Month: May 2010

  • Jessica Watson Almost Home

    Unless I’m screwing up the date line, Jessica Watson should be home tomorrow, May 15th (in Sydney, Australia).

    If you missed my last post on the topic, Jessica is about to be the youngest person to do an unassisted ’round-the-world solo sail.

  • More Noise and Smoke from the GOP

    You know what I hate? What I really really hate?

    I hate sounding like I’m a mouthpiece for the Democratic party. Unfortunately I can’t let stand certain things, like when Conservative mouthpieces just plain make stuff up.

    Did you know that the Democrats are planning to steal your 401(k) funds? I didn’t either. Until yesterday.

    From the IBD:

    Hair says a “backdoor bull’s-eye is on your 401(k) plan and trillions of dollars the government would control through seizure, regulation and federal disbursement of mandatory retirement accounts.”

    Leaving aside for the moment whether it would be possible for a Democratically controlled congress and presidency to pass legislation to this effect, let me point out to you where they’re getting the dire news of a jackbooted seizure of your retirement savings. Again from the article:

    In January, Bloomberg reported the “U.S. Treasury and Labor Departments will ask for public comment as soon as next week on ways to promote the conversion of 401(k) savings and individual retirement accounts into annuities or other steady payment streams, according to Assistant Labor Secretary Phyllis C. Borzi and Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary Mark Iwry.”

    Ok. That doesn’t sound quite so dire, but let’s go check the source. From Bloomberg (January 8, 2010):

    The Obama administration is weighing how the government can encourage workers to turn their savings into guaranteed income streams following a collapse in retiree accounts when the stock market plunged.

    “The question is how to encourage it, and whether the government can and should be helpful in that regard,” Iwry said.

    I pulled out what I thought were the most relevant items but don’t believe me, go read the source for yourself!

    What we have then is thus:

    • A admininstration stating five months ago that they’re seeking ways to encourage people to opt for more stable income post-retirement, with no real details or plan.
    • A conservative editorial which cites itself (read the source!) shouting about how the sky is falling and the liberals are coming to take your money without any independent reporting or confirmation.

    I don’t object to rhetoric; I object to blatant obfuscation to score political points.

    The GOP has no direction or real ideology right now therefore they’re creating problems and strawmen that they can view with alarm and hope to carry some momentum into the midterms. It’s kind of sad, actually. I miss the GOP of the late 80’s and early 90’s.

  • On a Lighter Note

    If you’re sick of politics, watch this:

    “Until they got caught by man-eating teddy bears.”

  • Maine GOP Jumps the Shark

    The Maine Republican party has voted in a new platform filled with buzzwords, diatribe and just plain craziness.

    Usually, I don’t care too much about other state’s political doings, but my in-laws mostly live in Maine and it’s sad to me when one of a state’s two major (and very important) political parties gets hijacked by right-wing nutjobs.

    If you think I’m being harsh, I invite you to go read the platform. I had to dig around to find the document, but I’m pretty sure this is the real deal.

    Some criticisms:

    • Whoever drafted this has never seriously studied the history of US politics or political discourse. Either that or they’re flat out misrepresenting themselves (that’s politician speak for “lying”).
    • The drafter(s) also need to have their bag of air-quotes revoked. There are way to many terms with “quotes” around them.
    • I call attention to this item:
    • II. To Establish Justice:
      a. Restore “Constitutional law” as the basis for the Judiciary.
      b. Reassert the principle that “Freedom of Religion” does not mean “freedom from religion”. [emphasis added]

      I’m very curious why they felt the need to place this religious call out under a Justice heading? Oh, right, because there’s nowhere else to put it, the U.S. constitution specifically divorcing government from religion. Silly me. I suppose you could put it under a heading titled “We made this up because we’re scared of non-christian people” but that doesn’t have the same ring of fear that “Justice” does.

    • My final criticism is to the actual republicans in Maine. Shame on you for allowing the Tea Party wackos steal your party. This is not what the Republican party stands for. Or at least, it’s not what it should be standing for. I’m sure you all found it great when the Tea Party was a fringe element drawing fire away from your amorphous appeal to a past time, but now they’re coming front and center. If you ever want to win a national election again, I suggest you shoot your own dog, like a real party.
  • Jessica Watson Almost Home; Unsupported Around the World Sail

    For those of you who have not been following along at home, Jessica Watson is about to complete her Around the World sailing voyage, solo and unsupported.

    Oh, and she turns 17 on the 18th of May. She’ll be the youngest non-stop solo sailor to make this trip.

    (Apropos of absolutely nothing, May 18th is also the Evil Eyebrow’s fifth anniversary.)

    Anyhow, go check out Jessica’s website and wish her a welcome home when she gets there in a few days.

  • Youtube Favorites of Recent Vintage

    Molly Lewis does Lady Gaga. I find this video fun to watch for several reasons, one of which is that Molly Lewis has one of those faces that lights up when there’s a smile on it. See for yourself.

    Time Machines and Paradoxes (and Humor). I love it.

    Multi-part, overdubbed personal music recording (with excellent production quality). I really like this genre of DIY music.

    Speaking of Multi-Track recording:

    …and of course, make sure you check out his ode to the Penis.

    That’s all I have for now. There were a few others I can think of, but I can’t find them. Silly me. Need to use those Delicious bookmarks better.

  • Imperial Symphony, in Legos

    I’m not sure how I’ve never seen this before.