Sunday, October 24, 2004

KISS

Keeping things simple and stupid is, in many instances, a beneficial end.  Unfortunately, in all things governmental, no matter what type, KISS is an anathema.  Theodore Dalrymple understands this, and relates an anecdotal illustration titled “Kafka’s Victory."

Via Gene Expression.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/24 at 09:54 AM
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Leave it to The New York Times to Convolute the Blame

This blurb is from the online front page of The New York Times.

"It is unclear who killed them, or how such a brazen and deadly ambush could have been mounted by guerrillas on U.S.-trained Iraqis." (Bold added by ed.)

This blurb is from the body of the linked article.

"The bodies were found near the Iranian border, about 30 miles east of the restive city of Baquba, which has been wracked by guerrilla warfare since the American invasion. The soldiers were going home on leave. It is unclear who killed them, or how such a brazen and deadly ambush could have been mounted by guerrillas on American-trained Iraqis." (Bold added by ed.)

The article itself is titled “About 50 Iraqi Soldiers Are Found Shot to Death by Rebels"

I wouldn’t even wipe my ass with this rag.

Update: (10.25.04, 7:58 AM EST) I see either the editors, or Edward Wong, have modified both the front page blurb, and the article itself, referenced above, removing the convoluted blame references.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/24 at 08:05 AM
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Dichotomous World Series Towns

Bithead ponders baseball fans’ behavioral reactions, in Boston and St Louis, to their teams winning their respective pennants.  Additionally, he ponders reactions to crowd control measures utilized during celebratory reactions to the teams winning the pennant.

The post is titled “But Why Not St. Louis?"

Posted by John Venlet on 10/24 at 06:19 AM
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A Bit of Mysticism on a Sunday Morning

Many of my favorite writers tend towards no belief in a higher power, and as I read them, I at times consider myself a chastised child for entertaining my mystical leanings.  I can understand, quite clearly, why the concept of God can be considered “omnipreposterous.” Plus, I like the word.

Even so, I continue to read various musings on the subject of faith and God.  Here’s another one of those readings, titled “The New Agnosticism?"

Link to the word “omnipreposterous” via Uncommon Sense. Link to the article via Arts & Letters Daily.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/24 at 06:06 AM
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Tickets, Need Tickets?, Get Your Tickets, Here

If you’re into sporting events, and are looking to score tickets to a sold out event, or an event for which tickets seem to be scarce, you may want to check out this site, www.Ticket-Auction.net. Here’s a little background on the 17 year old kid who put the biz together.

Via Freespace.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/24 at 06:00 AM
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Saturday, October 23, 2004

It's None of Their Damn Business

Garage sales are a quintessential aspect of American life.  Individuals gather up their accumulated schat, which has lost its allure, and tag it with prices ranging from a nickel to a dime to a quarter, or more.  Weekends are usually good for a dozen or more in various neighborhoods around the country, others seem to be perpetual, and can be driven by time and time again.  Which evidently seems to be a problem, because unbeknownest to me, at least here in West Michigan, there are ordinances against having too many garage sales.  What bullshit.

“City’s fine for garage sales wipes out season’s profits"

Stay out of my garage.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/23 at 12:16 PM
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Friday, October 22, 2004

You Can Count on Krugman, To Be an Alarmist

Paul Krugman has a column up, this morning, titled “Voting and Counting." Let’s review what old Krugman has to say.

"If the election were held today and the votes were counted fairly, Senator John Kerry would probably win. But the votes won’t be counted fairly, and the disenfranchisement of minority voters may determine the outcome."

Right out the blocks, you can determine that Krugman has swallowed, whole, the Democratic Party line that the upcoming election vote count will be rigged.  I guess Paul and the rest of his liberal, whining, “unbiased” team at The New York Times could count, “fairly.” Just like they report the news “fairly.”

Further in, Krugman adds fuel to his little alarmist fire.

"And votes for Mr. Kerry will be systematically undercounted."

Two for Bush, and one for Kerry.  Three for Bush and one for Kerry.  Is that how the systematic vote count will work, Krugman?

Krugman ends his little alarmist diatribe with this comment.

"And the media must not treat such a suspect win as a validation of skewed reporting that has consistently overstated Mr. Bush’s popular support."

Paul Krugman, media elitist, and the boy who’s crying wolf, while it is still in the cage.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/22 at 04:12 AM
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Dealing in Time, Pieces

"All that technology to sell me a fifteen dollar watch! Oh, God, I love the web."

That’s Steve Landsburg, in a post at Marginal Revolution, remarking on his need for an older model Casio watch, because he doesn’t deal well with change.  The post is titled “The World Just Keeps Getting Better."

Posted by John Venlet on 10/22 at 03:27 AM
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The Lense-Thirring Effect, Measured

"An experiment using two orbiting satellites has proved that as the Earth turns it drags space and time around itself, like a spinning top in treacle."

“Einstein Is Proved Right Again"

Not bad for a former patent clerk.

Via Google News.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/22 at 03:17 AM
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Thursday, October 21, 2004

Wildlife Photo of the Year

Very cool photo of two sharks in a baitball of sardines, and accompanying article on the competition, from BBC News.

Via Fred Lapides.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/21 at 04:30 PM
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Individuals Go To Jail For Less Time When They Commit Murder

“U.S. Soldier Gets 8 Years for Iraq Jail Abuse"

Via Google News

A real showcase verdict for the world.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/21 at 09:34 AM
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Go To Your Room Until You Can Learn How to Behave, Children

The following are the current headlines at Drudge (9:49 A.M. EST).

“KERRY CAMPAIGN SLAMS CHENEY FOR GETTING FLU SHOT"

“BUT CLINTON GOT ONE"

Mommy, Billy and Dickie got a new toy, can I get one too?  Did not.  Did too. Did not.  Did too.

Damn kids.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/21 at 05:48 AM
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The Jetsons

"Because of falling prices, the use of robots around the home to mow lawns, vacuum floors, pull guard duty and perform other chores is set to surge sevenfold by 2007, a new survey says.

Yeah, but will they have the panache of Rosie?

“Machines clean floors, guard houses and more"

Via Google News.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/21 at 03:56 AM
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"Manly, Yes, But I Like It Too"

The above line is from an old Irish Spring soap commercial.  It came to mind this morning when I stopped by Uncommon Sense. You see, Richard linked to some comments posted by Keith Burgess-Jackson, regarding masculinity and Western Civilization, which were inspired by reading this post from Michelle Malkin’s blog, which mentions pathetic women, one of the lovely Melis’ pet peeves, and an essay written by Terrence O. Moore titled “Wimps and Barbarians."

Bring back chivalry I say.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/21 at 03:42 AM
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Wednesday, October 20, 2004

An Iraqi's Words Regarding the Upcoming Election

"Dear voter,

I am an elderly man. Under the Clinton administration I had an excellent well-paid job. I took many vacations and had several holiday homes. Since President Bush took office my life has completely changed, and in every respect for the worse.

I lost my job.

I lost both my sons in the terrible Iraqi war. I lost my homes. I lost my medical insurance. In fact, I lost practically all of my possessions and found myself homeless.

Adding insult to injury, when the authorities found me living in bestial conditions, far from helping me, they arrested me.

I shall do whatever Senator Kerry wishes to ensure that a Democrat is returned to the White House next year. Bush must go!

There. I thought that all Americans would like to know what a man of my years thinks of the Bush administration.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Best wishes,

Saddam Hussein"

Lifted, wholly, from Samizdata, who got it from here.

Posted by John Venlet on 10/20 at 04:07 PM
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