Come to my grotto, feast with me on the sun and the moon and the stars, drink with me of the water. Sing with me of the sky.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Turn around is fair play
Okay so I just referenced Obama getting bitch slapped by the CIA and lo' and behold suddenly the President decides it's NOT in the countries best interest to dig around in the past...
In a dramatic and high-profile reversal for his young administration, President Barack Obama is seeking to block the release of 44 photographs depicting abuse of detainees in U.S. military custody in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Justice Department had already agreed to release the photos by May 28 in response to a lawsuit, but Obama is shifting course.
“Last week, the President met with his legal team and told them that he did not feel comfortable with the release of the DOD photos because he believes their release would endanger our troops, and because he believes that the national security implications of such a release have not been fully presented to the court,” said a White House official who asked not to be named.
“At the end of that meeting, the President directed his counsel to object to the immediate release of the photos on those grounds,” the official said.
Truly funny but sadly revealing as to the presidents uncertainty. Apparently he doesn't realize that making declarations and such actually create the judicial situation that will eventually get his decision over turned. The president can't say one thing one day and another the next without causing rocking the foundations of his authority.
I wonder what the NPR staff think about this after their long news article touting the President's debates and how he had his cabinet divide up into groups and debate the pros and cons of releasing the photos. Than he weighed the options and decided to release. whoops guess that was a bad call.
In a dramatic and high-profile reversal for his young administration, President Barack Obama is seeking to block the release of 44 photographs depicting abuse of detainees in U.S. military custody in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Justice Department had already agreed to release the photos by May 28 in response to a lawsuit, but Obama is shifting course.
“Last week, the President met with his legal team and told them that he did not feel comfortable with the release of the DOD photos because he believes their release would endanger our troops, and because he believes that the national security implications of such a release have not been fully presented to the court,” said a White House official who asked not to be named.
“At the end of that meeting, the President directed his counsel to object to the immediate release of the photos on those grounds,” the official said.
Truly funny but sadly revealing as to the presidents uncertainty. Apparently he doesn't realize that making declarations and such actually create the judicial situation that will eventually get his decision over turned. The president can't say one thing one day and another the next without causing rocking the foundations of his authority.
I wonder what the NPR staff think about this after their long news article touting the President's debates and how he had his cabinet divide up into groups and debate the pros and cons of releasing the photos. Than he weighed the options and decided to release. whoops guess that was a bad call.
Color me not that surprised
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs today indicated that President Obama will not intervene to keep gay servicemembers from being dismissed from the military, despite his vow to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
Gibbs said "the policy isn’t working for our national interests," but added that ending it will "require more than the snapping of one's fingers."
"To get fundamental reform in this instance requires a legislative vehicle," Gibbs said. "The president made a promise to change this policy; he will work with the Joints Chiefs of Staff, the administration and with Congress to ensure that we have a policy that works for our national interests."
Noted a reporter at the briefing: "He is the Commander-in-Chief. I mean, if the president and the Secretary of Defense can bring about a new leadership in Afghanistan, replace the commanding general there, couldn't the president and the secretary of defense delay any more people getting fired under 'don't ask, don't tell'?"
Responded Gibbs: "Well, there have been discussions about the best way to move forward, and the only sustainable way to do that is through -- sustainable and durable way -- is through legislation, which the president has promised and has continued to work for."
No of course he won't get involved, he doesn't trust himself in a battle with the Pentagon, and and has already been smacked about by the State Department when he sold the CIA down the river over torture. It's just not that big an issue to him.
Gibbs said "the policy isn’t working for our national interests," but added that ending it will "require more than the snapping of one's fingers."
"To get fundamental reform in this instance requires a legislative vehicle," Gibbs said. "The president made a promise to change this policy; he will work with the Joints Chiefs of Staff, the administration and with Congress to ensure that we have a policy that works for our national interests."
Noted a reporter at the briefing: "He is the Commander-in-Chief. I mean, if the president and the Secretary of Defense can bring about a new leadership in Afghanistan, replace the commanding general there, couldn't the president and the secretary of defense delay any more people getting fired under 'don't ask, don't tell'?"
Responded Gibbs: "Well, there have been discussions about the best way to move forward, and the only sustainable way to do that is through -- sustainable and durable way -- is through legislation, which the president has promised and has continued to work for."
No of course he won't get involved, he doesn't trust himself in a battle with the Pentagon, and and has already been smacked about by the State Department when he sold the CIA down the river over torture. It's just not that big an issue to him.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The New Old Star Trek
First of all it was a great movie, fast paced, well acted, cheesy and great graphics. I think everyone involved should be congratulated. Except JJ Abrams, after mulling it over for three days I have to say that creating an alternate universe Star Trek is a cheap way of clearing the slate and allowing his characters a shot at doing whatever. The one thing I loved about Star Trek was the history, it had a clearly delineated time line and huge blank spots where people could do anything they wanted. Remaking the crew of the Enterprise is a bunch of cheap hollywood flim flam to cover the fact that they can't think of anything new.
But this all goes back to my problem with the current string of "re-imaginings" is it so hard to come up with a new idea when an entire universe already exists and quite literally they have a galaxy to play in. What about a new ship? what about covering an aspect of the Federation that does something other than fly around and deal with the romulans? I have the same issue with the new Dr Who, an absolute great series stuck in a rut and unable to imagine new opponents, time troubles or even why all the time lords died but the daleks seemed to have come through just fine, MULTIPLE TIMES!!!
But this should not be thought of as a denouement of the current star trek movie, it's really good, everything you could ask for in a summer flick, except originality.
But this all goes back to my problem with the current string of "re-imaginings" is it so hard to come up with a new idea when an entire universe already exists and quite literally they have a galaxy to play in. What about a new ship? what about covering an aspect of the Federation that does something other than fly around and deal with the romulans? I have the same issue with the new Dr Who, an absolute great series stuck in a rut and unable to imagine new opponents, time troubles or even why all the time lords died but the daleks seemed to have come through just fine, MULTIPLE TIMES!!!
But this should not be thought of as a denouement of the current star trek movie, it's really good, everything you could ask for in a summer flick, except originality.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Tales of the new Sun
Read this book!
The Book of the New Sun
I think the premise and the execution are better than almost anything I've read in a decade.
That is all.
Plus drop the friend who recommended it to me a line and tell him to post again!
The Book of the New Sun
I think the premise and the execution are better than almost anything I've read in a decade.
That is all.
Plus drop the friend who recommended it to me a line and tell him to post again!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Back to the starry nights
Well bitches, I've been shitty for the past four weeks and haven't updated. I think about it every day but than I don't typical me I suppose. But I have booked a trip back to England! Yay me. I'll see Ian, and Stuart, and who know who else, maybe some of the twitter folk I see around the web. May 29th though June 7th! Let me know if you live in the London area and if you want to meet up. Boo can't come as he is finishing graduate stuff and changed tacks and now has three months of work to complete, so I'm going alone again. Which is cool and sad at the same time.
Oh well heres to the Drinking and the History!
Oh well heres to the Drinking and the History!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Black Chargers of the Night
I think I'm going to stop talking about the govt and the "troubles". It's just to easy to get worked up over something that realistically I don't have the energy to affect. That's not to say I couldn't make a difference, I just don't want to have to endure the media scrutiny, the constant search for campaign money, and the inevitable drama that being gay in this state entails.
So on to a different note. movies. Been on quite the roll lately, Saw. "Watchman" and "Twilight". Oddly enough Twilight was the better edited and directed movie regardless of the paucity of the 'message'. Watchman had good material but failed to translate that effectively into a tight script. By staying so close to the comic they left out the all important 'WHY'. Movies of this nature are suppose to tie things together but it really only left things open to more questions without the promise of a sequel. Still the premise was so good that you could forgive a lot, the character development for Rorschach was so amazing that you just wanted to keep watching him flip out one liners and killer jail bugs. The context of this I suppose is that the original premise on the comic was to use artificial threat of
alien invasion to unite the Earth. Oddly enough I had the same idea when i was 16, by giving a greater threat and goal, you could quell most rebellions with tacit population support, in an effort to prepare for a greater threat. heh, I was such an ambitious little dreamer. Alexander was my hero too...
Twilight did a good job though and I'm actually looking forward to the future installments.
Ta for now
So on to a different note. movies. Been on quite the roll lately, Saw. "Watchman" and "Twilight". Oddly enough Twilight was the better edited and directed movie regardless of the paucity of the 'message'. Watchman had good material but failed to translate that effectively into a tight script. By staying so close to the comic they left out the all important 'WHY'. Movies of this nature are suppose to tie things together but it really only left things open to more questions without the promise of a sequel. Still the premise was so good that you could forgive a lot, the character development for Rorschach was so amazing that you just wanted to keep watching him flip out one liners and killer jail bugs. The context of this I suppose is that the original premise on the comic was to use artificial threat of
alien invasion to unite the Earth. Oddly enough I had the same idea when i was 16, by giving a greater threat and goal, you could quell most rebellions with tacit population support, in an effort to prepare for a greater threat. heh, I was such an ambitious little dreamer. Alexander was my hero too...
Twilight did a good job though and I'm actually looking forward to the future installments.
Ta for now
Friday, March 20, 2009
Oh look responsible journalism!
People do realize that we own AIG now right?
Gah the latest round of populist politics and journalism has made me sick. People at AIG actually working and doing the right thing, smashed in the face for continuing to work and close out a trillion dollar book of business. But no let's all jump on them for bothering to get paid!!
Grandstanding congressmen, the President himself, joe schmo's all calling the them greedy and self serving. Fuck them, have them quit, than watch the loss's balloon, your still going to have to bail them out! AIG's insurance division, backs whole governments, and they've already let it be known what they will do if they are left swinging in the wind.
Gah the latest round of populist politics and journalism has made me sick. People at AIG actually working and doing the right thing, smashed in the face for continuing to work and close out a trillion dollar book of business. But no let's all jump on them for bothering to get paid!!
Grandstanding congressmen, the President himself, joe schmo's all calling the them greedy and self serving. Fuck them, have them quit, than watch the loss's balloon, your still going to have to bail them out! AIG's insurance division, backs whole governments, and they've already let it be known what they will do if they are left swinging in the wind.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
To the North lie the ruins of the First ones
Business is starting to slow down, and despite my competitors lies to the the contrary, I know they are slowing down too. (vendor contacts) Inflation is already hitting our bottom line and slowly getting pushed over to the customers. Certain sectors are tightening faster than others. My paycheck is probably going to be A LOT smaller this month. Still I've done fine the last few months and that won't hurt. Still the urge to horde money is Very strong, I'm trying to resist however.
Boo's birthday is Saturday, and I have no idea what to get him, or where to take him... Ideas anyone? he's a 24 year old grad student who loves German stuff. The cake is ordered, I'm still looking for a night out hopefully with friends, if not stashing the dog at a friends and heading to a bigger city. I'd love to do a nature trip but the weather is suppose to be horrible, so I'm not sure I want to be on a mountain side during a tornado. That leaves sudden travel plans, a nice hotel, a spa trip. hmm after calling around I'm not sure about the spa trip.
Well any ideas are welcome!
Boo's birthday is Saturday, and I have no idea what to get him, or where to take him... Ideas anyone? he's a 24 year old grad student who loves German stuff. The cake is ordered, I'm still looking for a night out hopefully with friends, if not stashing the dog at a friends and heading to a bigger city. I'd love to do a nature trip but the weather is suppose to be horrible, so I'm not sure I want to be on a mountain side during a tornado. That leaves sudden travel plans, a nice hotel, a spa trip. hmm after calling around I'm not sure about the spa trip.
Well any ideas are welcome!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Not a moment to soon!
So years after scientists have figured out how to make stem cells from just about everything, Obama rides to the rescue to unclog the stem cell research ban!
Only one problem, he attaches a provision that messes with gay people reproducing, and my future plans of galactic race spawning....grumble grumble... I bet the Chinese will let me make clones...
"President Barack Obama says human cloning is "dangerous, profoundly wrong" and has no place in society.
Obama made the comments as he was signing an executive order that will allow federal spending on embryonic stem cell research.
Some critics say the research can lead to human cloning. Obama said the government will develop strict guidelines for the research because misuse or abuse is unacceptable.
He said he would ensure that the government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction. "
The truth is simple, Obama hates clone people...
Update:
And Congress bans stem cell research again...
Does anyone read these Bills anymore?
Only one problem, he attaches a provision that messes with gay people reproducing, and my future plans of galactic race spawning....grumble grumble... I bet the Chinese will let me make clones...
"President Barack Obama says human cloning is "dangerous, profoundly wrong" and has no place in society.
Obama made the comments as he was signing an executive order that will allow federal spending on embryonic stem cell research.
Some critics say the research can lead to human cloning. Obama said the government will develop strict guidelines for the research because misuse or abuse is unacceptable.
He said he would ensure that the government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction. "
The truth is simple, Obama hates clone people...
Update:
And Congress bans stem cell research again...
Does anyone read these Bills anymore?
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