then there were gates

Ultimately, I felt that if you're in New York, you should go see The Gates, but they probably aren't worth ten hours on 800º, urine-scented buses.

this makes me happy

Proof that all is not lost:

General Motors Corp. is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles because of various safety defects, federal regulators said Thursday.
The largest recall is of 155,465 pickups, vans and SUVs-- including the Hummer H2 -- because of possible brake malfunctions, the automaker and federal safety regulators said.
All of the affected vehicles are from the 2004 and 2005 model years and have Bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies. They are the Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado and Suburban; the GMC Savana, Sierra and Yukon XL; the GMC Topkick and Chevrolet Kodiak commercial trucks; and the Hummer H2, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

i'm so "aware"

This Slate article on "awareness" bracelets sent me to a site that provides some useful information when trying to be more aware. It has a handy list of all the things about which we need to be more aware, and corresponding bracelet color. Of course, with some much about which to be aware, there is a good deal of overlap. For instance, blue represents education, child abuse and interstitial cystitis (among other things).

What else would you expect from a website called AwarenessDepot.com?

rapid "response"

More than anything in the President's speech, I was stricken by the ineffectiveness of the Democrats' response. I thought we missed an opportunity to focus on why Social Security privatization is evil and wrong for America, and that Sen. Reid (D-NV) tried to sound like a grandfather and not a leader.

And of the President's speech, mostly I'm glad we don't have the troops to invade Iran, because it sure sounded like he wants to...

shuffle fun

From CJ, a game to sum up my music collection. The rules:

1. Open your music player
   
2. Queue up your entire music collection
   
3. Hit "shuffle"
   
4. Blog a list the titles of the next ten songs that show up. No omissions. And credit the person from whom you heard about this (CJ)
   
5. If you get the same artist twice, you can omit it.
   

My list:

1. Morphine - I Know You Pt. 3
   
2. Air - Dark Messages
   
3. James Brown - I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing
   
4. Daft Punk - Revolution 909
   
5. Beck - Forcefield
   
6. Eminem - Still Don't Give A
   
7. The Cure - The Walk
   
8. Operation Ivy - I Got No
   
9. Modest Mouse - The Fruit That ATe Itself
   
10. Rage Against the Machine - Street Fighting Man

Pretty reflective of my collection, though not my current tastes.

Condi's in

As the Senate confirmed Condi Rice, take note of three Dems' votes on this to se how they're positioning themselves in '08:

Bayh (D-IN) - No

Clinton (D-NY) - Yea

Feingold (D-WI) - Yea

While I think Rice is both unqualified and has disqualified herself through her deception leading up to the war, the President should get to choose his own people. This vote was a smart move by Russ.

Severe Weather Alert

... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY...
... 5 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED IN THE WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREAS...

I'm excited.

packing list

• 3 pair pants


• 3 long sleeve shirts


• iPod (see sidebar)


• 3 pair black socks


• 3 t-shirts


• toothbrush


• digital camera


• Fried Butter: A Memoir


• The Republican Noise Machine


• Impending Crisis


• 1 necktie

I feel safe

There have been a number of commentators expressing displeasure about the planning for the President's inauguration in the wake of the catastrophic tsunami. I think most of these people are simply upset about the inauguree. While I don't really have a problem with spending more than $30 million to celebrate our democracy, the front page of today's Post did piss me off:

U.S. Tells D.C. to Pay Inaugural Expenses
D.C. officials said yesterday that the Bush administration is refusing to reimburse the District for most of the costs associated with next week's inauguration, breaking with precedent and forcing the city to divert $11.9 million from homeland security projects.

continued...

So let me see, keeping our homeland secure is our number one priority, except for having a kick-ass party. At least Washington, DC isn't a likely target

in the Christmas spirit...

"Mom, you always give away things I like to poor people. I'm poor too, you know."

-Anne Chabel, moments before opening a bounty of Christmas gifts.

packing list

• 5 pair boxers
  
• 4 pair white socks
  
• 2 pair black socks
  
• Black shoes
  
• 3 long sleeve shirts
  
• Sweater
  
• 4 t-shirts
  
• khakis
  
• 2 pair jeans
  
• 1 pair black pants
  
• Digital camera
  
• iPod
  
• Free Culture
  

merry dickmas

As ridiculous Christian groups decry “christmas hating” as a sign of the decline of moral values in our country, it occurs to me that we should let them argue all they want about whether Macy's is run by sodomites because its signs read Happy Holidays.

There is an opportunity for the religious and secular left to coalesce around a set of moral values that places our families above what we can buy for them. Values not offended by the consideration of other cultures at this or any other time of year, but by the constant conditioning to shop ourselves happy.

i'm so going to hell

Always one to jump in on a cultural phenomenon, I came up with this clever card to celebrate our newest holiday, Chrismukkah.

bliss

Laboratorio Del Galileo - Thursday, December 9, 2004

Stone Crab with Caviar Sauce and Parsnip Puree

—{ O }—

Roasted Duck Liver with Fried Semolina, Cotognata, Duck Jus

—{ O }—

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Bagna Cauda Timbale Cotechino and Chives

—{ O }—

Tortelloni of Skate Wing with Rapini

—{ O }—

Papparedelle with Wild Game Ragu

—{ O }—

Risotto with White Truffle

—{ O }—

Sauteed Sea Scallops with Lentis, Baby Fennel and Fennel Sauce

—{ O }—

Roasted Squab Leg stuffed with Chanterelle and Porchini, served with Polenta and Stuffed Dried Tomato

—{ O }—

Cheese

—{ O }—

Pannetone with Caramelize Banana and Zabaglione Sauce

—{ O }—

Baby Pineapple Souffle

—{ O }—

Bomboloni

Farewell to a good man...

Tom Daschle gave the best speech I've ever heard on the Senate floor. His final words...

Mr. DASCHLE. It is with heartfelt gratitude to the people of South Dakota, with great respect and admiration for my colleagues, and with love for this institution and the power it has to make this Nation even greater that I say farewell and look to the future with great optimism, with hope and anticipation.

I yield the floor.

Read the whole thing.

the eagle soars no more

Proof that good things still happen to Democrats:
Attorney General John Ashcroft resigns.

where do we go from here?

The author of get your war on:

CHIN UP.
We're smarter than those motherfuckers.
We can learn more quickly than those motherfuckers.
We can be more ruthless than those motherfuckers.
We can be some six-million-dollar motherfuckers ourselves.

Chin up.
We're more American than those motherfuckers.
We're more responsible than those motherfuckers.
We're more compassionate than those motherfuckers.
Hell, our atheists are more Christian than their Bible-thumpin' motherfuckers.

There's an election in two years.
There's nothing we can't do.

Chin up.
Because it's on, motherfuckers.
It is on.

-David Reese

packing list

• two dress shirts
  
• six pair pants
  
• four long sleeve shirts
  
• six t-shirts
  
• two sweaters
  
• nine pair socks
  
• ten pair boxers
  
• black shoes
  
• ipod
  
• digital camera
  
• laptop
  
• razor
  
• toothbrush
  
• The Wire
  
• Cosmopolis
  
• Master of the Senate

three things

Get your war on once again gets it just right on Social Security Privatization:

Woman:The coolest thing about another four years of Bush would be the unveiling of the "Ownership society!" Doesn't that sound bad ass? You get to be in charge of your own Social Security.
Man:Are you kidding me? What the fuck would I want to be in charge of my Social Security for? That's not my job. I don't know how to do that shit! And in case Bush is wondering, I don't want to have to deliver my own mail, either.

Also, the Jon Stewart/Tucker "Dick" Carlson feud continued last night on both shows. Good for you to not back down against these worthless sycophants, Jon. Keep it up.

Finally, I belive, do you?

Who wears bow ties? Seriously.

For those who missed it, and those who want to see it again, here's a link to Jon Stewart on Friday's Crossfire.

let's get it on

Despite a number of polls that show Sen. Kerry w/ more electoral votes than the President, the pressure is on him to "change the race" tonight. I hope he does, but I still don't think it matters. He just needs to avoid catastrophe.

Am I wrong to be wondering if the timing of today's major offensive into Samarra is politically motivated?

we're gonna win

For those who think the President has locked up re-election, I encourage your viewership of American Research Group's new polling data. With polls from all 50 states conducted this month, the count stands at:

President Bush: 253 Electoral Votes

Senator Kerry: 270 Electoral Votes

Tied: 15 Electoral Votes (WI and WV)

It should be noted that both candidates are in close races (within the poll margin of error) for about 1/2 of their predicted EVs. Regardless, Kerry should have no problem getting to the 330 I've been predicting for months.

here comes the comeback

John Kerry was terrific on Letterman last night. He was relaxed, funny, and on message. And finally, he has a compelling message on Iraq. In a speech yesterday he provided the best articulation of the President’s poor leadership and poor choices.

The President claims it is the centerpiece of his war on terror. In fact, Iraq was a profound diversion from that war and the battle against our greatest enemy, Osama bin Laden and the terrorists. Invading Iraq has created a crisis of historic proportions and, if we do not change course, there is the prospect of a war with no end in sight….
In Iraq, this administration has consistently over-promised and under-performed. This policy has been plagued by a lack of planning, an absence of candor, arrogance and outright incompetence. And the President has held no one accountable, including himself.

Sen. Kerry’s criticism of the President is dead on, and it’s good to see him step it up. He faces the continuing challenge of trying to describe a plan for Iraq, though it is impossible to guess what the situation there will be by the time he is elected. He’ll face criticism for that, but a vague outline of coalition building is better than no clue at all.

His speech has played well in the press, and I think this could be the turning point, when we finally stop focusing on forged documents and lying veterans, and pay attention to the ever-growing quagmire in Iraq.

pretty technology

My iPod will be here tomorrow. Hooray for technology!

 

craving

I think I need an iPod. 20 or 40? Hmmm..

I de-mand sa-tis-faction!

Sen. Zell Miller is an idiot. If his hate-filled speech rife with deception wasn't enough evidence, check out his interview on Hardball following his speech. Here's a great exerpt:

Get out of my face. If you are going to ask me a question, step back and let me answer. I wish we lived in the day where you could challenge a person to a duel.

What a statesman. Here's the link to MSN Video.

turning a corner

In the past few weeks, the election seems to have turned from one where it was Kerry's to lose to one where the President's reelection appears more and more likely. Part of this can no doubt be attributed to the Swift Boat ads and the media's unwillingness to identify them as the lies they are. But there is a broader element at play, and I think the Republican National Convention is demonstrating it.

They have a vicious noise machine of political operatives throughout their organization (but never the President) who immediately react to any misstep by Kerry. The "rapid response team" the Republicans operated at the DNC is unmatched by Democrats this week. This constant spin wears down journalists who seem less and less willing to call them on their lies. On CNBC the Vice President recently denied saying that it was "pretty well confirmed" that Mohammed Atta met with Iraqis (this is the Iraq/Al Qaeda connection he had repeatedly cited even after evidence that Atta wasn't in Prague at the time of the meeting). He used those exact words on Meet the Press in December of 2001.

The reporter, flustered for a moment, tried to press him on it, but without having prepared the clip, simply allowed him to repeat his denial. Sure, this story hits the blogsphere, but it is besieged by stories about THK telling a reporter to "shove it" or Kerry's Vietnam service record. Whether a coordinated strategy or not, the Republicans seem to deluge the media with myriad claims about John Kerry and George Bush. Overwhelmed, the media can't provide an appropriate filter, and enough of the lies and misleading statements get through to have an effect. Are the Democrats unwilling to play this game, or are we just no good at it?

fun at work

my burrito and me

Since last Memorial Day when Scot, Trish and I went to Bozeman, I've been craving a blackened salmon burrito from La Parrilla. Spinach, rice, salmon, and a ricotta/sun dried tomato spread made even tastier when eaten in paradise. I've dreamt about it, thought about replicating it (but decided it just wouldn't be the same), and generally obsessed over this burrito. Finally, after over a year, while nursing a hangover, I got my burrito.

And it was good. I think I'll have another today.

Oh, the views are pretty good up here too.

In a completely unrelated note, as I was settling in to my hotel room in Bozeman on Friday, I flipped on the television. With the Olympic opening ceremonies about to run on NBC, Fox thought it would capitalize on Olympic fever as well. So, as I was putting away some of my clothing, I watched an orangutan beat a sumo wrestler in a tug-of-war and then a sprinter beat a giraffe in a 100-meter dash. Who needs water polo?

Julia Child 1912-2004

Julia Child is responsible for bringing food into popular culture and expanding the culinary horizons of Americans. She is also responsible for introducing me to he power and possibilities of food, and of the notion of food as passion. It's hard to be too sad at the death of a 91-year-old, especially one who lived as fully as she. But her passion is responsible as much as anyone for my love of food, and my unwavering belief that you can never add too much butter.

just trying to get back to [airquotes]

I'm in Montana and you're not. 6,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by trees and on the lookout for mountain lions. Tomorrow: Butte.

packing list 4

• Navy blazer
  
• 1 pair dress pants
  
• 3 pair jeans
  
• 3 pair khakis
  
• 5 short sleeve shirts
  
• 2 white dress shirts
  
• 4 long sleeve shirts
  
• 6 t-shirts
  
• fleece vest
  
• windbreaker
  
• 7 pair white socks
  
• 4 pair dark socks
  
• black shoes
  
• adidas
  
• climbing shoes
  
• chalk bag
  
• belay device
  
• 2 carabineers
  
• 2 pair shorts
  
• 8 pair boxers
  
• toothbrush
  
• razor
  
• toothpaste
  
• digital camera
  
• mp3 player
  
• two cellular telephones
  
• SLR camera
  
• film
  
• laptop
  
• keyboard
  
• mouse
  
• The Partly Cloudy Patriot
  
• Take the Cannoli
  
• Choke

more convention thoughts

I'm still working on a recap of the rest of the convention, but as time passes, here are a few basic points:

• I've been saying for months that Barack Obama is a star. He certainly demonstrated that with what I thought was the best speech of the convention.
  
• Teresa Heinz Kerry looked smug and arrogant as she belted out the Portuguese. Demonstrating a fluency in Spanish is an asset, but Brazillian immigrants just don't represent a very large voting block.
  
• I was dissapointed by Edwards. His rhetorical gifts were not on their finest display, perhaps in part because of time constraints. But the media continues their romance with him, and the speech played well.
  
• Kerry gave a terrific speech. Bounce or no bounce (a Washington Post poll indicates there was one), the convention overall, and Kerry's performance on Thursday should continue to build his support.
  

Though I am uneasy with his new role as Democratic spokesman, Ron Reagan has a pretty good piece in Esquire this month, The Case Against George W. Bush. He was very dry at the convention, but hits the President hard:

But George W. Bush and his administration have taken "normal" mendacity to a startling new level far beyond lies of convenience. On top of the usual massaging of public perception, they traffic in big lies, indulge in any number of symptomatic small lies, and, ultimately, have come to embody dishonesty itself. They are a lie.

Pretty strong stuff.

dems day 1

I was planning to wait until the end of the convention before blogging about it, but since I'm home sick today, and won't catch Kerry's speech live anyway, now seems as good a time as any to catch up on the rest of it.

Monday:

Can Bill Clinton be President again? Please?

Republicans believe in an America run by the right people, their people, in a world in which we act unilaterally when we can, and cooperate when we have to. They think the role of government is to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of those who embrace their political, economic, and social views, leaving ordinary citizens to fend for themselves on matters like health care and retirement security.

He twists the knife in the President even further when he discusses the tax cuts:

When I was in office, the Republicans were pretty mean to me. When I left and made money, I became part of the most important group in the world to them. At first I thought I should send them a thank you note—until I realized they were sending you the bill.

The other notable event on Monday was USA Today's spiking of Ann Coulter's column. I can't imagine why. Her lede:

Here at the Spawn of Satan convention in Boston, conservatives are deploying a series of covert signals to identify one another, much like gay men do. My allies are the ones wearing crosses or American flags. The people sporting shirts emblazened [sic] with the "F-word" are my opponents. Also, as always, the pretty girls and cops are on my side, most of them barely able to conceal their eye-rolling.

and later:

Support the troops, the signs say, bring them home. That's my new position on all government workers, except the 5% who aren't useless, which is to say cops, prosecutors, firemen and U.S. servicemen....I love public school teachers punishing any mention of God and banning Christmas songs so much -- I think they should go home.

She's gone from moronic and insulting to just plain incoherent. Nice.

i want one!

The Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) were given out recently. There are a lot of cool products, many not really in the mainstream, though Apple won again, both with its iPod Mini and its G5 system. I think the Circular Printer is supercool, though.

Also on the "this is really slick" radar is Mindball, a game played with your brain. Two players control a ball on a table, with the more relaxed player able to move the ball successfully across the table. And it only costs $19,000. This is ultimately where video games will be going. Playstation 8 anyone?

Two Johns for one America

He was my first choice, and I believe the only choice who gives the Dems a shot at the Senate. I think he's probably also the best running-mate to win the White House, and I figure Kerry will come out of July with an 8-10 point lead over the President. Whether that holds after the Republican convention remains to be seen. I'm also drooling over a Vice-Presidential debate.

For a more thourough analysis of the Edwards pick, read John Hood in the National Review:

To pick Edwards is essentially to pick a fight with the Republicans on their territory, and to up the political stakes down the ballot.

ahhh...seattle

Seattle was awesome last week . There's this great market down by the waterfront with abundances of fresh vegetables, fruits, and fish. There were also a bunch of other cool shops and booths, selling everything from blueberry vinegar to alpaca sweaters and toe rings.

All the food I had on the trip was all very good, especially the very fresh fish. The harbor is beautiful, and it was 75 and cool the entire time I was there. I want to go back.

packing list

• digital camera
  
• mp3 player and charger
  
• phone charger
  
• Americana
  
• Motherless Brooklyn
  
• four pair pants
  
• three pair boxer shorts
  
• one tie
  
• five pair socks
  
• three t-shirts
  
• three long sleeve shirts
  
• one short sleeve shirt
  
• one toothbrush
  
• one razor

great lead

The Economist has a nice story about the space launch. And it starts with one of the best leads I've read in a while:

They are calling it the "space Woodstock" — but unlike the legendary 1960s pop festival, only one man got high.

Clever.

i choose not to

I've become a regular reader of the White House press briefings. They aren't quite as much fun as they were with Ari Fleischer, they still have good tidbits almost every day. Yesterday, White House counsel Alberto Gonzales' briefing on the administration's torture policy was no exception:

JUDGE GONZALES: I'm not going to get into a discussion about the internal deliberations of the White House. I can say that during this period of time there was a great deal of debate, over a period of days, maybe a period of a couple weeks, when the presidential determination was made, all the agencies had actually weighed-in very strongly.

Q With the President, personally?

JUDGE GONZALES: I believe so. But the equities of all the agencies were presented to the President, and they were before the President as he made his decision.

Q: And who did that, you?

JUDGE GONZALES: Again, I'm not going to talk about --

Q: Well, wait, I'm not sure I understand, why is that a difficult thing to discuss?

JUDGE GONZALES: It's not a difficult thing to discuss, it's just one that I don't choose to discuss.

Q: Why?

JUDGE GONZALES: I just don't.

Q: Why wouldn't that be helpful?

JUDGE GONZALES: We normally don't talk about the internal deliberations within the White House. I don't think that's appropriate.

This administration is so helpful.