Lewis Lapham's columns in Harper's have, since the tragedy of November 04, been my monthly dose of depression and angst. Each issue carries with it a torrent of well-crafted gloom and doom to bring the house, and the spirits of right-thinking liberal folks, crashing down long just enough for the next issue to arrive.
Not that I disagree with anything the esteemed Mr. Lapham says. Bush a liar? Yep. Corporations too powerful? Amen, brother. But for God's sake, man, give us options!
That's what I like about the Utne Reader. Sure, they're a little crunchy and Shiny Happy People, but they are goal-oriented. They don't just whine and moan about the state of the world. They go out and do something about it. Top Ten Ways you can:
Make Old People Smile
Turn Old Junk Into Useful Household Items
Build Your Own Hydrogen Car
I mean, yeah Lewis, I'm with you. Bush has committed high crimes and misdemeanors. He needs to be Impeached, with a capital I. We get it. Really. Now tell us how we might go about doing it! If I wanted gloom and doom, I'd go back to UNCA and listen to one of Dr. West's lectures. He, at least, was funny.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
Shave and a haircut ...
The first thing I noticed when I walked in the door at Beatnik Barbershop was the bottle of Jim Beam sitting by the complimentary coffee. And instead of three-month-old copies of People, Marie Claire and Good Housekeeping, the waiting table had the day's New York Times.
This is the barbershop I've waited my whole life for.
I told Bill what I needed. Time to face the loss of hair, but no comb-overs, no products, no mercy. He talked me through what he thought would work, I agreed, and the cutting commenced.
The result: This is probably the happiest I've been with a haircut in years.
I still have much love for Kelly's Barbershop in Westville, but this is the first time I've found something in Baltimore that I liked more than its equivalent in Asheville.
http://www.beatnikbarbershop.com/
This is the barbershop I've waited my whole life for.
I told Bill what I needed. Time to face the loss of hair, but no comb-overs, no products, no mercy. He talked me through what he thought would work, I agreed, and the cutting commenced.
The result: This is probably the happiest I've been with a haircut in years.
I still have much love for Kelly's Barbershop in Westville, but this is the first time I've found something in Baltimore that I liked more than its equivalent in Asheville.
http://www.beatnikbarbershop.com/
Friday, February 17, 2006
What's a little domestic spying between friends?
What's that Mr. President? You say you had the power to spy on Americans without a warrant all along? No problem, we'll just change that pesky FISA law to make it all above board.
No need to delve into those murky constitutional questions or even ask the NSA to tell us how well the program worked. If you say you need to eliminate even the 72 hour grace period from your wiretaps, that's cool with us.
But what if the democrats complain? Oh, you've already got them under surveillance. Good.
Uh, now, you'll remember to delete that little recording we discussed yesterday, right?
Right?
No need to delve into those murky constitutional questions or even ask the NSA to tell us how well the program worked. If you say you need to eliminate even the 72 hour grace period from your wiretaps, that's cool with us.
But what if the democrats complain? Oh, you've already got them under surveillance. Good.
Uh, now, you'll remember to delete that little recording we discussed yesterday, right?
Right?
Thursday, February 16, 2006
The Great Firewall of China
Congress is shocked, shocked! to discover that some American businesses are aiding and abetting human rights violations in China.
The heads and legal counsels of Google, Micorsoft and other Tech companies were called in to answer before the Human Rights Commision and 'splain why they rigorously fight any hint of Internet censorship here in the States, but quickly bow to China's demands for censorship and the search records of anyone deemed an enemy of the state.
These Tech companies shouldn't be helping round up pro-democracy activists or censoring Web sites about Falun Gong. That's clearly wrong, no matter how good it might be for business. But why has Congress suddenly decided to go after them when it has given China "Most Favored Nation" trading status for years despite the clearly documented human rights abuses in China?
Google can't turn over the search records of Chinese activists or censor search results or blogs, but a whole host of American manufacturers can employ sweatshop labor under unsafe conditions while feeding the coffers of a communist dictatorship by driving their economy -- and destroying the environment, to boot.
I suppose it merely depends on the degree to which one helps violate universal human rights. Congress must have a distinction between passively benefitting from human suffering and actively causing it.
The heads and legal counsels of Google, Micorsoft and other Tech companies were called in to answer before the Human Rights Commision and 'splain why they rigorously fight any hint of Internet censorship here in the States, but quickly bow to China's demands for censorship and the search records of anyone deemed an enemy of the state.
These Tech companies shouldn't be helping round up pro-democracy activists or censoring Web sites about Falun Gong. That's clearly wrong, no matter how good it might be for business. But why has Congress suddenly decided to go after them when it has given China "Most Favored Nation" trading status for years despite the clearly documented human rights abuses in China?
Google can't turn over the search records of Chinese activists or censor search results or blogs, but a whole host of American manufacturers can employ sweatshop labor under unsafe conditions while feeding the coffers of a communist dictatorship by driving their economy -- and destroying the environment, to boot.
I suppose it merely depends on the degree to which one helps violate universal human rights. Congress must have a distinction between passively benefitting from human suffering and actively causing it.
Friday, February 10, 2006
You say Turin, I say Torino ...
So, am I the only one who didn't realize the Winter Olympics start tonight?
Remember when the Olympics were a big deal? Lillehammer, Calgary, Nagano? Good Times.
Salt Lake wasn't all that, I hardly even remember it.
I usually just watch the Opening Ceremonies to see what they come up with and to bask in the idealized Brotherhood of Nations concept, pretending just for one night that the world really is like that.
Once the torch is lit, though, I'm usually out. And the name? All I think of when I hear Turin is that shroud. No one needs the inverted face of Jesus staring at them while they watch the Skeleton competition.
One point of pride: Turns out that 9 Carolina Hurricanes will compete in Men's Hockey this year -- and not just on the US team, so that could be interesting. The TeckiSister should enjoy that. I might even tune in for that.
Well, whatever. SInce they say Old Man Winter is about to have his revenge for all that nice weather we had last month, pop open some beers, heat up the popcorn, and start up the Fanfare for the Common Man!
Remember when the Olympics were a big deal? Lillehammer, Calgary, Nagano? Good Times.
Salt Lake wasn't all that, I hardly even remember it.
I usually just watch the Opening Ceremonies to see what they come up with and to bask in the idealized Brotherhood of Nations concept, pretending just for one night that the world really is like that.
Once the torch is lit, though, I'm usually out. And the name? All I think of when I hear Turin is that shroud. No one needs the inverted face of Jesus staring at them while they watch the Skeleton competition.
One point of pride: Turns out that 9 Carolina Hurricanes will compete in Men's Hockey this year -- and not just on the US team, so that could be interesting. The TeckiSister should enjoy that. I might even tune in for that.
Well, whatever. SInce they say Old Man Winter is about to have his revenge for all that nice weather we had last month, pop open some beers, heat up the popcorn, and start up the Fanfare for the Common Man!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Back in the USSR
Every day, some media outlet interviews a man on the street or conducts a poll or takes a caller who tells us that he/she/it doesn't care if the government is spying on them, because they aren't doing anything wrong.
As long as it fights terrorists, they're fine with it.
Aside from the fact that the FBI says the warrantless wiretaps have hindered their counterterrorism efforts. Aside from the fact that the NSA is spying on Quakers, the absolute least likely people to blow up anything anywhere in this country. Aside from the fact that unchecked government power is always abused, no matter what the people in charge say ...
This is the United States of America! Warrantless wiretaps violate both the Constitution and federal statutes!
We fought an entire world war against the fascist governments of Europe for exactly this kind of behavior. We fought the Cold War against the Soviet Union precisely because their government did these things -- plus the whole free market thing.
If we let the government spy on us now, after all that, we're just spitting in the faces of every soldier who died on the beaches of Normandy and every Russian, Pole, Ukrainian and German who died fighting their oppressive governments and shadowy secret police.
If you want to live in a country where the government can spy on you at will in the name of security, move to China, move to Saudi Arabia, move to Egypt.
Just move. I don't care where, but get the hell out of my country. If you don't want to defend the rights that come with your American citizenship, you deserve neither.
As long as it fights terrorists, they're fine with it.
Aside from the fact that the FBI says the warrantless wiretaps have hindered their counterterrorism efforts. Aside from the fact that the NSA is spying on Quakers, the absolute least likely people to blow up anything anywhere in this country. Aside from the fact that unchecked government power is always abused, no matter what the people in charge say ...
This is the United States of America! Warrantless wiretaps violate both the Constitution and federal statutes!
We fought an entire world war against the fascist governments of Europe for exactly this kind of behavior. We fought the Cold War against the Soviet Union precisely because their government did these things -- plus the whole free market thing.
If we let the government spy on us now, after all that, we're just spitting in the faces of every soldier who died on the beaches of Normandy and every Russian, Pole, Ukrainian and German who died fighting their oppressive governments and shadowy secret police.
If you want to live in a country where the government can spy on you at will in the name of security, move to China, move to Saudi Arabia, move to Egypt.
Just move. I don't care where, but get the hell out of my country. If you don't want to defend the rights that come with your American citizenship, you deserve neither.
Smiley suns and fluffy white clouds ...
Am I the only person who thinks the weather guy should just report the weather and get on with it?
Our local meteorologist held forth this morning on how upset he was that Kelly Clarkson (And I really don't care if that's spelled right) didn't thank American Idol for starting her useless career when she won her gold-plated paperweight last night.
Just tell me the high and low for today. That's all you're good for, anyway. The forecasting is pointless beyond that.
And, why is this -- this -- the one thing that upsets you enough to proclaim your dissatisfaction to the greater Baltimore metro area?
Your president lied to start a war, global warming is destroying the planet, a major American city has been destroyed by incompetence as much as by nature, and your government is spying on you. And you give a shit about who Kelly Clarkson thanks in her acceptance speech?
Man, that's it. I'm moving to Mexico. The weather don't change much there, right?
Our local meteorologist held forth this morning on how upset he was that Kelly Clarkson (And I really don't care if that's spelled right) didn't thank American Idol for starting her useless career when she won her gold-plated paperweight last night.
Just tell me the high and low for today. That's all you're good for, anyway. The forecasting is pointless beyond that.
And, why is this -- this -- the one thing that upsets you enough to proclaim your dissatisfaction to the greater Baltimore metro area?
Your president lied to start a war, global warming is destroying the planet, a major American city has been destroyed by incompetence as much as by nature, and your government is spying on you. And you give a shit about who Kelly Clarkson thanks in her acceptance speech?
Man, that's it. I'm moving to Mexico. The weather don't change much there, right?
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Feel my Malaise, Sucka!
Did anybody else notice Jimmy Carter's sharp jab at G-W's warrantless wiretaps during Coretta Scott King's funeral yesterday?
Sad to think that the only democrat with the spine to take on Bush right now is our favorite little peanut farmer. They way he tied the travails of the Kings into the current controversy was priceless.
There you go, a short post after that big geek-out below.
Sad to think that the only democrat with the spine to take on Bush right now is our favorite little peanut farmer. They way he tied the travails of the Kings into the current controversy was priceless.
There you go, a short post after that big geek-out below.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Wrong line of work?
Sometimes I think I'm in the wrong line of work.
The City of Charlotte just unveiled its big new land-use plans, and darned if their map doesn't look suspiciously like the doodles in the margins of my notebooks.
Their plan itself is simple enough:
1: Channel the highest density development Uptown, plus around South Park and the University. They also included some scattered high-density spots throughout the city, including a large one near the airport.
2: Encourage medium-density, pedestrian-friendly development along the five new commuter-rail corridors so the rail can best serve those areas.
3: Encourage low-density, single-family development everywhere else. A great compromise for those who don't like traditional urban living, but want to have a shorter commute.
Where my plan differs:
Create a comprehensive streetcar network criscrossing the city to serve local traffic and complement the larger commuter rail system. One line has already been proposed for Central Avenue all the way up to JC Smith University. Other lines would be built along the original streetcar lines in the old suburbs, plus short lines to serve the South Park area, University City, Ballentyne and other major population/commercial centers.
Create two commuter-rail loops in the city to tie the other five lines together and serve crosstown traffic, with connections to the streetcar system. One would run approximately along the Route 4 corridor, the other about as far out as WT Harris Blvd, with a direct link to UNCC's campus. These areas would need to be designated as medium-density/pedestrian-friendly like the other corridors, with certain exceptions if necessary.
Ensure that even the lowest-density, single-family areas are pedestrian-friendly -- Much like the Roland Park and Wyndhurst neighborhoods in Baltimore. A grid of quiet, tree-lined streets with large lots, adequate sidewalks and a few scattered commercial districts designed to fit in well with the surrounding neighborhoods. More like a small town than a city.
This is the perfect remedy for transforming sprawlsville USA into a real, living, breathing city people will want to live in -- not just a place people move to because "that's where the jobs are." By providing a wide range of housing and commercial options, the city can serve the needs and preferences of many kinds of people, families and businesses.
So much for this English degree. Anyone seen my GRE practice book?
The City of Charlotte just unveiled its big new land-use plans, and darned if their map doesn't look suspiciously like the doodles in the margins of my notebooks.
Their plan itself is simple enough:
1: Channel the highest density development Uptown, plus around South Park and the University. They also included some scattered high-density spots throughout the city, including a large one near the airport.
2: Encourage medium-density, pedestrian-friendly development along the five new commuter-rail corridors so the rail can best serve those areas.
3: Encourage low-density, single-family development everywhere else. A great compromise for those who don't like traditional urban living, but want to have a shorter commute.
Where my plan differs:
Create a comprehensive streetcar network criscrossing the city to serve local traffic and complement the larger commuter rail system. One line has already been proposed for Central Avenue all the way up to JC Smith University. Other lines would be built along the original streetcar lines in the old suburbs, plus short lines to serve the South Park area, University City, Ballentyne and other major population/commercial centers.
Create two commuter-rail loops in the city to tie the other five lines together and serve crosstown traffic, with connections to the streetcar system. One would run approximately along the Route 4 corridor, the other about as far out as WT Harris Blvd, with a direct link to UNCC's campus. These areas would need to be designated as medium-density/pedestrian-friendly like the other corridors, with certain exceptions if necessary.
Ensure that even the lowest-density, single-family areas are pedestrian-friendly -- Much like the Roland Park and Wyndhurst neighborhoods in Baltimore. A grid of quiet, tree-lined streets with large lots, adequate sidewalks and a few scattered commercial districts designed to fit in well with the surrounding neighborhoods. More like a small town than a city.
This is the perfect remedy for transforming sprawlsville USA into a real, living, breathing city people will want to live in -- not just a place people move to because "that's where the jobs are." By providing a wide range of housing and commercial options, the city can serve the needs and preferences of many kinds of people, families and businesses.
So much for this English degree. Anyone seen my GRE practice book?
Monday, February 06, 2006
Champagne SuperNOVA
Hauled oursleves on down to NOVA yesterday to welcome D$ to the Baltimore-Washington Corridor.
Note to Gov. Kaine: Traffic not so good.
It took as long to find a parking space at the restaurant we went to as it did to drive there from his new apartment. This has got to stop! Smartrip cards, activate!
Haven't rode the Metrobus in years, but no time like the present. Better'n risking the Prius in a Sunday road-rage incident.
Other than the car, had a great time. Big reminder why we need to study the espanol after eating at the Salvadoran place.
Took D$ for his first Trader Joe's experience. IN fact, this was the same Trader Joe's the TeckiUncle took us too all those years ago for our first time. We (K, Rat & Me) felt imparting the wonders of TJ to D$ at that very same location would bring the circle of life to full ... circle. Or something.
The super deals can be overwhelming the first time, but I think he left happy. BTW: TJs in VA sell beer. At a great price. What up, Mary Land?
Note to Gov. Kaine: Traffic not so good.
It took as long to find a parking space at the restaurant we went to as it did to drive there from his new apartment. This has got to stop! Smartrip cards, activate!
Haven't rode the Metrobus in years, but no time like the present. Better'n risking the Prius in a Sunday road-rage incident.
Other than the car, had a great time. Big reminder why we need to study the espanol after eating at the Salvadoran place.
Took D$ for his first Trader Joe's experience. IN fact, this was the same Trader Joe's the TeckiUncle took us too all those years ago for our first time. We (K, Rat & Me) felt imparting the wonders of TJ to D$ at that very same location would bring the circle of life to full ... circle. Or something.
The super deals can be overwhelming the first time, but I think he left happy. BTW: TJs in VA sell beer. At a great price. What up, Mary Land?
Happy Birthday!
Just a quick shout out to the TeckiSister on her birthday as she commands the snowy heights of Vermont.
One day, NPR will stop reminding us that this is Ronald Reagans's Birthday and start telling us it's hers.
Right?
One day, NPR will stop reminding us that this is Ronald Reagans's Birthday and start telling us it's hers.
Right?
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
The Law of Averages
The Post ran an article the other day about a community in Utah that has, despite a downward trend throughout the rest of the country, consistently given George W. Bush a 95% or higher approval rating since he became president. The article, something of an anthropological slice of life, is quite revealing.
The scene that opens the article describes an exchange between a local waiter and a tourist pasing through on the way to a ski slope. The tourist asks if they have Dijon mustard. Not surprisingly, they don't. After the woman leaves, this young man says he's never even heard of Dijon mustard. Fair enough. But what he says next sums up all that is wrong with America. Not only does he not know what it is, but he doesn't want to.
This seemingly innocuous comment is echoed in one form or another by almost every resident of this small community. They don't know what's going on outside their town, and they don't care. Iraq? No one here is dying. Homeless people? Not here. Katrina? That was miles away. Warrantless spying? I'm not doing anything wrong, why should I care? Again and again, each resident proclaims a proud lack of interest in the world.
What really galls me, enough to actually use the word gall, was the woman who, after complaining about gays and athiests, says no one cares about "Average Americans" like her and her neighbors.
Hold on, sister. Average? You?
I have absolutely had it with this podunk, small-town bull about how "folks" living in the "heartland" or in little desert towns constitute the "Real America."
This may be news to some, but the vast majority of Americans live in major cities or in suburbs. Four times as many as those who live in little rural towns like our friends in Utah.
Although a clear majority of Americans are Christians, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints only make up a small portion of that population. Most Christian Americans belong to the Catholic faith or to one of the more mainstream Protestant denominations. In fact, there are actually many more Americans who count themselves as athiests, agnostics or secular humanists than count themselves as members of CJCLDS. Not to mention that members of all other religions also outnumber them. This is not intended to disparage members of this particular faith, but to point out that, despite claims to the contrary by this particular member, they hardly constitute the average, let alone a majority, of our nation's population.
So who is the average American? Certainly not these folks living in a podunk litle Utah town miles away from the nearest city or freeway. Yet they insist that they, and they alone, represent the average, the standard, the real America.
Unfortunately, politicians from both sides of the aisle have a tendency to believe the same thing while ignoring the needs and values of the greater population. In 2008, it would be nice to see candidates dropping in on cities like Baltimore or Asheville instead of pretending to know how to slop hogs in the middle of nowhere.
The scene that opens the article describes an exchange between a local waiter and a tourist pasing through on the way to a ski slope. The tourist asks if they have Dijon mustard. Not surprisingly, they don't. After the woman leaves, this young man says he's never even heard of Dijon mustard. Fair enough. But what he says next sums up all that is wrong with America. Not only does he not know what it is, but he doesn't want to.
This seemingly innocuous comment is echoed in one form or another by almost every resident of this small community. They don't know what's going on outside their town, and they don't care. Iraq? No one here is dying. Homeless people? Not here. Katrina? That was miles away. Warrantless spying? I'm not doing anything wrong, why should I care? Again and again, each resident proclaims a proud lack of interest in the world.
What really galls me, enough to actually use the word gall, was the woman who, after complaining about gays and athiests, says no one cares about "Average Americans" like her and her neighbors.
Hold on, sister. Average? You?
I have absolutely had it with this podunk, small-town bull about how "folks" living in the "heartland" or in little desert towns constitute the "Real America."
This may be news to some, but the vast majority of Americans live in major cities or in suburbs. Four times as many as those who live in little rural towns like our friends in Utah.
Although a clear majority of Americans are Christians, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints only make up a small portion of that population. Most Christian Americans belong to the Catholic faith or to one of the more mainstream Protestant denominations. In fact, there are actually many more Americans who count themselves as athiests, agnostics or secular humanists than count themselves as members of CJCLDS. Not to mention that members of all other religions also outnumber them. This is not intended to disparage members of this particular faith, but to point out that, despite claims to the contrary by this particular member, they hardly constitute the average, let alone a majority, of our nation's population.
So who is the average American? Certainly not these folks living in a podunk litle Utah town miles away from the nearest city or freeway. Yet they insist that they, and they alone, represent the average, the standard, the real America.
Unfortunately, politicians from both sides of the aisle have a tendency to believe the same thing while ignoring the needs and values of the greater population. In 2008, it would be nice to see candidates dropping in on cities like Baltimore or Asheville instead of pretending to know how to slop hogs in the middle of nowhere.
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