how using Darwin, Nazi's used it to justify Euthanasia and Genocide.
Very powerful stuff, I was impressed. It was sobering.
The premise is that the University systems and science in general is suppressing meaningful dialogue about Evolution as a scientific theory. There are holes in the theory that are not explained and most scientist would agree. However, not a lot of them think Intelligent Design has a shot at filling those. So why the suppression if ID as a solution.
This is where the movie got interesting. He says it's not about the science or lack there of, it's pretty clear that it's about religion and a world view. That this is just one of the battle grounds on going around two opposing world views. One where there is a morality, there is good and evil and a God who set it all up. And there is the world view where there isn't any of that, it's all happening by accident and chance. Good and evil are what we decide. He then shows the cultures that fully embraced that world view and where it led. Russia and Nazi Germany. That was very powerful, he showed how using Darwin, Nazi's used it to justify Euthanasia and Genocide.
Very powerful stuff, I was impressed. It was sobering.
Friday, April 4, 2008
New Anti war movie bombs, Keeping doing the same thing over and over. Expect the same results
The new stop loss movie is one more item on the growing list of anti war movies dieing at the box office. When is Hollywood going to join the rest of America in not hating our military.
I found this over at the Dailygut.com
TUESDAY'S GREGALOGUE: STOP-LOSS
So the new anti-war film Stop-Loss took in about twelve bucks on it's opening weekend. I haven't seen it - as you know my weekends are jammed with massage therapy and community service. But I know it's a movie about a soldier whose service is involuntarily extended in a war that's unpopular among people who eat at Spago.
And it does what Hollywood does best: be predictable. I mean, this is not a movie about a soldier who wants to fight. That reeks of patriotism, which kills your chances of Tim Robbins, or his mom Susan, talking to you at a cocktail party.
So whose fault is it for the film's failure? According to someone at Paramount: "It's a function of the marketplace not being ready to address this conflict in a dramatic way because the war itself is something that's unresolved yet." Meaning, Paramount already thinks the war is lost. But because you don't, you're too dumb to enjoy the picture.
You gotta admire that gumption: it's the audiences fault when a picture doesn't connect. However, when Paris Hilton's film flopped, you didn't hear that kind of assessment.
Look - we don't need war movies to remind us that war is bad - we know that. Plus, mainstream media is already doing a bang up job ramming home that idea - even to the point of ignoring good or encouraging news about the conflict.
But I guess what bothers me most about the flick is being lectured by people who are fundamentally more flawed than the rest of us. Really, is the act of stop-loss worse, on a personal level, than cheating on your wife and mother of your two kids - with your saucy little costar? I'd ask Ryan Philippe that, but I'm already over him. He's no Orlando Bloom.
And if you disagree with me, then you sir are worse than Hitler.
I found this over at the Dailygut.com
TUESDAY'S GREGALOGUE: STOP-LOSS
So the new anti-war film Stop-Loss took in about twelve bucks on it's opening weekend. I haven't seen it - as you know my weekends are jammed with massage therapy and community service. But I know it's a movie about a soldier whose service is involuntarily extended in a war that's unpopular among people who eat at Spago.
And it does what Hollywood does best: be predictable. I mean, this is not a movie about a soldier who wants to fight. That reeks of patriotism, which kills your chances of Tim Robbins, or his mom Susan, talking to you at a cocktail party.
So whose fault is it for the film's failure? According to someone at Paramount: "It's a function of the marketplace not being ready to address this conflict in a dramatic way because the war itself is something that's unresolved yet." Meaning, Paramount already thinks the war is lost. But because you don't, you're too dumb to enjoy the picture.
You gotta admire that gumption: it's the audiences fault when a picture doesn't connect. However, when Paris Hilton's film flopped, you didn't hear that kind of assessment.
Look - we don't need war movies to remind us that war is bad - we know that. Plus, mainstream media is already doing a bang up job ramming home that idea - even to the point of ignoring good or encouraging news about the conflict.
But I guess what bothers me most about the flick is being lectured by people who are fundamentally more flawed than the rest of us. Really, is the act of stop-loss worse, on a personal level, than cheating on your wife and mother of your two kids - with your saucy little costar? I'd ask Ryan Philippe that, but I'm already over him. He's no Orlando Bloom.
And if you disagree with me, then you sir are worse than Hitler.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Number one issue we care about - "Bull Shit"
I hear all the time about how the American Public only cares about "Bullshit" and who is screwing who, like Rev Wright, Monica Lewinski or the sniper fire in Bosnia or lack there of.
Here is why we do care about "Bullshit". When the candidates talk seriously about issues we think --- I don't believe an f---ing word. We have heard all the lies before. The president is not a king who can do anything he wants. The president responds to National issues and tries to set the national agenda. He does not do a lot law crafting and can only approve or veto the budget. He can propose laws all day but they are always modified by the House and Senate. 99% of the things said on a campaign trail is designed to sound like something I want to hear while not pissing off too many people. It's all manufactured and carefully crafted. It's all dishonest!
So we are looking at the fringe of what they have been up to in the past to try and gleam who the person is really. Not what is the carefully crafted image we see all the time. But who is the person really. How do they really feel and how will they really react to a 9/11 or a pearl harbor or a mortgage crisis. The only way we have to discover who the person is really is find out what they are up to behind the scenes when the camera is off and they think no one will find out. And that is often sordid and awful. It's often about people they surrond themselves with.
What choice do we have when no one is really honest about who they are? When you can't trust anything a politician says, we are left with inuendo and accusations.
Mark
Here is why we do care about "Bullshit". When the candidates talk seriously about issues we think --- I don't believe an f---ing word. We have heard all the lies before. The president is not a king who can do anything he wants. The president responds to National issues and tries to set the national agenda. He does not do a lot law crafting and can only approve or veto the budget. He can propose laws all day but they are always modified by the House and Senate. 99% of the things said on a campaign trail is designed to sound like something I want to hear while not pissing off too many people. It's all manufactured and carefully crafted. It's all dishonest!
So we are looking at the fringe of what they have been up to in the past to try and gleam who the person is really. Not what is the carefully crafted image we see all the time. But who is the person really. How do they really feel and how will they really react to a 9/11 or a pearl harbor or a mortgage crisis. The only way we have to discover who the person is really is find out what they are up to behind the scenes when the camera is off and they think no one will find out. And that is often sordid and awful. It's often about people they surrond themselves with.
What choice do we have when no one is really honest about who they are? When you can't trust anything a politician says, we are left with inuendo and accusations.
Mark
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Whale Explodes! Shop Keeper waters it!
A 56 ft, 60 ton beached while dies in Taiwan. During the transfer for autopsy purposes gas builds up and the Whale "explodes". The following are pictures of the event. My favorite picture is the Shop Keeper in his surgical mask and one glove pouring a ridiculously small stream of water on this giant mound of rotting whale guts. I love this guy because he is trying to make a difference. Instead of complaining or calling the Gov't to fix his problems. He gets out a water house, a glove (I can't get over that single glove) and a mask and begins to spray water on it. How long does a small stream of water take to move a few tons of whale guts into sewers of Taiwan?? I can't tell if this is the bravest man I've seen in a long time or one of the dumbest. Maybe there isn't much of a difference!!!
This man doesn't curse the darkness, he lights a candle! Of course there also happens to be a hurricane going on at the same time.
How would you like to be the owner of the scooter and explaining this event to your insurance company. I really wanted to photoshop out the picture of the whale and change the blog title to "Man on Scooter Explodes!!!!". Now that would be cool!!!
Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama
Pastor Wright is the person who lead Obama to his Christian faith, the person who was his spiritual leader for 20 years, the person who married him and his wife and baptized his two children. Pastor Wright also said things from the pulpit like "God Damn America for all the things it does," or "America created the AIDS virus to kill people of color" or "America deserved 9/11" and a whole host of crazy things you can see on you tube.
So what does this mean. Obama admits he does not have the experience that Clinton or McCain has but that he has the better judgment and that is what being president is all about. I'm wondering how effective his judgment is to send his children to this Church every Sunday. It's one thing to join the biggest church in the area, especially if you are running for office. It's another thing to send your children to a place where hate against America is promoted from the pulpit and cheered for in the audience. Maybe every Sunday they don't bash America, however, the fundamental underpinnings of this kind of thought is taught there every day. So I'm left with two options here, Barack Obama has poor judgment when it comes to caring for his children's spiritual well being or the political value of that church comes before his families spiritual well being. Either way, not a guy I'm liking much right now.
So what does this mean. Obama admits he does not have the experience that Clinton or McCain has but that he has the better judgment and that is what being president is all about. I'm wondering how effective his judgment is to send his children to this Church every Sunday. It's one thing to join the biggest church in the area, especially if you are running for office. It's another thing to send your children to a place where hate against America is promoted from the pulpit and cheered for in the audience. Maybe every Sunday they don't bash America, however, the fundamental underpinnings of this kind of thought is taught there every day. So I'm left with two options here, Barack Obama has poor judgment when it comes to caring for his children's spiritual well being or the political value of that church comes before his families spiritual well being. Either way, not a guy I'm liking much right now.
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