Actor George Clooney Kicks His Tesla to the Curb as Musk Defends the Brand - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
The Huffington Post quotes Clooney in its colorful headline: "'Why Am I Always Stuck On The Side Of The ****ing Road?" The Daily Caller was a bit more gentle in telling of Clooney's enthusiastic early support for the car.
"I was one of the first cats with a Tesla. I think I was, like, number five on the list."
You've gotta' love Clooney for his "first cats" locution. He and comic Dennis Miller are the only surviving celebrities who can get away with a 60s hipster "cats" self-characterization without being ridiculed.
Clooney auctioned off his car for charity. It was a good buy. He didn't drive it much. When you have a choice between a 12 cyl Ferrari and a battery powered metal stamped shell, you go with the gusto.
Don't call Clooney an anti-technology Luddite. In his own words, he was "number five on the list" for getting an electric Tesla Roadster.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
JFK Assassination: the Death of Simplicity - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
JFK Assassination: the Death of Simplicity - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Until the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November of 1963, my life was simple, pleasant, and full of prospect.
Mr. Metzgar, our next door neighbor in the summer of 1963, used to pay me half a buck to cut his 1/3 acre lawn and I was glad to get it. Our small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania was not exactly a hub of world economic activity but there were plenty of factories where a blue-collar high school graduate could get a job that paid enough to feed a family of four.
My dad worked in a Ronson cigarette lighter factory where he operated a metal stamping machine which, at one point, cut off his thumb. The job foreman did a good job of gathering the missing digit and packing it on ice. The factory did a good job of getting my dad to the hospital. The docs did a fair job of sewing it back on. It was misshapen, useless, and nerve-dead but we marveled at the medical miracle.
Until the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November of 1963, my life was simple, pleasant, and full of prospect.
Mr. Metzgar, our next door neighbor in the summer of 1963, used to pay me half a buck to cut his 1/3 acre lawn and I was glad to get it. Our small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania was not exactly a hub of world economic activity but there were plenty of factories where a blue-collar high school graduate could get a job that paid enough to feed a family of four.
My dad worked in a Ronson cigarette lighter factory where he operated a metal stamping machine which, at one point, cut off his thumb. The job foreman did a good job of gathering the missing digit and packing it on ice. The factory did a good job of getting my dad to the hospital. The docs did a fair job of sewing it back on. It was misshapen, useless, and nerve-dead but we marveled at the medical miracle.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Pointless Murder Claims a Young Teacher’s Life: Fourteen Year Old Arrested - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Pointless Murder Claims a Young Teacher’s Life: Fourteen Year Old Arrested - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
A fourteen year old was charged today with the murder of 2nd year math teacher Colleen Ritzer. Ritzer's body was found in the woods near the Danvers High School in Danvers, Massachusetts, and police quickly ruled the death an obvious homicide.
Both the accused and the victim were reported missing on the same day. Fourteen year old Philip Chism was later found walking alone along a main highway in a nearby town, taken into custody, and charged with murder.
Police had begun their investigation on the basis of information found at the school, including blood stains near one of the school's second floor bathrooms and on surveillance footage taken from the school's video system.
A fourteen year old was charged today with the murder of 2nd year math teacher Colleen Ritzer. Ritzer's body was found in the woods near the Danvers High School in Danvers, Massachusetts, and police quickly ruled the death an obvious homicide.
Both the accused and the victim were reported missing on the same day. Fourteen year old Philip Chism was later found walking alone along a main highway in a nearby town, taken into custody, and charged with murder.
Police had begun their investigation on the basis of information found at the school, including blood stains near one of the school's second floor bathrooms and on surveillance footage taken from the school's video system.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Stand Up for Your Boys, Ladies and Gentlemen - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Stand Up for Your Boys, Ladies and Gentlemen - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
"Boys will be boys" has no meaning any more, even when it has a strong basis in physiology, biology, and adolescent development. You'd have to be blind not to notice the behavioral and developmental differences between adolescent boys and girls, especially in a school setting where pressures and expectations of boy children often exceed the capacity of their development to meet them.
That's another way of saying that society these days often seems obsessed with taking the boy out of the boy. Meanwhile, the entire purpose of school sports is to recognize and develop natural physical and emotional traits with the intention of turning out life "winners" rather than life "losers."
"Boys will be boys" has no meaning any more, even when it has a strong basis in physiology, biology, and adolescent development. You'd have to be blind not to notice the behavioral and developmental differences between adolescent boys and girls, especially in a school setting where pressures and expectations of boy children often exceed the capacity of their development to meet them.
That's another way of saying that society these days often seems obsessed with taking the boy out of the boy. Meanwhile, the entire purpose of school sports is to recognize and develop natural physical and emotional traits with the intention of turning out life "winners" rather than life "losers."
Monday, October 21, 2013
Improve Your Life: See the Film "Gravity." - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Improve Your Life: See the Film "Gravity." - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
I'm used to ducking punches in my boxing classes but it was quite electrifying to react to 3-D onslaughts of flying bolts, metal tools, debris and what-not bouncing around in directionless space. It's rather a nice feeling to know that "up" is not always "up" and "down" is not always "down" and you feel that viscerally in "Gravity."
To put it politely, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are not my favorite actors but I loved them both throughout the hour and 23 minute movie, and even on the way home. Clooney's cheerfulness in the death dealing void of space paralleled the knowledge all creatures have of their own mortality, and was somehow uplifting.
Bullock had gotten herself into fine physical shape and being with her in length, width, and depth, both emotionally and physically, well, it was an experience I'm still analyzing.
I'm used to ducking punches in my boxing classes but it was quite electrifying to react to 3-D onslaughts of flying bolts, metal tools, debris and what-not bouncing around in directionless space. It's rather a nice feeling to know that "up" is not always "up" and "down" is not always "down" and you feel that viscerally in "Gravity."
To put it politely, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are not my favorite actors but I loved them both throughout the hour and 23 minute movie, and even on the way home. Clooney's cheerfulness in the death dealing void of space paralleled the knowledge all creatures have of their own mortality, and was somehow uplifting.
Bullock had gotten herself into fine physical shape and being with her in length, width, and depth, both emotionally and physically, well, it was an experience I'm still analyzing.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Media Irresponsibility Blurs Accounts of D.C. Mom Killing - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Media Irresponsibility Blurs Accounts of D.C. Mom Killing - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Of course, everyone recognizes it was a mistake to shoot to death an unarmed emotionally disturbed mom with a one-year-old in the back seat. Therefore, we must offer some well-known justifications for it:
We are at war with terrorism. The president and the public were in mortal danger. Everything looks clear in hindsight but most of us never have to choose between shooting or not! The car may have been filled with explosives. The dead woman had injured police officer(s) in her mad flight (although we don't have details). A car is a lethal weapon (at least that one is accurate). Yada-yada-yada.
Of course, everyone recognizes it was a mistake to shoot to death an unarmed emotionally disturbed mom with a one-year-old in the back seat. Therefore, we must offer some well-known justifications for it:
We are at war with terrorism. The president and the public were in mortal danger. Everything looks clear in hindsight but most of us never have to choose between shooting or not! The car may have been filled with explosives. The dead woman had injured police officer(s) in her mad flight (although we don't have details). A car is a lethal weapon (at least that one is accurate). Yada-yada-yada.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Federal Employees and the Government Shutdown Game - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Federal Employees and the Government Shutdown Game - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Right now, a sycophantic media is singing the swan song of government shutdown, but nobody loses their job in a shutdown, and everyone receives back pay so it's really a little bit like banking the money and getting a free vacation for non-essential federal workers. Essential federal workers stay on the job.
Right now, a sycophantic media is singing the swan song of government shutdown, but nobody loses their job in a shutdown, and everyone receives back pay so it's really a little bit like banking the money and getting a free vacation for non-essential federal workers. Essential federal workers stay on the job.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
CNN, Wall Street Journal Street Fight Over Rouhani Translation - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
CNN, Wall Street Journal Street Fight Over Rouhani Translation - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
CNN and the Wall Street Journal are currently engaged in the news media equivalent of a street fight over a translation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's indirect reference to Nazi extermination of Jews during a visit to New York and the United Nations. The latest salvo in the journalistic battle is a Wall Street Journal editorial today: CNN'sTehran Translation. This follows Christiane Amanpour's defense of her translation on Anderson Cooper 360 wherein she describes other interpretations as "piffle."
CNN and the Wall Street Journal are currently engaged in the news media equivalent of a street fight over a translation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's indirect reference to Nazi extermination of Jews during a visit to New York and the United Nations. The latest salvo in the journalistic battle is a Wall Street Journal editorial today: CNN'sTehran Translation. This follows Christiane Amanpour's defense of her translation on Anderson Cooper 360 wherein she describes other interpretations as "piffle."
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Syria’s Fate is Sealed with a Kiss-Off - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Syria’s Fate is Sealed with a Kiss-Off - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Syria today is a matter of bad timing, a certain president’s fecklessness in announcing his intentions to “punish” the Syria president for ordering a campaign of chemical warfare, and an offhand remark by Secretary of State Kerry.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Appearance of Agression: Nevada boxing boss defends judge in Mayweather fight
Nevada boxing boss defends judge in Mayweather fight
The link above connects to the comments and opinion of a Nevada Boxing Commission chief who defended the scoring of judge C.J Ross in the Mayweather vs. Alvarez fight this past weekend. Ross had is scored an even match, a draw.
Everyone now is asking the obvious question. How could anyone score the fight a draw?
In the early rounds, Canelo kept the fight competitive and had some scoring flurries so you might have given him a couple of rounds there if you were generous and liked the style, the red hair, the appearance of aggression.
Some judges and spectators simply like a guy who appears to trudge forward in a menacing fashion. It wouldn't be fair to say that was all Alvarez was capable of doing because he's an excellent boxer, too, with quick hands, serious power, and as much savoir as a 23 year old could have against an accomplished veteran like Mayweather.
But there is aggression and the appearance of agression. To me, Mayweather was the more effective aggressor because the idea of aggression is to break your opponent down and get him under control. If that involves taking a step back or sideways before delivering your combinations, then you do that.
And Mayweather did exactly that, again and again, at will, and if you think Canelo's big punches that didn't land or ever freeze Mayweather were a reason to award scoring points, then you don't belong as a judge on the Nevada SAC.
After 4 or five rounds, Mayweather had the measure of his man and drilled him repeatedly with punches that would have dropped a lesser man than the young Alvarez.
In short, the "draw" judge was b.s. and should be removed. As for the idiotic justifications by the Nevada Athletic Commission bureaucrat, he should be removed too for insulting the intelligence of the fan-in-the-street. No way was the fight a draw.
The link above connects to the comments and opinion of a Nevada Boxing Commission chief who defended the scoring of judge C.J Ross in the Mayweather vs. Alvarez fight this past weekend. Ross had is scored an even match, a draw.
Everyone now is asking the obvious question. How could anyone score the fight a draw?
In the early rounds, Canelo kept the fight competitive and had some scoring flurries so you might have given him a couple of rounds there if you were generous and liked the style, the red hair, the appearance of aggression.
Some judges and spectators simply like a guy who appears to trudge forward in a menacing fashion. It wouldn't be fair to say that was all Alvarez was capable of doing because he's an excellent boxer, too, with quick hands, serious power, and as much savoir as a 23 year old could have against an accomplished veteran like Mayweather.
But there is aggression and the appearance of agression. To me, Mayweather was the more effective aggressor because the idea of aggression is to break your opponent down and get him under control. If that involves taking a step back or sideways before delivering your combinations, then you do that.
And Mayweather did exactly that, again and again, at will, and if you think Canelo's big punches that didn't land or ever freeze Mayweather were a reason to award scoring points, then you don't belong as a judge on the Nevada SAC.
After 4 or five rounds, Mayweather had the measure of his man and drilled him repeatedly with punches that would have dropped a lesser man than the young Alvarez.
In short, the "draw" judge was b.s. and should be removed. As for the idiotic justifications by the Nevada Athletic Commission bureaucrat, he should be removed too for insulting the intelligence of the fan-in-the-street. No way was the fight a draw.
Will Putin’s New York Times Letter Bury the Syrian Crisis? - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Will Putin’s New York Times Letter Bury the Syrian Crisis? - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Russian President Vladimir Putin is sounding more and more like American progressives, particularly in his fondness for renaming of parts. When exactly was it that "socialism" morphed into "progressive" anyway?
During progressivism's early days, the movement was heedless of what was to follow. Then the bitter realities of communist revolution swept the planet, followed by two world wars that quickly dissolved the utopian idealism that swept the world. After that, the Cold War. Now, the what?
Russian President Vladimir Putin is sounding more and more like American progressives, particularly in his fondness for renaming of parts. When exactly was it that "socialism" morphed into "progressive" anyway?
During progressivism's early days, the movement was heedless of what was to follow. Then the bitter realities of communist revolution swept the planet, followed by two world wars that quickly dissolved the utopian idealism that swept the world. After that, the Cold War. Now, the what?
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
U.S. Half-Measures in Syria Are Worse Than Doing Nothing - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
U.S. Half-Measures in Syria Are Worse Than Doing Nothing - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
"The road to Damascus is a road to peace," Pelosi announced then in her glib fashion. The same Pollyanna views have, until now, characterized the Obama administration's "reset" with traditional enemies, who are looking for soft spots in the U.S. belly.
"The road to Damascus is a road to peace," Pelosi announced then in her glib fashion. The same Pollyanna views have, until now, characterized the Obama administration's "reset" with traditional enemies, who are looking for soft spots in the U.S. belly.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
SSA Disability Fraud Arrests Should Extend Beyond Puerto Rico - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
SSA Disability Fraud Arrests Should Extend Beyond Puerto Rico - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Government programs always begin with the best of intentions. Some Americans of an earlier age had little or no income when retired at age 62 and so were offered retirement benefits. Since wives of the 50s and 60s often stayed home to attend domestic affairs, an array of spousal benefits were added. Then children's benefits. And survivor's benefits. And when earnest, hard-working construction people fell from buildings, or factory workers suffered heart attacks, strokes, or developed terminal cancers and were too weak to work, Social Security Disability paid them benefits.
That was all well and good until disability became institutionalized and, to a degree-automatic. According to the Wall Street Journal, nearly 11 million people were receiving disability benefits at an annual cost of $136 billion in 2012. With that many people receiving disability benefits, the definition of "disabled" would have to include maladies of a less severe nature than those for which the program was intended.
Seventy-five people were arrested yesterday in Puerto Rico and accused of defrauding the Social Security Disability program.
Government programs always begin with the best of intentions. Some Americans of an earlier age had little or no income when retired at age 62 and so were offered retirement benefits. Since wives of the 50s and 60s often stayed home to attend domestic affairs, an array of spousal benefits were added. Then children's benefits. And survivor's benefits. And when earnest, hard-working construction people fell from buildings, or factory workers suffered heart attacks, strokes, or developed terminal cancers and were too weak to work, Social Security Disability paid them benefits.
That was all well and good until disability became institutionalized and, to a degree-automatic. According to the Wall Street Journal, nearly 11 million people were receiving disability benefits at an annual cost of $136 billion in 2012. With that many people receiving disability benefits, the definition of "disabled" would have to include maladies of a less severe nature than those for which the program was intended.
Seventy-five people were arrested yesterday in Puerto Rico and accused of defrauding the Social Security Disability program.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Governor Chris Christie Throws His Spear in the GOP Sand - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Governor Chris Christie Throws His Spear in the GOP Sand - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made a cannonball splash at what some in the the media are calling the GOP "summer camp." By accounts such as those in the Boston Globe, the governor's speech was an improvement over his lackadaisical recitations at the GOP national convention in 2012.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made a cannonball splash at what some in the the media are calling the GOP "summer camp." By accounts such as those in the Boston Globe, the governor's speech was an improvement over his lackadaisical recitations at the GOP national convention in 2012.
Christie has a definite flair for practical politics, a major factor in how Republican Christie could win the governorship in decidedly blue state New Jersey. You do that by being the prototype "Jersey Boy" and Christie is surely that-wisecracking, brusque, blunt, and irreverent. He doesn't stroll the New Jersey boardwalks with sleeveless tee-shirt and tattooed arms but he does the next best thing.
Christie's Twitter profile provides the clues: "I've got the keys for 4 years. Let's party! Except for teachers and public workers. You have to put the beer down. Immediately. Now go get me a sandwich." Funny stuff, even in Georgia.
(turn the page. read the balance, hit the linked title)
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Quinnipiac Poll Shows De Blasio Leading, Quinn Trailing Among Democrats in NYC Primary Race - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Quinnipiac Poll Shows De Blasio Leading, Quinn Trailing Among Democrats in NYC Primary Race - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Mr. de Blasio is currently saturating New York airwaves with a political ad narrated by his mixed-race teenage son, complete with 70s style big hair. To complete the one-size-fits-all social issues candidate, New York insiders know that de Blasio's interracial marriage survived the gay liaisons (reported on the Politicker site) of wife Chirlane McCray.
Is there a candidate who can top that? Is there a candidate who can match de Blasio in the egalitarian touchstones of race, gender, and social advocacy?
Mr. de Blasio is currently saturating New York airwaves with a political ad narrated by his mixed-race teenage son, complete with 70s style big hair. To complete the one-size-fits-all social issues candidate, New York insiders know that de Blasio's interracial marriage survived the gay liaisons (reported on the Politicker site) of wife Chirlane McCray.
Is there a candidate who can top that? Is there a candidate who can match de Blasio in the egalitarian touchstones of race, gender, and social advocacy?
Monday, August 12, 2013
Corn-Ethanol Lobby Hits the Blend Wall - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Corn-Ethanol Lobby Hits the Blend Wall - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Aside from ethanol slowly but methodically destroying all the small engines of America, there is another problem called the "blend wall." What the blend wall means is that American cars can only tolerate ten percent ethanol. Going beyond that on most conventional vehicles means that, if you put more than 10 percent ethanol in your gas tank, the auto manufacturer will not honor the guarantees they made when you bought the vehicle.
If the manufacturer found out you continuously poured water in the gas tank, they wouldn't honor the warranty either, but that's similar to what you'd be doing by using an 11 percent ethanol-fuel blend or higher blend.
Aside from ethanol slowly but methodically destroying all the small engines of America, there is another problem called the "blend wall." What the blend wall means is that American cars can only tolerate ten percent ethanol. Going beyond that on most conventional vehicles means that, if you put more than 10 percent ethanol in your gas tank, the auto manufacturer will not honor the guarantees they made when you bought the vehicle.
If the manufacturer found out you continuously poured water in the gas tank, they wouldn't honor the warranty either, but that's similar to what you'd be doing by using an 11 percent ethanol-fuel blend or higher blend.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
New York Mayor “Carlos Danger” Said Today… - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
New York Mayor “Carlos Danger” Said Today… - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
What's next? "Carlos Danger" dolls with autographed underwear that, when squeezed, urge you to vote for Weiner?
What's next? "Carlos Danger" dolls with autographed underwear that, when squeezed, urge you to vote for Weiner?
Sunday, July 21, 2013
The Big Belly Solar Powered Trash Can Enviro Boondoggle - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
The Big Belly Solar Powered Trash Can Enviro Boondoggle - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Cities Struggle to Find Out How Best to Sell a $4000 Solar-powered Trash Compactor to a Gullible Public
Cities Struggle to Find Out How Best to Sell a $4000 Solar-powered Trash Compactor to a Gullible Public
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Murky New York Hate Crime Conviction Reversed by Appeals Court - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Murky New York Hate Crime Conviction Reversed by Appeals Court - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Aren't all homicides and violent assaults hate crimes? Does an assailant stab, bludgeon, or shoot another person with affection and caring in their hearts? One would think so, inasmuch as hate crimes laws elevate crimes committed against certain social categories of individuals and diminish those crimes which have traditionally carried the heaviest sentences.
Aren't all homicides and violent assaults hate crimes? Does an assailant stab, bludgeon, or shoot another person with affection and caring in their hearts? One would think so, inasmuch as hate crimes laws elevate crimes committed against certain social categories of individuals and diminish those crimes which have traditionally carried the heaviest sentences.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. John McCain Have it Wrong About Cutting Egypt Aid - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. John McCain Have it Wrong About Cutting Egypt Aid - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
None of that seems to bother Sen. Paul who, in lawyerly fashion, trots out the 1961 law that might have supported Adolf Hitler whose Nazi Party in 1932 won 33 percent of the vote in the German elections.
None of that seems to bother Sen. Paul who, in lawyerly fashion, trots out the 1961 law that might have supported Adolf Hitler whose Nazi Party in 1932 won 33 percent of the vote in the German elections.
Another Republican Sen. John McCain uses the same 1961 basis to withhold the money the U.S. was prepared to offer the Muslim Brotherhood government.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)