Well, ok, I'm not really on the east side of L.A -- rather the east side of the West Side of L.A. Those who live here call it the east side and those who really live on the east side, mock us. Oh, well.
In any case, I haven't been to these regular events, but I can't wait to start dropping in.
It's right across the street from that fabulous new Vietnamese place, Gingergrass and just steps away from one of the coolest and best staffed record stores in L.A., Rockaway.
And I can walk or ride my bike to all in a matter of minutes. I likey!
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
When is it time to end a life?
...and who makes that decision? If somebody is chronically ill and deteriorating, not able to care for themself or even speak or communicate, who knows what the right course of action is?
The family?
The hospital?
It would seem that the family would be more likely to let emotional attachments interfere with seemingly logical actions, while a hospital may let economics interfere with compasionate actions.
As sicker and sicker people are kept alive, where does society draw the line and who is the final arbiter of that line?
My friend Gary in Boston is representing a family going through such a crisis.
Personally, when my stepfather was dying, I found most of the so-called healthcare workers at the hospital where he died to be careless and uncaring, it would not surprise me at all that a hospital would opt for the course which would cost them less money and free up a bed. That said, if a family member of mine lay in a coma, unable to communicate, deteriorating with no hope of survival, I would be inclined to let them go as peacefully as possible.
Any thoughts?
The family?
The hospital?
It would seem that the family would be more likely to let emotional attachments interfere with seemingly logical actions, while a hospital may let economics interfere with compasionate actions.
As sicker and sicker people are kept alive, where does society draw the line and who is the final arbiter of that line?
My friend Gary in Boston is representing a family going through such a crisis.
Personally, when my stepfather was dying, I found most of the so-called healthcare workers at the hospital where he died to be careless and uncaring, it would not surprise me at all that a hospital would opt for the course which would cost them less money and free up a bed. That said, if a family member of mine lay in a coma, unable to communicate, deteriorating with no hope of survival, I would be inclined to let them go as peacefully as possible.
Any thoughts?
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Torture at Home?
Not that the heinous crimes committed in Iraq by Americans wasn't bad enough, it now seems more evident that the same type of behavior -rightly condemned by the rest of the civilized world, including the US when it happens in foreign countries - is happening here.
Read about it then speak out.
Read about it then speak out.
Roofer
With the biblical rains continuing, our old casita is taking a bit of a pounding. On early Saturday morning - 2ish - I awoke to a l eak...on my head. The bed was moved instantly and the leak has moved gruadually...and gotten larger. And, naturally, no roofers returned any calls today during the brief break between deluges.
So...can anyone recommend a good southern california roofer? Please? Or an a good arc builder?
So...can anyone recommend a good southern california roofer? Please? Or an a good arc builder?
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Republican Goals
An epiphany, really.
I think I've come up with a simple summary:
Republicans will do anything, including pandering to the right wing crazies and religious nuts, in order to remain in power for the purpose of dismantling all programs that strive to level the playing field so that they may derive additional benefits for only themselves and he members of the upper class.
It truly is class warfare and at some point the classes that are war is being raged on will awaken and it will not be pretty.
I think I've come up with a simple summary:
Republicans will do anything, including pandering to the right wing crazies and religious nuts, in order to remain in power for the purpose of dismantling all programs that strive to level the playing field so that they may derive additional benefits for only themselves and he members of the upper class.
It truly is class warfare and at some point the classes that are war is being raged on will awaken and it will not be pretty.
More on Jeff Gannon
Don't know if I'm even getting his name right, but again, here's why it matters and it matters a lot.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
American Idol
The judges have narrowed the list of contestants from 100,000 to 24, and now it's up to us.
Check out the site and get to know some these people who are like you and me except for the fatc that one of them (at least) will become an American Idol.
Check out the site and get to know some these people who are like you and me except for the fatc that one of them (at least) will become an American Idol.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Polls
Are you surprised when major national polls all of a sudden show huge movement...usually for Republicans?
Stop being confused. Look into their methodology. Maybe, just maybe, the huge jump can be explained by a poll that doesn't quite always take a fair sampling.
Don't believe me? Gallup was kind enough to help Steve Soto out.
It's time to stop taking things at face value.
Stop being confused. Look into their methodology. Maybe, just maybe, the huge jump can be explained by a poll that doesn't quite always take a fair sampling.
Don't believe me? Gallup was kind enough to help Steve Soto out.
It's time to stop taking things at face value.
Fingering Syria
Given the current US administration's track record, one has to wonder what its motives are in immediately identifying Syria as the likely culprit behind the assassination in Lebanon.
Everything that these people do everywhere in the world is suspect. Don't let them away with anything.
Always question.
Everything that these people do everywhere in the world is suspect. Don't let them away with anything.
Always question.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Howard Dean
Here's his speech. Read it and feel more empowered to change the direction this country is heading in. Or don't read it, and accept some of the responsibility for the further decline of the US.
Howard Dean
Is the new leader of the DNC.
If you're happy and you know it, give a little love.
He (and democrats) are going to face a lot of ridicule and hostility from the repuglicans.
Fight back.
If you're happy and you know it, give a little love.
He (and democrats) are going to face a lot of ridicule and hostility from the repuglicans.
Fight back.
Writing Smack
Having had to write a staggering amount of smack in my life, I do commiserate when I see fresh new enforced smack offered up by somebody not me. So, like Hunter, if I ever do meet the poor soul who had to write this correction in the L.A. Times, I, too, will gladly buy him/her a beer.
Attention Must Be Paid
Arthur Miller. R.I.P.
Go read David Mamet's obit.http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/13/opinion/13Mamet.html?
Nothing more need be said.
Go read David Mamet's obit.http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/13/opinion/13Mamet.html?
Nothing more need be said.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Duck Jokes may be fowl, but they make me quack up
via comedy central
A man walks into a brothel and says "I only have five bucks - is there anything you can do for me?"
The Madam says "Yes", and gives him a duck.
The man hands over the cash, and disappears upstairs with the duck.
A couple of weeks later he comes back. "I have ten bucks this time." he says, "What'll that get me?"
The madam hands the man another duck.
"Hold on!" says the man, "How come this duck is ten when the other one was only five? "They're both ducks!"
"Ah yes, that's right", says the Madam, "But this one doesn't have syphillis."
A man walks into a brothel and says "I only have five bucks - is there anything you can do for me?"
The Madam says "Yes", and gives him a duck.
The man hands over the cash, and disappears upstairs with the duck.
A couple of weeks later he comes back. "I have ten bucks this time." he says, "What'll that get me?"
The madam hands the man another duck.
"Hold on!" says the man, "How come this duck is ten when the other one was only five? "They're both ducks!"
"Ah yes, that's right", says the Madam, "But this one doesn't have syphillis."
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Huzzah!
Google does maps! And better than anyone else does maps! Google-map it!
And note this is just in beta. When the next version is rolled out, I have heard that it takes online maps into a whole new dimension.
Next up: The Google Browser. The revolution continues.
And note this is just in beta. When the next version is rolled out, I have heard that it takes online maps into a whole new dimension.
Next up: The Google Browser. The revolution continues.
Today's Science is a Tragedy
But with time (or a well created comic strip), it's Comedy. Damn fine comedy, that is.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Palm Springs
Off to the city by the sea...ah, no, the city by the...hmm. It's really a town in the middle of nowhere. Ah well, it's better than at work and we get to zoom around in the new mini cooper convertible. First long trip in it! Yee Haa.
Back in a day or so and special thanks to Babs for dog and house sitting.
Back in a day or so and special thanks to Babs for dog and house sitting.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Who Was the Iraqi Woman at the State of the Union
Was she a plant? Did she really just vote? Or is she being rewarded for not speaking of past (and/or) current atrocities. Somebody's done some digging.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Due Process
Hey, what do you know? Due Process as guaranteed in our Constitutution -- remember that, folks? -- must also apply to the people (and they are people) who the government has kept unlawfully, uncharged, without fair representation, etc, etc, etc, at Gitmo.
A good decision.
A good decision.
Talk Back
A housekeeping note: I don't know how many people visit, but I'm guessing not that many...which is fine. The site will grow and the audience will grow with it. That said, those people here reading my thoughts and links (such as they are), please talk back. Exchange is good (among consenting adults).
Don't make me beg. Ok, I'll beg. I've got swag. Engage more and ye shall be rewarded.
;-)
Don't make me beg. Ok, I'll beg. I've got swag. Engage more and ye shall be rewarded.
;-)
What Happened to Air America
Ok, well, I posted about this in a response to John below, but I just so damned well liked what I said that I thought I'd move it out on it's own for my slim audience to take a gander...
Well, actually, it appears as though it plum doesn't want to post. So, here it is in a nutshell.
Multicultural Radio Broadcasters owned Air America affiliates in Chicago and L.A. when the network launched. They didn't like what they heard -- maybe it was too multicultural -- so they claimed that Air America had stiffed them on payment and immediately knocked down the stations.
Now, ironically, Republican favorite Clear Channel is coming to the rescue -- in L.A., at least. They must sense profit because when it comes down to it, that's all they really care about.
More about what happened to the original affiliates here.
Well, actually, it appears as though it plum doesn't want to post. So, here it is in a nutshell.
Multicultural Radio Broadcasters owned Air America affiliates in Chicago and L.A. when the network launched. They didn't like what they heard -- maybe it was too multicultural -- so they claimed that Air America had stiffed them on payment and immediately knocked down the stations.
Now, ironically, Republican favorite Clear Channel is coming to the rescue -- in L.A., at least. They must sense profit because when it comes down to it, that's all they really care about.
More about what happened to the original affiliates here.
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