This in the first in what will be a weekly look at news from Japan and occasionally Korea. One thing you’ll discover your not the only ones with strange people, weird events and idiot politicians
September 2007 archive
Sep 17 2007
Some thoughts on the new AG nominee, Michael Mukasey
First, I’ll confess a minor bias in favor of federal judges. I’ve clerked for federal judges, and I’ve had personal interactions with quite a few of them. By no means are they all perfect, but compared to the politicians from the other two branches of government, I think they deserve a much higher degree of regard.
That said, I think liberals could do much, much worse than Michael Mukasey as AG. He’s not an idiot like Gonzo, and he’s not a partisan hack like Ted Olson or Lawrence Silberman.
Sep 17 2007
Happy birthday to me!
I’m 53! In about 12 hours, central standard time.
Some think me wicked.But I heard that it was best for local birds to keep the dead flowers on the plants to give them seed. So I did. I love critters. I plant for the impossible hummingbird that dwells in the urban world. I let the wasps do what they want, and at the end of seasons am rewarded with the remnants of their precious nests. I love architecture.
Sep 17 2007
Sunday Night Theme Songs
In which some of the week’s top stories are given theme songs.
Democrats are impressed with General Petraeus’s shiny medals, before he proceeds, as expected, to catapult the propaganda about the war.
Even Democrats who despise the war policy were deferential in the face of the general’s even-keeled demeanor and his shiny silver stars, four to a shoulder. “He’s one of the best,” said Democratic Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, who ran proceedings in the ornate hearing room and ordered a succession of protesters ejected when they shouted their anger at the war.
Bush speaks to the nation, to catapult the propaganda about the war.
Sep 17 2007
Building Resilient Communities, Round 2: Solar Ovens
Hey kids, I’ve got an idea. Let’s build resilient communities!
When the power and the natural gas go out in a disaster, or a Long Emergency…how ya gonna cook?
Try Solar Cooking!
A resilient community is a place where accidents, disasters, tragedies, traumas, and other disruptive events can be handled as well as can be expected, given competent preparation. Yes, bad things will happen. Yes, some tragedies and damages can’t be undone. But with a little foresight and creativity, the process of getting back to normal quickly, and helping everyone out around you in the process…well, this can be easier (and more reliable) than waiting for FEMA or the Red Cross to show up!
I think the way resilient communities might be built is by a community process. That is, no one like me should come along and describe, design, or dictate what a resilient community should or must have or do. Instead, I would like to adopt the way of emergent creativity from the action of a large collective of intelligent motivated agents (that’s you all, reading this, and contributing).
Interested in Round 2? please keep reading…
Sep 17 2007
Getting the word out
Sep 17 2007
On TV Now: Al Gore Wins Emmy Award
crossposted at Daily Kos and Truth & Progress
BREAKING: Al Gore’s Current TV Wins an Emmy Award for ‘Interactive Television Services’ — Sunday, September 16, 2007, 8pm-11pm on FOX
Al Gore and Joel Hyatt Arriving at Tonight’s Emmy Awards (behind Actress Ali Larter)
(photo: courtesy ‘Snarky Gossip’)
I’m watching the 59th Emmy Awards on FOX — yes, even on FOX, this year’s Emmys have gone ‘all Green’ — where it was announced just now that Gore’s television network, Current TV, has won the Emmy Award it was nominated for. Gore’s walking on to the stage now and I’ll update if more news becomes available later tonight.
More below the fold.
Sep 17 2007
March of the Progressives
The little guy, whether he lived in a tenement in the city or in a ramshackle house on the plains, was getting trampled by the money trust and the captains of industry. Disgust with both major parties was growing as pandering pols refused to take a decisive stand on the major issues of the day, and the White House seemed incapable and/or unwilling to change things. Money and cynicism were inseparable from the political process, and tabloid journalism ruled the media, fanning the flames of America’s basest passions and prodding the nation toward an imperialist horizon.
No, this isn’t another story from the Cave’s BREAKING!!! desk – but it could have been, a little over 100 years ago. Join me, if you will, for a look at how turn-of-the-century Progressives dealt with issues not all that dissimilar from the ones currently being bungled and shied away from in Washington…
Sep 17 2007
Obama on Iraq: No Funding Without Timelines
Sep 17 2007
Deities, Ice, and Motion
On September 28th, 1972, adult Canadians found a way to skip out of work and school children were packed in gymnasiums to watch an event on those horrible TVs in a box. Most Canadians over forty have some memory of it, many can tell exactly where they watched the game and who they were with. Canadians have tendency to struggle with their identity. They often define themselves by what they are not, which might be why hockey remains consistent in popular culture.
Sep 17 2007
A Blast From the Past
My appologies if you’ve all seen this before, and for the poor quality of the video.
This reporter was robbed of a Pulitzer.
“… for the blast blasted blubber beyond all believeable bounds.” Now that’s writin’.