Dubya's latest smirky John Wayne speech ran this morning to accompany the Bushies' newly published Iraq plan (35 pages!). I'm watching with a slight delay thanks to morning mayhem from Maya. So few points stick out of Dubya's usual blather, but here's a few on the fly...
Dubya just called a major group of our enemies in Iraq "rejectionists". Yes, and the "bomberists" and "Baathistists" are also trouble. Rejectionists were effectively defined as Sunnis that feel left out of the democratic success Iraq is experiencing. Dubya looked to his script almost throughout. So this is obviously part of the so-called newness of this speech.
Dubya pushin' WhiteHouse.gov for the Iraq plan - look there for all the latest secret plans from the Bushies. And the new Barney Christmas vid.
Mention was made of "career development courses" for the Iraqi military's officers. Look, I'm all for a well-rounded soldier. But, COME ON! Just train them to shoot and run things.
"Stand up, stand down...stand up, stand down." Dubya sounds as though he's calling a game of Simon Sez on the "Battle of the Network Stars" back in the 70s.
Dubya sums up the Dems by saying "Senator Liberman" on three occasions. I'd wager that's at least once more than Joe heard it over the two-week Thanksgiving break.
When Dubya got around to the "vigorous debate" from the hypothetical soldier's POV, he actually looked pissed. Something's unsettling about this man's self-confidence.
In the end, nothing new at all. Lots of hooey dealing with the daily life of an Iraqi soldier. "Timelines are for pussies. Freedom. Hard work. Terror (as one syllable). And may Gawd continue to bless the USA." Ppppppffffffffft. We're all so completely screwed.
Maya's gotten into some stereo cords and DVDs so I'd better separate her from her quarry. Hope your own shelves stay organized. Rock on.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
"It was better than coating snowballs with Mom and throwing her at the sidelines."
Seymour Hersh's Iraq/Bushies coverage for "The New Yorker" has reached a platform that any news at all from him merits attention. Nothing HUGE in his latest Dubya shakedown this week - focuses on his self-perceived "divine mission" in Iraq. Startling, nonetheless. But much more disturbing is the insight provided by anonymous Generals that will speak to only Sy saying that they're entirely pessimistic and underequipped. Worthwhile reading for those of you that give a rip about your country.
Randy "Duke" Cunningham broke down yesterday like a disgraced sorority sister who'd embezzled all the proceeds from an annual wet t-shirt contest to spend on a full set of American Doll collectibles. The Dukester was disgraced by pleading guilty to taking $2.4M in bribes. By being forced to eat his own past defenses. And by losing essentially everything in the process. For a big fat GOP hawk with a reputation as a flyboy that some claim was the basis for the homoerotic cheese-arama movie "Top Gun", having the news break that he'll need to forfeit his fancy antique French furniture probably hurts worse. Included is a 19th Century crapper (valued at $7200). The Dukester's District in San Diego is solidly Republican, but I can already imagine the ads that one could flush out of this story.
Dubya's trying to change the subject from his full-blanketing of bad newsiness to...immigration policy? It's obvious that the Bushies think we're all incredibly stupid and easily distracted. And many of their friends have already taken the bait and written front-page stories and ominous editorials about our "broken borders" or whatever Frank Luntz-quality talking point they've agreed to use. Is immigration a problem? Sure. But I smell a dusted-off speech being chosen thanks to desperate polling by the Bushies over the TurkeyDay holiday.
About the only moment of real excitement in the Packers' latest horrid loss to the Philly Iggles on Sunday was when a goofball ran to the 30-yard line and laid down spread-eagle. Now it turns out he was spreading his cremated Mother's remains. Some futile, ballsy gestures can be sweet. These people are just cracked.
Back home in SF, Maya's already testing the childproofishness of our apartment. This whole full crawling mobility thing has its downside, I'm sure. Her Highness is now calling for assistance in her crib after a delightful early morning nap (after waking up at 5am). She's such a freakin' good kid. Hope all your own cabinets are locked up tight. Rock on.
Randy "Duke" Cunningham broke down yesterday like a disgraced sorority sister who'd embezzled all the proceeds from an annual wet t-shirt contest to spend on a full set of American Doll collectibles. The Dukester was disgraced by pleading guilty to taking $2.4M in bribes. By being forced to eat his own past defenses. And by losing essentially everything in the process. For a big fat GOP hawk with a reputation as a flyboy that some claim was the basis for the homoerotic cheese-arama movie "Top Gun", having the news break that he'll need to forfeit his fancy antique French furniture probably hurts worse. Included is a 19th Century crapper (valued at $7200). The Dukester's District in San Diego is solidly Republican, but I can already imagine the ads that one could flush out of this story.
Dubya's trying to change the subject from his full-blanketing of bad newsiness to...immigration policy? It's obvious that the Bushies think we're all incredibly stupid and easily distracted. And many of their friends have already taken the bait and written front-page stories and ominous editorials about our "broken borders" or whatever Frank Luntz-quality talking point they've agreed to use. Is immigration a problem? Sure. But I smell a dusted-off speech being chosen thanks to desperate polling by the Bushies over the TurkeyDay holiday.
About the only moment of real excitement in the Packers' latest horrid loss to the Philly Iggles on Sunday was when a goofball ran to the 30-yard line and laid down spread-eagle. Now it turns out he was spreading his cremated Mother's remains. Some futile, ballsy gestures can be sweet. These people are just cracked.
Back home in SF, Maya's already testing the childproofishness of our apartment. This whole full crawling mobility thing has its downside, I'm sure. Her Highness is now calling for assistance in her crib after a delightful early morning nap (after waking up at 5am). She's such a freakin' good kid. Hope all your own cabinets are locked up tight. Rock on.
Monday, November 28, 2005
"Give me the 'Day in Your Boots' Tour, Soldier..."
I notice more and more Congressmanly cheeseballs that love to boast "just got back from Iraq, and the troops told me..." But I imagine lots of upcoming tours being reconsidered after a vehicle full o' backbenchers rolled over on the way to the Baghdad Airport. Two hurt. Four adult diapers gravely sullied in DC. I'll be watching this one like a cop eyein' the last jelly.
Movie audiences are obviously starved for any sort of distraction if the new Harry Potter passed $400M world-wide in 10 days. Horrid filmmaking by committee. As a result, I downgrade my earlier review to a D-plus. And equally at fault are the waves of crap being offered by Big Hollywood these days. No wonder video games are so monstrously popular - at least the storylines have some appeal. At this rate, the new "King Kong" will bust every Box Office record within sight. The trailers are movieCrack. You just want MORE immediately.
We're back up to SF later this morning and hope that Maya's been well-timed for a hearty nap. Santa Barbara's been freakin' bedazzling the last few days. Clear as glass skies, and I saw the sunrise this morning without a cloud in the sky. Before dawn, the crescent moon's dark side was wholly visible. Maya's going to miss the wide open spaces at Nanna and Poppy's house. Our little SF veal-fattening pen for her is a different story. Time to start letting Maya get really dirty in the Park. No offense to all entering winter (my parents back in Wisconsin had 4-below-zero Thanksgiving morning). But having the outside option as we enter December is one of the reasons this part of the world is so lovable. Rock on.
Movie audiences are obviously starved for any sort of distraction if the new Harry Potter passed $400M world-wide in 10 days. Horrid filmmaking by committee. As a result, I downgrade my earlier review to a D-plus. And equally at fault are the waves of crap being offered by Big Hollywood these days. No wonder video games are so monstrously popular - at least the storylines have some appeal. At this rate, the new "King Kong" will bust every Box Office record within sight. The trailers are movieCrack. You just want MORE immediately.
We're back up to SF later this morning and hope that Maya's been well-timed for a hearty nap. Santa Barbara's been freakin' bedazzling the last few days. Clear as glass skies, and I saw the sunrise this morning without a cloud in the sky. Before dawn, the crescent moon's dark side was wholly visible. Maya's going to miss the wide open spaces at Nanna and Poppy's house. Our little SF veal-fattening pen for her is a different story. Time to start letting Maya get really dirty in the Park. No offense to all entering winter (my parents back in Wisconsin had 4-below-zero Thanksgiving morning). But having the outside option as we enter December is one of the reasons this part of the world is so lovable. Rock on.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Cole Hauser in..."The Underneathening"
As a part of our TurkeyDaze film festin', I'll give "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" a C-minus. Rote, formulaic filmmaking from a sprawling story that was largely adhered to in an effort to prevent the revolt of TrueFans. Lame. Most geeky Potterheads will probably have much to complain about as examples of inappropriate edits from that story. Those of us that are less obsessive will have WAY too much time in this Chapter (2:30 running time, felt like 5:30) to be distracted by unintended funny bits. Like how the actor that plays Ron Weasley looks so much like a young Danny Bonaduce I want to suggest pre-emptive rehab. Or how when Voldemort was finally revealed (played by a quickly recognized Ralph Fiennes), it appeared that his look was stolen from the lead singer of Midnight Oil. Many reviewers have been rather creepy about this coming of age turn for the main characters. I was just bored by the glaring lack of spark, even when those lead characters are charmingly authentic. I believe that by far the best Potter movie was the Third. There's just something about this magical material that pleads for a darker, sillier Director's touch. This floppy turn will still make a bazillion dollars. A bit of inspiration would have been nice, though.
After the movie last night, we scrambled for parking close to the restaurant we'd chosen (Taiko - unpretentious, delicious Japanese). While driving around, I recognized the actor Cole Hauser getting into a car with a friend. He's never gotten close to the likability of his role in "Dazed and Confused" as the white, beer-drinkin', pick-up drivin' football chum. Since then, he's segwayed into crappy thrillers. I then jokingly tried to remember the title of the latest action dud he starred in. I came up with many possibilities, including (use the most faux-bombastic voice possible) - Cole Hauser in "Deep Crevass"..."Hell Lives Below"..."There's Something Down There..."..."Stalag-Fright!"..."Dark Blackness"...they're all good. Or at least they're better than the actual title ("The Cave"). If you're reading, Cole - give me a jingle. I've been thinking and I've got a buncha ideas that would be perfect for you. We should do lunch. Rock on.
After the movie last night, we scrambled for parking close to the restaurant we'd chosen (Taiko - unpretentious, delicious Japanese). While driving around, I recognized the actor Cole Hauser getting into a car with a friend. He's never gotten close to the likability of his role in "Dazed and Confused" as the white, beer-drinkin', pick-up drivin' football chum. Since then, he's segwayed into crappy thrillers. I then jokingly tried to remember the title of the latest action dud he starred in. I came up with many possibilities, including (use the most faux-bombastic voice possible) - Cole Hauser in "Deep Crevass"..."Hell Lives Below"..."There's Something Down There..."..."Stalag-Fright!"..."Dark Blackness"...they're all good. Or at least they're better than the actual title ("The Cave"). If you're reading, Cole - give me a jingle. I've been thinking and I've got a buncha ideas that would be perfect for you. We should do lunch. Rock on.
Maya prefers to use chopsticks on her Cheerios whenever possible
Originally uploaded by emaggie.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Just when you thought the Brownie was done...
Looking for that special, utterly useless gift for a State, Municipality or corporation that has everything? Michael "Heckuva Job!" Brown has started a disaster preparedness consulting business (cleverly named Michael D. Brown LLC). Seriously. So if you're looking to displace and kill thousands, waste billions or just scare the beejeezus out of your constituents, Brownie's got a plan for you. He's relocated to the Boulder, CO area to drive into the ground, er, lay roots for this new venture just in time for Holidaze shopping. And according to an interview he gave to the Rocky Mountain News, he's not really troubled by the aftermath of Katrina. As he so importantly stated, "I'm doing a lot of good work with some great clients...My wife, children and my grandchild still love me. My parents are still proud of me." No word on how Brownie's pets feel about him. Probably because he abandoned them back in Virginia.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
"Crazed Balloon, Attacks Lamp!"
Yet another annual story got dusted off following the Macy's Day Parade. "Two people injured" wouldn't usually merit much coverage. But this one's got zing (to be unabashedly sensationalistic). The two injuries were sisters. One was 26, the other 11 and in a wheelchair. Yup. That's what I'm seeing thus far. So it's probably not a chill Thanksgiving in Katie Couric or Larry King's kitchen. "Too many calls to take, Baby!" Or something shamefully to that effect.
It's been a relatively idyllic Thanksgiving in Santa Barbara. The streets are deserted, though. And I'm at a downtown coffeehouse after a warm, oddly foggy run along the beach earlier. The fog came in, then the winds whipped it away as quickly as it came. Sun in between, a bit warmer than usual. I'm reminded of Sandburg's Fog and the lead about "cat feet." Different, but evocative nonetheless. A great beginning to a day. Rock on.
It's been a relatively idyllic Thanksgiving in Santa Barbara. The streets are deserted, though. And I'm at a downtown coffeehouse after a warm, oddly foggy run along the beach earlier. The fog came in, then the winds whipped it away as quickly as it came. Sun in between, a bit warmer than usual. I'm reminded of Sandburg's Fog and the lead about "cat feet." Different, but evocative nonetheless. A great beginning to a day. Rock on.
A mostly full "Jarhead"
Over our TurkeyDaze break, we're trying to catch up on some of the recent film releases that we've not had the chance to see with our nearly 9-month-old munchkin in tow. Yesterday's feature - "Jarhead" - started things off on a debatably high platform. My rating is a squishy B-minus (I could go higher). While I've not read Anthony Swofford's book, I was impressed and engaged on many levels. The cast is solid, with Jake Jello-and-Marshmallows-en-hall and Peter SARS-ain't-so-bad-but-still-be-on-Gard leading the way. The lunacy shown in the lead-up to pseudo-War isn't exactly new ("Full Metal Jacket" did it better) and the manic partying shown as release isn't either (likewise in "Platoon"). Nonetheless, the crazy juxtaposition of the first Persian Gulf War with what we're currently experiencing in Iraq makes for good pondering. The visuals, especially of the oil well fires and lots of fit, sweaty boy toys, are fab. The madness of our overwhelming firepower being used on such a paper tiger (then or now) is disconcerting. But seeing our young men driven right to the brink of insanity before being dumped back into the real world is the most powerful punch I think this piece of work delivers.
On Nanna and Poppy's hardwood floors, Maya's taken to a much farther ranging style of scooting - both forward and backward. She's screaming up a storm at the moment, echoing off the walls and getting everyone motivated to take her outside for a run/walk. Hope your own pre-gobble gobble activities are equally boisterous. Rock on.
On Nanna and Poppy's hardwood floors, Maya's taken to a much farther ranging style of scooting - both forward and backward. She's screaming up a storm at the moment, echoing off the walls and getting everyone motivated to take her outside for a run/walk. Hope your own pre-gobble gobble activities are equally boisterous. Rock on.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
A Bubp leads to an increasingly stinky Schmidt
Time for us all to take out our tiny violins - Rep. Jean "Did I EVER Step In" Schmidt is all over the news this morning complaining about the treatment she's received after her "cowards run" speech in the House last week. But that's only because the Marine Colonel she claimed as an opponent of Murtha's call for redeployment vehemently denies ever saying such things to ol' Mean Jean. The Cincinnati Enquirer was the first to bother tracking down her Marine - a GOP Ohio state Rep and Marine Reserve officer with the vaguely scatalogical name, Danny Bubp. Apparently, Bubp (excuse me) campaigned for Schmidt in his Marine uniform and is an entirely loyal pro-war GOPer. Unlike the decidedly chickenhawky Schmidt, he says he would never think of criticising a fellow Marine. Yet instead of giving a better defense for her House floor lies, Schmidt is hiding from the media and offered up the following flag-waver yesterday - "First and foremost, I support the troops. They dodge bullets and bombs while I duck only hateful words." In the famous tone of Nelson from "The Simpsons" I can only offer the following - "ha ha!"
Time for a run along the beach and the beginnings of a beautiful day in Santa Barbara. Maya handled the after-dark drive down from SF with quiet dignity, but she's now down for a nap. Hope all your own travels today are followed by equally restful respite. Rock on Rock on.
Time for a run along the beach and the beginnings of a beautiful day in Santa Barbara. Maya handled the after-dark drive down from SF with quiet dignity, but she's now down for a nap. Hope all your own travels today are followed by equally restful respite. Rock on Rock on.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
The Unburdened Tricky Dick
Dick "Last Throes" Cheney gave the debate over an Iraqi pullout timeline yet another swirlie yesterday. Yawn. I've come to expect that His Supreme Evilness will never acknowledge the validity of opposition to his plans. But the way Mr. "Big Time!" went after all of us pussies yesterday before the American Enterprise Institute begs a brief rejoiner. The quote that made all the newsy replays began with The Big Bypass asserting that his opponents should answer a few "simple questions" that were impossible to answer since they were utterly hypothetical. Kinda like, "if suddenly the sun stopped shining, wouldn't those people advocating solar energy look silly?" Yet beyond the daily revisionism from the Veep, the following chestnut stuck out as a new level of denial - "I repeat that we never had the burden of proof; Saddam Hussein did." So one should extrapolate that The Dark Overlord ain't gonna cooperate with the Congress' new attempts to investigate the misuse of intellegence in the lead-up to our Iraq Crusade. Double yawn. But the lengths to which he'll go to re-assert his unswayable rightness in the face of unassailably valid questions is pretty historic, even if only as a tragedy.
I don't usually pay much attention to the USAToday, but their story on nearly 7000 people still missing after Katrina deservedly caught not just my eye this morning. It led me to the National Center for Missing Adults, which is trying to gather info on the Katrina victims. One should assume that plenty of people have purposely gone missing or that many are mistakenly identified as such. But there's got to be some additional victims, the tally of which stands at 1306 currently. Some coverage of the cleanup is ongoing, yet we've all mostly moved on. I'm not surprised. Just occasionally shocked and saddened by thoughts of how much needless damage could have been prevented.
Another blast from the recent newsy past will blow through around the TurkeyDay news cycle. Cindy Sheehan's group is prepping for another protest gathering in Crawford. The key difference now being the passage of McLennan (not McClellen) County ordinances about gathering/camping along the roadside that are entirely friendly to Crawford's most famous too-often resident and family. Watch for mass arrests. Sizable press coverage. And lots of mountain biking by Dubya.
I watched the Packers get embarrassed yet again last night on Monday Night Football with one of my Vikings fan friends who now lives in San Jose. Both teams are horrible in their own disgracefully incompetent ways. And the always lovable Brett Favre is looking more and more like a Branson Missouri-quality trip down memory lane with each passing game. For anyone that appreciates the history of the Pack, one moment on the sideline shone through brilliantly admist all the dreck. Ex-QBs Jim McMahon (played there two seasons at the end of his career, including the Super Bowl victory year) and Don "The Majik Man" Majkowski were hanging out, looking ready to hit up the adoring ladies at the buffet at Fuzzy Thurston's bar as soon as they could duck out of the game. My Viking friend, Sockie, derisively acknowledged how nice it was that I got my requisite dose of Packer history, probably mandated by a League that still has a permanent set of lips on the butt of the Green Bay "Acme" Packers. And then the Pack lost the game on yet another last second field goal. I hope the entire coaching staff and team are sent packing at season's end. Coat Favre in bronze and ship him to Louisiana. And let's move on, people.
We're off to Santa Barbara tonight for the TurkeyDay holiday. Plenty of pics of Maya should be expected. Speaking of Her Majesty, I'm being summoned for a midmorning snack. Hope all your own orders are equally enjoyable to fill. Rock on.
I don't usually pay much attention to the USAToday, but their story on nearly 7000 people still missing after Katrina deservedly caught not just my eye this morning. It led me to the National Center for Missing Adults, which is trying to gather info on the Katrina victims. One should assume that plenty of people have purposely gone missing or that many are mistakenly identified as such. But there's got to be some additional victims, the tally of which stands at 1306 currently. Some coverage of the cleanup is ongoing, yet we've all mostly moved on. I'm not surprised. Just occasionally shocked and saddened by thoughts of how much needless damage could have been prevented.
Another blast from the recent newsy past will blow through around the TurkeyDay news cycle. Cindy Sheehan's group is prepping for another protest gathering in Crawford. The key difference now being the passage of McLennan (not McClellen) County ordinances about gathering/camping along the roadside that are entirely friendly to Crawford's most famous too-often resident and family. Watch for mass arrests. Sizable press coverage. And lots of mountain biking by Dubya.
I watched the Packers get embarrassed yet again last night on Monday Night Football with one of my Vikings fan friends who now lives in San Jose. Both teams are horrible in their own disgracefully incompetent ways. And the always lovable Brett Favre is looking more and more like a Branson Missouri-quality trip down memory lane with each passing game. For anyone that appreciates the history of the Pack, one moment on the sideline shone through brilliantly admist all the dreck. Ex-QBs Jim McMahon (played there two seasons at the end of his career, including the Super Bowl victory year) and Don "The Majik Man" Majkowski were hanging out, looking ready to hit up the adoring ladies at the buffet at Fuzzy Thurston's bar as soon as they could duck out of the game. My Viking friend, Sockie, derisively acknowledged how nice it was that I got my requisite dose of Packer history, probably mandated by a League that still has a permanent set of lips on the butt of the Green Bay "Acme" Packers. And then the Pack lost the game on yet another last second field goal. I hope the entire coaching staff and team are sent packing at season's end. Coat Favre in bronze and ship him to Louisiana. And let's move on, people.
We're off to Santa Barbara tonight for the TurkeyDay holiday. Plenty of pics of Maya should be expected. Speaking of Her Majesty, I'm being summoned for a midmorning snack. Hope all your own orders are equally enjoyable to fill. Rock on.
Monday, November 21, 2005
The Bushies determine what China really needs - Fuddruckers
Everyone knows Dubya hates "reality-based community" distractions like travel and reading. But a story in today's Post even more clearly itemizes how that disdain appears to extend throughout the ranks Dubya brought with him to Asia. The most telling example - while in China, members of his Staff chose to eat at an Outback Steakhouse instead of sampling the local flavors. Twice. No dim sum for the Bushies when there's bloomin' onions within range. No word yet on what they noshed while doing their Mongolian drive-by, but I'd bet they tracked down a Chili's or a TGIFridays somewhere on the steppe. Or maybe notte.
Since her ludicrous attack on the decidedly not "cowardly" Rep. John Murtha on Friday, Rep. "Mean Jean" Schmidt has been getting more coverage than at any time since her narrow special election victory over Paul Hackett in an overwhelmingly Republican part of Ohio this Spring. For all the kudos given to her by the Rush/FOX News/Michael Savage crowd, she's officially become a charicature of a shrill, inappropriate war bitch. Word is that she'll be facing a tough Primary challenge for re-election in '06. Thankfully for her the Congress has two weeks off for the TurkeyDay holidaze. Oh, but when they return in December...
On Saturday, Sarah and I took advantage of a friendly babysitting offer to catch a flick for the first time in months. There's so many things we could have seen, but for reasons that in hindsight make little sense we chose to see "Capote" at an arthouse miniplex in an arty neighborhood we rarely take advantage of (West Portal). As much as I wanted to love it, I give it a C+. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is astonishingly dead-on, but the whole story was too insular, too damn dank and dreary, and about as much fun as waiting for the microwave to ding. Rent it. Maybe. Better yet, read "In Cold Blood" - I did so in college and can still remember feeling that Capote's legend was entirely well deserved, even if the only thing he finished thereafter was a few hearty snifters before breakfast.
Maya's vocal dexterity is growing with hilarious leaps, although there's still no formally recognized words to speak of. She has also developed one quirk that really makes me uncomfortable - she scrapes her top and bottom teeth together, emitting a sound that's probably being used at the CIA "black sites" in Poland and Romania. More teeth on the way. She's still crawling backwards besides doing this funky crab walk squat. We're letting her watch "Sesame Street" which I'm happy to report is still as clever as it ever was. Haven't yet seen the absurd new Cookie Monster bit about how "Cookies Are a Sometimes Food". When I do, I'll give you a full review. Rock on.
Since her ludicrous attack on the decidedly not "cowardly" Rep. John Murtha on Friday, Rep. "Mean Jean" Schmidt has been getting more coverage than at any time since her narrow special election victory over Paul Hackett in an overwhelmingly Republican part of Ohio this Spring. For all the kudos given to her by the Rush/FOX News/Michael Savage crowd, she's officially become a charicature of a shrill, inappropriate war bitch. Word is that she'll be facing a tough Primary challenge for re-election in '06. Thankfully for her the Congress has two weeks off for the TurkeyDay holidaze. Oh, but when they return in December...
On Saturday, Sarah and I took advantage of a friendly babysitting offer to catch a flick for the first time in months. There's so many things we could have seen, but for reasons that in hindsight make little sense we chose to see "Capote" at an arthouse miniplex in an arty neighborhood we rarely take advantage of (West Portal). As much as I wanted to love it, I give it a C+. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is astonishingly dead-on, but the whole story was too insular, too damn dank and dreary, and about as much fun as waiting for the microwave to ding. Rent it. Maybe. Better yet, read "In Cold Blood" - I did so in college and can still remember feeling that Capote's legend was entirely well deserved, even if the only thing he finished thereafter was a few hearty snifters before breakfast.
Maya's vocal dexterity is growing with hilarious leaps, although there's still no formally recognized words to speak of. She has also developed one quirk that really makes me uncomfortable - she scrapes her top and bottom teeth together, emitting a sound that's probably being used at the CIA "black sites" in Poland and Romania. More teeth on the way. She's still crawling backwards besides doing this funky crab walk squat. We're letting her watch "Sesame Street" which I'm happy to report is still as clever as it ever was. Haven't yet seen the absurd new Cookie Monster bit about how "Cookies Are a Sometimes Food". When I do, I'll give you a full review. Rock on.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
The poop gets flung in new directions
Almost every newsie outlet gives extended play to yesterday's call by Rep. John Murtha to move our troops from Iraq to bases in either Kuwait or elsewhere in the hemisphere. And almost before Murtha's press conference was over, the Bushies and their attack monkeys went right into crap flinging mode. Scott "Helen, you hate America" McClellan went so far as to say that Murtha is now running with "Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic Party." Republicans all over the Capitol equated Murtha's call to re-deploy somewhere "on the horizon" with blowing kisses to the terrorists. So there you have it according to the Bushies. A proven warrior (ex-Marine, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, retired as a Colonel, previously respected hawk on Defense issues). Now an unpatriotic bleeding heart after criticising an aimless war. Amazing.
Arianna Huffington's doing what she can to continue antagonizing Bill O'Reilly for his continuing comments against San Francisco. Mr. Falafel has claimed that he's going to put together his very own "enemies list". Arianna's offered to gather names and deliver them the next time she's on "The Factor". You can add yours to the list, if you're inclined to bear the brunt of being "not spun" or whatever that douchebag calls his brand of attacks. I'm SOOO looking forward to seeing what he flings my way.
Arianna Huffington's doing what she can to continue antagonizing Bill O'Reilly for his continuing comments against San Francisco. Mr. Falafel has claimed that he's going to put together his very own "enemies list". Arianna's offered to gather names and deliver them the next time she's on "The Factor". You can add yours to the list, if you're inclined to bear the brunt of being "not spun" or whatever that douchebag calls his brand of attacks. I'm SOOO looking forward to seeing what he flings my way.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Ashcroft's legacy lives on
All you Patriot Act fans out there must be beaming with vigilante smugness this morning. Looks like the Congress capitulated almost fully to the Bushies' request to extend that raw chafing of our civil liberties. The 7-year sunsetting provisions were dropped. Permanence, baby! So if you want to check out any foreign language books from the library or troll the web looking for al Queda websites or buy some overseas goods with a credit card...well, don't. In each of those cases, you can be monitored without your knowledge and there ain't shit you can do about it. Nice world we made for ourselves after 9/11, ain't it?
I continue to be a big fan of Kinky Friedman's run for Governor in Texas. He's an independent so he needs to gather 46K signatures to get on the ballot. But his slogans are the best, I swear, that I've ever heard in a political campaign. When I saw a blurb on his new campaign manager (Wellstone's replacement in the Senate for a few months, Dean Barkley), I checked in on Kinky's campaign website. He's raised $60K and continues to impress. Zogby recently had his support at 21%. If we still lived in Big D, I'd definitely be in the Kinkster's camp. Just remember, "how hard can it be?"
Maya's calling for a more substantial breakfast. After a killer nap yesterday and an equally impressive night's sleep, she appears to have put our travels behind her. The Bay Area's currently steeped in gorgeously unseasonable warmth and Maya's due for her morning jog after her tasty gruel. Hope your own diet is well constituted. Rock on.
I continue to be a big fan of Kinky Friedman's run for Governor in Texas. He's an independent so he needs to gather 46K signatures to get on the ballot. But his slogans are the best, I swear, that I've ever heard in a political campaign. When I saw a blurb on his new campaign manager (Wellstone's replacement in the Senate for a few months, Dean Barkley), I checked in on Kinky's campaign website. He's raised $60K and continues to impress. Zogby recently had his support at 21%. If we still lived in Big D, I'd definitely be in the Kinkster's camp. Just remember, "how hard can it be?"
Maya's calling for a more substantial breakfast. After a killer nap yesterday and an equally impressive night's sleep, she appears to have put our travels behind her. The Bay Area's currently steeped in gorgeously unseasonable warmth and Maya's due for her morning jog after her tasty gruel. Hope your own diet is well constituted. Rock on.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Looking for the new Deep Throat brings an old Insider forward
In a crazy, irony-laden throwback to the Watergate era, Bob Woodward testified Monday about his involvement in the Plamegate investigation. The WashingtonPost published a piece today from Woodward on his role, as well as a broader look into what he said he knew and did with that information. Included is a dispute over whether he passed it along to Walter Pincus (who denies hearing of Plame's identity from Woodward). Woodward supposedly received Plame's name from someone in the White House in mid-June - weeks before any of the other journalists involved have said they were sneakily leaked to. There's a fair amount of "he said, she said" in this. But the first thing that comes to mind for me is the insider status Woodward has enjoyed with this White House (look no farther than his book "Plan of Attack" for extensive evidence). Was he viewed as a "friendly" avenue to publication of what the Bushies wanted to get out there? Regardless, it appears that Fightin' Fitzy ain't cooling his jets just yet.
Loads of other ugly stories this morning circulating in the ether. Such as the facility in Iraq discovered to contain 173 severely tortured Sunnis that was being run by Shiite militia forces working under the auspices of the Interior Ministry. Reports of flesh torn from bodies and detainees in comas, presumably from their treatment therein. Sadly, the U.S. Military's boilerplate condemnation sounds so laughably hollow given the current attempts by the Bushies to fight McCain's anti-torture provision in the new Defense appropriations bill. We've so completely lost the high ground in such matters. Also, as American forces are continuing yet another offensive against insurgents in Western Iraq, 5 more Marines were reported killed and 11 wounded when a booby-trapped house led to an ambush. Whether or not you care to look to the horrible truth in the numbers, we're losing soldiers at a furious pace this month. This will only give more rhetorical protection to those in Congress pushing the Bushies for a better plan and more handoff to the Iraqis. Hopefully.
In my favorite absurd defense of the morning that's not somehow tied to the Bushies, Philadelphia Eagles ManChild Terrell Owens is being defended by none other than Ralph Nader. So now T.O. is REALLY screwed. But if this keeps up, T.O. might get on the ballot in New Mexico and Oregon. Stay tuned for updates.
We're back in SF after a handful of days of travel both near and far. Over the weekend we went to a friend's wedding in Carmel-by-the-Sea - a verdant, surfy, well-heeled wonder south of Santa Cruz. Too many golfers in that part of the world for my taste (the wedding itself was actually at a course in Pebble Beach). And trying to find a decent, un-froof-ified cafe to do some writing in Carmel is like searching for a kosher meal in the Salt Lake City airport. Damnably fun times were had, nonetheless. Thereafter we packed Maya into her shipping kennel and headed to DC. I didn't get to meet with Ahmed Chalabi or testify before the Grand Jury, but I did cruise extensively with Maya in tow. The Smithsonian's new Museum of the American Indian was one of our stops (great atrium, less-than-fully-realized exhibits in place thus far), along with the Air and Space Museum (fabulous for a Moon child like me and curious nerds of all ages), the Arts, Culture and Technology Museum (did you know that the pirate shirt from "Seinfeld" is now part of the collection there?), and all the along the Mall since we stayed in a hotel very much nearby. The news of the age seems much more obviously integral there and the plethora of sources at the ready are amazing. Case in point - our hotel had al Jazeera in its cable TV spectrum. But for Maya's sake, it's good to be back on the Left Coast. Hope your own daily search for good news bears fruit. Rock on.
Loads of other ugly stories this morning circulating in the ether. Such as the facility in Iraq discovered to contain 173 severely tortured Sunnis that was being run by Shiite militia forces working under the auspices of the Interior Ministry. Reports of flesh torn from bodies and detainees in comas, presumably from their treatment therein. Sadly, the U.S. Military's boilerplate condemnation sounds so laughably hollow given the current attempts by the Bushies to fight McCain's anti-torture provision in the new Defense appropriations bill. We've so completely lost the high ground in such matters. Also, as American forces are continuing yet another offensive against insurgents in Western Iraq, 5 more Marines were reported killed and 11 wounded when a booby-trapped house led to an ambush. Whether or not you care to look to the horrible truth in the numbers, we're losing soldiers at a furious pace this month. This will only give more rhetorical protection to those in Congress pushing the Bushies for a better plan and more handoff to the Iraqis. Hopefully.
In my favorite absurd defense of the morning that's not somehow tied to the Bushies, Philadelphia Eagles ManChild Terrell Owens is being defended by none other than Ralph Nader. So now T.O. is REALLY screwed. But if this keeps up, T.O. might get on the ballot in New Mexico and Oregon. Stay tuned for updates.
We're back in SF after a handful of days of travel both near and far. Over the weekend we went to a friend's wedding in Carmel-by-the-Sea - a verdant, surfy, well-heeled wonder south of Santa Cruz. Too many golfers in that part of the world for my taste (the wedding itself was actually at a course in Pebble Beach). And trying to find a decent, un-froof-ified cafe to do some writing in Carmel is like searching for a kosher meal in the Salt Lake City airport. Damnably fun times were had, nonetheless. Thereafter we packed Maya into her shipping kennel and headed to DC. I didn't get to meet with Ahmed Chalabi or testify before the Grand Jury, but I did cruise extensively with Maya in tow. The Smithsonian's new Museum of the American Indian was one of our stops (great atrium, less-than-fully-realized exhibits in place thus far), along with the Air and Space Museum (fabulous for a Moon child like me and curious nerds of all ages), the Arts, Culture and Technology Museum (did you know that the pirate shirt from "Seinfeld" is now part of the collection there?), and all the along the Mall since we stayed in a hotel very much nearby. The news of the age seems much more obviously integral there and the plethora of sources at the ready are amazing. Case in point - our hotel had al Jazeera in its cable TV spectrum. But for Maya's sake, it's good to be back on the Left Coast. Hope your own daily search for good news bears fruit. Rock on.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Friday, November 11, 2005
Full affrontal Dubya
Dubya just popped a boner on TV. Seriously. Either that or he got a new speech from the hawkiest of the hawks in his inner circle of Roves. Many douchebags for Liberty will surely call using Veteran's Day to attack opponents of his conjured up War in Iraq a bold, freeballin' way of shifting the debate. This will fail, I predict. And the attempt to pin the anti-war folks down with a faded Kerry/Edwards bumpersticker has about as much chance of succeeding as a "Bring Back the Draft" petition campaign in Detroit. Regardless, I thank the Bushies for giving me ample silliness for shtick at the wedding we're going to this weekend. There will undoubtably be plenty of Hollywood liberals underfoot. In California, there always are. Rock on.
San Francisco gets its marching orders
Bill "Showers with a falafel" O'Reilly baked his noodle but good many years ago. But when you read through the extent of his comments about San Francisco after the ludicrous Special Election you must admit that he's gotten to a whole different party of CrazyTown. Apparently he was put over the top by the passage of measures to ban the sale of handguns in the City (like Chicago passed in '82) and a denial of access for military recruiters to student information (as clandestinely mandated by obscure language hidden in the No Child Left Behind education bill). San Francisco should leave the country. Get attacked by al Queda. Be ignored by the O'Reilly version of America. Aside from the insightfully snarky points made by the SF Comical (including that only tourists go to Coit Tower, which O'Reilly said should be blown up), I think we might be missing a decent opportunity to cut and run on America. Get out while the getting's good, I say. We could start by running the vastly outnumbered Republicans out of town on a rail. And then build a huge tie-dye-technicolor wall around our precious bastion. Or maybe we should all just make O'Reilly even more of a target for ridicule. "The Colbert Report`" is a good start, but there's much farther that we can go.
We're heading out of town today for a wedding in Carmel-by-the-Sea - easily the silliest town name not paid for by a silly TV show. Sounds like a lovely place and we can't wait to get Maya to the beach and such. Then to directly contrast the natural beauty, we head to DC for a few days immediately after. Another silly name for an even sillier place. Hopefully Maya and I can hit the Smithsonian on Monday. Expect more updates and fresh pics than this past week. Hope all's well with your own extensive collections. Rock on.
We're heading out of town today for a wedding in Carmel-by-the-Sea - easily the silliest town name not paid for by a silly TV show. Sounds like a lovely place and we can't wait to get Maya to the beach and such. Then to directly contrast the natural beauty, we head to DC for a few days immediately after. Another silly name for an even sillier place. Hopefully Maya and I can hit the Smithsonian on Monday. Expect more updates and fresh pics than this past week. Hope all's well with your own extensive collections. Rock on.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Saturday, November 05, 2005
"OK, everyone in the Conference Room for the next 20 minutes - there's bagels and cream cheese!"
The story surrounding "What's the Frequency?" Kenneth Tomlinson's ouster from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has some layers of ooze waiting to seep out. It sounds like results of a government audit of his handling of CPB was about to be released. Any day now. And he quit on Thursday. Something smelly this way blows.
George "Not so Fred Friendly" Clooney got a bit frisky after his London premiere. As did his saucy girlfriend, as witnessed by the always tasteless paparazzi for Murdoch's "Sun". Apparently he got in a fight with a producer who insulted his work. Or he defended a woman's honor by getting into a fight with a producer. Either way, he grappled then fled the country. Tell me that guy isn't the reincarnated soul of Sinatra.
Dubya's really showing his MBA training for once. The White House Staff is being required to attend ethics training next week. A full year into his second term. How's the old saying go - better late and insultingly stage-managed to deflect the obvious need for real change than never? I imagine James Dobson giving the PowerPoint presentation while Dr. Phil handles the short Q&A. Badda bing - problem solved. And next on the agenda...
Maya's developed the dexterity in her new pimped out crib to sit up, flippity flop into the corners, and generally set a whole new approach to our mornings. So after getting up at 5:30 this morning, she's back in bed now. Swim lesson today and a gorgeous morning meant for walking in the Park - hopefully we'll tire her out and essentially hit the reset button. Hope your own endeavors are at least as purposeful. Rock on.
George "Not so Fred Friendly" Clooney got a bit frisky after his London premiere. As did his saucy girlfriend, as witnessed by the always tasteless paparazzi for Murdoch's "Sun". Apparently he got in a fight with a producer who insulted his work. Or he defended a woman's honor by getting into a fight with a producer. Either way, he grappled then fled the country. Tell me that guy isn't the reincarnated soul of Sinatra.
Dubya's really showing his MBA training for once. The White House Staff is being required to attend ethics training next week. A full year into his second term. How's the old saying go - better late and insultingly stage-managed to deflect the obvious need for real change than never? I imagine James Dobson giving the PowerPoint presentation while Dr. Phil handles the short Q&A. Badda bing - problem solved. And next on the agenda...
Maya's developed the dexterity in her new pimped out crib to sit up, flippity flop into the corners, and generally set a whole new approach to our mornings. So after getting up at 5:30 this morning, she's back in bed now. Swim lesson today and a gorgeous morning meant for walking in the Park - hopefully we'll tire her out and essentially hit the reset button. Hope your own endeavors are at least as purposeful. Rock on.
Friday, November 04, 2005
The Usual Targets take more fire
Yesterday's blast from the totally uncool past was the story of Congressional Conservatives like Rep. Tom Delay voting to offset the deficit spending they've authorized by cutting programs they disagree with philosophically. The list of programs they've targeted for a piddly $35B over the next 5 years should raise some complaints. Included are Medicaid, food stamps, student loans, agriculture subsidies and child support enforcement. After all, Trent Lott's new porch is worth a little shared sacrifice, doncha think?
Arianna Huffington continues to impress me even when she's completely off in left field. Such is the case in her post today about how James Carville shouldn't be looked to for the "opinion from the Left" because his marriage to Mary Matalin contorts his objectivity. Even though I still appreciate the Ragin' Cajun, this observation is about 13 years overdue. And astonishingly irrelevant. But Arianna writes about it so well that most readers could be swayed. She really has made some tasty lemonade from the long harvest of lemons for the Left.
Maya's letting me know rather loudly that our morning walk is well overdue. Hope your own trails are sunny. Rock on.
Arianna Huffington continues to impress me even when she's completely off in left field. Such is the case in her post today about how James Carville shouldn't be looked to for the "opinion from the Left" because his marriage to Mary Matalin contorts his objectivity. Even though I still appreciate the Ragin' Cajun, this observation is about 13 years overdue. And astonishingly irrelevant. But Arianna writes about it so well that most readers could be swayed. She really has made some tasty lemonade from the long harvest of lemons for the Left.
Maya's letting me know rather loudly that our morning walk is well overdue. Hope your own trails are sunny. Rock on.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
"Thumbs up on the bitchin' crib!"
Maya seems satisfied by the structural integrity of her new digs, which makes us all very happy.
Mojitos with Hugo
This morning's must read itemizes Brownie's emails from the days leading up to and thereafter encompassing the Katrina disaster. Michael "Fashion God" Brown has now become the worst political appointee. Ever. Aside from spending WAY too much time joking about avoiding work and his off-the-rack fashion taste, there's one email that's positively astonishing. It came from the FEMA regional director, Marty Bahamonde (the one who crapped in the hall of the Superdome while Brownie was waiting for a table at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Baton Rouge). After Bahamonde gave his "condition beyond critical" warnings, Brownie responded stupidly to his underling asking him what to do. Remember people - we're still paying Brownie's $148K salary as a "contractor" with FEMA. Hopefully there's more of this junk to be had - this is the most entertaining bunk from a Bushie since "Plenty Bright!" Harriet's gushy notes to Dubya.
Speaking of Dubya, he probably thought he had a cool 4-day getaway lined up for Brazil and Argentina. But it's not looking like it will be one of his beloved "working vacations" given our historic low-regard throughout the hemisphere. If I were running the seating arrangements for the Summit, I'd put Hugo Chavez at Dubya's table. Get a few drinks in Hugo and I bet he's pretty hard to ignore. Screw diplomacy - I want some geopolitical red meat to munch on through the weekend.
Big day for Maya yesterday - we finally got a big girl crib for Maya and retired the shoebox we were cramming her into nightly. The first time I laid her down in it yesterday, she crashed hard for a two-hour nap. Ringing endorsement from her majesty, in other words. We got it from BabyCenter.com and the delivery couldn't have been faster or better (ordered last Thursday, arrived Tuesday afternoon). Our borrowed crib was a recall target, so we searched for both quality and safety. This one rocks. A full recommendation. Hope your own cribs are comfy today. Rock on.
Speaking of Dubya, he probably thought he had a cool 4-day getaway lined up for Brazil and Argentina. But it's not looking like it will be one of his beloved "working vacations" given our historic low-regard throughout the hemisphere. If I were running the seating arrangements for the Summit, I'd put Hugo Chavez at Dubya's table. Get a few drinks in Hugo and I bet he's pretty hard to ignore. Screw diplomacy - I want some geopolitical red meat to munch on through the weekend.
Big day for Maya yesterday - we finally got a big girl crib for Maya and retired the shoebox we were cramming her into nightly. The first time I laid her down in it yesterday, she crashed hard for a two-hour nap. Ringing endorsement from her majesty, in other words. We got it from BabyCenter.com and the delivery couldn't have been faster or better (ordered last Thursday, arrived Tuesday afternoon). Our borrowed crib was a recall target, so we searched for both quality and safety. This one rocks. A full recommendation. Hope your own cribs are comfy today. Rock on.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
"Over There" ends, the War Continues Indefinitely
When "Big Time!" Dick Cheney appointed David Addington to replace Scooter Libby, no one should have expected a change of philosophy in the Veep's office. Well, that instinct seems correct if you read Addington's description in a fascinating piece in today's NYTimes dealing with (gasp!) the Bushies disdain for detainee rights. Addington's a major prick. And a true believer in the mold of the NeoCon. I'm sure he's already fitting in well in his expanded role.
In a related item (since it's all part of the overall mess created by the Bushies), the WashingtonPost leads with a big piece about the "black sites" the CIA is using in scary nations across the globe to interrogate in monstrous violations of the Geneva Conventions. And the shame of these practices continue to expand like ripples in a no-longer-calm pond. Drag.
In a related unintended irony, FX has decided to cancel the series "Over There" after one 13-episode season due to lackluster ratings. Apparently America ain't that interested in watching a series about war, death, separation and the culture of hate in Iraq. It was compelling TV - the squad of actors was fabulous throughout and deserve to find tons more work. The concept of a real-time war drama is startlingly powerful. Too heavy for most people, though. Hence the ratings in the crapper. Nonetheless, a good example of art being used to explain a complicated, massive conflict. Look for it on DVD soon.
In a related item (since it's all part of the overall mess created by the Bushies), the WashingtonPost leads with a big piece about the "black sites" the CIA is using in scary nations across the globe to interrogate in monstrous violations of the Geneva Conventions. And the shame of these practices continue to expand like ripples in a no-longer-calm pond. Drag.
In a related unintended irony, FX has decided to cancel the series "Over There" after one 13-episode season due to lackluster ratings. Apparently America ain't that interested in watching a series about war, death, separation and the culture of hate in Iraq. It was compelling TV - the squad of actors was fabulous throughout and deserve to find tons more work. The concept of a real-time war drama is startlingly powerful. Too heavy for most people, though. Hence the ratings in the crapper. Nonetheless, a good example of art being used to explain a complicated, massive conflict. Look for it on DVD soon.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Maya preps for Trick or Treaters
Didn't take long for Maya's tolerance of strange people in crazy costumes to wear out. But no outright scares on a busy first Halloween made it easy for her to get to bed early and sleep soundly 'til November.
Maya acting like a big skunk at the supermarket.
A few stops tired Maya out like an opening night diva. So we grabbed a few groceries and settled in for Trick or Treaters.
Maya gets into character, which slowed the process considerably.
The choice of a skunk for Maya's Halloween costume rocked. Lots of random laughs and universal approval from friends. So the bar has been raised for next year considerably.
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