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the bright aisles of c-town
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Thursday, September 30, 2004
Did Bush even prepare??? SPECIAL DEBATE BLOG ENTRY
Yes, President Bush prepared, but he had nothing. Let me summarize Bush's speech.
You can't be a flip-flopper in this position. You can't change your mind. You can't be indecisive.
Ok George - we got it.
John Kerry was confident, articulated his views well, and countered every attack Bush tried to make. John Kerry was frank with the public, strong in his convictions, and clear and relaxed in his demeanor. Bush did not use the opportunity to explain himself to the degree he could have. Bush had an open forum to present a clear vision of the war on Iraq. I did not sense a clear vision of the present and future of Iraq from Bush's arguments. Of course I'm a Kerry supporter - but I was nervous throughout the approach of this debate. Now I can't wait to watch the rest because Kerry is a far superior debater.... not just the far superior candidate.
There's my soundbyte for all those journalists exploring the blogosphere!
8:06 PM
Debate Drinking Game
Drink One Sip If:
Anyone says "terrorism"
Anyone says "Halliburton"
Anyone says "flip flop"
Anyone says "Saddam Hussein"
Anyone blames "the media"
Anyone mentions their own military service
Anyone says "September 11"
One candidate interrupts another candidate
Drink Two Sips If:
Bush says "cut and run"
Kerry says "W stands for wrong"
Either candidate talks past their time limit
Kerry brings up Bush's "Mission Accomplished" moment
Bush mentions Crawford, TX
Anyone looks at the wrong camera
Anyone whips out "evidence"
Anyone says "Osama bin Laden"
Anyone mentions blogs
Anyone invokes the hurricane sympathy vote
Anyone mentions "North Korea"
Kerry mentions Bush wants to reinstate the draft
Everytime you see anyone wearing the yellow "LiveSTRONG" bracelet
Finish Your Glass If:
Anyone in the audience gets dragged out of the auditorium
Anyone in the audience gets off an unscripted question
Bush mispronounces any word or name
Anyone says "Osama bin Hidin'"
Anyone uses a sports metaphor
Anyone attempts to speak Spanish to pander to Latinos
Do a Shot If:
Bush mentions the deficit
Bush accuses Kerry of being "French on terrorism"
Kerry accuses Bush of being a pansy for avoiding Vietnam
Bush admits he made a mistake ("miscalculation" counts)
Ralph Nader shows up insisting on airtime
Finish the Bottle If:
Anyone challenges anyone to a duel
The moderator rips off his mask to reveal his true identity is Karl Rove
4:20 PM
Tonight Tonight Tonight
I don't know about you, but I am fidgeting with excitement over tonight's presidential debates. First, I'm anxious to see John Kerry debate well and get his message across to the American public about his thought on Bush's mishandling of the war in Iraq. I'm also very nervous that President Bush will spew his usual lies, especially lies about how democracy is taking shape in Iraq and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are now liberated and free. Every time Bush ignores the mess he created in Iraq it makes me cringe. I also can't wait to compare the spin in tomorrow's papers with my own impression of the debates. And of course, I sure can't wait to read Crossfiah.
I am hoping that Jim Lehrer asks poignant questions that challenge the candidates to think on their feet. According to the rules format of the debate, neither candidate is allowed to pose direct questions to the other. This is going to allow Bush to rely on his soundbytes ("America is safer!") instead of actually having to answer any tough questions. I hope Jim Lehrer at least attempts to get around this, possibly by asking, "Would you like to respond to your opponents remarks?"
If you've been keeping up with the news, you might have noticed that Republican election officials are up to their dirty tricks again. Speaking mistruths and using fear as a motivator on the campaign trail is one thing. Misleading ads on television or by mail are a wrung lower on the ladder of scum. [See Below - thanks Crossfiah!]
But worse than negative campaigns and misleading advertising is the movement among Republican election officials to tinker with the election laws in order to make voting more difficult for certain demographics or types of voters. That's more than just filthy lawyer scum trying to make a buck - it's wholy UNDEMOCRATIC. In Ohio, Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell tried to restrict certain weight paper registration documents. Basically, if you used normal copy paper your voter registration wouldn't be processed. Hello, Mr. Blackwell, you are an undemocratic asshole! Then, Blackwell wants to not count votes given by voters at the wrong polling location. That's just ridiculous. With a huge turnout of first-time voters, there is no doubt that people will be showing up to wrong locations all day long. Does this mean their vote should not count? Get off your lazy ass, Mr. Blackwell, and come up with a system to ensure that all votes are counted correctly instead of restricting the kinds of votes you will accept. Some people might say you're just being lazy, but I think you're being a scumbag Republican with a moderate understanding of the law - and absolutely no ethics whatsoever.
In Colorado, Secretary of State Donetta Davidson wants to allow presidential votes cast at the wrong polling location to count. Yay Donetta! But wait, she wants votes for the senate race not to count. Huh??? The senate vote in Colorado is expected to be very close, and which voters are more likely to show up at the wrong polls? Democratic voters are typically move more often and have been newly registered more than Republican voters. Donetta Davidson, I can see that you are trying to be democratic in the presidential election. Good for you - go eat a cookie or pat yourself on the back or something. Now, can you please think about being a bit more democratic with your rules regarding the senate race? That would be great. Thank you so very much for actually doing your job. It means so much to the voters in your state when you actually do your job by holding a fair election.
Of course, voting in Florida is going to be another circus in 2004. Voting politics in Florida is as corrupt as ever. Theresa LePore, who is responsible for designing the "infamous butterfly ballot," is STILL working as an election supervisor. Law enforcement have been harassing elderly Africa-Americans who have been involved in voter registration drives. And Republican officials did their very best to somehow squeak Ralph Nader onto the ballot as well. Jeb Bush has done NOTHING to ensure that this election will be conducted any more democratically than last time around.
Is it too much to ask to have an election where every American can cast a vote and have it counted?
************************************
Speaking of voting, be sure to click on each of these news sites and let them know your opinion after the debates.
ABC News: http://www.abcnews.com/
CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/
Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/
MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.com/
USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/
9:32 AM
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Rock'n'Rollerderby
Hello Nurse played at Rock'n'rollerksate last night. It would be an understatement if I said we had a rockin' time. Officeops sure has something special, and I personally couldn't stop smiling throughout the whole event. Playing inside the cage was a sure adventure, and the crowd skating around us was a riot. Special thanks to Dan and Jeff for filming the event. We hope that Jeff, who is trying to build a film portfolio, will have his way with the editing process and help create our first music video. Jeff, you rock!
After Hello Nurse finished our set, Jackie and I skated around during the other two bands. Apparently someone noticed that I skate like buttah. Read below for the e-mail correspondense that folled this morning.
From: Ginger Snap
Subject: Gotham Girls Roller Derby
Date: September 25, 2004 2:56:25 PM EDT
To: Me, Chassis Crass, Joey Hardcore
Hi Christian -
It was great to meet you last night @ office ops, and
Hello Nurse was kick-ass. Really a terrific band to
fall on your ass to :)
As per your interest in roller-ref-ing and helping
out, I would like to introduce you to Chassis Crass
(our team captain and league founder), and Joey
Hardcore (our volunteer coordinator). Girls, this guy
can really skate (on quads no less!) and I believe he
has derby blood pumping through his veins, so put him
to good use!
In the meantime, check out our website to see what we
are about: www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com
Hope to see you @ practice soon -
Ginger Snap
gingersnap@gothamgirlsrollerderby.com
www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com
My reply
From: Me
Subject: Re: Gotham Girls Roller Derby
Date: September 25, 2004 3:31:55 PM EDT
To: Ginger Snap
Cc: Chassis Crass, Joey Hardcore, me
Hello Ginger Snap, Chassis Crass, and Joey Hardcore,
First I would like to thank Ginger Snap for the kind words of endorsement. I've been leaving blood all over the pavement for years, but it wasn't until this morning that I realized it was actually derby blood.
I bought my first pair of rollerskates this week off craigslist in order to take full advantage of rock'n'rollerskate at officeops. Now I feel this tremendous urge to put them to good use.
I'm a very experienced inline skater (aggressive and hockey). I'm also involved in a brand of extreme sports called "Games Morons Play." These games involve street luging on skateboards down riverside drive, handtruck surfing, Sentra-skitching, and garbage bowling. Unfortunately, all of these activities involve socializing with other morons and not nearly enough hardcore girls on skates.
I was an elementary school teacher for two years in the South Bronx. I have lots of experience telling others to sit down, be quiet, get in line, and stop fighting.
I would be more than happy to join you at your practices and assist in any way possible. I am particularly interested in the position of referee. I can fill a zebra jersey, blow a whistle, and yell "On your mark, get set, not yet, GO!" with the best of them.
And if you ever need a band for an after-party, I'm pretty sure I can arrange that too.
Please add me to your mailing list, and I look forward to meeting you all soon.
-Christian
christian@hellonurse.com
ctown.blogspot.com
hellonurse.com
1:53 PM
Friday, September 24, 2004
FOOTLOOSE
'Let's Dance!!'
TONIGHT, SATURDAY 25TH
__________________________________
djs:
SMC, aka dj kevin bacon (warp)
ben codec (werk)
dj cupcake
tsunchoo
coda
MCing by the karaoke ambassador
__________________________________
Relive your days of teenage rock rebellion with a rooftop screening of
this classic film followed by your own chance to dance like you've
never danced before. Dance to your favorite guilty pleasure songs –
you know, those tracks you love, but are afraid to admit. We'll take
requests. And don't worry; we'll keep it anonymous. There will be
dance contests, interactive Kevin Bacon games, popcorn…. Hell, we even
have Kevin Bacon's doppelganger Djing.
Wear cowboy boots and hats. Bring old school walkmen. And break out
those tuxes and prom dresses that you swore you'd never wear again.
Who knows? You might even get a chance to dance with that special
someone. And we promise to have you home in time to sneak back into
your parent's house – they'll never know about your night of sin.
"I'm afraid I would have a lot of difficulty endorsing an enterprise
which is as fraught with genuine peril as I believe this one to be."
- Reverend Shaw Moore
__________________________________
Saturday Sept 25, 2004
Music starts at 9:30.
Screening at 10:00.
Party after.
Popcorn. Bar.
FREE!!
Rooftop @ 248 McKibbin Street, East Williamsburg
Take the L to Montrose, walk 3 blocks downhill on Bushwick. take a
left on McKibbin. 248 is the large warehouse on the right.
info: 646.244.9433
10:56 PM
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Hello Nurse developments
Here is a bunch of news on the Hello Nurse front. First and foremost, Hello Nurse somehow got a slot to perform at the Continental during the CMJ Music Marathon, which is taking place October 13-16. The CMJ Music Marathon is a long weekend of shows, shows, and more shows, where buzz bands from across the country show up in New York and try to get noticed.
Hello Nurse is playing at The Continental on Wednesday, October 3rd at 7:15pm. The night we are playing is a full schedule of NYC bands that can headline the Continental on a Saturday night. The venue will likely be a zoo all night, and we are trying to think of new and creative ways to get some important people to come to the show. Please contact me if you know anyone important. Click the CMJ link below for a list of all the awesome bands scheduled to play the CMJ Marathon, and pay particular attention to those bands that begin with "H."
This Friday night, Hello Nurse will play one of the most fun shows we've ever been privileged to attend - Rock'n'Rollerskate at OfficeOps in East Williamsburg. The bands play inside a metal cage in the middle of a gigantic warehouse while rollerskaters cruise in a circle around the bands.
Skates are available (be sure to get there early!) and admission, including skates, is only $5. There is also an arcade, food for sale, and DJ's inbewteen bands. Just an all-around awesome event. I went to Rock'n'Rollerskate once last winter, and it was a BLAST. In fact, I just bought rollerskates off my good man Blake on Craigslist last night to ensure that I'll be skating around in style - and comfort. Last time I had to squeeze my size 11 foot into a size 9 skate.
These are the skates I bought.
Directions From the L-Train on Foot:
Take the L to the Morgan Ave stop in Brooklyn. Leave through the Morgan Ave exit at the front of the train coming from Manhattan, and use the right hand stairs as you exit the station.
Walk on Morgan Ave south towards the firehouse, crossing Grattan St.
At the next block, make a left onto Thames Street. 57 is the last steel door on the left. Push buzzer 2 for OfficeOps.
Last but not least, Hello Nurse now has an intern! Yay! Our friend Christina, who has been to a number of Hello Nurse shows after reading our craigslist spam, has decided to use Hello Nurse as the focus for a marketing internship for school credit. We can't wait to hear her ideas on guerilla marketing. One time we tried to come up with our own guerilla marketing ideas, but we couldn't get past the image of a guy in a monkey suit writing Hello Nurse graffiti everywhere.
11:26 AM
Bush Writes a Novel
Bush Writes a Novel
By Barrett Brown
Where Walks the President
By George W. Bush
Chapter One: A Dangerous Mission
President Gus McAwesome stood in the Oval Office looking out the Oval Window, his steady gaze steadfast in its steadiness, his legs set apart and firmly planted to the ground like two plants planted in the ground. Two strong, firm cactuses. But without needles. Instead of needles, he had leg hairs.
He was standing there, thinking about big political issues, important things that matter to working families, things like laws, and the government, and gay people trying to marry each other in Iraq, when suddenly, the vice-president walked in, crying and cringing like usual. Like a big baby.
“Gus,” he squealed like a little girl, “it's the healthcare bill. It's being blocked in the House and I can't -”
Gus cut him off with a firm slap to the face.
“Damn it, Rick, can't you do anything by yourself? Do you need me to hold your hand through every piece of legislation we try to pass? You can't fall back on my political experience every time a problem comes up.”
“But – it's just that... sometimes I get so scared and confused.”
“Get out of my sight,” replied McAwesome, and with that he flung his Presidential Poncho over his shoulder, revealing the six-shooters tucked into his belt underneath. Vice-President Rick Reney ran out of the room screaming, then went off to the Lincoln Bedroom to go cry like a little baby and probably to think about being gay with another man and to change his baby diaper, because he was really just a big stupid baby who didn't know anything. A big, gay baby.
A few minutes later, Gus McAwesome put on his jetpack and flew out one of his cool secret passageways. He was headed to go address the House of Representatives, which was a really important government thing. It wasn't really a house, though; it was just called that, because back in the olden days that's what they used to call places where political people met to argue about laws. No one actually lived there. The other big meeting place for other political guys, the “Senate,” was just a made-up word.
Today, the House of Representatives was meeting on an aircraft carrier like it did every Tuesday. So while McAwesome was flying across America out towards the ocean, he looked down at the beautiful nation that the majority of voters had elected him to protect, and he thought to himself, “This is truly a Charge to Keep. I must stay the course, and I must continue to battle the Asses of Evil wherever they may be found, whether in Iraq, Iran, Syria, the Alaskan wildlife refuge, West Texas, the Ukraine, or Royal Dutch Shell headquarters. I owe it to all the members of my Texas Air Guard unit who were killed during Vietnam at the Battle of Laredo.” Thinking of that dark but heroic time, McAwesome absent-mindedly rubbed one of his battle scars from when the VC had cut him with their ninja swords and chop sticks before disappearing into puffs of smoke using their magical ninja powers.
Finally, President McAwesome arrived at the aircraft carrier, where all of the representatives were there trying to make laws. All the senators were there, too, because sometimes the buy-camera legislature meets together. Anyway, everyone was being unbold and partisan, especially the stupid Democrats. Ged Chinnedy was drinking whiskey straight from the bottle and driving an ATV up and down the landing strip, running over female aides and then throwing their bodies into the ocean below. Dames Trafficant had escaped from prison and was stealing pens from the captain's office. Don Kerry was smoking marijuana and scratching out the word “God” from all the currency that he still had left after spending most of it on drugs, drugs he had bought from Gillary Pimpin, who was a senator even though she was a girl.
At first, no one noticed when President McAwesome landed on the carrier deck. So he pulled out his six-shooter and fired a warning shot into the air, and then fired another warning shot into Don Kerry.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and saluted the president (who is also called the commander-and-chief, because he's also head general of the army and plans all their battles). The marine band on deck started playing “Hell, it's the chief!”, which they always play when the president comes into a room or shoots something.
“Senators and senatas, representatives and girl representatives, I have come today because I want you to pass this healthcare bill and make it a law!” yelled President McAwesome in a bold and steadfast manner. “Our people need healthcare, and this law will make it illegal not to have it!”
“But we don't want to pass it!” yelled all the Democrats. “We hate God!”
It was a tough situation, but McAwesome resolved to be steadfast. He put the bill to a vote. And it passed, because there were only 12 Democrats there. All of the rest were in jail for sodomy or something. And later that day, President McAwesome captured Osama bin Laden through sheer steadfastness.
9:44 AM
Friday, September 17, 2004
Hello Nurse Interview
Interview with Ed and Mike of Hello Nurse, compliments of Newbeats.com. Thanks to David Chui for writing this up.
Hello Nurse is playing at Pianos Saturday night at 9:30pm. As this is an important show, we are begging anyone and everyone to try to make it out. So, if you're reading this blog and live in New York City, please consider - and then make yourself a personal promise - to come to Pianos tomorrow night at 9:30pm.
Pianos is 158 Ludlow St between Stanton and Rivington.
 or  to 2nd Ave/Houston St. Exit at Allen St end of the station and walk two blocks east on Houston to Ludlow, then one block south to Stanton.
We are playing with Lord of the Yum Yum and The Inhabitants. I haven't listened to either of these bands yet, so hopefully they're rocktastic.
Also, afterparty on Kari's roof has been moved to next Saturday in case of rain. See you Saturday night!
7:16 AM
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Sunday is International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Ahoy!
Shiver me timbers and blow me down. Sunday is yer International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Pour yer finest grog and gather yer finest hornpipes. All hands on deck for festivities of ramming speed proportion! Call the land lubbers and sea legs alike, smartly me lass you'll be partying like a bilge rat climbing through the bung hole.
Avast, c'mere ye beauties and mates, let us loosen our britches and wrap our hooks around a barley malt. Why is me Roger so Jolly? Because Sunday we celebrate the lads and lasses of the seven seas!
11:13 AM
So a man walks into a bar...
A popular bar had a new 'robotic' bartender installed. It could not only dispense drinks flawlessly, but also -- like any 'good' bartender engage in 'appropriate' conversation.
A man enters the bar, orders a drink. The robot serves him a perfectly prepared cocktail, then asks him, "What's your IQ?" The man replies, "150." And the robot proceeds to make conversation about Quantum physics, string theory, atomic chemistry, etc. The customer is very impressed and thinks, "This is really cool." He decides to test the robot. He walks out of the bar, turns around, and comes back in for another drink. Again, the robot serves him the drink and asks him, "What's your IQ?" The man responds, "100." And immediately the robot starts talking, but this time, about football, baseball, cheerleaders, etc.
Really impressed, the man leaves the bar and decides to give the robot one more test. He goes back in, the robot serves him and asks, "What's your IQ?" The man replies, "50." And the robot says:
"So ....... you gonna vote for Bush?"
10:33 AM
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Do you want to be a Big Brother or Big Sister?
Big Brother Big Sister of New York is currently looking for volunteers. I've been a big brother for about 6 months, so let me know if you want to talk about it. I would be happy to accompany anyone out there to the Happy Hour event listed below.
Being a Big Brother is a serious time commitment (one meeting every two weeks), but the relationship you form with your little is extremely rewarding. Plus, being a Big Brother (or Big Sister) gives you a reason to try something new every couple weeks. I've taken my little brother Kalin to Coney Island, the Museum of Television and Radio, the Fulton Mall, Central Park, on a drive to New Jersey, and currently I've been teaching him how to swim. This Saturday we're going to the Transit Museum. Sure beats sitting on the couch! (But it does mean waking up early on Saturdays.)
Here is the information about the Big Brother Big Sister Happy Hour Recruitment event.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters Wanted!!!
Meet current “Bigs” and get information about our programs at our October Happy Hour.
When: Wednesday, October 6th, 6-8pm
Where: Upstairs at Dip Bar and Lounge
416 3rd Ave (between 29th and 30th)
Specials:$3 beer/$5 cosmos. Free appetizers
Be a role-model to a New York City child – or just look like one!
Questions? Contact Nanda at (212) 686-2042 x203, nprabhakar@bigsnyc.org or Nadia x 223 ngiuliano@bigsnyc.org.
And for everyone else who just reads this blog for a little entertainment now and then, check out this article about Borat in the New Yorker.
11:04 AM
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
WARNING: Kryptonite Bike Locks Vulnerable to the Bic Pen
The supposed best bike locks in the world have recently been found to be vulnerable to the Bic pen. Maybe that's how my bike was stolen...
Here are movies of someone opening both the U-lock and the NY Disc Lock (the one I use) with a bic pen.
U-lock: http://thirdrate.com/misc/krypto.mov
NY Disc Lock - http://biginjapan.com/extranet/assets/ben/krypto_ev_disc_web.mov
Hopefully Kryptonite will respond with some kind of replacement barrel. This lock already cost $90 - I sure don't need my new bike getting stolen by some chump with a bic.
View this thread at bikeforums.net for more info yet, including how to contact kryptonite (which everyone affected should do).
And if you see some person fiddling with a bike lock with a pen in their hand, kick the crap out of that thief!
1:25 PM
Bush and God
Does God endorse President Bush? - an article from Slate.com. It's scary when you start to realize that some people believe that President Bush is a gift from God.
Here is a comment from someone who read the article. Very amusing!
If the Lord sent us Bush, it was to punish us. Check out your actual Bible, not the flattering eyewash of our contemporary, self-appointed, evangelists. You will find numerous examples of God sending great leaders to plague the errant Chosen People, in order to chastize them and lead them to repent their evil ways. These could be external, like Sennachrib or Nebuchadnezzar, or they could be disastrously incompetent kings of Israel or Judah itself. Is there one example in Scripture of the prophets saying that the Lord has sent a strong or good leader to reward, or to help the Chosen People in their need?
Of course, there was the promise of the Messiah. But hopefully even our contemporary pseudo-prophets are not so shameless in their flattery of those in power as to suggest that GWB is the Second Coming.
--gtomkins1
6:53 AM
Friday, September 10, 2004
Franz Ferdinand was good, The Futureheads were better. Some other band played in the middle, and they STUNK. Very boring.
Franz Ferdinand definitely thought highly of themselves, and the hipster contingent was out in full apathetic force.
Hilarious link about the afterparty at Rothko. The Futureheads played twice in one night - what a band!
11:31 AM
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Franz Ferdinand and The Futureheads
Mike, Bill, and I are going to see Franz Ferdinand tonight at Roseland Ballroom. I got tickets for Mike and I from craigslist, and Bill scooped up a ticket from CL as well. I don't even bother looking elsewhere for tickets anymore. I would rather that my money goes to someone trying to get rid of their tickets than to TicketMaster, even though I guess my money indirectly went to TicketMaster anyway. I've been able to get tickets to go show at or close to cost, and I get a little thrill from craigslist transactions anyway - so it's worth it.
Last night I was checking out some new music, and I came across a band called The Futureheads. Wow - I can't say enough about these guys. Part Clash, part Talking Heads, totally awesome. I downloaded about 5 new albums last night, including the new Walkmen album, but The Futureheads monopolized my interest. I think I've listened to the album 5 times in the past 12 hours.
So, I'm totally grooving on The Futureheads, and I look online to find out who is opening for Franz Ferdinand tonight. Guess who???..... THE FUTUREHEADS!!! I just about flipped my lid, but Jackie was sleeping so exercised vocal restraint - but my arms were certainly flailing about.
I guess all that flailing, paired with carrying an extremely large and heavy computer box to FedEx for shipping to TSparls has led to some tremendous back pain today. I haven't had back pain like this since high school football. I popped half a vicodin before work today, and this morning I was cruisin'. My back never actually stopped hurting, but at least I was in a good mood. I can see how people can get addicted to pain killers - I felt great! Now they have worn off, so it's back to Vitamin I.
In the news today, the assault weapons ban is about to expire because the Republicans are pussy bitches, President Bush's military records have surfaced suggesting that during Vietnam he was a privileged pussy bitch who avoided service, and.....
I guess that's all the pussy bitch news I have for now. Sorry for all the swearing, but my vicodin has worn off.
11:24 AM
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Save Betamax!
SAVE BETAMAX!
Back in the 80's the film industry tried to kill the Betamax VCR, citing is as a tool for copyright infringement. The Supreme Court ruled that Betamax should live because VCRs have legitimate uses, the technology is legal— even if some people use it to copy movies. Eventually the film industry learned to harness the power of VHS, and we all know how successful videos were in the 80's and 90's.
Today a similar conflict between technology and copyright law exists. The INDUCE Act is up for a vote in the near future, which would give Hollywood veto power over new technologies that might have the potential to infringe upon current copyrights.
Personally, I do not want Hollywood and the music industry having a say over what technologies are developed and marketed to the public. If Hollywood and the music industry are smart, they will adapt and utilize these technologies. But, they are dinosaurs, and they prefer the status quo.
If you agree with me, then let your voice be heard. Please visit SaveBetamax.org and sign up to call your Congressman/woman and encourage them to vote against the INDUCE Act.
I know there are many other political causes out there worthy of attention. In the next few weeks congress will be voting on a range of divisive bills with the purpose of singling out the partisanship with the election coming soon. Please help ensure that the INDUCE Act isn't passed just because politicians want to pander to their funders (i.e. Hollywood and the Big 5) and feel the public isn't paying attention. We are paying attention, and we don't want Hollywood saying NO to what could be the next iPod or TiVo.
10:43 AM
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Interesting Shockwave movie made by a conspiracy theorist with lots of time
http://www.freedomunderground.org/memoryhole/pentagon121.swf
This movie certainly raises questions as to why we've never seen any videos of the Pentagon crash. After 9/11 we saw videos from every angle imaginable of planes crashing into the WTC. Why haven't we seen any of the Pentagon?
I'm not endorsing this movie by any means, I just think it's interesting.
9:54 AM
Friday, September 03, 2004
Today's New York Times editorials do a marvelous job of expressing the very sentiments I've been feeling lately about the RNC.
Feel the Hate, by Paul Krugman, reveals the hate, culture of fear, and religious fanaticism that lies at the base of the Republican party. Instead of hearing about Bush's plans for the future, an honest portrayal of what Bush feels is really going on in Iraq, or even one mention of the O-word (Osama), we hear countless criticisms of the Johns and the empty proclamations that the war in Iraq is a smashing (catastrophic) success, the economy is the envy of the world, and we are safer than ever before. Don't even let me get started on the purple heart band-aids that were such a hit at the RNC.
Republicans say they love freedom. Do Republicans really love the freedom of two men kissing each other in public, and possibly even getting married? Do Republicans really love the freedom of a Muslim-American to despise Christianity, possibly even spread anti-Christian sentiment among his/her peers? Do Republicans really love the freedom that a pregnant woman has to get an abortion? NO. Republicans love the freedom that every American has to attend a Christian church, live a moral life, and own a gun.
Head in the Sand, by Bob Herbert, takes a frank look at what it means to be associated with the occupation of Iraq. Why won't Bush give the public what it deserves, an accurate vision of our future in Iraq? John McCain is a realist. He was discussed the fact that we've been in both Korea and West Germany for 50 years, and we will likely be in Iraq for 10-20 more years. Is this the time necessary for the Iraqi people to secure their own democratic government? No, this is the time necessary for the American military to secure the Iraqi oil reserves.
Herbert concludes, "What Americans desperately need is a serious, honest discussion of where we go from here. If we're going to be in Iraq for 10 or 20 more years, the policy makers should say so, and tell us what that will cost in money and human treasure. The violence associated with such a long-term occupation is guaranteed to be appalling. Vietnam tore this nation apart. As we've seen in this campaign, the wounds have yet to heal. Incredibly, we're now traveling a similarly tragic road in Iraq. "
Bush: sensitive
As mentioned in another NY Times editorial today, Cheney's criticism of John Kerry's use of the word "sensitive" to describe the situation in Iraq is completely hypocritical. As pointed out in this editorial and on the Brian Lehrer show on WNYC yesterday (probably elsewhere as well, I just don't have enough time to dig up all the sources), President Bush has used the very same word to describe the situation in Iraq. When insurgent soldiers attack American troops and then run and hide inside a mosque, is that not a sensitive situation? If we are trying to help the Iraqi people form a democratic government, and the same ethnic tensions arise that have divided Iraq for decades, is that not a sensitive situation? If innocent Iraqi civilians are mistakenly killed due to incorrect intelligence, is that not a sensitive situation? For Cheney to make the assertion that to be sensitive about the war in Iraq is the same as being soft on Al Qaeda, that is ridiculous. But, of course, when you've got muscleheads like Arnold and bigots like Giuliani on your stage, no one expects you to make accurate analogies and use sound logic. They just expect you to display your machismo like a high school football coach who won't take shit from anyone.
Pictures from inside Pier 57, where protesters who have been arrested were penned up for sometimes up to 36 hours.
Imagine standing in this environment for 36 hours. There are no benches, no chairs. The ground is covered in oil and other automobile fluids. You are wearing plastic handcuffs, possibly behind your back, that are strapped very tightly. You don’t have any idea when you’re going to be let out. You haven’t been charged with a crime, and likely you will just receive a Desk Appearance Ticket for whatever you have done. You have been standing in a large crowd of hundreds of people, on a makeshift pier surrounded with barbed wire fencing. You may be in direct exposure to sunlight. You can’t sleep because the floor is disgusting, and you don’t want to miss your chance to be released.
You might be a protester who worked out an agreement to march, but after a bait and switch with the police, wound up getting arrested. You may have been a pedestrian who stumbled upon a protest while turning a corner – and all of a sudden you found yourself caught in orange hurricane netting as an officer forcibly cuffs you. You may have also been a rowdy protester who acted a bit too aggressively toward an officer. You may be an America citizen, exercising an act of civil disobedience, as King and Thoreau have done before you.
Granted, this is not Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo, and any comparisons to these hells on earth would be insane hyperbole. Nonetheless, the NYPD has been preparing for the RNC for over a year. The crowd and traffic control measures around Madison Square Garden have provided outstanding protection to the delegates and politicians inside. I commend the NYPD for the role in keeping the convention safe. But the NYPD knew that there would be massive protests. In fact, they expected protests and practiced flash mobbing of their own to be able to deal with quick-erupting spontaneous protests. At the very least they could provide sanitary conditions for the detainees. Some folding chairs, wooden benches, perhaps even bleachers. This is not too much to ask for – this is called reasonable and humane punishment.
I hope the ACLU sues the crap out of the city on behalf of anyone who unduly suffered at Pier 57 this week.
**************************
John Kerry stands up for himself!
It's about time that John Kerry stood up for himself. Go John!
(And if you'll notice, the link is from Fox News. Who says Fox isn't fair and balanced?? Well, I guess the people behind the Fox News Shut-Up-Athon probably think Fox isn't doing a great job.)
7:29 AM
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
From Craigslist, thanks to Joe
11:11 AM
Even though Bush probably only read the Cliff's notes...
New York Times editorialist Nicholas Kristof finds some fascinating parallels between the works of Shakespeare and the politics of today.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/01/opinion/01kristof.html?hp
Not much on politics today. I spent my evening assembling my new bike (yay, it's here!) instead of watching Arny and Laura. Apparently, Arnold used the phrase "economic girly men" and the verb terminate in his speech. Way to go, Arnold.
And I can't resist linking your choice of five Arnold Schwartzenegger sound boards.
Other memorable Arnold quotes:
"As much as when you see a blonde with great tits and a great ass, you say to yourself, 'Hey, she must be stupid or must have nothing else to offer,' which maybe is the case many times. But then again there is the one that is as smart as her breasts look, great as her face looks, beautiful as her whole body looks gorgeous, you know, so people are shocked." –in an interview with Esquire
"The best activities for your health are pumping and humping."
"Having a pump is like having sex. I train two, sometimes three times a day. Each time I get a pump. It's great. I feel like I'm coming all day."
"I think that gay marriage should be between a man and a woman."
"I have inhaled, exhaled everything."
quotes found here
10:36 AM
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