1.31.2006
1.24.2006
1.23.2006
From an unlikely place
I usually go to Cruel Site of the Day to get a nice little laugh at someone else's expense.
Occasionally, though, the cruelty is quite serious and quite overwhelming. Take this submission from Friday, January 20th, for example.
It is called Omid, a Memorial in Defense of Human Rights, and it puts names and faces to almost 10,000 human rights violations in Iran – all occurring since the 1979 revolution.
While we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the end of our Iranian Hostage Crisis, it's important to note that for the citizens of Iran, the crisis never ended.
Go to Omid, take a little tour, and hope that someday the list of names will end.
Occasionally, though, the cruelty is quite serious and quite overwhelming. Take this submission from Friday, January 20th, for example.
It is called Omid, a Memorial in Defense of Human Rights, and it puts names and faces to almost 10,000 human rights violations in Iran – all occurring since the 1979 revolution.
While we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the end of our Iranian Hostage Crisis, it's important to note that for the citizens of Iran, the crisis never ended.
Go to Omid, take a little tour, and hope that someday the list of names will end.
1.20.2006
Dear Tom,
It has come to my attention, thanks to Emily, that you've actually tried to censor an episode of South Park – in the U.K.
Just because it portrays you as a humorless closeted celebrity member of a money-grubbing sham of a "religion" that's based on little more than one of its founder's awful science fiction novels with a little extra prejudice and misogyny tossed in?
It's not libel if it's the truth.
And if it's parody, you don't have a leg to stand on.
So if U.K. South Park fans are going to miss what I consider one of the more brilliant episodes, I'll happily link to the show, too.
And Tom, kindly STFU.
Glibly yours,
Shannon
Just because it portrays you as a humorless closeted celebrity member of a money-grubbing sham of a "religion" that's based on little more than one of its founder's awful science fiction novels with a little extra prejudice and misogyny tossed in?
It's not libel if it's the truth.
And if it's parody, you don't have a leg to stand on.
So if U.K. South Park fans are going to miss what I consider one of the more brilliant episodes, I'll happily link to the show, too.
And Tom, kindly STFU.
Glibly yours,
Shannon
1.18.2006
Me and my iPod
My Christmas gift was the new 30GB iPod with video.
It rocks in ways I cannot describe. Here are my favorite things to do with my iPod:
1) Listen to the Ricky Gervais podcast
2) Watch Happy Tree Friends cartoons
3) Keep my address book in it
4) Keep my calendar in there, too
5) Make specific playlists, depending on my mood
And there are things I can and will do with it:
1) Keep .pdfs of my portfolio
2) Keep my TV and radio reels
3) Get a setup so I can play it in the car
The only thing I don't like is that the earbuds hurt. I often use my regular headphones, because they're nice and puffy on my ears.
I also don't dance wildly with those white cords dangling, even though the commercials make that look awfully cool.
It rocks in ways I cannot describe. Here are my favorite things to do with my iPod:
1) Listen to the Ricky Gervais podcast
2) Watch Happy Tree Friends cartoons
3) Keep my address book in it
4) Keep my calendar in there, too
5) Make specific playlists, depending on my mood
And there are things I can and will do with it:
1) Keep .pdfs of my portfolio
2) Keep my TV and radio reels
3) Get a setup so I can play it in the car
The only thing I don't like is that the earbuds hurt. I often use my regular headphones, because they're nice and puffy on my ears.
I also don't dance wildly with those white cords dangling, even though the commercials make that look awfully cool.
1.17.2006
Worship the spot
ad-awards.com posts the best of international TV advertising.
Including this gem for Gap.
Have fun, all.
Including this gem for Gap.
Have fun, all.
1.16.2006
Something Viral
1.12.2006
Las Vegas is in the top five!
In being mean to the homeless.
You first. After all, you want to BE one of those Washington morons.
Here's the whole list, straight from the source:
1. Sarasota, FL
2. Lawrence, KS
3. Little Rock, AR
4. Atlanta, GA
5. Las Vegas, NV
6. Dallas, TX
7. Houston, TX
8. San Juan, PR
9. Santa Monica, CA
10. Flagstaff, AZ
11. San Francisco, CA
12. Chicago, IL
13. San Antonio, TX
14. New York City, NY
15. Austin, TX
16. Anchorage, AK
17. Phoenix, AZ
18. Los Angeles, CA
19. St. Louis, MO
20. Pittsburgh, PA
Wait . . . Santa Monica?!? Those homeless guys have it made! Good weather, beach views, lots of benches. I never expected THEM to make the list.
Anyway, I thought the whole report was interesting in light of Hizzoner's State of the City speech, which was nothing but moonlight and roses.
From yesterday's R-J:
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS: Goodman banishes cynicism in speech
It would also appear he's banished reality.
Funny, isn't it, that this hit the Las Vegas Sun this morning:
Homeless program missing mark
Plan fails to place even one mentally ill person in housing
Because those crazies are hard to wrangle. They miss appointments. They lose their vouchers. They run when you call them.
So what's the point of all this?
That here, as always, there's a complete disconnect between intent and implementation. We have resources, but they get mismanaged. Because nobody is paying attention. The mayor can't (or, more to the point, won't) look beneath his own ponderous nose because he doesn't want to acknowledge the unpleasant. He wants the city to be all sparkly neon and happy visitors.
He doesn't want to do the hardest work of all – considered and competent address of real city issues. Plopping more pretty buildings and a professional sports team into the center of town won't make the problems go away. It will only exacerbate them.
But then I remember: it's not really Oscar Goodman's fault. After all, he's not really in charge of Las Vegas.
The casino industry and real estate developers are.
National advocacy groups for the homeless have once again named the city to their list of "meanest" cities in America. This year, Las Vegas ranks fifth, after Sarasota, Fla.; Lawrence, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; and Atlanta.
"You guys are always a mean city," said Michael Stoops, acting executive director of the Washington, D.C.,-based National Coalition for the Homeless. "Las Vegas continues to harass and criminalize homelessness."
The coalition joined the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty in compiling the list and its accompanying report, entitled "A Dream Denied: The Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities."
Las Vegas has fallen in the rankings since it was named the No. 1 "meanest" city in the nation in 2003, the year after Mayor Oscar Goodman made derogatory remarks about the homeless in his State of the City address and was criticized for Las Vegas' downtown homeless "sweeps."
In 2004, the city fell to fourth place. The coalition didn't release a list in 2005.
Stoops said the fall in rank has more to do with other cities becoming harsher toward the homeless than with Las Vegas treating homeless people better. "It just means other cities are now being meaner than Las Vegas," he said.
Mayor Goodman called the ranking "nuts."
"Those people out of Washington are morons," he said. "They should jump in the lake."
You first. After all, you want to BE one of those Washington morons.
Goodman cited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's decision to give Las Vegas $5.4 million in 2005 federal homeless assistance program funds for homeless services as one indication the city isn't so mean.
"We are spending it to create 18 new units of permanent housing for the chronically homeless and mentally ill, 75 new units for homeless veterans and 28 new units of transitional housing for homeless youth and young adults," the mayor said.
Linda Lera-Randle El, an advocate for the homeless who runs the Straight from the Streets outreach program in Las Vegas, said the city has improved slightly, but still has a long way to go.
"When you are giving out trespassing and jaywalking tickets to homeless people, it's just harassment," she said. "If you or I got stuck in the crosswalk, we wouldn't have to go to the Regional Justice Center to explain why."
The national advocacy groups looked at 224 U.S. cities and ranked their top 20 based on the number of anti-homeless laws -- such as those making it illegal to sleep, eat or sit in public spaces -- in the city, the enforcement of those laws and the general political climate toward homeless people.
"Las Vegas has always gotten an F (in those areas)," Stoops said. "Someday I hope the city will quit criminalizing homelessness and they'll get off the list."
Here's the whole list, straight from the source:
1. Sarasota, FL
2. Lawrence, KS
3. Little Rock, AR
4. Atlanta, GA
5. Las Vegas, NV
6. Dallas, TX
7. Houston, TX
8. San Juan, PR
9. Santa Monica, CA
10. Flagstaff, AZ
11. San Francisco, CA
12. Chicago, IL
13. San Antonio, TX
14. New York City, NY
15. Austin, TX
16. Anchorage, AK
17. Phoenix, AZ
18. Los Angeles, CA
19. St. Louis, MO
20. Pittsburgh, PA
Wait . . . Santa Monica?!? Those homeless guys have it made! Good weather, beach views, lots of benches. I never expected THEM to make the list.
Anyway, I thought the whole report was interesting in light of Hizzoner's State of the City speech, which was nothing but moonlight and roses.
From yesterday's R-J:
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS: Goodman banishes cynicism in speech
It would also appear he's banished reality.
Funny, isn't it, that this hit the Las Vegas Sun this morning:
Homeless program missing mark
Plan fails to place even one mentally ill person in housing
Nearly 18 months after its launch, a $1.5-million program to help the Las Vegas Valley's mentally ill homeless people get off the street has not housed a single person.
Because those crazies are hard to wrangle. They miss appointments. They lose their vouchers. They run when you call them.
So what's the point of all this?
That here, as always, there's a complete disconnect between intent and implementation. We have resources, but they get mismanaged. Because nobody is paying attention. The mayor can't (or, more to the point, won't) look beneath his own ponderous nose because he doesn't want to acknowledge the unpleasant. He wants the city to be all sparkly neon and happy visitors.
He doesn't want to do the hardest work of all – considered and competent address of real city issues. Plopping more pretty buildings and a professional sports team into the center of town won't make the problems go away. It will only exacerbate them.
But then I remember: it's not really Oscar Goodman's fault. After all, he's not really in charge of Las Vegas.
The casino industry and real estate developers are.
1.11.2006
Today's implosion brought to you by . . .
Station Casinos.
The ex-Showboat, ex-Castaways went the way of the Sands, Hacienda, Dunes and El Rancho around dawn this morning.
Get the video here.
I'm not too misty about this one. It was an eyesore, and a real piece of crud property that had a piece of crud bowling alley where I was courted as a younger woman by my eventual ex-husband.
So it had that going for it.
The only downside to this whole thing is who bought it. Station Casinos.
They introduced a phrase to Las Vegas that never should have been invented: neighborhood casino.
"You're only minutes away from a Station," they crow, and it's true. I, in a master-planned community, am minutes away. My mother is, too. And so are all my friends, no matter where in the Valley we live.
I hate that.
And yet, they keep building more, because they can. They're making obscene amounts of money off the neighborhoods they're in. They have movie theaters, bowling alleys, and all kinds of restaurants, bars and lounges. And they have big babysitting joints in every one, so the kids have somewhere to play while mom and dad spend their college funds.
Gross.
It makes me wonder – when the rubble of the Showboat/Castaways is cleared and the next Stations offering opens it doors, will it really be that much of an improvement?
I doubt it.
The ex-Showboat, ex-Castaways went the way of the Sands, Hacienda, Dunes and El Rancho around dawn this morning.
Get the video here.
I'm not too misty about this one. It was an eyesore, and a real piece of crud property that had a piece of crud bowling alley where I was courted as a younger woman by my eventual ex-husband.
So it had that going for it.
The only downside to this whole thing is who bought it. Station Casinos.
They introduced a phrase to Las Vegas that never should have been invented: neighborhood casino.
"You're only minutes away from a Station," they crow, and it's true. I, in a master-planned community, am minutes away. My mother is, too. And so are all my friends, no matter where in the Valley we live.
I hate that.
And yet, they keep building more, because they can. They're making obscene amounts of money off the neighborhoods they're in. They have movie theaters, bowling alleys, and all kinds of restaurants, bars and lounges. And they have big babysitting joints in every one, so the kids have somewhere to play while mom and dad spend their college funds.
Gross.
It makes me wonder – when the rubble of the Showboat/Castaways is cleared and the next Stations offering opens it doors, will it really be that much of an improvement?
I doubt it.
1.10.2006
The spot that should have run, but didn't have to.
One of my favorite TV commercials ever produced was, typically, a viral ad.
It featured a suicide bomber failing in his mission to blow up two shadowy characters in a crowded sidewalk cafe because he made the mistake of punching the detonator inside his VW Polo.
So I'm not the most sensitive person in the world. I laughed until I nearly wet myself.
A year later, after loads of people weighed in on one side or the other (One side: "that's disgusting!" The other: "lighten up."), and after the makers issued a formal apology for making the spot, VW has a fluffy guardian-angel campaign to make us forget all that nastiness.
Though they'd never admit to doing such a thing, I'd be willing to bet VW did some research on how the Polo sold after the viral spot made its rounds and caused its controversy. I'd also be willing to bet there were a lot of interested potential buyers.
I'd imagine, though, interest dropped in the 18 – 30 Middle Eastern male demographic.
It featured a suicide bomber failing in his mission to blow up two shadowy characters in a crowded sidewalk cafe because he made the mistake of punching the detonator inside his VW Polo.
So I'm not the most sensitive person in the world. I laughed until I nearly wet myself.
A year later, after loads of people weighed in on one side or the other (One side: "that's disgusting!" The other: "lighten up."), and after the makers issued a formal apology for making the spot, VW has a fluffy guardian-angel campaign to make us forget all that nastiness.
Though they'd never admit to doing such a thing, I'd be willing to bet VW did some research on how the Polo sold after the viral spot made its rounds and caused its controversy. I'd also be willing to bet there were a lot of interested potential buyers.
I'd imagine, though, interest dropped in the 18 – 30 Middle Eastern male demographic.
1.07.2006
RIP, Ramona Bell
Art Bell's wife, Ramona, died of an asthma attack while on vacation in Laughlin.
If you're not familiar with Art, then you've missed the rare pleasure of static-y late night AM radio broadcasts covering subjects like alien abduction, Area 51, experimental aircraft, haunted houses, wormholes, demonic possessions and backyard Bermuda Triangles.
One of my favorite shows featured a caller that claimed you could defend yourself against the Rapture by covering your windows and doors with Saran Wrap and duct tape.
Duct tape. Good for biological attacks and other forms of Armageddon.
Every single time some weird streak was seen in the sky (which happens a lot around here), Art's lines would light up with the faithful and their theories.
I haven't listened much since Art semi-retired, and I find myself missing the madness. So I'm quite sorry for his loss, and my prayers go out to Art and his family.
If you're not familiar with Art, then you've missed the rare pleasure of static-y late night AM radio broadcasts covering subjects like alien abduction, Area 51, experimental aircraft, haunted houses, wormholes, demonic possessions and backyard Bermuda Triangles.
One of my favorite shows featured a caller that claimed you could defend yourself against the Rapture by covering your windows and doors with Saran Wrap and duct tape.
Duct tape. Good for biological attacks and other forms of Armageddon.
Every single time some weird streak was seen in the sky (which happens a lot around here), Art's lines would light up with the faithful and their theories.
I haven't listened much since Art semi-retired, and I find myself missing the madness. So I'm quite sorry for his loss, and my prayers go out to Art and his family.
1.06.2006
Ten Questions (and a bonus)
Ken stole it from WunderKraut, and I've taken it from Ken.
Where Were You, What Were You Doing And How Did You Feel When…:
1. You found out about 9/11
My life was already changing drastically: it was the day before I was moving out of the house, separating from my husband for good. Boxes of my things were all over, ready for when I could get the truck. 7:30 that morning (West Coast time), I got Conor up for toons and breakfast so I could get ready for work. He was just barely three and holding my hand when I turned the TV on. It was on ABC, and I couldn't process what I was seeing. Smoke was billowing out of what I recognized as one of the WTC towers. Then I remember saying, "where the fuck is the other one?" Thankfully, the boy didn't even know anything was wrong. I listened to the news coming from my clock radio the next night as I lay on an air mattress on the floor of my new bedroom. I'd never felt so alone or frightened in my life. And I haven't felt that way since.
2. The start of the FIRST Gulf War - When we began combat operations.
I was a receptionist/intern at a small civil engineering firm. I had the radio on, and they broke into programming with the sounds of bombs. I went into the main office and told everyone, "it just started. We're bombing Iraq." Being in an Air Force town made it all so strange. The base went into high security mode. Yellow ribbons were everywhere. I watched the war on CNN, just like everyone else, riveted by the tracers flying over Baghdad.
3. The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded
It was Junior year of high school, and I was in chemistry class. Mr. Leigh, my biology teacher from the past year, poked his head into the room and said, "the Space Shuttle just blew up." The horrible part was, we didn't believe him because he was a joker. He'd put wind-up toys on the overhead projector while we were taking notes. We spent the week before Christmas break watching "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." This was a sick (but wonderful) man. Then the principal came on the P.A. system and confirmed it. We spent the next five minutes led in prayer (Catholic school), and TVs were set up around the school so we could follow the coverage.
4. The Space Shuttle Columbia broke up during re-entry
On that Saturday morning, Miles and I went for a walk without seeing the news first. One of the neighborhood homes had a full-height flagpole and his flag was half-mast. We knew then that something was wrong. We went home and turned on the TV. I saw that William McCool was the pilot and I felt sick – I had been friends with Willie's younger brother, Shawn, and had met his parents, Barry and Audrey. Shawn had always spoken with such awe about his brother, and after hearing about his career, I understood why. Barry was a former Naval pilot and a wonderful, charming man who flirted with all of the girls, and Audrey was loving and brilliant. When I heard that Barry was going to Houston to join the investigation, my heart broke for all of them.
5. Reagan was shot
I was in middle school, and Sister Barbara, our principal (yes, another Catholic school), came over the P.A., told us and led us in prayer.
6. John Lennon was shot
My mom and I were sitting on the couch in the living room, watching "Little House on the Prairie" when it happened. NBC broke away from the show with a special report. My mother cried horribly. She had come of age during the Beatles' heyday and John was her absolute favorite. I worried about her for days because she was so sad. I think that, perhaps, the last of her hopeful adolescence died when he did.
7. The Pope was shot
I was in grade school, and Sister Barbara, our principal (you know the drill by now), told us over the P.A. We were taken into the church where we were led in prayer.
8. Berlin Wall came down
This is the point at which I was busily misspending my youth, so I was probably too drunk or self-centered to realize what was going on.
9. President Clinton was acquitted of impeachment
I was so disgusted by the whole thing that I didn't pay attention.
10. Election night 2000
That was like watching Forrest Gump play ping pong. You couldn't keep up. I do remember Tim Russert trying to calculate all the different "what if?" scenarios, obviously tired and flabbergasted, and I thought it was one of the strangest things I'd ever witnessed. Unfortunately, what happened in the following weeks was much, MUCH worse.
11. When Kennedy was shot (for my more mature readers)
I wasn't a twinkle. I was barely an egg. My mom was only 15, for heaven's sake.
Where Were You, What Were You Doing And How Did You Feel When…:
1. You found out about 9/11
My life was already changing drastically: it was the day before I was moving out of the house, separating from my husband for good. Boxes of my things were all over, ready for when I could get the truck. 7:30 that morning (West Coast time), I got Conor up for toons and breakfast so I could get ready for work. He was just barely three and holding my hand when I turned the TV on. It was on ABC, and I couldn't process what I was seeing. Smoke was billowing out of what I recognized as one of the WTC towers. Then I remember saying, "where the fuck is the other one?" Thankfully, the boy didn't even know anything was wrong. I listened to the news coming from my clock radio the next night as I lay on an air mattress on the floor of my new bedroom. I'd never felt so alone or frightened in my life. And I haven't felt that way since.
2. The start of the FIRST Gulf War - When we began combat operations.
I was a receptionist/intern at a small civil engineering firm. I had the radio on, and they broke into programming with the sounds of bombs. I went into the main office and told everyone, "it just started. We're bombing Iraq." Being in an Air Force town made it all so strange. The base went into high security mode. Yellow ribbons were everywhere. I watched the war on CNN, just like everyone else, riveted by the tracers flying over Baghdad.
3. The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded
It was Junior year of high school, and I was in chemistry class. Mr. Leigh, my biology teacher from the past year, poked his head into the room and said, "the Space Shuttle just blew up." The horrible part was, we didn't believe him because he was a joker. He'd put wind-up toys on the overhead projector while we were taking notes. We spent the week before Christmas break watching "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." This was a sick (but wonderful) man. Then the principal came on the P.A. system and confirmed it. We spent the next five minutes led in prayer (Catholic school), and TVs were set up around the school so we could follow the coverage.
4. The Space Shuttle Columbia broke up during re-entry
On that Saturday morning, Miles and I went for a walk without seeing the news first. One of the neighborhood homes had a full-height flagpole and his flag was half-mast. We knew then that something was wrong. We went home and turned on the TV. I saw that William McCool was the pilot and I felt sick – I had been friends with Willie's younger brother, Shawn, and had met his parents, Barry and Audrey. Shawn had always spoken with such awe about his brother, and after hearing about his career, I understood why. Barry was a former Naval pilot and a wonderful, charming man who flirted with all of the girls, and Audrey was loving and brilliant. When I heard that Barry was going to Houston to join the investigation, my heart broke for all of them.
5. Reagan was shot
I was in middle school, and Sister Barbara, our principal (yes, another Catholic school), came over the P.A., told us and led us in prayer.
6. John Lennon was shot
My mom and I were sitting on the couch in the living room, watching "Little House on the Prairie" when it happened. NBC broke away from the show with a special report. My mother cried horribly. She had come of age during the Beatles' heyday and John was her absolute favorite. I worried about her for days because she was so sad. I think that, perhaps, the last of her hopeful adolescence died when he did.
7. The Pope was shot
I was in grade school, and Sister Barbara, our principal (you know the drill by now), told us over the P.A. We were taken into the church where we were led in prayer.
8. Berlin Wall came down
This is the point at which I was busily misspending my youth, so I was probably too drunk or self-centered to realize what was going on.
9. President Clinton was acquitted of impeachment
I was so disgusted by the whole thing that I didn't pay attention.
10. Election night 2000
That was like watching Forrest Gump play ping pong. You couldn't keep up. I do remember Tim Russert trying to calculate all the different "what if?" scenarios, obviously tired and flabbergasted, and I thought it was one of the strangest things I'd ever witnessed. Unfortunately, what happened in the following weeks was much, MUCH worse.
11. When Kennedy was shot (for my more mature readers)
I wasn't a twinkle. I was barely an egg. My mom was only 15, for heaven's sake.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Now that New Orleans has been flattened, Las Vegas is trying to take over as the most politically-backward city in the nation.
Oh, my God.
Um. Because we're 86-percent STUPID.
So these are the Dem choices for Ensign's seat: a carpetbagger and a bloviator.
Harry Reid, for the position he's attained, shows some alarming choices in his "anointed" congressional candidates.
Dario Herrera, for example, just started his defense in his corruption trial.
And now, Hizzoner. The last time we heard from him, he was advocating removing the thumbs from taggers who defaced a $35,000 desert tortoise statue (the cleanup tab was $50,000). Every other time his quotes make the news, they're soaked in gin. He's constantly defending himself against local ethics charges.
When he's faced with real societal issues, he falters. His solution to our homeless situation is to bulldoze their shantytowns, content to believe that NONE of them want help. That there aren't a few wandering our streets that aren't mentally ill, willing to work or just plain in need of a leg up. And those that hand out blankets and sandwiches are enablers.
He's made a career of sweeping unpleasant things under the rug, first as a mob lawyer, and now as The Happiest Mayor In The Universe. His weekly press conferences are full of tap dancing, a lot of "look! Don't look at that dirty spot over there! Look here! I have Playmates! Aren't I a fun guy?"
His hijinks make him Las Vegas' number one partyboy – and admittedly, his image is perfect for Sin City.
With that admission, though, you must admit he has NO BUSINESS representing Nevada in the Senate. We only get two damn seats and Reid thinks it's a good idea to put his political capital behind Otter from Animal House?
The games pols play never fail to amaze me. This one has me stymied. It goes beyond tipping the balance in the Senate. Nobody, not even Reid, can imagine he'd control our favorite attention whore once he got on a truly national stage. And once he's out there, how many of his outrageous comments will seem quaint? And for how long?
Which makes me wonder: what on earth did Jack Carter do to piss Reid off?
Reid Pushes Las Vegas Mayor to Run For Senate Seat
Oh, my God.
Oscar Goodman and Nevada Senator Harry Reid have discussed the possibility of the Las Vegas mayor challenging republican John Ensign for his U.S. Senate seat. Ensign is up for re-election this year.
The democratic mayor has broad appeal, especially here in Southern Nevada where he got 86-percent of the vote in his last race.
Um. Because we're 86-percent STUPID.
If he does decide to run, he could face an interesting Democratic primary battle. Jack Carter, the son of former President Jimmy Carter, has started a website and is gauging support for a possible Senate run.
So these are the Dem choices for Ensign's seat: a carpetbagger and a bloviator.
Harry Reid, for the position he's attained, shows some alarming choices in his "anointed" congressional candidates.
Dario Herrera, for example, just started his defense in his corruption trial.
And now, Hizzoner. The last time we heard from him, he was advocating removing the thumbs from taggers who defaced a $35,000 desert tortoise statue (the cleanup tab was $50,000). Every other time his quotes make the news, they're soaked in gin. He's constantly defending himself against local ethics charges.
When he's faced with real societal issues, he falters. His solution to our homeless situation is to bulldoze their shantytowns, content to believe that NONE of them want help. That there aren't a few wandering our streets that aren't mentally ill, willing to work or just plain in need of a leg up. And those that hand out blankets and sandwiches are enablers.
He's made a career of sweeping unpleasant things under the rug, first as a mob lawyer, and now as The Happiest Mayor In The Universe. His weekly press conferences are full of tap dancing, a lot of "look! Don't look at that dirty spot over there! Look here! I have Playmates! Aren't I a fun guy?"
His hijinks make him Las Vegas' number one partyboy – and admittedly, his image is perfect for Sin City.
With that admission, though, you must admit he has NO BUSINESS representing Nevada in the Senate. We only get two damn seats and Reid thinks it's a good idea to put his political capital behind Otter from Animal House?
The games pols play never fail to amaze me. This one has me stymied. It goes beyond tipping the balance in the Senate. Nobody, not even Reid, can imagine he'd control our favorite attention whore once he got on a truly national stage. And once he's out there, how many of his outrageous comments will seem quaint? And for how long?
Which makes me wonder: what on earth did Jack Carter do to piss Reid off?
1.05.2006
Ouch
Fucking Trojans.
Still, what a game. Exciting to the very bitter end.
I'd like to give "props" to Vince Young. He surprised me, even if he didn't surprise anyone else. He deserves to go #1 in the NFL draft, and he definitely should leave school now, riding the equity he built from last night.
And as for Matt Leinart: did he always resemble a water buffalo? I swear, I thought he was quicker than that.
Oh, and Reggie: no more stupid-ass laterals for you, young man. I hope your eventual NFL coach fines you at least $50,000 every time you do something that infuriatingly dumb. Because I'm sure that'll be chump change to you, you inflated fuckstick.
That is all.
Still, what a game. Exciting to the very bitter end.
I'd like to give "props" to Vince Young. He surprised me, even if he didn't surprise anyone else. He deserves to go #1 in the NFL draft, and he definitely should leave school now, riding the equity he built from last night.
And as for Matt Leinart: did he always resemble a water buffalo? I swear, I thought he was quicker than that.
Oh, and Reggie: no more stupid-ass laterals for you, young man. I hope your eventual NFL coach fines you at least $50,000 every time you do something that infuriatingly dumb. Because I'm sure that'll be chump change to you, you inflated fuckstick.
That is all.
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