Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Canceling AOL
At one time, buddy David Hoggard was getting a lot of hits for his tales of canceling his AOL service. The new anti-AOL king is Vinny of Insignificant Thoughts. Listen to his phone call to AOL here.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
The 23rd Qualm
It is Father's Day and Sunday (I know FD is always on Sunday, but work with me), so I present a reworked Biblical verse sent to me by my dad.
Happy Father's Day, Dad!
The 23rd Qualm
Bush is my shepherd; I may not relax.
He maketh trees to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I trudge through the labyrinth of pollution and war,I will find no exit, for thou art in office.
Thy tax cuts for the rich, and media control, they discomfort me.
Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the name of thy religion.
Thou anointest the land with foreign oil.
My health insurance runneth out.
Surely megalomania and false patriotism shall follow me all the days of thy term,
And my jobless child shall dwell in my garage apartment forever.
Hat tip to my dad
Happy Father's Day, Dad!
The 23rd Qualm
Bush is my shepherd; I may not relax.
He maketh trees to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I trudge through the labyrinth of pollution and war,I will find no exit, for thou art in office.
Thy tax cuts for the rich, and media control, they discomfort me.
Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the name of thy religion.
Thou anointest the land with foreign oil.
My health insurance runneth out.
Surely megalomania and false patriotism shall follow me all the days of thy term,
And my jobless child shall dwell in my garage apartment forever.
Hat tip to my dad
Reconciliation
"Survivors of the massacre could come before the Greensboro City Council and, as individuals or a group, apologize for their roles in the terrible events of Nov. 3, 1979."
Ed Cone makes a novel suggestion about kicking off the Reconciliation phase of the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation process: ask the survivors to make the first apology.
Cone is correct that his suggestion is counterintuitive, but imagine the power of those who lost the most that day taking the first step toward Reconciliation.
Ed Cone makes a novel suggestion about kicking off the Reconciliation phase of the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation process: ask the survivors to make the first apology.
Cone is correct that his suggestion is counterintuitive, but imagine the power of those who lost the most that day taking the first step toward Reconciliation.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
This is Your News, Bitch!
Check out this promo spot for a local tv station in Terre Haute, IN.
I am not sure what they hope to accomplish, but I am pretty sure the tag line of "This is Your News, Bitch" is not good for tv news ratings with at least a few important demographic groups.
I am not sure what they hope to accomplish, but I am pretty sure the tag line of "This is Your News, Bitch" is not good for tv news ratings with at least a few important demographic groups.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
US Open Picks
The US Open golf championship begins tomorrow at Winged Foot Golf Club. The club is legendary for the "Massacre at Winged Foot" in 1974, when the USGA kicked the field's ass with an impossible set up.
The course has been lengthened, the fairways narrowed, and the rough deepened since 1974. Still, the players and their equipment have advanced even more, and I predict that at least the winner will break par this year.
Here is my analysis of ten of the top players in the world:
Tiger Woods: #1 player in the world with 13 career majors has taken the last nine weeks off. His father died during that stretch, so expect to hear that story line ad nauseum during father's day weekend. His driver will have too much rust #14, but he gets a top ten with his trademark grit.
Phil Mickelson: #2 player in the world has won the last two majors by overhauling his former go-for-broke attitude. His newfound control will be an asset in the Open, and the NY crowds love him. I can't see him winning three majors in a row, but he will finish in the top five.
Vijay Singh: #3 player in the world is coming off a win on an Open style course. He has had a marginal year by his standards, but he continues his good play with a top ten this weekend.
Jim Furyk: #5 player in the world has a game made for Opens. He is fourth in driving accuracy and one of the best putters in the world. He is a former champ, and I was going to pick him to win. The rumor is he hurt his shoulder brushing his teeth, so he is off the board.
Sergio Garcia: #8 ranking fueled by a formerly great driver and still great wedge game. Both are important at an Open, but I don't think he will putt well enough to win - top 40 finish.
Tim Clark: He used to be the most underrated player in the world - now he is #14. He backed up a great 2005 with a solo second at The Masters in April. He has the game to win a US Open, but I predict only a top 15 this week.
Ernie Els: Twice a past champion, but his knee continues to bother him. He will return to the top of the game in the future, but this weekend produces a top 25 finish.
Stewart Cink: Dude is sneaky long, pretty straight, and a great putter. Why has he not won this tournament before? I dunno, but he gets a top 20 this weekend.
David Toms: Straight driver, good iron player, and great putter. He is tough as nails, especially in pressure situations. He has been quiet for a while, so he sneaks up on the field for a top 15 this weekend.
Retief Goosen: #4 player in the world is normally unflappable, except in the final round at Pinehurst last year when he melted down. He is the coolest player in golf, and he gains redemption Sunday with his third US Open in six years.
The course has been lengthened, the fairways narrowed, and the rough deepened since 1974. Still, the players and their equipment have advanced even more, and I predict that at least the winner will break par this year.
Here is my analysis of ten of the top players in the world:
Tiger Woods: #1 player in the world with 13 career majors has taken the last nine weeks off. His father died during that stretch, so expect to hear that story line ad nauseum during father's day weekend. His driver will have too much rust #14, but he gets a top ten with his trademark grit.
Phil Mickelson: #2 player in the world has won the last two majors by overhauling his former go-for-broke attitude. His newfound control will be an asset in the Open, and the NY crowds love him. I can't see him winning three majors in a row, but he will finish in the top five.
Vijay Singh: #3 player in the world is coming off a win on an Open style course. He has had a marginal year by his standards, but he continues his good play with a top ten this weekend.
Jim Furyk: #5 player in the world has a game made for Opens. He is fourth in driving accuracy and one of the best putters in the world. He is a former champ, and I was going to pick him to win. The rumor is he hurt his shoulder brushing his teeth, so he is off the board.
Sergio Garcia: #8 ranking fueled by a formerly great driver and still great wedge game. Both are important at an Open, but I don't think he will putt well enough to win - top 40 finish.
Tim Clark: He used to be the most underrated player in the world - now he is #14. He backed up a great 2005 with a solo second at The Masters in April. He has the game to win a US Open, but I predict only a top 15 this week.
Ernie Els: Twice a past champion, but his knee continues to bother him. He will return to the top of the game in the future, but this weekend produces a top 25 finish.
Stewart Cink: Dude is sneaky long, pretty straight, and a great putter. Why has he not won this tournament before? I dunno, but he gets a top 20 this weekend.
David Toms: Straight driver, good iron player, and great putter. He is tough as nails, especially in pressure situations. He has been quiet for a while, so he sneaks up on the field for a top 15 this weekend.
Retief Goosen: #4 player in the world is normally unflappable, except in the final round at Pinehurst last year when he melted down. He is the coolest player in golf, and he gains redemption Sunday with his third US Open in six years.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Olbermann Smackdown of O'Reilly
Bill O'Reilly frequently gets facts wrong. Even when his viewers point out those mistakes, he generally will not admit them. Since O'Reilly only preaches to his choir, he seems generally harmless (unless you are a FoxNews producer).
But this time, O'Reilly went too far. He ascribed some of the most heinous war crimes committed by Nazis against Americans at the Battle of the Bulge to the Americans. He disparaged the memories of almost 100 American soldiers, who died horrible deaths in service to their country.
Luckily, Keith Olbermann is around to give O'Reilly the smackdown he deserves (via C&L).
But this time, O'Reilly went too far. He ascribed some of the most heinous war crimes committed by Nazis against Americans at the Battle of the Bulge to the Americans. He disparaged the memories of almost 100 American soldiers, who died horrible deaths in service to their country.
Luckily, Keith Olbermann is around to give O'Reilly the smackdown he deserves (via C&L).
