No, actually the Pope is in DC and New York. That's another long, strange story about me liking NY more than the US though...
Anyway, here's how my day went:
I was pretty tired around 1, but was scared to death by Fox's decision to do an emergency broadcast test. Seriously, that's the most annoying sound ever. I guess its supposed to make you fearful, but after the initial "aaah!!!" factor, it gets me more pissed off than anything else. That cold synthesized voice could say something like "Emergency broadcast: *message*". Of course, at normal speaking levels. The mind piercing screech isn't helping.
Anway, I'm wide awake and decide to keep watching the news. Maybe someone is going to say something so painfully stupid that it literally knocks me out. No, indtead I'm reminded of three things.
First, it's the deadline for you to "willingly" have your money stolen.
Second, John McCain is going to be on Hardball (I caught the last half of it and decided it was too painful to wwatch again. Since when is someone serving their own ambitions by getting into politics service to the country? I'm really getting scared of the 19 20's and 30's style rhetoric)
Third, the Pope is coming here.
Okay, I was never a fan of Sinclair Lewis' quote about fascism. I see it coming with protectionism and the green movement. I'm having second thoughts though. What little bit I could stomach, it was like the collective spirit of America ambused the Pope and suffocated him with the flag.
He's here to minister to the faithful. He's here to call for peace and harmony. He can care less about what Obama said. He's here as a religious leader, not an insane evangelical Christian Rightist. He's not going to endorse McCain, Obama, Clinton, Paul, or anyone running for president. He's here to endorse a spirit of renewal among American Catholics.
If there's one criticism I have of the Pope, it's that he came to America at the wrong time. At any other time, the media would't focus so muh on the politics. Of course, I doubt he knows that Americans are largely apathetic until the presidential elecction.
There were two highlights (besides seeing the Pope). First, there was a priest in awesome sunglasses. Second, the Vatican flag was a bit higher than the American flag.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
No sense humor
Apparently the Yankees are looking into legal action against the guy that buried a Red Sox jersey under their locker room.
No sense of humor at all...
No sense of humor at all...
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Nick News
Nickelodeon had a special about where a few kids stand on some issues *rolleyes*
I tried to get as many down as possible. And what I would have said if I was 7 years younger:
War in Iraq:
Worst part: Stay in Iraq even though it's draining our economy
Best part:???
My take: We can't continue the empire
Terrorism:
Worst: I'm afraid of terrorists every day since 9/11.
Best: Media fearmongers
My take: They may attack a building or blow themselves up one day, but they aren't going to take over
Education:
Worst: Plenty of kids say more government money. Kid bitching how his mom doesn't get paid enough.
Best: Yeah right
My take: Privatize it.
Environment:
Worst: No drilling for oil in Alaska. Get off oil (this way the government can invade Saudi Arabia! But the politicians say it's for the children...err...environment.)
Best: Government itself should become more green
My take: Let individuals choose. If we have to ban something though, let's ban the government. They're the biggest polluters.
Health Insurance:
Worst: Single parent/children not having healthcare heart string story. Government regulating prices. Girl calling for more taxes to pay for universal healthcare.
Best: Anti-government, pro-property girl. Tax cut boy!
My take: If the government takes control of it, the hospitals are going to raise pi=rices just because no one will complain.
Economy:
Worst: Keep low interest rates. Stimulus package. Rant against the rich (raise their taxes!). Repaying foreign debt by raising taxes. Fascism.
Best: Stop out of control spending.
My take: No intervention in the economy.
Illegal Immigration:
Worst: Fence makes tension rise. Fence is awesome. More I.D. to get into country. Hinting at taking away business owner's right to hire them. Find them and toss them out. Amnesty.
Best: Boy that wanted to ease immigration law.
My take: read best :D
I tried to get as many down as possible. And what I would have said if I was 7 years younger:
War in Iraq:
Worst part: Stay in Iraq even though it's draining our economy
Best part:???
My take: We can't continue the empire
Terrorism:
Worst: I'm afraid of terrorists every day since 9/11.
Best: Media fearmongers
My take: They may attack a building or blow themselves up one day, but they aren't going to take over
Education:
Worst: Plenty of kids say more government money. Kid bitching how his mom doesn't get paid enough.
Best: Yeah right
My take: Privatize it.
Environment:
Worst: No drilling for oil in Alaska. Get off oil (this way the government can invade Saudi Arabia! But the politicians say it's for the children...err...environment.)
Best: Government itself should become more green
My take: Let individuals choose. If we have to ban something though, let's ban the government. They're the biggest polluters.
Health Insurance:
Worst: Single parent/children not having healthcare heart string story. Government regulating prices. Girl calling for more taxes to pay for universal healthcare.
Best: Anti-government, pro-property girl. Tax cut boy!
My take: If the government takes control of it, the hospitals are going to raise pi=rices just because no one will complain.
Economy:
Worst: Keep low interest rates. Stimulus package. Rant against the rich (raise their taxes!). Repaying foreign debt by raising taxes. Fascism.
Best: Stop out of control spending.
My take: No intervention in the economy.
Illegal Immigration:
Worst: Fence makes tension rise. Fence is awesome. More I.D. to get into country. Hinting at taking away business owner's right to hire them. Find them and toss them out. Amnesty.
Best: Boy that wanted to ease immigration law.
My take: read best :D
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The rEVOLution, MSM, and Bob Barr
You really have to love the hypocrisy of the MSM.
They focus on young liberal an neocon voters, but ignore the most dedicated young people and their candidate. Your basic Obama college age voter is only fired up about things that ultimately effect them. They would be ga-ga over Hillary if she promised free college, or at least a reduction in tuition. This frightens me since they're taking away state's rights (the price of a government school) and private property rights (regulation of the price of a private college).
It does make sense that they would ignore the ones that honestly believe that we should get back on the gold standard and end the fed, though. Most of the mainstream media's anchors and hosts are baby boomers who think they can use the government to change things for the better. They fail to see that it's like a pact with the devil. Yes, he can give you powers, but ultimately you're his servant no matter how much the opposite seems true. Most of them view people my age as apathetic if it doesn't benefit us. Paradoxally, most people my age that go to college are collectivists, so you'd think they would want to benefit humanity.
The media made a huge enemy this election year in the form of Ron Paul supporters. If Bob Barr wins the LP nomination, I expect the media to make even more enemies since they'll largely ignore him or ridicule him despite surprisingly high numbers. I hope I'm completely wrong though; it would be very interesting if he was able to participate at the presidential debate.
They focus on young liberal an neocon voters, but ignore the most dedicated young people and their candidate. Your basic Obama college age voter is only fired up about things that ultimately effect them. They would be ga-ga over Hillary if she promised free college, or at least a reduction in tuition. This frightens me since they're taking away state's rights (the price of a government school) and private property rights (regulation of the price of a private college).
It does make sense that they would ignore the ones that honestly believe that we should get back on the gold standard and end the fed, though. Most of the mainstream media's anchors and hosts are baby boomers who think they can use the government to change things for the better. They fail to see that it's like a pact with the devil. Yes, he can give you powers, but ultimately you're his servant no matter how much the opposite seems true. Most of them view people my age as apathetic if it doesn't benefit us. Paradoxally, most people my age that go to college are collectivists, so you'd think they would want to benefit humanity.
The media made a huge enemy this election year in the form of Ron Paul supporters. If Bob Barr wins the LP nomination, I expect the media to make even more enemies since they'll largely ignore him or ridicule him despite surprisingly high numbers. I hope I'm completely wrong though; it would be very interesting if he was able to participate at the presidential debate.
Fallen human nature and the economy
I read an article by Christopher Mannion and he mentioned fallen human nature and communism.
And then I remember the arguments from mixed economists and socialists that capitalism is bad because humans are imperfect and will eventually abuse the system.
Made me wonder, if communism or capitalism can't be implimented because of fallen human nature, how can a mixed economy be the best? Seems like the worst of both worlds.
So, it makes sense to me that capitalism is the least destructive economic system. If abuses are going to happen, at least it provides the most capital and the most in demand goods for reasonable prices.
And then I remember the arguments from mixed economists and socialists that capitalism is bad because humans are imperfect and will eventually abuse the system.
Made me wonder, if communism or capitalism can't be implimented because of fallen human nature, how can a mixed economy be the best? Seems like the worst of both worlds.
So, it makes sense to me that capitalism is the least destructive economic system. If abuses are going to happen, at least it provides the most capital and the most in demand goods for reasonable prices.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Continuing the ADD train of thought
I know a few people with legitimate ADD, but even more with "public school ADD" (as I call it).
What better way to get kids to sit down and shut up when they're being bad, but not ADD disruptive, than ritalin? Maybe the disruptive kids are bored? Instead of taking the blame, schools shift it to the kid.
It's pretty normal for a kid to bounce off the walls a bit, right? Well, if the Public Schoolers got their way, kids would be robots.
(then again, if I got my way, kids would be Battlebots!)
Like I said, ADD is real, but schools are way too ritalin happy and give it to kids that act like normal kids.
What better way to get kids to sit down and shut up when they're being bad, but not ADD disruptive, than ritalin? Maybe the disruptive kids are bored? Instead of taking the blame, schools shift it to the kid.
It's pretty normal for a kid to bounce off the walls a bit, right? Well, if the Public Schoolers got their way, kids would be robots.
(then again, if I got my way, kids would be Battlebots!)
Like I said, ADD is real, but schools are way too ritalin happy and give it to kids that act like normal kids.
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