Olbermann demands apology for Bush's Rose Garden Rant
Unacceptable to think?
Friday, September 22, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Art Baer RIP
Art Baer was a good man. He was a writer and executive producer for popular television comedies for the better part of 4 decades. He was decent and kind and funny. And he was a sweet friend and colleague of my late stepfather, Mike Marmer.
Art died this past Sunday of cancer. My best wishes go out to his family.
Art died this past Sunday of cancer. My best wishes go out to his family.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
U.S. Government
Is it Orwellian in its methods and communication? Let Billmon help you decide.
After 9/11, I, like the majority of people in the U.S. and around the world, wanted to find the people responsible and punish them. I still do, but my confidence in our government began waning as soon as Bush came out with the language of "War Against Terror". I thought then and I think now that they used 1984 as a means to their ends...and their ends is never the end of terror. For with an end to terror, they have nothing.
After 9/11, I, like the majority of people in the U.S. and around the world, wanted to find the people responsible and punish them. I still do, but my confidence in our government began waning as soon as Bush came out with the language of "War Against Terror". I thought then and I think now that they used 1984 as a means to their ends...and their ends is never the end of terror. For with an end to terror, they have nothing.
Canele
My goodness. Amid all the spam in comments (ironic for a post about a new restaurant) were two decidedly negative comments about the new place. It's a shame your meal was not a great experience, but I say give the place a chance. It was opening weekend and my meal was delicious. Sure there were a few problems, but I think it's great that a fresh new restaurant has come to our "village".
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Income Disparity....Continues
The rich get richer. Income saw a growth of 7% nationally, but who saw that income? The middle class? The working class? Ah, not so much. Really, how soon til we dig trenches around our big cities?
U.S. Government Breaks International Laws
Over 14,000, it was reported today, are beind held without due process in the so-called "war against terror". When the phrase first made an appearance back in 2001, many suspected the phrase would easily become a tool of power and undefinable. Fortunately (and really late, but still appreciated), the press is awakening to this -- particularly because it's their own that they need to protect.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Canele in Atwater Village
Ate there tonight and it was delicious. Warm atmosphere, great buzz, nice help. Sure, they're working some opening weekend bugs out, but the food was great.
We started with an heirloom tomato salad with feta, cucumbers and olives. We asked for no olives -- as was noted on our check-- but they came anway. Despite them,. the salad was fab. Light, sweet and tangy.
Next up, I had the beef medalions and Carl had the red snapper. The snapper was a little undercooked, but deliciously rich and buttery. My beef was absolutely sensational. Moist, tasty and completely finished. It came with savory potatoes and great spinach -- i guess e coli was extra...
We finished with the chocolate/almond cake with ice cream The cake was tasty, but a wee bit hard and cold. The ice cream was fantastic and the combination was superb. My only wish is that the cake was warmer and more moist.
Overall, a very encouraging and tasty start for Canele. Can't wait to return!
We started with an heirloom tomato salad with feta, cucumbers and olives. We asked for no olives -- as was noted on our check-- but they came anway. Despite them,. the salad was fab. Light, sweet and tangy.
Next up, I had the beef medalions and Carl had the red snapper. The snapper was a little undercooked, but deliciously rich and buttery. My beef was absolutely sensational. Moist, tasty and completely finished. It came with savory potatoes and great spinach -- i guess e coli was extra...
We finished with the chocolate/almond cake with ice cream The cake was tasty, but a wee bit hard and cold. The ice cream was fantastic and the combination was superb. My only wish is that the cake was warmer and more moist.
Overall, a very encouraging and tasty start for Canele. Can't wait to return!
Habeas Corpus
The NY Times has a great op-ed piece from a former prisoner at Gitmo about the importance of Habeas Corpus. The bottom line is that if our government does not give those people it holds in prison the right to challenge their incarceration, we have lost oh-so-much moral standing.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
That was the week was
It's a new segment on Katie's CBS News that follows web happenings, but my favorite thing about is the title. That Was The Week That Was was actually a news satire on TV decades ago and I'm betting they have no idea. How sweet is that?
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Ann Richards
RIP.
To this day, I'll never understand how W beat her in the Texas Governor's race. Though, I'm guessing that, perhaps, foul play was involved.
Here's her keynote speech from the 1988 Democratic convention.
To this day, I'll never understand how W beat her in the Texas Governor's race. Though, I'm guessing that, perhaps, foul play was involved.
Here's her keynote speech from the 1988 Democratic convention.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Trader Joes
Their toilet paper, as Atwater Newbie so delicately points out, is like east german sandpaper.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
9/11
A few quotes about death...
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.
- James F. Byrnes
Never chase a lie. Let it alone, and it will run itself to death.
- Lyman Beecher
Even the fear of death is nothing compared to the fear of not having lived authentically and fully.
- Frances Moore Lappe
Almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
- Steve Jobs (largest Disney investor)
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep:
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to,--'t is a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub:
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.
- William Shakespeare
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
- William Shakespeare
and lastly (though, I certaily can go on):
No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
- John Donne
I hope and pray that those that lost their lives on 9/11 have found peace...because we have not.
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.
- James F. Byrnes
Never chase a lie. Let it alone, and it will run itself to death.
- Lyman Beecher
Even the fear of death is nothing compared to the fear of not having lived authentically and fully.
- Frances Moore Lappe
Almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
- Steve Jobs (largest Disney investor)
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep:
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to,--'t is a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub:
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.
- William Shakespeare
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
- William Shakespeare
and lastly (though, I certaily can go on):
No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
- John Donne
I hope and pray that those that lost their lives on 9/11 have found peace...because we have not.
Canele!
Ok, here's what the outside looks like now. Warmn sorta butter and chocolate on the outside while inside is a deep purple.
It's very inviting.
(Yes, that's me in the reflection of the window. So, sue me.)
Canele!
Great news! Canele is opening in the former Osteria Nonni space and they have done a tremendous job in fixing up the space. It's now a warm, pleasant, modern space and the dream come true for new-owner and new-restauranter Corina (not sure how to spell her name).
I walked in this warm Sunday afternoon and, though they are not open, they welcomed me in. They were testing out their menu and it smelled heavenly. Though I do miss Nonni, they had not updated their menu or their space in more than 10 years. The new look is refreshing and the smell was more than promising.
Canele opens this coming Friday and will be open for dinners Tuesday - Sunday. Corina hopes to add Lunch and Brunch as well.
I know I'm going this coming weekend!
Atwater Starbucks and Such
Yes it's true. Starbucks is going into the old Atwaters Ranch Market. While we certainly don't need another Starbucks -- and I'll be buying my baked goods at the locally-owned Rollin' Pin Bakery and getting my rare outside-work-or-home coffee at Kaldi -- it will benefit the many people who drive down Glendale in the morning and it has already forced both Rollin' Pin and Kaldi to spruce up.
However, I'm more concerned about what might be going in next door. I walked onto the site and a construction worker told me that an H&R Block is going in. All this time, I've heard about a Wine Shop/Cafe --something that a worker at Kaldi reiterated -- was slated for the space. And that would be ideal. An H&R Block would be a total waste of the great newly configured space. Come on, people.
Does anyone know for sure what's going in there?
World Trade Center
The NY Times has a fantastic photo essay of the Towers.
My first real memory of the Towers comes from a time when I really visited NY for the first time as an adult. I was in school at Brandeis and decided to come down to Brooklyn with a friend who was from Brooklyn Heights (Hi Adam!). He lived just across the Brooklyn Bridge from lower Manhattan and one day we decided to ride bikes across the bridge to the Trade Center.
We did and it was magnificent.
My first real memory of the Towers comes from a time when I really visited NY for the first time as an adult. I was in school at Brandeis and decided to come down to Brooklyn with a friend who was from Brooklyn Heights (Hi Adam!). He lived just across the Brooklyn Bridge from lower Manhattan and one day we decided to ride bikes across the bridge to the Trade Center.
We did and it was magnificent.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
LAX Sucks Ass
Having had the opportunity to do a lot of travel for work this summer and last summer in the United States -- literally North, South, East and West -- I can honestly say that LAX just plain sucks ass.
Even Minneapolis and Phoenix have stellar airports with trams, multiple eateries, newstands and more. Minneapolis even had comfortable leather-like chairs dotted around big windows for a relaxing read of the paper.
LAX has not been updated since just prior to the 84 Olympics. Now, I know Hahn had a terrible plan which thankfully was shelved and now Villaraigosa has added remote check-ins at shuttle stops, but that's just a bandaid. Some improvements that just need to happen asap:
1. Extend the freakin' greenline to the airport. Politicians caved to Airport Shuttle/Parking Lot companies. Show some freakin' courage already.
2. Once within a terminal and screened by security, you should be able to transfer to another terminal without having to go through security again. Cheese and Rice!
3. Add some sort of connection to the Theme Restaurant from every terminal (already passed security) -- maybe O'Hare like tunnels. For God's sake, it's a great looking restaurant that is so sadly underused because no one wants to go there and then have to find their way to their terminal.
4. More food.
5. If an airline -- Taca, for example -- has regularly scheduled late late night flights, please have a restaurant and bookshop open in the same terminal.
Thank you.
Even Minneapolis and Phoenix have stellar airports with trams, multiple eateries, newstands and more. Minneapolis even had comfortable leather-like chairs dotted around big windows for a relaxing read of the paper.
LAX has not been updated since just prior to the 84 Olympics. Now, I know Hahn had a terrible plan which thankfully was shelved and now Villaraigosa has added remote check-ins at shuttle stops, but that's just a bandaid. Some improvements that just need to happen asap:
1. Extend the freakin' greenline to the airport. Politicians caved to Airport Shuttle/Parking Lot companies. Show some freakin' courage already.
2. Once within a terminal and screened by security, you should be able to transfer to another terminal without having to go through security again. Cheese and Rice!
3. Add some sort of connection to the Theme Restaurant from every terminal (already passed security) -- maybe O'Hare like tunnels. For God's sake, it's a great looking restaurant that is so sadly underused because no one wants to go there and then have to find their way to their terminal.
4. More food.
5. If an airline -- Taca, for example -- has regularly scheduled late late night flights, please have a restaurant and bookshop open in the same terminal.
Thank you.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
9/11 Anniversary and Saying No to ABC Right-wing Propoganda
This is an email I sent out to friends tonight:
I don 't do this often (anymore) and I apologize for the mass email, but ABC is about to air a "docudrama" about 9/11 that is patently false and has been designed to politicize the terrible events of that day to the benefit of the republican party that has lead this country to a much less safe position in the world.
Take a moment and let your voice be heard:
http://www.democrats.org/page/pt/pathto911/c74glrkxyr8o
Oh, and tell a friend, why don't you?
I don 't do this often (anymore) and I apologize for the mass email, but ABC is about to air a "docudrama" about 9/11 that is patently false and has been designed to politicize the terrible events of that day to the benefit of the republican party that has lead this country to a much less safe position in the world.
Take a moment and let your voice be heard:
http://www.democrats.org/page/pt/pathto911/c74glrkxyr8o
Oh, and tell a friend, why don't you?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Good night and good luck
Olberman is on fire, via atrios.
Speak truth to power and eventually, hopefully, people will listen.
He's very eloquent and quite damning. Read it.
Speak truth to power and eventually, hopefully, people will listen.
He's very eloquent and quite damning. Read it.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Corporations Aren't Evil...
With apologies to to Jessica Rabbit, they're just drawn that way. What Kevin Drum says:
But I will (partly) concede one point to Mallaby: it's foolish to paint Wal-Mart or the broader business community as "evil." They aren't, any more than ordinary human beings are evil. It's just that, left to their own devices, both humans and corporations tend to act solely in their own self-interest. That's why we have laws to control human behavior, and it's why we need laws and regulations to control corporate behavior. I prefer a society in which people don't gun each other down in the streets, and I also prefer a society in which middle class workers prosper when the economy grows. I support laws that encourage both.
Read the whole thing! The bottom line is that we need business regulations because unregulated, business will do first what's best for business. To hell with morality. And that's why good government works for the people.
But I will (partly) concede one point to Mallaby: it's foolish to paint Wal-Mart or the broader business community as "evil." They aren't, any more than ordinary human beings are evil. It's just that, left to their own devices, both humans and corporations tend to act solely in their own self-interest. That's why we have laws to control human behavior, and it's why we need laws and regulations to control corporate behavior. I prefer a society in which people don't gun each other down in the streets, and I also prefer a society in which middle class workers prosper when the economy grows. I support laws that encourage both.
Read the whole thing! The bottom line is that we need business regulations because unregulated, business will do first what's best for business. To hell with morality. And that's why good government works for the people.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Starbucks
There's one coming to Atwater Village. Don't know if I'm thrilled by it or not, probably not, as there's one nearby already on the edge of Atwater and Silver Lake. Think there's another one on by the big box retail on Los Feliz. Do we need another one? Anyway, here's a good story about L.A. Starbucks.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Katrina plus one year
How are things going? Well, not so well, really. See the rudepundit for one visit to a lovely fema trailerpark and feel proud to be an American.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Bad L.A. Days
What was the worst day in the city's history? LACityNerd wants to know and has come up with a few suggestions. I added the 1938 flood, but, personally, I think the Northridge Quake shook me up the most. For at least six months, I wouldn't take long showers. For much longer, when I heard the wind howl, I assumed we were fixin' for a big one.
Friday, August 18, 2006
New Orleans 1 Year Later
Just more than half the population is back, but only 1/3 of the schools will open. The Fed government (as well as state and local governments) have let these people down. Help them out and visit FriendsandFamily.org!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Happy Leo Birthdays
To:
Jon
Doug
John
Melissa
me
Mary
Jen
Howard
Gary
Carl
Paula
Dave
Steve
I'm sure I'm missing somebody...
Jon
Doug
John
Melissa
me
Mary
Jen
Howard
Gary
Carl
Paula
Dave
Steve
I'm sure I'm missing somebody...
New York Subway
I was just in New York for work this past weekend -- first time in the city in about 4 years -- and I had the joy of riding the subway downtown. I grabbed the 7 at 50th and Broadway and climbed aboard a very crowded train Sunday early afternoon. I found a seat next to two kids -- hey, I guess NY really has safened up as they were riding alone -- and immediately sat down.
Oops, I'm wet. I sat in wet. Not good. It happens. I maintained my dignity, as best I could, and sorta half got up and slid my butt over to the next seat over...which was also wet! And, that's when one of the kids turned to me and said, I shit you not, "That seat's got water on it too." Yeah, no shit, kid. Maybe speak up next time before I sit down the first time...or at least the second time. And, I'm thinking and singing, "I love New York..."
So, now, back of shorts drenched, I stand. I've got blocks to go, stations to pass, before I get off. I'm just hoping that somehow I'll dry off before I hit the Village. Well, no matter how hot it is --and it is August in NY-- you can't just go from soaking wet to dry in 5 stations...but I was in luck.
The car stopped at 14th and somebody who speaks absolutely no discernible language gets on the PA to rattle on about something. I duitifully ignore. The car does not move for about five minutes and then....and then...it starts heading back up town. Wait, I think. This is not right. This, I don't think, is the direction we were going a minute ago. Nope. It's the opposite.
Drat! Still wet. I get off at 18th and, though I know I'm a mere 10 blocks or so from the village, I want to confirm it before I start to walk, as I'm meeting Andrew for brunch. So, I slide next to the ticketbooth lady and politely ask her how long of a walk is it to the Village. After 30 seconds of eye rolling, she deigns to lean forward to press her talk button and says exasperatingly, "What dear?" I repeat my question with a big smile, she pauses for another 30 seconds of concentrated eye rolling, presses said button again and says, "Yeah."
And then, signifying the end of the conversation, she theatrically releases the talk button. She is done.
And after ten minutes walking in the blazing sun and stiff breeze, I met Andrew and still looked like I was June Allyson on a bad day.
Oops, I'm wet. I sat in wet. Not good. It happens. I maintained my dignity, as best I could, and sorta half got up and slid my butt over to the next seat over...which was also wet! And, that's when one of the kids turned to me and said, I shit you not, "That seat's got water on it too." Yeah, no shit, kid. Maybe speak up next time before I sit down the first time...or at least the second time. And, I'm thinking and singing, "I love New York..."
So, now, back of shorts drenched, I stand. I've got blocks to go, stations to pass, before I get off. I'm just hoping that somehow I'll dry off before I hit the Village. Well, no matter how hot it is --and it is August in NY-- you can't just go from soaking wet to dry in 5 stations...but I was in luck.
The car stopped at 14th and somebody who speaks absolutely no discernible language gets on the PA to rattle on about something. I duitifully ignore. The car does not move for about five minutes and then....and then...it starts heading back up town. Wait, I think. This is not right. This, I don't think, is the direction we were going a minute ago. Nope. It's the opposite.
Drat! Still wet. I get off at 18th and, though I know I'm a mere 10 blocks or so from the village, I want to confirm it before I start to walk, as I'm meeting Andrew for brunch. So, I slide next to the ticketbooth lady and politely ask her how long of a walk is it to the Village. After 30 seconds of eye rolling, she deigns to lean forward to press her talk button and says exasperatingly, "What dear?" I repeat my question with a big smile, she pauses for another 30 seconds of concentrated eye rolling, presses said button again and says, "Yeah."
And then, signifying the end of the conversation, she theatrically releases the talk button. She is done.
And after ten minutes walking in the blazing sun and stiff breeze, I met Andrew and still looked like I was June Allyson on a bad day.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Best Satire Site Ever.
Serious. You must read cause it's funny. Get to know News As Gossip. Very funny!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Gay Marriage
Though it seems to be taking quite a few hits lately, no matter what, love finds a way.
Congrats ladies!
Congrats ladies!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Monday, July 17, 2006
The Internets
Though just a buncha tubes, this Internet thing might end up being something after all.
Via Kyle
Though just a buncha tubes, this Internet thing might end up being something after all.
Via Kyle
Friday, July 14, 2006
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
Habibi's (not got) Falafels
DSC05056
Originally uploaded by miles10001.
Yeah, so here it is "open". Notice bright lgiht in window is actually from Film Lighting apparatus. Sigh.
Habibi's Falafel or How My Dreams of Middle Eastern Food Were Shattered
DSC05056
Originally uploaded by miles10001.
Saturday, I'm on my regular constitutional through the neighborhood of Atwater Village and, lo and behold, a new middle eastern restaurant where before was a longrunning Philipino Market. I'm thrilled. THRILLED. I haven't had a good falafel since I lived in Hollywood and Me and Me at the corner of Crescent Heights and Santa Monica closed. THRILLED!
So, Wednesday night after work, I decide to walk by and maybe purchase some falafel and hummus. Well, upon close inspection, it's closed. Looks great, though. Big counter, nice floor, few tables...but wait. There are two tall stands. Could it be? Is it possible?
Next day, EatingLA shatters my dreams. It's a set for a new movie starring Tony Shaloub! Dreams of a falafel within walking distance crushed! Oh, Los Angeles!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Ann Coulter is a Liar
By that, I mean, of course, a plagiarist. Why does any news outlet use her? Your days are numbered, hack!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Sunday, July 02, 2006
National Sales Tax is a Bad Idea, Andrew
Yeah, I said it. To replace income tax with a national sales tax will put an undue burden on the middle class and poor. Many years ago, The Washington Post did a comprehensive story on tax policy and firmly agreed that a national sales tax would be extremely regressive.
What the federal government should be doing -- and won't for some time -- is restore the progressive nature of our income tax laws to where they were pre-Reagan. Over the past 30-odd years, the rich have been getting richer (more so in the past decade) and the middle class and poor have been getting poorer. If these trends continue, the country will consist of an Upper class and Lower class. Not a good model for success, n'cest pa?
Here are some solid graphs of how there is now a greater divide between the wealthy and not-so-wealthy people in this county. Basically, according to faireconomy.org,
What the federal government should be doing -- and won't for some time -- is restore the progressive nature of our income tax laws to where they were pre-Reagan. Over the past 30-odd years, the rich have been getting richer (more so in the past decade) and the middle class and poor have been getting poorer. If these trends continue, the country will consist of an Upper class and Lower class. Not a good model for success, n'cest pa?
Here are some solid graphs of how there is now a greater divide between the wealthy and not-so-wealthy people in this county. Basically, according to faireconomy.org,
Income for the top 1% skyrocketed 201% between 1979 and 2000.
Meanwhile, income for the middle 20% rose only 15% and income for the
bottom 20% rose only 9%.
So, if we return tax rates to pre-Reagan, we might just be able turn this trend around and begin to rebuild our infrastructure, provide equal educational opportunities to all people, restore the safety net, provde national health care and, heck, even fund our illegal and immoral wars.
And don't tell me that if the wealthy are taxed more that the economy will be sent into a tailspin, millions will lose their jobs and on and on. Save your breath.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Gitmo, Torture and the Supreme Court
Today, for what feels like the first time since before the 2000 election, one branch of our government stood up and did what was right. The Supreme Court today ruled:
1. torture is bad
2. holding people without due process is bad
3. breaking the geneva convention is bad
Not sure what kind of impact this will have other than offering a glimmer of hope that not everyone running this country has gone batshit insane.
1. torture is bad
2. holding people without due process is bad
3. breaking the geneva convention is bad
Not sure what kind of impact this will have other than offering a glimmer of hope that not everyone running this country has gone batshit insane.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Plane Sunset
DSC05013
Originally uploaded by miles10001.
A long painfully beautiful blue sunset from the plane, heading west.
Me
DSC04790
Originally uploaded by miles10001.
More backlighting...or frontlighting...or just favorable lighting.
The Hotel Arboleda
DSC04761
Originally uploaded by miles10001.
A rundown hotel at the bottom of the hill, next to the beach. They dragged our our lounge chairs every morning (before we arrived), and served us drinks as long as we were there.
Monkey see, monkey do
DSC04734
Originally uploaded by miles10001.
One of our visitors one morning. Honestly, this one morning, hundreds of monkeys were frolicking on our deck and in our trees for hours.
Me
DSC04637
Originally uploaded by miles10001.
I've never looked better. I must always insist on extreme backlighting. It eliminates all the flaws -- phycsical and emotional.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Stuck
While we´ve had an amazing and relaxing time in Costa Rica, yesterday at the airport was not so much. While waiting for 3+ hours in line at the airport to get our boarding passes for long-ago bought tickets home, our seats were sold.
No announcement, no warning, no nothing.
We threw the hissy fit of all time. They asked people to disboard and receive compensation. No takers.
We were given overnight accommodations, meals, transportation back to airport, upgrades to biz and 200-dollar vouchers for future flights. Still, it is not enough. We wanted to go home. Our dogsitter, the valiant pasquale- wanted to stop sitting. Our jobs expected us back.
So, now, our friend Jon who through very lucky circumstances did board and made it home and we are here. It will be interesting to see what fate has in store.
Back tonight. Tomorrow, many pics from the beautiful country and not so many from the less than beautiful airport.
No announcement, no warning, no nothing.
We threw the hissy fit of all time. They asked people to disboard and receive compensation. No takers.
We were given overnight accommodations, meals, transportation back to airport, upgrades to biz and 200-dollar vouchers for future flights. Still, it is not enough. We wanted to go home. Our dogsitter, the valiant pasquale- wanted to stop sitting. Our jobs expected us back.
So, now, our friend Jon who through very lucky circumstances did board and made it home and we are here. It will be interesting to see what fate has in store.
Back tonight. Tomorrow, many pics from the beautiful country and not so many from the less than beautiful airport.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Holiday Drag Names
Greta Carbo or Oscar Gone Wilde.
Yes, lots of eating and drinking.
Details to follow.
Yes, lots of eating and drinking.
Details to follow.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
First 4 Corners of Los Angeles
I had no idea about this but, as usual, LA City Nerd sheds some light. It seems that Akbar is in the location of the former northwest corner of the city of Los Angeles! So cool.
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