Saturday, June 26, 2004
Fahrenheit 911 Reaction
At least for one viewer, the film had the desired effect:
...And in Pensacola, Fla., Monica Moody, a 20-year-old restaurant hostess who described herself as a conservative Republican, proved to be Mr. Moore's perfect target.
"Oh my goodness, I cried," Ms. Moody said. "I'm still trying to process everything. It really makes me question what I feel about the president. I'm still going to respect him as our president, but it makes me question his motives. Of course, I think that's the whole point of the film, to question his motives. But after watching it, I do question my loyalty to the president. And that's scary for me."
I saw the 10pm show last night and was very impressed. There were some points left out, but it was an excellent and persuasive piece of art.
Some of my favorite moments (SPOILER ALERT) in Moore's classic:
(READ NO FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT SPECIFIC DETAILS)
- I didn't realize the bedlam that occurred in Washington when W. was inaugurated. It looked like a full-blown riot, complete with egging of the President's limo. And it marked the first time a President hasn't walked up Pennsylvania Ave after being sworn in. That proved to be a good choice.
- The brief snippet of (lyric-less) music when discussing why W. missed his physical. The song? Cocaine by Eric Clapton.
- Wolfowitz deep-throating his comb before running it through his hair. What a creepy man.
There were others, but I want to see it again to be sure my facts are tight.
Go see it!
| Permalink Here
At least for one viewer, the film had the desired effect:
...And in Pensacola, Fla., Monica Moody, a 20-year-old restaurant hostess who described herself as a conservative Republican, proved to be Mr. Moore's perfect target.
"Oh my goodness, I cried," Ms. Moody said. "I'm still trying to process everything. It really makes me question what I feel about the president. I'm still going to respect him as our president, but it makes me question his motives. Of course, I think that's the whole point of the film, to question his motives. But after watching it, I do question my loyalty to the president. And that's scary for me."
I saw the 10pm show last night and was very impressed. There were some points left out, but it was an excellent and persuasive piece of art.
Some of my favorite moments (SPOILER ALERT) in Moore's classic:
(READ NO FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT SPECIFIC DETAILS)
- I didn't realize the bedlam that occurred in Washington when W. was inaugurated. It looked like a full-blown riot, complete with egging of the President's limo. And it marked the first time a President hasn't walked up Pennsylvania Ave after being sworn in. That proved to be a good choice.
- The brief snippet of (lyric-less) music when discussing why W. missed his physical. The song? Cocaine by Eric Clapton.
- Wolfowitz deep-throating his comb before running it through his hair. What a creepy man.
There were others, but I want to see it again to be sure my facts are tight.
Go see it!
| Permalink Here
QOTD
"It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it's a depression when you lose yours."
Harry S Truman
| Permalink Here
"It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it's a depression when you lose yours."
Harry S Truman
| Permalink Here
Friday, June 25, 2004
Patriots Oppose Bush
I'm not going to let this story die:
...The story in question is about an unprecedented event in American political history, and involves a group that calls itself the Diplomats & Military Commanders for Change. The story is about a unique bipartisan coalition of 27 career chiefs of mission and retired four-star military leaders who launched a nationwide campaign to effect a change in U.S. foreign and defense policy. The story is about their deep concern that the Bush Administration has caused irreparable damage to our national and international interests. But the story made hardly any news at all...
Neither should you.
| Permalink Here
I'm not going to let this story die:
...The story in question is about an unprecedented event in American political history, and involves a group that calls itself the Diplomats & Military Commanders for Change. The story is about a unique bipartisan coalition of 27 career chiefs of mission and retired four-star military leaders who launched a nationwide campaign to effect a change in U.S. foreign and defense policy. The story is about their deep concern that the Bush Administration has caused irreparable damage to our national and international interests. But the story made hardly any news at all...
Neither should you.
| Permalink Here
GOP Looking to "Sanitize" Media
In a great post about the Family Movie Act, BlondeSense questions whose responsibility it is to protect our children from questionable content. As a father of three I competely understand the absurdity of "Legislative Parenting." People need to take responsibility for the media habits of their kids.
BlondeSense has also been bloggrolled. Put her in your "heavy rotation."
| Permalink Here
In a great post about the Family Movie Act, BlondeSense questions whose responsibility it is to protect our children from questionable content. As a father of three I competely understand the absurdity of "Legislative Parenting." People need to take responsibility for the media habits of their kids.
BlondeSense has also been bloggrolled. Put her in your "heavy rotation."
| Permalink Here
GOP Group Urging FEC to Ban 'F911' Ads
Citizen's United is urging the FEC to ban advertising for Fahrenheit 911 saying it violates campaign finance laws. Extra attention has been given to this film because Michael Moore has been voccal in his hopes his film will put Bush out of work on election day. General counsel is hearing arguments about the case.
If CU is successful in their bid, the blogosphere should remember that the NRA wants its own TV network.
I'm sure they'll be the picture of non-partisan media, livingdown up to the example set by FOCKS News.
| Permalink Here
Citizen's United is urging the FEC to ban advertising for Fahrenheit 911 saying it violates campaign finance laws. Extra attention has been given to this film because Michael Moore has been voccal in his hopes his film will put Bush out of work on election day. General counsel is hearing arguments about the case.
If CU is successful in their bid, the blogosphere should remember that the NRA wants its own TV network.
I'm sure they'll be the picture of non-partisan media, living
| Permalink Here
QOTD
"Treat all disasters as if they were trivialities but never treat a triviality as if it were a disaster."
Quentin Crisp
| Permalink Here
"Treat all disasters as if they were trivialities but never treat a triviality as if it were a disaster."
Quentin Crisp
| Permalink Here
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Cheney Drops F Bomb
...On the Senate floor no less. Apparently, he didn't take kindly to Patrick Leahy's criticisms of Halliburton.
If Dick is going to make it in this business he needs to have thicker skin.
| Permalink Here
...On the Senate floor no less. Apparently, he didn't take kindly to Patrick Leahy's criticisms of Halliburton.
If Dick is going to make it in this business he needs to have thicker skin.
| Permalink Here
Bush Interviewed by Federal Prosector in Plame Investigation
In an effort to discover who leaked CIA Agent Valerie Plame's name to a newspaper columnist, George W. Bush was interviewed today by U.S. Attorney Peter Fitzgerald.
All of the cards have been played so we'll soon find out who's holding what. I'm betting the Bush Administartion has 'Jack high.'
| Permalink Here
In an effort to discover who leaked CIA Agent Valerie Plame's name to a newspaper columnist, George W. Bush was interviewed today by U.S. Attorney Peter Fitzgerald.
All of the cards have been played so we'll soon find out who's holding what. I'm betting the Bush Administartion has 'Jack high.'
| Permalink Here
QOTD
"Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule."
Friedrich Nietzsche
| Permalink Here
"Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule."
Friedrich Nietzsche
| Permalink Here
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Questions
Did Ashcroft perjure himself in front of the 9/11 Commission in light of testimony by FBI Head of Counterterrorism, Dale Watson?
Does anyone else think the memos released yesterday about Abu Ghraib torture methods were fabricated?
| Permalink Here
Did Ashcroft perjure himself in front of the 9/11 Commission in light of testimony by FBI Head of Counterterrorism, Dale Watson?
Does anyone else think the memos released yesterday about Abu Ghraib torture methods were fabricated?
| Permalink Here
QOTD
"Strange as it seems, no amount of learning can cure stupidity, and formal education positively fortifies it."
Stephen Vizinczey
| Permalink Here
"Strange as it seems, no amount of learning can cure stupidity, and formal education positively fortifies it."
Stephen Vizinczey
| Permalink Here
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Fahrenheit 911 Reviews
Apparently, the majority of critics love it.
I'm eager to see it.
| Permalink Here
Apparently, the majority of critics love it.
I'm eager to see it.
| Permalink Here
Tawdry Line of the Day
Wonkette has a little fun with this headline: Clinton Book Hype Reaches Climax
Her take? And we hadn't even gotten close to finishing. . .
You can count on Leno/Letterman/O'Brien's foil to be skewered much more as he begins his book tour.
| Permalink Here
Wonkette has a little fun with this headline: Clinton Book Hype Reaches Climax
Her take? And we hadn't even gotten close to finishing. . .
You can count on Leno/Letterman/O'Brien's foil to be skewered much more as he begins his book tour.
| Permalink Here
Outrageous
This is how the first base National Leaguepopularity contest All-Star balloting looks at this point:
1. Pujols 1,149,068
2. Bagwell 925,869
3. Casey 541,516
4. Thome 404,032
I see a problem. Thome leads the majors in home runs by four over his closest competitor. And he's batting .323 on the season yet remains 745,036 votes behind Pujols courtesy of theballot stuffing loyal Cardinal fans.
To undo this injustice please consider voting Jim Thome onto the All-Star team. He'll be picked as a reserve, but he deserves to be a starter.
So, as we say in Philadelphia...
Vote early. Vote often.
| Permalink Here
This is how the first base National League
1. Pujols 1,149,068
2. Bagwell 925,869
3. Casey 541,516
4. Thome 404,032
I see a problem. Thome leads the majors in home runs by four over his closest competitor. And he's batting .323 on the season yet remains 745,036 votes behind Pujols courtesy of the
To undo this injustice please consider voting Jim Thome onto the All-Star team. He'll be picked as a reserve, but he deserves to be a starter.
So, as we say in Philadelphia...
Vote early. Vote often.
| Permalink Here
Ever Hear of William Krar?
Nor have I.
In April 2003, John Ashcroft's Justice Department disrupted what appears to have been a horrifying terrorist plot. In the small town of Noonday, Tex., F.B.I. agents discovered a weapons cache containing fully automatic machine guns, remote-controlled explosive devices disguised as briefcases, 60 pipe bombs and a chemical weapon — a cyanide bomb — big enough to kill everyone in a 30,000-square-foot building.
Strangely, though, the attorney general didn't call a press conference to announce the discovery of the weapons cache, or the arrest of William Krar, its owner. He didn't even issue a press release. This was, to say the least, out of character. Jose Padilla, the accused "dirty bomber," didn't have any bomb-making material or even a plausible way to acquire such material, yet Mr. Ashcroft put him on front pages around the world. Mr. Krar was caught with an actual chemical bomb, yet Mr. Ashcroft acted as if nothing had happened.
Why?
Paul Krugman tells us.
| Permalink Here
Nor have I.
In April 2003, John Ashcroft's Justice Department disrupted what appears to have been a horrifying terrorist plot. In the small town of Noonday, Tex., F.B.I. agents discovered a weapons cache containing fully automatic machine guns, remote-controlled explosive devices disguised as briefcases, 60 pipe bombs and a chemical weapon — a cyanide bomb — big enough to kill everyone in a 30,000-square-foot building.
Strangely, though, the attorney general didn't call a press conference to announce the discovery of the weapons cache, or the arrest of William Krar, its owner. He didn't even issue a press release. This was, to say the least, out of character. Jose Padilla, the accused "dirty bomber," didn't have any bomb-making material or even a plausible way to acquire such material, yet Mr. Ashcroft put him on front pages around the world. Mr. Krar was caught with an actual chemical bomb, yet Mr. Ashcroft acted as if nothing had happened.
Why?
Paul Krugman tells us.
| Permalink Here
Bloggers To Get Convention Credentials
Kos gets quoted in this story about how the two parties are giving out credentials. There is still some question as to what kind of access bloggers will have. One woman says it best, "I get a sense they (Democratic Party) are making it up as they go along.."
| Permalink Here
Kos gets quoted in this story about how the two parties are giving out credentials. There is still some question as to what kind of access bloggers will have. One woman says it best, "I get a sense they (Democratic Party) are making it up as they go along.."
| Permalink Here
Monday, June 21, 2004
Abu Ghraib To Be Preserved as Crime Scene
So says a U.S. Army Judge.
Also:
A U.S. Army judge on Monday accepted a request by attorneys of soldiers accused of abusing detainees to question the military's top commander in Iraq and all his subordinates.
The order affectively compels Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top U.S. general in Iraq, and Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, the second-ranking commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, and their subordinates to participate in a deposition with defense attorneys and Army prosecutors unless they invoke their rights against self-incrimination.
I think it's time for Rumsfeld to visit Baghdad again. I really hope they get their stories straight.
| Permalink Here
So says a U.S. Army Judge.
Also:
A U.S. Army judge on Monday accepted a request by attorneys of soldiers accused of abusing detainees to question the military's top commander in Iraq and all his subordinates.
The order affectively compels Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top U.S. general in Iraq, and Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, the second-ranking commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, and their subordinates to participate in a deposition with defense attorneys and Army prosecutors unless they invoke their rights against self-incrimination.
I think it's time for Rumsfeld to visit Baghdad again. I really hope they get their stories straight.
| Permalink Here
QOTD
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."
Rich Cook
| Permalink Here
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."
Rich Cook
| Permalink Here
Sunday, June 20, 2004
QOTD
Jesper Parnevik / Father's Day edition
"Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing."
Dave Barry
Happy Father's Day everyone.
Go Lefty!
| Permalink Here
Jesper Parnevik / Father's Day edition
"Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing."
Dave Barry
Happy Father's Day everyone.
Go Lefty!
| Permalink Here
