Not a "model" reporter
If I knew jailed NY Times reporter Judith Miller looked like this:
I would have supported a life sentence.
I would have supported a life sentence.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
"Hammer" hammered!
Corrupter-in-chief and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been indicted for felony conspiracy connected with fundraising for his PAC (Texans for a Republican Majority). TRM allegedly funneled a $155,000 donation from Sears to the Republican National Committee with instructions for distribution to Republican candidates for Texas' State House within 60 days of the general election--a violation of Texas' electoral code.
DeLay has stepped down from his majority leader position in accordance with the rules of the House Republican Conference.
Update: Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) has been chosen by House Republicans to become the acting Majority Leader.
Update #2:Last night on Conan O'Brien:
DeLay has stepped down from his majority leader position in accordance with the rules of the House Republican Conference.
Update: Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) has been chosen by House Republicans to become the acting Majority Leader.
Update #2:Last night on Conan O'Brien:
When asked what it felt like to lose all his power, Mr. DeLay replied, "I feel like a Democrat."
Friday, September 23, 2005
Modest Pompous Mouse
Only 4 years removed from the classic Moon and Antarctica, have Modest Mouse, O.C. soundtrack and MTV hit in hand, of all bands, jumped the shark? Pitchfork reports that Epic is re-releasing Good News... as a DualDisc with videos, remixes, and a short film.
Also, don't miss the (appropriate) blurb at the top about MTV's new "Woodies", which they are apparently pitching as a VMA Awards for the PBR and Pumas set. At least the trend-peddlers have good taste (Arcade Fire snagged 4 nominations).
Also, don't miss the (appropriate) blurb at the top about MTV's new "Woodies", which they are apparently pitching as a VMA Awards for the PBR and Pumas set. At least the trend-peddlers have good taste (Arcade Fire snagged 4 nominations).
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Quote of the Day
"Germany can only redistribute what it produces."With an economy in shambles and unemployment tracking a 11.4%, it's a wonder that so many American progressives want to regress to a failed economic model such as Germany's.
--Angela Merkel, Leader of Germany's CDU party
Cracked Lens
Paris Hilton is getting uglier by the day, and I mean, literally, by the day. She's in Page Six so much that it's like some kind of grotesque time lapse photography reel. Ick.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Face Off
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Us Kids Know
One year ago today, a work of art was released that was destined to stand beside Beethoven's 5th and The Brandenburg Concerto in the pantheon of Western music.Take a minute today to thank your deity of choice for the Arcade Fire's Funeral.
While you're at it, reread the classic Pitchfork review.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
The Contenders
Today's Wall Street Journal editorial succinctly describes some strong contenders for Sandra Day O'Connor's open seat on the Supreme Court. WSJ breaks them up into three categories.
The Women:
The Women:
- Edith Jones
- Priscilla Ownen
- Janice Rogers Brown
- Maura Corrigan
- Emilio Garza
- Danny Boggs
- Raoul Contero
- Jeff Sessions
- John Cornyn
- Mel Martinez
A Few Thoughts on Katrina
My family as far back as I know (which is a good stretch of history) has assumed the government will not (and can not) provide anything for us except protection from foreign aggression. This practice has had much to do with my family's health, well being and happiness. The Hurricane Katrina disaster is reaffirmation of this practice.
Some are claiming systematic racism (rapper Kanye West) or at least passive racism (radio talk show host Don Imus) as the reason for the slow and inadequate government response to the disaster in New Orleans. While I don't rule out the possibility of passive racism I am more inclined to think "class" is the source, not racism.
If I decide to build a development on the crater of an active volcano, can I receive federal funding for walls and water cannons for its protection? After all, a carpenter in Montana, a plumber in Maine, and a used car salesman in Tennessee would obviously have vested interest in keeping my development safe. And when it is destroyed by an eruption, will I receive more federal funding for rescue and then to rebuild?
If I hear one more ill informed reporter refer to the hurricane strength rating system as anything other than "category," as it should be, I may just snap. It wasn't a number 4, level 4, defcon 4, etc. It was a category 4 and you would have known that if you watch the Weather Channel for an average of four and a half minutes.
I may never agree with Sean Penn on any of his politics or the way he feels the need for everyone to know what they are, I have a great respect for what he has done in hands on relief for those affected. He is one of the few that puts his money, time and hard work where his mouth is and that is a rare quality in this day and age.
Why is the mere suggestion that New Orleans not be rebuilt with my money in the location it once existed so outrageous? Isn't free thought and diversity of ideas the foundation on which this country is built? Nevermind the fact that the idea is a good one...
No doubt, the Monday morning quaterbacks will be out with unbelievable force on this one, I predict no significant or effective changes will be made in the way the federal government responds to disasters much in the way I feel not one iota safer now that the 9/11 commission Report has been printed and the Department of Homeland Security has been formed. Not to mention that little disaster everyone has forgotten about for the past two weeks known as "Iraq."
Some are claiming systematic racism (rapper Kanye West) or at least passive racism (radio talk show host Don Imus) as the reason for the slow and inadequate government response to the disaster in New Orleans. While I don't rule out the possibility of passive racism I am more inclined to think "class" is the source, not racism.
If I decide to build a development on the crater of an active volcano, can I receive federal funding for walls and water cannons for its protection? After all, a carpenter in Montana, a plumber in Maine, and a used car salesman in Tennessee would obviously have vested interest in keeping my development safe. And when it is destroyed by an eruption, will I receive more federal funding for rescue and then to rebuild?
If I hear one more ill informed reporter refer to the hurricane strength rating system as anything other than "category," as it should be, I may just snap. It wasn't a number 4, level 4, defcon 4, etc. It was a category 4 and you would have known that if you watch the Weather Channel for an average of four and a half minutes.
I may never agree with Sean Penn on any of his politics or the way he feels the need for everyone to know what they are, I have a great respect for what he has done in hands on relief for those affected. He is one of the few that puts his money, time and hard work where his mouth is and that is a rare quality in this day and age.
Why is the mere suggestion that New Orleans not be rebuilt with my money in the location it once existed so outrageous? Isn't free thought and diversity of ideas the foundation on which this country is built? Nevermind the fact that the idea is a good one...
No doubt, the Monday morning quaterbacks will be out with unbelievable force on this one, I predict no significant or effective changes will be made in the way the federal government responds to disasters much in the way I feel not one iota safer now that the 9/11 commission Report has been printed and the Department of Homeland Security has been formed. Not to mention that little disaster everyone has forgotten about for the past two weeks known as "Iraq."
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Fez is the new Scott Baio
What is up with Wilmer Valderrama?
"I guess it's because he has that boy-next-door thing going on," says Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park. "Kind of like Ralph Macchio. I mean - who didn't love 'The Karate Kid'?"
Chief Justice Roberts
With John Roberts' elevated nomination to Chief Justice, President Bush has made a politically brilliant move. Roberts was already nearly a shoo-in to be confirmed. Now that's he's replacing the conservative William Rehnquist instead of the moderate Sandra Day O'Connor, there ought to be less opposition to his middle-right philosophy--virtually assuring that Bush will get his man in the top judicial slot. In addition, by immediately nominating a candidate for Chief Justice, Bush avoids liberal Justice Stevens holding the position for the interim as the senior justice. And since O'Connor promised to stay until her successor is confirmed, Bush can take some extra time deciding on her replacement. Of course the choice of O'Connor's successor takes on higher stakes. With a conservative spot at the top reaffirmed, the orientation of O'Connor's swing vote is even more important. So who will it be? Ted Olson? Janice Rogers Brown? Mike Luttig? God help us.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Dispatch from New Orleans
A former Wilmington NC physician writes from New Orleans
Aug. 31, 2005
This is a dispatch from New Orleans from Dr. Greg Henderson, a pathologist who recently moved from Wilmington:
Thanks to all of you who have sent your notes of concern and your prayers. I am writing this note on Tuesday at 2 p.m.. I wanted to update all of you as to the situation here. I don't know how much information you are getting but I am certain it is more than we are getting. Be advised that almost everything I am telling you is from direct observation or rumor from reasonable sources. They are allowing limited internet access, so I hope to send this dispatch today.
Personally, my family and I are fine. My family is safe in Jackson, Miss.,and I am now a temporary resident of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New Orleans. I figured if it was my time to go, I wanted to go in a place with a good wine list. In addition, this hotel is in a very old building on Canal Street that could and did sustain little damage. Many of the other hotels sustained significant loss of windows, and we expect that many of the guests may be evacuated here.
Things were obviously bad yesterday, but they are much worse today. Overnight the water arrived. Now Canal Street (true to its origins) is indeed a canal. The first floor of all downtown buildings is underwater. I have heard that Charity Hospital and Tulane are limited in their ability to care for patients because of water. Ochsner is the only hospital that remains fully functional. However, I spoke with them today and they too are on generator and losing food and water fast.
The city now has no clean water, no sewerage system, no electricity, and no real communications. Bodies are still being recovered floating in the floods. We are worried about a cholera epidemic. Even the police are without effective communications. We have a group of armed police here with us at the hotel that is admirably trying to exert some local law enforcement. This is tough because looting is now rampant. Most of it is not malicious looting. These are poor and desperate people with no housing and no medical care and no food or water trying to take care of themselves and their families. Unfortunately, the people are armed and dangerous. We hear gunshots frequently. Most of Canal street is occupied by armed looters who have a low threshold for discharging their weapons. We hear gunshots frequently. The looters are using makeshift boats made of pieces of styrofoam to access. We are still waiting for a significant national guard presence.
The health care situation here has dramatically worsened overnight. Many people in the hotel are elderly and small children. Many other guests have unusual diseases. ... There are (Infectious Disease) physicians in at this hotel attending an HIV conference. We have commandeered the world famous French Quarter Bar to turn into an makeshift clinic. There is a team of about seven doctors and PAs and pharmacists. We anticipate that this will be the major medical facility in the central business district and French Quarter.
Our biggest adventure today was raiding the Walgreens on Canal under police escort. The pharmacy was dark and full of water. We basically scooped the entire drug sets into garbage bags and removed them. All under police escort. The looters had to be held back at gunpoint. After a dose of prophylactic Cipro I hope to be fine.
In all we are faring well. We have set up a hospital in the French Quarter bar in the hotel, and will start admitting patients today. Many will be from the hotel, but many will not. We are anticipating dealing with multiple medical problems, medications and acute injuries. Infection and perhaps even cholera are anticipated major problems. Food and water shortages are imminent.
The biggest question to all of us is where is the National Guard. We hear jet fighters and helicopters, but no real armed presence, and hence the rampant looting. There is no Red Cross and no Salvation Army.
In a sort of cliché way, this is an edifying experience. One is rapidly focused away from the transient and material to the bare necessities of life. It has been challenging to me to learn how to be a primary care physician. We are under martial law so return to our homes is impossible. I don't know how long it will be and this is my greatest fear. Despite it all, this is a soul-edifying experience. The greatest pain is to think about the loss. And how long the rebuild will take. And the horror of so many dead people.
PLEASE SEND THIS DISPATCH TO ALL YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED IN A DISPATCH from the front. I will send more according to your interest. Hopefully their collective prayers will be answered. By the way, suture packs, sterile gloves and stethoscopes will be needed as the Ritz turns into a MASH unit.
Greg Henderson
Aug. 31, 2005
This is a dispatch from New Orleans from Dr. Greg Henderson, a pathologist who recently moved from Wilmington:
Thanks to all of you who have sent your notes of concern and your prayers. I am writing this note on Tuesday at 2 p.m.. I wanted to update all of you as to the situation here. I don't know how much information you are getting but I am certain it is more than we are getting. Be advised that almost everything I am telling you is from direct observation or rumor from reasonable sources. They are allowing limited internet access, so I hope to send this dispatch today.
Personally, my family and I are fine. My family is safe in Jackson, Miss.,and I am now a temporary resident of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New Orleans. I figured if it was my time to go, I wanted to go in a place with a good wine list. In addition, this hotel is in a very old building on Canal Street that could and did sustain little damage. Many of the other hotels sustained significant loss of windows, and we expect that many of the guests may be evacuated here.
Things were obviously bad yesterday, but they are much worse today. Overnight the water arrived. Now Canal Street (true to its origins) is indeed a canal. The first floor of all downtown buildings is underwater. I have heard that Charity Hospital and Tulane are limited in their ability to care for patients because of water. Ochsner is the only hospital that remains fully functional. However, I spoke with them today and they too are on generator and losing food and water fast.
The city now has no clean water, no sewerage system, no electricity, and no real communications. Bodies are still being recovered floating in the floods. We are worried about a cholera epidemic. Even the police are without effective communications. We have a group of armed police here with us at the hotel that is admirably trying to exert some local law enforcement. This is tough because looting is now rampant. Most of it is not malicious looting. These are poor and desperate people with no housing and no medical care and no food or water trying to take care of themselves and their families. Unfortunately, the people are armed and dangerous. We hear gunshots frequently. Most of Canal street is occupied by armed looters who have a low threshold for discharging their weapons. We hear gunshots frequently. The looters are using makeshift boats made of pieces of styrofoam to access. We are still waiting for a significant national guard presence.
The health care situation here has dramatically worsened overnight. Many people in the hotel are elderly and small children. Many other guests have unusual diseases. ... There are (Infectious Disease) physicians in at this hotel attending an HIV conference. We have commandeered the world famous French Quarter Bar to turn into an makeshift clinic. There is a team of about seven doctors and PAs and pharmacists. We anticipate that this will be the major medical facility in the central business district and French Quarter.
Our biggest adventure today was raiding the Walgreens on Canal under police escort. The pharmacy was dark and full of water. We basically scooped the entire drug sets into garbage bags and removed them. All under police escort. The looters had to be held back at gunpoint. After a dose of prophylactic Cipro I hope to be fine.
In all we are faring well. We have set up a hospital in the French Quarter bar in the hotel, and will start admitting patients today. Many will be from the hotel, but many will not. We are anticipating dealing with multiple medical problems, medications and acute injuries. Infection and perhaps even cholera are anticipated major problems. Food and water shortages are imminent.
The biggest question to all of us is where is the National Guard. We hear jet fighters and helicopters, but no real armed presence, and hence the rampant looting. There is no Red Cross and no Salvation Army.
In a sort of cliché way, this is an edifying experience. One is rapidly focused away from the transient and material to the bare necessities of life. It has been challenging to me to learn how to be a primary care physician. We are under martial law so return to our homes is impossible. I don't know how long it will be and this is my greatest fear. Despite it all, this is a soul-edifying experience. The greatest pain is to think about the loss. And how long the rebuild will take. And the horror of so many dead people.
PLEASE SEND THIS DISPATCH TO ALL YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED IN A DISPATCH from the front. I will send more according to your interest. Hopefully their collective prayers will be answered. By the way, suture packs, sterile gloves and stethoscopes will be needed as the Ritz turns into a MASH unit.
Greg Henderson
Thursday, September 01, 2005
ISP Work in the Trenches
Employees at DirectNIC, based in New Orleans, have kept their ISP and registrar business running without a hitch through Katrina and her aftermath. The datacenter has three weeks of backup power secured and a group of tough employees working around the clock at their practically bombed out headquarters in Lafayette Square.
This is a bad ass Internet company.
This is a bad ass Internet company.
