November 19, 2007 archive

Dennis, who won the Democratic Underground Fun Run fundraiser, is coming off a striking performance at the Las Vegas Democratic debate.  What else is Dennis up to?

This is an Open Thread: Where amusing stories are told

Monday’s Headlines, Goldman Sachs Rakes in Profit in Credit Crisis, Giuliani Hoping NASCAR Fans May Provide an Edge in the Race, Vote nears for ID card plan in S.F., Powell: Iran far from nuclear weapon, Court begins Musharraf rule deliberations

Challenges to Musharraf rejected

Pakistan’s reshaped Supreme Court has dismissed the main challenges to Gen Pervez Musharraf being allowed a second term as president.

He has promised to resign as head of the army after the court validates his victory in October’s presidency poll.

He sacked a number of independently-minded judges who had been due to consider the case.

USA

Goldman Sachs Rakes in Profit in Credit Crisis

For more than three months, as turmoil in the credit market has swept wildly through Wall Street, one mighty investment bank after another has been brought to its knees, leveled by multibillion-dollar blows to their bottom lines.

And then there is Goldman Sachs.

Rarely on Wall Street, where money travels in herds, has one firm gotten it so right when nearly everyone else was getting it so wrong. So far, three banking chief executives have been forced to resign after the debacle, and the pay for nearly all the survivors is expected to be cut deeply.

That damn Save button got me again.  Do I have the record of the shortest post ever (two words)?  

Education

Earnings

I screwed up the Save button and now I don’t see how to add a poll.  So I guess this one will fade into the darkness.  I’ll try again some other time.

Critical thinking

Randi:  Medical bunko

vaccines

As some of you may know I’m still an active member of RedState.  The subject comes to mind because in addition to all the Candidate Crap I spent a little time in a diary about RedState that I found uncomfortable.

The diarist was amazed that they could be ‘wasting’ their time talking about anything but politics.

I pointed out that the blurb is “Conservative News and Community.”

Now the reason I still survive is I don’t go there much and never if I disagree about politics.  I talk about sports mostly, I grieved with Streiff about the passing of the F-14 because in Harpoon Phoenix missiles kick ass and you can never have enough.  Leon thinks I’m unserious because I supported Online Integrity, but then again Booman thinks I’m an ass clown so there you go.

You can’t get hung up on civility.

Now by community what I mean is what I was seeking when I joined dK, a place where I could express myself without worrying about pissing everyone off if I happened to let slip that I thought W was an asshole (I have since amended my judgment to war criminal).  I never intended that every waking minute be devoted to that opinion, just that it shouldn’t disqualify me from being an ok person to have it.

At the same time I have the experience to understand that communities are complex structures, and ambition and jealousy and struggles for power are just the way monkeys interact in groups.  Smart monkeys learn to pursue their own banana.

My guiding principle is this- there are no bad opinions, but there are bad actors.

“It is the madness of folly to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice.  Even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war.”- Tom Paine

It was a cold windy night in Albany, a parking spot was available right outside the Empire State Plaza, a rarity indeed, a quick dash across the smooth marble promenade reveals the Egg uplit, mirroring the shape of the moon above.  Once inside the crowd was happy and energetic, bouncing around, finding friends, or buying a CD or two.  Unbeknownst to me a warm up act was playing called “American Babies”, I guess they are a mix of emo and blues but I didn’t get a chance to hear much.

The lights came on and the stage was prepared for the main act.  A lot of couples, some college kids, many musicians and some neighborhood locals made up the crowd.  This is the most packed I have seen the main theater at the egg.  Energy started to build…the lights dim…out they walk.  Cruising right into a number that most other guitarists would save until they were warmed up Derek did not disappoint. He played rhythm, lead and slide all without a pick. He used the volume button as his only effect, try that at home kids.  

You’ll recall that in late October and early November the state of Tabasco in Mexico had huge floods.

Women in Villahermosa covered their noses on Sunday because of the stench from the receding flood waters.

The flood, which was very briefly noted in the traditional media, and has faded from the traditional media.

And now there is a serious concern about an outbreak of dengue.

Country Joe and the Fish

Love