Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Adjust your bookmarks
Orwell as blogger starting 9 August. (His diary entries will be submitted in the form of posts).
Saturday, July 26, 2008
A Trifle Uptight
Seriously. What is this guy's problem?
Poulos took a beating, and rightfully so, in the comments section of his earlier post regarding Obama's statement of being "...a proud citizen of the United states, and a fellow citizen of the world." He took initial attempts at defense by writing:
Now, instead of just saying something to the effect of "fine, let's move on," he goes off on a self-absorbed and bizarre tangent about liberty and supposedly European absurdities of pan-human brotherhood and the greatest absurdities of the human condition and...whatever, Dude. Deep breath, Poulos, deep breath. Calm down.
To take the 5 word phrase of "...fellow citizen of the world..." in a near 30 minute speech and then extrapolate it into a rambling diatribe about our supposed delusions of pan-human brotherhood and the Left's menacing ambition of world government is not only terrifically pedantic and petty--it is childish, dishonest, and, quite frankly, unhinged. Further, it makes one wonder if he even listened to the speech!
Global warming and pollution just so happens to be global. International terrorism is called international terrorism because--you guessed it--it's international. World trade involves the world. Similarly, 'World markets' imply 'the World.' As such, logic would seem to indicate that Obama is quite right in saying we can't deal with these issues alone.
Then there is the fascinating irony in Poulos being so apoplectic about Obama's phrase and about how he is full of "America's crap" of human solidarity. A universal yearning for freedom and liberty is exactly the reason America was founded. It is Man's commonality and it does bind us together. This idea, this 'European delusion,' is the very foundation of the country!
Poulos may want to disagree with that, but he will be disagreeing with the language of the Declaration of Independence and every single administration since the founding of the nation. The continued existence and success of the United States, after absorbing almost every language, ethnicity, and culture on the planet however, would seem to indicate that Obama just might be on to something. If America has shown the world anything of value, it is that we are not so terribly different and that, yes, there is something that can universally bind. It doesn't make us brothers and sisters, but it does make us human beings that can, normally, coexist peacefully. And that's plenty good enough for me.
Poulos took a beating, and rightfully so, in the comments section of his earlier post regarding Obama's statement of being "...a proud citizen of the United states, and a fellow citizen of the world." He took initial attempts at defense by writing:
"My great scorn for Obama’s remark — even if it was lifted from Kennedy, or if it’s supposed to apply to all of us, the content of my objection stands — should not be confused with scorn for his appearance in Berlin or even his speech. It is undeniable that Obama is an incredible asset to what is often discussed as ‘America’s image abroad’, and should really just be described as America. In several important ways, Obama is full of crap, but it is our crap that he is full of, and people all over the planet still love it.""...great scorn..." and "...full of crap..."?
Now, instead of just saying something to the effect of "fine, let's move on," he goes off on a self-absorbed and bizarre tangent about liberty and supposedly European absurdities of pan-human brotherhood and the greatest absurdities of the human condition and...whatever, Dude. Deep breath, Poulos, deep breath. Calm down.
To take the 5 word phrase of "...fellow citizen of the world..." in a near 30 minute speech and then extrapolate it into a rambling diatribe about our supposed delusions of pan-human brotherhood and the Left's menacing ambition of world government is not only terrifically pedantic and petty--it is childish, dishonest, and, quite frankly, unhinged. Further, it makes one wonder if he even listened to the speech!
Global warming and pollution just so happens to be global. International terrorism is called international terrorism because--you guessed it--it's international. World trade involves the world. Similarly, 'World markets' imply 'the World.' As such, logic would seem to indicate that Obama is quite right in saying we can't deal with these issues alone.
Then there is the fascinating irony in Poulos being so apoplectic about Obama's phrase and about how he is full of "America's crap" of human solidarity. A universal yearning for freedom and liberty is exactly the reason America was founded. It is Man's commonality and it does bind us together. This idea, this 'European delusion,' is the very foundation of the country!
Poulos may want to disagree with that, but he will be disagreeing with the language of the Declaration of Independence and every single administration since the founding of the nation. The continued existence and success of the United States, after absorbing almost every language, ethnicity, and culture on the planet however, would seem to indicate that Obama just might be on to something. If America has shown the world anything of value, it is that we are not so terribly different and that, yes, there is something that can universally bind. It doesn't make us brothers and sisters, but it does make us human beings that can, normally, coexist peacefully. And that's plenty good enough for me.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Obama Does Berlin
And did it well (embedded below). How can McCain possibly beat this guy? Patrick Appel (guest blogging for Andrew Sullivan) has a round-up of blog reviews here.
Beyond the addition of yet another outstanding speech, however, is the fascination I have with the bitter reaction of some conservatives to it, and the cynicism others have even to the idea of him giving a speech in Berlin now.
I can perfectly understand disagreeing with Obama on any and all political points, but what could possibly be wrong with an American presidential candidate being respected, and even adored, by a European audience? How could it be a mistake to say "I am a proud citizen of the United States and a citizen of the world" (the 'citizen of the world' phrase used by both Presidents Bush and Reagan, btw)? What could possibly be so regrettable about *finally* having a President--after all these horrible 8 years--who is greeted with cheers vs. protests and venom and derision and mockery? Talk about "Change We Can Believe In!"
Have some conservatives become so twisted around that they honestly think being liked around the world is some sort of stain or cause for concern? That it will somehow turn off American voters? Sad, if true. But I very sincerely doubt that many Americans who are still on the fence or were leaning toward Obama watched this and said something to the effect of "Gosh, he did have my support, but now that he seems to be respected and liked in Europe I'm not so sure anymore. If only he was a lightning rod of worldwide animosity and mockery. Then he would have my vote for sure."
To someone who would never vote for Obama anyway, sure, this speech might not have done him any favors. But if anyone has looked more presidential than he did, commanding the attention of over 200,000 Berliners while giving yet another stellar speech (fully from memory from what I could tell), I would like to know how I seemed to have missed the last 30 years of my life.
I don't think these conservatives hate Obama, but I think they hate how good he is and--perhaps--hate even more the idea of having to accept Obama and a left-of-center government in the US for a long time to come. It looks as if the GOP will be in the minority for quite a few years now and, for them, that has to hurt.
Beyond the addition of yet another outstanding speech, however, is the fascination I have with the bitter reaction of some conservatives to it, and the cynicism others have even to the idea of him giving a speech in Berlin now.
I can perfectly understand disagreeing with Obama on any and all political points, but what could possibly be wrong with an American presidential candidate being respected, and even adored, by a European audience? How could it be a mistake to say "I am a proud citizen of the United States and a citizen of the world" (the 'citizen of the world' phrase used by both Presidents Bush and Reagan, btw)? What could possibly be so regrettable about *finally* having a President--after all these horrible 8 years--who is greeted with cheers vs. protests and venom and derision and mockery? Talk about "Change We Can Believe In!"
Have some conservatives become so twisted around that they honestly think being liked around the world is some sort of stain or cause for concern? That it will somehow turn off American voters? Sad, if true. But I very sincerely doubt that many Americans who are still on the fence or were leaning toward Obama watched this and said something to the effect of "Gosh, he did have my support, but now that he seems to be respected and liked in Europe I'm not so sure anymore. If only he was a lightning rod of worldwide animosity and mockery. Then he would have my vote for sure."
To someone who would never vote for Obama anyway, sure, this speech might not have done him any favors. But if anyone has looked more presidential than he did, commanding the attention of over 200,000 Berliners while giving yet another stellar speech (fully from memory from what I could tell), I would like to know how I seemed to have missed the last 30 years of my life.
I don't think these conservatives hate Obama, but I think they hate how good he is and--perhaps--hate even more the idea of having to accept Obama and a left-of-center government in the US for a long time to come. It looks as if the GOP will be in the minority for quite a few years now and, for them, that has to hurt.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Don't Mess With China
These guys look pretty serious (or at least photogenic in drills). I especially like guys on the automatic walkers with mini guns. If I had a dollar for every time that stopped a crisis!
Actually....come to think of it, I don't think that would do much good. But here's to theater!
Actually....come to think of it, I don't think that would do much good. But here's to theater!
The Brass Ring
So I got a shot at a gig that pays big money for me to do cool stuff from home and--for the most part--make my own hours. It's not mine yet by any stretch, but things look good so far.
If I have a point in this post at all though, it's only to say that because of my field (IT Security) there are a range of well-paying opportunities available to me that just aren't there for most--even very well trained and/or educated people. Further, this job (as with all my previous jobs) really does nothing in the way of adding value to the economy in that it's service-oriented.
One gets the feeling sometimes that to really get the high-paying jobs, one needs to get into the service industry (and I don't mean just restaurants and hotels). We don't seem to value production and building in the same way we used to and I don't know why. But it worries me a bit. I think that one of the best things our new president could do would be to massively invest in the infrastructure of the US. It's bi-partisan, it's good for the economy, we need it, and it could re-establish jobs that actually add value to the economy as good, interesting, and rewarding occupations. Having to become a doctor, lawyer, broker, or IT weenie can't be the only way to make big bucks and have a rewarding career.
If I have a point in this post at all though, it's only to say that because of my field (IT Security) there are a range of well-paying opportunities available to me that just aren't there for most--even very well trained and/or educated people. Further, this job (as with all my previous jobs) really does nothing in the way of adding value to the economy in that it's service-oriented.
One gets the feeling sometimes that to really get the high-paying jobs, one needs to get into the service industry (and I don't mean just restaurants and hotels). We don't seem to value production and building in the same way we used to and I don't know why. But it worries me a bit. I think that one of the best things our new president could do would be to massively invest in the infrastructure of the US. It's bi-partisan, it's good for the economy, we need it, and it could re-establish jobs that actually add value to the economy as good, interesting, and rewarding occupations. Having to become a doctor, lawyer, broker, or IT weenie can't be the only way to make big bucks and have a rewarding career.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The downside of San Francisco
More than one douchebag abounds--though this glorious specimen is from Toronto, for the record.
http://view.break.com/527579 - Watch more free videos
http://view.break.com/527579 - Watch more free videos
Friday, July 11, 2008
Class
Jesse Jackson displays a slight lack of decorum (and/or a glimpse into his ego maniacal self). By the way, isn't it quite lovely how the old guard--left and right, black and white, seem to despise Obama? I can't help but think that it's for the oldest of reasons--they covet him. Well, that combined with frustration. He just doesn't fit a mold they've trained so hard to detect, and that whirring in their head is the sound of marginalization.
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