Thanks for the Memory to Gullyborg at Resistance is Futile!
The Portland Oregonian has published an editorial by Michael Arrieta-Walden that is guardedly pro-Blogger.
For once I can be proud of news coming out of my home state.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Gray Hair and a Gray Hare
Thanks for the Memory to Woody over at The Inner Dad. He has some good insight on the disturbing news that Warner Brothers is planning to revamp Bugs Bunny.
I remember once reading an essay that argued that Bugs Bunny was the ideal American man -- clever, witty, loyal, resourceful, and unflappable in the face of insurmountable odds. I've been a Bugs fan my whole life, and cried when Mel Blanc died. Even as an adult, watching Bugs Bunny cartoons helped me maintain some tenuous contact with my childhood.
I'm not, you can imagine, thrilled by this news.
I remember once reading an essay that argued that Bugs Bunny was the ideal American man -- clever, witty, loyal, resourceful, and unflappable in the face of insurmountable odds. I've been a Bugs fan my whole life, and cried when Mel Blanc died. Even as an adult, watching Bugs Bunny cartoons helped me maintain some tenuous contact with my childhood.
I'm not, you can imagine, thrilled by this news.
Blegging for Info AGAIN
Is there anyone out there with legal training who might give me a bit o' free advice (no, this isn't about the camera)?
A Darned Good Question
Thanks for the Memory to Mark at Head West, Turn Right.
David Brooks asks, or rather repeats, an excellent question:
Why Not Here?
Afghanistan
Iraq
Georgia
Ukraine
Egypt
Cairo
The disease known as Freedom is highly infectious. Where do you suppose it will break out next?
David Brooks asks, or rather repeats, an excellent question:
Why Not Here?
Afghanistan
Iraq
Georgia
Ukraine
Egypt
Cairo
The disease known as Freedom is highly infectious. Where do you suppose it will break out next?
Terri Schiavo: An Update to the Vigil
Thanks for the Memory to BlogsforTerri for the update:
Keep praying, folks, and keep raising your voice. Time is running short, but while there's life there's hope. Don't let them snuff it out.
Notice of Hearing - Terri Schiavo Guardianship Case
Announcement from the Schindler's media office
March 4, 2005 at 1.30pm ET (GMT-5) in Judge Greer's courtroom, the following will be heard:
- Emergency Expedited Motion to Compel depositions of Michael Schiavo and Jodi Centonze
- Emergency Expedited Motion to permit Terri Schiavo to receive rite of Extreme Unction in compliance with her religious faith
- Emergency Expedited Motion for permission to provide food and water by natural means
- Emergency Expedited Motion to permit Florida burial without cremation
- Emergency Expedited Motion for limited media access to Terri and visits with her family
- Emergency Expedited Motion to allow Terri to die at home
- Emergency Expedited Motion to not remove feeding tube when nutrition and hydration are terminated
- Expedited Motion for family access to Terri while she is dying
- Emergency Expedited Motion for permission to photograph and video record Terri with her family
- Emergency Expedited Motion to request the appointment of a medical witness
A half-day hearing has been scheduled to address these items.
Keep praying, folks, and keep raising your voice. Time is running short, but while there's life there's hope. Don't let them snuff it out.
Short Circuit Citied
I took the camera in to Circuit City last night. I had purchased what they called a "service contract" when I bought the camera, so I hoped it would cover damage not covered by a warranty. No such luck. Even though they call it a service contract, even though the literatur with it says free repair, it's really just an extended warranty and so does not cover accidental damage. So now I'm out the $319 for the camera, the $109 for the contract, and I have no camera to record the growth of my newborn son. I'm going to scrape up the means to replace the camera, because it means so much to me and TFR to have those memories.
But you can bet money on where the camera will not be purchased.
But you can bet money on where the camera will not be purchased.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Waaaaaay Too Much Information
You learn the weirdest things when you check your Sitemeter. Apparently I'm the #1 result ( or at least one of my posts is) if you google "american folklore about farting".
Good News, Bad News
The good news:
The Lad was just at the pediatrician's today, and tipped the scales at 9 lbs. 4 oz. Per the doc, we can now let him sleep until he wakes up instead of waking him to eat every 3-4 hours.
The bad news: She's checking his blood for anemia because he continues to have apneas. However, she suspects it's caused by the quick, shallow breaths he makes when he's hungry and isn't even apnea.
The WORSE news:
I am unable to comply with requests for pictures as I have managed to damage our digital video camera (I use it for stills too). I have a service contract for it, so I'm hoping Circuit City can repair it, but for now it means I don't get to play "Papa"-razzi.
The Lad was just at the pediatrician's today, and tipped the scales at 9 lbs. 4 oz. Per the doc, we can now let him sleep until he wakes up instead of waking him to eat every 3-4 hours.
The bad news: She's checking his blood for anemia because he continues to have apneas. However, she suspects it's caused by the quick, shallow breaths he makes when he's hungry and isn't even apnea.
The WORSE news:
I am unable to comply with requests for pictures as I have managed to damage our digital video camera (I use it for stills too). I have a service contract for it, so I'm hoping Circuit City can repair it, but for now it means I don't get to play "Papa"-razzi.
Thanks for the Memory to NW Republican.
If you thought that Washington had cornered the market on election corruption in the Pacific Northwest, you thought wrong:
The same Bill Bradbury (D) who obstructed the efforts to put Nader on Oregon's ballot.
Oh, I'm sure he'll get right on this.
If you thought that Washington had cornered the market on election corruption in the Pacific Northwest, you thought wrong:
Secretary of State Bill Bradbury was the recipient of thirteen letters from the state GOP detailing alleged election laws violations, including two candidates, Senator Joanne Verger and Senator Laurie Monnes-Anderson, who spent tens of thousands of dollars of in-kind donations not reported until after the election.
Other campaign in - kind donations received by a number of legislators, including Ryan Deckert, also violated election laws, according to the Oregon GOP.
Laundered campaign money was received by Judy Steigler ($12,300) and others.
Representative Chuck Riley neglected to report $2,000 of media buy expenditures.
The same Bill Bradbury (D) who obstructed the efforts to put Nader on Oregon's ballot.
Oh, I'm sure he'll get right on this.
The Consent of the Governed
Thanks for the Memory to a member of my church for forwarding the following link to me.
On the 17th, William Federer presented an excellent essay over at TownHall regarding the Terry Schiavo case. I commend it to you now. Usually I try to avoid Nazi comparisons when discussing politics (I think the rhetorical tendency to equate ones opponents with the Nazis is usually a cop-out), but in this case, I can see the parallels, especially since Federer actually compares the current situation to attitudes in the Pre-Nazi Weimar Republic. He argues, I believe rightly, that the precendent set erodes further our society's belief in the sanctity of life, and esptablishes a precedent by which those in power can determine who should and shouldn't live based on some esoteric scale of their relative worth as a human.
Terry's case isn't about letting someone who is already dead be removed from life support. It isn't about letting a teminal patient "die with dignity". It's about someone deciding she should die because her life isn't "worth living" anymore. And that is a frightening precedent to set. Furthermore, it flies in the face of the philosophy on which our nation is founded:
(Bold added)
Self-evident.
Equal.
inalienable.
Do these words no longer mean anything to us? If we decide that Terry is better off dead because she has suffered brain damage, because her mental capacity is diminished, we have refuted the "truth" that she is our equal, and that her right to life is inalienable. If we deny these truths in her case, what's to stop us from denying them in other cases? And once we've gone there, how long will it be until these truths are no longer self-evident whatsoever? What protection do any of us have under the law at that point?
On the 17th, William Federer presented an excellent essay over at TownHall regarding the Terry Schiavo case. I commend it to you now. Usually I try to avoid Nazi comparisons when discussing politics (I think the rhetorical tendency to equate ones opponents with the Nazis is usually a cop-out), but in this case, I can see the parallels, especially since Federer actually compares the current situation to attitudes in the Pre-Nazi Weimar Republic. He argues, I believe rightly, that the precendent set erodes further our society's belief in the sanctity of life, and esptablishes a precedent by which those in power can determine who should and shouldn't live based on some esoteric scale of their relative worth as a human.
Terry's case isn't about letting someone who is already dead be removed from life support. It isn't about letting a teminal patient "die with dignity". It's about someone deciding she should die because her life isn't "worth living" anymore. And that is a frightening precedent to set. Furthermore, it flies in the face of the philosophy on which our nation is founded:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
(Bold added)
Self-evident.
Equal.
inalienable.
Do these words no longer mean anything to us? If we decide that Terry is better off dead because she has suffered brain damage, because her mental capacity is diminished, we have refuted the "truth" that she is our equal, and that her right to life is inalienable. If we deny these truths in her case, what's to stop us from denying them in other cases? And once we've gone there, how long will it be until these truths are no longer self-evident whatsoever? What protection do any of us have under the law at that point?
Electric Sheep
(A Movie Review -- SPOILER)
TFR and I rented and Watched I, Robot this weekend. I had avoided it because I had heard it plays pretty loose with Aasimov's original story, and assumed this meant it wasn't very good. I tend to be a purist when it comes to such matters (I'm still trying to forgive myself for enjoying LOtR), but I have never actually read the original novel, so I gave in and we watched it.
Altogether a pretty entertaining movie. It's morte of an action flick set in a sci fi background than a true SF movie. The issues raised by the Three Laws are actually, within the context of this movie, little more than a vehicle for delivering the car chases, gun battles, super-gee-wiz FX. The "villain" is supposedly taking over as a logical extension of the Three Laws, yet is blithely violating them in her willingness to eliminate those who stand in her way. And the ending was predictable, since the moment they introduced "VIKI" I knew they'd have to destroy her. There's a fine line between foreshadowing and telegraphic the plot.
All in all, it's a diverting movie and lots of fun to watch, but don't expect it to make you think as much as it tries to.
TFR and I rented and Watched I, Robot this weekend. I had avoided it because I had heard it plays pretty loose with Aasimov's original story, and assumed this meant it wasn't very good. I tend to be a purist when it comes to such matters (I'm still trying to forgive myself for enjoying LOtR), but I have never actually read the original novel, so I gave in and we watched it.
Altogether a pretty entertaining movie. It's morte of an action flick set in a sci fi background than a true SF movie. The issues raised by the Three Laws are actually, within the context of this movie, little more than a vehicle for delivering the car chases, gun battles, super-gee-wiz FX. The "villain" is supposedly taking over as a logical extension of the Three Laws, yet is blithely violating them in her willingness to eliminate those who stand in her way. And the ending was predictable, since the moment they introduced "VIKI" I knew they'd have to destroy her. There's a fine line between foreshadowing and telegraphic the plot.
All in all, it's a diverting movie and lots of fun to watch, but don't expect it to make you think as much as it tries to.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Not Alone
As luck would have it, I've found another conservative Blogger here in Eugene. He's been kind enough to link me, fair's fair. Go give Gullyborg a read.
My Butt is Sore...
Time to get off the fence.
For some time, I have remained silent regarding the Terri Schiavo situation on this Blog. My reason for doing so was that I knew too little about the specifics of her condition to feel qualified to speak. I am a firm believer in the right to make the NHM decision, to specify that if I am ever brain dead and on a machine, TFR is to make damned sure they unplug that machine, since I'll already be home by then. But over the last few days, reading up on the situation, I have reached the conclusion that Terri is not brain dead, she is not in a coma, she is not on life support -- she is still there, in her body, alive, and it is wrong to kill her. Then I came across this post at the rightwing nuthouse, which, along with several others, convinced me it's time to throw in with Terri's Supporters. I know, I know, that carries as much weght as a pigeon in a tornado, but I believe it's the right thing to do. So I am going to apply to join Blogs for Terri. I encourage my fellow bloggers to do the same.
For some time, I have remained silent regarding the Terri Schiavo situation on this Blog. My reason for doing so was that I knew too little about the specifics of her condition to feel qualified to speak. I am a firm believer in the right to make the NHM decision, to specify that if I am ever brain dead and on a machine, TFR is to make damned sure they unplug that machine, since I'll already be home by then. But over the last few days, reading up on the situation, I have reached the conclusion that Terri is not brain dead, she is not in a coma, she is not on life support -- she is still there, in her body, alive, and it is wrong to kill her. Then I came across this post at the rightwing nuthouse, which, along with several others, convinced me it's time to throw in with Terri's Supporters. I know, I know, that carries as much weght as a pigeon in a tornado, but I believe it's the right thing to do. So I am going to apply to join Blogs for Terri. I encourage my fellow bloggers to do the same.
Quote of the Week
Thanks for the Memory to Darth Apathy.
-- Ann Coulter
Also unlike Raines, Rather and Jordan, Gannon has appeared on TV and given a series of creditable interviews in his own defense, proving our gays are more macho than their straights.
-- Ann Coulter
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Top Ten List for Thursday, February 23, 2005
Inspired by a comment by my good friend Darth Apathy in response to my post from earlier today. He suggests I should move to Texas. In response, I humbly submit, in pictorial form (except for # 10, it's a hypertext link),
TOP TEN REASONS I AM NOT GOING TO MOVE TO TEXAS:
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
TOP TEN REASONS I AM NOT GOING TO MOVE TO TEXAS:
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
My Ears Are Bleeding!
Yesterday while staying home with the lad (Who is just fine, by the way. His pediatrician thinks we may have a faulty monitor), I watched the History Channel program Wild West Tech. Yesterday's episode was "Massacre Tech", and covered several famous/infamous massacres in the old west. It was quite interesting.
And then it happened.
David Carradine was talking about a massacre that happened in Hells Canyon, and made reference to it as "Eastern Ora-gone"
*shudder*
I know, I know, that's how it's pronounced on every old western movie. And occasionally in the modern media. But it's not how it's pronounced by those of us who live here. I'm not sure quite how to convey to non-Oregonians how much we hate this pronunciation of our state's name, but I'll try.
Imagine if you will a giant chalkboard laying flat on the ground. Now imagine that Susan Esterich and Alanis Morissette, both wearing ice skates, are having a cat fight in the middle of this chalkboard, as Celine Dion sings and a thousand band saws cut into the edges of the chalkboard.
This scenario is only mildly irritating compared to the average Oregonian's reaction to "Ora-gone". So please, remember: Say it like "organ" or "Orygun".
Ora's still here.
And then it happened.
David Carradine was talking about a massacre that happened in Hells Canyon, and made reference to it as "Eastern Ora-gone"
*shudder*
I know, I know, that's how it's pronounced on every old western movie. And occasionally in the modern media. But it's not how it's pronounced by those of us who live here. I'm not sure quite how to convey to non-Oregonians how much we hate this pronunciation of our state's name, but I'll try.
Imagine if you will a giant chalkboard laying flat on the ground. Now imagine that Susan Esterich and Alanis Morissette, both wearing ice skates, are having a cat fight in the middle of this chalkboard, as Celine Dion sings and a thousand band saws cut into the edges of the chalkboard.
This scenario is only mildly irritating compared to the average Oregonian's reaction to "Ora-gone". So please, remember: Say it like "organ" or "Orygun".
Ora's still here.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Light Posting Day
This will be my last post for the day. The Lad had five apnea episodes yesterday, so we spent all night in the hospital. I'm taking the day off to rest and help care for him.
A Thrilla of a Grilla, or I've a Beef
Outside of the Larger cities of the Willamette Valley (namely Eugene, Salem, and the Portland Metro Area), Oregon is suprisingly Red State, and culturally closer to the Mountain West than to California. That's reflected in one of the annual promotionals run by Les Schwab Tires, a regional tire store chain. It's Free Beef Time at Les Schwab! A couple of years ago here in Eugene, a local bike shop tried to lampoon it with Fre Tofu Days. It flopped.
So this year, with the tires on the Moronmobile going bald, I decided to buy their replacements at Les Schwab, both because of the free beef and because I like supporting local and regional businesses. But there was a bonus. They're having a drawing to give away a bunch of these:
It's a Traeger Lil' Tex barbecue. It's not gas, it's not charcoal -- it uses wood. Wood pellets, to be precise. They're made right here in Oregon, and apparently they're quite popular even in traditional barbecueing regions. It's a true barbecue, not just a grill -- you can smoke, slow barbecue, or grill on it.
And I want it.
So this year, with the tires on the Moronmobile going bald, I decided to buy their replacements at Les Schwab, both because of the free beef and because I like supporting local and regional businesses. But there was a bonus. They're having a drawing to give away a bunch of these:
It's a Traeger Lil' Tex barbecue. It's not gas, it's not charcoal -- it uses wood. Wood pellets, to be precise. They're made right here in Oregon, and apparently they're quite popular even in traditional barbecueing regions. It's a true barbecue, not just a grill -- you can smoke, slow barbecue, or grill on it.
And I want it.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Your Weekly Dose of Baby Stuff
Wow. TFR just called, and in the last 5 days The Lad has gone from 7 lbs. 12 oz. to 8 Lbs 5.8 oz.
That's my lad!
It really is a trip being a father, but it's the coolest trip I could ever take. TFR has been wonderful, taking the graveyard shift feedings so I can sleep, while I take the morning feeding before leaving for work, and the evening feedings (Except the one during which I'm cooking). Teamwork definitely is a must for raising a kid.
He's still not quite getting the hang of nursing, so we are supplementing with a bottle using a mixture of formula and breast milk. Interesting consequence: Family trips are limited to distances with a round trip travel time that fits between scheduled pumpings, unless there is a destination or place to stop which can accomodate said pumping.
The other night, The Lad and His Dad had a moment. He was snigglued in my arms, staring up at me, and the moment seemed to warrant a lullaby. So Dear Old Dad sang to Chay the most beautiful song he could think of on the fly. It's a song he hopes his son grows up to love as dearly. It goes like this:
O! Say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. O! Say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
That's my lad!
It really is a trip being a father, but it's the coolest trip I could ever take. TFR has been wonderful, taking the graveyard shift feedings so I can sleep, while I take the morning feeding before leaving for work, and the evening feedings (Except the one during which I'm cooking). Teamwork definitely is a must for raising a kid.
He's still not quite getting the hang of nursing, so we are supplementing with a bottle using a mixture of formula and breast milk. Interesting consequence: Family trips are limited to distances with a round trip travel time that fits between scheduled pumpings, unless there is a destination or place to stop which can accomodate said pumping.
The other night, The Lad and His Dad had a moment. He was snigglued in my arms, staring up at me, and the moment seemed to warrant a lullaby. So Dear Old Dad sang to Chay the most beautiful song he could think of on the fly. It's a song he hopes his son grows up to love as dearly. It goes like this:
O! Say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. O! Say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
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