Unfiltered Thoughts

The Weird

2009-08-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Had to take the bus recently while the car was in the shop and then this happened:

Dude in front me, looks like a cross between Annie Lennox and Rick Astley. About 36 yrs old, 5ft 6 with beige khaki shorts and a light gray t-shirt.

Aviator sunglasses, full-sized retro headphones pulled off the ears a bit. But the best part is the shoes.

Regular looking ankle high tennis shoes with piano keys outlining the bottom and circling around it as trim and then add in some purple glitter that acts as the coloring of the shoes.

Thanks guy for making my morning totally gay.

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Addiction aside.. I guess I'm back

2009-08-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

So apparently I renewed this domain name til August of 2010, so I guess I'll have to continue the posting?

UNFILTERED THOUGHTS: A 15-year life of cigarettes, addiction & human behavior.

2009-07-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

UNFILTERED THOUGHTS: A 15-year life of cigarettes, addiction & human behavior.

When I was nearly 15 years old and in high school, everyday I came home from school and checked the mail for my family. On one fateful day 16 years ago, a promotional package for my father containing two Camel cigarette packs was mixed in with the junk mail, a practice that has since been outlawed.

I certainly knew what cigarettes were and thanks to a proper education, the harmful effects were also clear, but ultimately everything comes down to a choice. And I chose to stuff those cigarettes into my pants pocket, effectively making a well-informed bad choice that I have regretted every day since.

During my 15 years of puffing away on many different varieties of cigarettes, ranging from name-brands like Camel & Marlboro (the latter being my personal brand for about 12 of those 15 years), to the cheap-o brands like Quality Smokes and even a Harley Davidson brand, which tasted like sour dirt, many people have asked me why I started smoking. My response was and still is the same: I was simply rebelling against authority. I was not impressed by famous people who smoked and was not influenced by other friends or family and I was not lured by cute camel characters or the dirty cowboys. That is an experience I’m sure many other smokers had, but not me…I was a rebel. To further drive the rebellious point forward, I recall many conversations with disapproving adults about the effects of smoking and my rebuttals were childish and rebellious, like “I wanna die with two cigarettes in my mouth!” or “On my tombstone, I want the words: ‘Died with a cigarette firmly in his hand’”.

Over the next few days, I smoked both packs in various locations with friends and even at Disneyland (before they added regulations), feeling sick after every one. But I was determined to smoke properly, and I needed to “get used to” the feeling of smoking so I wouldn’t get sick anymore. Oddly, I was ignorant to the fact that “getting used to it” meant “getting addicted”.

Over the first few years most of my closest friends also became smokers but our habit was sporadic at best, solely dependent on cash-on-hand, bummin’ off strangers or family members. At times, lack of cigarettes became a subject of contention, especially if certain friends had more money than others as they were encouraged to buy cigarettes for the group. Many times I received cigarette-shaped welts on my face after being pelted in response to my constant begging to bum another cigarette. When I did have cash-on-hand, I would recruit a friend to help purchase my cigarettes. She was underage like I was, but she had much more success buying from local gas stations. We quickly noted all the locations that would consistently feed our habit, mostly the places that stayed open late.

After high school, my habit increased in response to a growth in capital & legal status. I had a good job at age 18 that was double the minimum wage and I quickly used the extra cash to purchase more cigarettes. At this point in my habit I was strictly a Marlboro “Reds” smoker but soon found them too harsh and switched to Marlboro “Mediums” which I smoked for the next 6 years. During those 6 years, the weight of addiction fell heavy on my shoulders for the first time and I came to grips with the fact that I was addicted. Guilt started to jab me in the side more often during certain moments like refusing to let my brother have his first cigarette or talking to long-time smokers who still had that rebellious attitude towards smoking. They bragged about the infamous “smokers cough” and to relieve the pain, they would light up a smoke. So tough they were! It reminded me of the things I would say back when I first started smoking but now I was indifferent. At this point I was already an experienced, veteran smoker and the signs of addiction started to show and I wanted out.

With growing public distaste, tax increases, other regulations and my own disgust with the habit, I thought for the first time that I needed to quit. A year after my brother died, I quit for the first time. I was just shy of 24 years old but the cessation did not last till my next birthday and after about 4 months I was back to smoking again. I switched to Marlboro “Lights” at this time and continued with this variety for another 3 years.

I was the most conscience smoker I knew. I made sure when I smoked in public that I was away from others, so they weren’t inhaling my smoke too. I would constantly switch smoking hands to ensure I didn’t inadvertently burn a passer-by. I never moaned and groaned about new regulations that drove me further away from the public or cost me more money. And even though I smoked in my car, if someone was riding along with me, I made sure I directed all smoking activity as far away from them as possible. I never asked to smoke in a non-smokers car or place of residence. Out of my 15 year habit I lived in a half dozen locations but I only smoked inside one of them and stopped after a non-smoker moved in. Even in places that catered to smokers, like Las Vegas, I still kept my smoking profile low and away from others. This was my habit, not anyone else’s.

As my age increased, my health declined. Mostly due to a sedentary career, reduction in metabolism and activity, and some mental dissatisfactions. A few years after switching to my final variety of Marlboro, the “Ultra Light”, I had an utter meltdown with side of panic-attack after suffering a huge withdrawal episode after a simple outpatient surgery. Pressed partly by this episode and my looming career change, I was again fully committed to the idea of ridding myself of this habit once and for all.

Smoking is more than just a chemical dependence. Surely nicotine plays the biggest role in keeping the habit alive, but the fact that for over 10 years the routine of smoking every hour of every day without any adjustment in this behavior became a clear hurdle that was complicated to overcome. I ask you to imagine something that you do everyday that you do not give much thought to which is also part of your daily routine. Need help? Perhaps it’s running your hands through your hair, maybe it’s biting your fingernails, or drinking a glass of wine before bed. Perhaps your routine involves certain paths you take while driving to work, certain routes you walk while at work, maybe it’s a daily timed break, or a specific pocket you keep something in, maybe it’s a word or phrase you utter when greeting someone. Now, stop doing that one thing. No mess-ups and no excuses.

Humans are creatures of habit, and any routine can be a difficult one to break. Furthermore, when an addiction has reached its peak, more often than not it involves a psychological dependence as well, which in most cases becomes the most difficult pattern to break. Oxycontin, Ambien, marijuana, alcohol, and food can all be considered “addictive” and some of these addictive chemicals are certainly better for health than others, but lest us not forget that all of them are simply chemicals. Video games, reading, shopping, working, gambling, exercise and sex can all be considered “addictive” as well and some of these addictive behaviors are certainly better for health than others, but lest us not for forget that all of them are simply behaviors. And when an additive chemical is mixed with an addictive behavior or routine, it’s an explosive combination.

After 15 years of consistent, chronic and repetitive smoking, I now had to rid myself of the chemical dependence, the routine and the hidden factor, the mental dependence. In the past, my plan of attack for the chemical dependence focused on nicotine patches or gum, which didn’t work for me. So this time around, I decided to allow myself as many other substitutions as I wanted as long as they weren’t nicotine based. Mostly this meant a lot of food and weight gain, but I figured it was worth it and any new habits I acquired could quickly be resolved. For my routine, I fought fire with fire and made a schedule of times during the day when I allowed myself to smoke. At first I picked my favorite smoking times: in the morning, after a meal, after work and before bed. After a few days, I curbed the morning smoke and instead put it arbitrarily in the early afternoon to rid myself of the 15-year morning ritual. I moved the after-lunch cigarette to late afternoon and merged the after-work, after-dinner & before-bed cigarette into just one in the late night, to stop my habit of smoking after meals and before bed. And surprisingly to some, this worked very well.

I tried the more common methods in the past, but they didn’t work for me. So this around I was trying what I thought would work the best. But now, techniques aside, it was time to put down the cigarettes for good.

That day came nearly 16 years into smoking. I planned the event around a 4-day weekend so I could deal with the withdrawals alone, without added stressors like friends, work and other distractions. The majority of the first day was unremarkable and quite decent, but well into the second and third days I started to feel a bit odd. I felt buzzed, like after a few beers, or when I first started smoking. Objects and light had a shine to them and the sensation of fully functional smell was overwhelming. Was this remnants of the chemical and my brain was running on its reserves? Was I beginning to see and feel what normal life was all about? Is this what is feels like to be normal? Was I hallucinating or severely panicking? The first few days are always the hardest and my experience was no exception.

Whatever was occurring to me, I saw no reason to stop, so I plunged ahead, taking many long showers and eating lots of Skittles. I couldn’t tell if these withdrawals were real or imagined and the amount of new smells was difficult on my brain. Smells are pathways to different distinctive memories in our lives and they also unlock parts of the brain that otherwise go unnoticed. As I walked down the street, I looked like an excited puppy-dog out for his daily walk, stopping to smell flowers, newly paved asphalt, buildings, grocery stores and homeless people. None of the smells were necessarily new, but they were enhanced to the nth degree. Some smells would stop me dead in my tracks as they triggered memories from when I was a child, the biggest chunk of time I spent as a non-smoker. The improved smell of flowers reminded me of childhood playground activities, the smell of restaurants brought me back to my mother’s cooking, and even when I passed a smoker and smelled their smell, I was jolted back to a vivid memory of Christmas past at my step-families house, filled with cigarette smoke. And some smells were down right awful. The crack-head homeless man that I walked by everyday and lived 100 ft. from, smelled like sour milk mixed with vinegar. A smell that was so miserable and potent that I held back the urge to purge my breakfast, every morning as I passed by him. It was intense and no one was able to relate. They all thought I was going nuts.

And maybe I was. Over the next few weeks the odd feelings remained and I began to pace, to fill the empty minutes of new time. Smoking filled up nearly two hours per day, 15-20 cigarettes per day at 5-10 minutes each, but smoking wasn’t consecutive, it was 10 minutes here and 5 minutes there, and I found it surprisingly irritating as I struggled to fill these now vacant pockets of time. I did not expect this. I couldn’t rationalize these transitional moments that happen in life, where nothing particular is needed or done for a few moments here and there. These simple mental breaks that exist in regular life were an unforeseen obstacle. And I hurled probing questions at the non-smokers in my life in an attempt to understand what the hell normal people do during these down times. Stare at the f’ing wall? Do jumping jacks? Sing a song? Howl at the moon? I ended up filling most of this time by pacing like an impatient animal in a cage. Nutty indeed.

In addition to pacing, other abnormal things that helped me get through the day included reciting encouraging phrases or words like a basketball coach rallying his team at halftime. They included such gems as, “My brain is not smarter than me!” and “I want to be able to make the choice to smoke or not, my addiction makes the choice for me!” And I repeated words like, “control, control, control” over and over and over. At times, I felt like a possessed malfunctioning robot, stuck in crazy mode and there was little I could do to fix or satisfy what my faulty brain needed, except for use of nicotine of course.

But I persisted, Skittles in hand, Rain Man-like behavior exposed and a few non-smoker friends and family encouraging me to continue. But the cells in my body were not so accepting. They were deprived of their expected level of nicotine and they tried real hard to alert me of this deficit. And I felt them ache. Just like when rich people divorce, they still expect the life they’ve grown accustomed to, well, so did my cells. Like a chronic sore knee, the annoyance is always there, a low-grade daily pain that occasionally rises to the surface and requires attention but normally stays in the background just irritating you while you work to keep out of the forefront of your mind.

Month after month passed and as my body began to adjust to new levels of chemicals, my 15-year daily routines were disappearing as well, but something more threatening began to emerge. Something more hidden, more harmful than any routine or chemical dependence, something that I had no answer or defense for: psychological reliance. This is the classic security blanket syndrome, when people use abnormal means as solutions to situations, problems or everyday behaviors. The object or substance used, has replaced the normal pathways people learn about life and are applied to situations that deal with adversity, harm and even normal human behavior. My solutions to mental concepts like anxiety, insecurity and even some social behavior were so intertwined with smoking cigarettes that at certain times during this year I thought this was an impossible challenge to overcome. With no capacity to deal with anxiety or insecurity, I was brought to my knees at around 5-6 months of this journey. Simple things like going to the grocery store or walking to the mailbox were a frightening reality that caused real physical pain and suffering, as well as huge mood swings. I would sweat profusely when in public or under the spotlight of others, my heart would race and I would panic. Adding fuel to the fire was my inability to properly cope with these feelings of despair. In the past, lighting up a cigarette to pace my anxiety was the solution. I could either reflect on the situation or calm my nerves to the irrational feelings I was having. I could spend a few minutes smoking a cigarette while preparing myself mentally for the task at hand. The act of smoking a cigarette allowed me precious moments to evaluate the issues I was faced with or better yet to escape from them. But now, there was no escape.

Even simple social behaviors like having conversations took getting used to. Without a break for a smoke or a pause in thought, I had to consciously stop talking even if it was in mid-sentence because I may have gone on forever. At work, anxiety over database code and concepts that required intense mental attention was commonplace, but now they had to be accomplished without a walk around the building puffing away on cigarettes, contemplating my next move. Surely part of that process is habit or routine, but for 15-years, I applied this behavior to every situation that required intense thought or mental processes, including feelings of depression or happiness.

The addiction was also my list maker, my idea man and a good listener. I puffed away on cigarettes while I developed the days’ events, I made mental notes of activities that needed accomplishment, I thought of new ideas to be further perused later, and I used it to evaluate past actions in order to make any necessary adjustments in future behavior. It was truly a focused event, rarely was I simply staring at the stars or enjoying the breeze. My smoking habit was how I got work done and life moving forward.

And now without cigarettes, my thoughts have no filters, I am raw to the touch and truly naked to the world. I am increasingly distracted, experiencing big mood swings, increasingly talkative, unfocused, and somewhat troubled. This is my new reality; an unfiltered reality.

But things are slowly getting better and I feel like I’m finally part of the normal world. A world that has little patience for addictive lifestyles and other complaints, which can make things a bit harder sometimes, as this addiction certainly isn’t anything that I can “get over” or “move on” from. This raw anxiety and panic is something that I must learn to accept and live with. It is the essence of being born again and I have to relearn how to live without my security blanket dragging behind me. Perhaps others in this “normal world” do have addictions but they just aren’t as noticeable as mine was…or maybe they have found better ways to hide it. And soon, my journey will be theirs.

I don’t have to tell anyone these days about the harm cigarettes do to people and that is a testament to constant research, science and a well-informed public. But the best thing about smoking is that it is one of the most regulated LEGAL substances ever. It was difficult to get until I was an adult, it is increasingly taxed every year, it is outlawed inside buildings and in public places, it is outlawed from advertising in TV, radio, magazines and newspapers, it must carry health warnings on every package (some countries have more effective warnings), hospitals are required to hand out health literature to smokers, some smokers have higher health care premiums, and even in films the MPAA may give a film a higher rating if it glamorizes or otherwise promotes smoking. Whew! But here's the point, it is still legal. Our government does so much to inform us how bad of a choice it is to smoke, but allows us to make the choice for ourselves. Then, if we still make the bad choice, they are right there by our side with more and more literature, guidance and assistance in order to get us to stop.

On issues that do not cause immediate or irreversible harm to ourselves or others (like murder, some drug use, rape, incest, arson, etc), a government should simply inform its citizens and educate them on decisions they will need to make. A government must not make the choice for the citizens. And if a citizen chooses unwisely, the government must continue to educate, inform, assist and guide a citizen.

I push back against some laws because until the government informs me why the rule exists, it’s like them saying: "Because I said so". (Repeat disclaimer: there are issues of immediate or irreversible harm to consider here and I’m fully aware that laws that are made in this respect are justified.) And once I’ve pressured them and the general public to explain certain laws, I’ve have found that most have been misinformed on what is actually harmful to them. These current half truths are similar to past mistakes pertaining to smoking cigarettes, yet our generation assumes too much about certain substances. I once read a governmental article from the 1950’s that claimed women were immune from heart disease and I’m sure many of you are privy to past claims about tobacco. When science and research are hijacked by political agendas, corporations, greed or other ideologies, people do not get the help they desperately need.

I’m rebellious against marijuana laws for this very reason because there is little to support the outrageous clams against it. Even charges of “gateway to immorality” are false. Everything I’ve read and researched, leads me to believe that marijuana should be treated the same as alcohol (and no, I am not a user of either), with the same disclaimers and guidance that is put upon cigarettes. But just like cigarettes, drugs or alcohol should not be glamorized and encouraged, period. People can get addicted to pretty much anything and without proper help, guidance and support from the government, friends or family; an addiction will be the least of a person’s worries.

If smoking cigarettes was illegal instead of regulated, I’m pretty sure my addiction would have cost me life or something equivalent. And I am forever grateful to those that made an impact.

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This is officially the last post of unfilteredthoughts.com - This site was mainly a gateway for my brain while I wen't through withdrawals and now a year in, it's time to move on from it. I may continue to post thoughts on dudekingme.blogspot.com - we'll see.

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UPDATE: The End of the World? But I've got summer school.

2009-06-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

My first post about this 1995ish-style website said the end of the world was gonna happen starting in JUNE 09.. Well, since June is upon us, they've changed their website to "AUGUST 09" and in one "open letter" from a visitor asking people to "email him if nothing happens in June" has been changed to "if nothing happens by August" - comical....

I truly hope these guys don't end up doing something like McVeigh, the racist holocast museum killer, or the abortionist killer - (wow I've already added two more people to that list this year alone.)

Sorry guys, but I've got an old sock drawer to sort out. I'll catch you at the next rapture.

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Formula for Legality

2009-06-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

The federal government categorizes substances like alcohol, nicotine and heroine into what it calls "schedules" and each schedule has a set of criteria. For instance marijuana is in the same schedule as heroine. Which meets the following guidelines:

1. The drug or other substance has high potential for abuse.
2. The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
3. There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

Without mentioning the obvious, almost laughable categorization of marijuana into this schedule, I'd like to propose a whole different way to look at substances, certain acts and items. Now the disclaimer here is that the below spew has yet to be thoroughly thought out, so pardon the mess.

THE FORMULA FOR LEGALITY:
“The level of physical or mental harm that an act, substance, or item causes to an adult individual or their community, and if any benefit to self or community may be gained by its legalization, in which the benefit of legalization must clearly outweigh the reasons for illegality.”

Criteria involved in deciphering physical and mental harm:
Harm Rule #1: No immediate or irreversible harm to self or community.
Harm Rule #2: No level of the substance, item or act can be properly regulated in order to comply with Rule #1.

For substances, items or acts that would break the Harm Rules only at increased or improper levels of use must be further regulated.
Inform Rule #1: No encouragement of overuse, long-term use and other abuses.
Inform Rule #2: Clear warnings, regulations with possible need for licensing, training or other tactics to ensure public safety and that a citizen can make a well-informed decision.

Note:
Spiritually cannot play a role in this debate as it cannot be measured in the physical world. What effects these acts, items or substances have on spiritual things such as the soul, are invalid to the physical, measurable world. Religion can certainly set its own rules and give its flock the choice to abide by those rules, and if not, well then the rule-breakers are not part of that religion anymore. And since there are so many religions and non-religions, the Formula for Legality must be a physical declaration, not a spiritual one.

Note 2:
The idea of community can be taken many ways. Some may say, “What’s best for the community is not to have a bunch of drug addicts roaming the streets”. And I couldn’t agree more. My disagreements are mainly with the current methods we use to reduce the abuse, long-term and over use. And propose this “Formula of Legality”, not to condone, but to safely inform and protect citizens from organized crime, unsupportive jail time, and long-term addiction. Morality based laws do little to enlighten the public to the ill effect of their choices and offers little support the addict in their time of need. I say, in many circumstances it makes the problem worse.

Examples:

Crystal meth, heroine, PCP, & nitrous cause too much harm to an individual or its community, mentally or physically (usually do to a prevalence of addiction, even from one or two uses) and it cannot be safely regulated or legal at any level. It remains illegal to protect the individual or others from immediate or irreversible harm, especially citizens that have no such knowledge of its ill effects. It does not fit the Formula for Legality and remains illegal.

Guns can cause immediate and irreversible harm to self or others, but only at improper levels of use. So they must be further regulated by the Inform Rules, which include proper training, licensing and no encouragement of abuse. These steps ensure that under proper regulations, guns can be used recreationally or in defense of one right of the Harm Rules. The Formula for Legality is true.

Alcohol at proper levels of consumption does not break the Harm Rules. But must also abide by the Inform Rules, to ensure the public is aware of ill effects caused by overuse or long-term use. However, the Harm Rules are broken if the person gets behind the wheel of a car, operates heavy machinery, etc. Even so, the Formula for Legality remains true.

Nuclear weapons at any level are harmful to self or others. They cannot be properly regulated to exist at any level, for any citizen to try and make themselves, anywhere. The Formula for Legality is false.

Marijuana has been shown to be addictive with long-term usage, mostly do to routine or psychological need, but not a chemical one. Yet no more addictive than alcohol and in terms of the health effects of marijuana, they are along the same lines as cigarettes. But the drug is not immediately, nor irreversibly harmful to self or others (unless used improperly like alcohol, while driving, etc). It does not break the Harm Rules, but still must abide by the Inform Rules, as heavy or chronic use is not encouraged. And since the benefits of legalization, in terms of monetary savings, proper regulations and a well-informed public outweighs the reasons why it’s illegal AND since illegality actually cause more problems, then the Formula for Legality is true.

Cocaine is probably one of the more difficult substances to apply this formula and rules to. At low levels of potency, the effects are mild and almost identical to caffeine, simply crush up and snort a couple NoDoz and you’re there. And if low levels are similar to caffeine usage, then Harm Rule #2 applies, which states that if levels of a substance can properly be regulated to ensure no immediate or irreversible harm then it should be legal. I’m still not convinced though. It certainly must follow the Inform Rules, as overuse, long-term use or other types of abuse causes harm to self or others. But in terms of immediate or irreversible harm to self or others at recreational levels is debatable. But remember the Formula for Legality also asks the question of "benefit" to self or community over the effects of illegality and like with "instant reply" in sports, there must be clear evidence and reasons to overturn a current "on the field" call. And with cocaine, the current "on the field" call that it is illegal. And for now, it should probably stay that way, until further research and discussion can be made.

Lets throw this formula some curveballs:

Sex. The act of sex under proper safety guidelines and protection isn't immediately harmful to self or community. Furthermore, at recreational levels, it does not break the Harm Rules and fits within the Formula for Legality. But using sex improperly, just like with guns, can break the Harm Rules. As such, regulations on sex like in the act of rape, incest or pedophilia is strictly prohibited. But sex, in general, is still legal if used properly.

Free Speech. The act of Free speech does not break the Harm Rules. But yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded theatre (when there is no fire) does. Therefore Free Speech is still protected under the Formula for Legality, but using it improperly isn’t.

Skydiving can cause immediate and irreversible physical harm to others, but only if used improperly used or abused. Not following strict safely guidelines or following current regulations on safety and training can lead to irreversible effects. Additionally, if only measured on a recreational level, the rush of skydiving is said to meet or exceed the effects of certain illegal drugs. And since the entire point in all of this is to show the parallels between material things like skydiving and snorting cocaine, I’ll get to my final point.

If the legality of substances, acts and items are only measured and quantified in ways they can be misused or abused, than I expect skydiving, sex, driving cars and the internet to become illegal soon as well.

The Great Regulators

2009-05-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine a world where nothing is illegal, equality reigns over freedom and justice is more important than order. A humanity where people can do or say whatever they please, as long as it does not impede on the liberty and choices of others. People are treated with dignity and respect and the only laws are a set of guidelines to maintain equity: the freedom to posses, the freedom of choice, the freedom of expression and the freedom to survive. This may sound familiar—it is our past. A citizen of today can only be free in their minds and even that is adjustable by a few hours in a dark cell, force fed distortions of the law and inequality of punishment. Ignorance’s medicine, in the guise of abuse, solitude and confinement, is shoved down our throats and forced into our unconscious mind in the feeble attempt to heal the “evildoer”. But a proper democracy is not one bloated with incredible laws of oppression, but one where a society, created by the people, can flourish and live in harmony free from the armed tormenters whom act as defenders of our great civilization. Those freedom fighters are only here to elicit fear and alter our minds to be obedient of the corrupted elite that govern our nation.

In a game played by money and greed, humans are merely pawns. The great regulators reign supreme, uneducated with guns at their sides, carelessly moving the pieces around the board, unaware of the chaos they create with every move. As the money pours in and the uncontested power charges their egos, society cracks and turns on itself, cannibalizing the freedoms they once could not live without. The oppressors view human culture as something to control, like a puppet at a show or a careless ship captain navigating iceberg-infested waters. “If not manipulated,” say the regulators, “humans will create an anarchist, immoral state and the Gods will surely hold us and the world responsible and wreck havoc on our souls”. The oppressors certainly know of an end and act in haste to sacrifice the evildoers to their Gods, in order to prove their allegiance and to set aside a place in the utopian afterlife. They have no concern of the present chaos, nor worry about the current fate of freedom.

Our history speaks of legality and morality not prevention or treatment. Marijuana has been used as far back as 3000BC, mostly in religious ceremonies but also for medicinal treatment of such ailments as glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and influenza. The Virginia assembly in 1619 required every household to grow it and even some states allowed hemp to be used as legal tender. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp at their homes. Cocaine was also used for thousands of years as an aesthesia in dentistry, an ingredient in wine and in the original formula for Coca-Cola. Cocaine was also sold in neighborhood drugstores for five or ten cents. Nicotine was viewed as non-addictive, harmless and smoking was advertised as “good for digestion”[1]. The 1914 Harrison Narcotics Tax Act changed many drug laws, but even after that law was passed, it was still legal for registered companies and individuals.

As our ethical leaders became increasingly frightened by the influx of immigrants as well as the liberties gained by African-Americans, thus began the first “war on drugs” and they focused their attention squarely on marijuana. The so-called marijuana-induced “sex-crazed teenager” and the “violent” culture played a huge role in the creation of new laws, as the poorer society tends to lean on drugs more than the upper-class. FBI director J. Edward Hoover and certain lawmakers attributed all sinful acts of the youth to the effects of drugs and marijuana and wanted to purge the country of this “immoral behavior”. They dismissed treatment clinics as “barrooms for addicts” and said the only proper response to illegal drug use was to “jail offenders, then throw away the key”. Amid the prejudices, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937[2] criminalized marijuana for the first time. Businesses and casual smokers of previous years were lectured and sentenced to long prison terms. Our Great Regulators even dismissed a study in 1944 by the New York Academy of Medicine which concluded: “marijuana did not cause violent behavior, provoke insanity, lead to addiction, or promote opiate use”. But they could not deny the useful nature of the hemp plant, as showcased by the 1943 video “Hemp for Victory” created by the U.S. government during WWII, in which farmers were encouraged to grow hemp for the war effort. (Hemp was used in rope, cloth and other products). Hemp also outgrows most plants and thrives in almost any climate, it’s good for the environment, and was used as fuel, paper, fiber, and medicine. But after World War II and near the height of anti-communism furor in the 1950’s, The Boggs Act and our ethical leaders raised marijuana penalties to the same level as heroin.

The inconsistency of our laws did not stop with the Boggs Act. By 1962 in Louisiana, a simple drug possession conviction ranged from five to ninety-nine years in prison. In Missouri, a second drug offense could result in a life sentence. And in Georgia, a second conviction for selling marijuana to a minor could bring the death penalty. But in the late 1960s as marijuana usage grew within the white middle-class, there was a re-evaluation of laws that for decades had imprisoned poor immigrants and African Americans. In 1970, the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act set apart marijuana from other narcotics and reduced federal penalties for possession. In the same year, President Richard Nixon chose a bipartisan commission to study the health effects, legal status and social impact of marijuana. Two years later, the 1972 National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse arrived at a conclusion: “marijuana should be decriminalized under state and federal law. Possessing small amounts of marijuana in the home should no longer be a crime, growing or selling marijuana for profit, using it in public, or driving under the influence would remain strictly forbidden and society should strongly discourage marijuana use while devoting more resources to preventing and treating heavy use.” Led by these findings, eleven states decriminalized marijuana and most other states weakened their laws against it. But President Nixon rejected the findings and privately blamed “the Jews” for the new drug law reorganizations.

However, decriminalization was still supported in the late 1970’s by The American Medical Association, National Council of Churches, President Jimmy Carter and other lawmakers. The 1974 case of Ravin v. State of Alaska, led the Alaska Supreme Court to rule that “growing and smoking Cannabis was protected in home and yard by the State Constitution’s right to privacy”. But in the 1979 case National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws v. Gain, which argued for the right to have marijuana in a private location such as a home, the California Supreme Court decided “not to guarantee adult Californians the privilege of smoking a possibly harmful drug, even in the privacy of their homes”. Less than twenty years later, a portion of the Violence against Women Act of 1994 was declared unconstitutional, “Because the federal government has no right to regulate a private act, such as rape, that is neither part of interstate commerce nor caused by state officials.” In other words, a citizen can send the police into their neighbor’s home to bust down the door and haul away the non-violent over-user under full protection of the law, but if the same neighbor was raped, police have no right to enter the premises. Even though the federal government and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) approved decriminalization of marijuana, individual battles of consistency and equality raged on.

Only a few years after the DEA proposed decriminalization, an entirely new administration, led by Ronald Regan, called marijuana “the most urgent drug problem facing the U.S.” In 1982, President Reagan created a drug czar—Carton Turner, a chemist who disregarded any previous research, believed marijuana linked youth to anti-military, anti-nuclear power, anti-big business, and thought smoking it could turn young men into homosexuals. Under President Reagan, the U.S. started the second “war on drugs” by increasing federal penalties with three new acts: The Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, Anti-Drug Abuse Amendment of 1984 and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. Marijuana was now (and still is) classified as a Schedule I drug, which requires the following findings[3]:
1. The drug or other substance has high potential for abuse.
2. The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
3. There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

President Regan considered marijuana as “the most dangerous drug in America” and placed it on the same level as heroin, LSD and peyote. Yet almost all previous scientific research suggested that marijuana is less addictive than heroin, cocaine, nicotine, alcohol and caffeine and can also be used in numerous medical treatments. Cocaine and PCP were (and still are) on a “lower” level, Schedule II, which allowed doctors to prescribe them to citizens. Once again drug use was depicted as a moral problem not a medical one.

President Bush Sr. continued Regan’s moral push and raised drug enforcement spending by 83 percent and under President Clinton, not to be outdone by the republicans, also increased federal spending on drug enforcement with little or no increase on prevention or treatment. Under Clinton, drug possession arrests hit a record high and jails became increasingly overcrowded. To ring in the new millennium, President Bush Jr., along with the USA Patriot Act Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, made drugs “more” illegal than ever before.

This—was yesterday.

We are conditioned to trust our moral regulators. But these leaders simply place their friends and others, sympathetic to their message, in power to create the laws for the “Great Moral Society” without consideration to science, research and other accepted studies. One such study by the accredited British Journal of Psychiatry states: "The Dutch experience, together with those of a few other countries with more modest policy changes, provides a moderately good empirical case that removal of criminal prohibitions on cannabis possession (decriminalization) will not increase the prevalence of marijuana or any other illicit drug; the argument for decriminalization is thus strong."[4] But we again ignore clear information gained by observation, experience, science and experiment for the sensationalized rhetoric of the moral majority. Our leaders continue to spew their message of protectionism for the Great Society as noted in the complete blockade of scientific research due to marijuana’s drug classification.

Our “Great Moral Society” is one where four billion dollars a year of tax money is spent combating mostly addicts and non-violent criminals. An addict defined by the FDA is: “any individual who habitually uses any narcotic drug so as to endanger the public morals, health, safety, or welfare, or who is so far addicted to the use of narcotic drugs as to have lost the power of self-control with reference to his addiction.” This is a good definition for someone who needs rehab, not a jail cell.

Alcoholics, for instance, go through an intense sobering process that requires the efforts of family, friends, the government and their community. But most of them endure this detoxification within the safety of loved ones, not near the violent criminals of the prison system. The treatment of alcoholism without jail time is viewed as normal in American society. Also with other addictions, like prescription drugs, no jail time is required for overuse. As a matter of fact, citizens can overuse alcohol, prescription drugs, food, nicotine, and sex and not receive one day of jail time as long as they stay within the boundaries of regulation. The mere use or overuse of a certain drug is not cause for imprisonment.

But the 400,000 police officers specifically assigned to the drug war, ensure that over-users and drugs possessors have a long stay behind bars. Federal law states: possession for any amount of cocaine is a felony, punishable by a year or longer in prison. In fact, most first time offenders of federal possession laws spend a minimum of one-to-three years in prison and in California, three possessions of cocaine (with similar chemical reactions of another psychoactive but legal drug, caffeine) can lead to a lifetime behind bars. Actually, caffeine has no regulations by the federal government at all and has no limits to the amount placed in soda, Excedrin, chocolate, coffee, tea, and so-called “energy drinks”. If caffeine could be snorted or injected directly into the blood stream and involve the same sensations of cocaine, would caffeine become illegal? Caffeine has proven to be as addictive as cocaine but for now, caffeine has no limits to its use and the 400,000 armed tormentors are ready for the next drug over-user to place into the revolving door of the prison system.

Marijuana laws are even worse with broad, inconsistent “deterrents” ranging from state to state. In New York State for instance, an ounce of marijuana brings a fine of $100, whereas the same amount in Louisiana could lead to twenty years-to-life. In Idaho, selling water pipes is nine years behind bars. In Kentucky, products made from hemp fibers are illegal. Certain counties in Ohio hand out a fine for the possession of three ounces of marijuana but a drive to Indiana one hour away can lead to three years in prison. Indiana laws are particularly inconsistent and offenses range from armed robbery at six years, rape at eight years, murder at twenty-five and selling marijuana—a life sentence (as in the case of Mark Young, a marijuana “activist”). Federal law also states that convicted murderers, rapists and child molesters can get welfare payments, but those with marijuana felonies cannot. Twenty states have laws that say: if a citizen is caught smoking marijuana, even in a private location like a home, can lead to a harsher punishment than being arrested for driving drunk. And in one of the most restrictive states, Oklahoma, any amount of marijuana including paraphernalia, is a mandatory one year behind bars, every subsequent offense is two-to-ten years and the sale of marijuana is two years-to-life behind bars. Lawmakers continue to make drugs “more” illegal everyday and the irregularity of past mistakes, with little attention to treatment, is still echoed today.

California’s recent proposition 5 stated: “California’s corrections system does not provide meaningful rehabilitation services to most inmates and parolees. Nonviolent offenders can languish for years behind bars without education, vocational training, or rehabilitation programs of any kind.”[5] So even though we house these non-violent criminals in prison, the system does not provide enough alternatives to their addiction besides jail time. Non-violent criminals get the same jail time as violent offenders and according to the laws, a casual user is no different than an addict. Very little rehabilitation is used; it’s currently a policy of: “It’s the users fault for doing it, so they must be punished and shoved into jail for treatment.” The ineffective laws of today that focus on possession need to change to protect the drug user from the drug dealer and to protect the addict from gaining a foothold in the underground of the American black market. A non-violent drug user is not the same as a brutal drug kingpin and the laws should be changed to reflect that.

Most of the non-violent addicts in prison gain an extraordinary study on how to truly become an elite drug user or worse: a drug dealer. This is good news for the addicts as about seventy-seven billion dollars a year is made in the illegal drug trade, most of which fuels terrorism and kingpins from foreign countries. Imagine what seventy-seven billion dollars and 400,000 workers could do to rebuild New Orleans or rid our country of foreign oil dependency. We believe more in the values of the moral majority and their message of global security with a heavenly afterlife than in society’s duty to listen and respond to rational science and practical research.

This—is today.

Organized crime runs the illegal drug culture, instead of what it should be: the taxpayer. California’s NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) estimates that the state could net some 1.5 to 2.5 billion dollars per year by legalizing marijuana for general adult use, as well as accumulate a savings of over 160 million in taxpayer dollars per year that is currently spent on arrests, prosecutions and imprisonment of drug users. As the Journal of Public Health stated in 1989 (counter to the message by the moral leaders of “abstinence” and prohibition): "The available evidence indicates that the decriminalization of marijuana possession had little or no impact on rates of use. On the other hand, the so-called 'decriminalization' measures did result in substantial savings in the criminal justice system."[6] Imagine that savings going back to the taxpayer.

The taxpayers should focus on treatment centers, twelve step programs, and prisons should focus on drug abuse management. "Fear of apprehension, fear of being imprisoned, the cost of cannabis or the difficulty in obtaining cannabis do not appear to exert a strong influence on decisions about cannabis consumption. ... Those factors may limit cannabis use among frequent cannabis users, but there is no evidence, as of yet, to support this conjecture."[7] Deterrents like long prison sentences do little to discourage drug users and these laws end up hurting the addict by using punishment as treatment. Rehabilitation and treatment centers actually saves society money as stated by the National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES) from the Center from Substance Abuse Treatment[8], and every dollar spent on treatment saves society three dollars in crime-related costs, increased earnings and reduced health costs.

Society also needs a wake-up call that a world in which drugs are decriminalized does not mean a world full of drug addicts and pushers. A study by the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine stated: "In sum, there is little evidence that decriminalization of marijuana use necessarily leads to a substantial increase in marijuana use."[9] Another study by the Journal of Public Health states: "The available data indicate that decriminalization measures substantially reduced enforcement costs, yet had little or no impact on rates of use in the United States. In the South Australian community, none of the studies have found an impact in cannabis use which is attributable to the introduction of the Cannabis Expiation Scheme [decriminalization.]"[10] And in the same spirit, Dr. Charles Schuster, head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse during the 1980s, said “To the best of my knowledge, no one has died because they’ve smoke too much marijuana.” According to a recent study published in the Journal of Substance Use, adolescent drug use is tied more to “sensation seeking”, rather than impulsive decision making[11]. Skydiving, which can cause similar euphoric sensations to certain illegal drugs, causes more deaths than marijuana, yet jumping out of a plane remains completely legal and we certainly do not live in a world overrun by skydivers.

Society tends to blame marijuana as well when addicts upgrade to harsher drugs. In fact, more cocaine users smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol before using cocaine than used marijuana, so the so-called "gateway" argument applies more to beer, whiskey and cigarettes than it does to marijuana. When marijuana usage increased in the 1960s and 1970s, heroin use declined rapidly and when cocaine use increased in the 1980s, marijuana use declined. There is no correlation between a cocaine user and a marijuana user; they are like wine drinkers versus beer drinkers, but our society continues to trust their moral leaders over statistics and data.

Addiction to any drug is a very serious issue which should not be taken lightly but it shouldn’t be treated as an immoral choice that only elicits jail time. Problematic drug use should be dealt with like any other addiction—with treatment. We should not spend billions of dollars on prisons to simply accommodate addicts. Governmental licensing practices and regulations used currently for alcohol and prescription drugs should be used on narcotics as well. Alcohol has many regulations: the legal age to drink is 21, citizens cannot drive while drunk, citizens cannot be in public places while intoxicated and citizens cannot operate heavy machinery, to name a few. To sell alcohol, a business must meet certain preconditions before applying for a license and must renew their license every year to ensure compliance with any new regulations. Prescription drugs have similar regulations and so do cigarettes. The “legalize-it” portion of the world will also be faced with the sad truth that drugs are addictive and harmful when overused, but the fight is not legality—the fight is regulation.

The ultimate goal of the Great Regulators should not be on personal economic gains or other egotistical, selfish possessions but equality for all humans. The freedom to posses will guide humanity towards a safer, more humane world, not one led by confinement and punishment. Better education can lead to an improved perception of addiction and its problems, lending an ear to the addict and their freedom of choice. Humans must also rise out of the shadows of the moral oppressors and use the freedom of expression to take back the civil liberties society once held so dear. And the ultimate freedom, the freedom to survive, will be a right born into every citizen regardless of background. The Great Regulators of the future will pass laws based on science while providing safer alternatives to the expensive, violent and corrupted, valued-based system currently in use.

This is tomorrow—and I imagine that next week will look even better.

------------------------------------------------------
[1] Nolan, Hamilton. “Five Way Camel Cigarettes Are Good For You.” Gawker.com. 19 Jun. 2008. Gawker Media. 7 Dec. 2008
[2] Pub. 238, 75th Congress, 50 Stat. 551 (Aug. 2, 1937)
[3] “Schedules of Controlled Substances.” Title 21 U.S. Code, Sec. 812 Chapter 13. Subchapter I. Part B. Sec. 812
[4] R. MacCoun and P. Reuter. “Evaluating alternative cannabis regimes.” British Journal of Psychiatry 178 (2001): 123-128.
[5] Abrahamson, Daniel. “Request for Title and Summary from Propsed Initiative” 7 Dec. 2008
[6] E. Single. “The Impact of Marijuana Decriminalization: An Update.” Journal of Public Health 10 (1989): 456-466.
[7] D. Weatherburn and C. Jones. 2001. “Does prohibition deter cannabis use?” New South Wales (Australia) Bureau of Crime Statistics: Sydney.
[8] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, National Evaluation Data Services, The Cost and Benefits of Substance Abuse Treatment: Findings From the National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study, August 1999.
[9] National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (IOM). 1999. “Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base.” National Academy Press: Washington, D.C., 102.
[10] E. Single et al. “The Impact of Cannabis Decriminalisation in Australia and the United States. “ Journal of Public Health Policy 21 (2000): 157-186.
[11] Z. Xiao. “Addiction & Treatment” Journal of Substance Use 13.6 (2008): 415-33

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Velodrome Field in 1994

2009-05-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a summary I wrote for an English class about my Lollapollaza trip in 1994. Please keep in mind that I was under strict guidelines on what "style" the piece had to be. So this summary is a bit over-the-top and dramatic.

At Velodrome Field in Los Angeles, a vast open space in California’s Dominguez Hills, at the height of the grunge rock movement in music in 1994 was held a concert featuring a plethora of alternative rock bands.

Cars and people packed the parking lot. Groups of fans wandered through the dirt and grass lot, smoked cigarettes and chatted about which bands they were exited to see and what events they wanted to attend. Most people dressed in ripped jeans with flannel shirts wrapped around their waists and most people proudly wore dirty T-shirts with the name of their favorite band on the front.

We arrived to Velodrome Field in the early morning of a very hot, sunny day and walked to the entrance. While we waited in line near the gated entrance, a security guard asked everyone to unload and throw out any weapons, opened alcohol containers, illegal drugs and water bottles. We had no choice and threw out all of our water.

We then entered Velodrome Field. Hundreds of fans walked around the field, looking at the different booths filled with artwork, stickers, tobacco pipes, and food. The aroma of burnt animal flesh was intense. Chicken, beef, and pork were all cooked in small smoky huts, served and consumed by the hungry masses. As we entered the main stage area, people played hacky-sack, smoked cigarettes and waited for the music to start. We settled in about a hundred yards from the main stage in the middle of the field. Everyone laid or sat on the field, some came prepared with towels to protect their exposed skin from the prickly grass.

We waited anxiously for the show to start. On the main stage a few people checked the equipment and mumbled into the microphones checking sound levels. The sun beat down on the crowd of thousands for hours. Many people, frustrated at the delays, threw beer cans on the stage and other fans smoked marijuana or drank alcohol they smuggled in their clothes to help pass the time.

As we continued to talk amongst ourselves, the first band arrived on stage and the crowd erupted. Fans hurriedly rose off the grass and rushed the stage, ran through groups of people still gathering their items and knocked over coolers, food and children as they hurried to the front. I just barely let go hold of my friends arm and I found myself in the middle of a body slamming violent mosh-pit. I was pushed and slammed in every way and thrown towards people, even young children. I tried desperately to escape but the louder the band played the more violent and aggressive the crowd became.

As the crowd screamed and roared along with the band, I was a helpless ragdoll being pummeled by the crowd. As I hit the ground face first into a pile of dust and dirt, I saw children being dragged away from the roaring masses, through the legs of the raucous crowd, screaming and yelling for the mayhem to cease long enough so they could escape. Mothers clutched their children tightly in their arms; heads protected and ran towards the back of the field for safety.

I finally found an open grass area and escaped from the crazy mob. I couldn’t see my friends anymore; I lost her in the crowd. I searched for my friends for hours. As each band rose to the stage I became more and more dehydrated. I found a place to rest on a covered bench next to a free water station and napped. I awoke to the sound of loud fans whizzing by me at lightning speed as the headline band of the night loaded the stage. After the show, I headed toward the entrance of the field and waited for my friends to show. Finally my group of friends emerged from out of the crowd, angry that I “left” them in the morning.

They had a completely different experience than I did. They enjoyed the entire concert, bellies full of water and food as I struggled to survive the heat, of the grunge rock movement.

-

And now random thoughts...

2009-05-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Instead of stating falsities about gay marriage, the Republican chief wants to change the message to: "Gay marriage would burden small businesses with extra insurance, health care costs." Even though I think whatever burden it may cause is worth the freedom it gains, I like this type of speech better than any others I've heard.
"People don't elect Presidents who tell them to sacrifice, they elect Presidents who solve problems so they don't have to sacrifice." - Newt Gingrich, soon-be-front runner for a republican congressional seat. -- Since when did Republicans think government, especially a President, is the answer (savior, if you will) for all citizens? I thought they wanted personal individual responsibility and a communal effort?
Here's a list of the top ten movie misquotes that we all continue to say. I've got a friend with the name Luke, and I wonder if the Darth Vader misquote ever gets to him.
People who say "lighten up" to ones that are offended by racial comments need to shut up. Certainly some take "offense" too far, but little is solved if you don't atleast engage in a conversation. The Washington "RedSkins" has always bothered American Indians, but people just told them to shut up and they had no majority backing to properly handle their complaints (yes, bigots are mostly in the majority). Now some in the majority are starting to realize that we wouldn't have a Washington "Blackskins" or a Washington "Brownskins" team would we? And the term "brave" or "warrior" or "Chief" to an American Indian is similar to using terms like "deacon", "priest" or "pope"... So here's to the next Los Angeles football team: "The L.A. Blackskin Priests"
The "freedom" that our men and women are fighting will mostly go to the corporations. The individual gets the scraps of freedom that are left.
U.S. defense chief lauds soldier in pink boxers. Cue every gay-in-the-military joke possible. Jay Leno will have many and all of them will suck.
I worship principles not people.

In summary... T. rex and the Crater of Doom

2009-05-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

These days I spend most my time studying, reading and writing. I am far from a scientist, but occassionaly get to write summaries about scientists. Here's one I summarized that covers the destruction of the Dinosaurs:

In T. rex and the Crater of Doom, author Walter Alvarez describes the impact and aftermath of the comet that forever changed Earth as we know it.

An object taller than Mount Everest and about 10km in diameter slammed into the Earth at a velocity of perhaps 30 km per second. The comet vaporized on impact in about 1 second and left a crater 150-200km across at a depth of perhaps 40km. The comet left a crater pattern resembling a bull’s eye imprinted on the Yucatán Peninsula, the comet’s impact point. The impact essentially ended the Cretaceous period and was equivalent to the explosion of 10,000 times the entire nuclear arsenal of the world.

The comet entered the Earth’s atmosphere around 65 million years ago, and upon entry heated the air around it to a temperature 4 or 5 times that of the Sun. In the zone where bedrock was melted or vaporized, no living thing could have survived. The earth’s surface itself became an enormous broiler—cooking, charring, igniting, immolating all tress and all animals which were not sheltered under rocks or in holes. Even as the forests were set ablaze, another horror was approaching the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico.

The result was a gigantic tsunami a kilometer high. Within hours of the impact, most of Mexico and the United States must have been reduced to a desolate wasteland of the most appalling, agonizing destruction. Farther away from the Yucatan the effects were less dramatic.

But tragedy would unfold more slowly in these remote areas through the secondary effects of the impact. An enormous mass extinction followed. The Earth was turning cold and dark. The dust was settling through the upper atmosphere around the world, blocking the sunlight. Carbon dioxide can only be removed slowly from the air, and now it trapped the heat from the Sun, raising temperatures to sweltering levels, plus caused acid rain. A world first dark and frozen, then deadly hot, now a world poisoned by acid and soot.

Half of all living things, at the moment of the impact, perished. The biggest victims were the Dinosaurs. The loss of the dinosaurs is probably related to their position in the food chain. During the months of cold and darkness the herbivores would starve. Large animals are never abundant, especially top carnivores, so they would have been particularly vulnerable to extinction. The birds were nearly wiped out as well. Land plants, single-celled plants and animals also suffered nearly complete extinction. Marine animal losses were devastated but a few species survived and left descendants which abound in the oceans today. But many smaller land animals survived, including mammals and reptiles.

It marked the end of a world, yet the darkness eventually faded, the heat died down, and the acids were neutralized. Survivors found themselves in a new world. For 150 million years, dinosaurs had been the large land animals of the planet while mammals were confined, but with the disappearance of the dinosaurs there were new opportunities for mammals and evolution did not waste any time producing larger ones.

Because of this catastrophe, evolution embarked on a course which, 65 million years later, led to us. We are the beneficiaries of Armageddon.

Innovation U.S.A

2009-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Cool technology right here in the U.S.A. Transparent solar panels that can be infused into windows, perhaps even car windshields? Indeed, this technology basically sucks right now, but by failure we learn success, yes?

Also, as ethanol and other bio fuels are becoming less of a viable option (they end up doing more harm than good unfortunately) - biomass is making some gains. Do a google search for biomass if you want to know more about it and keep an ear out in the political world.

We can become the leader again in innovation and research, just make sure your politicians stay on message.

John McCain and Senator Graham are right

2009-05-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

I hardly agree with Republicans on issues of "terror" and how to protect this country, but Senator Graham & John McCain are right on the way to handle Guantanamo and how to move forward.

I got caught up in watching CSPAN the other night and Senator Graham and others were discussing Guantanamo. And the main point he and I agree on is that the prison should close, we should move on and not prosecute for waterboarding. I do not doubt, however, that waterboarding is torture, but that is a completely seperate issue.

The full Op/Ed piece with Senator McCain is here

One point he completely misses though: He states that 1 in 10 enemies that are released are back fighting us again. But the issue is: Did we create that enemy via the torture and injustice or were they already an enemy?

And he admits that the "net" of what was an "enemy combatant" was too broad, so bascially yes, we captured some innocent people, tortured them, found out they weren't Al Queda, let them go and now 1 in 10 of them want to kill us.

But I do admit Democrats seem to forget that if these prisoners ARE Al Queda or have shot at American troops, well sorry, but they don't get to be free.

-

Vandals!!!

2009-05-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

So I live in like one of the safest north Californian cities... and like not even 6 months into living here, my car window gets smashed and some dumbass takes an obsolete cellphone/charger/ "holder w/suction cup" worth probably about $15 brand new. But since said dumbass was obviously mentally retarded, he (or she) ripped the device too hard and the fucking idiot broke it and left important parts of it behind. Ya know, parts of it that make the device work and stuff.

I'm sure it'll go for maybe 2 or 3 dollars on the black market....So, nice snag Mr. Shitface! Ya, cost me $150 for new window because you have no idea how to use a "slim jim"? (Ever have to call AAA?)

Perhaps you were desperate to impress your shitty, lumpy, bucktooth-girlfriend. You wanted to show her you got 'dem big muscles that can go "smash!" and break big car window for shiny object!

For 6 years this device rode on top of my dashboard, parked in parts of L.A. you only hear about on the late night news segments... yet, no one ever tried to snake the device. I wonder, is it because the best of the criminals can spot when something worth taking is worth the risk of getting caught?

This leads me to believe that my new northern California city is not "super-safe" and the criminals aren't "super-smart" and eat shit for lunch. -

And now random thoughts...

2009-05-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

I don't care what you think about steroid use and all the controversies surrounding baseball and other sports. But one thing I just don't understand. Why, if you make 25 million dollars per year, do you not have a personal "drug-bodyguard" that has the MLB drug policy handbook memorized, come with you everywhere you go? -- Manny Ramirez took some prescribed non-steroid, sexual enhancer substances that were banned by Major League Baseball because they can cause an increase in testosterone.
Punishment vs. Education. I wonder sometimes if the citizens that want harsher penalties for breaking the law understand that sometimes people just don't know what the damn law is. For instance, a big push for harsher "distraction" penalties while driving is being discussed. What the hell is considered a "distraction" -- I hardly hear anyone say the blanket statement, "If you aren't looking ahead, at your mirrors, over your shoulder or at your gauges, then you are distracted." Instead of that sentence, we get all these confusing laws like, GPS devices are OK but only in the left front corner drivers side of the car (How is anyone supposed to know this law?), Cell phones are okay only with bluetooth, no texting, but typing a phone number is okay (How is a cop supposed to tell the difference? Stare at you for awhile? What if I keep typing the phone number wrong because I'm driving a damn car!) Personally you either make a blanket law...or you MUST educate the public and make it clear what the hell you want... Using government to punish (including first-time offenders) instead of educate does more harm than good.
After watching the latest attack on Obama for using "elitist mustard" on his burger, I truly believe this will divide the Republican party more than Ron Paul ever could. This type ridiculousness is one of the reasons I left the party years ago. I truly wish Hannity and the like were only kidding, but they aren't and that's just sad... On a bloggier note: LYT from LYTrules says: "I guess after the last election they do have to play ketchup..."
If Chinese, Vietnamese or Japansese do it to Americans, it's torture; if Americans do it to others, it's "harsh interrogation."
Why does Jewel look like she's gagging when she sings? Perhaps even she can't stand her songs.
Bill O'Reilly makes it very difficult to like him. Personally I think Bill can be genuinely funny at times, some of his shctick when he makes the late night rounds is pretty good. Then I watch "The Factor" and he turns into this arrogant, unfunny, winey, bigot, wannabe and I wonder if Fox News pushes him to be "entertaining"? Maybe if he gets a show on a cable station instead of a Fox News, then he can be more relaxed? Perhaps that show could be to the right, what Jon Stewart is to the left? But first he needs to rid himself of the stink that is Fox "news".
Speaking of Fox. I grew up watching the fledging Fox channel, it had some of the best shows on Television: In Living Color, Married w/Children & The Simpsons to name a few. Whenever I turned to Fox, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. Fox was like the default channel if nothing was on. Now, besides The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad , I rarely switch it to Fox. I'm not an American Idol fan since it turned into a soap opera and I watched "24" until it too, succumbed to soap opera style antics. Since alot of shows are popular on Fox, I must ask myself, are my tastes changing or is it the shows?
"Since viruses, like swine flu, get to be potentially deadly because they "evolved," if you don't believe in evolution and you get it, you have to pray it away. You can't crap all over Darwin and stem cell research and global warming and then come crawling back to science when you want Tamiflu. That's for us sinners. And, by the way, intelligence-challenged members of the mainstream media, creationism and Darwinism are not "opposing but equally legitimate theories" to be treated as such. This flu virus didn't make the leap from pigs to humans because God felt like fucking with Mexicans. It happened because, like I said, viruses adapt to survive. Just like all other organisms on Planet Earth. With the possible exception of the Republican National Committee." - Bill Maher

The Dark Knight from the 60s

2009-05-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

In summary... Small Wonder

2009-05-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

In “Small Wonder”, author Barbara Kingsolver writes about the many problems genetic engineering causes. In addition, she writes of the misinterpretation of theories and science, and the ignorance of our “sound bite” culture.

Charles Darwin’s theory was little more than four things:
1. Every organism produces more seeds or offspring than will survive to adulthood.
2. There is a variation among these seeds or offspring.
3. Traits are passed down from one generation to the next.
4. In each generation, the survivors succeed because they possess some advantage over the ones that don’t succeed. Therefore, they will pass on the advantage to the next generation.

Some people are ignorant too two things: one, they forget Charles Darwin was a religious man and two, what the word “theory” actually means. Gravity is a theory too, and is no more doubted among physicists than evolution is questioned by biologists. But oddly enough, a number of states have limited or even outright banned the teaching of evolution in high schools mostly due to the insecurities of certain ideologues. Certainly we should see the same bans on gravity?

Scientific illiteracy in our population is leaving too many of us unprepared to understand much of the damage we are wreaking on our atmosphere, our habitat, and even the food that enters our mouths. Darwin simply said, “Survival carries fitness forward and death doesn’t”, where is the religion in such statements? Religion has no place in the science classroom. Rather, its place is in the hearts of the men and women who study and then practice scientific exploration.

Genetic diversity is the root of everything. Nikolai Vavilov, a plant explorer founded the world’s largest seed collection. He noticed genetic variation was not evenly distributed around the world. The crops we now grow in the United States are extremely uniform genetically, due to the fact that our agriculture is controlled primarily by a few large agricultural corporations that sell relatively few varieties of seeds, which is why our shallow gene bank is highly vulnerable. The industrialized world depends entirely on crops and cultivation practices imported from what we now call the Third World (though it was the actually the First).

Magic Wheat, by special arrangement with the U.S. government, is free. Magic Wheat grows well the first year but attracts a startling number of pests. So farmers purchase pesticide by the same company that gave them the free seeds. But borrow the money from next year’s harvest. During the second year however, a drought is seen and the crops don’t survive. The reason is that seeds sold from America are not genetically fit to survive the Ethiopian drought.

To diversify, seeds must be grown out as crops year after year or they will die, as was the case during the infamous potato famine in Ireland. The entire country relied on a single genetic strain of a food crop instead of many genetically diverse strains that could survive different conditions.

Genetic engineering spliced part of a bacterium’s DNA into a corn plant’s DNA chain, so that as the corn grew, each of its cells would contain the bacterial function of caterpillar killing. As a result, the populations of monarch butterflies are plummeting fast. If butterflies are not your fancy, just wait awhile, because something that pollinates your food and builds the soil underneath it may also be slated for extinction.

The only organisms that survive these genetic modifications are those that are superresistant, in exactly the same way that overexposure to antibiotics is facilitating the evolution of antibiotic resistant diseases in humans. And the gene manipulations in corn unexpectedly created some antigens to which some humans are allergic.

Most people know by now that corporations do only what’s best for their quarterly bottom line. But other countries are beginning to ban highly profitable “terminator technology” which cause plants to kill their own embryos so no viable seeds will survive for a farmer to replant in the next generation (meaning he’d have to buy new ones, of course).

The author ends the piece by saying, “I’m a scientist who thinks it wise to enter the doors of creation not with a lion tamer’s whip and chair, but with the reverence humankind has traditionally summoned for entering places of worship, a sacred grove, as ancient as time.”

Two Thumbs Up!

2009-05-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

Really surprised to read a very nice piece from Roger Ebert's views on his own mortality.

Snippets:

"I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear. I hope to be spared as much pain as possible on the approach path. I was perfectly content before I was born, and I think of death as the same state."

"This has been an education for me. No one will read all the comments except me, but if you did, you could learn all a layman should be expected to understand about the quantum level. You would discover a defender of Intelligent Design so articulate that when he was away for a couple of days, the Darwinians began to fret and miss him. You would have the mathematical theory of infinity explained so that, while you will still be unable to conceive of infinity, you will understand the thinking involved."

"I was told that I was an atheist. Or an agnostic. Or a deist. I refused all labels. It is too easy for others to pin one on me, and believe they understand me. I am still working on understanding myself."

"But certainly, some readers have informed me, it is a tragic and dreary business to go into death without faith. I don't feel that way. "Faith" is neutral. All depends on what is believed in. I have no desire to live forever. The concept frightens me. I relate it to the horror of the hero of Poe's The Premature Burial. To be in your grave and know it! Ah, but I am told, the afterlife does not involve time at all. In that case, how can it be eternal? Eternity is only thinkable in a universe that contains time."

"Kindness" covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. Kindness is why I vote liberal and not conservative--but let's not go there, not today. I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime."

Hash it out!

2009-05-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. This has to be a joke. Pinch me, please:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today it is "time for debate" about legalizing marijuana for recreational use in California as support grows nationwide for relaxing pot laws. Full story here

I am overjoyed at this bill introduced by California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano: "a bill to regulate marijuana like alcohol, with people over 21 years old allowed to grow, buy, sell and possess cannabis - all of which is barred by federal law."

Besides the age restriction and decriminalization here are some main points of the law:

To raise funds and to discourage substance abuse by the imposition of a substantial fee on the legal sale of marijuana, the proceeds of which will support drug education and awareness.
To impose a set of regulations and laws concerning marijuana comparable to those imposed on alcohol.
To impose substantial fines for violations of the noncommercial regulations and laws concerning marijuana, which will be applicable until and after commercial marijuana is available by virtue of future changes in federal law.

He took the words right out of my mouth: REGULATION!

To sell it, you must be a business, apply for a license and succumb to a background check. Think liquor store locked-shelf next to the Jim Bean, not a backyard near you.

Then, we can do what we do with Alcohol and Smoking and educate ALL citizens that it is NOT a safe substance and it CAN lead to addiction, cancer and other ailments similar to smoking cigarettes.

I can guarnatee you this bill will FAIL. BUT the good news is the Republican Governor is somewhat behind the idea...and if not with this bill, eventually this type of thing will pass.

-

Banned in the U.K.

2009-05-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

Wow, I thought it was only me and most liberals that couldn't tolerate far-right wing nut jobs... But the entire country of the U.K agrees.

"Individuals banned from the UK for stirring-up hatred have been named and shamed for the first time, the Home Secretary announced today."

The list is here

I guess the U.K. is one less place we can send these bigots... and Canada/Mexico are too close..Perhaps they'd feel at home some place in the Saudi Arabia, ya know with the other religious extremists and radical fundamentalists.

-

And now random thoughts...

2009-05-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Don't think the Dems have everything going for them. The Supreme Court still has the Republican majority as shown in their latest decision to uphold regulation of TV, straight down party lines. Repubs 5, Dems 4 - Personally we spend way too much time censoring boobs and f-words...and not enough time censoring gun battles, blood and violence. But it's good to know the checks and balances of our 3-tier governmental system is finally working again. (hint: the past 8 years, each tier has been held by a republican majority, basically eradicating any checks and balances our system desperately needs)
Let's keep it in perspective people: The "regular" flu kills on average 36,000 Americans each year. What's the "swine flu" at? 5? If you are not super old or super young, you'll be fine. Another reason I don't want to arm people in this country unless they prove they aren't panicky and nutty like these "wine"-flu-nut jobbers.
This stuff's been on my mind lately:
"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." Abraham Lincoln (1809-65), U.S. President.Speech, 18 Dec. 1840, to Illinois House of Representatives
"The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this." Albert Einstein, "My First Impression of the U.S.A.", 1921
Mark Twain, Letter to the Alta Californian newspaper, May 28, 1867: "Prohibition only drives drunkenness behind doors and into dark places, and does not cure it, or even diminish it."
Harry Anslinger got Congress to make marijuana illegal. Anslinger, who as America's first drug "czar" marched into minority communities much as other "leaders" were doing in Europe at the same time, testified before Congress: "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others." While other racist gunmen of 1937 such as Hitler and Mussolini, along with their political legacies, have been rejected and buried, the legacy of Harry Anslinger lives on as official U.S. government policy.
And here's the list of Republican obsessions since Obama took office: his birth certificate is fake; he uses a teleprompter too much; he bowed to a Saudi guy; Europeans like him; he gives inappropriate gifts; and his wife shamefully flaunts her upper arms. Oh, and he shook hands with Hugo Chavez and even accepted a book from him! Rubbing conservative noses in the fact that our new president can read! - Bill Maher
The real NRA "nut" says: "If the government can take our guns, then after that they can take our freedoms." But what happened with the Patriot Act was the government said: "No, no, no. Keep the guns, just give us the freedoms." And they said: "We get to keep the guns!" They just really want the guns, so they can protect the guns. - Dana Gould
Conservatives almost by definition are the reactionary party, we [liberals] charge ahead, we do things, we probably go a little to far, then the conservatives come in and don't do anything for awhile. - Howard Dean

And now random thoughts...

2009-04-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

The "MMA" must officially change it's name to "Extreme Kick-boxing". What happened to all these fights? I thought they were supposed to be the "anti"-boxing?
If you've seen less than 3 episodes of a tv show, your opinion on it doesn't count.
What a concept...The not-so-beautiful have talent too. As shown by web sensation Susan Boyle.
Yo Mac users, the reason your systems "don't get viruses" has to do with the fact that no hacker is gonna spend time creating a virus that effects 1% of the world. You aren't "immune" to viruses! Just immune from popularity! If Mac OS X ran on 99% of computers like Windows does, you'd be just as screwed. Get over it.
Funny how Apple promotes this "virus-free" fact by basically saying: "Our product is so unpopular that no one even bothers trying to mess with it. Enjoy!"
The below quote is by a liberal talking about the new "decal" law in New Jersey which would require under 21 drivers to place a Velcro sticker labeled "NOVICE DRIVER" on the back of cars they drive.: "No issue is more important than protecting our children...we need to take every step possible to make it something that doesn't occur in the future.
These types of quotes to me are too close to the messages of fear and panic that the "other" side likes to sling from time to time.
When someone says: "Your either with the U.S or against the U.S". Meaning if you disagree with me (or even my methods) than you are my enemy, or un-American, or un-Patriotic. That is also fascist speak.
And when ultimatums are played out, fascism seeps in.
It is this "Black and White" world of scare tactics that I despise from both political parties.
Let Texas and Alaska succeed. Then use the military they've paid so hard to keep and completely annihilate them.
I just remembered something interesting. I heard the following dialogue from a daytime talkshow a couple months ago.

SHOW SUBJECT: "Bad Girls"

HOST: "Does anyone have a really nasty story about something they did?"
GUEST: (young blonde girl) "One time, I was in this bar and this dude in a wheelchair rolled in my way. I was sooo mad, because I was obviously going that way, so I kicked his chair and pushed him out of my way..."
AUDIENCE: "Ooooooo..."
HOST: "Why would you do that?"
GUEST: "I mean, it was like, he was in my way, it wasn't because he was in a chair. I mean ...if he was a real person, I'd do the same to them."
HOST: "Either way, it's still bad behavior"
END SCENE

The intereting thing to me, was that no one cared, or seemed to think anything was wrong with the fact that this blonde girl thinks people in wheelchairs aren't "real people".

Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

2009-04-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

So, here it is; the ubiquitous gun control post. Yes, we all know of the 10yr anniversary of Columbine and the tragic, unbelievable murder-count by armed-to-the-teeth teens blastin’ unarmed people up and down the school halls. And we all know of both sides of the gun control argument. SIDE A: Columbine proves that gun control doesn’t work. SIDE B: Columbine proves we need more gun control.

We’ll I’d like to go ahead and add my flavor of political spew into the pit. Mine may seem a mix of both sides. So here it is.

First and foremost, I am not against guns, nor do I think they should be illegal. And I fine with hunting, as long as it’s under the guidelines set forth by the environment protection agency. But unlike NRA members, I do not wish for a complete regulation-free society of gun ownership.

A gun can be as deadly as car, as easy to use as a forklift, as dangerous as piloting airplanes, and as fun as teaching skydiving…. And all those things require training, licenses and for the individual to reach a certain age. And so should gun ownership. I do not trust 12 year olds driving cars, operating machinery, or drinking alcohol, so why should I trust them with a weapon? (And I don’t care that you “taught” your child how to use a weapon properly. I’ve seen kids wreck the shit out of stuff their parents taught them to use.) Bottom line: until your kid can drive, I don't trust him/her with a weapon.

Secondly, why the hell would I ever trust you with a weapon?

How do I know you ain’t gonna snap? And instead of throwing dirt in my eye, you pull out your trusty sidearm and blast me away. Or perhaps, you’re drunk at a bar and decide to make someone “dance” like they did in the cowboy days. Or perhaps you are N.Y. Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, yet it’s MY leg you accidentally shoot.

I barely trust you to operate a vehicle. I’ve been cut off by you in traffic, I’ve seen you run red lights, I’ve seen you jump curbs, drive too fast, drive too slow, take illegal u-turns, run into bicyclists, run over mailboxes. I’ve stood behind you in line at the supermarket watching you lollygag your way through the checkout. I’ve seen you block entire aisles at the supermarket, I’ve seen you pick fights, do drugs, hit women, create panic and much more “gunless” activity.

Those are the people we want carrying weapons? Without strict licensing, training and regulations? I’d rather take my chances, unarmed, against a lone gunman, than a room full of panicky, trigger-happy, untrained cowboys and cowgirls.

The lone gunman scenario, ala Columbine, happens on average about once a year, to about 30-100 unfortunately unarmed souls. But annually the United States has more than 12,000 gun related murders, not counting accidentally maimings and other secondary shootings. (I would guess that accidental gun shootings numbers per year are higher than the lone-gunman numbers.) You are more likely to get accidentally shot than shot by a lone gunman. (More chance of winning the lottery as well) And we are worried about the next Columbine? It’s purely numbers.

Now imagine if more idiots were allowed guns, those numbers would increase even more. Shit, by the numbers, I’m worried that my untrained, unlicensed, armed neighbor is gonna have a bad day, not some kid at a school.

So to sum up: I just don’t trust you with a weapon, unless the following criteria are met:

#1: Age restrictions
#2: Obtain a License
#3: Proper Training
#4: Retests and yearly evaluations
#5: Armed, highly trained officers on campuses.

With these 5 steps in place, I’d be glad to have you over for tea and target practice. Otherwise, I’m taking my chances with the lone gunman.

-

Fresh air..

2009-04-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh... Smell that fresh air? As the stench of fascism from the last 8 years fades away...

CIA bars contractors from doing interrogations.
CIA says shuttering detention "black sites"
Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage rights a step closer in District of Columbia
EPA finds greenhouse gases pose a danger to health
Our goal is to rebuild a Wall Street which is not based on greed, irresponsibility and illegal behavior. – Sen. Bernie Sanders
If you're looking to TV commentators of any sort to predict or solve our problems, you're looking in the wrong place. – Erin Burnett
This country has been crumbling not just for the last ten years, and not just under Bush, but for a long time we've ignored all these problems because we bought big-screen TVs and jet skis. – Bill Maher "The splurge is working!"

A science revolution is finally coming as well, especially since China looks to expand stake in stem cell technology - we are decades behind in the most science technology due to the war on science the last few years.

And Obama plans for a high-speed train service that will rival Japan and basically all of Europe! To good to be true.

Plus much needed ideas and spending in education.

Making progress in science, research, technology, & innovation is truly the only way to keep America safe, worthy, out-of-debt, and the pride of the world.

Brokeback education...

2009-04-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

For the first time in 10 years, I have less than $100 bucks in the bank...

but luckily we have a liberal president...I can't wait to spend your hard earned money on crack and bullets.

-

Our cover is blown!

2009-04-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

"Since Glenn Beck is clearly onto us, liberals must launch our plan for socialist domination immediately. Listen closely, comrades. I've received word from General Soros and our partners in the U.N. "Operation Streisand" is a 'go.' Marcos Moulitsas, you and your DailyKos-controlled army of gay Mexican day laborers will join forces with Michael Moore's Prius-tank division. North of Branson where you will seize the guns of everyone who doesn't blame America first, forcing them into the FEMA concentration camps! That's where ACORN and I will re-educate them as atheists and declare victory in the war on Christmas!" - Bill Maher

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Sell Phone

2009-04-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Windows Mobile 6.1 is the worst piece of crap cell phone operating system ever. Period.

I’ve been a Palm user (palm’s operating system) since the early 00’s. I started with a PDA (no phone) for calendar, voice memo, and notes, mostly. Then merged the two devices in my pocket into one with the Treo 680

The Treo 680 - an unlocked “World Phone” that I can use in any country in the world; just need a sim card. I’ve installed Tom Tom maps and the phone connects to an external GPS device via Bluetooth. Unlike most GPS phones today, it does NOT need an active data connection for GPS to work. This is still a HUGE advantage as I can travel off the cell phone grid, with no data or cell service and still use the GPS software. This is TRUE GPS, not “assisted GPS (aGPS)”, like most every other phone (including the iPhone). Imagine if you went on a hike with your “assisted GPS” phone and were out of cell phone range and got a bit lost. You take out your trusty aGPS phone and open your favorite map/locator program to guide you back to civilization… But to no avail, there is no cell phone service, meaning the aGPS phone cannot download your location (also called a “fix”) – So you’re still lost, but at least you can play solitaire before you’re eaten by mountain lions.

Anyways, besides the true GPS functionality of the Treo 680, it had everything else a tech nerd needed. Voice memo was a must (and surprisingly vacant from most other phones), Exchange server compatibility, Remote Desktop support (via third party software), Bluetooth headset support, physical keyboard, hardkeys, sd card support, and plenty of available third party downloadable software to boot.

After switching to Sprint’s network, I had to shelve the 680 since Sprint doesn’t utilize SimCards and got the Palm Centro as an interim step to me getting a Windows Mobile phone.

So why was I moving away from Palm and moving to a Windows Mobile Phone? Well frankly Palm, has been notoriously slow in adopting new technologies. Bluetooth 2.0 support = nope, GPS integration = nope, standard peripherals = nope, stereo Bluetooth (AD2P for you tech nerds) = nope. Plus the Palm’s CPU’s have been infamously slow, their operating system was simple and unimagined, their screens were itty bitty, and they all weighed a ton. I also wanted a phone that was “more” compatible for windows machines. Since I’m a tech support specialist, I manage a couple Windows Servers and about 30 desktops and needed to control and utilize much of these systems remotely. I also use Windows as my home machine and have two windows laptops. And the Palm was far from perfect in compatibility with those systems (although still better than many other mobile phones)

So, I waited nearly a 6 years for the right windows mobile device, the HTC Touch Pro. Its windows, so it should be compatible with all other windows devices and pretty much have everything you’d expect a windows device to have…. Right?

Well to my surprise, it barely has more than the Palm had. NO remote desktop support, voice memo support is awkward and basically unusable, no java support, notes were difficult, most everything required two hands and the stylus, … and the most important is… the user interface of a windows mobile phone perhaps is the most un-intuitive, unimaginable, hard-to-use with one hand piece of crap that I’ve ever seen. I thought Blackberry devices were difficult to use, but this takes the cake. Why would the “close” button be the tiniest “x” in the far TOP right hand corner? I cannot close one single damn program without taking out my stylus and carefully pressing the exact 1 millimeter “x” to close it.

And why close a program? Windows Mobile device are multi-threaded so you can use a bunch of programs at once, right? Well, basically all the programs I open STAY open and drain the battery and I don’t wanna carry around 30 extra batteries. And since other users have complained about this, Microsoft has responded with the excuse: “Users don’t wanna be bothered with managing their own applications/memory” – Completely missing the point once again.

So, I spent hours searching for a software workaround that would allow me to close a program differently. I found something that allows me to map a hard key to the close function. Let’s just say, it ain’t perfect, and still sucks.

Other crappy windows mobile things: the start menu is useless, the built in calendar is the most worthless, horrible design ever, the keylock is absolutely pointless, you have to “turn-off” the device to protect from “pocket calls” unless you purchase worthless keylocking software. If the device is off, it doesn’t show the time on the screen, you need to turn on your device for that. (could be hardware limitations) Plus ActiveSync is absolutely ridiculously the worst syncing software ever imagined and works 50% of the time. Never have I spent more time customizing and finding workarounds for a device to work with other systems by the same designer. And, of course, windows mobile doesn’t work with any Apple machine. (not a big deal, plus still a minus)

So what’s the good? The keyboard for one, the screen for two, the built in GPS, and the mobile Outlook. And only one of those things can be attributed to the windows mobile operating system.
Obviously I’m moving back to Palm… But will the “Pre” do it for me or will Palm once again omit much needed features?

-

Seperate but equal

2009-04-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

After having his veto overturned by Vermont's senate, the governor of Vermont wrote:

"Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples."

If ya don't remember, separate but equal civil rights was tried in Americas past and didn't work then and won't work now. Quit trying to justify it. We are a progressive country that seeks to move forward with civil rights, not backward.

Plus utilizing two parallel forms of government costs taxpayers more money. So there!

-

And now random thoughts...

2009-04-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Beyonce isn't denying she took most of her dance from the hit song "Single Ladies" from Fosse. but some people in the comments of the Youtube seem to think she's stealing... To me, this is the way of arts & entertainment, people borrow, sample, remake, and are inspired by others work. I don't see what the stiff is about.
It's an eerie feeling to know that people actually treat Glen Beck/Rush Limbaugh's spew about socialism, gun-control and individual liberties as prophecy. It's just another fear tactic that ruins lives , kills innocent officers and citizens. Expect more of these stories as people continue to listen to hate speech, loose their jobs due to deregulation of greed, and have a legal right to use and obtain firearms at any age.
I find it funny that "news" stations like MSNBC, FOXNEWS, etc are forced to be amusing while they deliver the news. It's not good enough that commentators inject their stupid opinions into news stories, we want them to jump around like monkeys while doing it. Are these news stations trying to compete with variety TV shows like Jon Stewart, Late Night shows and Daytime talk?
We've introduced more than just troops into Iraq, we've introduced the American way.
The conversations I have with myself are more interesting than the conversations I have with some teenagers. Now, get off my lawn!
"Prejudice, egotism, hatred, contempt, disdain, are the enemies of truth and progress." -Robert Green Ingersoll (1897) - Wow, truth be told, even over 100 years ago.
Holy Dickens the FDA now has regulatory power over some greed. Cigarette companies may finally get regulated! (like most other already countries do --- can you believe that we don't?) Tis' a good day for America.
"Hospitals and Doctors are mostly in the health repair business, not the health care business." - Joe Clopton, Teacher

-

And now random thoughts...

2009-03-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

Drummer Ulrich from Metallica said the following about their latest Guitar Hero deal: "It seemed like the next step -- a whole other platform for musicians to reach an audience. If we talk about this in five years, I think it will turn into an expected way to release an album," -- To those old enough to remember Napster vs. Metallica, it seems Ulrich has learned from his mistakes.
From Louis C.K. Comedy Album, Chewed Up: "Here's how great it is to be white. I can go to any time and it will be fucking awesome when I get there." Listen and watch to the full clip here. Also a 6 minute clip of Louis C.K doing his schtick, a must watch.
In the war for science and research, I ask a question, "Should we not give our scientists full access to the weaponry they need to do their job? Do substitutes or un-sound alternatives work the same? (like using adult stem cells instead of embryonic cells?) -- Do soldiers in Iraq get water-pistols instead of machine guns? Both are fighting a war in an effort to save American lives.. are they not?"
I had two nerdgasms today. #1 was at Best Buy after purchasing a new home router and #2 was a surprise while at Kinkos, who knew their self-serve copiers were so advanced?! Nerd heaven.

And now random thoughts...

2009-03-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

If I owned a gym, I would hook all the machines up to a battery bank and power my business off the customers' expended energy. We'd also serve refreshing coconut drinks. "Gilligan's Gym" coming soon near you.

I also want an easy way to transfer the energy I use on a daily basis to a battery bank or something similar. Maybe a mouse pad that runs a light from "friction power". Maybe all the doors have energy-stored hinges. Maybe the weight of my fat ass on my chair could somehow push down a lever that stores energy too.

There's this dude who pulled me aside about a month ago, after running into him on campus, to ask a question about our math class. I spent about 5 minutes helping the guy out. Anyways, before the next class meeting, I saw him in the hallway, so I gave the standard "head nod" to acknowledge his existence. He frowned, squinted and looked away. And made a face like he had no idea who I am. This behavior repeats before two more classes. I can give a shit-less about this dude's friendship, but I was merely being courteous.... Well, no more of that goody-two-shoes crap, this guy is gettin' the "stink eye" from here on out.

A while ago, after researching for months, I purchased a specific high-end backpack that could hold my 17" laptop with room to spare for an overnights worth of materials, plus room for books, notepads, etc. It's got all the bells and whistles you'd expect from an expensive niche "nerd-tech" backpack. Well after two months use, its got a tear along the zipper line of the main pouch (where the laptop goes) which basically makes it useless when it rains. I've check the warranty and 30 days is the max. I got totally screwballed.

I'm bored with Facebook already.

I guess I'm starting to show my age, because I'm bored with Twitter as well.

What's the deal with all the hype surrounding March Madness? I'm a sports fan, but I never can understand the college "hoopsla".

When Dwayne Johnson, dropped "The Rock" from his name, he shoulda also dropped "Dwayne" and "Johnson".

And now random thoughts...

2009-03-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

I met a girl who smelled like algae...

Yo! Old people. The jury isn't out on this "email thing", so please save me the tired ole' story that you aren't "into it" and you'd rather "LOL out loud" and to an actual person face to face. Puhlease realize that you no longer matter. Sorry to say it....but one day it'll happen to me too.

Along those lines, I say replace all dumb workers with robots, I'd get better service, a nicer demeanor, and no freakin' attitude. Yes, I said it...I'd rather have a conversation with a robot than certain individuals. Think ATM's, touchscreens at stores & self-checkout at grocery stores.

A global temperature rise of just three degrees would render the earth hotter than it has been at any point in the past two million years. Over these two million years the temperature has swung wildly, yet it has always remained with certain limits: the planet has often been colder than today, but rarely warmer, and then only slightly. By the end of this century temperatures will push beyond the envelope of natural climate variability.

As the new president gets comfy, we are beginning to see just how far behind the U.S is in science and research. It seems many other countries, with the luxury of stem cell research, are well ahead of us. Those countries may find cures to many life-threatening diseases (including diabetes) well before the U.S. Not to mention that Europe has been doing "clean energy" for decades. I'm sure they wouldn't mind selling the technology to us... or maybe we can just invade their country and steal it...that behavior isn't far off the path of America's past.

Conservative viewpoint = Fiscal anarchy. Social tyranny.

What's the lesson of Bernie Madoff? You can live a life of luxury till your too old to care about jail. Any takers?

Why is it surprising that a network like CNBC, tries to add entertainment value to their news reports? CNBC, like most media companies, work for a profit and ratings are the key to that profit. If talking very quietly and simply reading cue cards brought in the highest ratings, then they cwould ditch the loud mouth weirdo's like Jim Crammer. I don't understand why it's CNBC's fault for living the american dream. They aren't a non-profit company. Perhaps we need a publicly run news station that simply runs the news? Taxpayers, ya want it? Highly doubtful, I'm sure.

Stimuli

2009-03-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

From HBO's Bill Maher:

Republicans must stop pitting the American people against the government. Now, last week, we heard a speech from future Republican leader and present awkward douchebag Bobby Jindal. Now, Bobby said that government is lame, but Americans can do anything. And he kept repeating it: Americans can do anything; Americans can do anything. And then he clicked his heels and poof! there was just a cobra. I kid Bobby! Oh, please...He's actually quite charming in a "Revenge of the Nerds" kind of way.

And he began his speech last week with the story that every immigrant tells about going to an American grocery store for the first time and being overwhelmed with the endless variety on the shelves. And this was just a 7-Eleven. Wait until he sees a Safeway. You're wounded, I know. I'll make it up to you after the show.

The thing is that endless variety only exists because Americans pay taxes to a government which maintains roads, irrigates fields, oversees the electrical grid and everything else that enables the modern American supermarket to carry 47 varieties of frozen breakfast pastry.

Of course it's easy to tear government down. Ronald Reagan used to say, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language were, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" But, that was before, "I'm Sarah Palin, now show me the launch codes."

You know, the stimulus package was attacked as "typical tax-and-spend," you know, like repairing bridges is left-wing stuff. "Ooh, there the liberals go again, always wanting to get across the river."

Folks, the people are the government. The first responders who put out your fires? That's your government. The ranger who shoos pedophiles out of the park restroom. The postman who delivers your porn. I mean, how stupid is it when people say, "Oh, yeah, that's all we need, the federal government telling Detroit how to make cars, or Wells Fargo how to run a bank. You want them to look like the post office?" Yeah, I say.

You mean the place that takes a note in my hand in L.A. on Monday and gives it to my sisters in New Jersey on Wednesday for 42 cents? Well, let me be the first to say, I would be thrilled if America's health care system was anywhere near as functional as the post office.

Truth is, recent years have made me much more wary of government doing the opposite, of stepping aside and letting unregulated, private enterprise run things is plainly too greedy to trust with, like Wall Street, like rebuilding Iraq, like the way Republicans always frame the health care debate by saying, "Health care decisions should be made by doctors and patients, not government bureaucrats," leaving out the fact that health decisions aren't made by doctors, patients or bureaucrats. They're made by insurance companies.

Insurance companies, which are a lot like hospital gowns: chances are your ass isn't covered.

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Old but new...

2009-02-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

“No brutality, no infamy, no degradation in all the years of southern slavery, possessed such villainious character and such atrocious qualities as the provision of the laws of Illinois, Massachusetts, and other states which allow [gay marriage]…It is subversive of social peace. It is destructive of moral supremacy… and will bring this nation a conflict as fatal as ever… Let us uproot and exterminate now this debasing, ultra-demoralizing, un-American and inhuman leprosy.”

In the quote above I have replaced some words with the phrase "gay marriage". The words removed from the original quote were "interracial marriage" spoken by a congressman in 1912, in front of an applauding Congress. The parallels of hatred and fear by today’s politicians are sad; as the same rhetoric is still used today.

"History is new people making the same mistakes."

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Cartoons

2009-02-26T12:42:00.000-08:00

I truly am behind free speech. I am 100% behind the idea that everyone has a right to their opinion, no one should be silenced......but (and of course there is always a but) if the speech is "hate speech" which invites violence against others...well, then it's the same as threatening someone, which we have laws against in this country...some call it "security", some call it "regulation"...

So look at these NY POST cartoons and judge for yourself where you stand on the issue.

(Personally, some of them are "fine", not funny, Don Rickles-type stuff, but others I find are plainly prejudiced and hateful)

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And now random thoughts...

2009-02-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

The Dark Knight hits 1 billion dollars worldwide. Still not the highest grossing movie of all-time next to Titanic, but Titanic is the only non-sequel/prequel on the top ten highest gross list. That is a huge exception. Imagine if "Titanic 2: the search for Jack" made a billion dollars.
Publicly funded family planning prevents nearly 2 million unintended pregnancies and more than 800,000 abortions in the United States each year, saving billions of dollars, according to new research intended to counter conservative objections to expanding the program. Full Story
Gov. Bobby Jindal politics now officially make him an 80yr-old man on botox. He may look young and fresh on the outside, but he's still out-of-touch, out-of-time and out-of-his mind. Nice try.
More specifically he sensationalized the maglev train from "Las Vegas to Disneyland", and "volcanic research", in an effort to spank the Democrats on "wasteful spending".
Innovation and science seem to dumbfound republicans: "How could a maglev train ever bring jobs? Magnets aren't even real! And volcanoes? Please! We already know about those crazy-hot mountains: it's where demons hide until Democrats are in power!
And what of the Democrats looking to secure our economy and nation through big government?! Us Republicans want small government to protect us! That's why we speak out against a bigger military....wait, I mean, small government besides the biggest government...wait, I mean 1 trillion in military spending in one year, wait, I mean more big government spending with less government people doing things themselves...I mean, more.... private.... companies...o..h......can't....compute....message....system er...rror... overload.....warning.......h...e....l...p.....send R...e...a...g...a...n

Too much...

2009-02-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

There is too much to discuss about the 11yr old boy tried as an adult in the killing of his dad's pregnant fiance with his "youth shotgun" so I won't sensationalize everything by bringing up "talking points" etc... BUT I do strongly believe that only adults should be allowed to use guns. Just the same as mature video games, cigarettes, alcohol, porn, and driving - there are some things that are for adults only. I have no idea why kids are allowed to use guns, please enlighten me.

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And now random thoughts...

2009-02-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

Teenagers for the most part have a "social education" - made up of speculation and interpretation of life as told through peers.

Obama's gonna have a much harder time f'ing up the country than Bush had.

Bush had everyone (lawmakers, courts, governors,) on his side for most of his 8 years of his presidency. He even had most of the public on his side for at least 5 years. It was only the last 3 years or so when everyone turned on him.

Obama has had 30 days as President and government is already turning on him.

Why didn't the wuss Democrats do the same to Bush after 30 days in office?

They just sat there and took it: "Hail Bush! Save us from all the foreigners! Save us from high gas prices. Save us from Al Gore and Bill Clinton! Save us from science and research!" The Dems were too scared to go against Dictator Bush and his army of social regulators and they continually funded the war in Iraq, so not to be labeled as "against the troops" and against America.

Why don't the Democrats play the same card and call governors that refuse the bailout and senators that voted against the stimulus package, as "against the citizens" of America.

Call them anti-American for disagreeing with the President, tap their phones, unveil agents that speak against the stimulus bill, add democrats to the supreme court and radio stations, speak mostly to other Democrats in the press, force publications to print pro-democrat speech --- oh wait, why be exactly like the last 8 years but simply flip the party? How 'bout something new, something fresh? "Move back to the center."

America tends to lean center-right on most everything and since the last eight years brought us so close to the far-right, Obama has to do ALOT of drastic moves just to get the pendulum back to the center-right.

It may take 3-4 years just to get things back towards the center. If he is re-elected then his second term would be pushing more towards center-left.

But he has a huge mountain of governors, senators and other lawmakers in his way, to climb back to center-right.

Good luck and if it don't work, just say what Bush said, "I inherited a debt from the previous administration." --- And basically take ZERO personal responsibility for any wrongdoing

A Kelloggs boycott?

2009-02-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

Have you been following the Phelphs marijuana fiasco?
Perhaps the news about Kelloggs and the salmonella in peanuts.

So it's time to do the one thing a consumer can do, boycott. I guess this is my declaration of a boycott of the Kelloggs corporation. I'm not gonna make T-shirts and bumper stickers, I'm not gonna send out mass emails to friends urging them to join my boycott and you won't see me on a street corner holding signs.

This is simply a personal decision based on my research into the Kelloggs corporation and how they conduct business. Kelloggs makes a crap-load of products, but fortunately we live in a capitalist country where there is plenty of competition. I highly doubt I will have trouble without Kelloggs.

Kellogg Company’s brands include Kellogg’s®, Keebler®, Pop-Tarts®, Eggo®, Cheez-It®, Club®, Nutri-Grain®, Rice Krispies®, All-Bran®, Special K®, Mini-Wheats®, Chips Deluxe®, Sandies®, Morningstar Farms®, Famous Amos®, and Murray®.

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Are you for real?

2009-02-14T15:46:00.001-08:00

After work one day I made my way over to McDonalds to apply for a job. I simply wanted a weekend and/or a night job to supplement my salary position I already had. After a few hours behind the counter eating fries, the manager walks in and looks at the schedule. He's a tall, dark, slender fellow probably from India and he tells me there isn't anything available until the end of the month. Darn, I thought. I really wanted this job. I gather my things and say goodbye to some of the staff and leave.

I'm currently moving in to my new apartment although I have lived there before about 3 years ago. I thought it was interesting what my new manager told me on the phone during out initial conversion. She told me that alot has changed and be careful who you mess with. She mentioned that each complex (there were hundreds) housed a different form of creature and the simplest, most retched live close to "Z" complex. She asked me to stay near the "A" complex, the human complex.

I meet up with my sister just down the street and get into the passenger seat as we make our way to my new apartment. It wasn’t difficult to drive to the area since both of us lived in that city before, but once there, all the street signs were changed. The whole city got an upgrade and some streets no longer existed or were merged with other streets. We found a restaurant where my sister used to work and she went in to use the phone. As I walked around the building I realized, my apartment complex was directly behind it. Without hesitation, I went to a break in the chain link fence and was in a wooded area. I immediately regretted leaving my shoes in the car as I walked and hopped through dense branches and leaves.

Once out of the heavy brush, I dusted myself off and made way to the center of the complex. I immediately realized my mistake; I was at the dreaded, “Z” complex. Creatures of all types surrounded me, the most threatening was a creature that had human legs and a human head, his torso grew out of his legs and head about 3 feet horizontally and it connected to a second and third pair of legs at the end. The third pair of legs sat directly on the second pair of legs, but faced upwards. This creature was running, full-gallop, towards me, followed by a gaggle of creatures and robots. One type of robot had spinning arms that spun in circles not unlike lawn mowers blades. Another robot was very thin, made out of tent poles and his sidekick was another robot in the shape of a gigantic metal ball.

As I scampered away at breakneck speeds, I ran directly into another disheveled human-like creature. This creature had an over-sized head, no eyes, a bare-chested human torso, and legs with large feet—and he was profusely vomiting. The creature didn’t look away as he vomited; it seemed to be the way he breathed. I made the beast angry after I bumped into it, so it pushed me like a kid would on the playground.

I made my way up the alphabet, finally reaching “C” complex, where most of the creatures simply looked like cavemen. Some of them were angered by the sight of me, so they followed me intently towards complex “A”. I finally reached the human complex and started up the flight of the stairs towards my apartment. As I made it half way, I heard gun-fire erupt directly above me. It was a machine-gun turret setup to seek and kill all non-human creatures that got too close to the human complex. I noticed my neighbor sitting in an open window staring at the bloodied corpses at the bottom of the stairs. He was a heavy set dude, drinking beer, with only a tank top and boxer shorts on. He said under his breath, “Mother-fucking, nut-suckers…I ripped out my testicles so they have no interest in me.”

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Happy Birthday!

2009-02-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

There aren't many people that humans recognize 200 years after their birth, but today is the 200th birthday of two of the most influential people ever to walk the Earth.

*Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin*

Happy Birthday!

And now random thoughts...

2009-02-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

You don't realize how much you miss diversity when it's gone, and all that's left is the same ole' same ole'. I feel like I'm living in the twilight zone...everyone looks like me!

Why am I so good at things I hate, yet so bad at things I love.

It pretty much rules that I can schedule all these blogger posts for a future date. It's like TIVO for bloggers. Oh TIVO... How I miss thee!

It's the first time I've ever used PIP (picture-in-picture) on my TV, and yep.. it basically sucks. Does this function still exist on newer TV's?

I was a little "homesick" watching the superbowl alone. The past two years, I've spent it with a good friend LYT at another friends house, eating ribs and watchin' the game on super-high def. I might have to save up for a weekend trip next year.

Obama EXPANDS GOVERNMENT! But, it's the kind of government that the right likes. Take a guess: either faith-based or military based. Expansion of government? How dare he! What's next, giving states more rights?

I have a ruler that's stamped, "Toys for Tots". I didn't know charities have advertising budgets. Oh wait, I just googled it and it's a Marine Corp thing. Weird.

I really like Elizabeth Banks. I can't remember anything I've seen her in though. I heard her Laura Bush was good. She seems like a really sweet, caring, fun person and has a great laugh. Hmmm... I smell a stalking!

Mattstradamus on the prowl again, I suggested in this post that some unregulated private businesses can care less about their customers as long as they continue to make profit and as it turns out, I was right. The peanut scare was due to some dumb ass greed corrupted business. Yes, it looks like they will get procecuted, but a little late, damage has been done. Hopefully we'll get the right laws in place to keep this from happening again.

Michael Phelphs will never live down this marijuana rap, especially since most comedians are hungry for a new patsy now that Bush has left. Leave the guy alone. Ridiculous. Would the same fallout come from a night of beer drinking?

If you say something to the effect of: "Well, of course I'd be lazy if the government paid for everything." Then, I'm more disappointed in you than the people that need welfare.

More Fresh Air:

Two of the most important women's-rights-related bill-signings in the past few years.
#1 - The Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003:

#2: The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009:
Thnks to Feminste.

More Fresh Air continued:
Obama sets more standards for mecury emissions from power plants. Yah!

Excesses...

2009-02-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Cigarettes are legal...
Alcohol is legal...
Firearms are legal...
Strippers are legal...
Skydiving is legal...
Sex is legal...
Gambling...pretty much legal...

So those against decriminalization of marijuana and other drugs, I beckon you: "Do you wish for the above to be illegal as well?" I can't figure this one out, folks...

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I predict...

2009-02-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

That the economy will get much worse in the next 6months to a year with or without the current Obama bailout, no duh... but when it does get worse, all republicans will point to Obama and his bailout as the reason. All democrats will continue to point at the Bush "wake" as the cause.. And not much will get solved.

It will take at least 2 years before anything Congress allows Obama to do, to have an impact - and if the republican minority continues to block democrats from their "turn at the economy" it will not get better, then by 2010 republicans will regain seats because they will convince the naive public that Obama didn't do anything.

The one "hope" I have, is that Obama can utilize the biggest power a president has: the power to persuade.

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Is greed surprising to you?

2009-02-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

Record advertising sales for the super bowl.
Wall Street gets record bonuses.
Lobbyists get record money.
The largest ever annual profit by a publicly listed company.
And another oil record profit here.
U.S. Steel posts record profits.
A hospital posts record gain.
Commerce Bank reports record profits.
Florida power and light company record profits.

Man, the list just keep going and going. Sure, these record profits are matched by record declines but this is where capitalism fails I believe. Just as most of the nation and it's people are collapsing, an elite few are making more money than ever before. And save for Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, they aren't giving back to the people that made them the richest people ever to exist on the planet. This is fiscal anarchy. This is bi-polar capitalism. This is failure. This is treason.

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Bad Business

2009-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

According to some estimates, we'll be outta oil in like 100 years or something. so if the car companies don't adjust their business model, they will cease to be exist. And what of the Oil Companies? Sell insurance?

Ford's first car was built 106 years ago, sorry to say their business isn't sustainable on oil for the next 106 years. Fairly simply answer for Ford (and the like)... "change or close up shop". Or get bailed out and be forced to change I guess.

On a similar note: A democrat breaking up a federal law and allowing states to use their reserved powers to govern? Not in America, right? Well, believe it or not, it's true. Obama gives states the right to decide on their own about emission control. I doubt he'll get any props from the Repubs though.

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Security & Regulations

2009-01-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

We've heard alot about "safety and security" of America in the last 8 years and what I can surmise from it all is that some people are really afraid of the "end of days" scenario: Ya' know, what Bush said, "The smoking gun in the form of a mushroom cloud". (On a side note, he meant our enemies right? Not us pushing the button?) So we must protect our country from being captured, which, based on land mass, would take about 7 Hitlers. (Also, America has about 100 million more people than if you combined all populations of the countries that Hitler took over.) So it's seems impossible for a take-over by anyone except maybe China, but even the mighty China would have a tough time getting over here. But, I guess it's the fear of the unknown and the fear of that "end of days" scenario that keeps Bush and his ideology intact. (Not the "end of days" from the Bible, mind you, because that would be a triumphant day! Just make sure we protect Israel, or the prophecy won't come true!)

I don't subscribe to the "capture and command" theories of ole'. But I can at least see a bit of sense in the mushroom-cloud scenario. But my take on that situation is simple; if it happens I’d be dead anyways so why live in a prison today? When I say prison, of course, I mean all my freedoms relinquished, all my choices squashed and my own health issues are too expensive to fix, like prison minus the rape.

I would rather take a chance that every 40 years something real bad is gonna happen on American soil cuz on the grand scheme of things terrorism is on the bottom of the list of stuff that’s gonna kill me in the next 40 years.

I’m more worried about the drunk guy next door; he could snap and kill me with his legally obtained firearms. Perhaps he doesn’t like my guitar playing? Whose to stop HIM from killing me? Who’s gonna stop the drunk driver, the smoker, the robber, the mentally-ill and most importantly, the greedy? The troops? The surge?

A good start is Obama, someone that truly understands that homeland security starts WITHIN the country first. It’s got “homeland” in the name, ya know. And what is the best weapon against all of life’s evils? REGULATION

Regulation is everywhere you look: smoking & alcohol regulations, nutritional & FDA regulations, driving regulations, clothing regulations, firearm regulations, flying regulations and on and on... We have regulations for just about everything in our daily lives, just think about everything you touch, eat or see. It probably had some committee behind it, which found the most efficient and safest way to release it into the public.

Regulations are there to protect you from yourself. We as humans assume some level of safety in our everyday lives. For instance, I don't test the food I eat for disease. I expect it to be safe but it takes regulations of the agriculture and food industry on a national level. Should I be expected to do my own bacteria testing? And when an outbreak occurs, should I expect the for-profit companies, like Kellogs or McDonalds to be on my side? Or will they just play the blame game until the storm has settled? You’d be surprised that our government has very little say in the private food industry, sure they can “strongly advise” a private company to recall, but that’s about it.

When I drive my car, I expect it to be as safe from defects and safe in accidents. That takes regulations of safety standards for the car industry on a national level. Should I be expected to research the “crumple-zones” of a car and research the best airbag deployment? What cellphones won’t give me cancer? What medications can I take for headaches that won’t kill me? What contact lenses won’t make me blind? What keyboard won’t give me wrist problems?

We all ultimately demand regulations to keep us safe from most things—But the big giant gaping hole in our regulated lives is the anarchy of our fiscal system.

You may say, “We’ll that’s the private companies job to regulate itself because they don’t want to hurt all their customers.” We’ll tell that to Malboro, McDonalds, and all insurance companies. Tell that to the logging industry fat-cats who could have given thousands of jobs that lasted for multiple generations, yet deforested in a fourth of the time, got rich, and retired, leaving landscape and animal population decimated, and thousands unemployed. Those fat-cats lived the American dream, made a shit-load of money, and retired… that type of unregulated greed is bad business. Not to mention the Madoffs & Enrons.

The bottom line is that the primary goal of all private business is profit—but to me, a good business is a sustainable one, one that will last forever and still have a decent profit margin. And the unregulated business of today will never allow that to happen. Layoffs will happen before CEO’s give up their jets, people loose their livelihood as CEO’s receive millions in bonuses, and my next-door neighbor might just come home after being laid-off and decide to do something rash with his regulated firearm.

Where’s my homeland security to protect me from the greed?

Just too cute & funny not to repost:

2009-01-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

From Funny or Die: "Stars Wars Retold By Someone That's Never Seen It

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And now random thoughts...

2009-01-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

Tom Cruise does have emotions!
Older people truly have more baggage. The older you get the bigger your backpack/purse/handbag are. All the older people on campus have 10 years worth of new habits in their bags like meds, kleenex, laptops, diapers, special food and layers of mental anguish. The young kids simply have empty backpacks and minds.
Madoff, the bigges crook in the history of crooks, gets bail, but those terrible pot smokers spend their lives in jail. Makes sense to me.
"The Dark Knight" is "The Godfather" of today.. F the Academy. They are too out of touch for my tastes.
I was right about Vitamin Water. Just call me Mattstrodamus
Why Gary Unmarried Rocks: From the last episode after "Gary" wakes up late: "If I ever meet the guy who invented the snooze alarm, I'm gonna hit him in the face every 5 minutes."
Not-Work-Friendly clip of the week! Will Arnett, very profane stuff!
I'm gonna point out all the times when private companies should take the high road and take shit off shelves to protect us, since our public government(ya know, the ones we put in charge) have no jurisdiction to recall anything from the private sector. Private sector playing russian roulette with their customers is cool. Kellogs and salmonella.
Finally some fresh-air:
Obama ready to ban harsh interrogations
Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this administration

This is cool:

...to be your lawfully wedded wives

2009-01-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

The polygamists are at it again, a Canadian Mormon leader says "If (homosexuals) can marry, what is the reason that public policy says one person can't marry more than one person?"

A monogamous homosexual relationship somehow justifies a multiple partner marriage?

It's ridiculous. There are good reasons why a couple should only have one wife/husband, too many to go into but imagine the jealously, the fights, the mayhem. Regulating marriage to two people is also another way to "protect" the innocent younglings "forced" into the religious cults.

Also, something else: I remember back in Nov, some said, "If homosexuals can marry, then why not a cow and a human!" -- Umm, since when did homosexuals cease to be human? How horrible is it that gay people are labeled "non-human" and categorized as 2nd class citizens... Gay people want a monogamous relationship just like straight people.

Too much has been spewed about this marriage crap, and ultimately it was our own countries fault for not creating a secular marriage system, like many other countries did (ours was built around the British system I believe) so we continue to fight the long held religious views of old people mixed in with other people comparing gay people to animals or polygamy.

--

The Last 8 Years

2009-01-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

For last 8 years, we were on the verge of tipping over too far to one side in the name of national "security", personal liberities were reduced, freedoms were crushed and no new innovations were made. I would like to begin the new era of politics with some quotes that sum up the last 8 years:

"Our government has kept us in a perpetual state of fear-kept us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervor-with the cry of grave national emergency. Always there has been some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power that was going to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it ..."
- General Douglas MacArthur, 1957

"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger."
-- Leading Nazi leader, Hermann Goering, at the Nuremberg Trials before he was sentenced to death

"Secular schools can never be tolerated because such a school has no religious instruction and a general moral instruction without a religious foundation is built on air; consequently, all character training and religion must be derived from faith… We need believing people." ~ Adolf Hitler

"We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the world - no longer a Government of free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of small groups of dominant men." -Woodrow Wilson [U.S. President during World War I]

" If they do it it's terrorism, if we do it, it's fighting for freedom. "
-- a U.S. Ambassador in Central America in the 1980s, asked to explain how such U.S. actions as the mining of Nicaragua's harbors and bombing of airports differed from the acts of terrorism that the U.S. condemned around the world

"HISTORY is just new people making old mistakes..." -Sigmund Freud

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The next 8 years? I plead for a bailout of Science & Education.
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MLK

2009-01-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

"Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

" Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable ... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. "
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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RANT: Reality

2009-01-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry but reality TV needs to stop calling itself "real". Ever since the Real World became scripted, reality has taken a turn for the ridiculous. Now MTV only shows pseudo reality shows and most contestants are well aware of the potential for "face time" and play-up the drama, essentially becoming a character of themselves. Contestants are pressured to fight, argue, steal, sleep-around and basically act like idots, ya know, like politicians do. But, I don't blame reality TV for forcing un-real emotions, because that’s what the audience wants that, right? If you don’t know this: All TV channels (including news channels) are privately owned businesses and the primary purpose is profit (It is a business remember?) And ultimately the peeps that watch these shows want their ruff-and-tough guys to make-out with the dull-and-drunks bitches, then fight, show-off their muscles, rinse and repeat. So, I don’t complain that these shows exist, but I do think the label of “reality” needs to be stripped. Maybe call them “Sensationalized-Dramas”, or “Dramalities” as they are far from reality.

Watch the first season of The Real World, it is boring as shit. It's like watching C-SPAN with young people. BUT it was reality! Yes, it’s true Dramality lovers, real life is dull and spent mostly on the couch, eating, sleeping, sitting, or talking about nonsense.

Also, Deal or No Deal needs to die, or atleast stop calling itself a "game show"... Where's the game?
1. Pick a number.
2. Decide to pick another number or push a button.
3. End of game.
-- Puh-lease!

The saving grace to the reality genre are shows that are physically difficult, test stamina, wit/smarts and other social experiments like Survivor, the Amazing Race & Solitary. Contestants may come to those “games” with their well thought out “characters” intact, but ultimately after a few days of eating dirt and sand, shitting in holes, racing through bug-infested forests and swimming through muck, rocks and critters to get an game-saving idol, their facade quickly erodes, revealing their true identity underneath: the liar, the cheater, the placater, the aggressor, the crier, the quitter, the worrier, the religious, the mediator, the insane and the “well-rounded”, are all exposed within a few days. Then the viewer roots for the contestant that can identify with their own lives…in the real world.

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And now...random thoughts

2009-01-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

"Hi-lo" - Combining the words hello and hi when meeting someone, said by me a few months ago.

As I was canceling my directv service recently I was treated to the normal schpiel of "why/please don't go!" questions and comments by the customer service agent, but one question he was notable. After explaining to him that I no longer plan on watching TV since I'll be attending school, he asked "Are you unhappy with tv, sir?" It struck me as funny so I laughed out loud. Apparantly humor was not his intention, but honestly, what's up with that question? And what should've my answer have been?... "Yes, directv-guy-from-India, I'm very unhappy 'with tv', can you possibly do something about that? Can you put in a good word a CBS for the shows I enjoy to stay on the air? Can you get Fox to bring back Arrested Development? Can you create a remake of Knight Rider that doesn't completely suck? If so, then you've got my service!"

On the road to fascism -- It is now a felony (punishible by up to 7 years in prison) for an assault on a traffic cop in New York.

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Psycho....(biology)

2009-01-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

I watched a homeless man pull out his hair, scratch his face and hit the side of his head for 15 minutes on a park bench screaming, "Oh God, Oh God!"

According to President Regan, a few friends, laws, and some past teachers, he just needs some "tough love".

All a person like that needs is a bit of "hard talk" or a good "talkin' to" like, "Hey Man, stop being so lazy all the time and get a job!"

or maybe jail time will suffice, cuz ya know--caging a wild animal totally makes it tame...(eventually they do die and death is the ultimate in tameness, naturally)

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Are you for real?

2009-01-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

As I was walking in an open field, spacecraft materialized from behind the clouds, leaving vicious tornadoes in their wake. My friends could not contain their disbelief and screamed for help as we ran wildly through the grass. Wide laser beams scanned the ground vanishing people as it hit them. I could not believe my eyes—I do not believe in aliens—this cannot be a little-green-men alien attack, can it?

As my last friend disappeared, I made it to a house at the end of the field. As I opened the door the person standing behind it vanished. I ran through the beams’ wake and through the house, looking for a hiding place, ransacking drawers, closets and throwing tables and chairs in panic. As I looked outside, I saw a bus parked in the distance with all my friends and neighbors inside. They had emptiness in their eyes, the kind I’ve only seen in movies. “That’s where I'm supposed to go,” I thought. Just then, loud obnoxious people burst threw the door and began searching the home for others. I had no time to ponder why humans had just flown spacecrafts down to Earth and lasered people away, but I just knew I didn't want to be found.

They were angry, loud and cocky, the worst kind of humans.

I turned the corner into the hallway and bumped into another, who I recognized from an earlier occurrence at work that morning. As she pushed me in to the hallway closet, I remembered that she was a friend of a guy I dealt with earlier in the day.

I was a part-time computer technician and earlier that day I caught a teenager using one of the computers to farm out a virus. He was all sweaty and scared as I interrogated him about what he was doing. He gave me the standard story of just "checking his email" and watching YouTube. But I knew something else was up, I could see the browser history of illegal sites and noticed the flash drive sticking out of the monitor. I kept asking him what the deal was and after many tense moments he said, "It doesn't matter what I'm doing now... I've already killed the teacher."

His candor frightened me but I did not want him to see my nervousness. I patted him on the back and said, "No worries about that, it ain't like anyone cares,” hoping to put his mind at ease. I glanced over at my friend by the window and knew we needed to get away fast. He then admitted to placing a virus into the system and wished for it to spread. I could see that he was getting more and more anxious so I quickly talked him down and was able to calm him enough that he wanted to end with a hug. I was afraid he'd immediately start stabbing me but hugged him anyway. As we walked arm and arm into the parking lot, his friend, a dirty-blonde tough-looking girl ran over to him. "Thank you." she said as she turned her head and walked away. This was the same girl I ran into in the hallway just now, but now I was thanking her.

The people searched the hallway and asked her if she's seen anyone in the house. "No." she replied.

As the night calmed down, I emerged from the hall closet, alone and scared. I walked outside to test the waters as people simply walked the streets. Had I imagined what had just happened? I was in shock I guess. I made my way down the street towards some nightclubs and partygoers. I did not recognize a single person on the streets or in the bars. Where was I? No one looked familiar. I've seen these buildings, the employees, the workers, the hotdog vendors numerous times in the past, but none of them were the same—they were all new people, different, more "alive".

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Where your federal taxes go

2008-11-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

The main divisons:

22% Defense
21% Social Security
21% Medicare
9% Interest on our debt (200 BILLION a year)
3% Science and Research
2% Education

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2008-11-09T19:30:00.001-08:00

Thanks to LYT

Quotes of the week

2008-11-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sarah Silverman on Jay Leno: (paraphrasing)

SARAH: The stereotypes are totally true, the black guy running for president has five children and a teenager that's unmarried and pregnant. Typical.
JAY: No, that's Palin.
SARAH: Oh, sorry. We'll it's typical that he finished 3rd to last in his class.
JAY: No, that's McCain

Bill Maher on Real Time:
BILL MAHER: Jesus was more of a socialist than Barack is.

CHOCOLATE NEWS:
It's the first time in history that Americans berate a black man for his lack of a prison record and praise a white mans prison record. Can't America make up their minds?

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Prop 8 - one last time

2008-11-03T12:00:00.001-08:00

No on Proposition 8
Debunking the myths used to promote the ban on same-sex marriage.

Los Angeles Times, November 2, 2008

Clever magicians practice the art of misdirection -- distracting the eyes of the audience to something attention-grabbing but irrelevant so that no one notices what the magician is really doing. Look over at that fuchsia scarf, up this sleeve, at anything besides the actual trick.

The campaign promoting Proposition 8, which proposes to amend the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriages, has masterfully misdirected its audience, California voters. Look at the first-graders in San Francisco, attending their lesbian teacher's wedding! Look at Catholic Charities, halting its adoption services in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal! Look at the church that lost its tax exemption over gay marriage! Look at anything except what Proposition 8 is actually about: a group of people who are trying to impose on the state their belief that homosexuality is immoral and that gays and lesbians are not entitled to be treated equally under the law.

That truth would never sell in tolerant, live-and-let-live California, and so it has been hidden behind a series of misleading half-truths. Once the sleight of hand is revealed, though, the campaign's illusions fall away.

Take the story of Catholic Charities. The service arm of the Roman Catholic Church closed its adoption program in Massachusetts not because of the state's gay marriage law but because of a gay anti-discrimination law passed many years earlier. In fact, the charity had voluntarily placed older foster children in gay and lesbian households -- among those most willing to take hard-to-place children -- until the church hierarchy was alerted and demanded that adoptions conform to the church's religious teaching, which was in conflict with state law. The Proposition 8 campaign, funded in large part by Mormons who were urged to do so by their church, does not mention that the Mormon church's adoption arm in Massachusetts is still operating, even though it does not place children in gay and lesbian households.

How can this be? It's a matter of public accountability, not infringement on religion. Catholic Charities acted as a state contractor, receiving state and federal money to find homes for special-needs children who were wards of the state, and it faced the loss of public funding if it did not comply with the anti-discrimination law. In contrast, LDS (for Latter-day Saints) Family Services runs a private adoption service without public funding. Its work, and its ability to follow its religious teachings, have not been altered.

That San Francisco field trip? The children who attended the wedding had their parents' signed permission, as law requires. A year ago, with the same permission, they could have traveled to their teacher's domestic-partnership ceremony. Proposition 8 does not change the rules about what children are exposed to in school. The state Education Code does not allow schools to teach comprehensive sex education -- which includes instruction about marriage -- to children whose parents object.

Another "Yes on 8" canard is that the continuation of same-sex marriage will force churches and other religious groups to perform such marriages or face losing their tax-exempt status. Proponents point to a case in New Jersey, where a Methodist-based nonprofit owned seaside land that included a boardwalk pavilion. It obtained an exemption from state property tax for the land on the grounds that it was open for public use and access. Events such as weddings -- of any religion -- could be held in the pavilion by reservation. But when a lesbian couple sought to book the pavilion for a commitment ceremony, the nonprofit balked, saying this went against its religious beliefs.

The court ruled against the nonprofit, not because gay rights trump religious rights but because public land has to be open to everyone or it's not public. The ruling does not affect churches' religious tax exemptions or their freedom to marry whom they please on their private property, just as Catholic priests do not have to perform marriages for divorced people and Orthodox synagogues can refuse to provide space for the weddings of interfaith couples. And Proposition 8 has no bearing on the issue; note that the New Jersey case wasn't about a wedding ceremony.

Much has been made about same-sex marriage changing the traditional definition of marriage. But marriage has evolved for thousands of years, from polygamous structures in which brides were so much chattel to today's idealized love matches. In seeking to add a sentence to California's Constitution that says, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized," Proposition 8 supporters seek to enforce adherence to their own religious or personal definition. The traditional makeup of families has changed too, in ways that many religious people find immoral. Single parents raise their children; couples divorce and blend families. Yet same-sex marriage is the only departure from tradition that has been targeted for constitutional eradication.

Religions and their believers are free to define marriage as they please; they are free to consider homosexuality a sin. But they are not free to impose their definitions of morality on the state. Proposition 8 proponents know this, which is why they have misdirected the debate with highly colored illusions about homosexuals trying to take away the rights of religious Californians. Since May, when the state Supreme Court overturned a proposed ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, more than 16,000 devoted gay and lesbian couples have celebrated the creation of stable, loving households, of equal legal stature with other households. Their happiness in no way diminishes the rights or happiness of others.

Californians must cast a clear eye on Proposition 8's real intentions. It seeks to change the state Constitution in a rare and terrible way, to impose a single moral belief on everyone and to deprive a targeted group of people of civil rights that are now guaranteed. This is something that no Californian, of any religious belief, should accept. Vote no to the bigotry of Proposition 8.

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Prop 5 - the last time

2008-10-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

I have one last plea for Prop 5 to pass. It would be tragic if 6 and 9 pass and not 5. 5 will reduce costs by billions of dollars and treat addicts like every other addict.

Prisons are for the pushers, the dealers, the skanks, the thugs, and the violent; not the addicts.

Addiction to drugs should not be treated as criminal. Problematic drug use should be dealt with like any other addiction—with treatment. We should not spend billions of dollars on prisons to simply accommodate addicts. The war on drugs should be restructured immediately, focusing on the violent offenders not the everyday users. And governmental regulation, similar to alcohol limits, should be in put into effect instead.

We need to understand that being addicted to any drug is a serious problem but treatment, not jail time, is the key to success. Alcoholics, for instance, go through an intense sobering process that requires the efforts of family, friends, the government and their community. But most of them endure this within the safety of loved ones, not near the violent criminals of the prison system. The treatment of alcoholism without jail time is viewed as normal in American society. Also with other addictions, like prescription drugs, no jail time is required for overuse. As a matter of fact, citizens can overuse alcohol, prescription drugs, food, nicotine, and sex and not receive one day of jail time as long as they stay in the boundaries of regulation. The mere use or overuse of a certain drug is not cause for imprisonment. The ineffective laws of today that focus on possession need to change to protect the drug user from the drug dealer and to protect the addict from gaining a foothold in the underground of the American black market.

We don’t build prisons for alcoholics, prescription drug addicts, food addicts, or sex addicts, so why should we build prisons for drug addicts? The current prison time for drug possession is insane and can create violent criminals from the time spent behind bars. In California we have proposition 5 on the ballot this Nov 4th, 2008 and the prop states this:
(e) California’s corrections system does not provide meaningful rehabilitation services to most inmates and parolees. Nonviolent offenders can languish for years behind bars without education, vocational training, or rehabilitation programs of any kind.
So even though we house these non-violent criminals in prison, the system does not provide enough alternatives to their addiction besides jail time. Those in favor of prison time for drug use, argue that prison time should be the only deterrent needed in the fight against addiction and drug use. If that was true, then addicts being released from prison would stop using and since most don’t, prison time is obviously ineffective. But unfortunately, prison time can have the opposite affect and produce more violent criminals who can now use the cruel drug dealers they met behind bars in their everyday lives. A non-violent drug user is not the same as a brutal drug kingpin and the laws should be changed to reflect that.

When we talk about changing laws, the question that needs to be asked is: Why are some drugs illegal? Some say legalizing certain drugs will cause an increase in violence. To that, I ask another question: is it the drug itself that causes violence or is it the underground market and the sellers that create the vicious atmosphere? I’d say the latter with the exception being PCP, as violent tendencies can be increased by using it. But with most drugs, the affects are quite the opposite, they are inhibitors or downers causing a person to mellow out and slow down. Violence is mostly in the process of selling and in the underground drug culture. So again, why are drugs illegal? I’ve heard some say that more people will use drugs and the current users would use more. Certainly a spike in drug use during the first years of legality would be seen (mostly because we could properly record usage) but I ask this question instead: What are the reasons why we have sober people? Are sober people drug-free because it’s illegal? Surely some non-users maybe tempted to use if it’s legal, but again for the vast majority of people, the current reasons of not using will stay the same, even if legal. For instance, it is legal for someone to jump out of plane, facing death in the face, and land safely with a parachute. It’s legal, so I should try it right? Not in a million years will I try that; I think it’s insane. But just because I and many others think jumping out of planes is insane, is it not enough reason to make it criminal to those that wish to try it. If jumping out of planes suddenly becomes illegal, we would see a huge increase in deaths in the black market skydiving flights due to unregulated safety measures. The drugs themselves do not cause violence and only a small increase in usage would be seen in the legalization of drugs.

The concern to me is not whether drugs should be legal; the question is what is the best way to legalize certain drugs while protecting the safety of average citizens. They answer is slow decriminalization and regulation. Simply putting pen to paper and making all drugs legal would create chaos, mostly with the underground sellers, but certainly it would create panic in the communities and technically with other legal mind-altering substances, regulation seems to work the best. Alcohol has many regulations: the legal age to drink is 21, citizens cannot drive while drunk, cannot be in public places while intoxicated and cannot operate heavy machinery, to name a few. To sell alcohol, a business must apply, meet certain preconditions and obtain a license. Prescription drugs have similar regulations and so do cigarettes. The initial goal is not to create local drug stores, but simply to reduce the number of arrests for possession, saving billion of dollars in overhead processing. This money can go back to citizens or used by the police departments in fighting the violent sellers and kingpins of the drug culture. Regulation is the key to success in providing safe alternatives to the, expensive, threatening, and absolutely corrupted system currently in use.

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And now... Random Thoughts

2008-10-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

There is difference when riding the bus at 11pm than say 3pm - its like city exchanges the nice clean buses for the dirtiest smelliest ones. And the meanest drivers only pick up drunks, druggies and prostitutes.
My local homeless guy, a drug-addict dude who lives in an entry way of a abandoned building behind my apartment, waved at me as we past each other today. Alot went through my mind in like 10 seconds as he waved: should I wave back? - how does he recognize me? - Am I that memorable? - was he simply in a good mood and waved at everyone? -- So many questions, so little time!
I saw this licensed psychologist dude on Headline News and the news anchors called on him to voice his professional opinion about the "B Girl" (ya know the chick who went nuts and scratched a B in her face) -- and to my dismay when the red light on the camera went on him, he introduced himself thusly: "I don't know Karate, but I do know Karazy!"
One of my favorite measures this election season is this one here - it decriminalizes prostitution! Wowzer! Now that's a stance. Good for San Fran, less government intervention into social issues is all good in my book.
This is truly tragic and I'm not saying anything else.
Fucking idiot.

Dumb Guy Reviews: You Don't Mess With the Zohan

2008-10-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed this movie.
Plenty of corny HappyMadison crap, but for the most part some well thought out lines and bits.
I have no record on foreign policy, so I don't get most of the Palestinian/Jewish hatred, but I guess all you need to know is that they don't like each other and stuff.
I can't believe I'm saying this about a HappyMadison flick but Nick Swardson's character shoulda been more disgusted by the relationship Zohan and his mom had - yes, he shoulda took the disgust further by puking when he caught his mom and Zohan together.
More Kevin Nealon please.
Did Rob Schneider say "you can do it!"? I don't remember seeing it!
I've said since Snow Day that Emmanuelle Chriqui rules... so, for those of you thinking you are better than me because you just noticed her in this movie, you loose.
I like John Turturro, but I don't like him in this movie. It woulda been better to get anybody else. He's becoming aware of himself like Chris Walken is.
Mariah Carey sucks.
Micheal Buffer sucks too. And I've always hated jokes about "gettin' ready to rumble". So lame.
Dave Matthews was in this flick, betcha didn't know that.
And so was Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
Realfilmrating of M4

Fun with Pictures: McCain

2008-10-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

"There! Over there is where they change me!"

Propositions 2008 - my predictions of the results

2008-10-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

Prop 1a - high-speed trains - will not pass - unfortunately, cuz it costs money. But ultimately will save money and the earth, but who cares about stuff I won't be around for.
Prop 2 - Stop animal cruelty - will pass - some humans love animals more than humans.
Prop 3 - Children's hospital - toss up - people may say they'll vote yes, cuz it's for the kids, but ultimately their wallets will be the vote.
Prop 4 - Notify parent of abortion - will pass - and cost me money in dumpster-baby-clean up, thanks guys.
Prop 5 - more rehabilitation and discrimination of marijuana - will not pass - people will be duped into thinking this will cause more crime.. denying this will cost me more money, thanks guys.
Prop 6 - more "rights" for victims of crime, harsher penalties, etc, etc more punishment, kill, kill kill - will pass - will cost me more money, thanks guys.
Prop 7 - energy stuff - toss up - people are confused if this is good or not.
Prop 8 - deny marriage - will pass - civil rights issues take forever to get solved, the good news is that civil rights always win out, it'll just be about another 20 years. and when it does, California will get rich from all the marriages, but who wants more money?
Prop 9 - same as prop 6 - will pass - again people will get duped and vote yes and it'll cost me more money, thanks guys.
Prop 10 - energy stuff - will pass - this one is about research so I think it'll pass
Prop 11 - redistricting and other stuff - won't pass - people don't get it
Prop 12 - Veteran money - will pass - even people against war are not against people.

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And Now... Random Thoughts

2008-10-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

Another bus experience: All of us on the bus were waiting for the driver to fire up the engine and start his route. The only noise on this bus was a heavy-set women near the front screaming into her cell phone: "I remember that!---I remember that!---Ha. Ha. Ha.!" Etiquette is lost on the young.
Another bus experience 2: I'm sitting in awkward position, really high over the seat in front of me. I must look awkward to other passengers since I'm purposely not looking down at the girl with her low-cut shirt directly below me!
My mp3 player (it's actually my phone, that I "nerded-up" to play 2Gigs of mp3's. I didn't wanna say "phone" cuz the un-nerds may be confused.) for some reason picks the only Jon Bon Jovi song I own, 1 outta 20 times it shuffles to the next song. What's up with that? What's my phone trying to tell me?
The below are funny videos (NOT WORK FRIENDLY!) and are not political in nature.
And the obligatory political postings:
I guess the media is turning liberal in the last few years to make up for the arrogance on the war in Iraq (WMDs and the AlQueda-Saddam link) without even trying to ask questions.
Not believing that global warming exists? Fine. No problem with me. But we are running out of oil, gas and other stuff, right?
Palling Around with Secessionists:
"Hate-filled attacks on Obama have many roots." I don't agree with the story 100% but the one comment that stands out to me is: "[Obama] may have anti-American views." I just don't get this one. This is the same rhetoric that was used by the "liberal" media in 2002 against ANYONE that opposed the war. They were called 'Bad Americans' or "un-American" or "un-Patriotic" because they opposed the war for very good reasons: like evidence, ya know the stuff that proves things to be true, which there was none. Obama FOUGHT AGAINST his own party throughout 2002 as did Senator Kennedy. Obama was right in one of the biggest decisions ever made in the Senate. The same tactics are used again 6 years later... Hmm... Can we think of any other times Americans were targeted for being "anti-american" if they dissented with the President during wartime?
Looks like ACORN has some competition!
"Seperate but equal" of yesterday is the "Civil Unions" of today... and all the major parties are to blame.

Geez

2008-10-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

C'mon people... really? Gay people getting married is so scary that running attack ads is the only solution? A commercial with a little girl running in and saying, "Mommy, mommy, I learned that I can marry a princess in school today!" - Then an a man comes out and says something like, "See what can happen to your children, and there's nothing you can do about it, they will teach your kids that women can marry each other." Really? This is what we as a race have stooped to?

I'm not old enough to have seen any media in the 50s about Sam Houston finally getting the Supreme Court to abolish segregation and I'm not in least comparing the struggles of black America to gay America, but my gut feeling is that the tone of the media might have been similar.

Using prejudice to claim that you are "morally better than others" is against the constitution, unpatriotic and completely inhuman.

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Dumb Guy Reviews: The Love Guru

2008-10-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

This movie is a huge turd.
I rarely hate movies. I've only walked out on one movie, and it was because my date forced me out.
I could only watch half of this movie... It was that bad.
It's like Austin Powers is a "bearded-lady" and lame.
Mike Myers may think he's so beloved by all, that anything he does is funny.
He's wrong. And this is coming from a guy who's a fan of most Myers stuff.
Verne Troyer isn't funny when he talks.
Jessica Alba is simply eye candy and has no depth ever.
The End

Conservatives vs Liberals round two

2008-10-15T22:17:00.000-07:00

I finally understood something today. After watching the last of the Presidential debates, I realized how conservatives and liberals differ, yet are exactly the same. Let me explain:

Pro-choicers use the 4th amendment, a right to privacy, in defending Roe v. Wade. And rightly so, as the precedent to Roe v. Wade, Griswold v. Connecticut (which argued that the government shouldn't be involved in birth control or a persons sex life) used the 4th as well. So the 4th amendment basically says no government control of my "body" or private life. Pro-lifers use certain tactics or laws to lesson the affect of the 4th amendment: no 3rd trimester abortions, no underage abortions, no partial birth abortions and try to make it a state issue instead of national.

The same argument is said about the 2nd amendment but just by the opposite sides. Right to Bear arms is protected by the Bill of Rights. So the 2nd amendment basically says no government interference with my guns. Gun-control advocates use certain tactics or laws to lesson the affect of the 2nd amendment: no hand-guns, waiting periods, no automatic weapons, etc and try to make it a state issue instead of national.

Both sides use the exact same tactics between the 2nd and 4th amendment. Both sides are being hypocritical. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

I also understand now that John McCain hates it when people get rich and then get "penalized for it" by "spreading the wealth around" - Trickle-down theory only works if greed isn't a factor, which it always is. I personally think being "regulated" keeps the greed in check when people get rich.

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And now... Random Thoughts

2008-10-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

Are you seriously touching me--lady-behind-me-unloading-groceries-at-Ralphs?
Sometimes taking the bus sucks: A passenger stuck his cologne-smelling crotch in my face.
Recently I was waiting in a line at an airport. A security guard helped people through the line but for Lord's sake he was pleasant! Sung songs, danced and acted like this was the best job in town. He made me happier to be at an airport. This man should make more money that the CEO's he works for.
I was so caught up in reading that when I lowered the window on the plane, I was startled to see that we were flying.
Where can you see some of the hottest girls and nuns? Virgin America! I've taken Virgin America for 4 flights and on all flights I've seen some of the hottest people ever (yes the guys too) - there is a hipness to it that feels better than say...the Southwest cattle. And on my last Virgin flight we had a nun. Who says nuns weren't with it?
Mark Walberg doesn't have a sense of humor. I hope SNL does more of this.
A good girlfriend accepts the rough-draft you.
Why is it that introverts are supposed to change for extroverts? Why can't it be the other way around?
I've got seven steps going from an extrovert to an introvert:
1. Stop talking.
2. Don't invade the personal space of others.
3. Keep to yourself.
4. Save the drama for your mama.
5. Suck it up.
6. I'm not your friend.
7. You suck.

The Great Schlep: Sarah Silverman

2008-10-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

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Dumb Guy Reviews: Religulous

2008-10-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

Mostly preaching to the converted.
I read some reviews that say Maher "attacks" religion in this film. I find it interesting that simply asking questions and having conversations means "attacking".
I like the Vatican Priest dude. He explained that science wasn't around until about 200 A.D, so that's why it's not in the bible. Makes sense to me.
I had no idea that the story of Jesus wasn't unique and most of his miracles were already done by others many years before him.
I also had no idea that some believe Jesus never existed.
Almost all wars in the world are/were over religion. That sucks. We should probably stop doing that.
Personally, religion kept me in constant fear.
Most religious people I know are far more violent, hurtful and fearful than the non-religious. I guess it's all that "passion" that makes them so.

And now... Random Thoughts

2008-10-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

When two people are walking side by side on a narrow sidewalk and they see a person approaching--Should one move behind the other? Or do they force the stranger to wait until their sweet-ass posse passes.
I deleted all of my Good Charlotte songs today.
I was totally right about Knight Rider. The most recent episode fixed some of the problems with the first episode. If you missed the episode, Michael Knight and Kitt were the focus of 75% of the episode. It makes for a much better show and the soap-opera drama was mostly gone, replaced by some decent suspense. There are problems still: one being the weird use of digital cameras; I feel like I'm watching someones home movie. And the action is totally fake and ridiculous at times. Transforming still sucks but I'll stick it out.
And Gary Unmarried, the 2nd episode was weaker than it's first. I fear if they stay on this path they will be cancelled. But it was still much better than any show sitcom out currently, it's too smart for most of America.
Sarah Palin: "Well, our founding fathers were very wise there in allowing through the Constitution much flexibility there in the office of the vice president. And we will do what is best for the American people in tapping into that position and ushering in an agenda that is supportive and cooperative with the president's agenda in that position. Yeah, so I do agree with him that we have a lot of flexibility in there, and we'll do what we have to do to administer very appropriately the plans that are needed for this nation." Holy damn! a "pageant mishap" perhaps?... oh wait that's racist.. I mean sexist... doh!
"But together, we represent a perfect ideal. And that is democracy and tolerance and freedom and equal rights." (except for gay people and the poor, naturally)
I think it's funny that the lady in the most recent OJ trial said: "This verdict had nothing to do with what he did 13 years ago." ---- Open minded juror? I guess not.
I saw a dude at a gas station get outta his car still smoking a cigarette, then before he entered the store to pay, he throws the cigarette on the ground and doesn't step on it to put it out. All I could think was, "Well, atleast he's not smoking indoors."

California's Propositions 2008

2008-10-04T18:12:00.001-07:00

Prop 1a - Vote Yes - Allows for a high speed train like the rest of the world has had for years. Absoutely fan-f'ing-tastic.
Prop 2 - Vote Yes - Gives Chickens some room to spread their wings b4 they are slaughtered.
Prop 3 - Vote Yes - Allocates funding for Children's Hospitals. Always good.
Prop 4 - Vote No - Will force minors to a waiting period and adult approval before getting abortions. (would cause a major spike in "dumpster babies" if passed)
Prop 5 - Vote Yes - Will make marijuana possession an infraction (currently a misdemeanor), will save you money and will make keep non-violent criminals non-violent.
Prop 6 - Vote No - Will cost you a ton of money and will lead to non-violent criminals becoming violent.
Prop 7 - Vote Yes - Clean Energy, no foreign oil, no local drilling.
Prop 8 - Vote No - If passes, will stop gay marriage - The bill of rights protects equality for all citizens. Vote no.
Prop 9 -Vote no - for the same reasons as prop 6. ridiculous stuff.
Prop 10 - Vote Yes - Research for clean energy.
Prop 11 - Vote No - This one's a bit scary. Redistricting done by a committee not voted in by the public.
Prop 12 - Vote Yes - Gives money to Veterans. Love it.

And now... Random Thoughts

2008-09-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

If you didn't know, Tim Burton is directing Alice in Wonderland. Lots of pics of Alice here. Of course, everyone is skeptical about this cuz Tim is kinda hit or miss, but he's still riding high from Sweeney Todd so this may turn out okay for him. (I personally think Deep Roy shoulda gotten best supporting nod for "Charlie" and screw you for disagreeing.)
I understand the reason why people hate David Blaine. I get it, he's a magician that doesn't do magic. But in his defense, even the earliest magicians where known for stunts. Houdini was a master of the death defying stunt/magic show. But people don't want to compare Blaine to Houdini or Bonds to Ruth. Doing so "cheapens" their accomplishments. But I disagree.
Finally some heroes in the house! Police didn't shoot anyone! Yay!
Oh Dear! Another one of God's right-hand men. Remember to see Religulous Oct. 3rd!
They messed up Knight Rider the tv series. Any other show, I would have written off at this point, but since I was such a fan of the original series, I haven't completely given up on them, but they better get it right soon. They did so well with the special made-for-tv movie! Get on it people! The transforming thing is lame, especially when he transforms into a freaking pickup truck, but I can live with it. But please get rid of some of the cast, there are too many people on this show. It's about Michael and Kitt.. not about the FBI, some computer dudes, girlfriends etc. Michael Knight is a loner remember! Yes, have a girl.. fine!... Yes, have a specialist and a base to fix Kitt...fine... But don't give them a ton of lines, they are not the main focus of the show. And don't over dramatize everything! Everybody knows Michael is gonna live through a life-threatening situation so don't cut to a commercial every time he's trapped. You are trying too hard to suck out the drama! Let the drama happen naturally through the writing and situation...make it suspenseful not soap-opera dramatic! And I hate the weird looking orb thing that Kitt talks out of.
Space Exploration is key to humans survival. And I agree! You may laugh at this and you may think it's a waste of time, but Christopher Columbus got the same snickers and jeers during his time (I may have just made you chuckle) but it's true. Not in my life and not in the next 100 years but eventually we must travel through space and out of our galaxy.
Media isn't the voice of the people. Politicians are (supposed to be). Media is the voice of the dollar.
It looks like Sasha Cohen is bringing his gay Austrian character to America. I actually fear for his safety in some parts of the U.S. Sasha, in Europe they are very accepting of every life-style, they actually follow the creed: "All men are created equal".. hey wait! Maybe we should put that in our constitution... oh wait, we are the one's who came up with it. Well, America hasn't really had the best history with equality and following the bill of rights, but I guess we are trying to get better. (Vote for equality by voting no on Prop 8) Anyways, we still have alot of nutballs in this country, so be very careful who you mess with.
This is a good read too. How it's hard to overturn a right once it's already been established. (Roe v. Wade in this example)
McSame videos... John McCain flip and flopping all over the place. (thanks to offpat)

Fun with pictures: Alaska

2008-09-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

TV finally catches up with life: Gary Unmarried

2008-09-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

Oh Dear! I rarely, if ever, rave about a sitcom. Most of them are so calculating and "situational" or just plain unfunny.

There are lots of good TV shows that were not taped in a live audience, like Malcolm in the Middle, Arrested Development, The Simpsons, The Family Guy, Curb your Enthusiasm but very few live sitcoms are good enough for me to watch every week.

There are some exceptions: Married w/Children & Rosanne to name a few off the top of my head, were very good live audience sitcoms. But not since those two brilliant live shows have we had a such a good representation of real life, real words, real wit and funny.

Gary Unmarried could be the next Rosanne or the next "un"-Married w/Children if CBS doesn't cancel it too quick. Give this show a chance. Absolutely spectacular show.

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Rant: Prop 5 & 6

2008-09-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

The interesting thing to me is that after all the centuries of human existence we have only tried one method to "fix" people: punishment.

And if Proposition 6 is passed, we will continue this theme. I won't go into all what prop 6 says, but in a nutshell: it wants harsher penalties (jail time) for most all crimes, violent or not. By the way, this proposition will cost California millions of dollars a year because of more arrests, more prisoners, less chance for parole, more life sentences, more, more, more... So if you want to be more in the crapper, financially, or want the prison system to be more overcrowded or you'd rather spend your money on some nonviolent criminals after years of hard time becoming violently trained criminals ready for revenge, then by all means, vote yes. But if you understand that more punishment doesn't always led to less crime then I beg of you to review Prop 6 and make sure that is where you want your money to go. More government is not always good.

So, the interesting thing is Proposition 5 is kinda anti-prop 6. Prop 5 wants to reduce jail time for some types of non-violent crimes. For instance, in California if you possess under 28.5 grams of marijuana it's currently a misdemeanor, but prop 5 wants to change it to an "infraction" -- basically the same as a traffic ticket. This is good, really good. The amount of money saved by this prop will be immense. If you like money, then vote yes. Less government is good.

Let's talk about what prison's actually do:

Prison is first and foremost a deterrent, right? Like this phrase: "Oh shit, I better not steal that car cause I may go to prison." or "I better not murder that person because they'll fry me in the chair." And that seems to work--some of the time.

So since the deterrent of "going to prison" doesn't works all the time, then the second thing prison does is to house the criminal until they have "learned their lesson". Personally, if they are dumb enough to commit a crime, then they'll probably do it again and to put them in cage will only increase the danger when they are released. They may have been drug dealers on the outside, but on the inside they can perfect their craft, get really strong and learn how to kill a man hundreds of different ways. When released, they'll be the perfect violent criminal. Prop 6, if it passes, will be one the worst things that could ever happen to a state. It will turn drug users into drug dealers, it will turn car-jackers into gang members, it will turn teenagers into murderers, and it could cost you a fortune.

I'm not saying the time spent behind bars (punishment) doesn't help some people, it does, but there is a breaking point. Personally I think if you are a non-violent criminal and you spend more than a year behind bars, you must learn how to be violent in order to survive the nature of the prison system. Proposition 5 answers this and agrees with me.

"Punishment works for some people but they will probably die from the criminals it creates."

YES on 5
NO on 6

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Dumb Guy Reviews: Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

2008-09-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Director Morgan Spurlock is a sell out.
He went with the Hollywood happy ending instead of the much better alternative ending only viewable on the special features from the DVD.
If you didn't see the flick, the ending is riddled with "let's hold hands and sing songs and all will be okay."
The alternative ending is much more to the point and explains Americas failure in this whole mess and how Osama's messed up views are do in part to shitty foreign policy by fat-cat western politicians.
Plus, nobody wants to see a naked couple in a bathtub during labor.
Another thing in the special features is a great animation about America's role in the Middle East since Regan. Explaining our involvement in supplying the Taliban with arms against the Russians and the many broken promises made to Afghanistan and many other middle eastern countries.
I have no idea why he left that out of the film. It explains so much.
I highly doubt anyone who fears "foreigners" will be changed by this film.
His other film Super Size Me, was much more popular and actually caused Mickey D's to change some of their menu.
People can relate to french fries much better than Muslims.
The marketing campaign for this film was horrible. The trailer was made like a slapstick comedy with Morgan yelling into caves "Osama, where are you?" And the posters are designed like action-comedies.
But it turns out the film is decent documentary about Osama and some of the culture of the middle east.
The distributors were probably scared to death that people wouldn't see the film because it seemed too serious and boring so they hammed up the marketing campaign and added cheese-ball, slapstick trailers.
And in reality, due to the comedy slapstick, the film did poorly because people thought it wouldn't be as eye-opening and serious as Super Size Me was.
See the film if you want an overview of the middle east or see the beginning of the film when Morgan goes through some training before his travels, there's some funny stuff there too.
Don't expect a discovery channel type of deal and don't expect to be blown away.
Realfilmrating of M4 - the whole movie is about politics, killings, war, genocide, religion.

And now... Random Thoughts

2008-09-23T12:00:00.001-07:00

Megatron is back for Transformers 2. Pics are here - He looks much better than the weird-flying-jet-monster-thing from the first one and I'm sure his toy will be much easier to transform this time around.
According to this article, conservative people are startled easier. I would have thought this trait was for the liberals.
The inventor of the smilie has been announced. Thanks inventor dude for allowing my lame friends to send me text messages that take hours to decrypt, only to find out that they were just simply confused.
In Italy, you are not allowed to speak out against the Pope. It's punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Yo, Sinead O'Conner, never travel to Italy.
We all like to think "the terrorists" didn't make a difference to the American way of life, but in my opinion they have done more damage to my pocketbook and my freedoms then any president a thousand times over or is it just pres. Bush who threw the constitution in toilet?
Some teenager suggested to a fellow student to finish all homework on Sunday nights. Umm...teenager-lady...college is much different than high school. For one, every class has about 6 hours of homework a week. So let's do the math, if I have 3 classes times 6 hours, that's 18 hours of homework...all on a Sunday night? Neat.
I feel violated. The other night I was watching Conan O'brien begin his show and my local news cut in and said, "Conan is doing a joke about trains colliding and NBC doesn't want to show it because of the recent train collision." -- then the news talked about the new design for the penny(!) and went back to Conan. I mean, c'mon, can I please make a decision for myself. Puhhlease! It's tragic I know, it pains me to read stories about the wreck, but to censor the issue reminds me of what Elvis went through when his gyrating bottom half was not filmed. I have the choice to turn off the TV set if I thought the joke was going to far, right? I coulda hit mute or walked outta the room, yes? It wasn't a blind-side-tit-flash which I wouldn't be ready for... I mean he did set up the joke, and then blam-o, my crazy-eyed local news team "saved" me from the horror show.

Are you for real?

2008-09-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

The gun sounded at the start of the marathon and I was already ahead of the other John Travoltas. Half way across the Brooklyn Bridge, a John Travolta reached into his knee-high sock for a shank. He screamed profanities as he swung his shank around at other John Travoltas. The other John Travoltas trampled the shank-wielding John Travolta and turned him in to jelly. Then I started to sing Grease songs and was sprayed by water until I felt like I could continue the race.

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Dumb Guy Reviews: Speed Racer

2008-09-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

NOTE: I've never seen an episode of Speed Racer.
All I knew going into this film was that Speed Racer was a cartoon from Japan and he drove a race car.
So maybe it's not fair for me to judge certain elements because maybe they are true to the T.V. show, but it's a movie so....
It didn't suck.
The tone of the film is completely inconsistent. One minute they are kung fu fighting, the next minute they are laughing really fast, then next minute they are afraid for their lives, the next minute they are making funny faces in the camera.
I'd take Sarandon over Ricci, anyday. Ricci was a bombshell back in the day. Now she looks like--eyes on a stick.
I can only assume that Speed's little brother was the comic relief in the TV show.
He looks 35. He's very dramatic and likes to play with chimps. Hey, like Michael Jackson!
What the hell is John Goodman doing in this film? I like John, sometimes, but he seemed out of place and looked like Mario from Mario Brothers.
This movie was a cross between Spy Kids and Death Race. Not with content but with look and race action.
I was pretty sickened at first when Trixie and Speed were gonna kiss, cause there was nothing that made me think they weren't brother and sister. Especially since she called his dad, "Pops" and she was always in his house.
Near the end when the family was hiding listening to Speed's talk with dad.... I totally thought that the Mom was caught cheating with the mechanic dude in the kitchen. That's the way it was filmed...first you see mechanic, then a slow walk out by mom... I was like, WHA!
Atleast the chimp wasn't shown smoking a cigarette or playing poker or something. Didn't the chimp throw poo at one point?! Wow, totally weird.
And yes, the whole Rex Racer thing was totally predictable. Never was I questioning it.
So what was good? The racing and some of the effects. I guess you'd expect Speed Racer to be about Speed and Racing, so there it is.
A realfilmrating of M3

And now... Random Thoughts

2008-09-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

Everyone tells me I look like my father... Personally, I think he looks like me.
I was boarding the bus recently and the driver was outside taking a break. As I asked him if it was okay to board, he gave me a fist bump and said yes. Did this dude think I was someone else? If not, don't you think a fist bump is a little too personal for a bus driver and a passenger?
As I boarded that same bus, it was dark and I couldn't see. I kicked some chicks backpack that was literally in the center of the aisle leading up to a seat. The chick says, "Be careful there" in a very smooth a soft voice, a little like a mother would. Why wasn't "Oh sorry" coming out of her mouth? Her crap was in the middle of the aisle and there was zero other people on board. I wanted to punch her in her stupid face.
If the President is jerking off in his office and a tradegy strikes, do you let him finish?
Dude, there are some 18 yr-old lesbians in front of me. (Yes, I heard them say their ages earlier.) They are smoking hot. The End.
Yo, Denise Richards. It's not a complicated life to take care of two kids with help from two assistants, your sister and your dad. Yeah ummm, all single moms have to schedule their kids lives into their own busy schedules. It's called "being a parent."
Propaganda is still alive and well, maybe not to the extent it once was, but when a person can be pro-choice, pro-earth, pro-science, pro-care (health and mental) then completely flip it one day and be pro-creationism (we rode dinosaurs), pro-life, pro-rich, pro-privatize...?
America is a culture of revenge.

Liberal vs. Conservative

2008-09-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

What the battle seems to boil down to is that both sides want government, it's just that they can't agree on what the government should do.
For instance, many conservatives want the government to step in whenever gay people try to get married, expanding the government not reducing it. Also, many conservatives want the government to step in more harshly on the issue of pornography and censorship, expanding the government not reducing it. Many conservatives want more prisons to house the ever growing prison population, expanding government not reducing it.
All the above cost more tax dollars doesn't it? So you take from one program you don't like, say welfare, and you give it to the other program you do like, say marriage.
I don't see how that's different than what liberals do. Most liberals want government to step in when guns are involved, expanding government not reducing it. Most liberals want government to step in for equality of sexes/race, expanding affirmative action and the like. Most liberals want government to step in for health care issues as well, expanding government.
All the above cost more tax dollars doesn't it? So you take from one program you don't like, say the prison system by decriminalizing marijuana, and you give it to the other program you do like, say health care.
To me, the only difference is what the government should do, not how much.

Dumb Guy Reviews: Son of Rambow

2008-09-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

The most surprising thing about this film is that is has the same MPAA rating as Live Free or Die Hard.
I'm not saying Son of Rambow should be PG or lower, I'm saying Die Hard should be R.
The "brethren" stuff was completely useless in my book. I thought Leatherface was gonna pop out at any moment and hack up the kids. It was over the top. Like they were Amish or something and that's just campy and lame.
If the point was the show that the kid couldn't go out or was trapped in his home, away from outside influences, then he coulda simply been a far right-wing Christian. But maybe that means something different in the UK.
The film makes me want to film really bad movies in my backyard.. oh wait, I don't have a backyard and I'm not 10 yrs old. Damn oh well. I'll just still to my day job of writing crap on a blog that no one reads.
The blonde kid is good. very believable.
Surprisingly enough, most kids in movies these days understand adult crap way more than they should and the adults that write the crap think it's totally normal. I think it started with the "I see dead people" movie. And all the writers loved it so much they kept writing movies with really smart kids in it who say really adult things. And in horror flicks, they make the kid whisper all the time. When I have lots of money, I'm gonna make a horror movie called "The Whispering Kid"
I bet the kid actors had to ask what all that crap they are saying meant.
This movie atleast has believable kid dialogue. Possibly because the dude who wrote & directed it, based it off his life.
Hey it's the same Director of the Hitcherhickers Guide to the Galaxy Very nice! I betcha he couldn't make Son of Ranbow until Galaxy surprised some people with some very good cash!
Realfilmrating of M3 - make sure your kid knows the difference between real and make-believe and what adult themes are.

And now... Random Thoughts

2008-09-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

When is eating carrots not annoying? Answer: when you're alone.
For years I've been bothered by this comment made by Dennis Miller: "Gas is still cheaper than milk, quit complaining." --- Umm...Dennis, I don't know what you do, but I don't by 15 gallons of milk a week. Dumbass.
What happened to Red Bull? The last time I drank it regularly (about 4 years ago) it was half the size.
Why does America once again get reeled in by big endorsements and celebrities. Vitamin water has a ton of sugar in it. Go home and take some vitamins from your cabinet, then go into the kitchen, grab 8 teaspoons of sugar, pour it into a glass of water and drink it. Almost as much sugar as a can of soda.
I more afraid of an American killing me than a terrorist.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/04/17/international/i143553D58.DTL
I've said it before, America is so much better at killing civilians that anyone I know. Go Team!
I'm gonna start this push early. Vote YES on Prop 7 - but be educated about the pros and cons first. And NOTE: PG&E & Edison (California's largest utilities) have opposed this and have given millions of dollars to trick you in voting no.. So just f-them and vote YES!
I guarantee most people will be afraid of this article.
Is this the actions of a sane man? "...but the evidence at trial was that he smirked before killing people, laughed while killing people, bragged about it afterwards... I can't say I've seen this level of callousness in any case I've handled to date."

Let's play: "Who said this?"
“Secular schools can never be tolerated because such a school has no religious instruction and a general moral instruction without a religious foundation is built on air; consequently, all character training and religion must be derived from faith… We need believing people.”

--

Dumb Guy Reviews: Live Free or Die Hard

2008-09-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

I've heard that the MPAA counts curse-words and number of boob shots and if it goes above a certain number than it gets a more strict rating. My main point about ratings is that they should switch "boob-shoots" with "bullets-fired". But America is backwards.
Kevin Smith sucks. They shoulda gotten a no-name. I also think Sam Jackson shouldn't have been in Star Wars and the dude who plays the father of Leia too. Deal with it.
But I'm glad they didn't get Anthony Anderson. Please don't bring him back for Transformers 2.
Main bad-guy-dude mostly sucks too. Too pretty. I want the dude from Harry Potter back. (And yes Alan Rickman freaking kicks ass)
Main bad-guy-dude does have some of the best lines in the movie: "Are you gonna be alright?" said to a henchman after smacking a girl for hitting him.
The guy who built everything ends up being the terrorist? -- and they were all surprised?
It's the 2nd best Die Hard, right after the first one.
Finally, they get the true sense of suspense back. With the other sequels, it was simply "Blow stuff up and cheer!" Save that stuff for Death Race 2.0
Bruce Willis is definitely old, you can tell they used the stunt man alot. I'm not saying Bruce doesn't kick ass but it's pretty clear that he's just around to limp, grunt and say stuff.
We need a John McClane versus Indiana Jones movie.
The "Mac Guy" Justin Long uses a PC alot in this film.
John McClane is too close to John McCain.
Is this the first time John McClane gets shot? I can't remember the 3rd one that much, but I'm pretty sure in 1 and 2 he was never shot.
And yes, I'm hella pissed about the censoring of the "yippie kay ye" line at the end. Yo, this isn't some kinda kids movie jack-heads.
Realfilmrating of M4 - meaning you got to know that a person like John McClane would not survive the things he's doing. Not quite the highest rating of M5 but close to it.

And now... Random Thoughts

2008-09-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

If I lived in Texas and drove a Lexus, I'd call it my TexaLexus.
Yeah, this pisses me off.. Why? Because I was taught all my life that humans were good people. I must now become a jaded person. Thanks
Obama is a celebrity? I thought Ronald Regan and Fred Thompson were? I'm so confused.

John McSame crashed 4 planes in Vietnam! Well, not on purpose people.
I'm a fan of sci-movies as well as futuristic mind-fuck movies... but films that have no fucking clue about the future piss me off. For example, humans have always touched each other especially for things like ummm... sex and handshakes. Fuck you very much, Demolition Man! And on that same trip DemoMan, apparently we wipe our ass with shells instead of TP. I hate you.
Also, why the hell has no one ever explained that humans finally conquered that pesky gravity! Everyone in space ships aren't floating? I hate you Mr. Lucas. (and you Star Wars nerds who explain it this way - it still doesn't explain when a ship is cut in half like in episode 3)
So far 2001 has gotten alot of aspects right. Including how a human body reacts in a vacuum

Why are you so afraid...

2008-09-04T00:44:00.000-07:00

Why are you so afraid of lands that don't obey, while you rush yourself to the hospital only to be turned away.
Why are you so afraid of people you've never seen, while your neighbors can simply glance at your daughter who's turning fourteen.
Why are you so afraid of far-away lands that need repair, while you can barely breath, and choke on dirty air.
Why are you so afraid to be afraid of what will be the real reason you die...stupidity.

Why are you so afraid of stories that you read, about evil men who choose to be evil, but are still sane, cause only sane people choose to be evil. I mean you could choose to murder 2 million people, couldn't you? I mean it's easy, right? It's totally a normal choice right? Oh it isn't a normal choice? Then it's abnormal, right? So not normal but abnormal. Interesting, why do people choose to be abnormal? Cause it feels so good?It feels so good to be so bad. Why does it feel good to cause innocent people pain? Oh, it's not a normal to want to cause innocent people pain... I see. So another abnormal thought. Well, shoot, now I'm just confused. If I'm normal and just simply can't choose to kill 2 million people, then how can abnormal people do it? Oh, I know. The devil. Shit I forgot about him. Well that sucks. I mean if I'm all normal all my life and then some dumb ass devil decides that I should be evil, then I'm fucked. But wait a minute, so it wouldn't be my choice to be evil, it was the devils' choice then. Oh okay good, I'm off the hook then, I'll just blame the devil when I do bad deeds, people will understand that. They'll think I'm normal then.

Oh dear Palin... you depress me

2008-09-04T00:27:00.000-07:00

"...we began a nearly forty billion dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence."

Shouldn't the above read "..we began a nearly forty billon dollar solar and wind plantation to help lead..." More of my tax dollars going to something that will cost more tax of my tax dollars to clean up the mess it makes to our land and environment.

"...America needs more energy ... our opponent is against producing it."

If you really think the above statement is true, then you are not an American. "In 10 years will be off of foreign oil" says the opponent... Ummm how we gonna do that Mrs. Palin without producing it ourselves.

"To the most powerful office on earth, he would bring the compassion that comes from having once been powerless ... the wisdom that comes even to the captives, by the grace of God ... the special confidence of those who have seen evil, and seen how evil is overcome."

The above is purely Bush talk. McSame at it again.

"For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds." By making all the wrong decisions.

I wonder why she didn't mention that she wants to teach kids that we used to ride dinosaurs. I wonder why she didn't mention that doesn't believe that all men are created equal. I wonder why she didn't mention that she wants to have the government control our bodies.

http://www.reason.com/news/show/128142.html

And now... Random Thoughts

2008-09-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

A Hippo is simply an ass with a mouth. Hey, like my first girlfriend!
FCC forces consumers to actually go out and get something for their TVs then install it themselves. What if gov said same thing for a converter for bio-fuel?
Scary.
Love it.
Hilarious

Only in America

2008-09-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Let's play a game. Pick "in the UK" or "in the USA"

Cops know a criminal has a gun in a apartment. They enter the apartment and are startled that he's hiding behind the door, they...

1. Arrest him (they enter unarmed)
2. Shoot and kill him

A fleeing suspect in a high speed pursuit is swerving and hitting cars, is stopped by slamming into a cop car.

1. He is Arrested.
2. He is shot and killed.

A crook was caught by those wonderful CCTV cameras taking an ax to a cop car and swinging it at officer. He was...

1. Maced and captured
2. Shot a killed.

Have you seen that new "Wanna Bet" show.. The UK hosts on that show where "playing" like they were afraid of the chainsaw wielding guest. But I thought it was odd the way they went about it: they said to the dude, "You're a good looking man, very handsome man you are."... Would that really work in America? I personally think the chainsaw would be used to split those "fairies" in half, according to the maniac. That's the 'Merican way... "If you're a man, don't smile at me. I don't care if you have perty teeth!"

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Dumb Guy Reviews: The Spiderwick Chronicles

2008-08-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know anything about the books or whatever else is out there so this is a review of the film only.

I would be surprised to find someone who just hated this movie.
It's like a tamer version of Harry Potter. Good for the younger kids.
From the Director of Mean Girls & Freaky Friday, both of which had good teen-to-teen and teen-to-adult conversations.
An exception to the above, was the line: "I hate you!" said to the mother at one point. I know this happens in real life but I really think it played too dramatic.
I like the dude who played the twins, Freddie Highmore, but I have to say his accent was noticeable and a bit distracting at times.
I think that Josh Hutcherson woulda done better. Watch Zathura, you'll thank me. (Get me a juice box, beatch!)
I was bored at times, mostly during the part where the white little dandilion thingies were involved, probably coulda made all that quicker.
It's hard not to think of Harry Potter, especially when the Griffon comes into the play but it wasn't too distracting.
The ending was typical, nothing of a surprise, a good ending for the kiddies.
Realfilmrating of M2 - maturity level 2, similar to a PG rating for some of the violence.

Jury Snooty

2008-08-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

I was recently at jury duty. I won't go into much detail about the case or what went on. I will save that for a future rant. Anyways here's some quicky things about that day:

Some dude was texting in a totally quiet room. No big deal, right? Problem was that he didn't feel the need to turn off the sound on his cell phone. His choice of sound was a "typewriter" sound that echoed every time he hit a key. How can someone be so unaware of their surroundings? Or maybe he knew everyone could hear him, but just didn't think it bothered anyone?
A moment of thought while waiting to be called: "How many things on you jingle, Mr Dude next to me?" Some dude sitting next me was jingling like crazy. He had shit in his pockets that made noise, like coins and possibly paperclips. He had keys on his belt loop with other shit attached. He also had a couple bracelets on. It was like sitting next to a homeless janitor; he wore everything he owned.
There was a weird moment between jurors as we all waited outside the courtroom. One juror, who had been complaining early about "being called in for this shit", was again bitching and moaning. He was mumbling about how "This is bullshit, why the hell am I here. I work for a living and on and on." Another juror was all like "dude, we are all pissed off that we are here and we are all missing work so why don't you just be quiet." Then the complainer dude was like, "Don't tell me what do to!" and turned away from us all and started bitching to the wall. Another juror was like: "It's our privilege as Americans to do this type of stuff.." And the complainer juror was all: "Well then you can be a juror forever and I can go home." Then I got tired of the bickering so I put on my headphones.

Conversations

2008-08-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

at a cafeteria style restaurant:
ME: Does the sirloin comes as a sandwich?
DUDE: Let me check? Yes it does. (starts typing order in) What's your side order?
ME: No--
DUDE: No sides?
ME: No, I--
DUDE: Okay. (starts printing receipt)
ME: (frustrated) I'd like the chicken sandwich not sirloin.
DUDE: (irritated and takes forever to cancel order) Sandwich with the combo?
ME: Does it come with a drink?
DUDE: Yes.
ME: Then no, just a side of potatoes please.
DUDE: White or wheat?
ME: (pause, confused then realize) Oh white bread for the sandwich please.
DUDE: Total is $$xx.xx -- (inaudible) ...out of credit?
ME: Yes.
DUDE: (super irritated) Yes to which, debit or credit?
ME: Sorry, credit.

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And now... Random Thoughts

2008-08-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

I wonder if I could beat my clone in a fight.
I was at a fast food chain awhile ago and I couldn't tell, but it looked as if the women sitting across from me and her kid were making out. Maybe I shoulda called the cops.
Are you kidding me?
I was watching a TV Show and it bleeped out the exclamation, "Jesus Christ!" Explain.
Leryn Franco makes my javelin toss its cookies. Dearest Me! and Me
I like this. It may be wrong and stupid but asking questions and doing research is not.
I don't defend all of Rosanne's latest remarks about "Brangelina" but this one is kinda true: "...and noted that the couple make “forty million dollars a year in violent psychopathic movies and give away three of it to starving children,” referring to the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which has raised millions for charitable causes." The rest here:
Jesus never said anything about abortion or homosexuality, but he said plenty about wealth and poverty. As a Christian, define the difference between need and greed. How much is enough?
Pretty girls are so annoying. Just sitting there all good looking; knowing I don't have a chance, unless I'm gay. I need to get gay or something.
McCain has more experience--at making the wrong decisions.

Dumb Guy Reviews: Death Race

2008-08-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

There's not much more to say about this film than: "Death" and "Race". But since that's no fun, here's some more...
Jason Stathum really knows how to shift gears in cars that he's pretending to drive.
The 2nd lap shoulda featured "classic" Death Race action. Ya know, like old people in wheelchairs flying through the air.
Go in to the movie thinking it'll suck and you might like it a bit.
The hottest chicks are the ones in jail? Who knew?
Why are there crying kids sitting behind me at a film called "Death Race"? Shouldn't they be playing GTA IV?
The warden shoulda been killed by Jason Stathum. It's lame the way she died. Total cop out. She shoulda gone after him when he escaped. Then he could have kicked her ass from outside the prison. Totally unbelievable to me that no one would check a package for a bomb... in a prison!!! And you got to have the "hero" kill the villain!
What was up with the "Don't try this at home disclaimer" at the end? The film is called "Death Race", it's rated R, there's blood, guts, gore, killing, maiming, & "foul" language? Oh wait.. I forgot... MPAA defines an R rating as: "bring a cool parent who doesn't probe the maturity level of their child and then blames the world and the film industry for when their child acts out what he/she saw on screen." I give this film a realfilmrating of M5 [maturity level 5], which simply means "If you or your children don't understand that running a car into another human will kill them, then please, for the sake of the human race, do not see this film."

Dumb Guy Reviews: Doomsday

2008-08-22T17:24:00.001-07:00

This movie sucked huge ball cocks.
Shoulda been called "Dumbsday".
I felt like I was watching a movie made in the early 90's.
When the world comes to an end, everybody becomes a cannibal punk-rocker???
Seems like the only reason this movie was made was for the Mad Max car chase scene near the end.
Note: I've seen Mad Max.
Brittish & Scottish mad-men are not scary; you just want to pat them on the head.
The main chick needs better boobs and better moves.
Thought it was interesting that most of the characters were killed off (including the hottest chick) before I even knew their name.
The gore was good if you like crap. My poo has more realistic blood.
Lorenzo Lamas can act circles around everyone in this film.
This just in: Lorenzo Lamas voted worst actor ever.

Conversations

2008-08-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

ME: (holding a video camera) "Hey dude, is okay that I film you?"
MAN: "I don't give a shiiit! They filmed me up and downnnnna!"
ME: "Okay."
MAN: "Look Ma, no hands" (holds hands up)
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Conversations

2008-08-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

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MAN: "Got any money"
ME: "For what?"
MAN: "The negro chicken fund."
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Geez. Geez. Please.

2008-08-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

Innocent people killed on 9/11 = 2,998 -- Innocent people killed in Iraq = 86,000 -- We would need to suffer about 28 more 9/11's to be equal. Geez.

Russian push into Georgia could knock Nasa off ISS. Geez.

Wrestler tosses aside bronze medal. Please.

Conversations

2008-08-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

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MAN: (holding a Idaho potato bag and slurring) "Wantsomepotaditis"?
ME: "What?"
MAN: (clearer, less slurring) "What some potadit is?"
ME: "I don't want any potatoes."
MAN: "Naw Man, What day is it!"
ME: "Wednesday"
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