The scandal plagued president of Oral Roberts University resigned this week. He had been accused of lavish spending despite the University's debt His wife was also accused of spending time with young men in different situations around the University. He resigned, he says, against his better judgment but on the advice of God. God told him to resign.
Perhaps God should have told him to stop spending money like a drunken sailor. Perhaps God should have told her that getting a massage from a young impressionable freshman might look bad. Maybe God should have said that getting caviar on the Oral Roberts University dime isn't the smartes thing to do.
On the other hand, perhaps the Roberts family should have looked at what happened to Jim Baker and said, "Crap - we can't use all this money for our own purposes and treat everything like our own." "Crap - all these impressionable young kids coming to our University aren't fair game." But God took his eye off them for just a minute and they ran amok and he had to step in and tell them to quit. At least he didn't strike them down with lightning. Or unleash locusts on the Tulsa campus.
I'm guessing that what really happened is that God looked a lot like Dad (Oral Roberts) or an expensive lawyer and they said "You screwed up get out for the good of the school."
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Dion's Abdication
Well he calls it abstention but its really an abdication of responsibility. He says Canadians don't want an election so he pulls his party out of parliament for important votes. This is so completely ridiculous it is almost beyond words. We don't want an election so we'll let the Conservatives do exactly what they want. BUT we're not voting for it.
Stefane - you are supporting it. If you're not opposing it you're enabling it. What's worse you're sticking your head in the sand and not participating. That giant sucking sound you hear is the rest of the support for the Liberal Party leaking out to Conservatives, NDP, Greens . . .anybody but you. Somebody who stands on principle and actually does the job they were elected for. If I don't like something at work I either speak up or get it done. I don't sit on my thumb and stammer.
SHAME ON YOU LIBERALS. If you don't participate . . . QUIT.
Stefane - you are supporting it. If you're not opposing it you're enabling it. What's worse you're sticking your head in the sand and not participating. That giant sucking sound you hear is the rest of the support for the Liberal Party leaking out to Conservatives, NDP, Greens . . .anybody but you. Somebody who stands on principle and actually does the job they were elected for. If I don't like something at work I either speak up or get it done. I don't sit on my thumb and stammer.
SHAME ON YOU LIBERALS. If you don't participate . . . QUIT.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
So sue me
Well we continue to see the real value of the legal system in the US where people can and so sue over almost anything shamelessly.
1) a police officer in Florida sued the family of a young boy who was disabled with brain damage in an accident in the home. The officer responded to the emergency call and slipped on some water and injured her knee. She then sued the family for having an unsafe house when she entered for the emergency response. That's gall! This one was withdrawn after much outcry. Even in the litigious US there are apparently limits. Imagine a fireman suing someone for getting too warm during a fire at their home. Or a consumer suing a company for not warning them that the cup of coffee they sold him or her was hot and might burn them - oh wait that one happened.
2) a lawyer in NYC sued the florist from her wedding for providing the wrong colour of flowers. While she had wanted rust coloured hydrangeas the florist had the temerity to provide paster pink ones (trying to match a photograph). The flowers had been valued at over $27,000 (a huge pile of hydrangeas apparently) and she is suing for an additional $400,000 (no extra zeros there from rantman) for restitution and damages. $400,000 for the damage done by pink flowers. Someone should sue the lawyer bride for the damage she's doing to the profession. Wake up and spill the coffee woman.
1) a police officer in Florida sued the family of a young boy who was disabled with brain damage in an accident in the home. The officer responded to the emergency call and slipped on some water and injured her knee. She then sued the family for having an unsafe house when she entered for the emergency response. That's gall! This one was withdrawn after much outcry. Even in the litigious US there are apparently limits. Imagine a fireman suing someone for getting too warm during a fire at their home. Or a consumer suing a company for not warning them that the cup of coffee they sold him or her was hot and might burn them - oh wait that one happened.
2) a lawyer in NYC sued the florist from her wedding for providing the wrong colour of flowers. While she had wanted rust coloured hydrangeas the florist had the temerity to provide paster pink ones (trying to match a photograph). The flowers had been valued at over $27,000 (a huge pile of hydrangeas apparently) and she is suing for an additional $400,000 (no extra zeros there from rantman) for restitution and damages. $400,000 for the damage done by pink flowers. Someone should sue the lawyer bride for the damage she's doing to the profession. Wake up and spill the coffee woman.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Taking the Dry Cleaner to the Cleaners
A judge (of administrative law?) in Washington DC is suing his dry cleaner for $54 million (you read that right) for losing a pair of pants. Whilethe dry cleaner says he found the pants, the judge is saying that they are the wrong pants. The judge claims that a sign stating satisfaction guaranteed is unconditional and the lost pants, costs and damages are actually worth $67 million but he magnanimously is willing to accept the lower amount.
In a poor sign for the plaintiff, the trial judge is mocking his case and chiding the administrative law judge for poor knowledge of the relevant law. (Isn't the saying something like a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client). Although he is representing himself he is claiming millions of dollars in legal fees. He is also claiming $15,000 to rent a car to go to a different dry cleaner - did he rent a Hummer and drive to LA for another dry cleaner?
The defendant is saying that he should perhaps be liable for the pants (although he says they are the right ones) and that the case is frivilous. He says the judge went through a costly divorce (caught with his pants down perhaps - :-) ) and is looking for easy money.
Here's hoping he gets kicked in the ass and sent home.
In a poor sign for the plaintiff, the trial judge is mocking his case and chiding the administrative law judge for poor knowledge of the relevant law. (Isn't the saying something like a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client). Although he is representing himself he is claiming millions of dollars in legal fees. He is also claiming $15,000 to rent a car to go to a different dry cleaner - did he rent a Hummer and drive to LA for another dry cleaner?
The defendant is saying that he should perhaps be liable for the pants (although he says they are the right ones) and that the case is frivilous. He says the judge went through a costly divorce (caught with his pants down perhaps - :-) ) and is looking for easy money.
Here's hoping he gets kicked in the ass and sent home.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Harper still thinks I'm Stupid
I track visits to the site. When I posted "Harper thinks I'm stupid" I have a visit from someone in the PMO - Prime Minister's Office. They stayed all of one second. Apparently reading the ranting of a lowly blogger isn't worthwhile (although googling the right words to get the For Rant blog apparently is worthwhile for someone in the PMO's office - your tax dollars at work).
Nice to know you're watching. Unfortunately you're not listening and you had the guts to phone me for money the other day. We think you're stupid and we don't think your opinion matters but would you like to help us pay for these ads that you detest.
On the other hand I think Harper and his minions are stupid. Now I just have to figure out if he's more or less stupid than Dion before the next election.
Nice to know you're watching. Unfortunately you're not listening and you had the guts to phone me for money the other day. We think you're stupid and we don't think your opinion matters but would you like to help us pay for these ads that you detest.
On the other hand I think Harper and his minions are stupid. Now I just have to figure out if he's more or less stupid than Dion before the next election.
Not Ghana Die
I read an interesting article on funerals in Ghana the other day. While in North America there is a sense of social status that affects the size and pomp of your funeral. In Ghana, however, it is nuts. This is a country in which approximately 80% of the population makes less than $2 per day. The average annual income is $450. The ECONOMIST suggests that the average funeral costs $2,000 to $3,500. Consider:
They build elaborate coffins for the funeral but break them at burial to avoid theft ( I prefer to think of it as recycling). While that clearly creates casket building jobs, it hardly seems to be very efficient use of resources (I know I am a cold hearted bastard).
They refrigerate bodies (as do most countries) on death but the length of the refrigeration is a sign of status. A King recently spent 18 months in the fridge as a sign of respect. That might explain some of the Ted Williams stories we've heard.
And lastly, they hire professional mourners who lead the procession and wailing. I guess if you've been dead for 18 months your family might have gotten past the worst grief and appearances require really sad people. On the other hand, you may be at work paying for the funeral so have to hire people to come to the service.
I know I may be being culturally insensitive here but this is ridiculous and someone should tell them.
They build elaborate coffins for the funeral but break them at burial to avoid theft ( I prefer to think of it as recycling). While that clearly creates casket building jobs, it hardly seems to be very efficient use of resources (I know I am a cold hearted bastard).
They refrigerate bodies (as do most countries) on death but the length of the refrigeration is a sign of status. A King recently spent 18 months in the fridge as a sign of respect. That might explain some of the Ted Williams stories we've heard.
And lastly, they hire professional mourners who lead the procession and wailing. I guess if you've been dead for 18 months your family might have gotten past the worst grief and appearances require really sad people. On the other hand, you may be at work paying for the funeral so have to hire people to come to the service.
I know I may be being culturally insensitive here but this is ridiculous and someone should tell them.
Dopes on Dope
Well the whole performance enhancing drug issue is spiralling out of hand.
There's one guy - Barry Bonds - who is generally accepted to have taken performance enhancing drugs (mostly recently it is alleged he tested positive for amphetamines) but has never tested positive. He is about to break an "unbreakable" record and will be simultaneously scorned and celebrated. Is it OK? It was at least unethical but not at the time against the rules - although it was illegal. He'll break the record and the record will stand with an asterisk that fades over time. Maybe instead of the AL and the NL we should have stock and modified divisions.
One thing that I have heard is that criticism of Bonds is racism. That's complete and utter crap. Bonds is chasing the record but Mark McGwire if anything has had more scorn heaped on him with his "I don't want to look back." comments to Congress. Floyd Landis has also been regularly mocked and scorned. Barry is a cheater. It doesn't matter whether he is black, white or green. The whole chase thing is a charade. I don't remember what Mark McGwire hit for average when he broke the single season record but it was clear that every swing was a home run swing. The team be damned. At least Barry looks a lit more like he's picking his spots.
Now we have the Canadian wheel chair athlete Jeff Adams who was suspended for testing positive for cocaine. He my in fact be innocent. Unfortunately very few cheaters admit they cheated when caught so we again have the standard denials. This defence goes a step beyond snowboarder Ross R who was in the room with people smoking pot. This guy says an unknown street person put cocaine in his mouth in a bar one night. He didn't report it a the time (although his wife is a police officer) and says that a catheter that he used that night must have been contaminated and caused the positive test. If a stranger put a white substance in your mouth in a bar wouldn't you want to know what it is? Unless you've done it before how would you know its cocaine. If you are an elite athlete and it happens wouldn't you want to make sure you were covered rather than hiding the incident? On the other hand, if you were guilty, wouldn't you come up with a better story than this one? Makes you wonder but I for one am tired of drugs in sport stories.
There's one guy - Barry Bonds - who is generally accepted to have taken performance enhancing drugs (mostly recently it is alleged he tested positive for amphetamines) but has never tested positive. He is about to break an "unbreakable" record and will be simultaneously scorned and celebrated. Is it OK? It was at least unethical but not at the time against the rules - although it was illegal. He'll break the record and the record will stand with an asterisk that fades over time. Maybe instead of the AL and the NL we should have stock and modified divisions.
One thing that I have heard is that criticism of Bonds is racism. That's complete and utter crap. Bonds is chasing the record but Mark McGwire if anything has had more scorn heaped on him with his "I don't want to look back." comments to Congress. Floyd Landis has also been regularly mocked and scorned. Barry is a cheater. It doesn't matter whether he is black, white or green. The whole chase thing is a charade. I don't remember what Mark McGwire hit for average when he broke the single season record but it was clear that every swing was a home run swing. The team be damned. At least Barry looks a lit more like he's picking his spots.
Now we have the Canadian wheel chair athlete Jeff Adams who was suspended for testing positive for cocaine. He my in fact be innocent. Unfortunately very few cheaters admit they cheated when caught so we again have the standard denials. This defence goes a step beyond snowboarder Ross R who was in the room with people smoking pot. This guy says an unknown street person put cocaine in his mouth in a bar one night. He didn't report it a the time (although his wife is a police officer) and says that a catheter that he used that night must have been contaminated and caused the positive test. If a stranger put a white substance in your mouth in a bar wouldn't you want to know what it is? Unless you've done it before how would you know its cocaine. If you are an elite athlete and it happens wouldn't you want to make sure you were covered rather than hiding the incident? On the other hand, if you were guilty, wouldn't you come up with a better story than this one? Makes you wonder but I for one am tired of drugs in sport stories.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Harper thinks I'm Stupid
The conservative party is airing ads saying that Stephane Dion is a poor leader. I know that!
What the ads are really telling me is that the Conservatives are so bereft of ideas that matter to most Canadians that all they can do (when sitting in Government) is say how weak the opposition is. If that's the best they can do, one has to wonder whether they deserve to be in control. Unfortunately the options aren't very good. At least, however, the Liberals are proposing ideas. I may not like them much but all I get from the Conservatives is that the Liberal ideas are bad and that they have no leadership.
Perhaps they should be paying their advisers a bit more to come up with ideas rather than nice suits for Steve.
Where can we find a better option? Is our entire national leadership completely devoid of good ideas?
What the ads are really telling me is that the Conservatives are so bereft of ideas that matter to most Canadians that all they can do (when sitting in Government) is say how weak the opposition is. If that's the best they can do, one has to wonder whether they deserve to be in control. Unfortunately the options aren't very good. At least, however, the Liberals are proposing ideas. I may not like them much but all I get from the Conservatives is that the Liberal ideas are bad and that they have no leadership.
Perhaps they should be paying their advisers a bit more to come up with ideas rather than nice suits for Steve.
Where can we find a better option? Is our entire national leadership completely devoid of good ideas?
Sportsnet and B list "celebrities"
I was watching the Blue Jays game last night on Sportsnet. The news followed so I watched it as an alternative highlights package. Pretty standard package until a spot on Anna Kournakova and the young Iglesias breaking up. Now Anna hasn't played a competitive tennis match in about five years. Why is this news? Why is it sports news? Sure they had a funny old clip of an announcer asking her out during a news conference but is there nothing better. A poor introduction to the heavily hyped Sportsnet Connected. I'm sticking with the Score and TSN.
Harper's Boys Just like Everyone Else
Stevie
You said you were different.
You said you would be accountable.
You said you would be transparent.
You lied.
I'm not sure why it surprises us but it does. You had an opportunity to be different and get a majority. You just wanted it so much you became just like - gasp - the liberals. You're probably worse because you said you wouldn't do it and you did.
You want Quebec so bad you can taste it. Mr Cannon used a whole bunch of rented flights to drum up support. You know it was fine but you felt guilty so hid the costs outside of expenses. It was fine till you hid it.
Then we find that Mr Cannon has a full time staffer who also got a sole source contract from the feds to help with speeches (seems like something a staffer might do anyway). Conveniently he was paid about $24,800 per year, which is $200 under the amount requiring an open bidding process. We got the Liberal copyrighted "we followed all the rules of the Treasury Board." Yes you did. But you played the rules. It makes you look slimy.
Rantman has voted fairly consistently for the conservatives. Next time he won't.
What else are you guys hiding?
You said you were different.
You said you would be accountable.
You said you would be transparent.
You lied.
I'm not sure why it surprises us but it does. You had an opportunity to be different and get a majority. You just wanted it so much you became just like - gasp - the liberals. You're probably worse because you said you wouldn't do it and you did.
You want Quebec so bad you can taste it. Mr Cannon used a whole bunch of rented flights to drum up support. You know it was fine but you felt guilty so hid the costs outside of expenses. It was fine till you hid it.
Then we find that Mr Cannon has a full time staffer who also got a sole source contract from the feds to help with speeches (seems like something a staffer might do anyway). Conveniently he was paid about $24,800 per year, which is $200 under the amount requiring an open bidding process. We got the Liberal copyrighted "we followed all the rules of the Treasury Board." Yes you did. But you played the rules. It makes you look slimy.
Rantman has voted fairly consistently for the conservatives. Next time he won't.
What else are you guys hiding?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Keith Richards - Dead or Alive?
Its been a hard life Kieth - mostly self inflicted.
But from this picture I'm thinking retirement to a personal care home might be a better idea than ongoing touring.
Perhaps you shouldn't have snorted your Dad's ashes or all of that coke.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Only in Canada
The Vancouver Olympic bid announced $20 million dollars (actually I believe that's US) for an arts and cultural festival before and during the Olympics (apparently a pretty standard part of an Olympics program). Canadian artists are complaining that its insufficient. Never mind that almost no one will pay attention to it and that this is found money - they simply want more. Its hard to believe. Brian Williams may spend 30 seconds talking about the arts festival. People might attend if there's bad weather one day and events are cancelled.
This is free money folks. Take it and say thanks. The alternative was nothing - not more. The cultural snobs feeling shortchanged again.
This is free money folks. Take it and say thanks. The alternative was nothing - not more. The cultural snobs feeling shortchanged again.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Manny Being Manny
This is good.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/09/onion.ramirez.work/index.html
The original source for those who are interested.
http://www.theonion.com/content/?utm_source=CNN00
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/09/onion.ramirez.work/index.html
The original source for those who are interested.
http://www.theonion.com/content/?utm_source=CNN00
Perhaps Boston Pops Needs Hells Angels Security??
So the Boston Pops had their opening the other night and it was interupted by a fight in the Balcony. The Boston Pops is not a soccer team. They are not a hockey team. They aren't even a metal band. They are a symphony orchestra. And a fight broke out in the stands. I expect they serve beer (but that most of the froo froos who go sip wine or scotch and soda). Perhaps they should stop serving alcohol after the overture.
But come on guys. What could you have been fighting about? Second fiddle should be getting first fiddle minutes? Vivaldi's spring adagio is better than the summer in Four Seasons? This orchestral hooliganism has to stop or they will be building baricades between fans of the strings and woodwinds.
At least some thick necked bouncers to clear out the riff raff before things get out of hand.
But come on guys. What could you have been fighting about? Second fiddle should be getting first fiddle minutes? Vivaldi's spring adagio is better than the summer in Four Seasons? This orchestral hooliganism has to stop or they will be building baricades between fans of the strings and woodwinds.
At least some thick necked bouncers to clear out the riff raff before things get out of hand.
A Taxing Question
There is a proposal out there to tax disposable coffee cups at a rate of 20 to 30 cents. This is intended to reduce the number of cups that end up in the ditch, the landfill . . . .
I expect that Tim Hortons (not the kind of press they want necessarily) is the number one source of litter on Canadian highways. Actually, to be fair, they are not the source but their logo is on all of it. I do know that coffee cups (and by market position Tim Hortons makes up most of that) are the biggest source of contamination in recycling at McMaster University.
I actually love this idea. Tim Hortons currently gives you a discount of 10 cents if you bring your own cup (I didn't know that until I saw this clipping) but that's clearly not sufficient. I think Tims is against this because they fear a decrease in coffee sales - there may be a short term dip but they've got us all hooked. This is a garbage tax with a real alternative for those who don't want to pay it.
Let's do it!
Yes Virginia - Rantman is actually arguing for a new tax.
I expect that Tim Hortons (not the kind of press they want necessarily) is the number one source of litter on Canadian highways. Actually, to be fair, they are not the source but their logo is on all of it. I do know that coffee cups (and by market position Tim Hortons makes up most of that) are the biggest source of contamination in recycling at McMaster University.
I actually love this idea. Tim Hortons currently gives you a discount of 10 cents if you bring your own cup (I didn't know that until I saw this clipping) but that's clearly not sufficient. I think Tims is against this because they fear a decrease in coffee sales - there may be a short term dip but they've got us all hooked. This is a garbage tax with a real alternative for those who don't want to pay it.
Let's do it!
Yes Virginia - Rantman is actually arguing for a new tax.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
The War on Error
Canada minted a quarter with a poppy coloured red as a token of remembrance of its war dead. The thought was nice. Although there was a coating to slow the loss of the red colour on the coin, the red rubbed off relatively quickly. I have to admit I thought it was a bit cool but probably more money than it was worth.
BUT, visiting members of the US military and some of the their contractors thought the coins were suspicious and reported back that they looked like some sort of nanotechnology and might be tracking or listening devices. Never mind that perhaps if a spy was trying to track or listen to someone using coins they might PERHAPS NOT COLOUR IT BRIGHT RED TO AROUSE SUSPICION. I suppose that says something about paranoia and perhaps the pervasiveness of US espionage (I have a US quarter that's all one colour - might it be a tracking device?).
But really. Either they think we're significantly stupid (red on a coin means listening device, blue means tracking device - it makes it easier when we're planting them on Yanks) or they are significantly stupid. Guess which one I'm thinking?
BUT, visiting members of the US military and some of the their contractors thought the coins were suspicious and reported back that they looked like some sort of nanotechnology and might be tracking or listening devices. Never mind that perhaps if a spy was trying to track or listen to someone using coins they might PERHAPS NOT COLOUR IT BRIGHT RED TO AROUSE SUSPICION. I suppose that says something about paranoia and perhaps the pervasiveness of US espionage (I have a US quarter that's all one colour - might it be a tracking device?).
But really. Either they think we're significantly stupid (red on a coin means listening device, blue means tracking device - it makes it easier when we're planting them on Yanks) or they are significantly stupid. Guess which one I'm thinking?
Friday, May 04, 2007
OBAMAMETER - CLAY AITKEN
Wow - an Oprah endorsement.
An article in Time that's about Hilary's response to Obama.
A secret service detail.
He's at the top but we have to see if it lasts.
An article in Time that's about Hilary's response to Obama.
A secret service detail.
He's at the top but we have to see if it lasts.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
A clear sense of priorities
A Canadian parliamentary committee yesterday summoned Hockey Canada. Hockey Canada is to testify as to why they could possibly appoint Shane Doan Captain of the World Championship Team Canada. After all, Mr Doan was accused of using a derogatory word towards a French Canadian official during an NHL game. Mr Doan denied it and continues to deny it. Regardless of whether he said it or not, don't MP's have anything better to do than this? No wonder we're all so cynical about politicians. It makes me wonder:
1) Are they trying to distract Canadians from the other issues that are burning in Ottawa. Dion's incompetence? Layton's irrelevance? Harper/Day and Afgan torture? A lousy environmental plan. Frankly I don't think many Canadians are that stupid.
2) Are they pandering for Quebec votes? This seems to be the most likely. MP's said nothing when Todd Bertuzzi was appointed to the Canadian Olympic Team after his attack and guilty plea. Frankly as a parent of hockey players that one bothered me more. There are other examples of imperfect people representing Canada in hockey and other sports. An alleged insult against the French (vehemently denied by Mr Doan) suddenly looks like a vote getter so we'll waste time and money grandstanding.
SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!! Spend your time and energy on something that matters.
This simply defies reason. I wrote to my MP to tell him what I think. He sits on this committee and supported the motion. You should write to your MP too.
1) Are they trying to distract Canadians from the other issues that are burning in Ottawa. Dion's incompetence? Layton's irrelevance? Harper/Day and Afgan torture? A lousy environmental plan. Frankly I don't think many Canadians are that stupid.
2) Are they pandering for Quebec votes? This seems to be the most likely. MP's said nothing when Todd Bertuzzi was appointed to the Canadian Olympic Team after his attack and guilty plea. Frankly as a parent of hockey players that one bothered me more. There are other examples of imperfect people representing Canada in hockey and other sports. An alleged insult against the French (vehemently denied by Mr Doan) suddenly looks like a vote getter so we'll waste time and money grandstanding.
SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!! Spend your time and energy on something that matters.
This simply defies reason. I wrote to my MP to tell him what I think. He sits on this committee and supported the motion. You should write to your MP too.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Rushing to New Lows
In the most recent attempt to politicize and trivialize the Virginia Tech tragedy, Rush Limbaugh has opined that the shooter must be a liberal. He railed against the rich so this apparently this makes him a liberal. Rush took great pains to say he wasn't drawing any conclusions about this but was merely stating a "fact."
Rush some more facts: to quote a fat drug taking radio conservative: "There's nothing good about drug use. We know it. It destroys individuals. It destroys families. Drug use destroys societies. Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. And the laws are good because we know what happens to people in societies and neighborhoods, which become consumed by them. And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up. What this says to me is that too many whites are getting away with drug use.
Too many whites are getting away with drug sales. Too many whites are getting away with trafficking in this stuff. The answer to this disparity is not to start letting people out of jail because we're not putting others in jail who are breaking the law. The answer is to go out and find the ones who are getting away with it, convict them and send them up the river, too....We are becoming too tolerant as a society, folks, especially of crime, in too many parts of the country....
This country certainly appears to be tolerant, forgive and forget. I mean, you know as well as I do, you go out and commit the worst murder in the world and you just say you're sorry, people go, "Oh, OK. A little contrition."... People say, "I feel better. He said he's sorry for it." We're becoming too tolerant, folks. "
Rush thinks Rush should be in jail. I'm not saying he should be in jail but I am just stating a fact.
Rush it is also a "fact" that Timothy McViegh - remember the Oklahoma City Bomber - was a Republican and a member of the NRA. I'm not making any observations here just stating a "fact."
The evil are not liberal or conservative. Shame on you for trying to make points.
Rush you're a boob and a bigot. Start (or continue) popping pills again. I'd rather a catatonic boob than a radio host trying to whip up a slipping audience so he can sell some more ads. Do us all a favour and shut up!
Rush some more facts: to quote a fat drug taking radio conservative: "There's nothing good about drug use. We know it. It destroys individuals. It destroys families. Drug use destroys societies. Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. And the laws are good because we know what happens to people in societies and neighborhoods, which become consumed by them. And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up. What this says to me is that too many whites are getting away with drug use.
Too many whites are getting away with drug sales. Too many whites are getting away with trafficking in this stuff. The answer to this disparity is not to start letting people out of jail because we're not putting others in jail who are breaking the law. The answer is to go out and find the ones who are getting away with it, convict them and send them up the river, too....We are becoming too tolerant as a society, folks, especially of crime, in too many parts of the country....
This country certainly appears to be tolerant, forgive and forget. I mean, you know as well as I do, you go out and commit the worst murder in the world and you just say you're sorry, people go, "Oh, OK. A little contrition."... People say, "I feel better. He said he's sorry for it." We're becoming too tolerant, folks. "
Rush thinks Rush should be in jail. I'm not saying he should be in jail but I am just stating a fact.
Rush it is also a "fact" that Timothy McViegh - remember the Oklahoma City Bomber - was a Republican and a member of the NRA. I'm not making any observations here just stating a "fact."
The evil are not liberal or conservative. Shame on you for trying to make points.
Rush you're a boob and a bigot. Start (or continue) popping pills again. I'd rather a catatonic boob than a radio host trying to whip up a slipping audience so he can sell some more ads. Do us all a favour and shut up!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Canada Gored on the Environment - An Inconvenient Goof
The reality is that the Conservative Environment Program is a pile of crap. Its a remarkable flip flop and a poor sales job. Very little credibility
However, Al Gore should shut his trap in being critical of it. While its nice he's raising the awareness of climate change, he is a pure mouthpiece. How about some inconvenient truths Al buddy. We all heard about your $30,000 utility bill. How about your record on the environment as Veep?
It mostly feels like you're campaigning for President or the UN or something on the backs of our governement's policy. I'm guessing you didn't read it and are basing your critique on feedback from others.
Al - nice try but Butt out.
However, Al Gore should shut his trap in being critical of it. While its nice he's raising the awareness of climate change, he is a pure mouthpiece. How about some inconvenient truths Al buddy. We all heard about your $30,000 utility bill. How about your record on the environment as Veep?
It mostly feels like you're campaigning for President or the UN or something on the backs of our governement's policy. I'm guessing you didn't read it and are basing your critique on feedback from others.
Al - nice try but Butt out.
Those Flicking Liberals
The latest provincial government program aimed at reducing electricity use uses the theme "Flick Off." The font is such that it leaves little to the imagination. A clever double entendre. Its raised quick an uproar. A couple of thoughts:
a) getting additional publicity is not a bad thing. One to the plus side.
b) Premier Dalton says that it was a good way to communicate with young people. It is, however, a good way to alientate older people - who are probably less environmentally concious to start with and should be a primary target. SUV drivers. Big house owners with lots of light switches etc. Two to the minus. Too flicking clever by half.
c) people who get offended should cool it and get a flicking life.
The problem is clearly being clever and funny without giving a thought to the audience for the program. More flicking government waste.
a) getting additional publicity is not a bad thing. One to the plus side.
b) Premier Dalton says that it was a good way to communicate with young people. It is, however, a good way to alientate older people - who are probably less environmentally concious to start with and should be a primary target. SUV drivers. Big house owners with lots of light switches etc. Two to the minus. Too flicking clever by half.
c) people who get offended should cool it and get a flicking life.
The problem is clearly being clever and funny without giving a thought to the audience for the program. More flicking government waste.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Alec Baldwin and I Agree
Poor Alec is getting roasted for yelling at his ten year old on voicemail. Bad divorce and custody battle but that's not why I'm posting. I rarely agree with the left wing wingnut but I recently heard a quote with which I agree unequivacally.
'If I never acted again I couldn't care less'
I couldn't agree more.
'If I never acted again I couldn't care less'
I couldn't agree more.
Rantman has thicker skin than CBC reporter
If anyone cares to comment on any of these postings feel free. I may respond with words but I will enjoy the debate. Unfortunately that was apparently not the case for a CBC radio reporter in British Columbia. He sent a critic of his reporting a box of chocolates smeared with dirt and raw chicken. I've expressed disdain for several things about the CBC and will certainly now watch any anonymous free candy. As seems reasonable, CBC fired the gentleman but our great Canadian court system yesterday said that reporters who try to poison their critics shouldn't be fired. Perhaps they should be made to write for the Sun? That's ridiculous. He crossed the line and should be out of a job.
Stephane Dion - Can't we all just get along?
Well Mr Dion has msde a deal with Elizabeth May of the Green Party. He won't run someone against her and she won't challenge him. She'll also say that she thinks he'll make a darn good PM - better than Steven Harper anyway. If Mr Dion does me a nice favour maybe I'll say the same thing - well maybe not. Even Liberals are having trouble saying it lately. a significant case of buyers' remorse - Perhaps Iggy and Rae weren't so bad afterall.
On the other hand, maybe Dion has a point. Our system is really inefficient. We could have all the leaders sit down in a room and trade ridings.
"Look you guys did well in that riding and my candidate is really a wingnut - you can have it. I get this one - your guy was once accused of tax evasion anyway - and you say I have nice hair."
"Ok that works for me. Now in this riding you guys won last time but we generally poll well there and my brother in law is running. You can have that one. Oh and take the picture of me in that ridiculous tight outfit in Vietnam from your website and stop making fun of me about my makeup artist, psychic image consultant that taxapayers are paying for."
They could save us that whole election process. There might be some ridings that we need to do a poll to figure it out - DOOHHH that would be an election. What if we just did phone polls?
Stephane you may think you're smarter than the rest of us but making the decisions for us makes everyone but Elizabeth May think you'dbe a worse PM than Steven Harper and that's really saying something.
On the other hand, maybe Dion has a point. Our system is really inefficient. We could have all the leaders sit down in a room and trade ridings.
"Look you guys did well in that riding and my candidate is really a wingnut - you can have it. I get this one - your guy was once accused of tax evasion anyway - and you say I have nice hair."
"Ok that works for me. Now in this riding you guys won last time but we generally poll well there and my brother in law is running. You can have that one. Oh and take the picture of me in that ridiculous tight outfit in Vietnam from your website and stop making fun of me about my makeup artist, psychic image consultant that taxapayers are paying for."
They could save us that whole election process. There might be some ridings that we need to do a poll to figure it out - DOOHHH that would be an election. What if we just did phone polls?
Stephane you may think you're smarter than the rest of us but making the decisions for us makes everyone but Elizabeth May think you'dbe a worse PM than Steven Harper and that's really saying something.
The Obameter
Well given the discussion earlier I thought I would introduce the Obameter - our tracker of Obama's current status. You'll forgive me if my rankings are inconsistent. I have really only a superficial knowledge of American Idol so can't really promise good analogies.
If anyone has a good graphic I'd appreciate it too.
Current setting - Taylor Hicks - not right at the front but showing some talent and in the race.
If anyone has a good graphic I'd appreciate it too.
Current setting - Taylor Hicks - not right at the front but showing some talent and in the race.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Barack Obama - Kelly Clarkson or Sanjaya?
It occurs to me that this extended US presidential primary season is not dissimilar from an American Idol season. Several contenders with varying degrees of ability and good looks are competing on a national stage for glory and approval. They all get somewhat famous and the winner is not always acknowledged as the bes choice. Simon might be Bill O'Reilly. You can see at least a bit of a parallel.
The question, then, is where does Barack Obama fit. He's clearly the new kid on the block with the least experience. He's raising almost as much money as Hilary - the judge's clear favourite so far. Sanjaya got lot's of votes and lasted longer than anyone expected. Mr Obama is being criticized as being (in the words of one commentator) "all hat and no cattle." Much style and little substance. At a health care forum recently Mr Obama admitted he did not yet have a fully formed policy stance on health care. You might not go to a forum if you had nothing to say other than its good to be healthy and we're working on a policy. Sanjaya too was thought to have little talent but great hair. Mush of his popularity was due to the dislike of the process and the frontrunnign contenders (tough to tell if this is Idol and singers or primaries and Hillary isn't it?).
Ms Clarkson is described as growing into the role through the process. It will be interesting to see if Obama is Sanjaya and flames out eventually due to a lack of depth or grows into the role and wins like Ms Clarkson. Maybe he'll be the VP candidate (not unlike the tours that follow the coronation in Idol). Much phone voting (polling) remains and we'll see where it all comes out. I expect Simon might find Hillary too polished without enough real feeling.
I'm also not sure which of the processes actually works better. They might actually not be that different in the end.
The question, then, is where does Barack Obama fit. He's clearly the new kid on the block with the least experience. He's raising almost as much money as Hilary - the judge's clear favourite so far. Sanjaya got lot's of votes and lasted longer than anyone expected. Mr Obama is being criticized as being (in the words of one commentator) "all hat and no cattle." Much style and little substance. At a health care forum recently Mr Obama admitted he did not yet have a fully formed policy stance on health care. You might not go to a forum if you had nothing to say other than its good to be healthy and we're working on a policy. Sanjaya too was thought to have little talent but great hair. Mush of his popularity was due to the dislike of the process and the frontrunnign contenders (tough to tell if this is Idol and singers or primaries and Hillary isn't it?).
Ms Clarkson is described as growing into the role through the process. It will be interesting to see if Obama is Sanjaya and flames out eventually due to a lack of depth or grows into the role and wins like Ms Clarkson. Maybe he'll be the VP candidate (not unlike the tours that follow the coronation in Idol). Much phone voting (polling) remains and we'll see where it all comes out. I expect Simon might find Hillary too polished without enough real feeling.
I'm also not sure which of the processes actually works better. They might actually not be that different in the end.
Another Sharp Criminal Mind
One wonders how people can be this dumb.
A man in Florida drove a van into a house. The homeowners saw the man flee. Police arrived to investigate. They find the car and a single shoe.
While the police are still there, a man walks up to join the crowd gawking at the crash site. The van remains stuck in the bathroom. The new observer is bloodied and is missing a shoe. Police note that his injuries are consistent with what they've seen when people hit a steering wheel in an accident. The man denies being the driver but the van is registered to his home address and the shoe fits him. In the paraphrased words of the late Johnny Cochrane - "if the shoe fits you must convict."
Why in God's name would you go back to the scene of the crime if you are still trying to get away with it? Maybe he left the six pack in the back seat and hoped to slip it away un-noticed?
A man in Florida drove a van into a house. The homeowners saw the man flee. Police arrived to investigate. They find the car and a single shoe.
While the police are still there, a man walks up to join the crowd gawking at the crash site. The van remains stuck in the bathroom. The new observer is bloodied and is missing a shoe. Police note that his injuries are consistent with what they've seen when people hit a steering wheel in an accident. The man denies being the driver but the van is registered to his home address and the shoe fits him. In the paraphrased words of the late Johnny Cochrane - "if the shoe fits you must convict."
Why in God's name would you go back to the scene of the crime if you are still trying to get away with it? Maybe he left the six pack in the back seat and hoped to slip it away un-noticed?
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Is Lord Black Unique?
In his newly released biography of Richard Nixon, Conrad Black suggests that Richard Nixon isn "uniquely sleazy" and that perhaps, therefore, history shouold be kinder to him. I'm not sure what was funnier:
1) that this would seem a credible and complimentary ode to Mr Nixon
2) the fact that I accepted so easily that it is likely true.
His relatively unique misfortune is that he got caught.
1) that this would seem a credible and complimentary ode to Mr Nixon
2) the fact that I accepted so easily that it is likely true.
His relatively unique misfortune is that he got caught.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Da Dude is Dumb Dumb Da Dude is Dumb
I expect that John McCain thought he was being funny. Like old Ronnie Reagen with his we'll commence bombing shortly joke on live radio. A questioner asked him about Iran and his response was something like:
Remember the old Beach Boys song Bomb Iran, Bomb Bomb Bomb . . . heh heh heh.
It would in a general context be innocuous (although a stretch to say its funny - and I doubt he made it up - probably played by a cover band at the most recent neo-con fundraiser) but he's running for President and there is high tension with Iran. Not productive and not terribly smart. Like John Kerry saying it was good that his audience was in school so they weren't getting killed in Iraq.
Reminds me of the old Phil "i look creepy regardless of how my hair is cut" Spector tune
He tried to make a joke about dropping nukes, Da Dude is Dumb Dumb Da Dude is Dumb, somebody told he name is John Da Dude is Dumb Dumb Da Dude is Dumb
Remember the old Beach Boys song Bomb Iran, Bomb Bomb Bomb . . . heh heh heh.
It would in a general context be innocuous (although a stretch to say its funny - and I doubt he made it up - probably played by a cover band at the most recent neo-con fundraiser) but he's running for President and there is high tension with Iran. Not productive and not terribly smart. Like John Kerry saying it was good that his audience was in school so they weren't getting killed in Iraq.
Reminds me of the old Phil "i look creepy regardless of how my hair is cut" Spector tune
He tried to make a joke about dropping nukes, Da Dude is Dumb Dumb Da Dude is Dumb, somebody told he name is John Da Dude is Dumb Dumb Da Dude is Dumb
Friday, April 20, 2007
Cat Scratch Feeble
Apparently either the cat scratch fever or the years of rock and roll partying have addled the brain of ole Ted Nugent somewhat. He's a gun rights advocate and board member of the NRA - him and Chuck Heston grabbin a six pack and heading out shootin stuff from the pick up. He's now ranting against the call for increased gun control in the wake of the tragedy at Virginia Tech this week.
His contention is that events like Columbine, Virginia Tech and even the Amish school happen because the victims don't have guns. Let's cover the Amish thing first Ted
a) it was an elementary school - do we want them carrying guns - or their teachers?
b) the Amish are pacifists and wouldn't carry guns if they could more freely.
That aside - do we really want people in high school and at University carrying guns around?
1) How many more arguments would escalate into shootings? No mass murders but many many more individual shootings?
2) To use Ted's approach, let's look at examples. He highlighted that there were no heavily armed people at Columbine or Virginia Tech and that we should consider the result. Let's look at an example where more people are armed. How about Baghdad? We surely need escalation.
3) With better gun control, a chronically depressed kid with a history of suicidal thoughts might not have gotten a gun in the first place.
The events this week were tragic. I find it hard to believe that having more people carrying guns around at school would have done a lot to prevent it. I also wonder about escalation. Remember the shooting in Utah recently where an off duty officer pulled his weapon and was worried about getting shot by other cops.
No Ted. I'd rather take my chances.
His contention is that events like Columbine, Virginia Tech and even the Amish school happen because the victims don't have guns. Let's cover the Amish thing first Ted
a) it was an elementary school - do we want them carrying guns - or their teachers?
b) the Amish are pacifists and wouldn't carry guns if they could more freely.
That aside - do we really want people in high school and at University carrying guns around?
1) How many more arguments would escalate into shootings? No mass murders but many many more individual shootings?
2) To use Ted's approach, let's look at examples. He highlighted that there were no heavily armed people at Columbine or Virginia Tech and that we should consider the result. Let's look at an example where more people are armed. How about Baghdad? We surely need escalation.
3) With better gun control, a chronically depressed kid with a history of suicidal thoughts might not have gotten a gun in the first place.
The events this week were tragic. I find it hard to believe that having more people carrying guns around at school would have done a lot to prevent it. I also wonder about escalation. Remember the shooting in Utah recently where an off duty officer pulled his weapon and was worried about getting shot by other cops.
No Ted. I'd rather take my chances.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
He's a Nepo-Con Now
Well w's buddy Paul Wolfowitz is in a bit of hot water now. Get's a job leading the World Bank and amongst his first actions was approving a big raise for a a female companion. Kind of like making Monica Lewinsky Secretary of Defence isn't it? Paulie Paulie - you're making good money and have powerful friends. If you're diddling her get her a job somewhere else. Maybe White House intern? Maybe Dick has some pull at Haliburton? NOt the best judgement but when you're convinced your smarter than everyone else maybe don't believe you'll get caught??
Better luck next time.
Better luck next time.
Been away
No excuses. taking courses, coaching hockey and basketball. missed ranting and will do better.
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