News
Second Presidential Debate
KERRY 2
BUSH 0
ABC NEWS Poll: Kerry 44; Bush 41; Draw 13. I think that gets it about right. Bush was better this time but still, Kerry was the man. He showed that last time was no fluke. He seemed every bit the President. More that the President did.
During the debate, Kerry was strongest when citing Republicans to criticize the president’s war management, giving far more concrete proposals on healthcare than the president and showcasing his fiscal conservatism. I guess Bush, an actual conservative, doesn’t really know what the word means when it comes to spending money. (I’m not convinced he knows very many words at all).
Stylistically, Kerry seemed much calmer than Bush. When the camera cut to him during Bush’s walkarounds, he was generally serene and respectful. His counters were cleaner than Bush’s too. Kerry’s mind seemed more complicated, in a good way, and he comes across as more intelligent and educated.
The contrast between a man who can make an argument (Kerry) and one who can simply assert what he believes to be true (Bush) was blatant. But conviction and belief in what you think is the “truth” isn’t enough anymore. At least not after the events of the last three years. Skepticism, openness to other arguments, thinking outside the box, whatever you want to call it. These are useful qualities in a leader and Bush has none of them.
In some ways, Kerry seemed more experienced than Bush too. Actually, he is. I am really enjoying the debates and learning a lot too. I really think that this is a turning point for America and it is good to see so many people interested in the election process. I know that this is the most I have been interested in some time. And I like politics too. It’s just that important right now.
The truth is, this election won’t be a close one like Bush and Gore. Kerry will win by a large margin. It is rare for an election like this to be close. When a President is running for re-election they usually get re-elected by a large margin or they lose big. People decide to give the guy a second term or they don’t. I’m thinking don’t.
I think that most people don’t want to give Bush a second term but some are just unsure about Kerry. Hence, all of the so-called “undecided” voters. These debates are going a long way to convince those people that Kerry is the right choice. They just need a little more hand holding and they will be ours.
Plus, I still think that they just like the attention. In 30 days they will have voted for Kerry and they can go back to their normal, borning, lives. Sadly, Bush’s only chance now is to go even more negative (if that’s possible) and attack Kerry and try to tear him down. It’s going to get pretty ugly. Fortunately, it can’t last very long and for Bush, its probably too late anyway as his house of Iraqi death cards falls apart.
Oh, the other thing that I wanted to mention was the bombshell revelation by none-other than the guy who was in charge of the Iraq provisional government, Paul Bremmer, that even he felt that we didn’t have enough troops to win the war and that it was planned badly from the beginning. More on that here.
Boy, when your own guys start telling everyone that you don’t know what you’re doing, that’s gotta hurt. Well, too bad. I hope you enjoyed your time in the White House Mr. Bush, because in a few weeks it will all be over. So long. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
Later.
Classic
I love this. The local Crawford, TX (Bush’s adopted hometown) paper The Lone Star Iconoclast has endorsed John Kerry for president. Kerry’s home paper, the Boston Globe, hasn’t come out with an endorsement yet.
What a bunch of brave guys. They are sure getting a lot of flak for this one. I admire them for standing up for what they believe in. Good for them.
Maybe there is something to this Democracy thing after all?
Later.
VP Debate
EDWARDS 1
CHENEY 0
Who the heck was that angry, bitter man that looked vaguely like the Vice-President? And, didn’t he realize that he was wearing a microphone? If he slouched any more forward he would have fallen over. That’s probably why he wanted to be sitting at a table.
Really, all I can say about Cheney’s performance is that he looked about ready to pass out much of the time. I have to believe that he is an intelligent and articulate man with a great deal of experience in government. However, that guy was not in attendance tonight. What we had instead was someone who looks beaten down. A man who knows, deep down, what kind of hole he and President Bush have dug. A man who knows that he and President Bush have no idea how to get us out of the mess in Iraq or the mounting deficit here at home. He looks like a man without a plan.
He did have a few good points and managed to seem positively upbeat when he attacked John Kerry and John Edward’s records in the Senate. Really, he was at his best when attacking Edwards personally. Which is, of course, another refuge for the desperate. When you don’t really have anything substantive to say or any real plan, just keep calling the other guy an asshole over and over. Loudly. And in front of lots of people.
After watching last weeks debate between John Kerry and President Bush, I felt like Kerry was finally able to show that he has a backbone and is ready to kick some ass in order to become President. He was on the world stage and looked every bit Presidential. Edwards did a great job as well but sometimes came across lacking in the experience department. He made little sense on Afghanistan; he wobbled on the “global test” issue; and he was completely lost when asked to respond to the question that he was too inexperienced for office. Of course, that’s a hard question to answer without seeming defensive. Sadly, Edwards blew that one.
Right now, an ABC news poll gives the debate to Cheney with 43 percent to Edwards 35 percent with 19 percent calling it a tie. Those numbers are a little unfair in that ABC’s viewership is 38 pecent Republicans, 31 percent Democrats, and the rest independents. Factor that in and its almost a tie.
A CBC poll of only uncommitted voters found that 41 percent said Edwards won the debate, versus 28 percent who said Cheney won. Thirty-one percent said it was a tie. So, there you go. That poll makes a little more sense to me, even though it is on CBS (i’ll give them a break).
I would also like to know what Cheney really thinks of President Bush, especially where gays are concerned. I don’t know about you, but I sensed a little rift there. I respect Cheney for acknowledging his daughter (finally) but how can he support a man who’s beliefs classify his daughter as evil? Maybe we will get all the dish in a few years when Cheney writes a tell-all with Kitty Kelly.
In the meantime, I think that Edwards helped Kerry tonight. Cheney was effective on some points and for sure was a hit with his base supporters but i would be surprised if he had any effect, except a negative one, on the so-called “swing” voters. He just came across, as I think he often does, as cranky and used to getting his own way and how dare you question me and while were at it go fuck yourself.
Later.
I’m not a crook (or maybe I am)
I just found out that I’m a crook because I use an iPod and iTunes. At least according to Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates' whipping boy.
I wonder if he might be biased in favor of his own company when it comes to who should be your music vendor of choice? He also thinks that Apple and the Mac are the wrong platform if you want to have a digital home of the future. I really think that Steve has been sipping a little too much of the Microsoft Kool-Aid.
I know, I am not the best person to speak in an Apple versus Microsoft debate. I make no secret of the fact that I think the Mac is a superior platform for most things that most people want to do with their computers. I am writing this here entry on a Macintosh right now.
In my more recent career as a tech guru I am often asked which computer to purchase by one or more eager folks with some money burning a hole in their pockets. Many of them are paying clients and some are just family members or friends looking for some free advice. Either way, my answer usually leans towards the Macintosh.
However, the real answer depends upon what the person or the company is doing and plans on doing with their computer or computers. For the individual, who is doing basic computing such as e-mail, browsing the web, digital pictures, music and that kind of thing, The Mac is a fine product and can do all of those things, and much more, extremely well.
If the person or company want to go farther and more importantly, want to have some sort of collaborative environment with group tasking, calendars, etc. then I would tend to steer them towards the Windows side of the street and go with something like Microsoft Exchange.
I’m sure many of you are gasping for meaning with this revelation and to that I can only say that my job as a tech consultant is to provide the best solution that best fits the needs of the client. As much as I might want it to, the Mac can’t do everything and has some severe shortcomings when it comes to the corporate environment.
Now, I realize that their are probably many ways to put together several applications that will do close to the same job as Exchange but kludging together a solution is not in the client’s best interests and therefore not what I am going to recommend to them.
What does all this mean to the average user? Not too much. For the normal user and small business that doesn’t require complex collaborative software and is looking for basic file, print and web functions, the Mac running OSX would be a fine choice and I have recommended it many times. The Mac is shown in the best light when it is used for creative endeavors such as photos, music, graphic design, video editing and the like.
When it comes to more specific needs, especially for the business customer, Windows can fit the bill and does so quite well. I would actually choose it over linux at this point as well until linux emerges more into the consumer space and out from the “geek” closet.
That said, I still prefer the Mac over Windows, especially at the consumer level, because of its ease of use and reliability as an OS. I have many computers (too many, really, just ask the wife) but I still use a Mac daily to get my work done. It just works.
Oh, I also want to plug the good folks at TiVo for one of the greatest invention of the last ten years. I just picked up a new TiVo series 2. It was very easy to set up and also joined my wireless network with ease. Now I can stream pictures from iPhoto and music from iTunes into the living room and play them over the television. All with the included Home Media Option. That’s cool.
If you don’t have a TiVo, go out and get one. It’s that great. You can trust me, I’m not really a crook.
Later.
I'm not a crook (or maybe I am)
I just found out that I’m a crook because I use an iPod and iTunes. At least according to Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates' whipping boy.
I wonder if he might be biased in favor of his own company when it comes to who should be your music vendor of choice? He also thinks that Apple and the Mac are the wrong platform if you want to have a digital home of the future. I really think that Steve has been sipping a little too much of the Microsoft Kool-Aid.
I know, I am not the best person to speak in an Apple versus Microsoft debate. I make no secret of the fact that I think the Mac is a superior platform for most things that most people want to do with their computers. I am writing this here entry on a Macintosh right now.
In my more recent career as a tech guru I am often asked which computer to purchase by one or more eager folks with some money burning a hole in their pockets. Many of them are paying clients and some are just family members or friends looking for some free advice. Either way, my answer usually leans towards the Macintosh.
However, the real answer depends upon what the person or the company is doing and plans on doing with their computer or computers. For the individual, who is doing basic computing such as e-mail, browsing the web, digital pictures, music and that kind of thing, The Mac is a fine product and can do all of those things, and much more, extremely well.
If the person or company want to go farther and more importantly, want to have some sort of collaborative environment with group tasking, calendars, etc. then I would tend to steer them towards the Windows side of the street and go with something like Microsoft Exchange.
I’m sure many of you are gasping for meaning with this revelation and to that I can only say that my job as a tech consultant is to provide the best solution that best fits the needs of the client. As much as I might want it to, the Mac can’t do everything and has some severe shortcomings when it comes to the corporate environment.
Now, I realize that their are probably many ways to put together several applications that will do close to the same job as Exchange but kludging together a solution is not in the client’s best interests and therefore not what I am going to recommend to them.
What does all this mean to the average user? Not too much. For the normal user and small business that doesn’t require complex collaborative software and is looking for basic file, print and web functions, the Mac running OSX would be a fine choice and I have recommended it many times. The Mac is shown in the best light when it is used for creative endeavors such as photos, music, graphic design, video editing and the like.
When it comes to more specific needs, especially for the business customer, Windows can fit the bill and does so quite well. I would actually choose it over linux at this point as well until linux emerges more into the consumer space and out from the “geek” closet.
That said, I still prefer the Mac over Windows, especially at the consumer level, because of its ease of use and reliability as an OS. I have many computers (too many, really, just ask the wife) but I still use a Mac daily to get my work done. It just works.
Oh, I also want to plug the good folks at TiVo for one of the greatest invention of the last ten years. I just picked up a new TiVo series 2. It was very easy to set up and also joined my wireless network with ease. Now I can stream pictures from iPhoto and music from iTunes into the living room and play them over the television. All with the included Home Media Option. That’s cool.
If you don’t have a TiVo, go out and get one. It’s that great. You can trust me, I’m not really a crook.
Later.
This just in
A short question for you on this fine Saturday. Did Fox News use Photoshop to make President Bush look taller than he really is? Compare the AP picture to the Fox picture. Did the President grow a couple of inches? Is he standing on his tip-toes? Did someone at Fox use Photoshop to make Bush appear taller than he actually is? You make the call.
Also, just because I thought it would be kinda fun, I went to a live taping of The Screensavers on Thursday. Then, I went to Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday. Do I love live tapings of shows or something? I don’t know exactly. I kinda though it would be fun and it kinda was.
The sad thing, really, is that having worked in “the business” for so long going to see a TV show get made isn’t the thrill it probably is for most other people. I did enjoy meeting the cast of The Screensavers. They were a bunch of nice kids. Even Alex, who I don’t particularly care for on-air, seemed like an ok guy in person. I’m not sure if he belongs on a television program but as a person, he’s ok.
That’s all the time we have for now. We now return you to your life, already in progress.
Later.
For those keeping score
First debate tonight.
KERRY 1
BUSH 0
So far, so good. Here’s what the “pundits” and other informed individuals had to say.
Later.
Turn and face the changes
So, I’ve been watching the Star Wars trilogy on DVD and I have a few comments to make. As a person who saw Star Wars as a boy, I feel a certain affinity for the way I first experienced the film. In fact, like many others of my generation, Star Wars was the film that inspired us to get into filmmaking.
After watching it I was struck with some things. First, it looks pretty good for a film shot in 1976. I know that George and company took a lot of time and effort to clean it up. They did a great job. The annoying audio problems that have plagued the film are also far less noticeable this time around. So kudos to Skywalker Sound for that. The film can now be presented in all of its THX enhanced glory.
As someone who has seen the film over a hundred times (I know, I know) I can say for certain exactly where the changes have been made and the film altered to more closely meet George’s “vision”. For the most part, the changes are subtle and provide a broader experience for the film. Wider shots of the Mos Eisley spaceport, for example, give the film a bigger scope than it previously had.
Plus, George is now able to have the Banthas actually move instead of seeing stromtroopers sitting on cardboard cutouts covered with fur in the distance. So that’s pretty cool as well. And many of the other “enhancements” don’t really hurt the film very much and some actually help it so I will leave them alone.
The one that bothers me is the one that bothers many other fans of the film. Yes, I’m talking about the scene where Greedo shoots at Han Solo first. All I can say is WTF is George thinking? This single act completely alters Han Solo’s character for the rest of the film and in the trilogy as a whole. It changes his entire arc. I don’t understand why that was necessary at all. Why do directors feel compelled the mess with their films and change things many years later? Yes Mr. Spielberg, I am talking about you. Walkie Talkies? Come on.
Although, if you look at how Han Solo evolves over the next two films maybe it isn’t hard to understand. By Return of the Jedi, Han has become a bumbling comic foil and really doesn’t have very much to do. Plus, Harrison Ford pretty much phones it in at that point. I’m sure part of the problem is that Han Solo was supposed to die in The Empire Strikes Back.
Harrison Ford had only signed on for two films so they planned to kill Han Solo which is why he is frozen at the end. This scene, of course, is one of Han and Princess Leia’s best as she finally tells him she loves him and he answers “I know”. Classic.
Did the change in Han Solo’s character ruin the DVD version of Star Wars for me? I guess not. Will I get over it? Sure. Besides, I can always watch the “Definitive” collection on Laserdisc anyway so what the hell.
But in the end, the movie is still fantastic. When the star destroyer flew over my head at the beginning I still got a chill. And for the next 90 minutes, I was that boy again. Changes or no changes, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Next - The Empire Strikes Back (really, the best of the series, IMHO).
And in other news:
Microsoft announced Monday that it’s going to start charging if you want to use Outlook or Outlook Express to access your Hotmail account. If you’ve ever used Outlook to get your mail you’ll have until spring 2005 to get over it. The rest of you will have to start paying $19.95/year right now. The company says it’s to thwart spammers.
Russians are pirating so many copies of Windows that Microsoft has decided to offer a low cost version to Russians to keep them from piracy, or worse, Linux. Russia is the fifth country to be offered Windows XP Starter Edition, a stripped down version of the operating system. It costs about $36 but the Russkies have to buy it with a new PC - standalone versions are not available. The Business Software Alliance and IDC reported that 97% of all software in the former USSR was stolen.
Virgin is getting into the download music business - choose from any of one million songs for 99¢ - monthly subscriptions are $7.99. Virgin Digital is based on MusicNet but offers a completely rewritten jukebox program. Files are encoded in protected Windows media format.
According to USA Today, a little known branch of the Department of Defense is pointing spy satellites at the US. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is paying particular attention to big events and public gatherings.
May the force be with you.
Friday Night Fights
Not really. No fighting for me, thank you very much. I am currently at work right now in lovely Santa Monica, CA and am watching a progress bar go across the screen. Very exciting, I can tell you. Only 27 minute left. What Joy! What Bliss!
Seriously, I have been giving quite a bit of thought about my moods and ranting of late. It seems like the times have put me off. It feels like all the stupidity and moral decay in the world has had its way with me. Well, I am going to try to not let it get me down or get me too angry.
After all, things are going to be just fine. Especially if we end up with a new President and a new credibility in the eyes of the world. That would be a good thing. Ok, enough of that. Take a look at this. NASA will let you use their cool planetary imaging satellites to check out your house from space.
It’s really cool. Although, I would not try to do it over dial-up or with a computer with a crappy video card. The images are pretty big and pretty complex so only more recent hardware and broadband need apply.
In other news, Microsoft has announced it won’t update Internet Explorer unless you’re using Windows XP. The company said in a statement, “We do not have plans to deliver Windows XP SP2 enhancements for Windows 2000 or other older versions of Windows. The most secure version of Windows today is Windows XP with SP2. We recommend that customers upgrade to XP and SP2 as quickly as possible.”
Well, good for them. I think. With all the problems that plague Windows, I understand them wanting to put all their effort into Windows XP. It’s also another incentive for people to upgrade to XP, which is good for Microsoft. Who stands to benefit? Microsoft, of course.
And, those closed-minded dolts at Sony have finally pulled their collective heads out. In addition to supporting its proprietary ATRAC audio compression, new Sony music players will finally support MP3 files.
If they want to compete with the iPod, this is the right move. I’m still going to use an iPod, however. And you should too. They rock. But kudos to Sony for finally seeing the light.
Finally, a recent survey of web users says nearly half couldn’t go two days without the net without suffering withdrawal symptoms. The “Internet Deprivation Study” from Yahoo and media group OMD said that respondents felt that they couldn’t function without the net. Participants in the study “experienced withdrawal and feelings of loss, frustration and disconnectedness when cut off from the online world.” They felt helpless, too, apparently having lost the ability to use the phonebook and newspapers to fetch information. They had to pay people $950 just to participate in the study.
I will be testing that research when I go to Mexico next month for my friend Kris' wedding. 6 days, no internet. How will I ever make it? We’ll see if I do. . . I’m sure the resort has a T1 line somewhere.
Good, only 5 more minutes. Damn progress bar!
Later.
Life and Death or Death and Life
Eddie Adams, famous war photographer, died a few days ago. His photos, including this one:
showed the horrors of war. The Washington Post has the story.
In other news, our latest war in Iraq has claimed the lives of another American hostage and two-dozen others across the country. Again, check out The Washington Post's story.
Pioneering “Adult” filmmaker Russ Meyer also died in the last few days. Who can forget such classics as “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” and of course, “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!”, one of the great films of all time? If you like chicks who kick ass, which I do. Just look at some of my photographs sometime.
Well, at least the work of Eddie Adams and Russ Meyer will live on so they will be remembered. The people who died in Iraq today and the people who will die in Iraq tomorrow and the next day and the next day, they don’t have that.
Let’s not forget them, even though they aren’t famous. We owe them that much.
Later.
Why i love Windows . . .
Now, is it any wonder that I always say Macintosh is better than Windows? Take a look at this if you don’t believe me.
Glad I wasn’t on one of those planes. Although, I will be doing some traveling soon. Wish me luck.
Later.
Better and better
With props to Andrew Sullivan, whom I agree with. John Kerry is getting better at taking the fight to President Bush. Here’s a great example of that from his speech at New York University.
Here’s the best part:
The administration told us we’d be greeted as liberators. They were wrong.
They told us not to worry about looting or the sorry state of Iraq’s infrastructure. They were wrong.
They told us we had enough troops to provide security and stability, defeat the insurgents, guard the borders and secure the arms depots. They were wrong.
They told us we could rely on exiles like Ahmed Chalabi to build political legitimacy. They were wrong.
They told us we would quickly restore an Iraqi civil service to run the country and a police force and army to secure it. They were wrong.
In Iraq, this administration has consistently over-promised and under-performed. This policy has been plagued by a lack of planning, an absence of candor, arrogance and outright incompetence. And the President has held no one accountable, including himself.
In fact, the only officials who lost their jobs over Iraq were the ones who told the truth.
That’s a little more like it. Now, if we could just do something about his hair.
Later.
Open mouth, insert foot . . .
Sorry, can’t help myself. This guy is a complete idiot. How he got his job I just don’t understand.
Please, Mr. Hastert, lower your head in shame and just walk away. Don’t touch anything. Don’t take anything. Just go. Away. Far away. And never, ever, ever come back.
That is all. Hope you all had a great weekend and have a great week. I will be avoiding responsibility as much as possible this week. What else is new, right?
On the bright side however, you gotta love John McCain sometimes. Whatever your politics, he seems like a good guy who tells it like it is. Especially when he agrees with me. Maybe this is the start of a trend? Fingers crossed.
Later.
Saturday News of the Tech
Here’s what’s up in the tech world of late. Lots of interesting stuff. Good and not so good.
Wal-Mart is taking orders for the new Gameboy. Apparently the Nintendo DS will cost $200 and arrives November 30.
There’s another significant security flaw in Windows that could allow a worm to be hidden inside a JPEG image. The bug is in GDI+ so any application written in Visual Studio or using the .net framework is vulnerable. Microsoft rates this as a critical vulnerability because a hacker could use it to infect your computer without any action on your part. The company has released a fix for Windows via Windows Update, but you’ll have to update Office and other applications individually. In addition there’s a scanner available that will pinpoint other vulnerable applications.
And, another reason to run Windows Update: the new sdbot or spybot worm uses the same flaws as Sasser and MSBlast to sneak a password stealing program on your computer without user intervention. Updated systems and those behind firewalls are not vulnerable.
And this is really comforting I can tell you: A former credit card help desk employee has plead guilty to selling 30,000 credit card numbers, causing $2.7 million in losses. He faces 14 years in prison and a one million dollar fine.
The British Consumers’ Association is complaining to the government that Apple’s iTunes Music Store is a ripoff. It costs UK customers about 11 pence more to buy songs than their European cousins (79p vs 120 Euro cents). Apple says blame the British music industry. I blame society.
Slashdot notes that Firefox is gaining on Internet Explorer. According to the latest info, only 57% of their users are using IE.Less than 2 years ago, IE had a 95% lock on the market. Where is my favorite browser of choice, Safari? 11.5%. Not bad considering Firefox works on both Mac and Windows. So that means that 11.5% of the visitors are using a Mac and not only that, a Mac running OSX. Cool.
Lastly, the high tech sector lost 403,300 jobs in the past three years, and according to researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago the market remains bleak. Neat. Glad I don’t work in the tech sector. Oh, wait. . . . Crap.
Later.
The media is the mess . .
Well, interesting goings on at CBS News these days. It seems like the much-touted Bush memos may have been fake. To recap: Last week, CBS News reported on fascinating and newly discovered documents that purported to show that George W. Bush did not perform his military service in the Texas National Guard adequately and that political influences got him off the hook.
The alleged memos–from Lieutenant Colonel Jerry B. Killian, Bush’s Texas National Guard squadron commander–are almost certainly fakes. Their fakeness was uncovered by a series of blog postings on a variety of old and new blogs. Within a couple of days, the news about the probably forged memos had gone full circle to become stories that the mainstream media was reporting. Even The New York Times conceded that Dan Rather had almost certainly been hoaxed to some degree or other.
One of the best and most dogged blogs that has helped expose the truth are the folks over at powerline. It’s worth a look. What this means for the mainstream media isn’t for sure. It certainly isn’t the first time a journalist has been punked and it probably won’t be the last. The real interesting part of this is how CBS is handling the rapidly falling house of cards. Don’t they realize that trying to coverup something is worse than being punked in the first place?
ABC, which has also played a creditable role in exposing the 60 Minutes hoax, reports:
Two of the document experts hired by CBS News now say the network ignored concerns they raised prior to the broadcast of 60 Minutes II about the disputed National Guard records attributed to Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, who died in 1984.
Emily Will, a veteran document examiner from North Carolina, told ABC News she saw problems right away with the one document CBS hired her to check the weekend before the broadcast.
“I found five significant differences in the questioned handwriting, and I found problems with the printing itself as to whether it could have been produced by a typewriter,” she said.
Will says she sent the CBS producer an e-mail message about her concerns and strongly urged the network the night before the broadcast not to use the documents.
“I told them that all the questions I was asking them on Tuesday night, they were going to be asked by hundreds of other document examiners on Thursday if they ran that story,” Will said.
But the documents became a key part of the 60 Minutes II broadcast questioning President Bush’s National Guard service in 1972. CBS made no mention that any expert disputed the authenticity.
“I did not feel that they wanted to investigate it very deeply,” Will told ABC News.
Mmm. They didn’t want to investigate further. Shocking, I say. ABC further reports:
A second document examiner hired by CBS News, Linda James of Plano, Texas, also told ABC News she had concerns about the documents and could not authenticate them.
“I did not authenticate anything and I don’t want it to be misunderstood that I did,” James said. “And that’s why I have come forth to talk about it because I don’t want anybody to think I did authenticate these documents.”
And how did CBS News respond to this new information? The denial and outright anger at the very question about their integrity continues:
“CBS News did not rely on either Emily Will or Linda James for a final assessment of the documents regarding George Bush’s service in the Texas Air National Guard. Ms. Will and Ms. James were among a group of experts we consulted to assess one of the four documents used in the report and they did not render definitive judgment on that document. Ultimately, they played a peripheral role and deferred to another expert who examined all four of the documents used,” the network said in a statement.
So, they took the position that they liked and went with it. What are they, Fox news?
I’m not so angry with them for being duped and not really that angry or surprised that they are now trying to cover their asses. That doesn’t surprise me in the least. The sad thing is that this might end up helping George Bush and I don’t want that. Their is not doubt in my mind that political influence exercised by his father or other cronies helped George stay here and not go to Vietnam. I would bet money on it.
Should that be a central issue of the campaign? Probably not. How about Mr. Bush’s economic policies that have pushed the deficit to record levels or how about the fact that we went to war in Iraq for dubious reasons at best? Or, how about his abysmal environmental record or the fact that he wants a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage? Let’s focus on the real issues people. George Bush wants to take the country in the direction of exclusionary elitism where a handful of white males control everything and basic freedoms are compromised one by one.
That’s not the America that I want to live in and I hope it isn’t the America that you want to live in either. I don’t think John Kerry is the second coming or anything but I do think that he could not possible do a worse job than President Bush. One other thing that does make me angry is the idea, even exposed by our Vice President, that if John Kerry becomes President we will be attacked. The fact that someone would even say that shows just how ignorant they are.
Their will never be another President as long as we are a country who will not take defense seriously. We were attacked. Everyone knows this. No President will ever forget it or lay down and relax about defending this country. To suggest otherwise is asinine and is simply a blatant scare tactic that will hopefully backfire.
We need to forget all this small-time bullshit and concentrate on the real issues. If we do that, John Kerry just may be the next President.
Later.
News
So, bad news for me. The thing I was waiting to hear about isn’t going to happen. Too bad, so sad. They couldn’t really give me a reason it just didn’t work out. Well, their loss. Screw ‘em.
In other news, my friend Tony has decided to take a two-week trip through New Mexico and Nevada and is leaving tomorrow. I wish I had the time to go as it seems like fun. He will be taking pictures and visiting some old friends that he hasn’t seen in many years. I guess he too is looking back and wanting to re-connect with people. I hope it works out for him.
I have started to watch some of the new TV shows for the fall season and here is my take so far:
“Joey” - Pretty funny. I like Matt LeBlanc and he has the character down. I will watch it again. However, I don’t think Drea De Matteo has very good comic skills. I feel like she is struggling a bit. It was the pilot so we’ll see how it develops. I’m sure it won’t be the monster hit that “Friends” was but it may have legs.
“Medical Investigations” - Pretty good. I like the lead guy, Neil McDonough (also from the short-lived but great “Boomtown”). I don’t really care for Kelli Williams but I think I can get past it. Their is also the supporting cast of characters who all do a fine job. It’s nice to see Anna Belnap on another show. She was on the wife’s old show “The Handler” so it’s nice to see her again.
“LAX” - Not good. I don’t feel like the people who wrote and produced this show have ever spent much time in LAX. I also have a hard time believing that all the things that happened in the pilot in one day would ever happen in a month (or longer) at the real LAX. Plus, as much as I like Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood I would not want their characters running anything for me, least of all LAX. So, I won’t be giving it another chance probably as it was just not good and their are only so many hours in a day.
However, I realize how shows are made and I also realize that pilots are not always an indicator of how the show will go so I may give it one more chance. I don’t know. I really wasn’t very good and doesn’t really seem to take things like airport security as seriously as it should.
I also watched the season premiere of “Las Vegas” and the season finale of “Six Feet Under”. It’s amazing how two shows can be so different in terms of not only content but in quality. “Six Feet Under” is a well-written, well-acted, poignant and provocative show whereas “Las Vegas” is a 40 minute music video with about as much substance as the air in my favorite basketball. It does have pretty girls, which is always a plus. But little else. Oh, and James Cahn. Who always looks like he ate something that didn’t agree with him.
Oh well, I won’t be tuning in again so no harm done. I didn’t watch the premiere of “Apprentice-2” because really, who cares? Nor did I waste my time with most of the other crap that passes for entertainment these days. I think most of these shown like “Big Brother” or “Extreme Makeover” or “Fear Factor” must be targeted at the so-called “undecided” voters. In other words, at those with below-average smarts.
I say that because how can anyone today be undecided about voting. The upcoming election is probably one of the most important in a long time. We are talking about shaping the future of our county here. Stop watching “Wife Swap” or “Extreme Makeover” or whatever the hell, put down the remote, get off your ass and go vote. And, I would prefer it if you voted for someone other than Bush. Like John F. Kerry for example.
One more thing. I have also been watching two great shows that have great humor but are also quite serious and insightful when it comes to politics and the upcoming election. If you haven’t already, go check out “The Daily Show with John Stewart” and “Real Time with Bill Maher”. Good stuff. You will laugh and you might even learn something too. What could be better than that?
Later.
Blank
This is a first for me, I have to say. Here it is early evening on the day that both the NFL football season and the new Joey show start and I have nothing to say. I am not feeling particularly creative today or for the last day or so. It’s odd, really, usually can’t help myself. I just don’t shut up.
One thing I really like is discussion. Especially with people who can have an intelligent one. Many of my friends are capable. Some, sadly, are not. I don’t judge them or think badly of them that’s just how they are. Our group is chock full of brains and opinions for the most part, though. Or, at least opinions. Sometimes, they are even informed opinions. Sometimes, not so much.
Whatever the origin or basis in fact (if any), my friends are perfectly capable of arguing their points well past the time it takes for your average iced grande soy two-pump mocha. But, I just gotta love ‘em anyway. They keep slugging away. Nothing like passion.
It’s probably because a vast majority of my friends work in the entertainment industry and are all pretty darn creative. They also like attention and to hear themselves talk so that plays into it as well. Either way, it makes for some entertaining afternoons at the local (the local Starbucks I mean. We really don’t go to the pub much, sadly).
What does all this mean in a world where we are at war and terrorists kill children at a school and husbands murder their wives and children go to bed hungry or where people live in the streets without medical care or shelter and a giant corporate culture takes more and more and gives less and less?
I don’t know, I was just trying not to be so dark today. Almost there too. Crap.
Later.