Nixon and Ford must have been really bad for this guy to ever get elected. Jimmy Carter's comment that "The 'overwhelming' portion of animosity towards Obama is racist" is ridiculous. The linked article with two embedded videos say it all.
As to the "nastiness" in American political discourse, as illustrated by Joe Wilson's "you lie!" comment - let's remember who did it first and worst:
First
Worst
I know the post is purely political. I'll get back to personal stuff when I calm down,
Brad
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A new semester with the same old content...
Fall semester has started here at OCC, and I am now in my 5th semester teaching here. I am only on my 3rd semester, however, using the International Relations textbook I adopted last Fall. The textbook starts by using the attacks on the 9/11 to demonstrate how four different perspectives can see the cause of a single event differently. Inevitably, some student points out that the textbook (and the theories) seem to be ignoring the "inside job" position. I normally step out of my very open and cosmopolitan academic attitude to gently squash that and all other "conspiracy theories." This happened last Friday. Perhaps I should be more open to the idea of conspiracy theories, but I just can't bring myself to allow them to be seriously discussed in an academic setting due to their warped trails of "facts" and logic.
Oh, well. Apparently conspiracy theories are not limited to the here and now. They had them a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.......
(If you're not into dark humor, don't watch it - if you do watch it, watch the whole thing)
Stormtroopers' 9/11
Oh, well. Apparently conspiracy theories are not limited to the here and now. They had them a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.......
(If you're not into dark humor, don't watch it - if you do watch it, watch the whole thing)
Stormtroopers' 9/11
Saturday, September 5, 2009
NPR once again misleads America!
No, this is not a political post at all. First, the back story...
My wife introduced me to Car Talk back in 1999 when we were first married. Through our time living in Utah we would listen to Tom and Ray while cleaning the apartment. I found them to be a humorous and enlightening diversion that made the housework go by quickly. As we have moved to California and New Jersey, we have not taken the time to find and make time for Car Talk. Recently we discovered that it can be heard at 1pm on Saturday - so whenever we are in the car during that hour, we listen. That hasn't happened for several months. Until today....
We were driving to Pepperidge Farm and BJ's to do some shopping as a family. We turned on the radio just in time to hear Wendy from MA. It was an interested discussion considering we had just had the bearings replaced on Gandalf. After Wendy came Brian from KY. He asked about merging etiquette specifically when a lane is ending (as in a construction zone or when 3 lanes become 2 or 1 on a highway.) Ray immediately began attacking those "yuppies" in Volvos or Audis that tear up the empty "ending" lane and "cut-in" at the last minute of the merge. He concluded that although such action is legal, it is "immoral." What a complete load! He even had the audacity to relate a story in which he refused to allow some "yuppie" to merge in a similar situation (he even yelled at him for "cutting" in front of all the other people who were waiting!) Of course, Tom agreed throughout.
Now, Car Talk is great for car repair and maintenance issues; however, the final line "don't drive like my brother!" should be taken as a shibboleth. All state transportation departments have guidelines that advise drivers to take turns when entering a single lane closure situation to help reduce delay time in work zones. This "take-turn" strategy, often referred to as the "zipper" approach (or "playing the game" in our home) is used when traffic is congested. In this instance, drivers should use both lanes all the way to the designated merge point and then take turns merging. Drivers can help reduce frustration in work zones if they follow the directions on the signs; otherwise, the system won’t be as effective. One official from Minnesota DOT said "In some back-up situations, the signs have instructed drivers to use both lanes up until the merge point, but we’ve seen drivers merge too early – probably in fear that they won’t be let in by other drivers. Many people think it is unfair for them to be waiting in traffic and another driver gets to merge before them. We’re hoping that this aggressive driver behavior will decrease if they see the signs instructing drivers to do so."
There it is! Ray is an aggressive driver who has now used Car Talk and NPR to condone nation-wide aggressive driving as a highly moral behavior. So if you are a morally superior American, feel free to condemn those misguided souls that follow traffic (and all other) laws. You have been absolved by the Patron Saint of Aggressive Driving, St. Ray the Peremptory of Our Fair City.
From what I've seen, he already has many followers. The more orthodox sects can be found all along the Boston-NY-DC beltway (some of the more zealous of those are in Northern NJ.) However, I have found strong followings in Utah, Arizona, Colorado and Idaho. The only place I found few adherents was in Southern California - and it was a pleasure to drive there!
Happy to bike the side streets to work!
Brad
My wife introduced me to Car Talk back in 1999 when we were first married. Through our time living in Utah we would listen to Tom and Ray while cleaning the apartment. I found them to be a humorous and enlightening diversion that made the housework go by quickly. As we have moved to California and New Jersey, we have not taken the time to find and make time for Car Talk. Recently we discovered that it can be heard at 1pm on Saturday - so whenever we are in the car during that hour, we listen. That hasn't happened for several months. Until today....
We were driving to Pepperidge Farm and BJ's to do some shopping as a family. We turned on the radio just in time to hear Wendy from MA. It was an interested discussion considering we had just had the bearings replaced on Gandalf. After Wendy came Brian from KY. He asked about merging etiquette specifically when a lane is ending (as in a construction zone or when 3 lanes become 2 or 1 on a highway.) Ray immediately began attacking those "yuppies" in Volvos or Audis that tear up the empty "ending" lane and "cut-in" at the last minute of the merge. He concluded that although such action is legal, it is "immoral." What a complete load! He even had the audacity to relate a story in which he refused to allow some "yuppie" to merge in a similar situation (he even yelled at him for "cutting" in front of all the other people who were waiting!) Of course, Tom agreed throughout.
Now, Car Talk is great for car repair and maintenance issues; however, the final line "don't drive like my brother!" should be taken as a shibboleth. All state transportation departments have guidelines that advise drivers to take turns when entering a single lane closure situation to help reduce delay time in work zones. This "take-turn" strategy, often referred to as the "zipper" approach (or "playing the game" in our home) is used when traffic is congested. In this instance, drivers should use both lanes all the way to the designated merge point and then take turns merging. Drivers can help reduce frustration in work zones if they follow the directions on the signs; otherwise, the system won’t be as effective. One official from Minnesota DOT said "In some back-up situations, the signs have instructed drivers to use both lanes up until the merge point, but we’ve seen drivers merge too early – probably in fear that they won’t be let in by other drivers. Many people think it is unfair for them to be waiting in traffic and another driver gets to merge before them. We’re hoping that this aggressive driver behavior will decrease if they see the signs instructing drivers to do so."
There it is! Ray is an aggressive driver who has now used Car Talk and NPR to condone nation-wide aggressive driving as a highly moral behavior. So if you are a morally superior American, feel free to condemn those misguided souls that follow traffic (and all other) laws. You have been absolved by the Patron Saint of Aggressive Driving, St. Ray the Peremptory of Our Fair City.
From what I've seen, he already has many followers. The more orthodox sects can be found all along the Boston-NY-DC beltway (some of the more zealous of those are in Northern NJ.) However, I have found strong followings in Utah, Arizona, Colorado and Idaho. The only place I found few adherents was in Southern California - and it was a pleasure to drive there!
Happy to bike the side streets to work!
Brad
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A chip of the old block...
My oldest son shares so many characteristics with his dad (I will have to apologize to him about that at some point!) One of them is his tendency to sing at all times (and make up lyrics that fit his immediate situation or observations.) When this started, I initially told him to stop making so much noise; however, I realized how hypocritical it was of me to do so. I also realized what a gift it is to be able to sing and make up lyrics on the spot to fit the moment. More and more I am realizing that I have been (and still am, sadly) a controlling parent. Many of the things that I get after my boys about are simply my exerting control over them. It is a continual struggle for me to know when I need to "intervene" and when I am only doing so to satisfy my own controlling need. At least I am solidly on the first step: recognizing that I have a problem!
To end on a happy note, 2 things:
First, my 8 & 1/2 month-old daughter stood by herself for just over 10 seconds this past weekend! She will be walking really soon!
Second, in honor of making up new lyrics to catchy tunes:
With a song in my heart,
Brad
To end on a happy note, 2 things:
First, my 8 & 1/2 month-old daughter stood by herself for just over 10 seconds this past weekend! She will be walking really soon!
Second, in honor of making up new lyrics to catchy tunes:
With a song in my heart,
Brad
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