Saturday, January 31, 2004
Patriots 27, Panthers 6
That's my prediction. Ty Law will be the MVP. The Panther's offense will be unable to do anything against the Pats defense, and Brady will do well enough to win.
Further predictions:
The most entertaining ad will be sponsored by Pepsi.
Way, way too many people will stick around to watch Survivor: All-Stars.
I will not.
That's my prediction. Ty Law will be the MVP. The Panther's offense will be unable to do anything against the Pats defense, and Brady will do well enough to win.
Further predictions:
The most entertaining ad will be sponsored by Pepsi.
Way, way too many people will stick around to watch Survivor: All-Stars.
I will not.
Friday, January 30, 2004
Fake Democracy hits a snag
Iranian Guardian's Council promises to let reformists run as long as the reformists promise not to, you know, win or anything.
The pesky thing about these election things is every now and then, the voters don't see things your way. Or, if you're a compete jackass (see Khameni, Ayatollah Ali), the voters will actually never see things your way, and will only reluctantly support the People Shutting Up So As To Avoid Being Beaten To Death Act of 2004.
It's just so hard to pretend to be a democracy while at the same time reserving the right to bludgeon anyone who looks at you crosseyed into a coma. If "American Idol' worked this way, Randy and Paula would have raved about Kelly Clarkson, and TV viewers would vote for her, and it wouldn't matter because Simon had her executed for wearing a top that showed her belly button.
The wacky Iranian Guardian's Council: Still Trying To Catch Up To American Idol.
The pesky thing about these election things is every now and then, the voters don't see things your way. Or, if you're a compete jackass (see Khameni, Ayatollah Ali), the voters will actually never see things your way, and will only reluctantly support the People Shutting Up So As To Avoid Being Beaten To Death Act of 2004.
It's just so hard to pretend to be a democracy while at the same time reserving the right to bludgeon anyone who looks at you crosseyed into a coma. If "American Idol' worked this way, Randy and Paula would have raved about Kelly Clarkson, and TV viewers would vote for her, and it wouldn't matter because Simon had her executed for wearing a top that showed her belly button.
The wacky Iranian Guardian's Council: Still Trying To Catch Up To American Idol.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
I'm all about internationalism
Opponents of recent U.S. actions say we should listen more to what people in other countries have to say. Fine, says I.
I'm listening to this guy.
Opponents of recent U.S. actions say we should listen more to what people in other countries have to say. Fine, says I.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
No, Howard Dean isn't nuts, we swear...
I swear I don't mean to blog repeatedly on how Democratic Candidates are loonballs, I really don't, but if the big news is the comeback of Kajagoogoo, you blog about Kajagoogoo. The big news today is...Democratic Candidates acting like loonballs .
Maybe when it's Kajagoogoo's turn on Bands Reunited, things will turn around.
Or maybe Wesley Clark will finally snap and take out a K-Mart.
I swear I don't mean to blog repeatedly on how Democratic Candidates are loonballs, I really don't, but if the big news is the comeback of Kajagoogoo, you blog about Kajagoogoo. The big news today is...
Maybe when it's Kajagoogoo's turn on Bands Reunited, things will turn around.
Or maybe Wesley Clark will finally snap and take out a K-Mart.
Why Is Dennis Kucinich Still Running?
I occasionally get e-mails from an old friend who is apparently on the Kucinich bandwagon. Here's what I don't get. In Iowa and New Hampshire, we limit the voting to white people who are very left-of-center. Kucinich gets 1%, if he's lucky. (He isn't always). Now we go to South Carolina, Arizona, and Missouri. What in the blue hell are these people going to see that the Iowans missed?
I occasionally get e-mails from an old friend who is apparently on the Kucinich bandwagon. Here's what I don't get. In Iowa and New Hampshire, we limit the voting to white people who are very left-of-center. Kucinich gets 1%, if he's lucky. (He isn't always). Now we go to South Carolina, Arizona, and Missouri. What in the blue hell are these people going to see that the Iowans missed?
White Liberal Northeasterners Select White Liberal Northeasterner...
...and it's Kerry again. White liberals today repudiated Republican tactics of division and exclusion by extending their support to a guy who looks like them, says things they agree with in a non-threatening manner, and comes from their neck of the woods. Kerry pledges to go on to South Carolina, where he pledges to win the votes of idiot rednecks by promising them shiny objects and NEA funding for a "Hee Haw" cable channel.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Chase Update
I would like to thank a Chase employee named Keith Smith, whom I just got off the phone with. Mr. Smith quickly noted and rectified the problem, remaining courteous and professional throughout. You sir, are grossly underpaid.
* Note - this does not mean that Chase isn't more trouble then they're worth. While I'm thrilled to have spoken to a friendly and competent person, my experience with Chase suggests that Mr. Smith is the exception, not the rule, and if Chase keeps siccing vexed customers on him with their screw-ups, they will find employees spending undue amounts of time polishing sharp objects and holding conversations with unseen friends.
** I'd like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to all my unseen friends.
...now, back to polishing my pretty, pretty, blade...
I would like to thank a Chase employee named Keith Smith, whom I just got off the phone with. Mr. Smith quickly noted and rectified the problem, remaining courteous and professional throughout. You sir, are grossly underpaid.
* Note - this does not mean that Chase isn't more trouble then they're worth. While I'm thrilled to have spoken to a friendly and competent person, my experience with Chase suggests that Mr. Smith is the exception, not the rule, and if Chase keeps siccing vexed customers on him with their screw-ups, they will find employees spending undue amounts of time polishing sharp objects and holding conversations with unseen friends.
** I'd like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to all my unseen friends.
...now, back to polishing my pretty, pretty, blade...
Do Not Bank With Chase Manhattan
Currently blogging while on hold with Chase Manhattan, who has decided to cash my mortgage payment, then send me a statement telling me that I am past due, as I have not paid them.
Currently blogging while on hold with Chase Manhattan, who has decided to cash my mortgage payment, then send me a statement telling me that I am past due, as I have not paid them.
Oscar Nominees are out
Some good selections here...
First thoughts on the major awards...
Best Picture - "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "Lost in Translation," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," "Mystic River," "Seabiscuit."
- Who Will Win - "Mystic River"
- Who Should Win - "Lord of the Rings"
- Why they'll get it wrong - They'll split the difference between the two best-reviewed films of the year. Jackson will get the Director's nod.
Best Director - Fernando Meirelles, "City of God"; Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"; Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"; Peter Weir, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"; Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River."
- Who Will Win: Jackson
- Who Should Win: Jackson
Sofia Coppola wouldn't be a bad choice, but like Lieberman, it just ain't gonna happen.
Best Actor - Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"; Ben Kingsley, "House of Sand and Fog"; Jude Law, "Cold Mountain"; Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"; Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
- Who Will Win - Sean Penn
- Who Should Win - Bill Murray
- Why They'll Get it Wrong - Penn is the more visible actor in the more visible movie. Murray, who got screwed in Ghostbusters as well, should be used to it by now.
Best Actress - Keisha Castle-Hughes, "Whale Rider"; Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give"; Samantha Morton, "In America"; Charlize Theron, "Monster"; Naomi Watts, "21 Grams."
- Who Will Win - Charlize Theron
- Who Should Win - Theron
- Who are we kidding here? The most talked-about performance of the year.
Best Supporting Actor - Alec Baldwin, "The Cooler"; Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"; Djimon Hounsou, "In America"; Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"; Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai."
- Who Will Win - Alec Baldwin
- Who Should Win - Tim Robbins
- Why They'll Get It Wrong - It's not necessarily wrong per se. Baldwin just has the "Joe-Mentum"
Best Supporting Actress - Shohreh Aghdashloo, "House of Sand and Fog"; Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April"; Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"; Holly Hunter, "thirteen"; Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."
- Who Will Win - Renee Zellweger
- Who Should Win - Zellweger
- This is the most sure thing out there. Even Theron isn't this much of a slam dunk.
Check back just before Oscar time and see if I've changed my mind.
First thoughts on the major awards...
Best Picture - "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "Lost in Translation," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," "Mystic River," "Seabiscuit."
- Who Will Win - "Mystic River"
- Who Should Win - "Lord of the Rings"
- Why they'll get it wrong - They'll split the difference between the two best-reviewed films of the year. Jackson will get the Director's nod.
Best Director - Fernando Meirelles, "City of God"; Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"; Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"; Peter Weir, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"; Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River."
- Who Will Win: Jackson
- Who Should Win: Jackson
Sofia Coppola wouldn't be a bad choice, but like Lieberman, it just ain't gonna happen.
Best Actor - Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"; Ben Kingsley, "House of Sand and Fog"; Jude Law, "Cold Mountain"; Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"; Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
- Who Will Win - Sean Penn
- Who Should Win - Bill Murray
- Why They'll Get it Wrong - Penn is the more visible actor in the more visible movie. Murray, who got screwed in Ghostbusters as well, should be used to it by now.
Best Actress - Keisha Castle-Hughes, "Whale Rider"; Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give"; Samantha Morton, "In America"; Charlize Theron, "Monster"; Naomi Watts, "21 Grams."
- Who Will Win - Charlize Theron
- Who Should Win - Theron
- Who are we kidding here? The most talked-about performance of the year.
Best Supporting Actor - Alec Baldwin, "The Cooler"; Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"; Djimon Hounsou, "In America"; Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"; Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai."
- Who Will Win - Alec Baldwin
- Who Should Win - Tim Robbins
- Why They'll Get It Wrong - It's not necessarily wrong per se. Baldwin just has the "Joe-Mentum"
Best Supporting Actress - Shohreh Aghdashloo, "House of Sand and Fog"; Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April"; Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"; Holly Hunter, "thirteen"; Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."
- Who Will Win - Renee Zellweger
- Who Should Win - Zellweger
- This is the most sure thing out there. Even Theron isn't this much of a slam dunk.
Check back just before Oscar time and see if I've changed my mind.
JOHNNY F'N DEPP GOT AN OSCAR NOMINATION!
Maybe Lieberman actually has a chance!
...checks CNN...
Maybe not.
Maybe Lieberman actually has a chance!
...checks CNN...
Maybe not.
According to the media reports, New Hampshire is trying to decide between the Candidates Bush Will Beat Like A Drum (Kerry or Dean). The guy with the nice hair who always says what we want to hear...where have we seen this before...on the other hand, Dean's a frothing madman, and that plays well in certain circles.
The real battle is for third, between John "No, really, I'm a serious candidate" Edwards, Joe "Yes, I'm still running for President" Lieberman, and Wes "Huh?" Clark. If Edwards finishes third, he's officially the moderate alternative to the northeastern liberal candidate that worked so well for the Democrats during the Dukakis campaign. If Lieberman takes third, he can officially present himself as an actual candidate in South Carolina and beyond with a straight face. If Clark takes third, God is very, very angry with all of us.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
The Myth of the Liberal Media, continued...
John Stossel has just confirmed to everyone right of center that it doesn't matter what Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, NPR, The New York Times, or any other slightly left-of-center bit player in the media think, the Fox Newsification of America is irrefutable until someone produces a one-hour prime time special detailing the Bush Family's Nazi connections.
Ashton Kutcher 1, Crosblog 0
The Butterfly Effect is likely to open at #1. I am wrong about nothing else that has ever happened in the world, ever.
The Butterfly Effect is likely to open at #1. I am wrong about nothing else that has ever happened in the world, ever.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Janklow got off easy...
So say these guys
Ah, yes, the ever-popular comparison of someone else who got it worse. One can play the game, two can play the game.
Compare the sentence ofLeonard Little , the outstanding player for the St. Louis Rams. Little, a black man who kiled a white woman while driving drunk, got a sentence of 90 days in jail, that I believe he served on weekends. (The sentence isn't anywhere on the web, but I lived in St. Louis at the time it happened.)
Of course, if being right of center is an aggravating factor, then I guess he got off.
Ah, yes, the ever-popular comparison of someone else who got it worse. One can play the game, two can play the game.
Compare the sentence of
Of course, if being right of center is an aggravating factor, then I guess he got off.
The Ashton Kutcher Effect
The Butterfly Effect opens this weekend, and I want it noted for the record that before anyone bought a ticket to this, I said that Ashton Kutcher is NOT a movie star. He is a moderately funny supporting player on a reasonably decent TV show. He is also a 40-something B-list actress' boy toy. He is also annoying.
I predict justice prevails, and The Butterfly Effect bombs, finishing behind Win A Date With Tad Hamilton, allowing Topher Grace to win the battle of That 70's Show stars.
The Butterfly Effect opens this weekend, and I want it noted for the record that before anyone bought a ticket to this, I said that Ashton Kutcher is NOT a movie star. He is a moderately funny supporting player on a reasonably decent TV show. He is also a 40-something B-list actress' boy toy. He is also annoying.
I predict justice prevails, and The Butterfly Effect bombs, finishing behind Win A Date With Tad Hamilton, allowing Topher Grace to win the battle of That 70's Show stars.
I don't mean North Korea. I know what's wrong with them. They're a crappy country, run by a dishonest cabal of vicious lunatics.
But read the story. This guy spent 41 days in detention in China. Why? Upon ID'ing him as a South Korean POW, he should have been put on the first plane to Seoul.
Every time I start to buy the arguments of those who swear that Hu Jintao's boys are responsible members of the world community, crap like this manifests.
Dictators are dictators are dictators. They all suck.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
So, the first thing of substance I say is...amen . A fair sentence returned on a fair verdict, despite the fact that the defendant is, quite possibly, the single most influential and connected man in the state.
It's all too common in our society for people to make exceptions for people whose political goals line up with our own. It was the easiest thing in the world to check out the liberal websites shredding Janklow and wonder out loud how one can claim that killing someone in a traffic accident disqualifies Janklow from public office in one breath, and lionize Ted Kennedy in the next, but that's not the point. Kennedy got away with it. Repaying the favor with Janklow doesn't grant justice to Mary Jo Kopechne, it denies it to Randy Scott. Janklow deserved to be convicted, he deserved to go to jail, and he deserved to lose his office - despite the fact that everything I ever read about him suggests he was my kind of Congressman.
I think these are the hardest kind of crimes to sentence, because the harm done is so out of line with the wrongness of the act. A minor traffic violation - punished with a fine had no one been in the intersection - suddenly causes a death. Stern punishment tells us we valued the life that was taken. Leniency tells us we recognize the offense as not reflective of the character of the offender.
It sounds like the judge struck a wise balance. Kudos to him, as well as the prosecutors, jurors, and everyone else involved.
It's all too common in our society for people to make exceptions for people whose political goals line up with our own. It was the easiest thing in the world to check out the liberal websites shredding Janklow and wonder out loud how one can claim that killing someone in a traffic accident disqualifies Janklow from public office in one breath, and lionize Ted Kennedy in the next, but that's not the point. Kennedy got away with it. Repaying the favor with Janklow doesn't grant justice to Mary Jo Kopechne, it denies it to Randy Scott. Janklow deserved to be convicted, he deserved to go to jail, and he deserved to lose his office - despite the fact that everything I ever read about him suggests he was my kind of Congressman.
I think these are the hardest kind of crimes to sentence, because the harm done is so out of line with the wrongness of the act. A minor traffic violation - punished with a fine had no one been in the intersection - suddenly causes a death. Stern punishment tells us we valued the life that was taken. Leniency tells us we recognize the offense as not reflective of the character of the offender.
It sounds like the judge struck a wise balance. Kudos to him, as well as the prosecutors, jurors, and everyone else involved.
OK...open for business...
...not bigger than Instapundit yet...
...this sucks.
...not bigger than Instapundit yet...
...this sucks.
